Rare Led Zeppelin Recording- Pantera's Rex Brown No Longer Down- Rage Against The Denial- Rock Band: Randy Rhoads- Braid Live Return- Glenn Hughes Bonus- more

On this day in 1963, On a recommendation by George Harrison, Dick Rowe (head of A&R at Decca records, and the man who turned down The Beatles) went to see The Rolling Stones play at Crawdaddy Club, London. The band were signed to the label within a week. Find out what else happened on this date in music history here

Scott Weiland Not Dead and Telling All

(hennemusic) Another rock n' roll book hits shelves May 17, as Scott Weiland's tell-all finally sees its release. "Not Dead & Not For Sale" is the autobiography of the Stone Temple Pilots' frontman, who has experienced much in his life since the band formed in 1986.

In the early 1990s, Stone Temple Pilots — not U2, not Nirvana, not Pearl Jam — was the hottest band in the world. STP toppled such mega-bands as Aerosmith and Guns N' Roses on MTV and the Billboard charts. Lead singer Scott Weiland became an iconic front man in the tradition of Mick Jagger, David Bowie, and Robert Plant.

Then, when STP imploded, it was Weiland who emerged as the emblem of rock star excess, with his well-publicized drug busts and trips to rehab. Weiland has since made a series of stunning comebacks, fronting the supergroup Velvet Revolver, releasing solo work, and, most recently, reuniting with Stone Temple Pilots. After kicking a 13-year addiction to drugs almost a decade ago, he has prevailed as a loving, dedicated father, as well as a business-savvy artist whose well of creativity is far from empty. more on this story

Sabbath, Purple, Metallica, Maiden Supergroup Who Cares Release Video

We received the official word about the Who Cares project release, including the full star-studded lineup featuring members of Iron Maiden, Metallica, Deep Purple and more, plus some comments from masterminds Tony Iommi and Ian Gillan and a new music video!

Who Cares, the renewed musical union between legendary Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan and Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi, will release its debut digital single will be release May 6th via Eagle Rock Entertainment. The physical cd/dvd single will be made available in Europe on May 24 through earMUSIC and June 27th in North America via Eagle Rock Entertainment.

The single features two brand new studio tracks "Out Of My Mind" and "Holy Water", which will raise funds for the rebuilding of a music school in Gyumri, Armenia. The 2 Song - CD single will also contain the video clip of "Out Of My Mind" and a 40-minute documentary that shows Gillan's and Iommi's involvement with the Armenia cause over the years. more on this story

A Different Led Zeppelin Experience This Time

(hennemusic) If you're checking out Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience this month on their US tour – which launched Wednesday in Connecticut – you'll be hearing some new songs in the set by the band on this, its second tour.

JBLZE has added new material like "Achilles' Last Stand," "The Rain Song" and "In the Light," the latter of which Led Zeppelin themselves never performed live.

"The song choices will always be a key part of this," Bonham told Billboard, "because I listen to what the fans say. But I also want to keep it as true as I can. We'll never do a song we don't think we can do well, so if for some reason there's certain songs we don't do in the show we probably haven't tried it yet, or we have tried it and it wasn't up to standard. We'll only do the best ones we can so they sound the best." more on this story

Former Judas Priest Guitarist K.K. Downing Addresses Fans

The now former guitarist for Judas Priest, K.K. Downing has once again addressed fans about his decision to leave the legendary heavy metal band.

He writes on his website, "I would just like to say a big thank you for your support and kind words. It is most heart-warming for me to be the recipient of such graciousness and compassion from you all.

"For some of you that would seem to desire some more details as to why I have resigned from the band, I can only say that there is nothing more underlying than I have already put in my initial statement. I would like to reassure you that I am still here for you and I am still the same person with the same feelings and sentiments. more

New Eddie Veddar Video

(hennemusic) New music from Eddie Vedder means new video, as well. "Longing To Belong," the first single from the Pearl Jam singer's new solo release, "Ukelele Songs," is now accompanied by a video, which surfaced on Wednesday.

The footage mixes Hi-Def material with images from Super 8 tape – Vedder's video gear of choice – to provide a serene Hawaiian backdrop for the ballad.

Due May 31, "Ukulele Songs" is a collection of original material and covers performed by Vedder on ukulele. Check it out here

Ozzy Goes Wylde for Zakk's Black Sabbath Cover

(Gibson) As previously reported, Zakk Wylde's Black Label Society have a new album coming out next week, titled The Song Remains Not the Same. The album features acoustic reworkings of songs from the band's most recent album, Order of the Black, as well as covers of tunes by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Traffic and Black Sabbath.

Wylde recently spoke to Music Radar's Joe Bosso about the decision to cover Sabbath's "Junior's Eyes."

"With me and covers, you know, I'm always going to go for the classic stuff," he said. "Of course, we all love Sabbath – I mean, who doesn't? – so I was just jammin' on the piano, and before you knew it, I was singing and playing 'Junior's Eyes.' I got a piano vamp thing going, and I started singing Ozzy's melody."

When asked if he had played his version for his former boss, Wylde said, "Yeah, I sent it to him last Father's Day. He was like [imitates Osbourne] 'Oh, Zakk, it sounds killer, man. It reminds me of a gospel tune.' No, Ozzy totally loved the Sabbath cover." more on this story

Meet Bon Jovi's Replacement for Richie Sambora

(Gibson) Bon Jovi's Richie Sambora's temporary replacement is Phil X, an Ontario-born session guitarist. The tour kicked off at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (on April 30) with Jon Bon Jovi announcing at the encore of "Livin' on a Prayer," "We'd like to send this out to our brother Richie."

Phil X was born in 1966 as Philip Xenidis. He's of Greek descent and the co-founder of the L.A. band Powder. He also has a second band, The Drills. He is used to standing-in: he replaced Rik Emmett in Canadian rockers Triumph for their Edge of Excess album (1993) and tour.

He's also played guitar for Tommy Lee, Rob Zombie, Kelly Clarkson, Daughtry, Chris Cornell, Adam Lambert and many more. At Viva Cantina, a Mexican restaurant in Burbank, he's played with country music collective the Cody Bryant Experience. more on this story

Ted Nugent To Guest On The Simpsons

(hennemusic) Ted Nugent is already a pretty animated guy, but things get literal when the rocker appears in an episode of The Simpsons next season.

EW.com reports the Nuge will play himself as a Republican candidate for President who seeks Homer's endorsement in "Politically Inept With Homer Simpson."

Homer's endorsement for candidate Nugent could be huge, as it turns out, because he has become a populist TV pundit with his show "Gut Check with Homer Simpson." more on this story

Hetfield's Creative Metallica Juices Are Flowing

(Gibson) Metallica are scheduled to enter the studio later this month, and the band have until recently remained tight-lipped on plans. Now, drummer Lars Ulrich has told Metal Hammer magazine that there will be no shortage of material when the foursome's 10th studio album gets started.

Hetfield himself said: "I can't turn off the creative part of me, which is ¬- what a great gift. There's stuff coming out all the time, whether it's in the tuning room, in my hotel room, sitting at home with the acoustic, wherever. The stuff is coming out, and it gets recorded or written down or something, some way, and it'll come out at some point. Whether it's on this album, the next album, who knows?"

The next Metallica album will follow up 2008's Death Magnetic, but Metallica web forums are already speculating it might not be a "full" new album, if only because Ulrich added: "[Is it] something new? Um... not necessarily. It depends on where you look at it from. I wouldn't call it something new." more on this story

Arctic Monkeys Deliver A Different Vibe

(Gibson) Arctic Monkeys are set to release their third album, Suck It and See, next month. According to drummer Matt Helders, the album marks a bit of a departure from 2009's Humbug. Helders told The Fly, "Some of the tunes on it are a bit more melodic than Humbug was. It's probably a bit more mellow on the whole."

Helder continued, "There are bits in there that are heavy and bits that are fast, but in general a lot of the tunes are based on, I suppose, a more traditional way of writing songs. Starting off with chords and lyrics and melody and putting it all together, whereas before we wrote songs differently. This time, when [frontman] Alex [Turner] was writing songs on his own, he tried a different approach, too."

Recording at Sound City studios in Los Angeles, the Sheffield, England natives were reunited with old friend and Monkeys fan (and Queens of the Stone Age frontman) Josh Homme. "This time we weren't that far from where he lives," Helders recalled. "So the first day, he just came to say 'hello' and to see how we all were, because we hadn't seen him for a bit. Then he came back to have a listen to some stuff, and then it was like, 'Do you want to sing a backing vocal on this song?' 'Yeah, why not.' It was all recreational, mostly." more on this story

Doobie Brothers' Far From Home For The USO

The USO will world premiere the Doobie Brothers' brand new video "Far From Home" today (May 5). The track is the latest singled from their current release, World Gone Crazy,

Written by original Doobie Pat Simmons, "Far From Home" recounts the bittersweet moment when a son or daughter leaves home for the first time. The video features footage from Simmons family archive and real life footage of service men and women returning to their families, much of which was submitted by fans.

The video was directed by Max Gutierrez of Ringleader Productions. Featured in the video are Airman Brant P. Healey, Master Sgt Joe Meyers, Sgt Mark Foster all from the Air Force; U.S. Army members Adriane Zachery Canales, Pvt First class Michael Rivera returning home from Iraq, and members of the Iowa National Guard 734th Agro-Business Development Team and the Iowa 133rd Infantry Regiment. The Doobie Brothers performance was filmed at the historic Orpheum Theatre in downtown Los Angeles. Check it out here

Adler's Appetite Kick Off Tour Tonight

The latest incarnation of Adler's Appetite, featuring former Guns N' Roses drummer Steven Adler, kick off their North American tour tonight in Redondo Beach with their new lineup featuring new frontman Patrick Alan Stone.

Stone was referred to the band by Slash, according to a statement. "This guy's got pipes," said bassist Chip Z'Nuff, citing that "his show is over the top - you're going to get a great show - like a mini Woodstock without the mud." Adler added, "He's doing a fabulous job, we're very pleased with him."

"It's an honor to be working with these guys," commented Stone, "a dream come true. Stone, who also acts, has appeared in HBO's Deadwood and John From Cincinatti. Ironically, this isn't Stone's first GnR connect - he was slated to be the new singer for West Arkeen's band at the time of his death. more on this story

Singled Out: Down from Up's Menace To Society

Today Down from Up tell us about their new single "Menace To Society". Here is the story:

When we started the writing process for menace, we were really trying to nail an aggressive fist pumping type of rock tune, and to be more specific we wanted to nail that vibe of Guns N' Roses and Iron Maiden glory era rock and give that a modern twist.

The music really is what starts the writing process; usually a simple guitar riff then we build the bed of the music on top of that. Lyrics come last, right after the melody lines.

Lyrically the song came out of the simple idea of anger. It's a warning from the songs protagonist character, to just don't underestimate him. He's a loose canon. Then the song shifts into a welcome to the hell you brought on yourself when you pushed him to far.

The breakdown/solo section is quite fun too, inspired by Rising Force era Yngwie Malmsteen, taking his diminished ideas and applying them to some fretboard tapping madness. Trying to tie the music as closely as possible to the protagonists mentality, which is borderline insanity.

Hearing is believing. Now that you know the story behind the song, listen for yourself with a free download right here!

Twisted Sister Under The Blade Again

(Kayos) Eagle Rock have set a May 31 release date for the deluxe CD/DVD reissue of Twisted Sister's 1982 debut, Under The Blade.

The CD—originally produced by Pete Way of UFO—will also contain four tracks from their 1982 Ruff Cuts EP (never before on CD) as well as "Shoot 'Em Down," an '82 live track from England's prestigious Reading Festival. The lavish package features the original Under The Blade cover, which has not appeared on any domestic versions of the album until now, and reflects the original Secret Records track list and remastered audio mix.

The DVD contains the entire previously-unreleased Reading concert. Vocalist Dee Snider, guitarists Jay Jay French and Eddie Ojeda, bassist Mark Mendoza and drummer A.J. Pero gave the crowd something they had not exactly ever seen before. It was, for all intents and purposes, a coming-out affair for this great band. They play as if their life depends upon it. They play as if they have something to prove. And they did. They're young, hungry, determined and wind up headbanging with a desperate ferocity usually reserved for those kinds of life-altering performances that make a band. This is one of those performances. The set concludes with a show-stopping version of "It's Only Rock "N' Roll" as the band jams out with Pete Way and Motorhead's Fast Eddie Clarke and Lemmy! The DVD also includes 40 minutes of newly shot interviews with the band about the recording of Under The Blade and the Reading Festival. more on this story

Ziggy, Chris Cornell and Lenny Kravitz to Rock Marley on Fallon

(Gibson) Perhaps weeklong tributes to musical greats will become a yearly tradition on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Last year, the comedian paid tribute to The Rolling Stones for a full week, with appearances by Keith Richards and Charlie Watts and performances by Green Day, Phish and Keith Urban (all doing Stones covers). Now, Fallon and friends are ready to honor the late, great Bob Marley.

Starting Monday, May 9, Late Night will celebrate the reggae legend on the 30th anniversary of his death. Performers will include Bob's son Ziggy Marley (Monday), Chris Cornell (Tuesday), Jennifer Hudson (Wednesday), Jakob Dylan (Thursday) and Lenny Kravitz (Friday). Each will play a Marley tune and Ziggy also will chat with Fallon about his father's legacy.

"Big up Jimmy Fallon for honoring the memory of my father," Ziggy said about the weeklong event. "Much respect." more on this story

Noel Gallagher New Music Hoax

(Gibson) Yesterday, news sites picked up some tweets from Noel Gallagher on a site calling itself the official Twitter account for Noel Gallagher giving details of release dates for his much-anticipated new recordings.

The so-called Gallagher tweet read: "So we can finally announce details about Noel's solo release. Single release date: 22.08.2011. Album release date: 12.09.2011."

However, Exclaim.ca did some investigating and unearthed a tweet at the Oasis Twitter page refuting the legitimacy of the supposed Gallagher site: "Contrary to reports Noel is not presently on Twitter. Any account using his name is fake so please ignore them. Cheers!" more on this story

Anniversary of Buffalo Springfield's Last Stand

On this day in 1968, Buffalo Springfield played their last show. Richie Furay formed Poco, Neil Young began a solo career and Stephen Stills teamed up with David Crosby and Graham Nash in Crosby, Stills and Nash. Gibson takes a look back: Buffalo Springfield ended almost as fast as it began. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famers – best-known for their 1967 hit "For What It's Worth" – lasted a mere 25 months. And, in that short run, the lineup was in a constant state of flux, with members being deported, not showing up for gigs and being replaced by others. On this day in 1968, the band played their final show.

Two years earlier, Buffalo Springfield had come together a bit haphazardly. With their most recent band (led by Rick James!) having just fallen apart, guitarist Neil Young and bassist Bruce Palmer traveled to Los Angeles to see if they could find singer-guitarist Stephen Stills – whom Young had met in 1965. Unable to find him, the pair were about to leave for San Francisco when they got stuck in traffic on Sunset Boulevard. Stills and his friend and bandmate Richie Furay were stuck at the same intersection, and recognized Young's car – a black 1953 Pontiac hearse. Thanks to a quick U-turn by Furay, the four musicians met up and decided to start a band.

Soon after, they brought on country music drummer Dewey Martin and took their band name from a steamroller made by the Buffalo-Springfield Roller Company. They made their live debut on April 11, 1966 at the Troubadour, then toured with The Byrds and made a name for themselves as a must-see live act during a residency at the Whiskey a Go Go. more on this story

World's Greatest Drummers Rock

(Rock News Desk) Rock and metal drummers make up half of a top 100 list compiled by experts, analysts and musicians.

The breakdown of most influential players in the history of the modern drumkit was compiled by Rhythm Magazine, and features 50 rock or metal musicians in its ranks alongside founding fathers including Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa and Ronnie Verrell – who played Animal in The Muppets.

Revealing its ultimate roll-call, Rhythm says: "It's a celebration of the players who have shaped the drumming world and inspired later generations to take the art to new levels." more on this story

White Wizzard Singer Almost Hung It Up

(Rock News Desk) White Wizzard singer Wyatt Anderson has revealed he was planning to quit the music industry when he left the US band last year.

But his wife-to-be just laughed at him – and he recently returned to front the promising classic metal upstarts.

Anderson tells The Great Southern Brainfart: "I was considering quitting altogether. I moved home to Florida and got back together with my girlfriend, and I told her I was just tired of dealing with all the personal bulls*** that has to go along with being in a band. more on this story

Death Cab For Cutie and My Morning Jacket Storytellers Details

Vh1 sent over some about "VH1 Storytellers: Death Cab For Cutie" & "VH1 Storytellers: My Morning Jacket" which premiere Friday, May 27th and Friday, June 3rd at 11 PM ET/PT, respectively.

VH1 Storytellers: Death Cab For Cutie: "This is the first time I've played a show or felt a time appropriate to tell our stories," explained Death Cab for Cutie lead singer Ben Gibbard while stepping onto the "VH1 Storytellers" stage on April 20th.

The Bellingham, WA natives played a mesmerizing 90 minute set in front of 150 fans at their taping in Culver City, CA. Opening the night up with "The New Year," the band quickly moved on to "Photobooth." While getting into the swing of things, Ben revealed to the crowd "This feels a little bit like being on Oprah. I just haven't talked about a lot this stuff and its bringing up some old s***." more on this story

Coverdale's Grand Design for Whitesnake

(Gibson) With a new album, Forevermore, just released in March and a U.S. tour set to kick off on May 11 in Westbury, New York, Whitesnake are back in the hard rock headlines. 33 years after the group was founded by David Coverdale in the aftermath of Deep Purple, Whitesnake continue to champion the hard, bluesy guitar rock. Or at least, that was the original idea…

"I do agree [that the group is a true guitar-driven band] because that was the initial idea of Whitesnake—until Jon Lord asked to come on board," Coverdale told Guitar International. "There is no way that I could ignore that Jon's left hand with Deep Purple contributed to that huge (expletive) sound of Purple's identity. That's where I kind of backpedaled and made keyboards a featured instrument. It was never part of the original plan. The blueprint for Whitesnake was the Allman Brothers' first LP, where the organ is more of a rhythm part, and Duane Allman's immense guitar is upfront. That was to be the structure of Whitesnake, like an orchestral blues band."

According to Coverdale, much of his approach to Whitesnake was informed by his days in Deep Purple, where he played with two of rock's most mercurial guitarists. "With Deep Purple, it became very difficult to write within that head-banging, heavy metal identity. Jacket and trousers all the time. [Laughs] For me, I wanted Whitesnake to be this huge umbrella of hard-rock rhythm and blues. Big riffs, fun, tongue-in-check, an elbow in the ribs, a knee in the nuts. From the beginning, I knew I needed to electrify Whitesnake, to continue to take things further. more on this story

Steven Tyler Says James Durbin Kicks 30 Second To Mars Ass on American Idol

(hennemusic) It was "old & new" song night on American Idol Wednesday, and James Durbin kicked off the program with "Closer To The Edge" by 30 Seconds To Mars. The rocker expertly worked the room, getting the crowd involved early in the song.

"James, man, I think you kicked that song's ass," said Steven Tyler. "The way you worked the audience, I think you're 'ready for Freddie' [Mercury]."

For the retro track, James chose 1970's "Without You" by Harry Nilsson. In the 'mentor session' early in the week, the song's lyrics connected in a big way with Durbin, and the singer needed to step out of the studio to collect himself. "By the time I actually started listening to the lyrics," said James, "I broke down. Why I'm here is to make a better life for my family, but every time [fiance] Heidi and [2-year old] Hunter come to visit and they have to leave, I have to let them go."

"Now, this competition is yours to lose," said Randy Jackson. Read more and check out the performances here

The Dear Hunter Release Making of Video

(ABC) The Dear Hunter take fans behind the scenes with a new video post exclusively on their official website and social networking pages

Shot in Providence, RI at Strangeways Recording, it gives fans a glimpse of the making of the Orange EP from the band's forthcoming epic 9-EP collection, The Color Spectrum, which features Brendan Brown from The Receiving End of Sirens sitting in on bass guitar.

Due out June 14 on Triple Crown Records, The Color Spectrum will be made available in a variety of formats (full length CD, Limited Edition deluxe vinyl box set, full length vinyl, individual digital song downloads). Each box set contains a 16-page booklet, digital download card of the complete collection, and nine 10" colored vinyls of each EP, which will match their respective EP in the collection. more on this story

Gene Simmons Punisher-2 Bass

Some news for KISS and Gene Simmons fans: Cort Guitars announced the release of the new GS Punisher-2 bass. The new model continues their relationship with the KISS band member and star of A&E's Gene Simmons Family Jewels reality television show. The new bass will be available in retail stores worldwide this May and will include a Gene Simmons custom case.

The GS Punisher-2 features a bolt-on, 34" scale neck with a rosewood fingerboard and diamond shaped inlays.

The body is made of mahogany and features a black finish with custom GS Punisher-2 graphics to match the basses Gene Simmons plays on stage. Each bass is equipped with two pickups, one volume control, one tone control and a three-way selector switch. more on this story

Skeletonwitch Complete Trilogy

(Prosthetic) Skeletonwitch have announced the details of the third, and final, installment of their 7" trilogy.

Part III will be on gray vinyl and will feature a recently re-recorded version of "Onward To Battle," a track that originally appeared on the band's self-released debut album, "At One With The Shadows."

The B-side, meanwhile, is a demo version of a new track, "The Infernal Resurrection," which the group recently debuted on their tour with 3 Inches of Blood. more on this story

Beyond Terror Beyond Grace To Begin New Album Next Week

Beyond Terror Beyond Grace will be entering the studio May 8th to begin recording their third album. The band will be recording at Three Phase studios in Melbourne with engineering and production duties being jointly handled by Joel Taylor and Rob Allen (The Abandonment, Encircling Sea).

Commented drummer Steve Smith; "These songs are intense, atmospheric, sinister and climactic, which is very exciting. Like past material the speed and energy is there, but there is now a much bigger focus on dynamics, mood, and raw emotion, which is revealing new dimensions of the band previously unheard of and resulting in some huge sounding songs. Like the last album there will also be a number of guest appearances which we are very excited about. This album is definitely shaping up to be our most powerful, focused and diverse yet."

The upcoming record comes off the band's recent European tour alongside Cattle Decapitation and US tour alongside Malevolent Creation, Full Blown Chaos and The Absence in support of their second album "Our Ashes Built Mountains".

From Zappa To Modern Day Fairytale

(Glass Onyon) Former Frank Zappa keyboardist Tommy Mars, best known for his work on such Zappa classics as Sheik Yerbouti, Joe's Garage and Them or Us, has recorded music for a modern day fairytale - 'Willie Nickerson's Egg'.

Written by Norwegian guitarist Jon Larsen and released on Norway's Zonic Entertainment (a label that features exclusively dedicated Frank Zappa inspired music). Along with Tommy Mars, 'Willie Nickerson's Egg' also features the talents of Zappa alumnus Arthur Barrow.

Willie Nickerson is a very sensitive porcupine. He works with DJANGO-related products at Guitback, the major industry in Hambrook, but he is not entirely happy. So he starts playing the bass. This is the beginning of a classical per aspera ad astra drama: through hardships to the stars – in a rusty wreck. more on this story

Nails and Ringworm Team For Summer Tour

(Earsplit) Nails have confirmed a co-headlining tour with Ringworm dubbed the Death Comes Ripping Tour 2011.

In addition to Nails and Ringworm, Bitter End and New Lows will also join the summer trek.

The tour news comes in addition to Nails' previously-announced upcoming appearances at Maryland Deathfest as well as Rain Fest in Seattle this month, and won't be the last, as more live actions are currently in the planning stages. more on this story

NewBreed Set New Album Release

Metal Mind Productions have announced the release of the third studio album by NewBreed, a progressive metal band from Poland.

Their self-titled material features guest appearances by Tomasz Lipa Lipnicki (Lipali, ex-Illusion) on the vocals and Wacek Vogg Kiełtyka (Decapitated) on the guitar.

The band was formed in November 1999 by a group of very young people: Thomas Wolonciej (git/voc), Stanley Wolonciej (drums) and Paul Gawlowski (bass). In 2000, after several local gigs, the band recorded their first demo entitled "Solitary". In 2001, Paul left the band. New friends - Andy Czul and his brother Thomas - helped the band and joined them to play upcoming gigs and record new material. more on this story