Rockin' News for Week of Dec. 15 ,2008
Velvet Revolver to appoint new vocalist?

Apparently, Slash, Duff, and Matt Sorum are having no remorse for former
bandmate Axl Rose and the lukewarm response to
Chinese Democracy, nor are they
entertaining thoughts of a Gn'R reunion.

A rumour has reached Classic Rock that the singer Velvet Revolver are seeking to
recruit to replace Scott Weiland is Irishman Phil Conalane from Million Dollar
Reload.

Conalane was apparently recommended to Velvet Revolver by ex-Guns N’ Roses
drummer Steven Adler, and also by Stone Gods, the band formed from the ashes
of The Darkness.

Stone Gods reportedly tried to recruit Conalane themselves when Justin Hawkins
left The Darkness.
Classic Rock’s source, who claims to be in contact with an insider at Velvet Revolver’s management, tells us:

“Though a surprising choice, Phil is experienced but relatively unknown on the international stage, which would fit Velvet Revolver’s bill of
fresh blood as they try to rebuild their career following the disappointing sales of their last album, Libertad, and the GN’R return that has
left them reeling.

“Phil is also well known as a good songwriter, something that scuppered Velvet Revolver’s plans when previously they tried to bring in the less-
than-prolific Josh Todd of Buckcherry.

“At the recent Classic Rock Awards in London, Slash was seen talking to Phil’s record company representative for quite a while.”

Of course, we realise this might just be a crafty publicity stunt by Million Dollar Reload. More on this news as soon as we have it…

Meanwhile, you can check out Conalane’s vocals on Million Dollar Reload’s MySpace site
here.
(Courtesy
classicrockmagazine.com)
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Australian rockers Airbourne, who
made a huge impact with their
worldwide debut
Runnin' Wild in
2008, are back Down-Under laying
down plans for their next album.  

Check out the video interview with
Metal Hammer Magazine
here.
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COLLECTIVE SOUL SIGNS TO LOUD & PROUD
RECORDS!

Multi-Platinum rockers Collective Soul have inked a worldwide deal with Loud &
Proud Records. The signing, which is Collective Soul’s first since their former
deal with Atlantic, marks the second official artist deal for Loud & Proud, a
Roadrunner Records imprint focusing on new album projects from established
artists. The band will head into frontman Ed Roland’s studio in early 2009 to
begin work on the follow up to 2007’s Afterwords, released on the band’s own
label, El Music Group.

Roland says, “With our independent spirit, Collective Soul is excited to partner
with a label of similar outlook and goals. Together we are excited to take the
next step in an ever evolving music business.”
Loud & Proud President Tom Lipsky added, “Collective Soul is acclaimed for their compelling songwriting and precision recording and also
known for tireless touring. We are proud to have them join Loud & Proud / Roadrunner Records and we look forward to bringing their
new music to audiences around the world.”

Globally known for mega-hits such as “Shine,” “December” and “The World I Know,” Collective Soul hails from Atlanta, GA and has
produced 7 #1 singles and sold over 10 million records. The band broke into mainstream popularity with their 1993 debut album
Hints,
Allegations, and Things Left Unsaid
. The group’s self-titled second album arrived the following year and logged a 76-week run on the
Billboard Top 200. 1999’s critically acclaimed
Dosage saw Collective Soul further its run as rock radio superstars. The first single
"Heavy" set a new high mark for 15-weeks at #1 on the Mainstream Rock chart. “Tremble For My Beloved” also appears on the gold-
certified soundtrack for the hit film
Twilight.

The new album is expected summer 2009.  (Courtesy of
roadrunnerrecords.com)
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SLIPKNOT ANNOUNCES U.S. ARENA HEADLINE TOUR

Grammy-award winning hard rockers  Slipknot announced today their
first U.S. headline tour in support of their #1 album
All Hope Is
Gone
.  The tour, which kicks off on January 23rd in St. Paul, MN,
will hit 33 cities across the country, and include an historic stop at
New York's Madison Square Garden, a first for the band.  Coheed
and Cambria and labelmates Trivium round out the bill.

Frontman Corey Taylor says of the trek, "2009 is the 10 year
anniversary of the world's first taste of this band.  To celebrate we
are coming back out with a killer tour, a couple great bands and the
same ferocity with which we attack life.  We want all of our maggots
to come and celebrate with us, because if it weren't for you, we
wouldn't have been here for 10 years.  Get ready for chaos!"
A special iTunes presale will start on December 3 and will be open to those who took part in the band's digital album presale earlier this
year.  Internet presales via Ticketmaster, will commence on December 5, and the majority of dates will go on sale December 6.

The
All Hope Is Gone World Tour marks Slipknot's first headline run in America since the release of the album in August.  The band is
currently playing to sold out arenas on the other side of the globe; including stops in Russia, Japan, Australia, Europe and wrapping in the
United Kingdom with three sold-out nights at London's Hammersmith Apollo. Preceding
All Hope Is Gone's #1 debut, the band held the
headline slot on this summer's sold-out inaugural Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival, which drew the biggest crowds to a metal festival
since Slipknot played Ozzfest in 2004.

The latest single from
All Hope Is Gone, "Dead Memories" is quickly climbing the charts at rock radio with current positions at top 20 at
Active rock and top 40 at Modern Rock.    The video, directed by P.R. Brown and Slipknot's M. Shawn Crahan, is in Elite 8 rotation at
MTV2 and sitting at #3 on Fuse's Viewer Choice Countdown.

The band has also launched a new website, allhopeisgone.com to coincide with the launch of the tour.  All pre-sale and onsale information
will be made available there.  (Courtesy
roadrunnerrecords.com)