This Week's Top stories

Here are the top stories from this week's Day in Rock and the top Day in Rock digest stories

Singer Dies- Guns N' School- Plant and Page In The Studio- Lemmy Movie Trailer- That Sabbath Show- Steven Tyler- Nine Inch Tarantino Mini Series- Free Porcupine Tree- more

Abacinate is incredibly sad to announce that on Tuesday morning, September 28th 2010, our vocalist Jason 'Plunger' Sica, 25, was found dead. He died at the home of one of his friends, in his hometown of Edison, New Jersey. more

Last Tuesday, September 21st, Velvet Revolver/ex-Guns N' Roses drummer Matt Sorum dropped by McKinley School in Pasadena, California to unveil a new drum set for the school, and to jam with about 50 eager students. A Q&A with students can be viewed here

A new trailer for "Lemmy", the long-awaited documentary examining the life and career of Motorhead frontman and rock icon Lemmy Kilmister, can be viewed here

Morrissey is at the center of another health riddle after mysteriously axing a promotional tour of the U.K. and leaving the country. more

According to a recent interview with Edward Norton in Variety, Radiohead's Thom York and Jonny Greenwood contributed music to John O'Brien's film score to the upcoming movie Stone more

Slipknot has posted a fifth teaser trailer online for their recently released DVD '(sic)nesses,' which can be viewed here

Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward will be taping his appearance on That Metal Show this week and the tentative broadcast date is set for November 20th. more

High On Fire will team up with Fear Factory for a December tour of Europe.more

While the band hasn't completed work on Daybreak, Saves The Day will be previewing some material from the record on a new digital EP, 1984. more

Atreyu will be releasing a new five song EP featuring covers of the band's influences. Bands set to be covered include Dead Kennedys, Volbeat, Deftones, Aerosmith and Thin Lizzy. more

The Los Angeles Times reports that beginning October 11th, Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider will join the Broadway cast of the hit '80s hair-metal musical, Rock Of Ages, for an 11-week run. more

Pet Shop Boys releasing new single as part of Greatest Hits album New compilation set for November release more

F**k The Facts have officially named Johnny Ibay as their permanent guitarist. more

Antiquiet asks "What the f**k is wrong with The Flaming Lips?" Find out why here

The Charlatans' Tim Burgess to curate gig at Salford Lads Club The youth centre made famous by The Smiths will host the likes of Factory Floor, Hatcham Social and The Heartbreaks more

The first photo of Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler on the judges table of "American Idol" is now online. The picture was tweeted by Nigel Lythgoe, has returned to the show as an executive producer. Lythgoe wrote, "It's great to be back on 'American Idol'. The judges were great." See it here

Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collin taped a segment for Vh1's That Metal Show. The episode will be broadcast on November 6 on VH1 Classic.

Against Me! has announced via their Facebook that they have cancelled all remaining tour plans for 2010 "due to unforseen circumstances". more

Kings Of Leon have announced details of three upcoming US shows. The group will begin the jaunt in Boston, Massachusetts (November 14), before gigs in New York (16) and New Jersey (18). more

Riot have once again reunited with Tony Moore - only nine months after announcing that they were parting ways with the vocalist over "differences about how to proceed with the future of the band." more

Ted Leo has announced that he will be reuniting with his former hardcore band, Citizen's Arrest. The reunion performance will include the original lineup from the band's first demo, which featured Leo as well as Daryl Kahan of Born Against. more

Nevermore and Symphony X have announced dates for their co-headlining European tour. Support on the tour will come from reformed progressive metal act Psychotic Waltz. more

Bassist Alexander T. Kent has left Say Anything. Kenny Vasoli will be filling in for him on their upcoming tour. more

Apostasy have parted ways with guitarist Ludvig Johansson. "I have decided to leave the band for personal reasons," says Johansson in a statement. "It has been a hard decision to make, and there's no hard feelings involved. It's been a great time and I wish all the guys in the band the best luck in their future endeavors." more

Rancid has posted the latest in their string of previously unreleased videos. This one is for "Who Would've Thought" from Life Won't Wait, an album which seems to dominate the band's list of videos more

Santana's new album, Guitar Heaven: The Greatest Guitar Classics Of All Time, has landed at #5 on the Billboard 200 with 66,000 copies sold in it's first week of release. more

Former Nightwish singer Tarja Turunen's upcoming tour will feature these rockers backing her up: Mike Terrana (Masterplan, Savage Circus, Rage, Yngwie Malmsteen) - Christian Kretschmar (Schiller) Kevin Chown (Tony Macalpine, Tiles) - Alex Scholpp (Farmer Boys) - Max Lilja (Hevein, ex-Apocalyptica) more

Fat Wreck Chords has announced plans to release a split 7" from NOFX and Seattle, WA's The Spits. more

Led Zeppelin legends Robert Plant and Jimmy Page will be guests on In The Studio - The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands - during the week of October 18th. They will be discussing the 40th Anniversary of Led Zeppelin II more

Forget the crock hall of lame while they look at possibly inducting LL Cool J, Rush will be honored with the Living Legend award at Classic Rock magazine's Marshall Roll of Honour Awards in November. The Canadian trio will jet to London to pick up the accolade at the event, which will be hosted by Alice Cooper. more

Speaking of Rush and Yawn Wiener's schlock hall: Scot McFadyen, who co-directed the award-winning documentary "Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage" tells Entertainment Weekly that the band once again being snubbed by the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame at next year's induction ceremony is "unfortunate. We were hoping a lot more people in the [nominating] room had seen our documentary, and maybe that would have given them a different perspective on the band," he said. "But there are just some people that are holding out." more

In an interview with the LA Times, Nine Inch Nails mastermind Trent Reznor said that he is "in pre-production with HBO and BBC America to do a miniseries." The show is to be produced by Lawrence Bender (who produced Quentin Tarantino films like Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs and the recent Inglourious Basterds) and Kevin Kelly Brown (executive producer of the sci-fi show Roswell). more

Two of Canada's biggest exports (after oil, gas and Francophones) will be headed to Europe in November for a tour together. Montreal art-rock outfit Arcade Fire has tapped Toronto art-hardcore band F**ked Up for the run. more

Pete Doherty is charged with possession of cocaine following an inquiry into the death of an heiress. more

Wondering what ex-Red Hot Chili Pepper guitarist John Frusciante is up to these days? Well, in addition to a collaborative album with Omar Roriguez-Lopez of The Mars Volta and a David Bowie cover, the 40-year-old New York native appears to have teamed up with Wu-Tang leader RZA and songstress Shari Watson (aka Truth Hurts). more

Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree recorded the new, unreleased song "Home in Negative" at his studio exclusively for WNYC. Stream or download the track here

Iggy Pop & The Stooges, LCD Soundsystem, Primal Scream will appear at the Big Day Out touring festival in Australia and New Zealand in 2011. more

Produced and presented by the team behind cult hit, Heavy Metal Parking Lot (Jeff Krulik and John Heyn), Heavy Metal Picnic is a celebration of mid-80s Maryland rock and roll and heavy metal, by those who lived - and survived - it. more

After The Burial has dropped off the remainder of their tour with Bleeding Through, For Today, and Stray From the Path, among others. The band tells Lambgoat "Following our show in Buffalo NY on Sept. 22nd, there was an arguement that took place that deeply affected members in the band. The argument was 100% verbal, no physical violence took place. We decided at that time it would be the best decision to leave the tour and be at home in order to regain our composure and prepare for our end of the year plans." more

A new film traces John Lennon's NYC years. Jam! reports, So much has been told about the Beatles that director Michael Epstein knew he needed to say something different in his documentary of John Lennon, which premiered this past weekend at the New York Film Festival more
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t Plant Hints At Led Zeppelin Reunion

(Gibson) It's been a long time since they rock and rolled (well, just since 2007, really), but Led Zeppelin might be reuniting. Frontman Robert Plant, currently on tour with his Band of Joy project, hinted about the possibility. "I think we're probably thinking about talking," he told The Onion's A.V. Club.

Plant, who's been performing some Zeppelin tunes – along with spirituals and cover songs –while on tour with guitarist Buddy Miller and company, said that he still feels the need to sing his former band's songs.

"I think everybody feels the same, really," he said. "It's not even a talking point. I don't know how many times Stephen Stills has been asked about whether or not he wants to go back to Buffalo Springfield. Maybe he and Neil [Young] got out in time before it actually had the same kind of effect… I've still got a twinkle in me." - more on this story

Zakk Wylde Hospitalized For Blood Clot

Zakk Wylde was once again hospitalized on Thursday after suffering a blood clot, according to a posting on his website.

The notice said that Wylde was diagnosed with a blood clotting condition in his leg, and was admitted to a hospital in Nebraska. It is a reoccurrence of an issue first diagnosed in August 2009.

According to Omaha.com Wylde was still in the hospital Thursday night, but his publicist said he was doing well. - more on this story

Ozzy Era Black Sabbath Box Set

Sanctuary Records have announced the release of an Ozzy Osbourne era Black Sabbath Box set, which will hit stores on November 15th, according to Black-Sabbath.com.

Here is the announcement: This deluxe box set contains all the Ozzy era Black Sabbath albums housed in a Black Cross, the box also contains a 100 page exclusive Illustrated discography featuring rare covers from throughout the world.

Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward - four names that resonate throughout Rock's recorded history as clear and sublime as the haunting bell that tolls the opening to their eponymous debut album from 1970. - more on this story

Iron Deep Purple Sabbath Maiden Supergrouping

Tony Iommi and Ian Gillan are going to be recording together again and this time they will bring Iron Maiden's Nicko McBrain and Deep Purple's Jon Lord along for the ride... and it's all for a good cause. Iommi's site explains:

In 1989 Tony Iommi and Ian Gillan were just a few names in a long list of talent involved in the recording of the Deep Purple track "Smoke on The Water." This song was re-recorded to raise money for those affected by the Leninakan earthquake that struck Armenia in 1988.

In October of last year both Tony and Ian travelled to Armenia to see how the funds raised had helped the local community. On their trip they visited a music school only to find it being run out of temporary accommodation, it was only location not to have been rebuilt 20 years after the earthquake had struck.

Next week Tony and Ian will be heading back into the studio, joined by Jon Lord (ex Deep Purple / Whitesnake) and Nicko McBrain (drummer of Iron Maiden) to record a new track to raise money to rebuild the Armenian music school. More information about the charity single "Out of my Mind" and behind the scenes photos will follow soon! - Rock Aid Armenia Video

Metallica's Hetfield Still Poking Fun at Axl Rose

This fun report from BW&BK shows that much hasn't changed since Metallica and Guns N' Roses toured together 20 years ago: Metallica frontman James Hetfield famously slammed Axl Rose's rider when they toured together in the early '90's in a video that became a YouTube hit.

Hetfield picks up where he left off with Axl's 2010 rider and tells Triple M Sydney's rockin' Byron Cooke what he really thinks of Guns N' Roses.

Axl's requirements haven't changed much over two decades. The same booze, the same cheese ... however, Axl now needs a bed in his dressing room "What does he do, sleep at the gig?" Hetfield laughs - See how the vids compare

Bloc Party Star Bitten By A Lion

(Gibson) Russell Lissack, guitarist for indie bands Ash and Bloc Party, was hospitalized earlier this month with a nasty bite from a lion!

SpinnerMusic is reporting that Lissack was on tour with Ash in South Africa, when he and singer Tim Wheeler decided to visit a wild animal sanctuary. At the facility, Lissack was playing with a lion cub when the creature bit him, drawing blood. But that was just the beginning of the adventure.

The Chingford, England native was driven to a local hospital for a tetanus booster. Unfortunately for Lissack, after his arrival the hospital was sealed off after two patients died from an unidentified virus.

Finally, when Lissack was released, the band was involved in a car accident on the way back to their hotel. Fortunately, no one was injured. - more on this story

Fire Destroys Telsa's Studio

(Gibson) A three-alarm fire tore through the Sacramento recording studio for the band Tesla Wednesday morning.

Lost in the early morning blaze were recording equipment, guitars and memorabilia from the band's nearly three-decade career.

The studio was owned by Tesla bassist-songwriter Brian Wheat. Wheat was out of town at the time of the incident, but his wife was reportedly on the scene and directing firefighters during the cleanup, in an effort to save priceless equipment and memorabilia. It was reported on local station KCRA that much of the material onsite was destroyed. There is no word yet on the cause of the fire. -

Dave Navarro Talks Suicide

(Rock Radio) Jane's Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro has responded to the suicide of a music student by appealing to teenagers who feel repressed to seek help before taking their own lives.

Tyler Clementi, an 18-year-old New Jersey musician, jumped to his death after two fellow students secretly filmed him having gay sex and then broadcast the footage online.

Now Navarro has written an open letter to gay, bisexual and transgender teens in which he admits he considered suicide at times in his own life as he struggled with the murder of his mother and drug addiction. He begs people to realize that while being a victim of bullying can be horrific, the experience will pass and lead to better times. - more on this story

Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax Says America Deserves A Big Four Tour

(Gibson) Dave Mustaine (of Megadeth), Scott Ian (of Anthrax) and Kerry King (of Slayer) recently did a joint interview with Spin to talk about the Jagermeister Music Tour, which features all three of their bands.

When asked who puts on the best live show, Mustaine was quick to answer. "The best live show that I've ever seen is Slayer," he said. "Their energy is just over the top. We try to play our best. But, as far as the energy and stuff, I've never seen anybody do what Kerry and Slayer can do."

Guitarist/vocalist King deferred the compliment and focused on what made each thrash metal band great. "We're all totally different animals," King said. "I call Megadeth nerd metal – not detrimentally, but they're guitar geeks. They blow away the guitar geeks. They're very good at what they do. And then you have guitar geeks come look at us, and they're like, 'Yeah, it's kind of heavy.' But the intricacies of the leads and stuff? C'mon, that's Megadeth's specialty. We're just angry and throwing and spitting aggression. All four bands [including Metallica] started from one place and evolved into a four-headed monster. There's four very different things happening."

All three guys seemed to agree that they'd like to do a Big Four tour (with Metallica) on their home turf. "America deserves it," Ian said. "We played seven shows in Europe and you've got four American bands. We have to play in the United States." - more on this story

Elton John and Leon Russell Hitting The Road

Elton John and Leon Russell will be hitting the road for a U.S. tour in support of 'The Union', the duo's collaborative album to be released October 19th in the U.S. on Decca (October 25th in the U.K. on Mercury Records.).

The concerts will feature Elton John and Leon Russell performing a night full of their hits, including selections from 'The Union'. The album marks the first time these iconic artists have worked together since 1970.

Produced by Oscar and multiple-Grammy winning producer T Bone Burnett, 'The Union' was recorded live in the studio with Elton and Leon on dueling pianos. The 14-track disc includes selections written by Elton and his lifelong lyricist Bernie Taupin, as well as the combined incomparable songwriting team consisting of Leon, Elton, Bernie and T Bone covering a variety of musical genres-from R&B, soul, gospel, country, pop and rock. - more on this story

Remy Zero's Members To Give Fans Dead Snares This Month

Remy Zero members led by Jeffrey Cain will be giving fans Dead Snares this month. Dead Snares of course it a group and their debut album Speak The Language is set for release on popantipop on October 26th, 2010. Here is the info we were sent:

Dead Snares is the artistic creation of Jeffrey Cain from the band Remy Zero. Produced by Darrell Thorpe (Radiohead, Beck, Snow & Voices) and Jeffrey Cain, Speak The Language also features fellow Remy Zero band mates Cedric LeMoyne playing bass alongside Remy Zero drummer Gregory Slay, who passed away earlier this year. Rounding out the Dead Snares line-up is multi-instrumentalist Leslie Van Trease and keyboardist Jebin Bruni (Aimee Mann, PIL).

Jeffrey Cain grew up in Mobile, Alabama, where he met and joined the band Remy Zero in his teens. Remy Zero was catapulted into the spotlight when Radiohead, so impressed with an early Remy Zero demo they heard, invited the band to open their stateside tour. Three critically acclaimed albums later, Remy Zero was a household name with "Save Me" used as the theme song for WB TV show Smallville. Remy Zero songs came to be featured in a laundry list of films including such taste-making standouts as the Garden State soundtrack. After a decade of success, the band parted ways in order to move on into new directions - more on this story

Another Rare Van Halen Song Online

The Van Halen News Desk has posted another rare unreleased Van Halen song online.

Like last week's song "Ripley," this week's song comes from the soundtrack work Eddie Van Halen did for the movie "The Wild Life".

According to the site, The movie's soundtrack contained just one song by Eddie Van Halen, "Donut City," the site has posted the rare Eddie Van Halen instrumental - more on this story

Alice Cooper, Bon Jovi, Tom Waits and Neil Diamond Top Rock Hall Nominee List

(Gibson) The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, has announced its nominees for the 2011 induction ceremony. The list includes five first-time nominees and 10 previously nominated artists.

First-timers include Bon Jovi, Donovan, Neil Diamond, Alice Cooper and Tom Waits. Nominees who have gone through this process before range from Dr. John to the Beastie Boys, Chic to The J. Geils Band, as well as LL Cool J, Donna Summer, Laura Nyro, Darlene Love, Chuck Willis and Joe Tex.

The final list of 2011 inductees will be announced toward the end of this year. The induction ceremony will be held on March 14 at New York City's Waldorf Astoria. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's class of 2010 included The Stooges, Genesis, The Hollies, ABBA and Jimmy Cliff. - more on this story

Ronnie James Dio's Final Filmed Concert Being Released

(Gibson) A new CD/DVD set, titled Neon Nights: 30 Years of Heaven & Hell, is being released on November 16. Neon Nights features Heaven & Hell (Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Vinny Appice) performing in 2009 at the Wacken Open Air festival in Germany.

A press release sets the scene: "On Thursday July 30, 2009, Heaven & Hell took to the stage at the famous Wacken festival in Germany as part of the tour in support of their album The Devil You Know, released earlier in the year.

Although nobody knew at the time, it was to be Ronnie James Dio's last filmed concert appearance before his death in May 2010 from stomach cancer. Heaven & Hell were on fantastic form and played a set blending tracks from the newly released album with classics from their Black Sabbath days. This is a truly fitting tribute to one of the legendary voices of rock." - more on this story

Rush Proclaimed Live Legends

The Rolling Stone linked Rock and Roll Hall of Lame have once again snubbed Rush by refusing to nominate them for induction, but a much more credible music magazine will honor the band this year. Gibson has the details: Rush will be honored at the 2010 Billboard Touring Awards. The trio of Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart will receive the Legend of Live award on November 4 in New York City.

According to Billboard.com, the award "honors groups or individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to live music and the touring business, and acknowledges the recipients' commitment to the art of performing live and reaching fans through the concert experience." Previous recipients include Ozzy Osbourne, the Allman Brothers Band and Elton John.

"With a remarkable body of live work over the years, altering the course of rock music and raising the bar as to what can be done onstage, along with the band's continued commitment to playing live, we think Rush are uniquely deserving of this award," said Ray Waddell, Billboard's executive director of content and programming, touring and live entertainment. "From the early days in the bars and clubs of Toronto to stadiums, amphitheaters and arenas around the world, Rush have epitomized professionalism and the spirit of live rock 'n' roll, and they boast some of the most passionate and loyal fans in rock." - more on this story

Rob Halford's Fame Was Almost Fatal

Rock Radio reports that Halford's fame almost proved fatal: Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford was nearly responsible for the death of his solo bandmate and producer Roy Z, after Z feared he was having a heart attack in their studio.

Halford tells MTV: "Roy turns to me and goes, 'I have to stop – my heart's racing. I'm really freaking out here'." An ambulance was called, but once the crew realized Halford's identity their haste in taking Z to hospital abated considerably.

"They took Roy out of the room and I sat alone for a little bit. A paramedic came in and says, 'We want to take him to hospital, just to check him out.'" recalls Halford. "Then he goes, 'Hang on – you're the metal god!' He left the room and returned with half a dozen paramedics. They took pictures and I signed autographs while Roy was just waiting. - more on this story

The Who Have Big Plans for Next Year

Pete Townshend's hearing issues won't stop The Who from rocking in 2011 according to frontman Roger Daltrey. hennemusic has the details:

"We're in the planning stages for next year…we are planning on doing something," Daltrey said. "I can't really talk about specifics yet, but it will be based around a past work."

But wait...there's more: "Pete is writing…you never know when that might turn up," Roger added. "So, between now and then, there might be a new album, plus Quadrophenia, and Tommy, and those things we haven't visited for a while. That will be fun." - a lot more from Roger here

Ozzy Fart Ban

HeadbangerNYC sent over this update for us today: Ozzy Osbourne was once banned from his daughter Kelly's school in England after farting and falling asleep in the middle of a parent/teacher interview.

Kelly was horrified when her dad decided to join mom Sharon for a meeting with school officials about her grades because Ozzy is known for passing gas and dozing off in public.

Kelly revealed during an appearance on "The Wendy Williams Show" earlier today (September 29), "It was me, my mom, my dad, my teacher at the table. All he kept doing is lifting his (butt) cheek (from the chair), and then he fell asleep!" -

Sneak Peek of Bret Michael's New Reality Show

Vh1 have posted a "sneak peek" at Bret Michaels new reality series for the network, Bret Michaels: Life As I Know It.

Here is part of their pitch for the show, followed by a link to check out the preview: VH1 is giving viewers a backstage pass into the life of rock icon, Bret Michaels in the new docu-series, "Bret Michaels : Life As I Know It " premiering on Monday, October 18th at 10PM ET*. The half-hour series will give fans a never-before-seen look into Bret's family life – the real center of his world from which he draws his unsinkable strength.

After the lights have dimmed on stage and the music stops for the night, Bret rolls off the tour bus right into the loving arms of his daughters Raine and Jorja, who affectionately refer to him as "Poppa Rocka." But raising two little girls and being a rock god doesn't always go hand-in-hand, and now fans can get a peek at what keeps Bret going. Is it the hoards of wild fans, the glory of super stardom, or is it the unconditional love from his family? Watch as Bret juggles life on the road, his career, raising two kids and managing his on again off again relationship with their beautiful mom, Kristi. - sneak peek here

The Song That Makes Men Cry The Most

(Gibson) A recent U.K. poll has named R.E.M.'s "Everybody Hurts" "the song that makes men cry the most." The 1992 hit from the alt-rock legends topped 10 tear-jerkers by the likes of Eric Clapton, U2 and Bruce Springsteen, according to Spinner.com.

The survey was organized by PRS for Music, a company that collects and pays royalties to more than 70,000 members. "A well-written tear-jerker is one that people can relate to and empathize with," PRS for Music chairman Ellis Rich said in a statement. "It is this lyrical connection that can reach deep down emotionally and move even the strongest of men."

R.E.M. drummer Bill Berry is the one mostly responsible for "Everybody Hurts," which appeared on the band's multi-platinum album Automatic for the People. Berry has said that he aimed the lyrics at teenagers. - Check out the Top 10 songs that make men cry

As Tall As Lions Retiring

As Tall As Lions bid their fans "A Sort of Farewell" this week via a blog post on their Myspace page. Here is what they had to say:

"After eight years of music, friendship, laughter, adventure, bliss, blood, sweat, tears, and everything else that goes along with it, As Tall As Lions are retiring for the foreseeable future.

"There is no sadness on our side, and we hope there is none on yours. We will be playing a handful of shows across the country to try and give everyone an opportunity to see us one last time." - more on this story