Van Halen Disappointment at Grammy Show

The good news is that there is still no real reason for rock fans to bother to care about the Grammy awards, which have consistently treated the biggest selling genre of music as an afterthought. (The same artists that are always nominated were once again nominated, provided they put something out this past year.) The blow by blow on the Van Halen rumor drama

Ricky Skaggs Drummer Found Dead On Tour Bus

(Gibson) Tom Roady, drummer and percussionist for Ricky Skaggs, was found dead on the band's tour bus prior to a show at Clemson University on Monday. He was 62. Members of Skaggs' touring band found Roady unresponsive after parking their tour bus at a hotel near the university.

"[Roady] was sleeping on the bus," said local coroner Kandy Kelley. "The other band members had gone in to get the motel rooms. Then they went to wake him up." Roady had been battling stomach cancer for five years, but cancer is not believed to be the cause of death. "We believe Tom suffered a heart attack as he slept," Skaggs said. "At least he can say he beat cancer."

Skaggs and the remaining members of the band went on to perform Monday night at Clemson's Brooks Center, the first stop on the bluegrass star's Christmas tour. Roady, who had also served as drummer for such legendary figures as Emmylou Harris, Wilson Pickett and James Brown, was a resident of Kingston Springs, Tennessee. more on this story

Corey Taylor Slams Scott Weiland

(Banana 101.5) Corey Taylor continues his pull-no-punches approach to the Q&A portion of his solo shows. At Monday's gig the Slipknot vocalist called Stone Temple Pilots singer Scott Weiland "a lazy piece of s—" and ridiculed his recently released Christmas album.

Just a few shows after he verbally assassinated mega-producer Rick Rubin for being "overrated," "overpaid," and "lazy," the outspoken Corey Taylor began disassembling Scott Weiland without even being prompted by the audience. Taylor started talking about commercials and movie remakes and eventually began warning the audience to be cautious of those looking to cash in on their curiosity and give them nothing in return. His first example ended up being the man whose old job (as Velvet Revolver's vocalist) he recently auditioned for: "I'll give you another example. Does anyone know who Scott Weiland is? Do you know that Scott Weiland has a Christmas album now? Oh, it's bad. It's bad. Let me f—ing explain to you how bad it is. There is a video online of him singing, and he's very serious. 'Cause Christmas is serious. His hair is all slicked back and he's in his f—ing s–-ty tuxedo."

Taylor began his lifeless impression of Weiland's take on 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas' which ended with him attempting to swallow the microphone mid-lyric. He then further explained his beef with Weiland. Read what that was and check out video of Corey's rant here

Nickelback Barely Miss The Top

Nickelback's new album, "Here and Now," had a strong first week of sales and just barely missed out on debuting at the top of the Billboard 200 charts.

The trade magazine reports that Nickelback's new effort debuts at No 2 after selling 0.18% less than Michael Buble's "Christmas". Nickelback's label reports that the album sold 226,714 units and missed the top of the chart by just 419 copies.

Hits Double Daily places the new Nickelback effort as a solid No 1 with reported first week sales of 225,325 units vs Buble's 218,815. Billboard reports that the last time there was such a narrow margin between no 1 and no 2 albums was in 2007 when Bruce Springsteen's "Magic" beat out Kid Rock's "Rock N Roll Jesus" by a margin of 0.3%. more on this story

Chevelle Previewing New Songs Online

(Banana 101.5) Chevelle are powering back with their sixth full-length studio album 'Hats Off to the Bull,' which is in stores next Tuesday. With just a week to go, the band decided to give fans a sneak peek at things to come.

The band has kept a pretty tight lid on the new material until now — while touring with Bush and Filter the only song they performed from the new album was the already released 'Face to the Floor' .

Clearly ready to kick the anticipation into full-on frenzy mode, Chevelle have leaked previews of two songs which hearken back to the heavier early days of the band — check out the title track 'Hats Off to the Bull' and 'Same Old Trip' here.

Megadeth Members Revisit Peace Sells

The Mars Attacks podcast latest Classic Albums special focuses on Megadeth's classic "Peace Sells….But Who's Buying."

The album is discussed by founding and current member of the band David Ellefson along with former members of the band, Chris Poland and Glen Drover.

The special is split into a podcast and written portion, where you can either listen to read comments from Gene Hoglan, Doro Pesch, Jon Schaffer, Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal, Jason Bittner, Tim "Ripper" Owens, Alan Tecchio, Dan Lorenzo, Dave Reffett, Jorge Salan, members of Sacred Reich, Death Angel, Madball, This Or The Apocalypse, Cancer Bats, Benedictum, Bonded By Blood, DC4, Gypsyhawk, Vindicator, White Wizzard, and Angelus Apatrida, along with various authors, as well as hosts and contributors to sites/podcasts such as Talking Metal and more.

You can listen and find the Q&A with David Ellefson, along with all of the other comments here.

Amp Used on Beatles Revolver and Sgt Pepper's Up For Auction

(Gibson) An amplifier used by George Harrison during the recording of The Beatles' Revolver and Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band is expected to fetch between $80,000 and $110,000 when it goes on the auction block next month.

As reported by Reuters, the rare Vox UL730 amp and cabinet was only recently discovered to have a Beatles connection, when an engineer repairing the amp noticed that Harrison's name was etched on the chassis.

Subsequent research confirmed that Harrison indeed had owned the amp, and that he had used it on two of The Beatles' most important albums. "Very few amps used by The Beatles have come to auction before, and to find one that was used on two such significant albums is truly rare and exciting," said Stephen Maycock, a consultant to Bonhams, the company conducting the auction. The sale will take place in London December 15. more on this story

It's Christmas for The Polyphonic Spree

The Polyphonic Spree have released a recently unearthed Christmas song as their new single, "It's Christmas," via their Good Records Recordings label.

"It's Christmas" is an original song composed by Spree leader Tim DeLaughter and recorded in 2003 during early sessions for the band's second album, "Together We're Heavy."

The track was lost in the shuffle of recording a new album at the time, but it was recently unearthed and mixed, and is now available for the first time. more on this story

All Time Low Deliver Time-Bomb Video

All Time Low have released a new music video for their latest single, "Time-Bomb," off of their album, Dirty Work.

The clip was directed by K. Asher Levin and features the band performing on a Los Angeles rooftop while a SWAT team tries to stop a guy from saving his girlfriend—Vampire Diaries' Malese Jow -- using an artificial heart he created himself.

You can see how it all plays out with the official video stream on the All Time Low Vevo channel here.

Caliban Set I Am Nemesis Release Date

Century Media Records has set a February 28, 2012 release date for Caliban's eighth studio album, I Am Nemesis.

After spending 10 months writing new material, the band is very excited to get the record out to fans. "It was important to us to have an elaborate album without any fillers," says lead guitarist Marc Görtz. "Additionally, the sound of the album is the best we've ever had by far: it is heavy and brutal without being chaotic."

Lyrically, I Am Nemesis is a continuation of the band's last record, Say Hello To Tragedy and focuses on controversial and often overlooked world issues. Musically, Görtz says, "The album breaks new soil without forgetting our roots. There are new influences such as shimmering guitar melodies and technical grooves with Meshuggah-like heaviness." more on this story

Public Image Ltd To Deliver This is PiL

(Gibson) John Lydon has revealed that the title of the new Public Image Ltd album will likely be, simply, This is PiL.

Speaking to BBC 6 Music, Lydon said lack of financing has been the main hindrance in releasing new PIL material. "I was always full of ideas, but I had to wait until I had enough money to release an album," Lydon explained. "Everybody thinks I made such a fortune with the Sex Pistols. Well, unfortunately that is not true. To make this record we had to tour extensively for two years."

Lydon added that he and his PIL bandmates knew, as soon as the reconvened in 2009, that they would eventually record a new album. more on this story

The Felice Brothers Announce New Year's Shows

The Felice Brothers have announced plans for two New Year's shows in the northeast this year.

They will be performing on December 30th at Daniel Street in Milford, CT and on December 31st for a hometown show at Club Helsinki in Hudson, NY.

The band, who are currently overseas at the start of a 17-date European tour, wrapped up their eight and a half week long national US tour on November 19th. more on this story

August Burns Red Release Christmas Song

August Burns Red are once again in the Christmas spirit, giving fans their rendition of a Christmas classic, this time they take on the holiday favorite, 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen'.

"The past few years the annual ABR Christmas songs haven't been nearly as 'metal' as 'Carol of the Bells' was," explains guitarist JB Brubaker. "When writing our rendition of 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen' I wanted to write a more traditional metal song. Something less artsy and more in your face. I am confident that 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen' is easily the most metal Christmas song we've ever done. While recording it I was thinking 'this song sounds straight 80's metal' which amused me greatly."

The track is available now as a digital single or a limited edition colored vinyl 7" through the band's former label, CI Records, and can currently be previewed at the band's Facebook page here.

Corrosion Of Conformity One Night Stand

Corrosion Of Conformity will follow-up their tour with Clutch with a one-off show at the Orange Peel in Asheville, North Carolina on January 22.

The special performance will coincide with a screening of Slow Southern Steel, the southern metal documentary produced by Rwake vocalist, CT. Hail! Hornet will also appear on the bill.

Corrosion Of Conformity -- featuring the Animosity line-up of vocalist/bassist Mike Dean, guitarist Woody Weatherman, and drummer/vocalist Reed Mullin -- have been working with long-time producer John Custer and will release their eighth studio album via Candlelight Records on February 28, 2012. The record will be self-titled. more on this story

Unchained Voted Top Van Halen Song

(Gibson) "Unchained," from the 1981 album, Fair Warning, has emerged as the victor in a Rolling Stone readers' poll that asked fans to name their 10 favorite Van Halen songs. With the group set to make a comeback with original singer David Lee Roth in tow, the magazine said it "figured it was a good time for such a poll."

Perhaps not surprisingly, 80 percent of the top picks were from the Roth era, 20 percent were from the Sammy Hagar era and none were from the Gary Cherone era.

Commenting about "Unchained," Rolling Stone wrote: "It's not quite as famous as 'Jump' or 'Hot for Teacher,' but 'Unchained' has frequently been voted the favorite song of Van Halen fans. During the interlude, producer Ted Templeman breaks in and says 'Come on, Dave, gimme a break!' Dave responds with, 'One break, coming up!' According to legend, Ted felt that Dave was being too over the top and he scolded him. The band liked the moment and kept it in. Recent evidence suggests that the bit was rehearsed, but it's hard to say for sure. Like most things in the Van Halen world, there are two competing narratives of one event."

Dawes Alex Casnoff Returns With Harriet

Alex Casnoff of Dawes fame has announced the debut release from his latest band, Harriet, and is previewing a new track online.

Harriet will self-release their debut EP, Tell The Right Story, on January 31, 2012. The EP's opening track "I Slept With All Your Mothers" is currently premiering at PasteMagazine.Com here.

"I wanted it to feel big... cinematic. I wanted every song to be a movie, " said Casnoff. "I wanted it to feel like an occasion. I wanted it to feel like a wedding." more on this story

Captain, We're Sinking and Tigers Jaw Tour

Captain, We're Sinking are hitting the road right after Christmas with Tigers Jaw for a Winter tour of North America.

Starting in Detroit, the tour will make it's south through Alabama then head back north to their home state Pennsylvania. Midway through, the group will be joined by Balance and Composure.

Earlier this month, Steadfast Video posted an acoustic video of singer Bobby Barnett playing a new song. The track, "Montreal," comes from the group's sophomore full length which is due out next year. more on this story

Starseed Releasing New Song Next Week

Starseed are releasing their new single, "Shine" in the U.S. on December 6, 2011 through iTunes.

The US release of Starseed's album, Peace Machine, will be released early 2012. Starseed will also be in the U.S. for promotion early January.

According to their PR, their music grasps many elements of the post grunge scene drawing influences from early Pearl Jam and Alice In Chains to the power and torment of Soil. More recent comparisons include the tenacity and energy of Stone Sour and intense melody of Alter Bridge. more on this story

Young Man and Givers Tour

Colin Caulfield's Young Man plans to follow up tours with Cold War Kids and Grouplove this January with a new trek with Givers.

Young Man's second full-length album, part two of a trilogy on Frenchkiss Records that began with Caulfield's recent debut LP Ideas of Distance, will be released in May 2012.

The forthcoming album was produced by John McEntire (Broken Social Scene, Tortoise, The Sea and Cake); Young Man recently premiered an alternate take of the Ideas of Distance track "Then & Now," recorded with McEntire during the new album's sessions at Tortoise's Chicago-based Soma Electronic Music Studios, via IFC.com here.

tour dates

Paul Gilbert's Great Guitar Escape

Mr. Big and Racer X guitarist Paul Gilbert will launch the first annual Paul Gilbert's Great Guitar Escape on July 9-13 at Full Moon Resort in Big Indian, NY.

Guitar players of all ages, levels and styles are invited to join Paul Gilbert and other expert musicians for this 5 day experience focused on the techniques, styles, and life of the modern working musician.

"The concentrated guitar-power that I have assembled for The Great Guitar Escape could light a city the size of San Antonio for the next 1000 years," says Paul Gilbert. "But more importantly, the workshops, nightly concert jams, and interaction with the pro musicians and fellow music lovers will give you inspiration and memories to last a lifetime. If you are a guitarist, bassist, drummer, or thinking about becoming one, don't miss this amazing camp!" more on this story

Asphyx To Deliver Deathhammer Early Next Year

Asphyx have set a February 27th, 2012 European and February 28th, 2012 North American release dates for their 8th studio album, Deathhammer.

Deathhammer features artwork by the band's long-time partner in designs, Axel Hermann. Hermann has not only worked on all of the early Asphyx artwork (and most recently on their Live Death Doom release), but is also responsible for a lot of the classic Century Media artwork by bands like Morgoth, Unleashed, Samael, or Grave.

In regards to their newfound collaboration, both parties comment: "Asphyx and Axel Hermann is a fusion that has always functioned perfectly...from the days of 'The Rack' back in 1991, 'til 'Deathhammer' in 2012. Like others such as Dan Swanö, Axel may be considered as an external member of the band and when we asked him to do the 'Deathhammer' cover--and as usual we would leave him free in his expression--we were very pleased to hear he was willing to take it on. more on this story

Final Queen Auditions Sets

Queen's Roger Taylor has announced the final auditions for musicians to fill the Queen Extravaganza Tour. Here is the official word with the details:

Over the course of the past 10 weeks, vocalists, guitarists, drummers, bassists and keyboard players from across the U.S. and Canada have auditioned online at www.queenextravaganza.com, hoping to become part of "The Queen Extravaganza Tour," a major production launching in 2012 featuring performances of Queen's biggest hits.

The contestants performed such Queen classics as "Killer Queen," "Somebody To Love," "Bohemian Rhapsody," and "Another One Bites The Dust," among others. Fans had until November 28th to vote to determine the 21 finalists (6 vocalists, 6 guitarists, 3 drummers, 3 bassists and 3 keyboard players with Taylor picking an additional five wildcard finalists). more on this story

Mutilation Rites Ink With Prosthetic

Prosthetic Records have announced the signing of a new deal with Brooklyn's Mutilation Rites.

The filthy black metal band was conceived by Michael Dimmitt and Justin Ennis in January 2009 and after various incarnations, solidified with the addition of George Paul and Iain Deaderick. Members have done time in acts such as Tombs, Heuristic and Curendera.

They cite influences including, but not limited to, Darkthrone, Discharge, Dissection and Weakling. The band commented on the signing and upcoming plans: "After a quick east coast run we will begin recording our full length debut for Prosthetic Records with Kevin Bernsten (TRIAC) at Developing Nations in Baltiomore, MD. We couldn't be more excited about our new relationship with Prosthetic Records. Expect us to be touring heavily beginning spring 2012." more on this story

Eric Bibb Eyes New Album Release

Stony Plain Records will release Eric Bibb's label debut, Deeper in the Well, in March 2012.

Deeper in the Well features Eric Bibb on vocals and guitar backed by multi-instrumentalist Dirk Powell, guitarist Cedric Watson, drummer Danny Devillier and harmonica player Grant Dermody.

Special guests on the CD include Michael Jerome Browne, Jerry Douglas and Christine Balfa. more on this story