Ian Abel Band Debuts New Single, ‘Not Afraid To Die’

Courtesy: TAG Publicity

The Ian Abel Band debuted its latest single this month.

The band, fronted by its namesake, debuted the song ‘Not Afraid to Die‘ Jan. 3. The song, available to stream and download here, made its unofficial debut in a promo for a match between Cody Rhodes and Darby Allen for the TNT title at November’s All Elite Wrestling pay-per-view event, Full Gear.

Clocking in at just over two-and-a-half minutes in length, the song features a simple southern rock style arrangement. The dual acoustic/electric guitar pairing and its sound immediately lends itself to comparison to Bon Jovi’s timeless song ‘Wanted Dead or Alive.’ The airy, echo effect used in the arrangement adds to its depth and appeal.

The lyrical theme that accompanies the song’s musical arrangement makes a statement about not being afraid of anything because the song’s subject has been to the lowest point possible in life. That sentiment pairs well with the ominous sense in the song’s musical arrangement.

Abel talked about the song during a recent interview.

“I wrote and recorded this song specifically for Cody Rhodes,” he said. “It was originally intended to be the Double or Nothing, Cody vs Dustin, promo, but Cody preferred ‘Shoes.’ At the time, AEW was just beginning and I wanted to write something that I thought captured Cody’s trailblazer like spirit. In hindsight, the song was better suited for the video package which included, Steve-O, Cody Rhodes and Darby Allin. Three very original performers who have paved their own way into history. Something I admire and am attempting to do myself.”

Abel released the song ‘Shoes‘ in 2019 as the music bed for a promo for the noted match between the Rhodes brothers.

The debut of Ian Abel Band’s latest single comes more than two months after the debut of the band’s then latest single, ‘All For Love.’ ‘All For Love’ is available to stream and download here.

More information on Ian Abel Band’s latest single is available along with all of the Ian Abel Band’s latest news and more at:https://www.facebook.com/ianabelband.

To keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews, go online to https://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

TNT To Launch NBA Western Conference Finals Coverage Friday Night

Courtesy: TNT/Turner Sports/NBA

The NBA ‘s Western Conference Finals open Friday exclusively on TNT.

Coverage of the NBA Western Conference Finals presented by AT&T 5G is scheduled to open at 9 p.m. ET Friday.  The Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets will vie for the league’s Western Conference championship in the series.

Brian Anderson will have the call for the game.  Analysts Reggie Miller and Chris Weber will have Additional commentary for the series’ opening matchup.  Reporter Allie LaForce will have all of the game’s latest headlines.

The Arena presented by Tractor Supply will preceded the game at 7 p.m.  The hour-long broadcast will feature discussions on topics tied to the NBA off the court, such as racial equality and COVID-19.  Cari Champion, Draymond Green, and Isiah Thomas will conduct the discussions with a variety of guests.

TNT NBA Tip-Off presented by Autotrader will follow The Arena presented by Tractor Supply.  Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O’Neal will preview Friday night’s game during the broadcast.  The group will also wrap up the game following the final buzzer on Inside the NBA presented by Kia.

TNT’s coverage of the NBA Western Conference Finals series continues Sunday beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET with The Arena presented by Tractor Supply.  The network’s full broadcast schedule for its coverage of the NBA Western Conference Finals series is noted below.

2020 NBA on TNT Western Conference Finals Schedule

 

Date	Time (ET)	Game/Commentators (Play-by-Play, Analyst, Reporter)
Fri., Sept. 18	7 p.m.	The Arena presented by Tractor Supply Cari Champion, Draymond Green & Isiah Thomas
	8 p.m.	TNT NBA Tip-Off presented by Autotrader Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith & Shaquille O’Neal
	9 p.m.	Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers, Game 1 Brian Anderson, Reggie Miller, Chris Webber & Allie LaForce
	Postgame	Inside the NBA presented by Kia Johnson, Barkley, Smith, O’Neal & Green
Sun., Sept. 20	5:30 p.m.	The Arena presented by Tractor Supply Champion, Green & Thomas
	6:30 p.m.	TNT NBA Tip-Off presented by Autotrader Johnson, Barkley, Smith & O’Neal
	7:30 p.m.	Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers, Game 2 Anderson, Miller, Webber & LaForce
	Postgame	Inside the NBA presented by Kia Johnson, Barkley, Smith, O’Neal & Green
Tue., Sept. 22	5:30 p.m.	The Arena presented by Tractor Supply Champion, Green & Thomas
	6:30 p.m.	TNT NBA Tip-Off presented by Autotrader Johnson, Barkley, Smith & O’Neal
	7:30 p.m.	Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets, Game 3 Anderson, Miller, Webber & LaForce
	Postgame	Inside the NBA presented by Kia Johnson, Barkley, Smith & O’Neal
Thu., Sept. 24	7 p.m.	The Arena presented by Tractor Supply Champion & Thomas
	8 p.m.	TNT NBA Tip-Off presented by Autotrader Johnson, Barkley, Smith & O’Neal
	9 p.m.	Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets, Game 4 Anderson, Miller, Webber & LaForce
	Postgame	Inside the NBA presented by Kia Johnson, Barkley, Smith & O’Neal
Sat., Sept. 26 (if necessary)	8 p.m.	TNT NBA Tip-Off presented by Autotrader Johnson, Barkley, Smith & O’Neal
	9 p.m.	Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers, Game 5 Anderson, Miller, Webber & LaForce
	Postgame	Inside the NBA presented by Kia Johnson, Barkley, Smith & O’Neal
Mon., Sept. 28 (if necessary)	8 p.m.	TNT NBA Tip-Off presented by Autotrader Johnson, Barkley, Smith & O’Neal
	9 p.m.	Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets, Game 6 Anderson, Miller, Webber & LaForce
	Postgame	Inside the NBA presented by Kia Johnson, Barkley, Smith & O’Neal
Wed., Sept. 30 (if necessary)	8 p.m.	TNT NBA Tip-Off presented by Autotrader Johnson, Barkley, Smith & O’Neal
	9 p.m.	Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers, Game 7 Anderson, Miller, Webber & LaForce
	Postgame	Inside the NBA presented by Kia Johnson, Barkley, Smith & O’Neal

All games broadcast through TNT will also simulcast online the through the Watch TNT app and at http://www.tntdrama.com/watchtnt.

More information on TNT’s NBA coverage is available online now along with all of the latest NBA headlines at:

 

 

 

Website: http://www.nba.com/tntovertime

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NBAONTNT

 

 

 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

 

TNT Continues Coverage Of Lakers-Rockets Series Tonight; Celtics-Raptors Series Finale To Air Friday On TNT

Courtesy: TNT/Turner Sports/NBA

TNT continues its coverage of the NBA playoffs tonight.

The network’s coverage will center on the semifinal matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets.  Los Angeles leads the Western Conference series two games to one.

Coverage is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. ET on TNT’s NBA pre-game show TNT NBA Tip-Off presented by Autotrader.  TNT’s broadcast team of Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal will discuss the game and what to expect in the other Western conference semi-final, that of the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers.  The Clippers lead that series three games to one.

The quartet will also wrap up the Lakers-Rockets game following it conclusion on Inside The NBA presented by Kia.

In related news, TNT will carry a double-header schedule Friday beginning with coverage of Game Seven in the Boston Celtics-Toronto Raptors Eastern Conference semi-finals series.  Johnson, Smith, Barkley and O’Neal will open the evening’s coverage at 6:30 p.m. ET on TNT NBA Tip-Off presented by Autotrader.

After that game, TNT will turn its attention back to the Western Conference with coverage of Game Five in the Lakers-Rockets series.

All three games will simulcast online through http://www.tntdrama.com/watchTNT and the Watch TNT App.  Coverage is sponsored by AT&T, Quicken Loans, and Apple Music.  Audiences can log in by using the username and password provided by their TV service provider.

More information on TNT’s NBA coverage is available online now along with all of the latest NBA headlines at:

 

 

 

Website: http://www.nba.com/tntovertime

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NBAONTNT

 

 

 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

 

 

NBA Postseason Coverage Continues Monday, Tuesday On TNT

Courtesy: TNT/Turner Sports/NBA

TNT’s coverage of the NBA postseason continue this week with two consecutive days of coverage.

 

MONDAY SEMIFINAL COVERAGE

The network’s coverage opens tonight with a semifinals double header that is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. ET.  The Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics open the night with the fifth game in their best-of-seven series.  The series is tied at two games each.

Boston took the series’ first two games, but Toronto came back to win in a last second basket from OG Anunoby.  The Raptors took Game four in easier fashion.

Quarantine regulations will keep Boston’s starting Forward Gordon Hayward off the court despite his recovery from an ankle injury he sustained in Game 1 of the quarterfinals.  He is healed, but has to quarantine for at least four days as per league regulations just to ensure he has no symptoms of COVID-19.

The second game on the night will see the Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets face off in Game Three of their semifinal series.  That series is tied at one game each.  Coverage is scheduled to start at 9 p.m. ET.

 

TUESDAY SEMIFINAL COVERAGE

The Miami Heat looks to finish off the Milwaukee Bucks in their best of seven semifinals matchup Tuesday night.  Miami leads Milwaukee 3-1 in that series.  Coverage is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. ET.

The Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets follow at 9 p.m. ET.  They are tied at one game each in that series.

More information on TNT’s NBA coverage is available online now along with all of the latest NBA headlines at:

 

 

 

Website: http://www.nba.com/tntovertime

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NBAONTNT

 

 

 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Echobats Debuts ‘Save Me From Loving You’ Video

Courtesy: Mercia Records

Rock super group Echobat debuted the video for its first-ever single this week.

The band — Tony Harnell (TNT), Joel Hoekstra (Whitesnake, Trans Siberian Orchestra), James Lomenzo (White Lion, Megadeth), Matt Starr (Mr. Big), and Eric Levy (Night Ranger) — debuted the video for its new single ‘Save Me From Loving You‘ Friday.  The video, shot in London, California, and New York as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic, features the band members singing along (and performing to) the single.

The song’s musical arrangement features a catchy, upbeat indie-rock style arrangement that also has a touch of influence from the rock and pop sounds of the 1960s and 70s.  It will stick in listeners’ minds.

The song’s musical arrangement is a direct contradiction to its lyrical theme, which Harnell said is the polar opposite of the feeling in the song’s musical arrangement.

“The lyrics for ‘Save Me from Loving You’ are ironic for such a happy song!,” he said. “They’re kinda dark; describing someone who’s pretending to be something that looks good to the world while hiding a dark and empty soul. I think, against the happy melodies, it gives it a kind of cinematic mood. “Isn’t there more to you than shine, or are you an empty room”. A friend of mine described the song as Bop-Noir. I kinda like that!”

‘Save Me From Loving You’ is available to stream and download at: Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, and Deezer.  The song was mixed by Chris Collier (Prong, Lita Ford, Korn, Whitesnake).

More information on Echobats’ new song is available along with all of the band’s latest news at http://www.facebook.com/echobatsofficial.

To keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and ‘Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Violent Idols Asking Fans To Help Craft Its Next Video

Courtesy: Violent Idols

Violent Idols wants fans to help create the video for its new song ‘F*** You.’

The band debuted the song by itself April 23.  It is featured in the band’s new EP Idolatry, which is streaming in whole through Spotify.  The song and EP were produced and mixed by Kane Churko at The Hideout Recording Studio.

As the band prepares to create an official video for its new single, which features guest vocals from Gemini Syndrome front man Aaron Nordstrom, the group is launching a contest to get its fans involved in the process.  The band is asking fans to submit footage to the band showing how they say ‘F*** You’ during the COVID-19 quarantine.

The footage picked by the band will end up in the upcoming video.  Fans can submit their footage now here.

In terms of its musical arrangement, the song lends itself, ironically, to comparisons to works from Gemini Syndrome, The Veer Union and other similar acts through its heavy, guitar-driven foundation.  The song’s low-end and percussion adds to that comparison even more.

The song’s lyrical theme is an anger-fueled statement to which any listener can relate, and was discussed by the band recently in a collective statement.

“‘F*** You’ encapsulates a feeling that every single person alive has felt at one time or another,” the statement reads.  “Even the best of us still have moments where we just want to let our anger and frustration out and say, ‘F*** You.’  This song is an ode to that feeling, a feeling that need not be hidden inside, as it’s an honest reflection of he internal human struggle.”

The band’s enigmatic front man “V” added to the discussion with his own comment on the song’s creation with his own statement.

“Very appropriately, I started writing this song in my car after getting stuck behind bad driver after bad driver,” he said.  “Aaron [Nordstrom] and I had discussed the idea of him guesting on our EP and once I had the initial seeds for it I knew it would be perfect to involve him on.  Aaron is an extremely talented artist, and he brought a whole other layer of intellectual rage to the song that I would not have been able to do alone.”

‘F*** You’ is the fifth and final single from the new five-song EP.  The band debuted the EP’s lead single ‘Enemies With Benefits‘ Oct. 22, 2019.  The song’s musical arrangement presents a sort of industrial metal sound at its base while its lyrical theme is heavy in its own right.

“V” discussed the song’s lyrical theme in a previous interview.

“There is no hero without an enemy, and usually, even the villain thinks himself the hero,” he said.  “This song explores the schizophrenic relationship between the two and their perpetual bond.”

‘Enemies with Benefits’ is available to stream and download here.

The debut of the EP’s second song, a cover of The Doors’ ‘Break On Through (To The Other Side)‘ followed in December.  The band debuted the EP’s next song, ‘Unscripted VIolence,’ which is the theme song for AEW star John Moxley, on Feb. 5.  It was followed weeks later with the debut of the record’s fourth single, ‘New Religion (ft. K.A.Z.).’

More information on Violent Idols’ new song, contest, latest news and more is available online at:

 

Website: http://violentidols.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/violentidols

Twitter: http://twitter.com/violentidols

 

To keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

 

TNT To Feature Two Conference Matchups In Tonight’s Double Header Schedule

Courtesy: TNT/Turner Sports/NBA

TNT will feature two conference matchups tonight on its NBA on TNT broadcast schedule.

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors are up first on the night in a 2-3 matchup in the Eastern Conference.  The host Raptors (28 – 11) are second in the east right ahead of the Cavs (26 – 14).

TNT’s TNT NBA Tip-Off precedes tonight’s broadcasts beginning at 7 p.m. ET live from the CES in Las Vegas with discussions from Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, Ernie Johnson and Shaquille O’Neal.  The group will also provide live studio coverage throughout the night for each game.

The San Antonio Spurs (28 – 14) will take on the Los Angeles Lakers (13 – 27) in the night’s second game.  While not a first versus worst matchup, the Western Conference foes’ matchup is still critical for both teams as the Lakers will look to keep from falling any further into the Western Conference basement as they face the Spurs.

Speaking of the Spurs, San Antonio currently sits third in the Western Conference, only five games back from the conference-leading Golden Stat Warriors.  That means that the Spurs will be playing hard to gain some ground on the Warriors.  Coverage of tonight’s matchup is scheduled to start at 10:30 p.m. ET.

More information on tonight’s double header schedule is available online along with more NBA news at:

 

Website: http://www.tntdrama.com/nba-on-tnt-17-18

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NBAONTNT

 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

CBS Sports, Turner Sports Announce More Round One, Round Two Tip-Off Times

Courtesy: Turner Sports

Tip-off times for the second round of the 2017 NCAA Division I Men’s College Basketball Championship Tournament have been announced.

CBS Sports and Turner Sports have revealed the start times for their coverage of second round games in this year’s tournament.  They include the tip-off times for the last of the Round One games today.

Round One wraps today beginning at 12:15 p.m. ET on CBS as Michigan and Oklahoma State hit the hardwood live from Indianapolis.  Baylor and New Mexico State tip off at 12:45 p.m. ET on truTV live from Tulsa, while Arkansas and Seton Hall face off live from Greenville, SC.  TBS will carry coverage of Oregon and Iona at 2 p.m.

More games are scheduled for each network on the afternoon and evening slate. The networks’ evening Round One coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. as Kansas and UC Davis go toe-to-toe. Round One wraps with a concession game between UCLA and Kent State late tonight.

Round Two coverage begins Saturday at 12:10 on CBS as Notre Dame and West Virginia face off live from Buffalo.  Willanova and Wisconsin follow that game.  CBS will also carry the first of Round Two’s afternoon games as Gonzaga takes on Northwestern live from Salt Lake City.

Turner Sports’ Round Two coverage begins with coverage of Florida State and Xavier beginning at 6:10 p.m. live from Orlando on TNT.  Butler and Middle Tennessee State will play live from Milwaukee beginning at 7:10 p.m. on TBS.  The rest of the night’s games will be spread across CBS and Turner Sports’ networks.

 

More information on CBS Sports’ coverage of the tournament is available online now along with all of the organization’s news at:

 

Website: http://www.cbssports.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CBSSports

Twitter: http://twitter.com/CBSSports

 

 

 

More information on Turner Sports’ coverage of the tournament is available online now along with all of the organization’s news at:

 

 

 

Facebook: http://www.turnerbroadcasting.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/TurnerSportsPR

 

 

 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

TNT Announces Special MLK, Jr. Day NBA Broadcast Schedule

Courtesy: TNT/Turner Sports/NBA

TNT will present a special edition of its weekly double header NBA broadcast on Monday.

First up on Monday’s special double header broadcast is an interdivisional matchup in the Eastern Conference.  The Knicks (18 – 22) will play host to the Hawks (22 – 17) in Madison Square Garden. Broadcast is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. ET.

Atlanta currently sits atop the Eastern Conference’s Southeast Division while New York sits third in the Atlantic division, 8.5 games back from the division leading Raptors. The numbers favor Atlanta coming into Monday afternoon’s game between the conference Eastern Conference opponents.

Atlanta has gone 8 – 2 in its last 10 games and is 12 – 9 on the road so far this season versus its current 10 – 8 home record. New York has proven to be better at home so far this season with a 12 – 8 home record so far versus its current road record of 6 – 14.

However, the Knicks are 2 – 8 in their last 10 games, having won their most recent game. So even though New York is great and home and Atlanta is better on the road so far than at home, the team’s long-term records combine with those records to favor Atlanta.

The Denver Nuggets play host to the Orlando Magic at 5 p.m. in the second game on TNT’s Monday NBA on TNT double header schedule.  Each team currently sits fourth in its respective division, and going by the numbers, this game is either team’s game to win and lose.

The host Nuggets are currently 8 – 11 at home this season versus going 7 – 12 on the road so far.  Denver has also struggled lately, going 3 – 7 in its last 10 games. Orlando is only slightly better on the road than they are on the road, going 10 – 11 so far on the road and 7 – 13 at home.

More information on TNT’s NBA coverage is available online now along with all of the latest NBA headlines at:

 

 

 

Website: http://www.nba.com/tntovertime

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NBAONTNT

Twitter: http://twitter.com/NBAonTNT

 

 

 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

TNT Announces Thursday, Special Monday NBA Broadcast Schedules

Courtesy: TNT/Turner Sports/NBA

TNT will carry a special double header schedule NBA double header schedule Monday night.

Monday’s special broadcast schedule opens at 7 p.m. with a special hour-long edition of TNT NBA Tip-Off presented by Autotrader.  The special broadcast will come live from the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta, GA.  It will lead into the first of the games scheduled for the night as the Cavaliers and Warriors face off in a rematch of last year’s NBA Finals.

The Inside The NBA broadcast team of Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O’Neal will be at the desk for Monday’s special edition of TNT NBA Tip-Off presented by Autotrader.  Hank Thomas – one of the original Freedom Riders – will be a special guest during the broadcast.

Marv Albert will have the call for the game.  He will be joined by analyst Chris Webber for additional commentary.  Reporter Kristen Ledlow will also be on hand for all of the latest in-game interviews and news.

The Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Clippers round out the night’s NBA on TNT coverage.  Kevin Harlan will have the call for the game.  Coverage is scheduled to begin at 10:30 p.m.  Harlan will be joined by analyst Reggie Miller for additional commentary.  Reporter David Aldridge will be on hand for all of the latest in-game interviews and news.

Before Monday’s matchup, TNT will present its regular NBA on TNT double header schedule on Thursday.  The New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls will lead the night’s schedule beginning at 8 p.m. ET.

Marv Albert will have the call for the game.  He will be joined by analyst Brent Barry for additional commentary.  Reporter Kristen Ledlow will be on hand for all of the latest in-game interviews and news.

The Detroit Pistons and Golden State Warriors follow at 10:30 p.m. ET.  Kevin Harlan will anchor the broadcast.  He will be joined by analyst Kevin Mchale for additional commentary.  Reporter Lewis Johnson will be on hand for the latest in-game interviews and news.

As an additional bonus for audiences, Kevin Garnett’s Area 21 will feature a number of special guests throughout the evening.  This includes pre-game, halftime and post-game coverage.

More information on TNT’s NBA coverage is available online now along with all of the latest NBA headlines at:

 

 

 

Website: http://www.nba.com/tntovertime

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NBAONTNT

Twitter: http://twitter.com/NBAonTNT

 

 

 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.