This Week's Top Stories
Here are the top stories from this past week's Day in Rock report
Carlos Santana Involved In Car Accident
(hennemusic) Carlos Santana was uninjured when he drove into a parked car in Las Vegas on Friday Night. Santana was driving alone in the incident, which occurred as the guitarist was on his way home, according to the Las Vegas Review Journal.
Police Lt. Ken Romane said that the rock guitarist hit a parked car and was not driving under the influence and the officer played down the importance of the crash.
"He hit a parked car, it was a minor accident, is all," Romane said and added that the incident was not even "log worthy," referring to events that are officially recorded by police. - more on this story
As I Lay Dying's Lambesis Going To Trial For Murder For Hire Plot- Newsted Helping Flotsam And Jetsam- Slash Reacts Fergie's Axl- more
As I Lay Dying's frontman Tim Lambesis will stand trial on a charge of trying to hire someone to kill his estranged wife, San Diego Superior Court Judge Robert Kearney ruled on Monday. Lambesis has pleaded not guilty to solicitation for murder and will be arraigned on October 22 at the courthouse in Vista, Ca. more
Slash and his former Guns N' Roses bandmate Axl Rose are not exactly on the best of terms but Slash had a positive reaction to his friend, Black Eyed Peas singer Fergie and her actor husband Josh Duhamel, naming their new son Axl. TMZ caught up with Slash and asked him his thoughts on the name. TMZ, ""I think it's really cool, I actually talked to [Fergie and Josh] yesterday. It's all good … who am I to judge?" Watch video here.
Flotsam And Jetsam have lunched a Pledge Music campaign for their album, No Place For Disgrace. No Place For Disgrace 2014 features re-recorded with fresh tracks. During a recent interview with BraveWords, former Flotsam And Jetsam bassist Jason Newsted (ex-METALLICA, VOIVOD) - who wrote some of the material on the original No Place For Disgrace - revealed that he has been helping the band with the re-recordings. more
Dates have been announced for Veil of Maya's fall North American tour, which will also feature Structures, Northlane, Vildhjarta, and Here Comes The Kraken. more
Got any questions you'd like to ask Testament vocalist Chuck Billy and/or guitarist Eric Peterson? Post them in the comments section on the band's official Facebook page here and select questions will be answered in an upcoming video interview. more
Disperse will not be appearing at ProgPower USA XV," states one of the festival's promoters. They will be replaced by US progressive metallers Thought Chamber and will open the show on the Friday. more
Don Dokken was the featured guest on the latest episode of Wikimetal and talked about his upcoming appearance in Brazil at the Monsters of Rock, his early career, working with the Scorpions and more. Listen to the full episode here or skip directly to the interview here.
A PR rep sent over word that Frightened Rabbit has been announced as the Hard Rock Cafe Artist of the Month for September. What that means is that throughout the month of September, the band's hit song "The Woodpile," will be highlighted on Hard Rock's in-cafe video system – playing over 1,000 times a day on more than 20,000 screens in Hard Rock's 138 cafe locations worldwide. -
Dream Theater Streaming New Album in Full
(Prog) Prog Magazine is proud to present the full stream of Dream Theater's first-ever self-titled album. The prog metal giants' twelfth studio record is due for release via RoadRunner on September 23.
Guitarist John Petrucci recently said of the record: "When we chose to call it Dream Theater, we knew we had to make the kind of record that warranted a self-title. We were intent on making something that looks back on and respects our past, but it also pushes us forward in a very passionate and fiery way."
The band will also launch a DVD entitled Live At Luna Park on November 4 – and you can catch them on tour in the UK next year. For now stream the new album - here.
Korn, King's X and Dokken Supergroup
(TeamRock Radio) Korn drummer Ray Luzier has revealed details of his new supergroup KXM and fans can check out their first track "Gun Fight" in a trailer video that the group have posted online.
Luzier is joined by bassist-vocalist dUg Pinnick of King's X and guitarist George Lynch of Lynch Mob and Dokken fame in the new three-piece outfit.
In the clip the band reflect on how they met, with Pinnick telling Luzier: "I would see you at almost every King's X show at LA. You'd wait at the back."
Luzier responds: "You know what I said to you? I said, 'Before I die I want to pay tambourine on one of your tracks – on anything."
Pinnick adds: "Now we're friends and we play in a band together."
Lynch says: "I always wanted to do this: play with guys who have compelling ideas. It's better when we all contribute, and we have this interesting chemistry which is different than what I normally do." - Check out the video here.
Metallica To Appear On The Howard Stern Show
(hennemusic) Metallica will guest on The Howard Stern Show on SiriusXM this coming Monday, September 23. The band will be on hand to promote their new 3D film, "Through The Never."
A couple of months ago, Stern Show Executive Producer Gary Dell'Abate revealed Metallica will perform two of its classic songs live on the program.
The Stern appearance follows a headlining set by Metallica at the Rock In Rio festival this Thursday. Following its recent premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, "Through The Never" will debut in IMAX theatres across North America for a one-week engagement starting Friday, September 27; it will then expand into additional theatres on October 4. - more on this story
Slash To Appear At Screening For Nothing Left To Fear
(hennemusic) Slash has announced that he will be attending the Toronto screening of the first-ever film that he has co-produced, "Nothing Left To Fear", this Thursday.
The September 19 event is being held at the Yonge and Dundas Cineplex in Toronto. Slash produced and scored this horror movie set in the small town of Stull, Kansas, where a young pastor and his devout family come face-to-face with the ultimate evil.
Slash will release the soundtrack album for "Nothing Left To Fear" on October 4, the same day the film opens in select theaters. The original motion picture soundtrack was written and produced by Slash and Nick O'Toole. - more on this story
Audio Pioneer Ray Dolby Dead at 80
(Gibson) Ray Dolby, the engineer whose name became synonymous with audio noise reduction technology, died last week (Sept. 12) at his home in San Francisco. He was 80.
Dolby began his career in 1949 working for the Ampex Corporation, where he helped to develop early videotape recording systems. He founded Dolby Laboratories in London in 1965. The company went on to become an industry leader in audio technology, devising ways to cut background hiss in tape recordings and later developing surround sound. The company relocated to San Francisco in 1976.
Dolby earned many honors during his lifetime, including a Grammy award in 1995 and Emmy awards in 1989 and 2005. His son, filmmaker and novelist Tom Dolby said, "Though he was an engineer at heart, my father's achievements in technology grew out of a love of music and the arts. He brought his appreciation of the artistic process to all of his work in film and audio recording."
Neil Portnow, president of the Recording Academy, also hailed Dolby as an innovator. "His technologies have become an essential part of the creative process for recording artists and filmmakers," remarked Portnow, "ensuring his remarkable legacy for generations to come." - more on this story
Slipknot's Corey Taylor Unplugs For Clash Classic
(TeamRock Radio) Slipknot and Stone Sour frontman Corey Taylor has recorded a live acoustic version of The Clash classic London Calling as part of a new online documentary about the famed punk band.
Taylor laid down the track as part of a five-part documentary on the Clash released by Google Play for their Uncovered Sessions. It's available as a free download for a limited time.
Taylor, who recently published his second book A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Heaven, is gearing up to start work on the first Slipknot album since the death of bassist Paul Gray in 2010. Drummer Joey Jordison recently said there was a chance it might be a double-length record. - Check out the video here.
Anthrax Begin Work On New Album
(Gibson) Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian tweeted on Saturday (after wrapping up the tour for the band's last album, Worship Music,) "Today @skisum [drummer Charlie Benante] and @TheFrankBello [bassist Frank Bello] are coming over to start writing for the next record. The few skeletons that are rattling around sound vicious! Here we go again my friends. Cheers!"
A day later, Ian updated fans on the progress of the sessions: "New Anthrax coming at ya fast & loud. Can ya hear it? Anyone within 5 miles of my house can."
Joining Ian, Benante and Bello for the weekend writing session was producer/mixer Jay Ruston (Steel Panther, Stone Sour, The Winery Dogs).
This will be the first Anthrax album to feature new lead guitarist Jonathan Donais of Shadows Fall. - more on this story
Sebastian Bach Performs Motley Crue Song Amid Nikki Sixx Dispute
(hennemusic) As Sebastian Bach's online dispute with Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx over his early 90s audition with the band continues, the former Skid Row singer covered the early Crue classic, "Live Wire", with Sin City Sinners in Las Vegas on the weekend.
"Yes, I wanna do a Motley Crue cover because I love Motley Crue," Bach told the crowd at Count's Vamp'd Rock Bar & Grill on Saturday. "If you go read the internet…lots of stuff going on," he added.
While Sixx continues to deny Bach's recent claim that the band asked him to join Motley Crue, Bach fired the latest shot by posting a link to a 1994 MTV interview with Sixx where the bassist confirms the group did indeed rehearse with the singer.
"Here is a fascinating interview with @nikkisixx where he describes the band Motley Crue Rehearsing with Sebastian Bach," posted the singer, adding, "ABSOLUTLEY TRUE. @nikkisixx tells it like it is! Sebastian Bach Book on Book Shelves Soon... #ForTheWin #NoBullsh*t #Oops #YouCantMakeThisStuffUp #IAintMadAtYa #NotLying #ItsOK #SomeoneOwesSomeoneAnApology #ThanksForTheHype #IRememberYou"." - Check out the video and more here.
Paul McCartney Reveals New Album Details
Paul McCartney has revealed more details about his forthcoming album, the appropriately titled "New," which will be released on October 14th in the UK and October 15th in North America.
Apart from revealing the tracklisting, McCartney shared some of his thoughts about the album. He said, "It's funny, when I play people the album they're surprised it's me. A lot of the tracks are quite varied and not necessarily in a style you'd recognise as mine. I didn't want it to all sound the same. I really enjoyed making this album. It's always great to get a chance to get into the studio with a bunch of new songs and I was lucky to work with some very cool producers. We had a lot of fun."
McCartney also explained why he worked on the album with producers Paul Epworth, Mark Ronson, Ethan Johns and Giles Martin. "The original idea was to go to a couple of producers whose work I loved, to see who I got on with best - but it turned out I got on with all of them! We made something really different with each producer, so I couldn't choose and ended up working with all four. We just had a good time in different ways."
The album was recorded at Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles; Avatar Studios, New York; Abbey Road Studios, London; Air Studios, London; Wolf Tone Studios, London and Hog Hill Mill, East Sussex. - more on this story
Arctic Monkeys New Album Makes Historical Chart Debut
Arctic Monkeys have become the first indie-released act to earn five consecutive Number One albums on the UK album charts after their new effort, AM, debuted at the top of the charts.
AM tops the UK Album Charts after selling over 157,000 copies during its first week of release. The band is also expected to make a Top 10 chart debut in the U.S.
AM is also a finalist for the prestigious 2013 Mercury Prize which is awarded to one outstanding British album each year. The band received the award in 2006 for their debut "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not." This year's award will be announced in London on October 30th.
On this side of the pond, the band kicked off their North American tour of intimate venues on Monday night with a sold out show at New York City's famed Webster Hall.
The tour is set to run for the next three and half weeks and will hit major markets across the U.S. before wrapping up on October 11th at the Austin City Limits Festival in Austin, TX.
U.S. fans that can't catch them on tour will be able to see the band perform live on TV when they are the musical guests on the October 9th edition of Jimmy Kimmel Live. - more on this story
Rush Reveal New Live Album and DVD Details
The wait is over, after much speculation Rush has confirmed that they will be releasing "Rush: Clockwork Angels Tour" as a live album and on DVD and Blu-Ray on November 19th.
The new live album and home video was captured during Rush's Clockwork Angels Tour stop in Dallas, Texas last November at the American Airlines Arena.
The Clockwork Angels Tour featured a career first for Rush, it was the first time that they took additional musicians out on the road with them. Aside from the famed prog rock trio, the band was joined by Clockwork Angels String Ensemble for performances of songs like "Headlong Flight," "YYZ," "Red Sector A".
The DVD version of the new release will also feature a 25-minute tour documentary "Can't Stop Thinking Big," that will include interviews with Rush and behind the scenes footage.
The DVD will also feature comedy short films created for the tour, interviews and outtakes from their filming. Additional filmed sketches and a rare soundcheck performance of "Limelight" will also be included as bonus material. - Tracklisting
Slayer Add Show Following Sell Out
Slayer has announced a second show at the Hollywood Palladium after tickets for the first show sold out. The new show will no be the first time the band have played at the venue in 25 years.
The original announced show will be taking place on Monday, October 28th and the new additional show will be taking place the previous night, Sunday, October 27th.
The shows are included in the band's North American fall tour that is scheduled to kick off on October 22nd in Anchorage, AK and wraps up on November 30th in Boston, MA.
"Really looking forward to playing a full-blown headline set across North America," said Kerry King. "Haven't done that in a f**k of a long time, must be like seven years, so prepare for the assault of a Slayer headline tour - we are!"
The Slayer lineup for the tour includes Tom Araya, Kerry King, Paul Bostaph and Exodus guitarist Gary Holt who is filling the void left by the death of Slayer co-founder Jeff Hanneman. - more on this story
Arcade Fire Plan SNL Concert Special?
(Radio.com) As Arcade Fire gear up to release their fourth studio album Reflektor, the band will hit up the season premiere of Saturday Night Live to be their musical guests. And that's not all.
According to Consequence of Sound, there will "30-minute Arcade Fire concert special" that will air following the September 28 SNL broadcast. No news yet as to what the special will entail, but for most Arcade Fire fans, 30 minutes of Arcade Fire doing anything will be just fine. Previously on music-centric TV specials, NBC aired Blake Shelton's Not-So-Family Christmas.
Just last week, Arcade Fire released two new videos for their song "Reflektor." One is the stunningly interactive one you can participate in using your smart phone. The other, however dull in comparison, is the still fantastical and odd music video, which you can watch - here.
Jonny Lang's New Album Streaming Online
(Classic Rock) Classic Rock are streaming Jonny Lang's latest album, Fight For My Soul, in full. It's his first studio record in seven years and it was released on September 2 via Provogue Records.
The bluesman says: "With this album, I'm looking forward to going to different territories and countries all over the world, trying to be a positive presence for people in places where I have never been before. "I'm excited to do that. It sounds like we'll be going to some new destinations this time around, and I really look forward to it. "
Lang's show at the Borderline in London next month has sold out in advance. He'll return to the UK to play at London's O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire on April 25 next year. - Stream the album here.
John Fogerty Makes Surprise Appearance With Mumford and Sons
The John Fogerty camp sent over word that he made a surprise appearance on Saturday night with Mumford & Sons in St. Augustine, Florida stop of their Gentlemen of the Road stopover festival.
When the band fun. were forced to cancel after their singer was ordered to rest his voice, Fogerty received a call late Friday night and made the mad dash from Los Angeles to Florida to take part.
His camp provided this run down of what took place: Fogerty began with a performance--first with The Vaccines as his backing band including his son Shane--on such classics as "Suzie Q," "Down on the Corner" and "Fortunate Son."
Fogerty then returned to the stage with Mumford & Sons for "Bad Moon Rising," Lodi," "Born on the Bayou," "Proud Mary" and the single "Mystic Highway" from his release Wrote A Song For Everyone.
Fogerty stated: "Travel thousands of miles, get a couple hours' sleep, rehearse with two killer bands and play for 20,000 awesome fans with one of my personal favorites Mumford & Sons. Rock and ROLL, oh ya, worth the trip!" -
The Cult Frontman Wants Every Show To Be Unique
(Classic Rock) The Cult frontman Ian Astbury says he wouldn't want to perform the band's songs exactly as they appear on record, even if they could. Instead, he insists their performances are all about creating a one-off experience. And those fans who'd rather not share that would be better off not attending.
Discussing the chance of fans hearing songs precisely as they were laid down in the studio, Astbury says: "I doubt that will ever happen – all the ad libs were spontaneous in the recordings."
"We are not that kind of band who strive for note perfection – we go for feeling," He continues. "We thrive in the chaos, beauty and disorder of the moment. We are not machines; that's not why we started performing. Sometimes we can be crass, base and vulgar. Other moments can be beatific and transcendent.
"So if you're coming expecting to hear a note-for-note rendition of a recording, save your money, stay at home and listen to the albums." - more on this story
Robbie Robertson Looks Back At The Band
(Radio.com) "I hoped when we were making music originally, that we would have a timeless quality to what we were doing." Robbie Robertson is talking to Radio.com about the work he did as a member of The Band.
Robertson left the group in 1977, leading to their eventual demise (although they reunited without him for a few years in the '80s and '90s). But they were timeless. In 2013, their influence is a strong as ever, and arguably stronger than it's been in decades.
They have had a profound impact on some of the most relevant bands of today, including Wilco, Ray LaMontagne and a little combo called Mumford & Sons. In fact, Mumford & Sons and Jim James of My Morning Jacket contribute to the liner notes of brand new Band 4 CD/1 DVD box set, Live At The Academy Of Music 1971, produced by Robertson.
Levon Helm (drums/vocals/mandolin), Rick Danko (bass, vocals, fiddle) and Richard Manuel (keyboards, vocals, drums) have all passed away. Only Garth Hudson (organ/horns) and Robertson, the band's guitarist, survive, who says that the process of listening to the tapes for this box set was a bittersweet experience.
"There's all kinds of different emotions." Robertson tells Radio.com. "I go from a place of being very proud, and really enjoying the extraordinary talent of my bandmates to some real sadness as well. It's only Garth and I left. I can't help but to veer between these two places."
The performances on the new box set were originally used on the 1972 live Band album Rock Of Ages, but Robertson felt the need to return to the performance tapes and offer them in a new (and remixed) context. "I have to say, it has been such a joy being able to revisit this thing, expand upon it, because I've been living with this all these years. I never felt satisfied with what I had done: it was my responsibility to mix this back in the day."
The performances feature the Band joined by a horn section, with the arrangements by Allen Toussaint. Bob Dylan also joined the Band for an encore at one of the shows collected in the box. He mentions a few of his favorite moments on the box set: "I thought Richard did a great job – everybody did – on 'The Shape I'm In.' I thought it was really good, the way we played it that night. On 'Caledonia Mission,' I thought Rick sang it that night as good as I ever heard him sing it. There was something really touching about this particular version of 'The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.' It's different form other times that we did it. It's hauntingly sad and beautiful." - More.
Euphoria Return To Classic Twin-Guitar Attack
(Gibson) Delhi Hindi rock pioneers Euphoria have added a new guitar player to their already massive line-up and as a result have returned to their classic twin-guitar attack for the first time in almost a decade.
Over the last twenty years, Euphoria came to be one of those bands that defined the Delhi indie scene. Emerging from the Delhi college circuit, the band has taken their signature Indian folk-meets-rock sound to stages across the world. The band, currently touring behind their seventh album, 2011's Item, recently inducted guitarist Aditya Shankar to join current guitar player Amborish Saikia in the band line-up.
In addition to their hectic touring schedule, Euphoria have also contributed music to a number of films, including the upcoming Kuku Mathur Ki Jhand Ho Gayi. - more on this story
Sammy Hagar Releases 'All We Need Is An Island' Preview Video
(hennemusic) Sammy Hagar has released a new preview video for "All We Need Is An Island", a new track from his forthcoming album, "Sammy Hagar & Friends", due September 24.
The song features Nancy Wilson of Heart on background vocals and Mickey Hart of The Grateful Dead on drums. "Sammy Hagar & Friends" marks the Red Rocker's first solo release in five years.
The album features guest appearances from Kid Rock, Nancy Wilson (Heart), Ronnie Dunn (Brooks & Dunn), Neal Schon (Journey, HSAS), Chickenfoot pals Chad Smith, Michael Anthony and Joe Satriani; Montrose bandmates Bill Church and Denny Carmassi, his solo band The Wabos and more. - Check out the preview here.
Def Leppard Release VIVA! Hysteria Premiere Footage
(hennemusic) Def Leppard are sharing video of the London VIP premiere screening of their forthcoming live DVD, "VIVA! Hysteria", due for release next month.
"VIVA! Hysteria" captures the band during their 2013 spring residency in Las Vegas. The UK rockers played 11 shows at The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino this past spring, following in the footsteps of Motley Crue and Guns N' Roses.
Following the cinema event, "VIVA! Hysteria" will be released in multiple formats: 2CD+DVD digipak, Blu-ray, DVD and digital album download. - Check out the video here.
Metallica Release Q&A Video From Toronto Film Festival
(hennemusic) Metallica's new 3D film, "Through The Never", premiered last week at the Toronto International Film Festival, and the band are now sharing video of the post-premiere Q&A with the audience.
Metallica were joined at the premiere screening by director Nimrod Antal, actor Dane DeHaan and producer Charlotte Huggins, who all answered questions thrown at them by members of the audience.
The movie will debut in IMAX theatres across North America for a one-week engagement starting Friday, September 27; it will then expand into additional theatres on October 4. Check out the Q&A video - here.
Starship Release 'It's Not The Same As Love' Lyric Video
(Classic Rock) Starship featuring Mickey Thomas have released their first new music in over 25 years with the release of the lyric video for "It's Not The Same As Love".
The track is taken from new album Loveless Fascination, which was just released – and Thomas says the band know exactly why they're doing what they're doing.
He tells UCR: "I decided to get back to make a record that would sound more like the late 70s, early 80s Starship, as opposed to the late 80s Starship. In other words, a more organic, true classic rock'n'roll sound."
The album features writing and production from Jeff Pilson of Dokken, Foreigner and Dio fame. Thomas says: "He is classic rock personified. He lives and breathes it – and it comes across in the music." - Check out the video here.
Haken Turned Into Puppets For Cockroach King Video
(Prog) Haken have transformed themselves into puppets for their latest video "Cockroach King". The band decided to take an unusual approach to the promo for the track taken from latest album The Mountain.
"Cockroach King is definitely the most classic prog sounding song from the record," Haken explain. "We allowed our eccentric side to come to the fore and wrote a song in the tradition of some of our favourite English 70s bands like Queen and the Specials. It's obviously a huge tip of the hat to Gentle Giant too.
They add, "Jens Bogren did an amazing job with the mix. It's a blend of old traditions and modern sounds that we jokingly refer to as 'Djentle Djiant'."
Discussing the video, they say: "It's a tribute to a more innocent time before our TVs were dominated by computer animation and hi-definition – a time when things were hand-made, wholesome and fun for the whole family!" - Watch the video here.
Christine McVie To Reunite With Fleetwood Mac
(Classic Rock) Christine McVie will make a guest appearance with Fleetwood Mac at two of their upcoming UK shows, Stevie Nicks has confirmed. The news follows speculation that the retired band member could sing with her former bandmates once more, after she told BBC Radio 2: "If they ask me, I'd play."
She'd attended several Mac shows since retiring in 1998, but hadn't previously taken the stage with Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham, Mick Fleetwood and ex-husband John McVie.
Now Nicks tells the BBC: "She's going to come and do a song on the second two shows. I think it will probably be Don't Stop. I don't know – but she's coming to Ireland to rehearse with us."
A band spokesman was not able to clarify which of Mac's eight shows she referred to, although it's likely to be their appearances in London on September 24 and 25. - more on this story
Nikki Sixx and Sebastian Bach War of Words Intensifies
(hennemusic) The war of words over Sebastian Bach's audition for Motley Crue following Vince Neil's departure in 1992 continues with bassist Nikki Sixx questioning the singer's motives via Twitter and Bach firing back with Sixx's own words from an interview.
"Someone needs attention to try and sell some books," tweeted Sixx on Friday. He then took a jab at Bach with "I always liked the term 'Washed Up'."
While Nikki Sixx continues to deny Sebastian Bach's recent claim that the band asked him to join Motley Crue, Bach has responded by posting a link to a 1994 MTV interview with Sixx where the bassist confirms the group did rehearse with the singer.
"Here is a fascinating interview with @nikkisixx where he describes the band Motley Crue Rehearsing with Sebastian Bach," posted the singer, adding, "ABSOLUTLEY TRUE. @nikkisixx tells it like it is! Sebastian Bach Book on Book Shelves Soon... #ForTheWin #NoBullsh*t #Oops #YouCantMakeThisStuffUp #IAintMadAtYa #NotLying #ItsOK #SomeoneOwesSomeoneAnApology #ThanksForTheHype #IRememberYou"."
In the 1994 interview with Riki Rachtman of MTV's "Headbanger's Ball", Sixx explained the band's need to carry on following the 1992 split with Vince Neil.
"We said we owed it to ourselves to at least see what it felt like [to have a different singer]," said Sixx. "At times when Vince was out of town or off doing whatever he was into doing, Sebastian Bach would come down and hang out with us. And we'd be rehearsing. We need a singer to rehearse. So he'd sing. Steve Perry from Journey came down one time just to hang out and meet everybody. And he was singing. So we kind of had a feeling what it would be like to have a different singer. And we said, the least we could do is try it on for size before we, you know, end it. And we met John [Corabi] and it was magic." - A lot more including the video interview.
Clutch Postpone Tour So Frontman Can Have Spinal Surgery
(Classic Rock) Clutch have been forced to cancel a series of US shows after frontman Neil Fallon was told a recurring back problem meant he needed surgery. The band have rescheduled most of their September dates in January, with one in October and one called off altogether.
Fallon had this message for fans with details: "I've learned that a childhood injury to the neck, a genetic predisposition for spinal disease, and 20 some years of head banging will exact a toll. I've been diagnosed with an ugly case of cervical spinal stenosis and two herniated discs.
"In some instances these conditions can be treated non-surgically. This is not the case for me. I have been advised by several neurosurgeons that my spinal cord has already been damaged and that I risk further damage were I not to address the situation. For this reason, I've decided to take care of this ASAP. Believe me, re scheduling a tour turns my stomach, but I believe this is the wisest choice given the prognosis.
"On Tuesday I will undergo surgery. The procedure will fuse three vertebrae together with a small titanium plate. I have faith that this surgery will go as well as it can, and that I will be back in the saddle for our October-November tour." - more on this story
Quicks: Gwar For Super Bowl- Product of Waste Singer Killed- Ozzy- Richie Sambora Teams With Bernie Taupin and more
A petition has been launched online with the goal of delivering Gwar to the 50-yard line of Super Bowl XLIX for the half-time show. "The time for Gwar to address the nation is NOW," begins the petition. "Gwar's relationship with American football is one of the strongest in music. Why should articles like 'Bruno Mars Announced For Super Bowl Halftime Show, Gwar Waits Until Next Year (Again)' be a joke? Front man Dave Brockie writes a football collumn for Metal Sucks.com called 'Necessary Roughness' even the 'The Dan Patrick Show' has an Oderous mask on display. It's even been suggested by Sports Illustrated that Gwar should become mascots. Every year people complain about who the halftime show is, now we are telling you who we want: WE WANT GWAR!" more
Product of Waste frontman Terry Iovino, 26, was killed after reportedly being struck by a vehicle while attempting to cross I-95 in Providence on Thursday night, ultimately succumbing to his injuries on Friday at a nearby hospital.more
Richie Sambora has released a new song that he co-wrote with legendary Elton John collaborator Bernie Taupin. The track, entitled "Engine 19" was released on 9/11 "to honor the hard work and dedication of the brave men and women of the Fire Department, and all of the first responders around the country." Check it out here.
Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne is scheduled to be the special guest on Billy Morrison's radio show this Wednesday at 7 pm PST/ 10 pm EST. Listen online here.
Touche Amore announced on Saturday that their van was broken into in Detroit while the band was in town to perform at St. Andrew's Hall, according to lambgoat. The band didn't lose any of their gear but their money and personal belonging were stolen. more
Blackmore's Night announced the first of a limited number of U.S. shows this fall. The first concert will be on November 7th at South Orange Performing Arts Theater in New Jersey. more
Cancer have reunited to promote the reissue of their first three albums and are planning some special festival appearances, performing only songs form the first three albums. more -
Slipknot Have Enough Riffs For Double Album
(TeamRock Radio) Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison says the band have assembled so many riffs for their highly-anticipated comeback album that it there's a chance it could turn out to be a double-length release.
They haven't yet started work properly on what will be their first record since the death of bassist Paul Gray in 2010, due next year. But Jordison tells ArtistDirect: "Whenever I pick up a guitar and I'm not doing anything, I'm always writing riffs. That's all we're doing. We've all got a sh*tload of riffs. Even though we haven't gotten together, there's plenty of material there.
"We talk to each other all the time on our cellphones and all of that when we're on tour in different spots of the world. We're all working. It hasn't found its time yet – we're continuing to write though.
"We're going to have so much sh*t, it might have to be a double record!" - more on this story
Nicko McBrain Loves The Idea of An Iron Maiden Festival Tour
(TeamRock Radio) Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain admit's he'd love to see his band to staging their own festival. If they did, they'd follow in the footsteps of outfits like Metallica, Ozzy Osbourne, Jane's Addiction and Fairport Convention, among many others.
And it would certainly avoid a repeat of Maiden's difficult experiences during 2005's Ozzfest US tour, where they were pelted with eggs and had their sound switched off as a result of disagreements with Sharon Osbourne.
McBrain says about the idea of the veteran metal band launching their own fest: "You never know – you just never know in this game. I think it would be great to do a Maiden fest." - more on this story
KISS Star Gene Simmons Defends Tim Tebow
(Radio.com) Has polarizing football player Tim Tebow gotten a raw deal in the press because of his religious beliefs? And would he be treated more respectfully if he were not Christian, and specifically, Muslim? Gene Simmons thinks so.
"He's got a religious passion, as well he should, we're in America," the KISS frontman told Radio.com earlier this week. "He's proud to be a Christian, what's wrong with that? And yet, with sports media and pop culture media, they make fun of his religion. Really? In America? If he was wearing a burqa, they wouldn't dare say anything [editor's note: only Muslim women wear burqas]. But if you're a Christian, you get to be picked on? What the hell? The guy's got family values. I never saw the media picking on Michael Vick for torturing dogs. Or this other football player, who's alleged to have killed, committed murder. That's 'cool.' But a guy who's religious and has got family values isn't 'cool?' He's cool to me."
As has been widely reported, Simmons and his KISS bandmate Paul Stanley are now co-owners of a new Arena Football League team, to be called LA KISS. And Simmons wasted no time drawing attention to the expansion team (which will begin playing in 2014), extending a very public offer to quarterback Tim Tebow, who after a brief up-and-down career in the NFL, was released by the New England Patriots a few weeks ago.
In an interview focusing on the new oral history of KISS, Nothing To Lose (more on that to come), Simmons addressed the situation with the man who he hopes will be the KISS QB.
"We haven't heard back from Tim," Simmons said. "He's considering this seriously; he's in Los Angeles. Right after this, I'm gonna fly back with our guys and try to sit down with him and tell him that we're serious about this. He'll get the respect here that he didn't get at the NFL."
Simmons may relate to Tebow on that level: he has always taken issue with the music media (notably Rolling Stone) for not treating KISS seriously, which he addresses in Nothing To Lose. But the treatment that he feels Tebow has received makes him particularly incensed: "They're a**holes. And they should be called to task, and they should lose their license, because in a very real way, as far as I'm concerned, it's slander and defamation. You're making fun of somebody's religion."
"I think religion is good for mankind. Without the Ten Commandments," he pauses to note, "Jews gave you that," and continues, "Without that, there'd be chaos. Somebody had to say, 'Here are some good ideas: don't steal, and don't kill.' Those are good ideas. That's called 'civilization.' There was once a time where those things weren't written down. You had chaos! We still have chaos, but there's a reference point. But those are good ideas. Honor thy father and thy mother. That's a good idea!"
Though Simmons is clearly Team Tebow in this specific arena, he fact that he's looking to be in business with the former star quaterback is something of a surprising development. Despite the fact that KISS performed at the 1999 Super Bowl, Simmons has never been a big football fan. He admits, "I like the passion and the athleticism, but visually, it's never done anything for me because everybody dresses alike." The lifelong comic book fan continues: "If I was doing a football team, you'd make it more like the X-Men, one guy has a visor, one guy's dressed like a beast."
Given that he and KISS tend to make their own rules, is there any chance that players on the LA KISS team may sport slight variations in all of their jerseys? - Find out here.
Alice Cooper Turned Therapist In New Online Video
(TeamRock Radio) Alice Cooper has appeared as a 'rock therapist' in a spoof video for guitar manufacturer Fretlight. Their range of instruments features a built-in education system which, they say, makes it easy for anyone to learn to play.
In the promot video, they've hired Alice Cooper to front Quitters Anonymous, an organisation that helps people overcome their excuses and start rocking out.
"Quit quitting – and start playing with Fretlight," says the shock-rocker after talking a woman out of playing the flute. You can see Dr. Alice Cooper in action - here.
Stone Temple Pilots Explain Hiring Chester Bennington
(Gibson) The subject of Stone Temple Pilots replacing longtime frontman Scott Weiland with Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington is a heated one. Some fans think the move completely wrong, while others are embracing Bennington in his new role.
No matter how you feel about Bennington fronting Stone Temple Pilots, bass player Robert DeLeo says he believes Bennington is a perfect fit, because the Linkin Park singer is a longtime fan of the band's grungy tunes.
"He's made it clear that he grew up on our music," DeLeo explained to the Star-Ledger . "But the thing that sold me was that he told us that the only way he'd ever want to do this is if we honor the past and move forward in a creative direction. That's what we wanted, too."
DeLeo says he and the guys of Stone Temple Pilots have nothing but good feelings towards Weiland. "We had a lot of great years with Scott, and we made amazing music together," he said. "But somewhere along the line, the vision was lost. We wish Scott the best." - more on this story
Black Sabbath Release DVD Preview
(hennemusic) Black Sabbath are sharing a preview of a new live DVD entitled "Gathered In Their Masses." Due November 26, the DVD was recorded over two shows – April 29 and May 1 – in Melbourne, Australia during the early stages of the group's world tour in support of their reunion album, "13".
Black Sabbath just completed a North American tour in support of their new album, and will start a Latin American tour in Santiago, Chile on October 4.
The metal legends are being celebrated with all-original 3D maze, "Black Sabbath: 13 3D", which opens September 20th at Universal Studios Hollywood's Halloween Horror Nights event. - Check out the preview here.
David Bowie Favored To Win 2013 Mercury Prize
(hennemusic) David Bowie's "The Next Day" is favored to win the 2013 Mercury Prize for Album Of The Year. Bowie's comeback album is currently an equal favourite to win along with Arctic Monkeys' latest, "AM."
Bookmakers William Hill say the odds for the 2013 Barclaycard Mercury Prize are the closest ever. "There are 12 strong albums here – representing a diverse range of styles from UK artists – all of which stand a good chance of winning," says Rupert Adams of William Hill.
"This quality is reflected in the closeness of the odds we've given to the 2013 Barclaycard Mercury Prize Albums of the Year." William Hill's latest odds for the prestigious Prize are - here.
Green Day Learned From Singer's Meltdown
(TeamRock Radio) Green Day bassist Mike Dirnt says the band have learned to take breaks as a result of their frontman Billy Joe Armstrong's onstage meltdown last year.
He disintegrated in rage during a festival set in September 2012, shouting at organisers, smashing his guitar and throwing his mic away. Days later the band announced he'd gone to rehab suffering from addiction issues, and added it was partly to do with their hectic work schedule.
Now Dirnt reflects that the incident was 20 years in the making. He tells The Age: "We hadn't taken a vacation, hadn't looked up, hadn't done anything that wasn't writing music and touring. When you're working that hard there's a lot of downtime on the road. You can drink too much or get into sleeping pills or whatever." - more on this story
Roger Waters To Deliver Keynote At Billboard Touring Conference
(hennemusic) Roger Waters will deliver the keynote address at the 10th annual Billboard Touring Conference, set for November 13-14th at New York's Roosevelt Hotel.
"Roger Waters is one of the most compelling subjects I've ever interviewed, and I am thrilled that he will be our Keynote Q&A at our 10th annual Touring Conference," says Ray Waddell, Billboard's executive director of content and programming, touring and live entertainment, who will conduct the interview with Waters.
"His impact on music and the live experience is undeniable, but his interests and opinions transcend the music industry. This is guaranteed to be a fascinating session." - more on this story
Humanfly Going On Hiatus
(Prog) Humanfly have announced they'll go on indefinite hiatus after their hometown show in Leeds on October 31. The band, who have been together for 13 years, will make no more plans after that concert – but they're open to invitations to play gigs before the end of next month.
The four-piece say in a statement to fans: "Following our show at The Brudenell Social Club on 31st October we will be going on an indefinite hiatus.
"Now seems like a natural time for us to stop for the foreseeable future. This isn't to say that we won't play together further down the line – we just have no plans to do so right now." - more on this story
Joe Satriani Answers Fan's Questions In New Video
(hennemusic) Joe Satriani recently invited fans to submit questions during his current "Unstoppable Momentum" North American tour, and now the guitarist has issued a video with the first round of responses to fan inquiries.
Satriani is continuing to accept questions via his social media sites. Joining the guitarist on the road are veteran bandmate Mike Keneally (Frank Zappa, Steve Vai) on keyboards, along with a new rhythm-section featuring bassist Bryan Beller (Dethklok, Dweezil Zappa) and drummer Marco Minnemann (Adrian Belew, Steve Wilson).
The tour sees Deep Purple guitarist Steve Morse opening shows to October 3; Sit Down Servant will handle all Canadian dates between October 4 and 19, and Living Colour will appear October 22 to 26. - Check out the video here.
Byzantine Announce New Lineup and Fall Tour Dates
Byzantine have announced a lineup change as well as a string of upcoming North American tour dates that will taking place this fall in support of their new album.
The new Byzantine lineup the return of lead guitarist Brian Henderson, who filled in on a round of reunion shows in 2010 and the band's new bassist Sean Sydnor.
The new lineup will be hitting the road this week to kick off a string of fall tour dates. The first date will take place in Akron, Oh on Friday (September 20th) and they have announced dates in Indiana, West Virginia, New York and Virginia. - more on this story
Footage From Scorpions Unplugged Shows Goes Online
(hennemusic) The Scorpions performed three MTV Unplugged concerts in Athens, Greece this past week, and video from the series has surfaced online featuring some of their biggest hits.
Recorded at the Lycabettus Theatre, "MTV Unplugged - Scorpions Live In Athens" will be released at the end of 2013 on CD, DVD and Blu-ray disc.
MTV will world premiere the event, while the shows will be broadcast for free in Germany by VIVA. Check out footage of hits like "No One Like You," "Big City Nights" and more - here.
An 88th Birthday Tribute To B.B. King
(Gibson) For B.B. King the thrill is far from gone. Today, September 16, Lucille's pappy and the most influential figure in electric blues will celebrate his 88th birthday during a rare gap in touring, which he'll start up again on October 4 with a concert in Prior Lake, Minnesota. At this point King is, for many people, the living definition of blues, and he's certainly a walking encyclopedia of licks and lore going way back to his days as a poor orphan on a Mississippi farm in the 1930s.
In recent decades King's albums have been starry affairs like the platinum-selling, Grammy winning collaboration with Eric Clapton Riding With the King, 2005's birthday blues party with Billy Gibbons, Clapton, Bobby Bland, John Mayer, Roger Daltrey and Gloria Estefan called B.B King and Friends: 80, and the deeply rooted One Kind Favor, made with celebrity producer T-Bone Burnett.
Most listeners associate King with his 1970 break-though hit "The Thrill Is Gone," but King has been making recordings since 1949 and developed most of his repertoire, vocal phrasing and licks in the first 15 years of his career.
He's a look at 10 early King recordings that were signposts of his development during those formative years. • "Miss Martha King": B.B.'s first single was an ode to his wife, relying more on his soaring vocals than his stinging, vibrato drenched licks. It was cut in 1949 at Memphis radio station WDIA, where King was also a DJ. Publicity photos from this period show King embracing a single coil guitar, so he'd yet to discover his patented rich, ringing Gibson tone as well.
• "Three O'Clock Blues": King's first hit was cut at the Memphis WMCA and released in 1950. It represents a major leap for King. The song, while strictly adhering to a 12 bar form, shows terrific development in his playing under the influence of T-Bone Walker. King was transitioning to hollow body guitars at this point, and would soon be famously photographed onstage in a suit with short pants brandishing a Gibson Switchmaster. His solo on "Three O'Clock Blues" is terrific, blending staccato and fluid licks with a biting tone that captures the want in the line, "Please forgive me for all my sins." - more.
Europe Premiere 'Final Countdown' Video From Anniversary DVD
(Classic Rock) Classic Rock has premiered the video for "The Final Countdown" a clip from upcoming Europe DVD Live At Sweden Rock - 30th Anniversary Show.
There's much more than the 80s anthem to Joey Tempest and co, which they prove during this full-length 28-track set, including guest appearances by axe icons Scott Gorham guesting on Thin Lizzy track Jailbreak and Michael Schenker on UFO number Lights Out.
Their show on June 7 this year featured tracks from throughout their three-decade history and included an acoustic set that managed to feel intimate – despite the presence of 30,000 fans. The full 2 hour, 40 minute feature includes behind-the-scenes footage and an exclusive interview with the band.
Europe's Live At Sweden Rock – 30th Anniversary Show is released via earMusic on Blu-Ray, DVD and double-CD on October 21. Check out the video - here.
Metallica Release Third Making of Through The Never Video
(hennemusic) Metallica has released episode 3 of its new series, "Hit The Lights: The Making of Metallica Through The Never", their upcoming 3D film which debuted this past week at the Toronto International Film Festival.
The behind-the-scenes project is designed to tell fans everything they ever wanted to know about the making of the movie and the groundbreaking stage production that is an integral part of the film.
The entire production was several years in the making and documented by filmmaker Adam Dubin and producer Jack Gulick, both veterans of "A Year And A Half In The Life Of Metallica." From the first planning meetings to the "rehearsal" shows in Mexico City to the final filming in Vancouver, Adam and his crew were there. - Check out the video here.
Joe Bonamassa Release 'I Know Where I Belong' Video
(Classic Rock) Joe Bonamassa has released a new video clip of his performance of "I Know Where I Belong" which comes from his forthcoming Tour de Force live DVD collection.
It was shot at London's Borderline venue during his unique four-night concert series in which he delivered a set at venues which have been instrumental in his rise to the big time. The Borderline was his first stop in March, and he went on to the Shepherd's Bush Empire, the Hammersmith Apollo and finally the Royal Albert Hall.
Manager Roy Weisman recently told how the idea came about with the help of producer Kevin Shirley: "We realised we'd booked these four great shows. We said, 'Why don't we can the idea of doing a studio record now, and give Joe more time?
"'Let's use it as an opportunity for him to go back on his entire career and do a lot of songs he'd recorded but never played live.' We thought his fans would love that."
Check out the video and read more - here.
Burning Kingdom Release 'Watching As It Burns' Video
(Classic Rock) Burning Kingdom, featuring veteran AOR frontman Danny Vaughn, have released a brand new music video for the song "Watching As It Burns" from their upcoming album.
The track comes from upcoming album Simplified, which will be available worldwide on October 22 via Avispa Records. Simplified, the band's third full-length, is their first with frontman Vaughn of Tyketto (and Waysted) fame.
BK were founded in 2009 by Spain-born guitarist Manuel Seoane, who moved to Sweden to recruit a bunch of likeminded musical caballeros. The band line-up is completed by bassist Tosi Galen, drummer Johnny Benson (who also plays in Bai Bang) and keyboardist Mikkel Henderson. - Watch the new video here.
Soundgarden's Ben Shepherd Releases 'Collide' Video
(hennemusic) Soundgarden bassist Ben Shepherd has released a new music video for "Collide", a new track from his recently-released debut solo album, "In Deep Owl."
Billed as HBS (Hunter Benedict Shepherd), the album project is a collection of songs recorded in the industrial neighborhoods of Georgetown and Interbay in Seattle, Washington.
Produced by Shepherd, Dave French, Chad MacMurray and Nathan Yaccino, "In Deep Owl" features guest appearances by Soundgarden drummer Matt Cameron and former Pearl Jam drummer Matt Chamberlain.
Shepherd and Soundgarden are currently playing a series of European dates as part of their "King Animal" world tour; shows wrap up September 19 in London. - Watch the video here.
Sebastian Bach Releases Studio Update Video
(hennemusic) Sebastian Bach is in the studio working on a new album with producer Bob Marlette, and the former Skid Row frontman has posted a new video update on the project.
The clip features new guitarist Devin Bronson and drummer Bobby Jarzombek, who Bach reveals has completed drum tracks for the 12-songs on the new record.
Bach also hints that a big name bassist will be featured on the album, with an announcement providing details coming soon. The singer's latest project is the follow-up to 2011's "Kicking & Screaming."
