Rock Report February 6, 2012
Click here to listen to the Rock Report podcast
POISON drummer Rikki Rockett has confirmed via Facebook that his band will tour with DEF LEPPARD this summer. Exact cities and dates have yet to be announced. More and more
Guitarist Zoltan Bathory of FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH has revealed via Twitter that the band recently filmed a video for the song "Remember Everything". More and more
Wes Scantlin is facing drugs charges stemming from an arrest last month. The 39-year-old Puddle of Mudd frontman was pulled over for a traffic offense in the early hours of January 12 in Culver City, California. After searching his car and noting that he appeared to be intoxicated, police found powder and pills that appeared to both be controlled substances. Scantlin was then arrested, booked on drug possession charges, and released after posting $10,000 bail. More
Black Sabbath have vowed that they will continue with their reunion plans—without Bill Ward. The Black Sabbath drummer revealed last week that he would not be touring with the band, noting that he found the touring and recording contract offered to him "unsignable", posting on his Facebook page: Fellow band members Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler and Tony Iommi responded to Ward's claims: "We were saddened to hear via Facebook that Bill declined publicly to participate in our current [plans]. We have no choice but to continue recording without him although our door is always open." Black Sabbath have announced plans to perform at the Download Festival on June 10, with a subsequent European summer tour yet to be confirmed. More and more
Ward thanked the band's fans for their support in a statement posted on his official web site earlier today, Ward said, "I just wanted to humbly thank you all. Your support from across the world has given me further strength and hope for a positive resolve. I have been moved and overwhelmed by the thousands of messages. I love you all." More and more
Metallica will make a special announcement tomorrow at 11 am Pacific Time. The guys dropped teaser video for the announcement. Text in the clip says: "You've seen them at festivals across the world. But you've never seen them… Tune in Tuesday, February 7 at 11 a.m. PST. Metallica.com." Drummer Lars Ulrich has hinted that the group would make an announcement in January about a special interactive fan event to take place in June. More
Author Angus Cargill has acquired rights for "Birth School Metallica Death", the definitive two-volume history of METALLICA More
Slash is currently in a Los Angeles studio putting the finishing touches on his second solo album. The as-yet-untitled disc is now due out May 22. All the songs were written together by Slash and frontman Myles Kennedy, and cameras have been rolling throughout the entire making of the album. Check out exclusive behind-the-scenes footage airing weekly beginning today. More
Slash filmed a video this past weekend for a remixed version of the song "Gotten". The track, which features lead vocals by Adam Levine of MAROON 5, originally appeared on Slash's last self-titled album, was remixed and will be released soon in support of the Los Angeles Youth Network (LAYN) charity. More
Kerry King of SLAYER recently spoke to U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine about the progress of the songwriting sessions for the band's next album, which they hope to begin recording within the next few weeks. "Currently, we're taking a break, but I am very excited by the way it's all turning out so far," King said. "I've worked up three songs with Dave [Lombardo, drums], and they're sounding really refreshing and energetic. I'm certain that I'll have three more ready to go when we return to action. And then there's the stuff that Jeff [Hanneman, guitar] will also bring to the table." He added, "One thing I can tell you is that the songs are shaping up in the classic SLAYER style. You won't be hearing us doing acoustic stuff. [laughs]" More
The Quietus spoke with SLAYER bassist/vocalist Tom Araya last week More
The "Mötley Crüe In Sin City" experience got underway this weekend on Friday
Bassist Nikki Sixx will make his acting debut in the proposed short film "Shoot'er" More
THE DARKNESS's infectious classic hit "I Believe In A Thing Called Love" was featured in a fourth quarter commercial for Samsung's Galaxy Note Superphone during yesterdays Super Bowl
METALLICA/ex-EXODUS guitarist Kirk Hammett, former EXODUS axeman Rick Hunolt and original EXODUS bassist Jeff Andrews all joined the current lineup of EXODUS on stage Saturday night at a special concert to mark the 10-year anniversary of former EXODUS singer Paul Baloff's passing. (Beware some NSFW language in the following)
Guardian.co.uk recently conducted an interview with VAN HALEN singer David Lee Roth. Here
VAN HALEN played an hour-long secret show last Wednesday night at Henson Studios in Hollywood, California. The unofficial VAN HALEN web site Van Halen News Desk is now streaming audio of three songs from last week's show. Check out "You Really Got Me", "Runnin' With The Devil" and "Unchained". Listen here and here
