Today's Day in Rock

Van Halen Using Backing Tapes In Concert?
(hennemusic) Sammy Hagar accuses Van Halen of using former bassist Michael Anthony's talents on the road, even after they unceremoniously dismissed him and his contributions to the group and its legacy.

"Those vocal harmonies on the last tour were Mike on tape," asserted Hagar. "Mike should've reamed them for it. Wolfie don't sing like that, and Ed sure as hell don't. Go on the Internet and listen to Ed's voice live from the reunion with me. Hear him sing on 'When It's Love' and some of those songs. Ed can't sing, and his voice is shot if he can, from cigarettes and booze anyway."

Sammy didn't stop there. "I just don't see Van Halen getting together again," said the Red Rocker. "I don't know what would have to happen for it to happen. I don't think they're ever going to get together with Dave. They've been working on that record for a year and a half or whatever, and they keep postponing and postponing it." There is yet more here



Paul Stanley of KISS Has Vocal Chord Surgery
(Rock News Desk) KISS mainman Paul Stanley has had surgery on his vocal cords, it's been confirmed.

The singer and guitarist, 59, underwent a procedure on Tuesday and experts say he's on course to make a quick and full recovery.

He tells fans: "I hold myself to a higher standard than others do. With that in mind, I wanted to remedy a few mint issues that come with 40 years of preaching rock'n'roll." more on this story



Anthrax Tour Roadie Violently Beaten
(Rock News Desk) The mother of a popular metal roadie has appealed for help after he was hospitalised in a violent attack while on the road with Anthrax.

Dane Wolf was part of the crew working on the current tour with support act Death Angel when he was seriously assaulted in Denver, Colorado, last week, sustaining a fractured skull and further serious injuries.

Now he's facing medical bills and travelling costs, and he's also out of pocket through not being able to work following the violent attack. more on this story



Sammy Hagar Offers To Manage Reunited Guns N' Roses
(Rock News Desk) When Sammy Hagar first joined Van Halen he found his bandmates were working under poor contracts and renegotiated everyone's deals for them. Now he says he'd like to provide the same services to a reunited Guns N' Roses – if they ever get back together. But he accepts financial issues aren't what's keeping them apart.

"They've proved again and again and again that it ain't money. Axl goes out for a lot less money with his version of Guns N' Roses, and Slash goes out for a lot less money with Velvet Revolver or by himself.

"The amount of money they could make if they got it all back together, made a great record and toured the world would probably be as much as the Rolling Stones," Hagar says. "They could do it. I would manage them – I'd be their manager and make sure they got the right deal from all the promoters. They could be the biggest band in the world if they wanted to." more on this story



Steven Tyler Back In The Saddle After Hospitalization
(hennemusic) Steven Tyler returned to the stage Wednesday night in Paraguay, a day after a shower accident at his hotel cost him some teeth, a black eye and a day's delay in rocking Asuncion.

Early fans reports and video suggest Tyler was back in fine form, seemingly much improved over his performance in Lima, Peru on Saturday.

For his part, Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry updated fans on his singer's status early Wednesday: "Happy Steven is feeling better today. He's a real trooper. Aerosmith is playing the show in Paraguay tonight." See video here



Marillion Announce Rare American Tour Dates
We received big news for Marillion fans in North America, the band has announced a 13 date North American Tour that will take place next summer.

Here are the details we were sent: Having maintained a continuous touring schedule through the rest of the world, as well as the high profile Marillion Convention Weekend events, this will be the band's first visit to the US since 2004.

The tour will hit several cities across North America, with 2-consecutive-night events planned in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. To mark the occasion of these special events, Marillion will be performing different set-lists over the consecutive shows in these cities. Fans travelling to these destinations will witness unique sets as the band set-up camp in select markets. more on this story



Fair to Midland Lose Member and Cancel Evanescence Tour
(Banana 101.5) At their show in Denton, Texas on Monday, Fair to Midland announced that it was their last show with bassist of seven years — Jon Dicken.

Fair to Midland will be postponing their overseas November tour dates — where they would have been the opening act for Evanescence — according to their official statement regarding the bassists departure:

"Cancellation Statement: After 7 amazing years of playing with Fair To Midland, our bassist Jon Dicken has decided it was time for him to move on. We appreciate his hard work and dedication to the band, we love him, and wish him the best in all his future endeavors. Moving forward, we are excited to continue touring and making music. However..." read the rest here



New Rammstein Release Coming Next Month
Rammstein have announced the November 11th release of "Mein Land," the first single from the Rammstein retrospective Made In Germany 1995-2011.

The "Mein Land" single will be available as a four-track release via iTunes with an unreleased song, "Vergiss Uns Nicht," as well as remixes from BossHoss and Mogwai accompanied by the Jonas Akerlund directed video for "Mein Land" and a digital booklet.

The Amazon version will be "Mein Land" and the two remixes. The video for "Mein Land" will premiere on Rammstein.com on Nov. 11.

A release date for Made in Germany 1995-2011 will be announced shortly.



Rush Preview Time Machine DVD With Tom Sawyer Clip
(hennemusic) Rush fans are counting the days until the new, "Time Machine 2011: Live in Cleveland," DVD is released on November 8.

The new set, recorded at Cleveland's Quicken Loans Arena back in April, captures Rush in full flight, including an entire performance of their 1981 classic, "Moving Pictures."

"We realized that we've recorded almost all of our DVDs abroad," Rush frontman Geddy Lee tells Rolling Stone. "And we had never done one in America, and we noticed we were doing Cleveland on the last leg of the tour. We thought it was an appropriate choice seeing as Cleveland's such an important town in our history. It was the first city that was ever warm to us. We thought it would be kind of apropos to come full circle and do that particular show there."

Watch a preview of "Tom Sawyer" from the new package here.



Eddie Money, Lou Gramm and Mickey Thomas Winter Tour
Eddie Money, Lou Gramm (the voice of Foreigner) and Mickey Thomas of Starship are teaming up for the 2011 Jingle Bell Rock tour.

The trekkicks off the day after Thanksgiving on Friday, November 25, and runs through mid-December.

Were is the promo we received about the tour: The concert event promises to be a one-of-a-kind, "must-see" as Eddie, Lou and Mickey sing the classics they've become known for such as "Take Me Home Tonight," "Two Tickets To Paradise," "I Want To Know What Love Is," "Jukebox Hero," "We Built This City," "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now,"and many more. more on this story



Dio Made James Durban A Metal Head
(hennemusic) For the time being, he'll be referred to as the "American Idol rocker," but James Durbin was rocking long before he hit the Idol stage.

"I just remember being a kid, driving around with my mom, and then Dio's 'Holy Diver' came on the radio and it changed everything," Durbin tells Noisecreep. "It was the first time I had ever heard a metal song. I loved it right away. From there, I just wanted to learn as much about music as I could. Eventually, I found the artists that I liked more and stuck with those. I'm talking about Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Dio, Motley Crue — you know, the classics."

At some point, James morphed from being a fan to starting a band.

"I've always showed an interest for music of all kinds, so they might have thought that the metal thing was just a phase," he laughs. "When I was a teenager, I even started a metal band called Leviathan. I've always wanted to be a professional musician. Look, metal isn't the kind of music my mom would listen to, but she's always been supportive nonetheless. more on this story



X Factor Back Down In Name Battle
(Rock News Desk) Producers of TV gameshow The X Factor have backed out of a legal battle over their use of a charity name for one of their pop acts.

Tens of thousands of people showed their support for the Rhythmix children's music organisation after a girl group on the show, owned by Simon Cowell, also decided to call themselves Rhythmix. When the charity tried to discuss the issue, pointing out their name was trademarked, Cowell's spokesman told them: "Get a lawyer."

The Brighton-based charity also took the producers' advice and spoke to legal counsel – and now The X Factor has bowed out of a battle they were almost certain to lose. more on this story



Joe Satriani Keeps it Simple In Chickenfoot
(Rock News Desk) Joe Satriani says there are no superstar issues in Chickenfoot – and there's no need for him to overplay on the band's recordings.

The guitarist explains: "The sound we make as a unit is so delicious. To me, playing all over a recording is a dated style. If you put on a guitar and you were playing with Michael Anthony and Chad Smith, you'd understand that you want to be part of it and not on top of it.

"Ultimately, it makes for a larger sound when you have everyone joining forces rather than someone trying to be the superstar." (Sleaze Roxx) More rock news



Evans Blue Frontman Says New Album Will Show Growth
(Banana 101.5) Evans Blue vocalist Dan Chandler recently sat down to talk about the growth of the band, his songwriting methods, and what fans can expect from their upcoming album which may be out before the end of the year.

In a video posted on their label's (Sights+Sounds) YouTube Channel, Chandler explains how the band's friendships have helped to strengthen their sound on the new record:

"Since the last record, we've grown a ton as a band. The chemistry between each member, the friendships, the relationships that we've gone through with each other — the more we've experienced, the more we get to know about each other. I think the new record is gonna show a lot of that, a lot of the time we've put in with each other…on the road, because we did a lot of that." more on this story



Jimmy Page's Haunted House Curator Dies
(Rock News Desk) Malcolm Dent, the curator of Jimmy Page's haunted house, has died after a long illness at 67.

Dent moved to the Highlands with Page in 1971 when the Led Zeppelin guitarist bought Boleskine House – the former home of occultist Aleister Crowley.

Dent ran the property for 20 years, during which he claimed to have witnessed paranormal activity including furniture moving by itself. more on this story



Garbage Changing Their Tune?
(Rock News Desk) Garbage drummer Butch Vig wanted to abandon traditional rock sounds when producing the band's new album.

It will be their first since 2005 and is set to feature a new, unfamiliar sound, far from records that he has produced before, including Nirvana's Nevermind.

He says: "There are lots of elements of things we've always loved: noisy guitars, big electronic beats and atmospheric film moments. more on this story



Pinback Announce Record Store Day Exclusive
Pinback will release a couple more new songs in the form of Information Retrieved Pt. B.

A companion to the instantly sold-out Record Store Day-exclusive Information Retrieved Pt. A, Pt. B is packaged in the same kind kind of stunning screenprinted evidence bag artwork that made Pt. A such an RSD favorite.

Featuring two brand new and exclusive songs, Information Retrieved Pt. B is strictly limited to a one-time pressing of 2,000 copies. more on this story



The Kooks Coming To America
(EMI) The Kooks will return to the U.S. for the North American leg of their world tour starting on November 15th at the Trocadero in Philadelphia and making stops across the nation.

On the road in support of their September 13th Astralwerks Records release Junk of the Heart, the Kooks have already sold out eight shows including stops in New York, Boston, DC, Chicago, and San Francisco.

In conjunction with their U.S. tour, the band will include a free mp3 download of the track "Junk Of The Heart (Happy)" with each ticket sold online and access to an exclusive version of the digital album with an acoustic bonus track of "Rosie" more on this story



In Flames Getting Remixed
In Flames have set a November 15th release date for the 2nd digital single "Where The Dead Ships Dwell" off their new album Sounds Of A Playground Fading.

In Flames was not shy of taking a new approach to their song "Where The Dead Ships Dwell" and went to extremes with the diverse partners that turned in three completely different remixes. With versions by German rapper CASPER, drum and bass act THE QEMISTS and KRISTOF BATHORY, vocalist of the black metal band DAWN OF ASHES, there should be something everyone can enjoy.

"The songs have already been made and the originals are as good as they can be, but what if I give them to an artist from a whole different genre, what would be there take on it?" Says IN FLAMES vocalist Anders Fridén. "I love collaborations like this and all the artists we worked with have done an awesome job. It's not meant to be taken dead serious and it's not how In Flames is gonna sound next, but I love it and I hope you'll enjoy a twist to the formula." more on this story



ZZ Top in Space
We were sent over a link to a video of conversation between ZZ Top's Dusty Hill who dropped by NASA Mission Control in Houston during a break in ZZ Top's tour schedule, to chat with his buddy Astronaut Commander Michael Fossum, now aboard the International Space Station.

Back in April, ZZ Top sent "Flyin' High," a song from the band's forthcoming (as yet untitled) album to Mike while on the launch pad aboard the Soyuz spacecraft and it made it's world wide (universe-wide?) debut during the flight to the ISS.

In the video you'll see Fossum along with Russian cosmonaut Segei Vokov and Satoshi Furukawa of Japan's JAXA space agency who were on the Soyuz flight with Fossum for the "Flyin' High" debut. Dusty's wife "Chuck" (Charlene) and ZZ Top tour manager Pablo Gamboa are also seen and heard chatting with Mike in this clip. The reference to "Aggie" is a reflection of the fact that both Chuck and Mike are Texas A&M alums. Check it out here



Jeff Healey Boxed Set Coming
(Kayos) Eagle Rock will celebrate the life of Jeff Healey (1966-2008) with the November 1 release of Full Circle: The Live Anthology, a boxed set containing three CDs and one DVD.

Known as one of the great guitar players of his generation, Healey, blind since age one, played the guitar on his lap, pedal-steel style. His soulful vocals and instrumental dexterity criss-crossed genres with ease but his heart was firmly entrenched within the blues-rock tradition.

Three complete concerts, captured in stunning aural clarity (Dolby Digital Stereo) are represented in this incredible set. In 1989, the Jeff Healey Band supported its See The Light debut album by performing at the prestigious Montreal Jazz Festival. In 1991, the band toured Switzerland appearing at the St. Gallen Open Air Festival (on CD and DVD in this set). In 1995, after achieving international fame, they returned home to Toronto for a rousing hero's welcome in front of a hometown crowd, in support of their Cover To Cover album. more on this story



Paul Rodgers Goes Canadian
Free and Bad Company legend Paul Rodgers was sworn in as a Canadian Citizen at a public ceremony in Surrey, B.C. last Friday October 21st The legendary.

A statement from Paul: It may not be my native land but Canada is surely now my home. While I'll always be an Englishman, Canada has given me so much for which I am grateful.

My wife, your former Miss Canada Cynthia Kereluk, a new and extended family and the chance to be truly free in a country that with its quiet strength combines the best of so many worlds. more on this story



Orange Goblin To Release New Album on Black Sabbath Anniversary
(Earsplit) Orange Goblin will release their brand new studio album, A Eulogy For The Damned, on Monday February 13, 2012 in the UK/rest of world and February 14, 2012 in the US.

This date is the same day as Black Sabbath released their self-titled debut album in 1970!

A Eulogy For The Damned is the band's seventh studio album but first for new label home, Candlelight Records. The ten-track offering was recorded at The Animal Farm studio in South London, UK, produced and engineered by Jamie Dodd and mastered by two-time Grammy-nominated Pink Floyd engineer Andy Jackson at Tube Mastering. A Eulogy For The Damned will be released on CD and limited edition colored vinyl in gatefold sleeve. more on this story



Lynyrd Skynyrd BBQ & Beer Eat 'N' Greet and Concert
(Sub) Lynyrd Skynyrd is kicking-off the Grand Opening of their first Southern barbecue, music and entertainment joint, "Lynyrd Skynyrd BBQ & Beer" this December at the Excalibur Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip.

The week-long celebration begins Thursday, December 1, 2011 with a series of rockin' live concerts, promotions, giveaways and of course, mouthwatering BBQ - all leading up to the exclusive Grand Opening on Thursday, December 8th.

The once-in-a–lifetime Grand Opening on Thursday, December 8th kicks-off with an "Eat 'N' Greet" luncheon with Lynyrd Skynyrd and Jeff Arnett, the 7th master distiller in Jack Daniel's 142-year history, followed by an intimate Lynyrd Skynyrd concert that evening. more on this story



Singled Out: Acidic's Uninspired
Today Mike Gossard from Acidic tells us about "Uninspired" from their new album "Chronic Satisfaction". Here is the story:

In the grand scheme of things "Uninspired" is more than a track to us. It came out of the biggest period of indecision I've ever encountered in my time as an artist. We were in the middle of an inner battle as to which producer we were going to have put their spin on our album. There was quite a bit of strife built up as far as this issue is concerned just because the creative process is so vitally important to being a band. It was in all this that I realized that I was forgetting the music and had shrugged off many ideas because of the pressure to have a perfect riff. I was approached with this song, "Uninspired." It was an idea in progress that hadn't taken much shape and needed some work. I sat down with it and really analyzed what made it pop. I finished the arrangement and the story of the song is that the message it conveys really hit home with me.

I had just been in the most stressful relationship I've ever been in, and all of the constant mental buffeting had left me with an apathy towards songwriting and a general confusion when trying to construct an arrangement. I was left, literally, "Uninspired" and it took a lot of touring and general self-diagnostics to alleviate that tension. The song is a testament to what can happen if an ongoing mental tragedy is left to habituate and drain away all the creative space in one's consciousness. "Uninspired" isn't just a song. It's a period in my life and it left me with a heightened sense of purpose as an artist as well as having left an indelible impression on my psyche, especially on tour.

Apart from that, every time we play the song live, something crazy always seems to go down, whether it is an unlimited bar tab, or some crazy incident happening in front of the club we're playing in. The song has a very strange magic in it.

B-Sides

Today's Stories


Hear Macy Gray Take On Metallica and Radiohead Classics
Macy Gray's concerts are known for the unique covers she did. She will finally share these covers on her upcoming album, aptly named Covered, which is set to drop early next year.

While many of her contemporaries don't stray far from their own genre, Macy ventures into the lands of metal, folk, and hip hop as she covers a daring range of artists (Metallica, Radiohead, Prince, Indigo Girls, Awol Nation, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and more).

Check out Macy Gray's live versions of Metallica's "Nothing Else Matters" hereand Radiohead's "Creep" here.



Video From Historic Metallica Show Online
(hennemusic) Metallica played their first-ever show in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Tuesday night at Yas Island.

The band were looking forward to playing in the country, as bassist Robert Trujillo told Gulf News. "This is a whole new adventure for us. Within a tour cycle, we usually play for a couple of years, and usually play a lot of the same venues in Europe and the US. This [show] is great, because we have never been to the Emirates, and we've never been to India [where Metallica are heading to after Abu Dhabi]. We know that there are a lot of fans there who have never seen Metallica live before."

"This is where it turns into a gig, adventure and holiday — we have been very busy, so for us to go to a place like the UAE, it becomes an adventure," added Trujillo. "And it makes it all that much more exciting because we get to perform. It's something different, and we love to explore. We have the best job in the world. We're not clocking in a 9-to-5. We do what we love, and we get to see the world. That's really cool." Watch a couple of videos from the show here



Watch Corey Taylor Go Acoustic At ZZ Top Fest
(hennemusic) Last weekend, ZZ Top staged their first annual La Grange Fest in Austin, Texas.

Tagging along with the bearded ones were Lynyrd Skynyrd, Jamey Johnson and Corey Taylor, as the lineup played The Backyard, in a city famous for its music.

As singer for both Stone Sour and Slipknot, Corey Taylor seemed like the odd man out on the bill, but fan reports suggest he did a stand up job. Taylor has been out performing solo acoustic shows in support of his recent book, "Seven Deadly Sins," and will be doing a full North American solo tour this fall, starting November 14 in Anaheim, CA. Video from his set at La Grange can be seen here.



Video of Last Night's Ace Frehley Show Online
(hennemusic) Former KISS guitarist Ace Frehley has fired up the tour machine this week, as he gets out to play about 4 weeks of live dates, mostly in the US Northeast.

The shows sync up with the release of Ace's new book, "No Regrets: A Rock N' Roll Memoir," which comes out next Tuesday, November 1.

Tuesday, Ace played the first of two nights at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill in New York City, with a set heavy on KISS classics from his time in the band. Video of Tuesday's NYC gig has surfaced, check it out here.



Watch Primus Rock Kimmel
(Banana 101.5) Primus brought forth two bass heavy offerings from their first album in 12 years Monday night (10/24) on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!.' See their performance of 'Jilly's On Smack' and 'Lee Van Cleef' here.

Primus are riding high on their new disc 'Green Naugahyde', which is the first time they have released an album together since 1999′s 'Antipop.' Vocalist and renowned bassist Les Claypool heads the trio which also includes longtime guitarist Larry LaLonde, and early Primus drummer Jay Lane — who returned in lieu of their most well known stickman Tim Alexander.

The band just finished the North American tour in support of their seventh studio album, with their last show taking place October 22nd at The Wiltern in Los Angeles, California. That gig left them just minutes from the set of 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!', where they dropped by Monday night (10/24) to play two new songs — 'Jilly's On Smack' and Lee Van Cleef.' Check out both here



Watch Yngwie Malmsteen TV
(hennemusic) Swedish guitar icon Yngwie Malmsteen recently launched his Relentless North American tour; his opening show at New York's Irving Plaza earned solid reviews, as he tours in support of his latest effort, "Relentless."

Some live footage of Malmsteen on a Swedish TV show has surfaced.

In June, Yngwie flew to Sweden to be a part of a program called Moraeus Med Mera, where he performed a couple of tracks for the studio audience; in a taped segment, he also joined Kalle Moraeus in a park to play some Swedish folk music. Watch it here



Def Leppard Dream Tour Partners
(hennemusic) In part 16 of their month-long fan Q&A series, Def Leppard are asked about their wishes for road mates, "If you had a choice to tour with any band, who would it be?"

Leppard have spent most of 2011 on the road with Heart; in December, they team up for a UK tour with Motley Crue and Steel Panther.

Joe Elliott and Phil Collen have different opinions on this one; check out their answers here.



Achtung Baby Was Nearly The End For U2
(Gibson) U2's Achtung Baby is now acclaimed as U2's finest achievement, but the 1991 album nearly didn't get made. In fact, its beginnings nearly split the Irish band apart.

By the turn of the '90s, U2 were at a crossroads. They were a major stadium act, but creatively they were faltering. The band had been stung by media criticism of their half studio/half live double album Rattle and Hum. That "toying" with Americana certainly delivered some hits ("Angel Of Harlem," the Bo Diddley-esque "Desire," the B.B. King duet "When Love Comes to Town") but many found the album too much of a pastiche. U2 suddenly became the most loved/hated rock band on the planet. What to do? As Bono told a Dublin crowd in the late '80s: "We have to go away and dream it all up again."

As guitarist The Edge later reflected, the "traditionalism" of Rattle and Hum was the exception in the U2 canon. "My view," he told this author in 1996 "is that Rattle and Hum, for all its traditionalism, is actually our "experimental" record. Achtung Baby got us back to our normality – making dark, very European music with experimental sounds." Famously, U2 decided to impose new rules for Achtung Baby, the band's rebirth. more on this story



The Day Duran Duran Came Undone Again
(Gibson) On this day in 2006, Duran Duran guitarist Andy Taylor quit the band during the U.S. leg of their world tour. A statement on behalf of the group described the relationship with Andy Taylor as unworkable and one that could not be resolved. Gibson takes a look back: On this day in 2006, the Duran Duran fan club issued the following statement on guitarist Andy quitting the band for a second time.

"The four of us have dissolved our partnership and will be continuing as Duran Duran without Andy, as we have reached a point in our relationship with him where there is an unworkable gulf between us and we can no longer effectively function together," read the letter, signed "Simon, John, Nick and Roger."

It was the second time the Duran Duran guitarist had split from Simon Le Bon and Co. Taylor, who played guitar on the band's first three studio albums in the '80s, originally left Duran Duran after the release of 1986's Notorious. He rejoined the group in 2001, following a spell with '80s supergroup Power Station. more on this story



Video of Jennifer Lopez's On Stage Breakdown
(TMZ) Here come the waterworks -- TMZ has obtained video of Jennifer Lopez tearing up on stage Saturday night in Connecticut ... moments after she performed her 1999 hit "If You Had My Love."

The video kicks in right after Lopez -- who split from hubby #3 Marc Anthony in July -- told the crowd, "A lot as changed since then."

Whoever was cutting those onions in the crowd should be ashamed of himself. Watch the video here.



Photos of Michael Lohan's Bruised Ex Following Alleged Abuse
(TMZ) TMZ has obtained photos ... showing the damage Michael Lohan allegedly caused to his ex-girlfriend's body during a domestic violence incident early Tuesday morning.

The pictures show bruising on Kate Major's upper right arm ... where she claims Lohan violently grabbed her during an argument in her Tampa apartment.

Major also has black and blue marks on her leg, which she claims she suffered when Lohan was shoving her around.

As we previously reported, Major told Tampa police ... Michael got violent and threatened to kill her after she refused to perform oral sex on him in her apartment.

Lohan was arrested and charged with domestic violence ... though he told police he never laid a hand on Major and "would never hurt her."

Michael is still in custody -- but he's set to face a judge this morning in the hopes of being released from jail.

Today's Day In Pop!

Today's Full Report


Backstreet Boy Hitting The Road With Britney Spears
(popmusiclife) Britney Spears has snagged Backstreet Boy Howie Dorough to open shows on the upcoming South American leg of her "Femme Fatale" tour.

"I'm so excited that I'm going [to be] joining @britneyspears on several dates of the Femme Fatale tour!" Dorough tweeted on Monday. "Can't wait to see all my lovelies in Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia, and Venezuela!! VIP info will be coming next week."

The 5-date tour starts November 20 in La Plata, Argentina and wraps up in Caracas, Venezuela on November 28. more on this story



Glee For Christmas
(popmusiclife) Just in time for the holidays, the Glee franchise will release "Glee: The Music, The Christmas Album Volume 2" on November 15.

The Glee cast offer their own renditions of such Christmas staples as "Little Drummer Boy," "Let It Snow" and "All I Want For Christmas Is You," as well as their interpretation of Band Aid's 1984 hit "Do They Know It's Christmas?"

New cast members, Lindsay Pearce, Alex Newell and Damian McGinty - from the wildly popular show The Glee Project - are featured on "Do You Hear What I Hear?" and "Blue Christmas," along with Samuel Larson accompanying the Glee cast on "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town." more on this story



Lady Gaga and Jason Aldean To Play Grammy Nominations Concert
(popmusiclife) The Grammys are four months away, but the warm-up festivities begin in a few weeks with The Grammy Nominations Concert Live.

Lady Gaga and country artist Jason Aldean are the first performers announced for the show, which happens at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.

The program will announce nominations in several categories for the 54th Annual Grammy Awards, as well as feature performances by past Grammy winners and/or nominees; additional performers and presenters will be announced shortly. more on this story



Watch Kelly Clarkson Today
(popmusiclife) The day her new album, "Stronger," was released, Kelly Clarkson stopped by The Today Show for an interview and live performance.

Kelly was asked by host Matt Lauer about her thoughts on the new album. "It's my favorite album, it's the best one," she said. "Sonically, it sounds better …I think people know me better as a singer. Just the mics we used, the producers that worked with me, it was really smooth."

There's more Kelly on TV this week, including The View (Wed) and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (Fri). Check out Kelly on Today here



Hot Chelle Rae Set New Album release
Hot Chelle Rae have set a November 29th release date for their sophomore album, Whatever, on RCA Records.

The album was produced by Emanuel Kiriakou (Jason Derulo, Selena Gomez), Evan Bogart (Adam Lambert, Rihanna), S*A*M & Sluggo (Boys Like Girls, Cobra Starship, Gym Class Heroes) and up-and-coming production trio Andrew Goldstein, Dan Book, and Alexei Misoul.

"It's funny because the music we listen to has always centered around pop," says lead guitarist Nash Overstreet. "And I think the success of 'Tonight Tonight' showed us that a lot of people like the same kind of music that we do." more on this story



Coldplay And Kelly Clarkson Lead This Week's New Pop Releases
(popmusiclife) New albums by Coldplay and Kelly Clarkson lead this week's list of new music releases.

Coldplay will have a huge smash with their new "Mylo Xyloto" album; the band were named "Best Act In The World Today" at this year's Q Awards ceremony in London on Monday.

Clarkson is back with "Stronger," featuring the first single, "Mr. Know It All." Kelly will be performing at the 2011 American Music Awards in Los Angeles on November 20. more on this story



American Idol's Kendra Chantelle Sets Album Release
Last season American Idol finalist Kendra Chantelle will be releasing her debut album "Unthinkable" on November 7, 2011

Having recently spent time in the studio with producers Elvis "Blacelvis" Williams (Beyonce, Ludacris, Ciara, Kelly Rowland, Fergie, Jamie Foxx) and Grammy Award winning producer Harold Lilly (Beyonce, Alicia Keys, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia) at Upstairs Studios in Atlanta, GA.

"This recording process has been so comfortable and almost effortless," states Kendra about the recording process. "Elvis, Harold and I all just do what comes naturally to us and it works so well together...to me, that's a sign that it's the right combo. I've heard if you do what you love, you'll never work a day in your life and I finally understand that. We have spent long days and late nights in the studio but it has yet to feel like 'work.'" more on this story



Mazzy Star Releasing New Single and Limited Edition Vinyl
(Sub) Mazzy Star are set to release a new single on their own Rhymes Of An Hour Records on October 31st digitally with a limited edition 7-inch vinyl to follow.

The Californian duo comprising of Hope Sandoval and David Roback, will perform a string of live shows in early 2012. A full album of brand new material will follow.

The music of Mazzy Star has enthralled music fans around the world since their stunning debut She Hangs Brightly in 1990. After releasing another two impressive and captivating albums, So Tonight That I Might See (1993) and Among My Swan (1996), both members spent time working on separate projects as well as working together. "Common Burn" and "Lay Myself Down" were written and performed by Hope Sandoval and David Roback. The tracks were recorded in California, London and Norway.

You can hear "Lay Myself Down" here.



The Twilight Singers To Release Live Album Next Month
The Twilight Singers will release their first ever live album Live In New York on November 15th.

Recorded at Webster Hall in New York City this past May, the show was easily one of the highlights from the band's world tour in support of their latest release Dynamite Steps. Live In New York features 21 songs from the band's entire career including: "Teenage Wristband," "I'm Ready," "Annie Mae," "On The Corner" and many others.

Live In New York will be released digitally worldwide. However, a limited edition deluxe double CD will be made available directly thru the band's website beginning today: www.thetwilightsingers.com. more on this story



The Good Natured Set For First Public Shows In American
The Good Natured will perform select U.S. dates in January 2012, their first ever American shows outside of SXSW

They will be touring in support of their first U.S. release Skeleton, which was just released digitally.

This expanded 7-track U.S.-only version includes the songs from the band's acclaimed U.K. EPs Skeleton and Be My Animal plus a bonus remix. more on this story



Real World's Puck Sentenced For Domestic Violence Arrest
(TMZ) Legendary "Real World" troublemaker David "Puck" Rainey needs to learn how to be a better father ... at least according to an L.A. judge -- who sentenced the reality star to parenting classes after his recent domestic violence arrest.

As we previously reported, Puck was busted on suspicion of felony corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant back in June.

It's unclear exactly what happened during the incident, but it's likely his kid was present -- because Puck was charged with child endangerment and contributing to delinquency of minor ... in addition to domestic battery and corporal injury on a spouse.

Puck struck a deal with prosecutors yesterday -- in which two counts, child endangerment and corporal injury on a spouse, were dismissed. In exchange, Puck pled "no contest" to domestic battery and contributing to delinquency of a minor.

The judge sentenced Puck to 4 years probation -- in addition to a 52-week domestic violence counseling program and 52 parenting classes.

If that wasn't bad enough, Puck also has to complete 30 days of reflective orange vest-wearing highway clean-up patrol.

Today's Day In Rock!

Aerosmith's Steven Tyler Hospitalized After Fall
(hennemusic) Steven Tyler's shower accident on Tuesday is being blamed on dehydration as a result of food poisoning.

TMZ reports sources connected to the Aerosmith singer tell them Tyler was suffering from dehydration caused by a bout of food poisoning when he collapsed in a Paraguay hotel shower .

Tyler was treated at a hospital in Paraguay's capital for injuries to his face, including the loss of two teeth and cuts to his eyebrow and mouth. more on this story



Metallica Working On New Album
Metallica are a week away from releasing 'Lulu,' their project album with Lou Reed, but Robert Trujillo says the band is already working on the next Metallica album.

Trujillo tells Gulf News, "We've been busy writing and recording. We've got a couple of new songs we have been working on the past couple of weeks. The writing process for the new Metallica album has begun.

"We've been in the studio with Rick Rubin, working on a couple of things, and we're going to be recording during the most of next year. We've got a lot of work ahead of us. But the great thing is that we have sort of already jumped off the launch pad and we're swimming. It's happening. It's reality. It's a lot of fun, there are a lot of ideas, and we're really excited about the new record.

"For me, personally, Death Magnetic was the launch pad for the next record. This is the beginning of something very, very cool."
They covered a lot more ground, check out the full interview here



The Black Keys Slam MTV and Black Eyed Peas
(Banana 101.5) The Black Keys won a 2010 MTV Video Music Award for 'Tighten Up' that mistakenly said Black Eyed Peas on the trophy. The band recently trashed the cable network and the multi-platinum pop group regarding the incident.

Dan Auerbach, frontman of the alt-rock duo The Black Keys, recently spoke with GQ about the typo on their Video Music Award for 'Breakthrough Video' they received last September:

"I was just like, Wow. A channel that's never respected us or played us to f— us like that? [laughs] I mean, MTV is kind of a joke now anyway — what's more funny than that? We figured that we should get proper ones made with our names on it, because in 20 years, nobody's going to know who the Black Eyed Peas are. more on this story



Hear New Megadeth Song
(Loudwire) Megadeth have posted a stream of 'Black Swan,' a song from their forthcoming album 'TH1RT3EN,' which comes out Nov. 1.

The song was originally released as a bonus track for members of the band's fan club as a pre-order bonus in 2007.

The new version of the track features cleaner production courtesy of Johnny K and more intricate lead guitar work.

Get more details and take a listen here.



First Look At Ace Frehley's Autobiography
(hennemusic) In less than a week, music fans will have their hands on the latest rock n roll autobiography, this one from original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley.

"No Regrets: A Rock N' Roll Memoir," will be out November 1. Co-written by New York Times journalist Joe Layden, the book is being billed as "a funny, truthful, candid memoir about a hard-drinking, drug-addicted, music-loving guitar player who lived life as a rock star and survived to tell the tale."

Publishers Simon & Schuster are offering Frehley fans a first look at some of the new book, as they are sharing an excerpt: Chapter 1 – entitled "A Bronx Tale." more on this story



Jason Bonham On Air Interviews and Acoustic Set
Jason Bonham will be interviewed live this morning (Wednesday, October 26) on "Good Day New York" at 9:40 AM EST (9:30-10:00am).

Jason will discuss the creation of the acclaimed concert Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience--which celebrates the life and music of his father, the legendary Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham.

Tune in to "Good Day New York" or watch online here during the 9:30-10:00 AM broadcast. On Friday morning (October 28), Jason and his band will perform an on-air acoustic session and interview on Q104 NY's world famous "Jim Kerr Rock & Roll Morning Show." Tune in at 8:00 AM ET to listen live or view it online here.

On Thursday, October 27, JASON Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience will kick off their final run. more on this story



Angels & Airwaves Announce New Member and Early Album Release
Scoop sent over big news for Angels & Airwaves fans. The group have announced a new member and fans have away to get their new album next week.

Last year, Angels & Airwaves (AVA) gave away nearly one million downloads of their album LOVE Part One. This summer, more than 460 U.S. movie theaters broadcast the one-night-only Angels & Airwaves Presents LOVE Live event. Now, AVA is poised to release LOVE Part Two (To The Stars Records), just as the band welcomes new member Ilan Rubin into the fold.

On Monday, October 31, LOVE Part Two's second single, "Surrender," will be world premiered on KROQ/LA's "Kevin & Bean" show and will also be made available as iTunes' free "Single of the Week." Additionally, iTunes will exclusively offer the full LOVE Part Two album for one week beginning November 1. Concurrently on iTunes, fans will also be able to purchase last year's LOVE Part One album, as well as the thought-provoking movie LOVE that Variety praised as "an impressive show of imagination and design." LOVE Part One, Part Two and LOVE (the movie) will be available at retail outlets on November 8 through Rocket Science/RED, while AVAshop.com will unveil three special packages. more on this story



Tool Members Reunite on New Feersum Ennjin Album
Feersum Ennjin have delayed their album release to make room for another member of Tool.

The new rock band from former Tool bass player/Lusk founder Paul D'Amour, has moved their self-titled debut album to a Nov. 22 release date to add a new song ("The Fourth") that reunites D'Amour with his former band mate Danny Carey (drummer for Tool).

D'Amour and Carey last worked together on the 1995 release of Tool's album Aenima. Initial thoughts were to save the new song for the next Feersum Ennjin release but D'Amour was eager to share the track and a decision to push the release of Feersum Ennjin to Nov. 22 to allow for the inclusion of "The Fourth" was made. Facebook link



Beach Boys Lost Smile Album Coming Next Week
It gave us Good Vibrations and we will soon hear the rest of the lost Beach Boys album, SMiLe, which is being released on November 1st as "SMiLE Sessions" in various formats.

With the full participation of original Beach Boys Al Jardine, Mike Love, and Brian Wilson, Capitol/EMI has, for the first time, collected and compiled the band's legendary 1966-'67 sessions for the never-completed SMiLE album. Rolling Stone magazine recently called SMiLE "the most famous unfinished album in rock & roll history."

In several sessions between the summer of 1966 and early 1967, The Beach Boys recorded a bounty of songs and drafts for an album, SMiLE, that was intended to follow the band's 1966 album, Pet Sounds. The master tapes were ultimately shelved, and The Beach Boys' SMiLE has never been released. Drawn from the original masters, SMiLE Sessions presents an in-depth overview of The Beach Boys' recording sessions for the enigmatic album, which has achieved legendary, mythical status for music fans around
the world. more on this story



Pearl Jam, Tom Waits & Coldplay Lead Their Week's New Releases
(hennemusic) A DVD from Pearl Jam and new music from Tom Waits and Coldplay lead this week's list of new music releases.

Following its film premiere, a night in theaters, and a PBS broadcast, the "Pearl Jam Twenty" DVD finally hits stores.

Tom Waits is back with "Bad As Me," his first studio album in 7 years and Coldplay have a huge release with "Mylo Xyloto." A look at some more of the rock releases in stores this week.



Ozzy Osbourne A Best Seller
(hennemusic) Ozzy Osbourne has yet another hit on his hands. His new book, "Trust Me, I'm Dr. Ozzy," has entered the New York Times Best Sellers List in the #12 spot.

Published October 11, it's part memoir and part advice columns; the collection features the best of his writings from Rolling Stone (U.S.) and the Sunday Times (U.K.), with some additional material thrown in.

The publishers describe the book as 100% Ozzy - part memoir and part advice column, delivered with Ozzy's famous wit and humor. Comprised of reader-submitted medical and lifestyle questions, Ozzy digs deep into his murky past, searching for pearls of "wisdom." more on this story



Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here Immersion And Experience Editions
(Sub) EMI have set a November 8th release date for the Immersion and Experience editions of Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here, following on from the phenomenal success of the Immersion and Experience editions of the The Dark Side Of The Moon, which proved that pigs can fly!

This second phase of EMI's imaginative Pink Floyd re-issues and extended releases, also includes A Foot In The Door - The Best Of Pink Floyd, with new artwork by Storm Thorgerson and the track listing personally chosen by David Gilmour, Roger Waters and Nick Mason.

Wish You Were Here, Pink Floyd's ninth studio album, was recorded at London's Abbey Road Studios, and, when originally released in September 1975, it shot to the top of the charts in both the UK and US. The mood of the album is one of absence, which includes one of the most majestic and poignant songs of all time "Shine On You Crazy Diamond," a track inspired by former bandmate Syd Barrett. more on this story



Nada Surf Debut New Song Online
Nada Surf have set a January 24, 2012 release date for their new album, The Stars Are Indifferent To Astronomy, and you can hear one of the new tracks right now.

NPR debuted the first track, "When I Was Young," yesterday. Fans can now grab, share and re-post the free download from NPR more.

Unlike all of the other Nada Surf records, Stars was made with a distinct attempt to capture their live sound. "We've always played faster and a little harder live," Caws says, "but we'd play so carefully in the studio. So with this album, we made a conscious decision to preserve what it felt like in the practice room, when you play with that new-song energy. Just embrace it and not worry whether we're overdoing it, kind of get all the thinking out of the way." The tempos are high, but the songs bristle with hooks, breathtaking changes, and Nada Surf's trademark genius bridges. The educated ear will hear the influence of many bands from '60s Brit-pop to post-punk and vintage indie, and yet there is an unmistakable Nada Surf sound: a certain rhythm section groove, introspective chord shapes and the unique emotional weight to Caws's voice, both boyish and very soulful, a combination of wisdom and vulnerability.




Limited Edition Elvis Costello Box Set Coming
UMe have set a December 6, 2011 release date for a new 3-disc (CD, DVD, 10" vinyl EP) live box set from Elvis Costello & the Imposters called 'The Return Of The Spectacular Spinning Songbook,' which recorded over a 2-night stand at The Wiltern in Los Angeles on May 11 and 12, 2011.

Limited to 1500 copies worldwide, each set is individually numbered with a special commemoration card personally signed by Elvis Costello.

The first disc is a CD recording culled from both nights' performances, shows which The Los Angeles Times said were "the kind of uniquely invigorating experience that warrants a buzzword all its own: inspiring." more on this story



Drive A Fall Tour
Drive A are hitting the road for another round of tour dates after a busy summer and fall.

A supporting stint on Black Veil Brides tour begins November 10th at the Regency Ballroom- San Francisco, CA.

The trek will be followed by the band's headlining Lets Get Wrecked Tour with guests The Frantic which starts December 1. more on this story



Slash Wants Rory Gallagher To Rock The Hall
(Gibson) Former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash is campaigning for Irish guitar great Rory Gallagher to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

According to the Daily Express, Gallagher fans have set up a petition to get the Irish blues player (who died in 1995 after a liver transplant) inducted, and Slash is backing them.

Slash tweeted, "Please sign this petition to help get Rory Gallagher inducted into RRHF." more on this story



August Burns Red Headlining Tour
August Burns Red will be hitting the road in the new year for a 2012 North American headlining tour.

The seven week tour runs from January 13-March 3, hitting 41 cities along the way. Supporting ABR are Silverstein, Texas In July, Letlive. (Jan 13-29) and I, The Breather (Jan 31-Mar 3).

The band is currently in the midst of a European tour in support of A Day To RemembeR and will return home to close out 2011 with what has a become an annual tradition, a post Christmas show in the band's hometown of Lancaster, PA. more on this story



Liam Won't Do Oasis Reunion
(Gibson) After Liam Gallagher talked about the possibility of Oasis working together again for the 20th anniversary of their seminal (What's The Story) Morning Glory? album, older brother Noel has said he's not interested.

According to NME.com, Noel Gallagher told the BBC: "I left that band for a reason and that reason still stands."

One reunion he does support is of his friends in the Stone Roses. "We'd known for a while and were sworn to secrecy," Gallagher The Daily Star. "It's great for the fans and for them and nice feeling just to see them together after so long. I love them as friends and as a band. They've been split for 15 years; we split up 15 minutes ago. We're all waiting for The Smiths to do it. They say it won't happen but they said the same about the Roses." more on this story



Foster The People Letterman Concert Online Today
(KROQ) Foster The People will perform an exclusive Live on Letterman concert direct from the legendary stage of New York's Ed Sullivan Theater.

The entire concert will stream live today, October 26th at 9pm ET/ 6pm PT at KROQ's site and on CBS.com.

About ten months ago, neo-psychedelic indie band, Foster the People, was playing a month of free residency shows at a small Los Angeles venue called the Echo. more on this story



John Lennon Comic Book Coming
We received the following word that a John Lennon comic book is coming this December. Here are the details:

In the pantheon of musical legends, John Lennon is at the top of the mountain, if not the king of the mountain. From his time with the Beatles and his solo projects, he asked the world to ignore borders and divisions, and instead he encouraged the average person to embrace what brings people together. And when his life ended viciously from an assassin's bullet in 1980, the music industry, and the world, lost an advocate for peace, love and true musicality.

Now Bluewater shares Lennon's story as part of Bluewater Comics "Orbit" series. Orbit: John Lennon will hit comic book stores in Dec. 2011 in time for the anniversary of his passing. more on this story



Rod Stewart: The Hits Run Expanded
Rod Stewart returns to the Colosseum at Caesars Palace for the second year of his Las Vegas residency, Rod Stewart: The Hits.

Stewart is kicking-off the remaining concerts of 2011, November 3 – 20, and eight concerts have just been added in the Spring of 2012 to meet the overwhelming fan demand for tickets.

Tickets for the first eight performances of Rod Stewart: The Hits. in 2012 from March 24 – April 7 will go on-sale beginning Saturday, October 29 at 10 a.m. PDT. more on this story



Jakob Dylan, Guster and The Polish Ambassador Free Vail Snow Daze Shows
Vail Snow Daze 2011 festival lineup will include free, headline concerts from Yukon Kornelius, Jakob Dylan and his band, Guster and The Polish Ambassador. The festival takes place Dec. 5-11, 2011.

"We're pleased to bring another world-class lineup to Vail for Snow Daze," said Adam Sutner, director of sales and marketing for Vail Mountain. "At Vail, we've made a commitment to providing first-rate entertainment that's equal to our mountain experience - this year will be no different. We're especially proud that Snow Daze has become a much-anticipated annual event for our fans and guests from all over the U.S. and the world. As with the last three years, we are pleased to offer this to our guests entirely for free."

Star-studded super group Yukon Kornelius returns to Vail to headline a free concert on Saturday, Dec. 10, presented by Bud Light. Anchored by Dave Matthews Band bassist Stephan Lessard and joined by Ed Robertson ofBarenaked Ladies, Adam Gardner of Guster and Eric Fawcett from Spymob, YukonKornelius' shows are known for being both rare and packed with special guest appearances. Attendees of the Yukon Kornelius show in Vail can expect to hear plenty of classic covers as well as songs from each of the members' respective bands. more on this story



SSS Confirm Tour Dates
SSS have announced the final dates for their forthcoming headlining European tour, which kicks off this Friday, October 28th in Lisbon, Portugal.

The band will be hitting the road in support of their new album, Problems To The Answer, and it will be the first full tour with new members Stu Taylor (guitar) and Dave Archer (drums).

SSS frontman Foxy comments: "2011 has been a turbulent time for SSS but now we are finally in a position to tour our new record, Problems to the Answer. The new lads, Stu and Dave, are eager to get out on the road and we are all counting down the days. We will hit 11 countries this time around. We can expect the unexpected as we're taking this tour back down to a DIY level, which we think best suits the band's outlook. See you all very soon..." more on this story



X Japan Cancel Beijing Concert
X Japan had the following bad news for their fans in China: It is with great regret that X Japan announces the cancellation of the band's November 2 date in Beijing.

Chinese officials had issued a permit and were supportive. The cancellation is due to a last-minute decision by the promoters that included technical and production issues.

The members of X Japan are devastated by not being able to play Beijing. The band hopes to reschedule a show in Beijing in the near future. more on this story



Young Statues Set Album Release
(ESM) Young Statues will release its forthcoming self-titled debut record in the UK via Banquet Records in November.

The album will be released in the U.S. through Run For Cover Records on November 8th. Also announced is the release of the album as part of Doghouse Records' Cassette Series.

Young Statues has landed a support slot on The Early November's landmark reunion show taking place on 11/26 at Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, N, alongside Hit The Lights and The Dangerous Summer. more on this story



Singled Out: Adakain's Sky is Falling
Today Jason Schauer of Adakain tells us about "Sky is Falling" from their new EP "Silhouette Of Lies". Here is the story:

The writing process for our newest EP "Silhouette Of Lies" was substantially different from our previous album. We took ample amount of time to really find the sound that defines us as a band. We practically lived in our rehearsal spot for months on end holding nothing back experimenting with different sounds, melodies, and tones. Riffs came out left and right and we would try to fuse them together as best we could sometimes working sometimes not so much. We wrote about 15 or 20 songs before we decided to take the material to the studio in Knoxville, TN.

The song "Sky Is Falling" was quite a bit different lyrically and melodically before we entered the studio. It just didn't seem to really capture the vision of the song so with us living in an RV park down the road from the studio we pretty much would eat, sleep and write the album. Needless to say the final melody and lyrics got finished in the studio.

"Sky Is Falling" is about the inevitable ending of something great in your life. It could be someone you are in a relationship with or a good friend. The list goes on and that's what I love about this song is that it can be inturpreted in so many different ways. The phrase " Sky is Falling" resembles all of the negative repercussions from the situation falling down on you. This song is definitely one of my favs.

THE HOLY GRAIL OF INTERVIEWS - STEVE PERRY:

I am very excited to announce that I have completed a phone interview this morning with the legendary former vocalist of Journey - Steve Perry. It is the first time I have ever spoken to Mr. Perry and was grateful for him to blow right past our scheduled 20 minute interview time to talk for no less than 80 minutes! While I had a lifetime of questions at the ready, we did manage to cover a lot of ground in that time and I look forward to bringing that interview to MelodicRock.com very shortly. The interview was at 4.15am local time and I couldn't get back to sleep afterwards. The interview fills a long held desire to interview Steve and I can't wait to showcase the Feature Interview asap.
Steve Perry is promoting the release of Journey's Greatest Hits 2 compilation, plus the Vinyl Remaster release of Greatest Hits 1 and his own solo album Street Talk.
Sony Music have just released sizzle real's for both releases via YouTube. Check them out now:

B-Sides

Today's Stories


Watch Eddie Vedder Unplugged
(hennemusic) Neil Young hosted and presented the 25th Anniversary Bridge School Benefit Concert this past weekend.

The Saturday concert was streamed live and carried by hennemusic. The first of two days included performances by Norah Jones, Beck, Mumford & Sons, Los Invisibles featuring Carlos Santana, Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds, Arcade Fire and more.

Eddie Vedder was also on hand to deliver an acoustic set, featuring covers, solo material and Pearl Jam tracks. Vedder invited a couple of guests to join him at different points: Beck, and Regine Chassagne from Arcade Video of the full Vedder set has surfaced, check it out

Watch Puscifer's Weird New Video
(Banana 101.5) Maynard James Keenan brings his signature brand of weird to the trailer park in Puscifer's brand new music video for the title track off of their new album — 'Conditions of My Parole'.

Maynard jumps head first into the sophomore album with his genre-blending side project Puscifer. Their album 'Conditions of My Parole' hit stores last week and the band will begin a tour supporting the release shortly.

When you're the frontman of two highly conceptual, no nonsense art-rock bands like Tool and A Perfect Circle, it's gotta feel good to cut loose every once in a while and inject some comedy into your work. That's exactly how Maynard & Co. approached this video that features the band rocking out in a cramped trailer, a ton of creeper 'stache close-ups, and plenty of Maynard's beer gut. Check it out here



Rick Ross Seizure 911 Call Online
(TMZ) TMZ has obtained the 911 call placed moments after Rick Ross suffered his first seizure on board a commercial airplane earlier this month.

According to the caller -- a rep for Delta airlines -- the plane was landing for a medical emergency involving a first class passenger ... but the caller never identifies Rick Ross by name.

As we first reported, Rick suffered another seizure later that same day ... on a separate flight.

Ross postponed an L.A. concert last weekend after promoters felt it was in his best interest to take a break. Listen here



See J.Lo's New American Idol Promo
(popmusiclife) The new Season 11 of American Idol promo commercial features all four of the usual suspects, individually walking down the street, being followed by aspiring singers for the reality signing competition….then the four come together as they lead a crowd to Idol auditions.

In the video, Jennifer walks along the street and sees a girl group singing; she waves, they looked shocked to see her, and then end up following her down the road.

Expect to see more of these in the weeks ahead and, especially, as the January start date draws nearer. Check out this promo here.



Watch Jane's Addiction Rock Letterman
(hennemusic) Jane's Addiction's new album, "The Great Escape Artist," was released last week.

Right now, there's only two scheduled concerts on the band's horizon: a December 7 gig in Vegas and a December 30 show in Hawaii.

"The Great Escape Artist, is the band's fifth studio album, and first in eight years. Monday night, the Jane's crew stopped by David Letterman's show to perform "Underground" from the new record. Check it out here



Behind The Scenes With Def Leppard
(hennemusic) Def Leppard continue their Mirror Ball tour, which launched in Belfast back in June. The band has produced a series of videos documenting the trip.

The 3rd installment of Leppard's "behind-the-scenes" look at the world tour takes fans to Western Australia, where the band recently participated in the Channel Seven Telethon Trust, a charitable trust dedicated to raising funds to improve the lives of children throughout the region.

The video brings you backstage with the band warming up and getting ready for their show, as well as on-set for a special performance of "Two Steps Behind." Check it out



It's The Great Pumpkin, Sebastian Bach
(hennemusic) Even rockers have Halloween spirit. This past weekend, Sebastian Bach and girlfriend Minnie Gupta were filmed searching for pumpkins in West Hollywood.

The couple stopped by Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch to check out the selection and pick up a few things for the upcoming seasonal event.

The two were hounded by paparazzi, as you can hear camera shutters going off like crazy in the short clip. more on this story



Wear A Winning Charlie Sheen Halloween Costume
(TMZ) Leave it to the Warlock to cash in on Halloween -- TMZ has learned, the actor has partnered with a massive costume chain to sell Charlie Sheen-themed accoutrements just for All Hallows' Eve ... and they're selling out like crazy.

Sources close to Sheen tell TMZ, Spirit Halloween stores hammered out a deal with both Charlie and Live Nation to obtain all necessary Sheen licenses -- but wouldn't specify on the actor's cut.

People at several stores tell us the mask is an especially hot item -- with several locations currently awaiting new shipments to fill outstanding orders.

No word on sales numbers for the Ashton Kutcher costume.
more on this story



A Look At Peter Green's Legacy
(Gibson) Peter Green is far from the lean, furry-faced rock star who fronted the original incarnation of Fleetwood Mac and wrote such insanely great blues-infused classics as "Black Magic Woman" and "Oh Well." But for all of his trials with mental and physical health issues, Green, who turns 65 on October 29, remains active on the rock and blues trail.

One of the fundamental architects of the mid-to-late 1960s Gibson Les Paul Standard sunburst sound, Green was Eric Clapton's replacement in John Mayall's Bluesbreakers. He smeared transcendent guitar all over 1967's A Hard Road, setting a creative bar in British blues with his interpretations of classics like Elmore James' "Dust My Broom" and Freddie King's "The Stumble," plus contributing his own now-classic songs "The Same Way" and the instrumental "The Supernatural," which remains the tonal textbook for balancing volume, sustain and natural reverb.

That same year Green ventured off with Mayall's rhythm section to form Fleetwood Mac. Over the next three years and four studio albums, Green's version of Fleetwood Mac were at the creative forefront of the blues-rock movement, quickly creating a catalog that includes "Black Magic Woman," the instrumental hit "Albatross," "Oh Well," "Man of the World," "Rattlesnake Shake" and "The Green Manalishi." Those tunes remain touchstones for any guitarist serious about exploring the best of British blues. more on this story



Milton Bradley Denies Threatening To Kill His Wife
(TMZ) Former L.A. Dodgers outfielder Milton Bradley claims he never once threatened to kill his estranged wife -- insisting she's an attention-grabbing liar who's been falsely accusing him of domestic violence for years.

Milton filed docs in L.A. County Superior Court recently, responding to Monique Bradley's attempt to obtain a restraining order against him this month -- claiming it's all based on lies.

As we first reported, Monique filed a request for a restraining order against Milton -- after he allegedly threatened to kill her with a gun -- but Milton is adamant ... any claims of wrongdoing are "absolutely false."

Milton claims Monique "has a habit of making false charges" against him -- and he cites several examples over the last few years, including last month, when Monique accused Milton of swinging a bat at her ... which he also denies doing.

Milton and Monique filed dueling divorce petitions after the alleged bat-swinging incident last month. Milton is asking a judge to dismiss the restraining order and award him joint custody of their two sons ... aged 5 and 2.

Today's Day In Pop!

Today's Full Report


They Might Be Giants' Album Raises New and Troubling Questions
They Might Be Giants will be releasing a new digital album next month. Here is the info we were sent:

They Might Be Giants released their new album, Join Us, this summer through Idlewild/Rounder Records. Join Us finds the Brooklyn originals returning to rock and to their singular sensibility that made them an instant phenomenon in the world of alternative rock. In the many months spent making and then promoting the album, the band recorded several new tracks, not all of which made it onto the album.

The band has compiled the best of these recordings to create a brand new full-length, made up of rarities and many previously unheard tracks. The resulting record is titled Album Raises New and Troubling Questions and will be released via Amazon and iTunes November 11 through Idlewild Recordings. more on this story



Madonna's Homeless Brother Living Under A Bridge
(superLOUD) Is the Material Girl so materialistic that she can't help out family from living on the street?

Apparently not, according to The Michigan Messenger, who interviewed Madonna's brother Anthony Ciccone. Anthony told the paper:

"My family turned their back on me, basically, when I was having a hard time. You think I haven't answered this kind of question a bazillion times — why my sister is a multibazillionarie, and I'm homeless on the street?" Something tells us there are two sides to the story



Janet Jackson Reschedules Tour To Support Family Over Michael Jackson Death Trial
(popmusiclife) Janet Jackson is rescheduling part of her Australian tour so she can support her family during the trial of the doctor accused of involuntary manslaughter in her brother Michael's death.

Entertainment Weekly reports the shows for her "Number Ones" tour were scheduled in Melbourne on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday; to make them up, she'll perform one night, on November 3, in Rod Laver Arena.

She thanked her fans for their support and understanding. "When I planned these shows, the schedule in California was completely different," she said in a Sunday statement to The Associated Press. more on this story



Lindsay Lohan To Pose Nude For Playboy
(TMZ) Lindsay Lohan is shooting nude photos for Playboy -- TMZ has confirmed -- and LiLo don't strip for peanuts ... the spread will earn her almost a million dollars!

Sources tell us the deal has been in the works for months, and that Lindsay balked at an initial $750K offer because she wanted ... ONE MILLION dollars ... to show the world what her momma gave her (apologies for the DiLo reference).

We're told Hugh Hefner and Co. recently came back to Lindsay with an offer less than her asking price -- but close enough for her to sign on the dotted line. No word yet on which issue Linds will be featured in ... but it's a good bet she'll be on the cover.

Lindsay's rep said, "I can neither confirm or deny at this time." Playboy didn't immediately respond to our email or phone call.

According to sources, the shoot started over the weekend -- which means Linds was juggling her court ordered morgue duties ... with getting nekkid. more on this story



Christina Aguilera and Justin Bieber Added To AMAs
(popmusiclife) Christina Aguilera and Justin Bieber are among the artists confirmed to perform at the 2011 American Music Awards.

On Monday, producers announced more acts for the November 20 broadcast event, including Mary J. Blige, and Kelly Clarkson, who will join previously confirmed artists, including Katy Perry and Pitbull.

Artists will be honored in the categories of Pop/Rock, Country, Rap/Hip-Hop, Soul/R&B, Alternative, Adult Contemporary, Latin, and Contemporary Inspirational. more on this story



Hear Justin Bieber and Usher Duet
(popmusiclife) Justin Bieber's new Christmas duet with Usher was premiered on Ryan Seacrest's radio show Monday morning.

"The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)" will be featured on Justin's new album, "Under The Mistletoe," due November 1.

"Justin and I did the classic record 'Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire.' This record is going to be remembered for years to come," Usher told Seacrest. "It's a record that has always been one of my favorites, and I'm happy that I was able to share it with Justin, and for us to put it out. The album is full of surprises. Justin's 'Under The Mistletoe' is going to be incredible!" Listen to the song here



Major Publishers Won't Make Book Deal With Casey Anthony
(TMZ) The NBC producer trying to score a book deal for Casey Anthony may be S.O.L. ... because the biggest names in the publishing biz tell TMZ ... they want absolutely NOTHING to do with tot mom.

We broke the story ... an NBC news producer has contacted literary agents and told them Casey has agreed to do a TV interview with the network if he can lock up a book deal.

But according to the three publishing powerhouses -- that ain't happening ... just check out the statements we received regarding a possible Casey Anthony publishing deal:

Simon and Schuster: "We are 100% not interested. We are NOT NOT NOT interested. Simon & Schuster is not publishing, and has never intended to publish, any book by Casey Anthony, her family, or any member of her team.

Harper Collins: "We are planning on publishing the Prosecutor's book who was involved in the Casey Anthony case, so we have no plans in releasing a Casey Anthony book. We're sticking with the prosecutor."

Penguin Group: "We have no plans on doing a book deal with Casey Anthony."

Another publisher went so far as to say, "Hell no ... it's blood money." more on this story



Tara Reid Never Really Married
(TMZ) That wedding Tara Reid just couldn't shut up about -- she should've shut up about ... because she now admits the marriage was never legal.

Tara seemed totally out of it at LAX when a TMZ camera guy asked if she and her husband could win the Newlywed Game.

While not quite, "In the butt, Bob" -- Tara's slurred response was still pretty awesome ... as she confessed she was "never really married."

You might recall, Tara and Zack Kehayov had a surprise wedding in the Greek Isles in August ... which she tweeted about endlessly. Tara says she and Zack never made it a legal union here in the U.S.A. more on this story



Southland Star In Real Life Gun Drama With LAPD
(TMZ) "Southland" star Michael Cudlitz was riding shotgun with the LAPD during a police ride-along this weekend ... when suddenly, a call came in about a "man with a gun" ... and Cudlitz's car raced to the scene.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... the piece turned out to be an "air soft" gun, which looked like a real firearm, but shoots plastic pellets instead of real bullets. The man in question was not arrested.

The gun drama was just one of several calls Cudlitz's car responded to that night ... while Michael was doing research for his role as a cop on the TNT show.

We're told Cudlitz got some great real-life experience as his unit patrolled Hollywood Blvd. ... while the cops made sure the actor was never in harm's way.

Sources tell us Cudlitz impressed everyone by asking a ton of questions and even puling a double shift -- 12 p.m. until 3 a.m.

Cudlitz isn't the first actor to participate in an LAPD ride-along -- back in July, Jake Gyllenhaal witnessed the aftermath of a gang shooting while he was doing research for a movie role. more on this story



Jennifer Lopez Break Down Not About Marc Anthony
(TMZ) Jennifer Lopez is telling friends ... she didn't break down on stage Saturday night because of Marc Anthony -- or any other ex for that matter -- she choked up because she was thinking about her kids.

During part of her performance at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut -- when she sang "Until It Beats No More" -- several dancers dressed as men from her past ... like Diddy, Cris Judd, and Ben Affleck ... and Jennifer teared up, telling the crowd, "I took a trip down memory lane."

But sources tell TMZ, Jennifer is claiming it wasn't her exes who brought her to tears ... it was a picture of the singer and her babies that was displayed on the jumbo-tron during her performance.

According to sources, the photo -- shot for a Gucci ad last fall -- has some serious sentimental value to J.Lo ... and when she saw the image during an already emotional performance ... it pushed her over the edge. more on this story



Get Kardashian In The Bathroom
(TMZ) The Kardashian family is expanding their massive empire ... and soon you won't be able to eat, sleep or use the bathroom without a Kardashian in your life.

TMZ has learned ... the K-gang has filed documents with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to use the name "Kardashian Kollection Home" on an upcoming product line.

According to the documents, the Kardashians plan to use the trademark on everything from bath mats, to hand towels, pillow covers, sheets, golf towels, football towels, linens candlesticks and even beer mugs!!!

The K-squad also wants to use the name on flatware, kitchen knives, picture frames and window blinds too.

Sources close to the family tell TMZ ... there's no specific timetable on when they expect to begin selling the products ... but one person tells us, "The towels are SUPER soft."

Today's Day In Rock!

Metallica Making 3D Film
(Banana 101.5) The latest reports from Hollywood say metal giants Metallica are gearing up for an unspecified 3D film project.

Respected Hollywood news source Deadline.com is reporting that Metallica are self-financing a 3D film and have enlisted 'Journey to the Center of the Earth' producer Charlotte Huggins to help.

They are currently looking around for a director with the chops necessary to bring a Metallica-style feature to the big screen. more on this story



Axl Rose Halts Guns N' Roses Concert
(hennemusic) It's been a rough week for Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose in Mexico. On Tuesday, he slipped on stage in Mexico City at the first of four shows in the country, and Sunday night in Monterrey, Axl stopped the concert, entirely, about a minute after it began, when fans threw objects onto the stage.

In fan-shot video, it looks like a single drink hits center stage near Axl's feet and spills liquid on the floor, which caught the singer's attention just seconds into the show's opening number, "Chinese Democracy."

Rose shut the band down immediately, waving them off as the song came to a crashing halt. The singer then threatened that the group would pack up and leave. "Is that what you wanna do?" asked Axl. "'Cause we will go home," he threatened. The rest of the story and the video here



Bono Unsure About U2's Future
(Gibson) After recently completing the highest-grossing tour of all time and working on a deluxe reissue on 1991's Achtung Baby, it seems that U2 aren't sure where they are headed next. In an interview with Rolling Stone, frontman Bono talked about questioning the band's relevance.

"I'm not so sure the future hasn't dried up," said Bono, who revealed he's been taking heat from his bandmates for such talk. "The band are like, 'Will you shut up about being irrelevant?'"

Although the singer said he'd be content with ending U2 in 2011 ("We'd be very pleased to end on No Line on the Horizon"), he also doubted that the band would actually stop. Bono said that working on the deluxe Achtung project has helped light the band's way to a possible future. "Ironically, being forced to look back at this period reminds me of how we might re-emerge for the next phase," Bono said. "And that doesn't mean that you have to wear some mad welder's goggles or dress up in women's clothing. Reinvention is much deeper than that." more on this story



Pearl Jam Deliver Not For You Video
(hennemusic) Pearl Jam have released footage of "Not For You," a full-length, never-before-seen music video directed by Cameron Crowe, featuring live, archival performances and behind-the-scenes footage of the band.

However, fans should note that this clip is NOT a part of the new film; it's a bonus freebie offered up by Crowe and the band.

This comes on the day that the new Crowe-directed film, "Pearl Jam Twenty," hits stores in parts of the world; a North American release happens Tuesday. more on this story



11 Days of Metal Lead To National Metal Day
Get ready to bang your head next month as VH1 Classic have announced special programming featuring the biggest names in heavy metal leading up to their National Metal Day on 11-11-11. Here are the details:

"National Metal Day" will feature a slew of exclusive metal programming, including three major metal premieres: "Behind The Music Remastered: Megadeth" at 9PM ET/PT, the exclusive debut of Banger Films' groundbreaking documentary series, "Metal Evolution" at 10PM ET/PT and the ninth season premiere of a VH1 Classic original "That Metal Show" at 11PM ET/PT.

To warm up for the National Metal Day celebration, VH1 Classic has scheduled 11 days worth of legendary metal programming beginning Tuesday, November 1. Every night during the 11 days of metal, VH1 Classic will make an offering to the metal gods with a nightly concert at 11 PM ET/PT. Legends Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Alice Cooper, Led Zeppelin, Metallica, Motley Crue, KISS, Ozzy Osbourne and Iron Maiden will be featured. more on this story



Bret Michaels To Donate Hospital Music Room
(hennemusic) Bret Michaels is giving back to his community in a big and personal way. This Thursday, the Poison frontman will announce plans for the donation of the Bret Michael's Hospitality and Music Room inside St. Joseph's Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix.

"I want to give something back to the hospital that helped save my life," said Michaels. "Phoenix is my home, and I'm proud to be a part of this community."

In April 2010, Michaels was rushed to St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center suffering from a subarachnoid hemorrhage, a life-threatening type of stroke that causes bleeding in the fluid-filled spaces around the base of the brain. St. Joseph's is the home of Barrow Neurological Institute and Michaels was treated by Barrow neurosurgeons. more on this story



Tony Iommi Explains Hurdles To Black Sabbath Reunion
(Gibson) Although millions of fans are anxious at the idea of Black Sabbath's original four members reuniting, guitarist Tony Iommi said it won't be terribly easy getting the boys back together.

"The band can decide to do something, but there are a lot of people involved, and everybody's got individual managers," Iommi told Rolling Stone. "It's not as easy as like it was in the old days – us all going in one room and it all works. I mean, we can certainly do that, but it's a bit more involved than that."

But, the riff master did say that all four members – Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward – are on good terms. "I talk to Ozzy a lot – we've always been in contact. And I talk to Bill occasionally," he said. "Geez, I played with him until Ronnie [James Dio] passed away. We still stay in contact. Geezer is not one for being on the phone, we normally e-mail. We all get on well – I don't think there's any bad vibes or anything." more on this story



The Academy Is... Star Joins Say Anything
Former The Academy Is… bassist Adam T. Siska has officially joined Say Anything, replacing Alex Kent who parted ways with the band last year, with The Starting Line/Person L's Kenny Vasoli filling in temporarily on tours.

"Having parted much more than amicably with Alex last year (he's still a dear friend), we knew it would be very difficult to find someone who can fill his shoes on both a professional and personal level, but we are so lucky that Adam happened to be available at exactly the right time, and somehow we seem to have ended up with both," states Say Anything front man, Max Bemis.

"I couldn't be more excited to become a member of Say Anything. I have been a fan of the band since the release of the debut album, and got to know them well while on tour during the summer of 2008," adds Siska. "When I spoke to Max about joining, there was no doubt in my mind that this is a band that I believe in and want to put my heart into. I look forward to seeing all of you at shows very soon!" more on this story



Metallica's Orion Inspired Mastodon
(Gibson) The guys in Mastodon recently sat down with Premier Guitar's Chris Kies to talk about guitars, gear and their new album, The Hunter. Guitarist Bill Kelliher shared some insight on how he used an Explorer for the solo on "Black Tongue," the metal behemoths'current single.

"The second part of the solo was done in the studio before that European tour, and I really like it because it has that 'Orion' [from Metallica's Master of Puppets] feel and groove," he said. "I used this new Gibson Explorer with EMG X Series 81 and 85 humbuckers. It's a metal-shredding beast that doesn't sound phony – it's quickly become my go-to super-heavy guitar.

"I plug straight into the amp for the majority of my recordings, so when I need something gargantuan, I have that in my back pocket. I used to hate active pickups and thought they sounded brittle and stale, but I totally dig their tone with my Explorer – it's a clear, concise, unique distortion. I use that guitar a lot on 'All the Heavy Lifting' and some of the harmonies on 'Curl of the Burl.'" more on this story



Journey Receive Legend Honor
(hennemusic) Journey will receive the "Legend of Live" award at the 2011 Billboard Touring Awards, which are taking place November 10 at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York.

The awards are part of the Billboard Touring Conference, happening on the 9th and 10th.

Billboard reports the award honors groups or individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to live music and the touring business, and acknowledges the recipients' commitment to the art of performing live and reaching fans through the concert experience. more on this story



Yes To Deliver New CD/DVD Next Month
(hennemusic) Yes have a new live album on the way. "In The Present—Live from Lyon" will be available on CD/DVD on November 29th in North America and December 2nd in Europe.

Recorded in Lyon, France, on December 1st 2009, "In The Present – Live from Lyon" is a collection of hidden gems and unforgettable classics, with new singer Benoit David breathing new life into each of the songs.

The package comes with a 55 minute DVD containing excerpts from the live performance, candid interviews and behind the scenes footage. The cover art features an original design by Roger Dean, author of most Yes album covers including classics "Fragile," "Close To The Edge" and "Drama." more on this story



Thirty Seconds To Mars Add 2nd Mars 300 Celebration Following Sell Out
Thirty Seconds To Mars have announced a second show to their Mars 300 celebration in NYC at Hammerstein Ballroom on Dec. 6th.

Earlier this month the band announced that they would celebrate their 300th and final show in support of their third studio album This Is War with a special Tribus Centum Numerarae concert at the Hammerstein Ballroom on Dec. 7th. That show sold out in minutes last week and due to popular demand the second show has been added.

Their 300th will also set a new Guinness World Record for the most shows played during a single album cycle. The two Hammerstein shows will be a part of a weeklong celebration in New York to commemorate this occasion.



Liam Gallagher Open To Oasis Reunion
(Gibson) Former Oasis vocalist Liam Gallagher has added to speculation the band could reform to mark a key milestone in a few years' time.

Oasis may only have been broken up for two years, but now both Gallagher brothers – Noel and Liam – have spoken publicly about the possibility of a reunion to mark the 20th anniversary of 1995's (What's The Story) Morning Glory? album.

In an interview with Rolling Stone, singer Liam Gallagher said, "In 2015, if we can put our [expletive] aside, we can tour and play the album in its entirety for the 20th anniversary. I'd be up for that, if it's on our terms. There's got to be two-way respect." more on this story



Guns N' Roses Heading North
(hennemusic) Guns N' Roses will be crossing one international border on their upcoming North American tour.

GNR have announced the first Canadian date on the road trip: a Monday, November 28 show at Copps Coliseum in Hamilton, Ontario (an hour west of Toronto).

The tour is expected to hit 30 cities between its October 28 launch in Orlando and New Year's Eve. And a word of caution



Nazareth Star Billy Rankin's School of Rock Coming
Former Nazareth guitarist Billy Rankin spent the last five years entertaining Rock Radio listeners with his School of Rock feature every weekday morning on the cult station.

Over 4000 hours of live broadcasting he shared tales of wine, women and song starring big names like Ozzy Osbourne, Guns N' Roses, Iron Maiden, Aerosmith, Metallica, Status Quo, Ted Nugent, the Who, REM, the Beatles and many others.

With the end of Rock Radio on Friday came the end of Billy's broadcasting stint. But he's decided to leave his listeners with a written memento of his audio lessons, in the shape of his book, Billy Rankin's School of Rock, stuffed with hundreds of his favourite anecdotes. The foreword is written by award-winning Scottish rock broadcasting legend Tom Russell. more on this story



Chris Cornell Songbook Details
(hennemusic) Chris Cornell has unveiled the cover of his forthcoming "Songbook" album, due out November 21.

The project is a collection of songs recorded during his first-ever acoustic tour, which he did this past Spring. Things went so well, Cornell is doing another "Songbook" trip this fall; things kick off November 1 in Memphis.

As for the album itself, it features Cornell doing his own songs, as well as a few covers – including Led Zeppelin's "Thank You" and John Lennon's "Imagine." More details including the cover art and tracklisting



Get A Phone Call From Steve Perry and Help Fight Breast Cancer
(superLOUD) An eBay auction's listing currently reads: "Your phone rings. You answer and hear, 'Hi, this is Steve Perry.' Imagine hearing THE VOICE, the one & only Steve Perry! What would you say?"

You would expect that a 15-minute phone call and a couple of autographs from Steve Perry (the legendary former frontman of Journey) would fetch a decent amount. And it is, it's currently at $10k.

Perry isn't pocketing even a penny of the winning bid -- He's donating the proceeds to breast cancer research. more on this story



The Stone Roses Singer Ian Brown Faces The Music
(hennemusic) A week after The Stone Roses confirmed their reunion, singer Ian Brown was in a Chester, UK court Monday settling up on an old speeding ticket.

The Belfast Telegraph reports Brown escaped a driving ban after he was clocked speeding at 105mph this past April.

Ian, 48, appeared before Chester magistrates who fined him £650 and gave his driving license six penalty points, after the singer pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to speeding in his Lexus car on the M6. He was also ordered to pay £300 prosecution costs and a £15 victim surcharge. more on this story



Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds Come Out On Top
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds debut at No. 1 on the UK charts after selling a 122,000 in its first week of release.

Gallagher's debut solo album, which was released in Europe on October 18th, ranks among the highest selling debuts of 2011.

On November 8th, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds will be released in the U.S. on Sour Mash/Mercury Records followed by their network television debut on The Late Show with David Letterman on November 10th. more on this story



Neurosonic and Bif Naked Stars Form CrashScene
(RM) CrashScene, featuring members of Neurosonic and Bif Naked, has signed with Epochal Artists Records/EMI for the release of the group's debut album "I Fall Apart" on March 13th, 2012.

CrashScene will be touring throughout the year leading up to the release of the group's debut album on March 13, 2012. Tour dates will be announced shortly.

"After the sudden demise of Neurosonic and the constant touring for three years, Troy, Shane and myself took some time off and joined some other projects. I joined Bif Naked, while Shane joined punk legends SNFU, and Troy collaborating with FosRock," remembers CrashScene's Jacen Ekstrom. "After a year apart, we decided to get back together and start writing some songs. The magic was still there, so we called on former Neurosonic singer/producer Jason Darr to produce the album and everything just clicked on all levels." more on this story



A First For The B-52s
(Gibson) The B-52s have released their first-ever live album, which captures the band almost 34 years to the day since their very first gig in their hometown of Athens, Georgia.

With the Wild Crowd was recorded in February 2011, just a few days after the anniversary of their debut show on Valentine's Day, 1977.

The album contains classics such as "Love Shack," "Rock Lobster," "Roam," "Whammy Kiss" and "Private Idaho," as well as recent material from 2008's Funplex such as "Pump," "Hot Corner," "Ultraviolet" and the title track. Guitarist and musical director Keith Strickland's axe is right up front in the mix, linking the band's newer material back to the group's early days when Strickland was their drummer and the late Ricky Wilson wove his angular guitar magic. more on this story



Negura Bunget To Launch First North America Tour
(PP) Romanian black metal band Negura Bunget will be touring North America for the first time next year.

Dubbed the "Transilvanian Legacy Tour 2012," the tour will begin on April 21st in Montreal and culminate in an appearance at Maryland Deathfest on May 25. Between there, NEGURA BUNGET will play from coast to coast, and will also perform a handful of dates in Canada.

Accompanying Negura Bunget on the tour will be Eclipse Eternal, Wolven Ancestry, and The Way of Purity. more on this story



Boots Electric Release Complexity Video Ahead of Tour Kick Off
Boots Electric (a.k.a. Eagles of Death Metal front man Jesse Hughes) is getting ready to kick off a US tour in support of his new album Honkey Kong this weekend.

Before he departs, Jesse has bestowed a new Boots Electric video for the album's opening track, "Complexity." Check it out here.

The video finds Jesse squarely in his triumphant and tongue-in-cheek sleeze-rock mode, complete with scantily clad ladies, strip-club lighting, and the mustachioed madman's larger-than-life persona. He elaborates, "It was our attempt at remembering the future and that its easier to look at anything when half naked chicks are involved." more on this story



Black Skies Hitting The Road
Black Skies will hit the road for a 16 date tour next month. The short stint, which includes two stops in Canada, will officially begin on November 14 in Asheville.

The band will be touring in support of their self-released On The Wings Of Time full-length, which is currently available at their shows on digital download cards included with the purchase of a limited edition, silk-screened poster.

A CD version with alternate cover art will also be available at shows during the tour. The album will be available in downloadable format through various online outlets beginning November 8. more on this story



The Dillinger Escape Plan Kick Off Tour Tonight
(Sub) On November 1st, The Dillinger Escape Plan will join Mastodon and Red Fang for the band's final tour of 2011!

But starting today in Little Rock, you can check out Dillinger on some special headlining show taking them over to the west coast.

For those of you in Australia who have been waiting for the band to return...you can now mark your calendars for Feb 25 - Mar 5 of next year where the band will be part of the Soundwave Festival! more on this story



Singled Out: Halcyon Way's IndoctriNation
Today Jon Bodan from Halcyon Way tells us about the title track from their brand new album which hit stores today, "IndoctriNation," the sequel to "Building the Tower." Here is the story:

This is the title track from our new CD, and lyrically it deals with the subject of radical Islamic Jihad. I'm certain that the lyrics are going to piss a few people off!

This song started its life a few years back and it was called "Citizen Zero" at that point. Our previous vocalist had written it about illegal immigration and we'd been playing it live for quite some time, even before our first album "A Manifesto For Domination" came out, and it was a crowd favorite. However, he left the band and demanded that we not use any of his lyrics or material. So, since we had already tracked the music for the record at that point we had to re-imagine the song from the ground up lyrically. That was pretty tough in this case because we were used to it as it was originally written.

So what happened was when Steve joined the band, I went up to Nashville to his house from Atlanta and we started reworking the material. I had come up with some new lyrics but had no idea how to really put it all together, except for the "Aaah" parts after the choruses, because I woke up one day and that part just hit me, it was going through my head when I got up. So we demoed the song out and I really didn't know what to think – Steve has a totally different vibe from our old singer, and like I say – we were used to it a different way. It took a minute for me to really latch onto it, and I think the other guys had the same thing going on too. But in time the way the song ended up is one of my favorite things that Halcyon Way has ever done, and that part after the chorus makes me rage every time I hear it!

Musically the song has got some vicious thrash riffs, a great breakdown, and an insanely catchy chorus. Kris also did a killer job on some death vocals on it that are really catchy and they play off of what Steve did really nicely too. Definitely one of my favorite HW tracks!

McKagan accused of lying over Cobain death connection

Audience member hijacks interview and heckles ex-GnR bassist Duff about final meeting with the Nirvana star before he killed himself


Duff McKagan personally escorted a heckler out of a question-and-answer session after the audience member accused him of lying over his final meeting with Kurt Cobain.

The former Guns n’Roses bassist is believed to be one of the last people who saw the Nirvana frontman alive before he took his own life.

The pair were on a flight from Los Angeles to Seattle a few days before Cobain’s suicide – but McKagan says they were both in their own personal hell and failed to meaningfully communicate.

They came close to talking at the airport’s baggage reclaim area, but the moment passed, McKagan reported.

On Friday a middle-aged man was unsatisfied with the bassist’s answer to his question about Cobain during a book-signing appearance, and refused to sit down when asked.

Instead he approached the stage carrying a video camera and demanded to know: “Was he depressed on the airline flight? Was he despondent? Was he in despair?

“You never seem to be telling the truth.”

As other audience members called on him to “get out” and said, “It’s somebody else’s turn,” the man was surrounded by event personnel. He began to protest about “intellectual freedom” to be told: “You’re not an intellectual” by someone in the crowd.

Eventually he became aggressive and shouted: “Get your hands off of me before I knock your ass down, motherfucker.”

At that point McKagan shouted: “Get the fuck out of here, motherfucker,” and came off the stage to personally eject the man. He then returned to appreciative applause.

Last year the bassist revealed how he’d never properly dealt with his emotions over the last meeting with Cobain.

He wrote in his Seattle Weekly column: “We were both fucked-up. We talked, but not in depth. I was in my hell, and he in his, and this we both seemed to understand.

“When we arrived in Seattle and went to baggage claim, the thought crossed my mind to invite him over to my house then and there. I had a real sense that he was lonely and alone that night. I felt the same way. There was a mad rush of people there in public. I was in a big rock band, and he was in a big rock band. We were standing next to each other. Lots of people stopped to gawk. I lost my train of thought for a minute, and Kurt said good-bye and left to his waiting town car. His new house was right down the street from my new house.

“I received a call from my manager two days later that Kurt had died.”

Poison sued by former D'Molls drummer Billy Dior.

The Glam Slam Kings of Noise are being sued by former D'Molls drummer.



According to The Hollywood Reporter, POISON is being sued by Billy McCarthy and James Stonich, who were members of a Chicago band known as KID ROCKER, for allegedly stealing four of KID ROCKER's songs. The plaintiffs claim that guitarist C.C. DeVille auditioned for KID ROCKER in 1984 prior to joining POISON and was allegedly shown completed and formatted songs and was lent master-recorded studio tapes.

KID ROCKER disbanded that year, but McCarthy purportedly presented songs — including "Hit And Run" and "Wham Bam Slammin' Romance" — for DeVille's use as a member of another group, SCREAMIN' MIMIS. DeVille later joined POISON and proceeded, along with his bandmates, to incorporate KID ROCKER's songs in POISON's own work, including the tracks "Talk Dirty To Me", "I Won't Forget You", "Fallen Angel" and "Ride The Wind".

POISON's debut album, "Look What The Cat Dragged In" — which contains the above-mentioned songs — sold approximately 4 million copies.

In the lawsuit, which was filed Wednesday in Illinois federal court, the plaintiffs are demanding disgorgement of all profits from the songs in question, statutory damages for willful infringement, and an injunction that prevents POISON and singer Bret Michaels from performing this allegedly stolen material.

Acclaimed '80s Swedish glam-rock band EASY ACTION, which featured in its ranks future EUROPE guitarist Kee Marcello, reportedly took POISON to court for allegedly "stealing" the chorus to the EASY ACTION song "We Go Rocking" for the POISON U.S. smash-hit "I Want Action" and was said to have been awarded a financial settlement in the case.

Billy McCarthy was also known as Billy Dior in D'Molls. We did 20 Questions with him back in 2004 and ironically he talks about these songs, his former band and some other details. Hmmm.

Read more from The Hollywood Reporter.