News Articles

AXS TV to Launch Hard Rock Series ‘Power Hour’ With Matt Pinfield, Josh Bernstein and Caity Babs

From Variety:

AXS TV is launching a new series called “Power Hour.” Hosted by MTVand radio vet Matt Pinfield, Josh Bernstein (Revolver Golden Gods, Loudwire) and Caity Babs (Sirius XM’s Octane), the show will include video clips and interviews with classic, hard rock and metal bands ranging from “Alice Cooper to Slipknot.” It’s set to premiere on Feb. 15.

“What’s exciting about this is it’s a place for people to find out what’s new in rock and metal,” Pinfield tells Variety.

The series, taped in Los Angeles, is produced by Danny Wimmer Presents whose roster of rock festivals includes Bourbon & Beyond, Aftershock, Inkcarceration, Louder Than Life, Sonic Temple Art and Music Festival and Welcome to Rockville.

The inaugural season of “Power Hour” will feature 10 episodes featuring interviews with Slipknot’s Corey Taylor, Halestorm, Anthrax and Godsmack. In addition to weekly video countdowns, every episode of “Power Hour” will invite viewers to get in on the action and choose the top five videos in the world. The week’s leading vote-getters will then be featured in a special spotlight during each show.

“These artists are making incredible videos,” says Bernstein, noting thatm without a show like MTV’s “Headbangers Ball” to promote videos, they started to lose “currency.” 

Adds Bernstein: “There is so much value in the video. Now, there is somewhere to give it a home.”

Pinfield concurs. “Thanks to AXS TV and Danny Winner Presents, there is finally a destination to see all the hottest new rock videos every week on ‘Power Hour.’ There hasn’t been a destination on TV like this for fans of rock music in a long time.”

“Power Hour is tailor-made for AXS TV viewers, giving them all the latest information on the artists they love and the music that moves them,” said Katie Daryl, AXS TV’s VP of programming. “This is the first time AXS TV is airing a true rock news magazine, and we could not think of anyone better to lead it than Matt, Josh and Caity. They each have a deep passion for music and unparalleled knowledge that spans across a wide range of eras. We are excited to have them onboard and the DWP team, and we cannot wait to debut this new genre for our audience — creating the ultimate destination where they can come and keep current with all of their favorite bands right here in one place.”

“Rock is such an important genre in the music industry and has been largely ignored by mainstream TV. A weekly show that focuses specifically within the realm of rock is long overdue and we are thrilled to be on the frontline with AXS TV in bringing it to the airwaves,” adds Chamie McCurry, CMO at Danny Wimmer Presents. “Our hosts’ passion for music, combined with decades of experience covering the genre, promise to deliver a one-two punch covering all things in the week of rock!”

Ziggy’s Final Message Can Save The Afflicted, Says Matt Pinfield: You’re Not Alone

From SPIN:

David Bowie’s cry of “you’re not alone” at the climax of ‘Rock N Roll Suicide’ packs a punch for heavyweight DJ Matt Pinfield.

The renowned music host and disc spinner tells SPIN IMPACT that time and again he has been lost in the spiraling isolation of habitually getting wasted, and time and again he has been saved by human connection.

Pinfield urges anyone with a problem to “use the incredible community of people standing together and working together and uniting” to help get themselves sober.

Plenty of people and organizations do care, and will help, even if “sometimes we forget … especially when we’re down on ourselves because we feel like we’re failing,” says Pinfield.

Matt Pinfield talks David Bowie, MTV with Kristen Kurtis on the XPN Morning Show

From WXPN:

Whether you know it or not, there’s a good chance famed MTV VJ Matt Pinfield helped you discover your favorite band. As host of 120 Minutes from 1995 to 1999, and one of the network’s music programming managers to boot, there was a time when ending up in the central Jersey native’s Buzz Bin was enough for an artist to go gold.

With XPN gearing up for our 90s A-Z special, Pinfield joined Kristen Kurtis on the XPN Morning Show — actually his second visit, after hosting a Friday Morning Mixtape last year in honor of MTV’s 40th anniversary. Their conversation spotlighted the decade where, as Pinfield puts it, “there were no rules or rulebooks, the genres had many subgenres, and the people would branch out.” He also shared some genuinely surreal anecdotes about David Bowie, Tori Amos, Thom Yorke, and more.

Listen to a recording of the chat above. The 90s A-Z begins at 8 a.m. this Thursday, December 1st, and will showcase a wide array of songs — in alphabetical order — from the decade that practically invented modern music.

Matt Pinfield and David Bowie | courtesy of Matt Pinfield

Matt Pinfield on MTV, Sobriety, & His Undying Love for Music

From The Aquarian:

Matt Pinfield is a legend in the music business. He has prolifically covered radio and television (both on air and behind the scenes) for the past 30 years. “It’s beautiful to be in The Aquarian. The Aquarian has such a place in my heart being from the East Coast. I got to bring it back home. You can’t take the East Coast Jersey-New York guy out of me even though I’m in Los Angeles currently,” Pinfield tells us candidly. 

He’s won many awards during his career, including Musexpo’s International Rock Icon Award, and continues to be honored for his contributions. In the next year he will get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles. Pinfield is also to receive a proclamation signed by the mayor of L.A. for his contributions to ‘Music and the Arts.’

Through it all, Matt Pinfield stays humble and – most of all – positive. He loves music so much and is grateful for all the opportunities that he has had thus far. The Aquarian sat down with the music guru, MTV VJ, and radio host to discuss his career, what got him noticed by the legendary network, and how his persistence and positive attitude lead him to where he is today.

What was your ‘a-ha moment’ that sparked your interest to get into the music industry?

It happened to me as a young kid. I loved music from the time I was a child. I was born in Athens, Georgia. My father eventually got a job teaching in New Brunswick, New Jersey. I had an immediate love for music radio. I was fascinated with it. It became a dream from a very young age to work in music radio. I used every little bit of money that I earned to buy records. It became an obsession for me. 

I called the local AM radio station in New Jersey that I listened to – the only cool show on there was a show with Rich Phoenix. He was nice enough to let me watch him DJ and that’s all I wanted to do. I wanted to turn people on to music. You could either be the rockstar or you could be the person turning people on to [rockstars].

You volunteered at your local college radio station, as well.

I did radio shows at Rutgers University. I was the kid who brought new records into junior high and high school. I knew college radio was really important to me. I got involved there and was the promotions director there. I nurtured the local music scene in New Brunswick, New Jersey, too – the Smithereens is a good example of a band I helped. I encouraged local artists to submit their demos to the college stations. 

In 1984, I got my first paid radio gig at WHTG and it was an alternative radio station. There was a lot of new wave and post punk music; it was a small mom and pop station, but it was a very important part of the history of alternative music. It was a great cultural time when Nirvana came to the forefront. Things were exciting. It was even a great time for Gangsta rap.

When and how did MTV scoop you up?

I had met the people from MTV’s music department by going to showcases and shows in the city. It was a great cultural time. WHTG was heard in the southern tip of Manhattan. The station was getting a lot of attention. The MTV staff wanted me to track records and the audience’s reaction to new music. 

I took over 120 Minutes when I was called in for an audition to take over Dave Kendall for the show after his contract was up. 120 Minutes was right up my alley. The show went very well. At this point I was not only music director but program director at WHTG. I was asked to leave WHTG to be a music programmer at MTV. I was working three jobs at the time. I had to do what I needed to do to work in radio. I wanted the job at MTV. I left a message with Andy Schuon at MTV so that I stayed on his radar. He called WHTG and offered me the position at MTV for music programmer and that was the day that everything changed for me. It was an incredible opportunity. MTV affected pop culture and had a ripple effect around the world all the time. This position was behind the scenes and I knew that I wasn’t going to be on air anymore. Little did I know that I was going to be on the radio and tv for over 30 years. I’m incredibly grateful and fortunate though. 

Bruce Springsteen even called the bosses at MTV and told them that I’m a good guy from the Jersey Shore. He told them to look out for me. I loved Bruce and always had. I was blown away by his call – it was beautiful!

It was a great time to be at MTV. Some things were childhood dreams of mine. For example, I became friends with David Bowie and it was very surreal. He actually ran things by me and asked me for ideas. It was beautiful. I’m very grateful for the national platform at MTV and all the experiences I had. I’m a very lucky guy.

MTV just celebrated its 41st Birthday. Do you think the network will ever rebound in this day of age of social media and YouTube?

I think MTV truly was a very important platform in the history of music and entertainment. I think it’s a very different time now. They will find different outlets to reintroduce brands they used before, like Paramount+. It was the most influential place for artists and music. I think it’s morphed into different things. I don’t think they will have the impact they did at one time. It’s all streaming now. I think people are disappointed that they moved away from music. The kids are finding new ways to find music, like through Tik Tok and other social media platforms. If they come up with some great programming, I think the public will at least give it a shot. It’s a different time, though. I’m grateful that I was part of their history and associated with some of their best years.

You are at KLOS in Los Angeles right now?

In 1996 I worked at KROQ, too. I left MTV in 1999 and went to Farmclub.com at that point with Jimmy Iovine. Every rapper played that show. It became this thing that every record label wanted their artist on it. Unfortunately, a year-and-a-half in, major changes happened. We did have an incredible team there [at the time]. 

I got a job thereafter at Columbia Records in A&R – senior director. I was there for about seven years and signed a bunch of bands. I loved doing A&R. I did Sirius XM, worked a short gig at WXRP, mornings in San Francisco, then moved to Los Angeles shortly after to work for KLOS and have a show called New & Approved (on Sunday nights from 8:00to 10 :00 p.m.). I have another radio station called Flashback with Matt Pinfield that’s on close to 200 stations in the United States. It focuses on rock history and it’s been going strong for 11 years. I also have a show on Twitch!

I have a podcast right now called Sound, Sobriety, and Success. It’s not only about my sobriety but really about everybody else’s from all walks of life. I hold that show near and dear to me because I have been sober for over 27 months now. I’m healthy and alive and I’m grateful to be here. I have a lot of things to be thankful for. I’ve been blessed with all these opportunities that I have had… and I am bringing the East Coast energy to the West Coast now.

What can you say to upcomers who want to follow in your footsteps?

Age doesn’t really have anything to do it. It can really happen at anytime. It’s about not giving up and finding new platforms to express yourself through. In the early years there were a lot of closed doors and always thought I’m not gonna break into the business. At the end of the day, your heart has to be in it. I never gave up.

Matt Pinfield Recognized as Intl. Rock Icon of the Year

From RADIO ONLINE:

Westwood One announces that Matt Pinfield, host of the retrospective radio program, “Flashback,” was honored Thursday, March 24 as the first-ever “International Rock Icon of the Year” at the Global Rock Summit 2022. Pinfield accepted the award at the official Global Rock Summit opening night reception at SIR Studios in Hollywood.

The Global Rock Summit 2022 honors an individual who has left an indelible mark on the international music and media industry with their immeasurable positive contributions to the betterment of the Rock community. Pinfield, a Rock insider, DJ and MTV legend, has hosted Westwood One’s syndicated “Flashback” radio program since 2012. He was also an air talent on KLOS in Los Angeles and celebrates nearly 40 years in the music and media business.

As a groundbreaking air personality and radio programmer, TV host, record label executive and best-selling author, Pinfield’s lifelong passion for music, combined with his encyclopedic knowledge of the Rock format and peerless interviewing skills, have culminated in a remarkable career that continues to thrive.

In 1980, while still in his teens, Pinfield signed on as a college radio DJ at Rutgers University’s WRSU, and in 1984 he joined WHTG, a pioneering New Jersey Modern Rock station, where he soon became Music Director, winning the Gavin Award for “Music Director of the Year – Alternative” two years in a row (1991-1992). In 1993, he moved from radio to television, joining MTV as host of 120 Minutes, and quickly became one of the most popular personalities in the channel’s history, going on to host several of his own programs (MattRock, Pinfield Presents, Pinfield Suite and Stump Matt, to name just a few) and more than 100 specials.

In 2001, Pinfield was named Vice President A&R and Artist Development at Columbia Records where, among many others, he had the pleasure of working with one of his lifelong heroes, David Bowie. Over the years, he’s interviewed virtually every major rock personality, from legends like Paul McCartney and The Rolling Stones to such contemporary superstars as Dave Grohl and The Killers. In fact, The Killers based their song, “All These Things I’ve Done,” on Pinfield’s life – and Pinfield then named his autobiography after the song.

He has been honored by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, was a member of the GRAMMYS/Recording Academy Board of Governors and continues to be the “go-to guy” as an expert on Rock music, making frequent film and TV appearances, as well as continuing his amazing work in radio.

Scott Stapp, Puddle of Mudd + Onstage Weddings to Highlight 2022 Honeymoon Rock Fest Read More: Stapp + Onstage Weddings to Highlight Honeymoon Rock Fest

By Chad Childers | Loudwire

“Honeymoon Rock Fest is a music festival to celebrate love, and that’s exactly what people need right now,” she adds. “The world today seems so divided, so this is our chance to bring people together and raise a glass to the things that unite us all – great music, romance, and lifetime devotion. This is a true original event. There’s never been another like this anywhere.”

The Friday (March 18) bill has Puddle of Mudd in the top spot, with radio rock favorites Fuel, Eve 6, Wheatus and Aranda along with Trailer Park Ninjas, 357, 9 Left Dead and Far Beyond Strange set to fill out the day.

Scott Stapp is on board to headline Saturday night (March 19), following sets from Saliva, Saving Abel, Powerman 5000, Tantric, Eyes Set to Kill, Kirra, The Normandys, The World Over and Silent Theory.

Sugar Ray get to finish out the weekend festivities, closing things out Sunday night (March 20) after sets from Candlebox, Everclear, The Nixons, Sister Hazel, Authority Zero, High Water Gamble, Katelyn Myers and Dom McClenny. And rock personality Matt Pinfield will be on hand to host the music weekend festivities.

Read More: Stapp + Onstage Weddings to Highlight Honeymoon Rock Fest 

Global Rock Summit To Honor Matt Pinfield

By Paul Cashmere | Noise 11

The Global Rock Awards are new for the Global Rock Summit in 2022. Global Rock Summit is back for its fourth year as part of Musexpo.

Matt Pinfield was on MTV in the USA between 1995 and 1999 and 2011 and 2013. He was also an A&R exec, at one time working with The Killers. Their song ‘All These Things That I’ve Done’ is about Pinfield and the work he did with the US Army mentoring wounded soldiers returning from Iraq.

Read full article: Global Rock Summit To Honor Matt Pinfield

WXPN Celebrates MTV’s 40th Anniversary With Special Programming This Week

By CBS3 Staff | CBS Philly

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – MTV is celebrating 40 years! The network, which is part of the Viacom-CBS family, unveiled a commemorative moon person on Sunday at the Kennedy Space Center.

It was designed by famed artist Kehinde Wiley. MTV says the vines and leaves represent “ethnic histories that surround America.”

MTV (Music Television) revolutionized the music industry when the music video network was launched on Aug. 1, 1981, and its worldwide influence on pop culture and entertainment continues today.

Here in Philadelphia, public music radio station WXPN is celebrating the 40th anniversary of MTV with specific radio and digital programming starting on Monday, Aug. 2 through Friday, Aug. 6.

Highlights of WXPN’S MTV Week include:

Monday, August 2
9 am ET: The First 100 Music Videos on MTV

Tuesday, August 3
9 am ET: Top 100 Greatest Music Videos of All Time

5 pm ET: Salute to Yo! MTV Raps

Wednesday, August 4
MTV Unplugged Day: Sets of music from MTV Unplugged releases throughout the day

Thursday, August 5
All day: #TBT (Throwback Thursday) featuring music from 1981, the year MTV launched

8 pm – 10 pm ET: World Cafe with special guest Rob Tannenbaum, author of I Want My MTV: The Uncensored Story of the Music Video Revolution

Friday, August 6
9 am ET: “Friday Morning Mixtape” with Matt Pinfield, former host of MTV’s alternative music program 120 Minutes

12 pm ET: “XPN Free At Noon” live concert broadcast with Philadelphia’s Pat Finnerty and the Full Band performing songs from MTV’s golden age

4 pm ET: “Funky Friday” features the funky soul and R&B music from MTV classics from the 80s and early 90s

7 pm ET: WXPN host Robert Drake spins a special 24-hour marathon of ‘80s music, complete with a “Rock of the ‘80s Cam” that will capture the marathon and show the WXPN on-air studio festooned with ‘80s images and exclusive designs by Nicole and Nicole of Philadelphia’s South Street Art Mart

Read full article: WXPN Celebrates MTV’s 40th Anniversary With Special Programming This Week

LiveXLive Announces Legendary Music Expert Matt Pinfield To Host Revamped Weekly Rock Countdown Show

By LiveXLive Media | Cision PR

LOS ANGELES, June 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — LiveXLive Media (Nasdaq: LIVX) (“LiveXLive”), a global platform for livestream and on-demand audio, video, and podcast/vodcast content in music, comedy, and pop culture, and owner of PodcastOne, Slacker Radio, React Presents, and Custom Personalization Solutions, announced today that legendary music host Matt Pinfield will anchor its weekly rock countdown show. The Weekly Rock Countdown with Matt Pinfieldpremiered on Monday, June 21, 2021, with all-new episodes launching every Monday. Additionally, Pinfield will soon begin hosting a weekly “Rock News” segment, which will be a service-wide news feature for all Rock listeners across LiveXLive. 

Read full article: LiveXLive Announces Legendary Music Expert Matt Pinfield To Host Revamped Weekly Rock Countdown Show

Memories From The Melody, Part 2: The 1990’s

By Bennett Kelly | New Brunswick Today

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NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—On the 20th anniversary of the Melody Bar’s infamous March 20, 2001 closing, New Brunswick Today looked at the written history of the Melody and the 1980’s music scene through the lens of original “Home News Tribune” articles.

Now, New Brunswick Today takes on the 1990’s history of the venue in the second of our three-part series. 

Where this series last left off in 1989, Hub City’s music scene was reckoning with a slide from its early-to-mid-80’s peak.

But the dormant rock’n’roll scene would experience a revival, and the Melody Bar would gain international renown alongside its most popular DJ, Matt Pinfield.

Pinfield would go on to be hired by Music Television (MTV), upgrading him to “VJ” status and expanding the reach of the New Brunswick scene to national television.

Read the full article: Memories From The Melody, Part 2: The 1990’s