This Week in Rock

Soundgarden’s Kim Thayil, Matt Cameron and Ben Shepherd performed under the anagram alias Nudedragons, for a special (12/14) performance in Seattle at the 13th annual SMooCH (Seattle Musicians for Children’s Hospital) concert benefiting Seattle Children’s Hospital’s uncompensated care fund. They were joined at the Nordstrom-backed benefit by singer-songwriter Shaina Shepherd and Guns N’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan, among others. Featured Songs: Hunted Down (with Shaina…

Metalica’s fourth “Helping Hands Concert & Auction“ Friday night (12/13) at YouTube Theater featured the band playing acoustic and electric sets. Acoustic Set List: 01. Low Man’s Lyric (see clip below)02. Helpless (Diamond Head cover) 03. Away From Home (Bachman-Turner Overdrive cover)04. If Darkness Had A Son 05. Nothing Else Matters Electric Set List: 06. Orion07. The Shortest Straw08. Until It Sleeps09. Screaming Suicide10. The Unforgiven II (see clip below)11. Fuel (see…

Breaking Benjamin rule Billboard‘s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart (dated December 14th) with “Awaken.” It’s the band’s eighth #1 overall on the survey but their first chart-topper since 2020, when “Far Away,” featuring Scooter Ward (Cold), led for three weeks. “Working on this song has been something new and exciting for all of us, I believe,”offered guitarist Jasen…

2/1 Former Hootie & The Blowfish frontman turned Country star, Darius Rucker, is arrested for possession of a controlled substance in the Middle Tennessee area. “Darius Rucker is fully cooperating with authorities related to misdemeanor drug charges,” states Rucker’s lawyer. The singer is released on a bond of $10,500. 2/2  MusiCares Person Of The Year benefit gala honors…

Classic Rock acts performers are on this year’s Pollstar survey of the top touring acts. Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band land at #5 on the tally grossing $251-million) with the Rolling Stones checking in at #6 earning $235-million – all from the “Hackney Diamonds” U.S. trek giving the Stones the top grossing North American tour….

Linkin Park received the Top Rock Duo/Group and Top Hard Rock Artist awards at the 2024 Billboard Music Awards. The group performed “The Emptiness Machine” for the (12/12) show while on tour in Brazil. The song, a former #1 on Mainstream Rock, is from the band’s highly successful comeback album “From Zero,” their eighth full-length…

1/3 Rage Against The Machine’s Brad Wilk says the band will not tour or perform live again, likely being the third time the group has broken up.  The drummer says there won’t be any new tour dates after the band canceled the remainder of their ’22 North American tour due to frontman Zack de la…

The annual Metal Hall Of Fame charity gala will take place Wednesday, January 22rd at the Grand Theater in Anaheim, CA, with tastings presented by Ghost Tequila. Pre-party (at the Anaheim House Of Blues): 4:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.Induction ceremony: 8:00 p.m. Ticket Information 2025 List of Inductees Includes:  “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott – pictured above (Pantera): 20th-anniversary of life…

The Hellacopters have released (I Don’t Wanna Be) Just A Memory,” the second single from their upcoming studio album “Overdriver,“ due January 31st, The Hellacopters formed in 1994 but after seven full-length studio sets, the band went on hiatus in 2008. Fourteen years passed before the release of their comeback album, “Eyes Of Oblivion.” The band features…

Def Leppard (pictured), Mötley Crüe, Shinedown and Nickelback have been confirmed as headliners at the inaugural Boardwalk Rock festival in Ocean Beach, Maryland, on May 17th-18th. Other bands confirmed include Halestorm, Bush, Chevelle, Three Days Grace, Alice Cooper, Flyleaf with Lacy Sturm and 3 Doors Down. Ticket prices start at $165 for a single-day general admission pass,…