Today's Day in Rock News!

Today's Day in Rock


AC/DC Receive Wisdom From Paul McCartney
(hennemusic) As AC/DC prepare to make their debut at the Coachella festival this Friday, frontman Brian Johnson says he received some advice about performing at the festival from Paul McCartney, who played Coachella in 2009.

"I ran into him downstairs this morning," Johnson told The Los Angeles Times. "He goes, 'Brian, you get on that stage and I'm telling you, you see all these kids looking for the hip-hop acts. Then they see you, and they're like, 'Who's he? Oh, yeah - me dad talks of him.'

"But he said it's great because you're doing your thing, and eventually all the kids go, 'He's cool, this dude!' It kind of takes you right back to the start, when you had to win over an audience. I'm excited." Read more here.




Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi Addresses Health Rumors
(hennemusic) Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi has issued an update on his health to address rumors following the band's cancellation as headliners at Ozzfest Japan this fall.

"Thank you for all the enquiries about my health, very kind," posted Iommi. "I'm not sure how the rumor of my being unwell started as I was away on holiday! Once you've had something like lymphoma the fear that it will return never leaves, all I can say is that right now I'm fine and have regular blood tests."

Iommi was diagnosed with blood cancer lymphoma in January of 2012 and has been in an out of treatment for the health issue in the past few years while managing to both record and perform a world tour in support of Black Sabbath's 2013 album, "13."

A band rep has indicated the guitarist's statement is in response to speculation about his health as the possible reason behind the cancellation, which has not yet been explained by manager Sharon Osbourne, who released a video on March 20 announcing Black Sabbath would perform. Read more here.




Rolling Stones Push Back Release Of 'Sticky Fingers' Reissue
(hennemusic) The Rolling Stones have announced that they have been forced to push back the release date for the upcoming reissue of their classic 1971 album, "Sticky Fingers."

The reissue was originally scheduled for release May 25 (May 26 in North America), but now the project will now be available on June 8 (June 9 in North America).

The delay is to due to production issues, as some of the formats contain a hand-made zipper which is taking a bit longer to manufacture. The remastered "Sticky Fingers" will be available on CD, 2CD, LP, 2LP, a Deluxe Edition Boxet, Super Deluxe Edition Boxset and via digital download. Read more here.




Marty Friedman Reacts To Megadeth's New Guitarist
(Classic Rock) Megadeth's former guitarist Marty Friedman, who was a member of the thrash legend's classic "Rust In Peace" lineup, has praised the band's new guitarist Kiko Loureiro who is known for his work with the band Angra.

Friedman and his former 'Rust In Peace' era bandmate Nick Menza were strongly linked to a return to the band following the departures last year of Chris Broderick and Shawn Drover.

Menza recently suggested that he and Friedman were offered the chance to return, but Menza says the deal on offer was "unfair." The band hired Lamb Of God's Chris Adler alongside Loureiro.

Asked by a fan at Guitarfest in Chile what he thought about Loureiro's appointment, Friedman says: "I think he is fantastic. I want to say big congratulations to Kiko… I wish them nothing but the best success - from me, from Chile, the whole world. I think it's a fantastic, fantastic thing, and I just wanna say, congratulations Kiko!" Watch the video here.




Van Halen Score Top 20 Debut With New Live Album
(hennemusic) Van Halen's first live album to feature original frontman David Lee Roth, "Tokyo Dome Live In Concert" has debuted at No. 20 on the US Billboard 200 album chart.

One of eight new releases to enter the Top 20, the opening week position follows the band's launch of the project with live performances on ABC-TV's Jimmy Kimmel Live and The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

The album features a 25-song set of material from the band's original, classic era and 2012's "A Different Kind Of Truth", the group's first studio album with original frontman David Lee Roth in almost 30 years. Read more here.




Skid Row Star Tells Band's Side Of Split With Johnny Solinger
Skid Row bass player Rachel Bolan says in a new interview the band let singer Johnny Solinger go, contrary to Solinger's statement that he left the group to pursue a solo career.

Bolan made the revelation in an interview with "One On One With Mitch Lafon". Bolan tells the podcast (via Blabbermouth), "Yeah, we released him. The statement that [he] made wasn't really… the right thing to say on his part. But, yeah, we let him go. Had we both done the same thing, [the announcement] could have just been [that] we parted ways amicably. But, you know, it is what it is."

The bass player went also explained the reasons behind the split, "It was evident. There were certain things going on out on the road that kind of set us thinking… Things had been going on for a little bit. And, you know, I'm not here to say anything bad about the guy.

"At certain times, you just get the feeling someone isn't putting a hundred percent into things. And Skid Row is very important to the rest of us. And we wanted to carry on with quality performances and quality songs, so we decided to make a change."

Bolan also explained that fans speculation that they would reunite with original singer Sebastian Bach was the reason why the band was quick to announce that they had replaced Solinger with TNT's Tony Harnell.

"Yeah, that's why we made the call to Johnny [telling him he was out of the band] and announced [our new singer] Tony [Harnell] the same day. Because we knew if we had let Johnny go a couple of months ago when we had started working with Tony, that would be the thing everyone would be thinking.

"There's no real way to win that situation. People are gonna think that there's gonna be a reunion no matter what. But the fact of the matter is there's not, and it's all about Skid Row with our new singer, Tony Harnell."

He also explained why they picked the new singer. Read about that and stream the full interview here.




Jeff Beck's New Live Album Will Feature New Studio Bonus Tracks
(hennemusic) Legendary guitar player Jeff Beck has announced that he will release a new album featuring material recorded during his 2014 tour, entitled "Live+", on May 5th.

The project includes 14 live performances from Beck's extensive catalog and is rounded out with two new studio tracks: "Tribal" and "My Tiled White Floor", with guest vocals from Ruth Lorenzo and Veronica Bellino, respectively.

The songs mark Beck's first studio recordings since 2010's Grammy-winning "Emotion & Commotion." The live material features Beck's current touring band: vocalist Jimmy Hall, bassist Rhonda Smith, drummer Jonathan Joseph and guitarist Nicolas Meier. Read more here.




Keith Richards Releasing New Solo Album and May Launch Tour
(hennemusic) Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards reveals that he will be releasing a new solo album this fall and is considering plans to support the project with a tour.

"I think that's coming out in September," Richards tells Rolling Stone about the recently-completed record. "We're looking for the right time slot to bring it out. The Stones have been working so much lately that I've been holding off until we could find a reasonable time. I think it's September, but I don't know for sure."

Richard reveals he had some help putting the album together. "Steve Jordan and me," says Richards. "We're joined here and there by [guitarist] Waddy Wachtel and [Rolling Stones backup singer] Bernard Fowler. Steve and I put it together."

The guitarist is considering the possibility of doing some solo dates behind the project. "That's being kicked around," he explains. "At the moment, I'm just getting my head into the Stones and I haven't really thought about what I'm going to do afterwards. But usually if I put a record out, I do some road work. So, it's possible." Read more here.




Armored Saint Release 'Win Hands Down' Video
(Classic Rock) Armored Saint have released a new music video for the title track of their forthcoming studio album "Win Hands Down" which is the follow-up to 2010's La Raza.

Win Hands Down will be released on June 2nd in North America and June 1st in the UK via Metal Blade Records - an album described as "a vintage crush of classic power propelled by a cathartic blast of life in 2015."

Frontman and former Anthrax vocalist John Bush previously said: "We all dug deep to deliver something special. If we weren't going to, we shouldn't have bothered. I'm glad we did." Watch the video and check out the tracklisting here.




U2 Reveal Record Store Day Special Edition Plans
(hennemusic) U2 have announced that they will release the Deluxe Edition of their 2014 album, "Songs Of Innocence", on double black vinyl for Record Store Day on April 18.

Disc One presents the standard album while Disc Two features the bonus tracks from the Deluxe CD release, including "Lucifer's Hands", "The Crystal Ballroom", "The Troubles (Alternative Version)"', "Sleep Like A Baby Tonight (Alternative Perspective Mix by Tchad Blake)" and "Invisible" - plus the Acoustic Sessions.

The annual event is held the third Saturday of every April and is a celebration of the unique culture surrounding over 700 independently owned record stores in the USA, and hundreds of similar stores internationally. Read more here.




Michael Sweet Recording New Stryper Album and Plans New Solo Release
Stryper frontman Michael Sweet updated fans on Thursday via Facebook about his current activities which include recording a new Stryper album and also revealing his plans for his next solo album which will feature Will Hunt (Evanescence, Black Label Society, Staind).

He writes, "I'm currently recording vocals (on and off) for the new Stryper album to be released later this year. I'm writing for a new solo album (it will be the best to date, I promise) and I start writing for an album I'll be producing/co-writing that will commence later in the year! Whew.......

"The solo album most likely will be released in April/May of 2016 and I'm proud to say that I'll be working with Joe O'Brien and his team over at Rat Pak Records

"I'm also doing select solo acoustic dates throughout the year as well as a Puerto Rico Stryper date in June and the 3rd Annual Stryper Fan Weekend in September. Each year gets more interesting:-)

"Regarding the solo album, Will Hunt (Evanescence, Black Label Society, Staind) will be joining me in the studio (drums) and we'll be doing something completely unconventional in terms of bass - we'll be announcing exactly what very soon.

"2016 will be a very busy year for Stryper Tours, Inc. and we look forward to seeing you all out on the road!!! Love & Respect always ~ M"

Visit Sweet's Facebook page here.




Gary Clark, Jr. To Play Stevie Ray Vaughan Rock Hall Induction
(hennemusic) Texas blues guitarist Gary Clark, Jr. has been added to the performance tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble at this year's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony on April 18.

Jimmie Vaughan has already been confirmed to be on hand to honor his brother, while John Mayer will induct Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble into the Rock Hall.

The late Texas blues legend topped the fan ballot for the event with more than 18 million votes - more than 5 million ahead of the next nominee. To be eligible for nomination, an individual artist or band must have released its first single or album at least 25 years earlier. Read more here.




Mike Portnoy Comments On Joining Twisted Sister
Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater, Adrenaline Mob, Winery Dogs) has confirmed that he will be performing with Twisted Sister for the remainder of the year, taking the place of drummer AJ Pero who died last month.

Portnoy released these comments, "As a teenager growing up on Long Island in the late '70s/early '80s, Twister Sister were local legends to me (this was years before the rest of the world discovered them via MTV). Along with KISS and The Ramones, they are the quintessential New York band...true Empire State Rock & Roll Royalty! Almost 40 years and 10,000 gigs later, they are still one of the greatest live bands on earth and Dee Snider one of the greatest frontmen in the history of rock.

"When their fallen brother AJ Pero tragically passed away last month, I didn't hesitate a single moment when asked if I could help out with the remaining shows on their calendar. Not only because I love the band and will always be an S.M.F. at heart, but most importantly because AJ was my friend and I want to honor his memory and the band's legacy.

"It's a strange twist of fate as AJ had stepped in and helped my old band (Adrenaline Mob) when I left, so I'm glad that I can now return the favor and help out his band in their time of need!

"It is my absolute honor to help out my fellow Long Island Rock & Roll Saviors, Twisted F***ing Sister!"



Former Manowar Guitarist Announces New DSG Album
Former Manowar guitar player David Shankle has announced that his band DSG will be releasing their new studio album "Still A Warrior" on April 28th (April 24th in Germany).

The band also features singer Warren Halvarson, bass player Mike Streicher, and drummer Gabriel Anthony. David Shankle had this to say about the new lineup, "With new singer Warren Halvarson, new bass player Mike Streicher, and our new drummer Gabriel Anthony, this is by far the BEST line up to date."

"I'm very happy to say that I feel this is the best DSG record to date," says David. "I also feel this is the best DSG band out of all three of them so far. I'm very proud of everyone of these guys great job they did on the record."

He adds, "I think the new DSG record, 'Still A Warrior,' is a combination of the best from the 'Ashes to Ashes' and 'Hellborn' CD's. A lot of great melodic vocals and full neo-classical shred guitar in your face." 'Still A Warrior' confirms: friends of US metal with a classical shred guitar influences will completely be satisfied by their old hero again!" See the tracklisting here.




AC/DC Announce Next Leg Of Rock Or Bust World Tour
(hennemusic) AC/DC have announced dates for a tour of Australia and New Zealand in support of "Rock Or Bust," which debuted at No. 1 on the Australian charts upon its release late last year, shipping platinum and opening with first week sales of 26,730.

The band will play 5 stadium shows Australia starting November 4 in Sydney, with concerts in Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne followed by a pair of shows in New Zealand.

AC/DC will launch their 2015 live dates this Friday at Coachella, marking the return of guitarist Stevie Young and drummer Chris Slade to the lineup. See the new dates and the announcement video here.



Klone Streaming New Album 'Here Comes The Sun' Online
(Prog) French quintet metallers Klone have streamed their sixth album "Here Comes The Sun" with Prog. It's released on April 27 through Pelagic Records in the UK, although it's out this week in France.

The follow-up to 2012's Dreamer's Hideaway is described as featuring a more progressive direction. The label say: "This time, the band really gives each melody time to unfold... and this is where the strength of this album lies: coherence, patience, continuity. The transitions between riffs and songs never feel rushed or forced -- everything is happening at the right time, and for a reason.

"The music, the lyrics and the artwork reflect upon one another, and suck the listener into a universe revolving around the sun, which is the central theme of the album." Stream the album here.




The Black Keys and Buffalo Killers Lead Alive Naturalsound RSD Release
(Classic Rock) The Black Keys and Buffalo Killers lead the tracklist to the "Rock & Roll Is A Beautiful Thing: Alive 20th Anniversary" double vinyl compilation that will be released on Record Store Day (April 18th) and limited to just 900 copies.

Alive Naturalsound, the Los Angeles label responsible for releasing the debut album by The Black Keys, has announced the details of the limited edition album featuring many artists associated with the company.

"Instead of being just another label compilation of previously released material slapped together," say the label, "we're bringing you newly recorded tracks, unreleased studio outtakes, spirited cover songs, and tracks available on vinyl for the first time, all carefully mastered, and complete with a cover by illustrator William Stout."

Stout was responsible for many of the album covers on the infamous Trademark of Quality bootleg label, and later designed posters for The Ramones and The Smithereens.

Stream tracks from the album and check out the tracklisting here.




In The Studio Celebrate Lou Reed Rock Hall Induction With Rare Interview
Syndicated radio show In The Studio have posted a special online episode where they open their archive up on a rare interview with the late Lou Reed to celebrate his posthumous induction into the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist. The show sent over these details:

Before his death in October 2013 from complications following a liver transplant, Lou Reed's career was never the blueprint for commercial success, but his music has influenced remarkably across decades, from co-founding the Velvet Underground to a solo career chock-full of powerful human stories. Lou Reed's unabashed singing truth to power has disturbed some but inspired millions.

It's safe to say there would have been no Glam Rock, no Punk Rock, no Alternative Rock without the literary and musical vision of Lou Reed, reason enough for Rolling Stone magazine to rank Reed's 1972 second solo album Transformer at #192 on their Top 500 All Time list.

Program host Redbeard readily admits that his interview with Lou was "one of the most formative interviews in my career". Here is what Lou shared with Redbeard as only Lou could.

"Part of the thing I like about Rock'n'Roll is that everybody fills in a little part of themselves into it. That's why it's very limiting sometimes to ask the (songwriter) person, 'What did you mean by that exactly' , because 1), sometimes the person doesn't know; and 2), he might be wrong." - Lou Reed

Stream the episode here.




Neil Young Inspired Randy Bachman To Take New Direction
(Classic Rock) Randy Bachman credits Neil Young with giving him advice that led him to make solo album Heavy Blues. Released under the band name Bachman, it features bassist Anna Ruddick and drummer Dale Anne Brendon, plus guest appearances by Joe Bonamassa, Peter Frampton and Young, among others.

Bachman tells Canoe: "(Young) said, 'Do yourself a favor and don't do the same old Randy Bachman s--- and say it's new,'" Bachman says Young told him at last year's Musicians Hall of Fame ceremony.

"He said, 'Get a new band, get a new producer, write some new songs, get a different guitar so you play differently and do something new and scare yourself. Be terrified. Be ferocious. Be fearless. But also be afraid.'" Read more here.




Sworn Enemy Singled Out Week: Never Forget
Sworn Enemy kick off their No Mercy No Surrender Tour this week and to celebrate we asked the band to tell us about some of the songs fans may hear on the tour. Today Jeff Cummings (Guitar) tells us about "Never Forget" from their 2014 album "Living on Borrowed Time". Here is the story:

I came into Sworn Enemy in 2010 after the band had just released their previous record " Total World Domination" in the summer of 2009. We started talking about writing new music in mid 2011 when the band had a few member changes and wanted to have something that stood up to the previous works of the band. After having written 5 songs that we had considered to release as an EP we decided to add an additional 6 songs to round out a full length record. I had been working on a song that didn't have a title at the time that I thought had all the hallmarks of a Sworn Enemy song. I brought the riffs to the band and we all jammed them together and adjusted everything into the song that was put on the album "Living On Borrowed Time". When we had locked everything down riff and structure wise it didn't take Sal long to get lyrics down to it because he was there working on the song with us the whole time and it became a final song for the record with the title "Never Forget". The song tells a story about how we view life and that you have to take all the experiences that you are given and turn it into what you want and never forget the things that have made you into the person that you are today.

We have been playing this song in the set steadily since we released the record in May of 2014 and it seems like it will become a mainstay in the set for time to come. Being a fan of the band before I began playing with them I have a lot of similar musical interests with everyone and it was important to me that we put out an album that stands up to the entire catalog that the band has put out since 1999.

Check out the tour dates right here!






Lemmy's Proudest Motorhead Moment Was Bringing Fan Out Of Coma
(Classic Rock) Motorhead icon Lemmy says his proudest moment with the band was when they helped bring a fan out of a coma. The memorable moment took place in their early years, when the frontman was accompanied by guitarist 'Fast' Eddie Clarke and drummer Phil 'Philthy Animal' Taylor.

Lemmy tells Full Metal Jackie: "We brought a kid out of a coma once. We made tapes and they played them to him in hospital - and he came out of his coma."

The Motorhead legend says the boy was the only one to recover from a ward full of people in a similar condition, and adds: "That is worth my whole career." Read more here.




Soilwork Bringing 'Different Twist On Things' On New Album
(TeamRock Radio) Soilwork's Dirk Verbeuren says the band's upcoming album is brimming with "aggressive and dark" tones and they are bringing "a little bit of a different twist on things this time".

The drummer has finished his work on what will be the group's 10th album and the follow-up to 2013's The Living Infinite. Singer Bjorn Stride is ready to start recording his vocals in the coming days.

Verbeuren tells Dead Rhetoric: "In general, I can say that it's going to be a little bit of a different twist on things this time. I think the album has a pretty aggressive and dark undertone to it. There's quite a bit of aggression in it, and some heavy crushing [sounds], and then some fast songs.

"I felt a bit more like a barbarian playing my drums on this one. I felt that some of the songs needed not so much frills and complicated and technical stuff but just straight-up hammering, and drums in your face.

"That was some of the vibe, but it's definitely going to sound like a Soilwork record. I have no doubt about that. We are always trying to let our feelings of the moment speak, and it will be interesting to see how it comes out." Read more here.




Robben Ford Releases 'Rose Of Sharon' Lyric Video
(Classic Rock) Robben Ford has premiered a new lyric video for his track "Rose Of Sharon" via TeamRock. The song is taken from his recently released album "Into The Sun."

Ford's new studio album Into The Sun was released last month via Mascot Label Group, featuring guest appearances by Warren Haynes, Keb' Mo' and others.

Ford recently explained: "The rule was to have no lid on things. I made sure there was room for new ideas and everything my collaborators brought to the music.

"When you're open to different concepts and approaches, the most beautiful things can happen." Watch the video here.




Steven Wilson Loves Meeting Fans But Wary Of Online Comments
(Classic Rock) Steven Wilson has described how he has to always be on his toes when meeting fans while on tour. Wilson stars in the latest episode of FreqsTV's Ghosts Of The Road series.

And while he loves the 'meet and greet' sessions that are a part of modern touring, he says it's easy to ruin your reputation if you're not at your best all the time.

He says: "I don't want anyone to go away with this idea that I'm an a**hole. With the age of the internet, bad news travels fast. You can be nice as pie to 99 fans. And if you're a little bit short with that 100th fan, you've had a bad show or you've got a cold, he or she is the one that will go on the internet and say, 'Steve Wilson's such as a**hole.'

"Suddenly that goes viral. I'm aware of that and I've been a victim of that so I try to be what I need to be." Read more and watch the episode here.



White Hills Release 'No Will' Video
(Classic Rock) White Hills have premiered their video for "No Will" with TeamRock. It's taken from the band's eighth album, Walks For Motorists, which was released via Thrill Jockey this week.

The label say: "It's a radically stripped-down record that emphasized rhythm and groove. It bursts forth with a new kind of intensity, born out of laser-focused prevision and detail-oriented songwriting.

"This is propulsive, open music - surreal to its core, but made to inspire people to get out of their seats and move."