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. The Day in Rock - antiMUSIC.com's look at Today's Top Rock News Stories From Across the Web

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Van Halen Signs With Fender

sleazeroxx.com reports: Eddie Van Halen is one of the most influential guitar players to ever pick up the instrument and at a private event at the NAMM music show in Anaheim, Calif. last night, Van Halen took the stage with Fender executives to announce a new line of EVH guitars. 

"We totally embraced all of his ideas," Brian McDonald, Marketing Manager for Jackson Guitars, told Macworld. "He has a very clear idea of what he wants and we gave that to him." 

The new line of guitars is not just any Van Halen designed guitar -- it is the legendary Frankenstein red and white stripped guitar that is synonymous with Van Halen. The replicas feature every nick and scratch that the original has, according to Fender. [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

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Machine Head Set Release and Tour

PR reports: Machine Head recently recorded THE BLACKENING at Sharkbite Studios in the band's hometown of Oakland, California. Once again produced by singer / guitarist Robert Flynn and mixed by Colin Richardson (previous MH efforts, Bullet For My Valentine, Napalm Death) THE BLACKENING, set for worldwide release Spring 2007, is the follow-up to the critically acclaimed album Through The Ashes Of Empires. 

With intense industrial rhythms, explosive guitars and complex song structures, Machine Head's "The Blackening," will be one of the most anticipated albums of 2007! Typifying this aggressive outfit will be the release to street on March 27th. With the upcoming release, Machine Head will head out on tour with fellow metallers Lamb of God, Trivium, and Gojira.[see full story for dates]- Click Here for the Full Story 

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Stax Box Set

conqueroo reports: The 50th anniversary of the legendary soul label Stax Records will kick off with the release of a deluxe edition 50-song, 2-CD box set titled Stax 50: A 50th Anniversary Celebration. The most comprehensive Stax hits collection ever � featuring for the first time all major Stax hit singles � Stax 50 will formally inaugurate Concord Music's re-launch of Stax. The set is packaged in a hardcover box with lenticular cover art of the famous snapping finger logo. Street date is set for March 13, 2007. 

Stax 50 features hits from the Memphis label's heyday of the 1960s and �70s, including the many legendary artists who jointly created the "Stax sound," among them Sam & Dave, Otis Redding, Booker T & the MGs, Isaac Hayes, The Staple Singers, Carla Thomas, Rufus Thomas, Johnnie Taylor, Eddie Floyd, William Bell, The Dramatics, Little Milton, The Mar-Keys, Mel & Tim, Jean Knight, and The Emotions.[see full story for tracklist]- Click Here for the Full Story 

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James Brown's Will

TMZ reports: TMZ has obtained a copy of James Brown's will, and it reads like the will of a guy who didn't have much -- other than knickknacks.

The will, which begins by noting that Brown is also known as "The Godfather of Soul," leaves his six children "furniture, appliances, furnishings, pictures, silverware, china, glass, books, jewelry, wearing apparel, boats, automobiles, and other vehicles..." 

The document, signed in 2000, does not mention how much cold hard cash the estate is worth.[see full story for more and to read the will]- Click Here for the Full Story 

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Relient K Tour

Capitol reports: Relient K returns with an ambitious new album, Five Score And Seven Years Ago, scheduled for release on March 6th, and an extensive headlining tour. The band will perform on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" on Friday, March 2nd. 

The tour launches on March 9th in New York City and will keep the band on the road through May. Capitol recording artist Mae (whose debut is due out in June of this year) and Sherwood will open for Relient K.[see full story for dates]- Click Here for the Full Story 

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Doomed Lyrics

The End reports: Paul Kuhr, frontman for Chicago's dark metal act NOVEMBERS DOOM, will be releasing a limited edition book of lyrics, titled �The Wayfaring Chronicles' (300 copies), to accompany the pre-order of their forthcoming album, �The Novella Reservoir,' out February 20th, 2007 on THE END RECORDS.

About the book of lyrics, Kuhr comments, "Having completed our 6th full length release, we have built a small, but solid group of fans, and for years in interviews, and through fan correspondence, the question of lyrics is always asked. After much thought, I decided to write a book, full of lyrical explanations of every song from all 6 of our CD's. The book is 84 pages, completely 
in full color, and is filled, not only with the lyrics, but photos from every era of the band, promo and live, many never before seen. I believe I've created something original, at least in this genre of metal, and it's a great insight to the bands lyrical content for the fans, and the curious alike. Lyrically, I've been praised, as well as criticized for my honesty, and now the absolute truth is spelled out, and will surely give the fans a much deeper look into Novembers Doom. I hope you enjoy it!" The pre-order for the album/book is now available exclusively at THE END RECORDS' mailorder site, The Omega. To pre-order click the full story link.- Click Here for the Full Story 

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Definitive Al Green Hits

Capitol reports: In 2007, Al Green celebrates the 40th anniversary of his soul-transcendent music career. To commemorate the occasion, Al Green: The Definitive Greatest Hits, a new career-spanning collection of his most beloved and enduring hits, was released January 16 by Capitol/EMI Music Catalog Marketing in CD and deluxe CD/DVD packages and digitally. The collection's 21 tracks, all 24-bit digitally remastered, include six classic Hi Records-era Number One hits, "Let's Stay Together," "I'm Still In Love With You," "L-O-V-E," "Livin' For You," "You Ought To Be With Me," "Full Of Fire," and other career-defining tracks Green recorded for Hi and Blue Note. The CD package features new liner notes by Colin Escott and archive photos, and the deluxe CD/DVD adds six film and video clips, including TV performances from 1971, 1978 and 2004. In addition, six classic Al Green tracks made their ringtune debuts on January 16.[see full story for tracklistings]- Click Here for the Full Story 

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Rocco DeLuca Joins Keane Tour

PR reports: 2007 has started off on a brilliant winning streak for Rocco DeLuca and The Burden. They have been tapped as the openers on the US Keane tour kicking off next Friday in Los Angeles, they broke into the top 40 rankings at Hot AC their first week out with the single, "Colorful" and the video for the track was one of the top 10 most played at VH1 last week. Rocco DeLuca and The Burden also performed "Colorful" Friday on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. 

The DVD of their documentary featuring label owner, Kiefer Sutherland as their tour manager, has just been released in stores. The album, I Trust You To Kill Me is currently being featured in the Starbucks Hear Music program and can also be purchased at all major retailers. In addition, the band currently has a home page Exclusive iTunes Session which includes the rare and until now, hard to find album title track.[see full story for tour dates]- Click Here for the Full Story 

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Discover and Download tour

PR reports: MTV's inaugural Discover and Download tour featuring Lily Allen. 

February 5 � Los Angeles, CA � Henry Fonda Music Box
February 6 � San Francisco, CA � Great American Music Hall
February 8 � Chicago, IL � Metro
February 10 � New York, NY � Webster Hall
[see full story for more dates and presale info]- Click Here for the Full Story 

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Chimaira Bonus DVD

PR reports: Recently, Chimaira have posted a new trailer to the DVD that comes out with the limited edition version of "Resurrection." The Ferret debut of Chimaira comes out on March 6th, 2007. The limited edition bonus DVD was directed by Todd Bell and features over an hour of footage from the recording of the album and more! Check out the trailer at the full story link. The US Release of the special edition will also feature a different cover. - Click Here for the Full Story 

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Fantastic SxSW Show

PR reports: Barzin will join other Fanatic Promotion artists such as blog buzzers Buildings Breeding, Metermaids, Chris Bathgate, and Blake Miller at Austin's Lucky Lounge on Friday, March 17 for Fanatic's yearly day party as part of the SXSW music conference. Shortly thereafter, Barzin plans to embark on what will most likely be a solo tour in the spring/summer. That tour will kick off the North American release of the Just More Drugs EP. [see the full story link for a preview]- Click Here for the Full Story 

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Melee Set Date

PR reports: Mêlée has announced plans to release their major label debut Devils & Angels on April 3rd! The album was produced by in-demand studio wiz and 2006 Grammy Award nominee for "Producer of the Year" Howard Benson (My Chemical Romance, Hoobastank). 

The songs, which range from driving pop-rock anthems to uplifting power ballads, are characterized by solid hooks, lilting melodies, and frontman Chris Cron's soaring vocals and expressive piano-playing.

You can preview the single "Built to Last" and the tracks "Drive Away" and "Frequently Baby" on Melee's new media player at the full story link.- Click Here for the Full Story 

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Saliva Add Dates

Total Assault reports: BLOOD STAINED LOVE STORY, the long-awaited new album from Saliva, arrives in stores this Tuesday, January 23, 2007. The first single "Ladies and Gentlemen," has been burning up airwaves at the Active Rock (#2), Rock, and Alternative Radio formats. The new album finds Saliva returning to work with Bob Marlette, who produced their first two Island albums. Saliva's fifth album Blood Stained Love Story resounds with a previously untapped level of passion, energy, sincerity, and diversity, not to mention an undeniable melodicism that will endear the band to anyone that feels any sort of connection between reality and music. To gear up for the release of BLOOD STAINED LOVE STORY, Saliva is currently on a headline tour, displaying the new tracks to legions of devoted fans. Saliva just added 7 more dates from February 13th through the 24th.[see full story for dates]- Click Here for the Full Story 

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Tack's Skate Porn Video

PR reports: Tack is the brainchild of Colin Edwards, founder of the seminal Los Angeles band Bay Of Pigs. Well known for his cutting edge guitar, unorthodox techniques and haunting vocals, Edwards has assembled an army of musicians whose resumes are more star-studded than Hollywood Boulevard!

"Porn" is the title track of the record, and the first video for the band's upcoming February 13, 2007 release on Tarpit Music. The video for "Porn" features some of the best skateboarders in their natural habitat � the streets. Featuring former members of Element Skateboard's team, Sugar Skateboards, ZJ Boardhouse team, as well as others (professional and amateur alike), the video is a perfect collection of scenes set to music in the same vane as classic skateboard videos. Recently uploaded to YouTube (see full story link), the band is gaining momentum with the song, the video and the message.- Click Here for the Full Story 

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Havoc Semi Reunion

Submitted News reports: 80's San Francisco metal band Havoc (Auburn Records) will be having a reunion of sorts throughout summer 2007. Guitarist Mike Elwood and Bassist Brian "Bonecrusher" Cutts have teamed up again to record and will be touring the Northern California Club scene under the moniker Tom Foolery, with the addition of Rich Mercado on Drums and Michael Howard on Guitar. Some old Havoc songs will be refreshed as well some un released diamonds will be played live. Prior to being eaten by the grunge movement in the early Havoc had just finished 5 new tracks and are working on re-releasing them as well as a reissue of the 1986 LP the Grip. The new material is fresh loud and powerful. Stay tuned for more details to come...[see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

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Ditto Helps Make History

Press Release reports: On Sunday January 14th Ditto Music made chart history by putting the first unsigned band in the Top 40 when Koopa charted at no. 31 The press coverage was immense and Koopa are now in talks with several major labels to release their debut album.

Ditto Music put the band there, organized the whole thing and told them what to do every step of the way. Quite simply without Ditto Music the charts remain as distant as ever for unsigned bands. "We'd like to thank Ditto for all their guidance, help and support every step of the way. They gave us the opportunity to share in chart history. Now we've got major labels knocking at the door and its only up from here."

Ditto Music began as two musicians/industry workers who believed that too much independent music was being ignored. Artists are always chasing the ever-elusive 'Record 'Deal' and more and more of the chart is what the majors give us. Plenty of unsigned artists want to release a record - but there was never (until now) anything in place to do that.[see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

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Rock Hall Not Funky

Rock N Roll Universe reports: In an exclusive interview conducted by Rock N Roll Universe legendary Grand Funk Railroad drummer Don Brewer discusses the band's historic 1971 Shea Stadium show, where the band sold out all 55,000 plus tickets in less than 72 hours, the chances of Grand Funk being inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, the state of the music business as well as the possibility of a brand new album. A short excerpt from the interview follows below :

RNRU : Realistically, what do you feel Grand Funk's chances are at being inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame? Does it even matter to you at this point?

DB : Well, I don't know what the chances are. I think they're pretty slim, because the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame is controlled by Rolling Stone Magazine, and Grand Funk was never a Rolling Stone Magazine darling. So I kind of think... the fans have solicited them for years to get us inducted, and it just keeps going away. I think there are politics still involved, and I hate to say this to the fans, but I don't think it's going to happen. I'll be surprised if it does. (Laughs) I have no idea, that's out of my control. If it happens, great, if it doesn't, then so be it. 

RNRU : There's been talk over the past several years about a new Grand Funk studio album with all new material. What's the status of that, and are there still plans to come out with a new album in the not too distant future?

DB : No real urgent plans. No current plans to go into the studio and record a whole new album. We're doing a few new songs in the show now, and we'll continue to do those. We'll continue to work on new material as it pops up, but we have no solid plans to go in and do a new album right now. [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

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Today's Reviews

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Queers Interview

Queers Frontman Joe Queer is a legitimate icon in the scene� Taking a brief break before his band was to play, Joe was as punk as they get---honest, no-holds-barred, and a decent human being despite the f***ed up nature of this planet we call Earth.- Read the full Queers Interview review
 

Me and Heath - Acoustic Hip-Rock

If the first track "Goin'On" doesn't elicit the oral equivalent of a double-take because you'll swear you're hearing a young Stevie Wonder, then you're not paying close enough attention.- Read the full Me and Heath - Acoustic Hip-Rock review
 

HHH: Paranaut - The Hills Fell Silent

Musically, the Hills is a rip-roaring mudslide through all manner of oddly layered guitar bandages. Paranaut excels at wrapping listeners in a veritable mummy-outfit of sound, and their rhythm section is a top-notch rollercoaster through it all.- Read the full Paranaut - The Hills Fell Silent review
 

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