Earliest Metallica Recording Discovered- 10 Unheard Rolling Stones Songs Coming- Down Under Appeal- Ozzy Gets Key To City- INXS All-star Guests and more

George Lynch says he jumped the gun when he was recently reported saying the classic lineup of Dokken were getting back together. more -

Aerosmith Confirm Steven Tyler's Return and Announce Cocked, Locked, Ready To Rock Tour

Aerosmith have confirmed that frontman Steven Tyler is back in the band and they are ready to hit the road this summer for a tour. Here is the official word: Aerosmith- the biggest, most enduring and thrilling band in rock history will make a spectacular return to the UK and Europe this summer with the COCKED, LOCKED, READY TO ROCK TOUR! spawning what will be the ultimate music event of the new decade.

"Back by popular demand with more spit and fire than ever before, we're coming across the pond and parting the waters as we go," says Steven Tyler.

"Aerosmith is going to be rocking in the UK and Europe this summer," adds Joe Perry. "Enough BS - we're coming and everything is going to be set at eleven."

Drummer Joey Kramer says, "Aerosmith is back! Bigger, better and stronger than ever! So look out Europe, 'cuz we're comin' to get cha."

Guitarist Brad Whitford added, "I'm not sure who is happier, the band or the fans. Can't wait to get started. We'll see you this summer." - tour details and dates here

Stone Temple Pilots Announce Comeback Album Details

Stone Temple Pilots have officially announced their comeback album details. We now learn that it is a self-titled effort and the June 1st release date that leaked out yesterday was off by a week. You'll be getting the album a week earlier!

Here is the official word from the STP camp, including the tracklisting: STP fans, brace yourselves for the brand new Stone Temple Pilots album, set to release on May 25th!

Here's an exclusive, first look at the track listing from the self-titled album:
1) Between the Lines
2) Take a load off
3) Huckleberry Crumble
4) Hickory Dichotomy
5) Dare if You Dare
6) Cinnamon
7) Hazy Daze
8) Bagman
9) Peacoat
10) Fast as I can
11) First Kiss on Mars
12) Maver
- more on this story

Guitar Hero's March Lineup Includes Blink-182, OK Go, Flogging Molly, Motley Crue and Night Ranger

Guitar Hero shifts into high gear with the announcement of this month's lineup of downloadable songs for Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero. With a new three-song offering every Thursday, Guitar Hero raises the bar once again with track packs from premier pop-punk band blink-182, alternative rockers OK Go, Irish-infused music from Flogging Molly and a collection of 80's hits from bands Motley Crue, The Go-Go's and Night Ranger.

Leading the charge on March 4, pop-punk trio blink-182 returns to Guitar Hero with a track pack featuring three of their biggest hits that helped shape the development of the pop-punk music genre. The blink-182 track pack features "First Date," the second single from Take Off Your Pants And Jacket, as well as mega-hit "All The Small Things" and the slow-paced, serious track "Adam's Song," both from the band's 1999 multi-platinum album Enema Of The State.

Grammy award winning band OK Go smashes onto the scene March 11 with "Here It Goes Again" and "Do What You Want" from their 2005 release Oh No. Longtime OK Go fanatics will also be thrilled to rock out to "Get Over It," the first single off of the band's 2002 self-titled debut album. - more on this story

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Announce New Studio Album and Tour

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers today announced their 2010 North American tour and the upcoming release of Mojo, their first studio album in eight years, set for release on Reprise Records this spring.

The North American tour, produced by Live Nation, will take the band through a mix of top arenas and amphitheaters across the US and Canada beginning May 6th in Raleigh, NC. Tickets go on sale beginning Monday, March 8 at LiveNation.com

Special guest artists on the tour will include a mix of appearances by My Morning Jacket, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Joe Cocker, ZZ Top, and Drive-By Truckers. - more on this story

Chickenfoot Announce Live DVD Plans

Chickenfoot had this news for fans: "Some of you have heard the rumors for a while and we are happy to confirm/announce that in late spring a Live Chickenfoot DVD will be coming out.

"We're also excited to announce that via a partnership with Virtual Venues Network, there will be sneak previews coming to a club near you- bringing you a nearly live Virtual Concert experience.

"Featuring an early look at the upcoming concert DVD and exclusive unseen bonus footage, these showings will tour on a big screen in local clubs - large and loud - in select cities! - more on this story

Sublime With Rome Announce Spring Tour

Founding members of Sublime, drummer Bud Gaugh and bass player Eric Wilson have announced after 14-years they will officially take to the stage once again; with new frontman, singer/guitarist Rome. Dubbed Sublime with Rome, the group will reintroduce themselves and Sublime's music to fans across the country with an exclusive six-date intimate theater tour beginning 4/20/10 in Los Angeles at the Hollywood Palladium.

"To go back out on the road and play this music again is a gift. We want to celebrate the music and share the experience for not only our fans, but also for ourselves. It's been 14-years and is long overdue," said Gaugh.

Stated Wilson, "Many of our songs have never been performed live, most notably our self-titled release. Songs such as 'April 26, 1992,' 'Under My Voodoo,' 'Burritos' and even 'What I Got' will all get their proper stage debuts." - more on this story

Ben Harper and Relentless7 Set New Release and Tour

On the heels of an incredible first year as a band and the release of their powerful album, White Lies For Dark Times, Ben Harper and Relentless7 is hitting fans with a one-two punch by delivering a commanding documentation of one of their most incredible performances of 2009 with the combination CD/DVD, Live from the Montreal International Jazz Festival on March 9th. Pre-orders are available now at www.BenHarper.com.

In addition, Ben Harper's live performance of "My Father's House" and Eddie Vedder's version of "My City of Ruins" is now available as a split digital single on iTunes and AmazonMP3 to benefit Artists for Peace and Justice Haiti Relief. "My Father's House" was written by Bruce Springsteen and performed by Harper live at the Kennedy Center Honors on December 6, 2009, in front of an extraordinary audience including The Boss and President Barack Obama. Exclusive video of the performance can be seen on www.BenHarper.com.

The new video "Lay There and Hate Me," the third single from White Lies For Dark Times, premiered on YouTube and was directed by James Frost (Radiohead / 'House of Cards', Coldplay / "Yellow"). Check out the video here. An explicit version of the video is currently available on Playboy.com. - more on this story

John Lennon: Behind the Music Remastered This Weekend

John Lennon is the focus of VH1 Classic's "Behind the Music Remastered", airing Saturday, February 27th at 10PM ET.

Picking up where the original "Behind the Music" episodes left off, VH1 Classic airs new interviews, footage, and video clips that update the stories of several classic artists over the last 10 to 15 years.

He picked up the guitar at the age of 16 and for more than two decades, John Lennon led a revolution in modern music. After his amazing stint with The Beatles, by the mid-1970s, Lennon was a solo superstar, but grew weary of the rock and roll hit parade. This episode is a must-see for any Beatles or Lennon fan. - watch a preview clip here

Did You Wear Black Today for Johnny Cash's Birthday?

We told you about this a couple weeks ago, did you remember to wear black today? Here is the original article: Help celebrate what would have been Johnny Cash's 78th birthday on Friday, February 26, the day that his final studio album, American VI: Ain't No Grave (American Recordings/Lost Highway), is officially released, and Wear Black for Johnny.

Fans from all over the world are being invited to help celebrate Johnny Cash's life, music, and the enduring voice he gave to the poor and beaten down by posting pictures of themselves wearing black on February 26. More information as well as links to join the Facebook event (to post photos), follow on Twitter, and to hear the first single, "Ain't No Grave," can be accessed here: Participants will be eligible to win a copy of the new American VI: Ain't No Grave, plus his amazing 5-CD box set, Unearthed. The lucky winner will be chosen at random on March 12, 2010.

American VI: Ain't No Grave, is the sixth and final installment of Johnny Cash's critically-acclaimed American Recordings series, and, as with previous albums in this series, was produced by Rick Rubin. - more on this story

Singled Out: Shirock

Welcome to Singled Out! where we ask artists to tell us the inside story of their latest single. Today Chuck Shirock from Shirock tells us about "Still Young" from their debut album "Everything Burns". We now turn it over to Chuck for the story:

"Still Young" is a song about trying to find hope when all we felt was doubt and uncertainty…it's about feeling overwhelmed by the pressures of big ideas and passing time. The song really has nothing to do with age, it's realizing that as long as we are alive there is still time.

When I (Chuck) started the song (which is how many songs happen—one of us comes up with an initial idea, then we flesh it all out and define it together later), the first lyrics I wrote were the chorus lyrics. A lot of the times we tend to write songs switching perspectives throughout the lyrics. The chorus in this song was written as if I was speaking to Pap, and pretty much captures the central theme of the whole song. She was one of the first people to believe in me, and there is a strong sense of urgency that comes from the weight of trying not to let down the people you care about.

The first verse was also written as if I was talking with Pap. I don't remember exactly, but I think I wrote those first words very literally, about us fighting. When you're in a relationship with someone, and also working together on something that you're both very passionate about, there is bound to be a lot of clashing. The question is not "if" that will happen…it's how you will react when it happens (and if you will be able to continually start over).

The second half of that verse is written as if I was retelling Pap what I've set out to do – to build something that I (with all of my faults, insecurities, and questions) can't tear down…to build something that will last. The last line was directed at those people who tell you to 'give up' on those big ideas you had when you were young. I have always felt like I've been left on the outside…this is a song for those of us who feel like "all we need is a chance."

The second verse starts out like I was talking to myself in the mirror. I try to hold it all together, but—if you really look and if I'm being honest—I'm a broken man. I remember lying in the hammock in our backyard the summer we were working on this song…I was lying there thinking and praying, hoping for some clarity and answers. Not sure what the future held, I was wondering what I was doing and if I would ever achieve my goals. It was an odd mix of being so uncertain but still searching for hope. It started pouring down rain, but I felt so heavy hearted that I just laid there thinking and praying…wondering if "heaven would answer." Wondering if God could hear me. The last few lines are again talking to Pap. "I don't want to stand where you can't stand," admitting I can't do this without her. The verse ends with one of my favorite lines of anything I've written…probably just because it is so honest and vulnerable. "I'm just a man without your heart, who's still trying to understand." Again, I try to pull it all together and act like I've got it figured out and it's all under control. But the truth? Without you, I'm just a man, who at the end of the day is still trying to make sense of it all.

The bridge is admitting that I can't do it alone. Pap's singing "There's only one way out," and I'm saying I need another chance to make this right.

It ends like the day in the hammock ended…learning to be hopeful in the midst of uncertainty. Which I think we've realized is the way most of life is.

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

Lamb Of God's Chris Adler Teams Up With Josh Wilbur To Produce This Or The Apocalypse

Lamb Of God drummer Chris Adler has teamed with famed producer Josh Wilbur (Atreyu, Avenged Sevenfold) to produce the new album from the band This Or The Apocalypse, which is due out this Spring on Good Fight Music.

With a creative approach, broad vision, and DIY principles, This Or The Apocalypse is a group that exhibits the patience and dedication to step outside the box and create something both heavy and unique. With a foundation steadily built from self-released recordings and self- booked tours, This Or The Apocalypse signed to LifeForce Records and released their first commercial debut, "Monuments", in September 07 in the US and the rest of the world the following month. The album ripped along at a driving pace, thoughtfully interchanging syncopated polyrhythmic grooves, striking melodies, and a passionate approach unheard in heavy music; blurring the lines between hardcore and metal, dodging the gimmicks of both. This Or The Apocalypse joined the debut roster of Good Fight Music in 2010 to release their upcoming album.

Chris Adler had the following to say about the working with This Or The Apocalypse on the production of their new record: "I've been wanting to produce a band other than my own for a while now, but never found one that inspired me quite enough to jump in. It's an exhaustive process to commit your creativity and focus to someone else. Most bands that are noticed today do one thing really well, or are known for a particular direction. Few combine as many elements as seamlessly as This Or The Apocalypse. This record is intense to say the least. It feels like a landmark music moment. Time will tell, but I'm obviously pretty f'n psyched." - more on this story

Jonny Lang Returns with Live at the Ryman

While still in his teens in the mid 1990s, Jonny Lang exploded onto the national scene with a combination of highly developed blues guitar chops and a powerful voice that rivaled some musicians more than twice his age. And that was just the beginning. Fifteen years and a half-dozen studio albums later, he has evolved into a seasoned musician and a road-savvy showman capable of delivering powerful live performances on his home soil and just about every other continent on the globe.

On April 20, 2010 Concord Records captures that passion and energy with the release of Live at the Ryman, Lang's first record since 2006's Turn Around, which earned him a Grammy® Award for Best Gospel Album. Recorded at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, in the summer of 2008, Live at the Ryman, Lang's first-ever live recording, offers a compelling glimpse of a young guitarist at the height of his creative powers, yet still open to exploring the depth and range of the blues and its relationship to R&B, soul, rock, gospel, funk and so may other emotionally riveting forms of music.

Backed by the five-man crew of guitarist/vocalist Sonny Thompson, keyboardist Tommy Barbarella, bassist Jim Anton, drummer Barry Alexander and percussionist/vocalist Jason Eskridge, Lang burns through a dozen songs first heard on studio albums dating back to 1997. This time, though, the songs heat up in the kind of pressure-cooker setting that can only take shape in the vibrant Nashville club scene. - more including tour dates

Nick Curran Offering Free Reform School Girl

Reform School Girl is the long-awaited return from the unstoppable, high-energy, one-man 50's R&B revivalist known as Nick Curran. Curran describes his music as a cocktail consisting of the sounds of no less than seventeen widely differing musicians blended together with a cup of broken glass. That only begins to characterize the wallop packed by the 98-proof elixir that includes shards of blues, punk, rock n' roll, and rockabilly. His previous release, Dr. Velvet, earned him the 2004 W.C. Handy Award (now known as the Blues Music Award) for "Best New Artist Debut, "and garnered heavy critical acclaim, and even a turn on HBO's "True Blood."

Reform School Girl is a culmination of Curran's multitude of talents: a throwback to his roots, only amped up to the limit. As Curran states, "I've written more songs on Reform School Girl than on any other records. I wanted it to have no filler – only good stuff. All my influences are there, from old blues like Lazy Lester, T-Bone Walker and Bo Diddley to girl groups like the Ronettes and the Shangri-Las, to Guns N Roses."

On a sad note: Nick Curran has been diagnosed with cancer of the tongue. He is staying in his hometown of Austin, TX for the next two months to undergo treatment and to prepare for his upcoming tour. A full recovery is expected and he anticipates resuming his full touring schedule afterwards. The Feb. 16th, 2010 release date of his new album 'Reform School Girl' was unchanged.

Curran says, "I think it's one of those life things that happens which reminds you not to take life for granted and help you become the best person you can. I've already changed a lot in a good way and I really think this is gonna turn out to be a positive thing. This ain't what's gonna do me in. I am gonna kick this thing in the ass and then go out and kick some serious ass with my new record! I'm ready to conquer the world."

- Grab a free mp3 of Reform School Girl here

Merle Haggard Appears on New Peter Wolf Album

Merle Haggard Steps Off Peter Wolf's Wall of Influences & Onto New Wolf LP. Here is the story: One glance around Peter Wolf's Boston home and you'll immediately notice his massive "Wall Of Influences," as he refers to a wall of vinyl records. Says Wolf, "This ain't a record collection. It's just the stuff I love."

The list ranges wildly. Wolf pulls out a record and introduces it. "Chicago Blues, 1950s, Junior Wells, Muddy Waters, Little Walter," he says. "You can't go wrong with this stuff." Then he finds a Little Richard album. "I remember the day I first saw him and Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis."

His eyes light up when he comes upon the Merle Haggard section, saying, "Every album of Merle's is so good. He just encompasses all of the great parts of country music and American music, right from the beginning and he's still going strong. Recording with Merle is a dream come true for me." - more on this story

Holy Grail Join Amon Amarth Tour

Holy Grail has just been confirmed for Amon Amarth's upcoming North American spring tour which kicks off at the House Of Blues in Los Angeles, CA on Thursday, April 8th and includes a stop at the New England Metal And Hardcore Fest in Worcester, MA on Saturday, April 24th (please see below for tour dates).

The upstart band is also slated to play several of the world's largest metal festivals this summer in Europe, with confirmed slots on the Wacken Open Air Festival in Germany and the Tuska Open Air Metal Festival in Finland.

Holy Grail is currently in the studio recording their debut album, CRISIS IN UTOPIA, due out on Prosthetic Records in late Spring, with acclaimed producer/remixer/musician Danny Lohner (Nine Inch Nails, A Perfect Circle). Vocalist James Luna commented, "The recording process is turning out to be very grinding and ambitious, but if we can pull it off - which we will – the album will be an awesome over-the-top dose of heavy metal. Working with Danny has been exceptional; he's a true pro and an old school metalhead so we feel very comfortable around him and are very excited of what's to come. " - more on this story

A Life Once Lost Now Under Miss Management

Miss Management is pleased to announce that they are now representing Pennsylvania metallers A Life Once Lost. The band is currently in the studio working on their follow up to Iron Gag and they hope to have it out before year's end. Look for a United States tour to follow the album's release.

Conceived in a Philadelphia, PA suburb in 1999, A LIFE ONCE LOST features Robert Meadows (Vocals), Robert Carpenter (Guitar), Douglas Sabolick AKA Snake Sustaine (Guitar) and Justin Graves (Drums). The band recorded their first two albums on Robotic Empire and their third album was released on Deathwish Inc. Following the release of their third album, the band signed with Ferret Music and unleashed their 2005 opus Hunter which reached #28 on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart, #39 on the US Top Independent Album Chart, and has sold over 40,000 copies to date. Hunter was followed up in 2007 with Iron Gag which charted on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart at # 44.

A LIFE ONCE LOST is just as stoked to be represented by with Miss Management. Guitarist Snake Sustaine had the following to say about working with Miss Management, "We are proud to announce that ALOL are now working hand in hand with Maria Ferrero and Miss Management/Adrenaline PR. We worked together on our PR Campaign for our 2005 release HUNTER and it was killer! We are deep into writing our new album and feel that in working together we can make our hallucinations come true. Should be a rager bro!" - more on this story

Red Sparowes Hitting The Road

Los Angeles epic, heavy quintet Red Sparowes has announced North American headlining tour dates this spring supporting its forthcoming third album.

The disc, titled The Fear Is Excruciating, But Therein Lies The Answer, will be released via Sargent House on April 6th, 2010. Red Sparowes will be supported on sections of the tour by Doomriders, Caspian and Fang Island.

There has never been as pronounced of a leap in style and scope as with Red Sparowes' latest offering. The Fear is Excruciating, But Therein Lies the Answer maintains their layered arrangements and swirling amplified crescendos, Americana noir soundscapes (punctuated by the extended pedal steel on "In Every Mind"), and gloriously triumphant melodies ("Giving Birth to Imagined Saviors"). - more on this story

Death Cab Deal For The Lonely Forest

Warner Music Group's Independent Label Group is proud to announce a partnership with Trans Records, Chris Walla of Death Cab For Cutie's new label. Walla's first signing: The Lonely Forest. Based in the small town of Anacortes, WA, The Lonely Forest have taken the northwest by storm behind their independently released album We Sing The Body Electric!.

The band's shows in and around the Seattle and Portland areas have built a rabid fan-base culminating with sold out shows at Seattle's Showbox Theatre last year and a coveted slot at the northwest's premiere festival this May, Sasquatch. Walla initially approached the band about producing their next album, but soon decided to create the Trans imprint with ILG to release their records as well.

"I've been lucky enough to make records with tons of phenomenal bands, and I've considered [starting a label] a number of different times," Walla tells The Stranger. "I don't know—is it oversimplified to say it's them and it just makes sense? This wouldn't be happening if it weren't for the Lonely Forest. They're a phenomenal band. I've been following my nose for so many years, doing the things that felt like the right thing to do. And this time the answer was yes." - more on this story

Crematorium Announce Final Show with Mark Uehlein As They Begin Working on New Album

Crematorium, the Los Angeles purveyors of "Murdercore," has announced that guitarist and longest standing member, Mark Uehlein, will be leaving the band for personal reasons. His last show with Crematorium will be this Saturday, February 27th at The Blvd in Los Angeles, CA.

Vocalist Daniel Dismal commented on the subject: "This Saturday night is going to be Mark's last show ever with Crematorium. Mark has dedicated a lot of blood and sweat into playing with Crematorium since 1996 and in many ways, Crematorium would not have done as much as we have as a band if it was not for Mark's involvement with the band. It's a sad day to watch Mark leave but we want to give him a proper send off and let him know just how much he will be missed and how much he's actually given to the underground Metal scene as a whole."

Crematorium released "For All Our Sins" in 2002, and "The Process Of Endtime" in 2005 on Prosthetic Records. They are currently writing and gearing up to record their latest effort, which is entitled "Born of Filth... Cultivated by Swine". - more on this story

Steve Vai inks ASIA Featuring John Payne

Classic AOR band ASIA Featuring John Payne has inked a recording deal with Steve Vai's Favored Nations record label. A June/July release is scheduled for the yet-to-be-named CD. Asia Featuring John Payne is currently planning worldwide tourdates to support the new album.

"I am very excited about working with Steve Vai and Dean Schachtel [Favored Nations A&R]," John Payne states. "Apart from being consummate professionals that I admire and respect, their added knowledge of the business is superlative. In a time of change within this industry and conglomerates run by bean counters, Favored Nations is the ideal company for our music and our future. I could not be more happy with this union."

"The artists signed to Favored Nations are a unique, dedicated breed that have attained the highest performance level on their chosen instruments. If you're a music lover who is passionate about real musicianship, we know you will want to hear our albums. " - Steve Vai - more on this story