Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Today's Day In Rock News!




Pearl Jam Allegedly Robbed By Former Management Exec
The former CFO at Pearl Jam's management company, Curtis Management, has been charged with 25 counts of first-degree theft and 8 counts of second-degree theft.
King County prosecutors filed felony charges against Rickey Charles Goodrich, who stands accused of stealing steal $380,000 from the management firm before he was terminated in September of 2010.

Seattle PI reports that "Prosecutors allege Goodrich transferred money from company accounts to pay debts held by himself and his wife. He is also alleged to have used band credit cards to pay for personal expenses, including family vacations and wine."

You can read their full report for more details here.



Linkin Park Streaming New Album
Linkin Park fans will have wait patiently until next Tuesday, June 26th to get their hands on the band's new album, but that doesn't mean you have to wait until then to hear it!

iTunes is offering Linkin Park fans an advance free stream of the group's forthcoming album, Living Things.

All you need to listen is your ears and to have the iTunes software installed on your computer and you can grab a listen to the full album here.



Record Co Forced Def Leppard To Rerecord Classics
(hennemusic) Last month, Def Leppard released newly-rerecorded versions of two of their classic hits from the 1980s: "Pour Some Sugar On Me" and "Rock Of Ages."

The concept was to tie in the name of their summer tour – Rock of Ages – with the Broadway play-turned film of the same name starring Tom Cruise, who also sings "Sugar" on the soundtrack album…another good reason for the UK rockers to keep their name front and center.

But there's more to it than that. "It was, well, let's just say a sensible business decision on our part," Leppard vocalist Joe Elliott tells MTVHive. "How can I put this politely? We were having a major disagreement with our ex-record label about the digital rights for our back catalog. We couldn't come to a mutual understanding that seemed fair for both sides. So we finally just decided to re-record all our hits. We started with 'Sugar' and 'Rock of Ages,' and I think we did a pretty good job. It's hard work trying to recreate something you did 30 years ago." more on this story



Ozzy Wants Son Jack To Get Second Opinion On MS
(Classic Rock) Ozzy Osbourne wants his son Jack to get a second opinion from doctors after he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

The Black Sabbath singer says: "I was misdiagnosed with MS a few years ago. It took them six months to work out I have a rare hereditary tremor called Parkin Syndrome."

Jack, 26, was given the news two months after he became a father. Read more rock news including Layne Staley, Jon Anderson, Slayer, Exodus and more here.



Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Pearl Jam For Isle of Wight Broadcast
(VH1) Palladia plans to air the best of this year's "Isle of Wight Festival 2012" and simulcast with VH1 Classic with limited, commercial interruption this Sunday, June 24th at 9 PM-12 AM/6 PM-9PM PT.

This special, one-time-only event will celebrate one of the oldest, biggest and most legendary ongoing rock festivals in the world. Talent scheduled to appear include: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Pearl Jam, Jessie J, Elbow, Madness, Big Country, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, and Joan Armatrading. All talent appearances are subject to change.

The 3-hour special will be hosted by Jim Shearer – host of host of VH1's "Top 20 Video Countdown" and music correspondent for "VH1 Big Morning Buzz Live." more on this story



LAPD Recover Animals As Leaders Stolen Property
Animals As Leaders returned home to Los Angeles to found they have been robbed, but the LAPD have recovered some of their property.

They reported a few days ago, "Upon returning home to our house in LA we discovered that we'd been robbed while were out on tour. The thieves were able to get away with Javier's Chevy Blazer and all of the equipment we didn't have on tour with us. 10 guitars in total. This includes many of our one of a kind custom instruments (Stranberg, Rick Toone) as well as amplifiers, PA equipment and personal items."

Yesterday the band updated fans with, "We've actually got some good news to report! The LAPD successfully recovered Javier's car. The even better news is that one of the stolen guitars was in the back seat! I'm now reunited with Strandberg #17. We want to commend the LAPD for their ability to find the stolen vehicle within 24 hours of receiving the police report. Hopefully this is the key to finding the rest of the guitars! Something still may pop up online so please keep your eyes open. Thanks for all of the support."





Sebastian Bach Makes Life Hell For Opening Band
(Classic Rock) Irish band Stormzone have revealed how Sebastian Bach made their lives hell when they supported him on last week's UK tour.

They say he blocked access to their dressing room, made it nearly impossible for them to play their set – then sent them home without full pay before the three-date trek was over.

The four-piece includes former Sweet Savage drummer Davy Bates, who's been credited as an influence on Metallica sticksman Lars Ulrich. Read their wild tale here.



Zac Brown Band, Pearl Jam and Foo Fighters Lead DeLuna Fest
Zac Brown Band will join previously announced headliners Pearl Jam and Foo Fighters at the 2012 DeLuna Fest.

The festival will take place in Pensacola Beach, FL during the weekend of September 21 – 23, 2012.

Also joining the lineup are Fitz and the Tantrums, Honey Island Swamp Band, The Canvas Waiting, Astronautalis, High On Fire, Brass-A-Holics and a Sunday Gospel Brunch set from The Legendary JCs. more on this story




Tim Armstrong Produced New Jimmy Cliff Album
Universal Music have set a July 17th release date for Jimmy Cliff's new album, Rebirth.

"I was inspired to re-visit my musical past and decided to go back to my roots on this record," said Cliff. "Rebirth is a new chapter in my life and signifies a rebirth in my career and all I have left to accomplish."

Rebirth once again pairs Cliff with Rancid's Tim Armstrong, who produced the thirteen-track album. Armstrong also produced Cliff's Sacred Fire EP which was released late in 2011. more on this story



Rush Taking String Ensemble On Tour
(Gibson) Rush will be utilizing a string section for their upcoming Clockwork Angels tour. Guitarist Alex Lifeson said there would be eight to ten string players in the ensemble.

He told Billboard: "It's just something different for us, and I can't wait to hear what it sounds like. As far as what the set list will look like, there will be a number of songs from the new album.

"The set list is quite fluid these days. We're dropping and replacing songs constantly, and that's the way it always goes before we get into rehearsals. There's a great deal of pressure on us now to do the whole record, which we don't anticipate. I think our intention is probably to prepare the whole thing; whether we'll do it or not we're still not sure, especially on the first leg of the tour." more on this story






Jackson Browne Expands Acoustic Tour
Jackson Browne has added additional Fall dates to his 2012 U.S. Acoustic Tour which will feature support from special guest Sara Watkins.

The tour, which begins this summer on July 14 in Charlotte, NC runs thru mid-August, before picking up again mid-October and ending on November 15 in Colorado Springs, CO.

Playing guitar and piano, Jackson will perform songs from his entire body of work, with varying set lists each night. more on this story



Dew-Scented Announce Special Guests On New Album
Dew-Scented have tapped Rob Urbinati (Sacrifice), Dennis Schneider (Retaliation/ Final Breath) and Dan Swano (Edge of Sanity/Bloodbath) as guests on their new album, Icarus, which will be released on July 31st.

Rob Urbinati (Sacrifice) says: "Sacrifice have been honored by Dew-scented in the past with a cover song ("Apocaplyse Inside" on 1999's "Ill-Natured"); now I am honored to be included on the track 'Gleaming Like Silver.'" Dew-scented vocalist Leif Jensen claims that Sacrifice "are one of the best and most underrated thrash metal bands ever" and admits that Sacrifice have had a big influence on his vocals.

No stranger to the band, Dennis Schneider (Retaliation/ Final Breath) is slated to appear on both tracks "The Fall of Man" and "Perpetuated." The band came up with the idea to have him be a part of "Icarus" from jamming with him during rehearsals. Schneider had the following to say: "I've been hooked on Dew-scented ever since the release of 'Impact' back in 2003. When they asked me to do a few guest leads on the new album, I didn't hesitate one second. I'm really happy with the way it turned out – 'Icarus' will rip your head off!" more on this story



Thy Will Be Done Releasing New EP
Thy Will Be Done have finished recording a brand new EP which they plan to release later this summer. Their camp sent out these details:

The band, renowned for their DIY approach, engineered the EP themselves and teamed up once again with acclaimed metal producer Zeuss to mix their six brand new studio tracks. With influences and roots that harkens the listener back to metal's glory days, and songs and arrangements that echo the voice of the oppressed and broken, the end result is a release that brings hope and far surpasses its predecessors, and in all aspects possesses the capabilities of cementing Thy Will Be Done's position in the metal world. More details, including title and release date will be revealed in the coming weeks.

J. Costa commented on the new EP: "There's always a sense of accomplishment when unveiling a piece of expression that we've created. Personally, what makes this not so much different as much as special, is that it represents my rediscovery of exactly why I enjoy expressing myself through the medium of music. more on this story



Sylo's Jared McCasland Drowns
(The Metal Den) Sylo bassist Jared McCasland died this week from drowning. He was 30-years old.

Sylo band manager JB Griffin of WEMG has released this official statement: "Jared was the backbone of SYLO. He was a great musician and we are going to truly miss him. Words cannot describe what we are feeling right now. Thanks to all the fans that have supported Jared and SYLO up to this point and we will give you more information as this works itself out."

Sylo won TMD's first Battle of The Bands contest in 2011 and in June/2012 signed a worldwide label representation agreement to release their forthcoming debut full-length album with The Metal Den Records. more on this story




Metal Festival Gamble Paid Off For Europe
(Classic Rock) Europe risked upsetting fans of heavier music when they headlined the Bloodstock Open Air festival in 2009 but the gamble paid off, says singer Joey Tempest.

Reaction was mixed when event organisers announced the Swedish outfit were to close out a bill including Cradle of Filth, Blind Gardian, Carcass, Satyricon and Amon Amarth.

Tensions increased after Cradle of Filth, playing the night before Europe, were pelted with missiles and guitarist Paul Allender was taken to hospital. But instead of being a disaster, Tempest says the set gave them a new lease of life in an environment where they'd been all but forgotten. more on this story



The Beatles' First U.S. Tour Focus of New Exhibition
(Gibson) The Beatles' first U.S. tour is being documented in a new photo exhibition in New York.

According to NME the band were photographed by Curt Gunther, and his Unseen Beatles exhibition can be viewed at the Morrison Hotel Gallery in Soho.

Gunther's son told Rolling Stone that his father had incredible access to The Beatles on the tour: "He was there on every plane ride and in every hotel room. I think there was real, genuine affection between The Beatles and my dad." more on this story





Lee Aaron Releases New DVD
(hennemusic) Lee Aaron today releases her new DVD, "Live In Sweden." Recorded at the 2011 Sweden Rock Festival, the show marked Aaron's first performance in Sweden.

Lee had the distinction of being the only Canadian act featured on the bill, which also featured Ozzy Osbourne, Thin Lizzy, Black Label Society and Styx, among others.

"Live In Sweden" features Lee's performance, with bonus features that include her press conference, backstage interview, Lee Aaron's special message to Sweden Rock fans and tons of pictures. more on this story



B Sides


Singled Out: Ian Frank
Today Ian Frank tells us about his song "Take The Long Way" from their new album "Breaking Grounds". Here is the story:

"Take The Long Way" was a song that actually came to me pretty quickly. Ironic, as the song is really about the need to slow down and take the time to enjoy life more often… yet the song was penned swiftly.

I feel like society is just so fast paced and I am always runnin' to try and catch up…. Every one around me is always looking for the short cut, instant gratification.

Society now breeds shorter attention spans and encourages efficiency and getting there quickly…. I wrote this song to help remind myself and others that we can take the long way and still find fulfillment and/or meet our needs, or the needs of others… It's a tribute to One of Aesop's Fables "The Tortoise and the Hare"…. Wherein the slower tortoise wins the race.

Hearing is believing. Now that you know the story behind the song, listen for yourself and learn more about the album right here!



Bret Michaels Launches Pet Product Line
(hennemusic) Poison singer Bret Michaels is teaming up with PetSmart to launch his new Bret Michaels Pets Rock collection.

Available exclusively at PetSmart stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico and online at PetSmart.com, the collection includes toys, beds, apparel, collars, leashes, and bowls.

"I know there are other pet parents like me who want to show off their pets in rock-star style," said Michaels. "I've been a pet lover since I was a child so I created this line for everyone who wants something unique to rock their pets' world." more on this story



Remembering Chet Atkins
(Gibson) Over the years the word "revolutionary" has been bandied about from time to time to describe some of the great musical pioneers who have helped shape the musical landscape. Rarely, however, has the word been more fitting than when describing Chet Atkins.

Born Chester Burton Atkins on this day in 1924 in Luttrell, TN, Atkins was the youngest of four children, all who lived with their mother after their parents divorced when Chet was just six. Music was always an outlet for the Atkins family, and in particular, Chet, whose natural ability was evident very early in life. Before the age of nine he'd become quite proficient on the ukulele and fiddle before ultimately landing his first guitar, which his older brother, Lowell, traded to him for an old pistol and some chores.

At the time, of course, the nation was in the throes of the Great Depression. Atkins said in his 1974 autobiography, Chet Atkins: Country Gentleman: "We were so poor and everybody around us was so poor that it was the forties before anyone even knew there had been a depression." To compound the Atkins' difficulties, Chet suffered from severe asthma, which forced him to relocate to Fortson, Georgia to live with his father. So severe was his affliction that he had to sleep in a straight-back chair to help keep his lungs open. This debilitating condition, ironically, helped him as a guitarist because he learned to fall asleep, sitting upright in his chair, holding his guitar, which he played for hours on end.

By the time Atkins was in high school he was an accomplished guitarist. It was around this time that his style began to really evolve, thanks in no small part to the great Merle Travis, whom Atkins listened to on the radio. Travis was a master picker, and this greatly influenced young Chet, who worked on, and perfected, his own four-finger (thumb and three fingers) picking style.

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