Amon Amarth Begin New CD

"Jens Bogren will be producing the album, he produced With Oden On Our Side. We're looking forward to yet another successful collaboration." - more on this story

Strokes Frontman Sets New Solo Release

PR reports: Como Te Llama is the new album from Albert Hammond, Jr. and cohorts Matt Romano, Marc Philippe Eskenazi and Josh Lattanzi, and will be released July 8th. Following his feted 2007 solo debut Yours To Keep, Albert Hammond, Jr. and his merry men return with a new album ¿Cómo Te Llama? (or "What's Your Name?" if your Spanish is a little rusty). The title, rung out of casual conversation between Albert and Matt over some vino tinto, hints at the classic, summery music held within.

The record was recorded over 5 weeks at Electric Lady Studios and produced by Albert along with engineer Gus Oberg and drummer Romano. Additional personnel were added to the record in the form of Sean Lennon's piano on "Spooky Couch" and the string quartet of Earl Maneein (violin), Matt Szemela (violin), Jon Weber (viola) and Jessie Reagen (cello) on multiple tracks. Also, the shadows of The Kinks, The Clash and Crazy Horse-era Neil Young were cast over Albert's songwriting on the record; "Not so much that the album sounds like any of those bands, its just they gave me a new way to express my songwriting."

With a tour penciled for summer, the band are in exuberant spirits, as Albert reveals; "Our goal is to tour this album every where we can, get into those cracks and fill them up with music!"
- more on this story

Miley Wasn't The First Disney Star Manipulated into Taking Dirty Photos

antiMusic reports: This story is a bit silly but too funny to pass up after all the hoopla over seeing Miley Cyrus's, gasp, bare back! Seems Disney doth protest too much, according to TMZ: So if you're buyin' what Disney has been sellin' lately -- that they are appalled by the Vanity Fair pics of Miley Cyrus -- you're more gullible than a weapons inspector in Iraq.

TMZ has turned up Disney ads marketing lacy, sexy lingerie by models who are made to look underage. They're hawking bras, undies and lacy boy shorts. They are nothing short of seductive. The photos are being used by Zhenxin Garment Company to sell Disney clothes in China.

So who "manipulated" Winnie the Pooh into a three-way with jail-bait looking chicks? For the record, Annie Leibovitz didn't take these photos. [The good news is that R.Kelly could become an ad exec for Disney if he ever wanted a career change. - Go to TMZ to see these photos which are far more revealing then any of the controversial Miley shots. ]

Widespread Panic

PR reports: Hot on the heels of an incredible spring tour that that has reminded their fans why Widespread Panic is one of the most highly regarded touring acts in the country, the band is now announcing brand new set of tour dates for summer 2008!

The tour, in support of their 10th studio album, Free Somehow, will kick off with Bonnaroo 2008 where the band will headline the four day festival with a closing set on Sunday, June 15th.

The string of dates will also include headlining festival stops at the Rothbury Music Festival, All Good Music Festival and the band's first Canadian shows in over a decade, including a spot on the Ottawa Bluesfest bill. - don't panic, the dates are right here

Telsa Comin' Atcha DVD Player

Sleazeroxx reports: Coming soon from Tesla! Comin' Atcha Live! 2008, the long anticipated live concert DVD filmed live in Minnesota this year.

This DVD is the first live concert DVD released by Tesla since Five Man Acoustical Jam and will feature many bonus features including an exclusive look at the band's gear and behind the scenes life on the road.

Scheduled to be released in June, the DVD will be available in all retail stores. You can check out the artwork for the release - here

Neil of Lawrence Arms Joins Smoking Popes

punknews.org reports: Smoking Popes have announced that their previously vacant drum position will be occupied by the multi-talented Neil Hennessy, also of The Lawrence Arms:

We've been playing together for the past couple of weeks gearing up for a summer of rock. First up, a record release show for "Stay Down" at Metro on June 7th, then the album will hit stores on June 17th.

After the album is out, we're planning on hitting the road. The plans are coming together at the moment and we'll keep you posted... The Popes long-awaited new record is titled Stay Down and is due out June 17, 2008. - A little more about Neil's cred

American Speedway Release Ship of Fools Video

PR reports: American Speedway have released a video for the title track of their album "Ship of Fools". This high-energy, kick-ass rock and roll band out of Philadelphia, plays heavy, loud and fast while injecting catchy hooks and chant-along choruses. Their music can be compared to bands like Zeke, Speedealer, MC5, AC/DC and Supersuckers, but in all honestly, they probably drink more PBR than those bands.

American Speedway formed in the beginning of February 2007. Throughout the next several months, they earned their mark as powerful local live rock and roll band that can move a tough crowd, easily make new drinking buddies, and make club owners happy. They began to play shows with legendary acts such as Murphy's Law and Electric Frankenstein and soon found shows outside of the Philadelphia area: New York, Cleveland, Boston, Baltimore, DC, Pittsburgh, etc. Just recently they embarked on a two week west coast tour.

The energy brought by the band during their live show cannot be compared to the sounds on their album, they must be seen live in concert. American Speedway's main philosophy is real simple: play what THEY like… that's "real" rock and roll. They're not out to reinvent the wheel, earn scene points, win musician competitions, or be the next biggest thing. Their objective is to write and record songs THEY like, and have a blast playing and partying on stage. This is just the beginning for this Ship of Fools. - Check out the video for "Ship of Fools"

Rolling Stone Vs Bowie

antiMusic reports: It's a battle of Jurassic rockers! For some reason a Rolling Stones legend went after David Bowie, calling the Ziggy Stardust icon a poser. Gigwise has the tale: Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards has confessed that he is "not a huge fan" of David Bowie.

Speaking in this month's Uncut magazine, Richards said that 'Changes', which appears on Bowie's fourth album 'Hunky Dory', was the only song by the artist that he could "remember".

"It's all pose. It's all f*cking posing. It's nothing to do with music He knows it too," Richards said. "I can't think of anything else he's done that would make my hair stand up." - more on this story

Fans Flock to Coldplay Giveaway

antiMusic reports: People like free stuff, even when it's a Coldplay song. Gigwise reports: Six hundred thousand people downloaded the new Coldplay single 'Violet Hill' within the first 24 hours of it being placed on the band's website.

The single, which is taken from the band's forthcoming album 'Viva La Vida', has been greeted positively by fans of the band.

According to the band's record label, three hundred thousand people downloaded the single within the first 12 hours yesterday (April 29th). - more on this story

Hendrix Sex Tape PR

antiMusic reports: A follow up to the Jimi Hendrix sextape story from yesterday. Here is the official press release put out by the company that is selling the video: Jimi Hendrix, the iconic rock 'n roll guitarist, will be seen in a new role – as an adult film star – in "Jimi Hendrix The Sex Tape" was released online at www.hendrixsextape.com yesterday, Tuesday, April 29th by Vivid Entertainment, the world's leading adult film studio. It will be available in stores across the country a week later on Tuesday, May 6th.

Vivid obtained the footage from a collector of rock 'n roll memorabilia. It was shot about 40 years ago in a hotel room as Hendrix had an erotic liaison with two slender brunettes. When the footage starts, Hendrix appears mellow while on the receiving end of bi-racial lovemaking from the two girls. In contrast, his enthusiasm to give back pleasure appears to be boundless.

The Vivid DVD is a sexual documentary that gives insight on the uninhibited rock 'n roll scene of the Sixties. The company consulted with several experts to authenticate the footage and the movie features commentary by two of the experts that Vivid brought in: Pamela Des Barres, author of "I'm with the Band: Confessions of a Groupie" and other books, who teams up with Cynthia Plaster Caster, famous for creating plaster molds of the penises of rock stars, including that of Hendrix. We learn more about the sexual side of Hendrix' music through the commentary from both women who knew him personally. - more on this story

Monolith Fest 08

PR reports: Monolith Festival returns to Red Rocks Amphitheatre on Saturday September 13 and Sunday September 14. The festival, which debuted in 2007 as the first multi-day, multi-stage festival ever held at Colorado's beloved outdoor venue, was instantly adopted as an indie fan favorite and a staple of the summer festival season.

Joining the 2008 headliners is a deep and diverse roster including Silversun Pickups, Band of Horses, TV on the Radio, Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, Vampire Weekend, Avett Brothers, Neko Case, Del tha Funky Homosapien, Mickey Avalon, CSS, Cut Copy, The Kills, Tokyo Police Club and many, many more.

Tickets on sale beginning Friday, May 2, 2008 at 10am MST. 2-Day Ticket: $110 Single Day Tickets: $59.50. VIP packages, including premium festival amenities such as reserved soundboard seating, VIP parking, kick-off and after-party access, and more. VIP Gold Pass only available through monolithfestival.com: $225. - more on this story

When Pigs Fly They Die, Pink Floyd Pig Found Slaughtered

antiMusic reports: When Coachella festival organizers offered a reward for Roger Water's two story flying pig, that floated off into the desert night during the rockers headling set, they didn't say that the pig had to be in one piece.

The good news is that the pig was found a few miles from the festival grounds. The bad news is the flying pig was turned into sliced ham, as pieces of the pig were found in the yards of two nearby homes.

"That's definitely our pig," producer Bill Fold told AP. Fold told AP that the festival organizers will split the $10,000 reward money between the two people that brought them the pieces of the pig.

So the next time when someone says "when pigs fly," you can tell them "they die!". - Read the AP report for more info.

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