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
Lamb of God’s Mark Morton Gives Aspiring Guitarists a Video Tutorial
Have you ever wanted to shred like Lamb of God? The metal mavens sure know their way around a bone-shattering riff or two, and now guitarist Mark Morton wants to share a few of his six-string secrets with you aspiring guitarists out there. To help out, he's put together a video displaying the technical side of how to rock out like a golden God.
Hulk Hogan: I Almost Played Bass for Metallica
Hulk Hogan really rocked it in the ring back in the day, but did you know that the former wrestling champ almost rocked out with Metallica? The Hulkster, who before his professional wrestling career played bass in a Floridian rock band called Ruckus, claims that drummer Lars Ulrich once offered him the opportunity to join Metallica.
Mastodon Video Director Says ‘Dry Bone Valley’ Was ‘A Dream Project’
How did Mastodon end up scoring noted "lowbrow" pop-surrealist artist Tim Biskup to direct the video for 'Dry Bone Valley,' the latest single off their 'The Hunter' album? It turns out that not only is he a good buddy of the band's, but his artwork is highly regarded in camp Mastodon. "Tim is an old friend of ours and one of my favorite artists," says Mastodon's Brann Dailor. &
Chris Cornell Discusses Vibe of Upcoming Soundgarden Album
Soundgarden hit the road last year on their first tour since going on hiatus in 1997, but plans for a new album from the grunge goliaths seem to keep getting pushed back. Last March they revealed that they had about a dozen songs "kind of ready to go," yet it's nearly a year later and no release date has been announced. So, what's up with the comeback album? What will it sound like and w
Van Halen 2012 Tour Ticket Giveaway
Enter below and if you win you'll get two tickets to any show* (except one, see details below) on Van Halen's upcoming 2012 North American tour and a copy of their new CD, 'A Different Kind of Truth,' courtesy of Live Nation, Ultimate Classic Rock and Loudwire. VH kick off the much-anticipated tour on Feb. 18 in Louisville, Ky., and will be out through a June 26 gig in New Orleans, La. Check out t
Mastodon Go Lowbrow for ‘Dry Bone Valley’ Video
Mastodon have unleashed a video for 'Dry Bone Valley,' the second official single off their fifth album, last year's 'The Hunter.' The video was directed by Tim Biskup, a visual artist best known for his work in the so-called lowbrow pop-surrealist genre who has mostly worked with the silkscreening and textile production.
Jerry Cantrell Runs Alice in Chains Fantasy Football League for Charity
Are you ready for some fantasy football? Jerry Cantrell is best known as the scorching guitarist of Alice in Chains, but some fans also know him for one of his favorite hobbies: fanstasy football. For three years now, Cantrell has run the AIC & Friends Fantasy Football Charity League, which features fellow musicians, athletes and friends playing against each other to raise money for charity.
Pearl Jam Donate $50,000 To ‘Blessings in a Backpack’ Program
Pearl Jam celebrated a special anniversary in September when they rolled into Alpine Valley's Music Theater in Wisconsin for their PJ20 festival, and now they have something special planned for needy children in the area. The band has pledged to donate $50,000 to Blessings in a Backpack, an organization that provides weekend meals for students who qualify for the federal Free and Reduced Lunch Pro
Mastodon Hoping To Hook Up With Feist for Split Single
Mastodon and Feist, together at last? Consider it one of the more intriguing collaborations in recent memory. The Southern metal mavens and the Canadian indie-pop chanteuse reportedly are looking to team up for a limited-edition seven-inch vinyl single that will feature each artist covering a song by the other artist, with the results being available on Record Store Day 2012, set for April 21.
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Nickelback Take Backlash in Stride
When it was announced that Nickelback would perform during halftime of the Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions NFL game on Thanksgiving Day in Detroit, a group of 'Back haters started an online petition seeking a different act for entertainment. It's just the latest in a steady stream of disses directed at the band -- yet despite all the Nickelback bashing that goes on, the band members' feelings