Aerosmith Planning New Album and Tyler Discusses Solo Album

The group has summer and early fall dates booked in the U.S., Japan, South America and Mexico, while Tyler says "everyone is collecting their marbles" to start working on new material and predicts "we're gonna be working on the new Aerosmith record" in the near future. more on this story

David Bowie Guitarist Shoots Down Tour Rumors

(Gibson) David Bowie guitarist Earl Slick has told the NME that there is no secret tour and won't be doing any shows...for now. Bowie surprised many earlier in 2013, coming out of retirement with the album The Next Day. The release brought with it hope that there might yet be a tour.

But guitarist Earl Slick has now told NME, "I get asked all the time. And I say 'Do you know something I don't know?' Really though, there's no big secret we're keeping from everyone.

"There'll definitely be no shows this year… As for next year, who knows? There's no conspiracy about a tour now, there just is no tour." more on this story

Yes and Asia Cover Artist Sues Over Avatar Movie

(Classic Rock) Iconic Yes and Asia cover artist Roger Dean has filed a lawsuit against movie director James Cameron over 2009 movie Avatar. Dean claims visualization of Pandora, the world on which the film is set, was based heavily on his artwork.

He's demanded $50m in damages – and he also wants Twentieth Century Fox to ensure Avatar is never seen again in its current form. In papers lodged at New York District Court last week, and revealed by Deadline, Dean's representatives argue that floating islands and stone arches as seen in the movie bear so much resemblance to his creations that it amounts to breach of copyright.

The document says: "Plaintiff has been a well-known and successful artist and designer for more than 45 years. Plaintiff is recognised internationally for architectural concepts, stage, furniture and logo design – but particularly for his paintings of unique and original landscapes that feature geological forms not otherwise occurring in art or nature."

Dean cites three books – Views from 1975, Magnetic Storm from 1984 and Dragon's Dream from 2008 – as evidence his work existed before Cameron made Avatar. more on this story

Nine Inch Nails Release David Lynch Directed Video

(Classic Rock) Nine Inch Nails have launched their video for recent track Came Back Haunted, created by David Lynch. It's the first single from Trent Reznor and co's new album Hesitation Marks, set for release on September 2.

Trent Reznor recently said of the video: "It's weird, oddly enough. "It's a bizarre thing – it's not like any other video we've done, and that's what we wanted."

In the same interview he admitted the lineup changes, caused when Eric Avery then Adrian Belew bowed out ahead of tour rehearsals, were "disruptive" to his plans, but have led to a better version of NIN existing.

WARNING: The video has been identified by Epilepsy Action to potentially trigger seizures for people with photosensitive epilepsy. Viewer discretion is advised. You can view it here.

Scorpions Plan MTV Unplugged Concert

(hennemusic) The Scorpions have announced that they will record an MTV Unplugged concert special in Athens, Greece this fall for release at the end of the year.

The German rockers will perform three shows under the open skies at the Lycabettus Theatre in Athens – set for September 11, 12, and 14 – playing their biggest hits, album classics and some exclusive new songs.

"MTV Unplugged was already top on our wish list and therefore we have tour gladly accepted the offer during the farewell," said the band. "We are together with MTV on this very special event in Athens."

"MTV Unplugged - Scorpions Live In Athens" will be released at the end of 2013 on CD, DVD and Blu-ray disc. MTV will world premiere the event, while the shows will be broadcast for free in Germany by VIVA. Get a little taste of what the show may be like.

Video of Rolling Stones Glastonbury Set Goes Online

(hennemusic) The Rolling Stones headlined the Glastonbury festival for the first time on Saturday night and streaming video from their performance has been posted online.

"It was 43 years in the making, 50 years for them, and we've finally come together. We're on the same page at last," promoter Michael Eavis told The Guardian.

The capacity of the Pyramid stage area was expanded for the first time for the Stones, meaning a festival record of 100,000 saw the band perform their classics, starting with an energetic "Jumpin' Jack Flash" and ending with a soulful "You Can't Always Get What You Want," before the crowd-pleasing "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction."

The BBC broadcast the second hour of the band's headline set; a BBC Two spokesman said its coverage of the Stones peaked at 2.5 million viewers, compared with the peak of 2.2 million for Coldplay who headlined in the Saturday slot at the last Glastonbury festival in 2011. Watch the video here.

Iron Maiden 12 Minutes To Sell Out

Iron Maiden have added a second show at London's O2 Arena that will take place on Sunday, August 4th after the first show scheduled at the venue sold out in 12 minutes.

Bruce Dickinson had this to say "We've all been having such a fantastic time on this tour. From the very first show in North America last year to the European dates we are doing now, it's just been tremendous fun. Our fans have been brilliant as usual, and seem to be loving the set-list and the stage production!

"So we thought that because this tour has been such an amazing experience for band and fans alike, it somehow seems right to finish up back home in England and have the final show celebration on home-turf. And now instead of one night's celebration back home we get to have two!!"

Manager Rod Smallwood adds: "We are all very pleased to see the first show sell out in such a short time so we can now round off this part of the tour back home and celebrate for two nights instead of one. I am certain that both nights will be memorable."

Art Alexakis Explains Summerland Fall Out With Mark McGrath

Everclear frontman Art Alexakis explains in a new interview what caused the falling out between him and Mark McGrath who he had teamed up with last year to launch a summer tour and this year both stars are launching competing tours.

Alexakis was asked, "The 2012 Summerland Tour was a collaborative effort between you and Mark McGrath. What were the creative differences that led to the split between you and McGrath for the 2013 tour?"

He responded, "I started Summerland and I asked Mark to do it as a partner. We did it and I didn't enjoy the way it went. He has a different ethos about bands than I do. He just wanted bands that have huge hits. That is what he wants to do. He doesn't care if it's alternative or whatever. He says that in interviews and that's totally cool.

"I told him last year at the end of the tour after a couple of weeks that I didn't want to do it with him. I said that I was going to do Summerland by myself. So I am doing what I want to do.

"My criteria for 2013 is that I wanted it to be more rock and that I wanted it to still be real bands who are putting out records. That was it for me. Those were the only differences."

Art has some big ambitions for lineup of the tour. Read the full interview to see some of bands he would like to take part in it here.

Pixies Surprise Fans With New Song and Video

(Classic Rock) Pixies have released a surprise new single and video for a song called BagBoy. It's their first original release since 2004′s Bam Thwok, and comes soon after fans were told bassist Kim Deal had decided to leave the band.

"The music for the song has been around for a few years. There are some demos I made with Joey and David a few years ago in Los Angeles, related to a film idea that still has yet to see the light of day, although work on the music continued," Frontman Black Francis says of Bagboy. "It's pretty simple, kind of a blues-based, two-note kind of thing, really."

Despite how it sounds, Black Francis has confirmed it's not Deal singing on the track, but his long-time collaborator Jeremy Dubs. The band have said they're not working on a new album – although Dubs last year told Examiner.com he'd recorded a "batch of demos" with Francis, explaining: "I got to play drums, bass, keyboards, sing backing vocals and do lots of other super-fun stuff. It was a dream come true."

Check out the video and grab the free song download link here.

Mick Jagger Reflects On His Career Choice

(Classic Rock) Mick Jagger is proud of his achievements as frontman of the Rolling Stones but he admits to sometimes wishing he'd followed another path. He says his job is "undemanding" when compared to being a teacher, politician or journalist.

Ahead of the Stones' long-awaited headline slot at Glastonbury this weekend, Jagger told the BBC: "I'm sure everyone wishes they'd tried to have been… I'd have been a dancer, if anything.

"A schoolteacher would have been very gratifying, I'm sure. There's millions of things you would loved to have done – politician, journalist; I thought of being a journalist once."

But he says he doesn't suffer any regret. "You could think, 'Well, I would have liked to have done that,' but that's completely pointless. Everyone wants to have done more things in their lives.

"I don't feel frustrated for lack of control, and I'm very pleased with what I've done." more on this story

Monuments Recruit Former Periphery Frontman Chris Barretto

Monuments have recruited former Periphery frontman Chris Barretto to replace their vocalist Matt Rose, who left the group earlier this year. The band had the following to say about the lineup change:

"Chris is a very well known face within the music industry, most recently for his saxophone solos on the new TesseracT album 'Altered State' and his performance duties with 'the Haarp Machine' on their latest espionage around Europe. We were so impressed with his performance for the Haarp Machine that we asked him to take over vocal duties for Monuments!

"We're very excited to have Chris as a part of our ever evolving sound, the new songs are sounding vocally fantastic. We will be performing some new material at Ghostfest and Techfest, so we recommend you make your way to check them out!

"But most importantly… 3 Afros."

Black Sabbath's Bill Ward To Debut Art Project This Summer

(hennemusic) Original Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward is set to debut a groundbreaking collection of fine art created from rhythm. A new medium in fine art — rhythm on canvas — Ward will unveil his work on August 1.

Ward has provided few details at this point, but the project sounds reminiscent of one debuted by Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen earlier this year.

Allen unveiled his fine-art collection, "Electric Hand: Rhythm + Change," when the band was settling in for their "VIVA! Hysteria" spring residency in Las Vegas. more on this story

Phish Frontman Trey Anastasio To Be Interviewed On PBS NewsHour

Phish frontman Trey Anastasio will be appearing for a rare interview with the PBS NewsHour that will air tomorrow (July 2nd) and he confirmed during the exchange that the band is working on a new album.

Anastasio recently sat down with the PBS NewsHour's Jeffrey Brown to discuss his musical inspirations, the band and their fans. Anastasio shares how he feels a real connection with his fans and that sense of community is central to Phish's success.

The show sent over some details along with a link for fans to share their Phish stories and preview parts of the interview: Online, the PBS NewsHour has asked Phish fans to share their stories, pictures and videos. Right after the broadcast profile airs, you will find Jeffrey Brown's entire 30 minute conversation with Anastasio on ART BEAT – PBS NewsHour's blog of art & culture.

There you can also find shorter preview clips from their conversation, including Anastasio discussing how having the drinking age at 18 in Vermont in 1983 helped the band get its start. Check it out here.

Janis Joplin Musical Headed For Broadway

(Radio.com) Janis Joplin is going to have a moment on the Great White Way, as a touring production of the acclaimed A Night With Janis Joplin is set to make a run on Broadway this fall.

The production stars Mary Bridget Davis as Jopin in a concert setting with an eight-piece live band complete with three backup vocalists, performing some of the singer's most popular songs, including "Me and Bobby McGee" and "Piece of My Heart."

According to the New York Times, among the show's producers are Todd Gershwin (a great-nephew of George and Ira Gershwin) and the Joplin estate. The show is written and directed by Randy Johnson.

Having already been staged in five U.S. cities including Pasadena, Calif., and Washington, D.C., A Night With Janis Joplin will begin preview runs at the Lyceum Theatre on September 20. The official opening night is scheduled for October 10. more on this story

Starship Recruits Foreigner, Dokken and Dio Star For New Album

(Classic Rock) Starship frontman Mickey Thomas is nearing completion on the first Starship studio album since 1989 and the new record is due for release in September.

It's called Loveless Fascination and features Foreigner, Dokken and Dio bassist Jeff Pilson. Thomas says: "He and I got together and just clicked.

"With Jeff's help I've finally been able to put together an album with totally new material. I'm really excited about it." More rock news.

Megadeth's Dave Mustaine Turned On To Country Music By Daughter

(Classic Rock) Megadeth mainman Dave Mustaine has enjoyed his introduction to country music via his daughter. He says: "I usually listen to jazz and classical in my car.

"When my wife and kids are in the car it depends on which kid. My son likes metal and my daughter likes country – you're always listening to different ideas.

"Country right now is like old-school rock with a bunch of nasally singers on it; it's kind of cool. It kind of rocks – plus, they're using all our old staging from the 80s." More rock news.

Mike Portnoy Says John Sykes Was Not Part of Winery Dogs

(Classic Rock) Mike Portnoy is keen to clarify a misconception about his latest band, the Winery Dogs. The drummer reports: "The band was only every myself, Richie Kotzen and Billy Sheehan – John Sykes was never a part.

"Myself and Billy were previously working with John on an entirely different project, consisting strictly of John's material, " he explains.

"When that didn't pan out, Billy and I began working from scratch with Ritchie, and that's when the Winery Dogs were born. It's important that people understand." More rock news.

Roger Waters Tributes Pink Floyd's The Wall Stage Architect Mark Fisher

(Classic Rock) Roger Waters has paid tribute to set designer and architect Mark Fisher, who was responsible for creating Pink Floyd's The Wall stage in 1980. He passed away on Friday in Marie Curie Cancer Care Hospice, Hampstead, after a long illness. He was 66.

Fisher later designed the Rolling Stones' Steel Wheels and Voodoo Lounge sets, U2′s Claw set and worked with Peter Gabriel, Tina Turner and many others.

Waters tells TeamRock Radio's Classic Rock Magazine Show: "Mark was a great man and a great friend. "I remember Mick Jagger coming to see The Wall. He came straight backstage afterwards and said: 'Who did that? I want it.'"

The designer offered his input when Waters decided to re-stage The Wall a few years ago. "I called him in 2010 and he was an enormous help. I was thinking about a virtual wall and he said, 'No, you've got to build the wall just like you did. You can do it – go on mate.'"

Waters recalls how Fisher would "stand there with his head on one side, and the wheels would be turning." He shares the contents of an email he wrote to a colleague: "I'm deeply saddened." more on this story

Chicago Blackhawks Star Rocks Rush Show With Stanley Cup

(hennemusic) Rush were joined by a special guest backstage in Chicago Friday night: the Stanley Cup. The Canadian rockers were in town as part of the current North American leg of the Clockwork Angels tour, home of the new NHL champion Chicago Blackhawks.

"So this we've had a lot of thing backstage but...this was awesome," posted the band. The Blackhawks beat the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup finals to win hockey's most cherished prize.

Jambase reports bassist Geddy Lee introduced "Lord Stanley and his cup" as a small road case was wheeled on to stage towards the end of Rush's main set. Two roadies opened the case to reveal a miniature Stanley Cup leading the crowd to wonder if they were being punked before Chicago Blackhawks winger Daniel Carcillo brought out the real Stanley Cup to massive applause. Read more and see video here.

Graham Bonnet Leads HRH AOR Festival Lineup

(Classic Rock) HRH AOR in association with Classic Rock and AOR magazines is excited to announce its first round of acts for next year's spring extravaganza.

So far the lineup features seminal English rock singer and ex-Rainbow, MSG and Alcatraz frontman Graham Bonnet. Joining him is Tyketto, celebrating their 25th anniversary.

Next year's event takes place at Haven Hafan y Môr Holiday Park, Pwllheli, Gwynedd, North Wales on March 20th -23rd. Check out the announced lineup and event poster here.

Hawthorne Heights Singled Out Week: Spark

Hawthorne Heights have just released a new album called "Zero" and are headliners at the Warped Tour this summer. To celebrate we asked Eron Bucciarelli to tell us about the song "Spark" from the new album. Here is the story:

For those that didn't know, we have a new album, 'ZERO' that just came out. It's a concept album - our first ever! To get you up to speed, 'ZERO' takes place in a dystopian future, where an oppressive corporation, the C.A.L.M. has risen to power in the wake of a huge disaster under the guise of saviors. It's a first-person perspective on the events that transpired and includes reflections of better times gone by.

Track 4, 'Spark' is in the first part of the story arc. It details the first memory of the main character, Baker, of when the world first changed. He uses positive memories of the past, when life was seemingly more innocent, to gain the courage to explore the new landscape. At this point, everyone is in hiding, frightened from the sounds outside. Kids have just started searching through the schools and old hangouts - for a sign of life.

Musically, the song takes a more upbeat tone to reflect the optimistic viewpoint of Baker.

Hearing is believing. Now that you know the story behind the song, listen for yourself here and learn more about the album, today's IDOBI Radio special and grab their Warped Tour dates right here!

Flame-Throwing Bagpiper Rocking AC/DC Classic Goes Viral

(hennemusic) An online video of The Badpiper, a flame-throwing bagpiper from Perth, Australia, rocking the AC/DC classic, "Thunderstruck," has gone viral.

In the clip, the Badpiper can be seen performing the tune on the streets of Fremantle in May. The musician bills himself as "the world's only flame throwin', leather clad, heavily tattooed punk rock warrior."

The footage has been viewed more than a half-million times in its first 40 days. "Thunderstruck" was the lead single from AC/DC's 1990 release, "The Razor's Edge." Check it out here.

Metallica Share Ride The Lightning and Creeping Death Live Footage

(hennemusic) Metallica have released concert footage from the third show of their spring dates in South Africa, which was the veteran metal band's first visit to the country since 2006.

The band have posted online videos of their performances of "Ride The Lightning" and "Creeping Death" from the group's April 27th concert in Johannesburg.

Metallica's 2013 live dates continue July 6 when the band play the Rosklide Festival in Denmark, followed by the launch of an Asian tour in Tokyo on August 10. Check out the video here.