A New Era Has Begun

antiMusic reports: As you can see, things are a little different around here. Tuesday marks out 10th anniversary so we decided it was time to spruce up the place a bit. If you have any issues with the new design, you can use the comment section to let us know. Otherwise we hope you like the new digs.

Also to mark the anniversary we are going to be looking back at some of our favorite articles from the past 10 years. We kicked things off today with Dr. Fever's coverage of the Extreme Steel Tour. We sent him to cover the show and ended up partying with Slayer and Pantera, getting a new nickname from Dimebag as well. We also have a big special this week from Tony K where he gives us the lowdown on a string of Springsteen concerts from last month, and Dan MacIntosh reviews the new P.O.D. which hits stores this week. You can grab links to all of these features at the end of today's report or on the new antiMusic homepage. Now here is Today's Day in Rock. Thanks for helping us make it 10 years! - comments

ASHES dIVIDE Week: Day 1 "The Stone"

antiMusic reports: Billy Howerdel made a big name for himself with A Perfect Circle, but he's not one to sit around as his APC bandmates tool around with other projects. So Billy started ASHES dIVIDE and their debut album, 'Keep Telling Myself It's Alright,' hits stores this week. We caught up with Billy and asked him to tell us a little bit about his favorite tracks from the CD.

Billy kicks things off with the first single from the CD, "The Stone": That song has kicked around in different forms for a while; I finally just got it to a place where I didn't hate it anymore, basically. It started off as a very different thing. I think I had to change the title of that song so Josh didn't think he was still working on the same track. There was always something that bugged me about it; it just wasn't moving forward all the time. There was just something that bugged me, and there is heaviness to music that I think is a delicate thing. You can't just be heavy; if it sounds gratuitously heavy or something then it just irks me. So that song was getting heavy for the wrong reasons and it kind of had to be pulled into shape. I think I finally found a place where I felt comfortable with it after years of dicking around.

And with that song, I had written all of the lyrics, but there were just two lines and the chorus that I was kind of shaky on and Johnette from Concrete Blonde co-wrote some lyrics on this record with me. She wrote on "Too Late" but on "The Stone" there were a few lines in there that she helped me flush out. There was a very different sentiment before, the chorus at first was not something I felt I could pull off, and it was more of a maternal thing. So we went back and rehashed the chorus, and I think we came up with something that fits well, this push-pull of protection, a feeling of wanting to protect your loved ones in a way but not being worthy enough with yourself to be able to accept that same kind of love. A lot of these songs are about pushing people away from you and not loving yourself enough to let others love you. - Check out the video for The Stone right here

Bono Murdered?

Gigwise reports: We know not to believe much of what we read in the tabs. So we read this Gigwise story about a tab story, claiming a murder plot against Sonny Bono, with a pound of salt, but they do have a former FBI agent making the claims. [That's Sonny Bono, not U2's Bono] Here is Gigwise with the story: Sonny Bono was clubbed to death by hired hitmen, according to an extraordinary tabloid expose based on the investigations of a former FBI agent.

Cher's ex-husband's death was officially recorded as a tragic "skiing accident," with family and friends apparently satisfied he died after colliding with a tree on the piste in Nevada in January 1998.

However, former FBI agent Ted Gunderson - who has spent the last ten years investigating the case - claims top officials linked to an international drug and weapons ring arranged a hit on the singer-turned-politician because they feared he was about to expose them. - more on this story

Nine Inch Nails Reunion

Blabbermouth reports: NINE INCH NAILS' official web site, www.nin.com, has been updated with a brand new photo of former NIN guitarist Robin Finck with the short message "Welcome back!" next to it.

Guitarist Rich Fownes — who has played with UNKLE and has been a member of WITH SCISSORS and THE EIGHTIES MATCHBOX B-LINE DISASTER — is also listed as being part of the revamped NINE INCH NAILS lineup. According to the Don't Tell Your Friends music news blog, Finck and Fownes will join Trent Reznor, Alessandro Cortini and Josh Freese for a world tour beginning July in North America.

Finck has served in numerous touring configurations of NIN, from tours supporting "The Downward Spiral" (1994-1997) to "The Fragile" (2000-2001). More recently, he played in GUNS N' ROSES. - more on this story

Beyonce and Jay-Z Now Hitched

antiMusic reports: We were a little shocked with the response last week when we ran a story about Beyonce and Jay-Z getting a marriage license. It ended up the most read article of the week. Apparently people care about such things, well we have new news for you- it look like the hip-hopping couple are now married.

E! had this: Beyonce Knowles and Jay-Z, a match made in musical heaven, tied the knot in New York Friday, just three days after setting tongues wagging by taking out a marriage license—and hours after what appeared to be the signs of lavish (and possibly nuptial) party preparations compelled dozens of reporters and photogs to gather outside Jay-Z's Tribeca loft.

"Yes, it's a wedding," a source at the scene told E! News. However, it was unclear whether the vow-swap took place earlier at another location or at the penthouse apartment. There has been no official confirmation from the couple yet, although all signs point toward holy secret matrimony. Alan Nierob, Beyoncé's publicist, said he had "no comment" on the matter. - Read the full E! report

QOTSA Show Evacuated

Blabbermouth reports: Thousands of fans were forced to temporarily evacuate a concert by QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE in Hobart, Australia Friday night (April 4) when a stage light overheated, filling the venue with smoke.

Tasmania Fire Service (TFS) said the Hobart City Hall was cleared just before the band was due to take to the stage. "The evacuation of the packed out venue was achieved with minimal effort that was made a lot easier by the cooperation of the patrons and abundance of emergency exit doors in the hall," the TFS said.

Fans waited on the footpath while firefighters fixed the problem — the light had overheated, melting its cover. The concert began about 20 minutes late.
- more on this story

Rolling Stones Take Over YouTube

Total Assault reports: The Rolling Stones will be the first ever YouTube Living Legends, debuting YouTube's new program which invites global luminaries from politics, news, film, music, literature, humanitarianism, and sports to talk freely with the YouTube community (www.youtube.com/livinglegends).

People will be able to upload questions for Mick Jagger and Keith Richards who will then answer a selection of these directly. To kick off the launch, the Rolling Stones will take over the YouTube homepage, showcasing exclusive behind-the-scenes clips from their new Scorsese-directed movie "Shine A Light," plus classic music videos, and never-before-seen interviews.

"We are honored to be the first Living Legends on YouTube – always good to be the first to kick open the virtual door! We're looking forward to some really interesting questions from our fans," said the Rolling Stones. - more on this story

Gnarls Barkley Having a Ball in New York

Cornerstone reports: On April 10, 2008, Downtown Records label mates Gnarls Barkley and Santogold will co-host an intimate soiree at New York City's Highline Ballroom. Also, Gnarls Barkely will be performing on Saturday Night Live the following Saturday.

Gnarls Barkley, the partnership of artist/musician Danger Mouse and vocalist Cee-Lo Green, has achieved international notice for its rare, unique, unpredictable live performances. At this show, Gnarls will play songs from the new album The Odd Couple, which reached #1 on iTunes during its first week of release.

Santogold, aka Santi White is a Philly born female producer and songwriter who has already received club rotation and airplay in urban Afghanistan and downtown Beirut, will be bringing her unique sound to the States with her debut LP on April 22nd.

Gnarls Barkley's The Odd Couple is in stores now. Check out the single "Run" - here

Nada Tiger Surfing Tour

Filter reports: While they're just kicking off a tour with Tally Hall next week, The Republic Tigers have already lined up some follow-up dates with Nada Surf this June.

The band will be out supporting their debut album, Keep Color, which is set to hit stores May 6th as the inaugural release from Chop Shop Records.

June (w/ Nada Surf)
01 Orlando, Florida - The Social
02 Miami, Florida - Studio A
03 St. Petersburg, Florida - State Theatre
05 Nashville, Tennessee - Mercy Lounge - more surfing dates are here

Overblown Motley Hyped Explained?

antiMusic reports: The overblown hype about a big Motley announcement began to make sense once we read this Billboard report: Motley Crue/Sixx: A.M. bassist Nikki Sixx has been named the president of Eleven Seven Records, Billboard can reveal.

"I find it very interesting to take the artist's craft, the art, the music, the image, and get it out there," he says. "It comes under the heading of 'record company president,' but it's a little more than that."

Sixx will oversee a roster that includes Buckcherry, Trapt, Drowning Pool, Marion Raven and up-and-coming rock outfit Chosen Son. [Read more of this report as well as an interview - here]

It Takes a Yoko to Know a Yoko

Hecklerspray reports: While everyone shakes their fist at [Paul McCartney's ex-wife] Heather Mills in anger, an unlikely source has come to her aid. That's right, the former squeeze of John Lennon, Yoko Ono.

She told Now Magazine: "It's not very easy for a woman to be associated with The Beatles. I think all the wives did suffer, but suffered quietly and endured."

How it would be hard is beyond us. If we happened to be attached to someone famous, we think we could cope. Of course, our egos would swell and we'd demand vintage 1989 Tango, but is that so much to ask? As our other-halves made all the money, we'd sit buy and count it all up - before throwing it in the air and re-counting it again. - Get a leg-up with the rest of the report here

Offspring Spring Fest Dates on Fans

punknews.org reports: The Offspring have announced additional tour dates in preparation of the release of their upcoming album.

The band will join the May 30 lineup of Madrid's Electric Festival alongside Rage Against The Machine, Queens Of The Stone Age, Iggy & The Stooges and more.

They will also headline the Rockwave Festival at Terra Vibe Park in Athens, Greece on July 8, which will be the band's first ever visit to Greece. Finally they will headline Santa Barbara, CA radio station KJEE's Summer Round Up on Sunday, May 18 at the Santa Barbara Bowl. - more on this story

Metallica Fifth Best Selling Artist of SoundScan Era

Blabbermouth reports: According to Paul Grein of Yahoo! Music's "Chart Watch", METALLICA is in fifth place on Nielsen SoundScan's list of top-selling album artists, with cumulative sales of 48,867,000 in the United States since the scanning service set up shop in May 1991. They'll hit the 50 million mark around the summer of 2009.

METALLICA's self-titled album from 1991 (also known as the "black" album) is the No. 2 top-selling album of the SoundScan era. The LP shifted 258,000 units in the U.S. in 2007 to bring total sales to 15,077,000 (as of the close of 2007) and closing the gap to the No. 1 album on the list, SHANIA TWAIN's "Come on Over", by 372,000 units. If these percentages keep up, "Metallica" will overtake "Come on Over" during 2009.

The top 10 artists in Nielsen SoundScan history are, in order: 01. GARTH BROOKS: 67,774,000 02. THE BEATLES: 56,110,000 03. MARIAH CAREY: 50,004,000 04. CELINE DION: 49,951,000 05. METALLICA: 48,867,000 06. GEORGE STRAIT: 39,403,000 07. TIM MCGRAW: 36,657,000 08. ALAN JACKSON: 35,654,000
09. PINK FLOYD: 34,665,000 10. SHANIA TWAIN: 33,591,000 - more on this story

Crunk Wine

antiMusic reports: If Lil Jon's Crunk Juice isn't sophisticated enough for you, the rapper has a new product that might be more to your liking- crunk wine. Seems he is gonna try his hand with a wine label.

"It kind of came out of nowhere," Lil Jon told The Associated Press of his new venture, Little Jonathan Winery. "We were just going to do some private label stuff (for parties) and we did it, and people was like, `Hey, it's pretty nice.'"

Lil Jon acknowledges that he's no wine connoisseur. "I'm not no `drink wine every day' kind of dude," he said in a telephone interview. "I'm not like an expert, so don't ask me no questions ... I just like the taste." - Read the AP report

Warrant Announce First Reunion Dates

Blabbermouth reports: Vocalist Jani Lane of the reunited '80s rockers WARRANT has issued the following update: "WARRANT will appear for the first time [with] 'all original members' in 14 years at The Wild Horse in Nashville on May 17 and Northern Lights Casino in Minneapolis on May 18.

"This should really be a lot of fun! I encourage all the 'die-hards' to do your best to be at one of these very special, dare I say it, historical shows. Thanks for all the overwhelming support!!"

WARRANT will perform a "plugged-in" set on the nationally syndicated radio show "Rockline", hosted by Bob Coburn, on Wednesday, May 7 at 11:30 p.m. EST/8:30 p.m. PST. - more on this story

UK Officials Still Dogging Snoop

antiMusic reports: It looks like UK officials are still dogging Snoop. AP has the story: Britain is appealing a court's decision to allow Snoop Dogg into the country, the Border Agency said Friday.

He was barred from Britain after he was arrested on charges of violent disorder at London's Heathrow Airport in 2006.

But the hip-hop heavyweight successfully appealed the ban and received entry clearance from an asylum and immigration tribunal in January. The Border Agency said Friday it would challenge the ruling at a hearing next week. - more on this story

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