She's not just the wife of... She's not just a provocative character... And she's not just a singer... Musician, actress, and painter Courtney Love is celebrating her birthday today !! Let's see if you succeed in following her disturbed, unconventional and creative life !! (Photo: David Roemer) 1. She was born on July 9, 1964. Her full name is Courtney Michelle Harrison and she was born in San Francisco. Later in life, she changed her last name to Love. 2. From an early age she grew up on music with her godfather being bassist Phil Lesh and one of the founders of the "Grateful Dead" band. 3. In 1970 Courtney's parents divorced when the divorce process was ugly and difficult which greatly affected Courtney. 4. At the age of 9, Courtney was diagnosed with autism by a school psychologist she attended. (Photo: Courtney Love Facebook) 5. Courtney's mother created a beautiful, unrestrained, and boundless environment in her home, Courtney said that different people would walk around her house, sometimes without even clothes, and would do yoga and various religious ceremonies. 6. At the age of 14 Courtney held her debut in the prison cell, when she was arrested for theft from his compartment store. 7. After her release, Courtney was adopted by a foster family until 1980, where she grew up on the music of Patti Smith, "The Runaways" and "The Pretenders". 8. Until her return to the US in 1982 Courtney traveled to Japan, the UK, and Ireland working on bizarre works and a booklet for her biological father. One of the experiences she gathered there was staying at the home of The Teardrop Explodes, a local post-punk rock band. 9. That same year during a performance of the band "Faith No More", Courtney asked the band to become their singer. The band agreed and even recorded several songs with her, but the experiment ended very quickly and Courtney was fired from the band. 10. After another outing outside the US and again odd jobs, Courtney returned to the US and formed her first lineup with Ursula Wehr and Robin Barbur. In 1984 she formed her first official band "Pagan Babies", they recorded a short demo of four songs and broke up. 11. Courtney decided she was doing a professional conversion and started studying film and theater, she got several very small roles and in 1987 she was cast in a lead role in the comedy-action-film Straight to Hell directed by Alex Cox. 12. The film caught the attention of Andy Warhol who cast Courtney for his guest show Andy Warhol's Fifteen Minutes. That same year she also appeared in a Ramones band clip for the song "I Wanna Be Sedated". 13. A year later Courtney left acting and began working as a stripper in several West Coast cities. She felt she could not find herself and her destiny and after a few months, she moved to Alaska for a few months. 14. At the end of 1989 Courtney moved to Los Angeles and decided to form a band. She enlisted guitarist Eric Erlandson and the two began working on materials together. At night she would work as a stripper to purchase equipment for the band and during the day they would rehearse in a studio loaned to them by the RHCP. 15. Courtney enlisted Lisa Roberts and together they screamed their souls to Eric's guitar sounds. After a few weeks, Courtney recruited drummer Caroline Rue and another guitarist Mike Geisbrecht, but the latter did not last long and was replaced by Jill Emery. The above ensemble was called "Hole". (Photo: Spotify) 16. In 1991 the debut album "Pretty on the Inside" was released, it was produced by Kim Gordon from "Sonic Youth" and the singer Don Fleming from "Gumball". The album was very rough and very influenced by punk rock and metal, it was a commercial success When the only single from the album was "Teenage Whore". 17. After the release of the album, the band went on a tour in Europe to promote the album along with "Mudhoney" and "Smashing Pumpkins". Through the tour, Courtney met Billy Corgan and the two had a relationship for several months. 18. In May 1991 Courtney met Kurt Cobain and the two had a relationship until February 1992 when they got married and she became his official partner. 19. In April 1993 their only daughter was born "Frances Bean Cobain". 20. That same year Courtney appeared on the cover of the famous "Vanity Fair" magazine which included an article that portrayed the rockers in a very negative light, as they were addicted to drugs and raising a child under very bad and irresponsible conditions. Courtney said the article had a very severe and profound impact on Cobain and their relationship. 21. In the same year, the couple made their only appearance together at an anti-rape event in Hollywood where they performed the songs "Pennyroyal Tea" and "Where Did You Sleep Last Night". 22. The band's second album "Live Through This" was released in 1994, a week after Cobain's death. The album contained softer and melodic sides of the band but retained the hard, rough core. Except for guitarist Eric, all the other members of the band have changed. 23. The album was an even greater success than its predecessor and was the band's breakthrough album, it won a place in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 best albums of all time. 24. The tour to promote the album was one of the wildest and most notorious events in the band's history. Courtney would take to the stage unleashed as she unloaded her positions on the microphone, lashing out at stage workers and spectators and physically dismantling the stage and the audience, not to mention several events that led to many arrests of the lady. 25. After finishing her tour in 1996, Courtney returned to her second profession and began acting in several series, until she was cast in a lead role in The People Vs. Larry Flynt, tells the story of the owner of the pornographic magazine "Hustler". 26. A year later Courtney returned to the world of music and releases "Hole" a compilation album called "My Body, the Hand Grenade". In the same year, the band also released an EP called "The First Session". 27. In 1998 Hole released her third album "Celebrity Skin". The album features several musicians from outside the band such as Billy Corgan mentioned above who also wrote some of the songs, "Jordon Zadorozny" and "Charlotte Caffey", Courtney wrote all the lyrics on the album. This is the band's most successful album to date and it reached number 9 on the Billboard 200. Courtney made no secret of the fact that the album combines commercialism and art for her! 28. By the way, Corgan remained friendly with Courtney Love and later had a relationship with her, when in 2006 he even moved in with her and her daughter Frances Bean Cobain at her Hollywood mansion. 29. Back in 1998, Courtney designed a guitar in collaboration with "Fender" under the low-cost brand of Fender Squier guitar called "Vista Venus". 30. In 1999 she starred in the movie "Man on the Moon" with Jim Carry. 31. A year later she starred in the film "Beat" alongside Kiefer Sutherland. 32. In 2001 she starred in the film "Julie Johnson" alongside actress Lili Taylor. 33. That same year Courtney formed a punk rock supergroup called "Bastard" with Veruca Salt, Louise Post, and Gina Crosley. The band recorded a demo of only a few songs and disbanded shortly thereafter. 34. A year later in 2002, she starred in the movie "Trapped" with Kevin Bacon and Charlize Theron. 35. That same year Hole officially disbanded! 36. In 2004 Courtney released her only solo album called "America's Sweetheart". The album is very different musically from the material of "Hole" and it was a commercial failure when at a later stage Courtney called it a mistake. 37. In 2005 she co-wrote and published a manga (Japanese comic) called Princess Ai with writer Stu Levy. 38. In 2009 Courtney brought "Hole" back to life and a year later, what started as a second solo album became the band's fourth and final album Nobody's Daughter. Linda and Corgan also had partners on this album and despite mixed reviews from fans and critics, Courtney declared it to be the best album she had made. 39. This time too Billy Corgan co-wrote and produced several songs from the album. Immediately after his release Corgan got upset with Courtney for acting without his permission with the songs and they started exchanging "blows" between them on Twitter and Facebook. It was so ugly and offensive that the two do not speak to this day. 40. In 2012 she released a collection of 40 handmade paintings and illustrations called And She's Not Even Pretty. (Photo: Courtney Love Facebook) 41. In 2014, Courtney starred in the seventh season of the "Sons Of Anarchy" series. 42. In 2016 she released a clothing collection together with businesswoman Sophia Amoruso named Love, Courtney. 43. In 2018 she appeared in the clip for the song "Tattooed in Reverse" by Marilyn Manson along with Lisa Marie Presley. 44. In 2020, she received the Icon Award at the NME Awards; NME described her as "one of the most influential singers in alternative culture of the last 30 years". 45. The drugs were an integral part of Courtney's most of her life, she underwent several rehab processes and was even arrested several times. 46. Throughout her life, she has been involved in such and such scandals that have included violence against fans and reporters, provocative behavior in TV shows and programs, libel, and lawsuits, and a series of numerous bizarre arrests. You are invited to listen to the latest album she released as part of the band "Hole": here. Follow us on Facebook or Subscribe to our website "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog & Podcast

On July 9, 2002, the third album of the band "Hayehudim" was released. We will mention at every opportunity that we are total groupies, yes, like 16-year-olds in everything related to this band but if so we must be honest about the music and with ourselves. This album came out about 4 years after the album "Hayehudim" (bearing the band name) which smashed the second album syndrome and brought us exploding songs like "Sami Free", "Age of God", "Help Me", "Intermeth" and of course "Theft" and also emotional songs like "Could Be", "Drop in the Sea", "Fly" and of course the amazing and immortal "Sometimes", in short, a perfect album !!! This album was also released 5 years before the heavy, killer, gilded, and so-anticipated " Forte ", an album that lifted the band several notches up, really really close to Olympus with songs like "You Have No Place", "Here It Comes", "New York City", "Even when not crying", "Can not do otherwise" and of course "What About You" that reveals the gladiatorial power of this crazy band !!! So our album is basically a "sandwich child", between the older child, the leader, the adult that everyone compliments, and between the young child, the little one that everyone cares about, who goes after and pampers him. A sandwich kid who didn’t really get attention, didn’t go into details, and let grow and develop on his own. Yes, they are all here, Orit Shahaf , Tom Petrover , Yahav, Avi Stroll, Yiftach Shahaf, and Mittelman. The sound is here too, the strong distortions, the inconceivable intensities in the couple's singing but... but something here is not polished enough, something is missing. Although on this album the songs are much longer than on the previous albums, there are even more English songs here than on the previous albums, it seems like the band tried to go further on the road but something there got lost along the way. Apart from the immortal and mesmerizing songs that are to this day in the band's setlist like “War Bell”, “Fall”, “Another Place” and of course “Twentieth Century” the other songs on the album are missing. We feel they lack the synchronicity, harmony, and flow that so characterizes the band, as if the members went beating each other in the studio and didn't really flow with each other ideas (it's just our feeling, not something we know). Take for example the "Amen" which sounds tired and heavy, even though the band has songs like that, it manages to stretch over almost 6 minutes. The song "Oh Lord" which sounds like a huge potential, throws you into the grunge area with an excellent rhythm of drums and riffs but sounds like it was taken from a demo recording of a band at the beginning of its journey. The song "Now You" feels as if there is no harmonic dynamic in the sound of the guitar, with the drums and vocals. We will stop here because it really hurts us to write these lines, we love everything about this band but it is less so. Even the less good songs have some buds that do kindness like "At the End, You Cry" and "Somewhere Else." We want to believe that this is an album that the band had to release to progress and mature into an album that came out later. (Photo: Avihai Levy) After this album, the "Hayehudim" underwent a significant change in the lineup when Iftach Shahaf left and was replaced by two huge guitarists, Daniel Brecher and Guy Be'er. This comes out significantly in the sound and dynamics of the album " Forte " where you feel the leap made by the band. This is the first album in which Orit Shahaf started painting the album cover and the design of the inner booklet. Listen to the album on: Spotify , Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

Geddy Lee 's mother, Mary Weinrib, passed away on July 2, 2021, just a few weeks before her 96th birthday. Rush fans have known Mary, among other things, from her performance in the documentary "Rush: Beyond the Stage Lighted" from 2010, and most recently from the docu-series "From Cradle to Stage" by Virginia Hanlon Grohl and Dave Grohl in which she described her amazing survival story during the Holocaust. Mary was a good friend of Dave Grohl 's mother. Mary Mania (Malka) Rubinstein was born in 1925 in Warsaw and grew up in Wierzbnik, a Jewish town that was part of Starachowice, Poland. During the Holocaust, she was forced to work in the Starachowice labor camp where she manufactured ammunition for the German extermination machine. She was later transferred to the Auschwitz concentration camp, where she met and fell in love with her husband Morris Weinrib. The two separated during the Holocaust but in 1945 with the victory over Germany Mary was liberated from Bergen-Belsen and reunited with Morris in 1946, the two then married and emigrated to Canada. After the sudden death of her husband Morris in 1965, Mary was left with three young children including Gadi Lee who was then only 12 years old. He recited Kaddish in memory of his father for a whole year and kept the mourning Jewish customs. One of the band's songs "Red Sector A" was written by Rush's drummer, Neil Peart, inspired by the survival story of Mary and her husband Morris. Beyond raising the children, the death of her husband Morris forced Mary to enter the family business and run the convenience store that her husband had run until then. Preparing family meals on Rosh Hashanah and Pesach was one of her loves. After working in the store, Mary would cook and bake at night, preparing everyone’s favorite dishes and desserts in honor of the holiday. Mary was also an avid supporter of Rush and came to shows regularly. When the band's first album came out, Mary filled the windows of the family store she ran on the album's posters and distributed albums to children who wanted them, but had no money to buy them. Two months before her death, on May 10, 2021, on "Mother's Day", Geddy posted the following words on his Instagram account: " Happy Mother's Day to my beautiful mom, Mary! Pushing 96 and still rockin' out! And she just got vaccinated too! May she be around for many more!" In the 6th episode of the series "From Cradle to Stage" which aired on June 10, 2021, Dave Grohl said about her and Geddy: " ... It was funny for me to sit with Geddy and his Mom because ... he changed my life. Rush really changed my life... As we were sitting with Geddy and his Mom, I was thinking ... if it weren't for her I might not be a drummer ..." About a year after her death, it was reported that the website's facial recognition software "From Numbers to Names" was able to find a picture of her from her time in the "Bergen-Belsen" camp, which led Geddy Lee to find more pictures of his mother's extended family in the "Yad Vashem" photo collection. R.I.P. "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

On June 26, 1964, The Beatles' third album, "A Hard Day's Night", was released in the United States (and two weeks later in England). Almost at the same time, a film of the same name was also released, starring the Fabulous Four. The name of the album (and the film) came from a remark that Ringo Starr accidentally said to the director of the film. This is the Beatles' first album in which they wrote all the songs themselves, without any cover versions. The album featured 13 original tracks (with differences between the British and American versions) including the theme song " A Hard Day's Night ", which opens up with the famous chord of George Harrison 's 12-string guitar, " I Should Have Known Better ", " I'll Be Back ", " And I Love Her ", " Can't Buy Me Love ", " Things We Said Today ", " You Can't Do That " and more. The album and film were released at the height of "Beatlemania" and are intended to create a classic image of a famous and successful rock band "The Beatles", with the film showing what a typical day in the life of the fabulous four looks like, with the band members starring as themselves. The aura presented by the film around the members of "The Beatles" made many young people want to be like them and led to the growth of many rock bands on both sides of the ocean. Active bands were also greatly influenced by the album and the film, for example, "The Byrds", which until that time was a folk band and changed its style towards rock and roll to resemble the Fab Four. The album also opened the door to the US, for other British bands such as "The Rolling Stones", "The Kinks" and "The Animals", who owe their success in the US to "The Beatles". On the day of the film's premiered, "The Beatles" flew from London to their hometown of Liverpool, to be greeted at the airport by a huge crowd of about 3,000 fans who screamed and shouted,. The screening itself was attended by about 200,000 fans who were very proud of the fact that "The Beatles" that came from their hometown managed to create a revolution all over the world. At the end of the film premiere, "The Beatles" members were taken to a balcony that overlooked the fans who flocked outside the venue, While the fab four were on the porch waving goodbye to their fans, the gang's bad boy, John Lennon waved his hand as if it was a Nazi salute. Luckily the unusual event did not create harsh criticism. Remember John Lennon got more entangled in his remark that "The Beatles" are more famous than Christ. For Listening: Spotify , Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

On June 25, 1984 "Purple Rain" was released, Prince's sixth album and his first with "the Revolution". Indeed, this album, which is also the soundtrack to a film by the same name released two weeks later, has created a "revolution." Beyond the pile of nominations and awards this album has garnered, it ranks third on the list of best-selling soundtracks ever. The album revealed to the world that Prince is much more than a gimmick, he is a gifted and talented musician, a multi-instrumentalist and a guitarist of supreme grace. But more than that, this album influenced a lot of artists, among them, Chris Cornell who especially loved the song "The Beautiful Ones". So now let's learn about this album some important facts: 1. Prince originally wrote the country-style theme song " Purple Rain " with the intention of collaborating with Stevie Nicks of "Fleetwood Mac". 2. Prince approached the Nicks with a 10-minute recording of the music of " Purple Rain " and asked her to write the lyrics to the song. 3. If you thought the song " Purple Rain " and its guitar solo were too long (the song goes through the 8 minutes), then think again. The song was originally intended to be 11 minutes long and include an additional verse and chorus that dealt with the subject of "money." 4. Each of the three verses in the song deals with a different theme from The Kid's life. His parents, Apollonia and his bandmates. 5. Prince was very worried that the song was very similar to the song " Faithfully " by the band "Journey". He was so worried, that he was rewarded, called the songwriter, Journey's keyboardist - Jonathan Cain, and asked him what he thought. Cain gave Prince a "green light" and noted that there are only a few identical chords. 6. The name of the song and the album "Purple Rain" were taken from the lyrics of the song "Ventura Highway" by the band "America". 7. According to the film's director, Prince had about 100 written songs that he sent him, so that he could choose songs for the soundtrack. " When Doves Cry " and " Take Me With You " were not on this list and were written later. " Purple Rain " was not on the song list either. The director heard Prince play the song in a fundraising show, got excited, and asked Prince to put it on the soundtrack. 8. Prince plays all the instruments in the song " When Doves Cry ". 9. There is no bass channel in this song. Prince neutralized it at the last minute. 10. The singles " Let's Go Crazy " and " When Doves Cry " but actually the theme song " Purple Rain " only came in second place on Billboard. 11. Q Magazine ranked the theme song in 40th place out of the 100 best guitar songs of all time. 12. Rolling Stone magazine ranked the song 144th out of the 500 greatest songs of all time. 13. The song also entered the list of 500 songs that shaped the rock 'n' roll of the Hall of Fame. 14. Prince won an Oscar in 1984 for the song "Purple Rain" as the best original song. 15. The soundtrack of the film reached number one on Billboard and stayed there for 24 consecutive weeks. 16. It was Prince's first album to reach number one on the Billboard 200. (Photo: Tidal) 17. The album entered the list of major albums in the "Grammy Hall of Fame". 18. It also entered the list of significant recordings of the Library of Congress. 19. The album sold about 25 million copies, making it one of the best-selling albums in the world. 20. It is also the sixth best-selling soundtrack in the world. Above it are "The Bodyguard", "Saturday Night Fever", "Grease", "Dirty Dancing" and "Titanic". 21. The album is ranked 8th in the "Rolling Stone" magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. For Listening: Spotify , Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

He is the founder of "The Misfits", "Samhain", and "Danzig". He owns a record label and an adult-oriented comic book publishing company. He influenced many artists especially "Metallica" who covered a few of his songs. Here are some interesting facts about Glenn Danzig: (Photo: IMDB) = He was born on June 23, 1955 in Lodi, New Jersey as Glenn Allen Anzalone. = He began listening to heavy metal music at an early age, and has described "Black Sabbath", "the Ramones", "Blue Cheer", and "The Doors" as his early musical influences. = Danzig took piano and clarinet lessons as a child. He later taught himself how to play the guitar. = Danzig started in the music business at the age of 11, as a drum roadie. = He had never taken vocal lessons. = In his teenage years he sang for several local bands, such as "Talus" and "Koo-Dot-N-Boo-Jang" which combined original songs and "Black Sabbath" covers. = In 1974, three years before forming "The Misfits", Glenn wrote the song “Bullet” as a three-verse poem, showcasing his early talent for blending punk rock with provocative lyrics. = In 1977, Glenn Danzig formed "The Misfits" in Lodi, New Jersey, a band that would become legendary in the punk and horror punk genres. = "The Misfits" released their first single, "Cough/Cool," in 1978. This debut marked the beginning of their influence on the punk scene, characterized by their unique blend of horror themes and punk rock. = In January 1980 "The Misfits" released "Beware" an EP containing the song "Last Caress", later covered by "Metallica". = In 1982, "The Misfits" released their first full-length album, "Walk Among Us", which is now considered a seminal album in the punk rock genre. = The band released their second album "Earth A.D./Wolfs Blood" in 1983. The song "Green Hell" from it was covered by "Metallica". = "The Misfits disbanded in 1983 due to internal tensions and creative differences. This led Glenn Danzig to explore new musical directions. = 7 months after the band's breakup Danzig released the song "Die, Die My Darling" under the name of "The Misfits". This song was also covered by "Metallica". = After the breakup of "The Misfits", Glenn Danzig formed a new band called "Samhain". The band had a darker, more gothic sound and served as a bridge between "The Misfits" and Danzig's later work. = " Samhain" released their first three records — 1984's "Initium," 1985's "Unholy Passion" EP, and 1986's "Samhain III: November-Coming-Fire" — on Danzig's independent Plan 9 label, establishing a devoted cult following. = In July 1986, Rick Rubin saw "Samhain" perform at "The Ritz" in New York City. Rubin was not a fan of "The Misfits" or "Samhain" but recognized Glenn's potential. Rubin signed Glenn to his label and suggested forming a new band named "Danzig". = Songs such as "Twist of Cain" and "Possession," initially intended for "Samhain's" fourth album, were demoed in September 1986 with Danzig on vocals and guitar, Eerie Von on bass, and London May on drums. = After an extensive search, John Christ joined as the guitarist, and Chuck Biscuits was chosen as the drummer, finalizing the lineup for the band "Danzig". = "Danzig" released their self-titled debut album in 1988, produced by Rick Rubin. The album included the hit song "Mother" which became a staple in Danzig's career. = "Metallica's" James Hetfield provided backing vocals on the tracks "Twist of Cain," "Possession," and possibly one other song on the debut album, although he was not credited due to contractual issues. = While credited to Glenn Danzig, "The Hunter" released in 1988 was originally written by members of "Booker T. and the MGs" with Carl Wells in 1967. Danzig made some lyrical changes and took full songwriting credit. = "Mother," initially released in 1988, gained widespread popularity when it was remixed and re-released in 1993, leading to significant mainstream success and heavy rotation on MTV. = Rick Rubin accidentally sent the uncensored version of the "Mother" music video to MTV, leading to the network banning it. The video featured controversial imagery such as Danzig appearing to sacrifice a chicken. = The iconic skull on "Danzig's" debut album cover, also used in "Samhain's" album art, was inspired by the cover of an obscure "Marvel" comic, "The Saga of Crystar"ת Issue 8. = In addition to his music career, Glenn Danzig has ventured into acting and directing. He has appeared in several films, including "The Prophecy II" (1998), and directed horror films and music videos, showcasing his multifaceted talents. = Glenn Danzig founded "Verotik", a comic book publishing company, in 1994. "Verotik" specializes in horror and adult-themed comics, reflecting Danzig's long-standing interest in dark and macabre themes. = The album "Danzig IV," released in 1994, featured a darker, more atmospheric sound compared to previous albums, solidifying Danzig's place in the heavy metal and gothic rock scenes. = Glenn Danzig has released two classical albums, "Black Aria" (1992) and "Black Aria II" (2006), showcasing his versatility as a composer and his interest in classical and dark orchestral music. = In 2016, Glenn Danzig reunited with original "Misfits" members Jerry Only and Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein for a series of highly anticipated reunion shows, which were celebrated by fans and marked a historic moment in punk rock history. = Glenn is a fan of horror movies and Japanese animation, influences that have permeated his music and comic book work. = According to the December 2007 issue of "Revolver Magazine", Glenn is a huge fan of the iconic Swedish pop group "ABBA", highlighting his diverse musical tastes. = Glenn has written songs for other musicians, including Johnny Cash and Roy Orbison, showcasing his broad songwriting capabilities. = He is the owner of "Evilive Records", which has released mostly recordings by the "Danzig" band and his own solo albums, further establishing his footprint in the music industry. = In 2020, Danzig released an album titled "Danzig Sings Elvis," paying homage to one of his major influences, Elvis Presley. This album showcases his ability to blend his unique style with classic rock n' roll. = Over the decades, Glenn Danzig has left a significant impact on multiple music genres, including punk rock, heavy metal, and gothic rock. His work continues to influence new generations of musicians and fans. "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

He's the singer who has accompanied "Testament" on all their albums since its inception, he has a powerful voice and you would not want to meet him in a dark alley. Here are some interesting facts about Chuck Billy who is celebrating his birthday today: (Photo: Liz Ramanand) 1. He was born on June 23, 1962 in Oakland California as Charles Billy. 2. Billy was born to an Indian father and a Mexican mother. He is part of the "Pomo" tribe from Northern California, and is proud of its Native American heritage. 3. The songs "Trail of Tears", "Alegiance" and "Native Blood", were written as a tribute to his legacy. 4. Billy is a cousin of Stephen Carpenter, the founder and lead guitarist of the metal band "Deftones". 5. Already in high school he was part of bands he formed together with his classmates. 6. His first appearance on stage was at "The Stage Club" in California, with the band "Rampage", in 1982. 7. He began his musical career as the lead singer of a local metal band called "Guilt", which also included Danny Gill who would become the guitarist for "Hericane Alice" and "Medicine Wheel". They recorded one demo in 1984 and contributed the song "Down to the City" to the "U.S. Metal Vol. IV" collection. 8. In 1986 Billy joined "Legacy" as a replacement for his childhood friend, lead singer Steve "Zetro" Souza, who recommended him to the band and would later join "Exodus". (Photo: Nuclear Blast) 9. The band changed its name to "Testament" and released their debut album "The Legacy" in 1987. Billy contributed one song to the album called "Do or Die". 10. Since then, Billy has released twelve more studio albums with "Testament" including " The New Order ", " Demonic ", "Practice What You Preach", "The Gathering", " The Ritual ", "Titans Of Creation" and more. 11. Billy and guitarist Eric Peterson are the only ones to appear on any of "Testament's" albums. 12. His singing style has changed over the years considerably, from a clear and high thrash style towards the low and deep death. Since the album "Low" Billy combines the two styles, sometimes within the same song. 13. In 1997 "Testament's" contract with its record company ended and the band thought of breaking up. This sent Billy to audition as Max Cavalera 's replacement in "Sepultura", but he lost that role to Derrick Green. 14. In 2001 Billy was diagnosed with a rare strain of testicular cancer. He managed to overcome the disease with the help of an Indian healing method and by 2003 he had returned to the stages with the band. 15. Remember Steve "Zetro" Souza who recommended Billy to "Testament" members? So Billy replaced him as the singer of "Exodus" in a performance held on October 28, 2004, where the band served as a warm-up show for "Megadeth". 16. Ten years later, in 2014, Billy will participate in in the song "BTK", from Exodus' "Blood In, Blood Out" album. Kirk Hammett was also featured on the album. 17. In 2015 Billy was part of the supergroup "Metal Allegiance" which also included his friend Alex Skolnick . 18. In 2019, Billy appeared as a guest on the song "The Crownless King" by "Killswitch Engage",taken from their album "Atonement". 19. In 2020, Billy appeared in the song "Routes" by "Lamb of God", taken from their album "Lamb of God". 20. "Marvel" lovers will be interested to know that Billy contributed his voice to the "What If ...?" Series, that you can watch on "Disney +" "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

On June 23, 2009, "Dream Theater" released their tenth studio album, "Black Clouds & Silver Linings". This album marked the end of an era for "Dream Theater", as it would be the last studio album to feature founding drummer and creative anchor Mike Portnoy  before his departure in 2010. It was released at a time when the band was embracing their most polished production values, while still maintaining the epic scale and technicality that defined their progressive metal identity. "Black Clouds & Silver Linings" is an album haunted by shadows—loss, trauma, mortality, and recovery—but also infused with light, growth, and grace. It’s an emotionally charged record that captures the band at both a musical and personal crossroads. Produced by John Petrucci  and Mike Portnoy , and mixed by Paul Northfield, the album was recorded at Avatar Studios in New York and leans heavily on extended compositions, layered instrumentation, and autobiographical lyrics. "A Nightmare to Remember"  is a cinematic and thunderous 16 minutes epic piece, recounting a childhood car accident experienced by John Petrucci (as can also be heard from the car accident effects on 3:55 min.). Its fusion of haunting melodies, brutal (near Doom) riffs, and theatrical structure makes it one of the most dramatic songs in the band's catalog. James LaBrie  delivers a soaring clean vocal, which contrasts with Mike Portnoy 's rare growls—adding visceral weight. Jordan Rudess adds more texture with a use of lap steel guitar. "A Rite of Passage" serves as the album’s lead single and its most radio-accessible moment, yet it retains the band’s progressive complexity. Centered around themes of secret societies and Freemasonry, the lyrics are cryptic but intriguing, layered over a powerful rhythmic foundation. The song features a sharp, groove-heavy riff, a melodic catchy chorus, and one of John Petrucci's tightest solos on the album. "Wither"  offers a rare, vulnerable moment on the album—a melodic ballad that explores the creative block and self-doubt that can paralyze an artist. With written lyrics by John Petrucci 's this heartfelt ballad reveals Petrucci 's introspection about the songwriting process itself. James LaBrie 's restrained delivery and the song’s simplicity create a poignant moment of sincerity. "The Shattered Fortress"  is the final chapter in Mike Portnoy 's Twelve-Step Suite—a musical saga chronicling his journey through addiction and recovery. These final parts of the saga, which began on " Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence " album, features reprising and concluding themes and motifs from the suite that began 7 years earlier . By interweaving motifs from the previous parts, this musical piece brings the entire arc to a cathartic conclusion, making it a deeply personal swan song for Portnoy 's tenure with the band. For this end of this personal saga Portnoy also co-sings lead vocals with LaBrie . "The Best of Times"  is a eulogy for Mike Portnoy 's father, written shortly before his passing from cancer ( Portnoy played the song for his father prior to his death). Musically inspired by "Rush" (the second intro on 2:45 Min. sounds like " The Spirit of Radio") , it opens with a hopeful piano and violin motif before evolving into one of the most emotionally stirring tracks the band has ever recorded. It’s a celebration of memory and gratitude, with Jordan Rudess keyboard part at 6:11 Min. and John Petrucci 's solo at 9:59 Min. delivering both tears and triumph. The album closes with "The Count of Tuscany" , a 19-minute progressive epic that ranks among the band’s best long-form compositions. Based on a real-life encounter John Petrucci  had in Italy, it plays like a suspenseful short story set to music—blending mystery, fear, humor, and redemption in one of the most dynamic journeys the band has put to tape. Its breathtaking instrumental sections and emotive finale serve as a towering monument to everything that defines "Dream Theater". The special edition of the album included a third disc of cover songs that served as a tribute to the band’s influences, performed in full "Dream Theater" style. These included faithful and energetic renditions of "Stargazer"  by "Rainbow", "Larks' Tongues in Aspic, Part Two"  by "King Crimson", "To Tame a Land"  by "Iron Maiden", "Odyssey"  by "Dixie Dregs", "Take Your Fingers from My Hair"  by "Zebra", and "Tenement Funster / Flick of the Wrist / Lily of the Valley"  by "Queen". Each track reflected not only the band's technical prowess but also their deep love and respect for classic progressive and hard rock heritage. As part of the tour supporting the album, "Dream Theater" embarked on the “Progressive Nation 2009” tour, which included a long-awaited show in Israel, for the first time on June 16, 2009. The historic concert featured a packed setlist with fan favorites tracks and an epic encore medley including "Metropolis Pt. 1" . In a particularly emotional and memorable moment, the band played an instrumental segment of "Hava Nagila"  as a tribute to the Israeli audience. It remains Mike Portnoy 's only performance in Israel with the band, giving the night an even more profound sense of significance. Upon release, "Black Clouds & Silver Linings" debuted at #6 on the Billboard 200—then the highest-charting release in the band’s career. Critics praised its musicianship and emotional range, and fans embraced it. Still, the album is widely viewed as a late-era triumph and a powerful farewell for the Mike Portnoy  era. For Listening: Spotify , Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

On June 12, 2007, Paramore released their second studio album, "RIOT!"—an explosive, neon-bright scream from the heart of teenage chaos. Before the first chord was even strummed, Paramore was already fighting to survive. Tensions within the band simmered behind the scenes—bassist Jeremy Davis had been briefly expelled from the group, only to be brought back at Hayley Williams ’ insistence. The band’s internal dynamic was a swirl of youth, ambition, and emotional volatility, echoing the very themes that would define this album. And they were still only teenagers. Following the modest success of their debut album "All We Know Is Falling", the stakes were higher. Labels were watching. Fans were waiting. Paramore knew they had to create something bigger, louder, and truer. They didn’t just want to be heard—they wanted to detonate. Photo: diymag.com The band initially considered working with big-name producers like Neal Avron and Howard Benson, but in a bold move, they chose David Bendeth. Bendeth—best known for his work with Breaking Benjamin and Hawthorne Heights—pushed the band hard, shaping their raw energy into sharp, melodic explosions. Recording took place between January and March 2007 at House of Loud in Elmwood Park, New Jersey. It was intense, fast, and focused. Davis didn’t play bass on the record—his parts were recorded by Brian Weaver during his brief absence from the group—but he returned to contribute backing vocals and rejoin the family by the time the album dropped. The result? A riot of color, angst, and adrenaline. "Misery Business"  opens fire like a manifesto. Hayley Williams’ voice cuts through the static like a blade. She isn’t just singing—she’s reclaiming space. What began as a controversial diary entry became one of the most defining tracks of 2000s emo-pop, launching the band into MTV rotation and teenage playlists across the globe. "Crushcrushcrush"  follows with seductive menace. With slinking guitars and an irresistible rhythm, it introduces a darker tone beneath the album’s bright energy. You can almost hear the creative push-pull between Hayley and Josh Farro—tension that would later shake the band apart. "That's What You Get"  is pure pop-punk perfection. It’s heartbreak you can dance to, a tragic chorus wrapped in upbeat guitars. The pain is real, but it’s polished into something beautiful. Hayley belts, “That’s what you get when you let your heart win,” and it lands like a universal truth for every emotionally reckless teen. But the album doesn’t just ride the radio waves. "Let the Flames Begin"  is the spiritual center of "RIOT!"—an anthem of defiance and survival that hints at the more introspective and mature direction Paramore would later take. "Born for This"  closes the record with a fan-fueled, self-affirming roar. The chorus even samples lyrics from Refused, making it a bridge between punk roots and the mainstream stages Paramore was about to conquer. "RIOT!" is urgent. It's loud. It's messy. And that’s exactly why it works. Every drum hit from Zac Farro (and we exploded over and over again on every hit of the snare!!), every guitar squeal from Josh Farro, every line from Hayley, every behind-the-scenes struggle—it all bleeds into a record that isn’t afraid to be vulnerable and volatile. It captures that fleeting, explosive moment between adolescence and adulthood, where identity is fought for in every verse and screamed out in every chorus. Commercially, the album reached number 15 on the Billboard 200 and later went Platinum in the U.S. It wasn’t just a breakthrough—it was a declaration. Paramore had arrived, and they weren’t backing down. "RIOT!" remains one of the most iconic emo-pop albums of its generation, not because it was perfect, but because it was real. It was the sound of a band growing up in public, on fire, and in full bloom. Listen to the album on: Spotify , Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

On June 11, 2021 "Mammoth WVH" released its self-titled debut album. "Mammoth WVH" is really a solo project of Wolfgang Van Halen , son of guitarist Eddie Van Halen . Wolfgang served as bassist for "Van Helen" after its reunion, and even participated in the 2012 reunion album "A Different Kind of Truth". Wolfgang later played with Mark Tremonti 's band "Tremonti", recording his two albums " Cauterize " from 2015 and 2016's " Dust ". The name "Mammoth WVH" is based on one of the first names of the band "Van Halen", which in 1972 was called "Mammoth". Wolfgang said he asked permission from his father and uncle Alex Van Halen to use the name, Then he added the letters WVH which are the initials of his name. Wolfgang wrote all the songs on the album, he sang and played all the instruments on it and he was also the one who produced it. Literally a "One Man Show". The first single released from the album was " Distance ", which Wolfgang dedicated to his father Eddie Van Halen after his death. The song was released in November 2020 and Wolfgang said he had no intention of including it on the album, but after his father's death he decided to include it as a bonus track. The clip for this touching song includes photos of Eddie, Wolfgang and the family. The second single " You're To Blame " was released in February 2021 and by then it was already clear to us that it was going to be a simple "Explosion" of an album. An overwhelming and amazing song that showcases Wolfgang's abilities. In the third single " Don't Back Down " Wolfgang proved to everyone what a talented musician he is, with an entertaining clip in which he performs all the singing and playing roles as a one-man-band. Three more simply excellent singles “ Think It Over ” and “ Feel ” released in April 2021 and “ Mammoth ” released in May. We can assure you that the remaining 7 songs on the album are excellent. With no fillers or weak moments, we can declare that this is one of our favorite and surprising albums of 2021. For Listening: Click Here . Song List: 01. Mr. Ed 02. Horribly Right 03. Epiphany 04. Don't Back Down 05. Resolve 06. You'll Be The One 07. Mammoth 08. Circles 09. The Big Picture 10. Think It Over 11. You're To Blame 12. Feel 13. Stone 14. Distance (bonus track) "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

Here are some interesting facts about drummer and song writer Jimmy Chamberlin: (Photo: Drummers Only) 1. He was born as James Joseph Chamberlin on June 10, 1964, in Joliet, Illinois. 2. Chamberlin came from a musical family. His father played clarinet, and his older brother Paul played drums in jazz bands. Paul is still an active rock drummer with a local cover band called Chasing Amy. 3. Chamberlin began drumming at the age of 9 and received early instruction in Latin, Brazilian, and big band techniques, with a focus on jazz. 4. He left home at the age of 15 and joined a series of local bands, honing his drumming skills. 5. His influences as a jazz drummer include Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Gene Krupa, and Buddy Rich , while his rock drumming influences include Keith Moon , Ian Paice , and John Bonham . 6. Chamberlin initially joined "The Smashing Pumpkins" in 1988 as a live drummer, replacing the drum machine they used during their early performances. 7. Before joining the band, Chamberlin worked as a carpenter but left his job to move to Chicago and fully devote himself to "The Smashing Pumpkins". 8. Chamberlin's entry quickly pushed the band toward a more powerful and intense sound. 9. Chamberlin's drumming style, characterized by technical proficiency, complex rhythms, and powerful playing, became integral to "The Smashing Pumpkins'" sound. 10. He made significant contributions to the band already with their first album, " Gish ", showcasing his skills and contributing to their distinctive sound. 11. During the recording of the band's second album, " Siamese Dream ", Chamberlin battled with drug addiction and frequently disappeared into the drug underworld of Atlanta, causing concern among the band members. 12. In the midst of their world tour supporting the multi-platinum album " Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness ", Chamberlin's father passed away, exacerbating his substance abuse struggles. 13. This was one of the reasons Jimmy was not part of the band's fourth album " Adore ", where the band used other drummers such as Matt Cameron . (Photo: IMDB) 14. On 2001 Chamberlin went on to form the band "Zwan" with Billy Corgan , but the band disbanded in 2003 after releasing their album "Mary Star of the Sea." 15. In 2004, Chamberlin formed his next project, "the Jimmy Chamberlin Complex", and released their first studio album, "Life Begins Again," in 2005. 16. Chamberlin has made guest appearances on numerous albums and live performances, showcasing his versatility as a drummer, one of which is Billy Corgan 's solo album "TheFutureEmbrace". 17. More key collaborations include " The Kelley Deal 6000 ", Jazz saxophonist Frank Catalano and the supergroup "The Last Hard Men" in their Epponymos album from 1998. 18. In 2008, "Gigwise" named Chamberlin the 5th best drummer of all time. 19. While giving drum clinics in late 2009, Chamberlin announced his next project, a band called "This", describing their music as 'progressive, symphonic pop'. They released their first album, a six-track release titled "Great Civilizations," on November 1, 2010. 20. In 2011, a full-length LP of Chamberlin's band, "Skysaw", named ""Great Civilizations was released. 21. In 2016, Rolling Stone ranked Chamberlin 53rd on their list of "100 Greatest Drummers Of All Time." 22. To date, Jimmy released 10 albums with the "The Smashing Pumpkins" and another 10 albums with different artists. "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

On May, 29, 1995 "Pink Floyd" Released their third live album "P·U·L·S·E". "Pulse" is an extraordinary live album that showcases "Pink Floyd's" musical brilliance, captivating performance, and lasting impact on the rock music landscape after Roger waters era of the band. Recorded during their two-week residency at London's "Earls Court" in October 1994, this album immortalizes a monumental moment in the band's history. The tour captured on "Pulse" was designed to promote "Pink Floyd's" album "The Division Bell" marking their artistic evolution following Roger Waters' departure. While the newer material takes center stage, it is the band's awe-inspiring rendition of "The Dark Side Of The Moon", played in its entirely, that steals the show. The sheer skill with which "Pink Floyd" recreates this iconic album in a live setting is a testament to their mastery and the enduring popularity of their groundbreaking work. "Pulse" goes beyond a mere live recording; it is an audio masterpiece. The album's production is meticulous, capturing every nuance of "Pink Floyd's" performance with stunning clarity. The mix allows the listener to fully appreciate the intricacies of each instrument, creating an immersive experience where the music envelops the senses. Those who own the original VHS of the show (later reissued on DVD and Blueray), knows very well that the visual aspect of the "Division Bell" tour cannot be overstated. The stage setup is a spectacle in itself, with a massive wall of lights, lasers, videos, and special effects that envelops the band and the audience. It's a testament to "Pink Floyd's" dedication to creating a multisensory experience, where one can almost forget that there's a live band on stage amid the breathtaking visual extravaganza. But while the visual aspect of the "Division Bell" tour is legendary, it is the music itself that shines on "Pulse." From the opening notes of "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" the band captivates the audience with their musical prowess. David Gilmour's emotive vocals and masterful guitar solos showcase his status as one of rock's greatest guitarists. Richard Wright's ethereal keyboards and Nick Mason's precise drumming provide the backbone of "Pink Floyd's" distinctive sound, while the other 9 musicians on stage, including Bassist and vocalist Guy Pratt's, adding depth and texture to the compositions. After the chilling opening track, comes a huge surprise with the inclusion of "Astronomy Domine" - a Syd Barrett composition not performed since the early 1970s, adds a nostalgic touch, reminding listeners of "Pink Floyd's" roots and legacy and paying homage to their influential founding member. From there, the band delves into the best of their post-Waters catalog, including tracks from "The Division Bell" and "A Momentary Lapse of Reason". While some long-time "Floyd" fans may favor their earlier work, the performances of these newer tracks create an atmosphere of anticipation for what lies ahead. The first half of the album builds up to an unforgettable climax. The transition from a free and improvised version of "Another Brick in the Wall" to the fierce instrumental classic "One of These Days" is a standout moment. Watching two inflatable pigs hovering above the crowd while Gilmour's guitar wails with captivating "slide" effects is a highlight that showcases the band's prowess and the sheer joy they exude during their performances. ABut then comes the highlight of the entire show. The crowd roar unveiling a pulsating heartbeat. This signals the commencement of "The Dark Side Of The Moon" with the opening track, "Speak to Me" The subsequent performances of tracks like "Breathe", "On the Run", and the famously orgasmic "Great Gig in the Sky" are flawless, with Sam Browne delivering a superb vocal performance. The visual side include a burning plane that crosses the entire hall and an awe-inspiring lighting display, further elevate the experience. As the masterpiece album "The Dark Side Of The Moon" unfolds, the band delves into beloved classics such as "Wish You Were Here" and the iconic "Comfortably Numb". where Gilmour's soul-stirring guitar solos take center stage, leaving audiences breathless for the grand finale of "Run Like Hell" features mind-boggling visual effects, culminating in a climactic conclusion that leaves the audience in awe. (Photo: Pink Floyd via Facebook) Beyond the individual performances, the collective synergy of Pink Floyd is palpable throughout "Pulse." The band's chemistry is evident in every note, displaying a level of musical telepathy that can only be attained through years of shared experiences on and off the stage. Their ability to seamlessly transition between different musical moods and atmospheres is a testament to their artistic maturity and the enduring impact of their sound. "Pulse" not only showcases "Pink Floyd's" musical prowess, but also highlights their enduring legacy and their ability to "shine on" after Waters. The album reached number one on The Billboard 200 in June 1995 and achieved gold, platinum, and double platinum certifications shortly after its release. This album is a testament to the band's ability to resonate with listeners across generations and solidify their status as one of the greatest rock bands of all time. It is interesting to note, that The first versions of the album included a small red LED light on the side that was supposed to flash for 18 months, synchronizing with the heartbeat of "Speak to Me". For Listening: Spotify "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website