Tim Abrigg Jr.'s Rock and Roll News Of The Day!: Today's Day In Rock News!

Tim Abrigg Jr.'s Rock and Roll News Of The Day!: Today's Day In Rock News!: Guns N' Roses Reportedly Reuniting For Coachella, Stadium Tour In 2016 Original Guns N' Roses members will reunite early nex...

Today's Day In Rock News!

Guns N' Roses Reportedly Reuniting For Coachella, Stadium Tour In 2016

Original Guns N' Roses members will reunite early next year and will headline the Coachella festival according to reports from two credible music publications that cite "multiple sources."
Axl Rose and Slash will reportedly lead the lineup, according to Billboard which reports that they have been told by multiple sources that the band is set to headline the California music festival next April.

They also report that the band is currently negotiating with a promoter to launch a North American stadium tour next summer and they are also in talks to be one of the first bands to play the Las Vegas Arena, which is set to open on April 6th.

A second report from Consequence of Sound says that an official announcement is "imminent" and the publication confirms that their "sources" tell them that the band lineup will also include original bass player Duff McKagan along with Rose and Slash and they will likely tap "Use Your Illusions" era drummer Matt Sorum for the reunion.

However, Billboard also reports that there were unable to reach representatives of the band, Coachella organizers, or AEG who will be operating the new Las Vegas venue for confirmation. Coachella's lineup is set to be revealed in January.

These new reports come in the wake of a mysterious Guns N' Roses trailer that appeared in movie theaters over the Christmas holiday during showings of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and the band launching a redesign of their website over the holiday that features the group's classic "Appetite For Destruction" era bullet logo.

Last month the band's official Twitter was updated with a series of cryptic tweets that read "What ever happened to no new is good news?... Of course today everyone is a journalist... if only they could read lips... Surely they'll read between the lines."



Rush's R40 Tour Was Not A Farewell Trek Says Geddy Lee

Rush frontman Geddy Lee has reiterated in a new interview that he does not believe that the legendary band's career is over and says that their R40 tour was not a farewell trek.
As we reportedly earlier this week, Lee told Paste Magazine that the band members at this point can not agree on their plans for the future, but he is not ruling out another album or future live performances.

The band's 2015 R40 tour was speculated to be their final large scale tour but Lee also says in the interview that the trek's "intention was not a farewell tour; its intention was a look back and a celebration of 40 years of music." Read the interview here.



Skid Row Part Ways With Singer Tony Harnell

Skid Row has lost another frontman. Former TNT vocalist Tony Harnell broke the news to fans via a social media post this week that he has parted ways with Skid Row.
Harnell was brought in earlier this year to replace Johnny Solinger. Now Harnells tells fans, "I'm sorry to inform everyone that I'm no longer the lead singer for Skid Row. I thank the fans for their love and support!"

His announcement comes following his hospitalization earlier this month, which forced the band to cancel their concert in Chicago. He posted the following message on Facebook about the situation at the time:

"I wanted to snuff out a few rumors I've seen online so here's the story. I'm neither dying nor faking! lol I was in the ER Tues night and admitted and released Wednesday for severe Bronchitis with Asthmatic symptoms and low oxygen levels, they ran tests to rule out anything serious.

"The Dr's felt traveling today and attempting to sing as soon as tomorrow would be a bad idea. I'm always willing to give it a try but everyone involved with the show felt it was best not to wait till the last minute to make a decision."



Motorhead Manager Reveals Lemmy's Reaction To Cancer News(hennemusic)

Motorhead drummer Mikkey Dee says the band is done following the death of leader Lemmy Kilmister in Los Angeles on Monday and the band's manager has revealed Lemmy's reaction to the news that he only had a short time to live.
"Motorhead is over, of course. Lemmy was Motorhead," Dee tells Sweden's Expressen newspaper. "We won't be doing any more tours or anything. And there won't be any more records. But the brand survives, and Lemmy lives on in the hearts of everyone."

Motorhead manager Todd Singerman revealed Lemmy had not been feeling well in recent weeks and went to the emergency room when he complained of chest pains.

Rolling Stone reports doctors found no heart trouble but Singerman and others decided he needed a brain scan "because his speech was getting bad." There were concerns that he'd had a stroke.

"We took him for the X-rays and they said, 'Oh, my God, there's stuff all over his brain and his neck,'" said Singerman on Monday. "On Saturday, two days ago, the doctor came by the house, brought the results and told us all that he has two to six months to live."

It was cancer, and Lemmy reacted calmly. "He took it better than all of us. His only comment was, 'Oh, only two months, huh?' The doctor goes, 'Yeah, Lem, I don't want to bullsh*t you. It's bad, and there's nothing anyone can do. I would be lying to you if I told you there was a chance.'"

"Here's the shocker for me and everyone else: He's been to a thousand doctors and hospitals throughout the world, but nobody caught this," adds Singerman. "To be told you have terminal cancer with all the blood tests he's taken in his life and everything else? It's very hard to grasp that. It's not like he had a f***ing chance here. This was outright: 'You got no more than six months.'" Read more here.




Foo Fighters Score Their Sixth Million Selling Album In The U.S.

Foo Fighters have another platinum level selling album release under their belt in the U.S. after their Greatest Hits collection passed one million copies sold earlier this month.
The 2009 best of collection reentered the Billboard 200 this past week at No. 159 and has now sold 1,009,000 copies in the U.S., following sales of 6000 copies last week and the 3000 copies sold during the week of December 17th, which pushed the compilation's total sales tally past one million.

This gives the band, formed by former Nivana drummer Dave Grohl, their sixth million selling album in America. Greatest Hits joins their previous platinum level albums The Colour and the Shape (1.9 million), In Your Honor (1.5 million), One By One (1.4 million), There Is Nothing Left To Lose (1.3 million) and their self-titled debut (1.3 million), according to Billboard. Read the report here.



Beatles Attract Younger Fans With Spotify Launch(Gibson)

Now that The Beatles catalog is available on streaming services, a whole new generation of future Beatles fans are discovering the Fab Four. And casual fans will be able to access the music more easily to dig deeper. And those of us who are die-hards who bought everything years ago have another way to access their beloved tunes on the go.
The Beatles albums are now available to stream on Spotify, Apple Music, Google Play, TIDAL and Amazon Prime Music. And it's particularly interesting to see which songs have had the most plays since the catalog went live on Christmas Eve.

According to Billboard, 65 percent of Beatles plays on Spotify were by users under the age of 34, and over 673,000 people added the band to Spotify playlists. And the top Beatles songs on Spotify around the world are: 1) Come Together 2) Let It Be 3) Hey Jude 4) Love Me Do 5) Yesterday. See the rest of the top 10 here.





There Would Be No Metallica Without Motorhead(Classic Rock)

Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich has detailed how big a part Lemmy played in his decision to form his first band. Ulrich now explains how, after having seen Motorhead play on a number of occasions, he found his way into their rehearsal room in England when he was 16 years old and it inspired him to star Metallica.
Ulrich tells Rolling Stone, "I got down to this studio - and within half an hour I'm sitting in their room and it's Lemmy, Phil Taylor and Eddie Clark. It was just them and me, and they're writing songs for their next album.

"I remember they were talking about this new song called Iron Fist. This is the biggest band in England, and I'm just sitting there with them in the f***ing rehearsal room writing songs for their next record. Just put that in f***ing perspective."

Ulrich continues: "There was this openness to let people into their inner circle, and it motivated me. I had met this kid, James Hetfield, about six months before - I could tell he was a super-cool guy, but nothing much came out of that interaction.

"Later in the week after I got back, I called him up and said, 'We've got to form a band together. I just hung out with Motorhead. I'm feeling it, this otherworldly calling.'

"So when I say that Lemmy is the primary reason that I'm in a band to this day, and that Metallica exists because of him, it's not some cheap exaggeration. It really was. They took me in, they let me be a part of what they were doing, and it inspired James and I to form this band based on that attitude and that aesthetic. We were just a bunch of lost kids who wanted to belong to something that was bigger than ourselves." Read more here.



Phil Anselmo's Superjoint Recording New Music

Superjoint (formerly Superjoint Ritual) has started recording new music, the band lead by former Pantera and current Down frontman Philip Anselmo, confirmed in an online post.
The band simply said "new tunes are coming" in a Facebook post which linked a metal blog report about the band recording new material at Anselmo's Louisiana studio, Nodferatu's Lair.

New Orleans photographer Jody Dorignac broke the news of the recordings by sharing a series of photos on his Instagram account of guitarist Jimmy Bower recording guitar tracks for the new music. See the posts here.



Fans Pushing To Have Motorhead's Ace Of Spades Top UK Chart(Classic Rock)

Motorhead classic Ace Of Spades is at the centre of a fans' bid to pay tribute to Lemmy in the UK new year singles chart. But organizers don't want half-hearted support from those who aren't prepared to buy the single during the week of January 1.
The Facebook page was launched in 2014, but it had secured fewer than 2000 likes until Lemmy died on December 28, two days after being told he had an aggressive form of cancer. Now nearly 20,000 people have signed up.

Admins say: "As a tribute to the absolute legend that we knew and loved as Lemmy, let's chart Ace Of Spades. Buy it from as soon as Big Ben chimes in 2016."

But they warn: "Please only like this page if you're serious about downloading Ace Of Spades from 00:01 on January 1. The new chart begins then, meaning we have a better chance of a No.1 than if we download now.

"Let's make the loudest No.1 single in years as a worthy tribute to a great man." Read more here.




Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi Says Ozzy's Devastated By Lemmy's Death(Classic Rock)

Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi thinks Lemmy didn't want people to know about the pain he was in before he died. The Motorhead icon passed away aged 70 on December 28, two days after being told he had an aggressive form of cancer.
Old friend Iommi, who admits he's still in shock, tells the BBC: "I'd remember him as a nice kind man, very honest, no airs and graces. He didn't want to harp on about the past - the future was what he was concerned about. It seemed so sudden, even though I knew he'd been ill. I think maybe he didn't want people to know all that. That would be him."

He adds that bandmate Ozzy Osbourne is "devastated," saying: "Lemmy wrote some lyrics for Ozzy's solo albums so he was in contact a lot. It's going to hit everybody. It hasn't sunk in properly yet." Read more here.



Stuck Mojo Reunion Over, Band To Continue Without Bonz and Lowery

Stuck Mojo drummer Frank Fontsere says that band is continuing on with him, guitarist Rich Ward, and new members taking the place of frontman Bonz and bassist Corey Lowery.
The news comes a year after the band's reunion show in Atlanta. The new lineup has already recorded a new studio album which they hope to release in mid-2016.

Fontsere explained the lineup changes in a recent appearance on the "Talk Toomey" podcast. He said (via Blabbermouth), "We did the reunion show [in December 2014], and it was great, and we did a couple of other shows that were great. But it was one of those things - not to go into too much detail - we're gonna continue on, but it's gonna be me and Rich [Ward, guitar] and two other guys. It hasn't been announced yet officially, but I was told that I can say that."

He also discussed the new album: "I think it's the best album we've ever done. I know everyone says that, but I've let a few people preview it, and I know Rich has let a few people preview it, and the responses are from people whose opinions we respect, who have no reason to be dishonest, and were, like, 'Oh my God! This is amazing!' So I really think it will silence any doubters. If anybody hears ,'Oh, Stuck Mojo put out a new record, but it's not with the guys that I want to be in the band, so it can't be any good.' Well, they'll get a surprise when they hear it. This album is not fooling around." Read more and listen to the full interview here.



Joe Lynn Turner Asks Fans Not To Buy Brazen Abbot CD/DVD Release

Former Rainbow and Deep Purple frontman Joe Lynn Turner has asked fans not to purchase a new CD/DVD compilation from another band he was involved with: Brazen Abbot.
Turner says in an online posting that the 'homemade bootleg' was released without his consent and he is looking into taking legal action to stop the release, according to BraveWords.com.

The singer posted the following message on his Facebook page, "Attention to all! I have just been made aware of a Brazen Abbot CD/DVD 20 years compilation release. I am very saddened to learn that this 'homemade bootleg' release was done without my knowledge, consent or approval. I consider this a breach of trust and fair business practice.

"I am looking into the legal aspects of such release and would urge everyone not to purchase this unauthorized product until any and all legal points are negotiated and agreed upon.

"I am shocked and disappointed at such unethical practice by Mr. Kotzev and feel this is a direct stab in the back. I have never seen this DVD and was not aware of the fact that Mr. Kotzev decided to release this DVD on his own without any regard or respect to me. This is unacceptable and appalling!

"I will ask you all to share this information with everyone to support all true artists who still keep the integrity and standards in this crumbling music industry. Your choice is the only decision that can make a difference.

"I appreciate your consideration and understanding in this matter and thank you for your continued love and support!"



Saxon's Biff Byford Tributes Longtime Friend Lemmy(Classic Rock)

Saxon frontman Biff Byford has bid farewell to Motorhead counterpart Lemmy after nearly four decades of friendship. The Motorhead icon died aged 70 on December 28, two days after being told he had an aggressive form of cancer.
Byford says: "I knew Lemmy for 36 years. If you were his friend you were his friend for life. He was a defiant rebel to the end, who loved his music and never compromised. Let's remember Lemmy as he wanted to be: as an iconic songwriter, lyricists and rock'n'roll rebel. Wherever you are, mate, give 'em hell."

Longtime Motorhead collaborators Girlschool say: "We lost a true friend, someone who since 1979 was part of our lives and our history as a band. We played together, recorded and toured together - but most and foremost we had the opportunity to know Lemmy's true and kind heart." They add: "We have no words to express how much we miss you." Read more here.




Evilyn Strange Announce Evilution EP

Evilyn Strange have announced that they will be releasing their new EP, "Evilution," in the first part of next year. The new EP is the follow up release to the band' 2013 debut album "Mourning Phoebe."
Frontman Phillip Strange had the following to say about the upcoming release, "Our aim is to make storming classic hard rock and metal music. I grew up listening to so many awesome bands such as Whitesnake, Sabbath, Dio, Megadeth, Alice In Chains, and The Cult. Listening to that music was such a massive inspiration in my teenage years."

Strange also discussed a change in the song writing dynamics for this new EP, "[guitarist Mikael Johannesson] gets to have a larger influence this time out which means we're heading in a heavier direction.

"It's important that we continue to explore new roads with our music, and Mike's influence has helped us to do that. Mourning Phoebe was a great foundation and Evilution builds on it." See the tracklisting here.



Lemmy's Firing From Hawkwind Recalled By Dave Brock(Classic Rock)

Hawkwind mainman Dave Brock has recalled the band's decision to fire Lemmy in 1975 - and the jokes both parties made about it afterwards. The Motorhead icon died at home in Los Angeles on December 28, two days after being told he had an aggressive form of cancer.
Brock yesterday paid tribute to his old friend, saying they'd always had a "magical bond" when they worked together. Lemmy went on to form Motorhead in 1975, and the bands toured together two years later. Brock tells the BBC: "He was a great character, a great musician. He'll never be forgotten because he made a lot of great records."

Lemmy regularly said he'd been kicked out of the band for "doing the wrong drugs." Brock responds: "Our little joke, we always had, was that if he hadn't been fired from Hawkwind he wouldn't have formed Motorhead and gone off to this fantastic career and lifestyle that he had.

"It was a band decision - two of us didn't want to sack him and four of us did. And off he went, blazing a star. It's a great style of playing he had. Very few bass players play like Lemmy. He was originally a guitarist, and when he joined us he didn't have a bass, so we had to go to a second-hand shop and buy a bass for him. He was a very eccentric lad - but he did what he wanted to do." Read more here.



Singled Out: City Reign's Sympathy

Chris Bull and Michael Grice from Manchester, UK indie rockers City Reign tell us about their new single "Sympathy" which will be included on their forthcoming sophomore album "Dasein". Here is the story:
Michael: Musically the song came in a purple patch where I was came up with the vast majority of the songs on the Dasein. The two riffs are one of those lucky moment where you pluck them out the air. The song has a great driving groove and it is impossible to not think of Springsteen when listening to those riffs. However once I took it to the practice room the 'creative disagreements' started. I think we came up with three different choruses before finding the winner, those included going half time, playing sixteenths on the drums and only playing one chord…all terrible ideas! For the outro we were a little reserved about how to end it but rightly in the end we threw caution to the wind and released the power ballad within us.

Chris: Lyrically I guess Sympathy is about something and nothing at the same time. It encapsulates the heady cocktail of vulnerability and bravado of unrequited love, and the ultimate feeling of helplessness it leaves you wallowing in. Love is strange and beautiful and makes no sense. Kinda like this song.

Tim Abrigg Jr.'s Rock and Roll News Of The Day!: Today's Day In Rock News!

Tim Abrigg Jr.'s Rock and Roll News Of The Day!: Today's Day In Rock News!: Motorhead's Lemmy Kilmister Dies From Aggressive Cancer Motorhead's Lemmy Kilmister died on Monday (December 28th) two day...

Today's Day In Rock News!

Motorhead's Lemmy Kilmister Dies From Aggressive Cancer

Motorhead's Lemmy Kilmister died on Monday (December 28th) two days after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer and four days after his 70th birthday. A number of rock stars posted tributes to the iconic frontman including Ozzy Osbourne and Matt Sorum.
The band broke the sad news with the following message," There is no easy way to say this…our mighty, noble friend Lemmy passed away today after a short battle with an extremely aggressive cancer.

"He had learnt of the disease on December 26th, and was at home, sitting in front of his favorite video game from The Rainbow which had recently made it's way down the street, with his family.

"We cannot begin to express our shock and sadness, there aren't words. We will say more in the coming days, but for now, please…play Motörhead loud, play Hawkwind loud, play Lemmy's music LOUD.

"Have a drink or few. Share stories. Celebrate the LIFE this lovely, wonderful man celebrated so vibrantly himself. HE WOULD WANT EXACTLY THAT. Ian 'Lemmy' Kilmister 1945 -2015 Born to lose, lived to win."

Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne was one of the first to pay tribute to Lemmy by tweeting "Lost one of my best friends, Lemmy, today. He will be sadly missed. He was a warrior and a legend. I will see you on the other side."

Former Guns N' Roses, Velvet Revolver, The Cult, and one-time temporary Motorhead drummer Matt Sorum had the following tribute, "Today we lost the greatest badass in the history of Rock n Roll , Lemmy Kilmister . He was a man who lived his life with no apologies and lived the dream of a life on the road playing to thousands of fans worldwide .Lemmy loved RNR and his fans. Never took them for granted and rocked as hard as he could night after night . With his opening line at every Motorhead show... 'We are Motorhead and we play Rock n Roll.'

"I met Lemmy in '89 when playing with The Cult in London in a small rock club called St Moritz . He opened his arms to me as I was new to the big leagues at that point. I felt accepted by him and that meant everything to me. The years ahead with Guns N' Roses, The Cult and Velvet Revolver and travels on the road it was always a good time crossing paths with him. Likes Pirates on sailing ships. He was someone that carved the way and we followed by example. Stick to what you believe in, never waver, and everybody else can f*** off.

"I got the call to play with Motorhead in 2009 and took the invitation meeting them in DC with no rehearsal although somewhat nervous the fans would kill me if I didn't do the music justice. I played with the toughest rock n roll band in history and definitely the loudest. The best time was on the bus with countless stories from the very intelligent Lemmy, a well read man and history buff. It made you really love him like an elder statesman that you looked up too. A classic gentleman, really.

"That's what he was for me. He taught me to respect myself and have respect and gratitude for the life we'd be given. He will always remain in my heart as a guide to push on. Take no prisoners and never give up. The world of rock is shaken today but thank god Lemmy was here to teach us how it's supposed to be done.

"My condolences to his band mates Phil and Mikkey and his family and close friends . God Speed my Friend , I love you and will miss you."



A Static Lullaby Reuniting For Don't Forget To Breathe Shows

A Static Lullaby shared a big Christmas gift for fans this year. The group announced on Christmas Eve that that they have reunited and will play a string of shows in early 2016.
The band posted the Facebook message with the simple message "Merry Christmas" accompanied by a photo that listed four live dates where the band will play their 2003 album "...And Don't Forget To Breathe" in full.

The string of California dates kick off on February 26th in San Diego at the Soda Bar and also includes shows in Pomona at The Glasshouse the next night, followed by The Boardwalk in Orangevale on March 25th and San Francisco on March 26th at the Social Hall SF.

No word yet if the band plans more show or if they plan to continue their reunion beyond the announced concerts.



Geddy Lee Addresses The Future Of Rush

Rush frontman Geddy Lee addressed the uncertain future of the band in a new interview in light of Neil Peart's recent revelation that he has "retired from music," which Lee said at the time meant that the drummer had only retired only from large scale touring.
Lee now elaborates more in a new interview with Paste Magazine. When asked about the band's future plans following Peart's revelation, Lee says, "Well, I don't know, I can't tell you.

"We happen to find ourselves in a very differing state of mind in terms of doing major tours. Neil is not up for the kind of work that it takes for him to be ready to put out a three-hour show the way we have for the last 20-odd years.

"So his interest in this kind of touring has dwindled. And that's sort of where we're at. It doesn't necessarily mean we won't do another record together, and it doesn't necessarily mean we won't play another concert together-it just means that for the moment we cannot agree on doing a big tour... maybe something will happen where we can come up with some other idea about how to tour. But at the moment it doesn't look good." Read the full interview here.



AC/DC Dominate 2015 Hard Rock Year End Charts

AC/DC were the clear winners in hard rock on the U.S. charts this past year as Billboard has revealed their year-end charts with AC/DC dominating the Hard Rock artist and album charts.
AC/DC's "Rock Or Bust" album topped the Hard Rock Album Chart. They were followed by 2) Nickelback's No Fixed Address; 3) Foo Fighters' Sonic Highways; 4) Breaking Benjamin's Dark Before Dawn; 5) Five Finger Death Punch's Got Your Six; 6) Disturbed's Immortalized; 7) Slipknot - .5: The Gray Chapter; 8) In This Moment's Black Widow; 9) Halestorm's Into The Wildlife; and 10) Iron Maiden's Book Of Souls.

The top 10 hard rock artists list was similar to the album list: 1) AC/DC; 2) Nickelback; 3) Foo Fighters; 4) Breaking Benjamin; 5) Five Finger Death Punch; 6) Disturbed; 7) Slipknot; 8) In This Moment; 9) Halestorm; 10) Iron Maiden.

The Australian band also landed at No. 4 on the publications "Top Rock Album chart" which curiously listed several albums that would normally not be considered rock, or would only marginally qualify.

Check out the full list of year end charts, including the curious rock lists, compiled by Billboard here.



Silverstein Announce 2016 U.S. Headline Tour

Silverstein have announced that they will be launching a U.S. headlining tour early in the New Year which will feature support from Being As An Ocean, Emarosa, Coldrain, and Rarity.
The tour is scheduled to kick off on February 29th in Milwaukee, WI at The Rave and will be concluding on March 31st in 31 Grand Rapids, MI at The Intersection.

Silverstein say in the announcement, "We will be returning to America for an exclusive headline tour this February/March. These will be our only headline dates for 2016 so be sure not to miss out!" See the dates.



Police Investigating Alleged Linkin Park Stalker(Banana 101.5)

Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda has been dealing with a stalker and has recruited the LAPD to help track down the obsessed fan. Shinoda reportedly suspects a number of harassing tweets recently sent to him are allegedly from Tabitha Boccarossa, who believes she is Shinoda's wife.
Boccarossa was arrested back in 2013 for stalking Mike Shinoda and his wife, Anna. A protective order was issued but Boccarossa violated the order by sending Shinoda letters from prison.

The Linkin Park rapper's latest potential issue with the female stalker has been through Twitter, where someone has reportedly been sending bizarre messages to Shinoda.

According an LAPD search warrant obtained by TMZ, police are asking Twitter to provide all information behind the user in question. Read more here.



Former Motorhead Guitarist Fast Eddie Clarke Remembers Lemmy(Classic Rock)

Former Motorhead guitarist Fast Eddie Clarke says "the world seems like a really empty place" now his former leader Lemmy has died. The rock icon passed away on Monday.
Clarke was a member of the band from 1976 until 1982. Along with drummer Philthy 'Animal' Taylor - who died last month - he was part of the classic-era lineup. They appeared on five albums together: their 1977 self-titled debut, 1979's Overkill and Bomber, 1980's Ace Of Spades and 1982's Iron Fist.

Clarke says: "I have just been told that Lemmy has passed away in LA. Like Phil, he was like a brother to me. I am devastated. We did so much together, the three of us. The world seems a really empty place right now. I am having trouble finding the words... He will live on in our hearts. RIP Lemmy!" See his full post and photo here.



Five Finger Death Punch, Megadeth Lead Rock'n Derby Lineup(Gibson)

Demolition derbies and hard rock music will unite at a new festival called Rock'n Derby which will take place May 20 through 22, 2016, in Schaghticoke, New York, close to Albany.
The three-day extravaganza will offer headlining sets from Five Finger Death Punch, Halestorm and Shinedown. Heavy music and demolition derbies make a good fit, right?

Additional artists confirmed for the debut Rock'n Derby are Megadeth, Sixx:A.M., Wolfmother, Clutch, Scott Stapp, Trivium, Anthrax, Sevendust, Pop Evil and Dokken, among others. More bands will be announced as the event draws closer. Read more here.




Courtney Love Shares Christmas Message To Kurt Cobain

Courtney Love was in a reflective mode this past holiday weekend and posted a Christmas message to her late husband Kurt Cobain and daughter Frances Bean Cobain on Instagram.
The Hole frontwoman posted a photo of herself, Cobain and their daughter Frances Bean as a baby dressed in a Santa outfit and captioned the Instagram post with the following message:

"That Christmas moment in everyones lives that you never forget, the one that makes you feel on top of the world, where the greatest gifts are the loved ones you shared that moment with. Well this is mine, I'm grateful to have ever experienced that moment.

"Merry Christmas Kurt, the greatest true love I've ever experienced in my life. You gave me the gift that makes life worth living, our incredibly talented, loving, beautiful and gifted daughter Frances Bean Cobain. Merry Christmas Bean, love mom and dad"

See the post here.


Styx Reveal Live DVD Plans

Styx revealed in an online post that they are currently working on a DVD version of their "Live at the Orleans Arena Las Vegas" live album which was released back in May.
The concert was recorded in July of 2014 during the band's North American summer tour that also featured hitmakers Foreigner and former Eagles guitarist Don Felder.

Styx did not reveal a release date for the DVD, explaining that they are still working on bonus material for the release but did offer some comments from director Steven A. Jones and guitarist James 'J.Y.' Young.

Jones says, "We're shooting an in-depth look at what life on the road is like. The audience is used to seeing the band onstage, but we're trying to show them what the band's life is besides what they do onstage."

Young adds, "The original idea… was that it was just going to be about being on the road. Me, I'm happy to sit there and be interviewed, which I did... I can soliloquize about filling in the blanks about the songs that are going to be on the DVD." See the full post here.



Downfall Of Gaia Announce Departure Of Peter Wolff

Downfall Of Gaia announced in their year-end recap post last week on Facebook that they will be parting ways with Peter Wolff in April of next year and the band put out an open call for guitarists that are interested in replacing him.
They write, "The year is coming to an end and we would like to thank each and everyone for an intense and busy 2015! Europe, USA, Japan and Australia - it has been a crazy ride!But unfortunately it's not only 2015 that is coming to an end.

"Priorities in life do change and from time to time you have to make choices and walk the path that's best for yourself even if it differs from the direction of others. So today is the day where we have to say goodbye to Peter!

"We would like to thank him for the last 7 years, the highs and lows, the willing and the unforgettable time we spent with each other! Our last show with Peter on guitar will be in April 2016. More info soon!

"Downfall of Gaia will continue as always! So right now we are looking for a new guitar player! Someone based in Berlin or Hamburg (best case/no must) with enough time, passion and willing to tour worldwide! If this sounds like you - get in contact via booking[at]downfallofgaia[dot]com".



Metallica Share Video Tribute To Their Hero Lemmy(Classic Rock)

Metallica have called late Motorhead leader Lemmy Kilmister their hero in an online post, adding that he's one of the main reason the band got together in the first place.
James Hetfield and co posted a video of Lemmy's 2009 appearance with them, when they performed Motorhead track Too Late Too Late together. The band say: "Lemmy, you are one of the primary reasons this band exists. We are forever grateful for all of your inspiration. Rest In Peace. Endless love and respect, Metallica."

Among many other tributes, Anthrax say: "There's nothing we could write that can live up to the mighty life you lived. You are rock'n'roll. Warrior Always. Much love."

Megadeth mainman Dave Mustaine simply writes: "Farewell Lemmy. I love you brother." Read more tributes and watch the video here.



Slipknot's Corey Taylor and Killswitch Engage's Jesse Leach On Lemmy(Classic Rock)

Slipknot and Stone Sour frontman Corey Taylor has mourned the loss of his friend Lemmy Kilmister, who passed away on December 28 (Monday) after a brief battle against an aggressive form of cancer.
Slipknot presented the rock icon with a Best Bassist Award in memory of late member Paul Gray in 2013. Taylor says: "My friend died today. We'll all miss you. Your name was Lemmy, and you played Rock'n'roll. Rest in peace, my man."

Among many other tributes, Jesse Leach of Killswitch Engage reports he's "gutted" by the news and says: "No one will ever come close to the sheer power and presence of this man, ever." Read more tributes here.


Glenn Hughes Calls Lemmy The Originator(Classic Rock)

Glenn Hughes has described Lemmy as "the real dang deal" and "the originator" in his tribute to the Motorhead leader. The rock icon passed away on December 28 (Monday).
Former Black Sabbath and Deep Purple vocalist and bassist Hughes says: "Within seconds on the radio I knew it was him - distinctive bass and vocal approach. He lived for rock'n'roll.

"In the 80s I failed miserably to keep up with him at the bar. He set the bar. He was the bar. There will never be another like you Lem. You did good, kid." Read more here.


Hawkwind's Dave Brock Tributes Former Bandmate Lemmy(TeamRock Radio)

Hawkwind leader Dave Brock has paid tribute to late friend Lemmy, describing him as "a character, a gentleman and friend." The Motorhead frontman passed away on December 28 (Monday).
The future Motorhead founder joined Hawkwind in 1972, playing bass even though he'd only previously played guitar. He fronted the band for their biggest hit, Silver Machine, but he was fired in 1975 after being arrested for drugs possession on tour in Canada.

He went on to form the outfit that made his name later that year - and bad feelings didn't last between the bands. Brock says: "So very sad to wake to the news that we have lost Lemmy. I'll miss him, and especially our eccentric text conversations of recent years."

He adds: "We had a magical bond when we played together. He had a style all of his own. His legendary bass playing will live on for ever."

Tim Abrigg Jr.'s Rock and Roll News Of The Day!: Today's Day In Rock News!

Tim Abrigg Jr.'s Rock and Roll News Of The Day!: Today's Day In Rock News!: Sparked By Mysterious Movie Trailer The Guns N' Roses reunion rumor-mill is churning in overdrive following website and Facebook...

Today's Day In Rock News!

Sparked By Mysterious Movie Trailer

The Guns N' Roses reunion rumor-mill is churning in overdrive following website and Facebook changes and a mysterious trailer that reportedly appeared in theaters over the Christmas holiday weekend.
The latest round of rumors began on Christmas Eve when the band's official website was updated with a large image of the "bullet" logo from the band's "Appetite For Destruction" era and the removal of all but three links on the site's navigation bar.

The band's website wasn't the only online change noticed by fans. Guns N' Roses also updated their official Facebook cover photo and profile image on Christmas Eve with a black and white image showing a crowd of fans.

To add more fuel to the reunion rumor fire, several media outlets report that Guns N' Roses also made a mysterious appearance during the pre-show movie trailers for Star Wars: The Force Awakens over the weekend.

According to the reports, the trailer plays three short clips of "Welcome To The Jungle" over black and white images of a concert crowd, similar to the Facebook updates.

This follows a series of cryptic tweets from the band's official Twitter last month that read "What ever happened to no new is good news?... Of course today everyone is a journalist... if only they could read lips... Surely they'll read between the lines."

And read between the lines people have. There has been no official word from any of the original members about reunion plans, but the clues and developments have led many to speculate that it is coming. Perhaps, or maybe Axl is having fun fueling the fires and the tweets and redesigns and movie trailer point to something else like the release of a classic era live album or DVD, or a theatrical concert film. With so few details, speculation can lead anywhere. Time will tell... until then, we need a little patience to see what ultimately happens.

Ultimate Classic Rock has put together a time line of reunions rumors here.



Lamb Of God Were Sued After Listening To Aspiring Band(TeamRock Radio)

Lamb Of God guitarist Mark Morton has explained why he always refuses to listen to demos offered to him by hopeful bands. His own outfit once became the subject of legal action after accepting a recording that had been handed to them.
Morton says: "Years ago, some aspiring band gave us their demo. Some time after that unremarkable incident, they presented us with a lawsuit. They claimed that, upon hearing their crappy demo, we stole some of their music and released it as our own without compensating them."

He says that very little came of the unfounded allegation and "the whole thing went away as quickly as it had appeared." But he adds: "That, my good friends, is why I don't want to hear your demo. As so often happens in life, one a**hole ruins it for everybody." See his full posts here.




Radiohead Streaming Rejected James Bond Spectre Theme(Classic Rock)

Radiohead have streamed their track Spectre, which they wrote for the James Bond movie of the same name. Thom Yorke and co were the subject of speculation earlier this year that they'd been signed up to write the theme song for the 24th film in the series, starring Daniel Craig.
Bookies suspended betting in July after a customer tried to place a £15,000 wager on the subject. Now Radiohead say: "We were asked to write a theme tune for the Bond movie Spectre. Yes we were. It didn't work out - but became something of our own, which we love very much.

"As the year closes we thought you might like to hear it. Merry Christmas. May the force be with you." Earlier this month Yorke wrote a public letter to Santa, asking him to send his children "hope for the future." Listen to the track here.



Eagles Of Death Metal Frontman Helped By U2 Following Paris Attacks(Classic Rock)

Jesse Hughes has told how U2 helped him recover from shock in the aftermath of the Paris terror attacks - at a time when the Eagles Of Death Metal frontman wasn't sure he could ever perform again.
And he's described the Irish band's hospitality when he took part in their own Paris show as the best way to get over his fear of returning. EODM were on stage when 89 people were killed at the Bataclan venue last month. They guested with U2 just weeks later, playing a collective cover of People Have The Power, and then Bono's outfit left the stage so they could perform alone. They've now rescheduled the shows they'd been forced to postpone.

Hughes tells Rolling Stone: "Bono knows I'm a Christian and he knows I'm a mamma's boy. The day after the attack a courier came with a phone and a note that said, 'This is from Bono. Make sure you call your mom.'

"I thought that was awesome - it was the first time I really got to talk to my mom without being in a police station, and that meant the whole world to me at that moment."

Bono later called him to offer advice and support. "I felt like the best person to ask is someone who's rubbed elbows with world leaders," says Hughes. "He just prayed with me on the phone. He kept my head off things. Then U2 visited the memorial site - that was important to me because I really wanted to be out there. I didn't want to be in some safe house.

"That little detail is something that nobody would ever know mattered, but it mattered to me. I didn't know how I was ever going to get back on stage again." Read more here.




Aerosmith Guitarist Hopes Another Dimension Not Their Final Album(Classic Rock)

Aerosmith guitarist Brad Whitford says he's not holding his breath for another album - but he'd prefer it if Music From Another Dimension wasn't their final word from the studio.
The 2012 title, which received mixed reviews, came after the band endured a tumultuous period that saw frontman Steven Tyler fall off the wagon, fall out with his colleagues and come close to being fired.

Whitford said last month that Aerosmith "kind of felt abandoned" while Tyler concentrated on his country rock solo album, which had forced them to change touring plans.

Asked about the chances of recording a 16th record, Whitford tells Eddie Trunk: "I really don't know. Joe Perry and I are in the trenches digging away. We're certainly capable of sitting down with the rest of the guys and writing music. If that happens, great. But I'm not going to hold my breath. I really don't know."

He says he's "not really" happy with the idea of Music being their last release, adding that he'd wanted to approach the project differently but he "couldn't get anybody to go along" with him.

"I said, 'Let's go record this the same way we recorded Toys In The Attic and Rocks.' Aerosmith is such a good band that I wanted to basically record live, because we play so well together." Read more here.




Singer For AC/DC Precursor Easybeats Stevie Wright Dead At 68(Classic Rock)

Stevie Wright, frontman with Australian rock pioneers The Easybeats, has died at the age of 68. The English immigrant, also known as Little Stevie Wright, formed the band in 1964 along with Englishman Gordon Fleet, Scotsman George Young and Dutchmen Harry Vanda and Dick Diamonde.
Vanda and Young became one of the leading songwriting teams of their generation. Their best-known composition is The Easybeats' Friday On My Mind from 1966, featuring Wright's vocals. It was named the best Australian song of all time by the Australian Performing Rights Association and it's been covered by David Bowie, Gary Moore, Bruce Springsteen, Peter Frampton, Blue Oyster Cult and others.

George Young is the elder brother of AC/DC co-founders Malcolm and Angus Young. Malcolm played guitar on Wright's 1974 track Evie, which became the first 11-minute song to chart anywhere in the world. Read more here.




Vivian Campbell Reunites With Whitesnake At Final Tour Stop(Classic Rock)


Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell has revealed how a conversation with former Whitesnake colleague David Coverdale cleared the air between them. That led to Campbell guesting with his old boss on the final show of their UK tour together last week.
He was a touring member of Whitesnake from 1987 to 1989, but recently said the stint "didn't mean an awful lot" to him. He was dismissed after the bandleader decided he wanted to focus on working with guitarist Adrian Vandenberg.

Asked about his relationship with Coverdale, Campbell tells RockPages: "It's good. It was strange for a few years. Adrian didn't want another guitar player in the band. It was nothing against me - when he was hired they didn't tell him there would be two guitar players. There was a certain rivalry in the air.

"When the tour ended, David said to us all that the songs on the new record would be written by Adrian and himself, because they had a great working relationship. I knew deep inside that this wasn't a band I would last in for too long."

The situation came to a head when Coverdale had his tour manager tell Campbell that his wife wasn't welcome on the road, because she and the frontman's wife didn't get along.

Campbell continues: "That's the problem I had with David - I always thought he didn't have the balls to look me in the eyes and say what he wanted to say. Even when he wanted to let me go, he asked the tour manager to break the news." Read more here.



Scott Ian Explains Why S.O.D. Won't Reunite(Classic Rock)

Scott Ian has explained why he's ruled out a Stormtroopers Of Death reunion - saying the supergroup "became like a job" after a while. He founded the outfit with bandmate Charlie Benante and former colleague Dan Lilker along with vocalist Billy Milano, who went on to form MOD.
They've released three albums - 1985's Speak English Or Die, 1999's Bigger Than The Devil and 2007's Rise Of The Infidels - but Ian recently said there was "zero chance" of another round.

Now he tells Mammoth Metal TV: "I have only fond memories of anything I've done with SOD. That being said, I just felt like we did too much. Speak English Or Die is a f***ing anomaly.

"We wrote a bunch of ridiculous songs that made us laugh - the whole 22 minutes is just a big inside joke. It f***ing worked. A lot of people got the joke all over the planet, laughed along with us, and it was f***ing awesome."

He enjoyed the opportunity of touring with SOD in 1999 and 2000. "It have some people a chance to see it," he says. "It's when we came around for a second run, though - then it became like a job.

"All of a sudden it was like, 'Wait a minute, I already have a band with baggage and issues and business problems. Now I've got two.' I couldn't handle that. I couldn't handle having two bands struggling." Read more and watch the full interview here.




Gladys Knight & The Pips' William Guest Dead At 74(The Blues)


William Guest of Gladys Knight & The Pips has died at the age of 74, it's been confirmed. The backing vocalist was one of two members, along with Merald 'Bubba' Knight, who remained part of the group from their 1953 formation until their split in 1989.
After the Pips split, Guest went on to found a production company with former bandmate Edward Patten, who died in 2005. He was later boss of Crew Records, and published an autobiography, Midnight Train From Georgia: A Pips Journey, in 2013.

Co-author Dhyana Ziegler, Guest's sister-in-law, reported that he'd passed away of a heart condition. She added: "I'm so glad we finished the book, so his wonderful life and legacy will be celebrated throughout eternity." Read more here.




Asking Alexandria Announce New Album The Black(TeamRock Radio)

Asking Alexandria have confirmed the name of their first album with new frontman Denis Stoff. The Black is to be released in March, after work was all-but started again following the departure of Danny Worsnop in January this year.
Guitarist Ben Bruce recently had the following to say: "After we spent the last two years writing for this record, a lot of that ended up getting scratched when Denis joined."

Describing the follow-up to 2013's "From Death To Destiny" as being packed with "raw energy and aggression, he added: "You turn it on and you're like, 'Wow - they're back.'" Check out the cover art here.




Jackie Wilson To Be Resurrected For Hologram Show(The Blues)

Late R&B icon Jackie Wilson is set to perform again - as a hologram. The performing image is under production by the firm that drew attention when it brought dead rapper Tupac Shakur to the Coachella festival stage in 2012.
Since then, Hologram USA has created working images of Roy Orbison, Buddy Holly, Nat King Cole, Billie Holiday and others. Wilson will be the subject of the Mr. Excitement show.

Boss Alki David has vowed their version of Wilson will boast "everything you expect - the leaps, spins and backflips, not to mention his amazing four-octave range." Read more here.




Papa Roach Release 'Falling Apart' Video(TeamRock Radio)

Papa Roach have released a music video for their single Falling Apart, which is also a track that is taken from the band's eighth album F.E.A.R., which was launched in January.
Frontman Jacoby Shaddix says: "Falling Apart is an epic Papa Roach track - the vocals are really straightforward, and then it explodes into that massive chorus. The audiences can't help but jump up and down when we play it."

He reported earlier this year that he'd started work on the band's next record, saying: "We're working on riffs already. Stuff just gets me off. It lifts me up, it moves me and it inspires me. I think that's why we're still here - because we still have that fire." Watch the video here.




Nikki Sixx Says Motley Crue Is His Guilty Pleasure(Classic Rock)

Nikki Sixx has described Motley Crue as his "guilty pleasure" as the band's career nears its end. They'll play their final show on New Year's Eve in Los Angeles, after last year signing a legal document making it nearly impossible for them to reunite afterwards.
The bassist has already confirmed plans to concentrate on Sixx:AM for at least the next two years, while Crue's swansong is likely to be the movie version of their book The Dirt, expected for release next year.

Sixx tells Examiner.com: "In my own life I like to be poised and have a positive outlook on life, and I'm leading by example to mu children and the people around me.

"In Motley Crue I let it fall apart - it's my guilty pleasure. We're ageing, sometimes gracefully and sometimes not, and the blemishes enhance the beauty. The falling apart at the seams seems to be what people like. We don't have to grow up, so why would we?"

He believes one of the biggest lessons he's learned in recent years is to delegate tasks to those around him. "It's been a gradual work in progress," he says.

"There's a big difference between confidence and over-confidence. Over-confidence comes from fear and doubt. I look back at things I said when I was younger. It was bullsh*t.

"The more confident you are, the more you can let go, and believe that the people in your circle are able to do what they say they're going to do. It's made me a better band member, too." Read more here.




Bring Me The Horizon Release String Section Performance Video (TeamRock Radio)

Bring Me The Horizon have released a new online video that features the band's live performance of their song "Drown" with a string section at a London Studio.
It was recorded during a BBC Radio 1 session in London's Maida Vale studios earlier this year, while the band promoted the release of fifth album That's The Spirit, launched in September.

BMTH have one UK date set among runs in Asia, Europe and North America - but Oli Sykes and co have tweeted: "In 2016, Bring Me The Horizon will tour the United Kingdom. This is not an announcement. This is a warning." Watch the video here.




Behemoth's Next Album May Be Released Sooner Than Expected(TeamRock Radio)

Behemoth frontman Nergal has said the band could release the follow-up to The Satanist in 2017 - much earlier than expected. The overwhelming success of their 10th release, and the amount of effort involved in bringing it to fruition, had led him to suggest that the band's next release might be several years away, if it happened at all.
Nergal tells Rocksverige: "When we were in the studio f***ing around with ideas for a theatre project, it kind of triggered my creativity. I think I'll be getting into writing mode earlier than I expected. It's still too early, but I think I want to start in 2016. I think it would be smart to have a new album in 2017."

But he won't commit to any deadline. "It's been two years since The Satanist and it couldn't have been done better," he says. "I'm the happiest artist alive because I have the strongest album in my hands." Read more here.




Panic! At The Disco's 'Death Of A Bachelor' Video Streaming Online(TeamRock Radio)

Panic! At The Disco have released a video for their track Death Of A Bachelor. It's taken from their upcoming album of the same name, which arrives on January 15 via DCD2 / Fueled By Ramen.
Frontman Brendan Urie recently described the follow-up to 2013's Too Weird To Live, Too Rare To Die as "a beginning of a new era and a homage to how it all began."

He added: "Death Of A Bachelor is in honour of those times I spent alone as a kid, allowing music to consume me, playing everything myself just to get the idea right and out of my head. It's a beginning to a new era. This album is me." Watch the video here.



Chthonic Will Still Continue If Frontman Wins Political Office(Classic Rock)

Taiwanese metal band Chthonic cemented their reputation as 'the Black Sabbath of Asia' during their 20th anniversary concert this weekend - which doubled as a political rally for frontman Freddy Lim's election campaign.
And even though he knows it'll be difficult, he's vowed the band will continue if he becomes an official representative of the people. He's a candidate in the parliamentary elections that take place on January 16. Reports suggest he and his year-old New Power Party are likely to do well, with their policies of enhancing social freedom, advancing ecological issues and resisting the restrictive intentions of neighbouring China - which has Chthonic are banned from playing there.

Their Taipei concert, attended by 20,000 fans and seen by hundreds of thousands, was partly funded by the band selling their stage gear. It was billed as "a concert to calm the soul and defend the nation." It can be streamed in full below.

Lim - a former chairman of Amnesty International in Taiwan - tells the Guardian: "It's a show of how we support freedom of speech and to encourage our fans to all try their best over the coming year to change Taiwan for the better. There is a new political space and it will allow more and more young people to bring about real change." Read more here.



Avantasia Preview New Album Ghostlights(Classic Rock)

Avantasia have released a teaser for seventh album Ghostlights, containing clips from five tracks. Ghostlights will be released on January 29 via Nuclear Blast.
Mainman Tobias Sammet gathered a wide range of guest artists for the album, including vocalists Dee Snider and Geoff Tate, ex-Kiss guitarist Bruce Kulick, Marco Hietala of Nightwish and Sharon Den Adel of Within Temptation.

Sammet recently said of the work: "Anything worth doing is worth overdoing, and more is more." The new teaser follows the launch of lead single Mystery Of A Blood Red Rose earlier this month. Check out the preview video here.




The Flaming Lips Release Sad Christmas Miley Cyrus Collab(Prog)

The Flaming Lips have released another collaboration with Miley Cyrus, entitled My Sad Christmas Song. It follows their appearance on her album Miley Cyrus And Her Dead Petz earlier this year.
The release ends a year in which Wayne Coyne and co have worked on a wide range of non-Lips material, including tributes to Donovan, Brian Wilson and John Lennon.

Frontman Coyne admitted last year that their Beatles tribute album With A Little Help From My Fwends - which also feaured Cyrus - was a risk, adding: "The Beatles took chances.

"There was nothing safe about Sgt Pepper, and it probably could have been a huge disaster. But the Beatles wanted to follow their own path, and that's something to be celebrated." Stream the song here.



Singled Out: Soundgazer's Dancing With The Dead

Voytek Iwasiuk from Soundgazer tells us a little about the song "Dancing With The Dead" which comes from the Toronto band's brand new album "Two Graves". Here is the story:
It's a person we have all met. Someone we trust, whose intentions we know and with whom we feel comfortable sharing our time. "Dancing with the dead" is about the disbelief one feels when this person's true intentions turn out to inflict suffering rather than pleasure, break trust rather than build it, and repel rather than attract. This disbelief may be perplexing enough to lead one to conclude this person is dead on the inside. Like a zombie on the dance floor!

This concept fuelled the lyrics we wrote for this song and ignited its edgy instrumentation and vocal layering. The original guitar tone was very distortion saturated and more akin to a metal sound. We spent hours sprucing up the guitar with variations of effects but could not capture anything compelling. Just before giving up on the entire idea, we decided to start cropping sections of the guitar audio clips. It sounded ridiculous dry, but with the channel effects turned on it instantly became the intro to the song.

We also layered 3 non unison vocal lines using 3 distinct voices to create the chorus. As an initial idea we expected this would sound cluttered and confuse the ear of the listener as to a focal point. However, after our first take we loved the outcome and found it very suiting for the track. We actually created a makeshift vocal recording area in the corner of my bedroom. It was a bit comical initially, as the sensitive condenser microphone captured every background sound, including passing cars, aircraft, running faucets, etc. It took a bit of creativity and numerous takes to finally capture a clean recording (we covered the windows with pillows and more or less held our breath while the other person was being recorded to ensure we did not shift our weight which would cause the bed and chair we were sitting on to creak).

Every other aspect of the song simply fell into place after this point. It felt very natural, more akin to something we allowed to freely channel through us rather than something we intentionally created.

Tim Abrigg Jr.'s Rock and Roll News Of The Day!: Today's Day In Rock News!

Tim Abrigg Jr.'s Rock and Roll News Of The Day!: Today's Day In Rock News!: Metallica Preview New Song In Christmas Video(hennemusic) Instead of the 12 days of Christmas, fans received 12 seconds of Metal...

Today's Day In Rock News!

Metallica Preview New Song In Christmas Video(hennemusic)


Instead of the 12 days of Christmas, fans received 12 seconds of Metallica as the band released a Christmas video via their free Met Club which offers fans a short sample of one of the songs the band is working on.
"Hey everybody, Happy Holidays from Tabs (the cat) and all of Metallica here in the studio," says frontman James Hetfield in the clip. "We thought we'd give you a little bit of ear candy for the holidays."

Hetfield and his feline friend then hit play on a 12-second snippet of a new song by the group as they continue to work on the follow-up to 2008's "Death Magnetic."

Guitarist Kirk Hammett recently shared an update on the project, telling 103.3 The Edge in Buffalo, NY, "We're hoping that the album will be released next year. It's pretty much more along the same lines as 'Death Magnetic' - kind of like that direction. And, you know, we'll see.

"We're into it. I don't wanna say that we're a third into it, or two-thirds into it, or an eighth into it, 'cause anything could happen that'll just change that number. But, eventually, you will see a new Metallica album, and it will most likely be in 2016, and at the very worst, at the beginning of 2017." Check out the video here.



Scott Weiland Honored With Free Supergroup Album Download

Art Of Anarchy, the supergroup project that featured lead vocals from Scott Weiland, are paying tribute to the singer by offering a free download of their self-titled album.
The group, which includes former Guns N' Roses guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal, Disturbed's John Moyer and twins Jon and Vince Votta, released their self-titled debut album in June. The effort features lead vocals from Weiland.

Now the group has announced that they are offering the album as a free download this holiday season in memory of Weiland. The band had this to say, "We hope everyone enjoys listening as much as we enjoyed creating it." You can download the album here.




Emmure Down To One Member After The Rest Of The Band Quits

There has reportedly been a mass exodus from Emmure leaving frontman Frankie Palmeri as the only remaining member of the group, according to the metal site Lambgoat.
They report that Mark Davis (bass), Jesse Ketive (lead guitar), Mike Mulholland (rhythm guitar), and Adam Pierce (drums) have all left Emmure and are teaming up for a new project that they will reveal next year.

Davis told the site, "As some of you may or may not have heard, Jesse, Mikael, Adam, and myself are no longer in Emmure. We have decided collectively to pursue other endeavors.

"We would like to thank the Emmure fans for all the support and love over the years, and to everyone who has help the band on its way, you are all greatly appreciated. Be on the lookout for a new project from the four of us in 2016." Read the full report here.



Bun E. Carlos Expects To Reunite With Cheap Trick At Rock Hall(hennemusic)


Cheap Trick drummer Bun E. Carlos says he expects to reunite with his bandmates to perform at the group's induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame next spring and explained the falling out that led to his departure from the group.
"Yeah. As far as I know," Carlos tells Rolling Stone. "The Hall of Fame is inducting the four original members, and I assume that is who they want to get up there and play."

Carlos left the touring lineup in 2010, was replaced by guitarist Rick Neilsen's son Daxx, and then found himself suing his own group for monies owed while remaining a one quarter partner in the Cheap Trick corporation.

"Me and the singer don't get along very good," explains the drummer about a falling out with Robin Zander that led to the split. "A couple of days before Austin City Limits in 2010, we had a big argument on the phone about scheduling for the summer and all this kind of stuff. We'd argued before over 40 years; all of us had.

"In the middle of the night, he called the office and said, 'I can't work with this guy. He hates me.' He didn't want me at Austin City Limits. I said, 'OK, if you don't want me there, we need to work out some kind of arrangement since I'm a quarter member of the band.'

"We just drew up a contract that said, 'I don't tour with the band, but I'm a full member of the band.' We've got all these corporations. The touring company said, 'If you quit touring, you lose your vote.' I wasn't going to let that happen. I'm a full member of the band."

"So we drew up a piece of paper," Carlos continues, "and a couple years later the checks stopped coming. And then I had to sue them in federal court to get my money back. We did a settlement last spring and its all hunky dory. That's the short story." Read more here.




Chicago Won't Be Reuniting With Peter Cetera At Rock Hall After All

Contrary to earlier comments made by a band member, Peter Cetera will not be reuniting with Chicago for a performance at their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction.
Chicago's Robert Lamm released a statement on Tuesday revealing that he misspoke in an interview where he said that the former singer/bass player would be reuniting with the band at next year's event.

Lamm said in an interview published this week by Radio.com that Cetera would join the group when they perform at the induction ceremony but now says that he misunderstood Cetera.

"I've mistakenly said Cetera would be playing," Lamm said in a statement. "He has emphatically declined. My email exchanges with Cetera were misinterpreted by me, and I've apologized to him, and likewise apologize to the music press community and fans."

Lamm also discussed in the Radio.com interview why Chicago has never reunited with Cetera. He said, "[Cetera] just wanted out. Several times, we've been approached to do a tour together, he just didn't want to do it.

"We were getting very, very attractive offers from promoters. I said, 'Come out with us: you can have your own bus, you can bring whoever you want to bring on the tour, you can sing the songs you want to sing, you don't have to play bass.' He said, 'I'll never say never, but I don't want to do that right now.'"



Iron Maiden Release Animated Christmas Video(hennemusic)

Iron Maiden have issued "A Christmas Cheers", an animated holiday video created by artist Val Andrade featuring Eddie as a salute to fans for their support over the past year.
The band's 2015 release, "The Book Of Souls", hit the top of the charts in over 40 countries and with it came a brand new Eddie to join the group's legendary line of mascots.

Produced by Kevin Shirley and recorded in Paris in 2014, the group's 16th album landed Iron Maiden a No. 4 debut on the US Billboard 200 with opening week sales of 75,000 copies.

The tally scores the band's best US sales week since Nielsen Music started tracking sales in 1991 and the showing equals Iron Maiden's best chart ranking ever - matching the No. 4 placement of 2010's "The Final Frontier."

The project also topped three separate charts in their native UK upon its release, scoring No. 1 positions on the UK albums, Official Vinyl Albums and the Official Record Store charts. Watch the Christmas video here.




Judas Priest's Rob Halford Voices Story Of Frosty's Idiot Cousin(Classic Rock)


Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford shows another side to his talent having now lent his voice to a festive podcast that tells the tale of Frosty The Snowman's idiot cousin.
The latest episode of sci-fi podcast To The Manor Borne By Robots features the story of Fronsty The Snowman - a clumsy character who can't do anything right but works hard to redeem himself.

The creators say: "By turns comedic and serious, fully dramatised in lavish soundscapes, with a large cast of talented voice actors, To The Manor Borne By Robots is a futuristic Scheherazade, for fans of The Twilight Zone, Dr Who, The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy and Black Mirror."

It is available for free via iTunes and can also be streamed here.




Jeff Lynne's ELO Stream New Single 'One Step At A Time'(hennemusic)

Jeff Lynne's ELO has released a lyric video for "One Step At A Time," which is the latest track from their recently-released album "Alone In The Universe." The song follows the project's lead single, "When I Was A Boy", a slower tune with a Beatles vibe.
"'One Step At A Time' came to me at a moment when I wanted an uptempo song again," says Lynne. "I started out trying to make a nice chord sequence and melody and then gradually I fit some pieces I had together like a jigsaw puzzle. The songs all come together differently, but sometimes they come in bits and pieces."

"Alone In The Universe" marks ELO's first new music since 2001's "Zoom" album. ELO members went their separate ways in 1986, with drummer Bev Bevan carrying on as "ELO Part II" before selling his half of the rights to the ELO brand to Lynne in early 2000.

Encouraged by the success of the box "Flashback", Lynne released "Zoom" and then, in 2012, issued "Mr, Blue Sky: The Very Best of Electric Light Orchestra", a package featuring new recordings of the group's hits by the singer. Watch the video here.




Guns N' Roses Ugly Christmas Sweater Released(Radio.com)


Do you love Guns N' Roses, decades after 'Welcome to the Jungle?" and through all of the different post-Slash/Duff lineups? Does the rumor of a GnR reunion have you all lathered up? Look no further. This is the gift for you.
First off, it's mustard. So, assuming you're OK with wearing this particular shade, this Guns N' Roses ugly sweater is your sure-fire ticket to getting into that invite-only ugly sweater holiday party.

Complete with the band's iconic twin six-shooters and red roses, this is something every GnR fan needs. Well, maybe not every GNR fan. See it and find out where to order it here.




Eagles of Death Metal Merch Man Killed In Paris Attack Laid To Rest(Classic Rock)

Hundreds of mourners paid their respects to Eagles of Death Metal merchandise manager Nick Alexander who was killed in the Paris Bataclan attack on November 13.
The 35-year-old was killed by extremists who opened fire on fans as they watched the Eagles of Death Metal. The killers - later revealed to be part of the IS group - then detonated suicide vests.

More than 250 mourners, including his parents Barry and Shelagh and sister Zoe, attended the funeral at St Andrew's Parish Church in Weeley, Essex - where Nick was once an altar boy.

His body arrived in a silver hearse decorated with musical note-shaped floral tributes. The order of service booklet included a picture of Nick at a pier, with words from American author Kurt Vonnegut: "Be soft. Do not let the world make you hard. Do not let pain make you hate. Do not let the bitterness steal your sweetness.

"Take pride that even though the rest of the world may disagree, you still believe it to be a beautiful place." Read more here.




Limp Bizkit's Fred Durst Reportedly Banned From Ukraine(TeamRock Radio)


Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst has reportedly been banned from entering Ukraine for five years, according to a Ukrainian newspaper report, confirmed by a UK outlet.
The rap-metal star has allegedly fallen foul of the country's security service, who last month imposed the ban, according to Ukrainian newspaper Astropof. Interfax news agency has confirmed the ban, the Guardian reports.

Durst is married to Russian Kseniya Beryazina and he said in September he'd like to apply for a Russian passport. He told Russian state-run news agency Sputnik International:

"I wouldn't mind getting a Russian passport. If you have communication with the relevant authorities, which could assist with obtaining it, share." Read more here.




Cheap Trick Ink Deal With Taylor Swift's Label For New Album(Radio.com)

Straight off the news of their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, Cheap Trick has signed with Big Machine Records, home of Taylor Swift, Steven Tyler and Tim McGraw.
The band is finishing up their new album Bang Zoom Crazy … Hello which will be released on April 1, 2016. They're working with Grammy-winning producer Julian Raymond for the new project, which will be their first in five years.

Over the past four decades, the band has released 16 albums. 'We can't thank the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame enough for honoring Cheap Trick," said bass guitarist Tom Petersson. Read more here.


Warren Haynes Releases Fleetwood Mac's 'Gold Dust Woman' Cover Video(Radio.com)

Besides being a great songwriter in his own right, Warren Haynes of Gov't Mule and the Allman Brothers Band is also a great song interpreter. Both of those skills are on display on his latest album, Ashes and Dust, which came out earlier this year.
Most of the album is made up of Haynes' originals, but it also features a cover of the Fleetwood Mac cover "Gold Dust Woman." Radio.com is proud to premiere the video of the live version of the song.

Haynes and Gov't Mule are gearing up for their annual New Year's Eve show at New York's Beacon Theater. This year, they'll be performing songs of the Allman Brothers Band, the Band and the Grateful Dead. Watch the video here.




Queen Celebrate 'Bohemian Rhapsody' 40th Anniversary With Covers(Radio.com)

If the world wasn't already replete with covers of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody," the song's 40th anniversary shouldn't slow production. The band itself released two covers via its official YouTube channel: one by the Trinity Boys Choir and the other by the Royal Academy of Music Quartet.
The choral version hits every peak of Freddy Mercury's falsetto--though who but a choir of children could do that? Meanwhile, the strings arrangement mines the song's drama and melodic intricacies.

"Bohemian Rhapsody" was released in October 1975 and has gone on to become one of the most inspiring and iconic records of its time. This year, fans and current band members celebrated the track's four decades on the airwaves.

Watch both Queen-certified covers here.



Pierce the Veil Releasing Long Awaited New Album Next Year(Radio.com)

Pierce the Veil fans have waited 12 long months for a 2015 release that never arrived. The band's last album Collide With the Sky was released nearly four years ago in 2012. However, fans may not need to wait much longer: Fearless Records announced that a new album is scheduled for 2016.
The label tweeted an image that lists Pierce the Veil among nine forthcoming releases in the new year. Others will debut from Real Friends, I Prevail, Night Alive and more.

Post-hardcore fans who were excited to see Pierce the Veil atop the list shouldn't read much into its position on the calendar: "FYI," the label added, "The releases are in NO particular order." See the posts here.




Zakk Wylde Finishing Work On Book Of Shadows II Album(Classic Rock)


Zakk Wylde expects to finish his Book Of Shadows II album in the coming weeks, he's reported. The Black Label Society mainman previously announced its released would coincide with the 20th anniversary of 1996 solo work The Book Of Shadows.
Now Wylde tells the Phoenix New Times: "We ended up having about 40 basic tracks we put down. It's a matter of putting lyrics to them and finishing them up.

"I'll probably start recording again before Christmas, doing some vocals, then try to knock out as much as I can in January - and the record should be done."

In October, Wylde told Louder Noise that the project was an "acoustic thing" and "more mellow" than his BLS output, adding: "I'm always writing mellow stuff. Once I get done doing the heavy thing, I'll sit behind a piano or pick up an acoustic. It puts you in a different state of mind when you're writing." Watch the full interview here.




Avenged Sevenfold Take Over Guitar Hero Live(TeamRock Radio)

Avenged Sevenfold have taken over Guitar Hero Live's online channel with a mix of their all-time favorite tracks. The one-hour show A7X Rock Classics ties in with the recently released rhythm action video game and features exclusive footage of the band talking about their most-loved songs.
The channel features material from artists including Pantera, Megadeth, AFI, Bob Dylan, Boston, Queensryche, Tenacious D, Faith No More, Deftones, Weezer and more.

Avenged Sevenfold's premium show also features playable concert footage recorded at their Download 2014 performance, including the tracks Shepherd Of Fire, Buried Alive and Nightmare. Read more here.




Michael Schenker's Temple Of Rock Release 'Communion' Video(Classic Rock)

Michael Schenker's Temple Of Rock have released a video for their track "Communion." It is a track from the band's latest album Spirit On A Mission, which was released earlier this year.
They'll head out on an European tour next month, which includes 10 UK dates, before setting sail from Miami on the Axes And Anchors Cruise. Last month, Temple Of Rock filmed their show in Madrid for a DVD release next year. Schenker said: "We chose Madrid because of the immense support we've received there in the past.

"The crowds have always been very special to me - their passion is second to none, and we hope to capture the energy and excitement of the audience and the band." Watch the video here.




The Word Alive Announce New Album Dark Matter(TeamRock Radio)

The Word Alive will release their fourth album titled Dark Matter on March 18. The follow-up to 2014's Real will be launched via Fearless, and the band have issued a short teaser of Trapped, the first single from the record.
Frontman Telle Smith says: "Dark Matter is the result of our most in-depth writing and recording session we've done, and is something we consider to be our most dynamic and expansive album to date.

"This record completely defines and expresses who we are, and where we are going, taking the listener to the darkest and most honest places our band has dared to venture."

To support the album, the US outfit have detailed a North American tour which kicks off in San Diego on February 19 and ends in Grand Prairie, Texas with Capture The Crown on March 20. Check out the song preview and read more here.




Neal Morse Launching Music School(Prog)

Neal Morse has announced a three-week music school program to be run in Nashville next year. The school will be housed at Nashville's Contemporary Music Center, which offers the use of over $1m worth of instruments and equipment.
The Transatlantic and Flying Colors frontman's Radiant School Of The Arts will feature some of his bandmates as instructors, with the aim of offering the chance of "becoming the artist you are destined to be."

The roster includes Phil Keaggy, Eric Giletter Casey McPherson, Nick D'Virgilio and others. Morse says: "Have you ever longed for personal instruction and quality time with people that have been involved with the creation of some of your favourite music ever?

"Have you wished there was a way to gain experience in the arts in a really cool and fun environment? Have you ever wanted to come to Nashville and have a killer time? Now you can do it all in one shot!"

The programme features workshops on composition and songwriting, musicianship and music theory, recording and production, live performance and more, with evening events including trips to concerts, movies and more. Read more and watch the announcement video here.




Magenta's Rob Reed Celebrates Christmas With 'Sussex Carol' Release(Prog)

Rob Reed has launched a last-minute Christmas track which sees him working alongside Mike Oldfield collaborator Les Penning. The duo recorded a version of the traditional Sussex Carol, featuring Penning on woodwind and Magenta mastermind Reed on other instruments.
He tells Prog: "Les Penning is heard in every shop and on the radio this time of year because of his collaboration on Mike Oldfield's In Dulci Jubilo, the catchy Christmas instrumental, that's played on rotation with Slade and Wizzard.

"Loads of people hear his work every year and whistle along, but he goes unnoticed and doesn't get the appreciation he deserves. I met Les to arrange for him to play on my album Sanctuary II. We came up with the crazy idea of doing the song in three days, as it was getting close to Christmas."

The resulting track is available via Bandcamp for a limited period. Reed, whose solo album Sanctuary is a personal tribute to Oldfield, will release the follow-up in March. He also recently unveiled his latest project, Kiama. Stream the track here.




Cockney Rebel's Steve Harley Plans Mick Ronson Tribute Benefit Show(Classic Rock)

Cockney Rebel Steve Harley is holding a gig to raise money for a new tribute to Mick Ronson in Hull. Ronson made his name as a guitarist with David Bowie's Spiders From Mars and was also a renowned producer and session musician. He was born in the Yorkshire city and his friend Harley will play at Hull City Hall on April 23 next year, with all proceeds going to a trust in Ronson's honor.
Mick Ronson died of liver cancer in 1993 at the age of 46 and a stage in his memory already exists at Queen's Gardens in Hull - although it is not particularly beloved by fans.

Harley tells the Hull Daily Mail: "I played the Hull City Hall back in February. I had noticed the Mick Ronson tribute and mentioned it in between the songs. "I asked, 'Is it bad?', to which everyone shouted at me, 'Terrible.' So 1200 people shared the same opinion about the tribute. So I said, 'I'll come back and play to raise money for a new one', so I have.

"I'm playing a concert for free, and I can't thank Hull City Hall enough. They agreed to give me the hall and staff completely for free. It's so touching. What super, super people." Read more here.




Uli Jon Roth Announces The Ultimate Guitar Experience Tour(Classic Rock)

Uli Jon Roth has announced he'll take to the road on The Ultimate Guitar Experience tour next year. He'll team up with Jennifer Batten and Andy Timmons for the North American trek, where they'll celebrate "the spirit" of their "favourite instrument."
Roth says: "I'm really looking forward to this tour and I'm sure that between the three of us - and the audience - sparks will fly. We will all play our own separate sets first and then play some pieces together, which should be great fun."

He adds: "My own set will be drawn from a combination of all my albums, including the latest Scorpions Revisited and Transcendental Sky Guitar, but I will also emphasize some Electric Sun songs which I haven't played live for over 30 years and which I feel deserve to be heard again.

"This is in order to celebrate the 35 year anniversary of the release of the first Electric Sun album, Earthquake." The trio will also play an acoustic set for VIP ticket holders prior to the main show, where they'll perform a different selection of tracks from the later set. Read more and see the dates here.




Scorpions Release Classic 'Rock You Like A Hurricane' TV Performance(hennemusic)

The Scorpions have released a video of a classic performance of their hit "Rock You Like A Hurricane" as featured on the expanded deluxe edition of their 1984 release "Love At First Sting."
"Another one of our 80's German TV Show performances on Peters Popshow, making it Peters Rockshow," says the band. The lead single from their 1984 album peaked at No. 25 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and, with the video in high rotation on MTV back in the day, helped "Love At First Sting" became the group's most successful album in the States.

Released in March, the project went double-platinum for sales of more than 2 million copies by the end of the year, and went on to sell another million in the next decade.

The German TV footage is featured on the expanded reissue of their 1984 record - one of 8 projects in their 50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition series. Beyond "Love At First Sting", the band also reissued expanded versions of 1977's "Taken By Force", 1978's "Tokyo Tapes", 1979's "Lovedrive", 1980's "Animal Magnetism", 1982's "Blackout", 1985's "World Wide Live" and 1988's "Savage Amusement." Watch the video here.




Jane Getter Premonition Announce UK Tour(Prog)

Jane Getter Premonition have announced their UK dates in support of their debut album On via label Madfish, released on October 2. They will perform at Manchester Academy 3 and London Borderline in February, supported by duo Tiny Giant.
The band is fronted by Jane Getter and includes keyboardist Adam Holzman (Miles Davis, Steven Wilson), bassist Stuart Hamm (Joe Satriani, Steve Vai), guitarist Randy McStine, and drummer John Mader (Steve Miller, Pat Benatar).

Getter says: "I'm really excited to be bringing my band to the UK. We will be playing the exciting and hard-hitting music from our newly released album, On, along with a few older hits from Three and See Jane Run. Get ready for some intense jams." See the details for the live dates here.




Ana Popovic Tried To Keep Personal And Music Worlds Separate(The Blues)

Ana Popovic has recalled how she resisted early attempts from promoters who wanted her to invite friends to her shows. She was determined to keep her social circle distant from her fledgling career - to the point that she didn't encourage companions to show an interest.
Popovic tells the Huffington Post: "I always wanted to keep those worlds separate. I had friends through guitar lessons and we would hang out and listen to blues.

"But my school friends, I never wanted to force the blues on to them. It was really just my world. When I started to play in clubs they'd ask me to invite my friends, but I never did. I never talked about what I do."

She received an early start from her father Milton, a blues aficionado, which eventually resulted in the pair recording duet album Blue Room together. Popovic says: "I would go to night clubs to listen to the blues bands - I was 12 or 13 at the time, so I could listen to the first two songs, then it would be time to go home." Read more and stream a song from her latest album here.



Singled Out: Long Beach Vagrant's Within

John Aragonez of Long Beach Vagrant tells us the story behind their new single "Within" which will also be featured on the metal group's forthcoming album "Death Be Thy Name." Here is the story:
We are Long Beach Vagrant a horror metalcore band based out of So. Cal. The song we have chosen for your listening dismemberment is entitled "Within". This song sums up what this band is all about musically and lyrically.

The material is dark and fast in nature and the lyrics tell the story of the darkness that surrounds us in our everyday lives. The evil inside you, the evil "Within" us all and what you choose to do with it. Take a look at the headlines these days, there are some depraved, hateful and malevolent motherf***ers on this planet. As a band we are not afraid to write about or broach these subjects. Life is a hundred times worse than any horror movie that exists today.

So while the sheep are Instagraming or Facebooking what they had for dinner last night, we are on a stage somewhere screaming at the top of our lungs that the wings of mayhem are always lurking. When the Grim Reaper sits at the table of life and deals the cards you hope your not holding aces and eights. And even though the message is a dark one, in the end there is a positive light from the shadows.

We feel by expressing this through our music that it will help lift or inspire someone going through something f***ed up or horrific. There is real power in music, it's an escape from the madness, we see it every time we take the stage. Keep an eye out for the new album coming out this spring " Death Be Thy Name".

Tim Abrigg Jr.'s Rock and Roll News Of The Day!: Today's Day In Rock News!

Tim Abrigg Jr.'s Rock and Roll News Of The Day!: Today's Day In Rock News!: Megadeth Plan Dystopia Virtual Reality Experience(Classic Rock) Megadeth have announced that five tracks from their upcoming studi...

Today's Day In Rock News!

Megadeth Plan Dystopia Virtual Reality Experience(Classic Rock)


Megadeth have announced that five tracks from their upcoming studio album Dystopia are to be presented in a virtual reality experience inspired by visuals in their latest video.
Dave Mustaine and co are to film performances of the title track, Fatal Illusion, The Threat Is Real, Poisonous Shadows and Post American World in a customized studio under director Blair Underwood, of Marvel's Agents Of SHIELD fame.

The results will be rendered in an immersive world based on the one seen in the video for The Threat Is Real. Fans will be able to purchase a cardboard VR headset along with the album. A download code will offer access to exclusive content.

Megadeth say: "Next Galaxy Corp, a leading developer of innovative content, will create a dystopian universe surrounding the band, and allow fans to virtually enter, engage and explore." Watch The Threat Is Real video and read more here.



Deep Purple Unsure If Ritchie Blackmore Will Attend Rock Hall Induction(hennemusic)

Deep Purple drummer Ian Paice is thrilled with the band's induction into the 2016 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame but says that he doesn't know either way if Ritchie Blackmore will attend the event or if the inducted members will perform together at the event.
Deep Purple members set to be inducted include most of the Mk 1, II and III lineups: Ritchie Blackmore, Jon Lord, Ian Paice, Rod Evans, Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes.

"I knew it would probably happen one day," Paice tells Rolling Stone. "I do appreciate how difficult it probably was for them to do it with so many lineups, so many different members. It's a minefield, really. I suppose it's rather nice."

Deep Purple have been eligible for entry since 1993 while 2016 marks their third nomination in the past three years. To be eligible for nomination, an individual artist or band must have released its first single or album at least 25 years prior to the year of nomination.

Will Deep Purple members from different eras be able to put aside their differences to perform at the 2016 event? "I have no idea," says Paice. "I haven't even thought about it. No idea. We have to accept that there are personalities that don't see eye-to-eye in our history. How that would work, I have no idea. Whether that could be put aside, I don't know. It's definitely one to contemplate and think about."

Lord passed away July 16, 2012 at the age of 71 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer, and singer Evans' whereabouts remain a mystery. Among the wild cards on the night is Blackmore, who left the lineup in 1993 and went on to form the medieval folk band Blackmore's Night in 1997 with then-girlfriend and now-wife Candice Night.

"That's questionable," Paice says. "He can confuse you sometimes. You think he'll do one thing and he'll do the other. I wouldn't put money either way on that one." Read more here.




Melechesh Frontman Under House Arrest For Bar Brawl(TeamRock Radio)

Melechesh frontman Ashmedi has explained the circumstances of the bar brawl in his hometown of Jerusalem which has resulted in him being placed under house arrest.
He decided to speak out after rumors about the incident spread, sparking fears that the band would have to cancel shows. Ashmedi says in a statement: "While on vacation in Jerusalem, I was arrested for beating up somebody in a bar fight.

"After three days in jail and a $3000 bail plus $18,000 contingent guarantee, I was placed under house arrest for the last seven weeks - and will remain under house arrest until the court sets a date for a trial.

"I was having a nice night out at a friend's bar. After several verbal provocations and then verbal death threats to me, I acted in what to me seemed self-defense and finished it. Normally, I often stop fights and buy people drinks to calm them down - this time sh*t hit the fan." Read more here.




Twenty One Pilots Announce Blurryface Live TV Special(TeamRock Radio)


Twenty One Pilots have confirmed their show filmed in Oakland this year during their world tour will be broadcast in the US on January 1. Titled Blurryface Live, it will air on US TV channel Palladia at 9pm Eastern Time.
The band's Josh Dun has also asked fans to fill in an online form so he and bandmate Tyler Joseph can call ahead of the broadcast to say thank you, in an event the duo are calling Blurryface Live At Home.

Josh says: "We wanted to make sure we can share this big moment with all of you, so we are hosting Blurryface Live at Home - an event taking place in all of your living rooms." Read more details and check out a preview video here.




Vince Neil Being Sued By Investor In Failed Arena Football Team(Classic Rock)


Motley Crue frontman Vince Neil is one of several people reportedly being sued over their involvement in setting up the failed Las Vegas Outlaws Arena Football League (AFL) franchise.
According to Courthouse News, investor Sohrob Farudi is suing RockStar Sports Group - of which Neil was president and CEO - for defrauding him of $500,000 when he invested in the now defunct team.

The Outlaws played only one season in the Arena Football League before being wound up in August of this year. Farudi reportedly claims Neil and fellow defendants Mark Daniels and Robert Hewko claimed to be owners of the Jacksonville Sharks AFL franchise and that they had paid $3million upfront to launch the Outlaws.

According to the report, Farudi paid $500,000 for 150 shares in the team in August 2014, but two weeks later the AFL told him the franchise hadn't fully paid its membership fees, had not posted required letters of credit and that its first payment to the league bounced. Read more here.




Dream Theater Announce The Astonishing North American Tour(Classic Rock)


Dream Theater have announced the dates for a North American tour for the spring 2016. The band also revealed that the trek will feature performances of The Astonishing in full.
The run begins on April 14, following a series of theatre appointments across Europe, starting with the debut of their 13th album in London on February 18 and 19.

The follow-up to 2013's self-titled work is released on January 29. The band recently described it as "a sonic story that is our most ambitious creative work to date." They continue to reveal elements of the concept via their website. See all of the upcoming dates here.



David Bowie Streaming New Song 'Lazarus'(hennemusic)

David Bowie has released a stream of "Lazarus", the second single from his forthcoming album "Blackstar." Due January 8 - the singer's 69th birthday - the follow-up to 2013's "The Next Day" was produced by Tony Visconti and recorded at the Magic Shop in New York.
"We were listening to a lot of Kendrick Lamar," Visconti tells Rolling Stone. "We wound up with nothing like that, but we loved the fact Kendrick was so open-minded and he didn't do a straight-up hip-hop record.

"He threw everything on there, and that's exactly what we wanted to do. The goal, in many, many ways, was to avoid rock & roll." The album was first previewed last month with the title track and now Bowie offers "Lazarus" ahead of its release. Check out the song here.




Cheap Trick Open To Bun E. Carlos Reunion At Rock Hall Induction(hennemusic)

Cheap Trick guitarist Rick Neilsen says he was speechless when he heard the Rockville, IL band were among the artists to be inducted into the 2016 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.
"Usually I'm a man of many words, but this has got me in a tizzy here," Neilsen tells Rolling Stone. "I'm verklempt. I don't know what to say. It's very exciting."

Cheap Trick will enter the Hall alongside Deep Purple, Steve Miller, Chicago and N.W.A. The group have been eligible for entry since 2003 and the 2016 nod marks their first nomination.

"I was prepared to not get it and say, 'Oh, well, better luck next time," says the guitarist. "When I was with Dave Clark, he told me all about what happened with him and how Tom Hanks inducted them. He said, 'I voted for you five times.' That was pretty funny. A bunch of other people told me they voted for us, like Little Steven. I find out now I had more friends than I thought I did."

The band's principal lineup of Neilsen, vocalist Robin Zander, bassist Tom Petersson and drummer Bun E. Carlos will enter the Hall, while Carlos was removed from the touring lineup in 2010 and replaced by Neilsen's son Daxx.

"I'm sure he'll be invited," explains Neilsen. "My son Daxx has been playing with us for the last five years, but this is all about our history and, the way I look it, our future. We're Cheap Trick. We're too dumb to quit. We're still out there slogging it out."

Asked if Carlos might join the group to perform at New York's Barclays Center on April 8, he says "I don't know. Why not? Here's a true story. When we got signed originally to Epic in 1976, Bun had broken his arm and we had two drummers. We were signed with two drummers. Bun E. had his arm in a sling and there was Hank Ransome.

"We got signed as a five-piece band. It was funny because Columbia had come to see us, and the night they came, Bun fell and broke his arm. The night they signed us we had two drummers, so why not have two drummers? How about that?" Read more here.



Dio's Craig Goldy and Giuffria's David Glen Eisley Team Up(Classic Rock)


Former Dio guitarist Craig Goldy and actor and former Giuffria star David Glen Eisley have teamed up on a new project. Singer Eisley and guitarist Goldy will work under the banner of Eisley/Goldy and say they'll "bring back the signature sound" that launched their careers in the early 80s.
Eisley, who went on hiatus after releasing his solo album Stranger From The Past in 2000, says: "My dear friend of many years, guitar virtuoso Craig Goldy, made a surprise visit up to my house around October 2014, knocked on the door and simply stated, 'Enough of this, my friend. Time for you to get up off your ass and come back to work.'

"He was so adamant I relented and agreed to join him on a small stage in the San Diego area. It all seemed to go well, and the next thing I knew, a year later we were in Nottingham, England, playing together again in front of a crowd."

The pair plan to release their debut album in 2016 having signed a deal with Frontiers Music Srl. Read more here.



The Temperance Movement Release 'The White Bear' Unplugged Video(Classic Rock)

The Temperance Movement have released a live video of an acoustic version of The White Bear. the title track of the band's new album, the follow-up to 2013's self-titled debut.
The band have also explained the meaning of the song. "Nick [guitarist Nick Fyffe] phoned me up one time when I was trying to write a lyric to the song that became White Bear," says singer Phil Campbell.

"It was an experiment about the controlling of unwanted thoughts. You try not to think about a white bear, you think about a white bear all the time. You think about this thing all the time that you're trying not to think about."

White Bear is released on January 15, and can be pre-ordered now. Earlier this week, the band unveiled an acoustic version of Do The Revelation. Watch the new video clip here.




Grateful Dead TV Series Coming From Amazon(Classic Rock)


A series based on a Grateful Dead book is being produced by Amazon. The as-yet-untitled project is inspired by Steve Parish' Home Before Daylight: My Life On The Road With The Grateful Dead, published in 2004 by St Martin's Press. Parish spent years on tour with the band and founding member Bob Weir wrote the book's foreword.
According to Deadline, Parish will serve as the show's executive producer while Weir will "oversee all aspects of music." Parish originally tried to have the book made into a film, Rolling Stone reports, but couldn't find a studio to take it on, despite the involvement of Weir and soundtrack contributions from Neil Young and Bob Dylan.

Meanwhile, the Grateful Dead's farewell shows in Chicago earlier this year - coupled with an earlier gig at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California - saw them bring in the biggest cash haul for any live act in 2015. In total, the shows generated $52million, according to Billboard. Read more here.




Steve Miller 'Quite Pleased' To Finally Be Inducted Into Rock Hall(hennemusic)


Steve Miller says he is pleased with news of his induction into the 2016 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, even though he's been eligible for more than 20 years.
"I started playing rock & roll in 1956, so I've been here from the beginning," Miller tells Rolling Stone. "I've seen it go through everything, from the time in Chicago to out to San Francisco to all these different phases. It's been a great, long life of playing music, and I'm really honored to be inducted. I'm quite pleased.

"It's just taken such a long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long time," he adds. "After a while you just kind of go, "This is taking an awful long time!" I'm glad they took their time. I'm sure they made the right decision."

Miller will enter the Hall alongside Cheap Trick, Deep Purple, Steve Miller, Chicago and N.W.A. The guitarist has been eligible for entry since 1993 and the 2016 honor marks his first nomination.

"I kind of enjoyed having people complain that I wasn't in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame more than I think I'll like being in it," says Miller. "I'm sure now that I'm in it, I'll be forgotten about and nobody will have anything to complain about."

The Steve Miller Band has had 25 members in the past five decades, but the guitarist will stand alone at the podium next April as the sole inductee. Read his reaction to that here.




Thunder Release 'All You Can Eat' Trailer(Classic Rock)

Thunder have released a short trailer to promote the launch of their three-disc package All You Can Eat. The set is out on January 29 and showcases the band's comeback album Wonder Days, which was issued earlier this year and went on to enjoy commercial success.
All You Can Eat includes studio sessions, the UK outfit's live performance at The Brooklyn Bowl, their show at Loud Park Japan in 2014, video highlights and a 70-minute documentary focusing on the making of Wonder Days.

It's available for pre-order in a variety of bundles. Thunder will hit the road for a five-date UK tour in February. Support will be provided by Terrorvision and King King. Watch the trailer here.



Devil You Know Hope To Crowdfund Soundwave Replacement(TeamRock Radio)

Devil You Know drummer John Sankey has launched a bid to replace the cancelled Soundwave touring festival of Australia. The 2016 edition was called off by organizer AJ Maddah after he reported poor ticket sales. He'd already said the 2017 event wouldn't take place.
Responsibility for refunds is in dispute, with Maddah saying seller Eventopia should cover repayments, while they say the opposite. Now Australian Sankey has revealed plans for a festival to be called Legion. He tells TheMusic: "I've been mates with AJ for a really long time. We were devastated to hear the news.

"He did such an awesome job, and turned into one of the last places Aussies could hear great international and local metal bands." He adds: "We were planning on coming to Australia - so why not round up the guys and figure out a way to come anyway?" Read more here.




Creeper Announce New Lineup And The Stranger EP(TeamRock Radio)


Creeper have revamped their lineup and confirmed that their new EP The Stranger will be out on February 19 via Roadrunner Records. The EP will be the follow-up to The Callous Heart EP.
Guitarist Sina Nemati has left the band and been replaced by Oliver Burdett, while touring keyboardist Hannah Greenwood has also joined as a full-time member.

The band say in a statement: "We'd like to say farewell and good luck to our friend Sina, who after having an extremely demanding tour schedule this year, has decided to step down from the band to focus on his sound work. Thanks for everything. We wish you only the best brother." Read more, see the cover art and track details here.



Hacktivist Streaming Digital Tour Mixtape(TeamRock Radio)

Hacktivist have launched a digital mixtape featuring remixes, covers and previously unheard material. The rap-metal outfit initially gave the compilation away for free on their UK tour by giving fans cards that allowed access to a private stream. It can now be streamed online.
The third track honours the late Dimebag Darrell, founding member of Pantera, who was shot on stage while performing with his other band Damageplan in Ohio in 2004.

Hacktivist say: "We're excited to be working with UNFD, and also Rise Records in the US, for our debut album. We've known the UNFD guys for a while as they released our mini-album in Australia. As big fans of Northlane, In Hearts Wake and a lot of the other stuff they release, we can't believe we're able to join the family properly and smash the f*** out of 2016."

The mixtape comes as the band prepare for the release of their debut album, which is to be released in spring 2016. Listen to the mixtape here.




The Virginmarys Release Two Videos For 'Into Dust'(Classic Rock)

The Virginmarys have released two videos for Into Dust. The track is from the band's forthcoming, as-yet-untitled second album, the follow-up to 2013's King of Conflict.
The video is available in two versions. One was shot in black & white on an iPhone, the second in colour on a professional camera, and fans are being asked to choose which should be used as the official lyric video.

"Into Dust is the first track released from our new album," says singer Ally Dickaty. "It's a perfect bridge from King Of Conflict to the new material and a great indication of the kind of energy and intensity to expect. Lyrically about disillusionment, anger and boredom, it's a full on and honest Virginmarys song." Watch both version of the video and find out how to vote for your favorite here.




Black Stone Cherry To Headline Ramblin' Man Fair(Classic Rock)

Black Stone Cherry will headline the second day of next year's Ramblin' Man Fair at Mote Park, Kent on July 23 and 24, 2016, it has been announced.
They'll be joined by Airbourne and The Graveltones, while Von Hertzen Brothers, Blurred Vision, The Fierce And The Dead, Frost* and IO Earth have been added to the Prog In The Park Stage.

Black Stone Cherry say: "When we got the call that we had been offered to headline, we literally didn't believe it. We are so thrilled to bring our brand of rock'n'roll to such a cool festival and can't wait to see all of our fans there. It being our only UK appearance that summer, we promise to lay it on y'all heavy." See who is else scheduled to play here.


Monster Truck Announce European Spring Tour(Classic Rock)

Monster Truck have announced that they will be launching a short 2016 European tour next spring in support of their latest album Sittin' Heavy, set for release on February 19 via Mascot Label Group.
Frontman and bassist Jon Harvey says: "We are insanely excited to get back across the ocean. Every time has been full of lifelong memories and we expect to make some new ones in March 2016."

The run of dates will be kicking off at Germany's Rockpalast, Bochum, on March 29, and wrap up with a show at London's 100 Club on April 5. See the dates here.




Downes Braide Association Release 'Vanity' Video(Prog)

Downes Braide Association are premiering a video for their track Vanity via Prog. The duo previously issued a stream of the track Machinery Of Fate from the album
It's taken from DBA's second album Suburban Ghosts, released last month via Cherry Red Records. DBA features the duo of Yes and Asia keyboardist Geoff Downes and songwriter Chris Braide.

On the writing process, Downes previously said: "Chris never ceases to amaze with his application to the finest detail. And as on our previous collaboration, Pictures Of You, I provided him with the musical fabric and raw materials, and from that point he has manufactured and polished our latest gem with the precision of a Swiss watchmaker." Watch the new video here.



Amorphis Announce 2016 European Tour(Prog)

Amorphis have announced 37-date European tour for 2016. Fresh off a tour with Nightwish and Arch Enemy, the Finnish outfit hit the road for headline shows in support of this year's album Under The Red Cloud, starting in Hannover on March 3. Six UK dates and a show in Dublin are included in the run.
Guitarist Esa Holopainen says: "The Under The Red Cloud world tour started right after the record release and it's been a great tour with Nightwish and Arch Enemy ever since.

"That said, I'm really stoked to hit the road for another leg of European dates starting in March. It will be the widest headlining tour in Europe for us to date and we'll have great special guests along the way. It's gonna be epic. So, see you on the road." See the dates here.




Frost* Expand 2016 Summer Tour Plans(Prog)

Frost* have announced three additional UK dates scheduled around their appearance at next year's Ramblin' Man festival which will be taking place next July in Kent.
The July shows come after the festival and, coupled with their previously announced shows in June, bring their summer UK touring schedule up to seven dates.

Keyboard player Jem Godfrey says: "We're still working on getting out to Europe, hopefully this year. In the meantime we're thinking about sneaking a cheeky secret warm up gig in before Edinburgh under an assumed name, so keep an eye out." See the dates here.




Jordan Rudess Turns iPad Into Shred Monster With New App(Prog)

Dream Theater keyboardist Jordan Rudess has launched another music app for iPad. GeoShred is the latest in a series of software releases he's put out on Apple's tablet under his company Wizdom.
Rudess says: "'Im very excited to present my new app, GeoShred - my go to musical instrument for extreme riffing. "It offers me an exciting, expressive musical instrument with mind-altering, boundless control over the playing surface and effects. GeoShred turns my iPad into a shred monster."

The app allows users to create realistic guitar effects and edit the results by bending, stretching and manipulating the sounds. It promises to give the "power to make music that comes alive with expression, real controllable feedback, finger vibratos, note slides, power chords, auto-arpeggios and much more." Read more and check out a promo video here.




ZZ Top Collaboration Van Wilks Announces First Album In A Decade(The Blues)

Texan guitarist Van Wilks will next month release 21st Century Blues, his first album in 10 years. It includes his own take on Drive By Lover, a track he co-wrote with Billy Gibbons for ZZ Top's 2012 album La Futura.
Wilks - who appears on ZZ Top's 2014 DVD Live At Montreaux Jazz Festival - says: "We played around with the idea of years in South Austin. It was forgotten until Billy asked me if I could revive it, or even remember it.

"I sent him a few vignettes from a barely-working cassette, and a few hours later he played me the track from an LA studio. 'Whip up some words,' he said."

Of his own version he adds: "Billy came out to the studio and we messed it up just right for my take." Read what Gibbons had to say and more details here.




Debate Over Authenticity Of Alleged Robert Johnson Photo(The Blues)

The forensic artist who identified what she says is the third known picture of Robert Johnson has stated a fourth image is also real - despite the claims of musicologists.
Lois Gibson has won awards for her work with the Houston Police Department, recreating the faces of crime victims and analysing historical photos.

Only two images are universally agreed to depict Johnson, who died aged 27 in 1938. In 2008 Gibson stated that a picture of a man holding a guitar and standing with a friend was the blues icon. The guardians of his estate agreed - but many music commentators disputed the claim.

Now Gibson says that a picture discovered in a desk drawer, showing four people drinking in a bar, also features Johnson. It was found by retired lawyer Donald Roark, who purchased an antique desk at auction in 2013 and found the picture inside. He tells Chron.com: "I guess it was the hat - I chuckled and thought, 'That guy kinds of looks like Robert Johnson.'" Later he consulted with Gibson, who says: "99% of them I look at, and I don't laugh in their face, but I shrug it off."

But she believes the fourth picture is genuine, and that it also shows Johnson's wife Callette Craft, her friend Estella Coleman and later musician Robert Lockwood Jr. Read more here.




Oceans Of Slumber Release Winter Video(Prog)

Oceans of Slumber will release their second full-length Winter on March 4 and have released a video for the title track. The band say the new effort is a concept record around themes of woe and despair.
They add: "The time has come and we're more than excited to release this first glimpse into our new record, Winter. We wanted to reveal ourselves a bit more and try to capture the energy of the band in UltraHD. We've put every bit of our heart and souls into this record and can't wait to start this journey with everyone."

The prog outfit formed in 2011 and released their debut album, Aetherial. Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy is said to be a fan. They were discovered by Century Media in the summer after releasing their Blue EP, which re-imagines classic songs from Led Zeppelin, Candlemass and Pink Floyd. Watch the video here.




Buddy Guy And Shemekia Copeland Lead Blues Music Awards Noms(The Blues)

Grammy nominees Buddy Guy and Shemekia Copeland have both been nominated for Blues Music Awards. The 37th annual shortlist has been published ahead of a gala ceremony in Memphis, Tennessee on May 5 next year.
James Harman has received five nominations while Anthony Geraci and Sugaray Rayford have four each. Guy and Copeland are both listed in the Contemporary Blues Album category, while Guy's Born To Play Guitar is up for Album Of The Year and Copeland is among the B.B. King Entertainer and Contemporary Blues Female Artist finalists.

She's named alongside Beth Hart, Karen Lovely, Nikki Hill and Samantha Fish in that category, while the Male Artist list features Brandon Santini, Eugene Hideaway Bridges, Jarekus Singleton, Joe Louis Walker and Rayford.

Walker, Joe Bonamassa, Royal Southern Brotherhood, Tinsley Ellis and Walter Trout make up the Rock Blues Album category. Organizers say: "The Blues Music Awards are universally recognized as the highest accolade afforded to blues music performers. The annual ceremony is to honor this rich cultural tradition by recognizing the past year's superior achievements in blues performance, songwriting and recording." See the list of nominees here.




Refused Announce 2016 European Tour(TeamRock Radio)

Refused have announced a European tour for early 2016 - with five UK dates included in support of their latest album Freedom, which was released earlier this year.
The Swedish hardcore punks hit the road on February 26, starting in Malmo in their homeland. They'll play shows in Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds, Brighton and Birmingham on the tour. Anna von Hausswolff will be the main support for the UK shows.

Refused say: "We're excited to finally be able to do a few more shows throughout the UK in the spring and have Anna von Hausswolff on the tour with us for these. See you soon." See the dates here.




Singled Out: Novacaine Nothing's Closure

London heavy rockers Novacaine Nothing released their new "Noughts & Crosses" EP today and to celebrate we asked vocalist Jason Leung to tell us about the lead single "Closure." Here is the story:

Ever since I completed the demo for 'Closure', we all kind of knew in one way or another that this song had some sort of significance. It is definitely the most melodic number on 'Noughts & Crosses'. We were between two drummers at the time and when Jamie tracked the drums we were somewhat taken aback. Considering I had programmed some stupidly impossible MIDI drum track as a reference point, Jamie really captured the vibe I was going for and made it so much better. I think that was the point that I (if not all of us) realised he was the drummer we needed. In my opinion the guitar and bass work (most of which was improvised in the studio) was far more creative than anything else we'd ever done.

As the title suggests, the song is about finding closure and resolution in a personal journey. I wrote the verses as a sort of poem when I was around sixteen and really feeling the fallout of my addiction and the emotional and physical strain it was having on me. Being at my parents house in Hong Kong and away from the life I knew back in the UK had left me feeling very isolated and I guess I dealt with it the way any hormonal teenager would. While under the influence, I used a broken piece of glass to cut myself across my abdomen, chest and arms, and walked through the house in a somewhat pensive mood watching my family sleep. I thought about dying or just ceasing to exist and it not having any effect on my mother: I kind of just wanted to disappear.

In retrospect it was most likely the unfortunate cocktail of teenage hormones and alcohol that caused this pathetic moment of self-centered deprecation. Anyway, I wrote the verses later that night after returning to the living room couch I was sleeping on and the sun was beginning to rise.

The pre-chorus and chorus were written later that year when I had a similar moment while my ex was sleeping one night and I thought about dying, but I guess it was more of a romantic idea of what I wished I could do if I knew I was going to die when the sun came up.

When it came to demoing the song two years later I pieced the two together and added a middle eight. The music in this section left me with an almost euphoric sense of relief. I wrote the last set of lyrics "…I have etched all these noughts and crosses…" on quite a positive note that completely changed the vibe of the song, and so it ended up being the name of the EP too. I would like to say that writing the song was some huge spiritual journey for me but it really wasn't. It was three moments in my life where I just so happened to write lyrics and serendipitously created a song out of them.