Riot Guitarist In A Coma

His webmaster reports: "Mark had a subarachnoid hemorrhage and that is why he's still in a coma since January 11, when he was rushed to hospital. more on this story

Cancer Not Stopping Black Sabbath

(Rock News Desk) Tony Iommi isn't letting his cancer get the better of him, says Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler. Instead, the iconic guitarist has written two new songs since being diagnosed with lymphoma at Christmas, and is continuing work on the band's first original-lineup album since 1978.

Iommi, Butler, frontman Ozzy Osbourne and drummer Bill Ward decided to move their recording operation from the US to the UK to make the guitarist's health battle easier. He's now receiving treatment for the form of cancer which attacks the immune system, and early indications suggest he's responding well.

Butler says: "We got the engines back up and running at Tony's home studio. Far from being down and depressed about his diagnosis, Tony had already written the music for two new songs. more on this story

Bruce Springsteen Wrecking Ball in March

(Gibson) Bruce Springsteen's forthcoming album was produced by Ron Aniello (Jars of Clay, Candlebox), will be called Wrecking Ball and will be released on March 6 in North America.

"The lyrics tell a story you can't hear anywhere else and the music is his most innovative of recent years," Springsteen manager Jon Landau said in a statement, via Rolling Stone. "The writing is some of the best of his career and both veteran fans and those who are new to Bruce will find much to love on Wrecking Ball."

The album's name comes from a song that Bruce and the E Streeters debuted in 2009 when they played some of the last shows at Giants Stadium. The record also features "Land of Hope and Dreams," a song Springsteen and the gang have been playing live since 1999. more on this story

Vince Neil Warns Musicians Not To Get In The Music Biz

(Gibson) Motley Crue frontman Vince Neil says the music business has changed exponentially since his band first started dishing out hair metal in the '80s.

What's his advice for upcoming musicians? "Don't get in the business," he laughed, speaking with NewsTimes.com. "It's tough. There [are] so many different outlets for music now. Thirty years ago you had MTV; everybody watched MTV and everybody saw your video. There was one place to go; now there [are] thousands of places to go. It's a lot tougher. There [are] more eyes out there; it's just harder to get everybody to look at you at the same time."

Neil added that very little is secret in today's music industry, and fans have a much more intimate relationship with their favorite rock personalities thanks to social media networks such as Twitter and Facebook: "I think with all the social media everybody pretty much knows everything. What you're doing and where you've been and where you're going. It's kind of hard to be secretive anymore." more on this story

Gary Glitter Planning Comeback?

(Rock News Desk) A Twitter page claiming to be the official account of Gary Glitter has drawn over 16,500 followers since announcing the shamed glam star is preparing a comeback. @OfficialGlitter has a tagline that reads "The official twitter of Gary Glitter. Managed and updated by me. The leader. Still shining."

The 70s artist, real name Paul Gadd, fell into disgrace in 1999 after serving a prison sentence for possessing child porn. He later moved to Vietnam, where he was jailed for two years for child abuse, charged he insisted were trumped-up in a conspiracy against him. He moved back to the UK three years ago.

Now the account owner, who says he's awaiting Twitter verified status, has released a series of messages promising to hit the stage again. He writes: "I believe the public have accepted me again, putting my past behind me. I hope I can continue my music career/tour this year. We have venues in Manchester, Nottingham, London and Bristol so far. I should be able to confirm these by Friday. I am the real Gary Glitter." more on this story

Disturbed Frontman Vs Cyber-Bullies

(Banana 101.5) Disturbed vocalist David Draiman took to his Twitter page this week to post a lengthy statement about the effects cyber-bullying can have on someone.

While Disturbed has been on hiatus, singer David Draiman has been fairly active on his Twitter feed. He will often times post lengthy commentaries on a subject or carry on conversations with others through a series of tweets. Yesterday (1/18) he sounded off about the hot button issue of cyber-bullying by posting the following statement:

"One of the biggest problems with Internet culture is people's tendency to write whatever, without thinking it through properly beforehand. I encourage everyone on here to make informed statements based on forethought and fact. Don't let the fact that you are simply sitting behind a keyboard, with no one watching, and nothing to be accountable for, lull you into believing that your words/actions do not have consequences. Measure your words carefully before you spit them out. Think before you type.

"By the way, anything is OK to type, that's what freedom of speech is; but to everything, there are consequences/repercussions." The rest of his statement here.

8-Year-Old Scores Hardcore Video Hit

(hennemusic) The latest viral video features Juliet, the 8-year-old daughter of Australian producer Rob Sharpe, rocking the world with "My First Hardcore Song."

Juliet teamed up with her dad over the school holidays to put together the young rocker's first song and video clip.

It's only 1:00 in length, but it's intense, as Juliet takes you on a journey of her love for her dog, Robert, and how her pet fish stink even though Juliet has zero sense of smell. The clip has already racked up almost 2 million views in its first 24 hours online. Check it out

The Mars Volta New Album Details

(Banana 101.5) The Mars Volta have ended speculation as to what their new album is named, what songs are on it, and when it comes out. As for what any of the songs are about, you're on your own.

The Mars Volta have announced that their new album is called 'Noctourniquet' and not 'In Absentia' as previously rumored, that is, however, the name of a song that appears on the prog rock duo's sixth full-length album.

'Noctourniquet' will tell the story of a character that was inspired by Superman nemesis Solomon Grundy and Hyacinthus — a character in Greek mythology. When does it come out and what are the track names?

Mark Tremonti Going Heavier Than Creed or Alter Bridge on Solo Album

(Banana 101.5) Mark Tremonti recently said his solo material is heavier than Creed or Alter Bridge and has a lot of soloing.

Artist Direct recently caught up with the busy axe-slinger and got an update on how his debut album was coming along: Tremonti spoke about the direction of his record compared to what he does in the studio with either of his other bands:

"It's a dynamic record. It's probably heavier than either Creed or Alter Bridge, but it's still melody-driven. Most of the stuff is more up-tempo and heavy-riffing though. I had to write eleven solos for this record so it took me a long time. There's lots of soloing." More from Mark here.

Gregg Allman and Steve Miller Band For Doheny Festival

Gregg Allman and The Steve Miller Band have been named as the headliners for their year's installment of the Doheny Blues Festival.

The lineup also includes Chicago Blues Legend Buddy Guy, Texican rockers Los Lonely Boys, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue from NOLA, roots artist and conservationist Tab Benoit, Texas Blues guitarist Johnny Winter and Irish-born vocalist Imelda May. Many more artists will be announced in the coming weeks.

The 15th Annual Doheny Blues Festival will take place on May 19 & 20th at Doheny State Beach; 25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, CA 92629. more on this story

AC/DC Releasing Pinball Machine

(Gibson) AC/DC fans now have a pinball machine to call their own! Stern Pinball, Inc. has revealed its newest pinball machine, and the game honors the legendary rock and roll band with plenty of AC/DC-appropriate goodies.

The AC/DC pinball machine features 12 classic AC/DC chart-toppers, such as "Back in Black," "Highway to Hell" and "You Shook Me All Night Long." Other features include two individual ramps, a pinball-shooting cannon, eight drop targets and cartoon animations of band members.

"The combination of classic rock and pinball can't go wrong," said Gary Stern, founder, CEO and chairman of Stern Pinball, in a release. "The music and play of the AC/DC machine delivers nothing less than the ultimate rock experience that both AC/DC fans and pinball players can appreciate." more on this story

The Red Hot Chili Peppers Release Free App

(Banana 101.5) The Red Hot Chili Peppers have unleashed an official mobile app that will keep fans up to date with the band and offer exclusive premieres of new videos, songs, and more.

RHCP recently had to postpone their tour after Anthony Kiedis underwent surgery to repair a foot injury — this is the perfect example of the type of news you would get early notification of with the new RHCP app.

The new app is now available for free on both the Android Market and iTunes Store and will also offer exclusive sneak peeks at upcoming Chili Pepper projects — like a behind-the-scenes look at their upcoming music video for 'Look Around.' The app also includes music, photos of the band, videos, a fan wall, tour dates, and more. more on this story

Metallica Add Another Black Album Concert Date

(hennemusic) Metallica have announced a new addition to their summer tour schedule. The band will play Stadio Friuli in Udine, Italy on May 13.

"You guessed it... a 20th anniversary celebration of the 'Black Album' is a part of the plan. There seems to be a pattern here..." writes Metallica.

The band says "the schedule's not full yet..." and promises more dates to come. Metallica's 2012 European Summer Vacation Tour is currently set to kick off May 12 in Paris. more on this story

Unreleased Janis Joplin Coming On The Pearl Sessions

Legacy Recordings have set a April 17, 2012 release date for Janis Joplin's The Pearl Sessions, a newly-curated definitive two-disc edition of Joplin's final studio album premiering, for the first time, newly discovered studio outtakes, live performances and other sonic rarities recorded during her dynamic last chapter of accelerated tumult and creativity.

Originally released on January 11, 1971 (three months after her passing on October 4, 1970), Pearl debuted Joplin's final finished studio recordings as well as intimations of what the influential American country-soul-blues-rock singer was capable of delivering.

The only album Joplin ever recorded with the Full Tilt Boogie Band, the touring ensemble that had backed her on the Festival Express (a mythic 1970 concert tour by railroad across Canada with the Grateful Dead, the Band and others), Pearl included canonical studio recordings of songs that had been introduced to audiences on tour. more on this story

All-Star Tribute to Tommy Bolin Coming in March

429 Records have set a March 27th release date for Great Gypsy Soul, an all-star tribute to the late great Tommy Bolin.

Great Gypsy Soul, which will be released in single CD format and double CD with bonus tracks. A series of promotional concerts are also in the works.

429 sent over these details: Produced by Greg Hampton and Warren Haynes, it's a remarkable project that brings together major players who actually perform alongside Tommy Bolin's playing and vocals from the recording outtakes to his solo debut album "Teaser." Peter Frampton, Warren Haynes (a key supporter of the project), Nels Cline, Steve Lukather, Steve Morse, Brad Whitford, Joe Bonamassa, John Scofield, Derek Trucks, Glenn Hughes and Myles Kennedy all contribute to this amazing project. more on this story

Zakk Wylde's Roast Idea Boomeranged On Him

(Banana 101.5) Zakk Wylde recently spoke about being the first victim of Guitar World's first Rock and Roll Roast, which will feature rock roasters like Ozzy Osbourne, Corey Taylor, and Chris Jericho as well as comedians like Jim Norton, Brian Posehn, and Jim Breuer — check out Zakk's thoughts and the trailer here.

Several comedians and fellow rockers plan to skewer Zakk Wylde at tonight's Rock and Roll Roast — we sure as hell don't envy their task of poking fun at the iron-pumping heavy metal icon. You would think making fun of Wylde would be a dangerous game to play but as he recently told Artist Direct — the whole thing was his idea:

"I'm good buddies with all of the guys over at Guitar World, and I remember talking to Brad Tolinski [editor-in-chief] about it. I mentioned I wanted to do a 'Black Label Roast.' I was watching the Dean Martin Roasts one day, and I thought, 'I ought to start doing these 'Black Label Roasts' where we take the piss out of all of our friends.' Dean Martin would have everybody on that thing, and they'd be getting destroyed [Laughs]. With cast of characters I know, I figured it'd be hysterical. Everybody knows everyone else too in rock. Brad came back to me and said they're going to do these Guitar World Rock & Roll Roasts, considering you were talking about doing those 'Black Label Roasts' and it was your idea, you're the first one we're going to destroy! I said, 'Awesome, sounds good!' That's how that came about. The more brutal it is, the funnier it is, dude." more on this story

Anvil Frontman Addresses Lineup Change

(Rock News Desk) Anvil's Lips Kudlow addressed the departure of bassist Glenn Five and how quickly they replaced him.

Five, who appeared in the celebrated Anvil: The Story of Anvil feelgood movie, has been replaced by Sal Italiano from a New York based Iron Maiden tribute band.

The frontman tells Metal Shock Finland: "We hired an old friend to do the tour and are currently working with a new improved bassist. There was no major issue in fixing this at all and in fact everything was sorted out within a few hours of Glenn departing. Glenn tried to make it difficult by leaving without proper notice but we've been preparing for this for quite sometime. This did end up for the better as it is a huge improvement with our new guy both musically as well as personally." more on this story

Ringo Starr Town Hall Special

(Gibson) Sirius XM will present a Ringo Starr Town hall radio special, which the veteran rocker will be interviewed by comedian, actor and Katy Perry soon-to-be-ex-husband Russell Brand.

According to the Daily Express , Brand is a "massive fan" of the most famous drummer in music history and said, "Now we can unravel the enigma of Ringo."

The interview will be broadcast from Los Angeles on January 30, a day before the release of Starr's 17th album, Ringo 2012. more on this story

Phil Anselmo Rather Have Friends Than Enemies

(Rock News Desk) Phil Anselmo has reached a point in his life where he'd rather have friends than enemies, he reflects. And that attitude appears in the lyrics he's written for Down's upcoming EP. But he takes time to fire back at negative voices who have been predicting the end of heavy metal music since before he rose to the big-time with Pantera in the 1990s.

Anselmo says of his words on the six-track release: "I write to basically give an outline, and let the listener garner for themselves how they want to apply their own rules and regulations to the track.

"I find one of the biggest realities of life is that no two men, no two cultures, no two belief systems are really the same. There's a lot lyrically where I'm kind of at odds with mankind's relationship with mankind.

"Such is history – but these days, instead of ruffling feathers, I'd rather have friends than enemies, any day. more on this story

Black Stone Cherry, Cavo and Rains Tour

Black Stone Cherry and Cavo have tapped Rains to support them on their upcoming North American tour.

The tour will be kicking off on February 1st in Libertyville, IL and will wrap up on February 18th in Shreveport, LA.

In true DIY fashion, with no support from a traditional record label, "Liar," the first single from Rains self released debut album Stories, cracked the Top 15 of Sirius/XM's Octane channel. more on this story

The Kooks North America Tour

The Kooks plan to return to the North American road for a February/March headlining tour.

The trek will be succeeded by dates as special guests of Foster The People, of which both Central Park NYC shows have sold out five months in advance.

Their latest Astralwerks release, Junk of the Heart was produced by Tony Hoffer (Beck, Air, Belle & Sebastian), and recorded in The Sound Factory (Los Angeles) and Sarm Studios (London). more on this story

The Quill Coming to America

The Quill will kick off their first North America tour on March 7th in Seattle, Washington and winds up March 16th in Fresno, CA.

The Quill are out supporting their latest release "Full Circle" which was released in 2011 on Metalville Records.

Bassist Robert Triches commented on The Quill's first North American tour: "To go to the US on tour is nothing less than a dream come true for us. We know we have a faithful fan base here and to finally get the chance to meet that audience live after all these years is... fantastic! It's gonna be magic! We're also very happy with where this tour takes us, although we see it as a modest first beginning of touring in the US. We aim to follow this up with many more tours and visits over the next years. Love and respect and see you soon!" more on this story

After The Burial Working On New Album And Will Play Warped Tour

After The Burial are currently working on a new album and have announced that they will take part in this summer's Warped Tour, in support of the effort.

The band says: "We're happy to share with everyone that we will be a part of this year's Warped Tour. It's our first time on the festival, and we can't wait to pummel crowds all summer long.

"We're also pleased to announce to you that since returning from the Crush Em All II tour last November, we've been working on a brand new album. more on this story

Monarch Releasing New Album Next Month

At A Loss Recordings have set a February 28th release date for Monarch's sixth album Omens.

Monarch recorded Omens over a four month period in four different countries with four different producers -- Osaka, Japan by Hironori Ochi @ Kakurega, Melbourne, Australia by Neil Thomason @ Head Gap, Montreal, Canada by Matt Cartman @ Crane Studio, and Chicago, IL by Sanford Parker @ Engine Studios -- then mixed by Sanford Parker and mastered by Collin Jordan at The Boiler Room (Twilight, Ministry, Yob).

The album features newest member Rob Shaffer (Dark Castle, YOB) along with guitarist Shiran Kaïdine (Year of No Light), bassist MicHell Bidegain, and as always the ethereal, penetrating vocals of Emilie Bresson. The record also includes guest appearances by Atsuchi Sano (Birushanah), Yailen Munoz (Ensorcelor), Eric Quach (Thisquietarmy), Jeanne Peluard (The Sparteens) and Robert MacManus (ex-Grey Daturas, ex-Monarch). more on this story

Singled Out: Fall From Grace's 18 and Out

Today Fall From Grace frontman Tryg Sebastian tells us about their new single "18 and Out" from their new album "The Romance Years". Here is the story:

"18 & Out" initially started as a B side. We knew 12 songs were going to make the record, and had 12 done, but thought it would be great to write a few more. Funny how when you don't put expectations to a song, then it becomes the first song you want to represent the record to the world!

Now every song Fall From Grace writes is written differently, and "18 & Out" was no exception. We wrote and recorded the initial chord structure, pre chorus, and chorus music first (one of the beauties of spending over a year in the recording studio: we wrote and recorded the entire record in there). We then listen to the music and try to come up with a premise behind the emotion that the song is trying to convey. I kept thinking in my head, "…this makes me think of a John Hughes movie" (The Breakfast Club, 16 Candles, etc.). With that in mind, we wrote the words about coming of age.

Metaphor is our biggest achievement in "18 & Out", I believe. Lines like "burn it to the ground" and "one round is cocked and loaded" are not to be taken literally, but as a metaphor for letting go of the past and feeling like a loaded gun when you're young. The line "I'm so sick of all those games" is actually about how I used to go hang out at the football games on Vashon Island (where I grew up) and drink and party with all my under age friends. I got sick of all those football games because all my friends were just doing the same old thing, and I left Vashon with the goal to make something of myself.

"18 & Out" would not have been made possible if I hadn't been able to reach out through my blogs to kids in 2009. I made it my goal for 6 months to coach kids through sexual abuse, sexuality conflict, and substance abuse on my personal blogs. That's what inspired the entire feeling behind "The Romance Years" (available January 24th, 2012), and what continues to drive Fall From Grace. Our message is hope in time of despair, friendship and family. "Through Thick & Thin, We Rise Again!"

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