Queen Expand Summer Tour
Queen have revealed that they have expanded their upcoming North American tour plans with American Idol star Adam Lambert taking over lead vocal duties.
The legendary band have added five additional shows to the summer trek, according to ABC, which is scheduled to kick off at the United Center in Chicago on June 19th.
The dates include new stops in Boston, East Rutherford and Atlantic City, New Jersey and additional shows scheduled for Toronto and Uncasville, Connecticut.
With the newly added dates, the tour is now scheduled for 24 dates and is scheduled to conclude on July 28th at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. more on this story
Def Leppard Singer Slams Rock Hall's 'Faceless Tuxedo-Wearing Morons'
Def Leppard frontman Joe Elliott is among the rockers that think that the Rock and Rock Hall of Fame doesn't rock. In fact, he says he doesn't "give a flying rat's a** about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame."
In a new interview with HitFix, Elliott gives his take on the Rock Hall and how he imagines they pick who gets inducted, "I see…this board room of faceless tuxedo-wearing morons. Mr. Roboto times six or whatever, leafing through [a list of bands]," he said.
"'Def Leppard, nah. Tom Waits, absolutely. Bon Jovi, no. Nick Cave, absolutely. Leonard Cohen, yes. KISS, no. Sabbath, no. Springsteen, yes. Mellencamp, yes. Tom Petty, yes.' That's the way I look at it… I don't care about people like that."
He also doesn't appear to care about the "honor" of being inducted into the Rock Hall. "Is it going to pay my mortgage off? Is it going to put my kid through schools? Am I going to sleep better at night?" he said. "What am I going to do? Wear a sheriff's badge with 'I'm a member' on it?...I don't give a flying rat's a** about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame."
Elliott does admit that his bandmates may have a different take on the Rock Hall if Def Leppard ever get inducted (they are long past their eligibility date). "The other four guys would say, 'We've gotta do it,'" he said. "And I go, 'Why? The Sex Pistols told them to shove it.' They say, 'We should, it's going to be good for our…' I couldn't care less."
But would he attend if the band were inducted? Find out here.
Allman Brothers Band Postpone Final Residency Shows Due To Illness
After Gregg Allman was forced to miss two of the band's Beacon Theatre residency shows this weekend due to bronchitis, the Allman Brothers Band announced on Monday that they are postponing the remaining dates.
The original shows were scheduled to take place on March 25th, March 26th, March 28th and March 29th and were to be the band's swansong performances for their annual residency.
The band said in a statement that they postponed the shows "as a result of Mr. Allman's illness, the Allman Brothers Band is unable to perform at the level to which they aspire."
The new dates are still to be announced and the band advises fans with tickets to the original dates that their tickets will be honored on the new dates. Ticketholders that want refunds can obtain them from their original point of purchase.
Metallica's Dio Tribute 'Ronnie Rising Medley' Streaming Online
(hennemusic) Metallica recorded "Ronnie Rising Medley", a 4-song, 9-minute track for the forthcoming Ronnie James Dio tribute album, "This Is Your Life", and the song is now available for streaming online.
"Ronnie's music, and what he was, was part of my life," drummer Lars Ulrich tells Rolling Stone. "[Dio's] music is so much a part of what's in Metallica's DNA, the harder, edgier, blues-based hard rock from the Seventies. It was fairly effortless to put this together, because it's something that we were all reared on. I don't recall sitting there in a band meeting or anything deciding what to play. Somebody starts playing 'Stargazer' - which is sort of just like something that's in our arsenal to jam - and then that whole period there, 'Tarot Woman,' 'Kill the King,' 'A Light in the Black ' - that's just really effortless to jump into."
In addiiton to Metallica, "This Is Your Life" features newly-recorded covers of the singer's work with Rainbow, Black Sabbath and Dio by Motorhead, the Scorpions, Rob Halford of Judas Priest, Tenacious D, Anthrax, Halestorm, Corey Taylor and others.
Dio himself is featured on the album's final song, "This Is Your Life." Originally released on 1986's "Angry Machines", the singer is accompanied only by his longtime keyboardist Scott Warren on piano.
Check out the song here.
Wolfmother Surprise Fans With New Album Release and Stream
(Classic Rock) Wolfmother have exploded back into action with the surprise release of third album New Crown. It comes after frontman Andrew Stockdale said he'd no longer use the band name following the collapse of two full lineups.
Original men Chris Ross and Myles Haslett walked out in 2008 citing "irreconcilable differences" with the frontman. Their replacements, Aidan Nemeth and Will Scott, followed suit four years later, making similar statements.
The ten-track album features bassist/keyboardist Ian Peres and drummer Vin Steele but doesn't include recent members Elliott Hammond and Hamish Rosser.
In 2012 Stockdale told Classic Rock: "Being in a band offers so many different challenges. I have a good relationship with most people that have been in this band - but there are things you just can't change.
"In any profession people come and go. Some will stay for three months and others will be around for three years. Being in a band in just the same."
Stream the album here.
Pixies Releasing First Full Length Album In Over 20 Years
The Pixies announced on Monday that they will be releasing their first full length album in over 20 years in April via their own independent music label Pixiesmusic.
The album will be titled "Indie Cindy" and will be released on April 29th in North America, April 23rd in Japan and April 28th in the UK, Europe and other international territories.
"Indie Cindy" will feature 12 songs including the eight tracks from the band's EP-1 and EP-2, three songs from EP-3 and "Bagboy," the band's first new song in more than a decade.
"We started seriously talking about recording new music about four years ago," said Pixies drummer David Lovering in the announcement. "New music seemed like something we just had to do, we just couldn't continue to go out and tour without anything new. So the talk evolved into writing and recording, and we're all very happy with the way everything worked out."
The album finds the band reuniting with producer Gil Norton who worked with the band on the Doolittle, Bossanova, and Trompe le Monde albums and was recorded at Rockfield Studios in Wales, UK in October of 2012.
The album will be released in various formats including a standard 12-track single-CD digipak with booklet, a two-disc, deluxe gatefold album, pressed on 180-gram vinyl, a standard 12-track digital download via iTunes, Amazon, and other online retail sellers, plus an expanded digital download exclusively through iTunes that includes a bonus live-in-concert 13-track set recorded during the band's recently-completed North American tour.
The band will also be selling a special deluxe, limited edition two-disc set version (available as a CD and as a deluxe gatefold album pressed on 180-gram vinyl) that includes the 13-track live disc and a 40-page, hard-back book that features the new artwork produced exclusively for Indie Cindy. The CD limited edition is packaged in a special gold-foil hard slipcase and will be limited to 5000 copies and sold directly from the band's website.
The Pixies will also be celebrating this year's Record Store Day on April 19th with a special version of the album. The special RSD limited edition will be a two-disc, deluxe gatefold, 180-gram vinyl set that will be available only from independent record stores participating in Record Store Day around the world.
Joe Elliott's Down N Outz Return With New Album
(hennemusic) Down N Outz, the Mott The Hoople-inspired side project of Def Leppard singer Joe Elliott, will release a new album, "The Further Adventures Of…", on April 21 (April 22 in North America).
The group features Elliott, The Quireboys' Paul Guerin (guitar), Guy Griffin (guitar) and Keith Weir (keyboards), plus Phil Martin (drums). "The Further Adventures Of…" is the band's third project, following 2010's debut album, "My Re-Generation", and the "Live At Hammersmith Apollo" DVD recorded during the 2009 shows.
"These songs make up a huge portion of who I am," says Elliott, "and I feel incredibly privileged to have been able to record them and hopefully give them a new lease of life, which, quite frankly, is long overdue."
"I'm blown away by these recordings," adds Ian Hunter. "The solo by Paul Guerin on 'The Journey' is one of the best I've heard. These songs really suit Joe's voice also. It's a whole different side to him and the project gets my approval!" more on this story
Pretenders' Chrissie Hynde Reveals Album Release Plans
Pretenders frontman Chrissie Hynde have announced that she will be releasing her debut album under her own name, "Stockholm" on June 10th in the U.S. via Caroline Records.
"It's the first album with my name on it," Hynde said in the announcement. "But it's not a solo album. In fact, making this album was more of a collaboration than any Pretenders album ever was."
The album takes its name from the city of Stockholm where Hynde recording the album at Ingrid Studios with co-writer/guitarist Bjorn Yttling of Peter, Bjorn and John at the helm.
"Stockholm" will feature guest appearances from Neil Young, John McEnroe and Joakim Ahlund of the Caesars. Hynde says of the album "I wanted to make a power pop album you could dance to - Abba meets John Lennon." more on this story
Gwar Confirm Death of Frontman Dave Brockie
For those that missed the update on Monday morning. Gwar's manager Jack Flanagan of Issachar Entertainment/ Slave Pit Inc. confirmed that Gwar frontman Dave Brockie died on Sunday (March 26th).
We published part of Flanagan's statement yesterday in an update to our original report. Here is the full statement that he issued early Monday morning, "It is with a saddened heart, that I confirm my dear friend Dave Brockie, artist, musician, and lead singer of GWAR passed away at approximately 6:50 PM EST Sunday March 23,2014.
"His body was found Sunday by his band mate at his home in Richmond, VA. Richmond authorities have confirmed his death and next of kin has been notified. A full autopsy will be performed. He was 50 years old, born August 30, 1963.
"My main focus right now is to look after my band mates and his family. More information regarding his death shall be released as the details are confirmed."
Gene Simmons of KISS Calls Out Rock Hall For Not Rocking
With the long delayed induction of KISS into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame there has been a stream of controversy surrounding their upcoming induction and the band refusing to perform with original members Peter Criss and Ace Frehley.
Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons have both been long critics of the Rock Hall and Rolling Stone Magazine and that hasn't changed with the band finally being inducted after fans gave them a victory in the fan ballot this year.
Simmons recently spoke with Radio.com about the induction and he called out the Rock Hall for their inclusion of non-rock artists including disco, pop and rap stars. Here is an excerpt:
Radio.com: At last year's ceremony, Neil Peart of Rush said, "We've been saying for years that this isn't a big deal. Turns out: it kind of is!" Do you feel any sense that this is a big deal, after being overlooked for so long?
Gene: Yes and no: it's not a big deal, except that it's a big deal to the fans, especially to the older fans. I have no beef with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. You go on with your bad self and get more disco artists. Get the Boston Pops Orchestra to be inducted! A long time ago it was diluted. It's really back room politics, like Boss Tweed. A few people decide what's in and what's not. And the masses just scratch their heads. You've got Grandmaster Flash in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Run-D.M.C. in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? You're killing me! That doesn't mean those aren't good artists. But they don't play guitar. They sample and they talk. Not even sing!
Radio.com: Last year, Donna Summer was inducted, were you happy to see that finally happen?
Gene: What do you mean 'finally?' Donna was my next door neighbor for many years, I knew and liked her, she was on my [1978] solo record. But if you asked Donna, 'What kind of artist are you?' do you think she would say 'rock?' If you asked Madonna, 'What kind of artist are you?' do you think she would say, 'Oh, rock!' So what they hell are they doing in the Hall of Fame? They can run their organization any way they'd like, but it ain't rock! It just isn't! If you don't play guitar and you don't write your own songs, you don't belong there.
Gene talks about a lot of other topics including the possibility of a new KISS album, his recent appearance on CSI and more. Read the full interview here.
Five Finger Death Punch Release House Of The Rising Sun Video
(TeamRock Radio) Five Finger Death Punch have released the music video for their cover of classic track The House Of The Rising Sun, which was directed by guitarist Zoltan Bathory.
Bathory had this to say, "It's an experiment, the initial step toward something we always wanted to do - make a full-length Death Punch movie somewhere down the line.
"We jumped into this knowing that we'd shoot more footage than we could possibly fit in one video. We went out there with two helicopters, two gyrocopters, 20-something crazy cars, a big cast and an arsenal of cameras.
"We ended up with so much amazing material, the hardest task was to compress it down into a three-minutes video, so we made an extended version with a long intro. We're making an even longer director's cut as we speak." Watch the video here.
Yes Reveal New Album Release Details and Tour Plans
(hennemusic) Yes have announced a new album and a summer US tour. Due July 8, "Heaven And Earth" is the band's first project with singer Jon Davison, who joined the lineup in 2012. A track list and more details will be revealed soon.
The same day the album hits stores, Yes will launch a 35-date US summer tour that will see the band performing two albums in their entirety - 1971's "Fragile" (for the first-time ever) and a repeat performance from last year's tour of 1972's "Close To The Edge" - followed by an encore of their greatest hits.
The trek will wrap up August 24 at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. Yes are currently in the middle of a 10-date Canadian tour that runs to April 2 in Hamilton, Ontario. more on this story
Rolling Stones To Headline Roskilde Festival
(hennemusic) The Rolling Stones will headline the Roskilde Festival in Denmark on July 3. Among the largest music festivals in Europe, the 2014 event will see close more than 160 acts perform, including Arctic Monkeys, Rob Zombie, Kasabian and others.
The stop is one of several European shows planned as part of the band's 14 On Fire tour, including previously announced dates in Holland, Germany, Italy and Belgium.
The Stones recently postponed seven shows in Australia and New Zealand following the sudden death of Mick Jagger's longtime girlfriend, L'Wren Scott; the dates are expected to be rebooked for this fall. more on this story
Zakk Wylde Discusses New Black Label Society Album
(Gibson) Zakk Wylde's band, Black Label Society, will release their new album on April 8, Catacombs of the Black Vatican. The album marks the group's first all-new LP since 2009's The Order of the Black.
Gibson caught up with the frontman and former Ozzy Osbourne guitarist to discuss the guitar philosophy behind the new album ("Lots of guitar riffs!"), advice for aspiring players and more.
How does this new album differ from your last one, The Order of the Black? It's pretty much the same as the last ones, with different song titles! (Laughs) Everyone wants to know what it sounds like, and it sounds like the last pervious nine records but with different songs. It's just how we do a Black Label Society album!
What was the writing process like for this album? If we're on the road, I'm usually the first one down and first one up, because I don't drink. So, I'll get up in the morning, and I'll start running scales. Then, I'll start playing mellow tunes, like Creedence Clearwater or Bob Seger-acoustic stuff. So, I'll get song ideas on the road. Then, when I get home, every day I'll go into the studio and get inspired to write riffs.
What was your guitar philosophy on this release? Lots of guitar riffs! My philosophy is writing riffs on the E string and the A string. When I used to listen to "Smoke on the Water" or "Iron Man," those riffs can be played on basically one string. Being a kid, those were the first songs I learned. They're just riffs. They're on two strings, the actual riff. That's just riff writing.
So, I sit down and keep digging and digging and writing and then record whenever I have something good. I'll stockpile it. I might write the whole song right there, too. Then, the guys get here, and we do it. I'll play it for Chat (Szeliga), and he'll play air drums on his legs, and then he'll get on the drums and play it one time through, record it and do this thing, as opposed to sitting in a rehearsal room and blasting away. It's so much easier now that we have the studio. You can shape it and mold it instantly when you're in the studio.
Read the rest of the interview here.
Nazareth Releasing Final Album With Dan McCafferty
(Classic Rock) Nazareth have confirmed what could be their last album with Dan McCafferty will be released on June 9. Rock'n'Roll Telephone, launched via Union Square Music, will contain 11 tracks and come in CD, deluxe 2CD and double vinyl formats.
The veteran outfit last month revealed Scottish singer Linton Osborne as their new frontman, after McCafferty was forced to retire as a result of health issues that left him incapable of delivering a live show.
Union Square describe Rock'n'Roll Telephone as a "welcome return to form" and add: "This may be the last album to feature Dan. If it does prove to be his last stand, he retires on a high note with his legacy as one of rock's greatest vocalists assured." more on this story
BadChristian Music Offer Free Kings Kaleidoscope EP Download
(Fresno) BadChristian Music, the new record label formed by the band Emery, released its inaugural release on Monday, 'Live in Color,' a live EP from the Seattle, Wash. 10-musician collective, Kings Kaleidoscope.
The label is celebrating the release by offering a free download of the EP from the Mars Hill Church alumni. BadChristian will be giving away the download for one week via their website here.
"This EP is the best thing I've heard from Kings Kaleidoscope," said Matt Carter, Emery guitarist and BadChristian co-founder. "They are a band you have to experience live, and this EP and video are the next best thing.
"In Emery, we have always fought in the battle between Christian and secular audiences, trying to authentically be who we are and challenge people's cultural norms. Kings Kaleidoscope is going to do the same thing. That is why they belong on BadChristian, and we are stoked about it."
Added Toby Morrell, Emery guitarist/vocalist and BadChristian co-founder, "Kings Kaleidoscope is going to usher in a new era for worship music that goes beyond the congregational Sunday morning setting, yet evokes even more participation and engagement."
"We love Mars Hill and we're thankful for the time we got to be a part of the church," said Kings Kaleidoscope frontman and bandleader, Chad Gardner. "We now have the opportunity to do something different - something that extends beyond the boundaries of Sunday mornings - and create music for a larger audience. We want to create the best gospel-centered, Jesus-focused music on the planet. We are not a genre, we are Kings Kaleidoscope." more on this story
John Lennon's Drawings, Doodles and Short Stories Being Auctioned
(Radio.com) This summer, the largest collection of John Lennon's writing, drawings and doodles is going up for auction at Sotheby's in New York. The items included in the auction, taking place June 4, come from the private collection of publisher, Tom Maschler, who worked closely with Lennon on the production of his two books 1964′s In His Own Write and the following year's A Spaniard in the Works.
According to Rolling Stone, the collection, named "You Might Well Arsk," will include "satirical drawings, doodles and gibberish poems" with the highlight being the handwritten manuscript for "The Singularge Experience of Miss Anne Duffield," a Sherlock Holmes parody Lennon wrote in 1965. That item is expected to go for anywhere between $40,000 and $60,000.
The collection also features a series of typed pages, which includes a page believed to be from Sept. 1962 that refers to the Beatles' first single "Love Me Do." That item is expected to sell for $15,000 to $20,000. more on this story
Black Stone Cherry, Airbourne and Theory Of A Deadman Tour
(Classic Rock) Black Stone Cherry have confirmed a UK tour that will be taking place October and November - and they'll be joined by label mates Airbourne and Theory Of A Deadman.
It follows the southern rockers' recent run of intimate shows, which saw them performing selected tracks while telling the audience about the inspiration behind them and holding question-answer sessions.
They're poised to release fourth album Magic Mountain, which will hit shelves on May 5th in Europe via Roadrunner Records. Check out the tour dates here.
The Wildhearts, Monster Magnet Lead Latest Download Additions
(Classic Rock) The Wildhearts, Monster Magnet and Orange Goblin lead the latest batch of bands added to the bill for this year's Download festival. They'll join headliners Aerosmith, Linkin Park and Avenged Sevenfold at Donington Park on the weekend of June 13-15.
Also added are Against Me!, Chevelle, Arthemis, Lawnmower Deth, Page 44, Royal Blood, The Dirty Youth, Marmozets, VAMPS (JPN), Kid Karate, The Magnus Puto, No Hot Ashes, Colt 45, Drones and Tax the Heat.
Wildhearts guitarist CJ says: "Well, they just can't get rid of us. It's only 20 years since we first played Donington - and in 2008 they turned the power off on us. Who knows what will happen this year? Bring it on!" more on this story
Tim Bowness Releasing Second Solo Album In June
(Prog) No-Man, Henry Fool and Memories Of Machines member Tim Bowness has confirmed his second solo album will be called Abandoned Dancehall Dreams.
The record was produced by Bowness and his No-Man collaborator Steven Wilson, and features guest appearances by Pat Mastelotto, Colin Edwin, Anna Phoebe, along with the No-Man live band.
He says: "Abandoned Dancehall Dreams is a departure from my previous solo work and is perhaps more in line with the widescreen, cinematic nature of No-Man's music. It's like an exciting new beginning on all fronts." more on this story
Order Of Voices Release Hand In Hand Video
(Prog) Order Of Voices have released a video for their single Hand In Hand. The unsigned prog outfit gained attention last year when they won an award for previous video Don't Falter at the House Of Commons' Rock The House ceremony.
Now they've launched a follow-up, which the Sheffield five-piece hope will generate even more interest. Vocalist Leigh Oates last year told Prog he believed the genre was experiencing a renaissance
Oates said, "I see lots of bands experimenting and pushing themselves technically. I think like with any revival it takes some trailblazers, then the movement grows. I think we're at that point now. I'm always on the lookout for any band that has prog elements to them, but has a good sense of song structure and vocal hooks too. That, to me is, how the scene can continue to grow and become more accessible." Watch the video here.
Singled Out: Foghat's Boogie Train
Today Foghat's Roger Earl tells us about their new single 'Boogie Train', how his relationship with winning 'Boogie Train' lyricist Chief Warrant Officer 4 Tom Mix lead to donating their proceeds to 'Fishing for Freedom'. Here is the story:
"I COUNTED TO 4 AND OFF WE WENT! Actually it was my brother Colin (Earl) on piano who came up with the basic idea for it('495 Boogie'). He is a boogie king! It was done in one take, and I believe the only overdub was by our friend Lefty Lefkowitz on Harmonica. Lefty was an electrician in Local 3 in NYC and was working at the time of the original recording.
We released it on our recent Blues record "Last Train Home" in 2010. It ironically enough turned out to be the most downloaded track on the album.
Then Classic Rock DJ, Charlie Ocean from Mobile, Alabama, added lyrics to "495 Boogie" renaming it "Big American Blonde," and sent it to us as a joke! (It was a bit risqué even for adult ears). It was his idea that we run a contest and invite fans to add lyrics of their own.
Sadly, Charlie Ocean passed away on July 6, 2011 so we put the idea on hold for a bit, until October 2012. At that point we figured the contest would be a great way to honor our fallen friend, so we went for it.
The contest entries were fantastic! Then we narrowed it down to the final three along with judges Ken Dashow of WAXQ FM Classic Rock Radio in NYC, and Jeb Wright of ClassicRockRevisited.com and put them up for voting by the fans.
The first place winner, Phil Dessinger, wrote a song called "The Word Of Rock N' Roll". Great lyrics, something that any traveling rock and roll band could relate too. The contest was so close we decided to release the 2nd place winner as well. These terrific lyrics just happened to be written by a man named Chief Warrant Officer 4 Tom Mix.
Tom wrote the lyrics while he was deployed in Afghanistan as a MARSS B300 pilot in B Co Task Force ODIN. (ODIN stands for Observe, Detect, Identify, and Neutralize). He had previously been deployed to Iraq twice before (MEDEVAC pilot in 06-07 and Brigade Safety in 10-11). Tom is currently in a 'Warrior Transition Unit' in Fort Polk, Louisiana. These units are designed to help wounded or injured soldiers recuperate and return to duty or to be able to transition to civilian life.
When I first met Tom we discussed two things: Fishing and Arkansas. This lead to our chat about 'Fishing For Freedom'. Fishing For Freedom is an organization that brings together warriors with volunteer boaters for a day of tournament bass fishing. I think any day spent fishing is a good day. If we can help some of our wounded warriors in any way, even just having some time on the water, dangling a line and relaxing, I think it's time well spent.
We decided to donate the proceeds of 'Boogie Train' to Fishing For Freedom as a thank you to the great men and women who have sacrificed so much. It's all about the music….and giving back."
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