One-Liners: ‘It does stink that KK’s not there’

Ripper on Priest, Slipknot future plus Beatles, Korn, Maiden, Tull, Moody Blues,Thin Lizzy, Alice Cooper, Fleetwood Mac and the Chillis

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Replacement: Ripper Owens with Judas Priest in 1996

Former Judas Priest singer Tim Ripper Owens hates the idea of the band touring without founding guitarist KK Downing – but admits it’s not his place to say.
Owens, who fronted Priest during Rob Halford’s absence between 1996 and 2003, says: “I can’t be the one to say, ‘It’s not the same without somebody.’ But it does stink that Ken’s not there.
“We did everything together – we and Glenn Tipton, Ian Hill and Scott Travis, we always did stuff together.
“I saw Ken recently. He’s excited and he’s enjoying his time off. I hope he’ll be back and he’ll get back at it. But the band are out there doing it and all the metal fans should go and support them.”
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Slipknot percussionist Clown Crahan has confirmed the band will tour the US next year – and believes they’ll make an album eventually.
They’re still reeling from the death of bassist Paul Gray in May last year, forcing them onto a year-long hiatus before they played a series of festival shows in Europe over the summer.
Crahan says: “Slipknot will be touring by next June. That does not mean things will not change. No album yet because it’s too soon, and there are no songs yet because the band needs to come together to write this next one. I cannot wait to feel the ideas – like choking on colour. Everything happens for a reason.”
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An Aston Martin DB5 once owned by Paul McCartney is expected to make £400,000 at auction in September. He bought the car in 1964 and had it customised with items including a record player.
Meanwhile, a signed copy of the Beatles’ single Please Please Me went for £9000 at a Liverpool auction, while a cap once owned by John Lennon made £3200.
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Korn’s experimental dubsteb album is to be called The Path to Totality and will be released on November 15, according to fan site Kornspace.com. Song titles include Burn the Obedient, Illuminati, Kill Mercy Within and Chaos Lives in Everything.
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Bruce Dickinson, Ian Anderson and Justin Hayward will perform a concert in Canterbuty Cathedral on December 10 to raise funds for upkeep of the building.
Canterbury Rocks at Christmas will feature the Iron Maiden, Jethro Tull and Moody Blues frontmen after Anderson put on a successful show last year.
They’re aiming to help the cathedral reach its target of £3m per year.
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Alice Cooper guitarist Damon Johnson will replace Richard Fortus on Thin Lizzy’s upcoming US tour, as Fortus returns to Guns n’Roses for their next trek.
Johnson says: “The music of Lizzy is the biggest influence on my entire career. To be even a small footnote in the list of great guitarists who have been in the band is one of the highest accolades of my life.”
Orianthi Panagarism who previously played with Michael Jackson, will replace him in Cooper’s band.
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Fleetwood Mac aren’t currently working on a new album, but guitarist Lindsey Buckingham expects they’ll get to it soon.
He says: “We’ve nothing going on at all. Steve Nicks has been busy touring and I’m just about to release my new solo album and I have plans to tour on the back of that.
“I’d be surprised if we don’t make a new album at some point. I heave eight or nine song ideas, some of which might fit in with Fleetwood Mac.”
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The Red Hot Chilli Peppers’ new album I’m With You is the first rock release designed to deliver optimised quality via iTunes, says producer Rick Rubin. “We’re excited to work with iTunes to make an even better listening experience for fans,” he comments. “We can’t wait for everyone to hear it.” I’m With You is on release now.

Warrant ‘not shocked’ over Lane’s death

Guitarist says band stuck by singer as best they could – but real tragedy is he’s left two daughters behind

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Reunited: Lane with Warrant in 2008

Warrant guitarist Joey Allen says the band aren’t shocked by the death of former singer Jani Lane, who was found in a hotel room earlier this month alone with a bottle of vodka and prescription pills.
Lane left and rejoined the band a number of times as he struggled with his demons over the years, and Allen says his bandmates tried to offer the support.
He tells Sirius XM’s Eddie Trunk: “It’s no secret we did have our ups and downs with the guy, and it’s no secret in some circles we did what we could for him in our own way.
“We stuck through a few rehab stints with him during the reunion tour. There’s so much stuff people don’t know, that’s not necessarily for them to know. But it wasn’t us not wanting him to be well. A few months ago I said, ‘We’re rooting for the guy – let him get out there. People want to hear the music; people want to hear him sing. Go for it, do it well. And do it like you used to. It just wasn’t meant to be.”
Allen says he first became aware Lane was fighting against addiction issues at the beginning of the 1990s. “When the Seattle thing came on and took the win out of the late-80s hard rock scene, I think it was hard for him to deal with that.
“At the same time I think he was going through personal issues, which was hard. We were all there and supportive – we took time off when he needed time off. It just got a little dark.”
Lane remained with Warrant for just six months during their attempted reunion in 2008. Allen recalls: “When we got back together and I went and met him for the first time to bury the hatchet, he looked great and he sounded great. And he was good – it just didn’t last.
“With talented people like that, I think there’s peaks and valleys. The highest of highs and the lowest of lows. That’s what makes for some great music, unfortunately.
“The main tragedy is the guy is survived by two young daughters. I know one of them and she’s a really great kid. You’ve really just got to wish them the best – that’s where it stings the most.”

Rage aren’t ready to record

Busy Morello reveals band aren’t working on album to avoid industry trap that made them fall out in the 90s

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Time machine: Morello

Tom Morello has revealed Rage Against the Machine are not currently working on a new record because they don’t want to fall out again over pressure applied by the music industry.
But the guitarist says they haven’t ruled out working on new material in the future; although they don’t know when it might take place.
Morello tells Banana 101.5 Rocks: “I completely understand people want to hear we’re in the studio making a record. We are not – I’m sorry.
“Everybody in the band gets along great. We just played a festival that was super-fun and a great way to celebrate the first time we were in a room.
“It’s not a band that operated according to album cycles or anything like that. We did that back in the 1990s and it made everybody crazy – we didn’t get along because of it.
“Now when we want to do something, we do it. When we want to do a tour or play a show or write a song, we’ll do it – and we’ll let you know. It’s not going to be kept a secret.”
Morello has worked with iconic vocalists including Chris Cornell, Layne Staley and Serj Tankian – but he still reserves a great deal of praise for Rage frontman Zack de la Rocha.
The guitarist says: “I just think Zack is a tremendous passionate voice for the causes we believe in. If I had to pick one song it’s hard to argue with Killing in the Name.
“That profanity-laced refrain at the end is one that’s become a battlecry around the globe.”
But currently he’s focusing on his new Nightwatchman album, Worldwide Rebel Songs, which is released today. He says: “Now I’ve made as many Nightwatchman records as Rage Against the Machine Records. This is not some vanity project or side project – it’s something I’ve put my heart into.”
The latest release is his first solo title with a full band. Morello explains: “A couple of years ago I played an electric version of The Ghost of Tom Joad with Bruce Springsteen. It was the first time I sang while holding an electric guitar and I realised I could do it.
“I could bridge what I do in Rage without losing the integrity of the folk music stuff. So it’s this kind of punk-folk now, with Morellian shredding on top.”

JUST WHERE IS VAN HALEN'S NEW ALBUM AND WHEN WILL ANY PRESS COMMENCE?:

Just where is the Van Halen album at and when might fans get any indication that the new record is finally coming? That's the question constantly being asked by the band's frustrated fanbase. Time is running out for a 2011 release announcement, given that I personally am already working on November releases with some labels, with most locking in their plans for the last quarter already.
When one looks at the efforts underway in the Chickenfoot camp, it's easy to see who has the better grasp of media in the 21st century. Sammy Hagar and co are already all over Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and their own websites with video teasers, personal appearances and interviews. But still nothing from Van Halen, who commenced recording of the album back in 2010 with producer Ross Hogarth, apart from David Lee Roth telling us to coming to "Get Ready" (hopefully not to get ready for more disappearing tour dates, as happened in Australia).

I don't have much news today, but the latest from one of my sources suggests the continued "mixing" process, which is reported to have been going on for some time now, could involve additional vocals being recorded by David Lee Roth for inclusion on the album. The mixing process often includes the addition of extra parts and replacement of others. My source stated: "As for the album being shelved goes, it's not true. However, I will say that the delay lies within the vocals. That seems to be the main roadblock. Eddie is just not satisfied with the vocals that have been recorded and re-recorded which has caused a lot of frustration with both the Van Halen and Roth Camps alike. It's also my understanding that Shanks involvement ended up being very minimal compared to what the press made it out to be."
While this is just one source and won't ever be commented on by anyone officially...it does make sense, in explaining why at the start of September 2011 we still haven't heard one note of the new music.

I've heard further comments about US tour dates for the first 3 months of 2012, so it seems planning for the tour remains on track. There is a rumored January date for Van Halen in Indonesia, but that is anything but confirmed at this stage. Stay tuned as always...

Breckin Meyer Comedy Pilot Gets Green Light From TBS

8/29/2011 4:22 PM ET

(RTTNews) - Breckin Meyer's new comedy pilot has been ordered by TBS.

The ensemble comedy, called "Men At Work," has been described as a multi-camera comedy which features "bromance, sexcapades and the office adventures of four buddies who work at a magazine," according to TBS. The series will be executive-produced by "Hawthorne's" Jamie Tarses, as well as by Meyer himself.
The already-busy Meyer can currently be seen starring in "Franklin and Bash" on TNT. He also writes and appears as a voice actor on Cartoon Network's "Robot Chicken." He has previously appeared in the films "Clueless," "Rat Race" and "Garfield," among others.
"Men At Work" is being produced by Sony Pictures TV and Fanfare, Tarses' production company.

Theory of a Deadman Singled Out Week: Bad Girlfriend

08/30/2011
. Theory of a Deadman recently released their brand new album, "The Truth Is…" and to celebrate we asked Tyler to tell us a little bit about some of the songs on the album. Today we learn about "Bad Girlfriend". Here is today's story: I remember recording the riff and music at my home in Los Angeles way back in 2007. I sent it to Dave (guitar player) and he was really into it. We wrote the rest of the record (Scars and Souvenirs) and went into preproduction with Howard Benson. All the other songs were complete but for Bad Girlfriend, all we had was the music jammed out and the line "my girlfriends a dick magnet" hehe.
Bad Girlfriend was the very last song to sing vocals on and my ex wife and I quickly came up with the story about how we met in a popular bar in Vancouver called the ROXY. A place me and my friends would frequent after late nights in the studio and how I saw her pouring drinks in people's mouths from behind the bar and dancing on tables. She was the bad bad girlfriend. It was originally called "My Girlfriend" and stayed that way for awhile.
The song really rings true because well....IT IS.

Bret Michaels: New solo album to feature Def Leppard members

Bret Michaels has been busy touring this summer with Poison for their 25th Anniversary, as well as working in his solo shows to the schedule.

Now that the US tour with Motley Crue has wrapped up, Michaels is off next to Australia next month to open shows for the Crue on his own.

While all this is going on, Bret’s continues to work on his autobiography – set for release next year – and, he’s also been spending some time working on his next solo album, “Get Your Rock On,” and he’s been lining up some special guests to lend a hand to the proceedings.

The project will feature Def Leppard's Joe Elliott and Phil Collen, Stevie Nicks, possibly members of Lynyrd Skynyrd, and younger groups such as Pop Evil and My Darkest Days.

"I'm in the process of doing it as we speak," Michaels tells Billboard. "When you're having other artists perform with you, it's about working with their time schedule and a lot of taking care of some of the business before you can enjoy the pleasure of just jamming together. I try to keep it pretty organic. We have to make sure everyone's good with the timing and can get into the studio to sing. But I think we're going to have a blast making this record."

Michaels already has Elliott and Collen targeted for "Get Your Rock On's" title track, while other collaborations will be determined in the near future. He says the album may also include a live version of "Margaritaville" he performed with Jimmy Buffett and his Coral Reefer Band during 2010 at the DTE Energy Music Theatre in suburban Detroit.

As for a timetable, Michaels is hoping to have a first single -- likely the title track -- out by the end of the year, digitally if not on CD.

Check out more of Bret’s plans from his session with Billboard here.

Leppard, Crue, Panther Tour Together

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Def Leppard, Motley Crue and Steel Panther are combining for six shows at the end of the year.
You can see the three bands playing in December at:
Tue. 6: Birmingham LG Arena
Thu. 8: Nottingham FM Arena
Fri. 9: Glasgow SECC Hall 4
Sun. 11: Manchester MEN Arena
Tue. 13: Sheffield Arena
Wed. 14: London Wembley Arena
Tickets go on sale from 9am on Friday, September 2. They cost £47.50 in London and £45 regionally. Buy them from www.livenation.co.uk

Matthew Fox Accuser "I'm Pressing CHARGES!"

The Cleveland party bus driver who claims Matthew Fox started a fist fight with her ... says the "Lost" star smelled "like a bar" -- and she's definitely pressing charges.

Heather Bormann says she thinks Matthew was drunk when she warned him several times to stop trying to get on the private bus Saturday night -- but she claims "he just stepped in for a right hook to my pelvis area and started wailing on me like I was a man."

Heather says she fought back in self-defense -- landing a left to Matt's jaw -- and today, in downtown Cleveland, she showed off her battle scars ... nasty bruises and an ace bandaged hand. She says she plans to meet with prosecutors tomorrow to press charges.

Heather also explains where she picked up the badass moves she busted out on Fox.

'Austin Powers' Villain Convicted of Torture In Rape Case

The guy who played "Random Task" in "Austin Powers" -- the guy who throws a shoe -- has been convicted of torturing a 20-year-old woman back in 1990.

Joseph Hyungmin Son was arrested in 2008 on suspicion of participating in a gang rape of a woman on Christmas Eve ... when DNA linked him to the crime.

According to prosecutors, Son and another man abducted the woman, dragged her into the back of a car, pistol whipped her and threatened to shoot her.

The victim claimed Son and the other man repeatedly raped her, and sexually penetrated her with a gun before releasing her in Compton naked.

Son is due back in court on September 19 for sentencing -- and faces a maximum of 15 years to life in prison.

X-Gn'R bassist Duff McKagan book tour in October!

X-Gn'R bassist Duff McKagan book tour in October! Axl will be elated to read this we're sure. Bassist Duff McKagan's (VELVET REVOLVER, GUNS N' ROSES, DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED) upcoming autobiography, It's So Easy (And Other Lies), will be released on October 4th via Touchstone Books/Simon & Schuster. McKagan has scheduled the following book-signing events: Tuesday, October 4th Strand Book Store Event at 7 p.m. 828 Broadway New York City, 10003 Wednesday, October 5th Bookends Event at 7 p.m. 211 E. Ridgewood Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07450 Thursday, October 6th Book Revue Event at 7 p.m. 313 New York Avenue Huntington, NY 11743 Saturday, October 8th Barnes & Noble Costa Mesa Event at 2 p.m. 901 B South Coast Drive Costa Mesa, CA 92626 Sunday, October 9th Barnes & Noble Santa Monica Event at 2 p.m. 3rd St. Promenade, 1201 3rd St. Santa Monica, CA 90401 Tuesday, October 11th Book Soup Event at 7 p.m. 8818 Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90069 Sunday, October 16th Mall of America Event at 2 p.m. 60 E. Broadway Bloomington, MN 55425 Tuesday, October 18th Powell's Books Event at 7:30 p.m. 1005 W. Burnside Portland, OR 97209 Wednesday, October 19th University Book Store Event at 7 p.m. 4326 University Way NE Seattle, WA 98105 Thursday, October 20th Third Place Books Event at 7 p.m. 17171 Bothell Way NE Lake Forest Park, WA 98155 Friday, October 21st Elliott Bay Book Company Event at 7 p.m. Saturday, October 22nd Warwicks Event at 6:30 p.m. 7812 Girard Avenue La Jolla, CA 92037 According to Gary Graff from Billboard.com, Duff McKagan promises that It's So Easy (And Other Lies) is "not the same story" as former Guns N' Roses bandmates Slash and Steven Adler told in their memoirs. "Mine's not really a Guns N' Roses book, where I think Slash's ('Slash') really was...and I haven't read (Adler's 'My Appetite For Destruction')," McKagan, who plans to publish the book in October, tells Billboard.com. "I'm not saying one's better than the other. This is just my story. It's really my demise into addiction and stuff, and then my way out and my journey into things. My Guns N' Roses story is my Guns N' Roses story. My Velvet Revolver story is my Velvet Revolver story. It's my rock story, from my distinct viewpoint." McKagan acknowledges that "it was pretty gut-wrenching to write some of this stuff, just because I hadn't faced any of it until I had to write" the book. But while it's frank, he says the book is not a kiss-and-tell, either. "I didn't f*** around, but I didn't throw anybody under the bus, either," he notes. "There's some things you just don't break confidences on, even if you're warring with someone." Read more at this location. We lifted this from our friends at KNAC

Concert Review: Cinderella, John Corabi & Mass at Club Casino in Hampton Beach, NH

August 18, 2011 by Roger Scales  
Filed under 80s Guy For The Modern Eye, Daily Music News, Reviews

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Cinderella, John Corabi & MASS
Club Casino Ballroom
Hampton Beach, NH
August 10, 2011

Rating:  
Reviewed by:  Roger Scales

Triple Bill..very old school.   I like local music just as much as the next guy but there is a big difference between being curious and checking out a local opener and actually looking forward to seeing the support acts as much as or even more so than the headliner.  I have been a John Corabi fan since hearing the first release with The Scream in 1991.  I have always liked his vocal style and enjoyed his work with Motley Crue, the Union records, and also seeing him perform with RATT.  MASS has been a New England staple for as long as I have been able to walk into a nightclub  and 2011 has seen them supporting some of the best rock shows of the summer.  Cinderella, on their 25^th anniversary tour, had the most to prove on this nig, at least to me.  No new record since 1994, Tom Keifer has had throat issues over the past few years and could he still sing and what about the general attitudes and state of mind of the other three members? Is there still a fire in the belly or would they just go through the motions and mail in a lame set of hits with no regard to audience interaction, some hope for some new music or possibly throw in a rare song or two.  Well from my perspective Corabi delivered a terrific set, MASS was on fire and Cinderella, for the most part, was listless, predictable and underachieved on a night where they needed to show me something..and they didn’t.
John Corabi has to be the most unlucky yet talented musician I’ve ver seen WHO STILL GETS IT and JUST PLAYS BECAUSE HE LOVES IT .  The Scream should have been bigger but he bolted for the Motley Crue gig, and who could blame him. The Motley album he recorded (as good as it was) should have been called something else other than Motley Crue because the fans didn’t fully accept it and only waited for the return of Vince Neil.  The Union records also came out at a time when the music scene was shifting again and didn’t do as well as they should have.   He then tours with RATT but they never hit the studio and we will never know what he could have added in terms of song writing or vocals with that line up.  But forgetting all that, tonight John gave us a little bit of everything from his past in a 30 minute set that included a Union song, two songs from The Scream, a few Motley staples a Beatles cover along with a brands new song “If I Ever Said Goodbye” which will be appearing on an acoustic record John plans to release sometime soon.  His set was moving, heartfelt and very uplifting.  I would love to see John in another band setting, with Union or just playing unplugged like he did tonight.  Just play John..just play!  (Thanks for signing my Angora record by the way!)
Having the middle slot, MASS did benefit from going on a little later in the night then they have in prior shows and they took advantage of it giving the late arriving crowd a reason to raise their fists and rock as they ripped through a roughly 45 minute set of older hits plus a few newer songs from 2010’s Sea of Black.  I could tell right from the opening number ‘Falling from Grace” that the guys wanted to leave their mark on this Club Casino crowd and that’s exactly what they did.  The great thing about being a New England band is that even though you’re playing to a hometown New England crowd you have to earn their respect each and every night.  No matter how many times I have seen MASS they always play like they have something to prove.  Call it getting “no respect” or being “the underdog” call it whatever.. I always call it a quality gig. They just keep getting better and this night truly belonged to MASS.  I had people around me watching Louis belt out and hold notes with disbelief wondering how is he doing that?  One guy actually asked me if they were a “new band” and I pointed them right to the direction of the merch table and gave him a quick history lesson.  They played harder and louder tonight than they have all summer long.  It’s tough to nail down a set list (especially when you have twice as much original material as the headliner and play half the set time) but they did a good job of covering all the bases.  The future is “Lookin Good” for MASS not only in 2011 but into 2012 and beyond.
I just want to say right up front without hesitation that I love Cinderella.  No one was a bigger fan and saw them as often as I did in the late 80’s and early 90’s.  Arenas, theaters, club dates I saw it all.  I always thought they put on a quality show.  I recall a concert at Great Woods with Tangier and White Lion when it snowed onstage during “Long Cold Winter” and then all the bands came on the stage at the end of the night and jammed to “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Jumping Jack Flash”.  Fun, different and they seemed to try to keep things fresh.  Even tours in 2000 and 2002 they seemed to rock out and you figured at some point there would be some new music.  Where is it?  It’s  now 10 years later and still nothing.  You have to go back to 1994 and Still Climbing (drummer Fred Coury not even on that one having left to join Stephen Pearcy in Arcade) to find any new material.  After the effort I witnessed last night I’d have to call Cinderella “Barely Crawling,” the set left me bored, frustrated and curious as to the bands next move.
Right from the opening riffs of ‘”Once Around The Ride” it looked as if vocalist Tom Keifer was straining to reach even a mid level range.  Never what I would call a “gifted vocalist” I did enjoy that raspy “Steven Tyler meets Mick Jagger meets Brian Johnson” sort of feel I always got from him.  The guy is talented.  Songwriting, piano, guitar and even played a little sax on “Shelter Me” towards the end of the night.  What Keifer has lost, in my eyes, is the ability to connect with his audience and create a set list that flows and to be a showman.  One could argue that he was never a “showman” and maybe that’s true.  He is not nor was he ever in the David Lee Roth school of frontmen BUT when your touring for your 1^st and 2^nd albums and trying to prove yourself you don’t have to be.  However when you’re still playing that same set list and seem sedated and grumpy on stage try something different to make your audience smile and be appreciative.  I mean why would you play “Heartbreak Station” 3 songs into the set and lose whatever momentum you may have gained right after playing your first hit “Shake Me “ so early in the set?  That’s what I mean about no flow.  Let’s just play all the hits and get the hell out of Dodge.  I saw the audience DIE and head for the bars and restrooms as soon as that song started.
It was not all subpar for the entire show.  Drummer Fred Coury and bass player Eric Brittingham at least played as if they wanted to be there by providing a solid rhythm section and harmonies when needed.  “The More Things Change” and ‘Somebody Save Me” were probably the best two songs of the night.  Keifer’s vocals did get slightly better as the night wore on but it was such a sort set list (70 minutes) that he didn’t have time to gain much in terms of momentum.  Guitarist Jeff Labar played all of the songs ok but has lost the flair that I used to enjoy about seeing the band live; Keifer did the lion’s share of the tough guitar parts anyway.  After ‘Shelter Me” closed the set Keifer and Labar looked as if they just played a 3 hour set and played like 20 gigs in a row without a day off.
Maybe I’m being overly harsh but I’m often accused of sugar coating the bands I like and no matter what they did, are doing or might do in the future I’m always in their corner.  This is a very true statement, but I’m also fair and to the point.   This was a boring headlining gig played by a tired band resting on their laurels and not looking ahead but instead stuck in the past and having no clue how to satisfy their audience 25 years after originally kicking my ass, making me laugh (cue the Shelter Me video “We are going to the Cinderella concert and you’re not”) and giving me a show worth paying for.  Hey there is nothing wrong about going back to the past for a short visit..after all I am the “80’s Guy For The Modern Eye” but Cinderella took the Way Back Machine to 1987 and left it there.
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Set Lists:
John Corabi Set List:
Love (I Don’t Need You Anymore)
If I Ever Said Goodbye
Father, Mother, Son
Holligan’s Holiday
Driftaway/Home Sweet Home
Man In the Moon
Oh! Darling
MASS Set List:
Falling from Grace
Pedal to the Metal
Turn it all around (Into) Reach for the Sky
Empty Soul (Into) Kashmir
Seven Days
Do you Love me
Over you
Sea of Black
Cinderella Set List:
Once Around the Ride
Shake Me
Heartbreak Station
Somebody Save Me
Night Songs
The More Things Change
Coming Home
Second Wind
Don’t Know What You Got (Till It’s Gone)
Nobody’s Fool
Gypsy Road
Encore:
Long Cold Winter
Shelter Me

Avenged Sevenfold plan a break

M Shadows says that new drummer Arin Ilejay is ‘their guy’ but time out in the recording and touring cycle is essential to avoid burn out

Reported by Eric MacKinnon

Published: August 27, 2011. © Rock AAA.

A7X: Time out essential

Avenged Sevenfold singer M Shadows has revealed the band are plotting a well-earned breather after their wrap up their touring cycle for current album ‘Nightmare’ and he says the length of break and whether they will do any writing in that time is up in the air.
In a chat with Billboard.com the frontman also praised the impact of recent recruit Arin Ilejay on drums and insisted the 23-year-old, who follows on from Dream Theater’s Mike Portnoy who took over after the tragic passing of original drummer Jimmy ‘The Rev’ Sullivan, is ‘their guy.’ Shadows said:
“Ilejay is great. He’s 23 now, and the first show he played was in front of 16,000 people, and from there we went to Rock Am Ring, 80 or 90,000 people in Germany. As far as personality and his playing, he’s our guy, but we haven’t been able to write a record with him yet.
“So we want to make sure for his good and for our good that he can write with us and bring something to the creative and be comfortable in the situation. We’re just trying to work towards that, and hopefully everything works out ’cause we love the guy.”
Speaking on the band’s tradition of taking time out between record’s Shadows points to the recent rumours of a split with metal heavyweights Disturbed as evidence their method works.
He added: “We’ve always taken a long time (between albums), and everyone’s told us we’re stupid for doing that.
“But I think bands burn themselves out. Look what happened to Disturbed; those are good friends of ours, and you just get caught up in the do a record, tour for two years, do a record, tour for two years…We’re very cautious of making sure that everybody has their time. We need to go home…and make sure everybody’s mentally in the right spot to do a new record.
“We all hang out with each other. Me and (guitarist Synyster) Gates are married to twin sisters and they’re best friends, so it’s a total family thing we have going on. And I have a studio in my house.
“So does (Gates). So we’ll hang out and lay some stuff down and joke around with it, and eventually it turns into something for the band — which is a much healthier way to do it instead of putting a lot of stress on ourselves to meet a deadline or something.”

KISS' Gene Simmons To Marry Shannon Tweed On October 1st

Rock Hard

Posted on Sunday, August 28, 2011 at 14:06:34 EST

After 28 years, KISS' Gene Simmons' proposed to long-time girlfriend Shannon Tweed in Belize during an episode of Gene Simmons' Family Jewels. According to BW&BK sources, Simmons has set October 1st at his wedding day

Together with Tweed for 28 years and the father of her two children, Simmons has famously sworn he would never get married. Check out his proposal below:

Buy Your Metal Here

Aerosmith Rarities Coming

. We have details about the Columbia Records era (1973-1987) Aerosmith recording that are set to be released digitally for the very first time and learn that rarities will also be going digital. The classic Aerosmith catalog will be released at the iTunes Store beginning Tuesday, September 6th. Here is the official word with the details:
The classic Aerosmith catalog will be available to purchase and download on iTunes and other digital retailers as full albums or individual tracks. The band's catalog releases include: Aerosmith (1973) - Get Your Wings (1974) - Toys In The Attic (1975) - Rocks (1976) - Draw The Line (1977) - Live! Bootleg (1978) - Night In The Ruts (1979) - Aerosmith's Greatest Hits (1980) - Rock In A Hard Place (1982) - Classics Live (1986) - Classics Live II (1987) Rarities And Stand Alone Tracks:
'Subway' (b-side of 'Sweet Emotion' remake)
'On The Road Again' (from Aerosmith sessions)
'Major Barbara' (from Get Your Wings sessions)
'Rattlesnake Shake' (Live Radio Broadcast 1971)
'Krawhitham' (from Draw The Line sessions)
'I Wanna Know Why' (Live Texxas Jam)
'Big Ten Inch' (Live Texxas Jam)
'All Your Love' (from Draw The Line sessions)
'Soul Saver' (from Rocks sessions)
'Adam's Apple' (Live Indianapolis 1977)
'Kings And Queens' (Live Boston 1978)
'I Live In Connecticut' (from Night In The Ruts sessions)
'Let It Slide' (from Night In The Ruts sessions)
'Downtown Charlie' (from Night In The Ruts sessions)
'Sh*t House Shuffle' (from Night In The Ruts sessions)
'Riff And Roll' (from Rock And A Hard Place sessions)
'Chip Away The Stone' (alternate version)
'Helter Skelter' (from Toys In The Attic sessions)

Keith Richards’ Life Sells a Million Copies

08.26.2011

Keith Richards’ memoir, Life, has become one of the best-selling rock autobiographies of all-time. As reported by RollingStone.com, the legendary guitarist’s tell-all book has sold more than one million copies, a total that’s the literary equivalent of achieving platinum status in the music world.
In addition to earning Richards a massive payday – he received a $7 million-plus advance for the tome – the book earned nearly universally positive reviews. Chief among these was effusive praise lavished on Life by rocker Liz Phair, in a lead review for the New York Times.
Richards, who penned the book with British author James Fox, chronicled the arc of his life thus far, including his post-war boyhood, his adventures with The Rolling Stones and the dynamics of his creative bond with Mick Jagger. He also wrote freely and openly about his past troubles with substance abuse.

Sebastian Bach’s New Jersey home destroyed by Hurricane Irene

Hurricane Irene battered the east coast of the US all weekend long, as it went from a category 2 hurricane to a cat 1, and then, simply, a tropical storm.

With a series of mandatory evacuations in place across several counties and States in Irene’s path, all reasonable efforts were made by authorities to keep people safe.

Property was a different issue entirely, as it can be replaced. But you might have a hard time convincing Sebastian Bach of that right now, as the rocker lost his New jersey home to the storm.

Bach shared the news on Facebook late Sunday evening:

"I am numb, in shock and devastated to report that my home of 21 years, my house featured on MTV 'Cribs', has been destroyed, condemned and deemed uninhabitable due to the extreme flooding courtesy of Hurricane Irene.

"In the two decades I have lived in this home, there has never been a single drop of water in the basement or anywhere else in the structure. Now Irene has overflowed the reservoir adjacent to my house. The surging waters have snapped the bridge in half next to my house (see photo above) and sent the bridge straight into my garage, knocking the house off of its foundation. The basement that has been dry for over two decades is now overflowing with water and I am not even allowed to start pumping the water out due to fears of electrocution.

"Original Skid Row and KISS fans, I have bad news for you. Gone are irreplaceable items, such as my KISS Gargoyles from the 1979 tour. KISS pinball machine. Skid Row master tapes, video and audio, concerts, master tapes from 'Oh Say Can You Scream', etc. Boxes and boxes of one-of-a-kind Skid Row memorabilia, from the first tour to our last, all stuff I collected on the road that no one else had. I had a library in the basement with every single magazine that had Skid Row on the cover. This library took up a big part of the basement. All of this is lost now.

"We will salvage what we can, of course. But how I wish there was a reason to do a box set or something before Hurricane Irene hit. Nobody cared. Now it's too late.

"Don't know what you got till it's gone, indeed.

"The good news is that all my father's artwork, including the 16-foot 'Slave To The Grind' mural, is all OK. My sons and friends moved all my dad's art to the second level of the structure before Irene destroyed our home. My Silver Age comic collection is all on the third level, with the David Bierk archives, which is a completely dry level. But we are not allowed into the house yet to retrieve everything because the foundation has crumbled and the house could conceivably collapse at any second. We are working with the police and fire department to get the electricity turned off so no one gets electrocuted entering the premises. As soon as the power is off, we will pump out the basement and salvage what we can. Everything will be put into storage and then it looks like we will level the house.

"This has really taught me that the best things in life are indeed 'free.' What makes me happy is that my children and ex-wife are safe. My dad's art is unharmed. No one got hurt. My scrapbooks of memories of my life are dry and safe. The only things that are making me smile today is cranking Black Veil Brides' 'Set The World On Fire' CD over and over again. Texting Danny from Asking Alexandria who may become my new roommate in L.A. Getting texts from my girl Minnie [Gupta] in L.A. making sure I'm OK and trying to cheer me up. My neighbours in New Jersey clamoring around my house, calling me, offering help in any way they can. These things mean more to me than mere possessions.

"I have been holding on to my house since December, when my divorce papers were filed. I just could not let go of the only home I had ever known. Well, God has other plans for me it seems. He has made His decision for me. My home has been taken away by an 'act of God.' I just think He is giving me a much-needed push, is all.

"New Jersey, thank you all so much for 25 years of rock 'n' roll. It's all over now. I will always love New Jersey, but now there is literally nothing left for me here except memories of a past life.

"Hello, Los Angeles. Hello, New Life. Here i am. It's time for a new start. Like I have a choice."

"Lost" Star Matthew Fox Accused of Assaulting Woman In Cleveland

Matthew Fox was detained by cops in Cleveland, Ohio Saturday night after allegedly assaulting a woman outside of a bar ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources at the scene tell us ... the "Lost" star allegedly tried to enter a party bus -- even though he wasn't a guest on the vehicle.

We're told the woman who was driving the bus tried to block Fox from getting on board -- at which point, he allegedly punched her in the breast and the "stomach area."

Fox was handcuffed by an off-duty officer -- and was later detained by police.

Fox was released without being formally arrested.

An assault report was taken and the matter remains under investigation.

We have not been able to reach Fox for comment.

UPDATE: According to the police report, obtained by TMZ, the woman PUNCHED BACK -- and struck Fox "in the mouth ... causing a cut on his lip."

The woman told police she may have broken her hand during the altercation.

Fox was later released to a friend ... who put the actor into a taxi and accompanied him back to his hotel.

Indie 'Win Win,' Mel Gibson's 'The Beaver' Head DVD Releases This Week

8/24/2011 10:36 AM ET

Following a mediocre box office run earlier in the year, critically acclaimed dramedy "Win Win" is among the top new releases hitting the home market this week alongside "The Beaver," the seldom seen comedy from Mel Gibson and Jodie Foster. Also hitting stores this week will be documentarian Morgan Spurlock's "The Greatest Movie Ever Sold" and special Blu-ray editions of older movies like "Swingers" and "Rounders."

Kings Of Leon's Mother Says None Of Her Boys Need Rehab

8/27/2011 9:30 AM ET

(RTTNews) - Betty Ann Murphy, mother of Kings of Leon's trio of brothers Caleb, Jared and Nathan Followill, and aunt of Matthew Followill, says that "none of the boys need rehab" and that "they will come back better than ever."

"They'll be back better than ever," Murphy told Contact Music. "It's not the end of the band. Sometimes they all drink more than they should - they're young men and go on a binge. None of them need rehab."
Earlier this year Kings of Leon cancelled their remaining tour dates of their North American trek because of "vocal issues and exhaustion" from frontman Caleb, an incident that sent rumors of the band's break-up swirling. Jared and Nathan have stated that while the band has "big problems," they will not be splitting up.
The Kings will reboot their touring schedule September 28 in Canada.

Mick Jagger Reveals His Secrets To Looking Young

8/26/2011 1:45 PM ET

(RTTNews) - Even though Mick Jagger recently turned 68 years old, he still remains youthful in appearance, and has revealed his secrets to looking young, which include proper diet and exercise consisting of ballet, yoga and pilates, according to The Daily Mail.

Jagger admitted to drinking a lot less than in his younger days, though he still indulges in a big meal every now and again.
"It's too debilitating to drink a lot, so I use other relaxation techniques," he says. "I sit on my own, calm down, take stock. I have to eat an awful lot," he adds. "People say: 'You're not eating.' I say: 'I just ate twice as much as you did. I watched you."
He also regularly uses La Prairie, a Swedish caviar skin cream, hair dye, and a host of supplements such as Vitamins A, C, D, E, B complexes, cod liver oil, ginseng and ginkgo biloba.

Ric Flair Threatens Lawsuit Boozing Has Not Damaged My Heart

Wrestling icon Ric Flair is FURIOUS over an article which claims the Nature Boy is suffering from a serious medical condition caused by years of hardcore boozing ... because Ric claims it's NOT TRUE and now he's threatening to sue.

The unflattering article -- which paints Flair as a troubled, irresponsible mess of a person -- ran on an ESPN affiliated website called Grantland.com ... and the report is mostly based on court documents.

But Flair is particularly pissed about the reporter's claim that he suffers from Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy -- a disease caused by years of alcohol abuse which often leads to heart failure.

A rep for Flair -- -- whose real name is Richard Fliehr -- tells TMZ, "While the information gleaned from courthouse records may be credible, Mr. Fliehr is currently evaluating his legal options with respect to falsehoods in the story, specifically the untrue statement that he suffers from alcoholic cardiomyopathy."

The rep adds, "Our client understands that these allegations are part of the territory when you are not only famous, but a living legend."