Classic Rock News

Blondie to Tour the US in the Fall with X

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 22:00:00 GMT

Photo: F. Scott ShaferBlondie has announced plans for a new tour that will see the veteran new wave band traveling throughout the U.S. during September and early October. The trek, dubbed the No Principals Tour, kicks off September 5 in Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, and is mapped out through an October 4 concert in New York City.

Serving as Blondie's opening act during the outing will be Los Angeles punk legends X. Everyone buying a ticket to the tour will receive five brand-new Blondie songs: "Make a Way," "Drag You Around," "Can't Stop Wanting," "A Rose by Any Name" and "I Screwed Up." These tunes also will appear on the band's follow-up to its 2011 release, Panic of Girls, which will hit stores later this year.

Tickets for most of the concerts will go on sale this Friday. For more details, visit Blondie.net.

Here are all of the confirmed dates for Blondie's No Principals Tour:

9/5 -- Hampton Beach, NH, Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
9/6 -- Niagara Falls, NY, The Rapids Theatre
9/7 -- Atlantic City, NJ, Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino – The Grand
9/9 -- Washington, DC, 9:30 Club
9/11 -- Cincinnati, OH, PNC Pavilion at Riverbend Music Center
9/12 -- Royal Oak, MI, Royal Oak Music Theatre
9/14 -- Chicago, IL, Riot Fest
9/17 -- Redmond, WA, King County's Marymoor Park
9/19 -- San Francisco, CA, Nob Hill Masonic Center
9/20 -- Saratoga, CA, Montalvo Arts Center
9/23 -- Santa Fe, NM, The Santa Fe Opera House
9/26 -- Austin, TX, Stubb's Waller Creek Amphitheater
9/27 -- Houston, TX, Warehouse Live - Ballroom
9/28 -- Dallas, TX, State Fair of Texas - Silverado Main Stage
9/30 -- Nashville, TN, Ryman Auditorium
10/1 -- Atlanta, GA, Buckhead Theatre
10/3 -- Glenside, PA, The Keswick Theatre
10/4 -- New York, NY, Roseland Ballroom

Black Sabbath's Ozzy Osbourne Says He Was Upset That Rick Rubin Hired Brad Wilk to Play Drums on "13"

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 22:00:00 GMT

Vertigo/Republic RecordsOzzy Osbourne has been speaking glowingly about working with Rick Rubin on Black Sabbath's new studio album, 13, but the famed frontman admits that he did have a major conflict with the producer about one aspect of the record. The Metal Madman tells Billboard that he was very unhappy that Rubin chose to hire Rage Against the Machine's Brad Wilk to play drums on the album rather than Tommy Clufetos, who keeps the beat for his own solo group.

The issue started, of course, when founding Sabbath drummer Bill Ward pulled out of the recording project because of a contractual dispute. Ozzy wanted Clufetos to step in for Ward, but Rubin decided to call on Wilk instead.

"The way it was dealt with wasn't very fair on Tommy," Osbourne complains to the magazine. "Rubin just didn't want to work with him for reasons I don't know. He's a great drummer, and he's been with me for awhile now and I just felt that nobody discussed the decision about Brad to me."

Ozzy also says he was annoyed because Clufetos had been promised the gig. He also insists that his irritation over the situation had nothing to do with Tommy being "my drummer and my ego wanted him," adding, "It was just the fact the way it was dealt with."

Osbourne maintains that although he was "p**sed off" about Clufetos being passed over, "It's alright now." He also tells Billboard that Wilk "did a good job" and is "a very nice guy."

Rubin, meanwhile, sent an email to Billboard explaining his reasons for hiring Wilk.

"Brad is a muscular drummer with great feel and understands the groovy nature of [Black Sabbath's] music," notes Rick. He adds that after Wilk's first rehearsal with Sabbath, "it was obvious he would do a great job in the seat Bill left vacated."

As for Clufetos, he's been playing drums for Sabbath at all the band's recent concerts and he is expected to continue to do so on their upcoming tour dates.

New Bruce Springsteen Documentary to Be Screened in Theaters on Two Nights in July; Locations Revealed

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 19:00:00 GMT

SpringsteenAndI.comNew details have been announced regarding the premiere screenings of the new Bruce Springsteen documentary Springsteen & I, which focuses on the passionate relationship the Boss shares with his fans. The film now is scheduled to be shown for two nights only, July 22 and July 30, in hundreds of theaters across the U.S. You can buy tickets for the flick and find out all the specific locations where the movie will be screened by visiting FathomEvents.com.

Springsteen & I was directed by Baillie Walsh and features interviews with many of the Boss' passionately devoted followers. The documentary also boasts previously unseen footage of Springsteen and his E Street Band in concert.

Meanwhile, an official Springsteen & I movie poster has been created featuring personal photos that fans submitted online. An interactive version of the poster with information about each person whose image is included in the promo can be accessed at SpringsteenAndI.com.

KISS' Concert This Thursday in Switzerland to Air Live on AXS TV

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:59:00 GMT

Al Soluri/KISS Catalog Ltd.This Thursday, KISS will be rocking Zurich, Switzerland, as part of the European leg of the band's Monster tour, but fans all over the world will be able to enjoy the show. AXS TV will air the concert live at 3 p.m. ET, and also will host an encore screening at 11 p.m. ET.

The program also will mark the first time KISS' new stage, lighting and pyrotechnics display will be seen on television. In addition, fans who visit AXS TV's official Facebook page and the @AXSTVConcerts Twitter feed can enter a contest for a chance to win a guitar autographed by the band.

KISS' European trek winds down this Saturday with an appearance at Hellfest in Clisson, France. The rockers will then launch a North American tour leg that kicks off with a run of Canadian dates that start July 5 in Victoria, British Columbia.

Visit AXS.tv to find out more about the band's Zurich concert screening.

Happy 71st Birthday, Paul McCartney!

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:00:00 GMT

MJ Kim/MPL Communications Ltd.Sending out Happy Birthday wishes to Paul McCartney, who turns 71 today. The founding Beatles legend may be among the wealthiest, most successful and most revered musicians on the planet, but he's by no means resting on his laurels. McCartney just wrapped up a series of critically acclaimed U.S. concerts with an appearance Friday at the Bonnaroo festival in Manchester, Tennessee, and he'll begin a three-show European trek this Sunday in Warsaw, Poland, before heading back to America for more shows in July and August.

At his recent gigs, McCartney has been digging deep into the Fab Four's and Wings' back catalog and playing songs his old bands never or rarely performed live.

Sir Paul also has been celebrating the recent reissue of the classic 1976 live album Wings over America, and the release on DVD and Blu-ray of the accompanying McCartney and Wings concert film Rockshow. In addition, he's been working with various producers, including Mark Ronson, on a new studio album that reportedly will feature some danceable modern sounds.

If that isn't enough, the rock legend is featured on "Out of Sight," the new single by dance-punk artist The Bloody Beetroots, the stage name of Sir Bob Cornelius Rifo. The track was released today, and can be heard online now. The tune also will appear on The Bloody Beetroots' second album, HIDE, which is due out on September 17.

Steely Dan Schedules Themed New York City Concerts; Announces Other Themed Shows

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 10:01:00 GMT

Photo: Danny ClinchSteely Dan has added a special series of concerts at New York City's Beacon Theatre to the tail-end the band's recently-announced North American tour. The seven-date residency, which will run from September 30 through October 8, will feature the jazz-rock veterans performing various themed sets each night, just as they did when they visited the Beacon and other select venues during their 2009 and 2011 treks.

Depending on which show you attend, you'll get to see the group perform one of three of its classic albums in its entirety -- Aja, Gaucho or The Royal Scam -- along with selected hits, an evening of greatest hits or a set of songs requested by the audience. Steely Dan also has announced that they'll play specially-themed shows at previously scheduled stops in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Boston and Bristow, Virginia.

Tickets for the Beacon Theatre concerts will be available for purchase by the general public starting this Saturday, June 22, at 10 a.m. ET. Fans can buy the tickets via Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets also will be available at the Beacon Theatre's box office beginning Monday, June 24, at 11 a.m. ET if the shows don't sell out before then.

Steely Dan's U.S. trek, dubbed the Mood Swings: 8 Miles to Pancake Day Tour, kicks off July 19 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Here are all the dates for the themed performances the band has scheduled:

8/24 -- Los Angeles, CA, Nokia Theater L.A. Live (Aja -- plus selected hits)
8/25 -- Los Angeles, CA, Nokia Theater L.A. Live (greatest hits night)
9/20 -- Bristow, VA, Jiffy Lube Amphitheatre (Aja -- plus selected hits)
9/24 -- Boston, MA, Citi Wang, (Aja -- plus selected hits)
925 -- Boston, MA, Citi Wang, (greatest hits night)
9/30 -- New York, NY, Beacon Theatre (Aja -- plus selected hits)
10/1 -- New York, NY, Beacon Theatre (greatest hits night)
10/3 -- New York, NY, Beacon Theatre (The Royal Scam -- plus selected hits)
10/4 -- New York, NY, Beacon Theatre (Gaucho -- plus selected hits)
10/5 -- New York, NY, Beacon Theatre (audience request night)
10/7 -- New York, NY, Beacon Theatre (Aja -- plus selected hits)
10/8 -- New York, NY, Beacon Theatre (greatest hits night)

Joan Jett's Blackheart Records Group Sues Hot Topic over Teen Goods

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 01:01:00 GMT

Facebook.com/JoanJettJoan Jett's Blackheart Records Group label is suing teen retailer Hot Topic for trademark infringement and false advertising over the chain's Blackheart Clothing Co. brand.

The complaint, which was filed last week, notes that Jett and her longtime musical collaborator Kenny Laguna formed the band Joan Jett and the Blackhearts and subsequently started their own recording company and called it "Blackheart Records." They applied to register the label's name with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in 1984, and the office granted the registration the next year. In 2005, Jett and Laguna also registered "Blackheart Records Group" with the patent and trademark office.

The label is suing the California-based Hot Topic Inc. for trademark infringement, dilution, unfair competition and false advertising in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

A spokeswoman for Hot Topic Inc. released a statement to ABC News saying the company "takes the rights of artists very seriously, and has in fact compensated Ms. Jett over many years in keeping with mutually agreed-upon license agreements for the sale of tee shirts featuring her image."

The statement also notes, "This lawsuit is a surprise to us, and we are confident in our rights to use the Blackheart brand name."

Hot Topic adds that it has 11 different registered trademarks with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office for the use of the Blackheart brand for "retail stores, apparel, lingerie, accessories, cosmetics and more, with some uses going back a decade to 2003."

Hot Topic further claims, "In contrast, Blackheart Records has for years abandoned trademark filings for the use of the Blackheart name on apparel and accessories, and when we contacted them a year ago about acquiring the Blackheart URL, they never indicated a problem with our use."

According to the label's complaint, Hot Topic distributed music and music-related apparel that it bought from Blackheart or its business partners throughout the 1990s. Around February 2010, Hot Topic approached Blackheart to design and distribute merchandise featuring the "Blackheart Family of Marks," which include images featuring "certain design elements -- notably a heart, which is either solid black, black with a white outline, or white with a black outline."

The suit says that "after experimenting with legitimate and illegitimate items that use and/or are sold under the Blackheart Family of Marks, [Hot Topic] commenced their own line of clothing under their own new 'Blackheart' brand," which is described as the "infringing brand."

Blackheart's complaint also says Hot Topic's tagline, "Lingerie for Girls Who Rock & Roll," infringes on the Blackheart brand by invoking the image of Jett, who they say is referred to as "The Queen of Rock N' Roll" and whose best known recording is "I Love Rock N' Roll."

The complaint states that the public has confused Hot Topic's brand with a company affiliated or sponsored by Jett or Blackheart Records.

Want to Buy Elton John's "Honky Château"?

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 01:01:00 GMT

EltonJohn.comThinking about new digs? Well, if you have enough cash, the French château where Elton John recorded his classic 1972 album Honky Château can now be yours.

According to the European news service AFP, the 18th century Château d'Hérouville, located about 20 miles outside of Paris, has been put up for sale for the bargain price of $1.73 million. That'll get you 30 rooms, a 42,000-acre park, a pool and a tennis court.

French composer Michel Magne built a famous recording studio in the château in 1969, and many top artists recorded there, including John, who dubbed it the "Honky Château." In addition to working on his 1972 studio effort at the mansion, he also traveled to there to record his next two albums, 1973's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player.

In addition, David Bowie recorded Pin Ups and Low at the château, and Fleetwood Mac made their 1982 album Mirage there as well. Other artists who recorded at the château before it closed in 1985 include Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull, Bad Company, T. Rex, Cat Stevens and The Bee Gees.

Elton's Honky Château produced the hits "Rocket Man (I Think It's Going to Be a Long, Long Time)" and "Honky Cat," as well as the fan favorite "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters."

Alice in Chains-Themed Pinball Game App on Sale Now for Apple Devices

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 22:00:00 GMT

Photo: Johnny BuzzerioA new Alice in Chains-themed app that's sure to excite gamers is now available for Apple's iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch devices.

Alice in Chains Pinball Rocks serves up plenty of crazy virtual flipper action backed by a soundtrack that features a number of the band's classic hits. It also includes a bonus game that unlocks the single "Hollow" from their latest album, The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here. The game boasts a variety of high-definition graphics and camera angles, including a 3-D perspective.

Players also can enjoy various Alice in Chains-related elements that have been incorporated into the game, such as the three-legged dog from the cover of the group's 1995 self-titled album.

Alice in Chains Pinball Rocks can be purchased for $2.99 at the iTunes store.

Joni Mitchell Takes Part in Q&A Interview Event at Toronto Arts Festival; Will Perform at Tribute Shows

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 22:00:00 GMT

Photo: James O'MaraJoni Mitchell was at Toronto's Luminato Festival on Sunday to particpate in a rare and in-depth Q&A session, one of several scheduled events focusing on the influential folk/pop/jazz artist at the creative-arts fest. The acclaimed singer/songwriter spoke with New York Times music critic Jon Pareles about a variety of topics, including her childhood struggle with polio and other illnesses, her musical and artistic influences and inspirations, her unique approach to writing and playing music, her painting and much more.

Among the interesting revelations Joni shared during the hour-and-a-half chat was that she once pulled the plug on a proposed film project about her by telling the director that the movie would be "a piece of s**t" because he didn't know enough specifics about her life. A video of the entire interview can be viewed at the Luminato Festival's official YouTube channel.

The festival also is hosting a pair of tribute concerts for Mitchell in honor of her upcoming 70th birthday this November 7. The shows, titled Joni: A Portrait in Song, will take place Tuesday and Wednesday night at Toronto's famed Massey Hall. Mitchell herself will recite a poem she wrote recently that was inspired by early 20th century Canadian painter Emily Carr, with accompaniment from jazz drummer Brian Blade and trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire. Other musicians scheduled to perform at the concerts include Herbie Hancock, Glen Hansard, Rufus Wainwright and Esperanza Spalding.