Controversial Singer Dies- Whitesnake Reunion- Disturbed Taking A Break- Arctic Monkeys On Top- Corey Taylor's Sins- For AC/DC Star's New Gig- Alice Cooper CD- more

(Lambgoat) The Contortionist has lined up a handful of June tour dates, first joining up with Whitechapel in the Northeast, following by a few shows in the Midwest. more

Bruce Springsteen's E Street Bandmate Suffers Stroke

(hennemusic) Sad news from E Street. Clarence Clemons, saxophonist in Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, has reportedly suffered a stroke at his Florida home.

Showbiz411.com broke the news Sunday evening, reporting the Big Man "is seriously ill," and Rolling Stone has "independently confirmed" the news.

Rolling Stone indicates Clemons has gone through a series of medical ailments - mostly involving his back and knees - over the past decade, conditions which caused him to suffer a tremendous amount of pain and discomfort. more on this story

McKagan N' Stradlin

(RockAAA) Duff McKagan has exclusively revealed that he plans to join forces with his former Guns N' Roses band mate Izzy Stradlin for a global tour later this year.

The ex-GNR and Velvet Revolver bassist told RockAAA that he hopes to hit the road with his current band Loaded with Stradlin in support for a tour which will include stops on both sides of the Atlantic.

McKagan said: "It would be, it will be, really fun to go to South American and the UK with Loaded and Izzy (Stradlin) to do a tour together. "He and I have talked about it and it'd be great. At the end we'd do some songs together like 'Dust N' Bones' and 'Pretty Tied Up' or whatever. more on this story

Judas Priest Aren't Retiring

(Gibson) At a recent press conference in Sölvesborg, Sweden, all five members of Judas Priest fielded questions at a press conference. Topics of conversation included K.K. Downing's departure, the Epitaph tour setlist and the group's future plans. Regarding the latter, guitarist Glenn Tipton squashed any rumors that this was it for the metal gods.

"We don't plan on retiring," said Tipton. "We've said that this is our last world tour. It takes a chunk out of your life—18 months. We won't be doing any more world tours, as such, and in many parts of the world, it will be the last time people will get a chance to see us. But we're not gonna stop. We've got an album in the can now, we will start to write with [new guitarist] Richie [Faulkner], there will be more albums, and who knows? There might be a string of dates that we can manage to do. We're just not going to do another major world tour. We've been doing it for 40 years and it's time to let the younger bands have the chance."

Regarding the departure of founding member K.K. Downing, frontman Rob Halford said the group still is not completely sure of the guitarist's reasons for walking away from the farewell tour. "I don't think any of us will really know," the singer said. "You probably read what he put on his website about saying that he just felt that if he was to stand on the stage not for the right reasons, then that was the wrong thing to do. And that's a really sincere thing to say. When you walk out on stage in front of those thousands and thousands of fans, you want to be there, you want to be able to play. None of us really understand the true reasons [for his departure], 'cause we've all got different theories. I think what we would really love everybody to focus upon now is that this is a great time to celebrate for Judas Priest, 'cause it is a farewell. We don't want people to be depressed and sad, we want people to rock out and have a great time and enjoy seeing this amazing guitar player, Richie, with us in the band and just live the metal." Check out video

Alice Coopers Wants X Factor/Idol Like Show For Rock Bands

(Gibson) Rock legend Alice Cooper has said that he wants to create a rock and roll TV reality show. According to NME.com Cooper feels that contemporary rock bands lack "attitude."

He told the U.K.'s Daily Star, ahead of his appearance at the Download festival, "Forget The X Factor, I'd like to see a TV show that discovers a real songwriting rock genius," he said. "I'd call it Lunatic Fringe. Bands don't have attitude any more. They're all beige and have no showmanship. My generation was the opposite. Striving for normality was never an option."

Alice Cooper also said that he's a fan of pop acts with attitude, like Lady Gaga and Katy Perry. "It's infinitely more fun watching somebody like Lady Gaga. The same with Katy Perry. She's got a great pop sense." more on this story

Buffalo Springfield Plan Fall Reunion Tour

(Gibson) When the newly reunited Buffalo Springfield took the stage at Bonnaroo this weekend, it wasnt the last time fans will see of the Neil Young-originated group. According to singer and guitarist Richie Furay, the 1960s folk-rockers are on tap to do a full-scale tour kicking off in September.

"The plan is to do 30 dates this fall," Furay told Rolling Stone. "The anchors will be Los Angeles and New York. What the other cities are, I can't tell you right now – but we're almost certainly doing Red Rocks."

This time around, the guys will perform at theaters instead of jumbo amphitheaters and arenas. "We want to keep it a little more intimate," Furay said. ". . . There have been people from Florida, Chicago and Texas saying to me, 'Hey, you gonna come my way?' I have to say that with 30 shows, we're gonna hit those cities." more on this story

Why Metallica Passed on Les Claypool

(Rock News Desk) Primus mainman Les Claypool is looking forward to the band's future after bringing it out of hiatus and preparing their seventh album for release – but he's taken a moment to reflect on his 1986 audition for Metallica. And he says the band knew from the moment he entered the room he wouldn't get the job.

Schoolfriend and Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett invited the bassist to audition for the thrash giants after the death of Cliff Burton in a tour bus crash. But Claypool admits he didn't realise how big the band already were – and didn't know their music well enough.

He tells Rolling Stone: "It was extraordinarily loud – I remember Kirk telling us to turn down. We played Master of Puppets and From Whom the Bell Tolls. I didn't know the intro of For Whom the Bell Tolls was on the bass – they were waiting for me to start it and I was just looking at them.

"I think that's when James Hetfield knew. Well, they knew I wasn't the guy when I walked in the door. more on this story

Bob Dylan Landmark Destroyed

(Gibson) Bob Dylan fans are dismayed that the New York coffee bar where the voice of a generation wrote "Blown in the Wind" has painted over the bar's iconic sign. The legendary '60s folkie hangout, the Fat Black Pussycat, is now a restaurant and the owner has covered the old sign in red paint.

Andrew Berman, executive director for the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, is not impressed: "It's a tangible link to this incredibly important era in the neighborhood's history, when so many great musicians, poets and artists used the Village as a springboard to transform the world.'

But according to the Daily Mail, the owner has a different view: "There are buildings that are worth preserving. Ninety per cent of what's in the Village isn't. The Village was freedom. The Village was not rules and regulations set in concrete. It destroys everything the Village was always famous for." more on this story

Fan Dies At Bonnaroo

(Gibson) A woman has died at the Bonnaroo music festival in Manchester, Tennessee. According to Nashville's Newschannel5.com, a 32-year-old woman from Pittsburgh was found dead at around 11 p.m. on Thursday. The cause of death remains unknown.

Bonnaroo officials said in a statement: "The safety and security of our guests is always our top priority, and we are saddened to report that a festival goer has died. We can confirm that last night around 11 p.m., festival medical personnel received a call from the camping area; they responded immediately and were on the scene within minutes.

"Unfortunately, the 32-year-old female was pronounced dead at the scene. Per protocol standards, we contacted the Coffee County sheriff's office. Coffee County personnel reported to the site, and any further information will come from their office. Our condolences go out to her family and friends." more on this story

New Big 4 Jam?

(Rock News Desk) Scott Ian of Anthrax says the Big 4 of thrash are planning to replace their end-of-show mass jam with something the fans will love more.

Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax have ended their blockbuster group shows twice by coming together to jam Diamond Head's Am I Evil.

They did it once in Bulgaria for their live DVD, then again in California in April. But by the time the thrash giants gather at the Yankee Stadium in New York in September, they hope to have something even more special for the eager audience. more on this story

Avenged Sevenfold Will Never Be Able To Replace The Rev

(Rock News Desk) Avenged Sevenfold singer M Shadows admits life without drummer Jimmy 'The Rev' Sullivan remains difficult 18 months on.

The band lost him when he died of an accidental overdose at Christmas 2009. They completed last year's album Nightmare with Dream Theater sticksman Mike Portnoy, who then toured with them, leading to his departure from the prog metal band.

Now they've recruited permanent replacement Arin Ilejay. Shadows says: "He's a good fit for the band right now. But it's tough – the guy was such a big part of our lives. It's a hole we'll never fill. Everything seems a little bit darker and number." more on this story

Down Plan Four New Releases

(Rock News Desk) Down guitarist Kirk Windstein says the band will change the format of their touring cycles to match the new format for releases as they aim to put out four six-track EPs nine months apart.

They begin recording on September 1 and aim for the first short-form disc to appear at the beginning of 2012, with the second due in the autumn.

And Windstein sees the strategy merging with what they need to do to keep touring – and his own decision to cut down his drinking after he spent six months on the wagon. more on this story

Kings of Leon Film Premiere Set

(Gibson) Kings of Leon will premiere their documentary film, Talihina Sky, in Scotland at the Edinburgh International Film Festival on June 25.

The movie will also be screened in 150 U.K. movie theaters the same night. Kings of Leon plan to attend the Edinburgh screening and make themselves available for questions from the audience in a question-and-answer session.

The sessions will also be seen in all the movie theaters screening Talihina Sky. more on this story

Split Saved Trivium

(Rock News Desk) Trivium would have imploded if they hadn't split with drummer Travis Smith – but it was pure luck they had the time needed to get new man Nick Augusto up to speed.

Frontman Matt Heafy admitted in February he fired Smith over the phone, saying: "It was hard for everyone involved. But I hope it's going to be something Travis recognises was for the better for him in years to come. For his own health and well-being as well and for our own. I heard that he's doing very well now and that's the best you can wish for."

The band soon hired Smith's drum tech, Nick Augusto – but say they normally wouldn't have been able to give him the space he needed to settle in. Heafy tells Artisan News: "I'm not pointing any finger, but if the old lineup had continued the band wouldn't be around any more. The chemistry wasn't there." more on this story

Jack White Won't Rock For Kinks Film

(Rock News Desk) Jack White has denied Ray Davies' claim the former White Stripes guitarist will provide the music for a movie based around a Kinks album.

Davies last week said US comedian and producer Bobcat Goldthwait was preparing to start work on a film version of the band's 1976 concept record Schoolboys In Disgrace. The frontman said: "Jack's a great technical player and would bring some great anarchy to it, which is in keeping with the script Bobcat's written."

But White has released a statement distancing himself from the project. It says: "Jack has great respect for the Kinks and for Bobcat, but has no plans to record any music for the film, as erroneously reported." more on this story

Korn Stepping Out

(Rock News Desk) Korn are working on a record of dubstep music after frontman Jonathan Davis persuaded his bandmates to move the nu-metal outfit in a new direction.

And when he heard the news Ray Luzier thought it might mean he'd be taking a break from his drumming duties.

"Jonathan got together with a producer called Skrilex recently. When he first told me I thought I was going to have to take some time off. Normally it would drive me crazy because I think drum machines are soulless," He tells Download. "But he said, 'No, we're going to experiment with triggers,' which I've never done before. So we actually triggered the sounds Skrilex made with my kit – I'm actually playing them live. I was excited by that." more on this story

X's John Doe Sets New Solo Album Release

Yep Roc Records have set an August 30th release date for John Doe's new solo album "Keeper."

Doe produced the new album alongside long-time collaborator Dave Way (Fiona Apple, Macy Gray) at L.A.'s The Way Station and New Monkey studios. Of the process Doe reflects, "As Dave and I began recording we knew it had to be a record featuring a band. We agreed that one of our favorite eras in music was '69-'71, just as hippie music had turned more aggressive and the flower was beginning to die. The songs for Keeper were written with that kind of confidence, conflict and flow." Doe goes on to comment on the record's markedly more optimistic material, "Dark and sad are typical places for most people to start writing songs. It's a location that the last four records came from, eventually I figured out how to write a love song where the people actually get loved. It became easier to write more than the lovelorn songs that made up most of those previous records. And as you grow up you realize that a certain amount of satisfaction and happiness is a very good thing. Pieces of sadness exist in everything but it doesn't have to be the only thing."

In addition to Doe, the record features vocals by Patty Griffin, Jill Sobule and Cindy Wasserman. Moreover, numerous world-renowned musicians joined Doe in the studio, including Smokey Hormel (Johnny Cash, Tom Waits), Don Was (Rolling Stones) and Howe Gelb (Giant Sand). more on this story

Opeth Fall Tour

Opeth will return to North America this fall for a seven-week, headline tour which kicks off September 19th in Worcester, Mass. and runs through November 1st in Baltimore, with a couple of dates in Canada.

Opeth will headline the shows, with their Katatonia providing the support on all dates.

Opeth will be touring in support of their forthcoming album Heritage, which is due out September 20th on Roadrunner Records. more on this story

Singled Out: A Pale Horse Named Death's As Black As My Heart"

Today Sal Abruscato from A Pale Horse Named Death tells us about "As Black As My Heart" from their brand new album "And Hell Will Follow Me," which hits stores tomorrow. Here is the story:

I pretty much wrote this song in a few days, it happened right when my ex-wife left me and robbed my money out of my bank accounts. I was angry and felt betrayed, but I did not want to write about it blatantly as to not give her any direct credit for the song. Just a vague depiction of a depressed heart and anyone with common sense would put 1&1 together.
The verses were intentionally melancholy, broken down depicting the feeling of loneliness, depression and sadness.
The music just happened one part after another and flowed right out of me. I came up with this My Bloody Valentine feel for the chorus that is hypnotic under the main chorus riff.
The heavy bridge and ending music is an extension of my anger and rage I felt, with me screaming Nothing as black as my heart only to end with a long painful scream at the very end.

Hearing is believing. Now that you know the story behind the song, listen for yourself and learn more about the album right here!

Evan Seinfeld Splits With Biohazard

(Rock News Desk) Biohazard have split with frontman Evan Seinfeld with immediate effect, and they played their third set at the UK's Download festival with stand-in Scott Roberts.

And guitarist Bobby Hambel says the band needed to make the move, stating simply: "We have a long history together, but it's time for a change. We wish Evan well."

Roberts was a member of the lineup which recorded 2005 album Means to an End before the original members regrouped three years later. They've finished work on a new record, due out later this year. more on this story

Ray Davies Meltdown

(Gibson) Prepping for London's Meltdown festival this past weekend, Ray Davies had special reason to look back on his years with The Kinks. Much of that looking back, in fact, was essential preparation for his performance, which included a run through The Kinks are the Village Green Preservation Society in its entirety, backed by the London Philharmonic and a local chorus. Speaking with The Wall Street Journal, Davies copped to some last-minute cribbing for the event.

"I'm doing the Village Green in its entirety," he said. "It's the first time I've played most of the songs since they were recorded. I had to read the liner notes to the original record to remember why I made it."

Davies also discussed some of his early hits, often marked by a sense of weariness in his vocal performance. "I recorded "You Really Got Me" when I was 19 and I was weary. Maybe I watched too much Perry Como. I remember watching when I was a kid. He said, 'The reason I'm so relaxed is I'm so tired all the time.' There were elements of that maybe. A 19-year-old world-weary person." more on this story

Def Leppard Now The Elder Statesmen of Rock

(Rock News Desk) Joe Elliott admits Def Leppard felt like old men out of place when they attended the Kerrang Awards in London on Friday.

But by the end of the night, when they'd been given the Inspiration Award, they felt right at home.

And Elliott says one of the things that keeps the band going is the ability to keep playing massive shows – accepting they might not feel like continuing if they were forced to downsize. more on this story

Seasick Zeppelin Jam

(hennemusic) Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones joined Seasick Steve on stage Saturday at the Isle Of Wight Festival.

Jones played on Steve's new album, "You Can't Teach An Old Dog New Tricks," and joined him for a couple of songs last month on Later With Jools Holland.

At the Isle Of Wight, Jones sat in for "Thunderbird," while his Them Crooked Vultures bandmate (and head Foo Fighter) Dave Grohl could be seen bopping his head to the tune side stage. more on this story

Darkness of Bodom

(RockAAA) Children of Bodom have admitted their guilty pleasure is rock ballad 'I Believe In A Thing Called Love' by the Darkness.

Speaking to RockAAA's Ted Rock they revealed their secret loving for the track made famous by the English rockers.

"I would go see The Darkness. I'd cover 'I Believe In A Thing Called Love.'," Bassist Henkka Seppala said. "The biggest difference would be the vocals and it would be quite funny to see if Alex (Laiho) could hit the same notes that The Darkness hit." more on this story

Paul McCartney To Rock Yankee Stadium

(Gibson) Paul McCartney made a high-profile stop at the Mirage Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas this week to commemorate the fifth anniversary of Cirque du Soleil's Beatles show, Love. The appearance gave McCartney a chance to open up about his recent announcement that, for the first time ever, he will play Yankee Stadium on July 15.

"I love New York… I've always loved New York. But Linda was from New York, so I've got family there," the 68-year-old McCartney told Access Hollywood's Billy Bush, mentioning his late wife who passed away from cancer in 1998.

"[Someone] would say, you know, 'Would you like to play at Yankee Stadium?' And [I'd] go, 'Yeah.' So it sort of happens like that," he continued. more on this story

Historic Beatles Photo Collection Up For Grabs

(Gibson) U.S. photographer Mike Mitchell is auctioning his Beatles photo collection at Christie's in July. According to a Reuters report, Mitchell received a press pass to The Beatles' first U.S. concert at the Washington Coliseum in 1964, two days after their historic The Ed Sullivan Show appearance.

"Things were much different back then," he told Reuters. "There was no big security presence, the press wasn't corralled and I was free to sort of embrace my own ambition."

Mitchell was just 18 years of age when he shot the historic photographs. "You cannot forget 8,000 screaming girls," he said. "It was like the birth of my generation." more on this story

Karma to Burn Miss Download

(RockAAA) Karma to Burn had to miss their Sunday afternoon slot on Download's Second Stage when their flight was cancelled.

Festival director Andy Copping told Rock Radio's Tom Russell the band turned up to the airport only to be told their morning flight would not be leaving.

Though they could travel on Sunday evening the band, who are touring their new album 'V', had to pull out of their Donington slot as they couldn't arrive in time. more on this story

Beady Eye TV Theme

(Gibson) Beady Eye have been tapped to provide the theme song for a new BBC television show, according to the U.K.'s Metro.

In with the Flynns is a remake of the short-lived U.S. TV show, Grounded for Life, and will star Will Mellor of Waterloo Road and White Van Man fame. Liam Gallagher and company's "For Anyone" will serve as the show's theme song.

Meanwhile, the group just played at the Isle of Wight festival this weekend, where they filmed a video for their next single, "The Beat Goes On." The group will also be playing at the Reading and Leeds, T in the Park and Oxegen festivals this summer. more on this story

Joan Jett and Cherie Currie Fighting Charity Runaways Tribute Album

(Rock News Desk) Former Runaways Joan Jett and Cherie Currie have filed a lawsuit to prevent the release of a tribute album dedicated to the 70s all-girl band.

Main Man Records are planning to put out a collection of covers recorded by 36 bands, including contributions from New York Dolls frontman David Johansen and the Dandy Warhols. The label says the net profits will be donated to the American Institute of Cancer Research in memory of Runaway Sandy West, who died in 2006.

But the bandmates say their reputations have been used to market a product they haven't approved, and it's all because some people in the label used to have connections with them. more on this story

New Isis Release Streaming Online

(MetalSucks) Isis may have called it quits, but they're leaving fans with pretty much the best parting gifts anyone could ask for — namely, not one, not two, but FIVE killer, digital-only live albums, documenting performances from 2001 to 2006, which will be released every two-weeks through the end of July.

May 31 saw the release of the first album; this Tuesday, June 14, the band will unveil its follow-up, ISIS Live II 03.19.03, which was captured (and "captured" is really the only appropriate word) in 2003 in Stockholm, Sweden.

The entire album is available for streaming on MetalSucks now at the following location

Wormrot Hitting the Road

(Earache) Wormrot have announced the first dates for a European headlining tour, which is due to kick off on September 1st in the UK.

Wormrot vocalist Arif Rot comments: "It seems like forever since we grind UK and Europe, although it's only last year. We will be back twice as pissed off. Less talk, more grind! See you grinders real soon - nabey cheebai!!!"

They will be touring in support of their new album, Dirge. Earache released the album in various formats worldwide including on limited edition CD with an exclusive bonus DVD, as well as on limited edition colored vinyl LP. And also worldwide on iTunes, including 10 exclusive bonus tracks which aren't available anywhere else. more on this story

State Your Cause Ink With New Ocean Media

(PR) New Ocean Media announced the firm's exclusive management representation of State Your Cause for all aspects of the band's music endeavors.

From Columbus, OH, State Your Cause consists of singer James Scott, guitarists Deepan Rajah and John Scott, and Drummer Matt Young. Announcing the signing, New Ocean Media's Doug Weber said, "State Your Cause is a band that Nixon from Framing Hanley brought to my attention. After hearing their self-released debut EP 'Escape Rebellion Promise' and some of their newly recorded unreleased material, I knew this would be a perfect fit for New Ocean Media. State Your Cause will also be the first project that myself and Nixon work on together bringing our different musical background experiences to benefit the band." Co-manager Nixon adds "State Your Cause is a band that impressed me originally with their live show. They shared the stage with my band on a few different occasions, and it was refreshing to see such an 'under the radar' band go out and absolutely slay hundreds of people each time. After hearing their recordings, I knew there was something very special with this band. I'm beyond excited for the opportunity to bring these guys to a worldwide recognition."

"The opportunity to be aligned with industry pros like Doug and Nixon is not something that comes along every day" states frontman James Scott. "The band will be working hard to prove that the chance they are taking on us was most definitely a solid decision. We will make New Ocean Media proud." more on this story

. RockPile: Korn- Brian Robertson (Motorhead - Thin Lizzy)- Winterus- Olde Growth

Kevin Wierzbicki visits the Rock Pile for a listen to the following new releases Korns The Essential Korn, Brian Robertsons Diamonds and Dirt, Winterus In Carbon Mysticism and Olde Growths new self-titled effort. - Read the full Korn- Brian Robertson (Motorhead - Thin Lizzy)- Winterus- Olde Growth review