We Will Rock You

Wanted to let everyone know that due to some elements beyond my control, the updates for David Ragsdale and Howard Leese that were scheduled for yesterday and today will be posted Tuesday. Thanks for your patience. I apologize for the delays.

FROM ROLLINGSTONE.COM:

Trent Reznor has made a brief return to social networking, hitting up the safe confines of his NIN.com message boards to tell fans why he left the savage world of Twitter. As Rock Daily previously reported, Reznor unceremoniously deleted his Twitter account a few weeks back with no explanation. Prior to the deletion, Reznor talked about ditching Twitter because, simply, “Idiots rule.” As Reznor reiterated in his NIN.com post, it was the trolling that made Twitter insufferable for him and caused the sudden end of @trent_reznor.

“Yes, I deleted my account and I’ll explain why since somehow someone apparently thinks this is newsworthy,” Reznor writes. (Ed. Note: Guilty.) “Around the time news broke of my engagement, a faction of troublemakers showed up whose sole intent was to disrupt, harass, insult and incite.” Reznor recently announced his engagement to West Indian Girl singer Mariqueen Mandaag, and writes that his Twitter was reply-spammed with harassing responses — everything from racist slurs to wishes he would overdose. “YES — I could (and did) block them,” he notes, “but everyone else reading my replies sees ALL of that nonsense.” Reznor goes on to write that the faulty Replies function, or the @, allowed for a constant spamming that eventually inundated his account.

But the real breaking point came following the death of Eric De La Cruz, a fan for whom Reznor helped raise nearly a million dollars to fund a heart transplant. Reznor pinpoints one person who wrote “someone got balls at last! Hey, can I have some of that #Eric money? The dude’s dead, he doesn’t need it lol.” Since all #Eric posts appear on the WeLoveEric Website, Reznor had to explain to De La Cruz’s sister Veronica that that’s the sad state of Twitter.

“It depresses me to think my art and life’s work can attract this kind of scum, and trying to explain to Veronica why someone would stoop to that level of ignorance for attention — and it’s someone that because of me is in her world causing her pain… well, it sucks,” Reznor writes. “If that was your intention you trolling, cowardly pigs — you’ve succeeded.”

In other NIN news, Trent reiterated that just because this is the final Nine Inch Nails tour, that doesn’t mean it’s the end of Nine Inch Nails. Rather, “I am NOT stopping making music or working on things — NIN is just not touring anymore. Nin.com will remain active and alive with lots of updates planned,” Reznor writes.

FROM CLASSICROCKMAGAZINE.COM:

Zakk Wylde has finally reacted to Ozzy Osbourne’s exclusive interview with Classic Rock last month, where the frontman said he’s planning to get a new guitar player. Needless to say, Zakk is not a happy bunny…

Ozzy told Classic Rock’s Scott Rowley,  “I’m getting a new guitar player as we speak… I haven’t fallen out with Zakk, but Zakk’s got his own band, and I felt like my stuff was beginning to sound like Black Label Society. I just felt like I wanted a change, y’know?”

Wylde’s wife later Tweeted that all was “OK” with Osbourne, but Wylde himself doesn’t seem to think so.

Wylde told Oregon’s 101.5 KFLY radio station: “The boss [Ozzy] hasn’t even given me a phone call, so I mean… I’m just like… I don’t know what’s going on over there. Are we doing this thing or are we not doing it? When I keep getting asked these questions, I go, ‘Call the boss. When he tells you, then he can call me back.’ I mean, it’s just like… I love you, man. Whatever you want, that’s cool.

“But if we’re doing this, let’s do it, and let’s whoop some ass. But if you don’t wanna do it, then just give me a heads-up. Call me, man. Tell me what the hell’s going on. I don’t know what the hell’s going on over there.

“We’re working on the new record, we’ll be back in September, we’ll work on finishing the record. And then we’re supposed to do the tour. I mean, it’s like, dude, you don’t wanna play with me anymore? Fine. Play with whoever the hell you wanna play with. I couldn’t give a rat’s ass. Like I’m gonna get all jealous or whatever. But you know what?! Man up and give me a phone call and tell me what the hell’s going on. You finished with me? Cool.

“I mean, it’s just like… Everything’s sounding like Black Label? I guess everything sounded like Black Label when I first started with you, when I was 19. It was still the same guy; I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

FROM ROCKRADIO.CO.UK:

A source close to AC/DC has told Rock Radio more about Brian Johnson’s plan to quit AC/DC, as reported by Classic Rock Magazine. The singer, who left Geordie to replace Bon Scott in 1980, would like to bow out because he’s struggling to do the job – and has other interests outside the band.Johnson, touring the world in support of the Black Ice album, tells Classic Rock: “We were talking about the end of the tour and I said, ‘We’re finishing in May – and that’s me done.’ But Malcolm Young said, ‘What are you talking about? We’re not gonna let you retire!’”

The behatted frontman, 61, explains: “I love being in this band but the other lads are in their early 50s. I don’t want to look a prat if I push it too far. I don’t want people to say, ‘Poor old f’ker – the band’s carrying him!’

“They’re just the band rock band. Every time they kick in, you’re on again and you’re thinking, ‘This is ridiculous – I’m still grooving.’”

A long-time friend of the band has gone into more detail for Rock Radio. The source, who’s known the Aussie rockers since the early 1980s, says: “Brian’s said to me a few times: ‘I’m struggling’.

“Some nights are better than others but he knows he’s pushing his luck to keep going. He really wasn’t sure about doing this tour, and he certainly doesn’t like the idea of another one.”

Rock Radio understands AC/DC are committed to recording one more album, and hope to complete the job with Johnson on board. But if the singer decided not to go through with another tour, Angus and Malcolm Young will consider a replacement.

There’s absolutely no animosity between the members, our source confirms. And it may turn out well for the veteran rockers – because they’d prefer to play smaller arenas in the future, rather than continuing on the stadium tour circuit. A change of singer might just drop the band’s interest to a level where they could play to 10-20,000 a night instead of 40-50,000.

But even if he decided to draw a line under his singing career, Johnson doesn’t plan on putting his feet up. He still wants to pursue his vintage car racing career, and is deeply interested in musical theatre. He’s made the odd cameo appearance as an actor and recently appeared on the BBC’s Top Gear show, finishing second-top in their Star In A Reasonably Priced Car racing feature.

Sorry, I couldn’t resist posting that headline after reading the following story at Classicrockmagazine.com:

Ludicrous shock-rocker Marilyn Manson is threatening to murder rock journalists who dare upset him - and then bury them in shallow graves. Boy, are we scared!

The Rock Radio website is reporting:

Marilyn Manson has issued a furious threat to journalists who make “cavalier statements” about him or his band, after one writer told of the shock rocker’s comments on cocaine.

The move comes after Travis Keller of LA Weekly wrote about meeting Manson in 2007, to be asked, “Can you get us some cocaine?”

That was followed up, Keller says, with Manson explaining his girlfriend was called ‘Snowflake’ because “when they played shows she’d hold all the coke”.

Now Manson has lashed back on his MySpace blog.

In an entry titled “Soon to be buried in a shallow grave” - although he lists his current mood as “amused” - Manson writes: “I can, but do not need to, defend myself from the absurd accusations the average press clings onto.

“If one more ‘journalist’ makes a cavalier statement about me and my band, I will personally, or with my fans’ help, greet them at their home and discover just how much they believe in their freedom of speech.

“I dare you all to write one more thing you won’t say to my face. Because I will make you say it. In that manner.

“That is a threat.”

So here we go then, Marilyn: you’re crap. Let’s see what happens next…

MInd you, it’s not just us guys. Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor recently spoke out against his former protégé Manson, calling him “a dopey clown”.

Reznor added: “He is a malicious guy and will step on anybody’s face to succeed and cross any line of decency. Seeing him now, drugs and alcohol now rule his life and he’s become a dopey clown.”

FROM ROLLINGSTONE.COM:

Eddie Van Halen is said to be on the mend after undergoing surgery to treat increasing pain in his left hand.

“During the last leg of our tour, I started developing pain in my thumb and my pinky. I didn’t think much of it at the time,” the guitarist says. “It got progressively worse to the point that about three months ago I wasn’t able to play at all. My pinky and my thumb were totally locked up and felt like there was something broken.”

Van Halen sought out specialists in Düsseldorf, Germany, who initially began treating the guitarist for arthritis, but soon discovered a bone spur, twisted tendon and a cyst in the joint of his left thumb.

“They said the only way to fix it was surgery, which of course scared the shit out of me, but I was told it was the only way to fix it,” Van Halen says. “Surgery was a success, now I just have to let it heal. I am totally jazzed that they found the problem, fixed it and in about four months my hand will feel like I am 18 again. Thank God.”

Van Halen is said to be recovering nicely, having already regained his reach and full spread of his hand. He’s said to be taking his recovery slowly, however, to insure he heals properly. His rehabilitation should be complete in 4-6 months.

“In the meantime I am able to write a bit, but can not overexert my hand because it needs to heal properly,” the guitarist says.

His stitches come out in a few days, and he’s confident he’ll be able to play at maximum intensity when he completes his recovery.

FROM ROLLINGSTONE.COM:

The improbable comeback story of Canadian metallists Anvil continues to get, well, more probable. On the strength of the much-talked-about Sacha Gervasi-directed rock doc Anvil! The Story of Anvil, the group — which is led by original members Lips (vocals/guitars) and Robb Reiner (drums) — will be opening a handful of U.S. stadium dates for AC/DC this summer via a personal invite from Angus Young (the tour blasted off last night — read our opening-night report here). And in addition to VH1 Classic Records reissuing their 2007 release, This is Thirteen on September 15th, a DVD version of Anvil! The Story of Anvil will arrive shortly thereafter.

It also turns out that the lads are currently re-recording several Anvil classics with producer Chris Tsangarides, which will be included on a forthcoming Anvil! soundtrack. “What happened was the label that owns the old material wanted so much money to license the songs, that it became ridiculous,” explains Lips. “In fact, it was far cheaper to go in and re-record in the same studio [Phase One], with the same producer, and re-do the songs. The new version of ‘Forged in Fire’ is amazing — I think the original version was played too fast. Remarkably, we’re getting a second chance to record the songs.”

From Classicrockrevisited.com:

EDDIE JOBSON’S U-Z PROJECT

‘ULTIMATE ZERO TOUR’  

“The word ‘genius’ is bandied about a bit too freely these days, but in Jobson’s case, the term not only applies, it’s been used to describe him since his northern England childhood.” – EMMY Magazine

Watch the new video for UKZ’s RADIATION here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFlnG3AKOW8

Progressive-rock keyboard and electric violin legend EDDIE JOBSON (U.K., Roxy Music, Frank Zappa, Jethro Tull) will perform his first ever “solo” concerts in August with one of the most impressive ‘player’ lineups to ever grace the concert stage.

EDDIE JOBSON’S U-Z PROJECT will be performing a brief series of exclusive East Coast and Midwest summer dates on the “Ultimate Zero Tour”: Washington DC (August 17 - Jammin’ Java); New York (August 18 - B.B. Kings); Boston (August 19 - Regent Theatre); Philadelphia (August 20 - North Star); Cleveland (August 21 - Beachland Ballroom); and Chicago (August 22 - Martyrs’). 

A live concert appearance by iconic musician Eddie Jobson is a rare event.  As keyboardist, electric violinist, co-founder, producer, and principal writer of ‘UK‘ [a group he formed with drummer Bill Bruford (Yes, Genesis, King Crimson), singer/bassist John Wetton (King Crimson, Asia), and then-unknown guitar phenom Allan Holdsworth], Jobson’s studio and live concert performances were described as “stunning” and “dazzling.’  The Boston Globe has called him “a music pioneer,” Emmy magazine called him “a genius.” 

Eddie was previously well known as the teenage ‘rock prodigy’ with the early Roxy Music, and as Frank Zappa’s right-hand-man on both keyboards and electric violin - replacing both Jean Luc Ponty and George Duke at the age of 21.  After appearing on some 60 albums with many of the rock/fusion genre’s top musicians, Mr. Jobson retired from both studio and live performance for more than 20 years until a recent unannounced appearance in Russia with King Crimson.

Now, Eddie has formed two new projects based on his original ‘UK’ concept: ‘UKZ‘ - a five-piece contemporary rock band, currently receiving rave reviews for their “Radiation” EP and recent concert tour of Japan; and the newly-announced ‘U-Z Project‘ - an instrumental band of extraordinary virtuosos from around the world, including Michael Jackson’s former guitarist Greg Howe; stick player Michael Bernier (Stick Men); and TWO world renowned drummers, German drumming sensation Marco Minnemann (UKZ), and British drum legend Simon Phillips (Peter Gabriel, Jeff Beck, Mick Jagger, Toto).   

Critics raved after witnessing UKZ’s “One City World Tour” debut concert in New York last January. Calling it “an auspicious beginning indeed, Daily Variety said “Jobson’s crew proved to be well stocked in both the brawn and brain departments.” JazzTimes marveled at how this “chops-heavy” band “delivered the goods” with “blistering licks and well-orchestrated bombast.” Added TimeOut New York: “UKZ fuses technical flamboyance with the postindustrial crunch of Nine Inch Nails and Tool.”

Given Jobson’s international reputation as a musicians’ musician, and the high caliber of his previous associations and collaborations (a list that includes Frank Zappa, Ian Anderson, Robert Fripp, Phil Collins, John Entwistle, Tony Levin, Bill Bruford, Terry Bozzio, Steve Hackett, Trey Gunn, Jon Anderson, Allan Holdsworth, Adrian Belew, and many others) it is not surprising that the upcoming U.S. tour would include such an impressive lineup of players.

Spotlighting Jobson’s trademark Plexiglas electric violins, the ‘U-Z Project’ will perform rarely played music from ‘UK’ and other material culled from the best of the genres Jobson has helped create. More at www.ukzband.com and www.eddiejobson.com

FROM POP EATER AT AOL.COM:

Skip over this content “Think about it…ADAM, ADAM, ADAM then…Kris….SURPRISE SMITHCHES!!!!” Ju’Not adds.

This podcast episode is Part Four of my recent interview with guitarist Howard Leese in support of his excellent new solo record Secret Weapon. In this segment Howard talks about Secret Weapon track by track, with commentary about the guests on the record. This includes Joe Lynn Turner on “Alive Again”; Paul Rodgers on “Heal The Broken Hearted”; Deanna Johnston and Joe Lynn Turner on “Hot To Cold”; and “French Quarter” with legendary keyboardist Keith Emerson.

Stay tuned for Part Five, which I will post Friday.

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