For months, The Cult frontman Ian Astbury refused to produce a full-length album. After the band’s horrific experience recording the 2007 album Born Into This in a matter of 15 days under pressure from their previous record label, Astbury decided that full-lenght albums were no longer an option for The Cult. Instead, they would produce ‘capsules,’ releasing two new songs every three months. However, the band’s attempt to create a “more contemporary” approach to music production resulted in a demand from fans for a “real” full-length studio album. The result is Choice of Weapon, an album both the band and Astbury are quite pleased with, which is set to hit shelves next Tuesday, May 22nd.

Despite being pleased with this latest album, it seems that The Cult are searching for just about anything to gain relevance in today’s rapidly changing music industry. When asked by Classic Rock about a possible collaboration with Grammy-winning Wu Tang Clan member RZA, Astbury replied, “Warm.” When I initially heard the response I thought, “Damnit! Another ridiculous collaboration. Another attempt to stay relevant. Heavy metal seems to be losing its roots.” However, after stepping back for a moment I’m starting to realize the value in a collaboration like this. Cross-genre albums not only bring attention to the artists performing, but also to each genre represented in the new music. For instance, Lil’ Wayne’s Rebirth album gained attention in the hip-hop realm and in the rock sphere (its quality is, however, somewhat questionable). Or what about Korn? They’ve been collaborating with dubstep artists for the last year, and I have to admit, I actually like the hardcore electronic sound on Path of Totality. My point here is twofold. First, The Cult’s collaboration may just bring more attention to the metal scene, hopefully reinvigorating America’s love for the genre. Second, The Cult’s collaboration might actually turn out a good song or two. Who knows until we hear it? Either way, The Cult’s forthcoming project might be just what we’ve all been asking for . . . then again, it might suck.

While May is officially marked as National Skin Cancer Awareness month, American alt-rockers Greek Fire would like us to keep a different type of cancer in mind. In February of 2012, following a highly successful run through Japan, Greek Fire drummer and former Story Of The Year drum tech Johnny Venus was diagnosed with Leukemia. It goes without saying that the devastating news has made a life-changing impact on Johnny, as well as his family, friends, bandmates, and fans. In honor of Johnny’s incredible courage and strength, Greek Fire has written and produced a song about the crippling toll cancer takes on the lives of its victims and their family members. “If This is the End (The Sound of Belief),” was officially released earlier this week and was created with a total budget of zero dollars by a group of incredibly selfless and generous individuals who donated their time, talents, and efforts without a single request for compensation. Greek Fire, in a gesture of the sincerest gratitude thanked these individuals:

“This video was made possible by so many amazing and selfless people who donated their time and talents without thought of payment or reward: Eric Russell for additional direction, Martin Busler for additional production, John Pessoni and The Urge, Encapsulated Studios, Mike Jones, Matt Amelung, Andre and everyone at STL TV, Allan Hessler, Mike Bachta, John Oakes, Kevin Lyman and UNITE THE UNITED / WARPED TOUR, MUSICARES, and all of our amazing family and friends.”

While the band certainly could have focused on the difficulties of this journey, they chose to provide a message of hope. As the members of Greek Fire have stated themselves:

“This is a song about hope and finding the courage to fight when all seems lost. If you think this video can help someone you know, please forward it. If this video helps even a single person, then mission accomplished. Thank you very much.”

“If This is the End (The Sound of Belief)” begins with a somber introduction announcing, “This is a song for anyone, anywhere, who is in pain . . . for anyone, anywhere who needs hope.” It continues with a melodic chorus that describes the many crushing effects of cancer on its victims, their families, and their friends. However, in the triumphant, fast-paced, hard-hitting conclusion to the video, flashes of new born babies, butterflies bursting from cocoons, and a final shot of a strong and courageous Johnny Venus telling the world “You will never know what you mean to me” is both heartbreaking and inspiring. More than anything, the feelings the video evokes are indescribable — they’re personal and yet universal. Greek Fire has put together an incredible video for an incredible cause and I encourage all of our readers to participate in helping raise money to benefit Johnny’s battle and raise cancer awareness everywhere.

Greek Fire – “If This is the End (The Sound of Belief)”

“If This is the End (The Sound of Belief)” is available now worldwide on iTunes, Amazon, and a number of other major outlets. All proceeds go to the Johnny Venus Leukemia Fund. You can also donate directly to the fund via PayPal.

The legendary Texas-based rockers ZZ Top are all set to appear on the North American syndicated rock-radio show In The Studio. During this exclusive interview guitarist and singer Billy Gibbons, bass player and singer Dusty Hill, and drummer Frank Beard will spit some tall tales about their now classic 1973 album Tres Hombres. And I’m not kidding about the guys sharing some Texas-sized fables. Gibbons, HIll, and Beard share stories about everything from Vampire Travel to three-legged beavers; blowing the roof off a New Orleans nightclub to wearing 60 pound Nudie suites while performing at 3 in the afternoon in an Ohio cornfield. Needless to say, it should be an entertaining 20 minutes — and that’s only part one of the three part feature! In other chunks of the interview, Frank Beard discusses Billy Gibbons powerful and intoxicating guitar tone:

“From day one Billy was aware of the frequencies that make up a tone and the sound wave that comes out… Billy has always been a master of producing this giant square wave of sound so it’s loud and full, but it doesn’t hurt your ears.”

The In The Studio “ZZ Top: Tres Hombres” interview is three segments and can be heard by clicking the links below!

Part 1 – ZZ Top: Tres Hombres

Part 2 – ZZ Top: Tres Hombres

Part 3 – ZZ Top: Tres Hombres

The new Guided By Voices album is nothing short of vintage GBV at their best. Class Clown Spots A UFO is not only some the band’s best work, it’s also song craft is outstanding and only rivaled by . . . GBV’s other classic album successes including the classic Alien Lanes, the critically acclaimed Bee Thousand, and the emphatically received Let’s Go Eat The Factory. The release of GBV’s newest album, Class Clown Spots A UFO, is just around the corner with a release date set for June 12.

Besides the killer song-writing and extraordinary execution, the most intriguing aspect of this album is that the title track has been 25 years in the making. In fact, “Class Clown Spots A UFO” is one of Robert Pollard’s oldest songs. The original version of the tune was titled “Crocker’s Favorite Song” and was penned in the mid 80s. Later, it was cut from GBV’s now classic album Bee Thousand. However, the track would eventually make its way onto an album for the legendary rockers . . . thrice. “Crocker’s Favorite Song” would appear on King Shit And The Golden Boys (on the 1995 GBV Box), the “Director’s Cut” edition of Bee Thousand (2004), and finally as “Class Clown Spots A UFO” on Suitcase 3 (2009). Now, its been re-mastered, re-recorded, and completely polished into a GBV instant pop-indie classic. Listen to this latest rendition of “Class Clown Spots A UFO” from GBV’s newest album of the same name on Rolling Stone.

While news of GBV’s newest album is certainly exciting, the announcement of yet another new album, The Bears for Lunch, is equally intriguing. The Bears for Lunch is expected for release in November of 2012 and will be the (count it) third album GBV will release since their reunion, and perhaps most important, the third album GBV will release in a single year!

Meanwhile, GBV will be hitting be hitting the road with a run of shows that see the guys playing up and down the East coast and into Louisiana, Texas, Missouri, and Kansas. Check out the tour dates below!

Guided By Voices 2012 Tour

5/18 – Nelsonville, OH – Nelsonville Music Festival
7/6 – Philadelphia, PA – Trocadero
7/7 – New York, NY – CBGB Festival at Central Park Summerstage
7/15 – Cincinnati, OH – Bunbury Festival
9/8 – Dayton, OH – Downtown Revival Music Festival
9/14 – Cleveland, OH – Grog Shop
9/18 – Athens, GA – 40 Watt Club*
9/19 – Orlando, FL – The Beacham*
9/21 – Pensacola, FL – DeLuna Festival
9/22 – New Orleans, LA – One Eyed Jacks*
9/24 – Houston, TX – Warehouse Live*
9/25 – Austin, TX – Emo’s East*
9/27 – Columbia, MO – Blue Note*
9/28 – Lawrence, KS – Granada*
9/29 – St Louis, MO – Plush*
* With Detective

Gojira, the punishing Bayonne, France-based progressive metallers, have set a July 31st street date for the release of their highly anticipated two DVD/CD (or Blu-ray/CD) live music package titled The Flesh Alive. The title features complete live performances from the Garorock Music Festival and a crushing performance from Rock School Barbey, in Bordeaux, France. Plus, The Flesh Alive will include bonus material from their incredibly heavy set at the 2010 Festival Les Veilles Charrues show, an in-depth documentary that gives fans exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of the heavy metal rockers, and a live CD. Check out the trailer below!

The full track listing for The Flesh Alive, as well as features from the exclusive DVD/Blu-ray documentary, include:

Garorock 2009 (93 min): “Oroborus,” “The Heaviest Matter Of The Universe,” “Backbone,” “Love,” “From The Sky,” “A Sight To Behold,” “The Art Of Dying,” “Drum Solo,” “Clone,” “Flying Whales,” “The Way Of All Flesh,” “Terra Incognita,” and Vacuity.”

Festival Les Vielles Charrues 2010 (15 min): “Indians,” “Toxic Garbage Island,” and “World To Come.”

Rock School Barbey, Bordeaux 2011 (80 min): “Oroborus,” “The Heaviest Matter Of The Universe,” “Backbone,” “Love,” “From The Sky,” “A Sight To Behold,” “The Art Of Dying,” “Drum Solo,” “Clone,”Flying Whales,” “Toxic Garbage Island,” “The Way Of All Flesh,” “Terra Incognita,” and “Vacuity.”

Documentary (62 min): A complete inside look at the construction of The Flesh Alive as well as an in-depth exploration of Gojira themselves. The DVD features 62 minutes of rare and exclusive behind the scenes footage.

CD (65 min, with screensavers): “Intro,” “Oroborus,” “The Heaviest Matter Of The Universe,” “Backbone,” “Love,” “From The Sky,” “A Sight To Behold,” “The Art Of Dying,” “Clone,” “Flying Whales,” “The Way Of All Flesh,” “Terra Incognita,” and “Vacuity.”

Gojira – The Flesh Alive Trailer

In other news, Gojira’s new album: L’enfant Sauvage (The Savage Child), is set for release on June 26 through Roadrunner Records. Currently, the band is on tour in Europe, but don’t fret fellow Americans (or folks visiting the States in August or September) the band will be headed to North America for a two-month run with Lamb of God and Dethklok this fall. The tour begins August 1 in Seattle and culminates in a September 15 finale in San Francisco. Tickets go on sale today (tour dates below)!

Gojira North American Tour 2012

8/01 SEATTLE, WA WAMU THEATER
8/02 VANCOUVER, BC QUEEN ELIZABETH THEATER
8/04 CALGARY, AB BIG 4
8/05 EDMONTON, AB SHAW CONFERENCE CENTRE
8/07 WINNIPEG, MB CONVENTION CENTRE
8/09 MILWAUKEE, WI EAGLES BALLROOM
8/10 COLUMBUS, OH LC PAVILLION
8/11 TORONTO, ONT HEAVY TO
8/12 MONTREAL, QC HEAVY MTL
8/14 GRAND RAPIDS, MI DELTA PLEX
8/15 ST. LOUIS, MO FAMILY ARENA
8/19 KANSAS CITY, MO MIDLAND THEATER
8/21 CHICAGO, IL CONGRESS BALLROOM
8/22 DETROIT, MI COMPUWARE ARENA
8/23 PITTSBURGH, PA STAGE AE
8/24 CHARLOTTE, NC TIME WARNER UPTOWN AMPH
8/25 NORFOLK, VA CONSTANT CONVENTION CTR
8/26 BALTIMORE, MD TIER 6 PAVILLION
8/29 NEW YORK, NY ROSELAND
8/30 LOWELL, MA TSONGAS ARENA
8/31 WALLINGFORD, CT OAKDALE THEATER
9/01 PHILADELPHIA, PA OUTSIDE AT ELECTRIC FACTORY
9/02 ASBURY PARK, NJ ASBURY PARK CONVENTION
9/04 ORLANDO, FL HARD ROCK LIVE
9/05 ATLANTA, GA TABERNACLE
9/07 HOUSTON, TX BAYOU MUSIC CENTER
9/08 SAN ANTONIO, TX SUNKEN GARDEN
9/09 DALLAS, TX VERIZON WIRELESS THEATER
9/11 DENVER, CO THE FILLMORE
9/13 PHOENIX, AZ COMERICA THEATER
9/14 LOS ANGELES, CA GIBSON AMPHITHEATER
9/15 SAN FRANCISCO, CA BILL GRAHAM CIVIC

Apocalyptic Love, the second studio album by current Velvet Revolver and former Guns N’ Roses lead guitarist Slash, is expected for release next week on Tuesday, May 22. The album features Slash’s band (not Velvet Revolver), which includes vocalist Myles Kennedy, bassist Todd Kerns, and drummer Brent Fitz who are collectively known as “Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators.”

But don’t wait until next week to sample Slash’s latest album. Instead, check out the music video for “You’re A Lie” below!

Slash – You’re A Lie

Legendary alternative grunge rockers Garbage are offering early access to their new album, Not Your Kind Of People. While the album will still be hitting shelves (in a physical capacity) next week on Tuesday, May 22, the band is offering the standard and deluxe editions exclusively on iTunes at this very moment! Although its been more than seven years since Garbage last released an album, Not Your Kind Of People is Garbage at their best.

The band is currently on a worldwide tour that includes stops throughout the U.S. and Europe (tour dates below), and don’t miss Garbage tomorrow night, Friday, May 18 on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon.

Garbage 2012 Tour Dates

MAY
16th Paris, France Olympia – SOLD OUT
22nd New York, NY Webster Hall – SOLD OUT
23rd Washington, DC 930 Club – SOLD OUT
25th Atlantic City, NJ House of Blues
26th Boston, MA Paradise Rock Club – SOLD OUT
28th Toronto, ONT Phoenix Concert Theatre – SOLD OUT

JUNE
1st Santa Barbara, CA KJEE Summer Round Up, Santa Barbara Bowl
2nd Mountain View, CA Live 105 BFD, Shoreline Ampitheater
3rd San Diego, CA 91x X-Fest
9th Warsaw, Poland Orange Warsaw Festival
11th Samara, Russia Rock on Volga Festival
12th Odessa, Ukraine Prosto Rock Festival
16th Hultsfred, Sweden Hultsfred Festival
17th Aarhus, Denmark Northside Festival
19th Amsterdamn, Holland Melkweg Max
22nd Neuhausen ob Eck, Germany Southside Festival
23rd Scheessel, Germany Hurricane Festival, Red Stage
24th Paris, France Solidays Festival
27th Luxemburg Rockhal
28th Werchter, Belgium Rock Werchter, Pyramid Marquee
29th Arras, France Main Square Festival

JULY
1st London, UK Brixton Academy
2nd Wolverhampton, UK Civic Hall
3rd Manchester, UK Manchester Academy
4th Glasgow, UK Barrowlands
6th Bucharest, Romania B’Estfest
8th Herouville St Clair, France Festival Beauregard
11th Vigevano, Italy 10 Giorni Suoanti Festival
12th Rome, Italy Fiesta Campanelle Roma Rock
14th Bilbao, Spain BBK Live Festival
15th Aix-les-Bains, France Musilac Festival
17th Arles, France Les Escales du Cargo Festival
19th Oporto, Portugal Mares Vivas Festival
21st Nyon, Switzerland Paleo Festival

AUGUST
4th Montreal, QUE Osheaga Festival
11th Omaha, NE Maha Festival, Stinson Park
18th Osaka, Japan Summer Sonic Festival
19th Tokyo, Japan Summer Sonic Festival

Techy Chris Gosset has just released two brand new free Van Halen Apps for the Android system that feature more than 30 videos and 200 songs. The first app, called “Van Halen Video Classics,” features 31 Van Halen official videos. Included in the impressive digital library are the rarely seen “You Really Got Me” and “Runnin’ With The Devil,” as well as “Loss of Control,” “Hot For Teacher,” and all of the Sammy Hagar / Van Hagar videos from “Live Without A Net” to “Humans Being.” And if that’s not enough, you can even catch the 2006 Edward Van Halen solo video for “Catherine” and Van Halen’s latest videos “Tattoo” and “She’s The Woman.”

The second app, titled “Van Halen Rare Song Vault,” has over 170 rare and unreleased songs. This digital library includes live songs, videos, and audio shows from 1978, 1979, 1984, 2008, as well as all of the songs from Van Halen’s latest album A Different Kind Of Truth — some of which are from original demos!

Click here to download the “Van Halen Video Classics” app and here to download “Van Halen Rare Song Vault.”

And if you don’t have an Android powered phone (like me), don’t worry; you can still view all of the material online. Check out all of Van Halen’s official videos here and their rare videos here.

Soulsavers, the electronica production and remix team, will release their highly anticipated fourth studio album The Light The Dead See next week on May 22nd (full track listing below). “There was no real script,” says Rich Machin of the album. “It just rolled and rolled; it was effortless.” Which is an incredible feat considering the group completed the album while located in different parts of the world.

In 2010, Soulsavers were invited to support Depeche Mode on their trek across Europe. It was on this European tour that Soulsavers fourth album was conceived. Depeche Mode frontman Dave Gahan — excited by what Soulsavers were doing — began writing lyrics and recording his own vocals for an album with the electronica duo at a studio in New York. Meanwhile, Rich Machin translated the lyrics into song as he masterfully arranged the epic songs on this soon-to-be-released album. The international effort has resulted in one of Soulsavers’ most emphatic albums, which will hit shelves in only five short days.

“Everything about it was relatively unplanned, surprising: a magical thing,” adds Dave Gahan. “We were a perfect match and I’m very, very excited about this record.” Check out more about the Soulsavers forthcoming album featuring vocals by Dave Gahan by visiting the Soulsavers official website or check out the video below.

Soulsavers – The Light The Dead See

The Light The Dead See Track Listing:

01. La Ribera
02. In The Morning
03. Longest Day
04. Presence of God
05. Just Try
06. Gone Too Far
07. Point Sur Pt. 1
08. Take Me Back Home
09. Bitterman
10. I Can’t Stay
11. Take
12. Tonight

It seems fitting that if someone were to pick a song to play in tribute to Adam ‘MCA’ Yauch, that he or she might chose “Fight For Your Right.” While the song may focus on the “injustices” of teen life, the song’s title is a metaphor for Yauch’s life in more than one way. For instance, between 1994 and 2003 Yauch may have titled the song “Fight For Your Right (To Live Freely in Tibet).” During this period, Yauch founded the Millarepa Fund which was designed to send a significant amount of the Beastie Boys‘ royalties to support Tibetan independence. Later, the foundation, lead by Yauch, hosted a two-day concert in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park called the Tibetan Freedom Chart, which raised over $800,000 for Tibetan exile organizations. The success of Yauch’s charitable concert series would keep it alive and active until 2003.

In 2002, Yauch may have titled the song “Fight For Your Right (To Make Some Quality Independent Films, Damnit!).” It was in that year that Yauch would build his recording studio and independent film distribution company in an effort to give talented and politically charged film makers (and musicians) the ability to produce and distribute their high quality, low budget films easily accessible.

Finally, in 2009, Yauch may have titled the song “Fight For Your Right (To Survive Cancer)” because in this year, Yauch would be diagnosed and treated for a cancerous parotid gland and lymph node. His love of music, performing, and social/political activism kept Yauch going for three more years. He passed earlier this month on May 4, 2012.

While these fictitious song titles certainly wouldn’t help sell many albums, they are meant to reflect Adam ‘MCA’ Yauch’s incredible ability to touch the lives of those around him (whether musically or simply out of his passion for helping others). Yauch exemplified everything the music industry should be striving for — integrity, diversity, and building social consciousness. R.I.P. Adam ‘MCA’ Yauch, you are sorely missed.

Matt Toka – “Fight For Your Right (To Party)”