Jambands.com further reports: While details remain scant, it is believed he passed away at his Manhattan home in the early hours of Monday morning. He was 42.

We took the Billboard list and re-ranked their Top 25 based on their attendance records since that might give a better idea about popularity and it also shows us some interesting data about ticket prices. Keep in mind there may be artists who had bigger attendance; we simply based our reordering on the artists listed in the Billboard list.

Last week Love lost custody of her daughter Frances Bean Cobain, at least temporarily to Cobain's paternal grandmother. And she reportedly went online to vent her anger. FMQB reports: In a Facebook rant, Love said, "She was deceptive, she lied and she's lying to herself. My daughter is not always honest." She added, "Frances is a wonderful kid. She's got bad people around her and wants it both ways. You could've asked for emancipation ... you realize this will put you in juvenile family circus three times in your little life? I love you and always will unconditionally." more

The band has been playing sold-out shows since November, coinciding with the release of its latest album, Hello Hurricane, which debuted in the Top 15 of The Billboard 200. The North American tour, which has been extended through January, features Switchfoot playing Hello Hurricane in its entirety, followed by an assortment of fan favorites from its previous albums.

Here is what they had to say: Before the agents and manager types start taking a break for the holidays, we have one more Sonisphere date to tell you about and it's pretty massive! Not only the "Big Four" of 'Tallica, Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax that we told you about on Monday, but we will be honored to also share the stage with Motorhead, Heaven and Hell, and Mastodon on June 18 in Zurich, Switzerland at Jonschwil Degenaupark. Now, there's a show, don't ya think?!?

Tickets go on sale at 9:00 AM on Monday, December 21. We will be back here with more tour dates and various other bits of information in the coming weeks . . .don't go too far away!

Unlike Walker's previous, critically acclaimed solo works, 'I Liked It Better' was recorded quickly and collaboratively, with his band The Black Widows. "We literally went into the studio the day after our tour ended," recalls Walker. "So the wheels were greased." The album was recorded mostly "live" over just five days, using first and second takes. Strings were subsequently added at Abbey Road Studios in the UK, providing some of the album's most interesting textures.

According to a press release, Nonpoint is back with a new guitarist, management and record label. The band recently departed Belle City Sound in Racine, WI where they finished recording their full-length album with YEP! Productions' Chad Gray and Greg Tribbett (also members of Mudvayne and Hellyeah). The album is slated for a spring 2010 release.

This live CD captures Gregg and his all-star band performing at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in 2007. The music press and fans alike have been raving about the new CD and have even compared Rolie's band to that of the original Santana group, in which Rolie was a founding member. "The reviews have been great," says Gregg. "The band and I are anxious to get out on the road and play as many cities as possible in 2010, 2011, 2012 and so on..."

'Rain Dance' features electrifying versions of several Santana classics such as :"Evil Ways", "Black Magic Woman" "Soul Sacrifice", "Jingo" and "No One To Depend On" as well as tracks from Rolie's previous effort 'Roots' and new songs. The Gregg Rolie Band consists of founding Santana member Michael Carabello on Congas, Adrian Areas (son of original Santana percussionist Jose Chepito Areas) on Timbales, drummer Ron Wikso (who was also in The Storm), Kurt Griffey on guitars, internationally acclaimed bassist, Chapman Stick artist and Santana alumni Alphonso Johnson and former Jean Luc Ponty keyboardist Wally Minko. "The band is great, because we all really enjoy each other and I think the sound reflects the fun we are having," Gregg recently told Voices of Latin Rock. "We subtitle the band; 'Santana- the way you remember it' And at that gig in New York recently, we had half of the original Santana, that's about the closest you're ever gonna' get, to seeing that band together again! Michael Shrieve came down and sat in and it was fantastic! He is such a lyrical player and he makes me smile when he would do a certain thing or a fill and I'd remember his playing style, very much on the jazzier end but just so stylish. Ron Wikso my regular drummer is heavier and a real solid player too."

Director Ian McFarland comments, "what excites us about this song is the building and releasing of energy. We are planning to present a visual overload of images that will keep the viewer glued to the screen. The hope is to dissect the word 'fear' and to make a piece of art that will not only capture the power of the song and but the true intensity of FEAR FACTORY."

In discussing the song's lyrical concept, vocalist Burton C. Bell reveals, "it was not necessary to camouflage the insanity of the world of today within a science fiction setting like we've done in the past. The world today has become the world that writers predicted long ago. The controlling authorities are constantly, and successfully, utilizing fear tactics to control the masses. Fear is control."

Mechanize is due in stores February 9

Evile members Matt Drake, Ol Drake and Ben Carter have released the following statement: "This has been one of the most bizarre and surreal tasks we've ever had to undertake. It isn't like Mike has decided to leave the band and we're simply finding a new bass player, he was taken from us, and we were forced to replace him. In effect we had to look for a new Mike, but that would never happen. He was one of a kind, and we'll never forget him.

Showcasing at The Bell House in Brooklyn, Agnostic Front will have their original 1984 lineup in tow � Roger Miret, Vinny Stigma, Rob Kabula, and Dave Jones. "We haven't played together since '84, this is the CLASSIC lineup together again doing vintage AF songs and some classics. We couldn't be more excited to do this!" said vocalist Roger Miret.

I went to a songwriting retreat in '08. A bunch of the artists from the Rock Boat got together and were paired off in groups of three to write songs. I wrote a couple of songs there with Pat McGee and Emerson Hart, and also one with Pat McGee and Mike Daly (from Whiskeytown). The songs "Release" and "Take A Bow" came from those sessions.

"Release" was written when all the writers were going through a divorce, and it's about new beginnings and about letting going of the past, which I think is a fitting start to the disc. It turned out to be the title of album too. We thought it was a good name for the album because of what making the album was about � the release of the old processes of making records and a new beginning for us as well. A year ago I bought a cello and was looking for place to put it on the album. In "Release," I play two notes on the cello. It's my cello debut.