Music News

Thin Lizzy have announced plans for UK anniversary shows with Motörhead drummer Mikkey Dee.
The surviving members of the band - consisting of vocalist Ricky Warwick, Scott Gorham and Damon Johnson on guitars and Darren Wharton on keys - will mark the 30th anniversary to the death of their former frontman Phil Lynott's and the 40-year-milestone of the release of their iconic LP 'Jailbreak' with the concerts.
'Ace of Spades' drummer Mikkey - who will step in instead of their touring drummer Brian Downey - is thrilled to tour with the 'The Boys Are Back In Town' hitmakers.
In a statement, he said: "It's an honour to be asked to play with Thin Lizzy on these dates, being a lifelong fan I am so happy and excited to playing with the band on these shows. It's going to be great."
The shows come as guitarist Scott revealed the band's side project Black Star Riders - which they formed in 2012 and last played together two years ago - are recording an album, so now is a fitting time to do the shows.
Scott said: "With Black Star Riders taking some time off the road to work on their third album, I thought it would be really cool to do some Thin Lizzy shows as it's an anniversary year, to have some fun and to re-live the good old days. We will only do half a dozen or so dates to keep them special. For personal reasons Brian Downey won't be with us but we have the incredible Mikkey Dee on the drum stool, which we are all very excited about. We will announce who is on bass shortly."
The first of the shows will take place at Ramblin' Man Fair in Maidstone, Kent, on July 2, with further shows to be announced shortly.

Biffy Clyro have written their seventh studio album.
The as-yet-untitled LP was penned in lead singer Simon Neil's home after the Scottish rockers took all of 2015 off and enjoyed a complete break from touring or unveiling new songs.
And Simon thinks the album is their "Mother Earth record" because it followed a difficult period in the band - which also consists of James Johnston and his twin brother, drummer Benny Johnston.
Simon shared to Q magazine: "Maybe this is our Mother Earth record. This could be the greatest or worst thing ever made."
And speaking of writing the album at his home, he said: "There, the songs flow out of me because I feel ... not like a loser but I'm more my vulnerable self. Don't get me wrong, I'm not sitting going (he hugs himself) 'Oh no who am I?' But a coat of armour falls off."
The trio have seemingly recovered and will head to Los Angeles soon to lay down the tracks.
And despite worrying how the final product will be received Simon is aware of the "pressure" to make music that connects with their loyal fan base.
He said: "When I see people with my lyrics tattooed on them, that's why we put pressure on ourselves. You gotta aspire to things."

Guns 'N Roses have announced two Las Vegas warm-up shows ahead of their headline slot at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April.
The reunited line-up of the rock band, featuring singer Axl Rose, guitarist Slash and bass player Duff McKagan, shared a trailer video on their official Twitter page on Tuesday (19.01.16) announcing the two dates at the T-Mobile Arena in the city.
A voice in the clip says: "Las Vegas Friday and Saturday April 8 and 9. Two nights. One band. They're back. Guns 'N Roses at the all new T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Tickets on sale this Saturday from 10am."
The 'Paradise City' hitmakers will make their live comeback since reforming with the two shows before they headline the Coachella Festival alongside the other confirmed headliners Calvin Harris and LCD Soundsystem.
It will be the first time Slash has played with Guns N' Roses since 1993.
Axl, Slash and Duff previously released a statement confirming they were reuniting after 23 years.
The trio said: "Upholding a three-decade tradition of breaking ground, creating trends, and forever changing the face of rock 'n' roll, Guns N' Roses announce the most significant and anxiously awaited musical event of this century. Founder Axl Rose and former members Slash and Duff McKagan will regroup to headline the Coachella Music & Arts Festival."
Further tour dates are expected to be announced this week with the group already revealing details showing fans how they can sign up to their new 2016 Nightrain fan club, where fans can pick up VIP packages and ticket pre-sales.

Black Sabbath are making their final CD available to fans who attend their farewell tour 'The End'.
The 'Paranoid' rockers made the decision to not release another studio album following '13' - which came out in 2013 - but have created an eight-track disc that features four unreleased songs from sessions for that LP which will only be sold at shows.
The tracklisting for the CD is made up of the unheard tunes; 'Season of the Dead', 'Cry All Night', 'Take Me Home' and 'Isolated Man', and live versions of '13' songs 'God Is Dead?', 'Age of Reason' and 'End of the Beginning' and 'Under The Sun' from 1972 LP 'Vol. 4'.
During a conference call, bassist Geezer Butler revealed: "We went into the studio with 13 songs - which is why the album is called '13'. We thought we'd put out an album of 13 songs, but when we were in the studio we wrote another three songs, which brought it up to 16 and then we left it to (producer) Rick Rubin to pick which songs would go on the album, and to give it some light and shade he picked the eight songs that we put on the '13' album. We put a few songs on deluxe versions of the album and then we had the four left over, and we decided to do a gig-only CD."
Ozzy has promised the band's final tour will focus on Black Sabbath's early hits, in particular their first five records from their 70s heyday.
He revealed: "We decided not to do so many new songs off '13' because people want to re-live the old classics that take them back down memory lane."
Geezer, 66, added: "It never gets tiring for me. 'Paranoid' never gets old. 'Iron Man' never gets old. You'd think after 40 years I'd be saying, 'Oh, no, not 'Iron Man' again,' but every time I play it it's like the first time. "The response that we get from the audience always keeps them fresh, anyway."
And Ozzy, 67, is adamant when the band - also comprised of guitarist Tony Iommi - say it's their last tour they mean it.
He insisted: "We're not gonna get back together in three years when we all run out of cash or whatever. I have no intention of that. This is really the end."
Black Sabbath kick off 'The End' world tour in Omaha, Nebraska, on Wednesday (20.01.16).

Suede, Laura Marling and Foals are among artists added to the BBC Radio 6 Music Festival line-up.
They join previously announced acts Primal Scream, Tricky presents Skilled Mechanics, The Blue Aeroplanes, Sherwood & Pinch, and Roni Size & DJ Krust present Full Cycle, who will come together for the music extravaganza held in Bristol on the weekend of the 12 to the 14 of February.
In its third year, the festival will host over 50 artists across the three days including, Daughter, Savages, Roisin Murphy, Buzzcocks, Blossom and Everything Everything, who will all take to the stage at various venues in the city including, Motion, Colston Hall, O2 Academy Bristol, Basement 45 and Festival by Day at Trinity.
Bob Shennan, Controller of BBC Radio 6 Music, said in a statement: "This year's 6 Music Festival in Bristol will bring a feast of entertainment to a city that has a musical story to tell. The Festival will bring together a rich combination of some of the UK's burgeoning talent including Blossoms and Rozi Plain coupled with 6 Music favourites such Underworld and Laura Marling, fully reflecting 6 Music's exciting and diverse output."
Tickets will go on sale 10am on Monday January 26 available from bbc.co.uk/6music with details of the full line-up.

Mark Ronson has teamed up with six of his biggest fans for a new version of 'Uptown Funk'.
The producer selected vocalist Anna Shields and her duet partner, guitarist Blair Crichton, ukulele player John Atkins, cello and violin playing sisters Laura and Sarah Ayoub, and guitarist Ross Campbell to be a part of the track after viewing their covers on YouTube, but the group initially had no idea he'd be a part of the recording.
The winners were told they would be recording their version of the track for a documentary about Mark, but when they arrived at the iconic Abbey Road studios in London, they were stunned when he appeared to produce the cover, featuring them all together.
The cover, and Mark's part in it, were part of MasterCard's Priceless Surprises campaign in celebration of the BRIT Awards 2016, and the 40-year-old star had a "brilliant" time working on the "special" record and surprising his fans.
He said: "It was brilliant to bring together six unique talents and produce a new cover of my track. It's an honour that such talented people are interested in my music, and I loved working with the group - they shared such a good energy, and we created something special. It's the first time I've ever produced a cover of one of my own songs, and I really enjoyed it."
One other artist, yet to be announced, will join Mark in organising a series of surprises and secret gigs for MasterCard cardholders. Fans should visit PricelessSurprises.co.uk to be the first to find out about future Priceless Surprises with their favourite artists.
To view the Official 'Uptown Funk' Cover track visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMsrFzQbKhA&feature=youtu.be, while a behind-the-scenes video can be found at www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jkSBCDglwE&feature=youtu.be and an interview with Mark - who is nominated for British Male Solo Artist and British Producer of the Year at the upcoming BRIT Awards - is available to view at www.youtube.com/watch?v=cszQUAGhRjM&feature=youtu.be.
The BRIT Awards 2016 with MasterCard take place on 24 February at The O2 in London and will be exclusively broadcast on ITV.

PJ Harvey has previewed the first single from her forthcoming ninth studio album.
The 'Down by the Water' hitmaker will drop the song officially on Thursday (21.01.16) but gave her fans a teaser by sharing a snippet of the untitled track on BBC 6 Music presenter Steve Lamacq's radio show on Monday (18.01.16).
Taking to her Twitter, she wrote: "Tune in to Steve Lamacq on @BBC6Music from 4pm GMT Thursday for the exclusive first play of PJ Harvey's new single (sic)"
The 46-year-old singer/songwriter recorded the songs from her upcoming release at London's Somerset House at the beginning of 2015, where she took part in recording sessions which the general public were able to attend.
Harvey's unique recording process was influenced by filmmaker Seamus Murphy, who previously directed a clip of one of her songs from the LP with the lyrics "This is the ministry of defence, stairs and walls are all that's left."
The pair have collaborated on the record, which follows the their travels through Kosovo, Afghanistan and Washington DC from 2011 to 2014.
It's also inspired by Harvey's poetry book 'The Hollow Of The Hand' about the trip.
Harvey's last studio album was the Mercury Award-winning 'Let England Shake', which was released in 2011.
The new album - which is yet to be named - is expected to be released in spring.

Jay McGuiness says The Wanted have "no ambition" to reunite.
The 25-year-old singer says he and the other boys, Max George, Siva Kaneswaran, Tom Parker and Nathan Sykes, have no desire to get back together anytime soon, but they haven't ruled out reforming in the "future".
Discussing the possibility of the 'Glad You Came' hitmakers reforming, he said: "Maybe in the future, but there's no ambition amongst any of us to do that at the minute. We've always been in each other's lives and loved what we did. And in the future, maybe, if it feels right. But no - not really."
And while his former bandmates Tom and Nathan are doing well in the early stages of their solo careers, Jay doesn't have any plans to make his own music at the moment.
The hunk - who was crowned the winner of 'Strictly Come Dancing' last year - told Digital Spy: "I really liked being in a band. Even though I love music and listening to music, I don't have anything in me that I want to push out on anyone at the minute."
Jay's next commitment will be heading out on the 'Strictly Come Dancing Live!' tour with his dance partner Aliona Vilani and host of other ballroom professionals from the show and celebrities such as Frankie Bridge, Georgia May Foote and Ainsley Harriott.
The tour kicks off on January 22 in Birmingham.

Blink-182 want to "kill it" with their first album without Tom DeLonge.
The American rock group's drummer Travis Barker is confident the band have entered a "new chapter" without former joint frontman Tom - who was replaced by Alkaline Trio's Matt Skiba early last year - and insists no one in the group has accepted "mediocrity" on the record.
Of his new bandmate Matt, Travis commented: "Just having someone like Matt [Skiba] who's in the studio everyday is great. You got to show up, that's the first part ... It's a new chapter and we're not striving for mediocrity, we're looking to kill it. We're gonna make a great album."
Travis insists he and his bandmates - Matt and original bassist Mark Hoppus - have been pushing each other in the studio and they know they have to turn up each day to make something "awesome", something he claims they weren't able to do when Tom was in the band.
He told Upset magazine: "I'm excited ... We have 15-20 songs right now. it's awesome because we're all actually in the studio, where we couldn't get that with the old line-up. It was impossible to get all three of us in the same studio ... I think with a band you can't just phone it in. You gotta be there. For that great chemistry and for everyone to really vibe you gotta all be in the same room."
Travis, 40, says the new album is close to being ready and he believes it will be out by the "summertime" with tour dates to follow.
Asked when fans can expect the new LP, he said: "I think summertime. There's tentatively some plans to play shows during summer. Everything will come together and be revealed in due time. It's gonna be great."
The 'All The Small Things' rockers' last album was 2011's 'Neighborhoods'.