Posts Tagged ‘bbc’

Lostprophets Singer Ian Watkins Arrested on Multiple Child Sex Offense Charges

Ian Gavan, Getty Images In shocking news out of the United Kingdom,  Lostprophets lead singer Ian Watkins has been charged with conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a female under 13, along with the possession and distribution of “indecent images of children.” This story comes as a major shock to fans of the longtime singer of the Lostprophets, who have sold 3.5 million albums worldwide throughout the band’s 15-year history. The Welsh group had a No. 1 alternative rock hit in the United States with ‘Last Train Home’ in 2004. According to The Guardian and other reputable sources like BBC News, two women, ages 20 and 24, have been charged alongside Watkins with similar offenses. The three are currently being held in police custody, having already appeared before Cardiff Magistrates’ Court today (Dec. 19). Bail applications from all three parties have been denied. Watkins will remain in police custody until his next scheduled court appearance on Dec. 31. A statement from a police spokesperson reads as follows: A Pontypridd man has been charged with sexual offences against children and is due to appear at Cardiff magistrates court today. The 35-year-old has been charged with conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a female under 13 and possession/distribution of indecent images of children. In order to assist their investigation, South Wales police has named the man as Ian Watkins, a member of the rock group Lostprophets.” South Wales police are encouraging those who may have information about the charges to come forth. “Specially-trained staff are available to speak to anyone with concerns or information regarding this investigation and a dedicated telephone number has been set up,” says Senior Investigating Officer Peter Doyle. “I want to encourage anyone who has any concerns or information which they think may be relevant to contact us … Safeguarding children involved in such cases is always a high priority and as such measures have already been taken.” Update: The UK newspaper The Independent is reporting that Watkins is being accused of conspiring with one of the arrested women to sexually abuse a 1-year-old girl. In addition, the publication also reports that the singer is accused of two incidents of “sexual touching” involving young children. Moreover, Watkins is alleged to have possessed “extreme” animal pornography. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/shocking-rock-stories-of-2012/” title=”Next: More Shocking Rock Stories of 2012″ align=”center”]

Dave Grohl: Queens of the Stone Age Provide Him ‘No Boundaries’ Rock

Kevin Winter, Getty Images Dave Grohl is heading back behind the drumkit for Queens of the Stone Age , and he says one of the things the experience provides is freedom from restrictions. The Foo Fighters leader told BBC Radio 1 (via NME ) that he’s really enjoying backing up old pal Josh Homme and that the musical chemistry is undeniable. Grohl explained, “With Queens of the Stone Age, like, there were no boundaries with that band, there were no limits with them, it was like if you did something insane, you’d do more, if you did something that seemed too ridiculous — and honestly the new Queens of the Stone Age record, I’m playing drums on that, and I’ll do something so completely ridiculous, I’ll just, like, ‘There’s no way that that Josh isn’t going to let me do that,’ and he’ll say, ‘Do that for forty-five seconds, over and over again, that’s become, like, part of the song, that is a big part of the song,’ and that’s the way they work.” The drummer previously took a turn behind the kit for the ‘Songs for the Deaf’ album and he says it was definitely a unique experience. He recalls, “When you walk into a festival backstage with Queens of the Stone Age, it’s like, the record stops. People stop and they stare, and it’s like, Queens of the Stone Age are, without question, the baddest rock and roll band in the world! And they still are, and when ‘Songs For The Deaf’, when that came out, it blew people’s minds, man, for real.” Grohl is filling the void of drummer Joey Castillo, who, incidentally, joined Queens of the Stone Age after Grohl returned to Foo Fighters. The group continues to record new music and a disc is expected next year. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/queens-of-the-stone-age-no-one-knows-top-21st-century-hard-rock-songs/” title=”Next: Queens of the Stone Age – Top 21st Century Hard Rock Songs” align=”center”]

30 Seconds to Mars on New Album: ‘This Could Be The Best Thing That We’ve Ever Done’

Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com 30 Seconds to Mars were a surprise name when the lineup for next summer’s Download Festival was revealed, which suggests that the group who played an ungodly amount of shows for their ‘This Is War’ album have returned to work on their next release. Singer Jared Leto told BBC’s Radio 1 that the group got past the fragile nature of their union as they started to burnout toward the end of the last album’s tour support and he feels that are now back on the path to something great. The vocalist explained, “It’s stronger, better and more evolved. It’s a complete transformation for us.” As for that new record, which they’ve managed to keep somewhat quiet, the vocalist adds, “I really think that this could be the best thing that we’ve ever done.” The group has spent time in Asia, Europe and America recording tracks for the forthcoming release. Leto, who also has a solid acting career, has taken advantage of his time off the road to work in another movie. According to the Hollywood Reporter , the actor will portray a “flamboyant cross-dresser with HIV” who helps a Texas electrician (Matthew McConaughey) smuggle alternative drugs into America to help other AIDS patients in ‘The Dallas Buyer’s Club.’ [button href=”http://loudwire.com/30-seconds-to-mars-the-kill-top-21st-century-hard-rock-songs/” title=”Next: 30 Seconds to Mars – Top 21st Century Hard Rock Songs” align=”center”]

Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl Rejoins Queens of the Stone Age for Next Album

Mark Mainz / Jonathan Wood, Getty Images We now know what Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl is going to do with at least part of his hiatus , as it’s been revealed that he’s returned to the drumkit to play on the next Queens of the Stone Age album. Queens leader Josh Homme confirmed the news to BBC Radio . For further proof, the band posted a mixing board photo on their Facebook page  (see below) showing the knobs for Homme’s guitar and Grohl’s drums. With the addition of Grohl, that means that longtime drummer Joey Castillo has exited the band . Homme confirmed Castillo’s exit during his appearance on BBC Radio. Incidentally, Castillo joined the group following the 2002 album ‘Songs for the Deaf,’ which featured Grohl on drums. Grohl and Homme have a longtime friendship and musical connection that also included their partnership in the band Them Crooked Vultures . Homme revealed earlier this year that the band had returned to recording after several stops and starts in recent years. The band’s sixth studio album will be the follow-up to their 2007 effort, ‘Era Vulgaris.’ The group had reportedly worked on material dating as far back as 2008, and a supposed 2011 release never came to fruition. Though an official release date has not been announced, a new album is expected in 2013 and the group has already booked appearances at Lollapalooza Brazil and Chile and at the Download Festival . In addition to his upcoming plans with Queens of the Stone Age, Dave Grohl is in the process of wrapping up his ‘ Sound City ‘ documentary, based on the popular Los Angeles recording studio and featuring many top names in rock that have recorded there over the years. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/new-trailer-for-dave-grohls-sound-city-documentary-unveiled/” title=”Next: Watch a Trailer From the ‘Sound City’ Documentary” align=”center”] QOTSA Facebook

Daily Reload: Avenged Sevenfold, Kid Rock, Nirvana + More

Mary Oullette, SheWillShootYou.com Here’s a look at the top stories of the day on Loudwire and around the Web: – Welcome back Avenged Sevenfold ! The band is continuing their association with the ‘Call of Duty’ video game series by offering up the song ‘Carry On’ for ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops II.’ [ Loudwire ] – Kid Rock is finally ready to roll with the follow-up to 2010′s ‘Born Free.’ ‘Rebel Soul’ is on target for a November release. [ Loudwire ] – On this day back in 1991, Nirvana released their classic album ‘Nevermind.’ Thought you knew everything there was to know about it? Check out 20 Things You Didn’t Know About Nirvana’s ‘Nevermind.’ [ Loudwire ] – Lynyrd Skynyrd fans can settle down, as guitarist Gary Rossington has clarified his Confederate flag comments made on CNN and stated that the flag will still fly “every night” at shows. [ Ultimate Classic Rock ] – Arcade Fire , Thom Yorke and Beck – they’re all part of a new BBC Radio 6 live compilation celebrating the U.K. music source’s 10-Year Anniversary. [ Diffuser.fm ] – The Doors ‘ ‘Live at the Hollywood Bowl’ from their 1968 appearance has been restored for an audio and video release. [ Rock Music Report ]

Slipknot’s Corey Taylor Calls Paul Gray’s Contributions ‘Almost Orchestral’

Slipknot‘s members may individually be tinkering around with ideas for new music, but singer Corey Taylor tells BBC Radio 1 host Zane Lowe that it will be a difficult task working without the creative force that was bassist Paul Gray. Taylor explained, “There’s a huge void that has to be filled musically. He brought something so different to what we do … There was something so different about what Paul