Today's Day in Rock News!

Today's Day in Rock


Black Sabbath Iommi's Updates Fans On Cancer Treatment and Tour
Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi posted an update for fans on his official website where he recapped the band's just completed North American tour and revealed that he has been in the hospital for continued treatment for his cancer.
Iommi revealed in January of 2012 that he has lymphoma, which is described by the Mayo Clinic as "a cancer of the lymphatic system, the body's disease-fighting network. The lymphatic system includes the lymph nodes (lymph glands), spleen, thymus gland and bone marrow."

Here is what he had to tell fans, "Well we've finished the US leg of our world tour. It was a bit longer than I would have liked as I've already been in hospital having another infusion.

"The tour was amazing though, you always hope it's going to go well but you never know, it's great to look out and see so many people of all ages. The new songs have been going down well, we've played them enough now so we're comfortable and that helps the performance.

"Many thanks to everyone who came to see us, South America next, and just like Australia this is a first time for Ozzy, Geezer and me together. All the best!"

Earlier this year Iommi explained to the Birmingham Mail what the "infusion" treatment involved and why he needs it for his cancer treatment. He explained, "I have to have an antibody administered by drip every six weeks or so to keep the lymphoma in check. It sort of coats the cancer cells, stops it from going anywhere else. I have to come back home no matter where I might be in the world.

"The tour dates are arranged so that I can always get back for treatment. It's the only way I can manage my illness and keep on the road. I'd love to play more shows than we're doing but my health has to be sorted out first.

"The infusions I have are part of the chemotherapy regime. It's relatively new treatment and they don't know what all the side-effects might be yet, but I wanted to try it. more on this story




Jimi Hendrix Documentary and New Live Album Set For Release
Legacy Recordings have announced a November 5th release date for two new special Jimi Hendrix releases: "Jimi Hendrix - Hear My Train A Comin'" and "Jimi Hendrix Experience: Miami Pop Festival."

"Jimi Hendrix - Hear My Train A Comin'" will be released on DVD and Blu-Ray is an expanded version of the forthcoming American Masters documentary that will air on PBS on the same day the home videos are released. The home video release will include "never-before-released special performance features," according to Experience Hendrix LLC.

The second release, "Jimi Hendrix Experience: Miami Pop Festival" will be issued as a single CD and as a limited edition double audiophile 200 gram vinyl set.

This release will mark the first time that Hendrix's performance from the May 1968 music festival has ever been released and includes "the first recorded stage performances" of classics like "Hear My Train A Comin'" and "Tax Free" as well as Hendrix staples like "Hey Joe," "I Don't Live Today" and "Purple Haze."

The package will also include never before published photos from the festival and an essay by Bob Santelli. The album features tracks from the main headline performance as well as bonus tracks of "Fire" and "Foxey Lady" from the afternoon show. more on this story




Five Finger Death Punch Set Wrong Side Of Heaven Vol. 2 Release
Five Finger Death Punch have announced a November 19th North America release date for their new album "The Wrong Side Of Heaven And The Righteous Side Of Hell Volume 2."

The new album follows volume 1 of the two part album series which was released in late July. The first single from the new album is a track called "Battleborn" and the band's frontman had the following to say about the song:

"After getting off the road from two years of touring I was physically and emotionally drained. It felt like I'd seen almost every inch of the globe and shook every hand there was to shake.

"I completely lost track of time, the flights, the travel, the shows all seemed to blur together. My family and friends became a distant memory. Even though I was doing what I'd dreamed of doing, it took all the energy that I had…it was exhausting.

"That made me realize, everything worth fighting for you will actually HAVE TO fight for. Every wish, every dream, every idea comes to existence only through blood, sweat and sacrifice…we are all battle born."

The band will be hitting the road on September 15th for their The Wrong Side Of Heaven Tour of North America and then head to Europe for a tour with Avenged Sevenfold.




William Shatner Plans Tour With Yes Legends From Circa
We told you last week that Star Trek icon William Shatner had teamed up with some legendary progressive rock musicians to record a new album and we learned on Monday that he will be teaming up with some of those same stars to perform the album in full at a series of concerts in October.

Shatner has announced three upcoming concerts in California where he will be backed on stage by Circa, the prog rock band that features former Yes members Tony Kaye and Billy Sherwood.

Sherwood produced and co-wrote the music on Shatner's new prog album, "Ponder The Mystery" which will be released on CD and vinyl formats on October 8th.

The also features guests appearances from a who's who of rock, prog and country including Rick Wakeman, Al DiMeola, Steve Vai, Robbie Krieger, Vince Gill, Edgar Winter, George Duke, Zoot Horn Rollo and Dave Koz. more on this story




Arcade Fire Release Two Reflektor Videos
(Radio.com) Arcade Fire's new interactive video for their new single "Reflektor" just launched at justareflektor.com. Like their previous videos for "Neon Bible" and "We Used To Wait" (named The Wilderness Downtown), it requires some audience participation and some Google magic.

Shortly after unveiling the new interactive video for new song "Reflektor," Arcade Fire has issued another, more traditional video for the song, a black and white affair handled by famed director, Anton Corbijn.

"I'm working on a really great song at the moment: Arcade Fire's new single," Corbijn told The Daily Beast last week. "The song is called 'Reflektor,' and you'll be able to see it Monday evening." The artsy, conceptual video features the band sporting massive head masks of the individual members' faces and climbing into the back of what looks like a military vehicle.

Lead singer Win Butler is depicted at the wheel, with his wife and co-vocalist Regine Chassagne riding shotgun. The nearly eight-minute video goes on to involve disco balls, a man in a mirrored suit and lots of wandering around an empty field. See it for yourself above.

And for the interactive video, you can use your mouse, tablet or mobile device and control the effects used in the video. The video was written, directed and produced by longtime Arcade Fire collaborator Vincent Morisset, and filmed in Jacmel, Haiti.

After you've immersed yourself in their world, we recommended reading up on the video's background and how it was created.

David Bowie has also confirmed (via his Facebook page) that, as rumored, that's him providing background vocals on "Reflektor." Check both versions out here.




A Perfect Circle Releasing Limited Edition Box Set
A Perfect Circle have announced that on November 25th they will be releasing a limited edition box set that is entitled "A Perfect Circle Live: Featuring Stone and Echo."

Their camp sent over the following details for the $149.95 box set which they state will be "a very limited offer" and is being offered on a "first serve basis".

The box set will feature: Stone And Echo, a full-length DVD (with accompanying audio CD) featuring the band's stirring Aug. 11, 2011 performance at the historic Red Rocks Amphitheater

Trifecta, a multi-disc collection featuring the band's complete discography, Mer de Noms, Thirteenth Step and eMOTIVe, recorded live during A Perfect Circle's handful of three-night, full-album performances. The 2010 performances, the first outings from the band since their self-imposed 2005 hiatus, were limited to Phoenix, Los Angeles, Seattle, Las Vegas and San Francisco.

Bonus tracks include live performances of "By and Down," "Ashes to Ashes" and "Diary of a Love Song"

Five hand selected lithographs featuring the personal signatures of both Maynard James Keenan and Billy Howerdel on one of the selected prints

Custom sculpted resin frame designed by the band

A custom made guitar pick designed by Billy Howerdel and exclusive to this offering

The collection is bound in a custom-made media book containing artwork and credits

The band is self-releasing the box set and as such it will only be offered for sale here.




David Bowie Changes Up Classic Song For New Release
(Gibson) David Bowie will release a new mix of his 1977 single "Sound And Vision" from his classic 'Berlin Trilogy' album Low. The new mix of "Sound And Vision" will be released on October 4 via Warner Music.

Sonjay Prabhajar has returned to the original master tapes to tease out elements that were reigned in on the original mix, including Ray Young's piano and the backing vocal recorded by Mary Hopkin, who was credited as Mary Visconti on the original version as she was married to Bowie producer Tony Visconti at the time.

Hopkins had a number one single "Those Were The Days" in 1968 and was one of the first musicians to be signed to the Beatles' Apple label. She sang on many albums produced by Visconti, by artists including Tom Paxton, Ralph McTell, Bert Jansch, The Radiators From Space, Thin Lizzy, Carmen, Sarstedt Brothers, Osibisa, Sparks, Hazel O'Connor and Elaine Paige.

The new mix of "Sound And Vision" was commissioned for an ad campaign for the Sony Xperia Z smartphone ad campaign. The ad is directed by Rarsem Singh, who directed R.E.M's "Losing My Religion" video. more on this story






Portnoy In No-Win Situation Over Dream Theater
(Classic Rock) Mike Portnoy regrets that he can't talk openly about his former band Dream Theater, because of the emotional response it generates. He believes he'd outgrown the band he co-founded, named and then sensationally quit in 2010.

But he retains fond memories of his time with the prog metal outfit – and he's grateful they tolerated his obsessive-compulsive disorder. Portnoy tells Modern Drummer: "With Dream Theater I very much ran the show because my OCD allowed me to handle the additional roles.

"Luckily those guys always trusted my direction. OCD can be a detriment, though; I know it sometimes makes my wife crazy, and I'm sure it must have driver the guys in Dream Theater crazy at times too. But they rolled with it.

"When I first met John Petrucci and John Myung when we were 18 years old, I think they immediately recognised that part of my personality, and they were comfortable with that dynamic. John Petrucci and I balanced each other out through the years. He never cared much for all the little details and organisational stuff, and I never cared about the business or financial aspects, which he was very good at."

Portnoy feels one of the main reasons he decided to leave the band was.




Bruce Springsteen and Roger Waters For Stand Up For Heroes Benefit
(hennemusic) Bruce Springsteen and Roger Waters are among the performers announced for the 7th annual Stand Up For Heroes benefit, happening November 6th as part of The New York Comedy Festival.

Organized by the Bob Woodruff Foundation, the event at the Theater at Madison Square Garden raises funds for injured service members, veterans and their families. In its first six years, the event has raised more than $16 million to support wounded warriors and their families.

In addition to Springsteen and Waters, Stand Up For Heroes will feature performances by Jerry Seinfeld, Jon Stewart, and other surprise guests. more on this story





Pearl Jam's Mike McCready Jams With Dave Matthews Band
(hennemusic) Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready joined the Dave Matthews Band during their show at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine, California on Saturday, and video of the jam has surfaced.

The guitarist sat in for a performance of the song "Rhyme & Reason" from the Dave Matthews Band's 1994 debut album, "Under The Table And Dreaming."

McCready and Pearl Jam will kick off a fall North American tour October 11 in Pittsburgh; the trek is in support of their new album, "Lightning Bolt", which hits stores October 15. Watch the video here.





The Scorpions Share Staging Photo For Unplugged Shows
(hennemusic) The Scorpions have revealed the staging for this week's MTV Unplugged concerts in Athens, Greece. The German rockers will perform three shows under the open skies at the Lycabettus Theatre in Athens on September 11, 12, and 14.

"MTV Unplugged was already top on our wish list and therefore we have gladly accepted the offer during the farewell," said the band. "We are together with MTV on this very special event in Athens."

"MTV Unplugged - Scorpions Live In Athens" will be released at the end of 2013 on CD, DVD and Blu-ray disc. MTV will world premiere the event. more on this story




Robert Plant's Electric Picnic Performance Goes Online
(hennemusic) Robert Plant Presents The Sensational Space Shifters recently performed at Ireland's Electric Picnic, and an audio stream of the band's full set is now available.

The 11-song, August 31st performance featured a mixture of Plant solo tunes, covers and reworked Led Zeppelin tracks. Listen to Robert Plant Presents The Sensational Space Shifters at the Electric Picnic here.

The singer's appearance at the arts and music festival's 10th annual event was one of a handful of recent UK dates that followed a two-month summer US tour. more on this story





Motorhead Returns With New Album 'Aftershock' This Fall
(Radio.com) Motorhead is gearing up for the release of their 21st album, Aftershock, on October 22. It's been three long years since their last effort, The World Is Yours, and in that time, they've released two volumes of live material called The World Is Ours, and marketed themselves via their "Motorheadphones"–kind of a heavy metal, and lesser-known, version of the Beats By Dre product line–and the Motorhead Drinks Shop, where they sell their own brands of beer, vodka and various wines.

An impressive list, especially being that Lemmy is not in the best of health. Over the summer Motorhead guitarist Phil 'Wizzo' Campbell told England's Classic Rock magazine that Lemmy has been outfitted with a defibrillator to correct unspecified "heart problems."

After that, Lemmy suffered a hematoma– an internal swelling of blood. While bruises are not usually cause for concern, being over 60 (Lemmy is 67), along with other conditions like alcohol abuse, drug abuse and smoking make it harder to fight infection. Check out the cover art here.




Ayreon Reveal Special Guest and More New Album Details
(Prog) Arjen Lucassen has confirmed the tracklist, artwork and complete list of guests who appear on upcoming Ayreon album The Theory Of Everything.

The double-disc work includes a total of 42 tracks and includes contributions from members of ELP, Yes, Dream Theater, Genesis, Asia, Nightwish and more.

Lucassen has been teasing fans for months since he first confirmed a new Ayreon album was under production. Now he's confirmed: "It begins a completely new storyline for the Ayreon universe. It's a true rock opera with a dramatic real-world story in four 20-minute-plus epics divided into 42 separate tracks."

Check out the guest list, cover art and tracklisting here.





Tedeschi Trucks Band Not Ready To Settle On New Member
(The Blues Tedeschi Trucks Band decided to play the field when it came to replacing bassist Oteil Burbridge, says Derek Trucks. They recorded new album Made Up Mind with Pino Palladino, but they've worked with a host of other names over recent months – and the guitarist admits they're finding it tough to settle on a full-time replacement.

Trucks tells Premier Guitar: "He was getting to the point where he didn't want to be on the road as much. Once he realised how much we were going to work and how it wasn't going to be a short-lived project, it became time for him to take a break.

"It was not an easy transition, in the sense that you have all this momentum going, then you have to find a new bass player. That role is pretty big, especially with Oteil—he's a serious player.

"When the situation went down, we said half-jokingly, 'Let's pretend we just got out of a long relationship. We'll date a bunch of hot-ass bass players and then we'll settle down.'"

That dating process included six other players, and taught TTB a lot about themselves. more on this story





Ashes Of Ares Frontman Explains Queensryche Influence
(Classic Rock) Ashes Of Ares frontman Matt Barlow has discussed the one album that's influence him more than any other, picking a classic Queensryche record in the exclusive Classic Rock video.

He says: "It soared above and beyond what other people were doing in that genre. Geoff Tate took his vocals to a whole other level and those guys just made a killer record. I get flashbacks when I listen to it."

Barlow – who bowed out of Iced Earth because of schedule clashes with his job as a police officer – formed Ashes Of Ares with Van Williams and Freddie Vidales. Their self-titled debut album was released this week via Nuclear Blast.

The vocalist recently said his new band would tour as much as they could, but added: "We're definitely not going to be Iced Earth — no six months of touring." Watch the video here.





Sebastian Bach Says New Album Heavy, Cool And Essential
(hennemusic) Sebastian Bach is in the studio working on a new album with producer Bob Marlette, and the rocker has posted an update on the project, sharing his excitement about once again working with Bobby Jarzombek.

"Recording Drums w the incomparable @bjarzombek on the skins!! Bobby! Bobby! Bobby!," writes Bach. "When making music, there is nothing more important than having chemistry with your fellow musicians.

"I am proud to say that this is my 4th album with Bobby Jarzombek behind the kit & he is without a doubt the finest drummer I have ever had the pleasure of playing with.

"He understands my groove completely, after playing onstage together for the last 8 years, & this feeling is something that is simply impossible to replicate or fabricate by computer or any other means.

"It's called soul & Bobby has got it. This album is gonna be heavy & cool & an essential addition to the Bach N' Roll catalogue!!" more on this story




Motley Crue Card Tables Unveiled For Upcoming Las Vegas Residency
(hennemusic) The Hard Rock Hotel And Casino in Las Vegas has unveiled Motley Crue-themed card tables prior to the band's upcoming residency at The Joint. Billed as an "Evening In Hell," Motley Crue will play an exclusive 12-show run from September 18 through October 6.

"There's a lot of cool stuff we're going to use this time," frontman Vince Neil recently told Vegas.com. "Technology changes so rapidly and new stuff comes out all the time. All of a sudden someone goes, look at this, and we go, 'Holy sh*t, that's cool.'

"We have to outdo ourselves every time we put something new together. This one – I don't know how we're going to top this one. There's some crazy stuff going on in this thing and just a lot of fire and smoke and monsters and all kinds of cool stuff."

Fans can expect Motley Crue to play their greatest hits, but the band plan on resurrecting some songs that have fallen to the wayside over the years. See a photo of a card table here.





Singled Out: Brian Wright's We Don't Live There
Today roots rocker Brian Wright tells us about the song "We Don't Live There" the first single from his new album, "Rattle Their Chains," which is hitting stores today. Here is the story:

"The song is about the Hollywood neighborhood where I lived most of the time I was in Los Angeles. Wilcox and Fountain, lots of action, lots of interesting characters. The house across the street was a group (gaggle? draggle?) of drag queen prostitutes who worked Santa Monica Blvd and would occasionally stop by to borrow a tire iron or ask if I'd seen so and so. Another neighbor was a Catholic priest who worked on his old car in his spare time. I was down the street from the police station and a few blocks from Hollywood Blvd so the noises were varied and constant. I mostly got around on my black bicycle so I was close to the action and knew most of the folks in the shops and on the street pretty well. Looking back its seems weird to have spent so many years there as it never particularly suited my disposition, but I think that's what I enjoyed about it.

I lived there for the better part of 10 years, and have written a ton of songs about the various characters on the block over the years. "We don't live there" was written after I left the neighborhood for the green pastures of the San Fernando valley. I was starting a family, growing up, reminiscing about my time there and the idea came to me. All of the people, places, and situations in the lyrics are real, but I definitely took some artistic license to veil their identities.

Maybe it's a "bumpkin in the big city" cliche, but living in the heart of all that definitely opened my eyes to all the wonderful and sometimes shocking things that can go on within the confines of just a few blocks. I don't regret any of the time I spent there and I even miss the noise since moving to a quieter neighborhood in East Nashville. As a young writer it was a great education in the cultures and creatures I couldn't have imagined in my small town upbringing.

In short, the song is literally about that neighborhood, but metaphorically about the struggles of youth and discovery and hopefully looking back on it without regret. You take something from everything and carry it with you wherever go. I'll never forget that dumpy little house on that dirty little street.

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





Alter Bridge Unplug For Classic Rock
(Classic Rock) Alter Bridge are the stars of the next issue of Classic Rock (in the hands of subscribers now, and onsale in the UK this Wednesday, 11 September), which comes with a free exclusive Best Of Alter Bridge CD and the inside story of their incredible rise.

And to whet your appetite, today we have more exclusive Alter Bridge for you: a TeamRock exclusive, filmed when the band came in for the Classic Rock Magazine Show with Nicky Horne.

The band sat for an unplugged performance of their classic Rise Today. You can check out the unplugged video along with their cover from the new issue of Classic Rock here.





Elvis Costello and The Roots' Streaming New Album
(Radio.com) The Roots have played backing band to many artists throughout their career, including D'Angelo, John Legend, and in their day job as house band for Late Night With Jimmy Fallon. The keeper of rhythm ?uestlove and his merry band join forces with the continuously experimental Elvis Costello for a collaborative album Wise Up Ghost.

The album is out September 17 via the famous jazz label Blue Note Records, but you can stream it now over at NPR as part of their famed "First Listen" series here.

"It's a moody, brooding affair," ?uestlove says of the album, "cathartic rhythms and dissonant lullabies. I went stark and dark on the music, Elvis went HAM on some ole Ezra Pound sh*t."

Previously, the duo released the music video for the lead-off track "Walk Us Up Town." That, you can watch here.





Franz Ferdinand Get Bloody In 'Evil Eye' Video
(Radio.com) Right from the start of Franz Ferdinand's video for "Evil Eye," you're warned that this clip might not be safe for children. And trust us, it isn't.

Shot like a low budget schlock fest, the clip is a nod to all those cheesy B-horror movies from the '70s. The band is outfitted in fake mustaches, riding around in a hearse as fake blood spurts out of decapitated mannequins, sink faucets and a crow's mouth. And of course, you get a shot of the unattached eye that is presumably evil.

On the song off their latest album, Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action, which sounds more than a little bit like Queen's "Another One Bites The Dust," frontman Alex Kapranos sings, "I have the evil eye/ I see your soul" as he fondles a mummified corpse.

And that's not even the grossest thing you'll see in this clip. Other notable gross out moments include an overweight man, whose belly is actually Kapranos' face, picking his nose and someone puking into someone else's bath. Watch the video here.





Protest The Hero Streaming First Track From New Album
(Prog) Protest The Hero have streamed Clarity, the first track from upcoming album Volition. The Canadian prog metal band's follow-up to 2011 release Scurrilous will appear on October 28 via Spinefarm Records.

They raised $340,000 to fund their fourth studio outing via Indiegogo. They recently said: "Our crowdfunding campaign allowed us a new level of artistic and business-mindset freedom.

"We had the pleasure of recording with budgets and deadlines created only by ourselves. We think the project benefitted the world over because of that."

PTH launch the US leg of a world tour in November. They'll announce UK dates in due course. Stream the new song here.





Bring Me The Horizon Release New Video
(TeamRock Radio) Bring Me The Horizon have released a new music video for their track Go To Hell For Heaven's Sake. It's taken from their recent album Sempiternal.

Sempiternal did so well in the run-up to its planned April 29 launch that it was brought forward four weeks. You can catch BMTH on tour next month with support from Pierce The Veil and Sights&Sounds.

The tour will feature new keyboardist Jordan Fish and will be without former guitarist Jona Weinhofen. The band have added new dates to the trip. Grab the dates and watch the video here.





Horisont Release 'Writing On The Wall' Video
(Classic Rock) Swedish outfit Horisont have released a video for their track "Writing On The Wall." It's taken from their third album, Time Warriors, due out on September 30 (Europe Sep 27, North America Oct 1) via Rise Above Records.

Frontman Axel Soderberg says: "We wanted to make sure we had enough material so that every song on the album would work as a single, with no fillers.

"It's most definitely our strongest album so far. We did the songs the way we wanted them to be done. We had more time to get to know the songs, recording them in both English and Swedish to see what would sound best – so there are a few songs with Swedish lyrics on this one."