August 30

EXTREME: 'Saudades De Rock' First-Week Sales Revealed

"Saudades de Rock", the new album from reunited Boston hard rockers EXTREME, sold 6,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 78 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD recently entered the UK chart at position No. 80.

The band's first studio album in thirteen years, "Saudades de Rock" (pronounced "sow-dodge") was released in the U.S. on August 12 on Open E Records and distributed by Fontana. The European version of the CD, which came out on August 1, includes a bonus track, the "Americocaine" demo from 1985, the very first studio recording of EXTREME.

The iconic rock foursome — vocalist Gary Cherone, guitarist Nuno Bettencourt, bassist Pat Badger and new drummer Kevin Figueiredo — recorded their fifth studio offering at NRG Studios in Los Angeles with Bettencourt at the helm as producer and mixer. "Saudades de Rock" boasts 13 tracks, including the infectious roar of "Star", the groove-laden, swagger of "King Of The Ladies", a raw funk rock anthem called "Learn To Love", and the expressive ballad "Ghost".

"'Saudades' was always a beautiful word to me," Bettencourt explains about the Portuguese album moniker. "It expresses a longing; an underlying sadness for something or someone that's been missing in your life, and never quite sure if it will ever return. In this case, for us, it's rock and roll. Saudades de Rock."

Gary Cherone adds, "I like how it expresses that longing we've been feeling to play for our fans and be together again."

Open E Records is a new label that is distributed by Fontana. A portion of Open E Records' profits will be donated to Music Drives Us, a foundation created as a way to support music in New England. The foundation also gives scholarship money for individuals who desire to continue their musical education.

Is GENE SIMMONS 'Smarter Than A 5th Grader?'

According to the Orlando Sentinel, KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons is among the celebrity players that will take part in the new season of Fox's "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?"

Model Kathy Ireland will kick off the game show's third season at 8 p.m. Friday, September 5. Also playing this season will be actor Dean Cain, boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard, TV personality Star Jones, "Beverly Hills, 90210" alumna Jennie Garth, astronaut Robert "Hoot" Gibson, zookeeper Jack Hanna, astrophysicist George Fitzgerald Smoot III (a Nobel laureate) and "Jeopardy!" all-star Ken Jennings.

According to Pop Tower, "Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?", hosted by comedian Jeff Foxworthy, is a typical game show measuring adults' lack of knowledge – as revealed by how much they've forgotten since grammar school. Grownup contestants find themselves in a classroom setting on "Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?", revisiting their youth, as they tackle subjects they've already been taught, ranging from art to geography and math to social studies. However, the players are not alone on "Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?", and there is a way for contestants to "cheat" in this classroom. The adults have the opportunity to get some help – in the form of elementary advice from real grade-schoolers who have hit the books.

DEF LEPPARD Guitarist Sees The Bright Side Of Illiegal Music Downloading

DEF LEPPARD guitarist Vivan Campbell has offered his theory to LiveDaily's Christina Fuoco-Karasinski for why after more than 30 years in the music business, the band is seeing its audiences getting younger and younger.

"That's a byproduct of music piracy more than anything else," Campbell explained. "I'm not saying that as a negative. I think it's very positive. A lot of younger kids get turned on to classic bands because they're trading files. They have 4,000 or 5,000 songs on their iPod, that's $4,000 or $5,000 on their iPod, at iTunes' prices, at least. A 12-year-old can't afford that. When kids trade files, it's actually a good thing for classic bands such as us. It's not such a good thing for up-and-coming artists who need to sell records."

Read the entire interview from LiveDaily.

SEBASTIAN BACH: The Only Way I Would Consider A SKID ROW Reunion...

 2TheAdvocate.com recently conducted an interview with Sebastian Bach. Sebastian candidly talks with Erin Michelli about working with Axl Rose, his tattoos and much, much more. The rocker even gives up the details on the strangest thing a fan has ever shown him.

Regarding the possibility of a SKID ROW reunion with him on vocals, Bach said, "The only way that I would consider that is if we came up with some brand new music that was good. I would never just get together to relive the old days. That makes me nauseous to think like that — it makes me sick. To me, that's not real. To me, that's fake. I would be lying to the audience. If I got together with those four guys right now and just did songs from 20 years ago on tour, I would be lying to you; I would be a fake. Now, on the other hand, if we all came together like we did before and came up with some songs that were good, that we had a record, that would be totally different — that would be exciting — but I don't really foresee that happening. That's the way we rocked before — we made albums and then we went out and played them; we didn't just play stuff from 20 years ago. I can't stand that way of thinking. I know I'm different or… something's wrong with me or something. Everybody's [like], 'Hey, when are you getting together? Everybody else did?' Well, if David Lee Roth jumped off the Brooklyn Bridge, would I jump off the Brooklyn Bridge?' [Laughs]"

Watch the 10-minute interview at this location.

VIXEN: 'Give Me Away' Video Posted Online

"Give Me Away", the new video from long-running female hard rockers VIXEN, can be viewed below. The song comes off the band's latest studio album, "Live & Learn", which was released in the U.S. on January 30, 2007.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCoM1G_oGtQ

LEMMY, DIO, IOMMI, ALICE COOPER, GEOFF TATE Featured On 'Metal Christmas' Album

Santa Claus is barreling on into town... like a freekin' runaway freight train!

Bob Kulick and Brett Chassen have just finished the mastering of one of the most amazing Christmas albums!

Christmas, you say? These days you gotta start early to get the word out!

Recorded in the 101-degree Van Nuys, California sunshine this summer, with some help from their friends, "We Wish You A Metal Christmas and a Headbanging New Year" will be released in the U.S. on October 14 via Amoury Records and Black Ion Music.

Take your favorite classic holiday tunes ... sprinkle in some shreddin' guitar, blasting vocals, and raucous beats... and you've got yourself a metal album that'll make even Santa bang his head. "We Wish You A Metal Christmas and a Headbanging New Year" is a lineup of hard rock and heavy metal's finest giving their own unique twist to Christmas classics old and new. This is definitely not an album for the faint-hearted. Featuring all brand new studio recordings from stars such as Alice Cooper, Lemmy Kilmister, Ronnie James Dio, Dave Grohl, Billy Gibbons, Tony Iommi and more, this is Christmas as you've never heard it before!

"We Wish You A Metal Christmas and a Headbanging New Year" track listing:

01. We Wish You A Merry Xmas

Jeff Scott Soto (TALISMAN, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, JOURNEY)
Bruce Kulick (KISS, UNION)
Bob Kulick
Chris Wyse (THE CULT)
Ray Luzier (KORN, DAVID LEE ROTH, ARMY OF ANYONE)

02. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

Alice Cooper
John 5 (ROB ZOMBIE, MARILYN MANSON)
Billy Sheehan (DAVID LEE ROTH, TALAS, MR. BIG)
Vinny Appice (DIO, HEAVEN AND HELL, BLACK SABBATH)

03. Run Rudolph Run

Lemmy Kilmister (MOTÖRHEAD)
Billy F. Gibbons (ZZ TOP)
Dave Grohl (FOO FIGHTERS)

04. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Ronnie James Dio (DIO, HEAVEN AND HELL, BLACK SABBATH)
Tony Iommi (HEAVEN AND HELL, BLACK SABBATH)
Rudy Sarzo (QUIET RIOT, WHITESNAKE, DIO)
Simon Wright (AC/DC, DIO)

05. Little Drummer Boy

Doug Pinnick (KING's X)
George Lynch (DOKKEN)
Billy Sheehan (DAVID LEE ROTH, TALAS, MR. BIG)
Simon Phillips (THE WHO, TOTO)

06. Santa Claus Is Back In Town

Tim "Ripper" Owens (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH)
Steve Morse (DEEP PURPLE)
Juan Garcia (AGENT STEEL)
Marco Mendoza (WHITESNAKE, TED NUGENT)
Vinny Appice (DIO, HEAVEN AND HELL, BLACK SABBATH)

07. Silent Night

Chuck Billy (TESTAMENT)
Scott Ian (ANTHRAX)
Jon Donais (SHADOWS FALL)
Chris Wyse (THE CULT)
John Tempesta (ROB ZOMBIE, THE CULT)

08. Silver Bells

Geoff Tate (QUEENSRŸCHE)
Carlos Cavazo (QUIET RIOT, RATT)
James Lomenzo (MEGADETH, WHITE LION)
Ray Luzier (KORN, DAVID LEE ROTH, ARMY OF ANYONE)

09. Deck the Halls

Oni Logan (LYNCH MOB)
Craig Goldy (DIO)
Tony Franklin (THE FIRM)
John Tempesta (ROB ZOMBIE, THE CULT)

10. Grandma Got Ran Over By a Reindeer

Stephen Pearcy (RATT)
Tracii Guns (L.A. GUNS, BRIDES OF DESTRUCTION)
Bob Kulick
Billy Sheehan (DAVID LEE ROTH, TALAS, MR. BIG)
Greg Bissonette (DAVID LEE ROTH)

11. Rockin' Around the Xmas Tree

Joe Lynn Turner (RAINBOW, DEEP PURPLE)
Bruce Kulick (KISS, UNION)
Bob Kulick
Rudy Sarzo (QUIET RIOT, WHITESNAKE, DIO)
Simon Wright AC/DC, DIO)

12. Happy Xmas (War Is Over)

Tommy Shaw (STYX)
Steve Lukather (TOTO)
Marco Mendoza (WHITESNAKE, TED NUGENT)
Kenny Aronoff (TONY IOMMI, SMASHING PUMPKINS)

Listen to "Run Rudolph Run" at this location.

SCORPIONS Frontman: 'Music Can Build Bridges And Make Connections With People'

German hard rock veterans SCORPIONS held a press conference yesterday (Thursday, August 21) prior to their concert at Parkorman in Istanbul, Turkey. A couple of excerpts follow (as reported by Today's Zaman).

On the band's 2007 release "Humanity - Hour 1", which is a concept album in which all the songs are "connected to each other under the theme of humanity":

Klaus Meine (vocals): "The legendary song writer and producer Desmond Child introduced the idea to us. We wanted to make a new album with the band that is more mature and not so much songs where girls are chasing boys or boys are chasing girls. Something deep. This is a time to turn back around to find the road to humanity, to find love and respect for each other in this world. It is one thing to play 'Rock You Like a Hurricane' and to have fun. [There's] nothing wrong with that, but there is so much more to it. So many parts of the world where we played, we had the feeling that music can build bridges and make connections with people."

On whether they really believe music can change the world:

Klaus Meine: "When we watch the news every night on the TV, that is reality. In the world of music, we live in the world of emotions. Music can create a feeling, and so what we try to do is to send out positive vibes in the world. We hope through music we can change, but a song cannot change the world. It is not a rock revolution anymore, those days are over. It is not the '60s anymore."

On Internet file-sharing and music piracy

Matthias Jabs (guitar): "Obviously the technology is this advanced. So you have to live with what there is. Once something is free, people don't understand why they have to pay for it again, which I can understand also. But in the end, you are destroying the basis for the artist to make music."

On how they managed to remain together as a band for so many years:

Rudolf Schenker (guitar): "We have a great life, a great chemistry in the band. We are enjoying what we are doing and people enjoy what we are doing. Because of the computer age everybody has the chance to listen to our music. We have received very good criticism around the world with our latest album. So here we are."

JESSE JAMES DUPREE Shoots Video For Next Single At Sturgis Motorcycle Rally

The first single and title track from Jesse James Dupree's second solo record, "Rev It Up and Go-Go" is catching fire at radio, climbing at 26 on the rock chart.

As the outrageous, chainsaw-wielding lead singer for platinum-selling Guinness world record holders JACKYL, Dupree has delivered an album that is both Saturday night and Sunday morning. The first half of "Rev It Up" is the intense, crunchy rock the wildman is known for, while the back half is a retro country radio show — something Dupree was able to pull off with a stellar group of players. The DIXIE INC. band includes members of the Grammy-winning KENTUCKY HEADHUNTERS, BLACKBERRY SMOKE, DOUBLE DRIVE and BROTHER KANE.

As JACKYL continues to headline summer festivals across the country, Dupree made his annual visit to the Sturgis motorcycle rally in South Dakota. Marking the 12th year in a row JACKYL played the festival, Dupree also found time to lead a charity ride, host a radio broadcast with over 100 radio stations, film a TV pilot, "Live From The Full Throttle Saloon", and shoot a video for DIXIE INC.'s next single "The Party". A scratchy, down home country leaning track on the Saturday night side of the album, the video for "The Party" features Shooter Jennings, the KENTUCKY HEADHUNTERS, adult film star Stormy Daniels and The Flaunt Girls burlesque.

SEBASTIAN BACH Explains Why He Changed His Mind About Touring With Bands Like POISON

Jason Bracelin of the Las Vegas Review-Journal recently conducted an interview with Sebastian Bach. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow.

On opening for POISON espite the fact that he hates being associated with the '80s hair metal scene after having initially came to fame fronting Jersey rockers SKID ROW:

"Ten years ago I wouldn't have done it, because every interview I ever did it was, 'NIRVANA's here, it's over for POISON and SKID ROW.' I was having a tough enough time defending my band and myself, I didn't need to defend 100 other bands that I had nothing to do with. But that's a long time ago. I'll tell you one thing, America loves POISON with SEBASTIAN BACH. We are selling more tickets than the Rockstar Mayhem Tour with SLIPKNOT and DISTURBED. We're bigger."

On his current stint in the CMT show "Gone Country 2", which debuted on August 15:

"I moved into Barbara Mandrell's mansion in Nashville. My roommate is Jermaine Jackson of the JACKSON FIVE — I mean, how do they think this (expletive) up? It's nuts. Lorenzo is really nice — they're all nice. Sean Young is wild. She's just off her rocker. She's great TV, as they say. Dude, just wait til you see this."

On doing reality shows:

"When you ask why I do these shows, it's to promote my name for rock 'n' roll. I'm using those television shows to make the name Sebastian Bach as big as the name SKID ROW. That's one of my biggest challenges in my career. Great rock 'n' roll names are so rare, like BLACK SABBATH, JUDAS PRIEST. And SKID ROW is right up there with the best names ever. So, I own the name Sebastian Bach. I've got a trademark with the U.S. government. My apologies to the classical pianist."

Read more from Las Vegas Review-Journal.

SEBASTIAN BACH, DEE SNIDER To Appear On Upcoming Original Series 'Z Rock'

Sebastian Bach (SKID ROW) and Dee Snider (TWISTED SISTER) are among the musicians who make guest appearances on "Z Rock", the new original series coming to IFC uncensored, uncut and commercial-free on Sunday, August 24 for ten hilarious episodes.

This semi-scripted comedy series follows a group of musicians leading a double life: by night they're a hard-partying rock band, by day a Wiggles-style kids' birthday band. "Z Rock" is loosely based on the real lives of its three New York-based stars, brothers Paulie Z and David Z, and friend Joey Cassata who form an actual band, Z02.

The series explores the dark underbelly of the rock 'n' roll dream, giving its audience a back stage pass to the band's struggles to become rock royalty, which is often interrupted by pangs of reality — hangovers, grooming techniques, kids' birthday parties, and avoiding scorned female fans and their angry husbands. Like the true rock gods they aspire to become, the band snags plenty of insatiable groupies and moms gone wild along the way, with hilarious and sometimes cringe-worthy results.

"This show is so hip — and that's the first time in 40 years I've said the word hip not followed by replacement," said Joan Rivers. "I'm thrilled to have a recurring role on 'Z Rock'. This is the first time in 20 years three single guys want to see me every week. These are the cutest boys in the music industry, so long as you don't look in Michael Jackson's bedroom."

Check out photos, clips, trailers, music videos and more at www.IFC.com/ZROCK.

BRET MICHAELS: New 'Rock Of Love' Season To Include Footage From ROCK THE BAYOU Festival

POISON singer Bret Michaels will be filming footage for the third season of his hit reality series "Rock Of Love" at the Rock The Bayou music bash, set to take place August 29 – September 1 on the Rock The Bayou Grounds (located between Kirby Drive and Fannin Avenue, directly south of Loop 610) in Houston, Texas.

"Rock of Love Bus with Bret Michaels" takes contestants out of the mansion and on the road in true rock star style. This season will feature all-new ladies vying for Bret's affection while traveling across America following Bret on a month-long tour. The contestants will face new challenges to see if they can handle the rock star life on the road.

This time as the bus pulls into each new city, the girls will engage in challenges specifically revolving around Bret's life on the road. Whether it's greeting aggressive groupies with a smile, enduring grueling schedules, dodging the advances of the warm-up band or even stepping in last-minute to fill in for delinquent roadies — these girls will be put to the test. This season, as the "Rock of Love Bus" heads into America's heartland, the show will be taking the viewer to a whole new level with crazy, fun, over-the-top challenges — imagine Truck Stop Olympics or a dance contest on top of the St. Louis Arch or even a BBQ cook-off beneath the World's Largest Thermometer. And also, back by popular demand... Mud Bowl 3. Americana at its finest!

"Rock of Love Bus with Bret Michaels" is set to premiere in early 2009.

Second RANDY RHOADS Sculpture: Photos Available

KnuckleBonz has created a second sculpture of late guitarist legend Randy Rhoads (OZZY OSBOURNE, QUIET RIOT) in association with the Randy Rhoads estate. The figure is sculpted and hand-painted and available only in a very limited edition of 3,000 worldwide. Each is hand-numbered and has a certificate of authenticity on the base of the sculpture.

The Randy Rhoads II figure is officially licensed through the Randy Rhoads Charitible Trust. The sculpture has already been completed and approved by the family and KnuckleBonz is in the paint-production phase now. A fall release is expected.

A number of photos taken at Randy Rhoads's gravesite at the Mountain View Cemetery in San Bernardino, CA on March 19, 2007 to mark the 25th anniversary of Randy's passing have been posted online at this location.

With the blessings of the family of Randy Rhoads, Dakota Pictures and director Peter Margolis began filming the "Randy Rhoads Documentary" last year at the Mountain View Cemetery. In hopes to fully capture the significance of the 25th anniversary of Randy's passing, the filmmakers interviewed as many of Randy's fans as possible.

In 1982, Rhoads, the then-lead guitarist for OZZY OSBOURNE, and two others were killed at Flying Baron Estates, just outside Leesburg, Florida, when their small plane struck Osbourne's tour bus, then crashed into a mansion.

GUNS N' ROSES Frontman's Wild Sex Parties Detailed In New Biography

According to New York Post's Page Six, GUNS N' ROSES frontman Axl Rose held debauched sex parties at his home — with all female visitors ordered to "get naked or leave." In "Watch You Bleed", Stephen Davis' new bio of the California rockers, Rose recalls, "There was a lot of indoor and outdoor sex . . . People would show up at all hours and we'd talk the girls into climbing into our loft, and somebody would hit the light and go, 'All right! . . . Get naked or leave!' This one girl, she [bleep]ed almost the whole band, friends of the band, and the band next door. Two days later, she comes back and goes, 'Axl, I'm having your child.'"

August 29

'Gene Simmons Family Jewels' Season 3 DVD Set Coming In November

"Gene Simmons Family Jewels - The Complete Third Season" will be released on November 18. It consists of 26 full episodes on four discs with a total running time of 600 minutes. The suggested retail price is $34.95 USD.

A description of the contents reads as follows: "A Rock God and a Playmate of the Year, 'happily unmarried' for twenty-two years, have given us an all-access backstage pass to their personal lives. They might not be Ozzie and Harriet, but they are witty, warm and great to spend time with.

"Season 3 of 'Gene Simmons Family Jewels' starts with a whimper — the whimper of Gene recovering from his epic reunion concert — and passes quickly through the Big Apple, the hospital, the desert and don't forget the lie detector! In this complete DVD collection you get every one of these outrageous moments and many, many more!

"When the sanest people in the house are teenagers, and with nearly unlimited wealth and ego at their disposal, there's almost no end to the outrageous behavior and hi-jinks this made-for-TV nuclear family gets up to! And the complete Season 3 DVD set puts you right in the front row."

'Guitar Center Sessions' Presents: An Evening With SLASH

Guitar Center has announced the next installment of Guitar Center Sessions: An evening of dialogue and insight with former GUNS N' ROSES and current VELVET REVOLVER guitarist Slash. This exclusive event is powered by Real Deal Media, Gibson, and Ernie Ball and will be taking place on September 3 at the Guitar Center in Northridge, California beginning at 6:00 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Following the "GC Sessions", Slash will be signing copies of the book "Reckless Road: Guns N' Roses & The Making Of Appetite For Destruction" which was written by Marc Canter, the owner/manager of the legendary rock 'n' roll hangout Canter's Deli in Los Angeles.

Designed to provide informative, provocative conversation and hands-on tutorials, "GC Sessions" serves as an incubator for musicians, providing them an opportunity to network with their peers in an intimate setting and gain career-fostering advice from their heroes.

For more information, log onto www.guitarcenter.com/sessions.

Members Of TOOL, VELVET REVOLVER In New Documentary

The Pulse of Radio reports: TOOL singer Maynard James Keenan, RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS guitarist John Frusciante and JIMMY EAT WORLD frontman Jim Adkins are among the musicians, critics and others appearing in "The Heart is a Drum Machine", a new documentary that "explores music's role in shaping human history, the profound connection people have had to music throughout human history, how it has shaped our experiences and its involvement in our daily lives," according to a press release. The film, directed by Christopher Pomerenke, also features interviews with VELVET REVOLVER drummer Matt Sorum, MODEST MOUSE's Isaac Brock, the SILVERSUN PICKUPS, former LIMP BIZKIT guitarist Wes Borland and actors-turned-musicians Elijah Wood, Jason Schwartzman and Juliette Lewis, along with many more.

The film is produced by the same team behind "Moog", an acclaimed 2006 documentary about the inventor of the famed Moog synthesizer.

"The Heart is a Drum Machine" is tentatively slated to debut in early 2009, with exact details about its release yet to be announced.

TESLA: New Single Available For Streaming

The new TESLA single entitled "I Wanna Live" is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page. The track comes off the group's seventh studio album, "Forever More" (see cover art below), which is set for release October 7 on Tesla Electric Company Recordings (in partnership with Ryko Distribution).

For "Forever More", TESLA reunited with producer Terry Thomas, who was behind the boards for the band's 1994 gold-certified "Bust A Nut" album, and engineered by Michael Rosen who worked with TESLA on "Into The Now".

BRET MICHAELS' 'Fallen" Video To Premiere Next Week

The second single from POISON singer Bret Michaels' latest solo release, "Rock My World", is "Fallen".

"Fallen" is a poignant ballad professing true love with a simple, yet beautiful melody. It is a timeless song that will find a home in pop, rock and country.

In advance of being worked at radio, VH1 will begin airing the video on Monday, August 25.

August 25

Join SKID ROW, FIREHOUSE On Brand New MSC Orchestra Cruise Ship

Join SKID ROW and FIREHOUSE for an unforgettable 7 night cruise onboard the Brand New MSC Orchestra! Ships registry: Panama. Dates:

Saturday, March 21, 2009
Fort Lauderdale - depart 19:00

Sunday, March 22, 2009
Key West - 07:00 - 14:00

Monday, March 23, 2009
Cozumel - 10:00 - 17:00

Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Grand Cayman - 10:30 - 17:30

Wednesday, March 25, 2009
At Sea

Thursday, March 26, 2009
Cayo Levantado (Dominican Republic) 09:00 - 17:00

Friday, March 27, 2009
At Sea

Saturday, March 28, 2009
Fort Lauderdale
(itinerary and port times can be changed by the cruise line as necessary)

Cruise description:

Visit Key West, FL otherwise known as the "Conch Republic" Here you will find a festive island of colorful bars and characters. America's southernmost tip, where Harry Truman spent his summers playing poker and running the country, is a non-stop delight. Visit Hemingway's house where you'll find his original manuscripts and many of his famed six-toed cats. And while you're on the island be sure to try its culinary delights, such as conch salad and world-famous Key Lime pie. Our next scheduled stop is Cozumel, Mexico. Cozumel was well-known as a diving spot and home to the world famous Palancar Reef, which gives divers the opportunity to view thousands of brilliantly colored fish. Non-divers can kick back on a sun-drenched beach, or enjoy any number of seaside activities, such as shopping in colorful marketplaces or dining in an open-air café. A trip to the Mayan ruins is a must for the land lovers.

On to Grand Cayman, a beautiful island blessed with sparkling, turquoise waters, is a dream come true for water sports enthusiasts. You can snorkel with stingrays, go scuba diving, sail a catamaran, take in some sport fishing, or just mellow out along the powder-soft sand of the magnificent Seven Mile Beach. While20you're there, don't forget to visit Hell, where you can actually send a "postcard from Hell." There is plenty of shopping to be had!

Our final destination before returning to our home port is MSCs own private paradise, Cayo Levantado. Our exclusive island features pristine beaches, turquoise waters and natural rainforest vegetation. Samana Bay surrounding the island is a destination for thousands of humpback whales that migrate to the warmer waters each winter to give birth. This makes Cayo Levantado ideal for whale watching from mid-January to mid-March.

Click here for more info.

WHITESNAKE Mainman David Coverdale Picks 'Tracks Of His Years' For BBC Radio

According to the DEEP PURPLE Appreciation Society, WHITESNAKE mainman David Coverdale is choosing the Tracks Of His Years all this week on BBC Radio 2's Ken Bruce show (hosted this week by Simon Mayo) - tends to occur in the last hour of the show - between 11 am and 12 pm - two tracks per day with comments. If you missed any you can go to the BBC website and use their (much enjoyed at DPAS towers) radio 'listen again' service for up to seven days after the original broadcast.

ALICE COOPER Guitarist Keri Kelli Announces Endorsement Deal: Painted Axe Faceplates For Guitar Hero Videogame

ALICE COOPER guitarist Keri Kelli is pleased to announce he is offering four new custom Guitar Hero faceplates by Painted Axe, on his website KerriKelli.com.

Said Kelli, currently touring in support of the new Cooper disc Along Came A Spider, "The overwhelming worldwide popularity of a guitar-oriented video game is just amazing. Guitar Hero has opened the doors to the electric guitar for a legion of kids these days; it just seemed incredibly cool to be able to make my own brand of face plates available to the market," explains Kelli.

"We are incredibly excited and honored by Keri's interest and confidence in Painted Axe," said Michael Gauf of Painted Axe. "He is an extraordinary musician and we look forward to transferring his intensity, energy and uniqueness onto the faceplates."

"Keri's notoriety and willingness to think outside the box is another positive step for Painted Axe," said Gauf. "We want musicians like Keri and proteges to know Painted Axe provides unique opportunities for them to connect with fans and broaden their musical expression."

SEBASTIAN BACH: 'I Am Concentrating On '08, Not '80'

Former SKID ROW frontman Sebastian Bach has told Entertainment Weekly that he doesn't have any plans to celebrate the 20th anniversary of SKID ROW's self-titled debut, which came out in 1989. "I am concentrating on '08, not '80," he said. Still, he shared one memory with the magazine: ''We were playing at some stadium in Mannheim [Germany] with GUNS N' ROSES and NINE INCH NAILS [in '91], and I thought it would be appropriate to dive over the pit and into the throng of 72,000 Germans. I caught a little sweat or moisture on the lip of the stage, and my chin was the only part that made it over the barricade. BOOM. I cracked it open. I finished the set covered in blood. I get to the emergency room later, and they're, like, sewing me up in German. That was one not-so-fun night."

PETER CRISS On Current KISS: 'No Matter Who They Get To Put Stuff On Their Face, It Ain't Us'

40° 74° magazine has published a new interview with original KISS drummer Peter Criss and his wife Gigi about their life in Monmouth County, New Jersey.

"That was it for me," Criss said of his decision to leave KISS for the last time in 2003. "That was like: Ace [Frehley, guitar] ain't here. This ain't the original band. I said to Gigi, 'I can't do this with these guys. I made this band what it is. I'm one of the founding fathers. No matter who they get to put stuff on their face, it ain't us. You can take the mask off the Lone Ranger and put it on someone else, but it ain't the Lone Ranger.' We ended it on my 58th birthday, which couldn't have been more apropos."

Regarding his home in Spring Lake, New Jersey, Criss said, "The year before we got married, I came out here for Christmas. I hadn't had a Christmas with snow for eons. I really missed it in California. We were dating then. I was taking the garbage down. There were all these deer surrounding the garbage area. They were beautiful, man. I just love deer anyway. Some people can shoot them. I don't get that.

"Something happened an epiphany, call it what you want. But I just felt God said, 'You're gonna marry this girl, and you're gonna live here.'

"I said (to Gigi), 'Go find a house. Buy it. Make sure it’s got a pool, a lot of privacy and land.' Gigi looked at a bunch of places. I came here. We named the house Harmony. I fell in love with it. I've got land, I have privacy, I have my studio downstairs, I have a pool. I have all the great things a kid from Brooklyn — trust me — never had. What more do you really want in life?

"I find here and now is a great place for Peter Criss. I love it here. It's paradise."

Read the entire article from 40° 74° magazine.

GEORGE LYNCH Performs With Chicago Rock Band MOMENTS OF SANITY

Legendary guitarist George Lynch (DOKKEN, LYNCH MOB) made a guest appearance with the Illinois-based hard rock band MOMENTS OF SANITY on July 20, 2008 at a concert in Chicago. Video footage of the performance can be viewed below. Photos of the gig are available at this location.

According to a review of the show that was posted on the ChicagosRock.com web site, "following their set as MOMENTS OF SANITY, the band proceeded to take the stage with George Lynch and it wasn't long before the familiar riff of 'It's Not Love' tore through the cheering crowd like a hot knife on butter, for an onslaught of DOKKEN classics ranging from the opener to 'In My Dreams', 'Dream Warriors', 'The Hunter', 'Kiss of Death', 'Just Got Lucky' and my favorite, 'Mr. Scary', plus LYNCH MOB's 'Wicked Sensation', among many others. The crowd loved it and rewarded the band with thunderous cheers after every song. Lynch is, as expected, a phenomenal player, so his performance was simply amazing. And it was, I must say, quite a treat to watch him perform those songs with our local friends. I was told [MOMENTS OF SANITY] had spent quite a bit of time learning and rehearsing DOKKEN/LYNCH MOB material in preparing for this and it showed, as I thought they did pretty well. I've known and had seen lead vocalist Angelo perform with his previous band. Although I thought he was a good singer, I was not expecting to hear him sing they way he did at this show. He did a very good job with the DOKKEN material and although they all did well as a band, I was particularly proud of him as it is not an easy task to hit some of those high Don Dokken notes properly and in pitch. The one-hour-and-ten-minute set ended with George autographing his personal signature model guitar that he played that night and presenting it to Walter [Murphy, MOMENTS OF SANITY guitarist, who was celebrating his birthday] as a present. A very cool gesture from a legendary rock guitar icon who was very down-to-earth and gracious to all of us there."

It's Official: CARLOS CAVAZO To Replace JOHN CORABI In RATT

Following weeks of rumors and speculation, RATT drummer Bobby Blotzer has confirmed that former QUIET RIOT guitarist Carlos Cavazo will be joining the group as the replacement for rhythm guitarist John Corabi (former MÖTLEY CRÜE singer). According to Blotzer, "we have been rehearsing with Carlos and it sounds pretty freakin cool. He'll be playing his first show with us in Baton Rouge, Lousiana on August 27. Then New Orleans on August 28; Houston, August 29; Calgary, Canada, August 31. So come on out to the show and rock with us!! Crab [Corabi] has one last show that he's committed to with us on September 5 in Virginia Beach."

TWISTED SISTER Alter Ego BENT BROTHER To Perform At Benefit Concert

BENT BROTHER — affectionately known as "TWISTED SISTER's evil twin" (essentially a makeup-less version of the real thing) — will play at a benefit concert for the band's "dear friend and former head of security," Sal Valvo. Sal is a proud son of Staten Island, and it is only fitting that the benefit will take place at L'Amour on Staten Island.

Proceeds from the benefit will help defray the cost of Sal's medical bills. TWISTED SISTER has also announced that the entire income received at the door will be matched by the band.

MÖTLEY CRÜE Drummer Dating 'Rock Of Love' Cast-Off?

The Pulse of Radio reports that MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Tommy Lee is allegedly dating "Rock of Love 2" loser Daisy De La Hoya, according to E! Online. Although a rep for De La Hoya claimed that the two were "just friends," sources said that there was more going on than holding hands. De La Hoya recently competed on the second season of "Rock of Love" for the affections of POISON frontman Bret Michaels, but was eliminated before the end of the contest. She also makes an appearance on Lee's "Titty-Cam" video, which plays at the beginning of every MÖTLEY CRÜE concert.

DEF LEPPARD To Launch 'Rockzimity Marketing' At Joe Louis Arena In Detroit

DEF LEPPARD proves once again they are pioneers not only in music, but now, as leaders in the digital age, through a strategic partnership with mobile marketing firm Ace Marketing & Promotions Inc. (AMKT). On August 23 at the group's concert in Detroit, MI at the Joe Louis Arena, DEF LEPPARD will introduce their "Rockzimity Marketing," a Bluetooth and Wi-Fi proprietary marketing technology, only from Ace Marketing & Promotions Inc. Ace Marketing will power the delivery of exclusive content direct to the fans of DEF LEPPARD, via Bluetooth- and Wi-Fi-enabled "hot spots" at the show.

For the first time ever in an arena environment DEF LEPPARD fans will be "Welcomed to the Sparkle Lounge" upon walking through the main entrance of Joe Louis Arena. They also can get a message that enables them to "Win A Trip To The Sparkle Lounge" after the show. Fans will also receive select discounts on merchandise adding a third layer of value for the DEF LEPPARD fan.

DEF LEPPARD lead singer Joe Elliott said of the program, "You have to differentiate your music in today's industry and how you introduce things to your audience. This is the direction for the future of the way fans connect with artists, it also adds another dimension to our live performance by getting the fans involved from the moment they walk though the door — literally."

Matt Gaines, Sr. Vice President of Marketing for Ace Marketing & Promotions, stated "We are proud to partner with DEF LEPPARD on this ground-breaking initiative. We love firsts. This is a first for Rock music and a first for the fans of DEF LEPPARD. It doesn't get any better than this. So come to the show with your Bluetooth visibility enabled, and experience 'Rockzimity,' you could win a trip after the show to meet DEF LEPPARD in 'The Sparkle Lounge.'"

DEF LEPPARD's "Rockzimity Marketing," will be activated at key hot spot locations in and around Joe Louis Arena. Upon arrival at the venue. signs will direct fans to enable their Bluetooth or Wifi signal on their mobile device. Once fans are visible to the zone, they then will receive a message from the band. Upon accepting the message, fans will instantly begin receiving exclusive content from DEF LEPPARD. There will be no cost to a fan, data charges or minutes of service incurred for content.

DUFF MCKAGAN Featured On FUSE TV's 'Live Through This'; Clip Available

VELVET REVOLVER/ex-GUNS N' ROSES bassist Duff McKagan will be featured on the Fuse TV program called "Live Through This" which explores the true stories of rock stars that hit rock bottom and then climbed back to the top. A desription of the show reads as follows:

"Some people like a drink now and then. Other people drink until their pancreas explodes. Former GUNS N' ROSES rocker Duff McKagan is one of the latter. Duff survived the organsplosion, but was warned that he'd be dead within the month if he didn't stop the drinking. This episode follows Duff's descent into addiction and the life-changing emergency that brought him back from the brink."

The Duff episode will premiere on Saturday, August 23 at 11 p.m. Watch a clip from the show below.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid959035280/bctid1716391857

August 20

PAUL STANLEY, Wife Expecting Second Child

People.com reports that KISS guitarist/vocalist Paul Stanley and his wife, Erin, are expecting their second child together.

Erin, 36, an attorney, is due this winter.

"Erin and I are thrilled and can't wait to meet our newest addition," Stanley, 56, said in a statement to People. "We've been extremely blessed and we're excited to see what the future holds. I often joke that I've traded the Viper Room for the diaper room, and it looks like my tour's been extended!"

The couple, who married in 2005, live in Beverly Hills with their son Colin, who turns 2 in September, and Paul's 14-year-old son, Evan, from a previous marriage.

TESLA To Release 'Forever More' In October

Multi-platinum rockers TESLA are looking well into the future with their seventh studio album, "Forever More", set for release October 7 on Tesla Electric Company Recordings (in partnership with Ryko Distribution).

"I Wanna Live", the new album's first single, is being serviced to radio stations nationwide on August 18. The band's world tour will kick off October 1 in Salt Lake City with more dates announced in the coming weeks.

For "Forever More", TESLA reunited with producer Terry Thomas, who was behind the boards for the band's 1994 gold-certified "Bust A Nut" album, and engineered by Michael Rosen who worked with TESLA on "Into The Now".

Guitarist Frank Hannon explains, "We started writing new songs for this album the first week of January, while simultaneously planning a mid-West tour of America in February and recording our "Comin' Atcha Live! 2008" DVD while we were on the road. Coming home in March, we hired Terry to jump back into writing and recording music with us while we edited the DVD and routed a summer tour of Europe. We're riding a wave of energy that doesn't come easy for a band of rookies much less a band whose been doing this for over 20 years — and we wouldn't have it any other way".

"After returning from Europe," continues Frank, "we jumped right back into the studio to work on 'Forever More' with Terry while setting up a tour of American festival shows in July and August, playing alongside bands such as MATCHBOX TWENTY, THE WALLFLOWERS, QUEENSRŸCHE, KISS and JUDAS PRIEST. It's great that we can play with any band, of any music genre, because we've never been pigeon-holed into a style or label of music throughout our career".

In describing the vibe of the new album, he continues, "'Forever More' demonstrates this idea of writing songs in a diverse fashion. The title track is one of our deeper cuts complete with heavy lyrics, de-tuned riffs and acoustic interludes, while 'I Wanna Live' is one of our more uplifting songs that bounces musically and delivers a lyrical message that suggests living life to the fullest."

The rest of the album takes a similar ride of dynamic ups and downs with songs like "So What!", "Fallin' Apart", "Breakin' Free", "The Game", "All Of Me" and "The First Time".

All the tracks on "Forever More" offer a variety of emotions where each song has its own twist — not sounding like another. "Forever More" was written and recorded during a period of high energy and bizarre life circumstances for each of TESLA's band members, with those experiences coming full circle throughout the CD.

TESLA's DVD, "Comin' Atcha Live! 2008" was released July 15. It's the band's first DVD in 17 years (since 1991's "Five Man Video Band") and is filled with over two hours of live music, special behind-the-scenes footage, their fans, backstage, on stage and loose on the streets of Seattle.

In addition, TESLA's first double-disc collection of 32 of their best tracks and collectibles, "Gold", will be available on August 26 on Geffen/Universal Music Enterprises, ranging from 1986 through 2007 and including their chart hits "Signs", "Love Song", and "The Way It Is".

Former OZZY, DIO, DEEP PURPLE, AC/DC and QUIET RIOT Musicians Bring BIG NOIZE To Iraq

Vocalist Joe Lynn Turner (DEEP PURPLE, RAINBOW, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN), bassist Phil Soussan (OZZY OSBOURNE), guitarist Carlos Cavazo (QUIET RIOT) and drummer Simon Wright (AC/DC) will bring their band BIG NOIZE to Iraq and Kuwait in September. This rock and roll invasion is designed to increase morale and solidify the united force that bonds most all human beings around the world: Music!

Turner, who has his first live solo CD coming out in October on Frontiers Records, is enthusiastic about performing for and meeting with the brave men and women from all countries who put their lives on the line every day.

He says, "I have wanted to go to Iraq and perform for the troops for a long time. RAINBOW and DEEP PURPLE have always had a lot of fans in the military. I tried to go via the USO as a volunteer musician and was turned down! We were overloaded with emails from service men and women, many who are big fans of this genre of music and wanted me to come over for a show. I know this will be a life-changing experience."

Soussan, currently in the studio in Los Angeles, was thrilled to be performing for the troops. Soussan explains, "I cannot imagine how hard it is to be so far from home and away from so many loved ones in such challenging conditions. And, at this time when there is so much debate and people are questioning what we are doing and whether it is the right thing to do at this moment in world history, our troops have an obligation to make sacrifices, stand strong and defend our country at a moments notice. This is the least thing that I could do to remind them that I think about them all the time and enough to come and visit them in person and bring them a little piece of back home rock'n'roll."

The tour is organized by Jeff Thornton of Lone Wolf Entertainment and is part of the Multi National Corps Iraq program headquartered at Al Faw Palace in Baghdad, to bring entertainment to the multinational forces stationed in Iraq and Kuwait.

Thornton says,"It's great to be taking a stellar group like BIG NOIZE to the Middle East to play for and meet the all-star men and women defending our freedom: freedom that allow the guys in BIG NOIZE to play the music that they want and rock the world."

What makes BIG NOIZE unique is its heritage and concept. All members have a related and connected past. The band plays a power-packed set of favored hits that its individual members were known for because they wrote or performed them during their times of biggest chart success. A BIG NOIZE concert is a tribute to the bands that the members were integral parts of and a reunion for its extensive and loyal fan base. The set list is a explosion of anthems that topped rock and pop charts in the 70s and 80s and includes: "Crazy Train" (OZZY OSBOURNE), "Smoke On The Water" (DEEP PURPLE), "Cum On Feel The Noize" (QUIET RIOT), "Stone Cold" (RAINBOW) and more.

Tour dates:

September
5 - Kuwait
7, 8, 10 and 11 - Iraq

"The five shows that the guys will be doing in Kuwait and Iraq are not only open to the men and women of all U.S. forces," Thornton explains, "But, also to all of the allied forces joining us in the fight against terrorism and the contract personnel stationed at the bases who are performing important jobs in support of our militaries. All of the shows are free of charge to everyone in attendance. BIG NOIZE will truly draw an audience from around the world as personnel from England, Australia, South Korea and even Iraq, to name a few, will be able to rock out to the hits of the classic rock bands represented by the band."

DUFF MCKAGAN's LOADED: New Song Posted Online

 LOADED, the band formed by current VELVET REVOLVER bassist Duff McKagan (on guitar and vocals) after he left GUNS N' ROSES, has posted a new song entitled "No More" on its MySpace page.

LOADED will release a new album early next year via Century Media. A five-song EP will precede it in September.

"These are purely my songs," McKagan told Billboard.com. "It's probably more derivative of my earlier years of punk rock. It's a good rock 'n' roll band. It's fun, is what it is. There's no real business and no real drama. I'm really into no drama right now," he adds, noting Scott Weiland's recent rancorous departure from VELVET REVOLVER.

SIXX: A.M.: 'Tomorrow' Video Available

"Tomorrow", the new video from SIXX: A.M. — which features MÖTLEY CRÜE bassist Nikki Sixx, James Michael and DJ Ashba (ex-BEAUTIFUL CREATURES) — can be viewed below.

SIXX: A.M. made its live debut in July 2007 following a press conference to promote Sixx's new book and accompanying soundtrack, "The Heroin Diaries: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star". Highlights from the press conference can be seen at this location.

Released last September via MTV/VH1 Pocket Books, a division of Simon & Schuster, "The Heroin Diaries" offers an unflinching and utterly gripping look at Sixx's descent into drug addiction. The book is a tell-all, drawn from Nikki's 1986 and '87 journals.

Sixx found the diaries in storage and spent years compiling them for the book. He said he sees them more as a commentary on the record business than as a portrait of a lurid rock 'n' roll lifestyle.

The SIXX: A.M. album, which serves as the "soundtrack" to Sixx's "The Heroin Diaries: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star" book, was released by Eleven Seven Music and distributed by ADA, with a portion of proceeds donated to Nikki's Running Wild in the Night, a fundraising initiative for Covenant House. The CD has sold 250,000 copies in the United States so far, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

MÖTLEY CRÜE, BUCKCHERRY, PAPA ROACH: 'Crüe Fest '08' Concert Attendances Revealed

 The following are some of the concert MÖTLEY CRÜE "Crüe Fest '08" attendances/grosses, as reported by Billboard magazine:

Date: July 24, 2008
Artist/Event: 97.1 The Eagle's BFD: MÖTLEY CRÜE, BUCKCHERRY, PAPA ROACH, SIXX: AM, TRAPT
Venue: Superpages.com Center
City/State: Dallas, TX
Gross Sales: $481,765
Attandance: 12,155
Capacity: 20,033

Date: July 23, 2008
Artist/Event: MÖTLEY CRÜE, BUCKCHERRY, PAPA ROACH, SIXX: AM, TRAPT
Venue: Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
City/State: Selma, TX
Gross Sales: $348,989
Attandance: 9,252
Capacity: 19,921

Date: July 22, 2008
Artist/Event: MÖTLEY CRÜE, BUCKCHERRY, PAPA ROACH, SIXX: AM, TRAPT
Venue: Toyota Center
City/State: Houston, TX
Gross Sales: $582,735
Attandance: 10,347
Capacity: 11,666

Date: July 20, 2008
Artist/Event: MÖTLEY CRÜE, BUCKCHERRY, PAPA ROACH, SIXX: AM, TRAPT
Venue: Verizon Wireless Amphitheater St. Louis
City/State: Maryland Heights, MO
Gross Sales: $389,991
Attandance: 10,908
Capacity: 20,950

Date: July 18, 2008
Artist/Event: MÖTLEY CRÜE, BUCKCHERRY, PAPA ROACH, SIXX: AM, TRAPT
Venue: Verizon Wireless Music Center
City/State: Noblesville, IN
Gross Sales: $558,528
Attandance: 15,012
Capacity: 24,680

Date: July 15, 2008
Artist/Event: MÖTLEY CRÜE, BUCKCHERRY, PAPA ROACH, SIXX: AM, TRAPT
Venue: DTE Energy Music Center
City/State: Clarkston, MI
Gross Sales: $663,966
Attandance: 15,601
Capacity: 15,601

Date: July 13, 2008
Artist/Event: MÖTLEY CRÜE, BUCKCHERRY, PAPA ROACH, SIXX: AM, TRAPT
Venue: Nissan Pavilion at Stone Ridge
City/State: Bristow, VA
Gross Sales: $511,825
Attandance: 11,527
Capacity: 23,287

Date: July 12, 2008
Artist/Event: MÖTLEY CRÜE, BUCKCHERRY, PAPA ROACH, SIXX: AM, TRAPT
Venue: Susquehanna Bank Center
City/State: Camden, NJ
Gross Sales: $488,938
Attandance: 11,102
Capacity: 25,326

Date: July 08, 2008
Artist/Event: MÖTLEY CRÜE, BUCKCHERRY, PAPA ROACH, SIXX: AM, TRAPT
Venue: Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
City/State: Wantagh, NY
Gross Sales: $428,494
Attandance: 8,990
Capacity: 13,827

Date: July 06, 2008
Artist/Event: MÖTLEY CRÜE, BUCKCHERRY, PAPA ROACH, SIXX: AM, TRAPT
Venue: Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
City/State: Virginia Beach, VA
Gross Sales: $346,623
Attandance: 10,238
Capacity: 20,015

Date: July 05, 2008
Artist/Event: MÖTLEY CRÜE, BUCKCHERRY, PAPA ROACH, SIXX: AM, TRAPT
Venue: Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
City/State: Charlotte, NC
Gross Sales: $524,782
Attandance: 12,544
Capacity: 18,808

Date: July 03, 2008
Artist/Event: MÖTLEY CRÜE, BUCKCHERRY, PAPA ROACH, SIXX: AM, TRAPT
Venue: Ford Amphitheatre
City/State: Tampa, FL
Gross Sales: $402,504
Attandance: 10,020
Capacity: 17,459

Date: July 01, 2008
Artist/Event: MÖTLEY CRÜE, BUCKCHERRY, PAPA ROACH, SIXX: AM, TRAPT
Venue: Cruzan Amphitheatre
City/State: West Palm Beach, FL
Gross Sales: $339,716
Attandance: 8,700
Capacity: 19,438

A 40-plus-city North American amphitheater tour, Crüe Fest '08 is scheduled to wrap August 31 at the Post-Gazette Pavilion in Pittsburgh.

Bassist Nikki Sixx of MÖTLEY CRÜE previously stated about the trek, "We are SO excited not only to headline our own annual summer festival, but also to be able to share the stage with the next generation of great rock bands. There's not a lot MÖTLEY CRÜE hasn't done so to say this summer's festival is going to be about rock 'n roll excess is an understatement. A night of hit songs by great bands and a trail of panties coast to coast ... Crüe Fest, hell yeah!"

TWISTED SISTER Frontman Confirms 'Twisted Christmas - A Musical' Is In The Works

TWISTED SISTER singer Dee Snider has confirmed rumors that the group's "A Twisted Christmas" concept will make its way to Broadway (as BLABBERMOUTH.NET first reported on June 3). Speaking to Ralph Sutton of the nationally syndicated rock radio show "The Tour Bus" (web site), Snider revealed, "I have turned 'A Twisted Christmas', the album, into a musical, and in 2009 there will be a new TWISTED SISTER album, which will be a companion piece to go with the existing 'A Twisted Christmas' album. It's gonna be old-school metal songs that are an addition to the show. So 'The Twisted Christmas – A Musical' is a combination of the Christmas album, the new album, which will have new metal songs on it and the best of TWISTED SISTER throughout history. And when you hear more about it, you're gonna love the idea. The people that are hearing about it get pretty stoked. So it's early on, but I've finished the script and now it's time, we're gonna start working on a new album, new songs, so it's the first time for TWISTED SISTER in a very long time… I haven't written since 19… Man, '98 was the last time I wrote a song, and that was for the 'Strangeland' soundtrack. It sort of came out of left field, but we're all very fired up. When you hear the concept… everybody who hears it just smiles ear to ear and goes, 'Man, that's awesome.'"

He continued, "It's either gonna be called 'A Twisted Christmas…' or 'THE Twisted Christmas – A Musical'. It tells a story, but it's very much a concert event. But there's a storyline going on between. The show is about 20 songs. The band are the only actors. There is a narrator, I will tell you that much, who fills in the spaces — he's on video screen — and he tells — ala 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show', to be honest — he helps move the story along and tell the story. If you saw 'Hedwig and the Angry Inch', off Broadway, [a band] performs and then in between there is interaction, which further moves the story along. So it's pretty involved. It's a unique combination of things that have been done before and haven't been done before. And the goal, really — 'cause we're not playing ourselves, we're playing a fictitious band in the musical — eventually is to, like the BLUE MAN GROUP, have a whole bunch of casts out there during the holiday season performing the show. So that's the ultimate goal. So it's in development, but it's well on its way. Like I said, I finished the script, everybody loves it, and now I'm sinking my teeth into writing the album which we'll start recording in January/February for release in 2009."

On September 25, 2007, Razor & Tie Entertainment released "A Twisted Christmas Live", a DVD of TWISTED SISTER's holiday 2006 show at New Jersey's legendary Starland Ballroom. The DVD features performances of tunes from "A Twisted Christmas" (which features rock n' roll versions of beloved Christmas classics), as well as TWISTED SISTER's greatest hits.

KISS' Collection Of Re-Recorded Classics: Bonus DVD Detailed

 On August 27, DefSTAR Records/Sony Music Japan will release "Jigoku-Retsuden", a new KISS greatest-hits CD featuring all-new recordings of 15 KISS classics. The tracks were recently recorded and feature Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer. A limited-edition version of the CD will include a bonus "Kissology Special" DVD with live footage from KISS' legendary 1977 performance at Budokan.

"Jigoku-Retsuden" (new recordings CD):

01. Deuce
02. Detroit Rock City
03. Shout It Out Loud
04. Hotter Than Hell
05. Calling Dr. Love
06. Love Gun
07. I Was Made For Lovin' You
08. Heaven's On Fire
09. Lick It Up
10. I Love It Loud
11. Forever
12. Christine Sixteen
13. Do You Love Me
14. Black Diamond
15. Rock And Roll All Nite

"Kissology Special" DVD (limited edition only):

Live At Budokan Tokyo, Japan '77

01. Detroit Rock City
02. Let Me Go, Rock 'n' Roll
03. Ladies Room
04. Firehouse
05. I Want You
06. Cold Gin
07. Nothin' To Lose
08. God Of Thunder
09. Rock And Roll All Nite
10. Shout It Out Loud
11. Black Diamond

GOD FORBID Guitarist Weighs In On POISON Vs. DEF LEPPARD Feud

GOD FORBID guitarist Dallas Coyle has written the latest entry for his weekly column on MetalSucks, "The Hard R". This week Dallas reveals more details behind the band's cover of MUSE, and shares his thoughts on the public controversy going on between POISON and DEF LEPPARD. An excerpt from the blog follows.

"I was blown away by the POISON vs. DEF LEPPARD debacle. I mean, come the fuck on. What the hell is our world coming to? Remember East Coast vs. West Coast rap? Motherfuckers were getting shot. Back then it was who was the hardest most stone cold motherfuckers out there. With POISON and DEF LEPPARD, this shit reminds me of one of those Ben Stiller movies like 'Zoolander' or 'Tropic Thunder'. What are they fighting about? Who sucks worse? What over-40 chick wants you more?

"For the record, I think POISON is shit. DEF LEPPARD isn't bad. I've never liked '80s hair metal. Back when I was a young kid living with my mom all I listened to was YOUNG MC, CHUBB ROCK and PUBLIC ENEMY. I sneaked in some KRISS KROSS here or there. I literally wrote down all the lyrics to YOUNG MC's 'Principal Office'. Yeah, I was a nerd in my own right. When I first heard rock music, it was the '80s hair metal. And even before I knew what homosexuality was the first thing that popped into my head was 'GAY!' Rikki Rockett and Bret Michaels are angry that Joe Elliott thinks their music lacks substance? This confused me for days. Rikki and Bret, you might as well get mad at the whole world. Your shit is garbage.

"This little feud is a sign of how pathetic a time we live in. When Rikki Rockett (does anyone know his real name?) gets puffed up about what Joe Elliott says, I wonder if he's forgetting that he's selling out arenas every night when they go on tour. I wonder why it really bothers him. I wonder why he's getting angry 'cause, sadly, no one in either camp is going to catch a bullet from the other side. I want to see a Danzig-type beatdown on YouTube. Imagine this little headline: 'The drummer of DEF LEPPARD kicks Rikki Rockett's ass with one arm!' Now that's some shit to see!"

Read the entire blog entry at www.metalsucks.net.

BRET MICHAELS Still 'Not Over' AMBRE LAKE

 The Pulse of Radio reports that POISON frontman Bret Michaels is not yet over Ambre Lake, the Season Two winner on his VH1 reality series "Rock of Love". Michaels told People magazine he still loves her, adding, "I'm not really over her yet. We still hang. She was just out with me a couple days ago and we were having a great time. She's really got it. I think she's great." The pair broke up earlier this year due to conflicting work schedules. Michaels first linked up with Season One winner Jessica Rickleff. But they split shortly after the reality show wrapped.

Michaels will hit the dating scene again during the upcoming season of "Rock of Love", which will be filmed this year while Michaels is on the road. The singer said, "The reason for destruction of all my relationships is that I'm passionate about being on the road and making music. I have great relationships. But the women I date don't realize that I spend between 6 and 8 months of my life on the road — touring or traveling or seeing family with my daughters." When asked whether he'll ever get married, Michaels said, "I don't know. I never really thought about it."

GUNS N' ROSES' 'Chinese Democracy' To Be Retail Exclusive?

Ed Christman of Billboard.com reports that negotiations are underway for GUNS N' ROSES' long-delayed "Chinese Democracy" to come out as an exclusive at one of the big boxes — either Wal-Mart or Best Buy.

Negotiations are also ongoing to have conventional record company distribution, a source tells Billboard.com.

GUNS N' ROSES is now managed by Irving Azoff's Front Line Management, and Azoff is a well-known proponent of issuing albums exclusively through retailers. He released THE EAGLES' "Long Road Out of Eden" through Wal-Mart, much to the chagrin of other merchants.

Read the entire report from Billboard.com.

SEBASTIAN BACH To Perform At 'Rock The Mansion' Event At The Playboy Mansion

Sebastian Bach will perform at the Rock The Mansion event at the Playboy Mansion on August 30.

A press release states: "Men and women, here's your chance to play rock star and groupie as you hang at the most famous mansion. It will be a true rock star mecca with playmates dressed as naughty school girls, free open bar all night, amazing buffet, strippers in the main rock room, the world-famous grotto and tours of the mansion grounds. All this and more can be had while dancing to the best rock and metal bought to you by metal DJ Will of KNAC.COM. Later in the night, multi-platinum singer Sebastian Bach will rock your ass off performing his hit singles '18 and Life', 'I Remember You' and 'Youth Gone Wild', to name a few. Stick around as you never know which A-list rockstars you will rub elbows with."

To buy these tickets, go to www.rockthemansion.com or go to www.laweekly.com and try to win a pair now. The tickets get you free booze and food, a private concert; access to (2) two other parties that weekend, mansion tours, after party and more!

August 18

WARRANT's Steven Sweet Issues Road Report

Well, where do I start?(rhetorical question, please don't send me your answers) Sorry it's taken a few days to get this together, I've been trying to sort out all the fantastical events of the Clearfield County Fair since the "happening" occurred. Those of you lucky folks who were in attendance know what I mean!?

The band and our entourage of sordid gents flew "non-stop" (yay!!!) into Pittsburgh (Birthplace of that beautiful freak, Andy Warhol) where we were soon whisked away by super fancy limousine (of course, but not really) into the wilds of Pennsylvania. Some of you may be asking, "weren't you afraid of all those Amish gangs that roam freely through the heartland of the state?" Yes, some of us were addled with trepidation at the prospect of being ambushed by horse and buggy, and possibly buggy whip-whipped? (the amish, though formidable foe, and excellent candle makers, are forbidden to carry guns, hence the extremely violent practice of buggy whip-whipping) YES, we were scared as HELL, but nonetheless we forged ahead to our destination... (Dun, Dun, DAAAAAHHHH)... The Red Carpet Inn.

Now the Clearfield County Fair is steeped in all the Americana infused County Fair tradition you might imagine from a Fair that is in it's 135th year of existence (or something old like that). The first event of long standing tradition came conveniently at precisely the time when we were going through our set-up and gear check that early afternoon. First the smell of horse manure, then the horses came... I'm not talking, ponies, or Appaloosas, or even Quarter Horses but full blown Budwieser hauling Clydesdales (point is they were freakin' HUGE). This was the first time I was ever told NOT to make noise at a sound check for fear of "Spookin' the horses". Conveniently the Horse pull event was scheduled at the same time as our load-in. After about an hour of cruelty to animals (oops, I mean awesome American state fair tradition) the team of Bud and Light won, by speed-dragging a metal sled loaded with concrete blocks (probably around 20 tons or so... or at least alot) through the dirt in front of the stage.

Moving on (that's my way of saying, a bunch of stuff happened in between then and after then, but I just don't feel like writing about it) show time came and the grandstand is full and the capacity crowd is primed by our friends in Great White, which is perfect because it happens to be "Shark Week" on the Discovery Channel (AWESOME!!!). I get to spend a few moments with my cousins who made the drive all the way up from the Altoona area (yes, through the Amish infested woods... but they're used to it) and reminisce about the times when we were all in diapers, not simultaneously, and certainly not recently (I hope). The crowd was absolutely the best I had ever seen at the Clearfield County Fair (no lie) and we couldn't have done the show without 'em.

Now here's where the details get fuzzy... we hit the stage running, Jani comes out and just nails it start to finish as do Erik, Jerry and Joey (I think I did pretty well myself, for the most part). (I have to confess something here, this is where I was planning ..ping, keep it short and sweet, but some things, no matter how unbelievable or fantastical mustn't be hoarded so I will give you the details of what happened in the middle part that I was going to leave out.) We actually get about half way through the set then something happened, I look over to where Jerry is normally standing near his amp and the strangest thing happens... his shoes ignite with a sonic boom and he just shoots, I mean SHOOTS up into the rafters. I KNOW... I couldn't believe it myself! I of course, have to blink and do a double take. He shoots into the rafters and hovers for what seems like... I don't know, at least 5 seconds then does sort of a half turn towards Joey's side of the stage and begins to fly, headfirst, not missing a note, across the stage. By now the crowd seems to notice that Jerry is flying across the stage, they of course think that there are cables rigged, ala Cirque Du Soleil, but the insanity of it all is, THERE ARE NO CABLES, just some strange magnetic hum which is barely audible because of the sizable P.A. (I don't mean Pennsylvania, but Public Address System). There is a strange smell of burning hi-tops mixing with the night air, most just dismissed it as Fog Juice (no, I'm not talking about some kind of Caribbean Rum based Cocktail, but the stuff that goes in a fog machine to produce smoke on stage). So, Jerry's flying across stage like Chris Angel and I now notice that Joey's head is on fire, I'm talking blue flames (kinda looked like Marge Simpson). I AM FLIPPING OUT AT THIS POINT, but I manage to keep it together, still play and not look like anything is out of the ordinary. Joey then notices his head is arcing like Nikola Tesla's condensing coil, but continues to shred as if it's just another day at the office. I look around to see if Erik notices what's going on here, and to my utter horror he has turned into some sort of "Hulk-like" manifestation of his former slender self. His T-shirt is ripped to shreds and hanging like rags around what is now this behemoth, monstrous, guitar wielding, Erik-beast! His hands have become massive hairy-knuckled mitts that dwarf the fret board of his Peavey, though for some reason he is still able to pick out single notes even with fingers the size of Bratwurst (simply amazing, really).

By now, the entire audience is in some sort of Funnel Cake induced daze at the spectacle before them... As the set nears the end, we kick into Cherry Pie at which time the insanity of strangeness is at its peak; with Jerry zipping back and forth through the air, at times nearly scraping the lighting rig above, Joey's head whipping flames into the air like some sort of human torch and Erik Monster-Moshing back and forth from stage left to stage right. I happen to notice Jani standing calm as a cucumber at a garden party, in the middle of the stage, almost in suspended animation. It's at this point I have come to terms with the fact that the universe is imploding and I am sitting behind the drum kit, like one of those wind-up monkeys with the cymbals, just going through the motions helpless to break from the routine and react in any other way. Jani calmly, cooly, with the deliberation of a Tibetan Monk leading a transition and realization circle, produces one of those mind erasing devices they used in Men In Black (1 and 2) and presses the button. An enormous flash of light emits, enveloping the entire site Clydesdales and all, with a spectral shock wave so strong that I nearly miss a beat (I said "nearly"). All of the on stage madness is zapped away in an instant, and returned to normal as the last note of Cherry Pie rings out - which is the ONLY REASON any of this could possibly be refuted OR debunked... the ONLY REASON!!!

Thank you Clearfield... and good night!"

Tesla, Ratt, Kip Winger, Trixter members featured on Eddie Trunk Tribute video

British heavy metal legends JUDAS PRIEST performed an abbreviated set at Hard Rock Café New York in Times Square Monday night (August 4) as part of syndicated broadcast personality Eddie Trunk's event to celebrate his 25th anniversary in radio broadcasting.

Trunk broadcasts his weekly radio shows, "Friday Night Rocks" on Q104.3 in the New York City listening area and "Eddie Trunk Live" on XM Radio (satellite radio).

The video tribute that was shown as part of the festivities Monday night can be viewed in two parts below. Trunk says, "[the] video tribute was put together by my good friend Erik Luftglass over the last few months and I had no idea! It featured Chris Jericho, Jim Florentine and Don Jamieson, UFO, TESLA, RATT, SABBATH, Dio, Kip Winger, TRIXTER, David Ellefson, JUDAS PRIEST, TRIUMPH, ANTHRAX, TWISTED SISTER, Bret Michaels, QUEENSRŸCHE, DREAM THEATER and many others first taking shots at me in a roast style, then all saying some really amazing things about how they feel about me and congratulating me on the 25 years. Just awesome and I will keep this video as a great memory for life. I can not thank Erik enough for spending hours getting these interviews and putting it all together."

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0i659whfUss

Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-49Ae1WZHsw

'KISS Day' Governor's Proclamation Available

Pictured below is the actual Governor's Proclamation that he presented to KISS in Sturgis, South Dakota on Monday, August 4. It reads as follows:

"Whereas, The legendary rock band KISS has sold more than more than 80 million albums, charted 34 gold records and inspired countless bands with their trademark face paint, costumes and sound; and,

"Whereas, KISS, whose classic hit 'Rock And Roll All Nite' became a rock anthem for an entire generation of fans; and,

"Whereas, KISS has tirelessly supported the brave men and women who wear the uniform of the United States of America with performances, base visits, and video tributes; and,

"Whereas, KISS is kicking off the Sturgis Rally with a concert that includes all the incredible pyrotechnics and fireworks display for which the band is famous; and,

"Whereas, The Mount Rushmore State, home of the four great faces carved from rock, welcomes four more great faces who made rock history:

"Now, Therefore, I, M. Michael Rounds, Governor of the state of South Dakota, do hereby proclaim August 4, 2008, as KISS ROCK & ROLL DAY in South Dakota, and I join their families, fans and friends in wishing KISS a memorable day.

"In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of South Dakota, in Pierre, the Capital City, this Fourth Day of August in the Year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Eight."

The document was signed by Governor Michael Rounds and Secretary of State Chris Nelson.

Photo displayed from KissOnline.com:

JOHN CORABI Still A Member Of RATT: Video Evidence Available

Despite rumors to the contrary, John Corabi (former MÖTLEY CRÜE singer) appears to still be a member of RATT. According to a posting on the Hard Rock Hideout web site, Corabi performed with RATT Thursday night (August 7) at the Annie's Entertainment Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, playing rhythm guitar and singing back-up to Stephen Pearcy. "During the concert, he didn't look all that happy to be there, and didn't seem to share in the energy that the rest of the band had, but he was still there," reads a posting on the site.

Fan-filmed video footage of Corabi performing with RATT this past Wednesday night (August 6) in Columbus, Ohio can be viewed below.

It was reported last week by several Internet sources that John Corabi had quit his gig as the rhythm guitarist in RATT and was replaced by former QUIET RIOT guitarist Carlos Cavazo.

RATT celebrated the "Year Of The Ratt" with a very special West Coast U.S. run of dates in April. In honor of their Southern California roots, the band embarked on a four-show mini-tour to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the "Ratt" EP.

RATT recently performed the entire EP along with other RATT faves live on the nationally syndicated radio show "Rockline" to an overwhelming response. Host Bob Coburn expressed that he was "totally blown away" by RATT and that they "flat-out kicked ass" as they delivered one of the best shows in the 27 years of "Rockline".

RATT returned to stores with new DVD and CD releases on July 31, 2007: the first-ever DVD release from the band, "Ratt: Videos From The Cellar: The Atlantic Years", and the audio collection "Tell The World: The Very Best Of Ratt", which features the hard rockers at their studio and live performance peak and includes a previously unreleased track.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dzcPRqmMyo

ROCK THE BAYOU Promoter: We're Really Wanting The Festival To Celebrate The Rock Genre

Michael McGuff, the multimedia web producer at KTRK-TV Houston, recently conducted an interview with Ali Fazeli, the promoter behind the Rock The Bayou music bash, which is set to take place August 29 – September 1 on the Rock The Bayou Grounds in Houston, Texas. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow.

KTRK: There has been a lot of talk around this town right now about Rock The Bayou. What made you do it?

Ali: It's been a lot of years since a real rock festival has been here in Houston, about 20-25 years since the Texas Jam days in Houston and Dallas. We're really wanting it to celebrate the rock genre, and the music that represents the whole '80s and '90s rock genre, and that was the determining factor of having the rock festival here.

KTRK: Because that music has started to come back where even now kids are starting to listen to it, so the music really is having a resurgence.

Ali: That's right, and from the five and six year old kids to the 15 and 16 year olds. It's also getting their parents back to that music. Maybe they're not listening to that type of music everyday anymore, but when they go home and their kids are playing ALICE COOPER "School's Out" 15 times at home on the Rock Band game, they start just singing along and they start to get back in the groove of things again.

KTRK: This is going to be a massive amount of land to fill.

Ali: Well, it's a big festival. This is what they call in the industry as a "Mega Festival." We're going to have over 50 bands, three stages. We have a huge ferris wheel; we have a drive-in movie theater. So not only are you going to be able to come out and see some bands that you haven't seen in a very long time perform live, bands or performers such as LITA FORD who hasn't performed in 15 years, SAMMY HAGAR hasn't been here in two or three years, ALICE COOPER, but you're going to be able to have that festival feel; to have the international cuisine, to be able to watch a movie late at night on a big drive-in screen, to ride the ferris wheel, to have a lot of interaction with interactive games that we're going to have there. So we're going to fill up that 150 acres pretty quick.

KTRK: You expect people to camp out there and actually stay overnight?

Ali: Absolutely, absolutely. We've sold a lot of camping site parking already on the premises. We have people coming from 26 states now as far away as Alaska, so we plan on having some people stay on the premise. I should probably mention, we're up to seven countries now that are coming to Houston to watch this.

KTRK: You can tell that by who's bought the tickets so far?

Ali: Absolutely. Absolutely, because of the billing address on the payment on the credit cards.

KTRK: How much did Rocklahoma help make this more possible? Did that make it easier on you, or do you say this is kind of a different situation?

Ali: Yeah, it's a different situation. Our lineup is different than what Rocklahoma has had. As far as made it easier, they paved the way as a 2nd year festival. I really got to salute them for bringing the music back, because they really did pave the way in that. But our festival's a little different, probably going to be a little bit bigger and a little bit more diversified lineup probably.

KTRK: It's probably easier to get to Houston vs. Pryor, Oklahoma, right?

Ali: Correct. Nine out of ten people know where the old Astroworld used to be. So many Houstonians have so many fond memories of Astroworld, whether you were a kid, or a teenager, or even a grownup, and it's a beautiful site to have a festival at.

Read the entire interview at this location. Also available is a video report featuring snippets of the chat.

DUFF MCKAGAN Says VELVET REVOLVER Is Still Looking For New Singer

Jonathan Cohen of Billboard.com reports: Contrary to reports suggesting former SPACEHOG frontman Royston Langdon is in line to become the new singer of VELVET REVOLVER, the band is still making up its mind about who will replace Scott Weiland.

Bassist Duff McKagan tells Billboard.com that although VELVET REVOLVER did play with Langdon and that "he's f*cking awesome, at this point I'd have to say no" on him becoming the new singer.

"We just have to make sure it's the right guy," he says, adding that Weiland's angry departure from the band this spring has brought him closer to group members Slash, Matt Sorum and Dave Kushner.

Read the entire article from Billboard.com.

WARRANT: Clearfield Performance Footage Posted Online

Fan-filmed video footage of reunited '80s hard rockers WARRANT performing the song "I Saw Red" on August 1, 2008 at the Clearfield County Fair in Clearfield, Pennsylvania can be viewed below.

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=39934950

BRET MICHAELS Interviewed At ROCKLAHOMA; Video Available

XM's Boneyard host Eddie Trunk, who has a long-running radio show, "Friday Night Rocks", on New York's Q104.3 FM, conducted an interview with POISON singer Bret Michaels at this year's Rocklahoma festival, which was held July 9-13, 2008 in Pryor, Oklahoma. Watch the seven-minute clip below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3NeBXx3mKY

TOMMY LEE On 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!'; Video Available

MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Tommy Lee was a guest on the August 7, 2008 edition of ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" show to promote "Battleground Earth", a reality competition that features Lee and hip hop superstar Chris "Ludacris" Bridges battling against the toxic forces destroying mother earth as they travel across the country on a 10-episode tour.

Watch Lee's appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZZ-ejDHohw

RATT: Cincinnati Concert Footage Available

Hard Rock Hideout has posted video footage (see below) of RATT's August 7, 2008 performance at the Annie's Entertainment Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Despite rumors to the contrary, John Corabi (former MÖTLEY CRÜE singer) appears to still be a member of RATT. Corabi performed with RATT in Cincinnati, playing rhythm guitar and singing back-up to Stephen Pearcy. According to a posting on the Hard Rock Hideout web site, "During the concert, he didn't look all that happy to be there, and didn't seem to share in the energy that the rest of the band had, but he was still there."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YI8KCz_hh3Q

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UR1myHO_ZU

MÖTLEY CRÜE: 'Mutherf**ker Of The Year' Video Teaser Available

A teaser for MÖTLEY CRÜE's video for the song "Mutherfucker of the Year" can be found at this location. The track comes off the group's new album, "Saints of Los Angeles", which has sold 185,000 copies in the United States since its June 24 release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The CD is MÖTLEY CRÜE's first studio album since 2000's "New Tattoo", which has sold a little over 200,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The band's last studio effort with all of its original members was 1997's "Generation Swine", which debuted and peaked at No. 4 on The Billboard 200, and has sold more than 300,000 units.

According to Billboard, the 99,000 bow of "Saints" represented the biggest sales week for MÖTLEY CRÜE since Christmas week of 1991, when its hits package "Decade of Decadence" sold 121,000.

"Saints of Los Angeles" is loosely based on the band's memoir, "The Dirt", which was published in 2001.

MÖTLEY CRÜE's "Crüe Fest" kicked off on July 1 in West Palm Beach, Florida and will hit 40 cities before wrapping up in late August.

MÖTLEY CRÜE's most recent tour in 2005/2006 grossed $46.3 million and drew more than 960,000 people to 125 concerts, according to Billboard Boxscore.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDoXrblqdI0

POISON Singer BRET MICHAELS: 'I Don't Wanna Fight JOE ELLIOTT'

POISON singer Bret Michaels spoke to the nationally syndicated rock radio show "The Tour Bus" (web site) about his band's ongoing war of words with DEF LEPPARD singer Joe Elliott over Elliott's comments at a June 6 press conference at the Sweden Rock Festival, in which Joe said bands like POISON and MÖTLEY CRÜE had "no substance in their music" and therefore relied more on their image in the '80s.

Michaels on how the whole feud started:

"I went over to do… I literally played at the Taste of Summer in Waukesha [Wisconsin]… I get done. I fly that night to Sweden, I land, [we] drive… literally… drive to the venue… I mean, it's like a 900-hour flight. [We] get in a car, [and we] drive to Sweden Rock, which is an amazing festival — we're closing it. We have the biggest night of the whole festival. Usually their closing night is their weakest night 'cause everyone is going home. It's their biggest night, they've sold all the tickets — it's huge. We get there, and the first thing I do, I get out of the car and they say, 'You've gotta go to a press conference.' And I'm like, 'OK.' Now. I haven't slept. This is beyond sunglasses at this point. I go, 'Alright.' I walk into the tent [where the press conference was being held]. They have a special entrance; you supposed to go through this… I'm like, 'Well, they're friends and press people. Why don't I walk just in and say 'Hello?' blah blah blah. I walk in, I'm shaking hands, hanging out, talking, whatever… Then I go up and start to answer questions. Everything goes great. You know, they're asking stuff, they're videotaping, they're doing whatever. All of a sudden, one guy goes, 'We have a video of Joe Elliott last night saying that MÖTLEY CRÜE and POISON and all these bands have no talent, they can't play.' Now, let me just put this on the record: I'm a DEF LEPPARD fan. Not 'kind of a fan' — like, I own the CDs; I own the albums. We used to do the song 'Wasted', if that gives you any indication. I used to play 'On Through The Night' with like… The song 'Wasted' was one of our favorite songs…. I'm a DEF LEPPARD fan. Old-school, new-school — it doesn't matter. Gone to see their shows, liked the guys. Joe Elliott, I don't really know, but he seems like a decent guy, whatever. I get in there and the guy says it to me. I say, 'You're lying. I don't think Joe would say that.' He's like, 'No, I've got it on video.' Which they had on video — him [Joe] stating this. And I'm looking at him going, 'Wait, he's dissing MÖTLEY CRÜE and POISON. We're here to…' I'm thinking, I've never said anything but nice stuff. And from what I understand, obviously Joe does not wanna be known as 'hair metal.' And I said, 'Listen, I don't think that 'Something To Believe In', as a songwriter, is a hair-metal song, but you can call me whatever you want. I like a lot of the bands that they call hair metal; I happen to think they're really good bands. So call me whatever you want — I've been called a lot worse. At first I take no offense to Joe's thing and then I start to get worked up 'cause he's, like, we can't write, we can't play. And then it hits me that, listen, I've been nothing but cool. And I go, 'Well, this is coming from a guy who lip-synched on 'Dancing With The Stars'.' I go, 'This guy lip-synched…' [Mega-producer] Mutt Lange writes their… you know, does their albums… I'm not dissing them, I'm just saying… In other words, I was like, 'Look, give me and Joe a guitar each and a pen and a piece of paper, stick us in a room for an hour [and see who'll come out] with a couple of songs. But I don't wanna fight Joe. In other words, what bummed me out was that one of the guys I like is dissing every band… I'm like, why does he feel dissing all these bands or putting them down makes him any better? Isn't he secure enough in his success or where he's at… If someone said, 'Hey, what do you think about MÖTLEY?' Even though we've had words — MÖTLEY and us, or supposedly, whatever — I'm like, 'Hey, I like MÖTLEY's music. I'm a fan. They have good rock songs.' I just feel uncomfortable in my skin.'"

On whether Joe's words might have been taken out of context:

"I think what happened was… He might have been pushed. And I wanna say this for his fans as well as my fans — all rock fans — I'm not in a fight with DEF LEPPARD; I like their music, I like Joe Elliott. This has gotten so beyond anything… And I looked at the guy when he said it to me and I said, 'You're lying to me.' I'm like, 'Joe sat in this tent where I'm sitting…' And I just got done telling everybody how great DEF LEPPARD is. I'm like, 'Man, they sound great, they've got good tunes.' And then it just pissed me off. I was, like, 'Wait a minute. I've done nothing but say nice stuff. Every time I've ever seen the guys, they've been nothing but cool. So it was a little, maybe, taken out of context, and for me… I don't wanna fight with them. I like their music."

On whether POISON drummer Rikki Rockett challenged Joe Elliott to a fight:

"That I didn't see. What I thought was going on was that they were like… What the joke was from a lot of fans was, like, 'Don't trip over a water backstage at a DEF LEPPARD concert, you might unplug the stereo.' And I said, 'With our band, we don't ever use…' There's nothing. That's what blows everyone's minds. You go to a lot of 'concerts,' and you can trip over anything we've got, we play everything. In other words, the keyboard player… We have one guy extra to sing some of the parts, but that's it. There's no… You can put us in a club… Like we did it in New York. We went and played for, I believe it was WPLJ, and they stuck us in this club and [we] played, and it was one of the best nights we'd had, 'cause you can put us there or in the stadium or an arena, and it's gonna sound the same; there's no fear. And that's what some of the joke… I think Rikki's challenge was the same as mine. If this is gonna become a songwriting duel, Rikki goes, 'Do you bring Mutt Lange, or do you bring the band?'"

An audio recording of Bret Michaels talking to "The Tour Bus" about POISON's war of words with Joe Elliott is available for streaming and/or download at this location.

Elliott recently hit back at Rockett and Michaels over their response to Joe's comments at the Sweden Rock press conference. Rockett questioned Elliott's rock historian credentials in his posting, and wrote, "I'd be hurt if this were coming from John Lennon... So it takes about one minute and 45 seconds to put on eyeliner. I suppose during that same time you were writing the next 'Imagine'."

Michaels had already responded to Elliott's comments earlier, saying, "We have not sold out, and continuously, for 20 years every arena because we care about just our appearance. The music comes first." He then added, "(DEF LEPPARD) shouldn't be knocking anyone about their music since they just did a show called 'Dancing With The Stars' in the U.S. and they got crucified because they fucking lip-synched the entire show, so before they bust anyone's balls, I've never lip-synched a fucking thing in my life — ever! It's the pot calling the kettle black."

In a July 18 message posted at DEF LEPPARD's official web site, Elliott wrote, "I was simply making the following simple point when I said a lot of those Hollywood bands weren't 'real' (or whatever I said)... I was born Joseph Elliott, Sav was born Richard Savage, Rick was born Richard Allen, Phil was born Philip Collen, Viv was born Vivian Campbell, and oh, Steve was born Stephen Clark. I don't think anyone in POISON uses their real name, do they? And I could name hundreds of others who don't, but POISON came to mind because I was asked about them! It's nothing personal, it was just an answer to a question. . . Hey... Rikki implies we're miming on tour?! HA!!! Well, he's welcome to come see us anytime he wants... Obviously not used to hearing a good band very often then, is he??"

August 12

GUNS N' ROSES, Ex-QUIET RIOT Members Release Promo For Rock And Roll Fishing Series

Keyboardist Dizzy Reed (GUNS N' ROSES, HOOKERS 'N' BLOW) and guitarist Alex Grossi (QUIET RIOT, HOOKERS 'N' BLOW) have released a promo video for the first-ever rock and roll fishing series called "Rock And Reel", where the two musicians are put through the rigors of deep-sea fishing. Watch the clip at this location.

'Gone Country 2' Featuring SEBASTIAN BACH To Premiere Next Week

Former SKID ROW frontman Sebastian Bach will vie for the top prize on CMT's "Gone Country 2", the follow-up to the network's highest rated series ever.

John Rich returns as host and judge of the show, which will premiere Friday, August 15 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Other members of "Gone Country"'s second-season cast are Grammy- and Academy Award-winning singer, songwriter and actress Irene Cara; former "American Idol" fourth-season finalist Mikalah Gordon; former THE JACKSON 5 lead singer and 2007 "Celebrity Big Brother" UK houseguest Jermaine Jackson; ex-N SYNC member Chris Kirkpatrick; actor and former "Are You Hot?" judge Lorenzo Lamas; and actress Sean Young.

The show's second season will follow a similar format to its first season, as each episode will follow the cast as they compete against one another in challenges that test their ability to musically and physically adapt to the country-crooner lifestyle. In addition, each cast member will be paired with two Nashville songwriters, who will assist them in penning lyrics and music for a country single, which they'll then have the opportunity to perform.

"Gone Country" will conclude with one of the seven contestants winning the two-week competition and recording and releasing a country song.

For more information, click here.

PAUL STANLEY: Illinois Art Shows Announced

Wentworth Gallery, one of the nation's leading fine art retailers, will present an art exhibition by artist and rock icon Paul Stanley. The KISS frontman will present his work at two special appearances at the Wentworth Gallery in the Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, Illinois on August 22 and August 23, 2008.

His appearance will be open to the public and free of charge.

Friday, August 22, 2008 7 - 9 p.m.
Saturday, August 23, 2008 5 - 8 p.m.*

Wentworth Gallery
5 Woodfield Shopping Center
Schaumburg, Illinois 60173

* VIP Reception 4 -5 p.m. (Call 847-995-1190 for details)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=um02DNcKu_E

GUNS N' ROSES: 'Appetite For Destruction' To Be Re-Released On Vinyl With Original Artwork

Universal Music will re-release GUNS N' ROSES' classic debut album "Appetite For Destruction" on vinyl. The LP is due on Tuesday, September 9, 2008 and the cover features the controversial original artwork by Robert Williams.

Go to CD Universe to place your order today and be one of the first to receive this product when it arrives.

Product Description: Already a legend in its own meagre lifetime, this startling debut shrouded itself in controversy, from its original Robert Williams artwork to Axl Rose's unblinking accounts of L.A.'s underbelly. This mawkish storytelling, combined with a brattish collective swagger and a surprisingly mature approach to their songs, guaranteed GUNS N' ROSES a speedy notoriety that was to serve their legend brilliantly. From the laconic "Paradise City" to the achingly beautiful "Sweet Child O' Mine", or the furious "Welcome To The Jungle", the record brims with a brutal integrity. An album they could never surpass even if they had stayed together.

120-gram vinyl LP pressing of their genre-defining debut full-length album, originally released in 1987. The LP cover features the controversial original artwork. **Please note that this vinyl pressing features "For Promotional Use Only" printed on the artwork. 2007

German edition in its original sleeve design.

Recorded at Rumbo Studios, Canoga Park, California; Take One Studio, Burbank, California; Can Am Studio, Tarzana, California.

VINNIE VINCENT Tribute Album: Complete Track Listing, Release Date Revealed

SplitScreen Entertainment has set an August 27 release date for its upcoming tribute album "Kiss My Ankh: A Tribute To Vinnie Vincent".

Though Vinnie Vincent himself has not released any new material in over a decade, "Kiss My Ankh" will pay tribute to the undeniable musical legacy of the former KISS guitarist. Vinnie's compositions are widely regarded as a highlight of the KISS catalog and remain a staple of the live KISS set list. Included on the tribute are selections from the three KISS albums to which Vinnie contributed, as well as the two albums he released with the VINNIE VINCENT INVASION.

"Kiss My Ankh: A Tribute To Vinnie Vincent" track listing:

01. Killer - DOUBLEVIRGO
02. I Still Love You - GODS OF FIRE
03. Lick It Up - FUTURE 86
04. A Million To One - STEVE BROWN
05. Boyz Are Gonna Rock - MIKE WEEKS (with Andre LaBelle and T.J. Racer)
06. Back on the Streets - JAZAN WILD
07. That Time of Year - SHELDON TARSHA, RYAN ROXIE, MARKO PUKKILA, TROY PATRICK FARRELL
08. Love Kills - VIC RIVERA / KELLI MCCLOUD
09. Unholy - CURSE GOD AND DIE
10. I Just Wanna - THE DEAD ZOO KEEPERS

Check out audio samples at www.myspace.com/kissmyankh.

EXTREME: 'Saudades De Rock' Lands On UK Chart

"Saudades de Rock", the new album from reunited Boston hard rockers EXTREME, has entered the UK chart at position No. 80

 EXTREME: New York City Footage Posted Online

Fan-filmed video footage of reunited Boston hard rockers EXTREME's August 4, 2008 concert at The Fillmore NY @ Irving Plaza in New York City can be viewed below (clips uploaded by YouTube user "oneshot73").

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgLxB3_EFEM

MÖTLEY CRÜE, STONE TEMPLE PILOTS, NINE INCH NAILS Rumored For Argentina's PEPSI MUSIC

According to Argentina's Rolling Stone magazine, MÖTLEY CRÜE, STONE TEMPLE PILOTS, NINE INCH NAILS and THE CULT are among the rumored bands for the Pepsi Music Festival, set to take place late September/early October in Buenos Aires.

Pepsi Music Festival is a major Argentine music festival, held annually since 2003. Since 2005 it is named after its main sponsor, Pepsi. Prior to that, it was named after its previous sponsor Quilmes, and it was known as Quilmes Rock. It was held in several places, including the Ferro Stadium and River Plate Stadium, and since 2005 is held at Obras Stadium, all of them in Buenos Aires. It's the largest and longest music festival in the country, with more than 200,000 people attending the 10-day event in 2006.

DUFF MCKAGAN's LOADED To Release New Album Through CENTURY MEDIA

LOADED, the band formed by current VELVET REVOLVER bassist Duff McKagan (on guitar and vocals) after he left GUNS N' ROSES, will release a new album early next year via Century Media. A five-song EP will precede it in September.

"These are purely my songs," McKagan told Billboard.com. "It's probably more derivative of my earlier years of punk rock. It's a good rock 'n' roll band. It's fun, is what it is. There's no real business and no real drama. I'm really into no drama right now," he adds, noting Scott Weiland's recent rancorous departure from VELVET REVOLVER.

LOADED recently posted the third webisode (see below) featuring footage from the recording sessions for the group's new album. The sessions with producer Martin Feveyear are progressing well and they band already has several new tracks ready — "Roll Away", "Forgive Me", "Sick", "No More", "Southern Girl", "No Shame" and "Translucent".

In addition to McKagan, LOADED features drummer Geoff Reading (GREEN APPLE QUICK STEP), bassist Jeff Rouse (VENDETTA RED, ALIEN CRIME SYNDICATE) and guitarist Mike Squires (ALIEN CRIME SYNDICATE).

LOADED will embark on a European tour in September. Support on the UK/Ireland portion of the trek will come from THE LOYALTIES.

LOADED was formed in 1999 and has morphed several times, releasing two albums: 1999's "Live Episode" and 2001's "Dark Days".

VIVIAN CAMPBELL Says JOE ELLIOTT Vs. POISON Feud Is 'Much Ado About Nothing'

David Schmeichel of the Winnipeg Sun recently conducted an interview with DEF LEPPARD guitarist Vivan Campbell. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow.

On choosing their setlist:

"It's a tough thing for us, and we're kind of between a rock and a hard place. As artists, you keep wanting to move forward and play your new material, but you're kind of beholden to your success of the past. We're fortunate, in that we have a truckload of bona fide Top 20 hits, but the other side of the equation is that's all our audience wants to hear. . . We try to sneak in a couple new songs as we go, but you can really tell the majority of the audience doesn't know them, because there's a collective, 'Uhh,' You can put a new song in the first two or three — or even start with it — because while the audience is there and you have everyone's attention, they'll indulge you. But from then on, it gets difficult. You've got to pick the right (new) song to play, and even then, assume maybe 10 people in the audience are going to know it out of 10,000. Running order is very important, especially for a band like us, because our show is very physical, and it's very up, and we don't like to bring it down."

"We started off the tour playing six songs from the new album, and that very quickly became five songs, and then four, and then one — the single. That can even happen with what you'd hope would be familiar material, like this one tour where we started the show by playing the entire Side 1 of the 'High and Dry' album. About 30% of the audience went mad for it, but the rest of them were like, 'This isn't 'Pour Some Sugar On Me'.' Then we realized that wasn't the biggest album for fans, and it would've been different if we'd opened with 'Hysteria'. So you can't be too clever."

On frontman Joe Elliott's illness which forced several show cancellations in April:

"It was actually an upper respiratory tract infection, which was very unpleasant. We've all been on tour and gotten ill and managed to pull through, but with this, it got to the point where Joe would open his mouth and nothing would come out. Which for Joe Elliott is very strange. That man is in love with the sound of his own voice."
On the recent mini-controversy Elliott stirred up by daring to suggest that glam bands like POISON and MÖTLEY CRÜE "totally missed the point":

"You know, we live in a time where you can't say or do anything. And where do people find the time? I have two small children and three dogs, and I don't even have the time to go to the dentist, let alone sit on the Internet chatting about this shit for hours. It's much ado about nothing."

ACE FREHLEY Featured On JAM PAIN SOCIETY Album; Audio Available

Original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley makes a guest appearance on the new album from the Raleigh, North Carolina-based band JAM PAIN SOCIETY. Entitled "Black Light Messiah", the CD will be issued in North America on August 12 via Locomotive Records. Ace is featured on the song "The Ride", which is available for streaming on the JAM PAIN SOCIETY MySpace page.

Self-produced by guitarist/composer Chris Hill (who cites KISS, LED ZEPPELIN, VAN HALEN, and PARLIAMENT/FUNKADELIC as major influences), these 12 tracks bristle with melodic invention, heavy guitar riffs and huge hooks.

The woman behind the mic for this SOCIETY is Leah Kirby. Raised on a steady diet of AC/DC, BLACK SABBATH, JUDAS PRIEST and Motown, Leah cites Aretha Franklin and Ronnie James Dio as vocal influences. She is definitely not your typical rock frontwoman!

Nick Campbell's the man behind the big drum kit, technically gifted, intricate, and raised in the Neil Peart (RUSH) and Danny Carey (TOOL) school of bombast.

The bottom is filled out in its own spectacular JAM PAIN way with two bassists! Matt Frederick (from a band, DRILL 187, that Hill produced) and Greg Putnam (he of the six-string bass) puts the prog into the proceedings. DREAM THEATER enthusiasts both, they combine for one voice…and in so doing, make this JAM totally unique!

"Black Light Messiah" track listing:

01. So Here It Is
02. Wasted
03. You Made Me
04. Secret
05. Monster Mind
06. Second Smile
07. The Ride (feat. Ace Frehley)
08. Erase You
09. Choose Your Machine
10. Wrapped Around
11. Hero
12. Flavor

Check out audio samples at www.myspace.com/jampainsociety.

GILBY CLARKE On 'Rock N' Roll Fantasy Camp', ROCK STAR SUPERNOVA And 'Chinese Democracy'

Jason Price of Live-Metal.Net recently got a chance to sit down with former GUNS N' ROSES/ROCK STAR SUPERNOVA guitarist Gilby Clarke to discuss musical roots, his upcoming musical endeavors, his new role as a Rock N' Roll Fantasy Camp counselor a possible book about GN'R and even a little "Chinese Democracy". A couple of excerpts from the chat follow.

Live-Metal.Net: Currently you are on tour as a counselor for the Rock N' Roll Fantasy Camp. How did you become involved with the program?

Gilby Clarke: Actually a bunch of my friends have always been a part of it. Teddy Andreadis who used to play keyboards for GUNS N' ROSES, and Bruce Kulick have done it. Whenever they talk about it they always have great things to say about it and how it not only gives back to people who aren't professional musicians and the way it gives back to the musicians themselves. They get a sense of accomplishment working with people. I went down to Los Angeles to audition and I had a great time! I thought that the people were really fun and I just really enjoyed the whole process.

Live-Metal.Net: I would imagine that having experience on the production side of things probably lends itself pretty well to this project by putting all your expertise to work in a classroom setting.

Gilby Clarke: Yeah it definitely is a good experience for everyone involved.

Live-Metal.Net: What are you looking forward to the most about the Rock N' Roll Fantasy Camp tour?

Gilby Clarke: It is mostly about just talking to people. As a musician, you surround yourself with other musicians, so it is very easy to lose touch. What is really great about this is that you are one-on-one with people and get to hear what they are inspired by. I have never been one of those musicians that follows a trend. It always bothers me when I hear other artists saying, "Do this for the fans. Give them what they want." I just don't think that is really an artist. Being an artist is creating something original and you get fans from that. So it is always nice to get a little feedback, some honest feedback. That is another thing that is really great about this.

Live-Metal.Net: ROCK STAR SUPERNOVA reunited back in May of 2008 for a benefit. Is there any chance we might see you all back together again sometime soon?

Gilby Clarke: It is kind of funny because we never officially pulled the plug on it. It was a project, and Tommy (Lee) and I will always be friends. I just don't think it is anyone's priority at this point. I think we gave it our best shot and there were some things that were successful about it and some things that weren't. I don't think it will ever really go away but over time we may forget about it. At this point, you never really know what will come up.

Live-Metal.Net: I have a habit of throwing this one in here. When do you think that "Chinese Democracy" will be released?

Gilby Clarke: There was point there, I have to tell you, that I was absolutely sure it was coming out but at this point I have no idea. I am just like every other person and I am a fan of GN'R's music but I have no idea. I have heard a couple songs just like everybody else and I am just as curious as everybody else. I am really curious to see what kind of music you break up a really good band for.

Read the entire interview at Live-Metal.Net.

SEBASTIAN BACH: 'Youth Gone Wild' Performance Footage From Tampa Available

Fan-filmed video footage of Sebastian Bach performing the SKID ROW classic "Youth Gone Wild" on July 22, 2008 in Tampa, Florida can be viewed below (clip uploaded by YouTube user "jkoppie").

Sebastian Bach's "Angel Down" limited-edition CD/DVD package, featuring "Roadrage", a film by Sebastian Bach, was made available in the USA as an FYE exclusive at all FYE stores nationwide and also at the FYE booth on the POISON tour. "Roadrage" features five tracks, "100% live, pro-shot" on the 2006 North American GUNS N' ROSES/SEBASTIAN BACH tour.

"Angel Down" was produced by Roy Z (BRUCE DICKINSON, HALFORD, JUDAS PRIEST), and recorded at Sound City Studios and Under City Studios in Los Angeles, CA. Joining Bach in the studio were guitarists "Metal" Mike Chlasciak and Johnny Chromatic, Bobby Jarzombek on drums, and Steve DiGiorgio on bass. GUNS N' ROSES' Axl Rose makes a special guest appearance contributing vocals on three of the album's songs — "(Love is a) Bitchslap", a cover of AEROSMITH's "Back In the Saddle" and "Stuck Inside".

An e-card for "Angel Down" can be found at this location.

August 8

STRYPER: 'Honestly' Video Released On iTunes

Christian hard rockers STRYPER have released the video for the song "Honestly" on iTunes. Taken from the "Greatest Hits, Live in Puerto Rico" DVD that was issued in 2007, it marks the first time a video from STRYPER has been made available on iTunes. Cost $1.99. Runtime 4:16 (55.3 MB).

Download it at this location.

 POISON's 'Seven Days Live' To Receive CD Release

On August 26, Armoury Records (through Eagle Rock Entertainment) will release "Seven Days Live" by POISON — Bret Michaels, Bobby Dall, Rikki Rockett and Richie Kotzen — as captured at the height of their international success with a full show recorded at London's Hammersmith Opollo in 1993.

Featuring classic tracks like "Unskinny Bop", "Talk Dirty To Me", "Every Rose Has Its Thorn", "Ain't Nothin' But A Good Time" and more, "Seven Days Live" is a rare live recording of the Richie Kotzen era of the band, shortly after he replaced original guitarist C.C. DeVille.

POISON became icons of glam in the late '80s/early '90s with a striking visual image and incredible success selling records upwards of 14 million in the U.S. alone. With six Top 10 singles to their credit, they continue to tour to this day. The Pennsylvania band moved to Los Angeles in 1984 and developed a hardcore following along the Sunset Strip (VELVET REVOLVER guitarist Slash once auditioned as lead guitarist). With plenty of make-up and hairspray, they played their androgyny into major stardom, becoming the house band at popular West Hollywood hang-out The Troubadour. "Open Up And Say…Ahh!" (1988) made them into international celebrities. Michaels has also become a solo star, successful in movies and television.

The band's "Swallow This Live" live album was certified gold in 1991.

"Seven Days Live" track listing:

01. Ride The Wind
02. Something To Believe In
03. Stand
04. Fallen Angel
05. Look What The Cat Dragged In
06. Until You Suffer Some (Fire & Ice)
07. Unskinny Bop
08. Talk Dirty To Me
09. Every Rose Has Its Thorn
10. Nothin' But A Good Time

 South Dakota Governor Salutes KISS

KISS' official web site has been updated with the following message:

"Thanks to South Dakota governor Mike Rounds for making an unscheduled visit to see the band yesterday. The governor, who earlier honored KISS by declaring Monday as KISS Rock 'n Roll Day in South Dakota, wanted to personally thank the band for their support of the United States military! He later joined Sturgis Mayor Maury Larue live on stage to present the proclamation to the band in Sturgis last night!"

Check out photos at this location.

MÖTLEY CRÜE: Guitar Center Press Conference Highlights Available

MÖTLEY CRÜE held a press conference on July 31, 2008 to announce the launch of "Guitar Center On-Stage" — Your Chance To Make Rock History. Check out highlights from the event below. Photos can be found at Getty Images.

Continuing its commitment to the support of aspiring artists, Guitar Center and MÖTLEY CRÜE announced the launch of "Guitar Center On-Stage" — Your Chance To Make Rock History. "Guitar Center On-Stage" and the world's most notorious rock band will provide one up-and-coming band the ultimate, career-altering opportunity — the chance to open on tour for rock icons, MÖTLEY CRÜE. Now through September 21, 2008, bands across the United States are invited to submit their music at www.makerockhistory.com for a chance to win a prize package that includes an opening slot on MÖTLEY CRÜE's 2009 U.S. tour (dates to be announced at a later date), $25,000 cash, $20,000 in exclusive new gear from Gibson Guitar, management from Tenth St. Entertainment, and a recording deal from Eleven Seven Music, MÖTLEY's management and record label.

Guitar Center has engaged FameCast to power the submission site for "Guitar Center On-Stage," using FameCasts proprietary contest management platform to collect and present each band's submissions and rank them using a variety of metrics such as online fan voting and community engagement. A judging panel including Tenth St. Entertainment and Eleven Seven Records will then review the top bands, selecting 30 bands to advance to regional evaluation events held in mid-October at Guitar Center locations in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. After narrowing the list to the top six bands at the regional events, Guitar Center will host a final round of evaluation on November 12, 2008 at Guitar Center Hollywood, where each of the six bands will perform live for members of MÖTLEY CRÜE. One band will be notified via a personal phone call from a member of MÖTLEY CRÜE that they have been chosen as the winner and that the grand prize, which will include going on tour with MÖTLEY CRÜE, is theirs.

Also on hand at the press announcement at Guitar Center on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood was Chris Taylor Brown, lead vocalist from TRAPT who are currently touring on Crüe Fest. "It is an incredible opportunity to be on the road with one of rock's greatest bands. TRAPT has sold more than two million albums, we have four hit singles, a new album out on Tuesday (August 5) and it's still an honor as well as an enormous boost to our audience to be on the bill with MÖTLEY CRÜE." Guitar Center spends millions every year behind programs that help our customers realize their musical dreams.

"'Guitar Center On-Stage' is our most audacious and ambitious program yet. We are offering nothing short of a chance for greatness. A way to step out of the shadows of obscurity and into the light of legends," said Norman Hajjar, EVP and Chief Marketing Officer for Guitar Center.

Allen Kovac, CEO and Founder of Tenth Street Entertainment and Eleven Seven Music said, "Tenth Street Entertainment has historically achieved success with unique and robust strategic marketing initiatives for its clients. In just 24 short months, Eleven Seven Music has become the #1 Independent Active Rock record company with five percent of the market share at rock radio. Aligned with the advertising, brand recognition and credibility Guitar Center is providing, Tenth Street and Eleven Seven are excited to give an up-and-coming rock band the best possible support to jump start a long and successful career in the music and entertainment businesses."

MÖTLEY CRÜE's Mick Mars notes, "Our partnership with Guitar Center gives us the opportunity to help an up-and-coming band by giving them every element needed to succeed. Like Ozzy did for us when he took an unknown band called MÖTLEY CRÜE on the road, we too are looking for the next generation's great rock band."

Press Conference Master of Ceremonies Jim Richards, Program Director of San Diego's 101 KGB FM says, "MÖTLEY CRÜE has remained one of the most relevant bands of their era. Their single 'Saints Of Los Angeles' is currently Top 10 at Active Rock and Top 5 at Mainstream Rock and played alongside bands like DISTURBED, LINKING PARK and AVENGED SEVENFOLD. None of their contemporaries have experienced this kind of staying power. This program is a dream come true for any young musician."

"Gibson Guitar has always supported bands on every level and as a music innovator we work hard to support emerging bands by giving them opportunities for success through our many resources," said Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar. "This program will launch the next MÖTLEY CRÜE and we are proud to partner with our friends at Guitar Center for such an exciting promotion."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oTUcQYAz3c

August 6

RIKKI ROCKETT To JOE ELLIOTT: 'You Need To Shut The F**k Up! No More Talkin' S**t'

 POISON drummer Rikki Rockett has threatened DEF LEPPARD singer Joe Elliott with a beatdown following Elliott's recent onstage outburst in which Joe reportedly called Rockett a "fucking idiot [who has] never seen a good band before."

In a brand new posting in the blog section of his MySpace page, Rockett writes, "For fuck's sake, Joe Elliott! Joe, king of the power mullet, at this point you need to shut the fuck up! No more talkin' shit. I'll give you a choice on how you go down. Arm bar, leg lock, shoulder lock, triangle, back choke or knock out. You pick! Let's get it on!"

SCORPIONS: 'Rockline' Appearance Available For Streaming

German hard rock veterans SCORPIONS were interviewed this past Wednesday (July 30) on the nationally syndicated radio show "Rockline", hosted by Bob Coburn. The program is now available for streaming at this location.

 KISS Guitarist To Appear At Kiss Coffeehouse's Second-Anniversary Party

KISS guitarist Tommy Thayer will make a special guest appearance at the b>Kiss Coffeehouse's second-anniversary party, which will be held on Saturday, September 6 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. This will be an all-day-and-night rock and roll party, with contests and live music. All events will be free of charge. More information will be made available soon.

The Kiss Coffeehouse opened to huge crowds in the summer of 2006 and features signature KISS coffees, including Kiss Army Blend and French Kiss Vanilla, the Kiss Frozen Rockuccino, cookies, brownies and other sinful sweets.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqE5sWAnDOk

DEF LEPPARD Singer Reportedly Calls POISON Drummer A 'F**king Idiot' During Texas Concert

DEF LEPPARD kicked off the second leg of its U.S. tour Wednesday night (July 30) at the Dodge Arena in Hidalgo, Texas. In her review of the show, Miriam Ramirez of The Monitor wrote, "[DEF LEPPARD singer Joe] Elliott used his time on stage to fuel the ongoing beef between [him and] POISON drummer Rikki Rockett and Bret Michaels who were forced to defend their rock credentials after a jab from Elliott. 'Just like Rikki Rockett... f-ing idiot. He's just never seen a good band before,' Elliott said after some technical difficulties."

DEF LEPPARD's setlist was as follows:

01. Rocket
02. Animal
03. Let's Get Rocked
04. C'mon C'mon
05. Foolin'
06. Mirror, Mirror
07. Nine Lives
08. Love Bites
09. Rock On (acoustic)
10. Two Steps Behind (acoustic)
11. Bringin' on the Heartache
12. Hysteria
13. Armageddon It
14. Photograph
15. Pour Some Sugar on Me

Encore:

16. Bad Actress
17. Rock of Ages

POISON Guitarist C.C. DEVILLE: 'I'm Learning Grace From The Lord'

Guitarist C.C. DeVille of '80s hard rockers POISON the took part in an in-depth interview with Living Legends Music on July 22, 2008 at the Ford Amphitheatre in Tampa, Florida. Watch the chat in six parts below.

Part 1- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7eN69GdupY

Part 2- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtclpF4boYs

Part 3- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMUtLRVoIDk

Part 4- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTmK_na57-w

Part 5- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_eN22wVWXY

Part 6- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7gb-0xbMn0

TESLA To Release 'Gold' Collection Of Digitally Remastered Hits

TESLA will release the "Gold" collection of "digitally remastered hits" on August 26.

The track listing is as follows:

Disc One:

01. Cumin' Atcha Live
02. Ez Come Ez Go
03. Modern Day Cowboy
04. Gettin' Better
05. Rock Me To The Top
06. Little Suzi
07. Hang Tough
08. Heaven's Trail (No Way Out)
09. Lazy Days, Crazy Nights
10. The Way It Is
11. Love Song
12. Love In Vain +
13. I Ain't Superstitious ++
14. Rock The Nation ++
15. Signs Live
16. Paradise Live
17. Children's Heritage ++
18. Cotton Fields ++

+ Previously unreleased
++ Non-LP single b-side

Disc Two:

01. Edison's Medicine
02. Call It What You Want
03. Song & Emotion
04. What You Give
05. Mama's Fool
06. Try So Hard
07. A Lot To Lose
08. The Ocean
09. Last Action Hero
10. Steppin' Over
11. Into The Now
12. Heaven Nine Eleven
13. Caught In A Dream
14. Thank You

DUFF MCKAGAN Hopes VELVET REVOLVER Has Found Its New Singer

VELVET REVOLVER bassist Duff McKagan has told UK's JournalLive that the band should hopefully have a new singer by the end of next month.

The new vocalist's identity may still be a closely guarded secret but McKagan explained: "We have a guy who we've been working with who's a really good singer and a great guy. I really hope he's the one. The question is, does he have that extra thing? It's just really hard to tell until you do a gig. There's a lot of expectation. In truth, he has to be killer to front VELVET REVOLVER. We're writing amazing material and I really think the new record will be the best thing that we've done as a band. So do we have the right singer to do that music justice?"

VELVET REVOLVER has been looking for a new frontman since dismissing Scott Weiland back in April. Rumored candidates have included ex-SKID ROW singer Sebastian Bach, former MTV VJ Steve Isaacs (THE PANIC CHANNEL) and ex-SPACEHOG vocalist Royston Langdon, who has apparently had several successful rehearsal sessions with the band.

Speaking to the Artisan News Service on July 23, 2008 at a fashion event in Los Angeles, VELVET REVOLVER drummer Matt Sorum stated about the group's lead singer search, "We got a call from a pretty big guy who wants to be our singer. I can't say who that is yet but talks are happening about it and hopefully we'll see what happens in the next couple of months."

Asked about the possibility of Sebastian Bach joining VELVET REVOLVER, Sorum said, "No. No, it's a lot cooler than that but I don't know if it's going to happen so I can't say. It's cool that people are calling us and wanting to get in the band, so that's exciting."

August 5

POISON: Top 10 Debut For 'Live, Raw & Uncut' DVD

POISON's "Live, Raw & Uncut" DVD, available exclusively at Best Buy, sold around 2,400 copies in its first week of release to debut at position No. 8 on Billboard's Top Music Videos chart.

The DVD/CD collection — the band's first in over a decade — includes all of their greatest hits performed live. Captured in glorious high definition, "Live, Raw & Uncut" was recorded in 2007 in front of more than 10,000 rowdy fans at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in St. Louis, Missouri. Rounding out the set is an accompanying bonus CD of POISON's greatest hits captured live.

POISON is currently on the road, hitting 50 US cities this summer on their Live, Raw & Uncut Summer Tour 2008.

VH1 has just announced that POISON singer Bret Michaels will be back for a third season of his hit reality series "Rock Of Love", but this time, it's taking place on his tour bus.

"Rock Of Love Bus With Bret Michaels" is set to premiere in early 2009.

STEVEN ADLER: 'I've Got SLASH, DUFF, IZZY And AXL Behind Me; I've Got Their Prayers'

Former GUNS N' ROSES drummer Steven Adler and his lawyer Barry Sands attended a court hearing in Los Angeles on Friday (July 25) regarding Steven's recent drug-related arrest. (See video from X17 below.)

Prior to the hearing, Steven told X17 cameras he was nervous, but looking to move on and sober up.

"I'm feeling much better," he said. "I made a recent mistake. I had a relapse after 37 days. I just wanna take care of this and move on. I'm back to seven days sober, so I wanna keep that going — seven days, seven weeks, seven months, seven years. It's the first day of the rest of my life right now. I wanna keep the sobriety going and keep my health going. I'm just glad I've got my friends behind me. I've got Slash behind me, Duff, Izzy, Axl… [they're] all behind me. I've got their prayers."

After the hearing was over, the 43-year-old rocker's attorney said that the court date was moved to August 20, and his client hasn't been charged with a crime.

Steven added, "The bottom line is, I made a mistake, I relapsed. You've gotta pay for your mistakes, and I'm just paying for it. And whatever I have to do to take care of this to keep this in the past so I can move on to the future, I'll do it."

When asked what advice he had for young rockers who may be going through a similar ordeal while struggling to maintain a music career, Adler replied, "Have your loved ones videotape you using and then watch it when you're sober or not using and seeing how terrible you look and terrible you act, and I'm pretty sure that'll help you not wanna use anymore."

Los Angeles police spokesman Richard French told the Associated Press that Adler was arrested around 4 a.m. on July 18 by officers called to a home where a man reportedly was creating a disturbance and refusing to leave.

The warrant stems from a 2005 case where Adler was charged for being under the influence of a controlled substance and driving on a suspended license. He then sealed his fate by missing a court date in April of 2006.

The drummer told Lynn Hernandez of Tulsa, Oklahoma's 97.5 KMOD radio station at the Rocklahoma festival about a week before his arrest that he was planning on being part of the cast of "Sober Living", a spin-off of VH1's "Celebrity Rehab".

"Sober Living", which was described as a cross between "Surreal Life" and "The Real World", would put a number of "Celebrity Rehab" alumni together in a luxurious Beverly Hills mansion for 30 days while they try to rebuild their careers without drugs and alcohol, according to the New York Post.

Like "Celebrity Rehab", the new show would prominently feature Dr. Drew Pinsky ("Loveline"), who oversees the celebs during their stints in televised rehab.

Steven Adler last month underwent detoxification and treatment at a center in the Los Angeles area on the second season of the hit reality series "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew". The series, consisting of eight one-hour episodes, is slated to premiere October 2008 on VH1.

KISS: 'Kiss Best – Kissology' Artwork Unveiled

The artwork for KISS's forthcoming "best-of" collection, "Kiss Best - Kissology", can be viewed below.

Due in Japan on August 27, 2008 via DefSTAR Records, a subsidiary of Sony Music Japan, "Kiss Best - Kissology" will feature the following track listing:

01. Deuce
02. Detroit Rock City
03. I Was Made For Lovin' You
04. Love Gun
05. Rock 'n Roll All Nite
06. I Love It Loud
07. Black Diamond
08. Lick It Up
09. Christine Sixteen
10. Do You Love Me
11. Heaven's On Fire
12. Calling Dr. Love
13. Shout It Out Loud
14. Forever
15. Hotter Than Hell

The limited-edition version of the CD — which will feature the re-recorded versions of the band's classics completed with the group's current lineup (including guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singer) — will also contain a bonus DVD featuring footage of KISS' April 2, 1977 concert at Budokan (taken from "Kissology Vol. 1") plus a bonus sticker. The DVDs are region-2 encoded (Japan, Europe, and Middle East), and carry no subtitles.

To pre-order this collection, visit CDJapan.co.jp.

DEF LEPPARD: 'Leppard Tracks: Misty Dreamers (1977-2008)' Book Now Available

"Leppard Tracks: Misty Dreamers (1977-2008)", a book documenting the history of DEF LEPPARD on an album-by-album basis, is now available via Amazon.com. According to a press release, "song stories are detailed and other vignettes are offered to fill out the story, such as touring details, set lists, biographical 'stories,' and the ever-important tangents that demonstrate the strange relationships within the music industry. This unofficial and unsanctioned work doesn't claim to be a first hand day-by-day account of the band's history. Nor is it complete — think of it more as a Def Buffet of sorts. As such, this work strives to be a broad guide to the recording history of the band, but not a terse all-inclusive discography (which while interesting to a few would bore many to tears!). It doesn't aim to focus in any particular manner on the band."

Former QUIET RIOT Drummer Issues Update On FREAKSHOW Project

Former QUIET RIOT drummer Frankie Banali has issued the following update on his FREAKSHOW project which also features guitarist/vocalist Markus Allen Christopher (M!SS CRAZY) and guitarist Jeff LaBar (CINDERELLA):

"I am really pleased and amazed about all the wonderful attention that the FREAKSHOW project has garnered in such a short period of time and at such an early stage.

"Here are some facts as I know them to be. Markus has written some fantastic songs. I flew up to San Jose last week and slammed out serious rock drum tracks which I am very proud of. As I write this, Markus is in the studio continuing to work on the material. CINDERELLA's mighty Jeff LaBar will be flying in the next few weeks to add his guitar virtuosity to these great songs.

"Yesterday it was announced that Tony Franklin [WHITESNAKE, THE FIRM, BLUE MURDER] will be laying down the bass tracks for the FREAKSHOW recordings. Markus and I had discussed the bass player situation, and since I was available to record the drums right away, we did not seek, search or cattle call for bass players, but rather decided to get the best bass player to record the best bass tracks. I recommended Tony as he is not only the best, but also my favorite bass player. Markus wholeheartedly agreed as he is all too familiar with the gifted Mr. Franklin! Having said that, there are no mutual plans for Tony to continue beyond the recordings. Sometimes a simple mention here or there seems to create an artificial life of its own! The last thing anyone involved in FREAKSHOW wants is to disappoint the fans due to misconceptions.

"Now then, while Tony has agreed to record the FREAKSHOW bass tracks, there has not been any discussion of any participation on his part beyond the recordings. So I think that it is important for everyone to understand that we are trying to make the FREAKSHOW recordings the best that they can possibly be and as memorable as possible for those who might listen to it. Beyond that, the future of FREAKSHOW is up to you, the listener and the fans!"

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/freakshowrox.

POISON Drummer RIKKI ROCKETT: 'I've Never Raped Anybody'

 Michael Christopher of DelcoTimes.com recently conducted an interview with POISON drummer Rikki Rockett. A few excerpts from the chat follow.

On being arrested on strong-arm rape charges at LAX (he was later exonerated):

"I'm completely off the hook because they admitted they had the wrong guy.

"Rape was the furthest thing from my mind — I've never raped anybody. I thought maybe I had insulted somebody or there was a bill I didn't pay. And when they took me in and sat me down and told me it was criminal, and that I had a rape charge, I've never felt that kind of a rush go through my body."

"That's like being told you have cancer. I mean, when somebody attaches that to your name, there's not a whole lot worse that can be attached to it. I think child molestation might be worse, murder might be worse, though in some cases it might be better if it's in your own defense. That's just one thing you don't want tagged with your name."

"There were a lot of people just poised to say something about me or my band or any member of our band, so when this came out they were all over it. Immediately I started losing some of the products I was putting out, people refusing my posters in stores, it was a gnarly, gnarly thing to happen."

"The worst thing was when I went to a Wal-Mart to pick up a cooler or something, and there's this woman in her mid-30s who's probably a POISON fan because she seemed to have recognized me, and she grabs her four year old girl and just takes her around the corner to get her out of my line of sight as quick as she could. That just hurt. Normally someone would say, 'This is my daughter, she's a future POISON fan.' I'm used to that, but I'm not used to someone taking their kid away because they're scared of me!"

"When the pressure began to grow, and [the woman who made the accusation] realized I had never been to that casino, that I had never been to that part of the state, I hadn't been in Mississippi during that month, she knew she was in pretty deep and had to get out somehow. Now she's saying that no, it is in fact this other guy. The day that this happened, by the way, I was with my fiancée as she was trying on wedding dresses."

Read the entire interview at DelcoTimes.com.

MÖTLEY CRÜE: Video Footage Of 'Guitar Center' Press Conference Available

"Guitar Center On-Stage" and the world's most notorious rock band will provide one up-and-coming band the ultimate, career-altering opportunity — the chance to open on tour for rock icons MÖTLEY CRÜE. Starting today, through September 21 2008, bands across the United States are invited to submit their music at www.makerockhistory.com for a chance to win a prize package that includes an opening slot on MÖTLEY CRÜE's 2009 U.S. tour (dates to be announced at a later date), $25,000 cash, $20,000 in exclusive new gear from Gibson Guitar, management from Tenth St. Entertainment, and a recording deal from Eleven Seven Music, MÖTLEY's management and record label.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8i-XAkMPHOk

Former QUIET RIOT Guitarist To Replace JOHN CORABI In RATT?

According to Metal Sludge, John Corabi (former MÖTLEY CRÜE singer) has quit his gig as the rhythm guitarist in RATT and is rumored to have been replaced by former QUIET RIOT guitarist Carlos Cavazo.

MÖTLEY CRÜE Announces Partnership With GUITAR CENTER

Continuing its commitment to the support of aspiring artists, Guitar Center and MÖTLEY CRÜE announced today the launch of "Guitar Center On-Stage" — Your Chance To Make Rock History. "Guitar Center On-Stage" and the world's most notorious rock band will provide one up-and-coming band the ultimate, career-altering opportunity — the chance to open on tour for rock icons, MÖTLEY CRÜE. Starting today, through September 21 2008, bands across the United States are invited to submit their music at www.makerockhistory.com for a chance to win a prize package that includes an opening slot on MÖTLEY CRÜE's 2009 U.S. tour (dates to be announced at a later date), $25,000 cash, $20,000 in exclusive new gear from Gibson Guitar, management from Tenth St. Entertainment, and a recording deal from Eleven Seven Music, MÖTLEY's management and record label.

Guitar Center has engaged FameCast to power the submission site for "Guitar Center On-Stage," using FameCasts proprietary contest management platform to collect and present each band's submissions and rank them using a variety of metrics such as online fan voting and community engagement. A judging panel including Tenth St. Entertainment and Eleven Seven Records will then review the top bands, selecting 30 bands to advance to regional evaluation events held in mid-October at Guitar Center locations in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. After narrowing the list to the top six bands at the regional events, Guitar Center will host a final round of evaluation on November 12, 2008 at Guitar Center Hollywood, where each of the six bands will perform live for members of MÖTLEY CRÜE. One band will be notified via a personal phone call from a member of MÖTLEY CRÜE that they have been chosen as the winner and that the grand prize, which will include going on tour with MÖTLEY CRÜE, is theirs.

Also on hand at the press announcement at Guitar Center on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood was Chris Taylor Brown, lead vocalist from TRAPT who are currently touring on Crüe Fest. "It is an incredible opportunity to be on the road with one of rock's greatest bands. TRAPT has sold more than two million albums, we have four hit singles, a new album out on Tuesday (August 5) and it's still an honor as well as an enormous boost to our audience to be on the bill with MÖTLEY CRÜE." Guitar Center spends millions every year behind programs that help our customers realize their musical dreams.

"'Guitar Center On-Stage' is our most audacious and ambitious program yet. We are offering nothing short of a chance for greatness. A way to step out of the shadows of obscurity and into the light of legends," said Norman Hajjar, EVP and Chief Marketing Officer for Guitar Center.

Allen Kovac, CEO and Founder of Tenth Street Entertainment and Eleven Seven Music said, "Tenth Street Entertainment has historically achieved success with unique and robust strategic marketing initiatives for its clients. In just 24 short months, Eleven Seven Music has become the #1 Independent Active Rock record company with five percent of the market share at rock radio. Aligned with the advertising, brand recognition and credibility Guitar Center is providing, Tenth Street and Eleven Seven are excited to give an up-and-coming rock band the best possible support to jump start a long and successful career in the music and entertainment businesses."

MÖTLEY CRÜE's Mick Mars notes, "Our partnership with Guitar Center gives us the opportunity to help an up-and-coming band by giving them every element needed to succeed. Like Ozzy did for us when he took an unknown band called MÖTLEY CRÜE on the road, we too are looking for the next generation's great rock band."

Press Conference Master of Ceremonies Jim Richards, Program Director of San Diego's 101 KGB FM says, "MÖTLEY CRÜE has remained one of the most relevant bands of their era. Their single 'Saints Of Los Angeles' is currently Top 10 at Active Rock and Top 5 at Mainstream Rock and played alongside bands like DISTURBED, LINKING PARK and AVENGED SEVENFOLD. None of their contemporaries have experienced this kind of staying power. This program is a dream come true for any young musician."

"Gibson Guitar has always supported bands on every level and as a music innovator we work hard to support emerging bands by giving them opportunities for success through our many resources," said Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar. "This program will launch the next MÖTLEY CRÜE and we are proud to partner with our friends at Guitar Center for such an exciting promotion."

KIX Confirmed For ROCK THE BAYOU Festival

 KIX — frontman Steve Whiteman, bassist Mark Schenker, guitarists Ronnie Younkins and Brian "Damage" Forsythe and drummer Jimmy "Chocolate" Chalfant — has been confirmed for the Rock The Bayou music bash, set to take place August 29 – September 1 on the Rock The Bayou Grounds, located between Kirby Drive and Fannin Avenue, directly south of Loop 610 in Houston, Texas (where AstroWorld was a seasonally operated theme park). The site is being transformed into a 100-acre festival playground for those who love to rock. More than 40 bands will play two stages over four days.

Rock The Bayou main-stage billing is shaping up as follows:

ALICE COOPER
BANG TANGO
BLACK 'N BLUE
BRET MICHAELS
BRITNY FOX
BROKEN TEETH
BULLETBOYS
DANGEROUS TOYS
DOKKEN
ENUFF Z'NUFF
FASTER PUSSYCAT
FIREHOUSE
GILBY CLARKE
GREAT WHITE
JACKYL
JETBOY
KIX
L.A. GUN
LILLIAN AXE
LITA FORD
LITTLE CAESAR
LYNCH MOB
PRETTY BOY FLOYD
QUEENSRŸCHE
RATT
SAMMY HAGAR
SKID ROW
SLAUGHTER
TWISTED SISTER
WARRANT
Y&T
YNGWIE MALMSTEEN

One of the most affordable summer music bashes in the country, Rock The Bayou offers a $99 single admission, early-bird ticket for all four days of the music festival. Active U.S. military (with ID) will be admitted for half-price.

For tickets and information, charge by phone at (713) 629-4747, or visit RockTheBayou.com or OnlineTickets.com — the festival's exclusive ticket seller.

Rock The Bayou intends to be one of the nation's largest and most accessible summer concert fests, says Ali Fazeli, president of The Fazeli Group, which is promoting and producing the event. Some 50,000 people a day are expected to attend. Festival wristbands will allow people to come and go as they wish.

"We've got an unbelievable lineup that celebrates rock's top legendary artists," Fazeli explains. "We've designed an event with a family flavor and the most affordable ticket price of the large summer music festivals."

Plus, $1 from every Rock The Bayou ticket purchased will go to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Lone Star Chapter, says Fazeli.

With climbing gas prices putting the chill on Labor Day getaways, Rock The Bayou offers Texans a close-to-home alternative. "Rock The Bayou gives them a unique 'stay-cation' option — a chance to celebrate the end of summer without breaking the bank," explains Fazeli.

For family fun, a Ferris wheel is being brought in, along with a towering drive-in like screen that will play movies after nightly band performances. A second stage will feature Texas bands for continuous music. Rock The Bayou will also offer a VIP area, parking, safe campgrounds and RV facilities.

For Fazeli, the long days and nights putting together a legendary rock lineup have been energizing. The self-professed workaholic is also a big music fan.

"We're thrilled to have such a great group of performers at one, huge festival for the first time in Houston," he says. "This kind of event has been long overdue for such a diverse and acclaimed city."

August 4

SLASH's Guest Appearance On EDGAR WINTER's Album Available For Streaming

VELVET REVOLVER/ex-GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Slash is among the guest musicians appearing on the new EDGAR WINTER album, entitled "Rebel Road". Released on July 8 through Airline Records via Sony Red distribution, the disc's eleven songs were co-written by Winter and Curt Cuomo, who has worked with EDDIE MONEY, KISS and others. Other guest musicians on the CD include country superstar Clint Black (on vocals and harmonica) and Winter's equally legendary guitarist brother Johnny Winter.

Check out the album's title cut featuring Slash on Winter's MySpace page.

SEBASTIAN BACH Presents 'Angel Down' Limited-Edition CD/DVD Package; Video Available

Video footage of Sebastian Bach presenting the newly released "Angel Down" CD/DVD package, featuring "Roadrage", a film by Sebastian Bach, can be viewed below.

The "Angel Down" limited-edition CD/DVD package was made available in the USA as an FYE exclusive at all FYE stores nationwide and also at the FYE booth on the POISON tour. "Roadrage" features five tracks, "100% live, pro-shot" on the 2006 North American GUNS N' ROSES/SEBASTIAN BACH tour.

"Angel Down" was produced by Roy Z (BRUCE DICKINSON, HALFORD, JUDAS PRIEST), and recorded at Sound City Studios and Under City Studios in Los Angeles, CA. Joining Bach in the studio were guitarists "Metal" Mike Chlasciak and Johnny Chromatic, Bobby Jarzombek on drums, and Steve DiGiorgio on bass. GUNS N' ROSES' Axl Rose makes a special guest appearance contributing vocals on three of the album's songs — "(Love is a) Bitchslap", a cover of AEROSMITH's "Back In the Saddle" and "Stuck Inside".

An e-card for "Angel Down" can be found at this location.

 TWISTED SISTER To Release 'Live At The Astoria' DVD

TWISTED SISTER will release a new DVD, "Live At The Astoria", in the fall.

Commented guitarist Jay Jay French: "Recorded in London, in August 2004, the critics hailed TWISTED SISTER's performance as one of their greatest ever. If you're an SMF, and have wondered what TWISTED SISTER thought about any of their live shows throughout their 35-year history, you should know this: while certain bandmembers remember certain shows, and relate tales of particular performances as being their favorite, rarely does the band universally agree that any particular show is about as good as it gets. I can say this without hesitation or ambiguity: each bandmember considered that night to be amongst the most special of our careers. This concert was filmed and kept in a vault for the past four years. When the band had the opportunity to look at the footage, it brought back the heat, passion, intensity and audience participation that was at a level far above all expectations. The DVD will be released worldwide through Demolition Records, our UK-based label, and we look forward to sharing this magical performance with all of you."

TWISTED SISTER's setlist for the August 1, 2004 show at the Astoria in London, England was as follows:

01. What You Don't Know (Sure Can Hurt You)
02. The Kids Are Back
03. Under The Blade
04. Destroyer
05. Like A Knife In The Back
06. Burn In Hell
07. Ride To Live
08. Shoot 'Em Down
09. You Can't Stop Rock N' Roll
10. The Fire Still Burns
11. We're Not Gonna Take It
12. The Price
13. I Am, I'm Me
14. I Wanna Rock
15. Come Out & Play
16. S.F.M

KISS Guitarist TOMMY THAYER To Host Pacific University Legends Golf Classic

 Hosted by KISS lead guitarist Tommy Thayer, the Pacific University Legends Golf Classic will feature some of the biggest names in music, entertainment, sports and golf to raise funds for Pacific's intercollegiate athletics program.

The field includes PGA Tour standouts John Daly, Shaun Micheel, Alex Cejka, John Mallinger and Tommy Armour III; former Major League Baseball players Bobby Grich, Eric Karros, Chuck Finely, Scott Erickson and Bret Boone; former NFL standouts Mike Sherrard and Preston Pearson; and comedian George Lopez.

The second annual celebrity tournament, a fund-raiser for Pacific's 20-sport athletics program, takes place July 27-28 at The Reserve in Aloha.

The tournament field also includes former "Monday Night Football" sideline reporter Lisa Guerrero, legendary NASCAR driver Geoff Bodine, singer/songwriter Ray Kennedy and Doc McGhee, the legendary manager of BON JOVI and KISS. Rising country star Crystal Shawanda will be the featured artist for the tournament's Sunday concert.

Entry packages for the Pacific University Legends Golf Classic are filling fast. The tournament begins on Sunday, July 27, with a dinner, auction and concert featuring Thayer and other musicians in the tournament field. The golf takes place on Monday, July 28, on The Reserve's two world-class courses with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. A clinic featuring PGA professionals and a putting contest will precede the tournament.

For more information on the Pacific University Legends Golf Classic or to reserve a playing spot in the tournament field, please visit the tournament web site at www.pacificlegendsgolf.com or call 503-352-2211.

RUDY SARZO: Collector's Edition Of 'Off The Rails' Book Due In August

A new collector's edition of bassist Rudy Sarzo's (DIO, QUIET RIOT, WHITESNAKE, OZZY OSBOURNE, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) book "Off The Rails: Aboard The Crazy Train In The Blizzard Of Ozz" willl be released in August via TooSmart! Publishing. According to Sarzo, "The new edition is beautiful and includes many more pictures throughout the book as well as a 16-page glossy spread of Ross Halfin photos from the beginning of our tour."

The book will be available August 8 you'll be able to get a personally autographed copy from RudySarzo.com. It will also be available on Amazon and other fine retailers around the world.

"Off the Rails" includes a first-person account from Rudy's personal day-by-day diary of events while touring with Ozzy Osbourne and Randy Rhoads in the early Eighties. The book was originally due in 2005 but was delayed after Sharon Osbourne allegedly applied pressure to have it pulled.

 VH1 Now Casting 'Rock Of Love Bus With Bret Michaels'

VH1 is loading up a tour bus filled with beautiful babes and taking them on tour across the country. "Rock of Love Bus with Bret Michaels" takes contestants out of the mansion and on the road in true rock star style. This season will feature all-new ladies vying for Bret's affection while traveling across America following Bret on a month-long tour. The contestants will face new challenges to see if they can handle the rock star life on the road.

This time as the bus pulls into each new city, the girls will engage in challenges specifically revolving around Bret's life on the road. Whether it's greeting aggressive groupies with a smile, enduring grueling schedules, dodging the advances of the warm-up band or even stepping in last-minute to fill in for delinquent roadies — these girls will be put to the test. This season, as the "Rock of Love Bus" heads into America's heartland, the show will be taking the viewer to a whole new level with crazy, fun, over-the-top challenges — imagine Truck Stop Olympics or a dance contest on top of the St. Louis Arch or even a BBQ cook-off beneath the World's Largest Thermometer. And also, back by popular demand... Mud Bowl 3. Americana at its finest!

If you are a sexy single lady looking for love who can party like a rock star, then this is the show for you.

The "Love Bus" casting tour will be stopping in the following cities:

* Los Angeles, CA
* Las Vegas, NV
* Salt Lake City, UT
* Hoboken, NJ
* Long Island, NY
* New York, NY
* Corpus Christi, TX
* Chicago, IL
* Cincinnati, OH
* Charlotte, NC

To audition, email the following info as soon as possible. Send your:

* Name
* Age
* Phone number
* MySpace link
* A short bio
* And attach a recent photo of yourself

Send to: LArock@realtalentcasting.com

All applicants must be 21+

* Location: Los Angeles
* Compensation: $100/day

"Rock of Love Bus with Bret Michaels" is set to premiere in early 2009.

VH1's "Rock of Love Bus with Bret Michaels" is created and executive-produced by Mark Cronin and Cris Abrego for 51 Minds Entertainment, LLC. an Endemol company, who also produce the record-breaking series "Rock of Love", "Flavor of Love", "Charm School", "I Love New York", "The Surreal Life" and "My Fair Brady".

FASTER PUSSYCAT: 'VIP Tour Package Summer 2008' Available

FASTER PUSSYCAT fans wishing to meet the band on the current U.S. tour with L.A. GUNS and BANG TANGO can do so by purchasing the "Faster Pussycat VIP Tour Package Summer 2008".

The $40.99 VIP package includes:

* Ticket to the live show in your area (featuring FASTER PUSSYCAT, L.A. GUNS and BANG TANGO)
* Meet-and-greet with FASTER PUSSYCAT
* Exclusive t-shirt with tour dates on back
* Comemmorative lanyard

For more information, including a list of available dates, go to this location.