Today's Day in Rock News!

Today's Day in Rock


Bob Seger Plans To Retire From Touring
(Gibson) Bob Seger famously described the rigors of the road in his song "Turn The Page" but the 67-year-old rock legend is now talking about closing the book on touring. Gibson reports:
Bob Seger is known for his live show, but the Michigan musician says he might take a step back from touring soon. Seger, who just launched his latest North American tour with his Silver Bullet Band, says he's "definitely nearing the end" of his touring days, according to Canada's QMI Agency.

"I can't see myself doing this when I'm 70," said Seger, 67. "I've had a wonderful, wonderful run and my audiences have just kept coming and it's really nice but all good things have come to an end."

The rocker is currently working on a new studio release, which means he might be forced to head out on the road again soon, delaying his retirement plans. "If [the album does well], then we might tour another year," he said. "We'll see." more on this story




Man Dies Trying To Sneak Into Volbeat Concert
(Classic Rock) A 39-year-old Volbeat fan has died after attempting to enter the band's concert after being denied access in Texas on Monday night.

Police say Jubal Colvin was refused entry by security officials at the Lonestar Event Center in Lubbock. He then climbed a security fence to get in, and escaped from staff who apprehended him.

Colvin ran into a restricted area, tried to jump across a gap and fell 20ft, striking his head on a concrete floor. He was given first aid on the scene but failed to recover, and died in hospital soon afterwards. more on this story




Black Sabbath Announce North American Tour Date
(hennemusic) Black Sabbath have announced their first North American tour date as they prepare to launch their world tour with a series of dates beginning next month in New Zealand, Australia and Japan.

Later this summer, the band will kick off its North American tour which will keep the band on the road from late July through September and includes one Canadian stop, on August 14 at Toronto's Air Canada Centre.

The 2013 world tour is in support of Sabbath's new album, "13," which will be released June 11. more on this story




Metallica Yeah's Compiled Into Supertrack
(Radio.com) Metallica fans are known as an obsessive lot, but Palm Springs afternoon radio DJ Kevin Conklin has taken it to a very specific (and impressive) extreme.

Conklin has created an ear-bending Metallica supercut that compiles every single time singer James Hetfield has growled the word "Yeah!" throughout the band's recorded career, from 1983 debut Kill 'Em All through 2008 release, Death Magnetic.

"I knew Metallica's 31st anniversary was coming up because I'm a diehard Metallica fan and I kinda just wanted to do something to put out to social media," Conklin said during an exclusive interview with Radio.com.

Conklin revealed that it took "about two weeks" to create the supercut from scratch. "I would schedule music and run Cool Edit (recording software) in the background and hit F8 every time I heard a 'yeah,'" he explained. "Some of the Metallica songs are just so long I actually had to set time aside [to listen to the whole thing].

"I kinda just did it for me," he continued when asked about his motivation to make the edit. "I thought maybe I could get thousand plays on it, but it's exceeded all of my expectations that's for sure." Check it out and read more here.




Eddie Van Halen Collaborates With LL Cool J?
(hennemusic) Eddie Van Halen has posted a new photo of himself in the studio with rapper LL Cool J. The image includes the caption, "Authentic. 4.30.13"

"Authentic" is LL's 13th studio album. "Album's officially complete," LL tweeted last weekend. "First full length record in five years. kinda scared to release it. It's been so long."

A 15-song track list for the record is available online, but there's no indication – yet – of which song(s) Van Halen may be appearing on. Rumor has it Eddie plays on two tracks on the project. See the photo here.




Foo Fighters Writing Music For Unconventional Album
Dave Grohl says that the Foo Fighters are currently writing new music for their next album. Grohl and the band have been in Austin, TX for the SXSW festival.

Grohl was a keynote speaker at the festival and he also premiered his new documentary film about Sound City studios at the event. Billboard caught up with him prior to the screening to get an update on the Foo Fighters.

"We're just writing right now," Grohl said. "When we start working on a record, what I've found is we work best at our own pace, and sometimes it happens quickly and sometimes it takes awhile."

He also said that he has "a crazy idea of what I want to do with the next record and how we record it. It's not conventional. It won't be a conventional record."

Foo Fighter drummer Taylor Hawkins added that the album is "just sort of a germ in Dave's head at this point. He says he's got a lot of ideas. We haven't really gotten down to brass tacks. I don't know what the path will be. It's always a little different, which is good."




Another New Deep Purple Song Goes Online
(hennemusic) Earlier this week, Deep Purple released a lyric video for "All The Time In The World," the lead track from the band's forthcoming new album, "NOW What?!"

The song is one of two tracks on the double-A side single, along with "Hell To Pay." Now, a radio edit of "Hell To Pay" has surfaced online.

Produced by Bob Ezrin (Pink Floyd, Alice Cooper, Kiss and many others), "NOW What?!" is Deep Purple's first album since 2005's "Rapture Of The Deep." Listen to the track here.




Duff McKagan Kicked Out of Guns N' Roses Bootleg Shop
Original Guns N' Roses bass player Duff McKagan shared a story in his latest Seattle Weekly's Reverb blob about how he got kicked out of a Guns N' Roses Bootleg Shop in Tokyo. Here is an excerpt:

"Harajuku is all connected by alleyway streets lined with themed shops in amazing contrast to each other: punk-rock clothes next to pastel-only skirt shops next to early-'80s NY beat-boy clothing next to a Star Wars store. It becomes obvious that many of the printed T-shirts with band names or Star Wars characters are bootlegs (last time I checked, Skywalker's first name is "Luke," not "Look").

"It was in one of these alleyways that I stumbled upon a rock-and-roll (bootleg) T-shirt store. What caught my eye was a Metallica/GN'R split-band T-shirt in the front window. Of course, this shirt never existed in real life back in the day, but it got me to further peruse the inside of the store.

"I was met with a dazzling array of O.G. Guns N' Roses shirts with some "artwork" close to the original and other "artwork" comically missing. Just as I was looking at a skull-guys-on-the-cross GN'R shirt (where we all looked more like chimps than dastardly rock-and-roll hellions), I was asked to leave... for eating inside of the store." Read the full blog.




Attack Attack! Cancel Tour Dates Due To Injury
Attack Attack! have been forced to cancel their tour dates this month after drummer Andrew Wetzel suffered a knee injury.

Among the bad news, the band also had some good news for fans. They will be hitting the road this spring with The Plot In You, Get Scared, Dangerkids, and Closer To Closure for the Back in Action Tour.

But first the bad news. The band made the following announcement on their Facebook page, "We are super bummed to announce that we have to cancel the shows we had scheduled for March. Wetzel slipped and fell, which tore the cartilage in his already injured left knee. We are very disappointed, but we're sure you are used to the amazing luck we have as a band. We love you all and promise to make it up to you on our spring headliner!"

The band announced the dates for the spring headline tour a short time later and had this to say, " We are super excited to announce the Back in Action Tour. We've been insanely busy putting together a new album and have spent countless hours, days, weeks, months in the studio. Excited to see so many of you that we haven't seen in a long time and we're more stoked than we've ever been on the amazing line up we've managed to put together. We're going to be announcing new album artwork and new music asap as well. Thank you so much to all of you who have stuck with us through everything and we can't wait to give you this record. Make sure you keep your eyes open for announcements about album artwork and new music as well!" more on this story




Dave Grohl's SXSW Keynote Goes Online
(hennemusic) Dave Grohl delivered the keynote speech at the SXSW in Austin on Thursday and video of the speech has been posted online.

The head Foo Fighter traced through his personal and professional history and the musical connection throughout, starting with a 1975 K-Tel compilation album that featured the Edgar Winter Group's "Frankenstein."

"It was a riff; I gave it all up for a f**king riff," said Grohl. "Interestingly enough, though, that song is completely instrumental; there's no vocal. It's drums, guitars, keyboards, percussion – each getting a solo in the song. No vocals. But what I heard in all of those solos were voices – the voices of each musician: their personalities, their technique, their feel – the sound of people playing music with other people. It made me want to play music with other people, too."

Grohl shared stories about hooking up with Nirvana, being chased by record companies in a bidding war to sign them; "accidentally" rebuilding his career with a homemade demo tape of songs that would become the first Foo Fighters album. Watch the keynote here.




Charlie Watts Books Solo Gig As Rolling Stones Tour Rumors Circulate
(Radio.com) Rolling Stones fans have been waiting for months to find out the band's tour plans, and while rumors have been circulating about what their plans will be, one thing is certain: Charlie Watts will be hitting the stage, albeit with a different band, later this month.

His group, The ABC&D of Boogie Woogie, will perform on March 23 and 24 at the Pizza Express Jazz Club in London.

The ABC&D features Watts on drums, along with pianists Axel Zwingenberger and Ben Waters and upright bassist Dave Green. A post on the Stones' website mentions, tantalizingly, "Expect the very best in blues and boogie-woogie (and perhaps a surprise or two) in one of the world's best jazz clubs!"

Last year, Watts and Green spoke with Radio.com about playing in clubs with their group, which Charlie says he prefers to the arenas that the Stones usually play.

"You're playing in a club and it's fun and it's not madness," he said. "It's not a giant stadium with the world's press looking at you on a bloody big stage. It's about playing."

Of course, the Stones have been known to hit the clubs as well, but those shows get so crowded that Watts doesn't always enjoy them, either. He says that he has the best time with the Stones when they're just rehearsing. "The Rolling Stones have tried this type of approach to things, in fact, we play very much like this when we're on our own, [when we play] for the fun of it," he said. "When you get in a club with the Rolling Stones, it's a nightmare because there's so many people, it's really uncomfortable. It's not like playing in a club, it's like playing in an oven." more on this story




Phoenix Plan 71 Track Bonus Disc
(Radio.com) Artists adding extra songs onto deluxe editions of full-length albums is nothing new, but French band Phoenix have taken the practice to an extreme on Bankrupt!, their forthcoming new album set for release on April 23.

According to a tweet from the band, fans who opt for the expanded version of Bankrupt! will be rewarded with a whopping 71 (yes, you read that correctly) bonus tracks on top of the ten new songs that make up the album.

Although those extra tracks clock it at over an hour (the actual album is a taut 41 minutes), most of them are song fragments that last less than a minute. The band also made another exciting announcement.




Taproot and Boy Hits Car Announce Spring Tour
Taproot will be hitting the road at the end of the month for a North American tour that will feature support from Boy Hits Car.

The tour is set to kick off on March 29th in Jackson, MI and continue through the month of April and conclude on May 25th in Flint, MI.

Taproot are hitting the road in support of their latest studio album, The Episodes, which was released last April. more on this story




Stevie Nicks Film To Hit Theaters For One Night Only
(Radio.com) When it came to the making of her 2011 album, In Your Dreams, Stevie Nicks said, "Sometimes good things take a long time." The same could be said of the forthcoming Nicks documentary, filmed during the making of In Your Dreams, but the wait is over.

On April 2, the doc – also titled In Your Dreams - will screen in more than 50 cities across the country, including Boston, New York, Los Angeles and Tucson, Arizona.

The documentary, which has been making rounds on the festival circuit and is being shown at this year's SXSW, focuses on the collaboration between Nicks and Eurythmics guitarist, Dave Stewart for her first solo album in over a decade. (Stewart also co-directed and produced the documentary.) More including the trailer.




Former Iron Maiden Bandmates Pay Tribute Clive Burr
Former Iron Maiden bandmates have paid tribute to the band's former drummer Clive Burr who died earlier this week after a long battle with MS.

One of the tributes was from former Iron Maiden guitarist Dennis Stratton who performed on the band's self-titled debut album with Burr. He wrote:

"I am so sad that I have lost an old mate. So glad I saw Clive and [his partner] Mimi last year. God bless, mate. Now you can jam wiv Mooney[Keith Moon], [John] Bonham and all the other drummers up there. Our song. The greatest luv of all."

Former Iron Maiden vocalist Paul Di'Anno who played on the band's first two albums with Burr took to his Facebook page and posted a photo of himself with Clive accompanied by the following tribute: "In memory of Clive Burr:

"Sad to hear of your passing. You will always be in my heart, Clive. A truly unique talent, that will never be forgotten."




Jimi Hendrix Producers Eddie Kramer and John McDermott on Rockline
(hennemusic) Jimi Hendrix producers Eddie Kramer and John McDermott were the featured guests on US nationally syndicated radio show Rockline with host Bob Coburn this past Wednesday (March 13).

The pair were on hand to promote "People, Hell & Angels," the new project premiering twelve previously unreleased studio recordings completed by the guitar icon.

"People, Hell & Angels" is co-produced by Janie Hendrix, Kramer and McDermott. Kramer first met Hendrix at Olympic Studios in London in January 1967. Since 1997, Kramer has teamed with Janie Hendrix and McDermott to oversee the release of each Jimi Hendrix album issued by Experience Hendrix. more on this story




Marky Ramone, Glenn Hughes, Lemmy, Steven Adler To Rock Against MS
Marky Ramone, Glenn Hughes, Lemmy, Steven Adler lead the all-star lineup for the Rock Against MS Benefit concert that will take place later this month.

The event is set to take place at The Whisky A Go-Go in West Hollywood on March 27th and will be hosted by KLOS radio personalities Bob Coburn and Gary Moore.

There is also supposed to be a "huge surprise guest" who will appear at the event which will also feature John 5, Blasko (Ozzy), Billy Morrison (Billy Idol), Kenny Aronoff, Gilby Clarke, Brian Tichy, Ginger (Rob Zombie), Piggy D, Tommy Victor, Phil Buckman (Filter), Brent Scallions (Fuel), Jack Russell, Jeff Pilson, Teddy Zigzag, Tim King (Soil), Jeff Bowders, Jeff Young, Chas West.

Two stars that will be appearing at the event, John 5 and Glenn Hughes, are also set to appear on KLOS this morning (March 15th) at 9 AM PST. Fans in the Los Angeles area can listen on the radio dial at 95.5 and fans elsewhere can tune in online here.

The event was organized by Steve Stevens and his wife Josie Stevens to raise medical funds and support for veteran music publicist Nancy Sayle, who was diagnosed with Primary Progressive MS in 2009. This is a severe version of the disease and only 10% are inflicted with this level. She was also diagnosed with a pituitary brain tumor 2012. more on this story




Nazareth Postpone Tour Due To Illness
(Classic Rock) Nazareth have called off their UK tour, which was due to start next week, after singer Dan McCafferty contracted a chest infection during their recent Brazil dates.

They explain: "Doctors have advised Dan that it should take around two weeks to clear the infection. This has resulted in the band having to postpone the UK tour, with the next window of opportunity to complete it being November this year.

"Promoters and venues have been informed and, hopefully, they will all agree to rescheduling the shows." more on this story




Scott Gorham Tried To Change Sound of Thin Lizzy Offshoot
(Classic Rock) Scott Gorham says he tried to force the members of Black Star Riders to avoid sounding like Thin Lizzy as they worked on their debut album All Hell Breaks Loose.

Once the decision had been made to drop Phil Lynott's band name and use a new one, he wanted to draw a line between the two acts. But he accepts it was a futile exercise – and he's happy with the results of their studio efforts.

Gorham tells May The Rock Be With You: "I was constantly trying to drag everyone away from the Lizzy thing, just because I'm figuring we're going to do a new album, new band, new sound, new everything. But you couldn't help it.

"It's going to sound like a Thin Lizzy album by default, just because I'm in there – because of the way I write and play and all that. Then you've got Ricky Warwick; the lyrics on this are just unbelievably good. Damon Johnson is a giant in this band and his writing leans towards the Lizzy side." more




Meat Loaf Launching Farewell Tour Next Month
Meat Loaf will be launching the first leg of his Last At Bat farewell tour next month with trek across the U.K. and Europe.

The leg is set to kick off on April 5th in Newcastle, UK and will include stops across the U.K., dates in Germany and Holland before wrapping up on May 17th in Dublin.

Each concert will feature two-acts. During one set he will perform songs from his entire career and in the second set he will perform his smash hit album "Bat Out Of Hell" in its entirety.

Meat Loaf plans to follow this trek with a North American tour before he rides off into the sunset of retirement later this year. more on this story




Suicidal Tendencies Return With New Album and Tour
The wait for Suicidal Tendencies fans is almost over. The band will be releasing their first album in 13 years on March 26th and will be hitting the road to support the effort.

The new album, appropriately titled "13", was produced by Mike Muir and Paul Northfield (Rush, Dream Theater, Ozzy Osbourne) and the band have released a new music video for the track "Cyco Style" which you can watch here.

Mike Muir states, "First, thank you for all the people that have patiently waited for this record. Now I will shut up and let the music do the talking."

The band will hitting the road to support the album with their "Slam City Tour" which will also feature Madball, Sick Of It All and D.R.I..

Prior to the tour, the band will be holding their Suicidal Tendencies And Infectious Grooves Cyco Family Weekend on April 5th and 6th and will be making an appearance tonight (March 15th) at an invite only showcase at SXSW. more on this story




Van Halen's David Lee Roth Interviewed On Australia's Today Show
(hennemusic) Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth was interviewed on Australia's Today Show Friday morning to promote the band's April 20 headlining slot at The Stone Music Festival in Sydney.

The visit marks Van Halen's first concert in the country since 1998 and the first ever with Roth, which he referenced during the session.

"A long time? Is that metric? It's been freaking forever," began Roth. "As you may have noticed, it's a little difficult – its like trying to pry a manhole cover with a tongue depressor – getting this rock band to move past American shores, but we keep threatening and [it] looks like this time we're going to deliver."

Roth has been making headlines lately as he does media interviews for the group's 2013 live shows, which – so far – only includes the Australian date, three June concerts in Japan, and a headlining gig at the Rock USA festival in July in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. more on this story




Garbage's Shirley Manson Excited About Record Store Day
(Gibson) Garbage frontwoman Shirley Manson is a supporter of the locally owned, independent record shop. In fact, Manson just posted a message on Record Store Day's official website, gushing over the experience of walking into a record store and picking up that prized album.

"[Record Store Day] honors the mystery, the romance and the dying art of record making," she stated on the site. "It promotes the belief that time spent exploring a small, lovingly curated record store, discovering artists, music and ideas can arm you against anything that ever threatens to overwhelm or engulf you."

Garbage will also be taking part of this year's Record Store Day festivities, as Manson stated that they'll be unleashing a special, limited edition 10" vinyl record on Record Store Day, which falls on April 20 this year.

The vinyl offers a new track called "Love Like Suicide," a cover version of Patti Smith's "Because the Night" with the Screaming Females and a remix that a fan put together of Garbage's "Automatic Systematic Habit" off the band's last album, "Not Your Kind of People." more on this story







Paramore Release Lyric Video For New Song
Paramore have released a new lyric video for the song, "Still Into You," which is the second single from the band's forthcoming album.

The band will be releasing their new self-titled album on April 9th. The new single follows the lead single, "Now," which was released earlier this year. Fans can watch the new lyric video here.

To promote the new album, Paramore will be hitting the road next month for a world tour kicking off with a North American leg.

The tour is set to get underway on April 25th with the first stop in Houston and will feature support from the band Kitten.

The band will follow the American leg with the kick off of their European tour on June 5th in Warsaw, Poland. more on this story




Spiritual Beggars Release Wise As A Serpent Video
(Classic Rock) Spiritual Beggars have released a video for their track "Wise As A Serpent." It's taken from upcoming eighth album Earth Blues, due for release on April 15 via InsideOut.

Guitarist Michael Amott says: "We chose this particular song as the first video off Earth Blues because it's an explosive track – and also the shortest song on the album!

"I filmed and directed the video myself and Anders Björler of At The Gates did a great job on the edit. We're more than pleased with the end result; it's done in true DIY spirit – raw and authentic." Watch the video here.



Little Caesar Release Dirty Water Video
(Classic Rock) Classic Rock have proudly premiered the music video for the Little Caesar track Dirty Water and you can watch it online.

The soulful, hard rockin' outfit touch on country roots plus acoustic and electric blues as they illustrate the rigours of jamming with John Barleycorn.

Dirty Water is taken from their fifth album American Dream, which was released last year via Unison Music Group.

Today's Day in Rock News!

Today's Day in Rock


Guns N' Roses' Axl Rose May Face Legal Action For Alleged Fan Injury
(hennemusic) Axl Rose reportedly injured a fan during the opening night of Guns N' Roses' Australian tour in Perth on Saturday, and now the fan plans to take the matter to court.
Triple M reports that a fan claims a microphone Rose was using during the concert was thrown into the crowd and hit him in the face which damaged his two front teeth.

The 39-year old fan, Darren Wright, claims that he was left bleeding and had bits of tooth missing and he wants Axl Rose to pay his dental bills. The tour promoter reportedly apologized and offered a signed microphone from Rose instead.

The station says they understand Wright is not interested in the peace offer, and will take the matter to court. more on this story



Yes Cofounder Peter Banks Dead at 65
(Gibson) Peter Banks, a founding member of the groundbreaking progressive rock group Yes, passed away at his home in London on March 7, 2013.

Banks, performed on the first two Yes albums, and went on to go on to form Flash and release 3 well-received albums (Flash, In The Can, Out Of Our Hands).

With an admitted fondness for improvisation, music critics touted Banks as a cross between Pete Townshend and Wes Montgomery. Even Pete Townshend, one night after witnessing a YES performance, walked up to Banks, slapped him on the back and said, "You're great!"

During his career, Banks released 5 solo albums and had been active recently with acts such as Harmony and Diversity, Prog Collective, ANT-BEE and Days Between Stations.

Banks first solo album Two Sides Of Peter Banks is considered by many as one of the great prog records of all time and features an all-star line-up of Jan Akkerman, Phil Collins and John Wetton.

Peter was putting on the final touches of the long awaited live recording FLASH - IN PUBLIC CD set for release on Cleopatra Records at the time of his passing. more on this story





David Bowie Beating Bon Jovi
David Bowie's new album is on track to have the best sales so far this year in the U.K. and is easily beating the current second place release this week from Bon Jovi.

Bowie's new release, The Next Day, has sold 56,000 copies during its first day in stores in the UK, according to Noise11.com.

They report that Bowie is now on track to claim the no. 1 spot on the charts, his nights chart topper in the U.K.

Bowie has handedly topped Bon Jovi's release "What About Now," which is only selling about one-third the pace of the Bowie album, according to the report.




Van Halen Manager Contradicts David Lee Roth
(Classic Rock) Van Halen are not planning an extensive tour of the UK and Europe, says the manager of Eddie, Alex and Wolfgang Van Halen.

Irving Azoff does not look after the affairs of David Lee Roth, who earlier this week said the band would make their first visit to Europe since 1998 before the end of the year. The frontman reported: "We're going to be playing Europe – probably 50, 60 shows."

Now Azoff tells Billboard: "All the announced dates, which include the date in Australia, the dates in Japan and a date in Wisconsin, are confirmed and on sale, and those are real.

"I manage the Van Halens and I know nothing about any European tour." more on this story




Joe Bonamassa Done With Black Country Communion
(hennemusic) Guitarist Joe Bonamassa says he's done with Black Country Communion, the supergroup that includes bassist/vocalist Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Trapeze, Black Sabbath), drummer Jason Bonham (Led Zeppelin), and keyboardist Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater).

"As far as I'm concerned, my involvement is pretty much done, and I'll tell you why: Originally, I did it for the same reasons I did the stuff with Beth Hart and Rock Candy Funk Party — it was an excuse to play a different kind of music that I don't get to play normally," Bonamassa tells Premiere Guitar.

"The first two records were a blast — the band is fantastic when the Ritalin kicks in, the ADD goes away, and everyone's focused," he continued. "It's a devastatingly good rock band of the early-1970s type, and Glenn is a fantastic singer — just one of the best ever.

"So I did it and did a nine-week tour in 2011 that really, by the end of it, wasn't fun for me. It wasn't because I didn't like the cats in the band, but it was just too much — too much involved in getting people from place to place and getting the band onstage. Everybody seemed to be very tense, and it made my crew very tense, and it's not the way I like to tour. I run a family — I have 21 people who go on the road with me all the time, and if you asked them who was the cause of the least of their problems, they would say me. Unless there was no Diet Coke — then it's a huge [expletive] problem, and either I'm going to the supermarket or somebody else is. [laughs]" more on this story




Iron Maiden Releasing Trooper Beer
(Classic Rock) Iron Maiden is the latest band to release their very own brand of beer. Trooper is a premium British beer created by real-ale enthusiast Bruce Dickinson along with his Maiden bandmates and handcrafted at Robinsons Brewery.

Dickinson played a major role in developing the flavour of the beer, entailing ongoing visits to Robinson's brewery in Stockport. Trooper is said to be "a deep golden ale with a subtle hint of lemon".

The Maiden frontman explained: "I'm a lifelong fan of traditional English ale; I thought I'd died and gone to heaven when we were asked to create our own beer. I have to say that I was very nervous – Robinsons are the only people I have had to audition for in 30 years. Their magic has been to create the alchemical wedding of flavour and texture that is Trooper. I love it."

Read more and see the promo video featuring Bruce here.





Slash Flies With Angry Birds
(Gibson) Slash recently got the honor of having his own avatar in the newly released version of Angry Birds Space. The rocker follows in the footsteps of Green Day and Freddie Mercury, who have been included in previous versions of the game series. The reason for the "Slashbird" is because the former GN'R guitarist has re-recorded the theme music for Angry Birds Space.

Says Slash in a video interview: "When [creator] Rovio approached me about actually playing my own take on the Angry Birds theme, it went back and forth a few times between the actual Angry Birds theme note-for-note . . . and then they asked for something a little bit different."

Slash worked on the track during down time on his recent European tour, and recorded it at Angry Birds creator Rovio's headquarters in Finland during a tour stop there.

Slash says that he's been a fan of the game since being on tour in 2010, and just like all of us who have played this simple game, he was hooked. The Slash-ified Angry Birds Space theme appear in the game's title screen. more on this story






Phish Announce Summer Tour Plans
Phish are looking ahead to summer and have announced the details of their 2013 North American Summer Tour.

The tour is set to kick off with the band's first-ever concert at Darling's Waterfront Pavilion in Bangor, Maine on July 3rd.

The tour will feature several multi-night stops in select cities Saratoga Springs, NY, Columbia, MD, Chicago, IL, George, WA, Stateline, NV, San Francisco, CA and Commerce City, CO.

The band will be playing numerous one-off shows along the trek as well before the big Labor Day weekend conclusion. more on this story




The Darkness Cancel Tour For Medical Reasons
The Darkness have been forced to cancel their upcoming tour of Australia with Joan Jett and the Blackhearts for medical reasons.

Ed Graham, the drummer of The Darkness, is having hip troubles again, which has forced the band to pull out of the tour which was set to kick off on April 2nd.

The band explains, "It is with great regret that we are having to cancel The Darkness' planned April dates in Australia / New Zealand. As some of you maybe aware, Ed has had some prior history with hip problems, which resulted in extensive surgery a few years ago, and caused him to miss some US dates in 2012.

"Unfortunately, over the course of the past few weeks' touring, Ed has been feeling that all is not right in that department, and has been advised to undergo some rest & tests before potentially taking a backwards step and making matters worse.

"He will continue with the last few European shows and will then be forced to take some time out immediately to ensure him back to 100% fitness. This very sadly results in the immediate cancellation of the Antipodean tour. more on this story




Judas Priest Release DVD Trailer and Halford Talks New Album
(Classic Rock) Judas Priest have released a video trailer online for their upcoming Epitaph live DVD /Blu-ray.

The veteran outfit hit the road for what they called their last-ever large-scale tour in 2011, with new guitarist Richie Faulkner replacing founding member KK Downing, who surprised fans by announcing his retirement. Their show in London in 2012 was recorded for this release.

Priest are continuing work on a new album with Faulkner, of which frontman Rob Halford reports: "We've already got a strong cross-section of ideas, some of them complete, some of them in bits and pieces. It's shaping up to be quite intense in terms of the riffage and the strength of certain tracks.

"Much like every time you try and talk about music, it's practically impossible to capture it. You can only point it in the direction of where things are shaping up, and it's just glorious." More from Rob here.




Fall Out Boy Promise Diverse Guests On Comeback Album
(Radio.com) In advance of the forthcoming comeback album from Fall Out Boy, bassist Pete Wentz has taken to the band's website to promise a "diverse" cast of guest appearances on Save Rock and Roll (out April 16).

"So I was thinking about some of our past features (ones that stuck with me): Jay-Z, Brendon Urie, John Mayer (guitar), Debbie Harry, Lil Wayne, and Elvis Costello," Wentz wrote on the band's site today (March 12). "The features that we have on Save Rock and Roll will be just as diverse – we are fans of all different kinds of music and the features will reflect that. If anything we have gone farther…"

True to Wentz's word, the music video for the album's first single, "My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up)" features hip-hop star 2 Chainz, who also joined the band onstage to add a rap to the song during an appearance at this year's NBA All-Star Weekend. Watch the video here.




Smashing Pumpkins Plan Spring Tour
(Gibson) Billy Corgan is a busy man these days. Aside from working on Smashing Pumpkins ongoing concept album Teargarden by Kaleidyscope, he's been busy recording commercials with his wrestling company. As if that wasn't enough, Corgan has just announced that he's hitting the road with Smashing Pumpkins this spring.

The tour, which starts on April 29 in Melbourne, FL, makes it's way through the US before finishing up on May 18 in Columbus, OH.

After that Corgan and co. set off for Europe and Cologne, Germany on June 20, for a bunch of shows and festival dates that culminates with a headlining appearance at Wembley Arena in London on July 22.

Corgan is the only remaining original member of Smashing Pumpkins these days. Aside from Corgan, the current incarnation of the group consists of drummer Mike Byrne, bassist Nicole Fiorentino, and guitarist Jeff Schroeder. more on this story






Metallica Frontman Promises 'Edgy' Orion Music Fest
(hennemusic) Metallica frontman James Hetfield tells Detroit's WRIF 101.1 FM that the 2013 version of the band's Orion Music + More festival will be "edgy."

"Our mission is to get some edgy music in front of our family," says Hetfield in an new interview with WRIF host Meltdown. "After 30 years, Metallica's got a dedicated and beautiful bunch of folks that follow us around. A lot of young metal bands, young alt bands, young …whatever…rock kinda bands…we wanna get them up in front of people. This is what we're trying do is help spread the word of kinda edgy music. Lots of different stuff represented here on the lineup."

Joining Metallica for the second annual Orion festival, which will take place this year at Belle Isle in Detroit on June 8-9, will be more than 30 other acts, include the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rise Against, Deftones, Silversun Pickups, Bassnectar, Gogol Bordello, Foals, Tomahawk, The Joy Formidable, The Bronx, Dropkick Murphys and more. more on this story





Volbeat Release Cape Of Our Hero Video
(Classic Rock) Volbeat have released a video for their track Cape Of Our Hero. It's taken from their fifth studio album, Outlaw Gentleman & Shady Ladies, die out on April 5 – their first with new member Rob Caggiano, who was originally hired to produce the work but wound up joining the band just weeks after he'd quit Anthrax.

Frontman Michael Poulsen says: "It's a new vibe for Volbeat. You've got everything — the rockabilly stuff, the melodies, the ultra-heavy stuff, the Western motifs and the big rock songs. It's everything that Volbeat are all about, but taken even further."

Much of the record was inspired by spaghetti Western movies. "Sometimes it's just about the right feeling," says Poulsen. "The scenery, the lines, the dusty look. I have my own soundtrack when I see those kind of pictures." Watch the video here.




David Lee Roth Talks Jump Remix On The Roth Show
(hennemusic) Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth has issued a new episode of his series The Roth Show.

The latest edition sees Roth discussing the origins of the "Jump" remix created by WhiteNoize, the DJ and Production duo Chris Harnett and David Carvalho.

The long time friends and veteran DJ's of San Francisco have created a popular following in west coast clubs with their unique sets fusing multiple genres of house music. Check it out here.




Clutch Release Crucial Velocity Lyric Video
(Classic Rock) Clutch have released a lyric video for their track Crucial Velocity. It's the second piece to be taken from upcoming album Earth Rocker, after the title track. Their tenth full-length record is launched on March 19 via their own label, Weathermaker.

Drummer Jean-Paul Gaster says: "We really tried to reign in the jam aspect of the band. We like to improvise a lot, but this album, we wanted stuff mapped out."

Frontman Neil Fallon adds: "I'm excited about how balls-to-the-wall it is. It's more cinematic, and that was the approach.

"There are some tips of the hat to rock and roll history in the lyrics that I enjoy singing because they reference the album in a bigger picture. Rocket 88 is considered the first rock and roll song that used distortion. That lyrical reference on Crucial Velocity kind of fuels Earth Rocker as a whole with that back story. It's American myth – even though it really happened." Watch the video here.





Sister Sin Release Fight Song Video
(Classic Rock) Swedish scrappers Sister Sin have released a music video for their fist-flailing track Fight Song.

Fight Song comes from the band's newest full-length Now And Forever and features fearsome frontgal Liv Jagrell in typically pugilistic mood.

We're particularly digging the Germanic metal vibe of the song – not to mention the black-and-white clips of fight scenes from old movies interspersed throughout the video. Watch it here.





Deap Vally Deliver White Stripes-Meets-Led Zeppelin Video
(Classic Rock) Brought together through a love of crocheting and an affinity for the blues, Deap Vally have released a video for their song Lies.

Deap Vally are two girls from Los Angeles – Lindsey Troy (guitar, vocals) and Julie Edwards (drums, vocals) – who explain their modus operandi thusly: "We are Valley Girls. We sing the blues. We play rock'n'roll. We sweat. We move. We groove. We are Deap Vally."

Remarkably, Troy and Edwards did actually first meet at a needlework class last year. Currently playing European dates with Mumford & Sons, and with an appearance at this year's Coachella Festival in the bag, Deap Vally will return to play London's Scala on May 22 with support from the Family Rain. The girls will also appear at this year's Reading and Leeds Festivals.

Deap Vally are currently putting the finishing touches to their debut album, Sistrionix, with Lars Stalfors (the Mars Volta). The record will be released by Communion/Island Records this summer, more news of which soon.

Check out the clip and see if you agree with the description "a scuzzy White Stripes-meets-Led Zeppelin rock'n'roll duo" here.



Biohazard's Billy Graziadei On Wikimetal
The latest episode of Wikimetal features an exclusive interview with Biohazard's Billy Graziadei. The show sent over these details:

Talking about the many years of history of Biohazard, Billy told us how it was to be one of the first bands to mix Heavy Metal with Hardcore and Punk Rock.

You can listen the full episode of the podcast here or you can skip directly to the interview with Billy

Today's Day in Rock News!

Today's Day in Rock


Scott Weiland Challenges Audience Member To Fight
(hennemusic) Scott Weiland challenged an audience member to fight him during his solo concert at Irving Plaza in New York City on Saturday.
On tour with his band, The Wildabouts, the singer confronted a heckling fan, telling the man in the crowd: "So you're f**king pulling that f**king, like, gun sh*t off on me? Then come up and meet me one on one, man.

"You play a tough guy from an audience behind a barricade. I'd love to. Yeah, that guy, trust me."

He continued: "I just don't get it. Guys like you f**king waste your money." Then he added to the security staff: "Actually, let him stay here and just get all f**king riled up. He won't be able to sleep tonight." Check out the video



Van Halen Planning To Tour This Year
(hennemusic) Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth says the band will play between 50-60 shows outside of the U.S. starting later this year.

Roth revealed the news Monday morning while sitting in on the Opie & Anthony Show on SiriusXM.

"We're going to be playing Europe, probably 50-60 shows outside of the United States starting at the end of this year and then come back around the US," says Roth. "Van Halen is kind of pure and uncut kind of music; it's leads, bass, drums and howling at the moon. It's a little bit like getting drunk on shots of really good Kentucky bourbon. You'll have a great night but you won't want to see us again in three years." Check out an excerpt from the interview.



Jake E. Lee Returns With New Album
(Gibson) Former Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Jake E. Lee is preparing to make his big comeback, with a new album being recorded at producer Kevin Churko's The Hideout Studios in Las Vegas.

Churko, of course, is the producer responsible for Ozzy's last two albums, Scream and Black Rain. Lee's new band, Jake E. Lee's Red Dragon Cartel, includes Ronnie Mancuso of Beggars & Thieves on bass and Black Betty's Jonas Fairley on drums. A lead vocalist has been chosen and a formal announcement is expected shortly.

Lee has already recorded a few guest appearances for the forthcoming album: Robin Zander of Cheap Trick, Paul Di'Anno of Iron Maiden and Maria Brink of In This Moment.

Tales From The Stage Volume 1 author Michael Toney has heard a few songs and he's pretty upbeat on the direction the music is taking.

"The two new tracks that I have heard are very impressive, and are incredibly fresh sounding — but not really in the same family as his work with Badlands or Ozzy," Toney says. "It's still hard rock, but perhaps a bit more melodic." more on this story






Former Killswitch Engage Singer Howard Jones Fronts New Supergroup
Former Killswitch Engage frontman Howard Jones has formed a new band with Francesco Artusato (Shall Perish) and John Sankey (Devolved/ Fear Factory and Divine Heresy.)

The group was originally formed by Artusato and Sankey and their desire to create music outside of their extreme metal backgrounds and the two wrote over a dozen songs before recruiting Jones. "We were unsure if Howard would be interested," says Sankey."

Jones was interested and joined late last year. "It turned from bare-bones musical ideas into something that surpassed any of our expectations" says Jones. "It went from something we thought was going to be a fun, heavy project into something very real."

"It became a departure from what I'm known for," says Artusato. "I wasn't focusing on technical guitar parts (even though I still love that aspect of writing) but simply on writing what felt best for each individual song."

"It's a different style of music for me," says Jones. "It's heavy as anything any of us are known for but I get to do some different things people won't expect. I've been singing almost all my life. Being around good songwriters and musicians in my former bands really helped mold me into who I am now."

The band began the year recording with producer and former Machine Head guitarist Logan Mader. The band plan to solidify their lineup for future touring and plan to record a full album with Madar with an eye towards release before the year is out.




Bad Company Plan North American Summer Tour
Bad Company will be hitting the road for a North American summer tour that will include a coheadlining dates with Lynyrd Skynyrd.

The tour is set to kick off on June 15 in Rancho Mirage, CA and will including 22 dates, concluding on August 3 in Orilla, Ontario. The band is launching the tour to celebrate their 40th anniversary.

"When Mick and I formed the band we were amazed at the instant success. It didn't hurt to have Led Zeppelin behind us, and we wrote some decent songs that still resonate. This one is for the fans."

13 of the 22 dates will be the coheadlining tour with Lynyrd Skynyrd. Paul Rodgers had this to say, "The Skynyrds and I go back to the 70's and the days and nights at the Hyatt House on Sunset in LA aka the Riot House. In the 90's the band introduced me to my wife Cynthia, and that's why I am so damned happy and healthy these years." more on this story




Jimi Hendrix Poised For Highest-Charting Album In 44 Years
(hennemusic) Jimi Hendrix may be set for his highest-charting album in 44 years, according to Billboard.

The guitar legend's new archival album, "People, Hell and Angels," is set to debut at No. 2 on this week's Billboard 200 chart, according to industry sources. The album might sell around 70,000 copies by the end of the tracking week on March 10.

The new Billboard 200 chart's top 10 will be revealed on the morning of March 13. If the title opens at No. 2, it will mark Hendrix' highest-charting album since 1968, when "Electric Ladyland" spent two weeks at No. 1. more on this story




Doug Aldrich's Original Band Burning Rain Releasing New Album
(Classic Rock) Whitesnake guitarist Doug Aldrich's original band Burning Rain will release their first album in 13 years in May.

Epic Obsession, their third work, features former Montrose singer Keith St John, bassist Sean McNabb and drummer Matt Starr.

Aldrich says of the 14-track album: "I think we have a good batch of songs that will stand up. It's a melodic blues rock approach to the sound." more on this story




Former Anthrax Singer John Bush No Longer Wants To Tour
(Classic Rock) Former Anthrax singer John Bush says his voice is better than it's ever been but fans aren't likely to hear it on the road.

He explains: "I totally know my voice and know what I can and can't do. It's still super-strong, but I'm more in touch with the dynamics and soulfulness of it.

"I just don't really have a desire to be a touring guy anymore. Leaving my kid and my business for a month at a time is something I don't want to do. I do love making music and playing live shows still – I just want to do it on my terms." more on this story




Alvin Lee Helped Black Sabbath In The Early Days
(Classic Rock) Tony Iommi has paid tribute to the late Alvin Lee, saying Black Sabbath might never have made it without him – and remembering his horror when he heard the band's name for the first time.

The former Ten Years After frontman died as a result of complications from a routine medical procedure at the age of 68.

While Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler and former drummer Bill Ward paid their own tributes last week, Iommi has discussed his memories of Lee in more detail.

"I was extremely saddened to hear of Alvin's death," Iommi told the Birmingham Mail. "It was a great shock. I had not known that he was ill. Alvin was a really great guitar player but, more importantly, has been a good friend of Black Sabbath over the years."

"In the early days, when we were still going by the name of Earth, it was Alvin who helped us get some gigs. He'd been out there a bit before us, and knew the ropes," Iommi said.

"We'd sit and talk the night away at a flat in London. I remember telling him that we were thinking of changing our name to Black Sabbath. He was horrified! He told me we'd never do any good with a name like that." more on this story




Jon Dette Not Sure If He Will Permanently Replace Lombardo in Slayer
(Classic Rock) Jon Dette won't comment on the possibility that he could rejoin Slayer full time after the band dropped drummer Dave Lombardo for their Australian tour.

But the stand-in sticksman admits he's enjoyed his stint with his former colleagues – and they appear to have enjoyed it too.

Founding member Lombardo was replaced at short notice by guitarist Kerry King after raising concerns over the thrash giants' business model. No word has been given on the chances of him getting back behind the kit – although King has said frontman Tom Araya has had doubts for some time.

Dette – who played drums in the mid-90s between Paul Bostaph's two stints before Lombardo's return – tells HeavyMag: "It's baby steps right now.

"I think it would be too early for me to make a comment like that at this time. But all I can tell you is that we're having a great time. It feels great on stage and everybody that's actually at the shows and seen the shows – not just the fans, but even the crew on the side of the stage – all have smiles on their faces. I must be doing something right; and I guess we'll see what the future brings." more on this story




Mike Tramp Releasing New Solo Album
(Classic Rock) Former White Lion singer Mike Tramp launches new solo album Cobblestone Street on April 8, followed by a European tour.

Describing it as a departure from his previous outings, Tramp says: "I am not lost, I am not confused, I am not taking a break.

"This is the album I have waited a long time to record – because I didn't have the guts to do it earlier. Some of the songs I wrote 20 years ago and some just the week before I recorded them." More rock news.




Def Leppard Singer Predicts Vegas Will Be The New Norm For Bands
(Classic Rock) Def Leppard singer Joe Elliott believes Las Vegas residencies, like the one his band is currently engaged upon, will become the norm for rock acts, despite the city's reputation.

He says: "It was just a matter of time before people who grew up listening to Kiss became rich enough and wanted to see a rock concert – not just some old guy with a big blue tie.

"Sooner or later Vegas was going to catch up with itself and become cool, which it did. I think we're just riding our first wave. In five to ten years we might see Slipknot and the Foo Fighters doing one of these." More rock news.




Former Yes Frontman Jon Anderson Heading Down Under
Former Yes frontman Jon Anderson will be launching his very first solo tour of Australia and New Zealand later this month.

The tour will kick off on March 28th in Brisbane and will include eight concerts in Australia before heading to New Zealand for two dates in mid-April.

Anderson had this to say, "I'm very excited to bring my show to Australia and New Zealand. I enjoy the show that I do, and people really seem to have a great time."

Anderson is touring in support of his latest studio album, 'Survival & Other Stories,' and the tour will feature material from that album, his other solo work, as well as Yes classics and his collaborations with Vangelis. more on this story




Motorhead Lead Golden Gods Awards Lineup
(Classic Rock) Motorhead are set to top the bill at the Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards 2013. They will be part of a multi-band line-up with other acts to be named imminently.

Now in their 11th year, the Golden Gods will take place at London's IndigO2 on Monday June 17.

Motörhead state: "It's awesome to be headlining our first ever awards show. It's an honour to play some kick-ass rock'n'roll at the Golden Gods Awards." See the short lists




Metallica Building Their Own Wall With 3D Film?
(hennemusic) The forthcoming 3D film, "Metallica Through The Never," is being described by one of its actors as "a concert movie meets 'The Wall' meets Metallica."

"It's in a way like a 3D concert movie but there's also this narrative that ties together all the footage," actor Dane DeHaan ("Chronicle", "The Amazing Spider-Man 2") tells Collider.com. "It's gonna be, first of all, really rock and roll and really 'Metallica' for lack of a better word; they don't hold back at all.

"But during the concert, I basically go on this trip as a roadie for the band and I pretty much literally have to go through hell and back to take it back to them, and all of this is going on during the concert so it all ties together really kind of beautifully and uniquely. It's unlike anything that I've ever seen before; it's almost like a concert movie meets [Pink Floyd's] The Wall meets Metallica… We filmed it last August."

DeHaan plays a young band crew member who is sent out on an urgent mission while the band is playing a rousing live set in front of a sold-out crowd and unexpectedly finds his world turned completely upside down. more on this story




Journey Did Not Pay For Their New Documentary
(Classic Rock) The filmmaker behind Journey's documentary movie says that when she started work she was hoping the band would offer to pay for production.

When they didn't, she found other ways to fund the work – and by the time they did want to contribute cash, she didn't want to take it.

Keep On Believin': Everyman's Journey follows the rise of previously-unknown vocalist Arnel Pineda from his hiring in 2008 to the 2010 Eclipse album recording sessions, and his return home to the poverty-stricken Filipino city of Manila.

Director Ramona Diaz tells Ultimate Classic Rock that the financial aspect "never came together" during production. She explains: "It would have been different if the band came to us and said, 'Hey, make this film.' We were sort of going after that; when they finally said yes we couldn't say, 'Oh, yeah, can you pay for it?'

"My producer put it on her credit cards, and when she ran out of that I borrowed money from my family. Then we got some investors from friends and family – small, small amounts of money." more on this story




Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi Has Treasure Trove Of Unreleased Songs
(hennemusic) Last week, Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi revealed that he is the man behind Armenia's song entry into the Eurovision song contest.

Dorians frontman Gor Sujyan's "Lonely Planet" was selected at a Saturday, March 2 national vote to be performed at Eurovision in Malmö, Sweden. The identity of the song's composers — Iommi (music) and Vardan Zadoyan (lyrics) — had been kept secret for a while. Now, Iommi tells the Birmingham Mail, "I've plenty more where that one came from."

The guitarist has a treasure trove of tracks he has written over the years, but which he has no intention of recording himself, either with Sabbath or on a solo album.

"I write loads of songs and they just get put away. They lie on a shelf because either they're not suitable for Sabbath or for another project, and never see the light of day. I searched out 'Lonely Planet' – it's a bit of a power ballad – and sent it off." more on this story




The Darkness Plan North American Tour Dates This Spring
(hennemusic) UK rockers The Darkness have announced a series of North American dates for this spring.

The spring dates are part 2 of the band's 2013 Let Them Eat Cakes World Tour, in support of the reunited group's third studio album, "Hot Cakes."

The week-long trek kicks off May 10 in Raleigh, NC and wrap May 19 in Montreal. more on this story




Pete Townshend Surprised The Who Didn't Break Up
(Classic Rock) The Who guitarist Pete Townshend says he's still surprised the band didn't split up and he credits late drummer Keith Moon with keeping them together.

Townshend and Daltrey have continued working despite the deaths of Moon in 1978 and bassist John Entwistle in 2002. But the iconic axeman – who last week apologised for swearing at a young girl – says things could have been so different.

He tells Spinner: "Bands are peculiar things. It could be magic, in a way, two musicians performing together. it doesn't necessarily mean they will be friendly.

"There have been exceptions – I've got a friend Eric Mingus, who's the son of Charlie Mingus. He tells stories about Thelonius Monk coming around and sitting him on his knee and playing the piano. I find those stories intoxicating and I want to know more: the idea that Thelonius Monk and Charlie Mingus would actually hang out in his house and bounce their respective children on their respective knees is kind of delightful.

"But it's not something that is necessary between musicians. You can walk onstage with a bunch of people that you hate and produce fantastic music." more on this story




Megadeth Recruit Bob Findley As Guest On New Album
(hennemusic) Megadeth have revealed that horn player Bob Findley will guest on the band's forthcoming album, "Super Collider."

Findley will be featured on the track "A House Divided" on the new project. Bob previously appeared on Megadeth's 2001 album, "The World Needs A Hero," playing on the instrumental tune, "Silent Scorn."

"Super Collider" will be released in June via guitarist Dave Mustaine's new label, Tradecraft, which is distributed by Universal. more on this story





Deep Purple Release New Lyric Video
(Classic Rock) Deep Purple have released a lyric video for their new song entitled, All The Time In The World. It's the first full track to appear from their upcoming 19th studio album, Now What?! – their first since 2005's Rapture Of The Deep.

Speculation has been rife that the album will prove to be a milestone in the band's career, with record label earMUSIC saying it's "the perfect match with the original spirit of 70s Purple, and a fresh and modern production."

All The Time In The World will be released as a double-A single with Hell To Pay on March 29, including a limited edition of 1000 vinyl copies. Now What?! follows on April 29 in the UK with other dates in other locations during the same week. more on this story




Rival Sons Rock New Song on Jimmy Kimmel
(Classic Rock) Rival Sons appeared on Jimmy Kimmel's US TV show last week to play their track Keep On Swinging.

It's taken from their third album Head Down, released in the UK last year. Classic Rock named it the second-best album of 2012, calling it "unreconstructed rock'n'roll in the raw, borne aloft by euphoric Motown grooves and the kind of timeless riffs patented by John Fogerty circa Green River." The band also won Breakthrough Act Of The Year at the Classic Rock Roll of Honour award ceremony in November.

Guitarist Scott Holiday recently explained Rival Sons were hoping to avoid being branded a retro act. He said: "We're not trying to make an old-sounding record or a retro record. We're just trying to make a record that sounds good. We're using plenty of new things and tons of really old stuff, too. Not to be cool, but just to make the best sounding record. I'm touchy because we get the 'retro' tag a lot." Check out video of the performance here.




Adrenaline Mob Cover Van Halen Classic
(hennemusic) Adrenaline Mob have covered a Van Halen classic on their new EP, "Coverta." Due March 12, "Coverta" also features versions of songs by Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Heart, Rainbow, Dio, The Doors and Badlands.

The band – which features drummer Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater, Avenged Sevenfold), Symphony X frontman Russell Allen, guitar virtuoso Mike Orlando (Sonic Stomp) and Disturbed bassist John Moyer – recorded Van Halen's 1980 classic "Romeo Delight" for the project.

"Hugely influenced by Eddie Van Halen," explains Orlando. "Every rock guitar player, I'm sure, will say the same thing. I got such a thrill doing guitar for this song: plugging in the Charvel and the cool Phase 90 into the Marshall, cranking it up and pretending you're Eddie Van Halen, as I've done since I was a kid."

Today's Day in Rock News !

Today's Day in Rock


Ten Years After's Alvin Lee Dead at 68
(Classic Rock) Alvin Lee, the guitarist and singer of Ten Years After, has passed away suddenly at age 68.
A statement posted on his official website read: "With great sadness we have to announce that Alvin unexpectedly passed away early this morning [March 6] after unforseen complications following a routine surgical procedure.

"We have lost a wonderful and much-loved father and companion, the world has lost a truly great and gifted musician."

Read Classic Rock's Max Bell overview of Lee's career here.




Axl Explains Why Original Guns N' Roses Won't Reunite
(hennemusic) As Guns N' Roses prepare to kick off their Australian tour in Perth on Saturday, leader Axl Rose has given a rare interview to Adelaide Now to promote the shows and the subject of reuniting with the original lineup came up.

"I understand the 'romantic' thing, the desire, the fantasy," says Rose. "Personally, I haven't wanted other bands to reunite, or really enjoyed it when they have. For me generally something always seemed missing."

"But Guns is my life, not someone else's," he continued. "For me there hasn't been a way to make any type of reunion work regardless of money (either talk or legitimate) without jeopardizing what I feel is the well-being and best interests of nearly everyone I'm involved with in the GNR camp (including myself).

"People here have big investments of their lives in what we're doing. We've worked hard for what we have here now and continue to do so. I know what I went thru then. I know what I and all of us have gone thru since. People enjoyed the product and the entertainment our lives gave them back in the day, but they weren't the ones actually living those lives together. It's not somewhere I'd go back to or would want to go again. Life's too short." more on this story




Rolling Stones Playing Music Festival?
(hennemusic) The Rolling Stones will play the Glastonbury festival this year, according to Kasabian's Sergio Pizzorno.

The guitarist spoke with MTV UK about Kasabian's headlining appearance at London's Hard Rock Calling event on June 29, which happens the same weekend as Glastonbury's finale.

"I hope ours is the most talked about performance of the weekend," said Pizzorno, "but that would be a miracle because The Rolling Stones are playing Glastonbury. I can imagine there will be a lot of people there waiting for them." more on this story




Alice Cooper and Marilyn Manson Tour
(hennemusic) Alice Cooper and Marilyn Manson are teaming up for a North American tour according to an image on Cooper's website.

An image on Alice's website shows a poster for the trek, billed as "Masters Of Madness/Shock Therapy Tour."

No official announcement has been made as of yet, but The PRP reports the two dates have been leaked. See the poster and the dates.




Led Zeppelin, The Who, Elvis Considered For Walk Of Fame
(hennemusic) Led Zeppelin, The Who, Elvis Presley and Blur are among the acts being considered for London's new Music Walk Of Fame.

The BBC reports Camden Town is to be officially twinned with Hollywood to create its very own Music Walk of Fame.

The list will go to a decisive public vote on the Music Walk of Fame website in May. "We hope this will be the highest accolade in music," said music promoter Lee Bennett.

"This is an international brand not specific to Camden, but it is in Camden as we truly see it as the world's rock and roll capital." more on this story




Metallica Frontman Discusses Catch-22 With New Album
Triple M caught up with Metallica frontman James Hetfield while the band was in Australia for the Soundwave Festival and he discussed the band's new albums plans.

"Yeah, we're trying to write [new material] but gigs keep popping up that are too exciting to stay home for," said Hetfield. "We have lots of material [we've been] working on from the day Death Magnetic ended all the way up until now.

"There's tons of material. Some [riffs] stick with me because the theme keeps coming back. Out of 700 riffs there's at least three I've played 20 times."

They also asked him what direction the music was going to take, either "old school" or like St. Anger and he responded, "I don't know where it's going yet but we've got lots of different sounds, different styles," he said. "We're certainly not afraid of jumping into past 'feels'.

"After Death Magnetic we've stopped running hard and started embracing some of our past. Master Of Puppets was kind of a core reference for Death Magnetic."

But he then was asked about the fans wanted an album that sounds like their classic "Master of Puppets" and he responded, "Let's not do that shall we," he laughs. "It's a catch-22 because I completely understand what people want. It's like they're asking you to recreate a memory in their past and you cannot do that. It's a moment of time.

"We're one of those bands that doesn't really care what people want," he laughs. He also discussed the band's upcoming 3D movie.




Memorial Show For Alice In Chains' Mike Starr Tonight
There will be a memorial show tonight (March 7th) for late Alice In Chains bassist Mike Starr at Seattle's Studio Seven.

Starr's sister Melinda organized the event which will feature performances from Blacklist Union with Tony West, the Alice In Chains tribute band Grind, Sin Circus, Amanda J. Hardy, Garden Of Eden and Steal Beans, plus a number of surprise guests.

Starr died of a suspected overdose of prescription drugs and alcohol in Salt Lake City on March 8, 2011: he was 44. Some more details about the event
here.




Van Halen's OU812 25th Anniversary Celebrated With New eBook
Martin Popoff of BraveWords is celebrating the 25th anniversary of Van Halen's "OU812" with the release of a new eBook which explores the making of album.

Popoff had this to say about the eBook, "It's always a blast talking with Sammy Hagar, and within this lively read, he's considerably charitable in giving me the story of this 'hair metal'-era smash hit from the mighty Van Halen."

Former Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar had this to say, "We could do no wrong. We just said, let's start recording today. We just made a date. We had come off a very lengthy tour for 5150 and Eddie had a bunch of riffs he was jamming around. I had a bunch of lyrics in notebooks that I had been thinking about and writing. And we just put them together and jammed in the studio. It was just complete, simple, magic."

BraveWords has more details about this release and Popoff's other eBook releases here.





Linkin Park Plan Special Record Store Day Release
Linkin Park will be celebrating Record Story Day with a special limited edition version of their debut album packed with bonus materials.

The band will be releasing 3,000 copies of their debut album "Hybrid Theory" as a single disc vinyl LP that will also include a two song 10" EP, a exclusive poster and sticker.

The bonus 10" EP contains the tracks "One Step Closer" and "My December". This pressing will also contain long out of print poster and original street team sticker re-productions.

Record Store Day will take place at participating independent record stores across the U.S. on April 20th.





Asking Alexandria, Motionless In White, Whitechapel, Chimaira Tour
Asking Alexandria will be hitting the road next month to launch their North American "Don't Pray For Us" tour.

The band have recruited Motionless In White, Whitechapel, Chimaira and I Killed The Prom Queen to support them on the trek.

The tour is set to kick off on April 19th in Wichita, KS and will conclude on May 17th in Grand Rapids, MI. Asking Alexander will then make appearances at the Rock on the Range and Rocklahoma music festivals before heading to Europe for a summer tour that includes several music festival appearances.

Guitarist Ben Bruce had this to say about the tour, "AMERICA, how have you been? Good? Yup thought so, me too! Well, as promised, we are back and we are better than ever. With our third studio album looming dangerously near we thought we should do a tour for you lot. An aggressive, heavy as f**k and balls to the wall tour to get you all ready for our new album. We shall be releasing some new material leading up to the tour and we shall be playing this new material for you all to enjoy live as well. 'The Don't Pray For Me Tour' is our first U.S. tour of the year and f**k it feel good to be back. We have a great support line up and will be tying in the headlining dates with some amazing festival appearances. America, get f**king ready, lets start the new year with a HUGE f**king bang. Can't wait to see you all." more on this story




The Joy Formidable Expand North American Tour Plans
The Joy Formidable have expanded their upcoming North America headline tour and announced some music festival appearances.

The band will be kicking off their tour on March 18th in Santa Ana, Ca. The tour will conclude on May 11th in Richmond, VA.

The group will also playing several music festivals including Metallica's Orion Music Festival, Ottawa Blues Fest, the Norman Music Festival, the Beale Street Festival and the Shaky Knees Fest in Atlanta, GA.

The Joy Formidable are hitting the road in support of their latest album, Wolf's Law. more on this story




The Marshall Tucker Band To Grand Marshal NASCAR Race
Southern rock veterans The Marshall Tucker Band has been tapped as grand marshal for this weekend's NASCAR race in Las Vegas.

The Sam's Town 300 NASCAR race will be taking place at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway this Saturday, March 9 and will air live nationally on ESPN2 at 4 PM EST.

"We are so excited to be associated with this Nationwide Series NASCAR race," says lead singer Doug Gray. "We've always been big supporters of NASCAR so this opportunity came as a welcome surprise."

The band will give the official order for drivers to start their engines, followed by John Sou, General Manager of the Sam's Town 300, dropping the green flag to start the race.

The Marshall Tucker Band will follow the race with a concert at The Orleans Hotel and Casino that night.




Journey May Never Make Another Album
(Classic Rock) Journey may never make another album because they're not sure anyone wants them to. Keyboardist Jonathan Cain says the relative failure of their last release, 2011′s Eclipse, has led them to rethink the value of writing and recording new material.

He tells The Pulse Of Radio: "We're not convinced the market will bear another CD from us. And it's so much work to make one.

"The last album we made was a departure; we did a heavy rock'n'roll record. It wasn't received very well in the States and they kinda liked it in Europe. That's what I thought was going to happen. It barely sold 100,000. After all that time and money, what are we doing here?"

Cain says Journey may decide to release an EP rather than a full-length record... more.




Green Day Turned Blind Eye To Armstrong's Problems
(Classic Rock) Green Day bassist Mike Dirnt admits the band were working too hard to look out for each other – and so they turned a blind eye to frontman Billie Joe Armstrong's personal issues.

That resulted in his onstage meltdown last year, which sent him to rehab and derailed the band's three-album release plans.

Armstrong told last week how he'd lost control of his personal circumstances and only vaguely remembered the moment during Green Day's set at the iHeartRadio Festival in LA.

Now Dirnt tells Rolling Stone of the experience: "It was very tense. They locked us in a room for about six hours. I won't say 'locked' – but I didn't want to hang out in the hallway with everybody's entourage. I felt like a rat in a cage.

"When Billie showed up, it was, 'You're not right; what's going on?' I kept an eye on things and it just went progressively downhill. Me and Billie don't play like 12-year-olds any more, but at one point I was like, 'Let's goof around.' We ended up wrestling backstage – I thought, 'If I can just get some of this out of him.' But with the mood depressants and alcohol it doesn't end up a jovial party." more on this story




Jack White Scores Gold With Blunderbuss
Jack White's debut solo album, Blunderbuss, has been awarded a gold record by the RIAA after selling more than 500,000 copies in the United States.

The album was released in April of last year and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album charts.

Blunderbuss was also the highest charting solo debut and biggest selling vinyl album of 2012 in the U.S., knocking The Beatles' Abbey Road" off the top spot (a position it had held the previous three years), Blunderbuss' sales are the highest for a non-catalog LP since Soundscan began specifically tracking vinyl in 2008.




Alabama Shakes Plan Live TV Broadcast This Weekend
AXS TV will be broadcasting the Alabama Shakes concert from the Ogden Theater in Denver live on Saturday night.

The broadcast will begin at 12am (Midnight) ET (Sunday) / 9:00pm PT (Saturday March 9th). AXS TV broadcasts on DIRECTV Channel 340, DISH Network Channel 362, AT&T U-Verse Channel 1106, Verizon FiOS Channel 569 and via various cable providers.

The tour stop is part of the band's current North American headline tour in support of their debut album, Boys & Girls. more on this story




Lamb Of God Still Mourn Fan's Death Despite Singer's Not Guilty Verdict
Lamb Of God fans breathed a huge sigh of relief earlier this week when the band's singer Randy Blythe was acquitted of manslaughter charges in the Czech Republic but the band have expressed a more somber reaction.

Drummer Chris Adler issued a statement on behalf of the band according to BraveWords that said, "We greatly appreciate and have been fortunate to have the support of our friends, families and fans from all over the world during a nightmare situation for us in Prague.

"We are now able to get back to work, but are still saddened by the loss of Daniel Nosek. The trial may be over, but the loss is forever and we also continue to mourn."




Paul Stanley of KISS Discusses Autobiography in TV Interview
(hennemusic) KISS are doing several media interviews while playing Australia, as they continue to promote the shows and the band's latest album, "Monster."

The group are currently touring the country with Motley Crue and Thin Lizzy. On Monday, KISS frontman Paul Stanley was a guest on Aussie talk show, "The Project," where he spoke about the band's longevity (2013 is the group's 40th anniversary), his upcoming autobiography.

"I was really reluctant to do an autobiography," says Stanley. "[Author] George Orwell said that 'the autobiography is the most outrageous form of fiction.'

"When you write about yourself, you tend to be at the epicenter of everything, but I'm trying to be realistic and tell the story, basically, for my kids. I'd love my kids to know that it wasn't always an easy road and that if you love doing something, you'll work your butt off." Watch the interview here.




Eddie Van Halen and Valerie Bertinelli Watch Son Rock With Termonti
(hennemusic) Eddie Van Halen checked out his son Wolfgang at the Tremonti show at The Roxy in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

A new photo of Eddie Van Halen, Wolfgang and his mother and Eddie's ex-wife Valerie Bertinelli from the event has surfaced online.

Last fall, Wolfgang joined the group – the side project of Creed/Alter Bridge guitarist Mark Tremonti - at the start of their tour, on 24 hours notice, to fill in on bass for the absent Brian Marshall, who had to pull out for undisclosed personal reasons. See the photo here.




Noel Gallagher Weighs In On New David Bowie Album
(Gibson) Noel Gallagher believes there's a lesson to be learned from the way David Bowie staged his recent return to making music.

In a new interview with New Musical Express, Gallagher says Bowie's new album serves notice that established artists shouldn't be so quick to trade on past glories.

"It's great to hear his voice singing something new," says Gallagher. "The more you hear [the single] 'Where Are We Now?,' the better it gets. The video's mad – like his cat directed it."

Gallagher said Bowie's comeback "blew his mind," adding that it strengthened his [Gallagher's] resolve against the idea that bands should reunite to perform their "oldies."

"If you had turned on the news and it had said, 'David Bowie is to do a series of concerts next year,' everyone would have gone, 'Oh great, can't wait, that's it, let's talk about something else,'" Gallagher said. "But we're still talking about that song. New music and records rule, but reunions for gigs [don't]." more on this story






Singled Out: Prospect Hill
Today Prospect Hill drummer Mark Roberge tells us about their new single "Come Alive" which comes from their third album "Impact". The band is currently on tour supporting the release. Here's the story:

"Come Alive" started out as that bad ass main guitar riff that you hear right from the beginning. I remember Derek our guitarist jamming the part before rehearsal one night and I was immediately hooked.

We worked the songs parts out and arrangement shortly after and had something close to what it is now. I then attacked it lyrically and vocal melody wise.

At the time I had some close people around me getting caught up on prescription medication and it was upsetting and angering at the same time. So I used the song as a canvas to pour those emotions and to send a message out. These people seemed like zombies to me, just walking around all numb and oblivious to real feelings. I wanted them to "Come Alive" and the hook just worked so well. I built the verses around the chorus and then the bridge was the tricky part. I had something initially that just wasn't as awesome as everything else to me.

Our producer Anthony Resta really pushed me to write something big for that bridge and I just went into it with a lot of angst. The bridge ended up being my favorite part once it was all done. Adam our singer really hit what I was trying to convey emotionally during tracking and that's the story! ! BAMO!

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




Dave Grohl Jams With Jon Fogerty and Rick Springfield
(hennemusic) Dave Grohl brought his Sound City Players to Jimmy Kimmel's show Tuesday night.

The group were joined by Jon Fogerty for a heavy version of the Creedence Clearwater Revival classic, "Fortunate Son."

Rick Springfield then hit the stage with Grohl and company for "The Man That Never Was," a tune from the Sound City film soundtrack. Watch the jams here.




New Iggy and the Stooges Song Streaming Online
(Gibson) Last week Iggy and the Stooges announced they had completed Ready to Die, their second studio album since reforming a decade ago. Now, the pioneering punk band is offering a preview of the disc in the form of a stream of the album's lead single.

"Burn," the single, offers an incendiary blast of proto-punk that more than lives up to its title. Unlike The Stooges' 2007 comeback album The Weirdness, Ready to Die features Raw Power-era guitarist James Williamson.

Hence, the new disc is being presented as the proper follow-up to that seminal album, released by the band 40 years ago. (Sadly, original Stooge Ron Asheton passed away in January 2009.)

Iggy and the Stooges will kick off a tour later this month at the South by Southwest music conference in Austin. Ready to Die will be released April 30 on Fat Possum Records. Check out the stream here.






Sites & Sounds: The Moon Rock with Chuck Berry Package
antiMusic's Travel Editor Kevin Wierzbicki has some good news for Chuck Berry fans: Here's a package deal that lets you see one of the founding fathers of rock'n'roll in concert and then spend the night in one of the hippest hotels in St. Louis. The Moon Rock with Chuck Berry package includes a night's lodging at the Moonrise Hotel, a boutique hotel with a space-age theme and lots of memorabilia reflecting America's fascination with space and the solar system (you'll find that "the Moon" sets on the hotel roof nightly.)

Then just a short walk away is the famous St. Louis rock'n'roll eatery Blueberry Hill; head downstairs to the Duck Room with your included ticket to see Berry live in concert and expect him to do a little bit of "duck walking" as he rips through hits like "Maybelline," "Let it Rock," "Little Queenie," "Reelin' and Rockin'" and of course "Johnny B. Goode."

The Moon Rock with Chuck Berry package starts at $239 and is available on the third Wednesday of each month. Discounted rates for additional nights are available. More info is at www.moonrisehotel.com or (314) 721-1111.

The Moonrise Hotel and Blueberry Hill are in the St. Louis entertainment district known as The Loop where you'll also find the Pin-Up Bowl, the historic Tivoli movie theatre, the St. Louis Walk of Fame and the Pageant live music venue. For more info on planning your trip to St. Louis visit www.explorestlouis.com.

Today's Day in Rock News !

Today's Day in Rock


Pearl Jam, Guns N' Roses, Screaming Trees Supergroup
(Classic Rock) Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, Duff McKagan ex of Guns N' Roses and Barrett Martin ex of the Screaming Trees have formed a supergroup and are currently working on their debut album.
The band hasn't been named yet, and won't feature a permanent singer, relying instead on a series of guest appearances.

Drummer Martin is currently with McKagan in Walking Papers, and asked former Mad Season bandmate McCready to appear on their album. That led to a conversation regarding material from Mad Season's never-finished second album.

He tells Billboard: "Mike and I were putting together this Mad Season collection. Duff and I were starting the Walking Papers album which we'd asked Mike to play on." more.



Original Kansas Lineup Reuniting
(Classic Rock) The original lineup of Kansas will reunite for the first time in over 30 years at a 40th anniversary concert later in 2013.

Kerry Livgren, Dave Hope and Robby Steinhardt will make guest appearances with Phil Ehart, Steve Walsh and Rich Williams during the celebratory event on August 17 in the Benedum Centre, Pittsburgh, PA.

Kansas are planning a two-set show. They'll be accompanied by a 35-piece symphony orchestra for the first part, then after an intermission they'll deliver a selection of classics.

Drummer Ehart says: "We do a symphony set then we do a regular set. And in the meantime we have Dave, Kerry and Robby playing on different songs with the current band throughout the whole show. We've got some great stuff planned for the intermission too – it's gonna rock." more on this story




Scott Weiland Wanted Stone Temple Pilots Lineup Change
(Classic Rock) Scott Weiland wanted Stone Temple Pilots to change their lineup ahead of his sacking. The band announced earlier this week they'd "terminated" his position with them, leaving the ex-Velvet Revolver frontman shocked and saying he'd only discovered the news in the press.

But the day before STP made their move, he'd been discussing the possibility of modifying the band's personnel.

Sixteen hours ahead of the announcement Weiland told Rolling Stone: "My personal feeling is that we just need some new blood in the band. It'll give it new energy, so that we're not just playing the same greatest hits set we've been playing ever since we got back together after I left Velvet Revolver. I'd like to make a new record so it breathes new life into it."

Weiland also stated he was still hoping for a reunion with Velvet Revolver – despite guitarist Slash's assertion that the pair would never work together again.

The singer said: "I'd love it if it happened. But it's not something I can count on, and it's not something that I can control. If it happens, it'll happen. It would be a great thing. But what about Slash?




Bret Michaels Delays New Album Release
(hennemusic) Bret Michaels' forthcoming new solo album, "Good Songs & Great Friends," which was originally scheduled for release March 26, has been delayed until June 11.

Featuring artists from a variety of genres and generations, "Good Songs & Great Friends" includes a live duet with Jimmy Buffett ("Margaritaville"), a cover of "Sweet Home Alabama" with Gary Rossington, Rickey Medlocke and Peter Keys from Lynyrd Skynyrd playing on the track, and new versions of some of Poison's biggest hits, including a remake of "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" with Loretta Lynn.

Bret is joined by Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Michael Anthony of Van Halen/Chickenfoot, Leslie West of Mountain, Ace Frehley of Kiss/Frehley's Comet, among others..

Featuring artists from a variety of genres and generations, "Good Songs & Great Friends" includes a live duet with Jimmy Buffett ("Margaritaville"), a cover of "Sweet Home Alabama" with Gary Rossington, Rickey Medlocke and Peter Keys from Lynyrd Skynyrd playing on the track, and new versions of some of Poison's biggest hits, including a remake of "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" with Loretta Lynn.

Bret is joined by Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Michael Anthony of Van Halen/Chickenfoot, Leslie West of Mountain, Ace Frehley of Kiss/Frehley's Comet, among others. more on this story




Song By Black Sabbath's Iommi Headed For Eurovision Semi-Final
(hennemusic) Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi is the man behind Armenia's song entry into the Eurovision song contest.

Dorians frontman Gor Sujyan's "Lonely Planet" was selected at a Saturday, March 2 national vote to be performed at Eurovision in Malmö, Sweden. The identity of the song's composers — Iommi (music) and Vardan Zadoyan (lyrics) — had been kept secret for a while.

"Well here's something different, one of my demo ideas has been chosen as the Armenian entry for the Eurovision Song Contest!," wrote Iommi. "It went on a short list and Saturday night was voted as the winner. I did the music and the performing band Dorians wrote the lyrics, it's called 'Lonely Planet'. They're a good band, the singer has a really good voice and the lyrics they've written are in English. It now goes to the semi-final on May 16th in Malmo, Sweden." more on this story




Styx Vs Record Label
(Classic Rock) Styx have sued A&M over unpaid royalties and they've accused the record label of constructing a "phoney business model" to disguise how much the band should have been paid.

The veteran outfit allege that for every dollar they've received, they should actually have been given between two and five dollars.

TMZ reports that they want the courts to decide how much they should be paid in damages – and that it's likely to be a huge amount. They released eight albums through A&M from 1975′s Equinox to 1990′s Edge Of The Century.

Styx filed paperwork in Los Angeles Country Superior Court last week using their corporate name, Gelderdisk LTD. more on this story




Slayer Frontman Doubted Lombardo 'For A While'
(Classic Rock) Slayer guitarist Kerry King says frontman Tom Araya has had doubts over drummer Dave Lombardo for a while but King wanted to keep him.

It was only when "trouble in paradise" flared hours ahead of their Australian tour that the axeman made the call to have him replaced.

Jon Dette is currently behind the kit for the thrash giants Down Under – and they're not sure whether Lombardo will return.

Asked whether he saw the dispute coming, King tells Soundwave TV: "Tom did. Tom's been on the fence about Dave for a while and I was pretty much the one that said, 'Nah, I'm not comfortable moving on.'

"Then it got thrust in our face, and I took action immediately," he said. "It's unfortunate that Dave couldn't be with us. I planned on him being here up until the Monday before I left – then I saw trouble in paradise." more.




Green Day Member Recalls Billie Joe's Meltdown
(hennemusic) As Green Day gear up for their live return to the stage March 10 in Pomona, CA, bassist Mike Dirnt spoke with Rolling Stone about frontman Billie Joe Armstrong's meltdown in Las Vegas last fall that led to a stint in rehab.

"When Billie showed up, it was, 'You're not right. What's going on?'," explains Dirnt, about the his concerns prior to taking the stage at the iHeartRadio festival. "I kept an eye on things, and it just went progressively downhill. Me and Billie – we don't play like 12-year-olds anymore. But at one point, I was like, 'Let's goof around.' Somehow, we ended up wrestling backstage. I thought, 'If I can just get some of this out of him . . . ' But with the mood depressants and alcohol, it doesn't end up in a jovial party."

Dirnt spoke about what it was like watching Armstrong lose it on stage. "You know, truth be told, I agreed with what he said, outside of mentioning anybody else. I know that's not Billie," he says. "But the bigger side of it – I actually agreed with the rant. But I was watching my friend and going, 'You're out of your f**king mind.' And we were dealing with a sh*tshow." more on this story




Motley Crue's Tommy Lee Slams Meet-and-Greet Greed
(Classic Rock) Motley Crue's Tommy Lee is refusing to take part in meet-and-greet sessions on the band's current tour – because he doesn't agree with fans forking out for the experience.

The drummer won't be present for those who pay $899 for Crue's Kickstart My Heart ticket package at venues in Australia.

Lee says: "For those of you that are asking why I am not doing any more meet-and-greets – it's got nothing to do with me not wanting to meet the fans.

"I just don't agree with doing it under the certain given circumstances. I love you all and I'll gladly high-five y'all if I see you – and you won't have to pay me for that." more on this story




Paul McCartney Doodle Sells For Five Figures
(Gibson) A basic pencil doodle drawn by Paul McCartney when he was a teenager has fetched £3,764 (approximately $5658) at auction last week.

The sketches, done by the Beatle during the late 1950s when he was studying at the Liverpool Institute High School For Boys, was sold by PFC Auctions on 28 February amid a flurry of last minute bids.

The drawings, multiple faces showing different expressions on a single sheet of paper, are rendered in pencil. The "piece" is 12.5" x 8" and in good condition, with the exception of a small tear in the bottom right hand corner.

McCartney won a prize at the age of 14 for a drawing he did of St Aidan's church on the Speke, Liverpool, housing estate where he lived, though the unschooled artist has said, "I felt that only people who had gone to art college were allowed to paint." McCartney's ink drawing of an idea provided the inspiration for the artwork for the Sgt Pepper album cover. In 1999, his visual work was displayed in a solo exhibition, Paul McCartney: Paintings, in Germany. more on this story






Rolling Stones Getting Their First Rock Hall Exhibit
(Radio.com) The Rolling Stones have celebrated their golden anniversary with five shows, two new songs, one documentary (2012′s Crossfire Hurricane), and a slew of other film and photo exhibits around the world. Now they'll get their – believe it or not – first major exhibition at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum this spring.

"Rolling Stones: 50 Years of Satisfaction," opening Memorial Day weekend (May 24), captures the band's legendary career of half a century. Included in the exclusive exhibition, which will run through March 2014, are rare and personal items and collections that have never been available to the public.

"The Rolling Stones are the epitome of rock and roll," said Greg Harris, Rock Hall president and CEO in a press release. "This first-ever exhibit gives us an opportunity to tell the story of one of the definitive rock and roll bands. The experience should be on every music fan's destination list this summer." more on this story




The White Stripes' Elephant Getting Special Record Store Day Reissue
(hennemusic) Jack White will mark the 10-year anniversary of The White Stripes' breakthrough album "Elephant", with a limited edition reissue for Record Store Day.

The colored, double LP is available exclusively for Record Store Day 2013 on April 20th. A black vinyl version will be available later this year.

"As Record Store Day Ambassador of 2013," explains White, "I'm proud to help in any way I can to invigorate whoever will listen with the idea that there is beauty and romance in the act of visiting a record shop and getting turned onto something new that could change the way they look at the world, other people, art, and ultimately, themselves." more on this story




A Day To Remember Plan Album Release ASAP
(Radio.com) During a concert last May, Florida hard rockers A Day To Remember announced that their fifth studio record would be called Common Courtesy.

After fans spent the better part of the year speculating about the forthcoming material, ADTR surprised fans in December with a decidedly hard-edged track titled "Violence (Enough is Enough)." The album's recording was only partially completed at the time ADTR dropped "Violence," and the band was "stunned" by fans' reaction to it.

"You never really know 'til they hear that new material, McKinnon told Radio.com in an exclusive interview. "When we put out that song, it was one of the best responses we've ever had coming out of the gate. I can't tell you how excited that made all of us."

McKinnon continued, talking release dates: "We're not really sure the release date yet, we're working that out. We're in the last few weeks of tracking. After this we're going to head into mixing and mastering and then we're done. Then we're going to put it out as soon as we possibly can."

Despite the band having filed a lawsuit against Victory Records in late 2011, McKinnon blamed the album's delay on simply having too much material. He has more to say here.



Sebastian Bach and Steve Stevens Unplug For KLOS
(hennemusic) Sebastian Bach and Steve Stevens stopped by KLOS 95.5 FM Los Angeles Friday morning. The visit was to promote the pair's April 5th show at The Viper Room.

The guys played a couple of live, acoustic versions of Billy Idol's "Eyes Without A Face" and Skid Row's "I Remember You."

Bach and Stevens are collaborating on material for Sebastian's next solo album.

According to the singer, Stevens "has come up with one track so far that will definitely be on my next record. It is a kick-ass cool rock 'n' roll song that I guarantee will make the hair stand up on the back of your neck. Just how I like it." Check out the jams here.




A Silent Film Proud Of Comparison To The Killers
(Radio.com) The guys of A Silent Film are used to the comparison game. From Coldplay to Snow Patrol they've heard it all. But while the comparisons can get old, they never seem to get tired of hearing they sound a little like The Killers.

"They are an amazing band," singer Robert Stevenson told Radio.com. "I'm very proud to be in the same category."

Like The Killers, the English band, who are currently touring the States behind their 2012 album, Sand & Snow, write anthemic choruses that fans can't help but sing along to. But even with the similarities, Stevenson was quick to point out that his band is very different than the Vegas band.

"They're very American in their approach, and we love that," he said. "But I don't think there's any danger that we're ripping them off in any way."

Guitarist Karl Bareham thinks the comparisons are just a starting point, a way to get people interested in a band before they actually get a chance to hear the music. more.




KISS To Perform On The Footy Show
(hennemusic) KISS will perform on the season premiere of "The Footy Show", an Australian sports variety television program covering the professional rugby league, on Thursday, March 7 at 9.45 p.m. AEDT

KISS will play two of their hits live in the studio to kick off the 20th season of the show.

"What an amazing way to kick off our 20th year, with one of the biggest rock bands in the world live in the studio," said Glenn Pallister, executive producer of the program. "['The Footy Show' host] Fatty [Paul Vautin] is such a KISS fanatic, we may need to have oxygen on standby." more on this story



Aerosmith To Perform In Indonesia This Spring
(hennemusic) Aerosmith have announced that they will play the Jiexpo Kemayoran in Jakarta, Indonesia on May 11.

The Boston rockers have been quiet since they wrapped up the fall 2012 leg of their tour in support of "Music From Another Dimension."

Aerosmith are returning to the road in April for their first Australian dates in 24 years. The group will play three shows in Oz and one in New Zealand, starting April 24 in Dunedin, NZ. more on this story




Grunge Supergroup Mad Season's Documentary Goes Online
(Classic Rock) Above, the sole studio album from 90s grunge supergroup Mad Season, will be reissued next month.

The surviving members of Mad Season will release a deluxe edition of Above on April 2, containing two CDs and a DVD.

Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready and Screaming Trees drummer Barrett Martin have collaborated with Mark Lanegan to complete songs from Mad Season's unfinished second album, which will be included alongside Above. Frontman Layne Staley died in 2002 and bassist John Baker Saunders passed away in 1999.

View a mini-documentary about the reissue here.




Devon Allman Leading Charge For National Blues Museum
(Gibson) "Think about having a place that celebrates the source of all contemporary music," says Devon Allman. "That's the goal of the National Blues Museum."

Right now it's Allman's goal to get the word out about the fundraising effort underway to make the St. Louis-based institution a reality — and to raise the $1.7-million dollars need to ensure that the museum's doors can open as scheduled in March 2014. So far $12.3-million has been raised over the past three years, and a total of $14-million must be achieved by April 1 in order to take advantage of various incentives for the project.

So Allman and a board's other nine members — who are from the corporate and educational worlds — have launched "Buck Up For the Blues," an initiative to encourage all blues fans to make a donation now to help reach the fundraising goal and bring the museum to life.

Artist renderings of the museum, viewable on line at the National Blues Museum web site, depict a facility like Seattle's Experience Music Project, with a blend of artifacts, films, historic audio and hands-on interactive "jamming stations" where museum patrons can perform the music themselves. Plans call for artist workshops, seminars and Q&A sessions with industry figures, intimate performances with the genre's stars, acoustic concerts that blend music and history, plus lectures and discussions, industry seminars and a film series. A lot more.





Eric Clapton Discusses Ginger Baker
(Radio.com) "He influenced me as a drummer. But not as a person." That's what Free/Bad Company member Simon Kirke said about former Cream/Blind Faith skinsman Ginger Baker in the must-see documentary, Beware Of Mr. Baker, out last week on iTunes.

Indeed, that was a theme of the entire film: a number of drumming legends – including Kirke, Neil Peart of Rush, Lars Ulrich of Metallica, Charlie Watts of The Rolling Stones and Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers – sing Baker's praises and discuss his influence. Meanwhile, his children and ex-wives give a no-holds-barred account of the chaos that surrounded the man in his personal life.

Some of the most interesting interviews are with his ex-bandmates: Jack Bruce from Cream, Steve Winwood from Blind Faith and, especially, Eric Clapton, who was in both bands. Clapton spoke at length on his days with Baker, and director Jay Bulger provided Radio.com with some exclusive outtakes from his extensive interview with the guitar god.

Clapton's experience with therapy and recovery from addiction are apparent in the first clip, as he discusses the ties between drug dependence and musicians.

"What is Ginger without the music? I think Ginger is an incredible human being with fantastic potential. And his desire to be 'locked into' the music keeps him in chaos. And I had the same thing, I thought that if I stopped drinking and I stopped using drugs… I would not be able to play anymore. In other words, those were things that were necessary for inspiration. But it was a shortcut. My experience now tells me in a long time of being in recovery, that I can be a good musician with or without that philosophy. It's a gift that I've been given and the best way to honor it is to stay clean and sober to be able to do it as well as I can. I wouldn't be here today – I'd probably be dead – if I hadn't gotten straight." More including streams.





Robot Band Compressorhead Plays AC/DC Classic On TV
(hennemusic) Compressorhead, the robot band from Berlin, rocked the AC/DC classic "TNT" on the German TV program "Die Bülent Ceylan Show" this week.

The group, which bills themselves as "the world's heaviest metal band," is made up of guitarist Fingers, bassist Bones and drummer Stickboy.

With 78 purpose-built fingers, guitarist Fingers was built by Kernschrott Robots, a company that creates direct recycling of discarded metal and industrial waste, converting metal parts and discarded devices into sculptures and objects of art.

Created by Robocross Machines, Stickboy uses 4 arms and 2 legs to plays his 14 piece Pearl drum kit with a double kick bass drum setup. Check out video of the performance here.




UFO's Rob De Luca Releases New Of Earth Video
(Classic Rock) Of Earth, the new project from UFO and Sebastian Bach bass player Rob De Luca, have released a video for their track Prototype.

It's taken from upcoming second album The Monarch, due for launch in the coming weeks. The band consists of De Luca (vocals, bass), Paul Casanova (guitars, vocals), Rik De Luca (drums) and Matt Baram (keys).

The bassist is currently touring the UK with UFO – they play the ABC, Glasgow, tonight (March 1); 53 Degrees, Preston, March 2; HMV Institute, Birmingham, March 3; and HMV Forum, London, March 5. After that they'll continue on the road across Europe before playing at Download on June 15. Watch the video here.



W.A.S.P. Supergroup Hotel Diablo Release New Video
(Classic Rock) Hotel Diablo, featuring members of Bang Tango and W.A.S.P. , have released a video for their single Psycho, California.

The track comes from the band's debut album The Return To Psycho, California. Produced by Gilby Clarke and Matt Starr.

Hotel Diablo formed in early 2011 and comprise Ladyjack vocalist Rick Stitch, Quiet Riot/Bang Tango guitarist Alex Grossi and W.A.S.P.'s rhythm section of Mike Duda (bass) and Mike Dupke (drums).