Today's Day in Rock News!

Today's Day in Rock


Rolling Stones Plan North American Summer Tour
Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood says in two new interviews that the band is planning to launch a North American tour this summer and he also discussed the possibility of a Faces reunion.

Wood broke the news of the Rolling Stones tour plans while discussing Karl Denson continuing with the band in place of their legendary sax player Bobby Keys, who died in December.

"We're thinking of keeping Karl on, because he really loved Bobby's work," Woods told Radio.com. He was then asked if the band would need a sax player anytime soon and Woods responded, "We're coming to North America in the summer."

Wood also confirmed the plans in a separate interview with GMI Rock News. "Oh yeah, we had a meeting in New York with the boys, and we're gonna come to North America again in the summer."

Apart from the Stones, Wood discussed his other legendary band the Faces in the Radio.com interview and the recent reunion jam with the three surviving members, himself, Rod Stewart and Kenny Jones at Stewart's 70th birthday party.

"Well, we just played at Rod's 70th birthday a couple of weekends ago in L.A. We got up at Rod's party, me and Kenney and Rod and played 'Stay With Me' and 'Sweet Little Rock and Roller,' and Rod and Kenney were very enthusiastic about a Faces reunion."



Led Zeppelin Premiere 'Brandy & Coke' Version of Classic Song
(hennemusic) Led Zeppelin are have released an online stream of an unreleased version of "Trampled Under Foot" as a preview of the upcoming expanded reissue of their 1975 release, "Physical Graffiti", due on February 23 (Feb. 24 in North America).

Billed as "Brandy & Coke (Trampled Under Foot - Initial Rough Mix)", the track is featured on the companion disc of bonus material - which also includes recently-debuted rough mix of "Houses Of The Holy."

"Physical Graffiti" hit No. 1 on the US Billboard 200 on its way to selling more than 8 million copies in the States alone, while topping their native UK album charts and achieving double platinum for sales of 600,00.




Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl Named Record Store Day Ambassador
Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl has been selected to be the 2015 Record Store Day Ambassador. The annual event celebrating independent record stores will be taking place on April 18, 2015.

Grohl issued the following message, "I found my calling in the back bin of a dark, dusty record store. 1975′s K-Tel's Blockbuster 20 Original Hits by the original Stars featuring Alice Cooper, War, Kool and the Gang, Average White Band and many more, bought at a small record shop in my suburban Virginia neighborhood, it was this record that changed my life and made me want to become a musician. The second that I heard Edgar Winter's 'Frankenstein" kick in, I was hooked. My life had been changed forever. This was the first day of the rest of my life.

"More recently, I've been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to rediscover this sense of excitement, that magical feeling of finding something all one's own, by watching my kids go through it. Watching them realize how crucial and intertwined every part of this experience is, I relive the magic of my earliest experiences with vinyl singles and albums, their artwork, liners notes etc. all over again and again.

"I believe that the power of the record store to inspire is still alive and well, and that their importance to our next generation of musicians is crucial."

Check out the event's official site here.



Zakk Wylde Announces Black Label Society Unblackened Tour
Zakk Wylde has announced that the Black Label Society will be hitting the road in North America this spring to launch a very special Unblackened Tour.

Named after the Black Label Society's 2013 one-off performance at Club Nokia in Los Angeles where they stripped down and rearranged their songs and released it as a live album and DVD of the same name.

Now Wylde is realizing his dream of taking the show to more fans across the U.S. He had this to say, "I always wanted to take Unblackened on the road, we just didn't have the time until now.

"You can take a song that you've played thousands of times and rearrange it, and all of a sudden it's something totally fresh. The attitude of the songs doesn't change when we play them acoustically-the tunes are gritty regardless."

The tour will be kicking off in Huntington, NY on April 3rd at The Paramount and will include stops in New Hampshire, New Jersey, Maryland, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Kansas, Colorado, Utah and California. See the tour dates here.



Original Yes Singer Jon Anderson To Have Surgery
(Classic Rock) Former Yes frontman Jon Anderson is to have a sinus operation, he's confirmed. He's been having issues since November, making it hard for him to sing and causing him to cancel a handful of live dates.

He remains in good spirits and thanks fans for their support, insisting he'll be back playing live later this year. Anderson - who cannot play the violin - jokes: "I will be better very soon. "

I was told by my specialist at UCLA that I will be a different person after the operation. I said, 'Will I be able to play the violin?' He said, 'Yes, of course.' I thought, 'Now that's cool.'"

Anderson has been working in a new group with jazz-fusion violinist Jean-Luc Ponty. The Anderson Ponty Band also features guitarist Jamie Dunlap, keyboardist Wally Minko, bassist Baron Browne and drummer Rayford Griffin. Read more here.



The Crickets Joe B. Mauldin Dead at 74
(Classic Rock) Crickets bass player Joe B. Mauldin has died from cancer at the age of 74. The Texas native was a member of Buddy Holly's band The Crickets, who continued even after Holly's death in 1959. He left the band in 1964 when he joined the US Army, but returned in the 1970s and also worked as a sound engineer.

He and The Crickets drummer Jerry Ivan Allison were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2012 and he was a member of the group until his death in Nashville at the weekend.

Maria Elena Holly, Buddy's widow, says: "Joe B was a great player and performer, a dear friend, and I know that Buddy loved him a great deal. Joe B was one of the greatest bass players of all time. Joe Baby, as Buddy called him, JI, and Buddy made such beautiful music together, and they were all so great together, both as friends and performers. Read more here.




Jack White Announces New Vinyl Single, Streams B-Side Track
Jack White continues to be the king of vinyl with the announcement that he will be releasing a new 7-inch vinyl single for the song "That Black Bat Licorice."

"That Black Bat Licorice" will be the next single from White's latest studio album "Lazaretto" and the b-side of the vinyl will be the non-album cover of Harry Connick Jr.'s "Blue Light, Red Light (Someone's There)."

The Third Man Records site says that they will release the vinyl on February 23rd. Both songs will also be released digitally on February 17th. Fans can preorder the vinyl single and stream the b-side track here.




Metal Singer Hospitalized After Falling Out Of Moving Tour Bus
(TeamRock Radio) Black Tongue frontman Alex Teyen fell out of the band's tour bus when he reportedly drunkenly mistook the door for a toilet. The English metal outfit were on the Ashes To Ashes tour with Chelsea Grin, Veil Maya and Oceans Ate Alaska when the accident took place in Poland.

According to The Telegraph, 23-year-old Teyen was taken to hospital with face and head injuries after falling out of the tour bus on a stretch of motorway near Konin - thinking he was opening the door to the onboard toilet.

Police told local media that the singer was "probably under the influence of alcohol." Police spokesman Piotr Kaciak adds: "The victim told his colleagues he was going to the toilet. The toilet turned out to be engaged so he opened the bus's door instead and stepped out while the coach was still moving.

"Judging by the manner of the victim's behaviour, speech and smell we suspect he was under the influence of alcohol." Read more here.




10,000 Maniacs Going Old School With New Album
10,000 Maniacs have announced that they will be releasing their new studio album, "Twice Told Tales", on April 28th on 180-gram vinyl LP format and on compact disc.

The album will feature the band's take on a collection of traditional British Isles folk songs. 10,000 Maniacs Dennis Drew explains, "Folk music of all types has been a strong influence on the band.

"One of the songs on the new record 'Do You Love An Apple' has been in our repertoire for 30 years. We've also recorded Carter family songs and other American, Irish and British Folk music in the past."

"These are timeless melodies," Drew continues, "Some songs are funny, some are heartbreaking. Most are 100, 200, 300 years old. It's crazy how they can be turned into 21st century pop songs!"

The band is giving fans an early taste of what to expect from the album by streaming their version of the Irish rhyme "Misty Moisty Morning," here.




Bob Seger Celebrates Against the Wind Anniversary In The Studio
The latest episode of syndicated radio show In The Studio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands celebrates the 35th anniversary of Bob Seger's classic album "Against The Wind". The show sent over these details:

After over a decade of sweatin' it out on the road, as documented on the live album Live Bullet, Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet band finally had their breakout with 1976's Night Moves followed by Stranger In Town in 1978, capping off a phenomenal end to the decade.

The sheer height to which Bob Seger's star had risen was put on full display when Against the Wind unseated Pink Floyd's epic The Wall album for the # 1 spot on the Billboard chart upon release in February 1980, producing the hits "Fire Lake", "You'll Accomp'ny Me", and title track "Against the Wind".

Superstardom, however, was challenging for Seger. Bob admits to InTheStudio host Redbeard how he was able to find his way after selling over 17 million albums in four short years.

"I think (my) reaction to stardom was very uncomfortable from '76 thru '79, because I had NO reaction (from record execs) for the twelve years prior to that. I was very suspicious throughout that period... I was probably not the best person to be around unless you were really in my inner circle... I was quite closed off. I think it wasn't until 1980 that I really opened up. And that's why I have such fond memories of Against the Wind." - Bob Seger




Rival Sons Cancel Soundwave Appearance
Rival Sons had some bad news for Australia fans that wanted to see the band perform at the Soundwave Festival this year, the group announced that they have pulled out of the event.

They explain, "Attention to our highly esteemed and very patient Australian fanbase: It brings us no pleasure to announce that we are not able to play the Soundwave festival this year. We've been waiting years to see you, YEARS and this was going to be such a great line up.

"We had every intention of coming to you and take full responsibility for any disappointment. The good news? A child has been born to the Rival Sons family. Even though we collectively thought it to be sufferable, we've found that taking our brother away from his wife and newborn so soon ultimately defies our personal ethics as a band.

"We can assure you that it is our utmost desire to get Down Under to give you what you have so patiently waited for. We wholeheartedly beg your understanding and forgiveness on this matter."




Grammy Is All About Ronnie James Dio Says Tenacious D
(hennemusic) Wendy Dio and Tenacious D have issued statements celebrating the band's Grammy Award win for Best Metal Performance Sunday at the 57th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.

Tenacious D won the award for their remake of Dio's "The Last in Line" which was featured on the 2014 Ronnie James Dio tribute album, "This Is Your Life."

Tenacious D took home the prize ahead of fellow nominees Anthrax, Motorhead, Slipknot and Mastodon. "We are so excited to see one of Ronnie's songs be awarded with a Grammy," says wife/manager Wendy Dio. "As soon as Tenacious D were announced as winners, Jack Black called me in excitement to tell me that we won the award. My only regret is to not have Ronnie here in body to see this happen."

"This Grammy is all about Ronnie James Dio," added Black and Kyle Gass. "We are so proud to have known Ronnie and this is just another testament to his greatness." Read more and stream the song here.



Video from Metallica Corporate Shows Goes Online
(hennemusic) Metallica performed a corporate gig at Pier 48 in San Francisco for cloud computing company Salesforce.com on Monday, and fan-filmed video from the evening has surfaced.

The band previously played the same event in 2011 when the company's chief executive officer, Marc Benioff, asked his neighbor - Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett - if they would perform.

On January 21, Metallica were the featured guests of honor as the NHL's San Jose Sharks hosted Metallica Night. The NHL evening featured the second Bay-area sports team to present a Metallica-themed event: Major League Baseball's San Francisco Giants will host the 3rd annual Metallica Night at AT&T Park on Saturday, May 2.





Death Cab for Cutie Release 'Black Sun' Video
(Radio.com) Death Cab for Cutie's new album, Kintsugi, is being released by Atlantic Records on March 31. The band has already starting playing shows, a first since the departure of founding member Chris Walla, and a first single, "Black Sun," has been released.

On Wednesday, the Ben Gibbard-fronted Seattle band share their first music video from the new collection, also for "Black Sun," directed by Robert Hales. In the clip, the band plays a production team, filming a scene in which an injured stunt actor gets hit by a car. If you are not a fan of slow motion, you are watching the wrong music video.

In other news, CoS points out that the band has booked a Madison Square Garden headlining date for the end of summer with Explosions in the Sky supporting. This is in addition to a lengthy already announced tour, which includes performances with The Antlers, Tune-Yards, and Built to Spill. Watch the video and see the dates here.



Kreator, Sodom, Destruction and Tankard Plan New Split Release
(TeamRock Radio) Germany's 'Big Teutonic 4' have announced the release of their second joint 10inch vinyl. Kreator, Sodom, Destruction and Tankard have each recorded a classic NWOBHM cover version for the red vinyl release. The record will begin shipping next week.

Songs by Iron Maiden, Tank, Saxon and Raven make up the record. On his band's cover of Iron Maiden's self-titled 1980 track, Tankard's Andreas "Gerre" Geremia says: "The first two Maiden albums are my personal favorites so it's a real honour to me that our version of Iron Maiden will finally be available on vinyl."

Destruction's Marcel 'Schmier' Schirmer adds: "Shortly before we formed Destruction we were all together at a Saxon concert in Switzerland on their Denim & Leather tour. Princess Of The Night always was one of my all-time favourite tracks from the British NWOBHM masters." Read more here.




The Answer Streaming First Song From New Album
(Classic Rock) The Answer have unleashed "Long Live The Renegades", the first music from their forthcoming "Raise A Little Hell!" album, the follow-up to 2013's "New Horizon."

"It's a bit of a rocker and we tried a slightly different production technique on this track by keeping it very dry," say the band. "The song is about just doing what you do best and having a bit of a bunker mentality.

"This is our fifth album and we've gone back to our earlier blues and roots style with what we think are harder rockin' grooves. Hope you like it as much as we do!" Check out the song here.




The Neal Morse Band Release 'Agenda' Video
(Classic Rock) The Neal Morse Band have released a music for the track "Agenda," from their upcoming album "The Grand Experiment" which launches in the UK on February 16 via InsideOut.

Morse, Mike Portnoy, Randy George, Eric Gillette and Bill Hubauer previously released a video for the title track from the record. Along with a standard CD and digital release The Grand Experiment will also be issued as a 2CD and DVD special edition Digipak.

The second disc features previously unreleased live and studio tracks while the DVD includes a documentary on the making of the album. The record will also be released as a 180g vinyl pressing which comes with the double CD and DVD.






Megadeth Have 'Pretty Much Written' New Album
Megadeth bass player and cofounder David Ellefson says in a recent interview from the NAMM convention that the band have their new album "pretty much written".

Ellefson told Ultimate Guitar, "We have it pretty much written. We need to go in and obviously record. We're looking at lineup things… that's the big question.

"But that's all moving forward, and we'll know more in the coming days, weeks, and certainly as the record's being made, that will tell more. I mean, to me the record has to be great, and that will determine, I think, from that, where the lineup goes. We're very aware of what a lot of people are hoping we do." Watch the full interview here.




Atreyu Singer Gives Update On New Album
(TeamRock Radio) Atreyu vocalist Alex Varkatzas has issued an update from the studio where the band are recording their first album in six years. They returned from a three-year hiatus last summer and launched the track So Others May Live in September.

And Varkatzas reveals work is going well on the follow-up to 2009's Congregation Of The Damned, saying it's the best material the band have ever done.

He says: "The lyrics for the new album have been done for a few days and I will finish vocals tomorrow. Absolutely no melodic vocals on my end. Happy to get back to my roots and still bring in some new tricks.

"My brothers and I have made our best record yet. Can't wait to share it with you all." Read more here.




Former King Crimson Star David Cross Completes New Album
(Prog) Former King Crimson violinist David Cross has completed work on a new album, he's confirmed. And he says the The David Cross Band are mixing the material which he describes as "fantastic" but "horribly complicated."

He tells Sunn Creative Music: "The David Cross Band hasn't played for a while but we've finished an album. We're just in the mixing stages and playing with the sounds trying to get the violin and guitar sounds working well together. They're fantastic songs and horribly complicated - not by fault, it's all down to Paul Clark on guitar who comes up with very twisted ideas."

Cross is currently working with King Crimson mainman Robert Fripp on Starless Starlight and he's issued a promo for the track Starless Starlight Loops. Hear it here.



Hoobastank, P.O.D and Alien Ant Farm Announce UK Tour
(TeamRock Radio) Hoobastank have announced that they will be launching a UK tour with P.O.D and Alien Ant Farm. The trio of Californian bands open their 10-date jaunt in London on May 7.

Hoobastank frontman Doug Robb had this to say, "We are extremely excited about finally coming back to the UK to play some shows. It's been way too long.

"What better way, also, than to come back with two great bands that we have a long history and friendship with, P.O.D and Alien Ant Farm. We hope to see all the loyal fans who've waited so long for our return as well as make some new friends. We'll see you soon."






Metallica Hit The Slopes With New Branded Skis
(Classic Rock) Metallica fans can take their obsession to new heights after the band launched a line of branded skis. Kiss are known for their remarkable range of merchandise that includes everything from knives to coffins, and now Metallica have announced their own range of skis and mountain wear.

The thrash giants have teamed up with ski manufacturer Armada for the project. In a statement, the band say: "It's no secret that three quarters of the band enjoy our snow sports - Kirk is sticking to the water for now - so we're excited to announce that we have hooked up with Armada to create a line of Metallica skis for you to cruise around the mountains on.

"Founded by professional skiers and a snow-sports photographer, Armada was skiing's first rider-owned, rider-operated manufacturer and we admire that independent, do-it-yourself spirit." Read more here.



Tinsley Ellis Releases New Album 'Tough Love'
(The Blues Tinsley Ellis has released his new studio album Tough Love and he has encouraged fans to let him know what they think of the effort at his upcoming shows.

The guitarist's new 10-track record is available now in digital formats and on CD and will head out on an extensive North American tour later this month, starting in Atlanta, Georgia on February 21.

Ellis says: "I think you will like this album very much. I make them especially for you. We will do shows everywhere in 2015 to promote the album. If you see us standing around at shows, please come say hi. We are very approachable despite our dark attire and strange facial hair." here.




Hellyeah Purposely Broke Party Stereotype On Blood For Blood
(TeamRock Radio) Hellyeah guitarist Tom Maxwell says the band made a conscious decision to drop their party-rock tag on Blood For Blood. Their fourth album launched last year with bassist Kyle Sanders admitting they had a lot to prove following the departures of Bob 'Zilla' Kakaha and Greg Tribbett. Now Maxwell says they used the album to ditch some stereotypes surrounding the group.

He tells the Vinnie Langdon Show: "I think we really needed to dig deep on this one. I wanted to break that stereotype people had of us as this party-rock band, which kind of put us in a corner with songs like Alcohaulin' Ass, Drink Drank Drunk and Hell Of A Time.

"They're cool tunes, but, personally, I don't have any history with that kind of music. I'm a hardcore kid from Baltimore and I want to play moody, emotional, heavy stuff and more relaxed, pulled-back stuff but retaining integrity and honesty. I just didn't think that that was the way that we should be going." Read more here.



Europe Preview New Album 'War Of Kings'
(TeamRock Radio) Veteran Swedish outfit Europe have released a trailer for their forthcoming album War Of Kings. The band - who previously just issued a video for the title track - recorded the project at the brand new PanGaia Studios in Stockholm, Sweden with producer Dave Cobb. The band last week credited Cobb with the new album's vibe and said they were blown away by his previous work with Rival Sons.

Due March 2 via UDR Records, War Of Kings will be available in multiple formats, including a CD digipak, a CD jewel case, a vinyl LP and a digital download.

Europe will launch the album with a show at the Olympia Theatre in Dublin on the day of its release and a March 3 performance at Belfast's Ulster Hall followed by a 12-date UK tour with Black Star Riders that begins March 5 in Glasgow. Watch the trailer here.




Stoneghost Release New Video 'Faceless Ghost'
(TeamRock Radio) Stoneghost are premiering their brand new music video for the song "Faceless Ghost" with TeamRock's Metal Hammer. The track comes from upcoming debut LP "New Age Old Ways."

Frontman Jason Smith reveals the inspiration for the new track "Faceless Ghost" and how it was borne from dilemma. "It's about my daughter, she was on the way.

"I was feeling apprehensive and scared about the responsibility and seeing a therapist at the time, I was having some really low points, but because I had a daughter on the way it gave me the reason to sort myself out."




Blackberry Smoke Talk New Album and Southern Rock Heritage
(Radio.com) As soon as Blackberry Smoke start playing, it's like the air gets thick and swampy. For well over a decade now, the Southern rock quintet have made a name for themselves with their gritty country and blues guitar riffs, vivid storytelling and frontman Charlie Starr's distinct vocals, delivered with a hint of his Southern drawl.

While 'Southern rock' is a good catch-all generalization, it's often hard to place Blackberry Smoke into just one genre, and they're OK with that. In fact, a number of rock legends from the South are fans, including Gregg Allman--who sings the group's praises as being "the band that will put Southern Rock back on the map"--and ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons, who frequently jams onstage with them.

"We never sat down and thought, 'We're a Southern rock band,'" frontman Charlie Starr tells Radio.com over the phone. "We're just a rock & roll band from Georgia. So are R.E.M. They play the kind of music that makes them feel comfortable and so do we. Plus, I have a pretty Southern accent and Michael Stipe doesn't, so the singing comes across in a different way."

"I've always appreciated albums that have a lot to offer lyrically and musically," Starr tells Radio.com, a few days before this week's release of Blackberry Smoke's fourth album, Holding All the Roses. "Nobody wants to buy an album and listen to it and all songs sound the same, that's a bummer. We've always tried to approach an album like an album. Have it be a bit of a roller coaster ride where you have songs with different feel, different subject matter."

Starr says Blackberry Smoke has always made an effort to make a drastically different album than the one they previously released. As a result, Holding All the Roses departs from their 2012 release The Whippoorwill. Produced by Brendan O'Brien (whose credits include AC/DC, Aerosmith, Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young), Starr recalls meeting with him for the first time and talking about the records that they love. After discussing albums like Led Zeppelin III and Aerosmith Rocks as well as those that O'Brien himself had made, the foundation for Holding All the Roses was made.

While the album takes the listener on a journey, it also shows Blackberry Smoke's evolution as a band. This time around, they're using more textures, haunting string features and keyboard interludes unheard of on the band's previous releases. Throughout its 12 tracks, Holding All the Roses has songs about women, the devil, loneliness and seeing a woman in the moon on the fittingly titled, "Woman In the Moon."

On that particular song, Starr sings, "It seemed to me that when you stop looking you can always find what you need/ Any old wind can change your direction as long as there's a call that you heed." He says that as a child, when he looked up at the moon he saw a woman's face. One night later in life, he gazed up at the moon and found the inspiration for the song. And the woman he always sees in the moon? Marilyn Monroe.





Singled Out: Furyon's These Four Walls
Today the UK metal band Furyon tells us about the song "These Four Walls" from their brand new album "Lost Salvation," which is set to be released later this month. Here is the story:

The song was the very first to be a written, and then recorded in demo form for the batch of songs that were heading towards making the album 'Lost Salvation'.

The guitars and main groove to the song had been sent from US to UK where singer Matt Mitchell wrote the lyrics and top lines to fix the track in place to become 'These Four Walls'.

It had been some time since Furyon had felt this spark of writing as the band had been through some member changes and personal turmoil. Lyric writing and subject matter can be difficult for writers to find sometimes. To make it feel right anyway. The lyrics in this case just seemed to be on the tip on the tongue and waiting to be sang.

The basic struggle that one can feel at times was put out from pen to paper, to song. 'I live within these four walls... You'll come to find they tell a thing or two, about me'. It's everyone's view .. Your own thoughts, your own mind. It's a beautiful thing really.