Slash Has No Idea About Guns N' Roses Rock Hall Plans

Slash is the latest to be asked about the Rock Hall plans, and he tells Mike Jones of Washington D.C. station DC101 that he's in the dark as much as anyone else. "I know that there's a lot of rumor about it, as always when it comes to GNR, out there on the Internet and stuff," said the guitarist. "But as it stands right this second, I have no idea what's going on." Listen to the interview here.

Lemmy Says Don't Buy Motorhead Box Set

(Gibson) Motorhead's Lemmy Kilmister has spoken out against the price of his band's new box set. The new box set in question, Complete Early Years Box Set, has been priced at around $600.

According to CNN.com, Lemmy blames record company greed on the pricing: "Unfortunately greed once again rears its yapping head," he said. "I would advise against it even for the most rabid completists!"

The set focuses on the band's early recordings, which they don't own the rights to. "Motörhead have no control over what's done with these early songs, and don't want fans to think that the band is involved in putting out such a costly box set," the band said in a statement. more on this story

Rob Zombie and Megadeth Team Up For Tour

Rob Zombie and Megadeth are teaming up for a co-headlining tour and have announced the initial dates.

The tour will mark the first time the two bands have toured together and will kick off on Friday, May 11 in Holmdel, NJ and will feature stops at several rock festivals, including Rock On The Range and Rocklahoma.

Rob Zombie will headline Rocklahoma, co-line (with Incubus) Rock On The Range, and will close all shows on the Megadeth dates. The tour wraps Saturday, March 26 at Rocklahoma. more on this story

Van Halen Switching Up Rarities on Tour

It was only night 2 of the new Van Halen tour, and the band has already tweaked their setlist.

At Monday's gig in Auburn Hills, Michigan, Van Halen played a virtually identical set to Saturday's opening show in Louisville, with one change: the group switched out the rarely-performed 1979 track "Outta Love Again" and replaced it with the "1984" classic, "Girl Gone Bad."

A minor change, for sure, but interesting to see the group has some extra songs in their back pocket. Most bands rehearse a regular set and some additional material so that they can switch things up – especially if they're playing multiple nights in a city – and a change this early in a tour may just be to try a song out, adjust the flow of the show, or deal with a production issue. Check out video of the Girl Gone Bad performance.

Guns N' Roses Private Concert Streaming Online

(hennemusic) Guns N' Roses played a private show during Fashion Week in New York last week and video of the show has gone online.

The band continue their Up Close And Personal Tour across the States. The band scheduled a series of 7 intimate theatre shows this month, and added a special, private show during Fashion Week.

GNR rocked the Hiro Ballroom last Thursday to close out the event, playing before a capacity crowd of 180. Watch video from the show here.

Chickenfoot Set For The Different Devil Tour

Chickenfoot are heading out on the road this May and June for a North American tour.

The Different Devil Tour 2012 is set to kick off with a two night stand on May 4th and 5th in Lake Tahoe, Nevada and will hit major cities across North America before concluding on June 10th at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles.

While the tour is named after their latest single, the tour is support of the band's latest album "Chickenfoot III." more on this story

Blur To Close The Summer Olympics

(Gibson) Blur have been announced as headliners for this summer's London Olympics' BT London Live Closing Ceremony Celebration Concert in Hyde Park.

According to the BT London Live website, Blur will be joined by The Specials and New Order, with a special guest to be announced soon.

The outdoor concert will take place in Hyde Park in London on Sunday, August 12, the day of the Closing Ceremony. more on this story

Bamboozle Add Brand New and 24 Additional Bands

Brand New have been announced as a new headliner for The Bamboozle Festival which announced 24 additional bands to this year's lineup including Volbeat and Less Than Jake.

The 10th Anniversary festival is scheduled for May 18, 19 and 20 at North Beach in Asbury Park, New Jersey.

Brand New joins previously announced headliners Bon Jovi, Foo Fighters and Skrillex along with Blink-182, and Incubus. more on this story

Hawthorne Heights Stripped Down To The Bone Acoustic Tour

Hawthorne Heights are hitting the road on April 1st for their Second Annual Stripped Down To The Bone Acoustic Tour which will feature special guests Mark Rose and Sandlot Heroes.

The band had this message for fans: Last February we embarked on our first ever full band, all acoustic tour...just for fun. The idea was to hear our songs in a different way for our own sanity, and to give our die hard fans a different type of show. We only booked it for two weeks, because we had no idea how it would go for us, or our fans. What happened in those two weeks turned out to be more than we could have ever imagined. It was an experience that was so special and powerful that we wanted to stay on the road for once. We actually didn't want to come home, which is hard to imagine when you tour so often. So this year, we decided we had to do it again. We were even able to find the time to extend it an extra week and take it one step further. Elaborating on the theme "Stripped Down to the Bone", we have also decided to choose some venues that are very bare bones as well. We wanted to take this tour to some cities that don't get shows very often, as well as try to convert some smaller places into ALL AGES concert halls, at least just for a night. We also had the idea of trying to get some dates at tiny coffee shops, so we can help turn people on to the local brew of that area. We hope that our fans will respond to this tour again, and realize that we have kept ticket prices very low because we would like to support them as well. Sometimes everyday life can get you down...and a night of music can help you forget about it just for a few hours. Keep the scene positive...help music grow. –Hawthorne Heights

We will be selling Limited Edition (and hand-numbered) Acoustic CDs exclusively on this tour. This release includes alternate versions of some of your favorite HH songs. more on this story

Bob Seger, Gordon Lightfoot and Jim Steinman For Songwriters Hall of Fame

Gordon Lightfoot, Bob Seger, Don Schlitz, Harvey Schmidt & Tom Jones and Jim Steinman are set to be inducted this year into the Songwriters Hall of Fame

The 43rd Annual Induction and Awards Dinner will take place on Thursday, June 14th at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City. Additional special award honorees will be announced soon.

"Each of our 2012 inductees has created a unique range of extraordinary contributions, a body of work that has resonated with audiences around the world, and greatly enriched our global culture," said SHOF Chairman Jimmy Webb. "We are looking forward to celebrating their craft and careers at our Annual Awards Gala." more on this story

Scorpions Don't Know Where Farewell Tour Will End

Justin Tedaldi of the Examiner.com recently spoke with Scorpions legend Rudolf Schenker about their 3D concert movie and farewell tour. Here are a couple excerpts:

When and where is the tour expected to end? I'll tell you one thing: We know a lot of things about where we play in 2012. The only thing that we don't know yet—we have a few options which I can't tell you yet—but the options are looking like it will be the end of 2012 or January 2013. Where it will be, it will be announced in, I guess, one month.

Are you going to return to the United States for one more jaunt? From our record company and also from our agency, the people badly want us back. The response of ours in 2012, I was surprised to listen to the news and read in the magazines how the American critics were talking about the Scorpions this time, it was unbelievable. They're writing something like, "Why are the Scorpions still looking so great and our bands are looking terrible? Maybe they've taken too many drugs," and all these kinds of things. I was laughing on the floor.

But anyway, the convinced us to go back to the United States and Canada. On the other hand, they didn't have to convince us so much; we always like to play America. And if you look back at our career, you can see that it's the home country, the homeland of rock and roll. It's really feeling like you are the cowboy going on the road, fantastic! In the tour bus, cruising the country and really enjoying the great scenery and the great atmosphere playing in the United States. Read the rest of the interview here.

Beck, Alberta Cross, Cage the Elephant and Passion Pit For Governors Ball

Beck, Alberta Cross, Cage the Elephant and Passion Pit (playing their first NYC show in 2 years) are all set to take part in this year's Governors Ball Music Festival.

Expanding to two days in its second year, the festival will take place on June 23rd and 24th and has moved to Randall's Island Park, on the East River, nestled between East Harlem, the South Bronx, and Astoria, Queens.

Building upon the inaugural year line-up that focused on Dance, Hip Hop, and Electronica, Governors Ball 2012 will also incorporate Indie Rock, Americana, and Pop acts. There will be a distinct vibe to each day, with Saturday mirroring the lineup featured at Governors Ball 2011, and Sunday's bill focusing primarily on the expanded genres. more on this story

Anubis Gate To Headline ProgPower Festival

Anubis Gate are set to play ProgPower Europe Festival, which is a return to the scene of their very first public gig in 2005.

This return visit to ProgPower Europe Festival, on Friday October 5th is a special occasion for the band as they return as one of the headlining bands of the festival.
.
In 2005 the festival invited Anubis Gate to play what turned out to be their very first gig. "It's with much excitement that we can announce this festival date. We hope to see a lot of you in Barlo (Netherlands) this October. And we are of course especially thrilled to be back on the stage where the live side of the band started."

Red Sparowes' Marriages Premiere Debut Song

The Red Sparowes offshoot Marriages has premiered the first song from their forthcoming debut.

The track "Ten Tiny Fingers" comes from their forthcoming album, Kitsune and is available to download/stream here. The new release will hit stores and online on May 1st.

Marriages also take to the road in March with dates supporting SF black metal faves Deafheaven. The trio -- comprised of Red Sparowes members Emma Ruth Rundle (vocals, guitar), Greg Burns (bass, synthesizer) and David Clifford (drums) -- will perform at the Sargent House official SXSW showcase in Austin, TX on March 16th. more on this story

Todd Rundgren's Musical Revival Camp 2012

Todd Rundgren's Musical Revival Camp will take place July 23-27, 2012 at Full Moon Resort in Big Indian, NY.

Special guests at Todd Rundgren's Musical Revival Camp include Mark Volman (The Turtles/Flo & Eddie), Peter Buck (REM) and a third guest to be announced soon. Some evenings at Todd Rundgren's Musical Revival Camp will highlighted by jam sessions with Todd, bassist Kasim Sulton (Todd Rundgren's Utopia, Meatloaf), guitarist Jesse Gress (Todd Rundgren, Tony Levin Band, Guitar Player Consulting Editor) and drummer Gregg Bendian (Interzone, The Mahavishnu Project, The Musical Box), along with the guest celebrity of the day.

Todd explains how this year's retreat will differ from the last: "We are amending our concept this year to focus on the pleasures of the season. We shall take that hike which we were rained out of last summer. We shall party at the pool as we neglected to do. There will be the laying on of hands (by professionals), the volleying of the ball, the tubing of the Esopus [Creek] and perhaps even the dancing of the square."

Musical Revival Camp special guest Mark Volman of The Turtles and Flo & Eddie offers his thoughts on the upcoming experience: "There are very few artists with whom I look forward to working, in fun and in business. Todd Rundgren is one of those artists. And after touring and making records with Todd over the years, I am thrilled to have another chance to work alongside him and his fans at Full Moon Resort. I can't think of a better way to spend a few summer days." More info here.

Roadie Coming to Blu-Ray and DVD

The movie Roadie is set for home release on Blu-ray Disc and DVD on March 20 from Magnolia Home Entertainment.

A film about lost dreams and coming home, Ron Eldard plays Jimmy, a longtime roadie for the legendary Blue Oyster Cult. After touring with the band for over 20 years, he is unceremoniously fired. Broke and desperate, he has no other choice than to move back in with his mother (Smith) in Forest Hills, Queens. Soon he meets up with some of his hard-partying high school friends (Cannavale and Hennessy) who show him how little things can change.

From writer/director Michael Cuesta (L.I.E, Twelve And Holding), Roadie features music by Blue Oyster Cult, Jethro Tull, Robin Trower, The Ramones, LA Guns, and The Counting Crows (who recorded Jackson Browne's "The Load Out" specifically for the film). The ROADIE Blu-ray Disc and DVD, including bonus features such as a special behind-the-scenes look at the film and commentary, will be available for the suggested retail price of $29.98 and $26.98, respectively. more on this story

Tyketto Releasing First New Album In 18 Years

Frontiers Records will release Tyketto's first new album in 18 years on April 24th in North America.

The new album, Dig In Deep, features the original line-up of Danny Vaughn (lead vocals), Brooke St. James (lead guitar/backing vocals), Jimi Kennedy (bass/backing vocals) and Michael Clayton (drums/backing vocals).

Formed in New Jersey in 1990, Tyketto released their major label debut Don't Come Easy in 1991. The album contained the hit AOR songs "Forever Young" and "Seasons" as well as "Wings" and "End Of The Summer Days," whose respective videos, along with "Forever Young," were in heavy rotation on MTV. more on this story

Chappo Set New Album Release As They Hit The Road

(PH) Chappo will release their debut album Moonwater on May 15th and will be taking their live show on the road this week for a four-stop East Coast tour, plus performances at this year's SXSW in Austin, TX.

For the 11-song LP, the four escaped New York City for Sunhouse Studios in the serene landscape of Vermont. Moonwater was mixed by Hector Castillo (Beck, Bjork) and Steve Wall, and produced by Chappo's own drummer and of Montreal's touring musician, Zac Colwell.

A deluxe version of the LP will include four additional bonus tracks that will be available exclusively on iTunes and Vinyl. more on this story

Experience Hendrix's Bob F. Hendrix Died This Week

(EH) Experience Hendrix, L.L.C. announced the sudden passing of Robert ("Bob") F. Hendrix, the company's Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. March 17, 1946 - February 19, 2012.

As first cousin to legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix, Bob Hendrix came to the support of Jimi's father, James "Al" Hendrix and his daughter, Janie L. Hendrix in 1995 to help form Seattle-based Experience Hendrix, L.L.C. and Authentic Hendrix, LLC; the companies entrusted to manage the late guitarist's music legacy. Since that time, Bob has been actively involved in day-to-day business operations recently holding the positions as the company's Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

Prior to joining the Hendrix family companies full-time in 1996, Mr. Hendrix was Vice President and General Merchandise Manager at Price Costco. more on this story

Singled Out: Galen Hartley's You and Your Mother and Father

Today indie folk rocker Galen Hartley tells us about the song "You and Your Mother and Father" from his brand new album "Good Dreams". Here is the story:

Families are a crazy. I used to say that I wrote about three things: revenge, my family, and fulfilling my personal destiny. Even when I write about other subjects, the resulting songs still seem to fall into one of those categories. Anyway, this is a family song.

Straightforward narratives aren't my strength, but what I'm trying to get across in this song is a sense of history - the stories we tell within our families, the roles we play, the way the past continues to affect the present, and all the ways things can change when the folks near to us die.

My mother and her parents all died within a few years of each other, and it was a little surreal to witness the summing up of their lives into one "way" that they would be remembered. You know? And it was tough to work against mom's new reputation as a saint while I was sorting through some of the craziness I had clearly inherited from her. And THEN I got to thinking about these seeds of craziness that just keep getting passed down the family line, and how we're lucky if we can just do a little bit better than our parents did. Sigh.

So, yeah... families are a strange and plentiful source of inspiration.

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