Aerosmith Cancel Stadium Show To Play With Van Halen

The second night of the festival will feature a headline performance from Billy Joel and sets from Icehouse, Lifehouse, Diesel, Mark Seymour, Guy Sebastian, Shannon Noll, Illumination Road, Dallas Frasca, Mark Moroney and Stone Parade.

Attacks Against Metal, Goth, Emo and Punk Fans Labeled Hate Crimes

(Classic Rock) Attacks against fans of metal, goth, emo and punk music are to be listed as hate crimes by Manchester police, following a campaign by the Sophie Lancaster Foundation.

Sophie was murdered in a vicious assault in 2007 at the age of 20. A gang of thugs attacked her and boyfriend Robert Maltby – just because they were wearing goth clothes. Two of the thugs were sentenced to life in jail while three others were convicted of inflicting grievous bodily harm.

Since then the foundation created in her memory has fought to bring attention to attacks against people who happen to enjoy heavy or dark music.

Now Greater Manchester Police's Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan says: "People who wish to express their alternative subculture identity should not have to tolerate hate crime." more on this story

Geoff Tate Releases First Single From His Queensryche Album

(Classic Rock) Geoff Tate's version of Queensryche has released their first single. It's a track called "Cold" which is taken from upcoming album Frequency Unknown, due on April 23.

The song features guitarists Kelly Gray and Craig Locicero, bassist Rudy Sarzo, drummer Simon Wright and keyboardist Randy Gane.

The record will feature guest appearances from KK Downing, Chris Poland, Ty Tabor, Paul Bostaph, Dave Meniketti and others.

It's endured a difficult birth: along with numerous lineup changes – including ex-Megadeth guitarist Glen Drover, who quit before a note had been played then guested with the other version of Queensryche, calling them the real deal.

Earlier this week Billy Sherwood, who'd been hired to remix the record following fan complains about the quality of preview clips, changed his mind and said he didn't have time to complete the task. Listen to the new song here.

Alice In Chain Go Spinal Tap

(Banana 101.5) To hype up their forthcoming album 'The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here,' Alice In Chains have put together a hilarious mockumentary titled 'AIC23′ that also gives us a peek at the new tunes 'Voices' and 'Phantom Limb.'

In the video, hosted by terrible (and probably fictional) filmmaker Alan Poole McLard, the band members give interviews in disguise that make fun of almost every aspect of their music.

Drummer Sean Kinney is dressed as a hipster, who ironically agreed to do the interview, while Jerry Cantrell plays a country musician claiming to have been ripped off by Jerry Cantrell — it's all very meta.

William DuVall plays a reggae musician, who "rastafies" their single 'Hollow,' and Mike Inez portrays a death metal dude who loves AIC because they famously sang the lyrics "Deny Your Maker" in the tune 'Man in the Box.'

Adding to the spoofery, there are guest spots from Lars Ulrich, Pearl Jam's Mike McCready, Members of Mastodon, Duff McKagan and more, who are all on different pages when it comes to the fact that AIC even still exists. Check it out here!

Korn Announce Intimate U.S. Headline Dates With Brian 'Head' Welch

This week Korn announced their first very U.S. headlining shows with their original guitarist Brian 'Head' Welch since 2004.

The band were already set to tour Europe and perform at a handful of North American festivals with Welch joining them, but now they have announced six U.S. dates next month at intimate venues.

The new dates include shows in Belle Vernon, Pa.- Big Flats, N.Y.- Silver Springs, Md.- Montclair, N.J.- Bethlehem, Pa. and St. Louis, Mo.

Welch has not "officially" reunited with the band and he said "We're taking it slow," in a recent interview with Loudwire.

"I'm just saying anything is possible right now … As far as right now, it's all good. It's all good and I've never seen my family so positive and healthy and happy."

The band is also set to make appearances at the previously announced music festivals: Rock on the Range, Rocklahoma and Rock Fest. more on this story

Even Ronnie Wood Surprised By Rolling Stones 2013 Live Plans

(Classic Rock) Ronnie Wood is pleasantly surprised that the Rolling Stones have agreed to return to Hyde Park, 44 years after their iconic free show at the London location.

They've confirmed a paid-for event on July 6 this year, with support by The Vaccines, The Temper Trap and Gary Clark Jr. It will follow their highly-anticipated set at Glastonbury and a series of US appearances in May, with former guitarist Mick Taylor guesting on the whole tour.

The band's 1969 show at Hyde Park is a bittersweet memory as it took place just two days after the death of Brian Jones. That's one of the reasons Wood – who wasn't in the band at the time –doubted they'd ever return.

He tells The Sun: "I never thought the Stones would do it, to be quite honest. But it's come to fruition and it's very pleasing." more on this story

Andrew W.K. To Rock Ramones Classics With Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg

Anyone up for a Ramones Party? Former Ramones drummer Marky Ramone has recruited Andrew W.K. to front Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg for their upcoming global tour dates.

Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg carries on the Ramones with the performance of over 30 Ramones classics at each concert. And with Andrew W.K. performing those classics, you know they will come to party.

"I first met Andrew through a mutual friend and he told me about his party philosophy, which has also always been my exact take on life," explains Marky Ramone. "We went into the rehearsal studio and it just clicked. We had so much fun that we wanted to invite everyone to the party. I've said before and I will say it again, these songs are too good not to be played live!!!"

"When Marky Ramone asks you to be his singer, you don't even think about it. It's an automatic, YES," raves Andrew W.K. "I was intimidated by the magnitude of the opportunity – freaked out and overwhelmed – but I was also completely determined and focused – it's something I had to do. Even just the first rehearsal felt like an odyssey, but that's how you can tell the experience is changing your life. I've never had a more rewarding, humbling, or challenging invitation than this, and I'm serving the gods via this incredible sound Marky and his band created. There's never been better rock 'n' roll music made than this, and I will give everything I have to do it justice."

The tour will kick off in New York City on May 3rd and they will then head to Serbia on the 9th and perform dates in Italy, Spain, Russia, Finland, Greece and Germany before heading back to the U.S. for the North American leg this fall. more on this story

The Lumineers Expand Spring Tour Plans

The Lumineers fans will have more opportunities to see the band live this spring as the group has expanded their North American headline tour.

In addition to the new headline dates the band will also be appearing at several music festivals including Coachella, Sasquatch, Bonnaroo and they will be headlining the Shaky Knees Music Festival in Atlanta.

Support on the headline dates will be split between the Cold War Kids and J Roddy Walston with both bands alternating dates on the trek.

The Lumineers will begin their touring season with an appearance at Coachella on April 14th and will wrap up at the Bonnaroo Music Festival in June. more on this story

Chris Bailey Of The Angels Dies Of Cancer

(Classic Rock) The Angels bassist Chris Bailey has died of cancer. He was 62. He bowed out of the Australian band in January in order to focus on his health battle. He'd known he was ill for some time, but only confirmed the news to fans as he announced his departure.

It followed former Angels frontman Doc Neeson's report that he, too, was suffering from cancer. Bailey said last month: "In July last year I got a tumour in my lower left jawbone, which was removed and replaced with the tibia from my left leg. This was all good – except every time I passed a footy field I began to dribble.

"Subsequently, I have developed a rare cancer of the soft palate, for which I'm currently being treated. The treatment involves chemotherapy over the next 5-6 months, and then maybe some radiotherapy.

"The prognosis is… well, nobody knows for sure right now which way it will go – but I'm fighting hard to stick around for some more partying." more on this story

Anthrax Frontman To Sing National Anthem at Chicago Bulls Game

(hennemusic) Anthrax frontman Joey Belladonna will sing the U.S. national anthem at the Chicago Bulls vs. Orlando Magic game this Friday (April 5), at the United Center in Chicago.

Anthrax are currently on the road headlining the Metal Alliance tour, along with Exodus, High On Fire, Municipal Waste and Holy Grail.

The band recently released an eight-track EP, "Anthems," which pays tribute to the classic songs by some of Anthrax's favorite bands from the 1970s. more on this story

Jimmy Eat World Releasing New Album

(Radio.com) Jimmy Eat World announced on their website this week that their forthcoming album, Damage, will be released June 11. This will be the Mesa, Arizona band's 8th studio album, following up Invented which was released in September 2010.

Despite not having a record label at the time, the alternative radio darlings began recording the album last August. According to frontman Jim Adkins, the band went back and fourth with a few labels and "very recently" signed with RCA. Damage was produced by Jimmy Eat World and Alain Johannes, known for work with Mark Lanegan and Chris Cornell, while mixing was performed by James Brown, who recently worked on Dave Grohl's Sound City album.

"I think we're really proud of the record," Adkins told Rolling Stone. "It's something we put a lot of work into and we really wanted to get right, whatever that meant for the song. I don't think it's that dissimilar to things we've done in the past." Adkins described the album as an "adult breakup record." more on this story

Delta Rae Record With Fleetwood Mac's Lindsey Buckingham

Delta Rae recruited Fleetwood Mac legend Lindsey Buckingham to play guitar on the re-recorded version of their new single, "If I Loved You."

"I can't really accurately express how wild it was for us to learn that Lindsey Buckingham had played on If I Loved You." says Delta Rae's Ian Holljes. "I grew up on stories of how my parents (along with every other kid on campus) would blast the entirety of Rumours out of their college dorm room windows.

"Fleetwood Mac and Lindsey Buckingham's writing have been so influential to us and so to have his talents and incredibly distinctive guitar playing laid over one of our tracks felt like the world sort of folding over on itself.

"Ultimately, it was rewarding on two huge levels -- the thrill of having one of your heroes play on your song and the actual impact of his beautiful guitar work enhancing the song so meaningfully. "

The band has also released a new video for "If I Loved You" for the original recording without Buckingham. "This video captures what I love most about the song" says Delta Rae singer Elizabeth Hopkins.

"It's simple and raw. Telling someone point blank that you don't love them is difficult and painful. I've done it. It feels horrible, but there is also a release that comes along with it, a lifting of a weight. I think this video lets you focus on the rawness of that message." more on this story

The Beatles' Let It Be Naked Goes Digital

(Gibson) The Beatles' stripped-down version of their Let It Be album, shorn of Phil Spector's lavish orchestration, is now available for purchase on iTunes.

First released in 2003, Let It Be… Naked features the same songs as the 1970 album, minus Spector's controversial overdubs. The iTunes version includes all the original booklet art and linter notes, plus 20 minutes of studio banter from the 1969 sessions.

Music videos for the "Naked" versions of "Get Back" and "Don't Let Me Down" are included as bonuses as well. In the wake of Let It Be… Naked's original 2003 release, Paul McCartney commented that the new edition was a more accurate representation of The Beatles than the 1970 version.

"If we'd had today's technology back then, it would sound like this because this is the noise we made in the studio," said McCartney. "It's all exactly as it was in the room." more on this story

The Boxer Rebellion Return With New Album and Tour

The Boxer Rebellion have set a May 14th release date for their new studio album, Promises, which they are releasing via their own Absentee Recordings.

The new album is the follow-up to "The Cold Still" and was co-produced by the band and producer Bill Bush and was recorded in Los Angeles, California.

The group will be hitting the road to support the new album. Their North American headline tour will feature support from Fossil Collective.

The Promises tour is set to kick off on May 23rd in Montreal at Café Campus and will conclude on June 22nd in Boston, MA at the Sinclair.

The band has also announced the biggest UK headline show of their career on October 23rd at The Forum in London. more on this story

David Bowie Inspired Eric Clapton's New Album Name

(hennemusic) Eric Clapton reveals that David Bowie inspired the title of his new album, "Old Sock." While Clapton was considering names for the record, he came across Bowie's new song, "Where Are We Now?," on the BBC News.

"The construction of the song gave me cold chills; it is seriously good," said Clapton. "I called the office and said 'can you send a message to David's office and just say 'thank you for writing such a beautiful song.'"

"Every now and then I feel compelled to do this when something gets me," he continued. "And he came back, 'Thanks for the shout out, old sock…really appreciate it.' And then I thought, 'there it is' [the title for my new album]." more on this story

Rush Featured In New Rock Hall Exhibit

(hennemusic) Rush will be featured in a new exhibit at the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in sync with their upcoming induction into the institution on April 18.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports artifacts from 2013 inductees Rush, Heart, Albert King, Randy Newman, Public Enemy and Donna Summer, along with pieces from Ahmet Ertegun Award winners Lou Adler and Quincy Jones, will go on display Tuesday, April 16 as a part of the Rock Hall's induction week.

The Rush portion of the exhibit will include a Neil Peart snare drum, Alex Lifeson's double-neck guitar and a Geddy Lee bass - used to record the band's 1981 classic, "Tom Sawyer." more on this story

Motley Crue's Nikki Sixx Close to Casting His Broadway Musical

(hennemusic) Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx is sharing an update on the satatus of his forthcoming Broadway musical, The Heroin Diaries.

"It's not gonna be Mamma Mia!," Sixx tells the New York Post, reports Broadway World. "We're moving quickly and are close to casting."

Last year, Nikki told the BBC that he intends for the show to open in "late 2013 or early 2014."

The musical is based on Sixx's autobiography, "The Heroin Diaries: A Year In The Life Of A Shattered Rock Star." The book chronicled 1986 to 1987, the year in his life where he succumbed to heroin and cocaine and includes views from the people who witnessed the plummet. Each chapter is linked to a month in the year of his life with an introduction and afterword. more on this story

Tank Recruit Former Dragonforce Singer ZP Theart

Tank have recruited former Dragonforce and current I Am I singer ZP Theart to fill in at their upcoming concerts this spring.

The band's current singer, Doogie White, is unable to perform with the group at the dates because he is out on tour and recording in the studio with Michael Schenker.

Guitarist Mick Tucker had this to say, "We thrive on bringing fresh blood into the band. It gives us a good kick in the ass and breathes new life into our songs. We've worked very hard over the past few years and have been rewarded with the success of our 'War Machine' and 'War Nation' albums and the release of our first official DVD 'War Machine Live'.

"Bringing in a world class vocalist like 'ZP' is a great privilege for us and a real treat for metal fans." Cliff Evans, guitars adds: "Mick and me have been playing together for a long time. We know what we want when it comes to making good music.

"We're very proud of the albums we made with Doogie's and the response we received from the fans and press has proved that we are a band that can deliver the goods when it comes to it. We've been rehearsing with ZP this week and we can't wait to get on stage and do what we do best. Play British rock/metal the way it should be played." more on this story

Soundgarden's Chris Cornell Releasing Limited Edition Gibsons

Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell is the latest rock star to team with Gibson to release his own signature guitars and his will be special limited editions releases.

The guitar maker will be releasing two special edition guitars that were designed by Cornell. The guitarist will be released across the globe this month.

"I am honored to have designed a Signature guitar for Gibson, and look forward to using it on tour with Soundgarden in May," said Cornell.

The first model is an ES 335 with Lollar Tron pickups and a bigsby in army green, and the second is an ES 335 with Lollar Tron pickups in flat black.

Both models were made with brushed nickel hardware and Grover brushed nickel machine heads and tuners. more on this story

Singled Out: El Sportivo & The Blooz

Today Darron Hollowell of El Sportivo & The Blooz tells us about the song "Breaks My Heart" from their brand new album "Nights & Weekends". Here is the story:

I wrote "Breaks My Heart" sitting on my couch with my acoustic guitar at 10AM after being out late the night before...I wasn't really in a conscious state of mind and I think that allowed the riff, which is fairly simple to just come out.

Sometimes the best things happen when you are slightly hungover and not thinking super clearly. I sort of dismissed the song at first but when my producer Lewis Pesacov heard it he saw potential in it right away.... when we entered the studio the song really came to life, I was still playing with the lyrics and melody when we started recording the song, which we did live in the studio...I had a more subdued melody and vocal approach in mind but the way the band was leaning into the song I ended up singing the verse melody with an octave jump from the first note to the second...I didn't even realize I had done it until I heard the rough mix a month later but it ended up way better then what I originally had so you can thank the Blooz for that one

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

Lars Ulrich Preview Clip From Mission To Lars Released

(hennemusic) "Mission To Lars," the film about a learning disabled man, Tom Spicer, and his transatlantic quest to find his hero, Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich, will go on sale April 8 in Northern Europe and will feature a special 30-minute interview with Lars as a bonus.

An excerpt from the Ulrich session has surfaced to help promote the launch of the project. Here is the synopsis: Tom Spicer lives in a care home in Devon, UK and has Fragile X Syndrome. Tom has a dream, to meet his hero, to meet Lars.

His siblings promise to make it happen, with hopes of good times and bonding. But what starts out a dream soon becomes a nightmare as Tom's disabilities, a dysfunctional family, and heavy metal's labyrinthine backstage world thwart the mission at every turn. But as they get closer to Lars, Tom the man starts to shine.

After 20 years and 10,000 times of asking his journalist sister, Kate, when he was going to meet Lars, she finally cracked.... read more and check out the preview here.

Courtney Love Vs Stuffy Aristocrat In NJOY Spot

(Radio.com) Hole frontwoman Courtney Love has been busy, currently starring in a splashy ad campaign for Saint Laurent alongside Marilyn Manson and Sonic Youth's Kim Gordon.

Furthermore, Fall Out Boy recently announced that she appears on the band's forthcoming comeback album, Save Rock & Roll.

Now, Love is tapping into her acting chops to star in a "web series" of ads promoting NJOY brand electronic cigarettes. True to form, the polarizing rocker drops an F-bomb in the spot's climatic moment as she faces down a stuffy aristocrat for smoking one of the e-cigarettes inside a palatial setting. The spot also features a snippet from the title track of Hole's 1998 album, Celebrity Skin. Watch the ad here.

Bullet Release Rolling Home Video

(Classic Rock) Bullet have released a video for their track Rolling Home. It's taken from their fourth album Full Pull, which came out via Nuclear Blast last September.

The Swedish hard rock band recently welcomed new guitarist Alexander Lyrbo to the fold after Erik Almstrom bowed out with no ill feelings.

They'll perform live this summer at the Rock Am Ring and Rock Im Park festivals in Germany. Check out the video here.