Today's Day In Rock News!

Today's Day in Rock Stories

Ozzy Osbourne Leads Music Festival Lineup

Ozzy Osbourne leads the big names lined up for the second annual Chicago Open Air festival, which will mark the metal legend's first solo concert following the retirement of Black Sabbath.
Apart of Ozzy, the festival will be calling out the big guys with sets from Megadeth, KISS, Rob Zombie, Anthrax, Korn, Godsmack, Stone Sour, Slayer, Lamb Of God, Seether, Meshuggah,Lamb Of God, Seether, Meshuggah and more.

The festival is set to take place on July 14th, 15th and 16th at the Toyota Park in Highland, IL with KISS headlining the opening night, Korn leading the lineup the second night and Ozzy closing out the final night. here.



Grim Reaper Frontman Has Part Of His Leg Amputated

Grim Reaper frontman Steve Grimmett has had part of his leg amputated as he battles a serious infection, according to posts made by his wife Millie on social media.
Grimmett was hospitalized following a Steve Grimmett's Grim Reaper concert in Guayaquil, Ecuador on Saturday night (January 14th). His wife posted the following initial message on the band's Facebook page, "As many of you know steve was taken Ill at Saturday nights gig and he sung most of it sitting down.

"After the show Steve was taken to hospital where he had an operation to remove an infection from his foot and bones. He is still in hospital in Guayaquil but this is all I know right now. Once I have more information I will let you know. Thank you for all your support and kind words. It means a lot."

Unfortunately, she revealed in a later update that the surgery did not work and he had to have part of his leg amputated. She wrote Tuesday, "unfortunately the operation didn't work and steve is currently in the operating theatre having limbs removed." Read more here.


Radiohead Announce U.S. Spring Tour Dates

Good news for Radiohead in the U.S., the band has announced that they will be playing a string of tour dates in various cities across the United States this spring.
The dates surround the acclaimed British's band's headline set at this year's Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival where they will be leading the lineup on April 14th and 21st.

Apart from the two weekend music festival appearances in Southern California, the band revealed plans to play additional shows in Miami, Atlanta, New Orleans, Kansas City, Seattle, Portland (OR), Santa Barbara, and Berkeley. Read more and see the dates here.




A Perfect Circle May Reveal New Music This Year

Tool fans may patiently be waiting for a new studio album but it appears that another of Maynard James Keenan's other bands A Perfect Circle may be releasing new music this year, according to comments from Billy Howerdel.
The band cofounder Howerdel sat down for an interview to discuss A Perfect Circle's recently announced U.S. tour dates, their first in six years and he revealed that fans may soon get the first new music from the acclaimed group since their 2004 album "Emotive".

He said cautiously, "We're not promising anything, but I have every intention of doing my best to have us playing some new tracks during this run, with the idea that new music is coming very soon after." Read more here.




Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds Announce U.S. Tour

The Dave Matthews Band may be taking this year off from their annual blockbuster summer tour but that will not keep the band's namesake from hitting the road.
Dave Matthews has announced that he will be teaming up with his frequent collaborator Tim Reynolds to launch acoustic tours of the United States and Europe this spring.

They will kick things off with the previously announced Dave & Tim Riviera Maya three day event that will be taking place in Mexico on February 23rd through 25th. Read more here.





Billy Corgan Fuels Hope For Smashing Pumpkins Reunion(New Rock Times)

Billy Corgan has fuelled hopes of a potential Smashing Pumpkins reunion by revealing he is in regular contact, and on good terms with some of his ex-band members.
The Pumpkins frontman and founder has patched up his differences with each of his founding member band mates in recent years, including D'Arcy Wretzky who he didn't speak to for almost 20-years.

Chicago Radio station WLUP report that a reunion could happen but it wouldn't be a long term thing. "I just talked to guitarist James Iha the other day, things look good for us getting together to play. We're talking about it, we'll see," he said.

"The reunion thing is always a bit weird, because then people come in with their expectations. So my whole thing is if we're going to do it, I think we do it to make people happy, and not go against the tide of what people would want to hear and that type of stuff, but my interest in it is sort of limited. I'm not going to do it for 14 years of my life." Read more here.



KISS Won't Make New Albums Due To Filesharing(New Rock Times)

Gene Simmons says illegal file sharing and downloading is the reason KISS are reluctant to record a new record insisting the band are not a charity and he has no interest in making a new record unless there is 'a financial model that works' for them.
The KISS mainman was speaking on The SDR Show and when questioned as to what keeps the band recording new music after four decades in the industry he responded.

"That's less of an incentive, because downloading and file sharing. People have convinced themselves they don't wanna pay for stuff," he said. "And last time I checked, KISS is not a charity. We're philanthropic, but I'll be the one that decides how much I give and where. I don't want some college kid to decide, 'You have enough money. I don't wanna pay for your record.' Okay, then go download and Radiohead record and see what happ… No, I ain't about that."

He added: "Make a distinction between commerce and philanthropy. So the idea of doing another Kiss record, unless and if there's a financial model that works, personally I'm not interested in it." Read more here.



Aerosmith and Los Lobos Stars Join Experience Hendrix Tour

The 2017 Experience Hendrix Tour just added more star power with the announcement that Aerosmith's Brad Whitford and David Hidalgo And Cesar Rosas from Los Lobos will be joining a few of the stops of this year's installment of the annual tribute tour.
They will be joining the lineup for select dates on the trek which will also include Buddy Guy, Black Label Society and former Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wylde, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Dweezil Zappa, Keb' Mo', Doyle Bramhall II, Ana Popovic, The Slide Brothers, Mato Nanji from Indigenous, Beth Hart, and Jimi Hendrix Experience/Band of Gypsys bassist Billy Cox.

Brad Whitford will be taking part at the stops in Jackson, MS, Houston and San Antonio. He had this to say about his previous experience on the tour "It's such a wonderful atmosphere. Sometimes we'd get on the bus and travel at night and we're watching old Hendrix videos. It just doesn't stop. It's a great group of people." Read more here.




Metallica's Hetfield Sees No Reason For Bad Blood With Mustaine(New Rock Times)

Metallica frontman James Hetfield says there is no reason for any ill feeling to remain between him and former bandmate and Megadeth mainman Dave Mustaine.
Mustaine was famously kicked out of Metallica in the early 1980's but Hetfield insists it is all ancient history with each man making their own journey to the point in their lives where they sit today.

"There's no reason [for things] to not be good [between us]" he said. "At this point, we've all freakin' fell off the wagon, we've all gone into the ditch, we've all gotten back on track, we've all learned from our stuff. And at the end of the day, it's just journeys - everyone is doing a different journey - and why would you hold a grudge with someone or vice versa?"

In an interview with WTF with Marc Maron podcast Hetfield explained the catalyst for the historic 'Big 4' shows the band took part in alongside fellow thrash legends Megadeth, Anthrax and Slayer. "It really started [when Metallica was inducted into] the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame [in 2009]," he commented.

"Getting nostalgic and thinking, 'My God, look at all the people that have helped us along the way, and look who are still around. Let's say 'thank you' to them.' And so the 'Big Four' was kind of that thing. We're all still playing after thirty… whatever it was… thirty-two years. "Let's go do a gig together. I mean, why shouldn't we?" Read more here.



Black Sabbath Members Curate New 31-Track Release

As Black Sabbath approach the final show of their farewell tour on February 4th in their hometown of Birmingham, a new compilation from the metal legends will be hitting stores.
Rhino has announced that they will be releasing "The Ultimate Collection" on February 3rd, which will feature 31 classic tracks and was curated by the band members.

The compilation will be released in standard 2-CD and digital formats as well as a limited edition "Crucifold" 4-LP heavyweight vinyl version that will be housed in a case in the shape of a cross.

The tracks on the release were remastered by renowned engineer Andy Pearce (Motorhead, Deep Purple, Lou Reed, Iggy & The Stooges). See the tracklisting here.




George Harrison Vinyl Box Set Announced(hennemusic)

Late Beatles legend George Harrison's complete catalog of solo albums will be released in a new box set, "The Vinyl Collection", on February 24.
In sync with the late Beatle guitarist's 74th birthday the next day, the package includes all twelve of Harrison's studio albums - from 1968's "Wonderwall Music" to 2002's "Brainwashed" - complete with exact replicas of the original release track listing and artwork.

The project also delivers the 2LP "Live In Japan", as well as two 12" single picture discs from 1987's "Cloud Nine" - "When We Was Fab" and "Got My Mind Set On You."

Material for the catalog reissue has been newly-remastered from the original master tapes and pressed onto 180-gram heavyweight vinyl. The individual albums from the collection will also be available separately, with "All Things Must Pass" as a limited-edition title. Read more here.



Rolling Stones Documentary Coming To TV Next Month

Cable and satellite network AXS TV have announced that they will be broadcasting the Rolling Stones documentary "Crossfire Hurricane" on February 14th at 9pm E/6pm P.
The film, helmed by Brett Morgen, examines the legendary rock group's first twenty years from 1962 to 1981 and features exclusive interviews with past and present members Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Mick Taylor, Ronnie Wood, and Bill Wyman.

The movie was originally released on DVD and Blu-ray in 2013 and is available here. The synopsis reads: "Taking its title from a lyric in Jumpin' Jack Flash, Crossfire Hurricane gives the viewer an intimate insight into exactly what it's like to be part of The Rolling Stones as they overcome denunciation, drugs, dissensions and death to become the definitive survivors." Read more here.



Arch Enemy Release As The Stages Burn Trailer

Arch Enemy have released a trailer for their forthcoming DVD/Blu-Ray live release "As The Stages Burn!," which is set to hit stores on March 31st, 2017.

The release will feature footage that was captured by 13 cameras during the band's headline performance at Wacken Open Air music festival back in 2016 and the bonus material will include behind the scenes footage, the music videos from their "War Eternal" album, a previously unreleased "Time Is Black" video, as well as portions of their "Tokyo Sacrifice" live DVD.
"As The Stages Burn!" is set to be released in the following formats" limited edition CD+DVD Digipak, Gatefold 2LP+DVD and as digital album. Europe will also be offering fans a Ltd. Deluxe CD+DVD+Blu-ray Box Set. Watch the trailer here.



Sanctuary Streaming Rare 1986 Demo

Metal veterans Sanctuary have released a stream of a newly remastered version of their 1986 demo "Die For My Sins", which is just one of the tracks from their forthcoming "Inception" album.
Guitarist Lenny Rutledge had this to say about the demo, which can be streamed here, "Die for My Sins was always one of my favorite Sanctuary songs to play live. On the Inception version we left off the intro and the song starts right into the main riff. I think this version has a real 'in your face' edge to it.

"I'm excited that after much effort we were able to restore these nearly destroyed master tapes. Now we can share the proper audio versions with all of our fans!" here.



ONI Release Horror Themed Video Featuring Lamb of God's Randy Blythe

ONI have released a new music video for their track "The Only Cure", which features guest vocals from Lamb of God's Randy Blythe. The song comes from their 2016 album "Ironshore."
The video was directed and edited by Abraham Roofeh and was created as mini serial killer-themed horror film. Blythe had the following to say about the new clip:

"What a super creepy video! Horror fans will love it - the production is Hollywood film-quality. It looks like something out of a SAW or Hostel movie. I had a lot of fun with the ONI guys recording this track, and it's cool to see the music set to such dramatic scenery. Nightmares..." Watch the video here.




Walls Of Jericho Release 'Forever Militant' Video

Walls Of Jericho have released a new music video for their track "Forever Militant". The song comes from the group's 2016 studio album "No One Can Save You From Yourself."
The band had this to say about the new clip, "We shot this over the summer of 2016 at With Full Force Festival as a headliner of the main stage. The band really wanted to show the world what our live shows are live no matter what stage we play big or small.

"Getting ready to support Suicidal Tendencies in 2017 brings us back to Europe in a large club setting and we can't be more excited to see everyone up close and more personal. Forever Militant is a stand out track on our new album so be ready to see us play this song every night on The Persistence Tour." Watch the video here.




Corey Taylor Wants Full Guns N' Roses Reunion?(New Rock Times)

Slipknot and Stone Sour frontman Corey Taylor nailed his musical colors to the mast last week with an Instagram post showing his love for the classic line-up of Guns N' Roses.
A posted on his Instgram showed Taylor sipping from a coffee mug with the names of each of the classic line-up across the front. The reunited Guns N' Roses line-up, currently touring the wildly successful 'Not In This Lifetime' tour, has seen Slash and Duff McKagan reunite with frontman Axl Rose for the first time in more than 20-years.

Classic-era drummer Steven Adler has made a couple of guest appearances on the sticks but is not a fully-fledged member of the band while classic-era rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin has not been involved at all. See the photo here.



Ozomatli Announce Special Album Release Event(Glass Onyon)

Ozomatli have announced that they will be debuting their new album, Non-Stop, with a special event at the Troubadour in West Hollywood on Tuesday May 2, 2017.
The show will include appearances and performances by special guests including featured performers on the record and the inspirations behind the music.

Non-Stop was born from the concept of fusing two of music's most powerful traditions: classic and contemporary Mexican songs and signature Jamaican riddims. This record will be released by Cleopatra Records and consists of 14 iconic songs from the past century, re-imagined and re-born with the help of producers Sly & Robbie, one of Jamaica's most accomplished and respected drum and bass duos. here.




Deserted Fear Release 'Open Their Gates' Video

Deserted Fear have released a new music video for their track "Open Their Gates". The song comes from the group's forthcoming album "Dead Shores Rising", which is set to be released on January 27th.

They had the following to say about the new clip, "While you guys are freezing your asses off, we are reminiscing about our last summer. With our latest video, we would love you to take part in our trip to nature - maybe this will distract you from those low temperatures.
"It got pretty hot and sometimes things happen to be different than you thought, but see for yourselves. One thing is for sure, summer will come! With these words in mind, enjoy 'Open Their Gates'!" Watch the video here.



Singled Out: Karabas Barabas' Being A Man

Karabas Barabas' Werdna tells us about their new single "Being a Man" from their new album "Return of the Sexy Demon", which was produced by Steve Albini (Nirvana, Pixies, The Breeders, Foxy Shazam). Here is the story:
The whole concept came from an incident a couple years back. When a drunk ex roommate asked me "What you know about being a man?" I started to think about the contrast between the old way of being a man--tough, brave, invincible--contrasted with the pressures of the modern man, who's become more emasculated, and about the social pressures and the parameters set on what a man should be.

One day at rehearsal Phranque was playing the main riff. I knew as soon as I heard it that it was going to have to be "what you know about being a man". So we started chanting it. Later that night on our way up to Massachusetts we wrote the verse's in the car. We wanted to capture the psyche of the modern man vs a man from the 40s.