Billy Idol Hits the Road with Joan Jett for It’s a Nice Day To…Tour Again!

Rock royalty is taking center stage this spring as Billy Idol embarks on the It’s a Nice Day To…Tour Again! Joined by the iconic Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, the duo is set to electrify arenas and amphitheaters across the U.S. The tour, produced by Live Nation, kicks off April 30 at the Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre in Phoenix, AZ, and will feature stops at legendary venues including New York’s Madison Square Garden, Los Angeles’ Kia Forum, the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado, Merriweather Post Pavilion in Maryland, and many more.

In true rock ‘n’ roll fashion, Billy Idol is giving back. Five dollars from every ticket sold for the Los Angeles show at the Kia Forum will be donated to the American Red Cross to aid Southern California Wildfire Relief efforts. Taking it a step further, Idol himself will personally match the donation.

Rock Community Mourns the Loss of Guitar Legend John Sykes

The rock world is reeling from the loss of John Sykes, the iconic guitarist known for his work with Whitesnake, Thin Lizzy, and Blue Murder. Sykes passed away at age 65 following what an official statement describes as “a hard-fought battle with cancer.”

Tributes have poured in from peers and fans alike, celebrating the life and legacy of a musician whose riffs and solos left an indelible mark on rock history.

David Coverdale, who collaborated with Sykes on Whitesnake’s Slide It In and self-titled Whitesnake albums, shared his heartfelt condolences:
“Just heard the shocking news of John’s passing. My sincere condolences to his family, friends & fans.”

Known for his blistering guitar work and songwriting prowess, Sykes was instrumental in shaping the sound of classic rock staples. His contributions to tracks like “Still of the Night” and “Cold Sweat” cemented his status as a legend in the rock pantheon.

John Sykes’ influence will live on through his music, inspiring generations of rockers to come. Rest in power, John.

Green Day Takes a Swing at Elon Musk During South African Show

Green Day turned heads once again during their January 20th show in Johannesburg, South Africa, by tweaking the lyrics of their iconic track American Idiot to take a jab at tech mogul Elon Musk.

While performing the title track from their 2004 album, frontman Billie Joe Armstrong altered the lyric “I’m not part of a redneck agenda” to “I’m not part of an Elon agenda.” The change took aim at Musk, who was born in Pretoria, South Africa, before becoming a U.S. citizen in 2002. Musk, now the world’s richest man and head of the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency, has been no stranger to controversy—and Green Day didn’t hold back in making their stance clear.

This isn’t the first time Green Day has rewritten the lyrics to “American Idiot” for a pointed critique. Last year, they updated the same line to “I’m not part of the MAGA agenda” as a direct rebuke of Donald Trump’s influence. The band has a history of politically charged performances, including their memorable chant, “No Trump, no KKK, no fascist U.S.A.,” at the 2016 American Music Awards.

Musk, using a made up word, previously mocked the band’s activism, claiming they had gone from “raging against the machine to milquetoastedly raging for it.” As of now, the billionaire has yet to respond to Green Day’s latest onstage antics, which coincided with a day of controversial gestures from Musk following Donald Trump’s inauguration.

Green Day continues to use their platform to call out figures of power, proving once again that punk rock is alive, well, and unafraid to speak truth to power.

Spiritbox Launches Charity Raffle to Aid California Wildfire Victims

Metal heavyweights Spiritbox have joined the growing list of artists and festivals stepping up to support victims of the devastating California wildfires. The band recently announced an exclusive charity raffle to raise funds for recovery efforts, with proceeds going to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles and Altadena Girls.

The initiative, revealed on Spiritbox’s social media pages this past Friday (Jan. 17), was spearheaded by guitarist Mike Stringer. In his post, Stringer shared the band’s determination to “not only donate” but to “raise as much as possible to help.” For Spiritbox, the cause is deeply personal, as bassist Josh Gilbert lost his home in the Eaton Fire.

Adding to their significance, the items in the raffle were used by the band either on tour or in the studio, making them highly coveted collectibles for fans.

Each $20 donation grants one entry into the raffle, giving supporters an opportunity to own a piece of Spiritbox’s history while aiding vital wildfire recovery efforts.

This charitable move by Spiritbox underscores the band’s commitment to using their platform for good. For those eager to contribute and win, check out the full details on their official social media pages.