Set for September 23rd & 24th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, the iHeartRadio Music Festival will feature the likes of Lady Gaga, Coldplay, Alicia Keys, Steven Tyler, The Black Eyed Peas, as well as Kenny Chesney and Carrie Underwood.

Also slated to perform at the Ryan Seacrest-hosted event are Jane’s Addiction, Nicki Minaj, John Mayer, David Guetta, Rascal Flatts, Bruno Mars, Kelly Clarkson, Sublime with Rome, Usher, and Sting. More acts are set to be announced and the concert will be streamed live across the internet on the station’s official website.

A Facebook presale started yesterday and tickets go on sale to the general public on July 16 at 1:00 p.m. EST. More information is available here.

The best part about a lot of the news that happened over the “break” was that much of it involved artists giving things away for free. M.I.A, jj, Rick Ross, Yeasayer, Klaxons, and Gorillaz all released the fruits of their labor gratis before Radiohead, Trent Reznor, and Muse handed out videos to keep your eyes as stimulated as your ears. To cap it all off, Kanye West — our top artist of 2010 — ended his Twitter hibernation with a slew of delightfully manic Yeezy-tweets that culminated in his New Year’s Eve performance with Jay-Z and Coldplay. Throw in news about Lady Gaga’s new album and fresh tracks from Dr. Dre, Eminem, Beady Eye, Lupe Fiasco, and Bright Eyes, and what you’ve got is proof that 2010 marked the year that we stopped getting days off.

So without further adieu, here are the the biggest stories that you may have missed all rolled into one quick read.  And yes, we did include the “Usher Plagiarizes Homer Simpson” story, too. Happy New Year!

Gorillaz release The Fall

As promised, Gorillaz delivered their iPad-created album, The Fall, as a free stream and/or download (the latter is available only to fan club members) via gorillaz.com. According to the band’s website, the record was written and performed by Damon Albarn and Co. using an iPad and additional instruments: Korg vocoder, ukulele, microKORG, omnichord, Moog Voyager, melodica, guitar, piano, and Korg monotron. Recent collaborators Mick Jones and Paul Simonon add guitar and bass on two tracks, while Bobby Womack sings and plays guitar on track 13, “Bobby in Phoenix”. The entire record was recorded between Montreal and Vancouver over 32 days during the band’s 2010 North American tour.

New Radiohead-authorized concert film

What would Christmas be without a bit of Radiohead?. As you may remember, Thom Yorke and friends played a charity one-off in Los Angeles last January to benefit victims of the Haiti earthquake. You may also remember that attendance was limited to 1,400, which meant you probably didn’t go. However, thanks to a group of dedicated fans, a band-authorized DVD featuring footage from the performance is now available for download.

The collection was put together to further benefit the ravaged country, and not only did Radiohead officially approve the project, but they also chose the charity to which those who download the film are encouraged to donate:  Oxfam. What’s more, Kii Arens, the creator of the original “bandaid” poster for the show, contributed artwork for the DVD.

The DVD’s content features contributions from 14 video tapers and four audio tapers. All 24 songs played that evening are included, and the package can be downloaded as a 2-disc DVD with four alternate audio tracks, as well as a HD 1280×720 mp4 movie. You can find all the necessary links here. Those who download are asked to donate to Oxfam.

Lady Gaga announces new album

Along with a Muppets cameo, Lady Gaga’s world domination will continue into 2011 with the May 23rd release of her third LP, Born This Way. The album’s lead single/title track will be released on February 13th.

The New Year’s news, which was delivered via Twitter, follows Gaga’s initial announcement of the album during the VMAs last September. Many details, including the album’s tracklist and cover art, are still forthcoming, but the pop superstar has been performing a new track called “You and I” during recent live performances. Video evidence below.

In support of the album’s release, Gaga has already mapped out a healthy 2011 tour. Find confirmed dates here.

Klaxons release free EP

Klaxons celebrated Christmas 2010 with the offering of a brand new EP, Landmarks of Lunacy. Arriving only four months after the release of their sophomore effort, Surfing the Void, the EP features five unreleased tracks, which were recorded with Simian Mobile Disco’s James Ford during the Surfing the Void sessions in 2008. Stream and/or download the EP’s five tracks here.

jj release Christmas Eve Mixtape

They open their presents early in Sweden, as is evident by this Christmas Eve offering from jj. Joakim Benon and Elin Kastlander just unleashed a new mixtape entitled KILLS, featuring samplings of Jay-Z, Kanye West, Dr. Dre, M.I.A., and Biggie. Download it here.

Rick Ross releases new mixtape

If you’re looking for less Swedish dream-pop in your hip-hop, then try Rick Ross’ brand-new mixtape, Ashes to Ashes. The 10-track effort features T.I., Wale, Wiz Khalifa, Big Sean, Ne-Yo, Birdman, and even the late Barry White. Grab the free download here.

Yeasayer release free live album

Dear Wonderful Fans,

To celebrate the close of 2010, your amazing support, and numerous requests, we have decided to unlock the Yeasayer vault and release this live show recorded at the lovely Ancienne Belgique in Brussels. We are letting you, the fans, name the price. See you in 2011.

– Much Love, Yeasayer

Click here to download.

M.I.A. drops New Year’s Eve mixtape

2k10 was not a year to remember for M.I.A., so you can understand why she’s wasting no time in kicking 2k11 off on the right foot. As promised, Miss Maya delivered a New Year’s Eve mixtape, titled Vicki Leekx, and you can grab the 19-track effort as a free download right here. Production credits include Switch, Rusko, Blaqstarr, and ex-BF Diplo. R.I.P. truffle-gate.

Jay-Z, Kanye, & Coldplay celebrate the New Year in Vegas

Because a co-headlining performance by Jay-Z and Coldplay in Las Vegas on New Year’s Eve wasn’t ridiculous enough, someone also doled out a ton of money for surprise guests Kanye West, Beyoncé, and John Mayer. (Now you know why Kanye was drunk tweeting from an airplane.)

Check out some clips below, including the first ever live performance of Kanye’s “Homecoming” with Chris Martin. Fucking epic.

Kanye West, Jay-Z, & Chris Martin – “Homecoming”

Kanye West & Jay-Z – “Good Life” + “Can’t Tell Me Nothing”

Kanye West & Jay-Z – “Run This Town”

Kanye West – “Runaway”

Chris Martin & Beyoncé – “Halo”

Coldplay – “Yellow”

Watch: Kanye West’s “Monster” video

For reasons still unknown to everyone but Kanye West, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy‘s six-month-long hype machine was put to bed before the album even came out. G.O.O.D. Fridays have ended (minus that unexpected Xmas gift), as has his tweeting. There have been no late-night performances, no new singles released, and his lone public appearance this month was to attend the Lakes game on Christmas with Kim Kardashian’s mother. Consequently, sales of his fifth LP have plummeted since its release. (Our second favorite album of 2010 currently sits at 19 on the Billboard Top 200.)

So, what now? Well, West’s joint collaboration with Jay-Z, aka Watch The Throne, appears to be his number-one priority currently, and rumors of an “All of the Lights” video surfaced a few weeks back. But until then, the best we got is a leaked-yet-unfinished rip of West’s long-awaited “Monster” video, featuring Jay-Z, Rick Ross, and Nicki Minaj. Justin Vernon couldn’t make it, or Kanye never bothered to finish it. Either way, check out the clip above.

Nine Inch Nails, Muse release pro-shot concert footage

Two of music’s biggest bands gave their fans some pro-shot concert footage for Christmas. Above, you’ll find a HD clip of Nine Inch Nails performing “Somewhat Damaged” during their August 2009 show at the Bowery Ballroom in New York City (via Antiquiet). Below, you’ll find HD clips of Muse performing “Uprising” and “Citizen Erased” during their September 2010 show at Wembley Stadium in London. The Muse videos are also available in a controllable multi-angle format on the band’s website.

“Uprising”

“Citizen Erased”

Watch: Lupe Fiasco – “The Show Goes On”

Lupe Fiasco dropped the music video for our 44th favorite song of 2010 ( Lasers’ first single, “The Show Goes On”). Watch it above, then wish Lupe a happy Kwanzaa.

Watch: Rivers Cuomo covers The Beach Boys

And here’s the reason some odes aren’t threatened with legal action…

Michael Stipe & Patti Smith’s “walk-in performance” at MoMA

While you were watching the Giants’ 4th-quarter collapse to the Eagles, Patti Smith and R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe made a trip to the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, where they honored the 100th birthday of French writer/political activist Jean Genet with a “walk-in” performance in the middle of the museum. Stipe opened with a cover of David Bowie’s song about Genet, “The Jean Genie”, before Smith dropped a 20-minute improvisation of Genet’s biography.

Courtesy of the MoMA, you can watch the entire shindig above. Museum director Klaus Biesenbach’s account of the performance is also available at that link and is a must-read. Also, because we’re on the subject of Stipe-Smith collaborations, be sure to check out R.E.M.’s new studio album, Collapse Into Now, when it hits stores on March 9th. The two icons appear together on the album’s final track, “Blue”.

Watch: Beady Eye – “Four Letter Word”

Countless UK publications call Oasis’ 1994 debut, Definitely Maybe, one of the country’s greatest albums. Hell, in a 2006 poll, the album was even ranked ahead of Sgt. Pepper’s and Abbey Road as the best of all time. But according to Liam Gallagher, Different Gear, Still Speeding, the forthcoming debut from his post-Oasis outfit, Beady Eve, is “as good as Definitely Maybe, if not better.” We’ll have to take Liam’s word for it until the album drops February 28, 2011, via Beady Eye Records, but in the meantime, check out its latest single, “Four Letter Word”, in the above video.

Meanwhile, Milwaukee is still waiting for Noel to arrive.

Check Out: Eminem ft. Jay-Z, Dr. Dre, & 50 Cent – “Syllables”

2010 comes to an end with perhaps the most star-powered jam of the year. Below, check out the Eminem, Jay-Z, Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, Stat Quo, and Ca$his-featuring “Syllables”. No word on its origin, but we’re already dreaming of a “Swagga Like Us”-type performance at next year’s Grammys. Too bad our Artist of the Year couldn’t make it.

Dave Grohl, No Doubt, Steven Tyler honor Paul McCartney

Like Springsteen did last year, Paul McCartney made a trip to the Kennedy Center in the first week of December 2k10, where he was honored for “enriching, inspiring, and elevating the cultural vibrancy of our nation and the world.” Oprah was of course there, too. And much like how Springsteen was serenaded by a star-studded lineup of performers that included Eddie Vedder, Sir Macca received the royal treatment. A reunited No Doubt, Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl and songstress Norah Jones, American Idol‘s Steven Tyler (per the request of McCartney himself), and the equally legendary James Taylor and Mavis Staples all paid tribute to the music legend with renditions of his most noteworthy gems.

The shindig took place on December 5th but finally aired on CBS tonight. Above, you can watch No Doubt’s Beatles melody and Grohl and Jones dueting on ”Maybe I’m Amazed”. Below, find Steven Tyler’s Abbey Road tribute, as well as Taylor and Staples’ duet of “Let It Be”.

P.S. Just like Springsteen, McCartney awkwardly sang along. Sensing a trend?

Steven Tyler’s melody + James Taylor & Mavis Staples – “Let It Be”

Check Out: New Bright Eyes - ”Shell Games”

In a recent interview with Billboard, Conor Oberst suggested that his forthcoming Bright Eyes album, The People’s Key, would be a bit more “rocking” than some of his more recent efforts. Now you can hear what he means by streaming the album track “Shell Games” below. The track can also be downloaded here.

The 10-track People’s Key arrives February 15th via Saddle Creek Records. The album’s artwork can be found above and its tracklist below. Those who pre-order via iTunes will receive the non-album bonus track “Singularity”. Opt to send your money to Saddle Creek instead and you’ll earn “Singularity” as well as another bonus track, “In the Real World”.

Welcome back, Bright Eyes.

Flaming Lips to release new songs in every month of 2011

While The Flaming Lips have always had a penchant for turning heads, (remember when they used blood to print tour posters?) frontman Wayne Coyne has revealed that his band – which has released almost 20 albums since 1984 – probably won’t release an album in 2011. Instead, the new year will find the Lips releasing new songs every month while completely capturing the recording process on film.

“We just want to [release the material] some other way,” Coyne, 49, told Rolling Stone, “not that I think the old way was boring, but to spend another two years with the same 13 songs, it’s just like fuck.” While Coyne hasn’t completely ruled out physically releasing material, he says that the band wants to try to live through their music as they create it instead of having it be a collection of the last couple years of their lives.

He doesn’t know what method the Lips will utilize to distribute the material, but Coyne doesn’t seem keen on just releasing a song and video when a song is finished. “The dilemma is whether we’re going to release it on vinyl, cereal boxes, or some of it on toys we make,” he explained. “Sometimes the music is the simplest part of any of these things.” It all sound characteristically crazy, so while Coyne may be brainstorming ideas, it looks like all we’ll have to do in 2011 is sit back and enjoy the ride.

Underworld scores Frankenstein musical

When Underworld and director Danny Boyle decide to collaborate, good things usually result. Case in point: Trainspotting. So it’s understandable why Boyle has again tapped the UK electro legends for a project, this time in the form of his forthcoming Frankenstein musical. Though details remain limited, The Guardian reports that Underworld will be providing a “soundscore” to the adaptation, which is set to debut in London on February 5th, 2011. Tickets for the production are now on sale.

Green Day ready double-disc live set for March

Back in August, Billie Joe Armstrong hinted that Green Day would issue another live album. Now, it’s coming. Titled Awesome as Fuck, the double-disc set will include audio stripped from shows all across the world during the band’s 21st Century Breakdown Tour, in addition to a DVD, which will focus on their two shows in Tokyo, reports Green Day Authority. If you managed to catch their headlining performance at Lollapalooza this past summer, then you’ll know you’re in for a treat. Here’s hoping, however, that the album itself will feature some of the new tracks they sound-checked earlier this year. That’d be swell.

Whatever the case, we’ll be picking this up March 15th.

Damon Albarn to score Children’s film

Given how many other projects Damon Albarn has on his plate, it’s understandable why he may want to put Gorillaz to bed. In addition to his role at the 2012 London Games and rumors of a new Blur album, Albarn is now set to score a short film.

Albarn’s sister, Jessica, recently released a children’s book entitled The Boy In The Oak, and according to The Playlist, plans are already in the works for a star-studded film adaption. Big brother Damon will provide the music, acclaimed actor Jude Law will narrate, and Luke Losey (whose resume includes collaborations with Orbital and Mercury Rev) will serve as director.

The Playlist reports that the story “centers on a young boy who lives in a cottage with a big old oak tree out back. He doesn’t really care about the tree and certainly doesn’t know it is enchanted, but all that changes as the fairies living in the oak are about to cast a spell that will change his life forever.” Sounds pretty cute, and given the talent lining up to bring this one to life, we’re definitely curious.

The film’s official release date is still forthcoming, but screenings are expected to begin in Spring 2011.

Dispatch announces reunion tour

A new year means new reunions, and here’s our first: Vermont outfit Dispatch will reunite next summer for their first U.S. tour in nearly a decade. Though the celebrated trio has played a series of one-offs throughout the 2000s, the six-date leg will mark their first extensive road trip since disbanding in 2002. The fun is set to begin at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado, on June 4th, with stops in Chicago, Los Angeles, Harrison, NJ, Atlanta, and Boston to follow.

A fan ticket pre-sale will begin January 21st, with the general on-sale to follow on January 28th. A portion of all proceeds will go towards education programs in local communities.

As an added bonus, Dispatch is offering all four of their studio albums as free digitial downloads to fans who help spread the word about the tour via Twitter and Facebook. Click here for more details.

Dispatch 2011 Tour Dates:
06/04 – Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks
06/08 – Chicago, IL @ Millennium Park
06/11 – Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theare
06/18 – Harrison, NJ @ Red Bull Arena
06/21 – Atlanta, GA @ Chastain Park
06/25 – Boston, MA @ TD Garden

Queens of the Stone Age hit the studio

“Everybody seems excited and ready to go… We’ve got so many ideas started already; I guess we’ll see what turns out to be everybody’s favorite. It’s very much still (Josh Homme’s) band, but I think all of us really feel like we’ve found our space in it and can contribute to it as well.”

Though rumors of a new Queens of the Stone Age album have fit nicely alongside the band’s 2010 reissues, we now have official word that the follow-up to 2007′s Era Vulgaris is indeed on the way. In a new interview with Billboard, guitarist/keyboardist Dean Fertita confirmed that the band will begin recording their sixth LP in January. And 2k11 just got all that much more insane.

Thrill Jockey offers Matt Friedberger subscription

If you’re a bit overwhelmed by The Fiery Furnaces‘ plans to release 10 band-related albums in 2011, then we’re happy to report on a bit of a refuge from the musical storm. If you head over to Thrill Jockey Records, the group’s label, you can order all six albums in Matthew Friedberger‘s Solos series, plus two full-length bonus LPs featuring Friedberger and special guests, on vinyl to be shipped as they’re released. Because copious amounts of rock and roll isn’t worth it without convenience.

This offer, limited to just 700 sets, retails for $70 in the U.S. and is the only way to get each release, as they’re not being sold in record shops and other retailers. (eBay, on the other hand, might be a different story…) The first album, Napoleonette, ships in January and features Friedberger and piano music. After that, you can expect albums in March, May, July, September, and November. No word yet on what the others will be called, but the second LP will feature Friedberger being accompanied by a guitar.

If you can’t wait for your first release, you can always download the track “Shirley” here.

Did Usher plagiarize Homer Simpson?

Decide for yourself.

Like Springsteen did last year, Paul McCartney made a trip to the Kennedy Center in the first week of December 2k10, where he was honored for “enriching, inspiring, and elevating the cultural vibrancy of our nation and the world.” Oprah was of course there too. And much like how Springsteen was serenaded by a star-studded lineup of performers that included Eddie Vedder, Sir Macca also received the royal treatment. A reunited No Doubt, Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl and songstress Norah Jones, American Idol‘s Steven Tyler (per the request of McCartney himself), and the equally legendary James Taylor and Mavis Staples all paid tribute to the music legend with renditions of his most noteworthy gems.

The shindig took place on December 5th, but finally aired on CBS tonight. Above, you can watch No Doubt’s Beatles melody and Grohl and Jones dueting “Maybe I’m Amazed”. Below, find Steven Tyler’s Abbey Road tribute, as well as Taylor and Staples’ duet of “Let It Be”. Update: All the way at the bottom, you can find a semi-decent recording of McCartney’s video tribute.

P.S. Just like Springsteen, McCartney awkwardly sang along. Sensing a trend?

Steven Tyler’s melody + James Taylor & Mavis Staples – “Let It Be”

Video Tribute

Oh, and if you’re wondering, it was all McCartney’s idea. During an interview with 95.9 WATD last week, Tyler explained that he was “called up by McCartney and he asked me to sing the last four songs of Abbey Road, so i said ‘umm ok,’ doing it. So I’m headed down to the Kennedy honors in Washington.” To save you the Google search, those songs are “Golden Slumbers”, “Carry That Weight”, “The End”, and “Her Majesty”.

Other honorees that evening include Oprah Winfrey, Merle Haggard, choreographer/director Bill T. Jones, and composer/lyricist Jerry Herman.

Can’t make it to the festivities? PBS CBS will air the two-hour special on December 28th at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Also, if there’s going to be a little “you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours” action going on, Sir Paul, may we suggest “Love in an Elevator” as your song of choice?

We tell you that story only to inform the latest chapter in the band’s history: In an interview with SpinnerMusic.co.uk (via NME), drummer Joey Kramer announced that the band is going to be recording a new album. While Kramer feels it’s destiny, we’re probably thinking they’ll have to avoid conflicts with Tyler’s American Idol gig.

“Yeah, we’re going to make an album,” Kramer said. “That would be very special. I would like to see a record within a year from the Aerosmith boys. My brothers and I are destined to make another record in the next year or so.”

Kramer also added that the band would going for an old school sound (has Aerosmith’s sound changed in the last 30 years?) for the as-yet-nonexistent record. No further details about when to expect the record or where they’re recording were announced, but Kramer said the band is as united as ever, tossing in that the only thing that could stop them is the death of a band member.

Well, that might stop all the drama.

His solo debut appears in a strange place: Space Battleship Yamato, a Japanese sci-fi film based on a popular anime television series. Tyler contributed “Love Lives”, a very Aerosmith-ey ballad not too far from Armageddon’s “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing”. Apparently Tyler wrote the song after reading an English translation of the movie script and viewing a few clips.

“Love Lives” will be released as a single on November 24th, one week before the movie opens in Japan. There are no plans for release in America or Europe. Check out part of the tune in a trailer below, and see what you think about the definitely true fact that STEVEN TYLER QUITS AEROSMITH FOR CAREER IN JAPANIMATION.

Dear Mr. Tyler:

Thank you for wasting everybody’s time!

Have a great rest of the week!

It’s simple. Tyler’s people contacted Aerosmith’s people — after all, they’re probably familiar with one another — and the “sue” word was dropped. According to Billboard, who actually received the January 27th dated letter, Tyler’s attorney, Skip Miller, instructed that the band, “immediately cease and desist from engaging in acts and conduct to the harm and detriment of [their] own client, Aerosmith, and [their] client who is one of its members.” Basically, the four page letter states that Tyler has legal rights in this matter, and this could be damaging (which, let’s be honest, it really is). But don’t expect bloodshed.

“Steven Tyler does not want lawsuits,” Miller tells Billboard. “We do not want to go in that direction. The direction we want is Aerosmith, with Steven Tyler, touring in Europe, touring Latin America, releasing a new album…This is the direction it’s all intended to go. It’s just amazing to me current management would be taking any other position.”

Miller contends that Tyler, who’s currently being treated for pain killer addiction, has been writing songs for the band’s forthcoming studio album. He also insists that the lanky, straggly frontman will be ready for the band’s European dates scheduled for later this year. He just needs time right now.

“Can you imagine the manager of the Rolling Stones calling for the replacement of Mick Jagger,” Miller asks Billboard. “It’s just absurd… Tyler is very unique, distinctive. Steven is Aerosmith, along with the others. He’s the guy the public knows. He’s the singer. I’m blown away that the current manager would even suggest something like (replacing him).” We are too, Miller. We are too.

We’ll (obviously) dish out more as this unfolds…

“[Tyler] wants to take two years off from the band… The rest of the band wants to keep on working. We have so many different options to fill up that time. Anything is possible at this point. Basically, any communication that we’ve had over the last couple of months has been through managers, so that’s been pretty strange.”

Perry went on to add that Aerosmith, sans Tyler, is still considering touring and recording. As a result, they are looking for a new singer. Hopefully the search works out better than it did for Velvet Revolver.

We’re really happy that you’ve decided to remain with your band, but was the drama associated with the decision all that necessary? You see, just hours after you reportedly decided to leave the Boston outfit, (because you were on the “Pineapple Express”) and your former bandmates had already begun searching for your replacement, you, Mr. Tyler, decided to make a surprise appearance at Joe Perry’s solo performance in New York last night to announce that you weren’t really leaving the band. “I just want New York to know, I am not leaving Aerosmith,” you said (via NME), before turning to Perry and stating: “And Joe Perry, you are a man of many colors but I, motherfucker, am the rainbow!” Then, you led Perry & Co. in a rendition of “Walk This Way”.

As Seth and Amy would say, really, Steven? Really… really… really?

This appeared to have come to fruition on Friday (Nov. 7th), when guitarist Joe Perry announced the departure of Tyler in an interview the Las Vegas Sun.

“Steven quit as far as I can tell,” Perry said. “I don’t know any more than you do about it. I got off the plane two nights ago. I saw online that Steven said that he was going to leave the band. I don’t know for how long, indefinitely or whatever. Other than that, I don’t know.”

“He has had no contact with me or the other band members,” Perry added.

Of course, all this follows a series of back and forth between the former? bandmates. In recent weeks, guitarist Joe Perry has further complicated matters with offensive Tweets, causing Tyler to completely pull out of a South American tour planned for later this year. Also, did we mention that Tyler had been completely avoiding his fellow bandmates until their last three scheduled performances? Phew, that’s enough tension to force a cured drug addict back to hitting the sauce!

In attempts to relieve some tension, Tyler suggested last weekend, during Aerosmith’s performance at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, that he was considering moving ahead with a solo career. Tyler was later caught saying in an interview with Classic Rock Magazine, “I don’t know what I’m doing yet, but it’s definitely going to be something Steven Tyler: working on the brand of myself – Brand Tyler.”

It’s still surprising that the band’s internal affairs should ruin “The Bad Boys of Boston” entirely, especially when they haven’t shown us anything indicative of concern either on stage or out in public. However, since Tyler’s statement, the remaining band members have considered reconvening in the near future to calculate their next plan of action, sans Tyler. Their verdict can only mean one of two things: Aerosmith will be forced to announce a long hiatus or the band will decide to move forward with a new lead singer.

When asked, guitarist Brad Whitford disclosed, “I’m not sure how good that would look, it would largely depend on who we could get and who would want to do it. That’s big shoes to fill. Nobody could replace Steven or imitate him — he’s one of a kind. But if somebody was willing to do it and the chemistry was right, why not?”

Sheesh, let’s hope it doesn’t come to that, folks.

It appears that the holidays really are a time for joy, as two of the world’s greatest classic rock frontmen team up with a symphonic bombast, simply known as Trans-Siberian Orchestra. TSO’s annual fall tour means a double serving of conceptual rock operatics — comprised mostly of the band’s Christmas Eve record — and a side of “Orff meets electric” with much applause and fake snow for all. A treat this year stems from the recent news that Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and The Who’s Roger Daltrey (alongside Cheap Trick’s Robin Zander) would be guesting on the TSO Fall Tour 2009, which kicks off November 1st.

Due to a shoulder injury, however, Tyler’s summer touring stint with TSO had been pushed onto the winter scene giving us quite the spectacle to behold. Considering how stellar the 2008 performance looked from even the nosebleeds, we have no doubts that the added benefit of Tyler, Daltrey, and Zander will prove a mighty force in the land of fall/winter spectacles. Don ye now thy gay apparel, the three wise men are coming — in style, with choral singers and tux tails galore.

Find the complete and exhaustive list of Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s upcoming tour dates here. Then, get your tickets here.

Here’s to the upcoming holiday season!