Rock News, May-15th...

Scott Weiland Says He Has Reunited With Velvet Revolver, Slash Say's No Way

 Slash reacted in shock yesterday when faced with Scott Weiland’s claims that he was back with Velvet Revolver.

The singer was sacked in 2008 following a series of problems linked to addiction issues. The band have since tried and failed to find a new front-man, and in the meantime Weiland returned to Stone Temple Pilots.

The group reformed for a one-off charity show in the spring, which guitarist Slash said “ wasn't a negative experience.”

But he was astonished when he was played a recording of Weiland saying he’d returned to the fold and was collaborating with rhythm guitarist Dave Kushner and bassist Duff McKagan.

The singer told ABC News Radio: “They gave me a couple of songs, and myself and Dave and Duff are going to be getting together for a songwriting session next week. Slash is going to do some touring then we’re going to do some shows in the later part of summer into early fall.”

He added: “ We've all grown a lot. We’re able to put egos and differences and old conflicts aside, so that’s really cool.”

Slash heard the comments during a live interview on Minnesota’s 93X radio station. He exclaimed: “He’s out of his mind!

“There’s been a common rumor going around. I know he’s been positive about that subject. Maybe they know something I don’t know. I have absolutely no intention of going back to that.”

The guitarist pointed out his year is more or less full with commitments related to his second solo record, Apocalyptic Love, saying: “I’m on tour all year. I’ll call Duff – but I seriously doubt it.”

And with a last reference to Weiland he said: “We have no intention of going backwards.”

Jimi Hendrix Movie Going Forward

Filming for the Jimi Hendrix biopic is going ahead despite protestations from the late guitarist’s estate, according to movie director John Ridley.

CMU reports today that Ridley will definitely begin filming his Hendrix movie in Ireland later this month, with Outkast rapper Andre 3000 (aka part-time actor Andre Benjamin) in the lead role.

Called All Is By My Side, it’s set in England in 1966 and tells the story behind the recording of Hendrix’s debut album Are You Experienced.

Last week the Hendrix estate said it was not involved in any biopic, adding that it would stop any unapproved project from using Jimi’s music, which it controls.

Janie Hendrix, Jimi’s sister and boss of Experience Hendrix LLC, issued the following statement:

“Experience Hendrix LLC, the family-owned company entrusted with safeguarding the legacy of Jimi Hendrix, and administrator of the music and publishing catalogue, has made it known many times in the past that no such film, were it to include original music or copyrights created by Jimi Hendrix, can be undertaken without its full participation.”

But Ridley is forging ahead with his project, with the intention of deriving part of his original screenplay from archived live and interview footage of Hendrix.

It’s not clear whether the director has reached an agreement with Hendrix’s estate, or whether he intends to carry on without its permission.

Last week’s statement from Hendrix’s estate added: “The EH board have not ruled out a ‘biopic’ in the future. Though producing partners would, out of necessity, have to involve the company from the inception of any such film project if it is to include original Jimi Hendrix music or compositions.”

 Mustaine Sorry About Metallica and Megadeth Supergroup Speculation

Dave Mustaine has apologized to James Hetfield for suggesting plans were being made for a Metallica-Megadeth supergroup.

Last year Mustaine said he was hoping to record an album with his bassist Dave Ellefson alongside Hetfield and Lars Ulrich from the band that sacked him in 1983.

Classic Rock last week reported the Metallica front-man’s reaction to the Megadeth mainman’s comments: “I do see a lot of stuff in the press with him talking about jamming with us and making an album. All this other crazy stuff. I read it and say to myself, ‘Hold on. This is the Dave that we kind of wanted to forget about. You know, the big mouth that wants to just go-go-go.’”

Now Mustaine tells Artisan News: “I probably shouldn’t have said stuff like that. I guess some people may think I’m trying to use that as a way to get publicity. So I can see where there would be some feelings about it. That wasn't my intention.”

He’s texted Hetfield to make amends and vowed not to repeat any such comments. “I won’t ever mention it again,” Mustaine says. “I like James and I thought what he said was flattering, then it kind of went the opposite way, then it kind of came back again.

“I guess my whole thing was, I just wanted them to know that I loved them and I missed them, and I enjoyed playing with them. If that’s not mutual, then I understand. I still respect him and I still care about the guy.”

He adds: “If he doesn't like the idea of what I said, that’s okay. It wasn’t like I said it was going to happen – it was something that I kind of wished would happen. But since it doesn't seem like it’s going to happen, it’s off my bucket list.”

Mustaine and Hetfield ended their decades-long feud when the Big 4 of thrash played together in Belgium in 2010. During the show, broadcast to cinemas across the world, they hugged on stage to a round of applause from the audience.

 

Van Halen Add Even More Tour Dates

Following news that Van Halen have added five new dates to their current US tour, the band announced several more additions to the “A Different Kind Of Truth” trek on Monday.

Eight (8) more concerts are now on the schedule, including stops in Spokane, Portland, Albuquerque, El Paso, Austin, Oklahoma City, Moline and Milwaukee.

The new dates are a part of the second leg of the tour, which Van Halen announced last month. The full series of summer shows start July 7 in Uncasville, CT.

Tickets for some of the shows go on sale Monday, May 14 – check VH’s tour page for more details.

“A Different Kind Of Truth” currently sits at #86 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.

New Van Halen 2012 Tour Dates (updated):

Aug 21 – Spokane Arena – Spokane, WA *

Aug 23 – Rose Garden – Portland, OR *

Aug 25 – Power Balance Pavilion - Sacramento, CA

Aug 28 – Save Mart Center - Fresno, CA

Aug 30 – Reno Events Center - Reno, NV

Sep 04 – Energy Solutions Center - Salt Lake City, UT

Sep 08 – Tingley Coliseum – Albuquerque, NM *

Sep 11 – UTEP Don Haskins Center – El Paso, TX *

Sep 13 – Frank Irwin Center – Austin, TX *

Sep 15 – Chesapeake Energy Arena – Oklahoma City, OK *

Sep 17 – INTRUST Bank Arena - Wichita, KS

Sep 21 – Iwireless Center – Moline, IL *

Sep 25 – Bradley Center – Milwaukee, WI *

Vixen Member Reunite Under New Name

Vixen Bandmates Reunite in VXN

Janet Gardner, Roxy Petrucci and Share Ross, three quarters of the classic lineup of ’80s hard rockers Vixen, have reunited in a new band called VXN.

Singer Gardner, drummer Petrucci and bassist Ross, along with guitarist Gina Stile (Vixen’s Tangerine album), will play at a number of festivals and showcase dates in 2012 to mark 25 years since the release of the first Vixen single, “Edge of a Broken Heart.”

The first confirmed engagement is as part of the Monsters of Rock Cruise on March 16-20, 2013, sailing out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, bound for CoCoCay and Freeport, Bahamas.

“With hits like ‘Edge of a Broken Heart,’ ‘How Much Love,’ ‘Not a Minute Too Soon,’ ‘Love is a Killer’ and ‘Rev It Up’ emblazoned upon our souls, we knew it was time to resurrect our sound,” Ross says. “We want to give the fans what they want.”

“It was simply time to do this,” Gardner says. “The fans kept asking and we respect that.”

Meanwhile, Vixen continues under the leadership of original guitarist Jan Kuehnemund, along with vocalist Jenna Sanz-Agero, bassist Lynn Louise Lowrey and drummer Kat Kraft.

 KISS Comic Book Series To Feature Limited Editions

New KISS comic book covers update

Back in April, IDW Publishing unveiled four covers of their new KISS comic book series.

The company is issuing “Dressed To Kill, part 1” as the first in a new series, set to be published on June 13.

Now, IDW has provided an update on the KISS feature as they reveal an additional two covers for the project.

In the above photo – from left to right - the top row features two regular covers available at most retailers and one limited cover available at select retailers; the bottom row shows a limited cover available at select retailers, while the black cover is exclusive to one retailer only, and the one on the right is the KissOnline.com exclusive.

According to IDW, the series is rooted in KISS fandom, featuring KISS characters like "Wicked" Lester, the Destroyer, She, the Elder, and more.

KISS will be written by Chris Ryall (Zombies vs Robots) with art by Jamal Igle (The Ray) and KISS #1-4 come with a special "solo album" covers by artist Michael Gaydos.

“I wanted to do KISS comics the way I remembered them as a kid,” Ryall told Comic Book Resources. “I wanted to do them like the old Marvel comics that Stan Lee worked on with John Buscema and then John Romita, Jr. They were just these teenage, young guys who got these talismans that powered them up. It was like a superhero comic concept, which I always dug.”

The series is the second KISS have been involved with recently; “Archie Meets Kiss” was released last year.

This summer, KISS hit the road July 20 for a tour with Motley Crue; shows are scheduled through to September 23.

-Antimusic.com

C.C. DeVille...

"Happy 50th Birthday"

C.C. Deville

C.C. DeVille (born Bruce Anthony Johannesson; May 14, 1962) is the lead guitarist of the American glam metal band Poison. He has also acted in both reality television and television drama shows. He starred in The Surreal Life season 6 and the The Surreal Life: Fame Games. DeVille also formed a solo band in 1998 called Samantha 7.

Early years

DeVille was born Bruce Anthony Johannesson in the Bay Ridge area of Brooklyn, New York. His interest in music began at age two while watching The Beatles perform on The Ed Sullivan Show. DeVille began playing the guitar at the age of five after he was given a $27 Japanese Telecaster copy. As his love of music grew, he began listening to bands such as Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Aerosmith, Van Halen, Cheap Trick, Queen, and especially Kiss.

At the age of 18, DeVille formed the band Lace in New York, which adopted a highly sexual, "glam" image. It was during this time period that DeVille began writing the song "Talk Dirty To Me", which would later appear on Poison's first album, Look What the Cat Dragged In.

DeVille began studying music theory at New York University, but never completed his studies. Instead, he moved to Los Angeles in 1981 and played in various bands, including Screaming Mimi, Lace Slip, St James, and Roxx Regime (which later changed their name to Stryper), before auditioning for Poison.

Screaming Mimi in 1984

Musical career

DeVille's audition impressed drummer Rikki Rockett and bassist Bobby Dall, but angered vocalist Bret Michaels. DeVille refused to play the songs that had been given to him as preparation, and instead jammed with a guitar riff he had written. The riff, which would eventually be featured in the Poison single "Talk Dirty to Me", would ultimately launch the band's career. Slash, who would go on to fame with Guns N' Roses, also auditioned for the position and made it to the final three, but lost to DeVille; In his Autobiography Slash acknowledged discomfort with Poison's image when Rikki Rockett suggested that Slash wear make-up and change his clothing style.

 

DeVille co-wrote Poison's debut album with Bret Michaels, Bobby Dall, and Rikki Rockett. Look What the Cat Dragged In was released on August 2, 1986. It included the hits "Talk Dirty to Me", "I Want Action", and "I Won't Forget You". Sales for the album topped 3 million copies in the United States.

DeVille also wrote much of the material for Poison's second album, the multi-platinum selling, Open Up And Say... Ahh!, which was released on May 21, 1988 and would ultimately go on to sell 8 million copies worldwide. It included the hit song "Nothin' But a Good Time", co-written by DeVille and Poison's only number 1 single "Every Rose Has Its Thorn".

In 1990, Poison released the multi-platinum selling Flesh & Blood, an album which was again largely written by DeVille. During this period, DeVille also performed lead guitar on Warrant's hit song "Cherry Pie", from the album Cherry Pie.

Leaving Poison

While touring in support of Flesh and Blood, and despite Poison's success, substance abuse and tensions with other members of the band, particularly lead singer Bret Michaels, led to conflict within the band. Leading up to the release of the live album Swallow This Live conflict between Michaels and DeVille culminated in a fistfight backstage at the 1991 MTV Video Music Awards after DeVille played the wrong song, playing "Talk Dirty To Me" instead of "Unskinny Bop", and being high and intoxicated during the performance. Asked to quit, DeVille left Poison and was replaced by guitarist Richie Kotzen.

1991 Mtv Music Awards- C.C. DeVille and Bret Michaels

Following his departure from Poison, DeVille joined a band called "Needle Park" and recorded "Hey Good Lookin'" for the soundtrack to the Pauly Shore movie Son In Law. 

Needle Park in 1992

Soon after DeVille succumbed to his cocaine and alcohol addictions and imprisoned himself in his house. Years later, he underwent rehabilitation and radical therapy. This included moving back to live with his parents for eight months. He eventually kicked his addictions, but subsequently gained over 70 pounds, which he later lost. He launched several solo and side projects including "The Stepmothers". None of DeVille's bands had the commercial success of Poison, which continued on without DeVille with a number of replacement guitar players.

Samantha 7

Samantha 7 was a short-lived band composed of guitarist DeVille, guitarist Ty Longley, bassist Krys Baratto, and drummer Francis Ruiz. They played at Woodstock 1999. 

Originally the band's name was The Stepmothers, but the band was forced to change their name following a legal dispute with another band of the same name. DeVille can be heard referring to this band as The Stepmothers in a Behind the Music interview. Samantha 7 released the self-titled album Samantha 7 in 2000, and toured the US and UK in support of the record that was released on Columbia/Portrait Records.

The Samantha 7 song "I Wanna be Famous" would later be used in the opening of the reality show The Surreal Life: Fame Games, in which DeVille starred.

Return to Poison

DeVille regained contact with his ex-bandmates from Poison in 1998 and made a successful return to the band for the Greatest Hits reunion tour in 1999. Several shows were recorded and released as a studio album/live album hybrid release in the following year titled Power to the People. DeVille continues to record and perform with Poison.

Family

In March 2007, DeVille and his girlfriend Shannon Malone became parents with the birth of Vallon Deville Johannesson.

Parodies

In 2001, DeVille became the inspiration for rock & roll comic C.C. Banana. A twisted homage to DeVille, C.C. Banana speaks in a cartoonish parody of DeVille's voice and wears a large yellow banana costume. C.C. Banana has interviewed numerous rock stars and made many TV appearances.

Parody act Beatallica mentioned C.C. in the song "I want to choke your band", the theme of which pits heavy metal bands against hair metal like Warrant, Poison, and Whitesnake. The lyric goes "No mercy for C.C., 'cuz he's in a hair band".

-Wikipedia.com