Rock News Review: October 2024
10/2 Coal Chamber Cancel Aftershock Festival Appearance
Frontman Dez Fafara’s health forces the band to skip the October 10th-13th festival in Sacramento. After becoming ill Fafara went to the hospital five days earlier.
10/2 System Of A Down Drummer Ends Endorsement Deal
John Dolmayan ends his endorsement deal with Tama drums. “It’s time to make a change,” posts Dolmayan. He had been “part of the Tama family” since ’99.
10/2 Original Vocalist Returns
Three Days Grace announce the return of original frontman Adam Gontier.
He shares lead vocals with Matt Walst, who has fronted Three Days Grace for over decade.
10/3 Mötley Crüe Announce A Return to Vegas
“The Las Vegas Residency,” an exclusive limited stand of eleven shows at Dolby Live at Park MGM, will run from March 28th through April 19th, 2025.
10/3 Pink Floyd Catalog Sold
Reports surface that Pink Floyd have sold the rights to their recorded music, name and likeness to Sony for $400 million.
A number of parties, including Warner Music and BMG, were interested in doing a deal that would expand the use of Floyd’s catalog through licensing agreements.
10/4 Mötley Crüe Release “Cancelled”
The three-song effort features the title track, “Dogs Of War,” a Top 5 Rock Radio hit, and a cover of the Beastie Boys’ “(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party!),” which is already a concert favorite.
10/4 Fever 333 Issue Darker White
The set features “No Hostages” and “Higher Power.”
“(The set) is the intersection we will all find ourselves in at some point in our lives,” noted frontman Jason Aalon Butler. “It is the struggle we will inevitably face when identifying our metric for good or bad. Wrong or right. Dark and light. All based on our environment, social construction and cultural/psychological conditioning.”
10/4 Metallica Contributes To Hurricane Relief
The band’s All Within My Hands foundation donates $100,000 for immediate Hurricane Helene disaster relief – $50,000 each to World Central Kitchen and Team Rubicon.
The hurricane left a path of destruction throughout Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee.
10/4 Oasis Sell Out
‘Oasis Live ’25’ reunion tour tickets with shows in Toronto, Chicago, New Jersey, Los Angeles and Mexico City are snapped up in an hour.
10/5 Linkin Park” is #1 On Rock Charts
With the single “The Emptiness Machine,” Linkin Park now has thirteen #1s on Alternative Airplay. The song is also the band’s eleventh #1 on Mainstream Rock Airplay.
It’s Linkin Park’s first release with vocalist Emily Armstrong (pictured) and drummer Colin Brittain.
10/5 Black Sabbath Bassist Honored
Geezer Butler is honored by Center For A Humane Economy for his lifetime commitment to animal welfare. He is among four game-changing individuals recognized by the Center during a ceremony in Malibu, CA.
10/7 Lacuna Coil’s New Guitarist
Guitarist Daniele Salomone confirms that he has joined Lacuna Coil replacing the band’s longtime guitarist Diego Cavallotti.
Salomone made his live debut with Lacuna Coil at the Rockstadt Extreme Fest last August in Romania.
10/7 Decide Bails On Tour Ahead Of Hurricane
Decide cancels the last three shows of their North American tour so they cam go home to Florida “to protect” their “families and properties” as Hurricane Milton heads for the Gulf Coast.
10/8 Steel Panther Goes Gold
Steel Panther announce that their debut set, “Feel The Steel,” has been certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for sales in excess of 100,000 copies in the United Kingdom.
10/8 Fred Durst Sues Universal
Limp Bizkit frontman files a lawsuit against Universal Music Group, claiming he is owed millions in unpaid royalties.
Durst claims that he’s never received any royalties from Universal throughout his career; He and his bandmates are seeking $20 million in damages.
10/8 Gene Simmons Bombs As A Judge
He is a guest judge on Dancing With The Stars during the ‘Hair Metal Night’ episode. Instead of offering solid critiques of dance routines the KISS singer spends his time commenting on contestant’s looks.
Viewers are appalled. The next day, Simmons says he “stands by every word.”
10/11 Myles Kennedy Presents “The Art Of Letting Go
It’s Kennedy’s (Alter Bridge/Slash featuring Myles Kennedy) third solo album, He is backed by bassist Tim Tournier and drummer Zia Uddin.
“There were tunes I had sitting around for a few years that just didn’t have a home and didn’t fit the (previous album’s) storyline,” notes Kennedy.
10/11 The Offspring Are “Supercharged”
“Supercharged” is the band’s first album with drummer Brandon Pertzborn. He replaced Pete Parada who was fired in ’21 for refusing to get a COVID-19 vaccination for health reasons.
The lead single was “Make It All Right.”
10/12 SNL Skit Doesn’t Sit Well With Oasis Singer
Saturday Night Live mocks the oft-feuding Gallagher bothers (Liam -pictured right- and Noel) after the Oasis’ world reunion tour sells out. The skit portrays the Gallaghers. who for years said Oasis would never get back together, as childish and petulant.
When asked about the skit on X Liam responds saying it was “excruciating.” He goes on to criticize the SNL performers. “I wouldn’t expect anything else from them” and “Are they meant to be comedians.”
10/14 Paramore’s Haley Williams Responds To “Toxic Workplace” Accusations
A few former employees of Fruits Hair Lab, a salon co-owned by Williams. assert that the salon was a difficult place to work and alleged that complaints about issues were ignored.
“When this group of Fruits employees chose to leave, the remaining team of stylists reported that the environment in the salon became immediately more positive and less toxic,” Williams responds. “Do with that what you will.”
10/15 Guitarist Jake E. Lee Shot
Lee (Ozzy Osbourne, Red Dragon Cartell) is shot multiple times in Las Vegas. Lee is in intensive care unit and recovers.
He confronts a: couple of thieves” checking out a neighbor’s motorcycle.
From his hospital bed, Lee says, ” I am one lucky motherf**ker.”
10/16 Metallica Donates $100,000
Metallica’s All Within My Hands (AWMH) foundation donates $100,000 for disaster relief in Florida and southeast communities affected by Hurricane Milton.
AWMH gives $50,000 each to Feeding America and the Information Technology Disaster Resource Center (ITDRC) – who provide technology continuity, connectivity, and recovery after catastrophic events.
10/17 Poison Drummer Introduces Rockett Coffee
Poison drummer Rikki Rockett and Mainline Coffee present Rockett Roast – a Brazilian Dark Roast.
The coffee features “deep, intense flavors” with chocolatey notes and “a smooth finish” due to the beans being harvested in the high altitudes of Brazil.
10/18 Alice In Chains Guitarists Jerry Cantrell Delivers “I Want Blood”
“This record is a serious piece of work.” states Cantrell of his fifth solo effort. “There’s a confidence to this album. I think it’s some of my best songwriting and playing, and certainly some of my best singing.”
10/18 As I Lay Dying Bassist Announces His Departure
Ryan Neff, who joined As I Lay Dying in ’22, writes on Instagram: “As of today, I have made the decision to leave As I Lay Dying. This choice comes after much reflection, and I believe it is the right step for my personal and professional journey.”
10/19 Eloy Casagrande’s Slipknot Debut
The drummer (formerly with Sepultura) performs with Slipknot in his home country of Brazil for the first time at Knotfest Brasil 2024 in São Paulo.
10/19 Ozzy Has Multi-Platinum Album
Before being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist, Ozzy Osbourne posts on Instagram and Facebook, that his sixth solo album, “No More Tears,” has been certified quintuple platinum (5-millions copies moved in the U.S.) by the Recording Industry Association Of America.
10/19 Rock Hall Induction Ceremony
Ozzy Osbourne (pictured), Foreigner and Peter Frampton are officially inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame during a ceremony in Cleveland.
In his acceptance speech Ozzy credits late guitarist Randy Rhoads. “If I hadn’t met (him), I don’t think I’d be sitting here now.”
Rhoads helped to transform Osbourne’s solo career after he was kicked out of Black Sabbath in ’79.
10/20 Portnoy’s Return
Drummer Mike Portnoy performs live with Dream Theater for the first time in fourteen years. “‘The first show was just so intense,” Portnoy tells his bandmates after London concert. “Now we can start to have fun.”
10/21 Former Iron Maiden Vocalist Dies
Paul Di’Anno, who fronted the band from 1978-1981, dies at age 66. He sang on Iron Maiden’s groundbreaking debut album “Iron Maiden” and the influential follow-up, “Killers.”
He was fired from Iron Maiden in’81 and pursued a solo career and working with a handful of bands.
10/23 Testament Gets Key To The City
Members of Testament are presented with keys to the city by Albuquerque ‘Metal’ mayor Tim Keller prior to the band’s concert at the Albuquerque Convention Center.
10/23 Scott Stapp Makes Opry Debut
The Creed frontman gives the first live performance of “If These Walls Could Talk,” featuring Dorothy Martin, frontwoman of Dorothy. The song is on Stapp’s fourth solo effort, “Higher Power.”
10/23 The Grateful Dead Named the 2025 MusiCares Persons of the Year
Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh, Bob Weir and the late Jery Garcia are recognized for their philanthropic efforts.
MusiCares offers preventive, emergency, and recovery programs to musicians.
10/24 As I Lay Dying Lose Two Members
Guitarist Ken Susi and drummer Nick Pierce separately announce their departure from As I Lay Dying. The news comes just six days after bassist/vocalist Ryan Neff says he is leaving.
10/24 Five Finger Death Punch Announce A $200,000 Donation
The band donates a portion of ticket sales from their recent North American tour to Covenant House, a social service agency dedicated to helping homeless, trafficked, and exploited youth and young families and Call Of Duty Endowment, who support groups that prepare veterans for the job market and by raising awareness of the value that veterans bring to the workplace.
10/25 Atreyu’s “The Pronoia Sessions” Drops
It’s a collection of eight reimagined hits and two nostalgic tribute covers (Chris Cornell’s “Like A Stone” and Tom Petty’s “Mary Jane’s Last Dance”), is streaming.
“We had the idea to do a show similar to Nirvana’s MTV ‘Unplugged‘ as a one-off thing,” explains frontman Brandon Saller. “Then we thought, ‘Why not spend some time on it in the studio?’ And it built from there.”
10/25 311 Is In “Full Bloom”
The set features “You’re Gonna Get It” and “Need Somebody.” the album’s second single.
311 say the album has a message of positivity and unity. “It’s so easy to become alienated by the pressures of everyday life. Whether it’s social media, stress at work, an illness, the list goes on. It’s so important to stay open with your loved ones and community so we can all thrive in full bloom.”
10/25 Iced Earth Guitarist Sentenced
Jon Schaffer is sentenced to three years of probation and 120 hours of community service in connection with his involvement in the January 6th, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. He is also ordered to pay $1,000 in restitution and a $200 financial assessment. Schaffer says, “I profoundly regret my actions.”
10/25 A Grateful Dead Passing
Phil Lesh, bassist and founding member of the Grateful Dead dies ‘peacefully’ surrounded by his family, leaving “behind a legacy of music and love.”
10/26 Black Stone Cherry Inducted
BSC are inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall Of Fame, “We started this band in middle of the woods in 2001, in a dry county, and no driver’s license between us.” notes the band. “Playing restaurants, gymnasiums, coffee shops, and anywhere that would allow us to set up our gear.“
10/30 Godsmack Photo Exhibit
New York’s Morrison Hotel Gallery presents an exclusive Godsmack exhibition. Curated by the gallery and Godsmack’s Sully Erna, the exhibit displays a series of road shots by photographers Francesca Ludikar and Paris Visone.
10/30 Sgrosso Leaves A I Lay Dying
Guitarist Phil Sgrosso’s departure follows the exits of bassist/vocalist Ryan Neff, drummer Nick Pierce and guitarist Ken Susi.
“Recent actions have shown that As I Lay Dying no longer offers a healthy or safe environment for anyone involved — whether creatively, personally, or professionally,” Sgrosso posts on social media. “After witnessing some concerning patterns of behavior, I’ve realized that I can no longer, in good conscience, enable further actions that could negatively affect anyone working within this space.”
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