Today's Day in Rock
Black Sabbath's Final Concert?
(Classic Rock) Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi has told Metal Hammer that Black Sabbath's headline appearance at the Barclaycard British Summer Time festival at London's Hyde Park might be the British metal institution's final gig.
The July 4 show, the closing date on the band's summer 2014 tour, will see Sabbath headline above Soundgarden, Faith No More, Motorhead and Soulfly on the festival's main stage. And according to Iommi, it could be the end of the road for the legendary band.
"It could be the last ever Sabbath show," the guitarist admits. "I don't want it to be, but there's nothing really planned touring-wise after that show, so for all we know that could be it really. To be honest I don't want to be touring to this extent too much longer, because it makes me feel so bad." more on this story
Dave Grohl Gets His Own TV Series
(Radio.com) Dave Grohl is coming to your TV set again, this time with his own show. Classic Rock magazine reports that Grohl will be given his own series on HBO. The program will expand on the feel of the Foo Fighters frontman's Sound City documentary, finding Grohl traveling to recording studios across the world.
Grohl will also conduct various interviews at each studio, going head to head with some of the other musicians who have recorded there - making it more than a mere excuse to watch him flex his musical muscle in each recording studio.
Already, the series is set to feature Steve Albini's Electrical Audio in Chicago, Washington, D.C.'s Inner Ear (Don Zientara) and Rancho De La Luna in California, with interviews featuring Kiss' Paul Stanley, Joe Walsh of the Eagles and Heart's Nancy Wilson, among others. more on this story
Geezer Butler Offers Reward To Catch Cat Killer
(Classic Rock) Black Sabbath bass player Geezer Butler is offering a reward for information on a "heinous" crime which saw 25 cats killed and left swinging from trees in New York.
Butler has pledged $1000 to the reward fund on offer to anyone who can provide information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. The cats were put in plastic bags and left swinging from trees in Yonkers, New York. The total reward now stands at $25,000.
In a statement released via the Westchester SPCA, Butler says: "It is so tragic that we have human beings among us that are capable of committing such a heinous and heartless crime. Surely there is someone out there that knows who has done this. Please do the right thing and come forward to get this coward off the street." more on this story
Aerosmith Cancel Turkish Debut After Mining Disaster
(hennemusic) Aerosmith have cancelled Wednesday night's concert in Istanbul following Tuesday's coal mine disaster in Soma. At press time, news reports indicate a fire at a mine in the western Turkish city has resulted in the death of 245 miners in what is expected to be the country's worst industrial disaster. 120 miners remain trapped while 450 were rescued after the fire.
Turkey has declared a three-day mourning for the victims of the incident while rescue efforts continue. Aerosmith members released statements sharing their condolences and prayers for those affected in the incident and for the nation as a whole.
"I woke up this morning to the horrific news of the mining disaster in Soma, Turkey," said singer Steven Tyler. "My heartfelt prayers go out to those who have died, those who are still trapped, and their families. We are holding the people of Turkey close to our hearts and respecting the three days of mourning for a saddened nation." more on this story
United's Akihiro Yokoyama Dead at 49
(Classic Rock) Akihiro Yokoyama of Japanese metal band United has died suddenly at the age of 49. The bassist, who was also their main creative force and manager, passed away on Tuesday, it's been confirmed.
A statement says: "It happened totally out of the blue and it is very hard for his family, United and the staff to accept it, but we wanted to share the news with everyone who has strongly supported both himself and United over the years."
Yokoyama joined the band in 1983 when they were a Black Sabbath and Judas Priest tribute outfit. After he joined they began writing original material and released nine albums, their most recent being 2011's Tear Of Illusions. more on this story
Judas Priest Preview New Song
(hennemusic) Judas Priest are previewing a clip from "March Of The Damned", one of the tracks found on their forthcoming album, "Redeemer Of Souls." The group recently released the title track as the album's lead single.
Due July 15 in North America, the project will be issued in a standard version and a deluxe edition with five bonus tracks. "Redeemer Of Souls" marks guitarist Richie Faulkner's studio debut with Priest; he replaced founding member K.K. Downing following his retirement in 2011.
"We feel 'Redeemer of Souls' reinforces our passion for what we believe in from the Judas Priest style heavy metal," said the band. Check out the new song preview here.
Roger Daltrey Wants To Make Another Album With Wilko Johnson
(Classic Rock) Roger Daltrey has vowed he'll make a second blues album with Wilko Johnson if the cancer victim recovers enough to make it. And he's suggested they'll take more time over recording if they get the opportunity to track a follow-up to Going Back Home, which was released in March.
Wilko Johnson, 66, expected to be dead by October last year after doctors found a tumor in his stomach and he opted not to receive chemotherapy treatment.
He underwent a new surgical procedure last month, after a physician friend became intrigued as to why Johnson appeared to be suffering no ill effects - despite the tumor continuing to grow. more on this story
Stevie Nicks Working On New Album
(hennemusic) While Fleetwood Mac work on new music, Stevie Nicks is also working on a new collection of rare songs that she hopes to release this October, according to Billboard.
The set, tentatively titled "24 Karat Gold: Songs From the Vault", will feature lost and stray songs that she's written and recorded through the years, but never made it onto an album.
The selections for "24 Karat Gold" were all newly recorded in Nashville, and co-produced by Nicks, Dave Stewart and Waddy Wachtel. Nicks says that she just recorded "18 tracks in three weeks" for the album, saying that it's the "fastest I have ever recorded." more on this story
Metallica Frontman Featured In Guitar Center Commercial
(hennemusic) Metallica frontman James Hetfield is featured in a new commercial for music instrument retailer the Guitar Center. The ad actually stems from an extended video interview that Hetfield did while in the chain's San Francisco store earlier this year.
In a small room, Hetfield recounted tales of his first guitar, becoming a musician, rising to fame, and he played a few riffs during the session. In the meantime, customers continued to shop in the store, having no idea it was Metallica's frontman playing.
This Friday, May 16, Metallica will team up with the Major League Baseball's San Francisco Giants for the 2nd annual Metallica Night at AT&T Park.
Check out the GC ad here.
Chris Cornell Was Offended By Temple Of The Dog Critics
(Classic Rock) Chris Cornell says he was "offended" when critics expressed surprise at his vocal range on 1991's Temple Of The Dog album. The Soundgarden frontman says the album - on which he sings alongside Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder as part of a grunge supergroup - eventually led to him changing up his style for Soundgarden's seminal fourth album Superunknown.
Cornell tells Radio.com: "When Temple Of The Dog came out, and I was getting a reaction from people...'wow, we didn't know you could sing', I was a little bit offended. How did you not know - are you stupid? And then I had to stop and think, 'wow I'm doing a lot of screaming and I'm avoiding singing.
"But that was based on the music. I was careful from the very first song that we wrote together, Kim Thayil and Hiro Yamamoto and I, to support the music. Ultramega OK, Louder Than Love and Badmotorfinger was not music that was asking for that kind of singing." more on this story
Dan McCafferty Helped Out His Nazareth Replacement
(Classic Rock) New Nazareth singer Linton Osborne has hailed Dan McCafferty as a "class act" after the retired vocalist helped his replacement through the ordeal of his first show.
Osborne was given the job in February, months after the original frontman was forced to quit three songs into a gig in Switzerland, leaving his bandmates fearing that their careers were over.
But with McCafferty's blessing, Nazareth powered on and hired their second-ever vocalist, who was previously a club singer - and once regularly dressed as a vampire Elvis character in a previous band.
He made his first appearance with the Scots veterans last month in Inverness. Just before he went on his predecessor left a message on his phone.
Osborne, who's known Naz for years, says: "I've still got the message. How much nicer can a man get? There's no way he would have wanted to give this job up. Not a chance. But he obviously had to, and he did it with such class. more on this story
Iron Maiden's Trooper Beer Sells 5 Million Pints In First Year
(hennemusic) UK's Robinsons Brewery have announced that Iron Maiden's Trooper Beer has sold 5 million pints in its first year. The company revealed the news last Friday, on the brand's first anniversary.
Launched in the UK in the spring of 2013, the beverage is named after the classic Iron Maiden song of the same name. Trooper was personally designed and developed as a top quality Premium British Beer by Iron Maiden vocalist and real ale enthusiast Bruce Dickinson with Robinsons' Head Brewer Martyn Weeks.
Since Trooper's launch, the beer has expanded its global coverage and is currently distributed in 40 countries. "When asked a year and a half ago if we wanted to enter into a partnership with the respected Robinsons Brewery to design and brew a real ale for ourselves and our fans, we leapt at the chance," says Dickinson. "What has been particularly encouraging, over and above the international sales success and even over the tremendous reaction from our fans, is how it has been so warmly welcomed by serious beer aficionados outside the Iron Maiden community." more on this story
Yes Reveal New Album Details
(Prog) Yes have unveiled the cover art and tracklist for Heaven & Earth, their first album with vocalist Jon Davison. The eight-track record is described as a continuation of their classic prog sound, but also featuring a "timelessly fresh and innovative" edge.
The sleeve art was once again created by long-time collaborator Roger Dean. Davison last month admitted recording sessions had been completed "just in time," but said there was enough overflow material that could be used in a later release.
He said: "We were doubling up in the studio. Chris Squire and I were working on background vocals and Steve Howe was finishing guitars. Geoff Downes was in Wales, Alan White was in Seattle and they were both sending tracks.
"We were just kind of throwing everything in at the last minute, then we only had two or three days before we had to start this tour."
Check out the cover and the tracklist here.
Jimmy Page's Berklee Music Commencement Speech Goes Online
(hennemusic) Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page delivered the commencement speech at Boston's Berklee College Of Music on May 10, and video from the event is now available.
On hand to receive an honorary degree from the prestigious music school, Page was asked to deliver the address to the 2014 graduates at Boston University's Agganis Arena.
"This is absolutely so amazing and it's such a privilege to be part of this and to feel all the energy from you graduates," began Page. "Congratulations to all of you."
Caught up in the spirit of the event, the guitarist discarded his planned speech, saying, "Here I am, a busking musician trying to busk my speech."
Page went on to discuss some of his personal history of learning music (self-taught), the relevance of studying music and his impressions of Berklee.
Watch the speech here.
Keith Emerson Pays Tribute To HR Giger
(Prog) ELP keyboardist Keith Emerson has paid tribute to HR Giger, who died on Tuesday. The Swiss painter, sculptor and set designer died after he failed to recover from injuries sustained by falling down a flight of stairs. He was 74.
Keith Emerson has recalled how Giger, who created the artwork for ELP's 1973 album Brain Salad Surgery, always seemed destined for greater acclaim.
He says: "Giger was an extraordinary character. His paintings always looked like photos. He used airbrushing to come up with art that looked like it was part of a movie image.
"I suppose that's why he ended up going into movies - and he always wanted to have a wider audience to admire his work." more on this story
Nash the Slash Dead at 66
(Prog) Jeff Plewman, better known as Nash the Slash, has died at the age of 66, it's been confirmed. The Canadian experimental musician was noted for appearing on stage wrapped in bandages, before he retired two years ago.
In 1976 he was a co-founder of Canadian prog outfit FM and appeared on their debut album Black Noise. He rejoined the band in 1983 and remained until 1996. As a solo artist he's best remembered for 1981 mini-album Decomposing, which was designed to be played at any speed.
He played violin, mandolin, harmonica and glockenspiel, among other instruments. His compositions include soundtracks for silent movies, audiovisual collaborations with surrealist artist Robert Vanderhorst - who confirmed his colleague's death. more on this story
Decade Release Coffin Video Ahead Of This Week's Tour Launch
Decade have released a new live music video as they prepare to launch their own headline tour of the UK at the end of the week with support from Only Rivals and Brawlers.
The new live video is for the track "Coffin" which comes from their debut album "Good Luck." The band filmed the video during their tour with Mayday Parade back in January. Watch it here.
Frontman Alex Sears had this to say about the tour, "We're especially excited about this tour, as we'll be playing the entirety of 'Good Luck' live for the first time, as well as a few oldies. Joe reckons he's going to stage dive at every show too, so that alone is worth coming down to see..."
Following the headline tour, the band have lined up appearances at several summer music festivals in the UK including 2000 Trees, Nass, Boardmasters and all five dates of Slam Dunk's UK run. more on this story
John Illsley Previews New Album With Live Session Footage
(Classic Rock) John Illsley's new album isn't out until next month, but he's giving fans an early hint of what to expect with the release of a low-key live video. When God Made Time is the first single from John Illsley's new the album Testing The Water, which is out on June 16. It's the former Dire Straits bassist's first full-length release since 2010. The album will be launched with a show at London's Jazz Cafe on June 19.
"I was missing being in the studio and playing music seriously," says Illsley. "This record was an important one for me to make. The last few years have been so turbulent politically, militarily and personally, and I wanted to try and create some songs that reflected these strange times and perhaps were worthy of sharing with others."
The video, which features a live performance of the song filmed at British Grove studios in West London, is a Classic Rock exclusive. Watch it here.
The Osiris Club Premiere New Song Blazing World
(Prog) London four-piece The Osiris Club set out their stall with the premiere of Blazing World, the title track of their upcoming debut album. The four-piece started out in 2010 with the aim of melding horror-movie soundtracks with prog metal.
They've been drawing strong reactions from live crowds with shows that feature occult symbolism, film backdrops and theatrics. Guitarist Raf Ruett says: "They tend to react with either religious fervor or complete confusion - and we wouldn't have it any other way."
Fellow guitarist Chris Fullard says of recording work: "We tracked at the renowned all-analogue Orgone Studios in London. We moved to Seattle and began mixing at Avast studios with Randall Dunn, who's previously produced Sunn O))), Earth and Wolves In the Throne Room."
Check out the song here.
The Birds Of Satan Rock Kimmel
(hennemusic) The Birds Of Satan, a new band featuring Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins, will perform on ABC-TV's Jimmy Kimmel Live last Wednesday, May 14.
The group recently released their self-titled debut album. Joining Hawkins in The Birds Of Satan are guitarist Mick Murphy and bassist Wiley Hodgden, who regularly perform together as 70s cover band Chevy Metal.
Produced by John Lousteau, the project includes guest appearances by fellow Foos Dave Grohl and Pat Smear, as well as Drew Hester, Rami Jaffee, Butch Vig, and current Yes frontman Jon Davison.
Watch the performance here.
David Lee Roth Streams A Capella Take On Happy
(hennemusic) In the latest episode of The Roth Show, Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth reveals he is in a Yokohama, Japan studio recording an a capella version of the Pharrell Williams hit, "Happy."
Roth recently hooked up with New York a cappella group Naturally 7 at their recent show in Tokyo and participated in an impromptu backstage performance of the song from the "Despicable Me 2" soundtrack album.
The rocker further explains that Tokyo has become his first home (he still maintains property in New York and California) and that he'll be spending 6 months of this year in the Far East country.
Check out the episode here.
Singled Out: Sworn Enemy's Do Or Die
Today Sworn Enemy frontman Sal LoCoco tells us about the song "Do or Die" from their brand new album "Living On Borrowed Time," which was released this week. Here is the story:
I've always been one to pretty much write all the lyrics myself on past albums but this one was kinda different I actually had a lot of help with it. Do or Die was the first song on the new record that me and Matt collaborated on.
He basically gave me a page worth of his ideas on how the song should be and I just worked them in my own way to fit to the music. I have to say it was a masterpiece after we were done with it, because of how good that worked we did a few other songs on the new record the same way.
Now I know I have a collaborator to work with on the future records. That's definitely a great feeling to know that the pressure for writing all the lyrics isn't put solely on me
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