Queen Reject Freddie Mercury Hologram Idea

"I don't think I want to. Were somebody [else] to use a hologram of Freddie, I would have no objection... It just doesn't sit too well with me. I don't want to appear with a hologram of my dear friend. It's the real one or no hologram for me. But I think it's an amazing effect when used properly – obviously in darkness." more on this story

Slayer Guitarist Still Recovering From Spider Bite

Slayer issued an open letter to fans letting them know how Jeff Hanneman is progressing in his recovery from a serious spider bite. They write: Slayer fans everywhere - it's time to let you know what is going on with our brother Jeff Hanneman. As you know, Jeff was bitten by a spider more than a year ago, but what you may not have known was that for a couple of days after he went to the ER, things were touch-and-go. There was talk that he might have to have his arm amputated, and we didn't know if he was going to pull through at all. He was in a medically-induced coma for a few days and had several operations to remove the dead and dying tissue from his arm. So, understand, he was in really, really bad shape. It's been about a year since he got out of the hospital, and since then, he had to learn to walk again, he's had several painful skin grafts, he's been in rehab doing exercises to regain the strength in his arm; but best of all, he's been playing guitar.

We were all excited when he joined us onstage for the encore a year ago at The Big Four show at Coachella. Since then, we've given him all the time and support he's needed to continue his rehab so he can come back to the band fully recovered and able to deliver the kind of shows we all want him to. While Jeff's been doing some writing and has been coming to rehearsal over the past several weeks, he has decided he needs to take more time to continue his rehab.

While we want him back onstage with the band, all of us support his decision. So, we're very grateful that Gary Holt will continue to fill in for Jeff, and will tour with us until Jeff completes his rehab and is ready to return. How long will that be? The best and most honest answer we can give you is 'as long as it takes.' We also wanted you to know that we've been doing some writing and recording for the next Slayer album - we've tracked a few songs, and will finish the album when we're off the road later this year. Gary will join us on tour in Europe and the UK in May and June, and then we'll all see you on this Summer's Mayhem Festival.

Aerosmith's Joe Perry Tracks In Tonight's CSI

(hennemusic) Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry has composed two exclusive instrumental tracks to air during CSI: Crime Scene Investigation tonight, Wednesday, May 2 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

"It was really exciting that CSI gave me this opportunity to contribute to the show," said Perry. "The first piece is pure adrenalin rock 'n roll. The second gave me a chance to work for my DJ son Roman, who contributed some of his electronic dance music."

Perry's music will be heard in the first act of "Dune and Gloom," in which off-road trucks are engaged in competition when a bomb goes off mid-race. The CSI team then arrives to investigate. more on this story

Shinedown, Godsmack and Staind for Uproar Festival Tour

Shinedown, Godsmack and Staind lead the lineup for this summer's installment of the Uproar Festival tour.

Adelitas Way will round out the mainstage performers, with the second and stages set to feature P.O.D., Deuce, Fozzy, Redlight King, Mindset Evolution, In This Moment, Thousand Foot Krutch, Candlelight Red.

"This is our first year on the Uproar Festival, and we are honored to be sharing the stage with all the bands...Trust me this is one tour you do not want to miss," says Brent Smith of Shinedown. more on this story

AC/DC, Guns N' Roses, Sabbath Stars For Zeppelin's John Bonham Birthday Bash

Former Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy announced that he is taking part in a birthday tribute bash for late Led Zeppelin legend John Bonham.

The tribute is follow up to the previous tribute concerts, Bonzo: The Groove Remains The Same, and will take place on Bonham's birthday on May 31st at the House Of Blues in Los Angeles.

Portnoy isn't the only star who has signed up. The show is set to feature current and former members of AC/DC, Guns N' Roses, Black Sabbath, Quiet Riot, Ratt, Korn, Alice Cooper, Whitesnake and more. more on this story

Allman Brothers Band Announce Dates With Santana and Lynyrd Skynyrd

The Allman Brothers Band will be returning to the road this summer for a series of shows including a run of co-headlining dates with Santana.

The band has confirmed six co-headlining dates with Santana as well as one-off festival dates, their own Peach Festival in Scranton, PA and dates with moe. and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

"It is a delight and an honor to finally share the stage, and the music, with Gregg Allman, Derek Trucks, Warren Haynes and The Allman Brothers Band," says Carlos Santana. "This is something that we've hoped to make happen for many years." more on this story

Pearl Jam Making Progress On New Album

(hennemusic) Pearl Jam guitarist Stone Gossard is sharing news about the band's next studio album.

"We really want to finish a record this year," Gossard tells Billboard. "[It's] now between half and three quarters done, but we got some new material and we're excited about hopefully doing some more work on that later in the year."

Among that new material, he divulges, is a brand new hard-edged rocker by fellow Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready, "that's fantastic that reminds me of Motorhead. I hope that that one is in the mix coming up." more on this story

Death Cab for Cutie Summer Tour

The Death Cab for Cutie camp sent over word about their upcoming North American summer tour plans.

The North American tour will kick off with a pair of Canada Day Weekend shows with The Tragically Hip – slated for June 30th at The Commons in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario and July 1st at Burl's Creek in Barrie, Ontario – and then continue through late July.

Among the schedule's many highlights is a July 17th headline date at Nashville's legendary Ryman Auditorium, and a series of festival performances including Milwaukee's Summerfest on July 5th, Des Moines, Iowa's 80/35 Music Festival on July 7th, Chicago's annual "The Taste of Chicago" on July 12th, Cincinnati's Bunbury Music Festival on July 15th, and Dover, Delaware's Firefly Music Festival on July 22nd. more on this story

Late Slits Singer Ignored Breast Cancer?

(Classic Rock) John Lydon says his stepdaughter Ari Up didn't have to die of breast cancer in 2010 and she effectively killed herself using the disease.

Up, real name Arianna Foster, was lead singer with punk outfit the Slits and worked with Nina Hagen, Lee Scratch Perry and as a solo artist before passing away at the age of 48.

But Sex Pistol Lydon, who's been with Up's mother Nora Foster since 1978, believes Up chose not to seek proper medical assistance. "She knew she had cancer and she deliberately ignored it, and went for lunatic left-wing crackpot theories. And that will kill you stone dead every single time," Lydon tells Sky Arts. more on this story

Deep Purple Want To Make New Album Count

(Classic Rock) Deep Purple are facing the fact they won't keep going for ever and that's reflected in the band's attitude to their upcoming album.

Guitarist Steve Morse says they'll soon gather to start work with producer Bob Ezrin on their 19th studio record. And because the end of the road will be sighted in time, he believes it's "really important" to get the project right.

He tells Glide Magazine: "It's probably going to be more of an extravaganza. Everybody realises we're not going to do this forever, so to me it feels like this is a really important album to do well." more on this story

Sublime with Rome, Cypress Hill and Pepper Tour

Sublime with Rome are teaming up with Cypress Hill and Pepper for North American tour this summer.

The tour kicks off July 11th at Stage AE in Pittsburgh, PA and will wrap on August 30th in 30 St. Augustine, FL.

Sublime with Rome will be touring in support of their 2011 album release "Yours Truly". more on this story

Duran Duran To Represent England at Olympics

(Gibson) Duran Duran will represent England at a London concert this July, the same day of the Summer Olympics opening ceremony, according to NME.

The Hyde Park show also will feature Paolo Nutini representing Scotland, Stereophonics representing Wales and Snow Patrol representing Northern Ireland.

On August 12, Blur will headline a Hyde Park concert marking the conclusion of the London Olympics, alongside New Order and The Specials. more on this story

Gregg Allman Medically Cleared For Tour

(hennemusic) Gregg Allman has been cleared by doctors to begin his book tour next week, as expected.

Last week, Allman announced that he was delaying the start of the trip to undergo diagnostic cardiac testing at the Mayo Clinic's campus in Jacksonville, Florida, after experiencing arrhythmia (an irregular heartbeat) following a recent hernia operation.

Gregg will launch his new autobiography, "My Cross To Bear" - which was published Tuesday – on May 8 in Atlanta. There are currently six stops on the book tour, including Nashville, Chicago and Los Angeles. more on this story

Iron Maiden Singer Launching Airline Business

(hennemusic) Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson is launching a major commercial airline maintenance repair and overhaul operation in South Wales.

Wales Online reports Dickinson's Cardiff Aviation will be based at the Twin Peaks hangar at St Athan in the of Vale of Glamorgan.

"We're coming into this enterprise with the knowledge that we'll also be bringing business to South Wales," says Bruce. "A cautious projection is that we'd expect to create up to a thousand jobs within 18 months based on the level of interest and commitment from aircraft manufacturers and operators." more on this story

Chris Robinson Brotherhood Kick Off Tour This Week

Chris Robinson Brotherhood are hitting the road tomorrow to kick off a length North American tour.

The trek kicks off May 3 in New Orleans and includes a stop at Memphis' Beale Street Festival May 6, with dates booked into October.

The group's debut album Big Moon Ritual will be released via Silver Arrow/Megaforce Records on June 5, the same day the band is confirmed to perform the album's "Rosalee" on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno." more on this story

Whitechapel Set New Album Release

(Freeman) Whitechapel have set a June 19th release date for their new self-titled studio album.

The album was engineered and mixed by Mark Lewis (Black Dahlia Murder, DevilDriver), who also handled production duties alongside the band. The album artwork was created by Aaron Marsh of Forefathers Group with art direction provided by Whitechapel.

Whitechapel are set to tour with Miss May I, After the Burial, Within the Ruins, and The Plot in You as part of the "Recorruptor" kicking off May 3rd in Louisville, KY and running through May 17th in Portland, ME. Immediately following the tour, the band is set to play at this year's Bamboozle Festival is Asbury Park, NJ on May 18th. more on this story

B Sides

Joe Bonamassa Giving Away New Song

(Gibson) Joe Bonamassa has released the first single and the official music video from his brand-new solo album Driving Towards the Daylight.

The official music video for the title track "Driving Towards the Daylight" can be viewed here and you can get a free download of the song here.

Bonamassa's label J&R Adventures is airing 10 episodes of the new reality mini-series that features 3-4 minute webisodes with interviews and footage of Joe and his band. more on this story

Neil Young and Crazy Horse Release New Video

(hennemusic) Neil Young and Crazy Horse return with their new album, "Americana," on June 5. Neil has just released the first video for the project; it's for "Oh Susannah."

It's the group's first album together since 2003's "Greendale," and their first with the full Crazy Horse line-up of Billy Talbot, Ralph Molina and Frank "Poncho" Sampedro since "Broken Arrow" in 1996.

The songs on "Americana" are all classic American folk songs, including "This Land Is Your Land," "Gallows Pole," "Tom Dooley" and "Clementine." Watch the video here.

Accept's Hoffmann Reflects On Comeback

(Classic Rock) Accept guitarist Wolf Hoffmann feels honoured that counterparts in bigger bands look on him as a hero but he wouldn't mint trading the adulation in for a fatter bank balance. And he hopes the band's two acclaimed albums since they reformed have forever silenced those who doubted the German outfit could pull off a comeback.

Accept returned in 2009 with new singer Mark Tornillo after former frontman Udo Dirkschneider opted not to take the mic again. They released Blood of the Nations the following year and Stalingrad came out earlier this month.

Hoffmann tells BraveWords: "I don't think you could have more scepticism than we had. We got hit pretty hard by the wave of naysayers and criticism. I had to tune out at one point because I couldn't stand the comments any more." more on this story

The Day Nirvana Began Nevermind

(Gibson) On this day in 1991, Nirvana booked into Sound City Studios in Van Nuys, California, for 16 days. On a budget of $65,000 and with Butch Vig producing, the band started recording what would become the Nevermind album. Gibson looks back:

Nearly 20 years after its release, the impact of Nirvana's groundbreaking album Nevermind still reverberates in the music industry. It can be strongly argued that it is the single-most influential album in the history of recorded music. Hyperbole? Not even remotely, not when you consider just how suddenly the paradigm of popular rock music that had remained relatively static from the mid-'80s through very early '90s, was shattered by an album – in particular, a song – from a little-known alternative band from Seattle.

Formed by singer-songwriter-guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic, Nirvana released their debut album Bleach in 1989 on the indie Sub Pop label. Their drummer at the time, Chad Channing, was replaced in 1990 by former Scream drummer and future Foo Fighters frontman, Dave Grohl. Cobain and Novoselic had seen Grohl perform at a Scream show, and they were more than impressed.

At the time, Cobain had been growing weary of the heavier rock sound so prevalent in the grunge scene in Seattle. He'd been listening to groups like R.E.M. and the Pixies, and his writing was evolving as he experimented with infusing more melody into his songs. In 1990 Nirvana released the single "Sliver," which Cobain later remarked "was like a statement in a way. I had to write a pop song and release it on a single to prepare people for the next record. I wanted to write more songs like that."

Nirvana's Sub Pop indie label was having a tough time financially, so the band began kicking around the idea of signing with a major label. There was interest on a number of fronts, especially from the Geffen Records imprint DGC Records, who eventually signed the band. By the spring of 1990, Nirvana was shoring up songs for the second album. Deciding to use Butch Vig as their producer, and with a recording budget of $65,000, they went into Sound City Studios in Van Nuys, California on this day in 1991. more on this story

Singled Out: Genre Peak's Wear it Well

Today Martin Birke from Genre Peak tells us about the song "Wear it Well" from their brand new album "Redux," which features Mick Karn of Japan fame. Here is the story:

Genre Peak's track "Wear it Well" came about when Martin Birke and Mick Karn had been discussing ways for Karn to join the band in 2007. After approaching Karn to join Genre Peak as a full time member of the band, when Chapman Stick player Daniel Panasenko departed the band in late 2006, it soon became clear that money, travel and lack of label funding wouldn't allow Genre Peak to blossom with the new line-up of Birke (electronics/vocals), Stephen Sullivan(guitar-synths/guitars) and Karn(bass) as a touring trio.

Karn had been living in Cyprus and Birke was across the globe in Sacramento, CA. So plan B was developed for Mick to record his parts for the new album (Preternatural) at his home by sending the track sessions by post. Birke presented the instrumental of "Wear it Well" ,made up of parts from an existing album track called "Wear Your Ruin", to Mick who then recorded a very thick stereo bass track to it. Birke brought in Canadian singer Tara C. Taylor to sing the vocals whose soft lilting voice provided a lighter contrast the heavily synth-layered sound together with co-producer and guitarist Christopher Scott Cooper's engineering and superb mixing talents the track became a strong and very well constructed complete song. Beginning with voice samples and electronica elements the track does a linear build of beats, bass and synths to the ending of overdriven guitars and emotionally charged vocals. "Wear it Well" became the most purchased album track of Preternatural in 2008-09 and was naturally selected for the new Genre Peak compilation "Redux".

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