Today's Day in Rock News!

Today's Day in Rock


Metallica $5 Dollar Concert
Metallica are holding a concert on Monday where they are charging just $5 for admission and giving the proceeds to charity. Why are they doing it? Here is what they had to say:
You may have heard us mention just once or twice (or 700 times!) that a Metalli-3D movie is in the works... we now need your help to finish filming it!! This Monday, August 27, we will be shooting what we hope will be the final live portion of the movie and have our last chance for quite some time to play on the gigantic, massive over-the-top stage that we rolled out in Mexico City, took to Edmonton and end our film excursion/mini tour with in Vancouver. As we have been saying a lot recently we would love to have you join us and be a part of our movie making adventure.

Here's how it works: We will be running though the full live show one last time at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, but unlike the Friday and Saturday shows there will be lots of breaks in it to allow for cameras and lights to be repositioned as the director sees fit. Since it is way more fun for us to have YOU there, tickets will be available for just $5 (no extra fees or service charges!) and all the proceeds will benefit the Greater Vancouver Food Bank. Grab ticket info here.


Bret Michaels Taking Part In Celebrity Apprentice All-Stars
Poison frontman Bret Michaels revealed in a new video tour diary that he will be taking part in All Star Celebrity Apprentice.

BW&BK reports that Michael's new Adventures From The Road video ended with the following words:

"Be sure to watch and root Bret on as he fights his way to the top on All Star Celebrity Apprentice."

The show is expected to air next Spring. You can see the video and read more here.



Def Leppard's Joe Elliott Explains Vocal Issues
(hennemusic) At a recent show in Saratoga Springs, NY, Def Leppard did not perform an encore, which caused a buzz amongst fans searching for a possible explanation, frontman Joe Elliott addressed the issue Thursday with the following post on the band's website:

"OK, just to nip in the bud any Twitter/Facebook rumours you may have read regarding our recent performance at Saratoga Springs where the band didn't do an encore, here's the deal...

After the Boston gig, which was the first show on the whole tour where it was actually cold afterwards, I caught a hacking cough which just ripped the hell out of my voice. Despite all the usual stuff singers do such as lemon tea, steam, etc. it just wasn't going to heal overnight, but with sufficient rest and plenty of warming up I thought I might manage to do the following show in Saratoga Springs. I was tough and I was ploughing through it as best I could, but by the time we got to 'Photograph', there was barely anything left in the tank and it was starting to hurt, so I decided after struggling through 'Sugar' that I had to make a decision... do the encore and risk doing so much damage that we might have to cancel a bunch of shows, or blow out one song and sort out a doctor to have a look at me, which we did the following morning.

The result being after a couple of cortisone shots, I seem to be mending quite nicely!! Read the rest of his comments here.



Kings of Leon Planning Next Album
(Gibson) It's been two years since Kings of Leon released a new album, but bassist Jared Followill says the wait may soon be over.

Speaking to BBC Radio 1, Followill said the band hopes to enter the studio in the not-so-distant future. "We've been meeting with producers every day, so we're starting to get the ball rolling on album six," he said. "I don't know what I can say, but we're definitely planning on starting the record at some point in the near future."

In the meantime, Followill has been busy with Smoke & Jackal, his side project with fellow Nashville native Nick Brown. The duo's debut album, EP1, is set for release on October 16. Followill says the side project has sparked new ideas that he will bring to the next Kings of Leon album. "Doing the side project got my creative juices flowing again," he said. "Just doing something completely different, I feel like it can bring more creativity to our band." more on this story





Why The Kinks Used Jimmy Page and A Common Myth Debunked
The producer of one The Kinks biggest hits debunks a common myth about Led Zeppelin legend Jimmy Page's role in the recording of "You Really Got Me," and explains the real reason Jimmy was brought in to record with the band.

Finding Zoso this week published an extensive interview with producer Shel Talmy, who not only produced early albums by The Kinks and The Who but also worked with David Bowie and had a favored studio guitarist by the name of Jimmy Page.

Below is a small excerpt from the interview where Talmy is asked to rate The Kinks Dave Davies as a guitarist, but we also learn the truth about why Jimmy Page recorded with the band and a common myth is struck down:

FZ: How would you rate Dave [Davies] as a guitarist?

ST: I think he's one of the more under-rated guitarists there are. He was an extremely good guitarist.

FZ: He doesn't quite get the credit that he deserves.

ST: Never, I don't think he ever got the credit. His inventions of the solos and stuff, I mean, Jimmy Page did not play the solo on "You Really Got Me" which I've said about 5,000 times to people who insist that he did. The reason I used Jimmy on The Kinks stuff is because Ray didn't really want to play guitar and sing at the same time. In fact, Jimmy was playing rhythm guitar.

The interview is filled with great exchanges like the above, read it in full here.



Gregg Allman, Dierks Bentley and More To Honor Levon Helm
An all-star casts of musicians will be gathering together in October to pay tribute the late Levon Helm the only way they know how- with a live concert.

The "Love For Levon," benefit concert will take place at the Izod Center in Rutherford, NJ on Wednesday, October 3, 2012.

The event will also feature collaborations and performances by Gregg Allman, Dierks Bentley, Marc Cohn, Patty Griffin, Warren Haynes, John Hiatt, Bruce Hornsby, Jorma Kaukonen, Ray LaMontagne, John Mayer, Robert Randolph, Mavis Staples, Joe Walsh, Lucinda Williams, The Levon Helm Band and many more including Eric Church who had this to say about the event: "I can't possibly overstate what Levon Helm meant to my music or my life. He was a giant. A man among boys. I miss him personally, but that pales in comparison to how much music will miss his presence," says Church. More info here.



Foo Fighters Use AC/DC Defense
(Gibson) More developments in the Foo Fighters noise in Belfast story and the band respond by quoting rock and roll legends.

The Daily Express reports over that one hundred complaints made their way to the Belfast City Council while the police received some 20 complaints after the Foo Fighters played a loud show at a Belfast festival.

In response, the band have simply quoted AC/DC on their Facebook page: "A wise man once said... 'Rock and Roll ain't noise pollution. Rock and Roll ain't gonna die.'" more on this story





How The Darkness Got Jimmy Page's Guitar
Gibson caught up with The Darkness guitarist Dan Hawkins to discuss their comeback album but we also learn about how Dan got his hands on Jimmy Page's guitar.

Gibson: And you have a Gibson Custom Shop "Black Beauty" Les Paul especially made for Jimmy Page – but he returned it because it was too heavy for him? And you got it?

Dan Hawkins: Yep. I call that my "Love is More Than a Feeling" guitar. It wasn't on that first album track, but it's on both other albums since and live for the song. I had the Bigsby taken off, and a hardtail put on. I had a Fishman Powerbridge pickup put on so I could switch to an acoustic sound.

It's had an interesting life already, that Les Paul. I was waiting for delivery of a different humbucker to fit on it, but my then-guitar tech said he had a 'bucker that he'd taken out of one of Angus Young's SGs. He fitted Angus's old pickup, it sounded awesome, so I left it in. It's become my Page-enstein Les Paul.




Paul Stanley Says New KISS Album Won't Be Recycled Old Stuff
(Gibson) KISS promises there will be no recycled riffs on their forthcoming new album, Monster, set for release October 16.

Speaking to Billboard.com, singer-guitarist Paul Stanley said, "I'm a big believer that when people recycle old stuff, they should leave it where it was. When you hear bands that are lifting riffs that they had 15, 20, 30 years ago, I think, 'My God. Can't they come up with anything new?'"

Stanley went on to describe his 40-year-plus relationship with bassist Gene Simmons as "a marriage where thankfully I don't have to see him naked." Asked if KISS will one day be celebrating their 50th anniversary, Stanley replied, "All bets are off at this point. We're in uncharted waters. I never thought we'd be here today. Forty years ago, if you told me I'd be doing this now and loving it and doing it with pride, I'd tell you that you were crazy." more on this story





Original Further Seems Forever Lineup Reunite For Album and Tour
The original lineup of Further Seems Forever will release a new album and hit the road in Roctober.

Rise Records will release the band's new studio album, Penny Black, on October 23rd.

The band announced the initial dates for the supporting tour where the original lineup -- Chris Carrabba (vocals), Joshua Colbert (guitar), Chad Neptune (bass), Steve Kleisath (drums), and Nick Dominguez (guitar)-- are set to perform in Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Anaheim, performing together for the first time since the band's 2001 debut album, The Moon Is Down. more on this story



Dream Theater Record New Live DVD
(hennemusic) Dream Theater played two shows in Buenos Aires this week and the action was captured for a forthcoming live DVD.

The August 19 and August 20 concerts at Estadio Luna Park were professionally filmed and recorded for the band's next live DVD, to be released sometime next year.

Part of the group's latest world tour in support of "A Dramatic Turn of Events," the concerts were filmed by Over the Edge Productions with Mike Leonard in the director's chair. more on this story



The Smashing Pumpkins Plan Fall Tour
The Smashing Pumpkins will be hitting the road this fall for an arena tour of North America.

The band released the tour routing for the trek which is set to kick off on October 10 in Seattle, WA.

The concerts will be broken up into two parts; during the first half the band will perform their latest album Oceania in full and for the second half of the show they'll play classics and deep cuts. more on this story



Evergreen Terrace Working On New Music Not Breaking Up
Evergreen Terrace guitarist and vocalist Craig Chaney took to Facebook yesterday to assure fans that the band is not breaking up.

The speculation stems from co-founder Josh James' announcement that he was leaving the group to devote his full attention to his new band, Stick To Your Guns.

Chaney reassured fans on the band's Facebook page with this message: "For all those curious about the future of Evergreen Terrace, here's an update: We are writing new material which we will record and release. We will also be playing shows. Thank you for sticking by us throughout the years and during this transition. You keep us going. More news to come." more on this story



Classic 1975 Concert From The Who Set For DVD Release
A concert DVD featuring The Who's classic lineup of Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey, Keith Moon and John Entwistle is set to be released. Eagle Rock have set an October 9th release for The Who Live In Texas '75. Kayos sent over these details:

Filmed in Houston, Texas 11/20/75, it was right at the start of a massive tour of the U.S. to promote The Who By Numbers, their seventh album in their 10th year of existence. With Dolby Digital Stereo sound, this 117-minute 25-song bomb blast—previously only available as a muddled bootleg—has been pridefully restored to its rightful visual and sonic superiority by longtime Who collaborator Jon Astley.

Filmed only five years after what arguably is the greatest live album in rock, Live At Leeds, The Who Live In Texas '75, lives up to and in some ways actually surpasses its predecessor's greatness. The Who, at that particular point in time, had achieved an unerring almost magical mystical chemistry. Between the windmilling antics of guitarist Townshend, the mic wire lasso of lead singer Daltrey, the crazed bombastic danger of drummer Moon (1946-1978) and, of course, their secret weapon, genius bassist John Entwistle (1944-2002), this was a truly revolutionary band who changed all the hard rock rules. Even the punks, in the anti-rock star era of the late '70s, loved The Who. more on this story



Yakuza Set New Album Release
Yakuza have announced some details about their next release, which is entitled 'Beyul.'

'Beyul' will be released on October 16 on CD and digitally with a vinyl version arriving the following month.

The seven track album was produced by Sanford Parker (Nachtmystium, Minsk, Twilight). more on this story



Robert Plant and The Sensational Space Shifters Heading South
(hennemusic) Robert Plant and The Sensational Space Shifters have announced a fall tour of South America.

The series of dates start October 18 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and wrap on November 9 in Lima, Peru.

Robert debuted his new band in May at the Guildhall in Gloucester, UK. and the lineup includes: Robert Plant – vocals, harmonica the rest and the dates.



Amorphis Beginning Next Album
Amorphis will be hitting the studio next month to begin recording their next album, which they expect to be released in March or April of next year. They sent out these details and comments:

The follow-up to 2011's The Beginning Of Times will be produced and mixed by no less than Hypocrisy, and Pain mastermind Peter Tägtgren. Peter has worked with some of the biggest bands in the past, such as Children of Bodom, Celtic Frost, Immortal, and Dimmu Borgir, among others.

"We had to face the fact that if we want to develop our music and sound we need a producer who has a vision and whom we can accept as an authority," commented Amorphis guitarist and founding member Esa Holopainen. "I know that we're not the most flexible guys when it comes to letting outsiders into our camp for telling us how to do things. We spent one evening at our management office, talking about the right producer and the recording sessions in general. As usual, the best decisions are not far to seek. We've been talking to Peter about him producing Amorphis for ages. I think the first time we spoke about this was when we met first at the Nuclear Blast festival tour in 1994, and it was in Helsinki around a year ago when we last speculated about the idea. We've been following Peter's career - he's developed as a musician and especially as a producer over the years. Plus he's one of the true survivors from the 90's death metal scene who is still around just like us, so we share kind of an old school mental level." more on this story



No Bragging Rights Set October Album Release
No Bragging Rights shared good news with fans on Facebook on Wednesday: their new album is coming soon.

The band posted an update on the social networking site adviings fans that their new studio album, "Cycles," will be released on October 16, 2012.

Frontman Mike Perez commented: "We cannot wait to get this album out to our friends and fans. We are very proud of the sound and even more proud of the message behind it. We're looking forward to playing these songs live and seeing everyone at the shows." Facebook link



Jake Shimabukuro's Collaboration With Alan Parsons Set For Release
Jake Shimabukuro has set an October 2nd release date his new album 'Grand Ukulele,' which is a collaboration with producer Alan Parsons (The Beatles' 'Abbey Road' and Pink Floyd's 'Dark Side Of The Moon'). We were sent these details:

'Grand Ukulele' is the follow-up to 2011's 'Peace Love Ukulele,' for which critics lauded Shimabukuro as the "Jimi Hendrix of the ukulele" (Guitar Player) and "the greatest living ukulele player" (Boing Boing).

Shimabukuro "fuses a multitude of genres" (Billboard) on the new LP, which can be heard on album highlight "Island Fever Blues," merging classical & blues over a fast-paced flamenco beat. more on this story



B Sides


Steel Panther Preview New DVD
(hennemusic) Steel Panther have offered up the first full-song preview of their forthcoming live DVD, "The British Invasion."

Fans can now watch Panther rocking out on "Party All Day (F** All Night)" from the DVD which will be released on September 28th in Australia and New Zealand, with release dates for North America, Europe and Asia to be announced soon.

The band was captured in concert in London, England in 2010 for the set, which was directed by Daniel E. Catullo III, who has previously worked with artists like Rush, Chickenfoot, Godsmack and Alter Bridge. Watch the video here.



The Cult Deliver Honey From A Knife Video
(hennemusic) The Cult have released the music video for their new single, "Honey From A Knife."

Directed by Rick Rodgers and produced by The Cult's Ian Astbury and New York City-based film company Mechanizedmules.

The clip was shot on location in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan. Watch it here.



Metallica Share Live Master Of Puppets and Behind The Scenes Footage
(hennemusic) Metallica have posted official footage from the eighth and final date of their recent concerts in Mexico City.

The August 9th video includes bassist Rob Trujillo and drummer Lars Ulrich at the meet and greet, the band's pre-show huddle, and "Master Of Puppets" from the concert.

Released March 3, 1986, "Master Of Puppets" was Metallica's third studio album and major label debut. Watch the live video here



Please Don't Ask Slash About Guns N' Roses
(Classic Rock) Slash is so keen to move on with his solo career that he now issues journalists with seven rules ahead of interviews.

The no-go areas are designed to underline the guitarist is looking forward and not back as he begins work on this third album with his band, fronted by Myles Kennedy.

The New Zealand Herald reveals the rules are: Guns N' Roses is a topic that Slash can briefly touch on.

You can briefly discuss the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Induction – but only to the extent of the honour of that.

You can't talk about the ceremony itself and Axl not showing up and their performance etc.

No questions about Axl whatsoever.