Akerfeldt, singer/songwriter/guitar/driving force of Opeth, says touring is how the band became known outside of Sweden and how it built its following and reputation.

When Martin Sexton sings these days, he’s trying to make a difference, bringing attention to pervasive social and political issues while bringing a diverse audience together.

Black Lips make often chaotic, always entertaining, never-heard-on-the-radio, “flower punk” garage rock. So what were they thinking working with glitter-pop producer Mark Ronson?

'I don't really see those categories anymore,' he says. 'I think what Loretta Lynn did was as much soul music as what Aretha Franklin did. It was soul music from a different place. I don't see what rock 'n' roll artists are doing as much different from what country artists do.

"We worked on this for over a year," he says. "It feels like something that is ripe and ready to entertain. We really want to turn it loose. It's exciting [what has] happened with the single. Hopefully, that will be indicative of what the record will do."

Reverend Horton Heat wants his fans to know that he’s still the same psychobilly, even if his new album doesn’t sound like it. That CD, Laughin’ and Cryin’ with the Reverend Horton Heat, is filled with honky-tonk and rockabilly, but there’s not much punk to be found on the record, a rather dramatic departure for the good reverend.