Van Halen Using Backing Tapes In Concert?

Sammy didn't stop there. "I just don't see Van Halen getting together again," said the Red Rocker. "I don't know what would have to happen for it to happen. I don't think they're ever going to get together with Dave. They've been working on that record for a year and a half or whatever, and they keep postponing and postponing it." There is yet more here

Paul Stanley of KISS Has Vocal Chord Surgery

(Rock News Desk) KISS mainman Paul Stanley has had surgery on his vocal cords, it's been confirmed.

The singer and guitarist, 59, underwent a procedure on Tuesday and experts say he's on course to make a quick and full recovery.

He tells fans: "I hold myself to a higher standard than others do. With that in mind, I wanted to remedy a few mint issues that come with 40 years of preaching rock'n'roll." more on this story

Anthrax Tour Roadie Violently Beaten

(Rock News Desk) The mother of a popular metal roadie has appealed for help after he was hospitalised in a violent attack while on the road with Anthrax.

Dane Wolf was part of the crew working on the current tour with support act Death Angel when he was seriously assaulted in Denver, Colorado, last week, sustaining a fractured skull and further serious injuries.

Now he's facing medical bills and travelling costs, and he's also out of pocket through not being able to work following the violent attack. more on this story

Sammy Hagar Offers To Manage Reunited Guns N' Roses

(Rock News Desk) When Sammy Hagar first joined Van Halen he found his bandmates were working under poor contracts and renegotiated everyone's deals for them. Now he says he'd like to provide the same services to a reunited Guns N' Roses – if they ever get back together. But he accepts financial issues aren't what's keeping them apart.

"They've proved again and again and again that it ain't money. Axl goes out for a lot less money with his version of Guns N' Roses, and Slash goes out for a lot less money with Velvet Revolver or by himself.

"The amount of money they could make if they got it all back together, made a great record and toured the world would probably be as much as the Rolling Stones," Hagar says. "They could do it. I would manage them – I'd be their manager and make sure they got the right deal from all the promoters. They could be the biggest band in the world if they wanted to." more on this story

Steven Tyler Back In The Saddle After Hospitalization

(hennemusic) Steven Tyler returned to the stage Wednesday night in Paraguay, a day after a shower accident at his hotel cost him some teeth, a black eye and a day's delay in rocking Asuncion.

Early fans reports and video suggest Tyler was back in fine form, seemingly much improved over his performance in Lima, Peru on Saturday.

For his part, Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry updated fans on his singer's status early Wednesday: "Happy Steven is feeling better today. He's a real trooper. Aerosmith is playing the show in Paraguay tonight." See video here

Marillion Announce Rare American Tour Dates

We received big news for Marillion fans in North America, the band has announced a 13 date North American Tour that will take place next summer.

Here are the details we were sent: Having maintained a continuous touring schedule through the rest of the world, as well as the high profile Marillion Convention Weekend events, this will be the band's first visit to the US since 2004.

The tour will hit several cities across North America, with 2-consecutive-night events planned in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. To mark the occasion of these special events, Marillion will be performing different set-lists over the consecutive shows in these cities. Fans travelling to these destinations will witness unique sets as the band set-up camp in select markets. more on this story

Fair to Midland Lose Member and Cancel Evanescence Tour

(Banana 101.5) At their show in Denton, Texas on Monday, Fair to Midland announced that it was their last show with bassist of seven years — Jon Dicken.

Fair to Midland will be postponing their overseas November tour dates — where they would have been the opening act for Evanescence — according to their official statement regarding the bassists departure:

"Cancellation Statement: After 7 amazing years of playing with Fair To Midland, our bassist Jon Dicken has decided it was time for him to move on. We appreciate his hard work and dedication to the band, we love him, and wish him the best in all his future endeavors. Moving forward, we are excited to continue touring and making music. However..." read the rest here

New Rammstein Release Coming Next Month

Rammstein have announced the November 11th release of "Mein Land," the first single from the Rammstein retrospective Made In Germany 1995-2011.

The "Mein Land" single will be available as a four-track release via iTunes with an unreleased song, "Vergiss Uns Nicht," as well as remixes from BossHoss and Mogwai accompanied by the Jonas Akerlund directed video for "Mein Land" and a digital booklet.

The Amazon version will be "Mein Land" and the two remixes. The video for "Mein Land" will premiere on Rammstein.com on Nov. 11.

A release date for Made in Germany 1995-2011 will be announced shortly.

Rush Preview Time Machine DVD With Tom Sawyer Clip

(hennemusic) Rush fans are counting the days until the new, "Time Machine 2011: Live in Cleveland," DVD is released on November 8.

The new set, recorded at Cleveland's Quicken Loans Arena back in April, captures Rush in full flight, including an entire performance of their 1981 classic, "Moving Pictures."

"We realized that we've recorded almost all of our DVDs abroad," Rush frontman Geddy Lee tells Rolling Stone. "And we had never done one in America, and we noticed we were doing Cleveland on the last leg of the tour. We thought it was an appropriate choice seeing as Cleveland's such an important town in our history. It was the first city that was ever warm to us. We thought it would be kind of apropos to come full circle and do that particular show there."

Watch a preview of "Tom Sawyer" from the new package here.

Eddie Money, Lou Gramm and Mickey Thomas Winter Tour

Eddie Money, Lou Gramm (the voice of Foreigner) and Mickey Thomas of Starship are teaming up for the 2011 Jingle Bell Rock tour.

The trekkicks off the day after Thanksgiving on Friday, November 25, and runs through mid-December.

Were is the promo we received about the tour: The concert event promises to be a one-of-a-kind, "must-see" as Eddie, Lou and Mickey sing the classics they've become known for such as "Take Me Home Tonight," "Two Tickets To Paradise," "I Want To Know What Love Is," "Jukebox Hero," "We Built This City," "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now,"and many more. more on this story

Dio Made James Durban A Metal Head

(hennemusic) For the time being, he'll be referred to as the "American Idol rocker," but James Durbin was rocking long before he hit the Idol stage.

"I just remember being a kid, driving around with my mom, and then Dio's 'Holy Diver' came on the radio and it changed everything," Durbin tells Noisecreep. "It was the first time I had ever heard a metal song. I loved it right away. From there, I just wanted to learn as much about music as I could. Eventually, I found the artists that I liked more and stuck with those. I'm talking about Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Dio, Motley Crue — you know, the classics."

At some point, James morphed from being a fan to starting a band.

"I've always showed an interest for music of all kinds, so they might have thought that the metal thing was just a phase," he laughs. "When I was a teenager, I even started a metal band called Leviathan. I've always wanted to be a professional musician. Look, metal isn't the kind of music my mom would listen to, but she's always been supportive nonetheless. more on this story

X Factor Back Down In Name Battle

(Rock News Desk) Producers of TV gameshow The X Factor have backed out of a legal battle over their use of a charity name for one of their pop acts.

Tens of thousands of people showed their support for the Rhythmix children's music organisation after a girl group on the show, owned by Simon Cowell, also decided to call themselves Rhythmix. When the charity tried to discuss the issue, pointing out their name was trademarked, Cowell's spokesman told them: "Get a lawyer."

The Brighton-based charity also took the producers' advice and spoke to legal counsel – and now The X Factor has bowed out of a battle they were almost certain to lose. more on this story

Joe Satriani Keeps it Simple In Chickenfoot

(Rock News Desk) Joe Satriani says there are no superstar issues in Chickenfoot – and there's no need for him to overplay on the band's recordings.

The guitarist explains: "The sound we make as a unit is so delicious. To me, playing all over a recording is a dated style. If you put on a guitar and you were playing with Michael Anthony and Chad Smith, you'd understand that you want to be part of it and not on top of it.

"Ultimately, it makes for a larger sound when you have everyone joining forces rather than someone trying to be the superstar." (Sleaze Roxx) More rock news

Evans Blue Frontman Says New Album Will Show Growth

(Banana 101.5) Evans Blue vocalist Dan Chandler recently sat down to talk about the growth of the band, his songwriting methods, and what fans can expect from their upcoming album which may be out before the end of the year.

In a video posted on their label's (Sights+Sounds) YouTube Channel, Chandler explains how the band's friendships have helped to strengthen their sound on the new record:

"Since the last record, we've grown a ton as a band. The chemistry between each member, the friendships, the relationships that we've gone through with each other — the more we've experienced, the more we get to know about each other. I think the new record is gonna show a lot of that, a lot of the time we've put in with each other…on the road, because we did a lot of that." more on this story

Jimmy Page's Haunted House Curator Dies

(Rock News Desk) Malcolm Dent, the curator of Jimmy Page's haunted house, has died after a long illness at 67.

Dent moved to the Highlands with Page in 1971 when the Led Zeppelin guitarist bought Boleskine House – the former home of occultist Aleister Crowley.

Dent ran the property for 20 years, during which he claimed to have witnessed paranormal activity including furniture moving by itself. more on this story

Garbage Changing Their Tune?

(Rock News Desk) Garbage drummer Butch Vig wanted to abandon traditional rock sounds when producing the band's new album.

It will be their first since 2005 and is set to feature a new, unfamiliar sound, far from records that he has produced before, including Nirvana's Nevermind.

He says: "There are lots of elements of things we've always loved: noisy guitars, big electronic beats and atmospheric film moments. more on this story

Pinback Announce Record Store Day Exclusive

Pinback will release a couple more new songs in the form of Information Retrieved Pt. B.

A companion to the instantly sold-out Record Store Day-exclusive Information Retrieved Pt. A, Pt. B is packaged in the same kind kind of stunning screenprinted evidence bag artwork that made Pt. A such an RSD favorite.

Featuring two brand new and exclusive songs, Information Retrieved Pt. B is strictly limited to a one-time pressing of 2,000 copies. more on this story

The Kooks Coming To America

(EMI) The Kooks will return to the U.S. for the North American leg of their world tour starting on November 15th at the Trocadero in Philadelphia and making stops across the nation.

On the road in support of their September 13th Astralwerks Records release Junk of the Heart, the Kooks have already sold out eight shows including stops in New York, Boston, DC, Chicago, and San Francisco.

In conjunction with their U.S. tour, the band will include a free mp3 download of the track "Junk Of The Heart (Happy)" with each ticket sold online and access to an exclusive version of the digital album with an acoustic bonus track of "Rosie" more on this story

In Flames Getting Remixed

In Flames have set a November 15th release date for the 2nd digital single "Where The Dead Ships Dwell" off their new album Sounds Of A Playground Fading.

In Flames was not shy of taking a new approach to their song "Where The Dead Ships Dwell" and went to extremes with the diverse partners that turned in three completely different remixes. With versions by German rapper CASPER, drum and bass act THE QEMISTS and KRISTOF BATHORY, vocalist of the black metal band DAWN OF ASHES, there should be something everyone can enjoy.

"The songs have already been made and the originals are as good as they can be, but what if I give them to an artist from a whole different genre, what would be there take on it?" Says IN FLAMES vocalist Anders Fridén. "I love collaborations like this and all the artists we worked with have done an awesome job. It's not meant to be taken dead serious and it's not how In Flames is gonna sound next, but I love it and I hope you'll enjoy a twist to the formula." more on this story

ZZ Top in Space

We were sent over a link to a video of conversation between ZZ Top's Dusty Hill who dropped by NASA Mission Control in Houston during a break in ZZ Top's tour schedule, to chat with his buddy Astronaut Commander Michael Fossum, now aboard the International Space Station.

Back in April, ZZ Top sent "Flyin' High," a song from the band's forthcoming (as yet untitled) album to Mike while on the launch pad aboard the Soyuz spacecraft and it made it's world wide (universe-wide?) debut during the flight to the ISS.

In the video you'll see Fossum along with Russian cosmonaut Segei Vokov and Satoshi Furukawa of Japan's JAXA space agency who were on the Soyuz flight with Fossum for the "Flyin' High" debut. Dusty's wife "Chuck" (Charlene) and ZZ Top tour manager Pablo Gamboa are also seen and heard chatting with Mike in this clip. The reference to "Aggie" is a reflection of the fact that both Chuck and Mike are Texas A&M alums. Check it out here

Jeff Healey Boxed Set Coming

(Kayos) Eagle Rock will celebrate the life of Jeff Healey (1966-2008) with the November 1 release of Full Circle: The Live Anthology, a boxed set containing three CDs and one DVD.

Known as one of the great guitar players of his generation, Healey, blind since age one, played the guitar on his lap, pedal-steel style. His soulful vocals and instrumental dexterity criss-crossed genres with ease but his heart was firmly entrenched within the blues-rock tradition.

Three complete concerts, captured in stunning aural clarity (Dolby Digital Stereo) are represented in this incredible set. In 1989, the Jeff Healey Band supported its See The Light debut album by performing at the prestigious Montreal Jazz Festival. In 1991, the band toured Switzerland appearing at the St. Gallen Open Air Festival (on CD and DVD in this set). In 1995, after achieving international fame, they returned home to Toronto for a rousing hero's welcome in front of a hometown crowd, in support of their Cover To Cover album. more on this story

Paul Rodgers Goes Canadian

Free and Bad Company legend Paul Rodgers was sworn in as a Canadian Citizen at a public ceremony in Surrey, B.C. last Friday October 21st The legendary.

A statement from Paul: It may not be my native land but Canada is surely now my home. While I'll always be an Englishman, Canada has given me so much for which I am grateful.

My wife, your former Miss Canada Cynthia Kereluk, a new and extended family and the chance to be truly free in a country that with its quiet strength combines the best of so many worlds. more on this story

Orange Goblin To Release New Album on Black Sabbath Anniversary

(Earsplit) Orange Goblin will release their brand new studio album, A Eulogy For The Damned, on Monday February 13, 2012 in the UK/rest of world and February 14, 2012 in the US.

This date is the same day as Black Sabbath released their self-titled debut album in 1970!

A Eulogy For The Damned is the band's seventh studio album but first for new label home, Candlelight Records. The ten-track offering was recorded at The Animal Farm studio in South London, UK, produced and engineered by Jamie Dodd and mastered by two-time Grammy-nominated Pink Floyd engineer Andy Jackson at Tube Mastering. A Eulogy For The Damned will be released on CD and limited edition colored vinyl in gatefold sleeve. more on this story

Lynyrd Skynyrd BBQ & Beer Eat 'N' Greet and Concert

(Sub) Lynyrd Skynyrd is kicking-off the Grand Opening of their first Southern barbecue, music and entertainment joint, "Lynyrd Skynyrd BBQ & Beer" this December at the Excalibur Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip.

The week-long celebration begins Thursday, December 1, 2011 with a series of rockin' live concerts, promotions, giveaways and of course, mouthwatering BBQ - all leading up to the exclusive Grand Opening on Thursday, December 8th.

The once-in-a–lifetime Grand Opening on Thursday, December 8th kicks-off with an "Eat 'N' Greet" luncheon with Lynyrd Skynyrd and Jeff Arnett, the 7th master distiller in Jack Daniel's 142-year history, followed by an intimate Lynyrd Skynyrd concert that evening. more on this story

Singled Out: Acidic's Uninspired

Today Mike Gossard from Acidic tells us about "Uninspired" from their new album "Chronic Satisfaction". Here is the story:

In the grand scheme of things "Uninspired" is more than a track to us. It came out of the biggest period of indecision I've ever encountered in my time as an artist. We were in the middle of an inner battle as to which producer we were going to have put their spin on our album. There was quite a bit of strife built up as far as this issue is concerned just because the creative process is so vitally important to being a band. It was in all this that I realized that I was forgetting the music and had shrugged off many ideas because of the pressure to have a perfect riff. I was approached with this song, "Uninspired." It was an idea in progress that hadn't taken much shape and needed some work. I sat down with it and really analyzed what made it pop. I finished the arrangement and the story of the song is that the message it conveys really hit home with me.

I had just been in the most stressful relationship I've ever been in, and all of the constant mental buffeting had left me with an apathy towards songwriting and a general confusion when trying to construct an arrangement. I was left, literally, "Uninspired" and it took a lot of touring and general self-diagnostics to alleviate that tension. The song is a testament to what can happen if an ongoing mental tragedy is left to habituate and drain away all the creative space in one's consciousness. "Uninspired" isn't just a song. It's a period in my life and it left me with a heightened sense of purpose as an artist as well as having left an indelible impression on my psyche, especially on tour.

Apart from that, every time we play the song live, something crazy always seems to go down, whether it is an unlimited bar tab, or some crazy incident happening in front of the club we're playing in. The song has a very strange magic in it.

Hearing is believing. Now that you know the story behind the song, check out a live video of it right here!

Wait there is more!