Top 11 of 11 B Sides stories

This Thanksgiving weekend we are looking back at the top 11 stories from each month of B Sides in 2011

August

Dimebag's Girlfriend Calls for Pantera Members To Reconcile

Drummer Vinnie Paul, Dimebag's brother, and frontman Phil Anselmo have not spoken since Pantera split acrimoniously in 2003. The axeman was shot dead the following year on stage with new band Damageplan.

Paul's bad feeling for Anselmo was fuelled by the singer's negative statements about Dimebag published the week he died, although he'd said them some weeks previously.

Now Dime's partner Rita Haney wants the pair to bury the hatchet. See what she had to say - here.

Hear Ryan Adams Play Iron Maiden Classic

Adams is currently making the rounds doing media interviews; he stopped by BBC Radio 2 on Tuesday to chat and play a few songs, and one of them was an acoustic cover of Iron Maiden's "Wasted Years."

Adams' fans know him as a heavy metal enthusiast, so maybe this isn't a surprise to them, but it's a real left-turn for most of us to hear Maiden done acoustically. - Check it out here

Journey Open To Steve Perry Jam

And the guitarist rejects any suggestion of bad blood between the frontman and the outfit he split from in 1987 then again in 1998, following a brief reunion.

But there's no chance of Perry's permanent return � and Journey are sure he wouldn't want to anyway. - more on this story

Guns N' Slipknot? Duff McKagan and Corey Taylor Ponder Supergroup

The singer is reported to have recorded a host of tracks with Velvet Revolver but his hopes of landing the gig on a full-time basis were slashed by errr�. Slash who reckoned he didn't fit.

But now Taylor has revealed he struck up an immediate friendship with bassist Duff McKagan and he hopes and expects to join musical forces with his new pal sooner rather than later. Speaking on Fuse TV's 'A Different Spin' Taylor explained: "There might be a mystery supergroup out there � me and Duff and some other weird people � making some weird music that people are, like: 'What? That's them?' So, yeah, maybe. We'll see what happens." - more on this story

West Memphis 3 Released From Prison

Support for the trio, who were teenagers at the time of their arrest, had come from all corners of the world. Momentum increased after forensic evidence proved there was no connection between Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley and the deaths of three eight-year-old boys in Akansas, USA, in 1993. Evidence used to convict the three in 1994 included bigoted attempts at staining their characters because they were fans of heavy metal.

A retrial was ordered for November at which the new evidence, it's believed, would have cleared them � although they'd have had to cover the costs of re-testing the material themselves. But at a hearing in Jonesboro, Arkansas today, Echols, Baldwin and Misskelley were sent home after their eighteen-year ordeal. Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder and members of country rock band the Dixie Chicks were present in court to offer moral support. - more on this story

David Bowie Done With Music?

Trynka, a former editor-in-chief at Mojo magazine, says it's unlikely Bowie will ever return to the studio. "My heart says he'll come back, but my head says he's not likely to," Trynka told Spinner magazine. "I think he would only come back if he thinks he could deliver something that will be seismic. If you pop back into the stage, it's got to be something that has a big explosion and lots of flashes. It would be a bit of a miracle if he comes back, but miracles do happen."

Trynka's book, David Bowie: Starman, reveals a little-known rock fact: that Bowie was temporarily a member of The Small Faces, a gig which the author feels may have had a life-changing effect on the singer and his future direction. "That in itself showed what a genius he had for meeting the right kind of people, making friends and influencing people," Trynker said. "This was one of the biggest '60s bands. But he wasn't good enough, he was too derivative, and they threw him out of the band. That alone shines a new light on how he became the person he was." - more on this story

Ozzy Osbourne's Teeth Fall Out

Sharon told Chelsea, "I just got a phone call from him... He goes, 'I've got a problem... My two bottom crowns have fallen out,'" reports the Toronto Sun.

"I said, 'The two front bottom ones?' He said, 'Yeah.' I go, 'We've got a problem...' He's got a show to do on Thursday." - more on this story

Bob Dylan and Jack White Recording Unheard Hank Williams Songs

As the album's title implies, the songs on the disc were crafted from notes found in a leather briefcase that had belonged to Williams, following the country star's death. Song ideas and lyrics found in the briefcase have been fleshed out by the 13 artists featured on the new album.

As reported by Rolling Stone, the album was originally conceived as a Dylan solo project, but later evolved into a multi-artist tribute. The disc will be released October 4 on Dylan's imprint, Egyptian Records - more on this story

Dimebag, Randy Rhoads and Tony Iommi Among Greatest Metal Guitarist Of All Time

5. Dimebag Darrell (Pantera, Damageplan): The most popular metal band of the first part of the '90s, Pantera cut through '80s hair metal to establish their own unmistakable style. That signature sound largely came from guitarist Dimebag Darrell, whose rhythmic attack and hard-hitting sledgehammer tactics proved metal guitar could shred wildly, but still groove. Tragedy struck on December 8, 2004, when Darrell, then 38, was shot and killed by a concertgoer during a club show in Columbus, Ohio. He'll always be remembered as one of the most significant engineers of modern metal.

3. Randy Rhoads (Ozzy Osbourne): With Randy Rhoads on lead guitar, Ozzy Osbourne's debut solo release, 1980's Blizzard of Ozz, had no chance to fail. The record was one of heavy metal's supreme releases, very much thanks to Rhoads' blistering playing. While other guitarists of the era emulated Eddie Van Halen,Rhoads stepped out on his own, incorporating classical music into his passages. His untimely death in a freak airplane accident in 1982 remains one of metal's biggest heartbreaks.

1. Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath): Tony Iommi's dark, distinct guitar textures in Black Sabbath helped spearhead the heavy metal movement and its signature massive riffing. "Iron Man," "Black Sabbath" and "Paranoid" boast some of the most memorable riffs of all time, with lumbering heavy metal and crushingly heavy choruses. Iommi's playing is certainly immortalized through the generations of heavy metal bands that have followed. - Check out the full list here

Lars Led Metallica Away From Thrash Not Bob Rock?

Instead he insists the band had already made a decision to abandon the thrash musical ethic, and he just helped them go where they wanted to go by persuading them to follow drummer Lars Ulrich more than they'd done in the past. And he admits the experience was so fraught he told the band he'd never work with them again � and he believed the feeling was mutual.

Marking the twentieth anniversary of Metallica's self-titled release, known as the Black Album by most fans, Rock tells MusicRadar: "They had broken through to one level but they still weren't on mainstream radio. When they came to me they were ready to make that leap to the big, big leagues.

"A lot of people think I changed the band. I didn't: in their heads they were already changed when I met them." - more on this story

Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin Jam Tapes Not Coming

But the two giants of British heavy rock did jam in a studio, just once; and the Sabbath drummer says watching his Led Zep counterpart John Bonham play with two bass drums was unforgettable.

The pair were close friends; and Ward admits he felt Bonham's death in 1980 as a result of heavy drinking was a wake-up call. He tells Back Page Magazine: "Zeppelin and Sabbath were in the studio at one time, and it only happened on one occasion. I don't remember what album we were working on, but we were in sessions and it all started when Bonzo came into the studio and sat down at my kit." - more on this story

September

Guns N' Roses Members Reunite For Slash

Slash performed with former GNR members Matt Sorum, Duff McKagan and Gilby Clarke, as well as Wayne Kramer and more, to support the charity.

The GNR team were the foundation of the house band for the evening, joined by guests Dave Kushner (Velvet Revolver), Dick Manitoba (The Dictators), Reeve Carney (Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark), Jill Sobule, Carl Restivo and Jimmy Gnecco (Ours). - Check out video here

Hear Jani Lane's Final Song

"Sin" will be part of Liberty N' Justice's double CD, "The Cigar Chronicles," due out next year.

The song's release was initially delayed out of respect for Jani's family, following the singer's death August 11 under mysterious circumstances. A portion of "Sin's" proceeds will be going to charity in the name of Jani Lane - Listen to it here.

Rob Zombie Shot Down Avenged Sevenfold

When it came time to shoot the video for Avenged Sevenfold's next single, 'Buried Alive', they tried to score a director who was more than just a a music video guy. Singer M. Shadows recently told Pulse of Radio:

"We do want to do something super-special with 'Buried Alive'. We're looking for a good, like, video director � not necessarily a video guy but more of a movie guy. We talked to Rob Zombie, unfortunately he's doing his new movie right now or he'd want to do it. But we want to do something cool with it, something underground, exciting and kind of crazy � We feel it's probably the strongest track on the record." - more on this story

Roger Waters To Jam Pink Floyd With Foo Fighters

Foo Fighters will be joined by Floyd singer-bassist Roger Waters himself on Tuesday, Sept. 27, for a performance of 'In the Flesh' from the 'The Wall.'

On Friday, Sept. 30, Pearl Jam will bring Floyd Week to a close with 'Mother,' which is also from 'The Wall.' - more on this story

Hear William Shatner's Black Sabbath Cover

"Zakk is one of the great guitarists who played with Ozzy Osbourne," tweeted Shatner during the recording session. "A master playing a cover of IRON MAN. He's fantastic! I'm energized. MBB."

Due October 11, Shatner's album features collaborations with rockers including Ritchie Blackmore and Ian Paice of Deep Purple fame, Peter Frampton, Johnny Winter, Michael Schenker, Steve Howe of Yes and others. - Check it out here.

Ozzy's Music Helps Locate Missing Child

ABC News reports the search for Joshua Robb, who went missing during a night of lightning storms, ended Tuesday afternoon when a search and rescue team found him in the woods near his school after playing recordings of Ozzy Osbourne.

The searchers used recordings of his father's voice and Joshua's favorite country and heavy metal music, including songs by Ozzy Osbourne. "They feel it will comfort him and draw him," San Bernardino County sheriff's spokeswoman Cindy Bachman told the Associated Press early Tuesday. - more on this story

The Beatles First Recordings To Be Released

The 2-CD set comes with a specially-designed book that is a historical trove of concert and intimate photos taken by Astrid Kirchherr and others who were with The Beatles during the early days of their career.

The book also includes handwritten biographies by each member of the group, signed contracts, original artwork taken from posters and records, and text by Hans Olof Gottfridsson, who has spent years researching this period of the Beatles' career. - more on this story

Pantera, Slayer, Megadeth, Anthrax, Dream Theater Super Jam

If ever there were a metal supergroup � this one is the ultimate. Featuring only those truly befitting the title "Metal Masters", the group made up of mostly participants of The Big 4 shows took to the stage last night (Sept 12th).

Those in attendance at New York's Best Buy Theatre for the 2nd annual 'Metal Masters Clinic' were in for a real treat as Phil Anselmo joined the already star-studded lineup. The group fired through a rousing cover of 'A New Level' and 'F�ing Hostile', songs Anselmo originally brought to life with Pantera. - Check out video here

Zakk Wylde Restrains Obsessed Fan

Zakk was in court Friday in L.A. -- where he testified his 20-year-old neighbor John Radich knocked on his door one day, shirtless, wanting to talk.

Zakk says he sent the guy home -- but the next morning, he noticed Radich had left behind a "sacrifice" containing several bizarre objects, including a guitar covered in Sharpie marker and a boxcutter.

Zakk cited another instance -- claiming Radich also broke into his home studio recently, proclaiming, "I must assert my dominance!" - more on this story

Green Day Singer Kicked Off Airplane For 'Pants On The Ground'

Eyewitnesses told Fox News how the singer and a companion were boarding the plane when an attendant asked him to wear his sagging trousers higher. He asked the attendant if there weren't "better things to do than worry about that?"

He was told he could be ordered off the flight if he continued to refuse. When he insisted he just wanted to get to his seat, he and his companion were escorted back to the departure lounge. - more on this story

Megadeth Song Used in Terror Threat

The paper reports that Appleton, Wisconsin police and the FBI investigated and arrested David J. Lefever, 44, after he visited the chatroom for The MeltDown Show on HardRockRadioLive and typed, "Watch_The_National_new_tomorrow_I_am_going_to_go_a_shooting_spree_in_Appleton_WI."

He then requested that Megadeth's "Killing is my business . . . and business is good," be played by the show's hosts because the song would be, "good music to go postal & kill a bunce of people to."

The hosts of the show, Trevor Fenton and Pat Ryan, played the request to keep the poster online while they contacted authorities. "We had to take that threat seriously, we couldn't ignore him. That was something we just couldn't ignore and not report," said Ryan according to the Vancouver Sun. "It could have been a prank. But if he was serious and something happened, I wouldn't have been able to live with myself."

You can read the Vancouver Sun's full story for more details - here.

October

Weezer's Mikey Welsh Predicted His Own Death

News of his "unexpected" death was first reported by his family via Twitter, yet it was not a surprise to everyone. On September 26th, Welsh posted the following eerily cryptic message on Twitter himself: "Dreamt I died in Chicago next weekend (heart attack in my sleep). Need to write my will today."

Welsh later corrected his timing mix up saying, "Correction: weekend after next." Whether this was a desperate cry for help or a genuine vision of his own doom will probably never be clear. - more on this story

Freak Accident Derails Rev Theory Plans

The Rev Theory camp sent over these details: While at a post-wedding reception gathering, an individual standing adjacent to Jorgensen was opening a beer bottle without an opener. It slipped, shattered on the edge, and sliced the guitarist's left hand on the follow through. The resulting cut has been operated on, and he is unable to perform at this time. A full recovery is expected.

Jorgensen shared, "I am super bummed that happened, and it is a freak accident. It is a helpless feeling. I feel bad about dropping off the tour and disappointing the fans. As soon as I am able, we will be back on the road." Singer Rich Luzzi added, "After being a band for 10 years, Rev does not feel comfortable taking the stage without our brother as it would not be a true representation of the band."

Future plans for touring will be announced once available. -

Aeros-mac: Steven Tyler Fleetwood Mac Supergroup Hopes

The supergroup is called M.O.B and features Aerosmith's Steven Tyler, Fleetwood Mac co-founder John McVie and guitarist Jonny Lang. M.O.B. got together to record ZZ's "Sharp Dressed Man' for the new tribute album to the legendary Texas rockers.

Billboard reports: Fleetwood harbors an ambition to reassemble The M.O.B. (which he says is not a specific acronym) in the future. "I have musical fantasies all the time," he says with a laugh, "but we had a lot of fun doing this, and I truly, truly do have a vision of somewhere, somehow walking on stage and actually putting something together with (the group). It's nothing on a boiler plate right now, but it's certainly something in my mind, and I think everybody else's, too." - A lot more from Mick here

Staind Not Breaking Up

The success of frontman Aaron Lewis' country music side project has provided yet more grist to the rumour mill. But he and guitarist Mike Mushok say Staind have a long future ahead of them � although Lewis will be taking time out to work on his solo projects.

The band are currently touring Europe and Lewis explains what will happen afterwards: "I go back to doing my solo stuff and filming for my hunting TV show. After Thanksgiving Staind goes out for a couple of weeks.

"Then in January and February I finish up my solo stuff then we start our world tour in February. Then we're back for a States tour, then back to Europe, then I'll come back here and do something on the solo side. Then a Staind headlining tour in the States." - But where did the signals get crossed?

Thirty Seconds To Mars Eye World Record

Thirty Seconds To Mars will celebrate their 300th and final show in support of their third studio album This Is War with a special Tribus Centum Numerarae concert at New York City's Hammerstein Ballroom on Dec. 7th, 2011.

They will also set a new Guinness World Record for the most shows played during a single album cycle. This Is War was released in December, 2009 and the band has since circled the globe numerous times, playing over 300 shows in almost 60 cities in 6 continents. - more on this story

Trivium Jam Unplugged Iron Maiden Classic

Trivium have been on the road with Dream Theater this fall, as the group mark the recent release of their latest, "In Waves" - that record debuted at #13 on Billboard in August, the highest opening-week chart entry for the band.

While at the radio station, the guys played a three-song acoustic set, featuring their new single, "Built To Fall," as well as 2005's "Dying In Your Arms" � and � a cover of a true Iron Maiden classic. - Check it out here

Sammy Hagar Offers To Manage Reunited Guns N' Roses

"They've proved again and again and again that it ain't money. Axl goes out for a lot less money with his version of Guns N' Roses, and Slash goes out for a lot less money with Velvet Revolver or by himself.

"The amount of money they could make if they got it all back together, made a great record and toured the world would probably be as much as the Rolling Stones," Hagar says. "They could do it. I would manage them � I'd be their manager and make sure they got the right deal from all the promoters. They could be the biggest band in the world if they wanted to." - more on this story

Tool Writing New Album

Things have been awfully quiet in Camp Tool the past few years � the first we heard of a new album was months ago when Maynard merely said, "We're writing." Maynard expanded on that statement in his latest interview with Loudwire, where the focus was on his new album with Puscifer, but eventually shifted towards the progress of Tool's new record:

"I'm allowing them [the other members of Tool] their space to do what they do, so we're still in that mode. Even if they told me how close they are to being done, I couldn't tell you because if I say 60 percent people will start counting down. When it's done everyone will know. But I haven't done anything yet. They write forever and then we go in and knock it all out. We're writing. We're writing vocals. But nothing's solid. With Puscifer, there's ideas and then we'll record stuff. Then we'll go back and change stuff and fix stuff and record new stuff before we finally put it all together. But with Tool, we practice jams, but there's no actual recording going on until it's time to record." - more on this story

Bring Me the Horizon Singer Attacked On Stage

Bring Me the Horizon were playing at a club called In The Venue in Salt Lake City, Utah last night (Oct. 3rd) when all hell broke loose. According to reports from NME, there had been some back and forth between audience members and singer Oli Sykes over water bottles being thrown at the stage. Oli retaliated by throwing some sort of liquid into the crowd and yelled: "If you don't like our f�ing band, then go home. Get the f� out of here!"

Shortly after that statement, a few audience members rushed the stage and went after the frontman. The scuffle was rather swiftly and Sykes escaped with no major injuries. - More including video here

New Queen Singer Options Include Lady Gaga and TV Show

At the London BMI Awards Tuesday, where Queen were honored with the Icon Award, May spoke about where the legendary band might be headed. "We talk about going out on the road all the time, but there's a bit of a singer problem, to put it mildly," said May. "We get a lot of offers to work with other people. I worked with Lady Gaga and she's very creative, and is someone we've talked about singing, fronting the band with. She's not just a singer, she writes her own material."

He also said that 25-year-old Gaga isn't the only person he has considered. "We have talked about doing duets with other people and, in a strange way, I almost pressed the yes button. We were debating the idea of a TV show where we have all these guest stars. We didn't press it, today, but we are still looking at it. Lady Gaga has said she would like to do something with us." - more on this story

Velvet Revolver Eye New Singer

The singer in question is Ours acclaimed frontman Jimmy Gnecco who jams three songs with Velvet Revolver members Duff McKagan, Slash and Matt Sorum at the recent Road Recovery concert which honored Slash.

When OCWeekly.com asked Duff McKagan about finding a new vocalist for Velvet Recover, he responded: "Slash and I played in New York a couple weeks ago and Matt Sorum was there. There was a singer there we might write some songs with. None of us have really tried [to find anyone] in the last few years. We've all been busy with other things. I think once that whole thing went down with Scott [Weiland], we thought we'd find a guy right away. Once a few months went by, it was like, 'Oh f**k.'

"We didn't give up on the band but you can't force a singer into a situation. It's got to just kind of happen. So playing a few weeks ago with that singer, it seemed really natural. So we'll see. I'll come back to you on that."

- Check out the full interview here

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