Today's Day in Rock
Slash, Paul Stanley, David Lee Roth Lead Dave Grohl Birthday Bash
The Foo Fighters surprised fans last week with the announcement of a last minute show at the Forum in Los Angeles, but that was only the beginning of the surprises as the band brought out a who's who of rock stars to join them at the concert including Slash, Paul Stanley of KISS, Alice Cooper, Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth, Zakk Wylde and more.
The show, this past Saturday night, January 10th, served as Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl's birthday bash which included Jack Black leading the audience in a rendition of "Happy Birthday" for Grohl, according to Loudwire.
The Foo Fighters kicked off the show by bringing out KISS frontman Paul Stanley for renditions of the "Destroyer" classics 'Detroit Rock City' and 'Do You Love Me'. They were next joined on stage by former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash and Tenacious D's Jack Black and Kyle Gass. Black led the audience in "Happy Birthday" for Grohl before they broke into Queen's 'Tie Your Mother Down' and then Black took over lead vocals for Led Zeppelin's 'Immigrant Song'.
The Foo Fighters then rocked "Congregation" and "Walk" before being joined by Alice Cooper to perform two of his biggest hits, "School's Out" and "I'm Eighteen".
The next special guest to join the Foo Fighters was Nick Oliveri for a cover of Roky Erickson's "Two Headed Dog". A few songs later the band brought out Zakk Wylde for covers of the Black Sabbath classic's "N.I.B." and 'Fairies Wear Boots'.
They were later joined by Perry Farrell for a jam of Jane's Addiction's "Mountain Song" followed by the Rolling Stones hit "Miss You". The Foos then performed "Something From Nothing," 'This Is a Call', which featured a Trombone Shorty jam session, and "Best of You."
Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth then took the stage to perform the Van Halen classics "Panama" and "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love" with Grohl and the band.
The Foo Fighters closed the show with a jam of the Chuck Berry classic 'Let It Rock' that also featured Motorhead's Lemmy Kilmister, Slash and Zakk Wylde.
Van Halen Settle Legal Battle Over Use Of Their Name
(Classic Rock) Van Halen have settled a three-year legal battle with Kelly Van Halen, the ex-wife of drummer Alex Van Halen, over use of the family name in her business dealings.
Following the former couple's divorce almost 20 years, Kelly began using the famous last name for her construction and interior design company, but it was when she attempted to register a trademark for a variety of products that the band's holding company, ELVH Inc, challenged the matter in court with claims that it was diluting the band's brand and would be confusing to consumers.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, attorneys for both Van Halen parties informed a California judge this past week that an October 2013 lawsuit should be dismissed, bringing an end to the legal dispute. ELVH attorney Jeffrey Cohen_ _says the case has been "amicably resolved."
Kelly's attorney, Daniel DeCarlos, reveals his client can continue to use her full name for her businesses, but has agreed to stay away from any music-related services that might tread upon the band's ground. Read more here.
New Marilyn Manson Album Streaming In Full Online
Marilyn Manson's new album, The Pale Emperor, isn't set to be released until January 20th in North America (a day earlier in the UK), but the shock rocker has released a full online stream of the effort for fans in the U.S. and U.K.
Manson revealed in a Facebook post that a full online stream for the U.S. has been released on SoundCloud, presented by Genius. U.S. fans can stream the full album here.
For fans across the pond in the UK, our news partners TeamRock have a full album stream for fans in that territory, courtesy of the label Cooking Vinyl. UK fans stream the album here.
Unreleased Kurt Cobain Songs To Be Included In Documentary
(Classic Rock) The first fully-authorized Kurt Cobain documentary will feature unreleased songs by the Nirvana leader. US cable network HBO will premiere Kurt Cobain: Montage Of Heck on May 4 and it will be given a UK cinema release in the spring.
Directed by Brett Morgan, the project is being steered by the late singer's daughter, Frances Bean Cobain, who serves as executive producer. Billed as "a raw and visceral journey through his life," the film provides no-holds-barred access to Cobain's archives - home to his never-before-seen home movies, recordings, artwork, photography, journals, demos, personal archives and songbooks.
Morgan explains Kurt Cobain: Montage Of Heck has taken years to research. He says: "I started work on this project eight years ago. Like most people, when I started, I figured there would be limited amounts of fresh material to unearth." Read more here.
letlive The Latest Band Banned By Disney
letlive are the latest band to be banned by a Disney associated House of Blues venues. The band has been pulled from the April 3rd date at the House of Blues in Lake Buena Vista, FL with Taking Back Sunday and The Menzingers.
The specific reason why the band has been banned has not been disclosed but the group did issue the following statement on Facebook on Saturday, "Ladies and Gentlemen that were planning on attending the Lake Buena Vista, Florida date at the House Of Blues on the upcoming tour with Taking Back Sunday and The Menzingers and expecting to see ll.- due to reasons we cannot control, we will not be permitted to play said date.
"We have just been notified by the people at Disney Orlando/HOB that we have been pulled from the event. We cannot offer any details as to why since we were given none ourselves.
"Rumor has it that Goofy, Pluto, and most of Toontown were in protest against the decision, but Chairman Mouse exercised veto powers and struck down the proposition in the end.
"In the meantime, we will be trying to set up a one off at another venue in place of... this. Thank you so much for the unwavering support. It's moments like these we deeply appreciate it/you."
Metallica's Kirk Hammett Announces Next Fear FestEvil
(Classic Rock) Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett has unveiled details for the second installment of his annual horror convention Fear FestEvil. Last year's inaugural event featured vending, private tours of Kirk's Crypt, panels, signings, special guest appearances and musical performances by Carcass and Orchid, with Hammett joining Exodus and Death Angel on stage.
The 2015 edition will include a Murder Mystery event, horror memorabilia from Hammett's extensive personal collection, and live music. Hammett says: "It has always been my intention that Fear FestEvil events carry both the weird and the loud, and what better way to achieve another extension of what we want to do than eat dinner in a haunted house while solving criminal acts before a weekend of super kick-ass music."
The April 10-12 weekend will open with a Murder Mystery Dinner/VIP Party at the legendary Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, California on Friday, April 10. Read more here.
Lamb Of God 'Putting Things Together' For New Album
(TeamRock Radio) Lamb Of God drummer Chris Adler says that he is impressed with the quality of material as the group continue songwriting sessions for their 8th studio album.
Frontman Randy Blythe previously confirmed the follow-up to 2012's Resolution would be issued in 2015, around the same time he publishes Dark Days: My Tribulation And Trials - due July 10 via Da Capo Press - a book about his Czech manslaughter ordeal.
The documentary As The Palaces Burn was released on DVD last autumn. It reveals Blythe's process through the Czech legal system and the way in which the death of fan Daniel Nosek affected the band, colleagues and friends.
Regarding work on Lamb Of God's 8th album, Adler tells SiriusXM's Liquid Metal: "It's great. I guess the thing that I was overwhelmed with was the idea of us taking the year off of 2014 and then have us come together basically around now and start putting things together.
"But, as usual, everybody is a little antsy and wanting to jam, and it wasn't, like, 'Oh, hey, Willie has an idea and Mark has this kinda cool solo thing he wants to add on top of it.' Both of these guys came in with about 50 different song ideas.
"So what's been great is just going through all these ideas, which are all really good, and being able to say, 'Okay, we have this much material. Let's pick the top 10 or top 15 or 20, and just keep working on that. Then they get upset, because number 42 had their favorite part. So, okay, grab that favorite part from 42 and let's make song six way better. So it's been that kind of a process as we go along." Read more here.
Megadeth Offshoot Band Coming Together
(Classic Rock) Former Megadeth drummer Shawn Drover confirms the debut album with Chris Broderick and Scar The Martyr's Henry Derek Bonner is moving forward as planned.
Following Drover and Broderick's departure from Megadeth in November, the pair recruited Bonner - who left his group in April - and completed writing material for their debut.
Drover checks in with an update on the project, saying "Good progress this week for myself, Chris Broderick and Henry Bonner's new band. We finally picked the name of the band, close to choosing our bass player, selected the artist for the record and are very close to choosing the producer as well. Much more info real soon. Stay tuned." Read more here.
Dream Theater Planning New Album
(Prog) Dream Theater will enter the studio to start work on their 13th album next month, according to a media report. The band also posted a link on their Facebook page confirming the news.
The band recently wrapped up a world tour and according to Simcoe.com, the group will now begin work on the follow-up to their 2013 self-titled release in February, with frontman James LaBrie indicating it will launch this coming autumn.
Last year, Dream Theater released DVD Breaking The Fourth Wall which was recorded at the Boston Opera House in March 2014. Guitarist John Petrucci, who also produced the film, called the show "a major highlight in our career." Read more here.
Napalm Death Streaming New Song How The Years Condemn
(TeamRock Radio) Napalm Death are previewing the upcoming release of their 16th album, Apex Predator - Easy Meat, with a stream of the project's lead track, How The Years Condemn.
Due January 26 via Century Media Records, the album's title is inspired by recent slave labour atrocities in India - according to frontman Barney Greenway - while seeing the veteran band embrace a mix of styles as they evolve their sound.
Bassist Shane Embury, who previously revealed the album takes aim at modern materialism, explains the background behind How The Years Condemn. He says: "Musically I wanted this track to encompass lots of different rhythms and nuances in the short space of time which the song occupies, which I hope we achieve, and that it bursts with an intensity and emotion to match the theme of the lyrics.
"Lyrically, it's a departure from the rest of the new album as it's self-reflective. A couple of years ago I was hospitalised prior to a very important tour and was forced to miss out on going and had to stay at home."
Soto Says New Band Follows In Tradition Of Van Halen, Dio
(Classic Rock) Members of Jeff Scott Soto's group reckon he's created a real band atmosphere in the camp. The former Journey frontman releases his album Inside The Vertigo on January 29 via earMusic, and while the group carries his name, it doesn't feel like a solo record to the musicians who helped him record it.
Drummer Edu Cominato says: "To me it was a natural transition because we never felt like hired musicians. We've been touring with Jeff since 2009 and we always had this connection between us, we always had this unity. We are just confirming this with Soto."
Soto adds: "Inside The Vertigo was supposed to be my next solo album and I decided it sounded too much like a band, more so than a solo effort. So we simplified it by taking my last name as has been done through history with Van Halen, with Daughtry, with Dio, Dokken, Winger - so many other bands that used one person's name." Read more here.
Dave Lombardo Unveils New Art Project
(Classic Rock) Former Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo has unveiled a new art project. The Philm mainman teamed up with LA company SceneFour to produce a range of abstract images which were created by arming him with light-emitting drumsticks.
Lombardo was then photographed drumming in the dark using the sticks and the images have resulted in a 12-piece collection titled Rhythm Mysterium. He says:
"This medium of art is a different way to view drummers and what they do. Brushes were the way art was created in the past - this is a whole new way to be creative, for a drummer to be captured in a way where he's using his drumsticks to create these different brushstrokes." Read more and check out the video here.
Rise To Remain Offshoot As Lions Giving Away Debut Song
(TeamRock Radio) As Lions are giving away their debut single as a free download. The band - formed from the ashes of recently split Rise To Remain - made The Fall available to stream earlier this week, and it's now available to download for no fee.
Singer Austin Dickinson - son of Iron Maiden frontman Bruce - says: "The Fall is a song seething with an energy and determination that I have never felt before. Coming off the back of our former projects, it would be far too easy to release something that 'treads the water'.
"We wanted this one out there first because it has that crucial diversity that sets us apart, but at its heart has the anthemic core and the fleshed out heaviness that made me want to make music in the first place.
"It's a direct, impassioned and honest statement of intent for our future. 2015 is the year that UK rock breaks down even more walls, and we are here to help light that fuse."
As Lions have an EP due out in the spring, with their debut album to follow later in the year. Stream and/or download the new song here.
Prong Reveal New Album Details
(Classic Rock) US metal veterans Prong have released the artwork for their upcoming covers album. Titled Songs From The Black Hole, it will be issued in the UK on March 30 via SPV/Steamhammer.
The full tracklist has still to be confirmed but the band previously said the disc would include The Bars by Black Flag, Banned In DC by Bad Brains, Kids Of The Black Hole by Adolescents, Vision Thing by The Sisters Of Mercy, Seeing Red by Killing Joke, Everything Falls Apart by Husker Du and Cortez The Killer by Neil Young.
Mainman Tommy Victor says: "Prong is very excited about the upcoming release of our new record Songs From The Black Hole, and equally excited about the artwork and packaging.
"Since the record explores Prong's roots musically and geographically, this needed to be expressed visually and this was attained. With the help of our art director Mike Lopez, the theme of urban decay, desolation, insecurity and ultimate change that prevails in the music has been brought to the surface in images."
Kansas Announce Documentary Premiere
(Classic Rock) Kansas have announced that they will premiere their documentary, Miracles Out Of Nowhere, at the 30th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) on Monday, February 2.
The film - which tells the story of the band through original members Phil Ehart, Dave Hope, Kerry Livgren, Robby Steinhardt, Steve Walsh and Richard Williams - will see its worldwide debut next month ahead of its release in March.
Project producer and former manager, Budd Carr, says: "It is an honour to have our Kansas band documentary Miracles Out of Nowhere selected to premiere at the 2015 Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
"As a long time Santa Barbara resident, it will be especially exciting for me to celebrate the band's 40th Anniversary as part of the SBIFF's 30th Anniversary year." Read more here.
Protest The Hero Featured In New Documentary Ghosts Of The Road
(Prog) Protest The Hero are the first band to be featured in a new series documenting life on the road. The Canadian band are the subject of the first episode of Ghosts Of The Road, created by FreqsTV.
FreqsTV say of the series: "Ghosts Of The Road is an intimate day-in-the-life-of portrait series, featuring some of today's top rock and metal acts as they navigate a rigorous life on the road.
"This landmark series offers more to fans than the mic-in-the-face interview and will go backstage to take a more personal look at what it takes to bring the rock to the masses."
In the first episode, Protest The Hero are seen arriving at a show in Munich and guitarist Tim Millar talks about the chemistry the band have found with new drummer Mike Ieradi and stand-in bassist Cam McLellan. Watch the episode here.
Robert Plant Inspired and Saved By The Blues
(Classic Rock) Robert Plant says American blues music both saved and inspired him to become a singer. Plant performed an extensive UK tour in November and he currently has a few dates confirmed in March - including three Lollapalooza appearances in South America. He is also preparing to reveal more shows for 2015.
As Plant continues to promote the critically-acclaimed Lullaby and ... the Ceaseless Roar, he reveals the origins of his music career were not necessarily homegrown.
He tells USA Today: "My preoccupation as a very young early teenager was a music form that I might have missed. If I had missed it, I would never have sung. If I hadn't heard the Howlin' Wolf, Robert Johnson, Little Richard music, I wouldn't have been drawn to music.
"Most of the music we were surrounded by in England was slush, without any commitment. I was born again and saved and reincarnated by American music." Read more here.
Dark Tranquillity Writing Material For Next Album
(TeamRock Radio) Dark Tranquillity will focus their attention on the follow-up to 2013's Construct after their current tour, they've confirmed in a new video interview with Horns Up Rocks.
The band are on the road across North and South America and have already begun writing new material. But frontman Mikael Stanne says they need time away from their touring commitments to fully develop their ideas.
He tells Horns Up Rocks: "Once we're done and we head back, we'll start working on a new album. We have a few festivals but mainly it's about writing. So I really look forward to that.
"You need to clear your mind and get away from the whole madness of being on tour to focus on writing. But we started - and we've a lot of ideas and a lot of things working, so I think we're going to hit the ground running when we get home." Stream the interview here.
Biffy Clyro Have 20 New 'Aggressive' Songs
(TeamRock Radio) Biffy Clyro are currently working on 20 tracks which mainman Simon Neil describes as "aggressive." The band are busy writing material for their as-yet-untitled seventh album - but Neil reveals not all will make the final cut as they don't want to release another double record following 2013's Opposites.
He tells Q Magazine: "We've probably got 20 songs that are about 80% finished. It's sounding really rocking at the moment. I think it's important to put some more rules and limitations on what we do because on the last few records we ran with whatever ideas we had.
"So on this one, when I say stripped back, it's not going to sound skeletal or anything but perhaps a bit more aggressive. Coming off the back of a double album, it's important to be really concise so we might only have 10 songs." Read more here.
Marilyn Manson Claims to Have Invented the Term 'Grunge'
(Radio.com) Interview Marilyn Manson and you're guaranteed to get at least one off-the-cuff headline-making morsel. The latest? The goth rock overlord claims to have invented the term "grunge."
While speaking with Noisey UK, Manson reflected on his early rock 'n' roll days when he was a music journalist. "I hated rock'n'roll when I started," he said. "It was on the cusp of grunge and a lot of bands that I used to call 'commonist rock' because everyone wanted to be like the common man with the flannel shirts and Pearl Jam and their fight against Ticketmaster and all this horse sh*t."
At one point in his music journalism career, Manson reviewed Nirvana's 1989 debut studio album Bleach and while writing the term "grunge" came to him. "Nirvana was different," he continued. "That was one of the bands I covered first as a journalist and I'm just going to go ahead and say I coined the term 'grunge' in a review of 'Bleach'. You're welcome."
However, a quick search on the Internet reveals that writer Paul Ramball used the term a full 11 years earlier in 1978 in an NME article. Read more here.
Exodus Frontman Discusses Changes In The Band
(TeamRock Radio) Steve 'Zetro' Souza says life backstage with Exodus is vastly different to his earlier stints with the band. The frontman rejoined the thrash veterans last year for a third spell after almost 10 years away and he features on latest album Blood In Blood Out.
And Souza says things are much cleaner behind the scenes. He tells Thrash Eaters (via Blabbermouth): "Everything backstage is all healthy. Nobody does drugs anymore, that's over and gone.
"There's a little bit of alcohol, but not like, 'Let's pound 12 cases of beer. What do you mean we drank that already?' That's nonexistent. I figure I'm 50 now. I was 22 when I joined Exodus in the beginning. I've got to keep this going and the way to do that is to keep in shape."
The singer adds that he is determined to enjoy every minute of his career with the group. He says: "I came back to the family. I got to spend the holidays with them, and it's f***ing fun as sh*t. I'm not gonna do anything to f*** this thing up. No way." Stream the full interview here.
Michael Schenker's Temple Of Rock Reveal New Album Details
(TeamRock Radio) Michael Schenker's Temple Of Rock have announced details of their new album. Spirit On A Mission will be released in March 23, preceded by the single Vigilante Man.
Schenker's Temple of Rock band features former Scorpions Herman Rarebell (drums) and Francis Buchholz (bass), plus ex-Rainbow singer Doogie White and Wayne Findlay on guitar and keyboards.
"All songs were co-written by Doogie and myself, " says Schenker. "Wayne co-wrote five songs. I originally wanted to write the album as a group effort, but I had this concept that needed to be focused on differently. However, Herman and Francis did very well by adding there amazing Rock You Like A Hurricane rhythm section parts that gave it all it needed.
"Tour-wise, including Festivals, we will play wherever we can to promote Spirit On A Mission," he continues. Read more here.
Nightwish Finish Mixing New Album
(Prog) Nightwish have completed mixing their upcoming 8th album Endless Forms Most Beautiful. Due on March 30 via Nuclear Blast, the follow-up to 2011's Imaginaerum is the Finnish band's first record to feature new singer Floor Jansen and now full-time member Troy Donockley and will include a guest appearance by leading atheist Professor Richard Dawkins.
Working alongside producer Tero Kinnunen, the group have been issuing video updates documenting their progress in the studio. Fans will get their first listen to new music with the release of the lead track, Elan, on February 13.
Mainman Tumoas Holopainen reveals he, Kinnen and longtime collaborator Mikko Karmila have completed mixing the album and will now join mastering engineer Mika Jussila for the next step in the production process. Read more here.
Judas Priest Frontman Rob Halford's Solo Career Covered In New Book
Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford's solo career is the focus of a new book by music biographer Neil Daniels. Entitled, "A Casual Guide To The Solo Music Of Judas Priest's Rob Halford", the author sent over this synopsis:
Rob Halford is a heavy metal icon and his influence on the genre is immeasurable. Bands such as Anthrax, Pantera, Slayer and Metallica have cited Rob Halford and Judas Priest as a major inspiration on their own music. This book isn't about Judas Priest as such, though it inevitably touches on the subject, but rather Halford's varied solo music.
Made Of Metal explores the solo music of one of the greatest singers of all time. From Halford's first post-Judas Priest project Fight through to his controversial collaboration with Trent Reznor with the album Voyeurs right up to his metal rebirth with his self-titled band, Halford, this handy guide celebrates Halford's creativity and love of all things heavy metal.
From the author of the acclaimed The Story Of Judas Priest - Defenders Of The Faith, Rock Landmarks - Judas Priest's British Steel and Dawn Of The Metal Gods - My Life In Judas Priest And Heavy Metal (with Al Atkins), Made Of Metal is the first book to exclusively explore the solo music of the Metal God himself, Mr. Rob Halford. Made Of Metal celebrates Halford's musical legacy and offers titbits of information and trivia about his career as well as a biography, discographies, a timeline, reviews and tributes from leading musicians and music writers. There are also many previously unpublished live photographs of the heavy metal icon.
In Flames Inspired By Van Halen On Latest Album
(TeamRock Radio) Anders Friden says In Flames guitarist Bjorn Gelotte brought a Van Halen vibe to their latest album. Siren Charms, their 11th studio outing, launched last year via Sony, and Friden says Gelotte brought a classic rock feel to the record thanks to the guitarist's love of Eddie Van Halen's style of playing.
He tells Yell Magazine: "His main influences are Dio, Rainbow, Deep Purple and stuff. He listens to some new stuff but he's very old school. He has a very loose playing style sort of like Eddie Van Halen and those guitar players like Ritchie Blackmore - not super technical as I sometimes think super technical players are amazing but there's no soul in it.
"Niclas Engelin and Bjorn compliment each other very well because Niclas has more of a riffy, picky, attack type of playing, where Bjorn is way more loose." Stream the full interview here.
Singled Out: The Penny Serfs' lonely
Today indie rockers The Penny Serfs lead vocalist and guitar player Michael Loy tells us about the song "lonely" from their brand new album "Like Eating Glass", which will be released on January 20th. Here is the story:
I wrote "lonely" the day after I returned from a six week tour. Most people don't know there is a massive adjustment period after a tour ends. It feels like the world is moving so slow and trying to reconnect with love ones becomes a very hard task. So after a few drinks, in my post tour depression madness, just kept singing the hook about being lonely.
The lyrics ended up being an ode to a lonely housewife and how hard it must be to have a husband travel like a musician or military personnel. After about an hour of circling my living room in my underwear strumming the guitar I finished the song.
It's a special song to me because I never want any mother, wife, sister or friend to ever feel that loneliness I feel coming home from work.
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