Newsbites: Radiohead tribute tragic roadie

Tribute: Phil Selway

Radiohead drummer Phil Selway has paid tribute to his tech, Scott Johnson, who died when the band’s stage collapsed in Toronto at the weekend. “We have all been shattered,” Selway says. “He was a lovely man, always positive, supportive and funny. A highly skilled and values member of our road crew. We will miss him very much.”

Former Thin Lizzy and Motorhead guitarist Brian ‘Robbo’ Robertson is available for session work after a seven-year hiatus. His manager Soren Lindburg reports: “Since he moved out to Essex back in 2005 we’ve had to decline session work due to the lack of a studio to collaborate with, but that has now changed. Robbo is a well diversed player and he can master most styles and genres.”

Deftones bassist Chi Cheng has been returned to hospital just two days after arriving home for the first time since the car crash that put him in a coma in 2008. His mum, Jeanne Marie Cheng, says: “Chi is sedated part of the time but knows that he is near home and we are waiting to get him back to the house. He knows that we are there. He knows that there are so many people sending prayers and love.”

Alice Cooper enjoys changing the perceptions of those who think he’s too old to stage a powerful rock show. He says: “It’s always fun when people go, ‘Let’s go see Alice – it would be nice to see him walk through his songs.’ Then after the show they go, ‘What the hell was that?’”

Smashing Pumpkins mainman Billy Corgan has lashed out at two of his former bandmates. He’s called guitarist James Iha “a piece of shit” and adds: “I think he’s one of the worst human beings I’ve ever met.” The frontman says drummer Jimmy Chamberlin lied about the reasons surrounding his departure from the band in 2009 but continues: “Here’s a perfect opportunity for me to bury Jimmy as a fucking liar, but I won’t. I’m okay with Jimmy. I want to see him do well.” [NME]

Bonnie Raitt believes it’s possible to make political points with your music as long as you don’t force the issue. She says: “You have to stand with your conscience and stand for what you believe is right – and be educated about the issue and not just shooting your mouth off. Using your celebrity in an irresponsible way will jeopardise your career. I don’t shove it down people’s throats and I think that’s why people don’t mind.” [ClashMusic]

Brad Whitford says the tensions in Aerosmith are part of what makes them a force to be reckoned with in their fifth decade as a band. “It has to be this competition, this rivalry and this stuff going on to create a furnace that burns at a really high temperature,” he reflects. “That’s when you get the passion. That’s what makes great music.” [Vindy.com]

Ex Pantera drummer Vinnie Paul has warned fans not to expect any more unreleased material after their recent track Piss surfaced – because he doesn’t think there’s any more to be found. “It was definitely forgotten about,” he says of the song recorded during sessions for their 1992 album Vulgar Display of Power. “For some reason, and I don’t know why, we left it off the record. The people at the label were digging through the vaults and came across it. With a lot of these things there’s a verse there, maybe a chorus. The songs is maybe half-way done and producers and engineers go in and finish it. But this song was truly finished. And it’s special because I truly don’t believe there’s any more unheard Pantera tracks out there.” [Rolling Stone]

Animals as Leaders‘ LA home was robbed while the band were on tour, resulting in the loss of 10 guitars and a range of gear. The loss comes as frontman Javier Reyes fights what he says was a wrongful arrest during the tour. A band statement says: “This is beyond devastating. We know so many of you have been supportive with Javier’s legal troubles. We need more of your help now to find some of these one-of-a-kind instruments that may pop up on eBay, Craigslists, pawn shops and music stores. More details of the missing gear can be found on the band’s Facebook page.

Wilko Johnson doesn’t know how long he’ll get away with playing the role of dumb executioner Ilyn Payne in Game of Thrones. The ex Dr Feelgood guitarist says: “It’s a very vicious thing – everybody gets killed, but I’ve survived so far. People who are rather addicted to the books have told me a couple of things that are in store for me, but of course I don’t know if the film will follow the book.” [Geeks of Doom]