Today's Day in Rock News!

Today's Day in Rock


Charlatans' Jon Brookes Dead at 44
Jon Brookes, a founding member of the acclaimed British indie rock band The Charlatans, died in a hospital on Tuesday, according to the band. He was just 44 years old.
Brookes was diagnosed with a brain tumor after he collapsing onstage during a concert in Philadelphia in 2010. The band issued the following statement on their website on Tuesday: "It is with great sadness that we have to announce that Jon Brookes, the drummer with The Charlatans, died this morning aged 44.

"Following a seizure on tour in Philadelphia in 2010, Jon had been receiving treatment for a brain tumour and had undergone several operations, although he had been working on new material with the band over the summer. He passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning with his family at his bedside.

"Jon was a founding member of The Charlatans, who formed in the West Midlands in 1989. He was much loved by those who knew him and regarded as one of the finest drummers of his generation and will be dearly missed by all who knew him."

The statement included this tribute from his bandmates, "Jon was a brilliant drummer, an inspiration, a founding member of The Charlatans, part of our family and a friend to everyone in and around the band. Losing someone who was always so full of life is a tragedy that will be shared by so many. Our thoughts are with Debbie and all of Jon's family."




Led Zeppelin 45th Anniversary To Be Commemorated
Led Zeppelin announced via their official website on Tuesday that the 45th anniversary of their very first concert will be commemorated next month at the location in Demark where the show took place.

The concert was originally scheduled to feature Jimmy Page's band The Yardbirds but the group had split up, so Page formed the band that would become Led Zeppelin with Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and John Bonham.

The new group were billed as "The New Yardbirds" when they played their first show together on September 7,1968 at the Gladsaxe Teen Club in Copenhagen, Demark.

On September 7, 2013 the 'Initiative Group for the selection of Led Zeppelin's world premiere in Gladsaxe' will be unveiling a special plaque at the Gladsaxe School, which stands at the current location where the original concert took place.

Led Zeppelin.com have posted an article with more the history of this anniversary and a few details about the special event that will be taking place in Demark. Read their report here.





Metallica's James Hetfield Turned Down Sammy Hagar
Sammy Hagar revealed in a new interview that he originally wanted Metallica frontman James Hetfield to guest on his new song "Knockout Dragout," the first single from his forthcoming album 'Sammy Hagar and Friends', but Hetfield turned him down.

Kid Rock provided guest vocals on the track, but Hagar reveals to Rolling Stone that he also wanted Hetfield to lay down vocals for the chorus of the song.

He told the magazine, "I didn't really want to say this, but I'm completely honest: James Hetfield is a dear friend and we hang out in Hawaii a lot. Kid Rock did the duet on 'Knockdown Dragout,' which he recorded for me instantly. I would've just as soon had James Hetfield do it, but I ran into Kid, because I did that Detroit show with him, and we were communicating about other stuff and about his tour, so I just spontaneously asked him to sing on the track. And, boom, it got done. After he finished it, I thought that I would get James to sing just the 'Knockdown! Dragout!' part.

"I sent it to him and told him Kid Rock was on there and the whole thing, and he got back to me and said, quote-unquote, 'I'm completely flattered that you would want my sailor-assed voice on your record.' And then he said, ' . . . but it isn't my style.' And I said, 'It's OK. I still love you, James.'

"James has become just such a great frontman. He's really powerful, and he doesn't bullsh*t. He's not up there doing cheap sh*t to become a good frontman, like I do. I'll use a stupid line like, 'Are we having any fun yet?' just to get a reaction. And I know how to say something right before you end a song, so the band ends it and you get a big giant cheer because of something I said, and it sounds like they loved the song. I know all them little old veteran tricks. James doesn't even use that sh*t and he's still got charisma up the ass. He's really strong, man.

"I really wanted him on there, but it doesn't fit. I was cheating by sending him that song, because if he would've heard the whole album – if a Metallica fan would've heard this album and bought it because he was on there, they would be pissed off. This isn't a Metallica record, you know? But he's my friend, and I would've loved to have had him on it."

Read the full interview to discover who else he wanted to have on the album here.





Avenged Sevenfold Plan Animated Series and Game Release
Avenged Sevenfold frontman M. Shadows revealed to fans that the band has been working on an animated series with Machinima and a related IOS and Android game while premiering the trailer for the "Hail To The King" animated series.

Here is what he had to say, "The reason I'm writing this is to shed some light on a few things we will be doing this fall besides touring and promoting 'Hail to the King.' First I would like to let you all know that for the past 18 months we have been writing and developing an IOS / Android based mobile Avenged Sevenfold game.

"Without revealing too much I will just say that it is an action adventure game. It has been written and developed by the band and with our friends in Subscience Studios. It's turning out awesome. We can't wait to show you more when it's ready.

"What we can show you though is a trailer for the new 'Hail to the King' animated series that we and our friends at Machinima have been working on. The game and the series will go hand in hand with each other. We hope you enjoy them both because I know we have had a great time developing them.

Check out the animated trailer here.




Arctic Monkeys Release 'Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High?'
Arctic Monkeys have released a new Nabil Elderkin directed music video for their latest single release, "Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High?"

The single has been released digitally on iTunes and the band will be releasing a 7" single for the track on September 3rd with an exclusive b-side, featuring the song "Stop The World I Wanna Get Off With You."

The single and video come ahead of the release of Arctic Monkeys' new studio album, "Am", which they will be releasing on September 10th in North America. Watch the new video here.

The band will be hitting the road to promote the new album with a North American tour that will be kicking off on September 15th in Toronto, ON. more on this story




Gov't Mule Premiere New Song Featuring Dave Matthews
(Classic Rock) Classic Rock have premiered two versions of new Gov't Mule track "Forsaken Savior", the album recording, alongside a bonus version featuring guest vocals by Dave Matthews.

With the upcoming release of Shout, their first record in four years, Gov't Mule will offer an "unprecedented twist" – the 11-track disc will be accompanied by a second disc featuring alternative takes of each song with a big-name vocalist.

Collaborators include Glenn Hughes, Myles Kennedy, Steve Winwood, Dr John and Elvis Costello. Frontman Warren Haynes says: "No one's done this before, which is exciting – but it's even more exciting actually listening to these artists sing our songs. Their performances bring new ideas, energy and sometimes even different meanings to every number." Check out both versions here.




Mountain's Leslie West Releasing Another All-Star Solo Album
(Gibson) Leslie West, the legendary guitarist, vocalist and original founding member of Mountain, will release a new studio album "Still Climbing" on October 28th via Provogue Records / Mascot Label Group.

Since his historic performance with Mountain at the 1969 Woodstock Festival, West has enjoyed a glittering career spanning over half a century, accomplished in spite of a life threatening battle with diabetes, which cost him his right leg in 2011 (shortly before the release of his Unusual Suspects album).

"I'm lucky it wasn't one of my hands or I'd be screwed," said West. "It was a difficult struggle, and after the amputation I didn't know whether I'd ever want to or be able to perform again. A month later I played at the Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp in New York City, and I heard my guitar on stage and that was it. I knew I had to keep going."

Looked upon by West as a sequel to Unusual Suspects, which featured collaborations with the likes of Slash, Zakk Wylde, Steve Lukather, Joe Bonamassa and Billy Gibbons, "Still Climbing" sees West joining forces with Jonny Lang, Johnny Winter, Twisted Sister's Dee Snider and Alter Bridge and Creed's Mark Tremonti. more on this story







Arcade Fire Keep Fans Guessing With Online Clues
(Radio.com) Arcade Fire aren't making it easy when it comes to revealing details about their upcoming album. The band announced the record's release date (October 29) on Twitter as an @-reply to a fan.

They pulled the same move when it came to announcing their first live dates in three years, which will be happening across Australia and New Zealand during the months of January and early February.

Now they seem to be all about revealing tiny little details via Instagram. Most recently three cryptic photos that reveal the date September 9 and 9 p.m.

One could assume it's the release date of their new single or perhaps they will finally officially confirm the album's title, which is rumored to be Reflektor. A video on Instagram is the source for this one too, along with shots of the pentagram-like design that is popping up on streets around the world. See the photos and the video here.




Danzig Added To Riot Fest
(WP) The Chicago stop of the 25th Anniversary of Danzig Tour featuring former Misfits band mate Doyle Von Frankenstein has moved to Riot Fest on Friday the 13th.

Originally slated for August 16th at Congress Theater, ongoing renovations caused the cancellation of the show. Rather than disappoint his Chicago and Midwestern fans, he's slated to perform an extended set to celebrate his 25 years of writing, recording and touring.

The performance will include a Misfits set (with Doyle Von Frankenstein) as well as songs from his acclaimed career performing as Danzig.





Fish Replacing Marillion at Mott The Hoople Show
(Classic Rock) Mott The Hoople have revealed that Thunder and Fish are the replacements for Marillion at their O2 Arena concert in London that will be taking place on November 18.

Ian Hunter, Verden Allen, Mick Ralphs and Overend Watts will hit the stage for five shows this year after their celebrated 40th anniversary concerts in 2009. Original drummer Dale Griffin is too ill to take part and will be replaced by Pretenders sticksman Martin Chambers.

Thunder and Fish have been called up after the latter's former band Marillion cited a breach of agreement with the concert promoter, and concluded they had "no choice but to pull out." more on this story





Sweet To Play Special Charity Show
(Classic Rock) Veteran hard rockers Sweet are to play their first London show in nine years when they take part in a charity event next month, ahead of a 23-date co-headlining UK tour with Slade.

Andy Scott's veteran hard rockers will be performing at the Merton Manor Club in Wimbledon on September 13 during an event entitled "In It For Ingrid."

The aim is to raise funds for aneurism victim Ingrid Paasch, who remains paralysed down the left side of her body because the specialist treatment she needs is not available on the NHS. More details and the upcoming tour dates.





Unreleased Nirvana Song To Be Included On Reissue
(Radio.com) The reissue of Nirvana's 1993 album, In Utero, includes three discs and 70 songs that range from live cuts, unreleased demos, B-sides, and the newly discovered instrumental track "Forgotten Tune."

According to Rolling Stone, the 20th anniversary deluxe edition, out September 24, features two versions of In Utero–the original remastered LP along with the newly remixed version of the album. The original Steve Albini-produced album will feature not only the original Scott Litt's mixes of "Heart Shaped Box" and "All Apologies," which appeared on the album's final version. Instead, Albini's brasher versions, which have been bootlegged over the years, will be on the album; they have never been released legally until now.

Disc one will also feature B-sides and non-album tracks like "Marigold," "Moist Vagina," "Gallons of Rubbing Alcohol Flow Through the Strip," The Beavis and Butt-head Experience's "I Hate Myself and Want to Die" and the No Alternative hidden track "Sappy," along with Litt's remixed single version of "Pennyroyal Tea."

The never-before-heard "Forgotten Tune" is featured on disc two. The recently discovered track, which was recorded during an In Utero-era rehearsal, adds a little something new for all those fans out there who thought they had heard everything the band has to offer.

Eight out of the 12 tracks on the second disc are demos including "Jam," a jam session from October 25, 1992 at Seattle's Word of Mouth Production that feature very early iterations of "Tourette's," "Pennyroyal Tea," and "Radio Friendly Unit Shifter." All three of the demos for these songs are also included on the disc, along with Dave Grohl's 1990 recording of "Marigold," which was the drummer's first ever solo recording. More including the tracklist




The White Stripe's Elephant Getting Double Vinyl Reissue
Third Man Records announced on Tuesday that they have pressed the new double 180 gram black vinyl reissues of The White Stripe's major label debut album "Elephant."

The new reissue will be released by the label on August 27th and follow the special Record Store Day limited edition colored vinyl version the label released for the annual event earlier this year in which Jack White was the official ambassador.

Third Man Records revealed that the new edition will include two 180 gram black vinyl discs, double-gatefold cover, printed inner sleeves and a MP3 download card. more on this story




Mike Keneally Offering 2 Free EP Downloads
(Prog) Mike Keneally has made two live EPs available free of charge. The collections amount to an almost career-spanning snapshot of the Frank Zappa, Dethklock and Joe Satriani collaborator.

"If you're new to my music, I hope this selection encourages you to further check out the stuff I do," He says. "I encourage the spreading of these Free Live EPs far and wide.

"Feel free to put it on as many music download sites as you want, torrent the living hell out of it, tweet, Facebook, Pinterest… The more you tell your friends, the more people will download it, and that helps me build my audience.

"Which in turn helps me to make more music and tour – maybe even tour to your town." More including the download links.





Metallica Release Several Home Video Digitally
(hennemusic) Metallica announced late last month that they have made several of their home video titles available to North America fans digitally via the iTunes store.

For the first time ever, the band is making 6 of its video releases available via the digital service, including: Français Pour une Nuit (Live from Nimes, France), Orgullo, Pasión, y Gloria: Tres Noches en la Ciudad de México (Live from Mexico City), Cunning Stunts, S&M, Live Shit: Binge & Purge and A Year And A Half In The Life Of Metallica

Currently these titles are available for fans in North America; The band will be releasing details regarding the rest of the world will be coming soon. more on this story





New Ayreon Album Completed
(Prog) Arjen Lucassen has finally finished work on his new Ayreon album, he's confirmed. He previously revealed the follow-up to 2008′s 01011001 would be called The Theory Of Everything and it would appear as a double album.

"I'm basically ready – just in time for a release this year, I'm happy to say," he now says. "Expect the 'guess this musician on the new Ayreon' contest to start any time now!"

Lucassen previously explained he was finding it a challenge to write lyrics for the record, saying: "I've left the old Ayreon universe behind and I have to create a new one from scratch." More including a video studio report.





TSOOL Frontman Guests On New La Fleur Fatale Song
(Classic Rock) The Soundtrack Of Our Lives frontman Ebbot Lundberg has recorded guest vocals for new La Fleur Fatale single "Beautiful Stranger." The video for the track has gone online.

Lundberg has worked with the Swedish band on and off since before TSOOL split up last year. He's performed live with them and sang on a single released in 2011.

Beautiful Stranger will be released digitally, and in a limited-edition run of 250 vinyl copies, on August 16th in the UK. Watch the new music video here.




Corrosion of Conformity, Darkane and Black Moth Added To Hammerfest
(TeamRock Radio) Corrosion of Conformity, Darkane and Black Moth are among the nine bands added to the bill for next year's Hammerfest VI at Hafan y Mor Holiday Park in North Wales.

They will be joining the lineup of previously announced artists including Overkill, Kreator, Grand Magus, Soilwork and earthtone9, with more named to be added soon.

The sixth edition of the weekender, in association with Metal Hammer, takes place on March 14-16 at the same venue used for Hard Rock Hell, HRH Prog, HRH AOR and HRH Blues. See the current announced lineup here.





Korn Release Never Never Lyric Video But Former Member Won't Listen
(TeamRock Radio) Korn have released a new lyric video for their track "Never Never," which is taken from the group's upcoming album "The Paradigm Shift," as a former member had some criticism for the band.

It's the band's first record to feature Brian 'Head' Welch since his departure in 2005 – and while he's now comfortably back in the fold, former drummer David Silveria isn't interested in even hearing what his former colleagues are doing.

Silveria, who left in 2006, has told fans via his Facebook page: "No, I have not heard a new Korn song. All I can say is I'm sure it's not funky or groovy like the original Korn. I don't even need to hear it to know that." Check out the lyric video




The Devil Wears Prada Premiere New Song 'Home For Grave'
(TeamRock Radio) The Devil Wears Prada have streamed new track "Home For Grave." It's taken from their upcoming album "8:18," due out next month via Roadrunner Records.

Frontman Mike Hranica recently said that there's no direct comparison between their new 13-track work and their previous outing "Dead Throne."

He explained: "The concepts of Dead Throne didn't carry over," he reported. "Nothing got more happy or uplifting – so I think it's very much The Devil Wears Prada. But also it's got a bit of freshness and originality to it." Check out the new song here.




Thought Chamber Premiere 9-Minute Epic 'Transcend'
(Prog) Prog Magazine have premiered the song "Transcend," which is a nine-minute epic that comes from the upcoming Thought Chamber album 'Psykerion.'

Vocalist Ted Leonard, now with Spock's Beard, has reunited with multi-instrumentalist Michael Harris for the long-awaited follow-up to debut album Angular Perceptions. They're joined by bassist Jeff Plant, keyboardist Bill Jenkins and drummer Mike Haid on the 16-track title.

Harris tells Prog: "Transcend kind of epitomises what Thought Chamber does: lots of melody, while getting our chops in, and we exploit a lot of styles in it, from metal to acoustic to fusion."

He says of the lyrics: "Avakus' mind has been awakened and inspired by his voyage to Psykerion, and he gets philosophical about what makes humans tick, from instinct to ego to the drive to succeed." Check out the song here.





Asking Alexandria Tour Bus Tour Video Goes Online
(Banana 101.5) Asking Alexandria not only rocked a bunch of faces off at Dirt Fest 2013, but they also were kind enough to give Banana 101.5 a guided journey through their home away from home: their tour bus.

Asking Alexandria is riding high on the success of their just-released album 'From Death to Destiny,' which is set to become the band's second consecutive album to debut in the top 10 on the Billboard 200.

Their current single 'The Death of Me' is the climbing the radio charts and the native Englanders have been rocking the festival circuit in the States.

Despite all of that, the guys were kind enough to give Banana 101.5 a walk through their understandably cluttered tour bus. Check out the video of the tour here.




Heaven's Basement Release New Video
(Classic Rock) Heaven's Basement have released a video for their track "Heartbreaking Son Of A B*tch". It's taken from debut album "Filthy Empire," which was launched in February. Since then the rising star outfit have received positive reviews for their UK tour, which ended in July.

Heaven's Basement appear at the Reading and Leeds festivals on the weekend of August 23-25. Heartbreaking Son Of A B*tch is released as a single on September 16. Check out the video here.





Believe Streaming New Song Online
(Prog) Believe have released "The Warmest Son In Winter," the title track of their recent fifth album, their follow-up to 2010′s World Is Round, which was launched in April via Metal Mind Productions.

Vocalist Karol Wroblewski recently explained the record has an ultimately uplifting message: "It's the story of how much sun a man can bring into someone else's life, despite various troubles of his own.

"It tells the story of a chance meeting of two friends who used to spend a lot of time together. Since their childhood everything has changed. Now they sit together and talk about everything that's happened in their lives."