Today's Day in Rock News!

Today's Day in Rock


Aerosmith Cancel Show Due To Unrest
(hennemusic) Aerosmith have pulled the plug on their July 2nd show in Kiev, Ukraine due to the ongoing political upheaval in the country, according to event promoter National Corporation Of Entertainment.

"With much regret we have decided to cancel the Aerosmith show in Kiev on July 2nd," announced the. "It is impossible to produce this show in Ukraine while there is civil war. We can't ensure safety to the artists, crew and the audience. We can't ensure safety of the equipment.

"We're facing many economic and technical difficulties and in a state of civil war those difficulties are impossible to resolve. Therefore we just can't carry out the show on July 2nd and are very sorry for that."

"We all did our best to present the show in Kiev but we have no option but to cancel," they added. "We hope that Aerosmith will be able to perform in Ukraine at some time in the future when there is peace and more stability in Ukraine. We are arranging refunds for ticket-holders". more on this story




McQueen Street's Derek Welsh In A Coma
(Classic Rock) McQueen Street frontman Derek Welsh is in a medically induced coma after injuring his head in a fall on a tennis court. Welsh fell and hit his head and is being cared for in the Intensive Care Unit at the University of Tennessee Medical Centre, according to his friend and former bandmate Richard Hatcher.

Hatcher says: "Derek and I then started the Rat Race. I loved every minute of playing music with him. We parted ways in not so good terms, but I still consider him as a true friend. I wish I could have changed things but that is the past. Now he and his family need our prayers. He is in the ICU unit in UT Knoxville, Tennessee."

Welsh was playing tennis with Devin Johnson, owner of Alabama-based B&D Custom Guitars, when the accident happened. Johnson says: "He has massive swelling to the brain and is currently in a medically induced coma. This is a very bad situation for him and friends and family. more on this story





Steve Perry Addresses Journey Reunion Talk
(hennemusic) Former Journey singer Steve Perry is commenting on rumors regarding a possible reunion with his old band following his return to the live stage last month after an 18 year absence.

In the past weeks, Perry teamed up with alternative rock band EELS for shows in St. Paul, Minnesota, Washington, DC and Los Angeles, creating a major buzz and fueling speculation that he and Journey may reconnect.

Current Journey frontman Arnel Pineda added to the headlines when he said that Perry should reunite with the group. A fan tweeted Pineda a link to video of Perry's St. Paul performance, to which he replied, "He should come back. His voice is still there. [I] missed that voice." The dialogue continued, with Pineda offering up more thoughts on the subject. "It will be cool if [Steve would] come to one of your shows and just come up and sing with you guys. That will definitely be epic, wrote the fan. "He can take over too," replied Pineda. "It's his righteous place anyway. [I] wanna see them happy together."
Asked for his reaction to Pineda's comments, Perry tells Fan Asylum, "I don't know who or what would make Arnel want to say such a thing. He's their lead singer and I only wish him all of the very best! There is no reunion." more on this story





Iconic Songwriter Gerry Goffin Dead at 75
(Radio.com) Gerry Goffin, a songwriter who co-wrote a veritable cornucopia of pop music classics, died Thursday (June 19) at his home in Los Angeles, according to CBS Los Angeles. He was 75.

He was the former husband of singer/songwriter Carole King, and together they were one of the most successful songwriting teams of all time, penning hits including "Will You Love Me Tomorrow," "Take Good Care of My Baby," "Chains," "Keep Your Hands Off My Baby" and "The Loco-Motion."

The couple divorced in 1968, with King going on to become a superstar singer/songwriter after releasing the 1971 album Tapestry, which has sold 25 million copies worldwide (and which features three King/Goffin compositions, "Will You Love Me Tomorrow," "Smackwater Jack" and "[You Make Me Feel Like] A Natural Woman.")

Goffin remained a behind-the-scenes songwriter after the divorce, co-writing hits including "Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To)" (recorded by Diana Ross), "Saving All My Love For You" (a hit duet for Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr., later popularized by Whitney Houston) and "I've Got To Use My Imagination" (a hit for Gladys Knight and the Pips).

Earlier this year, Goffin, looking frail and using a walker, attended the Jan. 12 opening night of the Tony Award-nominated Beautiful: The Carole King Musical on Broadway; the Goffin/King relationship was a big part of the show. However, he was unable to attend the NARAS MusiCares tribute to King a few weeks later (many of their co-writes were performed at the show).

Carole King said in a statement: "Gerry Goffin was my first love. He had a profound impact on my life and the rest of the world. Gerry was a good man and a dynamic force, whose words and creative influence will resonate for generations to come. His legacy to me is our two daughters, four grandchildren, and our songs that have touched millions and millions of people, as well as a lifelong friendship. He will be missed by his wonderful wife Michele, his devoted manager, Christine Russell, his five children, and six grandchildren.

"His words expressed what so many people were feeling but didn't know how to say. If you want to join his loved ones in honoring him, look at the names of the songwriters under the titles of songs. Among the titles associated with me, you'll often find Gerry's name next to mine." more on this story





Avenged Sevenfold Video Game To Feature The Rev
(TeamRock Radio) Avenged Sevenfold's upcoming mobile video game will feature late drummer Jimmy 'The Rev' Sullivan as an unlockable character, frontman M Shadows has revealed.

Hail To The King: Deathbat is based on the themes of their sixth album, which was launched last year with new permanent sticksman Arin Illejay appearing for the first time.

Shadows tells Revolver the band were deeply involved in developing their own characters including that of Sullivan, who died of an accidental overdose in 2009 aged 28, Shadows says: "With the blessing of his parents we put The Rev in the game. Once you unlock his character you can use him as your comrade to help you through the levels." more on this story





Judas Priest's Rob Halford Explains Why He Trademarked 'Metal God'
(Classic Rock) Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford has explained why he trademarked the phrase "Metal God" in 2009 even though he is uncomfortable applying the label to himself.

He took the legal step to ensure the description couldn't be used in commercial ventures like computer games. But he's previously said he's not fully comfortable with using it himself.

Appearing on Later With Jools Holland, Halford recently told the host: "I would never put myself on that pedestal. That's the title the fans started to give me after the British Steel album.

"It's something I really cherish - I don't want anybody else to be the metal god but me." more on this story





Fear Factory, SOAD, Lamb Of God Supergroup Crowdfunding Album
(Classic Rock) A host of metal stars including members of Fear Factory and System Of A Down have launched one of the most ambitious crowdfunding initiatives ever.

Project Rogue has set a target of $70,000 to create an album called Titans that will feature Lamb Of God's Chris Adler, Napalm Death's Mitch Harris, Cynic's Paul Masdival and Rob Barrett of Cannibal Corpse.

SOAD bass player Shavo Odadjian and Fear Factory's founding drummer Raymond Herrera are also on board, along with many more existing and up-and-coming metal musicians.

Various levels of contribution are available, from a digital copy of the album at $10 to a $10,000 package that will see one of your compositions worked into the album - as well as many others in between. more on this story






Foo Fighters Play Stones, Van Halen, Queen Classics at Firefly Fest
(hennemusic) The Foo Fighters closed out their set at the Firefly Music Festival in Dover, Delaware on Friday night by performing an encore featuring covers of classics by Van Halen, The Rolling Stones, Alice Cooper and Queen.

"We're gonna do something we've never done before," said head Foo Dave Grohl. "I tell you what, I love rock and roll as much as the next guy … maybe even f***ing more than the next guy. I love being in the Foo Fighters … but tonight for the next 4 or 5 songs, we're a f***ing bar band called the Holy Sh*ts that plays classic rock songs."

The Foos then cranked up a timely version of Alice Cooper's "School's Out", followed by "Miss You" by the Rolling Stones, "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love" by Van Halen, and the Queen/David Bowie collaboration "Under Pressure."

Check out video here.





Own A Piece Of Led Zeppelin History
(Classic Rock) Led Zeppelin fans are being offered the opportunity to own one of two guitars built on specifications provided by Jimmy Page with proceeds going to a good cause.

The Gibson Les Paul Customs are identical to Page's iconic 1959 Les Paul 'number two' guitar, used throughout his Led Zep career - even down to the dents, scratches and wear marks.

Only 25 of the 'aged and signed' Les Pauls were built, each of them played personally by page to ensure they matched his original guitar. Each has been signed and numbered by the man himself. Of the 25 created, Page kept #1 for himself, with the remaining 24 becoming instant collector's items.

More details including the charity that will benefit here.





Supergroup Escape The Cult Tease Debut Album
(Classic Rock) Escape The Cult have announced details of their debut album, All You Want To, and unveiled a teaser video. The band features former and current members of Primus, A Perfect Circle, King Diamond and Kamlath.

Escape The Cult is the brainchild of Kamlath bass player Peter G Shallmin. He is joined by drummer Tim Alexander, formerly of Primus and A Perfect Circle. Mike Wead of King Diamond and Mercyful Fate is on guitar duties while French singer Matthieu Romarin, from Uneven Structure, completes the line-up.

Shallmin says of recording the album: "It was dynamic and exciting start, with blood, sweat and tears shed throughout the process and a long exhausted preparation for the attack. Every day was worth it to make it real. We were sincere in our ideas that are embodied in our debut."

Watch the teaser video here.





Stones, Bad Company, Quireboys Stars For Frankie Miller Tribute Album
(Classic Rock) Quireboys frontman Spike has finally confirmed the release of his labor-of-love tribute album to Frankie Miller. The Scots singer-songwriter's career was cut short in August 1994 when he suffered a brain hemorrhage while working on material with the Eagles' Joe Walsh. Since then he's been confined to a wheelchair.

Longtime friend Spike has brought together a supergroup consisting of Ronnie Wood, Ian Hunter, Andy Fraser and Simon Kirke, Bonnie Tyler and others. The resulting record 100% Frankie Miller features material he'd written but never recorded - and it's launched on September 8, almost exactly 20 years since his health attack.

Spike says: "Frankie doesn't want sympathy - he just wants his music to be heard. These songs have been recorded with Frankie's blessing. They would have been lost if it wasn't for the desire of a group of his closest friends and biggest fans to do them justice."

More including artwork and tracklisting here.





David Coverdale Addresses Whitesnake Guitarist Search
(hennemusic) Whitesnake frontman David Coverdale is updating fans on the status of the band's search for a new guitarist following last month's departure of longtime axeman Doug Aldrich.

"I see there's all kinds of interesting posts and some 'demands' about whom I should work with," posted Coverdale on the group's website. "As always, I sincerely thank you all for your generosity, but, with all due respect, I'll be making the decision who the band and I are going to work with."

"It's a very simple process," he continued. "I guarantee it will be a very gifted guitarist who plays great and sings great, works well in a team, someone who appreciates Whitesnake music and a player whom we feel will help us take Whitesnake to the next level in as many ways as possible... without unnecessary distractions. I hope you can appreciate this fact."

"We've had an amazing array of exceptionally gifted musicians who have applied for the gig," added the singer. "Once again, we are in such awe that so many talented people want to play Whitesnake music with us. We're very close to making our decision". more.






Mitch Lucker Memorial DVD Difficult to Watch For Suicide Silence
(TeamRock Radio) Suicide Silence guitarist Mark Heylmun says he struggles to watch footage of the 2012 memorial concert for late singer Mitch Lucker. But he adds that he is proud of the show, which was held to honor their fallen friend and raise money for his young daughter Kennedy.

The Mitch Lucker Memorial Concert was held in December 2012, a month after he died in a motorbike crash. A host of guest stars took part and the event was later released on DVD, with funds going to Lucker's family.

Heylmun tells Music Frenzy the following about watching the footage, "I would say I'll never forget it but it's honestly a hard thing to really remember. It was such a traumatic time for me." more on this story





Anthrax's Scott Ian Recounts Paul McCartney Encounter
(Classic Rock) Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian has described meeting Paul McCartney as like "being in the presence of a god." He's only encountered the Beatles icon once, but remembers being blown away by the experience. He also reports that spending time with Jimmy Page, Ronnie James Dio and Gene Simmons have a huge effect on him.

Ian tells Mulatschag: "I got to meet Paul McCartney one time. I didn't have a conversation, but I shook his hand. It's the closest I could compare to, like, gods that are walking the earth with us.

"Granted, I know they're just humans that f***ing bleed the same color I do, but the sh*t they've done and they've experienced in their lifetimes, it just can't be touched."

Check out the full interview, including his thoughts on Dio here.





Pearl Jam Perform Frozen Hit 'Let It Go' During Concert
(hennemusic) Pearl Jam performed a snippet from "Let It Go", the smash hit from the animated Disney movie Frozen, during their show in Milan, Italy on Friday and video of the performance has been posted online.

The tune appeared during the extended jam section of 1993's "Daughter", one of the songs featured in the first set of encores. Recorded by Idina Menzel, "Let It Go" won the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 86th Academy Awards in March.

Pearl Jam are currently playing shows across Europe in support of their latest album, "Lightning Bolt." The tour includes two festival appearances: Poland's Open'er Festival on July 3 and Belgium's Rock Werchter on July 5; the month-long trek runs to July 11 at Milton Keynes, UK.

Check out the video here.




Graham Bonnet Made Peace With Yngwie
(Classic Rock) Graham Bonnet says he and Yngwie Malmsteen are on talking terms again. The pair worked together in Alcatrazz until Malmsteen left in 1984, much to Bonnet's disappointment.

Bonnet tells Metal Rules: "We went through some bad times, but he's turned around now and all that bad blood's gone. He's once again my friend, I'm glad to say.

"He was a young man, he was 19-years-old and could see that everybody loved him. He left the band because he was a great guitar player, he is a great player. He became a little bit trippy and out there." more on this story





Kix Detail Comeback Album
(TeamRock Radio) Details of the first Kix album in almost 20 years have been revealed. The band from Maryland, USA, will release Rock Your Face Off in August. It will be their seventh album, and first since 1995's Show Business.

A single, Love Me With Your Top Down, is set to be released later this month. Guitarist Brian 'Damage' Forsythe says: "When we first played Love Me With Your Top Down live just a few months ago, it went over like gangbusters with the fans. It's a catchy little tune with classic Kix flavour, a perfect choice for the first taste of the record."

Frontman Steve Whiteman says of the album: "It's still hot women, fast cars, and great moments. I want everybody to end up on their feet, whether they're working out or stuck in rush hour traffic. This is a release, something to lift your spirits when you need it. You can party to this one." more on this story





BB and the Blues Shacks Release New Album
(The Blues German blues outfit BB & the Blues Shacks launched seventh album Businessmen on June 20 - and they believe it's their most confident record to date.

The follow-up to 2012's Come Along contains 15 tracks and features new drummer Jochen Reich along with the No Show No Blow Horns. A statement says:

"Blues with a capital 'B' might be a suitable headline for this production. With confidence, competence, and power, BB & the Blues Shacks are presenting themselves as a straight blues band with some soul notes, and showing their enthusiasm and their attention to detail." more on this story





Loverboy Releasing Unfinished Business Next Month
(Classic Rock) Loverboy will release Unfinished Business, their first fully-new album in seven years, on July 15th. In 2012 the Canadian veterans launched Rock n'Roll Revival, featuring nine re-recorded classics plus three new numbers.

Its follow-up contains 10 previously unheard songs, although some of them are older than others. "Come Undone "was written 40 years ago, guitarist Paul Dean reports.

He explains how the record was named: "We put the song titles up and explained to the fans that this album was 40 years in the making. It was a fun thing; some of the titles they came up with were hilarious, but perhaps a little inappropriate for Walmart. No question - Unfinished Business was the one." more on this story






Vandenberg's Moonkings Release Good Thing Video
(Classic Rock) Vandenberg's Moonkings have released a new music video for the song "Good Thing" which is the second single to be taken from the band's debut album.

Led by former Whitesnake guitarist Adrian Vandenberg, the band included a cover of Whitesnake classic Sailing Ships on the record, featuring guest vocals from David Coverdale.

Taken from the album Moonkings - which was released back in February of this year - "Good Thing" is the follow up to first single, "Breathing." Watch the video here.






Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young Stream Classic Live Recording
(Classic Rock) Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young have released a stream of their 1974 live version of Pre-Road Downs. It's taken from the fabled CSNY 1974 box set, which finally hits shelves on July 7 via Rhino Records.

The label recently said: "It captures the band's one-of-a-kind harmonic alchemy during its remarkable outdoor stadium tour - a trek that spanned more than two months and included 31 concerts in 24 cities, with combined audiences of over a million people.

"Produced by Graham Nash and Joel Bernstein, the box set mirrors the electric-acoustic-electric format the band followed each night on stage, representing an idealized version of a show from the tour."

Stream the song here.




Singled Out: Allegaeon's Dyson Sphere
Today Allegaeon guitarist Greg Burgess tells us about the song "Dyson Sphere" from their brand new album "Elements Of The Infinite," which is being released by Metal Blade this week. Here is the story:

Well our latest single Dyson Sphere is one of those tunes that you hate yourself for writing. You hate yourself because you have to turn around and play it live. This song went through so many different variations before this version came to pass, and this is by far the best one.

I'm obsessed with Devin Townsend, and all things Devin Townsend. This song was me basically trying to write a song like Almost Again from Strapping Young Lad. That song blows my frickin' mind!! What I love most about it is the constant guitar motion, it feels like it never stops, a musical journey that just keeps getting more and more intense. Well my original version of Dyson Sphere kinda had that vibe, of never stopping.

The only problem I foresaw was how the hell are we going to put vocals over it? A lot of people heard the demo and said "just make it an instrumental". Anyway I straightened what I imagined to e the verse out, and then it had some semblance of being an Allegaeon tune.

After that in the studio we slowed it down and made it a little bit more groovy, my original idea was that it was blasting right out of the gate. This turned out to be one of my favorite songs on the album, and definitely one of the more groovy ones.