Today's Day in Rock News!

Today's Day in Rock


Nickelback Wanted By Police For 'Crimes Against Music'
(Radio.com) Nickelback has just rubbed one more group of people the wrong way: the Australian police. The Queensland, Australia, police have charged the rockers with "crimes against music."

Ahead of the band's show at he Brisbane Entertainment Center in Boondall, local police posted a wanted poster for the band to Facebook, writing, "BOLO. Be on the Lookout. Wanted. For Crimes Against Music.

Police are on the lookout for these men who are believed to be impersonating musicians around Boondall this evening. Avoid the area. It may be hazardous to your hearing and street cred."

Just in case that wasn't enough of a warning, the police also took to Twitter to issue an "urgent police warning": "Men matching this description expected to be committing musical crimes in Boondall tonight." Read more here.



Bill Ward Makes Surprise Appearance With Black Sabbath Bandmates
(hennemusic) Black Sabbath were honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2015 Ivor Novello Awards in London on Thursday. Ozzy Osbourne missed the event while drummer Bill Ward reunited with guitarist Tony Iommi and bassist Geezer Butler to accept the prize, according to The Birmingham Mail.

Now in its 60th year, the annual UK music industry event organized by the British Academy Of Songwriters And Authors honors the work of songwriters and composers.

Backstage, Iommi confirmed Black Sabbath would launch their farewell world tour in 2016, something Osbourne recently revealed. Ward said it was great to see Iommi and Butler again and admitted he felt "very uncomfortable" knowing they had been on tour without him. I hope that can change," he added.

Ward's appearance was a surprise given the recent exchange of lengthy public notes with Osbourne over a disagreement about the drummer's fitness level for Black Sabbath's world tour in support of their last album, "13." Read more here.




Scott Weiland Addresses Member Exit Rumor
Scott Weiland took to his Facebook account this week to clear up speculation that drummer Joey Castillo has quit the former Stone Temple Pilots new solo band Scott Weiland and the Wildabouts.

The online rumors started after fans noticed that the former Queens of the Stone Age drummer did not perform with the band at a show in Lawrence, Kansas on Tuesday night.

Weiland posted a message to fans to explain that Castillo has only stepped away from the band temporarily and Mike Avenaim, who played on several tracks and co-wrote one song on the band's debut "Blaster", would be filling in.

Weiland wrote, "Just to clear up the confusion - Joey has NOT left the band. He is recording for a week with BL'AST and will meet back up with us on the 27th. I've known about this for months, hence lining up our friend Mike Avaneim [sic] to fill in."





Alex Lifeson's Arthritis One Reason For Rush's Final Tour
(Classic Rock) Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson has opened up about the severity of his arthritis - and bandmate Geddy Lee fears it's the single biggest factor that'll end their touring career.

The Canadian giants are on the road in the US just now, on a trip they've stopped short of calling their farewell. It's been thought that drummer Neil Peart's desire to be with his family could be the deciding issue - although he's also suffering from tendonitis.

But Lee tells Classic Rock's Paul Elliott: "For Alex the arthritis is not a small thing. If anything is going to mean we can't tour any more like we used to, it's more than likely going to be the arthritis - because that's something that will directly affect his ability to play.

"If I was going out on stage and I couldn't play the way I want to, or the way I've played in the past, there's no way I'd want to do it. I wouldn't want to go out there and be a shadow of my former self."

He adds: "it kind of hurts me to see him when he's having a bad day, physically. He's one of my oldest and dearest friends. And when he's been at rehearsal and he's not playing his best, it's not nice to see your friend suffer like that. This thing is in the back of his mind, and he's afraid of it."

Lifeson reveals: "I've had it for ten years - and this is the first time I'm really feeling it in my hands and my feet. That's the way it goes." Read more here.




Rare Grateful Dead Memorabilia Stolen From Auction House
(Classic Rock) Grateful Dead memorabilia worth $75,000 (£48,000) has been stolen from an auction house. The items were sold as part of April's Grateful Dead Family Jubilee Auction, but were stolen before they could be delivered to the winning bidders.

The theft took place on the weekend of April 25 to 26 at Donley's Auction Services in Union, USA.Auction bosses now fear the goods will be destroyed by the thieves to avoid getting caught.

Randy Donley tells My Suburban Life: "Please help us solve this crime. I am offering a reward for its safe return. Please do not destroy it for fear of getting caught. We just want it returned."

Police say the items were being processed for shipping, with some awaiting collection by armored car. Read more here.





Attomica Singer Alex Rangel Killed In Motorcycle Accident
Our friends at Wikimetal sent over this sad news: The singer of the Brazilian band Attomica from Sao Jose dos Campos, Alex Rangel, passed away on Thursday at 35 years old, in a motorcycle accident at 6 am.

Alex was on his way home when he lost control of the vehicle and crashed. Alex began his musical career when he was still a teenager, and has always impressed people with his technique and amazing high pitched screams.

Currently in Attomica, Rangel was also the lead singer in the bands Hocus Pocus (tribute to Aerosmith), Immigrants (to Led Zeppelin) and Jailbreak (AC/DC). We from Wikimetal are deeply sadened by his passing and send our thoughts and prayers to Alex's family and friends. The world has lost another great talent. Read the Wikimetal Report here.





Roger Daltrey Threatens To End The Who Show Due To Pot Smoke
(hennemusic) Roger Daltrey threatened to end The Who's concert at the Nassau Coliseum in Long Island on Wednesday due to fans smoking marijuana near the stage, which Daltrey is reportedly allergic to.

According to Newsday, "the smoke's impact was almost immediate on his voice, which went from crystal clear and potent for the opening 'I Can't Explain' to something rougher and more limited during 'I Can See for Miles.'"

After the show's fourth song, "The Kids Are Alright", Daltrey repeated the urgency of the issue, saying "Either stop it or the show will be over. So, it's your choice. I can't do anything about it, I'm doing my best."

Townshend then joined in the crowd's chant of "Eat it!" before adding, "Shove it up your f***ing ass. It's the quickest way. I think it's quicker than eating it."

"..and by far the most pleasurable," joked Daltrey in an attempt to lighten the moment.

Two songs later and the singer had had enough. "My voice is shutting down," said Daltrey. "I can do nothing about this. I'm close to walking because whoever is doing it…it's coming my way.

"F*** OFF!," demanded the singer.

"It's medicinal," joked Townshend as the band launched into "My Generation."

A few songs later, though, Daltrey had seemingly recovered. He hit the towering notes of "Love Reign O'er Me" with no problem and his voice got stronger from there. Check out video here.





KISS Can Move Forward Without New Music Says Stanley
(Classic Rock) KISS frontman Paul Stanley says it's not necessary for the band to record another album. He believes they had good reasons to make 2009's Sonic Boom and 2012's Monster - but that their tally of studio outings might stop at 20.

Stanley tells Classic Rock's Paul Brannigan: "There has to be a purpose to us doing an album. There was a time when we did albums because the contracts said so. But I only want to work now when it's justified. Sonic Boom was an album that very much needed to be done, and Monster just felt like, 'Well, we did Sonic Boom - let's see where we go from here.'"

He adds: "Having accomplished that, I feel we can move forward without new music. There are enough things going on in Kiss that right now it doesn't feel utterly necessary to make a new album." Read more here.





Rolling Stones Release Video Footage From Rare Club Show
(hennemusic) The Rolling Stones are sharing video and photos from their Los Angeles club show on Wednesday. The Rolling Stones used the Fonda Thatre event as a warm-up to their upcoming Zip Code Tour of North America, which opens in San Diego on May 24.

Footage from the last-minute concert at the city's Fonda Theatre includes snippets of "Brown Sugar" and "Moonlight Mile", a track from the band's 1971 album classic, "Sticky Fingers", which was performed in its entirety ahead of its reissue on June 8 (June 9 in North America).

The remastered project will be available on CD, 2CD, LP, 2LP, a Deluxe Edition Boxet, Super Deluxe Edition Boxset and via digital download. The Deluxe and Super Deluxe Editions feature previously unreleased material and alternative takes of a selection of album tracks, including an alternative version of "Brown Sugar" featuring Eric Clapton; unreleased versions of "Bitch", "Can't You Hear Me Knocking" and "Dead Flowers"; an acoustic take on "Wild Horses", and five tracks recorded live at The Roundhouse in 1971 including "Honky Tonk Women" and "Midnight Rambler."

The Super Deluxe edition will also present "Get Yer Leeds Lungs Out!", a 13-track audio recording of the Stones March 1971 show in Leeds, shortly before they began their self-imposed UK 'exile' period in France over tax issues. A DVD includes two tracks from the band's Marquee Club show in London on March 26, 1971.






Zakk Wylde's BLS Go From Animal House On Steroids To Yoga
(Classic Rock) Zakk Wylde says Black Label Society would would be boring subjects for a tour documentary. Things have quieted down backstage since the Black Label Society mainman quit drinking after a health scare in 2009.

Wylde tells Guitar Interactive: "If we were doing 'Life On The Road With Black Label Society', we'd have to script in all the stories - because there's really not much going on. I hang out with my yoga instructor a lot. Back in the old days it was Animal House on steroids."

He jokes: "We always have a blast. Back in the old days there was a lot of boozing going on. Now it's sniffing a lot of glue and we get the same results. I wake up with my pants around my ankles and the fellas tell me I had a great time, and I don't remember much of anything."

BLS are touring in support of their latest album Catacombs Of The Black Vatican, but Wylde says he's always working on fresh material. Read more here.




Kentucky Headhunters 2003 Album To Finally Be Released
(The Blues Southern blues-rockers the Kentucky Headhunters next month will finally release Meet Me In Bluesland, the album they recorded with late piano legend Johnnie Johnson in 2003.

Johnson, sideman with Chuck Berry and many others, joined founding brothers Fred and Richard Young plus Greg Martin, Anthony Kenney and Doug Phelps to race through the writing and recording of 11 tracks in just three days.

Richard Young says of the sessions: "The minute Johnnie sat down with us, the music was a kind of ecstasy." Martin recalls: "He made us play like real men. The groove got bigger and much more grown up." Read more here.





Rush Book Crowdfunding Deadline This Weekend
(Classic Rock) A Rush fan book's crowdfunding deadline will be reached in this week - although the campaign has already secured nearly seven times its original target.

Fantoon creator David Calcano has put together a 150-page collection of fan cartoons, including comic strips, parodies, art and illustrations. He originally aimed to raise $3000, but the current figure is just short of $20,000.

Calcano explains: "Many of the jokes just are for Rush fans, so if you don't know about the band you won't get many of them. However, if you like art, comic strips, and appreciate illustration, you'll love this book, because the artistry is unbelievable!" Read more here.





Gene Simmons Insists KISS Will Make New Album
(Classic Rock) KISS will record their 21st album next year, says Gene Simmons - despite Paul Stanley's suggestion that it might not happen. Stanley recently told Classic Rock that he wasn't certain a follow-up to 2012's Monster would be made, and insisting: "We can move forward without new music. There are enough things going on in Kiss that right now it doesn't feel utterly necessary to make a new album."

But Simmons tells NU.nl: "It will happen when we have time. I have music in me that needs to come out. I recently wrote a song called Your Wish Is My Command. It feels like a Kiss song and it just needs to be released on a Kiss album."

He states that all four band members are behind the plan, and adds that Stanley will once again play the role of producer. "I'm glad about that - I no longer have the energy to come to the studio every day," says the bassist. "Paul doesn't have so many other things in his life that demand attention, so he can concentrate fully on the project." Read more here.





Roger Waters To Headline Newport Folk Festival
(hennemusic) Roger Waters will headline the opening night of the 2015 Newport Folk Festival on Friday, July 24. Waters says he plans to deliver "an intimate appearance specifically crafted" for the event, set for July 24-26 at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, RI.

The former Pink Floyd bassist will top a bill that includes Tallest Man On Earth, Iron & Wine and Ben Bridwell, the Watkins Family Hour and others, while The Decemberists will perform on Saturday and First Aid Kit will play on Sunday.

Founded in 1959, the festival features a variety of musical genres each year, and has notably introduced Joan Baez and Bob Dylan to a wider audience. Dylan's famous July 25, 1965 appearance caused an uproar when fans booed as the acoustic folk singer went electric with Mike Bloomfield on guitar alongside players from the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. Read more here.






Wilko Johnson Has Mixed Feelings After Escaping Death
(Classic Rock) Wilko Johnson has revealed he knew he was on the road to full recovery when he suffered a bout of depression. He's battled the illness all his life - but it was absent during his struggle with cancer, which had been expected to kill him until he underwent pioneering surgery in 2014.

Johnson, who returned to action earlier this year, tells the Irish Examiner: "It's funny. Last night I started to think about my wife, who passed away 10 years ago. I said to myself, 'What's the matter with you? You ought to be happy you're still here.' But it doesn't work like that, does it?"

Even though he's on his Still Kickin' tour of the UK, he hasn't yet fully got over the 3kg tumor that was removed in an 11-hour operation. He says: "With the first comeback show, I distinctly remember thinking, 'Blimey, this is bloody tiring.' I was still recovering. Actually, I am still recovering." Read more here.




Sanguine Hum Release 'Settle Down' Video
(Prog) Sanguine Hum have released a new music video for their track "Settle Down," which is taken from their recently released third album 'Now We Have Light.'

The follow-up to 2013's The Weight Of The World was launched in February and described as "a future parable," and "a twisted mix of Hitch-Hikers Guide To The Galaxy, Frank Zappa's Joe's Garage and The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway."

The band's Matt Baber tells Prog: "We're currently working on the first-ever CD issue of the music that we recorded as Joff Winks Band - which we've always considered as being Sanguine Hum in all but name.

"Plus, we're already deep into preparations for the official follow up to Now We Have Light." Watch the video here.




Gandalf's Fist Unplugging For 10th Anniversary Release
(Prog) Gandalf's Fist have confirmed the release of an acoustic EP to mark their 10th anniversary. Live From A Post-Apocalyptic Power Cut will feature folk-inspired versions of tracks from their back catalogue.

They say: "Recorded amidst the fallout of the next global zombie apocalypse, the EP serves as a soothing soundtrack to the end of civilisation and is sure to help lift the spirit amidst the oncoming tides of the undead."

Tracks so far named for the EP include The Snows They Melt The Soonest, Emerald Eyes, The Circus In The Clearing, North Of The Wall, Orphans Of The Sky and Upon The Paths To Nowhere. Read more here.





Papa Roach Singer Shares Secret To The Band's Longevity
(TeamRock Radio) Papa Roach singer Jacoby Shaddix says a healthy mix of love and brotherly battles is the secret to the band's longevity. Since replacing drummer Dave Buckner with Tony Palermo in 2007, the band's lineup has remained solid - and the frontman says they still inspire each other to this day.

But that doesn't prevent him from occasionally wanting to punch them in the mouth. Shaddix tells The Blitz: "As much as sometimes I wanna punch them in the face and put them in a headlock - it's like brothers. Brothers fight, brothers battle, but at the end of the day, we're brothers.

"It's a family. It's a brotherhood. It's four dudes from a small town. We have a different drummer. It's the one member change we had, and that was very tough on the band, but I think it was necessary. But the core of us, the songwriting crew, it's just been the same dudes, and we love each other." Read more and watch the full interview here.




Five Finger Death Punch Speed Things Up On New Album
(TeamRock Radio) Five Finger Death Punch's next album Got Your Six is a more uptempo work in response to fan reactions to their live sets, says guitarist Zoltan Bathory.

And the aim is for the record to make their gigs even more energetic than they already are. Bathory tells Billboard: "It's a little bit more uptempo. There was a conscious effort that we don't want to have too many slow songs. It has more faster and midtempo songs.

"I think it's coming from the live shows. When you're playing live shows you feel the energy of the crowd. It's the high-energy and midtempo songs that make the audience move and connect. You can drop your little ballads here and there, but we know what people like." Read more here.





Dez Explains Nadja's Critical Role In Coal Chamber
(TeamRock Radio) Dez Fafara has hailed bassist Nadja Peulen as Coal Chamber's "mediator" - and says her return to the band was "critical" in making their reunion a success.

The band started touring in 2011 following an eight-year break, with Chela Rhea Harper on bass duties after Peulen originally refused to come back. Once they decided to record latest album Rivals - their first in 13 years - Peulen agreed to take part.

Fafara tells Joel Gausten: "When we talked about making a record, it was very much on the top of our heads. She was in a really great place personally and with us. She's a monster on stage, and she's an absolute monster in the studio. I don't know a lot of bass players on a record that's going to be of this calibre who can just go in and wail on it like that.

"She brings her own style to things, and she's a bit of a mediator between us as well. Not so much now, because there's never any conflict.

"But when she hears us say something that makes us laugh, she brings another perspective - like, 'Oh God, I remember.' Then we all start laughing at her view of what she was seeing before the split. So it's critical." Read more here.




Deep Purple Recruit Rival Sons For Fall Tour
(Classic Rock) Rival Sons have been confirmed as support act on Deep Purple's upcoming European tour. It kicks off in Poland on October 25 and ends at London's O2 Arena on December 3.

Rival Sons, currently on the road in the US, are continuing to support the launch of fifth album Great Western Valkyrie in 2014 - named one of the best of the year by Classic Rock.

Guitarist Scott Holiday says: "There's only so many bands that can actually occupy the space reserved for what we call legends.). A band we can say without a doubt occupy this space comfortably is Deep Purple.

"I cut my teeth on those early records - Machine Head, In Rock, Made In Japan. The musicianship, performances and sheer bravado is nothing short of leveling." Read more here.





Babymetal Have 'Learned A Lot From Metallica'
(TeamRock Radio) Babymetal singer Su-Metal says the band have "learned a lot from Metallica." The Japanese trio admit they knew little about the genre before they were brought together to front the J-pop sensations. But they learned from the biggest metal band of all as they honed their act. And they even play Metallica songs before they take to the stage at their gigs.

Su-metal tells Rolling Stone: "It's not only something for us, but the fans get excited when they listen to Metallica and, with Babymetal, it keeps with the rhythm.

"Before we joined Babymetal, we weren't that familiar with metal, but we learned a lot from Metallica. Watching their shows and even meeting them, they were really nice to us."

Her bandmate Meometal says she hopes Babymetal can reach the same level of performance that James Hetfield and co produce regularly. Read more here.





Voyager Premiere 'Seasons Of Age' Video
(Prog) Voyager have released a video for their track Seasons Of Age. It's taken from the Australian outfit's latest album V, launched last year, which Prog described as "sure to grow in stature with the passage of time."

Frontman Daniel Estrin recently reported they'd begun work on a follow-up, telling 100percentrock.com: "The creative juices are definitely flowing. There are ideas floating around. It's just about fleshing out those ideas and finding the time to smash out some music. By the end of 2016, there's a good chance we'll have a new album out."

Voyager are currently touring Australia and they'll move on the US in August, before appearing at ProgPower USA 2015 in September. Watch the new video here.




The Vintage Caravan Reflect On Stefansson Joining The Band
(Classic Rock) The Vintage Caravan's vocalist and guitarist Oskar Logi has recalled the moment drummer Stefan Ari Stefansson auditioned for the band. Ari Stefansson replaced Gudjon Reynisson earlier this year for their third album Arrival which was released this week in Europe via Nuclear Blast. But Logi says the recruitment process wasn't straightforward - as they had another sticksman behind the kit when he turned up for his tryout.

Logi says: "We met in 2011 and it's a small scene in Iceland so we were more or less bumping into each other. Then one day when we were pretty drunk we decided we should form a jam group.

"When Gudjon left, the first think I thought of was, 'Call Stefan - he knows his sh*t.' When he came to practice, we were trying out another drummer. He said, 'This is like going on a date and the date just kissed a guy goodbye.'" Read more and watch the interview here.

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Nightwish Vocalist Needs Nerves To Nail Live Performance
(Prog) Nightwish vocalist Floor Jansen says she needs her pre-tour nerves to make sure she performs at her best. The band have released another episode in their documentary about the development of latest album Endless Forms Most Beautiful.

The latest clip was shot in the days running up to their first tour date in New York in April. Jansen says: "I'm nervous - I don't want to be, but it's a good one because it puts you on top of your game. I think you need that to nail it."

The follow-up to 2012's Imaginaerum was released in March. Mainman Tuomas Holopainen recently told how he'd made a point of not using Jansen's vocal ability to "show off" the band's talents. Watch the video here.




Singled Out: Panic Island's We Start Fires
Today North London rockers Panic Island tell us about their new anthem "We Start Fires" from their debut EP "Cabin Fever" which was released this week. Here is the story:

We Start Fires is a call to arms to inspire a boost of confidence within people. The only way anyone reaches their potential is to look within and find their own power. Hard work and ability goes without saying but the passion is the catalyst. Vinnie and I are all about empowerment of passion, not just for ourselves but our fans and potential fans. We want to inspire but we also want to be inspired so we are full of enthusiasm and encouragement for people to be who they want to be.

This track is about finding that within yourself and then releasing it, making it bigger and not shying away from who you are! Hence the lyrics, "strike the match, feed the flame, live to burn, I don't fade away!"

The anarchy element is a reflection of the frustrations we have faced and do face doing what we do, the empowerment for us comes from telling everyone, you can be great!

We hope it gets blasted loud from everyone's radios, but we also hope it inspires people to trust who they are and what they want to achieve in life!