Metallica and Dave Mustaine Reunion Jam

(hennemusic) Metallica invited many special guests to be a part of their 30th Anniversary shows at the legendary Fillmore in San Francisco this past week.

Some of the most special included former members of pre- and early-Metallica, including Dave Mustaine, Hugh Tanner, Lloyd Grant and Ron McGovney.

It was all hands on deck for the pre- and original Metallica crew on Saturday, as Mustaine sat in for five songs, while Grant and McGovney played on two, and Tanner joined the team for the night's closer, "Seek & Destroy." Check out video here.

Motley Crue's Nikki Sixx Falls On Stage

(hennemusic) Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx took a tumble on stage Thursday night in Nottingham.

Currently touring the UK with Def Leppard and Steel Panther, the Crue's set of classics and hits was unfazed by Sixx' slight fall, which happened during "Shout At The Devil."

Sixx had climbed down off a riser and was walking across the stage towards drummer Tommy Lee's kit when he slipped and wiped out. Nikki tweeted about it after the show: "Slipped and fell onstage. Fun. Smashed blood bass. Fun. Guitar cabinets blown up. Rock n roll. Nottingham. Loud." more on this story

Guns N' Roses Train Wreck For Rock Hall?

(hennemusic) When it comes time for Guns N' Roses to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of fame, former GNR drummer Matt Sorum is hoping for the best, but preparing himself for the worst.

"It's going to be as big of a train wreck as The Sex Pistols, Blondie, or any of those other bands," Sorum tells Australia's The Vine.

"That's my prediction. Or Van Halen, which I don't know if you saw, but we [Velvet Revolver] were involved in that. Train wreck; it was a complete train wreck. But maybe it won't; maybe it will be a miracle; I hope for that and put out the positive vibrations. But it's coming up pretty quickly. That's in March, so we'll see." more on this story

Mick Jones and Paul Simonon Jam Clash Classics

(Gibson) On Thursday night (December 8), Mick Jones partnered with former Clash bandmate Paul Simonon to perform Clash material together for the first time since 1982. As reported by NME.com, the show, staged at the Scala in London, saw the duo perform 12 Clash songs in total.

Musician guests who joined in included singer-songwriter Pete Wylie, Richard Archer of the band Hard-Fi, and members of The Farm. The set included several Clash classics, including "London Calling," "Train in Vain," "Guns of Brixton" and "Should I Stay or Should I Go." Jones wrapped up the show with a rendition of The Farm's "All Together Now," which he dedicated to the memory of John Lennon.

The event was part of a series of concerts staged throughout England to support the Hillsborough Justice Campaign. The organization was formed in the wake of the 1989 Hillsborough football tragedy, in which 96 people lost their lives. more on this story

Alice Cooper Documentary Coming

(Gibson) Rock and roll eccentric Alice Cooper will be the subject of a documentary film to be unveiled next summer.

According to Classic Rock magazine, Banger Films, which produced documentaries for Iron Maiden and Rush, is producing the Cooper film that will debut in September at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Sam Dunn from Banger Films spoke to Spinner.com, saying, "We're in the early stages of telling the story of his career. We're probably going to focus in on his early years up to his comeback in the '80s. We're exploring a different stylist approach with this film. It won't be talking heads; it's going to be more of an archival and animated journey through his career." more on this story

Rare Early Van Halen Photos Surface

(hennemusic) Some rare photos of Van Halen from 1978 have surfaced. The Van Halen News Desk reports they have posted 15 photos of Van Halen making a special in-store appearance at a record store during their first world tour back in 1978.

A promotional flyer on the wall shows an image of Van Halen's only album cover and reads "APPEARING IN STORE FRIDAY 2:30 – 4:00″.

In the pics, the band is seen drinking cans of Schlitz Malt Liquor – their favorite beer at the time. Check some of them out here.

ZZ Top Eye Spring Album Release

(hennemusic) ZZ Top guitarist Billy Gibbons provides an update on their forthcoming album, courtesy of a new interview with Rolling Stone.

"When you add up the days in the studio, it hasn't allowed us much time to do much else than plug straight into an amp and play as a trio," says Billy. "We're still not afraid to experiment when time allows, but these are things that don't normally pop up in a ZZ session. It's just, go in and get it."

"Presently, it would be safe to say that by spring of the year 2012" is when fans can look forward to some new ZZ in their collection, according to Gibbons. more on this story

iTunes Release Free Beatles Yellow Submarine Book App

iTunes Store have released a free exclusive Beatles 'Yellow Submarine' book that lets readers tap their iPad, iPhone and iPod touch to immerse themselves in the legendary film's colorful sights and sounds.

The iBookstore's exclusive 'Yellow Submarine' book takes the reader on a kaleidoscopic, music-filled journey with The Beatles to an underwater dreamland featuring animated illustrations and text from the 2004 book, 14 full-color video clips from the original 1968 film, audio clips of classic Beatles hits and Sir George Martin's original score, original dialogue from the film, "read aloud" functionality to follow along as actor Dean Lennox Kelly narrates, as well as interactive features that let you tap the story's wild array of butterflies, starfish and sea monsters to make them come alive.

The vibrantly illustrated book was designed by Fiona Andreanelli using Heinz Edelmann's original artwork from the film, and its story has been adapted by Charlie Gardner from the film's original screenplay, co-written by Lee Minoff, Al Brodax, Jack Mendelsohn and Eric Segal. more on this story

Wayne Static Extends Solo Tour

Wayne Static has extended his solo tour plans which kicks off this month with two additional months of dates.

Static will start the new run of shows beginning January 25, 2012 in Farmington, NM and spanning until February 23rd, 2012 in Reno, NV.

Polkadot Cadaver and Canada's The Agonist will also be performing on all the newly added 2012 shows. more on this story

Soul Coughing's Mike Doughty To Launch Book of Drugs Tour

Soul Coughing's Mike Doughty is releasing his memoir "The Book of Drugs," on February 1st and will be hitting the road in support of it.

"The Book of Drugs" is described as his memoir of his life, career, addiction, and the doomed-from-the-start, eight-year roller coaster ride of his former band, Soul Coughing.

Doughty will tour the eastern U.S. in February, performing music solo, reading from the book, and answering audience questions each night. more on this story

Awolnation Announce Initial 2012 Tour Dates

Awolnation have announced their initial eight North American tour dates for the New Year, with more dates coming soon.

The North American trek kicks off January 5 in Anchorage, Alaska and highlighted by a live performance at the Winter X Games in Aspen, Colorado on January 28.

The band, currently on the road performing at holiday concerts and festivals throughout December, recently wrapped their sold out "Fall Harvest Tour." more on this story

Lindsey Buckingham Postpones Tour Due To Band Injury

Lindsey Buckingham has been forced to postpone his UK tour due to a band member injury.

Lindsey's camp put out the following: 'Lindsey Buckingham unfortunately needs to postpone his upcoming UK shows as his guitarist has severely injured his back and is not able to presently perform.

"All tickets will be honored at the soon to be announced rescheduled dates.' The tour was scheduled to start last Thursday and run until December 16th.

Eric Clapton Bandmate Dick Sims Dies

(Gibson) Dick Sims, a Tulsa-based keyboardist who was a longtime member of Eric Clapton's band, has died. Details regarding Sims' death have yet to be revealed, but tributes are pouring in to his Facebook page. Sims and his self-designed Hammond B-3 first appeared with Clapton on the 1974 album, 461 Ocean Boulevard. He and fellow Clapton backers Carl Radle (bass) and Jamie Oldaker (drums) had previously been members of the Tulsa County Band. Together, they helped pioneer the so-called "Tulsa sound."

"461 Ocean Boulevard was Eric Clapton, but that was [also] the Tulsa County Band," Sims told Tulsa People, in 2010. "They weren't going to name it 'Eric Clapton and Tulsa County,' because Eric was already a solo act. And the bands he'd been in before, they only lasted one album and then they'd break up. And we were with him for nine years."

"It was a great band," Sims added. "I was blessed to get to experience that quality of music." Sims went on to record with J.J. Cale, Peter Tosh, Vince Gill and others. He released a solo album, titled Within Arms Reach, in 2008. more on this story

Steve Perry Reflects On His Journey

(hennemusic) Steve Perry may never reconnect with Journey, but he's beyond thrilled with the work he did during his time in the band.

Perry had a little refresher course in his history with Journey's while helping put together tracks for the band's "Greatest Hits: Volume 2" release this year.

"When I heard these tracks come off vinyl again, I got emotional beyond my wildest expectations," Perry tells the St. Petersburg Times. "I forgot how good they were! The stereo separation. The echoes. The snare drum sounds. Neal [Schon]'s guitar is stupidly amazing, and completely still to this day underrated in my opinion." more on this story

Queen's Roger Taylor Picks Queen Extravaganza Band Members

(hennemusic) After reviewing months of auditions, Queen's Roger Taylor has confirmed the lineup for the Queen Extravaganza touring band.

The lineup of six musicians will tour North America in 2012 backed by a huge production that features all the classic Queen songs.

"The Queen Extravaganza" band line-up consists of singers Jennifer Espinoza (San Antonio, TX) and Marc Martel (Montreal, QC / Nashville,TN), guitarists Tristan Avakian (Toronto, ON) and Brian Gresh (Tulsa, OK), drummer Tyler Warren (Camden, TN) and bassist Francois-Olivier Doyon (Quebec City, QC). more on this story

Dying Fetus Begin Recording New Album

Dying Fetus have entered the studio to record their next full length album, which they will once again be working with longtime producer Steve Wright (Slipknot, Misery Index) at Wrightway Studios in Baltimore, MD.

Set to be released in mid 2012 through Relapse Records, the album will feature nine tracks and is a "return to roots" with production focused slightly more on slam than in the band's last few works. An official release date and album title will be announced shortly.

"The last album had some groove in it," stated guitarist and vocalist John Gallagher, "but [it] was basically a lot of tech; this one is a return to form of older Dying Fetus albums, so to speak- more modern production though, of course." "Everything's tight," John adds; "...the sound is crushing, the drums are amazing". more on this story

Drunken Prayer Set New Album Release

Fluff & Gravy Records will release Drunken Prayer's sophomore full-length, Into the Missionfield, on February 7, 2012.

The announcement describes the release as an eleven track collection of dark tales and darker melodies. A journey down a path less traveled, but always more rewarding.

Some may categorize it as alt. country, Americana, folk-rock, or a number of other genres, but, to Drunken Prayer mastermind Morgan Christopher Geer, the songs aren't trying to be anything; they're just his way of letting out a howl formed by life and the history of music. more on this story

Megaton Leviathan Plan New Album

(Earsplit) Megaton Leviathan are set to begin work on their new full-length album, which includes a "smacked-out version of Judas Priest's 'Here Comes The Tears,'" according to the band, will be unleashed during the latter half of 2012.

Further comments vocalist/guitarist Andrew Costa on the direction of the new material: "The new tunes are dark but still retain the trademark Megaton Leviathan hooks and dreamy atmosphere fans have come to expect from us.It's a transmutation of a lot of my personal experiences in Alaska as well as our recent trails and tribulations as a young band. It will be delivered in a way most everyone can identify with."

The band is also working on a split release with LA noise band Actuary. Further details to be unveiled soon. In addition, the eclectic ensemble will kick off the new year with a short string of West Coast headlining dates. more on this story

The Intersphere Release New Video

(Freeman) The Intersphere have released a new video for their new song "Sleeping God" from their forthcoming album.

After playing over 350 live shows all over Europe including major festival appearances at Rock Am Ring and FM4 Frequency, The Intersphere returns with album number three.

"Hold On, Liberty!" will be released in North America on January 31st via Long Branch Records/SPV. Check out the video here.

Sting Playing Christmas Party

(Gibson) Sting has been lined up to play a Christmas office party for a cool £1 million. According to NME.com, the Police man will perform for Czech tycoon Petr Kellner at Prague Castle in Prague.

Meanwhile, the "Roxanne" singer is working on a musical show based on life in his hometown of Newcastle in the 1980s. The musical will be called The Last Ship and Sting is co-writing it.

Sting recently celebrated his 60th birthday with a charity concert in New York where Lady Gaga, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel and Stevie Wonder all performed for him. more on this story