The Music Mania

Jimmy Page, Jack White & the Edge Featured in Upcoming Film

2009-04-05T20:35:00.000-07:00

Who hasn’t wanted to be a rock star, join a band or play electric guitar? Music resonates, moves and inspires us. Strummed through the fingers of The Edge, Jimmy Page and Jack White, somehow it does more. Such is the premise of It Might Get Loud, a new documentary conceived by producer Thomas Tull.

It Might Get Loud isn’t like any other rock’n roll documentary. Filmed through the eyes of three virtuosos from three different generations, audiences get up close and personal, discovering how a furniture upholsterer from Detroit, a studio musician and painter from London and a seventeen–year–old Dublin schoolboy, each used the electric guitar to develop their unique sound and rise to the pantheon of superstar. Rare discussions are provoked as we travel with Jimmy Page, The Edge and Jack White to influential locations of their pasts. Born from the experience is intimate access to the creative genesis of each legend, such as Link Wray’s “Rumble’s” searing impression upon Jimmy Page, who surprises audiences with an impromptu air guitar performance. But that’s only the beginning.

While each guitarist describes his own musical rebellion, a rock’n roll summit is being arranged. Set on an empty soundstage, the musicians come together, crank up the amps and play. They also share their influences, swap stories, and teach each other songs. During the summit Page’s double–neck guitar, The Edge’s array of effects pedals and White’s new mic, custom built into his guitar, go live. The musical journey is joined by visual grandeur too. We see the stone halls of Headley Grange where “Stairway to Heaven” was composed, visit a haunting Tennessee farmhouse where Jack White writes a song on–camera, and eavesdrop inside the dimly lit Dublin studio where The Edge lays down initial guitar tracks for U2’s forthcoming single. The images, like the stories, will linger in the mind long after the reverb fades.

It Might Get Loud might not affect how you play guitar, but it will change how you listen. The film is directed and produced by An Inconvenient Truth’s Davis Guggenheim, and produced by Thomas Tull, Lesley Chilcott and Peter Afterman.

news source of www.guitarworld.com

Michael Schenker Releases New Acoustic CD

2009-04-02T19:30:00.000-07:00

Gipsy Lady, the first album from the Michael Schenker-Gary Barden Acoustic Project, will be available on CD and vinyl on May 19 (just before the U.S. tour begins). Gary Barden's vocals give the cleverly arranged songs just the touch of soul they need for full impact. The long-term Schenker collaborator wrote the lyrics virtually off the top of his head. Also on board is Michael Voss, an experienced producer and second guitarist, who also provides background vocals. Kai Luennemann on percussion completes the team.

With such a distinctive, soft sound from Michael Schenker's guitar, this album distinguishes itself easily. In this way, using a flamenco guitar with castanets in "Dance Lady Gipsy" conjures up a hot-blooded gipsy dancing before your eyes, while the fiddle and flutes in "Fight for Freedom" transport you to beautiful Ireland. The new album from Michael Schenker-Gary Barden Acoustic Project is more than an acoustic album; it demonstrates all Michael Schenker's expertise as a guitarist and songwriter.

The live Michael Schenker experience will come to fruition through the "In the Midst of Beauty — World Tour" headed for the United States.

The line up for the US Tour is:

Michael Schenker — Guitars
Gary Barden — Vocals
Chris Slade — Drums
Wayne Findlay — Guitar & Keyboards
Robbie Crane — Bass

Tour Dates:

06-09 - Key Club - Hollywood, CA
06-10 - Fat Cat - Modesto, CA
06-12 - Canyon Club - Agoura Hills, CA
06-16 - Club 101 - El Paso, TX
06-18 - Pontiac Garage - Dallas, TX
06-19 - House Of Blues - Houston, TX
06-20 - Camargo Park - San Antonio, TX
06-21 - Aces - Austin, TX
06-24 - Blender Theater at Gramercy - New York, NY
06-25 - Jaxx - Springfield, VA
06-30 - Pops - Sauget, IL
07-03 - Vinnies - Concord, CA
07-04 - 19 Broadway - Fairfax, CA
07-07 - Element - Victoria, BC
07-08 - Studio 7 - Seattle, WA
07-10 - Brixton - Redondo Beach, CA
07-11 - Galaxy - Theater Santa Ana, CA

news source of www.guitarworld.com

Rancid Return with New Album in June

2009-04-02T19:28:00.000-07:00

Seminal punk band Rancid - Tim Armstrong (guitar/vocals), Lars Frederiksen (guitar/vocals), Matt Freeman (bass/vocals), and Branden Steineckert (drums) - have set June 2nd for the release of Let the Dominoes Fall (Hellcat/Epitaph), their first studio album in six years. The Platinum-selling band recorded at George Lucas' Skywalker Sound Studio, with production by Epitaph Records founder/Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. Let the Dominoes Fall features 19 new songs, all written by Rancid. Special guest and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Booker T contributes Hammond B3 organ on one track, "Up to No Good."

"The crew is back doing what we do best," says Armstrong. "We approached every element of this record as a team, and the result is my favorite Rancid record to date."

It's also their most topical. From the unflinching observations of "This Place," "Lulu" and "Locomotive," all of which presage the current economic meltdown, to "The Bravest Kids" which rails against media's kid-glove treatment of the Iraq war, and the mostly acoustic "Civilian Ways," inspired by the soldier's journey of Armstrong's brother to Iraq and back home again, Let the Dominoes Fall feels timely, adamant and alive.

"Last One to Die," the first single from the new album, will premier on April 7 via a widget available now on Rancid's MySpace page, myspace.com/rancid. Fans can register to get a personal embed code and then spread the widget to other sites. Every time someone enters valid info into the widget a point will be allotted. The 25 people with the most points will receive a pair of free tickets to see Rancid on tour this summer with Rise Against. For a complete itinerary go here.

Let the Dominoes Fall is Rancid's seventh album and first studio release since 2003's Indestructible, which reached #15 on the Billboard Top 200. That album inspired the Los Angeles Times to hail Rancid as "one of the most popular and enduring of American punk bands," while Rolling Stone called them "brutally exuberant."

Let the Dominoes Fall Tracklist:

1. East Bay Night
2. This Place
3. Up to No Good
4. Last One to Die
5. Disconnected
6. I Ain't Worried
7. Damnation
8. New Orleans
9. Civilian Ways
10. The Bravest Kids
11. Skull City
12. L.A. River
13. Lulu
14. Dominoes Fall
15. Liberty and Freedom
16. You Want It, You Got It
17. Locomotive
18. That's Just the Way It Is Now
19. The Highway

news source of www.guitarworld.com

Smashing Pumpkins Announce Drummer Auditions

2009-04-02T19:26:00.000-07:00

The Smashing Pumpkins have announced that they are accepting submissions from drummers looking to fill the spot recently vacated by Jimmy Chamberlain.

Auditions will be held Friday, April 10, in Los Angeles for drummers who are looking to play with the band. Interested parties should send their background info, photos and performance web links via email only to: pumpkinsdrummer@gmail.com.

news source of www.guitarworld.com

Metallica Fall Tour Dates Announced

2009-04-02T19:24:00.000-07:00

After a triumphant summer European tour, Metallica will return to rock North America this fall for the second leg of their sold-out World Magnetic Tour. The multi-platinum hard-rock band will criss-cross the U.S. and Canada from September 14th through December 12th in support of their platinum-selling tenth studio album, Death Magnetic, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard album chart in September 2008 and won 2009 Grammy Awards for Best Metal Performance (for the track "My Apocalypse") and Best Recording Package.

Tour Dates:

September 14 Nashville, TN Sommet Center On sale 4/4

September 15 Cincinnati, OH US Bank Arena On sale 4/4

September 17 Indianapolis, IN Conseco Fieldhouse On sale 4/11

September 19 Montreal, QC Bell Centre On sale 4/4

September 28 San Antonio, TX AT&T Center On sale 4/4

September 29 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center On sale 4/4

October 1 Ft. Lauderdale, FL Bank Atlantic Center On sale 4/4

October 3 Tampa, FL St. Pete Times Forum On sale 4/4

October 4 Atlanta, GA Phillips Arena On sale 4/4

October 12 Winnipeg, MB MTS Centre On sale 4/4

October 13 Minneapolis, MN Target Center On sale 4/4

October 15 Cleveland, OH Quicken Loans Arena On sale 4/4

October 17 Charlottesville, VA JPJ Arena On sale 4/11

October 18 Charlotte, NC Charlotte Bobcats Arena On sale 4/4

October 26 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre On sale 4/4

October 29 Ottawa, ON Scotiabank Place On sale 4/4

October 31 Quebec City, QC Colisee Pepsi On sale 4/4

November 9 Grand Rapids, MI Van Andel Arena On sale 4/4

November 10 Buffalo, NY HSBC Arena On sale 4/4

November 12 Albany, NY Times Union Center On sale 4/4

November 14 New York, NY Madison Square Garden On sale 4/11

December 5 Las Vegas, NV Mandalay Bay On sale 4/4

December 7 Boise, ID Idaho Center On sale 4/4

December 8 Sacramento, CA ARCO Arena On sale 4/4

December 10 Anaheim, CA Honda Center On sale 4/11

December 12 San Jose, CA HP Pavilion On sale 4/4

Metallica.com

MetClub.com

news source of www.guitarworld.com

Judas Priest Announce U.S. Tour

2009-04-02T19:21:00.000-07:00

Judas Priest have announced a summer U.S. tour with Whitesnake. Priest will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of the classic album British Steel (it was originally issued in April 1980), by performing the album in its entirety.

"The opportunity to perform live onstage in its entirety the whole of British Steel is a dream come true for all of us!" said the group in a statement. "We're really excited and looking forward to presenting the album live onstage - fans will be able to enjoy a taste of true heavy metal when it was in its early, raw state. Plus, we will of course be throwing in a few other Priest classics."

2009 CONFIRMED TOUR DATES [more to be announced]:

* INDICATES PERFORMANCES WITH WHITESNAKE

July 1st The Family Arena * St. Charles, MO
July 2nd Summerfest (Harley Davidson Stage) * Milwaukee, WI
July 3rd Taste of Minnesota at Harriet Island * St. Paul, MN
July 7th Comcast Center * Mansfield, MA
July 8th CMAC * Canadaigua, NY
July 9th Molson Amphitheatre * Toronto, ONT
July 11th PNC Bank Arts Center * Holmdel, NJ
July 12th Nikon at Jones Beach * Wantagh, NY
July 14th Time Warner Cable Amphitheatre * Cleveland, OH
July 15th DTE Energy Music Theatre * Clarkston, MI
July 17th Moondance Jam * Walker, MN
July 18th Rockfest/Cheppewa Valley Music * Cadott, WI
July 21st PNC Pavillion @ Riverbend Music * Cincinnati, OH
July 29th California Mid State Fair * Paso Robles, CA
July 31st Sleep Train Pavillion * Concord, CA

August 1st 98 Rock Jamboree @ Sleep Train Amp * Marysville, CA
August 2nd Gibson Amphitheatre * Universal City, CA
August 4th SDSU Open Air Theatre * San Diego, CA
August 5th Pacific Ampitheatre/OC Fair * Costa Mesa, CA
August 7th Dodge Theatre * Phoenix, AZ
August 8th Thomas & Mack Center * Las Vegas, NV
August 10th Sandia Casino * Albuquerque, NM
August 11th Red Rocks Ampitheatre * Morrison, CO

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT: judaspriest.com

news source of www.guitarworld.com

Slayer "Psychopathy Red" 7-inch Single Available in Stores April 18, 2009

2009-04-02T19:19:00.000-07:00

"Psychopathy Red," the first new track from Slayer since 2006's Christ Illusion, will be available as a 7-inch vinyl disc beginning Saturday, April 18, 2009 as part of the third annual Record Store Day. Only 5,000 of these limited edition discs will be manufactured worldwide, and will be available exclusively at participating independent record stores - log onto recordstoreday.com for the list of participating stores.

The blood-red vinyl "Psychopathy Red" 7-inch collectors item will be packaged in a special Russian crime scene "evidence envelope," as the song was inspired by the heinous Russian serial killer Andrei Chikatilo, aka the Rostov Ripper, who confessed to brutally murdering 56 children. The song was recorded by the band - guitarists Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman, bassist/vocalist Tom Araya, and drummer Dave Lombardo - in a Los Angeles recording studio last October.

April 18 marks "Record Store Day," the annual day that celebrates the unique culture surrounding the more than 700 independently owned record stores across the U.S. and hundreds of similar stores internationally. The members of Slayer chose to unleash "Psychopathy Red" on this day - and only through independent record stores - to acknowledge the support those outlets have offered to the band and to metal music over the years.

Slayer is currently in a Los Angeles studio recording a brand-new album due out this summer. The band will co-headline with Marilyn Manson on the five-week Mayhem Festival set to kick off July 10 in Sacramento, CA. In addition, Kerry King and Tom Araya are set to make a special appearance at the Ephiphone Revolver Golden Gods Awards Awards to be held in Los Angeles on April 7, where they will present the "Best Live Band" award to Slipknot. Slayer was presented with its first Golden God Award in 2004 when the band was named "Best Live Band."
news source of www.guitarworld.com

Iron Maiden Flight 666 Movie Wins Award; Theater Dates Announced

2009-04-02T19:15:00.000-07:00

The Iron Maiden film Flight 666 has won the "24 Beats Per Second" award for best music documentary at the prestigious SXSW Film & Music Festival in Austin, Texas. This follows the band’s recent win at the 2009 Brit Awards for Best British Live Act.

Say directors Sam Dunn and Scot McFadyen of Banger Productions: "We are of course very pleased. The audience was electric in Texas. We made this film to be enjoyed by all rock fans, not just Maiden fans, and on the big screen. And with the 2K HD projection and 5.1 surround sound in the historic Paramount theatre it really felt we had taken the whole audience on the tour. After spending over a year editing down almost 500 hours of footage it was really gratifying to get this kind of recognition.”

Manager Rod Smallwood adds: "All the band are delighted for Scot and Sam and the Banger team. This is a tremendous recognition of the fantastic job they have done. They have made a film not just for our many fans but also for anyone with an interest in rock music and the realities of world touring. And, of course, aircraft!!"

Showings of Flight 666 will take place at theaters around the country beginning April 21. Tickets can be purchased at ironmaiden.com.

Flight 666is a Banger Films, Phantom Music Management and EMI Music production in association with Arts Alliance Media.

Theaters Showing Flight 666 on April 21:

Chula Vista, AZ: UltraStar Chula Vista 10

Phoenix, AZ: UltraStar Surprise Pointe Cinema

Apple Valley, CA: UltraStar Apple Valley

Concord, CA: Brenden Concord 14

Los Angeles, CA: Mann Chinese 6

Los Angeles/Riverside, CA: UltraStar Fontana 8

San Diego, CA: UltraStar Mission Valley

San Diego, CA; UltraStar Mission Marketplace

Denver, CO: Kerasotes Chinese 16 at Arapahoe Crossing

Fort Lauderdale, FL: Trademark Coral Square 8

Melbourne, FL: Rave Avenue 16

Penascola, FL: Rave Pensacola 18

West Palm Beach, FL; Rave St. Lucie West 14

Tampa, FL; Muvico Starlight 20

Dubuque, IA; Kerasotes Star 14

Omaha, IA; Kerasotes Star Cinema 16 and IMAX

Chicago, IL; Kerasotes City North 14

Rockford, IL: Kerasotes ShowPlace 16

Springfield, IL: Kerasotes ShowPlace 12 West

Chicago, IL: Kerasotes Showplace 12

Indianapolis, IN: Kerasotes ShowPlace 16 and IMAX

Terre Haute, IN: Kerasotes ShowPlace 12

Birch Run, MI: Emagine Cinema Hollywood

Detroit, MI: Emagine Canton

Grand Rapids, MI: Celebration! Cinema North

Kalamazoo, MI: Celebration! Crossroads Cinema

Lansing, MI: Celebration! Cinemas Lansing IMAX

Minneapolis, MN: Kerasotes ShowPlace 16

Omaha, NE: Marcus Village Pointe Cinemas

Parsippany, NJ: Clearview Parsippany 12

Las Vegas, NV: Brenden Theatres and IMAX

Long Island: NY: Clearview Port Washington - Main St

New York City, NY: Clearview's Chelsea Cinemas

Pittsburgh, PA: Carmike 10

Charleston, SC: Carmike James Island 8 Cinema

Nashville, TN: Thoroughbred 20

Dallas/Fort Worth, TX: Rave North East Mall 18

El Paso, TX: Carmike 16

Houston, TX: Santikos Silverado 19 IMAX

San Antonio, TX: Santikos Palladium

Salt Lake City, UT: Carmike Hollywood Connection 15

Madison, WI: Marcus Point UltraScreen Cinema

Milwaukee, WI: Marcus Ridge Cinemas

More dates to come.

ironmaiden.com

news source of www.guitarworld.com

Isis Guitarist Aaron Turner: A Headbangers Blog Podcast

2009-04-02T19:11:00.000-07:00

HeadbangersBlog.com recently hooked up with Isis frontman Aaron Turner to talk
about the creation of Wavering Radiant, why he won’t discuss his lyrics, recent
challenges and obstacles in his life and the influence of drugs — or lack thereof — on good psychedelia. Turner also addressed his kinship with Tool and Neurosis, his experimental music label Hydra Head and the benefits and drawbacks of music filesharing.

news source of http://www.guitarworld.com/

KxK Guitars Unveils New K.K. Downing Signature Model

2009-04-02T19:07:00.000-07:00

KxK Guitars is has unveiled the brand new K.K. Downing signature guitar model. With years of R&D refinement, KxK has delivered a guitar that satisfies the needs of one of metal’s most iconic guitarists. The original two were in K.K.’s hands just in time for the 2008 world tour and now they are available to players and fans in a limited quantity.

All KxK guitars are neck thru guitars built exclusively in the United States using only top shelf components and craftsmanship. For this special signature model, the features include:

3 Piece Maple neck
Mahogany body
Scalloped Maple or Ebony fretboard
K inlays
24.75" scale
Floyd Rose Speedloader Chrome
EMG 81/85
1 Volume Push/Pull switch for
Pickup selection
Dunlop flush mount strap locks
24 Dunlop 6120 frets
Kluson vintage tuners (tuners are for visuals only)
Battery Box
Dual carbon fiber rods
Dual action truss rod

Available with or without the K.K. Downing pearl body logo

Each guitar is numbered in order

Finish options are:
Lightning White, Diablo Red, or Black
G&G hard shell case included

MSRP $2,999.00 USD

When asked about his new signature model in a recent interview, K.K. Downing replied: “I can play a whole set without even changing guitars, that’s how good it is”.

All KxK K.K. Downing signature model guitars will be built to order and only available factory direct from KxK Guitar. For more information, please visit them online at http://www.kxkguitars.com/.

news source of http://www.guitarworld.com/

Trey Anastasio Orchestral Record Coming May 12

2009-04-02T19:03:00.000-07:00

Time Turns Elastic, a ground-breaking work for vocals, guitar and orchestra composed by Trey Anastasio and Don Hart, will be released on May 12 by Rubber Jungle Records, Anastasio's independent label. The piece - orchestrated by Hart and performed by Anastasio and the Northwest Sinfonia, conducted by David Sabee - blends the intrinsic elegance of classical music with searing blues-rock guitar, resulting in an exhilarating work that engages and challenges fans of both genres.

"Neither of us had ever heard anything that uses a guitar as a serious instrument intermingled with an orchestra in the same way one would write a concerto for a violin and orchestra," says Anastasio, who first collaborated with Hart at the 2004 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival while staging a piece from one of his solo albums, Seis de Mayo. "I grew up loving Ravel and Eric Clapton equally," he continues. "So I kept saying to Don, 'why can't we have a piece of music that's half Ravel and half Cream's Disraeli Gears?' "

Both Anastasio, named one of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time by Rolling Stone and a founding member of the genre-melding rock band Phish, and Hart, who's worked with a diverse group of musicians that includes Martina McBride, Collective Soul and Randy Travis and is currently Composer-in-Residence for Orchestra Nashville, are musical chameleons whose tastes cross all boundaries. While the pair's collaborations on Anastasio's Shine (2005) and Bar 17 (2006), may prefigure Time Turns Elastic, the composition actually began as a Phish song.

"I was living in upstate New York when I started writing this little tune that just kept growing," recalls Anastasio. "I initially thought it would be a Phish song, but after I sent a demo of it to Don, it just grew organically into an orchestral piece." The 13-minute acoustic guitar demo - which is included on the album - evolved into "Movement 2" and "Movement 3" and provided Hart with the inspiration for "Movement 1."

Anastasio and Orchestra Nashville (conducted by Paul Gambill) gave Time Turns Elastic its debut performance at the Orchestra's season opener at Nashville's legendary Ryman Auditorium in September 2008. "It was ambitious, strange and wholly entertaining," said rollingstone.com. "There was no doubt that he had won over both his hardcore fan base and the Bach aficionados who were new to the party."

Time Turns Elastic will receive its East Coast premiere on May 21st when Anastasio joins Music Director Marin Alsop (the first woman to head a major American orchestra) and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra for a special evening - already sold out - that will also feature classic Phish songs and solo Anastasio compositions. And Time Turns Elastic will come full circle when Phish performs it on the band's upcoming summer tour, interpreting the piece as an epic rock song. For details on the tour, the band's first in five years, please visit phish.com.

Time Turns Elastic Track Listing:

1. Time Turns Elastic

Movement 1
Song at Dawn
Ruby Shaded Sea

Movement 2
Submarine
Landslide
Rays of Blue Light

Movement 3
Silver Sound Shower
Hailstorm
Funnels
Carousel

2. Time Turns Elastic (Acoustic)

news source of www.guitarworld.com

Andre 3000 Arrested For Speeding, Debuts Musical

2009-03-31T19:53:00.000-07:00

Andre 3000 of the hip hop duo Outkast is free on bond after police charged him with driving 109 mph on a highway in suburban Atlanta.

Authorities say the entertainer was clocked speeding in his Porsche in a 65 mph zone south of Atlanta early Saturday.

The 33-year-old's real name is Andre Benjamin. He is free on a $1,200 property bond pending a court date April 29.

Benjamin's publicist did not return a call seeking comment.

Police say Benjamin told them he was going so fast because he missed an exit and had to turn around.

As the Grammy-winning Outkast, Andre 3000 and Big Boi have churned out six platinum-plus albums, including their hit double-release "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below." The latter sold tk copies in the United States, according to Nielsen Soundscan.

In related news, Andre 3000's sassy cast of musical kids, who celebrated everything from crayons to the blues in the short-lived TV cartoon series "Class of 3000," brought their eclectic sounds to the stage earlier this month.

The man who created them says the show, like the cartoon, tries to teach kids the essence of music.

"This is about having fun with the music and melodies," says Andre 3000, who co-created the cartoon series with executive producer Tommy Lynch. "It's not like we're trying to throw candy-coated morals at kids. We're bringing music to life for them to remember."

The Cartoon Network canceled the Emmy Award-winning show last spring, a year and a half after it debuted.

"Class of 3000 Live" opened earlier this month at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta. The hour-long children's play is expected to run through March 29. Benjamin hopes the production will eventually be performed in schools nationwide.

The show is based on the cartoon's first-ever episode, "Life Without Music." Jazz and blues artist Sunny Bridges flees his own international stardom to return to Atlanta, where he runs into rambunctious 12-year-old Lil' D and seven of his energetic friends who are seeking a music teacher at their performing arts middle school. Bridges ends up making them his students.

All featured songs were created by Benjamin, who is known for his 2004 smash hit "Hey Ya!" He and Big Boi, of the six-time Grammy-winning group OutKast, have churned out six platinum-plus albums, including their ubiquitous "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below."

Each song from "Class of 3000" features Benjamin's jazzy melodies. He hopes the kids who attend the performances can learn more about how music is formed through instruments - the same way he did when he was younger.

"I wanted to make sure it wasn't the teenybopper, kiddie sounds or stupid songs," he says. "I wanted to introduce them to different styles of music I was introduced to. From funk to jazz to calypso music, just to let them know there's a base from what they are hearing now."

"Class of 3000," which won an Emmy in 2007 for Individual Achievement in Animation, aired on the Cartoon Network but didn't make it past two seasons. The Alliance contacted Cartoon Network and ended up going with "Class of 3000" not long after the show was dropped.

Director Rosemary Newcott, who has worked at the Alliance Theatre for more than 20 years, says it was a "no-brainer" in choosing the show.

"The whole spirit of this show is infused with him, with his sense of humor and his love for music," she says of Benjamin. "That's a valuable trait that draws people in."

Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed

Additional editing by Mariel Concepcion for Billboard.

news source of www.billboard.com

Kelly Rowland Leaves Columbia Records

2009-03-31T19:51:00.000-07:00

R&B singer and Destiny's Child member Kelly Rowland has parted ways with her label, Columbia Records. While she no longer will be recording with the label as a solo artist, she will continue her role in the Destiny's Child catalog.

"Because Columbia Records has been my home base as an artist for more than a decade, the decision to move out on my own required a lot of soul-searching," Rowland said in a statement. "As a solo artist, I felt the need to explore new directions, new challenges, and new freedoms outside my comfort zone and my friends and family at Columbia have been incredibly understanding about my evolution."

"Kelly Rowland is one of our finest contemporary artists and a musical force to be reckoned with," said Rob Stringer, CEO, Columbia/Epic Label Music Group. "It has been a privilege and a pleasure to work with Kelly and we will continue our working relationship with her under the Destiny's Child moniker. The decision for Kelly to seek other opportunities for her solo career was agreed upon mutually, and any reports to the contrary are false."

Rowland's last release, 2007's "Ms. Kelly," has sold 219,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen Soundscan.

news source of www.billboard.com

Radiohead, Arctic Monkeys Top Readings And Leeds Lineups

2009-03-31T19:46:00.000-07:00

Radiohead, Arctic Monkeys and Kings of Leon have been confirmed as the headline acts at the U.K.'s twinned Reading and Leeds Festivals.The festivals will held at Little Johns Farm, Reading and Bramham Park, Leeds, over England's August Bank Holiday weekend (Aug. 28-Aug. 30).Other bands confirmed for the two shows include Kaiser Chiefs, the Prodigy, Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Vampire Weekend, Placebo, Fall Out Boy, Bloc Party, Deftones, Funeral for a Friend, Maximo Park, Ian Brown, Friendly Fires, Gallows, the Courteeners, White Lies, Gossip, Florence and the Machine and Glasvegas.The big news, however, is Radiohead making its debut headline performance at Reading and Leeds Festival. The shows will be Radiohead's only U.K. festival appearance of 2009. The Oxford-based band last played Reading Festival in 1994 and will perform at Leeds on Saturday Aug. 29 then close the Reading leg of the festival the following night.King of Leon's headline appearances on Friday Aug. 28 at Reading and Sunday Aug. 30 in Leeds also mark the band's only English festival dates and will form their final U.K. shows of 2009.

Arctic Monkeys headline slot, meanwhile, will be the band's first U.K. live dates since December 2007. The band headlines Leeds on Friday Aug. 28 and Reading the following night.To combat scapling, festival organizers Festival Republic also announced Monday that they have signed a deal with secondary ticketing company Viagogo to become the official secondary ticketing and ticket exchange partner of the Reading, Leeds and Latitude Festivals. The Latitude festival in Southwold, Suffolk, with headliners Pet Shop Boys, Grace Jones and Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds takes place July 16-19.Marking the first time that a major music festival has signed a partnership with a secondary ticketing partner, Viagogo will allow fans to legitimately buy and sell tickets in a secure online environment. A physical pick-up point will also exist at the Leeds and Latitude festival sites and Reading town center to allow fans to personally collect their tickets.

news source of www.billboard.com

Lucky Dube Killers Found Guilty

2009-03-31T19:45:00.000-07:00

Three men accused of murdering South African reggae star Lucky Dube in 2007 have been found guilty, Talk Radio 702 reported on Tuesday.

Two of the accused attempted to escape earlier on Tuesday, but were caught and brought back to court to hear the judgment.

Arguments for the sentence will begin on Wednesday.

Dube, 43, was killed in an apparent botched carjacking in October 2007. Dube recorded more than 20 albums and had shared a stage with Sinead O'Connor, Peter Gabriel and Sting.

The singer won over 20 awards locally and internationally. His first album, released in 1984 with the title "Rastas Never Die," was banned by South Africa's apartheid government.

news source of www.billboard.com

Wolfmother 'Back Around' With Free Download

2009-03-31T19:36:00.000-07:00

With a sophomore album on the way, Australian rockers Wolfmother is building the buzz with a freebie download of new single "Back Round."Fans can download an MP3 of the song from the official Wolfmother.com Web site in return for a personal email address and cell phone number. The track -- swimming in chunky guitar licks and drum fills -- is the first tangible recording from the new incarnation of Wolfmother.It comes ahead of an as-yet untitled second album, the follow-up to the Modular-signed act's 1.5 million selling self-titled debut from 2006.In early April, they will record the remainder of the album in L.A. with acclaimed producer Alan Moulder (My Bloody Valentine, Smashing Pumpkins, Nine Inch Nails). "It's full steam ahead with a view to get a record out for the fourth quarter," Wolfmother's manager John Watson tells Billboard.biz.
The group performed "Back Round" last Friday as the final act of the Vodafone MTV Australia Awards in Sydney. The band is encouraging fans who download the track to donate a fee to the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal.Originally a three-piece, the band imploded in the latter part of last year. Frontman Andrew Stockdale resurrected the band with a new line-up and made a coming out party of the Sound Relief bushfire benefit concerts on March 14, where a four-man Wolfmother played at both the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Sydney Cricket Ground legs.

news source of www.billboard.com

Privacy Policy

2009-02-14T19:54:00.000-08:00

Privacy Policy for www.themusicmania.blogspot.com

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Guitar Hero: Metallica - Track List Revealed!

2009-01-26T18:24:00.000-08:00

Metallica have announced the track listing for the Guitar Hero: Metallica video game, which is due out for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii and PlayStation 2 on March 29, 2009.
Playable venues in the game include the L.A. Forum, Tushino Airfield, the legendary Hammersmith Odeon and more.
Metallica Songs:
All Nightmare LongBatteryCreeping DeathDisposable HeroesDyers EveEnter SandmanFade To BlackFight Fire With FireFor Whom the Bell TollsFranticFuelHit the LightsKing NothingMaster of PuppetsMercyful Fate (Medley)No Leaf CloverNothing Else MattersOneOrionSad But TrueSeek and DestroyThe Memory RemainsThe Shortest StrawThe Thing That Should Not BeThe UnforgivenWelcome Home (Sanitarium)Wherever I May RoamWhiplash
Other Songs:
Alice In Chains- No ExcusesBob Seger- Turn the PageCorrosion of Conformity- AlbatrossDiamond Head- Am I Evil?Foo Fighters- Stacked ActorsJudas Priest- Hell Bent For LeatherKyuss- Demon CleanerLynyrd Skynyrd- Tuesday's GoneMachine Head- Beautiful MorningMastadon- Blood and ThunderMercyful Fate- EvilMichael Schenker Group- Armed and ReadyMotorhead- Ace of SpadesQueen- Stone Cold CrazySamhain- Mother of MercySlayer- War EnsembleSocial Distortion- Mommy's Little MonsterSuicidal Tendencies- War Inside My HeadSystem of a Down- ToxicityThe Sword- Black RiverThin Lizzy- The Boys Are Back In Town
In addition to these songs, Wii and PS2 owners will also receive three additional tracks, "Broken, Beat and Scarred", "Cyan" and "My Apocalypse" from the Death Magnetic album. PS3 and Xbox 360 owners will be able to download the full album for use in Guitar Hero Metallica, if they haven't already previously downloaded it for the other Guitar Hero games.

news source of www.guitarworld.com

Miley Cyrus Claims to Be an Iron Maiden Fan: Guitar World Calls BS!

2009-01-26T18:22:00.001-08:00

In a new video posted on her mileyworld.com web site, 16-year-old pop star Miley Cyrus claims that the fact that she was recently photographed wearing an Iron Maiden does not mean that she is "a poser."
In the clip she says: "I'm sure you all have seen me rocking an Iron Maiden shirt lately and I know there's been some people saying, 'Oh, she's a poser' and 'The only reason she's wearing Iron Maiden is because she wants to be a rock star… So, Iron Maiden — ‘Run to the Hills,' 'Fear of the Dark,’ ‘Running Free,’ [all] good song(s), check it out. So thank you, guys. I actually do like Iron Maiden."
Is Miley telling the truth about her love for the legendary metal band? We aren't buying it!
In this segment from the otherwise unbearable nine-minute video, it seems as though Miley briefly looks away from the camera, down and to her right, before every mention of an Iron Maiden song she supposedly digs...as if the song titles are written on a cue card off camera. When her friend announces “Sanctuary” as her personal favorite, she too looks away from the camera to the right before mentioning the song.

news source of www.guitarworld.com

Fender Announces Road Worn Band Competition

2009-01-26T18:19:00.000-08:00

Fender announces the Road Worn Competition, a nationwide band competition engaging musicians, and the dealers who support them, to submit their music for a chance to win a prize package worth more than $50,000.
Starting today through May 25, bands across the United States are invited to submit their music at getroadworn.com for a chance to win a road-ready prize package featuring a fully customized Fender Road Worn 2008 Toyota Tundra with matching trailer (customized by Studio Number One and Obey Giant) full of Fender Road Worn series instruments, Fender electric guitar and bass amplification, a Gretsch drumset, and a fuel allowance of $1,500. Additionally, participating Fender dealers will host “casting calls” throughout the lifespan of the competition in an effort to provide bands with more opportunities to showcase their talents and create more excitement in and around their stores.
Fender has engaged FameCast to power the submission site for the Road Worn Competition using FameCast’s proprietary contest management platform to collect and present each band’s submissions and rank them using a variety of metrics such as online fan voting, community engagement and a judging panel of music industry experts. A series of rounds will commence throughout the contest, narrowing the field down to an eventual winner.
The competition coincides with the release of Fender’s brand new Road Worn Series, a line of guitars and basses that come with a head start on history and bring the player the best of both worlds—a killer aged design aesthetic that conjures up the ghosts of past music lives, paired perfectly with the modern functionality, playability and high-quality that players know to expect from Fender.
Based on classic Fender instruments of the 1950s and ’60s, and production methods invented at the world-renowned Fender Custom Shop, Road Worn instruments reflect the mystic quality of life on the road. The series consists of a ’50s Tele, ’50s Strat, ’60s Strat, ’50s Precision Bass and ’60s Jazz Bass guitars.
“The Fender Road Worn competition is intended as a spark to ignite the creative fires of music-makers nationwide,” said Justin Norvell, marketing director for Fender electric guitars. “The competition is a way to give national exposure to our players—our customers—and their incredible creativity. We’ve always said at Fender, we make art so our players can make their art, and now we’ll help share that art on a massive scale.
“The competition also deepens our partnership with Toyota, showing how both brands complement each other in a very natural and real way. It also presents participating authorized Fender dealers with one more opportunity to build relationships with their customers; to further ingrain themselves into their local communities and be a part of something truly special.”
For more information, visit fender.com.

news source of www.guitarworld.com

Iron Maiden Announce Flight 666 Movie

2009-01-26T18:16:00.000-08:00

British heavy rock legends Iron Maiden, in association with Banger Films, EMI Records, UMe and Arts Alliance Media, announce that they will be releasing a feature length documentary film into cinemas worldwide on April 21, 2009. Entitled Iron Maiden: Flight 666, the movie follows the band on the first leg of their Somewhere Back in Time World Tour in February and March of 2008.
The Maiden tour plan was something that had never been attempted before on such a grand scale. Circumnavigating the globe, the band flew in a specially customized Boeing 757 airliner with their crew and 12 tons of music and stage equipment on board, playing 23 sold out stadium and arena shows in Asia, Australia and North, Central and South America in just 45 days. They played in 13 countries, also landing in Azerbaijan and Papua New Guinea en route for fuel stops, travelling 70,000km and performing to almost half a million fans – a schedule that was only made possible by having their own “magic carpet” enabling them to go where they wanted with all the key elements of band, crew and equipment on board one plane, which was christened Ed Force One. Lead singer and Airline Captain Bruce Dickinson was not only to perform 23 shows, but he was also the pilot flying the plane for much of the way.

The band were accompanied everywhere by award winning documentary makers Banger Films from Toronto in Canada, who have received international critical acclaim for their previous movies Metal, A Headbangers Journey and recently Global Metal. Filmmakers Scot McFadyen and Sam Dunn and their team bring an intimate behind the scenes view of this remarkable journey, with a close look at the logistics involved and following Team Maiden in the cockpit, on the plane and on and offstage, getting to the heart of this innovative global adventure of a band that has very rarely even let cameras backstage before.
Shot in high definition, the movie will be screened in 2K digital cinema, with superb 5.1 surround sound, mixed by the band’s producer Kevin 'Caveman' Shirley. Iron Maiden: Flight 666 brings to the screen all the drama, excitement and hysteria that followed the band around the world every time their Boeing 757 'Ed Force One' touched down in a new country. The film documents the intensity of the punishing show schedules, the struggle with the time zones, the pressures of ensuring that every performance matched the energy of the many thousands of ecstatic and expectant fans from many cultural backgrounds, unusual angles from the spectacular shows......and of course the fun had on the way!
Iron Maiden: Flight 666 is an honest and revealing portrait of one of the world’s most successful rock bands, a must-see for their millions of fans around the world, giving an inspirational account of the chaotic and often humorous world of a band touring the four corners of the world in the most extraordinary way.
Participating cinemas will be announced shortly.
For information on the release of Iron Maiden: Flight 666, teasers, trailers and news from the current tour please visit ironmaiden.com.

news source of www.guitarworld.com

Rush Announce Retrospective III Disc Set

2009-01-20T18:58:00.000-08:00

Anthem/Atlantic recording group Rush has announced details of the upcoming third volume in its continuing compilation series. Retrospective III 1989 – 2008 arrives in stores on March 3rd.
The collection – available as both individual CD and two-disc CD/DVD set – features tracks culled from the legendary trio’s two decades with Atlantic Records, spanning such acclaimed studio works as 1989’s Presto, 1991’s Roll the Bones, 1993’s Counterparts, 1996’s Test for Echo, 2002’s Vapor Trails, and 2007’s Snakes & Arrows. In addition, Retrospective III features a previously unreleased live version of the classic “Ghost of a Chance,” recorded live in Atlanta during Rush’s 2008 “Snakes & Arrows Tour,” as well as two tracks – “One Little Victory” and “Earthshine” – newly remixed by the band’s Alex Lifeson and master mixer Richard Chycki (Aerosmith, Mick Jagger, P. Diddy).
The Retrospective III DVD gathers the band’s 10 stunning music videos during the Atlantic years, including clips for fan favorites such as “The Pass,” “Roll the Bones,” “Stick It Out,” “Driven,” and the Grammy Award-nominated “Malignant Narcissism.” What’s more, the DVD includes a trio of live videos filmed in Frankfurt, Germany, during Rush’s 2004 “R30: 30th Anniversary World Tour,” highlighted by a masterful performance of the Who’s classic “The Seeker” (originally recorded by Rush for 2004’s Feedback). As an added bonus, the band has included a rare televised performance of the classic “Tom Sawyer” and an on-camera interview featuring all three members.
Both the CD and CD/DVD versions of Retrospective III are available now for pre-order at rush.com/preorder. A “Deluxe Rush Fan Pack” is also being offered, combining the CD/DVD package with a limited edition lithograph highlighting the albums featured on Retrospective III. The first 100 orders will receive an ultra-rare signed lithograph.
Retrospective III Track Listing:
CD:
1. One Little Victory (Remix)2. Dreamline3. Workin’ Them Angels4. Presto5. Bravado6. Driven7. The Pass8. Animate9. Roll the Bones10. Ghost of a Chance (Live)11. Nobody’s Hero12. Leave That Thing Alone13. Earthshine (Remix)14. Far Cry
DVD:
1. Stick it Out2. Nobody’s Hero3. Half the World4. Driven5. Roll the Bones6. Show Don’t Tell7. The Pass8. Superconductor9. Far Cry10. Malignant Narcissism11. The Seeker (Live)12. Secret Touch (Live)13. Resist (Live)14. Tom Sawyer (Live) and Interview*
*bonus material

news source of www.guitarworld.com

Jonas Bros. Duet With Taylor, Cover Shania

2009-01-19T18:12:00.000-08:00

Although details are still scant, the Jonas Brothers will be including a series of surprises on the soundtrack to their "3D Concert Experience" film.

Due Feb. 24 from Hollywood, the set is expected to include a duet with former tourmate Taylor Swift, a cover of Shania Twain's "I'm Gonna Getcha Good" and a new Jonas Brothers song.

A video for the previously released Jonas Brothers song "Tonight," taken from the 3D movie, is expected to launch this week.

"3D Concert Experience" was shot last summer on tour. In addition to Swift, young Disney film/recording artist Demi Lovato also appears.

Meanwhile, Hollywood has already penciled in a June 16 release date for the group's next studio album, barely a year on the heels 2008's "A Little Bit Longer." That set has sold 1.43 million copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Lamb of God Announce North American Tour

2009-01-19T01:26:00.001-08:00

Fresh off of their west coast run with Metallica and upcoming visits to Finland, UK, Ireland, Australia, Japan, and Indonesia, Lamb of God have teamed up with No Fear Energy for the North American tour in support of their fifth studio album, Wrath, which will be released by Epic Records on February 24th. The tour commences in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 2nd, and covers 35 markets in the U.S. and Canada, ending in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, May 15th.

Tickets and more information are available at livenation.com and NoFear.com. Check local listings for additional information.

Lamb of God has put together one of the strongest bills to come out of the metal community in recent times. As I Lay Dying and Children of Bodom are the main support acts on the tour, with the opening slot rotating between God Forbid and Municipal Waste. Lamb of God drummer, Chris Adler, commented “I cannot wait to begin the first North American run of the ‘Wrath’ world tour. The package we have lined up is guaranteed to leave sore necks and broken eardrums across the country. If you are into metal, there is something here for everyone, this is not a tour to miss. We are working up one hell of a show and can't wait to play the new material. See you there!“

The dates for the No Fear Energy Music Tour are:

April 2, 2009 – Dodge Theater – Phoenix, AZ
April 3, 2009 – Palladium – Los Angeles, CA
April 4, 2009 – Events Center – San Jose, CA
April 5, 2009 – Crest Theater – Fresno, CA
April 7, 2009 – Paramount – Seattle, WA
April 8, 2009 – UBC Thunderbird Arena – Vancouver, BC
April 10, 2009 – Shaw Conference Center – Edmonton, AB
April 11, 2009 – The Coral – Calgary, AB
April 12, 2009 – Praireeland – Saskatoon, SK
April 13, 2009 – Convention Centre – Winnipeg, MB
April 14, 2009 – City Auditorium – Thunder Bay, ON
April 16, 2009 – Ricoh Coliseum – Toronto, ON
April 17, 2009 – Cepsum – Montreal, QC
April 18, 2009 – Palladium – Worcester, MA
April 19, 2009 – Electric Factory – Philadelphia, PA
April 21, 2009 – LC Pavillion – Columbus, OH
April 22, 2009 – Tabernacle – Atlanta, GA
April 23, 2009 – Blackham Coliseum – Lafayette, LA
April 24, 2009 – Verizon Theatre – Houston, TX
April 25, 2009 – Concrete St. Ampthitheatre – Corpus Christi, TX
April 26, 2009 – Palladium Ballroom – Dallas, TX
April 28, 2009 – Fillmore – Denver, CO
April 29, 2009 – Uptown Theater – Kansas City, KS
April 30, 2009 – Myth – St. Paul, MN
May 1, 2009 – Congress Theater – Chicago, IL
May 2, 2009 – The Pageant – St. Louis, MO
May 3, 2009 – Egyptian – Indianapolis, IN
May 5, 2009 – Expo Five – Louisville, KY
May 6, 2009 – Fillmore Theater – Detroit, MI
May 8, 2009 – Roseland Ballroom – New York, NY
May 9, 2009 – Convention Center – Asbury Park, NJ
May 11, 2009 – Rams Head Live – Baltimore, MD
May 12, 2009 – House of Blues – Boston, MA
May 13, 2009 – Washington St. Armory – Albany, NY
May 14, 2009 – TBD
May 15, 2009 – House of Blues – Myrtle Beach, SC

news source of www.guitarworld.com

Guitar World Gear Editor Paul Riario Appears in Bizarre Video

2009-01-19T01:24:00.001-08:00

Guitar World gear editor Paul Riario, who has made a career out of not sharing important information with his coworkers, has been exposed as the acoustic guitar-strumming busker in a new video from the band the Bad Eliots. The video, for the song "Cat's Meow (Give It To Me Now)," shows the band, with instruments in hand and boxes on their heads, invading a crowded New York City subway and performing the song live before the stunned crowd of straphangers.

Upon his return from Winter NAMM 2009, Riario will have to explain his mysterioso behavior to the rest of the Guitar World staff. Stay tuned for details.

Click here for more information about the Bad Eliots.

news source of www.guitarworld.com

Jeff Loomis Instructional DVD Coming Feb. 17

2009-01-19T01:22:00.000-08:00

The latest installment in Guitar World's instructional DVD series comes to newsstands everywhere on February 17, 2009. Super Shred Guitar features Nevermore guitarist Jeff Loomis--in his instructional DVD debut--as the teacher, and contains more than 60 minutes' worth of valuable tips, tricks and techniques for anyone looking to improve their shredding abilities.

Topics covered include warm up exercises, scale studies, economy picking, sweep picking, modes and arpeggios and more, and a 24-page tablature book is included with each DVD.

Look for Super Shred Guitar in stores and on newsstands on February 17.

For more Guitar World instructional DVDs, visit the Guitar World Online Store.

news source of www.guitarworld.com

Carvin to Debut Steve Vai Legacy II Series amplifiers

2009-01-19T01:20:00.000-08:00

At Winter NAMM 2009 next week, Carvin Guitars will be unveiling the all-new Steve Vai Legacy II Series amplifiers.
The Legacy II amps represent years of development, design and testing between Carvin engineers and Steve Vai. The 3-channel, all-tube Legacy II features all-new circuit designs that have been reviewed and tweaked by renowned amp designer Benjamin Fargen of Fargen Amps.
According to Fargen, the result is "a powerful blend of high-end boutique sound and rock-solid American manufacturing."
"The Legacy II is a dream amp," says Vai. "It's simple, versatile and the sound is creamy and warm. Finally there is an amplifier that has a Master Volume control that can raise or lower the overall sound coming out of the speakers without changing its saturation or tone. Although the sound has retained the integrity of the original Legacy, there is now an added channel that acts as a boost on the clean channel giving it a bit more hair. No need to keep dreaming, it's here."
The Legacy II Series is available as either a VL2100 100-watt Legacy II head, a VL2412 100-watt single stack cabinet, a VL2812 100-watt double stack cabinet, or a VL2122 100-watt Legacy II combo amp.

news source of www.guitarworld.com

Phish Announce First Tour in Five Years

2009-01-19T01:16:00.000-08:00

Phish will launch its first summer tour in five years with a two-night stand at the Nikon Theatre at Jones Beach in Wantagh, NY, on June 4 and 5. Yesterday the band resumed rehearsals, which began in November, in preparation for the upcoming shows.
An online ticket request period is currently underway at http://www.phish.tickets.musictoday.com. Tickets will go on sale to the general public the weekend of January 30th and 31st. For information on where to purchase tickets, visit phish.com/tourdates.

Phish's summer tour will be preceded by a trio of concerts (March 6th, 7th and 8th) at Hampton Coliseum in Hampton, Virginia. The shows at the 13,800-capacity venue sold out just seconds after tickets went on sale last fall. They will mark the group's first concerts since its August 2004 performance at the Coventry festival in Vermont.

On March 3rd, Phish will release The Clifford Ball on JEMP Records/Rhino. This major archival release features the band's entire performance at the 1996 festival, which was the largest concert in North America that year and the first of many two-day festivals staged by the group. Over 70,000 fans turned out for the event, which was held at a decommissioned Air Force base in Plattsburgh, NY. The seven-DVD box set will contain more than nine hours of music, including a bonus disc with Phish's extended soundcheck, its late night flatbed truck jam and a 30-minute featurette with exclusive behind-the-scenes footage. The original multi-track recordings have been remixed for stereo and 5.1 audio. Fans can pre-order The Clifford Ball at drygoods.phish.com.
Formed at the University of Vermont in 1983, Phish quickly became renowned for its live performances. “Phish offers something rare in pop: a long, complex, and completely different show every night,” said the Village Voice. The Grammy-nominated band became one of the top touring groups in the U.S. and, by 1998, Rolling Stone had proclaimed Phish the most important band of the decade. Phish — comprising guitarist/vocalist Trey Anastasio, drummer Jon Fishman, bassist Mike Gordon and keyboardist Page McConnell — has released 11 studio albums, five concert videos and a series of 44 complete live concert CDs, including 13 on its own JEMP Records. In addition, the band offers a selection of 88 full concert downloads at livephish.com. LivePhish.com is Phish's digital download store and has been widely hailed as one of the first band sites to offer high-quality, unedited soundboard recordings of full concerts.
PHISH - SUMMER 2009 U.S. TOUR
6/4 Wantagh, NY (Nikon Theatre at Jones Beach)6/5 Wantagh, NY (Nikon Theatre at Jones Beach)6/6 Mansfield, MA (Comcast Center)6/7 Camden, NJ (Susquehanna Bank Center)6/9 Asheville, NC (Asheville Civic Center)6/16 St. Louis, MO (Fox Theatre)6/18 Burgettstown, PA (Post Gazette Pavilion)6/19 Noblesville, IN (Verizon Wireless Music Center)6/20 East Troy, WI (Alpine Valley)6/21 East Troy, WI (Alpine Valley)

U2 Looks Toward New 'Horizon'

2008-12-18T16:53:00.001-08:00

U2's twelfth studio album, "No Line on the Horizon," will arrive March 3 from Interscope. A track list for the set, which was produced by Brian Eno, Daniel Lanois and Steve Lillywhite, has not been announced.

Following sessions in Fez, Dublin and New York, "No Line on the Horizon" was originally expected to be released before the end of 2008, but U2 was not fully satisfied with the material and continued working.

"I met with the guys in U2, and they say to me, 'You know what? This album needs two more songs, and it will be exactly what we have in mind.' I go there and I listen, and I agreed with them," Interscope-Geffen-A&M chairman Jimmy Iovine told Billboard last month. "It's a great record, but it deserves the time. Labels need to work with artists to help them achieve their best work, not to jam records out that are half-baked or three-quarters baked."

"I'm always the one who underestimates how easy it is to simply 'put out the songs now.' If it was just up to me they'd be out already!," Bono told fans in September. "But early next year people will be able to start hearing what we've been doing. We want 2009 to be our year, so we're going to start making an impression very early on."

Among the songs expected to appear on the album are the title track, "Moment of Surrender" and "Unknown Caller." One source who has heard several of the songs in their early forms described them to Billboard as "amazing and a little out there. I hope they don't change anything."

"No Line on the Horizon" is the follow-up to 2004's "How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb." U2 is expected to be back on the road in 2009, marking its first tour as part of a massive recent deal with Live Nation.

news source of www.billboard.com

Beyonce Back In Control Of Hot 100

2008-12-18T16:50:00.001-08:00

Beyonce assumes control again of the Billboard Hot 100 with "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)," trading places 2-1 for a second time in recent weeks with T.I.'s "Live Your Life" featuring Rihanna. "Ladies" is also No. 1 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for a fifth frame.

Lady GaGa's "Just Dance" featuring Colby O'Donis continues to rise 4-3, flip-flopping with Britney Spears' "Circus." T.I.'s "Whatever You Like" holds at No. 5 on the Hot 100, as Spears' "Womanizer" rebounds 10-6 and Kanye West's "Heartless" blasts 16-7 as the chart's greatest airplay gainer

Katy Perry's "Hot N Cold" drops 7-8, Beyonce's "If I Were a Boy" slides 6-9 and Kanye West's "Love Lockdown" slides 8-10 to round out the top tier. T-Pain's "Can't Believe It" featuring Lil Wayne is the top digital gainer, jumping 23-18 after a 104% increase to 40,000 downloads in the United States, according to NIelsen SoundScan.

The Hot 100's top debut is Jamie Foxx's "Just Like Me" featuring T.I. at No. 75. Foxx's new album, "Intuition," was released this week by J.

Montgomery Gentry's "Roll With Me" begins a second week at No. 1 on Hot Country Songs, as Kings Of Leon's "Sex on Fire" does the same on the Modern Rock tally. Shinedown rises 2-1 to lead Mainstream Rock with "Second Chance."
news source of www.billboard.com

Aretha Franklin To Sing At Obama Inauguration

2008-12-18T16:42:00.000-08:00

Aretha Franklin will sing, the Rev. Rick Warren will pray and more than 11,000 U.S. troops will be watching over inauguration ceremonies in case of an attack during President-elect Barack Obama's swearing-in on Jan. 20.

As many as 4 million visitors are expected to be on hand when Obama takes the noontime oath from Chief Justice John Roberts on the steps of the Capitol.

The program is to feature poet Elizabeth Alexander; the Rev. Joseph Lowery, a veteran civil rights leader; the U.S. Marine and Navy bands; and the San Francisco Boys Chorus and the San Francisco Girls Chorus.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, said the day would be "an event of historic proportion."

"It is appropriate that the program will include some of the world's most gifted artists from a wide range of backgrounds and genres," she said.

Cellist Yo-Yo Ma, violinist Itzhak Perlman, pianist Gabriela Montero and clarinetist Anthony McGill will perform a new work composed by John Williams, who also provided music for Obama's election night rally in Chicago's Grant Park. The committee did not release a title for the work by Williams, who is best known for his film scores such as "Star Wars" and "Jaws."

Vice President-elect Joe Biden will take his oath from Justice John Paul Stevens. Others on the schedule were a nod to Obama's election as the country's first black president.

Lowery, who co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference with Martin Luther King, Jr., was scheduled to offer the event's benediction.

Franklin, a living legend with 21 Grammies, performed for President Bill Clinton in 1993, but this would be her first Inauguration. During a Labor Day weekend rally in Detroit, Obama sang a bit of Franklin's "Chain of Fools" to her.

Alexander, a 2005 Pulitzer Prize finalist and Yale University professor, centers her poems and essays on race relations and social movements.

news source of www.billboard.com

High on Fire Prepare New Album

2008-12-18T16:37:00.000-08:00

Oakland doom thrashers High on Fire have just signed to Koch Records, and have begun writing their new, as-yet-untitled CD. This release is scheduled for summer 2009.

The trio—Matt Pike (guitar, vocals), Des Kensel (drums) and Jeff Matz (bass)—has released four critically acclaimed albums during its career, starting with its 2000 debut, The Art of Self Defense. Their latest album, Death Is This Communion, was released on Relapse Records in 2007 and was produced by producer Jack Endino (Nirvana, Mudhoney).

Scott Givens, VP of Metal at Koch, comments on the partnership, “High on Fire is one of the most important bands in the metal genre and we are extremely excited to be working with them.”

High on Fire performed on Gigantour 2008, alongside Megadeth and In Flames, and recently wrapped up a tour with Opeth.

For more information, go to highonfire.net.

news source of www.guitarworld.com

Eddie Van Halen Launches New EVH Wolfgang Guitar

2008-12-17T23:07:00.000-08:00

Eddie Van Halen launches the all-new EVH Wolfgang electric guitar, available worldwide beginning Jan. 2009. The EVH Wolfgang guitar represents Eddie’s 35 years of experimenting with guitars, over two years of intense research and development, and a full year of brutal road testing during the top-grossing Van Halen 2007-2008 tour.

It was during the massive 2007-2008 Van Halen tour that the all-new EVH Wolfgang guitar went through extensive live “road testing” performance trials. The tour kicked off in fall 2007, and Eddie punished early versions of the new Wolfgang each night; playing every updated prototype onstage under the full, unfiltered spotlight of his fans. The results are reflected in the EVH Wolfgang guitar; produced to Eddie’s exact specifications and with features identical to the Wolfgang guitars he records and performs with.

“A guitar is a very personal extension of the person playing it. You have to be emotionally and spiritually connected to your instrument. I could have just stayed at home and built this guitar for myself. I do this because a lot of people ask if they can get what I use. Well, yes you can and what you get is identical to what I use,” commented Eddie. “From the basics of the guitar to painstaking aspects like the binding and everything else—we re-did everything on this guitar.”

“Every aspect and component of this guitar has been examined and upgraded to the highest standards possible: stainless steel frets, double-potted custom-wound pickups, five-piece binding on the matching body and headstock, custom-made signature tuning machines and Floyd Rose bridge, new low-friction pots, and the list keeps going...we left no stone unturned,” said Eddie. “Everything that I’ve built, destroyed, stumbled onto, learned and experienced is in this guitar.”

When Eddie Van Halen made his debut into the rock music scene in 1978, he did so with a homemade guitar (later known as “Frankenstein”). At a time when his monster technique and tone demanded a high-performance, indestructible guitar, he created his own to reach his own seemingly impossible standards. For over 35 years, he has continued to examine and improve every variable within the instrument, all culminating with the new EVH Wolfgang guitar.

In 2007, Eddie Van Halen and Fender collaborated to launch the first EVH brand high-performance products, including the all-new EVH 5150III amplifier, the limited run of Eddie Van Halen Frankenstein replica guitars and an array of high-quality EVH brand accessories.

For more information, exclusive photos, video and news updates, go to evhgear.com.

news source of www.guitarworld.com

Steve Vai Launches Alien Guitar Secrets Master Class

2008-12-17T23:05:00.000-08:00

On January 16 and 17 in Fullerton, California, Steve Vai will host two group lesson sessions that will cover a broad range of topics over the course of three-plus hours.

Alien Guitar Secrets is an unprecedented, masterclass opportunity offered by Steve Vai to all music students and guitar enthusiasts. After testing the masterclass in various international territories, we are now bringing Alien Guitar Secrets to the United States. This 3+ hour unique package gives the student a once in a lifetime opportunity to hear Steve discuss music theory, guitar techniques, the music business, and most importantly, techniques on how to discover and unlock your personal musical identity. It also includes a question and answer session, and a few attendees will be chosen to jam with Steve in this intimate environment.

Availability is very limited for each masterclass - classes are expected to sell out quickly.

CLASS OUTLINE:
1. When I Was A Little Boy
- Introduction
2. Building the Church
- Short and long term musical goals
3. Essence
- Basic guitar playing concepts and music theory
4. Under it All
- Finding and cultivating your own uniqueness on the instrument
5. Midway Creatures
- Discussion about the music business
6. K’m Pee-Du-Wee
- Bathroom Break
7. Head Cuttin’ Duel
- Jamming with Steve
8. Answers
- Q & A With Steve
9. Here I Am
- Meet & Greet, autographs and photos with Steve

DATE • TIME • LOCATION:

Friday, January 16th, 2009
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Fullerton, CA

Saturday, January 17, 2009
3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Fullerton, CA

In order to ensure a unique experience for Alien Guitar Secrets, the exact location of the event will only be revealed once your ticket is purchased. Please note that these class dates coincide with the NAMM Convention in Anaheim, CA. For those of you who may be attending NAMM, the location of the masterclass is less than five miles away from the Convention Center. There is parking at the venue for the masterclass.

TICKET SALES:
Alien Guitar Secrets is only available through the Vai.com Online Store. Ticket sales begin Wednesday, December 10th at 12:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. Tickets are $325.00 each and shall be limited to 50 per class. Ticket price includes:

• One ticket to Alien Guitar Secrets, which includes the aforementioned 3 hour experience.
• A limited edition “Naked Tracks” 5 CD box set.
The ticket and “Naked Tracks” Box Set will be given to you at check-in upon arrival at the venue. If you purchase the package, you will need to arrive at the venue no later than 30 minutes prior to the beginning of the class.

news source of www.guitarworld.com

Pearl Jam's Ten Gets Deluxe Reissue Treatment

2008-12-17T23:01:00.000-08:00

Ten, the debut album that sold 12 million copies and introduced the world to Pearl Jam in 1991, will be reissued in four new and expanded editions. Pre-orders of the Super Deluxe Edition begin today, December 10, 2008, through the band’s Ten Club at pearljam.com, with all four editions available at retail on March 24, 2009. The reissue of Ten serves as the launch of a planned two-year catalog re-release campaign leading up to the band’s 20th anniversary in 2011.

Each Ten package will include two versions of the album: the remastered version of the original album plus an accompanying remixed version done by the band’s long-time producer, Brendan O’Brien (Bruce Springsteen, AC/DC, Audioslave).

“The band loved the original mix of Ten, but were also interested in what it would sound like if I were to deconstruct and remix it,” says producer Brendan O’Brien. “The original Ten sound is what millions of people bought, dug and loved, so I was initially hesitant to mess around with that. After years of persistent nudging from the band, I was able to wrap my head around the idea of offering it as a companion piece to the original – giving a fresh take on it, a more direct sound.”

TEN RE-DESIGN

Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament, who served as the art director for the original Ten packaging, reprised his role for the reissues collaborating with designer, Andy Fischer, of Cameron Crowe’s Vinyl Films (Into the Wild soundtrack LP, Vanilla Sky soundtrack LP, Harold and Maude anniversary edition soundtrack LP).

"The goal was to assemble the ultimate fan-piece,” explains Fischer. “Something Pearl Jam lovers could pore over as they experience an indelible record all over again, in an entirely new way."

“The original concept was about really being together as a group and entering into the world of music as a true band...a sort of all-for-one deal,” says Jeff Ament. “There were some elements of the original Ten artwork that didn't turn out the way we had hoped, due to time constraints. With this reissue, we’ve been able to take our time and invest resources into making the design the way we had originally intended.”

REPLICA OF PEARL JAM THREE-SONG DEMO CASSETTE IN SUPER DELUXE EDITION

In the process of digging through his archives for this project, Ament came across an old cassette marked “Momma-Son” – the fabled original Pearl Jam demo tape featuring the first recorded versions of “Alive,” “Once” and “Footsteps.” Ament and guitarists Stone Gossard and Mike McCready had recorded instrumental tracks of these songs to help solicit a singer for their newly formed band. Mutual friend - and then Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer - Jack Irons suggested they send the tape down to San Diego surfer and little-known singer Eddie Vedder.

Completely inspired by what he heard from these musicians that he then only knew by name, Vedder quickly wrote lyrics, put these vocals to the music tracks and shipped the tape back to Seattle. Upon hearing how Vedder had transformed the songs, Ament, Gossard and McCready asked him to come up to Seattle so they could meet and have an official “tryout” together. Shortly thereafter, Pearl Jam was born. (A replica of the “Momma-Son” cassette will be included in the Super Deluxe Edition of Ten.)

Jeff Ament describes the experience of re-visiting that tape with singer Eddie Vedder:

“I think the first time that Ed or I had opened any of those boxes was a few weeks ago. I knew that the original ‘Momma-Son’ cassette was somewhere, but I hadn’t listened to it in 17, 18, 19 years. It was cool to sit down and play it for the first time with Ed and see his reaction. And to find that 90 percent of it stayed exactly the same as what ended up on the record. A lot of elements were identical. There was some energy flying around at that point even from 1,300 miles away from Seattle to San Diego.”

ABOUT TEN

Pearl Jam released Ten on August 27, 1991. The album reached #2 on the Billboard 200 chart, sold over 12 million copies and became one of the cultural touchstones of the 1990s. Songs such as “Alive,” “Black,” “Even Flow” and “Jeremy” became staples of rock radio, and still make frequent appearances on the band’s ever-changing concert setlists. The album was produced by Rick Parasher. Pearl Jam’s 1991 lineup was Jeff Ament (bass), Stone Gossard (guitar), Dave Krusen (drums), Mike McCready (guitar) and Eddie Vedder (vocals).

ORIGINAL TEN TRACKLISTING

Once
Even Flow
Alive
Why Go
Black
Jeremy
Oceans
Porch
Garden
Deep
Release
Master/Slave (hidden track)

THE FOUR EDITIONS OF TEN: ALBUM EXTRAS PER PACKAGE

1) Legacy Edition (2-disc set in mini-LP style slipcase):

• Disc 1: original Ten tracklisting digitally remastered (original mix)

• Disc 2: original Ten tracklisting digitally remastered and remixed by Brendan O’Brien, plus six bonus tracks: “Brother,” “Just a Girl,” “State of Love and Trust,” “Breath and a Scream,” “2,000 Mile Blues” and “Evil Little Goat”

• Re-designed packaging

2) Deluxe Edition (2-disc set plus DVD specially designed hardbound package):

• Disc 1: original Ten tracklisting digitally remastered (original mix)

• Disc 2: original Ten tracklisting digitally remastered and remixed by Brendan O’Brien, plus six bonus tracks: “Brother,” “Just a Girl,” “State of Love and Trust,” “Breath and a Scream,” “2,000 Mile Blues” and “Evil Little Goat”

• DVD of Pearl Jam’s previously unreleased 1992 MTV Unplugged performance including never before seen bonus performance of “Oceans” with 5.1 surround sound audio remix

3) Vinyl Collection (2-LP set):

• LP 1: original Ten tracklisting remastered for vinyl

• LP 2: original Ten tracklisting remastered for vinyl and remixed by Brendan O’Brien

4) Super Deluxe Edition (2-disc set plus DVD, 4 LPs and replica cassette in linen-covered, slip-cased clamshell box):

• Disc 1: original Ten tracklisting digitally remastered (original mix)

• Disc 2: original Ten tracklisting digitally remastered and remixed by Brendan O’Brien, plus six bonus tracks: “Brother,” “Just a Girl,” “State of Love and Trust,” “Breath and a Scream,” “2,000 Mile Blues” and “Evil Little Goat”

• DVD of Pearl Jam’s previously unreleased 1992 MTV Unplugged performance including never before seen bonus performance of “Oceans” with 5.1 surround sound audio remix

• LP 1: original Ten tracklisting remastered for vinyl

• LP 2: original Ten tracklisting remastered for vinyl and remixed by Brendan O’Brien

• LP 3 & 4: Drop in the Park – Live at Magnuson Park in Seattle on September 20, 1992 (audio mixed by Brendan O’Brien)

• Cassette: replica of original “Momma-Son” Pearl Jam demo cassette featuring “Alive,” “Once” and “Footsteps”

• Package also includes an Eddie Vedder-style composition notebook filled with replica personal notes, images and mementos from the collections of Eddie Vedder and Jeff Ament, a vellum envelope with replicated era-specific ephemera from Pearl Jam’s early work and a two-sided print commemorating the Drop in the Park concert.

news source of www.guitarworld.com

Joe Satriani Talks About His Lawsuit Against Coldplay

2008-12-17T22:56:00.000-08:00

In court papers filed in Los Angeles on December 4, 2008, guitarist Joe Satriani says Coldplay's song "Vida La Vida" used "substantial original portions" of his 2004 instrumental "If I Could Fly," from his album Is There Love in Space?

Satriani, 52, wants a jury trial and is seeking damages and "any and all profits" for the alleged plagiarism.

"I felt like a dagger went right through my heart," Satriani told MusicRadar.com's Joe Bosso on December 6. "It hurt so much. The second I heard it, I knew it was 'If I Could Fly.'"

As it turned out, Satriani wasn't the only one who noticed the similarity between "If I Could Fly" and "Viva La Vida."

"Almost immediately, from the minute their song came out, my email box flooded with people going, 'Have you heard this song by Coldplay? They ripped you off man.' I mean, I couldn't tell you how many emails I received.

"Everybody noticed the similarities between the songs. It's pretty obvious. It's as simple as that -- when you listen to a song and you say, 'Wow, that's a real rip-off.'

What makes the situation especially painful for Satriani is that "If I Could Fly" isn't just any song. It's a composition he'd been laboring over for well over 10 years before he recorded it.

"That's what really hurts about this whole thing. That I spent so long writing the song, thinking about it, loving it, nursing it, and then finally recording it and standing on stages the world over playing it - and then somebody comes along and plays the exact same song and calls it their own."

To read more of this interview with Joe Satriani, click here.

Click here to listen to the two songs and compare for yourself.

news source of www.guitarworld.com

New Dimebag Darrell Book in the Works

2008-12-17T22:53:00.000-08:00

About a week shy of the fourth anniversary of the death of guitar legend Dimebag Darrell Abbott, his brother Vinnie Paul Abbott told MTV2’s HeadBangersBlog.com about an in-depth, authorized Dimebag biography currently being written by Guitar World's Nick Bowcott.

“They were really good friends, and he covered all of Dime’s interviews for Guitar World for years and years and years,” Paul told the Blog during a 35-minute long podcast interview. “So, out of all the people we could think of, we felt like he was the perfect dude to actually write his biography.”

Bowcott started working on the project four months ago and Paul predicts that he’ll be doing research and conducting interviews for the next year before he starts writing. Until then, Dime’s fans can check out another authorized book, Dimebag: He Came to Rock!, a photo-driven history assembled by Paul and his father, country musician and producer Jerry Abbott, which came out November 18.

“Not only does it have photos from amazing photographers that have shot us over the years, it also has all kinds of personal photos from my collection and my dad’s collections and photos from friends and family members,” Paul said. “That really makes it much more of a down-home, honest feeling book.”

In addition to talking to HeadbangersBlog.com about the history of Dimebag: He Came to Rock! Paul discussed the time Dime met his hero Eddie Van Halen, why Damageplan was misunderstood, what happened to original Hellyeah bassist Jerry Montano and how the Damageplan demos recorded in preparation for the band’s second album will someday be released. Check out the full podcast here.

news source of www.guitarworld.com

iPhone Gets Chromatic Tuner Application

2008-12-17T22:50:00.000-08:00

Now available for $4.99 in the Apple iTunes App Store, Power Tuner is a chromatic tuner that will allow you to tune virtually any instrument within moments. Whether you play the violin, the guitar, a bass, the trombone or a horn, this tuner will help you to accurately adjust the pitch and tuning of your instrument even in noisy environments.

If you're a vocalist, "Power Tuner" can even accurately track your voice and tell you what note you sing and how well in tune it is.

Using an intuitive interface, the way high end rack-mounted tuners work, with a single glimpse you can see the stem note you play and the level of detuning in 10 cent steps above and below on a large LED-style display that is easy to read even in the dark.

In addition you can turn your phone on the side to get an even bigger display reading.

For more information, visit g3studios.com.

news source of www.guitarworld.com

Killswitch Engage Announce New Album Details

2008-12-17T22:25:00.000-08:00

Killswitch Engage have announced the recording of their as-yet-untitled fourth album for Roadrunner Records. The album will follow 2006's As Daylight Dies, which is approaching Gold status. 2004's The End of Heartache has achieved Gold certification. Killswitch Engage will appear on cover of Revolver magazine's 2009 Music Preview issue, on stands December 23. Additionally, the forthcoming album was selected as one of Alternative Press' Most Anticipated releases of 2009.

For the first time in their career, the band will work with an outside producer and have chosen Brendan O'Brien (AC/DC, Rage Against the Machine, Pearl Jam and Stone Temple Pilots, to name a few) to man the boards. KSE guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz, a noted producer in his own right who has recorded all of the band's previous albums, will be taking a co-producer role on this record alongside O'Brien.

The band will record in both Georgia and their native Western Massachusetts. Roadrunner expects to release the record in Spring 2009.

Killswitch Engage will spend the winter recording the album and will hit the road in the spring for a major pre-release tour. Look for more details on that in the near future.

news source of www.guitarworld.com

Steve Morse, Andy Timmons, Frank Gambale & more appear on new CD

2008-12-03T00:16:00.000-08:00

The Emmy Award winning composer/guitarist Brian Tarquin’s accomplishments include establishing himself as a top rate TV composer/recording artist, owner of Jungle Room Studios, owner of BHP Records and can now add philanthropist to the long and ever growing list. The Manhattan native has brought together a group of artists that read like the who’s-who of the guitar world on his latest project, Fretworks, that is wonderfully crafted group of songs inspired by those who lost their lives on 9-11. Written and produced by Brian, Fretworks includes new material from artists such as Steve Morse, Billy Sheehan, Frank Gambale, Andy Timmons, Will Ray, as well as rare and exclusive material from Steve Vai, Santana & Tommy Bolin. Track list and the liner notes were written by Hal Lindes of Dire Straits. A portion of the profits from this release will benefit the Friends of Firefighters 9-11 Foundation.

About Brian: Brian is a 5 time Emmy nominee and two time winner for his work as a composer and guitarist. Brian’s work has been included on chart topping records and compilations including 4 solo albums, Ghost Dance, Last Kiss Goodbye, Soft Touch, and High Life, selling over 130,000 records in his career. In 2006, Tarquin opened his own boutique record label called BHP MUSIC, specializing in instrumental guitar music. BHP MUSC 2007 releases included, Tarquin producing and compiling the acclaimed guitar compilation, Guitar Masters, Vol.1 which featured guitar legends: Jeff Beck, Joe Satriani, Zakk Wylde, Stanley Clarke, Billy Sheehan and many others. The compilation received rave reviews from the editor-in-chief of Guitar Player Magazine and Vintage Guitar Magazine, who both graciously contributed the Liner Notes for the compilation.

For more information, visit briantarquin.com

Track Listing:

1. Blue Wind - Billy Sheehan
2. Spanish Harlem - Frank Gambale
3. Towers - Steve Morse
4. Constantinople - Will Ray
5. 86th Street - Randy Coven
6. Solidarity - Max Middleton
7. Dionysus - Randy Coven
8. Manhattan - Andy Timmons
9. Black Rose - Brian Tarquin
10. Aphrodite - Hal Lindes
11. Jungle Room Boogie - Max Middleton
12. Tears - Rob Balducci
13. Yorkville - Chuck Loeb
14. Westside Highway - James Ryan
15. Triumphant We Stand - Steve Booke
16. Funk Me Tender - Randy Coven/Steve Vai
17. Jam In I - Santana
18. Homeward Strut - Tommy Bolin

Hendrix's Woodstock Guitar Strap to be Auctioned

2008-12-03T00:13:00.000-08:00

A Jimi Hendrix original guitar strap used at the Woodstock Music and Art Festival in 1969 will be put up for sale on December 11, 2008, one of the 500+ items that will be available at auction by Profiles in History. The guitar strap is expected to sell for $25,000-$35,000.
Worldwide bidding for the entire auction begins at 12:00 pm (pst). Bids can be placed either in person, via mail, phone, fax or live on the internet via eBay Live Auctions or LiveAuctioneers.com.
This patterned Ace guitar strap was used by Hendrix at Woodstock as well as the Hollywood Bowl in 1967 and other performances. The strap originally came from David Vega, lead guitarist of the San Francisco funk band, Graham Central Station. Vega had been given the guitar strap from a sound technician who worked at Woodstock. Numerous photographs were taken of Hendrix using this guitar strap, including his milestone performance closing the final day at Woodstock which would become the most talked about rock festival in history and a pivotal moment for an entire generation. The strap is housed in a custom frame with a reissue Woodstock Music and Art Festival poster.

news source of www.guitarworld.com

Slipknot Announce U.S. Headlining Tour, with Coheed and Cambria, Trivium Supporting

2008-11-30T18:57:00.000-08:00

Masked metallers Slipknot announced today their first U.S. headline tour in support of their new album All Hope Is Gone. The tour, which kicks off on January 23rd in St. Paul, MN, will hit 33 cities across the country, and include an stop at New York’s Madison Square Garden, a first for the band. Coheed and Cambria and labelmates Trivium round out the bill.

Frontman Corey Taylor had this to say about the upcoming tour, “2009 is the 10 year anniversary of the world’s first taste of this band. To celebrate we are coming back out with a killer tour, a couple great bands and the same ferocity with which we attack life. We want all of our maggots to come and celebrate with us, because if it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t have been here for 10 years. Get ready for chaos!”

The dates are as follows:

01/23/09- Xcel Energy Center - St. Paul, MN
01/24/09- Sprint Center - Kansas City, MO
01/25/09- Mid America Center - Council Bluffs, IA
01/27/09- Alliant Energy Center Memorial Coliseum - Madison, WI
01/28/09- Wells Fargo Arena - Des Moines, IA
01/30/09- Allstate Arena - Rosemont, IL
01/31/09- The Palace of Auburn Hills - Auburn Hills, MI
02/02/09- Peoria Civic Center - Peoria, IL
02/03/09- Pepsi Coliseum - Indianapolis, IN
02/05/09- Madison Square Garden - New York, NY
02/06/09- Tsongas Arena - Lowell, MA
02/07/09- Susquehanna Bank Center - Camden, NJ
02/09/09- Greensboro Coliseum Complex - Greensboro, NC
02/10/09- Cricket Arena - Charlotte, NC
02/11/09- Bi-Lo Center - Greenville, SC
02/13/09- 1st Mariner Arena - Baltimore, MD
02/14/09- Rupp Arena - Lexington, KY
02/15/09- Sommet Center - Nashville, TN
02/17/09- Gwinnett Center - Duluth, GA
02/18/09- UCF Arena - Orlando, FL
02/19/09- Pensacola Civic Center - Pensacola, FL
02/21/09- Concrete Street Amphitheater - Corpus Christi, TX
02/22/09- Nokia Theatre - Grand Prairie, TX
02/23/09- BOK Center - Tulsa, OK
02/25/09- Verizon Wireless Theater – Houston, TX
02/26/09- Verizon Wireless Theater - Houston, TX
02/28/09- El Paso County Coliseum - El Paso, TX
03/01/09- Freeman Coliseum - San Antonio, TX
03/03/09- Denver Coliseum - Denver, CO
03/04/09- Tingley Coliseum - Albuquerque, NM
03/05/09- Jobing.com Arena - Glendale, AZ
03/07/09- The Forum - Inglewood, CA
03/08/09- Cox Arena - San Diego, CA
03/10/09- Citizens Business Bank Arena - Ontario, CA
03/11/09- ARCO Arena - Sacramento, CA

Weezer Raids Vaults, Records Xmas Carols

2008-11-30T18:40:00.000-08:00

On the heels of the release of the second volume of Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo's home recordings, the group is now taking a look back into its own vaults.

Cuomo tells Billboard he has "no idea" when the tentatively titled "Odds and Ends" will be released, but describes it as "just another fun project to do. They're great songs, but for some reason they didn't make the final cut for [a] record. They span a vast period of time from the very beginning of our career in the early '90s right up to the present day."

Meanwhile, Cuomo says Weezer may tour next spring with Oasis, and is hoping to enlist Spike Jonze to direct a video for the song "The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived" from its recent "The Red Album."

And while the next Weezer studio album appears to be a ways off, the group recently recorded six Christmas carols that will be downloadable for the iPhone game "Tap Tap Revenge," including "Oh Holy Night." Says Cuomo, "They're the classics."

In addition, Cuomo recently wrote a song with sibling pop duo Aly & AJ, although it's unclear when it may see the light of day. "It was such a blast to remember how teenagers approach songwriting," he says of the experience. "Their minds just work so fast and they have no fear and no ego."

Cuomo's "Alone II: The Home Recordings" was released earlier this week by DGC/Interscope. The first installment came out in December 2007.

For an extensive Q&A with Rivers Cuomo, visit Billboard.com on Monday.

news source of www.billboard.com

T.I. Fends Off Beyonce, Remains Atop Hot 100

2008-11-30T18:37:00.000-08:00

T.I. starts a fifth non-consecutive week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 this week with "Live Your Life" featuring Rihanna, but Beyonce is nipping at his heels with two different songs. Her "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" rockets 28-2 after selling 204,000 digital downloads, while "If I Were a Boy" holds at No. 3.

On Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, "Single Ladies" begins a second week at No. 1. As reported yesterday, Beyonce scored her third-straight No. 1 debut on The Billboard 200 with "I Am ... Sasha Fierce," which sold 482,000 copies.

T.I.'s other former No. 1, "Whatever You Like," slips 2-4. Katy Perry's "Hot N Cold" is down 4-5, Kanye West's "Love Lockdown" rebounds 9-6 and Lady GaGa's "Just Dance" featuring Colby O'Donis powers 16-7 on a 60% digital uptick to 113,000.

Pink's "So What" drops 5-8, as Ne-Yo's "Miss Independent" improves 11-9 and Akon's "Right Now (Na Na Na)" falls 8-10 to round out the top tier.

The Fray's "You Found Me" is the week's top debut at No. 28 after selling 62,000 downloads. The track premiered last week during a promo clip for the hit ABC show "Lost"; it's from the Denver band's self-titled sophomore album for Epic, due Feb. 3.

On Hot Country Songs, Zac Brown Band's "Chicken Fried" rises 2-1 to give the band the first No. 1 hit of its career. Recently signed to Atlantic, the group debuted at No. 17 on The Billboard 200 yesterday with its album "The Foundation."AC/DC's "Rock'N'Roll Train" enjoys a second week atop Mainstream Rock with "The Day That Never Comes," while the Offspring's "You're Gonna Go Far, Kid" is No. 1 on Modern Rock for a tenth.

news source of www.billboard.com

Ashlee Simpson Takes Care of Her Babies

2008-11-25T22:19:00.001-08:00

Nov. 25) -- Ashlee Simpson had two babies to worry about last Thursday - the son she was delivering, and her husband Pete Wentz. The Fall Out Boy bassist told Ryan Seacrest that his wife is a saint for showing concern for his case of nerves while she was in labor with Bronx Mowgli.

"Right before she went into labor, I was like, 'Oh my God, I think I'm having a heart attack!' My heart started beating really fast." Wentz said, "You see your wife in all this pain, and you really don't know what's happening. [But Ashlee] took care of me and made sure I was OK and then we went into labor."

"She's a amazing girl. She was like, 'I will make sure you're OK.' I didn't even stop to think, 'Well, you just had an epidural and you're about to have a baby!'"

Simpson and Wentz married amid a swirl of pregnancy rumors in May. They had announced their engagement just a month earlier, fanning the flames of the baby rumor mill as bloggers and tabloids presumed the quick nuptials were a sure-fire sign of a pregnancy. Their first child, Bronx Mowgli, was born on November 20.
2008 AOL LLC. All Rights Reserved.

news source of www.popeater.com

Brit Says K-Fed Teaches Kids Bad Words

2008-11-25T22:14:00.001-08:00

Nov. 25) - In a new interview with Rolling Stone, Britney Spears talks about going on dates, her children and what her life is like now, USA Today reports. See Highlights Below.

Her Bedtime: "I feel like an old person now. I do! I go to bed at, like, 9:30 every night, and I don't go out or anything."

On a Recent Date, Where She Was Chaperoned: "He looked like an older version of Harry Potter, but skinnier. … So I had to get dessert first. And the other date I had, the guy was really, really tall and a lot older. … We're trying to ask him questions, like, 'OK, you're into martial arts, so what kind of martial arts are you into?' And he was like, 'Oh, all kinds.' … But you know how silly we are, so we were just cracking up."

Her Children: "Every time they come to visit me, I think about how they're such special people."

A Dig at Their Father: Sean Preston and Jayden James "are starting to learn words like 'stupid,' and Preston says the f-word now sometimes. He doesn't get it from us. He must get it from his daddy. I say it, but not around my kids."
2008 AOL LLC. All Rights Reserved.

news source of www.popeater.com

U2, Coldplay, Killers Help Launch (RED)WIRE

2008-11-25T22:06:00.000-08:00

Some of the biggest names in music are contributing exclusive songs to RED(WIRE), a new digital music magazine launching on World AIDS Day (Dec. 1).

U2, Coldplay, the Killers, the Dixie Chicks, John Legend, R.E.M. and Bob Dylan are on board for the initiative, which is an outgrowth of the Bono-reared activist organization (RED). All proceeds from subscriptions will benefit HIV-infected people in Africa; MSN.com will host a kick-off party on Dec. 1.

For $5, users will receive a new issue of RED(WIRE) every Wednesday, featuring an exclusive song from a major artist, a song from an artist (RED) aims to showcase, a multimedia piece that could encompass video or photography and a look at how proceeds are directly benefiting Africans in need. The materials will be downloaded to a custom player and automatically loaded into iTunes.

Users can send two free issues to friends, and will be rewarded if they join RED(WIRE). "Artists are already saying, 'I want to give you a track for those people who brought friends in,'" (RED)WIRE founder Don MacKinnon tells Billboard.com. "That's the biggest idea: using social networking to actually change the world in a unique way."

U2's track was recorded just last Wednesday, while the Killers, Elton John and the Pet Shop Boys' Neil Tennant teamed up for the Christmas song "Joseph, Better You Than Me," which MacKinnon describes as "like a power ballad." This is the third year in a row the Killers have penned a holiday song and donated proceeds to (RED).

Meanwhile, John Legend's take on Bob Marley's "Redemption Song" finds him eschewing piano for a stripped-down arrangement with guitar, bass and backing vocalists, according to MacKinnon. Also coming is the first new Dixie Chicks song since the group's Grammy sweep in 2007, "Lucky One," and Elvis Costello and the Police jamming on "Watching the Detectives" and "Walking From the Moon," taped during Costello's new Sundance Channel show "Spectacle." Additional (RED)WIRE offerings will be announced in the coming weeks. MacKinnon is particularly enthused about the creative directions open to (RED)WIRE, especially with such high-profile artist participation. "I had a meeting with Jay-Z, and he wants to talk about artists to be featured in that spotlight slot," he says. "Big artists may curate an issue. The whole goal was to create a creative platform. When somebody says, 'I do all this photography and I want to put it in as an extra,' That's when I go, this is going to be really cool."

news source of www.billboard.com

Nickelback Plots 2009 Tour

2008-11-25T22:02:00.000-08:00

Nickelback will begin a North American tour Feb. 25 in Nashville in support of its just-released Roadrunner album "Dark Horse." Tickets go on sale Dec. 5 via LiveNation.com, but Nickelback fan club members get first crack on Friday (Nov. 28).

Seether and Saving Abel will support on the jaunt, which runs through April 23 in Columbia, S.C.

"Dark Horse" is expected to debut tomorrow in the upper reaches of The Billboard 200. First single "Gotta Be Somebody" has sold 570,000 downloads in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Asked recently by Billboard why NIckelback opted to wait to tour until next year, frontman Chad Kroeger said, "We've been bitten too many times by going out too early. I'm always adamant about making sure there's at least a true rock song from the band that's gone to radio, just to give a more diverse selection of music for people to listen to.

"We've been consulting with some people; I'm interested to see someone else's take on what this band could look like live, and we've had some real interesting stuff come back," he continued. "I think we're gonna try some stuff that, believe it or not, no one has ever done live before."

Here are Nickelback's tour dates: Feb. 25: Nashville (Sommet Center)
Feb. 27: Lexington, Ky. (Rupp Arena)
Feb. 28: Detroit (Joe Louis Arena)
Mar. 2: Toronto (Air Canada Centre)
Mar. 3: Hamilton, Ont. (Copps Coliseum)
Mar. 5: Worcester, Mass. (DCU Center)
Mar. 6: East Rutherford, N.J. (IZOD Center)
Mar. 8: Uncasville, Conn. (Mohegan Sun Arena)
Mar. 9: Philadelphia (Wachovia Center)
Mar. 11: Columbus, Ohio (Nationwide Arena)
Mar. 12: Rosemont, Ill. (Allstate Arena)
Mar. 14: Milwaukee (Bradley Center)
Mar. 15: Moline, Ill. (I Wireless Center)
Mar. 17: Omaha, Neb. (Qwest Center)
Mar. 18: Des Moines, Iowa (Wells Fargo Arena)
Apr. 1: Edmonton, Alberta (Rexall Centre)
Apr. 2: Calgary (Pengrowth Saddledome)
Apr. 4: Saskatoon,(Credit Union Centre)
Apr. 5: Winnipeg (MTS Centre)
Apr. 7: Minneapolis (Target Center)
Apr. 8: Kansas City. Mo. (Sprint Center)
Apr. 10: Tulsa, Okla. (BOK Center)
Apr. 13: Bossier City, La. (CenturyTel Center)
Apr. 14: San Antonio (AT&T Center)
Apr. 16: Houston (Toyota Center)
Apr. 17: New Orleans (New Orleans Arena)
Apr. 19: Little Rock, Ark. (Alltel Arena)
Apr. 22: Jacksonville, Fla. (Veterans Memorial Arena)
Apr. 23: Columbia, S.C. (Colonial Life Arena)

news source of www.billboard.com

No Doubt, Fall Out Boy Set For Bamboozle

2008-11-25T21:58:00.001-08:00

After its weekend announcement that it was heading back on tour, No Doubt has revealed its first show of 2009.

The group will headline the second day of the Live Nation-promoted Bamboozle festival on May 3 at the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, N.J. Fall Out Boy will headline the opening day.

Two-day and VIP passes are available from the festival's Web site, with single-day tickets going on sale Friday (Nov. 28). As previously reported, No Doubt has been in the studio on and off this year to work on the follow-up to 2001's "Rock Steady." Frontwoman Gwen Stefani gave birth to her second son in August.

news source of www.billboard.com

No Doubt Regrouping For Tour, Album

2008-11-23T18:49:00.000-08:00

No Doubt will return to the road in 2009 while it finishes its first studio album in seven years. The group made the announcement via an instant message transcript posted on its official Web site, but did not provide specific details.

"I have cabin fever. Maybe we should play some shows or something," guitarist Tom Dumont wrote. Vocalist Gwen Stefani answered, "I think we should go out now. I don't think we should wait. Pack up the babies and get a bunch of nannies. So fun! Would be so inspiring to get out there and play all those songs again."

The group then discusses how continuing to write new music on the road would be inspiring, and vows to alert management to its plans.

No Doubt has been in the studio on and off throughout 2008. But Stefani's participation has been limited of late, having given birth to her second son in late August.

The group hasn't played live since mid-2004, and its last studio album was 2001's "Rock Steady." Since then, Stefani has released two critically acclaimed solo albums, while the other group members have pursued solo and session work as well as producing. Most recently, they appear on Stone Temple Pilots frontman Scott Weiland's solo album, "'Happy' in Galoshes."

news source of www.billboard.com

Shred the Web Finalists Announced

2008-11-23T18:43:00.001-08:00

Videos featuring the 10 finalists in Tabs.GuitarWorld.com's Shred the Web contest are now available for viewing.

Go to tabs.guitarworld.com/shredtheweb to watch the finalists perform versions of Van Halen’s “Hot for Teacher,” Judas Priest’s “Electric Eye,” Pantera’s “Cowboys from Hell,” Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” and more -- and be sure to vote for who you think should win!

The winner will receive $10,000 in cash and prizes, including a B.C. Rich NJ Deluxe Warbeast guitar, a Randall Kirk Hammett signature amp and cabinet, Dunlop guitar strings and more.

news source of www.guitarworld.com

Guns N' Roses Streaming Entire Chinese Democracy Album Online

2008-11-23T18:38:00.000-08:00

Against all odds, Chinese Democracy has finally arrived.

One of the most highly anticipated (and expensive) albums in rock history, the long-awaited Chinese Democracy marks the first album of new material from Guns N’ Roses since 1991’s simultaneous release of Use Your Illusion I and Use Your Illusion II.

Chinese Democracy (Black Frog/Geffen Records) will be availableat Best Buy stores globally on November 23 on CD and vinyl (accompanied by a free digital download of the tracks), and as a separate digital album.

Produced by Axl Rose and Caram Costanzo, Chinese Democracy includes 14 tracks. While the title track and first single from the album, “Chinese Democracy," has been floating around for a couple of weeks, Guns N' Roses have just posted a streaming copy of Chinese Democracy in its entirity on their MySpace page.

news source of www.guitarworld.com

New Hendrix Electric Ladyland Making-Of Disc Set Due Dec. 9

2008-11-19T17:16:00.000-08:00

Experience Hendrix LLC has announced the release of At Last… The Beginning: The Making of Electric Ladyland DVD and companion Electric Ladyland Collector’s Edition CD + DVD. The packages will be released on December 9 through Universal Music Enterprises coming 40 years after the initial release of Electric Ladyland, the third and final album by the Jimi Hendrix Experience. It was the last Hendix studio album to have been produced during the guitar icon’s lifetime and reflects his meticulous involvement in every facet of its creation.

Electric Ladyland is the source of such legendary Hendrix tracks as “All Along the Watchtower,” “Crosstown Traffic,” “Burning of the Midnight Lamp” and is commonly acknowledged by Hendrix cognoscenti as the most fully realized, cohesive project of his entire career. It was the only Hendrix album to have hit #1 on the Billboard charts. It is, indisputably, the crowning achievement of the Jimi Hendrix Experience and underscored Hendrix's abilities as singer, songwriter, guitarist and producer.

At Last… The Beginning: The Making of Electric Ladyland documents the creation of the album that was released in the fall of 1968 as a 2 LP set. Some of Jimi’s closest associates are seen on screen discussing their recollections of Hendrix and the project including JHE bassist Noel Redding, drummer Mitch Mitchell, manager Chas Chandler who discovered Hendrix after he left the Animals; drummer Buddy Miles who appeared on the album and later went on to work with Hendrix in the Band of Gypsys, Jefferson Airplane’s Jack Casady, Steve Winwood and Dave Mason from Traffic and others who participated in the Electric Ladyland sessions that took place at Olympic studios in London and the Record Plant in New York. One of the highlights of the program includes a session with original Electric Ladyland engineer Eddie Kramer who discusses the techniques Hendrix, Mitchell and Redding employed in recording Electric Ladyland and playing some of the original multitrack tapes to illustrate the process.

Originally produced in 1997 as the premiere episode the acclaimed Classic Albums television series, The Making of Electric Ladyland is newly edited with expanded features and almost 40 minutes of additional content not seen in the original feature.

While the DVD is offered as a stand-alone title, a Deluxe CD + DVD Collector’s Edition that includes The Making of… DVD along with the classic Electric Ladyland CD offers consumers both the expository look at the Electric Ladyland as well as the actual album which ranks as one of the most significant projects in the Hendrix canon. All Music Guide, Blender and Rolling Stone have all awarded Electric Ladyland five (out of five) stars as it has been firmly ensconced in the pantheon of rock’s greatest achievements for 40 years.

DVD Tracklisting:

Prologue
Burning of the Midnight Lamp
…And The Gods Made Love
All Along The Watchtower
Rainy Day, Dream Away
Still Raining, Still Dreaming
Voodoo Chile
Crosstown Traffic
Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)
Little Miss Strange
Gypsy Eyes
South Saturn Delta
House Burning Down
1983… (A Merman I Should Turn To Be)
Long Hot Summer Night
Have You Ever Been (To Electric Ladyland)
Epilogue

CD Tracklisting:

…And The Gods Made Love
Have You Ever Been (To Electric Ladyland)
Crosstown Traffic
Voodoo Chile
Little Miss Strange
Long Hot Summer Night
Come On (Let The Good Times Roll)
Gypsy Eyes
Burning of the Midnight Lamp
Rainy Day, Dream Away
1983… (A Merman I Should Turn To Be)
Moon, Turn The Tides…Gently Gently Away
Still Raining, Still Dreaming
House Burning Down
All Along The Watchtower
Voodoo Child (Slight Return)

news source of www.guitarworld.com

Taylor Swift Soars To No. 1 Debut

2008-11-19T17:13:00.000-08:00

With the best sales week for a country album in a year, 18-year-old Taylor Swift debuts at No. 1 on The Billboard 200 and Top Country Albums with her sophomore set, "Fearless." The Big Machine release sold 592,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan, the largest sum for a country album since Eagles' "Long Road Out of Eden" started with 711,000 last November.

"Fearless" shifted 129,000 copies digitally, the fourth biggest week for a digital album since Nielsen SoundScan began tracking them in 2004.

Meanwhile, six songs from "Fearless" will debut on tomorrow’s Billboard Hot 100, led by "White Horse" at No. 13. "Horse" is her sixth top 20 debut of 2008, a calendar year record for any artist in the history of the Billboard Hot 100. In addition, her six debuts and seven total tracks on tomorrow chart each tie her with Hannah Montana for the most by a female artist in a single week. Of the 13 tracks on "Fearless," 11 have now spent time on the Hot 100.

The next three slots on The Billboard 200 are debuts, with "American Idol" runner-up David Archuleta starting at No. 2 with his self-titled 19 Recordings/Jive album on sales of 183,000. The 29th edition of the multi-label "Now That's What I Call Music!" series begins at No. 3 with 172,000, while T-Pain's "Thr33 Ringz" (Kovinct/Nappy Boy/Jive) opens at No. 4 with 167,000.

Last week's No. 1 album, the Chop Shop/Atlantic soundtrack from "Twilight," drops to No. 5 on a 35% decrease to 107,000. AC/DC's "Black Ice" slips 2-6 on a 34% decline to 105,000, while Walt Disney's "High School Musical 3" soundtrack is down 3-7 on a 14% dip to 94,000.

Enya's first holiday album, "And Winter Came" (Reprise) debuts at No. 8 with 92,000. The project is expected to be a strong seller through the end of the year, potentially in the vein of Josh Groban's runaway hit album from last year, "Noel."

Christina Aguilera's hits package, "Keeps Gettin' Better," is new at No. 9 with 73,000. The album was exclusively available at Target. Rounding out the top tier is T.I.'s "Paper Trail" (Grand Hustle/Atlantic), which falls 7-10 on a 10% decline to 62,000.

Seal's R&B covers album, "Soul" (Warner Bros.), debuts at No. 13 this week with 45,000. That's an improvement over his dance-driven 2007 album "System," which crept in at No. 35 with 30,000. Further down the chart, a best-of "Now That's What I Call Music" album lands No. 32 with 22,000) and producer David Foster's all-star live set "Hit Man" (Warner Bros.) debuts at No. 46 with 15,000.

Album sales this week are up 26.8% from last week with 8.9 million units, but down 24% from the same week last year (11.72 million).

Additional reporting by Keith Caulfield.

news source of www.billboard.com

Diamond, Rubin To Get Busy On Third Album

2008-11-19T17:09:00.000-08:00

Neil Diamond is about to embark on the final leg of his latest world tour, but he's already put his next album in motion.

The veteran singer tells Billboard.com that he recently met with Rick Rubin, who produced his last two albums and they've set a meeting for Jan. 12, four days after Diamond's final concert, to start planning the follow-up to his recent chart-topping "Home Before Dark."

"I told (Rubin) I want to start writing on the 12th," says Diamond, who hits the road Saturday in Grand Forks, N.D., for a 17-show North American run. "He said, 'Why don't you not start writing and let's sit down and talk about what the concept is and what we're gonna do.' I said, 'Good idea,' so we'll meet on the 12th and go from there."

Diamond says he and Rubin have "spoken about an idea we both like" but adds it's "too early in the process" to talk about it, other than to say that he expects it will be "a different concept, a different approach to the album than we've had on" "Home Before Dark" and 2005's "12 Songs."

There's material left from both albums including a few songs Diamond considers "really wonderful recordings," but he says he and Rubin still plan to "start fresh. We're going to make believe there's no such thing as songs in the can. We don't know if the songs we've recorded are going to be meaningful or even usable on this next album."

Before fans hear the new music, however, Diamond plans to deliver a souvenir of the tour, which has so far played to nearly a million fans in nine countries since May. He says the show has been filmed, and he expects to roll it out in the new year as a television special as well as a DVD.

"I'm very pleased with it," Diamond says. "I've always felt you could never really replicate the experience of being at a concert, but this film comes as close to replicating it as anything I've ever seen."

Diamond will be honored as the MusiCares Person of the Year on Feb. 6, 2009, in Los Angeles, and he'll also be acknowledged two nights later during the 51st Annual Grammy Awards ceremony.

news source of www.billboard.com

Blink-182 Members Finally 'Reconnecting'

2008-11-19T17:06:00.000-08:00

After a messy split in 2005, the three members of Blink-182 are back in communication, raising speculation that a reunion may be in the offing.On his blog, group member Mark Hoppus says the recent death of Blink producer Jerry Finn and drummer Travis Barker's survival of a plane crash brought the men back in contact."We're just reconnecting as friends after four years of not talking," he says. "It's a good thing. Obviously the first question for a lot of people will be, 'Does this mean a Blink-182 reunion?' The answer is none of us know. We haven't talked about it at all. Right now it's just good for the three of us to see one another, reconnect and let the past be the past."Since Blink-182's split, Barker and Hoppus formed +44, while Tom DeLonge fronted Angels & Airwaves. The band's last show was Dec. 16, 2004, in Dublin; its career sales are more than 12.7 million, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

news source of www.billboard.com

Bob Marley Guitar to Be Auctioned

2008-11-17T22:12:00.000-08:00

Collectors are expected to bid high on November 24, 2008, for a Yamaha SG1000 electric guitar owned and played in concert by Bob Marley during the reggae superstar's final worldwide tour in 1979.

Christie's auction house expects the bids to fall within the $30,000 to $40,000 range. Yamaha presented the guitar to Marley when he visited the Yamaha factory in Hamamatsu during the Japan leg of the tour, and photographs of the legendary singer playing in Tokyo and Osaka are included with the sale of the guitar.

In 2007, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the SG1000 and SG2000, Yamaha introduced the SBG1000 and SBG2000, faithful reproductions of the originals individually hand built by the highly skilled master luthiers at the famed Yamaha Music Craft in Hamamatsu, Japan, the company's elite workshop that is responsible for producing Yamaha's top-of-the-line handcrafted acoustic guitars and custom instruments.

In 2009, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Yamaha guitars in the United States, Yamaha will introduce a limited-edition SBG3000, a masterpiece of the guitar-maker's art.

Besides Marley, other renowned players who used Yamaha SG guitars include Carlos Santana, jazz master Al Di Meola, Stax/Volt house guitarist Steve Cropper, Phil Manzanera (Roxy Music), Paul Barrere (Little Feat) and Al McCay (Earth, Wind & Fire).

For more information, write Yamaha Corporation of America, Pro Audio & Combo Division, Yamaha Guitars, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone (714) 522-9011; e-mail infostation@yamaha.com; or visit yamahaguitars.com.

news source of www.guitarworld.com

Phil Anselmo: "You Bet Your Ass" Metallica Fans Support Down

2008-11-17T22:08:00.000-08:00

Guitar World recently had the chance to catch up with ex-Pantera vocalist Phil Anselmo while his current band, Down, is on tour supporting Metallica. Down, also featuring guitarists Pepper Keenan and Kirk Windstein, have been touring behind their latest release, Down III.

Never one to mince words, here's what Anselmo had to say about the challenge of opening for the biggest metal band in the world.

GUITAR WORLD How you holding up?
ANSELMO Oh, I’m a little tired, man. We did two in a row with Metallica last night. Other than that, I’m doing great.

Where are you?
I’m in Milwaukee and I ain’t gonna lie, it’s a little chilly.

How’s the tour going?
Very interesting. It’s one of those different type of tours because of the stage setup: a big circular stage. It’s kind of fucking crazier, more like a horseshoe-ring stage. It’s a different experience working two sides of the room, if not six different sections. It’s really tough, because I’m used to [playing] head-on on an old-school style stage.

But it’s something that grows on you. You begin to deal with the circular stage. And I guess by about the third show is when we had our best show up to that point. But, you know... Other than that, shit, it’s been awesome. The crowds have been really, really fucking super receptive.

So the Metallica legions are into Down?

You bet your ass.

news source of www.guitarworld.com

Exclusive! Eddie Van Halen Talks About His New EVH Wolfgang Guitar

2008-11-17T22:03:00.000-08:00

In a new, exclusive interview with Eddie Van Halen, Guitar World magazine talks to the Van Halen legend about the making of his new EVH Wolfgang guitar from Fender (due in stores in early 2009). In the interview, appearing in the February issue of the magazine, the guitarist explains how the Wolfgang is “a culmination of my 35 years of experimenting with guitars. Everything that I’ve destroyed, stumbled onto, learned and experienced in my journey to get to where we are now is in this guitar. And there is a lot more to come.

"A guitar is a very personal extension of the person playing it. You have to be emotionally and spiritually connected to your instrument. I’m very brutal on my instruments, but not all the time. I’m not to the point where I’m like Pete Townshend and smashing the shit out of it after a gig. I wouldn’t do that to an instrument that is a part of me. I don’t need to do this for financial reasons. I could have just stayed at home and built this guitar for myself. I do this because a lot of people ask if they can get what I use. Well, yes you can and what you get is identical to what I use.”

Throughout the in-person interview with Guitar World writer Chris Gill, which took place in a workshop at the EVH/FMIC (Fender Musical Instrument Corporation) factory, Van Halen details the painstaking process of designing and constructing the EVH Wolfgang.

“The tolerance of things on this guitar is like NASA standards. It had to be tight, and it had to be quality. Le Mans is probably the most important race on the planet. It’s 24 hours—a grueling, brutal race. There’s a reason why an Audi R8 won that race three years in a row [2000–2002]. Those guys did what we did with this guitar. They paid attention to every damn detail. You can’t say, ‘Oh, that will do.’ No, it won’t do.”

Regarding the slim profile of the Wolfgang neck, Van Halen commented, “It was a matter of closing my eyes and feeling it. We went back to some of my earlier guitars, like the striped guitar I had back in 1984. That’s the way I like it to feel. It’s nice. It’s like a sexy woman.”

When asked if we could expect any new music from him soon, the guitarist had this to say:

“I’ll be making music ’til the day I die. I’ve done all kinds of stuff, and more is coming. I can’t tell you exactly when right now. Wolfgang is in the 12th grade and he needs to graduate first. Then I’m getting married in June. We’ll pick it up after that.”

The complete interview appears in the February issue of Guitar World, on sale December 16, 2008. An exclusive video documentary featuring Eddie Van Halen on the making of the EVH Wolfgang guitar will appear on the CD-ROM that accompanies each issue of the February issue. Collectors will be able to choose from four different Eddie Van Halen covers of the February issue.

news source of www.guitarworld.com

Bruce Springsteen 'Dreams' Big On New Album

2008-11-17T21:55:00.000-08:00

As expected, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band's new album, "Working on a Dream," will arrive Jan. 27 via Columbia. Excerpts from the title track debuted during NBC's NFL halftime show last night (Nov. 16).

The album includes 12 new songs plus the bonus tracks "The Wrestler" (from the Mickey Rourke-starring film of the same name) and "A Night With the Jersey Devil" (which Springsteen gave away free online on Halloween).

As with 2007's "Magic," Springsteen worked with producer Brendan O'Brien on basic tracks and brought in the E Street Band as needed during tour breaks. "All the songs were written quickly -- we usually used one of our first few takes," he says.

Springsteen and company will return to live duty Feb. 1 as part of the Super Bowl XLIII halftime show in Tampa, Fla.

Here is the track list for "Working on a Dream":

"Outlaw Pete"

"My Lucky Day"

"Working on a Dream"

"Queen of the Supermarket"

"What Love Can Do"

"This Life"

"Good Eye"

"Tomorrow Never Knows"

"Life Itself"

"Kingdom of Days"

"Surprise, Surprise"

"The Last Carnival"

Bonus tracks:

"The Wrestler"

"A Night With the Jersey Devil"

news source of www.billboard.com

Black Keys' Auerbach Unveils Solo Debut

2008-11-17T21:52:00.000-08:00

Black Keys vocalist/guitarist Dan Auerbach will take time off from his primary band to release his solo debut early next year and will also tour in support of the project.

The 14-track "Keep It Hid" is due Feb. 10 via Nonesuch. Auerbach will hit the road for an 11-date solo tour beginning Feb. 28 in Washington, D.C., with Texas rockers Hacienda serving as his backing band as well as opening act. Murfreesboro, Tenn.-based Those Darlings will also support.

"It's all over the map," Auerbach tells Billboard.com of the music, which he's been stockpiling for several years. "I write songs for the Black Keys, so some of them sound like they could be Black Keys songs. But some songs are just acoustic guitar. There's some real dark tunes and some psychedelic rumbas. It's all that stuff I grew up playing -- all those bluegrass harmonies. I experimented a little bit with instrumentation."

Recorded at Auerbach's Akron, Ohio, studio "Keep It Hid" is something of a family affair; the artist's father Chuck wrote the song "Whispered Words," while his uncle, James Quine, sings and plays electric guitar on "Street Walkin'." Auerbach's protege, Jessica Lea Mayfield, appears on "When the Night Comes."

Musically, "Keep It Hid" runs the gamut from the sparse, drum-less opener "Trouble Weighs a Ton" and the genial acoustic closer "Goin' Home" to raw, swaggering rockers like "Heartbroken, In Disrepair" (with the trademark vibrato guitar effect from the Smiths' "How Soon Is Now") and "The Prowl." Other highlights include the British Invasion-style "My Last Mistake" and the late night lament "When the Night Comes."

Auerbach says the solo shows will be "a totally separate thing from the Black Keys, so there will definitely no Black Keys songs. You'll hear anything I feel like playing."

There's plenty of activity in the Black Keys camp in the run-up to "Keep It Hid." Having recently completed a writing session with ZZ Top's Billy F. Gibbons and producer Rick Rubin, the group plays Bristol, England, tonight (Nov. 17), and releases a Lance Bangs-directed concert DVD, "Live at Crystal Ballroom," tomorrow.

After early January dates in Australia, the Keys will play a handful of North American shows through mid-February.

Here are Dan Auerbach's solo tour dates:

Feb. 28: Washington, D.C. (9:30 Club)
March 1: Boston (Paradise)
March 2: Brooklyn, N.Y. (Music Hall of Williamsburg)
March 3: New York (Bowery Ballroom)
March 5: Cleveland (Beachland Ballroom)
March 6: Chicago (Metro)
March 7: Minneapolis (First Avenue)
March 10: Seattle (Showbox)
March 11: Portland, Ore. (Wonder Ballroom)
March 13: San Francisco (Bimbo's)
March 14: Los Angeles (El Rey Theatre)

news source of www.billboard.com

The Who Looks Back To '77 On Live DVD

2008-11-17T21:49:00.000-08:00

A December 1977 concert from Kilburn, London, considered a holy grail by Who fans, was a somewhat ambivalent experience for the band, according to frontman Roger Daltrey.

"I just remember it was kind of a weird day," Daltrey tells Billboard.com about the Gaumont State Theatre show, which was filmed for Jeff Stein's documentary "The Kids Are Alright" and is being released in its entirety tomorrow (Nov. 18) on the DVD "The Who at Kilburn 1977. "We did the show in the afternoon, which is not the best time of day to be on form, especially for (drummer) Keith Moon."

Though Who biographer Johnny Black has called the concert "disastrous," Daltrey says the he "always thought it was quite a good show, but I remember that Pete (Townshend) at the time wasn't very happy with it, and I never quite figured why. I'll have to buy the DVD and find out, I guess." During the concert a clearly upset Townshend tells the somewhat unruly crowd that, "There's a guitar up here if any big mouth f*cking little git wants to take it from me."

The Kilburn show was the second to last the Who played with Moon before his death on Sept. 7, 1978. The group played another London show, on May 25 of that year, at Shepperton Studios, also for the "The Kids are Alright." Daltrey has said that Moon was not in good shape for either taping and that seeing the footage while the documentary was being assembled had a profound effect on the drummer.

In addition the Kilburn show, the new DVD also includes a never-before-seen Dec. 14, 1969, concert from the London Coliseum, which purports to be the first-ever officially recorded live performance of the rock opera "Tommy."

Daltrey and Townshend, meanwhile, are gearing up to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2008 Kennedy Center Honors, which will take place Dec. 7 in Washington, D.C. "It really is an honor indeed," Daltrey says. "Coming from where we come from, being totally inspired by American music at such a young age and now being honored by the country that inspired me, it's unbelievable."

news source of www.billboard.com

Beyonce Belts It Out On 'Cadillac' Soundtrack

2008-11-11T18:06:00.000-08:00

Beyonce's cover of Etta James' "At Last" will lead the soundtrack for "Cadillac Records," due Dec. 2 from Columbia. Beyonce stars as James in the film, which chronicles the rise and fall of iconic label Chess Records.

"I realized that Etta James was so unapologetic, bold and strong that playing her was a big risk for me," Beyonce recently told Billboard of the experience. "It gave me the confidence and the push to challenge myself a little more with my music."

The soundtrack, which will be available in both single- and double-disc editions, also includes tracks from Mos Def (portraying Chuck Berry), Jeffrey Wright (as Muddy Waters), Columbus Short (as Little Walter) and Eamonn Walker (as Howlin' Wolf).

Raphael Saadiq, Beyonce's sister Solange, Mary Mary, Nas, Buddy Guy and Elvis Presley also have songs on the album.

"Cadillac Records" opens Dec. 5 in U.S. theaters. "People will be most surprised that the glamorous Beyonce allowed herself to be seen in the desperate straits that Etta went through, including her heroin addiction," says Sony BMG Music Entertainment chairman Andrew Lack, who produced "Cadillac Records" with Sony BMG Films executive VP Sophia Sondervan. "That's a Beyonce I don't think anyone's seen yet."

Here is the track list for "Cadillac Records":Disc one:"I'm a Man," Jeffrey Wright"At Last," Beyonce"No Particular Place To Go," Mos Def"I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man," Jeffrey Wright"Once in a Lifetime," Beyonce"Let's Talk a Walk," Raphael Saadiq"6 O'Clock Blues," Solange"Nadine," Mos Def"The Sound," Mary Mary"Last Night," Little Walter"I'd Rather Go Blind," Beyonce"My Babe," Columbus Short"Bridging the Gap," Nas featuring Olu DaraDisc two:"Maybellene," Mos Def"Forty Days and Forty Nights," Buddy Guy"Trust in Me," Beyonce"Juke," Kim Wilson"Smokestack Lightnin'," Eamonn Walker"Promised Land," Mos Def"All I Could Do Was Cry," Beyonce"My Babe," Elvis Presley"I Can't Be Satisfied," Jeffrey Wright"Come On," Mos Def"Country Blues," Jeffrey Wright"Evolution of a Man," Q-Tip and Al Kapone"Radio Station," Terence Blanchard.

news source of www.billboard.com

Superstars Sign On For 'TRL' Finale

2008-11-11T18:03:00.000-08:00

Some of the biggest names in pop music will be on hand Sunday (Nov. 16) for the final episode of MTV's "Total Request Live," including Ludacris, Snoop Dogg and Nelly in a one-off performance.

Other performances will be turned in by Beyonce, 50 Cent, Fall Out Boy and the Backstreet Boys. Justin Timberlake, Kid Rock, JC Chasez, Christina Aguilera, Travis Barker, Mariah Carey, Taylor Swift, Hilary Duff, Fred Durst and Korn's Jonathan Davis will also be on hand.

"TRL" debuted in September 1998 amid the teen pop music craze led by Britney Spears, the Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync. Various hosts from throughout the show's history will also be on hand for the finale.

news source of www.billboard.com

Ben Harper Rocks Out With New Band

2008-11-11T17:58:00.000-08:00

Ben Harper is recording an album with a new band, Relentless7, and will play a handful of club shows next month to introduce the material.

"White Lies for Dark Times" is due in May via Virgin and finds Harper backed by guitarist Jason Mozersky, drummer Jordan Richardson and bassist Jesse Ingalls, the latter two of the Los Angeles band Oliver Future.

Relentless7's Web site is now streaming a ripping cover of Led Zeppelin's "Good Times, Bad Times" (which Harper played with Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones and Roots drummer ?uestlove at Bonnaroo in 2007) and the original "Serve Your Soul," a riffy blast which fades out into piano and violin.

The group debuted Oct. 29 during a Beastie Boys-led "get out the vote" show in Youngstown, Ohio, and will be back on the road starting Dec. 3 in Solana Beach, Calif.

A Harper spokesperson says the artist's longtime band, the Innocent Criminals, has not broken up and that Harper simply wanted to try something different this time around.

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November 11, 2008 , 1:25 PM ET

Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.
Ben Harper is recording an album with a new band, Relentless7, and will play a handful of club shows next month to introduce the material.

"White Lies for Dark Times" is due in May via Virgin and finds Harper backed by guitarist Jason Mozersky, drummer Jordan Richardson and bassist Jesse Ingalls, the latter two of the Los Angeles band Oliver Future.

Relentless7's Web site is now streaming a ripping cover of Led Zeppelin's "Good Times, Bad Times" (which Harper played with Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones and Roots drummer ?uestlove at Bonnaroo in 2007) and the original "Serve Your Soul," a riffy blast which fades out into piano and violin.

The group debuted Oct. 29 during a Beastie Boys-led "get out the vote" show in Youngstown, Ohio, and will be back on the road starting Dec. 3 in Solana Beach, Calif.

A Harper spokesperson says the artist's longtime band, the Innocent Criminals, has not broken up and that Harper simply wanted to try something different this time around.

His last album, 2007's "Lifeline," has sold 173,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Here are Relentless7's tour dates:

Dec. 3: Solana Beach, Calif. (Belly Up Tavern)
Dec. 4: Los Angeles (Spaceland)
Dec. 5: Los Angeles (the Mint)
Dec. 7: Santa Cruz, Calif. (the Catalyst)
Dec. 8: San Francisco (the Independent)

news source of www.billboard.com

Pre-Order Chinese Democracy, Get Free Title Track

2008-11-08T18:48:00.000-08:00

At this point, you probably don't need any more reasons to buy Guns N' Roses' Chinese Democracy. But the folks at Best Buy, iTunes and Napster are giving you one anyway: free music.

Starting this Sunday, November 9, customers who pre-order Chinese Democracy at either Best Buy, iTunes or Best Buy's own Napster will receive an immediate free download of the title track.

As everyone surely knows, Chinese Democracy has been 14 years in the making. Fan reaction to the album, based on leaks and demo-sharing, has been overwhelmingly positive. And the title track has already become Guns N' Roses' most popular radio song since 1991's "Don't Cry."

Still haven't heard the song "Chinese Democracy"? No problem. You can listen to it right here.

news source of www.guitarworld.com

Christina Aguilera Going Electro On New Album?

2008-11-08T18:32:00.000-08:00

Christina Aguilera is lining up electronic-oriented artists such as Sia Furler, Goldfrapp and Ladytron to collaborate with her on her fourth studio album, which she'll continue to work on in 2009.

In a teleconference with reporters, Aguilera acknowledged influence on "You Are What You Are," a moody, ambient remake of her hit "Beautiful" from the upcoming "Keeps Getting Better: A Decade of Hits" and confirmed the Zero 7 associate and solo artist will be working with her on the new album.

"I'm definitely a fan of Sia's," said Aguilera, who previously told Billboard about her desire to pursue a more "futuristic" sound on the album. "I was thrilled she also wanted to work together and, in turn, was a fan of mine."

Aguilera said the two plan to hit the studio in January but are "setting the wheels in motion now ... I'm not exactly sure what we're gonna get when we get in the studio together, but (as) with all great things I'll go in and there's probably magic to be had."

Aguilera said she's been listening to "a lot" of Sia, Goldfrapp and Ladytron during the past year, which impacted not only "You Are What You Are" but also the "Genie in a Bottle" revamp "Genie 2.0" and the two new songs on "Keeps Getting Better": the title track and "Dynamite."

As for other collaborators on the album, which will follow-up 2006's "Back to Basics," Aguilera said there's "nothing I can give away now, but there's always somebody that I'm inspired by to work with. I have to keep under wraps who that would be, just 'cause I always like the element of surprise."

news source of www.billboard.com

Keyshia Cole Shows A New Side Of 'Me'

2008-11-08T18:29:00.000-08:00

After chronicling her own gritty rise to fame on 2005's "The Way It Is" and 2007's "Just Like You," Keyshia Cole moves in a new direction on "A Different Me," due Dec. 16 via Imani/Geffen/Interscope.

"The first two albums were more ... painful," she tells Billboard over lunch in Los Angeles. "It's a different me this time: a young woman who's still growing and finding myself, exploring life through different routes musically and in other areas. I wrote more about other people's situations than my own. I'm moving forward."

"A Different Me" features Cole collaborating with a combination of marquee names and newcomers, including Polow Da Don, the Runners, Neffu, Kwame, Orthodox & Ransom and the Trackmasters. On her previous albums, Cole worked with such songwriter/producers as Greg Curtis, Missy Elliott, Scott Storch, Bryan-Michael Cox, Rodney Jerkins and Sean Garrett.

"When I hear something, I hear it -- it doesn't take me three, four, five times to hear a song and say, 'OK, let's write,'" Cole says about her songwriting process. "If I don't write to it right off the bat, it's not working."

And while the pain quotient is definitely lowered on "Me," the emotional realness and accessibility that fans have come to love in Cole's music remain -- as do her searing vocals.

She's reflective and coy on the melodic lead single "Playa Cardz Right" featuring a posthumous Tupac Shakur; the track originally appeared on his 2006 album "Pac's Life," but dressed up with a new verse and arrangement by Cole and producers Fair, Carvin Haggins and Ivan Barias, the song has shot to No. 25 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart after only five weeks. It's competing with Cole's last single from her sophomore album, "Heaven Sent," which is No. 14 on the chart.

A girl-talk intro colorfully sets up Cole's duet with real-life friend Monica on "Trust," while Polow Da Don taps into Cole's upbeat side on the pulsating "Make Me Over." Cole further hones her ballad skills on the track "You Complete Me" and flashes a sultry side on a cover of R. Kelly's 1992 No. 1 R&B hit, "Honey Love."

As part of a 360 deal she recently inked with Interscope, Cole is developing a movie based on her life. A screenwriter has been hired to go on the road with the artist in 2009 to begin developing the script.

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Michael Jackson Eyeing London Run?

2008-11-08T18:25:00.000-08:00

There is credence to ongoing speculation that Michael Jackson might be booked for a long engagement at the O2 Arena in London, though no deal has been reached nor performances contracted.

But a source confirms that there is a "standing offer with no expiration" from AEG Live for Jackson to play at the O2. The 02 is operated by Anschutz Entertainment Group, and any Jackson stand at the 02 would almost certainly be promoted by AEG Live, the live entertainment arm of AEG.

AEG Live previously promoted long and hugely successful runs at the O2 by Prince and Spice Girls.

Jackson has rarely performed in public in recent years. Last week, he denied a claim by his brother Jermaine that the entire Jackson family would convene for a tour in 2009. Sources say Michael's decision not to participate may stem from his desire to do his own touring next year.

In related news, it was a banner week for Jackson's seminal 1982 album "Thriller," which jumped 41-1 on Billboard's Top Pop Catalog Albums chart after selling 31,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan (a 1,000% increase).

The set is 2008's top-selling catalog album, having shifted 688,000 copies.

news source of www.billboard.com

T.I. Replaces Himself Again Atop Hot 100

2008-11-06T21:59:00.000-08:00

T.I. again succeeds himself at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 as "Live Your Life" featuring Rihanna, trades places 2-1 with "Whatever You Like." On Oct. 9, "Life" replaced "Like," making T.I. the ninth artist in the rock era to do this.

"Life" also returns to No. 1 on Hot Digital Songs with 184,000 downloads, while "Like" maintains the top spot for an eighth week on Hot 100 Airplay, with 162 million impressions.

There's not much other action within the top 10 of the Hot 100. Pink's "So What" rises 4-3 and Katy Perry's "Hot N Cold" moves 6-4, while Beyonce's "If I Were a Boy" slides 3-5. Britney Spears' "Womanizer" is down 5-6, with Kevin Rudolf's "Let It Rock" featuring Lil Wayne and Ne-Yo's "Miss Independent" holding at Nos. 7 and 8, respectively.

Akon's "Right Now (Na Na Na)" powers 14-9 and is the top digital gainer after selling 117,000 downloads. Jason Mraz's "I'm Yours" holds at No. 10 to round out the top portion of the Hot 100.

Right below, Taylor Swift's "You're Not Sorry" is the top debut at No. 11, narrowly missing her third top 10 debut of the year. Her sophomore album, "Fearless," arrives Tuesday (Nov. 11) from Big Machine Records.

"Miss Independent" is No. 1 for a second week on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, where Jamie Foxx's "Just Like Me" featuring T.I. is the top debut at No. 48. Foxx's next album, "Intuition," is due Dec. 16 via J.

Carrie Underwood's "Just a Dream" starts a second week atop Hot Country Songs. Metallica's "The Day That Never Comes" is No. 1 on the Mainstream Rock chart for a sixth week, while the Offspring's "You're Gonna Go Far, Kid" leads Modern Rock for a seventh.

Additional reporting by Silvio Pietroluongo, N.Y.

news source of www.billboard.com

Britney, Justin To Play With Madonna In L.A.?

2008-11-06T21:47:00.000-08:00

Madonna will get a lift from Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake at her show tonight (Nov. 6) at Los Angeles' Dodgers Stadium, according to KIIS-FM personality Ryan Seacrest.
Spears and Timberlake have rarely been in the same place, much less seen together, since their messy break up in 2002. But both have collaborated with Madonna; Spears on the song "Me Against the Music" and a short film airing as part of Madonna's stage show, Timberlake on songs from Madonna's most recent album, "Hard Candy."
There was some concern that the concert would be postponed due to technical issues with the stage, but Madonna says the show will go on.
"Even though my stage roof was damaged and some lights and effects aren't working, I want to do the show anyway because I don't want to disappoint my fans," she said in a statement to the Associated Press.
The Americas portion of Madonna's current tour wraps Nov. 30 in Mexico City. It resumes Dec. 3 with the first of four shows in Buenos Aires.

news source of www.billboard.com

Stagecoach Snags Kid Rock, Reba, Paisley, Chesney

2008-11-06T21:43:00.001-08:00

Kid Rock, Reba McEntire, Brad Paisley and Kenny Chesney will headline the third Stagecoach Country Music Festival, to be held April 25-26 at Empire Polo Field in Indio, Calif. Tickets for the event, which is produced by Goldenvoice, the Messina Group and Moore Entertainment Group, go on sale Nov. 14.

The initial lineup for Stagecoach also features Little Big Town, Miranda Lambert, Poco, Charlie Daniels Band, Darius Rucker, Earl Scruggs, Chris Cagle, Lady Antebellum, Reverend Horton Heat, Jerry Jeff Walker, Ricky Skaggs, Ralph Stanley, Lynn Anderson, Doyle Lawson, Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band, Danielle Peck, Dale Watson, Zac Brown Band, the Duhks, Waddie Mitchell, Randy Houser, Hot Club Of Cowtown and James Intveld.

The event is held on the same site a week after its sister festival, the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival. Last year's headliners included the Eagles, Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw and the reunited Judds.

Among the other on-site attractions are a BBQ competition, clinics and mechanical bull rides. Stagecoach is sponsored by Toyota Tundra and Budweiser.

news source of www.billboard.com

Jamie Foxx Taps Into 'Intuition'

2008-11-06T21:36:00.000-08:00

Jamie Foxx will take a break from Hollywood next month to release his third album, "Intuition."

Due Dec. 16 from J Records, the set is preceded by the single "Just Like Me" featuring T.I., which is the top debut this week at No. 48 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

The track, which was co-written and produced by the hitmaking team of the-Dream and Christopher "Tricky" Stewart, goes to digital retailers on Tuesday.

"Intuition" will also feature contributions from Timbaland, Ne-Yo, Sean Garrett, Salaam Remi and Carlos McKinney, among others. It's the follow-up to 2005's "Unpredictable," which has sold 1.98 million copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Foxx next appears alongside Robert Downey Jr. in "The Soloist," which opens March 13 in U.S. theaters.

news source of www.billboard.com

Arrest Warrant Issued For Mos Def In Vegas

2008-11-06T21:34:00.001-08:00

Authorities say rapper Mos Def is being sought on an arrest warrant in Las Vegas after allegedly scuffling with a photographer at a fashion trade show in August.Police say the 35-year-old artist, whose real name is Dante Terrell Smith, is wanted on a warrant charging him with felony robbery and misdemeanor malicious destruction of property.Officer Ramon Denby says police want Smith to surrender himself. The artist's publicist didn't immediately respond to messages seeking comment.Sixty-year-old photographer Volker Correl was taking photos at the Men's Apparel and Garment Industry Convention when he says Smith ripped the camera from around his neck. Correl says photos clearly show Smith reaching toward him before his camera was broken.

news source of www.billboard.com

We Sold Our Soles

2008-11-05T19:28:00.000-08:00

To celebrate 100 years of outfitting sports luminaries and rock stars, Converse debuts its new Black Sabbath line of Chuck Taylor All Stars. The Black Sabbath line is inspired by the Sabbath anthem “Iron Man” and features smooth monochrome black leather uppers with metallic detailing and Sabbath-signature purple accented linings.
Metalwork and hardcore buckles combined with rich black leathers give the Jack Purcell shoe version an especially industrial look and extreme attitude. Prints on these Chucks showcase iconic Black Sabbath cover artwork.
The brand has also created Chuck Taylor All Star signature lines for the Grateful Dead, the Doors, the Who, Pink Floyd and the Ozzman himself. The Sabbath kicks range from $50-$100 (MSRP) and are available for purchase in Journeys stores and on Journeys.com.

news souce of www.guitarworld.com

Buckethead and Bootsy Collins Team Up for New CD

2008-11-05T19:24:00.000-08:00

Calling themselves Science Faxtion, super shredder Buckethead and Parliament-Funkadelic bassist Bootsy Collins have collaborated on a new CD, Living on Another Frequency, due out November 11 via Mascot Records. The group also consists of drummer Brain (Primus, Tom Waits, Godflesh), and producer/singer/songwriter/guitarist Greg Hampton (Alice Cooper/Ron Wood, Rick Derringer, The Tubes, Jack Casady featuring Ivan Neville & Gov’t Mule, Jorma Kaukenon, Little Feat). The CD features an allstar cast, including contributions from rapper Chuck D of Public Enemy, Bernie Worrell and others. Although Hampton produced, sang lead, composed and played guitar on Living on Another Frequency, he also plays bass, drums, keyboards and percussion, and has performed every genre of music in his wide-ranging career from funk, hard rock, metal and pop to country. Originally, it was Bootsy,” explains Hampton. “We were going to be referencing more of his oldschool and historical funk elements that we all grew up with. Then he had the epiphany of us doing a group project, having me sing and play guitar, and bringing in Buckethead and Brain. And DJ Botieus does a lot of programming. He’s definitely a secret weapon.” Track Listing: 1) Sci-Fax Theme
2) Lookin’ For Eden
3) At Any Cost
4) Chaos In Motion
5) Famous6) L.O.A.F.
7) Gone Tomorrow
8) Life-IS IN-Deliver
9) Take You Down
10) What It Is
11) Fatally Flawed Flesh
12) I See Rockets
13) ZIONPLANET10

news source of http://www.guitarworld.com/

Lamb of God Album Details Announced

2008-11-05T19:15:00.000-08:00

Lamb of God will release their fifth studio album, Wrath, on February 24th, 2009. The record will be released in North America by Epic and will be the first release with their new label Roadrunner outside of North America. Wrath is produced by Josh Wilbur and was recorded in studios in New York, Virginia, and New Hampshire.

Lamb of God finished the touring cycle on the Grammy nominated album Sacrament at the end of 2007. The two-year trek was documented in the now certified Gold DVD Walk with Me in Hell and culminated with the band headlining arenas across the U.S. last December.
The band has taken the entirety of 2008 off the road to focus on the writing process for Wrath.
“This album is going to surprise a lot of people,” says drummer Chris Adler. “Typically bands that get to where we are in our career begin to slack off, smell the roses and regurgitate. We chose a different path. No one wants to hear another band member hyping a new record. Wrath needs no hype. We have topped ourselves, and on February 24th, you will feel it.”
As always, Lamb of God will embark on an extensive tour that will cover the globe. As previously announced, the band will be supporting Metallica on the December leg of their tour. The first leg of the Wrath world tour will start in Finland on February 6th and will encompass dates in the U.K., Australia, and Japan.
Current confirmed dates are:
2/6/09 Frostbite Festival - Finland

2/8/09 Belfast/ Mandela Hall

2/9/09 Dublin/ Academy

2/11/09 Bristol/ Academy

2/12/09 Birmingham/ Academy

2/13/09 Manchester/ Academy

2/14/09 London/ Brixton Academy

2/15/09 Glasgow/ Academy

2/21/09 Brisbane/ RNA Showgrounds

2/22/09 Sidney/ TBC

2/27/09 Melbourne/ Ras Showgrounds

2/28/09 Adelaide/ Bonython Park

3/2/09 Perth/ Bassendean Oval

3/4/09 Tokyo/ Blitz

3/5/09 Tokyo/ Blitz

3/6/09 Nagoya/ Diamond Hall

3/7/09 Osaka/ Hatch

For further confirmed dates go to the bands recently redesigned web site, LAMB-OF-GOD.com

news source of www.guitarworld.com

Singer-Songwriter Dan Fogelberg Dies

2007-12-16T18:18:00.001-08:00

NEW YORK (AP) — Dan Fogelberg, the singer and songwriter whose hits "Leader of the Band" and "Same Old Lang Syne" helped define the soft-rock era, died Sunday at his home in Maine after battling prostate cancer. He was 56.
His death was announced Sunday in a statement by Anna Loynes of the Solters & Digney public relations agency, and was also posted on the singer's Web site.

"Dan left us this morning at 6:00 a.m. He fought a brave battle with cancer and died peacefully at home in Maine with his wife Jean at his side," it read. "His strength, dignity and grace in the face of the daunting challenges of this disease were an inspiration to all who knew him."
Fogelberg discovered he had advanced prostate cancer in 2004. In a statement then, he thanked fans for their support: "It is truly overwhelming and humbling to realize how many lives my music has touched so deeply all these years. ... I thank you from the very depths of my heart."
Fogelberg's music was powerful in its simplicity. He didn't rely on the volume of his voice to convey his emotions; instead, they came through in the soft, tender delivery and his poignant lyrics. Songs like "Same Old Lang Syne" — in which a man reminisces after meeting an old girlfriend by chance during the holidays — became classics not only because of his performance, but for the engaging storyline, as well.
Fogelberg's heydey was in the 1970s and early 80s, when he scored several platinum and multiplatinum records fueled by such hits as "The Power of Gold" and "Leader of the Band," a touching tribute he wrote to his father, a bandleader. Fogelberg put out his first album in 1972.
Fogelberg's songs tended to have a weighty tone, reflecting on emotional issues in a serious way. But in an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in 1997, he said it did not represent his personality.
"That came from my singles in the early '80s," he reflects. "I think it probably really started on the radio. I'm not a dour person in the least. I'm actually kind of a happy person. Music doesn't really reflect the whole person.
"One of my dearest friends is Jimmy Buffett. From his music, people have this perception that he's up all the time, and, of course, he's not. Jimmy has a serious side, too."
Later in his career, he would write material that focused on the state of the environment, an issue close to his heart. Fogelberg's last album was 2003's "Full Circle," his first album of original material in a decade. A year later he would receive his cancer diagnosis, forcing him to forgo a planned fall tour..

Jimmy Page fractures finger, postpones reunion concert

2007-11-13T18:19:00.000-08:00

Blame it on the hand of god.
Led Zeppelin’s hugely anticipated reunion performance has been postponed after guitarist Jimmy Page broke his finger this past weekend.
The injury prevents him from playing guitar for three weeks.
Led Zeppelin are scheduled as the main attraction at the Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert, originally planned for Monday, November 26. The concert is a memorial to the Atlantic Records founder, who died in December 2006.
Due to Page’s injury, the concert has been rescheduled for December 10. Other acts that will perform include Bill Wyman and the Rhythm Kings, Paul Rogers, Paolo Nutini and Foreigner.
The specialist treating Page said, "I have examined the fracture to Mr.Page's finger, and it is my opinion that with proper rest and treatment, hewill be ready to resume rehearsing in three weeks time, and thus able toperform on December 10."
Jimmy Page added, "I am disappointed that we are forced to postpone the concert by two weeks. However, Led Zeppelin have always set very high standards for ourselves, and we feel that this postponement will enable my injury to properly heal, and permit us to perform at the level that both the band and our fans have always been accustomed to."
All tickets for the November 26 show will be valid for the rescheduled date. Any customers who are unable to attend the rescheduled concert on the 10th will be able to obtain a full refund of the ticket purchase up until midday (UK time) on November 14, 2007. Any tickets made available as a result of refunds will be offered to ballot winners selected at random from original registrations after November 15, 2007.
Please refer to http://www.ahmettribute.com/ for information on how to obtain a refund and for further information.

news source of www.guitarworld.com

Monster Pink Floyd Box Set Due Dec. 4

2007-11-13T18:14:00.000-08:00

2007, the year of Pink Floyd's 40th anniversary, will come to a close with a spectacular flourish, Capitol/EMI's December 4 release of Oh By the Way, a limited edition box set which contains, for the first time ever, the band's 14 studio albums. These classic albums are presented on CD in mini vinyl wallets with all the original extras also miniaturized. Floyd's longtime design wizard, Storm Thorgerson, designed the unique box and miniaturized the original sleeve artwork.
This unique box set is the first time in Pink Floyd's incomparable history that all of the band's original studio albums have been packaged together and made available as a set. In addition to the albums and their extras, the set comes with a specially designed 40th Anniversary Storm Thorgerson fabric poster featuring 40 Floyd images.
Pink Floyd-Oh By the Way Album Contents:
THE PIPER AT THE GATES OF DAWN (single wallet) August 1967
A SAUCERFUL OF SECRETS (single wallet) July 1968
MORE (single wallet) June 1969
UMMAGUMMA (gatefold, 2 discs) November 1969
ATOM HEART MOTHER (gatefold) October 1970
MEDDLE (gatefold) November 1971
OBSCURED BY CLOUDS (single wallet, rounded corners) June 1972
THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON(gatefold + 2 posters + 2 stickers) March 1973
WISH YOU WERE HERE (single + liner + postcard + black shrinkwrap) September 1975
ANIMALS (gatefold) February 1977
THE WALL (gatefold, 2 discs) December 1979
THE FINAL CUT (single wallet) April 1983
A MOMENTARY LAPSE OF REASON (gatefold) September 1987
DIVISION BELL (gatefold) April 1994

nesw source of www.guitarworld.com

KnuckleBonz Announces New Dimebag Darrell Limited Edition Figure

2007-11-13T18:12:00.001-08:00

KnuckleBonz have announced that they are finalizing production on a second limited edition sculpture of “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott. The figure is fully licensed with Getcha Pull, Inc. the licensing arm which represents Rita Haney-Abbott and the Dimebag Darrell Estate.
“We were all very proud over here in the Dimebag family to learn that KnuckleBonz would be busting out another brilliant piece in the Dime collection,” explains Rita Haney-Abbott. “They did such an amazing job in capturing the persona of such an all out, guns blazing, Texas tornado, known to many, as the one and only Dimebag!
Watching Dime onstage was always such a one on one experience,” Haney-Abbott continues. “He had a way of reaching you no matter where you were located in the crowd. Dimes trademark squeals and gut wrenching power grooves captured you as he had the magic! After playing his heart out, drenched with sweat, he’d stand there breathless and raise those arms. The crowd would just erupt so thunderously. Dime has the most amazing fans; those were amazing moments and I think KnuckleBonz has captured that image with this second sculpture! When I look at it I can almost hear the crowd.”
The Dimebag II figure stands nine inches tall on top a wooden display base. Dime is featured with his iconic tobacco Dean guitar. He is shown in his signature cammo shorts and is shirtless to display his extensive tattoo work. This second sculpture captures Dime during his Far Beyond Driven era. The sculpture comes with a certificate of authenticity and is hand-numbered. Each sculpture is hand-painted and is a limited edition collectible. Only 3000 are created.
This Dimebag Darrell limited edition figure will be available for holiday sales 2007 for $99. Pre-orders will be accepted at knucklebonz.com.

news source of www.guitarworld.com

Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged Performance Coming to DVD

2007-11-13T18:05:00.000-08:00

Nearly 14 years to the day that it took place, Nirvana’s landmark MTV Unplugged performance will be released on DVD.
When it hits shelves on November 20, 2007, Unplugged in New York (Geffen/MTV Networks/UMe) will feature the complete and unedited 66-minute concert, including rehearsals and a previously unseen performance of the Meat Puppet’s song “Oh, Me.” The DVD will also feature MTV News interviews with the band and audience members.
In addition, Unplugged in New York will present the show in Dolby Stereo and 5.1 Surround Sound and include both the shorter original broadcast version and Nirvana’s entire unedited performance.
This will mark the first time that the concert has been made available on DVD.
Filmed November 18, 1993, at Sony Music Studios, the show first aired on MTV on December 14, 1993, just four months before singer/guitarist/songwriter Kurt Cobain killed himself with a shotgun blast to the head. When released on CD in November 1994, MTV Unplugged in New York debuted at No. 1, won the Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album in 1996 and was quickly certified five times Platinum.
Favoring a selection of carefully chosen tracks over the band’s hits, Cobain, bassist Krist Novoselic and drummer Dave Grohl performed acoustic versions of Nirvana’s “About a Girl,” “Come As You Are,” “Pennyroyal Tea,” “Dumb,” “Polly,” “On a Plain,” “Something in the Way” and “All Apologies.”
In a demonstration of Nirvana’s musical diversity, they also performed cover versions of six songs: David Bowie’s “The Man Who Sold the World,” the Vaselines’ version of “Jesus Doesn’t Want Me for a Sunbeam,” the traditional folk song (popularized by Leadbelly) “Where Did You Sleep Last Night?” and the Meat Puppets’ tracks “Plateau,” “Oh, Me” and “Lake of Fire.” For the latter tracks, Nirvana were joined by Meat Puppets singer-guitarist Curt Kirkwood and bassist brother Cris Kirkwood. Also seen and heard throughout are Nirvana’s touring guitarist Pat Smear, who has been a recurring member of Grohl’s band, Foo Fighters.
The DVD adds the MTV News “Bare Witness” feature of interviews with the band, the MTV production staff, and fans in the audience, plus the rehearsal footage for “Come As You Are,” “Polly,” “Plateau,” “Pennyroyal Tea” and “The Man Who Sold the World.”

COMPLETE SHOW (UNEDITED)

About A Girl

Come As You Are

Jesus Doesn’t Want Me for a Sunbeam

The Man Who Sold the World

Pennyroyal Tea

DumbPollyOn a Plain

Something in the Way

Plateau

Oh, Me

Lake of Fire

All Apologies

Where Did You Sleep Last Night?

MTV NEWS:

BARE WITNESS

Documentary

The Rehearsals:

Come As You Are

Polly

Plateau

Pennyroyal Tea

The Man Who Sold the World

news source of www.guitarworld.com

Fender to Reissue Stevie Ray Vaughan’s “Lenny” ’65 Stratocaster

2007-11-13T18:00:00.000-08:00

In a collaboration between Fender, Guitar Center and the Stevie Ray Vaughan estate, the famous Stevie Ray Vaughan “Lenny” Stratocaster guitar has been commissioned by Guitar Center to be reproduced in a limited edition by the Fender Custom Shop. As part of Fender’s Tribute Series of guitars, Lenny will be produced in a limited quantity, with 185 guitars offered for sale in the United States exclusively through Guitar Center. Guitar Center stores throughout the United States will introduce the guitar on December 12, 2007 at a price of $17,000.
This emotive addition to the Custom Shop Tribute Series will feature an intricate reproduction of Lenny down to the smallest of details—from the customized neck that was a gift from ZZ Top’s Billy F Gibbons to the reflective SRV stickers on the body to the battered headstock, the autograph that Stevie himself etched into the neck plate, and even an autograph from legendary baseball great Mickey Mantle.
Guitar Center, the world’s largest musical instrument retailer, purchased the original guitar for $623,500 at a 2004 Christie’s auction that benefited the Crossroads Centre, Antigua, a charitable organization founded by Eric Clapton.
“Guitar Center is both thrilled and privileged to be able to offer Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Lenny Fender Stratocaster to the world,” said Keith Brawley, Guitar Center vice president of merchandising for guitars and amplifiers. “Stevie Ray Vaughan’s fans are among the most loyal and passionate guitar lovers in the world. The Lenny Stratocaster, Stevie’s main instrument for his love songs, is a truly fascinating guitar that has, as part of its DNA, a tender, personal love story and an incredibly colorful and touching history.”
The original Lenny guitar is a universally recognizable Fender Stratocaster, best known for its uniquely bright and powerful tone and known as one of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s favorite instruments throughout his entire career. The guitar itself has an almost mystical heritage that can be traced back to the very beginning of Vaughan’s rise to stardom.
Stevie Ray Vaughan was just a struggling young guitarist in Austin, Texas, in 1980, when his wife, Lenora “Lenny” Vaughan, gave him a used Stratocaster that had recently caught his eye in a local pawnshop. It was a 1965 Fender Stratocaster guitar with the original pickups that had seen better days. Although it began life as a three-color sunburst model, it had been inexpertly refinished to a dark natural finish, and an elaborate inlay had been added behind the bridge. Nonetheless, something about the guitar resonated deeply with Vaughan.
Seven friends each pooled $50 to buy the Stratocaster, which was given to Vaughan on his birthday during a celebration at a local Austin nightclub. He took the guitar home and, that night, as Lenora slept, wrote a new song on it. In the morning, Lenora recalls, “He was sitting on the edge of the bed with the guitar and said, ‘Listen to this.’ ” He played her “Lenny,” the song he had written that night. The tune became one of Vaughan’s most well-known instrumental pieces, and he continued to perform it exclusively on the “Lenny” guitar.
Throughout the remainder of his career, the Lenny guitar traveled with Vaughan almost everywhere he went. On April 10, 1985, Vaughan had just performed the National Anthem at the season’s opening game for the Houston Astros, where baseball great Mickey Mantle was also in attendance as a guest of honor. Without a baseball or bat nearby, Stevie offered up his beloved guitar to Mantle for his signature.

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PRS Guitars and NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon auction collector guitar

2007-11-13T17:56:00.000-08:00

Jeff Gordon and PRS Guitars have teamed up to auction a one-of-a-kind instrument signed by Gordon, Chip Foose and Carlos Santana. The guitar, a CE Mahogany Model PRS, features the same DuPont Hot Hues paint finish as the Hot Hues “Heat Waves and Flames” No. 24 DuPont race car driven by Gordon. Proceeds for this unique instrument will benefit the Jeff Gordon Foundation, and the guitar’s online auction, held from October 15 through October 28, will have no reserve. PRS and Gordon announced the auction initiative during the NASCAR Nextel Cup Chevy Rock & Roll 400 race in Richmond this September.
The guitar was originally shown at the 2005 SEMA show in Las Vegas when Jeff Gordon and designer Chip Foose unveiled the Hot Hues “Heat Waves and Flames” No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet. Since then, the instrument has been shown at auto and music events as well as various NASCAR races. Carlos Santana signed the guitar in 2006, cementing the bond between fast cars and rock and roll
“Chip did an amazing job with the car, and PRS captured the concept well with their guitar,” Gordon said. “Someone will end up owning a great-looking, great-sounding guitar with the proceeds benefiting a worthy cause.”
Since 1999, the Jeff Gordon Foundation has provided resources to the nation’s top centers for pediatric research and care. Funds raised by the Foundation have been used to purchase life-saving equipment and to advance critical research aimed at eradicating many diseases which threaten the lives of children.
“Companies rarely have the opportunity to partner in such an important way,” said Jack Higginbotham, President of PRS Guitars. “We are pleased to join Jeff in his mission to improve the lives of children facing life-threatening chronic diseases. We were able to raise more than $25,000 at Jeff’s fundraiser in 2006 and now look forward to the good that will come from the auction of this extraordinarily rare instrument.” Further details can be found at http://www.jeffgordonfoundation.org/.
About Paul Reed Smith GuitarsPaul Reed Smith Guitars, a leading manufacturer of high-quality instruments in Stevensville, MD, has been providing some of the world’s most renowned guitarists with instruments since 1985. More than 200 highly skilled craftspeople produce more than 60 guitars each day for worldwide distribution. Carlos Santana, Rich Eckhardt of Toby Keith, Linkin Park, Chris Henderson of 3 Doors Down and Mark Tremonti of Alter Bridge are among the artists currently playing PRS guitars.
For more information on PRS participation, visit http://www.prsguitars.com/.

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New Tracks Announced for Guitar Hero III

2007-11-13T17:49:00.000-08:00

Activision, Inc. announced today additional songs to be included in the main set list for the highly anticipated title, Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock. While delivering more master tracks than ever before, strategic partnerships have been secured with all the major and independent record labels and publishers to allow unrivaled access to their vast catalogs of music, along with supplying artists' original recordings for even greater authenticity.

The additional tracks include:
· Same Old Song and Dance (by Aerosmith)

· Helicopter (by Bloc Party)

· Stricken (by Disturbed)

· Monsters (by Matchbook Romance)

· Before I Forget (by Slipknot)

· Kool Thing (by Sonic Youth)

· When You Were Young (by The Killers)

· Devil Went Down to Georgia (as made famous by Charlie Daniels Band)

· Sunshine of Your Love (as made famous by Cream)

· Holiday in Cambodia (as made famous by Dead Kennedys)

· Cliffs of Dover (as made famous by Eric Johnson)

· Hit Me with Your Best Shot (as made famous by Pat Benetar)

· Black Magic Woman (as made famous by Santana)

· Story of My Life (as made famous by Social Distortion)

· Pride and Joy (as made famous by Stevie Ray Vaughn)

· The Seeker (as made famous by The Who)

· Black Sunshine (as made famous by White Zombie)

In addition to the newly announced tracks, previously announced songs in Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock include:

· Miss Murder (by AFI)

· Minus Celsius (by Backyard Babies)

· Sabotage (by Beastie Boys)

· Hier Kommt Alex (by Die Toten Hosen)

· Through Fire and Flames (by Dragonforce)

· In the Belly of a Shark (by Gallows)

· Welcome to The Jungle (by Guns N' Roses)

· Avalancha (by Heroes Del Silencio)

· Take This Life (by In Flames)

· Number of the Beast (by Iron Maiden)

· Ruby (by Kaiser Chiefs)

· Closer (by Lacuna Coil)

· Cult of Personality (by Living Colour)

· One (by Metallica)· Knights of Cydonia (by Muse)

· Mauvais Garcon (by NAAST)

· Even Flow (by Pearl Jam)

· Lay Down (by Priestess)

· Bulls on Parade (by Rage Against The Machine)

· 3's and 7's (by Queens of the Stone Age)

· Suck My Kiss (by Red Hot Chili Peppers)

· Generation Rock (by Revolverheld)

· Raining Blood (by Slayer)

· Cherub Rock (by Smashing Pumpkins)

· Radio Song (by Superbus)

· The Metal (by Tenacious D)

· I'm in the Band (by The Hellacopters)

· Anarchy in the U.K. (by The Sex Pistols)

· Reptillia (by The Strokes)

· Paint It Black (by The Rolling Stones)

· My Name is Jonas (by Weezer)

· Slash's Original Boss Battle Recording

· Tom Morello's Original Boss Battle Recording

· School's Out (as made famous by Alice Cooper)

· Paranoid (as made famous by Black Sabbath)

· Cities on Flame (as made famous by Blue Oyster Cult)

· Slow Ride (as made famous by Foghat)

· Barracuda (as made famous by Heart)

· Rock and Roll All Nite (as made famous by Kiss)

· Mississippi Queen (as made famous by Mountain)

· Rock You Like a Hurricane (as made famous by Scorpions)

· La Grange (as made famous by ZZ Top)

Guitar Hero III:

Legends of Rock will include explosive new content and features including a multiplayer action-inspired battle mode, grueling boss battles, a host of exclusive unlockable content and visually stunning rock venues. Expanded online multiplayer game modes will also allow axe-shredders worldwide to compete head-to-head for true legendary rock status. While continuing to retain all the key features from their prior legendary performances, fresh downloadable content will be offered on multiple platforms, and players can now shred to a killer set list from many of the most popular rock songs ever recorded.
For the first time ever, Guitar Hero fans will also be able to thrash and burn with new wireless guitar controllers available for each platform, including exclusive Gibson Guitar's Les Paul model for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Wii home video game system from Nintendo, and PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system. PlayStation 2 gamers will also get to shred on a new exclusive shape, Gibson's Kramer guitar, popularized by hard rockers and known for its body design, pickups, electronics and construction for furious finger fretting.

Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, published by RedOctane and developed by Neversoft, is rated 'T' for Teen by the ESRB and will be available October 28, 2007.

news source of www.guitarworld.com

Van Halen Giving Away Two $25,000 Autographed Replica Guitars

2007-11-13T17:44:00.000-08:00

Guitar virtuoso Eddie Van Halen has teamed up with L.A.’s premiere floral couture, House of Petals, to offer its customers a very special opportunity to win the ultimate in Van Halen prize packages.
Two lucky folks will each win a limited-edition autographed guitar owned and played by Eddie Van Halen. Additional winners will receive one of three prizes: VIP concert tickets and the opportunity to meet Eddie Van Halen backstage; official tour merchandise; or exclusive EVH striped high-top tennis shoes.
The contest runs from now through Monday, November 12, 6 p.m. PST. House of Petals customers will be entered into the contest each time they place a floral order for $100 or more. Winners will be announced on Wednesday, November 13, 2007.
The prizes are as follows:
PRIZE 1: Two winners will each receive one limited edition, personally owned, played and autographed Eddie Van Halen guitars. (Each prize valued at $25,000)
PRIZE 2: Two winners will each receive one pair of exclusive EVH striped tennis shoes. (Each prize valued at $5,000)
PRIZE 3: Four winners will each receive one pair of VIP concert tickets, backstage passes and the opportunity to meet Eddie Van Halen. (Each prize valued at $500)
PRIZE 4: Six winners will each receive a bag of official tour merchandise. (Each prize valued at $496)
Orders may be placed in person at House of Petals, located at 920 North La Cienega Blvd. West Hollywood, California, online at http://www.houseofpetalsla.com/, or by phone at 310-289-2700.
“It’s very exciting that longtime friend, client and supporter Eddie Van Halen has donated one-of-a-kind gifts of significant value for our clients,” said House of Petals owner Joey House. “House of Petals, like Van Halen, has a very loyal following and we welcome the opportunity to extend our gratitude and thanks to them. What better way than to offer not only tickets and backstage passes, but also two limited edition guitars owned, played and autographed by Eddie Van Halen himself! These prizes are invaluable.”
House of Petals is not responsible for winner’s travel, accommodation or Staples Center parking costs. Winners will be drawn Tuesday, November13, 2007 and notified by phone. Prizes cannot be exchanged for other items, services or cash. Van Halen concert tickets awarded are good only for the band’s November 20th performance at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. Sweepstakes open to legal residents throughout the U.S. except RI, FL, and NY. No Purchase Necessary. Please inquire with House of Petals.

news source of www.guitarworld.com

Testament Sign with Nuclear Blast

2007-07-22T20:07:00.000-07:00

Can I get a witness? How about 20,000?
That’s how many fans were on hand when thrash metal legends Testament inked a recording deal with Nuclear Blast onstage at the Earthshaker Festival in Rieden, Germany, on July 20. The contract gives Nuclear Blast worldwide distribution rights for new material from the group, which features the original lineup of Eric Peterson, Chuck Billy, Alex Skolnick and Greg Christian, with the addition of drummer Nick Barker (Dimmu Borgir, Cradle of Filth).
"We are very happy that we are signed to one of the best metal labels in the world,” vocalist Billy says. “It's a great feeling that we are in a house that will not crumble.”
Adds guitarist Eric Peterson, "This is going to be our best record to date, and it will be the essence of what Testament is. Nuclear Blast is the perfect label for us—they eat, breathe and sleep metal. I am excited, also, because a lot of my favorite bands are on Nuclear Blast, giving us the opportunity to be label mates with them. Finally, we are coming home!"
Testament plan to enter the studio later this year to begin work on their new album.

news source of www.guitarworld.com

Guns N’ Roses: The Reunion?

2007-07-22T20:03:00.000-07:00

Fans pining for a reunion of the classic Guns N’ Roses lineup (or, for that matter, the release of the long-awaited Chinese Democracy, from the current lineup) probably shouldn’t hold their breath for, well, either at this point. But if original Guns drummer Steven Adler is to be believed, there is a small glimmer of hope on the horizon. Guitar World caught up with Adler at the Rocklahoma festival in Pryor, Oklahoma, this past weekend, where he revealed he will be part of a special event celebrating the 20th anniversary of Guns N’ Roses’ seminal debut album, Appetite for Destruction, scheduled to take place at the Key Club, in Los Angeles, on July 28. Said Adler, “I’ll be down there with my band [Adler’s Appetite], and Slash, Izzy [Stradlin] and Duff [McKagan] will be there too. It’s gonna be great.”
But while Adler promises a reunion of four-fifths of the original Guns lineup (the Key Club web site currently lists performances by Adler’s Appetite, LA Guns and “very special guests”), what about the infamous fifth member? The drummer doesn’t expect Axl Rose to show for the gig, though he is confident that a full reunion will happen…eventually. “Axl and I spoke to each other in Las Vegas recently, and I know there’s a chance,” Adler said. “It’s just too big. Whatever the Stones make when they play, we’d triple it. It’d be ridiculous not to do it. He can’t be that goofy.”

Tickets for the July 28 show at the Key Club are on sale now, at Ticketmaster.com.

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Metallica Team Up with ‘Rock Band’ Video Game

2007-07-22T20:00:00.000-07:00

Harmonix, the leading developer of music-based games, MTV Games and rock icons Metallica today announced a deal that will showcase the depth of the band’s music in the highly anticipated videogame Rock Band. The incomparable metal song “Enter Sandman” will ship on the game’s disc this holiday season.
“Metallica is one of the best loved bands in the world and their albums redefined hard rock and metal. Its one of the bands we had to bring to the Rock Band experience,” said Alex Rigopulos, Harmonix cofounder and CEO. “Rock Band will allow gamers to jam with the guys through their long, successful career, from young, raw talent to mega stars, playing the hard-rocking sounds that the band is known for.”
Distributed by Electronic Arts, Rock Band is a new platform that allows music fans and gamers to interact with music like never before. Containing four music games in one, Rock Band challenges rockers to master a song’s lead/bass guitar, drums, and vocals, or play the song with other gamers in a cooperative band experience. Built on unprecedented deals with the world’s biggest record labels and music publishers, the music featured in Rock Band will span all genres of rock and include many of the master recordings from the greatest songs and artists of all time.
Best known for their thrash-metal sounds, Metallica have sold more than 95 million copies of their 11 albums over a 26-year career. The range of Metallica songs that will be available to Rock Band players will allow them to play along as the history of the genre unfolds.
“Enter Sandman,” the first single from the band’s self-titled 1991 album and one of Metallica’s best known tracks, is a staple of their live concerts. VH1 ranked it as the 22nd in its “40 Greatest Metal Songs of All Time.”
“Our goal was to bring a deep musical experience to Rock Band by providing not just one song by a player’s favorite artist, but a carefully chosen career-spanning array,” stated Paul DeGooyer, MTV’s senior vice president, Audio, Home Video and Games. “Metallica has never been afraid to let their fans get closer, and now those fans will be able to inhabit this incredible music in a completely new way.”

FIRST 16 OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED ROCK BAND SONGS
1970s
The Who "Won't Get Fooled Again"
Mountain "Mississippi Queen"*
David Bowie "Suffragette City"
Black Sabbath "Paranoid"*
Blue Öyster Cult "Don't Fear the Reaper"
The Ramones "Rockaway Beach”
1980s
Rush "Tom Sawyer"*
Bon Jovi "Wanted Dead or Alive"
1990s
Nirvana "In Bloom"
Stone Temple Pilots "Vasoline"
Weezer "Say It Ain't So"
Foo Fighters “Learn to Fly”
Metallica “Enter Sandman”
2000s
The Hives "Main Offender"
The Strokes "Reptilia"
Queens of the Stone Age "Go With the Flow"

* Indicates a cover of the original song. All others songs are original master recordings.
Rock Band is slated for release on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 this Holiday 2007. For more information on Rock Band and Harmonix Music Systems please visit rockband.com and harmonixmusic.com.

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Joe Satriani Embarking on Club Tour

2007-07-22T19:58:00.000-07:00

For more than 20 years, Joe Satriani has amazed and entertained the masses with his unique mastery of the electric guitar.
Now, the shred virtuoso is set to reinvigorate the long-time faithful and energize a new crop of fans with several exclusive performance dates on which he will showcase his 1987 breakthrough album, Surfing with the Alien. Among the intimate stops are New York City’s Gramercy Theatre, the Chicago House of Blues and the Los Angeles Roxy Theatre.
But perhaps the most exclusive date will take place in San Francisco at Hyde Street Studio, where just 40 contest winners will watch as Satch performs at the very studio where Surfing was recorded.
Tickets go on sale Sunday, July 15, at 10:00 a.m. (local time) exclusively through satriani.com. For all information and to purchase tickets, fans must go to satriani.com.

The exclusive club date itinerary:
August 15 Gramercy Theatre, New York, NY
August 16 The House of Blues, Chicago, IL
August 17 The Roxy Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
August 18 Hyde Street Studio, San Francisco, CA

news source of www.guitarworld.com

Last Chance to See Jimi’s Teenage Art

2007-07-22T19:53:00.000-07:00

The Jimi Hendrix exhibition at Experience Music ProjectScience Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame (EMPSFM) will be de-installed in August. Museum guests will be able to see the exhibition through Sunday, August 5, 2007. Since the majority of the objects have been on display since EMP opened in 2000, it is time for many of the items to be “put in the dark” to help preserve them. A new temporary exhibition space-which will total approximately 5,000-square feet-will be created, giving EMPSFM more flexibility for its exhibitions.
“Jimi's clothing and one-of-a kind drawings, paintings and lyric sheets need to be preserved; and as with any artifact, it is necessary to rest them from time to time,” said Jasen Emmons, director of curatorial affairs for EMP. “Jimi Hendrix is a great inspiration for the museum and its visitors, and we will continue to keep his presence in the museum.”
A number of artifacts from the exhibition that are not as susceptible to light will remain on display at EMPSFM. To honor the 40th anniversary of the Monterey Pop Festival, EMPSFM will create a display near the “If VI WAS IX: Roots and Branches” guitar sculpture with objects related to Hendrix's performance at the festival. The display will include the red Fender Stratocaster guitar that he smashed and burned onstage as well as posters and other objects from the historic concert. Hendrix's white Fender Stratocaster that he played during Woodstock will be placed on display in the Guitar Gallery. Three films about Hendrix will be shown in a screening room at EMPSFM, and oral histories from people who worked with Hendrix will be featured in the Sound and Vision: Artists Tell Their Stories exhibition.

A year after the objects have rested, EMPSFM will look at the future of the Jimi Hendrix exhibition. EMPSFM has received interest from other museums and cultural institutions to have the exhibition tour. From October 2002-January 2003, a smaller Jimi Hendrix exhibition from EMP was displayed at La Cité de la Musique in Paris, France. In the last six years, EMPSFM has toured its exhibitions to cities around the world, including London, Rome, Amsterdam, Berlin, New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.

EMP's Jimi Hendrix collection contains many rare objects that illustrate both the personal and superstar aspects of the guitar hero, from his childhood growing up in Seattle to his time on the world stage.

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Slash Set to Appear in Guitar Hero III Video Game

2007-07-22T19:51:00.000-07:00

Activision, Inc. today announced that legendary guitar hero Slash will provide an original track and appear as a boss battle character in Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, delivering wannabe rock stars the chance to shred against the music icon.
Additionally, Guns N' Roses' rock anthem “Welcome to the Jungle” will be included in the game's robust soundtrack that also features master tracks by such renowned rock bands as the Rolling Stones, Beastie Boys, Muse and Pearl Jam.
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, the next installment in the wildly popular Guitar Hero video game series, is slated for release this fall.

news source of www.guitarworld.com

Shred School Brings Out Metal’s Finest

2007-07-16T04:55:00.001-07:00

Tool’s Adam Jones, Deftones’ Stephen Carpenter and Dragonforce’s Herman Li are among the guitarists taking part in the inaugural Shred School event on August 4. Held in the Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles, Shred School will give aspiring guitarists a rare opportunity to learn shredding techniques, industry survival strategies and much more from some of the best players in the business.
The one-day conference offers a diverse curriculum of classes, with topics that include purchasing the right gear, breaking into the industry, and creating a band image. Participants will have a chance to interact with their heroes and win gear from several event sponsors.
Other guitarists at the event include Army of Anyone guitarist Dean DeLeo (formerly of Stone Temple Pilots), Rob Zombie guitarist (and former Marilyn Manson axman) John5 and Avenged Sevenfold’s Zacky Vengeance and Synyster Gates.
Shred School is offering a discount to early registrants. For additional information, visit www.myspace.com/shredschool.

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Trey Anastasio Goes Instrumental

2007-07-16T04:52:00.000-07:00

On July 24, composer, bandleader and guitarist Trey Anastasio will release his new album, The Horseshoe Curve, via his own Rubber Jungle Records. Instrumental from start to finish, The Horseshoe Curve showcases Anastasio's Afro-Cuban-influenced compositions, replete with five-part horn arrangements, tight breaks, multiple percussionists and of course, Anastasio's soulful, nimble guitar work. The Horseshoe Curve is a journey, an inventive exploration of the big band funk that Anastasio has been steeped in for the larger part of the decade. See below for a tracklist.
The Horseshoe Curve was recorded with producer Bryce Goggin at the Barn, Anastasio's studio complex in Vermont, as well as Trout Recording in Brooklyn, New York. Alongside Anastasio, the band includes sax players Dave Grippo, Peter Apfelbaum and Russell Remington; trumpeter Jen Hartswick, trombonist Andy Moroz, keyboardist Ray Paczkowski, drummer Russ Lawton, percussionist Cyro Baptista and bassist Tony Markellis.
Two tracks, "The 5th Round" and "The Horseshoe Curve," were recorded live, the latter at a 2002 show at the Amphitheatre at Station Square in Pittsburgh. "We were playing outside next to some train tracks that ran past the stage," recalls Anastasio. "Right at the peak moment of the show, a really long train rumbled by blowing its horn. You can hear it on the record. It sounded incredible, the band started playing to the rhythm of the train and hence, the name of the album."
Studio tracks like "Sidewalks of San Francisco" and "Burlap Sack and Pumps" sizzle with improvisational horns and tropical-funk rhythms that wouldn't be out of place on Afro-beat pioneer Fela Kuti's classics Zombie or Gentlemen. "I listen to a lot of Fela," says Anastasio. "Often when I'm cooking or milling around the house. Maybe a little King Sunny Ade as well, but it's usually Fela."
A prolific writer, Anastasio often has several musical projects going at the same time, laboriously tending to each one. But The Horseshoe Curve was a different animal. "I rediscovered it a few months ago and it sounded really fresh and exciting to me," Anastasio says. "So I went back into the studio and finished it up. I had done another instrumental record [2004's Seis De Mayo] and this was a logical progression. It's a layered record filled with textural colors, similar in structure to Seis De Mayo and my first solo record, but with different instrumentation. And the musicians were such great improvisers, it really came together."
A portion of the proceeds from sales of The Horseshoe Curve will benefit the Seven Below Arts Initiative, the arts education non-profit that Anastasio founded last year. Through a partnership with Burlington City Arts, Seven Below offers residency programs at the Barn, which has been converted from a recording/rehearsal studio for Anastasio, Phish and other musicians to a studio environment providing accommodations and work space for artists. For more information on Seven Below, see www.trey.com/nonprofit.
Anastasio's solo career is filled with unique musical curves, a very conscious decision to keep experimenting and challenging himself and his audience. "This new record feels very natural, it's part of the continuum," he says. "The style of my writing seems to vary from album to album, a little more pop, a little more orchestral, a little jazzier. But if you listen closely to the vocal layers in [Phish songs] 'Twist' or 'Bouncing Around the Room' you'll hear that they're not very far removed from the horn lines in 'Sidewalks of San Francisco' or 'Burlap Sack and Pumps.' I look forward to working on the next one!"

The Horseshoe Curve track list:
1. Sidewalks of San Francisco

2. Olivia

3. Burlap Sack & Pumps

4. The 5th Round

5. The Horseshoe Curve

6. Noodle Rave

7. Tube Top Tony

8. Porters Pyramids

news source of www.guitarworld.com

Avenged Sevenfold DVD Coming

2007-07-16T04:51:00.001-07:00

Over the course of their eight-year career, Avenged Sevenfold—M. Shadows (vocals), Synyster Gates (lead guitar), Zacky Vengeance (guitar), Johnny Christ (bass) and the Rev (drums)—have transformed themselves from a group of childhood friends from Southern California to one of the most adventurous, bold and risk-taking bands in the world. With their first DVD release, the band wants to treat their fans to something more than just a collection of videos or live performances (although both of those are present here). With the July 17 release of All Excess, the band offer a rare glimpse into A7X's roots, what it's like to live on the road for thirteen months and documents how the band have been able to forge such a strong relationship with their army of fans.
"This DVD has been eight years in the making," says singer M. Shadows. "We didn't want to cheat the fans by putting out a standard live DVD. Instead we wanted to focus on giving back to our fans by showing them what makes five best friends from Huntington Beach eat, sleep and breathe the Avenged Sevenfold lifestyle. All Excess shows everything from life backstage, on the bus, and some of the first shows in our hometown. We didn't leave anything off that fans have been asking about for years. Unlike cookie-cutter concert DVDs, this is a documentary you can watch again and again for years to come." The fact that the band wanted to do something special with All Excess shouldn't come as a surprise when you consider that despite the band's success, A7X have never remade the same album twice; instead, they tirelessly continue to reinvent themselves and push their creative limits.
Starting with Avenged Sevenfold's humble beginnings in Huntington Beach, California, All Excess documents how this group of five social outcasts met in elementary school and quickly became not only bandmates but also best friends. From touring in a cramped van and playing underground shows to headlining arenas and touring with their musical heroes Metallica (which was documented when M. Shadows made an appearance on the cover of Revolver magazine with James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich), this DVD is the ultimate treat for fans of the band - many of whom have the band's iconic Death Bat logo tattooed on their bodies. Watching the DVD, it's easy to see that although the band gain legions of fans with every new tour and album, they continue to maintain a unique relationship with those who have supported them from the start.
In addition to the in-depth hour-plus All Excess documentary, the DVD also includes a ton of extras, including music videos for "Unholy Confessions," "Bat Country," "Beast and the Harlot" and "Seize the Day"; a special on the making of "Seize The Day"; and nearly an hour of live songs and concert footage compiled from two sold-out shows at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City in 2006. If all that weren't enough, All Excess includes hilarious band commentaries and a myriad of special outtakes including a virtual tattoo tour, footage of the band practicing in their garage and behind-the-scenes glimpses into the making of their million selling disc City of Evil.
To date, Avenged Sevenfold have done what few bands before have accomplished-to capture the imagination of an eclectic array of fans as reflected in headlining both the Vans Warped Tour and Ozzfest; won an MTV video award for Best New Artist In A Video for the song "Bat Country"; reached #1 on MTV's TRL video countdown and sold over a million copies worldwide of their critically acclaimed 2005 disc, City of Evil. The band's success is in large part to their fanatical fan base. All Excess is a thank you of sorts, showing the band's followers not only what they sound like onstage, but also what it's like to live a day in the life as a member of A7X. More than anything, All Excess shows how seriously the band take their music and illustrates the unique bond they have with their fans.

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Led Zeppelin Reportedly Ready to Fly Again

2007-07-16T04:49:00.001-07:00

The word is nearly official: according to World Entertainment News sources, rock legends Led Zeppelin are planning to reunite and may launch a tour next year.
Sources close to the Zeppelin camp say members Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones plan to reunite for a one-off memorial concert in London for Ahmet Ertegun, the Atlantic Records founder who died in 2006.
"Page, Plant and Jones spoke and agreed to do the memorial concert,” says the source. “They are waiting for a definite date."
Led Zeppelin recorded on Atlantic, and the group’s label, Swan Song, was a subsidiary of the Atlantic label.
In addition, if all goes well, the group have reportedly agreed to follow up the memorial concert with a tour in 2008. “It has been hoped for and denied for years,” says the source. “But this is the closest they have ever come to a reunion tour. The feeling is that this is going to happen next year.”
Led Zeppelin's members have performed only on a few occasions since they broke up in 1980 following the death of drummer John Bonham. Reportedly, Page, Plant and Jones will perform with Bonham’s son, Jason, for the Ertegun concert and tour.
Rumors of a reunion tour previously surfaced in 2003 when Page, Plant and Jones reconvened to announce the release of the triple live album How the West Was Won and video collection Led Zeppelin DVD.

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Final Songs Announced for Guitar Hero: Rocks the 80s

2007-07-16T04:43:00.000-07:00

Activision, Inc. today announced that Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s has gone gold and will be available on July 24 exclusively for the Playstation 2 computer entertainment system. The company also announced nine additional songs to be included in the latest installment of the critically acclaimed franchise.
Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s will feature visually stunning retro rock venues and hipster characters, unlockable guitars, intense game play modes, and 30 awesome new songs to experience the ultimate rock star fantasy. The final nine tracks added to the initial list include:

Caught in a Mosh (Anthrax)

Balls to the Wall (Accept)

Electric Eye (Judas Priest)

Los Angeles (X)

Police Truck (Dead Kennedys)

We Got the Beat (Go Go's)

(I Think I'm) Turning Japanese (Vapors)

Seventeen (Winger)

Because, it's Midnite (by Limozeen)

Previously announced tracks include:

Hold On Loosely (.38 Special)

No One Like You (Scorpions)

Only a Lad (Oingo Boingo)

Ballroom Blitz (Krokus)

The Warrior (Scandal)

What I Like About You (the Romantics)

Wrathchild (Iron Maiden)

I Wanna Rock (Twisted Sister)

I Ran (Flock of Seagulls)

Round and Round (Ratt)

Metal Health (Quiet Riot)

Holy Diver (Dio)

Heat Of The Moment (Asia)

Radar Love (White Lion)

18 and Life (Skid Row)

Bathroom Wall (Faster Pussycat)

Lonely is the Night (Billy Squier)

Nothing But a Good Time (Poison)

Play With Me (Extreme)

Shaken (Eddie Money)

Synchronicity II (Police)

Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s, rated T for Teen by the ESRB, is published by RedOctane and developed by Harmonix. For more information, please visit the dedicated community site guitarherogame.com.

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Kiss Announces Kissology 2 DVD

2007-07-16T04:36:00.000-07:00

Following the multi-Platinum success of the band’s 2006 DVD box set, Kissology: Volume One, 1974–1977, Kiss will unveil a second installment on August 14 entitled Kissology: Volume Two, 1978–1991 (VH1 Classic Records).
The three-disc set will contain more than seven hours of live Kiss footage as well as documentaries, interview segments, television appearances. Certain retailers will be selling a four-disc version.
Kissology: Volume Two, 1978–1991 track listing:

Disk One

Land of Hype and Glory with Edwin Newman – (1/10/78)The Tomorrow Show with Tom Snyder – (10/31/79)additional material pending

Disk Two

“Shandi” (music video) – (1980)

CNN Interview with Peter Criss – (9/24/80)Countdown – (9/21/80)

Rockpop – (9/13/80) playing “She’s So European,” “Talk to Me”

Kiss Invades Australia – (11/80) Documentary

Sydney Showground: Sydney, Australia – (11/22/80), songs performed: “Detroit Rock City,” “Cold Gin,” “Strutter,” “Shandi,” “Calling Dr. Love,” “Firehouse,” “Talk To Me,” “Is That You,” “2000 Man,” “I Was Made for Lovin’ You,” “New York Groove,” “Love Gun,” “God of Thunder,” “Rock and Roll All Nite,” “Shout It Out Loud,” “King of the Night Time World,” “Black Diamond”

Fridays – (1/15/82) playing “The Oath,” “A World Without Heroes” and “I”

Top Pop – (11/82) playing “I Love It Loud”

Disk Three

Maracana Stadium: Rio De Janeiro, Brazil –(6/18/83), songs performed: “Creatures of the Night,” “Cold Gin,” “Calling Dr. Love,” “Firehouse,” “I Love It Loud,” “War Machine,” “Black Diamond,” “Rock and Roll All Nite”

MTV Special: Kiss Unmasking –(9/18/83)

Cascais Hall: Lisbon, Portugal – (10/11/83), songs performed: “Creatures of the Night,” “Detroit Rock City”

The Spectrum: Philadelphia, PA – (12/18/87), songs performed: “Love Gun,” “Bang Bang You,” “No, No, No,” “Crazy

Crazy Nights,” “Reason to Live”

The Palace at Auburn Hills: Detroit, MI – (10/14/90), songs performed: “I Stole Your Love,” “Deuce,” “Heaven’s on Fire,” “Crazy Crazy Nights,” “Black Diamond,” “Shout It Out Loud,” “Strutter,” “Calling Dr. Love,” “I Was Made for Lovin’ You,” “Fits Like a Glove,” “Hide Your Heart,” “Lick It Up,” “God of Thunder,” “Forever,” “Cold Gin,” “Tears Are Falling,” ”I Love It Loud,” “Love Gun,” “Detroit Rock City,” “I Want You,” “Rock and Roll All Nite”Music Video – (1991): “God Gave Rock ‘N’ Roll To You II”Day In Rock – (11/25/91): MTV News excerpt.

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New Foo Fighters CD On the Way

2007-07-15T18:44:00.000-07:00

Foo Fighters have announced the title and track listing for their forthcoming new album, which will be released September 25th on Roswell/RCA.
Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace is the band's sixth studio release and marks the first time the band has worked with producer Gil Norton since 1997's double-Platinum The Colour and the Shape, which is reissued this week as a remastered 10th anniversary deluxe edition featuring six bonus tracks.
Track list for Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace:
The Pretender
Let It Die
Erase/Replace
Long Road to Ruin
Come Alive
Stranger Things Have Happened
Cheer Up, Boys (Your Make-Up Is Running)
Summers End
Ballad of the Beaconsfield Miners
Statues
But, Honestly
Home

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Queensryche Best-Of CD Coming Aug. 28

2007-07-12T03:15:00.000-07:00

On August 28, Capitol/EMI will release Sign of the Times: The Best of Queensryche in CD, 2-CD Collectors Edition packages and digitally. The new career-spanning hits collection features 17 of Queensryche’s best singles and album tracks, including seven Top 10 Mainstream Rock hits, packaged in a jewel case with a 16-page booklet featuring custom artwork, a discography, and track notes from the band’s singer, Geoff Tate. The Collectors Edition, presented in deluxe digipak packaging, adds a second disc of 15 rare and previously unreleased demos, outtakes, remixes, live recordings, television performance audio, recordings for soundtracks and a new, never-before-heard song.
Among Sign of the Times: The Best of Queensryche’s 17 hits and favorites are the #1 smash "Silent Lucidity," "Jet City Woman," "Eyes of a Stranger" and "Another Rainy Night (Without You)," and more than a dozen other well-known songs. The 15 tracks on the Collectors Edition’s rarities disc include three demo recordings by Myth (lead vocalist Geoff Tate's band prior to Queensryche), three demo recordings from The Warning, three bonus tracks from the reissued Empire album, bonus tracks from the reissued Promised Land and Q2K albums, an intoxicating live version of "Silent Lucidity," a previously unreleased version of "Della Brown” recorded for MTV Unplugged, and a new track making its release debut, "Justified," recorded with original Queensryche guitarist Chris DeGarmo.

SIGN OF THE TIMES: THE BEST OF QUEENSRYCHE (CD & Digital Album)
1. Queen of the Reich (from the EP Queensrÿche)

2. Warning (from the album The Warning)

3. Walk in the Shadows (from the album Rage for Order)

4. Take Hold of the Flame (from the album The Warning)

5. The Lady Wore Black (from the EP Queensrÿche)

6. I Don’t Believe in Love (from the album Operation: Mindcrime)

7. Eyes of a Stranger (from the album Operation: Mindcrime)

8. Silent Lucidity (from the album Empire)

9. Bridge (from the album Promised Land)

10. Jet City Woman (from the album Empire)

11. Another Rainy Night (Without You) (from the album Empire)

12. Sign of the Times (from the album Hear in the Now Frontier)

13. I Am I (from the album Promised Land)

14. Real World (from the Last Action Hero soundtrack album; also a bonus track from the reissued version of the album Promised Land)

15. Some People Fly (from the album Hear in the Now Frontier)

16. Until There Was You (bonus track from the reissued version of the album Q2K)17. All The Promises (from the album Operation: Mindcrime II)

SIGN OF THE TIMES: THE BEST OF QUEENSRŸCHE

(2-CD Collectors Edition)(Contains Disc 1 + 2nd Disc of Rarities)
DISC 2

1. Take Hold of the Flame - Myth (Original Demo Version) (previously unreleased)

2. Walk in the Shadows – Myth (Original Demo Version) (previously unreleased)

3. Before the Storm - Myth (Original Demo Version) (previously unreleased)

4. Waiting for the Kill (previously unreleased: demo for The Warning)

5. No Sanctuary (previously unreleased: demo for The Warning)

6. Prophecy (previously unreleased: demo for The Warning)

7. I Dream in Infrared (1991 Acoustic Remix: bonus track from the reissued version of the album Rage for Order)

8. Dirty Lil Secret (bonus track from the reissued version of the album Empire)

9. Last Time in Paris (from the soundtrack album The Adventures of Ford Fairlane; also a bonus track from the reissued version of the album Empire)

10. Scarborough Fair (bonus track from the reissued version of the album Empire)

11. Della Brown (previously unreleased: “MTV Unplugged,” New York, NY 4/27/92)

12. Someone Else? (with full band: bonus track from the reissued version of the album Promised Land)

13. Silent Lucidity (live at The Astoria Theatre, London 10/20/94: from the "Bridge" CD single)14. Chasing Blue Sky (bonus track from the reissued album Hear in the Now Frontier)15. Justified (NEW TRACK)

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