Velvet Revolver DVD- Prince Tour- Candlemass Reunion- Paul Di'Anno Plans Iron Maiden Tour- Weezer Leak- Fake Kid Rock Grope- Hendrix Vs Scorsese- more

On this day in 1965, Jimi Hendrix signed his first recording contract, he received $1 and a 1% royalty on all of his recordings. And on this day in 1988, Bon Jovi started a four-week run at #1 on the U.S. album chart with New Jersey. Find out what else happened on this date in music history here -

Duff McKagan Reunites With Axl Rose

Duff McKagan joined his former bandmate Axl Rose and the current incarnation of Guns N' Roses onstage at London's O2 Arena last night. This is the first time Duff and Axl have shared the same stage in close to two decades.

hennemusic has the details: Sebastian Bach posted some breaking news on Twitter: Bach confirms that Duff played three songs with the band:

"You Could Be Mine," "Nice Boys" (Rose Tattoo cover) and "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" (Bob Dylan cover). More details and photos and possibly video by the time you read this - here

Gene Simmons Websites Under Attack

Rock Radio reported early Friday morning that websites owned by KISS star Gene Simmons are currently under attack by filesharers who object to comments he made last week over illegal downloads.

At a TV industry conference Simmons said: "Be litigious. Sue everybody. Take their homes, their cars. Don't let anybody cross that line."

In response a community of militant peer-to-peer users under the banner of Operation Payback (is a Bitch) have begun flooding GeneSimmons.com and SimmonsRecords.com with so many requests for web pages that legitimate visitors find they often can't see the sites; and when they can, the pages load slowly. - more on this story

Metallica's Orion Surprise

Metallica surprised fans with a rare treat in Auckland, New Zealand last night when they played the instrumental, "Orion," in its entirety.

hennemusic has more details (and video!): Clocking in at around 8 minutes, the epic track has not been played live since 2007 and, prior to 2006, had never been played live from start to finish.

The brainchild of the late Metallica bassist Cliff Burton, "Orion" originally appeared on 1986's "Master Of Puppets." - Check out a video here and get more details

Freddie Mercury Biopic Will Focus on Music

(Gibson) Screenwriter Peter Morgan says the forthcoming Freddie Mercury biopic will focus on the Queen singer's musical career, as opposed to his personal life.

Speaking to Cinemablend.com, Morgan said, "I didn't want to write an AIDS movie, to be honest with you. I just looked the period. It's sort of where he rejects [the other members of Queen] and comes back to them. It's sort of like a family movie. It's sort of like, 'I hate my family, I want to be independent, and then I come back.'"

The surviving members of Queen – Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon – are consulting with Morgan as co-producers of the film. Morgan indicated, however, that the movie will present a warts-and-all treatment of the band. "I'm not sure how much they'll like what I write," Morgan said. "I think they'll recognize the truth in it, but it's a series of painful memories for them. I'm essentially writing about the most painful time in the band's history." - more on this story

Slipknot's Clown Issues Threat

(Rock Radio) Slipknot percussionist Sean 'Clown' Crahan, who started the band with tragic bassist Paul Gray, says the outfit will come back stronger and leaner as a result of his death and has issued a threat on his colleagues' behalf.

In an emotional heart-stirring speech he tells Sirius XM: "Starting the band with Paul, I have a heavy responsibility to think about what he would have liked for what we started together. It wasn't just Paul and I in this band, let's make that clear, but we started something together. He's so big right now, so it's time for the rest of us to get what we've always needed. The big bands need to get the f*** out of my face. The industry needs to get the f*** out of my face. Everybody needs to get out of our way because we're going to spread the seed.

"It's going to take time, but this is a threat. Today is a threat, a new beginning. And that's how I want it to be." - more on this story

Billy Joel Hitting The Big Screen

(Gibson) Billy Joel's documentary feature film The Last Play At Shea will hit the big screen at over 120 theaters across the country on October 21, 2010.

In addition, several venues will extend the film for a traditional theatrical run. Here is the synopsis for the film:

The intersecting histories of a landmark stadium, a volatile baseball team, and a music legend are examined in a film that charts the ups and downs of the New York Mets and the life and career of Long Island native Billy Joel. When Joel learned that he would be giving the last musical performance at Shea Stadium, he decided to capture the event on film and then create a unique motion picture that would also tell the story of Shea stadium itself, and its place in the New York and Long Island history. - more on this story

Beastie Boys Back At Work Following Adam's Cancer Battle

(Gibson) The cooking blog of Tamra Davis (wife of the Beastie Boys' Mike D) is full of sweet nuggets, but this week's entry was particularly savory – indicating progress on a new Beastie Boys album and the health of key member Adam Yauch.

"Mike is back mixing his record, which means Adam Y is feeling better," wrote Davis. "Yeah!"

This is the first update that Beastie Boys fans have gotten in months regarding the health of Yauch, who announced the discovery of a tumor in his salivary gland via video message in July 2009. - more on this story

Guitar Hero: Linkin Park

Linkin Park will be the first band to bring downloadable content to both Guitar Hero and DJ Hero.

The Linkin Park track pack will feature a collection of songs from Linkin Park's new album, A Thousand Suns, and will be available for download beginning October 19.

"We're looking forward to bringing our new album to Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock and DJ Hero 2," says lead vocalist Chester Bennington. "I think our fans will have a blast playing it." - more on this story

The Doors Unreleased Live Recordings With Albert King Coming Next Week

Yesterday's announcement that The Doors would be the first band to offer downloadable content for Rock Band 3 also included a tidbit about the release of a special album featuring previously unreleased live recordings.

We dug a little deeper and have some more info for you. The Rock Band announcement placed the release on Nov. 22nd but The Doors official store states that Live In Vancouver will be released on Tuesday November 23rd.

The Doors Live In Vancouver will be a two-disc offering capturing The Doors set on June 6, 1970, at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, British Columbia, that featured a guest performance by Albert King on four songs and includes "When The Music's Over," "Five To One," an extended version of "Light My Fire" and much more from this historic performance. - more on this story

Rape Warning For Ivy League Hobbits: Gwar To Be Honored At Harvard

Raping hobbits and violating comedians can get you into Harvard! Just ask the mighty Gwar. In a sure sign that Armageddon is just around the corner, Gwar is finally being recognized by The Ivy League colleges, and is now set to receive the prestigious honor of being one of a select few to be inducted into The Harvard Lampoon.

The Harvard Lampoon is America's oldest institution of humor, operating from the Harvard campus since 1876, and boasting an elite cadre of members that include the likes of Conan O'Brian and BJ Novak, as well as many of America's top comedy writers and performers.

The ceremony will take place this Saturday October 16th at the world-famous Harvard Lampoon Castle in Cambridge, Massachusetts. When reached for a comment on this prestigious honor Oderus briefly laid down his crack pipe and muttered: "Me and the guys are as pleased as pig-s*** to accept this near-meaningless accolade from a bunch of booze-sodden degenerates. To walk in the shoes that tread in the footsteps that tied the shoelaces that were Elijah Wood's big ass hairy hobbit feet fills me with a feeling not unlike lust but nothing like nausea. To mumble the words that were the drool that became the Jell-o that fell out of Bill Cosby's butt is the third most important thing to happen to me today. And finally, to lap at the glistening shores that is the toilet that Sarah Silverman left a dookie in is akin to having sex with Jesus's wife. We are honored, pleased, and gassy as hell as we accept this mantle-crushing award and the considerable attached cash prize...there is a cash prize, right?" - more on this story

Jam with Phish's Mike Gordon at Free Event

The Phish camp sent over this update on Thursday: You're invited to "The Mossery," a free-form musical event on the eve of the release of Mike Gordon's new studio album Moss.

The event will take place at a fully transformed Kenny's Castaway on Monday, October 18th in New York City. There's no cost to get in and you can come, explore and leave as you please. Guests will have the chance to pick up Mike's new album, Moss, which hits stores on Tuesday.

Attendees will have the opportunity to play along, with Mike on bass. We supply the instruments and mikes and you show up. We can't guarantee that everyone will get to (it's first come, first served), but we'll rotate as many willing participants through as possible, because a rolling stone gathers no moss. - more on this story

Where's The Band? Tour Returns As Thrice, The Get Up Kids, Saves The Day And Bayside Frontman Add New Leg

Thrice, The Get Up Kids, Saves The Day and Bayside Frontman have announced that their Where's The Band? tour will be hitting the east coast this December.

Dustin Kensrue (Thrice), Matt Pryor (The Get Up Kids, The New Amsterdams), Chris Conley (Saves The Day, Two Tongues) and Anthony Raneri (Bayside) will each deliver solo acoustic performances.

The inaugural Where's The Band? tour in January 2009 included 10 dates in the Midwest, followed by four West Coast dates in January of this year. Every date has sold out. The four singers sit in during each other's sets, creating a unique and special event for fans. - dates

Band Stealing Pantera's Identity?

The Metal Den sent over this report about Orphaned To Hatred, who has promoted itself as the second coming of Pantera, has allegedly entered into trademark infringement by trying to use Pantera2.com as their own domain.

TMD has tracked down this evidence on file with Godaddy that clearly shows the band's frontman Brandon Ralph McBride and OTH band have recently secured the domain to Pantera2.com, in attempt to promote their band under the likeness of the famed Texas groove metallers.

Orphaned To Hatred band also recently loaded a song onto AOL (via YouTube), using the CFH logo (Cowboys From Hell) to promote the band's music. This posting on AOL has since been mysteriously taken down. - more including photo evidence here

Thrice's Dustin Kensrue Giving Fans Early Christmas Present

Thrice frontman Dustin Kensrue's Christmas album, This Good Night Is Still Everywhere, will be released for the first time on limited edition vinyl on November 9 through Vagrant Records.

The solo, mostly –acoustic collection was originally issued as a digital-only release in 2008. This new vinyl edition features two bonus tracks, including a cover of mewithoutYou's "A Stick, A Carrot & String."

For fans that previously purchased the digital album, the two additional songs will be available for individual download at all digital retailers. - more on this story

The Pixies Played 33 Songs for 33 Miners in Chili

On Wednesday the Pixies played their first-ever headline show in Chile at the Teatro La Cupula in Santiago. The band's scheduled performance happened to fall on the very night that the 33 miners were dramatically rescued from 69 unimaginable days trapped 2000 feet below the surface of the earth.

"We were so moved by this story," said Pixies' Black Francis, "by how many lives had been affected by this, and how the Chilean people banded together to support what can only be described as a miracle.

"We wanted to do something to show how affected we were by this, so we played a special set at tonight's show, 33 songs for the 33 miners, the longest set we've ever played as a band. We found out five minutes before we went on stage that all of the miners had safely reached the surface. This was definitely one of the most meaningful show we've ever played." - more on this story

Singled Out: Local H

Today Local H frontman Scott Lucas tells us about "Joey" and "Puss" from Local H's Awesome Mix Tape #1, which comes out next week. Here are the stories:

"Joey" -- This is the best alcoholic love song ever. The first time I ever played this song was in '05 -- it was an acoustic show opening for Tommy Stinson. I didn't know what key to play it in --Concrete Blonde plays it in G. I was going to wuss out and play it in C, but then I just decided to go for it and do it in G. I couldn't believe that I got anywhere near to pulling it off.

"Puss" -- This was a tough one. We love The Jesus Lizard. And we wanted to do one of their songs, BUT how do you out-Yow David Yow? It can't be done. What was I gonna do? Out-snarl him? Put down a sicker performance? Nope. So I went the other way: a smooth falsetto. I thought I was doing my best sweet soul brother vocal, but it ended up sounding more Queens of the Stone Temple (Axl) Rose. Which, I suppose, actually IS sicker.

Hearing is believing. Now that you know the story behind the songs, listen for yourself and learn more about the album and get details about this weekend's release party - right here!

Reunited Codeseven Hitting The Road With Circa Survive, Dredg and Animals As Leaders

Codeseven are hitting the road for the Blue Sky Noise 2010 Tour this fall with Circa Survive, Dredg, and Animals As Leaders. The tour officially kicks off tonight in Hartford, CT.

"We couldn't be more excited about a tour than this one with Circa Survive and Dredg - both are long time friends and musicians that we really respect," bassist Jon Tuttle states. "After spending the last five years at home, we are finally ready to get C7 moving again."

To celebrate their reunion and the upcoming tour, Codeseven will be re-releasing their 2004 album, Dancing Echoes/Dead Sounds. The album, which features revamped artwork and packaging, is limited to 1,000 copies and will be available for sale on MerchNow.com and at all upcoming shows (while supplies last). - more on this story

Peter Frampton And Others Come Alive With Treasures For Flood Relief

(Gibson) Peter Frampton, Vince Gill, Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, Duane Eddy and other notable musicians have donated some of their priceless musical treasures to be auctioned by NASH20.

The proceeds will benefit MusiCares Nashville Flood Relief Fund, the Nashville Musicians Association Flood Relief Fund and the Fireman's Fund National Philanthropic Program for grants to Nashville fire and rescue departments. The auctions will take place over the next two months.

The flood-damaged instruments being auctioned, including Frampton's Les Paul and Gill's Gibson J-60, are no longer playable, but they represent an opportunity for fans and philanthropists to acquire prized musical heirlooms and souvenirs while also supporting a number of charitable causes. - more on this story

Elton Radio Launches Today

Tune in today as SIRIUS XM Radio launches "Elton!," a seven-day long, commercial-free music channel featuring music, interviews and special guest DJ sessions celebrating the release of Elton John and Leon Russell's new album, The Union.

The limited-run channel will launch on Friday, October 15 at 3:00 pm ET and will run until Friday, October 22 at 3:00 am ET on SIRIUS channel 33 and XM channel 27.

"Elton!" will feature music spanning Elton John's prolific and award-winning career as well as music from Leon Russell's storied music past. Listeners will hear an interview with Elton John and Leon Russell conducted by director Cameron Crowe, during which Elton will talk at length about The Union, scheduled to be released on Decca Records on October 19, as well as various highlights from his 41-year career. - more on this story

Toby Keith Beats Kenny Chesney

(Gibson) Guitar-slinging country superstars Toby Keith and Kenny Chesney battled it out on the Billboard 200 charts this week, with Keith getting the drop on Chesney. Chesney's Hemingway's Whiskey enjoyed a week as the country's top-selling album – the sixth #1 album of Chesney's career. But the release of Toby Keith's Bullets in the Gun knocked Chesney off the top.

Keith's album debuted at #1, giving him the fourth chart-topping record of his career. The success of Keith's album has been largely driven by the popularity of its tongue-in-cheek lead single, "Trailerhood."

There's more good news for Keith, as his Las Vegas restaurant and music venue I Love This Bar & Grill is expands with a Washington location at Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center. Toby Keith is looking at opening 12 more across the country in the future. -

Europe Singer Launching Radio Show

Add Europe frontman Joey Tempest to the growing list of rockers that have their own radio show.

The new hour-long series will transmit on Planet Rock on Sunday evenings from 6pm-7pm from November 7th.

"Rock music has been a major part of my life," says Joey Tempest. "Whether I am recording, touring or just listening to it. This time I'm heading into a different kind of studio and get to play the music that I love and that has influenced me over the years." - more info

Teenage Fanclub Have The Perfect Job

(Gibson) Scottish rockers Teenage Fanclub are in the midst of an American tour, with a European leg of the tour scheduled through the end of the year. The road work is in support of a new album, Shadows, the group's first new release in five years.

In a recent interview, band members Norman Blake and Raymond McGinley explained that part of the band's success can be attributed to the members' keen lack of interest in any other day jobs.

"I've never had a job ever," McGinley told LARecord.com. "I was a paper boy – the only job I've ever had. If you've never had gainful employment, you get used to not having money. As soon as you get used to having money, it gets difficult. For a while, we didn't have any money. But that was fine!" - more on this story

Suicidal (hed) p.e. Tendencies Tour

Suicidal Tendencies are hitting the road later this month for a month long North American tour with (hed) p.e. as direct support on the trek.

Both bands have released a new video blog to promote the upcoming tour which kicks off on October 20th in San Francisco. Check out the video here.

(hed) p.e. recently released their animated video for the song "No Rest For The Wicked" online and premiered it on MySpace Music. The track is taken from their new studio album Truth Rising, which lands in stores October 26th and features a guest appearance by Sevendust frontman Lajon Witherspoon on the song "Stand Up". - more on this story

Clapton Schooled Derek Trucks

(Gibson) Derek Trucks says his 2007 tour with Eric Clapton, during which he served as second guitarist with the legendary six-stringer, brought a more understated component to his playing.

In a just-published interview with M – Music & Musicians, Trucks said: "Digging into [Clapton's] catalog – especially the Derek and the Dominos era – I came to love the way he would craft a song. He also always seems to have a bit of firepower in his back pocket. He doesn't show his hand every night. There's a reserved aspect to his playing that I think a lot of younger musicians overlook. It's the same thing that makes B.B. King so great. It's like a baseball pitcher who has a 98-mile-per-hour fastball that he breaks out only when he needs it."

Trucks, who is currently at work on a collaborative album with his wife, Susan Tedeschi, also talked about why the SG has always been his go-to guitar.

"A lot of it is about comfort," he said. "The SG was the first guitar I felt great about, and it's become second nature to me. Once you get comfortable with a guitar, and you know where the sweet spots are, it almost disappears from your mind and becomes part of you." -

Imagine If Jimi Hendrix Was A Piano Player Rather Than A Guitar Virtuoso

Josh Charles has announced the release of his forthcoming EP titled Trippin' The Keys: The Music of Jimi Hendrix.

The EP will feature a fresh perspective on Jimi Hendrix classics all played on the piano. The free digital release will drop Tuesday, November 16, 2010.

The unique EP features Charles on piano and solo vocal. Charles' ability to break down classics of Jimi Hendrix on piano is a testament to his amazing talent (Keep in mind he was mentored by Dr John!). The tracklist for the EP includes, Little Wing, All Along the Watchtower, Hey Joe and Voodoo Chile. - more on this story

Hatebreed Announce Stillborn Fest

Hatebreed will be playing some east coast headlining shows this winter under the banner of the Stillborn Fest. Supporting on this short run are Four Year Strong (Allentown & Poughkeepsie), H20 (Allentown only), A Life Once Lost, This Is Hell, Trapped Under Ice, Thy Will Be Done, The World We Knew & Strength For A Reason (where noted.)

"We're excited to continue with our Holiday tradition of doing Stillborn Fest. It's going to be great to play for all of our diehards in the North East."

The band will celebrate the 15 year anniversary of the release of "Under The Knife" which came out on cassette & 7" in 1995'. Jasta adds, "We'll definitely be adding some old jams back into the set. See you there!" - more on this story

McCartney's Grand Apple Dreams

(Gibson) Slated for re-release on October 26 are 15 key albums – including discs by Badfinger, James Taylor and Billy Preston – originally released on The Beatles' Apple Records. Peter Asher, who headed the A&R department for the short-lived label (and was also a member of Peter & Gordon), recently told Music Radar that Paul McCartney had grand ambitions for the company.

"I remember sitting with Paul and watching him draw diagrams of what Apple should be, what it should accomplish," Asher said. "Of course, the idea was that it should go beyond a record company, that it should be an arts endeavor in general. We wanted to allow people the chance to do what they wanted to do without going through corporate hoops – that was the concept."

As one might expect, the involvement of The Beatles, combined with the free-spirited, open-ended policy, was an invitation for madness. "It brought about total chaos," Asher said. "I'm not saying the process was chaotic, just the quantity of what came in. Apple was The Beatles, so obviously we were inviting trouble. I had a few people working for me up on my top floor, and sacks and sacks of cassettes and reel-to-reels would come in each day for them to listen to. I just thank God we didn't have MP3s back then; otherwise, the place would have exploded!"
- more on this story