David Lee Roth Vs Sammy Hagar- Stone Poneys Star Dies- Stone Temple Rebellion- Korny TV- Conan N' Jack White- Slash Unplugged- Stereolab- The Vandals- more

Born on this day: 1934, 'Sneaky' Pete Kleinow, US country-rock steel guitar player. 1948, Robert Plant, singer, Led Zeppelin, solo, Band Of Joy. 1949, Phil Lynott Irish singer, songwriter, bass player, Thin Lizzy. 1952, Doug Fieger, The Knack 1966, Dimebag Darrell, guitarist, Pantera 1971, Fred Durst, vocals, Limp Bizkit Find out what else happened on this date in music history here -

Phish Phan Jumps 25 Feet From Balcony

One Phish phan is lucky to be alive after taking a jump at a recent show. Gibson reports: A music fan suffered massive head trauma after he jumped from the balcony during a Phish concert on Wednesday night in Long Island, New York.

According to the New York Post, the man intentionally leapt to the ground, 25 feet below, during the jam band's tour-ending gig at Jones Beach.

Although no one below was hurt, the fan suffered major injuries, and was rushed to Nassau University Medical Center. According to other attendees, there was "blood everywhere" and the man fell with enough force to break a chair. A doctor described the man's face as being "busted up." At this time, there has been no update on the fan's medical condition. - more on this story

Slipknot To Get Fans Sic

Roadrunner have announced details about the forthcoming '(sic)nesses' DVD from Slipknot, which the label will release on September 28th. Here is the background and tracklisting:

On June 13, 2009, Slipknot headlined the annual Download Festival in the UK, performing in front of 80,000 of their rabid fans. The performance was absolutely electric, in typical Slipknot fashion, especially since it came hot on the heels of one of the strongest years in Slipknot's illustrious career.

It makes perfect sense that the band, known for their eclectic DVD collection, ranging from multi-camera angle concert documents to arthouse-style films, would release (sic)nesses, which captures a special performance at Download. All Slipknot shows are memorable, but this one is particularly memorable, as the band blasted through hits from all of their Platinum albums. On stage is Slipknot in its most natural state and (sic)nesses will put you in the front row. - more including tracklisting

Black Sabbath Members Discuss Possible Reunion

All four original members of Black Sabbath have now gone on record discussing the possibility of a reunion. Gibson has some of the highlights: Ozzy Osbourne tells Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, "We're talking and that's a good sign. We're not at war with each other. I was speaking to Bill Ward last night. I've got to speak to the other two. But it was in the last attempt where we just all met without saying anything to each other [after] quite a few years. I'm trying to get things done right, talking at least."
It sounds like at least two of his former bandmates are open to a conversation. The aforementioned Ward said recently that "everyone has an open mind about touring again." He then added, "I'd love to do another album and tour with the Sabs. It keeps me fresh and going."

Bassist Geezer Butler expressed similar sentiments this week to Hellbound.ca: "You know, it would be nice to finish the whole thing off with one last tour, I suppose. We're all getting a bit old now, so time is running out. It would be nice – I wouldn't say 'no'!"

As for Ozzy, while he won't commit to any specific plans, he does sound like a man ready make music: "I can't give any dates, 'cause I don't know anything. I don't know whether they want to do it with me, or whatever, but I'm starting to feel [things] ease up for it. To be honest with you, I would love to do a killer Black Sabbath album. It would make my life, my whole thing, round up perfectly for me."

What does Tony Iommi have to say about the matter? Find out here -

The Call's Michael Been Suffers Fatal Heart Attack on BRMC Tour

We received this sad news on Thursday: Michael Been, vocalist and guitarist of '80s band The Call, and father of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club's Robert Been, passed away today in Belgium, after suffering a heart attack backstage. Been was on tour with Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, acting as their sound engineer. He was 60.

The Call erupted on the scene with a passionate sound and a strong political message, and earned numerous hits, including "The Walls Came Down," "I Still Believe (Great Design)" and "Let the Day Begin," which climbed to #1 on the Rock chart. Their fans included Peter Gabriel, Robbie Robertson, and Bono, all contributing to albums, and Gabriel deeming them "the future of American music."

Been was not only the father of Robert Been but a significant part of BRMC's development. Often referenced as their fourth member, Been spent countless hours in the studio acting in many roles from mentor and guide, to helping the now internationally revered band capture their sound to tape. He acted as co-producer and engineer on numerous BRMC albums and was their loyal sound engineer for as many years. -

Norah Jones Recruits Foo Fighters, Willie Nelson, OutKast, Ryan Adams and More For New Album

Santana's 'Supernatural' set the modern standard for big name stars recruiting other big names stars to guest on an album. Norah Jones is the latest artist to follow in Carlos' footsteps (but with a slight twist) with her forthcoming album, '...Featuring'.

Gibson has some details: …Featuring will collect some of her collaborations from the past decade. Coming in at 18 tracks, the compilation features a pretty diverse array of guest stars. Jones and the Foo Fighters take on "Virginia Moon," Willie Nelson duets with Jones on "Baby, It's Cold Outside" and OutKast shows up on "Take Off Your Cool." The album also features Jones' version of Roxy Music's "More Than This" with guitarist Charlie Hunter and "Here We Go Again" with the late legend, Ray Charles.

"It's so exciting and flattering and fun when I get asked to sing with somebody that I admire," Jones said in a statement. "It takes you a little bit out of your comfort zone when you're doing something with another artist. You don't know what to expect – it's kind of like being a little kid and having a playdate." - Wanna see the tracklisting and guest list?

Eddie Creator Derek Riggs Discusses Parting Ways With Iron Maiden

Derek Riggs was the creative mastermind behind Iron Maiden's mascot Eddie and painted most of the iconic images of Ed The Head over the years. MetalSucks recently caught up with Derek to discuss his parting with the band. Here is part of that exchange:

What I've read says that you ended things with Iron Maiden and walked away. This has included giving them Eddie without further claims on it. How do you look on that decision? Derek: Well, it probably wasn't the smartest business decision, but I didn't really care. I couldn't work with their management, and I still can't really. At that point, it just became too painful to keep doing it. I'd had enough. There was so much bulls*** around Fear of the Dark. I just said, "Forget it, I've had enough." I mean, they gave me some money. But the rights to the character haven't been bought or sold — so that's still all floating out there. But the bottom line was that I'd had enough of doing it. F**k it. And I wasn't going to be doing anything else with Eddie, so why not let them have it?

You could have held it hostage, right? Weren't you leaving money on the table by not being an a**hole? Derek: Well, I've done a few paintings for them since then. But they asked me to sign another contract with them. Initially it looked all right, but then I thought the better of it. Look, you can have an art director who wants to see six different versions of something because he's ten years old. But I can already tell you — "That's not going to work." F**king around with different options… when I tell you it won't work, it won't work. And I got into artwork to do good artwork, not to satisfy an arti director by making boring crap.

Really, I've done zombies. At this point, it's like, "How do you want your zombie? Would you like him with a burning city behind him or with lightning? Do you want him boiled or fried?" [laughs]
- read the full interview here

Y&T Establish Cancer Fund For Sick Member

(hennemusic) Y&T bassist Phil Kennemore has been diagnosed with cancer, and is currently in hospital undergoing surgery and treatment, which means huge expenses.

To help with those expenses, Y&T has established The Phil Kennemore Fund. "To help Phil offset the huge medical bills, we have set up this fund so that people from around the world can help Phil by donating," said the band.

"Any amount you wish to give, no matter how small or large, will be very greatly appreciated to help Phil and his family with his extensive medical expenses. 100% of all donations will be distributed directly to Phil." - more on this story

Singled Out: The Autumn Offering's Synapse

Welcome to Singled Out! where we ask artists to tell us the inside story of their latest single. Today Matt McChesney from The Autumn Offering tells us about "Synapse" from their brand new self-titled album. We now turn it over to Matt for the story:

"Synapse" is the opening track on our 2010 self titled album, The Autumn Offering. A synapse is, in layman's terms, an impulse. In this case, I'm implying lyrically that drug abuse is hereditary, and the impulse to start down the path of self-destruction is pre-determined. My father's father was a heavy drug-user and an alcoholic and so was my father. Unfortunately, the addict-gene was passed on down to me. I have since realized that life is worth living, and changed my wayward ways.

The track itself is brutal and uncompromising. It is more of a death metal song than a traditional metal song, and by far the heaviest track in our catalogue. It features an array of blast and grind beats, dissonant, technical guitar riffs, and vicious, guttural vocals. The chorus of the song, while heavy and screamed, has a catchy melody to it. The way I scream, which is the correct way, allows me colorful harmonic overtones to my vocals. That's why its pleasing to the ear. This part of the song is the only thing remotely melodic in the track. The rest is an exercise in brutality." Synapse" is also one of our only songs that does not have a guitar solo. We opted instead for a crushing breakdown to close it out.

Lyrically, the song is pretty bleak and does not offer much in the way of hope. The opening line tells a cautionary story: "Opiate magnet, it's thirst and it was pulling, we met in the earth while I laid on dry dirt". The was my first date of a long and twisted romance with heroin. I was 15, and tried the drug on a playground near my house. I remember laying on the dirt, feeling like I was floating. After the initial sickness subsided, I felt as if all my problems drifted away like the clouds above me. We all know that later on you learn that is not the case and you stop getting high. You need the drug just to function, to live. Your future is now a string of methadone clinics and recovery groups. It is not worth it. If you are lucky enough as I was, to escape this drug, you will bear the physical and mental scars of it forever. Some, such as my father, were not so lucky.

Lastly, I'll touch on the chorus, which is junkie 101: Placing blame. It drapes the line : " I am the product, rotten offspring of the needle". Here, instead of taking responsibility for my actions, I'm blaming my bloodline for what I've done. You realize later, you have a choice, you've always had one, and no one is to blame but yourself. Heed the words of this song carefully, all you would-be thrill seekers. You may get more then you bargained for!!

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

Steve Miller To Be a USC Professor

(Gibson) When he speaks from the Pompatous of Love this fall, Steve Miller will be addressing a room full of Trojans. University of Southern California Trojans, to be exact. The Pac 10 school has announced that the Gangster of Love and erstwhile Space Cowboy will teach at the USC Thornton School of Music during the 2010-2011 school year.

Chris Sampson, associate dean of the USC Thornton School of Music, told Newswise, "To say we are thrilled about Steve joining our faculty would be an understatement. This is an amazing opportunity for the students at USC Thornton. Clearly, Steve cares deeply about the next generation of musicians and wants to be a part of their growth. His willingness to share his incredible experience with our students will undoubtedly transform their experience."

It's been a busy year for Miller, who released the critically acclaimed album, BINGO! , in June. The album hit #1 on the Billboard blues chart and #11 on the rock chart. - more on this story

Black Label Society Lose Support

Zakk Wylde's Black Label Society has lost support...a support act on their upcoming tour that is. Sleaze Roxx reports that Sister Sin have dropped off the upcoming trek.

They explain in a statement, "Sorry to inform everyone that the Black Label dates in September have been cancelled. They initially got re-routed so on 3 of the 5 shows we got pulled off, leaving only two remaining.

"We are in LA right now, having just finished the MSG tour, and are flying back to Sweden on Monday. To fly back just a couple of weeks later for two shows makes no sense what so ever financially." - more on this story

Rolling Stones Ronnie Wood Recruits Slash, Flea, Billy Gibbons, Kris Kristofferson and More For New Album

Rolling Stones star Ronnie Wood has a new album and a new record label. And it's not just any old solo album, it's packed with guest appearances from the likes of Slash, Flea, Billy Gibbons, Kris Kristofferson and more.

Here is the announcement: Eagle Records is delighted to announce that Ronnie Wood has signed with the label for the release of his brand new studio album I Feel Like Playing. The album is released on September 28, 2010. The new single 'Lucky Man' will be impacting at radio September 14. To hear some of the new music visit www.ronniewood.com.

Ronnie Wood says, "Eagle understood exactly what I needed for my album and they will give it the push that it deserves, both in the UK and internationally." - more on this story

Joe Satriani Sets New Album Release

Joe Satriani will release his 14th studio album, Black Swans and Wormhole Wizards, on October 4th in the UK and on October 5th in the U.S.

According to his UK press peeps, The album release dovetails Satch's autumn UK tour, which kicks off on October 17th at the Manchester Apollo.

Joe Satriani has been a worldwide guitar hero since his 1987 breakthrough album, "Surfing With The Alien". Over 10-million albums sales, 15 Grammy nominations and numerous accolades later, Joe continues to push the envelope of modern rock guitar playing. - more on this story

Travis Frontman Taps Paul McCartney For Solo Album

The much talked about collaboration between Paul McCartney and MGMT has yet to come off but that doesn't mean Macca hasn't been playing the guest on other musicians new albums. Gibson has the details:

DigitalSpy.com reports that Travis singer Fran Healy will release his debut solo album on October 4. The album is to be called Wreckorder and will be released on Healy's own wreckordLABEL. The album was recorded in Berlin, New York and Vermont and features Paul McCartney playing bass on "As it Comes."

"One of the biggest coups was getting Paul McCartney to play bass on a song, Healy wrote on his website. "I'm not sure what non-McCartney tunes he has played bass on but I couldn't think of many. Anyway, his bassline is brilliant. - more on this story

Bo Bice Gets The Boot

Bo Bice gets The Boot. But before you Bice fans get upset, this is actually a good thing. Here you go: Bo Bice's video for his current single, "You Take Yourself With You," premieres worldwide on AOL Music / The Boot this week. The video was directed by Marcel Chagnon (Clay Walker's "She Won't Be Lonely Long," The Grascals' "Last Train to Clarksville") and was filmed at several locations earlier this summer.

Beautifully shot in rural Nashville, the video includes actual childhood photos of Bice and his family alongside live performance footage, reflecting his poignant lyrics of youth, ambitions and the importance of roots no matter where life takes you. "You Take Yourself With You" is the first single off his newest CD, 3, which was released earlier this year on Saguaro Road Records.

Bo will also appear on ESPN on August 23rd, performing the National Anthem for the highly anticipated Tennessee Titans vs. Arizona Cardinals football game, where the Titans will play for their fifth win in a row. - Check out the video here

Anniversary of Def Leppard's Rick Allen's One Armed Debut

Gibson takes us back in time today on a notable anniversary in the history of Def Leppard: On August 20, 1986, Def Leppard's drummer, Rick Allen, made his first major concert appearance with the band after losing an arm in a car accident. His comeback occurred in front of a massive crowd at the Monsters of Rock Festival, at Castle Donington, England.

Def Leppard, a young rock band from Sheffield, England, were enjoying their first flushes of success, and it had all come very quickly for the Yorkshire band. Allen had celebrated his 16th birthday with a sell out gig at London's Hammersmith Odeon. Their 1983 Pyromania album had gone through the roof, establishing them as international rock stars and very wealthy young men.

But on New Year's Eve of 1984, disaster struck. Allen and his girlfriend were driving to a party in Sheffield when he took a turn too fast and crashed his black Corvette into a stone wall and flipped the car. His girlfriend escaped serious injury but Rick's left arm was severed at the shoulder. The impact also damaged much of the flesh and muscle of his right arm. Doctors managed to save his right arm, and despite re-attaching his left arm, infection set in and they were forced to remove it permanently. Devastated, Allen recovered in the hospital for three weeks. Two weeks after his release, he trekked across Europe to join his bandmates in a Holland studio. The band were having their own set of issues. Coming off the mega-hit album Pyromania, they were trying to deal with unprecedented success and the demands to follow Pyromania with another smash album – all without producer Mutt Lange, who was unavailable at the time. - more on this story

Peter Gabriel Knifed

Mute explains the Fever Ray "Mercy Street" mystery: Fever Ray aka Karin Dreijer Andersson of The Knife has today confirmed what many suspected after a shocking, mildly terrifying (and anonymous) image appeared last week with the words "Mercy Street" upon it.

Having performed spellbinding live covers of well-loved tracks by artists as varied as Nick Cave, Vashti Bunyan and Peter Gabriel, her cover of the latter's "Mercy Street" is set for release on September 14th as a digital download through Mute in the US and Canada. If you can't wait that long, stream the track by visiting http://soundcloud.com/fever-ray/mercy-street.

The eagled-eyed might have noticed that the image released last week - taken by Noam Griegst – noted the August 17th date. The slight delay in unveiling the truth was as a result of the issues (now fully resolved) that arise when an artist covers a track and alters or removes lyrics, as Karin has done. In her own words: "It's an interpretation of Peter Gabriel's 'Mercy Street'. We made it more intense and faster to fit our excentric pecussionists and energetic live musicians. It is a monotone track but we worked with the dynamics trying to make it sparkle. I listened to it a lot when I was around 15, and it still moves me. It made me start reading Anne Sexton too." - more on this story

The Black Ryder Announce Album, Tour Dates With The Cult

The Black Ryder have announced the release of their new album and a handful of tour dates with The Cult.

The Black Ryder are set to release their full length Buy The Ticket, Take The Ride on September 21st via Mexican Summer.

Ian Astbury frontman of The Cult offers up this opinion of the band, "With auspicious sensual textured layers of melody and guitars, both Scott Von Ryper and chanteuse Miss Aimee Nash weave a densely rich tapestry of love, sex and death, mountains, oceans and astral travel. They indicate the way to the heart of life the centre of our humanity in ritual space, in crafted chords, in veiled waves of sonic tone and drone. Rich dangerous opiated swirling attacks on the third eye lysergic and lupine in equal measure. Once drawn in by this perfume its essence stays with this listener forever." - more on this story

Clapton No Show Launched Rolling Stone Career

You can call it synchronicity. Eric Clapton fails to show up for a gig and the bandleader gives a teen guitarist a shot that would launch a career which would include a gig with one of the biggest bands in rock and roll. Gibson caught up with Mick Taylor who tells the tale of John Mayall giving him his first shot. Taylor would go on to join the Rolling Stones before launching a solo career.

Here is what Mick told Gibson about how Clapton inadvertently paved the way for him. Mick Taylor: So you were 16 or so, and Clapton hadn't shown up for a [John Mayall's Bluesbreakers ]gig…I think I'd just turned 16. Yeah, he didn't show up for a gig, but his guitar was there, which was a Les Paul. So I just went backstage and asked John Mayall if I could do the second part of the show with him.

And he said, "Yeah, if you think you can handle it." I said, "Well, I know all the songs on your 'Beano' album, so I'm sure it will sound better with a guitar player than without one." And he said, "OK, well, Eric's guitar is here. So sit in with us." So I plugged into a little 50-watt Marshall combo amp, used Eric's Les Paul – which sounded great – and I remember doing "Steppin' Out" and "All Your Love" and all the songs that Eric Clapton and John Mayall were associated with at that time. That's exactly how it happened. I went to see a John Mayall's Bluesbreakers show with Eric Clapton and, when Eric Clapton didn't show up, I sat in for him. - The story continues here

Steven Seagal Defends His Blues

A lot of actors have attempted to cross over into a music career and the critical reaction isn't always pretty. Case in point is Steven Seagal. But the action star is fighting back against his critics.

Gibson reports: Seagal is a blues guitarist with two albums to his name, and he regularly tours internationally with his band Thunderbox.

Talking to Hustler magazine, the Under Seige star said: "I've played with the greatest blues masters and legends of our time. They love, respect and praise me. I've shared the stage with Albert Collins, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown and B.B. King, and they say I belong there. I really don't give a **** (about the critics)." - more on this story

Close Your Eyes, Stick To Your Guns Faith In The Untamed Tour

Close Your Eyes are hitting the road with Stick To Your Guns on the "Faith In The Untamed Tour."

The tour lineup is rounded out by As Blood Runs Black, Attila, and For The Fallen Dreams.

Close Your Eyes will touring to showcase songs off of their Victory Records release, We Will Overcome. - more on this story

Rob Zombie Inspired by 70s Icons Queen and Elton John

Wonder what inspired Rob Zombie's theatric nature? It wasn't just the king of Shock, Alice Cooper. It goes much deeper than that. Gibson reports: It's no surprise that Rob Zombie was hugely influenced by shock rocker, and tour partner, Alice Cooper in his musical performances. But he recently told Spinner.com that he also is a fan of less dastardly '70s rock acts.

"It was the whole scene of the music when I was coming up [that influenced me]," Zombie said. "What formed my opinion when I was a kid was KISS, Alice Cooper, Elton John, Queen... everything was larger than life and everything was a show – and that never left me. That may have left the world, somewhat, but that never left me."

Zombie, who has also directed films such as The Devil's Rejects, says that rock and roll has been missing plenty of theatricality, and it's been that way for a while. "Fifteen years ago when White Zombie [existed], everyone was like, 'Why do you have pyro? Why do you have this? Why do you have that? No one likes that anymore, that's old news.' And I'm like, 'Well, the 15,000 kids that were just going [expletive], somehow they didn't give me the vibe that it was old news.'" - more on this story

American Bang Some More On The Road

American Bang have announced extensive fall tour plans in support of their self-titled major label debut, which will be released by Reprise Records on August 31st.

The tour, which runs through mid-December, includes their home town record release party at Nashville's Mercy Lounge on September 2nd, and a visit to New York City's Fillmore @ Irving Plaza on November 3rd.

The eleven-track album will stream in its entirety beginning August 31st on AOL Music for the official online listening party. - more on this story

Edie Brickell Joins Steve Gadd's Gaddabouts

Edie Brickell has joined Steve Gadd, Pino Palidino and Andy Fairweather-Low to launch a new band project aptly named The Gaddabouts. The group's forthcoming debut will be released January 2011 and is composed of material written by Brickell over the past decade as well as songs written with the band in the studio the very day of recording. In celebration of the project, the group will make their live debut at Carnegie's Zankel Hall as part of the WFUV concert series in April 2011.

Initially conceived of in 2000, the project began when longtime admirers Gadd and Brickell recorded demos together and decided to form a band. Brickell loved the laid-back vibe Gadd created in the studio and asked him to also produce the record. In addition to the duo, Gadd asked his friends, renowned guitarist Andy Fairweather-Low and legendary bassist Pino Pallidino, to join the group. Their union was joyful and effortless and half of the songs were recorded during the first session.

Over the subsequent 10 years (between Brickell's other projects, family life and the band's touring schedules), the duo managed to stay in touch and keep the idea for the project alive. Finally, in 2010, they were able to resume recording and finish the album in New York City. Of their reunion, Brickell comments, "it was as if no time had passed. The band picked up where they left off with a vibrant, fun-loving feel inspired by Steve and his sweet, soulful rhythm." - Stream two songs here

. Slayer Live DVDs

The season in the abyss is over! Two titles previously available on DVD, War at the Warfield and Still Reigning are back in circulation along with, for the first time ever on DVD, Live Intrusion. (5 stars) - Read the full Slayer Live DVDs review