Westboro Baptist Church Details How They’ll Protest Hanneman’s Funeral

Fred Phelps’ Westboro Baptist Church apparently has no shame whatsoever. It’s pathetic enough that they’ve announced plans to picket Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman’s funeral (just like they did Ronnie James Dio’s), but the way in which they intend on doing it is even worse. Via their Twitter account, they proudly proclaimed “WBC to #picket funeral of Jeff Hanneman, singing our #CrazyTrain parody at full voice.”  So yeah, that’s it. They’re going to sing an incredibly lame parody of Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train,” that features lyrics from founder Fred Phelps’ daughters. Not to mention, this “parody,” which includes the lyrics “you’re going straight to hell on your crazy train,” is something they’ve done in the past, leading Ozzy himself  to state “I am sickened and disgusted by the use of ‘Crazy Train’ to promoted messages of hate and evil by a ‘church.’”

The only thing that the Westboro Baptist Church will get out of this is publicity. And I guess they operate by the “all publicity is good publicity” platform, since they’re being universally condemned for everything they do. It’s hard to imagine them even getting the money to travel around the country to protest funerals (which their Wikipedia page says is $200,000 annually). Either way, they’re taking what should be a solemn ceremony and turning it into a circus. There are many Slayer fans that say they’ll turn up tomorrow just to beat up the Westboro Baptist Church. Honestly, the church (whose members number only about 40) doesn’t even deserve to have that much energy expended on them. Slayer write a lot about the dark side and hypocrisy of religion, which is really part of what Westboro’s message is. Shirley Phelps-Roper said in a documentary that the money spent to travel to funerals is money spend to spread “God’s hate.” The lyrics to “Hate Worldwide” include “I deny, defy and spread a little hate worldwide.” What exactly then is the WBC protesting? Regardless, they may have bitten off more than they can chew.

Marilyn Manson Uses Smoke Bomb To Make Exit

At this point, the most shocking thing Marilyn Manson could do would be drop the tortured goth act and admit to himself that nobody wants to see a 44 year old in clown makeup. However, upon leaving a Los Angeles after-party for the film Spring Breakers this past Thursday (14), Manson employed a smoke bomb to make a hasty exit. That’s sort of cool, except for the fact that:

a) He was standing around looking like a dumbass for a bit before the smoke started up

b) The stunt wound up having the Los Angeles Fire Department be called, so his little magic trick cost taxpayer money

But hey, at least he made it to his limo without passing out and throwing up.

[thanks Jac!]

Six Flags Bans Metal Concerts After Falling In Reverse Singer Throws Mic Stands Into Crowd

You know what’s punk rock? Smashing an instrument onstage. You know what the  opposite of punk rock is? Throwing all of your band’s microphone stands into the audience, especially when playing for a bunch of kids at an amusement park. That’s what happened on Saturday at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ. During the park’s first (and now last) heavy show, the “FestEVIL,” Falling In Reverse frontman Ronald “Ronnie” Radke decided to give javelin throwing a whirl and chucked three microphone stands into the audience, injuring a 16-year-old girl and a 24 year-old-man. Following the incident, Radke was arrested for simple assault and aggravated assault then released on $25,000 bail.

The “FestEVIL”, which also featured We Came As Romans and Born of Osiris among others, was a little bit of a gamble for Six Flags, which is more used to having the likes of Gym Class Heroes or Pat Benetar play. Great Adventure spokesperson Kristin Siebeneicher tells the Asbury Park Press that there won’t be any more heavy shows. “This was the first metal show that we’ve ever had, and will be the last,” she says. “We have no plans to host another metal show.” Thanks a lot for ruining it for everyone, Falling In Reverse. It’s not like most metal bands would do something that irresponsible.

This is also not the first time Radke has been arrested, having spent two and half years in prison when he violated probation after being connected to the shooting of a man in Nevada (we assume that the throwing of musical equipment might have been involved as well). Metal shows, particularly festivals, always run the risk of getting rowdy. That being said, launching stage equipment at your fans doesn’t exactly make you or your contemporaries look good, and is probably the most irresponsible thing he could’ve done.

Vince Neil Gives Explanation For Parking Lot Outburst

Remember when Vince Neil was caught shouting at parking attendants for not giving him his Rolls Royce because he didn’t have a ticket for it? Well even though the valet at the Las Vegas Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile Shops didn’t file a police report, TMZ got their hands on video of the entire altercation. Now the Mötley Crüe singer has given his side of the story.

In an exclusive statement to Las Vegas Fox 5’s More Access program, Neil gave the following explanation for his behavior:

“I was not given a valet ticket when I first parked my Rolls-Royce. They then refused to give me the car even though it was parked only ten feet away. I gave them my license and told them to simply open the car and look at my registration, and again they refused. This could have been avoided except for the stupidity and incompetence of the valets and security.”

Ok, we understand how frustrated one can get in such a situation as Neil explains in his statement. But does that justify yelling and pounding a glass window? Considering all the trouble he’s gotten himself into while in Las Vegas (no seriously, a lot of trouble), it’s amazing that the Palms Casino Resort is the only hotel to ban him.

Video: Vince Neil Shouts At The Valets

Mötley Crüe’s Vince Neil should never be allowed anywhere near a car ever again. If killing Hanoi Rocks drummer Nicholas “Razzle” Dingley in a drunk driving accident wasn’t enough, maybe his two subsequent DUI’s should have been. So perhaps the parking attendants at the Las Vegas Planet Hollywood were just trying to do the right thing by refusing to give him his Rolls Royce because he didn’t have a ticket for it. That definitely didn’t warrant Neil’s response, which you can see above.

As a millionaire, you’d think Neil might have a chauffeur that would handle things (like picking up the car, or not being drunk while driving) for him. You’d also think that being a celebrity, he might think he’d know someone would capture him being a total douchebag and share the video with TMZ. But it’s not like the guy is the model of restraint in the first place. According to TMZ’s sources, police were called, but Neil had left by the time they showed up.

[via TMZ]

Emmure Singer’s Merch Store Shut Down For Insensitive Designs

Last month, a sick individual slaughtered 12 people and wounded 70 in a Colorado movie theater. Two days ago, a racist skinhead killed six innocent people at their place of worship. And until several weeks ago, you could buy T-shirts from Emmure singer Frankie Palmeri’s clothing line, Cold Soul, glorifying racism and gun violence.

Online metal merch retailer All In Merch stated on July 27 that they’d shut down Cold Soul. That was a week after the Aurora movie theater massacre, meaning that for one week after the massacre, Emmure fans could buy a shirt featuring a security camera picture of Columbine CO killers Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold with the caption “Shoot first, ask questions last” on the back.

There was another shirt that featured a still from American History X, with Ed Norton blowing smoke in an African American’s face with the caption reading “Violence is a way of life.” If you saw the film the still comes from, you’d realize that it condemns racism, but you wouldn’t get that from looking at the design.

Look, we get it. You’ve got a shirt company and want provocative designs. But both shirts go beyond being borderline offensive, and are in awful taste. Even before the events of the last month, they were immature and insensitive – now they’re just awful. It’s uncertain as to whether it was All In that pulled the plug, or if Palmeri realized just how offensive his designs were and asked to have the store shut down. But given that the designs existed in the first place, we’re guessing it’s the first of those. Also, if you bought one these shirts, and are proudly wearing it, consider yourself an asshole.

We have a request in with Emmure’s publicist to see if there’s any statement on the matter from the label or Palmeri himself. We’ll let you know if or when we hear anything.

[via The PRP]

This Just In: Mötley Crüe Are Ridiculous Human Beings

It’s been a few months since we’ve discussed Mötley Crüe, mainly because since their tour with Poison was already announced to much fanfare (thanks Supreme Court blog!) and frontman Vince Neil’s Las Vegas strip club finally opened. But just when you think they’ve quieted down, the band pop up to prove just how idiotic they can be, specifically Neil and drummer Tommy Lee.

First off, not content with picking up DUIs on the ground, Vince Neil will be getting his pilot’s license. Neil’s flight training is part of Sennheiser’s “Live Your Dream” campaign and will be part of the PBS show The Aviators this fall. Not living his dream is Nicholas “Razzle” Dingley, the Hanoi Rocks drummer who lost his life in a 1984 car accident in a car Neil was driving. He’s been caught driving drunk two times since then, but apparently, the bar isn’t set all that high for pilots. I’m just saying, given the choice between having Bruce Dickinson or Vince Neil as my pilot, the choice is clear.

And then there’s Tommy Lee. As one of the most popular drummers in rock and roll, you’d think that he’s used to the spotlight and has mastered the art of being in it. You’d be wrong. In an open letter on Facebook, Lee lambasted his fans that might want to get a picture taken with their idol.”I certainly don’t owe anybody anything,” he said in the lengthy post. “When I bought all my Led Zeppelin records and concert tickets, I didn’t say, ‘One day these fuckers are gonna owe me a picture.’ It’s the least they can do for me!…”

Sorry Tommy, but you can’t have it both ways. First of all, as an impressionable Zeppelin fan, if he had an opportunity to get his picture taken with the band, of course he would have done it. Lee is fortunate enough to have been in the spotlight for three times as long as Zeppelin was a band, and he’s likely inspired countless people to pick up a pair of sticks, not to mention plenty of female fans that want to go where Pamela Anderson and Heather Locklear have gone before. In short,  because he’s a highly visible 50 year-old millionaire, he totally owes anyone that’s been a fan of his and supported him throughout his career a picture. Sure, there’s a time and a place, but no one’s asking him to be visible, they’re just asking him not to be a douchebag.

Vince Neil “No Longer Welcomed” At The Palms In Las Vegas

Mötley Crüe singer Vince Neil has made Las Vegas his home and place of business for a while now. And he’s has caused a lot of trouble in Sin City (emphasis on a lot). However, it appears that he has finally outworn his welcome at The Palms Casino Resort, who claim that Neil is “no longer welcomed” after remarks he made via Twitter.

Neil first ruffled The Palms’ feathers with a tweet made on March 28, saying “I love Vegas, but DO NOT GO TO LITTLE BUDDHA @palms IN VEGAS!! OMG RUDEST STAFF EVER!! Don’t go!!” The singer then wrote a series of tweets last night (April 2) further expressing his disappointment with The Palms, saying:

“Do to recent events, including distrust and dishonesty at the executive level. I will never again step foot @palms property. It’s unfortunate because I have great friends @palms and I have a lot of respect for the Maloof family!!

If your a Spring Breaker I don’t recommend you go there! @palms doesn’t care about you!!”

Though Neil says he will not step foot in The Palms again, the casino resort has since made it clear that he isn’t welcomed anyway, saying in a series of their own tweets:

“Mr. Neil has recently made negative comments about Palms on Twitter, however, he fails to mention his own actions. As a result of Mr. Neil’s inappropriate behavior, he was asked to leave a restaurant at Palms. Mr. Neil has also since called Palms personnel threatening negative publicity. While we believe this is unfortunate, and would prefer that Mr. Neil put his efforts toward apologizing for his conduct, such threats will have no effect on Palms’ policies or its decision in this matter.

We at Palms take customer service very seriously, but we also take the well being of our team members just as seriously. We cannot and will not allow our guests, no matter who they are, to mistreat our team members. As a result of his actions, Mr. Neil is no longer welcome at Palms.”

Shortly after The Palms’ tweets, Neil responded again via Twitter saying “@palms can say what they want. It’s all lie’s. Fuck the executives!! I’ll name names later!! @palms looking for any excuse for people not going there because they don’t treat people with respect!!”

Whether you believe Neil or The Palms’ side of the story is your call. However, as we mentioned before, Neil doesn’t really have the best track record. Either way, Neil shouldn’t be too annoyed about getting banned from The Palms. At least he has his own classy establishment in Vegas to hang out in.

Only In Vegas Could Vince Neil Receive A Lifetime Achievement Award

The Las Vegas Sun is reporting that Motley Crue singer Vince Neil will be receiving the “Lifetime Achievement In Rock ‘N’ Roll” award at Vegas Rocks! Magazine’s award show. Neil will be given the award on August 21 in the main showroom of the Las Vegas Hilton.

Before we ask “Hmm…what?,” let’s let Vegas Rocks! Magazine publisher Sally Steele explain why Mr. Neil is receiving such a honor. In a statement for the Las Vegas Sun, Steele said the following:

“We will be honoring Vince with the Lifetime Achievement in Rock ‘N’ Roll” award, and there is no one that deserves it more than Vince.

Vince has done so much over the years for charity since he has lived here in Las Vegas and done so many events that has made this town buzz with excitement. It is especially a thrill to me personally to present this award to Vince, since I started this publication seven years ago to honor and glorify my favorite band Motley Crue.

We are also planning on having a secret special guest present Vince’s award to him with me, so stay tuned!”

Guess this just goes to show that even if you’ve served time in jail for multiple DUIs (one of which actually killed someone) and have been accused of fighting with an ex during a comedy show, you can still be eligible for a lifetime achievement award in Las Vegas. Sure, Neil has done a lot of charity work. However, we’re talking about someone who can’t even earn an AA sobriety chip. Maybe that wouldn’t be a big deal if he was just a casual drinker, but as we’ve seen through his recent actions, he’s anything but that. Oh well.

So Vince Neil Has Learned His Lesson After Serving Jail Time, Eh?

Neil says so, but his latest actions lead us to believe differently. Just a month after serving 10 days of a 15-day jail sentence for DUI, a battery report was filed against the Motley Crue singer this past Thursday night (March 24) for an alleged altercation with ex-girlfriend Alicia Jacobs. According to TMZ, reports claim Neil got physical and screamed obscenities at Jacobs during Hal Sparks’ comedy show at the Las Vegas Hilton. Neil was gone from the scene before police arrived.

While Neil has claimed since that he never touched her and may even file charges himself, Jacobs claims that there is video of the incident and that ten others reported that Neil left a bruise on her. Jacobs, who works as a TV reporter in Las Vegas, said the following via a statement:

“It was a very shocking incident. I wish I knew what prompted his anger, but I have no idea. Vince’s decisions continue to concern me. I really hope he can move forward and find peace in his life.”

Las Vegas Sun writer John Katsilometes, who was with Jacobs when the incident happened, reported the following to the paper, saying:

“Neil shouted [Jacobs] down, saying he was upset with her and everyone at the table for the unflattering media coverage he’d received as his conduct was being witnessed by concerned hotel guests at places like, well, the Hilton.”

In addition, comedian Hal Sparks confirmed to radio station Mix 94.1 that Jacobs was visibly bruised, and added the following:

“What goes through your head that goes, ‘I’ll show them, I’ll walk into the middle of the show where they’re in the audience, yell (expletive), poke them both and walk out.’ What kind of drunk logic is that? If you’re going to be a real (expletive), don’t do it in public.”

Neil and Jacobs had been dating each other prior to his recent DUI, but broke up last week. Jacobs went even further to show her support for Neil by interviewing the singer for KSNV after his recent stint in jail before the two split. Guess things went downhill from there. While we want to hold off on taking sides in the issue, Neil’s made it pretty easy for us to doubt him. We’ll keep you posted if more develops.