AC/DC Drummer Arrested for Murder-for-Hire Plot

UPDATE:

It looks like the other members of AC/DC have found out about Rudd’s arrest at the same time the press did. They have now released a short statement about Rudd which can be read below:

“We’ve only become aware of Phil’s arrest as the news was breaking. We have no further comment. Phil’s absence will not affect the release of our new album, Rock of Bust and upcoming tour next year.”

The rock gods have spoken.

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AC/DC might be down another member following the news that drummer Phil Rudd has been arrest, but now is free on bail.

Police arrested the sticksman in Tauranga, NZ Thursday morning (Nov. 6) local time, on charges of attempting to “procure” the murders of two people. The alleged hiring of the hitman reportedly took place in late September, according to details released in court.

After being arrested at his home, which was later searched, Rudd has been released on bail after entering a no plea; his next court appearance will be on Nov. 27.

Rudd was ordered by Judge Louis Bidois to have no contact with the man he allegedly tried to hire to carry out the hit. The judge has also decided that it would be in the best interest of everyone else, if he would keep the identity of the victims under lock and key as well as the identity of the person who was hired to perform the hit.

Considering the way the press operates, it won’t be long until those identities as well as the motive behind the murder for hire becomes known.

The procure charge is not the only one the 60-year-old drummer is being charged with. While searching his home, officers discovered methamphetamine and cannabis resulting in the possession charges for both he now faces as well.

Rudd’s arrest and inevitable trial follows the news that founding member, Malcolm Young has left the band due to health concerns following a stroke earlier in the year. Young was officially removed from the line-up about two months ago to be replaced by his nephew Stephen.

AC/DC are set to release their new studio album, Rock or Bust, on Dec. 5 and to reportedly head out on a world tour in 2015. With Rudd’s arrest, there’s not telling what this might mean for that tour.

Marianas Trench Frontman Covers Nicki Minaj

While we can probably agree that we have no real idea what’s going on in Nicki Minaj’s music video for “Anaconda” or what the this weird cover/remix of Sir Mix-A-Lots’ “Baby Got Back, props should be given to Marianas Trench, frontman Josh Ramsay, on his take on the song.

An alternative band’s frontman singing a song made by a rapper might seem weird and we would agree, but Ramsay did it as part of a cover song challenge while appearing at New Zealand radio station, The Edge. Listen to the track and watch as Ramsay takes the song from the over-produced track on the radio that we all know and turn it into a ballad.

Almost makes you forget that the song isn’t exactly PG-13.

Watch the acoustic performance below and when the camera angle shifts to the audience members, pay attention to their faces as they laugh at the choice of song. we know we would too.

Bruce Springsteen Covers Lorde

Throughout his time touring Australia and New Zealand, Bruce Springsteen has covered several different songs and his stop at Auckland, New Zealand was no different. Previously, he had covered AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell” with help from Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder as well as The Bee Gees’ “Stayin’ Alive.”

In honor of performing in New Zealand, the Boss kicked off his show with an acoustic version of hometown favorite, Lorde’s hit song, “Royals.” Of course, he changed up one of the lyrics, the “you can call be queen bee” to “you can call me king bee” to fit the situation at hand.

His show at Auckland’s Mt. Smart Stadium marked the second time, ever, that Springsteen has done a live appearance in New Zealand; his first time in almost eleven years. Springsteen’s tour down under officially wraps up tonight with a second appearance at Mt. Smart Stadium. After that, the musician will be heading back home to America for a five-week tour.

Queens of the Stone Age Announce 2014 Tour Dates

Does it seem to some of you that Queens of the Stone Age never sleep? You might be a little right about that because the band have just announced more tour dates.

The new dates were released yesterday and appears to be an extension of last year’s tour in support of their new album, …Like Clockwork. For the tour dates in Australia and New Zealand, Nine Inch Nails will be joining them, so maybe we can finally get a finished version of their highly publicized Grammys’ performance that was not completed.

More tour dates isn’t the only good news coming from the QOTSA’s camp, it was also revealed during an interview with Rolling Stone that they are looking forward to working on some new music in the near future.

The full list of newly released dates can be seen below and don’t forget that they’ll be appearing at Coachella Music Festival and Sasquatch! this spring.

Queens of the Stone Age 2014 Tour Dates:

02/11 – El Paso, TX @ Abraham Chavez Theatre
02/13 – Las Vegas, NV @ The Joint

03/06 – Sydney, AU @ Entertainment Centre ***
03/07 – Sydney, AU @ Entertainment Centre ***
03/08 – Newcastle, AU @ Entertainment Center ***
03/11 – Perth, AU @ Arena ***
03/13 – Adelaide, AU @ AEC Arena ***
03/14 – Melbourne, AU @ Rod Laver Arena ***
03/15 – Melbourne, AU @ Rod Laver Arena ***
03/17 – Brisbane, AU @ Entertainment Centre ***
03/19 – Auckland, NZ @ Vector Arena ***
03/20 – Wellington, NZ @ TSB Bank Arena ***
03/22 – Christchurch, NZ @ CBS Canterbury Arena ***

04/11-13 – Indio, CA @ Coachella Music Festival
04/15 – Portland, OR @ Keller Auditorium
04/17 – San Francisco, CA @ Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
04/18-20 – Indio, CA @ Coachella Music Festival
05/06 – St. Paul, MN @ Roy Wilkins Auditorium
05/07 – Milwaukee, WI @ The Riverside Theater
05/09 – Chicago, IL @ Aragon Ballroom
05/13 – Kansas City, MO @ Starlight Theatre
05/14 – Tulsa, OK @ Brady Theater
05/16-18 – Gulf Shores, AL @ Hangout Music Festival
05/23-25 – George, WA @ Sasquatch! Music Festival

05/29-31 – Barcelona, ES @ Primavera Sound
05/29-06/01 – Bologna, IT @ Rock in Idro
05/30 – Lisbon, PT @ Rock in Rio
06/03 – Rome, IT @ Rock in Roma
06/05 – Crans-Pres-Celigny, CH @ Caribana Festival
06/05/08 – Nuremberg, DE @ Rock am Ring
06/06-09 – Nürburg, DE @ Rock im Park
06/13 – Warsaw, PL @ Warsaw Orange Festival
06/15 – Aarhus, DK @ NorthSide Festival
08/05-08 – Oslo NO @ Oya Festival
08/14-16 – St. Polten, AT @ Frequency Festival
08/15-17 – Grosspoesna, DE @ Highfield Festival
08/22-24 – Saint-Cloud, FR @ Rock en Seine

*** = w/ Nine Inch Nails