Today's Day in Rock
Original Guns N' Roses Reunion Predicted by Axl's Former Manager
Axl Rose's personal manager during Guns N' Roses' Use Your Illusion tour, Craig Duswalt, says that he and others in the old school GNR camp see a strong possibility of the classic lineup of the group reuniting "in the next two years."
Duswalt, who is making the media rounds to promote his new memoir, "Welcome to My Jungle," says that Duff McKagan could pave the way for the band reuniting. McKagan has recently rejoined the band live, filling in for Tommy Stinson who has had live commitments with The Replacements.
"Duff is paving the way to open the gates again," Duswalt said to ABC News Radio. "Axl and Duff are really getting along well at the concerts, so there's an opening."
However, Duswalt also admits that there is bad blood between Axl and Slash, but he and others that were associated with the band in the past feel that Duff could bring the former members together.
Duswalt tells ABC News Radio that he knows "for a fact [Axl and Slash] hate each other right now. It's bad. Axl is a loyal guy and you get on his bad side and some people don't come back, but Slash and him were so close. We [in the old-school Guns camp] all have a feeling it will happen. It's gonna happen in the next two years...there's an opening because of Duff playing with Axl."
He also went into some details about where the rift between Axl and Slash originated. "It was a thing that happened at the end of [Use Your Illusion]," he said. "There were also the differences in music," Duswalt adds, "like Slash wanted to do more hard rock stuff and Axl wanted to do more ballads, rock ballads. There was that difference, but there was a specific thing that happened that both of them are at odds over."
Read the full report here.
Motley Crue To Continue Beyond Farewell Tour Says Neil
(Classic Rock) Vince Neil has emphasized that Motley Crue aren't going to end their career when they complete their farewell tour, which starts this month. They signed a high-profile contract in January meaning that they'd be sued if they ever hit the road after their world trek ends in 2015.
The farewell plans include a single called All Bad Things Must Come To An End and a movie based on their biography The Dirt. But Neil tells TNTRadioEmpire: "The band isn't over. Here's the thing - Motley Crue is a business and there's different parts of the business. There's merchandising, there's music and there's touring.
"We're just ceasing the touring part. But there's still going to be music coming from Motley Crue for different types of things, and still merchandise and stuff like that," he said. "We're just saying we won't tour any more - that's really kind of it." What's Nikki's take on the band's future beyond the tour?
Plant Slams Page Over Led Zeppelin Reunion Remarks
(hennemusic) In a new interview with The National, Robert Plant has responded to some negative comments made by bandmate Jimmy Page about his role in preventing a Led Zeppelin reunion.
"I was told last year that Robert Plant said he is doing nothing in 2014, and what do the other two guys think?," Page told the New York Times last month. "Well, he knows what the other guys think.
"Everyone would love to play more concerts for the band. He's just playing games, and I'm fed up with it, to be honest with you. I don't sing, so I can't do much about it. It just looks so unlikely, doesn't it?"
"I think he needs to go to sleep and have a good rest, and think again," Plant told The National. "We have a great history together and like all brothers we have these moments where we don't speak on the same page but that's life." more on this story
Phil Anselmo Admits He 'Sucked' On Zakk Wylde Pantera Jam
(TeamRock Radio) Phil Anselmo says he "sucked" during a recent live performance of Pantera classic I'm Broken. The modest Down frontman joined Black Label Society on stage to perform the track and later said Zakk Wylde's band "played the f*** out of it" in New York last month. But it appears he wasn't as impressed with his own contribution.
On a YouTube video of the performance, a comment was posted by 'Phil' under the Housecore Records account. It reads: "Dear lovers and haters. I adore you all, and I must admit one thing here and now: my voice was fried.
"Too many reasons to list here, but I did the Down set, waited an hour, drinking and smoking reasonably, and basically, I sucked. I admit it completely, you are correct."
It appears Anselmo was responding to some negative comments from fans, and he did say that when he is properly rehearsed, he is capable of singing Pantera's post-Cowboys From Hell material.
More including video of the performance here.
Don Henley Vs Frank Ocean Over Unauthorized Use of Eagles Classic
(Radio.com) Frank Ocean knew this day was coming when he preemptively posted back in March of 2012 on his Tumblr that Rhino Records threatened to sue him over his track "American Wedding" from his nostalgia, ULTRA mixtape, which samples the Eagles hit song "Hotel California." On the track, Ocean takes the master recording of "Hotel California," using the music but putting his own lyrics over them.
Eagles' Don Henley, who sings the song, is not a fan and has now spoken publicly about it. "I heard it, I was not impressed," Henley told the Daily Telegraph. "He needs to come up with his own ideas and stop stealing stuff from already established works."
Henley goes on to suggest that Ocean doesn't understand U.S. copyright law, which prohibits unapproved use of copyrighted works such as this, even when they are distributed for free as his mixtape originally was.
For his part, Ocean seems to understand perfectly. He just doesn't care. "If I don't show up to court, it'll be a judgement against me & will probably show up on my credit report. Oh well. I try to buy my s- cash anyway," Ocean wrote on his Tumblr back in March of 2012.
Ocean's attitude toward Henley and the Eagles is another burr in Henley's saddle. "[Ocean] was quite arrogant about it," Henley said. 'We tried to approach him calmly to talk reason to him via his managers and his attorneys and he wouldn't listen. So finally we threatened to bring legal action against him. He was clearly in the wrong. I wouldn't dream of doing something like that. What kind of ego is that? I don't understand it." Ocean isn't the only one that Henley has a problem with.
The Angels Frontman Doc Neeson Dead At 67
(Classic Rock) The Angels frontman Doc Neeson has died at the age of 67 after fighting a brain tumour for a year and a half, it's been confirmed. Angels bassist Chris Bailey died of jaw cancer 13 months ago.
In 2013 Neeson vowed he'd be among the 20% of sufferers who beat the disease - and appeared to have done so until the cancer returned earlier this year.
Drummer Buzz Bidstrup announced on Wednesday: "It is with deep sadness that we say goodbye to Bernard 'Doc' Neeson. He left the world early this morning. I join music lovers everywhere in mourning this great man." more on this story
Jack White Releases Lazaretto Video
(Radio.com) No modern rock star does eccentric as convincingly as Jack White - and so he delivers exactly what is expected with his video for "Lazaretto." It is a work of postmodern art, hitting all the hallmarks of the genre: ironic, referential and highly staged. Those attributes, executed in concert, are a delight to watch.
Directors Jonas & François (Iggy Azalea, Kanye West) made their name as post-production effects specialists with Justice's "D.A.N.C.E." They pull off some stunners in this gravity-defying video in which broken glass never hurts a fly and exploding guitars are just part of a day's work.
The b-shots give us a collection of outsiders, reflective of Jack White's perceived image of himself. We get snakes (not, coincidentally, the animal that had humanity kicked out of heaven on Earth), a transgender person and a bull.
Watch the video here.
Metallica Release Video Of Frayed Ends Of Sanity Live Debut
(hennemusic) Metallica played their 1988 track, "The Frayed Ends Of Sanity", for first time ever at the Sonisphere Festival in Helsinki, Finland on May 28, and now the band have released pro-shot video of the performance.
The "…And Justice For All" tune had been teased in concert before, but the band dug it out for a fan request at the show, one stop on their "By Request" European tour.
Metallica headlined Sonisphere, which also saw performances by Slayer, Mastodon, Ghost and Gojira. Metallica's video package from the event also includes soundcheck from the day before the show, tuning room footage and "Enter Sandman" from the concert.
Check out the video here.
Judas Priest Preview Another New Song
(hennemusic) Judas Priest are giving fans yet another taste of their forthcoming album, "Redeemer Of Souls," with the release of a new preview clip of the song "Crossfire".
"Crossfire has an acknowledgement to the blues," says singer Rob Halford. "It starts off in a very kind of mesmerizing way, but then when those drums kick in, it just gives another tone and atmosphere to the record that doesn't exist elsewhere."
Due July 15 in North America, "Redeemer Of Souls" will be issued in a standard version and a deluxe edition with five bonus tracks. The project marks guitarist Richie Faulkner's studio debut with Priest; he replaced founding member K.K. Downing following his retirement in 2011. Check out the clip here.
Soundgarden May Give Badmotorfinger Deluxe Anniversary Reissue
(Classic Rock) Soundgarden are looking at the possibility of making a deluxe 25th anniversary edition of Badmotorfinger, says guitarist Kim Thayil. It would follow the 20th anniversary version of Superunknown, released this week - although it won't happen until 2016.
Thayil tells Billboard: "We have discussed giving the treatment to Badmotorfinger - there are some B-sides, there's some live material, and I believe they may be rehearsal material.
"Badmotorfinger had an impact with listeners, but also with guitarists, drummers and singers - people who started bands. It definitely deserves the same kind of treatment we're giving Superunknown."
Meanwhile, Thayil admits his long-planned compilation of B-sides and rarities is still something he wants to do, but the band have other priorities. more on this story
Bret Michaels Had To Be Talked Out Of Playing When Sick
(Classic Rock) Poison singer Bret Michaels had to be talked out of trying to play solo shows while fighting a serious virus, his solo band guitarist Pete Evick has reported.
The diabetic vocalist was forced off stage after three songs last week as his blood-sugar level plummeted. He was rushed to hospital where he was diagnosed with a severe form of flu, and later cancelled two further shows.
And Evick - who's been present while Michaels fought off a brain haemorrhage, heart disease and emergency appendectomy in recent years - says he's never seen his bandmate in such a bad condition.
He reports: "It took a team of doctors, friends and family to convince Bret not to return to the stage. He doesn't believe it's right, but those close to him would rather have him miss one more day than to cause more problems by pushing himself.
"Most non-diabetics take a week off work when they contract a flu like this, so two days is still pretty crazy." He goes on to describe Michaels' illness
Deke Leonard Recalls Unusual Jimi Hendrix Experience
(Classic Rock) Former Man guitarist Deke Leonard has recalled the night his band played a show for an audience of one - but the single listener was Jimi Hendrix. The once-in-a-lifetime experience took place at the iconic Speakeasy club in London in 1967, when Leonard was playing with his three-piece outfit Lucifur and the Corncrackers.
Leonard and his colleagues were one of the many bands who performed as many as four sets on the same evening, with the earlier shows often poorly-attended as many of the regulars were in other parts of the country playing their own shows.
Leonard tells WalesOnline:: "We played our first song, and when it had finished the figure in the darkness applauded. We turned to him, bowed and told him he was a wonderful audience - and the largest crowd we'd played to in some time!"
When the set was over he went over to thank the listener. "It was Hendrix," he recalls. "He was dressed in a black military jacket. My heart stopped, my mouth went dry and I broke into a cold sweat.
"He stretched out a huge bony hand for me to shake and said, 'Far out, man.'" More details here.
Rise Against Releasing New Album Next Month
(Radio.com) Rise Against announced the release of their seventh album, titled The Black Market, hitting hits stores July 15. The album's first single, "I Don't Want To Be Here Anymore," which can be heard in the form of a video snippet on the band's website, will be available for digital download and streaming via digital subscription services next Tuesday (June 10).
"Rise Against has always been a political band, but also a personal band," said frontman Tim McIlrath in a release. "We've always had songs that have a foot in both worlds. This album is a lot more introspective to me."
Last year the Chicago-based punk band released a rarities and greatest hits album titled Long Forgotten Songs, B-Side & Covers 2000-2013. Among the album's classic covers are Springsteen's "Ghost of Tom Joad," Dylan's "Ballad of Hollis Brown," Nirvana's "Sliver," and Journey's "Any Way You Want It." more on this story
Alice Cooper Comeback Fueled By Sobriety
(Classic Rock) Alice Cooper says he would have made many more hit albums if he had stayed sober. The shock rocker says he made four unsuccessful albums when he was in the grip of alcohol addiction and only made another hit record - 1989's Trash - when he quit drinking.
Cooper is the subject of current documentary Super Duper Alice Cooper which charts his career up until the 1980s. He tells Guitar International: "I got to a point where we made three or four albums in a row that didn't do anything. My real fans loved those albums, but they were so experimental and different from Billion Dollar Babies and School's Out which were both number one and Welcome to My Nightmare which was in the top five. Those were the albums that were huge. Then I had four albums and they were cool but non-existent.
"I think in that period of time from a career point of view, I said I'm never going to make another hit album again. Trash came after that and it sold five million copies. As soon as I got sober all of a sudden things got okay again. It took me going into a hospital and getting sober before I made another hit album." more on this story
Touchstone Cancel DVD Release Shows
(Prog) Touchstone have been forced to cancel their planned live DVD launch shows later this month. A family illness has meant the gigs at London's Borderline on June 20, Chesterfield's Real Time Live on June 21 and Bilston's Robin 2 on June 22 have had to be called off.
But the band have vowed to make amends to disappointed fans hoping to support the release of Live Inside Outside, which will appear on July 4. Touchstone say in a statement:
"This has been a very tough decision to make - we have never had to cancel any gigs before. We don't want to let anyone down. Unfortunately, it is the only decision we could make when it involved supporting one of our band members through an unforeseen family illness." more on this story
Dave Grohl Describes Reconciling With Courtney Love At Rock Hall Event
(Classic Rock) Dave Grohl describes finally burying the hatchet with Courtney Love as "beautiful". The Foo Fighters frontman and former Nirvana drummer brought an end to years of feuding with Kurt Cobain's widow when he embraced Hole singer Love onstage at April's Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony.
Grohl tells The Hollywood Reporter: "The wonderful thing about that night was the personal side of it. It was the Hall Of Fame ceremony, but it meant so much to all of us personally that sometimes you forgot about the other stuff, like the arena and the trophy, and focused on real, personal things.
"I saw Courtney walking past and I just tapped her on the shoulder and we looked at each other in the eyes and that was it - we're just family. We've had a rocky road. We've had a bumpy past, but at the end of the day we're a big family and when we hugged each other it was a real hug.
"And after we walked off stage, we just walked down the hallway together, it was almost like no time had passed at all. Those things are real and no matter what it looks like in a magazine or on a website. That's real sh*t and I was very, very happy that we had those moments. It was beautiful." more.
Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi Becomes Visiting Professor Of Music
(hennemusic) Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi has taken up teaching at Coventry University. Last month, Iommi carried out his first official engagement on campus as a Visiting Professor Of Music.
The guitarist visited the performing arts department's facilities and spent the afternoon talking to students and staff, answering questions about his legendary career as one of the founders of Black Sabbath.
"To watch Tony interact with the students was an absolute privilege," said Dr. Geoff Willcocks, Coventry University's Director Of Arts And Culture. "He was incredibly generous and open with them about all aspects of his work. Tony is without doubt a rock icon and he's an inspiration to so many people around the world. It's wonderful to have such an important and respected international figure working with us." more on this story
Steve Harris, Geddy Lee and Geezer Butler Father Figures To Frank Bello
(Classic Rock) Frank Bello says the fact he looked up to his bass playing heroes, Steve Harris, Geddy Lee and Geezer Butler, as father figures meant he was only ever going down one career path.
The Anthrax bassist grew up without a father and instead saw Steve Harris, Geddy Lee and Geezer Butler as surrogate dads. With the Maiden, Rush and Sabbath stars as childhood heroes, Bello says he was never going to be anything else other than a bassist.
He tells Ultimate Guitar: "My heroes were bass players. I guess everybody needs somebody to look up to. I didn't grow up with a dad so my heroes or father figures, guys to look up to that gave me a goal were my bass player guys.
"Steve Harris, Geddy Lee and Geezer Butler. Those guys made me want to play bass. And as far getting onstage, Kiss made me want to play onstage. So it was all these things. I really am very, very thankful for having music in my life because it's pretty easy to go a different way. more on this story
Brother Firetribe Fine With Working Around Nightwish
(Classic Rock) Brother Firetribe have no complaints over the fact their careers are linked entirely to the schedule of Nightwish. Formed by Nightwish guitarist Emppu Vuorinen as a side project in 2002, Brother Firetribe have been at the mercy of Vuorinen's other commitments ever since.
There was a six year delay between Brother Firetribe's third album Diamond In The Firepit - released in May - and 2008's Heart Full Of Fire. But according to singer Pekka Ansio Heino, it's a situation the other band members are all happy with.
He tells Bravewords: "The band was born with that cross to bear. Back in 2010 we did the last gig for the previous album and then Nightwish went on their way touring the world again, so we agreed on taking a break and it was a much needed break." More.
Chuck Ragan & The Camaraderie Release New Video
(Classic Rock) Chuck Ragan has released a video featuring live footage of Chuck Ragan & The Camaraderie that reveals how he benefitted from a break from life on the road.
"It definitely takes its toll in you. I took some time off from doing any heavy touring, and spent a lot of time at home", says Chuck, "working on the house, spending time with my wife and dogs… and it was really healing, very rejuvenating. And that's where a lot of the songs on the new record began".
Till Midnight is Ragan's fourth solo album, and knits punk, folk, rock'n'roll and bluegrass together in a way that's perhaps more mature than his previous work.
"You never really know how long it's going to last", says the singer, "and that's the reason why it's so important to be appreciative for the time that you have, and for the opportunity to do this, and for the people who come and support you."
Watch the full video here.
Arthur Brown Uses His Pychosonic Helmet In New Video
(Classic Rock) Arthur Brown makes full use of his "pychosonic" helmet in the video for his latest track Unknown. He debuted the sound-creating headgear at Hard Rock Hell last year.
He explained at the show, "It won't just trigger sounds that are preset - it will create sounds in real time. Then it will develop to include body energies; next will come the energy of feeling, then the sexual energies will be accessed.
"After that, the energies of the spirit and soul will become instigators of sound - and the whole human being will be used." Unknown is taken from upcoming album Zim Zam Zim, which is described as "a genre spanning, time travelling, world bending, heavy grooving and massively eclectic collection of songs." It's set for release on July 28.
Watch the video here.
Synaesthesia Reveal Temporary Guitarist
(Prog) Synaesthesia have confirmed American guitarist Joey Frevola as the man who'll replace Ollie Hannifan until the end of the year. Hannifan has taken a leave of absence from the band to concentrate on a touring project.
As a result they recently launched a hunt for a stand-in to appear with them at the Night Of The Prog festival and contribute to their second album. They report: "As with all applicants we told Joey to pick a song and learn the top line of the guitar parts. He chose all 22 minutes of Time, Tension And Intervention."
Frevola says: "I'm currently scrambling to learn all my parts and get my things packed for the trek to London. My head is still spinning - it all feels a bit surreal."
More including his audition video here.
The Nighthawks Releasing New Album This Month
(The Blues The Nighthawks will release their latest album, 444, on June 17, featuring tracks they've spent a year "test-driving" at concerts. The 13-track follow-up to 2012's Damn Good Time contains original material plus covers of songs made famous by Muddy Waters and Elvis Presley.
Ellersoul Records, the band's new label, say: "Now in their fifth decade of recording and live performing, the 21st-century Nighthawks are a tight, cohesive unit - the kind that comes only from years and miles. The nightly consensus from fans is that this version of the Nighthawks is the best ever.
"Almost every recording has featured at least one Muddy Waters tune and 444 is no exception. This time the band showcase their acoustic version of Louisiana Blues, staying close to the country blues of Muddy's original version." more on this story
Collibus Release 'The Fallen' Video
(Prog) Collibus have released a new music video for their track The Fallen, which appears on debut album The False Awakening. The clip can be viewed online.
The Manchester five-piece last year made history by becoming the first heavy band to perform in the House Of Commons, and they've received compliments from Brian May of Queen and Luke Appleton of Iced Earth.
Collibus have made three tracks available as free downloads - The Fallen, The Hunted and Dead Inside. They can be seen at the Download festival later this month and at Sonisphere next month.
Grab the download link and check out the video here.
Dave Kerzner Recruits Floyd Vocalist For New Song
(Prog) Former Sound Of Contact man Dave Kerzner has recruited Pink Floyd vocalist Durga McBroom for a track on his upcoming solo album and a preview clip is available online.
In the newly released online clip she sings a section entitled "A Wave Of Evolution Moves Across The Sand" taken from the work-in-progress record New World.
Kerzner, who last year left Sound Of Contact to concentrate on his own projects, says: "Durga is a great friend and I'm thrilled to have her backing harmonies and soulful lead vocals on my album.
"The song features Nick D'Virgilio on drummer, Fernando Perdomo on guitar and bass - and it will also feature guest guitarist Steve Hackett."
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