Silly News: Paris Hilton Rap CD?
[We had to start off with this one today, it's just too funny.] Ananova reports: Paris Hilton is working with rapper Lil' Jon on tracks for her debut solo album. 

The rapper agreed to produce tracks for the as-yet-untitled album after the pair met at a party in a Los Angeles club. 

According to the New York Daily News, Hilton leaned over to Lil' Jon and began rapping in his ear. - Click Here for the Full Story 

Congress To Repeal DMCA
Wired News reports: If some in Congress get their way, you may soon be able to hack DVDs and CDs to get around copy protections and make as many copies of albums and movies as you want -- with no fear of the feds breaking down the door. 

A bill in the House of Representatives, HR107, would overturn a major provision of the controversial Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998, which bars consumers from circumventing encryption on digital media products, even if they only intend to make copies for personal use. 

The bill's sponsor, Rep. Rick Boucher (D-Virginia), already has 19 co-sponsors, including powerful House Commerce Committee Chairman Joe Barton (R-Texas). It's unlikely the bill will become law this year, but its proponents see the backing as a good sign. [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Weezer 05: The Long Overdue Album
Pitchfork reports: The day is drawing closer that anxious Weezer fans will finally bear witness to new material from the band. It's been more than two years since the group's last full-length, Maladroit, hit shelves in May 2002, and though the wait so far has been nothing compared to the five-year hiatus between Pinkerton and The Green Album, the group's ardent followers are, we hear, growing increasingly impatient. 

So it should come as a relief that frontman Rivers Cuomo has told Billboard that they expect the record, produced by Rick Rubin and to be released on Rubin's American Recordings label, to be completed by the end of August, with a tentative release date of first-quarter 2005. The record could potentially hit sooner, but Cuomo has decided to delay the release until the end of his semester at Harvard this fall. - Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: Pitchfork also has news on Ted Leo tours, new LP due in October, Radioinactive readies new LP, tours, The Gorge Trio plan west coast tour, Sonic Youth announce North American summer tour in support of Sonic Nurse and more click here to check it out

Linkin Park's Revolution
Xfm reports: Linkin Park have spoken exclusively to Xfm Online Drummer Rob Bourdon explains the band's manifesto for Projekt Revolution 2004. 

"The tour is about showcasing talent within each group's genre and music in general," Bourdon explains. "To my knowledge, [original Wu-Tang Clan member] Ghostface and M.O.P. don't usually do things like this with rock bands, so its great that you get to bring together a group of people who don't usually get to hang out or play together. 

"The main reason we wanted Korn and Snoop [on the bill] is that they have made such a big impact on music as a whole," he continued. "Ever since they came out people have been imitating them. They've changed the face of music today. 

"I think there are a lot of fans who are interested in these two different styles and would enjoy the bill we've put together." 

Following the summer tour, Linkin Park will be set to begin readying tracks for their third album. [see full story for more of this interview] - Click Here for the Full Story 

New York Dolls Rip Off
Xfm reports: Following their highly anticipated reunion show last night, the New York Dolls have been the victims of theft as a lyric book with "huge sentimental value" is stolen from the stage. Playing their first show together since the Seventies, the band had reformed at the special request of festival curator Morrissey. 

A spokesperson for the venue told Xfm that the lyric book belonging to the band was taken from the stage at the end of the show and due to the sentimental value of the item, they'd like it returned as quickly as possible. 

The band have asked that the book is returned to the venue, and no further questions will be asked. [see full story for more] - Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: Xfm also has news on Happy 15th Birthday XL Recordings, Kings Of Leon Complete New Album, The Beasties Take It To The Streets In NYC, A Announce Festival Warm Up Tour, �Heroes & Villains' Festival Annnounced, New Graham Coxon Single Unveiled and more click here to check it out

Jacko Miffed Over Leak
Reuters reports: Beleaguered pop star Michael Jackson on Thursday criticized the unknown person who leaked details of his reported $23 million settlement of a 1990s child molestation case to the media. 

"These kind of attacks and leaks seek to try the case in the press rather than to a jury who will hear all of the evidence and show that I did not and would not, ever, harm a child," the singer said in a statement posted on his Web site. 

CourtTv reported earlier this week that it had obtained confidential documents from the settlement, which showed that Jackson in 1994 agreed to set up a $15.3 million trust fund for the boy who had accused him of child molestation. [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Fans Say Goodbye To Ray Charles
BBC reports: The body of musician Ray Charles, who died last week aged 73, has gone on public display to allow thousands of his fans to pay their respects. 

Charles lies in repose in an open coffin adjacent to a black grand piano at the Los Angeles Convention Centre. 

Charles' publicist Eric Raymond said the star's family had requested he be put on display as a final tribute to his fans. 

More than 1,200 people are expected to attend his funeral later on Friday. [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Double Elvis
Reuters reports: Elvis Costello has set a Sept. 21 release date for the simultaneous release of two new albums. 

A new rock album will be issued by Lost Highway, while "Il Sogno," his first full-length orchestral work, will emerge via Deutsche Grammophon. [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

EU To OK Sony-BMG Merge?
AP reports: The European Union's antitrust chief decided Thursday to approve a merger between Sony Music and Bertelsmann AG's BMG music business after he couldn't find enough evidence that the deal would harm consumers to block it, sources familiar with the case said.- Click Here for the Full Story 

Randy Rhodes Figurine Announced
Electric Basement reports: KnuckleBonz, Inc. announced today their plans to create the RANDY RHOADS sculpture for the Guitar Hero limited edition collectible figure series. The Rhoads estate has licensed the rights to Randy's image and likeness, which permits the company to create this hi-end, limited edition resin sculpture. The figure is scheduled for release in October of 2004, with pre-ordering available late this summer. 

Randy Rhoads is considered to be one of the most talented and influential rock guitarists of all time. His work on the first two platinum selling OZZY OSBOURNE solo albums is legendary. Rhoads' combination of metal chops and classical mastery earned him a special place in rock history. [see full story for lots more] - Click Here for the Full Story 

Six Feet Under Covers
IAYM reports: Six Feet Under have now completed their upcoming new covers album "Graveyard Classics 2", which will see a release through Metal Blade on September 07th. [see full story for more] - Click Here for the Full Story 

Insolence Land Deal
IAYM reports: Insolence are currently working out a new record deal with Suburban Noize, which should mean their latest album "Stand Strong" will see a release outside of Japan in the not-too-distant future. The band will be heading out on tour in North America from August 10th with the Phunk Junkeez, Judge D and Mower. [more] - Click Here for the Full Story 

Oliveri Completes CD
IAYM reports: Mondo Generator frontman/ex-Queens Of The Stone Age bassist Nick Oliveri has now completed his forthcoming solo acoustic record "All Is Forgotten" and is eyeing a late August/early September release date for the effort through Duna. - Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: IAYM also has news on Sixtycycle updates, Fear Factory: "Mischief Invasion" soundtrack + more dates, Mastodon: "Leviathan" deluxe, Cold/Swan duet, Give Up The Ghost break up, Staind update , Soulfly/Ill Nino/Crisis: more additions and more click here to check it out

Jet Cancels Again
NMC reports: After Jet canceled part of its Australian tour in May due to "a serious family illness," fans wondered if the band would be able to tour this summer. 

Irish and UK fans breathed a sigh of relief when, at the beginning of June, Jet played six scheduled dates in Ireland, England and Scotland. However, the band was "forced to pull out" of its June 25 appearance at the Glastonbury Music Festival, and Jet also canceled a June 26 show in Germany. "Serious family illness" was again the cause for cancellation. According to the band's official UK web site, the members of Jet returned to Australia "to spend time with their families." The band and its management are keeping details about the family illness private at this time. [more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: NMC also has news on Hoobastank on Fantasy Island, Book Signing with Brandon Boyd, Ludacris Gets Key to the City, What Does Jane Think of Adam?, Kanye West MTV Special on 7/7 and more click here to check it out

Hendrix Sold
ArrowFM reports: What could be more decorative than some cool Jimi Hendrix memorabilia in your home? How about... nothing! This fact has been proven once again at a recent bidding auction where the copyright fort the guitarist's series of 18 artworks was the highest seller of the day, going for nearly eighty thousand dollars. The artwork itself was sold last year. A first edition recording of Burning of the Midnight Lamp sold for nearly forty thousand dollars. - Click Here for the Full Story 

Slash Sorry about GNR Fan Ripoff
ArrowFM reports: In a recent interview with The New York Post, the top hat toting guitarist spoke about his new band and the imminent destruction of the Guns. When asked if he has any regrets about Guns N' Roses, Slash says: "I feel bad about all the people who got ripped off by Guns N' Roses." When asked to clarify what he means, Slash says: "You know what I mean by that. The fans were so f---ing great. They embraced us, and a band couldn't have asked for more, and we let them down." When asked if lead singer Axl Rose is to blame for that, Slash says: "Nobody involved with Guns wants to blame Axl, but there's no one else to blame. That's a tough one." Come on, Slash, it's not that tough. Of course he's to blame!- Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: ArrowFM also has news on Dylan To Receive Honorary Degree, Ramones Guitarist Diagnosed With Cancer, Stevie Ray Vaughan Resurrected On DVD, Bono Invests With New Entertainment Firm, Two Fans Die At Bonnaroo Festival, Kravitz Saves Jagger's Joint and more click here to check it out

Less Than Jake B-sides
Knifeparty reports: Less Than Jake's next release B Is For B-Side is slated for a July 20th release. All the songs are unreleased and recorded during the recording of Anthem. [click full story link for more news from Knifeparty.com]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Beastie Boys Traffic Jam
NME reports: THE BEASTIE BOYS performed their current single 'CH-CHECK IT OUT' live on the streets of NEW YORK yesterday (June 16). 

The veteran rappers stopped rush hour traffic with the stunt, walking through the city, and straight onto the stage of �The Late Show With David Letterman'. - Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: NME also has news on Beach Boys legend Brian Wilson to make shock London appearance, Napster ups stakes in legal download war, New York Dolls play sensational comeback show in London, Kings Of Leon! Bobby Brown gets prison sentence and more click here to check it out

Motley Box
Metal Rules reports: MÖTLEY CRÜE will release the second four-CD box set installment of the band's complete history, "Music To Crash Your Car To, Volume II", on June 29 through Hip-O Records. 

Following the four-CD box set "Music To Crash Your Car To, Volume I", issued in late 2003, "Volume II" continues the tale through 1994. Along with three complete previously released albums, the collection adds the rare "Quaternary" EP, demos, alternate mixes and even a previously unreleased track � "Black Widow", from the sessions for 1983's "Shout At The Devil". Co-produced by the band's Nikki Sixx, and with each track digitally remastered, "Music To Crash Your Car To, Volume II" also boasts a package augmented by a comic book, poster and booklet with essay. [see the full story if you must have all the metals]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Moments in Grace Tour News
press release reports: Moments In Grace will be hitting the road with Finger Eleven and Thornley for a U.S. tour beginning on July 20th. Moments In Grace will be on the Vans Warped Tour from June 26th through July 11th. Their debut album Moonlight Survived will hit stores on August 17th through Salad Days/Atlantic.- Click Here for the Full Story 

ISC Time Again
press release reports: ISC's mission is to provide songwriters and musicians exposure in the international arena. Aside from the cash and prizes, ISC winners will also benefit from a promotional campaign that includes an annual compilation CD distributed to A&R executives, artist showcases at various conferences, air-play on ISCRadio, and more. 

Enter your songs now. Visit songwritingcompetition.com for updates, an entry form or to enter online.- Click Here for the Full Story 

Quiet Velvet For Kevin Dubrow
press release reports: Former Quiet Riot vocalist Kevin DuBrow and drummer Frankie Banali will reunite for 2 shows. The first show will be at the Hard Rock Hotel in Orlando, FL for the acclaimed "Velvet Sessions" series on Thursday, June 24 and in New York City on Monday, June 28 at the Crowbar. "After the show I did with Glenn Hughes at the House Of Blues in Orlando recently I was approached by the Hard Rock Hotel about doing more." says DuBrow. "My band are currently doing other things and the one thing I missed most about Quiet Riot was playing with Frankie Banali. Not only is he one of my dearest friends but he is in my opinion the best drummer out there. Add former Quiet Riot bassist Chuck Wright to the mix and you have the best and most innovative rhythm section I have ever worked with. It's not a Quiet Riot reunion, it's just old friends getting together for the right reasons- to play music they love." Former Warrant member Billy Morris will be on guitar.- Click Here for the Full Story 

2cents: But Everybody's Doin' It!
[It's Friday, time for Chuck DiMaria to give us his 2 cents. This week he takes on of the most debated issues in music-music downloading.] 

You know, this whole downloading thing has gotten real ugly. It started out as warnings, then stern warnings, then lawsuits levied on little people and the alienation of fans from certain artists along with the inevitable cries of "Sellout!" 

And who are the players in this Greek tragedy? Well, you've got the people who think that music is free over here, the record companies who say it isn't over there, and the artist caught in the middle, trying not to piss anyone off. 

(I want a nice, clean fight. No low punches. When I say break, you break.) 

But the question remains: Is downloading wrong? 

Being not only a consumer and a musician, but also someone gunning for a record deal (in a perfect world, that is), I'm in a strange position here; I see all sides of this story. 

And I got good news and bad news. 

Good news is you're right. All of you. Bad news is you're all wrong, too. 

Now, before you all start telling me to go perform an obscene act upon myself, just hear me out: 

On the one side, you got the consumers who are getting something for free and it's pretty hard to talk them out of giving that up. (Unless you resort to litigation.) The consumer's story is basically this: The artist is reaching a greater audience through downloading. There's more, of course, but that's the one I hear the most. That and, "Hey, dumbass, it's free!" Well, maybe what they mean is music is supposed to be free. (Let's go with that and give them the benefit of the doubt, shall we?) 

On the other side you've got the record companies who don't want anyone horning in on their profits. (Please note that I said THEIR profits and not THE ARTIST'S profits. More on that later�) 

Lastly, you have the artist, and all he wants is to play music and not get dropped by the record label, all while hopefully earning a sweet paycheck because, to be totally honest with you, having a day job sucks. 

And in case any of you were wondering, there isn't going to be a happy ending here. 

[that's 1 cent, click the full story link for the other cent and to leave your 2 cents in the Fan Speak] - Click Here for the Full Story