Story by Charles Ken

The guys of Blink-182 have started work on their upcoming full-length

Blink-182 fans have been itching for a new full-length from the guys for a while, and now, the famed trio have announced that they’re officially started work on their upcoming album.

Frontman Tom DeLonge broke the news that the guys have been working hard in the studio on Wednesday (May 22), posting a photo  on his Instagram page of three dimly-lit keyboards, plus a caption that hints new music is on the way: “This my office… Inside my studio… As I record…. A New #Blink Song.”

Blink-182 new full-length will be the follow-up to 2011’s “Neighborhoods.” The group also released a digital EP called “Dogs Eating Dogs” in December of 2012.

Aside from recording, Blink-182 have been busy as of late helping those impacted by the fatal tornadoes that tore up Moore, Okla., this week, killing 24 people. The trio is currently offering up some special items for a variety of charity auctions, and the funds raised from the sales will go to help tornado victims. The first item available is currently being auctioned off via eBoy: a limited edition bunny, painted by Blink-182 friend Brandon Heart. “These white bunnies were never released for sale,” the eBay product listing states. “They were all used for artists to paint on or for charity auctions.”

Story by Anne Erickson

John Fogerty’s upcoming album, ‘Wrote a Song for Everyone,’ features high-profile players

John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival fame has unleashed his much-anticipated collaboration with the Foo Fighters for his new album, “Wrote a Song for Everyone.” The album offers new recordings of Creedence Clearwater Revival tracks, as well as a bevy of guest appearances. Fogerty and the Foo Fighters’ rendition of the 1969 tune “Fortunate Son” is currently streaming via Rolling Stone.

On top of the Foo, “Wrote a Song for Everyone” will feature guest appearances from Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello, Kid Rock, Keith Urban, Bob Seger and My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James, among others.

“Wrote a Song for Everyone” is set to hit retail outlets on May 28. Check out the full track listing below.

John Fogerty’s ‘Wrote a Song for Everyone’ Track Listing:

“Fortunate Son” (with Foo Fighters)
“Almost Saturday Night” (with Keith Urban)
“Lodi” (with Shane Fogerty & Tyler Fogerty)
“Mystic Highway”
“Wrote a Song for Everyone” (with Miranda Lambert featuring Tom Morello)
“Bad Moon Rising” (with Zac Brown Band)
“Long as I Can See the Light” (with My Morning Jacket)
“Born on the Bayou” (with Kid Rock)
“Train of Fools”
“Someday Never Comes” (with Dawes)
“Who’ll Stop the Rain” (with Bob Seger)
“Hot Rod Heart” (with Brad Paisley)
“Have You Ever Seen the Rain” (with Alan Jackson)
“Proud Mary” (with Jennifer Hudson featuring Allen Toussaint and the Rebirth Brass Band)

Story by Cat Badra

Watch Metallica’s video trailer for their upcoming 3D movie, ‘Through the Never’

The metal men of Metallica are on target to premiere their new 3D film, “Through the Never,” at IMAX theaters across North America beginning Sept. 27. Now, fans won’t have to wait any longer for a sneak peek of the film, as Metallica have unleashed the official trailer for “Through the Never.”

The short clip offers footage of Metallica performing their popular track “Master of Puppets,” off the 1986 album by the same name. The trailer also features “In Treatment” actor Dane DeHaan playing the role of a member of Metallica’s stage crew, getting into some major drama. Watch the trailer below.

“For four guys in a rock band of average height, to get a chance to unleash their 3D film on IMAX screens the size of buildings across the country is a mind-blowing thought,” Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich said in a statement. “There is no better way to experience film and when you throw in the spectacle of music and sound this should amount to an unprecedented, unique and truly next level experience.”

Following the premiere of “Through the Never” at IMAX theaters, the film will hit general theaters beginning Oct. 4.

Watch Metallica’s ‘Through the Never’ Trailer:

Story by Anne Erickson

30 Seconds to Mars singer Jared Leto says ‘Love Lust Faith + Dreams’ marks a new chapter for the band

30 Seconds to Mars unleashed their latest full-length album, “Love Lust Faith + Dreams,” this week. According to singer Jared Leto, the album is more than just a set of songs: It’s the beginning of a new phase in the life and legacy of 30 Seconds to Mars.

“This album is a new chapter,” he told Rolling Stone in a recent interview. “It feels like a new band, like we let go a lot of the past. It’s not just a rock record — it’s more expansive, it digs deeper. It gets a lot more involved.”

Leto also stated that he’s pleased with the direction of 30 Seconds to Mars’ style, describing it as “more focused and decisive” than the band’s earlier releases. “I feel like we’ve made the best album of our lives, hands down, because we’ve learned a lot about who we were,” he stated.

In other 30 Seconds to Mars news, the band has a collection of overseas tour dates planned for this summer in support of “Love Lust Faith + Dreams,” followed by a show Sept. 20 in San Diego. To view the band’s full upcoming tour roster, visit their official website.

Story by Charles Ken

Vampire Weekend’s new album, ‘Modern Vampires of the City,’ is No. 1 on the charts this week

Congratulations are in order for Vampire Weekend. The New York City-based alternative rockers snagged their second consecutive No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart this week with their new release, “Modern Vampires of the City.”

In addition to Vampire Weekend landing at No. 1 on the chart, they pushed an impressive number of units of the new album at 134,000 copies sold, according to Nielsen SoundScan. That beats the band’s 2010 release, “Contra,” which pulled in 124,000 copies in its debut week.

The debut single off the new album, “Diane Young,” is currently No. 11 on the Alternative Radio Chart, according to Nielsen BDS.

In other band news, Vampire Weekend is currently out on the road in support of “Modern Vampires of the City,” touring North America. The group has a lengthy summer schedule ahead, including several festival shows: Lollapalooza in Chicago; the Sasquatch! Music Festival in George, Wash.; the Firefly Festival in Dover, Dev.; and the Austin City Limits Festival in Austin. For the band’s full list of upcoming shows, visit Vampire Weekend’s official website.

Story by Anne Erickson

Legendary punk band the Clash will release a career-spanning box set in September

The Clash were pioneers in bringing punk to the masses, and they ruled the rock landscape in the ‘70s and ‘80s, influencing innumerable bands moving forward. Now, the legendary U.K. group’s surviving members have regrouped to release a new box set that features five of the band’s studio albums, as well as a collection of singles, demos, B-side, promotional videos, concert footage, memorabilia and more.

The collection, titled “Sound System,” will arrive on September 10, will offer 12 discs, including plenty of bonus material; specifically, three CDs of never-before-released material and a DVD.  A few of the extra goodies include the band’s first recording session at Beaconsfield Film School in 1976, Clash demos recorded for the Polydor record label in 1976 and footage from a 1978 show at The Lyceum Theatre in London.

“Sound System” looks snazzy, to boot. The box set comes packaged in a boom box-modeled case packing fanzines, a booklet, a poster, stickers and more. Check out a video with more information on the box set below.

In addition to the main box set, the Clash are also releasing CD and vinyl box sets offering the re-mastered versions of all of their studio albums. The band is also unleashing a special compilation called “The Clash – Hits Back” packing 33 of the group’s tunes. The latter will arrive as a two-CD set and a three-LP vinyl collection, out Sept. 10. For more details on all of the releases, visit the Clash’s official website.

Watch a Teaser Video for the Clash’s Upcoming ‘Sound System’ Box Set:

Story by Charles Ken

The Furs map out 2013 summer North American tour

College rock greats the Psychedelic Furs are back this summer with a 35-plus date North American tour that will keep the U.K. guys on the road from the end of May through September. The lengthy trek kicks off May 31 in Agoura Hills, Calif., and takes the ’80 band through a variety of markets before wrapping up at a gig in Lincoln, Neb., on Sept. 9. Check out the current itinerary below.

The Furs’ last studio album was 1991’s “World Outside.” The band broke up in the ‘90s, but got back together in 2000 and have been playing shows ever since.

It’s not known yet whether this is the band’s final list of tour dates or if more gigs are pending, as the group has gradually been adding shows to their summer roster. To keep up with the band and their tour itinerary, visit the Psychedelic Furs’ official website.

The Psychedelic Furs 2013 North American Tour Dates:

5/31 — Canyon Club, Agoura Hills, Calif.
6/ 1 — Belly Up, Solana Beach, Calif.
6/2 — San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon, Petco Park, San Diego, Calif.
6/4 — Hard Rock on the Strip, Las Vegas, Nev.
6/6 — Rialto Theatre, Tucson, Ariz.
6/8 — Gothic Theatre, Englewood, Colo.
6/9 — The Midland by AMC, Kansas City, Mo.
6/12 — Riverbend Festival, Chattanooga, Tenn.
6/13 — Filene Center at Wolftrap, Vienna, Va. (with the Go-Go’s)
6/14 — Trocadero, Philadelphia, Pa.
6/16 — Count Basie Theatre, Red Bank, N.J. (with the Go-Go’s)
6/17 — Infinity Hall, Norfolk, Conn.
6/18 — Fete, Providence, R..I
6/20 — Tupelo Music Hall, Londonderry, N.H.
6/21 — Paramount, Huntington, N.Y.
6/22 — Asylum, Portland, Maine
6/23 — Tupelo Music Hall, White River Junction, Vt.
7/12 — House of Blues, Anaheim, Calif.
7/13 — Pershing Square, Los Angeles, Calif.
7/15 — Crescent Ballroom, Phoenix, Ariz.
7/17 — House of Blues, Dallas, Texas
7/18 — Antone’s, Austin, Texas
7/19 — House of Blues, Houston, Texas
7/20 — Varsity Theatre, Baton Rouge, La.
7/22 — Workplay Theatre, Birmingham, Ala.
7/23 — Variety Playhouse, Atlanta, Ga.
7/25 — Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla
7/26 — The Plaza ‘Live,’ Orlando, Fla.
7/27 — Culture Room, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
7/28 — State Theatre, St. Petersburg, Fla.
7/30 — Cat’s Cradle, Carrboro, N.C.
8/3 — Irving Plaza, New York, N.Y.
8/31 — Assembly, Sacramento, Calif.
9/1 — Uptown Theatre, Napa, Calif.
9/5 — Showbox at the Market, Seattle, Wash.
9/9 — Bourbon Theatre, Lincoln, Neb.

Story by Anne Erickson

Chris Cornell of Soundgarden says inducting Heart into the Rock Hall changed his view of the institution

Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell had the honor of inducting classic rockers Heart into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year, and it’s an experience the singer says changed his entire view of the Rock Hall.

“Inducting Heart into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame was an eye-opening experience,” Cornell said in a recent HBO fan Q&A. “I was certainly honored, but had always had a cynical attitude about an institution like this as it pertains to rock ‘n’ roll in general. The fan support of all the bands inducted and their emotional enthusiasm changed everything for me.”

As for who Cornell would like to induct into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame if he had the chance to do it again, his pick would be singer and songwriter Daniel Johnston.

“He is a songwriter who recorded a lot of music on a boom box and produced records where the budget was ultimately the price of a cassette tape,” Cornell explained. “It occurred to me at one point that I got no less enjoyment out of listening to his records than I did from a Pink Floyd record, for example. That thought spoke to me as an absolute definition of what rock ‘n’ roll is really about.”

In other Soundgarden news, the band is on tour through the end of May. To view their latest round of tour dates, head to the grunge group’s official website.

Story by Charles Ken

Kings of Leon’s Caleb and Nathan Followill will host the debut Music City Eats Festival in Nashville, Tenn.

Kings of Leon members Caleb and Nathan Followill have inked on to host a new food festival in their home base of Nashville, Tenn. The festival, called Music City Eats, will feature national and local chefs; wine, beer and spirits tastings; local restaurant showcases; and live music, among other festivities.

“We love food as much as music and believe that Nashville can be a foodie haven if given the proper exposure to all of our great chef friends, which is why we are putting this festival on,” drummer Nathan Followill said in an official statement.

As for the live music scheduled for the event, the newest edition of the series of Tom Petty tribute concerts called Petty Fest will take place at the festival. In addition, Kings of Leon and the Cabin Down Below Band will host the Petty tribute show, along with some other soon-to-be-announced guests.

The Music City Eats Festival is scheduled for Sept. 21-22 in downtown Nashville. To view the full roster of events and purchase tickets, head to the festival’s official website.

Story by Cat Badra

Thom York has signed on to help score the upcoming documentary ‘The UK Gold’

Thom Yorke is getting involved in an upcoming feature film. No, the Radiohead and Atoms for Peace singer won’t be acting in the flick, but York has announced that he’ll help score “The UK Gold,” a new documentary surrounding the topic of tax evasion in the United Kingdom.

A press release describes the flick as a story that revolves around “a vicar from a small parish in the London Borough of Hackney as he goes head-to-head with an ancient and mighty heavyweight, revealing its central status as the tax-haven nerve center of the world.” The tale takes place during last summer’s Olympics Games in London.

Joining Yorke in penning music for the film are Massive Attack member Robert Del Naja and Elbow vocalist and guitarist Guy Garvey.

Look for “The UK Gold,” which is written and directed by Mark Donne, to premiere on June 25 at London’s Troxy Theatre.