Van Halen Vs Adele
Van Halen return this week with 'A Different Kind of Truth,' their first studio album with David Lee Roth since '1984' (the year and the album) and the band have a chance to score their sixth No 1 album, but Adele stands in the way.
During a normal week the pace of the sales of Van Halen's new album, projected to be in the 180,000 to 200,000 range, would secure them the top spot, but Adele may put up a big fight with some major exposure this week from the Grammy Awards according to Billboard.biz.
However, that exposure comes late in the week when Adele performs at the Grammy Awards on Sunday, her first performance since vocal surgery, and the chart dominating singer is also up for six Grammys. She'll also get a boost with an interview on a high profile news magazine program. So despite the Grammy bump, Van Halen have a good shot at the top spot this week but read the Billboard report for more details here.
Sharon Osbourne Addresses Black Sabbath Controversy
(Rock News Desk) Sharon Osbourne insists she has nothing to do with the contact scuffles threatening to disrupt Black Sabbath's reunion album.
Drummer Bill Ward this week announced he was ready to pull out of the project, because after a year of negotiation he still hadn't been offered a contract he regarded as "signable". As rumors flew he'd be replaced with Ozzy Osbourne's sticksman Tommy Clufetos, Ward criticised Sabbath's management for failing to respect his contribution to the metal giants' legacy.
That's led many to the conclusion that Sharon Osbourne, daughter of infamous rock impresario Don Arden, is behind the disagreements. But last night she stated via Facebook: "I am not in any position to hire or fire anyone in Black Sabbath. I don't manage the band, I manage my husband." more on this story
New Slipknot Album Not Coming Soon
(Banana 101.5) Slipknot fans have been clamoring for a new album for a couple of years now but recent comments from drummer Shawn 'Clown' Crahan indicate that recording is not likely to begin before 2013.
Slipknot have been grieving the loss of bassist Paul Gray since his tragic passing 2010 and have been very vocal about the fact that they are not ready to record yet. It took the band a good amount of time to return to the stage after Gray's death — they eventually reunited for a few shows overseas last summer. Despite their plans to tour North America this year, drummer Clown told Kerrang that they are still working through the grief:
"After [the tour], we'll probably take some time off. It could be a month, it could be a couple of months, maybe even a year. After that time, I'll be over the immediate grieving process for Paul. I'll never be alright with it, but that's going to be enough time to get focused." more on this story
Beach Boys Reunion Kick Off at The Grammys
(Gibson) The Beach Boys will officially begin their 50th anniversary reunion celebration with a performance at the Grammy Awards on Sunday, February 12 in Los Angeles. The group has something special planned and will collaborate with younger rockers Maroon 5 and Foster the People, according to Rolling Stone.
Surviving Boys Mike Love, Brian Wilson, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston and David Marks will play together on stage for the first time in more than two decades. No word yet on what songs the band are set to perform, much less if they'll be mashing up Beach Boys classics with Maroon 5 and Foster the People hits.
The show, taking place at the Staples Center, will be broadcast 8 p.m. (ET) Sunday on CBS. Later this year, The Beach Boys have plans for an anniversary tour and album release. more on this story
Aerosmith and Stephen King Collaboration Suggested
(Gibson) The worlds of rock and roll and literary horror may be colliding on the new Aerosmith album. Jack Douglas, who's helming the classic rockers' upcoming record, told Classic Rock magazine that he suggested an unlikely collaborator for frontman Steven Tyler. Douglas told the label that legendary author Stephen King could help Tyler get his creative juices flowing.
"They looked at me like I was crazy. I said, 'No, I'm serious. If there's anyone who's going to inspire him, it'd be Stephen King,'" Douglas reported. "Steven doesn't need melody – he needs someone who's going to inspire him as a wordsmith. I don't want a guy who's just writing hits right now."
There's no word if the two Steves are indeed working together, although their shared Boston connection might break the ice. King is a massive Red Sox fan and Aerosmith got their start in the city.
Elsewhere in the interview, Douglas (who also produced Aerosmith's '70s classics Get Your Wings, Toys in the Attic and Rocks) said that Aerosmith have recorded 15 tracks for the new album, and have plans to lay down at least one more. more on this story
Killswitch Engage Made Jesse Leach Audition
Killswitch Engage didn't just ask their original frontman Jesse Leach to rejoin the band after the departure of Howard Jones, they made him audition.
The band posted a new group photo with Leach on their website earlier this week, alerting fans to the reunion and now they have sent out official word about Leach's return:
Leach sang on the band's first self-titled album, which came out in 2000, and on their landmark 2002 Roadrunner debut Alive or Just Breathing. Leach left the band in 2002 and was replaced by Howard Jones, but his work on Alive or Just Breathing has always been revered by diehard, longtime KsE fans. Things have come full circle a decade later, and Leach and the band couldn't be more pleased about this reunion.
The band revealed that Leach auditioned for the job he once held and pretty much blew everyone away and then some. The band stated, "After much deliberation and careful consideration, we are pleased to announce that Jesse Leach has rejoined Killswitch Engage. Our job was to find the best person to fill Howard's shoes: a decision based on talent and not familiarity." more on this story
Foo Fighters and Deadmau5 Team Up For Grammys
(Gibson) The Foo Fighters will be joined by dance titan Deadmau5 for a performance at the Grammy Awards on Sunday, February 12. The ceremony, set to take place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, will pay tribute to electronic music.
The Foo Fighters and Deadmau5 will perform a remixed version of the Foos' single, "Rope," on an open-air stage outside the Staples Center facility. The Foo Fighters are nominated for Grammys in six categories this year, including Album of the Year for their acclaimed disc, Wasting Light. That number – six – equals the number of Grammy trophies the band have taken home thus far during their career.
"It feels great to be the guy with gray hair in his beard who is still invited to these things," Foos frontman Dave Grohl told the Associated Press, in a recent interview. "Twenty years ago, I never thought I'd even have a career in music this long." more on this story
Rundgren, Lukather, Rolie For Ringo's All Star Band
(Gibson) In support of his new album, Ringo 2012, Ringo Starr has put together a new incarnation of his All Starr Band for a summer tour. The former Beatle unveiled the group's lineup, along with June and July tour dates, according to Rolling Stone.
This version of the All Starr Band will include Todd Rundgren, Gregg Rolie (Santana), Steve Lukather (Toto), Richard Page (Mr. Mister), saxophonist Mark Rivera and drummer Gregg Bissonette, along with Ringo, of course. Can one band handle two guys who spell Gregg with two Gs? Only time will tell.
As with previous treks, the ensemble will play a number of Beatles and Ringo hits, along with a couple songs made famous by each All Starr member. So, Ringo fans, expect to hear "I Wanna Be Your Man" and "Photograph" alongside "Broken Wings," "Oye Como Va," "Bang on the Drum All Day" and "Rosanna." more on this story
Paul McCartney Streaming Live Tonight
Paul McCartney will celebrate the release of his new album, Kisses On The Bottom, with a free streaming performance taking place tonight.
The event will stream live at 7:00 p.m. PST Thursday, February 9, from the famed Capitol Studios where much of the new album was created. Fans can watch the intimate concert through iTunes on their Mac or PC.
Kisses On The Bottom is a collection of standards Paul grew up listening to, as well as two brand new McCartney compositions "My Valentine" and "Only Our Hearts" (which feature guest turns, respectively, from Eric Clapton and Stevie Wonder). Recorded with the aid of Grammy-winning producer Tommy LiPuma and Diana Krall and her band—who will back Paul for the Capitol live stream event—Kisses On The Bottom is a deeply personal journey through songs that, in some cases, a young Paul first heard his father perform on the family piano.
The February 9 Capitol Studios streaming event will be the first time ever that the performances of Kisses On The Bottom will be brought to life in a live setting. Check it out here.
Disturbed Member Joins Mike Portnoy's Adrenaline Mob
Disturbed's John Moyer have joined Adrenaline Mob, the supergroup featuring ex-Dream Theater's Mike Portnoy, Symphony X's Russell Allen and Mike Orlando.
Adrenaline Mob confirmed last month the departure of Paul DiLeo (Fozzy), and Rich Ward (Stuck Mojo/Fozzy) and this week announced Moyer has joined the lineup.
The sent out these details: They all got together and after one jam session, the band knew they had found the newest member of the family. John will be making his on-stage debut with Adrenaline Mob on March 12th when they play their record release event at Hiro Ballroom in New York City. more on this story
Red Hot Chili Peppers To Headline Hangout Music Fest
Red Hot Chili Peppers have been added as the third headliner for the Hangout Music Fest.
Hangout Music Fest will be held May 18, 19 and 20 on the white sand beaches of Gulf Shores, Alabama
The event will also feature main stage headliners Dave Matthews Band and Jack White, along with dance tent headliner Skrillex. more on this story
Jon Anderson Responds To Yes Reunion Rumor
Original Yes frontman Jon Anderson has issued a response to the rumors that he has been asked to reunite with Yes.
We were sent the following: these rumors are unfounded and false. Jon Anderson is busy with his solo career; he is currently on tour performing solo (tour dates and venues listed below), as well as recording new music.
Jon also had this response to recent quotes in the news by Chris Squire that he is in regular communication with Jon: "I haven't spoken with Chris in four years, and the only e-mail I have received from him in the last 3 years was him asking for free tickets to my show in Mesa, AZ last week - very sad, but true." more on this story
Van Halen Tour Invite Surprised Kool and the Gang
(hennemusic) On February 18, Kool & The Gang hit the road opening for Van Halen. The unlikely pairing was not only a surprise for fans, but for the RnB band themselves.
"I was kind of surprised," co-founder Robert "Kool" Bell tells Billboard.com, "because Van Halen is more on the rock side and we do what we do. I said, 'That's an interesting combination...' It really caught us by surprise. But the more people I mention it to, the more interesting they're saying it is."
Bell says having Kool & the Gang open for Van Halen's North American tour was frontman David Lee Roth's idea. Roth saw Kool and company perform at the 2011 Glastonbury festival and enjoyed it so much that he lobbied the band onto the bill. more on this story
Luis Alberto Spinetta RIP
(Gibson) Clarin newspaper has confirmed today the death of Argentinean rock legend Luis Alberto Spinetta, due to pulmonary cancer complications. He was 62.
Spinetta was born in Buenos Aires on January 23, 1950 and would be remembered as one of the icons and more influential singer-songwriters in Latin American music.
As a solo artist he released more than 20 albums, the latest one a live record named Spinetta y las Bandas Eternas (2010). He was part of important bands that inspired the Rock En Español movement in the early '70s, among them: Almendra, Invisible, Spinetta Jade and Pescado Rabioso. more on this story
Karma To Burn Going on Tour in March
Napalm Records sent over updated dates for Karma To Burn's up coming North American tour.
The stoner rockers are hitting the road on March 1st and will play in 14 cities until St. Patrick's Day.
Joining Karma To Burn on the tour will be Truckfighters. Napalm provided the latest dates and venues with an indication that more may be forthcoming. more on this story
Cauldron React To Juno Nomination
(EAR) Cauldron have reacted to their 2012 Juno Awards nomination (the Canadian equivalent of the Grammy Awards.)
Cauldron have been nominated for their latest album, Burning Fortune, in the "Metal/Hard Music Album of the Year" category, alongside fellow Canadian musicians Anvil, Devin Townsend Project, F*** The Facts and Ken Mode.
Cauldron guitarist Ian Chains comments: "Nice to see heavy metal getting some acknowledgement in Canada. It doesn't matter if it's not mainstream and not everyone gets it. There's still a great level of artistic value within and a lot of hard work that goes into every aspect of what these bands do. We're proud to know that our achievements, however small when compared to mainstream acts, are still getting some recognition. Lay down your soul to the god's rock 'n' roll!" more on this story
Exhumed Hitting The Road With Cannibal Corpse
Exhumed will be hitting the road in April for a North American tour with Cannibal Corpse, Abysmal Dawn and Arkaik.
The tour will kick off on April 5 in Jacksonville, Florida and include an appearance at the The Cincinnati Metal Fest on April 14 as well as a special show on April 28 where the trek will merge with the Decibel Magazine tour featuring Behemoth, Watain, The Devil's Blood and In Solitude.
Comments vocalist/guitarist Matt Harvey: "We are totally stoked about this tour and look forward to seeing some smiling, blood-streaked faces in the front row every night. It's a great tour package to be a part of, and anyone within barfing distance should cruise out and grab a beer with us! It's truly a pleasure to support a band that has as much longevity and integrity as the gentlemen in Cannibal Corpse, so we'll try extra hard not to go out there and stink it up every night. Our livers, brain cells and dignity are about to be sacrificed on the altar of death metal once again -- see you all out there!" more on this story
Strangler's Hugh Cornwell and Sex Pistol's Glen Matlock Tour
The Strangler's Hugh Cornwell is teaming up with The Sex Pistol's original bass player Glen Matlock for a North American Co-headlining tour.
The tour will kick off on February 24th in Tucson, AZ and will conclude on March 17th in Los Angeles, CA.
Both acts will feature Clem Burke and Steve Fishman, as well as James Stevenson (Glen Matlock only) more on this story
The Safety Fire Album Release Pushed Back
Inside Out Music have delayed the release of The Safety Fire's debut full-length, Grind The Ocean, which is now due out on April 9th in the UK and April 10th in North America.
In regards to this release date change, the band comments: "Unfortunately we are sad to announce that the official release of our album 'Grind the Ocean' has been delayed until April 2012 in the UK and US.
"Our team and label have been doing some amazing work over the past few months, and feel that delaying the official release, will give us some great opportunities- There will be new content released over the coming months, so keep your eyes open...Please note the release in other (territories) are unaffected and will be available online and in shops." more on this story
Singled Out: Fleming's Slip
Today Guillem Lomas from Fleming tells us about "Slip" from their debut EP "Play for Manuel," which comes out on Monday (Feb 13th). Here is the story:
"Slip into something more comfortable" is one of those cliched phrases that sounds familiar even though it's completely dated. I had just moved back to New York from LA, and although I had lived in the city for 9 years prior to my southern California jaunt, I felt out of place. Things I hadn't noticed before - the human-height garbage piles, the maniacal cabbies, the minuscule threshold for having the bird flipped at you, or rather, for flipping it, the living in shadows, literally, like embodying some sort of sick platonic reference - all resolved into a painful and uncomfortable focus. I had come up with the chords for a new song and I wanted it to be somewhat suggestive.
I was literally mouthing nonsense syllables over the music to figure out the melody. And then suddenly, I just uttered that line, that old femme fatale hook. Except that it resonated with me more broadly, in the sense of the relationship one has with a city or a group. How those first awkward few months can turn into titillating excitement when you figure out your place there and gain comfort in your own skin.
So the song became more about that natural longing and struggle to fit in and be happy in a place, a group, a subculture. And how that transition can be exciting even if your ultimate goal, to fit in, is as mundane and time-tested as your old, faded, favorite pair of jeans.
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