Johnny Depp and Chester Bennington to Support Rhonda’s Kiss in Los Angeles

Image courtesy of Rhonda’s Kiss

On Thursday, November 3rd, the historic El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles will host the 2nd annual Rhonda’s Kiss benefit show. Actor Johnny Depp will be presented with the Healing and Hope Award.

The Hellcat Saints (featuring Jane’s Addictions Dave Navarro, Juliette Lewis and Mark McGrath from Sugar Ray) with special guest singer, Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington will kick off the night followed by headliners Weezer.

Proceeds from Rhonda’s Kiss Los Angeles to benefit the Cedars-Sinai Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute and further the mission of Rhonda’s Kiss, supporting programs to aid cancer patients in need, and helping those who receive a cancer diagnosis make ends meet during treatment. Rhonda’s Kiss is a 501 (c)(3). To date, the charity has donated more than $750,000 to hospitals to support cancer programs and patients.

The event will also auction off Rhonda’s Kiss honoree, Johnny Depp’s signature Duesenberg Guitar, designed with Johnny’s tattoo art. You can check Rhonda’s Kiss for any last-minute tickets that may open up for the show or if you simply wish to give to a great charity supporting cancer patients in their time of need please click here to support them.

Camp Freddy Live at the Roxy and Gearing Up for the West of Memphis Soundtrack

Dave Navarro interviewing author Damien Echols

Apparently his week-long run performing as the titular character in the musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch at the Roxy in November was not enough for Donovan Leitch.  This Thursday, the 20^th, Donovan returns to the famous Hollywood club as Camp Freddy begin their sixth annual holiday residency.  As expected the three consecutive nights sold out as fans eagerly await not only the band, but also the unexpected guests who join them.  Given that Camp Freddy’s members are the aforementioned actor / singer Donovan Leitch, Billy Morrison (The Cult, Billy Idol band), Matt Sorum (Guns N Roses, Velvet Revolver, The Cult, Neurotic Outsiders), Steve Stevens (Billy Idol) and Jane’s Addiction’s Dave Navarro and Chris Chaney, it is not a surprise that there are many friends of the band that join them to perform.  Considering that guests have included Billy Idol, Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols (who was also Sorum’s band mate in Neurotic Outsiders), Slash, Kid Rock, Chester Bennington and Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park, Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Macy Grey, there is no telling who will show up to join the band on stage.

For those of us who were unable to get tickets for the show, we can get through the season knowing that we can purchase the soundtrack for West of Memphis which will include Camp Freddy’s cover of David Bowie’s “The Jean Genie.”  The documentary film, directed by Amy J. Berg (the Academy Award nominated Deliver Us from Evil), follows the case of Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley, Jr., collectively known as the “West Memphis Three.”  Echols, Baldwin and Misskelley, Jr. were arrested and convicted as teenagers for the murders of three children in West Memphis, AR in the mid-nineties.  Although DNA evidence collected ultimately exonerated the trio, they spent 18 years in jail, with Echols serving a death sentence, while Baldwin and Misskelley received life imprisonment sentences. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the soundtrack will be used to raise funds for the exoneration of Echols, Baldwin and Misskelley, Jr.

Damien Echols, one of the producers of West of Memphis, released his critically acclaimed autobiography, Life After Death, earlier this year.

West of Memphis will be in selected theaters on Tuesday, December 25^th.  The soundtrack will be released through Sony Legacy on January 15, 2013.

Here’s a look back at some previous Camp Freddy shows to get you pumped up for this weekend’s Christmas residency at the Roxy. If you make it to the shows, we’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below. Or post a link to your photos and videos of the Camp Freddy shows!

Camp Freddy Gears Up for Christmas 2010 Residency

by Cindy Robinson

Camp Freddy is gearing up for their annual Christmas residency, a series of club shows in Los Angeles that always feature a diverse rock & roll lineup with an equally eclectic audience packed in to see their performances.

The band, consisting of guitarist Billy Morrison (Billy Idol band, the Cult), Dave Navarro (Jane’s Addiction, Rockstar: INXS), Matt Sorum (Guns & Roses, Velvet Revolver), Donovan Leitch and Chris Chaney have released their teaser, showing highlights from 2009’s Christmas residency at the Roxy.

The Christmas 2010 dates will be released soon so keep an eye on what Dave Navarro and Billy Morrison have to say! Previous guests have included Steve Stevens, Chester Bennington, Macy Gray, Steve Jones, Travis Barker, Chrissie Hynde, Cypress Hill, Billy Idol, Steven Tyler, Joan Jett and the list goes on and on. You never know who will show up to these shows! They are almost guaranteed to sell out so be sure to grab a ticket quickly.

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Linkin Park Premieres New Video Waiting For The End on MTV

by Cindy Robinson (@Cindy7609)

Chester Bennington of Linkin Park

The second single from Linkin Park‘s new album, A Thousand Suns is Waiting for the End. The video is out today on MTV.com.

A Thousand Suns evokes the feel of an apocalyptic world, full of dark emotion and melancholy. As a long time fan of Linkin Park, this one has been a challenge for me. The vocals by Chester Bennington and Mike Shinoda are strong, the musicianship excellent on an album with an overall feeling of despair. Reviews across the board have been mixed, some calling it their best work yet while others are left wondering what the band has actually been working on for the last two years.

For this reviewer, I will classify this one as a grower – a new piece of music I add into the mix, encouraging myself to give it a few listens and let it grow on me. I’m curious to see how this album translates into a live show. The new songs are blending well into rock radio though, and generating a lot of talk.

A Thousand Suns is out now on iTunes. Watch Link Park’s site for news on tour information.