Metallica's Ulrich to Join Deep Purple?

The former members of Deep Purple have suggested that drummer Ian Paice would not be a part of the reunion, and that they'd be looking for a new percussionist. - more on this story

Don't Sleep With Your Bandmate's Girlfriend

antiMusic reports: It's a slow news day so here is a PSA for all bands that comes from punknews.org: Houston Calls has kicked out guitarist Jose Lopez. The band explained the move: Our good "friend" Jose has decided to shack up with my (Tom) ex-girlfriend immediately after she broke my heart and left me.

The two hid it from me for weeks over Christmas and only until yesterday when I had to find out was I informed. Great guy! Stand up guy!

Well to put it bluntly he's out of the band for good and hopefully lives a terrible life forever. I don't know what's going to happen yet but I'll be sure to keep everyone informed.
- more on this story

Van Halen Auction

Van Halen reports: A pair of Chevrolet classics from the personal collection of rock 'n' roll icon Eddie Van Halen will be sold at No Reserve during the 38th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction in Scottsdale, Ariz., Jan. 11-18, 2009.

The 1956 Chevy 210 (Lot #1259) and 1956 Chevy Nomad (Lot #1259.1) will each be auctioned with matching, one-of-a-kind EVH Brand "Wolfgang" guitars and a pair of red, white, and black EVH striped sneakers. Hailed as "The World's Greatest Collector Car Auctions™," the Scottsdale auction and lifestyle event will feature a diverse mix of the world's most desirable collector vehicles. SPEED will broadcast nearly 40 hours of live, high-definition coverage of all six auction days.

"Rock 'n' roll and collector cars go hand in hand," said Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson. "And Eddie's cars, although from the same year, represent the diversity of the collector car hobby. The Nomad is restored to original specifications while the 210 is a custom built street rod with modern performance gear. I expect these cars to enter special collections that salute both rock 'n' roll and automobiles." - more on this story

Britney's Vagina Monologue- Big Bopper Casket Auction- N Suck Reunion?- Danity Kane Porn- Sum 41 Producer Audition- Katy Perry Dumps Gym Class Zero? and more

antiMusic reports: It was a pretty goofy day for news. With that said we start with this must know Britney news [sarcasm off]: An anonymous hacker has reportedly hacked into Britney Spears' official Twitter account, leaving an obscene message. Earlier today (January 5), a posting on the pop star's Twitter page read, "HI Yall! Brit Brit here, just wanted to update you all on the size of my vagina. Its about 4 feet wide with razor sharp teeth." more. It shrunk?

This one we have a hard time believing since it is in such poor taste but NME reports: The son of iconic '50s rock n' roller The Big Bopper has said he plans to sell his late father's casket - which he was buried in for 48 years - on eBay in the next few weeks.more

Lily Allen could be appearing as 'Dr Who''s new sidekick, people behind the show have revealed.more

Warning: Lance Bass Hopeful For 'N Suck Reunion. He may be a dancing with the stars this winter, but Lance Bass says he can foresee an 'N Sync reunion somewhere down the road. Let's hope not. more

CSS and Supersuckers have been added to the line-up of the forthcoming All Tomorrow's Parties festival. The bands are set to perform on the weekend of May 15-17, which is curated by The Breeders. more

Behemoth is in the final stages of the song-writing process for their upcoming, yet untitled album. The record is tentatively expected sometime in the fall via Metal Blade (US), Nuclear Blast (Europe). Nergal and Co. are planning to enter the studio in the middle of February.more

Howard Portnoy, the father of Dream Theater's Mike Portnoy, passed away on Sunday, January 4 at the age of 68. Commented Mike: "It's with the heaviest heart and deepest sorrow that I share the news of the passing of my best friend, my idol and my father, Howard Portnoy. He passed away this morning [Sunday, January 4] at 3:38 am with his loving wife Trish and myself by his side after a six-month battle with cancer. He was an amazing person whose lively spirit was a tremendous inspiration to me and to most people that had the pleasure to know him." more

The Courteeners will be joining Morrissey as special guests on his North American tour this Spring. The band will accompany the singer for 18 shows, starting in Buffalo, NY on March 19 and ending in Albuquerque, NM April 15. more

Katy Perry and her Gym Class Hero boyfriend Travis McCoy have apparently split up, just weeks after they apparently got engaged. It's all very sad and, as yet, nobody knows who'll take custody of their one good song.more

Deryck Whibley of Sum 41 will be sitting in the producer's chair for the next album from The Audition.more

MxPx have set a release date and artwork for their upcoming covers album. The record is titled On The Cover II and is due out March 10, 2009. It is the follow up to 2007's Secret Weapon and the "sequel" to 1995's On the Cover. Wasn't the cover album trend a 2007 thing? more

If you're an Xbox LIVE Gold member, and you want a chance to play Call of Duty: World at War with Chris Henderson of 3 Doors Down, send a friend request to the following Gamertag and be online half an hour before (4:30 P.M.) the Game with Fame session starts on Wednesday, January 7, 5:00 P.M. ET. Chris 3Doors more

Aubrey O'Day, formerly of girl band Danity Kane, has allegedly received $500,000 for doing a naked photoshoot for Playboy.more

Lamb Of Godx has issued the following invitation: "We need fans who are willing to get slammed around for 12 hours in Richmond, VA on Friday, January 9th. Please email logcasting@gmail.com if interested. If selected you will receive the address, times, etc. via email." more

On January 20th, Prosthetic Records will release limited edition vinyl versions of Testament's Demonic and The Gathering. more

Bang Camaro will swing by Late Night with Conan O'Brien tonight, January 6th to perform "Revolution," from Bang Camaro II. Tune in to NBC at 12:35 am EST/PST!

Warner Music Group has relinquished its exclusive distribution rights to Talib Kweli's Blacksmith Music label. However, the major label still has the first right of refusal for Blacksmith acts.

Street Dogs, Swingin' Utters and Shot Baker will be touring together in March.dates

Dan Deacon has kicked off 2009 by revealing the tracklist and cover art for his forthcoming record. The self-professed darker album entitled Bromst will now hit stores March 24 on Carpark.more

Deicide have inked a new worldwide deal with Century Media Records. The band has been working on its new album at Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, Florida with producer Mark Lewis (The Black Dahlia Murder, Chimaira) and is looking at a summer release. more

In addition to ending its litigation campaign against file trading music fans, the RIAA reportedly is ending its relationship with the controversial MediaSentry. According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, the RIAA will no longer use MediaSentry to identify music fans who have uploaded music to P2P networks. more

Thy Will Be Done has completed writing and have been rehearsing the new material for the next album in their home base of Providence, RI. more

Sacred Reich, have announced the confirmed dates for their European Summer Tour 2009 - Dates

Ohio Players Founder Robert Ward Dies

Billboard reports: Robert Ward, a Georgia blues musician who played with some of Motown's biggest artists, died Dec. 25. He was 70.

His wife, Roberta, told the Telegraph of Macon that her husband died at his home in Dry Branch in central Georgia. She said her husband had suffered a stroke in 2001 and never fully recovered.

Ward, a Georgia native, moved to Ohio and founded the Ohio Untouchables, which later became the Ohio Players. - more on this story

Springsteen Guitar Hero and Giveaway

MusicRadar reports: You say the boss never gives you anything for free? Not so with The Boss, that is Bruce Springsteen - he's offering a new song for the bargain price of nothing. And soon he'll do so on Guitar Hero as well.

In the weeks before the 26 January (27 January in the US) release of his next album, Working On A Dream, Springsteen is offering the track Life Itself as a free download on Amazon.com. (You can watch the video at the full story link.)

To our ears, Bruce Springsteen has always been a guitar hero, but now he's a virtual one too: Bruce is serving up the new track My Lucky Day and his classic Born To Run for free on Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii versions of Guitar Hero: World Tour, beginning on Working On A Dream's release date and running through 4 February. (From then on, they will cost $2 each.)
- more on this story

Kraftwerk Cofounder Quits Group

Reuters reports: Florian Schneider, the co-founder of legendary German electronica band Kraftwerk, has quit the lineup, leaving it with just one original member.

His departure was revealed Monday on Kraftwerk's official fan Web site (http://kraftwerk.technopop.com.br/). No reason was given, but Schneider did not take part in Kraftwerk's 2008 world tour as he is reportedly working on other projects.

The band, headed by co-founder Ralf Huetter, is still scheduled to open for Radiohead on the British group's first tour of Latin America, which begins March 15 in Mexico City.
- more on this story

Heaven and Hell Looking At Spring Release

BW&BK reports: Black Sabbath/Heaven and Hell guitarist Tony Iommi has issued the following update:

"I have been so busy working on the new (Heaven And Hell) album!!! It's all going very well I'm pleased to say! We are hoping for the album to be released some time in March/April.

"Just to let everyone know I appreciate all your messages, comments and all your support."
- more on this story

Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck Team Up for Live Gigs

BW&BK reports: Two former Yardbirds are set to share the stage: Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck have announced they'll play two shows together at Saitama, Japan's Super Arena, on February 21st and 22nd.

The duo have performed together at album sessions, benefits and festivals in years past, but these concerts mark the first time the pair have ever shared the bill for major arena shows. How mighty are these two axmen? Clapton ranked Number Four on our list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time, and Beck came in Number 14. If by some chance you'll find yourself in Japan for this epic exhibition of guitar gods (or you just happen to live in Japan), take note that tickets for these concerts go on sale January 17th.

Both guitarists have roots in the Yardbirds, that blues-tinged British band that also lists led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page among its famous alumni. - more on this story

Razorlight Set US Release

PR reports: After captivating British fans for more than four years, London-based Razorlight – fronted by lead singer/guitarist Johnny Borrell – now turns its attention to the U.S. as the newest addition to the Mercury Records roster in America.

Razorlight's third album, SLIPWAY FIRES, released November in the UK on Universal's Vertigo label, will be issued in the U.S. on Mercury in March 2009, coinciding with a major North American tour schedule. First single "Wire To Wire," has already reached Top 5 on the UK national chart.

The track list for SLIPWAY FIRES comprises: 1. Wire to Wire * 2. Hostage of Love * 3. You and the Rest * 4. Tabloid Lover * 5. North London Trash * 6. 60 Thompson * 7. Stinger * 8. Burberry Blue Eyes * 9. Blood for Wild Blood * 10. Monster Boots * 11. The House. - more on this story

Slutty + Stink Tour?

Angry Ape reports: Madonna is reportedly planning an energetic dance routine for her appearance on Britney Spears 'Circus' tour this year.

The pop veteran is said to be joining the 'Womanizer' singer as a special guest, after Britney performed with Madonna in Los Angeles last November.

"When Britney joined Madonna on stage for her Sticky + Sweet tour it was very sedate." a source tells British newspaper the Daily Mail. [a source? Maybe the concession stand attendant?] "This is going to be a high-energy dance routine - getting back to what they are both good at: Performing." [we could go to town on that last bit but we'll leave it up to your imagination] - more on this story

Ace Frehley Album Details

Blabbermouth reports: Former KISS guitarist Ace Frehley has set "Anomaly" as the title of his new solo album, tentatively due this spring.

In an early 2008 interview with Billboard, Frehley stated about his forthcoming solo CD, "Basically, I'm trying to get back into the mindset I was in when I did my first solo record [1978's 'Ace Frehley'].

"That record seemed to have all the elements everybody liked — a real cool instrumental, a hit single, some real heavy rockers, a nice variety of different genres of music."
- Check out the cover artwork.

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