Velvet Revolver Future Not Assured- Ozzy Sick of Gaga- Unholy Night Metal Christmas-Coldplay Christmas- Free Klaxons- Agnostic Front- Schenker Brothers Album?- more

On this day in 1985, Judas Priest fans Raymond Belknap and James Vance shot themselves after listening to the Judas Priest album Stained Class. The two had drunk beer, smoked marijuana and then listened to hours of the album. Afterwards, they took a shotgun to a nearby school playground where Belknap shot and killed himself. Vance shot himself as well, but lived for more than three years before dying of effects of the shooting. Find out what else happened on this date in music history here

Hayley Forced Members Out of Paramore?

(Rock AAA) Paramore founding members Josh and Zac Farro say they were forced out of the band after years of label and management backing singer Hayley Williams in battles for control.

And they say the band's most recent album, Brand New Eyes, was not a project which brought the members closer together – it was actually the catalyst for the brothers' departure. News of the split broke at the weekend via Paramore's website. The band said: "For the last year it hasn't seemed as if Josh and Zac wanted to be around any more. We want them to be happy and if that isn't here with us, we support them in finding happiness elsewhere."

But the Farros say their feelings are much stronger than that – and they'd been upset about the band's direction since soon after Williams joined in 2002, although they were too young and inexperienced to know what to do about it. The plot thickens here

Slash Talks New Velvet Revolver Singer

MusicRadar.com caught up with Slash to talk about a variety of topics including his tour with Ozzy, his next solo album and the hot topic of the minds of fans at the moment: The reported new singer for Velvet Revolver. Here is that part of the exchange:

Matt Sorum was recently quoted as saying that Velvet Revolver had finally found a singer that you all "really like a lot." He described the vocalist as a "known guy, younger and stronger," but stressed that things were in the "dating" stage. Is this indeed the case? "Never believe what you read. [laughs] Here's what's happening: things have been moving in a very positive direction, and we'll know exactly what we're doing next month."

OK. But do you think you might have found the right person? "I haven't said anything. I said we'll figure out Velvet Revolver next month." [laughs] Read the full interview here

Saving Abel and Hinder Tour

Saving Abel and Hinder have announce more dates for their upcoming Winter tour.

"All of us in Saving Abel are excited about continuing to tour with Hinder," remarked lead singer Jared Weeks. "This whole tour is one hell of a package. So many great bands with great shows, we should make a habit outta this! Come to the show and get your faces melted off. It's cold in January but this tour is Hot, Hot Hot!" more on this story

Axl Rose Issues Christmas Message

Axl Rose took to the Guns N' Roses Facebook page to issue the following Christmas message to fans: I'd like to thank all our fans for coming out to the shows over the last year all over the world!! Was great to see you n' to be able to perform for you!! I'd like to thank our fans on the web, the fan sites, n' all our fans on Twitter, Facebook n' Myspace.

I'd like to thank the band, their families, The Sebastian Bach Band, Danko Jones, Murder Dolls, Korn, Imperial State Electric, Julianna Down, Gum X, Mucc, their crews, the TPB's, Duff, our crew, production, staging, lights, sound, pyro, video, management, our business n' legal team, my family n' friends, the promoter's, agents, catering, security, the shot girlz, drivers, our travel agents n' the staffs at our hotels, trucking, airlines, flight crews, airport security, bus n' transportation companies, everyone who chose to say or write a nice word about us, the venues n' their staffs n' security, the countries, cities n' Customs all over the world, club owners, their staffs, club promoters, sponsors n' all of our friends around the globe who helped make things happen!!

I'd like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas n' Happy New Year, Happy Hanukkah n' a great Holiday Season to everyone!! more on this story

The Ramones To Receive Lifetime Achievement Grammy

(hennemusic) "Gabba-Gabba-Hey!" The Ramones are getting a Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award next year.

On Wednesday, the Recording Academy announced its 2011 Special Merit Awards recipients and Lifetime Achievement Award honorees, and this year's group includes: Julie Andrews, Roy Haynes, Juilliard String Quartet, The Kingston Trio, Dolly Parton, The Ramones and George Beverly Shea.

The artists will receive their statuettes at an event in Los Angeles on February 12, a day before the 53rd annual Grammy Awards ceremony is held. more on this story

Merry Christmas From Eddie Van Halen

(hennemusic) A Christmas message to fans has been released by Eddie Van Halen via Facebook.

"I would like to thank all of you for your continued support. Have a safe and happy holiday and a rockin' new year! See you soon! Eddie"

The Van Halen News Desk reported recently that the band will enter the studio in January to begin work on a new album, their first with David Lee Roth since 1984, and their first new music with Roth since '96. more on this story

The Black Crowes Will Fly Again

(Gibson) The Black Crowes have begun an indefinite hiatus, but frontman Chris Robinson says that, compared to the last time the band took an extended break, this split is on much friendlier terms.

The band performed the final show before the indefinite break at the Fillmore in San Francisco on Monday, wrapping up a weeklong residency at the iconic venue. Robinson told Artisan News that the band members were staying positive and were "in a great place."

"Me, my brother Rich and Luther Dickinson all have babies now," Robinson said. "I want to take a little break with my wife and son. When we did it before, that was breaking the band up. There were a lot of bad feelings, negative things. The band wasn't fun and things didn't feel good. But in this situation we're a little wiser – and it means we know it's something we want to do again." The setlist for the band's rather Stones-heavy final show

Bret Michaels Engagement Wasn't As Romantic As He Envisioned

(Gibson) Rock star Bret Michaels proposed to fiancee Kristi Gibson on his new reality TV show Bret Michaels: Life as I Know It. Michaels said: "I want you to know that I love you, and you've been unbelievably a big part of my life, and we have two beautiful girls together. I know we love and respect each other, and I hope we can find that inner love that we can have forever. I want you to be my wife."

But according to the Daily Express it wasn't the romantic moment he had envisioned. He told People.com: "In my mind, it wasn't supposed to happen like that - I wanted it to be a little more like the movies, where the white horse gallops up and all that stuff.

"But when Kristi said, 'I don't need this ring, I don't need the piece of paper, I love you no matter what,' she took the pressure off. She used reverse psychology on me — and it worked!" more on this story

Foo Fighters Secret Gig

(Gibson) Dave Grohl and his Foo Fighters debuted a batch of new songs during a somewhat secret show in the Los Angeles area on Tuesday. The rock giants played "Valley" rock club Paladino's, just as they did three years ago, before the release of Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace.

The set list was notable for the new songs "Dear Rosemary," "White Limo" and "Back and Forth," which Grohl said might end up being the title of the new album. The forthcoming release is planned for Spring and is in the mixing stage right now. The group recorded the album with producer Butch Vig and worked with Grohl's former Nirvana pal Krist Novoselic on some tracks.

Novoselic also joined the Foos onstage for their Tuesday show, which was attended by celebrities including Ryan Phillippe, Amanda Seyfriend and Shane West. The set list included plenty of Foo Fighters hits in addition to the new stuff; they played "Learn to Fly," "My Hero," "The Pretender" and many other Foo standbys. more on this story

Radiohead's OK Computer Named Best Album Of Quarter Century

(Gibson) Readers of British rock magazine Q have voted Radiohead's' OK Computer the best album of the past 25 years. According to Metro, Nirvana's Nevermind came second with Oasis's (What's The Story) Morning Glory? third.

Paul Rees, Q's editor-in-chief, stated: "In the 13 years since its release, OK Computer's appeal to Q and its readers has grown exponentially. We originally hailed it as a masterpiece and, a rarity this, that isn't an opinion that we've even considered modifying ever since.

"As this readers poll testifies, our readers see it as the benchmark against which all other album are and continue to judged against in Q's lifetime." more on this story

James Bond Saved Band From Arrest

(Rock AAA) Rising Swedish stars Bullet escaped a brush with Scottish police officers by speaking in a spoof Sean Connery accent, bassist Adam Hector has revealed.

The band were touring the UK earlier this year with Hardcore Superstar when they found themselves in trouble with Glasgow cops after failing to observe the city's rigid laws banning public drinking.

But good-natured officers from Strathclyde Police decided not to go through with arrest action after Bullet singer Hell Hofer imitated the James Bond actor's unique voice. more on this story

Behind the Video: Midnight Spin's Trigger Finger Itch

Today Midnight Spin tells us the story behind their hilarious new video for "Trigger Finger Itch." It's like the Usual Suspects for breakfast...or Reno 911 on mushrooms. Here you go!

With a few exceptions every now and again, rock bands tend to make really serious videos. No smiles, big amps, skinny jeans, then add some smoke and a handful of angst-ridden singing and you've got the recipe down perfectly. For our most recent video we went to Comedy Central studios, and replaced the angst with ridiculousness, and instead of smoke and skinny jeans we had sugary cereal and crazy costumes.

The concept for the video was inspired by some really cool graffiti in our neighborhood in Brooklyn entitled "Cereal Killers" that shows all of the famous cereal mascots holding guns, grenades, and generally ready to commit some crimes. In the video we are dressed as our favorite cereal mascots, running through the city dealing drugs (baggies of cereal) and getting busted by the cops throughout. It's like the Usual Suspects for breakfast...or Reno 911 on mushrooms.

Not only were we the cereal mascots, but we also played the cops...and there is nothing more hilarious or illegal than running down the streets of New York City wearing a fake mustache and a police uniform, chasing your drummer Danny in a tiger costume. I also enjoyed driving a car with a camera mounted on it, whipping around a corner and throwing Mike our lead singer in a bunny costume onto the hood of the car and handcuffing him. Needless to say, we got quite a bit of attention from people walking by. This video was a blast to make...a very bizarre two days of shooting. We have a behind the scenes look at making the video on our YouTube page so you can see the stupidity that went down.

We hope everyone enjoys the video, shares it with some friends, and keeps up to date with Midnight Spin news. After we play our big New Years Eve show with The Walkmen in DC we will be hitting the studio and have a whole mess of new music that will be released in 2011. It's been a great year for our band and we want to thank Antimusic for continuing to spread the word about Midnight Spin.

Now that you know the story behind this video, you can watch it for yourself right here!

Steven Tyler Helps Kids For The Holidays

(hennemusic) Looks like American Idol judge/Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler is home for the holidays and in a giving spirit.

Boston.com reports the Aerosmith frontman, who lives in Marshfield, was at Whole Foods in Hingham, MA on Monday night doing some holiday shopping with his daughter, Mia.

When Tyler got to the cash register, he put smiles on the faces of employees when he decided to buy 100 Feed Kids Now bags, which are $5 bags filled with nutritious foods that are distributed to children at the Quincy Crisis Center. more on this story

How Rick Rubin Changed Kid Rock

(hennemusic) Kid Rock sat down with CMT to talk about his latest release, "Born Free." CMT: On Born Free, you worked with producer Rick Rubin. What do we hear different as a result of his involvement?

Kid Rock: Rick's been a good friend for a long time, I'd say 10 years plus. His greatest talent is really bringing out who you are and where you're heading musically -- and really keeping you true to that. He's always said to me, "I think you've positioned yourself to make the next really great Americana, rock 'n' roll record with all your tinges of blues and country music, hip-hop, rock 'n' roll." I just gave him the wheel. And I left my comfort zone of my home studio in Detroit, which I've been pretty successful doing what I do best there, and let him have the wheel and rode shotgun. Doesn't mean I wasn't yellin' out once in a while -- "Hey, turn left here!" ...

It was a great experience. He brought in a lot of great players and really made me focus on the songs. He raised all the keys and made me sing in a lot higher keys than I'm used to. He put me to work, which I'm not scared to work. I've worked very hard to get where I'm at, but he even took it to another level of making me really work hard and focus on the songs, singing and just having great players in the studio. We knocked that record out after we had spent so much time writing it. We got all the great players in the studio together. We recorded it in two weeks. It was done. No quick tracks, no tomfoolery. It was just honest people sitting around that have practiced the craft for a long time. ... We made a record like the way it's supposed to be made, I think. more on this story

Beatles Abbey Road Crosswalk Declared A Historical Landmark

(hennemusic) The Abbey Road zebra crossing in north London, made famous after appearing on a Beatles album cover, has been granted heritage status in the U.K.

The BBC reports that the crossing - the first of its kind to be listed - is being recognized for its "cultural and historical importance" following advice from English Heritage.

The Beatles were photographed on Abbey Road in Ian Macmillan's iconic cover shot for the 1969 album, "Abbey Road." more on this story

Elbow Set New Album Release

(Gibson) British rock band Elbow told a BBC radio show this week that they'd release their fifth album, Build a Rocket Boys!, on March 7.

"I didn't know whether [the album] was good or not for a couple of weeks, but I'm very happy with it now," frontman Guy Garvey said on a BBC 6 Music program.

Just as with Elbow's previous two albums, keyboardist Craig Potter produced Build a Rocket Boys!, which was recorded at Blueprint Studios in Manchester, England. Elbow have planned a 12-date arena tour to kick off from Glasgow the week after their album hits stores. more on this story

Jack Black Blue Man Group Meets A Clockwork Orange Christmas

(hennemusic) Jack Black made quite a splash Tuesday on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Black is making the rounds to promote his new movie, "Gulliver's Travels," which opens this weekend.

Jack and Jimmy teamed up for a performance of "Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy," the mix inspired by the David Bowie/Bing Crosby duet.

hennemusic would describe the visual as "Blue Man Group meets A Clockwork Orange." Check it out!

Orange Juice's Edwyn Collins Set U.S. Solo Album Release

Orange Juice frontman Edwyn Collins will release his seventh solo album, Losing Sleep in the US on March 22nd.

The record features tracks co-written with Johnny Marr, Roddy Frame, Alex Kapranos & Nick McCarthy of Franz Ferdinand, Romeo Stodart of The Magic Numbers, Ryan Jarman of The Cribs and TheDrums and is the first album Edwyn's written and recorded since his serious illness in 2005.

Edwyn has released a video for Losing Sleep track "Do It Again" (featuring Alex Kapranos and Nick McCarthy of Franz Ferdinand). Edwyn has released a video for Losing Sleep track "Do It Again" (featuring Alex Kapranos and Nick McCarthy of Franz Ferdinand). Check it out here

Christmas Savior For the 100 Club?

(Gibson) The 100 Club, the legendary London music venue that has threatened to close this December due to rising rent costs, may have found a last-minute savior this holiday season.

When word initially got out that the venue might close its doors, several high-profile musicians joined a campaign to save the club, including Mick Jagger, Liam Gallagher, Primal Scream's Bobby Gillespie and the Sex Pistols' Glen Matlock. Perhaps the biggest show of support came when Paul McCartney played an intimate gig there last week.

Now owner Jeff Horton says there is a ray of hope. He told the Evening Standard, "We are actually in talks now with somebody who's stepped forward who wants to sponsor the club. I can't tell you any more than that because I've signed terms so I'm tied to a confidentiality agreement.But I'm hopeful that something positive can be announced in the next week or so. It would involve the club keeping going — it would remain with me." more on this story

Free Video Drum Lesson From Rush's Neil Peart

(hennemusic) The Drum Channel recently revamped their website and are offering up a free video lesson from their Neil Peart Master Class series.

Neil has shaped the world of drumming for thousands of drummers and his Master Class is an amazing drum jam, a conversation with world-renowned teacher Freddie Gruber, and an introspective look into the creative concepts of one of the most iconic musicians of our time.

His class will equip you with creative concepts and applications to expand your musical vocabulary. Neil shares what he has learned in the areas of composition and articulation in what may be one of the most entertaining, educational and articulate lessons you will ever take. more on this story

New Whitesnake Album In No Valentine Day's Card

(hennemusic) Whitesnake's new album will be called "Forevermore." And you better get it right, according to David Coverdale.

"Don't forget, 'tis ONE word. Otherwise it sounds like a bleedin' Valentine's Day card, which it ain't!" says Coverdale.

"Forevermore" is due for release in late March. more on this story

Clapton Week: How Eric's Beano Les Paul Electrified the World

(Gibson) 1959 is considered a sacred year among many who worship at the sonic altar of the Les Paul Standard Sunburst, but for some the single most important instrument of that breed is actually a 1960 – specifically, the '60 'Burst used for the scalding tones on 1966's Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton album.

This operatically voiced instrument is sometimes called the "Beano" guitar, after the comic book that Clapton is reading on the cover of this absolute drop-dead classic John Mayall's Bluesbreakers' LP – not the anti-flatulence pill. It's also known as the "Holy Ghost," a title similar to Peter Green's and Gary Moore's 1959 Holy Grail 'Burst, but acknowledging this stellar '60's MIA status. The instrument was stolen during rehearsals for Cream's first gig in late July 1966.

Call it what you will – Eric Clapton's revered "Holy Ghost" or "Beano" 1960 Les Paul Standard Sunburst is being reincarnated by the Gibson Custom Shop. This month, the company's master builders in the shop's climate-controlled Nashville enclave will begin producing a reproduction model based on photographs, testimonials and period blueprints and specs for the original run of 1960 'Bursts. more on this story

Thin Lizzy Add Date and Special Guests To UK Tour

(AEG Live) Thin Lizzy have added a second London show to their January 2011 UK tour. The additional date is: Sunday January 23rd - London, IndigO2 at the O2

'We are thrilled to be able to announce this second London show' says Thin Lizzy Guitarist Scott Gorham, 'the response to the new line Thin Lizzy lineup and demand for tickets has been amazing. To make the IndigO2 show special we will switch the set around and play stuff not in the regular tour set list.......together with all the classics that HAVE to be in every Lizzy show! We can't wait to see you all in January'

In addition Thin Lizzy has added a special guest act (in addition to the already announced Supersuckers) to the following shows on their forthcoming 2011 tour. more on this story

Previously Unreleased Space Opera Songs Get Released

(Glass Onyon) Possibly one of the most underrated music groups to emerge from Fort Worth, Texas is the legendary Space Opera, whose music has been described as "serious, complex, satisfying music, blending rock, folk, jazz and classical influences to achieve their distinctive sound".

Much to the delight of Space Opera fans worldwide, ItsAboutMusic.com has released on CD 'Safe At Home'; 9 rare unreleased recordings from the early '70s, around the time the band was recording their first album. Also included in this definitive Space Opera collectors item are 6 unreleased gems from 1975, 1977 and 1978 as well as liner notes from founding band member David Bullock.

All the 'Byrds meet XTC' sound you've become addicted to – this is one for (and from) the archives! more on this story

Ready Steady Gone (This Day in Rock History)

(Gibson) 5-4-3-2-1…if you were a teenager in the U.K. during the early-to-mid '60s, this is where your weekend started — the BBC's Studio 9 in Kingsway, London, home of the energetic, irrepressible Ready Steady Go! The Friday evening show was one of the U.K.'s first pop/rock music programs, and it featured nearly every major act of the era, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Dave Clark Five, The Animals, The Hollies and others.

RSG! first declared "The weekend starts here!" on August 9, 1963 with Billy Fury and Brian Poole and The Tremeloes taking rock and roll into England's living rooms, despite the rather un-rock-and-roll presence of Pat Boone (introducing his latest film clip) and Burl Ives (singing "Ugly Bug Ball"). The show's presenters were Thank Your Lucky Stars vets Keith Fordyce and David Gell.

As the first season went along, the show increased its "cool" index, with The Rolling Stones arriving in episode three and The Beatles (interviewed by Dusty Springfield, no less) six weeks later. Bands squeezed into the rather small studio with a mass of dancing kids, giving the proceedings the feel of a very cool, very happening party. The shows were also filled with frivolities like miming contests. In The Beatles' first appearance, the band judged four girls doing their own renditions of Brenda Lee's "Let's Jump the Broomstick." (As a side note: years later, when it was reported that that winning girl had disappeared, Paul McCartney was inspired to write "She's Leaving Home".)

... Amazingly, at the height of the British music scene, the show was cancelled in 1966 (with its final episode airing on this date). more on this story

Divinefire To Enter The Eye of the Storm in March

Divinefire will release their new studio album, Eye Of The Storm, in late March 2011 in Japan through King Records and in April through Liljegren Records for the rest of the world.

The big news is the new line-up of Divinefire. The band is now fronted by two vocalists Christian Liljegren (Golden Resurrection) & German Pascual (Narnia) and both vocalists have fronted the loved melodic neoclassical metal band Narnia who did their last concert at Christmas Rocknacht in Ennepetal,Germany December 3, 2010.

Together with guitarist and composer Jani Stefanovic - Divinefire are ready to deliver an exploding metal album called Eye Of The Storm. http://www.divinefire.net/

Gibson Guitars Granted Injunction Against Trademark Infringing Paper Guitars

Gibson Guitar Corp. was granted a request for an injunction against WOWWEE USA Inc, the makers of Paper Jamz, and its retailers, which include Wal-Mart, Amazon.com, Big Lots Stores, K Mart Corporation, Target Corporation, Toys "R" Us- Delaware Inc, Walgreen Co., Brookstone Company, Best Buy Co. Inc, eBay Inc, Toywiz Inc and HSN Inc.

The initial complaint, filed by Gibson Guitar Corp. on November 18, 2010, stated that the WOWWEE USA Inc produced Paper Jamz products wrongfully copy Gibson's famous guitars, the LES PAUL, FLYING V, EXPLORER and SG. Gibson states that they intend to remain aggressive in protecting such trademarks, as it relates to its guitar shapes and designs and that it is of the highest priority to protect a consumer's right to purchase an authentic Gibson guitar, regardless of the form.

The granted injunction indicates that Gibson Guitar Corp. would be irreparably harmed by the continued sale of the products and requires retailers to remove all included Paper Jamz models from their shelves immediately. http://www.gibson.com