Today's Day in Rock News!

Today's Day in Rock


Black Sabbath Feature Film Coming
(Classic Rock) Black Sabbath are to be the subject of a documentary by top filmmakers Scot McFadyen and Sam Dunn. The duo behind Canadian company Banger Films have previously made rock documentaries about Rush, Iron Maiden and Alice Cooper.

McFadyen tells Times Columnist that they are to start work on a full-length Sabbath feature film, although it has not been confirmed whether it will document the band's entire history or pick up the story since Ozzy Osbourne, Tommy Iommi and Geezer Butler's reunion for 2013 album 13. The record saw the trio record and perform together for the first time in 35 years.

Meanwhile, Banger Films will also film a documentary on Seattle grunge icons Soundgarden. Canadian director Reg Harkema tells Bad Feeling he is working with McFadyen and Dunn on the film, set to get underway in the summer when the band go out on tour with Nine Inch Nails. more on this story




The Misfits Vs Danzig
(Classic Rock) The Misfits have accused their former singer Glenn Danzig of "sour grapes" and trying to profit from merchandise sales to which, they say, he is not entitled.

The band, fronted by Jerry Only, released a statement just a day after news broke that Danzig had launched a lawsuit against his former bandmate. Danzig - who left the band in 1983 - claims bass player Only secretly registered trademarks relating to Misfits merchandise to himself in 2000, cutting the singer out of any profit. The items allegedly registered by Only - real name Gerrard Caiafa - include the band's 'Fiend Skull' logo.

Only's statement, released today, claims he secured exclusive legal rights to tour and record as The Misfits in 1995, at which time he also launched a licensing program through Cyclopian Music. It adds: "At the same time, Glenn Anzalone - professionally known as Glenn Danzig (former co-founder and Misfits vocalist circa 1977 to 1983) - made clear that he wanted no public association with the Misfits or Cyclopian Music's business endeavours."

The statement continues: "To be clear, Glenn Danzig has no legal right to, and no interest in, Cyclopian's Misfits licenses or business ventures period. Danzig's lawsuit is nothing more than a calculated attempt to unfairly and improperly enrich himself from revenue streams to which he is not entitled."

Read the rest of their statement here.




Trivium Lose A Member
Trivium's Paolo Gregoletto released a message to fans announcing that the band has parted ways with Nick Augusto, who became the band's drummer 3 and half years ago.

Gregoletto explains the decision, "I had asked everyone to make this statement regarding Nick, personally and on behalf of the band because of the history we both have had together as friends and bandmates. There is no easy way to go about parting ways with someone; whether it's in a band or not, but if it is coming directly from one of us, I hope that it will be perceived out of our respect for him.

"This past Sunday, Matt, Corey, and I decided that it was best to part ways with Nick and to move forward as soon as possible. This decision was not one that we took lightly, given the fact that we are in the midst of a tour, and more importantly, that Nick has been with us for almost 3 and half years.

"We spoke face to face for about an hour on the bus - first informing him of our decision to move forward, both discussing the situation and how to precede with announcing it, as well as personally thanking him for being there when we needed him as a tech, and then as drummer. I made both those calls to Nick - I asked him if he would be willing to drop everything and come out and be apart of Trivium at a moments notice and he did without hesitation. On stage we all fit well together - I believe we became a tighter and more unified band because of him. There was not a dramatic ending to this, honestly it was quite muted and I am happy to have been able to speak directly and calmly to one another.

"I believe we all agreed that what started out great "off stage" in the beginning, over time began to fray. It became obvious that things were not going to work out in the long run. We did not want to reach the point where the differences between us became apparent on stage. Being in a band is privilege afforded to us by all of you, and as much as we owe you guys the best show we can possibly give you, we also realize that being out here has to be enjoyable enough for us to continue to do so.

"We truly wish nothing but the best for Nick and whatever projects he becomes involved in. We will be rooting for him to succeed. I would like to add that as the one who championed Nick to become our drummer 3 and half years ago, I will be the first person to vouch for him as an incredible drummer and as an immense force and presence on stage. The last show together at Carolina Rebellion was a powerful one, and I am happy to say that we ended our time together on such a high and positive note.

"Lastly, I would like to thank our drum tech Mat Madiro for stepping up to the plate and learning our entire set in 24 hours, allowing us to continue this tour without a hitch. We have always tried to treat both band and crew as family, and the support for Mat from our other crew guys has been amazing, thank you all - Eric, Joey, Sam, Jeremy, and Mike! Another HUGE thank you to Volbeat and their crew for giving us their entire sound check at the Niagara Falls show to allow us to run through the set with Mat. They have been a great band to tour with and this act only further solidified to us what stand up guys they are on and off stage.

"Nick, thank you once again for the hard work with us, we will always be grateful for the time we spent together with you on the road and in the studio.

"Thank you all for your support and understanding.

"Sincerely,
Paolo Gregoletto"




Metal Stars React To Idea of AC/DC Without Malcolm
(Classic Rock) Icons of the rock world have given their opinion on whether AC/DC should continue without Malcolm Young - just as the band appear to have drafted in a replacement.

As Stevie Young, nephew of Angus and Malcolm, joined the band in Vancouver ahead of recording sessions for their next album, musicians and industry heads including Jason Hook from Five Finger Death Punch and Wendy Dio - Ronnie James' widow and manager - spoke out on the band's future.

Dio says they should continue. She says: "Absolutely. They are a legend." But Kirk Windstein of Crowbar and formerly of Down disagrees. He says: "No. Not this far in. I know he had a few problems with drinking years ago and his nephew or someone had to fill in for a few tours while he got sober. It's just my opinion but my God, it's AC/DC, what else do they have to prove?"

Testament's Chuck Billy says he hopes the band continue to write and record but he would understand if they chose not to. And former Pantera man Rex Brown says: "No, there's no AC/DC without Malcolm." Read more.





Scorpions' James Kottack Released From Dubai Jail
(hennemusic) The Scorpions have confirmed that drummer James Kottack has been released from a Dubai jail, following a recent conviction in the United Arab Emirates over alleged misconduct at the local airport in April.

"James Kottak boarded a plane out of Dubai and arrived in the US last night," posted the band on Wednesday. "He will have to find the time to sort out his problems."

The band also confirmed that they had yet to be in direct contact with their bandmate. "Dear fans, at this point we want to hear personally from James what happened in Dubai," they added in a second posted. "We [will] let you know…Hopefully there will be better days ." more on this story





Sebastian Bach Bewildered By Facebook Followers
(Classic Rock) Former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach says he's bewildered by people who have liked his Facebook page but haven't bought his latest solo album 'Give 'Em Hell.'

Give 'Em Hell sold 5000 copies in its first week of release - but his official page has over 800,000 followers and his administration section tells him 70,000 are talking about him.

Bach tells The Shoe with Miles Schuman: "I would like to thank the 5000 out of the 800,000 that got my record, and I would like to ask the other 795,000 people, 'Why are you on my page?

"'Are you there to look at the pictures? If that's what you want I'll put some pictures up or whatever.' more on this story




Fish Reveals Rescheduled Tour Dates
(Classic Rock) Fish has confirmed all dates on his rescheduled Movable Feast UK tour. He was forced to postpone the first three shows, then another, then finally call off the entire trek as guitarist Robin Boult struggled with chicken pox and a blood infection.

The shows are in support of acclaimed album A Feast Of Consequences, which was released last year. Fish says: "I talked to Robin today and he asked me to say thanks for all your messages. He's been told he'll be contagious for another six days, with doctors' advice to do nothing and heal for the next two weeks.

"The blood infection has been caught in time and he is now on antibiotics. The worst thing is that he has a large pustule in his ear, which would have meant he could not have used his in-ear monitor system and would have had to resort to old fashioned wedges if there had been any possibility of gigs. He's in a lot of pain still, but this particular spot is the most aggravating and he just has to let it disappear in time."

Read more and check out the rescheduled dates here.





Photos Of Led Zeppelin's Sex Shop Visit Going Up For Auction
(Radio.com) The antics of Led Zeppelin in the '70s are the stuff of rock legend. And most of those legends are too NSFW to be printed by this outlet. However, photographic proof has surfaced that pushes one of the legends into the arena of truth.

Privately owned British auction house Bonhams have put up a lot of photos of the band from March of 1973 that document their reception in Stockholm at the Chat Noir club, the city's leading sex club.

On its website, Bonhams elaborate on the events of the evening, saying, "[d]uring the proceedings, which included a naked couple performing on a small stage, the band was presented with a number of gold album sales awards."

The event was suggested by the band's manager, Peter Grant, and hosted by Metronome Records, who represented their label Atlantic Records in Sweden. more on this story





Video of Scott Weiland Performing New Songs Goes Online
(hennemusic) Former Stone Temple Pilots frontman Scott Weiland performed three new songs during an April 30 show in Dallas, Texas and fan-filmed video has surfaced online.

The rocker introduced "The Way She Moves", "Beach Pop Rock" and "Circles" as part of his set at Trees in Dallas, one of a series of spring concerts by the singer.

Weiland was fired by Stone Temple Pilots in February of 2013, leading to a series of public statements and lawsuits by both parties. The singer's former group have teamed up with Linkin Park's Chester Bennington, while Weiland is working on a new solo project with his band, The Wildabouts - it's tentatively expected to be released by the end of the year.

Watch the videos of Weiland performing the new songs here.





Trent Reznor Urges Today's Bands To Break The Rules
(Classic Rock) Trent Reznor has hit out at bands who stay "safe" in an effort to attract positive reviews. The Nine Inch Nails frontman has urged rock bands to express themselves and "break the rules", rather than take the "cowardly" route of keeping on the good side of reviewers.

Reznor tells the Daily Record: "A pretty conservative nature has crept into music and I don't mean sonically. I get the sense that a lot of bands today are designing themselves to get a good review in the hip blogs and that is probably the safest and most cowardly thing you can do as an artist.

"If you have something to say, then say it. Express yourself and break the rules. What I try to straddle is paying attention to what is happening in the outside world to some degree and at the same time becoming insular and really trusting my own voice and my own sense of what is right and appropriate." More





Jeff Beck Says Brian Wilson Tour Was 'A Bit Of A Nightmare'
(Classic Rock) Jeff Beck has described his 2013 US tour alongside Beach Boys icon Brian Wilson as "a bit of a nightmare." The guitar icon was persuaded to hit the road with Wilson to promote an album, even though it hadn't been finished.

That led to a situation where Beck was expected to undertake extensive promotional activities to assist with ticket sales - and on one occasion the schedule was so hectic he had to visit hospital for an endoscopy without taking any time off.

He tells Mojo: "They wanted me to spend the whole afternoon doing promo to prop up the ticket sales. So we did this meet-and-greet stuff, where audiences pay good money to watch rehearsals, which robbed me of the afternoon nap.

"I ended up in Chicago University Hospital having an endoscopy - and they still had me playing the next night. It was a bit blood and guts; but I'd fallen in love with the idea of playing with Brian Wilson." more on this story





Down By Law Plan First UK Tour In A Decade
(Classic Rock) Down By Law will play their first UK tour in a decade in August, they've confirmed. Dave Smalley's melodic punk outfit will also release a mini-album entitled Revolution Time, containing brand new tracks plus covers of Stiff Little Fingers, Thin Lizzy and Elvis Costello songs.

A statement says: "When punk rock broke and bands cashed in on fashion trends, Down By Law stayed true to their ideals. While everyone else wrote songs about farts, Smalley was penning songs about feeling lonely and out of place, afraid and uncertain.

"He wrote about finding strength in being apart from the larger culture, and turning the loneliness and alienation of individuals into unity and mutual respect.

"All politics are personal, and everything personal is political. This is why Down By Law is one of the few bands that matter - the personal and political are inseparable in their music. If you open your heart these songs will reveal truths that no one else has enough guts to say."

Hear their track New Autonomy and check out the tour dates here.





John Mayall Addresses Lack Of Industry Accolades
(The Blues John Mayall regrets the relative lack of industry success he's enjoyed through the release of over 50 albums in his career. And although he's not out looking for accolades, he'd be pleased to add them to his achievements.

The former Bluesbreakers leader, who shut the band down in 2008, is poised to launch new record A Special Life next week. He tells Grateful Web: "I wouldn't call it success, considering I've made over 50 original albums and I've never had a Grammy. I never had any chart success. My records haven't been recognised in the Hall Of Fame or anything like that - a lot of other people have."

But that's not to say he's on the hunt for awards. "It wouldn't complete it; it would add to it," says the 80-year-old. "We have a great fanbase. Everywhere we play we have a full house. You can't get much better than that." more on this story






Zoe Schwarz Blue Commotion Nearing Crowdfunding Goal
(The Blues The Zoe Schwarz Blue Commotion are hoping the next six days will see them reach the crowdfunding target to pay for production of their third album.

The band have already achieved 82% of the total, and they believe one last push will see them cross the line. Schwarz says on their PledgeMusic page: "As you know, we live in the age of the corporate machine, and most forms of creative, intelligent art have been sidelined to the category of 'specialist'. This erodes the quality of all our lives and tries to feed us a diet of musical 'junk food.'"

But she continues: "We have been on such a roll these last couple of years and new songs keep pouring out of us. The response to our first two albums has shown us that this band has so much potential." more on this story





Tesla Perform Two New Songs At Frontiers Rock Festival
(hennemusic) Tesla performed two new tracks from the forthcoming album, "Simplicity", during a May 1st appearance at the Frontiers Rock Festival in Milan, Italy, and fan-filmed video from the event is available online.

The band played "Mp3" and "Ricochet" as part of their festival set; both will appear on the new album when its released in Europe on June 6 in Europe and in North America on June 10.

Tesla's seventh all-original studio album was produced by the band with some help from legendary producer Tom Zutaut. The project was recorded at bassist Brian Wheat's J Street Recorders. Watch the video of the band performing the new songs here.






The Caring Side Of Axl Rose
(Classic Rock) Axl Rose's former personal assistant during Guns N' Roses' heyday has painted a picture of the singer as a caring and compassionate friend. While Rose is often the subject of criticism for his difficult personality and backstage tantrums, his ex-PA Craig Duswalt tells a different story in his book Welcome To My Jungle. It covers the 1991-1993 Use Your Illusion period when the band were the biggest rock act on the planet.

Duswalt, who has stayed in touch with his former boss all through the band's line-up changes, tells MyGNRforum: "Axl was very good to me and my family. I last saw GNR at Universal Amphitheater in 2006, and the show was amazing. After the concert, my friends and I were invited backstage to Axl's dressing room.

"Usually my wife Natasha would have come, but she had been diagnosed with cancer and was going through chemo and didn't have the strength to go to the show. I go back to Axl's personal area and Axl gives me a hug, and the first thing out of his mouth was 'how's Natasha?' That is exactly who Axl Rose is."





Dee Snider Better Than David Lee Roth and Ozzy?
(Classic Rock) Twisted Sister guitarist Jay Jay French believes bandmate Dee Snider is a better frontman than Van Halen's David Lee Roth and Black Sabbath's Ozzy Osbourne.

But he's confirmed fans aren't likely to hear any new music from the band, who continue to play on occasion but have no plans to record again in the future.

"Dee is certainly one of the most underrated frontmen; I don't think he gets the respect he deserves," French tells Full Throttle Rock. "I think he's better than David Lee Roth - and no question better than Ozzy.

"In terms of an entertainer he's more responsible. He understands what he's supposed to do better than these other bands, and that's really an important factor. He really gets what you're supposed to do as a singer. He does his vocal exercises for, like, two hours before he goes on stage."




Singled Out: Baby Baby's Haters
Baby Baby recently sent us over a link to a video for their song "Haters" and it was so hilarious that we had to find out more about the song. Today Baby Baby's Fontez Brooks tells us all about it. Here is the story:

3 years ago I was sitting on my friends couch/my bed, when I realized I hate everyone. But I couldn't articulate it. Maybe this hate stemmed from me sleeping on my friend's couch or maybe it was literally because people suck.

Whatever the reason, I could only come up with this one guitar riff. So I took that riff to the band and we knew immediately what we had to do: go get a 30 pack of Natty Light (sign of the times). Midway threw the pack we actually started playing around with the riff and immediately I knew: this was our chance to call out anybody who's ever doubted us or anyone who doesn't understand how hard we work.

Haven't you ever been listening to someone talk and you wanted to get on top of a table and scream YOU LIL BOYS DON'T KNOW NOTHING 'BOUT NOTHING!!!!!! That is this song. Enjoy....or don't it'll actually be better if you don't...ya know to give the song more credibility.