VIDEO: Lita Ford joins Poison in Florida

VIDEO: Lita Ford joins Poison in Florida

Poison were joined by special guest Lita Ford during their set Tuesday night in Hollywood, Florida.

The Seminole Hard Rock show was part of the Mötley Crüe /Poison/New York Dolls tour, which is currently winding its way through the southern US.

Ford joined the band for their classic, “Nothin' But A Good Time," as the band rocks its way across North America in celebration of their 25th Anniversary.

Ford is reportedly working on a comeback album due for release sometime later this year.

Poison

Poison – Talk Dirty To Me / Nothin’ But A Good Time
With guest Lita Ford on “Nothin’”
Seminole Hard Rock - Hollywood, FL – July 5, 2011

DEF LEPPARD To Reschedule Cincinnati Date Due To Family Illness

Rock Hard

Posted on Wednesday, July 06, 2011 at 16:30:21 EST

DEF LEPPARD announced today that their upcoming performance at Cincinnati, OH’s Riverbend Music Center on July 7th will be rescheduled due to a family illness. The concert date, with special guests HEART, will now take place on July 27th.

"Def Leppard regrets the inconvenience and looks forward to returning to the Riverbend Music Center in several weeks."

Tickets purchased for the July 7th date will be honored for the new date.



Def Leppard's new live album, Mirror Ball (Live & More), is available exclusively at Walmart and Sam's Club locations in the United States and Canada. The triple disc package features two CDs and a 50 minute DVD containing live performances and intimate backstage footage of the band captured on the road. The album also brings together three brand new studio tracks - 'Undefeated', 'Kings Of The World' and 'It's All About Believin'.

Buy Your Metal Here

BLUE ÖYSTER CULT Frontman Invited To Jam With CHEAP TRICK; Video Available

Rock Hard

Posted on Wednesday, July 06, 2011 at 22:05:51 EST

BLUE ÖYSTER CULT frontman Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser was invited to play with CHEAP TRICK on the band's classic, 'Ain't That A Shame', at last week's show in Greely, CO on July 2nd. Check out video footage below on YouTube:

Buy Your Metal Here

BLACK TIDE
'Walking Dead Man'
» click here to watch «

Buy Your Metal Here

Sammy Hagar says his reunion with Van Halen is ‘inevitable’

Fair Warning

Sammy Hagar says his reunion with Van Halen is ‘inevitable’

Reported by Bruce Henne

Published: July 5, 2011. © Rock AAA.

Hagar: Hopeful

Sammy Hagar’s busy with Chickenfoot these days, and Van Halen are busy with original singer David Lee Roth, but Sammy thinks things could change at some point in the future.
“Absolutely,” said Hagar about the possibility of working with VH again. “I’m not predicting it. I just say… someday. We made too good of music together, with Eddie and I in Van Halen, we had such a great thing for a long time.
“When it went sour, it wasn’t just because of us. There was a lot of outside forces. Our manager died and a new guy came in, and he just totally divided the band and conquered us, you know?!
“So I think there will come a time where Eddie’s gonna wake up and go, ‘Hey, man, I miss being friends with Sammy,’ if nothing else, or, ‘I would love to make that music again, or play those songs again.’ ‘Cause they have no choice — they’ve got Sam or they’ve got Dave; they can’t find a new guy — they already tried that and it didn’t work. So it’s inevitable.”
“If Eddie and Al [drummer Alex Van Halen] want to play music for the rest of their lives, someday they’re gonna have to come and deal with me,” continued Sammy. “But right now I’m so happy with what I’m doing with Chickenfoot, I hope they don’t call me next week, I hope they don’t call me next month, because I would have to say, ‘Gee, I’m busy right now; I’m not gonna drop Chickenfoot for anything.’ It’s my favorite thing I’ve ever done in my life; I love this band.
“Someday we’re all gonna be sitting around or running into each other somewhere and going, ‘You know, let’s get back together and be friends and make that music again, just play it one time for the big time or whatever.’ So I think it’s inevitable.”
Hagar’s last experience with VH was the ill-fated 2004 reunion tour in support of a poorly organized Best-Of package; it also proved to be the final VH tour for bassist Michael Anthony, who was forced by Eddie to take a pay cut and sign over any future rights he had to the VH name. Anthony and Hagar now make up half of supergroup Chickenfoot, along with guitarist Joe Satriani and drummer Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
VH are getting set to release their first new music with Roth since 1996, with fall tour dates in Australia already announced.

Sammy Hagar – interview
Artisan News Service – July 4, 2011

Live blog: Artie Lange makes his return to radio

Live blog: Artie Lange makes his return to radio

6 Jul, 2011  | by Dylan P. Gadino News

10 pm EST: Comedian Artie Lange, most famous for his years as the master third-mic man on The Howard Stern Show, is making his return to radio tonight, but on Fox News Radio, not with Howard. It’s happening now-ish. He hasn’t been on the airwaves — satellite or otherwise — since he attempted to commit suicide in January of 2010. I have no idea if Artie will talk about anything other than sports. But I do know his buddy, comedian Nick Di Paolo is co-hosting with him. So I’m going to tune in for as long as possible — the show runs until 1 am EST — and see if Artie can give us any insight into his life right now.
10:07 pm EST: Artie tells Nick he’s been sobering up in a rehab facility in Florida. I can tell you I recently heard Lange was indeed, in West Palm Beach at a facility. So that info makes sense to me. Nick promises us the pair will talk about more than sports during the show. Hopefully we’ll get some info. But seriously, Artie sounds great and by Nick’s account, he looks great as well. Earlier in the day, we posted a pic of Artie looking pretty damn good (for him).
10:15 pm EST: Going into the first commercial, Artie and Nick sound like they’ve been doing radio together for years. Do I smell a new satellite radio show pitch? Would it be better for Artie to just separate from Howard, join a new radio crew and continue plugging away on the mic? I say, yes.
10:28 pm EST: Apparently, it’s hot as hell in the studio at Fox Sports Radio. Artie says he feels like he’s going to pass out, but he’s drinking a milk shake to stay cool. Adam from California is the first caller and is happy to hear Artie back on the radio.
10:32 pm EST: We also just got these two comments on the blog, though they’re not showing up for some reason. So, I’m posting them here: “Welcome back, Baby Gorilla! We love you!” and “Arty very happy to see you are doing well. You are the best. Too fat to fish was.the first book i szpent money on in over twenty years. You will be back better than ever. If you need a friend when you come to Brooklyn or someone to talk to call me. Say hello to your mom and.sister for me.”
10:38 pm EST: Rich “Goose” Gossage, former New Yorks Yankees, pitcher is now on the phone as the show’s first guest. Pretty safe to say Artie’s not going to talk about his personal life in this segment.
11 pm EST: Heading into commercial Nick and Artie promise to talk about the Casey Anthony trial, which is good, because I can’t take much more sports talk. I know. It’s a sports show. But I’m only listening for Artie and Nick.
11:05 pm EST: Nick says it again. Artie looks great, “like a young Gavin MacCleod.” Artie is reading Keith Richards’ book now, he says, claiming that heroin actually preserves you. You just can’t do too much at one time. They’ve shifted to the Casey Anthony trial. And Lange makes this crack: “I was outraged by the verdict, I don’t think she lied to police.” And, another one: “I would date her in a second. I think it would be good publicity.”
11:18 pm EST: Looks like television personality and sports chick Jillian Barberie has tuned in.

11:20 pm EST: Roy from Maine is the night’s second caller asking about something or other about the Casey Anthony trial. Keith in LA is the third caller and gives Artie a “FIRE.” “We’re happy you’re back right now,” he tells Artie. He asks Artie who he thinks should replace Clarence Clemons from Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band. “This aint Sirius unfortunately,” Artie says after someone gets booted from the phone line after cussing.
11:27 pm EST: The fourth caller finally brings up the Howard Stern Show to Artie, saying he’d love to see Artie back on the show. “That would be the greatest thing ever,” Artie says. “I was on the greatest show of all time for nine years but I put them in a very awkward situation to say the least. But I love all of them.”
11:52 pm EST: Here’s a photo of Nick and Artie in the studio tonight!

11:54 pm EST: Artie gives a shout out to Dottie the counselor who helped Artie get sober at Ambrosia rehab center in Florida on Singer Island. “I’ve been in more rehabs than Larry King’s had wives,” Artie says.
12:20 pm EST: They’re on the phone with a dude from Yahoo! Sports now talking about the NFL lockout. I’m starting to zone out, to be honest.
12:57 pm EST: Well, I’ve never listened to this much sports radio in my entire life. It probably won’t happen again anytime soon. But it was a treat to hear Nick and especially Artie in good spirits. Artie says he might show up to Nick’s show tomorrow at Carolines in New York. Also, Artie confirms, “I’m writing a second book. I guess they’ll be more crazy stories in there.” Show is over!

ROBIN ZANDER TURNS COUNTRY FOR SOLO RECORD:

Cheap Trick frontman Robin Zander is to release his second solo album November 22. Countryside Blvd. was recorded in Nashville in 2010. Press release: "This unique group of musicians, songwriters, and singers gathered in Nashville last year and recorded 12 songs. In that place and time they have captured a fresh country sound with a combination of musical styles. The songs were written and sung by Robin Zander along with a few classics. The album features Sarah Buxton, Tom Bukovac, Pat Buchanan, Chad Cromwell, J.T. Corenflos, Dan Dugmore, Tim Lauer, Glen Worf, Larry Franklin, Perry Coleman, Robin T. Zander and the Countryside Singers. "I'm hopeful that when people discover this album that it's as fun to listen to as it was to record" states Sara Buxton.
"I've always wanted to do a record in Nashville and this is it." says Robin Zander, "To have these musicians of this calibre record my songs for Countryside Blvd. was one experience I won't soon forget. Thanks to all for doing one hell of a record." Available in May on Big3 Records & Tapes.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers have hired controversial British artist Damien Hirst to design the cover for their new album.
The record is titled I’m With You, and is due out at the end of August.
Says vocalist Anthony Kiedis of Hirst’s cover: “It’s an image. It’s art. Iconic. We didn’t give it it’s meaning but it’s clearly open to interpretation.”
You can see the cover below.
Find out more at www.redhotchilipeppers.com

Van Halen Ready To Release Single?

Van Halen Ready To Release Single?

mdome / News, Top Posts / 04/07/2011 15:40pm

David Lee Roth has posted a slightly cryptic message on his official website, fuelling speculation that Van Halen are ready to release a new single.
The message just says: ‘Get ready…’ – and if you want to see this for yourself, then go to www.davidleeroth.com
The band – also featuring guitarist Eddie Van Halen, bassist Wolfgang Van Halen and drummer Alex Van Halen – have been working on a new album with producer John Shanks since the start of the year. This is expected out during the autumn, and will be the first new studio album with Diamond Dave since 1984.
Van Halen have also confirmed their participation in Australia’s Soundwave Revolution touring festival.
Dates are as follows:
September
24 – Brisbane
25 – Sydney
30 – Melbourne
October
1 – Adelaide
3 – Perth
For further details go to www.soundwaverevolution.com

RATT Vocalist Stephen Pearcy Releases New Solo Single Via iTunes

Rock Hard

Posted on Wednesday, July 06, 2011 at 01:22:52 EST

RATT vocalist Stephen Pearcy's has issued his new solo single, 'Too Much Is Never Enough', via iTunes. The song is taken from his new album Sucker Punch, due to be released before the end of the year. Go to this location to check out the song and to download.



In live news, Pearcy has the following shows booked:

July
23 - Royalton, MN - Halfway Jam

August
13 - West Allis, WI - Wisconsin State Fair

October
8 - San Antonio, TX - Back Stage Live

As previously reported, Episode #113 of the Iron City Rocks podcast featuring Pearcy is now available. He discusses the recording of Sucker Punch, his unique vocal style, the future of Ratt, the possibility of a retrospective live album and/or DVD and much more.

SCOPIONS Drummer Autobiography!

Former Scorpions drummer Herman Rarebell is to publish his autobiography in the autumn.
To be titled And Speaking Of Scorpions…, it’s being described as ‘the definitive history of the band’, although as Rarebell was only there from 1977-1983, and again from 1984-1995, and the band have been going since 1965, it’s hardly gonna be first hand info all the way.
Find out more at http://www.hermanrarebell.com/

VIDEO: Steven Tyler rocks Boston

VIDEO: Steven Tyler rocks Boston

Steven Tyler did some rocking of his own while he was in Boston last week.

The Aerosmith singer attended Boston Common magazine's summer bash last Wednesday at the House Of Blues, and jumped on stage with the house band to perform a few songs.

Tyler did “Last Child” (from 1976’s “Rocks”) and was joined by blues harmonica player James Montgomery on the classic Aerosmith cover, "Walkin’ The Dog."

While at the event, Steven was asked by FoxNews about his status for next season’s American Idol. “We’re in negotiations,” he answered; as for fellow judges Randy Jackson and Jennifer Lopez, Tyler said, “I don’t know. We’re all in negotiations right now.”

As for Aerosmith, the band just announced a tour of Japan for this fall - tickets will go on sale beginning July 23rd with presales TBD.

Aerosmith

Steven Tyler – Last Child / Walkin’ The Dog
House Of Blues – Boston, MA – June 29, 2011


Steven Tyler - Last Child
House Of Blues – Boston, MA – June 29, 2011

Mark Tremonti Spills More Details on New Van Halen Album

|

07.05.2011

As previously reported on Gibson.com, Alter Bridge/Creed guitarist Mark Tremonti recently spent some time at Van Halen’s 5150 studio listening to material from the band’s forthcoming album. The as-yet-untitled CD will be the group’s first with singer David Lee Roth since 1984’s…err, 1984.
Tremonti appeared recently on Colorado’s 94.3 KILO Radio and divulged more details on his visit.
“What makes it so great,” he told host Ross Ford, “is that they took what they could from all their old demos back in the ’80s and pretty much did what they could to create songs out of old ideas. So it sounds like vintage Van Halen. Musically, it sounds in the era. I didn’t hear any vocals — David [Lee Roth] was not there. It was just [Eddie, Alex and Wolfgang Van Halen] and the music sounded like very authentic, old-school Van Halen.”
Tremonti said he nearly stepped into hot water when he complimented his pal, Wolfgang.
“I remember commenting on Wolfgang’s bass parts. I said, ‘Man, that was a great chordal thing you did at the end there.’ And then Eddie looked at me and said, ‘How was my part?’ [I said], ‘Dude, you’re Eddie Van Halen. Your part is incredible every single time!’ He was very, very nice. I couldn’t have had a better experience.”

Soundgarden open first tour in 14 years in Toronto

Sunday, July 3, 2011

VIDEO: Soundgarden open first tour in 14 years in Toronto

Soundgarden kicked off their first full tour in 14 years Saturday night at the Molson Amphitheatre in Toronto.

"Welcome to the first show of the first tour in 13, 14 years," said vocalist Chris Cornell before adding, "This is the best place to start. It sounds like bulls**t, but it's not bulls**t.”

The 2-hour show started with “Black Rain,” the previously unreleased which was recorded during the 1991 “Badmotorfinger” sessions and finally surfaced on last year’s career retrospective, “Telephantasm.”

The month-long tour hit London, Ontario Sunday night and will hit Ottawa, Uncasville, CT and Newark, NJ this week.

Soundgarden have been in the studio working on a new album this year, which is 80% done, according to drummer Matt Cameron.

"We're going to record a couple of more songs in August when we get back from tour and then hopefully we can mix it up and put it out," Cameron told Boston rock station WAAF.

Soundgarden
Molson Amphitheatre – Toronto, ON – July 2, 2011

01 - Black Rain
02 - Searching With My Good Eye Closed
03 - Spoonman
04 - Gun
05 - Rusty Cage
06 - Blow Up the Outside World
07 - Let Me Drown
08 - Jesus Christ Pose
09 - My Wave
10 - The Day I Tried to Live
11 - Outshined
12 - Beyond the Wheel
13 - Fell on Black Days
14 - Ugly Truth
15 - Burden in My Hand
16 - Superunknown
17 - Black Hole Sun
18 - 4th of July

Encore:

19 - Face Pollution
20 - Like Suicide
21 - Slaves & Bulldozers

Soundgarden

Soundgarden – Black Rain
Molson Amphitheatre – Toronto, ON – July 2, 2011


Soundgarden – Rusty Cage
Molson Amphitheatre – Toronto, ON – July 2, 2011


Soundgarden – Outshined
Molson Amphitheatre – Toronto, ON – July 2, 2011


Soundgarden – Burden In My Hand
Molson Amphitheatre – Toronto, ON – July 2, 2011


Soundgarden – Black Hole Sun
Molson Amphitheatre – Toronto, ON – July 2, 2011


Soundgarden – Slaves & Bulldozers
Molson Amphitheatre – Toronto, ON – July 2, 2011

KK: I didn’t quit for golf

Former Priest axeman Downing rejects bassist Hill’s explanation of split – while guitarist Tipton comes up with his own theory

---

Side by side: Downing and Tipton

Retired Judas Priest guitarist KK Downing has denied he left the band because he wanted to concentrate on running his golf course.
He surprised fans by announcing his departure just as the metal gods revealed their current world tour would be their last. His statement alluded to dissatisfaction with “management and band elements” but he didn’t elaborate.
Bassist Ian Hill, now Priest’s sole remaining original member, recently suggested Downing wanted to focus on his nine-hole course at his Shropshire home of Astbury Hall.
But Downing has rubbished the suggestion. He says: “I love Iain as a brother and nothing will ever change that – but his take on the situation is inaccurate, and the people from the press has no license to jump in and take what they thought was a cheap scoop out of what Ian thought the situation was.
“My golf course is not, and was never, the reason for not doing the tour with Judas Priest.
“I have had in place since last September the world’s leading golf management company. The course has been open and running smoothly.
“Anyone who has ever known me will testify that I’ve always been dedicated to Judas Priest and the fans – and nothing has ever stopped me from touring until now. I stand by my original statement on the matter.
“Athough I am not there, I wish for the name Judas Priest to forever be triumphant. I have no doubt the tour is sensational and I urge you all again not to miss this one.”
Meanwhile, guitarist Glenn Tipton has come up with his own reason for the split.
He tells RushOnRock: “KK decided to retire and we have to respect his decision. He told us last December but we didn’t say anything and gave him some time, probably hoping he’d change his mind – but he didn’t.
“He’s had some problems with his wrist and I think he looked at another world tour and didn’t think he could pull it off again. He must have thought seriously about his decision.”
Priest are touring with new guitarist Richie Faulkner, and have begun work on an album with him. Tipton adds: “He’s enjoyed his time with us from the word go. I said to him at the start, ‘If there are any tricky parts and you need me to show you how to play them, I’m here.’ After an hour or two he was showing me stuff.”

GEORGE LYNCH - "I've Got A Record With Jeff Pilson And Mick Brown; We Are Calling It TOOTH AND NAIL, That's DOKKEN Without Don"

Hot Flashes

Posted on Tuesday, July 05, 2011 at 02:56:15 EST

Guitar legend George Lynch (LYNCH MOB, ex-DOKKEN) is featured in a new interview with Jeb Wright at Classic Rock Revisited. An excerpt is available below:



Jeb: The album coming out is called Kill All Control. It is officially a George Lynch solo album. As I understand it, this was not going to be the case. It was to be a SOULS OF WE album.

George: "It was a follow up to Let the Truth Be Known but we had some complications in the singer department and our record that was to take five weeks to finish ended up taking two years. We have four singers on it, which really turned out to be a happy accident. I have no regrets; we made it work. People seem to really dig the record so; somehow, it all seems to have worked out."

Jeb: Was all the music written but there was no singer?

George: "I write all my records that way. The vocals are always an afterthought. We basically laid all the music down. We got in a room for ten days and started jamming. We had no ideas; we just let it all flow and we captured it. We rehearsed it up a bit and we went in the studio for two weeks and we laid it all down. Then we spent the next two years working on vocals."

Jeb: I thought you were exaggerating that the vocals took two years. You’re serious.

George: "It really did. It is not that it takes that long to do the vocals but we had singers coming and going and things happened, like I had to go out on tour with Lynch Mob. It was a bunch of different things. It wasn’t that we worked for two straight years as everyone had to do other things to make a living. Plus, we had one singer out so we had to get the others and they had to learn the songs and that is a process. It was a bit of work."

Jeb: You mentioned that you have never done a solo, instrumental album. Will we ever really get that?

George: "It is on my radar from some point next year. It will probably not be early next year because I have a lot of other things in the pipeline. I’ve got a record I recorded all the music to with Jeff Pilson and Mick Brown. We are calling it TOOTH AND NAIL, that’s Dokken without Don. The record is called Dump The Chump."

Jeb: No way!

George: "Yeah. Don used to show up for rehearsals about half the time so it would just be the three of us with Jeff singing and we loved it. When the Dokken reunion was not going to happen we just said, 'Why don’t we just do this? This is way cooler.' Many years later, we are doing it and it is just for fun. It is half new material and it is half old Dokken material. We will finish that up around the end of the year because Jeff is busy with FOREIGNER and I am busy with several things."

Click here for the complete interview.



Kill All Control is set for release on July 19th through Rocket Science, Inc. The new track, 'Son Of Scary', is now streaming online at this location.

What began as a follow-up to the Souls Of We debut, Let The Truth Be Known, George quickly realized the project was taking on a new direction with the addition of POWERMAN 5000 drummer, Adrian Ost. While writing with Souls Of We singer, London LeGrand (BRIDES OF DESTRUCTION), George noted, “The creative juices flowed and we wrote most of the CD in 10 days.”

Kill All Control combines many of Lynch’s varied styles and histories, including a reflection back to earlier days which spawned a follow up to the instrumental Dokken track, 'Mr.Scary', called 'Son Of Scary', featuring Fred Coury of CINDERELLA on drums. Additional guests on the album include a variety of known singers. Will Marten (EARSHOT), Marc Torien (BULLETBOYS), and Keith St. John (MONTROSE) all joined in on the new album in which George hopes he was able “to create an eclectic listening experience for my fans.”

In 2009, George re-formed Lynch Mob and released Smoke And Mirrors, which resulted in an extended tour and the reuniting of the original Lynch Mob Line-up, to the delight of many fans. Lynch Mob are currently also working on a new album, due out later this year.

Lynch came to fame in the 1980s through his work as the lead guitarist in the band Dokken. Dokken had a string of successful platinum albums including Under Lock and Key and Back For The Attack, both of which featured Lynch’s inventive and intricate guitar work.

The tracklisting for Kill All Control is:

'Kill All Control'
'Brank New Day'
'Done'
'Flys On The Wall'
'Wicked Witch'
'Man On Fire'
'Voices In My Head'
'Resurrect'
'Here Comes The Sun'
'My Enemy'
'Son Of Scary'

Listen to the track 'Wicked Witch' at this location.

New Photos of Van Halen and Family

New Photos of Van Halen and Family

Sunday, 3 July 2011

Today, Valerie Bertinelli posted these family photos from last night to her twitter page.

“Janie joins us even tho she’s workin hard in her aerial show”

“Having fun at The Supper Club!”

“More fun with my boy and his girl”

David Lee Roth’s Cryptic Message

David Lee Roth’s Cryptic Message

Saturday, 2 July 2011

From today. Just two words.
http://DavidLeeRoth.com/

More From Tremonti: New Van Halen Music Sounds Like OLD SCHOOL VAN HALEN

More From Tremonti: New Van Halen Music Sounds Like OLD SCHOOL VAN HALEN

Friday, 1 July 2011

.

As we reported earlier, Alter Bridge/Creed guitarist Mark Tremonti is good friends with Wolfgang Van Halen and was recently invited to 5150 studios, where Eddie, Alex, and Wolfgang Van Halen performed their not-yet-released new record live in the studio, from front to back. He called the experience “Incredible.” Yesterday, a bit more details emerged as Tremonti called in to Ross Ford’s morning radio show on 94.3 KILO in Colorado and spoke more about his recent trip to 5150.

Describing more about the experience, Mark says, ‘Wolfie asked if me and my buddy Eric wanted to go checkout rehearsals the next day over at his dad’s house. And I said (laughs) “Of course!” (laughs) So he picked me up the next day and we drove to this big, gated home and we get to 5150 studios. It was just me, my buddy Eric, Wolfie and Eddie in one room, and then Alex was in the other room behind some plexiglass, and then they played down the entire new album. What makes it so great is that they took what they could from all their old demos back in the ’80′s and pretty much did what they could to create songs out of old ideas, so it sounds like vintage Van Halen. Musically it sounds in the [early '80's] era. I didn’t hear any vocals – David was not there. It was just the three of them and the music sounded like very authentic, old school Van Halen. It was a just a crazy experience to sit there and watch. Eddie was four feet from me, and Wolfie was on the other side. The guys were very excited to be doing what they’re doing.
‘I remember commenting on Wolfgang’s bass parts – I said, “Man, that was a great chordal thing you did at the end there.” And then Eddie looked at me and joked, “Wha..wha..wha.. how was MY part?” (laughs) [I said], “Dude, you’re Eddie Van Halen. Your part is incredible every single time! (laughs). He was very, very nice. I couldn’t have had a better experience.”
When talking about his friendship with Wolfgang, Mark says, “He’s just a good, good guy. Every time I see him he’s a very positive, humble guy. Being the son of Eddie Van Halen, you don’t know what you’d expect, but he’s the nicest guy in the world. He’s more talented than anybody. He’s a drummer, guitar player, bass player, and great singer. I think that when you learn young, you become that much better and he’s been doing it since he was a baby, so he’s a very, very talented guy. We call him Wolfie.”

VAN HALEN - NEW ALBUM RUMOUR ROUND-UP:

Dear rabid Van Halen fans - if you are looking for a factually infallible, dead on, "here are the facts" news update....this ain't it!
But seriously, a news report that does fit that description isn't far away as David Lee Roth tells us to "Get Ready..." (www.davidleeroth.com) and Van Halen actually open up a Facebook page (www.facebook.com/VanHalen). And Alter Bridge/Creed guitarist Mark Tremonti (friend of Wolfgang) starts yakking after sitting in on the trio of Van Halen's playing new songs live in the studio - reporting back that the band used ''old demos for inspiration for new material" (www.vhlinks.com/vbforums/mark-tremonti-new-t52379.html).
Plus the band are also hitting to road for the first time since 2007 with dates in Australia in 10 weeks' time. So we know something's happening right?
Right! But when are we going to really hear something official and when will we hear the first new Van Halen material since 2004 and the first new album with David Lee Roth since 1983? Soon folks....

What we know is that the album is done and mixed...John Shanks finishing production work on it earlier this year (with other producer names likely to appear inside the album credits.) The rumoured album title is VH '11, 2011 (or Two Zero One One to be precise) and all rumours point to a mid/late September release.
A single was again rumoured to hit airwaves this weekend, but failed to happen.
What I have previously stated is that I personally believe the new album will be released in October, after Van Halen return home from Australia and a single could likely appear late this month or in August.

I am hoping to have some more precise information from a source close to official goings on later this week. Stay tuned...


But in the meantime, I was contacted last week by an anonymous source with a summary of rumours and "inside" information they happened to be privy to. Ok....due to the demand from fans wanting to hear about anything Van Halen related to keep them busy while counting down the seconds to hell freezing over (the new album appearing in store), here is a summary of the information I was sent.
This is certainly not being printed as gospel or fact, but merely as yet another in the series of much loved Van Halen Rumor Reports that have been printed over the last decade of this band's colourful history. So with that disclaimer in place....here goes folks....


RUMOUR ROUND UP!

- Eddie Van Halen was apparently prepared to tour again with no new album, reluctant to produce new songs. David Lee Roth and especially Wolfgang Van Halen wanted to record new tracks. Wolfgang Van Halen finally convinced his father that he didn't want to go out on tour to replace Michael Anthony, with no new material and without David Lee Roth's input.

- It is suggested that the music was the main thing in EVH's mind and David Lee Roth was asked only to contribute lyrics.

- Seventeen songs were prepared in demo form. One was an instrumental. Fourteen songs were properly recorded. This includes the instrumental. A couple of tracks are likely to be held over as bonus tracks for various uses. Management are currently negotiating with specialist retailers for a deal to release the album, with these bonus tracks possible to make an appearance if an agreement is reached.
- Because of distributing/promotion matters, the release date of first single is still up in the air, although it will (apparently) 'definitely' happen no later than 2nd week of August. The album is expected to be ready to ship in September. [I still say October...].
- Only two tracks feature keyboards of any type. One is the instrumental which briefly features piano. The other features keyboards in the intro, and 'lightly' in the chorus.

- Although Wolfang Van Halen did not write any of the lyrics to the new album, he had a bass solo he was preparing that he titled "Hurricanes", for which David Lee Roth wrote lyrics with the same working title. It is unclear if this song will be included on the album, but it was recorded in demo-form.

- The album title has not been chosen at this point. Many rumours have surfaced... Two likely working titles may be in the running which are "VH '11" and "Two Zero One One". Rumored titles that have not been officially dismissed by band members however are "Mammoth" and "Play".
This information has surfaced because of proposed artwork for the new album which at this point features a brown circle on a glass table with a silver and red Van Halen logo emblazoned upon it (the circle which looks like an M&M). There is a rumour that the brown circle is supposed to represent both the "Brown Sound" of Van Halen and also the infamous M&M chocolate candy contract rider of years past. The proposed artwork does not show all edges of the circle due to a possible 'infringement' with the candy-maker. Rather the outer edges of the circle are 'cut-off' by the square-edged artwork. The reverse side of the album jacket features all four members standing by a garden like area shot in a sepia tone. This photo and others were taken in May on the grounds of Edward Van Halen's studio, 5150. Inner booklet/lyric sheets photos were also shot in and around 5150. [Not sure about this folks...but I guess we'll know soon enough...]

- Two songs recorded have been selected as singles. One song sounding like an early era Van Halen combination of "Beautiful Girls/Jamie's Crying", and the other song sounding more in the vein of "Unchained"/"Drop Dead Legs" (this one features a very lengthy guitar solo by comparison).

- Although no song titles are 'confirmed' at this point, some of the 'working' song titles were/are: "Hurricanes", "Stop Talking" (which is one of the possible first two singles), "Down This Road", and "Who's Looking Back At You?". Other titles have been mentioned, only these four keep resurfacing.

So what do you think folks? It could be a rather detailed exclusive inside look at what's to come...or...not! It's a fun read at very least and further heightens the anticipation of the album and official information. Information I'll do my best to bring forth ASAP. But until then, enjoy the speculation!