MTV Plans Gay Channel
CNN reports: MTV Networks said Tuesday it will launch a new cable network that carries programs primarily aimed at gay and lesbian viewers. 

MTV, owned by Viacom Inc., said the new cable network, called LOGO, will be advertiser-supported and is scheduled to make its basic cable debut in February. 

Content on the new network will be comprised of about 25 percent originally developed shows, with the remainder coming from outside sources, according to Reuters. - Click Here for the Full Story 

Courtney Pleads Guilty
Reuters reports: Closing one chapter in a troubled period in her life, rock star Courtney Love pleaded guilty on Tuesday to being under the influence of cocaine and agreed to enter drug treatment. 

Under the plea deal reached in Los Angeles Superior Court, the 39-year-old former lead singer for Hole will be spared any jail time and have the conviction removed from her record if she completes the treatment program, prosecutors said. 

In exchange for her guilty plea, prosecutors agreed to drop a charge of disorderly conduct stemming from her arrest last October. 

If she fails to complete the program or violates the terms of her probation, the singer will be required to serve at least 90 days in jail, prosecutor Jerry Baik said. [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Gone Phish'ing
Boston Herald reports: Vermont jam band Phish said yesterday it will break up after a tour that includes shows Aug. 10-11 at the Tweeter Center in Mansfield and ends at the Aug. 14-15 Coventry fest at Vermont's Newport State Airport. 

Bandleader Trey Anastasio broke the news on the band's Web site yesterday, saying he met with the other band members last Friday ``to talk openly about the strong feelings I've been having that Phish has run its course and that we should end it now while it's still on a high note. 

``By the end of the meeting,'' he wrote, ``we realized that after almost 21 years together we were faced with the opportunity to graciously step away in unison, as a group, united in our friendship and our feelings of gratitude.'' 

He added, ``We don't want to become caricatures of ourselves, or worse yet, a nostalgia act.'' [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Madonna Denies Death Threats
Much Music reports: Madonna has cancelled three dates in Israel because of violence in the region, but the singer has denied reports that the cancellations are due to death threats against her and her family. The singer told reporters, "If I had my way, I'd go. My manager wouldn't let me." Madonna had been scheduled to perform three shows in Tel Aviv, including a televised concert on September 11th. - Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: Much Music also has news on MMVA Nods and Guests , MJ Flight Risk? , Snoop To Divizzle, P. Diddy Retires? click here to check it out

Green Day Opera?
Aversion reports: Green Day's next album may contain a mini rock opera, according to Billboard. 

The band's next album, American Idiot, due out Sept. 14 from Reprise, may include a nine-minute mini-rock opera titled "Suburban Jesus" that includes segments "I Don't Care," "City of the Damned," "Dearly Beloved" and "Tales From Another Broken Home." [more] - Click Here for the Full Story 

Cancer Hits Velvet Teen
Aversion reports: The Velvet Teen's drummer announced he was leaving the band immediately to seek treatment for a brain tumor. 

After struggling with a mystery illness for months, Logan Whitehurst was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He will go under the knife today (May 26) to have the tumor removed. He's hoping for a quick recovery. [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: Aversion also has news on Blood Brothers Announce Tour, CD, New Order Returns to Roots on Next CD, New Used Confuses Literalists in August, Franz Ferdinand Announces Single, Jawbox Albums Get Re-Release and more click here to check it out

Telsa Scorpions Tour?
Blabbermouth reports: TESLA are rumored to be planning an eight-week U.S. tour with the SCORPIONS starting mid-October. A three-band bill is reportedly being planned, with TESLA occupying the middle slot and an as-yet-undisclosed opener. No further information is currently available.- Click Here for the Full Story 

Van Halen Update
Blabbermouth reports: MelodicRock.com is reporting that VAN HALEN's "The Very Best of Van Halen" is slated for release on July 20 through Warner Bros. The set will feature three new songs, "It's About Time", "Up for Breakfast" and "Learning To See", featuring vocalist Sammy Hagar, who has rejoined the group eight years after an acrimonious departure. Liner notes for the compilation have been provided by David Wild of Rolling Stone magazine. In addition, Van Halen News Desk (VHND) is reporting that a Warner Bros.' source has confirmed that the first single from the set, "It's About Time", will be released to radio on Wednesday, May 26.- Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: Blabbermouth also has news on BLACK FLOOD DIESEL , THE PROPHECY, THE BELONGING, MEGADETH , TOMMY LEE, KITTIE BEHEMOTH, METALLICA, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, FLOTSAM AND JETSAM, FIVE STAR PRISON CELL and more click here to check it out

Lars Bio
BW&BK reports: According to a posting at METALLICA's website, coming to stores in Denmark on June 1st will be the first official biography on drummer Lars Ulrich. Including interviews with close personal friends and family, the book details Lars life growing up in Denmark through the current Madly in Anger tour. [see full story for tons of details but no pot or pans]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: BW&BK also has news on MEGADETH, AEROSMITH, FLOTSAM AND JETSAM, ANNIHILATOR, SEPULTURA, BW&BK / ICED EARTH "Controversy", WARRANT, VOODOOLAND and more click here to check it out

Wes Borlan Get Mellowdrone
siN's metal news reports: ex-LIMP BIZKIT guitarist Wes Borland has updated his recently developed, designed, brand new website with the following update: 

"Hello WB.net is up and running. I'm going into the studio on June 1st to begin the process of making the collection of songs I have into a record. Danny Lohner and Josh Eustis (from Telefon Tel Aviv) are coming along for the ride. Jon Bates from Mellowdrone is coming in later in the month and I may be getting a very very special guest to be on the record that I'll travel to Australia to record. Looks like it's going to be a great summer." - Click Here for the Full Story 

shameless plug.. have you heard the new mellowdrone ep 'go get em' tiger'? If not, you should check out the free mp3 for 'worst song ever' on mellowdrone.com 

Source: siN's metal news also has news on Megadeth - 20 shows in North America, the world still TBA, Flotsam and Jetsam sign to Crash Music, Lamb of God, Diviance, Throwdown, Slipknot, PUSHED, Crisis video up! and more click here to check it out

Boss Kills Auction
E! reports: [follow up from a story yesterday] Yes, we all know he was born in the U.S.A., but Bruce Springsteen wants to keep the more intimate details of his birth to himself, thank you very much. 

Lelands Auction House has nixed a planned online auction of the previously private medical records from the Boss's 1949 birth. The move comes after Springsteen's legal pals persuaded the auction house to hand over the goods. - Click Here for the Full Story 

Megadeth Release Date
IAYM reports: Megadeth's as-yet-untitled new album is tentatively due out in stores on September 28th through Sanctuary.- Click Here for the Full Story 

Sw1tched On
IAYM reports: Cleveland's Sw1tched have resurrected their official website www.sw1tched.net, bringing with it an update on all the projects the group's members are currently involved with. Despite all these distractions, they claim "SWITCHED DID NOT BREAK UP GOD DAMMIT!", - Click Here for the Full Story 

Boy Hits Car Keep On
IAYM reports: Despite announcing that they had split up earlier this year, Boy Hits Car have begun work on a new album, which they are currently recording in their hometown of Los Angeles, California. The outing will contain contributions from all four members of their current line-up, however following the completion of the recording process, guitarist Louis Lenard and drummer Johnny Ransom will be exiting the fold as previously reported. [more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: IAYM also has news on Crisis: 'Blood Burden' video, ISOR / 5ive's Continuum Research Project UK tour, coMA Kai, Strata, Daughters/Army Of Flying Robots UK tour, "Working Class Rock Star" DVD, Disturbed/Damageplan: summer shows Kittie: new material online and more click here to check it out

Sheryl Crow on the Silver Screen
NMC reports: Sheryl Crow's already performed on an airplane. Now she's taking her act to the big screen. 

"The First Cut is the Deepest" singer appears in the new movie, "De-Lovely," starring Kevin Kline and Ashley Judd. The film tells the life story of American composer Cole Porter.. [see full story for more- Click Here for the Full Story 

D12 Sans Eminem
NMC reports: D12 will hit the road next month to support their latest release, "D12 World," but someone will be missing. 

MTV reports that The Dirty Dozen will tour without Eminem. However a D12 representative "left it open" that Eminem might surprise fans on certain dates. [see full story for dates, if your still interested. Maybe they will get Vanilla Ice to fill in?]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: NMC also has news on Hoobastank, The Blackeyed Peas, Kanye West Punk'd, J-Kwon, Five for Fighting, 311 and more click here to check it out

Crosby & Nash... Stills Who?
ArrowFM reports: Two thirds of Crosby, Stills & Nash will release a double-CD set that will simply be called Crosby-Nash. The collection will feature 20 tracks and is scheduled for an August 10th release. [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Aerosmith Orchestra?
ArrowFM reports: Rock veterans Aerosmith are in talks to perform with the famed Boston Pops at their annual Independence Day concert. Even though nobody has confirmed the news, a source close to the band says that Steven Tyler, Joe Perry and the rest of the Boston band might be rocking with Keith Lockhart and the Pops in front of hundreds of thousands of fans on the Esplanade and a national TV audience. Besides integrating such tunes as "Dream On" and "Don't Want To Miss A Thing" with the orchestra, the band is also considering "crazy arrangements" with such harder rocking tunes as "Back in the Saddle." [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: ArrowFM also has news on The World's Smelliest Celebs, Save The Red Rocks!, Pete Townshend Back On Top, Densmore Honored For Documentary Film, Richards Rocks The House At Small Gig, and more click here to check it out

Libertines Complete New CD
Pitchfork reports: Just in time for the garage-rock revival to go the way of the Latin explosion, British pub-rockers The Libertines have completed the follow-up to their 2002 Rough Trade debut, Up the Bracket (incidentally Pitchfork's #51 album of 2003). Once again working with producer/ex-punk Mick Jones, the new album is said to showcase a more mature version of the band. [see full story for comments on the new CD from the band]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: Pitchfork also has news on Björk at work on two new albums- four live CDs to be released next week, Jawbox albums to be reissued, Black Keys to burn Rubber this fall and more click here to check it out

Busy Bjork
Xfm reports: The diminutive Icelandic star has confirmed that she will release two new studio albums worth of material in the near future. As well as the follow-up(s) to 2001's 'Vespertine' Bjork will also re-issue her discography in live form. 

According to reports, Björk is currently in the process of completing her next studio album. Originally planned for a late-2004 release, it seems that the album, rumoured to be entitled 'The Lake Experience', may now not be released before the end of the year. [see full story for more] - Click Here for the Full Story 

Doves Prep New CD
Xfm reports: Manchester three-piece Doves are close to completing their third studio album, the follow-up to 'The Last Broadcast' and have spoken about its progress. The band also found time to join New Order on stage to remember Manchester legend and former manager, Rob Gretton. 

The band have confirmed that they have already completed nine tracks for the album and set a release date of February 2005. 

"We've got eight or nine recorded and mixed already," lead singer and bassist Jimi Goodwin told 6music. "We're just gonna keep writing. We're having a month off to write two or three more and we've got four more we've recorded but not mixed. [see full story for more] - Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: Xfm also has news on Glasto Sells Out In Hours (Again), Love Music Hate Racism Gig Expands, Impromptu Remix Party This Sunday, Starsailor Release Heaviest Single and more click here to check it out

Enuff Z'nuff Battle On
Day in Rock reports: First the bad news, Enuff Z'nuff drummer Ricky Parent has been diagnosed with cancer. Ricky is heading to New York to receive treatment. Chip Z'nuff is setting up a benefit show at the Double Door in Chicago to help raise money for Ricky's treatment. It is possible that the full band will perform (with lead vocalist/ chief songwriter Donnie Vie) at the event, if Donnie can make it back to Chicago (he currently resides in Los Angeles). Meanwhile, the band will continue with their currently planned dates with Supermint drummer Randi Scott filling in (and of course lead guitarist pulling double duty on vocals). 

The good news for fans is the new studio CD was completed last week. Donnie was very much a part of the project and the disc also features guest appearances from original guitarist and drummer Derek Frigo and Vik Foxx. A release date has not yet been set. Click on the full story link to visit the Enuff Z'nuff site for updates on the benefit show, Ricky's progress and the upcoming album. - Click Here for the Full Story 

Keri Kelli's Musical Chairs
Keri Kelli official website reports: Keri [Kelli]will be performing with Vince Neil on his forthcoming US tour. Keri will be taking Jason Hook's place in the band since Jason has left to join Hilary Duff. European fans should take note that this means Keri will not be touring with Adler's Appetite on their upcoming European tour. [Keri just finished a string of UK dates with Love/Hate]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Dallas Doesn't Rock
trek at Radio That Doesn't Suck reports: Ever since I moved to Dallas 3 years ago, shortly before the 9/11 tragedies, my radio dial was firmly set to two stations, 97.1 the Eagle, and 102.1 the Edge. I was in my teenage "crisis identity" years. First I would like punk music, then hard rock, then death metal. I didn't know what I wanted. As the winter of 2001 slowly progressed, my tastes changed from punk to metal. The Eagle became my station. I would have nothing else as far as out local radio stations went. However, the Edge stayed on my alarm clock out of mere habit. 

On Wednesday May 5, 2004, 97.1 played "Here Comes the Sun" by the Beatles. At first I thought the Eagle was playing a joke. Then I saw the website. 

It had gone from a hard rocking station to "Sunny" 97.1, one of the Eagle's cookie cutter oldies stations. At first I was incredulous. Then angry. Then sad. This station I had listened to for the past 3 years, the DJs who I had associated with my local music scene, were no more. 

They had shot the Eagle. [see full story for more including a rant against the station's owner Clear Channel] - Click Here for the Full Story