B-Sides Today

Van Halen's New Video Arrives
(hennemusic) Van Halen have released "Tattoo," the first single and video from their forthcoming album, "A Different Kind Of Truth."
The disc marks the first VH album in 13 years, and the first with David Lee Roth since 1984.

"Tattoo" has its roots in the band's unreleased mid-1970's song, "Down in Flames," as the two share the chugging riff and verse parts, with fresh lyrics added by Roth. Check out the video here.

The Doors New Song Now Online
(hennemusic) The Doors have debuted a new, 40-year-old song. "She Smells So Nice" was recently discovered while reviewing the session tapes for the band's upcoming 40th Anniversary reissue of "L.A. Woman."

Keyboardist Ray Manzarek says he had forgotten all about the bluesy track from the 1971 sessions.

"I didn't even know it existed," Ray tells Complex. "It was a surprise to all of us. Our producer/engineer Bruce Botnick was digging through all the out-takes and said 'Hey! There's a new song here.' [Laughs.] 'She Smells So Nice.' And you know which part that is." Have a listen here.

Filesharing Recognized As A Religion
(Rock News Desk) Filesharing has been recognized as a religion by the government of Sweden – as the followers of 'Kopimism' say copy and paste commands should be seen as sacred symbols.

The church officially became part of Swedish culture last month after its third attempt. But while its supporters say it's a major change in the way filesharing is viewed, others insist it won't change the illegal status of stealing copyrighted material.

Isak Gerson, 19, who formed the church, tells the BBC: "Information is holy and copying is a sacrament. Information holds a value in itself and in what it contains, and the value multiplies through copying. Therefore copying is central for the organisation and its members." more on this story



Led Zeppelin Studio Secrets Revealed
(Gibson) Jimmy Page stands among the heaviest of six-string heavyweights, and most often with one of his iconic Gibson Les Pauls slung around his shoulders. But Page's sonic genius extends well beyond the fretboard and composition, and into the studio.

Page was one of the greatest record producers of the 1960s and '70s – a sonic innovator and perfectionist whose vision made Led Zeppelin albums vivid listening experiences, rather than simple recordings. Compare the six discs Led Zeppelin made from 1969 through 1975 with other classic titles from the period: King Crimson's initial releases, the Jeff Beck Group's LPs, Blind Faith, The Rolling Stones, pre-Dark Side Pink Floyd. Sonically, Page's work with Led Zeppelin put his band's studio albums on an entirely higher sonic plane.

Initially, it was a matter of observation. During his pre-Yardbirds and Led Zeppelin years, Page was a session musician and had the opportunity to watch many producers and engineers in close quarters. As a guitarist, miking technique caught his interest early on. Later he would apply ambient miking to the small amps that were essential to his sound in Led Zeppelin. But he was especially interested in the drum sounds that came out of '60s studios. Drummers were often put in small booths at the time, to isolate them from the band while basics were being cut, or out of sheer habit. Either way, the results were tinny and dismal. So when Page took the helm of Led Zeppelin in the studio, he made sure John Bonham's kit and its peripherals were always given plenty of space in a large, bright, live-sounding room.

Page based his ambient miking of guitar amps on what he'd learned listening to classic recordings of blues and emerging rock on the Sun and Chess labels, where one microphone often sufficed to cut an entire band live – but the guitar sounds nonetheless killed. A lot more here.



Paul Stanley On Nightline
(hennemusic) KISS guitarist/vocalist Paul Stanley underwent surgery in October to address "recurring vocal cord issues."

"I hold myself to a higher standard than others do," Stanley said at the time. "With that in mind, I wanted to remedy a few minor issues that come with 40 years of preaching rock 'n' roll."

On Monday (January 9), Paul sat down to discuss the throat procedure, and other things, with ABC's Nightline. Nightline correspondent Chris Connelly interviewed Paul in L.A. in early December about the surgery, his highly-acclaimed artwork, and the year ahead for KISS with the release of a Paul Stanley-produced album and subsequent world tour. more on this story


Bob Dylan App Preview
We were sent a preview video link for This Day in Music's new This Day in Bob Dylan App. Before we get to that, here is a little more info.

The core of the App is the Dylan daily diary, documenting his gigs, recording sessions, single and album releases, awards and much more.
As befits a man who's released so many classic albums, his set lists are ever-changing, constantly being adapted to suit his current view.

The App also contains a section with over 250 Bob Dylan trivia facts, and separately a very addictive quiz where you can test your knowledge on everything Dylanesque.

The quiz gives you a running score out of ten, so you can track your score, then play against yourself or challenge friends. Check out the preview here



Machine Head Lyrics Strike A Chord With Fans
(Rock News Desk) Machine Head's Dave McClain believes the band's lyrics to be what inspires such devotion in their fans.

The drummer says: "I think the stuff that Robb sings about strikes a chord in a lot of people. They're very emotionally-charged lyrics, and I think people hear that in his voice. They hear music on the radio and have no emotional attachment to it, but we've built ourselves on our interaction with fans.

"During our concerts, whether you're by the soundboard or on the balcony, Robb, as a frontman, can make you feel like part of the show." more rock news


Steven Tyler Promotes New American Idol Season
(popmusiclife) Aerosmith's Steven Tyler returns to prime time television next week as American Idol returns with a two-night premiere to kick off Season 11.

Tyler joins fellow judges Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson for another round of the series, and he recently told Oprah how impressed he was with the level of talent they review.

"Half these kids that we send home," Steven told Oprah, "are twice as good as Janis Joplin was when she she sang her first note. Or I was. I look at these kids and I go, 'Oh, my God, I really sucked.' I would have gotten thrown off the show. All these kids need is 2 to 3 years of clubs and they could be as good as anyone out there." Check out a new promo for AI here.



Anniversary of Howlin' Wolf's Death
(Gibson) On this day in 1976, blues artist Howlin' Wolf (a.k.a. Chester Burnett) died of cancer, aged 66. The guitarist, singer and harmonica player's songs included "Smoke Stack Lightning," "Little Red Rooster" and "Spoonful." Gibson takes a look back:

Howlin' Wolf was, quite possibly, the most intimidating artist ever to take the stage. Standing 6'6" tall and tipping the scales at nearly 300 pounds, the Wolf was a massive presence, made even more fearsome by a thunderous, broken-glass voice. As bluesman John Shines once observed, "I was afraid of the Wolf, like you would be of some wild animal." And yet this giant of a man came from the most humble beginnings.

Chester Arthur Burnett (named after the president) was born on June 10, 1910 in White Station, Mississippi. He was the son of a farmer, Leon "Dock" Burnett, and a stern, religious mother, Gertrude Jones. Gertrude's father gave young Chester the nickname "Howlin' Wolf," telling him stories about how the wolves would get him if he misbehaved. His parents split when he was young and Chester lived with his mother until she left him with a cruel, abusive uncle. At the age of 13, he ran away from his uncle to find his father on a plantation near Ruleville, in the heart of the Mississippi Delta.

Chester spent the rest of his youth in the stable and loving home of his father's new family. He brought with him, besides a king-sized appetite, a love of music. He had sung in the choir at the church where his uncle preached. His mother sang gospel music, as well, for pennies on street corners. Growing up in the Delta, Chester listened to and got to know many of the men who are now blues legends. After his father bought him a guitar when he was 17, Wolf convinced Charlie Patton to give him lessons. He learned the harmonica from Sonny Boy Williamson II, who had a thing for Chester's stepsister. When he wasn't working on his father's farm, he travelled with the likes of Williamson, Patton, Robert Johnson, Son House and Willie Brown.