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On this day in 2004, former Crazy Town guitarist, 35-year-old Rust Epique dies from an apparent heart attack at his home in Las Vegas. Crazy Town had a 1999 worldwide No. 1 single, "Butterfly." Find out what else happened on this date in music history here

Mike Starr Funeral On Hold

TMZ sent over this report: Ex-Alice In Chains bassist Mike Starr won't be getting a funeral for another few weeks -- we're told, the medical examiner put the family's burial plans on hold ... in order to perform more tests on Mike's body.

No word yet on what tests still need to be done ... but Mike's family ain't waiting around -- we're told they're holding a memorial without Mike's body this Sunday in Seattle for friends and family ... to give them a chance to pay their respects early.

Once Mike's body is back in the family's possession, sources tell us, they plan to hold TWO funeral services -- one for fans, and one for family. more on this story

Aerosmith To Play American Idol

(hennemusic) You had to see this coming: Aerosmith will perform on American Idol. On Sunday afternoon, "Idol" executive producer Nigel Lythgoe spoke with xfinityTV.com at the "So You Think You Can Dance" auditions in Los Angeles and revealed some good news – news that Idol fans have hoped to hear all season.

When asked if we'd see Aerosmith and J-Lo perform on the finale, Lythgoe offered an even better, more surprising response. "It will probably be before that, actually," he said.

Urged to spill any more details, he joked, "Actually, no, I told you that. It's before then." more on this story

Ozzy Osbourne Movie Premiere Set

(hennemusic) Ozzy Osbourne is not only hitting the big screen, he's also hitting the film festival circuit.

"God Bless Ozzy Osbourne" – a new documentary about Ozzy's life and times, will debut at the 10th Annual Tribeca Film Festival in New York; the event runs April 20 to May 1.

Directed by Mike Piscitelli and written and produced by Jordan Tappis, it will be the first release from Jack Osbourne's company, Jacko Productions. more on this story

King Diamond Recovering From Heart Surgery

(Gibson) Metal great King Diamond has completed his cardiac rehabilitation program after undergoing open-heart, triple-bypass surgery in November.

King's wife Livia Zita says the singer graduated the program with flying colors. "Thanks to the wonderful people at the rehab center, his exercise regimen helped him gain a lot of muscle, and start on the road of building up good endurance," she wrote in an update to fans. "We will start regular exercises now to get the endurance up to nice levels."

Zita said she could not say for certain when King Diamond would return to music, but she said he was looking forward to finishing some in-progress DVDs, and had no intention of stopping music. more on this story

Roger Taylor Wants To Do New Queen Songs

(Gibson) Queen drummer Roger Taylor recently spoke to QueenOnline.com about his band's 40th anniversary and his future plans. Taylor indicated that there could be more Queen music in the next few years.

"I would like to do some more new Queen material with Brian [May]," the drummer said.

Taylor also spoke about Queen's most recent work – including the Cosmos Rocks album and the tour with Paul Rodgers. "The Cosmos Rocks album was not at all bad and I thoroughly enjoyed the tours we did with Paul," he said. "He is one of the finest singers alive. I regret that some people expected him to be Freddie [Mercury]; how crass." more on this story

Duff McKagan Says Guns N' Roses and Motorhead Are Not Metal

(Gibson) Guns N' Roses and Velvet Revolver bassist Duff McKagan recently ruminated on what bands are considered metal and what bands are not. While speaking to UGO.com about his new album with Loaded, The Talking, McKagan weighed in on the metal question.

"See, I don't know what is 'heavy metal,'" he said. "I was on That Metal Show yesterday, and they were [discussing] heavy metal drummers... and they didn't have John Bonham. 'Well, he's not metal.' But then they had Bill Ward from Black Sabbath. But if heavy metal is Slipknot, it would probably be Joey [Jordison]; he's killer."

McKagan went on to question if Led Zeppelin could be considered metal, but removed GN'R from the metal camp. "What else is metal? If Led Zeppelin is metal, then hands down, John Bonham. But Guns N' Roses is not – I would say we were not a metal band," he said. "Metal to me when I was coming up was like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. That was metal. And Motorhead wasn't metal to me." more on this story

The Darkness Announce Reunion Show

(Rock News Desk) The Darkness will return with their original lineup for this year's Download festival at Donington Park on June 10-12.

And Justin Hawkins admits their comeback was kickstarted by tabloid rumors which surfaced last year.

The singer tells Kerrang: "We heard the rumors we were coming back and realized individually and collectively that it wasn't such a bad idea. more on this story

Black Country Communion Announce U.S. Tour

(Gibson) As reported yesterday on Gibson.com, Black Country Communion have scheduled a run of U.S. tour dates this summer.

The supergroup, featuring guitar hero Joe Bonamassa, Deep Purple/Black Sabbath vocalist Glenn Hughes, Led Zeppelin drum scion Jason Bonham and Dream Theater keyboardist Derek Sherinian, have only played a handful of shows so far – none on U.S. soil.

The band are currently working on a follow-up to their 2010 debut album, Black Country. As with Black Country, the new record will be produced by Kevin Shirley (Iron Maiden, The Black Crowes). The group have tentatively slated the release for early summer.

Black Country Communion U.S. Tour 2011:
June 09 - San Diego, CA - Civic Theatre
June 10 - Anaheim, CA - City National Grove of Anaheim
June 11 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Depot
June 13 - St. Louis, MO - The Pageant
June 15 - Indianapolis, IN - Murat Theatre
June 17 - Hampton Beach, NH - Casino Ballroom
June 19 - Washington, D.C. - 9:30 Club

Duran Duran Tap David Lynch To Direct Concert Film

(Gibson) Don't expect backward-talking little people or hairpin plot twists when David Lynch directs Duran Duran's new concert film. But, as far as the band is concerned, the weirder it gets, the better.

"The stranger it is, the more beautiful it will be," Duran Duran keyboardist Nick Rhodes told Billboard.com. "What appeals to us very much about working with David is that we like the way he thinks about things and how he's always gone out on a limb to make things different than anybody else. He works completely outside of the system, and that's what we try to do. I think the combustion between us and David should create something that nobody's ever seen before, something mysterious and magical and surprising."

The concert will be the first installment of the second season of the Unstaged series, which saw Terry Gilliam direct Arcade Fire and Spike Lee direct The Roots and John Legend last year. The show will be streamed live from Los Angeles on YouTube on March 23. more on this story

Death Cab for Cutie Set New Album Release

(Gibson) Death Cab for Cutie have announced that their new album, Codes and Keys, will be released on May 31 in the U.S. and May 30 in the U.K. The band also have revealed the album's cover, which features the # button on a telephone.

Codes and Keys will be the band's seventh record, and their first since 2008's Narrow Stairs. Previously, frontman Ben Gibbard has said the album will be less guitar-oriented than some of their other work, and compared the music to Brian Eno albums.

The band have a bunch of concert dates planned in May, June and July, including a July 2 date, when they will open for Foo Fighters at Milton Keynes in the U.K. more on this story

Pantera and Megadeth Classics Make Top Metal Songs of All Time List

(Gibson) Gibson is counting down their picks for the Top 50 Metal Songs of All Time this week. Today they share their selections for No 40 - 31. Here are a couple highlights:

40. "Cemetery Gates," Pantera: The longest song Pantera ever recorded, "Cemetery Gates" stood out on the band's already impressive fifth album, Cowboys from Hell, which was released in 1990. Frontman Phil Anselmo has said the song is about a female friend who committed suicide. "When I wrote the lyrics I did not want them to be too personal, because that can be cheesy," Anselmo said during a live Ustream chat last year. "I also had to make sure that the lyrics would not take away from the song, because that was one of our best songs." – Ellen Barnes

37. "Peace Sells," Megadeth: No song better exemplifies Megadeth's thrash metal brilliance better than "Peace Sells" does. From the memorable, Primus-like opening bass line to the galloping 4/4 attack that sends the track to its ferocious conclusion, this classic contains all the ingredients that made the mid-'80s such a heyday for metal guitar. As opposed to being merely flashy, the shredding never sounded more essential to the song at-hand. – Russell Hall See who else made today's list

Trent Reznor Explains Dropping Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

(Gibson) Trent Reznor has decided not to set aside Nine Inch Nails in favor of wooden stakes. Reznor said that he is no longer involved in the upcoming film, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.

It had previously been reported that Reznor was both scoring and acting in the Timur Bekmambetov-directed film. Reznor posted, on the Nine Inch Nails message board, that he has reconsidered.

"As it turns out, I won't be working on (acting or scoring) Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter after all. There's no juicy story here, it's just that when the news mysteriously leaked out about my involvement I hadn't made up my mind completely, because various aspects of the project were changing. I felt the need to say something earlier this week because my inbox was filling up with speculation, and at that moment I thought I would be doing it. Confused yet? Apparently I am. Bottom line, I wish them the best with the film and I'm sure it will still be great." more on this story

Mars Volta Summer One-Off

(Rock AAA) Killing Joke, Alestorm, Black Tide, Firewind, Four Years Strong, Opeth, Rise To Remain, Six Hour Sundown, The Black Dahlia Murder, The Treatment, Watain and The Mars Volta have been added to the expanding Sonisphere line up.

The Mars Volta have just completed their sixth album and headlining the Saturn Stage on Saturday night Knebworth will be their only UK show this year. Guitarist Omar Rodriguez-Lopez said:

"We're stoked to come and play. Everything I've heard about the festival has been positive, I'm sure it'll be great. Playing live for me is the best part of being in a band, I can't wait to get back out there. I'm excited to play the new songs." more on this story

The Top Thrash Bands Who Didn't Make the Big Four

(Gibson) Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax are collectively known as thrash's Big Four the cornerstones upon which the entire thrash movement is built, and the compass one uses to orient oneself when navigating the turbulent waters of that aggressive, precise, angry, powerful metal variant.

But thrash does not begin and end with those four bands. For each one of the Big Four there are dozens more who trod similar ground but never quite made the leap to superstardom. Here are the great thrash bands that came mighty close to dislodging one of the Big Four but didn't quite get over the line.

1. Exodus: Another classic Bay Area thrash stalwart, Exodus was formed in 1980 by Kirk Hammett and Paul Baloff, with Hammett's guitar tech Gary Holt stepping up to the co-axeman role early in the group's history. While Hammett went on to bigger things with Metallica, Holt and Co. released the classic Bonded by Blood in 1985, and a few more albums before calling it a day after 1992's Force Of Habit. A 2001 reunion led to several new classics, including 2010's brutal Exhibit B: The Human Condition. Most recently, Holt was drafted into Slayer to sub for Jeff Hannemann while he recovers from surgery. Check out the full Top 10 here

Blink-182 and Praying Mantis Launch Japan Quake Relief Efforts

(Rock News Desk) Blink-182, Praying Mantis and The End Records are among rock acts trying to raise money for the victims of Friday's earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

The island nation is now facing a nuclear alert after the Fukushima Daiichi power plant was rocked by a third explosion which damaged a reactor's containment vessel. A 20km exclusion zone has been established round the area, and people living between 20km 30km from the plant have been ordered to remain indoors and make their homes airtight. Prime Minister Naoto Kan says: "There is a very high risk of more radiation coming out."

Blink bassist Mark Hoppus is auctioning a stack of personal memorabilia on eBay, including the original handwritten lyrics for Rock Show, the sweater he wore in the video for Dammit, backstage passes and promo items. more on this story

Murderdolls Strike Out With Drew Barrymore

(Rock AAA) Murderdolls frontman Wednesday 13 has revealed the recording of their latest album was interrupted by visits from concerned cops while the band also tried, and failed, to make the acquaintance of Hollywood superstar Drew Barrymore.

The Murderdolls recorded their second album 'Women and Children Last' holed up in a mansion in the Hollywood hills where Barrymore became their next door neighbour for a number of months. And Wednesday 13 reckons it would have been an experience she probably didn't enjoy. He told RockAAA: "We were in this cool house in the hills but it had a studio at the side of it. It had a beautiful view of LA from there and we were isolated up there.

"We were actually right below Drew Barrymore's house and I think we pissed her off a lot. We'd get drunk at night and start yelling ET, Firestarter and Charlie's Angels at her house. more on this story

Rory Gallagher Reissues Kick Off With Multi-Format Release Of Irish Tour '74

(Kayos) Eagle Rock Entertainment has set an April 12 release date for Rory Gallagher's Irish Tour '74 on CD, DVD, Blu-Ray, and 2LP vinyl.

The April 12 multi-format release triggers a 2011 bonanza for the legion of Gallagher fans worldwide. Eagle Rock Entertainment plans a busy year for the restoration, re-release and re-mastering of Gallagher's entire catalog.

Rory Gallagher's Irish Tour '74 is a stunning document of extraordinary blues-rock power from one of the world's greatest guitarists of all-time. more on this story

Singled Out: Amul9's Know Thy Overseer

Today Zoser from Amul9 tells us about "Know Thy Overseer" from their brand new album "Elevated Beings". Here is the story:

'Know Thy Overseer' is one of the band's favorite songs produced by Earl Hudson from legendary hardcore band Bad Brains. EARL received the original version on disc then came back to the rehearsal spot and re-arranged the song. Once the music was re-arranged and ready to be recorded we laid down the tracks here at Griffin Studios here in Atlanta, GA.

Earl showed our drummer some techniques on accents and grooves, also he tried to pump us up to give the tracks more life and energy. 'Know Thy Overseer' is a song that talks about addictions, be it drugs, food, sex or whatever it is they are dealing with. It motivates and informs the individual that this issue is another test that is presented to the individual in life. The individual needs to own up to the mistake and find whatever it is inside of them to become victorious over the situation.

In ancient Egypt, in the ancient mystery school a sign would hand in the entrances of the temples and it would read: 'know thyself'. "Know Thy Overseer" was influenced by this thought process. Quite simply once you realize who you are, you control your own actions and become accountable and responsible.

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

Throat Problems Sideline Royal Republic Tour

(Rock AAA) Royal Republic frontman Adam Grahn has revealed he has been struggling with throat problems throughout their current tour after the band reluctantly postponed all their remaining shows for the rest of the month.

The Swedish rockers have been forced to postpone all performances between March 14 and 26 which will affect dates across several European countries to allow Grahn's voice to recover from a virus.

It has been an issue he has tried to battle through as he revealed to RockAAA when we caught up with him in Glasgow recently. He said: "We are touring a lot and sometimes my throat hurts. It doesn't help that I suck at restraining myself on stage. When I'm up there I have to give all I've got. Sometimes that makes it hard to recover when we are touring so intensely." more on this story

Manchester Orchestra and Cage The Elephant Tour

(Big Hassle) Manchester Orchestra are heading out for a second round of North American dates featuring co-headlining shows with Cage The Elephant.

The band will be touring throughout 2011 in support of their third album, Simple Math, which will be released May 10th on Columbia Records/Favorite Gentlemen Recordings.

A very limited number of tickets for the Manchester Orchestra & Cage The Elephant co-headlining shows will be available through a special pre-sale on Wednesday, March 16th at 12 PM local time and general public tickets go on-sale Friday, March 18th at 12 PM local time. Act fast, as the number of tickets is limited. more on this story

Daryl Hall and Todd Rundgren Reunite Online Tonight

Daryl Hall and Todd Rundgren will reunite for the 40th edition of Live From Daryl's House, this time live from Todd's house in Hawaii. Here is the official word:

Daryl Hall takes the 40th and latest webisode of Live From Daryl's House to Kauai, Hawaii, where he and old Philly pal Todd Rundgren join together live from Todd's house for a rousing seven-song set that includes Daryl Hall and John Oates' "Beanie G and the Rose Tattoo" and a cover of the Delfonics' 1970 hit, "Didn't I Blow Your Mind This Time." The newest installment of the Webby award-winning Internet series, which recently made its broadcast debut on WGN in Chicago to impressive ratings, will debut at www.lfdh.com on March 15.

Hall and Rundgren have known each other since the '60s, when they were both fledgling musicians in Philadelphia, with a love of R&B, soul and doo-wop groups, reflected in their earliest music. The two previously paired up in a previous Live from Daryl's House and now Todd returns the favor, with some down-home hospitality that includes an old-fashioned Luau Show, burying a pig in the dirt, serving up some amazing poi, with fire, hula dancers and a special performance with local musicians of "Bang on the Drum." more on this story

Sublime with Rome Announce Live Stream From The Studio

Sublime with Rome are at El Paso, Texas' Sonic Ranch studio with producer Paul Leary (Butthole Surfers, Sublime, Meat Puppets, Long Beach Dub Allstars) working on their new album which will be released by Fueled By Ramen this summer.

Sublime with Rome will also be streaming live from the studio on Monday, March 21 at 6pm PST/9PM EST. Fans can access the live stream at the band's Facebook page (here) and get insight into the recording process behind one of the most anticipated albums of the year.

Sublime with Rome singer/guitarist Rome said: "Everything has been going amazing in the studio. The music has been coming along great, and we're confident that we're making a record that will stand the test of time. We can't wait for the fans to hear it, and are already planning a world tour to bring it to them live." more on this story

Panic! At The Disco North American Tour

(Atlantic) Panic! At The Disco have announced details of an upcoming North American headlining tour.

The dates will be in support of their forthcoming new album, "Vices & Virtues," which arrives in stores and at all digital retailers on March 22nd.

The tour will begin May 22nd at Boston's House of Blues and will also feature fun., Foxy Shazam and Funeral Party during the course of the run. more on this story

Sammy Hagar's Less Than Stellar Introduction to Satch

(Rock News Desk) Chickenfoot singer Sammy Hagar thought guitarist Joe Satriani was an "uppity prick" when they first spoke to each other, the singer has revealed.

And he says the band have decided to call their next album Chickenfoot IV – even though it's actually their second release. They've decided not to tour without drummer Chad Smith, but will wait in the hope he becomes available after going out with the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Speaking at the Canadian Music Week in Ontario, Hagar says: "The first time I spoke to Joe I was on tour with Van Halen and I called him to ask if I could play with him.. I asked if I flew in, would be play Rock Candy and I'd come and sing it. He said, 'I don't play other people's songs.' I thought, 'What an uppity prick!' But we became friends." more on this story

Steven Tyler Still Committed To Aerosmith

(Rock AAA) The discontent in the Aerosmith camp surrounding the scheduling of time to begin work on their new record rumbles on. Bass player Tom Hamilton revealed that Steven Tyler has tried to persuade everyone that he can manage his time to work on the album and continue as a judge on American Idol. He said:

"Steven's been very emphatic in saying that the way his time is arranged on the show leaves room to work on a record. He's been taking great pains to remind everybody of that, so hopefully that's the way it will come out."

He continued: "There's a lot of not knowing what's going to happen, but that's how it's always been for us . . . Steven is an incredible I-can-do-anything kind of guy. But he's taken a big bite, and I'm looking forward to seeing him chew it." more on this story

Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bon Jovi Songwriter Todd Cerney Dies

(Gibson) Nashville-based songwriter, musician, singer and producer Todd Cerney has died. After suffering a brain seizure last November, Cerney was diagnosed with stage four melanoma cancer.

He succumbed to the disease earlier today, March 14, according to his Caring Bridge profile.

Cerney was born in Detroit and grew up in Ohio, but has been working in Nashville since the mid-'70s. He's written songs for and with some of the biggest artists in music, including Lynyrd Skynyrd, Cheap Trick, Brian May, Bryan Adams, Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora, Bad English and Loverboy. more on this story

Kevin Spacey Announces Special New York Dolls Shows

(Noble) Kevin Spacey, Academy-Award winning actor, and artistic director of London's Old Vic Theatre, has announced that the New York Dolls will be playing the Old Vic Theatre's sister venue the Old Vic Tunnels Club on March 30-31st.

"I'm excited that the Old Vic Tunnels are becoming a cool new scene for live performance," says Spacey. "The New York Dolls inspired the punk movement, so they are the perfect fit of glam and anarchy to launch our live music series under Waterloo Station. In addition, a new rock band called The Shoestrung will open both shows, who are also worth checking out."

The Dolls recently confirmed two exclusive London concerts at the historic Old Vic Tunnels; a unique venue situated underneath Waterloo train station in a network of Victorian red brick tunnels. The shows take place on Wednesday 30th March and Thursday March 31st. more on this story

Rob Zombie and Ronald McDonald House Choir Join Alice Cooper at Rock Hall Induction

(hennemusic) The rock world came together Monday night in New York to honor the music and talents of the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Class of 2011.

Alice Cooper, Neil Diamond, Dr. John, Darlene Love and Tom Waits were the five main performers being honored, along with Leon Russell in the "sideman" category. Alice was inducted by Rob Zombie, who said, "Alice Cooper invented the rock show. Before Alice Cooper, there was no rock show."

The Alice Cooper Band played "I'm Eighteen" and "Under My Wheels," before being joined by Zombie and a choir of kids from the Ronald McDonald House for "School's Out." more on this story

Krashkarma North American Tour

Krashkarma are hitting the road next week for a North American tour ahead of the release of their new album, "Straight to the Blood," which is set release in June by EMI.

"There is one week left before KRASHKARMA leaves on a 2 month tour taking them across the country and over to Europe! "The van is packed and ready for the road! We are looking forward to rocking the new songs for our fans!, says singer Ralf Dietel.

"Our kick off show is in Hollywood at "Crazy Girls" and then we are off to Vegas to kick the tour off right! See you all on the road!", exclaims drummer and singer Niki more on this story

Are You Listening To Babyjane?

Australian hard rockers Babyjane's debut CD "Are You Listening" will be released March 26th, 2011by 100% Rock.

They recorded their debut album "Are You Listening" in 2010 then took it to Nashville, USA to be mixed by legendary producer Michael Wagener (Motley Crue, Metallica, Accept, Skid Row) at his Double Trouble Studios, then to George Marino at Sterling Sound in New York (Guns n' Roses, Metallica, Kiss, John Lennon, Aerosmith) for initial mastering, before final mastering at Independant Mastering, Nashville (Skid Row, Dokken, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Neil Young).

Babyjane will be launching "Are You Listening" with a huge night of hard rock at The Rocket Room, Perth on March 26th. more on this story