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ILLIANAMUSIC NEWSWIRE-THE STEEPWATER BAND, THE CRAWPUPPIES,TROY PATRICK FARRELL, BUDDY GUY, GLEN CAMPBELL, HAPPENING HARRY, BILLY CORGAN, RICK NEILSEN.

--The Steepwater Band’s forthcoming release “Clava” will be released August 12^th and 13^th. The band will perform on those dates at the Beat Kitchen, to celebrate the albums release. Attend those 2 shows and pick up “Clava” for 5 bucks. “Clava” is the follow up to the outstanding “Grace and Melody”.
--The Crawpuppies will have another busy summer playing live. Fresh off opening for the Counting Crows last month at Chicago’s House of Blues. They will be playing a number of outdoor festivals in Chicagoland. The band is in the running to open for other national bands, along with opening for Cracker in September, at Valparaiso’s annual Popcorn Fest.
--Disturbed have announced that their very first live performances in South America will take place this summer. "We are so excited to be playing in South America for the first time ever," says Disturbed front man David Draiman. "It's been a long time coming and we can't wait to rock the fans down there."
--Former Northwest Indiana resident and White Lion drummer Troy Patrick Farrell has returned from a tour with former Black Sheep’s Willie Basse due to business issues. The band is currently supporting Adlers Appetite, with Blue Islands favorite son, Chip Z’nuff on bass.
--Former Chicagoan and Sunset strip Legend Happening Harry has his merchandise online now at http://www.merchmethod.com/happeninharrystore. Check out Harry on facebook, he has a picture with every Rock Star that has set foot in the city of angels.
--Buddy Guy has been announced as the headliner for the second annual Lakefront Jazz and Blues Festival.
The event is set to take place Lakefront Park in Prior Lake, Minnesota on Saturday, July 16 and will also feature The Voice" contestant Tim Mahoney Quinn Sullivan, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Rea, The Lamont Cranston Blues Band and more.
--Country legend Glen Campbell is getting the all-star treatment for his final album. The singer and session guitarist is bowing out of the record business this year with his last ever album, Ghost on the Canvas, which arrives August 13. Jakob Dylan, Robert Pollard of Guided By Voices and Paul Westerberg from The Replacements have penned songs for the record, while guest artists include Billy Corgan, Dick Dale, Chris Isaak and Rick Nielsen.
UPDATE: Guitar great and country music legend Glen Campbell has revealed that he is suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
But with a final tour also being planned, Glen and his wife Kim decided to go public with news of Campbell's condition. Kim told People magazine,"Glen is still an awesome guitar player and singer. But if he flubs a lyric or gets confused on stage, I wouldn't want people to think, 'What's the matter with him? Is he drunk?'"
--Disturbed frontman David Draiman says the band will take a break after completing their current run of tour dates. "We're touring the States then a short South American run, but that's it after that," he states.
--Chicago rocker Billy Corgan described his brother’s mugging early Thursday on a Red Line train as “sad and terrible.” “He was just sitting there on the train, listening to his iPod,” Corgan told the Chicago Sun-Times Thursday evening. “They obviously set him up to rob him.” Chicago Police have since been able to control these so called, flash mob punks.

Regional Music Vets come together, form Timebomb Temple
By Patti Riaden

Timebomb Temple, the newest in Chicagoland bands is counting down the days that they explode on stage for the first time at JJ Kellys in Lansing, IL on October 1, 2011. Timebomb Temple is made up of some of the best NW Indiana musicians. Mark O"Connor and Brian Rossin use to conquer the stage in Counter Attack back in the day. Arthur Allen on guitar is a well known sound engineer and has played in many area bands like Believer the Ozzy tribute, 3.0 and Kronick. Marie DeYoung is fronting this band that plays classic to modern rock.. Timebomb Temple is honored to be opening up for the band Non Jovi-a tribute to Bon Jovi and 80s rock. Grab your friends and head up to JJ Kellys on Saturday, October 1, 2011 and be prepared to be blown away by Timebomb Temple. You can "like" them on facebook by going to www.facebook.com/timebombtemple

Kenny Aronoff to join Chickenfoot

Chad Smith has officially handed over his Chickenfoot drumsticks to former John Mellencamp skinbeater Kenny Aronoff. Kenny is ILLIANA MUSIC’S favorite rock drummer (hate to be bias). Kenny has been doing studio work, along with playing with John Fogerty as of late

Kenny checked in with Lars: “Lars, I am doing great.. Staying very busy in LA doing sessions in the big studios and my own studio.. Also out with John Fogerty and yes I will be doing some promo stuff with Chickenfoot later this year”. Kenny can be seen in the new Chickenfoot video “Big Foot”.

Smith can't tour with the supergroup as they go out on a brief US tour in support of second album Chickenfoot III. He's returned to his main band, the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, as they prepare to hit the road to promote I'm With You, their first album since taking a break.

Novembers Doom seeks Drummer

Due to choices made by Novembers Doom’s drummer, Sasha Horn, in both his personal and professional life, only after much consideration, and a long year of a 1400 mile distance hurdle, Novembers Doom and Sasha Horn, have decided to mutually part ways. For once this isn’t your typical “musical differences” excuse, this is simply, due to distance and Sasha’s pursuit and focus in other directions, it became clear to all of us, he was no longer able to contribute the same dedication to Novembers Doom as the rest of the band. We wish Sasha the best in his future endeavors.

Earthquake Quimby Leaves Metalicious forms M-80 Metal Assault

"Hey bro, got a new band with Chris Michaels (formerly of Fair Warning) on guitar, Alex Hernanadez (Drums), Ralph Hernandez (Guitar), and Scott Trubich of Ravensthorn, on Bass. Band is called M-80 METAL ASSAULT, we are a tribute to the 80's Metal scene, all of the classics, including some of the ones the chicks can dig too. :) I quit Metalicious to form this band, gonna be a blast man".

Donnie Vie reflects on Jani Lane

“The first time I met the guy we were drunks arguing about "I Saw Red" and a few other things I wont get into in a club in NY. The next time I saw him was right after talking a bunch of shit about him in an interview,(I showed him,huh?)Anyways I found myself hiding from the band after landing on tour with Warrant, Quiet Riot and Poison,in fear of taking some pretty hefty scowls,name calling etc... Well the rest of the band did just that,but right before the first show Jani snuck on my bus and asked if I had any booze I could share with him.I immediately apologized for the comments and he said "Dont fuckin worry about it.Its all cool".
Then we had a couple shots together, and he went on and sang hit song after hit song to full house all singing along to every word.I gained a lot of respect for him and his band and learned to appreciate not only what he had accomplished but all the other bands out there in the same boat. Through the tour and later years he turned me on to some of his other solo,not so commercial songs,(very much more similar to what I do) and taught me a few things about the difference between writing what you really love and writing for the masses,which is what makes you money.He hated "cherry pie". He was embarassed when he sang it, but to this day it always appears in some movie or new commercial, wracking up another million in his bank account. Needless to say,Im just not into writing that kind of stuff. Especially after all this time being the broke guy that has to love his own records.
I’ll probably stay broke and doing what I do (in fact I have just finished a great new record about to be released next month)But I am a fan of Jani Lane and his music.I feel like shit hearing the news about him. Im sad Ill never get to hang with him again, but mostly sad for his family and all the die hards that went through so much with him, loving him and hoping this wouldnt happen.He was the same age as me,and habbits not to unsimilar.Damn bro,what was that bad about all that money and fame? Anyways,,,,Im so sorry”..

The Steepwater Band Take “Clava” Tour to Spain

In support of their new album, CLAVA, The Steepwater Band is taking yet another musical journey to España. The tour will last over two weeks and finds the guys traveling to a number of new cities, such as Burgos, Jerez de la Frontera and Monzón. The band first performed in Spain in 2005 at their biggest music gathering, the Azkena Rock Festival. Since then the band has returned nearly every year to sold-out venues across the fine land. The guys are excited to re-visit old friends and meet plenty new ones, and share the new music which is CLAVA.

Ditchwater signs with Arrowhead Productions

Ditchwater signed with nationwide management company
Arrowhead Productions. Arrowhead will now be handling all our bookings, day to day as well as all public relations. All of us in the Ditchwater family are beyond excited that now not only are our careers in capable hands, but our Arrowhead brother and sisters are great people as well. Now Ditchwater can concentrate on what we do best. MUSIC!
We are writing new stuff now as well as playing shows in Chicago and the surrounding areas, including a great show at the Hard Rock in Chicago on October 21st!
We will start pre-production in December and hit the road in 2012 at some point and destroy as many towns as possible!
For booking, please contact: Shelly Harper ...815-978-6506 shelly@arrowheadmusiclive.com. All press can contact Nicki Noise at nicki@arrowheadmusiclive.com

Former Weezer Bassist found dead in Chicago Hotel

Former Weezer bassist Mikey Welsh was reportedly found dead in a Chicago hotel room on Saturday. "He was found unresponsive and on the floor of a hotel room at Raffaello Hotel at 2:50 p.m. on Saturday, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office."

Corgan denies break up rumors

I would say those reports are irresponsible. We are very happy together as a band and as friends, and there are no plans to disband, nor any discussions about disbanding. My point was if Oceania is not well received, it would be time to change our focus as a band. I have plenty of projects that have been sitting on the shelf for a while that I'd be more than happy for us to get into. That said, Oceania is a record we are very proud of and we hope people feel about it as strongly as we do."

Cheap Trick lobbying for stage safety.

Cheap Trick aren't letting their close call in Ottawa this summer go away without a fight. Trick's July 17 set at the Ottawa Bluesfest was interrupted by a sudden storm that caused the stage to collapse around them as the band narrowly escaped without injury.
On Monday, guitarist Rick Neilsen and band manger Dave Frey were on Capitol Hill, where the Chicago Tribune reports the two intended to urge congressmen to regulate temporary stages to prevent such an incident from happening again. Besides their own near-miss, they'll have plenty to talk about with legislators.
Cheap Trick's near-fatal incident was one of four last summer in which temporary stages were blown down amid foul weather during or just before musical performances, some with tragic consequences. In the following weeks, stages collapsed in Tulsa, destroying $800,000 worth of gear owned by the Flaming Lips but causing no injures; the Indiana State Fair in Indianapolis, resulting in seven deaths and dozens of injuries; and the Pukkelpop Music Festival in Belgium, where five people were killed and 140 injured.

Pumpkins Release free Downloads

According to the band's website www.smashingpumpkins.com/reissues, fans will get five free unreleased demo tracks for download: "All orders of Gish and/or Siamese Dream include an instant download of the four tracks that have been previously available only through the Smashing Pumpkins Record Club (SPRC) - the 8-track demo of "Drown," "Suicide Kiss Geek" (no vox), "Barb Wire" and "Rhinoceros Version 2," plus one new exclusive.
As a little bonus for purchasing these from the SPRC directly, we have found another little buried treasure for you. Enjoy the "Frail and Bedazzled Instrumental" -- This is a Billy Corgan home demo from back in the day! While you are at it, be sure to sign up for the SPRC for future gems...Digital purchases will be delivered via download link at midnight on November 29.
There are standard and deluxe versions available of each album, with different tracklists."
Both albums, each with bonus content and special features that were curated from the band's archives by founding member Billy Corgan, have been painstakingly remastered for the first time from the original master tapes by Bob Ludwig.
After touring America and Europe this fall--the trek launched October 5 in Los Angeles and wraps December 8 in Lisbon--they will release OCEANIA, "an album within an album," as part of their in-progress 44-song work TEARGARDEN BY KALEIDYSCOPE. Featuring 13 new songs, OCEANIA will be released in early 2012 (further details TBA).

News Briefs

-Drowning Pool have parted ways with former Soil singer Ryan McCombs and are looking for a new frontman, according to Loudwire.
"We have always been a band who has gained success despite having multiple singers … maybe we suffer from reverse 'lead singer's disease'," quipped guitarist and vocalist C.J. Pierce about the band's third frontman change in 10 years.
-Chevelle are powering back with their sixth full-length studio album 'Hats Off to the Bull,' which is in stores next Tuesday. With just a week to go, the band decided to give fans a sneak peek at things to come.
The band has kept a pretty tight lid on the new material until now - while touring with Bush and Filter the only song they performed from the new album was the already released 'Face to the Floor' . (Banana 101.5)
- Enuff Z' Nuff kick off their 2011-2012 North American tour tonight, December 2nd in Janesville WI. Enuff Z' Nuff (who's current lineup includes original founding members Donnie Vie and Chip Z'Nuff) has also announced that they will be releasing a best of anthology next year.
The release will include all of the bands best known songs including "Fly High Michelle", "New Thing" and "Baby Loves You" as well as over 20 previously unreleased tracks. (Super Loud)

February Rock News Briefs

~ Accomplished and well respected Chicago Sound Engineer Passes-Martin (Marty) Bilecki, collapsed and passed away Feb 3rd while mixing the “Salute to the 60’s” show at the Star Plaza Theatre. Marty founded his company Performance Recording and Sound, in 1991. From Chicago’s Buckinghams, “We have long regarded him as the ultimate professional, a warm and gracious man. Personally, he was our good friend. He was one of the hardest-working men we’d ever met, and we always knew we could count on him”.

~ New Mecca for Metal in South Burbs-Another Hole in the Wall in south suburban Steger has opened for local and nationalal bands. I am told they have pro lighting, sound, and a killer stage. Looking forward to catching a show there soon, since the state to the east knows nothing about Rock or Metal.

~ Survivor Guitarist and Songwriter Frankie Sullivan-has filed suit to keep Newt Gingrich from using “Eye of the Tiger” at his campaign rallies. Thank God, the legacy of that iconic song is way to cool for that arrogant smug to use!

~ Attention crybaby bands I’ve dealt with of late, or past!-If I get another call, text or e-mail, “I don’t like the way we sounded can you take the video down”. How about this, rehearse a little more, play out when you have your A game, your cheating the people that show up! It’s a cell phone society, everyone’s watching. If your insecure about your playing, stay in your basement, play to your buddies. I hate F’N crybabys.

~ Off Broadway Frontman Cliff Johnson based out of Lake Genava these days.- ‘I'm presently grateful to be living in Lake Geneva, WI, where people are so receptive to music, past and present....very pleasant and thoughtful. I have found my ideal market and intend on putting
together a new band. Hope to see you in Racine, Kenosha, Milwaukee, and Madison, just to
name a few of the cities I would be delighted to play. Reception thus far to my amazement
has been extraordinary. Please remember, when I play, it's YOUR show. My band and I are
simply facilitating the event, which belongs to YOU”. Peace and love, Cliff