Stef Lach
Stef wrote close to 5000 stories during his time as Assistant Online News Editor and, later, as Online News Editor at Louder's former incarnation, TeamRock, between 2014-2016. An accomplished reporter and journalist, Stef has written extensively for a number of UK newspapers including The Herald and the Glasgow Times, and also played bass with UK rock favourites Logan. His favourite bands are Pixies and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. Stef left the world of rock'n'roll news behind when he moved to his beloved Canada in 2016, setting just outside of Toronto, Ontario. He returned to Louder as a contributing news writer in late 2022, with his next 5,000 stories now firmly in his sights.
Latest articles by Stef Lach

"There will be no event called 'Fyre 2' in Playa del Carmen." Grand plans to revive disastrous event come as a surprise to the resort city supposed to be hosting it
By Stef Lach published
Fyre Festival was an unrivalled disaster and subject of two documentaries – now part 2 looks to be off to a less than ideal start

Listen to Sum 41's ferocious cover of Rage Against The Machine hit Sleep Now In The Fire
By Stef Lach published
Canadian punk heroes Sum 41 bid farewell with Rage Against The Machine cover for Spotify Singles series

"We were all basket cases! But we created this thing called Metallica that’s been our refuge." Kirk Hammett on 40 years in one of the biggest bands in the world
By Stef Lach published
Toxic masculinity, matriarchal societies, fights with bandmates, Metallica's future – Kirk Hammett tells all

Gene Simmons cancels 17 solo shows as Kiss announce unmasked reunion gig to mark fan club's 50th anniversary
By Stef Lach published
After announcing high-priced roadie experience for solo shows, Gene Simmons has cancelled more than half of upcoming tour

"Thank God that genre went away." Megadeth's Dave Mustaine has no love for nu metal
By Stef Lach published
Megadeth mainman Dave Mustaine pulls no punches when it comes to nu metal bands

"I was literally on fire for 4 ½ songs." Journey drummer Deen Castronovo has lucky escape as blaze breaks out below stage
By Stef Lach published
Journey show in Texas cut short as electrical fire develops underneath drum riser

Rush got emails "from all kinds of drummers" minutes after the death of Neil Peart
By Stef Lach published
Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson recalls being sickened by tasteless messages from people who wanted to audition for Peart's seat

Are Radiohead getting ready to do something big in 2025? A new business linked to the band members' names suggests so
By Stef Lach published
Radiohead uncover 1995 footage for release of The Bends – and appear to be gearing up for something in 2025

Disturbed pyrotechnics damage famous Chicago Bulls championship banners during hometown show
By Stef Lach published
Wayward pyro at Disturbed show in Chicago leads basketball team's NBA championship banners to be removed for repair

Cloudy with a chance of hard rock. Watch Kiss star Gene Simmons take a stint as a weatherman on Los Angeles TV station
By Stef Lach published
From mega rock star to stand-in 'meteorologist' – Kiss 'Demon' Gene Simmons' talents know no bounds

Courtney LaPlante on the sense of "existential dread" that fuelled new Spiritbox album Tsunami Sea
By Stef Lach published
Hailing from a sea-level Canadian island, Spiritbox singer wakes up every day hoping it won't be swallowed up by the ocean

Oasis announce Live ’25 reunion tour film to be produced by Peaky Blinders creator
By Stef Lach published
Film will document Oasis' upcoming reunion as Noel and Liam Gallagher play huge venues around the world

Deftones announce more North American dates for 2025 with IDLES in support
By Stef Lach published
Deftones will play an additional 14 dates in Canada and the US in August and September of this year

"My reason for being there is the connection between myself and everybody that I brought with me." Tobias Forge on why Ghost's upcoming shows will be a phone-free zone
By Stef Lach published
Tobias Forge explains why your mobile phone will be locked away during the upcoming Ghost tour

Smashing Pumpkins classic Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness to be turned into an opera for 30th anniversary
By Stef Lach published
Chicago's Lyric Opera to host 'A Night Of Mellon Collie and Infinite Sadness' for seven nights in November

Metallica announce VR immersive concert experience with Apple
By Stef Lach published
You can watch "overwhelming" Metallica live performance – as long as you've got a set of $2500 Apple Vision Pros

Lawyer considers class action lawsuit as Tool fans express anger over setlist choices for Dominican Republic two-night event
By Stef Lach published
Fans were promised two "unique" sets for Tool In The Sand event – but some were unhappy when the band repeated 4 songs

"Prepare for a new offering." Sleep Token are teasing us again
By Stef Lach published
Sleep Token ramp up the mystery as they drop another strong hint that their fourth album is imminent

Watch Tobias Forge break down the story behind each of Ghost's iconic frontmen – including every Papa Emeritus, Cardinal Copia and every character leading up to Papa V Perpetua
By Stef Lach published
Ghost mainman Tobias Forge gives inside scoop on aesthetic of the Papas, Cardinals and Nameless Ghouls of the Ghost clergy

"My focus moving forward is on the re-release of Forever, and God willing, getting back out on the road." Jon Bon Jovi on what's next for Bon Jovi
By Stef Lach published
Jon Bon Jovi has his sights set on touring again as he recovers from surgery to repair his damaged vocal cord

For a cool $12,495 you can be Kiss star Gene Simmons' roadie for a day
By Stef Lach published
Gene Simmons is selling fans the chance to be his roadie for a day – and he'll throw in a bass guitar used during Kiss rehearsals

Napalm Death have recorded a cover of a Ramones song with a guest appearance from Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore – and we cannot wait to hear it
By Stef Lach published
Napalm Death, Voivod, Ihsahn, Mondo Generator and more will cover The Ramones for a pair of upcoming tribute albums

The Damned founding guitarist Brian James dead at 70
By Stef Lach published
Brian James wrote much of The Damned's early material as they carved their place in punk rock history
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