Bigelf Week: Final Day

Preview songs from the album, learn more about it and the group and more right - here!

Monster Mash Singer's Remains Turned into Jewelry. It's true!

antiMusic reports: Not sure why this was sent to us but if you're looking for a disturbing Halloween story, here you go! We've heard about "blood diamonds" but "cremated remains diamonds?" Here is the twisted tale: Bobby Pickett who cowrote and performed "The Monster Mash", died at the age of 69 on April 25, 2007 in Los Angeles, California, due to complications from leukemia. His daughter Nancy Huus was at his side when he died.

After his death, Nancy had a .44 ct colorless LifeGem diamond created from his cremated remains. She wears it in a white gold solitaire ring. Pickett was diagnosed with leukemia 5 years ago, and he and his daughter Nancy talked openly about death. "I saw a show about turning cremated remains into diamonds," said Nancy, "I immediately called my father and told him that I wanted to make a diamond from his cremated remains; he loved the idea."

On Halloween Pickett used to say "They dig me up every year." This year for Halloween his daughter is wearing him as a LifeGem Diamond Ring. "Bobby was a minimalist, not elaborate," said Huus. Her simple solitaire ring reflects that personality. - more on this story

Van Halen Star Hurt By Ousting From The Group

Music Radar reports: In an exclusive interview with MusicRadar, Michael Anthony recalls his shock of how he heard that Van Halen were reforming with singer David Lee Roth, an event he wasn't to be a part of. "I found out when the rest of the fans found out, early last year," says Anthony. "I guess they tried to put something together earlier but it fell apart and Eddie had to go to rehab or something."

Being replaced by Eddie Van Halen's then-16-year-old son Wolfgang was a bitter blow, but it didn't compare to the sting Anthony felt when he clicked on the group's website and discovered that "they took my pictures off the old record covers and replaced them with Wolfgang. Even the first album cover.

"I mean, to think that somebody would go to the trouble of trying to erase me from the band's past, that hurt. But I think the fans felt the same way because a day or two later the website was changed and my pictures were put back." - more on this story

Guns N' Roses Break Their Own Chart Record

BW&BK reports: Guns N' Roses 'Chinese Democracy' makes a splashy bow across a bevy of Billboard's and Radio and Records' rock airplay charts, after only five days of airplay, too.

It debuts at No. 12 on Mainstream Rock, No. 15 on Active Rock, No. 37 on Modern Rock and No. 7 on Rock

On Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart, which began in 1981, it's the band's best debut since 1991 when 'Don't Cry' opened at No. 4. - more plus a stream of the song

Foo Phoners, Jackoless 5, Joaquin Phoenix Drops Acting for Music, Drums Give Musician Anthrax, Oasis Discoverer Quits Music, Social D and Motorhead Fest and more

antiMusic reports: Here are the quicks for this Halloween 2008: The Foo Fighters brought their arena rock show to a much smaller stage Wednesday at the 1,400-capacity Avalon in Los Angeles, during a private concert with Queens Of The Stone Age to help promote a new Blackberry. more

Should we just call it the Jacksons that no one cares about tour? The big news that the Jackson 5 would tour next year has hit a major road block: the star of the group is opting out. No Michael Jackson = No Jackson 5? .

Actor Joaquin Phoenix wants to be known in the future as Musician Joaquin Phoenix. That's right - at the ripe old age of 34, the Oscar-nominated star is eyeing his last days in front of movie cameras in favor of standing behind microphones. Phoenix stated his intent to quit acting at Monday night's (27 October) Paul Newman benefit for Camps For Kids in Los Angeles. more

A Spanish musician who builds and plays his own drums has contracted anthrax by inhaling spores from imported animal hides. The unnamed drummer is said to be "critical but stable" in a London (UK) hospital. more

Alan McGee, who founded the Creation record label, signed Oasis and went on to manage bands including The Libertines and The Charlatans, has said he has quit the music business. more

Social Distortion and Motorhead will be headlining the upcoming Musink Tattoo & Music Festival in Costa Mesa, California. The festival will be a 25-date tour, which takes place from January to March 2009. more

The Acacia Strain have confirmed details for the band's forthcoming DVD shoot, which will take place just in the band's second hometown of Worcester at the Palladium on December 28. Tickets are already available for only $10 on the Mass Concerts website:, or by phone at 1-800-477-6849, with 100 limited Special Golden Tickets available for $50.

George Strait will receive the Academy of Country Music's Artist of the Decade award in recognition of his nearly 25-year career. more

Guns N' Roses have just released a new widget which has a countdown to the November 23rd release date of their long-delayed Chinese Democracy album. The widget also features an audio stream of the title-track new single. Best Buy will exclusively carry the album in the U.S. and Canada. Want the widget? grab it here.

Singer and songwriter Randy Newman has postponed his 18-date European tour because of physical pain from stenosis in his lower back and neck, a statement on the singer's Web site said on Thursday. more

The sagging economy continues to weigh heavily on the digital music space, with eMusic now laying off 10% of its workforce. The Wall Street Journal reports that the company cited the financial crisis in its decision.more

T-Pain has released a brand new video for the song "Karaoke" featuring DJ Khaled. The Bank Head directed video was shot on location at the Miami Beach Studio Karaoke Bar and features some hilarious cameos from Akon and Kanye West. check it T-Pain's third album THR33 RINGZ hits 11.11.08 on Nappy Boy/Jive/Zomba.

Speculation over who may lead the new MySpace Music joint venture heated up after tech news site CNET reported that MTV digital executive Courtney Holt has been offered the position.more

An exclusive version of Leona Naess' new album Thirteens, is now available on iTunes. The iTunes exclusive is available at the special low price of $7.99, and has a bonus version of the song "Leave Your Boyfriends Behind" featuring a duet with Ryan Adams. Naess is currently on tour with fellow songwriter Ray LaMontagne. iTunes link

Kings of Leon will be heading Dare 2 Dream, a benefit concert and silent auction early next year in Chicago. Proceeds from the event will benefit pediatric cancer research at the University of Chicago's Comer Children's Hospital. more

UK Death metal legends Bolt Thrower have announced that they will be appearing at next year's Maryland Deathfest. more

The Get Up Kids's beloved 1997 debut, Four Minute Mile, is headed for a vinyl reissue December 9, 2008. The LP reissue will be pressed on exclusive blue vinyl. more

Ashtray have planned a special live album titled Operation Ashtray. The disc will feature an entire set of Operation Ivy covers recorded at Danny from The Secretions' "Lame Ass Birthday Bash." The entire event was a benefit for The American Cancer Society. more

Terrin Durfey of Boilermaker, The Jade Shader and Pinback has passed away after a long battle with cancer. more

We just got word of a special show happening this Saturday, November 1st at The Joint in Beverly Hills: The Day Of The Dead Celebration hosted by Stanton LaVey the grandson of Anton LaVey. The show is set to feature Happenin' Harry & The Haptones All Star Band featuring members of Guns N Roses, Train, L.A.Guns, Msg and more plus "Special Surprise Guests." Also appearing will be Swedish rockers Snake Of Eden, plus Franki Doll & The Broken Toys and Happenin' Harry's All Star Tribute to Black Sabbath. More info here

Be sure to tune in to Sounds Eclectic, hosted by Nic Harcourt on KCRW this Sunday at 7:00 pm (PST) to hear new tracks from Andy Yorke's solo debut, Simple. Nic will be playing cuts like "Rise and Fall". show site.

A host of influential Midwestern hardcore bands will return to the stage next spring in Chicago in celebration of the scene-chronicling book "Burning Fight: The Nineties Hardcore Revolution in Ethics, Politics, Spirit and Sound." - more

New Order Special Editions.

PR reports: After forming in 1980, New Order went on to develop a groundbreaking sound that mixed synthesizer-driven pop with electronic dance beats on a series of acclaimed and influential albums. The band -- Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook, Stephen Morris and Gillian Gilbert -- released a total of five albums during the '80s that helped blaze a trail for the alternative music movement that would peak a decade later. Rhino pays tribute to these musical pioneers with Collector's Editions of the band's first five albums: MOVEMENT, POWER, CORRUPTION & LIES, LOW-LIFE, BROTHERHOOD and TECHNIQUE. On November 11, all five will be available at all retail outlets, including www.rhino.com, for a list price of $24.98.

Each will be reissued as a double-disc that contains a remastered version of the original Factory Records recording on the first disc, along with a bonus disc that collects the band's numerous non-album singles, b-sides and remixes. - More info on these plus a link to a cool contest where you might win a signed bass.

Spector Trial Halted By Injured Juror

NME reports: The first day of testimony in Phil Spector's murder retrial has been postponed because one of the jurors is injured.

An alternate juror reportedly fell in the parking lot of the Los Angeles court this morning (October 30) and injured his foot.

Superior Court Judge Larry Fidler made the decision to postpone testimony until next week because he is hesitant to lose the juror - more on this story

Hagar and Friends Get Beastie on New Album

PR reports: Sammy Hagar will release his eleventh solo album, Cosmic Universal Fashion, on November 18th via Loud & Proud.

The title track and first single, "Cosmic Universal Fashion," was written in an online collaboration between Hagar and a young Iraqi band in Baghdad, with the music video produced in the same spirit as the classic Van Halen video for "Right Now." The album also features a rousing cover of the Beastie Boys' "(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party)."

Hagar has led a storied three-decade career that has established him as one of America's most beloved hard rockers, selling over 20 million albums and winning two Grammys. From his trailblazing early work with Montrose, to his prolific and popular solo career, his massively successful time with Van Halen, and currently as front man for his band Sammy Hagar and The Wabos, the veteran singer/guitarist has continued to make melodic, hard-charging rock that's short on subtlety but long on punch and personality. - check it

Los Lonely Boys Get All Festive

PR reports: The holiday season will have a "Texican" flavor this year as Los Lonely Boys release their very first holiday album entitled Christmas Spirit on October 14 through Epic Records.

Capturing the spirit of the holidays the Garza Brothers recorded a compilation of both originals as well as classics on this both ethereal and energetic album which was recorded in just one week back in May at Willie Nelson's Pedernales Studio in Austin, TX. The album was both produced and engineered by Grammy-winning Manny Marroquin (Carlos Santana, Alicia Keys.)

Christmas Spirit is familiar Christmas flare done in a way only Los Lonely Boys can deliver. Included on the album are such classics as "Run Run Rudolph," "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer," "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town," "Away In A Manger," "Feliz Navidad," "Jingle Bells," "Carol Of The Bells" and "Silent Night." Also featured are two originals written by the Garza brothers, "I've Longed For Christmas," and "She'll Be My Everything." - more on this story

Beatles Game Officially Announced

PR reports: The Beatles' extraordinary music and phenomenal legacy is set to rock across the universe in the form of a video game through an exclusive partnership between Apple Corps Ltd., Harmonix and MTV Games, a part of Viacom's MTV Networks.

This partnership marks the first time that Apple Corps, along with EMI Music, Harrisongs Ltd, and Sony/ATV Music Publishing, has agreed to present The Beatles music in an interactive video game format. Published by MTV Games and developed by Harmonix, the world's premier music video game company and creators of the best-selling Rock Band, the game will be an unprecedented, experiential progression through and celebration of the music and artistry of The Beatles.

The game was creatively conceived with input from Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, along with Yoko Ono Lennon and Olivia Harrison, and enjoys their full blessing. In addition, Giles Martin, co-producer of The Beatles innovative LOVE project, will provide his expertise and serve as Music Producer for this groundbreaking Beatles project.

"The project is a fun idea which broadens the appeal of The Beatles and their music. I like people having the opportunity to get to know the music from the inside out," Sir Paul McCartney said. - more on this story

Feds Reduce Charges Against Guns N' Roses Leaker

Wired reports: Federal authorities said Thursday they are reducing the criminal charges levied against Kevin Cogill, the Los Angeles man accused of uploading nine prereleased Guns N' Roses tracks from the band's upcoming Chinese Democracy album.

Los Angeles federal prosecutor Craig Missakian declined to say why the U.S. attorney's office has changed the charges from a felony to a misdemeanor, a move limiting Cogill's maximum prison exposure from five years to one.

Cogill's attorney, David Kaloyanides, said prosecutors "decided that a misdemeanor was more appropriate." On Tuesday, the authorities and Kaloyanides are expected to pick a trial date. However, "A deal may be in the offing," he said. - more on this story

Magnetic Morning (Interpol/Swervedrive) Set Release

PR reports: Magnetic Morning is trekking across the country on a club tour, unveiling tracks from their beautiful debut LP A.M., released digitally October 21 and set for physical release January 27, 2009 (Friend or Faux Recordings).

Steeped in reverb-soaked guitars, lilting melodies and pensive percussion, the unique musical collaboration of Interpol's Sam Fogarino and Swervedriver's Adam Franklin, is a spiraling mix of an album that sees both veteran musicians entering musical territory not explored in their previous projects.

Recorded in the sweltering month of August at Normal Studios in Athens, Ga., the record, produced by Andy LeMaster (Bright Eyes, Azure Ray) is the fully realized 10-track follow-up to the band's self-titled EP, released earlier this year. - more on this story

Singled Out: Hoobastank

antiMusic reports: Welcome to Singled Out! where we ask artists to tell us the inside story of their latest single. Today Doug Robb from Hoobastank tells us about "My Turn" from their forthcoming album (out early next year). We now turn it over to Doug for the story:

The song "My Turn" went through a couple versions of itself before landing where it did. In it's original "less aggressive" form it was mainly a song that the band really liked but probably not as a single. After listening to it over and over and constantly getting the sense the something was missing we decided to re-track the guitars and vocals but this time with a more frantic, urgent, aggressive energy. Once we did the song just clicked for us and for all those who listened to it. It's like we finally let the song be what it wanted to be.

Lyrically the song was inspired by a poem my older brother had written. I think it was about finding true love. When's it going to be my turn to find my true love? I saw it as something else. I took key phrases that I liked, re-worded others and wrote what was missing and there it was. My version of "My Turn." An ode to all of us who have at one point felt like no matter what we do we still get the shit end of the stick. When's it going to be my turn to get what I want? To reach the top? To feel I've gotten what I deserve?

The album may not hit until next year but you can get the single right now on iTunes. Now that you know the story behind the song, listen for yourself and learn more about the band - right here!

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