John Mayer 'Born and Raised' date set

The long over-due John Mayer album 'Born and Raised' has an official release date of May 22, 2012.Mayer's album fifth studio album was originally due for release last October but was put on hold when John contracted granulomas in his throat. At the time there was still more vocal work to be done on the album. John had surgery to remove the growth and then had to rest his vocal chords for a few months.Born and Raised' was produced by Don Was and features Chuck Leavell (Rolling Stones, Allman Brothers) on keyboards. Jim Keltner, also from the Stones touring band features on the track 'Something Like Olivia' and John's long-term guitarist David Ryan Harris is also all over the album.John Mayer will showcase 'Born and Raised' at Stubbs, Austin during SXSW on March 17.

John Mayer - Born and Raised - produced by John Mayer and Don Was

Queen of California
The Age of Worry
Shadow Days
Speak for Me
Something Like Olivia
Born & Raised
If I Ever Get Around To Living
Love is a Verb
Walt Grace's Submarine Test, January 1967
Whiskey, Whiskey, Whiskey
A Face To Call Home
Born & Raised (Reprise)

Ted Nugent sounds off against Republicans

Outspoken right-wing rocker Ted Nugent is at it again, telling the Republican GOP candidates to 'buy a box of scrotums'.'Each one of them would make a vastly superior President of the United States than the current mess we are in now,' Ted said on radio KFYI Phoenix. 'That should be obvious to anyone with a brain. But these people have got to go down to the army surplus store and buy themselves a box of scrotums. They've got to get some balls. They've got to get tough'.He also took time to slam President Obama. 'These four Presidential candidates have to get a little tougher, and identify the curse that is the United States government they way it sounds right now in the hands of Barack Insane Obama,' he said.The interview was peppered with quotes like 'the whole world sucks but America sucks less' and called people in the government 'American hating maniacs'.Ted will be on tour soon with Styx and REO Speedwagon.

Steven Tyler mocks Lopez's slip

Steven Tyler has mocked Jennifer Lopez's alleged Oscar wardrobe malfunction.The Latina star caused a stir when her low-cut dress seemingly revealed more of her chest than intended as she presented an award on Sunday.During filming for the latest series of American Idol, Jennifer's fellow judge Steven Tyler couldn't resist teasing the singer for her alleged dress slip."I"m as confused as a baby in a topless bar. You know, Jennifer dared me to take my pants off and jump in the water and it was all over the press. And now she's out-pressing me! Wait, wait, who am I?' he asked in jest before sneezing and pulling down his shirt to expose his chest.Since the incident, Jennifer's team has spoken out to deny the accident.Two of the actress' stylists have said that due to the structure of the Zuhair Murad gown, it would have been virtually impossible to reveal too much.I don't even know what to say to that,' Jennifer exclaimed at the Aerosmith rocker's antics.'I think that was an Oscar re-enactment,' Randy Jackson added.The incident has been making headlines all over the world and a spoof Twitter account has been set up under the name of @JLosNipple.

Celine Dion ordered to take 2 months off by doctor

Celine Dion has cancelled her next two months of gigs in Las Vegas under doctor's orders.Professor Gerald Berke MD, a leading medical expert on laryngeal physiology at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, has discovered a weakness in Celine's right vocal chord, secondary to a viral illness.Professor Berke has ordered Celine to take the next 6-8 weeks off work in order to completely rest her voice and recover from the condition.I tried to sing at my sound-check last week, and I had no control of my voice whatsoever,' said Celine. 'We thought that after a few days rest I would improve but it wasn't getting any better.I guess it was worse than I thought. I'm fortunate that I was able to see Professor Berke. He identified what was causing the problems I was having, and he assured me that with the amount of rest he prescribed, I would be back to 100%. Obviously this is the worst thing for a singer..not being able to do your shows. I feel worse knowing that I'm disappointing my fans. I'm so sorry...I hope they forgive me.'ried to sing at my sound-check last week, and I had no control of my voice whatsoever,' said Celine. 'We thought that after a few days rest I would improve but it wasn't getting any better.I guess it was worse than I thought. I'm fortunate that I was able to see Professor Berke. He identified what was causing the problems I was having, and he assured me that with the amount of rest he prescribed, I would be back to 100%. Obviously this is the worst thing for a singer..not being able to do your shows. I feel worse knowing that I'm disappointing my fans. I'm so sorry...I hope they forgive me.'

Gary Numan Gary Numan interview

Gary Numan hardly needs an introduction as the pioneer and godfather of electronica. Creative and experimental, Numan is and was the epitome of cool. Foo Fighters and Nine Inch Nails, to name but a few, have hailed Gary as one of their overriding influences.In this very candid backstage interview, Gary talks about his life both inside and outside the music industry. Gary Numan discusses life on tour and missing his family but also how the music industry has treated him - he is not stuck in the 80’s, so why are we? He also reflects on winning his recent Legend Award at the Artrocker’s and how he still loves being in the business after all this time.In the middle of recording his new album Splinter, Gary will be on the Machine Music tour starting in May going all the way through to June. If you’re an avid fan or film maker, you can get involved in the up- coming tour. Fans are being encouraged to make visuals that will be projected during a selection of tracks.

Brian May puzzled by new music

Brian May 'doesn't understand' most modern music.The Queen star is widely thought of as one of the most talented guitarists in the world. The type of rock music he is famed for isn't as popular as it once was, with dance and R&B tunes charting higher these days.Brian can't fathom why tastes have changed so much. I was driving around in the car and I had [UK music station] Radio 1 on and basically I don't understand a lot. I think I'm too old to understand it,' he laughed.Queen are set to play a series of shows later this year. American Idol star Adam Lambert will front the performances, in place of the late Freddie Mercury.Adam took part in the eighth season of the TV singing contest, coming in second place behind Kris Allen. The show aired in 2009 and as soon as Brian saw Adam he knew he wanted to work with him.It's very exciting, we are touring with a young man called Adam Lambert so it will be very different and new,' he told BBC Radio 1. 'Adam has made a sensation really and has an incredible voice. I was instantly drawn to him, I tuned in and watched. We went over for the final, they were both great but Adam has this incredible range. Freddie would be pretty amazed.'

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart relase Record Store Day EP

Brooklyn based Indie-Pop quartet 'The Pains of Being Pure at Heart' have announced details of a remix EP in support of Record Store Day, released on Play It Again Sam on limited edition coloured vinyl.

Track listing:
1. Heart In Your Heartbreak (Twin Shadow Remix)
2. The Body (Violens Remix)
3. Too Tough (Saint Etienne Remix)
4. My Terrible Friend (Washed Out Remix)

The remixes are lifted from their 2011 follow-up album, 'Belong' (March 2011), which was produced by Grammy award winning 'Flood' (Depeche Mode, U2) and alternative-rock royalty, Alan Moulder (Smashing Pumpkins, Jesus and Mary Chain, Ride)". The band also play a one off London show this March, tickets are on sale now.

Thursday 8th March 2012
O2 Academy Islington
N1 Centre, 16 Parkfield Street, London, N1 0PS o2academyislington.co.uk
£16.00 adv ticketweb.co.uk or 0844 477 2000

The Enemy and Ghostpoet confirm Live at Leeds

Following on from the initial announcement which featured Example, Los Campesinos!, The Subways, LadyHawke and I Like Trains we can now bring you the latest additions to Live at Leeds 2012 which takes place on 4th May to 7th May. The Enemy, Dog is Dead, Ghost Poet and Lianne La Havas and many more have now been added to the huge line-up taking the total to over 100 bands. 

The full line-up for Live At Leeds 2012 at www.liveatleeds.com