Van Halen and Scorpions Tour?- Hole Reunion- One Night Foo- Whitesnake Full Album Stream- Sully Erna Tour- Hammerfall Parties- In Flames, Haunted and Grave Supergroup- more

On this day in 2007, A middle-aged man was arrested by police and detained under the Mental Health Act after trying to force his way into Paul McCartney's Sussex home, screaming "I must get to him." Find out what else happened on this date in music history here

Van Halen Already Mixing New Album?

(Gibson) The Van Halen rumor mill is running rampant once again. Fan site Van Halen News Desk(VHND.com) is reporting that a "trusted source" says the band have been hard at work on a new album. The process is "going great and the band is starting to mix the new tracks."

According to the site, Van Halen will likely release the album in the fall, and then will tour in support of the record. Of course, no one from the Van Halen camp has confirmed these plans.

Former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony is interested to hear the band's new album, according to Blabbermouth.net. "I'm looking forward to seeing what they'll do," he told ABC News Radio, and said had no ill will toward his former bandmates for replacing him with Eddie Van Halen's son, Wolfgang. more on this story

New Dream Theater Drummer Identity Leaked?

(Rock AAA) Latest news on the Dream Theater front is that Mike Mangini will be taking up residence on the currently vacant drummer's stool.

The rumour mill surrounding this vacancy is almost as bad the rumour mill that churns out new Velvet Revolver singers every other day. However, the latest break in the Dream Theater story is interesting as it comes from a known friend of Mike Portnoy.

Eddie Trunk is the host of long running radio show "Friday Night Rocks", which is broadcast on New York's Q104.3 station. He posted on his Twitter page recently: "On the rock gossip wire I heard 2 reports today from reliable sources: Van Halen album is close to done and will come out this year. And that Mike Mangini will be the new drummer in Dream Theater and is in studio with them. Unconfirmed but likely to be announced soon" more on this story

Steven Adler Is Furious

(Rock News Desk) Steven Adler is furious that Adler's Appetite singer Rich Stitch left the band without discussing it first. And the drummer says he'd have got rid of the frontman a long time ago if he'd known how things would pan out.

Stitch announced at the weekend he'd left Adler's band with immediate effect, to concentrate on his own band Ladyjack. Guitarist Robo, also from Ladyjack, departed with the singer. Now Adler – who's left with remaining members Michael Thomas of Faster Pussycat and Chip Z'nuff of Enuff Z'nuff – says he regrets the time and money wasted on the defunct lineup.

The drummer tells Metal Sludge: "I haven't talked to him yet – that's the kind of person I'm dealing with. I found out he was quitting the band because someone saw it on Facebook. He's an a**hole for doing that to me, or us.. more on this story

Former AC/DC Members Team for Bon Scott Tribute

(hennemusic) AC/DC's founding bass player Mark Evans and one-time drummer Simon Wright will team up for a series of Bon Scott Tribute Shows to be announced soon, reports Australia's Undercover.fm.

Evans was AC/DC's bass player through the band's early years with Bon Scott, from the first album up to, and including, 1977's "Let There Be Rock."

Wright joined the band in the 80s and played on "Fly On The Wall" (1985), "Who Made Who" (1986), and "Blow Up Your Video" (1988). more on this story

Duff McKagan Movie Coming

(Gibson) Former Guns N' Roses bassist Duff McKagan is making a film to coincide with the release of his band's new album. Duff McKagan's Loaded is releasing The Taking on April 19.

"We're making a movie for it which is hopefully as funny as we think it's going to be," McKagan told The CelebrityCafe.com.

The rocker said that the movie is about the band's drummer being kidnapped, that it takes place in one day and that it might be a dream. "We kind of act [in the movie]," he said. "It's kind of A Hard Day's Night/Inception… is it a dream?" more on this story

Vince Neil Was The Assault Victim?

(TMZ) Vince Neil claims HE was the victim in an alleged assault last week between him and his ex-GF ... insisting she left several bloody marks on his skin -- and TMZ has obtained a photo of the flesh wounds.

It all started last Thursday night -- when, as we previously reported, Neil's ex-girlfriend Alicia Jacobs filed a battery report against him, claiming the ex-rocker went ballistic on her and a friend while they were watching a show at the Las Vegas Hilton ... and bruised up her shoulder.

But Neil is adamant he never laid a finger on Alicia -- claiming SHE was the aggressor ... digging her nails into his skin and inflicting the bloody wounds in the picture. We're told Neil -- who has already served 10 days in jail this year over a DUI case -- is considering pressing charges of his own. See the photos here

Arctic Monkey Business For Josh Homme

(Gibson) Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme will re-team with the Arctic Monkeys on the band's forthcoming album, Suck It and See. Previously, Homme produced some of the band's 2009 record, Humbug.

The band members confirmed Homme's appearance on the album – singing backup on the track "All My Own Stunts" – when being interviewed by Q magazine. Suck It and See will be released on June 6 and was produced by James Ford (Klaxons, Peaches).

"We wanted it to be song-based this time" frontman Alex Turner said about the new album. "We used to always try and not go down that route before, because it had been done. But there's a reason why they're the classic structures." more on this story

DevilDriver Lose Member

(Rock News Desk) DevilDriver bassist Jonathan Miller has quit the band after attending an intensive rehab programme in January.

He missed a number of the band's shows in 2010 and was replaced by their tour manager Aaron Patrick on stage in recent months.

Now Miller says he can't return to the band he spent nearly a decade with. He explains: "Yesterday I decided to leave DevilDriver. It was the most difficult decision of my life – but it is something I needed to do for myself. more on this story

Becoming the Archetype Singled Out Week: Breathing Light

Becoming the Archetype's brand new album 'Celestial Completion' hit stores this week. To celebrate the release we asked members of the band to tell us about some of the tracks on the album. Today guitarist Count Seth tells us about "Breathing Light":

I wrote Breathing Light late in the game for Celestial Completion. It's a long song and took quite awhile to get right. The delay guitar lead at the beginning is the first time BTA has written a riff with the delay pedal playing such a huge role in the feel of the song and riff. I'd gotten a Line 6 DL4 and had really gotten into playing with the delay and tap tempo and such.

It took Jason and I a few practices to really nail down the form of the song, but we were going for something grandiose and that's what a song like that takes sometimes. Clocking in at over 6:30, we finally got in everything we wanted without compromising it. This song features the most clean vocals for any full-length BTA metal song ever. Daniel created the main vocal melody and I came up with the harmony that follows it as a way of echoing each line that Daniel sings.

Our producer, Matt Goldman, had a lot of fun with this song especially as we settled into a really nice rock feel on the drums during the second riff. The straightforward beat allowed us to layer lots of interested textures on top of the beat. We added some vocoder vocals in the middle, kinda like Cynic would've done. Jason experimented with some Rob Zombie-like vocals over the middle section and we really just went to town on the creative aspect of the song.

That creative aspect is fully realized when the "break-down" comes in as the third riff of the song and Duck plays a salsa beat under the rhythmic guitar chugs. Jason matches the off-beat feel of the breakdown with a sliding bassline that compliments the salsa drum beat. Then, when things get really heavy, there's a violin line over everything. I felt that it would be such a great juxtaposition and anachronism of classical-feeling strings over ultra-modern chugs that we called in a friend from college to play an actual violin on the track instead of playing a string sample on my keyboard.

I love how we were able to mix a great U2-like delay sound with Rob Zombie-type heaviness and come out with a song that still makes goosebumps run up and down my arms. Consequently, it made for a quintessential last track on the album and has made at least a couple band members cry at one point or another. It's probably the most emotionally drenched song we've ever written and is gonna be a ton of fun to play live.

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

Zappa Plays Zappa Classic Album in Full On Tour

(Gibson) Dweezil Zappa and The Zappa Family Trust will begin a 13-date U.K. tour in November. Frank Zappa's son Dweezil and his band, Zappa Plays Zappa, will play his father's legendary album Apostrophe in full, as well as other Zappa classics.

MusicNews.com reports that by utilizing state of the art audio/video synchronization technology, Frank himself will appear with the band in once section of the show.

"Not only will we be performing with Frank once again via the technological wonderment of enhanced video during the live performance, but we will also be performing the works from one of his most well known albums," Dweezil said. "That's right, Apostrophe, played in its album running order. It's always been one of my favorites and it's certainly a fan favorite as well." more on this story

Former Iron Maiden Singer Dissolves Band for Financial And Medical Reasons

(Rock News Desk) Former Iron Maiden singer Blaze Bayley has announced he's shutting down his self-titled solo band, citing "financial and medical reasons."

In a brief statement Bailey says: "Due to financial and medical reasons I've been forced to part ways with the band. I will give full details in the next few days about my future plans.

"The English dates will be postponed to December but the festivals in Germany, Sweden, Lithuania and the show in Istanbul will definitely proceed. more on this story

Gene Simmons Saved Ace Frehley's Life

(Gibson) In a recent interview on VH1's That Metal Show, former KISS guitarist Ace Frehley told the story of how Gene Simmons saved him from drowning in a hotel pool.

"I didn't know Gene was a lifeguard," Frehley said. "I actually drowned one day at a Holiday Inn. [laughs] I'm serious … this was in the '70s. I actually drowned. Everyone else was [expletive] up, I was [expletive] up obviously, but everyone else was loaded, and I went under… the next thing you know, I'm drowning. Gene pulls me out of the pool and pumps the water out of me."

The Space Ace went on to say, "Only later I found out that he was a certified lifeguard when he used to go to college." No word on weather the heroic Demon's mammoth mouth muscle assisted in the rescue. more on this story

Buffalo Springfield Announce Reunion Tour Dates

Buffalo Springfield have announced a series of reunion dates in addition to their previously announced performance at this year's Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival.

the line-up featuring Neil Young, Stephen Stills, and Richie Furay, along with Rick Rosas—filling in for the late Bruce Palmer—and Crosby, Stills & Nash drummer Joe Vitale sitting in for the late Dewey Martin, will team up for a series of six California dates with plans for additional dates to be announced soon.

The itinerary kicks off with two dates at the Fox Theater in Oakland, CA on June 1 and 2. Also on the schedule are pairs of concerts at Los Angeles' Wiltern Theater (June 4-5), and the Santa Barbara Bowl (June 7-8)—all of the California dates feature Gillian Welch as opener. more on this story

New ZZ Top Coming Soon

(hennemusic) Billboard reports ZZ Top is "in full production" on a new album, its long-awaited follow-up to 2003's "Mescalero," which guitarist Billy F. Gibbons predicts will be out "by the end of the year."

Gibbons tells Billboard.com that the Texas trio has been working on the set in both Houston and Los Angeles. "I've got a little studio at my house out in L.A.," he says, "and it kind of takes the load off to be able to leave Texas, go to California, stay there for awhile, and then you get to leave California and come back to Texas."

As for the sound, Gibbons notes that he, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard are "still just making a lot of loud noise. We still pose as interpreters of the blues. We can't invent it; It's already been invented. But we can do it our way." more on this story

Gwar Front Thing Offers Sex For Votes

You gotta hand it to Gwar front thing Oderus Urungus, he knows how to get your attention. From threats of violating hobbits to this little gem where he is offering sex if you vote for Gwar for an award:

Oderus Urungus has taken the unprecedented step of pledging sex with anyone who votes for Gwar to win the 2011 Revolver Golden Gods award for Best Live Performance. Gwar is up against industry mega-weights like Rammstein, Iron Maiden, Avenged Sevenfold, Megadeth and Sevendust.

"Our show is reality...we don't know what you mean by live performance...we get attacked by dinosaurs while doing what we enjoy best---luring you to your death with our mutant metal--and then slaughtering you! Don't let this category be won by a band whose show is just as good as the millions they can spend on it, all for an hour and a half show......vote for the band where the show never stops! Vote for GWAR!!!!" more on this story

Death Cab for Cutie Announce Historic Video Plans

(Atlantic) Death Cab for Cutie plan to make history with the companion clip for their new single, "You Are A Tourist."

Directed by award-winning filmmaker Tim Nackashi (TV On The Radio, OK Go, Elvis Costello, Radiohead), and conceptualized by frequent collaborator Aaron Stewart-Ahn,

"You Are A Tourist" will be the first-ever live, scripted, single-take music video to be broadcast as it is filmed. Viewers are invited to watch the production unfold before their eyes, Tuesday, April 5th at 7pm EST/4pm PST via www.youareatourist.com

Ben Harper Giving Away New Song

Ben Harper is giving away a free download of the appropriately titled "Rock N' Roll Is Free" on his website for a limited time.

"Rock N' Roll Is Free" is the first single from his upcoming album, Give Till It's Gone,. which is set to hit stores on May 17th. Grab it here

Harper will also be playing a mixture of headlining shows and festivals this year, including Lollapalooza Chile this Saturday, April 2nd. more on this story

Don't Call It A Dio Tribute Band

(Rock News Desk) Former Little Angels and Gun singer Toby Jepson says he'd "take exception" if anyone accuses the Dio Disciples project of being a tribute band.

The lineup's stated aim is to "keep Ronnie James Dio's music alive." It's represented by the iconic singer's widow and manager, Wendy, and fronted by Tim 'Ripper' Owens and Jepson, with Dio members Craig Goldy, Rudy Sarzo, Simon Wright and Scott Warren.

The Dio Disciples recently announced they'd be touring Europe this year, with North American dates on the cards. Wendy Dio said: "There will never be another Ronnie but we hope you will support the band." more on this story

Kinks Reunion Becoming More and More Likely

(Gibson) The week started with Kinks founder Dave Davies answering a question about a possible Kinks reunion by saying: "There are no definite plans but nothing is definitely ruled out."

But now, the Daily Express reports that, when talking to Mojo magazine, Dave sounded much more committed to the idea of reuniting with his brother Ray and the band.

"Me and Ray have been talking about doing something. Well, he keeps saying it but then he goes on tour. But it'd be nice to do it, and it'd be silly not to do it when we can," Dave said. "It has to be done properly. We wouldn't do it with a tribute band, put it that way. At least me and Ray are talking." more on this story

Allman Brothers' Warren Haynes Previewing New Solo Album Online

(Gibson) Allman Brothers Band member, Gov't Mule frontman and all-around guitar master Warren Haynes is prepping the release of a new solo album, and he's giving a free preview on his website.

On May 10, Haynes will put out Man in Motion and the title track is streaming now at WarrenHaynes.net.

Man in Motion is Haynes' first solo record since 2004's Live at Bonnaroo and his first solo studio release since 1993's Tales of Ordinary Madness. more on this story

No More CDs From Marshall Crenshaw

Marshall Crenshaw announced that he will no longer be releasing CDs but will get music to fans via a new service. Here is the official word:

Marshall Crenshaw id preparing to transition from releasing physical albums to making his new music available in a subscription series to be announced soon.

He will celebrate his first 30 years of recording in a special three-nighter at City Winery, 155 Varick St. in New York on Friday and Saturday, April 29-30, which are already sold out, with Sunday, May 1 just added. more on this story

Whitesnake Live At Donington 1990 Coming

(hennemusic) Whitesnake's "Live At Donington 1990" DVD/live double CD set will be available on June 3 in Europe and June 7 in North America via Frontiers Records.

On August 18, 1990, Whitesnake headlined the legendary Monsters Of Rock at Castle Donington festival (now known as Download). The band's performance at the festival was one of the most memorable events on the "Liquor & Poker World Tour" that saw Whitesnake play sold-out shows to over one million people.

Whitesnake circa 1990 featured guitar greats Steve Vai and Adrian Vandenberg, bassist Rudy Sarzo, drummer Tommy Aldridge and, of course, incomparable frontman David Coverdale. more on this story

Elvis N Grateful Dead Jam

(Gibson) Elvis Costello recently jumped on stage with Grateful Dead stars Bob Weir and Phil Lesh's rock combo, Further, to the surprise of the Radio City Music Hall audience in New York City.

According to the Daily Express, Costello picked up the microphone and took on the Jerry Garcia role on a number of Grateful Dead classics, including "Friend of the Devil," "Ship of Fools" and "Ripple."

Costello and the Dead have quite a history, dating back to 1989 when the British singer-songwriter joined Garcia in performing country tunes at a show in California. more on this story

Rush Release Video Promo for Moving Pictures Deluxe Edition

(hennemusic) Rush are dressing up a 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition of their 1981 classic, "Moving Pictures."

Rushisaband reports the DVD and Blu-ray versions of the album will release this coming Tuesday, April 5th.

But the Blu-ray will only be sold exclusively through Best Buy for the first 30 days; other retailers will have the Blu-ray version on May 3rd.

A new video promo for the set has been released; check it out here

Former Guns N' Roses Manager Discovers New Act on YouTube

(Rock AAA) Alan Niven admits he wasn't interested when his wife Heather told him to check out an up and coming guitarist showing off his skills on YouTube, but it only took one look at Chris Buck's clip to realise he was seeing something special.

The ex-Guns N' Roses manager is now the star-maker behind up and coming blues rockers the Tom Hollister Trio and their remarkable opportunity is all down to the viral video site. After spotting the teenager's potential, Niven was also blown away by the vocals of Tom Hollister, who joined Buck in his Abercarn bedroom. The pair soon joined forces as a band with drummer Adam Roberts, and were signed up by the man who helped steer Gn'R to the top of the rock n' roll world.

In an exclusive interview with RockAAA, Niven revealed the Trio have been working on their debut album with legendary producer Chris Kimsey and will be heading back to America next month, but he says they won't be rushing their work. more on this story

Anniversary of Sgt. Pepper's Iconic Cover Photo Session

(Gibson) On this day in 1967, The historic photo session for The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band sleeve took place on a set designed by British pop artist Peter Blake and his wife Jann Haworth and was photographed by Michael Cooper at Chelsea Manor Studios, London. Gibson takes a look back: Originally, it was going to be a bunch of swirly blobs of varying shades of red. Instead, it became a psychedelic statement, an attention-grabbing wonder and the most iconic album cover in music history.

In the winter of 1967, The Beatles were hard at work in the studio, crafting the dense layers of sound that would eventually become the songs on Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. They commissioned their pals in the Dutch design collective The Fool to paint the album's cover. Although The Fool would become well-known for other Beatles-related creations (including the psychedelic paintjob given to John Lennon's Gibson J-160E, decorations bestowed on George Harrison's Mini car and the huge mural on the band's Apple Boutique), their cover for Sgt. Pepper didn't pan out.

Robert Fraser, an art dealer and gallery owner, had become good friends with Paul McCartney because both were fixtures on the hip London art scene. After seeing The Fool's Sgt. Pepper cover, Fraser was convinced that it wasn't good enough for The Beatles. This would have to be an image that would rank with Revolver, Rubber Soul and With The Beatles – and Fraser felt The Fool's painting was poorly done and that it would be dated before it was released. Not only did he win McCartney and the boys over, he convinced them that he should be the art director for the new cover. more on this story

The Top 10 Bands Who Changed Guitarists and Stayed Great

(Gibson) Would The Beatles have been The Beatles without George Harrison? Would Led Zeppelin have been Led Zeppelin without Jimmy Page? The answer to both questions is "no." Remarkably, however, other noteworthy bands have managed to carry on despite upheavals in the six-string position. Below are just 2 of the 10 such bands that Gibson singles out, each of whom has boasted a varied lineup of guitar greats.

2. Metallica: Founding Metallica guitarist Dave Mustaine was ousted by the band – allegedly over substance abuse issues -- just prior to the start of sessions for their debut album in 1983. Kirk Hammett came in that very same afternoon, on April 11, 1983, and has remained with the group ever since. Seemingly with much to prove, Mustaine subsequently formed Megadeth, and he's since garnered a reputation as one of speed metal's greatest guitarists.

1. The Allman Brothers Band: Out of respect, following Duane Allman's tragic death in 1971, The Allman Brothers Band carried on without a replacement guitarist for many years. Dan Toler came on-board in 1978, but the group disbanded (for a second time) in 1982. Warren Haynes joined a reconstituted Allmans in 1989 – a alongside the legendary Dickey Betts – and remained with the band until 1997. Jack Pearson then stepped in for a brief run, before being replaced by Derek Trucks in 1999. Haynes rejoined the band full-time in 2001. The Haynes/Trucks lineup remains intact. See the full top 10 list here

Hardcore Superstar Living Rock Dream

(Rock AAA) Hardcore Superstar guitarist Vic Zino admits he is living the rock n' roll dream just three years after juggling a day job with his axe duties with Swedish sleaze rockers Crazy Lixx.

The emerging band went on a UK tour in 2008 with their compatriots, and it ended with a job offer for Zino – much to his delight and surprise – but it was something he admits he had to carefully consider.

He told RockAAA: "It's been great. It is the same job, but now the only thing I do now is play guitar. With Crazy Lixx I had to have another job on the side to get money. But now my job is to play guitar with Hardcore Superstar and I get paid for it which is amazing. more on this story