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On this day in 2006, The Smiths, who split acrimoniously in 1987, turned down a $5 million offer to reform for the Coachella festival. Find out what else happened on this date in music history here

Freddie Mercury and Michael Jackson Collaborations To Be Released

(Gibson) Three 1983 tracks featuring Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury of Queen are set to be released for the first time. NME.com reports that one of the tracks is a demo for the Jackson/Jagger collaboration, "State of Shock," which was released in 1984.

The two other Jackson and Mercury songs are "Victory" and "Must Be More to Life Than This." No release date has been set, but Queen's Roger Taylor has said they will definitely be available soon.

"We are now working on some never-before-released songs that Freddie made with Michael in the early '80s. I'm not allowed to say too much about it, but they sound incredible."

Pearl Jam Working On New Album

(hennemusic) Pearl Jam have a lot on their plate this year, as they mark the 20th Anniversary of the band, but they're an ambitious bunch.

Beyond reissues, a film, a book, side projects, and creating their own festival, bassist Jeff Ament tells Billboard that Pearl Jam have plans to record a new album.

"We did a whole bunch of demos and everybody's got a disc of 25 [songs] right now," Ament says of Pearl Jam's plans to hit the studio next month. "April will be the time where we get together and learn to play all these demos and figure out which 12-15 of them float to the top. Hopefully we can get something done this year." more on this story

Heavy Metal To Get Official Religious Status?

(Rock AAA) A Facebook group has already attracted almost 35,000 followers in a drive to get "Heavy Metal" recognition as a faith in the upcoming UK census. With forms currently being delivered to every house-hold in the UK for the ten yearly census of the population, the page administrators are convinced that they can garner enough support from the countries metal-heads to make a significant impact.

The idea has sprung from the astonishing results of the 2001 census when 390,127 people (0.8% of the population) in the UK filled in their forms stating Jedi as their favoured faith in a grassroots protest against the inclusion of the question about religious beliefs.

The group urges followers to make Heavy Metal a recognised religious faith using quotes from Ozzy Osbourne and a personal endorsement by Saxon frontman Biff Byford: "Are you a defender of the faith? Do you throw the horns more often than you put your hands together? Then join our campaign to let the UK Census and the whole world know it." more on this story

Iron Maiden Announce Japanese Relief T-Shirt

(Gibson) After cancelling their Japanese tour dates because of the recent earthquakes and tsunamis that wreaked havoc on the country, Iron Maiden are raising money for recovery efforts.

Proceeds from T-shirt sales will be donated to the Japanese Red Cross, according to Maiden's manager, Ron Smallwood.

"We will be donating the proceeds from sales of the Japanese event shirt available from the Official Iron Maiden Shop (i.e. the shirt without tour dates on) to a charity assisting victims of the earthquake. Feedback from our Fanclub Forum suggests our fans fully support this proposal," he said in an update. more on this story

Singled Out: Sarah Fimm's Yellow (Feat Josh Freese)

Today Sarah Fimm tells us about her new single "Yellow" which comes from her forthcoming new album "Near Infinite Possibility". Also of note, the song features a guest appearance from Josh Freese. Here is the story:

"Mental illness is something that people normally do not want to speak about. It's too icky, too disturbing or too inappropriate for whatever may be palatable to their mood at the time. Looking at someone in that state, you eventually become it, in order to contend with it. You have to believe what they believe to survive in it.

That is the reality that is dictated by the moment. If you are around someone long enough who is afraid, you will also feel it too. Likewise, everything is basically real, because it's real to someone you love, and so it's real to you, because you love them. In that circumstance and all others, the thing that remains is love. I wrote the song, in case one day something would come from it.

I was taking care of a friend who was deeply ill. He suffers from undiagnosed, untreated, depression and paralyzing anxiety. In the dead of winter, I used to take care of him for years. Each day he spent highly paranoid and covering his eyes with a cloth to avoid having to see anything. One day I discovered an army of maggots making their way across the ceiling toward a cheerios box. I called him out to look. He didn't believe they were real. Then, I wasn't sure either. That was where the words came from. Traveling maggots."

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

Nazareth Set New Album Release

Nazareth have set a May 10, 2011 release date for their new studio album, Big Dogz.

Produced by guitar player Jimmy Murrison and sound wizard Yann Rouiller, the album's production avoids the trappings of traditional polish in an effort to capture the challenging edge of classic rock'n'roll.

Obviously, this is one band that has stuck to its guns not giving an inch for trends and fashion. Like Motorhead, AC/DC or The Ramones, their personal vision supercedes any inclination whatsoever to follow the pack. The result of this hard-headed singularity? Sixty million albums sold in a glorious 41-year career. more on this story

Kid Rock Cruise Lineup Announced

Kid Rock has announced the lineup for his second annual Chillin' the Most Cruise which sets sail from New Orleans on April 7 for Cozumel.

In addition to Rev Run, who will be joining him in his main theater shows, Kid Rock will be bringing along some of his favorite performers:

*Nashville recording artist John Stone, whose album Boy From Alabam debuted in 2010 *Detroit artist and Kid Rock discovery Ty Stone, with a full band *Country and southern rock artist Leroy Powell, swagger included
*Kid Rock's DJ and protege, Paradime *NYC hard rock outfit Envy, ft. Jessica Wagner *Howling Diablos, the best funk from Detroit *Top Dog family member DJ Mark EP .... and a special comedy treat: Carlos Mencia. more on this story

Prince Announces Special Guests

Earlier this week we told you that Prince plans a series of "Welcome 2 America" Carolina performances. Today we learn who will be appearing with him at those shows.

For his previous shows in New York, New Jersey, and Oakland, Prince has been joined by the likes of Esperanza Spalding, Maceo Parker, Graham Central Station, Santana, Cee Lo Green, Cassandra Wilson, and Sheila E.

For the Carolina shows, Prince has lined up guest appearances by Mint Condition, Chaka Khan, Anthony Hamilton, and Lalah Hathaway more on this story

Kelly Osbourne Fires Back At Johnny Rotten

(hennemusic) Kelly Osbourne isn't a fan of others talking s**t about her dad, Ozzy. In her weekly column for Closer magazine, Kelly has called out Sex Pistols frontman John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten) over his recent, and somewhat random, remarks about the metal icon.

"Last week, John Lydon accused my dad of 'acting like a senile delinquent' and 'promoting drug abuse,'" Kelly fired back in her column. "People only say things like this when they want attention, and guess what? He has a book to promote!"

"The truth is, I don't think he's ever met my father, so clearly he doesn't know that he hasn't done drugs in years," she continued. "I feel that from one artist to another, there should be some form of mutual respect, and I also think it's sad when you resort to talking s**t about someone else in order to get yourself press. Stop being such a bitter old queen, John! You're better than that." more on this story

Jack White Pops Up For An Impromptu Gig

(Gibson) Jack White popped up at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas, on Wednesday with his Third Man Rolling Record Store.

To promote the "store" – which is a big, yellow truck – White played a couple of tunes, according to Spinner.com.

After setting up a microphone and a small amplifier in front of a hundred people, White proceeded to play Buddy Holly's "Not Fade Away" (introducing the song as a Texas song) and the Stripes favorite "Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground" on an acoustic guitar. more on this story

The Foo Fighters Plan Earthquake and Flood Relief Shows

(Gibson) The Foo Fighters will play benefit two shows in Australia and New Zealand. The money raised will be for the victims of the Australian floods and the earthquake in New Zealand.

The Daily Express reports that Dave Grohl and Co. will play Auckland, New Zealand, on March 22 and then travel to Brisbane, Australia, for a show at the Botanic Gardens on March 27.

Proceeds from the Auckland show will be donated to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal. Last month's earthquake killed more than 160 people. The Brisbane show will benefit the Disaster Relief Appeal that is organizing clean-ups after the Queensland floods that struck earlier this year. more on this story

DevilDriver Shameless

DevilDriver's "You Make Me Sick," will be featured in this Sunday's episode of Showtime's new series Shameless.

Roadrunner Records says that the track, from their recently released fifth album Beast, will be featured during an intense scene during this particular episode of the series that stars William H. Macy and the lovely Emmy Rossum as members of quite a dysfunctional family.

Watch it live at 10 PM ET this Sunday, March 20th or set your DVR or watch it On Demand. more on this story

Los Lonely Boys Rockpango Coming

Los Lonely Boys have set a March 29th release date for their new album, Rockpango, through their own Lonely Tone imprint with Playing in Traffic Records.

A "Spanglish" word coined by the band, Rockpango translates more or less to "rock party."

The 11-track collection was written, recorded and produced by the Los Lonely Boys and will also be available in a Deluxe Edition featuring three bonus songs, exclusive behind the scenes video, and a fold-out poster of the cover art. more on this story

Lazarus A.D. Robbed

Lazarus A.D. had this bad news and plea for help: Lazarus A.D. is the most recent casualty in a slew of unfortunate band robberies to claim theft of their personal items and money from their touring van.

The incident took place last night in Southampton, UK. After breaking a window to enter the band's van, the burglars stole roughly $1,500 in cash, all of the bands personal items including Social Security cards, birth certificates, and clothing, and even their personal hygiene items.

The band members luckily had their passports in their pockets and their gear inside the venue; otherwise they fear that those items would have been taken as well. more on this story

Back in Black and Black Sabbath Land on Top Metal Songs of All Time List

Today is the second to last day in Gibson's countdown of the Top 50 Metal Songs of All Time. Today they lay out their picks for 11-20. Here are a couple of highlights:

19. "Back in Black," AC/DC: It's hard to believe that Malcolm Young at first felt the riff for "Back in Black" was too funky for AC/DC. A celebratory tribute to the band's late singer, Bon Scott, "Back in Black" comes off like a metal-stoked reinvention of Aerosmith's "Walk this Way." To this day, Brian Johnson's scruffy, blue-collar pseudo-rap cuts with knife-edge sharpness against Angus Young's serrated six-string lines. – Russell Hall

13. "Black Sabbath," Black Sabbath: With three notes (a G, its octave and its flatted fifth, C#) Black Sabbath ignited a revolution. Sinister melodies, jagged guitar tones, mournful bass, lyrics about our protagonist coming face-to-face with the horned one himself; "Black Sabbath" was as creepy and confronting as the horror films which inspired the band to write it. Sabbath developed the metal sound much further after writing their namesake track and they even revisited the same musical intervals on "Symptom of the Universe," but no song before or since has summed up a movement so perfectly as "Black Sabbath." – Peter Hodgson more on this story

The Maine and Augustana Spring Tour

The Maine will be hitting the road with Augustana for nationwide co-headlining tour this Spring.

The trek kicks off May 12th in Dallas, TX and runs through June 18th in their hometown of Phoenix, AZ. Austin Gibbs will support.

"We can't wait to be on the road with two incredible acts, Augustana and Austin Gibbs," says The Maine front man John O'Callaghan. "Expect an evening of earnest, high energy rock and roll. We look forward to sharing this experience with everyone!" more on this story

Ryan Adams In The Studio With Glyn Johns

(Gibson) Singer and songwriter Ryan Adams confirmed he will perform an acoustic solo tour of Europe for the first time since 2008.

Adams is currently in the studio with producer Glyn Johns (The Who, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones), according to RyanAdams.com.

Adams' tour will begin June 10 in Stockholm and will finish in Amsterdam June 28. Adams has not toured since 2009. more on this story

Arsonists Get All The Girls Announce New Album and Tour

Arsonists Get All The Girls have completed work on their 4th album entitled Motherland which is set to be released on May 17th.

The band will soon be debuting new music from 'Motherland when they to hit road in support of the record.

Arsonists Get All The Girls will headline the Return To The Motherland Tour with A Plea For Purging, Lionheart, The Contortionist and Volumes. more on this story

U2 and Paul McCartney Eyed for Goodwill Concert

(Gibson) The Mexican city of Juarez is planning a massive party to improve the city's international image and are prepared to hold a concert on the bridge between Juarez and El Paso, Texas.

The city of Jaurez is keen to bring acts like U2 and especially Sir Paul McCartney to play their goodwill concert.

According to the El Paso Times, organizing committee member Carlos Chavira said that, while nothing has been confirmed with McCartney, the Beatle has said he is available. Chavira said, McCartney "confirmed that he is available to be here with us. There is still no contract." more on this story

Boris New Albums Delayed and Band Issues Statement about Tragedy in Japan

(Sargent House) Boris have issued a statement regarding the tragic events in Japan over the past several days. The full statement is as follows:

"Boris expresses our condolences to everyone who passed away because of current unexpected earthquake and tsunami disaster in Japan, and also our deepest sympathies for all of the people who have a hard time. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.

"All Boris members, our families and staff are safe now. Thank you very much for kind words and thoughtful messages. more on this story

Watch Def Leppard Unplugged

(hennemusic) Def Leppard's Joe Elliott and Phil Collen are doing a bit of press for their upcoming live album, "Mirrorball," as well as to promote their summer tour with Heart.

When the two stopped by Rolling Stone magazine recently, they played a couple of stripped-down acoustic versions of two of their band's biggest hits, "Hysteria" and "Pour Some Sugar on Me."

Elliott and Collen also sat down with RS's David Fricke for an interview, talking to the guys about their intense love of glam rock, why they waited so long to release a live album and the positivity in the band's latest tunes. more on this story

Morrissey Runs Into Smiths Producer Stephen Street

(Gibson) Morrissey recently met up with Smiths producer Stephen Street for the first time in two decades. Street engineered such classic albums as Meat is Murder and The Queen is Dead.

According to NME.com, Street talked about the momentous meeting on his website, "I recently met up with a certain Mr. Morrissey for the first time in nearly 20 years. I think we were both apprehensive about meeting but after five minutes we were getting on so well it was truly a magical moment."

He admitted: "I am so pleased to have met up with someone who has been such a big part of my musical journey after a prolonged period of time and I hope we can stay true friends for ever." more on this story

Negative Plane Stained Glass Vinyl

(Submitted) Negative Plane's sophomore album, Stained Glass Relevations, will be getting the vinyl treatment from Ireland's Invictus Productions.

The album will be available as a packaged double vinyl LP, complete with a special booklet featuring lyrics and exclusive artwork by Timo Ketola.

Negative Plane's next live appearance will take place on May 31st, 2011 at Brooklyn, NY's Union Pool, supporting Hooded Menace alongside Ilsa and Anhedonist. more on this story