Guitarist Killed By Bandmate

The band's singer Ernest Munoz told last week how Sorden had first attacked him outside the venue. As he lay on the ground Span stepped in to stop the fight. But Sorden hit him too. Munoz said: "Blood spattered on my arms and I knew there was something really serious about this." more on this story

Anthrax Singer Tackled On Stage

(Rock News Desk) Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian is furious after singer Joey Belladonna was forced to the ground by a security guard during their show in LA on Saturday.

The band were 90 minutes into their show when Belladonna went to put his arm round a fan who'd managed to make his way onto the stage. A bouncer climbed onto the stage and threw himself at the fan, taking the singer down with them. Belladonna remained at the bottom of the scrum as more guards joined in.

Bassist Frank Bello was the first member of the band to stop playing as the violent episode continued. He screamed abuse at the overzealous guard as the rest of Anthrax ground to a halt. more including video

Poison's Hits Were Stolen?

(hennemusic) Poison have been hit with a lawsuit that claims four of the band's songs were stolen from another group.

The Hollywood Reporter says the lawsuit, filed Wednesday in Illinois federal court, is over some of the band's old hits, including "Talk Dirty To Me," "I Won't Forget You," "Fallen Angel" and "Ride the Wind."

The plaintiffs in this new case are Billy McCarthy and James Stonich, who were members of a Chicago band known as Kid Rocker, a group formerly signed to Atlantic Records and is said to have been a favorite on the Hollywood club scene in the early-1980s. During those years, they created a number of songs, including "Hit and Run" and "Wham Bam Slammin' Romance," which are said to have later been incorporated by Poison in their own work. more on this story

Paul Rodgers Open To Queen Reunion

(Gibson) After hearing that Queen drummer Roger Taylor had suggested a reunion for the 2012 Olympics in London, singer Paul Rodgers said, "I would be open to something like that."

"I must say, [Queen + Paul Rodgers] did great. I think we did fantastically well," Rodgers told Billboard (viaUltimate Classic Rock). "We were up against potential disaster, really, and I think we really pulled it off. Toured the world a couple of times. Made a brand new studio album (2008's The Cosmos Rocks). I just didn't want to do it forever…but for something like (the Olympics), that would be ideal."

In the meantime, Rodgers is working on a book that would cover his 43-year career in music, working in bands such as Free, Bad Company and The Firm. more on this story

Dee Snider, Clay Aiken, Debbie Gibson, Penn and Mr. Sulu for Celebrity Apprentice

(Gibson) Veteran rock singer Dee Snider, of Twisted Sister, will be one in a throng of luminaries competing to be Donald Trump's next Celebrity Apprentice. Snider was spotted in New York filming a challenge for the new season, which won't air for a few months, according to Reuters.

Snider's not the only music star to be involved in this edition of the reality show, in which the winner receives money to donate to their charity of choice.

Other contestants include American Idol favorite Clay Aiken, singer Debbie Gibson and singer Aubrey O'Day. Lou Ferrigno (The Incredible Hulk), Tia Carrere (Wayne's World) George Takei (Star Trek), Penn Jillette (Penn and Teller), Adam Carolla and Arsenio Hall are among the non-musical celebrities involved. more on this story

Black Sabbath Reunion Complicated

(Rock News Desk) Black Sabbath have rehearsed together with a view to reuniting, guitarist Tony Iommi has confirmed. But while they'd love to get back to work, he says it's not as simple as that – and they're all concerned with the project backfiring.

Iommi was angered when news of the reunion surfaced in August following a conversion he had with a journalist two months previously. He didn't deny he, Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward had got together, but said he'd been "merely speculating."

Now he tells Planet Rock: "There's no definite decision on anything at the moment, but at least it's going. We're talking." He has more to say here

Rolling Stones 50th Anniversary Regroup Possible

(Gibson) Keith Richards has tossed out some hope to fans wanting to see The Rolling Stones reconvene next year for a 50th anniversary tour. In a just-published interview with GQ, Richards said down-time from the Stones is a bit like "being in purgatory." "Next year is sort of up for grabs," he said. "It's almost an overwhelming power – it'll be 50 years. So there's that sort of pressure. If I can pull them together, I'm there."

Richards also brushed aside less-than-flattering revelations he made about Mick Jagger in his book, Life. "Life's life," he said. "I really don't want to go into it anymore, because what is in the book is in the book, and the fact is that Mick and I still talk and are still working together. So maybe that was another balance that needed to be sorted out. Mick and me, two guys divided by love."

Richards is currently rehearsing new material with his other band, the X-Pensive Winos. "I hardly played [guitar] at all for two years," he revealed. "I'm sort of basically recovering from the book, and this is my therapy at the moment. In the process of doing it, my chops are coming back." more on this story

Danko Jones Slams Metallica and Lou Reed's Lulu

(hennemusic) Now that the forthcoming Lou Reed and Metallica album, "Lulu," is available for streaming, fans and fellow rockers alike have the opportunity to sample the project and decide whether or not they want to weigh in on one of the strangest collaborations in recent years.

Toronto rocker Danko Jones is stepping into it and letting fans know where he stands on "Lulu," with a series of tweets over the weekend

"The Metallica/Lou Reed album is the 'Ishtar' of Rock 'N' Roll." Jones tweets. "The Metallica/Lou Reed album is the 'Waterworld' of Rock N' Roll." As if that didn't make his point, he then tweeted: "The Metallica/Lou Reed album is the 'Battlefield Earth' of Rock N' Roll." What did he say next?

Drug Bust Derails Dance Gavin Dance

(Rock News Desk) Dance Gavin Dance have been forced onto hiatus after drug addict singer Jonny Craig was jailed for new offences relating to his substance abuse.

The band stuck behind him after he scammed over $8000 from a number of his fans by pretending to sell them a laptop. He later admitted he'd sold the same non-existent machine to a number of people and spent the money on drugs.

He was arrested last week in California on two counts of illegal drug use, two counts of possession and one count of failing to appear in court. Bail was set at $15,000. In the light of the development Dance Gavin Dance say: "We regret to inform everyone that due to circumstances beyond our control, we have been forced to cancel our upcoming tour. more on this story

Aerosmith Kick Off Tour

(hennemusic) Aerosmith are back on the road, kicking off their South American tour Saturday night in Lima, Peru.

El Comercio.pe says more than 30,000 fans went wild at the concert, the first of 8 stops in the region.

The 16-song set was noticeably short of Aerosmith staples, including "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing," "Dream On" and "Love In An Elevator" all not being performed at the show. Check out video from the show here

Stone Roses Reunion Selling Out

(hennemusic) It would be an understatement to suggest The Stones Roses are hot again – they're on fire.

The BBC reports the band have sold out three nights at Manchester's Heaton Park after announcing their reunion, earlier this week.

On Friday, the first two shows sold out in just 14 minutes, with a third date added shortly afterwards. more on this story

Ace Frehley Plans Book Tour

(hennemusic) It's 2011 and rockers still head out on tour – now, they're book-signing events, not full-on rock shows.

Ozzy Osbourne and Tony Iommi are currently on the circuit, and now former KISS guitarist Ace Frehley joins the crowded schedule at book stores across the nation.

Frehley's autobiography, "No Regrets: A Rock N' Roll Memoir," gets published on November 1. Co-written by New York Times journalist Joe Layden, the book is being billed as "a funny, truthful, candid memoir about a hard-drinking, drug-addicted, music-loving guitar player who lived life as a rock star and survived to tell the tale." more on this story

Chickenfoot To Rock Kimmel

(hennemusic) Chickenfoot plays a week of live shows on The Road Test Tour, as they break-in drummer Kenny Aronoff, who's filling in for Chad Smith, now on the road with the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Chickenfoot will play shows in San Francisco (Nov 1), Los Angeles, (Nov 2), St. Louis, (Nov 4), Chicago (Nov 5) and New York (Nov 8).

Squeezed into the plans is a performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!; Chickenfoot will be on the show the night of Thursday, November 3. more on this story

Slipknot Scored Best Debut in 25 Years

(hennemusic) Readers of UK rock magazine Metal Hammer have overwhelmingly named Slipknot's 1999 self-titled disc the Best Metal Debut in the past 25 years.

Over 16,000 fans participated in the special 25th Anniversary Poll, with Slipknot taking about a third of all votes – ahead of debuts from the likes of Guns N' Roses, Korn, Machine Head and Pantera.

Slipknot recently played the Rock In Rio festival, on a bill headlined by Metallica. more on this story

Santana Headed Back To School Today

(Gibson) Today (October 24), Carlos Santana will return to his high school alma mater, San Francisco's Mission High, to deliver a special presentation.

Following a talk with students gathered in the school assembly, Santana and members of his band (including his drummer-wife, Cindy) will take the stage at the school theater, which contains 1,750 folding wooden seats. Members of Mission High's Guitar Club will perform alongside Santana, and 15 Guitar Club members will be presented with guitars, courtesy of the non-profit organization, Little Kids Rock.

Currently operating in 24 cities, Little Kids Rock has donated more than 35,000 free instruments, resources and lessons to school children in under-served public schools throughout the country. The organization is part of the Milagro Foundation, a publicly supported foundation that Santana established in 1998. Santana attended Mission High as a student 45 years ago. more on this story

Scott Weiland Christmas Album Coming Tomorrow

(superLOUD) It's a little early to be talking about Christmas, isn't it? Wait, Scott Weiland??? The Stone Temple Pilots / Velvet Revolver frontman?

Yes, it's true. Coming tomorrow is a X-Mas album of Scott Weiland crooning his way through 10 classics, such as "I'll Be Home For Christmas," "Silent Night," "Sex Type Thing," and "Winter Wonderland." Okay, I'm kidding about one of those songs, but not about the album.

Scott Weiland's Christmas album, It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year, will be available starting October 24th on Rhino Records. more on this story

Legendary Dylan, Joplin and George Harrison Photographer Dies

(Gibson) Photographer Barry Feinstein, the man responsible for such iconic album cover-shots as Bob Dylan's The Times They Are A-Changin', Janis Joplin's Pearl and George Harrison's All Things Must Pass, died on October 20 in upstate New York, of natural causes. He was 80.

Feinstein's photos of Dylan during Dylan's 1966 electric tour remain some of the best-known images of the legendary singer-songwriter. Following his work with Dylan, Feinstein went on to shoot numerous album covers, including the infamous "dirty toilet" image used on The Rolling Stones' 1968 masterpiece, Beggars Banquet.

Feinstein's agent, Dave Brolan, said Feinstein was known for his integrity and modesty. "Barry would never tell you about anyone," Brolan said. "He'd never tell you a Dylan story or anything personal. He would never talk about himself. It was a hard push to get him to say anything about his work. He'd just say, 'Look at the pictures, good luck.'" more on this story

Spare Rolling Stones Song Set For Release

(Gibson) The forthcoming reissue of The Rolling Stones' classic 1978 album, Some Girls, will include a recently unearthed track that will also be released as a single.

As reported by Reuters, producer Don Was discovered the recording, which was made by the Stones while they were working on Some Girls in Paris. The song, titled "No Spare Parts," features Mick Jagger on electric piano, Keith Richards on acoustic piano, Ron Wood on pedal steel guitar, Charlie Watts on drums and Bill Wyman on bass, according to Universal Republic Records. The label went on to say the recording was produced by engineer Chris Kimsey in early 1978, and that it features a "country guitar twang, subtle groove and soulful storytelling."

Upon its original release, Some Girls re-established the Stones as a force to be reckoned with, following a period of relatively lackluster albums. The reissue, which will come in a variety of deluxe formats, is set for release on November 21. more on this story

James Durbin Album Details and Double Single Release

We were sent the following info and track list for American Idol finalist James Durbin's debut album Memories Of A Beautiful Disaster which will be released on November 21st:

He is giving fans a taste of what's to come as he reveals the track list and first two singles from the debut. The lead single "Stand Up" will go to rock radio and "Love Me Bad" will go to Top 40.

Unforgettable performances on the Idol stage with legends such as Judas Priest and Zakk Wylde led Durbin's own "Idols" to support the rocker's first ever release. more on this story

New Video Game Uses Real Guitars

(superLOUD) For fans of the Guitar Hero and Rock Band series, there's a new rhythm game in stores with a major difference. Instead of performing button presses on a piece of plastic, Rocksmith allows users to plug in actual guitars.

This means that if you get good at the game, you'll be learning how to play guitar in real life. For actual musicians, there should be little learning curve.

They can simply plug their existing guitar in to their PS3 or XBox 360 and start rocking out. more on this story

Noel Gallagher Wants Supergroup With Johnny Marr and Paul Weller

(Gibson) Noel Gallagher says he likes the idea of his own supergroup. Commenting about Mick Jagger's recent all-star project with SuperHeavy (Joss Stone, Eurythmics' Dave Stewart, Bob Marley's son Damian and composer A.R. Rahman).

The Oasis star told TheQuietus.com, "I'd love to do a supergroup as long as it wasn't like SuperHeavy. (Expletive) ridiculous. You know, me, Johnny Marr, Mani, and Paul Weller. That would be great."

Gallagher also talked about his issues with brother Liam: ""I'll tell you what really annoys me – when I read about 'the warring brothers'. I'm not at war with anyone. I'm just trying to get on with my f**king thing." more on this story

Singled Out: Vangough's Drained

Today Clay Withrow from Vangough tells us about "Drained" from their brand new album "Kingdom of Ruin," which hits stores tomorrow. Here is the story:

"Drained" was a very personal song that I wrote during a challenging transition in my life. Everyone has their muse or place of inspiration and for me it's no different. For me it happens once that warm water hits my neck, the steam comes surging through my lungs and my voices echoes like a demonic angel. That's right, the shower is my almighty inspiration and that's precisely where "Drained" was birthed. I might have been singing something completely different at the time, as is usually the case, but it evolved into something quite unique.

Unfortunately I didn't have my waterproof pencil and paper handy so I just sang the melody over and over until it was committed to memory (I find this to be a distinctly first world problem to have an idea hit the moment I step into the shower). As soon as I got out of the shower I went to work fleshing out the melody with a suitable harmony, mostly in Sibelius or Guitar Pro, can't remember which. After air drumming to the empty scaffolding of a song that was a mere melody with harmony I finally had the architectural blueprint for "Drained" (I pride myself on my air drumming ability).

The production was a long and exhausting process of trial and error as well. I had three different melody ideas for the opening verse that I just couldn't really decide on. I ended up going back and forth a number of times before resting on the final version that you hear on the album. I also remember Lopez, our drummer, adding a very cool rhythm to the opening phrase, which really sparked a lot of energy. Past those little nuggets of gossip there isn't much else to say on "Drained" other than it is fun as hell to play. It's kind of a grungy, sludgy and viscous kind of thing. It's about as close as we'll get to a Pantera-inspired metal groove without betraying our style I'd say. On top of that we put together a really creepy video about rabbits getting bloody revenge on some helpless victim. I like to think of it as our Clockwork Orange meets Donnie Darko meets Watership Down homage.

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

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