WHOCARES — what hides behind this new band name is in fact the renewed musical union between legendary DEEP PURPLE singer Ian Gillan and none other than BLACK SABBATH‘s Tony Iommi: the undisputed master of heavy guitar riffs. The duo has recorded two brand new songs with the intent to support the rebuilding of a music school in Gyumri, Armenia.

Both Gillan and Iommi have spent a lot of time in Armenia, fallen in love with the country and the people and have dedicated a lot of work to a nation still shocked after the earthquake that struck Armenia on December 7, 1988.

The collaboration of Gillan and Iommi, who have worked together before on the SABBATH album “Born Again”, is in itself an incredible news for all rock and metal fans and will be the best of surprises to get to know who is completing the band: None other than Jon Lord (“Mr. Hammond”, partner with Gillan on all the DEEP PURPLE classics), IRON MAIDEN drummer Nicko McBrain, ex-METALLICA bassist Jason Newsted and HIM guitarist player Mikko “Linde” Lindström are also featured on the two new songs.

WHOCARES will release “Out Of My Mind” and “Holy Water” on digital download and limited-edition CD single on May 6: The CD single will also contain the video clip of “Out Of My Mind” and a 40-minute documentary that shows Gillan‘s and Iommi‘s involvement with the Armenia cause over the years.

Commented Gillan: “The idea came as Tony and I flew back from Yerevan together after being inspired by the enthusiasm of everyone there to get this thing done.

“It was brilliant working with Tony again after all these years; he makes life easy for a singer.

“The other guys need no introduction, do they?!”

Added Iommi: “Some twenty years ago when the call came, I thought, well at least I’ve helped, but it was going to Armenia and seeing the actual devastation caused by the earthquake that really made me realize that funds were still needed.

“Despite all the money that was raised last time, here was a music school doing their best, forgotten, in basic tin sheds. After the warmth and honor bestowed upon us during our visit, we just had to help make a difference and get the school rebuilt. And what better way than to hook up with some of rock’s greatest players and my old mate Ian, both an honor and a pleasure.”

“Out Of My Mind” recording lineup:

* Tony Iommi (BLACK SABBATH) – Guitar
* Ian Gillan (DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH) – Vocals
* Jason Newsted (METALLICA, VOIVOD, FLOTSAM AND JETSAM) – Bass
* Nicko McBrain (IRON MAIDEN) – Drums
* Jon Lord (DEEP PURPLE) – Keyboards
* Mikko “Linde” Lindström (HIM) – Guitar

“Holy Water” recording lineup:

* Ian Gillan (DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH) – Vocals
* Tony Iommi (BLACK SABBATH) – Guitar
* Steve Morris – Guitar
* Michael Lee Jackson – Guitar
* Randy Clarke – Drums
* Rodney Appleby – Bass
* Jesse O’Brien – Hammond Organ
* Arshak Sahakyan – Duduk Solo
* Ara Gevorgyan – Underlying Duduk Intro Music And Keys

Starting this fall, EMI Music will honor the legacy of THE SMASHING PUMPKINS with an extensive campaign that will see the iconic band’s albums from 1991-2000 reissued in fully remastered deluxe versions, each with bonus material.

With the full support and guidance from THE SMASHING PUMPKINS — who’ve created one of the most acclaimed bodies of work in musical history, selling over 30 million albums — EMI will roll out the global catalog campaign with the band’s 1991 debut album “Gish”, 1993’s “Siamese Dream” and the 1994 compilation album “Pisces Iscariot”.

The excitement will continue into 2012 when EMI will reissue 1995’s nine-times-platinum double album “Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness”, 1996’s five-disc box set “The Aeroplane Flies High” and 1998’s “Adore”.

In 2013, their 2000 albums “Machina/The Machines Of God” and “Machina II: The Friends & Enemies Of Modern Music” will be unified into one package. A best-of compilation will also be released in 2013. The pivotal group’s many hits defined the alternative music era and continue to resonate on modern rock radio, influencing a whole new generation.

This news comes as THE SMASHING PUMPKINS have announced they will head into the studio in May to record “Oceania” — “an album within an album” — as part of their in-progress 44-song work “Teargarden By Kaleidyscope”, nine songs of which have already been released online for free (with two elaborately packaged EPs available in stores). The 10 new songs from “Oceania” will be released online at once in September (exact details to be announced). The band is also eyeing a possible return to the road this August. Meanwhile, THE SMASHING PUMPKINS will release one more song (“Owata”) next week (details to be announced) from “Teargarden By Kaleidyscope” before they take a break to record Oceania.

Billy Corgan, vocalist, lead guitarist and songwriter for THE SMASHING PUMPKINS, is excited by the partnership with EMI and how this will result in the release of Pumpkins material that’s in the vaults. “What makes the deal with EMI groundbreaking is the band has secured the right to all unreleased materials and will be in charge of any additional releases based on our discretion,” says Billy Corgan, who founded the band in Chicago in 1988. “In essence, the band has the keys to the warehouse and can release whatever we want, when we want it. EMI totally supports this right, and they are our partners in it.”

Colin Finkelstein, COO of EMI Music North America, said, “THE SMASHING PUMPKINS is a hugely influential and groundbreaking band, and EMI Music is pleased to partner with them for this global catalog initiative. We’re excited to work with Billy Corgan to release remastered and expanded editions of the band’s visionary albums, including previously unreleased recordings, and for EMI Music to exclusively distribute other gems from THE SMASHING PUMPKINS vaults, as sourced by Billy.”

Drummer Matt Sorum (VELVET REVOLVER, GUNS N’ ROSES) and ex-RUNAWAYS singer Cherie Currie were the featured guests on this past weekend’s (Saturday, April 23) episode of VH1 Classic‘s “That Metal Show” at 11 p.m. ET/PT. You can now watch the entire episode below.

The boys are back and ready to rock! Eddie Trunk, Jim Florentine and Don Jamieson host the only talk show where all things hard rock and heavy metal are discussed, dissected and debated. Metal musicians and rock royalty, including Kirk Hammett (METALLICA), David Coverdale (WHITESNAKE) and Lita Ford (THE RUNAWAYS), will be part of the roundtable discussions this season.

Remaining guests and premiere dates (all at 11 p.m. ET/PT):

April 30

* Sebastian Bach (SKID ROW)
* ANVIL

May 7

* Carmine Appice (VANILLA FUDGE, OZZY OSBOURNE, BECK BOGERT APPICE, ROD STEWART)
* Dave Meniketti (Y&T)

Distilling decades of your favorite hard rock and heavy metal into sixty minutes of mayhem; “That Metal Show” will deliver the ever-popular “Stump The Trunk” as well as the triumphant return of “TMS Top 5” to your TV every Saturday night at 11 p.m., only on VH1 Classic. Fans can also catch the complete season six and bonus clips at ThatMetalShow.VH1.com. New episodes of season seven will launch online every Monday morning following the show’s on-air premiere.

“That Metal Show” is a production of VH1 Classic. Lee Rolontz and Keshia Williams as executive producers for VH1. Jeff Baumgardner serves as producer for the series for VH1.

http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:uma:videolist:vh1.com:1662600

ALTER BRIDGE performed the song “Isolation” on last night’s (Monday, April 25) edition of on ABC‘s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”. The band played on Kimmel‘s outdoor stage, located in the heart of Hollywood, and all fans in the Los Angeles area were invited to the performance. Check out video footage of the band’s appearance below.

“Isolation” was ALTER BRIDGE‘s first #1 single, with the band’s two previous albums both having singles land at #2 (“Open Your Eyes” from their debut album, “One Day Remains”; and “Rise Today” from their critically acclaimed sophomore effort, “Blackbird”).

ALTER BRIDGE has teamed up with Abbey Road Live during its current national tour run to give fans even more access to the band.

Abbey Road Live is recording select shows from ALTER BRIDGE‘s tour and will be offering fans the chance to purchase that night’s show on a USB drive they can take home that night. The USB drive is in the shape of Mark Tremonti‘s PRS guitar and will feature the complete live show, various video clips of live performances and a guitar lesson from Mark himself.

The USB drive can be pre-ordered for any show at www.abbeyroadliveus.com for $17 prior to the show and is also available at the venue for $20 day of show. All fans that buy the USB drive of any show will automatically be entered into a drawing to win a Mark Tremonti SE PRS guitar, courtesy of PRS. There will be one winner for each tour date to be announced the week after the tour date in question. The contest is open to everyone over the age of 18, including those who place orders online as well as in-person at the show (void where prohibited by law).

Abbey Road Live is the leader in immediate content acquisition and delivery.

For more information, visit www.abbeyroadliveus.com.

ALTER BRIDGE‘s cross-country trek kicked off in Portland, Oregon on April 21 and will make stops in Las Vegas, Anaheim, Chicago and New York. The band has also been confirmed to play the Carolina Rebellion on May 7 in Charlotte, North Carolina as well as Rock On The Range on May 21 in Columbus, Ohio. The tour will also see the band playing in some markets for the first time in their career, including Portland, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Knoxville and Nashville. BLACK STONE CHERRY and LIKE A STORM have been tapped as openers on the headline leg of the tour.

ALTER BRIDGE‘s latest album, “ABIII”, was self-released on Alter Bridge Recordings via EMI Label Services and debuted at #17 on The Billboard 200 chart.

ALTER BRIDGE is Myles Kennedy, Mark Tremonti, Brian Marshall and Scott Phillips.

Published by rbtaleman

Heavy metal (fiend/friend?) Writer, frustrat(or), frustrat(ee), decorated U.S. Navy veteran, Husband(twice), father(three times), grandfather(of seven), FM radio veteran, Concertgoer, music collector, muscle car aficianado. Grown up since five. Child since 45. View all posts by rbtaleman