Soundgarden Reunion On Tap?

In a recent interview with Kerrang! [via TwentyFourBit], Brent Smith of the band Shinedown dropped hints that he's heard the news, saying, "There's talk of a reuniting of Soundgarden in the States soon. I know actually someone specific who told me that, who is actually specifically in their organization. Kinda told me that they're talking about it. - more on this story

Anthrax Guitarist Has Open-Heart Surgery

Former Anthrax guitarist Dan Spitz underwent open-heart surgery on Friday, June 5 after it was discovered that the main artery to his heart was almost "completely closed," according to Blabbermouth.net.

Dan, who says that he nearly died, has already been released from the hospital and is currently resting. "[I had a] scary few days," he says. "Thanks again for all of the prayers."

According to BW&BK Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante updated his status: "He is recovering well - in a lot of pain but will make a full recovery. They hope to have him home soon. Whew! - more on this story

Eddie Says Michael Anthony Quit Van Halen

There was a lot of rumbling when Van Halen reunited with David Lee Roth and decided to tour with Eddie's son Wolfgang instead of original bassplayer Michael Anthony. Now Eddie Van Halen says that Anthony wasn't fired, but quit the group.

RollingStone.com interviewed Eddie Van Halen and when the discussion turned to Chickenfoot, the new group featuring his former bandmates Michael Anthony and Sammy Hagar, Van Halen had this to say, "I wish them well. The funny thing is that everyone who quits the band always claims they got fired by me. Hey, I'm not the bad guy here. When Hagar left the band, Mike went with him. Then when we get back together with Dave, and all of a sudden, he wants back in. It's like, 'No, dude, you quit the band.' So my son became the bass player. But we didn't give Mike the boot to have my son play. He was around. We didn't have a bass player. 'Hey Wolfie, you want to play?'"

As for the future of the current incarnation of Van Halen, Eddie told Rolling Stone "It wasn't just a reunion one-off thing. I've already gone to Dave's house four or five times over the last month. I've got so much music. It's just trying to figure out what Dave's into because we haven't written together in a long time. But it's great. It feels like we've always felt in the beginning. But I'm sober, so it's different. He's sober, so it's different. It's a wonderful feeling." - Read the Rolling Stone interview here

Michael Jackson RIP

Pop star Michael Jackson died Thursday afternoon after being rushed to a Los Angeles hospital in a coma. He was 50 years old.

Initial reports said that Jackson suffered cardiac arrest and was taken to UCLA Medical Center by paramedics 12:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.

Capt. Steve Ruda of the Los Angeles Fire Department told the Los Angeles Times that Jackson was not breathing when paramedics arrived at the hospital.

Jackson was set for a comeback next month with a 50-show residency at the O2 Arena in London. -

Ozzy Vs Black Sabbath's Iommi

Rock Radio reports: Ozzy Osbourne has launched legal action against Tony Iommi, demanding a share of the rights to the Black Sabbath trademark.

Iommi owns the name outright and is entitled to do anything he likes with it. But Osbourne says he's been arguing the point for three years, and believes all four founding members of the band - himself, Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward - should co-own the brand.

He says he's been forced to go to court after failing to persuade Iommi to "do the right thing" by any other means - and he's only taking action "with regret". In a statement Osbourne explains: "In the mid-1990s, after constant changes in band members, the brand of Black Sabbath was in the toilet, and Tony, touring under the name Black Sabbath, was reduced to performing in clubs. Since 1997, when Geezer, Bill and myself rejoined the band, Black Sabbath has returned to its former glory. - It did? Read more here

Aerosmith Star Calls In Sick

MusicRadar reports: Aerosmith guitarist Brad Whitford will be missing the opening string of dates of the band's Guitar Hero tour while he recovers from recent surgery.

The nature of Whitford's medical condition and surgery have not been specified. However, in true show-must-go-on tradition, Aerosmith will hit the road with guitarist Bobby Schneck, who has performed with Green Day, Weezer and Slash as a temporary replacement.

Undoubtedly, Schneck has been listening to nothing but Toys In The Attic and Rocks on his iPod, as in a recent interview MusicRadar, guitarist Joe Perry indicated that the band would be playing both albums in their entirety. - more on this story

Curtains for NIN? Reznor Announces End of Nine Inch Nails

exclaim.ca reports: There must be something in the bong water down in Tennessee, as the announcement of retirement is becoming a yearly tradition at the annual Bonnaroo Festival. Last year, it was M.I.A. who announced her short-lived retirement from music. This year, Nine Inch Nails front-man Trent Reznor has decided to call it quits.

As the Associated Press is reporting, the outspoken alterna-forefather opened up during his set on Saturday night. "It just dawned on me that this is our last show ever in the United States," he said. "Don't be sad. I'll keep going. But I think I'm going to lose my... mind if I keep doing this, and I have to stop."

Reznor recently hinting in a fan interview that Nine Inch Nails would soon quit playing live, citing his own mental health and to "make Nine Inch Nails a precious thing." - more on this story

Evanescence Members Hire American Idol Singer

Spin.com reports: Old band, new singer: It's potentially a recipe for disaster -- just ask the boys in defunct groups like Velvet Revolver and Audioslave.

But three former members of goth rock stars Evanescence, all booted from the group over the years by frontwoman Amy Lee, are joining forces for a new band -- and they've tapped American Idol finalist Carly Smithson to contribute lead vocals.

Dublin-born Smithson, who finished sixth in the 2008 season of American Idol, joins ex-Evanescence guitarist/songwriter Ben Moody, guitarist John Lecompt, and drummer Rocky Gray in their new band, the Fallen - more on this story

Men At Work Accused of Stealing Down Under

A couple decades late and a copyright short? Aussie rockers Men at Work who enjoyed a couple of big hits in the 80s, are now being accused of stealing the melody to one of those hits.

According to Billboard.biz, a music publishing company, Larrikin Music, is suing over the song "Down Under," claiming the "flute riff" in the song was lifted from the "refrain of a 1934 children's tune, 'Kookaburra Sits in the Old Gum Tree.'"

The band's record labels are asking that the case be tossed out. And according to the Billboard report, "They also question whether Larrikin even holds the copyright to that song -- a Girl Guide campfire favorite from New Zealand to Canada -- and therefore whether it has the right to sue." - more on this story

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