Butch Walker Week: Day 2

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

Death Cab Singer Stung By Scorpion

NME reports: Death Cab For Cutie frontman Ben Gibbard was stung twice by a scorpion just as he was about to go on stage in San Diego last week.

The singer reportedly had just changed into his show trousers when he felt something sting him on his thigh. Writing on his blog about the incident, bassist Nick Harmer explained what happened:

"So tonight in San Diego, Ben got stung by a SCORPION. Twice. I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried, file this under 'things that really happen on rock tours,'" he wrote. - more on this story

Chris Cornell Denies Zeppelin Tour Rumor, But Open To The Idea

Metal Underground reports: Former Soundgarden and Audioslave frontman Chris Cornell has spoken out for the first time about rumors that he's been asked to fill in for Robert Plant on a proposed Led Zeppelin reunion tour. The trek would feature original guitarist Jimmy Page, original bassist John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham taking over on drums for his late father, John Bonham.

Cornell has been mentioned - along with Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, former Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar, White Stripes mastermind Jack White and Alter Bridge's Myles Kennedy [and Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler] - as a potential Plant fill-in. Plant has already said that he wouldn't take part in the tour.

"I have not been approached so far to fill in for Robert Plant on the upcoming Zeppelin tour, but that isn't to say I won't be," Cornell told MTV News. "I've heard that from about 200 people now, and it might be one of those situations where it's just an online rumor or it might be true. - more on this story

Gene Simmons Rip Off?

see the updated article for the latest on this story - more on this story

Lil' Wayne Death Hoax

Launch reports: Lil' Wayne has become the subject of a death hoax, after a fake BBC News page appeared to claim the rapper had been shot dead.

According to the fake site, Wayne was supposed to have been killed in the early hours of Saturday (November 1) morning, following a despite between the Bloods and Crips gangs.

The page, which can be seen at Kineticnorth.com, claimed the rapper had been pronounced dead after being shot six times. - more on this story

Coldplay and Jay-Z Mash Up Album

Music Radar reports: Following the revelation that Jay-Z is to guest on an official new Coldplay song, we can now bring you news of an album-length collaboration between the two acts.

Viva La Hova is by no means a 'proper' release, but it seems to have the blessing of Chris Martin and co.

Created by a range of different producers, Viva La Hova is completely based on vocal samples from Jay-Z songs and beats from various Coldplay tracks. Unlike Danger Mouse's notorious Grey Album, its source material doesn't come exclusively from two specific records, but it's an impressive mash-up feat nonetheless. - more on this story

Did Axl November Rain on Every Time I Die's Parade?

PR reports: Every Time I Die have issued An Open Letter to Axl Rose Ending With an Impression of Howard Dean: Thanks a shitload Axl. You haven't put out a GNR record in 10 years and the month we decide to go out on a tour cleverly named November Reign, you find it prime time for "Chinese Democracy" to hit shelves.

You couldn't have waited another 3 weeks? We haven't done a single headlining tour on "The Big Dirty" so this was a really big deal for us. You should have seen Josh's face light up when he thought of the name. The guys in The Bronx and Stick To You GUNS were happier than pigs in shit to be a part of this epic journey across the east coast. But you just couldn't stand to see us happy.

Buckethead probably wouldn't have stolen our thunder. And when I met Matt Sorum at House of Guitars like 16 years ago, he came off as a real nice dude who would be glad to let us have November to ourselves. Well fuck it, we're doing it anyways. Starting November 1st, we're going to Quebec City! and then we're going to Milwaukee! And then we're going to JOPLIN AND NASHVILLE AND RICHMOND AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO FARMINGDALE TO TAKE BACK THE CRAZY DONKEY!!! BEYYYYYAAAWWW!!!!! - more on this story

Fall Out Boy Break World Record, Cornell On Mars, Ice Cube Sitcom, Led Alfred, The Cure Big Gig, Sat Night Axl, Elvis C Inks With Uni, Live Dead and more

antiMusic reports: Here are today's quick music news stories: Chris Cornell has just unveiled the official video for "Ground Zero." The clip includes scenes from the ABC crime-drama Life On Mars. The series also prominently featured the song in their October premiere episode. The song comes off Cornell's upcoming Timbaland produced effort, Scream. The album will be hitting stores in early 2009.Watch the vid

Fall Out Boy broke the Guinness World Record for 'Most Interviews On Radio In A 24 Hour Period By A Pair Of Two' last Friday. more Guinness will make anything a world record these days. Wonder how much Guinness they had to drink before coming up with this one? Pete Wentz and Patrick Stump started at 3 a.m. in Los Angeles and spoke to 72 radio stations in one day. more

Ice Cube is gearing up to write and produce a forthcoming US television comedy show. The rap star will mastermind the buddy cop comedy for television network NBC. Although he is not slated to star in the show, it is expected that he will make some guest appearances more

The Cure are set to celebrate being crowned Godlike Geniuses at next year's Shockwaves NME Awards by headlining the annual Big Gig a day later. more

Led Zeppelin has named Alfred Publishing exclusive licensing agent for both its physical and digital print rights for their legendary catalog of songs. The territory defined in the deal is worldwide, excluding Europe. more

Ddrum and Vinnie Paul have collaborated on a new signature product line. Paul - drummer in Pantera, Damageplan and Hell Yeah - previously endorsed Pearl drums but says: "I'm proud to announce that I am making the move to Ddrum. This opportunity is giving me the chance to expand beyond playing music and bring my own line of kick ass, affordable drums to skin bashers around the world. more
Guns N' Roses premiered a new commercial teaser for Chinese Democracy during Saturday Night Live over the weekend. The 30 spot features the recently released title track and information about the album pre-sale. The teaser ran again during Monday Night Football which airs on ESPN. Check out the commercial here

Universal Music Publishing Group has announced the signing of Elvis Costello to a new, long-term, exclusive, worldwide music publishing agreement that covers his entire back catalogue as well his future output. This new agreement will see UMPG administering all 27 albums Elvis Costello has released to date alongside any new recordings more

Enya is set to release her seventh studio album And Winter Came… on November 11th through Warner Bros. Records. The new album includes ten brand new songs plus a newly recorded choral rendering of Oiche Chiuin (Silent Night) and a version of the traditional Christmas hymn "O come, o come Emmanuel." video link

DeVotchKa's track "How it Ends" (from their full-length album How It Ends) is featured in Microsoft's new ad campaign, "Gears of War 2: Last Day." The 60 second spot hit the web, TV and movie houses in 15 countries beginning November 2nd. You can view the ad here

Jihae is back with the brand new LP Elvis Is Still Alive. Drawing influences from many genres, Jihae's sound is truly unique, but has been compared to Fiona Apple, Chrissie Hynde, and Aimee Mann. Elvis is Still Alive will be independently released November 11.

Carl Jordan, the voice behind California imprint, The Western States Motel, will bring his penchant for DIY atmospheres and intriguing soundscapes to Spaceland this month. The Western States Motel will take over Monday nights with their FREE November residency with Swedish indie-poppers, Marching Band Spaceland's site

Guitarist Bruce Phillips has departed from Philadelphia based power metal act Aggressive Disorder once again. Bruce, who departed the band late last year to attend to personal matters, rejoined the group this past August.more

On the Sirius Grateful Dead channel this week, Phil Lesh and Bob Weir will both perform live sets. more

Earth Crisis has finished recording their Century Media Records debut. The effort was engineered by Matt Wagner and will be mixed by Tue Madsen later this month.more

Arsonists Get All The Girls are proud to announce the rerelease of thier first full length album "Hits From The Bow" on Century Media Records. The release date will be on January 27th and the album will feature brand new artwork and liner notes on all of the songs.more

A security guard for Joan Rivers testified today (Nov. 3) that music producer Phil Spector was ejected from two of the star's Christmas parties for brandishing a gun and declaring that all women should be shot. - more

Lamb Of God Set New CD Release

PR reports: Lamb Of God will release their fifth studio album Wrath, on February 24th, 2009. The record will be released in North America by Epic. Wrath is produced by Josh Wilbur and was recorded in studios in New York, Virginia, and New Hampshire.

Lamb Of God finished the touring cycle on the Grammy nominated album Sacrament at the end of 2007. The two-year trek was documented in the now certified Gold DVD Walk with Me in Hell and culminated with the band headlining arenas across the US last December.

The band has taken the entirety of 2008 off the road to focus on the writing process for Wrath. "This album is going to surprise a lot of people," comments drummer Chris Adler. "Typically bands that get to where we are in our career begin to slack off, smell the roses and regurgitate. We chose a different path. No one wants to hear another band member hyping a new record. Wrath needs no hype. We have topped ourselves and on February 24th you will feel it." - more on this story

Genesis Hopeful For Reunion with Peter Gabriel

Billboard reports: With a third box set of catalog upgrades looming, a reunion of Genesis' revered 1971-75 lineup is still in the ethe, but hardly in stone.

"We've never said never about it, you know," keyboardist Tony Banks tells Billboard.com. "I know Phil (Collins) would be quite happy with the idea of just playing the drums; it would be quite fun for him. Mike (Rutherford) and I are certainly happy to do it. I know Steve (Hackett) is keen as well. I think it'd be down to Peter (Gabriel) more than anyone else."

Gabriel was actually the first to broach the idea of reuniting that Genesis lineup, initially for a handful of performances of the 1974 concept piece "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway," in 2004. - more on this story

David Cook Release Party

PR reports: American Idol winner David Cook is teaming with the Times Square Virgin Megastore and Hard Rock Cafe New York for a special fan event to celebrate the release of his self-titled debut album.

Beginning on Tuesday, November 18th at 8AM purchase David Cook's self titled debut album at the Times Square Virgin Megastore location only, to receive a wristband to attend the super exclusive concert at Hard Rock Cafe New York that evening followed immediately by an album signing. Space is limited and there is a 1 wristband per customer limit. - more on this story

The Brits Honor Pet Shop Boys

PR reports: The UK's recorded music association, The BPI, today unveiled the recipient of the prestigious Outstanding Contribution to Music Award. Pioneering British Dance duo, Pet Shop Boys, will be awarded with the revered trophy at The BRIT Awards on Wednesday 18 February.

A packed audience at Earls Court plus millions of viewers watching live on ITV1 will witness an iconic performance from the Pet Shop Boys when they take to The BRITs stage.

Ged Doherty, Chairman of The BRITs Committee said, "Since their first BRIT Award over 20 years ago, Neil and Chris have produced a fantastic body of work with songs that truly were the soundtrack to a whole generation's lives. The Pet Shop Boys have since become one of the most influential groups of the modern era and are deserving recipients of the award." - more on this story

Singled Out: Tokyo Rosenthal

PR reports: Welcome to Singled Out! where we ask artists to tell us the inside story of their latest single. Today Tokyo Rosenthal tells us about "Love Won Out" the title track from his brand new album. We now turn it over to Tokyo for the story:

I guess the beginning of "Love Won Out" began 20 years ago when I found myself on the Tijuana Trolley going to Mexico to get drugs for my ailing brother. He had aids and certain medicine was not yet approved in the States so it was off to "TJ" to bring them back into our country for my "Bro". Coming back I was stopped at the border and asked if I had bought anything while in Mexico. I explained what I purchased and after having to say that the drugs were for me and not him I was allowed to pass.

Unfortunately it was too late for my Brother who died a few months later from AIDS. I knew someday I would channel my feelings over his death into something artistic. I just wasn't sure how or when.

- Read the rest of this song story

Wait there is more!

[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Subscribe to Day in Rock Report by Email

Add the Day in Rock to your site/blog/Myspace

Read Day In Rock Reports From Other Days

Submit news or a press release to the Day In Rock report