Van Halen Mixing New Album

In a new interview with Tom Russell of U.K.'s Rock Radio, an update on the status of the VH sessions was provided by, of all people, Slash. "I'm a huge Van Halen fan," says Slash. "They're finishing [up their new album right now], actually. I don't wanna speak on their behalf, but one of the guys that works for us works for Van Halen in the studio and he told me that they're in the mixing stages." more on this story

Ex-KISS Star Arrested

(Rock News Desk) Former Kiss guitarist Vinnie Vincent found himself behind bars at the weekend after he was arrested and charged for aggravated assault.

The axeman, real name Vincent Cusano, was apprehended on Saturday night by officers of Rutherford County, Tennessee, and held on $10,000 bond. He posted bail and was released yesterday morning.

Vincent, 58, was known as the The Wiz and the Ankh Warrior when he replaced original guitarist Ace Frehley in Kiss in 1982. He had a tumultuous relationship with the band and was fired the following year, only to be re-hired for two more brief stints in the following years. more on this story

Iovine Caused Guns N' Roses CD Delay?

(hennemusic) Don't blame Axl Rose for the decade-plus wait for "Chinese Democracy" – blame Interscope Chairman Jimmy Iovine.

Guns N' Roses bassist Tommy Stinson comes clean about the 2008 album in a recent interview with A.V. Club. "At first we were in the [studio] a lot. We were working on the writing aspect of it, but it just kept going on," says Stinson. "We had [Interscope Chairman] Jimmy Iovine intervening in a not-so-productive way, and we had other guys coming and going with nutty ideas. My summation of the whole thing is that Interscope, when they took over Geffen, really led Axl to believe that Jimmy Iovine would be involved, and would help get this record done and make it happen. But, basically, what he did was let it completely fall apart. Then he had this great idea to bring in [producer] Roy Thomas Baker to make it sound better. All he did was re-record everything three or four different times, trying to make it sound like something it didn't need to sound like, and spend $10 million in the process. My two cents on the whole thing is that I really think Jimmy Iovine f**ked the whole thing up."

"It was a bummer," adds the bassist. "Most of the songs that are on the record now were done 10 f**king years ago. But all the talking heads in the mix were saying, "Make 'em sound better! Make 'em sound better!" So we kept redoing this and that. And it ended up coming back down to the same f**king songs that they were 10 years ago, except that now they were a super-dense mishmash of a bunch of instrumentation. That whole era pretty much sums up what happened to the record industry. Those kinds of people, making those kinds of decisions and not really helping the artist." more on this story

Mick Jagger Forms Supergroup

(Gibson) Perhaps still smarting from various barbs in Keith Richards' autobiography, Life, Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger appears to be stepping out on his own. The New York Post is reporting that Jagger has been recording with Eurythmics guitarist Dave Stewart, Bob Marley's son Damian Marley, singer Joss Stone and Oscar-winning Indian musician/producer A.R. Rahman.

An unnamed source told the Post, "They just finished a record and their first video and are talking to major labels about a deal. The name for the band at the moment is Super Heavy."

"Each member has a very distinct and different style, but it works," another source said. "Mick has been recording with Dave for a while, and both worked with Joss in the past." more on this story

Staind Lose Member- Bon Scott Play- Zombie and Whitesnake Vs Universal- Darth Metallica- Queens of the Stone Age- Marilyn Manson Tease- Sinister Split- more

(Rock News Desk) Staind have split with drummer Jon Wysocki. The band say: "We wish him the best, and thank him for all the years he dedicated to Staind." more

(Classic Rock) A play based on the life of the late Bon Scott called Hell Ain't A Bad Place To Be – The Story Of Bon Scott, and tells the man's tale from his earliest bands through to the vocalist becoming a huge success with AC/DC. more

(Rock News Desk) Rob Zombie and Whitesnake are heading a federal class action lawsuit against Universal Music Group over unpaid fees. The suit states that digital downloads have been listed as sales under existing record deals, rather than subject to a different licensing deal which would make more money for artists. more

(Billboard) U2 took a break from the just-started second North American leg of its 360 World Tour to accept the Top Touring Artist Award -- for both the biggest tour of the year and of all-time -- at the 2011 Billboard Music Awards. more

(Metalrage) Marilyn Manson has posted a short teaser for what he calls "an undisclosed song with an unreleased title." You can check out the clip here. In addition, Manson has posted the following message on his web site to accompany the track, which may or may not be titled "I Am Among No One":

(Rock News Desk) Slipknot and Stone Sour frontman Corey Taylor has been invited to be a guest speaker at Oxford University in July more

(BW&BK) Tomorrow, May 24th at 1 PM (PST), all five members of Judas Priest will be on hand at the Renaissance Hotel at Highland and Hollywood in Los Angeles to answer questions about the upcoming Epitaph US Tour and to formally introduce Richie Faulkner. more

(Metalrage) Guitarist Alex Paul, drummer Edwin van den Eeden and bassist Joost van der Graaf have left Sinister. Vocalist Aad Kloosterwaard, who is the only remaining member of Sinister, has vowed to relaunch the band with a brand new lineup and "let the Sinister flame burn for some more years to come." more

(FMQB) Queens of the Stone Age are aiming to have their next album out by the end of the year. Speaking to BBC Radio 1 in London, frontman Josh Homme explained, "We're going to take our one last break that we would get for a month, come back and do Glastonbury, then immediately jump in the studio. "more

Cathedral will reportedly play its last-ever show on December 3 at the London Kentish Town Forum. The band will record one final studio album entitled "The Last Spire", to be released in 2012 more

(Lambgoat) Bury Your Dead (with Mat Bruso on vocals) will be touring Europe in August along with For The Fallen Dreams and Betrayal. more

(Metalrage) Asesino - the project featuring Fear Factory/Divine Heresy guitarist Dino Cazares and ex-Static-X bassist Tony Campos (on bass/vocals) - is working on material for its third album for a 2012 release. more

(Rock News Desk) The city of Dublin will celebrate the life of Phil Lynott on his birthday, August 20, with an all-day pageant. The Boys Are Back in Town will mark the Thin Lizzy icon's career using music and dance and will march through the city's Grafton Street, finishing at the star's statue. more

(BW&BK) On the week of June 13, Journey's Steve Perry (vocals), Neal Schon (guitar), Jonathan Cain (keyboards) will be guests on In The Studio talking about the 30th anniversary of their landmark album, Escape, with professional radio broadcaster and rock musician interviewer Redbeard more

(Lambgoat) Atheist will return to Europe this summer for a handful of appearances more

(FMQB) The Memorial Day Weekend episode of the syndicated radio show, Carol Miller's Get the Led Out, will feature a tribute to late Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham. more

(Rock News Desk) Wildhearts mainman Ginger is auctioning the 25th Anniversary Gibson Les Paul guitar he's used on almost all his recording projects in aid of the Red Cross. more

(BW&BK) Former Deep Purple keyboardist Jon Lord is working on the definitive studio recording of Concerto For Group And Orchestra, originally composed and first performed in 1969. more

(Lambgoat) Following their late-spring tour with Molotov Solution and Betrayal, Legend and The World We Knew will play a handful of shows together as they head back East. more

(BW&BK) Video of Star Wars icons Darth Vader and the Stormtroopers dancing to Metallica's 'Enter Sandman' at Disney's Star Wars Weekends 2011 can be viewed here

New Motivation For a Pink Floyd Reunion

(Rock News Desk) After the furore surrounding the surprise reunion of Pink Floyd in London two weeks ago, drummer Nick Mason repeated his belief the remaining members could gather one more time – probably for a charity event.

Now it's been revealed that an alternative school the band supported in the past will close at the end of term due to a lack of funding. Schoolhouse Education was the beneficiary of a £1000 donation after Floyd played a charity show at Wembley Stadium in 1972. The money helped establish the school, which works with truants who slip through the holes of the mainstream system.

Headteacher Lynda Smith tells the Times Educational Supplement: "We help 15 pupils aged between 14 and 16 who are unable, or unwilling, to attend school. They work really hard – 98% go on to further education and it's an incredibly productive time for them." more on this story

Megadeth Making Heavy New Album

(Gibson) Megadeth drummer Shawn Drover recently posted about the metal band's progress in the studio.

The thrash legends are working on a new album with producer Johnny K (Disturbed, Machine Head, Staind). "As of last night, I have completed five drum tracks, with song #6 and #7 in line to be done today and I am really happy with the way things are going thus far," Drover posted on Megadeth.com late last week. "Johnny K has been a blast to work with as he shares the same vision as we do, which is to make a solid, heavy record. We are definitely on the right path here."

Although Megadeth have completed one track, it might not be destined for the new album. "We have one song completely done and submitted for a video game," he said. "Without going into the details of it, anybody who knows me and what I like musically, this tune put a big smile on my face. In time, you will all hear what I am talking about, but for now, it's back to work at Vic's Garage [Megadeth's recording studio in San Marcos, California]." more on this story

AC/DC Rule The World

Columbia Records announced that AC/DC's new Live At River Plate DVD is a global hit.

The live concert DVD documenting AC/DC's massive Black Ice World Tour, has debuted as the no 1 selling DVD on charts in 17 countries, including the U.S., U.K., Germany, France, Spain, Australia, Argentina, Canada, Ireland, Belgium, Sweden, New Zealand, Austria, Chile, Hungary, Finland and Italy.

AC/DC experienced similar chart success with the release of their last studio album Black Ice, which dominated sales charts in 31 countries around the globe. more on this story

Beatles Family Reunion for Love

(Gibson) A sizable chunk of the Beatles family will assemble in Las Vegas on June 8 to celebrate the five-year anniversary of Cirque du Soleil's Beatles-themed show, Love.

According to USA Today, surviving band member Paul McCartney will attend the celebration, along with John Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono, George Harrison's widow, Olivia Harrison, Harrison's son, Dhani Harrison, producer George Martin and his son, Giles Martin (who co-produced the Grammy-winning Love soundtrack with his father).

Ringo Starr is unable to attend due to tour commitments, but will send a videotaped message to be played during a special show. Roughly half of the audience for the special performance will be personal invitees of the Beatles and Cirque du Soleil camps. McCartney will host a private party afterward featuring his favorite DJ, Chris Holmes. more on this story

She Wants Revenge Singled Out Week: Must Be The One

She Wants Revenge release their brand new album, "Valleyheart," this week. To celebrate we asked Justin Warfield to tell us about some of his favorite tracks from the album. Today he tells us about "Must Be The One". Here is the story:

Must be the one is a song that started in a strange way. Normally when Adam and I sit down to write it begins with a beat, then he picks up the bass and I pick up the guitar and we improvise until something special happens. At that point we usually record it if we're not already recording, then move onto the next section of music, whether it's a verse, chorus or bridge. It usually comes pretty fast, and if it doesn't that's usually a sign that we should move on. We seldom labor over it, as our experience and history has shown us that good things come fast for us in the writing process. There are of course times when we sit down and take our time talking about key, chord structures and trying various things back and forth, but generally the songs begin in a sort of let's say....automatic-writing style, as I despise the word, "jamming".

With this song however I had a few lyric and chord ideas in my head and it was just a matter of getting it down and making sense of it. For this album a lot of the lyrics were sung in the car while driving around Los Angeles with the instrumentals playing, and when inspiration would strike I'd record the melodies into my iphone. I first came up with the beginning of the verse and knew what the first few lines of the song would be, next I found myself singing, "must be the sun" over and over, and while I knew the words were stupid and just a sketch of the rhythm and melody, it was still stuck in my head for days. At some point I went in the studio to try and put something down, and that's when I replaced Sun with One and the story took shape and tied into the beginning I'd been toying with.

The second part was the after-chorus tag, "She says I don't need anyone, no I don't need anyone, but you". I'd written that down on a piece of paper and needed to find chords to fit it, so when I explained my idea for the song to Adam and showed him what I had so far, he came up with the sad chord change under the tag that to me really made the chorus into something special. I showed him the other parts I had and told him a chord idea, and then it was a matter of piecing it all together, which happened fairly easily. We sat down and came up with the chords and structure almost immediately, Adam taking the idea and expanding on it, at which point we programmed the beat, laid down bass and guitar and started building from there.

The last piece of the puzzle was the bridge bassline, which to me really is the peak of the song in scope and sonics, and funnily enough it was listening to the song in the final mix when Adam looked at me and said, "I wanna re-record the bridge bassline, I have an idea". That's now my favorite part of the song, and it's something he did literally right before we mastered the song.

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

U2 frontman Bono Agrees With Poor Reviews of Spider-Man Musical

(Rock News Desk) U2 frontman Bono says he agrees with poor reviews of the Spider-Man musical featuring tracks written by him and guitarist the Edge.

It's believed to be the most expensive Broadway show in history, having cost more than $70m to stage – but it's been hit with problems since long before it opened.

Now Bono admits he was in agreement with the poor reviews. "It might have been a little hard for some people around here to take it – but we don't disagree," The singer tells ABC. "That's the sort of stuff we were saying backstage. The last version had a lot of magic and mysterious stuff. It was beautiful in so many ways – it just didn't cohere." more on this story

Twisted Sister's Dee Snider Plans Broadway Album

(Gibson) In a move possibly no one could have foreseen, Twisted Sister frontman and House of Hair radio host Dee Snider announced that he is recording a new album of Broadway showtunes.

The metal icon posted on his Twitter page: "Just finished recording two more vocals for my Dee Does Broadway record. Six down, four more tracks to go. Back in the studio tomorrow."

Snider has been a cast member on Broadway's Tony-nominated musical, Rock of Ages, since last October. more on this story

Ronnie James Dio's Widow Hurt By Cash-In Claims

(Rock News Desk) Ronnie James Dio's widow Wendy says she's hurt by continued allegations that she's cashing in on the singer's death. She managed her husband for much of his career, but they'd split as a couple by the time he succumbed to stomach cancer last May.

Wendy has continued to build Niji Entertainment, the company they started together, and says she's "sorry" for those who continue to accuse her of cashing in.

"I feel very, very sad. It's very hurtful. I know what Ronnie and I had together – most fans know I wouldn't do anything to hurt his reputation," She tells Roadie Crew. "Ronnie and I always fundraised: for animals, for children, for everything. It's only right I continue to do that." more on this story

Hit and Miss for Scott Weiland

(hennemusic) To help promote the launch of his new book, "Not Dead & Not For Sale," Scott Weiland made an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.

Friday night's performance of Depeche Mode's "But Not Tonight" on Kimmel's show came just days after Weiland picked up some unfavorable reviews on a New York city concert earlier in the week.

The Wall Street Journal declared the Gramercy Theatre show a disaster, with Weiland hitting the stage 90 minutes later than scheduled, to a vocally unpleasant crowd. See the Kimmel performance here

30 Seconds to Over?

(RockAAA) Jared Leto says he has no appetite or desire to make another video with his band 30 Seconds to Mars further fuelling rumors the band are planning an extended or even permanent break.

The rockers have been dogged with suggestions they are splitting up with frontman Leto himself dropping hints the band could be set to take a time out. And now the singer has made another statement claiming he has made so many videos with the band that making another could result in the death of him. He said:

"I would love to make another video. But I think if we did make another video, it would probably kill me, because I've been making videos for the past 18-20 months. I may have to go and check myself in for some time away if I do another video." more on this story

Foo Fighters To Play MTV Movie Awards

Foo Fighters are set to return to the "MTV Movie Awards" stage for the first time since 2005, where they'll be debuting their next single, "Walk," off their seventh studio album "Wasting Light."

Foo Fighters will join hip-hop artists Lupe Fiasco and Trey Songz as the musical acts featured in this year's live show, along with previously announced presenters Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Steve Carell, Emma Stone, Shia LaBeouf, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Josh Duhamel, Patrick Dempsey, Cameron Diaz, Jason Segel, Jesse Eisenberg, Aziz Ansari, Danny McBride, Nicki Minaj, Selena Gomez, Leighton Meester and Katie Cassidy.

Hosted by Jason Sudeikis, the "2011 MTV Movie Awards" will broadcast LIVE from the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, CA on Sunday, June 5 at 9pm ET/8pm CT.

U2 360 Back To America

U2's 360 tour returned to North American this past weekend when they played Invesco Field in Denver, Colorado on Saturday.

This North America spring/summer leg is set to include 22 shows across 20 cities before wrapping up on July 30th in Moncton, NB.

U2 360° opened on June 30, 2009 in Barcelona, Spain arriving in North America on September 12, 2009 at Soldier Field, Chicago for 20 dates across 16 cities. This summer U2 360° will play 18 new cities across the U.S. and Canada before finishing up in Moncton, New Brunswick on July 30. The North American tour dates will feature a variety of popular supporting artists including The Fray, Lenny Kravitz, Florence and the Machine, Interpol, and Arcade Fire. more on this story

Mark Ronson's Near Death Black Lips Experience

(Gibson) DJ, producer Mark Ronson had a near death experience while in the studio with U.S. rock band Black Lips. According to The Sun newspaper, they were working on a song called "Raw Meat." Black Lips' Cole Alexander explained: "To get in the mood we started eating liver sashimi. Then we got sick. Mark's fever was so high his brain was cooking."

Asked about what happened Mark Ronson told the NME: "I thought maybe I was hungover or something. Then I started shivering uncontrollably. The next thing, the band are putting all these blankets over me. I wake up an hour later, [expletive] moaning and groaning.

"One of them touched my skin and they were like 'Listen dude, we've got to get you to a hospital.' When I was there I was diagnosed with something with a lot of syllables in it – endorhinitis, or something like that. I almost died. But I don't think it was intentional on their part." more on this story

Lynch Vs Dokken

(Rock News Desk) Former Dokken guitarist George Lynch has called Don Dokken a "pathological liar" following the singer's explanation for why a planned classic lineup reunion didn't take place.

Fans were hopeful the pair had finally buried the hatchet when they appeared together on US TV's That Metal Show. At the time Lynch, who left the band for a second time in 1997, believed they were about to announce a regroup – and last week Dokken said that was true, but blamed bassist Jeff Pilson for the plan's collapse.

Now Lynch says he felt like he'd been duped into appearing on the show. "I felt like a fool. I got played again for the last time. Like an idiot I went along with it, but looking back I see what he was really doing," He tells Guitar International. "He was blowing wind in his sails by creating the impression there was a reunion pending. He thought his guarantees would go up and people would go to his shows thinking I was in the band. He really goes off from here

New Testament Album Coming Along

(Gibson) San Francisco Bay metallers Testament are making serious headway on writing material for their new album.

The album, which is tentatively slated for a late 2011/early 2012 release, will be recorded this summer with British producer Andy Sneap, whose résumé includes work with Megadeth, Exodus, Machine Head and Arch Enemy.

The guys of Testament went to Twitter to announce the album update, as guitarist Alex Skolnick wrote: "Another tune done! My riffs from last week [plus] some of [Testament guitarist Eric Peterson's plus] new ones we wrote today. Planning one more, then we've got more than we need." more on this story

The Doors' Jim Morrison Haunting Reported

(Gibson) Let's face it: The legacy of The Doors' Jim Morrison haunts us all. Morrison is one of the most iconic frontman in history, with a deep, resounding voice, with which he crooned and sang his beautifully poetic librettos. Classic songs "Light My Fire," "Hello, I Love You" and "Touch Me," roam not only on classic rock radio, but in the sounds of countless rock and roll bands that have sprung up years after his untimely death in 1971.

So it should come as no surprise that reports are surfacing that Morrison, literally, is haunting an abode in Washington, D.C.

According to a Washington Post blog by Tom Jackman, reporter Peggy Fox from Washington, D.C. news station WUSA is revisiting Morrison's old hangouts, including an Arlington, Virginia, house on North 28th Street in which he once lived. One resident says Morrison "lay down on the bed next to her several times" after his death. more on this story

Muse Aim for Space

(Gibson) Muse, who this past week won the prestigious International Achievement award at the Ivor Novello Awards in London, want to play music in outer space.

According to the Sun newspaper, lead singer Matt Bellamy said at the function: "We wanna be the first band to play there. We gave Richard Branson one of our songs for an airline advert, so we've got our foot in the door."

Before that Bellamy is expecting a child with his actress fiancée Kate Hudson, something he's already working into the new album. Bellamy told the Daily Mirror: "I'm already getting the vibraphone out and the Wurlitzer – these nice sort of twinkling high nice sort of mellow sounds that makes the baby kick and stuff. So I've got a feeling I'll incorporate those sounds into the next album a little bit." more on this story

Paul Rodgers Honored

(hennemusic) Paul Rodgers was honored for his outstanding contribution to British music at the prestigious Ivor Novello Awards, held on Wednesday in London.

The Ivors are presented annually to celebrate, honour and reward excellence in British music writing. The awards either celebrate artistic excellence in a specific work, exceptional performance figures in the award year or recognize the outstanding achievements of a particular songwriter or composer throughout their career.

Rodgers received the award from Chris Blackwell, founder of Island Records, the first label to sign Paul and his band Free. more on this story

Seasick Steve Joined By Led Zeppelin Star For TV Appearance

(hennemusic) Seasick Steve was tearing it up again on Later with Jools Holland, only this time he had some extra help: John Paul Jones sat in on bass.

Steve was joined by the Led Zeppelin legend for a couple of tunes on this week's BBC show while out promoting the May 30 release of his new album, "You Can't Teach An Old Dog New Tricks."

Steve's signed to UK record label Play It Again Sam, who release his albums everywhere except in the US, where they are distributed by Jack White's Third Man Records; White brought Steve to SXSW in Austin earlier this year. Check it out

Live Van Halen Recording from 1976 Posted Online

(The Metal Den) For the 9,000th post at TMD's site, a true gem has been obtained to celebrate the big milestone…

Enhanced concert audio of early Van Halen performing "House of Pain" at the Starwood in Hollywood, California back on June 30, 1976.

Here the listener will be treated to the original Van Halen lineup in all its former glory, featuring bassist Michael Anthony, lead guitarist Eddie Van Halen, drummer Alex Van Halen and lead vocalist David Lee Roth. more on this story

SSS Recruit Napalm Death Frontman For New Album

Napalm Death frontman Barney Greenway will appear as a guest vocalist on SSS's new album, Problems To The Answer.

Greenway performs guest vocals on the tracks "The Kill Floor", "Here Comes The Neighbourhood" and "Roar". PROBLEMS TO THE ANSWER is due to be released in Europe on June 6th and in North America on July 12th.

Napalm Death frontman Barney Greenway comments on his guest appearance: "Foxy really knows his musical onions and when he had some parts for me to do, I knew it was going to be a gas. The main part had a Discharge-y feel to it, so I was sold on that instantly. Went in, shouted, went home. No f**king about. Good stuff." more on this story

Vinnie Appice Reflects on Early Ronnie James Dio Memories in Black Sabbath

(Gibson) One year ago this past week, Ronnie James Dio passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer. Drummer Vinnie Appice had played with Dio, off and on, since the early 1980s, when Appice replaced Bill Ward in Black Sabbath. Most recently, Appice and Dio toured and recorded together with Heaven & Hell, a reformation of the early '80s Sabs. Appice spoke with Noisecreep recently about his early days with the band and his memories of the legendary metal singer.

"Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Ronnie Dio – you're talking about three legends right there," Appice said. "Even though I played with them on and off since 1980, there was still something special about looking over and seeing them on stage with me. I felt lucky to have played with them."

Appice recalled his first meeting with the band: "I got a call from Paul Clark, Black Sabbath's tour manager, telling me that they were looking for a new drummer. I was in Los Angeles at the time, so I went over to the Sunset Marquis and met with him. We were in the middle of our conversation when Tony Iommi came into the room. We hit it off immediately and started joking around with each other. He then told me to meet him the next day at S.I.R. Studios to jam with him and the rest of the Sabbath guys.

"I remember walking in and seeing Geezer and Ronnie and feeling really intimidated. I was still pretty young at that point, and knowing that these guys I was about to play with already had done huge things definitely made me a bit nervous. But I didn't let it get in the way of what I was supposed to do, so I hopped on the drums and we kicked ass together. We clicked and they asked me to join shortly after that." more on this story

The Revere Set New Release

(Rock Ridge) The Revere will be releasing "Ashia," on June 14, 2011 exclusively via Amazon.com.

"Ashia" was recorded at both Shorefire Studios in New Jersey and at the home studio of mixer Dave Pittenger (Allison Weiss, Julia Price, Martin Rivas), and was produced by Jason Spiewak (Benjy Davis Project, Pat McGee, Chris Volz).

Says Spiewak: "We are excited to reach all of those who downloaded the band's first album, 'The Great City,' thru Amazon. The band's sound has become more defined and gelled – with this collection of tunes, I think they've arrived." more on this story

Nickelback frontman Ordered To Pay Ex-Tra

(Rock News Desk) Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger has been ordered to pay his former partner $25,000 a month in support payments, after she argued $10,000 wasn't enough.

Kroeger and Marianna Goriuk split in 2009 after nearly seven years together, during which time the musician's income exploded towards last year's figure of $9.7m a year.

When their common-law relationship ended he agreed to make payments, but she took him to court in Vancouver to demand more – including $5100 per month for pet care including a horse he bought for her for her birthday. more on this story

Warrant's Cherry Pie Tale

(RockAAA) Warrant bassist Jerry Dixon admits the mega success of their 1990 smash hit 'Cherry Pie' even caught the band by surprise – especially as it was written and recorded in a matter of days in a bid to satisfy their label bosses.

They had wrapped up and turned in their album to the label but were urged to add one more song – a sing-along anthem – which turned out to be the famous 'Cherry Pie' track which became the band's most well known song.

Former singer Jani Lane has gone on record in the past claiming he REGRETTED writing the song but Dixon disputes that as he recalls the way the song came around. Dixon told RockAAA: "That was our old singer who said that and I think he regretted saying it, as that was one of our biggest songs. I guess what he meant to say was that song, and the way it came about, was a total afterthought. more on this story

. Iggy Pop - Roadkill Rising... The Bootleg Collection 1977-2009

Listening to Roadkill Rising is like pulling an all-nighter with the Godfather of Punk, and as far as that unpredictability factor goes, how about wrapping things up with a cover of the chestnut Willow Weep for Me? Brilliant. (4 stars) - Read the full Iggy Pop - Roadkill Rising... The Bootleg Collection 1977-2009 review