Punk Legend Battling MS

While this diagnosis will most certainly mean some changes for me, personally, it will not affect my commitments to the current X U.S. tour, nor will it affect my solo album that is slated for release this fall on Bloodshot Records. - more on this story

Michael Anthony Fires Back At Eddie Van Halen

MusicRadar reports: Michael Anthony, speaking exclusively to MusicRadar, disputes Eddie Van Halen's assertions that he quit Van Halan. "Why would I have quit Van Halen? It never happened. And what's weird is, he was being asked about Chickenfoot, whether he had heard us or not, and suddenly he launches into this thing about me quitting the group. What does one thing even have to do with the other?"

Anthony, who says he had to take a pay cut and sign away his rights to the Van Halen name and logo to take part in the 2004 tour the group did with Sammy Hagar, admits that he was stunned to find himself out of the band when they announced their 2007 reunion tour with singer David Lee Roth - an arena run that saw Eddie's son, Wolfgang, on bass.

"I found out about that tour like everybody else did - in the press," says Anthony. "I had no idea. At that point, I kind of sighed and went, 'Whatever. If this is what Eddie wants to do, he's going to do what he wants to do.' If he wants me out of the band and for Wolfgang to play bass, what was I going to do about it? - More of MusicRadar's conversation with Michael Anthony

Gene Simmons Family Jewels Returns

PR reports: KISS's Gene Simmons and his unconventional family are back and better than ever for an all-new season of A&E's hit "unscripted" series "Gene Simmons Family Jewels," premiering with a special one-hour episode on Sunday, June 7th at 10:00 PM ET/PT.

The 15-episode season kicks off with Sophie's sweet sixteen party, giving viewers an all access pass to the milestone celebration. When a case of sibling rivalry spirals out of control, Nick pulls on dad's heartstrings and his sense of theatrics to escalate the low key party she wanted into the blowout of the century, all to the dismay of shy Sophie.

In addition to Sophie's sweet sixteen, the new season will give viewers a behind the scenes look at the entire family's many adventures. From Gene's appearance on "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?," to Gene filming a Japanese monster flick, to Shannon preparing for a role in a roller derby exploitation film, to Nick getting his own apartment, to Sophie fending off ill-intentioned teenaged boys, viewers will follow the Simmons-Tweed clan as they set out to prove, yet again, why they are the most non-traditional, traditional family in America. - more on this story

Original Iron Maiden Vocalist Goes On A Tirade

Blabbermouth reports: Former Iron Maiden singer Paul Di'Anno took part in a press conference last month during his solo tour of Argentina. When asked about the rumors that his drug use had something to do with his split with Iron Maiden, Di'Anno responded, "Where the f**k do you people get this from? I left Iron Maiden because they were going too heavy metal, and Iron Maiden is a money-making machine, and I don't give a f**k about it. It was not about drugs; it was nothing like that.

"Me and Steve [Harris]... I [wrote] the song 'Killers', Steve had [what he thought] were better songs. I thought his songs were shit. Nothing to do with drugs; nothing whatsoever. Check your facts or otherwise this interview is over... I hate that! I f**king hate that! Because people... You say something but you don't know. Well, I'm telling you.

"Iron Maiden is Steve Harris' band. It doesn't matter about anybody else — whether it's Dave Murray, Clive [Burr], me... it's Steve Harris' band and all it is is money, money, money, money — nobody else counts. And I wrote f**kin' 20-times better songs than his, but I only got one song on the 'Killers' album because it's Steve's — he must have this. F**kin' Adolf Hitler. I'm not interested. So there you go. But you need to take drugs when you're with Iron Maiden because they're so f**king boring. And the only drugs were aspirin, because Steve [making hand gesture as if someone is speaking into his ear]... F**kin' headache."

Video footage of the question-and-answer session can be viewed - here

Lynyrd Skynyrd Considered Retirement Following Member Deaths

Rock Radio reports: Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Rickey Medlocke has told Rock Radio DJ Paul Anthony that it took some soul-searching before the band decided to continue after the deaths of two members earlier this year.

The band are well-remembered for the 1977 plane crash which killed singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines and backing singer Cassie Gaines and three others on board.

Now 2009 has seen the band facing up to more tragedy, with keyboardist Billy Powell dying of a suspected heart attack in January and bassist Ean Evans dying of cancer last month - more on this story

Metalmania 2008 Coming To DVD

MMP reports: Metal Mind Productions presents a DVD documenting the 22nd edition of the greatest metal festival in Central-Eastern Europe – Metalmania 2008. "Metalmania 2008" DVD will be released by Metal Mind Productions on 13th July in Europe and 8th September in USA (via MVD).

As every year the festival includes some of the best bands of the genre! The Metalmania 2008 roster included: Inside You (a young and promising gothic metal band from Russia), Primordial (black metal fused with celtic and folk elements from Ireland), Immolation (a death metal band from USA with their own trademark style that has brought them fame and esteem among the fans of the genre), Flotsam and Jetsam (a genuine classic of the thrash metal genre from USA – once a home of Metallica's former bassist Jason Newsted), Artillery (veterans of thrash metal from Denmark), Marduk (a legend of black/death metal – "the most blasphemous band in the world" from Sweden), Vader (the icon of death metal from Poland which, through the years, managed to win themselves international fame), Satyricon (a legendary black metal band from Norway and the pioneers of the so-called "mediaeval metal"), Overkill (cult thrash metal band from USA with their history spanning nearly 30 years), The Dillinger Escape Plan (mathcore, USA – famous for their distinctive musical style, wild performances, as also from their cooperation with Mike Paton himself), and the pioneers of the American thrash metal Megadeth, one of the most successful commercially bands of the genre, led by the great metal prodigy Dave Mustaine, also known from his involvement in the early-years Metallica!

The performances that were filmed during the festival were shot with 7 cameras so you can expect a truly amazing recording with great lights and dynamic shots! The DVD also includes interviews with the bands, photo gallery, desktop images, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound and more! It's a must have for all metalheads! - more on this story

Aimee Mann Summer Tour

PR reports: After a brief hiatus Aimee Mann returns to the road for an East Coast run of summer tour dates on the heels of last year's critically acclaimed release @#%&! Smilers. Mojo hailed the album "a masterpiece," while People Magazine pronounced "trends may come and go, but real artists, like this singer-songwriter remain."

Never one to rest on the laurels of her past, Aimee has been busy releasing albums and touring for the better part of the last decade. Ending the millennium with a bang, Mann was nominated for an Oscar, a Golden Globe and three Grammys for the Magnolia Soundtrack which released simultaneously alongside her solo album Bachelor No. 2. Mann continued her solo career with the 2002's Lost in Space the second release on SuperEgo Records and then on to her first live CD and DVD Live at St. Ann's Warehouse. With her 5th solo album The Forgotten Arm, Mann delved head first into the realm of the concept album, following up the next year with a turn at a Christmas album One More Drifter In The Snow, an unexpected homage to the spooky beauty of the holiday season. - more on this story

Glasvegas Kicking Off U.S. Tour With Secret Vegas Show

PR reports: Glasvegas return to the U.S. for select tour dates this summer. The tour kicks off with a special Myspace Secret Show in Las Vegas on June 3rd at Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel. "Glasvegas' live show will certainly be a departure from everyday business, but we're thrilled to host this really special concert" said Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel proprietor Ron Decar.

"We're so excited to play the 'entertainment capital of the world' explained Glasvegas' enigmatic frontman James Allan. "And where else could we play except in a wedding chapel of course?!" With a love of all things Elvis and a band name inspired by this city, it's hard to believe the members of Glasvegas have never been to Las Vegas. "Las Vegas has always seemed like another planet to us," explained Allan. "Weird, unreachable and glamorous. Our love for the late great Elvis Presley and his infamous Las Vegas shows is the best inspiration we could wish for."

MySpace Music has organized nearly 200 Secret Shows since the franchise launched in February 2006 with artists like The Cure, Lily Allen, Fall Out Boy, Gnarls Barkley, The Offspring, Neil Diamond, Slayer, Franz Ferdinand, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs performing in cities around the world. - more on this story

Adam Lambert Not A Queen- Pete Wentz Bar Bust- Izzy and Slash- AC/DC Add Date- Susan Boyle Got Meltdown- Boss Killers- 5 Ideas To Save The Music Biz and more

antiMusic reports: American Idol loser Adam Lambert has dismissed rumors he is set to front rock legends Queen. Lambert insists he has no plans to join the band full-time, as he wants to carve out a career in his own right.more

Pete Wentz's East Village bar, Angels and Kings, got smacked down with an NYPD closure. Looks like they were serving to minors. An inside source notes that Angels and Kings was issued a third citation for serving to minors, so they've been shut down for three days. more

Former Guns N' Roses guitarist Izzy Stradlin will make a guest appearance on the debut solo album from fellow ex-GN'R axeman Slash. Writing to his Twitter account, Slash says, "Izzy is down here putting some rhythm guitar on a track; sounds f**king cool."more

AC/DC have added a new date to the North American Black Ice Tour: September 4th in Fresno, CA at the Save Mart Center. It replaces the show originally scheduled for Los Angeles on that date but canceled last month.

Singer Susan Boyle was being treated for exhaustion at a mental health clinic Monday after taking second place in a TV talent competition that turned the humble church volunteer into a global star, the show's producers and a newspaper said.more

Courtney Love has reportedly hired a private detective to track down the people she claims racked up a $350,000 bill on her American Express card. Little green men? more

Gibson.com has offered up their 5 Ideas for Saving The Music Industry: 1) Fix Ticketmaster 2) Make the iTunes Store More User-Friendly 3) Shift The Focus From CDs To Vinyl 4) Make Better Music [should be no. 1] 5) Look to the Past for Perspective - you can read their reasons here. We would add that the labels should stop putting out inferior clones and take chances one again on artists with an original sound.

Elektra Records is being relaunched. Heading the new Elektra are Co-Presidents Mike Caren and John Janick. The label has announced its first signings: Gnarls Barkley partner Cee-Lo, electronic music duo Justice, and Little Boots.

This weekend, Bruce Springsteen was joined by The Killers' Brandon Flowers for a, er, thunderous take on his 1975 classic Thunder Road at the Pinkpop Festival. Both Bruce Springsteen And The E Street Band (with Max Weinberg's 19-year son Jay beating the drums) and The Killers played the opening night of the three-day Netherland's music fest. more

MIA, Black Eyed Peas, Modest Mouse and Jack White's new band The Dead Weather, are among the artists set to headline the 2009 San Diego Street Scene this summer.more

On November 8th, Rammstein's Europe Tour 2009 begins in Lisbon. You'll find all the dates for this year's concerts on our website at Rammstein.com

Crowbar have reportedly parted ways with guitarist Steve Gibb and have replaced him with Matthew Brunson, bassist of Kingdom Of Sorrow (the band featuring Crowbar guitarist/vocalist Kirk Windstein).more

Boston's Fourth of July celebration will include a performance by Neil Diamond, whose "Sweet Caroline" is an anthem of sorts for Red Sox fans.more

Sade Adu, the reclusive "quiet storm" soul signer who takes notoriously long breaks between releases, has regrouped with the band that bears her name and is recording her first album of new material since 2000's "Lovers Rock," Billboard.com sources confirmed.more

Unearth have just announced 9 new dates to their Summer tour. Vocalist Trevor Phipps states,'We are stoked to hit the road this summer. The venue sizes and ticket prices are being scaled down so we can bring the craziest show to our fans. In tow for the run will be For the Fallen Dreams, Woe of Tyrants and Starring Janet Leigh.more

Bad Religion is planning a very limited clear vinyl repress of their 1994 album, Stranger Than Fiction. The record will be limited to 500 copiesmore

Andrew W.K. has announced a string of Canadian dates in June as well as new solo piano-based album, 55 Cadillac, which is scheduled for release later this summer. Read and interview with Andrew here

Brazilian gothic metal Ravenland launched a channel on YouTube where is available the band's first video clip, made for "End of Light" song. The channel will be updated with official video clips, interviews and also tv, radio and webTv appearances. tis here

Muse are set for a UK and Irish arena tour this winter, NME.COM exclusively revealed here.

Blacklisted has revealed that they are currently recording their new album, due out later this year. The new album is the follow up to their heralded 'Heavier Than Heaven, Lonelier Than God' album.more

Lord have parted ways with longtime drummer Tim "T.Y." Yatras and have replaced him with Damian Costas.more

Morrissey announced Monday (June 1) that he will resume his world tour later this week following the cancellation of several UK shows in May due to illness.more

Time Again have set release date for their recently announced (naked) which comprises 11 songs from the bands first 3 releases re-recorded in the style of 1960's folk music.more - more News Quicks

Singled Out: Fig's The Medicine Isn't Helping

antiMusic reports: Welcome to Singled Out! where we ask artists to tell us the inside story of their latest single. Today longtime antiMusic melodic rock favorite Matt Fig tells us about the title track from the new Fig CD "The Medicine Isn't Helping". We now turn it over to Matt for the story:

First off, thank you to Keavin and antiMusic for this opportunity. "The Medicine Isn't Helping" was one of those songs that I wrote very quickly. Believe it or not, I wrote it on the piano and was playing it almost as a ballad. Then, while tinkering on the guitar, I came up with the opening riff and the rest of the song kinda melted into it. The pace picked up and it just came together. I laid down some scratch guitar and vocals and Vince came and did the drums.

Once the drums were completed I was free to start tracking the instruments and vocals. Almost everything was done in a few takes which is often a good sign. The lyrics are a bit tongue-in-cheek as they are on most of my songs. The storyline in my mind changes frequently and the lyrics can mean different things on different days. It's basically a breakup song sprinkled with medication and a false sense of confusion. =)

Once everything was recorded, mixed and mastered, the song received a lot of praise from those who heard it so I decided to make it the title track of the CD. It's a fun song to play live too. Hope you enjoy it!

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!

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