Spencer Kaufman is the Editor-in-Chief of Loudwire. He grew up playing stickball and basketball in Brooklyn, N.Y., before graduating from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in Communication Arts. He has been a professional music journalist for more than a decade in New York City. He digs punk, hardcore and industrial music, and fondly remembers the time Iggy Pop landed on him after a stage dive. His favorite movie is 'Taxi Driver' and he once played in a fictional college band called the Raging De Niros.
Spencer Kaufman
Judas Priest Unleash New Song ‘Redeemer of Souls,’ Announce New Album of Same Name
Rejoice, Judas Priest fans! The legendary metal band has unleashed a brand-new song, 'Redeemer of Souls,' and has announced the release of a new album of the same name. The disc will be the first Judas Priest studio album in six years.
New Testimony by Paul Gray’s Widow Details Slipknot Bassist’s Final Days
The involuntary manslaughter trial involving the doctor who treated Slipknot bassist Paul Gray in the days before his 2010 death is now under way at the Polk Country District Court in Iowa, and the big story to come out of yesterday's courtroom proceedings was the revealing testimony by Gray's widow Brenna.
Loudwire Music Festival Set to Launch in 2015
Get ready to rock! We are proud to announce that the inaugural Loudwire Music Festival will take place in Summer 2015 at the 240-acre Jam Ranch in Grand Junction, Colo. While we're not set to reveal the exact date or the lineup right now, we can promise the event will feature big names from the worlds of hard rock, metal, classic rock and alternative rock.
Godsmack Complete Work on New Album
Big news from the Godsmack camp, as frontman Sully Erna has revealed that the band has completed work on its upcoming sixth album. Moreover, the singer promises that the disc's first single will be surfacing soon.
Aerosmith + Slash Set to Announce 2014 U.S. Tour
Two of hard rock's legendary acts are teaming up for a 2014 U.S. summer tour, as Aerosmith will hit the road with Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators. The news was revealed Friday (March 21) via tweets from members of Aerosmith, as well as Slash himself.
Motley Crue Bassist Nikki Sixx Marries Courtney Bingham
A big congratulations to Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx as he kickstarts his married life with his beautiful bride, Courtney Bingham! The pair wed yesterday (March 15) at the Greystone Mansion in Los Angeles.
Nine Inch Nails and Soundgarden Join Forces for 2014 North American Summer Tour
Two of rock's biggest bands -- Nine Inch Nails and Soundgarden -- have announced that they're teaming up for a co-headlining 2014 North American summer tour! The trek kicks off July 19 in Las Vegas and runs through an Aug. 25 gig in Los Angeles.
Linkin Park Unleash New Single ‘Guilty All the Same’ Featuring Rakim
Linkin Park unleashed a pleasant surprise on fans today with their new single 'Guilty All the Same' off their upcoming as-yet-untitled album. The song (listen below) features a guest spot from rapper Rakim.
Guns N’ Roses Confirm 2014 Las Vegas Residency: ‘No Trickery! An Evening of Destruction’
After teasing fans with clues and billboards throughout the past few weeks, Guns N' Roses have confirmed that they will indeed perform a second residency at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas in 2014. Axl Rose and company's latest Sin City invasion will take place over nine shows running in late May and early June.
The Exploited Drop Off Tour After Singer Suffers Heart Attack Onstage
Veteran punk band The Exploited had a major scare on Thursday night (Feb. 13) as their frontman Wattie Buchan suffered a heart attack onstage during their stop in Lisbon, Portugal, as part of the Resurrection Tour of Chaos trek with Hatebreed, Napalm Death and Primal Attack.
Eddie Vedder Joins Bruce Springsteen + Tom Morello Onstage for AC/DC’s ‘Highway to Hell’
Talk about a legendary performance! Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder joined Bruce Springsteen and Rage Against the Machine's Tom Morello onstage Saturday (Feb. 15) in Melbourne, Australia, for a performance of AC/DC's 'Highway to Hell.' That's a lot of iconic names in one sentence.
AC/DC Reveal Plans for New Album and Tour
For those about to rock, here's some big news: AC/DC have been relatively quiet these past couple of years, but it looks like 2014 is gonna be a big year for the legendary hard rock act. Singer Brian Johnson says the band plans to hit the studio this spring, as well as plan a new tour.