Marshall Of Rock

The announced musical project with guitarist/vocalist John Sykes (ex-Whitesnake/Blue Murder/Thin Lizzy) and Mike Portnoy (ex-Dream Theater, ex-Avenged Sevenfold, Adrenaline Mob) has fallen apart.

Sykes and Portnoy had been in the studio working on songs, with Billy Sheehan on bass. But Pornoy has revealed via Twitter: “Sad but true… I tried my best to make it work… Me and the bass player Billy Sheehan couldn’t wait around any longer… Billy and I moving on and now working with another guitarist/singer.”

Portnoy and Sykes originally announced their collaboration during a July 2011 VH1 Classic's "That Metal Show". Co-host Eddie Trunk tweeted about the project at the time, "I heard demos. Sounds like killer Blue Murder meets '1987' Whitesnake. Amazing!" Trunk also said that the new group would perform some Blue Murder material when it hits the road.

That got me fired up for the project, since I was a big fan of the underated Blue Murder and have always though they should reunite at some point. Trunk wrote on his website this week: "There has been much speculation on the status of the band and this project since we first revealed it, and as a friend and fan of both musicians I was very much at the center of it helping where I could and serving as a sounding board with all involved. Sadly, I can confirm that as of now this project is no longer moving forward.

"When I first talked about Portnoy and Sykes working together, I joked with them that I had never met two guys with such different work ethics. Mike wants to do everything yesterday and John really takes his time and is much more conservative. That truly is the only reason why what could have been a killer band has dissolved.

"Obviously, bands are like any relationship — some click, some do not. This was simply a case of two different people not only getting to know each other musically but also personally, and the schedule and timing for making this work just fell apart. Mike and the band's bass player were ready to go, and John simply was not on the same timetable. There is truly no bigger story or any drama to report. It just didn't work and everyone is moving on. Mike has several amazing projects in the works, including the killer ADRENALINE MOB album coming in March, and John may very well do a solo album or something else. He has some great material written and was singing and playing in top form when this dissolved. They both remain friends and I wish them both nothing but the best going forward and who knows what the future holds?"

It looks like the future may hold having Richie Kotzen (ex-Poison, Mr. Big) to take the place of Sykes in the project. Eddie Trunk also reported that this could be a possibility but stressed that this is not a done deal band ready to make a formal announcement. Richie has a past with Sheehan from their time together in Mr. Big. I look forward to this happening, as Kotzen is an amazing guitarist and would round out this supergroup nicely. Make it happen!

Holy Shat! The greatness of Shatner shines through in the new video from the ex-Captain Kirk. Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" gets the distinctive sing-speaking treatment in this awesome version. The song comes off of William Shatner's new space themed covers album, "Seeking Major Tom." The 20-track album also includes Shatner's classic "Rocket Man," as well as Black Sabbath's "Iron Man," David Bowie's "Space Oddity," and more, with guests ranging from Ritchie Blackmore, Ian Paice, Micheal Schenker, Zakk Wylde and Mike Inez to Sheryl Crow, Peter Frampton, Johnny Winter, Carmine Appice, Dave Davies, Wayne Kramer and John Wetton.

Two teens are stargazing in a field when something appears in the sky. It's the mouth and face of none other than William Shatner.

"Holy--" the girl says. "Shatner." finishes the boy.

Constellations appear and accompany Shatner with the song, gliding across the screen. The lyrics appear in block letters below his face, keeping the stars and galaxys company, while helping fill the screen.

The kids eventually get a copy of the new CD as it hits the earth in a giant fireball. Holy Shatner!

Former Ozzy Osbourne and Black Label Society guitarist Zakk Wylde guests on the cover of Black Sabbath's "Iron Man". Check it out if you haven't heard this one yet:

Here's Sheryl Crow on "Mrs. Major Tom":

The guest lineup for the next season of That Metal Show on VH1 Classic will start shooting in Los Angeles starting this Sunday! You can follow Eddie Trunk on Twitter @eddietrunk for news and photos from the set as the shows are shot. Air dates have yet to be announced for these shows. Check out the slated guests below and the upcoming season will be the first shot in HD. Join Don Jamison, Jim Florintine and Eddie Trunk for another season of TMS!

Guest Guitarists (each seen in 2 shows): Chris Broderick (Megadeth), John 5 (Rob Zombie), Glenn Hughes (playing bass), Warren DeMartini (Ratt).

GUESTS:
Herman Rarebell (Scorpions) & Andrew Dice Clay

Marilyn Manson & Biff Byford (Saxon)

Tracii Guns (LA Guns) & Michael Monroe

Paul Rodgers & Josh Todd/Keith Nelson (Buckcherry)

Sully Erna (Godsmack) & Jesse James Dupree (Jackyl)

Slash & Sam Dunn (metal filmaker)

Brian Johnson (AC/DC)

Dave Mustaine & Vinnie Appice/Rex Brown (Kill Devil Hill)

Watch the current episode featuring Mike Portnoy (ex-Dream Theater, Adrenaline Mob) and John Sykes (ex-Whitesnake, Blue Murder and Thin Lizzy). The two announce plans for a band and new music in 2012! Can't wait for that!

Here's a preview of this weekend's new show featuring Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick and vocalist Graham Bonnet (ex-Rainbow, Alcatrazz, Micheal Schenker Group, Impellitteri)

William Shatner's space-themed concept album, "Seeking Major Tom", will be released on October 11th. The cover art has been revealed, and a cover of Black Sabbath's "Iron Man" with ex-Ozzy and Black Label Society guitarist Zakk Wylde can be listened to below:  

Revolver Mag debut William Shatner Iron man feat. Zakk Wylde by Cleopatra Records

Sebastian Bach is back with new solo material and the first Rock Pick of the Week! "Kicking & Screaming" is the title track and first release from the album, to be released on September 27th via Frontiers Records in North America and September 23rd in Europe. It's produced by Bob Marlette (Black Sabbath, Shinedown, Atreyu, Filter).

The song has that powerful vocal that we can always expect from Bach, with solid musicianship and production. It's a great lead track as the first release from what I expect is an album full of great rock.

The recording features young guitar prodigy Nick Sterling and drum pro Bobby Jarzombek (Halford, Riot, Iced Earth), as well a guest appearance by guitarist John 5 (Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie). Bach and company will take to the road this month with select dates nationwide. Bach says: "This CD will follow along the lines of 'Skid Row', 'Slave To The Grind', 'Subhuman Race' and 'Angel Down'. If you like rockin' guitar riffs, high-energy songs and performances, deadly drums of doom, and ear-shattering screams, we got your rock right here!" He also described the songs as "heavy, interesting, classic sounding, modern sounding, completely rock 'n' roll — just how we like it!"

Sebastian Bach on tour:
August: 
23 Asbury Park, NJ Summer Stage At The Stone Pony
24 Wantagh, NY Nikon At Jones Beach Theater 25 Poughkeepsie, NY The Chance
27 Grand Junction, CO RockJam

"Kicking & Screaming" track listing:
1. Kicking & Screaming
2. My Own Worst Enemy
3. TunnelVision (featuring John 5)
4. Dance On Your Grave
5. Caught In A Dream
6. As Long As I Got The Music
7. I'm Alive
8. Dirty Power
9. Live The Life
10. Dream Forever
11. One Good Reason
12. Lost In The Light
13. Wishin'

Bonus tracks:
14. Jumpin' Off The Wagon (on physical CD/DVD editions only)
15. Ain't There Yet (iTunes exclusive)

Bach's girlfriend, 25-year-old model Minnie Gupta is featured on both the album cover and the new video:


Kenny Wayne Shepherd just released his new album of blues rock called "How I Go". This album is another great addition to that blues rock that fans expect from Kenny. The first track "Never Lookin' Back" is quality rock, with an impressive guitar solo and the solid growling vocal of Noah Hunt. Besides Noah, Kenny has an incredible band together, including Chris Layton on drums (Stevie Ray Vaughn & Double Trouble/Arc Angels/Storyville), Riley Osbourn on Keyboards and newest addition Tony Franklin (The Firm/Blue Murder) on bass. The road warriors will be touring into October, so look for them somewhere near you.

"Never Lookin' Back"

Breaking Benjamin "Blow Me Away", featuring Syd Duran of the band Valora is the great new track up next as a Rock Pick of the Week. The Pennsylvania band are already near the top of the rock charts with this one, and it looks to have a solid shot at #1. The band continues to put out great tracks year after year, and now you can get them all on one album. A greatest Hits collection titled "Shallow Bay: The Best of Breaking Benjamin" will be released on August 16. The two-disc release will feature the band’s chart-topping hits including “Breath,” “So Cold,” “Sooner Or Later,” “The Diary of Jane” and “I Will Not Bow,” as well as an entire disc of rare recordings including never-before-released songs, live performances, rare acoustic recordings and remixes.

Seether "Tonight" is the second track from the album "Holding on to Strings Better Left to Fray". The band has a few gigs with Black Stone Cherry and Finger Eleven followed by dates on the Rockstar Energy Drink Uproar Festival. The lineup for the Uproar Festival includes Avenged Sevenfold, Three Days Grace, Bullet For My Valentine and Escape The Fate.

Essex, Michigan rockers Finding Clyde are up next with "Let Me In", a track from their upcoming album. The band having spent the winter of 2010/2011 writing with luminary musicians ranging from Chris Henderson of Three Doors Down and Ryan Newell from Sister Hazel.

In March 2010, when the band signed to Bullfrog Records they were introduced to main stages across the mid-west region. They toured the summer of 2010 along with Buckcherry, Slash, 3 Doors Down, Billy Idol, Alice Cooper, Tesla, Great White, Need To Breath, Bret Michaels, and Saving Abel, and Thriving Ivory to just name a few.

The summer of 2011 will be another great year for Finding Clyde on the road. Stone Temple Pilots, Pop Evil, Sick Puppies, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and a return stint with Alice Cooper are all in the works.

Finding Clyde is:
Joe Rivard—Lead Vocals, Guitar
Tony Rivard—Bass
Jack Neymeiyer—Guitar, Organ, Vocals
Marc Scott—Drums and Percussion