Today's Day in Rock
Bret Michaels Details Recent Emergency Room Visits
(TeamRock Radio) Poison singer Bret Michaels has reassured fans that he doesn't have a death wish after attempting to keep working through his latest spate of health issues.
He only made small adjustments to his current solo tour after experiencing kidney problems that required surgery. Guitarist Pete Evick hailed his boss's commitment to staying on the road - but admitted: "as a friend it's hard to encourage or agree."
Now lifelong diabetic Michaels says: "I wanted to take a moment to sincerely thank everyone for their concern, prayers and well wishes. I also want to thank the several emergency rooms and their staff for the immediate attention. This has been going on for several weeks and was extremely painful.
"I thought I was well enough after the first operation - however I got a blood clot, as well as an infection, which complicated the matter. I am fortunate that I work hard to keep my diabetes under control; however there's no doubt after 45 years my healing process is a little slower than a non diabetic."
AC/DC Members Surprise Fans At Listening Party
(hennemusic) AC/DC members Angus Young and Brian Johnson surprised fans with an appearance at the "Rock Or Bust" world album premiere listening party at Webster Hall in New York Tuesday night.
The pair were joined on stage by the project's producer, Brendan O'Brien, and they shared a few words with the crowd before debuting the video for the album's title track and second single.
"I hope you enjoy the album," said Johnson. "We had such a fun time making it. Malcolm wasn't in. Stevie [Young] stepped up to the plate. Malcolm is in a happy place, I want you to know that. And we love him, and he was with us right through the album."
"Everyone who is into AC/DC and is a fan; you're the guys that make it," added Young. "We keep going for you." AC/DC guitarist and founding member Malcolm Young retired from the band earlier this year as he deals with health issues related to dementia. The group brought in nephew Stevie to handle rhythm guitar on "Rock Or Bust", which will be released December 2.
Gregg Allman Biopic Death Suit Settlement Reached
(Radio.com) Earlier in the year, Sarah Jones was killed while working as a camera assistant on the film Midnight Rider, a biopic based on the life of Gregg Allman, after being struck by a train.
The incident saw a lawsuit filed by the parents of Jones, as well as a suit from Allman himself, asking for the film to be stopped altogether. While Allman dropped his suit months ago, Jones' parents did not, but have now reached a confidential settlement with many of the defendants.
According to Billboard, director Randall Miller, producer Jody Savin, executive producers Jay Sedrish and Don Mandrik, location manager Charles Baxter, Miller's production company Unclaimed Freight, first assistant director Hillary Schwartz, director of photography Mike Ozier, Epozier Films, Inc., and Rayonier Performance Fibers have all settled with the family.
Sammy Hagar Announces Free New Year's Eve Show
Some lucky Sammy Hagar fans will have the chance to ring in the New Year with the Red Rocker for free at his Cabo Wabo Cantina in Los Cabos, Mexico.
Hagar has announced a free New Year's Eve show at the venue where he will be performing with the house band Cabo Uno. "Cabo's battling back, baby - and that's the best reason in the world to celebrate and support the community." said Hagar
He was forced to cancel his annual birthday bash celebration at the venue earlier this year due to Hurricane Odile and he is using this free show as a way to encourage fans to make donations to Los Cabos Children's Foundation via donation boxes in the venue.
According to the announcement, the free admission will be "on a first come, first serve basis. Fans can also make dinner reservations at the Cantina and stay for the show. "
Saint Vitus Frontman In Treatment Following Drug Arrest
(TeamRock Radio) Saint Vitus frontman Scott 'Wino' Weinrich has apologized to fans after being arrested and deported from Norway for possession of drugs. He's taken "full responsibility" for his actions, which forced the doom metal outfit to continue their 35th anniversary European tour without him. And he reports he's "actively engaged in treatment" for his addiction.
Wino says in a statement: "The other members and crew were unaware of my substance use. I was truthful with the authorities, and initially sentenced to 16 days in jail, minus the three days immediately following my arrest.
"Initially I believed I would be fined, allowed to continue the tour, and upon its end, I agreed to return to Norway to finish my sentence. I was disheartened to realise that I was to be deported back to the US, and not allowed to finish the tour.
"... As of now I am off the road and actively engaged in treatment. And the struggle continues." Read more of his statement here.
Faith No More Return With First New Song In 17 Years
(Classic Rock) Pioneering alt-metallers Faith No More have released new song Motherf***er - the first official single from their upcoming eighth album and their first new music in 17 years.
Since the band disbanded in 1998, anticipation has been high for new Faith No More material and now they've debuted it over on the Rolling Stone website.
In an interview with Rolling Stone it was also revealed that the new studio album will be released on Faith No More's own label Reclamation Records. Read more here.
Babes In Toyland Reunite
(Classic Rock) Babes In Toyland have reunited and will hit the road in early 2015. The classic lineup of the all-female rock band will play their first show in 18 years at the Roxy in Los Angeles on February 12 - ahead of a string of other dates to be announced in due course.
Kat Bjelland, Lori Barbero and Maureen Herman have been rehearsing in LA in recent months. Singer Bjelland says: "It was brought to my attention that not only do we have a lot of diehard fans from back in the day, but also a whole new generation of kids - my son Henry included - that were eager to see us live.
"I felt some kind of obligation for them to see us, too. But mainly, I just missed my girls and the feeling that comes from playing with them - visceral live therapy." Read more here.
AC/DC's Angus Young Shares His Reaction To Phil Rudd Arrest
(hennemusic) AC/DC guitarist Angus Young and singer Brian Johnson were guests on Wednesday morning's edition of The Howard Stern Show on SiriusXM satellite radio.
The pair were on hand to promote the band's forthcoming album, "Rock Or Bust", due December 2. Among the topics discussed with the recent headlines made by drummer Phil Rudd, who was charged on November 6 with attempting to procure a murder by New Zealand police after he allegedly tried to have two men killed, possession of methamphetamine, possession of cannabis and threatening to kill.
Authorities dropped the charge of attempting to procure a murder the next day due to lack of evidence. "I fell out of bed, actually," said Angus when he heard the news. "My wife woke me up and they said, 'Hey, Phil's been up to no good.'"
"I just got up and I was getting ready to fly home to the States," added Johnson. "I had a cup of coffee in my hand and I said, 'I'm gonna watch the news in the morning.' And the first thing I saw was this guy getting led out of a car with no shoes on."
As for Rudd's status with the band, "We've got to resolve that," said Johnson. "The thing is, I don't think we have to do anything… fire him, or anything like that. I think the situation is gonna take care of itself. I mean, he's got himself into a pickle, and there's nothing we can do about it. I mean, we're talking about criminal courts here and we're talking about judges and we're talking about juries. But we are gonna go on tour. And nothing's gonna stop us."
Gene Hoglan Returns To Death
(TeamRock Radio) Death drummer Sean Reinert has left the band's current tour due to ill health and has been replaced by Testament and Dark Angel sticksman Gene Hoglan.
Hoglan - who was a member of Death between 1993 and 1995 - will fill in for Reinert on the remainder of the Swamp Leper Stomp tour, which sees the band on the road with Obituary, Massacre, Rivers Of Nihil and Untimely Demise.
Death's lawyer Eric Greif had the following statement about Sean Reinert. He said, "We wish Sean all the best and that his health will bounce back quickly."
The Haunted and Decapitated Stars Form New Band
(TeamRock Radio) The Haunted guitarist Ola Englund and ex-Decapitated drummer Kerim 'Krimh' Lechner have joined forces to form Eldvag. The pair are now actively looking for a singer for the project - and Englund reveals he doesn't have a set sound in mind.
He says: "We're not searching for any particular kind of vocalist. We just feel that the singer is the last piece of the puzzle that will form the outcome of this project. It could be clean, opera, growling - you name it. We want to hear it all."
They've released a video of them in the studio playing together on an un-named track and are asking potential candidates to download it and then upload their versions to either YouTube or Soundcloud. Check out the video and read more here.
Porcupine Tree Frontman Steven Wilson Announces Album and Tour
(TeamRock Radio) Porcupine Tree frontman Steven Wilson has confirmed his fourth solo album is to be called Hand. Cannot. Erase. and it's set for launch in March next year via Kscope.
Wilson also announced that he will support the release with a six-date UK tour the same month, with further dates to be announced across Europe in due course.
Wilson says: "We're currently developing a show that I hope will raise the bar musically and visually from my previous tours. The setlist will be based around the new album, of course, as well as casting the net further back into my past for a few surprises."
Periphery Reveal Juggernaut Details
(Prog) Prog-metal outfit Periphery have issued more details about their upcoming Juggernaut: Alpha and Juggernaut: Omega releases. They previously announced the dual albums would launch on January 26 via Century Media Records. Now they've released full track details of an record they decided to split between two discs.
Drummer Matt Halpern explained: "Because Juggernaut is very detailed and dense in terms of character development, peaks and valleys, climaxes and resolutions, we've divided the story and the music in two."
Founder and guitarist Misha Mansoor, who won the Dimebag Darrell Shredder Award at this year's Metal Hammer Golden Gods, explains the band recorded together for the first time in their history - a move which gave them a fresh perspective. Read more here.
Royal Blood Cancel More Shoes Due To Illness
(Classic Rock) Royal Blood have been forced to cancel more gigs on their current tour. They previously pulled the plug on shows in Portsmouth, Oxford and Bristol as singer and bassist Mike Kerr was suffering from severe tonsillitis.
They've now announced planned dates in Italy, Spain and Portugal will also be shelved as Kerr follows medical advice to rest his voice. The band say in a statement:
"Customers are advised to retain their tickets and await further information with regard to rescheduled dates which will be planned and announced as quickly as possible. We wish to sincerely apologise to all ticket holders for the inconvenience and disappointment this has caused."
Terrorvision's No. 1 Chance Foiled By Spice Girl?
(Classic Rock) Terrorvision frontman Tony Wright says his band's track Tequila was robbed of the chance to reach number one because pop starlet Geri Halliwell blocked its release at the right moment.
He believes the quirky song could have topped the charts in 1999 if the former Spice Girl's management hadn't leaned on the label to postpone its launch.
Wright tells TeamRock: "We were going to release Tequila the week before we did. But we went to the meeting with the record label, and Geri's management were really good. They told us we couldn't do it that week.
"They said it was too strong, that Geri wanted to talk her way through another cover version and it had to get to number one. Our management didn't have the same clout, so we released a week later.
"We sold something like 60,000 copies more than Geri did - but we only got to number two." Read more here.
Angra Recruit Doro Pesch and Epica's Simons For New Album
(Classic Rock) Brazilian metal outfit Angra have announced details of their upcoming 8th album. Secret Garden, the follow-up to 2010's Aqua, launches on January 16 via earMUSIC and will feature guest appearances from singers Doro Pesch and Epica's Simone Simons.
Angra say in a statement: "Secret Garden brings together everything that has established Angra as one of biggest bands in its style: contemporary sound combined with inspired compositions. It shows the maturity of a band that, after 23 years on the road, continues with the same motivation and passion for music that drove the glorious beginning of the group."
Simons provides the vocals on the album's title track, while former Warlock frontwoman Pesch features on a duet with Angra's guitarist Rafael Bittencourt on Crushing Room.
To mark the announcement, the band have released a lyric video of opening track Newborn Me. View it and read more here.
Tesla's Frank Hannon Releasing Solo Album
(Classic Rock) Tesla Guitarist Frank Hannon will release his latest solo album World Peace before Christmas. Earlier this year, Tesla released 9th album Simplicity - their first studio outing since 2008's Forever More. And it's been revealed Hannon started working on new solo tracks immediately after the Californian rockers wrapped up their most recent offering.
A statement of his website reads: "In a burst of creative energy, Hannon started writing his own batch of songs shortly after Tesla released their latest album Simplicity.
"While on the road touring during the summer or 2014, Frank spent all the lonely hours in his hotel rooms recording musical ideas and the ideas started flowing so he would literally be recording music in the dressing room five minutes prior to Tesla stepping on stage.
"After returning home Frank knew he had a batch of strong material, so current Frank Hannon Band members bassist Aaron Leigh and drummer Kelly Smith joined him in the studio to help put the album into fruition."
To mark the announcement, Hannon's released a teaser featuring snippets of tracks from the album. Hear it and read more here.
Focus Members Releasing Swung Album
(Prog) Three members and one former member of the group Focus have worked together to launch a double instrumental studio album under the band name Swung.
The first volume features bassist and producer Bobby Jacobs and drummer Pierre van der Linden plus ex-guitarist Niels van der Steenhoven. The second sees the rhythm section team up with current guitarist Menno Gootjes.
Jacobs says: "These are studio versions of all the fun we have during our Focus sound checks - often before Father Focus, Thijs van Leer, arrives. We always start to play from zero, and is is what happens."
JJ Grey & Mofro Announce New Album
(The Blues JJ Grey & Mofro have announced they will release new album Ol' Glory in March. The Nashville ensemble release the record on March 2 via Provogue Records.
Ol' Glory features 12 new tracks that the band say "feature the deep, soulful blend of blues, rock, folk, funk, gospel, gritty R&B and personal, Southern-inspired narratives" that they have become synonymous with.
Ol' Glory was recorded at Retrophonics Studio in Saint Augustine, Forida, where Grey has tracked many times. An avid surfer, Grey often spent the mornings at the beach and the afternoons recording. Special guests include Luther Dickinson on dobro and electric slide guitar and Derek Trucks on electric slide guitar.
Haken Working On Next Album
(Prog) London-based prog outfit Haken are assembling ideas for their fourth album, according to guitarist Richard Henshall. And although in its early stages, he says the songwriting process won't be a one-man project on the follow-up to 2013's The Mountain.
He tells Prog Sphere: "We've decided to take a different approach with the writing process of the next album. We're going to write the album as a band, whereas in the past, I've taken care of the main writing duties.
"We've never really worked this way before, so it's really exciting to see what we can create together. It's still very early days, but the stuff we have is already sounding very promising. Most of the ideas are still in their infancy, so I'm really exited to see what they grow into." Read more here.
Solstafir Announce UK Dates
(Prog) Solstafir have announced that they have extended their European tour to include five UK dates at the end of January. The Icelandic outfit are currently on the road to support the launch of fifth album Otta, which appeared in August via Season Of Mist.
Frontman Addi Tryggvason recently described the follow-up to 2011's Svartir Sandar as "a sudden change," adding: "There are more vocal harmonies, exotic vocal lines.
"I want to try new things. I was really uncomfortable - I thought, 'this is way too vulnerable!' But you gain more confidence in doing it." Check out the UK dates and a video here.
Foo Fighters Perform New Song On Ellen
(hennemusic) The Foo Fighters performed on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on Wednesday as they continue to promote their new release, "Sonic Highways" and video of their performance and an interview segment have gone online.
The band played "In The Clear" from the project after frontman Dave Grohl joined Ellen for an interview to discuss the record, the companion 8-part HBO series, and life as a rock Dad.
Produced by Butch Vig, "Sonic Highways" was recorded in 8 American cities - Austin, Chicago, Los Angeles, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Seattle and Washington, D.C.
The project was launched last month with an 8-part HBO series about the recording of the album, with the Foo Fighters unveiling new songs eack week in sync with the series, which premiered October 17.
Metallica Rock Fuel On Craig Ferguson
(hennemusic) Metallica performed their 1997 track, "Fuel", on the second night of their week-long residency on CBS-TV's Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson Tuesday night.
The song was the third single issued from their 7th album, "Reload." The tune followed Monday's performance of their 1983 classic, "Hit The Lights."
Metallica frontman James Hetfield's award-winning Black Pearl will be on hand for the Los Angeles Auto Show, which opens this weekend. Built from the ground up and designed by Hetfield and world renowned custom car builder Rick Dore, the Black Pearl has been touring shows around the United States for the past year.
"The Black Pearl is one of those things that - we initially had been taking other vehicles and cutting and pasting, making you own prototype in a way," explains Hetfield. "This one we actually started from scratch. We started with a '48 Jag and basically tried to work it, work it down to frame and build it up from scratch from a drawing. It took it to a whole new level of car building: from a drawing."
Lacuna Coil Promise Heavier New Album
(TeamRock Radio) Lacuna Coil singer Andrea Ferro says the band's next album will be heavier than anything they've written before. The Italian rockers released their seventh record Broken Crown Halo in March and Ferro says the band's new drummer Ryan Blake Folden's influence will shine through on the follow-up.
Ferro tells The Metalheadz: "He's very good with really fast double bass, and a heavier kind of drummer, in a way. And so I think there will be a little bit of heaviness on the next record - which we always wanted to bring, but sometimes we couldn't, because it didn't appeal to the style of the drummer.
"I think at this point, in our age and in our career, we're kind of free to go wherever we want. Of course we're not gonna do something completely different, because it wouldn't make sense - you still need to recognise the style of the band." Read more here.
The Pretty Reckless Release House On The Hill Video
(TeamRock Radio) The Pretty Reckless have released a music video for the song House On The Hill, from the band's second album Going to Hell, which was released earlier in the year.
The band's previous single Messed Up World was a number one hit at US rock radio, their second song in a row to do so, following Heaven Knows. The last female-fronted group to achieve this feat was Chrissie Hynde's Pretenders.
In September, frontwoman Taylor Momsen revealed that she plans to concentrate more on the band after starring in various movies and TV shows. Watch the new video here.
Dave Kerzner Leads Tribute To Classic Genesis Album
(Prog) Dave Kerzner has announced a tribute to classic Genesis album The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway - 40 years to the week after the original was launched.
The former Sound Of Contact man is working with Francis Dunnery under the name Sonic Elements on a remake to be called IT. It's set to feature contributions from Nick D'Virgilio, Steve Rothery, Billy Sherwood, Nad Sylvan and others.
Kerzner says: "This tribute to the picaresque album is done in a classic rock-meets-modern film score style, combining authentic vintage instruments from the 70s - including sounds recorded at Genesis' studio with engineer Nick Davis - along with a full orchestra."
They've released a clip of their version of In The Cage for streaming.
Sammy Hagar Previews His Appearance On The Simpsons
(hennemusic) Sammy Hagar is sharing a first-look preview of his appearance on FOX-TV's The Simpsons on Sunday, November 23rd by posting a photo from the show online.
Hagar will guest star in the season 26 episode "Covercraft", which sees Homer have a mid-life crisis, take up bass guitar and form a cover band with some of the other dads in town.
Hagar's likeness previously appeared in a season 11 episode called "Behind The Laughter", a spoof of the VH1 series "Behind The Music." The 2000 broadcast saw Willie Nelson put on a phony awards show in order to reconcile the family … and also attempt to patch things up between Hagar and Van Halen.
The Simpsons episode featuring Hagar will air Sunday, November 23 at 8pm on FOX. Check out the photo here.
Public Service Broadcasting Release Gagarin Video
(Prog) Public Service Broadcasting have released a video for their new single Gagarin. The track is taken from their upcoming second album The Race For Space, out on February 23 next year. Single Gagarin will be available from December 1 as a free download to those who pre-order the album.
The video for Gagarin is directed by Alex Kemp, produced by Tony Powell and was shot in PSB's south London homeland. It features the band showing off their dance skills in fetching space suits.
Guitarist J Willgoose Esq says: "We didn't want to be too literal in our interpretation of the material we were given - material that was full of heroic language and a sense of exuberance, with lines like 'the hero who blazed the trail to the stars,' and 'the whole world knew him and loved him.'
"It seemed more appropriate to try and re-create some of that triumphant air with a similarly upbeat song - and when it came to creating the video, the best way we could think of to communicate that sense of joy was to get our dancing shoes on."
Devin Townsend Moving On From Ziltoid
(TeamRock Radio) Devin Townsend says while he's proud of his Z2 album, he's ready to move on. The record, which launched last month, includes two discs: Sky Blue and Dark Matters the latter being the follow-up to 2007's Ziltoid The Omniscient. And he says the idea of a split recording came as he wanted to show off his variety of styles.
He tells Bravewords: "I think there's a part of it that's kid-oriented, but there's another part to it. I've demanded a lot of my audience for years. I drew them in with heavy metal and gave them country, new age and ambient music.
"There's a part of me that, when the support came, I decided that I did my artsy-fartsy movie (Sky Blue) so I needed to do my Michael Bay-type movie (Dark Matters) and then reconsider what I want to do musically. It's not that the well is dry, it's just that it's been an intense amount of work for an intense amount of time.
"By finishing up with the Ziltoid thing, in one way it was a conclusion to what started seven years ago. Sure, it's still a metaphor because that's how I write, but the surface of this is much different. It's for people to enjoy."
In Flames Singer Once Autographed A Fan's Baby
(TeamRock Radio) In Flames guitarist Bjorn Gelotte says the band would do pretty much anything for their fans - even sign their babies. Gelotte recalls a time when the band's singer Anders Friden was asked to sign a fan's baby, and happily obliged.
And Gelotte insists that he couldn't ever see a time when the band don't interact with their fans. He tells EMP Rock Invasion: "It's extremely important. That's the one reason why we're hear. Without these people listening to what we do, it would make no sense to tour.
"The physical contact, and writing something on their paper - I think it's important. I'm still a fanboy when it comes to certain things, I do the same thing. I think Anders signed a baby once. That was quite funny."
He was also asked to comment on a rumored project featuring himself, Opeth's Mikael Akerfeldt and Mastodon's Bill Kelliher. Read what he said here.
Mallory Knox Unplug For Shout At The Moon
(TeamRock Radio) Mikey Chapman and Sam Douglas of Mallory Knox visited TeamRock where they performed an acoustic version of Shout At The Moon, their September single.
Originally taken from the album Asymmetry, Shout At The Moon is a song about the moments before drifting off to sleep. Frontman Chapman had this to say,
"You can't really switch your brain off," says the singer, "and you're thinking about something - whether it's your deadline for tomorrow, or dreading going to work - but more specifically it's about the time when there's someone on your mind. It's about that moment when you look up at the ceiling and feel a multitude of emotions."
Dee Snider's Rock & Roll Christmas Tale Preview Video Goes Online
(hennemusic) Broadway In Chicago is sharing a preview of "Dee Snider's Rock & Roll Christmas Tale", a play featuring the Twisted Sister singer currently running at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place in Chicago through January 4.
"Dee Snider's Rock & Roll Christmas Tale" tells the story of Däisy Cütter, a heavy metal bar band looking to make it big even though the 80s are LONG over.
This year, these four guys are ready to take the ultimate step and, in mythic rock tradition, sell their souls to the devil in exchange for success beyond their wildest metal dreams. But every time they try to seal the infernal pact, their head-banging anthems turn into warm-hearted carols. Soon these rockers are forced to realize their dreams of stardom are no match for the Christmas spirit. Watch the video here.
Kamchatka Release Ain't Fallin' Video
(Classic Rock) Kamchatka, named after the Russian peninsular populated by volcanoes and bears that drops into the Pacific Ocean north of Japan, have released a video for Ain't Fallin', taken from the band's untitled sixth album.
The trio are made up of guitarist and singer Thomas Andersson, former Opeth keyboard player Per Wiberg on bass (both were also part of the collaborative King Hobo project alongside Clutch's Jean-Paul Gaster) and drummer Tobias Strandvik.
"I wanted to write and play a straight forward rock tune with lyrics that meant something important to me, the result became Ain't Fallin'", says Andersson. "It came out just the way we wanted it to, short, rapid and hard. Ain't Fallin' was the first one to be recorded during the sessions for The Search Goes On, although it didn't appear on the album, and it set the mood for the rest of the record. The video was shot outside our studio by the ocean in Varberg, Sweden.
"When the video was shot we had to take breaks every now and then, waiting for the curious people in sailing boats passing by, cheerfully waving and hollering. We had a great time recording and shooting the video. Enjoy!"
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