O quarteto que o Dave Grohl fundou após o fim do Nirvana lança hoje, 3 de novembro, a coletênea “Greatest Hits”, com quase todos os “greatest hits” do Foo Fighters, “Everlong” e cia + 2 novas (o velho golpe da coletânea com 2 inéditas…). Para promover a compilação, tem apresentações ao vivo no site e página da banda no Facebook.

The Foos did a 2 1/2 hour live performance on Facebook on 10/30 to recognize their Greatest Hits release. So much fun to see them playing and goofing around. Amazing band to see live.

http://www.livestream.com/foofighters

Apparently my subconscious decided that this week was devoted to solo albums and/or side projects.

Artist: Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders
Album: Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders
Release Date: March 21, 2006

For those not playing along at home, Taylor Hawkins is the drummer for the Foo Fighters. On the one hand, Hawkins has a pretty good solo album here; I mean, at the absolute worst, Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders beats back the old joke that drummers can’t write songs (though at the same time, Foos frontman Dave Grohl did that). But at the same time, I feel there’s an interesting parallel here. With the Foo Fighters, Taylor Hawkins’ drumming is frantic, electrifying, explosive, and part of what keeps that band tight and fast-paced. But Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders doesn’t keep that same pace; in fact, as a songwriter, Taylor Hawkins has a tendency to overwrite songs that would be terrific as quick blasts, but instead aspire to greater heights and end up falling short. This isn’t to say that Hawkins’ album is necessarily bad; dude has tremendous talent as a drummer, and shows great promise as a writer and a singer. The Coattail Riders could just do well to focus in a bit more in their music, and the Coattail Riders could be as good a side project as the one they spawned from.

Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders – Walking Away (YSI)

==TJ==

No dia 3 de novembro será lançada a primeira coletânea do Foo Fighters,intitulada” Foo Fighters The Greastest Hits“, o álbum terá 14 faixas, sendo duas inéditas, Wheels e Word Forward.

Segundo a revista americana Rolling Stone a música “Wheels” será o primeiro single do álbum e terá um clipe dirigido por Sam Brown, que já dirigiu o clipe “The Pretender”, faixa do álbum de estúdio mais recente da banda, Echoes,Silence,Patience and Grace.

Foo Fighters The Greatest Hits virá em duas versões, uma só com o álbum normal e a outra uma versão especial, que terá um DVD com vídeos da banda, shows ao vivo da turnê Skin & Bones na Inglaterra. Aqueles que comprarem a verão deluxe terão como presente, um livro de 28 páginas, com fotos da banda.

A banda de David Grohl começou fazendo um rock bem simples e engraçadinho demais, com o tempo mostraram uma grande evolução tanto na parte instrumental quanto nas letras.

Confira o tracklist de Foo Fighters Greatest Hits:

“Everlong”

“My Hero”

“Learn To Fly”

“All My Life”

“Monkey Wrench”

“Best Of You”

“The Pretender”

“Times Like These”

“Breakout”

“Skin and Bones”

“Wheels”

“Big Me”

“Word Forward”

“Long  Road To Ruin”

“This is a Call”

“Everlong (acoustic)”

By: Dukemich

The Foo Fighters are one of my favorite bands of all-time. In my opionion, the band is better than Nirvana but I’m not going to argue that point because there are too many people who are still in love with Kurt Cobain. I feel it is a battle that could get nasty. The fact is that it’s nobody’s fault but Kurt Cobain’s that this group exists. If he didn’t kill himself maybe Nirvana would still be going with Dave Grohl still behind the drums.

However, look at the talent and music that was born after the tragic death of Kurt Cobain. Who knew that Dave Grohl could pick up a guitar and sing? Grohl admits that a lot of the ideas came from Cobain but the tone of the music is different from Nirvana’s. Don’t get me wrong, I like Nirvana but a lot of their song are similiar. The tone of the Foo Fighters’ songs are just so energetic while Nirvana is so dull at times. In some songs, Cobain sounds like me when I have to take a dump the morning after eating curly devil fries and wings at the Donkey. Now I think Nirvana’s lyrics are deeper than the Foo Fighters’ lyrics but when you start a song by saying “sell kids for food” or “rape me” it’s kind of a turn off.

This is another spot where there may be some disagreements. I think Dave Grohl has a better voice than Kurt Cobain. Does Grohl’s voice get a little annoying when he yells? Yeah. However, he picks the right time to scream in every song he screams in. When I first listened to Monkey Wrench, I hated the last part of the song because he screams for 30 seconds staight and it was really annoying. But as I listened to the song more and more I understood why he did it. In a lot of the Foo Fighters’ songs the music builds so his voice has to match the momentum that the songs build. The song then grew on me because I could see that he was trying to make a point. That he was caged and now he’s fffffrrrrrrreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!! And when you think of caged animals they are crazy and just want to get out. So he was freeing himself by singing with passion and screaming and not breathing(The song is incredibly hard to sing on Rock Band 2). Cobain seemed to sing out of the side of his mouth a lot.

Well that was a lot more than I wanted to get into. Now the purpose of the blog.

Honorable Mentions:

My Hero

This song is amazing and can be in the top 5. The best part is the end with the build up of the drums. The Foo Fighters also have an acoustic version of the song. Paramore covered the acoustic version which is also good but not as good as the Foo Fighters’ version. I like the video too.

All My Life

The Foo Fighters utilized one chord in this song perfectly. Most of the song is the one chord strummed three times. I find it incredible that they made a successful song that goes da,da,da…da,da,da…da,da,da…da,da,da…da,da,da

They also through in the sound the guitar hero video game makes when you screw up. Of course this song builds like most Foo Fighters’ songs and then explodes at the end. This is also definitely a great pump up song.

#5- Learn to Fly

I really don’t see any reason why someone would hate this song. The music video is wierd but funny. The song is mellow with no Dave Grohl screaming. It’s a quality song. I really don’t find any flaws in it. However, there’s nothing special about it. It’s just a song that everybody likes. It’s chill, it’s solid, it’s number 5.

#4- Everlong

Like Learn to Fly, Everlong is a quality song with a bad music video. Even worse than Learn to Fly. However, I think Everlong is the most well done. The lyrics are great. The music is great. It’s a perfect song. It’s well done but not my favorite.

#3-Monkey Wrench

It’s like this song was made for Rock Band. Intense guitar, intense drums, and intense singing(I know first hand. I almost died while singing it) while still maintaining a happy rhythm. It’s a very entertaining song with a big finish.

#2-Best of You

Dave Grohl puts an incredible amount of passion in his voice as he sings this song. The music follows his lead. In fact the music respondes to Grohl’s singing. It’s as if he’s controlling it. This song shows more passion than any other Foo Fighters’ song. Many believe it is the best, the best, the best. However, some believe that his voice in annoying in the song as well.  

#1-The Pretender

I love it!!!! It is the ultimate pump up song. It starts off slow then kicks into gear by the powerful beating of the drum. The drum pushes the guitar into overdrive. The song builds and builds and builds and then explodes at the end. Grohl keeps pace with the music throughout the song. The song ends with Grohl sending a message saying “So who are you? Yeah who are you? Yeah who are yyyoooouuuu!!!!!?????

In this song, the Foo Fighters are standing up for themselves and…fighting. IT’S AWESOME!!!!

Well that’s my top 5. It was very difficult for me to make this list because their music is so good. There should be a Foo Fighters Rock Band or Guitar Hero because their music is perfect for it. 

Random Videos with Foo Fighters’ Songs

For this next video skip the first 33 seconds. It’s really creepy. TRUST ME IT”S A GOOD VIDEO AFTER 33 seconds. SKIP THE FIRST 33.

There’s literally a Dragonball Z video paired with every song ever created so I thought I’d throw one in.

Not bad, really heavy…not keen on the stuttering drum part, tho.

Yes hello!

Another day…another posting.  Enjoy all!

Artist:  Foo Fighters                Song:  Everlong              Album:  The Colour and the Shape
The Foo Fighters was formed by Dave Grohl (former drummer for Nirvana) and was supposed to be a one-man project, until he drafted Nate Mendel on bass.  He acquired a drummer and a guitarist to accompany his vocal and guitar talents.  The band went through many changed in personnel but today is comprised of Dave Grohl, Nate Mendel, Taylor Hawkins, and Chris Shiflett.  The band has had 6 full length studio albums, 3 of which won Grammys for Best Rock Album, and all 6 have been nominated for Grammys.  After Nirvana, Grohl was offered many positions with various artists and almost accepted a permanent position as the drummer for Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, but ultimately decided to form the Foo Fighters.  This song is from their biggest and most popular 2nd album entitled The Colour and the Shape, which was released in 1997.  This album spawned other hits such as “Monkey Wrench” and “My Hero” (featured in the movie Varsity Blues).  When you think of Foo Fighters, you think of this album and, most certainly, this song.

Cheers,

Gladington McCoffee

Hollywood Hosts Guitar Center’s Drum-Off Grand Finals Competition This Saturday at 7pm.

I will be front and center to provide you lucky devils with the sights and sounds AND I have a fantastic prize to give away – a signed drum head, autographed by Mars Volta! Details below…

Among the panel of top judges of the Guitar Center Drum Off Grand Finals are: Adrian Young (No Doubt), Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters), Kenny Aronoff, The Rev (Avenged Sevenfold) and Danny Carey (Tool).

After months of local and regional competitions held at each of Guitar Center’s 214 stores across the country, the top six undiscovered drummers in the nation have been selected from a field of nearly 5,000 competitors. The six finalists will go head to head on Saturday, January 10th, 2009 at Guitar Center’s Drum-Off Grand finals in Los Angeles for a prize package worth over $45,000, as they perform in front of a capacity crowd at the historic Music Box at Fonda Theater.

Stephen Perkins (Jane’s Addiction) will host the evening. Guitar Center will also feature performances from drumming greats Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden), Jason Bittner (Shadows Fall), an exclusive collaboration by Thomas Pridgen (Mars Volta) and Thomas Lang and a headlining performance by Papa Roach. Street Drum Corps Presents BANG! will perform their signature high-energy, street drumming sets outside the venue to kick off the night.

The Six Finalists are:

Juan Carlos Mendoza (E. Brunswick, NJ)

Jerome Flood III (Lawrenceville, GA)

Anthony Burns (Saginaw, MI)

Ramon Sampson (Memphis, TN)

Sherman Arnold (Englewood, CO)

Tim Newton (La Mesa, CA)

For 20 years Guitar Center’s annual Drum-Off has been recognized by the music community as one of the most important platforms for unsigned talent, and a springboard to stardom for many seriously talented young drummers. Prior Drum-Off champs who have gone on to become successful pro drummers include Cora “CC” Dunham (Prince; Drum-Off ’02 Champ), Eric Moore (Bobby Brown, Sly and The Family Stone, Infectious Grooves, Suicidal Tendencies; Drum-Off ‘03 Champ), Tony Royster Jr. (Jay Z; Drum-Off ’95 Champ) and Thomas Pridgen (The Mars Volta), who became Guitar Center’s Drum-Off champion in 1993 when he was just 9 years old!

This is an all-ages show.

Tickets are $15 at www.TicketWeb.com

Guitar Center’s Drum-Off finals
Saturday, January 10th – 7pm
The Music Box @ Fonda
6126 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, Ca 90028.

One lucky reader of my blog will win a drum head, courtesy of Guitar Center and autographed by Mars Volta drummer, Thomas Pridgen!

Just leave a comment at www.Aliontheair.wordpress.com below this blog, on who your favorite drummer is and why. The best response will take home the booty.

It’s tough being in a rock band, touring during Thanksgiving. Most bands can’t afford a catered holiday meal. The Foo Fighters can, but who knows if it would be as good as Bravo’s reality show, Top Chef, having its contestants cook it for you — while you’re on tour in Rochester, NY.

It was weird seeing Dave Grohl playing the fussy food critic about things like parfait. A little funny, too, seeing rock stars complain about tour food that appeared to be this good. Loving food, I have always been a fan of the show and this was probably the best one yet. Worth the watch for not only Top Chef fans but Foo Fighters fans. It was a fun episode.

Off-script, Top Chef hostess, Padma Lakshmi (top, left), later joined the Foo Fighters later on stage, playing tambourine.

NY Post claims that drummer Taylor Hawkins “‘vied for her attention all night” but got nowhere.

I like this shot for a lot of reasons, but here is a few:

• I had no business getting a shot this good from the 300 level (go Canon G9!)
• Taylor Hawkins is one of my favourite drummers
• Hey, he is a Foo Fighter
• I really like the way the concert lights shine off that top cymbal
• The blur in the image really captures his dynamic motion
• He appears to be having a blast!

Technically speaking, you aren’t supposed to take pictures at concerts unless you have permission, but with the number of camera phones in existence, it is really pretty silly to try and enforce this (although one of the security guards did tell me to turn it off).

Great concert by the way!!

According to NME.com, Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones joined the Foo Fighters onstage at the Foos’ second Wembley Stadium concert, which took place on Saturday, June 7th in London.

Page and Jones joined the Foo Fighters during the encore for versions of “Rock ‘n’ Roll” and “Ramble On.” Dave Grohl took over drum duties on “Rock ‘n’ Roll,” while the band’s regular drummer, Taylor Hawkins, deputized on vocals for the missing Robert Plant, who is currently touring with Alison Krauss.

When Page and Jones were leaving the stage before the Foo Fighters played the closing song, “Best of You,” Grohl shouted to the crowd, “Welcome to the greatest f—ing day of my life!”

It sounds like it was one hell of a show. Hopefully, clips of the show will turn up on You Tube.

To read more about it on NME.com, go to http://www.nme.com/news/led-zeppelin/37175.

UPDATE: There is a photo gallery from the Foo Fighters’ recent shows in Manchester and at London’s Wembley Stadium, including the show at which they were joined by Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones, at http://www.nme.com/photos/459/photo-gallery-foo-fighters-giant-uk-stadium-shows-featuring-special-guests-led-zeppelin-and-more.

Foo Fighters: The Pretender

Vocals and Guitar: David Grohl

Drums: Taylor Hawkins

Bass: Nate Mendel

Guitar: Chris Shiflett

Foo Fighters – Best Of You

Vocals and Guitar: David Grohl

Drums: Taylor Hawkins

Bass: Nate Mendel

Guitar: Chris Shiflett

Foo Fighters: Times Like These

Vocals and Guitar: David Grohl

Drums: Taylor Hawkins

Bass: Nate Mendel

Guitar: Chris Shiflett