Today's Top Stories
Rolling Stones Finish New Album, Plan More Live Dates
Keith Richards reveals in a new interview with The Sun that the Rolling Stones' new album has been completed and the band also plans to play some more live shows later this year.
When asked about the new album, Richards responded, "Yeah, that's in the can, although it might be a surprise to people and I can't say any more than that right now.
"We did sessions in London in December which suddenly gave us a whole load of stuff. In fact, the Stones have never cut so many tracks in such a short time. Now that's not necessarily a guarantee of a good record but there is something in the works and I'd just like to leave it up there in mystery land."
He was then asked about future tours and said, "Yeah, yeah, yeah! We're planning some gigs later on this year. I take each tour as it comes and at the moment I'm still shaking Cuba off me." Read the full interview here.
Guns N' Roses Play First Reunion Show At L.A. Club(Classic Rock)
Guns N' Roses delivered a 16-song set at a Los Angeles club Friday night to kick off their reunion tour - but an expected guest appearance from drummer Steven Adler didn't take place.
Frontman Axl Rose, guitarist Slash and bassist Duff McKagan were joined by axeman Richard Fortus, keyboardist Dizzy Reed and sticksman Frank Ferrer at the Troubadour, where the fledgling outfit played in the early 1980s.
The show, in front of around 400 fans, consisted mainly of classics from their early years - although the title track from Chinese Democracy and Better were both performed, featuring Slash for the first time.
Recording devices were banned from the Troubadour, although several fans managed to post video clips and pictures. Read more and see some of the posts here.
Wes Scantlin In Standoff With Police
Puddle of Mudd frontman Wes Scantlin was reportedly in a standoff with 30 police officers at his Los Angeles home some time last month, according to an online tabloid report.
TMZ reports, via Loudwire, that police went to Scantlin's home to investigate a report of a suspected burglary of a car in the singer's driveway.
The singer was arrested on a previous warrant after the police broke down his door following a two hour standoff that included more than 30 police officers.
He reportedly did not receive any charges for the standoff. Police learned that Scantlin and his friends were simply trying to jump-start the car in his drive way.
AC/DC Classic Used To Fight Cancer(Classic Rock)
AC/DC classic Thunderstruck is being used by scientists to improve the effect of a cancer-fighting drug, they've reported. The 1990 song, from The Razor's Edge, is being used to force medicine particles to bounce, so they can be coated with a plasma shell that helps them last longer in the human system, and therefore do more good.
Before discovering the technique, only one side of each particle could be coated, and so the camphothecin drug was broken down faster. Confirming the contents of a paper published in February, the University of South Australia's Professor Nico Voelcker tells In-Pharma: "Normally, you only form the coating on one side of the particle, the side that is exposed.
"But the other side is not going to get coated. That's where we came up with the idea of using a loudspeaker that would play into the system. It would vibrate and the particles would bounce up and down. The chaotic frequencies worked well, and give you a more homogenous coating." Read more here.
Latest News
Led Zeppelin Stairway To Heaven Trial Date Set(hennemusic)
Led Zeppelin will face a May 10 start to a trial in the copyright-infringement lawsuit against the band over "Stairway To Heaven", according to the National Law Journal.
The suit - brought by Randy California's estate and members of Spirit - claims the acoustic introduction to 1971's "Stairway" was lifted from their 1968 instrumental, "Taurus."
The two bands shared the bill at several shows in late 1968 and 1969. "I do not recall ever seeing Spirit perform live," stated guitarist Jimmy Page in his deposition for the case. "Again, though, I am absolutely certain I never heard them, or anyone else, perform 'Taurus.'"
In the declaration, Page adds, "Prior to hearing a recording of 'Taurus' in 2014 in connection with this matter, I have never heard 'Taurus' or even heard of it. I am very good at remembering music and am absolutely certain that I never heard 'Taurus' until 2014." Read more and listen to both songs here.
Alice Cooper's Hollywood Vampires Announce Tour(hennemusic)
Alice Cooper's supergroup The Hollywood Vampires have announced dates for their first extended tour. Led by founders Cooper, Johnny Depp and Aerosmith's Joe Perry, Hollywood Vampires also includes Duff McKagan, Matt Sorum, Tommy Henriksen and Bruce Witkin.
In addition to a previously announced show at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York on May 24, the band will perform a series of European concerts and some additional US dates.
New additions to the schedule include stops in Sweden, Denmark and Romania in May and June, and a July show at the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort in Mt. Pleasant, MI.
The group's live schedule is built around touring commitments to other projects by its members. "We have to carefully schedule the Vampires," Cooper tells Rolling Stone. "That's because you have Johnny's movie schedule, you've got Aerosmith, you've got Guns N' Roses and you've got me! It's five entities going five different directions.
"To get those guys all at once when we're not working is really unique, so everybody looks at their calendar and you have to find that two weeks where everybody's off." See the dates here.
Foreigner And Lou Gramm In Talks For 40th Anniversary Tour(Classic Rock)
Foreigner leader Mick Jones is talking to former vocalist Lou Gramm about a reunion to mark the band's 40th anniversary. The pair have settled their differences in recent years, performing together at an awards ceremony in 2013, after a fall-out in 2003.
Jones tells One On One With Mitch Lafon: "It's quite possible. We've actually been talking about it. I'm not at a point where I can say it's definitely going to happen, but we're trying to make it happen. It's kind of exciting - hopefully it's be possible to pull it off next year."
The anniversary lineup could also include original men Ian McDonald, Al Greenwood, Dennis Elliott and Rick Wills. Bassist Ed Gagliardi died in 2014.
Jones says: "We've kept up sort of a loose communication. My people and myself are physically putting it together now, trying to find the right venues that would make sense for us." Read more and listen to the full interview here.
Ace Frehley Streams Thin Lizzy Cover Featuring Slash(hennemusic)
Ace Frehley is streaming his cover of Thin Lizzy's 1976 track, "Emerald", which features a guest appearance from Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash. The track comes from original KISS lead guitarist forthcoming all-star covers album, "Origins Vol. 1."
Slash joined Frehley to perform the tune more than a dozen times live in a studio session last summer. "It took me three days to pick the best takes," Frehley tells Rolling Stone, "and I think it came out great."
Due April 15, "Origins Vol. 1" sees Frehley joined by a variety of guests to deliver new versions of tracks by Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Steppenwolf and Free, among others.
Guests include former bandmate Paul Stanley, Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, Lita Ford and John 5. Check out the song here.
Rush Release Comic-Book Style '2112' Lyric Video(Prog)
Rush have marked the 40th anniversary of groundbreaking album 2112 with the release of their comic-book style lyric video featuring all seven sections of the 20-minute title track.
The band's fourth title was launched on April 1, 1976 and it's become one of their most popular works. The video first appeared in the 2012 remaster package, and will only be streaming via their website until tomorrow (April 4). The opening sequence, featuring Overture, can be viewed below.
Frontman Geddy Lee recently told Classic Rock: "The album just flowed - one song came out of the other. There was a lot of passion in that record, a lot of ferocity. It cut through the static of the music that was out there and it reached people." Watch the video here.
Paul McCartney Announces 67-Track Compilation(Gibson)
It all started with a weird, unintelligible five-second audio clip posted on Paul McCartney's social media last week. This was followed up the next day with the same audio clip, now accompanied by a super-fast video sequence of song titles.
It all became clear when a statement on McCartney's website announced the upcoming release of a massive sixty-seven track career-spanning compilation, tracing McCartney's solo output, as well as his work with Wings and Fireman.
In the announcement, McCartney said, " Me and my team came up with the idea of putting together a collection of my recordings with nothing else in mind other than having something fun to listen to".
"Maybe it's to be enjoyed on a long car journey or an evening at home or at a party with friends? So we got our heads together and came up with these diverse playlists from various periods of my long and winding career."
Titled Pure McCartney, the compilation, which releases on 10 June, will be available in 2CD, 4CD, 4LP and digital versions. The 4CD/LP version will contain the entire listing of sixty-seven tracks. Read more here.
Peter Frampton and Gregg Allman Announce Coheadlining Shows(Radio.com)
Two of classic rock's biggest names are heading out on the road together. Peter Frampton will partner up with Gregg Allman this summer to play four co-headlining dates.
Frampton will be performing at Gregg Allman's Laid Back Festival in Chicago, after which the two will hold four shows of their own beginning in mid-July.
"I've been a huge Gregg Allman fan since first hearing the Brothers' live Fillmore album. So this is going be a dream tour," Frampton stated. "I've had the honor of sitting in with the Allmans at their Beacon shows a couple of times and it just doesn't get better than that" (Ultimate Classic Rock). Check out the dates for the Frampton/Allman tour here.
Music Icon Keith Emerson Laid To Rest(Prog)
Music icon Keith Emerson was laid to rest at a private ceremony this past Friday (April 1st) by his family, after his tragic death at the age of 71 last month.
The Emerson, Lake and Palmer icon's passing was ruled a suicide after he was found at home in Los Angeles with a self-inflicted head wound, leading the prog world to pay tribute.
His son Aaron Emerson, also a musician, posted a picture of his father's grave yesterday and said: "I would like to thank all the thousands of people who have sent messages of love and condolences to myself and my family after the passing of my father.
"We followed his wishes, and he has been laid to rest in Sussex. Rest in peace Dad." Read more here.
Sixx: A.M. Stream New Song 'You Have Come To The Right Place'(hennemusic)
Motley Crue offshoot Sixx: A.M. are streaming "You Have Come To The Right Place" as the latest single from their forthcoming album, "Prayers For The Damned."
Due April 29, the record is the first volume of a double album project that will keep vocalist James Michael, bassist Nikki Sixx and guitarist DJ Ashba on the road throughout the year.
The trio will launch their world tour starting April 30 in Jacksonville, FL on April 30. "Sixx:A.M. is in the most creative place of our careers," says Sixx, "For James, DJ and myself, we think it's the perfect time to release so much quality music to our fans who've been supporting us over the last 3 albums." Stream the song here.
Surgical Meth Machine Release 'I'm Invisible' Video(TeamRock Radio)
Surgical Meth Machine - the new brainchild of Ministry's Al Jourgensen - are premiering their video for the track 'I'm Invisible' with TeamRock. The track is taken from the band's self-titled debut album, which will be released on April 15 through Nuclear Blast.
Says Al of the video: "Hello folks, thought y'all might like to see some home videos of my last Las Vegas vacation. Warning! Do not attempt to view this unless sufficiently high!"
Jourgensen says of the album "There's a couple of real poppy things on there, which brings me full circle, because, literally, I don't give a f*** anymore. So I'm actually almost acknowledging that first horrible pop record I did in 1983.
"I'm crooning on some songs, I've got some pop songs on there, and then there's just brutal assault for the rest of it. It's a very dichotomous record, but it's me, and I'm acknowledging everything that's been me through, like, the last 35 years. Let's just throw my balls on the table and hope somebody doesn't have a meat cleaver running." Watch the video here.
Avenged Sevenfold Tease New Song(TeamRock Radio)
Avenged Sevenfold have released a brief teaser clip of a demo track from their seventh album. The 50-second section comes at the end of a video message for fans, in which frontman M Shadows says: "We're recording stuff right now. We're not in the studio yet, but we're demoing."
No completion date has been confirmed for the follow-up to 2013's Hail To The King, although it's expected at some point this year. It'll be their first release with drummer Brooks Wackerman, who joined the band last year.
Avenged Sevenfold's only confirmed appearance for 2016 is on August 20 at the US Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota, with Metallica and Volbeat. Check out the video here.
Curved Air Forced To Cancel Shows Due To Family Emergency(Prog)
Curved Air were forced to cancelled three shows on the current UK tour this past weekend as singer Sonja Kristina had rushed to the bedside of her "seriously ill son."
The band were due to play in Ruislip tonight (Friday), Howden on April 2 and Bolton on April 3, but all three have been pulled. Curved Air say: "Sonja has had to travel to the USA to be with her son who is seriously ill."
As it stands, all of the group's other upcoming dates - including the tour with Renaissance - are still scheduled to go ahead. See all of the remaining tour dates here.
Ensiferum Announce Lineup Change(TeamRock Radio)
Ensiferum keyboard player Emmi Silvennoinen has left the band and been replaced by Netta Skog. The Finnish folk metal outfit announced the change in a Facebook post, with Silvennoinen saying she is stepping down for family reasons.
Electric accordion player Skog is now onboard as a permanent member after a year as a touring musician. Silvennoinen says: "Many of you have probably noticed that during the last year I have missed lots of gigs and now it's time to put an end to all rumors.
"For family reasons, I have to step aside from Ensiferum. It's been an amazing nine years. I have learned and seen so much all over the world. This decision was not made lightly.
"But every cloud has its silver lining and I couldn't be any happier that my dear friend Netta will take my place in the band." Read more here.
Cheap Trick's Fame Has Risen With Rock Hall Induction News(Classic Rock)
Cheap Trick frontman Robin Zander says people in his hometown ask for his autograph since hearing the band would be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.
The band will be entered into the Rock Hall along with Deep Purple, Chicago, Steve Miller and N.W.A at the April 8 ceremony at Brooklyn's Barclays Center.
And despite years of success and gold and platinum records, Zander says his Florida neighbours only started asking for his autograph once the Rock Hall came calling.
He tells Canoe.com: "The thing I've noticed is the change in people where I live. I live in a very small town where I know everybody. And now when I walk around, people I've known for 23 years are coming up to me and going, 'Oh man, congratulations. Can I get your autograph for my kids?' That's how I see the difference." Read more here.
Motorhead Slot Machine Being Released In Honor Of Lemmy(Classic Rock)
A Motorhead slot machine is to launch online in memory of Lemmy in September. The late frontman was known for his love of gambling - even in his final days, the poker videogame he regularly played at the Sunset Strip's Rainbow Bar And Grill was rumoured to have been brought into his home.
The Motorhead slot machine will join Jimi Hendrix and Guns N' Roses in the rock-themed roster produced by gaming company NetEnt. Global Merchandising Services manager Gabbi Landdorf says (via LicensingSource.Net): "The Motorhead brand is synonymous with high-octane music and has one of the last real iconic logos in music.
"Ace of Spades, which will be included as a soundtrack, couldn't be a better theme song to this style of gaming and we hope not only fans, but the gaming public will appreciate the fantastic game mechanics that NetEnt are producing." Read more here.
Sick Puppies Stream New Song 'Stick To Your Guns'(TeamRock Radio)
Sick Puppies have released a lyric video for a new song called "Stick To Your Guns," which is the group's first track to feature their new singer Bryan Scott.
Scott, who previously played with Glass Intrepid and Dev Electric, joined Emma Anzai and Mark Goodwin in the lineup this year, replacing Shimon Moore.
Bassist Anzai says: "You have to push regardless of what anyone tells you. This was a big thing for us. You can pray, hope, or wish for something to happen, but at the end of the day, you have to stick to your guns, go out there and believe. The song is meant to empower." Stream the song here.
Ashestoangels Release 'Not In My Name' Video
Bristol UK goth punks Ashestoangels have released a music video for their song 'Not In My Name'. The track comes from their new album 'How To Bleed', which is set to be released on April 15th.
Ashestoangels singer Crilly Ashes had this to say, "Not in my name. It's a powerful statement. I think it's important to say this is not an omission of guilt. It is a rejection of all the horrible things that are done by those we trusted to protect us, on a global scale, a national scale and in our day to day life.
When taking away tents and blankets is seen as a solution to homelessness you know something is wrong. When we refuse to support the same people we have displaced you know something is wrong. I feel like by not speaking out then I am being complicit through inaction. It may just be a punk rock song, but words have power and if I can use that to make even the smallest difference, then I have too. I won't be complicit through inaction.
Things may carry on regardless, but not in my name." Watch the video here.
The Virginmarys Streaming New Song 'Moths To A Flame'(Classic Rock)
The Virginmarys have released a stream of their track Moths To A Flame. The song comes from their upcoming LP Divides, which is due out on May 6. The record is the follow-up to their 2013 debut King Of Conflict.
Bassist Matt Rose describes Moths To A Flame as "written about struggles through mental health and addiction and how we must stick together and be there for each other."
The band issued Motherless Land in February and also released two music video formats for their track Into Dust last year. The Virginmarys will perform at Derby's 2Q Festival in April, before appearing at Camden Rocks and Stone Free Festival in London in June. Stream the song and see the tour dates here.
Lars Ulrich's Join Or Die Appearance Goes Online(hennemusic)
Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich was among the guests featured on the March 31 episode of Join Or Die, comedian Craig Ferguson's new show on the History channel, and video from the broadcast is streaming online.
The series sees Ferguson joined by three guests to discuss historical and political questions, including History's worst tyrant, craziest cult and best frenemies.
Ulrich was on hand to debate history's most influential band alongside fellow panelists comedian/ actor Tom Papa and music journalist Alan Light, who has been a rock critic for Rolling Stone and the editor-in-chief for both Vibe and Spin.
The episode saw the group determine history's most influential band from one of six choices: The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Black Sabbath, The Ramones, Run DMC and Nirvana.
The panel also discussed the influence of several acts that didn't make the final 6, including Spinal Tap. "Every single functioning band out there has sat and looked at that movie and cringed," says Ulrich, "because we have all lived on those 'Hello Cleveland' moments - you can't find the stage, you're stuck inside the stage prop. It's a horror film." Watch the clips here.
Devon Allman Excited For The Open Of US National Blues Museum(The Blues)
Devon Allman has predicted a bright future for the US National Blues Museum after it opened in St Louis, Missouri, this past weekend. He's a member of the board who steered the project from concept to launch over a five-year period.
The museum offers access to historical exhibits alongside interactive experiences, including the chance for visitors to record their own blues music during their visit.
Allman tells St Louis Public Radio: "It's in a great location. We have space for special events - we're going to have concerts inside the venue, so there will be a lot of different incentives to get people in there.
"We hope that, as word spreads, it'll attract people. There's a certain clip we're going to need per year to get in there, and I think we'll hit that." Read more here.
Ihsahn Addresses Chances Of New Emperor Album(TeamRock Radio)
Ihsahn believes there would be no point in trying to make another Emperor album - because it would wind up sounding too much like his solo work. The Norwegian band's last release was 2001's Prometheus: The Discipline Of Fire And Demise, but it was created almost entirely by the frontman.
They've since reunited on stage on a number of occasions, but he's turned his attention onto his solo career, with sixth album Arktis arriving on April 8. Emperor guitarist Samoth is gearing up to launch an album by his own band The Wretched End.
Asked about the chances of another studio project, Ihsahn tells Metal Wani: "I get that a lot - but I don't know if people know what they're asking for. I ended up writing the last album on my own.
"I was kind of bound in this direction of going it alone. So if it was up to me to decide, Emperor would sound like this. This is how I write metal. This is my direction." Watch the full interview here.
Deftones' Vega Says Stephen Carpenter Speculation Is BS(TeamRock Radio) Deftones bassist Sergio Vega says he's sick of the speculation surrounding the band's relationship with guitarist Stephen Carpenter. Carpenter admitted in February that he originally didn't want to play on eighth album Gore because he wasn't happy with the musical direction.
But he later slammed the suggestion that he was set to leave the band, and stated that the track Hearts/Wires, which had caused his issues, had become one of his favourites on the record.
Now Vega - who joined Deftones in 2009 - tells Rolling Stone: "People want to perceive it as the battle between melodies and the metal dude. They're not coming in with songs like that. We write together. The whole thing is such bullsh*t, to be honest. It just drives me crazy." Read more here.
David Lee Roth Thanks Fans For Van Halen Tours(hennemusic)
David Lee Roth offers up volume two of his thanks to Van Halen fans for their support of his last two tours with the band on the latest episode of The Roth Show.
The footage captures images of Roth from the group's road treks in support of 2012's "A Different Kind Of Truth" and 2015's "Tokyo Dome Live In Concert."
The tour video is accompanied by a soundtrack of Van Halen's 1982 cover of "Happy Trails" and Roth's 1985 cover of "Just A Gigolo/I Ain't Got Nobody." Watch the video here.
WWE NXT Wrestling Stars Added To Download Festival(TeamRock Radio)
Download festival organizers have confirmed that part of this year's entertainment will be laid on by WWE NXT wrestling stars Finn Balor, Bayley, Baron Corbin and others.
They'll perform feats of athleticism and strength at a purpose-built ring in the main arena at Donington on June 10-12, before performances by headliners Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath and Rammstein.
Deputy festival promoter Dave Bradley says: "Rock and wrestling is the ultimate marriage, and we can't wait to bring this exclusive to the Download fans."
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