Butch Walker Week: Day 1

Preview songs, learn more about Butch and his new the album and more right - here!

Punk Pioneer Dies

punknews.org reports: Frank Navetta, founding member of Descendents has passed away. Frank founded the band with Tony Lombardo and Bill Stevenson in 1979.

His bandmates made the announcement: "We're very sorry to announce that founding member of The Descendents, and close friend Frank Navetta passed away on October 31, 2008 after becoming ill over the course of a few days.

"This is obviously a huge loss for the Descendents family. His contribution to the band, and to music in general can not be overstated. Frank will be truly missed. We will share information about memorial services when we find out." - more on this story

Billboard Asks Does Led Zeppelin Have A New Singer?

antiMusic reports: For those that missed this on Friday, here it is again. Billboard reports: Who needs Robert Plant? Apparently not the other surviving members of Led Zeppelin, who are ready to pull the trigger on a tour with a new singer if Plant refuses to join in. Sources tell Billboard the frontman first in line for the gig is Myles Kennedy, who has most recently led the rock outfit Alter Bridge.

Kennedy has rehearsed with Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist John Paul Jones and drummer Jason Bonham on several occasions, according to sources in the know. In a recent BBC interview, Jones confirmed the band was planning to tour but didn't refer to Kennedy by name.

Although he was onboard for a one-off reunion in December 2007 in London, Plant has steadfastly declined to hit the road with Zeppelin. - more on this story

Creed Reunion Coming?

House of Rock reports: Once again Alter Bridge vocalist Myles Kennedy is being touted as the front runner for the much rumored, Plant-less Led Zeppelin tour.

Now, if that wasn't scary enough, in a double whammy, the article goes on to say that if Kennedy leaves Alter Bridge, it would clear the way for a Creed reunion with Scott Stapp, which would be an unintended consequence the music world simply must not tolerate.

From the article : "There may be one unintended side effect should Kennedy bolt Alter Bridge, which has released an album each for Wind-Up and Universal. That band features the non-singing members of Creed, who split with frontman Scott Stapp in 2004. But sources indicate there would be big bucks in a Creed reunion tour and that the band may indeed rise again". - more on this story

Metal Singer Dies From Heart Attack

Metal Underground reports: Shadow Gallery has announced the passing of their frontman, Michael A. Baker: "It is with deep sadness and regret that we announce the passing of Shadow Gallery vocalist, Michael A. Baker.

"Mike, 45 years old, suffered a heart attack, Wednesday afternoon, October 29th, 2008. Mike was a founding member of Shadow Gallery and for the past 16 years helped shape the sound of the band with his magical voice. Additionally, he made many appearances on rock records around the world.

"Those who knew him best were moved by his gentle spirit, sincere kindness, fun nature and passion for both music and sports. He was a warrior in the studio, a true professional. Mike was our friend, our singer and our brother. We loved him and will miss him enormously, but he will always be remembered in our hearts and through his music." - more metal news

Label Boss Suicide, McCready Freed, Winehouse Dealers Guilty, GNR Reviewed, AC/DC Dethroned, Resident Britney, Neil Young Delayed and more

antiMusic reports: Before we get to today's quicks, we have a programming note: Wed's Day in Rock report will be an abridged version due to the U.S. election on Tuesday. We expect to bring you a quicks post and a few other top stories on that day, but the full Day in Rock will not be published. Don't fret, we'll be back to full force on Thursday. Now here are today's quick music news stories:

The head of rap label Def Jam Recordings died suddenly on Saturday, the company said. Shakir Stewart, who was named executive VP of the iconic label in June, committed suicide, according to reports. But no other details were immediately available. more

Mindy McCready has been released from jail after serving about 30 days for violating probation on a 2004 drug charge. more

A British couple who sold video footage of singer Amy Winehouse apparently smoking crack to a newspaper have pleaded guilty to drug charges.more

Billboard has taken a listen to Guns N' Roses' "Chinese Democracy" single and found in part "The opening track is a hard-rocking cyberpunk drama, complete with an action-movie intro, neurotic multitrack vocals and plenty of spaced-out guitar solos (Buckethead?) designed to make up for Slash's absence." Read the rest of the review here

The AC/DC Black Ice dominance of the music charts was shirt lived. After one week, the AC/DC album has been bumped by Pink in Australia and Snow Patrol in Ireland.more. Pink?

Britney Spears is reportedly set to hold a two week residency at London's 02 Arena next summer. The gigs are due to take place in June 2009 in support of her new LP 'Circus', which is due out on December 1. more

In Flames have released a limited edition EP featuring the roll out single "The Mirror's Truth" off the quintet's critically-acclaimed full length release, A Sense of Purpose. Also included on the EP are the previously unreleased tracks "Eraser," "Tilt" and "Abnegation."

Neil Young's Sugar Mountain Live At Canterbury House 1968 has been moved from November 25th to December 2nd.

Amy Winehouse has been discharged from hospital after she was taken in last weekend to be treated for a chest infection. Despite the media claiming Amy had checked into The London Clinic for a course of rehab, a spokesman confirmed she was actually getting treatment for her infection. more

MySpace Music is proud to announce the worldwide exclusive premiere of the new video from Seal titled "I've Been Loving You Too Long" from Seal's upcoming album "Soul", hitting stores on 11/11, featuring covers of classic tracks from James Brown, Sam Cooke, Al Green and more!
The video can be viewed here.

Saliva has completed its fifth album, Cinco Diablo, which is set to arrive in the physical and digital marketplace on December 16th.

The Quireboys "would like to welcome a new member... Phil Martini, formerly the drummer of Tokyo Dragons. Previous drummer Pip Mailing was unable to fully commit to the band's hectic touring schedule. more

Cattle Decapitation comments: "We're finally done with all the finishing touches of our new album and we feel we've finally done it! Sonically, the band has managed to finally capture and accentuate its live intensity that we've become known for and has created one hell of an album from start to epic finish" more

Death By Stereo has finished their next full-length, their first since 2005. According to a new interview with RebelTheory.com, the band is currently "sorting out the label stuff," apparently meaning that they are no longer under contract with Epitaph Records. more

Tunde Adebimpe of TV on the Radio is adding another skill to his arsenal of music, producing, acting, touring and side projects - he's releasing a solo 7-inch. Fake Male Voice includes an A-side and B-side as well as a DVD of music videos and a secret song. It's due out just in time for Christmas. - more on this story

Free High Def Slash Song

Gibson reports: Through a special partnership, HDtracks.com and Gibson are sharing their passion for superior tone by giving you 15 high-definition tracks from some of the world's foremost guitarists. Download Hot Tones in High Definition for free now!

The album features 15 of the hottest tracks from guitarists including Johnny A., Johnny Winter, Journey's Neal Schon, Eric Johnson, Tinsley Ellis, Billy Burnette, Arlen Roth with Sonny Landreth and Muddy Water's son Big Bill Morganfield, among others.

As an added bonus, you also get a new instrumental track by Velvet Revolver guitarist and Gibson signature artist Slash – the man who's embodied everything rock and roll since the mid-1980s. - more on this story

U2 Tower Plans Crumble

AP reports: Plans to build the tallest building in Ireland, with new recording studios for Irish supergroup U2 on top, were suspended Friday because of Dublin's slumping property market and slide into recession.

The Dublin Docklands Development Authority said it remains committed to building the long-planned U2 Tower, but a souring economy at home and abroad means the project must be shelved. It expressed hope of reopening negotiations with potential developers within 12 months.

"The objective is to see this landmark project completed. However, given the current unfavorable economic environment, more time is needed at this juncture," the Dublin development agency said in a statement - more on this story

Perry Farrell Scores Web Hit

PR reports: Perry Farrell's Twilight track, "Go All The Way," was posted on author Stephenie Meyers's official website late last week and has been streamed over a million times as of Halloween.

Interest in Farrell's song has led to plans for a vampire inspired video in keeping with the movie's theme (details to be announced).

The song will be featured in a key scene of the movie and will appear on the soundtrack, to be released by Atlantic Records on November 4. - more on this story

Gene Simmons Slams Grunge

Sleazeroxx reports: Kiss bassist Gene Simmons has announced the relaunch of his Simmons Record label with the following statement. I am closing in on two, separate offers to relaunch my Simmons Records label. When I've decided which offer I'll accept, you'll read it here first. For those of you in bands who have demos (demonstration tapes), please don't send em. I've received literally thousands upon thousands of demos over the years. There simply isn't enough time in the world to wade through it all.

The history of Simmons Records dates back to Bob Buziak former head of RCA Records. I signed House Of Lords ( a name I trademarked and let Greg Giuffria use for his band), Silent Rage, a California rock band and Gypsy Rose a Canadian rock band RCA wanted to release through my label.

Music was going through a revolution and Grunge and Seattle snuffed out most of the rock bands of the day. I went on record then and stand by what I said: Though the bands coming out of Seattle were certainly valid, the tone and self destructive nature of it was not. Seattle would be the death of most rock bands. And, it was. What followed was the saddest period in Rock I can remember. Gone were rock shows. Gone were groupies. Gone was the Culture of Rock. The bands that ignored Seattle and simply went on doing what they did best: Rock!!!....survived. And got bigger. Seattle bands? Almost all are gone. [Is that why Gene and Paul jumped on the grunge bandwagon with "Carnival of Souls?" That aside, read just how rock n' roll Gene was during this period of time! - That is here]

Mastodon Album Details

PR reports: Mastodon have confirmed details behind their upcoming Reprise Records album scheduled for release in early 2009.

The seven-song strong, 50 minute tour de force entitled Crack The Skye, was recorded at Southern Track Studios in Atlanta and produced/mixed by Brendan O'Brien (Rage Against The Machine, Springsteen, Pearl Jam, AC/DC, etc.).

As with each of their previous releases, the packaging for the new album will be as bold and breathtaking and the music contained within. Multiple packaging formats are expected. Details to be revealed in the near future. Until then, MASTODON has been asked to support label-mates Metallica in Europe this coming Summer 2009. - more on this story

Jennifer Hudson Cofounds Charity For Families of Slain Victims

PR reports: In the wake of the tragic deaths of Darnell Hudson Donerson, Jason Hudson and Julian King, Julia and Jennifer Hudson have established the Hudson-King Foundation For Families of Slain Victims in honor of their family members.

The specific purpose of the Foundation is to care for the needs of families who have lost relatives to a violent crime. This encompasses their basic needs of food, clothing and shelter as well as grief counseling. - more on this story

Singled Out: Lakeherst

antiMusic reports: Welcome to Singled Out! where we ask artists to tell us the inside story of their latest single. Today the members of alt-rock powerhouse Lakeherst tell us about "Summer Fires" from their brand new album "Euan Aura". We now turn it over to Lakeherst for the story:

Singer Dan Grattan: The story behind "Summer Fires" is about a transition period, where you know the future is inevitable but a certain part of you wants to hang onto the moment that you're in. The elongated title "Summer fires are autumn's ashes" is representative of something that burns so bright and feverishly but eventually burns out and becomes nothing more than a memory. The idea for the melody came pretty easily. I usually try to counter what Mike Rathfon's guitar is doing so that the two parts come out side by side to tell the story. I knew from the start that there had to be two vocal parts. We tried other members of the band but something was missing from the sound. Luckily for us, Mike isn't the only musically inclined member of the Rathfon clan. His sister, Michelle, stepped up to the challenge of recording with us and her sweet, yet haunting, vocal part that really adds to the eclectic nature of the song. We knew we were onto something with "Summer Fires" and it has turned out to be one of the most popular tracks from the album.

Bassist Cody Moyer: As I remember it: I had the idea for the drum part first, then came up with the keyboard part, which is, to me, really the heart and soul of the song. Next, Mike added the guitar part and then we followed that with the simple bass riffs because there was so much going on in the verses. Because the verses were so busy, we decided to make the chorus simple and kind of let the one guitar lick stick out. The original idea was for the song to be a long song with the general idea of building a ton of texture and sounds.

Guitarist Mike Rathfon: We wanted to change it up and do something really fresh. We laid it down with some simple electronic drums which Cody wrote up and ended up liking the simple drum part so much that it stuck through much of the song. The big idea for the second part of the song, was intensity. By the time the song ends, it's going through a huge, intense ride with a good deal of extra instrumentation (organ, piano, many guitars, lots of bass layers, female vocals), which is something we like to do because it can make a song a lot more powerful and moving.

Hearing is believing. Now that you know the story behind the song, listen for yourself and learn more about the album - right here!

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