Today's Day in Rock News!

Today's Day in Rock


At Least 233 People Killed In Night Club Fire
(Classic Rock) At least 233 people have died in a club fire and 100 others have been injured in Brazil after a band's pyros set the building alight.
One member of Gurizada Fandangueira was also killed in the tragedy at the Kiss Club in Santa Maria. Two members of the evening's support act are missing.

The news comes soon before of the tenth anniversary of the Station Night Club fire in which Great White guitarist Ty Longley and 99 fans died after pyros went out of control.

Most of the dead in Brazil are thought to have been between 16 and 20 years old. Many lost their lives after being crushed as clubbers tried to escape through the venue's single exit. It's thought over 50 died in the toilets after mistaking them for an exit. more on this story



Black Flag Reuniting
(Classic Rock) Iconic hardcore punk band Black Flag have confirmed they'll reunite and play a series of shows that includes their first UK performance in nearly 30 years.

Greg Ginn's outfit are preparing to assemble with frontman Ron Reyes to perform at this year's Hevy Fest in August. It will be their only UK appearance in 2013.

Event organisers note: "There is a whole generation of musicians and fans who would cite Black Flag as being the most important band to have influenced them."

Ginn formed the hardcore pioneers as Panic in 1976 and took on their better-known title two years later. Reyes fronted them from 1979 until 1980, followed by Dez Cadena then Henry Rollins. more on this story




Metallica: Mission To Lars Film Set For DVD Release
(hennemusic) Metallica fans in Europe, mark your calendars as Mission To Lars, the film about a learning disabled man, Tom Spicer, and his transatlantic quest to find his hero, Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich, will go on sale April 8 in Northern Europe and will feature a special 30-minute interview with Lars as a bonus.

Lars Ulrich is a heavy metal god with his own jumbo jet. Tom Spicer lives in a care home in Devon and has Fragile X Syndrome. Tom has a dream, to meet his hero, to meet Lars. His siblings promise to make it happen, with hopes of good times and bonding. But what starts out a dream soon becomes a nightmare as Tom's disabilities, a dysfunctional family, and heavy metal's labyrinthine backstage world thwart the mission at every turn. But as they get closer to Lars, Tom the man starts to shine.

After 20 years and 10,000 times of asking his journalist sister, Kate, when he was going to meet Lars, she finally cracked.

This documentary film that looks beyond disability, and uncovers the soul of a very cool guy.

Kate and filmmaker brother, William, break Tom out of his care home in Exmouth, and hit the road, from Bristol, to Heathrow, to Los Angeles, to Las Vegas and beyond. more on this story




Geezer Talks Black Sabbath Reunion Album
(Classic Rock) Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler says the band's reunion album with Ozzy Osbourne is the most professional studio project they've done together – because they were sober all the way through.

And he's revealed that the record might not be called 13 despite official announcements saying it will be.

Butler tells KCALfm: " None of us have been drinking or doing drugs or anything. It's a bit more professional in that way. We stuck to a schedule: every day we'd go in at one o'clock and finished at six. Five hours a day and that's it.

"It's got the feel of the first three albums, back to the basic rawness. The lyrics are about life, death, doom and everything else. You get Prozac with each album…"

Of the title he explains: "It was sort of a temporary name, so we had something to refer to. It kinda stuck – but I don't know whether that's going to be the final title or not." The number didn't just come up because of the year




Allman Brothers Band Expand Residency
The Allman Brothers Band have expanded their annual residency at New York City's Beacon Theatre with the addition of a new date to the run.

The new show will be taking place on St. Patrick's Day (Sunday, March 17) and will be an early show, starting at 7:00PM.

The annual residency will kick off on March 1st and include 11 concerts in total concluding with the newly announced St. Patrick's Day show.

The band will also be taking part in Eric Clapton's Crossroad's benefit concert which is set to take place on April 12th and 13th at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Also in April the Allmans will be headlining their very own music festival, the Wanee Music Festival in Live Oak, FL.

The band will headline both nights of the annual festival which will take place on April 19th and 20th. more on this story




Jack White, Lumineers and Elton John and Ed Sheeran Duet For Grammys
(Radio.com) With this year's star-studded 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards already boasting an all-star line-up of performers including fun., the Black Keys and Mumford and Sons, it has been announced that rockers Jack White, the Lumineers and singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran will also lend their talents to the proceedings.

Renaissance rocker Jack White, already a nine-time GRAMMY winner, boasts three nominations this year, including Best Rock Song for "Freedom At 21," with his first solo full-length, Blunderbuss, up for Best Rock Album and the coveted Album of the Year award.

2012 breakthrough folk-rock act the Lumineers cap their stratospheric year with GRAMMY nominations for Best New Artist and Best Americana Album for their self-titled debut.

Also added to this year's list of performers is a first-time duet between Elton John and Ed Sheeran. more on this story




Tommy Aldrige Reunites With Whitesnake
(Classic Rock) Drummer Tommy Aldrige has returned to Whitesnake for a third stint, David Coverdale has confirmed.

He replaces Brian Tichy, who announced his decision to bow out earlier this month in order to concentrate on new project SUN with Sass Jordan.

Aldridge says: "I can't express how honoured and grateful I am to be back in the 'Snake fold. Working with David and co has always been a labour of love. I'm so stoked to be back to finish what we started."

Mainman Coverdale adds: "When I asked the band members to put together their wishlist of potential drummers, every one, without exception, had Tommy at the top of their list." more on this story




Aerosmith Song Pack Being Released For Rock Band
(hennemusic) A new 6-pack of Aerosmith songs will be available for Rock Band tomorrow, January 29.

"Aerosmith's Greatest Dimension Pack" kicks off with classic tunes from the Boston bad boys, including two tracks that originally appeared on the group's third album, 1975's "Toys in the Attic" – "Walk This Way" and "Sweet Emotion."

"Back in the Saddle," which originally appeared on 1976's "Rocks", and a live version of "Dream On" will also be included, along with two new tracks, "Legendary Child" and "Lover Alot," both from 2012's "Music From Another Dimension!" more on this story




Children of Bodom Plan Summer Album Release
Children of Bodom have begun recording their new album in a recording studio located in Helsinki, and they expect to release the album this summer.

The recording reunites the band with recording engineer Mikko Karmila, who worked with them on Hatebreeder, Follow the Reaper and Hate Crew Deathroll.

They have also recruited producer Peter Tägtgren (Marduk, Amon Amarth), to work with them on the vocal and keyboard tracks for the effort. on the record.

"It's a nice change to the regular method where we lock ourselves up at a studio in the middle of the woods, usually also during the darkest time of the year," says guitarist/vocalist Alexi Laiho who is currently finishing up lyrics for the songs.

"Last night I finished my parts for the record," COB bassist Henkka Seppälä says. "We listened to all the songs and fixed what had to be fixed. So the bass tracks are locked in and so are the basic tracks for guitars, from both Roope and Alexi. And of course all drums were recorded first. Next in line are the guitar melodies and solos and then the keyboards and vocals. We are ahead of schedule and very happy to work here in Helsinki for the first time ever."




The Flaming Lips Announce New Album and Super Bowl Ad
The Flaming Lips have set an April 2nd North American and April 1st European release date for their new studio album, The Terror.

The album was co-produced by the group and Dave Fridmann at Tarbox Road Studios. Wayne Coyne had his to say about the title, "Why would we make this music that is The Terror - this bleak, disturbing record? I don't really want to know the answer that I think is coming. Maybe this is the beginning of the answer."

"If we have love, give love and know love," Coyne says, "we are truly alive and if there is no love, there would be no life. The Terror, we know now, that even without love, life goes on...we just go on...There is no mercy killing."

In other news, a track that isn't on the album, "Sun Blows Up Today," and the band will be featured in a TV commercial that will air during the Super Bowl on Feb 3rd. more on this story




Sebastian Bach Working on New Studio Album
(hennemusic) Sebastian Bach is releasing a new live package, "ABachalypse Now", this spring, but he's already begun work on his next album.

"Ideas are just starting to take shape for the next studio record," posts the singer. "The legendary guitarist / great friend Steve Stevens has come up with one track so far that will definitely be on my next record. It is a kick ass cool rock 'n roll song that I guarantee will make the hair stand up on the back of your neck. Just how I like it. We are going to work on more songs together too."

"Also," continued Bach, "My guitar player Jeff George has come up with a couple of great ideas that we will also be demoing very soon."

"We are really going to get cracking on the new material right away and have a new studio album out sooner than you think!," promised the former Skid Row frontman. "I am so happy to collaborate with Steve he has always been one of my favorite guitar players! We are going out rock this bitch down to the ground in 2013 mother truckers!" more on this story




Massive Duane Allman Box Set To Be Released
(hennemusic) Rounder Records will release a comprehensive seven-disc Duane Allman box set called "Skydog" on March 12.

The collection was curated by Scott Billington and Bill Levenson and produced by Levenson and Allman's daughter Galladrielle, "Skydog: The Duane Allman Retrospective" spans the guitarist's entire career.

The box includes nearly every track that featured Duane Allman's guitar that was originally released on the Capricorn Allman Brothers albums, several tracks by The Allman Joys, cross licensed from Capitol, many tracks that Duane played on for other artists, previously only compiled on hard-to-get anthologies, and over four previously unreleased bonus jams with contributions by Duane that have rarely been heard outside of collector circles. more on this story




Paul Stanley of KISS Auctioning Guitar and Phone Call
(hennemusic) A KISS auction featuring Paul Stanley items is currently available via CharityBuzz.

The KISS frontman has donated a Paul Stanley PS150 autographed guitar and a 5-minute phone call to the lucky winner.

Proceeds from the auction benefit the Voice Health Institute, a federally-approved non-profit organization that was established in 2003 by patients with voice loss to advance voice restoration and breathing impairment as a result of throat and larynx problems through the support of innovative research, education and outreach programs.

Stanley underwent surgery in October 2011 to address "recurring vocal cord issues." more on this story




Rush's Counterparts Super Audio CD Release Delayed
(hennemusic) Audio Fidelity have delayed the release of the SACD (Super Audio CD) version of Rush's Counterparts album until February 19th. The project was originally set to be issued last month.

Released in 1993, "Counterparts" is Rush's fifteenth studio album; it featured the singles "Stick It Out," "Nobody's Hero," "Double Agent" and "Cold Fire."

It became Rush's highest-charting album in the U.S., peaking at No. 2 on The Billboard 200. more on this story




Jason Bonham Never Dreamed Of Following In His Father's Footsteps
(Classic Rock) Jason Bonham says he had no plans to become a full-time drummer when he was young. The son of Led Zeppelin icon John was far more interested in becoming a motorsport star.

He tells Noisecreep: "Growing up, my heroes were American motocross riders. I didn't want to be a drummer – I wanted to me a motocross rider."

Those plans never came to fruition, and Bonham settled into a career behind the drumkit, playing with his own bands along with Led Zep and Black Country Communion.

Now sober for 14 years, he admits it was a challenge to prove himself against his father's reputation. "At some point I got sick of people calling me Bonzo junior," he explains. "But now I'm older and wiser, I'm just honoured to be mentioned in the same breath." more on this story




Saxon Frontman Biff Byford Pondering Solo Project
(Classic Rock) Saxon frontman Biff Byford is considering taking a break from the band after their current tour.

And while he believes they'll make another album, he insists it will only happen if the entire band are motivated over the project.

Meanwhile, he's considering the possibility of working on a solo record, with the aim of recapturing Saxon's early sound.

Byford tells RockPages, via Bravewords: "I might do a solo project next year, maybe, or a different project. I'd like to write an album that's more like 747, Wheels Of Steel, And The Bands Played On. I might do that next."

Saxon will release their 20th studio album, Sacrifice, next month. Asked about the band's future the frontman says: "We'll be touring all year, so we'll see how it goes after the tour." Find out what he said about Saxon's future.



The Darkness Have Come Down To Earth
(Classic Rock) The Darkness guitarist Dan Hawkins says his band had to let fame go their heads first time round.

The original lineup reunited in 2011 after a series of dramatic fall-outs that led to them splitting in 2006 – and he believes things had to happen that way.

Hawkins tells Billboard: "I think it went to all of our respective heads. But you've got to go there. What's the point of being in a rock'n'roll band if you don't take it to 11?

"We've settled into a nice groove. We feel like more of a team than we did before. Now the music is on 11, the gigs are on 11 – but the drug intake is on, like, zero to one. That's how it should be." more on this story




The Almost Set Release Date and Preview New Song Online
The Almost have set an April 9th release date for their new studio album, Fear Inside Our Bones, and are previewing one of the tracks online.

Fans can get a taste of what is to come with the advance stream of the song, "Ghost," which you can check out here

The album was recorded at Nashville's Omni Studios with producer Marshall Altman (Ingrid Michaelson, William Fitzsimmons). All the songs were recorded together in a single room completely live.

"It wasn't a piecemeal process as the majority of modern records are," explains frontman Aaron Gillespie. "The album was born at that moment from our collective blood, sweat and tears."




Coachella Festival 2013 Lineup Announced
Organizers have announced the full lineup for the 2013 Coachella Music Festival which will take place over two weekends in Indio, California in April.

Friday, April 12 & 19: Blur, The Stone Roses, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Modest Mouse, Lou Reed, Jurassic 5, Grinderman, Bassnectar, Dog Blood, How to Destroy Angels, Passion Pit, Tegan and Sara, Band of Horses, Beach House, Metric, Local Natives, Of Monsters and Men, Infected Mushroom, Japandroids, Divine Fits, Stars, Johnny Marr, Luciano, Wolfgang Gartner, Nicky Romero, Modestep, Tommy Trash, Thomas Gold, the Shouting Matches, Dillon Francis, Four Tet, Aesop Rock, Alt-J, Jello Biafra and the Guantanamo School of Medicine, TNGHT, Jake Bugg, Earl Sweatshirt, Polica, Sparks, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, Purity Ring, Lee Scratch Perry, Dam-Funk, DJ Harvey, Jamie xx, Seth Troxler, Youth Lagoon, Deathfix, C2C, Beardyman, Lord Huron, Palma Violets, IO Echo, Skinny Lister, the Neighbourhood, Sam XL Pure Filth Sound

Saturday, April 13 and 20: Phoenix, the XX, the Postal Service, Sigur Ros, New Order, Hot Chip, Grizzly Bear, Knife Party, Benny Benassi, Two Door Cinema Club, Moby, Descendents, Yeasayer, Franz Ferdinand, Violent Femmes, Simian Mobile Disco, Spiritualized, Puscifer, Cafe Tacuba, Portugal, the Man, the Make-Up, Bat for Lashes, Richie Hawtin, Major Lazer, Fedde Le Grand, Dropkick Murphys, FOALS, Ben Howard, 2 Chainz, Janelle Monae, Danny Brown, Wild Nothing, Booka Shade, Bingo Players, Allen Stone, El-P, the Selecter, Pusha T, Kill the Noise, the Evens, Biffy Clyro, Theophilus London, Baauer, Zane Lowe, Trash Talk, Birdy Nam Nam, Action Bronson, Jason Bentley, the Wombats, Guards, Mona, Savages, Shovels & Rope, Huoratron, Kurt Vile, Reignwolf, Cassy, 3Ball MTY, Kids These Days, the 2 Bears, the Colourist, Vintage Trouble

Sunday, April 14 and 21: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Vampire Weekend, Social Distortion, Wu-Tang Clan, Pretty Lights, Eric Prydz, Tame Impala, the Lumineers, Dead Can Dance, La Roux, James Blake, Excision Grimes, the Gaslight Anthem, the Faint, Hardwell, Paul Oakenfold, Dinosaur Jr., Raider Klan, OMD, Roni Size, the Airborne Toxic Event, Father John Misty, Tanlines, Rodriguez, Alex Clare, Paul Kalkbrenner, Jessie Ware, Loco Dice, Jamie Jones, the Three O'Clock, Disclosure, Mimosa, Cloud Nothings, Parov Stelar Band, Julio Bashmore, Thee Oh Sees, Dub Fx, Maya Jane Coles, JEFF the Brotherhood, Smith Westerns, Dirtyphonics, Joris Voorn, Hanni El Khatib, Danny Avila, Ghost, DIIV, Little Green Cars, Mord Fustang, James McCartney, Unicorn Kid, Robert DeLong, White Arrows, Deep Vally, Wild Belle, Adrian Lux, Ladies Night more on this story





Eric Burdon Streaming Old Habits Die Hard Online
(Classic Rock) Eric Burdon has released his track Old Habits Die Hard from new solo album 'Til Your River Runs Dry.

The former Animals and War frontman has previously said he aimed to deal with a range of important human issues on the record. In Old Habits Die Hard he's tackled the concept of civil disobedience.

He tells Ultimate Classic Rock: "In a sense it's not me – it's me playing a part. I tried to put myself into the mind of people I knew in Paris in 1968, who were on the barricades against the police.

"And recently with the Occupy movement: you may know in your heart of hearts that they're losers and they're not going to win. But who cares? It's the doing that counts." Check out the new song here.




Iron Maiden Had Enough Pie Following Stage Accident
(Classic Rock) Iron Maiden abandoned their traditional pie attacks after frontman Bruce Dickinson suffered a stage fall as a result, says drummer Nicko McBrain.

The band are gearing up for a the 2013 leg of their Maiden England world tour, and their first full-power show will be on McBrain's birthday, June 5, in France.

In the past he'd have expected to be pelted with shaving-cream pies towards the end of the show – but not after an episode during a multi-night stay in New York.

He tells Vintage Rock: "There was a time when it was Bruce's birthday and we were playing in the Hammerstein Ballroom a number of years ago. We gave him a pieing, shaving cream and whatnot.

"It wasn't cleaned up correctly – so the next night he slipped. He fell off the top of the riser into my drum set and he really hurt himself. So we went, 'That's enough of that.'" more on this story




Soundgarden Release Dave Grohl Directed Video
(hennemusic) Soundgarden have released the Dave Grohl-directed video for "By Crooked Steps."

The clip for the latest track from "King Animal" was filmed late last month. The project marks the reunited band's first studio effort in 16 years.

Soundgarden are currently on their North American tour; this week they'll play shows in Chicago (Tue & Wed), Milwauke (Fri) and Minneapolis (Sat). Watch the video here.




Megadeth's David Ellefson Unveils New Signature Bass
(hennemusic) Dave Mustaine wasn't the only member of Megadeth touting a new signature guitar at this year's NAMM show, the new David Ellefson Signature Kelly Bird Bass was also unveiled at this year's show in Anaheim, California.

The four-string bass features a basswood body with Ellefson's signature red pinstripe finish, bolt-on bound maple neck with 21 jumbo frets and block inlays, EMG pickups, two volume controls and three-band active EQ, Jackson high-mass four-string HM-4 bridge, and Jackson die-cast tuners.

Megadeth are currently working in the studio on their new album. The band are nominated in the "Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance" category at the 55th annual Grammy Awards, which happen February 10 in Los Angeles.