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Metallica Beat Guns N' Roses- Green Day Writing New Songs- Free Bon Jovi Show- Oasis Star Says U2 Buys Fans- Bun E Sitting Out Cheap Trick Tour and more

03/22/2010
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Today's Day in Rock is a bit shorter than normal due to our editor's birthday festivities. But never fear; we'll be back to full strength with tomorrow's report! Here are today's quicks to get us started!

Billboard was asked last week who's sold more albums, Def Leppard (the winner) or Poison. This week they pulled out the big guns and were asked to compare Guns N' Roses and Metallica. They responded: "Utilizing Nielsen SoundScan data, which dates to 1991, Guns N' Roses have totaled 24,914,000 albums sold in the U.S. 1991's Use Your Illusion 2 leads with 5,587,000 units, followed closely by Use Your Illusion 1, at 5,502,000. In that span, Metallica has sold 52,271,000 albums in the U.S., led by 1991's Metallica with sales to date of 15,525,000." But both bands were around before 1991. How did their earlier albums stack up? Find out here.

Green Day has started working on a new album, according to frontman Billie Joe Armstrong, who said the trio started writing new material during downtime on their European tour in October. more

Bon Jovi will give a free, special ticketed performance for fans and former season ticket holders of the arena football team that Jon Bon Jovi owned, the Philadelphia Soul, on Wednesday, March 24 at the Wachovia Center. Don't worry, near mortals have a way of getting tickets as well. Details are here.

But if you really feel like giving Jon and Co your money, BW&BK had this news: On May 19th, Universal Music Japan are issuing the official Bon Jovi Tour Box. The limited edition features 11 CDs and one DVD. more

Oasis' Liam Gallagher took a bit of a swing at U2 with these comments: "I have never seen a U2 fan. I have never seen anyone with a U2 shirt or been around someone's house that has a f---ing U2 record. Where do their fans f---ing come from? Where are they? I reckon they buy them..." more. Wonder if they buy their own albums and concert tickets too? That would be a neat trick since they are the 10th biggest selling rock rock band in the U.S. with over 50 million albums sold (Almost 10 times more than Oasis).

Cheap Trick had this bit of news for fans on Friday: "Bun E. Carlos is not currently the touring drummer for Cheap Trick. Bun E. remains a band member. Everyone is healthy and Cheap Trick will continue to tour as planned."

Wonder who is lying now? Former Journey frontman Steve Perry says it's comedienne Sarah Silverman for suggesting he used a racist slur to describe her humor. He tells Rolling Stone magazine, "I walked up to her after the show and I said, 'I can't believe that somehow you seem to be getting away with all these slurs and the n-word, I just can't believe how you're doing this,' and I looked at my friend and I said, 'I can't believe how she's getting away with this,' and she looked at me and kind of smiled. It wasn't like I was condemning her or condoning her." more

Rex Brown of Down/Pantera fame has a project called Arms Of The Sun, which also features Lance Harvill, Ben Bunker (Gryn) And John Luke Hebert (King Diamond). If you are in the Dallas area you can check them out live on April 17th. Grab all the details here

Legendary manager Herb Cohen, who was instrumental in guiding Frank Zappa and The Mothers Of Invention, The Alice Cooper Band and Tom Waits to fame died of unknown causes on Tuesday, March 16, in Napa, California. He was 77 more

Rock Band has announced that next week they will debut four songs from legendary punk rockers, X. more

Slash's remagined version of Guns N' Roses' 'Paradise City' featuring Black Eyed Peas vocalist Stacy Ann "Fergie" Ferguson and Cypress Hill has reportedly been cut from the limited edition deluxe version of his forthcoming solo album "for legal reasons." more

Mad Max have been confirmed for this year's edition of the Wacken Open Air festival, set to take place on 5th-7th August, 2010 in Wacken, Germany. The band will play a set of their 25-years-jubilee-album 'Here We Are' (2008) which was produced with many guest stars like Axel Rudi Pell or Michael Schenker.

Courtney Love made her return to the American concert stage on Friday, March 19 by playing her first U.S. Hole show of the century at the South by Southwest festival in Texas. more

And just what is a "Reverse-Contrarian Hipster"? Jack White explains it all right here

Mayhem have announced European tour dates with support from Slovenia's Noctiferia. more

Bullet For My Valentine have released their new video, for the track 'The Last Fight', the first single from theit new album, Fever. The video can be seen here

Phobia will enter the studio in mid-April to record a new EP. The group expects the EP to feature roughly fifteen minutes of music. According to the band, "We are really excited about the new material; lots of d-beat and blast for you grind and punk freaks! more

It Prevails and Close Your Eyes will tour the U.S. together in June and July. Dates scheduled thus far are here

Another week, another Pete Doherty arrest. This time the singer was arrested last week on suspicion of supplying drugs following the death of heiress Robin Whitehead, according to the BBC. The 31-year-old was one of four people questioned on Friday and was bailed to return in April. more

If you are in the L.A. area join antiMusic on wed night and help celebrate Kari Ann Peniche's birthday at the Aqua Lounge. The "Happenin" will feature live music from Run Through The Desert (Featuring Members Of Buckcherry, The Wallflowers, Vertical Horizon & Chris Cornell Band) - Worry Beads (Featuring Original Members Of Bang Tango & Permashine & Special Surprise Guests) plus more including an all star jam. Grab all the details here -

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