Keith Richards and his traveling companion, Jack.

In what was undoubtedly a huge relief for the makers of Jack Daniels, Keith Richards told Rolling Stone magazine that the rumors regarding his recent breakup with booze are false…:

The rumors of my sobriety are greatly exaggerated. And we’ll leave it at that.

I don’t know about you but, I’m pretty sure booze is what’s keeping Keef so well preserved. If Keef gave up the hooch, he would completely disintegrate. And he knows it. Good call Keef. Lucky for you, Jack is always there take you back…

Johnny Cash would have been 78 today.

American Recordings VI: Ain’t No Grave, contains the last tracks ever recorded by Cash before his death in 2003.  You can listen to the entire album, which includes a  heavy-hearted cover of Kris Kristofferson’s “For the Good Times,” by clicking here.

War Pigs cover by The Alex Skolnick Trio. From the 2009 record Neon Knights: A Tribute to Black Sabbath. For RDK.

The very metal Alex Skolnick and his Trio have also recorded jazzed up versions of Judas Priest’s Electric Eye and Detroit Rock City by KISS.

Title track for the “new” Jimi Hendrix record, Valleys of Neptune. The songs were recorded during 1968-1969.

On March 9th Valleys of Neptune, a dozen previously unreleased tracks (as well as alt versions of Fire, Stone Free and Red House) recorded by Jimi Hendrix during 1968 and 1969, will finally see the light of day.

Some of the tracks are making the rounds online as well as the dial if you’re lucky. Unquestionably, March 9th, 2010 is going to be a good day for your ears.

More via Jimi Hendrix.com.

Behind the Player, an intimate look at the life of KISS guitarist, Ace Frehley.

Here’s the trailer for the new Ace Frehley DVD, Behind the Player. The DVD, out on January 19th, includes rare vintage guitar-smoking footage as well as loads of other extras true Frehley fans will appreciate.

More via Ace Frehley.com.

Misa Digital Guitar. Retails for around $400.

No Strings? No problem…

More via Australian company Misa Digital.

Royal Mail UK Classic Album Covers. 4 euros or approximately $6 per pack.

Back in October, I told you about the new Classic Album Cover stamps for the UK Royal Mail. Now, here’s a good look at the presentation pack that will be available starting tomorrow, January 7th.  The individual stamps depicted are:

* The Rolling Stones“Let It Bleed” (1969)
* Led Zeppelin “untitled” fourth album (1971)
* David Bowie’ “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars” (1972)
* Mike Oldfield‘ “Tubular Bells” (1973)
* The Clash “London Calling” (1979)
* New Order “Power, Corruption and Lies” (1983)
* Primal Scream “Screamdelica” (1991)
* Pink Floyd “The Division Bell” (1994)
* Blur “Parklife” (1994)
* Coldplay “A Rush of Blood to the Head” (2002)

Get yours here.

New York Doll Sylvain Sylvain shot in New York by legendary photographer, Bob Gruen.

You should be so lucky to get your throat cut by Syl. True story.

Thanks!: FlashGlamTrash (site NSFW. Which is only a problem if you actually have a job).

Archie Bronson Outfit Coconut promo. Yes, please.

Coconut, the first Archie Bronson Project record since their stellar 2006 release Derdang Derdang, will be out on March 1st. The band will hit the road starting on January 27th in London for a sold out show at The Lexington.

Ace Frehley, Behind the Player. Coming in 2010.

The new Ace Frehley doc, “Behind the Player“, is set to hit the shelves on January 10th, 2010. The up-close-and-personal DVD includes classic live clips and guest appearances by members of White Zombie, G&R and Alice Cooper. And, if you think you’re man enough, Ace also teaches you how to play “Cold Gin“, from the first KISS record and, “Shock Me” from Love Gun.

Part of the sales from Behind the Player will benefit Little Kids Rock, a children’s charity that provides musical instruments to disadvantaged youth in 23 cities across the United States. Take that Nickelback (see next post).

More Ace, including Frehley’s new iPhone app via the official Ace Frehley website.

Samples of “Breathing and “Nothing on Me” from the upcoming Izzy Stradlin record, Smoke.

Former G&R guitarist Izzy Stradlin will release a new solo record called Smoke later this month. As with Stradlin’s last few records, Smoke will only be available digitally, via iTunes.

This time around Izzy is joined by an old Ju Ju Hound Rick Richards (also of the Georgia Satellites), bassist J.T Longoria and a former timekeeper for the Rev. Horton Heat, Taz Bentley (!).

J. Geils Band, Piss on the Wall. From 1981’s Freeze Frame. For Mike, Sarah and LP.

I was at a very boss Holiday party on Saturday, boozing happily while plotting illegal rides in stolen shopping carts when the couch conversation shifted it’s way  early days of the Boston rock scene. Highlights included, but were not limited to Aerosmith, Willie Loco Alexander and the loud conclusion (thanks Mike) that J. Geils 1971 version of The Contours hit “First I Look At The Purse“ is one of the hottest covers ever.

Anyway, since that magical night, I’ve had this song from Geils’ huge 1981 record, Freeze Frame, stuck in my head. Now hopefully you do too.

The Kinks. Nice shirt Dave…

Julien Temple has confirmed that he will direct a film about The Kinks with the tentative working title, “You Really Got Me”.  Temple says the movie will focus on the tumultuous relationship of Ray and Dave Davies. To this day the brothers barely speak to each other. In 2008 when Ray spoke publicly about the possibility of a Kinks reunion, Dave responded via Rolling Stone saying that the Kinks getting back together would be like a “poor remake of ‘Night of the Living Dead”.

So far Ray Davies is said to be on board and working with Temple on the films historical details. No release date yet but, for something that’s bound to be great, I can wait. In other Kinks news (yes, there’s more), Ray Davies will release a Holiday duet with Chrissie Hynde called Postcards from London on Monday, December 7th.

Matt Mayhem @ The Funhouse in Seattle. Photo by Lori Penney.

I really can’t say enough good things about Mr. Mayhem and his one man band. The next time Matt brings his Night Hawk drum kit, hot dogs and guitar from Idaho, you go see him.

More Mattastic photos of Matt Mayhem courtesy of the very rockin’ Lori Penney after the jump… Read the rest of this entry →

Joe Perry’s Toshiba Qosmio® X505.

All proceeds from the sale of Perry’s laptop will go to the Project AWARE Foundation.

More info can be found at Toshiba’s special laptop website or, you can bid on one via eBay by clicking here.

Raw Power. For Wonder Woman and JB.

James Williamson, the guitarist responsible for the riffs on The Stooges 1973 record, Raw Power, will fill the very large, punk rock shoes of the late Ron Asheton (who played bass on Raw Power) when The Stooges hit the road in 2010. The tour will kick off in London in May.

Today Iggy Pop accepted the Classic Rock Living Legend Award in London.

Russian Circles, Malko. From 2009’s

Hold on to your roof Neumo’s! Russian Circles will attempt to blow you off on November 18th. The awesome Helm’s Alee opens.

More on Chicago’s Russian Circles here.

Ace Frehley pull over the head latex mask. $38.99.

KISS Meets the Phantom eyeballs not included.

More here.

The Gillettes, Family Business. Starring Lita Ford as, uh…Lita Ford.

The 12 part comic, details the bloody, Zombie fighting exploits of The Gillettes. Otherwise known as Lita Ford, her husband Jim Gillette and her two sons, Rocco and James. Issue #1 of the mag is due out in November.

The comic was written and inked by 14 year-old artist Jake Tinsley. Tinsley’s published his first comic at the ripe old age of 12.

More via Wham Bang Comics.

Are the good times really gone?: The Toxic Twins of the 1970’s. For LP.

In the continuing saga of what may be the impending implosion of Aerosmith, Joe Perry told MTV that he and Steven Tyler are on on an extended time-out. Perry sent Tyler to the naughty chair after the 62 year old vocalist repeatedly injured himself, causing the band to cancel their huge summer tour. Here’s The Perry’s latest not-so-subliminal message to Tyler:

We’re gonna be on indefinite hiatus, I think, at this point. We need some time apart. For myself, it’s worked out great, because I’ve got this project going, and I’m getting all kinds of offers to do things I would normally have to turn down. I think we need some space at this point. That’s from me. You’ll have to ask everybody else and ask Steven what he thinks, but that’s where I’m at.

Awkward! Especially since Aerosmith is playing two make-up gigs in Hawaii this coming Sunday and Tuesday. 8,000 fans were eligible for free tickets as part of a class action lawsuit that was filed after the band canceled a show in Maui in September of 2007. Tyler previously confirmed that he will be a part of both gigs so, it’s going to be interesting to see if the feuding Toxic Twins can actually kiss and shut-the-fuck-up (I’m talking to you Joe Perry). I also hope that Steven Tyler makes it through both gigs without breaking his neck or pelvis. It’s tough to get old. True story.