A New Supergroup Is Born

Bonham says the new group, which takes its name from the industrial area in England that he and Hughes -- best known for his work with both Deep Purple and Black Sabbath) come from -- is in fact a band. "We're actually recording an album, literally in that process of jamming it out and editing and putting together and going, 'Yeah, that's really cool,'" he says. " Joe just wanted to play guitar so with Glenn on bass and vocals, it's a power trio." - more on this story

Jay Reatard Found Dead- Axl and Slash Twitter War- System of a Letdown- Aerosmith To Play in April?- Rush Planning New Music- Courtney In A Hole and more

Memphis garage-punk artist Jimmie Lee Lindsey, better known as Jay Reatard, was found dead in his Memphis home Wednesday. He was 29. Goner Records said on its Web site: "It is with great sadness that we report the passing of our good friend Jay Reatard. Jay died in his sleep last night." more

Axl Rose is in a bit of Twitter war with his former Guns N' Roses bandmate Slash. BW&BK reports that on Wednesday evening Slash tweeted, "Looking into organizing a big fund raiser concert for Haiti." Axl subsequently replied, "Pretty low n' selfish usin' the devastation in Haiti 2 start (false) reunion rumors. R hearts n' prayers go out to the Haitian people." more

Aerosmith have reportedly been added to the first annual Show Of Peace Concert, a globally televised event that will take place April 17 before an expected crowd of 100,000 at the Bird's Nest stadium in Beijing, China. Also scheduled to appear are Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, and the Black Eyed Peas. more

Album sales are way down if you read between the lines of this Billboard report: Vampire Weekend's sophomore album "Contra" is looking like a good bet for No. 1 on next week's Billboard 200 chart. Based on first day sales numbers, industry sources are projecting that the album could sell between 60,000 to 75,000 copies more

As we reportedly yesterday System Of A Down bassist Shavo Odajian asked fans on Twitter if they were ready for System. Which many read as a hint at a reunion. He has now backtracked a bit, or did he? He wrote in a new post, "About my 'are u guys ready for System?'... I'm not sayin we are back but, if so, U guys ready? Sorry for gettin u guys amped. I'm just seeing."

Rush drummer Neil Peart says the legendary Toronto band is in the early stages of planning a new project but the new music may not be released in traditional album format. more

Courtney Love has reportedly resolved the dispute over her decision to resurrect Hole - hinting she's come to a financial arrangement which will allow her to use the rock band's name. more

Simon and Garfunkel have been added to the lineup for this year's New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. more

Antiquiet had this news about a major label cutting off another avenue of free promotion (and they wonder why sales are down!): OK Go has a new album out this week, and a new clever video for a new catchy song. However, this time around, the band has been forced to accept that they'll never see another 50 million views on YouTube, because Capitol Records, the company they depend on for distribution of their music above any other service, insists on it not being shared on blogs, or anywhere outside of the US. Yep, business as usual more.

Misery Index will be touring in February and March with support from Magrudergrind. more

Walter Schriefels , who is also a member of Gorilla Biscuits, Quicksand, Rival Schools and Walking Concert, is expected to release his debut solo albun An Open Letter To The Scene in April. more

The Banner is breaking up after ten years together and releases with Ferret Music and Blackout! Records. more

Due to a family emergency, Throwdown has been forced to pull off the previously announced U.S. tour with Five Finger Death Punch, Shadows Fall and 2cents. Their replacement on the bill is God Forbid. more

Rogue Wave will release their fourth studio album, Permalight, on March 2nd. more

Zakk Wylde will pay tribute to to the late, great Les Paul with two appearances at the Iridium jazz club in New York City on January 25th. more

And for the one or two people who might like totally like care and like stuff: Avril Lavigne's album has reportedly been delayed again, following her split from husband Deryck Whibley. Lavigne's fourth studio album, which is being produced by the Sum 41 star, was delayed from its original November 2009 release. The former couple is attempting to complete the disc together but finds it "terribly frustrating" finishing the production schedule, according to Jam! Showbiz. more -

Gilby Clarke Undergoes Surgery, Talks About The Hit and Run Accident

Onetime Guns N' Roses guitarist Gilby Clarke is currently being treated for some major injuries suffered in a hit and run accident earlier this week. He reportedly underwent surgery on Wednesday to repair damage to one of his legs. But before that, Clarke took to his blog to tell fans what happened.

Here is what he had to say: "yes, some asshole in his pick up truck pulled a left as i was going through an intersection on my bike. JD & I were riding back from Pomona Easyriders show when it happened.

"not only did this dumb ass driver pull in front of moving traffic, but he split the scene after he hit me. he doesn't know if i'm dead or what... i have 3 broken bones in my left foot & 1 broken bone in my right foot. my new joe king helmut saved my skull, but i won't be walking for awhile. - more on this story

Brand New Double LP on White Vinyl

The long awaited vinyl version of Brand New's critically acclaimed third album, The Devil & God Are Raging Inside Me, will be released on March 23rd on the band's own Procrastinate! Music Traitors label.

The double LP will be pressed on white vinyl and will contain an additional lyric sheet that wasn't included in the CD version.

The Devil & God Are Raging Inside Me was originally released in November 2006 on Interscope and the album has gone on to sell over 250,000 copies since. It also landed Brand New on countless "Best of 2006" lists and was met by a flurry of diverse critical acclaim

People that pre-order their copies through the band's official web store will receive their albums on March 16th. - pre-order link

Former Iron Maiden Vocalist Paul Di Anno's U.S. Tour Green Lighted

It looks like it may just finally happen after all. Original Iron Maiden vocalist Paul Di Anno has been granted permission to bring his show to the United States. The tour promoter issued the following statement:

Dallas based music immigration attorney Matt Gallagher confirmed that former Iron Maiden singer Paul Dianno's visa was approved today by the US State Department making it possible for Dianno to embark on his first US tour in over 15 years.

Tour producer Gabe Reed commented, "Matt Gallagher's securing of this visa for Paul after so many failed tries by others is an awesome development that all Iron Maiden fans should be thankful for - we will finally see the return of the Beast to the US." - more on this story

Johnny Cash's American VI Set For Release

American VI: Ain't No Grave, the sixth and final installment of Johnny Cash's critically-acclaimed American Recordings album series, will be officially released on February 26, 2010 (American Recordings/Lost Highway), the day that would have been The Man In Black's 78th birthday. As with the previous five albums in the American Recordings series, American VI was produced by Rick Rubin.

American VI is deeply elegiac and spiritual, with each song its own piece of the puzzle of life's mysteries and challenges - the pursuit of salvation, the importance of friendships, the dream of peace, the power of faith and the joys and adversities that entail simple survival. It is an achingly personal and intimate statement, as, from the end of the line, Johnny Cash looks back on a most extraordinary life.

The songs on American VI are drawn from all over the musical landscape and from various eras, and include Sheryl Crow's moving "Redemption Day," close Cash friend Kris Kristofferson's "For The Good Times," "Can Help But Wonder Where I'm Bound" by Tom Paxton, Bob Nolan's "Cool Water," the hopeful "Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream" by Ed McCurdy, J.H. Red Hayes and Jack Rhodes's "Satisfied Mind," Queen Lili'uokalani's song of farewell "Aloha Oe," and the never before heard Cash original, "I Corinthians: 15:55," written over the last three years of his life. - more on this story

Dropkick Murphys Set CD/DVD Release

Dropkick Murphys have captured the intensity and camaraderie of their annual Boston hometown St. Patrick's Day shows On Live On Lansdowne, Boston Ma, a CD and DVD set for release March 16, 2010 via the group's own Born & Bred Records (ILG).

Live On Lansdowne features 20 fan favorites and was recorded at seven Boston shows in March 2009. It will be available in various formats: CD, double disc digipack with CD and HD DVD, as well as a double gatefold vinyl with bonus CD insert.

Live On Lansdowne marks the critically-acclaimed group's second live release recorded during their annual string of St. Patrick's Day week gigs, following 2002's Live On St. Patrick's Day From Boston MA, which has sold over 250,000 copies worldwide. Live On Lansdowne features an entirely different track listing from the previous release and a guest appearance by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones on DKM's platinum-selling single "I'm Shipping Up To Boston." - more on this story

Sea Wolf Hitting The Road With The Album Leaf

Sea Wolf burst into 2010 riding the wave of one of the biggest cultural phenomena in recent memory, "Twilight: New Moon," the wildly successful vampire franchise, with original song, "The Violet Hour." This followed the release of the band's acclaimed sophomore album, White Water, White Bloom, on Dangerbird Records, as well as a national headline tour. Next month, Sea Wolf is picking up again with a new single and more touring.

On February 3, Sea Wolf will team up with The Album Leaf for a West Coast run that will stretch as far north as Vancouver and culminate with a hometown show at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles. Sea Wolf's orchestral pop narratives will serve as a perfect primer for The Album Leaf's dreamy and cinematic soundscapes. Single, "O Maria!" will impact radio late January and Alex Brown Church, aka Sea Wolf, will be guest hosting MTV2's "Subterranean" in the coming months.

Heralded by Amazon.com as one of the Top 100 albums of 2009 and described by the Austin-American Statesman as "an eclectic brand of indie-folk in the vein of the Decemberists," White Water, White Bloom, is a masterful marriage of vivid storytelling and intricate instrumentation. Relix exclaimed: "Church and his fellow musicians craft an overwhelming sonic landscape that is almost visually palpable." - more on this story

Serj Tankian to Unveil New Signature Model Guitar and Meet Fans

On Thursday, January 14, at the annual National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) trade show in Anaheim, California, Taylor Guitars co-founder Bob Taylor will be joined on stage by Serj Tankian, accomplished solo artist and creative frontman for the Grammy award-winning rock band, System of a Down.

Tankian, who garnered critical acclaim with his debut solo album, Elect the Dead, has played Taylor acoustic guitars for several years, and has spent the past two years touring with a Taylor T5.

Tankian will join Taylor to chat about guitars, his career and new projects, and to debut his latest endeavor, the Serj Tankian Signature Model T5 guitar. Following the conversation, fans in attendance will be able to ask Tankian their questions. - more on this story

The City Champ To Hit the Road with the North Mississippi All-Stars

February finds The City Champs hitting the road with their friends and neighbors, The North Mississippi All-Stars for a national tour!

The City Champs are the latest in a long lineage of Memphis musicians to grab the mantle of funky, soul-jazz instrumentals pioneered by acts like Booker T & the MGs, Willie Mitchell and The Bar-Kays. Their debut album, The Safecracker features 7 prime cuts of Stax, Hi Records and Blue Note-inspired soul-jazz and funk, produced and engineered by Memphis producer and film composer, Scott Bomar (the Bo-Keys, "Hustle & Flow" & "Soul Men") at his Electraphonic Recording studio.

The City Champs are led by guitarist, Joe Restivo, who also penned the original material on the album. Joe is one of the premier R&B/Jazz guitarists in Memphis and holds a BFA in Jazz Studies from the prestigious New School in New York City, where he studied with jazz greats Jack Wilkins, Junior Mance, Cecil Bridgewater, and Phil Markowitz. Organist Al Gamble hails from the Muscle Shoals, Alabama region, and has performed live and on recordings with such notables as Rufus Thomas, Syl Johnson, Alex Chilton, and the Memphis Horns. Drummer George Sluppick is a native Memphian who has spent most of his life on the road performing live and recording with many notables, including Albert King, Robert Walter's 20th Congress, Melvin Sparks, Ruthie Foster and JJ Grey and MOFRO. The sessions were tracked and mixed entirely on analog tape—Bomar used his Scully 1" 8-track machine, which was the same model used at Stax, Muscle Shoals Sound, and Chip's Moman's American Studio. Mastered straight off analog tapes, directly to disc by mastering engineer Larry Nix on the same equipment he used daily at Stax Records. - more on this story

Manchester Orchestra Announce Tour Dates

Columbia Records and Favorite Gentlemen are excited to announce more tour dates to Manchester Orchestra's upcoming US tour.

Starting March 19, the second leg of the tour kicks into gear. The Features, Chris Staples, and labelmates O'Brother will join Manchester Orchestra February 26 - March 4

Starting March 6 through the end of the tour, the band will be joined by The Features, Biffy Clyro, and O'Brother. - dates

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