Today's Day in Rock Stories

AC/DC Frontman Brian Johnson Lands A New Gig

Verbeuren replaced Lamb of God's Chris Adler who was recruited to play on the band's latest studio album "Dystopia," and joined the group on the road for the early touring in support of the effort.

Frontman Dave Mustaine had the following to say, "Chris Adler's contributions are sure to be felt for years to come. Megadeth has been revitalized by Chris' playing, as well as his excellent suggestion of Dirk Verbeuren to drum with us. Tremendous thanks to Chris, and a big welcome to Dirk."

Adler added "It has been an honor and a pleasure to join my favorite band of all time, and to be a part of their return to the top. I had an amazing time with everyone involved, from the writing, arranging and recording, to the touring and friendships built along the way. There was no argument or drama, no hidden story.

"Megadeth needs and deserves a full time drummer, and as much as I'd like to be, I can't be in two places at once. For my part, I am very lucky to be a part of Lamb of God, and to also have gotten a chance to dance with my heroes at the ball. I still can't believe it sometimes when I think of myself as a kid, opening up my Megadeth albums...and now I'm an alumni! I'm very proud of that - and I will continue to be their biggest fan."

Verbeuren had the following to say about his new gig, "Dave, David and Kiko, I'm thankful for your warm welcome and thrilled at the opportunity to perform and create badass music with you guys. Chris Adler, thank you for introducing me to Megadeth - and for your encouragement and support."

According to the Birmingham Mail, the film includes a scene with a rock band called Beasts of Mayhem and they are visited by a ghost while performing on stage.

The Black Sabbath frontman reportedly appears in one short scene in the film which shows him with dark patches around his eyes and he asks his estranged wife Sharon if he is day dreaming again, according to the report. Read more details here.

On the relationship that developed between himself and fellow vocalist Shinoda, and the recording sessions at North Hollywood's NRG Recording, Bennington tells Metal Hammer: "This was a time where no-one really knew what was f***ing going on.

"I mean the label tried to get rid of Mike, which is probably the funniest thing in the world. Looking back I was just thinking 'Wow, this is insane, this is a wild ride.'"

The bronze sculpture was created by artist Travis Moore after fans and friends contributed to a fundraising campaign following Lemmy Kilmister's death in December.

"Alice Cooper is tired of the rhetoric, the mudslinging, the media frenzy,"� says the announcements. "Keeping his snake in his cage and the guillotine in storage, he is putting people before career. Alice Cooper wants to be elected."

Cooper's "Make America Sick Again" platform includes getting Brian Johnson back in AC/DC and changing the name of Big Ben (in London) to Big Lemmy.

The latest offering follows their Life Changes lyric video and the promo for album lead track 40 Oz. Dream. Good Charlotte previously said: "The new album is like our previous albums in that it's for people who love music and are constantly motivated and trying to live a rad life.

"Everyone has something to prove to themselves, waking up every day and deciding to change their life for the better and help others do the same. Good Charlotte has always been about doing this together, motivating each other, finding the unity and energy that exists in taking life's challenges and coming out on the other side.

This very special honor is given to musical innovators within the world of progressive music and sees Anderson joining former bandmate Rick Wakeman, as well as Ian Anderson, Peter Gabriel and Tony Banks, in collecting the prestigious prize.

Asked whether he looked to fill the gap left by alcohol with other pursuits, Wylde tells Oregon Music News: "Nothing. I know people say that you have to replace it with something. I have friends that go to AA.

"I also have friends that just stopped. I never went to AA. I didn't do anything. I just stopped. I have a friend that was mid way through a pint and he said to himself, 'Man, I'm done with this.' I asked him, 'Darren, you drinking anymore? He says, 'No, I stopped. I was getting silly but not to the point that I'm losing my wife, my family, I just think it's time to stop.'

Frontman Black Francis - aka Charles Thompson - says the band's new bass player Paz Lenchantin wrote the music for and takes the lead vocal role on All I Think About Now, but she asked him to write the lyrics for it.

Francis tells the BBC: "I had done a song one night, it was a quickie song that appeared and I made a demo on our iPhones with Joey Santiago. The balance of the demo was off in the sense that all you could hear was Joey's guitar and you couldn't hear the chord structure underneath.

"Paz misheard the chord structure and when it came time to do a rendition of the song, her understanding of the song was from a different planet so it didn't work.

"What she had written was not for the same song. It was no deal and she learned the song proper but then she says, 'But Charles, I worked on this part here. It is kind of interesting and maybe it could be the start of a new song.' So I said, 'Oh, absolutely Paz. But you have to sing it.'

Nuclear Blast report that Nightwish "Feel very honoured and wish good luck to the entire team." It's not the first time that the Last Ride Of The Day has been used in the world of sport. It was used as the official anthem for the Ice Hockey World Championships in Finland and Sweden in 2012.

Blackstar was released on Bowie's 69th birthday, just two days before his death. It has sold 57,000 vinyl copies this year so far, with the nearest rival being Adele's 25 with 36,000 sales.

Now Drowning Pool, who last month said they wanted to tie up with him, have confirmed he'll take part in their performance at Chicago Open Air on July 15 at 2pm.

Hetlinger says: "I'm really amped-up. We're going to have a blast together - let the bodies hit the floor!" Drummer Mike Luce adds: "On rare occasions servicemen have joined us on stage. But we've never shared the stage with an 82-year-old veteran, crushing Bodies. It's going to be crazy throwing down with him!"

Mastodon say: "Joining the ranks of some of the biggest and most influential names in rock'n'roll, we are honoured to now be a part of rock and roll history at the Hard Rock Cafe, in Las Vegas.

It was produced by Ross Robinson and mixed by Joe Baressi - and bassist Aaron Beam tells Revolver Magazine that Robinson encouraged the band to take a different approach to the recording process.

Beam reports: "He really digs into the meaning behind the songs so that when you're recording, you're doing it with conviction and purpose. It's less about the little technical things.

They'll then head out on their first tour for six years. Briggs tells TeamRock: "We've been waiting now for three years to release this album and it's a great feeling to finally have it out there for everyone to hear.

When asked how he feels about seeing the song do well, Draiman tells Q103: "It feels great. Everyone and anyone is welcome to come on board. Music is meant to cross boundaries.

"I think that people have become genre snobs. Many people have eclectic tastes. Many people like to listen to all kinds of different music. I mean, I do - I'll listen to many different styles inside a day, a week, a month, a year. It doesn't matter. So why not?"

Van Leeuwen tells 2 Hours With Matt Pinfield: "We've already started talking about what we're going to do for the next Queens record. There's tons of ideas that are bouncing around. We're excited to get back together to follow �Like Clockwork. We're going to do something before the end of the year."

He's also plotting a book tour behind release. As of now, Keenan has only announced two stops - Nov. 9 at Nashville's City Winery and Nov. 16 at Chicago's Empty Bottle - but is expected to reveal more book tour dates soon.

On the book tour, Keenan will talk about A Perfect Union of Contrary Things in a moderated discussion. He'll also do a Q&A with the audience and read excerpts from the book.

Singer Andy Leo says: "Weight Of The World is about living under the unblinking eyes and scrutiny of social media, whether you are in a band, a public figure or just a kid trying to belong.

The new effort was produced by Nino Laurenne who previously worked on the band's 2008 effort record Deadache. Laurenne has also worked with Children Of Bodom, Amorphis, Apocalyptica and Stratovarius.

Whitechapel also recently announced the Straight Outta Hell tour with Suicide Silence, Despised Icon, Carnifex and Oceano, which commences this month.

Suicide Silence guitarist Mark Heylmun said of the tour: "Finally, after more than a decade, this tour of tours is coming to a city near you. Lube up those earholes, because Suicide Silence and Whitechapel, believe it or not, have never toured together in the United States.

"We're nowhere and everywhere all at once," Shepherd tells Radio.com "We've already had two writing sessions. The next session is in August, and more decisions will be made then."

Confirming recent comments by Chris Cornell that the group are writing mode, the bassist says he's been working on new material himself. "If it's going to be a Soundgarden song, it better be interesting," Shepherd explains. "But I'm surrounded by some of the best musicians in the world in that band, I think. Some of the most creative minds, guys that actually do pay attention to their legacy, and the quality of what we put out. It's not just a job."

"I think we've got six solid tunes right now," adds drummer Matt Cameron. "We're gonna get together in August for about a week, do more writing, and hopefully got five or six more going at that point. We're off to a very good start." Read more
Soundgarden bassist Ben Shepherd is sharing an update on the follow-up to 2012's "King Animal", which marked the reunited Seattle band's first studio album in 16 years.

"We're nowhere and everywhere all at once," Shepherd tells Radio.com "We've already had two writing sessions. The next session is in August, and more decisions will be made then."

Confirming recent comments by Chris Cornell that the group are writing mode, the bassist says he's been working on new material himself. "If it's going to be a Soundgarden song, it better be interesting," Shepherd explains. "But I'm surrounded by some of the best musicians in the world in that band, I think. Some of the most creative minds, guys that actually do pay attention to their legacy, and the quality of what we put out. It's not just a job."

I had a melody stuck in my head, bouncing around in there for days driving me crazy trying to work it out. Then eventually a few days later while at work, while stocking shoes of all things... I decided to call my guitar player Barry and hum the riff over the phone. (That was quite the event as my co-workers watched this happen, thinking I was crazy) Then that evening I came in to the studio with my idea for the intro riff and a melody for a chorus and hummed it again� The idea was very blues inspired, very different from where our previous songs had emerged...

I hummed out the ideas in my head and eventually Barry (Guitars) worked out the riffs and the basis for the song was then formed. Then Barry tried to give his ideas for the drums pattern to Jeff (drummer) by using hand gestures and making noises (I can't call it singing) that only a guitar player could come up with. Jeff eventually translated that madness to the drums, and Outside was on its way.

The fearlessness to try anything and make it our own is what defines this band. Starting with something blues based, and then making it Dark Avenue is what we are about. Really it's all about feeling; and projecting that feeling thru the song. Outside was the first song that propelled the inspiration behind the album Illusions. Lyrically I was trying to deliver a message that speaks to many people. How you become so blind when you are on the inside of a situation, and no matter what other people on the outside tell you, all you see is what you choose to see�.. Until you are literally outside looking in. That's Outside to me."