Guns N' Roses To Launch Appetite for Democracy On Halloween

The GNR camp promise that the 12 show run will be a "never-before-seen, one-of-a-kind music experience. Each night, the band will perform an electrifying show featuring a set list created exclusively for The Joint. Appetite for Democracy will span the band's biggest hits from their debut album Appetite for Destruction (1987) through their platinum-selling record Chinese Democracy (2008)." more on this story

Former Bulletboys Member Dies

(Classic Rock) Bulletboys frontman Marq Torien has announced the death of former drummer Robby Karras in a brief statement.

He was behind the kit for the hard rock outfit's 1995 release Acid Monkey, which forged a new direction for them as they fought to escape their "hair band" labelling.

No details relating to the death have been confirmed, although it's thought Karras had been ill for some time. more on this story

Fans Angry at Jaz Coleman Over Missing Stunt

(Classic Rock) Fans of Killing Joke have reacted in fury after suspecting they've been victims of a publicity stunt involving the alleged disappearance of frontman Jaz Coleman.

The band released a statement last month saying they were concerned for his welfare after he disappeared. That followed a post on the band's Facebook page, purportedly from Coleman, slamming future tourmates the Cult and the Mission, and leading to KJ being dropped from the tour.

On Sunday Coleman – who had an official Facebook page launched while he was believed to be missing – announced his reappearance and revealed three new products. Find out what that was all about and read the fan reaction

KISS Won't End When Paul Stanley Leaves?

(Classic Rock) KISS frontman Paul Stanley believes the day he's replaced in the band would be more than just a lineup change, it would be a victory. That's because it would prove he's been right all along about what the glam rock icons really are.

He and bandmate Gene Simmons have frequently discussed the possibility of Kiss continuing without any of the original or current members – but now the guitarist and vocalist has defined how important the move would be to him.

"I'm damn good at what I do; but do I think I'm the only person capable of doing it? Absolutely not. Can I envision a time when I won't be here any more? Absolutely," Stanley tells the San Diego Union-Tribune. "It's not tomorrow, or next week, but when it happens I would be celebratory, Because it would prove that I was right, that KISS is exactly what I believe it is: an ideal, a way of performing, a point of view." more on this story

Testament Lineup's Future Not Certain

(Classic Rock) Testament guitarist Eric Peterson doesn't believe the band's current lineup will survive if they should face hard times in the near future.

The only original member of the acclaimed thrash outfit admits there's some negative vibes between the five men who recorded well-received new album Dark Roots of Earth.

Long-time frontman Chuck Billy has been there since 1986, while guitarist Alex Skolnick and bassist Greg Christian have both left twice in the past. It's drummer Gene Hoglan's second stint. But Peterson is hopeful the positive response to their tenth record means the current lineup, which has been together for seven years, will hold. Read what he had to say.

Stone Sour Streaming Two New Songs

(Classic Rock) Corey Taylor put his band Stone Sour under pressure when he decided to record two albums while only having studio time for one. Did he push too hard? Decide for yourself with two new songs.

Gone Sovereign and Absolute Zero are taken from House of Gold and Bones Part I, due in October, while Part II will come out in May next year. But it's not just a double-album experience – the Slipknot frontman wants to offer much more.

He tells Rolling Stone: "It's a lot of moving pieces that are gonna tie together. There'll be a lot of content that's not in the album that'll be on the website. Everything will really kind of tie together and make it a really cool experience for the listener." Listen to the tracks here.

Fred Durst Says Limp Bizkit Were A Moment In Time And It's Over

Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst was brutally honest when Kerrang! magazine asked him why the band has played in other countries but they have avoided touring at home in North America.

The PRP excerpted the following part of the interview from the August 01st issue: "We don't play back home. We've boycotted America for many years now. I don't know, I just don't wanna go out like that. We did a few radio shows in 2010 for a friend and that was it. We haven't properly toured America since 2006.

"The reason? We just don't know what's going on in America. It's all about the new catchy thing and that's always changing. America is driven by record sales. It's the home of corporations. We're just Limp Bizkit, so we don't know how to do anything but Limp Bizkit."

He adds, "But here's the deal: say in 2000, there were 35 million people who connected to this band. Twelve years later, lots of those people have moved on. We were a moment in time and it's over." Read the PRP report here.

Iwrestledabearonce, Oceano, Vanna, Within The Ruins Tour

Iwrestledabearonce will be hitting the road in October for the North American leg of their headlining "Ruining Earth For Everybody" Tour.

They will be supported on the trek by Oceano, Vanna, Within The Ruins, The Plot In You and Surrounded By Monsters.

While the band issued the official word about the tour and provided the dates, there was no mention about who will be fronting the group on the trek (see related story about that here) and grab the tour dates here.

Lynyrd Skynyrd To Appear On Fox's Concert Series

Lynyrd Skynyrd sent over word that they will be performing live from New York City as part of the FOX & Friends "All American Concert Series" this Friday, August 17th during the 8am (ET) hour.

The concert is open to the public (corner of 48th St and 6th Avenue) with free food offered all morning from Famous Dave's BBQ.

This free live performance is the 13th of the 14-week outdoor concert series held in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, directly outside the FOX News studios (48th & 6th). more on this story

ZZ Top To Receive Living Legend Award

(Classic Rock) The Classic Rock Roll Of Honour enters its eighth year and is proud to announce the first of 2012's winners: ZZ Top. The biggest award of the night – Living Legend – will be presented to Texas' finest at our awards ceremony in November.

The eighth annual Orange Amplification Presents The Classic Rock Roll Of Honour in association with currencies.co.uk will take place at London's Roundhouse on Tuesday, November 13.

The Living Legend Award has become one of the most coveted awards in the music industry. It is only ever awarded to those artists who have truly cemented their place in the rock pantheon – with past winners including Jeff Beck, Alice Cooper, Jimmy Page, Lemmy, Ozzy Osbourne and Iggy Pop. more on this story

Don McLean Documentary and Album Coming Next Month

The new authorized documentary, Don McLean: American Troubadour, is set for release on September 11, 2012, along with a new retrospective compilation album. Webster sent over these details:

McLean granted unprecedented access and interviews for the film, revealing his personal account of a career spanning over four decades and performing songs that have become integral parts of American pop culture.

Don McLean: American Troubadour also features over 15 live performances including "American Pie," "Vincent," "Crying" and "And I Love You So" along with extensive commentary by historian and Rolling Stone journalist Douglas Brinkley, interviews with other artists such as Brian Wilson and REM's Mike Mills, footage of McLean on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and performances of his songs by Elvis Presley and Fred Astaire (who inspired "Wonderful Baby"). On the same date, a double CD of McLean's biggest hits will also be released. Also titled Don McLean: American Troubadour, the CD set will include live performances as well as a special duet of "And I Love You So" With Nanci Griffith. more on this story

Neil Peart Explains The Concept for Rush's Clockwork Angels

(hennemusic) Rush are getting set to launch their "Clockwork Angels" tour, which kicks off in Manchester, NH. on September 7. In a new interview with Canada's Maclean's magazine, Rush drummer and lyricist Neil Peart shares some thoughts on the upcoming tour and talks about the concept of the new album.

"This started as a simple [idea]—the steampunk image and aesthetic I liked, I suggested to the guys as the basis for some kind of extended work," explains Peart. "It built up to [the album] piece by piece by organic expansion. All the music was created by [bassist] Geddy [Lee] and [guitarist] Alex [Lifeson] jamming in the studio, and many of the lyrics were just extemporized over email."

"There's so much life experience in this story—it's not just a far-blown fantasy," he continues. "'Wish Them Well' [offers] a very mature response to the world that it took me a long time to learn. In a lot of our early stuff, my lyrical inspiration was anger, for sure. [laughs] There's still a lot I'm angry about, a lot of human behaviour that's appalling and despicable, but you choose what you can fight against. I always thought if I could just put something in words perfectly enough, people would get the idea and it would change things. That's a harmless conceit. With people too, you constantly think, 'If I'm nice to people and treat them well, they'll appreciate it and behave better.' They won't, but it's still not a bad way to live." He has more to say here.

Slash Wants To Rock Sesame Street

(Gibson) Slash has done it all: played in one of the most legendary rock bands of all time, shared the stage with Michael Jackson, paid tribute to Van Halen at that band's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, but there's one gig he's never been able to land: Sesame Street.

In an interview with Australia's Rip It Up magazine, the guitarist said, "Sesame Street have never approached me, though I would do it and I love kids. There's no way I'd ever turn Sesame Street down, but I don't know if parents would think I'm the best public influence on little kids."

It does bring up the question: what exactly would Slash play on Sesame Street? R.E.M. reworked "Shiny Happy People" as "Fuzzy Happy Monsters," Nora Jones changed "Don't Know Why" to "Don't Know Y" and even James Blunt got in on the action by changing "You're Beautiful" to "My Triangle." Perhaps "Sweet Child o' Nine" or perhaps new lyrics for "Welcome to the Jungle" about different types of jungle fauna? more on this story

Slayer For Tots

Iron Maiden and Metallica have both had their classic songs turned into lullabies, so the next logical band to have their music made tot friendly is Slayer.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Rock Star have released "Lullaby Versions of Slayer" featuring lush instrumental versions of 12 classic thrash tracks.

They say that fans can now share their love of metal with those little ears not quite ready for the amps cranked to 11.

Lullaby Versions of Slayer
South of Heaven
Seasons in the Abyss
Spill the Blood
World Painted Blood
Raining Blood
Disciple
Skeletons of Society
War Ensemble
Dead Skin Mask
Angel of Death
Hell Awaits
Black Magic

You can get Lullaby Versions of Slayer on iTunes

Dropkick Murphys Add More Fall Tour Dates

The Dropkick Murphys have extended their upcoming North American tour plans with dates that will run through November.

The band are hitting the road on September 14th for their "Halfway To St. Patrick's Day Tour" supported by a number of acts on tour, including Snapcase, Creepshow, Elle King, and The Devil Makes Three.

The new tour dates kick off on October 29th in Grand Rapids, and include a number of dates along the West Coast and the Mountain States. more on this story

Eddie Van Halen Releases His Latest Frankenstein Items

Eddie Van Halen has released his new EVH Frankenstein striped laceless slip on shoes and beach towels. Eddie's camp sent over these details:

Following the popularity and success of his striped tennis shoes, this newly updated, laceless version features cool "slip-on" wear ability with a stealthy "blackout" toe cap and sole for looks that are sure to draw compliments. The new design is available in all three EVH stripe color themes.

High quality 100% cotton construction with a plush feel is the appeal of the new Frankenstein striped beach towel. Perfect for any outdoor occasion - beach, pool or picnic, there will be no mistaking whose colors you're loyal to when you take this towel along with you to the event. Check them out here

B Sides

Iron Maiden Hockey

(hennemusic) Nashville Predators backup goalie Chris Mason has unveiled a new mask for the 2012-2013 NHL season.

Mason's move from the Winnipeg Jets to the Nashville franchise meant new gear was in order, so the goalie hooked up with Steve Nash of EyeCandyAir.

InGoalMag reports the mask is inspired by the Egyptian-themed cover of the Iron Maiden's 1984 album, "Powerslave." Maiden's album covers were created originally by artist Derek Riggs, who has inspired Nash throughout his own career. Read more and check out an image of the mask here.

Motorhead's Lemmy Jams With Slash

(hennemusic) Slash played Boston's House Of Blues recently as part of his "Apocalyptic Love" tour.

The guitarist was joined by special guest Lemmy from Motorhead at the August 2nd show, as the two rocked out "Dr. Alibi," a track from Slash's 2010 debut solo album.

Slash has completed his North America summer dates and now heads to New Zealand and Australia where he will play a series of shows starting Friday in Auckland. Check out the Slash/Lemmy jam here.

Metallica Release Live Video of Master of Puppets Classics

(hennemusic) A couple of 1986 classics are featured in the latest Metallica video package from Mexico City, fans can check out video of Metallica rocking two tracks from 1986's "Master Of Puppets" album - "Leper Messiah" in the Tuning Room and "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)" from the show..

Last week, the band wrapped up their series of seven concerts in Mexico, and they are continuing to share behind the scenes and concert footage, including material filmed at their fifth show, on August 4.

Released March 3, 1986, "Master Of Puppets" was Metallica's third studio album and major label debut. "Puppets" peaked at number 29 on the Billboard 200 and was the group's first record to be certified gold for sales of over 500,000 copies. This was done without any radio airplay or the release of a music video. The album has since been certified six times platinum by the RIAA. Check out the video here.

Lita Ford Talks With Wikimetal

Wikimetal's latest episode features an interview with Lita Ford. They sent over these details:

To become the solo guitar player of a band that left its mark on rock History is only for a few people… To do that at age 16, is for a very, very, very, limited number of people…

But to achieve that, being a woman, during the 70s, against everything and everybody, is only for the one and only Lita Ford, our special guest this week.

It was a real honor to talk to Lita that spoke about everything, from the times that she was at The Runaways until the release of her last solo album, the amazing 'Living Like A Runaway'. Check it out here.