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Complete List Of Mabel Songs From A to Z

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Complete List Of Mabel Songs From A to Z

Feature Photo: Harald Krichel, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Mabel Alabama-Pearl McVey, professionally known as Mabel, is a British-Swedish singer and songwriter who has made significant strides in the contemporary R&B and pop music scenes. Born on February 19, 1996, in Alhaurín el Grande, Málaga, Spain, she is the daughter of English music producer Cameron McVey and Swedish singer Neneh Cherry. Her multicultural heritage and musical lineage have played a role in shaping her artistic identity.​

Mabel’s musical journey began in earnest in 2015 when she released her debut single “Know Me Better” on SoundCloud. The track garnered attention and led to her signing with Polydor Records. Her breakthrough came in 2017 with the release of “Finders Keepers,” featuring Kojo Funds, which peaked at number eight on the UK Singles Chart. This success was followed by her debut EP, “Bedroom,” and the mixtape “Ivy to Roses,” both of which showcased her evolving sound and lyrical prowess.​

In 2019, Mabel released her debut studio album, “High Expectations,” which entered the UK Albums Chart at number three and was certified platinum. The album featured hit singles such as “Don’t Call Me Up,” “Mad Love,” and “Boyfriend.” “Don’t Call Me Up” became her highest-charting single, reaching number three in the UK and charting on the US Billboard Hot 100. The success of “High Expectations” solidified Mabel’s status as a prominent figure in the UK music industry.​

Her sophomore album, “About Last Night…,” was released in 2022 and peaked at number two on the UK Albums Chart, marking her highest-charting album to date. The album included singles like “Let Them Know,” “Good Luck,” and “Overthinking,” featuring 24kGoldn. Mabel continued to explore themes of empowerment and self-discovery, blending pop sensibilities with R&B influences.​

Throughout her career, Mabel has been recognized with several awards and nominations. In 2020, she won the Brit Award for British Female Solo Artist, reflecting her impact on the UK music scene. She has also received nominations for MTV Europe Music Awards and other accolades, highlighting her international appeal.​

Beyond her musical achievements, Mabel has been involved in various philanthropic efforts. In 2024, she collaborated with survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire to design a T-shirt aimed at raising awareness and reminding authorities of the ongoing quest for justice. This initiative demonstrated her commitment to social causes and her willingness to use her platform for advocacy.​

Mabel’s personal experiences have also influenced her artistry. She has been open about her struggles with anxiety and chronic exhaustion, which led to a career hiatus in 2022. During this period, she reconnected with her family and began collaborating with her brother, fostering a supportive creative environment. This introspection has informed her music, adding depth and authenticity to her work.​

As Mabel continues to evolve as an artist, she remains dedicated to creating music that resonates with audiences worldwide. Her blend of catchy melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and a strong sense of identity positions her as a compelling voice in contemporary music. With a growing discography and a commitment to personal and artistic growth, Mabel’s trajectory suggests a promising future in the industry.

  1. About Last Night… (intro) – About Last Night… – 2022
  2. All Over You (featuring King Promise) – Non-album single – 2025
  3. Animal – About Last Night… – 2022
  4. Bad Behaviour – High Expectations – 2019
  5. Bedroom – Ivy to Roses – 2017
  6. Begging – Ivy to Roses – 2017
  7. Boyfriend – High Expectations – 2019
  8. Chat – Non-album single – 2024
  9. Cigarette (with Raye and Stefflon Don) – High Expectations – 2019
  10. Crying on the Dance Floor – About Last Night… – 2022
  11. Crying on the Dance Floor (calm string version) – About Last Night… – 2022
  12. Deal or No Deal (with A1 x J1) – About Last Night… – 2022
  13. Definition – About Last Night… – 2022
  14. Don’t Call Me Up – High Expectations – 2019
  15. Don’t Call Me Up (R3hab remix) – High Expectations – 2019
  16. Female Intuition – Non-album single – 2024
  17. Fine Line (featuring Not3s) – High Expectations – 2019
  18. Finders Keepers (featuring Kojo Funds) – High Expectations – 2019
  19. FML – High Expectations – 2019
  20. God Is a Dancer (with Tiësto) – High Expectations – 2019
  21. Good Luck (with Jax Jones and Galantis) – About Last Night… – 2022
  22. High Expectations (Intro) – High Expectations – 2019
  23. High Expectations (Outro) – High Expectations – 2019
  24. I Belong to Me – High Expectations – 2019
  25. I Love Your Girl – About Last Night… – 2022
  26. I Wish (Joel Corry featuring Mabel) – About Last Night… – 2022
  27. Know Me Better – Non-album single – 2015
  28. Let Love Go (acoustic) – About Last Night… – 2022
  29. Let Love Go (featuring Lil Tecca) – About Last Night… – 2022
  30. Let Them Know – About Last Night… – 2022
  31. Loneliest Time of Year – Christmas – 2019
  32. Look at My Body Pt. I – Non-album single – 2024
  33. Look at My Body Pt. II (featuring Shygirl) – Non-album single – 2024
  34. LOL – About Last Night… – 2022
  35. Lucky (Interlude) – High Expectations – 2019
  36. Mad Love – High Expectations – 2019
  37. My Boy My Town – Non-album single – 2015
  38. My Lover (Remix) (with Not3s) – Ivy to Roses – 2017
  39. My Lover (with Not3s) – High Expectations – 2019
  40. Not Sayin’ – High Expectations – 2019
  41. OK (Anxiety Anthem) – High Expectations – 2019
  42. One Shot – High Expectations – 2019
  43. Overthinking (slowed and reverb; with 24kGoldn) – About Last Night… – 2022
  44. Overthinking (with 24kGoldn) – About Last Night… – 2022
  45. Put Your Name on It – High Expectations – 2019
  46. Ring Ring (with Jax Jones featuring Rich the Kid) – High Expectations – 2019
  47. Selfish Love (featuring Kamille) – High Expectations – 2019
  48. Shy – About Last Night… – 2022
  49. Stckhlm Syndrome (Interlude) – High Expectations – 2019
  50. Stupid Dumb (featuring Ty Dolla Sign) – Non-album single – 2024
  51. Take It Home – Pokémon 25: The Album – 2021
  52. Take Your Name (interlude) – About Last Night… – 2022
  53. Thinking of You – High Expectations – 2019
  54. Tick Tock (with Clean Bandit featuring 24kGoldn) – High Expectations – 2019
  55. Time After Time – Christmas – 2021
  56. Toxic (Britney Spears acoustic cover) – About Last Night… – 2022
  57. Trouble – High Expectations – 2019
  58. Vitamins – Non-album single – 2024
  59. We Don’t Say… – High Expectations – 2019
  60. West Ten (with AJ Tracey) – High Expectations – 2019
  61. When the Party’s Over – About Last Night… – 2022
  62. Zero (with Black Sherif) – Non-album single – 2024

Albums

High Expectations (2019): 27 songs

About Last Night… (2022): 19 songs

Non-album singles/Other releases: 16 songs

Read More: Artists’ Interviews Directory At ClassicRockHistory.com

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Complete List Of Mabel Songs From A to Z article published on ClassicRockHistory.com© 2025

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About The Author

Emily Fagan

Emily Fagan

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Emily Fagan grew up in the town of Burford in Oxfordshire, England. She was raised on Progressive Rock music. She is currently writing a book on the history of Charles The Great and the impact of the Carolingian Renaissance.

Complete List Of Ben Folds Five Songs From A to Z

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Complete List Of Ben Folds Five Songs From A to Z

Feature Photo: -2-3-song-photography-Shutterstock.com

Ben Folds Five emerged from the vibrant college town of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, carving out a distinct niche in alternative rock with their piano-driven sound and sharp, often witty songwriting. Formed in 1993, the trio consisted of Ben Folds on piano and vocals, Robert Sledge on bass, and Darren Jessee on drums. Despite the “Five” in their name, the band operated as a three-piece, which quickly became an inside joke and a hallmark of their quirky approach to music and image. Their sound set them apart from their guitar-heavy peers, instead placing emphasis on melodic piano lines, clever lyrics, and energetic, jazz-influenced arrangements.

From the start, Ben Folds Five found a devoted following in the underground scene. Their self-titled debut album, released in 1995, introduced listeners to a style that was both earnest and irreverent. Tracks like “Philosophy” and “Underground” showcased Folds’ ability to balance humor with emotional depth, a combination that resonated with college audiences and critics alike. The group’s willingness to experiment, coupled with a live show that featured both musical virtuosity and comedic banter, helped them quickly build a reputation as one of the most original acts of the 1990s.

Their breakthrough came with their second album, Whatever and Ever Amen, released in 1997. The record produced the band’s biggest hit, “Brick,” a haunting and deeply personal ballad that chronicled a difficult episode in Folds’ youth. “Brick” achieved significant commercial success, reaching the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming an enduring alternative radio staple. The album also featured fan favorites like “Song for the Dumped,” “Kate,” and “Battle of Who Could Care Less,” further cementing Ben Folds Five as a leading force in the era’s alt-rock movement.

Building on their newfound success, Ben Folds Five continued to expand their musical range with the release of The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner in 1999. The album marked a departure from their earlier, more playful tone, embracing orchestral arrangements and introspective themes. Tracks such as “Army” and “Don’t Change Your Plans” reflected the band’s willingness to take creative risks, and while the album received mixed reviews upon release, it has since been praised for its ambition and complexity.

Despite their growing popularity and creative momentum, Ben Folds Five announced a hiatus in 2000, surprising many fans. Each member embarked on separate projects: Ben Folds pursued a successful solo career, releasing albums like Rockin’ the Suburbs and collaborating with a variety of artists; Robert Sledge played with several bands, including International Orange; and Darren Jessee founded the band Hotel Lights. The trio’s separation allowed each musician to explore new creative directions, but the distinct Ben Folds Five chemistry remained a touchstone for fans of the band.

In 2008, Ben Folds Five reunited for a special performance at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, which was recorded for Folds’ compilation album, University A Cappella!. This reunion performance stoked demand for a full-fledged comeback, which finally materialized in 2011 when the band recorded three new songs for the retrospective collection The Best Imitation of Myself: A Retrospective. Their creative spark rekindled, the trio decided to record a new full-length album.

The result was The Sound of the Life of the Mind, released in 2012. This album found the band blending their classic sound with a more mature lyrical perspective, exploring themes of aging, nostalgia, and resilience. Songs like “Erase Me” and “Do It Anyway” captured the energy and wit that fans had come to expect, while also demonstrating the growth of the individual members during their time apart. The album debuted at number ten on the Billboard 200, marking the band’s highest-charting release.

Ben Folds Five’s discography includes four studio albums: Ben Folds Five (1995), Whatever and Ever Amen (1997), The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner (1999), and The Sound of the Life of the Mind (2012). They also released several live albums and compilations, showcasing their dynamic performance style and knack for inventive arrangements. Standout singles from their catalog include “Brick,” “Battle of Who Could Care Less,” “Army,” “Song for the Dumped,” and “Do It Anyway,” each of which exemplifies the band’s unique blend of humor, pathos, and melodic sensibility.

While Ben Folds Five never received major industry awards during their initial run, their influence on alternative and indie music is widely acknowledged. Their piano-based approach paved the way for later acts, and their lyrical honesty inspired a generation of songwriters. Critics consistently praised the band for their musical craftsmanship, sharp storytelling, and willingness to push genre boundaries.

The group’s lasting appeal can be attributed in part to their refusal to follow trends, instead focusing on authentic self-expression and musicianship. Their songs frequently address themes of love, heartbreak, and the complexities of modern life, delivered with a combination of vulnerability and tongue-in-cheek wit. This duality earned Ben Folds Five a devoted, multi-generational fanbase.

Beyond music, Ben Folds has become known for his advocacy of music education, work with symphony orchestras, and efforts to promote arts access for young people. Darren Jessee and Robert Sledge have also continued to contribute to the music community, both as performers and mentors. The band’s periodic reunions have been greeted with enthusiasm, proving the enduring power of their chemistry and catalog.

Ben Folds Five’s story is one of innovation, resilience, and a commitment to craft. Their music stands as a testament to the possibilities of creative risk-taking and the rewards of staying true to one’s vision. Decades after their debut, their work remains relevant, inspiring, and beloved among listeners who value wit, honesty, and musical excellence.

Complete List Of Ben Folds Five Songs From A to Z

  1. Air – Whatever and Ever Amen (Remastered Version) – 1997
  2. Air – Godzilla Soundtrack – 1998
  3. Alice Childress – Ben Folds Five – 1995
  4. Alice Childress – KCRW Rare On Air, Volume 3 – 1997
  5. Army – The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner – 1999
  6. Away When You Were Here – The Sound of the Life of the Mind – 2012
  7. Bad Idea – The Truth About Cats & Dogs Soundtrack – 1996
  8. Barrytown (Steely Dan cover) – Me, Myself & Irene Soundtrack – 2000
  9. Battle of Who Could Care Less – Whatever and Ever Amen – 1997
  10. Best Imitation of Myself – Ben Folds Five – 1995
  11. Birds – The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner (Japanese Edition) – 1999
  12. Boxing – Ben Folds Five – 1995
  13. Brick – Whatever and Ever Amen – 1997
  14. Brick – Non Stop ’90s Rock – 2001
  15. Brick (3AM Dance Remix) – MegaHits Dance Party, Volume 2 – 1998
  16. Cigarette – Whatever and Ever Amen – 1997
  17. Do It Anyway – The Sound of the Life of the Mind – 2012
  18. Don’t Change Your Plans – The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner – 1999
  19. Draw a Crowd – The Sound of the Life of the Mind – 2012
  20. Erase Me – The Sound of the Life of the Mind – 2012
  21. Evaporated – Whatever and Ever Amen – 1997
  22. Fair – Whatever and Ever Amen – 1997
  23. For All the Pretty People – Whatever and Ever Amen (Remastered Version) – 1997
  24. Hold That Thought – The Sound of the Life of the Mind – 2012
  25. Hospital Song – The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner – 1999
  26. Jackson Cannery – Ben Folds Five – 1995
  27. Jane – The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner – 1999
  28. Julianne – Ben Folds Five – 1995
  29. Kate – Whatever and Ever Amen – 1997
  30. Kate – Sabrina, the Teenage Witch – The Album Soundtrack – 1998
  31. The Last Polka – Ben Folds Five – 1995
  32. Leather Jacket – No Boundaries: A Benefit for the Kosovar Refugees – 1999
  33. Lullabye – The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner – 1999
  34. Magic – The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner – 1999
  35. Mess – The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner – 1999
  36. Michael Praytor, Five Years Later – The Sound of the Life of the Mind – 2012
  37. Missing the War – Whatever and Ever Amen – 1997
  38. Mitchell Lane – Whatever and Ever Amen (Remastered Version) – 1997
  39. Narcolepsy – The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner – 1999
  40. On Being Frank – The Sound of the Life of the Mind – 2012
  41. One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces – Whatever and Ever Amen – 1997
  42. One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces – Triple J Hottest 100, Volume 5 – 1998
  43. Philosophy – Ben Folds Five – 1995
  44. Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head – Burt Bacharach: One Amazing Night – 1998
  45. Regrets – The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner – 1999
  46. Selfless, Cold, and Composed – Whatever and Ever Amen – 1997
  47. She Don’t Use Jelly (Flaming Lips cover) – Whatever and Ever Amen (Remastered Version) – 1997
  48. She Don’t Use Jelly (Flaming Lips cover) – Lounge-A-Palooza – 1997
  49. Sky High – The Sound of the Life of the Mind – 2012
  50. Smoke – Whatever and Ever Amen – 1997
  51. Smoke – Songbook – 2002
  52. Song for the Dumped – Whatever and Ever Amen – 1997
  53. Song for the Dumped – Mr. Wrong Soundtrack – 1996
  54. Song for the Dumped (金返せ) – Whatever and Ever Amen (Remastered Version) – 1997
  55. The Sound of the Life of the Mind – The Sound of the Life of the Mind – 2012
  56. Sports & Wine – Ben Folds Five – 1995
  57. Steven’s Last Night in Town – Whatever and Ever Amen – 1997
  58. Thank You for Breaking My Heart – The Sound of the Life of the Mind – 2012
  59. (Theme From) Dr. Pyser – The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner (Australian Edition) – 1999
  60. Theme from ‘Dr. Pyser’ – Whatever and Ever Amen (Remastered Version) – 1997
  61. Theme from ‘Dr. Pyser’ – Teleconned, Volume 1: We Want The Airwaves – 1998
  62. Uncle Walter – Ben Folds Five – 1995
  63. Underground – Ben Folds Five – 1995
  64. Video – Ben Folds Five – 1995
  65. Video Killed the Radio Star – Whatever and Ever Amen (Remastered Version) – 1997
  66. Where’s Summer B.? – Ben Folds Five – 1995
  67. Where’s Summer B.? – Songs for Summer – 2000
  68. Your Most Valuable Possession – The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner – 1999
  69. Your Redneck Past – The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner – 1999

Albums

Ben Folds Five (1995): 12 songs

Whatever and Ever Amen (1997): 12 songs + 7 bonus tracks = 19 songs

The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner (1999): 11 songs + 2 bonus tracks = 13 songs

The Sound of the Life of the Mind (2012): 10 songs

Check out our fantastic and entertaining Ben Folds Five articles, detailing in-depth the band’s albums, songs, band members, and more…all on ClassicRockHistory.com

Top 10 Ben Folds Five Songs

Complete List Of Ben Folds Five Albums And Discography

Read More: Artists’ Interviews Directory At ClassicRockHistory.com

Read More: Classic Rock Bands List And Directory

Complete List Of Ben Folds Five Songs From A to Z article published on ClassicRockHistory.com© 2025

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Days after their singer adopted two bear cubs, Slaughter To Prevail announce new album Grizzly – stream lead single Russian Grizzly In America

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Slaughter To Prevail in 2025
(Image credit: Press)

Displaced Russian deathcore outfit Slaughter To Prevail have announced their new album Grizzly.

The long-anticipated follow-up to 2021’s Kostolom will arrive on July 18 via Sumerian. In conjunction with the news, the band have put out the single and music video Russian Grizzly In America. Watch the clip below.

Co-founder and vocalist Alex Terrible comments: “I think this is the best album we have ever written. We put so much effort into it. We spent a lot of time on every detail and really poured our souls into the songs.

“In the past, we were always rushing to finish albums and just releasing whatever we had. This time, we took our time, worked carefully on each track, and made sure everything was exactly how we wanted it. Hopefully it was all worth it.”

The announcement comes days after news broke that Terrible – who was born in Yekaterinburg but relocated to Orlando, Florida – adopted two bear cubs named Kodi and Harley.

The frontman announced the adoption via social media last week. He wrote: “Long story short. My neighbor @kirillpotapov (literally 10 mins away from me) saved 2 babies bears [sic] Kodi and Harley.

“He helps animals for long time and I want to help him. From this moment I will visit this babies every time I’m at home in Russia and help them financially.”

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Terrible added that, while he doesn’t want to ask fans for financial support, he will be releasing merch themed around the cubs and that all proceeds will go towards supporting them. “I will drop some merch with this lil cutie pies and you will buy it,” he summarised. “All money will go to them. Stay brutal.”

Terrible is famous for having previously ridden bears and even wrestled them. He explained the hobby to Metal Hammer earlier this year, saying, “When you look into a human’s eyes, you feel emotions, you feel maybe anger or kindness. You feel this soul, right? You look into this bear’s eyes, you don’t see anything in there.”

As well as releasing their new album, Slaughter To Prevail will play several US festival shows this summer. They’ll appear at Inkcarceration in Mansfield, Ohio, on July 19, then at Louder Than Life in Louisville, Kentucky, on September 2 and at Aftershock in Sacramento, California, on October 4. See all details via the band’s website.

SLAUGHTER TO PREVAIL – RUSSIAN GRIZZLY IN AMERICA (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO) – YouTube SLAUGHTER TO PREVAIL - RUSSIAN GRIZZLY IN AMERICA (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO) - YouTube

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Founded in 1983, Metal Hammer is the global home of all things heavy. We have breaking news, exclusive interviews with the biggest bands and names in metal, rock, hardcore, grunge and beyond, expert reviews of the lastest releases and unrivalled insider access to metal’s most exciting new scenes and movements. No matter what you’re into – be it heavy metal, punk, hardcore, grunge, alternative, goth, industrial, djent or the stuff so bizarre it defies classification – you’ll find it all here, backed by the best writers in our game.

Wheatus to celebrate 25th anniversary of their platinum-selling debut album with UK and Ireland tour

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Wheatus in 2000
(Image credit: Martyn Goodacre/Getty Images)

Wheatus have announced their plans to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their platinum-selling debut album by playing the record in full on tour in the UK and Ireland.

Powered by the success of their best-selling single Teenage Dirtbag, Wheatus reached number 7 on the UK charts in March 2001, and went on to sell over 300,000 copies in the UK.

Announcing the album’s 25th anniversary tour, the band say: “United Kingdom and Ireland – you’ve been patient enough. We are officially bringing our 25th anniversary tour to you this November and December. It’s gonna be one of our biggest headline tours ever and we’re gonna make sure every night is truly special.”

Wheatus 25 tour dates

Nov 23: Dublin The Academy, Ireland
Nov 24: Belfast The Limelight
Nov 25: Newcastle Boiler Shop
Nov 26: Glasgow SWG3
Nov 28: Manchester O2 Ritz
Nov 29: Birmingham O2 Institute
Nov 30: Leicester O2 Academy2

Dec 02: Leeds Brudenell Social Club
Dec 03: Leeds Brudenell Social Club
Dec 05: Oxford O2 Academy
Dec 06: Brighton Chalk
Dec 07: Southampton The 1865
Dec 09: Norwich Epic Studios
Dec 10: Nottingham Rescue Rooms
Dec 11 : Bristol SWX Bristol
Dec 12: Cardiff The Tramshed
Dec 13: London OVO Arena Wembley (with Bowling For Soup)

Tickets go on sale this Friday, April 25, at 10am, except for the London show, which is already on sale.

Last year Wheatus collaborated with rising British rock duo Alt Blk Era on a reworked version of the sisters’ single My Drummer’s Girlfriend.

“Before My Drummer’s Girlfriend came out we would describe it as having Teenage Dirtbag energy,” Alt Blk Era’s co-vocalist Nyrobi explained. “Then, Wheatus followed us after we both performed at Download festival [in 2024]. It felt like we were being pushed into a position where we had to find the courage to ask one of the most iconic indie rock bands to collaborate with us, on our track. I mean, the audacity, right? Fortunately they loved it, and being fortunate enough to collaborate with them feels out of this world!”

The latest news, features and interviews direct to your inbox, from the global home of alternative music.

A music writer since 1993, formerly Editor of Kerrang! and Planet Rock magazine (RIP), Paul Brannigan is a Contributing Editor to Louder. Having previously written books on Lemmy, Dave Grohl (the Sunday Times best-seller This Is A Call) and Metallica (Birth School Metallica Death, co-authored with Ian Winwood), his Eddie Van Halen biography (Eruption in the UK, Unchained in the US) emerged in 2021. He has written for Rolling Stone, Mojo and Q, hung out with Fugazi at Dischord House, flown on Ozzy Osbourne’s private jet, played Angus Young’s Gibson SG, and interviewed everyone from Aerosmith and Beastie Boys to Young Gods and ZZ Top. Born in the North of Ireland, Brannigan lives in North London and supports The Arsenal.

Watch Love on the Spectrum star James B. Jones meet his metal heroes Disturbed

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One of the stars of Netflix’s massive hit series Love on the Spectrum enjoyed a special moment with one of his favourite metal bands.

James B. Jones has captured the hearts of TV audiences with his antics as he tried to find love on the show. And on 14 March this year, he went to see his beloved Disturbed for the fourth time.

And it proved to be a memorable experience for James as he got to meet the band at the TD Arena in his hometown of Boston, Massachusetts. Watch James’ video of the encounter below.

It appears James has finally met someone who ticks all of his boxes – namely they don’t want to have children and do not have any pets – on season 3 of the show. His girlfriend Shelley Wolfe joined him at the gig and also got to meet the band.

The series, which follows the romantic adventures of adults on the autism spectrum, has been hugely popular, with its stars being invited onto talk shows to discuss their journeys.

This month Tanner Smith, another standout from Love on the Spectrum, was a guest on Kelly Clarkson’s show and got to meet his hero Jack Black.

It moved Smith to say it was “the best day of my life”.

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Disturbed are on the road to mark 25 years of their debut album The Sickness. They will tour the UK and Europe later this year.

Disturbed 2025 European tour dates

Sep 28: Copenhagen Royal Arena, Denmark
Oct 01: Dusseldorf PSD Bank Dome, Germany
Oct 03: Stuttgart Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle, Germany
Oct 04: Zurich Hallenstadion, Switzerland
Oct 06: Budapest Arena, Hungary
Oct 07: Prague O2 Arena, Czech Republic
Oct 10: Krakow Tauron Arena, Poland
Oct 12: Paris Zenith, France
Oct 14: Amsterdam Ziggo Dome, Netherlands
Oct 15: Brussels Forest National Arena, Belgium
Oct 17: Munich Olympiahalle, Germany
Oct 18: Berlin Velodrome, Germany
Oct 20: Birmingham Utilita Arena, UK
Oct 22: Dublin 3Arena, Ireland
Oct 24: Manchester AO Arena, UK
Oct 26: London The O2, UK
Oct 28: Glasgow OVO Hydro, UK

“There have been some communication issues”: Zak Starkey returns to The Who just days after being dismissed

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The Who onstage
(Image credit: Samir Hussein/WireImage)

Zak Starkey is back in The Who, just days after the band announced his dismissal.

Starkey, The Who’s touring drummer for nearly three decades, was let go earlier this week, reportedly after a dispute with frontman Roger Daltrey became public during a recent Teenage Cancer Trust Performance at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

“The band made a collective decision to part ways with Zak after this round of shows at the Royal Albert Hall,” said the band in a statement. “They have nothing but admiration for him and wish him the very best for his future.”

Now he’s back, with Pete Townshend confirming the news in a statement released on sociakl media.

“News Flash! Who Backs Zak!” writes Townshend. “He’s not being asked to step down from The Who.

“There have been some communication issues, personal and private on all sides, that needed to be dealt with, and these have been aired happily.

“Roger and I would like Zak to tighten up his latest evolved drumming style to accommodate our non-orchestral line up and he has readily agreed. I take responsibility for some of the confusion. Our TCT shows at the Royal Albert Hall were a little tricky for me. I thought that four and a half weeks would be enough time to recover completely from having a complete knee replacement. (Why did I ever think I could land on my knees?) Wrong!

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“Maybe we didn’t put enough time into sound checks, giving us problems on stage. The sound in the centre of the stage is always the most difficult to work with. Roger did nothing wrong but fiddle with his in-ear monitors. Zak made a few mistakes and he has apologised. Albeit with a rubber duck drummer.

“We are a family, this blew up very quickly and got too much oxygen. It’s over. We move forward now with optimism and fire in our bellies.

“As for Roger, fans can enjoy his forthcoming solo shows with his fabulous drummer, Scott Devours, who it was rumoured might replace Zak in The Who and has always been supportive of the band.

“I owe Scott an apology for not crushing that rumour before it spread. He has been hurt by this. I promise to buy him a very long drink and give him a hug.”

In reponse, Starkey wrote, “Grateful to be a part of The Who family. Thanks Roger and Pete.”

Inbetween his dismissal and subsequent return to The Who, Starkey posted a previously unreleased studio recording of a cover of T. Rex’s Children Of The Revolution featuring Axl Rose, Slash and Duff McKagan from Guns N’ Roses, Ringo Starr and Elton John.

The track, which was recorded in 2017, comes from an as-yet unreleased charity album featuring Iggy Pop, The Verve‘s Richard Ashcroft, members of The Smiths and The Pretenders, and “more than one Beatle.”

“Everything generated by this record goes to teenage cancer – if it gets released,” says Starkey. “Which depends totally on the amazing participants giving us the green light.”

Online Editor at Louder/Classic Rock magazine since 2014. 39 years in music industry, online for 26. Also bylines for: Metal Hammer, Prog Magazine, The Word Magazine, The Guardian, The New Statesman, Saga, Music365. Former Head of Music at Xfm Radio, A&R at Fiction Records, early blogger, ex-roadie, published author. Once appeared in a Cure video dressed as a cowboy, and thinks any situation can be improved by the introduction of cats. Favourite Serbian trumpeter: Dejan Petrović.

“We blew this whole scene open, I don’t care what anybody says. We did all the work, and now all these other bands are popping up”: How Korn changed up their sound and left the copycats behind with Follow The Leader

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“We blew this whole scene open, I don’t care what anybody says. We did all the work, and now all these other bands are popping up”: How Korn changed up their sound and left the copycats behind with Follow The Leader

Korn posing for a photograph in 1998
(Image credit: Bob Berg/Getty Images)

Nu metal founding fathers Korn can legitimately lay claim to kickstarting a whole new scene with their landmark 1994 debut album, but follow up Life Is Peachy was a disappointment by contrast. Which meant a lot was riding on 1998’s Follow The Leader, as Metal Hammer found out when we met vibed-up singer Jonathan Davis and guitarist Munky in Paris just before the album was released.

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The Costes Hotel, situated bang in the centre of one of Paris’s more upmarket districts, is, if not the height of luxury, then at least of a sufficient altitude to induce pretty severe vertigo. A once-over of the clientele lunching out in the terrace restaurant reveals an impeccably turned out David Ginola, doubtless gathering his thoughts for his next piercing insight as part of the BBC’s World Cup pundit panel, the ever-suave Johnny Depp and an assorted collection of Armani’d up nouveau riche.

In their midst sits a tallish fella with hair like matted straw, decked head to toe in casual sports gear, hunched low over a plate of mozzarella and tomatoes, enthusing in a slightly whiny American accent about the quality of French food. His companion, slightly tanned and sporting chunkier, neater dreads, but looking no more healthy than the first, grunts in acknowledgement, while toying with his multi-storey club sandwich. As the French chattering classes get at one with their déjeuner, you can’t help but wonder what they make of Korn’s Jonathan Davis and James ‘Munky’ Shaffer, enjoying one of the many fringe benefits of being multi-platinum-selling rock stars.

Hammer is in Paris to chat to Korn about their impending new album Follow The Leader, by their own admission the most important of their career to date, but there’s one small problem: we haven’t heard it yet. Or at least, not all of it. However, if the five tracks we have been privy to are anything to go by, then Follow The Leader will be a stormer, the true follow-up to the jaw-dropping headfuck that was their eponymous debut – as opposed to the disappointing second album Life Is Peachy. This, Korn fans, is the real deal.

“This could be the one, this could be it for us,” speculates Jonathan Davis over a wake-up call Jack Daniels and Coke. “This is the album that makes of breaks your career. If the third album does well then you’re set for life.

“I’m stressed out at the fact that it’s that good,” adds the frontman, and it’s a good thing too, because once the dust on Life Is Peachy had settled, the considered opinion was that it was, well, arse. After the ground-breaking debut, to be presented with such a similar, and thus ultimately redundant, record was a massive disappointment, which the critics ultimately turned on. Fortunately, Korn know this too.

Korn posing for a photograph in 1998

Korn in 1998: (from left) Munky, Head, Fieldy, Jonathan Davis, David Silveria (Image credit: Bob Berg/Getty Images)

“Well, yeah, we knew, it was obvious. We know that album sucked,” admits Jonathan, before going on to qualify this statement with: “Well it didn’t suck, there’s good songs on there, but we know we rushed it. We were really upset with the last album. It was awesome, but it could’ve been better. We settled.

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“Life Is Peachy is all at one tempo, it’s all the same,” Jonathan continues. “On Follow The Leader, we’ve got a lot of weird things going on, a lot of variety.”

Indeed, across the five tracks we’ve heard, there’s more experimentation and variety than on the whole of Korn’s recorded output to date – probable first single Got The Life grinds away to a disco beat, for fuck’s sake! That extends to lyrical themes as well. Gone are the well-documented childhood stories and anxieties; Follow The Leader is the album on which Jonathan Davis grows up. Well, sort of.

“This is my album of self-destruction. There’s none of my childhood stuff going on any more. This is more about me dealing with pressures I put on myself,” he explains, twisting his dreadlocks frantically, as he is wont to do when talking about himself.

“The self-destruction I’m going though, killing myself and doing all the fucked-up things I do just to deal with it. The pressure of what it’s like to be in this band, of being a father, all kinds of shit.”

Parenthood is a big thing with Korn at the moment, four out of the five members either being fathers or due to be any minute. Are they getting to a point where families take priority?

“This is what we love to do – I don’t care if I have a kid, it doesn’t have to stop me doing what I do and what I love,” Jonathan snorts.

Korn – Got The Life (Official HD Video) – YouTube Korn - Got The Life (Official HD Video) - YouTube

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How about the partying that goes hand in hand with being in a successful band, though? Are you going to stop doing that?

“Nah, fuck that. I’m schizo, I have two personalities: I’m a dad when I come home, but once I’m out that door, I’m totally changed – within reason. I’m not gonna go fucking kill myself, ’cos I want to be there for Nathan, but I never have any guilt that I have a wife and kid at home and I can’t party – fuck that! I work my ass off, I’m making money and I fucking need to party or I’ll go crazy.”

So if, as previously claimed, the songs on the first two albums were intended as personal therapy, has it worked at all?

“Everybody always has problems, new ones just seem to pop up,” Jonathan answers, twisting on his dreadlocks. “I need to go out and sing those songs again – I haven’t sung in a year and I’m more fucked up than ever.”

And what are the pressures of being in Korn?

“I can’t begin to tell you. It’s stuff you bring on yourself as artists. It’s our third album and we’re scared whether people will like it or not, the shit we went through with producers… it just wracks your brain.”

“The shit we went through with producers” refers to the tortuous problems Korn experienced during their protracted stint in the studio. While it’s true that after their experience with Life Is Peachy, the band wanted to take more time on this album, a major factor contributing to the nine months they spent hold up recording was the breakdown of any sort of working relationship with original producer Steve Thompson.

“He took us to the level that we needed to be at and then we didn’t need him any more,” sniffs Munky.

Korn performing onstage in 1998

Korn onstage in 1998 (Image credit: Mick Hutson/Redferns)

“Yeah, get out!” hoots Jonathan. “We started bumping heads in the studio. Once we got into the studio, things started to change. We’d do our beats or something that we thought was best and we’d leave that and then I’d come in and he’d changed it! Without telling us! He’d be like, ‘That grooves,’ and we were like, ‘No! Put it back!’ He puts it back, we come back in later and he’s changed it again. We were like, ‘You know what, man? Get out. It’s time for you to go.’ He didn’t have the same vision that we had for our album – he wanted to make it all… just not us.”

So out went Steve and in came… Ross Robinson, the man Korn were adamant they didn’t need any more. “He didn’t produce anything on the album, he was just there as my cheerleader,” says Jonathan, twisting away like Chubby Checker.

“I love Ross to death and working without him was a big awakening for me – it was like me jumping out of a cocoon, because I really didn’t have that much self-confidence in myself. Working with Ross, he’d keep trying to take me back to those first two albums, but I didn’t want to go there, and he’d be adamant about it and it pissed me off. Finally I got to the point where I thought, ‘I don’t need Ross, I don’t need anybody.’

The concept behind Follow The Leader refers to the oft-forgotten fact that when Korn broke back in 1995, they tore a Godzilla-sized hole through a metal scene wandering aimlessly in a post-grunge wilderness. Of course, since then, innumerable bands have followed them through, many of them clinging to Jonathan Davis and co.’s coat-tails for all they’re worth.

“We blew this whole scene open, I don’t care what anybody says,” states the frontman bullishly. “We did all the work, and now there’s this new market, all these Korn bands are popping up.”

“Which is flattering,” nods Munky.

“Which is totally awesome, ’cos we created a new scene. It’s like when Nirvana came in and the grunge scene happened, it’s happening now with this new music. It’s flattering and everything but we were just throwing that out there. Some of the magazines I’ve looked at even have a Korn section for all these different bands that sound just like us. That’s fucking awesome, I see something happening.”

Korn – Freak On a Leash (Official HD Video) – YouTube Korn - Freak On a Leash (Official HD Video) - YouTube

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The flipside is that you’ve now practically killed metal stone dead – now everybody takes the easy option and tags the Korn sound for instant success.

“Yeah, but we will always be one step above them,” grins Munky knowingly. “Just when they start to nail the sound of our first two records, bands going, ‘Oh, we’ve got what they’re doing figured out now,’ now this record comes out and they’re gonna be like, ‘Man…’ We’re one step ahead.”

And then there are the bands Korn have dragged through kicking and screaming themselves, like Limp Bizkit and Deftones. “We liked helping those bands out,” smiles Jonathan before changing tone (twist, twist). “Deftones is a big misconception – we don’t even talk to them now. We’re pissed off with them. They talked some stuff about us. Korn and Deftones were out at the same time and we used to be really good friends, but now all this shit has torn us apart. It’s sad. From the media saying that they sound like Korn, I don’t hear anything similar at all. I think they’ve got totally sick of it and have shut us off completely, Chino especially.”

Well, the rules for friendship change when you start counting your album sales in millions.

“People start changing and tripping out, expecting us to change. We treat ’em the same, but people take the shit so fucking personally. We don’t have very many friends. I have four of my best friends in my band and then these other bands… success starts changing them, you start changing, jealousy comes into play and then they’re gone. It sucks.”

And for the record, where do you stand on the Coal Chamber issue?

“I’m not going to go there,” is the deliberate response, before a smile cracks out. “You fucking British fucking press motherfuckers!”

Originally published in Metal Hammer in June 1998

Zak Starkey Is Back in the Who: See the Band’s Statement

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Zak Starkey may be gunning for one of the shortest firings in rock history. The drummer is now officially back in the Who, less than a week after his apparent dismissal.

“News Flash! Who Backs Zak!” guitarist Pete Townshend wrote in a statement, which you can read in full below. “He’s not being asked to step down from the Who. There have been some communication issues, personal and private on all sides, that needed to be dealt with, and these have been aired happily.”

Starkey also addressed the update today, writing on Instagram, “V grateful to be a part of the Who family. Thanks Roger and Pete xx.”

When Did the Who Fire Zak Starkey?

Starkey’s reinstatement follows the announcement earlier this week that he’d been relieved of his drumming duties after 29 years with the Who. The drummer and son of Ringo Starr said that his bandmates had brought “formal charges of overplaying” against him after their recent Royal Albert Hall shows. Starkey also revealed that he’d suffered from blood clots in his right calf in January, but he insisted they didn’t affect his drumming.

READ MORE: Top 10 Underrated Who Songs

“After playing those songs with the band for so many decades, I’m surprised and saddened anyone would have an issue with my performance that night, but what can you do?” Starkey said in a statement. “Twenty-nine years at any job is a good old run, and I wish them the best.”

Why Did the Who Have Problems With Zak Starkey?

Footage from the Who’s March 30th show at Royal Albert Hall shows singer Roger Daltrey stopping in the middle of “This Song is Over” to complain that he can’t hear the other instruments because of the drumming.

“To sing that song I do need to hear the key, and I can’t,” Daltrey said. “All I’ve got is drum sound: boom, boom, boom. And I can’t sing to that. I’m sorry, guys.”

In his statement, Townshend shouldered part of the blame for the band’s recent miscommunication and performance issues, noting that his recent knee surgery hindered his own playing during the Royal Albert Hall shows.

READ MORE: The Most Awesome Live Album From Every Rock Legend

“Roger and I would like Zak to tighten up his latest evolved drumming style to accommodate our non-orchestral lineup and he has readily agreed,” he wrote. “I take responsibility for some of the confusion. Our TCT [Teenage Cancer Trust] shows at the Royal Albert Hall were a little tricky for me. I thought that four and a half weeks would be enough time to recover completely from having a complete knee replacement. (Why did I ever think I could land on my knees?) Wrong!”

The guitarist continued: “Maybe we didn’t put enough time into sound checks, giving us problems on stage. The sound in the centre of the stage is always the most difficult to work with. Roger did nothing wrong but fiddle with his in-ear monitors. Zak made a few mistakes and he has apologised. Albeit with a rubber duck drummer.”

Townshend added that Daltrey will play his upcoming solo shows with drummer Scott Devours, who was rumored to be Starkey’s replacement in the Who. “I owe Scott an apology for not crushing that rumour before it spread,” he said. “He has been hurt by this. I promise to buy him a very long drink and give him a hug.”

Despite the recent public snafu, Townshend wrote, “We are a family, this blew up very quickly and got too much oxygen. It’s over. We move forward now with optimism and fire in our bellies.”

The Who Albums Ranked

Half of the Who’s studio albums are all classics, essential records from rock’s golden age. But where should you start?

Gallery Credit: Michael Gallucci

James Bond Poster Artist Robert McGinnis Dies at 99

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Robert E. McGinnis, creator of some of the most memorable posters for James Bond movies, died on March 10 aged 99, it was confirmed.

The prolific artist worked on promotional material for Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, Diamonds Are Forever, the original comedy Casino Royale and Live and Let Die. You can see some of his most famous work below.

McGinnis was known for defining a stylized female form known as the McGinnis Woman, which appeared on many book and album covers of the 20th century.

READ MORE: The Beatles and James Bond Debut on the Same Day

Confirming that he’d passed last month, a post on Legacy.com by his three children commented: “It’s likely you have seen one or more of his artwork images somewhere.

“They appeared in magazines such as The Saturday Evening Post, National Geographic, Good Housekeeping, McCall’s, Reader’s Digest and Guideposts; on very many book covers (especially paperback books, spanning many genres, from detective to mystery to gothic to historical fiction to romance to fantasy); in the form of personal-project paintings that included many Old West scenes; and also on movie posters for culturally significant movies

“He was an active, competitive and innately hard-working person, and, most of all, he loved to draw and paint. His drive to succeed and his endurance at the easel enabled him to leave behind a body of work that will never be matched.

Robert McGinnis’ Thoughts on Digital Artwork

“Remember Bob… when you see the Breakfast At Tiffany’s movie poster image of Audrey Hepburn with a cat perched on her shoulder. Our father created that!”

In 2015 McGinnis described painting as “a deeply ingrained habit,” telling Tripwire: “I go down to my studio and be quiet and put on a bit of music, sit there and work on a painting, something that I have a feeling for, an affection for. It’s very satisfying and I may be deceiving myself in thinking I am accomplishing something. I couldn’t do anything else.”

He confirmed that he hardly ever received movie poster commissions in the digital age, adding: “Posters don’t have that human warmth, the strengths and the weaknesses of a painter or an artist.

“Sometimes they can be flawed and now you can have a computer which can make perfect images… I can’t knock computer art and the work that they do, because it’s just so imaginative and wonderful. But that flavor is gone.”

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United Artists / Fototeca Gilardi, Getty Images

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In Memoriam: 2025 Deaths

A look at those we’ve lost.

Gallery Credit: Ultimate Classic Rock Staff

When Adrian Smith Knew ‘Run to the Hills’ Was ‘Something Special’

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When Adrian Smith Knew ‘Run to the Hills’ Was ‘Something Special’
Dave Simpson/WireImage, Getty Images

Iron Maiden’s 1982 album The Number of the Beast is one of the most celebrated releases in metal history, and is regularly ranked among the genre’s defining LP’s.

During a recent conversation with Sirius XM’s Eddie Trunk, guitarist Adrian Smith was asked if he realized The Number of the Beast would become an iconic album while the band was making it.

“I’m never that blasé,” the guitarist responded – however he quickly noted one instance that did carry a sense of palpable excitement. “‘Run to the Hills,’” Smith declared. “When we heard that back, we thought ‘This is the single: ‘Run to the Hills.’’ Like a genuine single, with three bar harmonies on the chorus, Bruce [Dickinson] backed up the vocals. Catchy chorus. So yeah, we probably did get the idea [that] this could be something special.”

READ MORE: How Bruce Dickinson Inspired Iron Maiden’s ‘Number of the Beast’

Smith also revealed his earliest memories of hearing The Number of the Beast’s famous title track.

“I stayed with Steve Harris when I joined the band, because I did a crash course in learning the set and I sat with him most days just going through songs,” he explained. “And then one day he said to me, ‘Oh, check this out. I’ve got this one.’ He didn’t have a demo or anything but he just had the idea for ‘Number of the Beast.’ And he did the intro and he just sort of scat sang that the vocals and that. And he played that to me in that very very rough state, I remember that. And that turned out to be one of the big Maiden songs, obviously.”

Iron Maiden will launch their Run for Your Lives world tour next month, with dates throughout Europe running until August. Meanwhile, Smith just released Black Light/White Noise, his second album with Richie Kotzen.

Iron Maiden Albums Ranked

When ranking Iron Maiden albums, perhaps the most striking thing is that they succeeded despite changing lead singers on three separate occasions.

Gallery Credit: Eduardo Rivadavia

https://ultimateclassicrock.com/2025-summer-rock-tour-preview/

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