Piledriver!

ZP Theart has left Dragonforce due to differences of musical opinion.

Full post from DragonForce.com below:

It is with great regret that DragonForce announce a parting of the ways with singer ZP Theart. This is due to insurmountable differences of musical opinion but the rest of the band sincerely wish ZP great success with his future projects.

While the creative core members have begun writing the fifth album, they have also started a worldwide search for a new vocalist. “We are looking for a powerful melodic singer, to write a new chapter of DragonForce with us.” said guitarist Herman Li.

Anyone wishing to audition for the vacant position should apply following the instructions at this web address www.dragonforce.com/audition

Lineup is as follows:

For more info on Graspop, click here.

We will be interviewing We The Kings at the o2 Brixton Academy on the 20th March. If you have any questions you would like us to ask the band, send them over to the usual email address, or Tweet/Facebook/MySpace us.

Lostprophets have confirmed a couple of new dates to coincide with their Cardiff show in May. Dates are as follows:

APRIL

28 – BOURNEMOUTH O2 Academy
30 – FOLKESTONE Leas Cliff Hall

MAY

01 – CARDIFF International Arena

For more information on this years V Festival head on over to www.vfestival.com

Australian rockers, Pendulum are set to hit RockNess on the Friday night. The bill itself is looking very impressive boasting names such as Enter Shikari and Chase and Status just to name a few.

Official Press Release is below:

Scotland’s festival fever is burning up…PENDULUM are revealed as the latest big name headliner bound for RockNess. The Aussie maestros whose live sets enrapture rockers and ravers alike are set to make their momentous debut assault on Dores this June on the Friday night in the mighty Clash Arena, and one that coincides with the release of their third album ‘Immersion’. Hinting on what to expect from the new material, frontman Rob Swire revealed on NME.com the band has “gone quite electronic again”, cryptically adding that there were collaborations with “major electronic artists” including one he thought it would be “impossible” to hook up with. Speaking about their RockNess appearance – another Scottish festival exclusive – PENDULUM said “We can’t wait to hit Scotland again. Everyone knows the Scottish crowd is one of the best. Here we f*cking go!”. The summer beckons!

Joining PENDULUM is the ‘Baron of Techno’ DAVE CLARKE, an electro genius whose prolific output knows no boundaries and will be appreciated in heaps by the party loving RockNess crowd.

Commenting on the announcements, Festival Director Jim King said “This is an important announcement for the festival. Pendulum have been a hugely impressive band over the last year, their new album is amazing and looks set to take them even higher. There’s now no better reason to get to Loch Ness on the Friday than simply to check out their new live show in the Clash Arena. Nothing more can be said about Dave Clarke other than he is the master. His sets are legendary and Sunday is going to finish with one hell of a bang.”

This latest news comes hot on the heels of the reveal that VAMPIRE WEEKEND will support THE STROKES on the Sunday night, completing a double whammy of New York cool.

The most judicious dance and rock fans are well catered for this year with DOVES, IAN BROWN, HADOUKEN!, ENTER SHIKARI and FRIENDLY FIRES joining a dazzling proposition of the finest international electronic talent including THE BLOODY BEETROOTS, VITALIC, AEROPLANE, PLAN B, BOOKASHADE, THE JAPANESE POPSTARS, DAN LE SAC VS SCROOBIUS PIP, CHASE & STATUS, BOYS NOIZE, THE DUB PISTOLS and RockNess favourites THE CUBAN BROTHERS.

Five years since FATBOY SLIM staged the first RockNess, and following a sabbatical in 2009, he returns to headline this June. Joining him in a truly unmissable coup, and another brilliant Scottish festival exclusive, is LEFTFIELD – the first live performance in a decade.

BBC RADIO 1 is on board as the OFFICIAL RADIO PARTNER for 2010 too with the inimitable ZANE LOWE , ANNIE MAC and ROB DA BANK all Scotland-bound to each host an arena . Topping the fantasy DJ line up of clubbers far and wide, RockNess is also proud to announce the appearance of the world’s most exclusive DJ collective CLUB 75. Part Justice, part Cassius, with the very best of the mighty Ed Banger Records thrown in, the all-French star line up is set to deliver what promises to be one of the hottest performances of the entire summer.

The monstrous ARCADIA ARENA makes its big, bold RockNess debut in 2010 in one of the few times witnessed outside of Glastonbury. This world class audio and visual feast of mind boggling post-apocalyptic pyrotechnics, dramatic podiums extending into the crowd, multi rave platforms and fire performance displays has to be seen to be believed. Set against the backdrop of Loch Ness, expect to be well and truly blown away. Watch this space for the Arcadia DJ line up coming soon!

RockNess takes place on Friday 11th – Sunday 13th June and returns as a three-day event following last year’s successful extension to three nights when the Main Stage got the party started on the Friday night for the first time.

Tickets are available via the RockNess website and Ticketline – www.rockness.co.uk and www.ticketline.co.uk, and on general sale via all other ticket agents. Prices are as follows:

2 Day Weekend Tickets (including camping) £130.00

3 Day Weekend Tickets (including camping) £149.00

Limited Student Offer: 3 Day Weekend Tickets (including camping and free travel) £139.00

Hopefully, Piledriver!, will be at the Toronto, Canada date of the Warped tour to bring you exclusive news and band interviews from the event. We will hopefully be streaming our interviews LIVE for the first time ever. Watch this space.

* The Cab
* The Downtown Fiction (Playing 7/7-7/16)
* HaSkaLa (Playing 6/24-6/27)
* GOGO13 (Playing 6/24-6/27)
* Knock-Out (Playing 6/24-6/27)
* Streetlight Manifesto (Playing 7/23-7/26)

Main Stage

* The All-American Rejects (Playing 6/24-7/18)
* Alkaline Trio
* Andrew WK
* Anti-Flag (Playing 8/5-8/15)
* The Bouncing Souls (Playing 6/26 and 6/29-7/11)
* Bring Me The Horizon (Playing 6/24-7/30 and 8/5-8/15)
* The Dillinger Escape Plan
* Dropkick Murphys (Playing 8/7-8/15)
* Every Time I Die (Playing 7/2-8/15)
* Face to Face
* Motion City Soundtrack (Playing 6/24 and 6/27-7/16)
* Reel Big Fish (Playing 7/13-8/15)
* Sum 41
* We the Kings (Playing 6/26-8/2)

Hurley Stage

* Attack Attack!
* Breathe Carolina
* Emmure
* Four Year Strong (Playing 6/24-8/2)
* Hey Monday
* I Can Make A Mess Like Nobody’s Business
* Parkway Drive
* Pierce the Veil
* Set Your Goals
* Suicide Silence
* Whitechapel
* You Me at Six

Hurley.com Stage

* Anarbor
* The Casualties
* Dirty Little Rabbits (Playing 7/20-8/5)
* Fake Problems
* Mike Posner
* Never Shout Never
* Polar Bear Club (Playing 6/24-7/18)
* The Pretty Reckless
* The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band
* The Rocket Summer

Smartpunk.com Stage

* Alesana
* Artist Vs Poet
* Enter Shikari (Playing 6/24-7/18)
* Haste the Day (Playing 7/20-8/15)
* I See Stars (Playing 6/24-7/18 on Smartpunk Stage and 7/30 on Kevin Says Stage)
* Iwrestledabearonce (Playing 7/20-8/15)
* Sparks the Rescue (Playing 6/24-7/18)
* The Summer Set
* VersaEmerge
* The Word Alive (Playing 7/20-8/15)

Skullcandy Stage

* After Midnight Project
* AM Taxi
* Breathe Electric
* Call the Cops (Playing 6/24-7/18)
* Confide
* Disco Curtis (Playing 7/20-8/15)
* Far From Finished
* Fight Fair
* In Fear and Faith
* Of Mice & Men
* We Are the In Crowd

Ernie Ball Stage

The following bands will be playing on the Ernie Ball stage on various stops of the tour.

* Automatic Loveletter
* Closure In Moscow
* The Darlings (Playing 6/24-7/7)
* Emarosa
* Eyes Set to Kill
* From the Top (Playing 6/27)
* Mayday Parade
* Not So Lucky (Playing 7/1)
* Riverboat Gamblers
* The Sparring
* The Swellers (Playing 6/24-7/17)

Kevin Says Stage

* The B Foundation (Playing 8/11-8/15)
* The Bots (Playing 8/11-8/15)
* Brass Tackz (Playing 7/9-7/10)
* Burning Empires (Playing 8/7-8/15)
* The Chase (Playing 7/22-7/26)
* Chase Long Beach (Playing 8/7-8/15)
* Cobra Skulls (Playing 8/7-8/15)
* Deal’s Gone Bad (Playing 7/26-8/2)
* Deas Vail (Playing 8/1-8/15)
* Death Punch (Playing 8/11-8/15)
* Dustin Jones and the Rising Tide (Playing 7/9-7/10)
* The Early Strike (Playing 8/1-8/12)
* Echo Movement (Playing 8/7-8/15)
* The Fabulous Rudies (Playing 8/7-8/15)
* Flatfoot 56 (Playing 7/11-8/2)
* The Flatliners (Playing 6/24-7/18)
* The Frantic (Playing 6/27-7/8 and 7/31)
* Gardening, Not Architecture
* Hollywood Heartthrob (Playing 6/29-7/3)
* Hope for AM (Playing 6/27-7/3)
* Hot Chelle Rae (Playing 7/17-8/2)
* Ice Nine Kills (Playing 7/21-8/1)
* The Impalers (Playing 6/26)
* The Jukebox Romantics (Playing 8/7-8/15)
* Kelsey and the Chaos (Playing 7/6-7/8 and 7/11-7/31)
* Last Call Chernobyl (Playing 6/27-7/10)
* Left Alone (Except 7/9-7/10 and 8/5)
* Longway (Playing 8/5-8/15)
* Maxwell Smart (Playing 6/25)
* Middle Finger Salute (Playing 7/11-7/26)
* The Mighty Regis (Playing 6/24-7/22)
* Monkey (Playing 6/24-6/27)
* Neo Geo (Playing 8/7-8/15)
* Our Last Night (Playing 8/7-8/15)
* The Scary Mondelos (Playing 7/1)
* Score 24 (Playing 7/20-8/13)
* Shiragirl (Playing 8/7-8/15)
* The Skank Agents (Playing 6/24)
* The Snips (Playing 7/9-7/10)
* Speakeasy Tiger (Playing 6/27-7/6)
* Spider Rockets (Playing 7/8, 7/13, 7/17)
* Spinlight City (Playing 7/23-7/26)
* Terrible Things (Playing 7/29-8/8)
* Tess Dunn (Playing 6/26)
* This Time Next Year (Playing 8/2-8/15)
* Tip the Van (Playing 7/20-7/31)
* Victory in Numbers (Playing 7/1-7/7)
* Voodoo Glow Skulls (Playing 6/24-6/27)
* Walk Off the Earth (Playing 7/9-7/10)
* When Girls Kiss Girls (Playing 6/24-7/28)

Old School Stage

The Old School Stage will appear on all California dates of the tour and for the first time venturing out to the Washington and Oregon stops.

* The Adolescents (Playing 6/24-6/27)
* Agent Orange (Playing 8/11-8/12 and 8/14-8/15)
* Angry Samoans (Playing 6/24-6/27)
* Assorted Jellybeans (Playing 8/11-8/12 and 8/14-8/15)
* The Dickies (Playing 6/24-6/27)
* Discharge (Playing 6/24-6/27)
* Fear (Playing 6/24-6/27)
* The Germs (Playing 6/24-6/27)
* Green Jellÿ (Playing 8/11-8/12 and 8/14-8/15)
* Manic Hispanic (Playing 8/11-8/12 and 8/14-8/15)
* Street Sweeper Social Club (Playing 6/24-6/25)
* Swingin Utters (Playing 6/24-6/27)
* The Untouchables (Playing 8/11-8/12 and 8/14-8/15)
* The Uptones (Playing 6/24-6/27)

Kiss were forced to cut their set short the other night at the Islington Academy.

Kiss were left breathless after confetti cannons went off during initial set closer, Rock And Roll All Nite.

According to reports, the stage was flooded with excessive amounts of carbon dioxide and the guys found it very difficult to perform.

After a short interval, the band returned to play Detroit Rock City. The band however finished their set after this song.

The setlist from the gig was as follows:

Modern Day Delilah
Cold Gin
Let Me Go Rock And Roll
Say Yeah
Calling Dr. Love
Got To Choose
I Love It Loud
100,000 Years
Love Gun
Black Diamond
Rock And Roll All Nite
Detroit Rock City

Guillemot’s Fyfe Dangerfield will play an exclusive set from his new solo album Fly Yellow Sun at Q The Music Club Live at Hard Rock Cafe in London on March 9, 2010.

We have one pair of tickets to give away to this intimate show, which also includes free food and drink courtesy of Hard Rock!

To be in with a chance of winning, just answer the following (really easy) question…

What is the name of Fyfe Dangerfield’s recently released album?

A) Fly Blue Sun
B) Fly Yellow Sun
C) Fly Green Sun

Email your answer, name and address to info@piledriverwrestling.com with the subject line “FYFE DANGERFIELD COMP” and if you’re right you’ll be entered into the prize draw.

The competition is open to UK residents only. One entry is allowed per household. The competition closes at midnight on Saturday the 6th of March. Winner will be notified by email.

For more information about events at Hard Rock Cafe, go to www.hardrock.com

Hard Rock International and Live Nation announced today that PAUL MCCARTNEY will be headlining Sunday 27 June at HARD ROCK CALLING 2010 in Hyde Park, London. From the days of The Beatles to the present this will be McCartney’s first-ever full-blown headlining gig in Hyde Park. Tickets go on sale for Sunday 27 June at 9am on 5 March.

Paul’s live shows have reached a new legendary status in recent years garnering unprecedented reviews from fans and critics alike wherever he goes. He’s pushed boundaries, performed to millions and made global news with monumental shows including performances in Red Square, Russia, outside the Coliseum in Rome, performing live into a NASA space station, the largest outdoor show ever in the Ukraine, his first visit to Tel Aviv. Last year, his ‘Summer 09’ tour began in earnest with an already legendary inaugural run of shows at New York’s Citi Field Stadium, the site of the former Shea Stadium where The Beatles played the 1965 concert that set the precedent for the modern day stadium rock show. Critics hailed the Citi Field performances, seen by over 100,000 people, as the concert experience of a lifetime. The UK got a recent taste for Paul’s live show last Christmas when he brought his 2009 ‘Good Evening Europe’ tour to a climactic and memorable finale at London’s O2 Arena, his only UK show of 2009. Reviews for the show were phenomenal and prove that Paul McCartney is a live experience that no-one should miss.

This special show is part of Paul’s all new ‘Up and Coming Tour,’ which starts in the US in March and comes to the UK and Ireland in June.

Paul has appeared in Hyde Park twice before – he opened and closed 2005’s Live 8 concert and most recently he surprised fans last summer at Hard Rock Calling during Neil Young’s set to perform The Beatles anthem ‘A Day In The Life’.

Paul McCartney commented, “My last show of 2009 was in London at The O2 Arena and we had a great night, there was a great party atmosphere. I hope that this summer we can have an even bigger party in Hyde Park. I’ve had a little taste of performing in the park when I guested briefly with Neil Young there last summer and it tasted good. So I’m looking forward to getting there with the band and performing our own show.”

Hard Rock Calling 2010 is already set to be the festival to go to this summer. Opening the weekend in true Hard Rock style will be The Hives, The Gaslight Anthem, Wolfmother, Ben Harper & Relentless7 and headliners Pearl Jam. Following the success of last year’s sold-out festival Hard Rock Calling 2010 is shaping up to follow suit, promising three days of unparalleled music and an ultimate London festival experience. Saturday’s headliner and more of the line-up for the weekend will be announced shortly.

Paul McCartney’s headline appearance at Hyde Park sees him join a long line of rock and roll greats that have headlined in this iconic location, they include, Bruce Springsteen, The Who, Aerosmith, The Police, Neil Young, The Killers and Eric Clapton.

Hard Rock Calling, produced by Live Nation and presented by Hard Rock International, is a unique and historic musical event with two stages and many surprises in store for fans of all ages. In addition to renowned bands and an on-site Hard Rock Cafe, the festival will include a variety of attractions to be announced at a later date. Additional artists for the 2010 line-up will be announced leading up to the event and tickets for the festival are available at www.hardrockcalling.co.uk.

As Hard Rock Calling kicks off Hard Rock’s Ambassadors of Rock 2010, consumers will also be able to register to win trips to other exciting Ambassador of Rock stops around the world, by entering the global sweepstakes on www.hardrock.com. And as with all Hard Rock International ventures, philanthropy will be an important part of Hard Rock’s global tour, with each Ambassadors of Rock event benefiting a local charity.

Visit www.hardrockcalling.co.uk for more details and updates.

Hard Rock Calling 2010, Hyde Park, London

Friday 25 June 2010:

MAIN STAGE: Pearl Jam, Ben Harper & Relentless7, Wolfmother, The Gaslight Anthem

PEPSI MAX STAGE: The Hives

Sunday 27 June 2010:

MAIN STAGE: Paul McCartney

Tickets for Sunday 27 June go on sale at 9am 5 March

Ticket Price – £62.50 + booking fee

Box Office Number – 0844 847 2502 (24 hours)

To buy VIP Experiences and Hospitality online please go to www.livenationexperience.co.uk or call + 44 207 009 3484

Tickets for Friday 25 June are on sale now

The King Blues may have cancelled their Slam Dunk appearance but they are still touring and have announced shows for April and May.

APRIL

10 – BRIGHTON Komedia
11 – NORWICH Waterfront
12 – MANCHESTER Manchester
13 – NEWCASTLE O2 Academy 2
15 – GLASGOW Garage
25 – BIRMINGHAM O2 Academy 2
26 – EXETER Phoenix
27 – LONDON O2 Shepherds Bush Empire

MAY

01 – NOTTINGHAM Rock City
04 – COLCHESTER Arts Centre
05 – PORTSMOUTH Wedgewood Rooms

Skunk Anansie, Apocalyptica, Gallows, Funeral For A Friend, Fightstar, Madina Lake and Family Force 5 have all officially been confirmed for this years Sonisphere Festival UK, which takes place in Knebworth, UK from Friday 30th July – Sunday 1st August 2010.

Taking place at Balado, Kinross, this years lineup looks the best its ever been:

Main Stage

Muse
Eminem
Kasabian

Other Acts

30 Seconds to Mars
Black Eyed Peas
Biffy Clyro
Black Mountain
Broken Social Scene
Calvin Harris
Carl Cox
David Guetta
Dirty Projectors
Dizzee Rascal
Ellie Goulding
Empire of the Sun
Erol Alkan
Faithless
Fake Blood
Florence and the Machine
Four tet
Goldfrapp
Gossip
Jay-Z
John Mayer
La Roux
Mayer Hawthorne and the County
Newton Faulkner
Paolo Nutini
Plastikman
Rise Against
Skunk Anansie
Slam
Stereophonics
The Cribs
The Coral
The Courteeners
The Proclaimers
The Prodigy
The Stranglers
The Temper Trap
The View
Two Door Cinema Club
Vampire Weekend
Wolfmother

T In The Park takes place the 9th – 11th July. For more info click here.

R.I.P The Fall of Troy

Go to www.downloadfestival.co.uk for more information