Today's Day in Rock News!

Today's Day in Rock


Wayne Static's Cause Of Death Revealed
Static-X frontman Wayne Static's cause of death was a result of mixing alcohol, Xanax and oxycodone, according to the coroner's report which has been published online.

Static was found dead in bed at his home on November 1st of last year. This week Blabbermouth published what they report is the "official coroner's report". Here is an excerpt (via Lambgoat):

"On November 1, at approximately 0700 hours, [Wayne] and his wife went to bed. His wife stated that just prior to going to bed, he crushed one-half of a 30 mg oxycodone pill and consumed it. The oxycodone had been prescribed to his wife. He also drank an unknown amount of alcohol.

"His wife awoke at around 1530 hours. She found the decedent dead in the bed and called 911 at 1547 hours. Paramedics arrived and confirmed death at 1600 hours, noting rigor mortis and lividity There was no evidence of foul play or any indication a struggle had taken place."

"[Wayne's] wife said he took oxycodone, Xanax (alprzolam) and alcohol to relive panic attacks. He took Xanax on a daily basis and was compliant with the prescribed dosage. His wife stated he would occasionally have his own prescription for oxycodone, but he would usually take hers. The decedent also had a history of gynecomastia… His wife stated both she and the decedent had a history of cocaine and ecstasy abuse, but they stopped using illicit drugs in 2009." Read more here.




The Eagles Announce North American Tour Dates
The Eagles have announced new spring and summer North American tour legs as they continue to support the "History of the Eagles" DVD and Blu-ray documentary.

The band will be kicking off the spring leg on May 19th in Austin, TX at the Frank Erwin Center and concluding the leg on June 7th in Green Bay, WI at the Resch Center.

The summer leg will be launching on July 10th in Miami, FL at the American Airlines Arena and concluding on July 29th in Bossier City, LA at the Century Link Center. See the dates here.




KISS Would Have Killed Ace Frehley Had He Stayed
(Classic Rock) Former KISS guitarist Ace Frehley believes he'd have died if he'd remained in the band after 2002. He bowed out for the second and apparently final time 13 years ago - and he says he'd realised he was on a "collision course."

Frehley tells Australia's Today show: "When I left there was a sigh of relief. I just thought I was going to end up being a statistic. By the grace of God I'm here today, clean and sober eight years. Life's never been better."

He says of beating the bottle: "The first year or two is hard" - but it's better than being the person who "was looking at being in trouble with the law for drunk driving and all that crazy stuff." Read more here.




Aerosmith To Play Pro Football Concert For Legends
Aerosmith have announced that they will be performing at the inaugural Concert for Legends, which will be part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival.

The concert will take place on August 7th at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, OH. The 2015 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement will be taking place the next day when Jerome Bettis, Tim Brown, Charles Haley, Bill Polian, Junior Seau, Will Shields, Mick Tingelhoff, and Ron Wolf will be inducted.

Aerosmith Joe Perry had this to say, "Having grown up since the age of 2, born in Lawrence, Ma., 45 minutes from Foxborough Stadium and seen the franchise grow has been an amazing experience. As Aerosmith began traveling the world and became our own Hall of Famers, seeing the Patriots under the brilliant guidance of the Kraft family, we would hear the news of our hometown team winning again as we were doing a show in a far flung corner of the world and we would swell with pride and think, 'Ya those are our boys.' The fact that American Football is worldwide news, shows the intensity of the game and the impact of how you play it.

"On behalf of Aerosmith we would like to congratulate all of you Hall of Famers, owners, the commissioner of NFL, and of course our hometown team the Patriots. To perform this show for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Hall of Famers is truly a great honor. You only get here by playing the game with all of your heart and soul. So we look forward to honoring all of you with a show that comes from the same place."

Hall of Fame President David Baker says, "The Hall is thrilled to have legends of the music world honor the legends of the Game. Aerosmith performing in the inaugural Concert for Legends will add even more excitement and energy to an Enshrinement Weekend that kicks off the NFL's 96th season since its birth in Canton, and the launch to Super Bowl 50."

Aerosmith's Tom Hamilton adds, "When we started out, jocks did not hang out with long haired musicians longer than it took to beat them up. Finally we have a meeting of the minds based on mutual respect. It'll be a great honor to be there that night."




Three Dog Night's Jimmy Greenspoon Dead At 67
(Classic Rock) Three Dog Night keyboardist Jimmy Greenspoon has died at the age of 67 following a battle with cancer. The band confirmed via their Facebook page that he died Wednesay (March 11) at his home.

Also known for his collaborations with Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Stephen Stills, Jeff Beck and Linda Ronstadt, he announced last year that he'd been diagnosed with metastatic melanoma, and launched an appeal to raise funds for expenses surrounding his treatment.

Greenspoon said at the time: "I started having strange visions and sensations. My wife took me to the hospital where a CT Scan revealed a brain tumour.

"The tumour was removed on October 13 and diagnosed as a metastatic melanoma. Upon further examination, three spots were found on my right lung and one spot on my liver." Read more here.




Gong Icon Daevid Allen Dead At 77
(TeamRock Radio) Gong icon Daevid Allen has died at the age of 77, just weeks after he announced he'd been given six months to live. The Australian reported in February that he was suffering from inoperable cancer and he'd decided to stop fighting the disease.

Allen said: "I am not interested in endless operations. In fact is has come as a relied to know that the end is in sight. I am a great believer in 'The Will of the Way Things Are' and I also believe that the time has come to stop resisting and denying and to surrender to the way it is. I can only hope that, during this journey, I have somehow contributed to the happiness in the lives of a few other fellow humans."

His death was confirmed this morning with a brief statement on the Daevid Allen's University Of Errors Facebook page, which said simply: "daevid est mort, daevid is dead". Read more here.

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Eric Clapton Announces 70th Birthday Concerts
Eric Clapton has announced that he will be performing two concerts at Madison Square Garden in New York City in May to celebrate his 70th birthday.

The legendary guitarist and singer will turn 70 on March 30th and he announced that he will be celebrating with fans with the concerts on May 1st and 2nd. (The schedule may change to May 3rd if Madison Square Garden is needed to the hockey playoffs.)

Andy Fairweather Low and the Low Riders will open the shows and Clapton will be backed by his band: Paul Carrack, Steve Gadd, Nathan East, Chris Stainton, Sharon White and Michelle John.

Madison Square Garden holds a special place for Clapton as he has performed there 45 times during his career, more times than any other venue in the United States.

The shows also mark the 46 years since Clapton played the opening show at the "new" Madison Square Garden with Cream in November of 1968.





Ronnie James Dio Remembrance Weekend Details Revealed
The details for the Ronnie James Dio Remembrance Weekend have been announced. It will take place in Los Angeles, CA on the 5th anniversary of the legendary metal singer's death from gastric cancer.

The celebration weekend will happen on May 15th, 16th and 17th and will include a public Memorial Service, the Bowl For Ronnie Celebrity Bowling Tournament and the inaugural Ride For Ronnie motorcycle ride and BBQ.

The special events will kick off on Friday May 15th with the Bowl For Ronnie Celebrity Bowling Tournament at Pinz Bowling Center in Studio City, CA.

The bowling event will also include pizza and entertainment as well as a silent auction that will features collectible bowling pins signed by Metallica, Aerosmith, Fleetwood Mac, YES, Anthrax and more that will raise money for The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund. Fans can get tickets here.

The next day a free public Memorial Service is scheduled at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills where several of Dio's former band members and friends are expected to speak and perform his music.

The final event, the Ride For Ronnie motorcycle ride and BBQ, will take place on Sunday, May 17th. The ride will kick off in Glendale and conclude at Los Encinos Historical Park in Encino where the BBQ will take place.

The BBQ will include food and drinks as well as live music by Ronnie's former bandmates and friends, raffle prizes, live auction and more. You can find more details and registration for the ride and BBQ here.




Muse Release New Song 'Psycho'
(Radio.com) Muse released the song "Psycho," from their upcoming album Drones, in lyric video form to their YouTube page Thursday, March 12. The clip shows the band performing the song in a darkened room while clips of a drill sergeant screaming at a cadet are interspersed on occasion.

"I'm gonna make you/ I'm gonna break you/ I'm gonna make you/ a f-ing psycho," Matt Bellamy whispers menacingly over a grooving riff--definitely a polar opposite from their last album's first single, "Madness," or even the first-released song "Survival" for the 2012 Olympics. Call it a return to form.

"Psycho" is the first taste of Muse's Drones, save for teaser clips posted to the band's Instagram over the past few months. The lead radio single, "Dead Inside," will be revealed the week of March 23. Read more and check out the song here.




Lemmy, Duff McKagan, Nick Mason Part of The Damned Documentary
(Classic Rock) Motorhead mainman Lemmy, Guns N' Roses bassist Duff McKagan and Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason are among the guests to appear in an authorised documentary about The Damned.

Don't You Wish That We Were Dead - which also features original members Dave Vanian, Captain Sensible, Rat Scabies and Brian James - will be premiered at the SXSW festival in Texas on March 18.

It was directed by Wes Orshoski, who masterminded the acclaimed 2010 film about Lemmy. Other guests include Chrissie Hynde, Mick Jones, Dexter Holland, Keith Morris and more. Watch the trailer here.




Styx Reveal DVD Details and Release Preview Clip
(Classic Rock) A DVD of Styx's 2014 show in Las Vegas is to be released in May. Styx Live At The Orleans Arena Las Vegas is out on May 26 in North America (24th in UK) via Eagle Rock Entertainment, and clip featuring their track Renegade has been streamed as a preview.

Recorded on July 25 last year, the show features guest appearance by former Eagles man Don Felder. The label say: "Live At The Orleans Arena Las Vegas captures Styx bringing their stunning live show to the world's entertainment capital.

"Backed by huge video screens, the band rock their way through a string of hit songs and classic album tracks drawn from across their hugely successful career."

The DVD and Blu-ray formats feature an interview with the band as a bonus feature. A CD edition will also be on sale. Watch the video and see the track details here.




Motley Crue Farewell Tour Not About The Money Says Nikki Sixx
(hennemusic) Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx says the band's farewell tour is all about the issue of credibility to the band and not the money involved and he reiterates that the band really will stop touring after the final show.

"It started with the idea of pride and it started with the idea of us not wanting to be what we've seen before us, which is people kinda hobbling off into the sunset," Sixx tells For Bass Players Only. "We watch it in boxing, and I've seen some of my favorite football players who should've gone away a couple seasons before. It's human nature to want to keep going, but you have to fight against the 'I'm just gonna keep doing it' when you know the possibility of not looking great on the way out. It's better to pull it in a couple years too early, and that's really what we're doing."

The Crue are roughly half way through The Final Tour, and Sixx maintains there is no chance of the band reconsidering its plans to stop touring at the end of 2015.

"For me, no, never," explains the bassist. "Every version of that question has been asked and there's all the trick questions: 'Would you do it for $100 million for five shows in Dubai?' Y'know, let's just get to the core of it: Do you want us to renege on our word? We don't want to.

"I don't need to name the bands that have. It's obvious. It's okay if they want to do that, and it's okay if their fans accept it. For us, we didn't want to do that. Plus, I have less years in front of me than I have behind me, and it's the same for all my band members. There's a track record of what we've done together, and I think we each individually want to go out and do some other stuff.

"If it was just about money, it would be different. But it's not about money. It's about credibility. And, you know, the next day after we take our final bow, I'm gonna look at my band members and say, 'Wow, dudes, everything we said the first day we got together, the very first band rehearsal, we did it.' And then I'm right back at it." Read more here.




Queen Classic Named Favorite 70s Song
(hennemusic) Queen's 1975 classic, "Bohemian Rhapsody", has been voted as the UK's favorite song from the 1970s in a recent poll and ITV program The Nation's Favourite 70s Number One.

The band are sharing video from the broadcast, featuring the unveiling of the song as the winner, including interviews with Queen's Brian May and Roger Taylor, producers Tony Visconti and Roy Thomas Baker and Blondie's Chris Stein.

The Queen classic topped a viewer-voted poll ahead of songs by Abba, Simon and Garfunkel, Blondie and Kate Bush. Taken from Queen's fourth album, "A Night At The Opera," "Bohemian Rhapsody" originally reached No. 1 in the UK on November 2, 1975, when it began a 9-week run at the top, and then again on December 15, 1991 (for 5 weeks) following the passing of lead singer Freddie Mercury.




Rush's Alex Lifeson Talks Preparation For Upcoming Tour
(Classic Rock) Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson has described his band's rehearsal schedule as "nuts" as they gear up for a 34-date North American tour. The trip could be the last of its kind after the three members took several months over deciding whether to hit the road at all.

Manager Ray Danniels this week said it was "somewhere between possible and probable" that they wouldn't tour again. Lifeson tells Jam: "We're nuts. We rehearse for six weeks before the rehearsals - I'm serious.

"I've been rehearsing for three weeks now. I spend four hours, three times a week, and then the rest of the time I play for an hour to two hours. And that's just to get ready for rehearsals."

He adds that they're in the earliest stages of preparation and jokes: "We're at that stage where we've just started playing. You don't want to hear us." Read more here.




Wilko Johnson's Cancer Battle Focus Of New Documentary
(Classic Rock) The months that Wilko Johnson thought would be his last are the subject of a documentary movie. Made by Julien Temple - who also created Dr Feelgood film Oil City Confidential - The Ecstasy Of Wilko Johnson follows the guitarist through his "farewell tour" to the unexpected surgery that saved his life.

He'd refused chemotherapy after being diagnosed with cancer in 2013 and thought he was going to be killed by the tumor in his pancreas. But a pioneering procedure resulted in the all-clear being given last October.

Speaking soon after his diagnosis, Johnson said: "I began to feel almost euphoric and the feeling hasn't worn off. I realise that all the things I usually worry about don't matter." Read more here.




Status Quo Release Video From Forthcoming Aquostic DVD
(Classic Rock) Status Quo have published a live video clip of Whatever You Want, taken from the band's Aquostic! Live At The Roundhouse album, which will be released in April.

This recording features the stripped-back version of Quo, originally revealed on last year's album Aquostic! (Stripped Bare) album. The gig was originally broadcast live on the BBC, and was the channel's highest-rating music show of 2014.

Aquostic! Live At The Roundhouse will be released on April 13 on 2CD, 2CD+DVD, Vinyl, DVD and Blu-ray formats. Check out the new live preview clip here.




Carcass Frontman Says Comeback Album Was Torture
(TeamRock Radio) Carcass frontman Jeff Walker describes making the band's 2013 comeback album Surgical Steel as "torture." The bassist and vocalist puts the trauma down to the fact they were using digital recording tools rather than tape, which they'd always done previously.

Walker believes that, although the technology offered the chance to tidy up imperfections, it made for a laborious process rather than a fun experience. Walker tells Rock Overdose (via Blabbermouth): "It started off fun - then it turned into complete torture. It took a lot longer than we expected. And gradually some of the fun we had was getting squeezed out of the sessions.

"One of the main problems with digital is that you can do many takes and just keep going and keep going, and you leave the decision-making until later." Read more here.




Kamelot Excited About Special Guests On New Album
(TeamRock Radio) Kamelot's Thomas Youngblood says he's thrilled with the guest collaborations on his band's upcoming album. Haven - released on May 8 via Nuclear Blast - features appearances by Arch Enemy's Alissa White-Gluz, Delain's Charlotte Wessels and Nightwish's Troy Donockley.

Youngblood says via the Tumblr: "Alissa toured with us for a while and I remember to the day seeing her with her previous band and thinking, 'This girl is amazing. She will and should be more known.' After getting the call from Arch Enemy, no one was happier or prouder than me. We had some songs that fit her style perfect and she graciously accepted the invite."

He adds of Wessels: "We toured with Delain a few times and I always felt Charlotte had a unique and special voice, so when the song Under Grey Skies was written I asked her to join in. She sounds awesome." Read more here.




Adam 'Ad-Rock' Horovitz On Life After The Beastie Boys
(TeamRock Radio) Beastie Boys guitarist Adam 'Ad-Rock' Horovitz admits he's been at a creative loose end since the death of Adam 'MCA' Yauch brought the band's career to an end.

Yauch passed away of cancer in 2012, leading surviving members Horovitz and Michael 'Mike D' Diamond to put the outfit on a hiatus that appears to be permanent.

Since then, they've been working on a book about their career, although it's at least two years away from publication. Horovitz tells Rolling Stone: "It's like, 'What do you do with your life when your former life is no more?' I have to figure it out - I don't know if I ever will. I'm used to having other people plan stuff for me. I don't plan anything, so at some point maybe I have to start doing that."

He hasn't been entirely idle - he plays bass in comedian Bridget Everett's band, he's filmed a role in a Ben Stiller movie and he's tied up with a sandwich shop for a charity project. Read more here.




The Moody Blues' John Lodge Previews New Solo Album
(Classic Rock) The Moody Blues' John Lodge has released a seven-minute trailer for his second solo album 10,000 Light Years Ago. The follow-up to 1977's Natural Avenue is launched on May 4 via Esoteric Antenna, with the title track set to appear as a single on April 14.

Lodge recently explained: "Back in the 60s the Moody Blues wrote a stage show which became the album Days of Future Passed. The theme encompassed the past, present and future experiences of our lives.

"With 10,000 Light Years Ago I've continued this theme of constant evolution. Everything in the future remains in reach - and although the past is behind us, it once was our future."





The Resonance Association Shelve Their New Album
(Prog) The Resonance Association have revealed that they decided to abandon plans to release their fifth album Return From Dreaming - despite having completed work on the project last year.

Post-progressive duo Dominic Hemy and Daniel Vincent launched lead track Recursor and three accompanying pieces in October, with the full LP expected in the first quarter of 2015.

But Vincent says: "We've talked about the album at some length. We can't agree on whether we're 100% happy with the tracks. We decided in the end to park it and do something else. When we're ready to record again we'll start from scratch on something new." Read more here.




Joe Bonamassa and Kenny Wayne Shepherd Limited Editions For RSD
(Classic Rock) Joe Bonamassa and Kenny Wayne Shepherd have both confirmed limited-edition vinyl releases for Record Store Day. This year's event takes place on April 18 and aims to offer additional reasons to visit independent retail outlets.

Bonamassa is to launch an eight-track album entitled Record Store Day Exclusive. Only 2500 copies will be pressed in 180g black vinyl. It includes Ball Peen Hammer, Jelly Roll, Love Ain't A Love Song, Woke Up Dreaming plus previously-unreleased acoustic versions of those songs.

Meanwhile, Shepherd will launch a vinyl version of live EP A Little Something From The Road, which was recorded in New Jersey last year. Read more here.



Laurence Jones Helping Charity With Album Release Show
(The Blues Laurence Jones is aiming to make his third album's launch night a sell-out - because it's also a charity fundraiser event. The award-winning 21-year-old bluesman releases latest studio work What It's Gonna Be next month, and he'll perform a set featuring some of its tracks at Leamington Spa's Zephyr Lounge on April 2.

Jones is hoping that the event will raise £1000 for the Crohn's And Collitis UK organisation, which provides help and support for those who suffer the diseases.

Jones, who's had Chrohn's for five years, says: "This is my way of giving a little back for all the support I've had from doctors, hospitals, the charity, friends, fans and family." Read more here.




Singled Out: September Mourning's Children of Fate
Today September from September Mourning tells us about their new single and fan anthem "Children of Fate" which will be part of their forthcoming studio album. Here is the story:

"Children of Fate" began with the idea of a battle cry for our fans. We wanted a song that was distinctively theirs but still integrated itself into the world of September Mourning.

The story that propels September Mourning into the music realm is about life and death, love and loss... things that people often feel at the mercy of. As if they are helpless to the ramifications of such actions. I wanted to write a song that would empower us all... that would solidify the idea that your life is in your own hands. Your choices, your decisions. That even though the chips will fall where they may, you have the power to influence and direct them into place. You can become anything and everything you have always wanted to be by just making yourself assertive in your own life and following your passions. You can make your own fate. That being said, the term "Children of Fate" was coined.

Musically, we wanted a sense of unique theatricality for the song. We chose a 6/8 tempo with a middle eastern guitar riff to lead off with. We kept the dynamics in the song very dramatic as well from verse to pre chorus to chorus. The bridge vocal literally came out of me in the first take. I wanted something that escalated to a scream and had a vibrant intensity to it. The lyric and rhythm was instinctual and just worked for the part. The chorus upholds it's battle cry feeling as it is layered vocally and almost chanted in a rhythmic pattern.

The song can be related to by anyone. We have all had times in our lives when we have felt out of control. This song lets you know that it's okay Because there are others out there that feel as you have felt, and that with courage you can overcome anything you set your mind to.