Kanye West Plans Nude Photo Shoot

"It's like Bjork. If she wanted to pose naked, you'd be like, 'Oh, that's Bjork.'" says Kanye. "But if I wanted to pose naked, people would draw all type of things into it… I definitely feel like, in the next however many years, if I work out for two months, that I'll pose naked." - more on this story

Blink-182 Reunion? Hoppus Discusses Possibilities

antiMusic reports: MTV spoke with Blink-182's Mark Hoppus to get the real story about rumors that his former band may be reuniting. He said in part:

"None of us know exactly what's going to happen. I do know that we're all very stoked to be talking again, laughing and letting the past remain in the past. But we're also coming together after an extremely acrimonious band breakup, a lot of anger and frustration with one another and four years of not talking. I think that we need to get back to a certain point as friends before we could ever take a stage together again, because that's what we always based everything on.

"If — and this is a big if — Blink-182 were ever to re-form, it would have to be the most amazing, ridiculous, mind-blowing show and tour ever. I feel like, as bitter as our breakup was, we stepped back at the top of our game, and we'd have to come back even stronger and better than before."
- Read the full MTV article

Has Winehouse Left the Crack House Behind?

NME reports: Amy Winehouse has claimed that she has given up taking drugs and is planning to record new material soon.

In an interview with News Of The World while on holiday in St. Lucia, the singer said she had given up illegal substances since the start of 2009.

"Before I came out here I looked at a photo of myself in the newspaper and was horrified," she said. "I thought to myself, 'Girl, you got to sort yourself out or you'll be dead soon.'"
- Told you it was a slow news day. Read more

Metal Guitarist Goes On Hunger Strike

BW&BK reports: Current Lizzy Borden guitarist Ira Black, who has previously played with Metal Church, Vicious Rumors and Heathen, has gone on a hunger strike at the Los Angeles County Jail because he claims that veganism is not being recognized by the facility as "valid and sincere."

Ira was taken into custody the morning of January 3, 2009 on a misdemeanor charge, (he apparently had a warrant out for his arrest for an unpaid fine) and is being held on $65,000 bail. Black's fiancée says that the guitarist "has been in the system for over a week now and has had to survive on a miniscule diet. Ira has been a vegan for 15 years and it seems none of the local correctional facilities will accommodate any inmate with a vegetarian or vegan diet."

She continued, "They will give inmates with medical problems or religious beliefs a different meal, but there is no concern for the vegetarians/vegans. He feels very strongly about this and has gone on a 'hunger strike' until his release later this month to show how serious this should be taken. The situation has been escalating hour by hour. " - more on this story

Guitar Hero III Makes History

Game Daily reports: Roughly one year ago, Activision proudly announced that the Guitar Hero franchise had surpassed $1 billion in North American revenues (a feat accomplished in just 26 months). Now Guitar Hero has reached another important milestone, as Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock has become the first ever game to generate $1 billion in sales.

The news came from Activision Publishing CEO Mike Griffith during his keynote address at CES. Griffith also noted how the video game industry has had a profound effect on other entertainment sectors, and that Guitar Hero in particular has been hugely important to the music industry. For example, in its first week, Guitar Hero: Aerosmith sold over three times as many units as Aerosmith's last studio album. [maybe because the game included good songs and the album…. ]

Furthermore, he cited Nielsen SoundScan data, which showed that artists whose music was playable in Guitar Hero had seen download sales increase 15-843%. - more on this story

Golden Boss- Kings of Aus- All-American Rejects Go A Little Less Pop- Too Many Deaths- Punk Super Group- Dupri Leaves Island?- Aerostupid and more

antiMusic reports: Golden Boss For those that haven't yet come to the conclusion that the Golden Goose… oops Globe awards are nothing more than a glorified infomercial it is noteworthy to mention that Bruce Springsteen walked away with mantle piece for best song for the title track from "The Wrestler." Hope that doesn't ruin his credibility.

William Zantzinger, a Maryland man who became the subject of 1964 Bob Dylan song "The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll, has died at age 69. He was made infamous by Dylan in the song that described the well-off tobacco farmer as a society dandy who "killed poor Hattie Carroll/With a cane that he twirled around his diamond ring finger." more

American cult rockers Kings of Leon boasted the best-selling album of 2008 in Australia, according to the Australian Recording Industry Association. "Only By The Night," the Tennessee group's fourth studio album, sold more than 350,000 copies after spending four weeks at No. 1 more

All-American Rejects have recorded an accordion, beer bottle and acoustic take on the Britney Spears single, "Womanizer." The band explains the cover is because they can do a "better job than Britney." Like that's hard. watch

Members of DRI, Down By Law, Pink Lincolns and Hated Youth have announced their debut as The Spears. The band will be releasing the fourteen track album in June/July and describe their sound as "hardcore/punk rock with some pop-punk influence."more

Jon Hager, who performed in the musical comedy duo The Hager Twins on "Hee-Haw," has died. He was 67. Sam Lovullo, who produced "Hee-Haw" and was a friend of Hager's, said Hager was found dead in his apartment in Nashville Friday morning. more

Less than two years after becoming president of Island Records Urban Music, Jermaine Dupri exited the post this week, according to reports.more

Has Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler suddenly morphed into Paul Stanley of KISS? He sure sounds like it in this ridiculous interview.

Though few details are currently available, at least one member of Tool will be guesting on the forthcoming album from Isis.more

Sixties British pop star Dave Dee has died aged 67 after a long battle with cancer. The former policeman was the lead singer with Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich and enjoyed a string of chart hits including "The Legend of Xanadu," "Bend It, and "Save Me." more

UK looks to American songwriter: US songwriter Diane Warren will write the lyrics to Andrew Lloyd Webber's music for this year's UK Eurovision entry, it is announced more

Alice In Chains have scheduled thier first headlining performances in Australia in over a decade next month during the band's Soundwave Festival run. dates

Kelly Clarkson has named her fourth album "All I Ever Wanted," which, as previously reported, is due March 17 from RCA. more

Deathriders, the California-based band led by former Anthrax singer Neil Turbin, has scheduled a number of shows in the group's home state during January. more

Video games are poised to "eclipse" all other forms of entertainment, according to games studio boss Mike Griffith. The Activision chief made the bold call during a keynote speech at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. more

Chimaira has finished mastering the band's new album, "The Infection", at Sterling Sound in New York City with Ted Jensen and Chris "Zeuss" Harris (Hatebreed, Shadows Fall, Agnostic Front, Terror, The Acacia Strain). more

Former Smashing Pumpkin Melissa Auf der Maur is set to screen 'Out Of Our Minds', her short film in collaboration with filmmaker Tony Stone, at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, UT this monthmore

Further to the news that Alice Cooper will be appearing at Monster Mania-Con 12, which happens between March 13th and 15th at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Cherry Hill, NY, it has been confirmed that original Alice Cooper Band members Michael Bruce (guitar), Dennis Dunaway (bass) and Neal Smith (drums) will also be in attendance. Whether this suggests they could perform together is so far unconfirmed. more

Don Randall, the marketing dynamo who gave Fender's Stratocaster guitar its name and led the brand to onstage ubiquity, has died. He was 91.more

Duff Mckagan's Loaded, the band formed by current Velvet Revolver bassist Duff McKagan (on guitar and vocals) after he left Guns N' Roses, has set "Sick" as the title of its new full-length album, due in late March via Century Media Records. more

Israel Horowitz, a renowned record producer of classical music, died at his home in Closter, N.J., on Dec. 26. He was 92. Horowitz began his career in the music industry on the editorial staff for Billboard magazine, where he joined as a reporter covering the coin-machine beat in 1948, and soon moved to cover the music beat. more

Check out a new urban medley from a cappella kings Straight No Chaser. Recorded on tour in NYC, it's a medley of the group's three favorite songs from Atlantic labelmates T.I. and Flo Rida. It's officially titled 'Live Your Life and Flo with Whatever You Like' - feat. T.I. and Flo Rida and can be heard more

Love Equals Death has announced the departure of vocalist Chon Travis.more

To celebrate its 25th Anniversary in 2009, SPV records will be re-releasing 4 classic Savatage records on vinyl LP this spring. Look for Hall of the Mountain King on March 2 (March 24 in the USA), Gutter Ballet on March 30 (March 24 in the USA), Streets on April 27, and Power of the Night on June 2. more

Check out the new music video Jason Mraz. "Lucky" featuring Colbie Caillat can be viewed here

Overkill have cancelled their previously announced shows in Mexico "due to unforeseen circumstances." Montezuma's revenge perhaps? more

What if you went away and no one noticed? What if you returned and no one cares? more

Recon are currently in search of a new vocalist. The group elaborates: "Alex is no longer with the band, we didn't have a terrible falling out and there's no animosity or anything of the sort, we've just gone our separate ways. We're now in search of the right person to front Recon." more details

The Dutchess is a bride. Her manager says Fergie and Josh Duhamel have been married. more. Meanwhile, R. Kelly has finalized his divorce from his wife. more

A nonprofit record label? Sounds like the punch line to a joke. But the Blue Shoe Project, a Dallas-based nonprofit aimed at educating school kids about the blues, isn't kidding around. - Details

Unearth Guitarist Sitting Out Tour for Unexpected Reason

Blabbermouth reports: Guitarist Buz McGrath of Massachusetts metallers Unearth has been forced to sit out the band's upcoming tour with Emmure, Impending Doom and Born Of Osiris.

He explains in a statement, "My wife and I are in the process of adopting a baby, and currently we are overseas taking the final steps to begin our new roles as parents. Not to worry, though, as filling in for me will be the extremely capable hands of Emil Werstler of Daath fame. He is also known in some circles as Shreddy Krueger, so be sure to peep his skills."

He continues, "This lineup of bands is beyond sick, so do what you gotta do to get to the show!! I will be back soon to resume my duties in Unearth, shredding like a chimpanzee on angel dust." - more on this story... good luck to Buzz and his wife

Release Party For GNR Guitarist Bumblefoot

antiMusic reports: antiMusic has teamed up with Happenin' Harry, Bald Freak Music, Stockxchange Music and The Joint to present a The West Coast Listening / Release Party for "Abnormal," the new album from Guns N' Roses guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal.

The party is happening this Wednesday January 14th, 2009 at The Joint in Beverly Hills. That's the eve of the Namm convention so you never know who might show up and jam during the all-star jam at the end of the night!

Doors open at 7:30pm and the party begins at 8pm and goes til 1:30am. Tickets $10 in advance and $15 at the door. - More info and advance tickets are here

Ever Wonder What Your Dog Was Thinking? This CD Might Help

PR reports: Italian avant-garde Metallers Ephel Duath are gearing up for the release of their newest and most bizarre studio album yet. The new album, titled Through My Dog's Eyes, is based on a concept conjured up by guitarist and founding member Davide Tiso, in which the entire album is written from the perspective of a dog.

Due to be released by Earache Records on January 26th, Through My Dog's Eyes includes a limited edition bonus DVD. The DVD contains an exclusive art-documentary, featuring an in-depth look at the concepts behind the new album, along with the history and evolution of the band, all told by mainman Davide Tiso.

Get a taste for Through My Dog's Eyes by checking out two of the dog-themed songs from the album, "Breed" and "Guardian" at the band's official MySpace page - here

Bad News About Those Killer U2 Tickets You Just Bought

MusicRadar reports: For the second time in six months, U2 have taken to their website to correct some erroneous information regarding bogus tickets to shows that don't exist.

The band is still putting the last touches of sonic magic dust on their upcoming album No Line On The Horizon, which is due in March. A world tour will undoubtedly be announced at or around the time of the CD's release, but as of yet, no dates have been revealed.

On their website, the band write: "Rumours (Unfounded) Just a note to correct some online information suggesting that tickets are available for U2 shows this summer. No tickets are available and no shows have been announced.
- more on this story

Reunion Poll Surprises

MusicRadar reports: Think Led Zeppelin is the band that the majority of music fans want to see reform? Think again. A new poll lists ABBA as the group the British public most want to reform in 2009.

The poll, conducted by the concert ticket agency Viagogo, places the Swedish pop outfit, who last performed together in December 1982, at the top of the heap of dream reunions.

"We have already seen huge demand for reunions from the likes of Blur, Take That and Cliff Richard And The Shadows," says Eric Baker, CEO of Viagogo. "But ABBA would be the ultimate comeback tour - and who could put a price on that ticket?"
- A boyband comes out ahead of the original Guns N' Roses and Pink Floyd? Who did they poll? TMZ readers perhaps?

Adler's Appetite Plans First Full U.S. Tour

Blabbermouth reports: Adler's Appetite, the band led by Steven Adler, legendary drummer of Guns N' Roses and star of the hit VH1 series "Celebrity Rehab", will embark on a full U.S. tour first time ever this spring.

The group will perform the iconic GN'R album "Appetite For Destruction" in its entirety along with other classics and some surprises. The trek is scheduled to kick off late February and run through early April.

Adler's Appetite's current lineup is rounded out by singer Sheldon Tarsha, Alex Grossi (Hookers 'N' Blow, ex-Quiet Riot) on guitar, Michael Thomas (Faster Pussycat) on guitar, and Chip Z'nuff (Enuff Z'nuff) on bass.
- more on this story

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