Ozzy Car Crash- Kyuss Lives Plan CD- Led Aerosmith Halen Frampton Free Christmas Jam- Menzingers Robbed- Taking Back Sunday Almost Done- Cynic Lose Two Members- more

On this day in 1977, The Sex Pistols were refused entry into the U.S. two days before a scheduled NBC TV appearance. Johnny Rotten was denied because of a drugs conviction, Paul Cook and Sid Vicious because of "moral turpitude," and Steve Jones because of his criminal record. Find out what else happened on this date in music history here

Alice Cooper, Neil Diamond, Tom Waits Confirmed For Rock Hall

(hennemusic) Looks like the rumors were true, as the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Class of 2011 was made public on Tuesday through a number of media outlets, a day ahead of Wednesday morning's official announcement by the Hall.

Alice Cooper, Neil Diamond, Tom Waits, Dr. John and Darlene Love will enter the Hall at the 26th Annual Induction Ceremony on March 14, 2011 at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City.

"I was elated," Cooper told Rolling Stone, "and I called the original band guys immediately, and said, 'Well, remember when we started in high school?' [Laughs] 'Here we are. Only took 45 years." more on this story

Rare Van Halen Fair Warning Era Footage

(hennemusic) Some rare 1981 Van Halen concert footage has surfaced. The footage comes from Van Halen's 1981 "Fair Warning" tour.

The video features a news report on the band, live footage and an interview with David Lee Roth.

It is being used by eBay sellers EliteWorks to promote their Classic Rock auctions series. Check it out here

Metallica Were Unsure of Big 4 Success

Slayer frontman Tom Araya has revealed there were so few Big 4 shows because Metallica weren't sure the package would be successful.

Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax shared the same stage for the first time ever at Sonisphere festival across Europe during the summer. The show in Bulgaria was shown in cinemas worldwide and has now been released on DVD. But many fans in the US, UK and elsewhere were disappointed not to get the chance to see the Big 4 live for themselves.

"The shows were entirely scheduled and decided on by Metallica. It was their decision," Araya tells Noisecreep. "When it first came together a journalist asked James Hetfield about the tour, and he said Metallica weren't really sure about how well it would do, and they'd have to do a little bit more homework on it.

"I'm sitting there thinking, 'If you asked me that question I'd say let's do a worldwide tour.' more on this story

Sepultura Vs Max Cavalera

(Rock AAA) The current lineup of Sepultura have released a strong-worded statement saying there are no plans to reunite with founding members Max and Igor Cavalera.

Max Cavalera, who left the band in 1996, has been in the press on a number of occasions in recent months, saying a gathering of the original lineup is on the cards, but one or other of the members is holding up the process.

Now guitarist Andreas Kisser, surrounded by his Sepultura bandmates, has appeared in an official video slamming Cavalera's "rumours and lies." Kisser says: "We're working on a new album we're going to release next year. We just signed with Nuclear Blast Records and we have a worldwide plan for 2011 and 2012. We're going to be on the road with this formation, the Sepultura we are today. more on this story

Rare Hard Rock and Metal Pictures Go Online Including Randy Rhoads, AC/DC, Def Leppard and more

(Gibson) The period from the mid-1970s to the early 1980s was a golden age for fans of hard rock and heavy metal. Artists like Judas Priest, AC/DC, Def Leppard and Van Halen bestrode the Earth like leather-clad colossi. Stages were chock full of pyro and guitar was king. This was teenaged Jaime Zamora's world.

Jaime Zamora was a young metalhead in Corpus Christi, Texas. Zamora, who is now a four-time Emmy award-winning photojournalist, took his camera to see acts like Triumph and Ozzy Osbourne at the now-demolished Memorial Coliseum and fast-talked his way to the front of the stage for priceless pics of the era's greatest hard rock heroes. "Imagine seeing AC/DC or Van Halen for under ten bucks when these bands were young and hungry to make a mark. Unbelievable times," Zamora said. "Corpus Christi was a favorite stop for the young bands of the time. The crowds were large, loud and energetic, and the bands rewarded us with some amazing shows."

Though he didn't quite realize it at the time, Zamora was bearing witness to history, particularly when Ozzy came to town with his iconic young guitarist. "Randy Rhoads was so close I could touch him," Zamora said. "At the time I didn't realize the photos I took that night would become my most prized images." Rhoads died just three and a half weeks after the show. Check em out and read more here

Roger Waters To Appear on Conan

(hennemusic) Roger Waters will make a rare tv appearance for an interview on Conan O'Brien's TBS show on Wednesday, December 15.

Waters will join guests actress Amy Adams and music act Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros.

Waters wraps up his current US dates of The Wall Live tour on Wednesday with a concert in Anaheim, California, before heading off for three dates in Mexico City. more on this story

Megadeth Members a Nightmare For Hydrogyn

(Rock AAA) Hydrogyn singer Julie Westlake has revealed how a dream-come-true scenario of having two former Megadeth members in the band turned into a five-month nightmare.

And she says guitarist Jeff Young is still motivated by an obsession with Dave Mustaine – 21 years after the Megadeth mainman fired him. Earlier this year the Kentucky hard rock outfit hired Young, who provided guitar for the iconic 1988 thrash album So Far, So Good… So What!

He in turn brought in James LoMenzo, who'd been forced to leave Megadeth when original bassist David Ellefson rejoined. But four months after firing Young, Westlake says the attraction of having two big-name musicians on new album Judgment was mired by "arrogance" and "obsession". She lets loose here

Bright Eyes Hitting The Road

(Gibson) After a few years off, Conor Oberst's Bright Eyes will be back in 2011. As previously reported, Oberst and pals will release a new Bright Eyes album, titled The People's Key, in February. Soon after they'll hit the road.

Bright Eyes have announced a run of March shows that will take the band up and down North America's eastern half and into some historic venues – including New York City's Radio City Music Hall and Nashville's Ryman Auditorium. Although Superchunk and Wild Flag have been named the openers for the New York shows, support acts for the rest of the tour have not been revealed.

Bright Eyes also are playing a show at London's Royal Albert Hall in June. Expect more European dates to be announced in the future. more on this story

Trent Reznor Receives Golden Globe Nomination

(Gibson) The awards season competition just got a little sharper. Nine Inch Nails' Trent Reznor has been nominated for a Golden Globe award for his work on the score for The Social Network. Reznor and collaborator Atticus Ross are nominees in the Best Original Score category, it was announced on Tuesday.

The rocker will be going up against more experienced film composers, including Hans Zimmer (Inception), Danny Elfman (Alice in Wonderland), Alexandre Desplat (The King's Speech) and A.R. Rahman (127 Hours). The Social Network received six nominations overall, including a nod for Best Motion Picture – Drama.

You can see if Reznor will get a chance to give an industrial-sized acceptance speech on January 16, when the ceremony is broadcast on NBC.

Death Cab For Cutie Talk New Album

(Gibson) Death Cab For Cutie say their new album, Codes and Keys, will be released in the spring of 2011. Frontman Ben Gibbard has likened the disc to the ambient expressionism of Brian Eno's Another Green World, but bassist Nick Harmer says the group hasn't dispensed with guitars altogether.

"There are definitely guitars on this record," Harmer told Stereogum, in a recent interview. "There are just less of them than before and we're using them in different ways this time. Ben was really inspired by writing on acoustic guitar and on a piano, so often those parts become voices or keyboard lines, rather than guitar parts. We really experimented with piecing the songs together in different ways and using the studio differently, so this a much less guitar-centric album than we've ever made before."
Harmer went on to say the new album is more radiant in spirit than the band's previous disc, 2008's Narrow Stairs. "The emotional spectrum feels much wider this time," he explained. "The last record was much darker and was much more closely connected to what Ben had been going through in his life at the time. I think there's a lot more light in this record."

OK Go's Latest Stunt

(Gibson) With the help of GPS, 150 fans and flashlights, OK Go recently created their latest music video stunt. Parading over an eight-mile stretch of Los Angeles, the quirky rockers spelled out OK Go, when seen from above on a GPS map. The footage, shot in November, was incorporated into a music video for "Back from Kathmandu," according to MTV.com.

"The idea is ... we are going to make one giant painting, essentially, with Los Angeles," said OK Go frontman Damian Kulash. "We are marching a loop that spells out 'OK Go' through Los Angeles. We're hoping when people see this, they'll think, 'That's a great idea. I'm going to get into my car and drive all over Southeast Asia and make the Mona Lisa!'"

The band is asking for fans to submit their own journeys, which will be edited into a future, collaborative music video. Wired offered some advice to those taking up the challenge: "Participants are advised to plan their journey carefully, keep a consistent pace and move slowly around corners to ensure the signal can keep up with you." more on this story

Liam Declares Beady Eye Better Than Oasis

(hennemusic) Liam Gallagher has told NME that he thinks Beady Eye's debut album, "Different Gear, Still Speeding" – due February 28 - contains songs "as good as 'Definitely Maybe,' if not better."

1994's "Definitely Maybe" sold millions of copies and established Oasis as a band to be reckoned with right out of the gate. The album regularly rates in the top 10 of British album polls, and often at #1 – ahead of music by The Beatles.

Gallagher was speaking in a world-exclusive interview in this week's Christmas issue of NME, on UK newsstands December 15. He declared the album, out February 28, a "f**king top debut." more on this story

No Show Opened Door For Motorhead's Lemmy

(Rock AAA) Motorhead hero Lemmy discovered his instrument by accident when a Hawkwind bassist failed to turn up for a gig. And he says it's a good thing too – because he was never very good on guitar.

In a video interview with The Quietus Lemmy explains: "I was mediocre at guitar. I couldn't play lead to save my life, or yours. I went for a job with Hawkwind as a guitar player but they didn't need one.

"The bass player didn't show up because it was a free gig, but like an idiot he left his bass in the gear van. It was like, 'Please steal my gig,' – so I stole his gig. more on this story

Suede To Carry On In 2011

(Gibson) Suede's Brett Anderson has said that he had so much fun playing with Suede this year that more dates will follow in 2011.

According to NME.com, the reunited Britpop legends who played London's O2 Arena this month have no more dates booked but Anderson told XFM, "We all really enjoyed the tour, because we did a European tour leading up to the O2. The O2 was really special as well, and I think we are all enjoying doing this at the moment… I think in all likelihood we'll probably carry on doing stuff next year."

Suede have been announced as special guests at Wednesday's XFM Winter Wonderland show at the O2 Brixton Academy. The band will receive the XFM Inspiration award that night as well. Earlier this year, they won the 2010 Q Inspiration Award.

Singled Out: Roger Miret and the Disasters

Today Roger Miret from Roger Miret and the Disasters tells us about "Stand Up and Fight" from their forthcoming album "Gotta Get Up Now". Here is the story:

The track came about after we started rehearsing after basically five years off. I had just finished an AF tour had time off and the rest of the guys got together and this whole new energy was coming out. I think we needed a break to really clear ourselves And rediscover music again. This track and the whole album is really just about our love for punk and HC music.

We recorded this album because we wanted to. We didn't have a label or nothing. We just had songs which we felt were great and we stood behind them.

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

Two More Jack White Produced Singles To Be Released

(Press Here) Folk-pop duo First Aid Kit and renowned psych-rockers Dungen are the latest artists to take part in Third Man Records' Blue Series of releases. The special series of 7-inch records, produced by Jack White and recorded at his own Third Man Studios in Nashville, has featured releases from Wanda Jackson, Laura Marling and Secret Sisters, amongst others.

Celebrated Swedish rock band Dungen recorded their Blue Series single at the Third Man Studios in September. The 4-piece, led by songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Gustav Ejstes, recorded two brand new tracks for the label: a mesmeric psych-pop odyssey "Oga Nasa Mum" (which translates into English as "Eye Nose Mouth") and a haunting instrumental titled "Highway Wolf". Since 2004 Dungen have released a string of critically lauded albums. Their impressive sixth full length Skit i allt (Subliminal Sounds/ Mexican Summer) was released earlier this year.

For their Blue Series release First Aid Kit recorded spine-tingling covers of Buffy Sainte-Marie's "Universal Soldier" (made famous in 1965 by Donovan) and classic blues standard "It Hurts Me Too", a song much loved by fans of Karen Dalton's 1969 folk-blues version. First Aid Kit – comprised of 17 and 20-year old sisters Klara and Johanna Söderberg - recorded the tracks in October during their US headlining tour with touring drummer Mattias Bergvist, their father Benkt Söderberg, Jack Lawrence (The Greenhornes/ The Raconteurs) and Joshua Hedley adding additional parts on "It Hurts Me Too". First Aid Kit won international acclaim this year for their stunning debut album The Big Black And The Blue (Wichita Recordings). more on this story

Story of the Year Announce Special Full Album Show

Story of the Year will play their album Page Avenue, in its entirety at a special, one-night-only, show on February 4 at The Pageant in St. Louis as a thank you to hometown fans for their loyal support throughout the years.

"It's been a long, long road," says guitarist Ryan Phillips. "Story of the Year has been our life, our family, our everything for ten crazy years. Years of laughter, tears, joy, and pain, but above all, years of humbling appreciation for this amazing life we have been able to live. We've seen the world, we've lived the life.

"We wanted to do a special show, here in our hometown of St Louis, MO for all of our amazing fans that have stuck with us through thick and thin. Page Avenue is the album that started it all for us. It is the album that defined our sound and layed the foundation for the house we've been building for a decade. more on this story

The Melvins Taking Over Spaceland

The Melvins will be taking over Spaceland, performing each Friday throughout January with a different set and featured albums including the band's current line-up, a 1983 incarnation with Mike Dillard and several albums in their entirety.

The band's most recent release, The Bride Screamed Murder, was released by Ipecac Recordings in June.

A limited edition vinyl version of the album will be on sale at the shows with each handcrafted album featuring detachable artwork from one of ten different artists. more on this story

Volbeat Announce U.S. Tour Dates In Support of New Album

Volbeat released their major label debut Beyond Hell / Above Heaven via Universal Republic yesterday and have announced U.S. tour dates for the new year.

Overseas, the album debuted at number one on the sales charts in Denmark, Finland and Sweden, and Top 10 in a half dozen additional countries. Since release, the album has sold well over 200,000 copies.

In regards to the new album, singer Michael Poulsen shared, "It is different but still holds true to the Volbeat style. We have fast, slow and mid-tempo songs. We still blend different styles of punk, rock'n'roll, rockabilly, metal, heavy metal, thrash metal, and country." more on this story

Paul McCartney Books Intimate Lunch Gig

(Gibson) Paul McCartney will pay a very intimate lunchtime show for no more that 300 people at the 100 Club this Friday, December 17, as a warm-up for his upcoming two U.K Christmas concerts. Tickets go on sale today, December 15, and are limited to two per customer.

According to U.K. newspaper The Independent, McCartney said, "I've played all sorts of different venues over the years and this kind of show presents a different kind of challenge to performing in a stadium.

"I love performing and I love connecting with audiences, be it in a stadium or arena or in a club. I'm looking forward to being able to interact with fans on a face-to-face basis, not to mention the smell of sweat and beer." more on this story

Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven's David Lowery Sets Album Release

Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven frontman David Lowery will be releasing his new album on February 1st. Here is the info we were sent:

Stopping short of calling it a solo record, Lowery has collaborated with a handful of trusted musical cohorts associated with his Richmond, VA-based studio, Sound of Music - an inner circle that Lowery has relied on for over 17 years and who've been instrumental in helping create the sounds heard on this album as well as past projects. David recorded and produced The Palace Guards in conjunction with John Morand and Alan Weatherhead. Key players include Miguel Urbiztondo on drums, David Immergluck on guitars and bass, Craig Harmon played organs and Ferd Moyse on upright bass and fiddle. Special guest appearances include Cracker mates Sal Maida and Johnny Hickman, as well as the late Mark Linkous (Sparklehorse) who played keyboards on "Big Life." The Palace Guards will be available everywhere February 1st, 2011 through 429 Records. more on this story

Of Mice & Men, isetmyfriendsonfire, Sleeping With Sirens Going Across The Nation

Of Mice & Men will headline the Across The Nation 2011 Tour, which kicks off March 10th in Anaheim, CA.

Offering support are isetmyfriendsonfire, Sleeping With Sirens, Woe, is Me and The Amity Affliction.

Included in the spring trek will be two shows in Austin, TX during the annual SXSW music festival, as well as an appearance at the Never Say Never Festival on March 16 in Mission TX. more on this story

The Soulless Enter The Studio

(Earache) The Soulless, who recently changed their name from Ignominious Incarceration, enter the studio today, December 15th, to begin recording their new album.

The Soulless are heading into Outhouse Studios in Reading, England with producer John Mitchell (Architects, Funeral For A Friend, Enter A Shikari) and will be recording until midway through January, 2011.

The as-yet untitled new album is due to be released on Earache Records in April, 2011. more on this story

Duff McKagan In The Buff For Protest

(Gibson) Duff McKagan and his wife have joined the list of celebrities who've disrobed as part of PETA's "Ink, Not Mink" anti-fur campaign.

Wearing nothing but their tattoos, Susan Holmes McKagan and her rocker hubby cut a striking, tasteful pose in the charity ad.

"Seals have never seen humans, so they're not afraid of [humans]," Duff added. "They just sit there [as targets for slaughter]. I think kids are much more aware of things like this than we were." more on this story

Alice Cooper Comments on Rock Hall Induction

(hennemusic) AZCentral reports that Alice Cooper has confirmed that he will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with his band March 14.

Cooper, 62, said Tuesday that he was notified a week ago by the Cleveland-based organization that he and his group will be part of its 26th class.

"Getting in the Hall of Fame is about the ultimate thing you can do when you're a garage band from Cortez High in Phoenix," Cooper said. "It's the most humbling thing in the world when you realize who else is in there. You look out at the audience, and every guy who influenced you is sitting there, and they are the people who voted on you." more on this story

Ill Nino's Restore The Insanity Tour

Ill Nino have announced their new 'Restore The Insanity' tour which kicks off early in the new year.

"We're really looking forward to seeing all of our crazy fans again," states vocalist Cristian Machado. "This is the first U.S. tour we've done in two years, so you'd better put your dancing shoes on, hide your kids, hide your wife, because Ill Niño is comin' to town!"

Ill Nino is headlining the tour with support from Anew Revolution, Ekotren, and Fashion Bomb. more on this story

Best in Shred Championship in January

The six regional winners of Sam Ash Music's "Best in Shred" contest will head to the National Championship Round on January 12th.

The winner will be awarded a total of $20,000 in music, sound and recording gear from Ibanez, Line 6, Electro-Voice, Zoom, Jim Dunlop, Samson and Morley, plus the grand prize: the opportunity to perform live, onstage with legendary guitarist Steve Vai!

The evening will be a star-studded event with a host of world famous recording artists in attendance. Already confirmed for the event are: John 5, guitarist for Rob Zombie; Kiko Loureiro, guitarist for Angra; George Lynch, legendary guitarist for Dokken and Lynch Mob; and Frank Bello, bassist for Anthrax. Also expected to appear is the man himself, Steve Vai. more on this story

The Dibs Frontman Chris Hanlin Announces Solo CD Release Party

The Dibs frontman Chris Hanlin has announced the release of his solo acoustic album, entitled "Hand to Mouth".

The album release party will be at the Gypsy Lounge in Lake Forest, CA on Wednesday December 22nd, at 10pm. They are planning to give away a free copy of the CD with each paid admission. Chris' good friend Jay Buchanan will be opening the show.

Chris says, "Needless to say, I am very excited to finally be able to bring this music to the public. This will be quite a little production. We will be reproducing the album in its entirety, including a live string quartet, jazz rhythm section, and several other special guest musicians. As I wrote the record to be essentially a solo affair, this may be the only time that the material gets performed as it actually sounds on the album. We will also be videotaping and recording the show for future release." You can hear some of the tracks here

This Time Next Year, Transit and Daytrader Tour

This Time Next Year will join Transit and Daytrader on a short East Coast tour this January.

This Time Next Year will also make a stop at the Amped & Alive Ice Jam Festival 2011 at Sonar in Baltimore, MD.

The festival also features performances from This Time Next Year's labelmates We Came As Romans, Pierce The Veil, and Texas In July. Also performing at the show will be Silverstein, Miss May I, For Today, The Word Alive and more. more on this story

Nevermore Announce Tours With Symphony X, Soilwork and Sepultura

Nevermore have announced two tours they have planned for the new year in support of their latest release, The Obsidian Conspiracy.

One finds the band alongside Symphony X and Soilwork which is set to kick off on April 21st in Philadelphia.

The second trek finds them joining forces with Sepultura for a run that begins on May 23rd in Louisville, KY. dates

Nonpoint Announce US Tour Dates

Nonpoint have announce headline dates with special guests Straight Line Stitch and Durge Within.

The dates will be kicking off January 20 at Levelz in West Melbourne, Florida. Following their US tour, the band will head to Australia to play a series of dates at the Soundwave Festival.

Lead guitarist Zach Broderick says, "I couldn't be more excited to get back on the road for our next tour – we're playing some of my favorite cities. I want to thank all the fans that made the past tour cycle so incredible. You give me a reason to wake up everyday. Can't wait to see you in January and February. Thanks for all the packed shows. We guarantee to kick your ass every night!" more on this story