.

Van Halen Snub Past Members in Guitar Hero- Poison Frontman Busted Up- KISS Potatoheads- Kenny Rankin RIP- Pirate Elected- Godsmack Hangover and more


06/10/2009
.
(antiMusic) When Rolling Stone checked out a trailer and some video footage of the new Guitar Hero: Van Halen from last week's E3 Expo, they noted the band seemed short a few members � namely founding bassist Michael Anthony and onetime frontman Sammy Hagar. Their suspicions that the former members would not be included in the game were confirmed today by a spokesperson for the game.read the report

A little follow up to yesterday's story about Bret Michaels of Poison being hit by a piece of staging at the Tony awards. His publicist says that he fractured his nose and had to get three stitches in his lip. She says he was getting a CAT scan on Monday as a precaution, as he's had a past neck injury. more No word on his bruised ego.

In related news: Spinal Tap has been confirmed for an appearance on the Conan O'Brien Show on June 15th. They will be performing on the show but no word has been given on what song(s) they will play yet. more

A spokesman for Kenny Rankin's record label says the veteran singer-songwriter has died of lung cancer. He was 67. In a career spanning 50 years, Rankin worked with such artists as Bob Dylan, wrote songs for Peggy Lee and Mel Tormemore

Sweden's Pirate Party, which wants to abolish copyright laws and protect Internet privacy, has won a seat in the European Parliament. The Pirate Party captured 7.1% of the Swedish vote Sunday, enough to secure it one of Sweden's 18 seats in the Europe's 785-seat parliament more

Promotional Partners company will release a series of KISS Mr. Potato Head toys, complete with interchangeable parts. This collectors set includes all four "characters" of KISS: The Demon, The Spaceman, The Catman and The Starchild.more

Godsmack is coming back on the scene next week with a brand new track called "Whiskey Hangover", according to an e-mail blast sent out on Friday (June 5).more

Amy Speace's "Better" almost didn't make it on to her new album 'The Killer In Me,' out June 30 from Wildflower Records. But thanks to some advice from producer and guitarist James Mastro (formerly of The Bongos/Health and Happiness Show), the song was included. Was it a good call? decide for yourself

Opiate for the Masses have gone the way of the Soviet Union. The members have decided to go separate ways and are individually pursuing new projects. more

Within Temptation vocalist Sharon den Adel and guitar player Robert Westerholt have issued the following announcement about giving birth to a son: 'Two weeks ago he already did an attempt, but on Monday the 1st of June he made it and Sharon gave birth to Robin Aiden Westerholt.more

The most overused clich� in music is "[overused cliche removed]". Seems every single album these days is billed that way by the labels and PR peeps.... but are they really that anticipated? The actual sales often tell another tale.

Sacrifice have pulled the previously reported Rush cover of 'Anthem' off the special edition version of their [overused cliche removed] return, The Ones I Condemn. Says frontman Rob Urbinati: "We will release it digitally or vinyl, or both; it will see the light of day!"more

Sonic Youth are set to perform a free show in New York City Tuesday (June 9) to celebrate the release of their new album 'The Eternal'.more

DMX was sentenced Monday to more than a year of probation, avoiding more time in Arizona jails after spending two years in and out of the state's legal system.more

Sunn 0))) will tour the Midwest in July with support from Eagle Twin.more

Helix vocalist Brian Vollmer has revealed that Russ Dwarf will appear on the band's upcoming CD. Brian states, "Now that we have the first three songs for the new CD recorded it's onwards and upwards. The next track we plan on taking into "The A Room" is Hung Over But Still Hanging In, written by myself, Sean & Moe Berg. For this number my good friend Russ from Killer Dwarfs is coming in to sing a duet with me. Should be a blast."more

After the Fall have announced their summer touring schedule which includes shows with The Carrier, Sakes Alive!!, Caleb Lionheart and more.dates

Bouncing Souls have announced their second 7-inch for 2009, Volume 2. The record compiles their three monthly songs from April, May and June 2009 (plus one bonus track) as they continue their ongoing project to release a new song each month this year, and a new 7-inch every quartermore details

Barry Manilow announces his only UK gig this year will be at the BBC Proms in the Parkmore

Night Of The Vinyl Dead will reissue Saxon's 1999 album "Metalhead" on limited-edition silver fold-out vinyl, featuring an eight-page booklet. The album is hand-numbered, with only 333 copies having been made.details

Former members of Forever Wings Fold and ex-Inmemory frontman Marco Lira have joined forces to create the new progressive rock quartet The Sound Archives. more - more News Quicks



Click here to read today's full report

Preview and Purchase Van Halen CDs



Van Halen MP3 Downloads