Machine Gun Kelly, James Hetfield, Slash & more contribute signed items to MusiCares benefit auction

Machine Gun Kelly, James Hetfield, Slash & more contribute signed items to MusiCares benefit auction
Machine Gun Kelly, James Hetfield, Slash & more contribute signed items to MusiCares benefit auction
Julien’s Auctions

Machine Gun Kelly, Metallica‘s James Hetfield, and Guns N’ Roses Slash are all contributing signed items to an upcoming auction benefiting MusiCares, which provides medical, financial and personal assistance to in-need members of the music community.

Both MGK and Hetfield are offering signed guitars: a salmon pink Schecter Diamond Series, and a black ESP Vulture, respectively. Kelly’s guitar, which is expected to fetch between $2,000 and $4,000, features the inscription “I’m Selling Tickets to My Downfall MGK,” a reference to the title of his latest album. The Hetfield guitar has an estimated worth of $4,000 to $6,000.

If you’re interested in the MGK guitar, you probably won’t have to compete with anyone who caught his Aftershock festival set this past weekend, which saw attendees throw bottles at the “Bloody Valentine’ singer. The incident is the latest entry in Kelly’s feud with the metal community after he insulted Slipknot.

Meanwhile, Slash is parting ways with one of his famous top hats, signed and featuring a hand-drawn skull-and-bones sketch. That’ll be sold alongside a sterling silver ring for an estimated total of $5,000 to $7,000. Slash is also contributing a signed Epiphone Slash Les Paul Deluxe, valued between $1,000 to $2,000.

The auction will also include items from Depeche Mode, Mötley Crüe‘s Tommy Lee, Jeff Beck and the late Stone Temple Pilots frontman Scott Weiland.

Julien’s Auctions will handle the sale, which takes place January 30, ahead of the 2022 Grammys on January 31. For more info, visit JuliensAuctions.com.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Smash Mouth’s Steve Harwell announces retirement: “It’s been an honor”

Smash Mouth’s Steve Harwell announces retirement: “It’s been an honor”
Smash Mouth’s Steve Harwell announces retirement: “It’s been an honor”
Michael Tullberg/Getty Images

Hey now, Steve Harwell is retiring from Smash Mouth.

In a statement to TMZ, Harwell, 54, says, “Ever since I was a kid, I dreamed of being a rockstar performing in front of sold-out arenas and have been so fortunate to live out that dream.”

“To my bandmates, it’s been an honor performing with you all these years,” he adds. “I can’t think of anyone else I would have rather gone on this wild journey with.”

Harwell’s announcement comes after his bizarre performance at a recent Smash Mouth concert in upstate New York, during which he repeatedly yelled and swore at the audience while slurring his speech. That show followed a string of dates in which Smash Mouth played with another singer instead of Harwell, who’d taken a break from the band due to his ongoing cardiomyopathy heart condition.

At the time, a rep for Smash Mouth said the replacement singer was only a temporary measure, but TMZ now reports that the New York show convinced Harwell to make the change permanent.

“To our loyal and amazing fans, thank you, all of this was possible because of you,” Harwell says. “I’ve tried so hard to power through my physical and mental health issues, and to play in front of you one last time, but I just wasn’t able to.”

“I cannot wait to see what Smash Mouth accomplishes next,” he adds, implying that the group will continue without him. “[I] am looking forward to counting myself as one of the band’s newest fans.”

Harwell co-founded Smash Mouth in 1994. The band has released seven albums, including the RIAA triple-Platinum Astro Lounge, and has scored hits with singles including “All Star,” “Walkin’ on the Sun” and a cover of The Monkees‘ “I’m a Believer.”

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

‘Free Guy’ goes virtual with Vudu’s new Oculus VR app

‘Free Guy’ goes virtual with Vudu’s new Oculus VR app
‘Free Guy’ goes virtual with Vudu’s new Oculus VR app
Vudu

A movie about a guy whose world is changed when he looks through a special set of glasses is now available for viewing through…a special set of glasses. 

Specifically, Ryan Reynolds‘ blockbuster Free Guy is now available for rent for exclusively for users of Oculus VR headsets — a fitting title to launch Video On Demand platform Vudu’s new library of immersive, 3D titles.

Fandango’s VUDU app for Oculus is also exclusively offering other hits for viewing on the company’s Quest devices, all for $5.99. The library of thousands of titles includes the Oscar-winning Mad Max: Fury RoadVenomJurassic WorldGuardians of the Galaxy, and Ready Player One — all films that can take advantage of the VR headsets’ literally in-your-face experience. 

Free Guy, in which Reynolds plays a guy who discovers he’s been living the life of a non-player-character in a violent video game, grossed more than $327 million worldwide, making it one of 2021’s highest-earning films. 

The Shawn Levy-directed movie was released by 20th Century Studios, which is owned by ABC News’ parent company, Disney.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Items from Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, Lady Gaga, Harry Styles going on the charity auction block

Items from Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, Lady Gaga, Harry Styles going on the charity auction block
Items from Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, Lady Gaga, Harry Styles going on the charity auction block
John Shearer Photography

A head-to-toe silver ensemble worn by Katy Perry and a stage-worn black jacket from fellow American Idol judge Lionel Richie are just two of the items that are going on the auction block early next year for a good cause.

Katy wore the silver outfit, including a snowflake crystal headpiece, to perform “California Gurls” on the 2010 TV special The Grammy Nominations Concert Live! — Countdown to Music’s Biggest Night.  It’s just one of the items up for grabs in the 2022 MusiCares charity auction organized by Julien’s Auctions. As the charitable arm of the Recording Academy, MusiCares provides medical, financial and personal assistance to in-need members of the music community.

Katy’s outfit is expected to fetch between three and five grand. A black jacket Lionel wore to perform at the U.K.’s Glastonbury festival in 2015 has an sales estimate of six to eight thousand dollars.

A Chromatica CD signed by Lady Gaga and a 7-inch pink vinyl single of “Watermelon Sugar” signed by Harry Styles are also up for grabs in the auction, which will take place January 30, the day before the 64th annual Grammy Awards on January 31.

For more info on how to register and bid, visit JuliensAuctions.com.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

BTS’ Grammy outfits & jewelry, plus items from Katy Perry & Harry Styles going on the charity auction block

BTS’ Grammy outfits & jewelry, plus items from Katy Perry & Harry Styles going on the charity auction block
BTS’ Grammy outfits & jewelry, plus items from Katy Perry & Harry Styles going on the charity auction block
BIGHIT Music

It just might be the ultimate BTS collectible: The outfits and jewelry the group wore to perform “Dynamite” at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards earlier this year are going on the auction block.

The seven Louis Vuitton ensembles worn by the group for their first-ever solo Grammy performance, plus three rings worn by J-Hope, are just one of the many items up for grabs in the MusiCares charity auction organized by Julien’s Auctions.  As the charitable arm of the Recording Academy, MusiCares provides medical, financial and personal assistance to in-need members of the music community.

BTS’ outfits are estimated to fetch $30,000 to $50,000, while the rings might bring two to four grand. If you’re not a fan of BTS, Katy Perry is selling a silver ensemble she wore to perform “California Gurls” on the 2010 TV special The Grammy Nominations Concert Live! — Countdown to Music’s Biggest Night.

A salmon pink guitar signed and inscribed by Machine Gun Kelly, a 7-inch pink vinyl “Watermelon Sugar” single signed by Harry Styles, a Chromatica CD signed by Lady Gaga and two pairs of boots worn by Demi Lovato are also up for grabs in the auction, which will take place January 30, the day before the 64th annual Grammy Awards on January 31.

For more info on how to register and bid, visit JuliensAuctions.com.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Band of Horses announces new album, ‘Things Are Great’; listen to single “Crutch” now

Band of Horses announces new album, ‘Things Are Great’; listen to single “Crutch” now
Band of Horses announces new album, ‘Things Are Great’; listen to single “Crutch” now
BMG

Band of Horses has announced a new album called Things Are Great.

The latest effort from the “Great Salt Lake” outfit is set to arrive January 21, 2022. You can listen to the lead single, “Crutch,” now via digital outlets.

Things Are Great is the sixth Band of Horses studio album. It’s the follow-up to 2016’s Why Are You OK, which includes the single “Casual Party.”

Band of Horses will play a three-show residency at New York City’s new Brooklyn Made venue next week. They’ll then launch a U.S. tour November 4 in Denver.

Here’s the Things Are Great track list:

“Warning Signs”
“Crutch”
“Tragedy of the Commons”
“In the Hard Times”
“In Need of Repair”
“Aftermath”
“Lights”
“Ice Night We’re Having”
“You Are Nice to Me”
“Coalinga”

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Chris Stapleton teams with Carlos Santana on uplifting “Joy”

Chris Stapleton teams with Carlos Santana on uplifting “Joy”
Chris Stapleton teams with Carlos Santana on uplifting “Joy”
BMG

Chris Stapleton and Carlos Santana are bringing the “Joy.”

The Grammy winners have teamed up on an uplifting new song where Carlos’ signature guitar playing takes center stage alongside Chris’ vocals. Written and produced by the country singer, the song was inspired by the fear stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.   

“Joy rolling like the thunder rumbles/Time to let the teardrops tumble/Listen to the hatred crumble,” Chris sings with a choir of voices in the background. 

“I was very intrigued to work with Chris. We talked on the phone about the Covid situation and how there’s so much fear in the world,” Santana says of “Joy” in a statement.  “I said, ‘We need to create music as a healing force. We must bring hope and courage and disinfect twisted minds infected with darkness. That gave him the ammunition to write such incredible words.”

“Joy” is featured on Carlos’ new album, Blessings and Miracles, out on Friday.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Police guitarist Andy Summers’ latest solo album, ‘Harmonics of the Night,’ being released this Friday

Police guitarist Andy Summers’ latest solo album, ‘Harmonics of the Night,’ being released this Friday
Police guitarist Andy Summers’ latest solo album, ‘Harmonics of the Night,’ being released this Friday
Andy Summers Music/Cargo Records

Earlier this year, Police guitarist Andy Summers revealed to ABC Audio that he planned to release a new solo instrumental album in the fall titled Harmonics of the Night. Now full details about the project have been unveiled.

The album, which features 12 tracks, will be released this Friday, October 15, on CD, as a digital download and via streaming services.

Summers considers Harmonics of the Night the third in a trilogy of instrumental solo records, following 2015’s Metal Dog and 2017’s Triboluminescence. He recorded the album at his Hill of Beans studio in Venice, California, and co-produced it with longtime collaborator Dennis Martin Smith.

The 78-year-old Rock & Roll Hall of Famer also shot the photos featured on the album’s cover and in its packaging.

Andy says lead track “A Certain Strangeness” was written as a sound installation to accompany his 2019 photo exhibit of the same name that opened in Montpellier, France.

“Bringing the two mediums together was a natural move and from that first piece came this whole new recording,” Summers explains. “In a word, it set the mood for the rest of this album.”

Andy has released a track called “Chronosthesia” as Harmonics of the Night‘s first single, which is available now digitally. You can check out a music video for the tune at Andy’s official YouTube channel, featuring photos Summers shot in downtown Los Angelesm along with superimposed footage of Andy playing guitar.

Harmonics of the Night also will be released as a two-LP vinyl set boasting three tracks not included on the CD or digital versions.

In August, Summers published his first fiction book, Fretted and Moaning: Short Stories, which is available at AndySummersBook.com.

Here’s the Harmonics of the Night CD and digital track list:

“A Certain Strangeness”
“City of Crocodiles”
“Aeromancer”
“Chronosthesia”
“Harmonics of the Night”
“Mirror in the Dirt”
“Prairie”
“Fantoccini”
“Aphelion”
“Spell”
“Inamorata”
“Strange Return”

And here’s the vinyl track list:

Disc 1

Side A
“A Certain Strangeness”

Side B
“City of Crocodiles”
“Aeromancer”
“Chronosthesia”
“Harmonics of the Night”

Disc 2

Side A
“Mirror in the Dirt”
“Prairie”
“Fantoccini”
“Aphelion”

Side B
“Spell”
“Inamorata”
“Micrografia”*
“Ecstasy Blooms”*
“A Joint in West Kensington”*

* = appears on LP version only.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Disney+ releases first trailer to ‘Home Sweet Home Alone’

Disney+ releases first trailer to ‘Home Sweet Home Alone’
Disney+ releases first trailer to ‘Home Sweet Home Alone’
Disney+

Home Sweet Home Alone, the Disney+ holiday reboot of the Home Alone films, now has a trailer. 

Bespectacled Jojo Rabbit scene-stealer Archie Yates takes Macaulay Culkin‘s place as the kid left by himself when his family goes overseas — but in young Max Mercer’s case, he must defend his home against a husband and wife burglar team. 

Elle Kemper and Rob Delaney play the would-be thieves, seeking a priceless heirloom in the Mercer family’s home, while Max’s huge — and forgetful — family are in Japan.

As one would expect, Max defends his house with countless booby traps: cue the pratfalls. 

Home Sweet Home Alone will debut November 12, 2021 exclusively on the streaming service as part of Disney+ Day.

Disney is the parent company of ABC News.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

AJ Mitchell celebrates the arrival of his years-in-the-making debut, ‘Skyview’

AJ Mitchell celebrates the arrival of his years-in-the-making debut,  ‘Skyview’
AJ Mitchell celebrates the arrival of his years-in-the-making debut,  ‘Skyview’
Epic Records

AJ Mitchell‘s debut album, Skyview, was supposed to be released in 2019, and then in 2020.  But after having been delayed again, it finally came out last Friday, along with a new single and video, “Hi-Lo.” AJ says he really appreciates that his fans have waited this long for his music — because he’s not sure if he could’ve done the same.

“They’ve been so patient, they have been like blessings,” AJ tells ABC Audio. “They are blessings. They’re the best fans ever! I don’t know how I would react if someone, like, took this long for an album!”

And while the pandemic contributed to the delay, AJ says it also helped him realize that Skyview wasn’t quite complete.

“It’s kind of crazy how I had the album finished, but just having that extra time, you know, you write music, and you’re like, ‘This actually fits perfectly with the album,'” he says, adding, “I’ve been creating this album for the past two years, trying to find out who I am…and now I’m at that point where I feel like it all just came together.”

While not all of the 20-plus singles that AJ’s released over the past few years are on Skyview, one that is is “Used to Be,” which he wrote when he was just 13.  AJ is 20 now, so why put such an old track on the album?

“It kind of just made sense because, at the end of the day, Skyview is a drive-in movie theater in my hometown,” he explains. “It’s where I came from, and I think it just it made sense to have ‘Used to Be’ on it, because I wrote [it] in my hometown when I was 13, and I think it just kind of ties together the whole album.”

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.