Today's Day in Rock News!

Today's Day in Rock


Original Rainbow Member Craig Gruber Dead At 63
(Classic Rock) Original Rainbow bass player Craig Gruber has died of cancer at the age of 63. Gruber passed away in Florida on Tuesday while under the care of members of the Faith Tabernacle Church, who tell TeamRock they had been looking after him for the last six months of his life. He had been battling prostate cancer for some time.

Senior Pastor at the church, Steve Anderson, says: "Our friend and brother in Christ, Craig Gruber is now with Jesus. He passed away about 3.20pm. Thank you all for your prayers of faith."

Gruber played on Rainbow's first album Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow and was also a member of Elf alongside Ronnie James Dio. He later worked with Dio on the Black Sabbath album Heaven And Hell after Geezer Butler opted not to continue with the band following Ozzy Osbourne's departure. Read more here.



Guns N' Roses Guitarist Slams 'Stupid Music Industry'
(Classic Rock) Guns N' Roses guitarist Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal has called the music industry "stupid" and says they treated fans like criminals when peer-to-peer file sharing emerged at the turn of the century.

And he says rather than embracing the technology, record executives "made a mess" that they still don't know how to clean up.
He tells the Jakarta Informer: "It's not that Napster changed anything - it's that the stupid music industry didn't see this amazing technology and say, 'My God, we could do so much with this,' and instead tried to destroy it and tried to treat people as criminals.

"What can you do money-wise if a billion people download your songs for free? It could have been the tiniest little subscription - it could have been ads or sponsors. There are a million ways it could have been done and the music industry had a lot of time to figure it out."

He continues: "Instead, through their lawyers, they said, 'Go sue that 12-year-old kid,' and they screwed up everything." Read more here.




AC/DC Tour Kick Off Videos Go Online
(hennemusic) AC/DC launched the European leg of their Rock Or Bust world tour at the Gelredome in Arnhem, Netherlands on Tuesday and several fan-filmed videos from show have been posted online.

The event marked the group's third live date of 2015, following back to back weekend appearances at Coachella on April 10 and April 17. AC/DC's 20-song set was similar to their Coachella shows, with some changes in the running order - this time opening with the title track to their latest album, "Rock Or Bust."

The tour marks the return of guitarist Stevie Young and drummer Chris Slade to the lineup following the retirement of founder Malcolm Young and a series of legal issues faced by longtime member Phil Rudd.

AC/DC will begin a fall stadium tour of North America August 22 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Check out the videos here.




Supergroup Teenage Time Killers Reveal Song Featuring Matt Skiba
(Radio.com) Matt Skiba recently earned favorable reviews for his work as the fill-in guitarist and vocalist for Blink-182. And now he is back, appearing as a guest in another project notable for their long list of guests and collaborators.

Punk-metal super-group Teenage Time Killers is reported to have a who's who of music notables appearing on their upcoming release, including Dave Grohl, Corey Taylor of Slipknot and Stone Sour, Jello Biafra from the Dead Kennedys, Lee Ving from Fear, and Foo Fighters' Pat Smear for their debut album, Greatest Hits Vol. 1.

We've already heard their first single, "Hung Out to Dry," and now have this second single, "Barrio," to sample. Featuring a pretty straight-forward punk chant-along chorus, "Bario" is right up Skiba's alley as a vocalist. Check out the tune above and look for the debut Teenage Time Killers album out on July 31st on Rise Records. Check out the new song here.




Former Motley Crue Singer Thinks Band Won't Fully Retire
(Classic Rock) Former Motley Crue singer John Corabi thinks Crue will still record together after their farewell show and he also says he understands why fans never warmed to him when he replaced Vince Neil in the 90s.

He tells 100percentrock: "I'm happy for the guys. I get their thinking. They don't want to be a band that overstays their welcome and they don't want to fade off. They want to go out with a bang and they want to go out on a high note. So I'm all for it.

"But the cool thing is they're not saying that they're not going to do anything in the future. They're just not going to tour again. So I imagine there will still be Motley music coming in the future but they're just not going to go out and do these big, huge, extravagant tours." Read more here.





Rolling Stones Stream Alt Version Of 'Can't You Hear Me Knocking'
(hennemusic) The Rolling Stones have released a stream of a unreleased version of "Can't You Hear Me Knocking" as a preview to the upcoming reissue of their classic 1971 album, "Sticky Fingers."

The tune is one of several previously unreleased and alternative takes of a selection of album tracks featured on the project, including an alternative version of "Brown Sugar" featuring Eric Clapton; unreleased versions of "Bitch" 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" - all featured on the Deluxe and Super Deluxe Editions.

Due June 8 (June 9 in North America), the remastered album will be available on CD, 2CD, LP, 2LP, a Deluxe Edition Boxet, Super Deluxe Edition Boxset and via digital download.

The Super Deluxe edition also includes "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.

The "Sticky Fingers" reissue will be available two weeks after the band launch a 15-date stadium tour of North America in San Diego on May 24. Stream the song here.




KISS Releasing New Pinball Machine
(Radio.com) The world of rock and roll pinball machines can get a little pricy, with some going for as high as $25,000 on the secondary market. And one of the reasons is that acts like Metallica and Black Sabbath aren't rolling out the themed games like they did in the '70s and '80s.

But leave it to the always-savvy KISS to see an opening in the market and take it. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famers will release a new KISS pinball machine in association with Stern Pinball that will feature artwork from Kevin O'Connor, who contributed the hand-drawn art for the KISS console originally released in 1978, Ultimate Classic Rock reports.

The cabinet game, and while the exact price and release date are not available for the game, we do know that it will feature 10 KISS songs in the soundtrack, including "Detroit Rock City," "Rock and Roll All Night" and "Love Gun." Check out the video here.




Faith No More Streaming Concert Online
(Classic Rock) Faith No More will stream their May 8 show at The Fillmore in Detroit via Yahoo Live. The event is one of the first dates of the band's spring tour of North America, which opened in Vancouver on April 15.

Faith No More are on the road in support of their first album in 18 years, Sol Invictus, which will be issued on May 18. Keyboardist Roddy Bottum says the band needed to push themselves and their fans with new material for the concert stage.

Bottum says: "We got really bored with what we were doing. We felt like there are a whole lot of people out there who look to us to be inspired by what we do artistically. So to be doing old songs on a big stage, over and over, felt kind of cheap and easy - and a little too safe a place to be.

"That's not who we are. We've always pushed buttons, we've always rubbed against the grain, and we've always challenged things." Read more here.





Lenny Kravitz Releases 'Sex' Video
(hennemusic) Lenny Kravitz has released the video for "Sex", the latest track from his 2014 album, "Strut." Directed by Dikayl Rimmasch, the song follows "The Chamber" and "New York City" as the third video single issued from the project.

"I love the Fellini-esque vibe of the video," says Kravitz. "When I heard the concept, I knew that Dikayl was out of his mind; and that was the attraction."

"I couldn't think of anything more surreal," adds Rimmasch. "It made me laugh. Lenny went for it. The shoot was chaotic. The day after I walked to the beach with a hangover, laid in the sand, and thought -"what have I done?"'

Kravitz returns to live action with a show at The Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles on May 15, following which he'll begin an extensive summer tour through Europe in Hamburg, Germany on June 22.

"Strut" is the rocker's tenth studio album and first since 2011's "Black And White America." Watch the video here.





The Treatment Recruit Former 'The Voice' Contestant
(Classic Rock) The Treatment have named The Voice star Mitchell Emms as their new singer. The Cambridge-based band split amicably with Matt Jones in March of this year. He had been with the group for six years. They have now announced 21-year-old Staffordshire local Emms as their new frontman, exclusively via TeamRock.

Emms - formerly of the band Misternothing - appeared on the 2013 series of BBC talent show The Voice, getting through to the live stages under the tutelage of coach Danny O'Donoghue.

Emms says: "I am stoked to be joining The Treatment. I've been a fan of the band for some time and I have the first two albums, so I already knew most of the songs.

"Matt always did a great job on vocals for the band and it is my intention to do the same." Read more here.





Yngwie Malmsteen Launching Limited Art Collection
(Classic Rock) Yngwie Malmsteen will launch a limited collection of artwork created through guitar performance on June 18. The guitar icon has teamed up with LA's SceneFour to present what is being billed as "a new medium in art" that is "abstract, vivid and highly limited."

Malmsteen is the latest high-profile musician to partner with SceneFour on abstract art in recent years. Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen has produced two collections that translate rhythm into visual art, while Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward and Philm mainman Dave Lombardo have also launched similar projects.

Malmsteen is also recording material for his 20th record in his home studio, which he says gives him the freedom to full develop song ideas without worrying about the expense of traditional studio time.

Check out the promo video for the art collection here.





Anneke van Giersbergen Announces Box Set
(Prog) Former The Gathering singer Anneke van Giersbergen will release a box set titled Day After Yesterday on June 15, she's confirmed. The collection, to be released via InsideOut, contains her first four solo albums under the Agua De Annique name: Air from 2007, Pure Air and In Your Room from 2009 and 2010's Live In Europe.

The box set will also contain additional photographs, artwork and extensive liner notes. Van Giersbergen says: "When I started my solo career in 2007 I felt the sky was the limit. The four albums under the Agua De Annique tag mark a very important part of my career and my life in general.

"The freedom to explore various musical styles and forms was very exciting. It also gave me the opportunity to collaborate with many artist friends." Check out the track details here.





Foo Fighters Headlining Austin City Limits
(Gibson) Austin City Limits is known for booking high-profile talent, and this year is no exception. Foo Fighters, the Strokes and Florence + the Machine are set to headline the 2015 edition of the Austin City Limits festival.

Foo Fighters are onboard for both weekends of the event. Meanwhile, the Strokes will perform only the first weekend, and Florence + the Machine will play the second.

Other acts confirmed to play Austin City Limits are Modest Mouse, Alt-J, Hozier, Alabama Shakes, Of Monsters & Men, Royal Blood, Walk the Moon, Tame Impala, TV on the Radio, Twenty One Pilots, Vance Joy, Echosmith, Boots, Brandon Flowers, the Decemberists and Nate Ruess, among others. Per usual, the festival is heavy on alternative-minded artists. Read more here.






Death Angel Make New Album Plans
(TeamRock Radio) Death Angel are due to start work on a new album in October, according to guitarist Ted Aguilar. The follow-up to 2013's The Dream Calls For Blood is expected in April 2016 via Nuclear Blast.

Aguilar has this to say to Groovey: "In my personal opinion, I don't think we're gonna try to top The Dream Calls For Blood. You can't recreate that moment in time.

"This next album we're writing, we've got some songs. We're four songs in - no lyrics yet. It's always gonna be heavy. The foundation of Death Angel is still there, but it's kind of hard to describe what direction we're going in until it's recorded, mixed and mastered.

"The way Death Angel writes, we write a song, but it's always evolving - up until the point of recording. Even when it comes down to the mixing." Stream the full interview here.




Sepultura 30th Anniversary Documentary Goes Online
(TeamRock Radio) Sepultura's recent 30th anniversary show in Moscow is featured in an extended video report by Russia's Classic Rock magazine. Footage from one of 17 dates performed by the Brazilian thrash legends in the country in the past month is rounded out with an interview featuring guitarist Andreas Kisser, who spoke about the band's longevity.

Kisser says: "Sepultura have so many different versions of Sepultura in everybody's mind. Some people like the old stuff some people like the new stuff. That's what makes Sepultura so special and so great.

"We are just following in our steps and really growing as a band and keeping the Sepultura spirit alive. Working with different musicians from orchestras to percussive groups to Brazilian artists. Just building new bridges and opening new doors. It feels great after 30 years having these opportunities still flowing."

The guitarist also discussed the legacy of the band's split with co-founders Max and Igor Cavalera, who left the outfit in 1996 and 2006 respectively. Read about that and watch the documentary here.




Marco Minnemann Reveals New Album Details
(Prog) Marco Minnemann has revealed details of his upcoming album titled Celebration. The Aristocrats and Steven Wilson Band member will release his first solo album since 2014's EEPS on June 1 via Lazy Bones Recordings and pre-orders are now being taken.

Like his previous release, Minnemann plays every instrument on the record. He'll sign the first 1000 CDs and is offering those who buy now the chance to get their hands on items including a t-shirt, autographed drumsticks and two exclusive album tracks.

He says: "Versus the previous release EEPS - which was assembled by using a lot of crazy and different pieces and textures - Celebration stays in one solid mood, with an overall more heavy rock approach and occasionally moving into dark and film music like territories and interludes."

Read more and check out a preview video here.




Doors Fan Wants To Preserve Jim Morrison's Albuquerque Home
(Radio.com) Fans of The Doors want to preserve lead singer Jim Morrison's childhood home in Albuquerque, N.M. But there is a problem. Someone already lives there.

Morrison died at 27 after a short but illustrious career. He spent a few teenage years in a house in northeast Albuquerque, close to the airforce base where his father worked.

Today, that house belongs to a woman name Thelma Lue. According to an interview she gave to KOAT. Morrison's presence is still there. Her granddaughter told her that late one night she heard an organ playing in a bedroom.

A fan and historian named Anthony Gomez said he would like to convert the house into a historical site. 'Living in Albuquerque for a while, I think he should have a spot here," Gomez said. Read more here.




Butcher Babies Got Emotional Recording New Album
(TeamRock Radio) Butcher Babies say emotions were high during the recording of their upcoming album. The band release their second record later this year via Century Media and they previously described the follow-up to 2013's Goliath as a return to their "thrashy" roots.

And singers Heidi Shepherd and Carla Harvey let their emotions get the better of them in the studio this time out. Shepherd tells The Roman Show: "Carla and I both got emotional so many times in this album. I remember one time I was in the vocal booth and the producer didn't know I was just bawling my eyes out, and he kept trying to get me to record more.

"And I was like, 'I can't. I need an hour.' But we write from emotion, and I think a lot of people will be able to relate to that. One thing we always say is that writing these songs, for us, is a very therapeutic, cathartic experience. I think for any songwriter that's how it is. You take negative experiences in your life and you turn them into positives through music."

Read more and watch the full interview here.




Tony Banks Releasing Box Set
(Prog) Genesis keyboardist Tony Banks will release a four-disc box set featuring the best of his solo career this summer, it's been confirmed. A Chord Too Far will launch on July 6 via Esoteric Recordings and will feature 49 tracks selected by Banks from his back catalogue, including several remixes.

The tracklist has been chosen to represent his work outside of Genesis and takes material from A Curious Feeling (1979), The Fugitive (1983), The Wicked Lady (1983), Soundtracks (1986), Bankstatement (1989), Still (1991), Strictly Inc (1995), and his orchestral albums Seven: A Suite for Orchestra (2004) and Six Pieces for Orchestra (2012).

Also included in the package are four previously unreleased pieces, including three demos from his orchestral suites along with a track originally written for Still. Read more here.





Bill Bruford To Appear On New Prog Rock Radio Show Premiere
(Classic Rock) Former Yes, King Crimson and Genesis drummer Bill Bruford will appear in the first episode of Prog Rock With Charles Hazlewood, which is broadcast on Radio 2 in the UK on Monday, May 11 at 10pm.

The four-part series sees orchestra conductor Hazlewood explore the progressive rock music of the 1970s. In the opening episode, he'll focus on drums and percussion - kicking off by tracing prog's origins in the popular music of the 1950s and 1960s.

The BBC says: "Expect to hear tracks by the likes of Pink Floyd, Emerson, Lake And Palmer, Jethro Tull, The Toys, B Bumble And The Stingers and Perry Como."