Def Leppard To Play Free Club Show

June will be busy for Leppard, as the UK rockers celebrate the summer of "Rock of Ages" by releasing newly-recorded versions of "Pour Some Sugar On Me" and "Rock Of Ages" on June 4. more on this story

The Red Hot Chili Peppers Releasing 18 New Songs This Year

(Classic Rock) The Red Hot Chili Peppers are planning to release 18 new songs before the end of the year.

Flea reports they've been "writing stuff while touring" and adds they'll be released in seven-inch vinyl and digital formats.

The songs will follow the release of the band's last studio album, "I'm With You," which hit stores last summer. More rock news.

Fans Lose Patience With Guns N' Roses

Guns N' Roses still pack arenas but they appear to have a problem keeping the fans in the arenas.

The band ran into that problem earlier this week when fans in Manchester England left the arena after losing their patience waiting for the band to start.

NME reports that the band were told to end the show by 11 PM but didn't even take the stage until 11:15. They were schedule to start at 10PM and by the time they ended their set there were reportedly only 6,000 fans still in the arena, 10,000 less than the venue holds.

Those that did stick around were treated to a three hour show that included 33-songs. A case where patience was a virtue but with some fans relying on trains to get home, it made it impossible for them to stay for the concert and still catch the last train of the night. Read NME's report here for more info.

Slash Documentary Set For Release

(Gibson) Slash just released his sophomore solo album, Apocalyptic Love, last week, and now, the famed Velvet Revolver and former Guns N' Roses guitarist has a documentary on the horizon.

Slash – The Cat in the Hat: The Story So Far is set to arrive on Blu-ray on August 21 via Pride, according to Blabbermouth. Here's the official description of what to expect from the 131-minute flick: "The most iconic rock guitarist since Keith Richards, Slash has achieved the status of 'most interesting hard rock act in the world today.'

"This two-disc set includes a DVD documentary tracing the life and times of Slash, and a disc of audio interviews with the Cat himself during which he speaks candidly and honestly on almost everything he feels strongly about." more on this story

The Killers To Return With Battle Born

(Gibson) The Killers have announced that their new album will be called Battle Born. The follow-up to 2008's Day & Age is reportedly due out this fall.

Rolling Stone caught up with the rockers in their Las Vegas studio. Frontman Brandon Flowers explained the title: "In a sense, all Americans are battle born. Our ancestors came here for something better."

Many producers have been attached to the album, including Stuart Price, Steve Lillywhite, Damian Taylor and Brendan O'Brien. Among the songs confirmed to appear on Battle Born: "Heart of a Girl," "Flesh and Bone," "Carry Me Home" and "Runaways." more on this story

Tom Petty Still Suffers From 30-Year-Old Hand Injury

(Gibson) Take note, musicians out there. It's probably best not to punch a recording studio wall when frustration occurs. Thirty years ago, Tom Petty did just that and had to have pins placed in his fingers.

The Daily Express reports that the rock legend still suffers pain from injuring his hand back in the '80s. Petty told Q magazine, "I didn't notice it for the longest time, but in the last year it's started to hurt. I guess that's just down to getting old."

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers will perform at the Isle of Wight Festival in England on June 22. more on this story

Folk Pioneer Doc Watson Dead at 89

(Gibson) Folk music pioneer Doc Watson passed away Tuesday (May 29) at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where he was registered in critical condition last week. Watson, who recently underwent abdominal surgery, was 89 years old.

Watson is best known for his influence on the '60s folk movement with his groundbreaking flat-picking technique on the acoustic guitar. His songs brought vintage country to the next generation of folk and bluegrass lovers. Moreover, his command of flat-picking helped bring the guitar to the forefront of music in the '50s and '60s, since at the time, the instrument was often treated as a backup for the mandolin, fiddle or banjo.

Watson was born March 2, 1923 in Deep Gap, North Carolina. He lost his eyesight by the age of 1, but he still began playing guitar, banjo and harmonica as a child. By the end of his career, Watson had released over 50 albums, scored seven Grammy Awards and, in 2004, earned a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. more on this story

ABSU Sidelined By Medical Problem

Absu have been sidelined by a medical problem and as a result they have been forced to cancel their appearance at this weekend's Chaos In Tejas.

The band was set to headline the show at Red 7 this Saturday with support from Terrorism, Loss, Morbosidad, Ares Kingdom and Black Witchery.

Immediately following their performance at the opening night of this year's installment of Maryland Deathfest this past Thursday night, Absu drummer/vocalist Proscriptor had to rush back to Texas due to a knee infection. Following two instantaneous surgeries, Proscriptor will be in good health and back to 110% efficiency by the mid portion of June, but not in time to perform as scheduled on Saturday night. more on this story

Garbage Score Top 20 Return

Garbage's first album in seven years, Not Your Kind of People, scored a top 20 return for the alternative rockers.

The album debuted at no. 17 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart last week selling 19,281 digital albums via iTunes where the album was available exclusively for the week.

This week the album jumped up to no. 12 on the Top 200 Chart this week scanning over 22,000 units. more on this story

Alice in Chains Honored With Post Comeback Grammy Nods

(Classic Rock) Alice in Chains mainman Jerry Cantrell says they were honored just to be nominated for more Grammy Awards after the release of comeback album Black Gives Way to Blue.

"We were very happy to lose two Grammy again," he comments. "I think that puts us at zero and eight… Look, dude, it's an old cliche but it's true: it's an honour to be thought of. We achieved something.

"We were very happy with the success that we had. It felt good, it was hard work and it was worth every bit of it. And we're looking forward to doing it again." more on this story

Rick Wakeman Releases Live Album

Rick Wakeman has pulled a classic concert recording from 2003 out of the archives and released it as a new CD. Glass Onyon sent over these details:

After leaving YES following a world tour in 2004, Rick concentrated on his solo career and collaborated with Jon Anderson on a number of projects including tours of the UK and US and a studio and live album. The latest release from Rick Wakeman is an archive live album titled 'In The Nick Of Time', which was recorded in 2003. The album was recorded during the tour to promote the then current studio album 'Out There'. Rick performed with the "New English Rock Ensemble" which featured Rick alongside old hands Ashley Holt, Tony Fernandez and new boys Ant Glynne and Lee Pomeroy. Tracks featured include: "Out There", "Catherine Parr", "No Earthly Connection", "White Rock" and "Wurm". The album has been much anticipated by the large and dedicated Rick Wakeman audience and this release will be the first time this album has been commercially released.

Tracks: 1. Catherine Parr 2. Out There 3. No Earthly Connection 4. Dance of a Thousand Lights 5. The Cathedral In The Sky 6. White Rock 7. Wurm.

Get it here.

Rancid, The Rev. Horton Heat, Lucero, Bouncing Souls Hootenanny

Rancid, The Rev. Horton Heat, Lucero and Bouncing Souls lead the lineup for this year's Hootenanny which will take place on July 7 at Oak Canyon Ranch in Silverado Canyon, California.

Over the last 18 years, The Hootenanny has become one of Southern California's most anticipated annual events celebrating the convergence of music and kustom car culture that have helped shape the region's iconic fashion, lifestyle and sound. Attended by thousands of fans from around the world each year, The Hootenanny has featured performances by pioneers that have influenced and inspired the spirit and soul of the thriving scene like Jerry Lee Lewis, Social Distortion, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Link Wrey, Chris Isaak, Joe Strummer, Stray Cats, The Cramps, X, Scotty Moore & DJ Fontanta, Wanda Jackson, Steve Earle, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Los Lobos, Tiger Army, Hank Williams III, among many others.

This year The Hootenanny makes a strong return with headlining California punk rock legends Rancid, who are making their first ever appearance at the festival in celebration of their 20th anniversary. They'll be supported by rockabilly favorites The Reverend Horton Heat, punk-country rockers Lucero, New Jersey punk rockers The Bouncing Souls and more. more on this story

Volbeat, Hellyeah and Iced Earth Summer Tour

Volbeat will be hitting the road this summer for the North American leg of their Live >From Beyond Hell / Above Heaven Tour.

The trek kicks off on June 18th in Toronto and will run until July 19th where it wraps in Baltimore, MD. Hellyeah has been selected as direct support, with Iced Earth also on the bill.

Volbeat will be touring in support of their latest album Beyond Hell / Above Heaven, which debuted at number one on the sales charts in Denmark, Finland and Sweden, and Top 10 in a half dozen additional countries. more on this story

The Mars Volta Sideband Zechs Marquise Map Out Tour

The Mars Volta sideband Zechs Marquise will be hitting the road for a summer co-headlining North American dates with And So I Watch You From Afar.

Following the band's recent stint as main support for At The Drive-In's reunion tour, Zechs Marquise joins ASIWYFA on June 30th to kick off the extensive tour in Anaheim, CA.

Zechs Marquise, the El Paso, TX quintet are touring in support of their sophomore album Getting Paid. more on this story

Evans Blue Plan Summer Tour

Evans Blue have mapped out the dates for the first leg of their Graveyard Of Empires 2012 Tour.

The summer trek is set to kick off July 6th at The Machine Shop in Flint, Michigan, where the band will also film a live video for the song "Halo."

Evans Blue will be touring in support of their latest release, Graveyard Of Empires, and will be joined on the tour by State Your Cause who will provide direct support. More August dates will be announced in early June. more on this story

Aerosmith Touring Member Russ Irwin Releases Solo Album

(Shorefire) Russ Irwin, a touring member of Aerosmith for over 15 years, has released the ten song solo album 'Get Me Home.'

Featuring guest vocals from Steven Tyler and appearances by Aerosmith guitarist Brad Whitford, Stone Temple Pilots' Dean DeLeo, and Grammy-nominated trumpeter Chris Botti, 'Get Me Home' showcases Irwin's unique style of piano-driven, jazz-inspired, blues rock.

The album's sharp arrangements and eclectic dynamics represent just a sample of the songwriting acuity that has earned Irwin high-praise status as a hitmaker among his peers. Irwin's first single "Manhattan," a modern day standard and ode to New York City, chronicles a born and bred New Yorker's nostalgia for the landmarks and mood of the Big Apple after years of being on the road and living in L.A. The raucous "I Miss Being Lonely" laments an addict friend's chaotic downward spiral despite claims of being sober and the slow-burning build and tight vocal harmonies of "Find the Light" give universal encouragement to not "give up when times are rough." more on this story

10 Years Set New Album Release

10 Years have set a July 31st release date for their new studio album, Minus The Machine, which is being released under their own label Palehorse Records.

The first single from the effort, "Backlash," is set for release on June 19th via iTunes and will hit radio on the same day.

"We wanted to create an album that has no boundaries," 10 Years frontman Jesse Hasek explains the decision to release Minus The Machine independently. "When you feel like you're being told to go through motions and jump through hoops, it takes the heart out of it. It's better to do what comes naturally and then figure out the after-effect." more on this story

The Contortionist Releasing New Album This Summer

eOne Music/Good Fight Music have set a July 17th release date for The Contortionist's new album "Intrinsic".

"On 'Intrinsic', we've found ourselves focusing on the songwriting as well as the new textures and melody we're striving for. Each song has its own identity and flow, but the album is fun to listen through in order cause of the conceptual ties," says vocalist/keyboardist Jonathan Carpenter.

The album was produced and recorded by Eyal Levi (Daath, Job For A Cowboy) and Jason Suecof (Trivium, Devildriver) at Audiohammer Studios. more on this story

No Bragging Rights Begin Recording New Album

No Bragging Rights are heading into the One Light Media recording studios in Las Vegas, NV to start recording their next album.

The band will start tracking a brand new album with Kelly Cairns (As I Lay Dying, Austrian Death Machine, Molotov Solution) who worked on the bands last album "Illuminator" which was released January of last year.

No Bragging Rights completed many tours this past year with appearances at the New England Metal and Hardcore Festival, The Jamboree and many other notable festivals, and could not be more thrilled to take time off and start recording a new album. more on this story

B Sides

Little Ozzy Rocks America's Got Talent

(hennemusic) Ozzy Osbourne impersonator Little Ozzy auditioned for America's Got Talent Tuesday night in front of Ozzy's wife, Sharon Osbourne, one of the judges on the talent competition.

Little Ozzy was created by Lin Doak, an ex-MINIKISS member who left the band after four years of touring the country with them to create a new live act.

Tuesday night's episode featured AGT reviewing contestant auditions in St. Louis, and Little Ozzy stepped up to perform Ozzy's "Mama, I'm Coming Home." "I have to tell you something," Sharon said to Little Ozzy. "My husband is away from me right now, and it made me miss him even more by you singing me that song, so I really thank you." Watch it here.

Metallica Release Oslo Footage

(hennemusic) Metallica's 2012 European Summer Vacation rolled into Oslo, Norway on May 23.

The tour sees the metal icons performing their 1991 self-titled ("Black") album in its entirety for the first time, and the band offers it up with a twist: they perform the songs in reverse order so they can end the regular set with "Enter Sandman."

Metallica are now sharing some footage from the Oslo event, including video of the pre-show meet and greet, a tuning room version of "No Remorse," and the performance of "Through The Never" from the concert. more on this story

Beatles Impact on Badfinger

(Gibson) Joey Molland, who along with Ham powered the band's distinctive dual-guitar sound, continues to keep the Badfinger flame alive. Gibson.com spoke with Molland about Badfinger's legacy, the band's twin-guitar approach and what it was like to work so closely with The Beatles.

Badfinger self-produced the first version of Straight Up, but then Apple Records insisted the album be re-made. What was the biggest change that occurred, when George Harrison came in as producer? The idea was to smooth things out, to make it more of an Abbey Road-style album. Apple thought our recordings were a bit crude, so we went in with George and did something more sophisticated. George took our original version of Straight Up, went through the songs and the lyrics, and arranged them very much as he did with his own music. And then he had us play those arrangements. That was the biggest difference. It turned out great, although to this day I think some of those original versions are closer to what the band was about.

Was Harrison pleasant to work with? Oh, yes. George didn't behave like a rock star, or like a "Beatle." It was very comfortable working with him. He also had no qualms about strapping on his guitar and playing a bit of guitar with us. I think he enjoyed doing that, as much as he enjoyed everything else. He worked on lyrics with us, and he got excited about the songs as they went down. He started sensing that this could be a hit record. He completely changed "Suitcase," for instance, and you can hear that on the record. He even changed the lyrics. I didn't play guitar on the "George" version of "Suitcase," whereas on the original version I played all the guitar. more on this story

The Day The Who Became The World's Loudest Band

(Gibson) On this day in 1976, The Who gave themselves a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as the loudest performance of a rock band at 120 decibels, when they played at Charlton Athletic Football ground. Gibson looks back:

It's May 31, 1976, and it's a typically wet rainy night in London, England at the Charlton Athletic Football Stadium. The 60,000 people have been there all day watching the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Little Feat, The Outlaws, Streetwalkers and Widowmaker battle the elements. How many were there for Little Feat or Alex Harvey can't be clear but the excitement grew tangible as the audience waited for the headlining act. As several tried to climb floodlight towers for a better vantage point, it was obvious that most were there to see one of the greatest live bands of all time, The Who.

The band were still on their '70s creativity high, still pushing the boundaries of rock and roll performance. The Who by Numbers was just out and "Squeeze Box" had given them their first hit single in a while. Tommy would feature heavily in the set (which included "I Can't Explain," "Substitute," "My Wife," "Baba O'Riley," "Squeeze Box," "Behind Blue Eyes," "Dreaming from the Waist," "Magic Bus," "Amazing Journey," "Sparks," "The Acid Queen," "Fiddle About," "Pinball Wizard," "I'm Free, "Tommy's Holiday Camp," "We're Not Gonna Take It," "Summertime Blues," "My Generation," "Won't Get Fooled Again") partly because the Ken Russell movie was released the previous year. And they'd just set the record for the largest indoor arena attendance with 75,962 at the Pontiac Silverdome the previous December.

They were about to break another record.