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
Young Woman Plays Guns N’ Roses ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine’ on Ancient Chinese Instrument Guzheng
'She's got an instrument that seems to me / Reminds me of ancient memories' ... A young woman from Vancouver, Canada, has become a YouTube sensation after posting a video of herself playing the Guns N' Roses' classic 'Sweet Child O' Mine' on the ancient Chinese instrument the guzheng.
Ozzy Osbourne’s Son Jack Osbourne To Compete on ABC’s ‘Dancing With the Stars’
Will we be seeing a waltz to Black Sabbath's 'God Is Dead?' on ABC's 'Dancing With the Stars' this season? That could be the case, as Ozzy Osbourne's son Jack has signed on to be one of the celebrity competitors on the show.
Full Track Listing Reveals Rare Gems on Nirvana’s ‘In Utero’ Deluxe Reissue
The full track list for the upcoming 20th anniversary deluxe reissue of Nirvana's 'In Utero' has been revealed, and the release looks like it's a must-have for any fan of the legendary grunge act.
Rolling Stone reports that a never-before-heard instrumental dubbed 'Forgotten Tune' will be among the many rarities that appear on the 70-song, 3-CD/1-DVD super deluxe edition of 'In Utero,' due Sept...
Pearl Jam Debut Two New Songs During Epic Show at Chicago’s Wrigley Field
What looked like a lost night turned out to be one to remember for Pearl Jam fans who attended the band's show last night (July 19) at Chicago's famed Wrigley Field. Seven songs into the set, torrential rain and lightning forced a nearly three-hour delay, but the band eventually returned to the stage to deliver an epic show that included two brand-new tunes.
Metallica to Promote 3D Film ‘Through the Never’ at 2013 Comic-Con in San Diego
Metallica will be roaming where they've never roamed before, as the metal giants are set to hit this summer's Comic-Con gathering in San Diego. The band will be there to promote their upcoming 3D film 'Metallica Through the Never,' which arrives in theaters this fall.
Pearl Jam’s Countdown Clock Suggests New Album and Tour News on the Way
There is buzz in the Pearl Jam universe, as the veteran rockers have set a countdown clock on their official website. There's been talk of a new Pearl Jam album for several months now, and it looks like Monday, July 8, might be the day the band's fans hear the first official news of a new disc and possibly a new tour.
‘Sopranos’ Star James Gandolfini Dies at 51 – Rockers React on Twitter
James Gandolfini, who starred as Tony Soprano in the HBO series 'The Sopranos,' died today (June 19) at the age of 51. The news of the beloved actor's death has shocked his fans, including several prominent members of the rock + metal community.
Nikki Sixx Mourns Death of His Mother
Sad news to report, as Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx's mother Deana Richards passed away yesterday, June 8, at the age of 74. The musician announced the news via a simple tweet that reads 'RIP Mom 5-5 1939 to 6-8 2013.' No further details are known about her passing at this time.
Scott Weiland Files Multimillion Dollar Countersuit Against Stone Temple Pilots Members
Scott Weiland's feud with his former Stone Temple Pilots bandmates seems to be getting uglier by the minute. After learning he had been replaced in STP by Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington and being slapped with a lawsuit by the band's three other founding members, Weiland has filed a multimillion dollar countersuit.
Slayer Guitarist Jeff Hanneman Dead at 49: Rockers Pay Tribute on Twitter
As reported earlier, legendary Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman died at 11AM PT today. Hanneman had contracted the skin tissue disease necrotizing fasciitis, most likely from a spider bite, in early 2011, and had not been touring with the band since that time...