The Who Plan Quadrophenia Tour

The initial 36-date leg, the band's first North American tour in four years, kicks off November 1 in Sunrise, FL with an initial six-week run. The Who will return in late January with more dates commencing January 28 in Anaheim, CA. more on this story

Guns N' Roses Focused On Writing New Music

(hennemusic) On Tuesday, Guns N' Roses played the Spaladium Arena in Split, Croatia. The day before the show, GNR members Dizzy Reed (keyboards), Tommy Stinson (bass) and DJ Ashba (guitar) sat down for an interview with K5 TV.

The guys chatted about the tour, as well as their work on new material. "That's definitely our main focus right now," said Ashba.

"We're always sort of kicking material back and forth and trying to come up with new ideas," added Reed. "Throwing it in the big melting pot that, hopefully, will become the next Guns N' Roses record."

When asked about who would be contributing new music from a songwriting standpoint, Stinson said, "It will be all these guys; it'll be all of us, probably. I wouldn't totally rule it out but probably all of us will be included in making a new record." Watch the interview here.

The J. Geils Band Reunite For Summer Tour

The J. Geils Band camp sent over word that the group will be reuniting for the 2012 Houseparty Tour of limited appearances this summer. They provided these:

The band is hitting the road with original members Peter Wolf (lead vocals), Seth Justman (keyboards), Danny Klein (bass) and Magic Dick (harmonica) and will be joined by longtime associates Duke Levine (guitar) and Tom Arey (drums). See below for tour dates.

Guitarist John Geils will not be joining this tour due to an ongoing legal dispute between The J. Geils Band and John Geils' solo record label, Francesca Records. more on this story

Randy Blythe's Bail Doubled In Manslaughter Case

(Classic Rock) Lamb of God frontman's Randy Blythe's bail has been doubled to $400,000 and the objection raised against him being freed has been overruled in a Prague court hearing which took place two says earlier than planned.

But that doesn't mean he'll be freed – the judgement is subject to the same appeal process that forced him to remain behind bars even after posting $200,000 surety following his arrest three weeks ago.

The vocalist has still not been charged for any offence, despite being accused of manslaughter after fan Daniel Nosek died in June 2010, a month after allegedly sustaining a head wound at a Lamb of God concert. Band manager Larry Mazer says he's waiting for an official letter explaining the judgement and detailing the conditions of Blythe's freedom.

Meanwhile the musician has spoken in his first interview since being jailed in the Czech Republic on June 27. See what he had to say here.

Paul McCartney Working With Mark Ronson

(Gibson) NME shared the scoop that earlier this summer Paul McCartney was in New York cutting tracks with Mark Ronson.

Of course, Ronson might be best known for shaping the sound of Amy Winehouse's classic Back to Black album.

Ronson was also responsible for producing Rufus Wainwright's latest album, Out of the Game which was released this spring. more on this story

Iron Maiden's Steve Harris Releasing Solo Album

Iron Maiden's founding member Steve Harris is planning to release his very first solo album in September.

The album, 'British Lion,' will be released September 24th in the UK (by EMI) and the 25th in the US (By UME).

Harris has launched a solo website to promote the effort at steveharrisbritishlion.com/ and put out some details about the album and what fans can expect: 'British Lion' and comprising ten songs that Steve and his collaborators have been working on for the past few years between Iron Maiden tours and releases, it is an album that will surprise and delight music fans the world over. more on this story

X Reuniting With Ray Manzarek For Full Album Show

(MI) For the first time since 1980, X will be joined by Los Angeles album producer Ray Manzarek, and play the album in its entirety, at The Roxy during the Sunset Strip Music Festival on August 17th.

Just prior to this historic show, the band will perform at the Indie West Fest in Ventura, CA on July 29th.

As announced earlier, the band will travel across the country for one East Coast show where they will, once again, join Pearl Jam as a special guest on their "Made in America" Festival date with Jay Z, taking place on September 1 & 2nd in Philadelphia. more on this story

KISS Playing Private Show For The Troops and Vets

(hennemusic) KISS have announced that they'll play a private show for US troops and veterans today at Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, Virginia.

The show comes on the eve of the band's summer tour with Mötley Crüe, which kicks off Friday at the same location.

KISS will put on their show for over 2,000 service men and women, who were provided with free tickets to the private event. more on this story

Keith Richards Getting His Chops Back For Rolling Stones Live Return

(Gibson) The Rolling Stones are 50 years old as a band, and rumors grow of an anniversary tour. But Keith Richards has revealed he struggles to remember the band's classic hits.

He told Absolute Radio, "When you kick off a song you say, 'I can't remember how the middle bit goes,' but the fingers remember even if you don't!

"I don't practice as much as I should, probably. But now that we're putting the act together again I'm getting the chops back together."

The Rolling Stones have recently been in rehearsals, with bassist Bill Wyman back in the fold. They have yet to confirm any official shows, but Mick Jagger has said "autumn" when asked when the Stones will play live again. more on this story

Slipknot's Corey Taylor Doesn't Remember Onstage Collapse

(Classic Rock) Slipknot frontman Corey Taylor doesn't remember the details of his onstage collapse in Texas last week.

He says: "It was really, really, really hot. I kind of had a heatstroke blackout. I finished the show but I don't remember the last two songs.

"I woke up backstage – apparently I collapsed onstage. It scared the crap out of me; it's like, 'Oh, yeah, we were masks and coveralls in 110-degree heat. It's awesome.'" More rock news.

Meat Loaf Suing Tribute Singer For $100K

(Classic Rock) A Meat Loaf tribute singer is being sued for $100,000 by the Texan singer's lawyers.

But UK-based Dean Torkington, who's been impersonating the Bat Out of Hell icon since 1996, says the legal action is a case of "bullying" and he won't bow to it.

He first fell foul of Meat when he was invited backstage in 2003 – and ordered to remove artwork from his custom-painted van. more on this story

Alvin Lee Releasing On the Road to Freedom Sequel

Ten Years After's Alvin Lee will be releasing a sequel to his 1973 album, On the Road to Freedom, with the August 27th release of Still on the Road to Freedom. Conqueroo sent over these details:

Recorded at Space Studios 3 in Spain, Still on the Road to Freedom finds Lee returning to his original inspirations. Longtime band members bassist Pete Pritchard and drummer Richard Newman, along with keyboardist Tim Hinkley, join Lee in a musical travelogue that is a tribute to the roots music that first influenced him.

"I got my start in music listening to my dad's jazz and blues 78s when I was eight years old," says Lee, who continues to follow his inspirations. "It's about the freedom to make music of my own choice without worrying about what other people thought or expected," he writes in the album's liner notes. more on this story

Slayer's Kerry King Wrote New Songs On Recent Tour

(Classic Rock) Slayer guitarist Kerry King managed to write some material during the band's recent European tour because he doesn't tend to leave his hotels so often during visits to the old world.

He explains: "I don't go out that often – there are still a number of currencies over there and you get dicked every time you change money. If I don't have any local money I'll probably sit in my room."

King says one new song is entitled Chasing Death, adding: "As you get older your friends start dropping; you're having that new sensation. My guitar tech died earlier this year and he was just 35. Those are the touch ones. It's talking about stuff like that. Chasing Death isn't directly related to any of my friends dying. It's like people who drink too much – they don't help themselves out so they're chasing death." More rock news.

Lynyrd Skynyrd Ready For New Album and Tour

(Gibson) Lynyrd Skynyrd release a new album, Last of a Dyin' Breed, on August 21. It is the band's first studio album since 2009's God & Guns. The band also plans to play three dates in the U.K. in November.

Gary Rossington is now the only original Skynyrd member, but he has told Michigan Live: "I wouldn't say it's a responsibility, at least not in a heavy way. We all had a dream, and the dream came true. Then, it was stripped away so quickly. People still love the music, and we love doing it. That's really what's it's all about – playing music that makes people happy and hearing stories from them."

Of Last of a Dyin' Breed Rossington says: "It's just good Southern rock 'n' roll. It's within the tradition and style of the band."

New to the band is ex-Black Crowes bassist Johnny Colt. When asked about receiving a phone call from Rickey Medlocke to join the band, Colt said, "What else do you say to Medlocke, Rossington and Van Zant? We're talking Southern rock royalty. We're talking Lynyrd Skynyrd. The only thing out of my mouth was, when and where?" more on this story

Van Halen Confirm Tour Dates

(hennemusic) Van Halen have officially confirmed three concerts in Japan this November as part of their "A Different Kind Of Truth".

After suggesting that they'll be playing shows in Japan this fall, the band had yet to actually announce or officially confirm anything to date - until today.

Van Halen have announced two concerts in Osaka (November 20 & 22) and a show in Tokyo on November 27. more on this story

My Darkest Days Added To Dirt Fest

(Banana 101.5) My Darkest Days will be performing on the main stage at Dirt Fest 2012 which will take place on August 11th at the Birch Run Expo Center.

The Canadian rockers will be playing songs from their recent release 'Sick and Twisted Affair' and their major label debut album.

MDD will join Dirt Fest 2012 headliners Clutch as well as Chiodos, Falling in Reverse, In This Moment, Royal Bliss, Dead Sara and more on August 11th at the Birch Run Expo Center. more on this story

The Acacia Strain Plan Rocktober Album Release

Rise Records have set an October 9th release date for The Acacia Strain's new album, "Death Is The Only Mortal".

When it came time to pick a producer for the effort, the band didn't have to look too far, tapping guitarist Daniel Laskiewicz (DL) for the task.

The announcement was short on other details but did say that the band have been in the studio writing and recording for the past couple of months, right up until they had to leave for tour. more on this story

Black Tusk Plan Headline Tour

Black Tusk will be hitting the road this fall for a string of North American headlining dates in support of their latest release Set The Dial.

The run kicks off October 13th in Johnson City, TN and is scheduled to wrap up October 24th in Portland, Oregon.

Black Tusk, are in the midst of their first ever European headline tour. The run will wrap up this week with a festival appearance in Tonsberg, Norway with an appearance at Slottsfjell Fest. more on this story

B Sides

Backstage With Aerosmith Guitarist

(hennemusic) Aerosmith are playing two shows in their hometown of Boston this week as part of the band's Global Warming summer tour.

The group have already completed about a half-dozen shows on the trek, on which they are joined by Cheap Trick.

Aerosmith guitarist Brad Whitford is featured in a new video shot at the TD Garden on Tuesday, prior to the band's first show in the city. "I can't remember the last time we were here," says Whitford. "It's great to be back; this home plate in Boston. Forty-something years ago we hit a home run out of the park here – and everywhere else in the world." more on this story

Robert Fleischman Talks Vinnie Vincent Experiences

The Decibel Geek podcast interviewed original Vinnie Vincent Invasion vocalist Robert Fleischman for the 3rd installment on their special series about the former KISS guitarist. They sent over these details

Known for his vocals on the 1986 self-titled Vinnie Vincent Invasion debut album, Fleischman never appeared outside of a few photographs as a member of the band due to stalled contract negotiations and the addition of Mark Slaughter. Slaughter would go on to appear in the video for lead single 'Boyz are Gonna Rock' while lip-synching to Fleischman's studio tracks. This video also resulted in a lawsuit. Fleischman joins Decibel Geek hosts Chris Czynszak and Aaron Camaro for a discussion detailing his time working with Vinnie Vincent; three different occasions including the Invasion's debut album.

Also of note in this interview is Fleischman's recollections of Vinnie Vincent before he became Ace Frehley's replacement in KISS as they worked on some demos together which later became the first Invasion album.

This conversation details the behind the scenes process and turmoil that went into making 1986's Vinnie Vincent Invasion album including Fleischman's claims of unethical behavior by band members and constant tension between band members, managers, and record executives.

Also included in this conversation are Fleischman's memories of working with the former KISS guitarist after the breakup of the Invasion and his take on what happened to cause a record deal to fall through in 1990 and why he decided to walk away from a working relationship with Vincent. Check it out here.