Today's Day in Rock News!

Today's Day in Rock


System of a Down Will Record New Album
(Radio.com) During an exclusive interview with L.A. radio station KROQ, System of a Down drummer John Dolmayan promised that the band will indeed reconvene to record music. Just don't ask him when it's going to happen.
"We are going to make a new album at a certain point, it's just a matter of when the four of us decide it's the right time to make it," Dolmayan said. "We don't want anyone to go in there and do it because the rest of us want to do it. We all want to do it because it's the right thing to do for everybody."

"I wouldn't want to go in and make an album that doesn't represent the best that we have to offer, the drummer continued. "If you force someone in the studio ahead of when they're ready for it, then you're probably going to make something mediocre."

System of a Down recently announced their only American concert date of 2013 with a July 29 show at Los Angeles' Hollywood Bowl, marking the band's debut performance at the legendary venue. more on this story



Black County Communion Officially Over
(Classic Rock) Black County Communion frontman Glenn Hughes says the band "is over" because guitarist Joe Bonamassa has left, and won't let the remaining members keep using the name.

The classic rock outfit released three acclaimed studio albums before internal tensions boiled over, with Hughes last year revealing he was thinking of quitting because he wanted to play live, and Bonamassa insisted he wasn't available.

That led to a series of public outbursts in which the two musicians took pot-shots at each other before both said they were ready to "move on."

They appeared to calm down later and said they were talking to each other again. But Bonamassa continued to insist he'd always said he wouldn't have time to tour in support of 2012 album Afterglow – while Hughes, drummer Jason Bonham and keyboardist Derek Sherinian suggested they'd been led to believe otherwise before the record was recorded.

Now Hughes has had his own say via Twitter. He reports: "Just so it's crystal, BCC is over. Joe left and will not allow us to keep the name. Nice, huh?" But there is a silver lining.




Jeff Hanneman's Future In Slayer In Doubt?
(Classic Rock) Slayer's Kerry King has hinted the band could move on without Jeff Hanneman, who's been sidelined for two years after sustaining a near-fatal spider bite.

The guitarists haven't spoken to each other in some time, leading King to wonder whether Hanneman has any intention of rejoining the thrash giants. With two songs underway for their next album, King reveals he'd be comfortable with stand-in man Gary Holt of Exodus making his presence more permanent.

That could leave Slayer facing the future with just two founding members remaining after they dropped drummer Dave Lombardo for their Australian tour following a contractual dispute. Temporary replacement Jon Dette has already discussed the chances of his return becoming a full-time commitment.

King tells Metal Obsession: "I don't have an update – I haven't seen Jeff in forever. He's always been a recluse, and he's even been more of a recluse since he's not going on tour with us. Our manager talks to him from time to time and sees him in LA just randomly. But I'm far from LA, so I'm not in that loop." more on this story





Incubus Guitarist Clears Up Pearl Jam Speculation
(Radio.com) Contrary to stories last week Incubus guitarist Michael Einziger did not contribute to Pearl Jam's latest studio recording.

On March 13, Einziger tweeted a photo of himself with girlfriend, Ann Marie Simpson, and Eddie Vedder. He wrote, " In the studio with my girl and Eddie Vedder, recording strings for Pearl Jam's new album :)"

According to a tweet posted Friday by Einziger, it was in fact Simpson, an accomplished violinist, who was the one performing in studio with Pearl Jam. Einziger was merely in studio visiting. And, frankly, who wouldn't hang out with Pearl Jam if given the opportunity?

He tweeted, " Hello information superhighway. I am NOT contributing to @pearljam new album. My girl played on a song and I stopped by the studio to watch." more on this story




Megadeth Set Super Collider Release Date
Megadeth have set a release date for their new album, "Super Collider" and have announced a special online chat with frontman Dave Mustaine.

The album will be released on June 4th by Mustaine's new record label, Tradecraft, in partnership with Universal Music Enterprises. Fans can preorder the album here.

Mustaine has also announced plans to hold an online chat with fans on April 1st. The chat will be open to members of the Megadeth Army fanclub and will take place at 4 PM PST.

The band will be performing a series of concerts in Europe this spring. They will kick things off in Romania on May 22nd and conclude on June 9th in France.

They will also play state-side on July 20th with an appearance at the Chippewa Valley Rock Fest. more on this story




Dillinger Escape Plan Leads Summer Slaughter Lineup
This year's Summer Slaughter tour is set to feature The Dillinger Escape Plan, Animals As Leaders, Periphery, Norma Jean, Cattle Decapitation, The Ocean, Revocation, and Aeon.

The Dillinger Escape Plan frontman Greg Puciato had this to say, "We can't wait to get back on the road! We're launching a US tour in the spring, hitting Europe for some festivals and club shows, and then hitting several more cities with Summer Slaughter all summer long. We are absolutely amped. After being holed up in the studio for such a long time giving birth to One of Us is the Killer, we are all pent up and ready to share material new and old with our supporters doing what we love to do the most. Can't wait to see and either kiss or rip off each and every one of your faces on the road with Summer Slaughter and year round, everywhere."

The tour will kick off on July 19th and will run through August 24th. Organizers will also be announcing two more acts for the tour and fans will be selecting one of them.

They are asking fans to vote online for which band they would like to see on the tour. Voting is open until March 31st. You can cast your vote here.





Mike Portnoy, Riche Kotzen and Billy Sheehan Supergroup
(Classic Rock) Ex-Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy has announced the name of the project he's completed after he stopped working with guitarist John Sykes.

The Winery Dogs features Riche Kotzen in Sykes' place alongside bassist Billy Sheehan. Their album, described as "a really cool, unique record," is due out in May.

Meanwhile, ex-Thin Lizzy man Sykes has detailed his own new project – his fifth album will feature drummer Josh Freese, bassists Tony Franklin and Chris Chaney, drummer Curt Bisquera and keyboardist Jamie Muhoberac. More rock news.




Paul McCartney Working On New Music With Mark Ronson
(Gibson) Recently we reported that a new studio album from Paul McCartney was in the works. It's now come to light that producer Mark Ronson worked with McCartney on three songs for the project.

"He understands that you're so nervous to be working with Paul McCartney because everyone is," Ronson said, speaking to the Associated Press. "He gives you a lot of leeway, but then at the end of the day you need to deliver the goods."

Ronson went on to say collaborating with the legendary former Beatle was like "taking a master class in production." "He's done every kind of music," Ronson explained. "He invented the rule book in several different ways. I don't know if [our stuff] is revolutionary, but they're brilliant songs. I just tried to give him a sound he was looking for."

McCartney also announced earlier this week that he'll launch a world tour beginning June 22, in Warsaw, Poland. more on this story






Wilko Johnson Cancels Concerts Due to Health
(Classic Rock) Wilko Johnson was forced to cancel his two hometown shows at Canvey Island this past weekend due to health reasons.

The guitarist, who's winding up his farewell tour after being diagnosed with terminal cancer, apologised to fans for the late notice.

Johnson aims to complete work on a final album and live DVD before his illness renders him incapable of working. More rock news.





Eddie Van Halen and LL Cool J Collaboration Streaming Online
(hennemusic) Audio of one of the two new LL Cool J songs featuring Eddie Van Halen has surfaced and fans can listen to a stream of the track online.

The song is entitled "We're The Greatest" and it will appear on LL's forthcoming album, "Authentic," which is set to be released April 30.

Van Halen also plays on "Not Leaving You Tonight" along with Fitz and the Tantrums. "Authentic" is LL's 13th studio album and first in five years.

Eddie has made guest appearances on projects throughout his career, including records by Michael Jackson, Roger Waters, Steve Lukather, Dweezil Zappa, Thomas Dolby and Nicolette Larson. Listen to the song.




Whitesnake Slowing Down
(Classic Rock) Whitesnake frontman David Coverdale admits the days of hitting the road for nine-month world tours are behind him.

But that doesn't mean he's slowing down – the veteran vocalist has big plans for the coming year, including work with former bandmates Glenn Hughes and Bernie Marsden, plus an unplugged album.

Coverdale tells Metal Shrine: "My last long tour was in 2011 and you're going to see shorter ones now. I want to make sure I have the physical energy and power to be able to present shows as people want to see me. If I commit to a nine-month tour, I don't think I'm going to be able to deliver.

"I'm 61 years old and I'm in great shape – but I'm still 61 years old. It's going to be shorter tours and stuff."

That's one of the reasons he's hesitant to commit to a follow-up to 2011 album Forevermore. Read what he had to say here.





Video From Def Leppard's First Vegas Residency Show Goes Online
Def Leppard kicked off their Las Vegas residency on Friday at The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and fan filmed video from the performance has been posted online.

The band split the show into two sets. The first set include fans favorites as well as some deep cuts including the rare B-side to the "Hello America" single "Good Morning Freedom" and four songs from their sophomore album "High 'n' Dry".

The second set featured the band playing their smash hit album "Hysteria" in its entirety. And they capped off the show with encore performances of "Rock of Ages" and "Photograph," two hit singles from their album "Pyromania."

The band will perform 11 shows in total at the club between March 22 and April 13 as part of the residency. You can watch the fan filmed video from the first show here.




Jonathan Carpenter Leaves The Contortionist
The Contortionist frontman Jonathan Carpenter and his girlfriend are expecting their first child and Carpenter has decided to leave the band to focus on his family.

The band has recruited Mike Lessard of Last Chance To Reason to take over vocal duties until they can find a permanent replacement.

Jonathan Carpenter had this to say to fans "It's going to be a jarring change of pace for my life, not being on the road most of the year. Making songs with the band and then performing them in front of the best fans has been a once in a lifetime experience. I wouldn't trade the perspective I've found in the past few years for anything. I got to meet so many amazing people and see a good chunk of the world. I absolutely intend to keep creating and playing music in the future, albeit in a more personal pursuit."

"I will miss seeing everyone in the TC family very much. I wish the best to all of my band buds and everyone who supports live music and all this heavy banger music we've been making. I feel very excited for my future with the love of my life and our pups, and our little one on the way."

"Music has always been one of my passions and that's what drew me to this band in the first place. The music comes first, and I know that the talent of the band will rise above this member change and they will find a new arrangement that will blow your minds." more on this story




Led Zeppelin Receive Lifetime Achievement Honor
Led Zeppelin received the inaugural International Lifetime Achievement Award at the ECHO awards in Berlin, Germany on Thursday.

Guitarist Jimmy Page and bassist John Paul Jones accepted the award on behalf of the band; singer Robert Plant was unable to attend the event since he had a concert scheduled the same night in Singapore.

"As long as we can be an inspiration, either as a group or individually or whatever… I mean, as far as I'm concerned, that's my lifetime achievement: that people will be inspired by the music," said Page. Watch video from the event here.





Fates Warning Recording First New Album in Nine Years
Fates Warning will be entering the studio next month to begin recording their first new studio album in nine years and have announced fall tour dates.

The lineup for Fates Warning for the new album features guitarist Jim Matheos, vocalist Ray Alder, guitarist Frank Aresti, bassist Joey Vera and drummer Bobby Jarzombek.

The band will be launching a world tour later this year. They have announced the fall leg which will take place in North American and will kick off on November 15th in Joliet, IL.

The band also plans to launch tours in Europe and South American and will be releasing the tour dates for those legs soon. more on this story




Fleetwood Mac Broke Up Stevie and Lindsey?
(Gibson) Stevie Nicks appears ready to open up about her romantic split with Lindsey Buckingham that occurred during the making of Fleetwood Mac's classic 1977 album, Rumours.

In an interview to air this weekend on Oprah Winfrey's Master Class, the veteran singer hints that her relationship with Buckingham soured because of the band.

"The band was way more important than each separate person's problems," she says. "And we knew that. So we never, ever, with everything that happened to us, ever, let love affairs break Fleetwood Mac up.

"But Lindsey always blamed Fleetwood Mac for the loss of me. Had we not joined Fleetwood Mac, we would have continued on with our music but we probably would've gotten married, and we probably would have had a child."

Fleetwood Mac is set to kick off a spring and summer tour on April 4 in Columbus, Ohio. more on this story






KISS Kids Comic Books Series Coming
(hennemusic) KISS have announced that they will be launching a new series of comics called KISS Kids that will begin publishing this fall.

The new venture will feature work by KISS series writers Chris Ryall and Tom Waltz with art by Jose Holder (Mars Attacks The Real Ghostbusters).

"KISS is used to rocking and rolling all night and partying every day, but back when they were little'uns, those things only happened around nap time," said Chris Ryall, also IDW's Chief Creative Officer/Editor-in-Chief. "This series will appeal to kids and Kiss fans of all ages, as we see the school-age band engage robots, evil teachers, other students, and much more, all filtered through the KISS lens. Beth, the school's Doctor Love, the snooty Torpedo Girls, the bratty "Wicked" Lester, nefarious Principal Elder… they're all here for this accessible, funny, and appealing new series."

The new KISS Kids series is being previewed in the form of a one-page strip on the back cover of all four issues of this spring's KISS Solo series. Check out the preview tease.





Koncrete Kite Singled Out Week: Banana Bread
We recently featured a Singled Out from Koncrete Kite to celebrate the release of their latest album "Full of Bull." Since the album covers so much musical territory we wanted to learn about more songs from the album. Today singer/guitarist Joe Bove tells us about the song "Banana Bread". Here is the story: Have a slice of "Banana Bread".

This song was a lot of fun to write. I was a huge Zeppelin fan growing up and Jimmy Page certainly had a big influence on my style of writing as a guitarist. That stated, during the creation of this song, I was heavily into the Beatles too, and I did my best to channel my inner John Lennon. Think "Bulldog" meets "Ten Years Gone".

The thought process behind the development of this song was simple. I wanted to write a song about someone who experienced a bad night of intoxication. Not in the event that they drank too much and made a fool of themselves, or even for something they did and regretted in the morning. No, this was specifically for a person who overindulged (perhaps innocently on Uncle Charlie's baked goods?) and didn't realize at the time - nor did he become aware of the damage he caused to himself - until awoken from his hallucinatory dreams hours later.

The perspective of the overlapping melodies would be from the voices in your head; sort of playing tug of war with your psyche. On one hand, you're startled from your dreams and you can't fully understand why? So you try reasoning with yourself…. yet nothing makes any sense. Then you get this moment of clarity and everything feels comfortable again, but remember, you over indulged (damn you, Uncle Charlie!) You're in for long night. After this internal struggle of mind over matter, you survive the ordeal, praying to never experience it again.

To pull this off musically, I had to find odd fitting chords that easily blended to make a peaceful melody. Acoustic guitars were demanded for the internal struggle. The moments of clarity would kick in the screaming riff that only a Les Paul could pull off demanding your attention. Rich did a wonderful job of helping with the lyrics and melody for this section. The ending crescendo was the blissful return to normalcy achieved with the full orchestra of the band joyously playing out to fade away.

To my surprise, this song has become one of the more popular tunes received by our fans and certainly one we enjoy playing as a band. I thank you John and Jimmy for your inspiration. For the rest of you, sit back, feed into the mellow vibe, and let your imagination run wild. I know mine did!

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



Rare Metallica Jam Footage From Lemmy's Birthday Party Goes Online
(hennemusic) Rare 1995 footage of Metallica paying tribute to Motorhead at the Whiskey A Go Go in West Hollywood, CA. has surfaced.

On December 14th, 1995, Metallica hit the stage at the famed L.A. club as The Lemmys to perform seven Motörhead covers for Lemmy's 50th birthday party.

"They all dressed up as me, and I thought that was great," Lemmy told VH1.com. "They all had long black wigs on and penciled-in mustaches, and a tattoo drawn on one arm, with a black marker. Besides, they got their tattoos on the wrong arm, too, every one of them."

Lars Ulrich told Metallica fanzine So What!: "After some initial hesitation, I also don the wig and shades (try playing Motörhead songs when you have a 3-foot black wig on and can't see sh*t!!), and as we walk towards the Whisky stage (for the first time since supporting Saxon in 1982!!) the f**kin' look on people's faces.. classic. I start 'Overkill,' immediatley swallow half the wig, but... who gives a f**k and off we go!"

The Whisky A Go Go has uploaded in-house video footage of the performance. Watch it here.




Deep Purple Release 'Hell To Pay' Lyric Video
(hennemusic) Deep Purple have released a lyric video for "Hell To Pay," one of two lead tracks from the band's forthcoming new album, "NOW What?!"

The song is featured on the double-A side single, along with "All The Time In The World." Produced by Bob Ezrin (Pink Floyd, Alice Cooper, Kiss and many others), the group's 19th studio album is Deep Purple's first since 2005's "Rapture Of The Deep."

"Now What?!" will also be released in a limited quantity with a bonus track and a bonus DVD featuring Deep Purple in conversation plus additional audio material. This edition will be available in a digipak with a cut out front cover. The project will also be released as double vinyl LP containing a bonus track, as in the limited-edition CD. Watch the lyric video here.




Asia Introduce New Guitarist In New Video Clip
(Classic Rock) Asia have officially introduced new guitarist Sam Coulson in a video clip. The 26-year-old was named as Steve Howe's replacement on the same day the founding member surprised fans by announcing his departure.

Coulson, who's already at work on Asia's next album, Valkyrie, says: "I'm very pleased to be in the band, looking forward to putting perhaps a bit of a heavier edge on some of the classic songs.

"There's definitely key songs you hear on the radio which I'm familiar with and enjoy listening to. It's been good going over the back catalogue and making myself familiar with everything else. Great band with great musicianship and catchy tunes – it's the best of both worlds."

Drummer Carl Palmer comments: "I think the band before sounded great but I think this will sound different in a good way; in a tougher way." Watch the clip here.




Mars Attacks All-Star Charity KISS Covers Project
The latest episode of the Mars Attacks podcast features an interview with Mitch Lafon who has started a Pledgemusic campaign for an all-star charity tribute album to KISS.

The album project is named "A World With Heros KISS Tribute" and is set to feature KISS covers for the band's 40th anniversary performed by members of Accept, Great White, Guns N Roses, Pantera, Kill Devil and Doro Pesch and more.

Lafon launched the campaign in honor of his father-in-law and to raise funds for a facility that cared for him during the final days of his life.