Report: AC/DC Recruiting Axl Rose To Replace Brian Johnson(New Rock Times)
For today's wild rumor mill report: The rumor linking Axl Rose with the temporary frontman of AC/DC has been circulating rock n' roll circles now for some weeks. Atlanta Radio 100.5 DJ Jason Bailey let the cat out of the bag on his radio show that he had received intel from an unnamed source that Axl was all but confirmed to front the band for the rest of the tour.
On his radio show Jason Bailey said: "This is what I'm being told, Axl was meeting with the AC/DC group, because it's all but a done deal that Axl will front AC/DC for the 10 remaining shows. All 10, including Atlanta."
"From what I was told, this was all kind of new inside information to me, Angus is a very black and white guy. He's like, Brian, for health reasons, can't continue fronting the band.
He continued: "He was supposed to retire after the last tour, so they wanted to continue going out on the road and continue making music, so if you can't do it, we appreciate your services, but the show must go on.
"They're in town, they were auditioning people for the job, and then they flew Axl in, again, this is from my source." Read more here.
Van Halen's 15 Song Early Demos Owned By Gene Simmons(Classic Rock)
Kiss mainman Gene Simmons has recalled his work with Van Halen in 1976. Simmons saw the fledgling band on the Sunset Strip, West Hollywood, prior to the group signing a record deal in the mid-70s. He went on to produce a demo for Eddie Van Halen and co. And the bassist says while the material features "a lot of cool stuff" Van Halen don't want it to see the light of day.
Simmons tells Rolling Stone: "I discovered the band. I saw them, signed them, flew them to New York and put them in Electric Lady Studios. They were signed to my company, Man Of 1000 Faces. I produced their 24-track demo - 15 songs - which I still own.
"It has everything from the first record and also faster versions of House Of Pain. It's a lot of cool stuff, but the band just doesn't want it to come out. The back and forth with David Lee Roth complicated matters."
Simmons reports he also recruited Eddie Van Halen and Alex Van Halen to record some demos which would eventually end up as Kiss tracks. Read about that here.
Scorpions Forced To Cancel Tour For Medical Reasons(Classic Rock)
Scorpions have cancelled four German tour dates after Klaus Meine was given doctor's orders to rest. The vocalist called a halt to the band's show in Hamburg on Monday after 30 minutes, complaining of a sore throat.
After being assessed by a doctor and diagnosed with an advanced viral infection and larynx and trachea inflammation, gigs in Cologne, Leipzig, Frankfurt and Berlin have been pulled.
Scorpions have vowed to announce rescheduled dates for the gigs, including the Hamburg show, in the coming days. Meine says: "Sorry to all our fans. Thanks for your understanding. Hope we can make up for the concerts soon."
In a further statement, the band says: "On Monday evening, March 21, Klaus Meine had to break off the fifth of the nine German concerts in Hamburg Barclaycard Arena after just 30 minutes. The band will definitely make up this concert. The tickets for this concert remain valid for the new date." Read more here.
Metallica's 'Master Of Puppets' Selected For National Registry(hennemusic)
Metallica's 1986 album classic, "Master Of Puppets", is among 25 sound recordings selected for induction into the US Library Of Congress National Recording Registry.
"The title track starts unsurprisingly enough with a crisp power chord and catchy riff," highlights the National Recording Registry entry, "but halfway through, the tempo slows and a clean arpeggiated progression, accompanied by cello-like tones, introduces Hetfield's mid-tempo lead which eschews tapping, sweep picking and, other metal guitar techniques.
"Black Sabbath bassist and lyricist Geezer Butler has commented that Metallica's 1980s output brought the music 'back to the spirit of [Black] Sabbath' and, he further emphasizes, 'If we started it, then [Metallica] reinvented it.'" Read more here.
Rare Beatles Record Found In An Attic Fetches Over $110K(Classic Rock)
A rare Beatles record found in an attic after 50 years has sold at auction for just under $110,000. The 10-inch record features the tracks Till There Was You and Hello Little Girl.
The record was was in the possession of Gerry And The Pacemakers pianist Les Maguire since The Fab Four's manager Brian Epstein gave him the disc in 1963.
Described as a "holy grail item," it was made at London's HMV store on Oxford Street and given to producer George Martin at EMI in a bid to secure a record deal for the band in the early 60s.
It features Epstein's handwriting, with Maguire reporting it was the disc "that sparked the Beatles' success." Read more and see photos here.
More Beatles News - Beatles Music, DVDs, Books and more - Beatles T-shirts and Posters
Eric Clapton Soundtracks Auschwitz Documentary(The Blues)
A documentary movie about the Auschwitz concentration camp directed by Phillipe Mora's, featuring a soundtrack by his friend Eric Clapton, will be released in May.
Three Days In Auschwitz is Mora's personal exploration of the Nazi death camp and its lasting impact. His mother would have been sent there, almost certainly to die, if she'd been processed by Nazi officials one day earlier, while many of his father's family were murdered during the Holocaust of the Second World War.
Mora has visited the scene three times between 2010 and 2014, in an attempt to understand and commemorate what happened there. He describes the movie as "a unique and trusting collaboration between old friends" and adds: "I was blown away by Eric's score for the film, which combined the tragedy of the events with a celebration of life. He created music with great dignity and emotional power.
"In my opinion, this is one for the ages." Watch the trailer here.
Amon Amarth Reveal Touring Drummer And Stream New Song(TeamRock Radio)
Amon Amarth have revealed Jocke Wallgren of October Tide and Valkyrja as their touring drummer and they are also streaming their track "On A Sea Of Blood."
Wallgren made his debut with the Swedish outfit in London last night, following the departure of Fredrik Andersson in 2015. Their 10th album, Jomsviking, was recorded with sessions sticksman Tobias Gustafsson.
The band had this to say: "Welcome to Amon Amarth, Jocke. Jocke will be joining us as drummer for our upcoming tours, and we're happy to have him."
Guitarist Olavi Mikkonen recently described Andersson's departure as similar to a divorce, adding: "It's really difficult to find this new guy. But, whoever it's going to be, it's going to be good. So I have no worries." Stream the new song here.
Radiohead, Red Hot Chili Peppers Lead Lollapalooza Lineup(Radio.com)
Radiohead, Red Hot Chili Peppers and LCD Soundsystem to are set to headline Lollapalooza 2016. For its 25th anniversary, Chicago-based festival will host over 170 bands for four full days of music. That adds one extra day to the normal three-day affair.
The festival's founder Perry Farrell said in a statement, "It's our 25th Anniversary and we wanted to do something really special and different for our fans.
"When the party can't wait for the weekend, the movers and shakers make it happen on Thursday! So, we've put together an entire additional day of music to celebrate our milestone year. It's going to be a fantastic party!"
Held in Grant Park every year, the 2016 celebration will begin on Thursday, July 28th and conclude Sunday, July 31st. See more artists that will be performing here.
Bullet For My Valentine And Atreyu Lead Warped Lineup(TeamRock Radio)
Bullet For My Valentine and Atreyu are among the acts announced for this year's Vans Warped Tour. The multi-city, multi-venue event takes place from June 24 to August 13.
Other acts confirmed include Good Charlotte, Falling In Reverse, Coldrain, State Champs, Sum 41, Motionless In White and Issues. Tickets are available now.
BFMV will appear on four dates only - from July 9 to 22. Atreyu will take part from July 19 to August 7. Festival boss Kevin Lyman has also announced that a charity auction will be held for The Ghost Inside, who were involved in a fatal bus crash last year, and confirmed that the band will take part in the 2017 Vans Warped Tour. See the dates and the lineup here.
Peter Frampton Releases Unplugged 'Show Me The Way' Video(hennemusic)
Peter Frampton has released an unplugged performance video of his classic, "Show Me The Way", while promoting his recently-released album "Acoustic Classics."
The project sees Frampton deliver reinvented, unplugged versions of many of his best-known songs and one brand new tune, "All Down To Me." Alongside "Show Me The Way", fans will hear stripped-down takes on Frampton classics like "Wind Of Change", "Do You Feel Like I Do" and "Baby, I Love Your Way."
"Show Me The Way" originally appeared on 1975's "Frampton"; a version from 1976's "Frampton Comes Alive" was a Top 10 US hit while the project went on to become one of the best-selling live albums in the US with sales of more than 6 million copies and 11 million worldwide.
The guitarist is currently playing a series of US dates in support of "Acoustic Classics" with longtime collaborator Gordon Kennedy, and will be joined by his full band for live dates next month. Watch the video here.
Hatebreed Preview New Album 'The Concrete Confessional'(TeamRock Radio)
Hatebreed have released a teaser video for their upcoming seventh album. The Concrete Confessional will be issued on May 13 via Nuclear Blast Records.
The new preview clip includes snippets of the tracks A.D, Looking Down The Barrel Of Today and The Apex Within. Frontman Jamey Jasta previously described the record as "no glitz, no glam, just pits, all slam."
The follow-up to 2013's The Divinity Of Purpose is produced by longtime collaborator Zeuss, who has also worked with Rob Zombie and Suicide Silence, and mixed by Lamb Of God and Megadeth engineer Josh Wilbur. Check out the preview here.
Dave Grohl Comes To The Aid Of Teenage Garage Band(New Rock Times)
The nicest man in rock has done it again after Dave Grohl leapt to the defence of a fledgling metal band from Cornwall. The Foo Fighters mainman has waded into a row between The Black Leaves of Envy and Conrnwall Council who had ordered the band to quit plasticizing following noise complaints from neighbors.
But the teenage metallers have found the most unlikely of allies in Grohl who has penned a letter to the authority after the band got in touch with him. Asking the council to 'reconsider the restrictions,' Grohl recounted his own youth spent developing his musical craft in a garage.
In his open letter, which he shared with his band's more than 12 million followers, he wrote: "Music is not only a healthy pastime, it is a wonderful, creative outlet for kids, and fosters a sense of community necessary to the emotional and social development of any child."
The rock hero who has amassed record sales in excess of 100 million between his bands expressed his belief that it is "crucial that children have a place to explore their creativity and establish a sense of self through song" and that "the preservation of such is paramount to the future of art and music." Read more here.
Robin Trower Announces New Album 'Where You Are Going To'(The Blues)
Robin Trower will release studio album Where You Are Going To in May 6 via Manhaton Records, he's confirmed. And he describes the work as a continuation of previous title Something's About To Change.
Trower says: "It ranges from rock to funky soul, with some epic blues grooves. The title track is me reflecting on my life and career, and how we have no idea how our lives might unfold.
"In terms of influences I felt I was channelling a combination of James Brown and John Lee Hooker on the funky The Fruits Of Your Desire and album closer Delusion Sweet Delusion. I'm really looking forward to playing those on tour."
He adds: "Opener When Will The Next Blow Fall is a bit of a rocker inspired by the events in Europe and how uncertain people's futures are. The album features two very emotional tracks, We Will Be Together Someday and I'm Holding On To You, both dedicated to the memory of my late wife." Read more here.
Danzig Release Video For Cover Of Black Sabbath's N.I.B.(Classic Rock)
Danzig have released a promo for their take on Black Sabbath's classic track N.I.B. It features on Glenn Danzig and co's covers album Skeletons, which was issued last year via AFM Records.
It's the first video to feature on the band's new YouTube channel, with the group promising further clips in the "coming days and weeks." Speaking about how he chose which songs to feature on the album, frontman Danzig said: "There's so many artists that I love: I had to have Elvis and Black Sabbath on there because without those two there's no Danzig.
"After that I had to think about songs that I could make my own, songs I could bring new dimensions to. These are the artists that made me, so obviously I wanted to do the songs justice." Watch the video here.
Behemoth Begin Working On New Album(TeamRock Radio)
Behemoth frontman Adam 'Nergal' Darski has revealed he's started work on the band's next album. The singer said in January that he has been inspired by the "avant-garde" when writing the follow-up to 2014's The Satanist.
He added that it would be a "new chapter" for the band and redefine their music. Now he says in an Instagram post that he's playing "dark stuff" on his Gretsch White Falcon guitar.
He says: "Well, It has begun. The process. New music for Behemoth. Interesting to hear how the dark stuff sounds when played on White Falcon. It kinda gets me on a different track and I'm liking it a lot." See the post here.
Hawkwind Release 'A Solitary Man' Video(Classic Rock)
Hawkwind have released a video for their track A Solitary Man, taking from upcoming album The Machine Stops. The space-rock icons launch their concept record - inspired by the EM Forster novel of the same name - on April 15 via Cherry Red.
The label say: "Forster's dystopian vision of the future is brought to life with characteristic Hawkwind style - an atmospheric, musical interpretation beginning in tunnels deep beneath the earth, where every need is controlled and catered for by the machine.
"The struggle to escape and find a way to reach the outer surface is a utopian dream, which could prove to be the most deadly dream of all." Check out the new video here.
Disturbed Regained Original Chemistry With Approach To Immortalized(TeamRock Radio)
Disturbed guitarist Dan Donegan says the band will never record again without everyone being in the same room. They released their comeback Immortalized last year and Donegan says the experience of spending time in a studio together helped the band get better results.
He tells 98 KUPD: "Once we got back in the room together and we started tossing around ideas, it was just like riding a bike, back to the same old routine. The chemistry was there.
"The routine changed, because we wanted to go back to how we did in the beginning. Even though we live in different states now, the technology of Pro Tools and sending files is a great tool to have, but it could take away that human element, that chemistry you have being in a room together.
"So we made a conscious effort this time to say, 'You know what? if we live in different states, and that means hopping on a plane and spending more time with each other, then that's what we're gonna do. This is what a band should be.'" Read more here.
The Rides Release EPK video For New Album 'Pierced Arrow'(Classic Rock)
The Rides have released an EPK video that was shot during the making of their second album, Pierced Arrow, focusing on their old-school approach to recording.
Stephen Stills, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Barry Goldberg release the follow-up to 2013 debut Can't Get Enough on May 6 via Provogue Records. They've already streamed their tracks Virtual World, Kick Out Of It and I've Got To Use My Imagination.
They recorded onto analogue tape using a vintage Neve mixing console. Shepherd says: "We make records the way they were originally intended to be done. You can hear the progression between the first and second album, establishing who we are as The Rides." Watch the video here.
Caligula's Horse Release 'Turntail' Video(Prog)
Caligula's Horse have released a video for their track Turntail, taken from third album Bloom. The record was released in October - and frontman Jim Grey believe the track sums up the full work perfectly.
He says: "Turntail is exactly what Caligula's Horse is about. It's powerful, energetic, melodic and forthright. This is a song about taking a stand, about fighting for freedom in whatever way you can.
"Considering the atrocious political climate in Australia and worldwide, I don't think we could have released this single at a more appropriate time." Watch the new video here.
Blood Ceremony Streaming New Album 'Lord Of Misrule' In Full(TeamRock Radio)
Blood Ceremony have made their album Lord Of Misrule available to stream in its entirety with TeamRock. The Canadian doom metal outfit's fourth album is released on March 25 (Friday) via Rise Above Records.
Lord Of Misrule was recorded at London's Toe Rag studios. Guitarist Sean Kennedy tells TeamRock: "It's a very unique studio, and we felt Liam Watson could help us achieve the sounds that we were hearing in our heads while we prepared for the new record.
"This will be the first Blood Ceremony album that follows a completely analogue process from the amplified performance in the studio straight through to the cutting of the vinyl lacquer.
"As well, our record label, Rise Above, is based in London, so it's a sort of home away from home for us." Read more and check out the album stream here.
Tarja Turunen Previews New Song 'No Bitter End'(Prog)
Tarja Turunen has released a brief clip of her track No Bitter End. The former Nightwish singer will launch her latest album The Shadow Self on August 5. It follows her debut classical record Ave Maria - En Plein Air which came out in 2015.
Turunen said: "I am very excited to finally be able to share the first details of my new heavy rock album with all of you. The Shadow Self is full of songs that are very dear to me.
"I cannot wait for you to hear the record that I believe is one of my heaviest albums to date. Keep your eyes open, as there will be many surprises along the way to the album release." Read more and check out the clip here.
Ben Craven Announces New Album, Streams First Song(TeamRock Radio)
Australian singer-songwriter Ben Craven has announced that his third album will be titled Last Chance To Hear. No release date has been set for the follow-up to Great & Terrible Potions, but Craven has issued a stream of the track The Remarkable Man.
Craven says: "Last Chance To Hear is loosely inspired by the end of the music industry as we knew it. There's never been a time when so much new music was being made by so many people and being listened to by so few people.
"The concept of paying for new music is now alien to a lot of the audience. Digital downloads have made physical media virtually obsolete. Streaming services mean that anybody making new music is now competing with the whole history of recorded music - and the album format is in danger of becoming extinct. There's never been a time full of more 'opportunity' than now. So I made an album about it."
The album will feature guest contributions from Billy Sherwood and William Shatner, with Craven saying the new material is a "logical progression" from his previous release and adds: "The arrangements are more confident and more purposeful. But probably the biggest difference is that there are fewer vocals on this new one." Read more and stream the song here.
A Fat Wreck - The Punk-U-Mentary Trailer Released(TeamRock Radio)
A trailer has been released for the upcoming Fat Wreck Chords documentary. The film includes interviews with members of Pennywise, Foo Fighters, Bad Religion, Rise against and others.
A Fat Wreck - The Punk-U-Mentary is set to be shown at various film festivals this year. It explores the 25-year history of the record label run by NOFX frontman Fat Mike and his ex-wife Erin Kelly-Burkett.
A press release reads: "A Fat Wreck blazes exciting new ground in the cinematic genre of puppet-driven punk rock music documentary filmmaking. If you only see one film featuring a dominatrix spanking a puppet in your lifetime... make it A Fat Wreck!" Watch the trailer here.
BlackRain Release New Album This Week(TeamRock Radio)
BlackRain have announced that their fifth album Released will be out this week. It's the French outfit's first full-length since 2013's It Begins and is set for launch on March 25 via UDR.
Inspired by bands including WASP, Guns N' Roses, Skid Row, Ratt and Motley Crue, the record was made possible thanks to a successful PledgeMusic campaign and is said to be "edgy, raucous and fun with a constant trail of danger."
Vocalist and guitarist Swan, guitarist Max 2, bassist Matthieu de la Roche and drummer Frank F will play this year's Download Festival, Paris on June 10 in support of the record. View a teaser trailer for the album here.
Long Distance Calling Streaming New Song 'Lines'(TeamRock Radio)
Long Distance Calling have released a lyric video for their track Lines. The song features on the German outfit's upcoming album Trips -out on April 29 via InsideOut Music.
The band say of the track: "This song shows one of many different colours on Trips combining our roots with a new vibe. Enjoy and get trippin'." Trips is available for pre-order via Amazon and iTunes, while the band issued a video teaser for the cover art last month.
Long Distance Calling will head out on a European tour in support of the album with vocalist Petter Carlsen following the departure of Martin 'Marsen' Fischer. Although he's no longer in the band, Fischer contributed to the recording process on the follow-up to 2014's Nighthawk. Check out the song here.
Intronaut Release 'Sul Ponticello' Video(Prog)
Intronaut have released a video for their track Sul Ponticello. It features on their latest album The Direction Of Last Things, which launched last year via Century Media.
Frontman Sacha Dunable said: "On the past couple of records, we were really exploring some musical aspects that were experimental, melodic, and less of a primal heavy metal assault.
"I still love all our records and those parts of our musical DNA, but I thought it was time we took our musical evolution and made it do 100 push-ups every morning." Watch the new video here.
Knifeworld Announce UK Spring Tour(Prog)
Knifeworld have announced a short UK tour for May. They'll play in Leicester, Leeds, Brighton and London in support of their upcoming third album Bottled Out Of Eden, due for release on April 22 via InsideOut Music.
On the album, frontman Kavus Torabi previously said: "One aspect of Bottled Out Of Eden is the idea of a self-made heaven or a self-imposed hell, that agony or ecstasy are often a choice.
"I look back on the 25 years of making the kind of music I do, particularly the last six with Knifeworld and just feel so fortunate for the friendships, experiences and absolute joy it has brought.
"I wanted the album to be as much about that, a celebration of this all too fleeting life, as it is a reflection on death and its impact on those left behind in its wake." See the dates here.
Diamond Head Named Bloodstock Headliner(Classic Rock)
NWOBHM icons Diamond Head are set to headline Bloodstock's Sophie Lancaster Stage on Friday, August 12. The Stourbridge band, who've influenced the likes of Metallica and Megadeth, will release their self-titled album on April 22 - their first release in over eight years.
Joining Diamond Head in today's announcement are Swedish industrial metallers Misery Loves Co. They'll appear on the Ronnie James Dio stage. Say the band:
"The UK was always special to Misery Loves Co. Our very first show outside of Scandinavia was in London and without the support of the British people we probably would have stayed in Scandinavia forever, listening to ABBA, eating herring and dreaming of the outside world. Doing a summer of festivals without coming to the UK would have been a failure, so we can't wait to come to Bloodstock!" Read more here.
Success Would Have Literally Killed The Wildhearts Says Ginger(New Rock Times)
Ginger Wildheart says one, 'or probably two,' members of the Wildhearts would have died had they made it big in the '90s. The band were kicking on the door of the mainstream in 1995 when their second full length album 'P.H.U.Q' spawned a handful of singles which invaded the UK charts.
Regular appearances on Top of the Pops followed before a well publicized row with their then-label East West saw the band lose their momentum. But perhaps that was for the best reveals Ginger during an exclusive chat with Eric Mackinnon of the New Rock Times. He says: "I kind of know what would have happened if we'd got big as a band, at least one of us would have died. No doubt about it. Probably two of us.
"If we'd had the money that success would have given us we'd have killed ourselves with overuse of drugs and alcohol. I'm not bragging about up being debauched or anything, we were just that way. We'd have kept doing drugs until they killed us. Fortunately we used to run out of money quite regularly."
Ginger is the man of a thousand bands where, in addition to the Wildhearts, the multi-talented musician regular performs with other artists and has roles in other projects.
His current band Hey! Hello! Are currently searching for a new singer after Hollis Mahady moved to Los Angeles. Read more here.
Singled Out: Jason Paulson's Bad Habits
Roots/Americana songwriter Jason Paulson is releasing his new album "Crow River Ramble" tomorrow (March 25th). To celebrate we asked Jason to tell us about the single "Bad Habits". Here is the story:
"Bad Habits" is the first single off our new album and is actually the first song I had written for it. I sat down to write and just started strumming a kind of country shuffle thing. I was singing whatever came to mind and the first time through the words "I wonder what comes next, bad habits or bad checks" came out and I just started building around that.
Being a working musician is not the easiest road! Picking up what odd jobs you can between tours and album releases. I have felt the sting of that tag line more than once, and I imagine there is a good portion of the population that have as well. So I started putting together words that reflected my situation as well as the people around me. I suppose it is a bit of a blue collar tale.
The song starts "her eyes could always see, a better part of me, I wonder just how much I have left." How many people have looked in the eyes of their loved ones and forced a smile, trying to live up to something and falling a little short. "Money can't buy smiles, but it could hide the pain a while, instead of working three jobs to live in debt." I grew up with slightly hippie parents. That was kind of the motto, Love is all you need…….I agree it is, but if you have love already, a little less stress and more time with the people that mean most to you would be nice and sometimes money is the what can make that happen.
The chorus starts getting a little more personal, the tiredness of working so much, the nightlife running into the daytime, Being a dad, chasing a dream, trying to be a good husband, it all comes back to that tag line and wondering how much longer a person can continue to chase a dream before the price you pay is more than the prize at the end.
The rest of the song continues through the woes of a traveling musician or any father really that works hard and long hours to hopefully make a better life for his family. In the bridge I try to touch on the reasons why he continues a bit, or at least my reasons. "All who wander are not lost, and you can't avoid the cost, of the stories you can't throw away." I hope it's a small glimpse as to why to keep going.
The song ends with "So, I wonder what comes next, bad habits or bad checks, cause lately I've been too damn tired to fight." I hope it leaves the story a little unresolved. In a way it allows people to write their own ending. For me the fight keeps going. For the listener, well that is their call. We all go through the hard times, it is what you chose to do with the experience that creates the ending to any story.
No comments:
Post a Comment