Hoobastank is the latest hard rock band to join Spotify's prestigious BILLIONS CLUB, a playlist compiling every song to cross 1 billion in worldwide streams on the platform, with "The Reason."  The rock radio anthem appears on the band's double-platinum sophomore album of the same name, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.  "The Reason" (certified 4x platinum in 2021) joins a handful of hard rock and metal songs to cross the 1 billion mark on Spotify.  2024 additions include:  Nickelback "How You Remind Me" (two weeks ago)  Aerosmith "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" (two weeks)  Måneskin "I

Longtime host Lou Brutus and Programming and Content Director Randy Hawke acquired HardDrive Radio (including HardDrive and HardDrive XL) from its longstanding partners, United Stations Media Networks/Gemini XIII. The news comes via a press release from the duo's newly formed company, BruteHawk Industries.  BruteHawke Industries also announced a strategic sales and distribution partnership with USMN/Gemini XIII.  "The new partnership is perfect. It allows all of us to focus on what we do best," said Brutus. "We will continue to crush the world with loud music and the finest rock star interviews known to mankind, as well as lay waste to what

FROM ASHES TO NEW enters the Top 10 on this week's Mediabase Active Rock chart with "Barely Breathing."  Lines Of Loyalty and Black Veil Brides have the biggest moves up the chart. Lines Of Loyalty’’s “Hurts To Be Human” (C3&B Entertainment) moves from No. 41 to No. 36, while BVB’s “Bleeders” (Spinefarm) jumps from No. 36 to No. 31.    The Active Rock Top 40 also sees upward movement for Godsmack, Five Finger Death Punch, NOTHING MORE, Billy Morrison & Ozzy Osbourne, HARDY, The Warning, Motley Crue, Sleep Theory, Daughtry, Sum 41, Bad Omens, Wage War, Tim Montana, P.O.D., Fame

Jon Wysocki, founding member of STAIND, passed away at age 53.  The former drummer for STAIND's death was confirmed in a May 18 social media post from his most recent band, Lydia's Castle:  “On 5/18/2024 at 8:02 pm, Jon Wysocki passed away surrounded by family and friends that loved him dearly." 

Townsquare Media recently made a deal to sell three upstate New York classic rock stations to Family Life Ministries Radio.  The stations include the classic rock simulcast of WTBD, Delhi, NY (97.5); WDHI, Delhi, NY (100.3); and WIYN, Deposit, NY (94.7). Townsquare applied to the FCC for STA (Special Temporary Authority) requests for those three signals in January. “Due to economic conditions in the market, the licensee was forced to take the station off the air temporarily,” Townsquare Media wrote.  Family Life Ministries Radio acquired the stations for a reported $150,000.  Family Life owns FM stations in upstate New York.

ONI, the Active Rock band fronted by Jake Oni, premiered a brand new single, "Control."  "Control" was written by Oni and producer Josh Gilbert, the former bassist for As I Lay Dying and current bassist in Spiritbox.  After an exclusive debut via Sirius XM's Octane, "Control" is now available via YouTube and streaming DSPs.  ONI's most recent album, The Silver Line, arrived last year. The band's touring history includes treks with Megadeth, Gojira, and Devin Townsend. 

Anthony "Roach" Proffitt, a 16-year Southwest Florida Rock market fixture, has left Fort Myers' Rock 103.3.  In a Facebook post shared last week, Roach wrote: "I'm sorry to say that Rock 103.3 is no longer part of rock radio in Southwest Florida."  Sun Broadcasting launched Rock 103.3 on W377AP Bayshore/93.7 WHEL-HD2 Sanibel/Fort Myers in March 2022, overseen by Roach, former 93X WXNX Program Director. (Sun flipped WXNX to Country in September 2020.)  Roughly two years later, Sun has now flipped 103.3 to Sports.  "We left on amicable terms," Roach told #HAPPENS Shawn Alexander. Roach can be reached at his company,