Archive News Mar 02, 2001 - update 1

The reunited WILDHEARTS have been turned down for a slot at this year's Reading Festival. A petition is currently underway to try to persuade the festival's organizers 'to come to their senses'. You can sign it online here. When the sign count reaches a high enough level, the petition will be passed on to the Mean Fiddler organization, who are in charge of putting the festival together.

San Francisco's 40 GRIT have parted ways with drummer Mike Bennett due to creative differences. 40 GRIT will be auditioning drummers shortly and should have their new man by April. Anyone interested in auditioning should send an e-mail to: [email protected]

Finland's THE 69 EYES are continuing their impressive commercial success in their homeland by charting at number 5 (#2 last week) with their latest single, 'The Chair', while their sophomore CD Blessed Be presently stands at number 32 (#23 last week) on the Top 40 Album chart.&nbsp

Former EUROPE guitarist John Norum, ex-THIN LIZZY / MOTORHEAD guitarist Brian Robertson and two members of the Norwegian band STREET LEGAL will join forces to do a five-show mini-tour of Norway in early May. Dates will be confirmed later.

Following their recent performances in Australia and Brazil, SILVERCHAIR are back home and working on new material for the upcoming studio album, which they will be recording later this year. Guitarist/vocalist Daniel Johns has written more than a dozen new songs for the as-yet-untitled release and is continuing to spend lots of time between rehearsals creating more new tunes. Two new tracks—'Hollywood' and 'One Way Mule'—were unveiled during the recent gigs but it is not yet confirmed whether these songs will definitely be part of the new album. The band is still finalizing a producer, and once this is in place, recording dates will be locked down. SILVERCHAIR's upcoming CD is not expected to be released before the end of the year.

Here is a press release from DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Portnoy about the upcoming DREAM THEATERMetropolis 2000: Scenes From New York DVD release:

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'I am extremely sorry to announce that due to errors in the DVD-authoring process, the release date of Metropolis 2000: Scenes From New York has once again been delayed to April 24th, 2001. I am furious over these errors, which were out of my hands, and I am just as disappointed as any of you in having to wait to share this great DVD with you all. I must stress that the delay has absolutely nothing to do with any errors or dissatisfaction on mine or the record company's behalf... they were strictly technical errors in the authoring process, which forced me to pull the plug on production until the errors were corrected. I know what a disappointment this is, but it will be worth the wait when the product is finally released in April. P.S.: A very special thanks to all the great, dedicated DT fans who pre-ordered the DVD and made it #1 at CDnow......We will let you know when it is available to pre-order once again!'

Ex-ACCEPT guitarist Wolf Hoffmann is auctioning off some items from the band's 25-year career, including guitars, amps and more. More details on the auction can be found here.&nbsp

DRIVEN, the new band of former DIO / WORLD WAR III guitarist Tracy G, have signed a deal with Germany's MTM Metal Records. The group's line-up is completed by RAGE / AXEL RUDI PELL drummer Mike Terrana, vocalist Tim Saxton and ex-DIO bassist Larry Dennison. Samples of DRIVEN's music can be downloaded via the group's MP3.com web site.

Todd Campbell, the son of MOTORHEAD guitarist Phil Campbell, has formed a band called PSYCHO SQUAD, which recently recorded some demo material under the studio guidance of the elder Campbell. 'Todd can play circles around me,' Phil recently commented. 'He is an incredible musician'. PSYCHO SQUAD is currently looking for a record deal.

The recording of the new SATARIEL album, Phobos &amp Deimos, will start on March 20th at Dug-Out Studios in Uppsala, Sweden with producer Daniel Bergstrand (STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, MESHUGGAH, etc.).

Former KING DIAMOND / MERCYFUL FATE / MEMENTO MORI drummer Snowy Shaw is reportedly working with at least three different projects besides NOTRE DAME, with one allegedly going under the working name of VAMPIRELLA AND THE STOOGES. No further information is available at this time.

Former BLACK SABBATH / RAINBOW drummer Bobby Rondinelli has reportedly put together a new 'supergroup', featuring legendary vocalist Glenn Hughes, guitarist Teddy Rondinelli and bassist Neil Murray (WHITESNAKE, BLACK SABBATH, etc.). The as-yet-unnamed project will start recording its debut album later in the spring.

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