Mike Gitter

Negative Approach, MySpace Let's get this straight – Detroit, Mich. just may have been the birthplace of American punk and hyper-ballistic rock 'n' roll. You tell me if this heritage doesn't fit that assumption: The Stooges, MC5, Ted Nugent, Mitch Ryder, Grand Funk and Negative Approach - just to name a few...

Chiaki Nozu, Getty Images John Bush's spot in heavy metal history is assured. At first, with LA metal vets Armored Saint and then as the gritty, soulful voice that propelled Anthrax for twelve years. Since exiting the 'Thrax in 2005, Bush's life has taken a quieter turn – doing voice-over at home in Los Angeles and doing the occasional show (and very occasional record – the last being 2010's excel

The month of March is synonymous with one thing in Austin, Texas: South By Southwest. Each year, hipsters, hacks and industry pros descend upon the Lone Star State's Capital for a weeklong musical binge. From March 12-17, the landscape surrounding Austin's bar-dotted 6th Street will be clogged from noon to the wee morning hours...

Nails vocalist/guitarist Todd Jones is the sort of musical misanthrope that actually does give a shit. He cares so much about his band's brand of chaotic, grinding hardcore that he recorded the much overdue follow-up to 2010's Unsilent Death album not once, but twice...

Michael Alago is one of the most original and passionate music people you could possibly hope to meet. At 53, his career has spanned decades: first as a club promoter in the '80s. Then, as an A&R man for Elektra, he put an indelible stamp on the history of metal by signing a little band called Metallica, changing the course of heavy metal as we all knew it. ...

Mike Vallely has no problems when it comes to busting his ass. He's been doing it for most of his 40 years, racking up time as a pro-skater, musician and actor and stuntman. He's even had a moment as a pro-wrestler. His biggest inspiration...

Who bought all those Nickelback records anyway?

Next to Suicidal Tendencies, Excel is still hailed as Venice, California's best-known hardcore thrash band. Now, a decade and a half after calling it quits, they're back to business – and business feels pretty damn good. "It's not a reunion as much as it's a 'reunification'," says vocalist Dan Clements. "We'...

26 years ago: June 27, 1986, Black Flag played its final show. The last song played at that Detroit gig was a nihilistic run-through of Chuck Berry's "Louie Louie." In the weeks following that, guitarist and band leader Greg Ginn would call singer Henry Rollins to inform the already multi-faceted frontman that he was quitting the band and thus, ending a decade of inventing and ultimately

Norway's Kvelertak is a motherfucker of a band. Picture a six-man pile-up of punk, metal, black metal and classic rock with random body parts strewn about the wreckage. They're that completely on-fire when these rock n' roll Vikings hit stage - pure Nordic conquest, baby, full of sweat, piss and vinegar...