Day in Rock 2010 Rewind: Top Stories From February

Earliest Metallica Recording Posted Online

The Metal Den has received one of the earliest Metallica demo recordings ever unearthed. It is a recording of a rough 'work in progress' version of the classic song "Hit The Lights" off the groundbreaking album Kill 'Em All from 1983.

The song features Dave Mustaine on guitar, Ron McGovney on bass, Lars Ulrich on drums and James Hetfield on vocals. As the story goes, McGovney soon departed the band – only to be replaced by the greatest metal bass player of them all CLIFF BURTON. It's said McGovney left the fold because he was being bullied by Mustaine… such as getting beer spilled on his bass guitar.

Not long after that incident, Mustaine himself was booted from the band by Ulrich and Hetfield for drinking too much and just being a general nuisance. Dave of course went on to form Megadeth with bass player David Ellefson in Los Angeles, California. - check it out here

Who Zeppelin Supergroup?: Roger Daltrey Wants Band With Jimmy Page

(Nightwatcher) Roger Daltrey wants to start a super-group with Jimmy Page. The Who singer is keen to form a new band with the Led Zeppelin guitarist and go back to the blues roots he established before he started writing songs with bandmate Pete Townshend.

He told UK radio station BBC6 music: "I'd love to do something, I'd love to do an album with Jimmy Page. He needs a singer to drive him. I'm a great blues singer.

"I don't sing the blues with The Who, but that's what I used to be before Townshend started writing. I used to be a great blues singer." - more on this story

Rock Star: KISS TV Show Coming?

Real or Photoshop? The Metal Den has received a screen shot which is said to have been taken directly from the CBS web site advertising 'Rock Star: KISS.'

If it's real, the American Idol-like reality show will search for new (younger) KISS band mates so that the band can continue as a tribute act after Paul and Gene retire (and continue making them money?).

The show previously aired during the summer for two seasons on CBS. It is a bit unusual for a network for be "promoting" a summer show in February so we are a bit skeptical. - more on this story

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

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." - more on this story

Stone Temple Pilots 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 -

Rammstein Declared A Threat To The State

Rammstein have gone out of their way to create controversy around their latest album. A singled called "Pussy," a special edition release of the album that included sex toys, banned sexual videos etc. So this report from thisisbrandx.com doesn't come entirely as a surprise: The Eastern European country of Belarus' Council for Morality has declared concerts by German hard rockers Rammstein a threat to the state.

The council is pulling an upcoming Rammstein concert in Minsk, citing the group's penchant for lyrics about "violence, masochism, homosexuality and other abnormalities," and saying that allowing it to go on would prove a "costly mistake" for the country.

According to Deutsche Welle: Writer Nikolai Tcherginez, head of the government's Council for Morality said he regretted that tickets had already been sold for the concert, but that if the event were to take place, the program would need to be revised in order to prevent "extremism." - more

Third Eye Blind Sued By Another Guitarist

History repeats itself as another guitarist is reportedly suing Third Eye Blind. A decade ago Kevin Cadogan sued the group after they parted company and now it looks like his replacement, Tony Fredianelli, is following suit.

KillYourStereo.com reports that Fredianelli is suing Third Eye Blind "for apparently being denied songwriting credits and benefits that he allegedly was entitled to." They posted a rather lengthy statement that reportedly came from Fredianelli which said in part: "Currently I have been given no information on what Stephan and Brad's position are in respect to my status with the band. I have requested, as is my right, to a complete audit of all accounting related to our band, taken at my own expense to either prove or disprove the accounting accuracy. This is a commonplace thing in the corporate world. When you believe you have a dispute, verify through an audit. It's appearing more and more likely I will need to hire a lawyer to subpoena financial records and force this turnover instead of having it happen as it should by personal request. I have too much credible evidence that I must force it to happen. I have placed my trust in people who have let me down tremendously."

"In part, I can tell you that I am not credited in 4 songs as a songwriter on Ursa Major. I also have been unable to collect any publishing money for the Red Star EP, publishing money for Ursa Major, nor I have to date received any money in record advances or record royalties OR my share of other endorsements of products currently being marketed, or about to be marketed. If those were all of my grievances that would be bad enough, but sadly there are more, and much more. - full statement

The Who May Be Forced To Retire for Medical Reasons

(Rock Radio) Who mainman Pete Townshend could be forced to retire in March if doctors can't find a treatment for his tinnitus.

The band recently reached a whole new audience with their Super Bowl half-time show earlier this month – but Townshend says they're "finished" unless a test-flight of a new in-ear monitoring system goes well in London.

Their show in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust is the only concert they've booked this year, and the guitarist is ready for it to be their last. He tells Rolling Stone: "If my hearing is going to be a problem, we're not delaying shows. We're finished. I can't really see any way around the issue." - more on this story

Mike Portnoy Comments On Teaming Up With Avenged Sevenfold

Earlier this week, Avenged Sevenfold--whose drummer James 'the Rev' Sullivan tragically passed away in December 2009--announced on their website that they are recording their new album with Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy. Avenged Sevenfold said in part: "We asked Jimmy's all time favorite drummer Mike Portnoy to record on behalf of him. Mike said it would be an honor and without question that's what Jim would have wanted. It's comforting to us that someone like Mike, who is undoubtedly revered as one of the best drummers in the world, held such respect and adoration for the Rev's abilities."

Mike Portnoy issued the following statement Thursday (2/18/09): "Even under normal circumstances, I would've been happy to help the guys out in any way I could as I think Avenged Sevenfold are a great band...but under these incredibly sad and tragic circumstances, I must say I am truly honored to have been asked to play with them and I didn't even have to think twice about saying 'yes.'

"These guys are a true family and it is an incredibly emotional experience to be here with them for the first time without their lost brother. But they have welcomed me into the family with open arms and there's a real excitement to make the record they had set out to make. - more on this story

Travis Barker Recruits Some Big Name Guests for Solo Album

While Blink-182 fans patiently await a new album from the reunited band, it appears that solo projects are all the rage with the members of the group. Travis Barker has recruited some big names for his forthcoming solo album.

The original announced guests made it sound like a hip-hop heavy effort with the likes of Lil Wayne, RZA and The Game making appearances but Barker now says that fans can expect an ecletic mix of music and announced an additional guest singer.

"I'm not singing or being an MC or anything," the Blink-182 drummer tells Spinner. He goes on to talk about the special guests for the album, "I'm rounding it out right now," he said. "I just love music. The more I can be around it the better, so with my album it's no one genre. It goes from everything from punk rock to hip-hop to some electro stuff on there to a metal song with Corey Taylor from Slipknot. It's been really fun and interesting up till now." -

Pantera, King Diamond, Gryn Supergroup Backed by Beatles Producer

Arms Of The Sun, a project featuring Rex Brown (Pantera, Down) on bass, John Luke Hebert (King Diamond) drums, Lance Harvill on vocals and guitar, and Ben Bunker (Gryn) on guitar, has completed work on thirteen tracks that were produced and mixed by Terry Date (Deftones, Pantera, Soundgarden).

The material is set for a late February release through Extreme Music, which provides class-A production music to all major networks and studios, ad agencies and production companies, including FOX, HBO, NBC, BBC, MTV, SKY, ABC, Discovery, Nickelodeon, Turner Entertainment Networks, Universal, Lions Gate, Miramax, Sony Pictures, Touchstone and Disney, to name a few.

Arms Of The Sun recorded the music, written by Lance Harvill, late last year at Willie Nelson's Pedernales Recording Studio in Austin. The project is executive-produced by Sir George Martin (The Beatles) and Mark Ross for the Grandmaster Series, which celebrates four of the world's top producers spanning from the '60s through the '90s, including Sir George himself, Terry Date, Jack Douglas (Aerosmith), and Hugh Padgham (The Police). - more on this story

Megadeth Reunite With Founding Member

Megadeth founder and frontman Dave Mustaine has announced the return of original bassist David Ellefson (1983-2002) to the iconic multi-platinum group.

This reunion is appropriately timed to Megadeth's upcoming historic month-long Rust In Peace 20th anniversary tour which launches March 1 in Spokane, WA. At these incredibly special shows, Megadeth will play their landmark, genre-defining 1990 album Rust In Peace in its entirety, in addition to other Megadeth favorites.

"This shows the power of brotherly love and forgiveness," Mustaine says. "David Ellefson belongs in Megadeth. Next we are going to show you the power of getting your asses kicked...HARD!" - more on this story

Patrick Stump No Longer in Fall Out Boy

Patrick Stump has put to rest the speculation about his status in Fall Out Boy, which was put on hiatus last year. Or he may have created more questions and given fans a glimmer of hope, if you read his words carefully. Stump tells Spin.com "I'm not in Fall Out Boy right now."

Spin.com reports further: "But one way or another, the band will always be around. Steven Tyler isn't in Aerosmith anymore, but his gravestone will probably say something about Aerosmith. Whether we play again or not, I don't know. If we do, it will be for the right reasons. If we don't, it will also be for the right reasons."

Stump's comments were in response to Pete Wentz's Tweets Monday night, when Wentz said that FOB may be done for good. "A hiatus is forever until you get lonely or old. I don't plan on either," he wrote during an impromptu Q&A session with fans. "I can't imagine playing in FOB again." - more on this story

AC/DC Frontman Slams The Likes of Bono and Bob Geldof

AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson has some strong words for celebrities like U2's Bono and Bob Geldoff for their public charity activities where they ask fans to donate money to a cause.

"I don't tell everybody they should give money - they can't afford it," said Johnson in his only Australian interview with The Daily Telegraph. "When I was a working man I didn't want to go to a concert for some bastard to talk down to me that I should be thinking of some kid in Africa," he said. "I'm sorry mate, do it yourself, spend some of your own money and get it done. It just makes me angry. I become all tyrannical."

He prefers to help in private with no press conferences according to the article. "I do it myself, I don't tell everybody I'm doing it," Johnson said. He said that his aversion to big charity events dates back to when AC/DC turned down Bob Geldof's Live Aid show in 1985. "Bob Geldof is a canny lad. He did what he thought was right at the time but it didn't work," he said. "The money didn't go to poor people. It makes me mad when people try to use politics or charity for publicity." He adds, "Do a charity gig, fair enough, but not on worldwide television". - He also discussed the prospect of retiring

Steven Tyler Did Audition for Led Zeppelin

(Rock Radio) The long-standing rumors about Steven Tyler having tried out for Led Zeppelin are true, Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry has told Classic Rock Magazine.

And the singer even tried to keep the news from his bandmates, which, says Perry, demonstrates how difficult it's been to work with him in recent times. Tyler was one of those shortlisted to replace Robert Plant when he decided not to pursue a Led Zep reunion after their one-off London show in 2007.

But Perry later spoke to Zep's Jimmy Page about it, and discovered the audition had been "awkward".... Tyler turned up without knowing enough about Led Zep's set or gameplan, and was under the impression he'd be joining the band to write new material - which wasn't currently under discussion - more on this story

Cradle To Grave Frontman Rushed To The Hospital

On January 23rd, 2010 new Cradle To Grave vocalist/bassist Donavan "Demon" Mason was rushed to Vancouver's UBC Hospital after he was unresponsive to his family attempting to wake him up.

Mason is blind and suffers from advanced diabetes, which can cause his immune system to shut down periodically. His family and bandmates suspected that he was just battling a bad case of the flu, but upon arrival at the hospital doctors diagnosed Mason with a severe case of the H1N1 virus.

The medical staff at UBC Hospital were able to bring Mason back, but warned family and friends that he had been near death and had they waited a few more hours, the case could have turned tragic. Mason is now recovering at home while Cradle To Grave take a break from recording their upcoming new album. - more on this story

AC/DC Finally Win A Grammy But Does It Really Matter?

AC/DC won the first Grammy of their career when they won the best hard rock performance award for the song "War Machine". Of course, despite being from one of biggest selling albums of 2008 they were "honored" with the award during the non-televised portion of the show, which is reserved for the "acceptable," though often lesser selling artists.

AC/DC are a case in point about just how out of touch with the record buying public that the Recording Academy and thus the Grammy Awards really are. Consider that this is their first Grammy, given to them 30 years after they released Back in Black, which holds the honor of being the biggest selling album by a band across the globe (second biggest selling album of all behind Michael Jackson's Thriller) and the fifth largest selling album in the U.S. They didn't receive their first Grammy nomination until 1989, when they lost out to those hard rockin' flute playing badboys of Jethro Tull. In case you were wondering, Christopher Cross took home the top honors in 1980.

Consider for a moment that both AC/DC's latest album "Black Ice" and Beyonce's "I Am Sasha Fierce" were certified double platinum. So each album was just as popular with fans but who got all of the attention by the Grammy folks? What about the album that won the Rock Album honor? Green Day's "21st Century Breakdown" has only been certified gold (500K copies sold), a fourth of the amount of AC/DC. And let's not forget the "Record of the Year," Kings of Leon's Use Somebody, which has only gone platinum, thus it sold half as many copies as AC/DC's Black Ice. - more on this story

Aerosmith Also Approached Chris Cornell About Replacing Steven Tyler

Classic Rock has uncovered another notable frontman who was approached to replace Steven Tyler in Aerosmith, following exclusive reports last week that both Paul Rodgers and Billy Idol were approached by guitarist Joe Perry for the gig. Today they report that Chris Cornell was also approached. Here is part of their report:

A source close to the Aerosmith camp tells Classic Rock: "Joe approached Chris Cornell and asked him if he would be interested in the Aerosmith job, because the band were running out of patience with Steven.

"But Cornell, to his credit, didn't take Joe's request very seriously. He thought he was joking and was surprised when Joe said he wasn't."

Cornell's response is classic! Read it along with the other rumored singer reports - here