Today's Day in Rock News!

Today's Day in Rock


Machine Head's Robb Flynn Having Surgery This Week
(TeamRock Radio) Machine Head frontman Robb Flynn is to have a gallstone in his gallbladder removed - just weeks before the band head out on tour. He expects to go under the knife tomorrow (Tuesday) after doctors advised him the pain caused by a gallstone they'd found would make life on the road unbearable.

He says in a video: "I had food poisoning about a week ago and I've had this pretty severe pain under my right rib since then. I've been to the doctor a few times but they don't know what it is, so the only way I could get in was to go to emergency. I have a gallstone in my gallbladder and I need surgery to remove it. And I'm getting ready to go on tour in two f***ing weeks, for seven weeks."

But he believes he has no option. "In 2012 I had hernia for a year and a half, and I put it off because I discovered it at the beginning of a tour cycle," he recalls. "It just got too painful on the road. I can't really take the pain and we need to do the tour." Read more here.




Official Jimi Hendrix Movie Coming
(Classic Rock) Legendary Pictures have reached an agreement with Jimi Hendrix's estate to make an official movie about his life. The project follows last year's unauthorized biopic Jimi: All Is By My Side. John Ridley's work was released without any Hendrix music after permission to use it was refused - while the icon's former girlfriend Kathy Etchingham repeatedly slammed violent scenes that she insists never took place.

Now Deadline reports that a currently untitled film will be written by 8 Mile author Scott Silver. It follows an original approach to Experience Hendrix LLC four years ago, while director Paul Greengrass and producer Thomas Tull were pushing a script by Max Borenstein.

The deal was never made after the estate firm, run by Jimi's sister Janie Hendrix, expressed concern that a film would hurt sales of his back catalogue. It's been confirmed that the work will include some of that material on its soundtrack. Read more here.




Former Havok Guitarist Shawn Chavez Dead At 30
Former Havok guitarist Shawn Chavez died late last month at the age of 30, according the band's frontman David Sanchez. Chavez was a member of the group 2004 until 2010. A cause of death was not disclosed.

Here is David's posting, "It is with deep regret that I must inform fans, friends, and family of Havok that Shawn Tyler Chavez, the former lead guitarist of Havok, passed away on April 30, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was 30 years old.

"Shawn was the very first lead guitarist of Havok and helped forge the band's sound in the early years. Without Shawn's dedication during the first 6 years of the band, Havok would not be where it is today.

"Shawn entered Havok just in time for the band's first scheduled performance, a high school talent show. He was a founding member and gave the band its very first guitar solos and harmonies. He also contributed to many of the lyrics on the 'Burn' album. At one of the first meetings I had with him, I remember Shawn bringing a red Strat-style guitar into the rehearsal room with the word 'Shawnacaster' tagged onto the headstock in his swirly, graffiti-esque handwriting. Shawn used to wear a tie-dye shirt at least once a week and I will never forget the times we made tie-dye Havok shirts to fit his style.

"When he was being himself, Shawn was a riot. The guy was super funny and entertaining… He made me laugh a lot with his jokes, slang, witty comebacks, rhymes, and hilarious physical comedy accompanied by beatboxing. I met Shawn when he was a 17 year old Jimmy Page lookalike, so it was quite interesting to see him grow from a shy young man into a flying V-weilding lead guitar player for a heavy metal band. He loved Led Zeppelin and could play just about any Page solo better than Page does on the records! He was an extremely talented blues player and it's obvious on songs like 'Path To Nowhere', 'Identity Theft', and "'To Hell'. Shawn was VERY smart and I learned a lot from him through our discussions about history, religion, politics, and music. Though we would argue at times, he was quick to let things go and move on with life. This is a quality I admired in him and I wish more people in the world possessed this quality. The usual icebreaker after an argument was a stupid joke that would make me laugh and ease any tension. People that knew him can remember his passion for meaningful debate and a desire to see ideas evolve to their best conclusions. The world would benefit from having more intelligent, funny, charming, kind, thought-provoking individuals like 'Shawnathan'.

"I would like to wish condolences to his family and those close to him. Shawn was a gentle, likable, sensitive, and well-spoken individual. He was one of my best friends during adolescence and he taught me a lot about an array of topics. It is sad to see him pass at such a young age. Shawn's contributions can be heard throughout the first Havok full-length album, "Burn" and various other early recordings.

"May he rock in peace."


Video From Metallica's Rock in Rio USA Set Goes Online
(hennemusic) Metallica headlined opening weekend of the inaugural Rock In Rio USA festival in Las Vegas on Saturday and several broadcast quality videos from the live stream has been posted online.

The band topped a bill that included Linkin Park, Deftones, Rise Against and others, the day after No Doubt delivered the event's first headlining set. The appearance marks Metallica's return to the Rock in Rio festival following performances at Rock in Rio Lisboa in 2004, 2008 and 2012, Rock in Rio Madrid in 2010, as well as in the fest's home city of Rio in 2011 and 2013.

Part of Rock in Rio's 30th anniversary, the opening weekend of Rock in Rio USA focused on rock while the May 15-16 event will feature pop acts like Bruno Mars and Ed Sheeran.

Up next, Metallica will begin a European tour in Germany on May 29. Watch the videos here.




Faith No More Streaming Comeback Album 'Sol Invictus' Online
(Classic Rock) Faith No More have streamed their comeback album Sol Invictus ahead of its release next week. Hear all 10 tracks, totaling just under 40 minutes of music, via NPR here.

The band's comeback title is launched 18 years after previous outing Album Of the Year and follows the band's live reunion in 2009. Keyboardist Roddy Bottum admitted in February that they'd been bored into a studio return, saying: "We felt like there are a whole lot of people out there who look to us to be inspired by what we do artistically. To be doing old songs over and over felt kind of cheap and easy - and a little too safe a place to be. That's not who we are."

Meanwhile, ex-frontman Chuck Mosley made a guest appearance at the band's show in Detroit over the weekend. Mosley - who was fired in 1988, making way for Mike Patton's arrival - fronted his former colleagues for a rendition of their track Mark Bowen, from 1985 debut We Care A Lot. You can see video from the jam here.




Alice In Chains' Jerry Cantrell Guest On New Deftones Album
(Classic Rock) Deftones' eighth album will feature a guest appearance by Alice In Chains guitarist Jerry Cantrell, frontman Chino Moreno has revealed. The band decided to extend the invitation after deciding one of the tracks on the follow-up to 2012's Koi No Yokan needed something extra.

Moreno tells 92.3KOMP: "Jerry is on the album. I don't know if he wanted anybody to know or not, but I guess I've spilled the beans. There's one track, in the demo stages, I was like, 'There's this hole in there.' In Deftones songs there's not really any guitar solos, but there was a section where it could use something like what he does."

Cantrell sent back a demo two days after the band made contact, then recorded the final version in their studio. "It's like you're hearing a Deftones song - but all of a sudden a bit of Alice In Chains seeps in," says Moreno. "As a fan, I was just sitting back and a little tear came out of my eye." Read more and watch video of the interview here.





Ozzy Donates To Kids' Group After Seeing Their 'Crazy Train' Cover
(Classic Rock) Ozzy Osbourne has given Louisville Leopard Percussionists, a kids' community group, a donation of $10,000 after seeing their cover of his classic track "Crazy Train" online.

The Louisville Leopard Percussionists are an after-school group comprising more than 60 children aged 7-14 and they previously recorded a Led Zeppelin medley featuring Kashmir, The Ocean and Immigrant Song.

But the Courier-Journal reports it was their cover of his 1980 track Crazy Train from his Blizzard Of Ozz album that caught Osbourne's attention, and he sent them the donation with a note.

It read: "Myself, my whole family and my fans all loved your rendition of Crazy Train. Keep up the good work." Read more and watch their performance of "Crazy Train" here.




The Who's Pete Townshend Working On 'Big Project'
(Classic Rock) The Who's Pete Townshend says he's currently working on a "big" project as the band continue their 50th anniversary celebrations. They'll headline the final night at this year's Glastonbury and play the British Summer Time festival on June 26. But outside of his commitments with The Who, the guitarist says he also has other projects in the pipeline.

He tells Rolling Stone: "I'm working on a big project at the moment which might be half rock opera, half art installation - I don't know where it's going to go. I'm going to start with a book. I don't want to talk too much about that now."

And while he says he's currently enjoying going over old tracks from the band's past, Townshend reports he's also working on fresh material which could appear on a solo album - although he's not sure he wants to release anything at the moment. Read more here.




Asia Announce Live Release Featuring Steve Howe
(Classic Rock) Asia have confirmed the launch of a live set recorded in the US in 2012, before Steve Howe bowed out of the band. And they've released a clip in which they perform their track Face On The Bridge.

Axis XXX Live In San Francisco MMXII will be available in DVD/2CD and Blu-ray editions on July 3, after its original broadcast by AXS TV in the States.

Frontman John Wetton says: "It's a journey through Asia's history, from Alpha to Omega and more, in the beautiful setting of the Regency Ballroom, San Francisco, California.

"Much newer material is aired, plus the band's vintage hit songs, performed by all four original members of Asia. It's an unmissable treat for any fan, new or old."






Gwar Singer Found Out She Was Fired In Online Announcement?
(TeamRock Radio) Gwar have split with vocalist Kim Dylla, the band have confirmed. But despite the group stating there was "no ill will, no acrimony, and no drama" to her departure, the singer, aka Vulvatron, is furious, claiming she found out about the announcement online.

Gwar guitarist Brent Purgason, aka Pustulus Maximus, initially broke the news on their Facebook page. He explains: "Kim did a great job but we wanted to go a different direction with the Vulvatron character. You will absolutely see more of Vulvatron in the future, just not portrayed by Kim.

"There is no ill will, no acrimony, and no drama. We respect Kim's talent without question - it just isn't what we needed in the character." But in an angry response, Dylla posted her own message, saying: "It's really nice when you find out important things from people you consider to be your friends from posts on the internet and messages from strangers." Read more here.




B.B. King's family Lose Legal Bid For Control
(Classic Rock) B.B. King's family have lost a legal bid to wrestle control of his finances from manager Laverne Toney. The 89-year-old blues icon's business manager will retain power of attorney over his affairs after a Las Vegas judge ruled against the family's request to revoke Toney's guardianship.

The Associated Press reports that police and social services found no evidence of elder abuse and the judge said he couldn't appoint King's daughter Karen Williams as his guardian.

Williams claimed that more than $5 million in assets was at stake and that more than $1m had gone missing. She also claimed Toney would not allow visits from King's friends - including Willie Nelson, Carlos Santana, Eric Clapton and Buddy Guy. Read more here.




Video From Rush Tour Kick Off Goes Online
(hennemusic) Rush launched their 40th anniversary R40 Live tour at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma on May 8th and several fan-filmed videos from the show have been posted online.

The 26-song evening saw the band deliver two sets of material from their extensive catalogue, with many tracks performed for the first time in many years.

Rush dug back to their self-titled 1974 debut for "What You're Doing" for the first time in concert since 1977; other rarely-played tracks included "Lakeside Park" (first since 1978), "Jacob's Ladder" (first since 1980), "Anthem" (first since 1992) and "Animate" (first since 2004), among others.

Named after Rush's 40th anniversary box set, "R40", the tour may the last one of its size for Rush. Rush manager Ray Danniels and bassist Geddy Lee have both discussed the group's plans to scale back the length of touring as band members approach their mid-60s in the next few years, with drummer Neil Peart wishing to spend more time at home with his family in California.






New Found Glory's Chad Gilbert Releasing Solo Project Album
(TeamRock Radio) New Found Glory guitarist Chad Gilbert has confirmed details of his solo project's debut album. What's Eating Gilbert will issue That New Sound You're Looking For on July 10 via Hopeless Sounds.

He says: "I'm excited to announce that it is finally time for me to release the first full-length What's Eating Gilbert album. I say 'finally' because I actually recorded these 12 songs in January of 2014.

"Why have I waited so long to release it? Well, New Found Glory have had an action-packed last year-and-a-half. Once Hopeless Records told me they wanted to release this album we decided it was best to release it at a time when I could actually go out and play it for you." Read more and see Chad's posting here.




Muse Frontman Has Reservations About Working With Mutt Lange
(Classic Rock) Muse frontman Matt Bellamy has called producer Robert John 'Mutt' Lange a "guru" - but admits he had reservations about working together on the band's seventh album Drones.

Lange - known for his collaborations with Def Leppard, Nickelback and many others - was behind the desk for the follow-up to 2012's _The 2nd Law, _due on June 8.

Bellamy tells Rolling Stone: "Before I met him I wasn't sure. I didn't want us to be turned into a kind of top 40 act. I figured Mutt would be more focused on, 'What's the single? What's going to be the big hit?'"

But he continues: "He wasn't like that at all - he was totally into the concept. He's the kind of person to get into the mind of the artist and whatever the artist wants." Read more here.





Graham Bonnet And Michael Schenker To Reunite On Stage
(Classic Rock) Graham Bonnet and Michael Schenker will reunite on stage during their joint tour of Japan next month. The pair worked together on the Michael Schenker Group's 1982 album Assault Attack. But Bonnet left after the recording sessions, having played just one gig with MSG.

Last year, Schenker said he was open to working with the singer again. And with the Graham Bonnet Band and MSG touring Japan together in June, Bonnet - who has completed his band's lineup - will perform some of the tracks from Assault Attack with Schenker's band.

Bonnet says: "We know that this record holds a very special place for many fans, especially in Japan, so this will make the debut shows of the new band even more special." Read more here.





The Darkness Recruit Queen Legend's Son As New Drummer
(hennemusic) Rufus Taylor, the son of Queen's Roger Taylor, has been named the new drummer for UK rockers The Darkness. Guitarist Dan Hawkins revealed the news during an April 25 interview with Real Radio XS.

"We already have someone, and we actually played our first show with him last night," said Hawkins. "The 'drummist' will be known as Rufus Taylor, son of Roger Taylor."

Taylor made his debut with The Darkness at a Gibson release party in London for their upcoming album, "Last of Our Kind", after a friend recommended him to the group.

"Rufus just happened to be in Australia at the time when we needed to get someone in," explained Hawkins. "So he stepped off a plane at 6AM yesterday, went straight to a rehearsal with us, where we ran through things a couple of times - the set we were playing that night - and then we went straight to the place and did a gig. Talk about seat of the pants!"

Taylor arrived days after the group announced the departure of drummer Emily Dolan Davies just a month after she made her live debut with the band. Listen to the interview here.





Sammy Hagar Looks Back At Final Conversation With Ronnie Montrose
(hennemusic) Sammy Hagar recalls his final conversation with Ronnie Montrose, three years after the guitarist took his own life. The guitarist formed his namesake outfit, Montrose, in early 1973 with Hagar, bassist Bill Church and drummer Denny Carmassi after he left the Edgar Winter Group. The band broke out with their self-titled debut, a record that featured classics like "Bad Motor Scooter," "Rock The Nation" and "Rock Candy."

Montrose died on March 3, 2012 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound following a five year battle with prostrate cancer. At the Carolina Rebellion on May 2 to play with his latest supergroup The Circle, Hagar spoke about his attempts to regroup with his former bandmate, and receiving the news of his death.

"It was tough, man," says Hagar. "When I got that call, it was devastating, because I just started talking to him. Me and him started talking again recently, and he was gonna come to Cabo for my birthday that year and play with the original Montrose.

"I said to him, quote-unquote, on the phone, 'Ronnie…' He was saying, 'I don't know, Hagar…' He was always accusing me of trying to do stuff for my own good. Like, 'What do you want from me?' I'm, like, 'I don't need anything from you, Ronnie. Trust me. I wanna thank you. I wanna do something for you.'"

"And he was a hard guy to get along with," Hagar continued. "So he told me, 'Okay, I'll do it.' 'Cause he said, 'Yeah, while we're all still alive' - Bill Church, Denny Carmassi, Sammy and Ronnie. Look, I've got goosebumps. 'While we're all still alive.' And I said, 'Great!' And a month later, I get the phone call: 'My God, Ronnie just shot himself in the head.' Unbelievable!"

While he initiated efforts to partner with Montrose as a friend, Hagar remains puzzled at the concept of suicide. "I don't regret anything," he explains, "'cause I tried and I tried and I tried to be friends with him - not to put Montrose back together, but to be friends and to hang out and to have him come to my birthday bash, and have him come out on the road with me, which we did many times.

"Ronnie came out and played with us for the encore and I'd do four Montrose tunes. I'd pay him more money than he'd normally get. I loved the guy, but he was hard to get along with.

"He obviously couldn't get along with himself. I mean, you don't do that. How can a guy do that? I don't even know how someone could do that." Watch the interview video here.




Enuff Z'Nuff Launching UK Tour This Week
(Classic Rock) Enuff Z'Nuff will play eight dates in the UK starting this week, it's been announced. They split with drummer Randi Scott and guitarist Tory Stoffregan last year, but mainman Chip Z'Nuff decided the group would continue as a trio, reuniting with longtime guitarist Johnny Monaco reprising his role as frontman and recruiting former drummer Erik Donner.

Donner won't be with the group for the dates, which also includes three nights in Spain later in the month. No reason has been given but English drummer Michael Richards will be behind the kit for all shows.

The band say in a statement: "The Good Times Are Hard To Find tour is coming up quick. Opening act Estrella will also be touring with us so get there early to see them." They have also lined up dates in Spain. Read more including the dates here.





Vince Neil Looks Back At Motley Crue's Legacy
(Classic Rock) Motley Crue frontman Vince Neil says he's proud of the band's legacy. They're currently in New Zealand on the latest leg of their farewell tour, and the singer says he's happy they achieved success on their own terms.

He tells the New Zealand Herald: "There were a lot of firsts with us. We defined a generation in the 80s. We defined MTV culture. We made a type of music that everyone followed. There are a lot of things to be proud of with our band. We went out our way. We did it our way."

He previously reported that both he and drummer Tommy Lee get emotional when playing classic track Home Sweet Home from 1985's Theatre Of Pain. And he says calling time on their live career at the Staples Center in LA on December 31 will be hard to accept. Read more here.




Faulkner Views Judas Priest As A Band Of Brothers
(Classic Rock) Guitarist Richie Faulkner says his Judas Priest bandmates are like brothers to him. He joined the group in 2011 after KK Downing bowed out and played on last year's Redeemer Of Souls. And after spending four years with Rob Halford and co, he says there's a definite family vibe within the band.

He tells the Rockpit: "We're like brothers - they're all like my older brothers. They let you get into trouble sometimes. They teach you a little here and there but then they get into trouble as well.

"They are authority figures but at the same time they're out getting into the same scrapes as you are. We have some great times because of it. We see some great things so it's just a pleasure. I'd definitely say brothers." Read more here.




Tom Waits To Make His Final Letterman Appearance This Week
(hennemusic) Tom Waits has revealed that he will be making his final appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman on Thursday, May 14th as the late night talk show host comes closer to his retirement.

The singer/songwriter has performed on the CBS late night program several times over the years - most recently in 2012 - and remains one of the host's favorite interview guests.

Waits' appearance comes in the final week of broadcasts by Letterman, who will deliver his farewell program on Wednesday, May 20 after more than three decades in late night.

Waits' latest release was 2011's "Bad As Me", which was nominated for a 2013 Grammy Award in the Best Alternative Music Album category. Read more here.




Leonard Cohen Reveals Live Album Details
(Classic Rock) Leonard Cohen is to release a live album recorded during his Old Ideas world tour later this month, it's been confirmed. Can't Forget: A Souvenir Of The Grand Tour will launch on May 15 via Sony Music Entertainment.

The 10-track album contains a selection of rare songs recorded during his 470 shows between 2008-2013 and is his first release since last year's Popular Problems.

The live set is described as having "the immediacy, spontaneity, and thrilling intimacy of the best studio recordings made in the white heat of live performance and Cohen's legendary sound checks." Read more including the track details and see the cover art here.





HBO Tease Rock Hall Special With Preview Clip
(Classic Rock) HBO have issued a teaser for their upcoming special covering this year's Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony, which is due to be broadcast on May 30.

Last month's event in Cleveland saw Green Day, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Ringo Starr, Lou Reed, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, the Paul Butterfield Blues Band and Bill Withers inducted.

The 30th annual gala was opened by Jett, who was joined on stage by Foo Fighters mainman Dave Grohl and ex Blackhearts bassist Gary Ryan. Starr was welcomed into the Hall by his old colleague Paul McCartney while John Lennon's widow Yoko Ono described the drummer as "the most influential Beatle." Read more and watch the trailer here.





Nightwish Reveal New Song 'Endless Forms Most Beautiful'
(Prog) Nightwish have released the title track from their album "Endless Forms Most Beautiful" as a single and group as streaming the new track online via a lyric video.

It's available as a limited-edition CD, a 10" vinyl and in digital formats via Nuclear Blast. A lyric video for the track has also been made available. It is the second track lifted from the album, following Elan.

The record was released on March 30. Endless Forms Most Beautiful features a guest appearance from Professor Richard Dawkins who was a major inspiration on the album. Watch the lyric video here.




Magenta Added To Touchstone's Farewell Show
(Prog) Touchstone have announced that Magenta will join them for their farewell show that will be taking place at Leamington Spa's Assembly on November 21.

Touchstone are planning on going on hiatus after the gig due to the departure of vocalist Kim Seviour. She's bowing out as a result of a debilitating medical condition.

And it's been announced that both bands will perform full sets on the night and both will be filmed for a future DVD release. Touchstone guitarist Adam Hodgson says: "It's really special to be doing this concert with Magenta, as some of our best early shows were with them at The Point in Cardiff and we have such a long history together.

"We're looking forward to a special all-band jam at the end. I have a feeling there might also be some other party crashers." Read more here.





Powerwolf Streaming New Song 'Army Of The Night'
(TeamRock Radio) German power metallers Powerwolf have unveiled new track Army Of The Night". The song comes from their upcoming album Blessed & Possessed, to be released on Napalm Records.

The band tells Metal Hammer that Army Of The Night "is one of the many songs of Blessed & Possessed we can't wait to perform live." Talking about the first time Powerwolf played the song during songwriting, they say the energy and dynamics "literally blew us away and we felt like this is going to be a must-play.

"While many of the songs on Blessed & Possessed are very detailed and elaborated, this one is probably one of straightest and most compact Powerwolf songs to date." Stream the song here.





White Hills Release 'Wanderlust' Video
(Prog) White Hills have issued a music video for their track Wanderlust. It's taken from the New York duo's latest record Walks For Motorists which was released last month via Thrill Jockey.

Speaking about the album, the band's Dave W told Prog: "My mantra for the record was 'less is more.' It was about deconstructing more than it was about constructing.

"We really focused on what the appropriate length of the tracks should be. This record is definitely our most cared about - in every respect." Dave W and Ego Sensation previously released a video for the track No Will with TeamRock. Watch the new video here.




Singled Out: 4th 'N Goal's Out Of Tortillas
Today Tommaso Grecu from 4th 'N Goal tells us about the song "Out Of Tortillas" which comes from their brand new "Turn on the light" EP. Here is the story:

We wrote this song to thank everyone who voted us and made us win last year's Ernie Ball Battle Of The Bands. We flew from Italy to California just to play a show at Warped Tour. The lyrics are full of references of our 3 day adventure in Los Angeles and Ventura. The song title comes from the misadventure we had at Taco Bell, after the show. It was 10p.m, we asked for burritos and the guy said "no burritos, we're out of tortillas"

That's why we ended up with uncountable quantities of tacos, exhausted in the parking lot with "cheese from tacos in my socks". There was really a lot of it in our shoes.

That morning we woke up with breakfast at Randy's Donuts, with the big 'ole box of sugary goodness. We flew a 10000 miles and back just to see our name on "The Wall", and it was worth it. "Good things happen when you trust the right people" right?

Bonus: Turn on the light, EP title, also comes from that night after Warped Tour. After stopping somewhere on the road we forgot to turn on the headlights. As we approached a crossroad, this guy in a truck with the loudest voice ever pulls his head off the window and shouts "Turn on the lights, dude!"