Arrest Made After Failed Kid Rock Burglary Attempt

"I take the invasion of my personal space very seriously regardless of who you are and YES, I do profile people. I am currently profiling any balding white male on crutches driving a white creeper van." more on this story

Motorhead Comeback Show Cut Short Due To Lemmy's Health

(Classic Rock) Motorhead were forced to cut short their first show since frontman Lemmy spent several weeks in hospital, after he found himself too ill to deliver the full set.

Their Friday evening performance at Wacken Open Air in Germany ended at around the half-way mark, with the band having delivered six tracks in a style reported to be slower than usual.

Lemmy received medical attention at the beginning of July after suffering a haematoma (internal bleeding) and was ordered to rest by specialists. Bandmate Phil Campbell revealed to Classic Rock around the same time that the veteran bassist and vocalist, 67, had recently been fitted with a defibrillator to deal with heart problems.

Motorhead later cancelled the remaining shows of their European tour as a result of Lemmy's health. He later thanked fans for their support then Campbell promised he was on the mend and would be back in action in time for the release of upcoming album Aftershock. more on this story

Jack White Responds To Restraining Order From Ex-Wife

(hennemusic) Jack White has responded to claims made by his ex-wife, Karen Elson, who was recently granted a restraining order against the rocker over allegations that he is a threat to both her and their two children.

White's lawyer filed a motion on directly respond to claims made by Elson, as well as her motion that he submit to a psychiatric exam, according to Rolling Stone.

White responded to allegation made by Elson that he is an unfit father for their two children. "The reason for filing this response is that Mr. White does not want to be portrayed as something he is not, violent toward his wife and children," the countermotion reads.

The filing cites a series of emails from Elson to White in which she praises his parenting abilities. "You're an amazing father, I'm so glad we had these kids together," Elson wrote in an email to White dated May 19th, 2013.

White's attorney also calls Elson's motion for a psychiatric exam of White "inflammatory . . . . disingenuous, fraudulent and retaliatory and simply designed to malign him in the public record or to gain an upper hand in this litigation." more on this story

Led Zeppelin's John Bonham Home Town Honor Campaign Launched

(Classic Rock) Led Zeppelin fans have launched a campaign to have late drummer John Bonham commemorated in his home town of Redditch in Worcestershire. Three local businesses have teamed up to raise funds for a statue or sculpture of the iconic musician, who died in 1980, bringing about the end of the band.

And Bonham's sister, singer Deborah, has added her support, telling the Redditch Standard: "I'm absolutely thrilled about it. John was unassuming, so he'd probably be a bit shy about it – but I know he'd be very proud.

"I wish it had happened when my dad, mum and brother Michael were alive. To see it up there will be very emotional. It's just wonderful to know he mans that much, and his music brought that much joy to so many people." more on this story

Megadeth's Gigantour Stop Canceled

Megadeth's Gigantour concert that was supposed to take place in Fargo, North Dakota on Sunday was canceled on Friday without a clear explanation from the venue.

Megadeth made the announcement on their official website on Sunday, the same day the show was scheduled to take place, and their news post simply stated that the show was 'canceled "due to circumstance beyond our control", arena officials announced Friday afternoon.'

The Gigantour features Megadeth, Newsted, Device, Hellyeah, Black Label Society, has been touring North American this summer and has had its share of setbacks.

The concert that took place in Oklahoma City was shut down after intense rain and lightning forced Device to skip their set, and then shortly before Megadeth were to take the stage, a bolt of lightning struck an Oklahoma City transformer, cutting power to the Zoo Amphitheatre entirely and forcing Megadeth to cancel their set, according to hennemusic.

Jason Newsted and his new band Newsted were also forced to miss several shows on the tour after the former Metallica bassist was diagnosed with walking pneumonia.

Megadeth has details about Fargo ticket refunds and a discount offer for another upcoming concert in the city here.

Slayer's Paul Bostaph Feared He Would Never Play Again

(TeamRock Radio) Returned Slayer drummer Paul Bostaph spent last year worrying that he'd never play again, says his friend Gene Hoglan. Hoglan took the drumstool for Testament's recent album Dark Roots Of Earth to cover for Bostaph, who'd suffered an arm injury.

But it was much more serious than had been reported at the time, Hoglan reveals. "I've spoken to Paul about the injury," he says. "A lot of times when it's the press, it's like, 'Oh, he's injured.'

"He was telling me, 'Dude, I went for about a year thinking I may never play the drums again.' It involves knuckles and tendons and all sorts of crazy stuff." more on this story

Sammy Hagar Performs New Single On Leno

(hennemusic) Sammy Hagar played "Knockdown Dragout", the first single from his forthcoming album, "Sammy Hagar & Friends", on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno last Thursday.

Hagar performed on the show with his backing band, The Wabos, while the studio version features Kid Rock, Joe Satriani and Montrose's Denny Carmassi.

The new album marks the Red Rocker's first solo project in five years. Hagar teams up with a variety of artists, including Kid Rock, Nancy Wilson (Heart), Ronnie Dunn (Brooks & Dunn), Neal Schon (Journey, HSAS), Chickenfoot pals Chad Smith, Michael Anthony and Joe Satriani; Montrose bandmates Bill Church and Denny Carmassi, his solo band The Wabos and more on a collection of 10 new songs and unexpected covers.

Check out video of the Leno performance here.

Black Flag Cofounder Sues Former Bandmates

(Classic Rock) Black Flag cofounder Greg Ginn has launched legal action against his ex-bandmates, saying they have no right to tour under the name Flag. And the lawsuit also targets former Black Flag frontman Henry Rollins.

Keith Morris, Dez Cadena, Chuck Dukowski and Bill Stevenson announced a Flag tour in January, just three days after guitarist Ginn – the only musician to appear in all lineups of the band – confirmed his own Black Flag plans.

Ginn, owner of SST Records, argues it's confusing for two outfits with a similar name and logo to be in action at the same time, and he wants Flag to change their name.

He's named all the members of that band in his lawsuit – and he's also listed former frontman Henry Rollins, even though he currently has nothing to do with either lineup. More details.

Joe Bonamassa Launches New Online Radio Show

(Gibson) Guitar great Joe Bonamassa, along with co-host Matt Abramowitz (Sirius Satellite Radio's blues channel), has launched a new weekly online radio show called The Pickup.

The Heralodonline reports that the show blends music history, song information and Joe's encyclopedic knowledge of guitar facts. Featured music will focus on blues and classic rock from both sides of the pond including favorites like Eric Clapton, BB King, Freddie King, Johnny Winter and Jeff Beck, as well as deep tracks, new and little-known artists, up-and-comers, and more.

The show will be streamed online every Friday at www.thepickupradio.com and episodes will be available to stream anytime from the site and to share on Facebook. more on this story

Rival Sons Lose A Member

(Classic Rock) Rival Sons bassist Robin Everhart has left the band, it's been confirmed. The rising-star US blues-rock outfit – who won the Breakthrough Artist Award at last year's Classic Rock Roll Of Honour event – will play their upcoming Norwegian festival dates and US tour with David Beste (Wonderlove and Rocco DeLuca and the Burden) standing in.

Guitarist Scott Holiday says: "Regretfully, we have to let our fans know that Robin has left. It's an amicable split and we shall all remain brothers. We wish him well."

Everhart says: "After years of intensive touring I've come to conclusion that I'm not a road warrior and the rock'n'roll lifestyle is not for me. I'll miss playing the music we made together and I'm proud of our many accomplishments over the last eight years. more on this story

Yes Announce 2nd Cruise To The Edge

(Prog) Yes have confirmed a second edition of their Cruise To The Edge sailing tour. The 2014 version follows the success of the first outing earlier this year.

It's set to feature Marillion, Steve Hackett, UK, Queensryche and many others – alongside Yes themselves. Tangerine Dream will appear to make up for missing the first cruise after Edgar Froese broke his hand and jaw in an accident in March.

Cruise To The Edge takes place from April 7-14 next year, sailing from Isla de Roatan, Honduras, and Cozumel, Mexico. Check out the full lineup here.

Marillion Album Recording 'Descended Into Anarchy'

(Prog) Marillion admit that they lost control over current album "Sounds That Can't Be Made" to the extent that they didn't want to listen to it together after it "descended into anarchy".

The band had adopted a method of working which meant they'd all been adding tracks on their own – and no one knew how the material sounded any more.

And they were convinced that if they heard the entire work-in-progress they'd suffer a massive fall-out and go their separate ways in the middle of a European tour.

Frontman Steve Hogarth explains: "The whole thing descended into anarchy. Nobody knew what anybody else was doing on the songs, including the producer. We were all adding overdubs and things in hotel rooms on tour. It had gone native; it had run off." More details from the band here.

Rory Gallagher Offshoot Band Of Friends To Release Original Music

(The Blues Band Of Friends, featuring former Rory Gallagher band members Gerry McAvoy and Ted McKenna, are gearing up to release original music written by themselves with guitarist Marcel Scherpenzeel.

The three-piece formed in 2011 with the intention of pay tribute to Gallagher's music, and they've been receiving rave reviews for live shows across Europe since they took up serious touring last year.

Now drummer McKenna has revealed that four or five completely new tracks will appear alongside live video footage shot in Germany. He tells The Blues Magazine: "Since we started doing gigs the reaction has been the same everywhere. People started asking, 'Have you got your own material?'

"We didn't feel right about recording material we did with Rory, and I don't think people expect us to do that. So we started to toy with the idea of new songs. It would show we're serious." A lot more here.

Tino Troy Says Praying Mantis Lineup Had To Change

(Classic Rock) Praying Mantis co-founder Tino Troy has lashed back at some fans' "puerile comments" after the band dismissed singer Mike Freeland and drummer Gary Mackenzie.

They were replaced respectively by Dutch duo John 'Jaycee' Ciujpers and Hanz in't Zandt. And the guitarist says there's a very good reason why Freeland had to go: the quality of his performances had plummeted since he recorded 2009 album Sanctuary.

Troy says via his Facebook page: "Mike's vocal performance was second to none; the ensuing shows we did were pitch-perfect. I still don't know to this day what happened over the last couple of years.

"Perhaps you should ask Mike that question. As far as I'm concerned he lost it, for reasons best known to himself and those closest to him.

"I loved Mike as a singer and his friendship means a lot to me. He's a truly down-to-earth bloke and I'll miss him and his quips." more on this story

George Thorogood's Chess Tribute Album Wasn't His Idea

(The Blues George Thorogood's album 2120 South Michigan Ave, which paid tribute to the iconic Chess label, was a big success when it was released in 2011, but even thought he agrees it was a good idea, it wasn't his own.

The release saw him returning to some of the Chicago blues that inspired his later work, after it was suggested to him by Capital Records. He tells The Morning Call: "I said, 'Why did you come to me?'

"Then I started thinking, 'If you want to make a Western you go get John Wayne. If you want to do Hamlet you ask Orson Welles.' That's why they looked at me: 'This is what you've been doing your whole life – you're the man for the job.'" more on this story

Dave Grohl To Guest On Joan Jett's Comeback Album

(Gibson) Joan Jett will release new music for the first time since 2006 with a 10-song album featuring contributions from Dave Grohl and Laura Jane Grace of Against Me!

Unvarnished is due out on October 1. It will be Jett's 14th studio album with her band the Blackhearts. The singer and guitarist says it's the most autobiographical work she's done, with songs about the death of her parents and about topics including the victims of Hurricane Sandy and the modern tendency to overshare online.

"It's a real band album. Everybody was involved," Jett said in a press statement. Joan Jett and the Blackhearts will perform August 8 on Jimmy Kimmel Live, where they'll debut "Any Weather," the first single from the album. more on this story

Wilko Johnson Helps Success Of Cancer Benefit Gala

(The Blues Wilko helps raise £100,000 for cancer fight: Terminal cancer victim Wilko Johnson took a leading part in a recent gala night to celebrate the memory of Madness singer Suggs' sister-in-law, who passed away from the killer disease.

Only four people in a hundred will survive pancreatic cancer, one of the worst forms of the illness – and that won't include Wilko, who's refused chemotherapy and intends to keep working until he's no longer able.

In the event video he explains: "Right up until the moment I did not suspect it; it was a complete surprise when he said those words: 'You've got cancer.'

"When I was given the diagnosis I was sitting with my son. He immediately broke down, and my immediate reaction was: 'Son!' But the doctor said, "No, let him cry." more.

Pat Smear Wasn't Nirvana's First Choice

(TeamRock Radio) Dave Grohl has recalled how Pat Smear was become second guitarist in Nirvana despite not being the band's first choice. Kurt Cobain passed on the first two names because he didn't want to be responsible for splitting up other bands.

Grohl, who now fronts the Foo Fighters, says: "We'd talked about getting a second guitar player. We walked about Steve Turner, we talked about Buzz Osbourne – but we didn't want to break up Mudhoney or The Melvins.

"Kurt had been in Los Angeles and walked into the superstore where Pat was working, and they hit it off." Grohl says one of the best things Smear brought to the band was "an injection of life and happiness to those last months." Find out how he proved himself to the band.

Paula Harris To Continue Taking Risks On New Album

(The Blues Late-blooming mid-40s singer Paula Harris isn't about to stop taking risks now that she is finally receiving credit for her impressive vocal talents.

Harris was last year shortlisted in the International Blues Challenge and won the Monterey Blues Festival's battle of the bands. This year she was nominated for three awards after releasing debut album "Turning On The Naughty. "

Not bad for someone who'd been advised to give up on many occasions. Harris tells Monterey County Weekly: "I took the risk and it opened a lot of doors. That's the kind of stuff you have to do when you're an older artist."

The result of her experience is that she's not planning to become less ambitious; and her second album, tentatively entitled "Who Put Those Scratches On Your Back, "is set to feature a reworking of Gloria Gaynor's disco hit I Will Survive. She explains the selection here.

Pro-Shot Video of Deep Purple's Wacken Fest Appearance Goes Online

(hennemusic) Deep Purple performed at Germany's Wacken Open Air festival on Thursday as part of a European tour in support of their new album, "NOW What?!", and pro-shot video of the band's set has surfaced.

The group are also giving fans a behind the scenes look at the show, sharing some footage that includes bassist Roger Glover's thoughts on the event.

"What an amazing place," says Glover. "Really enjoying looking forward to playing…it doesn't happen very often that you get to play something like this." Check out the video here.

Cage The Gods Offering Free Bruce Willis Song Download

(Classic Rock) Classic Rock is offering a free download of new Cage The Gods track "Bruce Willis" (My Time Is Now). It's taken from upcoming four-track EP All I Ever Wanted, which will be released on October 13.

Cage The Gods fuse rock'n'roll culture from all corners of the UK. The band was formed by Irish singer Peter Comerford and Scottish guitarist Jam, who were then joined by English drummer NJ and Wesh bassist Mitch Witham.

Comerford says of Bruce Willis: "We had demoed the music and we were looking for some lyrical inspiration. We decided to sync the track with explosion videos from YouTube, and Willis featured in a lot of them; so that became our working title, and it stuck." More including the free download.

Deaf Havana Leak Song and Unofficial Video

(TeamRock Radio) Deaf Havana have released a leaked version of their track "Kings Road Ghosts," along with an unofficial video. "Kings Road Ghosts" is taken from Old Souls, due out on September 16

The band say: "We knew we might get in trouble with people, but we just want our fans to hear more songs from the album we worked so hard to create. So who cares? Hope you enjoy it!"

Deaf Havana will be launching a tour of the UK in October to support the new album release. Grab the tour dates and check out the leaked song while you watch the new video here.

Jolly Explore Hurricane Sandy Experience in New Video

(Prog) Jolly drummer Louis Abramson filmed his dad living through an explosion of intense emotions for the band's video for As Heard On Tape. David Roya decided to deal with his personal agony after he and his son's band lived through the Hurricane Sandy disaster last year by going to a beach near his home and letting his deepest feelings run riot.

After he found the experience a difficult but positive one, he told son Abramson – and Jolly asked him to repeat the process. The band explain: "David walked to the beach, and spent about an hour crying, laughing, screaming, and just running through all the emotions that arose. When he was finished, he felt a surge of relief and energy.

"When he returned back home, Jolly were discussing ideas for further videos. David came bursting into the room and began to tell Jolly all about his experience on the beach and how profound it was. He was oozing with excitement and elation.

"After he left, bassist Anthony Rondinone turned to the rest of the band and said, 'This should be a music video.'" Watch the video and read more here.

Dead Shed Jokers Release 'Peculiar Pastimes' Video

(Classic Rock) Classic Rock have premiered the video for Welsh outfit Dead Shed Jokers' track "Peculiar Pastimes" and fans can also get a free download of the song.

"Peculiar Pastimes" is taken from their well-received debut album Peyote Smile, but it's also available as part of a free five-track EP available now.

Dead Shed Jokers have previously shared stages with Saxon and Michael Shenker, and they'll appear at the last of the Classic Rock Live'n'Unleashed shows at London's Borderline on September 25, alongside Rumhoney and Voodoo Vegas. Check out the video and grab the free download link here.

Motley Crue's Nikki Sixx Launches Signature Sunglasses

(hennemusic) Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx and the sunglasses makers Blublocker have teamed up to launch a line of Nikki Sixx signature Black Aviator sunglasses.

"I have teamed up with Blublocker sunglasses to bring you the best shades I've ever owned," says Sixx. "I wanted to share my special Nikki Sixx edition that launches today!"

Motley Crue are on a break from the road, but will soon head to Las Vegas for their second residency in Sin City. Billed as an "Evening In Hell," the Crue will return to The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino for an exclusive 12-show run from September 18 through October 6.

Check out a photo of the sunglasses and ordering details here.

Stevie Ray Vaughan's Influence Still Felt Today

(Gibson) On August 27, 1990 blues-rock guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan died in a helicopter crash after a show at East Troy, Wisconsin's Alpine Valley Music Theater. Vaughan won millions of fans and almost singled-handedly put blues back on the commercial map during his seven years as a major-label recording artist, even while transcending many of the genre's customary limitations.

He also captivated the imagination and earned the respect of a list of ruling six-string virtuosos that includes Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Larry Coryell, Keith Richards and Metallica's Kirk Hammett. The latter unabashedly refers to Vaughan as one of his all-time favorite players. Veteran blues artists Etta James, B.B. King and Buddy Guy directly attributed the mid-'80s revival of their previously ebbing careers to Stevie Ray. And today, new generations of guitar heroes — from established hit-makers like John Mayer to newcomers like Nashville's Bart Walker — all follow in his stylistic path and openly celebrate his influence.

What made and still makes Vaughan and his music resonate with so many, players and laymen alike? The nut answer is this: typically great guitarists either pivot toward the intellectual/technical or the visceral/gut-level. Vaughan was among the rare masters who've combined both.

Let's look at the technical and physical aspects of his playing first, since they're easiest to explain. One major reason for Vaughan's appeal was his tone — single coil perfection regardless of whether he was playing through a Vibro-Verb, dual Marshalls or a pig-pile of chained amps. The list of factors that went into composing his tone is deep, from his hard-biting attack to his preference for thick necks to his delicate and extremely well controlled vibrato to his penchant for running amps without much gain and driving them as needed with a Tube Screamer to his brutally thick string gauge (.013 to .058). To get into the SRV zone, use your guitar's volume pots liberally. Drive the amps sans gain as hard as possible — Vaughan played plenty loud — and turn down the instrument's volume pot to sweeten up leads and melody lines while letting the volume fly full on rhythm. And stomp the Tube Screamer for howling leads.

Employing both your amp's and guitar's volume controls allows you to modulate your guitar's voice as you would your human voice, and the vocal quality of Vaughan's guitar is a big reason why his music "spoke" to so many.

Honing perfect vibrato like Vaughan's takes years of practice and development, to say nothing of his raconteur-like phrasing and alternately howling and hushed string bends. When Stevie made his debut album Texas Flood at age 28 he'd already been playing guitar for more than 20 years and performing long multi-set nights in bars for a decade-and-a-half. He'd also been listening to more than his cornerstones, Albert King and Jimi Hendrix, although they are the primary forces reflected in his music. Great examples of Stevie's jazz, country and rock diet can be heard throughout his repertoire. For his jazz side, check out "Riveria Paradise," "Stang's Swang" and his take on Kenney Burrell's "Chitlins Can Carne." For primal country, there's "The House Is Rockin'." And for rock, investigate the roaring instrumental "Scuttle Buttin' " and his version of Hendrix's "Voodoo Child." The point is, Vaughan explored every aspect of guitar that appealed to him. And, in essence, he was as much a player of "fusion" music as John McLaughlin and Jeff Beck, two other artists who became masters and developed singular styles by stepping fearlessly through boxes and not becoming mired in them. It's a matter of shaking mental limitations or biases to find one's own voice, and that's a major stumbling block for most blues guitarists, who become mired in mimicry.

In addition to hitting his strings hard and using plenty of down strokes, Vaughan also employed the technique of string raking. It's a cool, slurring sound made by muting the strings and playing them with a down stroke — as he does before the choruses of "Cold Shot." Its an accent that, when thrown into a lead or used to punctuate a transition in a tune, is similar to a spoken "aside" in conversation. (Back to that idea of playing as though talking — thinking of the guitar as an extension of the voice.) more on this story