NewsBLITZ: NEW ROCK BABY BORN!

Congrats go out to My Chemical Romance frontman Gerard Way and his wife, Mindless Self Indulgence bassist Lyn-Z, on the birth of the couple's first child! Daughter Bandit Lee Way was born on May 27 at 2:57PM in Los Angeles and weighed 6 lbs., 5.6 oz. at birth. "Everyone is healthy and happy," says the couple's rep.

NewsBLITZ: GG ALLIN & TESCO VEE MEMENTOS

Fans of GG Allin and the Meatmen's Tesco Vee can now collect limited-edition "Throbblehead" figurines of their heroes thanks to Aggronautix (along with MVD Entertainment Group and DKE Toys).

Each "Throbblehead" is 7-inches tall, individually numbered, made of lightweight polyresin and comes in a tri-windowed box. There are 2,000 of the GG Allin "1991" figurines available and only 1000 of the Tesco Vee figures.

The feces- and blood-splattered GG Allin figure has been approved by his brother, Merle Allin. "I had been thinking about doing a GG figure for a while, so when the guys [at Aggronautix] came to me with the idea, I was into it," he says. "We got it right—the doll looks really good and I'm happy with it."

And how does Tesco Vee feel about his collectible? "As a toy collector of two decades—and classic bobble head collector—imagine just how geeked I became when informed that yours truly would enter the pantheon of 'Throbblehead' punk rock losers along with poopy soulmate GG Allin."

To purchase either or both of these $14.95 "Throbbleheads," visit Aggronautix.com.

BUCKCHERRY'S "HIGHWAY STAR" VIDEO

Buckcherry has recorded its own version of the Deep Purple classic “Highway Star” as the anthem for TNT's 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series coverage. The revamped tune will be featured during NASCAR telecasts on TNT and in the network's marketing campaign.

"We are big fans of Turner Sports, specifically their NASCAR coverage," explains Buckcherry singer Josh Todd. "We are stoked to be chosen as the featured band of the season. 'Highway Star' is a killer rock song and the video we made for it is bigger and badder than anything we have done before. We are looking forward to working with Turner as the campaign runs on TV, radio and online and to getting to the race in Daytona during a break in our touring this summer."

Watch the high-energy video for "Highway Star" here:



The song "Highway Star" will be available for purchase via iTunes beginning June 16th.

And, you can catch Buckcherry performing live at the Daytona International Speedway on July 4 as part of TNT's pre-race coverage of the Coke Zero 400.

HEY NEW ARTISTS—WIN A MYSPACE RECORDS CONTRACT!

Think you have what it takes to win a recording contract with MySpace Records? If so, you need to enter the Rock The Space contest right away!

Sponsored by MySpace, MySpace Records and Toyota Motor Sales, the Rock The Space contest is open to unsigned bands and solo artists. To enter, visit MySpace.com/ToyotaMusic (before July 1) to submit an original song via MP3. All who enter can then create a viral music widget (with an easy embed code) to spread their music across MySpace and the web. Additionally, MySpace users can add the music widgets to their profiles and post comments on the Toyota Music profile.

In July, five finalists will be selected to be featured prominently on the Toyota Music profile. Then, the MySpace community will vote on a winner, who will be announced in September. In addition to the MySpace Records recording contract, the winner will also receive $10,000 worth of musical instruments from Fender and the winner's song will be available for download on the MySpace Music Home Page.

"Rock The Space allows the MySpace Music platform to do what it does best—enable new music and new artists to be discovered," says Jeff Berman, President of Sales and Marketing for MySpace. "MySpace is excited to offer these artists a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and to take part in their journey from the very first step."

For more information, to enter or to hear some of the submissions, visit MySpace.com/ToyotaMusic.

NEW ALBUM RECOMMENDATIONS!

Here are MusikBLITZ's top picks from all of the new releases that have come out in April and May:

The Devil Wears Prada's With Roots Above and Branches Below (Ferret Music): "[The album] is much more mature [than our previous two releases]," says singer Mike Hranica of the Christian metalcore band. "I know that's cliché and it's what everyone says, but we've really grown as songwriters. There are songs that are heavier than anything we've ever written.... You'll find lots of orchestral add-ins on the record and the production quality on this record is really special." The Devil Wears Prada will spend the summer performing live as part of the Vans Warped Tour.
Great White's Rising (Shrapnel Records): The "Once Bitten, Twice Shy" rockers are back with a brand new album featuring 11 hot blues-influenced tracks. Produced by keyboardist Michael Lardie, Rising also showcases the talents of other original band members Jack Russell (vocals), Mark Kendall (lead guitar) and Audie Desbrow (drums).
Heaven & Hell's The Devil You Know (Rhino): The first album of all new material in 17 years from legendary Black Sabbath members Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler (along with new drummer Vinny Appice), comes on the heels of the quartet's highly successful 2007 reunion tour. "The band had gotten too good to just walk away," says Dio. "We wanted to show people that we were still capable of giving them new music that measured up to what we'd done in the past."
Hedley's Never Too Late (Fontana International): The Canadian pop/rock outfit's first U.S. release contains 12 songs, including Hedley's seven No. 1 hits from their two double platinum Canadian albums Hedley (2005) and Famous Last Words (2007). Singer Jacob Hoggard, who placed third during the second season of the reality competition Canadian Idol, fronts the band who has opened for such diverse acts as Bon Jovi, Nickelback and Sum 41.

Into The Presence's Into The Presence (Razor & Tie): This experimental mid-tempo rock record featuring drummer Tim Alexander (Primus/A Perfect Circle) and frontman/guitarist Luis Maldonado (a studio/session player who, at 12 years old, studied classical guitar at the University of Arizona) was a longtime coming as the two met over a decade ago and had hoped to work on a major project together ever since. The disc was recorded at Alexander's Arizona home studio with APC's Paz Lenchantin playing bass and her sister Ana Lenchantin on cello.

Lenny Kravitz's Let Love Rule (20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition): Kravitz celebrates 20 years after the release of his critically acclaimed debut album with this special 2-CD collection. The original album—featuring songs like "Let Love Rule," "Freedom Train" and "Mr. Cab Driver"—has been re-mastered and includes 18 bonus tracks (13 previously unreleased demos, rare B-sides and live tracks).

The Last Vegas' Whatever Gets You Off (Eleven Seven Music): Dirty, sleazy, fun, party rock songs in the spirit of the '80s hair metal bands is what you get when you listen to The Last Vegas' debut. The Chicago-based band was handpicked by Mötley Crüe during Guitar Center's On-Stage promotion to open up for the Crüe this past winter and the group also received a record and management deal. As an added bonus, Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx co-produced the effort along with Sixx:AM's DJ Ashba and veteran producer Marti Frederiksen.
Duff McKagan's Loaded's Sick (Century Media Records): The 11-year-old punk rock band lead by the ex Guns N' Roses/current Velvet Revolver bassist has finally released its sophomore full-length record. The Seattle-based group—McKagan (lead vocals and guitar), Mike Squires (guitar), Jeff Rouse (bass) and Geoff Reading (drums)—started when McKagan became "sickened by all the crap music going around at the time… So, I put together Loaded to play rock music the way I wanted to do it. We had no great game plan or philosophy. We just wanted to get into the rehearsal room, begin writing songs and play music we felt."

Prong's Power Of The Damn MiXXXer (13th Planet Records): This collection features alternate takes of songs from industrial metal act Prong's 2007 CD Power Of The Damager remixed by industrial, metal and experimental artists such as The Dillinger Escape Plan, Revolting Cocks and Anthrax’s Rob Caggiano.

Queen's First EP (Hollywood Records): The legendary British band first released this EP in the U.K. on vinyl in 1977. Now it's getting a numbered, limited-edition release in America. The EP features "Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy," "Death On Two Legs (Dedicated To…)," "Tenement Funster" and "White Queen (As It Began)," four tunes recorded in the mid-1970s by the band's original lineup of Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon.

Billy Sheehan's Holy Cow! (Mascot Records): The much-revered bassist (Mr. Big/David Lee Roth/Talas) delivers a new rock album showcasing his amazing talents on both bass and vocals. Contributing to their friend's record are musicians Ray Luzier (Korn), Billy F. Gibbons (ZZ Top), Paul Gilbert (Mr. Big) and Doug Pinnick (King's X).

Jeff Scott Soto's Beautiful Mess (Frontiers Records): This is the first new album in four years from the soulful vocalist who has worked with the likes of Yngwie Malmsteen, Talisman, Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Journey. "This is the album I always wanted to make," Soto says. "Beautiful Mess is all about songs and the singer, not guitar solos and big riffs. The songs are also more soul and R&B laced, as well. I wanted the diversity it has, but I didn't want it to sound confusing to old fans while I am trying to gain new ones."

Various Artists' True Blood—Music From the HBO Original Series (Elektra/Atlantic Records): This CD features music heard during the first season of the much-loved series about vampires in Louisiana, including Jace Everett's sultry theme song "Bad Things," tunes from the Bayou State's natives (like Dr. John, Lucinda Williams and Slim Harpo) and an exclusive new song written expressly for the series, "Bleed 2 Feed," by Lafayette-based swamp rocker CC Adcock.

NewsBLITZ: GET STRYPER'S NEW ALBUM, MURDER BY PRIDE, TRACK-BY-TRACK BEFORE IT'S RELEASED

Stryper's new studio album, Murder By Pride, won't be released in its entirety until July 21. However, BIG3 Records is making one new track from the record available each week from now until then via iTunes!

Fans can go to iTunes every Tuesday to purchase a new track. Each song, though, will be sold for one week only; the following Tuesday a new track becomes available. If you make a purchase every week, you will have the full album by July 21.

Here is the release schedule for Murder By Pride:
May 5: "Eclipse of the Son"
May 12: "Murder By Pride"
May 19: "4 Leaf Clover"
May 26: "The Plan"
June 2: "Alive"
June 9: "I Believe"
June 16: "Love Is Why"
June 23: "Mercy Over Blame"
June 30: "Run In You"
July 7: "Everything"
July 14: "My Love (I'll Always Show)"

Besides the 11 songs listed above, Murder by Pride also includes a cover of the Boston song "Peace of Mind," which is already on iTunes.


This fall, Stryper will embark on a 25th Anniversary Tour, hitting 50 cities in North Ameica. The band will play two separate sets during each concert—the first will feature new Stryper material and include current bassist Tracy Ferrie along with original members Michael Sweet, Robert Sweet and Oz Fox; and the second set will feature all four original Stryper members, including original bassist Tim Gaines, and they will be wearing the yellow and black jumpsuits that made them (in)famous while performing the songs fans have come to know and love over the last 25 years.

For tour dates and other information, visit Stryper's official website.

NewsBLITZ: CALL ME INVINCIBLE TOUR

Women rock this summer as legendary artists Blondie and Pat Benatar share the stage together for the first time on the Call Me Invincible Tour! The female rock icons—along with all-female quartet The Donnas as openers—will take on a month's worth of tour dates during July and August.

Blondie—known for hits like "Call Me," "Heart Of Glass" and "The Tide Is High"—is led by the iconic Deborah Harry who calls Benatar a "friend" and "a fearless female rocker who has entertained me and her wealth of fans." She adds: "Being able to bring our two shows to fans across the country is very exciting!"

"Deorah and I have been friends forever," elates Benatar, the voice behind hits like "Love Is A Battlefied," "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" and "Heartbreaker." "I'm thrilled that we're finally getting an opportunity to tour together—it should be a blast!"


Call Me Invincible Tour 2009 Dates

July 21: The Mountain Winery—Saratoga, CA
July 22: The Concerts at Wente Vineyards—Livermore, CA
July 25: Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino—Lemoore, CA
July 26: Pacific Amphitheater—Costa Mesa, CA
July 28: Dodge Theater—Phoenix, AZ
July 29: Isleta Casino-The Lakes—Albuquerque, NM
Aug. 1: Mud Island Amphitheater—Memphis, TN
Aug. 2: Chastain Park Amphitheater—Atlanta, GA
Aug. 4: The Filene Center—Vienna, VA
Aug. 5: Meadowbrook-US Cellular Pavilion—Gilford, NH
Aug. 7: Bethlehem Musikfest—Bethlehem, PA
Aug. 8: Bank of America Pavilion—Boston, MA
Aug. 11: Constellation Brands Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center—Canandaigua, NY
Aug. 13: Asser Levy Park—Brooklyn, NY
Aug. 15: Riverbend Music Center—Cincinnati, OH
Aug. 17: Ravinia Pavilion—Highland Park, IL
Aug. 20: Austin Music Hall—Austin, TX
Aug. 21: Beau Rivage Resort—Biloxi, MS
Aug. 23: The Arena Theater—Houston, TX

NewsBLITZ: COLLECTIVE SOUL AND GAVIN DEGRAW TO CO-HEADLINE SUMMER TOUR

Collective Soul and Gavin DeGraw are teaming up for a summer co-headlining tour.

"We are excited to gt back out on the road this summer, and are delighted it's with Gavin," says Collective Soul frontman Ed Roland, whose band is known for hits like "Shine," "The World I Know" and "Gel." "The band has always been big fans [of Gavin's], and we look forward to some great shows." In August, Collective Soul will release a brand new album for new label Loud and Proud/Roadrunner Records.

DeGraw—who released the album Free this past March—has this to say: "Collective Soul is a great group of guys with a great sound. I partied with them in the fabulous city of Atlanta. It's going to be an exciting tour and I am looking forward to it."

Collective Soul/Gavin DeGraw tour dates:

June 22: House Of Blues—Cleveland, OH

June 23: Piere's—Fort Wayne, IN

June 24: The Egyptian Room—Indianapolis, IN

June 26: Des Moines Arts Festival—Des Moines, IA

June 29: The Beaumont Club—Kansas City, MO

July 7: Spirit Bank Event Center—Tulsa, OK

July 9: Snowden Grove Amphitheater—Southhaven, MS

July 10: World’s Largest Block Party—Chicago, IL

July 11: Lifestyle Communities Pavilion—Columbus, OH

July 13: House of Blues—Myrtle Beach, SC

July 14: House of Blues—Lake Buena Vista, FL

July 15: Revolution—Fort Lauderdale, FL

NewsBLITZ: STIMULATE THIS!

The Stimulate This! Tour will roll across the USA this summer delivering maximum rock at a minimal price. On the bill? Staind, Shinedown, Chevelle and Halestorm.

By working with some of the venues the tour will be hitting, most tickets will remain under $40—and venues with lawn seats may sell those tickets for as low as $10! Also, there will be special promotions at many of the venues such as discounts on concessions, store discounts at local retailers and online rebates for band merch.

And, Atlantic Records will be giving away a pair of tickets to five lucky fans in each city who can give a good reason as to why they need a free night of music. Details on this contest will be available soon at AtlanticRecords.com.

"Wall Street got its bailout—now it's time for rock fans to get theirs," says Staind frontman Aaron Lewis. "This summer, we want to give our fans one night where they can forget about everything else and experience a great rock show!" Adds Shinedown singer Brent Smith: "It's our job...our privilege to offer fans an escape. Teaming up with these other great bands, we're doing what we can to help lift everyone's spirits in these tough times.... The power of music can do that!"

Stimulate This! Tour Dates:
July 1: Peoria Civic Center— Peoria, IL
July 2: Harriet Island—St. Paul, MN (* No Shinedown)
July 4: DTE Energy Music Theatre—Detroit, MI
July 7: Roanoke Convention Center—Roanoke, VA
July 9: Merriweather Post Pavilion—Columbia, MD
July 10: Meadowbrook US Cellular Pavilion—Gilford, NH
July 12: Saratoga Performing Arts Center—Saratoga Springs, NY
(* WHRL Big Day Out Festival)
July 14: Bank of America Pavilion—Boston, MA
July 16: Chevrolet Theatre—Wallingford, CT
July 17: Asbury Park Convention Hall—Asbury Park, NJ
July 21: Eastern Kentucky Expo Center—Pikeville, KY
July 22: Southeastern KY Agricultural & Expo—Corbin, KY
July 24: Roberts Stadium—Evansville, IN
July 25: Dubuque County Fair—Dubuque, IA (* No Chevelle or Halestorm)
July 26: Swiftel Center—Brookings, SD
July 28: Rushmore Plaza Civic Center Arena—Rapid City, SD
July 29: MetraPark Arena—Billings, MT
July 31: Mayo Civic Center—Rochester, MN (* No Shinedown)
Aug. 10: The Amphitheatre at Clark County—Ridgefield, WA
Aug. 13: The Fillmore Auditorium—Denver, CO
Aug. 14: Santa Ana Star Center—Rio Rancho, NM
Aug. 15: Lonestar Amphitheater—Lubbock, TX
Aug. 18: Laredo Entertainment Center—Laredo, TX
Aug. 28: Toledo Zoo Amphitheatre—Toledo, OH
Aug. 30: Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing—Philadelphia, PA

MOTHERLOVER VIDEO

In case you missed it, here's the new hilarious Saturday Night Live video everyone is talking about, "Motherlover," starring Justin Timberlake:

NewsBLITZ: SUGAR RAY REUNION ALBUM + TOUR

The recently reunited Sugar Ray—featuring all original members (singer Mark McGrath, Craig “DJ Homicide” Bullock, drummer Stan Frazier, bassist Murphy Karges and guitarist Rodney Sheppard)—has finally announced details about their new album and summer tour!


Music For Cougars—the "Fly" band's first album of new material in more than six years—will come out July 21 via Pulse/Fontana/Universal. "Boardwalk," the album's lead single drops this month. Other songs on the disc include "She's Got The...(Woo-Hoo)," "Love Is The Answer" and a remake of the Eddie Hodges' tune "(Girls Girls Girls Are) Made to Love."

"We have realistic views of how the music industry is today," McGrath tells Billboard.com. "I know people aren't sitting on the edge of their seats waiting for a Sugar Ray record. But that wasn't the point. It was purely because we love to make music.... I think the biggest success of Sugar Ray is that after 21 years and all the booze, drugs, women, money, having no money—all those things have come into play and we're still together. That, to me, is the biggest reward." Read more of McGrath's comments to Billboard.com by clicking here.

Sugar Ray's tour dates are as follows:

July 24: Dakota Magic Casino—Hankinson, ND
July 25: Taste of the Torches Resort—Lac Du Flambea, WI
July 26: Taste of Lincoln Ave.—Chicago, IL
July 28: Hall—Detroit, MI
July 29: House of Blues—Cleveland, OH
July 30: Bottle & Cork—Dewey Beach, DE
July 31: Sonar—Baltimore, MD
Aug. 1: Spiediefest—Binghampton, NY
Aug. 3: Northern Lights—Albany, NY
Aug. 4: Paradise—Boston, MA
Aug. 6: Columbus Park—Stamford, CT
Aug. 7: The Fillmore NY @ Irving Plaza—New York, NY
Aug. 8: 9:30 Club—Washington, D.C.
Aug. 10: Norva—Norfolk, VA
Aug. 11: Amos' South End—Charlotte, NC
Aug. 12: The Loft—Atlanta, GA
Aug. 14: Culture Room—Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Aug. 15: Downtown Orlando/Orange Ave.—Orlando, FL
Aug. 16: Jannus Landing—St. Petersburg, FL
Aug. 18: Cannery Ballroom—Nashville, TN
Aug. 19: House of Blues—New Orleans, LA
Aug. 21: La Zona Rosa—Austin, TX
Aug. 22: House of Blues—Houston, TX
Aug. 23: House of Blues—Dallas, TX
Sept. 11: Showbox—Seattle, WA
Sept. 12: TBA—Portland, OR
Sept. 14: Empire—Sacramento, CA
Sept. 15: Grand Ballroom—San Francisco, CA
Sept. 16: The Catalyst—Santa Cruz, CA
Sept. 18: Taste of Newport—Newport Beach, CA
Sept. 19: Pozo Saloon—Santa Margarita, CA
Sept. 20: Ventura Theater—Ventura, CA
Sept. 22: Rialto Theater—Tucson, AZ
Sept. 23: The Marquee—Phoenix, AZ
Sept. 25: House of Blues—Las Vegas, NV
Sept. 26: Hard Rock—San Diego, CA

Visit Sugar Ray's official website for more information and links to the group's MySpace and Facebook pages.

TV ALERT: ROCK WEEK ON AMERICAN IDOL

Show: American Idol
Premiere Dates: Tuesday, May 5, at 8PM and Wednesday, May 6, at 9PM
Channel: Fox
It’s Rock Week on American Idol! And, tonight, the final four contestants—Adam Lambert, Allison Iraheta, Danny Gokey and Kris Allen—will be mentored by the one and only Slash! Yes, the guitar great (ex-Guns N’ Roses/Velvet Revolver) with the mop top will be sharing his musical knowledge with the young singers.

Then, tomorrow night, former AI contestant Chris Daughtry returns to the Idol stage to debut his brand new tune “No Surprise.” The song is the first single from the band Daughtry’s as-yet-untitled sophomore effort, which is slated to come out July 14 via 19 Recordings/RCA. "American Idol fans have been so loyal to this band, we wanted to give them the first listen to our new single," Chris says. Also, on Wednesday, the recently reunited No Doubt will perform!


For more on American Idol, click here.

NewsBLITZ: HEAVEN AND HELL TO TOUR IN AUGUST!

Heaven and Hell—Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Vinny Appice—just released new album The Devil You Know and have now announced a late summer North American jaunt to support the CD.

Photo By: Chapman Baehler/Rhino Entertainment

Progressive metal band Coheed and Cambria—who recently released the Neverender box set—will open each show (except in Seattle where Neurosis will handle the job).

Tickets for most shows go on sale this upcoming weekend.

Heaven and Hell tour dates are as follows:

Aug 7: Thunderbird Arena—Vancouver, BC
Aug 8: WaMu Theater—Seattle, WA
Aug. 10: Event Center Arena—San Jose, CA
Aug. 11: Greek Theater—Los Angeles, CA
Aug. 12: Dodge Theater—Phoenix, Az
Aug. 14: Journal Pavilion—Albuquerque, NM
Aug. 15: Red Rocks—Denver, CO
Aug. 18: PNC Pavilion—Cincinnati, OH
Aug. 19: Charter One Pavilion—Chicago, IL
Aug. 21: Meadow Brook Pavilion—Detroit, MI
Aug. 22: Nautica Pavilion—Cleveland, OH
Aug. 23: Merriweather Post Pavilion—Baltimore, MD
Aug. 25: WaMu Theater @ MSG—New York City, NY
Aug. 27: Chevrolet Theatre—Wallingford, CT
Aug. 28: Band Of America Pavilion—Boston, MA

For more information on Heaven and Hell, click here.