Avenged Sevenfold Recruit Dream Theater Drummer- Kurt Cobain The Movie- Plastic Ono Band Revival- Paul Rodgers Confirms Aerosmith Offer and more

The Killers' Brandon Flowers' mother Jean Flowers has died of cancer, according to reports. The band had cancelled a series of Asian and Australian gigs due to a 'family illness' more. -

Killswitch Engage Address Rumors and Speculation After Singer Leaves Tour

Last week, it was announced that Killswitch Engage vocalist Howard Jones had to unexpectedly leave the band's current headlining tour, leading to a flurry of rumors and questions about the status of the tour and the band.

The band has further issued the following statement addressing the matter, saying: "It became overwhelmingly obvious to all of us around Howard that he is in no condition to be on tour right now and that he needed to get off the road and get himself better. It's a personal matter and while we understand everyone's curiosity and concern for Howard and the band, we appreciate everyone respecting Howard's privacy at this time."

Longtime friend Phil Labonte of All That Remains was able to fill in and help out the band for a few shows and it appears as though he will be filling in for the remainder of the tour, which runs through March. KsE endured and survived a similar situation in the past, where guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz was forced to sit out a tour due to a back injury. KsE also said, "We seriously considered cancelling the tour since we don't want to give fans that paid good money anything less than KsE at full-strength. But after trying a few shows with Phil, and after feeling the love and support that we were getting from the crowd, it became increasingly apparent to us that the shows came across as fun and unique, and the fans seemed to be enjoying it. We quickly realized that we had to keep going and that we couldn't possibly stop." Refunds are available for any fans that have already purchased tickets, but as the band said, this tour will offer a chance to experience KsE in a unique way that you won't be able to witness again. - more including video link to KsE with Labonte on vocals

Pink Floyd / Sex Pistol Collaboration?

We learn something new every day. Apparently Pink Floyd regrouped a couple years ago and invited Sex Pistols frontman Johnny Rotten to play with them. This according to the following NME report:

John Lydon has revealed that he'd "love" to re-record Pink Floyd's classic album 'The Dark Side Of The Moon'. In an interview with Stool Pigeon, the Sex Pistols man explained that he was invited into the studio by Pink Floyd, but turned them down.

"Two years ago when they [Pink Floyd] came to LA, they asked me would I come on and do a bit of 'Dark Side Of The Moon' with them and the idea thrilled me no end." Lydon revealed. "Well no, it would have been very, very neat but it stunk a little in my head of 'What am I doing here? I just don't want to do it, but I wanted to do it, but just not when 20,000 people were there.'" He added: "I came so close to doing it, it felt like I was trying to set myself up as some kind of pretentious person. I'm very wary of the jam session end of things." - more on this story

Bullet For My Valentine Set Release Date, Offer Free Download

Bullet For My Valentine returns with its third Jive album, Fever, on April 27. The official first single, the blistering "Your Betrayal" impacts at radio on March 9, with a video to follow shortly.

Eager to get new music into their fans' hands as quickly as possible, BFMV is offering album track "Begging For Mercy" as a free download for a limited time at BulletForMyValentine.com.

The band starts a headlining U.S. tour on April 30th. Stops for the festival veterans include New Jersey's Bamboozle Festival and Columbus, Ohio's Rock on the Range. Upcoming international festival highlights include the Download Festival in the United Kingdom, Germany's massive Rock am Ring and Rock im Park, Sweden's Metal Town, Belgium's Graspop, Austria's Nova Rock and Italy's famed Gods Of Metal. The international release of Fever is April 26th.
- more on this story

Metallica Announce Festival Appearance, Promise More Dates

Metallica announced that they take part in Rock in Rio, Madrid this summer and they also promised that some more additional dates will be announced soon. Here is what they had to say:

We are excited to be participating in Rock In Rio again, this time in Madrid! The multi-date festival at Madrid City of Rock takes place over six days in early June and we'll be there on Monday, June 14, 2010.

Tickets go on sale February 23 at 12:01 AM at www.rockinrio.com or in Spain through El Corte Ingles (902 400 222). The daily ticket price is 69 Euro and VIP tickets may be purchased by sending an e-mail to taquilla@rockinrio.com.

Keep watching here . . . more announcements for June in the coming weeks! -

Circa Survive Announce Atlantic Debut

Circa Survive has announced the upcoming release of their major label debut, "Blue Sky Noise." Produced by three-time Grammy winner David Bottrill (Tool, Muse, King Crimson) and mixed by Rich Costey (Interpol, The Mars Volta, Rage Against The Machine), the collection arrives in stores and at online retailers on April 20th.

To give fans an early taste of what they can expect on the forthcoming album, the Doylestown, PA-based quintet has posted the album track, "Get Out" on their official website, www.CircaSurvive.com. "Get Out" is the first new music unveiled from "BLUE SKY NOISE," and exclusively available for immediate download when fans preorder the album. A digital copy of "BLUE SKY NOISE" will be delivered one week before the April 20th street date for all preordered albums. Other bonuses include exclusive band merchandise and limited edition items. For complete album preorder details, please visit www.CircaSurvive.com.

To celebrate the release of "BLUE SKY NOISE," Circa Survive will be heading on cross-country trek supporting Coheed & Cambria. The tour will kick off in Charlotte, NC at The Fillmore Charlotte on April 22nd and continue through a finale in Washington, DC at the 9:30 Club on May 27th (see attached itinerary) – tickets go on sale this Saturday, February 20. - more on this story

Before their Eyes, Blessthefall and Miss May I Bangover Tour

Before their Eyes will accompany Blessthefall and Miss May I on the just-announced, The Bangover Tour, starting March 26th in Edmonton, Alberta.

The trek will hit both Canada and the US and will give fans a chance to hear tunes off the band's forthcoming Rise Records release Untouchable, in stores March 9th.

The band will also be supporting Saosin and Maylene and the Sons of Disaster on the Coaxal Flutter 2010 Tour starting February 23rd in Indianapolis, IN. - more on this story

Tenacious D's Kyle Gass Taking His Trainwreck On The Road

Trainwreck, fronted by Tenacious D's Kyle Gass and "Lee of the D" announced today that they will go off the rails this month in support of their latest CD, The Wreckoning.

Trainwreck has been described by Gass as a "cornucopia of rock and a 5-headed hydra of pleasure". Beginning on February 27, Trainwreck's classic/prog/Southern boogie wreck and roll extravaganza will head out on tour beginning at Dipiazza's in Long Beach. Mere days later, the band will cut a swath a mile wide from smoggy Southern California to Sin City and onto the southern United States. After that – they'll head to the Midwest and back again to the Rocky Mountains.

"The Wreckoning is nothing short of a Trainwreck, in the best possible way," said John Barthomew Shredman of Trainwreck. "After seven years of playing music together, touring all over the world, and recording a number of live albums and EP's we finally decided it was time to release our full-length debut. We cannot wait to see all of you on the road in the coming month. So keep your ear-fannies wide and your butt-flaps wider because we're about to ram this train into places you didn't know it could go. Prepareth yourselves!" - more on this story

Former Honorary Title Frontman Jarrod Gorbel Announces Solo Tour

Jarrod Gorbel, the Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter behind esteemed indie act The Honorary Title, announces tour dates for the new self-release of a solo EP.

"Ten Years Older" is available now for digital download. The collection is a taste of what is to come. He is working on a full-length album, which will come out sometime in the near future.

Gorbel has come full circle this year, stepping out from behind the Honorary Title name and recording two remarkable new discs. His solo sound mines classic soul, traditional folk and Americana, incorporating strings, horns and female backing vocals for a sound more lush and organic than any of his previous work. - more on this story

Bruce Kulick Telling Stories Tonight

Tonight, February 18th, Host Victor M. Ruiz is joined by Bruce Kulick from Kiss during an all-new episode of Mars Attacks at 8pm EST on MarkStriglRadio.com.

During this interview Bruce discusses five tracks off of his new solo album BK3, and five classic Kiss tracks from his era of the band. The tracks that are discussed have been handpicked by Bruce himself, during the course of the interview he gives you insight as to what took place while the tracks were recorded, what his motivation was to write or record tracks a certain way, etc. Items touched up during the episode are various Kiss albums, Gene and Nick Simmons, Paul Stanley, Vinnie Vincent, Van Halen, Led Zeppelin, Queen, Pink Floyd, and Steve Vai.

Mars Attacks! with Victor M. Ruiz is a weekly radio show that airs exclusively on Mark Strigl Radio. Episodes debut on Thursdays at 8PM EST / 5PM PST / 2AM Friday CET. - more on this story

Kings Of Convenience Postpone Tour

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Kings Of Convenience have postponed their upcoming US tour to June 2010. All currently purchased tickets will be honored for the new dates, which are listed below.

NEW Kings Of Convenience tour dates:
6/1 Philadelphia PA - Theatre of Living Arts
6/2 Boston MA - Paradise Rock Club
6/4 Brooklyn NY - Warsaw
6/5 New York NY - Webster Hall
6/6 Washington DC - 9.30 Club
6/8 Toronto ON - Phoenix Concert Theatre
6/9 Pontiac MI - Crofoot Ballroom
6/10 Chicago IL - Metro

As a consolation for this postponement, for a limited time, all current ticket-holders will given an opportunity to download an exclusive track for free via their local promoter. This track, "Love Is No Big Truth", was recorded for Italian radio and will be available on the band's upcoming iTunes exclusive EP Live Acoustic Sessions: Milan out 2/23/10. - more on this story

Singled Out: Kashmir

Welcome to Singled Out! where we ask artists to tell us the inside story of their latest single. Today Kashmir tells us about "Kalifornia" from their brand new EP "The No Balance EP". Here's the story:

The song was one of those songs that got stuck in the "band-drawer" for a long time. Kasper presented the guitar-arpeggio for the verse at some point several years ago. We instantly fell in love with the mood of those chords. The non vibrating organ was there from the start along with the guitar. We would sit in the studio and play it over and over. But we couldn't get past the verse. For many years we occasionally would play it for half an hour and then get frustrated because we couldn't get out of the loop. Yet, everybody felt that this was a good song that just wasn't finished yet.

When working with Tony Visconti we decided to bring the unfinished song, and Kasper suddenly wrote the very simple B-part that sort of releases the verse. Tony came up with the drum-accents for that part that creates an interesting break from the pulse in bass and drums. Kasper always sang Kalifornia long before the lyrics where finished. The song has turned out to be a very important one for the band and many fans favorite.

Hearing is believing. Now that you know the story behind the song, listen for yourself with a fan made video for the track and learn more about the EP - right here!

The Dig Set April Release

New York City's The Dig will release their debut full-length album Electric Toys on April 27, 2010. Electric Toys was recorded late this past summer at Trout Recording in Brooklyn, NY, with co-producer Bryce Goggin (who has produced, mixed, or engineered artists including Pavement, Antony & the Johnsons, The Ramones, Bishop Allen).

It's a seamless, dynamic collection of alternately buoyant and moody rock songs replete with memorable hooks; a mix of darkish tales of twisted circumstances and desperate people driven to do bad things, and classic songs about girls, love, and points in-between.

Musically the album ranges from the wistful and roaring "Carry Me Home" to the jaunty, hand-clapping "You're Already Gone" from the humming, hypnotic "Two Sisters" to the spry, ebulliently rhythmic "Penitentiary," and from the ominous, hot-blooded "She's Going to Kill That Boy" to the dreamy, string-laced ballads "For All Your Sins" and "Feel Like Somebody Else." - more on this story

Cloud Cult Announce US Dates

Cloud Cult is thrilled to announce some US tour dates this February, March and April – their first in nearly six months. The handful of 2010 US dates include a benefit show on February 26th at First Avenue in Minneapolis where all proceeds will go to saving The Electric Fetus Record Store outside of $1 from each ticket that will be set aside for the American Red Cross' Haiti Relief Fund.

In addition, this past fall Craig and Connie Minowa moved to a new home just West of Madison, WI where Craig has been writing and recording a new album set for release later this year.

Despite not releasing a new album in 2009, it was far from a quiet year for Cloud Cult. They put out a documentary DVD No One Said It Would Be Easy on April 21st. The film tells the unique journey of the group, serving as both an introduction and introspection meant for newcomers and fans alike. The band followed up the release of the film with nearly two months of tour dates including their first performance at the annual Coachella Music Festival in Indio, CA. - more on this story

Full Metal Texas 2010 Initial Lineup

After blowing away Austin in 2009 with their debut event, Full Metal Texas has announced the initial lineup for the 2010 day party taking place on Thursday, March 18th at Emo's Main Room and Emo's Jr. in Austin, TX from Noon - 6pm.

Yeah! Management and Branch Marketing Collective have put together one of the best metal shows to hit Texas this year...and it is FREE and open to the public!

This year's lineup includes these twelve bands plus some Very Special Guests to be announced soon: Fair To Midland, Darkest Hour, Born Of Osiris, Iwrestledabearonce, Iron Age, Karnivool, Naam, Howl, Amarna Reign, Your Demise, Upon A Burning Body and Lions Lions. - www.fullmetaltexas.com

Tibet House Us Announces Complete Benefit Concert Lineup

Tibet House US is proud to announce the complete line up of the 20th Annual Benefit Concert at Carnegie Hall. This year's esteemed line up, guided by artistic director Philip Glass, includes Iggy Pop, Patti Smith with Jesse Smith, Regina Spektor, Gogol Bordello, Pierce Turner, Bajah + The Dry Eye Crew and Tenzin Kunsel. The concert will take place on Friday, February 26th and tickets are still available via the Carnegie Hall Box Office.

For twenty years at the famed Carnegie Hall venue in NYC, the annual benefit concert has assembled some of the biggest names in music and offers audiences a mix of unprecedented musical collaborations and solo offerings.

Past unforgettable concerts have featured such talents as David Bowie, Paul Simon, Sheryl Crow, Moby, Sigur Ros, Bright Eyes, R.E.M., The National, Natalie Merchant, Rufus Wainwright, Vampire Weekend, Emmylou Harris, Live, Ray Davies and Damien Rice, among many others. - more on this story

Minus the Bear Sign Danger Deal

Dangerbird Records is proud to announce the signing of Seattle-based rockers Minus the Bear to their burgeoning roster. The Silver Lake-based label will release the band's fourth LP this spring.

"As music fans, we've adored Minus the Bear for years, so we're honored to be in business with them," exclaims Jeff Castelaz, co-founder/CEO of Dangerbird Records. "They had many options, and chose to make Dangerbird their new home. Something we take quite seriously."

"After months of looking under rocks and in dark caves, we've found a nice place to nest with Dangerbird Records," explains bassist Cory Murchy. "They are a label of artists for artists and we are very excited to work with their creative minds to continue to bring you quality craftsmanship and the very best we can provide for our fans, both old and the newly educated." - more on this story

Antennas Up Releasing Free Song To Celebrate SXSW

Powerful, groovy music phenoms Antennas Up have been channeling the fever of Saturday night in support of their debut album since April 2009 and the ensuing buzz has finally paid off. Their invitation to do an official showcase at this year's SXSW has arrived! The band will play a kick-off show in Kansas City on March 12th before heading south to perform a Saturday night showcase in Austin. Following that, they'll head for Chicago to cure their hangovers and play a show at the vaunted Logan Square spot Whistler.

To celebrate these exciting times, Antennas Up will release a new song as a free download for the month of March. Their trademark dance floor-crashing style is in full effect on "This Way", but the amped-up synthy funk can be deceiving – this is the ultimate kiss-off. Look for "This Way" at www.antennasupmusic.com on March 1st.

When learning of a band who wears their fascination with spaceships, videogames and assorted results of hyper-accentuated technology on their sleeve as Antennas Up does, one might make the assumption that their obsession is a reflection of a rather cold persona. Thank God, their debut album is now available and any pre-conceived notions of frigid, scientific vibes are swept away by dance floor-worthy grooves that share loyalties to funk, neo-soul and electro-robot rock. The songs on this self-titled debut are incredibly inclusive, with hypnotic rhythms weaving in and out of infectious melodies, drawing listeners closer. Innovative studio techniques bring a modern edge to tunes that are guaranteed to fill the dance floor, generating collective joy between the audience and band. - more on this story

Raul Midon Hitting The Road For New Album

A Raul Midon live performance is a force of nature. His "supple, high-flying tenor" (New York Times) and "mind-blowing guitar work" (People Magazine), have wowed audiences the world over.

With his new album 'Synthesis' set for April 20 release on Decca, Midon will take to the road for a cross-country solo tour kicking off April 27 at the Roxy in LA.

New Yorkers will get a preview of the tour, when Midon plays a special, intimate show at his former homebase, Joe's Pub, on March 12. He returns to NYC on May 18 for a performance at City Winery. - dates

Behind the Music Remastered: Genesis This Weekend

Catch "Behind the Music Remastered: Genesis" this Saturday, February 20th at 10PM ET. Picking up where the original "Behind the Music" episodes left off, VH1 Classic will air brand new interviews, footage, and video clips that update the stories of several classic artists over the last 10 to 15 years.

While all of these artists have previously been featured on BTM, the Remastered series will pick up where those episodes left off with new interviews and footage from the past decade. Behind the Music Remastered premiered on VH1 Classic on Saturday, February 13th. - Check out the Genesis: Peter Gabriel preview clip here

The Blacks Announce Digital EP

One of the truly original and exciting bands to emerge out of the late 90s Chicago, The Blacks burned bright for two albums (1998's Dolly Horrorshow and 2000's Just Like Home, both on Bloodshot) then flamed out under their own volatility. After a decade of life's detours and dead ends, and after a buoyant reunion show at the Bloodshot Records 15th Anniversary Hideout Block Party in the fall of 2009, the stars aligned, drinks were poured---but not too many, and the record that was never supposed to happen happened. It only took ten years. From frank summations of a lost decade to soaring expressions of defiance and resilience, In Sickness and Health shows that The Blacks have lived enough to be weary, but weariness need not breed submission.

Book-ending the EP are stark confessionals that could be comfortably sung in a dimly lit basement studio or on the railing of a bridge. As we enter a new decade, singer/guitarist Danny Black's near-whispered "Ten Years" is the theme song for blown chances and wasted time, while bassist/singer Gina Black (classically trained, but beats and bows the stand-up like few others) sings "If It All Falls Through" teetering on desperation, her voice cracking and breathless with resignation or hope, it's hard to tell. Maybe she doesn't even know. Maybe it's the same thing.

As the music industry staggers into its Brave New World, In Sickness and Health is a digital-only EP releasing on March 9th. The first 300 downloads come with a limited-edition poster designed by Danny Black and silk screened by Crosshair Silkscreen. All downloads of the EP include an enhanced package of lyrics, original artwork, photos and the documentary on the Blacks rise and fall, "Bring It Back From The Dead" by John Boston and Glorious Noise Productions.
- more on this story

Farin X Change Rocks The Hard Rock

Emerging reggae band Farin X Change launched its self-titled debut album to rave reviews at the grand reopening of the Hard Rock Cafe, Ocho Rios, on Friday February 12th, 2010.

Band members Richard "Richie" Sinclair, D.A. "Lexie" Russell, K. "Junior" Lamey and Ian Knight were accompanied for the night by Bertram Saulter (owner of Island Outposts' The Caves resort in Negril, as well as a founding member of the Flashpoint Film Festival) on harmonica.

Farin X Change took the stage following a pre-show VIP reception, well attended by local music industry persons and north coast tastemakers, and proceeded to deliver a two hour set of the hard-hitting eclectic roots reggae/rock that is their signature style. The band kicked things off with "Toe The Line", the lead single from the album, and segued smoothly into more of their original material including "Running Away" and "Feel No Pain". - more on this story