Author: wamdines

Bob “Slim” Dunlap, the guitarist best-known as a member on the Replacements, has died at the age of 73.

A message from an admin on Dunlap’s Facebook fan page (run by his wife) announced the rocker’s passing.

“Our beloved Slimbob passed away today surrounded by his family,” said the post. “Loved by everyone. He will live on in all our memories. There will be more words, but I don’t have them now, more than thank you, Bob! Love you, always.”

Born in Plainview, Minnesota, Dunlap started playing guitar as a child. He began playing in bands in the ‘70s, including various projects with musician and visual artist Curtiss Almsted. In 1987, while working with Almsted in the band Spooks, Dunlap caught the attention of Paul Westerberg. The singer recruited Dunlap to join his band the Replacements, who were looking for a new guitarist after ousting Bob Stinson. Though he initially rejected the invitation, Dunlap eventually joined the group.

READ MORE: Top 10 Replacements Songs

At the time of Dunlap’s arrival, the Replacements already had five studio albums under their belt. The group had risen from underground darling to major label act, having signed with Sire – a subsidiary of Warner Bros. – in 1985.

Dunlap contributed to a pair of the Replacements albums – 1989’s Don’t Tell a Soul and 1990’s All Shook Down – before the band’s breakup in 1991. His tenure included the band’s biggest commercial radio hit, “I’ll Be You,” which peaked at No. 51 on the Billboard Hot 100 in May of 1989.

Following the Replacements’ disbandment, Dunlap toured with ex-Georgia Satellites singer Dan Baird. The guitarist also released solo material and continued to be active in the Minneapolis music scene. In 2012, Dunlap suffered a major stroke that left him severely debilitated. Surviving members of the Replacements came together to record the EP Songs for Slim in an effort to raise funds for the musician.

Though the Replacements never achieved broad mainstream success, they’ve been hailed as pioneers of alternative rock. They were Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees in 2014, but ultimately did not earn induction.

In Memoriam: 2024 Deaths

A look at those we’ve lost in 2024.

Gallery Credit: Allison Rapp

More From Ultimate Classic Rock

Cannibal Corpse drummer Paul Mazurkiewicz was a guest on Pod Scum and during the course of the chat, he talked about his biggest musical influences.

“Slayer’s Dave Lombardo is my biggest influence, of course. If it wasn’t for him, I probably wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing,” responded Mazurkiewicz. “He’s the king of thrash, double bass and all that, so as a teenager, hearing him play in the mid-’80s, obviously I wasn’t playing at that point yet, I [was] just starting out, so that really solidified me wanting to play the way I play today, what he was doing and still is doing. But all those bands and all those influences we had in the mid-to-late ’80s, going from, I guess, any of the heavy metal like Iron Maiden, as it progressed, into bands like Metallica, Slayer and then the thrash bands of… Kreator and things like that, Dark Angel, that really, really were the forerunners of death metal and what we do in Cannibal Corpse. So, I mean, so many, so many influential bands and drummers back then, but, yeah, Lombardo would be my biggest one.”

Get ready for one of the most highly anticipated tours of 2025. Swedish metal juggernauts, Meshuggah, will make their triumphant return to North American stages, bringing their genre-defying, mind-bending sound to fans across the US and Canada.

Joining them on this monumental trek, produced by Live Nation, are the fellow legendary acts Cannibal Corpse and Carcass, making this THE tour of the year for metal fans.

Tickets will be available starting with Citi and Artist presales beginning today, December 3 at 12 PM, ET / 9 AM, PT. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general on sale beginning Friday,  December 6 at 10 AM, local time at LiveNation.com.

Citi is the official card of the Meshuggah tour. Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning today at 12 PM, ET through the Citi Entertainment program. For complete presale details visit citientertainment.com. The artist presale will also begin today at 2 PM, ET.

Tour dates:

March
28 – Quebec City, QC – Videotron Centre
29 – Toronto, ON – Great Canadian Resort Toronto
30 – Detroit, MI – The Fillmore Detroit

April
1 – Chicago, IL – Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom
2 – St. Louis, MO – The Pageant
4 – Denver, CO – Fillmore Auditorium
5 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex
6 – Boise, ID – Revolution Concert House and Event Center
8 – San Francisco, CA – The Masonic
9 – Los Angeles, CA – The Kia Forum
10 – Reno, NV – Grand Theatre at The Grand Sierra Resort
11 – Las Vegas, NV – The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
13 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre
15 – Austin, TX – ACL Live – Moody Theater
16 – Dallas, TX – South Side Ballroom
18 – Atlanta, GA – Coca-Cola Roxy
19 – Tampa, FL – Yuengling Center
22 – Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE *
23 – National Harbor, MD – The Theater at MGM National Harbor
24 – New York, NY – The Theater at Madison Square Garden

* Non-Live Nation Date

Swedish singer songwriter Jonathan Hultén’s superb new single “Falling Mirages” is out now. It follows “Afterlife” as the second single to be released from his upcoming album Eyes Of The Living Night, out January 31 on Kscope.

Speaking on the new single, Hultén shared, “‘Falling Mirages’ addresses the dangers of miscommunication in relationships and the potential consequences of silence. By not speaking up and expressing what weighs on one’s heart, unresolved tension builds up and eventually could make a bond so fragile that it could break by the weight of a feather. Yet if it were to fall apart, much like a house, the relation could be rebuilt if its foundation is solid, and might even be constructed to be sturdier than before. But, as with a house built on porous, unstable or sinking ground, a relationship lacking foundational stability will eventually and continually crumble, with each attempt to save it only prolonging the inevitable – a painful yet familiar realization many of us come to experience in life.”

Musically, “Falling Mirages” weaves together elements of acoustic folk, Manu Chao influences, the delicate sounds of a mechanical music box, and a lo-fi, carnival-esque fantasy soundtrack. Both through its music and lyrics, it tells a story of contemplation in the shadow of loss and resignation, yet offers a glimmer of hope on the horizon – depending on the perspective one takes.

Recorded at Stockholm’s Chanting Studios and co-produced with Ola Ersfjord (Lady Blackbird/Tribulation/Monolord), the new album Eyes Of The Living Night is a remarkable showcase of Hultén’s distinctive blend of folk, rock and pop, drawing influence from the likes of Bert Jansch, John Martyn and Nick Drake as well as contemporaries such as Anna Ternheim, Chelsea Wolfe and Hexvessel.

Eyes Of The Living Night delves deep into the human spirit. Merging the raw emotion of his earlier work with a more expansive, otherworldly sound, Jonathan Hultén has created an album that shimmers, taking listeners through the decades of rock, synth-pop, blues and folk on a journey best described as “Ambient Dream-grunge”. Preorder here.

Jonathan has announced a run of shows supporting riotous UK metal band Uncle Acid & the Deadbeats in the USA. These will be his first North American tour as a solo artist.

Tracklisting:

“The Saga And The Storm”
“Afterlife”
“Falling Mirages”
“Riverflame”
“The Dream Was The Cure”
“Song Of Transience”
“Through The Fog, Into The Sky”
“Dawn”
“Vast Tapestry”
“The Ocean’s Arms”
“A Path Is Found”
“Starbather”

“Falling Mirages” video:

“Afterlife” video:

Live dates with Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats:

February
2 – Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore
6 – New York, NY – The Town Hall
7 – Somerville, MA – Somerville Theater
8 – Montreal, QC – Mtelus 
9 – Toronto, ON – Danforth Music Hall
11 – Detroit, MI – Masonic Cathedral
12 – Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall
13 – Minneapolis, MN – The Fitzgerald
15 – Boulder, CO – Boulder Theater
18 – Seattle, WA – Neptune Theatre
19 – Portland, OR – Revolution Hall
21 – San Francisco, CA – Regency Ballroom
22 – Los Angeles, CA – The Palace Theater 

Due to the massive success of the second edition of Milwaukee Metal Festival, the iconic midwestern event is returning in 2025. The festival will take place once again at The Rave/Eagles Ballroom from May 16-18, with the pre-party kicking off on May 15. Tickets are now available here.

The festival now welcomes Gwar, Arch Enemy, Oppressor, Wormrot, Between The Buried And Me, Sacred Reich, Necrot, and Frozen Soul to the lineup, with even more bands still to be announced. The festival is now also revealing the daily lineups.

Friday, May 16:
DOWN (Anselmo, Windstein, Keenan, Bower, Bruders)
Chimaira
Enslaved
Paradise Lost
Suicide Silence
Rotting Christ
Wolves In the Throne Room
Fugitive
Oppressor
Wormrot
No / Más
Avernus
Legions of Doom
Nest
Gigan
Ruin Dweller
Bury My Demons

Saturday, May 17:
Black Label Society
Devin Townsend
Exodus
3 Inches of Blood
Destruction
Between The Buried and Me
Demolition Hammer
TesseracT
Evil Dead
Necrot
Macabre
Nekrogoblikon
Brat
Gorgasm
Renesans
Repentance
Wraith
SNAFU

Sunday, May 18:
GWAR
Arch Enemy
The Dillinger Escape Plan
SCOUR
Amigo the Devil
Sacred Reich
Trouble
Harms Way
The Acacia Strain
Frozen Soul
Speed
END
Exhorder
Deceased
Full of hell
Lionheart
Snuffed On Sight
Gates To Hell
Tracheotomy
Rig Time

Barcelona-based power metal frontrunners, Kilmara, have unleashed the music video for “Chances” from their upcoming studio album Journey To The Sun, slated for release on January 31 via ROAR! Coming as a CD jewel case, limited to 300 copies “Mediterranean Aura” marbled vinyl and digital streaming/download, the album pre-sale is now available here.

The band comments: “This is one of the most well-rounded tracks on the album, a roller coaster of music and emotions where we find the forcefulness of power metal with doubled guitars, more intimate and delicate parts and a chorus closer to melodic rock, once again accompanied by orchestrations and synthesizers from the ‘80s that give Kilmara a sound to continue exploring in the future.”

On Journey To The Sun, Kilmara sounds more current, more powerful and heavier than ever, thanks to an excellent and careful production. With the aim set on finding the best and most current sound possible, Kilmara put the recording of the album in the hands of Carles Salse in his Sureau Studio, and they also teamed up with world-renowned and award-winning producer Seeb Levermann (Orden Ogan, Rhapsody Of Fire, Riot V). Conceptually, Journey To The Sun is set in the Arcade halls of the late ’80s, where first loves, unbreakable friendships, rivalries, defeats and victory celebrations took place. Kilmara pick up the baton as heirs of the heroes of Power Metal and bring back the singer of the legendary and sorely missed swedish band Lost Horizon, Daniel Heiman, one of the best voices of the genre who will undoubtedly overwhelm you with his performance as a special guest on “Take Me Back”.

After the additions of Eric Killer, a real steamroller on drums, and guitarist, producer and composer Carles Salse, the band is renewed in every way and presents their new work Journey To The Sun, an adventure of epic proportions that transcends the limits explored up to this point by the band from Barcelona. With this new chapter in their career, Kilmara tells us about the power and strength that all human beings are capable of gathering when we are united by the same purpose. They also tell us about the struggle to discover the path to truth and freedom. All of this in a journey to the impossible, crossing borders beyond this very dimension to finally reach contact with the Sun.

Tracklisting:

“Point Of No Return”
“Journey To The Sun”
“Alliance Of The Free”
“Chances”
“Liberticide”
“Wildfire”
“An Even Whole”
“Power Of The Mind”
“Take Me Back”
“Journey To The Sun” (8 Bit Version)

“Chances” video:

“Journey To The Sun” video:

(Photo credit: Manuel Damea Morenas)

Pink Floyd legend, David Gilmour, has released the video below, stating: “Thanks for your incredible support this year. Wishing you a merry Christmas and a peaceful new year.”

To celebrate an incredible year which has seen Gilmour’s new album. Luck And Strange, hit the #1 spot in 8 countries and top ten in a further 14, as well as multiple sold-out shows in Rome, London, Los Angeles and New York, David recently released a very special live version of the first single from Luck And Strange, “The Piper’s Call”.

The Piper’s Call Live Around The World is a digital only release and was recorded at The Brighton Centre, Circus Maximus in Rome, the Royal Albert Hall in London, the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles and Madison Square Garden in New York and edited together by Gilmour, Charlie Andrew and Matt Glasby to form one seamless track recorded throughout the Luck And Strange tour.

David Gilmour: “On the Luck and Strange tour, I played with the best band I’ve ever had. Their personalities, playing abilities and enthusiasm for my new music have made for a fabulous experience for Polly and me. Romany’s voice really stands out and has its own particular character, she brings a sense of mischief and fun to the live performance, which I think we needed. Thank you to everyone who attended the shows in Europe and America and thank you for buying ‘Luck and Strange’. I hope you found as much enjoyment in the music as we did while performing it.”

Luck And Strange was recorded over five months in Brighton and London and is Gilmour’s first album of new material in nine years. The record was produced by David and Charlie Andrew, best known for his work with alt-J and Marika Hackman. The album features nine tracks, including the singles “The Piper’s Call”, “Dark And Velvet Nights”, and a beautiful reworking of The Montgolfier Brothers’ 1999 song, “Between Two Points”, which features 22-year-old Romany Gilmour on vocals and harp; the lead-off track, “The Piper’s Call”, and the title track, which features the late Pink Floyd keyboard player Richard Wright, recorded in 2007 at a jam in a barn at David’s house. The album features artwork and photography by the renowned artist Anton Corbijn.

Order the album here.

Luck And Strange tracklistings:

Vinyl: Black vinyl, gatefold sleeve and booklet with photography and design by Anton Corbijn

Side One:

“Black Cat”*
“Luck And Strange”
“The Piper’s Call”
“A Single Spark”
“Vita Brevis”*
“Between Two Points”** – with Romany Gilmour

Side Two:  

“Dark And Velvet Nights”
“Sings”
“Scattered”***  

CD: Album plus two bonus tracks. Digipak and booklet with photography and design by Anton Corbijn

“Black Cat”*
“Luck And Strange”
“The Piper’s Call”
“A Single Spark”
“Vita Brevis”*
“Between Two Points”** – with Romany Gilmour
“Dark And Velvet Nights”
“Sings”
“Scattered”***  

Bonus tracks:

“Yes, I Have Ghosts”
“Luck And Strange (original Barn Jam)”*

Blu-Ray – Audio Only: Album in Dolby Atmos and high-resolution stereo mixes plus four bonus tracks. Digipak and booklet with photography and design by Anton Corbijn

“Black Cat*
“Luck And Strange”
“The Piper’s Call “
“A Single Spark “
“Vita Brevis”*
“Between Two Points”** – with Romany Gilmour
“Dark And Velvet Nights”
“Sings “
“Scattered”***

Bonus tracks (In Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res stereo):

“Yes, I Have Ghosts”
“Luck And Strange (original Barn Jam)”*
“A Single Spark (Orchestral)”*
“Scattered (Orchestral)”*

Deluxe LP & CD boxsets will be announced in the coming weeks.

All songs Music: David Gilmour. Lyrics: Polly Samson.

Except:
*Music: David Gilmour.
**Music: Mark Tranmer. Lyrics by Roger Quigley.  
***Music: David Gilmour. Lyrics: David Gilmour, Charlie Gilmour and Polly Samson.

Produced by David Gilmour and Charlie Andrew
Engineered by Matt Glasbey, Charlie Andrew, David Gilmour and Damon Iddins
Mixed by David Gilmour, Charlie Andrew and Matt Glasbey
Additional engineering by Andy Jackson and Luie Stylianou

“Luck And Strange” video:

“Dark And Velvet Nights” music video:

“Between Two Points” lyric video:

“The Piper’s Call” music video:

Once one of America’s biggest record store chains, Sammy Goody has announced it will close its final two brick-and-mortar locations.

At the company’s peak, Sam Goody operated more than 800 locations nationwide. It was a staple to malls across America and a shopping destination for all kinds of music fans (a generation of consumers will likely remember the classic slogan, “Goody Got It”).

However, like most companies dependent on physical sales, the advent of digital downloads and streaming had a massive impact on the brand. Since 2022, only two Sammy Goody stores have remained open in America – one in the Ohio Valley Mall in St. Clairsville, Ohio, the other in Rogue Valley Mall in Medford, Oregon. Now, both are set to shutter for good.

Watch a Classic Sam Goody ‘Goody Got It’ Commercial From 1985

“It’s changed over the years, and it sucks – I put two-thirds of my life into this place,” Rick Polanski, longtime manager of the St. Clairsville store, declared to The Times Leader. “We were a $2 million store at one point, but times have changed and there’s nothing I can do about it.”

“It’s been a good run,” the manager continued, noting he’d been with the store for over 40 years. “I’ve met an awful lot of people here and made an awful lot of great friends, and I’ll miss that the most.”

When Will the Final Sam Goody Stores Close for Good?

The Times Leader noted that the St. Clairsville Sam Goody will officially close in February. Representatives for the Medford store did not disclose a timeline for that location’s closure.

Samy Goody was originally launched in the 1950s by the brand’s namesake, Sam “Goody” Gutowitz. What began as a single record store on 49th Street in New York expanded to become a nationwide brand.

Gutowitz sold the chain to American Can Company in 1978, who merged Sam Goody with their already existent record store brand, Musicland. Further acquisitions, including the purchase of Southern California chain Licorice Pizza, made Sam Goody one of the biggest music retailers in America. The bubble burst at the dawn of the new millennium, as Sam Goody hemorrhaged money and continually changed hands. Best Buy, Trans World Entertainment and Sunrise Records were among the other owners who tried, and failed, to turn the brand around.

2025 Rock Tour Preview

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In the TED Talk video below, Darkane drummer Peter Wildoer shares his journey of self-kindness and personal growth. Using the Dunning-Kruger effect to explain his evolving confidence and competence as a musician, Peter reflects on his struggles with perfectionism and self-doubt. He recounts key experiences, including his audition for Dream Theater, to show how embracing humility and being kind to oneself can lead to progress. He encourages viewers to appreciate their own personal journey and focus on how far they’ve come rather than striving for perfection. 

Peter Wildoer is a Swedish drummer celebrated for his incredible skills and versatility in the world of metal music. His passion for music began at an early age, and he has since demonstrated his exceptional ability to blend complex rhythms and power beats. His work shines in albums by Darkane, James LaBrie, Pestilence, Arch Enemy and many others.

Beyond performing, Peter is passionate about teaching. He loves sharing his drumming knowledge through workshops and online videos, inspiring drummers worldwide. He is both a drum and math teacher at Mega Musik gymnasieskola (high school) in Helsingborg.

Darkane, who recently announced their new singer, Tobiasz “Tobbo” Bennedal, have released their new digital single, “Quench My Hate”, along with a lyric video.

Stream/download the single here, and watch the lyric video below:

Announcing their new vocalist, Darkane previously stated: “Darkane would like to welcome our new vocalist Tobiasz Bennedal to the band! We are very excited to start a new chapter together with Tobiasz as he is a very talented singer who can do the old Darkane songs very well, while also contributing with his own style that will fit Darkane in an excellent way. He can be heard in bands such as Cronic, Halfpace and Crawl Back To Zero.”