A Taste:

Alice In Chains, Pearl Jam, Queens of the Stone Age

Being a badass rock star is a full-time job.

Corey Taylor should give seminars on it because, these days, he’s flawlessly fronting not one or two, but three bands.

The Slipknot and Stone Sour singer has added the Junk Beer Kidnap Band to his ever-growing list of mindblowing musical projects. In the Junk Beer Kidnap Band, Taylor’s love for the likes of Foo Fighters and Alice In Chains shines bright, as he churns out some of the catchiest hard rock we’ve heard in recent memory.

Right now, Taylor is about to finish up the cycle behind Slipknot’s fourth masterpiece All Hope Is Gone, with a U.S. tour alongside the Deftones and what are bound to be legendary headlining sets at Cypress Hill’s Smokeout on Saturday October 24 in San Bernardino, CA and Fangoria’s “Trinity of Terrors” in Las Vegas on Halloween night.

In the meantime, Taylor opened up his iTunes for this exclusive interview with ARTISTdirect.com editor and Dolor author Rick Florino. Check out Corey’s playlist below and don’t miss Slipknot at the Smokeout and “Trinity of Terrors.”

Corey Taylor’s Playlist:

1. Alice In Chains — Black Gives Way to Blue

I am listening to the new Alice In Chains—constantly! It is so good, man! I am not kidding. Let me just say, “If you buy one album, buy my album!” [Laughs] “But if you buy two albums, buy the new Alice In Chains.” I cannot back that album enough, and this is coming from a sick, sick fan. I’ve been an Alice In Chains fan for years. In a lot of ways, Alice In Chains is responsible for the way I write. “Would?” is one of my all-time favorite songs ever written. When I heard that song, it showed me that anything was possible with music because everything was real—even with the alternative movement going on. I was heavily into that because I was a punk kid growing up. Even within the alternative style, there was this sentiment that you had to write a certain way. “Would?” came out, and it just punched me in the face. I was like, “This could be one of the greatest songs ever written!” That’s what this whole new album reminds me of—feeling like, “God, I’ve missed this band!” It’s their best work since Dirt. I’ll be straight-up honest. People are going to love it.

2. Pearl Jam — Backspacer

The new Pearl Jam album, Backspacer, is actually really good as well. It’s weird because I’m usually the guy who says, “I don’t listen to anything new.” It’s been a really good year though!

3. Green Day — 21st Century Breakdown

The new Green Day is amazing. There’s a lot of good stuff out there!

4. Them Crooked Vultures

I’ve never wanted to sleep with men before, but that trio—Dave Grohl, Josh Homme and John Paul Jones—are you kidding me? My buddy heard it, and said it’s even better than you could ever imagine.

5. Queens of the Stone Age

Songs for the Deaf is a great album. You know what? I loved Lullabies to Paralyze. Lullabies is so sickeningly dark! Seriously!

—Rick Florino
10.12.09