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The "Independence of the Seas" set sail from Florida for the loudest sea cruise in the Caribbean. Some 60 bands are to play on board for 3,000 music fans who'll spend five days and nights dancing on the pool deck.  The organizers, "70,000 TONS OF METAL," claim it to be the original and biggest heavy metal sea cruise. The first such music festival on a cruise ship took place in 2011. This year will feature acts like the legendary bands Anthrax and Overkill as well as Uli Jon Roth, the former Scorpions guitarist. From Port Everglades, the cruise head to Labadee, on the island of Haiti, and back again. The cruise lasts four days, from February 2-6. Fans in Europe will be flocking to a head-banging feast in the Mediterranean rather than the Caribbean, when the 5th Full Metal Cruise takes place, from April 20-25, 2017. From Palma de Mallorca, the route will go past Gibraltar and M�laga before heading back to the island in the Balearics. As tickets tend t...

I've interviewed musicians since I was a teenager, and in that time, I've learned two main lessons. The first lesson is that playing in a band is the greatest job in the world. For months at a time you and your friends get to travel from place to place sharing your art and ideas with audiences who are excited to see you play. The second lesson is that playing in a band is the worst job in the world. For months at a time you're away from your family and loved ones, performing songs you poured your heart into for minuscule crowds that are only there for the beer. There are a lot of highs and lows for touring musicians. Anyone who has spent time on the road can tell you that one of the biggest concerns is figuring out where they're going to spend the night post concert. Recently I sat down with a handful of bands and asked about the worst place they've ever slept. Stefan Babcock (PUP) The first time we toured the States, we had absolutely no money and didn...