Tim Abrigg Jr.'s Rock and Roll News Of The Day!: Today's Day In Rock News!

Tim Abrigg Jr.'s Rock and Roll News Of The Day!: Today's Day In Rock News!: Today's Top Stories Metallica Considered Making Lars Lead Singer Metallica at one point in their early career briefly conside...

Today's Day In Rock News!

Today's Top Stories

Metallica Considered Making Lars Lead Singer

Metallica at one point in their early career briefly considered making drummer Lars Ulrich their lead singer. This is according to the band's former manager Jon 'Jonny Z' Zazula.
It's been well documented that frontman James Hetfield was nervous about his singing abilities in the early days of the band and the group considered brining in another singer, including Armored Saint and former Anthrax vocalist John Bush.

But one surprising person that the band considered was band cofounder Lars Ulrich. Zazula, who managed the band in 1982, tells Metal Hammer, "Lars and I planned a lot of stuff. But James wasn't the most confident of singers. I don't think he felt comfortable.

"At one point there was even talk of Lars becoming the frontman." But Zazula quickly added, "For about five seconds." As history records, Hetfield got over his nerves and the band went on to recording their debut album "Kill 'Em All."




Ritchie Blackmore Addresses Rainbow Album And Tour Speculation(Classic Rock)


Former Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore has bad news for fans hoping that his new version of Rainbow will record an album and launch a tour following their previously announced special live appearances.
Blackmore says in a new interview that he has no plans to continue the project beyond their three special concerts in June and he remains committed to his Renaissance-themed band Blackmore's Night.

His comments come after Rainbow bassist Bob Curiano said the band were ready to record any time they were asked, and former singer Joe Lynn Turner said the band's legacy would be tarnished if no studio work was undertaken.

Asked if there's any chance of a world tour, Blackmore tells SpazioRock: "No. Also, there will not be any new studio album. I thought I'd just get back to playing the old songs one more time. My commitment lies with Blackmore's Night - this is just a few dates for fun." Read more here.




AC/DC Were Not Required To Offer Refunds For Axl Rose Shows(Classic Rock)


An spokesperson says AC/DC made the decision to offer refunds on their shows with Axl Rose because they wanted "to do right by their fans," even though they were not legally required to do so.
The band hired Guns N' Roses frontman Rose as their guest vocalist after Brian Johnson was ordered to stop touring or risk going deaf. Rose will sing with Angus Young and co on the remainder of their Rock Or Bust tour dates.

Last week, ticket retailers contacted fans saying they could request a refund on those dates if they wish - a move the band say was their call. A spokesman for AC/DC tells TeamRock: "The band made a decision to offer this. As they care about their fans and wanted to do right by them, they instructed local promoters to offer refunds."

A spokeswoman for the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) confirmed the band were under no legal obligation to offer refunds. The spokeswoman says: "Our CTSI lead officer for fair trading can confirm that there is no legal obligation for the ticket sellers to refund in this case. It is a goodwill gesture." Read more here.




Slipknot's Corey Taylor Appears In Sharknado 4(TeamRock Radio)


Slipknot and Stone Sour frontman Corey Taylor has revealed that he has a "weird cameo" in Sharknado 4, which is set to premiere on the Syfy Network on July 31st.
The latest installment of the surprise hit series, "Sharknado: The 4th Awakens." will include returning stars Ian Ziering, Tara Reid and David Hasselhoff and Taylor reportedly plays a Shark World hotel security guard in the film, which is set five years after the previous film in the series.

Taylor confirmed his involvement in an interview with Loudwire but refused to share many details. He said, "I shot a weird cameo for Sharknado 4 which is awesome. The thing is, I don't get eaten by a shark. That's all I can tell you about it."

He also talks about a possible future in acting: "I would love to do more acting. In fact, if anyone's listening, I would love to audition for your weird indie horror movie. I'll be zombie number six - and I'll bring my own lunch." Watch the interview here.



Latest News

Blink-182's Hoppus Denies Tom DeLonge Claims(TeamRock Radio)


Blink-182 bassist Mark Hoppus has denied claims made by the band's estranged frontman Tom DeLonge in a Facebook post that the pair recently met, with Hoppus saying they haven't spoken for over a year.
In a Facebook post earlier this week, DeLonge, who split with the band last year, insisted he still had a future with Blink and claimed he had spoken with Hoppus over the last few days.

But Hoppus says he actually hasn't had contact with DeLonge in 18 months. The bassist tells Kevin Kline Live (via Rolling Stone): "I haven't even spoken to Tom in a year and a half."

And when asked if working with DeLonge at some point in the future was on the cards, Hoppus responds: "That is something so far down the road to even be a possibility. Read more here.




Led Zeppelin Stairway To Heaven Trial Delayed(hennemusic)

The trial for the copyright infringement lawsuit over Led Zeppelin's signature song, "Stairway To Heaven", has been delayed from a May 10 start to June 14.
Los Angeles federal judge Gary Klausner ruled on the date change on Tuesday, according to MyNewsLA.com. The suit - brought by Randy California's estate and members of Spirit by trustee Michael Skidmore - claims the acoustic introduction to 1971's "Stairway" was lifted from their 1968 instrumental "Taurus."

Klausner previously ruled that the jury trial would last less than a week and attorneys would have no more than 10 hours per side to present evidence. Led Zeppelin's lawyers said in court papers that defendants Jimmy Page and Robert Plant would probably not attend the trial, with video depositions filmed in the United Kingdom to be shown to the jury instead.

The plaintiff's attorneys have suggested that they would settle if the band pays Skidmore $1 - and gives Randy California a songwriting credit on the iconic tune. Read more and listen to both tracks here.



Aerosmith's Steven Tyler Rocks Janis Joplin Classic


Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler has been exploring country music with his new solo music, but that hasn't stopped him from returning to his classic rock roots when performing live.
Tyler rocked a version of the Janis Joplin classic "Piece of My Heart" during his show at the David Geffen Hall at New York City's Lincoln Center for Performing arts on Monday night (May 2nd).

The rocker turned country songster performed some of his new solo songs during the set, as well as a number of classic Aerosmith tracks and EW.com reports that he told the NYC crowd, "Don't forget I'm from f-ing New York City. I was born four blocks from here". Check out fan filmed footage of him performing the Joplin cover here.




Megadeth Frontman Says Online Trolls Need Love Too(Classic Rock)


Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine shared his feelings about social media in a recent interview, attacking the dishonest statements made by anonymous people via the medium, but also saying that internet "trolls need love too."
Mustaine is no stranger to online trolls or negative attacks and false claims online. He spoke about the subject with Fox Action News: "The thing with social media is there's so much dishonesty and anonymity. People will say they've met us, they know us.

"There's something going round that the singer from Paramore is my niece or something. When they said her name I was like, 'I don't know who that is.' Then I looked it up and I went, 'Come on!' Real bright comparison there."

He continues: "You have to have a thick skin. You have to not worry about trolls - because, as funny as this sounds, trolls need love too. You either ignore them or you just kind of love them until they wake up or go away." Read more here.




Ian Anderson In The Studio For Jethro Tull's 'Aqualung' 45th Anniversary(ITS)


Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson is featured in the latest episode of syndicated radio show In The Studio with Redbeard: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands which celebrates the 45th anniversary of the landmark album "Aqualung." The show sent over the following details:
Definitely not your typical rock star, wild-eyed Englishman, Ian Anderson literally leaped onto the London music scene in 1968 at the front of Jethro Tull. His Elizabethan madman look, standing on one leg complete with striped tights and sashes, made him a standout, not to mention his musical weapon of choice being a flute instead of a guitar.

After three critically and moderately successful Jethro Tull albums, in 1971 Ian wrote the songs for Aqualung which include timeless fan favorites "Cross-Eyed Mary", "Locomotive Breath", "Mother Goose", "Hymn #43", the title song "Aqualung" and "My God". Pitting the familiar struggle of spiritual faith with sometimes hypocritical worldly religion (a topic popularized then in other mediums like the musicals Jesus Christ Superstar & Godspell), Aqualung may very well have been the headiest record of its day. Ian Anderson elaborates to InTheStudio host Redbeard.

Anderson says, "The crazy thing about writing an album like Aqualung is that a lot of these things I wrote about were actually what I felt about when I was fifteen or sixteen. I don't feel that different now. Not a lot has changed... It's an important piece of music to me and once in a while there's a kid in the audience, seventeen years old or whatever, for whom it becomes important." Stream the episode here.




3 Doors Down Announce European Tour

3 Doors Down will be heading across the pond this fall. The band announced that they will be following their current North American tour with a European trek in October.
The Euro tour is set to kick off on October 19th in Berlin at Columbiahalle and will conclude on November 6th at the famed Hammersmith Apollo in London.

Frontman Brad Arnold had the following to say about the new dates in support of their latest album 'Us and The Night', "Chris and I had a great time setting up the record in the UK, Paris and Germany this past March and have been looking forward to getting back to Europe for some time now.

"Our European fans have always welcomed us with open arms and been big supporters of our music. We can't wait to be back rocking and playing songs from our newest album 'Us And The Night' for them!"

The band will be on the road across the US and Canada until mid summer, wrapping up their current North American tour in Sioux Falls, SD at the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds on August 9th. See all of their upcoming dates here.




Steve Hackett To Appear At Keith Emerson Tribute Show(Prog)

Steve Hackett has announced that he will perform at Carl Palmer's ELP Legacy show in remembrance of late keyboard icon Keith Emerson. The former Genesis guitarist and Vanilla Fudge keyboardist and vocalist Mark Stein will perform at Pictures At An Exhibition - A Tribute To Keith Emerson at Miami's Olympia Theater on June 24.
The show will feature interpretative dance performances by The Center For Contemporary Dance, cinematic imagery and photo collections. The event is planned as part of ELP drummer Palmer's Remembering Keith - The Music Of Emerson Lake & Palmer Tour.

Palmer says: "I am honoured and grateful that these two iconic musicians have agreed to appear at this special tribute to Keith. I have been working as an instrumental act since 2001, so this will be different and exciting to have Mark Stein on keyboards and vocals and Steve Hackett on guitar for some songs." Read more here.




Danny Worsnop Releases 'Out Without You' Video(TeamRock Radio)

Former Asking Alexandria frontman and current We Are Harlot frontman Danny Worsnop has released a video for his solo track "Out Without You," which comes from his forthcoming debut album "The Prozac Sessions."
The singer previously said that the album was inspired by a series of tragedies that led him into a cycle of substance abuse. He added: "Writing this album has helped me face and overcome so many wounds I had inside me that I was always too scared to even acknowledge.

"This creative process was the best therapy I could have hoped for and I can't wait to share the end product with the world. See you on the other side."

Worsnop exited Asking Alexandria early last year to concentrate on his work with We Are Harlot and was replaced by vocalist Denis Stoff. Watch the video here.




Paul Rodgers Open To Idea Of New Bad Company Music(Classic Rock)

Bad Company's Paul Rodgers is open to the idea of releasing new music with the band. They released their live album Bad Company Live In Concert 1977 & 1979 last month - the only official live release to feature the original lineup of Rodgers, Simon Kirke, Mick Ralphs and Boz Burrell.
And frontman Rodgers says the release - along with last year's reissues of the first two Bad Company albums - have got him thinking about recording new music with the band.

He adds that he and guitarist Mick Ralphs have been writing songs. Rodgers tells UCR: "I didn't have any plans for recording with Bad Company, but the re-releases have made me think again a little bit because it is such a creative outfit.

"I'm writing songs, and I'm sure Mick has some songs, when he decides to come and play with us. 'Who knows,' I think would be the answer to that. And, 'Maybe.'"

While waiting for the possible new album, fans across North America can see them perform live on their current trek with Joe Walsh. Check out the dates here.




Sabaton Reveal Details For New Album 'The Last Stand'(TeamRock Radio)

Sabaton have announced release details of their eighth album entitled The Last Stand. It'll launch on August 19 via Nuclear Blast, and follows 2014's Heroes and recent live package Heroes On Tour.
A final tracklist will be made available in due course - but the band have issued the cover art, which was created by the Swedish outfit's long-term collaborator Peter Sallai.

Bassist Par Sundstrom says: "We had the idea to make an image reflecting soldiers of different times representing the different historical battles we sing about on the new album. This only reveals a small part of the album topics though.

"We always have several ideas for albums to work with. Since there are countless different views and angles of war, we will unfortunately never run out of ideas.

"We felt that the last stand was something perfect for Sabaton. Heroes was a perfect theme and The Last Stand is right down our alley too. It was exciting to do the research." Read more here.




Destruction Release 'Under Attack' Video(TeamRock Radio)

Destruction have released the video for their track "Under Attack," the title song of their forthcoming album, which is due out on May 13 via Nuclear Blast.
Destruction bassist Marcel Schmier says: "We really took our time for this album. After the summer festivals, we went into the studio every couple of weeks to record brand new songs and ideas in between all the touring activities.

"We took several studio sessions instead of one long one, to keep the ideas fresh and have time later before the mix to change bits and pieces that we did not like. Maybe this was the most effective writing we did in the last years.

"Due to the fact we had more time in between the albums, there was a lot of musical output and creativity, but also less pressure. From my point of view, you can definitely hear the crispiness in the songwriting and the kick-ass attitude we brought from the shows into the studio." here.




Singled Out: Save The World's Circus Maximus

Dan Tracey (Alan Parsons Live Project) tells us about the new single "Circus Maximus" from the supergroup power trio Save The World which also features Jon Wysocki (Staind) and award winning producer Robert Wright. Here is the story:
"Circus Maximus" is about how the 24/7 media plays us against each other and poisons us by feeding us the very worst things in society on a daily basis. We wanted the song to be angry and reflect the frustration that many people are feeling today.

The song itself actually came to me as music first. I had the opening guitar riff and I thought it was powerful, so I jumped into my home studio and got all the parts down before I forgot the idea. It all came to me pretty quickly. I went right to the chords for the chorus and shouted out the first few lines, "We lit the fire. Calling the masses, for the world to see." I worked up a quick demo that night and sent it over to Robert Wright our bass player/producer. He responded with "Well, hell yeah!"

After that, the song just kind of sat there for a few months in my archives of other unfinished tunes.

When it came time to pick out songs for the STW album, I am immediately wanted to put this on the record. I thought it was strong, so I started working on refining the lyrics. Nothing was coming at first, and I'm not one to just force things. It's always better for me personally when it just comes out. When it's real, when it's right, you know it. So with that said, my wife of 26 years leaned on me pretty hard one day and said, "Aren't you done with that song yet? I love that tune. Get to work!" Then she took me for a ride way out into the country. Just us two. No radio on. Cruising through the tobacco fields of Tennessee, and boom! It all came rushing out. After that, we headed in to record it. Jon gave it some balls, Robert did his production magic, and it was sent off to the amazing Billy Decker for mixing.

It's worth noting that Robert is an award winning producer and gifted multi-musician. His hands are all over this record. I feel blessed to have someone I can co-create with in a totally egoless situation. It's about the material. The song.

Next up were the visuals to help sell it. Filming the video for this tune was a blast. We had just finished shooting a big budget video (with a jaw dropper ending) for our song "Bleed" a few months earlier. It was long hot days in multiple locations for 14 hrs a day. Conversely, the approach for "Circus Maximus" was to make something great for only a few hundred bucks, and we purposely forced ourselves to shoot it in under 6 hours. The result is a hilarious parody of the media, ala Dumb & Dumber. Our director John Campolo did an amazing job editing. Although it's an amusing observation into today's media, in the end, I think it delivers a powerful message.

Tim Abrigg Jr.'s Rock and Roll News Of The Day!: This Week In Rock News!

Tim Abrigg Jr.'s Rock and Roll News Of The Day!: This Week In Rock News!: Prince Dead At 57(Classic Rock) Prince has died at the age of 57, his publicist has confirmed. After reports claimed the artist – f...

This Week In Rock News!

Prince Dead At 57(Classic Rock)

Prince has died at the age of 57, his publicist has confirmed. After reports claimed the artist – full name Prince Rogers Nelson – was found dead in the studio at his home in Chanhassen, Minnesota, his spokesperson Yvette Noel-Schure confirmed the news to the Associated Press.
And Carver County Chief Deputy Jason Kamerud told US TV network Fox 9 that they responded to a medical call at 9.43am. The cause of death has not yet been revealed.

Prince was hospitalized last week after his jet made an emergency landing in Moline, Illinois on Friday. He had performed in Atlanta, Georgia, on Friday night, suffering from the flu.

Two previous shows in Atlanta were cancelled. After being treated for three hours at Trinity Moline Hospital, the singer was released and went home to his Paisley Park estate in Minnesota. Read more here.



Stones, McCartney, Dylan, The Who Megafestival Confirmed By Daltrey


The Who frontman Roger Daltrey appears to confirm in an interview that a new three-day mega-festival featuring a who's who of classic rock legends is in-fact being organized.
The Los Angeles Times broke the news that Coachella Festival organizers were putting together a new event this fall that will reportedly feature Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, The Who and Roger Waters.

When asked about it, Daltrey told Postmedia Network (via ABC Radio), "I think it's us and Roger Waters on the same day. I mean it's a fantastic idea for a festival. It's the greatest remains of our era. I'm glad we made it!"

The Times reported that the festival will take place over three days in Indio, California, where the Coachella festival is held, and will have Bob Dylan and The Rolling Stones playing the first night on October 7th, Paul McCartney playing the second night and The Who and Roger Waters playing the final night.

So far the festival plans have not been officially confirmed by organizers.




Former Member Reportedly Insults Guns N' Roses

A former longtime Guns N' Roses member reportedly called the band's reunion with Axl Rose, Slash and Duff McKagan "boring" and labeled the group an "Oldies band".
Former keyboard player Chris Pitman, who played with Guns N' Roses for 18-years, allegedly made the negative comments to one of the moderators of the Guns N' Roses Chile Facebook community page, according to Loudwire.

The Facebook page reports that Pittman told the moderator during a chat, "hey brother! ive been off FB for awhile, and yes, I quit the Oldies band, they just wanna repeat that 30 year old music over and over,… boring."

They also report that Pittman then shared the news about his new project, "but gotta killer new band with Danny [Carey] from TOOL and Matthew [Setzer] from Skinny Puppy … and we are really excited! hope your doing great!"

Pitman has previous apologized after making a social media post that disparaged the reunion. "This is a nostalgia tour, please don't mention those who are there the last 20 fkg years," Pitman wrote according to Loudwire. "Oh god no! (a money grab) FU."

He then quickly deleted the posting and later said, "I sincerely apologize to GNR, especially the band and crew, for stupid comments about upcoming tour ..remember kids, don't drink n text!"




Lamb Of God's Randy Blythe Writing Film With Billy Bob Thornton(TeamRock Radio)

Lamb Of God frontman Randy Blythe is working with Oscar-winning actor Billy Bob Thornton and rock photographer Rob Fenn on a music-themed documentary movie.
Entitled You, Me And A '63, it's co-written by the trio, narrated by Thornton and follows Fenn on a journey along the iconic US Route 66 highway. Fenn says: "This film will not only star Marilyn, my 1963 Ford Thunderbird, and myself - but it will be narrated by Billy Bob Thornton.

"So many wonderful and talented people are involved in this film. Another special part is that it's written by Billy Bob Thornton, Randy Blythe and myself. Imagine what will happen with those three creative minds spewing all over a page!" Read more here.




Black Country Communion Supergroup Announce Return(Classic Rock)

Glenn Hughes, Joe Bonamassa, Derek Sherinian and Jason Bonham have confirmed their supergroup Black Country Communion will return next year.
The band split acrimoniously in 2012 after relations broke down between frontman Hughes and guitarist Bonamassa over their differing career priorities.

Now the quartet are set to record a follow-up to third album Afterglow with producer Kevin Shirley, who was also part of the project from the start. Hughes revealed the news on Facebook, saying: "To quote Joe this morning, 'maybe it's time to break out the heavy bats again.'" He later added: "Time is the healer."

Shirley said: "We're refurbishing the fuel tanks and refitting the rocket. Getting ready for takeoff in 2017, and I'm fired up. Who's ready for another dose of BCC?" Read more here.




ZZ Top Cancel More Dates, Reveal Dusty Hill Injury Details

ZZ Top have announced that they were forced to postpone additional tour dates on their North American tour and revealed more details about the injury suffered by Dusty Hill.
The band's dates through May 7th have now been postponed after Hill fractured his shoulder after tripping backstage at the Lone Star Events Center in Lubbock, Texas last Thursday night (April 14th).

The group's manager provided the following details, "Dusty was suited up and ready to go when he tripped on a step while on his way to the stage for the start of Thursday's show. It was very dark back there and the step - really a half-step - wasn't lit so there's no way he could've seen it.

"We found out that others had missed it and stumbled earlier in the day. Maybe some strategic lighting could've prevented this, but that's water under the bridge. What's important now is that Dusty and his medical team to do what's necessary for a complete recovery."

Hill adds, "My physicians told me that this type of injury is usually associated with contact sports. I'm not sure bass-playing qualifies as such but they're doing their best to get me back in the game as soon as possible. Thanks to everyone for all the good wishes we've received. We're determined to enjoy a speedy recovery and to see you soon!"

The band will soon announce the rescheduled dates for the postponed shows in Shreveport, LA; Biloxi, MS; Lake Charles, LA; Chattanooga, TN; Augusta, GA; Atlanta, GA; Sarasota, FL; Naples, FL; Clearwater, FL; and Shawnee, OK.




Megadeth's Dave Mustaine Calls Out 'Terrible Lie' About His Reputation(TeamRock Radio)


Dave Mustaine says that it's a "terrible lie" that he is difficult to work with. The Megadeth frontman has gained a reputation as one of the most divisive personalities in metal - particularly in the years following his expulsion from Metallica in 1983.
While he admits that their temporary drummer, Lamb Of God's Chris Adler, might have been afraid to share his own ideas with the frontman at first, he says it's a "bummer" when strangers approach him and say that they expected him to be an "a-hole."

He tells Elliot In The Morning: "Let's not kid ourselves. Unfortunately, there's a terrible lie out there about me and my reputation, how difficult I am to work with, and Chris will attest now, after working together, that it's B.S.

"I don't care about it. I think it's kind of a bummer, though, sometimes when people, for the first time, come up to you. It's such a pregnant pause when people will meet you and go, 'God, you know, I heard you were such an a-hole,' and you just kind of look at them, like, 'Uh-huh.'

He continues: "This reminds me of when I was a kid and my first dance. I went up to a girl and I asked her to dance, and she said 'no,' and I walked away and I thought, 'Screw you! You don't know what you're missing.' And I figured I would commence to destroy her reputation in school.

"I'm kidding, of course, but that's kind of what we do when we get any kind of rejection; we make the other person out to be really horrible." Read more and stream the full interview here.




Flying Burrito Brothers' Gib Guilbeau Dead At 78(Classic Rock)


Former Flying Burrito Brother Gib Guilbeau has died at the age of 78. Guilbeau's cause of death was not confirmed, but the Burrito Brothers issued a statement.
They wrote, "Gib was a beautiful guy, great singer and songwriter. One of the last of the early wave (1968-75) of Flying Burrito Brothers. He died last night.

"It was an honor to play a couple of times with him. Thoughts and prayers go out to Ronnie and the rest of the Guilbeau family. Thanks, Gib, for the music." Read more here.




Bret Michaels Hopes Poison Will Regroup Following Rikki's Cancer Fight(Classic Rock)


Poison singer Bret Michaels says he'll wait for Rikki Rockett to recover from his cancer battle before deciding on whether or not the band will play together live again.
Rockett developed a tumor on his tongue last summer and underwent nine rounds of chemotherapy followed by 35 radiotherapy sessions. And although Michaels recently reported he was hopeful Poison would soon play together again for the first time since 2012, he now says wants to see Rockett back to full health before deciding on the band's future.

Michaels tells Eddie Trunk Live (via Blabbermouth): "Right now we've all got a prayer out for Rikki and his health - we hope that it's great. And that's number one.

"He's working really hard. But I think if all goes great, which it will, I'm hoping in the very near future we go out there and do some amazing shows together." Read more here.




Wolfmother's Stockdale Sees Rock Gaining Popularity(TeamRock Radio)


Wolfmother mainman Andrew Stockdale believes rock is enjoying an upsurge in popularity and that the genre has a bright future. The Australian rockers released their fourth album Victorious earlier this year and Stockdale says he only needs to look at his own band's audience to see that rock is thriving.
Stockdale tells the WikiMetal podcast: "I think that people who love rock'n'roll seem to love it even more now. They seem like they wanna see it continue and grow. It's nice.

"People who come to Wolfmother gigs, whatever kind of music they're into - whether it's electro, pop, folk, metal - they usually like it. They walk away and they get it. There's something in it for everyone."

The singer/guitarist adds that rock is one of the few genres that appeal to people of all ages. He says: "Since we started we've had all kinds - young and old, kids to grandparents and 20-somethings out there partying. It's always been a bit of everything. The last few gigs we've played I've noticed a new wave of the new 20-year-old kids who are getting into it." Read more here.




Flaming Lips Perform David Bowie Classic On Colbert(Radio.com)


Days after releasing an official music video for their cover of David Bowie's "Space Oddity," The Flaming Lips performed the song live on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
The avant-garde production emphasizes just how strongly Bowie influenced the band's aesthetic. In his introduction, Colbert quipped, ""My next guests hail from space…or Oklahoma."

Frontman Wayne Coyne wore an LED sequined scarf, which lit like a Christmas tree, and once again the Lips were joined by Chewbacca for the extraterrestrial tribute flung from a galaxy far, far away. Appearing on Chewie's shoulders has become a regular thing for Flaming Lips vocalist--at a Carnegie Hall Bowie tribute this month, the Star Wars icon made a similar appearance for the Lips cover of "Life on Mars." Watch it here.




Nikki Sixx Says Motley Crue Album Experience Was Difficult(New Rock Times)


Nikki Sixx says working with John Corabi 'was hard' due to the latter's lack of natural ability to write lyrics. Reflecting on the only album which Motley Crue released without long time frontman Vince Neil, Sixx recalls working with John Corabi on vocals in 1994 as a difficult time which resulted in a 'very unfocused record.'
The Motley Crue bassist tells Sweden Rock Magazine: "I've gotta tell you, I think it was a very unfocused record. It was painful for me, because John Corabi can't write lyrics, and I had to do all that work.

"It was the first time I ever had to work with somebody that wanted to participate in the lyrics. And my standard is so high that it was just… It was so hard, it took months... Usually, I write a set of lyrics in an hour. And it's all about having pent-up information and aggression and just [letting it out]. And it was just hard, because he was… a nice enough guy, but he just didn't have that fire, and it was hard for me."

He goes on: "And I just felt like Bob Rock really got us… 'Cause we just really wanted to get the riffs going and stuff, and he captured that. But in general, there's like… 'Hooligan's Holiday''s a good song. 'Poison Apples', I think, was a good song. But in general, it felt like a great-sounding record, but a little bit unfocused. That's just me. Like, the choruses weren't big enough. But it was just hard." Read more here.





Mike Rowe Apologizes To Metallica's James Hetfield For Lars Mistake(Classic Rock)


TV host Mike Rowe has apologized to Metallica frontman James Hetfield after mistaking him for drummer Lars Ulrich. The broadcaster was dining outside when Hetfield approached him to praise his work on skilled trade shows such as Deadliest Catch, Dirty Jobs and Somebody's Gotta Do It.
Rowe admits that he initially failed to recognise the singer after he humbly said he played in a "local rock band" and, upon discovering that he was in Metallica, then mistook Hetfield for his drummer bandmate, Ulrich.

In his Facebook post, Rowe says he's usually good at remembering people's names - but blames his social faux pas on drinking mimosas in warm weather and failing to control his excited dog during the "botched encounter."

He says: "Thank you for being so gracious and saying such kind things about my foundation. I was very flattered. I also wish to apologies - not just for failing to recognize you - but for not recognizing you in front of your charming niece from Buenos Aires.

"It must have been very strange for her to watch her uncle - one of the greatest singers in the history of rock and roll - introduce himself to a guy with a psychopathic dog and no idea who he was. And it must have been especially gratifying for you, when I tried to recover by calling you Lars Ulrich - the first named that popped into my head when my synapses started firing off bad information." Read more here.




Monuments Pull Out Of The Contortionist's American Tour(TeamRock Radio)


Monuments have pulled out of their North American tour with The Contortionist for financial reasons. Monuments are one of three support acts for The Contortionist's run of dates, along with Entheos and Sleepmakeswaves.
Monuments' involvement in the tour got off to a bad start when vocalist Chris Barretto pulled out for personal reasons, leading the band to play instrumental sets instead. And 16 shows into the trek, they've had to pull out.

Monuments say: "We must regrettably inform you that Baltimore will be the last show for us on tour with the contortionist, Entheos and Sleepmakeswaves. We've tried everything in our power to continue to the end of the tour, but financially, we just can't make it happen." Read more here.




New Found Glory's Chad Gilbert Shares His Humble Approach(TeamRock Radio)


New Found Glory's Chad Gilbert says bands should remain down-to-earth onstage, as there are "a million people" that can probably play their instruments better than them.
The guitarist, who has played in the band since 1997, also says the key to an energetic live show is staying humble and performing as though no one is watching.

Gilbert tells Altpress: "You put on an energetic live show. Not a show where you feel above the crowd, or you feel like you're better than anyone that's watching you, because you're not.

"We're all just humans that can play instruments. There's a million people out there that can do the same, probably better than you. I know most of them are better at guitar than I am. I think your attitude on stage should reflect that." Read more and watch the full interview here.




Rolling Stones Named Richest Band In Britain(Classic Rock)

The Rolling Stones are collectively the richest band in Britain, according to the latest annual Sunday Times Rich List. Paul McCartney and wife Nancy Shevell remain at the top of the rock music table, with a fortune of £760m, and U2 as a unit come second with £500m.
But Mick Jagger reaches third position on his own with £235m, while colleague Keith Richards is next with £220m. With the addition of Charlie Watts (11th) and Ronnie Wood (24) the band's total value is £630m. They're thought to have become wealthier by £40m over the past year.

The combined worth of Queen's Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon is £335m. Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones have amassed £268m between them, and Pink Floyd men Roger Waters, David Gilmour and Nick Mason total £235m. Genesis frontman Phil Collins and Peter Gabriel are valued at £155m between them. Read more and see the list here.





Jack White Teams Up With Detroit Tigers' Ian Kinsler(Classic Rock)


Jack White has joined forces with Detroit Tigers baseball star Ian Kinsler to back independent sporting goods company Warstic. The business designs wood and metal bats, clothing and gear specifically for baseball and softball players - and ball fan White says his interest in the firm was piqued by their design aesthetics.
He says in a statement (via Rolling Stone): "I discovered the Warstic company through my love of design. I was drawn to the simplicity and harshness of the designs.

"Most baseball bats and equipment in the sports world do not impress me much - but I think that there is a lot of room to explore aesthetic ideas in just baseball alone that can bring beauty and purpose to the weapons that athletes use to accomplish their goals." Read more here.




Kurt Cobain Stage Smashed Guitar Expected To Fetch Over $100K(TeamRock Radio)


A guitar smashed up onstage by Kurt Cobain on Nirvana's last tour is up for auction - with the minimum bid set at $48,000. The black and white Fender Stratocaster is expected to fetch upwards of $140,000 according to auction house Cooper Owen.
The guitar was used during Nirvana's gig at Palais Omnisport in Rennes, France, on February 16, 1994. It was one of a batch sent to Cobain by Fender to be used in the band's traditional end-of-set jams during which the frontman smashed up his instrument.

The seller says the guitar was destroyed and then rebuilt. A description in the listing reads: "I've been doing a lot of research about this guitar. According to James Vincent, Kurt's guitar tech from December 1993 onwards, Kurt had five of these lefty black and white Strats, shipped by Fender specifically for the end of set jamming and destruction, as they were cheap and they were scared he would otherwise smash his new Mustangs." Read more here.




The Rides Preview New Album 'Pierced Arrow'(The Blues)


The Rides have released a trailer for their upcoming second album exclusively via TeamRock. Stephen Stills, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Barry Goldberg issue Pierced Arrow on May 6 via Provogue/Mascot Label Group.
And album engineer Ed Cherney says the recording process has seen the supergroup return to the early roots of American blues rock.

He says: "The recording process has been old school. We're approaching it like it's 1970. Real performances by real musicians, with analogue technology."

The band agree, saying the old school process has been easier to settle into as the trio ave got more used to working together since the release of 2013 debut Can't Get Enough.

They say: "We make records the way they were originally meant to be done. We use many of the first takes. We're more sure of ourselves and you can hear the progression between the first album and this one, establishing who we are as The Rides." Watch the trailer here.




Fit For An Autopsy Announce European Summer Tour(TeamRock Radio)


Fit For An Autopsy have announced a European summer tour. They'll be supported by Fallujiah, Deez Nuts, Thy Art Is Murder and From Sorrow To Serenity on select dates.
They'll kick off the run of shows in Antwerp, Belgium, on June 21, in support of their third album Absolute Hope, Absolute Hell, which was released last year.

Guitarist Will Putney said of the follow-up to 2013's Hellbound: "It's our new and fresh approach to aggressive music, not a half-hour of blast beats and breakdowns." See the dates here.




Metal Church Frontman Mike Howe Explains Reason For Reunion(Classic Rock)


Metal Church frontman Mike Howe has explained why he came out of retirement for a second stint with his old band. The group released XI last month via Rat Pack - the first material with Howe on vocals since 1993's Hanging In The Balance.
And the singer says the lure of the old magic he had with the band was enough to persuade him to pick the mic back up. He tells The Metal Voice: "It was guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof's power of persuasion and hearing the amazing riffs and songs he put together in the demos stage - and the allure of getting together and having that magical writing and chemistry that we had back in the late 80s."

It might have been a gap of 21 years between albums, but Howe reports that the recording process is better now than it was back then. He continues: "I can't say things have changed for the worst - honestly it's all good. Computers to aid the writing process, keeping the chemistry from not having to stop and re-do things, that is an advantage - and a small record label." Read more and watch the full interview here.




Video From Guns N' Roses' Mexico City Show Goes Online(hennemusic)


Guns N' Roses performed the first of two shows at Foro Sol in Mexico City on April 19th and video of six song performances from the concert has surfaced online.
The band's 23-song set mixed classics with covers of tracks by the Misfits, Wings, Bob Dylan and The Who. Axl Rose continues to perform with a broken foot thanks to a throne on loan from Foo Fighter Dave Grohl.

The Foro Sol concert marked the fifth show of Guns N' Roses reunion tour, which launched April 1 at The Troubadour in Los Angeles, followed by two dates in Las Vegas and an appearance at Coachella last weekend.

The group will play Foro Sol on April 20 before returning to Coachella on April 23 as part of the festival's second weekend. Guns N' Roses will begin a summer stadium tour of North America at Ford Field in Detroit, MI on June 23. Watch the videos here.




Guns N' Roses Fan Killed, 29 Injured In Bus Accident(hennemusic)


A Guns N' Roses fan died and dozen of others were injured in a bus crash taking fans to see the group perform on Wednesday at their second of two concerts in Mexico City.
Excelsior reports 35-year-old Mauricio Ballesteros Zamora died after suffering head trauma and internal injuries, and 29 others were injured… three of them seriously.

The driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle on a wet roadway and the bus flipped; it is unknown at this time if excessive speed played a role in the accident.

Duff McKagan tweeted "I am extremely saddened to hear of the awful bus crash yesterday en route to our MC show. To the Zamora family...I have no words."

The band followed with their own tweet: "We in Guns N' Roses are shocked and extremely saddened to hear of the horrifying bus crash en route to our Mexico City show yesterday.

"Our thoughts and hearts are with the family of Mauricio Ballesteros Zamora. We are so very sad of your loss. We hope for a speedy recovery to the 29 other injured fans. God speed." It was signed "GN'R Axl, Slash, Duff, Richard, Dizzy, Frank, and Melissa." Read more and see video here.



Blackberry Smoke Rescue Victims From Car Fire

Blackberry Smoke's Richard Turner along with bus driver Harry Wing and lighting director Chris 'Thumper' Hathaway rescued three people from a car fire on Tuesday morning (April 19th), according to The Boot.
Turner spoke to the site about the experience of rescuing a man, woman and "8 or 10 year old" girl from a Dodge Charger that had rolled over and landed on its roof on the I-10 freeway in El Paso, Texas early Tuesday morning.

"I thought we were stopping at a gas station or something," Turner said. "But, uh, we pulled over... There was a car flipped over right outside our window."

He continues, "Harry was off the bus first with a fire extinguisher, and Thumper was right behind him, and I was right behind him. I was on the driver's side, pulling at the door, trying to get it open, and Thumper was on the passenger's side …

"And he pulled three people out of that in the time it took me to figure out that I wasn't gonna get the door open on the other side. And the whole time, the car was on fire, and Harry was wielding a small extinguisher on it."

"If anything, Harry kept the car from burning everybody, and Thumper pulled three people out," Turner said, "If Harry hadn't stopped, those people would be dead, I'm sure of it." Read more details here.




Prince's Music Changed Duff McKagan's Life


Music fans from across many genres are mourning the passing of Prince, who died on Thursday at the age of 57. Many music stars have taken to Twitter and other social media sites to pay tribute to the multi-instrumentalist and hit maker. One star took it a bit further.
Guns N' Roses' Duff McKagan joined the music world in sharing his grief on Twitter with: "What do we do now? PRINCE. No. I hope you weren't in much pain...your music saved me time and again."

A short time later McKagan tweeted a link to a tribute to Prince that he wrote for his Seattle Weekly column back in June of 2011. In the article entitled "There's Taking Things to the Next Level, and Then There's Prince" Duff wrote in part, "Life can get overwhelming for all of us. There are blocks of time when--and even when you are ultra-aware of it and its reproductions--stress and tension and work and family obligations take us out of ourselves. Some of us have religion, yoga, exercise, and creative art to relieve life's weight. But sometimes we need a little something more. For me, seeing Prince play the Inglewood Forum during his multi-week stand was just what the doctor ordered.

"I have been a die-hard Prince fan since the early '80s. When Controversy came out in 1981, a punker friend of mine in Seattle demanded that I listen to it. Prince was unlike anyone else.

"When 1999 came out in 1982, the record transformed my insides. I was going through a tough break-up with my first real long-term girlfriend and was heartbroken. 1999 somehow became my psychiatrist, and I held on to that record for dear life as I slowly got my feet back under me.

"When Purple Rain hit, I was free and starting to take life by the balls. That record was the soundtrack to my life and gave me the confidence to move to L.A. at 19, with nothing more than belief in myself. Prince's music can do that." Find out what happened when Duff met Prince and more here.




The Fall Of Troy Giving Away Download Of New Album(TeamRock Radio)


The Fall Of Troy have made their latest album free to download. Entitled 'OK,' the US outfit say they took the decision to thank fans for the support they've shown to the band over the years.
The group say: "This album represents hope - that things can be different, that the past doesn't have to always weigh on the present. We give this album to you now for free because we know that you deserve it.

"Rather than try to squeeze every penny from people who have given us opportunities beyond our wildest dreams, we wanted to give you a gift for all the gifts you've given us over the years." Read more here.




Of Mice & Men Release 'The Depths' Live Video(TeamRock Radio)


Of Mice & Men have released a video of them performing The Depths - taken from upcoming live package Live At Brixton. The set was recorded at London's O2 Brixton Academy on March 25, 2015.
Live At Brixton is released on May 27 on 2CD and CD/DVD formats. An audio version of The Depths performance is also been offered as an instant download with pre-orders of the release.

Of Mice & Men play at this year's Slam Dunk festival in the UK and support Slipknot on an upcoming US tour. They are working on their fourth album. Watch the video and see the tour dates here.




Blues-Rock Pioneer Lonnie Mack Dead At 74(The Blues)


Blues-rock pioneer Lonnie Mack has died at the age of 74, his record label have confirmed. He collaborated with Vaughan, Beck, Keith Richards, Duane Allman and many others
Active from 1963 until the early 2000s, he's credited with helping define the position of electric guitar in contemporary music, and acting as a leading light in the development of guitar solos.

Indiana-born Lonnie McIntosh came to attention with his 1963 instrumental singles Memphis and Wham!, influencing musicians including Jeff Beck and Stevie Ray Vaughan - who once called him "the baddest guitar player I know." Read more here.




Former Motley Crue Singer Takes High Road Over Nikki Sixx Criticism


Former Motley Crue singer John Corabi has taken the high road in responding the critical comments made by Nikki Sixx about the making of the band's self-titled album.
Sixx made news this week with the comments he made in an interview with Sweden Rock Magazine, where he said in part of the album made with Corabi, "I've gotta tell you, I think it was a very unfocused record. It was painful for me, because John Corabi can't write lyrics, and I had to do all that work.

"It was the first time I ever had to work with somebody that wanted to participate in the lyrics. And my standard is so high that it was just… It was so hard, it took months... Usually, I write a set of lyrics in an hour. "

Once Sixx's comments made headlines, Corabi posted the following response on his Facebook page: "As my email, texts, and phone is blowing up over this, I'd like to publicly retort to this. 'Thank you to Motley Crue for the 5 years we had together. I'm extremely proud of the record we recorded TOGETHER!!!!

And your phone call to me asking to join your band, has honestly helped my career immensely. I have done everything since, MY WAY, under MY TERMS, and I'm happy knowing I haven't followed any trends, caved to any record label, and just basically been myself.

"I am who I am, I write the way I write, and I'm beyond happy being the person I am...I have nothing but mad respect for Motley, including Mr. Sixx...And wish them ALL the best with their future endeavors...

"I REALLY don't give a sh*t about any of this nonsense!!!! (This is it kids... Enjoy your day!!!)'"




Megadeth Offshoot Act Of Defiance Announce Tour Plans(TeamRock Radio)


Act Of Defiance have announced a tour starting later this month. The band - which features former Megadeth pair Chris Broderick and Shawn Drover - play at the Manila Pulp Summer Slam in the Philippines on April 30 before a run of North American headline shows and some support slots with Hatebreed.
Broderick says: "Starting with the Pulp festival, it will be the first time Act Of Defiance will play on a different continent and I couldn't think of a better festival to start with.

"After that, opening up for Hatebreed and DevilDriver will be a great experience for us as both of those bands put on a killer live show and will be awesome to see live. I am also excited to do some more headlining shows in the US and Canada, meeting more of our fans, and making more friends. I hope to see you all out there." See the dates here.




Freddie Mercury Lyric Notebook Being Auctioned(Classic Rock)


A notebook once owned by the late Queen frontman Freddie Mercury will head to auction this summer. Mercury died on November 24, 1991, from bronchial pneumonia resulting from AIDS.
It was in Mercury's possession for the last three years of his life and contains lyrics to 19 Queen tracks which featured on 1989's The Miracle and 1991's Innuendo.

Songs include Too Much Love Will Kill You and The Show Must Go On.The notebook will be auctioned by Bonhams on June 29 and has an estimated price of £50,000 - £70,000. Read more here.




Underoath Hope To Make Reunion Permanent(TeamRock Radio)


Underoath say they are hopeful that their comeback will result in further tours and albums. The band split in 2013 and late last year hinted at a return, which resulted in a number of North American tour dates this year.
But while frontmen Spencer Chamberlain and Aaron Gillespie aren't revealing any firm plans, they are hopeful the reunion will be permanent. Chamberlain says the band were so tied to tight schedules before their split that it made them walk away from the industry.

He tells Alternative Press: "We wouldn't have got back together just to do a tour, I want to make that clear to everyone. Underoath is not back to just rake in a bunch of money and go, 'Peace out.'

"We decided that we're a family. There's no point to put an end to something, unless a member is dead or something like that has happened. Underoath is back together? Yes. Will there be more tours Probably, absolutely, 100% in my mind." Read more here.




Diamond Head Streaming New Album Online(Classic Rock)


Diamond Head have made their self-titled seventh album available to stream in full. Mainman Brian Tatler says he is thrilled that heavy metal is still as relevant as it was when the band first found fame in the 1980s.
He tells Noisey: "I think heavy metal has stood the test of time, hasn't it? I always thought rock was a very loyal style. I got into rock when I was 13 or 14, and I still love it now and I can see that in other people.

"It's not like pop or a fad or a fashion, it never leaves you. You don't care a jot if it's not fashionable or people laugh at you. You love it because you love it. If you get into a band like AC/DC, you end up buying every single album and going to see them.

"I've probably seen them 12 times, I'm just a loyal fan. I don't think other styles of music have that kind of loyalty and when Diamond Head play live you don't get just 40-year-old guys with their arms folded standing there, you do get young kids going berserk at the front." Stream the album here.




Tarja Turunen Releases 'No Bitter End' Video(TeamRock Radio)


Tarja Turunen has released a video for her track "No Bitter End." The song is taken from the former Nightwish singer's prequel record, The Brightest Void, which is due out on June 3. It'll be released ahead of the launch of her next full-length album The Shadow Self on August 5.
She said: "During the process of recording The Shadow Self, I realised that there were so many tracks, too many too dear to me, for just one album. So I decided to keep nothing for myself and to share all my favourite new songs with you.

"The Brightest Void gives more than a first taste of The Shadow Self. I hope the release of the prequel sweetens the wait until August and that you will like the songs as much as I do." Watch the video here.




Issues Release 'Coma' Video(TeamRock Radio)


Issues have released a music video for their track "Coma." The song comes from the band's forthcoming record 'Headspace,' which is set to be released on May 20.
Issues underwent a lineup change last year after keyboardist Tyler 'Scout' Acord took a step back to pursue other projects - but he assured fans he would return to the band to write new records.

Frontman Tyler Carter said: "Scout's gotta get back to making beats, get that deal, get those placements. But this only means that the future of Issues could be a lot brighter than expected - because now my boy can really develop his sound more, and as we remember, Issues started with the development of Scout combined with metalcore, combined with pop." Watch the video here.




Cage the Elephant Release Wild West Themed 'Trouble' Video(Radio.com)


The myth of the Wild West still captures contemporary imaginations, which is why Cage the Elephant stages their new video for "Trouble" in that very space.
The Kentucky rock band don their best gun slinging gear and head out to the desert to take on "trouble" in a trippy video that combines Have Gun Will Travel with a touch of Alice in Wonderland.

The video marks frontman Matthew Shultz's directorial debut. 'I really wanted to make a video that was like John Wayne or a young Clint Eastwood acting in a Cocteau Play or Ingmar Bergman's Wild Strawberry's [sic]," Shultz stated. 'A metaphorical journey that hopefully people could read between the lines" (via CoS).

That juxtaposition proves to be a psychedelic experience, mixing the washed out desert landscape with rich colorful characters and settings. In the opening moments, bassist Daniel Tichenor faces off against a gun toting bad guy, before making his way through an increasingly ethereal experience that includes clowns, ladies of the night and more.

"Trouble on my left, trouble on my right/ I've been facing trouble almost all my life/ My sweet love, won't you pull me through/ Everywhere I look, I catch a glimpse of you," Shultz sings on the chorus. As far as the video goes, trouble comes in all shapes, sizes, colors and possibilities. Watch it here.



The Who's Roger Daltrey On When To Call It Quits(Classic Rock)

The Who's Roger Daltrey says he hopes he has the wisdom to know when the time is right to call time on his career. The frontman, 72, doesn't know for sure if the band's current The Who Hits 50 tour will be their last, but he is sure he doesn't want to compromise on his lively onstage performances.
Daltrey tells Canoe: "In our heads we want to go on as long as we can. And our bodies, you kind of physically know you're coming to the end of that type of show. That's not to say you can't play your music in different ways.

"But equally, our music, having got that energy and that kind of urgency that is within it, I'm not so sure whether I want to be involved with singing in that way. I don't think it's the kind of music you could ever cruise through.

"When you get to a certain age, that would be the only way you could do it. So I just hope I have the wisdom to stop when I feel that coming." Read more here.




Amon Amarth Call On Fans To Help With New Video(TeamRock Radio)


Amon Amarth are asking fans to submit footage of them raising their 'rock horns' for an upcoming music video. The viking metal outfit wants fans to film themselves giving the traditional metal salute and the best ones will feature in the promo for the track Raise Your Horns, which features on current album Jomsviking.
The band had the following to say: "The video will include live clips of the band performing in multiple countries, plus you - the fans - raising your horns to Amon Amarth.

"Do you have a wall plastered with Amon Amarth and other metal posters? Did you just attend a live show or are going to one soon? Send us clips of you and your friends raising your horns to the band for a chance to be included in the video." Read more here.




Van Halen In The Studio For 'Fair Warning' 35th Anniversary(ITS)

A new online episode of the syndicated radio show In The Studio celebrates the 35th anniversary of Van Halen's fourth album "Fair Warning". The show sent over the following details:
The upside/downside comparison of Van Halen's April 1981 album Fair Warning can probably explain why it is easily the band's most overlooked effort in the original David Lee Roth era. Pro: Fair Warning is the most Eddie Van Halen - dominated album until the mega-hit 1984. Con: as AllMusic.com's Stephen Thomas Erlewine nails it, "Fair Warning was the first Van Halen album that doesn't feel like a party." Pro: Two of the best rockers the band ever did are on Fair Warning, "Unchained" and the woulda-coulda-shoulda been big "So This is Love?". Con: those are the only two songs most people can recall from the album. Pro: Fair Warning sold over two million copies, a feat any band today would kill for. Con: at only a little more than two million sold, Fair Warning by comparison was Van Halen's slowest selling from the original foursome.

By 1982 Van Halen had become a series of contradictions: huge album sales, hundreds of thousands of concert tickets sold, yet their record label and producer were concerned over a lack of mainstream hits and a shallow well of songs. Creative frustration along with personal conflicts within the band would eventually lead to a post-David Lee Roth Van Halen.

InTheStudio host Redbeard revisits his conversations with Eddie & Alex Van Halen, plus original former member bassist Michael Anthony, about this critical period in Van Halen history.

Alex Van Halen says, " When you bare your soul and put your heart and soul into something, and (then) you give it to somebody else to kind of judge it, part of YOU is being judged... It can be very emotional... I watched while Eddie suffered relentlessly through making that album." Stream the episode here.




Panic Room Crowdfunding New Live DVD(Prog)


Panic Room have launched a PledgeMusic campaign to help produce a live DVD. The band plan on recording their show at London's Islington Assembly Hall on June 18 for a future release. But to fully document the event, Anne-Marie Helder and co and looking to raise £25,000.
The band say: "We've released five albums now and been touring for eight years. But there's still one thing we haven't done - filmed a live DVD. So that's exactly what we're going to do this summer.

"We're a bunch of perfectionists, and we never want to give you anything but our best. But now in 2016, everything has fallen into place perfectly and the band are on fire right now.

"We've booked the Islington Assembly Hall in London - a Grade II Listed building with gorgeous Art Deco features, which we know will make an incredible backdrop for the Panic Room live DVD." Read more here.




Candlemass Streaming New Song 'Death Thy Lover'(TeamRock Radio)

To celebrate 30 years of doom, Candlemass have announced that they are releasing a new EP called "Death Thy Lover" on June 3rd and Metal Hammer is streaming the title track.
Death Thy Lover is the first new release from Candlemass since 2012, and their first with new vocalist Mats Levén following the departure of Robert Lowe.

"We said we wouldn't record an album, but we had to release something for the 30th anniversary of Candlemass, so it became this EP," bassist Leif Edling tells Hammer. "Death Thy Lover is in a way a typical C-mass song and in a way not typical for us. The chorus is pretty poppy if I can use that word - I would never have imagined I would use a term like that to describe anything Candlemass - but the main riff is very metal and the opening is us going classic Anvil." Check out the song and read more here.




Second AC/DC Tribute Band Singer Says He Auditioned For Band(hennemusic)

A second AC/DC tribute band singer has stepped forward to report that he auditioned for the Australian rock legends before they hired Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose to replace Brian Johnson on their Rock Or Bust world tour.
Following news that Daren Caperna of the Dallas, TX-based tribute band Back In Black was flown to Atlanta for an audition last month, Lee Robinson of Raleigh, NC-based Thunderstruck is now sharing details of his encounter with the group.

"I didn't sleep for like 3 days," explains Robinson after receiving the audition call. "I was studying the songs." On March 14, the singer hooked up with AC/DC at their Atlanta rehearsal studio and learned it was bassist Cliff Williams who discovered the Thunderstruck singer and suggested him as an option. "He hung with me the whole time," says Robinson. "Cliff found us on YouTube!"

Like Caperna, Robinson sang four songs before running through the full Rock Or Bust setlist, minus two songs. Once finished, guitarist Angus Young offered some words of encouragement to the singer.

"'Whatever happens,' he told me, 'you've got a helluva voice,'" said Robinson, still in awe of the moment. Read more here.




AXS TV and VH1 Announce Special Prince Programming This Weekend

Prince fans can tune into Vh1 and AXS TV this weekend to view special programming. Both networks announced special broadcast following the tragic news of his death on Thursday (April 21st). We were sent the following details:
AXS TV will celebrate the life and legacy of Prince with a special programming lineup this Saturday, April 23 with a Prince edition of "Rock Legends" at 1 p.m. ET and the television premiere of the documentary "Slave Trade: How Prince Re-Made the Music Business" at 2 p.m. ET.

VH1 also announced a weekend long marathon of Prince's "Purple Rain" which began last night and continues through Sunday night. Immediately following the first airing of "Purple Rain," the network will air a block of his most memorable music videos. Throughout the following days, VH1's Sway will host news updates with artists' memories and fan reactions.




Mothertongue Release Live 'Perfect Zero' Video(Prog)


Mothertongue have released a video featuring a live performance of their track Perfect Zero. The studio version appears on their debut album Unsongs, launched earlier this month via Bad Elephant Music.
The live cut was recorded at the Castle Hotel, Manchester, at the album launch event on April 8. It was produced and directed by drummer John Simm.

Bad Elephant say: "With its incisive, intelligent lyrics and first-class musicianship, Unsongs is unlike anything you will have heard in recent years. The music will lead you on a roller-coaster journey of acid jazz inventiveness that's a big heap of noisy and light, and also includes a lot of brass - because everyone likes brass, right?" Watch the video here.



Iron Maiden's Nicko McBrain Inspired Bruce Dickinson To Fly?(Classic Rock)


Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain says he might have been the inspiration behind frontman Bruce Dickinson becoming pilot of the band's plane, Ed Force One.
And he wouldn't mind a go at the controls himself - if he's ever allowed. He won a pilot's license in the 1980s, but hasn't flown an aircraft in several years. Dickinson took up his own training in the 1990s and later worked as a commercial flight captain, before learning to manage the Boeing 747-400 used as Ed Force One on their The Book Of Souls world tour.

McBrain tells MusicFeeds: "I've got a twin-ray license, a multi-engine rating. The last time I flew was about 10 years ago - that was with Bruce, funnily enough.

"I pretty much did it to prove that I could, you know. I think Bruce was partially inspired by that. His mindset was that if the drummer could do it, he could!" Read more here.




Zoax Release 'Roses All The Way' Video(TeamRock Radio)


Zoax have released a video for their track "Roses All The Way". The song features on their upcoming self-titled debut album - which is out on May 13 via Century Media.
Frontman Adam Carroll says: "This is one of our favorite songs that we have ever written and probably one of the most straightforward for us. The whole aim was to capture a track that everyone can jump around to from the word go.

"One of the most interesting writing ideas for us was creating a unique drum beat that is consistent throughout. The whole track is about being on the brink of being fed up and making mistakes, but always looking on the brighter side and not to dwell in the past all the time. Learn, move on, be a better person." Watch the video here.




Neal Morse Band, Patrick Moraz Added To Yes's Cruise To The Edge(Prog)


The Neal Morse Band will return for 2017's edition of prog music legends Yes's Cruise To The Edge, while Patrick Moraz will make his debut appearance.
They're the first artists - alongside Argentinian outfit Bad Dreams - to be named for Yes's five-day festival aboard the Royal Caribbean Brilliance Of The Seas, which sets sail from Tampa, Florida, on February 7 next year.

Organizers for the cruise had the following to say: "We're pleased to announce Neal Morse's return. The band blew us all away with their amazing set last cruise in November." Read more here.




Aerosmith and Judas Priest Stars Joining Thin Lizzy For Tour(hennemusic)


Thin Lizzy have announced the addition of Aerosmith bassist Tom Hamilton and Judas Priest drummer Scott Travis to the lineup for a series of upcoming anniversary shows.
The final version of the legendary Irish band changed their name to Black Star Riders in 2012, and while that band is working on their third album, the members will regroup for shows to marks the 40th anniversary of the 1976 release, "Jailbreak", and 30 years since the passing of founder Phil Lynott.

"I'm really psyched to be playing these shows with Thin Lizzy during my downtime with Aerosmith this summer," says Hamilton. "It'll be great to rock out to their classic songs onstage."

While original drummer Brian Downey has stepped aside from the mini-tour for personal reasons, Motorhead's Mikkey Dee was originally on board for the dates but has had to change his schedule, with Travis stepping in on all shows except an August 6 gig at the Skogsrojet Festival in Sweden, where Europe drummer Ian Haugland will join the lineup.

"Unfortunately, due to circumstances that will be announced very soon, I cannot play the six shows with Thin Lizzy in 2016 & 2017," explains Dee. "As a life long fan of the band, I truly wish I could have been a part of this, but the reason will be revealed as soon as possible. I wish my great friends Scott Travis and Ian Haugland all the best with these shows and I know they will kick ass!"

"First of all, let me offer a sincere Thank You to Brian Downey and Thin Lizzy for allowing me to sit in with the band!," adds Travis. "Thin Lizzy are undisputed legends and to be a small part of their lineage is a humble honor for me. I hope to do the position good. It's gonna' be a blast!"

The guests will support vocalist Ricky Warwick, guitarists Scott Gorham and Damon Johnson, and keyboardist Darren Wharton under the Thin Lizzy banner. See the dates here.




Guns N' Roses' Duff McKagan Previews New Documentary(hennemusic)


Guns N' Roses bassist Duff McKagan has released the trailer for his upcoming documentary, "It's So Easy And Other Lies: Live At The Moore." Directed by Christopher Duddy, the project sees McKagan telling his life story in a live performance setting at the famed Seattle venue in 2013.
The preview mixes footage of the live event alongside animation and comments by Slash, Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready and Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx, among others.

The Seattle appearance was part of a promotional tour by McKagan in support of his 2012 memoir, "It's So Easy (And Other Lies)", which debuted on the New York Times' Hardcover Nonfiction Best Sellers list at No. 17.

The documentary will be screened across the US on May 26 and June 1 before its exclusive opening in Los Angeles on June 3 - three weeks before the partially-reunited Guns N' Roses will begin a summer stadium tour of North America at Ford Field in Detroit, MI on June 23. Watch the trailer here.




Leaves' Eyes 'Fed Up' With 'Social Media Lies' Over Liv's Departure

There has been a firestorm on social media since Leaves' Eyes announced that they had replaced frontwoman Liv Kristine with Finnish singer Elina Siirala.
The band first announced the change via a statement that the "parting ways was agreed by all members" but Kristine posted her own message online, saying in part, "I was told a bit longer than a week ago that I am not preferred as the band's singer for further tours and recordings anymore.

"I asked for the situation concerning Indonesia and the soon-to-happen up-coming shows. The answer was 'no'. I asked if there's a replacement and I got no clear answer. I can't believe this process happened behind my back, parallel to a huge disappointment in my private life. A few days later there certainly was a replacement. I must say - that was 'quick'!"

The band fired back on Tuesday by posting photos of the protocol documents for the separation and saying, "Since we are fed up with the lies on social media, and as we promised yesterday, here is the proof that we tell you the truth about what is going on.

"Here you can read the signed protocol documents (English and German) - certified by lawyer Frank Dehn - which proves that the news about the protocol from the mediator of our crucial band meeting is accurate and correct in every way.

"Furthermore the protocol shows that the decisions were made together! Since January this year Liv's exit from the band was already pending. We hope, we have finally cleared up the situation for every one now! Like posted before we wish Liv all the best for her future!" See the documents here.



Pete Zorn Dead At 65(TeamRock Radio)


Richard Thompson collaborator and former Steeleye Span member Pete Zorn died in his sleep on Tuesday (April 19) at the age of 65 after a battle with cancer.
Zorn played guitar, mandolin, saxophone and flute, among other instruments. He began working with Thompson in the 1980s, while other activities included stints with the Albion Band, Gerry Rafferty and more.

He joined Steeleye Span in 2009 as temporary replacement for Rick Kemp, but remained when the bassist returned, and eventually spent six years with them.

His family said in a brief statement last night: "We are devastated to have to share this, but Dad passed away in his sleep in the early hours of this morning. We are heartbroken."

Thompson said: "Sadly, Pete passed on earlier this morning. We have lost an extraordinary musician and human being. Our thoughts, prayers and support are with his family and friends." Read more here.




Melvins To Star In Kid's Cartoon Show(Classic Rock)

Melvins have revealed that they will star in a kid's cartoon show. The band says that two of their songs will be included in the as-yet-unnamed kids show and also confirm that the featured lineup will include an animated bassist.
Drummer Dale Crover says: "Two of our songs are going to be included in a cartoon show - a kids cartoon show. Nobody knows that yet. I don't know if I can say what they are but it's pretty cool.

"We saw the finished version and it's really great. It's not just a cameo - we're actually in the whole show. It's a cool cartoon that kids and adults will both enjoy." Watch the full interview here.




Slipknot's Corey Taylor Announce Special Acoustic Show(TeamRock Radio)


Slipknot and Stone Sour frontman Corey Taylor has announced that he will be playing a one-off solo acoustic show in London on May 8th at Koko in Camden.
Taylor had the following to say about the gig: "Everyone's been asking me when I was going to come back to the UK and do some acoustic stuff - honestly, it's not because I didn't want to. So since I'm going to be there doing some stuff in May, I decided we'd make one happen, and I cannot wait."

Meanwhile, Slipknot will head out on the road this summer with Marilyn Manson and Of Mice And Men across North America, starting in Salt Lake City on June 9. See the dates here.




Late Queen Frontman Freddie Mercury's Voice Secrets Researched(TeamRock Radio)


Researchers have investigated the secrets behind late Queen frontman Freddie Mercury's singing voice and revealed why it was one of the most distinctive and unparalleled in rock history.
A group of Austrian, Czech and Swedish researchers conducted a study to analyze the legendary singer's voice. While they couldn't substantiate claims that Mercury had a four-octave vocal range, they discovered some interesting findings about the voice once described as "a force of nature with the velocity of a hurricane."

Through examining archive recordings, and filming the larynx of a rock singer imitating Mercury's singing with a high-speed camera running at over 4000 frames per second, the researchers found a physical phenomenon called 'subharmonics'. This is an intentional voicebox distortion using both vocal folds and ventricular folds to produce an extreme 'growling' sound which is traditionally used by Tuvan throat singers in Mongolia.

They also concluded that Mercury was likely a baritone, despite being known as a tenor, and found that his vocal chords moved faster than other people's at 7.04 Hz, compared with the typical vibrato rate of between 5.4 Hz and 6.9 Hz. Read more here.



Tweed Funk's Joseph 'Smokey' Holman Fighting Cancer(The Blues) Tweed Funk frontman Joseph 'Smokey' Holman has been diagnosed with cancer. The group has cancelled all of their scheduled live appearances while Holman begins his treatment.
They revealed that the vocalist will undergo stem cell treatment in the summer to fight the multiple myeloma, while he has already started a course of chemotherapy.

The band say: "We are hoping that with successful treatment that Smokey will be able to resume performing later this fall and can have a number of happy and productive years ahead." See their full announcement here.



Judas Priest Announce Return To The Studio(Classic Rock)

Judas Priest revealed via a social media photos post that they are back in the studio working on new material for the follow-up to their 2014 album
"Redeemer Of Souls."
The band shared the photos from recording sessions with the caption, "Making metal on ‪#‎metalmonday‬!! @robhalfordlegacy @falconfaulkner ‪#‎glenntipton‬ ‪#‎judaspriest‬‪ #‎priestfamily‬."

Frontman Rob Halford recently said the band aimed to release their 18th album in 2017, adding: "I can't wait to get into the writing zone again - that's one of the most thrilling moments for me in Priest.

"You go into a room with some amps, 'Hey, guys, have a cup of tea,' turn the amps on, start riffing, and boom - you could have another amazing Priest song by the end of the day.

"There was already an extraordinary amount of ideas collected throughout that tour, so I'm optimistic we should have something, probably not by the end of this year, but definitely by the early part of next year." See the photos here.




Despised Icon Announce First Album In Seven Years(TeamRock Radio)


Despised Icon have announced they will be releasing their first album in seven years this summer. Entitled Beast, the follow-up to 2009's Day Of Mourning is set to be released on July 22 via Nuclear Blast.
The band say in a statement: "It's been seven years since our last record and our batteries are fully recharged. The O.G. line-up is back and the new sh*t hits hard.

"You'll hear sounds of our older slammin' death metal days blended with the speed and technicality of our latest records. Cheers to everyone that has stood by us after all these years. Can't wait to unleash the Beast."

In addition, Despised Icon have issued a teaser video for the album. Watch it here.




Steve Miller In The Studio For 'Fly Like An Eagle' 40th Anniversary(ITS)

Steve Miller is the special guest on the latest episode of the syndicated radio show In The Studio with Redbeard: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands which celebrates the 40th anniversary of Miller's 1976 mega hit album Fly Like An Eagle. The show sent over these details:
Raised in Dallas, Texas, befriended as a child prodigy by Les Paul and T-Bone Walker, and after college at the University of Wisconsin, Steve Miller got an intense "musical graduate school" at nearby Chicago's South Side with blues masters Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Willie Dixon, Buddy Guy & Junior Wells, and Jimmy Reed. Steve Miller and schoolboy chum Boz Scaggs took their blues internship westward to the vibrant San Francisco musical scene in 1967, where the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane and Moby Grape were landing major record label deals. Steve would land the most lucrative deal of them all and proceeded to record four critically acclaimed records by 1973.

It's important to note that Fly Like An Eagle was Steve Miller's ninth studio album. Having scored his first # 1 single three years earlier with "The Joker", Steve shares with InTheStudio host Redbeard how he managed to get off the album/tour, album/tour merry-go-round long enough to get his bearings, set his own course and deliver the album that would seal a Hall of Fame career.

Steve Miller says, "We had been basically touring nonstop for eleven years... I shut everything down and went to my house. I got a tape recorder, a multi-track 8-track tape recorder set up in my living room, and started first resting, then thinking, then writing.

"And then about a year later I went into the studio and called up Gary Mallaber and Lonnie Turner and we went in and cut about twenty, twenty-five tracks in eleven days. And I took them home and started working on them and about eighteen months later I'd finished Fly Like An Eagle and Book Of Dreams." Stream the episode here.




Carcass, Crowbar, Ghoul and Night Demon Tour Announced(TeamRock Radio)


Carcass have announced that they will be launching the 'One Foot In The Grave' North American tour this summer that will also feature Crowbar, Ghoul and Night Demon.
The 17-date trek kicks off in Lawrence's Granada Theater, Kansas, on July 17. The run includes the band's appearances at Chicago Open Air Festival and Heavy Montreal.

Carcass will be touring in support of their latest album Surgical Steel, which they re-released earlier this year. Last month Carcass apologized to fans after frontman Jeff Walker broke two bones in his foot prior to their show in Seattle.

They posted a photograph of his cast with a caption, adding: "Sorry for Walker's lacklustre performance in Seattle - here's the reason why. Talk about 'break a leg.' Just a poor man's Dave Grohl." See the tour dates here.



Messenger Release 'Calyx' Video(Prog)

Messenger have released a new music video for the song "Calyx," which is a track from their forthcoming sophomore album "Threnodies" (out on April 22 via InsideOut).
The band had the following to say about the video: "The music and images take us on a hallucinatory voyage into the calyx of a flower on a sub microscopic level - a journey into the centre of nature and existence that delves deeper into the mysterious fractal realm, exploring the innermost reaches of the human psyche.

"As the limit of our perceptions break down, the underlying nature of reality is revealed in a crescendo of color and motion, utilizing a fusion of time-lapse photography, animation, CGI and live action." Watch the video here.




All Hail The Yeti Release 'Daughter Of The Morning Star' Video(TeamRock Radio)

All Hail The Yeti have premiered their new video for the song "Daughter Of The Morning Star" exclusively with Metal Hammer. Their new album 'Screams From A Black Wilderness' is already out in the U.S. and will be released in the UK on May 13th.
The song Daughter Of The Morning Star is the first in a three part story that ties in with "Before The Flames" and "After The Great Fire". "The story beings in the late 1400's with a pagan witch, or white Wiccan woman who lives alone away from a village of Christian puritans," says frontman Connor Garritty.

"They're scared of her because she's different and doesn't follow their ideals. The men from the village plan to get rid of her and hunt her down. They rape her, beat her and leave her for dead. She then transforms and summons the power of the devil and takes revenge on the men and the people of the village."

Speaking to Hammer about the video, Connor says he wanted to something different to the usual lyric videos and came up with the "old silent film style" you can see above.

"I wanted to find a way to tie the three songs together without making it too obvious, so the female lead role is the same girl in all three videos. There are some props that are continuous as well. It was a blast to shoot because we got to dress in costumes and actually play parts in the video!" Watch the video here.




Knifeworld Streaming New Song 'The Germ Inside'(Prog)


Knifeworld have released a lyric video for "The Germ Inside." The song is one of the tracks from their forthcoming album "Bottled Out Of Eden," which will be released on April 22.
The band say of the track: "During a particularly fertile period in which Bottled Out Of Eden was being constructed, The Germ Inside seemed to appear from nowhere. It just seemed to turn up at the sessions, uninvited, like a gate crasher at a party. All the other songs were asking each other if they knew it.

"It wasn't until after the album was completed we asked ourselves 'Who is this guy?' By then it was too late - he'd already spiked the punch and upset a few of the guests." Stream the song and read more here.



Amon Amarth Frontman Really Happy With Jocke's Work In The Band(TeamRock Radio)

Amon Amarth frontman Johan Hegg says drummer Jocke Wallgren is on course to become a permanent member of the band. He was revealed as touring replacement for Fredrik Andersson earlier this year, after Tobias Gustafsson was hired to record with for 10th album Jomsviking.
Hegg tells EMP Rock Invasion: "To be fair to anyone, you need to give them a real chance to grow into it - it's a rough lifestyle and it can be very aggravating. You have to make sure that you feel you get along really well, and it's the right guy. I have a good feeling about Jocke."

He adds of Gustafsson: "We asked him to help us write and record the album, because we didn't want go out and find a complete replacement, start working and then realise halfway through, 'This is not working out.'

"Tobias is an old friend and a great drummer. He contributed a lot to the end result of the album. It would not have turned out as great as it did without him." Watch the full interview here.



Inglorious Release 'Holy Water' Video(Classic Rock)


Inglorious have premiered their new music video for track "Holy Water" exclusively with TeamRock. The song comes from the group's self-titled debut album, which was released in February via Frontiers Records Srl.
Frontman Nathan James of the record: "For so long people have been hiding mistakes, singers using auto-tune to make them sound perfect, double tracking to make it sound bigger and using click to play in time. There is none of that on this album.

"This record is about vibe, feeling, excitement, energy and performance of songs we all wrote together. That's how it came out that day and it will never be exactly the same again. We captured a series of moments that make up our debut album." Watch the video here.




Yossi Sassi Previews New Album 'Roots and Roads'(Prog)

Yossi Sassi has released a preview video features snippets of a number of tracks from his forthcoming third album, "Roots and Roads" which will be released on May 25th under the banner of the Yossi Sassi Band.
Sassi describes the album as "oriental prog metal" and it includes guest performances from former Guns N' Roses man Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal and Myrath's Zaher Zorgati.

Former Orphaned Land man Sassi previously said: "This release hopefully includes more vocally-driven songs than before, featuring some guest vocalists that you haven't seen before in my project.

"Overall it really shows a nice evolution from the material I used to compose for Orphaned Land, and my solo work. I think you'll appreciate it." Check out the preview video here.



Against The Current Streaming New Song 'Forget Me Now'(TeamRock Radio)

Against The Current have released a lyric video for their track Forget Me Now. The song is taken from the pop-rock trio's upcoming debut In Our Bones, due out on May 20 via Fueled By Ramen. The promo follows the release of tracks Wasteland and Running With The Wild Things.
Against The Current said: "This album is as much yours as it is ours. We wouldn't be here doing what we love right now if it weren't for the endless support we've received from our friends and fans across the world over the last two years.

"We hope you love this record as much we do, and can't wait to play these songs for you the next time we make it to your city." The band are currently touring Japan. They'll kick off their US tour in June. Check out the new song here.



Iamthemorning Completes Be Prog! My Friend Festival Lineup(Prog)


Iamthemorning have been announced as the final band for this year's TeamRock-sponsored Be Prog! My Friend festival, which will take place on July 1st and 2nd in Barcelona.
The festival will feature headline acts Steven Wilson and Opeth, along with Between The Buried And Me, Magma, The Pineapple Thief, Textures, Anneke Van Giersbergen's The Gentle Storm, Agent Fresco, Obsidian Kingdom and Exxasens.

Russian duo Gleb Kolyadin and vocalist Marjana Semkina say: "It's a great pleasure for us to join the amazing line up of Be Prog! My Friend this year - such a lovely surprise at the very last moment.

"It's a great pleasure, but also a great challenge. We'll be playing the chamber set with our string duo and some percussion - and you can't get more different from other bands on the festival." Read more here.



Stratovarius Streaming New Song 'Until The End Of Days'(TeamRock Radio)


Stratovarius have released a lyric video for their track Until The End Of Days. It's a new song from the Finnish outfit and appears on their upcoming Best Of compilation, due out on May 6 via Nuclear Blast.
The collection will launch on 2CD and limited-edition 3CD package, which includes a Live At Wacken disc. Both will include the new track. Frontman Timo Kotipelto says: "Twenty years in Stratovarius have passed at the speed of light. I still remember when I joined the band and was happy to do some power metal. And I am very happy to still be able to do it after all these years.

"This collection of songs is an excellent selections and a cool way to remember the history of the band from the past to the present. I hope you will enjoy it as much as we did while selecting the songs."

Tim Abrigg Jr.'s Rock and Roll News Of The Day!: Today's Day In Rock News!

Tim Abrigg Jr.'s Rock and Roll News Of The Day!: Today's Day In Rock News!: Today's Top Stories Aerosmith Farewell Tour Coming?(hennemusic) Steven Tyler says Aerosmith are considering plans for a fare...

Today's Day In Rock News!

Today's Top Stories

Aerosmith Farewell Tour Coming?(hennemusic)

Steven Tyler says Aerosmith are considering plans for a farewell tour in 2017. As the singer gears up for the release of his debut solo album and companion tour, he spoke with Rolling Stone about what lies ahead for the legendary Boston band.
"I'm doing 30 [solo] shows from May until August," says Tyler. "And then in 2017 we go out with Aerosmith. We're probably doing a farewell tour. Look, there's two bands that still have the original members, us and the Stones. I'm grateful for that. Whether we do a farewell tour or go into the studio and do another record, I'm just excited about it."

Tyler's comments follow similar thoughts by guitarist Brad Whitford, who told Eddie Trunk last December: "We are actually talking about that - about actually putting together a sort of wind-down tour which we would call the Farewell Tour. I guess it's just because of our age.

"You know, something's gonna happen. It's just inevitable that somebody's not gonna be able to do it anymore. So it would be very nice to take a nice long bow and say thank you and ... put it to bed kind of gracefully." Read more here.



Gregg Allman Tour Bus In An Accident(hennemusic)

A tour bus carrying members of Gregg Allman's road crew crashed in Jackson County, West Virginia early Wednesday (April 6) morning en route to a concert that evening in Charleston.
WSAZ Huntington reports that ten members of Allman's sound crew were on the bus when the driver experienced a choking incident behind the wheel, causing the vehicle to cross the southbound lanes on Interstate 77 into the northbound lanes, went through a guardrail and over an embankment around 5:00 AM.

Three of the crew were sent to hospital, treated for minor injuries and released later the same day. Gregg Allman was not on the bus at the time of the accident.

The rocker thanked the members of his crew during Wednesday night's show at the Clay Center in Charleston. "I want to thank my crew after being through a nightmare," Allman said after he and his musicians took the stage. See a photo here.



Guns N' Roses Insult Denied By Def Leppard Guitarist (New Rock Times)


Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen denies recent press comments attributed to him describing the Guns N' Roses reunion shows as 'lame.' In an interview with The Daily Telegraph Collen was quoted as describing the GNR shows, which see Axl Rose, Slash and Duff McKagan reunite for the first time in more than 20-years, as paling in integrity next to the ongoing Def Leppard line-up.
The Telegraph quoted him as saying: "We obviously think it's really f***ing lame. I love Guns N' Roses; I think they're really cool. I'd love to see Slash and Axl and Duff play together; that's great. But I think it's f***ing lame considering we've been hardcore. Our integrity's still intact; we've never split up. We've gone through if someone had a little sniffle or something, we soldier on."

Collen continued: "Someone dies, someone loses an arm, someone gets cancer, we soldier on. With GNR, if someone has a little barney backstage, they can't deal with each other. I know it's difficult, but I do think it's pretty lame when you compare anyone else to us."

But now two months on Collen has moved to clarify the comments insisting he was misquoted. Speaking on an appearance on the Toontrack podcast he insists: "I actually just got into trouble recently, 'cause I got misquoted talking about Guns N' Roses, of who I think are amazing. I love Guns N' Roses. I think they're an amazing band. I would love to go and see them.

"And someone said, 'Oh, you said they're lame.' No. I said it's lame that they broke up in the first place. I don't even think it's lame that they're reforming. I think it's… you know, the world needs a Guns N' Roses, and it's, like, well, about time.

"I thought it was lame that they broke up when I think they could have enjoyed a little bit… I know they were having all sorts of problems, so it's easy for me to say. But we had worse problems. You know, we had someone die, someone lose an arm, Vivian (Campbell, guitar) got cancer, and we just soldiered on." Read more here.




Gene Simmons Defends KISS Using Original Makeup(hennemusic)


Gene Simmons of KISS continues to defend the band's reuse of original makeup by non-original members Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer. Thayer dresses in lead guitarist Ace Frehley's makeup and stage outfits while Singer does the same with drummer Peter Criss' gear, while each perform songs by their original counterparts.
The issue - which makes headlines every few years - recently surfaced again as the New York group marked the 40th anniversary of its 1976 album "Destroyer."

"Why wouldn't we use the classic makeup? We own it," Simmons tells Rolling Stone. "The saddest thing of all is here we are, top of Mt. Olympus with all this cool stuff happening, really enjoying ourselves, the fans are thrilled, and nobody ever holds up a sign, 'Where's Ace and Peter?'"

After early fans of KISS struggled to accept guitarist Vinnie Vincent as the Ankh Warrior and drummer Eric Carr as the Fox in the 80s, the group revived its then-sagging fortunes by unmasking entirely.

Following reunion and farewell tours with Frehley and Criss, Simmons and co-founder Paul Stanley took ownership of the designs and passed them on for use by Thayer and Singer.

"In retrospect, it was the right decision," Simmons adds. "There's always going to be five percent or 10 percent of people who were there at the beginning who will complain about anything. And listen, I think that's valid from their point of view. But people get onto a train at different times.

"If you go to see the Stones live today and poke the guy next to you and say, 'Ron Wood, he's not Brian Jones,' the guy says, 'Who is that?' He wouldn't have a clue what you were talking about. He came into the Stones 10, 20, 30 years after you did." Read more here.


Latest News

David Bowie's 'I Can't Give Everything Away' Lyric Video Released(hennemusic)

David Bowie's team have released a lyric video for "I Can't Give Everything Away," the third single from the late rocker's final album "Blackstar." Directed by UK artist Jonathan Barnbrook, the clip is a tribute inspired by the record's closing number and created by someone who played an integral role in the album's visual identity and presentation.
"This is really a very simple little video that I wanted to be ultimately positive," says Barnbrook. "We start off in black and white world of Blackstar, but in the final chorus we move to brilliant color.

"I saw it as a celebration of David, to say that despite the adversity we face, the difficult things that happen such as David's passing, that human beings are naturally positive, they look forward and can take the good from the past and use it as something to help with the present. We are a naturally optimistic species and we celebrate the good that we are given."

Barnbrook's history with Bowie dates back to the art of 2002's "Heathen", which featured a prototype of the Barnbrook-designed Priori font. His work with Bowie would continue to include the covers of 2003's "Reality" and 2013's "The Next Day", as well as the graphics for the V&A touring exhibition "David Bowie is." Watch the video here.




The Cult Play Concert In A Living Room(hennemusic)


The Cult recently delivered a sweaty live set before 100 fans on CBC Radio 2's The Strombo Show with George Stroumboulopoulos, and video of the performance is available online.
Part of the program's regular "Strombo Sessions" series, the band played live at Stroumboulopoulos' downtown Toronto home for the program as they tour in support of their latest album, "Hidden City."

The 5-song set included classics like "Wild Flower", "Horse Nation" and "She Sells Sanctuary", and a pair of new tracks "Deeply Ordered Chaos" and "G.O.A.T."

The Cult also spoke with the host about the roots element of the band and the inspirations of the modern world. "I think because we grew up as blue collar kids, we've always been immersed in street culture and kept and ear to the ground in that way," explained frontman Ian Astbury. "Always paying attention to evolving new sounds, directions, fashion and music. The popular culture conversation, social media, that's part of it, but then actually physically going places - it doesn't matter, Paris, Milan, Tokyo, New York, LA, TO - in 'The Six'!

"Just pay attention and staying with it. I mean, we're hardly rubes at this point. We're not trying to repeat ourselves or do a carbon copy or pastiche. And it doesn't work that way." Check out the video here.




Rolling Stones Releasing 'Totally Stripped' This Spring(hennemusic)


The Rolling Stones will release a new live collection, "Totally Stripped", on June 3 via Eagle Rock Entertainment. The set expands on the 1995 unplugged album, "Stripped", which delivered acoustic and alternate versions of the band's classics alongside select covers of tunes by Bob Dylan and Robert Johnson, among others.
"Totally Stripped" sources three complete Stones concerts from 1995 - the Paradiso in Amsterdam, L'Olympia in Paris and London's Brixton Academy - and is rounded out with an overhauled version of the documentary of the same name, which gives viewers behind the scenes look at the making of the original package.

"There's something about playing these small venues, the immediacy of it," says Keith Richards. "Also we can keep God out the band, because on big gigs he sometimes turns up as rain or wind."

As Mick Jagger said at the time, the aim was to "take the best element from (MTV) Unplugged, the intimate thing of it, without actually doing it completely unplugged."

"Totally Stripped" will be available in a variety of formats, including DVD or SD Blu-ray, DVD+CD or DVD+LP, single CD / 2LPs and Deluxe Editions on DVD or SD Blu-ray complete with a 60 page hard book set containing 5 discs which boasts hours of previously unavailable music. Check out the tracklisting here.


Alter Bridge Working On New Album(Classic Rock)

Mark Tremonti confirms Alter Bridge are back in the studio recording their fifth album. The guitarist says the band have begun tracking for the follow-up to 2013's Fortress and they aim to launch it this year.
He tells Metal Wani: "I'm actually tracking today. We don't have a specific date set yet but we're trying as hard as we can to get the album out this year. We're in the studio now. We've already tracked the bass and the drums for the album, I started my guitar tracking yesterday and I continue today. We're well on our way."

Tremonti last year told TeamRock Radio: "The album could go in any direction. I've got a ton of ideas in all different styles. Last time it was just one heavy idea after another - hopefully this time we can branch out and bring something new to the table." Check out the full interview here.




Metallica Release Unboxing Video For 'Ride The Lightning' Box Set(TeamRock Radio)

Lars Ulrich appears in an 'unboxing' video for Metallica's deluxe box set version of their 1984 album Ride The Lightning. The limited edition package will be available on Record Store Day (April 15) along with a box set version of Metallica's 1983 album Kill 'Em All. An unboxing video for the Kill 'Em All set was released earlier this week.
The numbered box set of Ride The Lightning includes four vinyl records, six CDs, one DVD, a book including unseen photos, a mini-book of lyrics handwritten by James Hetfield and a set of three posters.

Both box sets are available to ore-order now from Metallica's online store. The albums will also be available in remastered CD and vinyl formats. On the remastered version of Ride The Lightning, drummer Ulrich said: "It holds up very well. There's kind of a youthful energy that runs through the record." Watch the video here.




Beatles' Anthology Collections Now Streaming(Gibson)


The Beatles' three Anthology collections, which were unleashed in 1995 and 1996 as two-CD collections, arrived this week on various streaming services.
The sets pack rarities, outtakes and demos from the Beatles' full career, as well as two songs - "Real Love" and "Free as a Bird" - that started as John Lennon demos from the late 1970s and were finished by Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr in 1995.

All three collections entreated the Billboard 200 chart at No. 1, with Anthology 1, 2 and 3 arriving in November 1995, March 1996 and October 1996, respectively.

Anthology 1 has "Free as a Bird" as the first track. The tune picked up the Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal category in 1996. The set also features recordings from the pre-Beatles band the Quarrymen starting in 1958 and runs through Beatles recordings up to October of 1964.

Anthology 2 has "Real Love" as the first track and includes Beatles recordings from February 1965 through February 1968. Anthology 3 compiles tunes the Beatles recorded from May 1968 through January 1970. Read more here.






Def Leppard's Joe Elliott Discusses His Recent Vocal Problems(Classic Rock)


Joe Elliott compared himself with an injured footballer after he struggled with voice problems earlier this year. The Def Leppard singer was forced to cancel the last 10 dates of the band's winter tour earlier this year due to throat issues.
Last year Elliott said he suffered from bronchial spasms, possibly due to "dust and gas emissions" from the South Dakota motorbike festival he performed at that summer - but he says he's ready to perform again.

He tells John Garbutt: "As far as I'm aware, it's fine. I got a really bad cough over Christmas and New Year, and that's what did the damage. It wasn't singing. It was just an injury.

"It was like a footballer getting kicked very hard on the shin and not being able to play for a few weeks or a couple of months or whatever. It was nothing to do with his ability to play; it was just an injury that he picked up. And it was the same thing with me.

"I just got a really, really bad cough, couldn't clear it up, and I was warned, having seen a couple of throat doctors, that I needed to take four to six weeks off." Read more here.




Damon Johnson Talks Solo EP And Next Black Star Riders Album(Classic Rock)


Black Star Riders guitarist Damon Johnson says producer Nick Raskulinecz encouraged him to put out his solo EP Echo. The five-track release is out now and was produced by Raskulinecz at his Nashville studio. Johnson says the pair's friendship led to the EP becoming reality.
Johnson tells Talking Metal: "My family and I moved to Nashville three years ago. The guys that played on it with me are from here. And Nick Raskulinecz, such an amazing rock producer, lives here too. We worked together two years ago on The Killer Instinct.

"He just did a phenomenal job on that. It gave us an opportunity to get to know each other on a personal level. After that experience, our families started hanging out. We take our kids to Chuck E Cheese or a hockey game. One day he said, 'Hey man if you've got any songs we should get you into the studio and start tracking some stuff.'"

As for the choice of songs on Echo, Johnson gives the credit to his wife. He adds: "These were songs that have been sitting in the vault. If I'm writing with some particular musicians, if we don't do something with it right then, I tend to sort of forget about it and move on. My wife Linda said I had a stack of material, quality songs that you should at least revisit."

Johnson also reveals that he and Ricky Warwick have a stock of around 20 songs to choose from for the next BSR album, with work on the follow-up to The Killer Instinct to start in the summer. He adds: "We will be back in the studio in August here in Nashville with Nick to do the third BSR album." Listen to the full interview here.




Disturbed's David Draiman On The Impact Of Fatherhood(TeamRock Radio)

Disturbed frontman David Draiman says becoming a father has made him angrier. Draiman and his wife Lena Yada welcomed their son Samuel into the world in 2013 and his birth had some unexpected effects on the singer - some of which found their way onto Disturbed's comeback album Immortalized.
Draiman tells Full Metal Jackie: "I can't deny the impact of becoming a father and having my son come into this world, and even becoming a husband.

"The irony is that, when people think that in certain ways it softens you - in many ways I'm more defensive and more on guard and more frightened and more angry at everything in this world now that I have them to worry about.

"But on another level, they open your eyes to things. Tracks on this record like Who Taught You How To Hate, coming from watching the innocence of youth and how someone like my son has absolutely no prejudices of any kind and sees everyone as equals, and that it is something that is taught. It isn't something that you're inherently born with." Read more here.




Tim Commerford's New Band Wakrat Release First Video(Classic Rock)


Tim Commerford has announced the formation of a new band called Wakrat. The punk and hardcore-influenced trio have also released a video for their first track, Knucklehead. Joining singer and bass player Commerford in the group are drummer Mathias Wakrat and guitarist Laurent Grangeon.
Wakrat are working on their debut album. Former Audioslave man Commerford says: "I am as excited about Wakrat and what we're doing musically as I was when Rage Against The Machine first started.

"Wakrat is brand new, we're not a known commodity, so we're looking forward to finishing the album, paying our dues and earning our fans, and getting out there and playing shows as often as possible."

The video for Knucklehead was captured using drones and multiple cameras at the band's Los Angeles rehearsal studio. Lyrically, the song reflects on struggles Commerford went through personally. He says: "I don't ever want to go back there again, but it lead to Knucklehead, so it all worked out." Watch the video here.




The Devil Wears Prada Working On New Album, Announce Tour(HER)

The Devil Wears Prada have announced that they've entered the studio to begin work on their next full-length album, coming late this year via Rise Records.
Frontman Mike Hranica had the following to say, "Along with bringing Kyle into the band, we're also happy to announce that we're recording our sixth, next full-length. We wrote the album in two stints out in Michigan and Wisconsin, and now we're back in Long Island to work with the most excellent Dan Korneff."

The Devil Wears Prada will embark on a short, intimate club tour in July, starting at Cleveland's Grog Shop on July 18th after appearing at Chicago's Open Air festival on July 15. The run will wrap up in Springfield, MO at the end of the month. See the tour date here.




October Tide Stream Three Tracks From New Album Winged Waltz(TeamRock Radio)


October Tide have made three tracks from their upcoming album Winged Waltz available to stream. The full-length follow-up to 2013's Tunnel Of No Light is released on April 22.
October Tide features Volturyon vocalist Alexander Hogsbom, Katatonia's former guitarist and bassist, Fredrik and Mattias Norman, Mandylon guitarist Emil Alstermark and sticksman Jocke Wallgren, who was recently recruited as a touring drummer for Amon Amarth.

Hogbom says of Winged Waltz: "This is undoubtedly the best and most emotionally charged material October Tide has created, in my opinion. I know how much hard work Fredrik (guitar) has put into making this album and you can really feel the thought behind it all.

"I almost injured myself physically and was close to passing out a couple of times during the recording of the vocals. I gave it all to match the intense music and those powerful lyrics and I'm very happy with the result." Check out the streams here.



The Security Project Announce New Album and Tour(Prog)

The Security Project have announced the upcoming release of a live album and a US tour. The supergroup - which re-imagines the music of Peter Gabriel - features members of King Crimson, Shriekback and Gabriel's original band. They'll issue new album Live 1 on May 3.
Trey Gunn and Michael Cozzi are joined in the lineup by drummer Jerry Marotta, keyboard player David Jameson and singer Brian Cummins. Marotta says: "Peter was always great at setting the table for us as musicians. He always got us started with great ideas.

"As we were creating Security we had no idea we were making something so unique. I'm proud that with The Security Project we're able to deliver the deepest of those songs, and do it with real conviction - playing them live."

Gunn adds: "This material is ridiculously special. Of course, Peter is a special artist. But the material on his first few records, especially the third and fourth ones, are productions with no peer." Check out some songs from the album and their tour dates here.



Stratovarius Announce Multi-Disc Collection(TeamRock Radio)

Stratovarius will release their Best Of collection on May 6. The Finnish veteran outfit will launch both a regular two-CD compilation and limited edition three-CD package, which includes an exclusive Live At Wacken disc. Both will include a new bonus track, Until The End Of Days.
Keyboardist Jens Johansson had the following to say: "It's been 20 years since the Episode album, we're all getting older but this stuff sounds as fresh as ever.

"To me, it's a testament to the fact that paying attention to songwriting and production was expensive, but so worth it. The songs, the sound and the performances really have stood the test of time." Read more and watch the announcement video here.



Music Was Ugly Kid Joe Singer's Father Figure(New Rock Times)

Ugly Kid Joe frontman Whitfield Crane says rock n' roll has raised and steered him from a young age and remains his 'safety net' to this day. In a revealing interview with TeamRock's Matt Stocks, he explains having his father walk out on the family saw the young Crane turn to rock music for solace.
He says: "Rock 'n' roll is kind of like my father figure. My dad split when I was a young kid and that was tumultuous for me growing up. I was always trying to fill that void.

"I liked sports and what not, but then I found Black Sabbath's 'Paranoid'. I was hooked immediately, and all those motherf***ers - Halford, Bon Scott, Ozzy, Ronnie Van Zant, Hendrix - became like my father figures."
He continues: "When I talk to some people they don't quite know all the lyrics to a lot of songs, but I'm obsessed with lyrics. Those are my teachers. I used to ask Lemmy all the time, 'What does rock 'n' roll mean to you?' And he'd always give me the same answer: 'Chuck Berry and Little Richard.' " Read more here.



Devin Townsend Announces Autobiography and New Album(TeamRock Radio)

Devin Townsend has announced that he will be publishing his autobiography Only Half There in August, complete with an album of new recordings.
The book covers his career from working with Steve Vai to forming Strapping Young Lad, creating the Devin Townsend Project and founding latest outfit Casualties Of Cool.

A Classic version will be available alongside a Signature box set, including demo cassette and cartoon prints. Townsend says: "I thought writing a book was going to be easy - it wasn't.

"Writing about growing up, music, the creative process and the connection between personal development and career made me think about a lot of other stuff too.

"Like the positive and negative experiences of making different albums, and how each one affected me mentally, physically and emotionally. It's all here, though." Read more here.



Forever Still Release 'Break The Glass' Video(TeamRock Radio)

Forever Still have released a video for their track Break The Glass as they kick off a short run of UK dates. The song is taken from Forever Still's current album Tied Down, which was released earlier this year.
The Danish rockers launched their four-date Untied UK tour in Newcastle on Wednesday (April 6) and will also play in Edinburgh, Manchester and Swansea.

Singer Maja Shining says: "We are super stoked to be heading back to the UK. We had a blast last time and the new songs sound amazing in the rehearsal space. We can't wait to rock out to them with our awesome UK fans." Watch the video and see the tour dates here.



Black Stone Cherry Release Nosferatu Video Tutorial(The Blues)

Black Stone Cherry have given fans a video tutorial on how to make their favourite alcoholic milkshake - the Nosferatu, which John Fred calls "the working man's milkshake."
Drummer John Fred Young and guitarist Ben Wells made the clip for Kerrang and in it they can be seen creating a bourbon version of the drink as well as a vodka version.

It involves mixing two shots of vodka or bourbon, four scoops of vanilla ice cream, 12 ounces of almond milk and a healthy squeeze of chocolate sauce in a blender. Watch the video here.



Holger Czukay's 1979 Album 'Movies' Tweaked For Reissue(Prog)

Holger Czukay's 1979 album Movies will be reissued with alternative running order and new cover artwork. A video for Cool In The Pool has also been released.
Entitled Movie!, the reissue will be released on June 3 via Gronland Records. It is available for pre-order now on CD and vinyl. The label says: "Movies has been lovingly reworked with a considered new running order.

"The album has been re-titled and the booklet accompanying has been revised, along with new cover artwork and in addition to Cool In The Pool (still fit for any modern club) there is an instrumental version - a bonus track entitled Cool Pool." Watch the video here.


Singled Out: The Dose's Cold Hands

Los Angeles rockers The Dose are releasing their debut EP tomorrow (April 8th) and to celebrate we asked frontman Indio Downey to tell us about the single "Cold Hands". Here is the story:
To me " cold hands" and "a warm heart" sort of represent longing and fulfillment. In a way you can't have one without the other. On my way to Tennessee I came across a letter my girlfriend wrote me. The lyrics to Cold Hands are inspired by what it said.

Ralph's drum beat and bass part gave the song a unique sound, and when he incorporated the synth pads it really came together. The variety of sounds we were able to achieve between the two of us, on this song particularly, is a good representation of what we want to accomplish in the future.

I used to play those two chords over and over for hours. Funny to think what became of something so simple.