No More Big 4 Show For Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax?

Classic Rock report

U2 and Bon Jovi Score Top Tours of 2011

(Gibson) Because it was already revealed as the highest-grossing tour of all time, it's no shock that U2's 360 Tour was 2011's top trek.

Spin reports that Bono and the boys landed at #1 – topping runners-up Bon Jovi by more than $100 million.

U2 played to approximately 2.8 million people in the U.S. and Africa during the year, raking in $293 million. In comparison, Bon Jovi performed before 1.8 million folks and took home $192 million. Other acts in the Top 5 include Take That's reunion tour, Roger Waters' Wall tour and Taylor Swift's trek.

Check out the top 25 here.

Axl Not Interested in Guns N' Roses Reunion

(hennemusic) While many fans are vocal about wanting a reunion of the original Guns N' Roses lineup, Axl is pretty clear about his thoughts on trying to turn back the clock – on any era of the band in a new interview with the Los Angeles Times. "Really, you can get guys from the 'Illusion' thing, but the only thing that would make it would be Duff and Slash, really," says Axl. "It's nothing against Izzy [Stradlin] and it's nothing against Steven [Adler], or anything like that. Steven may want it, but these guys I'm working with right now, they work really hard and it's hard work. I've toured with the other guys and I've also seen what they've done since, and I just know the difficulties."

"I don't have an excitement to work with people that joined in the 'Illusion' time," he continues. "There's behind the scenes that was really, really difficult there with different ones. So it's not really even a full reunion."

"And these guys have been here a long time, whether the public knows it or not, because we haven't done the media like that," the singer explains. "Tommy [Stinson]'s been on 14 years, Richard's [Fortus] going on 11. That's as long as Duff was in the band. Chris [Pitman] has been in going on 11, Dizzy [Reed]'s on since 'Illusion,' Frank [Ferrer]'s going on six, and so's [Ron] Bumble[foot] [Thal]. These guys have been here. And DJ [Ashba]'s going on three." more on this story

Motley Crue Movie Coming

(hennemusic) On the heels of news from Vince Neil that the singer is considering leaving Motley Crue after their Las Vegas residency in February, comes word from bassist Nikki Sixx that the Vegas run is "the beginning of what will be the biggest probably four to five years of the band's career."

"We're negotiating with a couple of other extremely huge bands on doing a co-headline tour, something that's never happened before. There's new music in the future," Sixx tells Rolling Stone.

"The other thing to look at is the wheels are in motion for getting the Mötley Crüe movie made now," says Nikki. "We finally got everything in order the way it needs to be done, and that's gonna happen."

What about retirement?

Rush Finish Recording New Album

(Gibson) Rush's sound engineer Rich Chycki has suggested on Twitter that the legendary Canadian trio has "wrapped up" the recording of forthcoming album Clockwork Angels.

Chycki's Tweet said: "2 months at Revolution Studio in Toronto. Thanks for the hospitality guys! #wrapped"

Clockwork Angels has been a long project for Rush. In August 2010, guitarist Alex Lifeson remarked that an additional three songs were almost complete and that the album was turning out to be very musically diverse. In particular, Lifeson refers to the nearly finished title track "Clockwork Angels" as an "epic song" and a "multi-parted piece." more on this story

Seether Plan To Play Almost 300 Shows in 2012

(Banana 101.5) Having already played 150 gigs in support of their new album 'Holding On To Strings Better Left To Fray,' you'd think Seether would be ready to relax a bit in 2012. A recent interview revealed that not only will they not be taking it easy, they'll play about 300 shows in the new year — that means they don't even get most weekends off!

The members of Seether understand the importance of connecting with their fans in person — for that reason they will be doing somewhere in the neighborhood of 300 shows in 2012. Frontman Shaun Morgan recently explained the insane touring plan to the Cape Times:

"We're looking forward to doing a proper national tour next year. It's important to play as many cities as possible – so that's what we'll do. We're truly blessed to have a career in music. We've toured with bands way bigger than we are that no longer exist. So, yes, we're humble and very aware that we're as big or as small as our fans dictate." more on this story

Pearl Jam Working On Album Number Ten

(Banana 101.5) Among the more noteworthy releases coming our way in 2012 is the tenth studio album from Seattle rock giants Pearl Jam. After spending much of the year reflecting on their 20-year run, the rock vets aim to finish their next record by spring 2012.

You never know what you're going to get when Pearl Jam releases a new record, which is one of the things we love about the band. Whether it's an album filled with more experimental tracks like 'No Code' or 'Binaural' or straight ahead rock like 'Ten' or 'Pearl Jam,' the band has proven that they are one of the most versatile acts in rock music today. Being that their next album will make number ten — a number that holds much significance to the band and it's fans — we're wondering whether we will get a nostalgic PJ sound or something entirely new.

Pearl Jam's manager has said that they are anxious to get the new songs out to people and bassist Jeff Ament said they were about halfway done months ago — so if you do the math the album is about done, right? Wrong. Drummer Matt Cameron is now splitting time between PJ and Soundgarden and the band has been traveling to Los Angeles to record — so the process is taking a little longer this time through. Last month guitarist Mike McCready gave a progress report to the Gazeta De Povo: "In this moment we are in the process of composing an album, we have seven songs … and we'll work on the rest of them next year in March. This, no doubt, will appease many Pearl Jam enthusiasts out there." more on this story

Michael Schenker Hitting The Road With Robin McAuley

Guitar legend Michael Schenker is once again teaming with singer Robin McAuley. This time they are hitting the road together.

Schenker camp announced yesterday that the guitar shredder will hit the road for a North American tour next year. The tour kicks off on February 15th in San Francisco, Ca at Mezzanine and wraps March 24th in San Juan Capistrano, Ca at The Coach House.

Buried in the announcement was this line "[Schenker] will now be touring with Robin McAuley" in support of his latest studio album "Temple of Rock". The statement is pretty vague so it is unclear if Robin will be performing with Michael or will be performing separately. more on this story

Lost Captain Beefheart Album Set For Release

(Gibson) A supposedly "lost" album from the avant-garde musician Captain Beefheart (who passed away just over a year ago from multiple sclerosis) will be released in January.

NME.com reports that Bat Chain Puller, produced by Frank Zappa in 1976, will finally hit the stores on January 15, which would have been Don Van Vliet's (Beefheart's real name) 71st birthday.

The album will feature all 12 original album tracks as well as three bonus songs. more on this story

Allman Brothers Band To Receive Lifetime Achievement Grammy

(hennemusic) The Allman Brothers Band are among the artists to be honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards at the Grammys in February.

On Wednesday, The Recording Academy announced its 2012 Special Merit Awards recipients. This year's Lifetime Achievement Award recipients are Allman Brothers Band, Glen Campbell, Antonio Carlos Jobim, George Jones, the Memphis Horns, Diana Ross, and Gil Scott-Heron; this year's Trustees Award honorees are Dave Bartholomew, Steve Jobs and Rudy Van Gelder; and Celemony and Roger Nichols are this year's Technical Grammy Award honorees.

As pioneers of Southern rock, the Allman Brothers Band created a unique sound, blending elements of blues, country, jazz and rock. Known for their outstanding improvisational and jam-style shows, the band's breakthrough album, 1971's "At Fillmore East," is a definitive live concert recording. The band has achieved artistic and commercial success with hits such as "Whipping Post," "Ramblin' Man" and "Jessica," the latter having earned them a 1995 Grammy for Best Rock Instrumental Performance. In 1995 the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. more on this story

Fuel, Bret Michaels, Darius Rucker To Rock Super Bowl Village

Fuel, Bret Michaels, Darius Rucker, Big Head Todd and the Monsters are headed to Indianapolis, Indiana for the big game and are among the acts scheduled to perform at the city's Super Bowl Village. They sent over these details along with the initial artist lineup:

Activities and events within the three-block area along Georgia Street in Indianapolis will become the Super Bowl Village.

The Super Bowl Village is a free, family-friendly fan gathering spot that will be open January 27, 2012 through February 5, 2012. more on this story

Dillinger Escape Plan Selling Limited Edition Shirt Today Only

(Monolith) Dillinger Escape Plan guitarist Ben Weinman announced via a blog entry entitled "Dear Santa, if you give me a Dillinger Escape Plan shirt I will give you the Antidote to the poison I put in your milk.", that the band will be releasing a limited edition 'Gold Teeth On A Bum' shirt online, just in time for the holidays.

The limited time offer, which will be made available for 24 hours only, will launch via the bands website www.dillingerescapeplan.org beginning at 12PM EST/9AM PST today, Thursday, December 22nd with a quarter of the proceeds going to a charity chosen by those who make a purchase.

In related news, Dillinger Escape Plan, who have begun writing new material for what will be the bands fifth studio album and follow-up to 2010's Option Paralysis (Party Smasher Inc./Season of Mist), will take a break from the process in order to rejoin their beloved tour mates- Mastodon and Red Fang on a string of UK dates in February, followed by a stop down under for Australia's annual Soundwave Festival, where the band will join a lineup of talent featuring the likes of Meshuggah, System of a Down, Slipknot, Marilyn Manson and Cro-Mags, among many others. more on this story

Pete Townshend's Post Tommy Rock Opera Inspires New Release

(Gibson) Shortly after The Who conceived, produced and recorded their rock opera Tommy, Pete Townshend started work on a follow-up "sci-fi rock opera." Parts of Townshend's Lifehouse project have occasionally seen the light of day, but he has now produced a new twist on the tale. London-based composer and mathematician Lawrence Ball's forthcoming double CD-set Method Music was not only produced by Townshend, it was also the direct outcome of Townshend's ongoing Lifehouse project.

Ball says: "Method Music evolved from Pete Townshend's question to me about generating unique pieces of music from the input of personal characteristics as data, a question related closely to his ongoing project Lifehouse. I wanted to see what the music could sound like prior to designing the proposed system of portraiture, and I created the tracks on Disc One: Imaginary Sitters, as a touchstone towards designing the software which would eventually execute the task itself."

Townshend's original Lifehouse story was set in a futuristic world where rock 'n' roll no longer exists – but a secret concert is staged where audience members enter their personal characteristics into a computer grid. A unique piece of music – based on the audience member's personal data – would then be generated. more on this story

Exhumed First U.S. Show In Years Available For Free Download

NPR is offering Exhumed fans a stream and download of the first U.S. show in over six years which took place at the 2011 edition of the Maryland Deathfest.

Said vocalist/guitarist Matt Harvey says, "2011 has been a great year for the band. We've had a killer time scraping off the rust on the gore metal machine and getting back on the road and partying with necromaniacs all over the place. It's amazing how many people have enjoyed our racket and have actually said nice things about our record -- sometimes even in public! We have a lot of sh*t planned for next year and we're chomping at the bit to continue subjecting the universe to more of our god awful noise! See you on the road...or at the bar. Play fast or die, dudes. Cheers!" Grab the stream and download here.

Exhumed will be showering Brazil with their infernal live rituals this Winter with Aborted. This will mark the band's first time ever in the country. more on this story

The Eagles InTheStudio For Christmas Week

(Sub) Syndicated radio show InTheStudio will spend Christmas week with the Eagles celebrating the 35th anniversary of their chart topping 70s classic Hotel California.

Show producer and host Redbeard revisits his conversations with Glenn Frey, Don Henley and Joe Walsh about how the "stories of the dark side of fame ..." would find their way onto the 1976 Grammy Award winning Record of the Year. In an early ʻ90s interview with Redbeard, Glenn Frey recalls the period of time leading up to Hotel California.

"I think Henley and I were on a roll. I felt like any time, any day, I could sit down at the piano or pick up the guitar and start playing and he would start making up some lyrics or start singing some melodies. We had a lot going for us at the time and we felt it was time to sorta do another concept album, not a cowboy concept album(like Desperado), but rather the dark side of success, the underbelly of Hollywood and LA and all that stuff. I think, in-fact somebody said, 'dark songs from paradise' was how they described Hotel California. I think that's a pretty good description."InTheStudio is syndicated on over 50 radio stations throughout North America.

EAGLES -Hotel Callifornia/ InTheStudio show will air Christmas week.

Stream the interview online here.

High On Fire Begin Recording New Album

High On Fire have entered GodCity Studios in Salem, Massachusetts' to begin recording their new album.

The group is collaborating with producer and Converge guitarist Kurt Ballou on the new effort; the band's sixth studio recording and follow up to 2010's Snakes for the Divine.

"We are really stoked about recording this album," said bassist Jeff. "The new songs are turning out absolutely punishing; there are some seriously sledgehammer riffs on this one! Working with Kurt has been awesome as well. He's super easy to work with and is full of good ideas. The sounds that the guy gets are ridiculous and raw as f*ck but also clear and HUGE. I think this album will capture the essence of the band really well. It's still early in the process, but so far it's sounding amazing." more on this story

Ministry To Relapse in March

The recently reunited Ministry have inked a deal with AFM Records who will release the band's new album "Relapse" in March of 2012.

Prior to the album, MINISTRY will release a digital single, entitled "99%" on December 23rd, 2011 via the band's iTunes store.

Currently, Ministry's Al Jourgensen is finalizing the last mixes on the new material. Commented Jourgensen on the signing: "Our 13th Planet Record releases have been distributed in Europe via AFM through our partner Soulfood Music in Germany for several years now, and we have established a solid business relationship, so it made perfect sense to take the next step and have AFM Records come on board and be involved with the new Ministry release for worldwide and digital distribution. I'm pretty psyched about the collaboration, based on the response and enthusiasm I've received from AFM so far…"

Why Scott Weiland Loves Christmas

(hennemusic) Scott Weiland is feeling the spirit of the holidays. The Stone Temple Pilots frontman recently released his Christmas album, "The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year," which features Xmas standards in a variety of styles, including big band swing, orchestrated ballads, reggae, bossa nova and more.

In a new interview with CNN, Weiland explains his genuine love of the holiday season. "I looked forward to it from, probably, the first day of school, every year until Christmas Day," says Scott. "A lot of magical things happen at Christmas."

"I've been given so much, I've been given so many gifts [in life]," Weiland continues, "I hope people are able to find some form of peace, and some form of love and understanding. If I could ask Santa for something…that's what it would be." Check out video here.

Jolly Giving Away Christmas Song

(Freeman) Jolly have recorded a cover of the holiday classic "The Christmas Song" (commonly referred to as "Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire").

In the spirit of the season the band is offering up a free MP3 download of the track from their official website here.

The band's debut album on InsideOut Music, "The Audio Guide To Happiness (Part 1)," is one of the most acclaimed progressive rock releases of 2011. more on this story

Scott Lucas & the Married Men To Broadcast Tonight's Show on Christmas Eve

(JMM) Scott Lucas & the Married Men will record their performance at the Hideout in Chicago tonight, December 22nd and broadcast it as an hour-long special -- The 2nd Annual Hideout Holiday Music Hour -- from their website www.scottlucasandthemarriedmen.com, beginning at 4p.m. on Christmas Eve. It will run repeatedly on the site for a limited time.

The band is aiming to emulate "A Prairie Home Companion" with the evening's set and will structure the program as an olde tyme radio variety show, complete with an MC, surprise guests and faux sponsors. Teen indie pop quartet Purple Apple will join the Married Men for a couple of songs.

Lucas, who is best known as the singer/guitarist for the two-man, Chicago rock band Local H, promises plenty of Christmas classics, like "Feliz Navidad," Mr. Grinch" and "Christmas" from the Who's Tommy. Lucas and his six-piece backing band, the Married Men -- a collective which includes violin, organ and accordion -- will also perform original songs from their forthcoming second album, tentatively titled Blood Half Moon, and Married Men staples, drawn from their first two releases: George Lassos the Moon and The Absolute Beginners EP. more on this story

Fallstaf Giving Away New Single

Fallstaf are offering their latest single "Eulogy" for free download from their recently released debut album "Bastard Sons of A Pure Breed".

"Bastard Sons of A Pure Breed" was self-produced by Fallstaf, and mixed and mastered by Kevin Jardine (Slaves on Dope) of Uplift Studios and is the follow up their 2009 EP "The Hitman Plays Trombone".

In addition to the 2011 year coming to an end, Fallstaf have been mentioned on Decibel Magazine's Top 5 Non-Metal Instruments on a 2011 Album category for their trombone hitman. Download the free track here.

More Than 100 Artists For The 12th Annual Light Of Day Concert Series

Roots rocker David Bromberg and more than 100 artists are set to perform at 16 different events for the 12th Annual Light Of Day Concert Series which runs January 12-16, 2012.

The following info was sent over Roots music legend David Bromberg will be among the performers at Paramount Theatre show on Jan. 14, 2011, that serves as the centerpiece for the 12th annual Light of Day concert series, now expanded to four-day weekend of activities in Asbury Park, NJ.

The Light of Day series of concerts, which also includes performances in Canada and several countries in Europe, raises money for the ongoing fight against Parkinson's disease by supporting research into more effective treatments and a cure for people who suffer from Parkinson's and other degenerative neuromuscular disorders. more on this story

Paul McCartney Brings Liverpool Rivals Together

(Gibson) Paul McCartney may be a longstanding Everton soccer fan (Liverpool has two premier league soccer teams – Liverpool FC and Everton FC) and he made sure to invite players from both to his Liverpool concert on December 20.

The Daily Express says McCartney is close to Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish, saying before the show, "I've become friends with Kenny Dalglish – he came to one of the first Wings gigs and really supported us. One time he brought the whole Liverpool team with him to a gig.

"I've got a ticket for him if he wants it. In fact the whole Liverpool team can come if they want to – and the Everton team, too." more on this story

Singled Out: Sarah Fimm's Everything Becomes Whole

We pleased that Sarah Fimm once again joins us for Singled Out! Today she tells us about the new video her song "Everything Becomes Whole". Here is the story:

Instead of talking about what inspired me to write this song, I'd like to talk about what inspired the theme for the video, which I feel a much deeper connection with.

Initially, when Erik (my go-to music video director and graphic designer extraordinaire of NYC's Newspeak) and I began to discuss the next video we were going to create, there was no reason to think that this was where we would end up. However, as we spoke more about the plotline, everything began to emulate real life accounts of the survivors of human trafficking.

After more research and becoming graphically acquainted with the realities of human slavery, I had a conversation with a man named Austin. He works with an organization called IJM (International Justice Mission). I was disturbed to learn that his average day is building the next undercover operation that might help to free another human being from a life of forced prostitution and slavery. Shortly after speaking with Austin, my brother coincidentally sent me a documentary called 'The Day My God Died'. It just so happened that the actual rescues of these women were shown, along with Gary Haugen who founded IJM. They depicted the actual rescue of several girls, and the intricate system of corruption behind their imprisonment. In the film, you are also given a glimpse at how these girls often believe they do not want to leave. Many survivors lose their lives inside these brothels. Many of the girls abducted and raped more than 20 times a day are under 15 years old.

These stories, images, and videos are what essentially helped to shape the video for "Everything Becomes Whole". The dark and haunting imagery is a direct metaphor for the darkness and turmoil that is inflicted on the lives of these girls around the world; the mangled dolls were meant to symbolize these girls' lives that have been turned upside down; and finally, the depiction of the male and female relationship that has gone entirely wrong, shows just how much control men have over these girls.

In America, we worry if our iPhone doesn't momentarily retrieve our mail. We worry that the particular Christmas gift our children want, will be sold out at the store before we can get there. I am not saying that we are evil for doing so, but we are certainly absent-minded and foolish if we do not remember that our freedom as individuals is something never to be taken for granted.

With the help of a few gifted people, the idea to create the Inspire Movement has been realized. It was clear that in order for people to want to look at something disturbing, you have to imbue the subject matter with music and art. Thus, I created a website with content, videos, music, stories, and more, where I've called upon all artists and those who care about this subject to create their own art and post it all over the web. The hope is the material shared all over the web will raise awareness for the atrocities of this issue.

We can always post celebrity gossip or the mistakes of asinine politicians, giving them more attention than they deserve. However, in the real world, the ones who need our attention are the ones who have no one to speak for them. No politician is going to speak for them. We as artists have the power. I believe that the voice of ar, and the power of music will be the saving grace of this planet, if there is to be one.

The goal of the Inspire Movement is to create a visible presence of this global problem, so it will be seen and felt for what it is, never forgotten, and never looked upon as something we cannot change.

To find out ways you can make a difference, check out these two great organizations and their tireless work to break the cycle of violence:

The Inspire Movement - http://www.sarahfimm.com/inspire

The International Justice Mission - Check them out at ijm.org, like them on Facebook, or follow them on Twitter @IJMHQ.

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence -- Check them out at ncadv.org, like them on Facebook, or follow them Twitter @NCADV.

Check out the video right here!