Bret Michaels Heart Surgery- Warped Bands- Free Gorillaz for Christmas- At The Gates- Against Me! Acoustic- Vinnie Paul Remembers Dimebag- Biohazard Reunion CD- more

Hellyeah / Pantera drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott has issued following statement on the six-year anniversary of the death of his brother, "Dimebag" Darrell: "I wanna thank you all for remembering and celebrating the life of my best friend and brother, Mr. Dimebag Darrell! His spirit and energy is always with us and inspires us to be the best we can be! His legacy lives on bigger than ever, so on this day of sadness let's crank up his tunes, watch his videos, do some blacktooth grins and carry on in his honor! That would put a smile on his face! I love and miss you, brother." more

Nick Cave Car Crash

(Rock AAA) Nick Cave lost control of his Jaguar in Hove, England yesterday, with his twin sons as passengers.

His car drove into a speed camera pole. No other vehicles were involved. The police say: "Nobody has been arrested but police inquiries are continuing."

Meanwhile, another rocker Ross the Boss guitarist Patrick Fuchs suffered broken ribs, cuts and bruises yesterday when he lost control of his car in winter weather in Germany. more on this story

Judas Priest Only Retiring From Major Tours

(Rock AAA) Judas Priest are not splitting up, even though 2011's Epitaph world tour will be their last.

The metal gods revealed yesterday that they're bowing out of life on the road by giving fans a last chance to see them live. The tour includes an appearance at next year's High Voltage festival in London on July 23.

The wording of Priest's official statement left some doubt over whether it was the end of their 42-year history. But a spokesman tells RockAAA: "This is the end of Judas Priest doing major world tours – but not the end of the band, thank Heaven." more on this story

Fan Will Have To Wait For Black Sabbath Reunion

(Gibson) The past year has had plenty of will-they-won't-they moments for fans of the original Black Sabbath lineup. Nearly every member of the band professed a desire to reunite the legendary hard rock band in the near future. But with Ozzy Osbourne embarking on a lengthy tour with new guitarist Gus G., Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler says fans will have to wait.

"I have no idea what's happening with that," Butler told AOL's Noisecreep. "It's not going to happen next year. Ozzy's on tour with his own band for the next year or whatever. The idea of doing another Sabbath tour always comes up. It's just something that's always talked about and there if we want to do it. It's sort of really early days, though. I'm sure Ozzy will say 'yes' and 'no' every week for the next year while he's on tour. It's one thing to want to do something like that just before you go out to tour a record. You say, 'Oh yeah, I'm gonna tour for the next five years.' And then six weeks into it, you can't wait to get home. So we'll just see how he feels when he finishes his Ozzy Osbourne tour."

Butler also dispelled any hopes for "lost" Heaven & Hell material to be released after the death of singer Ronnie James Dio. "There is no more stuff. That's it. We've never had leftover material ever. That's how we got back together when they wanted to put out [the Black Sabbath compilation] The Dio Years. They wanted some extra tracks to put on it, and we didn't have any, because whatever we do we put out. That's why we got together to do the three extra tracks on the compilation. And it went so well, we went from there and toured and did another album. We were having a great time. We never imagined that we wouldn't have the chance to do more."

Secret Bruce Springsteen Gig To Be Webcast

(hennemusic) Bruce Springsteen hit the Jersey shore for a 'secret' video shoot at the Casino carousel in Asbury Park Tuesday afternoon.

New Jersey's Star-Ledger reports the shoot was for an upcoming webcast, and featured Bruce and the E Street Band performing songs from "The Promise," his new collection of songs from the 1977/78 "Darkness On The Edge Of Town" sessions.

Bruce used the 1978 version of the E Street Band, as Nils Lofgren, Soozie Tyrell and Patti Scialfa were not present. more on this story

Beastie Boys Fight For Your Right To Party Revisited

(Gibson) How many times have you watched the Beastie Boys video for "(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (to Party!)" and said, "I wonder what happened to those fine, upstanding gentlemen after they left that party?" A couple of decades later, we're all about to find out.

Group member Adam "MCA" Yauch is directing a sequel to the '80s MTV staple, titled "Fight For Your Right Revisited." But the Beasties won't be returning to their original roles. In the new version, Seth Rogen plays Mike D, Elijah Wood plays Ad-Rock and Danny McBride plays MCA. That's right, MCA cast Kenny [expletive] Powers as himself.

The video will debut at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, according to NME.com. It will also feature the acting talents of Will Ferrell, Jack Black and John C. Reilly.

Eddie Vedder Adds Additional Solo Shows

Pearl Jam had this bit of news for fans this week: Due to the overwhelming demand from the Ten Club and Chugg Entertainment pre-sales, additional Eddie Vedder solo tour dates will be added in Brisbane and Sydney.

Added shows will take place 13 March at QPAC in Brisbane and 20 March at State Theatre in Sydney (full tour dates below).

Tickets for the two added shows will go on sale alongside the previously announced dates at 9am on Friday 10 December. There will be no additional pre-sales for these added dates. more on this story

Gary Cherone Returns With Hurtsmile

Hurtsmile, a new band featuring singer Gary Cherone (Extreme, Van Halen), will release their self-titled debut album on January 21, 2011 in Europe and February 8, 2011 in the US.

According to Frontiers Records, Cherone teamed up with his brother Mark to write his most succinct record to date.

"Hurtsmile was a long time coming… I always wanted to write a record with my brother," says Gary. "I'm a big fan of Mark's song writing and his snarling guitar riffs." The timing was right as Extreme was in-between their touring and record cycle, leaving Gary the freedom. They recruited Joe Pessia (bass) an alumnus of Nuno Bettencourt's Dramagods as well as the guitar player for Tantric. Joe also engineered, and co-produced the record with Gary. To round off the lineup they enlisted heavy hitter Dana Spellman on drums "It's an east coast-Boston thing," states Gary. "Mark, my brother, was in a band with Nuno's brother… Joe was in Nuno's band and Dana was a friend, and student of Mike Mangini (former Extreme drummer) … we like to keep it in the family." more on this story

The Day Ozzy Osbourne Almost Died

(Gibson) Rock and roll almost lost Ozzy Osbourne on this very day in 2003. Ozzy Osbourne was back in England at his Buckinghamshire home, enjoying a day off from promoting his new duet with daughter Kelly. Taking a ride in the country on his ATV four-wheeler, Ozzy crashed, breaking his collarbone, eight ribs and a vertebra in his neck.

"I'd been racing along this dirt trail and my front wheels hit a pothole," Ozzy told Wales Online. "The bike shot out from under me and did a back flip in the air, throwing me on to the grass. For about a millionth of a second, I thought, 'Oh well, that wasn't so bad'. Then the whole lot landed on top of me. Crack!"

Ozzy's broken ribs proved exceptionally dangerous after doctors discovered that his lungs had started to fill with blood. There was also a chance he could lose an arm since a main artery had been severed. Ozzy, however, in true-rock star fashion, was more concerned about his tattoo. more on this story

Dio Refused To Call Off Last Concert Despite Agonizing Pain

(Rock AAA) Heaven and Hell bassist Geezer Butler has told how singer Ronnie James Dio refused to call off his last show with the band even though he was doubled up with stomach pain.

Dio didn't know he was suffering from the cancer which would eventually kill him, and didn't know it would be his final appearance on stage – but he knew he was in agony. Yet it didn't stop him going on to play a full concert.

"I'll always remember he came out for the very last gig. We said, 'Look, Ronnie, if you're that ill we'll just blow the gig.' And he said, 'No, I'm not gonna blow the gig.' He made himself go on. more on this story

The Parlotones Announce North America Headlining Tour

South Africa's biggest selling rock band The Parlotones have announced their first headlining tour of North America.

In addition to stops in New York, Seattle and Los Angeles, the band will return to visit their new coterie of fans in Detroit, Kansas City, Denver, Boise and Salt Lake City.

The Parlotones will also make a appearance at SXSW in support of their new album, Stardust Galaxies, out now on Sovereign Entertainment. more on this story

Reunited Kidneythieves Release New Album

(Submitted) Kidneythieves have reunited and released Trypt0fanatic, their first new album in six years.

Vocalist Free Dominguez formed Kidneythieves in 1997 with instrumentalist/producer Bruce Somers. The band rose to fame in 2002 via their song "Before I'm Dead," which was featured on the platinum-plus selling soundtrack to Queen of the Damned.

"There's a magical thing that happens when we are creating in the studio," explains Dominguez, adding, "that's what pulled us together to make more music." more on this story

Florida Will Pardon Jim Morrison Today

(hennemusic) Jim Morrison is finally getting his due. AP reports The Doors lead singer will receive a pardon from Florida authorities today for a 1970 indecent exposure conviction following a Miami concert.

Florida Governor Charlie Crist has received commitment for the second of two votes needed from other members of the state's Board of Executive Clemency to approve the pardon.

Morrison was appealing the conviction when he was found dead in a Paris bathtub in 1971. The meeting Thursday comes a day after the singer would have turned 67. more on this story

2010 Grammy Hall of Fame Inductees

(Gibson) The Recording Academy has released this year's list of inductees into the Grammy Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame was created in 1973 to honor the very best songs and albums (over 25 years old) from all genres of music.

Among this year's honored singles are The Beatles' "Penny Lane," The Box Tops' "The Letter," The Meters' "Cissy Strut," "The Animals' "We Gotta Get out of This Place" and Hank Williams' "Lovesick Blues."

Inducted albums include Prince's Purple Rain, Ray Charles' Genius + Soul = Jazz, Weather Report's Heavy Weather and the Bill Evans Trio's Sunday at the Village Vanguard. Complete list of 2010 Grammy Hall of Fame Inductees

Guns N' Fozzy

(hennemusic) Guns N' Roses guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal joined rockers Fozzy on stage Friday at The Factory in Sydney, Australia to perform a couple of classic metal covers.

Fozzy is the hard rock band featuring singer Chris Jericho, known - primarily - by many as a WWE wrestler. The current trek is Fozzy's first tour down under in five years.

Bumblefoot was on hand for the Dio classic, "Stand Up & Shout," as well as the Judas Priest track, "Freewheel Burning." Check it out here

Yoko Ono Remembers John Lennon

(Gibson) Writing from Tokyo, Japan, on website Imaginepeace.com, Yoko Ono has paid tribute to husband John Lennon who was murdered 30 years ago yesterday.

"This year would have been the 70th birthday year for John if only he was here," she wrote. "But people are not questioning if he is here or not. They just love him and are keeping him alive with their love. I've received notes from all corners of the world to let me know that they were celebrating this year to thank John for having given us so much in his forty short years on earth.

"The most important gift we received from him was not words, but deeds. He believed in Truth, and had dared to speak up. We all knew that he upset certain powerful people with it. But that was John. He couldn't have been in any other way. If he were here now, I think he would have shouted so we can all hear it. That truth was important. Because without knowing all the truth of what we did, we could not achieve world peace. more on this story

The Decemberists Ponder Doing on Musical

(Gibson) Indie rock favorites The Decemberists might have a musical in their future. Frontman Colin Meloy told Billboard.com that he's been talking to Michael Mayer, who knows a thing or two about bringing rock and roll to the theatrical stage.

"It happens that the director Michael Mayer, who directed Green Day's American Idiot musical on Broadway, is the guy that got me going about doing a musical," Meloy said. "We're still talking and there's potential for a musical down the line, for sure."

Because of The Decemberists' knack for concept albums and folk-tale songs, a musical isn't a crazy notion for the band. "People are constantly asking me to write musicals – it's the cross that I bear," Meloy joked. "I grew up doing theater, so in theory, I would love to write a musical. I don't know if I have the stuff – I always end up just writing little pop songs that stand a better chance on a record than on stage." more on this story

Boris Plan Live DVD

(Earsplit) Japan's rock experimentalists Boris have announced their first official domestic live DVD release.

Set for release via Southern Lord on January 18, 2011, the Live In Japan DVD captures the intriguing power, majesty and unique psychedelia that only Boris can deliver, and will bring the band's incredible stage act to fans who have never witnessed the band live, as well as diehards who venture out to see the act every chance they get.

The footage on this official DVD release was filmed in Tokyo at the final show of the band's 2008 Smile World Tour. Featuring a full set of eleven BORIS originals filmed at Daikanyama Unit, as well as three bonus videos from a set at the Shibuya Club Quattro, this DVD is quite special since BORIS actually play on other continents much more often than in their home country! more on this story

Does Ozzy Have Justin Bieber Fever?

(hennemusic) Ozzy Osbourne joins Blink-182 bassist/vocalist Mark Hoppus this Thursday for an episode of "A Different Spin with Mark Hoppus."

When asked what music he listens to today, Ozzy said he stays away from metal so that it doesn't influence his own music.

Hoppus: So you listen to a lot of Justin Bieber? Ozzy's response is in a promo for the episode here

Plain White T's Map Out Tour With Parachute

Plain White T's have announced dates for their North American headlining tour which will feature direct support from Parachute.

The trek is set to kick off January 27th at the Turner Hall Ballroom in Milwaukee, WI.

Plain White T's are touring in support of their latest album, Wonders of the Younger (Hollywood Records), which hit #1 on the iTunes Rock Album chart more on this story

Ted Nugent Receives Smokey Bear Award

(hennemusic) Waco, Texas TV station KWTX.com reports the Texas Forest Service has presented the prestigious Smokey Bear award to transplanted Waco-area rocker Ted Nugent, one of only five awarded nationally this year.

The award, presented at Nugent's Spirit Wild Ranch near Crawford, is reserved for those who provide outstanding service with significant impact in wildfire prevention.

Nugent, who has sold more than 30 million records during his career, is a staunch advocate for conservation efforts and has donated time and talent to create public service announcements on both fire prevention and hunting safety, the forest service said. more on this story

Cradle Of Filth Explain Canceled Show

Cradle Of Filth have had to cancel the first date of their South American tour which was due to take place in Ecuador on Friday night. Dani Filth has made this statement about the cancellation:

Everyone involved with the band, and especially the band themselves are deeply distressed over the cancellation of our show in Ecuador this Friday. This is the second time we have had to pull out of a concert in Ecuador (the last cancellation being due to airport closure as we were circling the runway!).

Unfortunately this time has been due to several reasons, including severe weather conditions stranding half the band's crew, deep 'contractual' problems, plus flight-booking f**k-ups. It is a regrettable situation to be in, but unfortunately an impossible one at this particular time to rectify. more on this story

Happy Mondays' Shaun Ryder Announces Solo Shows

(Gibson) Happy Mondays star Shaun Ryder will play two gigs in February next year. He's set to play London's O2 Shepherd Bush Empire on February 25 and the Manchester Academy on February 26.

According to music-news.com, he will play solo material as well as songs from Happy Mondays and Black Grape.

Ryder recently finished a season of reality TV on U.K. show I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, where he lost out to X Factor contestant Stacey Soloman. more on this story

3 Disc Live Album Be Released To Commemorate Frank Zappa's 70th Birthday

We received the following exciting news for Frank Zappa fans: Early in 1978 Frank Zappa played London's Hammersmith Odeon and these concerts provided the source for the Basic Tracks for 1979's Sheik YerBouti. Hammersmith Odeon, compiled & produced by Gail Zappa and Joe Travers and released to coincide with the 3-Day Festival of Frank Zappa at the Roundhouse is now available in the Special Party Pack 3-CD set designed to also celebrate FZ's 70th Birthday on December 21st.

Mixed in NYC by Frank Filipetti, none of these tracks have been previously released and the track listing mirrors and/or parallels the set lists of the concerts. Peter Wolf, former band-member and current multi-faceted producer/arranger contributed Liner Notes.

"I wanted to have a concert in England to share with the folks who showed up for Frank at the Roundhouse," says Gail Zappa. "We were very happy to participate and appreciate very much the invitation to do so, the phenomenal reception for FZ's works, and everyone who showed up to be part of this extraordinary event. As for the art, the tube stops - Hammersmith for the location of the concerts in 1978 and Chalk Farm, the location of The Roundhouse - and in the middle is where FZ and I used to dwell during the making of 200 MOTELS. The frosting is to celebrate what would have been his 7tieth year and there you pretty much have it." more on this story

Benighted Set Album Release

Season of Mist have announced that a tentative release date of Benighted's as yet untitled sixth album has been set to April 18th, 2011

The band issued the following statement: "Benighted is back from the psychiatric hospital and is very proud to announce the signing with Season of Mist for the new album.

"12 tracks mixing brutality and groove, a new concept album telling the story of a schizophrenic and the abysses of his delirium about Josef Fritz in his own cave."

Top Bands Named After Places

Gibson has picked "10 Great Bands Named After Places" as the topic of their latest countdown. Here are the bookends of the list:

10) Boston: Were there any mid-'70s album collections that didn't include Boston's 1976 debut album? The group did in fact emerge from the Beantown scene, and songs such as "More Than a Feeling" and "Peace of Mind" almost instantly became part of the classic rock canon. While the bands' hits have been overplayed enough to lose some impact, it's worth remembering just how revolutionary, innovative and influential founder Tom Scholz's guitar and production work were at the time.

1) New York Dolls: Maybe no other band brought together the look, sound and attitude of its geographical namesake the way the New York Dolls did. Smeared mascara, torn fishnets, platform heels and raunchy guitar – the band really did provide a rock 'n' roll snapshot of Taxi Driver-era Manhattan, in all its tottering, decaying, splendor. With "Trash," "Personality Crisis," a slice of pizza and a subway map, you had the city down cold. See who else made the list

We Came As Romans Get Warped

We Came As Romans will perform on the 2011 Warped Tour, as confirmed by the festival's first wave of announcements made today. This will be the band's first time playing on the summer tour.

We Came As Romans is currently touring Australia and New Zealand alongside Megadeth, A Day To Remember, and more on the No Sleep Til Festival Tour. They will kick off 2011 on the Motel 6 Rock Yourself To Sleep Tour with For Today, The Word Alive, Woe Is Me and Texas In July.

Leading up to Warped Tour, We Came As Romans will headline the Scream It Like You Mean It Tour in Europe, which will begin in mid-April and features support from Miss May I, The Word Alive, and This Or The Apocalypse. more on this story

The Project Hate MCMXCIX Bleeding The New Apocalypse

The Project Hate MCMXCIX's new album "Bleeding The New Apocalypse (Cum Victriciis In Manibus Armis)" is set to hit the stores on next February 14th (one day later in the US).

"So, you have digested the title for a while", mainman Lord K. Philipson comments. "Now it's time for the cover. Artist Marko Saarelainen (who you all should hire to do your artwork or websites by the way) has once again dug deep into his disturbed mind and fired up an incredibly fitting work of art to go with the title. Just look at it, check out all the small details and have the title in mind... Taste it... Bleeding the new apocalypse... That's what you are in for this time. The darkness of the music on this piece is perfectly reflected in Marko's artwork.

"There is a slight twist to this cover, perhaps you will see it, perhaps you won't. Just acknowledge the fact that in a bunch of weeks you will have the chance to support The Hate and Season of Mist by actually buying this masterpiece and go thru the incredibly good looking booklet that comes with it. Marko's outdone himself in that area as well, not just with the cover As Dark Angel once put it... Darkness descends. You are now beginning to watch it, piece by piece." more on this story