This Week's Top Stories
Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr To Reunite
Ringo Starr has confirmed that The Eurythmics won't be the only ones reuniting at an upcoming special televised Beatles anniversary event. He confirmed that he and Paul McCartney will be performing together.
Access Hollywood reported on Monday that Starr confirmed to them that he will be reuniting with his former Beatles bandmate McCartney at "The Night That Changed America: A Grammys Salute to The Beatles."
The event will be taking place at the Los Angeles Convention Center next Monday, January 27th and it will air on CBS on February 9th to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Beatles historic appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show which launched Beatlemania in America.
"To celebrate the 50 years since we landed in New York in February [1964], they are putting on a big show on Monday and we will be doing it there," Ringo told Access Hollywood.
Apart from the previously announced one-off reunion of the Eurythmics at the special event and the McCartney and Starr reunion, the event will also feature performances from Alicia Keys and Keith Urban.
The site also reported that Starr and McCartney will not be performing together at the Grammy Awards. Both are scheduled to perform at the event, but it appears it will be separately. Read the report for more - here.
Anthrax Star's Domestic Violence Charges Dropped
(Classic Rock) Former Anthrax guitarist Dan Spitz is no longer facing domestic violence charges after he was arrested on Christmas Day. The musician was detained in connection with an alleged violent altercation involving his wife at their Florida home – but Candi Spitz has said all along it was a "misunderstanding".
She said at the time: "We were separated for a week last year, and Christmas Eve was the first anniversary. The stress level at home has been astronomical. Our children are both autistic and Dan may have early onset Parkinson's Disease. We were all drinking wine, and he just snapped."
Now the Palm Beach County State Attorney has been persuaded there were "discrepancies" on the incident report, and no further action should be taken. - more on this story
Tool Make Surprise Tour Announcement
(Radio.com) Maynard James Keenan's premiere band Tool have announced a small leg of tour dates that will be taking place in March, the band's first appearance in America since 2012.
As Consequence of Sound reports, the tour hits up the West Coast starting March 4 in Spokane, WA and winds its way down to Veracruz, MX on March 21. Check out all the dates below. According to Tool's website, tickets for the U.S. shows go on sale January 25.
There have been murmurings of a new Tool album, so perhaps this little tour will give credence to those murmurs. Meanwhile, Keenan's other band A Perfect Circle just released a career spanning box set in late 2013. - more on this story
Anberlin Plan Farewell Tour and Album
Anberlin are planning a big farewell. The band has signed a new deal with Tooth & Nail Records to release their final album this summer and the band will be launching a farewell tour across the world.
The farewell tour will include next summer's Warped Tour as well as concerts in Brazil, UK, Netherlands, Australia, Singapore, Philippines and additional countries according to the label.
The label's president Brandon Ebel had this to say about the new album deal and the band's final album plans, "We are honored to welcome Anberlin back to the Tooth & Nail family, and we're humbled that they've chosen to work with us for the final chapter in their storied career," he said.
"Anberlin is among a few select bands that come to mind when thinking about the legacy of Tooth & Nail Records. We look forward to making Anberlin's final year memorable for everyone!" -
Dave Grohl, NIN, QOTSA and Lindsey Buckingham For Grammy Finale
(hennemusic) Dave Grohl will join Queens Of The Stone Age, Nince Inch Nails and Fleetwood Mac guitarist Lindsey Buckingham to perform the finale at the 56th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday.
Grohl has nominations for Best Rock Song for "Cut Me Some Slack" (along with Paul McCartney, Krist Novoselic and Pat Smear) and Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media for "Sound City: Real To Reel."
Queens Of The Stone Age are up for Best Rock Performance for "My God Is The Sun" and Best Rock Album for "…Like Clockwork", while Nine Inch Nails are nominated for Best Alternative Music Album for "Hesitation Marks." - more on this story
Black Sabbath To Appear At The Grammy Awards
(hennemusic) Black Sabbath will be on hand at the 56th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles this Sunday. In addition to the three nominations for their latest project, "13", the band have been announced as presenters at the event.
Sabbath are up for Best Rock Album, and Best Rock Song and Best Metal Performance for "God Is Dead?" The Grammys happen January 26 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast live on CBS from 8–11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).
Last week, Black Sabbath's 1970s catalog became available on iTunes for the first time. The band's classic era includes 8 studio albums – from 1970s' self-titled debut to 1978's "Never Say Die!", individually and as a bundle ("The Complete Studio Albums 1970-1978"), the 1976 compilation "We Sold Our Soul For Rock 'N' Roll", and 2006's "Greatest Hits 1970-1978", which was released in connection with their induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. - more on this story
Steve Perry Solo Project Influenced By Muse and Imagine Dragons
(Classic Rock) Journey icon Steve Perry has hinted that if his long-awaited solo project ever appears it could be tinted by contemporary rock acts like Muse and Imagine Dragons.
He says he's fascinated by the results of fusing classic rock values to emerging electronic sensibilities, and suggests the movement has been informing his recent writing sessions.
Speaking at a rare public appearance, Perry tells Artisan News: "I've just been writing music and seeing what I could find," he said. "It's such a new cool world of music when you're mixing electric music with rock like Muse and Imagine Dragons. It's such a cool direction." - Watch the interview here.
Def Leppard Announce Slang Deluxe
(hennemusic) Def Leppard will release a Deluxe Edition of their 1996 album, "Slang", on February 10 (Febraury 11 in North America). The reissue will be available in 3 formats:
A CD Deluxe Edition and Digital Edition containing the original 11 album tracks re-mastered and original rare bonus tracks made up of demos, alternate versions and mixes with a series of new songs recorded during the time the band was creating Slang. Most of these additional bonus tracks have never been released.
A special iTunes Digital Edition will have everything from the Digital Edition, plus a further set of additional bonus tracks. A Double Vinyl Deluxe Edition will also be available and will feature the original album, and its own set of exclusive songs. - more on this story
Zakk Wylde Surprises Fans
(TeamRock Radio) Zakk Wylde astonished Black Label Society fans who'd been invited to an exclusive playback of the band's next album - when he walked into the room and thanked them for their comments.
The small group of hand-picked followers had been invited to hear Catacombs Of The Black Vatican before the artwork and tracklist had been confirmed.
Speaking without knowing the song titles, many of them tipped Heart Of Darkness as a possible single, while Fields Of Unforgiveness, Angel Of Mercy and Scars were also name checked.
The invited guests were amazed when Wylde, who'd been waiting outside, entered the room and talked to them about the making of the album - which saw the departure of 'Evil Twin' Nick Catanese and his replacement by Dario Lorina, ex of Lizzy Borden. - See the exclusive Metal Injection video here.
Nine Inch Nails' Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross Team Up Again
(Radio.com) The last time Nine Inch Nails mastermind Trent Reznor and musician Atticus Ross teamed up to make a movie soundtrack, they took home the Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media award at the 2013 Grammys for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Before that, the dynamic duo won the Academy Award in 2011 for Best Original Score for their work on The Social Network soundtrack.
Now, Reznor has announced that he will again get together with Ross to produce the soundtrack to upcoming David Fincher film, Gone Girl. Reznor made the news public with a simple tweet.
Gone Girl is based on the best-selling 2012 novel penned by author Gillian Flynn. The film adaptation will feature Ben Affleck, Neil Patrick Harris and model Emily Ratajkowski, who's best known for starring in Robin Thicke's controversial music video for 2013 smash hit, "Blurred Lines."
The author has already warned fans of the book that the film will deviate from the original material (particularly in regards to the ending), with the story of a missing wife being told in a more straightforward fashion than presented in the twist-laden book. - more on this story
Ringo Reflects On Beatles Ed Sullivan Show Debut
(hennemusic) Ringo Starr recalls The Beatles' iconic debut appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show on February 9, 1964, one of the most watched television events ever, in a new interview with Rolling Stone.
"Incredible," Ringo said backstage at the El Rey Theater in Los Angeles Monday night, where he was receiving the David Lynch Foundation for Consciousness-Based Education and World Peace's "Lifetime of Peace and Love Award." "It was Ed Sullivan, and it was a big show, and we didn't know while we were playing that 70 million people were watching, but it was being in America that was so exciting. All the music we loved was in America; it came from America to England. Where we come from, Liverpool, it was great because it was a port, so all of the guys from New York would bring the tracks over. Vinyl in those days, the LPs, and it was just great. I could feel the buzz, even on the plane, it was so exciting. I went, Aaaaah!"
"It was crazy," he says of the buzz in New York on that day, "and it was just like everywhere else for us. The other good news was that with Murray the K and Cousin Bruce, we're on the radio, in our hotel rooms." - more on this story
Century Media Boss Oliver Withoft Dead At 49
(Classic Rock) Century Media Records co-owner Oliver Withoft has died at the age of 49, it has been confirmed. The businessman, who'd been on board since a year after the company was founded in 1988, had been ill for some time, and had stepped back from day-to-day duties alongside founder Robert Kampf.
The independent label's roster of around 100 bands includes Iced Earth, In This Moment and Fozzy, and previously worked with Strapping Young Lad, Duff McKagan's Loaded and Avantasia, among many others.
Former North American label president Don Robertson tells Billboard: "Century Media has been a force in music for over twenty-five years under Oliver's leadership. It was an honour to work with him." - more on this story
Status Quo Revisiting Piledriver With Deluxe Reissue
(Classic Rock) Status Quo will release a deluxe edition of their classic 1972 album Piledriver – just before the line-up who recorded it play their last-ever shows together.
Stalwarts Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt will be joined once more by their Frantic Four colleagues Alan Lancaster and John Coghlan for six concerts in March and April, which Rossi has vowed will be better than those on their 2013 reunion tour.
But before them, Piledriver will be reissued in a double-disc edition featuring a bonus collection of live performances and radio sessions. Classic Rock's Dave Ling has written extensive sleeve notes for an all-new booklet, which also features rare photos by the band's former tour manager Bob Young. - more on this story
Magnum Reveal New Album Details
(Classic Rock) Magnum have confirmed the release date of their 19th studio album, Escape From The Shadow Garden, as March 24 via Steamhammer/SPV. And main songwriter Tony Clarkin says he's never enjoyed working with the band so much.
He comments: "We used to be under permanent pressure from our record companies. They kept demanding hit singles and radio numbers – but that sort of thing doesn't work on demand. Now it's a totally different situation: SPV give us the necessary time and trust us to do the right thing.
"I told myself: 'You're a passable guitarist, so you should play the guitar.' I have all the freedom I need to create exactly what I feel like creating. This band has certain unmistakable trademarks, among them are my feel for melodies and Bob Catley's unique vocal style. I was really happy when my friend Jimmy Lea of Slade came to visit me at the studio again and said: 'You've done it again!'" - More including the artwork and tracklisting.
Anthrax, Devin Townsend Project, More Added To Sonisphere
(Classic Rock) Anthrax, Devin Townsend Project and The Virginmarys have been added to the bill for this year's Sonisphere festival. They'll join headliners Iron Maiden, Metallica and The Prodigy for the 40th anniversary of rock festivals at Knebworth Park on July 4-6.
Among others also added to the bill are the Sisters Of Mercy, Voodoo Six, Limp Bizkit, Carnifex, Dropkick Murphys, Silverstein and rockney icons Chas And Dave.
Scott Ian of Anthrax says: "It's one of those phone calls you only dream about. I'm so excited for Anthrax to be a part of the biggest and best Sonisphere ever – can't wait to destroy Knebworth again!" - more on this story
Peter Hammill And Gary Lucas Team Up For Other World
(Prog) Van der Graaf Generator frontman Peter Hammill and former Captain Beefheart's Magic Band guitarist Gary Lucas are gearing up for the launch of a collaborative album entitled Other World, which they describe as "warped folk music."
The 14-track record will appear on February 3 via Esoteric Recordings – and comes 40 years after the pair first met. Hammill explains how they started work in 2012: "We didn't exactly have a grand plan about what we were about to attempt. He told me he had pieces which might be worth working on, and I'd prepared some looped pieces. We probably thought we'd have done well if we managed to get an EP out of the session."
But he continues: "From the first note it became clear we were on exactly the same wavelength, and after a couple of days we knew we had the makings of an album. We've ended up with something quite strange but strangely powerful." - Read more and watch the trailer.
Marillion's Steve Rothery Kickstarter Campaign A Huge Success
(Prog) Marillion guitarist Steve Rothery's recent Kickstarter campaign for his forthcoming solo album Ghosts Of Pripyat continues to go from strength to strength with just over 24 hours of the campaign left. It is currently the most popular Kickstarter campaign in the UK and the 3rd most popular in the world!
At the time of writing the campaign has hit £53,976, far outstripping the original target of £15,000, meaning that the guitarist has now added a deluxe edition of the album featuring a DVD of a live performance recorded down at Real World Studios and a 24-page booklet designed by Steven Wilson collaborator Lasse Hoile, as well as bundles including t-shirts and tickets to the album launch party in September.
There's still time for you to get involved if you'd like, by heading to Steve's Kickstarter page here. Rothery has also begun planning live dates for the Steve Rothery Band, who feature Dave Foster (Mr. So & So) on guitar, Yatim Hailimi (Panic Room) on bass and Leon Parr on drums. They have announced the first four dates for later this year. Check them out - here.
Musicians Fight Plans To Silence New Orleans
(The Blues) Musicians based in the French Quarter of New Orleans have declared victory in a battle over noise laws, but they've vowed the war will continue. City bosses planned to debate rules which would limit the amount of sound which could be made in the area. And that, say artists, would ruin the legacy of the proud historic area that's closely associated with the development of jazz, R&B and rock'n'roll.
On Friday hundreds of musicians marched into City Hall under the banner of The Music And Culture Coalition of New Orleans. They took over the council chambers after a planned meeting had been cancelled, and accepted an invitation from Councilwoman LaToya Cantrell to hold a public meeting.
MACCNO spokeswoman Hannah Kreiger-Benson said: "We've often seen these issues around sound regulations framed as a conflict between musicians and residents. That's not right. We live here, we work here, we vote here; we are the residents." - Read what happened here.
Deadly Circus Fire Announce One Off At London's Barfly
(Prog) Deadly Circus Fire will celebrate their triumphant tour of Europe by playing a one-off show at London's Barfly on February 27.
They'll debut tracks from their upcoming second album during the evening, while support comes from Schemata Theory, Never A Hero and Reverted.
The band say: "After coming back from a European tour alongside Skindred and Crossfaith – as well as being featured in Prog's January issue – we return to Headline the Camden Barfly." - more on this story
Dragon Cartel Release 'Deceived' Video
(Classic Rock) Jake E Lee's new band Red Dragon Cartel have released a video for their track Deceived. It's taken from their self-titled debut album, due for release on January 27 via Frontiers Records.
And while it's true that former Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Lee might well be harking back to the vibe that made him famous in the 80s, he prefers to look forward when it comes to his career.
He recently admitted that, while he'd consider returning to Ozzy's band – and he'd certainly enjoy the money he'd be paid – he didn't think the pair would be able to reach an artistic agreement. - Watch the video here.
Brothers Groove Release 'Play The Game' Video
(The Blues) Brothers Groove have released a live video of Play The Game, the title track from their debut studio album. The Birmingham three-piece are influenced by a wide range of blues and funk artists including Eric Clapton, Albert Collins, Little Feat and the Average White Band.
They say: "It isn't an album of self-indulgent egos battling for space. It's not about playing a million notes a second. This band sit in the pocket of the groove, play with taste and feeling, and love every single minute of it." Lyrical themes include "life, love, the highs, the lows, the game of chance and all the emotions in-between."
Play The Game is officially released on January 27 and will be available via Amazon and iTunes. The band appear at The Haven in Oxford on the same night to launch the album. - Check out the video here.
Steel Panther Release The Burden Of Being Wonderful Video
(hennemusic) Steel Panther have released the video for their new single, "The Burden Of Being Wonderful", a track from the band's forthcoming third album, "All You Can Eat", due April 1.
Featuring comedian Matt Braunger, the clip was directed by Kirker Butler, best known for his work as a writer and producer on FOX-TV's "Family Guy" and "The Cleveland Show."
"I grew up on heavy metal videos," says Butler. "They were the best things on MTV. I wanted to make a heavy metal video the way they used to make them, but with better production values and less Tawny Kitaen." - Watch it here.
Pearl Jam Star Breaks Fan's Nose
(Gibson) Playing basketball with your favorite rock stars may sound like a dream scenario, but for one Pearl Jam fan, it was a bit dangerous. Sherif Hassan says that he was playing basketball with Pearl Jam bass player Jeff Ament and Arcade Fire's Win Butler last weekend in New Zealand, when he was suddenly struck in the face by Ament's elbow.
"He's aggressive, I'll tell you that much," Hassan told Australian radio station Triple J. "He broke my nose. All I heard was Win going off about how the rules are rubbish down here, and throwing balls around and chucking a bit of a hissy fit."
Hassan didn't come out of the deal empty-handed. He says that Ament was kind enough to give him a pair of tickets and backstage passes to the Auckland edition of the Big Day Out festival, featuring Pearl Jam, Arcade Fire, Deftones, Mudhoney, Primus and more.
"It was worth it," he said of the injury and subsequent gift. "I got to meet Lorde… [she] was just chilling backstage, it was weird seeing her in person. We got to the front of stage for Pearl Jam, and [frontman] Eddie Vedder gave me a shout out." - more on this story
U2 To Give Away New Song During Super Bowl
(Radio.com) After much teasing, U2 will finally offer the first new taste of their forthcoming album next Sunday during the Super Bowl. As Billboard reports, after U2 airs an ad in the Super Bowl, you'll be able to download "Invisible" for free on iTunes, thanks to a partnership with Bank of America. You'll then have 24 hours to get the first single from U2′s 13th studio album totally gratis.
To sweeten the deal, for each of the song's first two million downloads, BoA will donate one dollar to (RED), an AIDS charity co-founded by Bono. The bank is also pledging a guaranteed $8 million to the charity.
"It's not what you expect," said Bono of "Invisible" last week. "It's not your typical love song." According to the L.A. Times back in December, "Invisible" is "an anthemic number about leaving one's hometown." - more on this story
Motorhead Cancel Tour Due To Lemmy's Health
(Classic Rock) Expressing their "great regret", Motorhead have been forced to announce the cancellation of their European tour, scheduled to start in February. This is the latest in a series of cancellations. Lemmy has been struggling with health issues since he suffered a haematoma in July 2013, leading to a three-week spell in hospital.
The band called off a summer tour, then cut short their comeback show at the Wacken festival in Germany. They then postponed a European tour set to begin in November.
An official statement reads as follows: "Many concerted, diligent and focused efforts were made by founding member, and international icon, Lemmy Kilmister to deal with a range of health issues relating to diabetes. While there has been undoubted progress, Lemmy and the band were advised by doctors that it was still too soon to resume full touring activities, and so for the good of the future, the band and Lemmy reluctantly agreed to cancel.
"No-one is hurting more over this than Lemmy, and he feels the aggravation and inconvenience of every ticket, and every method of transportation, already paid for by loyal fans in anticipation of the tour. Being a road warrior of over 50 dedicated, non-stop years, it is equally distressing for him to be unable to occupy the top lounge of the trusty tour bus (his spiritual home) but Lemmy recognises that his long-term health must win." - more on this story
Motley Crue Commercial To Air During The Grammy Awards
(hennemusic) Motley Crue's classic ballad, "Home Sweet Home", is featured in a new commercial for Coldwell Banker Real Estate. The band says the ad will premiere this weekend during the Grammy Awards broadcast on Sunday evening.
"Home Sweet Home" appeared on 1985's "Theatre Of Pain", and was later included on 1991's "Decade Of Decadence" compilation. The original release as a single charted at No. 89 on the US Billboard Hot 100; it's reissue as "Home Sweet Home '91" peaked at number 37 on the same chart in 1992. To date, "Home Sweet Home '91" is the last Motley Crue song to chart in the American Billboard Top 40.
Motley Crue will announce details regarding their farewell tour at a January 28 event in Los Angeles billed as "RIP: All Bad Things Must Come To An End." - Check out the ad here.
Jack White's Label To Release Neil Young's New Album
(hennemusic) After internet rumors surfaced, we now learn that Neil Young's new album, "A Letter Home", will be released by Jack White's label, Third Man Records.
Both artists shared the news on their social media sites Wednesday, introducing the project as "an unheard collection of rediscovered songs from the past recorded on ancient electro-mechanical technology captures and unleashes the essence of something that could have been gone forever."
Earlier this week, Young described "A Letter Home" as "one of the lowest-tech experiences I've ever had", and that it would be available in March (no official release date was confirmed as part of the confirmation news by the pair of rockers on Thursday).
White and Young have been connected in a stream of media items about the little-known release, starting last month with the Neil fan site Thrasher's Wheat, which revealed the 12-track album was made up completely of cover songs.
Along the way, the rumour mill twisted the project into a duets record by the two artists, which Young shot down this week. - more on this story
Slipknot Singer Excited About New Album
(Banana 101.5) Corey Taylor remains committed to finishing out the touring and promotion of his ambitious Stone Sour double-disc 'House of Gold & Bones,' but he's also started digging in on the next Slipknot album.
In a new interview, Taylor explains that he and his cohort in both bands — guitarist Jim Root — have begun making the transition to Slipknot and are making significant progress. He says, "Me and Jim have been writing a lot of stuff, and it's really starting to kind of shape up really … I mean, we've got a nice chunk, and now we just kind of need to, you know, shape everything to that Slipknot point of view, that Slipknot way, that Slipknot sound."
Speaking about returning to Slipknot in a creative nature, Taylor added, "There's an excitement that we haven't felt in a while." On top of Gray's passing, this will also be the band's first album without drummer Joey Jordison. The musician and the band went their separate ways in late 2013 with little explanation. Jordison did state however that he did not quit the band. - more on this story
Kurt Cobain Day Declared In Nirvana Singer's Hometown
(hennemusic) The birthday of late Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain will be celebrated with an annual "Kurt Cobain Day" in his hometown of Aberdeen, Washington. KXRO Aberdeen reports Mayor Bill Simpson says the city will proclaim February 20th as "Kurt Cobain Day."
"Aberdeen residents may justifiably take pride in the role our community played in the life of Kurt Cobain," says Simpson, "and the international recognition our community has gained from its connections with Kurt Cobain and his artistic achievements."
The proclamation gives special recognition to the efforts of the Aberdeen Museum, Tori Kovach, Denny Jackson, Randi Hubbard, and other volunteers who have worked to recognize Kurt locally. - more on this story
Beatles 'Yellow Submarine' Sneakers Coming Soon
(Radio.com) The Beatles have been one of the most consistently merchandised bands in history, but rarely have the goods looked as fly as a new line of Vans inspired by Yellow Submarine.
The legendary sneaker company has just announced a partnership with the Fab Four, Rolling Stone reports. The Vans and Beatles collection includes four pairs of shoes featuring artwork from the Yellow Submarine album and film, to be released this March. No word on how wide a release this will be, but the Vans site has a pre-pre-order request for more info so it seems likely they'll be available online.
Each pair of shoes runs from $65-$75. The most expensive shoe, the Sk8-Hi Reissue, features colorful cartoon portraits of all four Beatles running up the ankles. The other pairs draw their inspiration from specific scenes from Yellow Submarine animated film. The Era shoes show all four bandmates in a yellow garden with rainbow pants, while another pair called Authentic has an "All You Need Is Love" pattern.
The classic slip-on Vans style in this collection are festooned in depictions of the "Sea of Monsters" scene in Yellow Submarine, in which the Fab Four explore the ocean floor and its various creatures before being sucked up by one. - See them here.
Bruce Springsteen Instant Bootlegs Details Revealed
(hennemusic) Last week, Bruce Springsteen confirmed plans that fans will be able to buy official live bootlegs on his upcoming tour in support of the newly-released "High Hopes", and now fan-site Backstreets has confirmed more details about the series.
"Coming soon: fans will be able to purchase special USB wristbands online and at tour venues, and use to redeem one live show download, starting with the January 26th concert in Cape Town," posted Springsteen last Friday. "Downloads will be available within approximately 48 hours of the show, and online orders will begin next week!"
Backstreets now reports that, in addition to the USB wristband sales model, Springsteen will also be offering direct audio downloads through his official Live Nation online store following each show on the upcoming leg, with no physical purchase required.
There will be two options for audio formats: MP3 (320 kbps) or FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec). Pricing will match Pearl Jam's model, at $9.99 for MP3 or $14.99 for FLAC. - more on this story
Arcade Fire Cover INXS' 'Devil Inside'
(Radio.com) At a show Down Under on Wednesday (Jan. 22), Arcade Fire decided to honor hometown heroes INXS with a cover of their 1988 song, "Devil Inside."
For their version of the song, Win Butler does his best Michael Hutchence impression, creepily shouting at the crowd, "With flesh on her mind/Words as weapons sharper than knives/Makes you wonder how the other half die."
Fan shot footage of the cover shows Butler wearing his big papier mâché head, bobbing along to the last few lines of the song, before launching into "Here Comes The Night Time" off their latest album Reflektor.
The band is currently playing a few gigs in Australia, but are heading back to the States on March 6 for their upcoming North American tour, which kicks off in Louisville, KY. They're also set to headline both weekends of this year's Coachella this April.
Arcade Fire was also recently nominated for Best Score at this year's Oscars for composing the music for Spike Jonze's movie Her. Listen to a stream of the soundtrack and check out their INXS cover - here.
Anthrax's Scott Ian Releases Preview of Spoken Word DVD
(TeamRock Radio) Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian has released a trailer for his upcoming spoken word DVD, recorded in Glasgow last year. It was recorded last June during his one-man UK tour, of which he said: "I'm calling it 'Speaking Words' because the pretension of saying 'I am doing a spoken-word tour' is too much to bear. This ain't no poetry reading; this isn't an evening of sensitive discourse. It's an evening of ridiculous truth.
"It's me talking – swearing – about this insane life I've led over the last 31 years, the people I've met and the sh*t that's happened. And when I'm done swearing, you can ask me anything you want, the floor is yours."
Speaking Words: Live In Glasgow sees Ian discusses Kerry King's beard, meeting Lemmy, wrestling a goat in a pool –and "a Jewish kid from Queens who started a heavy metal band." It's to be launched via a Pledgemusic campaign in the near future
Check out the DVD trailer - here.
Eddie Van Halen Makes NAMM Appearance
(hennemusic) Eddie Van Halen made an appearance at the 2014 NAMM (National Association Of Music Merchants) Convention at the Anaheim Convention Center on Wednesday, and photos have surfaced.
Canadian TV personality Kevin O'Leary tweeted a picture of himself with Eddie and Fender CEO Larry Thomas (above) at the Fender Strat party, writing "Kid in guitar candy store!"
"Met @eddievanhalen.. #LifesGood," tweeted guest Jay Hale, along with a one-on-one photo with the guitarist. A third photo of Eddie with two NAMM attendees has also surfaced. - Check out the photos here.
Grammys To Have Hard Rockin' Finale
(Gibson) A few major rock names have been added to the lineup of performers at this weekend's Grammy Awards: Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, Nine Inch Nails and Queens of the Stone Age. The three artists will perform together at the show's finale, along with Fleetwood Mac's Lindsey Buckingham, who performed on Nine Inch Nails' latest studio album, Hesitation Marks.
Grohl, Queens of the Stone Age and Nine Inch Nails are all up for Grammy Awards this year. Grohl is in the running for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media for the soundtrack to the Sound City documentary, Sound City: Real to Reel, and for Best Rock Song for "Cut Me Some Slack." Queens of the Stone Age are nominated for Best Rock Album for their current full-length, …Like Clockwork, and Best Rock Performance for "My God is the Sun." Nine Inch Nails are up for Best Alternative Music Album for their current release, Hesitation Marks.
This weekend's show marks the first time Queens of the Stone Age and Nine Inch Nails will perform at the Grammys. Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr will also perform, while Black Sabbath, Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and 30 Seconds to Mars' Jared Leto will present. - more on this story
Slash, Deer Tick, Reggie Watts and More Tribute Bob Dylan
(BH) ATO Records have set a March 25th release date for "Bob Dylan In The 80s: Volume One" where music stars ranging from Deer Tick to Aaron Freeman of Ween and Slash take on songs from the legendary musician's catalog from the 80s. We were sent these details:
The brainchild of producers Jesse Lauter (Elvis Perkins, The Low Anthem) and Sean O'Brien (Dawes, PAPA), the mission of Bob Dylan In The 80s: Volume One is to shed new light on a large cache of Bob Dylan songs that have long gone ignored, covering the period starting with 1980's Saved and ending with 1990's Under The Red Sky (including unreleased material -- the "80s Basement Tapes" -- and The Traveling Wilburys).
Album contributors include: Built To Spill, Aaron Freeman of Ween & Slash, Glen Hansard, Reggie Watts, Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Lucius, Langhorne Slim, Craig Finn Of The Hold Steady, Deer Tick, Dawn Landes, Blitzen Trapper, , Elvis Perkins and more.
In the liner notes to this collection, New York Times best-selling author Jonathan Lethem (Motherless Brooklyn, Fortress of Solitude) writes, "In the famously difficult art of going up against Dylan's performance of his own material, a number of these reach the highest threshold. I hope Bob Dylan listens to this record, and plays it for his current touring band."
When you ask someone to name a Bob Dylan song or album from the 1980s, you usually get a blank stare in return. Bob Dylan In The 80s: Volume One helps to answer this question.
"80s Dylan is by no means a celebrated period in his career," says co-producer Lauter. "It was, in fact, the lowest point of his commercial success even though he released eight studio albums." He continues, "Our goal was to showcase one of the greatest artists of our time during an off-rhythm period and bring a stronger sense of harmony to the material at hand. Sean and I did everything we could to make this album flow together sonically as if you were listening to a concept album."
Again, Lethem claims, "Given the benefit of decades more hindsight, our Dylan was a lot better than anyone knew...Were one to begin compiling instances of greatness in the type of songwriting that defines our esteem for the earlier Dylan - complex, suggestive, glinting, cascading constructions - you'd hit a dozen examples even before the "comeback" of Oh Mercy." - more on this story
Goo Goo Dolls Unplugging For Story Tellers Format Tour
Goo Goo Dolls will be unplugging this spring when they launch a "story tellers" format tour that they have dubbed The Otis Midnight Sessions and they have announced some special performances surrounding the Super Bowl.
The acoustic tour is scheduled to kick off on April 7th in Syracuse, NY at The Carrier Theatre @ TheOncenter Complex and will include support from
Run River North.
The Goo Goo Dolls are launching the tour in support of their latest album, Magnetic, which made a No. 8 debut on the Billboard Top 200 chart when it was released last June.
Warner Bros. also sent over word that the Goo Goo Dolls will perform at two upcoming Super Bowl-related concerts: The Super Bowl Kickoff Spectacular - a free, ticketed show that also features the band Daughtry and a first-class Macy's Fireworks show.
The event, the first to ever be associated with a Super Bowl, will take place on Monday, January 27th, along the Hudson River at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, NJ, and serve as the official launch to the weeklong events.
The Goos will also be one of the headliners of VH1's Super Bowl Blitz: Six Nights + Six Concerts, which will find them performing at the St. George Theatre on Staten Island on Friday, January 31st. The concert will air live on VH1 and will be streamed in the VH1 App, made available on-demand in the app and at SuperBowl.VH1.com on February 1st. - more on this story
Protest The Hero Announce New North American Tour Leg
Protest The Hero have announced that they will be launching a second North American leg for their "Volition" world tour this spring in support of the album of the same name.
Razor and Tie sent over these details and the dates: The U.S. portion of the tour runs from March 1st to April 6th and features support from Battlecross, The Safety Fire, Intervals, and Night Verses.
The Canadian section begins April 8th running through April 19th and features support from Intervals and Motorleague. Volition was released on October 31st, 2013 and debuted at #20 on the Billboard top album chart. - more on this story
More on Protest The Hero - Protest The Hero Music - Protest The Hero Tour Dates/Tickets - Protest The Hero CDs, vinyl and rarities
Sevendust Announce Acoustic Tour and Album Release
(ABC) Sevendust have announced that they will be releasing their new acoustic album "Time Travelers & Bonfires" in April and will be launching a North American unplugged tour on April 1st.
The North American headlining "An Evening With Sevendust," will be kicking off in Athens, GA at the Georgia Theatre and it's the group's first acoustic trek since 2004, when they were touring in support of their second album, Seasons.
The new album, Time Travelers & Bonfires, will be a collection of brand new songs, along with re-recorded Sevendust classics including newly re-recorded songs "Black," "Gone," "Denial," "Karma," "Trust," and "Crucified" plus six brand new songs that have also been written and recorded for the acoustic album. - more on this story
Monkeyjunk Dominate At Maple Blues Awards
(The Blues) Canadian trio Monkeyjunk have won five gongs at the annual Maple Blues Awards. They took home trophies for Entertainer Of The Year, Electric Act Of The Year, Recording Of The Year and Songwriter Of The Year, while the band's Steve Marriner was named Harmonica Player Of The Year.
Monkeyjunk are basking in the glory of their latest album All Frequencies, which sees them exploring new ways to deliver powerful music without a bassist.
Marriner said in September: Since the last record, I've had this guitar made that allows for a lot more bottom end. It really helped make the sound fuller.
"We have to find other ways of making the sound. I think that's what makes us unique."
Hear the track You Make A Mess - here.
Bruce Springsteen Releases 'Just Like Fire Would' Video
(hennemusic) Bruce Springsteen has released a video for "Just Like Fire Would", a track from his new album, "High Hopes." The tune is a cover of Australian band The Saints' 1986 song.
"High Hopes" earned Bruce his 11th No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard 200, with opening week sales of 99,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan. With the No. 1 debut, Springsteen pulls ahead of Elvis Presley to stand alone as the act with the third-most No. 1s in the history of the Billboard 200, behind Jay Z (with 13) and leaders the Beatles (with 19).
Springsteen begins his world tour in support of "High Hopes" on January 26 in Cape Town, the first of four shows in South Africa; a month-long tour of Australia and New Zealand starts in Perth on February 5. - Watch the video here.
Wolves Like Us Release 'I Don't Need To Be Forgiven' Video
(TeamRock Radio) Wolves Like Us have released a video for their track I Don't Need To Be Forgiven. It's taken from second album Black Soul Choir, due for launch on February 24 via Prosthetic Records.
The Norwegian band's Larsh Kristensen reports: "After five tours, more than 150 shows and 15 festivals we took 2013 off to write and plan for the new release.
"We are extremely proud and happy with the record – we can´t wait for people to hear it, and to play these songs in front of an audience. It´s been a long trek making these traps of sonic feedback for you to enjoy. We hope you like it." - Watch the video here.
Sound Of Contact Release 'Pale Blue Dot' Video
(Prog) Sound Of Contact have launched a video for their track Pale Blue Dot. It's taken from Dimensionaut, the debut album from Phil Collins' son Simon and his band, which was released last year.
Collins says the track was inspired by a book entitled The Home Planet, which deals with the experiences of astronauts who went to space as scientists but discovered a greater human truth when they saw the Earth from above.
He explains: "Our lyrics 'I went up a scientist to find out I'm only human' is a direct reference to the truth in that book. If only every single one of us on this planet could have a glimpse, like those astronauts have had, can you imagine what a different world we would live in? We would have peace on Earth.
"That's what's this song is all about, as our character, Dimensionaut, finally has his own glimpse, and makes it one of his first missions to share that experience with as many people as he can."
Read more and watch the video - here.
Zakk Wylde Talks Les Paul's and Randy Rhoads
(Gibson) From the moment he became Ozzy Osbourne's lead guitarist in 1987 at just 19 to his current, high-octane work fronting Black Label Society, Zakk Wylde has been unstoppable with his Gibson arsenal.
Wylde plies a variety of Gibson models, from the Zakk Wylde Les Paul Bullseye to the Zakk Wylde Flying V Bullseye Floyd Rose to the brand new Zakk Wylde Moderne of Doom . We combed through the fierce lead guitarist's archives to learn more about what makes him such a Gibson loyalist.
Check back next month for Gibson.com's interview with Wylde regarding Black Label Society's upcoming album, Catacombs of the Black Vatican, out April 8.
On his gear, as told to Gibson.com: "I'm playing the Pauls and the ZV, and the Flying V and the double-neck for 'The Blessed Hellride.' Me and Nick [Catanese, former Black Label Society guitarist] both play double necks for that one in Black Label. It's cool. And we have our signature Marshalls — JCM 800s. And we both go out of two of them each, and we both go out of two cabinets and we're in quad sound. Nick uses Paul Reed Smiths, too, but I play the Gibsons. And then I have my pedals: chorus, distortion, Eddie Van Halen phase shifter, the Zakk wah, and the Roto-Vibe. Let's put it this way: any 15 year-old kid could have my set-up.
"It amazes me when people say, 'Hey check this new amp out, or this new rack gear. It sounds just like a vintage Marshall.' Well, why not get a vintage Marshall? Nuthin' sounds better than a Gibson plugged into a Marshall.
"And next time we get to Nashville I'm thinking about having Gibson design me a custom guitar that looks like a motorcycle joined with a Flying V. They did a great job on the ZV, putting together the horns of an SG with the wings of a Flying V and a Les Paul Custom neck on it. That thing slams."
On the birth of the Zakk Wylde Les Paul Custom Vertigo , as told to Guitar World : "When I first got to LA, I had that cream Les Paul, which is an amazing-sounding fiddle," Wylde told Guitar World. "So I had the blond hair and the cream Les Paul -- and it was gonna look like a Randy Rhoads tribute band when I get up there with Ozzy. So I wanted to get something painted on it. Eddie Van Halen had the stripes and Randy had the polka dots.
"I saw the poster from Vertigo, the Alfred Hitchcock movie, and thought that would be … awesome. So I explained it to my buddy Max, who ended up doing Slash's guitar, but when I went down there for the photo shoot, I opened up the case and saw the Bullseye logo. … I had drawn it on a piece of paper and everything, but it was too late anyway. So we did the photo shoot, and the rest is history.
"So then I saw the Vertigo logo again just recently, and I said, "You know, I'm just gonna get this … done.' It came out cool. So there's the Buzzsaw, the Bullseye and the Vertigo -- which is like a Bullseye, but 21st-century-style."
On what stands out to him about Gibsons, as told to Gibson.com: "It's the history and the quality of the instrument, too. It's an amazing instrument. It's like a cheeseburger; it doesn't go out of style, no matter what generation. Whether somebody picked a Les Paul up in '58, that same guitar still works today. It doesn't go in and out of fashion. And that's because it's a great instrument. It doesn't matter what violin player is going to pick one of these up and whether it was made 10 years ago or 100 years from now. You pick up a Les Paul, and it's always going to sound great. When you buy it, it's an investment, and you're never going to have to buy another guitar again."
On whether he studied Randy Rhodes' playing before auditioning for Ozzy, as told to Music Radar: "Oh, totally. Without a doubt, I studied him. He had unbelievable technique and could do all the things on the guitar that are astounding. His scales, the diminished scales he used – unreal. But it was his writing and the way he composed his solos – I mean, his solos were songs within the songs… He was way ahead of what everybody else was doing." -
Aerosmith, Doors Stars and Taj Mahal Added Experience Hendrix Tour
The 2014 Experience Hendrix Tour has just been expanded to 25 stops with the announcement of six additional dates and new additions to the already impressive all-star musician roster.
The tour will now include Brad Whitford of Aerosmith and Robby Kreiger of the Doors, Taj Mahal, The Black Crowes' Rich Robinson and Quinn Sullivan.
Robinson had this to say about joining the tour, "I'm really looking forward to getting out and playing some of my favorite Hendrix songs with these great musicians."
The all-star tribute tour to Jimi Hendrix will also include the previously announced Buddy Guy, Zakk Wylde, Bootsy Collins, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Eric Johnson, Doyle Bramhall II, Dweezil Zappa, Los Lobos' Cesar Rosas and David Hidalgo, Eric Gales, Ana Popovic, Mato Nanji, Quinn Sullivan and others. Billy Cox, the bass player who was part of Jimi Hendrix's music life before he was "discovered" as well as thereafter, is again part of the line-up as is Double Trouble drummer Chris Layton.
The tour is now set to launch on March 8th in Shawnee, OK at the Grand Event Center and is scheduled to conclude on April 8th in Minneapolis, MN at the State Theater. - Experience Hendrix Tour dates along with the participating artists for each stop
Neil Young Denies Jack White Duets Album Plans
(hennemusic) Neil Young is denying recent rumors that he will be releasing an album of duets with Jack White. However, the rumors stated that the project was a covers album.
"False Rumours: Neil Young and Jack White are not doing a record of duets as has been erroneously posted on various outlets. We are certain those rumours have no basis in truth," read the message posted on Young's Facebook page Wednesday.
Last week, a report by veteran music journalist Michael Goldberg indicated that a new album by the two was confirmed by a source associated with the project, which did not make any reference to it being a duets release.
Goldberg restated and clarified his information in a new post Wednesday, writing "I stand by that report. I didn't say in my post anything about the two 'doing a record of duets,' which was denied this morning on Neil Young's Facebook page."
"I also wrote in my post last week: "In December 2013, the Neil Young website Thrasher's Wheat had these quotes from a source: 'It is an album of covers." - more on this story
Bruce Springsteen Scores No. 1 and Tops Elvis
(hennemusic) Bruce Springsteen has scored his 11th No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard 200 with his new album, "High Hopes." The project earned top spot with opening week sales of 99,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan, reports Billboard.
Springsteen has now pulled ahead of Elvis Presley to stand alone as the act with the third-most No. 1s in the history of the Billboard chart; ahead of both acts on the all-time list are the Beatles (with 19 No. 1s) and Jay Z (with 13).
Springsteen begins his world tour in support of the album on January 26 in Cape Town, the first of four shows in South Africa; a month-long tour of Australia and New Zealand starts in Perth on February 5. - more on this story
Allman Brothers Band Announce Additional Live Dates
(hennemusic) The Allman Brothers Band have added four additional shows to their annual spring run at New York City's Beacon Theatre which is scheduled to kick off on March 7th.
The new dates – March 25, 26, 28 & 29 – are in addition to the 10 shows previously announced, all of which sold out immediately the day they went on sale to the public.
On February 18, the Allman Brothers will release "Play All Night: Live at the Beacon Theater 1992" as part of their ongoing archival series. The 2-disc set features music from the band's very first Beacon residency, which went on to become an annual tradition. - more on this story
Bon Jovi, Pearl Jam, Adele Dropped From Shinedown Covers Album
(Classic Rock) Shinedown frontman Brent Smith and guitarist Zach Myers will release their fan-powered covers ten-track album as a six-track EP after they failed to secure release permission from every artist they'd originally included.
Fans had chosen the list of songs to be recorded acoustically – but Myers last month confirmed that Bon Jovi were amongst those unhappy with the project, and wouldn't let them use a cover of Wanted Dead Or Alive.
The plan was for each song to be accompanied by a video – and Smith says that's where problems arose. He explains: "Some of the artists were cool with letting us put them up on YouTube and show the video of the song being records. Some weren't cool with the video, and that's totally their decision."
Along with the Bon Jovi song, Phil Collins' In The Air Tonight, Pearl Jam's Black and Adele's Someone Like You won't appear. The pair still hope those covers can be released in audio only over the coming months.
Read more and check out one of the tracks from the EP - here.
Slipknot Unmasked Video Goes Online
(Banana 101.5) Before the rise of the Internet, it was damn near impossible to stumble upon the true faces of the masked nine known as Slipknot. However, as Stone Sour reunited in 2002, the identities of vocalist Corey Taylor and guitarist Jim Root became public for all to see. Finally, with the release of 'Voliminal: Inside the Nine' on DVD in 2006, the faces of the nine were officially revealed.
Although many fans have seen clear photos and video of Slipknot unmasked, it's still tough to get a good image of members such as Craig Jones and Chris Fehn.
Therefore, Banana 101.5/Loudwire have released a video with the best unmasked Slipknot pics they could find, including ones of the late Paul Gray and former drummer Joey Jordison. - Check out the video here.
The Who's Roger Daltrey Making Album With Wilko Johnson
(Classic Rock) Wilko Johnson has confirmed details of his studio album with The Who singer Roger Daltrey. Going Back Home will be released on the iconic Chess label – reactivate specifically for the record – on March 10. And the pair will perform a one-off show in London's Shepherds Bush Empire on February 25.
It's an emotional milestone in the career of Johnson, who'd pledged to record an album before terminal cancer ended his career.For his part, Daltrey has wanted to make a blues record for years.
He explains the collaboration was first discussed in 2010: "It turned out we both loves Johnny Kidd and the Pirates. They'd been a big influence on both our bands. That heavy power-trio sound, backing up a singer – it's a British institution. No one does that better than us." - more on this story
Bob Dylan's All-Star 30th Anniversary Show Expanded For Reissue
(Gibson) A super-deluxe version of Bob Dylan's legendary 30th anniversary concert is set for release on March 4. The star-studded event—which was originally broadcast on Pay-Per-View—took place at New York's Madison Square Garden on October 16, 1992.
Participating in the celebration was a massive assemblage of music royalty, including Neil Young, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Lou Reed, Johnny Cash, Tom Petty and other acclaimed artists.
"That gig was one of the highlights of my career," says guitarist/music director G.E. Smith, speaking to Rolling Stone. "There aren't a lot of people that can attract a lineup like that, and everyone was on their best behavior. Lou Reed and Neil Young [could] be prickly, but not in the three days we were prepping that show. I also got to talk to Johnny Cash. What's cooler than that?" The concert, which was shot in early high definition, will be available on DVD/Blu-ray and CD. - Track details.
Pantera's Far Beyond Driven Expanded For 20th Anniversary
(TeamRock Radio) Pantera classic Far Beyond Driven is to be released in a 20th anniversary extended edition, it's been confirmed. The remastered 12-track record will be accompanied by a nine-track live recording from Monsters Of Rock at Donington in 1994.
The 20th anniversary edition is due in March – if it's released around the third week of the month it'll match the original launch date almost to the day.
Last year frontman Phil Anselmo recalled how Far Beyond Driven marked Pantera's height of achievement in songwriting, saying: "In the early days they were very guarded about what I said. By Vulgar Display Of Power it was, 'Just let me handle the lyrics; you worry about you.'
"By Far Beyond Driven I was saying anything I f**king wanted to sing about, man. It's the heaviest record to come in at number one." - Track details
Chip Z'nuff Blasts Rock Hall For Yes, Iron Maiden, Cheap Trick Snubs
Enuff Z'Nuff cofounder Chip Z'nuff was a featured guest on the latest episode of Talking Metal. He discussed a variety of topics including Steven Adler, Jake E. Lee (who played on the last Enuff Z'nuff studio album), the late guitarist Derek Frigo, and also his shock at the Rock Hall of Fame for snubbing the popular and influential groups Yes, Iron Maiden and Cheap Trick.
The show sent over these excerpts from the interview: On plans for an Enuff Z'Nuff thirty-year anniversary tour: That would certainly be nice to do something like that but it's funny you bring it up because we could be nominated into the Rock 'n Roll Hall Of Fame now. It's 25 years of service. The first album came out in 1989 and here we are in 2014. It would be quite an accomplishment just to be recognized but we certainly aren't anticipating it. Most bands that get into the Rock 'n Roll Hall Of Fame have millions and millions of albums sales and they've left a mark but I see so many bands out there that aren't in the Rock 'n Roll Hall Of Fame that it is shocking, like Yes, Iron Maiden, Cheap Trick… but just to be in the game still when the average life expectancy of any band is five years is quite an accomplishment.
On the current status of Enuff Z'Nuff and the new covers album: We put together a nice record of us doing Prince, Nirvana, Queen and Cheap Trick. It is quite a good record and we've just been selling it on the road, on tours. We didn't want to put it up on iTunes yet because we wanted our diehard fans to get it first. It was a nice little taste for the fans when they come out and see the band play to hold them over until we can do another studio record. Donnie stopped touring with us at the end of March or April after we did a tour over in the UK and he took a little break after that. He wanted to do a solo album and in the meantime we wanted to continue to play so we are out there as a four piece. Myself, Johnny Monaco, who has been singing with us and playing guitar for years. Randi Scott from Silverman and Troy Stroffregan.
On doing another album with or without Donnie Vie: I certainly would like to see it with him of course. He is a big part of the reason I am in this business right now, his beautiful voice and those great songs we've written together. I would envision that Donnie would be there to make one more record but right now I'd be speaking to soon. I couldn't promise anybody anything. We have talked about whether or not we'd like to do another record but whether it ends up actually happening only time will tell.
On Jake E. Lee touring and coming back into the spotlight: I would like to see it happen for him. He's been sitting idle for a long time, he's the Howard Hughes of rock. He is living out in Las Vegas. In fact the last time I saw him after he played on the Enuff Z'Nuff Dissonance record, about a year later I got a call from one of the agents that wanted to bring Enuff Z'Nuff over to Japan because we always had a good presence there so I reached out to Jake E. to see if he'd be interested in going over there plan a couple of songs, not the whole set but for a few tunes we do off the Dissonance album live. He basically said he wanted to go over there on his own and do a solo tour as himself which I respect that and I just found out recently that the same agency out of Los Angeles, Big-Time Entertainment signed him up. He's got a little solo band and he is going to go out and do a 30 city tour this year. It is nice to see Jake E. out there. He's got that Les Paul. He plays like you wouldn't believe. He's just a wonderful musician. He doesn't even look like he's playing when he's playing. His technique is so unorthodox. On the Enuff Z'Nuff album he came down and bashed out all the songs. No one told him what the play. He did everything on his own He showed another side of himself. He is a six trick pony. He can play different styles of music. He is a very melodic player He still looks great. It's funny; when I talked to him last he had a broken leg. He was chasing down an ice cream truck out in Las Vegas and slipped, and tripped over the curb, fell in the street and broke his leg. He does love his sweets. He has healed up fine and he's gonna be out there on tour. I'm sure he's got a great band. I love him and it was an honor to play with him. And that's the only thing he'd done for a long time was the Enuff Z'Nuff album. It's nice to see him go on his own again and get a chance to play some of the songs he helped write that he never got credit for with Ozzy Osbourne. People want to hear those songs.
On Derek Frigo: What happened was in 1987 or 88 we were working in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin at a place called Royal Recorders and at the time it was Alex Kane from Life, Sex and Death who was playing guitar in Enuff Z'Nuff and the management company felt…, they were also handle Derek Frigo. They said, "the demos have been turned down by every single label. Why don't we try something with this other guitarist?" I had heard all about him. I remembered him from his old band Le Mans. I knew that he was a real rock 'n roll who burned the candle at both ends and I was concerned about us all get together thinking it would be out of control like a four ring circus so I told management "no, why don't we check someone else out." And they said "look, when we just have him come down and play three or four songs and then we will shop that demo." Reluctantly I gave in. Then Donnie and I said okay bring him on down. So basically we pulled Alex's guitar parts off the song and had Derek come in and play solos on four tunes that was it. Now the same tape that had went out to everybody and every single label had passed on, went back to them again with these four songs and everyone loved it. A bidding war happened. From nothing at all, all this broke. We couldn't get anything happening and now Chrysalis, Atlantic, Warner Brothers and all these labels were bidding on Enuff Z'Nuff. We knew we needed to make a change for the better so Derek came in and he was great on that first record. He played through an old Bradshaw. He loved the boogie stuff. He was just a great guitar player. He had wonderful influences. His father is Johnny Frigo, who was a jazz violinist who played with Count Basie, Billie Holiday and all these different stars from that era. He used to be on Johnny Carson. His son, Derek used to listen to him all the time and ended up pillaging a lot of that stuff and he brought it to Enuff Z'Nuff. Donnie to this day will probably disagree with me and thinks that maybe Derek's heavy buzz guitars might have hurt the band because we were essentially a pop group but I beg to differ. If it wasn't for his guitar playing, his extraordinary talents, you wouldn't be talking to me right now. He was a big part of the Enuff Z'Nuff sound on those first three albums, actually first four albums. We went with Derek for four or five years touring around the country and I was constantly putting fires out because there was a lot of tension between Donnie and himself. Derek wanted to be more of a guitar driven band and Donnie was hoping it would focus more on the songs and not heavy guitars. I think the whole combination made a lot of tension so instead of just doing pop songs they turned into real good rock 'n roll records. Derek went with us until about 93 and then Donnie and Derek had a disagreement about a part and he wanted him out of the band. So Derek said I'm gonna go out of my own, I can do a solo record. It broke my heart. We went back and we picked up Gino Martino, who was the original guitar player before Alex Kane. Gino went out on tour with us until we could figure out what we were going to do with our lives and band. Derek did end up coming back to the fold in 2004 to record the ? album. We were going to go over to Japan to support that record and that's when he died in Los Angeles and it just stopped the whole choo-choo train. No tour of Japan. We never really supported that record because the band was crippled at that point.
On Steven Adler: I have been in contact with him because a month or two ago we talked and he's telling me how much he missed me and wants' to go back out and do some more stuff in the summer time. Evidently he was doing pretty good and seems to be getting over the horse. I know he was going through some problems. When he's off tour he finds himself getting in trouble a little bit. He was not doing any hard drugs or anything but he found himself drinking a little too much and he just wanted to take a break from that. I called him just the other day to leave a message on his machine but his phone was shut off. I am saying a prayer for him. I hope he's doing okay because his only dream in life was for Guns n Roses to get back together again and to do the run one more time even if it was just for one show. I know it broke his heart when they were inducted into the Rock 'n Roll Hall Of Fame and Axl didn't show up.
Check out the full episode which also features Leather Leone from Chastain, Will Wallner from Wallner Vain and White Wizzard - here.
Les Claypool's Duo De Twang Release Alice In Chains Cover
(Classic Rock) Primus mainman Les Claypool has released a cover of the Alice In Chains classic Man In The Box, as recorded by his side-project Duo De Twang.
It's taken from their roots-powered album Four Foot Shack, recorded with longtime friend Bryan Kehoe. The 15-track record, which also includes covers of Bee Gees and Primus covers, is due on February 3 via ATO Records.
Claypool describes the AIC cover as "a tribute to my buddy Jerry Cantrell." Check out Duo De Twang's unique take on "Man in the Box" - here.
The Winery Dogs Announce Live Release
(Classic Rock) The Winery Dogs, Mike Portnoy, Billy Sheehan and Richie Kotzen, will include a live recording in a new special edition of their acclaimed debut album.
The supergroup launched their self-titled record last year and followed it up with four singles and tour dates. The result of one of those shows will appear as Unleashed In Japan in the special edition, due for release in April via Loud And Proud. It will also be available as a separate digital release.
Also on offer is Dog Treats: The Winery Dogs Deluxe Special Edition, which includes a DVD featuring the band's four promo videos, interviews, demos and a studio diary by drummer Portnoy. - More including video.
Tool Making Live Return But No Word On New Album
(Prog) Tool are back in action at last, they've confirmed their first live shows since the summer of 2012. But there's no update on their long-awaited fifth album.
Maynard James Keenan and co will hit the road in March to deliver five shows in the US and two in Mexico. It's thought their live schedule will be extended to include the UK and Europe later in the year.
Late last year frontman Keenan confirmed work was underway on the follow-up to 2006′s 10,000 Days – but admitted he was finding the process "tedious."
"I don't write the music. They write the music. I wait for them to bring music to me," He told Rolling Stone. "They tend to go back over and over stuff. They don't have to go through it 700 times – they can trust that first thought. But that's their process, so you've got to let them do it." - more on this story
More on Tool - Tool Music - Tool Tour Dates/Tickets - Tool CDs, vinyl and rarities
Lemmy Ready For Motorhead's Return To The Stage
(hennemusic) While Motorhead mainman Lemmy Kilmister continues to work on improving his health issues, the bassist is looking forward to returning to the stage next month for the band's rescheduled European tour in support of their latest album, "Aftershock."
"I think it's going to be really a joy, once I get back into it," he tells Rolling Stone. "Then it will be OK." Motorhead were forced to postpone the fall European trek – now set to start February 13 in Glasgow, Scotland – after Lemmy suffered a haematoma (where blood collects outside of a blood vessel) and needed to address the issue; the bassist had previously been fitted with a defibrillator because of heart problems and he continues to deal with diabetes.
"There is nothing weirder than having everything you are taken from you in one day – bingo," according to Lemmy. Rolling Stone reports he now rides an exercise bike every day at his new condo in Los Angeles; his drinking has slowed to a trickle, and the two packs of Marlboro Reds he used to smoke each day are down to one or two cigarettes a day. "Let's face it – it isn't as much fun," he says. "But it can't be as much fun if I die. I don't believe that's much fun, either." - more on this story
Djam Karet Preview 30th Anniversary Release
(Prog) Djam Karet will mark their 30th anniversary year with the release of 17th studio album Regenerator 3017 and they have released a preview trailer for the effort.
And the US instrumental outfit – once described as a blend of Pink Floyd, King Crimson and The Grateful Dead – promise the record features "Mellotrons, Minimoogs, melodies and more."
Multi-instrumentalist Gayle Ellett says: "We wanted to create a melodic album with a classic sound. Most of us were born around 1960 so the 1970s was the decade of our youth.
"The music of that time and its values were pivotal in the development of our views on how music should sound – fusion, psychedelia, southern rock and other styles were popular. We're not trying to recreate that era, but we are inspired by it."
Hear the sample trailer - here.
Ian Siegal Expands Tour Plans
(The Blues) Ian Siegal has added a string of UK dates to his busy 2014 schedule. He'll play a solo tour across England in April, including a residency at the Top Secret Blues Festival in Scarborough. That's preceded by an appearance at the Byre Theatre in St Andrews, Scotland, as part of the Fife Jazz Festival.
Then he'll fire up the Ian Siegal Band for eight concerts in England in May, including a stop at the Scala in London, where he's joined by Hungarian outfit Quimby in a double-header.
Along with the UK shows he's booked a residency at the Mustique Blues Festival, tours Italy, Russia and Austria, plus various shows in Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and the US. - more on this story
Rolling Stones Documentary Soundtrack Released
(The Blues) ABKO Records have released the soundtrack to the Rolling Stones' documentary movie Charlie Is My Darling. The film was shot in 1965 during the original lineup's two-day tour of Ireland, and the soundtrack – available as a digital-only release – includes 13 songs from the production.
Charlie Is My Darling was remastered in 2012 ahead of the band's 50th anniversary shows, and displays the Stones just as they began to appreciate what lay ahead of them.
Along with some of the classic tracks that inspired by the band, It includes The Last Time, which was the first song to feature the Jagger/Richards byline.
Read more at http://www.antimusic.com/dayinrock/#GR2uuM7s0efbPBCD.99
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