Light This City Week: Day 1

- Now read Ben's story behind this song

Guns N' Roses Reunion To Follow Adler Rehab?

Yahoo Music reports: Former Guns N' Roses drummer Steven Adler pleaded no contest on Friday to a heroin possession charge in the hopes of avoiding jail time by entering a treatment program, officials said.

Adler, 43, who was fired from the band over drug problems in 1990, also hopes to reunite with his old bandmates, said his attorney, Barry Gerald Sands.

"When he gets sober they'll accept him into the band and then they'll do a comeback album and a world tour, that's the dream of Steven Adler," Sands told Reuters, after an upbeat Adler entered his plea in Los Angeles Superior Court. - more on this story

Man Stabbed At Awards Show

AP reports: British police say a man is in critical condition after being stabbed at a music awards ceremony in London.

The Metropolitan Police force says the man in his 20s was injured during a brawl at the 6th annual Urban Music Awards.

One other person was treated at a local hospital for minor wounds. Police are trying to determine whether others were injured. - more on this story

Kanye West Arrested

TMZ reports: Kanye West will not be charged with assaulting a photographer in an alleged incident that went down in the UK.

West was arrested at a hotel in Gateshead, England early Friday morning after allegedly getting into a tussle with a photog on his way out of the Tup Tup nightclub in Newcastle.

After a short investigation, West was released from police custody without charges. FYI -- The person alleging the assault made the same claim against a famous British soccer player around a month ago -- but the charges were ruled to be unfounded in that case as well. - Kanye let loose about this whole mess..

Suge Charged With Girlfriend Assault

TMZ reports: Suge Knight has officially been charged with three crimes by the Clark County Justice Court from an alleged August beatdown of his girlfriend in Las Vegas. Knight faces two felony charges of possession of a controlled substance (meth and hydrocodone) and one count misdemeanor battery.

Suge allegedly punched his girlfriend of three years, Melissa Isaac, in the back of the head while they were driving -- and she in turn grabbed the wheel and forced the car into a curb.

Melissa fled from the car and Knight pursued -- and that's when Vegas police showed up and made the arrest. Cops told us they saw Suge kick her in the head. - more on this story

McCartney Wants To Release Lost Beatles Track

AP reports: Paul McCartney says it's time an experimental Beatles track saw the light of day. McCartney says he wants to release "Carnival of Light," a 14-minute experimental track the Fab Four recorded in 1967 but never released.

The band played the recording for an audience just once, at an electronic music festival in London.

It reportedly includes distorted guitar, organ sounds, gargling and shouts of "Barcelona!" and "Are you all right?" from McCartney and John Lennon. - more on this story

Nine Inch Nails Lineup Change

Metal Underground reports: Nine Inch Nails has announced Ilan Rubin to the lineup, who will replace Josh Freese, who is parting with the band at the end of the current North American leg of the tour.

Here's the announcement from Trent Reznor: "With great pride and excitement I announce the addition of Ilan Rubin to the lineup beginning next year. I had the chance to see Ilan playing his ass off at Reading and Leeds a couple summers ago and he blew me away.

"We recently invited him out to rehearse with us and he blew US away - the perfect guy to pick up the sticks after Josh leaves us at the end of the year. - more on this story

Hinder Touring With Motley Crue

PR reports: Motley Crue are proud to announce the Saints of Los Angeles 2009 Winter Tour. The Live Nation produced tour will feature special guests Hinder, Theory of a Deadman and The Last Vegas.

The tour kicks off February 2nd in San Diego, CA with 29 shows throughout North America, including a date at Madison Square Garden, with the final stop in Portland, ME. Tickets go on sale beginning November 21st

2/2/09 - San Diego, CA - Cox Arena **
2/4/09 - Reno, NV - Reno Events Center **
2/10/09 - Omaha, NE - Quest Center **

- more dates

Travis Barker Recovering- A Year Late and 50 Cent Short?- Hendrix Drummer Died of Natural Causes- Lauper Hives Xmas- Thrice Bonus- Costner Rocks? and more

antiMusic reports: Here are the quick music news stories for today: Mark Hoppus gave MTV News an update on the status of his friend and sometimes-bandmate Travis Barker, who is still recovering from September's fatal plane crash. Hoppus said that the drummer is "doing as well as anyone can under such awful circumstances," and added that "He's home right now with his family, and he's healing and trying to stay as positive as he can." more

Originally due Dec. 16, 50 Cent's new album, "Before I Self Destruct," has been pushed to an unspecified date in early 2009.more

Mitch Mitchell, the legendary drummer for the Jimi Hendrix Experience, died in his sleep of natural causes, US medical tests revealed.more

The Hives and Cyndi Lauper have collaborated on a Christmas song. The Swedish garage band and the 'Girls Just Want To Have Fun' singer will release 'A Christmas Duel' as a free download on November 28. more

Today Thrice unveils a limited edition t-shirt bundle for the first 500 pre-orders of their upcoming Thrice - Live at The House of Blues three disc DVD set. The t-shirt is an exclusive design and available ONLY through this pre-order. want it?

Unitopia has just shot a new video for their song "This Life" off of "The Garden," their two-disc debut for InsideOut. watch the video

TMZ had this piece of need to know information that they sent over: Britney Spears is talking to NBC about performing live at the Rockefeller Center tree lighting ceremony on December 3. more. You would think she'd want to be a network that has actual viewers.

Freya, featuring Karl Buechner of Earth Crisis, has announced the addition of three new members to their band. Joining the group is Brendon Flynn (War Of Attrition) on guitar, John Sullivan (War Of Attrition) on guitar, and Graham Mitchell (ex-The Red Death) on drums.more

He's played Wyatt Earp, Robin Hood and Eliot Ness in the movies, but Kevin Costner says his most natural gig is playing music with his band. Costner, 53, and his band, Modern West, released their debut CD, "Untold Truths," this week. more

Convicted pedophile Gary Glitter has had his brick removed from the Cavern Club's wall in Liverpool.more

Elton John will perform a New Year's Eve concert at London's O2 arena, it has been announced. more

The Black Keys have announced the release of their latest live DVD. The Black Keys Live at The Crystal Ballroom was filmed earlier this year in Portland. The DVD will hit stores on Tuesday more

Reunited Swedish metallers Hydrogen recently had a lineup change, announcing that their new bassist, replacing Palle, was Olver Vowden. more

Propagandhi have announced through their website that they have completed the recording of their new album, which will follow 2005's Potemkin City Limits. more

The Ataris are about to begin recording their new album in December with an eye towards a summer 2009 release. The band has posted a short clip on YouTube of a new rough demo that they just completed. Check it out here

In the latest episode of "Talking Metal," recorded at the Channel 4 Pub in New York City's Rockefeller Center, hosts Mark Strigl and John Ostronomy participate in the second to the last installment of their countdown to one of the world's most anticipated albums, Guns N' Roses' "Chinese Democracy." Topics include the official "Chinese Democracy" listening parties, Bumblefoot, Chris Pitman, and Best Buy The podcast can be downloaded at this location.

China will name and shame artists who lip-synch or engage in other "fake" acts at commercial concerts, with repeat offenders getting their performing licenses revoked, local media reported on Thursday, citing the Ministry of Culture.more. Guess you can strike China off of Britney's tour calendar.

NYC godfathers of sludge Negative Reaction have announced the recent return of drummer, John "Old Mac" MacDonald to the fold.more

Set Your Goals have started to plan their summer well in advance. The band is looking to tour extensively through the United States playing new cities and ones they haven't visited in some time. more

Members of the Esoteric have resurfaced in Hammerlord, a retro-thrash/metal/punk project. The group features Esoteric vocalist Stevie Cruz, bassist Terry Taylor, drummer Adam Mitchell and guitarists Ty Scott and J.P. Gaughan.more

Jetboy wishes to announce the recent addition of drummer Doug Hovan. Doug Hovan will be replacing Jeff Moscone, who will be lending his youthful enthusiasm to a host of new projects. more

"Live with Regis and Kelly" is calling all on aspiring musicians, composers and songwriters to take a shot at re-working the show's theme song, win $100,000 and perhaps get a break in the music business. - more

New York Dolls Tap Todd Rundgren To Produce New CD

Noble PR reports: The New York Dolls and legendary record producer Todd Rundgren have been reunited for the first time in 36 years. Rundgren will produce the Dolls' new album at his studio on the island of Kauai. Production is scheduled to start in January 2009.

This is the first time in 36 years since Rundgren originally produced the New York Dolls eponymous debut album "The New York Dolls" which included the classic songs "Personality Crisis", "Trash", "Jet Boy" and "Private World". Rundgren will be reunited with original Dolls founding members, David Johansen (vocals) and Sylvain Sylvain (guitar, vocals).

"We're really excited to be working with Todd again," says David Johansen. "We're hoping to recapture the same magic on the forthcoming album."

The album, which is yet untitled, will be released on the Atco label through Warner Brothers. The Atco label has been specially re-launched. - more on this story

Bon Jovi Recording New Songs

Billboard reports: With the final leg of Bon Jovi's "Lost Highway" tour completed, guitarist Richie Sambora tells Billboard.com the New Jersey rock act is looking ahead to plenty of new projects.

"We've been filming a documentary and are in the process of mixing a live DVD of last year's 'Lost Highway' concert tour," Sambora says. "Also, I think we're looking at doing a greatest hits album next year. Jon and I are writing some new songs for it and to just load up for the next Bon Jovi record."

Sambora says he expects the DVD and best-of effort to be packaged together for a fall 2009 street date. - more on this story

Soul Train Host Charged With Spousal Battery

TMZ reports: "Soul Train" host Don Cornelius has been charged with 3 counts of spousal battery, one count of dissuading a witness from making a police report, and one count of assault with a deadly weapon.

Cornelius was arrested last month after allegedly getting into it with a woman at his home. Cornelius is married but cops aren't saying if the alleged victim was his wife.

The charges that were just filed by the L.A. City Attorney -- all misdemeanors -- stem from two separate incidents.
- more on this story

Singled Out: SexTapes (Guns N' Roses)

PR reports: Welcome to Singled Out! where we ask artists to tell us the inside story of their latest single. Today Chris Pitman and Kelly Wheeler from SexTapes tells us about "Medicine Man" from their brand new album. You may recognize Chris' name as he's also a member of Guns N' Roses. SexTapes is a band that Chris cofounded with Kelly Wheeler who also serves as his songwriting partner in crime as well. The sound you can expect from SexTapes is a cross between Jane's Addiction, Led Zeppelin and Queen with a modern twist. We now turn it over Chris and Kelly for the story:

Chris Pitman: Medicine Man was evoked by a monstrous guitar riff by Kelly Wheeler. It conjured images of the Spanish Moors in battle in the early centuries, to me anyways, and thus I thought it was important to have a battle cry. While I was working out the vocals and lyrics it seemed to focus on a single, older man, filled with wisdom. In the bridge section, there is an instrumental breakdown. It was there that a drumming tom-tom roll was placed, that sounded like an ancient Indian ritual evocation. We then added Indian shakers for effect, and then the chilling battle cry. And there is the inspiration for Medicine Man.

Kelly Wheeler: I came up w/ the Medicine Man riff back in the day when I was playing w/ Danny (Carey of Tool). I love eastern harmonies and this line was always one of my favorites. I started to flesh it out when I added the rest of the guitar arrangements and the driving drums on the song demo I recorded. During production, Chris put together the killer descending Queen-like chorus arrangement from layers of my guitars, which really tied it all together. Chris just slammed it with the vocals and lyrics for Medicine Man! He really brought out the exotic feeling I had in mind for the song with his images of a Native American spiritual leader. The finishing touches like the tribal drums, using the ancient word, Heyah (which translates as "God," or "The Great Spirit"), and his excellent mixing job, make the song the centerpiece of the album.

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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