Category: Hudson Valley

Right about now, we expect most of you are hung over on Stewart’s Egg Nog and family bickering.  And, we’re absolutely positive that if you hear Dominick the Donkey one more time, you’re going to kill someone with that Fender guitar you just got. Merry Xmas from Upstate Metal.

So, with that said we’re bringing back what we’ve found on Al Gore’s Interwebs, hoping to find what others are doing today.

Here’s your little bit of valium.

The economy has been improving across upstate New York, but some of us still find it difficult to rub two pennies together.
One of our competitors, the Capital Region’s Metroland, has witnessed the residual effects of the Great Recession, first hand. Above, a parent appears to be bragging over his or her Dickensian approach to soften the blow to the kids.
“I told my kids, ‘it’s Jesus’ birthday, not your birthday. You’re not getting anything’.”
Ouch!
That’s a tough pill to swallow right there. Hopefully Santa Claus found his way there last night. Something made from the heart is always better than something bought. Remember that, kids.

KISS’ Gene Simmons and his family paid a visit to Uncle Huge at the Playboy Mansion for an epic holiday party on Christmas Eve.
He took a moment to snap off a picture of his 21-year-old daughter, Sophie Tweed Simmons, snuggling up to a 20-foot tall Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
Sophie has been in the headlines herself, having competed briefly on Fox Network’s The X Factor, last year. And, earlier the year, English newspaper The Daily Mirror published photographs of her in her thong bikini, while on vacation with her boyfriend in Ha’waii.
Sophie is one of two daughters between Simmon and 1982 Playboy Playmate of the Year, Shannon Tweed.

Halestorm lead singer, Lzzy Hale uploaded a photo of the family Christmas Tree from her mother’s house. this morning.
2013 has been a good year for the Hale family. After releasing their second album The Strange Case Of… in April of 2012, the song “Love Bites (So Do I)” won their first Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance on February 10, 2013.
Halestorm is scheduled to launch a 12-stop European tour on April 1, 2014. The band just recently stopped in our area to perform. Go take a look for an awesome write-up and fantastic photos of the band.

Vince Neil cares not for a White Christmas, at least not on his Christmas card that pictures him and girlfriend, Rain Andreani.
The 52-year-old, former frontman of Motley Crüe, is currently dating the 32 year-old hair dresser while separated from his fourth wife, Lia Gerardini. Neil married Gerardini in 2005, but announced their separation in 2010.
Neil made headlines in late 2012 after collapsing on stage at a concert in Sydney, Australia. Aside from music, the hard rocker ventured into the Gentlemen’s Club business, opening Deja Vu Presents: Vince Neil’s Girls Girls Girls in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Girls, Girls, Girls was the Crüe’s forth studio album, released back in 1987.

Black Label Society frontman, Zakk Wylde is absolutely giddy over the Arthur Fonzarelli doll he apparently received from under the tree this morning.

The 46-year-old founding father of the LA rock group is certainly young enough to remember Happy Days from before its time in syndication.  And, for those of us old enough to remember the ultra-cool character that was made famous by Henry Winkler can completely understand the excitement over receiving such a gift.

This has been a busy year for Wylde and his crew.  Following the release of Unblackened, the boys went out and participated in this summer’s Gigantour IV, along with Megadeth, Device, Hellyeah, Newsted and Death Division.  Wylde is reportedly working on material for yet another release next year.  Since the band’s inception in 1998, the band has launched nine studio albums, two live albums, two compilation albums, an EP and three video albums.

The posting of Wylde’s mug in full scream makes one wonder if he’s truly excited over getting The Fonz, or is he trying to release the tension from his all of his work.

There could also be that fact that he’s upset over the departure of Nick “Evil Twin” Cantanese from BLS.  Cantanese, who has been with the band since the start, reportedly set sail on December 2.

In case you’re looking to spend some recently acquired cash, a vintage Happy Days‘ Fonz doll from 1976 is currently selling on eBay for $26. (Imagine how much it would have been worth had he never jumped that shark.)

Orianthi Panagaris was recently getting into the festive spirit, as shown here from a picture she posted on her Instagram account a few days ago, apparently stealing shit out of her Christmas Tree’s closet.

Or, maybe, that’s how they dress where she’s from in Australia.

The amazingly gifted guitarist is currently in between tours, having closed out traveling with Alice Cooper over the past several months as part of the 98Rock Halloweenie Roast.

The 28-year-old released her third studio album, Heaven in This Hell,  this past March and ultimately earned a three out of five stars from Allmusic.com.  A deluxe version of the album was subsequently released this past September, which included three extra tracks.

For you stalkers who have yet to happen across her Instagram account, well, go Google it.  But, I’ll tell you, the girl’s got a special relationship with that phone of hers.  It’s not uncommon to see four or five updates on her account on any given day.  Of course, the girl was just touring, and she gifted her fans with plenty of images from behind the scenes.

She goes back on the road next March, as she’ll meet up again with Cooper overseas as part of the European Rock Meets Classic Tour.

Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year’s to you all from UpstateMetal!