Newsbites: Aerosmith label in marketing doubt, says Perry

Doubt: Perry

Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry says the band’s record label don’t understand how to market upcoming album Music From Another Dimension. He explains: “I don’t really know who this record is going to appeal to. Certainly there are classic rock stations for classic rock bands to play their classic songs. These are brand new songs. Will they be classics in 20 years? I guess we’ll find out in 20 years.” But he adds: “All I know is that when I listen to them, they sound like Aerosmith songs.” [LA Weekly]

Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford believes the boss of US restaurant chain Chick-fil-A has every right to express his disapproval of gay marriage. The singer says: “It doesn’t matter that all of these people disagree with their opinion. The question was, what would the people that agree do to support the company, and how would the ones against his anti-gay remarks protest? Supporters have been showing up in droves, but there have obviously been many people who have boycotted the company. I think it’s great – what you’re seeing are the elements of the American Constitution in all their glory. I don’t agree with him at all, but God bless the man.” [Noiscreep]

Sebastian Bach’s guitarist Nick Sterling says he’s run into business problems with his bandleader, and as a result he won’t be making scheduled appearances at the last shows of the band’s US tour. Sterling reports: “There were some contractual issues we just couldn’t work out. No hard feelings.” Blabbermouth reports that Bach has previously said: “When you see me change band members, it’s usually a business decision.”

The promoter of Blink 182′s Australian tour has said all three members of the band will appear during the shows. His statement seems to confirm drummer Travis Barker’s vow to beat his fear of flying, which originally forced him to say he wouldn’t be attending. Barker nearly died in a plane crash in 2008 which killed four others and led to the later death of his friend DJ AM.

Sacked Five Finger Death Punch bassist Matt Snell has formed a new band called My Acumen, featuring former bandmate Darrell Roberts, Zach Broderick of Nonpoint and Jeff Fabb of In This Moment. Snell is currently recruiting a frontman for the outfit and hopes to discover “fresh new talent,” saying: “We don’t care if you’re tall, short, fat, skinny, black of white. We want someone who wants to be in the project and will be very positive about it. But we’re not looking for a screamer – can you sing like Chris Cornell?” Email skylynemedia@gmail.com for more information.

Original Great White drummer Gary Holland and classic-era bassist Tony Montana will guest with Jack Russell’s version of the band when he returns to Hollywood’s Whisky A Go Go for the first time in 30 years on August 16. The show will be recorded and offered as a free download.

Bob Weir of Grateful Dead fame always knows when neighbour Sammy Hagar has fallen out with his wife. Weir says: “When he gets thrown out of the house, I’ll get a phone call. ‘Bob, I’m coming down – I’ve got to show you my new car.’ He comes down, he’s a little edgy, he’s got a new car and he takes me out and scares the living crap out of me. He gets it out of his system and everything’s fine. He’s more fun than a frog in a glass of milk. He’s nuts.” [Rolling Stone]