Congratulations to Debbie Harry who is celebrating her birthday today !!! (Photo: Roberta Bayley) We have filtered out for you some important facts about the woman and the blonde: 1. She was born on July 1, 1945, in Miami Florida as Angela Trimble. 2. At just three months old, she was adopted by Richard and Katherine Harry in New Jersey. 3. At the age of 4 she learned that she was an adopted child. In the 1980s she was able to locate her biological mother, she was a pianist but preferred not to be in touch with Harry. 4. Her biological father was a singer and he was the one who probably wanted to give her up for adoption, since at the time he was married. 5. In high school, Debbie was part of a school choir and also part of the cheerleading team. 6. After graduating from high school, Debbie studied art at a college in New Jersey. (Photo: Harry Papadopoulos) 7. In the late 1960s, after graduating from high school, she moved to the big city of New York to seek her fortune. She has worked as a secretary at the BBC, as a waitress, as a gogo dancer, and even as a Playboy bunny. 8. Her first band was the folk band "The Wind In The Willows" with which she released an album in 1968. 9. She later moved on to a girls' band called "The Stilettos". After a short time, they added guitarist Chris Stein who also became her boyfriend. 10. During this time, Harry was raped in her shared apartment with Stein. The rapist also stole all the guitars that were in the apartment. 11. After the breakup of "The Stilettos" Harry and Stein formed "Angel and the Snake" which later turned into "Blondie". 12. The name Blondie came from the color of Harry's hair, but did you know that her original color is red? Harry dyes her hair from a young age. 13. Blondie has gained momentum in regular appearances at the mythical CBGB club, alongside bands like "Television", "Talking" Heads, and "The Ramones" which even was the opening act for Blondie while still being called "Angel and the Snake". 14. In 1976 Blondie released their first album which was simply called "Blondie". Already then, Harry was revealed as a great performer but also as a songwriter, with 6 of the album's songs written in collaboration with her. 15. At the same time, the band continued to perform in clubs in New York and the surrounding area as Harry became an iconic figure in the punk scene. 16. The band's second album - "Plastic Letters" was a hit outside the US as well, but on the third album "Parallel Lines" Harry and the band already broke out with hits like "Heart of Glass" that made them a worldwide act. 17. The band's next hit - "One Way or Another" was written about a harasser who also threatened Harry with a gun. 18. Debbie and the band continued with the momentum of success on two more albums and in 1980 released the song "Call me", which entered the soundtrack of the movie "American Gigolo" and became a huge hit all over the world. 19. In 1980 Harry and Blondie became rap pioneers with the song "Rapture". Harry and Stein, who were exposed at the time to the hip hop scene in the Bronx, wrote the song that became the first rap-oriented song that reached number one in the US. 20. At that time Harry teamed up with Andy Warhol who released a series of her paintings. In return, she was a guest on his MTV TV show "Andy Warhol's Fifteen Minutes." 21. In 1981, Harry began her solo career with the album "KooKoo". The album cover featuring Debbie with nails nailed to her face has sparked controversy in England. 22. Harry later released four more solo albums, the last of which was from 2007. 23. Her big hit as part of her solo career - "French Kissin 'in the USA", co-written by Chuck Lorre, creator of the series "Big Bang Theory" and "Two and a Half Men". 24. The song "For Your Eyes Only" from the 1982 album "The Hunter" was written by Harry Westin for the James Bond movie of the same name, but was rejected in favor of a song of the same name by Sheena Easton. (Photo: Private Stock Records) 25. This was the band's last album released until the reunion in 1997. The break the band took was due in part to a rare illness of Stein. 26. Harry and Stein continued to be a couple until 1989 when they separated, but continued to collaborate on Blondie's albums and Harry's solo albums. 27. In 1997 Blondie reunited with the original lineup and released the successful album "No Exit". 28. That same year the band recorded a song for the Iggy Pop tribute album under the name "Adolph's Dog". The choice of the name came in response to fans spreading rumors that the name Blondi was chosen after the dog of Adolf Hitler Blondi (note the change in spelling). 29. In 1999 Harry broke a Guinness record when she became the oldest singer to put a song at number one on the UK charts. It was with the song "Maria" from "No Exit". 30. Harry released 11 studio albums along with Blondie, the latest from 2017 was called "Pollinator" in which Debbie and her friends collaborated with artists like Sia, Dave Sitek from "TV" on the Radio, and Johnny Marr from The Smiths. 31. In 2002, Harry contributed her voice to the computer game "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City". 32. Harry also has an extensive acting career. She has starred in over 50 films, including "Videodrome," "Hairspray," "New York Stories" and more. 33. Interesting to note that she was also the first choice to play the role of Pris in the iconic film "Blade Runner", but lost to Daryl Hanna. 34. In 2007, Harry was voted one of the 100 most beautiful people over the age of 60 by People magazine. 35. In 2008 she was a guest on the "Out Out Boy" album "Folie à Deux" on the song "West Coast Smoker". "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

Shmulik Kraus was one of the most complex and influential figures in Israeli music – a folk-rock genius who bridged Western musical culture with the Hebrew language and remained true to himself until the very end. His work oscillated between poetic lyricism and rebellious spirit, between tenderness and noise, between love and turmoil. Photo: Kraus Family (Wikimedia) = Born on July 1, 1935, in Jerusalem to Musa Kraus, a former Haganah member and transport driver to the Dead Sea factories and Kibbutz Beit HaArava, and to Rosa, sister of the renowned restaurateur Rahmo. = At 15, he was sent to the youth village Hadassim but left after a week. He joined a youth group in Kibbutz Sha’ar HaGolan but was expelled and later enlisted in the Navy after a maritime pre-military program. = Studied violin as a child but gravitated toward guitar, deeply inspired by American folk and blues artists like Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan. = After his army discharge, he worked as a sailor in the merchant navy. One night at the Haifa seamen’s bar "HaOgen", a woman handed him a guitar – and his musical journey began. He also worked as a ski and dance instructor while performing in early 1960s Tel Aviv clubs. = In 1958, he met Avraham Reichstadt (later known as Abi Ofarim) and formed the duo "Ha’Ofarim", where Kraus played guitar and Reichstadt played tambourine. Kraus taught himself basic chords using an American folk songbook. = After about a year of performing, Kraus suggested adding singer Esther Zaied (later Esther Ofarim). Reichstadt and Zaied fell in love and married. Kraus, following creative disagreements, left the group and returned to sea. = In 1961, after permanently leaving the merchant navy, he opened a pub in Be’er Sheva called "Beer Sheva", where he performed, imitated celebrities, and hosted musical guests. XXX = In 1962, he was cast in the lead role in the play “HaShetach” at Habima Theater. Later, he met Josie Katz, an American teenager visiting Israel – she became his romantic and artistic partner. = In 1965, Kraus traveled to France and recorded a mini-album called "Chants d’Israel", featuring four songs in Hebrew. Upon returning, he and Katz lived in Eilat and performed in Rafi Nelson’s "End of the World" club. = In late 1966, Kraus and Katz presented their songs to Arik Einstein. The trio founded "The High Windows", a band that lasted less than a year but reshaped Israeli popular music. = The group's only album, "The High Windows" (1967), included timeless classics such as "Einayich Lo Yecholot", "Yehezkel", "Buba Zehava", "Zemer Nugeh", and "Ahava Rishona" – all composed by Kraus, who blended gentle psychedelia with innovative vocal harmonies. The band performed extensively across Israel, especially at a club named after them, also owned by Kraus. After the Six-Day War, the trio joined the Yonatan Karmon dance company on a world tour, including performances in Paris and Italy. = In 1969, Kraus was cast in the international film The Royal Hunt of the Sun, where he played an Incan interpreter. He was sent to New York for acting studies, and during that time, married Josie Katz. = After the band's breakup, Kraus continued to create with Josie Katz, composing emotional and intimate songs that ranged from romance to tension – including "Shuv", "Barur Sheze Ken", "Etzli HaKol Beseder", and "HaEtz Hu Gavoha" – most of which were featured on their 1974 joint album "Shuv". = In early 1971, Kraus moved into an abandoned house near Nabi Samuel. When soldiers arrived to evict him, they found hashish, a rifle, and foreign currency in his possession. He was arrested and jailed for drug and unlicensed weapon possession. Thanks to a special arrangement with prison authorities, he was allowed to keep his guitar and began composing new songs during his incarceration. In April, he was released on bail paid by poet Miriam Yalan-Shteklis and began recording the new material. = Kraus also composed for other major Israeli artists, including Arik Einstein ("Ani Ro’eh Ota Baderech LeGymnasia", "Ma Iti"), Oshik Levi ("Ze Koreh"), Shalom Hanoch, and others. = In 1973, Kraus starred in the film Adam, for which he wrote and composed the song "Ze Koreh". It was first recorded by Eli Magen and became a major hit in 1975 in the voice of Arik Lavie. That same year, Kraus and Katz attempted to revive "The High Windows" with Magen replacing Einstein. The band performed songs from the original lineup and sang "Elisheva Ma Nechmadet" at the Children’s Poetry Festival. Aside from that song, they only recorded one more original track, "Etzli HaKol Beseder". The reunion was short-lived and dissolved soon after. = In 1975, Kraus and Katz staged a children’s musical titled "Levad Beyachad U’Levad Levad", featuring Kraus’s compositions to poems by Miriam Yalan-Shteklis. The show led to an album of the same name, including standout tracks like "Atzu Ratzu Gmadim", "Nitpayesa", "Micha’el", and "Yedidi Tintan". = In 1976, Kraus released the album "Medinat Yisrael Neged Kraus Shmuel" ("The State of Israel vs. Kraus Shmuel"), which he wrote during a psychiatric hospitalization. Deeply personal, raw, and uncompromising, the album became a landmark in Israeli rock. It was recorded in May 1971 as a long, unproduced jam session featuring Chaim Romano on guitar, Aharaleh Kaminsky on drums, and Shmulik Aruch on bass. = The album included unforgettable tracks such as "Eich SheHaGalgal Mistovev Lo", "Shnei Tapuchim", "Ro’im Rachok Ro’im Shakuf", "Keshe’at Bocha At Lo Yafa", and "HaZamar Noge’a BaTikra". = During the 1980s and 1990s, Kraus attempted several musical comebacks. While some were met with indifference, they offered fresh arrangements of his earlier work and introduced his music to a younger generation. XXX = In 1982, Kraus released the album "Galgal Mistovev" ("The Wheel Turns"), which featured notable tracks such as "Guitarah", "Chaver", "Eich Osim Taklit", and "Eich HaGalgal Mistovev". He composed all the songs on the album, with lyrics by renowned lyricist Yankaleh Rotblit and poet Yevy (Y.B.). = In 1988, he released "Acharei Esrim Shana" ("After Twenty Years"), an album composed almost entirely to lyrics by Yankaleh Rotblit, including songs like "Acharei Esrim Shana", "Im", and a new version of "Ro’im Rachok Ro’im Shakuf", originally featured in a prior release. = In 1994, he released "Yediduti LaSviva" ("Environmentally Friendly"), an eclectic album largely composed to lyrics by Rotblit. Two songs were set to texts by poet Nathan Zach: "HaMakom HaChi Namuch" ("The Lowest Place") and "Bayit, Shnei Batim" ("A House, Two Houses"). The album also featured duets with singer Mazi Cohen, including "Tni Li" ("Give Me") and "Ma Ata Rotzeh" ("What Do You Want"). = In 2001, a special digital edition of the album "Shuv" was released, featuring remastered tracks and rare versions of songs recorded during that era with Josie Katz. The release reintroduced their intimate and emotional collaborations to a new generation. = In 2003, Kraus released "Yom Rodef Yom" ("Day Chases Day"), an album composed entirely of his melodies set to lyrics by Yankaleh Rotblit, with the exception of a new version of "Ze Koreh" and an instrumental piece titled "Atzvut" ("Sadness"). The album’s creation process was documented over the course of a year by director Yasmin Hadas Lifshitz in the film "Ma’ase BeTaklit" ("The Record Story"). The documentary offers a rare look at Kraus's artistic process – from sketching lyrics with his guitar at home, to recording in the studio, through moments of inspiration, frustration, and mental breakdown, culminating in the album’s release. = Kraus is regarded as one of the most important figures in Israeli music, playing a pivotal role in the local rock and pop revolution of the 1960s and 70s. Over the years, he received several prestigious awards, including the AMI Prize, a Lifetime Achievement Award from Israel’s Ministry of Education, and a commemorative plaque in Tel Aviv. = He was known for his turbulent and uncompromising personality, facing mental health struggles, repeated hospitalizations, custody battles, and prison time – yet he continued to create with honesty, bravery, and resilience. A striking example of this appears in the documentary "Ma’ase BeTaklit", which captures a recurring pattern throughout his career: the deeper he sank into creation, the more fragile his mental state became. At the beginning of the film, he appears calm and cheerful as he returns to the studio, but as the work progresses, he unravels emotionally – culminating in psychiatric hospitalization. = Throughout his life, Kraus remained fiercely loyal to himself, his art, and his anti-establishment spirit – even at great personal cost. His complex character – a sensitive genius and wounded rebel – made him a cult figure in Israeli rock and an artist impossible to ignore. = Shmulik Kraus passed away from cardiac arrest on February 17, 2013, at the age of 77, after being hospitalized with complications from swine flu. He left behind a vast, original, and irreplaceable musical legacy. "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

Blink-182's "California" album was released on July 1, 2016! Age 5 is a crucial stage in a child's development. At this age, children explore their surroundings and learn to express their emotions. They begin to truly comprehend that their thoughts and feelings are their own, leading to a kind of awakening and understanding of both the environment and themselves. This is the essence of how this album resonates with us... Before reaching this point of clarity and insight, our evolving album was preceded by a lengthy period of conflicts among the band members, particularly between guitarist/singer Tom DeLonge and the other two members, bassist/singer Mark Hoppus and drummer Travis Barker. During that time, we produced a failed and forced album (which will be mentioned later) that sounded like the final struggles of a dying entity, followed by numerous attempts to maintain the trio with the same lineup and sound. Now, after that phase, a new album emerges that redefines the band, its sound, its future, and punk-pop as a whole. (Photo: Justin Stephens) We didn't get carried away at all; "Blink-182" is the band that spearheaded the punk-pop movement of the 2000s with the phenomenal success of two albums, "Enema Of The State" and "Take Off Your Pants And Jacket". These albums topped both the rock and mainstream charts, earning the band numerous awards. (If you haven't had the chance to listen to them yet, now's a great time to do so). In 2005, after six years of incredible success, the band went on an indefinite hiatus due to internal conflicts and disagreements about the future direction of "Blink-182". The seeds of conflict were planted in 2002 when Tom decided to explore something new by forming the band "Box Car Racer". Rather than finding a new drummer, he asked Travis to join, but he chose someone else for the bass role instead of Mark. This decision created a rift between the three, sparking further issues. Tensions escalated as Tom became increasingly difficult to work with, disagreeing with everything the other two wrote and wanted to pursue. Coupled with drug addiction, this situation unraveled the band. As tensions grew, the divide between the band members widened to the point where they couldn't even communicate. Imagine a trio (not a quartet or quintet) that builds its success together, reaching incredible heights, only to find that when one member wants to go to the "mall," the other two prefer the "sea"! This is exactly what happened. Tom turned to his video art projects and invested in his new band "Angels & Airwaves," while the other two formed their own band "+44." Later, Travis even started a project with DJ AM. In short, they were all preoccupied with their own ventures and didn't communicate until 2008. In September 2008, Travis and DJ AM were involved in a plane crash during takeoff in South Carolina. The crash claimed the lives of all passengers and crew, with Travis and DJ AM as the sole survivors. Following this tragic event, the other two band members visited Travis in the hospital and supported him through his recovery. This reunion sparked a desire to reconnect and return to what they loved: performing and writing music. They even announced their intentions at the 2009 Grammy Awards. But as much as it sounds like a Hollywood script, there is no happy ending here... The band members, having lost their legendary producer Jerry Finn to a heart attack, attempted to write and produce an album on their own. Emphasis on "attempted," because despite their good intentions, the process became complicated and overwhelming. Tom remained preoccupied with his second band, writing and recording in San Diego, while the other two worked in Los Angeles. (Photo: imdb.com) In 2011, the album "Neighborhood" was released. It truly felt like a neighborhood, but a dark and distant one, lacking infrastructure and resources, inhabited by heartless people without means or enthusiasm. They are there simply because they need a home and a job. They remain because they must survive, having lost all interest in joy or happiness, focusing solely on their daily routine. The three members failed to keep the passion alive, unable to connect on the same wavelength, and any interaction tended towards conflict. Despite their efforts, they couldn't recreate the spark and atmosphere of better times, making collaboration unbearable. Tensions resurfaced when Tom once again disrupted things, failing to commit to the band and prioritizing his second band, even though he claimed music didn't truly interest him. Despite communication issues and significant dysfunction among the members, Hoppus and Travis decided to record a new album but learned from Tom's manager that Tom was ultimately uninterested and wanted to leave the band. After prolonged and difficult legal battles with Tom, they concluded the ordeal and embarked on a new path. They recruited Matt Skiba, the guitarist and singer from "Alkaline Trio," as an official member and began working on a new album, "California". (Photo: Columbia Records) This is the first album where they collaborate with a producer other than Jerry (John Feldmann), and it also marks the band's first album without Tom. The trio entered the studio with a set of pre-written songs from their time with Tom, but chose to set those aside and create entirely new material. They wrote 28 songs, with Matt (the newcomer) playing a crucial role in the songwriting and development process. They would enter the studio without prior preparation and work from scratch each day for 18 hours straight. John pushed Tom (the primary lyricist) to write lyrics quickly; whenever they had the framework of a song, he would send Tom out for an hour or two to craft the lyrics on the spot. This approach resulted in 28 songs being written over a 3-4 week span. And we must say it paid off!! The album "California" delivers the band's familiar and beloved sound but in a more mature and varied manner. While the harmony and blend of Hoppus and Matt are refreshing and distinct, Tom's absence is felt, as his voice provided a contrasting element that complemented the other. Nonetheless, Matt introduces something different, something new, which serves as a strong driving force behind the band's sound on this album. The album kicks off with the song "Cynical", which reflects the mature perspectives of friends who are now husbands and fathers, rather than rebellious teenagers. It immediately immerses you in the intense and fast-paced punk-pop style you remember loving. Next is "Bored to Death", featuring the band's iconic and familiar lineup, which reminisces about the past while urging you to embrace the present and avoid succumbing to boredom. The song "She's Out Of Her Mind" is an enjoyable tune that you'll definitely feel like singing out loud, so don't be embarrassed. It transports you back to the days of teenage romance, but from an adult's perspective. From there, the style takes a slightly different turn, becoming even more thrilling. In "Los Angeles", you can clearly feel and hear the band's transformation, maturity, and the fresh, exciting directions they're exploring during this exhilarating phase. The song "Sober" serves as the "stamp" confirming that the band no longer intends to indulge in the glamorous days of punk-pop. Instead, they aim to reinvent themselves and once again lead this fun and exciting genre. So, sing along with us, "na na na na na when I'm sober". While respecting adulthood, let's keep things in perspective. These are punk-pop youngsters whose stage banter revolves around poop and pee, so "Built This Pool" reminds us that Hoopus wants to see naked guys in the pool (a nod to a clip where they wanted nudity in the song "What's My Age Again"). Let's get a bit more serious with "No Future" and discuss a relationship between him and her, or between them... The album moves to a slightly darker tone with "Home is Such A Lonely Place", "Kings Of The Weekend", "Teenage Satellites" and "Left Alone". With the incredible talent of the trio, you experience a rollercoaster of emotions and experiences. Without a doubt, this is exactly how we want to enjoy our music. We briefly return to a lighter tone with "Rabbit Hole", followed by a more mature perspective in "San Diego". It's a sheer musical delight! We dive back into the craziness with "The Only Thing That Matters", lifting the party atmosphere with glasses raised and confetti flying. Next is the album's title track, a unique song... after discussing Los Angeles and San Diego, we can't skip "California". It's a song of indulgence, love, and longing (for those who've traveled there, it's best to stop here to avoid flashbacks or intense nostalgia). The album concludes with the brief piece "Bohemian Rhapsody", essentially the closing line of the previous song, where Tom questions what he really finds in it. It's no exaggeration to call this album a masterpiece for a band making a flawless comeback after a lengthy period of conflicts and challenges. This trio has reinvented itself without trying to replicate its past. They understand the need to view things differently and approach them in a new way, resulting in a simply superb outcome. Listen on: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

This soundtrack served as the calling card for the Grunge scene when it gained global recognition. Some might view it as a business venture crafted by a profit-driven entrepreneur, while others might see it as an effective method to introduce Grunge to a wider audience. Regardless, it holds a notable place in music history, particularly in the context of Grunge. Let's explore some intriguing facts about this soundtrack: 1. It is the original soundtrack album of the 1992 film “Singles” 2. American romantic comedy film written, co-produced, and directed by Cameron Crowe, starring Bridget Fonda, Campbell Scott, Kyra Sedgwick, and Matt Dillon. 3. The movie centers on the precarious romantic lives of a group of young Gen X in Seattle, Washington at the height of the 1990s Grunge scene. 4. The film was released on September 18, 1992, to generally positive reviews from critics, grossing over $18 million. 5. It was around 1990 on the night of Andrew Wood‘s (Mother Love Bone) death that Crowe decided to rewrite the old script he had for "Singles". The community that came together after Andrew's death served as an inspiration for the film. Photo: Warner Bros. 6. Crowe mentioned that he was amazed by the social and musical life in Seattle, to see Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament, close friends working together at a coffee shop during the day, playing music, and going to shows at night. Chris Cornell was working at Ray’s Boat House, wearing an apron and working in the kitchen and doing "Soundgarden". Photo: Warner Bros. 7. Most of Matt Dillon's wardrobe in the movie belonged to Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament. 8. Eddie Vedder was paid to give Matt Dillon guitar lessons. 9. Warner Bros. Television immediately tried to turn "Singles" into a television series. Crowe claims that "Singles" inspired the famous television series "Friends". 10. Cameron Crowe was later married to musician Nancy Wilson 11. Cameron Crowe went on to direct Pearl Jam’s 20th-anniversary documentary, "PJ20" in 2011 12. Paul Westerberg released his first solo material on this album apart from his band "The Replacements" with the song "Dyslexic Heart". 13. The fictional band in the movie was called “Citizen Dick” and was assembled by the actor Matt Dillion and Pearl Jam band members 14. During the making of the movie, Pearl Jam was still called "Mookie Blaylock" 15. Ament produced a list of song titles for “Citizen Dick”. Chris Cornell took it as a challenge to write songs for the film using those titles, and "Spoonman" was one of them. 16. The soundtrack came out 3 months before the movie to promote the movie through the music from the Grunge scene which was getting worldwide stardom very fast. 17. The soundtrack was reissued in a 2×CD and 2×LP edition on May 19, 2017, coincidentally one day after the death of Chris Cornell. 18. In April 2019, the album was ranked No. 19 on Rolling Stone's "50 Greatest Grunge Albums" list. 19. If we are not mistaken this is also the first Chris Cornell solo recordings. 20. Two out of the big 5 “Grunge” bands are missing from the soundtrack, "Nirvana" and "Stone Temple Pilots". STP was not placed in Seattle but also was not "The Smashing Pumpkins" so we do not know why they were missed. "Nirvana" was missed by mistake, during the filming Crowe did not put them in the soundtrack but during the editing “Smell Like Teen Spirit" was a huge hit already that Crowe did not have money to pay for. 21. "The Lovemongers" are a band established by the godmothers of Grunge Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson The Tracklist: 1. "Would?" - Alice in Chains 2. "Breath" - Pearl Jam 3. "Seasons" - Chris Cornell 4. "Dyslexic Heart" - Paul Westerberg 5. "The Battle of Evermore" - The Lovemongers 6. "Chloe Dancer/Crown of Thorns" - Mother Love Bone 7. "Birth Ritual" - Soundgarden 8. "State of Love and Trust" - Pearl Jam 9. "Overblown" - Mudhoney 10. "Waiting for Somebody" - Paul Westerberg 11. "May This Be Love" - The Jimi Hendrix Experience 12. "Nearly Lost You" - Screaming Trees 13. "Drown" - The Smashing Pumpkins Listen to the soundtrack on: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

H’a’llo You Bastards!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ladies & Gentlemen... Stone Sour's sixth album "Hydrograd" was released on June 30, 2017 !! And we thought of bombarding you with some interesting facts about the cute toddler: 1. The album was released in 2017 after the band's double concept album released in 2012-2013. 2. This is the band's first album without lead guitarist Jim Root who is also a member of the band "Slipknot". He left the band in 2014 to focus exclusively on "Slipknot". 3. Guitarist Christian Martucci, who replaced Jim, was the band's guitarist on their tour so it was only natural that he would replace Jim. 4. What was natural but not at all obvious was that Christian, who had just arrived, had a very significant impact on the arrangements and lyrics of the album. 5. The name of the album "Hydrograd" is an invention of Corey Taylor (the word does not exist) following a traffic sign he read incorrectly on the way to an airport in Eastern Europe. 6. This album is a bit more melodic and soft than the band's previous albums, it combines a lot of melodic elements and less aggression and mowing, but still retains the band's heavy sound and rock and roll, there are even a song or two that are really reminiscent of "Slipknot". 7. Critics define the album as the band's most accessible album with a collection of catchy and "party" songs. 8. The album won the Kerrang Award! And the Loudwire Award for Best Hard Rock Album of 2017 and reached number eight on the Billboard 200. 9. The two top singles that came out of this album are "Fabuless" and "Song # 3". 10. In June 2018, a deluxe version of the album was released with 13 additional tracks that combine covers, acoustic performances, live performances, and various versions of songs from the album. You are welcome to listen to the album at: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

"Kiss's" sixth album, "Love Gun", was released on June 30, 1977. Here are 10 interesting facts about the album: 1. The album "Love Gun" is released at the peak of the band's popularity and completes a streak of five albums in just three years. 2. It is also the first album featuring vocals by all four members of the band and the first in which Ace Frehley contributes vocals. 3. The song in which Ace contributes his voice for the first time is "Shock Me" whose writing was influenced by a real case in which Ace was electrocuted during a performance on 12/12/76 in Florida. Read more about the case here. 4. This is the last album where drummer Peter Criss plays on all the songs. Criss will play only one song on Kiss' next 1979 album "Dynasty", and he will return to play with the band only in 1998 on the album "Psycho Circus", also there not on all songs. 5. This album will also was the beginning of controversy between the four members of the band, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss will seek greater creative freedom and the result will eventually lead to the release of four solo albums by each member, a year later, under the Kiss brand. 6. Paul Stanley admitted that the opening song of the album "I Stole Your Love" was influenced by the song "Burn" by "Deep Purple". 7. At the time still anonymous, Alex Van Halen and Eddie Van Halen played in the demo of the song "Christine Sixteen". 8. The theme song "Love Gun" is one of the band's favorite songs and has been played in all of the band's performances since its release. 9. It was the first song Paul Stanley wrote and produced independently. Paul Stanley also played the bass roles during the recording of the song. 10. Paul Stanley admitted he stole the idea for the lyrics to the song "Love Gun" from Albert King's so it's music to the song "How Many More Times" that appeared on their first album. For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

Congratulations to one of the biggest voices in metal Phil Anselmo, who where born on June 30, 1968 and celebrating his birthday today. (Photo: Ollie Millington) So true, the man has a big mouth and did a lot of nonsense, but one must admit that if it weren't for "Pantera" and Anselmo, the metal world would probably still be stuck deep in glam metal and we would have lost all the good that this band brought. Anselmo is also a member of the supergroup "Down", the band "Superjoint Ritual", and he is a part of quite a few projects and collaborations, among them (only a partial list): guest artist on the album "Volume 8: The Threat Is Real" by "Anthrax", on the album "Uncivilization" Of "Biohazard", the song "Dying Song" by the supergroup "Metal Allegiance" and Tony Iommi's solo album from 2000, "Iommi". Anselmo co-wrote and recorded with Tony Iommi 3 songs for an album that was thought to be released as a joint project, the first "Time is Mine", was included in Iommi's solo album. The second, "Inversion Of The Saviors", did not enter the album, but a recording of it can be found on the net. And the third is an unknown song that fans hope will one day pop up as a bonus track on Iommi or Anselmo's albums. By the way, Anselmo and Tony Iommi were supposed to release an entire album together, however, due to other commitments of the two, it did not happen in the end and Iommi was left with a solo album featuring various singers. Anselmo is not only a talented singer, he also serves as a guitarist in the band "Arson Anthem" and in the American death metal band "Necrophagia", under the pseudonym Anton Crowley. Moreover, in the band "Viking Crown" Anselmo (again under the pseudonym Anton Crowley) served as guitarist, bassist, drummer, and a singer. Anselmo also had a solo career as part of the band "Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals" with whom he released two albums, the latest "Choosing Mental Illness as a Virtue" was released in 2018. Feel free to click on the link for the latest album he released as part of his solo career Here: "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

"The Game", "Queen's" eighth, was released on June 30, 1980 !!! Let's tell you 25 facts about the album: 1. The original name of the album was "Play The Game", but Roger Taylor feared from the meaning this title would bring so the band settled for "the Game". 2. This is the band's only album to reach number one in both the UK and the US. 3. It is also the only "Queen" album to reach number one in the US. 4. It is also the band's best-selling album in the United States with sales of over four million copies. 5. This is the band's first album which included the use of a synthesizer. It's also an album that makes less use of guitars. 6. On this album the band made a significant change in style compared to the previous albums, in favor of a more basic rock and roll. 7. Five successful singles were released from the album. 8. On the cover of the third single released from the album - "Play the Game", Freddie Mercury is seen for the first time with his new look that included a mustache. It is interesting to note that on the cover of the first two singles and on the cover of the album Freddie looks without a mustache. 9. The song was written by Freddie Mercury about his partner, Tony Bastin, after they broke up. It is interesting to note that the singles "It's a Hard Life" and "You Don't Fool Me" that the band will release years later will return to the subject of the failure of Freddie's relationship. 10. The song "Dragon Attack" starts with a jam session in the studio. Brian May added the lyrics and melody that are quite reminiscent of those from the song "We Will Rock You". The lyrics refer to the new recording technician Mack who changed the band's perception regarding the manner of recording. 11. The song "Another One Bites the Dust" was written by John Deacon who also plays most of the instruments in it. Bass guitar, electric guitar, piano, with Brian May adding the guitar noises and Taylor recording drum loops. 12. Deacon was influenced in the writing from the song "Good Times" by the disco band "Chic". 13. The band members did not think of releasing the song as a single, but Michael Jackson who adored the band pressured Freddie to release it and it was the right move, because it became one of the band's biggest hits. 14. The song was supposed to be the theme song of the movie Rocky 3, but was eventually replaced by "Eye of the Tiger" by "Survivor". 15. The song caused a stir among the evangelical Christians in the United States who claimed that if you play parts of it backwards you will hear hidden messages like "Decide to smoke marijuana, It's fun to smoke marijuana" and more. 16. The song "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" is "Queen's" first song to reach number one on the Billboard 100. 17. Mercury wrote the song in ten minutes while taking a bubble bath at the hotel, where he was staying in Germany while recording the album. 18. This is the first song in which Freddie also plays rhythm guitar and he claims that it was precisely his limited talent in this instrument that made him sound the way he is. 19. The song sounds more like an Elvis song than Queen's. 20. The lyrics include Freddie's name in the sentence - "Ready Freddie". 21. The song "Sail Away Sweet Sister" was written by May and he also sang it except for the bridge part sung by Freddie. Although May also plays the piano in the songs he writes, this time he asked Freddie to do so because he thought his timing and performance were better. This song was never played by Queen live, but "Guns N'Roses" performed it on stage. 22. The song "Coming Soon" was written by Taylor during the sessions of the album "Jazz". He sang it along with Mercury. 23. The song "Save Me" was written by May in honor of a friend whose marriage fell apart. Brian May plays most instruments including guitars, piano and synthesizer. 24. This is also the first song the band released as a single and includes the use of synthesizers. 25. The DVD-Audio Surround version of the album from 2003 includes a different version of the song "Coming Soon", since the master recordings of the song were lost. For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

One of the great virtuoso guitarists in metal Yngwie Malmsteen is celebrating his birthday today, and we are thrilled to tell you some interesting facts about him: (Photo: Blabbermouth.net) 1. He was born on June 30, 1963 in Stockholm, Sweden as Lars Johan Yngve Lannerbäck. 2. At the age of seven he heard about the death of Jimi Hendrix, an event that influenced him to hold the guitar, although years later he noted that Jimi Hendrix did not influence his playing. 3. Already at the age of 10 he formed his first band "Track on Earth" with his school friends. 4. At the age of 12 he changed his last name to his mother's maiden name - Malmsten and with the addition of the letter "e", meaning Malmsteen. He also changed his first name from Yngve to Yngwie. 5. In his youth he was greatly influenced by classical music, especially that of the virtuoso violinist Niccolò Paganini and the composers Johann Sebastian Bach and Antonio Vivaldi. 6. Malmsteen developed a technical, eloquent and very unique style of playing the guitar, imitating Paganini's concerto works. 7. At the same time he found great inspiration in the playing of guitarist Ritchie Blackmore who influenced him greatly. Other influences on Malmsteen as guitarist were Brian May of "Queen", Steve Hackett from |Genesis|, Uli Jon Roth from |Scorpions| and more. 8. At the age of 19, in 1983 he joined the band "Steeler" which also included singer and guitarist Ron Keel. Malmsteen was a part of the band's debut album "Steeler" which was released in 1983. 9. Later that year he joined the band "Alcatrazz" which included singer Graham Bonnet. A year later he recorded with them the album "No Parole from Rock 'n' Roll" which was released in 1984. He also was a part of the live album "Sent Sentence" which was released after that. (Photo: Metalkingdom.net) 10. In 1984, Malmsteen released his first solo album - "Rising Force". On this album, Yngwie also played all the bass roles. 11. It was supposed to be an instrumental album as a side project for "Alcatrazz", however after singer Jeff Scott Soto joined the band, Yngwie left Alcatrazz and concentrated on his solo career. 12. It is interesting to note that the drummer on that debut album was Barrie Barlow who played with "Jethro Tull". 13. Malmsteen's debut album won the Guitar Player Magazine Best Album Award. 14. Yngwie's second album "Marching Out" from 1985 has already been released under the name of Yngwie's band which got its name from the debut album "Yngwie J. Malmsteen's Rising Force". 15. On his third album, "Trilogy", which was released in 1986, Malmsteen returned to play all the bass roles, in addition to guitar parts. 16. This album introduced to the world the amazing abilities of Malmsteen who in his playing and style helped and contributed to the development and publication of the neo-classical style. 17. In 1987, two "Rainbow" band members - bassist Bob Daisley and singer Joe Lynn Turner joined Yngwie's band. 18. That same year Malmsteen had a serious car accident, he was unconscious for a week and when he woke up he discovered that nerve damage had been done to his right hand. At the same time, his mother also died of cancer. 19. In 1988 he released his fourth album "Odyssey" with Joe Lynn Turner and Bob Daisley. It became the most successful album of Malmsteen's career. 20. That same year a special model of Fender Stratocaster guitar was released in the name of Malmsteen, making Malmsteen and Eric Clapton the first two artists to receive a Fender guitar model in their name. 21. In 1993, Malmsteen was arrested for gun threats against his future wife, but the complaint was eventually droped and Yngwie was released. 22. In 1996, Malmsteen was a guest on the song "Jealousy" by the band "Human Clay" which includes members of his former band, singer Jeff Scott Soto and bassist Marcel Jacob. 23. That same year he was also featured on "Saxon's" live album "Denim and Leather". 24. He was also a guest on two songs from the Johansson brothers' album "Johansson / Sonic Winter" which he had previously played with in his band. 25. On his 35th birthday, Malmsteen released the album he considers as his masterpiece - "Concerto Suite for Electric Guitar and Orchestra", in which he is accompanied by a classical orchestra - the Philharmonic of Japan. 26. In 2000 he added another significant singer to his band who was previously part of Rainbow - Doogie White. 27. In 2003 he joined Joe Satriani and Steve Vai as part of the G3 tour. 28. In 2003 and 2006 he was featured on keyboardist Derek Sherinian's albums. 29. He took the inspiration for the title of the album "Unleash the Fury" from 2005 from an incident that happened to him on a flight to Japan in 1988, where he got drunk, fell asleep and was woken up by a flight attendant who poured water on him. Yngwie was quick to respond by saying - "You've released the fucking fury!" Recorded by one of the passengers. 30. In 2007 he received the Medal of Honor in the Xbox Guitar Hero II game, which allowed very outstanding players who gain over 1,000 and more accurate notes to receive the Yngwie Malmsteen Award. 31. In 2008, Yngwie replaced his lead singer again, bringing in Tim "Ripper" Owens, with whom Yngwie recorded the song "Mr. Crowley" as a tribute to Ozzy Osbourne. 32. Time magazine ranked Yngwie ninth on the list of the greatest electric guitar players of all time. 33. In 2003 he collaborated with Ronnie James Dio on the cover version of Aerosmith's song "Dream On". 34. Malmsteen has performed twice in Israel. On April 27, 2010 at the Hangar in Tel Aviv, and on September 12, 2018 at Reading club. 35. Yngwie has released 22 studio albums to date as part of his solo career, the most recent being "Parabellum" released on July 23, 2021. And now go click on the link and listen to some of his best works in the playlist that we have prepared especially for you: Click Here. "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

It was without a doubt one of the biggest and best shows ever held in Israel, and no, we're not just referring to the Metal genre. Those who were at the show, know this very well, those who were not, heard mythological stories about the "earthquake" that happened there, literally!!! The newspaper headlines the next day said it all: "Metallica tore up the park", "There has never been a show like this in Israel", "World Champions" and more... On June 30, 1993, "Metallica" took the stage of HaYarkon Park in Tel Aviv as part of the never-ending tour "Nowhere Else to Roam" that accompanied the band's "Black Album", and gave the audience an energetic and perfect performance that lasted two hours and 45 dense, electrifying and powerful minutes! This is the first metal show of this magnitude that was held in Israel (and no, we did not forget "Guns" who visited the same stage about a month earlier, but with all due respect and love, "Guns" is not really metal). It was the first time when such a large audience of metalheads were in one place, jumping, raging, and roaring their souls in the most energetic show we've seen up to that point. How energetic??? Ask the 150 "Motherfuckers" who needed medical treatment during and after the show, and maybe you'll begin to understand what happened on that historic night that united all metal lovers in Israel (and more...) under one flag! It may sound clichéd, but the world of metal concerts in Israel can be divided into before and after this historic performance, which on the one hand brought a lot of new audiences into metal and on the other hand managed to heal the rifts with the old fans who felt a little "betrayed" when the band released the "Black Album". Those who read our reviews and listen to our shows, already know the personal story of one of "Faceoff" team, about how he discovered "Metallica" and Thrash Metal, somewhere in the early 80s. The boy developed with the band, experienced with them in real-time the loss of its phenomenal bassist Cliff Burton and breathed a sigh of relief when the needle touched the first groove, on the first of two vinyls, of the album "...And Justice For All". But precisely then, he lost them with the release of "The Black Album" because he (falsely) thought that they had "sold their soul", when they abandoned this mighty genre that they were among its founders. Then, on June 30, 1993, it all changed!! "Metallica" gave the "performance of a lifetime" which by a cosmic coincidence happened precisely on the birthday of that boy who has since grown up, and he receives the greatest gift he could receive. He gets the band he grew up with back. "Metallica" appeared on stage as that boy remembered it, when he first discovered them 10 years earlier. Powerful, frantic, aggressive, and kicking. "Metallica" gave that evening the best performance he had ever seen in Israel and those tens of thousands who were there would probably agree with him. Since then, the boy fell in love again and devoted himself totally to the band and to the "Black Album", and we believe that so do many Israeli metalheads who experienced the band in real time and felt a sense of "betrayal" when the "Black Album" came out. The big "comeback" of the band on stage, in front of the old fans could be seen already in the first minutes of the show, which opened with the classic "Creeping Death". The energetic band members ran around the stage like a frenzy and gave their all, as if it was their last show on earth! Two hours and 45 minutes of madness with a shattering and devastating setlist that included two encores, a bass solo, a guitar solo, great sound and lighting, pyrotechnics and flames that drove the audience crazy, showing their love to "Metallica", ranging from shouts of joy to enormous pogo circles that had not been seen before in Israel (And of course the public singing of "Axl the gay..."). And the band, it also returned a lot of blood, sweat, and fire!! They spoke a lot to the audience, complimented them and it was obvious that they too were overwhelmed by the warm reception of the Israeli audience and their love for them. Another proof that this was one of the biggest concerts in Israel, can be found in the fact that even the band itself chose the concert held in Yarkon Park as one of only 10 concerts! From the "Black Album" tour, of which was broadcast on the band's channel as part of the "Black Album's" thirtieth-anniversary celebrations. In November 2021, the band launched an exciting, huge, and ongoing archive project called "The Metallica Black Box", in which it shared with fans a wide variety of memorabilia, articles, photos, clothes, records, and rare audio and video content throughout a 40-year career. As part of the aforementioned project, on February 19, 2022, the phenomenal, tremendous, and unforgettable performance of "Metallica" that took place on June 30, 1993, in Yarakon Park, Tel Aviv, was broadcast live!!! The historic performance that was held in Israel out of hundreds of performances that took place in the years 1991-1993 was included it in the "black box" and made sure to broadcast the performance live!!! And just to drive you crazy a little more before the end and to congratulate the super fan of the band "Markman", here are some examples of the memorabilia he has from that show... Setlist: The Ecstasy of Gold Creeping Death Harvester of Sorrow Welcome Home (Sanitarium) Of Wolf and Man Wherever I May Roam The Thing That Should Not Be The Unforgiven Disposable Heroes Bass Solo Orion / To Live Is to Die / The Call of Ktulu Guitar Solo The Four Horsemen For Whom the Bell Tolls Fade to Black Master of Puppets Seek & Destroy Battery Nothing Else Matters Sad but True Last Caress One Enter Sandman "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

Editor's Choice... On June 29, 2018, "Bullets For My Valentine's" released their sixth album "Gravity". We are not objective because we have already mentioned in one or more of our shows that we think this great band could have been Metallica's direct next generation before the black album. They have a wonderful combination of sawn-off riffs with melodic, insane drumming and sweeping lyrics, they have undoubtedly flowed in the thrash metal / metalcore genre. But this album is a significant change in style... Some even called it the "bastard hybrid of Linkin Park-style radio rock" that didn't really sound like a compliment. Anyway, this band is very talented, especially Matthew Tuck the band leader and lead writer, so we recommend you spend 41 minutes and 47 seconds of your time listening to the album at: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

On June 29, 2004, "Rush" released its only EP, "Feedback". While preparing for the band's world tour to mark 30 years of activity, "Rush" surprised their fans by releasing an eight-track EP - "Feedback" containing cover versions of artists who influenced the Canadian power trio. When you open the album, which also in the CD version looks exactly like a vinyl album, you find an excerpt written by Neil Peart which explains the reason for the very existence of this EP. The band wanted to salute the bands that influenced them, a kind of tribute to the bands that they used to perform cover versions of their songs somewhere in their early days, at the garage or school basements in Willowdale Ontario, at a time when they were not yet known and familiar. It is also a commemoration, for the 30 years the band have been together, a kind of look back on the years that have been and where they are today, while respecting those they have learned and been influenced by along the way. Or in the words of Peart's words: "It was April of 2004, but Geddy, Alex, and I were channeling back to 1966 and 1967, when we were thirteen- and fourteen-year-old beginners. We thought it would be a fitting symbol to commemorate our thirty years together if we returned to our roots and paid tribute to those we had learned from and were inspired by. We thought we might record some of the songs we used to listen to, the ones we painstakingly learned the chords, notes, and drum parts for, and even played in our earliest bands. The tracks on this collection are songs we liked from the era that we thought we could 'cover' effectively (meaning not too many backing vocals), and have some fun with. The music celebrates a good time in our lives, and we had a good time celebrating it." As you already know with this wonderful trio everything has to be accurate, perfect and at the highest level, so even on the cover album the result was no less than fantastic. Rush bomb-shells us with 8 rock-blues-psychedelic classics, all from 1965-1970: two from "The Yardbirds", two from "Buffalo Springfield", one from "The Who", one from "Love" and two other songs of covers "Cream" "and" "Blue Cheer" did back at the 60's. No doubt these songs have received quite a few cover versions in the past, but "Rush" did it differently. They chose a slightly different direction from the previous cover versions that just tried to resemble the original, bringing their own interpretation into the songs, injecting them with boiling energy and uncompromising power. Although these are 40-year-old songs (when the album was released), "Rush" managed to make them sound new, fresh and relevant. The fun the trio had in the studio just screams out of the speakers, and you can clearly hear how much the bandmates enjoyed playing them. The opening song "Summertime Blues" - originally by Eddie Cochran, was also performed by "The Who", but "Rush" gave the credit to "Blue Cheer", whose version of the song is the nearest to "Rush" DNA. The song opens with Alex Lifeson's guitar feedback and tells us why "feedback" was chosen for the album's name. The song illustrates how "Rush" can take a simple song and make it its own. It is easy to hear why this version is much better than the original and all the covers made for this song, which serves as a musical compass for the rest of the songs on the album. The next song, "Heart Full of Soul" is a 1965 song from "The Yardbirds". You can hear Rush's version of the song soothing freshness and pushing it forward, especially in Alex Lifeson's guitar roles and Geddy Lee's vocals that sound clearer and more accurate than ever. From there we move on to what has become one of the leading protest songs against the Vietnam War, "For What It's Worth" by "Buffalo Springfield," written by Stephen Stills. The combination of Alex Lifeson's acoustic and electric with Geddy Lee's harmonic vocals provide the fertile ground on which the entire song is based, with Neil Peart having to literally hold back here, with what appears to be his most minimalist drumming of his entire career. Another perfect performance that even surpasses the original. The fourth track from the band "The Seeker" is probably the most powerful track on this mini album. Lifeson's screaming riffs, Geddy Lee's bold bass and Peart's solid and precise drumming do justice to this song and take it to a whole other dimension. Alex Lifeson's solo is reminiscent of "Rush's" rough sound from their first albums and Geddy Lee's voice sounds so tailored to the song that one can think it's an original song by the band. We return to "Buffalo Springfield" in the fifth track - "Mr. Soul", this time in a song written by Neil Young for the band. This is the darkest song on this mini-album, with a production similar to the one from the band's previous album "Vapor Trails". Listen to the sound in Lifeson's guitar riff and Geddy Lee's doubled vocals, and you will understand the resemblance to that album, which only due to its gloomy production was remixed 10 years later. The resemblance to the psychedelia of "The Byrds" in the song "8 Miles High" cannot be ignored when listening to Lifeson's solo in this song. The sixth song "Seven and Seven Is" brings us the same psychedelia, by the band "Love" from the album "Da Capo" released in 1966, only this time at a higher intensity. This is the first song where Neil Peart and Geddy Lee can finally go wild and play freely, all thanks to the wild nature of this song (by the way also in the original version). In the seventh track we return to a visit from "The Yardbirds" with the classic "Shapes of Things". The song gets a Rush-style metallic "spike" here. This is another section that allows Neil Peart and the rest of the band to let go and express themselves, especially in the second part of the song, starting with Lifeson's solo. The track that closes the album is "Crossroads", originally by Robert Johnson, familiar to us from the performance of the "Cream". This is perhaps the best cover on the album for an immortal song, which is performed here accurately and brilliantly by the trio, just an excellent piece to sign the album. The mini-album "Feedback" received excellent reviews both in terms of song selection and performance. For example, the All Music catalog praised the album and noted that fans hear "Rush" like they have never heard before. In conclusion, this is a very light and fun album to listen to, which classic rock lovers will surely enjoy, an album that the band members must have really enjoyed recording. To listen to the album: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website