Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Today's Day In Rock




Our office was shut down by a planned power outage. As a result we were unable to put together a Day in Rock report today. Instead we are bringing you the Top 11 Rumors, Feuds and Break Up stories of 2011! Enjoy, we will be back with a full report tomorrow!

Top 11 Rumors of 2011



Velvet Revolver Recording With New Singer
Speculation about who would replace Scott Weiland in Velvet Revolver just barely edged out Van Halen to become the No 1 rumor in our top 11 rumors of 11 countdown. Here it is: (hennemusic) Velvet Revolver have been doing some studio work with their potential new singer.

Drummer Matt Sorum posted an update to Twitter on Monday: "Did 4 days with an amazing singer and VR and have 9 killer demo tracks. Going to make the decision one way or another this week."

At least publicly, this sounds like things are further along than the band has been with any of the many singers who have auditioned to join VR. more on this story

New Van Halen Next Week?
Van Halen and rumors. The tightlipped group is easy fodder for keeping fans guessing and while we are used to some less than credible sites running stories based on so-called "insider sources" that often are proven wrong, when a mainstream newspaper runs with a rumor it becomes big news. Such as the case with the No 2 story in our top 11 rumors of 11 countdown. Here it is:

(hennemusic) The Boston Herald reports a rumor generated through distant sources that the first Van Halen single from their new album, "Late Term," is set for release next Tuesday, August 23. The paper admits the rumor is based on somewhat shaky information, so it's too early to tell if there's anything to this but mere speculation.

Since VH themselves never provide comments on things like this, the closest confirmation/denial of anything VH-related seems to be coming through the Van Halen News Desk, who have unofficially taken on the role on VH spokespeople, for some reason.

The VHND quickly shot down the Herald's rumors Thursday, saying: "There is a new, widespread rumor that specifically states the release date and song title of what would be the first single from Van Halen's upcoming album. As with nearly all rumors like this, this rumor is completely FALSE. Stay tuned to VHND.com for news you can trust…" more on this story

Upcoming Slipknot Shows May Be Their Last
The future of Slipknot has remained unclear after the tragic death of Paul Gray, this story where Corey Taylor expressed that uncertainty lands at No 3 in our top 11 rumors of 11 countdown. Here it is:

(Gibson) Slipknot's Corey Taylor says the band's upcoming festival shows will help him decide if he can continue after the death of bass player Paul Gray.

According to the Daily Express, Taylor is still unsure whether the band can continue. He said: "There's a part of me that's ready and there's a part of me that's not."I have a lot of trepidation about it. I don't know how to feel. I know a lot of the guys in the band are trying not to show that side, and I can't."

While Gray's bass duties will be handled by the band's original bassist, Donnie Steele, Taylor is unsure whether Gray can be replaced. "Without Paul Gray, there would have been no Slipknot, and I mean that sincerely... It's strange for me to think about the future of Slipknot without him.

"This tour coming up is definitely going to be like baby steps... It's going to be a long time before I feel OK about it. I'm not saying that I'm not open to it. I'm just saying that I'm not there yet, and I don't know how long it's going to take me to get there. So we're just going to have to see what happens. Only time will tell." more on this story



Dave Mustaine Hints At Megadeth Retirement
Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine scared die hard fans when he danced around the issue of retirement, earning the No 4 spot in our top 11 rumors of 11 countdown. Here it is:

(Rock News Desk) Dave Mustaine is currently working on a new Megadeth album and the band will participate in Big 4 shows across Europe and in the US throughout the year. But he hints the outfit will roll to a halt at some point in the future.

"I've got the dubious honour of managing a band called Baptized in Blood, and my manager and I are managing Testament, which is awesome. We're doing some other things outside the scope of playing music, so once I hang up my guitar I'm still going to be very much involved – and I'm excited about that."

Mustaine also says rumors circulated about him in the press made it more difficult for him to clean up his life. And he regrets the fact that negative headlines were published about him even after he'd stopped saying and doing things which upset others. A lot more on that here

Vinnie Paul Responds To Asinine Pantera Reunion Rumor
Pantera fans did their best to put together a semi reunion as a tribute to Dimebag but when Dime's brother responded to their attempts that became the No 5 story in our top 11 rumors of 11 countdown. Here it is:

(Rock AAA) Vinnie Paul has responded to rumors that Pantera could reform without his brother, late guitarist Darrell 'Dimebag' Abbott.

In an interview with Russia's Darkside, the current Hellyeah drummer – who was a founding member of Pantera alongside Dimebag – slammed the suggestions as 'disrespectful.'

He says: "It's ridiculous. Dime was such a huge part of it; it would be just completely asinine to even consider that. I think it's pretty disrespectful from people to even suggest it."

Kings of Leon Tour Canceled For Rehab?
Kings of Leon famously had an on stage meltdown earlier this year leading to the No 6 story in our top 11 rumors of 11 countdown when the rumor mill heated up in the aftermath. Here it is:

(RockAAA) The real reason for the cancellation of the Kings of Leon tour is so frontman Caleb Followhill can get help for his out of control drinking, claims US Weekly.

It has been claimed the remainder of their summer tour has been canned so Followhill can rest and recover from 'vocal issues and exhaustion' but US Weekly claims a source close to the band has laid the blame at the door for his boozing.

"They are trying to get Caleb to go to rehab. It is mostly for alcohol," the source says. "[That's why] they ended up cancelling the whole tour… he drinks like a fish."

Ozzy's Kids Fuel Black Sabbath Reunion Rumors
Black Sabbath fans were elated when months of speculation about the original lineup getting back together became a reality. There were numerous reports about the denials, guessing and behind the scenes actions in the Sabbath camp but when Ozzy's kids played coy earlier this year it captured the No 7 spot in our top 11 rumors of 11 countdown. Here it is:

(Rock News Desk) Ozzy Osbourne was notably absent at the premiere of his documentary movie this week, fuelling rumors he's in England working with the original lineup of Black Sabbath.

God Bless Ozzy Osbourne was shown in Hollywood at a charity event for MusiCares, and while his son Jack, who filmed and produced the movie, was there, the star of the show wasn't.

Daughter Kelly Osbourne said: "My dad is doing something that is very, very exciting. But I don't know if I'm allowed to tell you. He's just finished a tour but he's doing something very exciting."

Jack said: "I can neither confirm or deny who he is with or where he is."

Dancing With The Motley Crue Star
A Motley Crue star in Dancing With the Stars? It would have happened had Tommy Lee accepted the offer. His response became the No 8 story in our top 11 rumors of 11 countdown. Here it is:

(hennemusic) "I've never hit the PASS button so quick." That was Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee's reaction Tuesday to receiving an offer to appear on the next season of "Dancing With The Stars," the tv dance contest show.

"Ok! Ready for the funniest sh*t ever!!!," tweeted Lee. "Dancing With The Stars just offered me a spot on the show!! I've never hit the PASS button so quick."

So, no high-stepping for Tommy, who will be back on TV soon enough: Lee is developing "Culture Shock with Tommy Lee," an investigative travel show for the SyFy network. more on this story

Ringo Shoots Down McCartney Reunion Rumor
The idea of the two surviving Beatles getting back together is always huge news so when Ringo addressed the latest rumor that easily landed the No 9 spot in our top 11 rumors of 11 countdown. Here it is:

(Gibson) Despite rumors suggesting that ex-Beatle Ringo Starr may be part of an Olympics 2012 supergroup, the drummer has said he will not be involved at all.

According to the Daily Express, it was multi-gold-medal-winner Steve Redgrave who hinted that there could be a Beatles reunion of sorts with Starr and Paul McCartney and other iconic stars like Mick Jagger and John Lydon teaming up for the opening ceremony in London next summer.

Whatever the musical lineup, they'll have to find a different drummer. Ringo told Sky News: "I'll be touring America so I won't be doing it." more on this story



Mike Starr's Friends Refute Suicide Rumors
The sad death of former Alice in Chains star Mike Starr led to speculation that he commited suicide. When his friends spoke out against that talke that became the no 10 story in our top 11 rumors of 11 countdown. Here it is:

(Rock News Desk) Friends of former Alice in Chains bassist Mike Starr have refuted the suggestion he killed himself – saying that he was making big plans for the future.

Starr, 44, was found dead on Tuesday after mixing methadone with an anti-anxiety drug, three weeks after having been arrested in possession of prescription pills for which he had no prescription. The mixture can stop the breathing reflex – and that's what's believed to have killed Starr. But his associates insist it was accidental, and he didn't plan to end his life.

Brett Gunn, a bandmate and Starr's sponsor on the Alcoholics Anonymous programme, tells the Salt Lake Tribune: "I don't think it was suicide. We had a lot of plans. more on this story

Axl Rose Addresses Guns N' Roses Rumors
Rumors and Guns N' Roses go hand and hand and when the often quiet Axl Rose speaks in public about anything, let alone rumors, that makes big news. When Axl took to Twitter earlier this year to talk GNR rumors that became the no 11 rumor in our top 11 rumors of 11 countdown. Here it is:

Axl Rose once again took to his Twitlonger account to address the recent rumors swirling around Guns N' Roses and also to announce yet another change in management.

The key issues addressed were the rumored U.S. tour plans as well as the relaunch of "Chinese Democracy." Here is what he had to say:

Contrary to anyone's claims there are no concrete plans nor were there ever for a tour, a relaunch or sponsors (n' certainly not to replace anyone in the band) beyond a collection of random ideas thrown out by various individuals w/out any real foundation or negotiations in place other than our prior involvements (which wouldn't take a rocket scientist to put together). And 4 the record Doc McGhee is no longer involved w/either myself or GN'R.

Axl's post

Top 11 Break Up Stories of 2011

The White Stripes Break Up
Meg and Jack White made waves when they announced they were parting ways and landed as the No 1 story in our top 11 break-up stories of 11 countdown. Here it is:

Meg and Jack White had bad news for fans of The White Stripes on Wednesday: they have decided to break up. Here is the what they had to say:

The White Stripes would like to announce that today, February 2nd, 2011, Their band has officially ended and will make no further new recordings or perform live. more on this story

Disturbed Breaking Up?
Disturbed lived up with their name with fans when speculation began that the band were planning to call it a day and as a result had the No 2 break up report in our top 11 break-up stories of 11 countdown. Here it is:

(Gibson) Disturbed singer David Draiman has revealed that the band are preparing to enter an indefinite hiatus. Speaking to KQXR in Boise, Idaho, Draiman said the band were looking at an extended hiatus, and had "some things going on internally …personal things going on."

Later Draiman took to Twitter to elaborate: "We don't know what we're doing yet," he wrote. "All I can say is that we're certainly going away for a long while."

Draiman said the band would not be undertaking its Music as a Weapon tour in 2012, but might consider leasing the brand name out to other bands to use. "It has kind of become its own entity," Draiman explained. "It's something we have talked about in the past, and that's possible. But you're not gonna see a Disturbed tour for a while." more on this story



Judas Priest Star Quits The Band
K.K. Downing shocked fans when he parted with Judas Priest, he explanation for the departure captured the No 3 spot in our top 11 break-up stories of 11 countdown. Here it is:

The now former guitarist for Judas Priest, K.K. Downing has once again addressed fans about his decision to leave the legendary heavy metal band.

He writes on his website, "I would just like to say a big thank you for your support and kind words. It is most heart-warming for me to be the recipient of such graciousness and compassion from you all.

"For some of you that would seem to desire some more details as to why I have resigned from the band, I can only say that there is nothing more underlying than I have already put in my initial statement. I would like to reassure you that I am still here for you and I am still the same person with the same feelings and sentiments. more on this story

Staind Not Breaking Up
Staind suffered a lot of turmoil during the recording of the latest album. When the band addressed rumors of their breakup that became No 4 in our top 11 break-up stories of 11 countdown. Here it is:

(Rock News Desk) Staind have shouted down rumors they're about to break up. The band's future became the subject of fan speculation after drummer Jon Wysocki left in May. More stories circulated after a documentary about the making of their recent self-titled album appeared to show an outfit dissolving in acrimony.

The success of frontman Aaron Lewis' country music side project has provided yet more grist to the rumour mill. But he and guitarist Mike Mushok say Staind have a long future ahead of them – although Lewis will be taking time out to work on his solo projects.

The band are currently touring Europe and Lewis explains what will happen afterwards: "I go back to doing my solo stuff and filming for my hunting TV show. After Thanksgiving Staind goes out for a couple of weeks.

"Then in January and February I finish up my solo stuff then we start our world tour in February. Then we're back for a States tour, then back to Europe, then I'll come back here and do something on the solo side. Then a Staind headlining tour in the States." But where did the signals get crossed?

Steven Adler's Appetite Loses Core Member
Steven Adler's Appetite's lineup looks a little like his former band's with members coming and going constantly but when he lost the other core member of the group, that made headlines and earned the No 5 spot in our top 11 break-up stories of 11 countdown. Here it is: (superLOUD) There's surprising news developing out of the Adler's Appetite camp today.

Bassist Chip Z'Nuff just announced on Twitter and Facebook that he's out of the band. Here is Chip's Facebook message:

"To Quote the Late Great George Harrison , All things must pass. So I move on with my life, as I'm no longer with Steven Adler's 'Adler's Appetite'. Keep your ears open for new music coming soon! Peace and Love, Chip!" more on this story

Marilyn Manson Loses Longest Running Member
Marilyn Manson has been a little quiet in 2011 perhaps that's why he lost his longest running member this year, landing the No 6 slot in our top 11 break-up stories of 11 countdown. Here it is: MansonWiki.com sent over word about a major personnel change within the Marilyn Manson band. They report:

Kenneth Wilson, better known as Ginger Fish has announced via Facebook that he is leaving Manson to pursue other opportunities. Ginger was the longest running member of Manson, after replacing Sara Lee Lucas in 1995.

Official statement from Ginger Fish: I am regretful to inform the fans that I have decided to step down as a member of Marilyn Manson, and see where my life , and the knowledge of my availability cares to take me . I can't stand by to watch opportunities pass me by simply because the knowledge of my availability wasn't clearly expressed by me .

http://www.mansonwiki.com/

Silverchair Break Up
90s rockers Silverchair decided to call it as day this year, earning the No 7 spot in our top 11 break-up stories of 11 countdown. Here it is:

(Gibson) Silverchair have announced they are calling it quits, at least for the foreseeable future. In a lengthy statement posted on their Facebook page this morning, the veteran Australian three-piece said that "after much soul-searching … [we're] putting Silverchair into 'indefinite hibernation'."

"Back in 2009 we went into the studio to start work on a record," the statement reads. "Initially things were going well and as a result we did some shows in 2010 to maintain creative momentum. However, over the months that followed in the studio it became clear to us that we were moving in different directions. Despite our best efforts over the last year or so, it's become increasingly clear that the spark simply isn't there between the three of us at the moment."

Silverchair, which includes singer/guitarist Daniel Johns, bassist Chris Joannou and drummer Ben Gillies, released their last album, Young Modern, in 2007. In their statement, the band said the parting is amicable, and that they remain friends. "The three of us still truly care about each other," the statement goes on to say. "At the moment Ben's busy in the studio recording his own music, Chris is working on various business, musical and charitable ventures while Daniel is creating a film soundtrack and working on other musical projects. We hope you'll continue to take an interest in our individual work over the years ahead." more on this story



30 Seconds to Mars Send Mix Signals Over Break Up Rumors
When rumors that 30 Seconds to Mars were planning to break up or go on hiatus began the surface the band poured gas on the fire but sending mixed signals to fans which resulted in the No 8 story in our top 11 break-up stories of 11 countdown. Here it is:

(Rock News Desk) 30 Seconds to Mars are refusing to take seriously rumors that the band is about to split but won't entirely discount the idea of taking a break.

Speculation has been building over brothers Jared and Shannon Leto's plans for the future after frontman Jared said the band might not record a follow-up to 2009 album This is War, adding: "We're not bound to continue walking down a path unless we're really inspired to do so."

But in an MTV interview they respond to straight questions with sarcastic answers. Shannon says: "We've been touring a long time, man. I mean, look at us – we're broken down. We're tired." more on this story

Phil Collins Explains Retirement Plans
Phil Collins saddened fans when he announced he was stepping away from music this year. His explanation for his decision was the No 9 story in our top 11 break-up stories of 11 countdown. Here it is:

Yesterday we told you that NME was reporting that a spokesperson for Phil Collins had denied reports that the star was planning to retire from music. It seems the spokesperson spoke out of turn because now Collins himself has announced his plans to retire and disputed press reports about his reasoning.

The Genesis star tells fans via a message on his official website: Greetings to all, I've decided to write this in response to the articles that surfaced last weekend regarding my retirement. Why they were printed at all is a mystery, as I haven't spoken to anybody in the press for a few months.

However, many of the articles printed over the last few months have ended up painting a picture of me that is more than a little distorted. Therefore, I would like to add my comments and try to explain again my reasons for calling it a day. more on this story

The Who's Roger Daltrey Talks Retirement
When a legendary rock frontman talks about retiring people take notice as they did with the No 10 story in our top 11 break-up stories of 11 countdown. Here it is:

(Gibson) The Who's veteran frontman Roger Daltrey is gearing up for his performance of Tommy for the Teenage Cancer Trust concert series at London's Royal Albert Hall next month.

According to Music-news.com, Daltrey doesn't think he'll be performing for much longer: "I've probably got two or three years left to do that kind of music and I want to make the most of it, because again I've been given a gift, use it, use it or lose it, so I'm going to do Tommy at the Albert Hall.

"I'll start painting then. I do a bit of daubing in my spare time, but I know that when I start that seriously it's going to have to be serious, there won't be room for anything else." more on this story



RIP For R.E.M.
News of the break up of the once popular R.E.M. landed in the No 11 spot in our top 11 break-up stories of 11 countdown. Here it is:

(Gibson) R.E.M. have decided to "call it a day as a band." After 30 years together, singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck and bassist Mike Mills have had enough. Founding drummer Bill Berry left in the mid-'90s.

In their own words: The guys share their thoughts on ending the band. Mike Mills: "During our last tour, and while making Collapse Into Now and putting together this greatest hits retrospective, we started asking ourselves, 'what next?' Working through our music and memories from over three decades was a hell of a journey. We realized that these songs seemed to draw a natural line under the last 31 years of our working together.

"We have always been a band in the truest sense of the word. Brothers who truly love, and respect, each other. We feel kind of like pioneers in this – there's no disharmony here, no falling-outs, no lawyers squaring-off. We've made this decision together, amicably and with each other's best interests at heart. The time just feels right." more on this story



Top 11 Feuds of 2011

Glee Creator Calls Slash A Stupid, Uneducated Has-Been
When the creator of the auto-tuned TV show Glee went after Guns N' Roses' Slash for refusing to let the show's Gleekbots butcher their songs, this became the No 1 in our top 11 feuds of 2011 countdown. Here it is:

Appetite for Destruction continues to outsell most new album releases, so will people still be listening to Glee's auto-tuned karaoke in 25 years... or even 5 years? Something to ponder as you read about the ironic attack from the man who gave us this decade's answer to Cop Rock and the Partridge Family. Gibson has the story:

After Slash called Glee "worse than Grease" in Entertainment Weekly, Glee creator Ryan Murphy lashed out at the guitarist via Rolling Stone. "Usually I find that people who make those comments, their careers are over; they're uneducated and quite stupid," Murphy said.

The former Guns N' Roses guitarist previously said that he does not want to see Glee do a GN'R-themed episode or see one of the band's songs sung on the show. "We got asked about that once already but it got turned down," he said. "In the current climate of what's going on in entertainment these days, I try to be more optimistic than negative because it's really easy to get negative about it, but I draw the line at Glee." more on this story



Sammy Hagar Vs Eddie Van Halen
Van Halen feuds are legendary and Sammy Hagar's lashing out at Eddie Van Halen easily captured the No 2 spot in our Top 11 Feuds of 11 countdown. Here it is:

(Rock News Desk) Sammy Hagar's career with Van Halen started out so well the band nearly changed their name to "Van Hagar" but by the end of his time with them he was desperately trying to wriggle out of his contract.
The singer reveals he tried to quit after 40 shows of their disastrous 2004 reunion tour, during which guitarist Eddie Van Halen regularly turned in substandard performances. And he says the reason he's telling all in his book Red: My Uncensored Life in Rock is to explain to the band's fans why he did what he did.

"Eddie's always made me out to be the bad guy. He's always had the upper hand when it comes to the press, and he could tell the story and frame it the way he wanted," Hagar tells MusicRadar. "I thought the story needs to be told so the fans know why everything's happened the way it has. I didn't like what was going on at the time. I didn't like the way Michael Anthony was treated and the way they tried to treat me. Eddie and Alex Van Halen really made the experience unpleasant.

"After 40 shows I tried to quit – that's how bad it was. But they and their management had me sewn in and I was stuck. It was hell." He's not done.

KISS Off: Shannon Tweed Vs Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons and Shannon Tweed's made for TV argument over marriage captured a lot of attention leading to the "reality" TV wedding landing as No 3 in our Top 11 Feuds of 11 countdown. Here it is:

(hennemusic) Shannon Tweed completely busted Gene Simmons' family jewels on US national TV Monday morning. The pair's visit to the NBC Today Show was scheduled to promote the upcoming new season of the KISS bassist's alleged reality series.

In a teaser clip from the show, Tweed confronts Simmons about a photo of the rocker posing outside a Hollywood restaurant with two young blondes on his arm. Simmons tries to explain that he had no idea who the women were, prompting Tweed to snap, "I'm sick of hearing it, I'm sick of seeing it, and I'm sick of looking at it... Gene, please don't play me for a fool."

Tweed looks visibly upset throughout the NBC interview while Gene is clearly uncomfortable, even to the point of being speechless, and how many times has anyone seen the fast talker in that shape?

When asked about their 28-year relationship, Tweed responded "the last two were a bitch," adding the relationship "has pretty much unraveled."

"I'm done. We held it together until [the kids] got to college," Shannon said. more on this story

Aerosmith Working On New Album Without Joe Perry
Not really a genuine feud but there was trouble in Aerosmith camp in 2011 so the news of Joe Perry not joining his bandmates in the studio lands at No 4 in our Top 11 Feuds of 11 countdown. Here it is: (hennemusic) Aerosmith are back in the saddle. Well, most of Aerosmith is: there's still no sign of guitarist Joe Perry.

But longtime Aerosmith collaborator Marti Frederiksen insists the group has been very productive during its first few days of writing for a new album at his studio Monrovia, Calif.

Frederiksen began working on Jan. 22 with frontman Steven Tyler, guitarist Brad Whitford, bassist Tom Hamilton and drummer Joey Kramer, with plans to continue through Feb. 2, when Tyler begins his live appearances as an "American Idol" judge. Guitarist Joe Perry was unable to attend the sessions due to an unspecified commitment, according to Frederiksen, but his bandmates were "missing" him. more on this story

Guns N' Roses Beat Up Fan
You can always count on plenty of drama and speculation when it comes to Guns N' Roses and they did not disappoint us in 2011. This tale of the band going after a drunk fans lands at No 5 in our Top 11 Feuds of 11 countdown. Here it is:

(Rock News Desk) Guns N' Roses guitarist DJ Ashba has recounted how he and frontman Axl Rose "literally kicked the sh*t out of" a drunk fan who'd gatecrashed a private party.

The guitarist insists it was "all good" and that the fan in question took the attack in good spirits, later admitting he'd deserved it. "Me and Axl kicked the living sh*t out of this dude," Ashba tells Guitar International. "He snuck into this private aftershow party that was just held for the band and the crew. He was a drunk obnoxious big dude – he walks in and he's telling everyone he's our tour manager. We're like, 'What the f**k?'

"He actually punched one of our tour managers. I saw it, so I grabbed the guy by his throat and slammed him up against the wall and I said, 'You need to leave now,' he continues. "I walked him over to the door, but he turned round and punched me in the face. I just started unloading on him. Axl saw him hit me and flipped, and jumped in." more on this story

Johnny Rotten Vs Green Day
The Godfather of punk, Sex Pistols legend Johnny Rotten went after Green Day for their lack of punk credentials earning the No 6 spot in our Top 11 Feuds of 11 countdown. Here it is:

(Rock AAA) John Lydon (a.k.a. Johnny Rotten) has dubbed Green Day 'coat-hangers' insisting they haven't done enough to earn the punk tag. The former Sex Pistols singer blasted the band in an interview with the LA Times this week although he was more generous with his praise for pop princess Lady Gaga. Speaking to the LA Times he said:

"Many of the punk bands are cop-outs and imitators and have made it easy for the likes of Green Peace – Green Day, who I hate. I really … I can't stand them.

"To me, they're like coat hangers, and haven't earned the right, they haven't earned the wings, to be wearing the mantle of punk. They haven't had to go through the violence, and the hate, and the animosity that us chaps way back when had to put up with.

Corey Taylor Slams Scott Weiland
Slipknot's Corey Taylor was considered for the frontman spot in Velvet Revolver. When he shared his feelings about the man he would have replaced in the group, that captured the No 7 spot in our Top 11 Feuds of 11 countdown. Here it is:

(Banana 101.5) Corey Taylor continues his pull-no-punches approach to the Q&A portion of his solo shows. At Monday's gig the Slipknot vocalist called Stone Temple Pilots singer Scott Weiland "a lazy piece of s—" and ridiculed his recently released Christmas album.

Just a few shows after he verbally assassinated mega-producer Rick Rubin for being "overrated," "overpaid," and "lazy," the outspoken Corey Taylor began disassembling Scott Weiland without even being prompted by the audience. Taylor started talking about commercials and movie remakes and eventually began warning the audience to be cautious of those looking to cash in on their curiosity and give them nothing in return. His first example ended up being the man whose old job (as Velvet Revolver's vocalist) he recently auditioned for: "I'll give you another example. Does anyone know who Scott Weiland is? Do you know that Scott Weiland has a Christmas album now? Oh, it's bad. It's bad. Let me f—ing explain to you how bad it is. There is a video online of him singing, and he's very serious. 'Cause Christmas is serious. His hair is all slicked back and he's in his f—ing s–-ty tuxedo."

Taylor began his lifeless impression of Weiland's take on 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas' which ended with him attempting to swallow the microphone mid-lyric. He then further explained his beef with Weiland. Read what that was and check out video of Corey's rant here

Mike Portnoy Vs Dream Theater
Mike Portnoy's very public split with Dream Theater created plenty of headlines this year and this story of his legal wrangling with his former group lands at No 8 in our Top 11 Feuds of 11 countdown. Here it is:

(hennemusic) Here's some not-so-groovy news: drummer Mike Portnoy sued Dream Theater after he left the group last fall.

Courthouse News Service reports Portnoy, who left the band on his own after failing to convince fellow band members to take a break from the write/record/tour cycle, filed a lawsuit against his former bandmates in April claiming that they "wrongfully excluded" him from the group and continue to "wrongfully using the name of the band in connection with [their] recording of an album without the participation or consent of [Portnoy]."

The suit further alleges that Dream Theater "are wrongfully using the name of the band in connection with the promotion of live performances by the individual defendants, without the participation or consent of [Portnoy]. more on this story

AC/DC Singer Slams Reality TV Talent Shows
A lot of rock veterans have problems with TV talent shows for various reasons, when AC/DC frontman laid out his reasons that became the No 9 story in our Top 11 Feuds of 11 countdown. Here it is:

(RockAAA) AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson has hit out at reality shows which turn wannabes into overnight music stars and claimed the format is chewing up and spitting out young hopefuls.

In an interview with the Belfast Telegraph the legendary AC/DC singer insists the only road to glory is the old fashioned graft to the top method. He said: "There's only one way to do it.

"You get on the stage, you learn your trade and you get out and play in front of people. You serve your apprenticeship just like anybody else. The shortcut ways leads to tears at the end of the day. It's all hype. And it's not fair on the kids to make them famous one week and then nobodies the next. It's just not right."


Def Leppard Vs 'Moron'
Def Leppard frontman Joe Elliott suffered the tragic loss of his father this year, so perhaps that wasn't the best time to criticize the band's choice of songs they play in concert. Joe's response became the No 10 story in our Top 11 Feuds of 11 countdown. Here it is:

Def Leppard's Joe Elliott has lashed out at a fan who criticized their choice of songs on tour while they were trying to get to grips with the death of the singer's father.

Joe Senior, who'd actively supported the band since their earliest days, died last month. But he'd insisted they kept to their touring schedule despite his illness, and Elliott has admitted "I wasn't at the top of my game" during the difficult period.

Now he's called one supporter a "moron" for emailing him to complain about the band's setlist on the shows they did just after his dad passed away. "The guy accused me of being a fraud because on the first four gigs we did after the break we did exactly the same set," Elliott tells Spinner. "I wasn't going to say to the guy, 'Well, you know, my father just passed away – let's just keep it simple for the first week then we can get into the experiments.'" He goes off from there and moron is the tamest word he used

Steven Tyler Slams Simon Cowell
When Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler landed the gig on American Idol fans were split of their reaction. Steven's clarification on what makes him different from the man he replaced became the No 11 story in our Top 11 Feuds of 11 countdown. Here it is:

(hennemusic) Steven Tyler was a guest on Fox & Friends on the Fox News channel, talking about his purpose for being on the show and had a little go at his predecessor.

When asked about his love of country music, Tyler took the opportunity to clearly distance himself from previous judge, Simon Cowell.

"Well, it's not like that other guy who says 'I hate Country.' That's the one thing that turned me off about the show was that Simon passed on this kid and said, 'besides which, I hate Country.' Not my cup of tea. If I'm judging music, you don't judge the genre."

Monday, December 12, 2011

Top 25 Hair Metal Albums Of All Time: The Complete List







Top 20 Hair Metal Albums Of All Time: The Complete List
By LA Weekly

History has not been kind to hair metal. The bulk of the Sunset Strip '80s stalwarts have become resigned to touring out-of-the-way clubs before diminishing crowds. But many of us still have a strong passion for this era. In The Wrestler, Mickey Rourke's titular character and Marissa Tomei's reluctant stripper dance to Ratt's "Round And Round" in a dive bar, drinking beers and agreeing on one thing: The '90s sucked.

Lots of us feel that way. The '80s have come back into fashion because people remember it as a halcyon time. The economy was picking up speed and kids were sowing the seeds of their parents' sexual revolution; in the early part of the decade, anyway, you could hook up without worrying about contacting much worse than crabs. Sure it was heyday of the "me" generation -- epitomized by oversexed pop metalers as much as greedy Wall Street traders -- but it also emphasized self-expression and big dreams.
Hair metal represented both our id and our ego - wild, unfettered, and hell-raising in some ways, but deeply conservative and reactionary in others. It didn't stand for political ideals like the punks, or gender boundary-pushing a la British glam acts like David Bowie. It wasn't artsy like the New York Dolls. Many of the acts comfortably shared the radio dial with both Boy George and REO Speedwagon. Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine maintains that "Glam" is an acronym for "Gay L.A. Music," but though they may have dressed like women, the Sunset Strip bands literally shoved their heterosexuality in your face. They eschewed the politics of punk and the existential despair of thrash because they were focused on winning over the chicks.

Hair metal groups made no bones about their intentions, and probably would have laughed at this sentence. In this spirit, then, West Coast Sound presents the top 20 hair metal albums of all time. -Ben Westhoff


Lita Ford - The Queen of Metal

In the process of putting together our top 20 hair metal albums list -- which we're counting down this week -- we compiled suggestions from writers around the country. We were honored to get input from Klosterman, and you can see his top 25 below. Oh, and check out his most recent novel, The Visible Man, which concerns a character possessing the technology to make himself invisible. Does he use it to visit Lita Ford in her boudoir? There's only one way to find out.


20. Junkyard
Junkyard (1989)
Featuring ex-members of punk groups including Minor Threat and The Big Boys, Junkyard were part of a small contingent of bands who could play both Sunset Strip glam slams and L.A.'s punkier spots. Plenty of other bluesy/punky bands were marketed to the boys-in-makeup scene, but Junkyard actually had the goods. Released on Geffen in '89, Junkyard shone brighter than the rest. Sure, it lacked the compelling severity of Appetite For Destruction, but its looser Southern rock feel made way for the Black Crowes. For what it's worth, "Hollywood" is one of the best odes to the L.A. rocker lifestyle in the '80s ever. -Lina Lecaro



19. White Lion
Pride (1987)
White Lion didn't have much cock in their rock. Instead, on songs like "When The Children Cried," they traded in the quasi-philosophical. ("No more presidents," they reasoned, "and all the wars will end.") They most excelled, however, on fast-and-squealing tales of teenage lust like "Wait" and "Tell Me." The production, helmed by underrated hair metal architecht Michael Wagener, is nearly perfect, as are the earnest heart spills of frontman Mike Tramp and fret-board gymnastics of guitarist Vito Bratta. Like the best hair metal there's nothing metal about it; it's pure, transcendent pop. -Ben Westhoff


18. Dokken
Tooth And Nail (1984)
Formed in 1978 on the streets of L.A., Dokken has at least one thing going for them: they helped create the hair-sprayed look. The official coiffed, spandexed uniform of the times, in fact, came largely from them. They didn't pull it out of thin air, but rather nabbed style cues from The New York Dolls, the manufactured glam of KISS, and S&M black rubber from the streets of England. Adding in the early career prog tendencies of the Scorpions, they put it all together on their second album Tooth and Nail. The slow smoldering guitar whine on ballad "Alone Again" and the hot tease of "Into the Fire" and "Just Got Lucky" helped lay the foundation for many who were yet to come. (No pun intended.) -Nikki Darling



17. Europe
The Final Countdown (1986)
Will things ever be the same again? Sure, The Final Countdown's title track from has become the ultimate hair metal caricature -- damn you, Gob Bluth! But a deeper inspection reveals Europe's 1986 masterwork to be chock full of exuberant, nothing-held-back pop metal anthems. Lousy with hooks, the subjects are that of a 12-year-old boy's fantasy --- ninjas, Indians, space exploration, mysterious beauties, and, um, danger on railroad tracks. This album is lightweight and funny in the same way the wind and the trees and the earth and the stars are lightweight and funny. -Ben Westhoff



16. Whitesnake
Whitesnake (1987)
Whitesnake was formed by singer David Coverdale after leaving Deep Purple, and Whitesnake features the still-a-Hollywood-movie-staple smash "Here I Go Again." The chorus was especially fitting, as Coverdale had just fired his entire band; he recruited Dutch guitarist Adrian Van den Berg to re-record some parts, but former axe-man's John Sykes's work remains on standout "Cryin' in the Rain", in which his guitar does not gently weep -- it wails. The album's muscular riffs, synth-textured power ballads and aggressive vocals are all unapologetically massive. -Linda Leseman



15. Spinal Tap
This Is Spinal Tap soundtrack (1984)
Rob Reiner's brilliant mock-rockumentary sends up longstanding hard-rock obsessions like Druids and getting super-heavy. (Aspiring local hair-metal god Paul Shortino of Rough Cutt even makes a cameo in the film.) Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer seethe with bewildered sexuality on tracks like "Sex Farm," "Tonight I'm Gonna Rock You Tonight," and "Big Bottom." (You know: "My baby fits me like a flesh tuxedo.") Some of the old vets like Aerosmith didn't appreciate the joke, but a new generation embraced Tap as one of their own. Their trick was transcending the parody label, which they did in part by touring as a real band. They even scored an invite to the metal answer to "We Are the World" - famine relief benefit Hear 'n Aid. -Steve Appleford


14. Queensryche
Operation Mindcrime (1988)
A rock opera in the tradition of Pink Floyd's "The Wall," Operation Mindcrime tells the story of Nikki, a heroin addict who -- through his involvement with a cult -- is forced to carry out the missions of one Dr. X. When he wakes up to find his true love murdered, Nikki imagines he is responsible for her death. Sounds and dialogue carry this story though ethereal and violently emotional songs. Highlights "Breaking The Silence," "I Don't Believe In Love" and "Eyes Of A Stranger" make this -- Queensyche's magnum opus -- a masterpiece. -Chris Lane

Metal Sludge editors note: Umm, fail. Queensryche? This should have the been the LA GUNS debut with "Sex Action" leading the leather boys inside the Top 15.


13. Twisted Sister
Stay Hungry (1984)
Stay Hungry has the requisite shout-along anthems ("We're Not Gonna Take It," "I Wanna Rock"), but Twisted Sister had an edge that made them feel more dangerous than other bands featured on this list. Poison and Cinderella, for example, most certainly did not have a "Burn In Hell" in them. Even power ballad "The Price" takes a darker outlook than the slow songs of their contemporaries. All in all, Stay Hungry is satisfyingly bleak. -Jason Roche

12. Bon Jovi
Slippery When Wet (1986)
Bon Jovi's third album seems to have sprung from a real-life hit factory. New Jersey's be-coiffed superstars created an album of rousing, stadium-status workouts that is still without peer. "You Give Love A Bad Name" was followed by "Livin' On A Prayer," which is as beloved by teens today as it was 25 years ago. Jon Bon Jovi today cringes when reminded of his hair metal roots, but there's no doubting his prayers sent many to hard rock heaven. -Phillip Mlynar



11. Cinderella
Night Songs (1986)
Cinderella was essentially discovered by Jon Bon Jovi, and the Philadelphia rockers toured in support of his band following Night Songs. While the music on that work bears some stylistic similarities to Bon Jovi, singer and guitarist Tom Kiefer has inarguable chops. At heart, he's a bluesman, evidenced in his guitar work and in his unmistakable sandpaper vocals that approach Janis Joplin territory on songs like the title track and "Nobody's Fool." -Linda Leseman



10. Warrant
Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich (1989)
RIP Jani Lane. Warrant's lead singer, who was found dead in Woodland Hills this summer, didn't have the strongest voice, or, per this quote, the strongest songwriting skills. But he understood the latter-year hair metal zeitgeist better than anyone. Despite its subject (excess) Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich manages to somehow sound hungry. She may be so damn pretty (should be against the law), but, you know, sometimes she also cries. Cherry Pie was self-satisfied, but DRFSR was a quite tight work that holds up. -Ben Westhoff


9. Ratt
Out Of The Cellar (1984)
"Round and Round" is fantastic, and deserves all of the airplay it receives today. There are plenty of other reasons to revisit Ratt's Out Of The Cellar, however, like "Wanted Man," which gives the badass Western tale an '80s rock makeover. Then there's the fact that Juan Croucier's unique bass sound would be replicated by others for the rest of the decade. Finally -- not for nothing, video vixen Tawny Kitaen makes her hair scene video debut on the "Back For More" video, beating Whitesnake by three years. -Jason Roche



8. Def Leppard
Hysteria (1987)
Four long years in the making following the phenomenally successful Pyromania, Hysteria was an act of faith. The band and producer Mutt Lange wanted to kill each other in the studio, and drummer Rick Allen lost his arm in a car accident. But the glue held, and the work is a seemingly-endless string of dramatic, note-perfect gems. No one took themselves more seriously than Def Leppard, and god bless them for it; even if "Pour Some Sugar On Me" makes no sense as a heterosexual come-on. -Ben Westhoff


7. Faster Pussycat
Faster Pussycat (1987)
As vampy and volatile as the Russ Meyers film that inspired their name, Faster Pussycat's self-titled debut captures the sex-charged debauchery of L.A.'s glam scene better than most. For one thing, few rockers were as immersed in it; singer Taime Downe co-created hair metal hub The Cathouse, after all. Downe's sleazy snarl and the group's ballsy, bluesy licks on "Don't Change That Song," "Bathroom Wall" and "Babylon" show them at their blaring best here, referencing the New York Dolls and Aerosmith but with a swagger that was all Hollywood hellion. Sure, they were pretty (guitarist Brent Muscat... swoon!), but this release proved their talents went beyond pouncing and posing. -Lina Lecaro



6. Poison
Look What The Cat Dragged In (1986)
Speaking of feline...Sure, it's hard to get beyond Poison's looks here; with their eye liner, high hair, puckered lips, and even high heels at one point, Poison were the forerunners of cross-dressing in hair metal. But though the band was not initially known for their musicianship, there are real riffs on Look What The Cat Dragged In, courtesy of guitarist C. C. DeVille. As for flagrantly-smutty boasts, it's hard to top Bret Michaels. "I got a girl on the left of me, a girl on the right/ I know damn well, I slept with both last night." Meow! -Phillip Mlynar


5. Motley Crue
Shout At the Devil (1983)
Motley Crue's second record stands as an old fashioned ode to Judas Priest, Black Sabbath and the play-your-records-backwards satanism of the '70s. It's also their hardest album. Though it was initially panned -- Rolling Stone gave it two stars -- it's now seen as the work that defined the band, portraying them as loud, fun absurdists. Of course, one could also argue that they were eerily talented; from the opening chords of "The Beginning" to Mick Mars' slithering shreds throughout, Shout At The Devil established the Crue as the era's band to beat. -Nikki Darling



4. Skid Row
Skid Row (1989)
Skid Row struck a resonant chord with teens on their self-titled debut. Sebastian Bach looked like the kid you would befriend if you weren't scared of him. His "Youth Gone Wild" wail served as a call to arms for misfits, while "18 And Life" trades in some first-rate working class melodrama. We'll gloss over the part about Bach then going on to rock a t-shirt that said "AIDS Kills Fags Dead." -Phillip Mlynar



3. Motley Crue
Too Fast For Love (1981)
The hesher-in-leather crotch shot cover almost belies what's inside Too Fast For Love: wistful Cheap Trick-ish power pop that's less about guitar assaults than potent grooves. The work foreshadowed Motley Crue's mainstream accessibility of later years with its dramatic starts and stops, layers of riffs, and Tommy Lee's thunderous drums. Meanwhile, Vince Neil's vocals more than hold their own -- especially on the mid-tempo cuts -- and Nikki Sixx, who did most of the writing, knew what he was creating here: a little pop metal masterpiece with very big balls. -Lina Lecaro



2. Def Leppard
Pyromania (1983)
Pyromania took Def Leppard from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal into the stratosphere. Uber-producer Mutt Lang was known as an incessant micromanager, but it paid off here, as the songs are flawlessly crafted for maximum pop appeal. Pyromaniagave the band three huge hits -- "Photograph", "Foolin", and "Rock of Ages," pushing the band into freaking diamond platinum status. 10 million copies sold, baby. -Linda Leseman



1. Guns N' Roses
Appetite for Destruction (1987)
This is the sound of sleaze. Though they're rarely lumped in with the hair metal scene, at the time of Appetite for Destruction's release Guns N' Roses were still very much a part of the Sunset Strip scene. Rude, decadent, and doomed to implode, G N' R crafted their debut amid an alcohol-soaked hurricane of wild sex, rage, and dysfunction -- that managed to capture them in all their grit and glory. Witness the terrifying, beautiful chaos of Axl Rose's shriek and the furious guitars of Slash and Izzy Stradlin. The album's furious tracks of metal, funk, punk -- and no fucking ballads -- sounds as great now as ever. Thankfully, this gang of misfits stayed intact just long enough to get it all on tape. -Steve Appleford

Metal Sludge would like to give a shout out to our friends over at LA WEEKLY

Chuck Klosterman's Top 25 Hair Metal
25. Junkyard
Junkyard (1989)

24. The Cult
Electric (1987)

23. Living Colour
Vivid (1988)

22. Ratt
Out Of The Cellar (1984)

21. Ozzy Osbourne
Bark At The Moon (1983)

20. Britny Fox
Britny Fox (1988)

19. Def Leppard
High N' Dry (1981)

18. Tesla
The Great Radio Controversy (1989)

17. David Lee Roth
Eat'Em And Smile (1986)

16. Ace Frehley
Frehley's Comet (1987)

15. KISS
Animalize (1984)

14. Poison
Open Up And Say...Ahh! (1988)

13. Ratt
Ratt (EP) (1983)

12. Warrant
Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich (1988)

11. W.A.S.P.
Live...In The Raw (1987)

10. Skid Row
Skid Row (1989)

9. Cinderella
Long Cold Winter (1988)

8. Motley Crue
Too Fast For Love (1981)

7. Poison
Look What The Cat Dragged In (1986)

6. Def Leppard
Pyromania (1983)

5. Faster Pussycat
Faster Pussycat (1987)

4. Guns N' Roses
G N' R Lies (1988)

3. Vinnie Vincent Invasion
Invasion(1986)

2. Motley Crue
Shout At The Devil (1983)

1. Guns N' Roses
Appetite For Destruction (1987)

Today's Day In Pop



Today's Full Report

Due to a planned power outage affecting our office, Tuesday's report will be published early and may be shorter than normal. We will be back at the normal time and with a full report on Wednesday.

Nude Lindsay Lohan Photos Leaked
(TMZ) Lindsay Lohan's highly classified Playboy photo shoot leaked to the Internet Friday morning -- one week before the issues was set to hit newsstands -- and TMZ has learned Playboy honchos are "freaking out."

First off -- the pics aren't bad .. it's a Marilyn Monroe thing ... and it works. Playboy sources tell us ... there are fears the leak could significantly damage sales of the magazine ... which is expected to be the best seller of the year.

The shoot was a massive investment for Playboy -- the mag shelled out nearly $1 million to Lohan for the spread and we're told the company has printed thousands of extra copies in anticipation of a sales boom. more on this story

50 Cent's G-Unit Rapper Arrested For Strangling Girl Friend
(TMZ) Rapper 40 Glocc -- once signed to 50 Cent's G-Unit record label -- has been arrested in Vegas after cops say he nearly choked his girlfriend to death THREE TIMES IN ONE DAY.

According to the police report obtained by TMZ, 40 Glocc -- real name Lawrence White -- was arrested on October 3rd ... after he allegedly unleashed a brutal beating on the woman.

Cops say 40 Glocc accused his GF of "playing him" -- so he hit her several times about the head, face, legs and rib area ... and choked her to the point where she "could not speak or breathe."

In the report, the GF claims Glocc strangled her twice more before falling asleep -- at which point, she snuck away and called 911.

When cops arrived, officers noticed bruising and swelling all over her face -- and "significant bruising to her throat, consistent with strangulation injuries."

40 Glocc -- reportedly a member of the Crips -- was arrested as he tried to drive away from the house.

The woman then told police Glocc had been abusing her for more than a year ... once handcuffing her and locking her in the truck of his car -- but she was too afraid to go to police, fearing he would kill her.

Glocc was taken to a nearby jail -- where he was charged with three counts of domestic battery by strangulation and coercion with force.

A rep for 40 Glocc tells us ... the rapper's team is working on his release, and they're hopeful he'll be a free man very soon. more on this story

Katy Perry Spoofs Christina Aguilera
(popmusiclife) Katy Perry had some big fun hosting Saturday Night Live on the weekend. The pop superstar appeared in several sketches, playing mostly light-hearted characters.

Perry did get a chance to imitate some fellow pop stars, including Florence Welch of Florence + the Machine, and Christina Aguilera.

In "The Apocalypse," a taped commercial spoof based on the film, "New Year's Eve," Katy played Aguilera, contemplating the end of the world with NBC weatherman Al Roker (played by Keenan Thompson). Check it out here.

Adele Is Billboard's Top Artist of 2011
(popmusiclife) In a year full of pop hits, Adele tops them all. The UK singer has been named Billboard's Top Artist of 2011.

With singles like "Rolling In The Deep" and "Someone Like You," Adele's "21" went on to become the best-selling album of the year, hitting 4.8 million copies sold in the States.

Adele came out ahead of Rihanna (#2), Katy Perry (#3), Lady Gaga (#4) and Lil' Wayne (#5). more on this story

Kirsten Dunst Restrains Stalker
(TMZ) Kirsten Dunst got a protection order today against a 51-year-old French man she claims has flown to the U.S. more than 5 times to see her -- and even confronted Kirsten's mother on her doorstep.

An L.A. County Superior Court Judge granted Kirsten a temporary restraining order against Jean Christophe Prudhon -- who, according to the docs sent dozens of letters to Kirsten, and tried to call Kirsten directly hundreds of times.

According to Kirsten's mom ... one of Prudhon's letters said he "came across the oceans 5 times to try and meet you, always frustrated by fate who took you away each time."

In the docs, Kirsten accuses Prudhon of flat out haunting her -- saying he's admitted sitting in his car outside her home 10 times, and on one occasion walked up to her doorstep and confronted her mother.

The order forces Prudhon to stay at least 100 yards away from Kirsten and her mother. A hearing is scheduled for December 21 to determine if the order should be extended. more on this story

Watch Justin Bieber Perform With Usher and Busta Rhymes
(popmusiclife) Justin Bieber was center stage in Rockefeller Center earlier this month for the annual tree-lighting ceremony.

With "Under The Mistletoe" high on the charts, Bieber performed a few tracks and had some help from his friends.

On "Drummer Boy," Justin was joined by Busta Rhymes, while Usher stepped in to help with "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)." Watch video of both performances here.

Coldplay New Year's Eve TV
(popmusiclife) Americans can ring in the New Year with Coldplay. The band are featured in concert on the first-ever Austin City Limits New Year's Eve special.

The rare 90-minute episode can be seen on PBS stations across the U.S. on Saturday, December 31 at 11pm ET.

The band are plugging their new album, "Mylo Xyloto." MTV described the taping: "It was one of those special nights when a band with a major arsenal finds a way to take its giant energy and squeeze it down into a much smaller space, without losing any of their arena-packing magic." more on this story

Tim McGraw Gives Fans Free Christmas All Over The World
If you missed the free download of Tim McGraw's "Christmas All Over The World" last week, don't worry he is now offering a download of the track directly from his website.

The song, which he recently co-produced with Byron Gallimore at Nashville's Blackbird Studio, is a joyful celebration of the season penned by Daniel Tashian and Troy Verges. The track is being released through McGraw's own label, StyleSonic Records.

"I'm very appreciative of the support my fans have given me over the years, and I wanted to say 'thank you' to them with this new holiday song," said Tim McGraw. "I'm really excited to be recording again and I'll have new music to share early next year."

Fans can get a free download of Tim McGraw's new song, "Christmas All Over The World," and share it here.

Goldfrapp Set New Release
Astralwerks records have set a February 7th, 2012 release date for Goldfrapp's new release The Singles.

The album is a career-spanning overview featuring tracks from their five albums, alongside two brand new songs written especially for this release:

"Yellow Halo" a slow building synth-pop wonder, and the introspective and defiant new wave ballad "Melancholy Sky". more on this story

Jason Aldean, Big & Rich, Toby Keith, And Blake Shelton For Country Thunder
Jason Aldean, Big & Rich, Toby Keith, and Blake Shelton will be the headliners for the 20th Annual Wisconsin Country Thunder Festival.

Webster sent over these details: Headlining Thursday night is multi-platinum duo Big & Rich who's raucous-raising performance will be the perfect way to kick off the 4-day festival extravaganza. Comprised of Kenny Alphin and The Celebrity Apprentice winner John Rich, the duo has garnered multiple GRAMMY, ACM, CMA and CMT Music Award nominations. Their hits include their infectious smash-hit singles, "Fake ID," "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)" as well as "Comin' to Your City," "8th of November" and "Lost in this Moment." Joining Big & Rich on Thursday, is hot new All In/Elektra Nashville/ New Revolution country act, THE FARM, whose debut single "Home Sweet Home" is currently building at radio.

Georgia native Jason Aldean will headline Friday night, with Steve Holy and Wade Bowen in the opening slots. Aldean recently earned two CMA Awards, six ACA Awards and three nominations for the upcoming GRAMMYs, and was chosen as a CMT Artists of the Year honoree for the second consecutive year. Also joining Friday's line-up is Aldean's tourmate Luke Bryan, who has performed numerous hits including "All My Friends Say," "Country Man," "Do I," and the chart-topping singles "Rain is a Good Thing," and "Someone Else Calling You Baby." more on this story

Kris Humphries Claims GMA Ambush With Kim Kardashian Questions
(TMZ) Kris Humphries is telling people he felt "ambushed" by "Good Morning America" Friday morning -- claiming he was put under the impression the interview was NOT going to focus on his split from Kim Kardashian ... but "GMA" is calling BS.

Sources close to Kris tell TMZ ... the NBA player claims he knew he would be asked about the divorce during the sit-down ... but he didn't expect to be grilled like a cheeseburger.

During the interview, Kris appears VERY uncomfortable as he's hit with question after question about Kim ... and things got downright awkward when interviewer Josh Elliot asked Kris' mother about the relationship.

We're told Kris is saying ... he only agreed to do the interview to promote his charity work and to support his mother's cooking segment on the show ... and he's "livid" about the way it turned out.

But a rep for ABC tells us no pre-show deal was made to limit the interview ... saying, "There were no ground rules." more on this story

Nicole Scherzinger Break Down After Rachel Crow X Factor Elimination?
(TMZ) Nicole Scherzinger ran off the set of 'X Factor' in tears Thursday night ... when the audience booed her like crazy for eliminating Rachel Crow ... and TMZ has learned she was hysterically crying in her dressing room for nearly a half-hour.

Nicole was charged with casting the final vote between Crow and Marcus Canty ... but didn't want to eliminate either .. so she sent the vote to "Deadlock" -- which meant it all boiled down to the audience vote.

Crow lost ... and broke down in tears ... and when the host of the show asked Nicole to comment, the crowd unleashed a chorus of boos.

Sources connected to the production tell TMZ ... Nicole bolted right for her dressing room ... and was "inconsolable" about the situation.

We're told Crow -- who was a crying mess herself -- heard about Nicole and went to the judge's dressing room ... where the two cried together and Crow told Nicole she was not mad about the decision.

It's been a rough couple of weeks for Scherzinger -- as TMZ first reported, she had already been getting death threats and hate mail for voting Drew Ryniewicz off the show last week. more on this story

Robyn Appears on Saturday Night Live
(popmusiclife) Swedish pop star Robyn was the musical guest on Saturday Night Live over the weekend.

On an episode hosted by Katy Perry, Robyn performed two tracks: "Call Your Girlfriend" and "Dancing On My Own."

Robyn expressed her thoughts on the experience the day after the show on Twitter, saying, "Thank you @nbcsnl @katyperry @cherrytreerec and @decida And thank you for all the love on twitter. I'm in a daze. Band and I are happy!" Check it out here.

Jersey Shore Mall Fight Leads To Legal Battle
(TMZ) Angelina Pivarnick sued first, but she did not sue last -- the girl who allegedly fought with the former "Jersey Shore" star is now firing back with a lawsuit of her own ... TMZ has learned.

As TMZ first reported, Pivarnick sued a girl named Kelsey Balzafiore over a fight that went down at a Staten Island mall last November. In the suit, Pivarnick claimed she "was wounded, bruised, and injured and sustained severe shock to her nervous system."

But Balzafiore claims it was Pivarnick and her friend, Jeanine Vaiana, that started the fight with Balzafiore and her friend, Victoria Aviles.

Balzafiore claims she tried to intervene when Vaianaa and Aviles came face-to-face, and it was Vaiana who struck her first. Once she fell to the floor, Balzafiore claims Pivarnick struck her. The fight was broken up soon after.

Balzafiore is suing both Pivarnick and her friend for unspecified damages. more on this story

Eric Church Among The Best of 2011
iTunes named Eric Church their 2011 Country Breakthrough Artist of the Year for 2011.

In addition, NPR Music hails CHIEF as one of their Top 50 Albums of the Year noting, "On his third album, Church hits his stride, chronicling wild nights and epic hangovers with just the right amount of critical distance.

The album also landed an impressive spot at No. 19 on Rolling Stone Magazine's list of the 50 Best Albums of 2011 and it sits at No. 9 on Amazon's Best Country Albums of 2011. more on this story

Gucci Mane Strikes Custody Deal
(TMZ) Rapper Gucci Mane is doing good by the woman he knocked up -- agreeing to fork over $2,026 a month to help support his 4-year-old son ... this according to new legal docs.

Gucci -- real name Radric Davis -- stepped up to the plate after establishing he was the father, striking the child support agreement with his baby mama Sheena Evans in Georgia court.

According to the docs, Gucci makes $24,908 a month. It was pretty amicable all around -- both sides also agreed to let Sheena take primary physical custody ... giving Gucci visitation as his schedule permits.

See, it doesn't always have to be difficult. more on this story

Rachael Yamagata Selling Out
(Sub) Rachael Yamagata has sold-out 10 of the dates on her current U.S. tour in support of her third release Chesapeake.

Sold out markets on the tour (so far) include: Northampton (10/28), Boston (10/30), Washington, DC (11/1), Baltimore (11/2), Brooklyn (11/4), Pittsburgh (11/5), Los Angeles (11/29), Hoboken (12/20), and New York (12/21-22).

Yamagata also recently stopped by NPR's Tell Me More while on tour in Washington , DC. Listen to the interview and live performance here.

Singled Out: Laura Warshauer's I Love You Mr. Grinch
Today Laura Warshauer tells us about her original holiday song "I Love You Mr. Grinch," which she is giving away as a Christmas present to fans. Here is the story:

I remember loving the book Tom Sawyer when I was in middle school. One day, we got to watch a movie that was about the characters as if they were all grown up and what had happened to them. Oftentimes, when I read a great book or see a movie that I really like, I find myself so taken with the story and the protagonists, that I'm actually sad when it's over. Writing this song, "I Love You, Mr. Grinch" was my way of continuing the famous Christmas classic that we all know and love, Dr. Seuss' "When the Grinch Stole Christmas". I pretended I was the little girl in the story, Cindy Lou Who, as if I was all grown up and had secretly harbored a crush on Mr. Grinch for years. This was just a fun story to tell, and that's the place I was in as I was writing this song. Not to mention when I wrote the song, I had just made the cross-country move to Los Angeles right around the holidays, and was thrown off by the amazing California weather. I loved it, but I was used to growing up in New Jersey where the wintery weather would set in along with all the holiday lights, window displays and music. This all created the spirit of the holidays for me. So, 3000 miles away, writing "I Love You. Mr. Grinch" helped me get into holiday mode without the cold weather. As soon as the sleigh bells kick in when the song starts, I could easily be in some winter-wonderland.

Today's Day In Rock




Due to a planned power outage affecting our office, Tuesday's report will be published early and may be shorter than normal. We will be back at the normal time and with a full report on Wednesday.


Metallica and Dave Mustaine Reunion Jam
(hennemusic) Metallica invited many special guests to be a part of their 30th Anniversary shows at the legendary Fillmore in San Francisco this past week.

Some of the most special included former members of pre- and early-Metallica, including Dave Mustaine, Hugh Tanner, Lloyd Grant and Ron McGovney.

It was all hands on deck for the pre- and original Metallica crew on Saturday, as Mustaine sat in for five songs, while Grant and McGovney played on two, and Tanner joined the team for the night's closer, "Seek & Destroy." Check out video here.

Motley Crue's Nikki Sixx Falls On Stage
(hennemusic) Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx took a tumble on stage Thursday night in Nottingham.

Currently touring the UK with Def Leppard and Steel Panther, the Crue's set of classics and hits was unfazed by Sixx' slight fall, which happened during "Shout At The Devil."

Sixx had climbed down off a riser and was walking across the stage towards drummer Tommy Lee's kit when he slipped and wiped out. Nikki tweeted about it after the show: "Slipped and fell onstage. Fun. Smashed blood bass. Fun. Guitar cabinets blown up. Rock n roll. Nottingham. Loud." more on this story

Guns N' Roses Train Wreck For Rock Hall?
(hennemusic) When it comes time for Guns N' Roses to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of fame, former GNR drummer Matt Sorum is hoping for the best, but preparing himself for the worst.

"It's going to be as big of a train wreck as The Sex Pistols, Blondie, or any of those other bands," Sorum tells Australia's The Vine.

"That's my prediction. Or Van Halen, which I don't know if you saw, but we [Velvet Revolver] were involved in that. Train wreck; it was a complete train wreck. But maybe it won't; maybe it will be a miracle; I hope for that and put out the positive vibrations. But it's coming up pretty quickly. That's in March, so we'll see." more on this story

Mick Jones and Paul Simonon Jam Clash Classics
(Gibson) On Thursday night (December 8), Mick Jones partnered with former Clash bandmate Paul Simonon to perform Clash material together for the first time since 1982. As reported by NME.com, the show, staged at the Scala in London, saw the duo perform 12 Clash songs in total.

Musician guests who joined in included singer-songwriter Pete Wylie, Richard Archer of the band Hard-Fi, and members of The Farm. The set included several Clash classics, including "London Calling," "Train in Vain," "Guns of Brixton" and "Should I Stay or Should I Go." Jones wrapped up the show with a rendition of The Farm's "All Together Now," which he dedicated to the memory of John Lennon.

The event was part of a series of concerts staged throughout England to support the Hillsborough Justice Campaign. The organization was formed in the wake of the 1989 Hillsborough football tragedy, in which 96 people lost their lives. more on this story



More on Clash - Clash Music - Clash CDs, vinyl and rarities
Alice Cooper Documentary Coming
(Gibson) Rock and roll eccentric Alice Cooper will be the subject of a documentary film to be unveiled next summer.

According to Classic Rock magazine, Banger Films, which produced documentaries for Iron Maiden and Rush, is producing the Cooper film that will debut in September at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Sam Dunn from Banger Films spoke to Spinner.com, saying, "We're in the early stages of telling the story of his career. We're probably going to focus in on his early years up to his comeback in the '80s. We're exploring a different stylist approach with this film. It won't be talking heads; it's going to be more of an archival and animated journey through his career." more on this story



Rare Early Van Halen Photos Surface
(hennemusic) Some rare photos of Van Halen from 1978 have surfaced. The Van Halen News Desk reports they have posted 15 photos of Van Halen making a special in-store appearance at a record store during their first world tour back in 1978.

A promotional flyer on the wall shows an image of Van Halen's only album cover and reads "APPEARING IN STORE FRIDAY 2:30 – 4:00″.

In the pics, the band is seen drinking cans of Schlitz Malt Liquor – their favorite beer at the time. Check some of them out here.

ZZ Top Eye Spring Album Release
(hennemusic) ZZ Top guitarist Billy Gibbons provides an update on their forthcoming album, courtesy of a new interview with Rolling Stone.

"When you add up the days in the studio, it hasn't allowed us much time to do much else than plug straight into an amp and play as a trio," says Billy. "We're still not afraid to experiment when time allows, but these are things that don't normally pop up in a ZZ session. It's just, go in and get it."

"Presently, it would be safe to say that by spring of the year 2012" is when fans can look forward to some new ZZ in their collection, according to Gibbons. more on this story

iTunes Release Free Beatles Yellow Submarine Book App
iTunes Store have released a free exclusive Beatles 'Yellow Submarine' book that lets readers tap their iPad, iPhone and iPod touch to immerse themselves in the legendary film's colorful sights and sounds.

The iBookstore's exclusive 'Yellow Submarine' book takes the reader on a kaleidoscopic, music-filled journey with The Beatles to an underwater dreamland featuring animated illustrations and text from the 2004 book, 14 full-color video clips from the original 1968 film, audio clips of classic Beatles hits and Sir George Martin's original score, original dialogue from the film, "read aloud" functionality to follow along as actor Dean Lennox Kelly narrates, as well as interactive features that let you tap the story's wild array of butterflies, starfish and sea monsters to make them come alive.

The vibrantly illustrated book was designed by Fiona Andreanelli using Heinz Edelmann's original artwork from the film, and its story has been adapted by Charlie Gardner from the film's original screenplay, co-written by Lee Minoff, Al Brodax, Jack Mendelsohn and Eric Segal. more on this story

Wayne Static Extends Solo Tour
Wayne Static has extended his solo tour plans which kicks off this month with two additional months of dates.

Static will start the new run of shows beginning January 25, 2012 in Farmington, NM and spanning until February 23rd, 2012 in Reno, NV.

Polkadot Cadaver and Canada's The Agonist will also be performing on all the newly added 2012 shows. more on this story

Soul Coughing's Mike Doughty To Launch Book of Drugs Tour
Soul Coughing's Mike Doughty is releasing his memoir "The Book of Drugs," on February 1st and will be hitting the road in support of it.

"The Book of Drugs" is described as his memoir of his life, career, addiction, and the doomed-from-the-start, eight-year roller coaster ride of his former band, Soul Coughing.

Doughty will tour the eastern U.S. in February, performing music solo, reading from the book, and answering audience questions each night. more on this story

Awolnation Announce Initial 2012 Tour Dates
Awolnation have announced their initial eight North American tour dates for the New Year, with more dates coming soon.

The North American trek kicks off January 5 in Anchorage, Alaska and highlighted by a live performance at the Winter X Games in Aspen, Colorado on January 28.

The band, currently on the road performing at holiday concerts and festivals throughout December, recently wrapped their sold out "Fall Harvest Tour." more on this story

Lindsey Buckingham Postpones Tour Due To Band Injury
Lindsey Buckingham has been forced to postpone his UK tour due to a band member injury.

Lindsey's camp put out the following: 'Lindsey Buckingham unfortunately needs to postpone his upcoming UK shows as his guitarist has severely injured his back and is not able to presently perform.

"All tickets will be honored at the soon to be announced rescheduled dates.' The tour was scheduled to start last Thursday and run until December 16th.

Eric Clapton Bandmate Dick Sims Dies
(Gibson) Dick Sims, a Tulsa-based keyboardist who was a longtime member of Eric Clapton's band, has died. Details regarding Sims' death have yet to be revealed, but tributes are pouring in to his Facebook page. Sims and his self-designed Hammond B-3 first appeared with Clapton on the 1974 album, 461 Ocean Boulevard. He and fellow Clapton backers Carl Radle (bass) and Jamie Oldaker (drums) had previously been members of the Tulsa County Band. Together, they helped pioneer the so-called "Tulsa sound."

"461 Ocean Boulevard was Eric Clapton, but that was [also] the Tulsa County Band," Sims told Tulsa People, in 2010. "They weren't going to name it 'Eric Clapton and Tulsa County,' because Eric was already a solo act. And the bands he'd been in before, they only lasted one album and then they'd break up. And we were with him for nine years."

"It was a great band," Sims added. "I was blessed to get to experience that quality of music." Sims went on to record with J.J. Cale, Peter Tosh, Vince Gill and others. He released a solo album, titled Within Arms Reach, in 2008. more on this story



Steve Perry Reflects On His Journey
(hennemusic) Steve Perry may never reconnect with Journey, but he's beyond thrilled with the work he did during his time in the band.

Perry had a little refresher course in his history with Journey's while helping put together tracks for the band's "Greatest Hits: Volume 2" release this year.

"When I heard these tracks come off vinyl again, I got emotional beyond my wildest expectations," Perry tells the St. Petersburg Times. "I forgot how good they were! The stereo separation. The echoes. The snare drum sounds. Neal [Schon]'s guitar is stupidly amazing, and completely still to this day underrated in my opinion." more on this story

Queen's Roger Taylor Picks Queen Extravaganza Band Members
(hennemusic) After reviewing months of auditions, Queen's Roger Taylor has confirmed the lineup for the Queen Extravaganza touring band.

The lineup of six musicians will tour North America in 2012 backed by a huge production that features all the classic Queen songs.

"The Queen Extravaganza" band line-up consists of singers Jennifer Espinoza (San Antonio, TX) and Marc Martel (Montreal, QC / Nashville,TN), guitarists Tristan Avakian (Toronto, ON) and Brian Gresh (Tulsa, OK), drummer Tyler Warren (Camden, TN) and bassist Francois-Olivier Doyon (Quebec City, QC). more on this story

Dying Fetus Begin Recording New Album
Dying Fetus have entered the studio to record their next full length album, which they will once again be working with longtime producer Steve Wright (Slipknot, Misery Index) at Wrightway Studios in Baltimore, MD.

Set to be released in mid 2012 through Relapse Records, the album will feature nine tracks and is a "return to roots" with production focused slightly more on slam than in the band's last few works. An official release date and album title will be announced shortly.

"The last album had some groove in it," stated guitarist and vocalist John Gallagher, "but [it] was basically a lot of tech; this one is a return to form of older Dying Fetus albums, so to speak- more modern production though, of course." "Everything's tight," John adds; "...the sound is crushing, the drums are amazing". more on this story

Drunken Prayer Set New Album Release
Fluff & Gravy Records will release Drunken Prayer's sophomore full-length, Into the Missionfield, on February 7, 2012.

The announcement describes the release as an eleven track collection of dark tales and darker melodies. A journey down a path less traveled, but always more rewarding.

Some may categorize it as alt. country, Americana, folk-rock, or a number of other genres, but, to Drunken Prayer mastermind Morgan Christopher Geer, the songs aren't trying to be anything; they're just his way of letting out a howl formed by life and the history of music. more on this story

Megaton Leviathan Plan New Album
(Earsplit) Megaton Leviathan are set to begin work on their new full-length album, which includes a "smacked-out version of Judas Priest's 'Here Comes The Tears,'" according to the band, will be unleashed during the latter half of 2012.

Further comments vocalist/guitarist Andrew Costa on the direction of the new material: "The new tunes are dark but still retain the trademark Megaton Leviathan hooks and dreamy atmosphere fans have come to expect from us.It's a transmutation of a lot of my personal experiences in Alaska as well as our recent trails and tribulations as a young band. It will be delivered in a way most everyone can identify with."

The band is also working on a split release with LA noise band Actuary. Further details to be unveiled soon. In addition, the eclectic ensemble will kick off the new year with a short string of West Coast headlining dates. more on this story

The Intersphere Release New Video
(Freeman) The Intersphere have released a new video for their new song "Sleeping God" from their forthcoming album.

After playing over 350 live shows all over Europe including major festival appearances at Rock Am Ring and FM4 Frequency, The Intersphere returns with album number three.

"Hold On, Liberty!" will be released in North America on January 31st via Long Branch Records/SPV. Check out the video here.

Sting Playing Christmas Party
(Gibson) Sting has been lined up to play a Christmas office party for a cool £1 million. According to NME.com, the Police man will perform for Czech tycoon Petr Kellner at Prague Castle in Prague.

Meanwhile, the "Roxanne" singer is working on a musical show based on life in his hometown of Newcastle in the 1980s. The musical will be called The Last Ship and Sting is co-writing it.

Sting recently celebrated his 60th birthday with a charity concert in New York where Lady Gaga, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel and Stevie Wonder all performed for him.

Friday, December 9, 2011

JUDAS PRIEST Singer Interviewed On San Antonio's X106.7 Radio Station




On October 11, Tom "T-Bone" Scheppke of San Antonio, Texas' classic rock radio station X106.7 conducted an interview with vocalist Rob Halford of British heavy metal legends JUDAS PRIEST.





JUDAS PRIEST kicked off the North American leg of its "Epitaph" farewell tour on October 12 at AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas (with support from THIN LIZZY and BLACK LABEL SOCIETY).

"The Chosen Few", the newly released compilation album from JUDAS PRIEST, sold 1,300 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The collection, which came out on October 11 via Legacy/Sony, contains songs that were selected by some of the biggest names of the hard rock/heavy metal world, including KISS' Gene Simmons, Ozzy Osbourne, Slash, METALLICA's James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich, Alice Cooper and SLIPKNOT's Corey Taylor.

Regarding JUDAS PRIEST's farewell world tour, Rob Halford previously said, "We're pulling out all the stops. We've built a brand new stage set, we've got all the effects that people love us for — the lasers, the fire, the bombs, the smoke, new costumes, and the bike. It's just a full-on metal extravaganza."

As for whether this is really the end of JUDAS PRIEST's touring days, guitarist Glenn Tipton said, "We don't plan on retiring. We've said that this is our last world tour. It takes a chunk out of your life — 18 months. We won't be doing any more world tours as such and in many parts of the world, it will be the last time people will get a chance to see us. But we're not gonna stop. We've got an album in the can now, we will start to write with [new guitarist] Richie [Faulkner], there will be more albums, and who knows?! There might be a string of dates that we can manage to do. We're just not gonna do another major world tour. We've been doing it for 40 years and it's time to let the younger bands have the chance."

Quality video footage of JUDAS PRIEST performing the song "Beyond The Realms Of Death" on December 1, 2011 at Bayfront Park Amphitheater in Miami, Florida can be seen below.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Rapid Fire
02. Metal Gods
03. Heading Out To The Highway
04. Judas Rising
05. Starbreaker
06. Victim Of Changes
07. Never Satisfied
08. Diamonds & Rust (JOAN BAEZ cover)
09. Prophecy
10. Night Crawler
11. Turbo Lover
12. Beyond The Realms Of Death
13. The Sentinel
14. Blood Red Skies
15. The Green Manalishi (With The Two Pronged Crown) (FLEETWOOD MAC cover)
16. Breaking The Law
17. Painkiller

Encore:

18. The Hellion (taped intro)
19. Electric Eye
20. Hell Bent For Leather
21. You've Got Another Thing Comin'

Today's Day In Rock






Another Unreleased Metallica Song Online
(hennemusic) Metallica played the second of four 30th Anniversary shows Wednesday night at the Fillmore in San Francisco. The setlist featured a real rarity: "Just A Bullet Away," a previously unreleased song from the "Death Magnetic" sessions.
A rough-mix version of the studio recording was e-mailed to members of Metallica's official fan club…and has surfaced online. "We're pretty excited to be bringing these songs back to life nearly four years after they were recorded," said Metallica. "Once again, this is the unpolished version of the song... the original rough mix from March of 2008 in its rawest, untouched form."

This is the second "Death Magnetic" track to be given to fans, following "Hate Train," which was provided after Monday's gig Check it out

Lenny Kravitz Is Angry
(hennemusic) Lenny Kravitz has crafted an image based not only on his incredible musical talent, but one of being a nice guy. Now, a new video for comedy site Funny or Die shows another side of the rocker.

The footage shows Kravitz being one angry dude – at everything around him. From traffic to tourists to kites to flooring, Lenny doesn't hold anything back.

Kravitz just completed a European tour in support of his latest album, "Black or White America"; he fires things back up again in March for a tour of Australia. Check it out here.

Coldplay Plan North American Tour
Emi sent over word yesterday that Coldplay plans to launch their first North American tour in nearly three years on April 17.

The trek, which kicks off at Rexall Place in Edmonton, AB, will include a two-night stand at Los Angeles' historic Hollywood Bowl (May 1 & 2).

The band is touring in support of its new RIAA-certified Platinum record, Mylo Xyloto. more on this story

Pantera, Anthrax, Disturbed, Slipknot Stars For DimeBash
Next week's DimeBash 2011 is set to feature members of Pantera, Anthrax, Disturbed, Slipknot, System of a Down, Machine Head and many more paying tribute to "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott and raising money for the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up & Shout Cancer Fund.

We were sent this approved lineup announcement: "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott's influence on the music community can never be fully estimated, but if the collection of artists and players at this year's DimeBash 2011 is any indication, his legacy is as far-reaching and deeper than ever before.

On December 14th, the world of hard rock and metal come together in a communion of thunderous songs and stories to tip its collective glass to one of the true masters of not only guitar, but music as a whole. "Today marks the 7th year, which still doesn't seem like a reality to me", states Rita Haney, longtime girlfriend of Dime and the person who knew him best. "Sometimes I think, "Boy this sure is a long ass tour", but then I focus back in and realize what I'm working on at this moment and I just have to smile and be thankful for all the amazing people that surround me - thanks to him. I hope everyone enjoys this event as much as we like bringing it to them. It's nothing more, nothing less, than "About a damn good time!" - one of my favorite Dime pastimes and phrases. There are no words to express my thanks to all the artists who make this event special and give "us fans" a night to remember two truly amazing people and the music they created! I am forever at your beckon call, so c'mon out and experience the evening with us. It's going to be quite magical!!!" more on this story

The Day Ozzy Almost Died
(Gibson) On this day in 2003, Ozzy Osbourne was admitted to Wexham Park Hospital in Slough, Berkshire, after being injured in a quad bike accident at his U.K. home. The 55-year-old singer broke his collarbone, eight ribs and a vertebra in his neck. News of Osbourne's accident reached the House of Commons, where the government sent a goodwill message. Gibson takes a look back: Rock and roll almost lost Ozzy Osbourne on this very day in 2003.

Ozzy Osbourne was back in England at his Buckinghamshire home, enjoying a day off from promoting his new duet with daughter Kelly. Taking a ride in the country on his ATV four-wheeler, Ozzy crashed, breaking his collarbone, eight ribs and a vertebra in his neck.

"I'd been racing along this dirt trail and my front wheels hit a pothole," Ozzy told Wales Online. "The bike shot out from under me and did a back flip in the air, throwing me on to the grass. For about a millionth of a second, I thought, 'Oh well, that wasn't so bad'. Then the whole lot landed on top of me. Crack!"

Ozzy's broken ribs proved exceptionally dangerous after doctors discovered that his lungs had started to fill with blood. There was also a chance he could lose an arm since a main artery had been severed.

Ozzy, however, in true-rock star fashion, was more concerned about his tattoo. more on this story



Stupid Grudge Preventing Guns N' Roses Reunion
(Gibson) Guns N' Roses are among this year's inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, an honor they're receiving on their very first year of eligibility. Such as event seems like cause for, at long last, a full-fledged, Guns N' Roses reunion, but according to drummer Steven Adler, the guys have no official plans to get back in the same room together, even for a cause as big as the Hall.

When asked if he thinks all five Appetite for Destruction-era members of Guns N' Roses will show up for the induction, Adler told Rolling Stone, "Absolutely not. But, as far as I know, there is a God and a higher power, and it's possible. Unfortunately, I don't foresee it. You figure that time could heal all wounds, but some people just REALLY hold a crazy grudge."

Axl Rose seems cool with Duff McKagan, Izzy Stradlin and Adler. The hope is that he'll patch things up with guitar great Slash. "He should be cool with Slash!" Adler exclaimed. "The real shame about the ending of the Guns N' Roses when I got kicked out wasn't just that I got kicked out, but Slash and Axl stopped working together. They are the Keith Richards and the Mick Jagger! The Steven Tyler and Joe Perry!

"For 20 years, because of some STUPID grudge, which I guarantee you that neither of them could even tell you what it was. They don't even know! I just had lunch with Slash two days ago. He loves Axl. He holds no grudges towards him. Twenty years of great music wasn't created because of some stupid grudge. That's a shame." more on this story



Warrant's Jani Lane Died Without A Will
(TMZ) Former Warrant singer Jani Lane died without divvying up his financial empire -- which could be a big problem .... considering he was worth about $600,000 at the time of his death.

According to court docs filed in connection with Jani's estate, the singer left behind no will when he died of alcohol poisoning in August -- and now, his oldest daughter has asked the court to approve an estate administrator to start figuring things out.

According to the docs, the 47-year-old's estate is valued at $600,000 -- though it's unclear exactly what it's made up of.

As for who's in contention for the goods -- Jani is survived by his wife and his two daughters ... but the mom of his second daughter could also make out with a share. more on this story

Kaiser Chiefs Plan North American Release and Tour
(Press Here) Kaiser Chiefs have set a March 6, 2012 North American release date for their next release, Start The Revolution Without Me.

The new release, Start The Revolution Without Me (Fiction/Cooperative Music/Downtown), will feature five never-before released tracks.

Next year, the band will be hitting the road for a North American tour in March and April. more on this story

Rodrigo y Gabriela Offer Up Download of Heavy New Song
(Big Hassle) ATO Records is offering the first song from the soon-to-be released Area 52 from Rodrigo y Gabriela.

The song is called "Juan Loco," and is available for download on the group's SoundCloud here.

ATO sent over this background info on the track and album: "Juan Loco" is a compelling and powerful representation of the unique hybrid of metal, latin and jazz that is the unmistakable signature of Rodrigo Sanchez and Gabriela Quintero. For Area 52, the duo took their sound a step further into the unknown -- "Juan Loco" now boasts a 13-piece Cuban Orchestra and brilliant bass by Carles Benavent, who has played with the likes of Paco De Lucia, Chick Corea and Miles Davis. more on this story

KROQ Acoustic Christmas Will Be Streamed Online
Rock fans that do not live in the Los Angeles area won't have to miss the KROQ Acoustic Christmas this weekend as the event is set to streamed online.

Ustream are providing live broadcast for KROQ Acoustic Christmas 2011 in Los Angeles on Saturday, December 10th and Sunday, December 11th starting at 5:30pm PT / 8:30 pm ET for both nights.

Tune in here to watch the Live webcast of the entire weekend with complete, and uncut performances, backstage interviews, and more from Blink-182, Bush, Incubus, 311, The Black Eyes, Death Cab for Cutie, Florence + the Machine, Mumford & Sons, and more! more on this story

Joe Elliott Rocks Benefit For Def Leppard's 'Sixth Member'
(hennemusic) Def Leppard singer Joe Elliott took the stage Sunday night in Birmingham to help a friend and fellow bandmate.

The Birmingham Mail reports the event was a benefit show to raise money for the man described as Def Leppard's "sixth member."

Elliott took part in Doin' The Decent Thing at the Roadhouse in Stirchley – a fundraiser for Dick Decent, from Dudley, who has toured with Def Leppard as their keyboard player. The 51-year-old, who runs the Decent Pie Studios in Dudley, was struck down with fluoroquinolone toxicity two years ago, which is a little-known illness caused by poisoning after taking antibiotics. More including video of the show here.

Scott Weiland Performance Online
(hennemusic) Scott Weiland recently performed a holiday-inspired set for iHeartradio in New York.

The Stone Temple Pilots frontman is promoting his new Christmas release, "The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year," which features Xmas standards in a variety of styles, including big band swing, orchestrated ballads, reggae, bossa nova and more.

The set featured songs from the new project, as well as some STP. Weiland is doing some intimate shows this month. Grab the dates and check out the videos of the jam here.

Vinnie Paul and Zakk Wylde Remember Dimebag
(Banana 101.5) Yesterday marked the seventh anniversary (12/08/04) of the tragic murder of Pantera legend Dimebag Darrell Abbott. his brother Vinnie Paul and Zakk Wylde were among those that paid tribute to him to mark the sad anniversary:

Vinnie Paul Remembering his brother and bandmate: "On this day 7 years ago I had the best friend i've ever known taken from me forever!!!!!!! I would just like to say DIMES SPIRIT forever shines on like the stars in the sky!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lets celebrate his life,music,LOVE and spirit and do a Blacktooth in his honor!!!! Getcha pull and light em up!!!!! WE MISS YOU DIME , YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN!!!!! BIG LOVE FROM BIG BROTHER!!!! THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING!!!!"

Zakk Wylde On Dime's importance to heavy music: "When people ask me, "What was Dime's guitar playing like?" I say, "With Dime, it wasn't just what he brought to the table, with the bluesy feel and the beyond f—ing heavy riffs." When you really think about it, he actually inspired a genre, like how [Black Sabbath guitarist] Tony Iommi inspired a genre of music. Not just Dime's ripping solos and all that bulls—, I'm talking about like the actual style of the f—ing music." [Revolver] more on this story

Lamb of God Deliver New Video
(Banana 101.5) Lamb of God's sixth studio album 'Resolution' is due in stores January 24th, 2012 and is the follow-up to 2009′s 'Wrath.' Drummer Chris Adler addressed the speculation that this would be the last album from the band when speaking to Hails and Horns recently:

"It's tough to say. I don't want to. I feel that this is in my blood. But it's very much possible that we're not able to keep up at a certain point. I think we need to be honest with ourselves about that. I don't know when that's gonna be. I don't want it to be now. I don't want it to be today…So I don't want to say that this is the last one, but we're not getting any younger. It certainly could be. We all know that someday this is gonna end. If we can't put something together that is somehow an evolution or is somehow better than what we've done, then we should really just stop, because the albums that we have done are all good in their own way. We're very proud of [the band] and we don't want to water down whatever legacy there is."

While the first single from 'Resolution' has been both praised by fans for staying true to their sound and blasted for showing no growth, vocalist Randy Blythe recently revealed that the online criticism is "unbelievably amusing" and helps him "sleep extra-soundly knowing we done good once again." Check out the lyric video and decide for yourself

Mick Jagger and Keith Richards To Help Pay For Hubert Sumlin's Funeral
(Rock News Desk) The Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger and Keith Richards have volunteered to pay all costs related to the funeral of blues guitarist Hubert Sumlin, who died this week aged 80.

Sumlin spent most of his career playing with Howlin' Wolf but also worked with Muddy Waters. He was named the 43rd greatest player of all time by Rolling Stone magazine.

He died of heart failure in a New Jersey hospital after a long illness. It's thought Stones guitarist Richards had been helping with his medical bills for some time. more on this story

Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones Honored
(hennemusic) Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones is to receive some special honors today.

The News Shopperreports Jones will receive an honorary fellowship from Deptford's Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.

Jones will join the ranks of other acclaimed artists who have received the honor, including Oscar nominated composer John Powell. more on this story

Tesla Day In Sacramento
(hennemusic) It was Tesla day in Sacramento, California on Wednesday. As part of the festivities, the rockers were on hand to receive the key to the city from Mayor Kevin Johnson, who praised the band for raising the city's profile worldwide.

The presentation was held at the Sacramento Rock And Roll Museum, the site of the Oasis Ballroom, where the band first got its start.

"Being from Sacramento has really been good for us," said guitarist Frank Hannon, "because we've been able to keep it real and not get caught up in glam and the competition down in Hollywood and all that. We're proud to be from Sacramento; it's a hometown, heartfelt thing."

Check out video here.

Blur To Receive Brit Honor
(Gibson) Britpop legends Blur will be recognized at the U.K.'s version of the Grammys, the Brits. Damon Albarn and crew will receive the prestigious Outstanding Contribution to Music award next year.

BRITs chairman David Joseph told Music Week : "Blur are as popular today as they have always been. They've always felt like the new guard, constantly pushing the boundaries, but incredibly it is 20 years since the release of Leisure, their first album. I've long felt they would be worthy winners – their contribution to British music is immense."

The BRIT Awards will be held February 21 at the O2 Arena in London. more on this story



Unseen John Lennon Photos Posted Online
(Gibson) Yesterday (December 8) marked the 31-year anniversary of the tragic death of John Lennon and Time marked the occasion by posting previously unreleased photos of the Beatles legend.

The ex-Beatle was shot and killed December 8, 1980, at age 40 in New York by a man named Mark David Chapman at the entry to the building where he lived. His passing happened just three weeks after the release of his album, Double Fantasy, which was the first album Lennon had released since his son was born in 1975.

In honor of Lennon, Time Light Box – consisting of the photo editors of Time magazine – has posted previously unseen images of John Lennon and Yoko Ono during their "Bed-In" for peace at Montreal's Queen Elizabeth Hotel in June of 1969. The striking main shot shows Tommy Smothers (an unknown friend), John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Rosemary Leary and Timothy Leary. Check out the gallery here.



Matt Sorum Reacts To Guns N' Roses Rock Hall Induction
(hennemusic) Guns N' Roses members were scattered all over the planet when Wednesday's announcement about the band's induction into the 2012 Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame was released.

Drummer Matt Sorum was in Australia, where he was performing a show, when he got word. Early Thursday, Sorum appeared on Channel 7's "The Morning Show" in Australia and was asked for his reaction to the news.

"Congratulations to myself, I guess," responded Sorum. "It's just amazing that we're still here, and still alive. We had such wild times and we're still here to tell the tale. And all the boys are healthy." more on this story

The Soulless Kick Off Tour With Bury Tomorrow
The Soulless (formerly Ignominious Incarceration) kicked off their UK tour last night at The Croft in Bristol.

The band is joining British metalcore act Bury Tomorrow for the shows, which will be The Soulless' last of the year.

The Soulless frontman Andy Wardle says: "We are really excited to get back on the road again this winter. We had an amazing time on the last tour and have been gagging to keep playing our new songs from 'Isolated', which we recorded this time one year ago. We are looking forward to meeting the guys in Bury Tomorrow and I'm sure it's gonna be a blast!" more on this story

Black Keys Make Letterman Appearance
(hennemusic) The new Black Keys album, "El Camino," hit stores on Tuesday and the band stopped by David Letterman's program on Wednesday to perform "Gold On The Ceiling" from the new set.

El Camino is the band's seventh record, and the follow-up to 2010's "Brothers," which has sold almost a million copies to date, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

The Black Keys just announced the first leg of their 2012 North American tour, which kicks off March 2 in Cincinnati.

Check out video of the Letterman appearance here.

Foxy Shazam Announce Dates With The Darkness
Foxy Shazam have announced North American dates with The Darkness kicking-off in February.

The shows are in support of their upcoming album, "The Church of Rock And Roll" on the recently re-launched I.R.S. Records, due on January 24th.

The band's run in February with The Darkness will launch into a U.S. headlining tour in the Spring. more on this story

Singled Out: Poison Oaks' Pine
Today Laura Cortese tells us about the title track from the recently released Poison Oaks EP and vinyl 7" "Pine". Here is the story:

Sh*t. I was hoping never to have to share this story beyond the obscured lyrical telling. It was one of those lovers, the ones who torment you. The dark ones whose minds you can't read. I'd been waiting for him to call for a month or so. And of course I had plans to meet up with someone new who had caught my interest. Just when you think it'll never happen, he calls drunk at 3am while I'm asleep... When I saw his name I was too pissed to pick up the phone. So I waited to see if he left a message, and he did, and I checked it immediately. All he said after a month of nothing was..."I saw something today that reminded me of you. A coal truck crashed into a freight train and everything was on fire." Disambiguation of that sentence could mean drastically different things. But I knew what he meant. Our story got pretty complicated...infidelity and mistrust.

Four years later when I started writing the song I tried to tell the story of that relationship, but that was uninteresting to me by that time. Instead I tried to imagine a scenario in which those words could be a compliment not a torment. I felt very vulnerable asking the questions I would have asked if I could have at the time. My good friend Kristin helped me craft things in the end to make them feel singable... like I wasn't exposing some frail embarrassing part of myself. The feel of the track is intentionally happier than the story...maybe I was hopeful that some day I'd feel free from the angst of those kind of connections.

We started by me just strumming the fiddle and singing. It was just Sam Amidon, Matt Malikowski and me in the studio at the beginning. He played the weird off beat B3 part and played three banjo solos that we layered together. I loved the almost African pop vibe we were getting. When we went into the studio to finish the record Neil Cleary had this image of the world's biggest shaker being the center of the groove.

Thursday, December 8, 2011

DEF LEPPARD Singer Performs At Birmingham Benefit Concert



DEF LEPPARD Singer Performs At Birmingham Benefit Concert (Video) - Dec. 8, 2011
According to the Birmingham Mail, DEF LEPPARD singer Joe Elliott performed at a special benefit concert this past Sunday, December 4 at The Roadhouse in Birgminham, England. The event, dubbed "Doin' The Decent Thing", was a fundraiser for Dick Decent, who has toured with DEF LEPPARD as the band's keyboard player.

The 51-year-old Decent, who runs the Decent Pie Studios in Dudley and was described as DEF LEPPARD "sixth member," was struck down with fluoroquinolone toxicity two years ago, which is a little-known illness caused by poisoning after taking antibiotics. It means Dick often struggles to walk, get out of bed, work or perform on stage.

Elliott said, "Unfortunately, Dick has been struck down with very nasty side effects from a prescription drug called Ciprofloaxin. Since then, Dick has been unable to work either at the university where he lectured, or on stage with the many bands that he had toured with previously. Daily life has become a nightmare of pain. Most days he is unable to even walk as the pain is so severe."

Fan-filmed video footage of Elliott's appearance at the concert can be seen below.

Appetite for induction




GnR reunion unlikely for Rock Hall gala – but Rod Stewart wants Faces performance as other inductees comment on honour



Original Guns n’Roses drummer Steven Adler admits it’s unlikely the band’s classic lineup will reunite to mark their induction into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame next year.

But Faces frontman Rod Stewart says he’s ready to reform his old outfit, as long as his bandmates are available.

The renowned acts are lined up with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Beastie Boys, Donovan and Freddie King to receive the honour, for which they become eligible 25 years after their debut release.

Adler, who was the first member of GnR to leave the celebrated lineup, tells Rolling Stone he doesn’t even think all his bandmates will attend the event in Cleveland on April 14: “Absolutely not. But as far as I know there is a God and a higher power, and it’s possible. Unfortunately I don’t foresee it. The drama hasn’t stopped for 25 years.”

But he adds: “My fingers are crossed. My toes are crossed.”

Meanwhile, singer Stewart is far more upbeat about the chances of the Faces gathering again. The band toured in 2009 with Simply Red’s Mick Hucknall fronting them after schedule problems stopped the original singer’s appearance.

Now Stewart says: “I’d love it. If they’re all available I’ll definitely make myself available. It’s something I would want to do.”

But problems could arise from guitarist Ronnie Wood, who’s waiting to discover whether the Rolling Stones will reform for a 60th anniversary tour next year.

“It’s getting a commitment from Ronnie,” says Stewart. “He’s hanging onto what the Stones are going to do. He’ll suddenly say, ‘Hey, let’s tour next week!’ I’ll say, ‘Hold on, Ronnie, I’ve got commitments for the next year.’

“If we all sat around and said, ‘Let’s do it next summer,’ or, ‘Let’s do it for charity,’ I would do it. It’s not totally ruled out.

Chilis frontman Anthony Kiedis admits he was worried his dad would leak the news of their induction before it was officially announced.

He explains: “I called my dad and told him he couldn’t say anything. He’s a big internet freak and he’s been known to be a wikileaker. I was like, ‘Dad, you and I are blood. I’m going to tell you something, but you can’t tell anybody.’ My dad cried.”

Kiedis admits the honour has brought back memories of original guitarist Hillel Slovak, who died of a drugs overdose in 1988.

“That was where it got me,” says the singer. “Because he’s no longer with us, it seemed emotional and beautiful. It’s really his induction I’m most excited about. He’s a beautiful person that picked up a guitar in the 1970s and didn’t make it out of the 1980s, and he is getting honoured for his beauty.”

And Scots folk-rock icon Donovan is looking forward to catching up with some good mates at the big event.

He says: “The Faces are my old chums – we used to hang out. The Chilis, some of them appeared on my Rick Rubin album. Guns n’Roses I did a couple of things with.”

Today's Day In Pop



Today's Full Report


War Slam The Beastie Boys
(TMZ) The guys from War are FUMING after being snubbed by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this week -- telling TMZ the fact the Beastie Boys got in before them is some serious salt in the wound.
TMZ spoke with Howard Scott -- vocalist and a founding member of War -- who tells us he's "shocked" the rappers were inducted before his band, saying, "We were cranking out gold records when they were still in diapers."

Scott adds, "How could the Beastie Boys get in before us when they sampled War's music on their first album?! I'll eat their platinum records!"

The singer had been pretty hopeful his group would finally be inducted into the HOF this year ... and says the disappointing news "felt like I was kicked in the back of my britches."

For the record -- War was founded back in 1969 ... and DOMINATED music with hits like Cisco Kid, Why Can't We Be Friends, Slippin' Into Darkness ... and of course, LOW RIDER!!! more on this story

Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez Make Secret Wedding Trip
(TMZ) Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez snuck down to Mexico this week for a very private wedding -- but put away the pitchforks, Bieber fans ... they're not the ones tying the knot.

TMZ has learned ... the duo flew south of the border to attend the wedding of one of Selena's friends Shannon Larossi -- a costume designer Selena met on the Disney show "Wizards of Waverly Place."

Selena's one of the bridesmaids -- and we're told, she even plans to sing at the nuptials.

As for Justin -- we're told he'll just be a regular super-famous guest ... not a performer. more on this story

Amy Winehouse Documentary Preview
Vevo have posted an exclusive preview from the upcoming Amy Winehouse documentary film for fans to enjoy.

The film documents Amy Winehouse's intimate 2006 performance at a church in Dingle, a town in rural south west Ireland.

The live performance footage found in "Amy Winehouse - Other Voices: When Amy Came To Dingle (Documentary)," was largely filmed in 2006 but is introduced here, retrospectively, by Annie Mac. Check it out

Adele Speechless
(popmusiclife) Adele is home continuing her recovery from throat surgery in Boston last month. The singer was recently nominated for 6 Grammy Awards at the 54th Annual event, happening February 12 in Los Angeles.

Adele's "21" is up for "Album Of The Year" and "Best Pop Vocal Album"; the single "Rolling In The Deep" is nominated for "Record Of The Year," "Song of The Year" and "Best Short-Form Music Video"; and "Someone Like You" is in the running for "Best Pop Solo Performance."

The singer was beyond thrilled with the Grammy news, sharing her thoughts with fans: "Just home from New York, that's my main excuse for not posting a message sooner, but I'm also completely and utterly lost for words. A couple days after finally being able to talk again I'm pretty speechless." more on this story

Nelly Furtado Plans New Album and 2 Years of Touring
(popmusiclife) Nelly Furtado celebrated her 33rd birthday earlier this week and also had some big news for fans:

"It's official: Album out for summer. : ) and I'll be out on the road promoting it for at least 2 years cuz I love it!" the singer tweeted on Wednesday.

This album follows "Mi Plan", her first Spanish language studio album and her first hits record "The Best of Nelly Furtado." more on this story

Willow Smith and Nicki Minaj Fireball Video Premieres
(popmusiclife) Willow Smith new video, "Fireball" featuring Nicki Minaj had its full video premiered Wednesday on BET's 106 & Park.

Willow spoke with Ryan Seacrest about the experience of working with Minaj. "Nicki Minaj is absolutely an amazing person," said Smith. "She has so much energy and working with her was like, just like sparks. We were coming together with all our art and it was amazing."

As for the song, Willow explained it this way: "A fireball is somebody — it doesn't have to be a girl or a boy — somebody that just goes out there and does what they want to do, and [is] just so outgoing and tries new things and just is true to who they are." more on this story

Pete Wentz and Ashlee Simpson Are Officially Over
(TMZ) They said it wouldn't last ... and they were right -- because Pete Wentz and Ashlee Simpson are officially divorced ... after a judge signed off on the split.

According to court docs filed in L.A. County Superior Court and obtained by TMZ ... the marriage was formally terminated on November 22 ... after a 3-and-a-half year run.

As for the couple's kid -- Bronx Mowgli -- it's unclear how the couple settled their custody disagreement ... because the details of the divorce settlement are being kept under wraps. TMZ previously reported, Pete wanted joint custody of their son ... but Ashlee had checked the box to get primary physical custody.

The former couple also worked out a secret deal regarding the division of their multi-million dollar empire.

As we previously reported, Wentz chalked up the split to the couple simply growing apart. more on this story

Katy Perry Preps Fans for Saturday Night Live
(popmusiclife) Katy Perry is getting set to host Saturday Night Live this weekend. The pop superstar will be joined by musical guest Robyn for the show.

SNL has released some promos for the episode, featuring Katy alongside SNL cast member Keenan Thompson.

The two ham it up over the course of four different promos, having fun with Katy's name, her husband Russell Brand, and more. Check it out here.

Brooke Mueller Says She Innocent of Drug Charges
(TMZ) Brooke Mueller is adamantly denying she did anything wrong last Friday -- when Aspen cops arrested her for coke possession and assault ... telling TMZ, she's fighting vigorously to clear her name.

Brooke's rep tells us, her lawyer is already in Aspen, investigating the case with the "goal of having all charges dropped once the facts of the case come to light."

As we previously reported, Brooke's parents and Charlie have offered to help her out with the kids, but Brooke insists they're staying with her -- "There will be no changes in the custody arrangement."

Sources close to Brooke tell us, she has no immediate plans to enter rehab ... but we're told several people close to Brooke are urging her to check in.

Brooke's due back in court December 19th. more on this story

Lil Wayne, Andre 3000, Wiz Khalifa and T.I. Make Kesha Sleazier
(RCA) Kesha is teaming up with iTunes to exclusively release "Sleazy Remix 2.0 Get Sleazier" (feat. Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa, T.I. & André 3000) on December 13th.

Says Kesha, "Get ready to get even sleazier with this sick collaboration I did with 4 of my favorite MCs of all time: Weezy, Andre 3000, Wiz Khalifa, and T.I.

"I opened the "Get sleazy" tour with this song every night and it always got the party started...Get ready, this is the SICKEST and SLEAZIEST version YET.s." more on this story

Graffiti6 Announce Tour With Augustana and TV Appearance
Graffiti6 will continue to tour North America throughout January and into February with Augustana.

The tour—in support of their upcoming Capitol Records debut album Colours, which will be released on January 24th, 2012—kicks off January 17th in Anaheim, CA, and criss-crosses the U.S. before wrapping up on February 7th in Atlanta.

Graffiti6 have also announced that they will perform on the Rachael Ray show on December 19th more on this story

Lakers Owner Hospitalized
(TMZ) Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss is hospitalized in L.A. for blood clots in his legs ... this according to a rep for the team.

We're told doctors believe the 77-year-old's condition was caused by "excessive travel."

The rep adds, "He's progressing well and expects to be released in the next day or two." more on this story

M83 Spring Tour
Mute sent over word that M83 plan to hit the road next Spring for North American tour and have announced the dates.

After rapidly selling out two dates in Los Angeles at Club Nokia on January 12th and 13th, the tour will commence in San Francisco on April 22nd with twenty plus dates across the US and Canada, and ending in Dallas, TX on May 19th.

M83 will be touring in support of the new double album Hurry Up, We're Dreaming more on this story

fun On TV Tonight On The Road Next Year
fun will perform their new single "We Are Young" on tonight's episode of Last Call with Carson Daly.

fun. has also announced details of their upcoming North American tour. The headline trek begins February 29th at South Burlington, Vermont's Higher Ground and then continues through early May

The dates celebrate the upcoming release of the band's Fueled By Ramen debut, "Some Nights." The album – which includes the breakthrough single, "We Are Young (feat. Janelle Monáe)" – arrives in stores and at all digital retailers on February 21st, 2012. more on this story

Get Spiritualized In March
Spiritualized's new album, Sweet Heart Sweet Light, is set to be released by Fat Possum in March 2012.

Recorded over the past two years in Wales, Los Angeles and Reykjavik, and mixed for a year in the confines of his own home, Sweet Heart Sweet Light will be Spiritualized's seventh studio album and the first release since last year's epic Radio City Music Hall rendering of their 1997 game changer Ladies In Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space.

Coming four years after release of the internationally acclaimed Songs In A&E, Sweet Heart Sweet Light promises to be one of the most eagerly anticipated releases of 2012. more on this story

Amos Lee Releasing New EP
Amos Lee has announced the release of As The Crow Flies, featuring six previously unheard songs as a CD, digital, and 10"-vinyl EP, on February 14th, 2012.

The songs were recorded during the sessions for Lee's critically acclaimed album Mission Bell, which was produced by Calexico frontman and multi-instrumentalist Joey Burns. The tracks on As The Crow Flies are also produced by Burns and feature musical backing by Burns and Calexico drummer John Convertino.

This month, Lee wraps up an amazing year with his final live performances of 2011, which include an appearance at KBCO's Holiday Concert Series in Denver with Brett Dennen on December 9th, and two shows with one of Lee's heroes, singer-songwriter John Prine, on the 16th and 17th. more on this story

Hank Williams Jr Raises $75 for Country Hall
(Webster) Hank Williams Jr. capped the four-year run of the exhibition Family Tradition: The Williams Family Legacy just as he opened it: with a powerful solo acoustic performance spiked with personal memories.

The sold-out December 6 concert, a benefit for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, raised $75,000.

Williams also announced that many of the artifacts he loaned to the exhibit would stay in the museum and its archives. "I'm going to work with them and leave quite a few of these items here—where they should be," he said. more on this story

Laura Marling Hitting The Road With Andrew Bird
Laura Marling has announced that she will be touring North American next spring supporting Andrew Bird.

Marling is currently on her second sold out North American tour of 2011, a series of intimate solo dates and some of the seasons' most exciting holiday parties.

Laura Marling will be making her second appearance on Last Call With Carson Daly on December 22nd. more on this story

Dodgers' James Loney Allegedly Spit at Cop
(TMZ) Los Angeles Dodgers star James Loney was arrested while being hospitalized in L.A. last month ... after allegedly smashing his Maserati into THREE other cars ... and then spitting at a cop ... this according to a police report obtained by TMZ.

Loney -- who plays 1st base for the Dodgers -- was arrested on November 14th ... because cops say he appeared to be under the influence of drugs after he swerved into a Toyota around 6pm ... and then careened into a Mercedes and a Mini.

According to the report, when cops first arrived to the scene ... Loney told one of the officers, "The bitch hit me from behind."

Cops say Loney appeared to be "restless, unsteady, aggressive and irritable" ... and he "exhibited eyelid tremors and his shirt was soiled and moist from perspiration, from his armpits down to his waistline."

Cops say when officers asked Loney what day it was ... he replied, "7/15 and Saturday" -- when in fact, it was 11/14 and Monday.

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