Metallica Release Box Set

iTunes will be the only place you can find the digital box set starting April 14, with your friendly other sites that you can download music from coming on board April 28. - more on this story

Sabbath Member Slams Ozzy

Blabbermouth reports: Heaven & Hell/Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler has told Decibel magazine that working with singer Ronnie James Dio is a hell of a lot easier than working with Ozzy Osbourne.

"Ronnie's a songwriter in his own right — he's got tons of ideas," the bassist said. "Whereas Ozzy... in the old days, he'd come up with a vocal line and I'd write the lyrics. Ronnie is 100 percent involved in both the musical side and the vocal side, and he writes his own lyrics as well."

Ozzy never took Butler's musical ideas seriously, either. "If we were with Ozzy and I came in with the killer riff of all time, Ozzy wouldn't even think of doing it because I'm not the guitarist and that's the way he thinks," Butler said. "When we tried to do a Sabbath album in 2001, we all gave each other CDs of our riffs or song ideas. Ozzy didn't even listen to mine. Because I'm not a guitarist, he felt I shouldn't be playing guitar. That's why it was so bloody hard to write anything."

Geezer Butler on Heaven & Hell's debut CD, "The Devil You Know": "If we'd written this album with Ozzy, we'd still be working on the first track." - more on this story

Dave Matthews Band Giving Away Free Song

PR reports: Today Dave Matthews and Stefan Lessard announced via their Twitter accounts (@davejmatthews and @slessard) the premiere of "Funny The Way It Is," the lead single from Dave Matthews Band's upcoming album, Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King.

Fans can download the track for free for a week beginning today at the band's website,. "Funny The Way It Is" will be for sale at digital retailers thereafter.

Dave Matthews Band kicks off its 2009 tour tonight with a show at Madison Square Garden in New York City and will be on the road through October 2nd. Please visit the official site for a full itinerary of the band's spring and summer tours - and also check the website for the launch of the Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King pre-order later this week. Fans who pre-order the CD at the band's website will receive the group's upcoming live album, Live Trax 15, for free. Live Trax 15 captures the group's August 9th, 2008 show at Alpine Valley Music Theatre in East Troy, WI, one of the most fan-requested shows for release from last year's summer tour. - more on this story

Feds Won't Charge Grammy Winner For Public Masturbation

Jam! reports: U.S. authorities have reviewed evidence and chosen not to file charges against Grammy Award-winner Elvis Crespo, who is accused of performing a sex act on an airplane en route from Houston to Miami.

A U.S. Attorney's Office spokeswoman would not say whether charges could still be filed.

On March 19, a passenger told police she was sitting next to Crespo when he began to masturbate and expose himself. - more on this story

AC/DC Warn Fans- George Harrison Gets Hollywood Star- My Bloody Valentine Secret Gig- Green Day Breakdown New CD Lyrics- Mars Volta Sets Release and more

antiMusic reports: AC/DC warn fans that "Promoters in Bucharest, Romania have been falsely advertising AC/DC as the headliner for their 2 day Bucharest Rock Arena festival happening on May 30 and 31, 2009."more

Hundreds of George Harrison's biggest fans and best friends, including Paul McCartney and Tom Petty, turned out Tuesday to see a posthumous star for the quiet Beatle unveiled during a raucous celebration on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.more

My Bloody Valentine are set to perform a "secret" Coachella Festival warm-up show at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles on Thursday night (April 16). The band, who will headline the main stage at Coachella on Sunday more

While their first single is not (officially) set to appear till later this week, Green Day has posted the lyrics for the entirety of their forthcoming album. The record is titled 21st Century Breakdown and is due out May 15, 2009.more

The Mars Volta have reportedly announced a title and release date for their next album. The record is titled Octahedron and is due out June 23, 2009 more

Legendary guitarist Rocky Hill, brother of ZZ Top's bassist Dusty Hill has died at the age of 62. Rocky Hill was described as "a monster on guitar," though over four decades he could be a difficult creature to find. Hill died Friday at his Houston-area home. A statement claimed he died of "undisclosed complications of a medical condition."more

The Showdown has announced the departure of drummer AJ Barrette and bassist Eric Koruschak, as the two "wanted to spend more time with their families and other responsibilities at home." Replacements have been found in Timothy "Yogi" Watts (Demon Hunter) and Jeremiah Scott (Destroy Destroy Destroy).more

10 years down the line of solid music making, Mando Diao has delivered a feel good, can't help but dance track "Dance With Somebody" which has taken over the radio airwaves overseas (Top 5 in Germany, Sweden, Austria, Switzerland) along with their new album that can not be denied - Give Me Fire (released overseas in Feb '09 – currently Germany #1, Sweden #2, Austria #4, Switzerland #8 , European Billboard Chart #8) hits the US 7/14. Check Out the video for "Dance with Somebody" here

It's been seven years since Peter Wolf last released a solo album, but the J. Geils Band frontman is planning to end that drought later this yearmore

Don't miss The Zombies perform 'Odessey & Oracle' for the very last time in the UK! The original line-up will reunite for the final time to perform the entirety of the milestone 1968 album one last time. Dates include: Glasgow ABC (April 21), Bristol Colston Hall (April 23), Manchester Bridgewater Hall (April 24) and London Hammersmith Apollo (April 25) more

Saves The Day have announced a new guitarist to replace long-time member David Soloway who left the band last month. The band has recruited Arun Bali more

Trainwreck Riders are all aboard* to release their new album, The Perch on Alive Records on May 12. Preview their new record with the MP3 for "Safety Of A Back", which they have just released for free download . *not our cliche

Aiden will be kicking off their "Ticket To Hell" tour on May 9th, in full support of their new album Knives. The tour will cover most of the western US, offering tickets for a frighteningly low price of $6.66. dates

Darkest Hour has announced their headlining spot on the Summer Slaughter Tour 2009. Dates kick off June 5th in Baltimore, MD and wrap up July 3rd in Seattle.

Litter To Society is the latest installment of the ambitious and evolving multi-media solo project from Del Marquis, lead guitarist of Scissor Sisters, with Embryoroom, the bestselling creative force behind the multi-angle DVD, Kuvaputki. The release features 8 tracks and a remix of the title track from French electro outlet Lifelike. It will be available via digital services and at delmarquis.com on May 26th. more

Susperia have confirmed the release of their fifth full length album 'Attitude' via Candlelight Records on 18th May in Europe and 19th May in USA /Canada. An E-Card for the album is available here

Primal Fear have announced their first string of North American tour dates, with more due to be announced soonmore

A collection of Michael Jackson's possessions from Neverland Ranch is safe from the auctioneer's gavel now that the pop singer and Julien's Auction House have reached a settlement to their dispute over whether 2,000 items were ever intended for sale. more

P2P Jail: A Spanish court has sentenced a 22-year-old man to six months in jail for operating an illegal file-sharing Web site. A judge in the wine-making region of La Rioja has jailed Adrián Gómez Llorente, and fined him €4,900 euros ($6,496) for violating intellectual property laws by obtaining economic benefits via his site, www.infopsp.com, created by him to offer movie and video game links.more

Nachtmystium has announced plans to release a new EP next month titled "Doomsday Derelicts." The group has licensed the EP from Century Media Records so that it can be released via their own in-house label, Battle Kommand Records.more

All Twanged Out?: Jessica Simpson's courtship with country music seems to have had a shorter shelf life than her marriage. After lackluster sales for her country debut, "Do You Know," Simpson and her Nashville record label have parted ways, leaving many wondering what's next for the 28-year-old entertainer. - more

Saliva Replace Josey Scott

Blabbermouth reports: Looks like Saliva singer Josey Scott's recovery from ulcer surgery is taking longer than expected. According to their official website, Saliva has recruited ex-Silvertide frontman Walt Lafty to handle vocals for the group on the Snocore Tour, which the band will rejoin on Friday (April 17) in Sayreville, New Jersey.

The site describes Lafty, who now sings in Automatic Fire, as a friend, adding that Scott intends to get back together with the band after the Snocore dates are done.

Scott underwent emergency surgery on March 30 to repair a bleeding ulcer, forcing the band to cancel the first two weeks of its co-headlining stint on Snocore, which also features Static-X, Burn Halo and The Flood. - more on this story

Hall and Doors: Doors Legends Jam at Daryl's House

PR reports: This month, Daryl Hall breaks on through to the other side of the country, Hollywood, to be exact, as Live From Daryl's House celebrates its groundbreaking 18th episode with its first west coast edition. Daryl joins guitarist Robby Krieger and keyboardist Ray Manzarek of the legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group The Doors for a very special installment of the acclaimed web series, which premieres April 15 at www.livefromdarylshouse.com, where it can be seen along with archived footage of past episodes.

Manzarek couldn't get over the quality of Daryl's band, enthusing: "What a great bunch of musicians! Real cool cats and bad dogs, a down and dirty blast. Daryl really cut loose on our Doors' songs. And 'Roadhouse Blues' as a nasty, funky walk on the evil side entered almost forbidden territory, a place where, perhaps, musicians are not and should not be allowed to go...but we did. Wait 'til you hear it. It was too cool for school. I had a marvelous time."

"I loved working with Daryl and his band," adds Krieger. "And, it was great to see and play once again with Kenny Aronoff, one of my favorite drummers. It was also cool to go back to the Pacific Palisades, where I grew up, to play music with world-class musicians. It kinda completes a circle. My old high school was just up the street, so that was pretty neat! Thanks again to Daryl Hall for inviting Ray and I over for a great day of music!" - more on this story

Dishwalla's J.R. Richards Sets Solo Debut

Harper reports: J.R. Richards highly anticipated debut solo record A Beautiful End is set for release on May 12, 2009 through Universal/ Fontana Distribution. The deal is the first release in a new overall worldwide digital distribution deal with Fontana. Richards has also inked a deal for Acting and Theatrical representation with Los Angeles-based Dino May Management, for film, television and commercial opportunities.

A Beautiful End will be released across digital platforms, including iTunes, Napster, Rhapsody, AOL Music, as well as all mobile ring tone and video outlets. The collection of songs radiate a confidence and maturity that fans of J.R.'s music are certain to embrace. Recorded at the iconic former A&M studios (now known as Jim Henson Studios), Richards was joined by a who's who of musicians including legendary drummer Kenny Aronoff, lead guitarist Rusty Anderson (Paul McCartney), bass player Chris Chaney (Jane's Addiction), Phil X (Powder) and renowned engineer Steve Churchyard, (INXS). The project was mixed by Mike Ross at producer Sylvia Massy's Radiostar studios in Weed, California. A Beautiful End is a creation of intensely personal music that provides a great sense of connection and is certain to distinguish him as a rare, treasured artist.

Richards, who has continued to explore his art by composing scores for indie film projects, including the Ami Mann directed "Morning," in which he was also featured in a central role opposite Annabeth Gish and Tess Harper, has also guest starred on television series including "Charmed" and contributed singles to the soundtracks of blockbuster films and TV shows including "American Pie" "The Banger Sisters," "Smallville, " "NCIS," and "The Real OC". - more on this story

Moby Sets Release, Releases David Lynch Video and Offers Free Song

Mute reports: Mute releases Moby's new album 'Wait For Me' June 30th 2009. The video for the album's debut track, a moody and contemplative instrumental called 'Shot In The Back Of The Head' is a beautiful dark animation directed by David Lynch.

Mute will be kicking off the campaign with a free download of "Shot in the Back of the Head" from Moby's website (moby.com) on Wednesday April 15th.

It's fitting that Lynch directs this debut video, as it was a 2008 speech by Lynch that informed Moby's inspiration for the album and Little Idiot Records:
"david was talking about creativity, and to paraphrase, about how creativity in and of itself, and without market pressures, is fine. it seems that too often creative output is judged by how well it accommodates the marketplace, how much market share it commands and how much money it generates. - more on this story

Idol Finalist Jason Castro Inks New Deal

Atlantic Records reports: Atlantic Records has announced the signing of singer/songwriter Jason Castro. The Texas-based tunesmith, best known as the third runner-up on the 2008 season of Fox's American Idol, is currently hard at work on his debut album, set for release later this year.

Among his creative collaborators are Grammy Award-winning producer John Fields (Lifehouse, Switchfoot, Soul Asylum) and a number of acclaimed songwriters, including Kara DioGuardi (Kelly Clarkson, Jewel, Santana), Martin Terefe (Jason Mraz, KT Tunstall), Sacha Skarbek (James Blunt, Jason Mraz), Guy Chambers (Robbie Williams), and Jason Reeves (Colbie Caillat).

A multi-talented singer and guitarist, Jason Castro was among the most popular and talented artists in American Idol history, entering the record books as the first contestant ever to play an instrument on the show. His performance of the Leonard Cohen-penned classic "Hallelujah" proved such an audience favorite that cult hero Jeff Buckley's rendition of the song hit #1 on the iTunes chart the following week, selling an astonishing 178,000 digital singles. - more on this story

Singled Out: Ashbury

antiMusic reports: Welcome to Singled Out! where we ask artists to tell us the inside story of their latest single. Today Ashbury frontman Brian Leetells us about "Let's Make A Scene" the title track from their brand new release. We now turn it over to Brian for the story:

After we started to really get serious about recording the new record, I kind of felt like the record really wasn't finished yet. There was still some space for some upbeat, more light-hearted songs, and I was adamant about filling that gap. My life can get crazy sometimes, and I often compare it to a movie or TV show. So many things have happened purely by coincidence that seem too crazy to be true.

The line from our single "Let's Make A Scene" that says, "I think we're caught in the middle of a movie scene and real life..." had been repeating in my head for quite a while and I was just looking for a song to put it into. I think alot of the record in general ended up being based on observations about other people and how they deal with life in comparison with myself. - Read the rest of this song story!

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