Aerosmith Idol Deal Inked- Metal Singer is Catwoman Robber- MGMT- Bob Geldof Sr Dies- Dio Honor- Linkin Park Video- Mick Jagger Named The Best- more

The new Bruce Springsteen documentary, "The Promise: The Making Of Darkness On The Edge Of Town," sees its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival next month, in advance of its DVD release on November 16. More including preview clips here -

Guns N' Roses Cut Off After Late Start

The organizers of the Reading Festival warned this week that if Guns N' Roses showed up late for their headlining gig, they wouldn't be able to take the stage.

The band was an hour late for the show on Friday night and was allowed to play, but the sound was cut on them, ending their set early.

NME reports "as the band tried to return for an encore, the sound was cut. Led by Rose, they still tried to launch into 'Paradise City', though only the drums could be heard as all other instruments had been switched off. As the crowd started to sing the track, Rose tried to greet members of the audience while singing through a megaphone"

The question remains if they will be on time Sunday night when they headline Leeds. - Read NME's full report here which includes video and setlist

Soundgarden Star Clarifies Homeless Story

Soundgarden bassist Ben Shepherd made headlines when he told Spin he lives "Nowhere. Literally. I've been sleeping on studio couches and at friends' houses. I'm totally broke." Now he wants to clarify that statement after seeing headlines declaring him homeless.

He posted the following message on the band's official site: "I feel the banner saying that I am homeless was merely a sensationalizing stunt done by workers at Spin magazine to sell their story, or make it seem more exciting than it actually is. It makes me feel embarrassed for the truly homeless people to be associated at all in any way with the likes of me. I seem to have been lucky, as most of you, in never having to survive day to day (on the streets) anyway.

"Furthermore, my friends and family have always been by my side so I have never gone without love, care, food, compassion, and understanding. I would actually like to thank whatever editor that played this hand for helping once again bring to light the subject of the homeless and uncared for human beings of this dangerously bleak world. I humbly ask for whoever reads this to realize we are all in this together, and try to just remember that once in a while and not only at some convenient time. - more on this story

Iron Maiden Rules The World

Iron Maiden have topped the charts in 21 countries around the globe and also earned their highest charting position in the U.S. with their new album, The Final Frontier.

Their UK label issued the following statement about the achievement: EMI Records is proud of their 30 year, career long involvement with Iron Maiden and the astonishing first week global chart success of the band's fifteenth studio album, The Final Frontier, which was released on EMI Records worldwide on August 16. (excluding USA, released by Ume on August 17)

Iron Maiden have more than earned their status as one of the foremost contemporary and influential rock bands in the world as they debut at #1 in the UK (their fourth No 1 album here, the first being 1982's seminal The Number of the Beast album) and 20 other countries to date with The Final Frontier. - more on this story

Bruce Springsteen Plans Massive Box Set

Bruce Springsteen fans mark your calendars for November 16th. That's the day you'll be able to pick up The Boss's new massive box set edition of the classic 1978 album, Darkness on the Edge of Town. Gibson reports: According to a press release, the package will include a remastered version of the original album, two discs of rare and unreleased songs, a 1978 concert, a 2009 live performance of Darkness, a collection of concert footage from '76-'78 and a documentary about the making of the album. More than six hours of film and two hours of music will be contained on three CDs and three DVDs (or Blu-ray discs) when the set hits stores and online retailers on November 16.

"Darkness was my 'samurai' record, stripped to the frame and ready to rumble... But the music that got left behind was substantial," Springsteen writes in the set's liner notes. The bonus discs will feature the never-before-released songs "Someday (We'll Be Together)," "The Brokenhearted," "Save My Love," "Ain't Good Enough For You," "It's a Shame" and "The Little Things (My Baby Does)." Also included: the rock version of "Racing in the Street" and original takes of "Fire" and "Because the Night." The two-disc set of rarities also will be available as a stand-alone release.

A documentary about the album – titled The Promise: The Making of Darkness on the Edge of Town – will make its premiere at the Toronto Film Festival on September 14 and be shown on HBO on October 7. It will also be part of this set, along with a full, 26-song concert shot in Houston, Texas, in 1978 and an assortment of vintage footage. - tracklisting

Experience Hendrix Again This Fall

U.S. Fans will be able to Experience Hendrix again this fall. Canadian fans are in for a first time experience with the announcement of the next Experience Hendrix Tour.

Here is the official word including dates: For the first time in its history, Experience Hendrix, the concert tour that has wowed audiences revisiting the music and inspiration of Jimi Hendrix featuring an all-star line up of music greats will be re-launched within a single calendar year. The Experience Hendrix tour crisscrossed the country this past March for a string of sold-out concerts and will return with a new set of U.S. and -- for the first time -- Canadian dates this October and November.

Featured artists performing music associated with the legacy of Jimi Hendrix include some of the best known and highly regarded names in contemporary rock and blues including Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Susan Tedeschi, Robert Randolph, Jonny Lang, Steve Vai, Los Lobos' David Hidalgo and Cesar Rosas, Eric Johnson, Ernie Isley, Living Colour, Chris Layton of Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble and The Slide Brothers a/k/a Chuck and Darick Campbell of Sacred Steel. Fender Musical Instruments Corp. is the tour's lead sponsor as was the case with last spring's Experience Hendrix tour. Participating sponsors also include Dunlop Effects Pedals, Marshall Amplifiers and Mapex Drums. - more on this story

Madina Lake Attempted Murder Charge

Rock Radio reports that the man who nearly killed Madina Lake bassist Matthew Leone in a violent assault has been charged with attempted first degree murder.

Meanwhile, Matt was forced to go back to hospital after a tooth ruptured – and his brother and bandmate Nathan says more emergency dashes are likely.

Eight weeks ago Justin Pivec was in the process of assaulting his wife in the Leone's home city of Chicago when Matt, who was passing at the time, went to her rescue. Pivec turned his attack onto Matt, who wound up in intensive care requiring brain surgery and further corrective operations. - more on this story

Bon Jovi To Premiere New Song Today

Bon Jovi is premiering a brand new song, "What's Do You Got," on their website at 8:00 a.m. today on their official website.

The track is one of four new songs which will appear on their new Greatest Hits album, which hits stores on November 9th. "Music marks milestones in all our lives," notes frontman Jon Bon Jovi. "These songs have stood the test of time and they remind us all where we came from, even as we keep our eyes towards the future."

According to the release, the album will come in two versions. Here are the details: Bon Jovi Greatest Hits will be a 16-song single disc chock full of the band's biggest chart-toppers including "Livin' On A Prayer," "Always," "It's My Life," "Wanted Dead or Alive," and "Who Says You Can't Go Home." Two new songs, including lead single "What Do You Got?," round out the tracklisting. "What Do You Got?" will hit radio airwaves globally at the end of August. - more on this story

Ben Harper, Joseph Arthur and Dhani Harrison Supergroup

(Gibson) Ben Harper, Joseph Arthur and Beatle progeny Dhani Harrison have joined forces to form a new band, Fistful of Mercy. The group was apparently formed after Harper met Harrison at a Los Angeles skate park.

The two decided to get together and Harper brought along his old pal, folk-rocker Joseph Arthur. The collaboration was quick to bear fruit as the band wrote and recorded their debut album in just three days.

Joining them on drums was rock legend Jim Keltner, who once upon a time drummed for Harrison's father, George, at the famed Concert for Bangladesh. Keltner also played with John Lennon and Ringo Starr, along with scores of other top musicians, over the years. - more on this story

Singled Out: Downspirit's Love Song

Welcome to Singled Out! where we ask artists to tell us the inside story of their latest single. Today Cedric "Cede" Dupont from Downspirit tells us about "Love Song" from their brand new album "Point of Origin," which hit stores this month. Here is the story:

I'm sure this song pretty sure has all the aspects what Downspirit is all about. It's all about the sex, all about the blues, and all about the hardrock riffing you'd be thinking about when checking out our band biography.

Musically it's one of my favourite songs on the album, because it's so strong and catchy, yet the structure of the song is pretty simple. It's this kinda bluesy touch that goes along with the guitars and vocals, and that's what I really really love about it.

Lyrically, if you look at the name of the song, it's about love, clearly, but it's not some lovely romantic kinda thing we are singing about here. It's all about the f…ing bitch that let us all down at some point in our life, so we thought about giving it a try lyrically. It's definitely a love song, but definitely "NOT FOR HER" in the first place!

All in all you'll find a lot more cool tunes on "Point of Origin", so I suggest you check out the album and get some more info about us on www.downspirit.comor - www.myspace.com/downspirit

Godmack Tour Dates Announced

Yesterday we told you that Five Finger Death Punch were hitting the road with Godsmack on The Oracle Tour. FFDP only had a handful of dates announced but Godsmack followed up with what looks to be the full tour itinerary. Here is their adjective filled announcement:

Godsmack will bruise, batter and bludgeon their path across the United States with a fall tour in support of their chart-topping fifth studio album, The Oracle.

This headline run commences in Hollywood, FL at Hard Rock Live on September 28, 2010 with Five Finger Death Punch giving the band support on various dates. - more on this story

Gold Skillet

Skillet's latest album "Awake" has been has been certified gold by the RIAA for sales in excess of 500,000.

The announcement reads: The album – which includes two Active Rock radio blockbusters in the top 5 hit, "Monster," which also ranked in at No. 2 at Christian Rock, and the top 12 smash and No. 1 CHR and Christian Rock hit, "Hero" – continues to reign as a hard rock favorite, standing strong in the upper half of the Billboard 200. The band just released their latest single at Christian radio, "Forgiven."

Produced by Howard Benson (Three Days Grace, Daughtry, Flyleaf), "Awake" reached the #1 spot on the iTunes Store's "Top Albums" chart within 24 hours of its release last August. The album also made a blockbuster debut on the SoundScan/Billboard 200, entering the chart at #2. - more on this story

The Kinks Ray Davis Lines Up All-Star Cast For New Album

Ray Davies' website has been gradually revealing artists who will be appearing on the former Kinks frontman's forthcoming album. Featuring a host of collaborations, Davies' new album will feature alt-rock heroes Spoon, Pixies main man Frank Black, singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams and the late, great Alex Chilton.

Other tracks are likely to include a version of "Better Things" with Bruce Springsteen, "Celluloid Heroes" with Bon Jovi and – according to a blog post by Smashing Pumpkins producer Kerry Brown – a new take on "Destroyer" with Billy Corgan.

According to RayDavies.info, the album does not yet have a name, nor has it been confirmed if all the songs will be covers of Kinks material. However, it does indicate that Davies would like to release the album by the end of the year. -

My Dying Bride 20th Anniversary Plans

My Dying Bride is celebrating their 20th anniversary this year and plan to mark the milestone with two special releases. Here are the details: My Dying Bride embarked upon a project to re-work familiar melodies & themes from My Dying Bride's extensive catalogue into long, flowing symphonic compositions, including new vocals & passages from Aaron Stainthorpe.

These arrangements have been brought to life in co-operation with keyboard maestro Johnny Maudling (of Bal Sagoth fame) & will be released as 'Evinta', on October 25th by Peaceville Records as both a 2 disc & special 3 disc set, each disc its own sprawling classical work spanning a large period of My Dying Bride's album material. The 3 disc set will also be accompanied by a specially limited 72 page hardback book featuring rare images & photographs from the band's personal archive from over the years.

"Evinta, a project almost 15 years in the making, an idea that has sat smouldering and never really had a reason to burn alive until now," says guitarist, Andrew Craighan. "Nine albums worth of darkness recreated anew to mark 20 years of MDB. Music arranged to the soundscapes of sorrows past. Finally the 20th anniversary allows us to release this music in a form it has been desperately, woefully waiting for. Enjoy the darkness." - more on this story

Motorhead Announce 35th Anniversary Compilation

Some Motorhead news from our friends at Gibson: The loudest, deadliest band in the world will now have a greatest hits collection worthy of their hard-hitting legacy. The band will also launch a two-month European tour in November.

On October 18, Motorhead will release Aces Up My Sleeve – The Collection, a compilation of the greatest tracks from the band's first 10 years.

Released to coincide with the 35th anniversary of Motorhead's formation in 1975, after Lemmy Kilmister's legendary falling out with Hawkwind, Aces contains some of the band's most loved songs, including "Iron Fist," "Killed by Death," "Overkill" and, of course, "Ace of Spades." - check out the tracklist here

Sex Pistol Was Almost A Stooge

(Gibson) Former Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones tells contactmusic.com that he came very close to joining Iggy and The Stooges' recent Raw Power tour.

Jones was in the frame to join Iggy Pop on the road after original Stooges member Ron Asheton's death. But when James Williamson, who played on the Raw Power album, wanted to tour, Jones stepped aside.

Steve told all to U.S. radio host Eric Blair: "I was going to go on the road with Iggy Pop, but James Williamson wanted to do this album, Raw Power, so you might as well have him, have the real deal doing it, rather than having me try and fumble my way through." - more on this story

KISS Peter Criss Invites Fan To Make Strides With Him

Original KISS drummer Peter Criss has won his battle with breast cancer but he is still fighting. Now it's a fight for a cure and he's inviting fans to get involved with him at a special event to help.

Here is what Peter had to say: On October 17th I will be walking for the American Cancer Society, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer in Point Pleasant Beach NJ. I would love for you to join me in this walk to help Save lives and bring awareness to Men and Women about this disease.

I am going to join Nurse Betty's Team BosomBuddies/TwinPeaks. She is an awesome woman who dedicates her life to helping Men and Women with this disease.

To register and join our team Click Link below and if you can't walk with us please make a donation for support. As a Breast Cancer Survivor I THANK YOU!!! So come walk with me on Sunday, October 17th. The walk starts at 10:00 am, speeches starts at 8:00 am. Hope you will support our team!!!
- Click Here To Join or Donate

Stevie Nicks Teams Up With Eurythmics' Dave Stewart

Stevie Nicks was once famously paired with Lindsey Buckingham and their collaborations went beyond pure gold, try multi-platinum. Now Nicks is teaming up with Annie Lennox's former Eurythmics partner Dave Stewart. Gibson reports that Nicks told the New York Daily News, "I gave him a book of 50 poems I had written over the years and he really liked them."

Last February, Stewart and Nicks began writing material for a new Stevie Nicks solo album. "I've never before written anything with anybody else," she said. "This is a great opportunity to do something new. I now understand why John Lennon and Paul McCartney worked so well together. You feed so much off each other."

The album is due in the spring of 2011 and will likely include musical contributions from Mike Campbell, Waddy Wachtel and Mick Fleetwood. - more on this story

Drug Cartel Violence Sidelines Therion Tour Dates

Therion informed fans on Thursday that they have been forced to pull out of some Mexican concert dates due to the drug cartel violence which has overtaken regions of that country. They also had to move one show and pull the plug on a show a Caracas, Venezuela due to the local promoter. Here is what the band had to tell fans:

The tour schedule has changed: The shows in Caracas (Venezuela), Chihuahua and Puebla (both Mexico) have to be cancelled and the show in Santiago de Chile has moved to the Teatro Caupolican. In Europe there will be an additional show - on the 11th of December Therion will play in Istanbul, at Refresh the Venue (which is really named like that).

Guitaris Christofer Johnsson explains to fans, "We are very sad to announce that the shows in Chihuahua and Puebla in Mexico have been cancelled. The situation with the drug cartels is becoming worse and worse in the north and the local authorities strongly advise against playing concerts in Chihuahua (and of course Monterray which also has been rumoured we would be playing), so the national promoter in Mexico has decided to cancel Chihuahua as the safety of the band, crew and fans cannot be guaranteed at this point. The Puebla festival has also been cancelled due to some sort of drug cartel related civil unrest problems. - more on this story

King's X Announce Tour With Accept and CD-DVD Release

King's X have announced a co-headlining tour with Accept and the release of a double CD/DVD called 'Live Love in London' which hits stores on October 26th.

Here is the announcement: King's X is among the most unusual acts in the history of rock music. Their technical skills are above reproach, and their creativity has impressed fans and media alike. Next to Rush, there is currently no other rock trio capable of producing such a dense and at the same time transparent sound. The much anticipated double CD/DVD set, Live Love in London, showcases prime examples of King's X's incredible live show of classic groove rock featuring great melodies with vocal harmonies, driving rhythms and tough guitars. The album is set for an Oct. 26th release through InsideOut Music and will be available as a deluxe DVD+2CD edition in a special embossed package, as well as a 2CD set. A standard DVD-only version will also be available exclusively through CMDistro.com.

Live Love in London is the first official DVD release by a band renowned for just such a transcendent rock show! The King's X trio of Ty Tabor (guitars, vocals), Dug Pinnick (bass, vocals) and Jerry Gaskill (drums, vocals) have spanned continents and decades together, honing their craft, welcoming their fans in to experience inspired performances that come from their hearts. - more on this story

Voodoo Experience Lineup Expands

This year's Voodoo Experience sports an eclectic lineup that ranges from Ozzy Osbourne to Treme Brass Band with Uncle Lionel Batiste/Cedric Burnside & Lightnin Malcolm and the list of artists taking part in the Halloween weekend festival in New Orleans has expanded.

Here is the announcement which includes the full lineup as it stands: The two main Voodoo Ritual stages line-up will now include The Whigs, White Rabbits, Dead Confederate, River City Extension, Miracle at St. Anna, O' Brother, Speak and Michael Tolcher. This year's Voodoo will once again celebrate the amazing list of electronic talent with the reintroduction of the Voodoo dance space, Le Plur, which was dormant since 2004. Voodoo's expanded electronic celebration will now include Kelis, the Crystal Method, Kaskade and Swiss Chriss. They join the previously announced Deadmau5, Paul van Dyk, Ferry Corsten and Die Antwoord, among others.

"As we were putting together the line-up for this year's Voodoo, we found such a large amount of talent in the electronic world that we knew this was the right time to bring it back," says Voodoo Experience founder and producer Stephen Rehage. "Voodoo has always been about discovery and this year's line-up represents every kind of music imaginable." - more on this story

We Are The Fallen Set New Release

We Are The Fallen will released the title track from their debut album, "Tear The World Down", on October 12th, 2010.

A proven audience favorite on the touring circuit, "Tear The World Down" features captivating vocals from Smithson, soaring instrumentals from the band members Ben Moody, John LeCompt, Rocky Gray and Marty O'Brien, highlighted by choir swells and strings by award-winning arranger, composer and conductor David Campbell.

"I've been waiting quite a few years to create a song of this sonic magnitude, depth, and passion- and I could not be more proud," stated Ben Moody. - more on this story

Two New Rory Gallagher Releases Coming

Eagle Rock has announced two releases blues rock icon Rory Gallagher. The label will release Ghost Blues 2DVD and The Beat Club Sessions CD on September 14.

The 2DVD set, running 179 minutes in total, is the complete Rory Gallagher experience, both revealing his background as a musical artist and tapping into his dominating stage presence. Ghost Blues, the first disc in the set, is the first complete and fully authorized documentary of Rory Gallagher's life and career. Unveiling Gallagher's story, we follow him from his upbringing in Cork and his early days with a show band, to his brief success in power trio Taste and his skyrocket into stardom going solo. The documentary threads together live footage, archive interviews with Rory, and contributions from his many friends and admirers, including his brother Donal, Bob Geldof, The Edge (U2), Cameron Crowe, Slash, Johnny Marr (The Smiths), Bill Wyman (The Rolling Stones), and his former band members Ted McKenna and Gerry McAvoy, as well as many others.

After traversing Rory's roots, The Beat Club Sessions portion digs into his prowess as a trailblazing electric blues-rock performer. These live recordings are drawn from three different appearances on German TV's Beat Club program in the early seventies. The video footage is captured on disc 2 of the DVD package and via select audio on the CD release The Beat Club Sessions. With over 90 minutes of previously unreleased material, these performances capture Gallagher in his element, playing classic songs from his first two solo albums that would remain staples throughout his career, such as "Laundromat," "Messin' With The Kid," and "Crest Of A Wave." - more on this story

Led Zeppelin Saved Plant and Bonham From Starvation

(Gibson) In a recent interview, Robert Plant talked about the desperate conditions under which he and then-Band of Joy drummer John Bonham lived.

The former Led Zeppelin screamer told the Express, "We all meant it. We were at the point of starvation and would get involved in thievery. We would nick bottles of milk off the doorsteps in Manchester at 5 a.m., while tenants were waking up. We were better at siphoning petrol out of parked cars than we were at pulling crowds."

Fortunately for Plant and Bonham, Jimmy Page would soon come calling and all their financial woes would be forever swept away. - more on this story

Andrew Loog Oldham Getting Rolling Stoned With New Album

(Gibson) Andrew Loog Oldham, who once upon a time promoted The Beatles, managed The Rolling Stones and discovered Marianne Faithfull, is taking the band he managed as a 19-year old — or at least, their music — back to the studio. Loog Oldham is re-recording several of The Rolling Stones' best known songs in Vancouver.

It's not the first time the man who famously asked, "Would you let your daughter marry a Rolling Stone?" has recorded Stones tracks. In 1966, he released Rolling Stones Songbook under the project title, The Andrew Oldham Orchestra. That album is most notable for the lawsuit Oldham later brought against The Verve, claiming the Britpop band sampled Oldham's recording of "The Last Time" for their signature hit, "Bitter Sweet Symphony."

Oldham began recording Rolling Stones Songbook, Volume 2 in his adopted home of Bogota, Columbia, but he moved to Vancouver to finish the project with local musicians Steven Drake and Wyckham Porteous. The album also features Captain Beefheart guitarist Gary Lucas. - more on this story

Devin Townsend Adds Dates To Fall Tour

Devin Townsend's upcoming fall tour of North America has expanded. The outing, which is his first headlining run, kicks off on October 8th.

Devin Townsend states: "So it looks like I'll be seeing some of you on the East Coast as well and I'm very excited! The year has been very cool in terms of getting back out and touring my stuff. The reception overall has been really warm, and those who 'enjoy my current direction' seem to be very into it. This American run is just a sign-off for the year while I continue making these two new records. I have a feeling the future holds a lot of touring, so if I don't see you on this run, I hope to see you in the future (keep in mind that bands have little influence over the towns they play, so it's nothing personal if we miss yours).

"We're touring with a cool band named Tesseract, and my band and I have been working hard to learn songs from as many parts of the solo catalog as we can to make it worth your time. We're in shape and we sound great, so we appreciate you coming and spending a few bucks to get into the show in times like these. Feel free to check out any music online, I don't frown on downloading, but it's great if you come out after hearing something you like. - more on this story

The Trammps Recording With Teen Musician Turned Youtube Sensation

YouTube has spawned another musical career, this time it is a teen songwriter who inspired 70s icons The Trammps to record with him. Here is the story: One of the hottest video's to hit YouTube the past few weeks is by PA teen songwriting protege Matt Cermanski. Produced and filmed by Matteo Mobile, "Darling" is a teen-angst ridden video with an all too familiar theme of forbidden teenage love.

The video has been causing a major sensation on YouTube with over 4000 views in the first couple weeks by word and mouth alone! Matt Cermanski's performance in the video is none less than exciting and and honest. The song "Darling", which has been receiving major airplay on WMMR-FM in Philadelphia, is skillfully crafted and showcases Matt's adept songwriting prowess – years ahead of his age (now 17) "I started playing guitar when I was 13 years old," recalls Matt, "and I have been around music pretty much my whole life, singing as long as I can remember. My top musical influence would have to be Rob Thomas from Matchbox 20. I really like the songs he writes and the style of music. Another major influence is my Dad (renown music promoter Steven Cermanski), because he is the one who really got me into music and has helped me out so much."

On the success of Matt's new video and single, he has ventured back in the recording studio. "I'm in the studio now recording songs for an EP, but I would like to record a full album in the near future to get all my songs out there." As well as recording, Matt is preparing for some upcoming live shows. "I have played at the Trocadero Theatre and World Cafe Live in Philadelphia and Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville, PA. I do have a band and our next show is on September 11th in Franklinville, NJ opening for The Trammps who had the hit single 'Disco Inferno'." The Trammps, who are blown away by Matt's new video, are also recording tracks for his upcoming EP. Check out the band's official website at www.thetrammps.net. Matt Cermanski's band consists of Matt (guitar/lead vocals), Eliot Reisz (piano/guitar/vocals), Justin Lombardi (drums/vocals), and Chris D'Amico (bass/vocals). "I also play out solo, and have upcoming shows scheduled," says Matt. - Check out the video here

Lynyrd Skynyrd Still The Real Deal

(Gibson) In an interview with the San Jose Mercury News, Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Rickey Medlocke spoke about the version of the Southern rock band that's touring and recording these days. "A lot of people say, 'Don't you ever feel like you're really a tribute band?' No, I don't. I think that as long as Gary [Rossington] and myself and Johnny [Van Zant] are there, it's always going to be Lynyrd Skynyrd," Medlocke said. "But I do like to think that we're giving tribute to the guys that have gone before us."

Medlocke has a long history with Lynyrd Skynyrd. He first joined the band in 1970, but not as a guitarist. "I was needing to make a change at the time," he said. "I called up Ronnie [Van Zant] and said, 'Do you need a crew guy or somebody to set up equipment or whatever?' And he said, Do you still play drums?' I knew how to play drums, but I hadn't messed with them in years. But in order to have a gig, I kind of BS'ed him and said, 'Yeah, I still know how to play."

He left the band after about a year, because he didn't think he was a good enough drummer for the band. He went on to form Blackfoot, where he served as singer and guitarist, but remained good friends with the Skynyrd gang. He said he could have been on the plane that killed some of the band's key members in 1977
- more on this story

Soulfly U.S. Tour

Roadrunner sent over word that Soulfly, lead by Max Cavalera, has announced a string of winter tour dates that will bring the band to eleven cities beginning in November.

This is Soulfly's first tour since the release of the seventh album, Omen, which features appearances by guests like Dillinger Escape Plan's Greg Puciato and Prong's Tommy Victor.

There was no word in the announcement if the outing will include any support acts. But they did provide the - dates.

Queensryche Get Loud & Proud

News broke yesterday that Queensryche have inked a deal with Roadrunner. Now the official details have been released and it's a world-wide multi-album deal with Roadrunner's Loud & Proud Records imprint.

According to the release, the band's label debut –their twelfth studio album overall- is tentatively scheduled for a Spring 2011 release. Singer and founder Geoff Tate remains the creative nucleus of the band, which continues to make relevant, against-the-grain hard rock that entices fans, both new and diehard.

"We are very happy to be signing with Road Runner/Loud and Proud. This is the rock label and a place where they are as excited about our music as we and our fans are," Tate said. - more on this story