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Day in Rock Report for 06/19/2017


Today's Day in Rock Stories


Iron Maiden vs. Michael Jackson Near 666,000 Streams

A mashup featuring Iron Maiden's "Trooper" and Michael Jackson's "Beat It" is approaching 666,000 streams after the "Iron Maiden vs. Michael Jackson" YouTube video clip went viral.

The unusual mashup of the early 1980s classics was made by Nightmare Lyra and also includes samples from Anthrax's "Caught In A Mosh", Judas Priest's Painkiller" and Billy Idol's "White Wedding."

As of Sunday night (June 18th) the video had been streamed just under 606,000 times, just a few thousand away from the 'Number Of The Beast'. Nightmare Lyra explained where the inspiration came from: "Was playing some riffs on my Ukulele the other day and suddenly I realized The Trooper and Beat It were surprisingly similar. Then I decided I had to make this." Stream it here.

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Bowie, Led Zeppelin, Hendrix, Beatles Landmarks Recognized

(Gibson) It was BBC. Music Day in the U.K. June 15 and it was marked by the unveiling of multiple Blue Plaques at places with musical significance including sites significant to the history of rock icons Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and more .

The Blue Plaque have been used in Britain since the mid-1800s to denote the locations of significant events in the lives of the famous and influential. The Liverpool childhood homes of John Lennon and Paul McCartney, and the London flat lived in by Jimi Hendrix (previously occupied by composer Handel), are just some of the buildings marked in this way, and the Handel and Hendrix house even has its own tourism organization: HandelHendrix.org.

For rock fans, Led Zeppelin are honored with two plaques including the location of their debut performance and the birthplace of John Bonham while three revolve around David Bowie. He has been honored with three plaques: in Soho, central London; Maidstone, Kent; and Hull.

Soho's Trident Studios wasn't just about Bowie, though. It shut its doors in 1981, after recording some of the biggest names in music including the Bee Gees, the Rolling Stones, Queen, Lou Reed and Frank Zappa; The Beatles recorded "Hey Jude" there in 1968.

The system has recently been expanded, but BBC English Regions controller David Holdsworth says: "It is hugely prestigious to receive a British Plaque Trust Blue Plaque, usually only around two are awarded each year. To mark BBC Music Day across BBC Local Radio with 47 blue plaques is a fitting way to commemorate our listeners' passion and pride for where they live and to celebrate our musical heritage." Read more including the list of sites here.

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Five Finger Death Punch Playing Free Show For Tilburg Fans

Five Finger Death Punch will be making things right for fans that attended their disastrous show in Tilburg, Netherlands last week which lead frontman Ivan Moody to drop off their current tour.

The band announced that they will be returning to the same venue (013) on Monday (June 19th) to play a free concert for "any ticket holders from the now infamous 013 performance a week prior."

Guitarist Zoltan Bathory had the following to say, "Last Monday's show was an avalanche of events largely out of our control. We could sit here all day and apologize but our fans in the Netherlands deserve better than that.

"They've stuck with us all these years and helped get us to where we are today. So, we managed to re-route our tour and come back to Tilburg and play a free show on our day off - because actions speak louder than words."

The band announced last week that Bad Wolves' Tommy Vext would be stepping in to take over vocal duties for Moody for the remaining dates of their European tour as Ivan deals with his "struggles with substance abuse". Find more details about the special show here.

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Imagine Dragons Stream New Song and Announce TV Appearances

Imagine Dragons have released their new single "Walking the Wire" and also announced two network television appearances to promote their forthcoming album.

The new track can be streamed here and is the fourth song that band has revealed from their new studio album, "Evolve", which is set to hit stores on June 23rd. They have previously revealed the songs "Believer," "Thunder" and "Whatever It Takes."

The band also announced that they will be performing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on June 20th and on Good Morning America's "Summer Concert Series" on July 28th.

Fans can also catch the band live this fall when they launch their North American tour on September 26th in Phoenix, AZ at the Talking Stick Resort Arena. See the dates here.

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Arcade Fire Release 'Creature Comfort' Video

(Radio.com) Arcade Fire released their new single 'Creature Comfort" Thursday night, (June 15). To follow it up, on Friday morning (June 16) the band shared a video for the song.

The performance video shows frontman Win Butler singing into a neon rod microphone while the band play, lit only by a spotlight that moves from one side of the stage to the other.

At first, the top and bottom of the video frame are cut off. As the song progresses, strobe lights provide more illumination. 'Creature Comfort" is Arcade Fires' second video from their new album, Everything Now. Watch the video here.

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YOB Return To Performing Following Emergency Surgery

YOB will be playing three sold out shows at the Saint Vitus Bar in Brooklyn this week as they return to live action following guitarist/vocalist Mike Scheidt's emergency diverticulitis surgery earlier this year.

The band was forced to postpone their tour dates back in February due to the Mike's medical condition which is described as "an inflammation of the digestive tract and is often life-threatening."

The Brooklyn shows will be taking place this coming Friday (June 23rd) through Sunday (June 25th). The band will then head to Austin for a concert at Come and Take It Live on Monday.

They have also announced two dates in August with SubRosa; the 16th in San Diego, Ca at Brick By Brick and the next night they will play the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, NV. Read more here.

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Bob Seger Adds Classic Albums to Streaming Services

(hennemusic) Rock icon Bob Seger has made the majority of his catalog available to streaming services after years as one of the last major artist holdouts to the format.

The Detroit rocker has released thirteen albums - including three greatest hits sets - to streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Napster and Slacker Radio.

Ten of Seger's albums are also available via digital download for the first time, including his 1969 debut, "Ramblin' Gamblin' Man", 1975's "Beautiful Loser", 1976's "Night Moves" and "Live Bullet", 1978's "Stranger In Town", 1980's "Against The Wind", 1986's "Like A Rock", 1991's "The Fire Inside", and his 1994 US Diamond-selling (10 million copies) "Greatest Hits" package and it's 2003 companion, "Greatest Hits 2."

Also issued to streaming services are 1981's live set, "Nine Tonight", 1982's "The Distance" and 2011's "Ultimate Hits" - all previously available for download. Seger has been looking forward to making his music available to stream and download for years, and he explained to Rolling Stone in 2014 what the holdup was in getting the situation resolved.

"It's an ongoing issue with my manager and Capitol Records," he said "They agreed to something many years ago about new media and they don't want to live up to it. Until that's resolved, we let very little out ... It does [frustrate me]. I wish people could get any song at any time."

There appears to be more work ahead, as several albums from Seger's extensive catalog remain unavailable. Read more here.

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Cradle Of Filth Announce New Album and Tour

Cradle Of Filth have announced that they will be releasing their new studio album, entitled "Cryptoriana - The Seductiveness Of Decay' on September 22nd and announced the initial tour dates in support of the effort.

Fans will get their first taste of the album on July 5th when the first single is released. Dani Filth had this to say about the record, "The album is deeply infused with Victorian gothic horror and thus the title is a reflection of that. 'Cryptoriana' implies the Victorian's infatuation with the supernatural, the grave and the ghoulish. And the subtitle 'The Seductiveness Of Decay' further cements this attraction to death and the glittering lengthy process of self-annihilation."

The band revealed that they will be launching their first full tour of the UK and Ireland "in years". The trek kicks off on October 30th in Belfast at the Limelight and wraps on November 11th in Bristol at the Bierkeller. It includes a Halloween show in Dublin. Read more here.

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Thy Art Is Murder Release 'Slaves Beyond Death' Video

Thy Art Is Murder have released a new music video for their track "Slaves Beyond Death". The song comes from their forthcoming album "Dear Desolation," which is set to be released on August 18th.

Frontman C.J. McMahon had this to say, "I feel the strongest I've ever felt going into a record. Coming back to the fold of our band has reinvigorated me. I missed my brothers, touring, and of course all our dedicated fans around the world who have always given us their all.

"This new record is going to shape our future; we gave it everything we could and then some. In the past, I was the weakest link and now that I have re-built myself, we are stronger than ever and nothing can stand in our way."

Guitarist Andy Marsh adds, "Hate, War, Desolation; the trilogy series of the path mankind has laid out before himself. We are prouder than ever of our efforts on this record. A lot of time, planning, creativity and teamwork has culminated in what we think is our most completed vision yet: Dear Desolation." Watch the video here.

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Metallica Release 'Sad But True' Live Video

(hennemusic) Metallica performed their 1991 classic, "Sad But True", at the Alamodome in San Antonio, TX on June 14, and the band are sharing professional footage from the event.

The track was the fifth single of the group's self-titled record, commonly known as the "Black" album, the band's first to top the US charts on its way to sales of 16 million in the States and more than 30 million worldwide.

The San Antonio stop marked the second of three Metallica shows in Texas this past week as part of their North American tour in support of "Hardwired�To Self-Destruct."

The group's tenth studio album has achieved platinum status in the US for sales of 1 million copies, and was recently named Top Rock Album Of The Year at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas, NV. Watch the video here.

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Bruce Springsteen Reportedly Going Broadway

(Radio.com) Bruce Springsteen is reportedly set to make his Broadway debut this fall with the launch an eight week residency, if a report from the New York Post based comments from unnamed sources is to be believed.

Anonymous sources said to be close to the matter claim that Springsteen will perform a pared-down version of his usual setlist during the run at the Walter Kerr Theatre.

"He wants to play a smaller house," the unnamed source at the Kerr said. "He wants to try something more intimate, and he likes the idea of being on Broadway." Read more here.

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Paramore Surprise Fans With Fleetwood Mac Cover

(Radio.com) Paramore had a special surprise for that fans that attended their concert in Dublin last Thursday night (June 15th). The band treated the audience to a cover of a Fleetwood Mac classic.

Paramore broke out a cover Fleetwood Mac's "Everywhere" during the show. "Everywhere" originally appeared on the legendary group's 1987's album "Tango in the Night."

Fans seemed to love it. "Paramore just covered "Everywhere" by Fleetwood Mac and completed my life," wrote one enthusiastic concert-goer. Check out the posts here.

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A Look Back At Paul McCartney's Guitar Love As He Turns 75

(Gibson) Paul McCartney celebrated his 75th birthday on Sunday (June 18th) and Gibson has marked the occasion by looking back at the Beatles legend's love of guitars, his approach to bass playing, and why "nicking" great riffs is not a bad thing to do.

On getting his first guitar, as told to Guitar Player (1990): I bought a right-handed guitar, a Zenith, an old acoustic which I've still got. I sat down at home with a little chord book and started trying to work it out. It didn't feel good at all � very awkward. It was only when I saw a picture of Slim Whitman in a magazine, holding his guitar the "wrong" way, that I thought, "Oh, he must have turned his strings around." So I started on that problem, which is always the nut. I used to actually take matchsticks and build up the bass nut. It was only later that I was able to buy a left-handed guitar.

On his favorite guitar part as a Beatle, as told to Guitar Player (1990): I like "Taxman" just because of what it was. I was very inspired by Jimi Hendrix. It was really my first voyage into feedback. It was just before George was into that. In fact, I don't really think George got too heavily into that kind of thing. George was generally a little more restrained in his guitar playing. He wasn't into heavy feedback.

On how he and Lennon wrote songs together, as told to Drowned in Sound (2012): We had a kind of system, which was: you just sat with a pad of paper and a pencil, and you sat at your guitar or your piano, and you make a song, and within about three hours, you should have finished the song. That's how we always did it. Read more here.

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Gene Simmons Trying To Trademark 'Devil Horns' Hand Gesture

(Gibson) KISS star Gene Simmons has filed a request with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to secure ownership and rights to the use of the rock hand gesture often referred to as the 'Devil's Horns.'

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the 67-year-old KISS bassist filed the request on June 9 over ownership of the gesture for "entertainment, namely, live performances by a musical artist; personal appearances by a musical artist."

The trademark request defines it as "a hand gesture with the index and small fingers extended upward and the thumb extended perpendicular." Simmons claims first use of the hand gesture in commerce on November 14, 1974, which was early in KISS' North American tour for their second album, "Hotter Than Hell."

A basic Wikipedia search reveals that hand gesture not only dates back to the 5th Century BC founder of Buddhism, but that it's also American Sign Language for "I love you."

While there may be some question about the gesture's first use in modern entertainment circles, at least two indications reveal it surfaced in the 1960s - prior to the formation of KISS in 1973.

John Lennon used the gesture on the cover of The Beatles' 1966 single, "Yellow Submarine", and again - in cartoon form - above Paul McCartney's head on the cover of the 1969 soundtrack album for the animated film of the same name. here.

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Terror Empire Streaming New Song 'Times Of War'

Portuguese thrash band Terror Empire are streaming a brand new track called "'Times of War'. The song comes from the group's forthcoming album "Obscurity Rising," which will be hitting stores on July 14th.

Guitarist Rui Alexandre had this to say about the song, "'Times of War' is a perfect example of how we went straight to the point on this record and tried stuff we never did before.

"It blends odd-time signatures, mid-paced-to-slower sections and ends up ripping. It just feels and sounds right. Unlike the previously revealed track ["Burn the Flags"] that was full blown chaos, this one is way more like� a controlled demolition."

Frontman Ricardo Martins adds, "We witness daily provocations and a increasing global tension perpetuated by weak leaders with a war industry to please. Dangerous power games that will culminate on a global conflict." Stream the song
here.

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Singled Out: Held Hostage's Show Me The Way Back Home

We have a special Singled Out today where Held Hostage shares the deeply personal story behind their new single "Show Me The Way Back Home". Here is the story:

The song "Show Me the Way Back Home" was the brain child of Lead guitarist and lead vocalist Tom Collier. Tom's brother Mike had served in Vietnam and lifelong service to this country. He became intrigued by how badly not just Vietnam Veterans, but many Veterans in general were treated. It was Tom's passion to help people, and that was the driving force behind the writing of the song. Held Hostage is donating 50% of net proceeds from sales of this song currently to Vietnam Veterans of America and Victory for Vets. Both of endorsed the project.

The Band Held Hostage over the years (current lineup is) Tom Collier, Ray Dorgan, Chuck Robbins Scott Gregg and Frank Smith. Had raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for families in need. They were known as the Rockers with the biggest hearts. Held Hostage over the years lost 6 members to tragedies. Tom took many years off from the music business to raise his son as a single father. Tom said to the guys in the band and the families of past and current members it's time we go back out there and make difference.

By Chance meeting Tom met Legendary Drummer/Producer Carl (The Rods, Anthrax, Overkill) Canedy. Carl listened to the Demo of the song and Carl's quote was " When I first heard the demo of this song, I knew I had to produce it" . Then off to the Studio to record it. Tom hired a famous singer to sing the song as to add more passion to the song. The singer basically took the money (thousands) then said he wanted more money to sing. This project was being totally self funded by Tom to Help Veterans. After months of no response from the singer. Carl Canedy came to Tom and said its time to move on. I have the perfect singer for the song. Carl sent Tom a link and once he heard the singer everyone knew he was perfect.

Bret Alexander of the Badlees sang it with such passion and conviction no one could sing it better. There were many guest appearances on the CD and even a new words video to be released. Then right before the CD goes to print famous artist/Veteran Jay Haiden contacted Tom and Carl and asked if he could help with the art work. We immediately said yes. Scott Braun of Scott Braun photography & Design, designed a new Logo for Held Hostage and all the pieces fell into place.

Here is a direct quote from Jay Haiden "When I first heard the song, I was deeply moved and truly honored that Tom Collier and Carl Canedy commissioned me to create the artwork for it.

I knew its design had to honor those Veterans who had served, those who are currently serving, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice. My hope is that after seeing the art - and hearing the music - that the listener will have a better understanding of what our Veterans experienced."

Had it not been for determination of Carl Canedy this project would have never been completed. Carl went above and beyond and not only was he a great producer, but a great friendship grew out of this between Tom and Carl..

Our hope that this help heal and show Veterans all over that there are people out there that really care. For more information about how to buy the song and help veterans and about Held Hostage band you can go to the following websites here and here

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