News

Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson has denied receiving a $500 million (£316 million) contract from the US military to manufacture drones. The claim had been made on the blog Dorset Eye in a post titled: 'Bruce Dickinson: Rock'n'Roll Warmonger', which took as its source an announcement on a South African conference speakers' website.

The Beach Boys’ Mike Love, speaking in the new issue of Uncut, has revealed he is keen to write more songs with his cousin Brian Wilson.

Neil Young debuted a new song live last night [September 11]. Young made a guest appearance with his wife's band, Pegi Young & The Survivors, at Johnny D's in Somerville, Massachusetts. According to one report online, "Neil played back up guitar for most of the night, but broke out on a couple of tunes with some great guitar work." During the set, Young debuted a new, as yet untitled song - scroll down to watch.

A number of duets recorded by Freddie Mercury and Michael Jackson could now become part of a new Queen album, Brian May has claimed. Earlier this year it was reported that around three tracks Mercury and Jackson recorded in 1983 will be made available to fans. Speaking in July, Brian May said there will be, "something for folks to hear" in two months time.

The Beatles have confirmed details of their anticipated On Air – Live At The BBC Volume 2 collection. The album will be released Monday, November 11 in 2CD and 180-gram vinyl packages with a 48-page booklet. On Air’s 63 tracks include 37 previously unreleased performances and 23 previously unreleased recordings of in-studio banter and conversation between the band’s members and their BBC radio hosts.

David Bowie and the Arctic Monkeys are currently William Hill's favourites to win the 2013 Barclaycard Mercury Prize, after the nominations were announced yesterday evening [September 11].

Portishead's Beth Gibbons has recorded a "glacial roar" for a giant polar bear that Greenpeace will use to lead a street protest in London next Sunday. The singer recorded a roar for the double-decker bus sized polar bear puppet called Aurora, which will feature a giant sound system in its head to play the sounds of ice cracking, Arctic wildlife, and other roars donated by members of the public. The march will be part of a global day of action to demand that the Arctic be protected from oil companies planning to drill in its waters.

Arcade Fire's Win Butler has described the band's new album Reflektor as a "mash up of Studio 54 and Haitian voodoo." The frontman shed further light on the band's forthcoming album, due for release in October, during an interview with Zane Lowe on Radio 1 that aired last night (September 11). In the interview, Butler discussed the sound of the double album and also revealed some new touring members of the band who will join Arcade Fire on the road when they come to tour Reflektor.

Mazzy Star have announced dates for a 14-date North American tour. The tour will be in support of Seasons Of Your Day, their first album in 17 years which is released later this month.

Members of Sigur Róswill appear in the new series of Game Of Thrones. Jonsi Birigisson, Georg Hólm and Orri Páll Dýrason are currently in Croatia shooting scenes for the HBO show's forthcoming fourth series. Entertainment Weekly reports that the bandmates will play musicians in the programme and that their cameo came about as showrunners David Benioff and Dan Weiss are big fans of the Icelandic band and listened to their music while shooting previous series in Iceland.