Born on the outskirts of Motown and raised in the shadow of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Joe has been writing about rock music since interviewing Shudder to Think's Craig Wedren for his high school newspaper -- back when bands like Shudder to Think were recording for major labels. He's written for the Cleveland Free Times, Alternative Press, the Village Voice, SuicideGirls and a variety of other online publications and blogs, some of which have not existed in years. He started with Townsquare in 2011 writing for Loudwire and Ultimate Classic Rock, and has been with Diffuser.fm since it launched in spring 2012.
Joe Robinson
Jane’s Addiction, ‘The Great Escape Artist’ – Album Review
Jane's Addiction have been called many things since forming in Los Angeles way back in 1985, but prolific is not one of them. Over the course of a quarter-century, Jane's have managed to release a grand total of just four studio albums -- and that's including their latest, 'The Great Escape Artist,' which drops today (Oct. 18). That said, don't mistake that lack of quantity for an absence of quali
The Sword Name Santiago ‘Jimmy’ Vela III as Permanent Drummer
Texas metal terrors the Sword have tapped Santiago “Jimmy” Vela III as the band's new full-time drummer, officially taking over the skins from Kevin Fender, who had acted as a temporary drummer for the band since early 2010.
Top 13 Halloween Songs That Rock
Forget 'Monster Mash,' the 'Addams Family' theme song and Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' -- when you're putting together your Halloween party mix or homemade haunted house soundtrack, you want some songs that really rock. Ozzy Osbourne and Rob Zombie are obvio...
Tom Morello’s Occupy Wall Street New York Performance Captured on Video
The revolution is being televised -- and Facebooked, Tweeted and YouTubed. As expected, Tom Morello took to the streets around New York's Wall Street today (Oct. 13) to perform an acoustic set under his Nightwatchman guise in support of the Occupy Wall Street movement. Fans and protestors alike were out in full force with digital cameras ready to document every guitar strum, vocal line and inspiri
Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello to Rock New York’s Occupy Wall Street Protests
Rage Against the Machine's Tom Morello is getting ready to rage against corporate greed and corruption. The guitarist is set to perform solo under his Nightwatchmen persona at the Occupy Wall Street protests encampment in downtown New York City on Thursday (Oct. 13) at noon ET.
Maynard James Keenan’s New Puscifer Album Streaming Ahead of Release
Tool / A Perfect Circle frontman Maynard James Keenan’s Puscifer project is gearing up for Tuesday's release of its second album, ‘Conditions of My Parole,' and the long-in-the-works disc is currently streaming online at Spin.com (see link below). 'Parole' is the follow-up to Puscifer's debut album, '"V" Is for Vagina,' which dropped in 2007.
Slipknot’s Shawn Crahan Talks ‘Iowa,’ Remembers Fallen Comrade
Slipknot's Corey Taylor recently spoke out about the band's breakthrough 2001 album 'Iowa,' admitting that it was "to this day the darkest period of my f—ing life." Now Shawn "Clown" Crahan is sharing his own tales of the woes that surrounded the disc, which is being reissued in a three-disc 10th anniversary edition next month.
Jane’s Addiction Offer Free Stream of New Album ‘The Great Escape Artist’
You waited years for Jane’s Addiction's new album, then waited a bit longer when Perry Farrell and the boys delayed the release date for ‘The Great Escape Artist,’ their first disc since 2003’s ‘Strays.’ Now, you're getting some good news, as the band is now streaming the disc for free online at iTunes ahead of its Oct. 18 drop date.
Courtney Love Talks First Sexual Encounters With Kurt Cobain
How romantic! Hole frontwoman Courtney Love has revealed that the second time she hooked up with Kurt Cobain, she had flown into town "to f--- Billy Corgan" and ended up in bed with the Nirvana frontman instead of the Smashing Pumpkins singer.
Bush Frontman Gavin Rossdale Enjoys Playing Small Venues
Bush are back on the road supporting their new album, 'The Sea of Memories,' and the trek is touching down in smaller venues, a marked contrast to the big arenas they've played in the past. Some bands might be disappointed by the downgrade, but Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale thinks it gives fans a better experience -- and the chance for the band to prove that it deserves an upgrade.