A rare sighting of some Helix on TV these days happened Sunday night on CBC Canada’s American Idol-wannabe reality series, Cover Me Canada.
The show follows the same premise as Idol and a zillion other singing contests, with a forgettable host (Nicole Appleton, aka All Saints singer turned Mrs. Liam Gallagher), a judging panel made up of some artists rounded out by a music industry geek, and featuring up and coming acts trying to make it in the biz.
Regardless, there is some talent on the show, and fortunately, Helix singer Brian Vollmer hooked up with one of the standouts, Melanie Morgan.
The pair connected on a version of Helix’s 1983 Canadian hit, “Heavy Metal Love.”
Throughout the series, Morgan’s been handed a bunch of rock tracks, including songs by Triumph, Steppenwolf and Bryan Adams, but she sounds most at home with country-tinged material, which lends itself better to her natural vocal style.
The show is down to the final four as it heads towards the finale and its prize: $100,000 and a recording contract for an original single to be released by the Canadian arm of an international record label.
The Melanie Morgan Band w/Brian Vollmer of Helix – Heavy Metal Love Cover Me Canada – October 30, 2011
A representative of DNA Networks – the promoters of the Metallica show in Gurgaon, India – tells Pollstar that fans were responsible for the cancellation of Friday’s scheduled concert.
Karuna Prithvi from DNA’s press department told Pollstar it’s difficult to explain what sparked the fuss because “it was all so quick.”
Prithvi says the company always has barriers in place for its shows and the problem was caused when fans broke through them. She said unruly fans “vandalized and destroyed” a lot of stage equipment, which meant it was impossible to fix it and get permission for a new show within 24 hours.
The episode casts a shadow on India’s ability to stage huge international acts, particularly as it followed the cancellation of a Bryan Adams show that had to be scrapped because the promoter couldn't get the necessary permits.
The Delhi police said the location for the show in the NSIC exhibition grounds at the Okhla industrial area in the south east of the city was not suitable.
Metallica promptly released a statement on Friday, saying the band “were notified that there was a serious question as to whether the show could proceed with regard to the safety of the concert audience. And our first and foremost concern is always for the safety of you, the fans. Once we, along with DNA, the promoters of the show, determined that there was a failure of a security barricade in front of the stage that could not be adequately repaired, the promoter reluctantly announced the postponement of the show until Saturday. Unfortunately, on such short notice the promoters were unable to secure a permit for a show on Saturday. Therefore, DNA announced that we would not be able to play in Delhi.”
After the fiasco, Gurgaon police said the operational head of DNA Entertainment Network for Metallica concerts, Rajesh Chandwani, and his team members - Umesh, Ashok Singh and Savio Faleio - were arrested on charges of cheating people and breach of trust.
Metallica’s Sunday show in Bangalore went ahead without incident.
Motley Crue frontman Vince Neil will plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge and pay a $1,000 fine related to an alleged domestic violence incident involving his ex-girlfriend.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that, as part of a plea deal, Clark County prosecutors will drop one count of domestic battery in exchange for Neil's guilty plea to disorderly conduct, District Attorney David Roger confirmed.
Neil, 50, was seen yelling obscenities at, and poking, former local television entertainment reporter Alicia Jacobs at the Las Vegas Hilton in March.
Neil's defense attorney, David Chesnoff, said, "Mr. Neil is sorry he raised his voice."
Jacobs, 45, was with several friends who witnessed the singer’s obscenity-laced tirade on her, as well as the battery-related poking , which reportedly left a bruise.
Neil and Jacobs split in March after a seven-month relationship. At the time, Jacobs issued a statement that the breakup was because of "the decisions Vince continues to make."
As you can tell by the above video, Chickenfoot are fired up and rarin’ to hit the stage on their upcoming Road Test Tour.
The 5-date US trip starts Tuesday at the Warfield in San Francisco, and winds its way to New York a week later.
Along the way, the band will be making an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on the night of Thursday, November 3.
The shows will give fans the chance to check out fill-in drummer Kenny Aronoff, who is handling drum duties while Chad Smith is on tour with the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
The ‘Foot will do it all over again in January for a week of shows in the UK.
The band is heading out to play new music from their latest release, “Chickenfoot III.”
Chickenfoot The Road Test Tour
Nov 1 - San Francisco, CA - Warfield Theatre Nov 2 - Los Angeles, CA - Avalon Hollywood Nov 4 - St. Louis, MO - The Pageant Nov 5 - Chicago, IL – Metro Nov 8 - New York, NY - Webster Hall
Jan 12 - Manchester, UK - Academy Jan 14 - London, UK - O2 Academy Brixton Jan 16 - Paris, France - Olympia Jan 17 - Tilburg, Netherlands - O13 Jan 19 - Dusseldorf, Germany - Mitsubishi Electric Hall
Another Axl Rose moment causes international headlines and a spot for the band at the top of this week’s hennemusic Hot 10.
Last Sunday night in Monterrey, Mexico, Axl stopped the concert, entirely, about a minute after it began, when fans threw objects onto the stage.
In fan-shot video, it looks like a single drink hits center stage near Axl’s feet and spills liquid on the floor, which caught the singer’s attention just seconds into the show’s opening number, “Chinese Democracy.”
Rose shut the band down immediately, waving them off as the song came to a crashing halt. The singer then threatened that the group would pack up and leave.
"Is that what you wanna do?" asked Axl. "'Cause we will go home," he threatened.
Check out the story for more, including video.
The HH10 is a list of the most-viewed rock news stories in the past week by hennemusic readers.
In at #2 this week is Sammy Hagar talking about Van Halen, accusing the band of using Michael Anthony’s voice as a backing tape on the 2007/08 concert tour reunion with David Lee Roth. Lots of fan debate on this one, as Hagar sticks up for his Chickenfoot pal and former VH bassist.
Joe Walsh lands at #3 on the HH10, with details about his first solo album in 18 years – something hennemusic shared with readers last December. Find out the album’s title, and more, on the countdown above.
A tricky week for Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler, as the singer fell sick…and then fell in his hotel shower, losing a couple of teeth, and earning a black eye in the process, while also causing the band’s show in Asuncion, Paraguay to be postponed for 24 hrs while he received medical attention…including new teeth. At #5 is the initial news about Tyler’s accident, while a first look at his injuries came in at #4.
Other big stories for hennemusic readers included a sneak preview of the new Rush live DVD (#6); the full Bridge School concert set by Eddie Vedder (#7); Sammy Hagar’s public offer to manage a reunited Guns N’ Roses – IF that ever happens, and wouldn’t the lineup to get on that rock n’ roll money train be fairly long? (#8); a first look at former KISS guitarist Ace Frehley’s new book (#9); and Toronto rocker Danko Jones lets it all hang out about his feelings on the new Lou Reed & Metallica project, “Lulu.”
For a full list of hennemusic Hot 10 charts, check out the archives here.
The show finally went on for Metallica and their fans in India, Sunday night in Bangalore.
After Friday’s fiasco in Gurgaon, NDTV reports the band rocked Bangalore Sunday, amid tight security. Thousands of fans were seen screaming, cheering and head-banging as one of the world's best-known rock band sang some of their most iconic songs. The group performed at the Palace Grounds in the city.
The performance, which was to be the second for Metallica in India, turned out to be its maiden show following the abrupt cancellation of its concert at the Leisure Valley in Gurgaon on Friday over "security issues."
But there were no glitches in the band's performance in Bangalore, as Metallica rocked the packed audience.
Inner Spectrum from Bangalore and Guillotine from New Delhi were the opening acts for the event.
The crowd erupted in joy when Metallica finally took the stage to play some of their hits, much to the delight of their fans.
More than 20,000 tickets with prices ranging from Rs. 1650 to Rs. 2750 (between $34 and $57 US.) had been sold for the concert.
We’ll await more video from the scene, but NDTV has filed this news report:
Metallica fans in India have waited a long time for the band to play in their country.
The cancellation and fiasco surrounding Friday’s planned show in Gurgaon has left its mark, and meant a few extra days of waiting for diehard rock fans in the region.
NDTV reports Bangalore waits with bated breath to welcome the band, who are scheduled to perform at the Palace Grounds Sunday evening.
Following Friday’s events, the organizers are being extra careful in Bangalore - a three-layer barricade surrounds the make-shift stage, built much stronger than the one in Gurgaon, which kept falling apart.
Over 1000 policemen will be on duty at the Bangalore site to ensure the event runs smoothly.
More than 20,000 tickets, with prices ranging from Rs. 1650 to Rs. 2750 (between $34 and $57 US.), have been sold for the Bangalore concert.
Metallica concert update Indiaecho.com – October 30, 2011
Metallica concert update NDTV Delhi, India – October 30, 2011
The fallout from this weekend’s cancelled Metallica show in Gurgaon, India continues, as concert organizers have been arrested for cheating the public.
NDTV reports Gurgaon police said the operational head of DNA Entertainment Network for Metallica concerts, Rajesh Chandwani, and his team members - Umesh, Ashok Singh and Savio Faleio - were arrested on charges of cheating people and breach of trust.
Fans rioted after word of Friday’s cancellation was announced at the venue, just hours before the event was to begin.
Organizers said the show was postponed due to “technical reasons,” and they tried to reschedule things to Saturday, without any luck. The promoters were taken into custody and full refunds are planned for ticket holders.
Metallica also released a statement, saying the band “were notified that there was a serious question as to whether the show could proceed with regard to the safety of the concert audience. And our first and foremost concern is always for the safety of you, the fans. Once we, along with DNA, the promoters of the show, determined that there was a failure of a security barricade in front of the stage that could not be adequately repaired, the promoter reluctantly announced the postponement of the show until Saturday. Unfortunately, on such short notice the promoters were unable to secure a permit for a show on Saturday. Therefore, DNA announced that we would not be able to play in Delhi.”
Before any word of an event cancellation took place, Metallica held a press conference for local media, and did an interview for NDTV.
Metallica – interview NDTV – Delhi, India – October 28, 2011
On November 12, heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez takes on top contender, Junior dos Santos, for the UFC Heavyweight Championship.
The fight, televised live from Anaheim on FOX, is the first mixed martial arts showdown to be broadcast on US network TV.
In a promo ad unveiled recently for the event, the soundtrack features The Rolling Stones’ classic, “Sympathy For The Devil.”
It’s not the original version, though; it’s one of the versions featured on the 2003 remix single compilation issued to promote the DVD reissue of Jean-Luc Godard's 1970 film of the same name; the movie depicts the 1968 recording session that produced the classic track.
Losing anyone in your life is traumatic enough, but when friendship is mixed with business, things are complicated on many levels when someone in your inner circle passes away.
When Def Leppard guitarist Steve “Steamin’” Clark died in January of 1991, he was on a six-month leave of absence from the group, trying to deal with a downward spiral in his life brought on by addiction.
Clark’s death of an overdose of a combination of alcohol and multiple prescription drugs, at the age of 30, was a shock to his family, friends, and the band – who were in the middle of recording the “Adrenalize” album.
In part 20 of their month-long fan Q&A series, Leppard are asked, “What changes – physically and mentally – went on with the band after the tragic loss of Steve Clark?”
There’s more fallout from the cancellation of the Metallica concert in Gurgaon, India.
NDTV reports concert organizers have been arrested for cheating the public.
The Gurgaon police said the operational head of DNA Entertainment Network for Metallica concerts, Rajesh Chandwani, and his team members - Umesh, Ashok Singh and Savio Faleio - were arrested on charges of cheating people and breach of trust.
The police said they had received several complaints after the show was cancelled; they allege that the organizers sold more tickets than capacity and that they were never informed before the cancellation was announced. The organizers had publicly cited "technical reasons" for scrapping Friday's gig.
Over 25,000 people had gathered at the Leisure Valley Park in Gurgaon's Sector 29 to watch the concert. Less than two hours before Metallica was to play, the organizers postponed the concert to 4 pm on Saturday. Then, after some angry fans trashed equipment, came reports that the Delhi gig had been cancelled altogether.
The organizers have said all ticket holders will be refunded. They say full-page advertisements on refunds will be put out in the next 24 hours explaining all the details.
The police chief in Gurgaon said yesterday that the concert had been called off. "The organizers have to say why they cancelled (the show). They have to explain. They have cancelled it without taking the district administration into confidence," said Police Commissioner S.S. Deshwal. He said that fortunately, the crowd dispersed peacefully.
The concert was organized by DNA Entertainment Network; 25,000 thousand tickets had been sold for prices ranging from Rs. 1650 to Rs. 2750. (between $34 and $57 US.).
Metallica is in the country to perform as a part of F1 Rocks and is scheduled to perform in Bangalore on Sunday.
Aerosmith’s current South American tour is only a few dates in, but already making headlines due to Steven Tyler’s health issues: seemingly suffering through a bout of something, the show’s opening night in Lima, Peru failed to include such concert staples as “I Don't Want To Miss A Thing,” “Dream On” and “Love In An Elevator” from being performed at the show.
Days later, before the tour’s second stop in Asuncion, Paraguay, Tyler passed out in the shower at his hotel due to dehydration caused by gastrointestinal problems (aka “Montezeuma’s Revenege”), resulting in a fall that cost him two teeth, a black eye and a day’s delay in rocking the city, as the concert was postponed 24 hrs due to his injuries.
Following some medical treatment and procedure, Tyler recovered quickly, the Asuncion show went ahead as planned, and the singer was reportedly back in fine shape and kicking ass.
While in Lima for the first gig, the group did some media interviews, including guitar hero Joe Perry sitting down to discuss the band and its projects with the “13 Hrs.” show on Peru’s Canal N.
“We’re about three-quarters done with the [new] record,” said Joe. “Basically, we just have to put the singing on it, and some finishing touches, and we’ll be ready for [a] March [release].”
“A lot of people have said that it sounds like the first and second record,” continued Perry, “because we worked with Jack Douglas, the producer who did our records in the 70s.“
Aerosmith - Joe Perry interview 13 Hrs. - Canal N. - Peru - October 2011
Some video of Sebastian Bach and Asking Alexandria rehearsing for the third annual Revolver Golden God Awards in L.A. earlier this spring, has surfaced.
Revolver is now sharing footage of the rehearsal, as the guys run through a couple of takes on the Skid Row track, “Youth Gone Wild.”
Bach did double-rock n’ roll duty at the April 20 event, hosting the VH1 pre-show “black carpet,” doing interviews with all the rockers, before joining AA on stage during the show.
Since the awards, Bach has recorded and released his latest solo album, “Kicking & Screaming,” and will be out playing some U.S. shows in November.
Sebastian Bach & Asking Alexandria – Youth Gone Wild (take 1) Original by Skid Row Rehearsal for Revolver Golden Gods Awards Club Nokia - Los Angeles, CA
Sebastian Bach & Asking Alexandria – Youth Gone Wild (take 2) Original by Skid Row Rehearsal for Revolver Golden Gods Awards Club Nokia - Los Angeles, CA
The Metallica show in Gurgaon, India has been cancelled.
The band released the following statement, late Friday:
“We arrived in Delhi on Friday very excited and ready to play our first show ever in India at the F1 Rocks concert. However, immediately at the end of our afternoon press conference at a hotel near the venue, we were notified that there was a serious question as to whether the show could proceed with regard to the safety of the concert audience. And our first and foremost concern is always for the safety of you, the fans.
Once we, along with DNA, the promoters of the show, determined that there was a failure of a security barricade in front of the stage that could not be adequately repaired, the promoter reluctantly announced the postponement of the show until Saturday. Unfortunately, on such short notice the promoters were unable to secure a permit for a show on Saturday. Therefore, DNA announced that we would not be able to play in Delhi. Within the next 24 hours a notification will be issued by DNA regarding the process for full refunds.
We are deeply disappointed with this news as we were looking forward to our first experience in India as much as you guys were. Keep watching for updates here as additional details are determined and confirmed.”
On Friday, the Times Of India reported organizers said, “Due to some technical problems, we are postponing the Metallica concert to tomorrow,” without providing further details at the time.
"The organizers have informed the police that, due to technical reasons, they are postponing the concert," said Gurgaon police commissioner SS Deshwal, ruling out it was due to chaos at the venue.
Fans including from outside the National Capital Region(NCR) had already gathered in large numbers at the Leisure Valley in Gurgaon for the concert scheduled to begin at 7:30pm. The venue has a capacity to seat an audience of around 30,000 fans.
After the news of postponement was announced on stage, disappointed fans tried to vandalize the venue; they broke barriers, climbed on stage and tore posters. Several fans gained access to the stage area, setting fire to banners and causing damage to the LED screens, monitors and other equipment.
Metallica is in the country to perform as a part of F1 Rocks and is scheduled to perform in Bangalore on Sunday.
Helix 
