Guns N' Roses, Pantera, Whitesnake Members Form KISS Tribute Group

A.L.I.V.E.! will perform material off of KISS's hugely influential Alive! and Alive II records as well as some of their personal favorites. more on this story

The Police's Andy Summers and Rob Giles Announce Circa Zero

The Police's Andy Summers has teamed up with The Rescues' Rob Giles to form a new group called Circa Zero and have announced their debut album plans and they very first live performance.

The group, which also features Emmanuelle Caplette, will be making their debut public performance on July 25 at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles.

Andy Summers says, "Finally, the El Rey! We can't wait to get this out there." "Andy and I just wanted to write rock songs that we wanted to hear but couldn't find anywhere," shares Rob Giles. "It's almost shocking to think we get to play them for an audience."

The group has recently finished recording their self-titled debut album, which was recorded at Summers' Venice, CA recording studio and expected to be released early next year.

Fans won't have to wait for the show or the album release to get a taste of what they sound like as the group have posted a teaser clip of one of their new songs, "No Highway," here.

MSO sent over the following background information on the group: Circa Zero began when a mutual friend invited Summers to a few of Giles' shows with The Rescues. Summers was immediately impressed by Giles' great vocals as well as his multi-instrumental capability.

The two got together to kick around song ideas, and after their first jam session decided it was imperative that they record together. Circa Zero--the band name reflects a new beginning or fresh start--didn't have any definitive musical agenda in mind but instead, following their muse, they began creating edgy lyrical rock songs both familiar and new, modern and classic.

Eric Clapton Voted Greatest Guitarist

(Classic Rock) Motor racing fans have decided that Eric Clapton is a greater guitarist than Jimmy Page, Angus Young, Pete Townshend and Keith Richards.

They were asked to vote in a poll ahead of the annual Silverstone Classic festival at the iconic race track in England. Organisers asked them to choose from the five Gibson artists – and they responded by voting for Slowhand, who recently released a new album called Old Sock and is considering winding down his touring career.

Event Director Nick Wigley says: "Nearly 2000 votes were cast, and it's clear from the results that Silverstone Classic fans are just as knowledgable about classic rock guitarists as they are about classic racing cars." more on this story

Stone Temple Pilots and Chester Bennington Announce New Show

(hennemusic) Stone Temple Pilots, with new singer Chester Bennington of Linkin Park, have been confirmed to play Japan's Loud Park 2013 on October 19.

Billed as "the biggest and only metal festival in Japan," Loud Park 2013 features 24 bands on two different stages over two days at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama City.

The show will mark STP's first trip to Japan since 1993. Other bands confirmed for the festival include King Diamond, Trivium, Last in Line and more. more on this story

Another First For Metallica

(hennemusic) Metallica have added their first-ever concert date in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to their upcoming Asian tour which will launch in Tokyo on August 10th.

"With more than 30 years of traveling around the world behind us, there are very few places that we have yet to explore," said the band about the career first.

"So it's rather thrilling for us to be back with yet another first, a stop in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on August 21 at Stadium Merdeka." more on this story

Guitar From Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page Fetches $40K

(hennemusic) An acoustic guitar played by Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page during Roy Harper's 70th birthday concert at London's Royal Festival Hall in 2011 has been sold at a London entertainment memorabilia auction for £26,250 (approx. $40,000 US).

The Martin 'Birthday Special 2007' acoustic guitar was sold by auction house Bonhams on Wednesday, with proceeds benefitting the charity Action for Brazil's Children Trust, of which Page is a patron.

The guitar (serial no. 1151442) label inside body was signed by J.R. Warner and C.F. Martin IV, the fingerboard inlaid with Led Zeppelin and Zodiac symbols and the guitarist's name, was offered in its original hard case together with a signed letter from Jimmy Page and a colour photograph of him playing the guitar at the November 5, 2011 concert.

More including video of Page playing the guitar here.

Guns N' Roses Guitarist Says Fans Want New Music

(hennemusic) Guns N' Roses guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal says fans want new music from the band. Thal was on tour in India recently with Dubai rockers Point of View, and spoke with Times Out Dubai about GNR's plans for a new album.

"Well, we were supposed to start writing after the end of this last run — but I went to India!," he says. "When I get back, I hope we can all get together, and live it and focus on creating new music together. Fans don't want to hear about new shows, they want to hear about new music."

Thal was asked about the fact that some fans will never accept the current GNR lineup over the band's classic version. "There were six 'Star Wars' movies," explains Thal. "If you only watch up to 'The Empire Strikes Back,' that's fine, but you're kind of missing the rest of the story. And there's probably some good things in there that you can get out of it. But it's your choice; it's there for whoever wants it. If not, that's fine. There's enough of everything in the world to please everybody." more on this story

Three Days Grace Call On Fans To Make Their Next Video

(Gibson) Say you have a knack for video and have even made a few music videos? You might be Three Days Grace's next video director. Three Days Grace and RCA Records want fans to make the official music video for the band's new single, "Misery Loves My Company." Need an added incentive? The winner will receive $5,000.

Here are some tips for the entries from an official release: "The band loves animation, effects and filters, but they are not mandatory. Images or video of the band or their likeness, animated or otherwise, should not appear in the video.

Other than that they are leaving the brief open to all styles, so check out the track and let your creativity loose!" Submissions must be received by July 22. more on this story

Alice Cooper Kicks Off Summer Tour

(Gibson) Alice Cooper fans, rest assured you'll have a handful of chances to see the shock rocker on his headlining tour in select North American venues this summer.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer will bring his nightmare to thirteen cities this month on a collection of new headlining dates that kicked off this week (July 2) in South Bend, Ind.

The "School's Out" singer's tour will close out July 20 in Atlantic City, N.J. After the North American tour wraps, Cooper will embark on a European tour kicking off on July 26 in Brno, Czech Republic. more on this story

Rare Pink Floyd Single Sells For $3K

(hennemusic) A rare Japanese 7-inch single of Pink Floyd's "Not Now John," from 1983's "The Final Cut" album has sold for $3,050 on the online auction site eBay.

The only single issued from "The Final Cut," the track is the only track featuring lead vocals by David Gilmour, with Roger Waters singing the refrains and interludes.

Written by Waters, "Not Now John" deals with war and criticism of British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, as well as general criticisms of the greed and corruption that Waters saw as dangers to society. Check out the song and see a photo of the single here.

Wilko Johnson Honored By His Local Pub

(Classic Rock) Wilko Johnson's portrait has been added to the signage of his local pub. The Railway Hotel in Southend now features an image of the terminally-ill guitarist, who refused chemotherapy after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

"Over the last year I have become a bit of a regular – and, believe me, it's a good place to be," Johnson tells the BBC. "I love the Railway Hotel. This thing they've done, putting my mush up outside, well, what can I say? What an honour – immortality!"

Landlord Dave Dulake says: "Everybody seems chuffed to bits. Wilko sums up the spirit of the place, the way he's taken the news of his illness." more on this story

Joe Satriani's Instrumental Focus Happened by Accident

(Gibson) Joe Satriani fans can thank an unnamed record reviewer for setting the guitarist on a path toward making instrumental music. Speaking to M Music & Musicians, Satriani explained:

"It was totally by accident. I was playing in a trio called The Squares, and while on break I started a DIY record and publishing company and recorded some avant-garde music on an EP.

"One of the guitar magazines published a review—just a paragraph, but flattering. Suddenly I thought, 'I should just throw caution to the wind and follow this course.'"

Satriani went on to say he felt lucky it was Surfing with the Alien that put him on the map. "It was a stroke of great fortune," he said. "I love that record. Producer John Cuniberti and I did everything we thought no one would ever let us do.

"The record company became kind of furious because we went over budget. Everyone was surprised when it was picked up by radio. Surfing was a celebration of everything I liked about 60 years of guitar playing." more on this story

Rolling Stones Making Return To Hyde Park This Weekend

(hennemusic) The Rolling Stones are set to return to London's Hyde Park for two shows this month as part of their 50 & Counting tour. The July 6th and 13th dates mark the band's first appearance at the UK venue since their free concert on July 5, 1969.

The 1969 event was the Stones' first public concert in over two years, and was planned as an introduction of new guitarist, Mick Taylor, though circumstances inevitably changed following the death of former member Brian Jones two days earlier.

An estimated quarter of a million people attended a show that turned into a tribute to Jones, with Mick Jagger delivering a short eulogy on stage before the Stones' set began. Jagger read two stanzas of Percy Bysshe Shelley's poem on John Keats' death, "Adonaïs," from a calf-bound book. After this recital, several hundred cabbage white butterflies were released.

"Funny things happened, and funny drummers and funny clothes I wore, and letting off butterflies and doing things you wouldn't normally do in a show," recalls Mick today. "I've never recited Shelley before in a show, so what am I going to do? I suppose I have to do Keats or maybe something else." More including a promo video for the show.

Iron Maiden's Beer Now Served In The House Of Commons

(hennemusic) Mike Weatherley, the Conservative Member of Parliament for Hove and Portslade, has welcomed the arrival of Iron Maiden's Trooper Ale as the 'Guest Ale' in Strangers' Bar at the UK's House of Commons.

As part of a tradition to promote relatively unknown British Ales, Strangers' Bar in the House of Commons features 'Guest Ales' throughout the year. Mike, founder of Rock The House, Parliament's biggest music competition, recently nominated Iron Maiden's new Trooper Ale, which is brewed by Robinson's Brewery in Stockport.

"As an Iron Maiden fan and an MP, it is a real treat to have this specialist ale as one of the guest ales in Parliament – the fact that I also get to try it for the first time on my birthday is just a bonus," said Weatherley.

"The guest ales programme is an excellent way of drawing attention to small and independent beers from around the UK and I would encourage any local brewers who would like opportunity to have their product showcased in Parliament to get in touch." more on this story

Rod Stewart Looks Back On His Time With Jeff Beck and Faces

(Gibson) Rod Stewart was blessed with a voice made for rock and roll. Still, he says his skills as a vocalist improved dramatically during his time with the Jeff Beck Group.

"Prior to that I was in bands with lots of musicians and singers," he explains, in a just-published interview with M Music & Musicians. "The Jeff Beck Group offered lots of fresh air and space. Jeff can be a busy guitar player when he wants to show off, but he can also be wonderfully economical. Just listening to Jeff's guitar taught me a lot about phrasing. I learned a lot from his guitar licks.

"It was a great band to be in. Ronnie [Wood's] s bass playing could be exceptionally lyrical, and the late Mickey Waller was the most laidback drummer ever. He was brilliant, that guy."

Stewart went on to say both the Jeff Beck Group and the Faces had tremendous band chemistry. "You can't plan these things, it just happens," he said. "With the Faces, our chemical was alcohol, unfortunately. We drank an awful lot. We used to drink port and brandy on an empty stomach, purposely, so that it would have twice the effect. How stupidly ruinous can you get? But still the shows were great.

"I look back at pictures of the Faces now, and we're all in a big heap in the middle of the stage, lying on top of one another. And that's just halfway through the show! We're all getting on a bit now, so if we ever got the band back together we couldn't do that stuff. Those youthful days are gone." more on this story

Motley Crue Reschedule Upcoming Tour Date

(hennemusic) Motley Crue have announced a rescheduled date for their upcoming show in Big Flats, NY. Due to an unforeseen scheduling conflict, the band's July 23rd performance at the Budweiser Summer Stage at Tag's has been moved ahead by a week and will now take place on July 16th.

Gates will open on the new date at 6:00pm and the show will start at 7:30pm. All tickets purchased will be honored for the new date. "We would never miss the opportunity to come up and kick ass in Big Flats," said bassist Nikki Sixx.

Motley Crue have a few festival and headline shows lined up this summer before they head to Las Vegas this fall for their second residency in Sin City. more on this story

Singled Out: Zamora Rose Project's Painting It Blue

Today Zamora Rose Project tell us about the song "Painting It Blue" from their latest studio album "Stand True". Here is the story:

The song "Painting It Blue" originated in a vignette from the autobiography of Keith Richards. In his book entitled "Life", Richards tells about the Rolling Stones going to visit Chess Records in Chicago on their first tour of the US. Chess had been the home of many of their idols including Chuck Berry and Muddy Waters. So they wanted to check it out.

Apparently, when they walked in to the recording studio at Chess they saw a man on a ladder painting the ceiling. Richards did a double take when he recognized the painter as Muddy Waters. At the time, Muddy's career wasn't going too well. And apparently he had to earn his keep by doing work around the studio, including painting it. His career would later pick up when the Stones and other British groups would re-introduce the blues back to the American public.

Muddy Waters also had a special connection to the Rolling Stones as they took their name from one of his songs "Rollin' Stone" (also known as Catfish Blues). By reading the book, you got Richards' impression of that awkward meeting.

I wondered what Muddy Waters thought about the whole thing. Here was this young group of white, British musicians and they were getting a lot of press, radio play, and big sold out concerts by playing a version of the blues, when he had been playing the blues for over forty years, and was one of the pioneers of the genre and yet he had to paint the studio to earn his keep. To add insult to injury this group had lifted their name, the Rolling Stones, from one of his songs. It had to be a tough pill to swallow.

So, on a Sunday I started writing some lyrics. Writing from Muddy's perspective. read the rest of the story here.

Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of The Moon Gets Animated Tribute

(hennemusic) On the 40th anniversary of Pink Floyd's "Dark Side Of The Moon," animator Cliff Port has unveiled a tribute to the legendary album with the release of an animated short entitled "Bad Day At The Office."

In June of 1973, Pink Floyd were performing on the Dark Side tour at Detroit's Olympia Stadium, and the venue policy was to use only in-house staff who were more used to covering ice hockey events.

Using new animation and an actual recording of Pink Floyd lighting designer Arthur Max, it shows him grappling with the technical challenge of working with a brand-new follow-spot crew.

"Bad Day At The Office" debuted at the Glastonbury Festival last weekend. Watch it here.

Rob Zombie's Full Mayhem Festival Opening Set Video Streaming Online

(hennemusic) Video footage of Rob Zombie's complete headlining set at the opening night of this year's Mayhem Festival tour in San Bernardino, CA has surfaced.

The tour also features Five Finger Death Punch, Mastodon, Amon Amarch, Machine Head, Children Of Bodom and many others.

Zombie is on the road promoting his new album, "Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor," and he's looking forward to playing to as many fans as possible.

"The more people, the better," Zombie told Rolling Stone recently. "Festivals – especially in Europe – they're just monstrously gigantic, and it's fun. It's a cool way to spend the summer because I don't see people much, as far as other musicians that I'm friends with, except in a festival scenario. I don't ever leave the house. It's a way to catch up with people."

Asked if he's planning a big production for Mayhem, Rob say, "Yeah, we have a massive production. One time about seven years ago I did Ozzfest with no production, just for the hell of it. But I love a big production. This is a huge, huge show for the summer. We've been working on it for a long time."

Check out the stream and read more from Rob here.

Sammy Hagar Releases Fontana Days Behind The Scenes Video

(hennemusic) Sammy Hagar is sharing behind the scenes video of his recent celebration and honors in his hometown of Fontana, California. On June 1, the Red Rocker served as the Honorary Grand Marshal of the Fontana Days Parade, part of the Fontana Days Festival Centennial Celebration, and had a street named after him.

"Nothing is as gratifying as being honored in your home town," writes Sammy. "For me it's right up there with the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame. Having a street named after ya (Hagar Way)-- come on!!!"

"Fontana has changed so much since 1970 when I left," he continues. "If you would have blindfolded me, brought me there and showed me around I would not have known where I was. For real. 14k population then and 200k today-- damn!

"When I was just a 6-year-old kid, I would watch the parade on Sierra Ave in front of Crawford Drug Store where my sister Bobbi worked and famous LA newscaster George Putnam was the Grand Marshal on a Palamino horse! I certainly never thought that would be me someday but hey, look what can happen! All in all it made my family members very proud, and I must say me too." Check out the video here.