Santana Halen- Lollapalooza- Aerosmith Bassist Banned in Boston- Bullet for My Valentine Tributes Late Avenged Sevenfold Member- Sky Eats Mice and more

Sam Kinison's niece Ginger Kinison will be the featured performed at this week's Happenin' at the Aqua Lounge in Beverly Hills. Grab the full lineup and details here
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Early Kurt Cobain Recordings Discovered At Garage Sale

Monday marked the 16th anniversary of Kurt Cobain's death; it was also the day Chart Attack! reported that someone stumbled on early demo recordings by the late star at a garage sale! Here is part of their report:

A lucky person rummaging through bins at a garage sale is about to make a hell of a lot of money because he stumbled upon what might be the earliest known demos of late Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain.

According to Blurt Online, the man discovered a series of Phillips cassette tapes at the sale in Aberdeen, Wash., which was Cobain's hometown. They all had "KDC" (Cobain's full name was Kurt Donald Cobain) scrawled on them in black marker, and upon listening, he decided he should figure out whether they were actually Cobain's demos. - read on...

Underoath Lose Last Original Member

Underoath's final remaining original member, drummer/clean vocalist Aaron Gillespie, has parted ways with the band in the midst of their current European tour. Both Gillespie and the remaining members of the band issued statements on Monday. Here is what the band told fans via Myspace:

"We are taking this opportunity to sadly inform you the six of us have decided at the end of the current european tour, Aaron will no longer be playing in Underoath. This was not a decision made in haste but a thought out and prayed upon group agreement. It in no way effects any of the shows left on this tour. They will still be our best efforts and enjoyable experiences for all. For the future, Aaron will be pursuing other musical and ministry endeavors. As for the rest of us we will continue to work hard on the new Underoath record. We appreciate the love and support from everyone in the past and hope that all of us will continue to receive your support on our future paths. We love you guys."

Aaron posted this message on his Tumbler page: I am more then aware the news you have heard of seems rash, and probably hasty. I wanted to be able to write a few thing down here to maybe help you understand a bit, or at least clear up the rumor mill before it starts grind like a mo fo'. 1. Underoath and i have parted ways. Yes that is a true statement. There is no bad blood, there is no anger, i was in that band for eleven years, i love every person with my whole heart, i love the music we made together, the shows we played and the good times we had. People change, times change, and sometimes change just comes hunting for you. - more on his statement here

Slash Denies Slamming Axl On New Album

(Rock Radio) Slash has denied suggestions that a line in a song from his solo album refers to his former Guns N' Roses bandmate Axl Rose. And he admits that, 14 years after their relationship broke down, Rose's difficult character is what makes him a "phenomenal" talent.

On the track Crucify the Dead, guest vocalist Ozzy Osbourne sings: "A loaded gun jammed by a rose, the thorns are not around your head, your ego cut you till you bled."

But Slash says the words were written by Osbourne and do not refer to Rose."It was an Ozzy thing. He said the song represents the situation he's had in his relationships with other musicians," The axe hero tells the Toronto Sun. "Yes, there were some key lines in there that were very suggestive of my own experience – but he said, 'No, this is just an overall picture of the issues'." - more on this story

Bon Jovi Adds Kid Rock To Tour, Announces Webcast and Additional Dates

The summer just got hotter as Bon Jovi adds very special guest Kid Rock to select stadium concerts on their "The Circle Tour." Kid Rock will appear at the newly added fourth New Meadowlands Stadium concert on July 9th in East Rutherford, NJ; as well as Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA; Soldier Field in Chicago, IL; Rogers Centre in Toronto, ON; Canad Inns Stadium in Winnipeg, MB; Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, AB and Mosaic Stadium at Taylor Field in Regina, SK. The full "Circle Tour" stadium itinerary can be found below.

Bon Jovi will open the digital doors to their Dallas performance on Sunday, April 11th starting at 5 pm PDT/6 pm MDT/7 pm CT/8 pm EDT. Fans worldwide can tune in and rock out along with the group and their sold-out Texas audience, courtesy of a webcast powered by Ustream, the leader in live video. Along with four, live, streaming songs, this free concert webcast will also feature a special pre-taped concert reel that includes exciting footage of Kid Rock joining Bon Jovi on stage in Detroit, plus numerous Bon Jovi TV episodes. To watch the band rock the American Airlines Center click http://ustream.tv/BonJovi

As the "The Circle Tour," promoted by AEG Live, continues to sell out arenas nationwide, second concerts have been added at Soldier Field in Chicago on July 31st as well as at Rogers Centre in Toronto on July 21st. The aforementioned fourth show at New Meadowlands Stadium has been set for July 9th. - more on this story

Against Me! Announce New Album, Digital EP and Tour Dates

Against Me! have announced the track-listing and release date for their upcoming new album White Crosses. The album, the band's second for Sire Records, will be released on June 8th, 2010.

Against Me! will also release a digital EP titled I Was a Teenage Anarchist, which will be available on iTunes beginning April 20th, 2010. White Crosses will be released in several configurations, including a standard CD, a limited-edition CD version, as well as a vinyl version, and an EP containing new music.

White Crosses was produced by veteran producer Butch Vig (Green Day, Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins) who also produced Against Me!'s 2007 album New Wave. The decision to work with Vig again was a no-brainer. "He understands our band and brings tons of great ideas to the table," says frontman Tom Gabel. "Beyond the stature of his past work he is also one of the most genuine people I've ever met." - more on this story

Hot Hot Heat To Preview New Album During May Residency

Hot Hot Heat's new album, Future Breeds (Dangerbird Records), hits stores on June 8th but fans in New York can get an early taste when the band begins its May residency at Brooklyn's Public Assembly.

The band opted to do the shows at the venue because of its intimate setting and its close ties to Brooklyn's thriving indie music scene – a connection that the band feels to be particularly relevant with their forthcoming album.

Future Breeds is filled with the addictive, candy-coated melodies that Hot Hot Heat are famous for, but it also includes some of the band's most experimental moments yet. Charged with sonic detail, the collection of songs is packed with unconventional rhythms and quirky arrangements. From the dark, carnival-esque feel of "Times a Thousand" to the frenzy of "What is Rational," Future Breeds balances danceable, pop melodies with an unfettered and musically adventurous spirit. - more on this story

Mastodon, Flaming Lips, Wilco, The Velvet Underground And More Special Record Store Day Releases Announced

Warner Bros. Records has announced that it will make a series of vinyl albums and singles available on April 17th exclusively in honor of Record Store Day — a celebration of the unique culture surrounding over 700 independently owned record stores in the USA, and hundreds of similar stores internationally.

These very special exclusive releases are as follows: The Flaming Lips and Stardeath And White Dwarfs with Henry Rollins And Peaches: Dark Side of the Moon (Warner Bros. Records) - The Flaming Lips, have teamed up with their Oklahoma City brethren, Stardeath And White Dwarfs to record their own unique take of Pink Floyd's 1973 classic album The Dark Side Of The Moon, under the title of The Flaming Lips and Stardeath And White Dwarfs with Henry Rollins And Peaches. The collaborative project was recorded after several weeks of both bands touring the world together and mutually citing Pink Floyd as one of their favorite bands of all time and The Dark Side Of the Moon as one of their primary influences. Vinyl package marks the first physical exclusive release of this special collaboration.

Mastodon: Blood Mountain (Reprise Records): Mastodon's third album and their first for Reprise Records, Blood Mountain isn't just unconventional, it's surreal, progressive and unrepentantly heavy. Instead of writing songs for rock radio, Mastodon drew inspiration from within, combining their favorite musical styles, including thrash, doom, prog and psychedelic metal to concoct something utterly original, undeniably devastating and irrefutably entrancing. Released in two editions: one single regular-weight 140-gram colored vinyl disc in a mixed batch of three colors; deluxe edition features two heavyweight, 180-gram black vinyl 45 RPM discs. - more on this story

DMB, Jack Johnson, Steve Miller, Weezer, Phoenix and More For the Mile High Music Festival

Colorado's Mile High Music Festival officially announces its 2010 event: August 14 and 15 at The Fields at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. With Dave Matthews Band and Jack Johnson topping the bill of over 40 bands over two days, 2010 promises to be the festival's biggest and best year yet.

In addition to the headliners, 2010 performance highlights include Weezer, Steve Miller Band, My Morning Jacket, Slightly Stoopid, Atmosphere, Phoenix, Train, Nas & Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Keane, Bassnectar, Cypress Hill, Z-Trip, Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi Band, Drive-By Truckers, Railroad Earth, Ozomatli and many others. The complete list of performers is listed below. Doors will open at 11:00 a.m. each day.

A relative newcomer on the national festival scene, Mile High Music Festival has already become a summer tradition for Colorado residents and for music fans from coast to coast. The festival grounds, with its remarkable views of the Denver skyline and Rocky Mountain Front Range, is the perfect backdrop for this diverse, lively, and distinctly Colorado music and arts festival. - more on this story

Neil Young Announces Twisted Road Tour

Neil Young will hit the road for his first solo concerts in many years on the Twisted Road tour, which begins on May 18th and continues through June 8th.

As an even rarer treat for fans, Young will play solo in several of the region's classic theaters, offering a program of his classic songs along with the special privilege of hearing brand new, as yet unrecorded songs for the first time. British folk legend Bert Jansch will open the shows.

Shows include the Louisville's Palace Theatre on May 26th, Atlanta's Fox Theatre on May 29th, the Spartanburg (S.C.) Memorial Auditorium on May 30th, and Nashville's Ryman Auditorium on June 1st. - more on this story

Old Traffic Violation Sidelines Cattle Decapitation Tour

Cattle Decapitation frontman Travis Ryan had bad news for Canadian fans; the band had to cancel their tour plans. Here is what Ryan had to say: Unfortunately, dear humans of Canada, I must why we can't come to Canada on the upcoming Job For A Cowboy/Whitechapel tour:

Here's the deal guys, I made a big mistake in June of 2001. I went out driving after a few drinks and the cops pulled me over. I blew just UNDER THE LEGAL LIMIT on the roadway (.06 - very much under the legal limit), but since I was swerving while looking in the rear-view at the cop racing up behind me, they took me in and I got charged with a DUI. I fought it in court and got it reduced to a reckless driving conviction. Just to clarify, this all happened in San Marcos, California, not Canada.

NOW, the Canadian border only cares about what I was charged with - a DUI, which they take very seriously and have threatened me with possible jail time if I try to come back up to Canada without getting it pardoned at the Canadian/US consulate. I paid $250 out of my own pocket for a 'temporary residents permit' each of the three times we've been there since 2007. They said if I do not get a 'Pardon' or successfully complete an 'application for rehabilitation' before the next time I try to cross into Canada, I will be going to jail. They keep this info in their systems for 10 years. In July 2011, this will all be behind me and I will not have to worry about crossing into Canada anymore. - more on this story

HORSE The Band, Endless Hallway, Oceana and pmtoday Tour

This Spring, HORSE The Band will head out on their headlining "I'm Miserable" tour. Kicking off on May 6 in Phoenix, AZ, the tour supports HORSE The Band's latest work of art, Desperate Living (10/09 Vagrant).

Joining them for the length of the tour is Endless Hallway, along with Oceana and pmtoday on select dates. Tickets are on sale now. For their most dedicated fans, HORSE The Band is also releasing a super-limited photo book and 6 DVD set this summer, curated from their Earth Tour in 2008. The band is taking orders through their website until May 24.

Borne of truly desperate situations while on the "Earth Tour" in 2008 (their self-booked and self-financed worldwide tour of 45 countries), Desperate Living is what resulted when HORSE The Band were inspired to inject new life into their music after returning home. While known for their blistering experimental metal/hardcore hybrid, they've allowed elements of new wave to sneak into their sound, as well as a colorful variety of guests. - more on this story

We Came As Romans North American Tour Plans

We Came As Romans have added an April Canadian tour and full US tour in May to their ever-growing schedule, kicking off this Friday, April 8th in Windsor, Ontario.

The Michigan sextet just wrapped up a six week full US tour last month alongside Alesana and A Skylit Drive.

We Came As Romans are touring in support of their debut full-length, To Plant A Seed, which has recently been released in the UK and Germany, and will soon be available in Japan. In the US, the album has remained on the Billboard New Artist chart for over 20 weeks. Fans can expect the band to debut a new music video for the title track later this month. - more on this story

Every Time I Die Announce Tour With Norma Jean and Cancer Bats

Every Time I Die will be taking their mayhem inciting sound on tour, entertaining their rabid fan base along with Southern metal cohorts Norma Jean and Canadian punk-core Cancer Bats.

Every Time I Die promise a monstrous set of crowd rousing favorites including songs from their latest masterwork New Junk Aesthetic, of which Art Voice magazine said "(the album) is a storming barrage of the band's serpentine, tear-the-house-apart riffing, and their speeding, start/stop histrionics remain at the surface.

But a deeper listen to this hike into the heavy reveals the band's hardest and most focused effort to date." Tickets for this delightfully raucous affair are on-sale this Wednesday April 7th. - more on this story

Hangout Beach Fest Lineup Announced

The Hangout Beach Music and Arts Festival is pleased to announce the daily schedule for its inaugural festival. Attendees will be treated to three days of music from national headliners and Grammy award winners of rock, country, soul, bluegrass, funk, and blues.

FRIDAY, MAY 14th artists include: Zac Brown Band, Alison Krauss and Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, The Black Crowes, North Mississippi Allstars Duo, Girl Talk, Pnuma Trio, Orianthi, Brett Dennen, Jeff Austin and Friends featuring Larry Keel, Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam, Rachel Goodrich, Kirsten Price, El Cantador, Ben Arthur, and Hightide Blues.

SATURDAY, MAY 15th artists include: John Legend, The Flaming Lips, Jakob Dylan and Three Legs featuring Neko Case and Kelly Hogan, Gov't Mule, Funky Meters, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Jerry Jeff Walker, Ozomatli, The Whigs, Toubab Krewe, Moon Taxi, A.A. Bondy, Wild Sweet Orange, Jon Black, and Rustlanders. - more on this story

The Ponderosa Stomp Headliners Announced

The Ponderosa Stomp throws down in its 9th year with an incredible array of performers and the first six headliners are official! Stand back: Duane Eddy, Sugar Pie Desanto, Thee Midniters, Red Simpson, Joe South And The Trashmen will grace the stage in 2010!

Representing American music's Grand Canyonesque range of genres, from twangy guitar genius to bold, sassy R&B, Chicano rock, truckin' anthems, soulful southern songwriting and primal garage, fans would be hard-pressed to witness talent this heavy and diverse anywhere else.

The Stomp doesn't just blow minds in the evenings, au contraire, by day there is the American music history conference, presented in partnership with the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame & Museum and the Louisiana State Museum, at the beautiful Cabildo in Jackson Square, in which the great producers, iconoclastic performers, journalists and notable music figures speak on panels and oral histories. There is a film series and a record hop for those inspired to add to their collections. That isn't all: the wonderful exhibit, curated by The Ponderosa Stomp Foundation, "The Secret History of Louisiana Rock 'n' Roll" is on display at the museum as well. - more on this story

Cloud Cult Running With the Wolves This Month

On April 20th, 2010 Cloud Cult will be releasing a new EP, Running With the Wolves. The 4 song digital EP includes one new song "Running With the Wolves" that will appear on the new studio album the band has been busy working on the past few months.

Set for a mid-August release – Light Chasers – is the band's first new full-length studio album since Feel Good Ghosts (Tea-Partying Through Tornadoes) which was released in April of 2008.

The Running With the Wolves EP will give fans and friends a little taste of what's to come on the upcoming album and it also marks the return for Cloud Cult from their longest break from touring as well as the longest span between full-length releases – more than 2 years! - more on this story

Maps & Atlases Set Album Release

Barsuk Records is excited to announce that Chicago's progressive songsmiths Maps & Atlases are set to release their debut album on June 29, 2010. Entitled Perch Patchwork, the record was produced by Jason Cupp (The Elected, Nurses, Cast Spells).

The band's unique style melds the technicality of progressive music and the idiosyncrasies of art rock into a fascinating and oddly accessible sound all their own. Known for their virtuosic musical ability, Maps & Atlases write pop songs with a magnificent aptitude for texture and a distinctive blend of both the intricate and organic.

"It was great to be able to step outside of our live setting and imagine the songs in a different way," said guitarist Erin Elders about the recording process for Perch Patchwork. "Jason Cupp brought another dimension to the songs that was really exciting to hear. We were able to deconstruct them part by part and then rebuild each verse or chorus with a different sonic idea." - more on this story

60s Rockers The Tygers Return With New Album

Much to the anticipation of music aficionados around the world, Milwaukee sixties music legends The Tygers have reunited! After a 40 year hiatus, The Tygers have released their follow-up album aptly titled 'Second Album'.

"Releasing a solid debut album is one of the tougher accomplishments in the music industry," says Drew Olson of OnMilwaukee.com "The only thing more difficult, it seems, is making a good sophomore disc. The old saying in the recording industry holds that bands have 'a lifetime to make the first record and six weeks to make the second.' The Tygers broke that mold ... and it only took 40 years!"

The tale of The Tygers is one of the great "one that got away" rock 'n' roll stories of all time. Back in 1967 Tony's Tygers, comprised of five Milwaukee teenagers (Tony Dancy, Craig Fairchild, Dennis Duchrow, Fred Euler and Dave Kuck) entered and won the Wisconsin State Battle of the Bands, sponsored by the Jaycees. As a result, local pop music impresario Jon Hall became their manager. - more on this story

Charlie Mars Headlining Tour

Charlie Mars will embark on a headlining tour in support of his latest album, Like A Bird, Like A Plane, on May 11th at Pittsburgh's Club Café. Before hitting the road, he'll play two shows in Austin, TX:

He'll kick off the 17th season of "Unplugged at the Grove" on April 15th at Shady Grove and perform at Threadgill's on April 17th. In July, he'll begin a residency at Hotel Café in Los Angeles. (See below for itinerary.)

The hit CBS series "Cold Case" used "No Place Like Home," the next single from Mars' latest album, Like A Bird, Like A Plane, in its March 28th episode. "No Place Like Home" goes for adds at radio on May 3rd. - more on this story

Dismember/Carnage's Fred Estby Returns with Necronaut

After more than 20 active years within the death metal scene, former Dismember/Carnage drummer Fred Estby needed to express his passion for different kinds of extreme music; a passion he's bore since his youth. In 2008, Estby started writing/recording material with the intention of utilizing one unique vocalist for each song. Dubbed Necronaut, the project would become a reality just one year later when the drummer began contacting the many talented metal musicians he had in mind.

Estby is currently finalizing the self-titled Necronaut full-length, slated for release later this year via Regain Records. The already-completed cover art was created by Chet Zar, known for his makeup effects for movies such as The Ring, Planet of the Apes and Darkman [http://www.chetzar.com].

Musically, Necronaut is a raw slab of old-school metal and while the term "old-school" alone goes a long way in accurately describing the sound that one should expect from Estby and Co., the project is so much more. Necronaut's approach is crude and dead simple a la early Bathory and Venom fused with Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden, but with an unorthodox, bass-heavy production that allows the album to stand out amongst its peers. The goal was primitive brute force, but because of the manner in which Estby chose to achieve it, he also managed to create an aura of pure malevolence that, prior to this album's creation, was likely difficult to imagine. The list of musicians we want to mention for now - includes

Matt White Goes Ryko

Ryko is proud to add singer-songwriter Matt White to its growing family. White, a superb songwriter, vocalist, pianist and guitarist, possesses a powerful vocal range that he uses fearlessly and a naturally charismatic personality that permeates his live and recorded performances.

From a musical family, White composed all the material on his second album due out on Ryko this Fall, which will feature production from David Baron (Lenny Kravitz) and Henry Hirsh (Lenny Kravitz), as well as engineering from Jack Joseph Puig (Weezer, Goo Goo Dolls, Sparklehorse, Shelby Lynne).

"Ryko warmly welcomes Matt White to our artist roster. We're known as a quirky, left-of-center label that is passionate about great songwriting and signature vocal performances. Matt embodies these qualities in his own unique way. His soaring melodies and bungie-jumping falsetto vocals belie his unwavering commitment to classic songwriting and straightforward lyrics. He juxtaposes beefy rhythms with savvy pop in a way that's serious and fun. We look forward to releasing Matt's debut Ryko album in the months ahead". -- Ruby Marchand, Head of A&R. - more on this story

The Funeral Pyre Announce New Album Release

The Funeral Pyre have announced June 8, 2010 as the release date for their new album, "Vultures At Dawn," the follow up to their 2008 album, "Wounds."

"Vultures At Dawn," was recorded by Adam Campbell at Awkward Studios, mixed by Ryan Butler (Landmine Marathon, Misery Index, Phobia) at Arcane Digital and was mastered by Dave Shirk (Incantation, Nile, Today Is The Day) of Sonorous Mastering. Artist Justin Barlett (Trap Them, Sunn0))), Intronaut) is handling the album's artwork.

The band commented, on the sound of the new record: "On this record we stepped out of our comfort zone and tried to create better songs, never focusing on what style of metal it actually is. Just writing the songs was most important to us." - more on this story

The Dig Hitting The Road With The Joy Formidable

On the heels of tours with both Editors and The Antlers, and Portugal. The Man and Port O'Brien, New York City's fast rising up-and-comers The Dig have announced new May dates in support of The Joy Formidable.

The band will first perform at the inaugural Truck America festival at the Full Moon Resort in Big Indian, NY, on April 30th before embarking on their week-long trip with the UK band. The tour will begin May 1st at a sold-out show at the Mercury Lounge in The Dig's hometown and will end May 8th in Albany, NY, at Jillian's.

Having recently inked a distribution deal with Megaforce, The Dig's debut album Electric Toys - recorded this past summer with producer Bryce Goggin (Pavement, Antony & the Johnsons, The Ramones, Bishop Allen) - will now be released June 8th. - more on this story

Singled Out: A Weather's Third of Life

Welcome to Singled Out! where we ask artists to tell us the inside story of their latest single. Today Aaron Gerber from A Weather tells us about "Third of Life" from their album "Everyday Balloons". We now turn it over to Aaron for the story:

This song, like a few others on Everyday Balloons, has its genesis in 2007 before we'd even started recording our first record, Cove. I remember coming home from the music store where I used to teach lessons, driving North on I-5 in the beat up Honda CRX I was using at the time. This was when the initial verse melody came into my head. It's rare for me to create lyrics and melody simultaneously, but in this case the first two lines were linked from the beginning: "No matter when I wake up the day always is the same length...". By the time I was almost home I'd also formed the melody for the pre-chorus (the section when the drums and rest of the band kick in). I recorded those two scraps on Garageband when I got back to my house. I also wrote the song "Small Potatoes" (from Cove) that same night, and for a little while I was actually trying to combine the two since they both had a similar tempo and an upbeat feel, but I came to realize the two songs were better left independent of each other. Maybe a month later, our guitar player Aaron K. and I spent an afternoon trying to flesh out "Third of Life" but it didn't feel completed so I shelved it. By that time I'd had the title, which I culled from Counting Sheep, a great non-fiction book about sleep by Paul Martin. "Third of Life" refers to the average amount of time a person spends asleep.

I tend to hold unfinished songs in my head for a long time, always aware that they are there and thinking about how to bring them to completion. In late 2008 I began work on the song again, finally coming up with the chorus melody ("If I'm going to make it across I only want to swim once..."). Originally I first wrote the harmony that Sarah sings on this section and considered that to be the main theme. The more swooping melody that I sing was actually an afterthought, a counterpoint to the first melody. As might be apparent from listening, the long outro section came from a separate song idea I'd had for a while but hadn't found a home for. It seemed to make a good dynamic ending for the first half of the song so we stuck it on there.

Lyrically the song went through a few versions and I continued revising until right before recording. I discarded most of what I'd written back in 2007 except for the first verse I mentioned above, which had become - for better or worse - an intrinsic part of the song's identity. The lyrics are mostly concerned with the question of when one's life becomes worth something, becomes a completed idea, and if our accomplishments are what define a life and prepare us for death. Also, I was thinking a bit about how as a child you assume that someday you'll know how everything works and how the process of living your life proves the impossibility of this. It's about coming to terms with the anxiety of not knowing.

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