Today's Day In Rock News!

System Of A Down and Deftones Tour
System Of A Down are back. The band plans to hit the road for a summer tour with the Deftones.
Deftones camp sent over the dates, news on their upcoming album and these details: The two-week summer jaunt kicks off on August 2nd in Philadelphia, PA and wraps August 15th in Chicago, IL.

Deftones are currently in Los Angeles, CA recording their seventh studio full-length with producer Nick Raskulinecz (Alice In Chains, Foo Fighters, Rush) who also produced Diamond Eyes. The album will be released via Reprise Records later this year. more on this story



Adler Gives Up Guns N' Roses Reunion Hopes
(Banana 101.5) Ex-Guns N' Roses drummer Steven Adler is done talking about Axl Rose aka 'the redhead,' saying the singer's letter to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame exposed the singer's "true colors." Even though Adler spoke at length about Axl and the current incarnation to Loudwire, after all the drama, mudslinging and the ensuing media firestorm, he has given his final interview where Rose's name will be mentioned.

He likened the Hall of Fame event and playing with Slash and Duff McKagan once again to "letting go" and that it felt "a huge weight was lifted off my body." He considers all hopes of a GN'R original lineup reunion to be squashed for good, too. "That's done," Adler told Rolling Stone. "That's totally out of my system. I was hoping that the five of us would have been there to play and show our respect to the fans."

He continued, "If it was going to happen, that's when it was going to happen, and in Axl's letter, he showed his true colors to the world," he said, referring to the induction. When pressed to clarify what he meant about "true colors," the kit minder said, "I think it's disrespect. He's not for the fans, which is everybody in the world. Basically, he told everybody in the world, 'F— you, I don't give a s— what you think.'" more on this story



Gene Simmons, Joe Elliott, Sebastian Bach's Rock 'N' Roll All Stars Video
(hennemusic) The Rock 'N' Roll All Stars are currently touring South American and the 11-piece supergroup treated fans to an intimate club show in Buenos Aires Sunday night.

The All Stars are made up KISS' Gene Simmons, Joe Elliott of Def Leppard, Sebastian Bach, three former members of Guns N' Roses, and players from The Cult, Alice In Chains, Collective Soul and Black Country Communion.

Sunday's club gig delivered an abbreviated 10-song set that featured the biggest hits from all the musicians involved. Check out video from the show here.


Rick Rubin Is Why ZZ Top's New Album Is Delayed
(Gibson) ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons says the delay in releasing the band's new album is not the fault of him and his cohorts: producer Rick Rubin is behind the long gap between releases.

Speaking to Noise11's Paul Cashmere, Gibbons said everything is still "buzzing" in ZZ Top land. "I guess the irony of the whole picture is that the band is wondering. Where is this thing?" Gibbons said. "When do we hear it? Rick's funny. We've been friends for as long as I can remember. Triple decades and this is the first time we have broken the mold as business pals."

Gibbons admits that fellow beard icon Rubin has an unorthodox approach to working but, "has a sense of intuition that can't be beat. …The only real directive was 'don't change much' and I said 'okay' and he said 'listen, if we stumble into something that's really insane and it works I'm going to keep it' and I said 'that's good.'" more on this story





Croucier Reunites With Ratt
(Classic Rock) Juan Croucier has rehearsed with Ratt ahead of hitting the stage with the band he left in 1992, singer Stephen Pearcy has confirmed.

The "other voice of Ratt" will appear with Pearcy, Warren DeMartini, Bobby Blotzer and Carlos Cavazo at the M3 festival on May 11-12 in Columbia, Maryland.

The only thing to prevent a full-on Ratt reunion is the absence of guitarist Robbin Crosby, who died from a heroin overdose in 2002. more on this story


Metallica Bringing Back The Snake Pit
Metallica plan to bring back their famous Snake Pit for their upcoming summer trek where they will celebrate the Black Album's 20th anniversary. They tells fans:

As you may have heard, the theme of our summer trek through Europe is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the release of the Black Album by playing it in its entirety at all 16 shows. And what would a tour of the Black Album be without a snake pit????

For those of you who were with us almost 20 years ago for the summer of '92-'93 tours, you might recall that diamond shaped pit extending from the middle of the stage, well it's baccccckkkk for our little summer vacation! more on this story




Guns N' Roses, Bad Brains, Ours, Alberta Cross Stars To Play Lucinda's Kids Benefit
Members of Guns N' Roses, Bad Brains, Ours, and Alberta Cross are just a few of the musicians who will be coming together later this week for a special benefit concert.

antiMusic's Tony K had these details on his site The Screen Door: Last December, our close community of friends, musicians, and music lovers lost one of its own when Lucinda Gallagher took her own life. Lucinda was kind and generous, and would give anything she had to anyone in need. She loved music, her friends and family, but more than anything in this world, her two amazing children. The children, now in the care of Lucinda's dear friend Jamie, both have their mother's rock and roll spirit. Like her, they are bright and soulful, and have a deep appreciation for music. Young teenagers, both are gifted budding musicians.

This benefit will include live shows on April 29th and 30th at the Bowery Electric, as well as an auction and raffle that will raise money to be put in trust for Lucinda's children. All artists and persons involved have generously donated their time and talents, as well as items for auction and raffle. With the advisement of Bob Benjamin of the Light of Day charity, we will ensure that 100% of the proceeds are placed into a trust for the children. Read more and see the full lineup.



Iggy Pop Releasing Covers Album
(Gibson) The Beatles, Frank Sinatra and Edith Piaf all get the Iggy Pop treatment on the veteran rocker's new album, Apres, to be released May 9.

Tracks includes Pop's take on Sinatra's "Only the Lonely," The Beatles' "Michelle" and a version of Edith Piaf's "La Vie En Rose."

"All popular music forms of today get their strength from the beat. Rap, hip-hop, metal, pop, and rock producers will tell you that the beats they use imitate the human heartbeat and that is where the power lies," Iggy said. "I wanted to sing some of these songs myself, hoping to bring the feeling I felt as a listener to my listeners through my voice. Many of these songs are in French, probably because it is French culture which has most stubbornly resisted the mortal attacks of the Anglo-American music machine." more on this story





Dream Theater's Petrucci and Steve Morse For Satriani's G3 Tour
(Gibson) Joe Satriani has confirmed that Dream Theater's John Petrucci and Deep Purple's Steve Morse will join him on a South American edition of the G3 tour.

In addition to Petrucci, who has appeared on several G3 tours, previous participants include Steve Lukather, Steve Vai, Eric Johnson, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Yngwie Malmsteen, Robert Fripp, Paul Gilbert, Uli Jon Roth, Michael Schenker, Adrian Legg, and special guests, including Tony MacAlpine, Johnny Hiland, Morse, Keith More, Chris Duarte, Andy Timmons, Neal Schon, Gary Hoey, Brian May, Billy Gibbons, Johnny A, George Lynch, Patrick Rondat, Herman Li, Alejandro Silva and Eric Sardinas.

The most recent G3 tour was an Australia/New Zealand run featuring Satriani, Steve Vai and Steve Lukather, including a massive set as part of the four-day Bluesfest festival at Byron Bay. more on this story






Ian Anderson Releases Thick as a Brick 2 Widget
(Gibson) Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson has made available a special web widget containing musical selections from his new Thick as a Brick 2 album, as well as interview footage.

The widget is available now courtesy of EMI Records and North American syndicated rock radio show In The Studio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands.

"We snack on music these days," Anderson says. "We don't sit down to a banquet and take two hours of it, we tend to snack and so I think it's a change in culture that I have to recognize. It's gonna have about a 50 percent chance of getting approval, and that, in this day and age, is just fine by me. If I can please half of the people, all of the time, I'd be a happy man." more on this story





Journey Documentary Premiered at Tribeca
(hennemusic) A new Journey documentary has premiered at New York's Tribeca Film Festival. "Don't Stop Believin': Everyman's Journey" debuted last Thursday. It's the story of how the band found singer Arnel Pineda online and into the group.

In 2007, Arnel's friend began uploading videos of the aspiring Filipino singer covering classic rock songs onto YouTube. One of them was seen by Neal Schon, guitarist for Journey. Blown away by Pineda's talent and uncanny vocal similarity to former Journey front man Steve Perry, Neal flew Arnel from Manila to San Francisco to audition for the band, and the rest is history.

But Arnel's personal journey had just begun. Having lived life on the street since age 13 with no classical music training, he was anything but prepared for the grueling physical and emotional strains that come from fronting a rock band on a whirlwind world tour. more on this story



Cannibal Corpse, Between The Buried and Me and More For Summer Slaughter
The 6th annual Summer Slaughter Tour will feature Cannibal Corpse, Between The Buried and Me, The Faceless, Periphery, Veil of Maya, Job For A Cowboy, Goatwhore, Exhumed and Cerebral Bore.

The trek which is slated to run from July 20th through August 25th, will also feature special guests TBA in each city such as The Contortionist, Rings of Saturn, Fallujah and more.

Ash Avildsen (Summer Slaughter Founder) states: "Without a doubt, this is the biggest year in the history of the tour. We are honored to have such an incredible, diverse group of musicians all on the same bill. It's brutal, classic, progressive, fresh and still the most extreme tour of the year. Drink lots of water before you show up and get ready to rage!" more on this story



Puscifer Plan North American Tour
Puscifer will be hitting the road in June for the third time in support of their sophomore album Conditions of My Parole.

The trek will kick off on June 9 at Bonnaroo with a three week tour to follow including a stop at the River's Edge Music Festival in St. Paul, Minn.

An ever-evolving performance troupe, Puscifer performances mix music, sketch comedy and video elements to create what The Boston Globe referred to as "musical theater," the San Francisco Chronicle called "a free for all comedy rock extravaganza." more on this story



Nightwish and Kamelot North American Tour
Nightwish have announced plans for a rare North American tour that is set to take place this fall and will feature support from Kamelot.

The band will hitting the road in support of their recently released album Imaginaerum, and Roadrunner advises that this is the band's only planned North American tour.

The tour will be kicking off on Sept. 12 in Atlanta before snaking through the rest of the country and wrapping in Florida on Oct. 14. more on this story



TSOL's Jack Grisham Going Pop
TSOL's Jack Grisham returns with his new group, the Manic Low, who will be releasing their debut album on June 12th.

The Manic Low's debut release, Songs For An Up Day, shows punk legend Grisham's pop sensibilities with guitar-driven tunes.

MediaLab sent over these details: Drawing heavily from Grisham's 60's & 70's musical upbringing, combined with an infectious guitar-driven, garage rock pulse, the Manic Low offer up 14 warm and undeniably catchy tracks that will leave listeners craving more. the Manic Low's "Songs for an Up Day," features several notable punk rock veterans including Sean Greaves (The Joykiller, Mike Ness Band), Paul Roessler (The Screamers, 45 Grave, and Nina Hagen) and Rob MiLucky (Devil's Brigade). Also appearing on the record is Steve Soto (Agent Orange, Adolescents, Manic Hispanic). more on this story



Melvins Lite Release and Tour Coming
Melvins Lite will be hitting the road in July in support of their debut release, Freak Puke, which is set for release on June 5th.

Melvins Lite is billed as the additional incarnation of the Melvins which features Buzz Osborne, Dale Crover and Trevor Dunn (Mr. Bungle, Fantômas).

The upcoming trek kicks off on July 1st in Rochester, NY and has been dubbed Melvins Lite Canada +. more on this story



Peter Gabriel's New Blood Live in London Double Album Out Today
Today Eagle rock will release Peter Gabriel's newly remixed and re-mastered live 2-CD of New Blood Live in London.

The release follows the release of New Blood Live in London DVD, Blu-Ray and 3D Disc which was recorded at London's iconic Hammersmith Apollo on March 23rd last year.

Dispensing with the usual rock armory of guitars and drums, Peter Gabriel and the 46-piece New Blood Orchestra re-imagine some of Peter's best known songs with breathtaking orchestral arrangements that include "In Your Eyes" "Red Rain" "Rhythm of The Heat" and "Biko" - written in honor of anti-apartheid activist Stephen Biko (1946-1977). In addition, there are interpretations of Paul Simon's "The Boy in the Bubble" and Lou Reed's "The Power of the Heart". more on this story



The Zombies Plan Summer Tour
The Zombies will be hitting the road this summer for a North American tour and have announced the initial dates.

The initial dates start on July 28th in Fayetteville, GA and hit Oshkosh, WI, New York City, Uncasville, CT and Washington D.C. with the promise of more dates to come.

Last year the band, helmed by founding members Rod Argent and singer Colin Blunstone, celebrated their 50th anniversary with a tour and the new album, Breathe Out, Breathe In. more on this story



Bachman & Turner Live Album Coming
Eagle Records have set a May 29, 2012 release date for Bachman & Turner's new 2CD live album, Live at the Roseland Ballroom, NYC. Kayos sent over these details:

Bachman & Turner features Randy Bachman and Fred Turner, the musicians at the heart of legendary band Bachman-Turner Overdrive. Live at the Roseland Ballroom, NYC includes songs from their recent self-titled album along with their rock n' roll anthems including "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" "Takin' Care Of Business" "Hey You" "Blue Collar" "Roll On Down The Highway" "Let It Ride" and "Lookin' Out For #1" plus a hit-laden throwback to Bachman's early days with The Guess Who including their take on Johnny Kidd's "Shakin' All Over" and the band's US No.1 hit "American Woman."

Over the course of a four-year run, Bachman-Turner Overdrive sold in excess of 30 million records, earning a staggering 120 platinum, gold and silver discs, and notching up hits in more than 20 countries. The iconic duo shared duties on the lead vocals with Bachman contributing lead guitar and Turner the bass. Reuniting at the end of 2009 they released an eponymous album in 2010 and in November of that year they performed at the famous Roseland Ballroom in New York City as part of their North American tour. more on this story



Ephel Duath Set New EP Release
Agonia Records will release Ephel Duath's new EP, On Death and Cosmos, on June 21 in Europe and August 14th in the United States.

According to the label, On Death and Cosmos is a 20 minute mini concept EP that develops through three songs: Black Prism, Raqia and Stardust Rain, creating some of the most intense and mournful music Ephel Duath has ever offered.

The main lyrics line is about death and abandonment, loss and self- transforming will: a dive into the darkness, that can reveal a new birth in light.



Hot Head Show Release Live EP and Kicking Off European Tour
Hot Head Show will be kicking off their European tour with a run of UK shows starting tomorrow (April 25th).

To give fans a taste of what they can expect, the band is offering out a live EP recorded in Rome last year whilst touring Europe with Primus.

The first track (Payload) is available as a free download and you grab that and the rest of the EP here. more on this story



Singled Out: Smash Palace's Do It Again
Today Steve Butler from Smash Palace tells us about the title track from their brand new album "Do It Again," which was released today! Here is the story:

The inspiration for the song "Do It Again" from the new Smash Palace CD "Do It Again" had to do with reminiscing about the past and those musical events in your life that shape who you are and the music you play and write.

I wrote all the songs on the new CD with my brother Brian. Our usual routine is, he's playing drums and I'm playing guitar and we just jam around and come up something that we like musically. No lyrics, just a hummable tune. When we start creating lyrics, we'll just open up and let the words come. Back and forth we'll go till one of us comes up with a line that we both like and we'll take it from there.

On "Do It Again", I kept singing the line " That was back in '64" and we liked the way it sounded. Then we talked a bit about the year 1964 and all the Beatles and remembering the first time we heard them on the radio. We're brothers, Brian and I, and I remember getting up for school in the morning and our transistor radio was playing, and Brian telling me about these guys from England with long hair and the song " I Want To Hold Your Hand" sounded like nothing I'd ever heard before.
After seeing The Beatles on Ed Sullivan, I was relentless about wanting a guitar and bugging my mom to buy me one. The first verse of "Do It Again" was about that experience.
Once we had that done, we plotted out the rest of the song: why not write it about those big musical moments in our life. The next verse was about The Stones and Mick in '69 and how he really became the first big arena size rock star. At least to me he was. The top hat, the strutting and jumping around on the stage and how rock n roll had changed. It wasn't about pop music so much anymore. It was changing with the Vietnam War and politics. It was a scary time worrying about getting drafted and sent to some war in a far off land.

The last verse is about our CBGB days in NYC. When our first band Quincy, went to NYC ( we're a New Jersey band) and how the music we heard knocked us out. Music was pretty bland in the mid to late 70's. Disco was king and most rock bands were so corporate and laid back that I had little interest in their music. I felt so out of it musically till I went to NYC and saw all those New Wave and Punk bands. Changed my musical world.

I guess we could have kept on writing verse after verse because lots of great music has come along since then but I wanted to write a 3 minute rock n roll song, not a 10 verse Bob Dylan song.

It's a different type of song for Smash Palace. More groove oriented and more bluesy than our other stuff. It's all part of my DNA. Cut my musical teeth playing all that white English blues stuff so it all comes from that I suppose.

Hearing is believing. Now that you know the story behind the song, listen for yourself and learn more about the album right here!



B Sides


Original Asia Lineup Return With New Video
(hennemusic) The original Asia lineup of Geoff Downes, Steve Howe, Carl Palmer and John Wetton will be releasing their new album XXX in July. The first single is entitled "Face On The Bridge"; the group issued a new video for it on Monday, and the single will be released digitally worldwide on Monday, May 14.

"We're very pleased with, and confident about, XXX," says Wetton. "It encapsulates, lyrically and instrumentally, the essence of the band today. However, it is the very same four people that gave you the original, iconic album 30 years ago. If you loved it then, you will love it now."

"We wanted to recapture the energy of the first album," added guitarist Steve Howe. "Asia has always been about great songs, fantastic musicianship and I am sure fans of the first album, will fall in love with XXX." Check out the video here.



Kataklysm Deliver Iron Will Video
Kataklysm have released their new music video for "Iron Will" from their upcoming 2CD + 2DVD, The Iron Will: 20 Years Determined, which will now be released on July 3rd in North America and July 6th in Europe via Nuclear Blast.

The Iron Will: 20 Years Determined will feature a documentary and bonus CD materials, depicting the ups and downs of the band's long, turbulent career, as well as footage of Kataklysm's performance at last year's Summer Breeze festival. Check out the new video here.

Kataklysm has also announced a North American summer headlining tour, Kataklysm "The Iron Will Tour 2012." The run will kick off in mid-August, and features Origin, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Rose Funeral, Vital Remains and more in support. more on this story



Agnostic Front Add More 30 Years of NYHC Shows
(Fresno) Agnostic Front has announced two additional '30 Years of NYHC' shows this June.

The show are designed for the band to celebrate three decades of New York hardcore by performing the classic Live At CBGB set in its entirety.

New dates have been added in Clifton, N.J. and Peekskill, N.Y. in addition to the recently announced Frederick, M.D., Reading, P.A. and Rochester, N.Y. shows. more on this story



The Day Beatles John and Paul Almost Reunited On Saturday Night Live
(Gibson) On this day in 1976, Paul and Linda McCartney spent the evening with John Lennon at his New York Dakota apartment and watched Saturday Night Live on TV. Producer of the show, Lorne Michaels, made an offer on air asking The Beatles to turn up and play three songs live. Lennon and McCartney thought about taking a cab to the studio, but decided they were too tired. Gibson looks back:

From the time The Beatles broke up in 1970, promoters from all corners tried to entice them into reuniting. The most famous of these was New York impresario Sid Bernstein, who tried to convince the former Fab Four to reunite for one benefit concert to end world hunger. Ironically, for all the legitimate promoters (admittedly, an oxymoron), the man who came the closest to reuniting The Beatles—or at least, John and Paul—wasn't a concert promoter at all, but instead the producer of a late-night, counter-culture phenomenon.

The Canadian-born Lorne Michaels broke into TV as a comedy writer for Laugh-In and The Beautiful Phyllis Diller Show in the late '60s. In 1975, Michaels developed a sketch show to run on NBC-TV in the barren television wasteland of late Saturday night. Michaels' Saturday Night Live was a surprise hit when it aired in October of that year (originally titled, NBC's Saturday Night). The show's early cast, featuring Chevy Chase, John Belushi, Dan Ackroyd and Gilda Radner, among others, were counter-culture heroes, thumbing their noses at authority and good taste. Within months, they were the coolest thing on TV.

On April 24, 1976, Michaels appeared on the program with an offer that drew plenty of laughs in the Rockefeller Center studio audience: "The National Broadcasting Company has authorized me to offer [The Beatles] this check to be on our show: a certified check for $3,000. Here it is, right here. A check made out to you, The Beatles, for $3,000. All you have to do is sing three Beatles songs. "She Loves You, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah." That's $1,000 right there. You know the words—it'll be easy. Like I said, this is made out to The Beatles— you divide it up any way you want. If you want to give less to Ringo, that's up to you. I'd rather not get involved. I'm sincere about this. If this helps you to reach a decision to reunite, it's well worth the investment. You have agents—you know where I can be reached. Just think about it, okay? Thank you."

Fans laughed at the camera zooms on the $3000 check and the Ringo barb, but on the far side of Central Park, two very famous men took notice. By 1976, John Lennon and Paul McCartney weren't the hostile antagonists the public generally believed. Years had passed since the "How Do You Sleep?" days. In the meantime, the two had hung out, particularly while Lennon was on his "Lost Weekend" in Los Angeles. By this time, John was back in New York, living with Yoko in The Dakota on Manhattan's Upper West Side. On the night of April 24, Paul McCartney had popped in to hang out with his old friend—and they decided to kick back and watch a certain Saturday night comedy show.

Today's Day In Rock News!

Queen Return To American Idol This Week
(hennemusic) Queen are returning to American Idol this week. Yahoo Music reports Queen's Brian May and Roger Taylor will be on hand to perform with the top six Idol finalists next Wednesday, April 25.
Then, to promote Queen's official tribute band, The Queen Extravaganza will perform on the results show next Thursday.

Hitting the road across North America this summer, The Queen Extravaganza is a touring concert show designed to take the music and the live experience of legends of rock Queen to generations of fans. Check out video of their previous appearance.



Aerosmith Album Pushed Back
Canadian radio station 97-5 K-Rock caught up recently with Aerosmith's bassist, Tom Hamilton and we learn some interesting things in the chat about the band's forthcoming album and their recent 60 Minutes piece.


In an interview Hamilton says that the band's new album will be pushed back to September.

He also commented that 60 Minutes interviewer Lara Logan distracted the band with her 'low cut top' and their piece was edited to 'nail' Steven Tyler'. Listen here



Metallica To Tribute Ronnie James Dio
(hennemusic) Metallica will be appearing on two upcoming tribute albums. One for Deep Purple and one for Ronnie James Dio that will also feature Anthrax, Rob Halford, Lemmy and more.

"We reached out to Wendy Dio [wife of Ronnie] about wanting to be a part of the Dio tribute that's getting put together," says singer James Hetfield in the latest issue of Metal Hammer. "We're very honoured to be a part of that, and to be a part of a celebration of Ronnie's life and his great contribution, man."

"We're definitely looking to do the record Wendy's putting together for Ronnie," adds drummer Lars Ulrich. "We were asked if we'd contribute to the anniversary of [classic Deep Purple album] 'Machine Head', too – we can't turn that down." more on this story



Slash TV
(hennemusic) HDNet will deliver the US broadcast premiere of Slash's 2011 concert DVD, "Slash featuring Myles Kennedy Live: Made In Stoke" on Sunday, May 13 at 8:00 PM EDT.

Slash and his band tear through cuts spanning his 20-year career with Guns N' Roses (nine GNR songs will be featured) as well as songs from Velvet Revolver, Slash's Snakepit and Slash's first solo album.

Songs performed include "By The Sword," "Back From Cali," "Slither," "Sweet Child 'O Mine," "Paradise City," and more that rock through the rafters of the sold-out Victoria Hall in Stoke-on-Trent, England, Slash's birthplace. more on this story



John Fogerty Joins The Black Keys For Levon Helm Tribute Jam
(hennemusic) The Black Keys headlined the first day as the second weekend of Coachella got underway on Friday.

The Black Keys paid their respects to Levon Helm, The Band's drummer, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 71 after a lengthy battle with cancer.

The Keys' frontman Dan Auerbach was joined onstage by Creedence Clearwater Revival singer John Fogerty, dueting on a performance of The Band's classic "The Weight." Watch it here.



Rare Van Halen Rehearsal Footage Goes Online
(hennemusic) Months before hitting the road in support of their new album, "A Different Kind Of Truth," Van Halen were tucked away in a secret Los Angeles location in full rehearsal mode. Two clips have recently landed online and are being eaten up by the hardcore VH community.

The first video shows someone secretly recording footage of the band's room while band and staff are not around. It opens with the camera man flipping through a couple of pages of song titles, presumably those being worked up for the (then) upcoming road trip; a few of these tunes have yet to be played on the current tour. The videographer then walks the room, stopping by Eddie's pedalboard before scanning across stacks of speakers and Alex's drum setup. No date is listed or mentioned with the uploaded video.

The second clip was recorded December 14, 2011 as VH were in the room rehearsing "China Town" from the new album. The video does not show any of the band members; because it was recorded secretly, viewers will only be able to hear audio of the song itself. The performance of the new track does sound impressive, two full months before the record's release and the tour began. Check them out here.



Agnostic Front Plan 30 Years of NYHC Shows
(Fresno) Agnostic Front has announced a trio of commemorative shows to celebrate 30 years of NYHC.

The hardcore punk pioneer will perform the classic Live At CBGB set in its entirety to pay homage to the passionate New York hardcore subculture that has stood the test of time – a movement Agnostic Front has led since the early 1980s.

Agnostic Front have also teamed up with ASG Guitar to launch the limited-edition "Stigma" series guitar, complete with Agnostic Front body artwork, NYHC fretboard inlay and more as part of the celebration. more on this story



Stone Roses Tap Sex Pistol's Daughter For Comeback Tour
(Gibson) Stone Roses frontman Ian Brown has chosen the support act for the Stone Roses' comeback tour. Her name is Hollie Cook and she's the daughter of Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook. The former Sex Pistol invited Brown to see his daughter play and the deal was done.

According to The Sun newspaper, Hollie Cook said: "It's the most exciting and terrifying opportunity. It's such an honor."

As for Hollie's rock and roll pedigree: not only is Paul Cook her father but her mother Jen was a member of Culture Club and her godfather is Boy George. more on this story





Asia Plan New Album, Reissue and World Tour for 30th Anniversary
Asia are celebrating their 30th anniversary this year and plan the release of a new album, a world tour and collectors' edition of their debut.

Noble sent over these details: Asia, featuring the original line-up of Geoff Downes (keyboards), Steve Howe (guitar), Carl Palmer (drums) and John Wetton (bass, lead vocals), will release a new studio album entitled "XXX" on Monday July 2nd (in the UK).

The new album dovetails the news of the band's upcoming 30th Anniversary World Tour and the collectors' edition of their eponymous debut album. more on this story



Thrice Add More Farewell Tour Dates
Thrice have added two additional dates to their upcoming farewell tour which is set to take place this spring.

The band's final shows in Anaheim and Los Angeles sold out within hours but fans will now have two more chances to the see the band in Anaheim and Santa Ana, California.

After thirteen years together and eight full-length releases to their name, Thrice will begin their final tour together on May 4 in San Diego, California. Supporting Thrice on all dates will be Animals As Leaders and O'Brother. more on this story



Grateful Dead Launch Video Game
(Gibson) For Grateful Dead fans, Jerry Garcia's death in 1995 marked the end of the band's special magic. The Dead's legendary live shows with Garcia are consigned to history, but a new video game is said to capture something of what made those performances such momentous events.

Released on April 20, Grateful Dead Game: The Epic Tour is based on 10 especially memorable Dead shows staged between 1970 and 1990. Adam Blumenthal of Curious Sense, the digital media company that created The Epic Tour, spoke with Reuters about the game's development.

"What we're doing is creating an adventure by traveling through Grateful Dead history, Grateful Dead time and space …," he said. "The objective is to keep having fun rather than get to the end." more on this story





Preview Motley Crue Frontman's Ghost Adventure
(hennemusic) A preview has been posted online of Motley Crue's Vince Neil's appearance in this Friday's season finale of "Ghost Adventures," the paranormal series airing on The Travel Channel.

Vince joins the show's team of paranormal investigators — Zak Bagans, Nick Groff and Aaron Goodwin – as they investigate The Riviera Hotel, which some say is haunted.

"Built in 1955, it's one of the oldest hotel and casinos still standing on the Vegas strip," according to a synopsis of the episode. "Filled with history, the hotel has had a roster of celebrity clientele and was formerly connected to the Chicago Mafia — needless to say, the hotel has had its share of good times and bad. Perhaps its most well-known guest was Frank Sinatra, who had his own penthouse suite where he often threw lavish parties." Read more and watch the preview here.



Pete Townshend Autobiography Coming
(Gibson) The autobiography of Pete Townshend is available for pre-order ahead of its October release.

The book, Who I Am, records the life of one of Britain's most important rock voices.

The memoir will cover all areas of his life from childhood, through his glory days with The Who to the present day. more on this story





Ted Nugent Makes Plea Agreement For Bear Hunting Charge
(hennemusic) Ted Nugent has agreed to plead guilty to transporting a black bear he illegally killed in southeast Alaska.

USA Today reports Nugent made the admission in signing a plea agreement with federal prosecutors that was filed Friday in U.S. District Court.

The plea agreement says Ted illegally shot and killed the bear in May 2009 on Sukkwan Island days after wounding a bear in a bow hunt, which counted toward a state seasonal limit of one bear. more on this story



Kris Norris Returning To Straight Line Stitch For New Tour
Straight Line Stitch will be hitting the road for a North American tour which kicks off tomorrow, April 24th in Bowling Green, KY!

Fresh off of their successful 2011 album, The Fight of Our Lives, the band hits the road again through the beginning of June.

Joining them on the road is former Straight Line Stitch guitarist Kris Norris (ex-Darkest Hour), back with the group for two months. more on this story



Play in a Day Guitarist Bert Weedon Dead at 91
(Gibson) Guitarist Bert Weedon, whose Play in a Day tutorial manual served as an early guide to such greats as Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton and Brian May, died Thursday (April 19) after a long illness. He was 91.

Weedon was an orchestral guitarist during the post-war big band era, and later played on countless pop hits by the likes of Cliff Richard and Billy Fury, but it was his famous instruction guide for which he will be best remembered. Published in 1957, Play in a Day went on to sell more than two million copies, and was translated into dozens of languages.

McCartney, George Harrison and John Lennon all said Play in a Day was instrumental to their early development as musicians. Clapton said Weedon's tips and encouragement gave him the motivation to press on, when he was first learning to play. May was even more effusive in his praise, calling Weedon "a legend" and a "guitar wizard." Weedon remained in Great Britain throughout his life. He was awarded an OBE – Order of the British Empire – in 2001 for his services to music. more on this story





Arcane Saints Cancel Canadian Tour
(Sub) Australia's Arcane Saints have been forced to postpone their Canadian tour dates due to an unexpected circumstance.

"We regret to advise that due to unforeseen situation beyond our control we have had to postpone our Canadian tour. We are devastated and would like to apologize to our friends and fans that were coming to see us. We will advise our new tour dates asap. Please accept our apologies." comments Arcane Saints vocalist / guitarist Michael John.

The band recently released their new single "Never Say Die" in support of the tour and has released two EPs along with an appearance on MTV's "Up and Coming Bands" documentary. more on this story



Singled Out: Hurt's How We End Up Alone
Hurt are currently out on the road and we caught up with frontman J. Loren to tell us about their current hit single "How We End Up Alone," from their forthcoming album, "The Crux" which will be released May 1st.

The inspiration behind "How We End Up Alone" was, unfortunately inspired by personal narrative - one that I was going through at the time of its conception. I found myself thinking the same cyclical thoughts that we all do when in the throes of watching your world get turned upside-down.

While it was impossible to look on the bright side, I found the irony in the situation in that it has happened before in nearly the same way in the past and its subject matter was the topic of the majority of American blues (a style we surprisingly rarely borrow from, despite the fact that we are a rock band). I used a common blues progression to begin the song in an effort to subconsciously bring listeners into the mindframe and then went with the 6/8 progression to mimic the actual events of every failed relationship. During that same section, there is musical reference to "Et Al" (vol.2) because I was referencing the similarities between the two situations. Behind the violent rhythm is a full orchestral composition not prominently heard, which is in fact a typical movie style masquerade waltz (think "Carmen" by Bizet). 3/4 and 6/8 timing are an easy fit and I thought it deepened the sense of familiar irony. I am proudest of the back and forth lyrical and melodic simplicity juxtaposed with a few eloquent passages, which both musically and lyrically captured the state of affairs and mindframe.

For me, the pivotal statement "see it from my way" said as much as I could hope to explain with any amount of a more flowery rhetoric. The inflections are meant to portray how a discussion becomes a heated/forceful life changing argument because of its very approach and progression of the narrators' hidden intent. It is my hope that the next time you find yourself going through the identical stages and headed for inevitable disaster, you will be reminded by this song before you complete your part in this comical play and take ten seconds to think before you get your all important way. Because this is, after all, how we end up alone.

Hearing is believing. Now that you know the story behind the song, listen for yourself as you check out the video right here!



B Sides


Jack Douglas Tells The Story Behind John Lennon's Double Fantasy
(Gibson) During his long career as a sound engineer and producer Jack Douglas has worked with some of rock's most elite musicians – Alice Cooper, Miles Davis, The Who and Cheap Trick.

He produced Aerosmith's blockbuster '70s albums and is again collaborating with the rock legends on their forthcoming record. Among his crowning achievements was his work helming John Lennon and Yoko Ono's Double Fantasy album – the last record to be released during Lennon's life.

Douglas stopped by Gibson's New York City Showroom and spoke about his trip to Liverpool as a young man, discussed how he and Lennon became friends and told the story behind Double Fantasy. Check out the video here.





Jack White Switches Up Bands On German TV
(hennemusic) Jack White's solo debut, "Blunderbuss," is out this week. The former White Stripes man has been spreading the word on his new release, and this week, Jack appeared on German TV to play a couple of tracks from the project.

On the German tv program Die Harald Schmidt Show, White performed a rocking version of his latest single, "Sixteen Saltines," with an all-female band, before switching gears and doing "Freedom At 21" with an all-male backing group.

White kicks off a series of US dates that begin this Friday at New York's Webster Hall. Watch the TV performances here.



Metallica's Lars Ulrich Dreams of Noel Gallagher Jam
(Gibson) It turns out Lars Ulrich is quite a fan of Noel Gallagher and his High Flying Birds. Speaking to New Musical Express, the Metallica drummer said, "I'm hard pressed to think of anyone I would rather drum with than Noel Gallagher, [although] I have to say the fellow with the Clockwork Orange get up at the back is doing a stellar job.

"When I saw them in L.A in December it was fabulous. You know, if … the other 37,000 drummers on this planet turn him down, I'll certainly play with him."

Ulrich went on to say he wasn't sure Gallagher would take him seriously, but he had little doubt the musical fit would be a good one. "I'm certainly not sure he would ever want to pick me, but I'd put together a pretty solid groove thing back there," he said. "I would make the songs bounce to the best of my ability." more on this story





Aerosmith's Steven Tyler Walks This Way With Young Cancer Patient
(hennemusic) Aerosmith's Steven Tyler continues to spread goodwill amongst his fans. WPRI-TV Rhode Island reports Tyler recently connected with Cole Grace, a 10-year-old from West Warwick, RI who was hospitalized with a brain tumor that was identified as a Grade IV Glioblastoma.

Since his January 27 hospitalization, young Cole has had three brain surgeries.

While in the hospital, Cole was able to Skype with his hero, Steven Tyler. Steven and Cole had a long conversation and sang Aerosmith's "Walk This Way" together. Check out video here.



Gibson Tribute Levon Helm With Classic Interview
(Gibson) Few artists more fully embodied the spirit of rural America than Levon Helm did. From his work in The Band to his staging of Midnight Ramble concerts at his barn-like studio in Woodstock, New York, Helm was an authentic spirit who captured something deep in the heart of small-town life. Helm, who died Thursday, April 19, at age 71, was also one of the most beloved figures in contemporary music. Speaking to USA Today in the wake of Helm's passing, Warren Haynes, who played with Helm many times, said his friend's voice "personified Americana," adding that it was "one of the great voices, and not just in rock 'n' roll."

In 2000, not long after Capitol Records reissued The Band's entire catalog, Helm's agreed to be interviewed about the making of the group's second album, titled, simply, The Band. A masterpiece that weaved folk, gospel, country and R&B into a seamless tapestry, the album also was an epic portrait-in-song about frontier America. In the interview, Helm talked about The Band's musical dynamic and their work with Bob Dylan, and shared his feelings about the group's legacy. As a tribute to the memory of a great artist, we present that interview here in its entirety, for the very first time.

You recorded The Band in Los Angeles at Sammy Davis Jr.'s house. That must have been a strange experience. We liked how we had worked at the Big Pink [a house shared by Rick Danko, Richard Manuel and Garth Hudson in West Saugerties, New York]. The Basement Tapes, Music from Big Pink and probably the better part of a couple of other albums for Bob [Dylan] all came out of those Basement Tapes sessions. That was such a fun, kind of "workshop" situation that we always looked to do that again, as opposed to going into a cold studio, where the clock is ticking away. It's better to create your own space.

We went out to California and rented Sammy Davis Jr.'s house, which had a pool house, and we turned the pool house into a studio. It wasn't hard to do that. We boxed in some of the windows, and taped down the metal fireplace so it wouldn't rattle, and brought in some tape machines and other gear. We didn't perform for a long time. We cut Music from Big Pink, and then we went right ahead and started cutting The Band, and just about the same thing with the third album. We played shows a bit between the second and third album, but not much. Read the full interview here.





Remembering Roy Orbison
(Gibson) "Roy Orbison was the only act that The Beatles didn't want to follow," said Ringo Starr, recalling the 1963 tour the Beatles made with Roy Orbison in England.

Born in Texas on April 23, 1936, Orbison was a rock and roll original who became an international cross-over superstar thanks to his unique vocal powers and unusual songwriting style. He'd go on to win Grammys in pop, rock and roll and country categories with hits like "Ooby Dooby," "Oh Pretty Woman," "Only The Lonely," "Blue Bayou," "Crying, It's Over," "In Dreams," "You Got It" and "Handle with Care" (as a Traveling Wilbury with Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, George Harrison and Jeff Lynne). His early days, however, were tough and trying, which, perhaps, prepared him for the terrible personal tragedies that would darken the incredible highs his musical career would achieve.

Raised in the wilds of west Texas, Orbison had his own band when he was 13. He was eventually spotted by Buddy Holly producer, Norman Petty, who recorded some sides that, sadly, went nowhere. Undeterred, Orbison, whose style was already proving difficult to pigeon hole, headed to Memphis on the recommendation of Johnny Cash and impressed rock and roll icon Sam Phillips enough for him to sign Orbison to Sun Records. It all looked good when Orbison had a quick hit with "Ooby Dooby," in 1956. But Phillips didn't fully understand the music Orbison wanted to pay. He moved to RCA briefly, and then to Monument Records in 1960, where' he'd finally make it big after several years on the bread line.

Out of nowhere, in the summer of 1960, "Only the Lonely" announced Orbison as the ultimate tragic balladeer. The record made it to #2 in the U.S. and #1 in the U.K., where it stayed on the chart for over 6 months.

Sadly, life soon began to imitate art as the singer who expressed sadness and tragedy so powerfully was faced with his own personal horrors

Today's Day In Rock!

The Band's Levon Helm Dead at 71
(Gibson) The Band's Levon Helm died yesterday (April 19) in New York of throat cancer. He was 71 years old.
Levon Helm was the much-respected drummer (and the only American-born member) of the legendary Canadian rock group The Band. He was also the lead vocalist on many of the classic Band tracks, including "The Weight," "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" and "Up on Cripple Creek."

Helm also acted in several movies including The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada, Shooter, Smooth Talk, The Right Stuff, The Dollmaker, but it was his staggering performance as Loretta Lynn's father in Coal Miner's Daughter that he'll probably be best remembered for. more on this story




Red Hot Chili Peppers EP Coming
(BBG) Red Hot Chili Peppers are celebrating their Rock Hall induction with the release of a very special digital-only EP, entitled We Salute You, on May 1st.

It features six songs from previous Hall of Fame inductees, all of whom have influenced the band musically: The Ramones, Iggy & The Stooges, Neil Young, David Bowie, The Beach Boys, and Dion and the Belmonts.

Five of the six tracks have never been available digitally. "A Teenager In Love" was released as an international maxi-single; "Havana Affair" was released as a 7"-single and featured on the compilation We're A Happy Family: A Tribute To The Ramones; "Search & Destroy" has only appeared on a now out-of-print maxi-CD, "I Get Around" was first played during Brian Wilson's 2005 MusiCares induction speech; and "Suffragette City" was previously only available as a B-side to the band's single "Aeroplane." "Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere" was recorded live during Red Hot Chili Peppers' current tour supporting their album I'm With You. more on this story



Slash Explains Rock Hall Jam Lineup
(MSO) Slash and classic Guns N' Roses bandmates Duff McKagan, Steven Adler, Matt Sorum and Gilby Clarke rocked the 27th Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame crowd this past weekend by performing versions of Guns N' Roses classics "Mr. Brownstone," "Sweet Child Of Mine," and "Paradise City," on which they were joined by vocalist Myles Kennedy.

He has been the lead vocalist for Slash's band for over two years and co-wrote all of the songs with Slash on his second solo studio album Apocalyptic Love which drops on May 22 via Dik Hayd International, distributed through EMI.

"The rest of the guys/inductees suggested we get Myles to sing," says Slash, "and I thought it was a great idea."

Slash then joined in with fellow inductees past and present for the night's all-star finale jam of Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground" which included the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ron Wood and Kenney Jones (Faces), Billy Joe Armstrong (Green Day), George Clinton and Funkadelic guitarist Michael Hampton. "It turned out to be a very special evening," says, Slash. The 27th Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame will air on HBO Saturday, May 5 at 9:00pm EDT/PDT. more on this story



Spineshank Reunion Album Details
After a six-year hiatus, Spineshank's original line-up has reunited and recorded a new album, Anger Denial Acceptance, which will be release on June 19th in North America.

Guitarist Mike Sarkisyan says of the effort, "It was very important to us, as artists, to make this record. We felt like we had something to say as a band."

"Some of us were going through divorces, others lost people very close to them and that's what basically surrounded us during the creative process."
more on this story



Rush Clockwork Angels Tour Dates
Rush will be hitting the road in September for their Clockwork Angels North American Tour.

The fall tour will visit approximately 33 cities beginning September 7th in Manchester, NH, and finishing December 2nd in Houston, TX, with stops along the way in Pittsburgh, Detroit, Columbus, Bridgeport, Philadelphia, Saskatoon, Seattle, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Tampa, as well as dates in Canada and more

"Clockwork Angels," the band's 20th studio album, will be released on June 12th. The band released the first single from the effort this week and singer/bassist Geddy Lee remarked, "'Headlong Flight' was one of those songs that was a joy to write and record from beginning to end. Alex [Lifeson] and I had blast jamming in my home studio one day before the 2nd leg of the Time Machine Tour and I did not revisit that jam until a year later. Alex and I assembled the song to be an instrumental and its original title was 'Take that lampshade off yo head!' but once we saw the lyrics Neil had written for 'Headlong Flight,' I knew that the spirit of the lyrics matched the instrumental perfectly and it was just a matter of making them fit and writing the melodies." more on this story



New Ronnie Montrose DVD Coming
(hennemusic) "Ronnie Montrose Live At The Uptown," a new DVD from the late Ronnie Montrose, will be released on May 1st.

Montrose, who took his own life March 3 following a lengthy battle with cancer, was captured in concert this past January – for the one and only live DVD recording of his career.

Ronnie and his band played the Uptown Theater in Napa, California, delivering a show that includes acoustic pieces, songs you never heard him perform before, and ones you haven't heard him do for years and years and years. more on this story



Korn Tour Leg Kicks Off Tonight
Korn will launch the third leg of their "Path of Totality" tour today, April 20th, at Lonestar Amphitheater in Lubbock, TX.

It finds the band hitting several cities and amphitheaters, which will be a mix of headlining shows and festival dates. Openers on the tour include frontman Jonathan Davis DJing as his alter ego J Devil, as well as dubstep talent Sluggo.

Korn released their new album The Path Of Totality this past December where it debuted in the Top Ten on Billboard. more on this story



Vince Neil's Motley Ghost Adventure For TV
(hennemusic) Motley Crue singer Vince Neil is set to appear in the season finale of "Ghost Adventures," the paranormal series airing on The Travel Channel.

DailyFreshies.com reports the episode, which was taped at a Las Vegas hotel, will air Friday, April 27. Vince joins the show's team of paranormal investigators — Zak Bagans, Nick Groff and Aaron Goodwin – as they investigate The Riviera Hotel, which some say is haunted. Also on board are Frank Sinatra's former pianist, Bruce Westcott, and Jamie Gold, the 2006 World Series of Poker champion.

"Built in 1955, it's one of the oldest hotel and casinos still standing on the Vegas strip," according to a synopsis of the episode. "Filled with history, the hotel has had a roster of celebrity clientele and was formerly connected to the Chicago Mafia — needless to say, the hotel has had its share of good times and bad. Perhaps its most well-known guest was Frank Sinatra, who had his own penthouse suite where he often threw lavish parties." more on this story



Ozzy's Randy Rhoads Era Record Store Day Releases Detailed
2011's Record Store Day Ambassador Ozzy Osbourne will celebrate the event this year with two releases:

Ozzy Live, a double LP set taken from 2011's Blizzard of Ozz/Diary of a Madman 30th Anniversary Collector Box, and a 7" live version of Diary of a Madman's classic Ozzy track "Believer." Both are limited-edition, numbered vinyl editions which contain never-before- published archival photos.

For the first time ever, a vinyl version of the Ozzy Live CD--recorded on the Blizzard Of Ozz tour--will be released as a stand-alone title and issued on 180 gram vinyl. Beyond the live music, side 4 of the double LP features the 2010 Guitar & Vocal Mix of "Goodbye to Romance," along with the lost Randy Rhoads guitar solo "RR."

In another first, the 7" vinyl live version of "Believer," taken from the Ozzy Live CD, will be issued as a special polka dot picture disc, inspired by Randy Rhoads' famous polka dot guitar. The track is being released to honor the 30th anniversary (March 19) of the acclaimed guitarist's passing. more on this story



Meshuggah, Baroness and Decapitated Tour
Decapitated will hitting the road at the end of the month for a North American tour with Meshuggah and Baroness.

The tour, dubbed The Ophidian Trek, is set to kick off on April 29th in Houston, TX and runs May 23rd in New York, NY.

Decapitated guitarist Vogg says of the trek: "Decapitated with Meshuggah! We're so proud and happy to be part of this amazing tour! It will be a huge honor to share one stage with such a great band! Cannot wait!" more on this story



The Cribs Set North American Tour Dates
The Cribs will be kicking off their summer tour plans with North American dates this June.

The Cribs will be touring in support of their latest album, 'In The Belly Of The Brazen Bull'.

The recording process for this album saw the band split their time between Abbey Road in London, Steve Albini's EAR studio in Chicago, and David Fridmann's Tarbox Road studio in Upstate New York. more on this story



Heart Mapping Out Tour Plans
(Gibson) Heart are slowly but surely plotting out 2012 tour dates, and thus far, the Wilson ladies and company have accumulated 20 dates on their schedule.

As for now, the jaunt kicks off June 29 in Pryor Lake, Minnesota, and runs through September 15 in Catoosa, Oklahoma.

In other Heart news, Nancy Wilson recently said "goodbye" to her pup Charlie. In a tearful message posted on the group's official website, Nancy wrote, "Its hard news to get but our wonderful one has departed the planet. He told me it was time. He was a true angel. He was my absolute angel. He was the best dog I ever knew and I have really known some insanely great dogs. Not only did he raise my kids but was my companion in a trillion hotel beds, hallways, lobbies, elevators and more than a few pools… more on this story





Blur Box Set Will Include 65 Unreleased Songs
(Gibson) Blur's guitarist Graham Coxon has overseen a mammoth box set release that will feature 65 previously unreleased tracks.

The set will be released by Parlophone on July 30 to celebrate 21 years since the band's debut album Leisure. The box set will include all seven Blur albums, 3 DVDs, a hardback book and a band interview.

For fans on a budget, all seven albums will be re-released individually, each with extra material as well. Blur also are issuing a vinyl box set complete with a download code for grabbing extra digital material. more on this story





Toadies Set New Album Release and Tour With Helmet
Toadies Play.Rock.Music, which was originally set to be released as an EP next month will now be released as a full length album on July 31st. Their camp sent over details:

The change stemmed from the vibe during the recording session says vocalist Vaden Todd Lewis: "The plan was just to record some demos with (producer) Frenchie Smith. It went so well we decided to compile the songs into an EP. But then we were having such a good time, we decided to keep the ball rolling and make a full-length record. A lot of this material was written on the fly in the studio. It was a very exciting and scary process."

To coincide with the release of Play.Rock.Music the band will be on a two month North American co-headline tour with former label cohorts Helmet (Dates TBA.) Toadies are presently out on the road with Social Distortion. more on this story



Switchfoot Set Record Store Day Release and Bro-Am Details
Switchfoot have announced details for their 8th Annual Bro-Am event and they will celebrate Record Store Day by releasing a limited edition CD entitled Vice Re-Verses this Saturday, April 21.

The EP features remixes of songs from its latest album, Vice Verses, by Paper Route's JT Daly, Owl City's Adam Young, Photek, Darren King and DandJ. A digital version of Vice Re-Verses will be released on May 1 and will include a remix of the band'snew single, "Afterlife," by Neon Feather, the winner of the Switchfoot Remix Contest

As for Bro-Am, their camp sent over the following extensive details: Dead Feather Moon The Howls, Brandon and Leah, and Jon Foreman & Friends will perform at the 8th annual Switchfoot Bro-Am at Moonlight Beach in Encinitas, CA on Saturday, June 16th. more on this story



Paul McCartney Trying To Help Save Twickenham Studios
(Gibson) The historic British Twickenham film studios were responsible for hundreds of classic films including Beatles movies, A Hard Day's Night and Help!, as well as recent hits like The Iron Lady and War Horse, but recently went into administrations.

Paul McCartney is just one star who is supporting the Save Twickenham Studios campaign. He says on the campaign website: "I have many fond memories of working at Twickenham Studios, having worked on Beatles films there. It's a fine example of a British film studio and it would be a great loss if it were to have nothing more to do with the British film industry."

The director of The Beatles' movies, Richard Lester, is also supporting the Save Twickenham Studios campaign. He said: "In 1963, while looking for a studio to film the first Beatles film, we came upon Twickenham and soon realized that it provided the perfect facilities for our needs (and was only seven miles from my house). I took possession of an office there and gave it up last year, having filmed or finished all but two of twenty-some films at the studio. During that time I was able to call on the professional skills and kindnesses that the studio provided. It would be a great shame if these qualities that I enjoyed for nearly fifty unbroken years could not also benefit a new generation of filmmakers." more on this story





Alice Cooper and Slash Featured On ABC TV This Weekend
The legendary Sunset Strip will be featured in the ABC's 20/20 "Sunset Boulevard" is set to air this Saturday, April 21 from 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM ET.

Airing as a special two-hour edition of the hit TV documentary series, The Sunset Strip is one of the sections of the 22 mile boulevard's stretch included in the broadcast revealing some of the riveting stories and pivotal moments in the make-it or break-it world of this American dream machine.

Anchored by Jay Schadler, the special includes interviews with Johnny Depp, Slash, Keanu Reeves, Mickey Rourke, Alice Cooper and Hugh Hefner, all featured in the recent documentary Sunset Strip The Movie. Lou Adler, owner of famed Sunset Strip nightclub The Roxy, and his son Nic Adler, who currently runs it, are both interviewed and allowed ABC unprecedented access on and off stage to the Sunset Strip's most legendary and influential music venue. more on this story



1349 Launching North American Tour
(Prosthetic) 1349 are set to play their first ever dates in Puerto Rico as part of their upcoming North American tour plans.

The band – who after a short round of home shows in Norway – will be starting off their international tour on June 1st in Puerto Rico.

The band will then continue on to support Marduk on their North American tour ending with a string of dates in Mexico. more on this story



Soundgarden, 3 Inches of Blood and Mad Men Star For Metalocalypse
(Metal Injection) Metal Injection spoke with Metalocalypse creator Brendon Small on the black carpet of the Revolver Golden Gods Awards.

During the interview, Small talked about his forthcoming solo album release, Galaktikon as well as the upcoming season of Metalocalypse.

Small revealed special guest voices that are set to appear on the new season. Small revealed that members of Soundgarden, 3 Inches of Blood, Patton Oswalt, Dweezil Zappa, and Jon Hamm of Mad Men will be contributing to the show. Watch the full interview here



Revocation Kick Off Headline Tour
(Freeman) Revocation kicked off their first North American headlining tour yesterday in Allston, MA and tour runs through April 29th in Trenton, NJ.

Support on the tour will come from Cannabis Corpse and Ramming Speed. Frontman Dave Davidson spoke about kicking off the headline tour:

"What's up guys, just wanted to let everyone know that our upcoming headlining tour is fast approaching, so make sure to come check us out if we're rolling through your area. We can't wait to hit the road and play a longer set filled with songs spanning all of our records. We're also very pleased to bring out Ramming Speed and Cannabis Corpse on this run, it's going to be a rager every night for sure. Looking forward to getting ripsh*t in a city near you!" more on this story



Stryper Announce Global Tour Dates
Stryper will kick off a series of global tour dates on May 10th at Tailgaters in Bolingbrook, IL just outside of Chicago.

Stryper is one of the few bands from a decadent era that features "All Original Members".

"After almost 30 years in this business, we are blessed to be able to continue doing what we love most - making music," explains Michael Sweet, lead singer/ lead guitarist and songwriter. "God has blessed us with talents and abilities so we plan to continue on this path as long as God calls us to do so." more on this story



Waters Lines Up Dates With Nada Surf and Delta Spirit
Waters will be hitting the road this summer to support Nada Surf on the band's June/July US tour dates.

The Nada Surf tour will launch on June 19th at the Chameleon Club in Lancaster, PA and wrap up on July 5th at Ram's Head Live in Baltimore, MD.

Waters will first re-join Delta Spirit, with whom they've been on the road since March 19th, on April 30th at the Urban Lounge in Salt Lake City, UT for two more weeks of shows, which conclude on May 13th at Belly Up in Solano Beach, CA and include a May 11th show at The Fonda in Los Angeles, CA. more on this story



Punk For Tots With KinderAngst
Press Here sent over details about an album that rockin' parents might want to check out for their kids:

KinderAngst is here to usher in a different kind of musical journey for kids and their parents. Channeling rock icons from The Ramones to The Shangri-Las to David Bowie, KinderAngst creators and respected singers/multi-instrumentalists, Palmyra Delran and Rachelle Garniez, have created a cast of vivid characters who deliver smart, witty and engaging punk rock songs for children. While messages of friendship, acceptance and patience are strewn throughout this album, these are not your typical candy-coated children's tunes. KinderAngst is a citified alt-rock album told from the perspective of children who are experiencing the universal growing pains of childhood, offering kids a way to positively work through their experiences. Of course, there are also plenty of lively choruses, crunchy guitars and eclectic musical homages that will make the most discerning fans and parents sigh with relief; there is even an exciting never-before-released track by Debbie Harry!

KinderAngst is set for release on June 5, 2012, and will be available via iTunes, Amazon, Best Buy and www.kinderangstmusic.com. Click here to listen to first single "Rat." The song is available for purchase today on iTunes here. It chronicles one child's infatuation with a cuddly rodent espied on a subway trip and features a sing-along retro girl group chorus. Head over to the KinderAngst web site www.kinderangstmusic.com for a brief preview of each song and games with the KinderAngst cast! more on this story



Make Do And Mend Set New Release
Rise Records have set a June 19th release for Make Do And Mend's new studio album, Everything You Ever Loved.

Everything You Ever Loved marks the band's sophomore full-length release and was produced by Matt Bayles (Mastodon, Cursive, Minus the Bear) at Red Room Recording in Seattle, WA.

Make Do And Mend will promoting the release by performing as part of the 2012 Vans Warped Tour. more on this story


B Sides


Matt Sorum Reflects on Guns N' Roses Rock Hall Induction Event
Matt Sorum issued a statement to fans earlier this week that said in part that he was closing the door to all things Guns N' Roses. Of course, he was then quoted in an interview discussing wanting to make a Guns N' Roses biopic. Here is his statement where he recaps his experience at the Rock Hall induction:

Dear friends and fans of Guns N' Roses, "I am releasing this statement to bring closure to the night's events at the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame, and to all things Guns N' Roses. This will alleviate numerous press statements and interviews about the subject, which I have already addressed on my Twitter.

"In these last few months since getting notice about being inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, many emotions and feelings have gone through my head and heart, as well as the original five members of GN'R: Axl, Slash, Duff, Izzy and Steven. I was also chosen to be inducted, along with Dizzy Reed.

"It was slightly awkward for me in some ways knowing some fans have the original five in their hearts for a reunion. I chose to say to Slash and Duff, 'Please have Steven play, and let me know what you would like me to do.'




Watch Rush's Headlong Flight Lyric Video
(hennemusic) Rush's new single, "Headlong Flight," hit rock radio Thursday. The track - from Rush's forthcoming album, "Clockwork Angels," originally surfaced online on Wednesday. Now, the band has posted a lyric video for the tune.

Lyrically, "Clockwork Angels" chronicles a young man's quest across a lavish and colorful world of steampunk and alchemy as he attempts to follow his dreams. The story features lost cities, pirates, anarchists, an exotic carnival, and a rigid Watchmaker who imposes precision on every aspect of daily life.

The novelization of the album is being written by science fiction writer Kevin J. Anderson in collaboration with Rush drummer and lyricist Neil Peart. Check it out here.



The Day Aerosmith Got A Grip
(Gibson) On this day in 1993, Aerosmith released the album Get a Grip, which became their first album to debut at #1. It went on to sell 7 million copies in a two-year timespan in the United States alone and sold 20 million copies worldwide as well as winning the band two Grammy awards. Gibson takes a look back: The early '90s weren't the easiest time for established rock bands. Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Seattle's grunge scene had forged an alt-rock revolution on the radio, which left many of the '80s biggest groups in the dust. It seemed that bands had to alter their sound drastically or face the consequences of being – gasp! – unpopular.

Although Aerosmith had come to prominence way back in the mid-'70s, they had a huge resurgence in the late '80s with the albums Pump and Permanent Vacation and blockbuster singles "Angel," "Love in an Elevator" and "Janie's Got a Gun." But Pump had come out in 1989, a couple of years before Nirvana dethroned Michael Jackson on the album charts. After Aerosmith had a couple of multi-platinum successes, there was some uncertainty regarding how fans would receive the next album – Get a Grip, which would be released on this day in 1993.

Aerosmith wrote and recorded the album throughout 1992, and it seemed their (and record label Geffen's) main goal was to have as many hits on the record as possible. To optimize their chances, a bunch of collaborators were brought in to work with the band and write with frontman Steven Tyler and guitarist Joe Perry.

The collaborators ranged from Tommy Shaw and Jack Blades (who co-wrote "Shut Up and Dance") to Mark Hudson (who helped pen "Livin' on the Edge") to Lenny Kravitz (who co-wrote and played on "Line Up"). Tyler's longtime friend Richard Supa co-wrote "Amazing," Nashville-based songwriter Taylor Rhoades worked on "Cryin'" and all-star writer/producer Desmond Child assisted on "Crazy."It wasn't a completely new approach (other writers had a hand in past hits), but the amount of collaborators was significant. In the end, only two of Get a Grip's 14 tracks were credited solely to Aerosmith members.

The approach was an unqualified success. Not only was the album their first to peak at #1 on the Billboard album charts, Get a Grip also became Aerosmith's biggest global smash – going platinum seven times over in the U.S. by the end on 1995. To this day, it remains the band's best-selling album worldwide.

It's no wonder – Aerosmith ruled the radio and video airwaves for about a year and a half after Get a Grip was released. Half of the album's tracks were put out as singles and all of them charted in one way or another. In fact, four of them peaked at #25 or higher on Billboard's Hot 100 as they dominated pop and rock radio. Between '93 and '94, it was near-impossible to tune in and not hear an Aerosmith song – from "Livin' on the Edge" to "Cryin'" to "Amazing" to "Crazy."

Today's Day In Rock!

Today's Day in Rock


Guns N' Roses The Movie?
(Gibson) In an interview with VH1, former Guns N' Roses drummer Matt Sorum says he has talked with "a couple of really big people" about writing a screenplay about his former band (and 2012 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees).
"The only problem with that is figuring out how to work out the music situation," Sorum said. "If there was a film about Guns N' Roses, the thing about Guns N' Roses that was different than all the butt rock bands in Hollywood was that it was down and dirty and punk rock and real. As much as anyone wants to say they want to try to lump it in with hair metal, it never was because it was a different kind of energy.

"If you look at rock and roll movies, they've never been done right," he said, citing The Doors and the Johnny Cash biopic Walk the Line as two of the only exceptions. more on this story





New Rush Song Streaming Online
(hennemusic) "Headlong Flight," the first single from Rush's forthcoming album, "Clockwork Angels," has surfaced online.

"'Headlong Flight' was one of those songs that was a joy to write and record from beginning to end," bassist Geddy Lee tells Rolling Stone. "Alex [Lifeson] and I had blast jamming in my home studio one day before the second leg of the Time Machine tour, and I did not revisit that jam until a year later. Alex and I assembled the song to be an instrumental and its original title was 'Take That Lampshade Off Yo Head!', but once we saw the lyrics Neil [Peart] had written, I knew that the spirit of the lyrics matched the instrumental perfectly and it was just a matter of making them fit and writing the melodies."

The full album – Rush's first collection of original material in over five years – is due June 12.Listen to the new song here.



Metallica Expand Orion Festival Lineup
Metallica have announced the final acts and attractions for their upcoming Orion Music + More festival which takes place on June 23rd and 24th in Atlantic City, NJ.

Ghost, Letlive, Jim Florentine, Don Jamieson, The Black Dahlia Murder, Charred Walls Of The Damned, and Shuli Egar join the previously announced line up of Metallica, Arctic Monkeys, Avenged Sevenfold, Eric Church, Modest Mouse, The Gaslight Anthem, Cage The Elephant, F**ked Up, Best Coast, Hot Snakes, Titus Andronicus, Gary Clark Jr., Lucero, Roky Erickson, The Black Angels, The Sword, A Place To Bury Strangers, Liturgy, The Jim Breuer Heavy Metal Comedy Tour, Soul Rebels, Wooden Shjips, and an entire stage devoted to punk and thrash music - Damage Inc. Stage - headlined by Suicidal Tendencies and Sepultura, and featuring up-and-comers Torche, Red Fang, Kyng, Landmine Marathon, Black Tusk, Thy Will Be Done, and more.

Metallica will headline both nights of Orion Music + More and today announced they would play Ride The Lightning on Saturday, June 23rd and The Black Album on Sunday, June 24th. This will be the only time the band will perform these albums in North America in 2012. more on this story



Joey Ramone's Previously Unreleased Album Coming Next Month
(Gibson) An unreleased solo album from Joey Ramone, titled Ya Know?, will be released at the end of May.

Music Week reports that the 15-track album was put together by Ramone's brother Mickey Leigh, manager Dave Frey and producer Ed Stasium – who helmed a number of The Ramones' albums.

The record sees contributions from assorted Ramones pals including Joan Jett, Little Steven Van Zandt, Richie Ramone, Bun E. Carlos of Cheap Trick, Dennis Diken of the Smithereens and Lenny Kaye. more on this story





Kurt Cobain Recorded Solo Material?
(Gibson) Former Hole guitarist Eric Erlandson says that Kurt Cobain was working on a non-Nirvana music project before his death in 1994. Erlandson told Fuse.tv about the late singer-guitarist's solo album, which he compared to The Beatles' "White Album."

"That's really what he was going towards, a solo album but working with different people," Erlandson said. "I got to see him play it in front of me."

Apparently there also was a cover song with Cobain's other original demos. "I won't say what it is. I don't own the stuff," Erlandson said. "I just hope that one day it will be released for fans." more on this story





KISS Launching New Comic Book Series
(hennemusic) New KISS comics are on the horizon. In late June, IDW Publishing will issue "Dressed To Kill, part 1" as the first in a new series.

"I wanted to do Kiss comics the way I remembered them as a kid," writer Chris Ryall told Comic Book Resources. "I wanted to do them like the old Marvel comics that Stan Lee worked on with John Buscema and then John Romita, Jr. They were just these teenage, young guys who got these talismans that powered them up. It was like a superhero comic concept, which I always dug."

The edition will feature four different covers: one main one and three alternates that will be released in limited supply. Check them out here.



Volbeat, Hellyeah and Iced Earth Summer Tour
Volbeat will be hitting the road this summer for their Live From Beyond Hell / Above Heaven North America tour.

Hellyeah has been selected as direct support, with Iced Earth also on the bill. Volbeat will be touring in support of their latest album Beyond Hell / Above Heaven.

Hellyeah will be supporting their third album, Band of Brothers (July 17th; Eleven Seven Music). The album was recorded in Dallas at drummer Vinnie Paul's home studio, VP's Upstairs Studio and sees the band returning to their collective metal roots with the influences and style of Mudvayne, Pantera, Damageplan and Nothingface. more on this story



Brad Add Dates and Jimmy Kimmel Appearance
Brad have announced a new string of dates and they will also perform on Jimmy Kimmel Live on May 2nd.

The string of new East Coast Tour dates will be support of the band's brand new studio album, United We Stand. The ten track album is set for release on April 24th.

In addition to a west coast run, the band will now play Philadelphia, Washington D.C. and New York City. more on this story



System of a Down's Seri Tankian Plans Harakiri This Summer
System of a Down frontman Seri Tankian has set a July 10th release date for his new solo studio album, Harakiri. Reprise sent over these details:

Harakiri, a Japanese word meaning ritual suicide, is the follow up to 2010's critically acclaimed Imperfect Harmonies and the third solo release from the System Of A Down frontman. As with 2007's Elect the Dead and Imperfect Harmonies, Serj produced Harakiri himself at his home studio in Los Angeles.

He tried to approach writing a little differently this time around "I used the Apple iPad as a songwriting instrument to sketch out three of the songs on the record" explains Serj. "We must trick ourselves into writing in different ways to get unexpected results." more on this story



Mastodon and Feist Collaboration Details
We previously told you about the unlikely collaboration between Mastodon and Feist for a special Record Store Day release on April 21st and the Feist camp sent over some more details:

The split single, being touted as Feistodon, will be released as a limited edition 7" and features Feist covering Mastodon's "Black Tongue" and them returning the favor to cover Feist's "A Commotion."

"I'll wear armor and hold up a sword and stand out front of the independent record shops and just protect them," Feist tells Rolling Stone. more on this story



McCartney Ram Reissue Details and Documentary Preview
The details for the Paul and Linda McCartney Ram reissues has been announced along a brand new video preview of the Ramming documentary taken from the forthcoming deluxe reissue.

The deluxe reissue of Ram is set for North American release on May 22nd 2012. You can check out the Ramming preview here.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is an album from a long, long time ago, when the world was different. This is an album that is part of my history – it goes back to the wee hills of Scotland where it was formed. It's an album called RAM. It reminds me of my hippie days and the free attitude with which was created. I hope you're going to like it, because I do!" - Paul McCartney, 2012 more on this story



Blues Traveler Set New Album Release
429 Records have set a June 26th release date for Blues Traveler's new album, Suzie Cracks The Whip, which coincides with the band's 25th anniversary.

The band have mixed it up with their latest bringing in the production team of Sam Hollander and Dave "Sluggo" Katz—aka S*A*M* and Sluggo (Katy Perry) and inviting a slew of special guests such as Ron Sexsmith, Spin Doctor's Chris Barron and Crystal Bowersox who contributed both in the songwriting and performing.

Blues Traveler will support the release by embarking on an extensive nationwide tour with Barenaked Ladies, Cracker and Big Head Todd & The Monsters beginning in July. more on this story



Final Twister Sister Remasters Coming in May
Eagle Rock/Armoury Records will complete their complete remastering and reissue campaign for Twister Sister on May 29th when they release the double-disc Twisted Sister Live At Hammersmith as well as Club Daze 2: Live In The Bars. Here is the official word:

The two CD packages, sold separately, are an important part of this great band's legacy as it shows just how Twisted they became over time.

Club Daze 2: Live In The Bars starts with two 1984 burners ("Never Say Never" and "Blastin' Fast & Loud") that didn't make their Stay Hungry album. Both songs were finally completed in 2001. The next seven tracks were recorded for a 1979 Halloween radio show that never aired. The final four tracks—including Twisted covers of Little Richard ("Long Tall Sally") and Chuck Berry ("Johnny B. Goode")—were taken from WLIR and WBAB radio sessions. Bassist Mark Mendoza has remastered all 13 tracks for this release. more on this story



IZZ Set New Album Release
(Glass Onyon) IZZ have set a May 1st release date for their new studio album, Crush of Night.

The album is part 2 of a 3-part series of thematic albums that began with The Darkened Room (TDR) in 2009. Featuring a guest appearance by Gary Green of Gentle Giant on Words and Miracles (Electric guitar, Guitar solos and backing vocals) and The Crush of Night (guitar solo), IZZ brings their characteristic sense of melody to the fore on this album, while at the same time fusing high reaching emotion with the driving impact that IZZ fans have come to identify with the band.

From the opening vocal melody of You've Got a Time, to the guitar-driven Words and Miracles featuring the distinctive guitar sound of Gary Green, to the stirring emotion of Half the Way, culminating with the impressive 26 minute suite that shares its name with the album title, Crush of Night passionately delivers on all fronts by creating a sound that is uniquely IZZ. more on this story



This Will Destroy You and A Place To Bury Strangers Tour
(230P) This Will Destroy You are teaming up with A Place To Bury Strangers for a coheadlining tour this June.

This Will Destroy You is touring in support of its "Black Dunes" 7" and latest album, Tunnel Blanket, released via Suicide Squeeze.

The single features the "Black Dunes (edit)" on the A-side and "Black Dunes (Holy Other Woman In The Dunes mix)" on the B-side. more on this story



Singled Out: The Kinected's Hypnotize
Today Ron Anthony from The Kinected tells us about their song "Hypnotize," which is the first single from their debut album, "Evolution no. 9". Here is the story:

I vividly remember the original inspiration for "Hypnotize." I was in a small club in Santa Monica, and the D.J. was spinning some incredible electro bass lines that had the whole club moving. By the time I hit the parking lot, I had the bass line for our new jam sung into my phone recorder app. Upon returning from L.A., we immediately started working on it. At first the chorus melody came and seemed to stick, however the lyrics initially made no sense. The track musically came together as we had a vision of something funky yet electro, but also could blow up in the chorus like Blur's, "Song 2." The musical hook at the beginning is a guitar/keyboard unison line that was written to capture the attention right off the bat; something like Slash's intro to "Sweet Child of Mine."

At this point, stress was starting to build in our professional and personal lives. The lyrics just came…"I have got so much to worry about. I am stepping up and never coming down." The lyric states our intent to face these challenges head on. The verse and chorus are about the outlet to relieve such stress in our lives as well as for others. I started to notice many patrons of a particular venue we performed at were fixated on some of the dancers. It seemed as if their problems were temporarily absolved by admiring the beauty of these attractive women. The verses also poke a little fun at the delivery of cheesy pick up lines that are often used to "break the ice." In general, "Hypnotize," is an honest declaration of attraction, a motivational force to step up to a challenge and then feel better about letting loose at the end of it all.

Hearing is believing. Now that you know the story behind the song, listen for yourself and learn more about the album right here!


B Sides


Metallica-Related Movie Makes Motorhead's Lemmy Cry
(Gibson) Motörhead's Lemmy seems like a tough guy. He is a tough guy. But he admits "I cried" over forthcoming Metallica-related movie Mission to Lars.

Mission to Lars is no regular rock bio movie. It's a documentary about a U.K. man Tom Spicer. He is a learning disabled man who, with his siblings' help, goes on a transatlantic quest to find his much obsessed-over hero, Lars Ulrich of Metallica.

The press release says: "Tom has Fragile X Syndrome, a sort of autism. All he's ever wanted is to meet Lars. After 20 years and 10,000 times of asking his journalist sister, Kate, when he was going to meet Lars, she finally cracked. This is a film that looks beyond disability, and uncovers the soul of a very cool guy." more on this story





Soundgarden Release Studio Footage
(hennemusic) This week, Soundgarden are offering fans a FREE download of "Live To Rise," the band's first new song in 15 years.

"Live to Rise" is the first single from the soundtrack album for "Avengers Assemble," which will be released May 1.

Soundgarden have posted some footage of the recording sessions for the new tune. Watch it here.



We Are Augustines Deliver Juarez Video
We Are Augustines have released a new music video for their song Juarez, which comes from their debut album Rise Ye Sinking Ships.

The video offers a view of life on the road in America, and is the third video released from Rise Ye Sinking Ships.

Rise Ye Sinking Ships is an album written by lead singer Billy McCarthy to help cope with tremendous personal tragedy. Watch the new video here.



Eddie Van Halen Says He And David Lee Roth Didn't Hate Each Other
(Gibson) Eddie Van Halen has given a rare, open interview about his life to Esquire magazine. The band Van Halen, now reunited with original vocalist David Lee Roth, recently released A Different Kind of Truth, which hit #2 on the Billboard charts.

On Roth, Eddie tells Esquire: "We never really hated each other. I think the press blew that out of proportion. He did kind of blindside us by leaving – we certainly weren't ready for that. But we always, if we argued – you know, now it's always about, about the structure of a song. It's never personal. We've never on a personal level not gotten along."

On recording A Different Kind of Truth, EVH says: "Before we decided to actually make a full record, we said, 'Hey, let's do some old demos.' And we actually recorded three of them already. And I engineered 'She's the Woman,' 'Out of Space' and 'Bullethead,' and it ended up turning into a whole record. But we figured: Why not give fans the era that they liked, you know?" more on this story





The Day Brian Johnson Joined AC/DC
(Gibson) On this day in 1980, Brian Johnson, 32-year-old English singer with Geordie, replaced the late Bon Scott in Australian rock band AC/DC. Gibson takes a look back: n 1976, three years after AC/DC burst onto the Sydney, Australia club scene, things were really starting to happen for the band. They signed an international deal with Atlantic Records and soon found themselves touring Europe, opening for the biggest bands of the day, including Black Sabbath, Aerosmith, Kiss, Styx and Blue Öyster Cult. Their music—a lethal concoction of revved-up Chuck Berry and ultra-heavy hard rock—was now reaching a larger audience, thanks to a three-million-selling compilation album released in Europe (culled from the group's High Voltage and T.N.T. albums). Later that year, Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap was released in Europe and Australia (though it was held back from American audiences, who wouldn't see it until 1981).

By 1977, the group had made the final tweak to their lineup, replacing bassist Mark Evans with Cliff Williams, who also joined guitarist Malcolm Young on backing vocals. Of Evans' departure, the CEO of Epic Records—who'd worked as a booking agent for the band during the mid-'70s—later remarked that he knew Mark wasn't going to last because "…he was just too much of a nice guy." With the last piece of the puzzle in place, the group released the powerhouse live recording, Let There Be Rock, which showcased the AC/DC's frenetic stage act. The group launched their first U.S. tour that year, as well, brutalizing U.S. audiences with Angus Young's guitar pyrotechnics over the band's unstoppable backbeat.

1978 saw the release of Powerage, which marked Williams' recording debut with AC/DC. The album spawned the #24 hit "Rock 'n' Roll Damnation" and, itself, went to #26 on the U.K. album charts. With their career trajectory shooting skyward, the band brought in legendary producer Robert "Mutt" Lange for the Highway to Hell sessions. Released in 1979, Highway to Hell became AC/DC's first album to crack the top 100 in America, eventually landing at #17. The album was the perfect combination of the Young brothers' rocket-fueled Berry riffs, the propulsive rhythm section of Williams and drummer Phil Rudd, and on top of it all, the lecherous howl of frontman Bon Scott.

The group was riding a new high when 1980 rolled around. But soon after beginning work on their seventh album, tragedy struck. On February 19, 1980, Scott passed out in his car after a night of heavy drinking at London's Music Machine club. The next morning, Scott's friend, Alistair Kinnear, who'd left Scott the previous evening passed out in the car, went out to find the singer still in the car and unconscious. Kinnear rushed him to King's College Hospital in Camberwell, where he was pronounced dead.

Beyond the human tragedy of a talented life cut short, Scott's death also halted a group on a seemly unstoppable roll. After a steady seven-year climb from the Australian club circuit to the verge of worldwide megastardom, AC/DC suddenly faced serious doubts about whether they had any future at all. They even considered folding up shop and quitting altogether. After much deliberation, though, the remaining members of AC/DC decided to soldier on, believing it's what Scott would have wanted. A number of replacement singers were considered, including ex-Moxy member Buzz Shearman, Terry Slesser of Back Street Crawler and Slade's Noddy Holder. Then there was a bloke named Brian Johnson, who fronted the band Geordie… more on this story





New Years Day Deliver Let's Get Dead Video
New Years Day have released their new music video for the song "Let's Get Dead," which comes from their The Mechanical Heart EP.

The live video was taken on multiple dates of the "All The Rage Tour" along with Blood On The Dance Floor this past October/November 2011. Watch it here.

The band is currently on tour with Blood On The Dance Floor, Brokencyde, Deuce, William Control, The Bunny The Bear and Hayley Rose on "The Fight To Unite Tour".

Today's Day In Rock!

Van Halen Plan Summer Tour
If you miss Van Halen criss-crossing North America this spring you may have a chance to catch them again this summer.
The band has added 18 concerts to their 2012 North American tour. The newly added dates begin July 7 with an encore performance at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Second shows have also been added in the Detroit and New York/New Jersey areas, as well as Philadelphia. Ky-mani Marley is the opening act for all added concerts.

Van Halen are out on the road in support of A Different Kind Of Truth, the band's first original studio album with singer David Lee Roth since 1984. more on this story



Axl Rose Thanks Fans For Rock Hall Opt Out Support
Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose has issued a new letter addressed to: Cleveland, Ohio, Guns N' Roses Fans and everyone who's shown support for my decision regarding the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

He writes: I seriously didn't plan on or expect the overwhelmingly positive response and public support for my decision regarding the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. With such a generous outpouring of solidarity from fans, media outlets, writers and other artists, I'm truly humbled, blown away and unbelievably relieved! To be honest, I thought it would go the other way and was just hoping to weather the storm. As I said, I sincerely didn't want to disappoint anyone. It gets old being the outlaw even if 'it's only rock and roll.'

It took a lot of focus and soul searching to be sincere and informative while making a genuine effort to be somewhat diplomatic. We made, what I feel, are real efforts to learn about the Hall and the Board, spoke as I said with the president and various members, and though I inducted Elton John and Bernie Taupin in '94 saying something to the effect of 'I'm learning what the Hall's about...'

I still don't exactly know or understand what the Hall is or how or why it makes money, where the money goes, who chooses the voters and why anyone or this board decides who, out of all the artists in the world that have contributed to this genre, officially 'rock' enough to be in the Hall? read the rest here



Robert Plant Announces New Band
(hennemusic) Robert Plant returns to live action next month with a low-key warm-up show and a new band.

This Is Gloucestershire reports Plant will debut his new band, The Sensational Space Shifters, at a May 8 concert at the Gloucester Guildhall in Gloucester, England.

"It gives me great pleasure to announce Led Zeppelin frontman and award-winning solo artist Robert Plant will be performing an exclusive low-key warm-up show at Gloucester Guildhall next month," said Programming and Marketing Manager Joe Schiavon. "This is obviously a massive show for us, and we can't wait to host it." more on this story


Johnny Rotten Against Sex Pistols To No 1 Campaign
(Gibson) John Lydon will not be involved in the re-release of "God Save the Queen" by his iconic band, the Sex Pistols.

The controversial single is being re-released on May 28, 35 years after it first shook the U.K. during the Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977. A Facebook campaign is underway to take the song to #1 over the jubilee weekend at the beginning of June.

Lydon told NME: "It is certainly not my personal plan or aim. I am proud of what the Sex Pistols achieved and always will be but this campaign totally undermines what the Sex Pistols stood for. This is not my campaign." more on this story





Police Recover Tom Petty's Stolen Guitars
(TMZ) A collection of five vintage guitars belonging to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers -- worth a reported $175,000 -- have been recovered by law enforcement ... after they were stolen last week.

The guitars were swiped from a Culver City soundstage in L.A. -- and Tom took to Twitter to help recover them, offering a $7,500 reward ... no questions asked.

The Culver City PD tells us, one man has been arrested in connection with the theft. It's unclear if the guitars have been returned to the band.

Tom Petty's people had no comment. more on this story



Gary Oldman To Direct Jack White
(Gibson) British actor Gary Oldman, who once played punk icon Sid Vicious in a movie, will direct Jack White's webcast from Webster Hall in Manhattan on April 27. The New York Times reports that the show is part of the American Express Unstaged series.

"It just fell from the sky," Oldman said. "Occasionally you get calls and they just drop in. I didn't have to think very quickly about it. I just said, 'Yeah, that sounds very good.'"

It turns out that the actor is a musician in his own right. He told the Times: "I'm trained as a pianist, and along the way I've picked up the guitar and bass. And about five years ago my mother asked me what I'd like for Christmas, and I'd had enough socks and slippers, so I asked for a ukulele. It's such a beautiful little thing and has the sweetest sound. And also it's very portable. You can throw it in an overhead bin in an airplane. more on this story





Adler Unplugs
(hennemusic) Original Guns N' Roses drummer – and one of the newest members of the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame - Steven Adler, has been busy in the studio recording the debut album for his new band, Adler.

Steven's new band features frontman Jacob Bunton (Lynam, Mars Electric), guitarist Lonny Paul (Adler's Appetite) and bassist Johnny Martin.

Last week, prior to the Rock Hall event, Adler sat down with AOL's Noisecreep to talk about his GNR years, as well as his new project. In addition - as a group - Adler also performed an acoustic version of the song "Waterfall" in what marked the group's first-ever appearance as a four-piece act. Watch it here.



The Pixies Giving Away Coachella EP
The Pixies are giving fans a free download of their Coachella EP, which features tracks from their 2004 appearance.

The appearance was the band's first Festival Performance since the reformation earlier that year.

The tells fans: This week, finding ourselves between two consecutive weekends of Coachella for the first time ever, we thought it fitting to rifle through the Pixies vault in search of an apt celebration.

So, we're very pleased to bring you a completely free download of 4 tracks from Pixies memorable '04 Coachella performance.

The free tracks are :
1) U - Mass
2) Monkey Gone To Heaven
3) Hey
4) Caribou




As I Lay Dying Recruit Bill Stevenson To Produce New Album
As I Lay Dying have tapped former Descendents and Black Flag drummer Bill Stevenson to produce their forthcoming album.

Bill Stevenson's production credits include work on records by Rise Against, NOFX, Propagandhi, The Casualties, Anti-Flag and many more.

As I Lay Dying is recording this spring, with album release expected in the second half of 2012. more on this story



Wishbone Ash Kicking Off North American Tour Next Week
Wishbone Ash will be kicking off the North American leg of their current global tour next week on April 24, 2012.

The tour, which began in Europe early this year, celebrates the release of Elegant Stealth, the group's latest studio album. Glass Onyon sent over these details:

Elegant Stealth represents a benchmark in the evolution of Wishbone Ash. Signature twin-lead melodies and a powerhouse rhythm section frame 11 new tracks that reflect a diverse realm of styles and moods. more on this story



The Flower Kings Reunion Tour and Album Coming
(SR) The Flower Kings will be playing their first official reunion gig at the Sweden Rock Festival in June and will be embarking on an extended headline tour across Europe in September.

InsideOut music sent over this news about a new album release: After five years of absence, progressive rock band The Flower Kings will release their new studio album on June 19 in North America and June 18 in Europe. Led by mastermind Roine Stolt [Transatlantic], the new album is called Banks Of Eden.

The material is classic Flower Kings, with all the dreamy, melodic and cinematic elements that fans around the globe have learned to love over the years. However, the 2012 incarnation of the band mixes it up with both psychedelic and darker metal passages that place this album somewhere in between the late 60's proto prog and the new generation of art rock. more on this story



Kill Devil Hill Preview Another New Song
Kill Devil Hill are previewing another song sample from their upcoming self-titled debut.

The band featuring drummer Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, Heaven and Hell, Dio) and bassist Rex Brown, (Pantera, Down) guitarist Mark Zavon and lead vocalist Dewey Bragg Head have posted a sample of the track "Revenge" on their Facebook page here.

Guitarist Mark Zavon explains the origins of "Revenge": "Revenge was originally called 'Queen Anne's Revenge', which was the name of Blackbeard's flagship that he took in battle from the French Navy and subsequently sailed against them to great effect.

"After reading that story years ago, I always thought that the name of the ship seemed like a great metaphor for revenge, and started working on the idea. As we started refining the final arrangement it made more sense to change it to Revenge." more on this story



Kataklysm Initial Summer Tour Dates
Kataklysm have announced the initial dates for their upcoming North America summer tour.

Dubbed "The Iron Will Tour 2012" the trek will include Origin (for the Canadian leg and additional US dates), Fleshgod Apocalypse, Rose Funeral, and Vital Remains (for a run of dates in the U.S.).

Right now the trek is set to kick off on August 11th in Montreal and the announced dates run until September 9th in Dallas. more on this story



Toxic Holocaust and Midnight Tour
Toxic Holocaust will be hitting the road next month for their North American tour where they will be joined by Midnight on almost a dozen dates.

The kicks off on May 18 in Vancouver, British Columbia and will come to a close in Phoenix, Arizona on June 6th.

Comments band leader Joel Grind: "We've had a few months off. I spent that time writing and recording a lot of new songs, but it's getting near that time to hit the road again and this time it's with our good friends and fellow Satanic demigods, Midnight. This is a tour that was conceived way back in 2007 but just finally came into fruition. Get ready for the onslaught coming your way!" more on this story




The Acacia Strain Recording New Album For Rise
Rise Records have inked a new deal with The Acacia Strain and plan to release the band's label debut in October.

We were sent this blurb about the signing: These 11+ year veterans from western Massachusetts are ready to dive into the next phase and are happy to have found a home with Rise where they feel they will be well taken care of and continue to smash faces with their new material.

Over the past decade, The Acacia Strain has crisscrossed the world many times establishing an international presence and diehard fan base. The band speaks often about being equal to their fans and not putting up with anyone trying to f**k with you. Being humble and having no ego are just a couple of traits that The Acacia Strain have that make their fans feel like they are a part of everything the band does. Their blue collar upbringing in western Massachusetts has a direct effect on their lyrics and song writing. With their high level of street cred and passion for making music, The Acacia Strain are the real deal. Check out a song from their critically acclaimed album "Wormwood" here.



Paul McCartney Remembers Ram
(Gibson) In an interview with NME, Paul McCartney has talked about the making of the recently re-issued Ram album.

"I was in the middle of this horrendous Beatles break-up. It was like being in quicksand, " he said. But then "the lightbulb went off one day and we realized that we could run off and go to Scotland where we loved. Just to keep myself amused, I'd just make up stuff on the guitar. I thought 'Maybe this is the way to go, just have fun with it.'"

McCartney also has released three self-directed videos for his new single "My Valentine" featuring Natalie Portman and Johnny Depp. The song is one of two new McCartney songs from his Kisses on the Bottom album that reached the top spot on Billboard Jazz chart. more on this story





NOW That's What I Call Classic Rock Hit
If auto-tuned poptarts aren't your thing you have probably avoided the ironic "Now That's What I Call Music" compilation series. The Now people are now releasing a classic rock collection.

They sent out these details: NOW That's What I Call Classic Rock Hits, a new companion collection of 17 huge, genre-defining singles, features Bad Company's "Feel Like Makin' Love," The Kinks' "Lola," Peter Frampton's "Do You Feel Like We Do (Live)," Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Free Bird," Jethro Tull's "Locomotive Breath," Thin Lizzy's "The Boys Are Back In Town," Steve Miller Band's "Take The Money And Run," Cheap Trick's "I Want You To Want Me (Live)," Foreigner's "Feels Like The First Time," Toto's "Hold The Line," Eddie Money's "Baby Hold On," Journey's "Any Way You Want It," Styx's "Come Sail Away," Heart's "Crazy On You," Chicago's "25 or 6 to 4," Manfred Mann's Earth Band's "Blinded By The Light," and Meat Loaf's "Paradise By The Dashboard Light."

The new collection is set to hit stores and online music retailers on May first the same day as the latest pop collection. Of course, you can probably hear most of these tracks on your local classic rock station. more on this story



B'z Plan North American Tour
Japanese chart topper B'z will be landing on North American shores for a tour that will kick off on September 17th at the Warfield in San Francisco.

The band has played many sold-out dates in the US over the years, and last summer shared the stage with Linkin Park on the highly successful, Secret Show For Japan.

Fans of the bands raised over $350,000 for victims of the March 2011 Japan tsunami and earthquake, and were treated to a private club show at the Mayan Theater in Los Angeles. more on this story



Disarmonia Mundi Members Form New Band
Disarmonia Mundi members Ettore Rigotti and Claudio Ravinale have teamed up with guitarist and Tony Hawk team pro skater Elliot Sloan and keyboardist Alessio NeroArgento to form a new band called The Stranded.

The debut album entitled "Survivalism Boulevard" is scheduled on July 2nd, 2012 via Coroner Records, while the Japanese version, featuring an exclusive bonus track, will hit the stores via Media Factory.

Coroner says that "Survivalism Boulevard" can be described as a modern combination of powerful extreme elements such as feral vocals and fast riffing mixed with more melodic and catchy moments provided by emphatic choruses and industrial keys. more on this story



Tracer Releasing New Single On Eve of UK Tour
Tracer will be releasing their new single "Spaces In Between" on Monday April 23 in the UK.

The single coincides with Tracer's first headline tour of the UK, that starts at London's Islington O2 Academy on Tuesday 24th April.

Tracer was recently voted third place in Planet Rock listeners' "Best New Band" poll. Classic Rock magazine recently deemed Tracer "New Band of the Month", while Total Guitar, Rock Sound, Guitarist, Fireworks and Powerplay rated the album 4 stars. more on this story



A Birthday Look at Mark Tremonti
(Gibson) Born in Detroit, Michigan, on this day in 1974, founding Creed guitarist Mark Tremonti spent most of his childhood in the affluent Detroit suburb of Grosse Pointe before moving with his family to the equally affluent north-Chicago suburb of Wilmette, Illinois. The future three-time Guitar World "Guitarist of the Year" acquired his first guitar when he was 11. At 15, his family moved to the Orlando area, where he eventually graduated from high school.

After a year at Clemson University, where he studied finance, Tremonti transferred to Florida State University, where he met up with former high school friend Scott Stapp. In 1995, Tremonti and Stapp co-founded the band Naked Toddler with bassist Brian Marshall and drummer Scott Phillips. A second guitarist, Brian Basher, also was in the band, albeit briefly, in '95.

After thankfully changing their name to Creed, the band released their debut album My Own Prison in 1997. The album wasn't an instant success, but the band toured their socks off, and the harder they worked, the more their fan base grew. What were club gigs the first time through a city became theater gigs the next time around, and in the scheme of things, their graduation to arena rock stars was virtually overnight. Their hard work those first couple of years paid off handsomely when My Own Prison eventually sold more than 6 million copies. The album spawned four consecutive #1 singles on Billboard's Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, including "My Own Prison," "Torn," "What's this Life For" and "One."

With a rabidly devout legion of fans, Creed's sophomore album, Human Clay, was poised for greatness, and it didn't disappoint. When the smoke had cleared more that two years after its release, Human Clay was certified platinum 11 times by the RIAA. Four singles were released from the album, all of them hits, including "With Arms Wide Open," "What If," "Are You Ready" and "Higher," which spent an eye-popping (and record-breaking) 17 weeks atop the rock radio charts. more on this story





Singled Out: Decoded's Lost No More
Today Derek Jordan from Decoded tells us about their brand new single, "Lost No More," which was released today. Here is the story:

I had a best friend all throughout elementary school. We did everything together. He taught me about baseball cards and rollerblading, and was the first person I knew to have Sega Genesis. We were inseparable.

However, as we entered middle school, we gradually drifted apart into different social circles. I became more "accepted" among the "cool" kids, whereas my friend was seen as an outcast. I was concerned about my social status, which, when I look back at it now, means nothing.

Although we sparsely hung out in middle school, when high school came around, I didn't really know him anymore. I remember feeling really bad like I had betrayed him. Then one day, I happened to sit with him in the cafeteria during lunch. He confessed to me about how miserable he had become and that he had no friends. Once he mentioned the thought of harming himself, I began to worry.

Soon after that, I invited him over my house to hang out, it must have been the first time we had hung out in over five years. We chatted a little and ordered pizza. He engulfed that pizza faster than anyone I had ever seen. The poor kid was hungry. I haven't seen or spoken to him since high school. Somewhere through the years of adolescence, I had lost my childhood best friend.

The song "Lost No More" is about reminiscing on those events. I tried to help him. I tried to save him. I remember it all like it was yesterday.