Ozzfest To Return in 2010

[In other Ozzy related news] America's first-ever hard rock and heavy metal music award show will be broadcast on MTV2 as a one-hour special debuting Saturday, May 2. The ultimate evening of heavy music featured performances from Megadeth, Killswitch Engage, Hatebreed, All That Remains and Suicide Silence, along with a very special DJ set from Slipknot's Corey Taylor to kick off the event. The night ill culminated with rock legend Ozzy Osbourne being honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award. - more on this story

Whitesnake Singer Accused of Lipsynching

Does Whitesnake's frontman David Coverdale lipsynch, or as our UK friends call it, mime to pre-recorded tapes? One of his peers says that he saw him do it and isn't to happy about the practice. Blabbermouth has the story (and the video):

Spain's The Metal Circus recently conducted an interview with legendary vocalist Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow, Deep Purple, Yngwie Malmsteen) about the new Sunstorm album, "House Of Dreams", his upcoming concerts in Spain with Big Noize, the Russian connection and the fact that Ritchie Blackmore won't ever reform Rainbow.

When asked if he has ever used pre-recorded tapes for backing and/or lead vocals, Joe replied, "To be honest with you, I have one machine that helps sing the backgrounds — it's from DigiTech, and it's a great technology — but it's not samples, it's live; you have to sing into the microphone and then this machine will take your voice, whatever you put into this machine is exactly what you get. So if you sing like sh*t, it's gonna sound like shit. So there's no wizardry, there's no tapes. Because recently I heard on the Internet that David Coverdale was using all kinds of tapes. Well, I was in Finland [in June 2008] with Graham Bonnet and we were on the same festival [Sauna Open Air; see video at the full story link] as Whitesnake, and I couldn't believe he was using these tapes — for lead singing! Not just backgrounds, but lead! And I was... My mouth was open. I was like, 'What the f**k, David?! You can't do this. You look so stupid, so foolish.' And everyone is complaining about this. No, I'm singing live. This is what you get; that's it. . . I'm not trying to talk sh*t... This is true. Everybody sees this. . . I couldn't believe it, because he [David] was always one of my favorite singers. To use tapes for a lead vocal... I can understand backgrounds if the [rest of the bandmembers] don't sing. But for lead?! You've gotta be kidding!" - Check out the video and judge for yourself

Tragedy Hits Pennywise

Band Statement reports: Sadly, the Pennywise family has suffered another loss. On Sunday, April 5, 2009, Kristian Dragge, little brother of Pennywise lead guitarist Fletcher Dragge, tragically passed away at the young age of 39. He left behind his fiancée, Cindy Linn Groeneweg, and their 1-month old baby girl, Avery Nycole Dragge, as well as his mother Karen Dragge.

The following is from older brother Fletcher Dragge: My brother Kristian has been a member of the South Bay punk rock scene since 1980 and was at one time the guitar player in the infamous Smut Peddlers. He was a legend in the punk rock community and was well know for his hell-raising antics, along with his fierce loyalty to friends and family. He will be greatly missed by everyone. He has been a huge part of the Pennywise family since Day One.

I remember him helping me hang the carpet to soundproof the garage that we formed Pennywise in. I also remember him lugging our equipment from gig to gig, starting mosh pits, as well as the fight he got into the very first time Pennywise ever played live. It was a backyard party in Redondo Beach. - more on this story

Fall Out Boy Banned

Band Statement reports: The April 21st Fall Out Boy concert at Mizner Amphitheater has been relocated due to the City of Boca Raton citing security issues.

A statement from the city reads "There have been known disturbances associated with one of the bands, 'Fall Out Boy'. We anticipate that the concert will generate security challenges".

"I'm not sure what these 'challenges' are that they are speaking of" says Fall Out Boy manager Bob McLynn. "The town said that if we tried to keep the show on we would have to pay an extraordinary amount of money in extra costs". - more on this story

Bon Jovi Threaten Tribute Band

Tribute bands beware. Flattery may get you sued! Metal Underground has this tale of woe for a all female Bon Jovi tribute group: A legal letter from the law firm Blakely Sokoloff Taylor & Zafman to the girl group Blonde Jovi has surfaced and states, "It has recently come to our attention that your band is using the mark and name Blonde Jovi in connection with live musical performances; more specifically, a Bon Jovi tribute band.

Our investigation also uncovered that you are using BJP's "Heart and Dagger" Logo trademark prominently on your website. Unfortunately, and despite the fact that our client appreciates the reverence that your band pays tribute to Bon Jovi, as a tribute band, our client nevertheless is charged with the duty of enforcing its trademark rights. In this regard, BJP cannot allow your band to use the mark and name Blonde Jovi (or any other BJP trademarks), as such use creates a likelihood of confusion with our client, and capitalizes on the goodwill and reputation of its well-known marks."

Blonde Jovi posted a statement on their Myspace page about changing their name after receiving the letter: "Due to threatened legal action by Jon Bon Jovi's attorneys, we will be changing our name. The name Blonde Jersey is temporary, until we come up with a new one. If you have any name suggestions, please email us! Nothing containing Jovi, or anything similar to JOVI may be used so Blonde Giovi, Blonde Joe V, BLONDE JOVIE, are not options. Thanks for your support!... Too bad we didn't go with our original name idea of Boob Jovi!" -

Nine Inch Nails Mock Chris Cornell With April Fools Joke

NME reports: In what appears to be an elaborate April Fools joke, Nine Inch Nails have announced the release of a new Timbaland-produced album called 'Strobe Light'.

In a suspicious posting on the band's website and a Tweeter message issued this morning (April 1), the Nine Inch Nails announced that their new full-length album can be downloaded immediately, and features collaborations from Coldplay's Chris Martin, Jay-Z and Bono, as well as a track titled 'Pussygrinder' featuring Sheryl Crow.

The message contains the album's cover art, which shows frontman Trent Reznor in a black leather jacket wearing Kanye West-style slotted shades, as well as a tracklisting featuring a list of mega-star guest collaborators including Justin Timberlake and Alicia Keys - more on this story

Fear Factory Are Back

Rock Radio reports: Fear Factory have confirmed a surprise reunion and will play at this summer's Sonisphere and Bloodstock festivals in the UK. Metal Hammer reveals that Burton C Bell and Dino Cazares, who put the band on hold after their seventh album, 2005's Transgression, had known for some time their new project would be the return of their classic band, along with Fear Factory's last bassist Byron Stroud and drummer Gene Hoglan of Testament fame.

Vocalist Bell says: "We were friends before we were in a band together and after a while we forgot what it was all about.

"The first time we saw each other in a long time was at the Ministry show in LA, and we just started talking again. It was like, I don't really remember what it was all about. Friendships will return." - more on this story

Metal Star Caught In Drive-By Shooting Crossfire

Nachtmystium guitarist Jeff Wilson found himself in the crossfire of a drive-by shooting last week. Blabbermouth posted the band's statement about the incident, "Last Friday (April 17) at about 5:30 - 6:00 p.m., Jeff Wilson left his apartment building here in Chicago (that Blake also has an apartment in) to head two blocks away to our neighborhood grocery store.

"On his way out, walking back down the small side street right near our building….an SUV comes flying around the corner of a small side street just south of where he was walking, two men hung out of the window and opened fire in Jeff's general direction (and many other people, including children…) towards someone located behind where Jeff was walking.

"Fortunately, Jeff's amazing ninja-style, bullet-dodging skills kicked in, instinctively, and he some how managed to escape what became a crossfire of bullets and made it home safely with his smokes and a 2 liter of Diet Coke. Although the Diet Coke was tempting to Jeff, as he was out of breath and parched with thirst after running his ass off from the onslaught of violence, Jeff opted for a can (or twelve) of High Life that he found in the fridge….and then enjoyed one of his cigarettes, which he fought for his life to have. This, dear fans, is just one more example — smoking kills!!" - more on this story

Oops: Miley Cyrus Urged To Make Sex Tape

(AP) Jamie Foxx has apologized to teen star Miley Cyrus for a radio routine in which he urged the 16-year-old to "make a sex tape and grow up."

When the incident was brought up on the "Tonight" show Tuesday, Foxx apologized and said: "I didn't mean it maliciously."

Foxx had started talking about Cyrus on his Sirius satellite radio show after someone brought up the singer's recent feud with Radiohead. Foxx said: "Who is Miley Cyrus? The one with all the gums? She needs to get a gum transplant! -

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