Aerosmith and Cheap Trick Summer Tour

The Global Warming Tour will hitting 18 markets beginning on June 16 in Minneapolis, MN. "The old Aerosmith is back with a new vengeance and we will kick your ass and make out with yur mothers," says Steven Tyler.

Joe Perry adds, "Can't wait to bring this band back home. It feels like we've been away too long." more on this story

Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi Cancer Fight Update

(Rock News Desk) Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi has completed his programme of chemotherapy, he's revealed. He was diagnosed with lymphoma in December last year and told fans the news a few weeks later.

His cancer treatment forced the cancellation of Sabbath's highly-anticipated reunion tour, with their appearance at this summer's Download festival the only date to remain.

Iommi admits he's not out of the woods yet – but says his health battle hasn't got in the way of working on the band's new album after singer Ozzy Osbourne and bassist Geezer Butler moved the production operation from the United States to England.

He reports: "I've had the last dose of chemotherapy so hopefully my body will start to get back to normal soon. The steroids were the worst. I've now got three weeks of radiotherapy coming up, which I'm told can be very tiring, so we'll see. more on this story

Metallica Add Tour Dates

(hennemusic) This past weekend, Metallica sold out three shows in Mexico City. Now, Metallica have announced additional dates.

The band's August 1, 2, and 4th concerts at the Sports Palace – 60,000 tickets – sold out in less than 90 minutes.

"We've expanded our Mexico City visit to include August 6 and 7, also at the Sports Palace, for a total of five nights of the massive new stage show that will include elements from our entire 30 years of touring... you need to see it to believe it!" posted the band. more on this story

Sammy Hagar To Reunite With Montrose Bandmates To Honor Ronnie Montrose

(hennemusic) The Bay Area music community is coming together to remember and celebrate the late Ronnie Montrose, who passed away March 3 after a long battle with prostrate cancer.

"A Concert For Ronnie Montrose – A Celebration of His Life In Music" will see Sammy Hagar reunite the original Montrose band, plus Joe Satriani, to perform the group's landmark 1973 debut album...plus a variety of special guests.

"A Concert For Ronnie Montrose - A Celebration of His Life In Music" will feature the original Montrose lineup (Sammy Hagar, vocals; Bill Church, bass; and Denny Carmassi, drums), performing the landmark first Montrose album, with special guest Joe Satriani on lead guitar. The original Gamma lineup (Davey Pattison, vocals; Glenn Letsch, bass; Denny Carmassi, drums) will also be on hand, with special guest Marc Bonilla on lead guitar. more on this story

Nick Oliveri Explains SWAT Team Stand Off

(Rock News Desk) Former Queens of the Stone Age and Kyuss bassist Nick Oliveri says the reason he's facing up to 15 years in jail after a SWAT team standoff is that he refused to open his door.

The musician was arrested in July last year following an armed police action. He's accused of holding his former girlfriend hostage for two hours, then refusing to surrender to officers, who forced entry to his home where they found a loaded high-power rifle and a quantity of drugs. He was later released on $100,000 bail.

And he's confirmed his departure from Kyuss part-reunion act Kyuss Lives after former frontman Josh Homme took out a lawsuit against them. In an extended video interview Oliveri tells Antiquiet: "Basically, at the end of the day I screwed up because I didn't open the door. I was like, 'I'm not going to open, I don't have to open.' I didn't think you have to open the door – you have to open the door. A robot came and knocked down my door." more on this story

ZZ Top, 3 Doors Down And Gretchen Wilson Gang of Outlaws Tour

ZZ Top will be hitting the road this Spring with 3 Doors Down for the Gang of Outlaws Tour which will also feature Gretchen Wilson on most of the dates.

The tour will hit select eastern, southern and mid western venues, kicking off May 25 in Manchester, NH.

ZZ Top, "That Little Ol' Band From Texas" will be topping the bill. Notes Gibbons, "We're really looking forward to working with the guys from 3 Doors Down and Gretchen too, if we may borrow from the late, great Robert Johnson, clear those stones from the pass way on this phenomenal tour. The Gang of Outlaws is ready to ride!" more on this story

Ratt Lose A Member

(Gibson) Ratt bass player Robbie Crane has announced his departure from the band after 15 years.

In a statement on his Facebook page, Crane wrote, "Hey all, Just thought I would let you know that as of a week ago I have decided to quit RATT… For me, it is just time to move on," while in his official press release he thanked "all of the Ratt fans who have been so supportive through my tenure. It has been a pleasure!"

Crane wrapped up his departure press release with "See you this summer," possibly a reference to touring commitments with George Lynch's Lynch Mob. A Lynch Mob mega-reunion occurred this weekend when original drummer (and Lynch's fellow Dokken alumnus) Mick Brown and the band's second vocalist, Robert Mason (now in Warrant), joined the current Lynch Mob lineup of Lynch, Crane, vocalist Oni Logan and drummer Scot Coogan on stage in Arizona. more on this story

Bobby Womack Fighting Cancer

(Gibson) Legendary singer-songwriter-producer Bobby Womack has been diagnosed with colon cancer. Womack, 68, had been hospitalized with pneumonia after a cancelled live appearance in Houston, Texas, several weeks ago.

Funk bass legend Bootsy Collins posted on Facebook: "I just spoke to our friend Bobby Womack. He wanted you all to know that he loves you & thxs for the prayers. Docs says he is in 1st stage of colon cancer, he is very up beat about his future, we laughed & joked before we hung up. Thxs funkateers, we will get him back on the one!"

Womack is preparing to release his first album of original material in 18 years, The Bravest Man in the Universe, on June 12 in the U.S. and June 11 in the U.K. The album was produced by Blur's Damon Albarn and XL Recordings label boss Richard Russell. Bootsy and his older brother, the last great the P-Funk guitarist Catfish Collins, collaborated with Womack on the song "Don't Take My Funk Away," from Bootsy's 2011 album Tha Funk Capital of the World. more on this story

Slash Album Preview

Slash's new album, Apocalyptic Love, hits stores on May 22nd, but fans can hear clips from the entire album right now.

Amazon has added 30 second song streams for all of the album tracks. We also learn that the album is being billed as Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators.

The Conspirators in this case are Brent Fitz (drums) and Todd Kerns (bass). Kennedy handles vocal duties for the band. They recorded the effort with producer Eric Valentine, who also produced Slash's first solo album disc. All the songs were written together by Slash and Kennedy. Check out the previews here.

Van Halen Break Out More Rarities

(hennemusic) Van Halen continued their setlist surprises on the "A Different Kind Of Truth" tour Monday night.

The veteran rockers played the Sovereign Center in Reading, PA, and added two songs in the show that have yet to be performed on the current trek.

The new track, "Blood And Fire," and the 1978 classic "Jamie's Cryin'" made their first appearances of the tour; "Blood" was actually performed at the group's final dress rehearsal at the L.A. Forum on February 8.

"Jamie" replaced "Hear About It Later" in the song order, while "Blood" was slotted in where "The Trouble With Never" was positioned in the set. Check out video here.

Jet Break Up

(Rock News Desk) Australian outfit Jet have announced that they have officially split after going on hiatus two years ago.

The four-piece formed in Melbourne in 2001. After releasing an EP they achieved global success with first album, Get Born, featuring hit singles Are You Gonna Be My Girl and Rollover DJ. Follow-up Shine On received mixed reviews while 2008′s Shaka Rock attracted a more positive response, but they failed to recapture the scale of their 2003 debut.

In a brief statement on their website the band say: "After many successful years of writing, recording and touring we wish to announce our discontinuation as a group. From the many pubs, theatres, stadiums and festivals all across the world it was the fans that made our amazing story possible and we wish to thank them all. Thank you, and goodnight." more on this story

Iron Maiden's Dickinson and Deep Purple's Paice To Tribute Buddy Rich

(Gibson) Iron Maiden singer and all-'round talented fellah Bruce Dickinson has signed up to sing at the Buddy Rich 25th Anniversary Memorial Concert at the London Palladium on Monday, April 2.

According to Music-News.com Dickinson will be a guest vocalist for the Buddy Rich Orchestra while Deep Purple's Ian Paice bangs the drums.

Also taking part are singer Tony Christie and some of the greatest drummers in the world including Dave Weckl, Gregg Bissonette, John Blackwell, Gregg Potter, Ginger Baker, Gavin Harrison, Clem Cattini and Elliott Henshaw. more on this story

Battle Over Red Hot Chili Peppers Bootleg Swag

(TMZ) A message to all those dudes who sell unofficial band t-shirts at concerts -- YOU WILL GET SUED ... especially if those t-shirts say Red Hot Chili Peppers.

A merchandising company named Bravado International just filed a lawsuit in Tampa -- claiming a Tampa resident named Mike Smith has been illegally hocking RHCP t-shirts outside the band's concerts ... and Bravado wants him stopped before he strikes again.
Bravado insists it struck a deal with RHCP for exclusive merchandising rights using the band's name -- and Mike's stepping all over its business ... with inferior products.

According to the suit, Mike's not only violating the exclusive merchandising agreement -- he's hurting their reputation ... because his t-shirts are easily confused with Bravado's.

As a result, Bravado is demanding Mike quit his operation and immediately DESTROY all offending merchandise. Bravado also wants unspecified damages. more on this story

Intronaut, Fearless and Abysmal Dawn Supergroup Set Release

Next month The End Records will release the debut album from Bereft, the supergroup featuring members of Intronaut, Graviton, The Faceless and Abysmal Dawn.

The group's debut album, Liechenhaus, will be released on April 24th and is self-described as "dark, depressing doom".

The band is comprised of Sacha Dunable of Intronaut and Graviton, Derek Donley of National Sunday Law and Graviton, Charles Elliott of Abysmal Dawn and ex-The Faceless vocalist Derek Rydquist. more on this story

Record Store Day Releases For McCartney And Little Richard And More

(Conqueroo) Concord Music Group plan a diverse array of exclusive Record Store Day releases for artists ranging from Paul McCartney and Little Richard to Dave Brubeck and Esperanza Spalding to Jay Farrar, Will Johnson, Anders Parker, Yim Yames (New Multitudes).

National Record Store Day, which falls on April 21 this year, celebrates the culture of the more than 700 independently owned records stores in the U.S. The event celebrates its fifth anniversary this year. Participating stores will host in-store events, performances, signings, and the release of special product exclusives. For more information, visit www.recordstoreday.com.

Concord Music Group's 2012 Record Store Day releases will be: Paul McCartney: "Another Day"/"Oh Woman, Oh Why" [7" vinyl single/ RSD exclusive / limited edition]: A classic McCartney vinyl single reissue manufactured exclusively for Record Store Day! "Another Day" was first recorded in 1970, during the sessions for the album Ram. It was the first single of his solo career, originally released February 19, 1971 with "Oh Woman, Oh Why" as the B-side. Upon its initial release "Another Day"/"Oh Woman, Oh Why" sold over a million copies worldwide. It was a #1 hit in France and Australia, in the U.K. it reached #2, in the U.S. it reached #5. This exclusive reissue single is featured on the forthcoming Paul McCartney Archive Collection edition of Ram coming this spring. more on this story

Dying Fetus Preview New Album

Dying Fetus are offering fans a taste of their upcoming album, Reign Supreme, which will be released on June 17th.

The album will feature nine tracks and is a "return to roots" with production focused slightly more on slam than in the band's last few works. Thematically, the album is set to be a good old-fashioned piece of social and political commentary in the style of Dying Fetus as we have come to know.

The album artwork for Reign Supreme has been revealed and can be viewed on the latest official album teaser for Reign Supreme, which you can check out here.

Trans Siberian Orchestra's Lyris Hung Releasing New Hung Album

(TAYF) ReThink Records have set a May 8th release date for the new self-titled album from Hung, which features Lyris Hung of Trans Siberian Orchestra.

ReThink Records is the new label founded by Chris Adler (Lamb of God) and The End Records. We were sent the following background info:

The album features 10 tracks engineered and produced by Andy Abel and Lyris Hung at Abel Studios in Connecticut, with vocals tracked and produced by Ryan Kelly at MSR Studios and Nova Studios in New York City. more on this story

Destruction Anniversary Tour Features Warbringer, Vital Remains, and Pathology

Warbringer will return to the road in May for a North American tour with Destruction for their 30th anniversary tour which will also feature Vital Remains, and Pathology.

The trek will run from May 8th to June 3rd, and after that, Warbringer will appear at various high-profile Summer festival appearances in Europe.

Vocalist John Kevill checked in to comment about these upcoming shows: "Hey all! Checking in at the end of the Iced Earth and Symphony X tour. We had a great time with those guys, there was a slew of incredible shows with awesome heavy metal fans in abundance, and a bunch of good times with both of those fine bands! Shame to say goodbye to them, but we're on our way home now to recuperate Before beginning out next tour with German thrash metal legends Destruction, on their 30th anniversary tour! We never rest long, the war rages on! We'll see you guys out on the road again in May, prepare to be annihilated! more on this story

Alter Bridge Deliver Wembley Boxed Set

Yesterday saw the release of Alter Bridge's special 3-disc DVD/CD/Documentary boxed set, Alter Bridge: Live At Wembley.

Directed and co-produced by Alter Bridge's longtime director, Daniel E. Catullo III (Rush, Nickelback, Smashing Pumpkins, Godsmack, Steve Miller Band), Live At Wembley is the maiden release from The Dude Films, a new multimedia company specializing in live concerts.

Live At Wembley includes every key Alter Bridge track from their three studio albums, including "Isolation," "Ghosts Of Days Gone By," "Wonderful Life," "Watch Over You," "Broken Wings," "Rise Today," "Open Your Eyes" and many more, and was captured in late November during the Fall 2011 European tour at the historic Wembley Arena more on this story

Everclear, Sugar Ray, Gin Blossoms, Lit, Marcy Playground Tour

Everclear, Sugar Ray, Gin Blossoms, Lit and Marcy Playground are teaming up for the Summerland tour.

Summerland kicks off on June 28th in Saratoga, CA and will run well into August, hitting more than 25 markets across the country this summer.

"We've wanted to do a tour like this for a long time and we're so excited to be hitting the road with our friends to bring you this huge summer party," said Everclear front man Art Alexakis. Sugar Ray lead singer Mark McGrath added "Get out your flip flops and your shades because Summerland is going to be a blast." more on this story

Keane Plan North American Tour

Keane plan to hit the road early this summer for a short North American tour in support of their upcoming new album Strangeland, due out May 8th.

Mystery Jets will support on all dates except Nashville, Chicago and Milwaukee.

Strangeland was produced by Dan Grech (Radiohead, The Vaccines, Howling Bells), recorded at Sea Fog, Keane songwriter/pianist Tim Rice-Oxley's studio in South Downs, UK. more on this story

Sigur Ros Return With New Album

Sigur Ros will deliver their first studio album in 4 years on May 29th with the release of Valtari. We were sent this background on the effort:

The first track from Valtari, entitled "Ekki Múkk," is now streaming on the band's website – www.sigurros.com. Valtari will be released on double LP, CD and digital download. Valtari is Sigur Rós's first studio album since 2008's acclaimed Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust, marking the end of their indefinite hiatus. It is either the album they always wanted to make, or the album they almost didn't make, depending on how you look at it.

Taken together, the eight songs on this 54-minute album feel like an alternative musical path the band didn't take after 2002's untitled ( ) album. Frequently bereft of formal structures, and for large stretches of time more atmospheres than songs, the work – which the band has described as sounding "like an avalanche in slow motion" – offers a counterpoint to Sigur Rós's steady yet unconscious migration towards public acceptance. more on this story

B Sides

Soundgarden Preview New Song

(hennemusic) It's been a long while since there's been any news from the Soundgarden camp, as the band has quietly been working on new music.

The group played its first tour in 14 years last summer since reuniting, and have talked about recording a new album without any need for a timeline.

Now, Soundgarden have issued a preview of "Live To Rise," a new single set to be featured in the new movie, "The Avengers." Listen Here

Iron Maiden Offer New En Vivo Preview

(hennemusic) Iron Maiden's new live set, "En Vivo!," arrives Tuesday. To get fans excited, Maiden have issued a second video from the package: "Wicker Man," which follows the previously posted "Blood Brothers."

Maiden were captured live on April 10, 2011 in front of over 50,000 ecstatic fans at the Estadio Nacional, Santiago during the Round The World In 66 Days leg of The Final Frontier World Tour.

In addition to the Blu-Ray, the 2DVD will initially be available as a Limited Edition double DVD in Collectors Steel book case and Double Vinyl Picture Disc. As well as a traditional 2CD Soundtrack album, EN VIVO! will also be available as a Digital Download, CD soundtrack album and Digital Download Video. Check out the preview here.

Emmure Head To Classic Arcade For Protoman Video

Emmure have release their brand new music video for the song, "Protoman," a single from their forthcoming album Slave To The Game, which will be released April 10th.

Victory sent over these details: This video features the band rocking out in an 80's throwback arcade, as a tribute to their youth and gamer lifestyle.

Emmure's energetic breakdown-oriented sound encompasses many various metal influences. Check it out here

Marduk Premiere New Song

Marduk have premiered, "M.A.M.M.O.N.," the first track from the group's forthcoming album.

The song comes from their 12th studio album, Serpent Sermon, which will be released on June 5th in North America.

Serpent Sermon will be available in both physical and digital formats, with an LP and limited-edition mediabook CD available exclusively via www.cmdistro.com. Check out the new song here.

Allan Holdsworth Inspires Dweezil Zappa

(Gibson) Dweezil Zappa famously woodshedded for years to tear down and rebuild his guitar technique for his ongoing Zappa Plays Zappa project, but the latest muse to be incorporated into his style is legendary fusion guitarist Allan Holdsworth.

In an interview with this writer for Beat magazine, Dweezil said he began reworking his technique two years before ZPZ played their first show, in order to handle parts written for other instruments, such as Frank's intricate marimba arrangements. But now that that's all in his (seemingly effortless) grasp, the guitarist is looking to assimilate other influences into his style.

"One of the things that's been cool lately is that some of the things I've always admired in other players, like Allan Holdsworth, for instance," Dweezil said. "He has these fluid runs, this kind of tension and release around what he's doing. And Frank built his own tension and release in a way that was even more angular than Allan Holdsworth. And as I grow as a guitarist some of the influences I've always had have a chance to be expressed more specifically." more on this story

The Rise of Sun Records

(Gibson) On this day in 1952, Sun Records officially began operations in Memphis, Tennessee. Gibson takes a look back: If there was ever a place that could lay claim to the title of Rock and Roll's Delivery Room it was the building at 706 Union Avenue in Memphis, Tennessee. This was the home of the Memphis Recording Service, which went on to house Sun Records – rock and roll's original label. The roster of artists who would get their start at Sun was staggering – Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison and others – but the success of the company could all be traced back to one man who wasn't a performer at all, Sam Phillips.

The son of a Florence, Alabama, farmer, Sam Phillips grew up with a love of traditionally black music. Born on January 5, 1923, Phillips befriended some of the black sharecroppers in the area as a child and learned to love the rhythmic blues music they taught him. This love of blues and country-based music eventually steered his career designs. With no money to go to law school, as he had aspired to do, Phillips instead studied audio engineering at the Alabama Polytechnical Instititute. He took his degree and settled into a DJ position at WLAY radio in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. After a subsequent stop in Nashville, Phillips finally made his way to the musical Mecca where he would find his fame, Memphis.

From the first time he visited Memphis in 1939, Phillips fell in love the sounds emanating from the clubs and the street corner buskers on Beale Street. He was electrified by a town that seemed to run on music – good music. And so, in 1945 he moved his wife Becky, pregnant at that time with their eldest son Knox, to Memphis, where he was both an on-air personality and an engineer at WREC. On his nationally syndicated Saturday Afternoon Tea Dance show, Phillips mixed in some of his beloved rhythm and blues with the jazz and pop offerings of the day. Ultimately, though, Phillips yearned to do more than play music; he had to make it.

In January 1950, Phillips leased an old auto upholstery shop on Union Avenue and set to work creating the Memphis Recording Service. He continued to pull double duty at the studio and the station for a while, but ultimately he decided to go all-in with his passion. Carrying a business card that read, "We Record Anything Anywhere Anytime," he took his recording equipment to weddings, parties and other events for bill-paying gigs. But even as he did this somewhat soulless busywork, his eye was firmly set on capturing the amazing sounds of the Memphis music scene. more on this story