Careful With That Axe

Last updated
Careful With That Axe
Studio album by
ReleasedAugust 12, 2014
StudioThe Doghouse Studio, Los Angeles
Genre Instrumental rock [1] country [2]
Length31:31
Label 60 Cycle Hum
Producer John 5, Rodger Carter
John 5 chronology
God Told Me To
(2012)
Careful With That Axe
(2014)
Season of the Witch
(2017)
Singles from Careful With That Axe
  1. "This Is My Rifle [3] "
    Released: June 17, 2014

Careful With That Axe is the seventh solo album by John 5. It was released on August 12, 2014, and debuted at no. 50 on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart. The album's first and only single, "This is My Rifle", was released two months prior on June 17, 2014.

Contents

Background and recording

Work on the album took place in between his work as a touring guitarist for Rob Zombie. [4] Recording took place in "The Doghouse Studios" in Los Angeles. [4] With it being his seventh instrumental studio album, John 5 desired to mix his process up from the past. Historically, he had recorded all guitar and bass guitar parts himself, and hired a studio drummer to "Keep the beat and stay out of [his] way". [4] For Careful With That Axe, he recruited a dedicated bassist, Matt Bissonette, to play all bass parts, and had a co-producer Rodger Carter play all drum tracks, with both players being more interactive in the process. [4] Both were experienced studio musicians, with Bissonette having previously recorded with Elton John and David Lee Roth, and Carter having previously recorded with Lita Ford and Gene Simmons. [5]

Composition and themes

John 5 described the album as having "a real live band sound" that covers a broad spectrum of different music genre. [4] The track "This Is My Rifle" is a tribute to Al Di Meola, while "El Cucuy" is a tribute to Spanish flamenco guitar music. [5] "Jerry's Breakdown" and "Jiffy Jam" are both cover songs of Jerry Reed, a musician John 5 was familiar with due to his father listening to his albums as a child. [5]

The album's title pays homage to Pink Floyd's 1968 psychedelic track "Careful with That Axe, Eugene", while also making a pun on the slang term "axe", meaning a guitar. [5] Both the album's title and many of its individual song titles are references to axe murders. [6] "This Is My Rifle" is a reference to Stanley Kubrick and Full Metal Jacket , "Flight of the Vulcan Valley" is a reference to Flight of the Bumble Bee . [4] "El Cucuy" is Spanish for the "bogeyman", while "Portrait of Sidney Sloan", "Villisca", and "The Dream Slayer" all refer to specific real-life murders. [4]

Promotion and release

The album's first single, "This is My Rifle", was released on June 17, 2014, two months prior to the album's release. [1] The album released on August 12, 2014 through record label 60 Cycle Hum. [7] The album's cover art features photography from Ray Gutierrez of StrangeBeautifulArt, who previously done the image's for John 5's earlier album The Art of Malice . [1] The album debuted at no. 50 on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart. [8]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."We Need To Have A Talk With John"1:20
2."This Is My Rifle"4:00
3."Flight Of The Vulcan Kelly"2:18
4."Jerry's Breakdown"2:36
5."Six Hundred And Sixty Six Pickers In Hell"3:18
6."Portrait Of Sydney Sloan"3:33
7."Jiffy Jam"2:58
8."Vilisca"3:12
9."El Cucuy"3:26
10."The Dream Slayer"4:13
Total length:31:31

Personnel

Related Research Articles

White Zombie (band) American heavy metal band

White Zombie was an American heavy metal band that formed in 1985. Based in New York City, they started out as a noise rock band, releasing three EPs and one studio album in that style before changing to a heavy metal-oriented sound that broke them to the mainstream. The albums La Sexorcisto: Devil Music Volume One (1992) and Astro-Creep: 2000 (1995) established them as an influential act in groove metal and industrial metal, respectively. Their best-known songs include "Thunder Kiss '65", "Black Sunshine" and "More Human than Human". The group officially disbanded in 1998. In 2000, White Zombie was included on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock, ranking at No. 56.

Anthrax (American band) American heavy metal band

Anthrax is an American heavy metal band from New York City, formed in 1981 by rhythm guitarist Scott Ian and bassist Dan Lilker. The group is considered one of the leaders of the thrash metal scene from the 1980s and is part of the "Big Four" of the genre, along with Metallica, Megadeth and Slayer. They were also one of the first thrash metal bands to emerge from the East Coast. The band has released 11 studio albums, several other albums, and 26 singles, including collaborating on a single with American hip hop group Public Enemy. According to Nielsen SoundScan, Anthrax sold 2.5 million records in the United States from 1991 to 2004, with worldwide sales of 10 million. Four of the band's studio albums have also achieved gold certifications by the RIAA, including their third full-length record Among the Living (1987), which cemented Anthrax's reputation as one of the most successful thrash metal bands.

UFO (band) English heavy metal band

UFO are an English rock band that was formed in London in 1968. They became a transitional group between early hard rock and heavy metal and the new wave of British heavy metal. The band's current lineup includes vocalist Phil Mogg, lead guitarist Vinnie Moore, rhythm guitarist and keyboardist Neil Carter, bass guitarist Rob De Luca, and drummer Andy Parker. They have gone through several line-up changes, leaving Mogg as the only constant member, and had two breaks. The band are also notable for featuring former Scorpions guitarist and MSG founder Michael Schenker, who was a member of UFO from 1973 to 1978 and had rejoined the band sporadically between 1993 and 2003, when Moore replaced him. In May 2018, Mogg announced that he would retire from UFO after one last tour as a member of the band in 2019; however, the band plans to resume their farewell tour in 2022.

DevilDriver American heavy metal band

DevilDriver is an American heavy metal band from Santa Barbara, California, formed in 2002, consisting of vocalist Dez Fafara, lead guitarist Mike Spreitzer, drummer Austin D'Amond, bassist Diego "Ashes" Ibarra and rhythm guitarist Cody Haglund. The band was originally named Deathride, however, due to copyright issues and the name being taken by several bands, the band changed its name to DevilDriver.

Rob Zombie American singer, songwriter, filmmaker, and voice actor

Robert Bartleh Cummings, known professionally as Rob Zombie, is an American singer, songwriter, filmmaker, and voice actor. He is a founding member of the heavy metal band White Zombie, releasing four studio albums with the band. He is the older brother of Spider One, the lead vocalist of the industrial metal band Powerman 5000.

Dying Fetus American death metal band

Dying Fetus is an American death metal band originally from Greater Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Formed in 1991, the group is known for their consistently hook-laden song structures, characterized by blast beats, complex riffing, slam riffs and heavy breakdowns. Additionally, their reality-based lyrics characterized by political/modern themes are notable in death metal. Various line-up changes throughout the years have left John Gallagher as the sole remaining original member, as well as the band's driving force. According to Gallagher, the band name was chosen while the members were of adolescent ages and was intended to be offensive. To date, Dying Fetus has released eight studio albums.

Exodus (American band) American thrash metal band

Exodus is an American thrash metal band formed in 1979 in Richmond, California. Their current lineup consists of guitarists Gary Holt and Lee Altus, bassist Jack Gibson, drummer Tom Hunting, and lead vocalist Steve "Zetro" Souza. There are no original members left in Exodus other than Hunting, who has departed from the band twice, in 1989 and 2004, but rejoined in 2007. Exodus is also known for including guitarist Kirk Hammett in its initial lineup; he eventually left the band in 1983 to join Metallica as Dave Mustaine's replacement. Holt, who replaced original guitarist Tim Agnello in 1981, has been most consistent member throughout various lineup changes and break-ups, and is the only member to be present on each Exodus release. Much of the band's career has also been affected by bitter feuds between both band members and record companies, two extended hiatuses, deaths of former band members and internal problems often relating to drugs.

<i>Joe Satriani</i> (album) 1995 studio album by Joe Satriani

Joe Satriani is the self-titled sixth studio album by guitarist Joe Satriani, released in October 1995 through Relativity Records. This was his last album for Relativity, as he would switch record labels to Epic for his next eleven albums. Joe Satriani reached No. 51 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and remained on that chart for seven weeks, as well as reaching the top 100 in four other countries. "(You're) My World" was released as a single, reaching No. 30 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart and receiving a nomination for Best Rock Instrumental Performance at the 1997 Grammy Awards, Satriani's seventh such nomination.

John 5 (guitarist) American guitarist

John William Lowery, best known by the stage name John 5, is an American guitarist. His stage name was bestowed on him in 1998 when he left David Lee Roth's solo band and joined the rock group Marilyn Manson as their guitarist, taking over for Zim Zum. Still going by the name John 5, Lowery has since become the guitarist for Rob Zombie.

Loser (band)

Loser was an American alternative rock band which was active from 2001 to 2006.

Lillian Axe American band

Lillian Axe is an American hard rock band from New Orleans, Louisiana, US, best known for its major label albums, Lillian Axe, Love + War, Poetic Justice and Psychoschizophrenia. Originally formed in 1983, the group is still active, though only the guitarist Steve Blaze and bassist Michael Max Darby remain from the original line-up.

Psychostick American comedy rock band

Psychostick is an American comedy metal band from Tempe, Arizona, now residing in Chicago, Illinois, known for their silly image and usage of humor in their songs and lyrics. Their style is referred to by themselves and some online album review sites as "humorcore".

<i>The Devil Knows My Name</i> 2007 studio album by John 5

The Devil Knows My Name is the third solo album from Rob Zombie/ex-Marilyn Manson guitarist John 5. This is the first album to date which doesn't feature John 5's signature Telecaster on the cover.

<i>Venus in Overdrive</i> 2008 studio album by Rick Springfield studio

Venus in Overdrive is the 16th studio album by rock musician Rick Springfield. According to an interview that Springfield gave to the website Songfacts, the title track was written about his wife, Barbara Porter, whom he married in 1984. The album spent two weeks on Billboard's album chart.

<i>Hellbilly Deluxe 2</i> 2010 studio album by Rob Zombie

Hellbilly Deluxe 2: Noble Jackals, Penny Dreadfuls and the Systematic Dehumanization of Cool is the fourth solo studio album by former White Zombie frontman Rob Zombie. The album is a sequel to his debut album Hellbilly Deluxe. It was released on February 2, 2010, through Roadrunner Records. This is the first album with bassist Piggy D and the last with drummer Tommy Clufetos.

<i>Women and Children Last</i> 2010 studio album by Murderdolls

Women and Children Last is the second and final studio album by American horror punk supergroup Murderdolls released through Roadrunner Records on August 31, 2010, and produced by Chris "Zeuss" Harris. With the exception of Murderdolls touring guitarist Roman Surman, who contributed lead guitars, and Mötley Crüe's Mick Mars, who guests on "Drug Me to Hell" and "Blood Stained Valentine", the album was recorded by Wednesday 13 and Joey Jordison. In Metal Hammer, Jordison explained why the old lineup would not be returning:

The old band, we didn’t even know each other before it all came together [...] It was dysfunctional but it worked, but this time, we wanted it to be a little more stable. It was apparent that if we were going to do the Murderdolls again, we were going to do it with everything we’ve got.

Motionless in White American metalcore band

Motionless in White is an American heavy metal band from Scranton, Pennsylvania. Formed in 2005, the band consists of Chris "Motionless" Cerulli, Ryan Sitkowski, Ricky "Horror" Olson, Vinny Mauro (drums), and Justin Morrow (bass). The band has stated that their band name derived from the Eighteen Visions song "Motionless and White".

<i>Inferno</i> (Marty Friedman album) 2014 studio album by Marty Friedman

Inferno is a studio album by guitarist Marty Friedman, released in 2014 through Prosthetic Records.

Tommy Vext Musical artist

Thomas Cummings, better known under the stage name Tommy Vext, is an American heavy metal singer and songwriter known as the former lead vocalist of Bad Wolves, Divine Heresy, and Westfield Massacre.

<i>The Lunar Injection Kool Aid Eclipse Conspiracy</i> 2021 studio album by Rob Zombie

The Lunar Injection Kool Aid Eclipse Conspiracy is the seventh studio album by American heavy metal musician Rob Zombie. The album was released on March 12, 2021, by Nuclear Blast. It received positive reviews upon release. It was Rob Zombie's first album to reach No. 1 at the Billboard's Top Album Sales Chart in the US in the first week of its release.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Rob Zombie Guitarist John 5: 'Careful With That Axe' Album Details Revealed". Blabbermouth.net. 2014-06-12. Retrieved 2016-08-08.
  2. Adam St. James. "John 5 Interview: Shreddin' Surprises". Guitar.com. Archived from the original on 2016-04-14. Retrieved 2016-08-08.
  3. "John 5 To Release 'Careful With That Axe' In July". Blabbermouth.net. 2014-05-08. Retrieved 2016-08-08.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Bosso, Joe. "John 5 talks new album Careful With That Axe track-by-track". MusicRadar.com. Retrieved 2016-08-08.
  5. 1 2 3 4 di Perna, Alan (2014-10-10). "John 5 Shows Off His Telecaster Collection and Discusses New Album, 'Careful with That Axe'". Guitarworld.com . Archived from the original on 2019-10-27. Retrieved 2019-10-26.
  6. "Rob Zombie Guitarist John 5 To Release 'This Is My Rifle' Single Next Month". Blabbermouth.net. 2014-05-21. Retrieved 2016-08-08.
  7. "Interview: John 5 Talks New Solo Album, 'Careful with That Axe' and Rob Zombie Projects". Revolvermag.com. 2014-07-30. Archived from the original on 2016-09-19. Retrieved 2016-08-08.
  8. "JOHN 5 Cracks Billboard Heatseekers Chart". Bravewords.com. Retrieved 2016-08-08.