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ACIDIC is an indie rock band from Southern California. The band consists of lead vocalist /guitarist Michael Gossard, drummer Matt Whitaker, guitarist/vocalist Josh Bennett, and bassist/vocalist Max Myrick.
Michael Gossard started performing together in his high school's rock band (Crespi Carmelite) with his childhood friend, Ted Dubrawski. Michael then formed the band now known as ACIDIC in his freshman year. In 2008, Matt Whitaker was added to the band after the two met him at Loyola High School. Whitaker is a paediatric cancer survivor, having overcome leukemia when he was seven.
ACIDIC's debut tour in Southern California began in October 2008, at what was then the Knitting Factory in Hollywood, followed by the first of many appearances at the Whisky a Go Go. ACIDIC was a three-piece band with Gossard, Dubrawski, and Whitaker, but they soon added a fourth member, guitarist Andy Sabatine. Their early promotional efforts soon focused beyond their local shows but also on their first full self-released CD Ironic Dreams. In 2009, the band introduced a new member, guitarist/vocalist Michael Thompson.
ACIDIC bridged 2010 and 2011 in Europe, on a New Year's tour with the Armed Forces Entertainment Network, performing at the US Army/NATO base Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo and Ramstein AFB and Spangdahlem AFB in Germany. The band also began a collaboration with producer John Ryan of Chicago Kid Productions (Styx, Santana, the Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and more).
ACIDIC's touring expanded into the Midwest in 2011, adding another showcase at SXSW, a second performance at the Sunset Strip Music Festival, and with routings supporting Marcy Playground, Fuel, and Alien Ant Farm. ACIDIC's "Strata Red" from the Getting Lucky CD also won the Alternative category in the 18th Billboard WorldWide Song Contest. [1] The year concluded with ACIDIC being named one of Music Review's "12 BANDS TO WATCH IN 2012" [2]
2012 opened with ACIDIC as a featured band at the 2012 Winter NAMM Show at the Anaheim Convention Center. The year featured even more ambitious touring, solidifying the band's growing reputation in the Midwest and opening up the East Coast with such headliners as Filter and Candlebox. Standout events in 2012 included a featured performance at the Florida Music Festival, and their first-ever headlining show at Doug Weston's Troubadour in mid-summer, By year's end, guitarist/vocalist Josh Bennett, formerly of the Palmdale CA rockers Order 66, settled in as ACIDIC's fourth band member, replacing Thompson. They then started work on their next album.
ACIDIC started 2014 with bassist/vocalist Max Myrick coming aboard, replacing Dubrawski. The band launched their first-ever headlining tour, the "Electric Cool-aid ACIDIC Tour," performing throughout the Rockies and Pacific Northwest during January and February. ACIDIC's show at Herman's Hideaway in Denver was that venue's "best Wednesday night in a year," and their performance at Machinery Row in Great Falls MT was that club's "best Monday night EVER!" The band's touring schedule was growing in scope, with another booking at "2Broke 2Rock" at the Knitting Factory in Spokane. New music was already being tested with fans on the road and winning raves never before seen in preparation for their next CD. The upcoming album is the third ACIDIC album produced by John Ryan of Chicago Kid Productions, who by this point has become a valued adviser and mentor to the band.
ACIDIC's very first full-length CD, Ironic Dreams, was produced by Michael Gossard, while still a high school student. He played most of the instruments because the full line-up of the band was not in place yet.
Track Listing
1. Her Walls Are Coming Down
2. Lost the Will
3. Strata Red
4. Move On
5. The Addict
6. Ironic Dreams
7. Break Me Down
8. Black Box
9. Without A Trace
10. Good Bye
11. When I Fade Away
12. You're So Dangerous
Their second album Getting Lucky, a 12 track CD, was produced by duo The Wizardz of Oz, Andrew Bojanic and Liz Hooper (who have previously worked with artists such as Liz Phair and Avril Lavigne). Released March 22, 2010, it features the ballad "Maybe", which debuted on the FMQB Hot AC radio spin chart in early May at No. 78 and eventually reached the top 40.[ citation needed ] "Tell Me" and "The Big Bang" were featured rock tracks for Triple A Radio. Two songs, "Move On" and "Strata Red" are re-recordings of tracks that originally appeared on Ironic Dreams. "Strata Red" later won First-Place honors in the Alternative Category at the 18th Billboard WorldWide Song Contest.
Track Listing [3]
1. Tell Me
2. The Big Bang
3. Move On
4. No Name
5. It's OK
6. Strata Red
7. Let Me Take You Away
8. Closer to the Sun
9. Liar
10. Waiting for Someone
11. Retrograde
12. Maybe
On September 20, 2011, ACIDIC released their third full-length album. The album was produced by multi-platinum award-winner John Ryan (who has produced albums for Styx, Santana, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Allman Brothers) of Chicago Kid Productions. Several earlier tunes were reworked and definitely "new and improved," including "Break Me Down," "Her Walls Are Coming Down," "Black Box," "Goodbye," and "Ironic Dreams." The opening track, "Uninspired," garnered airplay on radio stations from coast-to-coast and Canada. "The Brave" was a song written by Michael Gossard after ACIDIC's visit to Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany, during which time the band witnessed wounded soldiers returning from the Iraq War, being transported to hospital facilities on the base. The album boasts riveting original cover art by young Arizona artist Lucas Borncamp. “Chronic Satisfaction” was recorded with all members playing live in true rock concert style, each track recorded in a single take. [4]
Track Listing [5]
1. Uninspired
2. Break Me Down
3. Call for More
4. Her Walls Are Coming Down
5. Black box
6. Goodbye
7. Fifteen Miles Away
8. The Brave
9. Ironic Dreams
“Copper Man", the band's fourth album was released March 11, 2013, again with the help of John Ryan. ACIDIC then earned a distribution deal with Sony/RED via MegaForce Records. Mötley Crüe's Nikki Sixx named both the title track and "Drive Thru" “Sixx Picks of the Week” on his syndicated radio "Side Show". [6] [7] The music video “Copper Man” has hit over 1,000,000 views on YouTube. The album features guest vocals from Candlebox front man Kevin Martin, and Los Angeles singer/songwriter/impresario Kota Wade, who co-wrote the ballad "Believe" with Michael Gossard; and additional lead guitar licks from guest artist Nick Papa George of the L.A.-based band thatwasthen. The album cover features another example of original artwork by Chicago-based artist/designer Bendow. [8]
Track Listing [9]
1. Copper Man
2. Satellite
3. Monster
4. Only One
5. Drive Thru
6. Forever More
7. Looking Glass
8. Pirate Eyes
9. Hail to the Yeti
10. Believe
In 2008 and 2009, ACIDIC donated a portion of their online album sales to the East Valley Animal Shelter in Los Angeles. The band also has their own charity, Help Us Help, which contributes to various charities in the Los Angeles area. In 2009, they helped to raise funds for the One Love for Chi foundation, a charity that helps cover the medical expenses of Deftones bass player Chi Cheng. ACIDIC is also involved with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, which helped drummer Matt Whitaker and his family during his battle with cancer. The band has supported that organization since 2008, playing at Light the Night walk-a-thon events and Man/Woman of the Year fundraisers. They worked with Charitybuzz in the spring of 2010, auctioning a guest slot in the band at one of their Whisky a Go Go concerts, which was won by a 17-year-old guitarist from Seattle. [10]
The band have enjoyed positive feedback for both their live performances and their recordings. Abigail Miller of BLUERAILROAD.com: “Frontman Michael Gossard is a force of nature, connecting to his audience and his band mates in ways that make an ACIDIC show highly electrifying.” [11] RUKUS magazine: “These guys aren’t afraid to rock out. Gossard can really wail with his vocal at times and the band is full of energy. They move all over the stage, enjoying every minute of every song they play.” [12] PERFORMER magazine: “Straight from the get go, ACIDIC brings forth its frenetic energy and passionate sound in waves of indie alternative delight. This band brings the goods, with personality and flair unmatched in many West Coast bands.“ [13] The Inlander's Laura Johnson says, “ACIDIC plays the sort of dense, noisy rock that’s not quite metal, not quite punk. But with its pulsing rhythms, not-too-serious lyrics and towering guitar solos, it’s the kind of rock that begs to be heard.“ [14] Of their live performances, Upstate Metal stated, “Entrancing, incredible sound and vibe the band gave off… Gossard ran through the crowd while singing soulfully and jumped onto the bar, taking everyone by surprise…killer performance!” [15]
Future Rock Stars of America said of the band, "The instrumentals are very upbeat and have an old school rock tone to them...this young group sound like a band on the rise." [16] All Access Magazine said Acidic has, "Produced a peppy, punky package of original tunes" [17] and said of their live show, "Acidic's members concluded yet another stop on their ascent to the broader acclaim and popularity this energetic young Westside trio merits." [18] Campus Circle Magazine said, "Acidic is a good band with a lot of energy. They are professionals with a clean style who are able to achieve an energetic stage presence while still appearing like three very approachable guys...their solid rock songs and jovial, happy stage demeanor left me feeling cheerful and optimistic." [19]
Mötley Crüe is an American heavy metal band formed in Hollywood, California in 1981. Bassist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee first joined together with guitarist/lead vocalist Greg Leon. But after some time, Leon was replaced by guitarist Mick Mars and lead vocalist Michael White respectively. The latter was soon replaced by Vince Neil and the Mötley Crüe moniker was chosen soon after that. The band has sold over 100 million albums worldwide. They have also achieved seven platinum or multi-platinum certifications, nine Top 10 albums on the Billboard 200 chart, twenty-two Top 40 mainstream rock hits, and six Top 20 pop singles. The band has experienced several lineup changes over the years, leaving Sixx as the only constant member; these included the introduction of lead vocalist John Corabi and drummers Randy Castillo and Samantha Maloney, both of whom filled in for Lee following his departure from Mötley Crüe in 1999; he returned to the band in 2004. In October 2022, after 41 years of service, Mars announced his retirement from touring with the band, with former Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie guitarist John 5 replacing him.
Nikki Sixx is an American musician, best known as the co-founder, bassist, and primary songwriter of the heavy metal band Mötley Crüe, being the only member to remain throughout their entire history. Prior to forming Mötley Crüe, Sixx was a member of Sister before going on to form London with his Sister bandmate Lizzie Grey. In 2000, he formed side project group 58 with Dave Darling, Steve Gibb and Bucket Baker, issuing one album, Diet for a New America. Also in 2002, he formed the hard rock supergroup Brides of Destruction with L.A. Guns guitarist Tracii Guns. Formed in 2006, initially to record an audio accompaniment to Sixx's autobiography The Heroin Diaries: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star, his side band Sixx:A.M. featured songwriter, producer, and vocalist James Michael and guitarist DJ Ashba.
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Theatre of Pain is the third studio album by American heavy metal band Mötley Crüe, released on June 24, 1985. Released in the aftermath of lead vocalist Vince Neil's arrest for manslaughter on a drunk driving charge, the album marked the beginning of the band's transition away from the traditional heavy metal sound of Too Fast for Love and Shout at the Devil, towards a more glam metal style.
Brides of Destruction was an American hard rock supergroup from Los Angeles, California, formed in 2002. The band's last lineup consisted of singer London LeGrand (vocals), Tracii Guns and Scot Coogan. Previous members of the band were Nikki Sixx (bass), Kris Kohls (drums), Adam Hamilton (keyboard), John Corabi, Scott Sorry (bass) and Ginger.
John Corabi is an American hard rock singer and guitarist. He was the frontman of The Scream during 1989 and the frontman of Mötley Crüe between 1992 and 1996 during original frontman Vince Neil's hiatus from the band.
"Even Flow" is a song by the American rock band Pearl Jam. Featuring lyrics written by vocalist Eddie Vedder and music written by guitarist Stone Gossard, it was released in 1992 as the second single from the band's debut album, Ten (1991). The song peaked at number three on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. The song was included in Pearl Jam's 2004 greatest hits album, rearviewmirror . A remixed version of the song was included on the 2009 Ten reissue.
Scot Coogan is an American musician known for his accomplished drumming and vocal skills, working as both a session and touring musician. Scot resides in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he records, performs and has worked as a counselor at Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp. Scot is also related to Jackie Coogan who is responsible for the Coogan Act that was put into place in 1939.
"Animal" is a song by the American rock band Pearl Jam, released in 1994 as the third single from the band's second studio album, Vs. (1993). Although credited to all members of Pearl Jam, it features lyrics written by vocalist Eddie Vedder and music primarily written by guitarist Stone Gossard. The song peaked at number 21 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. The song was included on Pearl Jam's 2004 greatest hits album, rearviewmirror .
London is an American glam metal band formed in Hollywood, California in 1978. The band included several members that would go on to play in more famous bands, such as Mötley Crüe, Guns N' Roses, W.A.S.P. and Cinderella.
"Hooligan's Holiday" is a song by American heavy metal band, Mötley Crüe, released on their 1994 eponymous album. The lyrics to the song were written by vocalist/rhythm guitarist John Corabi and bassist Nikki Sixx, while the music was written by Corabi, Sixx, drummer Tommy Lee and guitarist Mick Mars. It was the first song recorded by John Corabi for the album.
"Misunderstood" is a power ballad by the American heavy metal band Mötley Crüe, released on their 1994 eponymous album. The lyrics were written by vocalist/guitarist John Corabi and bassist Nikki Sixx, while the music was written by Corabi, Sixx, drummer Tommy Lee and guitarist Mick Mars. The song charted at number 24 on the Mainstream rock charts. It was the final song recorded with Scream singer John Corabi.
"If I Die Tomorrow" is a song by the American heavy metal band Mötley Crüe released on their 2005 compilation album Red, White & Crüe. The song was one of the new songs recorded by Mötley Crüe for the album and the single charted at number 4 on the Mainstream rock charts. It is the first single since "Beauty" to feature drummer Tommy Lee.
"Too Young to Fall in Love" is a 1984 single by American rock and roll band Mötley Crüe. It was originally released on their 1983 album Shout at the Devil.
Sixx:A.M. was an American hard rock band from Los Angeles, formed in 2007 by Nikki Sixx, DJ Ashba, and James Michael, and was a side project of Sixx, who was also at the time bass guitarist for Mötley Crüe. The group is best known for their songs "Life Is Beautiful" and "Lies of the Beautiful People". The name Sixx:A.M. is a combination of all of the members' last names.
The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack, often referred to as simply The Heroin Diaries, is the debut studio album by Sixx:A.M., a side project of Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx. The band also features lead vocalist James Michael and guitarist DJ Ashba. The concept album serves as the companion soundtrack to Sixx's autobiography, The Heroin Diaries: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star, and is about Sixx's severe heroin addiction in 1987. The first single, "Life Is Beautiful," debuted at number 26 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
Daren Jay Ashba is an American musician, guitarist, songwriter, record producer, and graphic designer. He was the lead guitarist of Sixx:A.M. He is also known for his work with hard rock bands BulletBoys, Beautiful Creatures and Guns N' Roses. He has worked with various artists including Mötley Crüe, Drowning Pool, Marion Raven, Aimee Allen and Neil Diamond. He is the CEO of Ashba Media.
The Heroin Diaries: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star is a book co-written by Nikki Sixx, bassist of the rock band Mötley Crüe, and Ian Gittins. Additional reflections on the period from Sixx and others are interspersed throughout the book. The book also includes many black-and-white photographs, lyrics, random thoughts and artwork. The book was designed by Paul Brown, according to page 406. With his other band Sixx:A.M., Sixx recorded a concept album titled The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack as a musical accompaniment for the book. The album was released in 2007.
James Andrew Michael is an American record producer, sound engineer, mixer, songwriter, musician and singer. He was the lead singer of the rock band Sixx:A.M.
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