Fans received great gifts this year as both Travis Barker and Ronnie Radke announced big news on Christmas day. Barker is currently working on a memoir to be released fall 2014, the Blink-182 drummer wrote on his Facebook page. He broke the news in a very personal status update along with a photo of him and his daughter; he also stated he has been sober for over a year and his three kids saved his life. “It’s been very therapeutic for me to get this all out and into a book and hopefully it can inspire...and help many as well,” he wrote.
Ronnie Radke also took to social media with big news when he released his song "Destiny" by tweeting the link to a free download. Radke raps about his childhood, the events leading up to his arrest and time in prison on this very personal, biographical song. The track has been received well by fans. Radke tweeted, “Glad you guys liked Destiny. The rest of the tape is a little more on the technical side.” “Destiny” is the first song to be released off Radke’s upcoming mixtape Watch Me, featuring collaborations with Andy Biersack of Black Veil Brides, Danny Worsnop of Asking Alexandria, and Craig Mabbitt of Escape the Fate and five other artists. Watch Me will be the Falling in Reverse frontman’s first full-length solo release.
In other news, Alternative Press announced its Reader’s Poll 2013 results. Black Veil Brides are reader favorites, with the band or its members taking 16 top spots of 35 total categories. Biggest titles include Artist of the Year, Best Live Band and Most Dedicated Fans. Black Veil Brides frontman Andy Biersack amassed eight of the spots himself, most notably Best Twitter, Best Style, and Vocalist of the Year. Trailing in second is Pierce the Veil with the band or its members taking 13 spots, including Vinyl Release of the Year, #2 Vocalist of the Year and #2 Best Live Band.