AC/DC Frontman Eying Retirement

"But Malcolm (Young) said, 'What are you talk in' about? We're not gonna let you retire!'" Johnson admits he does his best to stay in shape for tours, but he's not sure he's got what it takes to carry on. - more on this story

Metallica Wanted To Fire Lars?

Blabbermouth reports: According to a short message that was just posted on Anthrax's official Twitter account, Megadeth mainman Dave Mustaine's claim that Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian told Dave that Metallica was planning on firing drummer Lars Ulrich in 1986 is "not true." The post adds, "Little does anyone know but Lars actually owns the [Metallica] name. Good luck ever kicking him out."

In a brand new interview with RollingStone.com, Mustaine — who was a member of Metallica for less than two years in 1981-1983 — was asked if, as far as he knows, it is true that on the last Metallica tour Cliff Burton was on before he died, the band was planning on firing Lars Ulrich at the tour's end.

"That's what Scott [Ian] told me," Dave replied. "He said that when Metallica got home, that James [Hetfield], Cliff [Burton] and Kirk [Hammett] were going to fire Lars." - more on this story

Megadeth Singer Undergoes Surgery

Jam! reports: Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine will undergo surgery on Thursday to mend his injured back and neck.

In a blog posting, the singer reveals he has been suffering excruciating pain and will check into hospital this week for an operation to fix damaged vertebrae in time for the band's upcoming tour, which kicks off in September (09).

Mustaine will then undergo more serious surgery later in the year, when the roadshow is over. - more on this story

Kaiser Chiefs Singer Breaks Rib On Green Day Stage

NME reports: Kaiser Chiefs' frontman Ricky Wilson broke a rib while performing in the US Tuesday (July 28). The injury came as the band played ahead of Green Day at New York's Madison Square Garden.

A statement from the band explained that "Kaiser Chiefs' Ricky Wilson fell jumping between the barrier and the stage, breaking a rib in the process whilst the band had been playing".

"The rest of the shows will still go ahead as they criss-cross America – Ricky's had treatment and decided the tour goes on." - more on this story

Daughtry Plans Arena Tour

Billboard reports: Even as it preps for a 14-date run of clubs and theaters next month, Daughtry is eyeballing a headlining tour of arenas in the fall.

"We don't want to get too over-zealous," frontman Chris Daughtry tells Billboard.com. "We're not gonna be doing the Staples Center (in Los Angeles) right out the gate, obviously. We'll be doing some small- and medium-sized arenas. We haven't got the confirmed schedule up yet; we're still working on that. But it'll be a big rock show for sure."

How big? "It's the first time where we actually get to use some big production," Daughtry says, "so maybe some pyro, who knows. It would be kind of fun to mess around with that. We're working on it right now, designing some different stage ideas and maybe try to incorporate some of the artwork of the record. We're messing around with the concept right now, so...it's gonna be a surprise." - he has more to say about this

Metal Fans Arrested To Giving Devil Horns

Irish Times reports: Five Turkish heavy metal fans got more than they bargained for in Istanbul last weekend when they made heavy metal salutes (the devil horns, the slightly demonic hand gesture with a raised index finger and pinkie that has long been as an essential element as jeans to the hard rock fan's concert accessories) at a passing cavalcade.

"The tinted windows of one of the cars opened and a guy in dark glasses shouted, 'What the hell are you doing?'" says Yusuf Sengul, who was attending the first day of a heavy metal festival with his friends.

Five minutes later, the men in black came back with police, bundled Sengul and four others into cars and took them to a police station. "They said they were acting on the orders of the prime minister," Sengul remembers. "We were laughing. We thought it was a joke." - more on this story

Marilyn Manson Threatens Media With Violence

Rock Radio reports: Marilyn Manson has issued a furious threat to journalists who make "cavalier statements" about him or his band, after one writer told of the shock rocker's comments on cocaine. The move comes after Travis Keller of LA Weekly wrote about meeting Manson in 2007, to be asked, "Can you get us some cocaine?" That was followed up, Keller says, with Manson explaining his girlfriend was called 'Snowflake' because "when they played shows she'd hold all the coke".

Now Manson has lashed back with a threat of violence on his MySpace blog. "If we need a nude photo of me to prove taht I am far different than the soon-to-bemurdered-in-their-home press has decided to fabricate, that is easy.

"But if one more 'journalist' makes a cavalier statement about me and my band, I will personally, or with my fans' help, greet them at their home and discover just how much they believe in their freedom of speech.
- more on this story

Motley Crue Singer Trashes Rehab- Guitar Hero Smells Like Teen Spirit- Danko Jones Damned- Arctic Monkeys Webcast- Pearl Jam Web Puzzle- Free Sweet Show and More

antiMusic reports: Motley Crue singer Vince Neil insists rehab never works because drug and alcohol addicts only use it to temporarily quit. He says, "Most people go to rehab just to dry out, not to actually stop drinking or doing drugs. Usually they go there because they've been given an ultimatum by their wife or boss. They're not there for themselves; they're there because someone wants them to be there. That's why it doesn't work. You have to go when you want to go." more

Danko Jones have announced nine main support tour dates with The Damned for the US.dates

Slash was interviewed yesterday (Tuesday, July 28) for "Wreckage Of My Past", the forthcoming film documenting the life of Ozzy Osbourne as he approaches his 60th birthday. more

Arctic Monkeys are pleased to announce that they will be performing tracks from their upcoming 3rd album, 'Humbug' and a special surprise cover version in a Web Transmission on Thursday 30th July 2009 at 4.00pm EST. There is currently a trailer for the Web Transmission here

Rolling Stone reports that Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" is finally coming to the Guitar Hero franchise, bringing along with it Queen & David Bowie's "Under Pressure," Dire Straits' "Sultans of Swing," the Raconteurs' "Steady As She Goes" which will reportedly be included in GH 5. more

Pearl Jam is debuting the artwork for their new album, Backspacer, on various websites. The cover art, designed by political cartoonist Tom Tomorrow, has been split into nine puzzle pieces and posted online. more

This Friday night Sweet are playing a free concert at the Universal City Walk. Lead guitarist Stuart Smith tells us "They set up an outdoor stage by the Hard Rock Cafe and we'll be going on at 9.00pm sharp."

Plans to turn Sweden's infamous file-sharing site the Pirate Bay into a legal service could be dead in the water. A new studio-backed suit against the site and questions about the feasibility of takeover plans by would-be white knight Global Gaming Factory X (GGF) threaten to sink the deal. more

SIRIUS XM Radio is assembling a small audience of friends and listeners of Testament for a special performance on the evening of August 10, 2009 in New York City (Manhattan).

The Badmouth management has just been informed that Pretty Boy Floyd has been forced to cancel their upcoming Swedish shows in the beginning of August. more

Thursday will headline an autumn tour featuring direct support from The Fall Of Troy, with Young Widows, The Dear Hunter, and Touche Amore appearing on select dates.more

Visions Of Atlantis have issued the following: "According to all the rumors out there and the speculation, here's the official statement right from the band about the news within the VoA-Family! It's right, Joanna Nieniewska was forced to leave the band a few weeks ago! The reason is a health-problem which should not be specified more detailed, but makes it impossible for her to complete a whole show on stage without risk."more

Breaking Benjamin have entered House of Loud recording studio in New Jersey with long-time producer David Bendeth to record their fourth album for Hollywood Records (Disney) more

Echo & the Bunnymen have outlined the release details for their tenth studio album. Come October 12, Ian McCulloch & co. will unveil their follow-up to 2005's Siberia in the UK, with single "Think I Need It Too" dropping on September 28.more

Wilco have announced a string of North American dates set to kick off this fall in Iowa City, IA.more

The Walkmen have announced that they will extend their North American tour well into the autumn.more -

The Dead Weather Pull A Willy Wonka

Filter reports: Taking a page from Willy Wonka, Jack White's latest band, The Dead Weather, placed six photo booth picture strips (in lieu of "golden tickets") in US copies of their recently released debut, Horehound. While two have already been found, there are still four picture strips waiting to be claimed!

Those lucky enough to find a photo booth picture strip, will win a trip to Nashville, TN for a guided tour of Third Man Records. Included is round trip airfare, two night hotel accommodation and ground transportation for you and a friend. Last day to redeem picture strips is August 15th, so don't miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity.

Grab yourself a copy of Horehound, pack those bags and hope for the best. Good luck and maybe we'll see you at Third Man! - more on this story

Tommy Lee Resurrects Methods of Mayhem

BW&BK reports: Methods Of Mayhem have found a new home with Loud & Proud / Roadrunner Records. The star studded brainchild of Tommy Lee is currently finishing album production with producer Scott Humphrey (Rob Zombie, Nine Inch Nails, Mötley Crüe). The new album will be Methods Of Mayhem's first release since their 1999 self-titled debut. Album is due out worldwide in early 2010.

Lee exclaimed, "I'm so f@&*ing pumped!! I've signed with my friends at Loud & Proud / Roadrunner... what a perfect home for my second Methods Of Mayhem record. We're about to do what no team has ever done before. Buckle up and hang on kids!"

"Some artists put it on cruise control once they achieve success. And then there are rock stars like Tommy Lee. He works hard, plays hard and always looks to challenge himself and his audience. His second Methods Of Mayhem record is going to shake things up once again", says Tom Lipsky, President of Loud & Proud Records. - more on this story

Fall Out Boy Drops From Platinum To Gold

Island reports: Multi-platinum three-time MTV VMA-winning Island Records group Fall Out Boy most recent album FOLIE à DEUX has been certified RIAA gold.

Fall Out Boy will now join their reunited pals in Blink-182 for their first tour in five years.

In another once-in-a-lifetime moment, on July 18th, 2009 Fall Out Boy was one of the first western artists ever to perform on live TV in China . The show, roughly translated as "The Next Generation" and similar in style to American Idol, has an audience of approximately 60 million households. Fall Out Boy performed "I Don't Care" and sat in as guest judges for the evening. They followed that up by performing at the mammoth rock festivals in Korea ( Jisan Valley ) on July 24th, and in Japan (Fuji Rock) on July 26th before picking up the Blink-182 tour on its third date, July 30th in Calgary . - more on this story

Singled Out: Echo Screen (Ace Enders)

antiMusic reports: Welcome to Singled Out! where we ask artists to tell us the inside story of their latest single. Today Echo Screen us about Ace Enders produced "I Amsterdam" from their brand new release "Goodbye Old Life". We now turn it over for the story:

When I write songs, it usually takes me about 9 months to a year to actually finish a song. Rather than just rushing to the end, I like to let the song sit in my brain and kind of grow over time. This song stared during a vacation to Europe in 2007. We rented a car in Munich and drove to Amsterdam through the Germany. During the ride, the CCR song "Looking Out My Back Door" came on, and I was overwhelmed by the feeling that I needed to write a song that was as carefree and rambling as that song. So I set out to write a song about my days in Amsterdam after I got there with that sort of vibe in mind.

After we got there, I immediately had the first line of the song stuck in my and it was bothering my wife to no end because she would start talking to me, but I was just ignoring her and making sure I remembered the melody. Eventually, I finished all the lyrics when I got back from the vacation a couple months later. I always feel like I have a better grasp of events in my past then when they are actually going on.

The structure of the song is really important to the lyrics and the whole vibe. What I call the verse, or the reprise, when I say "We were lost in Amsterdam…" is just this really fun sort of relaxed sort of vibe. The part of the vacation when you are hanging at a café or standing around planning your next move. Then you are led into the other part of the song by a frantic drum roll and all of the instruments pick up. This represents those memories you have of a vacation rolling around in your head, and the idea that you are just running from one place to another during the day, trying to cram in all this fun.

Then I wrote this kind of "old timey" piano part as an interlude just to add some more levity to the vibe. I go to Disney World a lot, and they always have these guys playing piano music like that on these old tack pianos. So I felt like this worked in my mind perfectly.

Right before the end there is a part of the song where the tempo slows down a bunch (which is again inspired by "Looking Out My Back Door") and this sort of represents that point of the vacation when you start to realize you are almost done, and you get kind of sad. But then the tempo returns to normal, which is sort of like someone saying "let's squeeze all the fun into these last few hours of vacation" I know all of that is sort of corny, but I think it really works.

When we recorded the song, Ace Enders (who produced the 5 new songs on "Goodbye Old Life") really helped to round the guitars out. We came up with this telecaster riff that runs through most of the verses, and it wound up being my favorite guitar part on the CD. Just these little two-string plucks that compliment the chord changes perfectly. I really couldn't be happier with how the song came to life.

Hearing is believing. Now that you know the story behind the song, listen for yourself and learn more about the album - right here!

Wait there is more!

[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Subscribe to Day in Rock Report by Email

Add the Day in Rock to your site/blog/Myspace

Read Day In Rock Reports From Other Days

Submit news or a press release to the Day In Rock report