Billy Morrison Week: Day 2 "Driving Me Mad"

The CD is out now digitally on iTunes and limited edition hard copy CD is available exclusively from - www.billymorrison.net

GNR Negotiating CD Release As Robin Flies Back to Nine Inch Nails

antiMusic reports: Things are brewing in the Guns N' Roses camp. After years of barely hearing a peep out of the group, their official site is posting updates like crazy. The latest has to do with guitarist Robin Finck's surprise return to Nine Inch Nails, as well as a tidbit on "Chinese Democracy" and their tour plans.

Here is what they had to say: Robin's plans caught everyone in Guns, as well as our fans, a bit off-guard. Really, Del James' private e-mail that someone took upon themselves to post publicly is the best way for us to address things at this time: "Only Robin knows what Robin's doing."

Neither we nor management, etc., know any more in this regard and we prefer not to speculate or offer opinions at this time. Robin's Robin. We're in negotiations for the release of "Chinese Democracy" and things are going well.

When we begin to put tour plans together, we'll see where things are. Until then, Robin's touring with NIN and we're working with management on our game plans. Our thanks to those who continue to show their support. - GNR's official site

Dirty Hannah Montana Pics?

antiMusic reports: This story was just too funny to pass up. Here are some of the highlights from Jam!: Is that Miley Cyrus flashing some skin? Less-than-wholesome photos of a girl bearing a close resemblance to the 15-year-old superstar are making the rounds on the Internet.

One photo shows the Cyrus look-alike tugging at her white tank top to reveal a green bra. In another shot, she flaunts her bare midriff while draped over a young male, who rests his hand on her hip.

This isn't the first time risque photos of someone resembling Cyrus have circulated online. In recent months, shots have surfaced of a girl posing in her underwear and bikini. [A quick google will turn up said photos - but what did her handlers have to say about this?]

Judas Priest Head Up The Metal Masters Tour With Heaven and Hell, Motorhead and Testament

PR reports: After weeks of speculation, Live Nation has put together a killer package that is bound to go down as the heavy metal event of 2008 - Judas Priest, Heaven and Hell, Motorhead and Testament will be touring together for the first time. Dubbed 'The Metal Masters Tour,' the fifteen-date U.S. trek kicks off August 6th at the Susquehanna Bank Center in Camden, New Jersey. Tickets go on sale to the public beginning this weekend

Although all four bands may represent different subgenres of heavy metal, all four have one thing in common – they have stuck to their stylistic guns through thick and thin, and have remained true to the metal form. And soon, band and fan will be united as one on 'The Metal Masters Tour.' "As ever, we look forward to screaming out loud with our metal maniac fans when we hit the road," enthuses Priest singer, Rob Halford. "Thank you once again for your devotion and support. The Priest is back!" - more including dates and a link to a free Priest MP3

Pennywise Riot

punknews.org reports: Pennywise's recent performance following the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach escalated into a near riot after police barred hundreds of people from entering the concert that had reached capacity Saturday night on the lawn of the Long Beach Performing Arts Center.

Officer Jackie Bezart, spokeswoman for the Long Beach Police Department, said the incident went beyond people just trying to enter the concert."The crowd got somewhat unruly and bottles were thrown at officers," Bezart said. "At that point we deployed additional officers to maintain crowd control."

Five people with minor injuries from the concert or possibly from the altercation outside the venue were transported to area hospitals, Duree said. Bezart said she didn't have any reports of police officers being injured. However, a Long Beach resident who was turned away disagreed: They (police) were hitting people with clubs, and you couldn't back up fast enough. I saw this man get Tased, 40- or 50-year-old man, just get Tased. His eyes were stone cold. - more including video

Van Halen Better Late Than Never

antiMusic reports: The VH camp sent this over: Golf legend Tiger Woods and music superstars VAN HALEN joined forces at Tiger Jam XI, a fundraising event that helped raise more than $1.5 million for the Tiger Woods Foundation. Tiger Jam presented by AT&T, was held on Saturday, April 19th, at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

Prior to the concert, VIP guests attended the Tiger Jam XI reception, which featured an exciting live and silent auction. Popular items included a Super Bowl package to the 43rd annual big game that raised $85,000 and a private, luxury Royal Canadian Pacific cruise that garnered $100,000. Other hot items included a trip to the 2009 Masters that sold for nearly $100,000 and a 2008 Buick Enclave, autographed by Tiger Woods. VAN HALEN lead vocalist, David Lee Roth, made a personal donation to Woods' Foundation of $100,000. Additionally, the Van Halens - Eddie, Alex and Wolfgang - also contributed $100,000 as well as an autographed Eddie Van Halen Frankenstein replica guitar in support of the charity and its programs.

Sleazeroxx had this report about Van Halen's return to the stage after a brief medical leave: Rock legends Van Halen made a triumphant return to the stage in Nevada on Thursday, more than five weeks after postponing their reunion tour due to guitarist Eddie Van Halen's ill health. The group was forced to put their roadshow on hold in March, to allow the 53-year-old guitarist time to "continue medical tests to define a course of treatment." The precise reason for his brief medical hiatus has not been disclosed, but the former alcoholic and cancer survivor joined his bandmates on stage in Reno on Thursday night, two days before they were expected to return to the road. Singer David Lee Roth was ecstatic at the comeback, proclaiming: "Better late than never!" - more on this story

The Battle for Ray Charles

Hecklerspray reports: Ray Charles' 12 children have accused manager Joe Adams of tarnishing their father's memory by releasing two Ray Charles albums posthumously that Ray would have never approved. We're not so sure about that - Ray Charles Sings The Hits Of Emma Bunton and Ray Charles Mumbles To Himself About His Slippers have always been long-time favourites of ours.

The last album Ray Charles made, Genius Loves Company, won eight Grammys and the film about his life that was made as he was dying, Ray, won two Oscars. So between that - and the money that Ray Charles accumulated in the 53 years since his first recording, you'd think that everyone would be happy with their inheritance.

Not a chance. The 12 children that Ray Charles fathered by nine women have all got the hump with Ray Charles' manager Joe Adams. And that's either because Joe Adams has systematically mismanaged Ray Charles' estate since his death in 2004 or because they're pissed off that Ray didn't leave them a bunch more money in his will and they're lashing out. Who knows? Either way, as The Associated Press reports, now the FBI is getting involved and all sorts - more on this story

Allman Brothers Band Postpone Annual Shows

Band Statement reports: The Allman Brothers Band have announced that their annual residency at the Beacon Theatre in New York City will be rescheduled for early 2009. This year's string of shows--a group tradition started in 1989--were postponed earlier this month as singer/keyboardist Gregg Allman continues his recovery from treatment for Hepatitis C.

Tickets purchased through Ticketmaster internet and phones will be automatically refunded. All other tickets will be refunded at point of purchase. Information on purchasing tickets for the 2009 Allman Brothers Band's run at the Beacon will be announced early next year.

"New York's a second home to us," says Gregg. "We love playing there and are as disappointed as anybody not to be able to get there this time." - more on this story

Love and Rockets Coachella Warm-up Shows

antiMusic reports: Love and Rockets to play two Southern California club shows this week, prior to their headlining date at Coachella this Sunday, April 27

Love and Rockets have confirmed two warm-up shows in Southern California this week. The band's line-up includes the three original members - David J, Daniel Ash and Kevin Haskins - and it will be first time since 1999 that the band will performing full-sets.

Tuesday, April 22 - Doors 7:00PM The Glass House 200 W., Second Street Pomona, CA Information Line: (909) 865-3802 - with DJ Diabetic (Shepard Fairey) all ages ** Thursday, April 24 - Doors 8:00PM Canes 3105 Ocean Front Walk San Diego, CA 92109 (858) 488-1780 21+ ** Love & Rockets will also be making an appearance at Lollapalooza on August 3.
- Myspace page

More Weezer CD Details

antiMusic reports: With the release of the new self-titled Weezer album hitting stores on June 24th, details about the album are surfacing online. First up is the first single, "Pork and Beans," which you have heard on the radio. If you don't tape if off the airwaves you buy the single on Thursday (4/24).

What does the rest of the album sound like? Punknews had this tidbit: "Comprised of sessions produced by Rick Rubin, Jacknife Lee and the band itself, the album is adventurous and undeniable Weezer. Great albums are culminations of the past with an eye to the future, and the Red Album has parts 'Blue Album,' 'Pinkerton,' and forges new territory with all four members taking turns singing lead.

Now what about the tracklisting? There will be two versions of the album. A regular old release and a "deluxe" edition with additional songs. Here are the tracklisting for both: Regular Edition (CD; digital): 1. Troublemaker 2. The Greatest Man That Ever Lived (Variations on a Shaker Hymn) 3. Pork and Beans 4. Heart Songs 5. Everybody Get Dangerous 6. Dreamin' 7. Thought I Knew 8. Cold Dark World 9. Automatic 10. The Angel and the One ** Deluxe Edition (CD with special packaging; iTunes): 1. Troublemaker 2. The Greatest Man That Ever Lived (Variations on a Shaker Hymn) 3. Pork and Beans 4. Heart Songs 5. Everybody Get Dangerous 6. Dreamin' 7. Thought I Knew 8. Cold Dark World 9. Automatic 10. The Angel and the One 11. Miss Sweeney 12. Pig 13. The Spider 14. King

- What will the fans nickname this self-titled album? Take a look at the cover and guess.

Stone Temple DVD?

Blabbermouth reports: According to HardDrive Radio, STONE TEMPLE PILOTS plan to release a DVD of their April 7, 2008 private show at the Houdini estate in Los Angeles, where the band officially announced its reunion, sometime in the near future.

There's no word on what other features might be included with the disc, or whether the band will also film shows on its upcoming summer tour.

"This is home for us," guitarist Dean DeLeo told MTV.com after the band announced it would be heading out this summer on a full-fledged, 65-date reunion run. "I'm fond of our legacy, and I'm fond of our band — I'm a fan. I get off when I'm riding down the highway and an STP track comes on the radio. I get off on that." - more on this story

Staind, 3 Doors Down and Hinder Tour?

Blabbermouth reports: STAIND frontman Aaron Lewis confirmed on Friday (April 18) that his band will head out on the road this summer with 3 DOORS DOWN, adding that the two bands have a good relationship from previous outings.

"Ah, we're good friends with them," he said. "And it'll be fun. I can't wait to hook up with 'em." Dates and venues for the tour have yet to be announced. HINDER is also reportedly on the bill, although that is not official yet.

Meanwhile, STAIND continues to work on its sixth studio album, which Lewis says is tentatively titled "The Illusion of Progress". He said that only a few guitar and vocal tracks remain to be done. - more on this story

Jim Ward Drives Sleepercar to Stores and TV

antiMusic reports: At The Drive-In and Sparta's Jim Ward has a new band and album. The band is Sleepercar and the album is called "West Texas" and it hits stores this week.

Sleepercar will be promoting the album with a series of tour dates next month but they'll be taking to Late Night for a warm up when they appear on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on May 2nd

How is Sleepcar different from At The Drive-In and Sparta? The first song conceived for West Texas originated in a moment of solitude while Jim Ward was waiting to soundcheck on what turned out to be the last At The Drive In tour. Fast forward seven years, and Ward is set to release a full length album chock full of Americana rock inspired by all things West Texas and influenced by the likes of The Old 97's, Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen. The songs explore different uses of rhythms, voices and moods, allowing Ward to be more diverse with the compositions. - Grab a listen for yourself with the full album stream and find out where you can see them live.

Gamers Disturbed

antiMusic reports: Disturbed's new album Indestructible will be in stores on June 3rd through Reprise Records and what better way to promote music in 2008 than creating a video game. That's just what Draiman and co. have done.

Here is the PR blurb we were sent: Disturbed have just released a new video game widget to celebrate the upcoming release of their album, Indestructible.

Much like Guitar Hero and Rock Band, the game tests your hand and coordination while you rock out to new tracks, "Inside the Fire" and "Perfect Insanity" from the Chicago hard rockers! Try your luck - here

Pendulum Join the Projekt Revolution

antiMusic reports: Electronic rockers, Pendulum have just been added to the UK edition of the Linkin Park and Jay-Z lead blockbuster festival, Projekt Revolution. They will join N*E*R*D, Enter Shikari and The Bravery as special guests. This super heavy weight bill combines the two biggest and most innovative names from rock and hip hop, Linkin Park and Jay-Z and unlike the U.S. version of the tour, this will be a one off show at Milton Keynes Bowl on the 29th of June.

Pendulum will also be appearing at this year's Coachella festival along side Prince, Portishead, Roger Waters and many others. The band will be performing at the Friday, April 25th night of the fest. The band's debut album, In Silico hits stores on May 13th through Atlantic Records.

On a side note: Just made an unusual discovery. Pendulum's music strangely mixes rather well with Ozzy's "Bark at the Moon." You see the Ozzy track was playing on my iTunes when I clicked over to Pendulum's Myspace and one of their songs started autoplaying. It was a strange mix, but actually worked. Maybe we'll start a new online crazy with Myspace/iTunes antimash-ups? We're gonna go try Iron Maiden and Clay Aiken right now. Try it for yourself. Pick a random iTune and then - click here

note: The Clay Maiden antimash-up didn't work that great BUT Aiken in Chain's "Measure of a Man in a Box" was interesting.

Wait there is more!

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