According to BW&BK, WINGER has been busy with their new release, Winger IV (Shrapnel Records).

An album with emphasis on the Military and leaving politics at the door, Kip had a vision to support the American troops that are standing ground in Iraq. “I had been doing solo shows at Military bases and in speaking with many of the soldiers, it touched me”, explains Kip. "One day I woke up and knew what I wanted to do for an album so I called up Reb to start writing."

All music and lyrics by Winger guitarist Reb Beach and vocalist/bassist Kip Winger, the album examines what it must be like if it was us over in Iraq and realities of war. Winger's lyrics were motivated by playing for the Military at the bases and wanting to capture the lyrics from the perspective of the soldier. Songs like 'Generica', 'M16' and 'Blue Suede Shoes' are some of the military inspired songs seen though the eyes of a soldier at war.

The album artwork is handled by Ethan Van Sciver who wanted to put in his part for the Military – Sciver is a renowned DC Comic book artist and penciler who has contributed (among others) to Cyberfrog, New X-Men, The Flash: Iron Heights and Impulse. The album art depicts the Military's finest, protecting with guardian angels that are representative of our prayers we send.

Winger will hit the road beginning January 24th on a five-week headline tour of North America.

Currently scheduled dates include:

December
31 - Station Square - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

February
1 - Mulcahy's - Long Island, New York
2 - Harper's Ferry - Boston, Massachusetts
3 - Stone Pony - Asbury Park, New Jersey
7 - Amos' Southend - Charlotte, North Carolina
10 - The Culture Room - Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
11 - State Theater - St. Petersburg, Florida
12 - Mojo Room - Port St. Lucie, Florida
16 - Alrosa Villa - Columbus, Ohio
17 - Harpo's - Detroit, Michigan
18 - House Of Blues - Chicago, Illinois
23 - Jake's Tavern - Gilette, Wyoming
24 - Hubba's House of Rock & Roll - Denver, Colorado

March
2 - Velvet Jones - Santa Barbara, California
3 - Galaxy - Anaheim, California
5 - Metal Skool at Key Club - Los Angeles, California
8 - The Palladium - Dallas, Texas
9 - Scout Bar - Houston, Texas

Source BW&BK

D'MOLLS members Billy Dior (a.k.a. Billy McCarthy ; drums), Desi Rexx (vocals, guitar), Lizzy Valentine (bass), and S.S. Priest (guitar) have cancelled their previously announced 16-year reunion show, which was to take place on January 22, 2007 at the Key Club in West Hollywood, California as the opening act for METAL SKOOL . No reason was given for the cancellation.

As previously reported, Billy McCarthy is expected to reveal more details about his next book, "Beat Me 'til I'm Famous" , soon. Billy 's debut novel, "The Devil of Shakespeare" , was published in 2004.

Source BBM

Eddie Van Halen spoke to Guitar World magazine about the current status of VAN HALEN following the departures of vocalist Sammy Hagar and bassist Michael Anthony .

Rumors continue to swirl that original singer David Lee Roth , who was replaced by Hagar in the mid-1980s, will return to the fold, despite years of enmity. Roth , who has recently worked as a radio DJ and a paramedic, told Billboard.com in May that he saw it "absolutely as an inevitability."

"I'm telling Dave , 'Dude, get your ass up here and sing, bitch! Come on!'" Eddie told Guitar World . "As it stands right now, the ball is in Dave 's court. Whether he wants to rise to the ocassion is entirely up to him, but we're ready to go."

Eddie has brought his 15-year-old son, Wolfgang , into VAN HALEN as the veteran rock band's new bass player. Father and son, along with Eddie 's drummer brother Alex , have been rehearsing for a 2007 tour.

" Wolfgang breathes new life into what we're doing," said Eddie . "He brings youthfulness to something that's inherently youthful. He's only been playing bass for three months, but it's spooky. He's locked tight and puts an incredible spin on our shit. The kid is kicking my ass! He's spanking me now, even though I never spanked him. To have my son follow in my footsteps on his own, without me pushing him into it, is the greatest feeling in the world."

Source Guitar World