Famed producer and engineer Andy Johns has died at the age of 61.
The news was broken to Billboard by former L.A. Guns guitarist Stacey Blades who had been working with Johns on a project. No cause of death was immediately available for the British-born Johns, the younger brother and uncle, respectively, of fellow producer/engineers Glyn Johns and Ethan Johns. However, Blades said liver trouble was one reason why Johns had been hospitalized.
Johns' engineering resume, meanwhile, was dotted with landmark sets by the Stones - including 'Sticky Fingers', 'Exile On Main Street', 'Goats Head Soup' and 'It's Only Rock 'n' Roll' - Led Zeppelin's 'II' through 'Physical Graffiti', as well as albums by Mott the Hoople, Jethro Tull and many more.
Johns relocated to Los Angeles during the 1970s, where he worked with Van Halen, Joni Michell, Ozzy Osbourne, Cinderella and Eddie Money.
Over the past dozen years he worked on albums by L.A. Guns, Godsmack, Taylor Hawkins & the Coattail Riders and others.
Uber Rock offers its condolences to all family, friends and fans of Andy - R.I.P.
BLACK SABBATH will support the release of new album, '13', with a European tour that starts in Finland on November 20th.
The UK leg of the tour begins in London on December 10th.
The full list of European shows:
Nov. 20 - Hartwall Arena, Helsinki, Finland Nov. 22 - Friends Arena, Stockholm, Sweden Nov. 24 - Telenor Arena, Oslo, Norway Nov. 26 - Forum, Denmark, Copenhagen Nov. 28 - Ziggo Dome, Holland, Amsterdam Nov. 30 - Westfalenhalle, Dortmund, Germany Dec. 02 - Bercy, Paris, France Dec. 05 - Fiera Arena, Milan, Italy Dec. 07 - 02 Arena, Prague, Czech Republic Dec. 10 - 02 Arena, London, UK Dec. 12 - Odyssey Arena, Belfast, Ireland Dec. 14 - Arena, Sheffield, UK Dec. 16 - Hydro, Glasgow, UK Dec. 18 - Arena, Manchester, UK Dec. 20 - LG Arena, Birmingham, UK
'13', the band's new album - the first in 35 years to feature bassist Geeezer Butler, guitarist Tony Iommi and singer Ozzy Osbourne - will be released on June 11 via Vertigo/Universal Republic in the U.S. and Vertigo in all other territories.
The drums on the Rick Rubin-produced album, the group's first with Osbourne since 1978, were played by Rage Against The Machine's Brad Wilk following original drummer Bill Ward's decision to bow out of the reunion.
The band, recently confirmed for this year's Download Festival, had this to say:
"So our new album, 'IV', is out today. It's been twelve years since our last one, so you might think us a little tardy. But we couldn't have been more motivated to put this beast together. We enjoyed every second of the process and we think it shows. So have a listen for free… stream the entire album and then come tell us what you think at www.facebook.com/earthtone9
Of course, if you dig it, and would like to support independent music please buy it. It's only £7.99 - that's less than a thimble of petrol or a 1000th of a percentage of a banker's bonus. You could drop £7.99 and not even notice. (And this way you get some METAL for your trouble)."
Earthtone9 - 'IV' tracklisting:
March of the Yeti Preacher Sea of Blades Andersion God Cloud Our Last Sunrise Harsh Light The Sound Of The Engine Turning Horizons End Occam's Razor
Interested candidates can add in their vocals and email the tracks to
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The band lists a few guidelines though:
- Preferably over 21. - Preferably UK based (but if you think you got what it takes then by all means we're open to anyone, even if you live on Mars). - MUST have touring experience/at least gig experience. - All auditions must have ZERO autotune or editing, we want to hear your tuning and your groove. - We'd also like to ask for you to not post links to your audition online, let’s keep this between us and yourselves... for now. - Please send all auditions to our email address
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and not to our inbox or band members inboxes, just to make sure we don't miss you out!
Thanks, looking forward to hearing everyone's audition! And remember: THERE IS NO TIME LIMIT, take your time, Rome wasn't built in a day.
The band released their new album, 'True North', this January 21st on Epitaph Records to critical acclaim. In a world still brimming with rampant anti-intellectualism, inequality and oppression, the band's signature brand of sonically charged humanist dissent seems as relevant as ever. On their newest record, the storied band deliberately revisits and refines the powerful and melodic Southern California sound they helped to define.
NEIL SMITH, one-time bass player of both AC/DC and Rose Tattoo, has died following a battle with cancer.
A statement on Australian Smith's Facebook page read:
"Neil Smith passed away in the early hours of the morning, Sunday, April 7th. He was sleeping peacefully and surrounded by family. Neil is now in peace and is no longer battling with cancer.
There is not a person out there who has met him and not felt like their lives were better for the experience. He was a loving and devoted father, a loyal friend and all round generous person. He was larger than life, and his passing will be felt.
Thanks to all his friends for their support and love, especially during the final stages of his life."
Neil was a member of the AC/DC rhythm section in 1974. Rob Bailey, then Mark Evans replaced him before Cliff Williams took over the role permanently.
Footage of Neil playing with Rose Tattoo can be seen below.
Uber Rock offers its condolences to all family, friends and fans of Neil - R.I.P.
Slawomir 'Mortifer' Archangielskij, bass player with Polish extreme metallers HATE, has died.
An official band statement reads:
"[During the] night [of] April 5-6 near the German town of Munchberg, our friend, best comrade and longtime bass player unexpectedly passed away. After the show in Stuttgart last night, he went to sleep and never woke up. We found him lifeless early in the morning and immediately called an ambulance. He was reanimated, but to no avail.
Results of Slawek's (Slawomir 'Mortifer' Archangielskij) autopsy should be known soon. In this situation, we decided to cancel the remaining shows and return home. We gave detailed testimonies to the German police. We are shocked and shattered by his sudden, unexpected death. We mourn together with Slawek's family and friends."
Archangielskij joined HATE in January 2007 and appeared on 2010's 'Erebos' and 2013's 'Solarflesh' albums.
Uber Rock offers its condolences to all family, friends and fans of Mortifer - R.I.P.
SKID ROW have released a lyric video for new single, 'Kings Of Demolition' - watch it below.
'Kings Of Demolition' is the first single from the band's forthcoming EP, 'United World Rebellion - Chapter One'. The EP is scheduled for an April 16th release in North America via Megaforce Records.
An international release date is to be announced shortly.
To celebrate the 35th anniversary of the legendary show in Budokan, Japan, CHEAP TRICK are excited to announce that they will play the exact April 28th, 1978 Budokan set on April 28th, 2013 at the John Varvatos Bowery boutique in New York City.
As the space that formerly housed the seminal underground music club CBGB’s, the Varvatos store seemed the perfect place to celebrate this historic moment.
Cheap Trick began its relationship with Varvatos in Spring 2008 when they starred in the seasonal brand campaign photographed by Danny Clinch.
“I’m proud to host this momentous show for my friends Cheap Trick at my Bowery store which is celebrating its own 5th anniversary this month,” says Varvatos.
Fans around the world will be able to watch the show live via Livestream.com HERE!
Bolstered by the hit singles, 'I Want You To Want Me' and 'Ain’t That A Shame' 1978’s 'Cheap Trick at Budokan' is the album that catapulted the Rockford, IL, quartet to superstardom.
The album rocketed all the way to #4 on the Billboard Top 200 and went triple platinum, and Rolling Stone has since called it one of the top 500 albums of all time.
Gibson has announced its exclusive partnership with multi-Grammy-Award-winning musician CHRIS CORNELL of Soundgarden.
Cornell has designed two special-edition guitars that will be available at Gibson authorized dealers globally this April.
The first model is an ES 335 with Lollar Tron pickups and a bigsby in army green, and the second is an ES 335 with Lollar Tron pickups in flat black.
Both models were made with brushed nickel hardware and Grover brushed nickel machine heads and tuners. The guitars will be sold in a Gibson Hardcase signed by Chris and only 250 of each model have been manufactured for purchase.
"I am honored to have designed a signature guitar for Gibson, and look forward to using it on tour with Soundgarden in May," said Cornell.
The reunited Soundgarden released a new album, 'King Animal', last year - read the Uber Rock review here. They will release a limited edition vinyl of the demos from that comeback album worldwide on Record Store Day, April 20th. Available on 10" pink vinyl the six song release will also include a free digital download card. This limited edition record will mark the first time these recordings have been available together. The demos were recorded by Chris Cornell and Soundgarden at TNC Studios in Los Angeles, California and Deke River Studio in Seattle, Washington.
c21media has broken the story that KISS bass player and genius businessman GENE SIMMONS will host 'Busted', a new hidden camera show on US TV.
Here's the full story:
"Entertainment One (eOne) has paired with Kiss co-founder Gene Simmons on a hidden camera comedy series, to be hosted by the larger-than-life rock star.
Busted sees Simmons go on tour with rock bands where every band member, band mate, family member and roady is a moving target for the musician’s pranks.
Executive producers include John Morayniss, Tara Long and Jeff Hevert on behalf of eOne and Gene Simmons. eOne will handle worldwide rights to the series in all media except merchandise, which will be handled by Simmons.
Simmons recently started in the long-running A&E Networks series Family Jewels in the US, which was cancelled last year after seven seasons."
The reunited UGLY KID JOE will reissue their 'Stairway To Hell' EP, originally released independently last year, through MRI on April 16th.
The EP's reissue will contain three bonus acoustic tracks and video content.
'Stairway To Hell' reissue tracklisting:
01. Devil's Paradise 02. You Make Me Sick 03. No One Survives 04. I'm Alright 05. Love Ain't True! (featuring Angelo Moore & Dirty Walt of Fishbone) 06. Another Beer 07. Cats In the Cradle (acoustic) 08. Would You Like To Be There (acoustic) 09. No One Survives (acoustic)
'Stairway To Hell' heralds Ugly Kid Joe's return, containing songs spanning the full repertoire of influences which made the band one of the prime soundtracks for young snowboarders, surfers, keggers and characters worldwide.
Whether it's 'Devil’s Paradise', with its hypnotic riffery and hook line, grooving and grinding its hips seductively, the melodic power-fueled darkness of 'No One Survives' or the irrepressibly memorable chug-and-chorus of 'I'm Alright' it's clear that UGLY KID JOE have everything they started with plus fatter chops and a (frankly) superior curve on songwriting.
BLACK STAR RIDERS, the new band featuring THIN LIZZY members Ricky Warwick, Damon Johnson, Scott Gorham and Marco Mendoza together with drummer Jimmy DeGrasso, have released a lyric video for new single, 'Bound For Glory'. Watch the video below.
The single is taken from the band's forthcoming album, 'All Hell Breaks Loose', which will be released via Nuclear Blast Entertainment in the UK on the 27th May, 2013.
About the single, BLACK STAR RIDERS frontman Ricky Warwick states:
“Bound For Glory - a song for the lost but never lonely, walking tall in the face of everyday adversary, everyone has a story to tell, revolution begins in the mirror!!!”
Guitarist Scott Gorham adds:
“When it came time to pick one of these songs as a single, we had a really hard time. There are so many really great tracks here and everyone had their favourites. But in the end, we all agreed that Bound for Glory is the perfect choice and represents what Black Star Riders is all about.”
Italian symphonic heroes Rhapsody Of Fire have announced exclusively to www.afm-records.de that the artwork for their new live album 'Live - From Chaos To Eternity' (released May 6th here) will feature none other than a huge montage of the band in full flow (see below), more emphasising the real vibe of the record....
Recorded on the band's last European tour in 2012, the album will be released as a 2-CD Digipack set and limited edition 3 vinyl package.
Says keyboard player Alex Staropoli of the release:
"We wanted to deliver an album that trully can be called 'Live'. Not one single part was pre-recorded in a studio, as some do..... I'm always looking for perfection, and with this album it had to be 100% live and 100% true to the feelings of the live performance. It's concrete proof that this band is strong enough and willing enough to keep playing and producing music for our fans, for many years to come!"
'Live - From Chaos To Eternity' tracklisting:
CD 1 01. Dark Mystic Vision 02. Ad Infinitum 03. From Chaos To Eternity 04. Triumph Or Agony 05. I Belong To The Stars 06. The Dark Secret 07. Unholy Warcry 08. Lost In Cold Dreams 09. Land Of Immortals 10. Aeons Of Raging Darkness 11. Dark Reign Of Fire 12. Drum Solo
CD 2 01. The March Of The Swordmaster 02. Dawn Of Victory 03. Toccata On Bass 04. The Village Of Dwarves 05. The Magic Of The Wizard's Dream 06. Holy Thunderforce 07. Reign Of Terror 08. Knightrider Of Doom 09. Epicus Furor 10. Emerald Sword 11. Erian's Lost Secrets 12. The Splendour Of Angels’ Glory (A Final Revelation)
News Updates 
NEIL SMITH, one-time bass player of both AC/DC and Rose Tattoo, has died following a battle with cancer.
