Amy Lee Vs. Britney
Blabbermouth reports: [Not really news but it's funny] Goth Boy of WNCI interviewed EVANESCENCE singer Amy Lee at their show in Columbus, Ohio. Lee voiced her disgust with the great weather, hoping for rain to depress the event. Lee listed black as her favorite color, followed by deep purple, then she put Britney Spears on blast. Asked if she ever met Britney in a dark alley, how would she beat her up, Lee responded, "First I would take my corset off and strangle her around her big gymnast neck, then I would poison her the way Snow White was poisoned in the fairy tales, and then afterwards I would dye her hair back to the original color." Asked what color would that be, Lee responded, "Puke green." They then wrapped up singing "I Caught A Little Baby Bumblebee". - Click Here for the Full Story 

Van Halen Cancer Was Worst Than Reported
Blabbermouth reports: According to Launch Radio Networks, VAN HALEN drummer told the Dutch newspaper Telegraaf that things were much more serious than anyone let on when Eddie Van Halen was being treated for cancer back in 2001. "We were used to planning things ahead with the band...but now, we had to live by the hour. At a certain time, things were so bad, we didn't even know if Eddie would be with us in three months." Alex also said, "Eddie always knew he would get better. I didn't. I was more pessimistic...All we had in those difficult times was our music. It was therapy. We played for months and months working on new songs. That's why it is so great to see us now, we are stronger then ever." [see full story for more] - Click Here for the Full Story 

Soundtrack To War
Blabbermouth reports: "VH1 News Presents: Soundtrack to War", premiering Wednesday, August 18 at 9:00 p.m. introduces, through personal testimonies, the young and talented men and women experiencing the hell of war, and using music as inspiration while bullets fly. Australian filmmaker George Gittoes bypassed U.S. military chaperones to gain unprecedented access to the soldiers on the frontlines of Baghdad, who confided in Gittoes how various songs help psyche them up before battle, such as DROWNING POOL's "Bodies", MYSTIKAL's "Round Out tha Tank", and OUTKAST's "BOB (Bombs Over Baghdad)". "Soundtrack to War" also showcases spontaneous music performances, without rehearsal, under the blaring Iraqi sun, surrounded by the spirit of a destroyed city. Here, the nation's military proves to be gifted performers, in genres that include R&B, country, gospel and even metal. [see full story for lots more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: Blabbermouth also has news on CRADLE OF FILTH To Tour North America With MUDVAYNE, TYPE O NEGATIVE And AMORPHIS To Team Up For U.S. Tour?, W.A.S.P. Cancel Ottawa Show THE DARKNESS Asked To Sign Dead Dog, METALLICA's LARS ULRICH Explains His Passion For Art and more click here to check it out

Sparta Injury
Aversion reports: Sparta drummer Tony Hajjar will sit out the rest of his band's tour with Incubus with an injured arm. 

Hajjar injured his arm Sunday (Aug. 8), in "daily intramurals" with tour mates Incubus. After an examination, Hajjar was told to lay off the drumming for a week. 

Incubus drummer Jose Pasillas and bassist Ben Kenney rescued Sparta from tour disaster, however. The pair will share Hajjar's spot on the stool so the act can finish its commitment to open for Incubus through Tuesday (Aug. 17). - Click Here for the Full Story 

Anti-Flag Go Major?
Aversion reports: Anti-Flag is the object of intense major-label interest, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. 

The Journal reported that, according to the band's lawyer, Sony, Sire, Columbia and RCA Records are all offering the band piles of cash to release its next record; some offers top $500 thousand for a one-off record contract. [see full story for more, plus a look at the irony of this happening] - Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: Aversion also has news on Pete Doherty Skips Court, Beach Boys Songs Go to Broadway, Vagrant Signs Emanuel, Hot Hot Heat Gets Busy on New CD, Tanya Donnely to Record Semi-Live and more click here to check it out

Walkmen Walk Away From UK Fests
NME reports: THE WALKMEN have pulled out of the CARLING WEEKEND: READING AND LEEDS FESTIVALS due to touring commitments in the US. [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Doherty Pulls A Courtney
NME reports: LIBERTINES guitarist PETE DOHERTY has failed to turn up for a court appearance this morning. 

Doherty was due to make an appearance at Thames Magistrates Court this morning (August 10), where he's facing a charge of possession of an offensive weapon. 

A spokesperson for the singer told NME.COM: "Unfortunately Pete was unable to turn up for court today, he has a severe case of gastroenteritis. The case has been postponed for a week." [more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Pete should hook up with Courtney, talk about a match made in rehab--or rather for rehab!

Source: NME also has news on Spectacular end to Benicassim, The Others dedicate new single to Pete Doherty, Polyphonic Spree in bomb scare, Ash fan - body found, Scissor Sisters reveal all about Kylie collaboration and more click here to check it out

Headbangers Ball Tour
siN's metal news reports: MTV2's Headbangers Ball Tour is coming back this fall with CRADLE OF FILTH and MUDVAYNE co headlining. Other bands rumored for the bill are HIMSA, SATYRICON, LACUNA COIL, and BLEEDING THROUGH. - Click Here for the Full Story 

Nightwish Miss Gigs Over Visa Issue
siN's metal news reports: Finland's NIGHTWISH has posted the following message on their official website: 

"Unfortunately the shows in Toronto, Montreal and Philadelphia had to be cancelled due to visa problems. 

"Our US Visa applications were filed early enough at the end of March 2004, so the U.S. Immigration Office is the one responsible for not being able to handle these applications within this 4, 5 months of time. There was never anything we could have done but wish for some co-operation from their side. The result is as seen...." [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Not to nitpick but when did Toronto & Montreal become part of the U.S.? Maybe that was the problem?

Source: siN's metal news also has news on Type O Negative To Tour In November, With Amorphis?, Impaled Or The Chasm To Tour With Mortician, Akercocke, Korn Release Greatest Hits Tracklisting , Dillenger Escape Plan #1 On CMJ, Rotting Christ Finalizes Tracklisting and more click here to check it out

Robin Black Raising The Bar For Rock?
Chart Attack reports: "I f**king hate video shoots." 

So grumbles Starboy, Robin Black's surly rhythm guitarist, on the set of the shoot for the glam band's newest music video. Robin f***ing Black has a different opinion. "I like video shoots. I get to look pretty, rock out, dance, shake my ass, and everyone gets to watch. Video shoots were made for me." 

The video is for "Over You," the first single off the album that Black swears will be "the new bar by which all rock albums are measured." While the crew rushes to find a substance to darken Black's blue hair � it's causing problems with the blue screen filming � Black himself is busy promising that this new album will be their defining work. "I've been touring and rocking out for over nine years now, and I've learned that you've got two options: Learn to write a good song or get the f*** out of the way. And this next album of ours is going to have people picking their jaws and balls up off the floor." [see full story for more... ]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Wait was this an interview with The Darkness?

Source: Chart Attack also has news on Babyface Continues American Voter Mania With New A, Bottleneck Slide Across Canada, Dave Davies, Ronald Isley And William Lee Golden, Korn Celebrate Their First 10 Years, Do Cameo Cover, Pearl Jam Eye New Album, Keep On Rockin' For Change and more click here to check it out

Donnas Go For The Gold
MTV reports: After spending the night, Bay-area babes the Donnas are going for the gold. The quartet's sixth album, The Gold Medal, slated for an October 26 release, will be prefaced by the single "Fall Behind Me." A video will be shot Friday in Los Angeles.- Click Here for the Full Story 

Cobain Movie
MTV reports: No one really knows what happened during Kurt Cobain's final days, despite � or perhaps because of � all the conspiracy theories. Director Gus Van Sant doesn't know either, but for his next film, "Last Days," he's imagining what someone in Cobain's position might have experienced. 

"There are a lot of hypotheses about what happened, but I don't know of any full eyewitness account, just tiny momentary ones," Van Sant said. "Everyone has a different opinion, but there's not one true, authoritative account. He was just kind of missing." 

He started playing with the idea of "Last Days" soon after Cobain's death, but he took his time getting the cast and location figured out for the project, which recently wrapped shooting in New York and will be released next year via HBO Films and Fine Line Features. He almost started shooting it two years ago as a relatively low-budget film, but he "got scared" and did "Elephant" instead, winning Best Director and the Golden Palm at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival. [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: MTV also has news on Missy, Brandy, Omarion, Mary J., Jadakiss On Pro-Vote Single, Shyne Album Inspired By Supermodel Shoes, Pacino Films, Modest Mouse Rock New York � Grudgingly, Cause Of Rick James' Death Still Uncertain After Autopsy, Fefe Dobson Lets Her '80s Love Show On New Single and more click here to check it out

Tony Mottola RIP
AP reports: Tony Mottola, a guitarist who played with Frank Sinatra and on NBC's "The Tonight Show" over the course of a 50-year career, has died. He was 86. 

Mottola died Monday at Saint Clare's Hospital of complications from double pneumonia and stroke. [see full story for lots more] - Click Here for the Full Story 

Kirk Hammet: 'Movie Went Too Far'
Electric Basement reports: In an in-depth interview with Electricbasement.com, METALLICA guitarist KIRK HAMMET conceded that the new Metallica documentary, Some Kind of Monster, pushed the limits on documenting the band's recent activisyt, such as the infighting, therapy and more, "...To be truthful I think it is all overboard. It all went too far. I mean, everything, every aspect of it went too far, but that is what makes it what it is. It's a very extreme movie. It is extreme in the depth that it attains. You know, it is extreme in the way we opened ourselves up to the cameras. I mean, it's extreme in all the events that were, you know, brought into our lives. It is just, it's just all extreme and all went too far, and that's what, I guess that's just like part of the drama of being, you know, human." [see full story for the entire interview] - Click Here for the Full Story 

Dio Toys
Electric Basement reports: Why should Ozzy Osbourne be the only Black Sabbath vocalist to be immortalized as an action figure? The Ozzman's late-1970s replacement, former Rainbow, Elf, and Ronnie & the Redcaps leader Ronnie James Dio, is "in development" on a line of toys, according to his record company, Sanctuary Records Group. No word yet on who will be releasing the line, or which characters will be featured, but R.J.D. himself is a legendary showman whose three-fingered "Dio sign" salute is a hard rock mainstay (You know the one; make a fist, then extendyour index finger and pinky). He also appeared wearing elaborate facial prosthetics on Elf's 1972 debut LP, and his creepy... Elvish... appearance is still striking. 

Another likely subject is Dio's horned mascot, Murray, who appeared on the cover of best-selling albums like "Holy Diver" and "The Last In Line," as well as the recent career retrospective "Stand Up and Shout." [see full story for more] - Click Here for the Full Story 

Finally, a mate for Satanic Barbie! 

Source: Electric Basement also has news on DIO CD UPDATE, HURRICANE PARTY, MICHAEL SCHENKER ON DIVORCING WIFE, UFO, CINDERELLA FRONTMAN TAKES SOLO TRIP DOWN 'GYPSY ROAD', '8TH STAR' TO OFFICIALLY SHINE and more click here to check it out

Idlewild Wrap Recording
Drowned in Sound reports: Scottish Murmurers, Idlewild, have announced that their fourth LP has been completed. The band, who are back in the UK, recorded their new album in Los Angeles with producer Tony Hoffer who has previously worked with Beck and Air. 

Fans will have to wait a while longer though as the album isn't expect to be out before 2005. The record still has to be mixed in addition to running too close to the dreaded 'Christmas market' (Best Of Robbie Williams, that kind of thing). However, a single might be released before the turn of the year. [see full story for more including some upcoming dates] - Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: Drowned in Sound also has news on Bucket, spade and rock n roll: Reuben tour beside the seaside, Ed Harcourt returns with album, single and tour; the usual., Lucky? 'Help' album gets digital rebirth, Pixies: new album due in 2005, Prodigy Strike Back and more click here to check it out

Pearl Jam Winter
AZ Central reports: After Pearl Jam reassembles in early October for its first live shows in nearly a year, the Seattle rock outfit will get busy on its eighth studio album. "I think they're planning on going back to the studio this winter," manager Kelly Curtis tells Billboard.com. As for a possible release date, Curtis would only say, "When they're done, they give it to us and we go." [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: AZ Central also has news on Modern rockers team for Nintendo tour, Swimming off into the sunset, Mixing music, politics strikes a sour note for some fans and more click here to check it out

Supergrass Decade
liveDaily reports: Pop-rockers Supergrass are set to celebrate their 10th anniversary with a U.S. mini-tour and a new retrospective album. 

The outing, which runs from late September through early October, visits large clubs in major cities in the East and West. Details are in the itinerary below. The band also will appear on NBC-TV's "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" on Oct. 1. 

Meanwhile, Capitol Records has scheduled a Sept. 28 U.S. release date for "Supergrass is 10: The Best of 91-04," which compiles 19 tracks culled from the group's previous four albums and a pair of new songs. [see full story for dates, plus details on a limited bonus offer with the CD] - Click Here for the Full Story 

Fogerty New CD
liveDaily reports: John Fogerty's first new album in seven years, "Deja Vu All Over Again," hits stores on Sept. 21, according to Geffen Records. 

The self-produced set features Kenny Aronoff on drums; Jerry Douglas on dobro; Viktor Krauss on bass; Benmont Tench on organ; and Fogerty himself, Mark Knopfler and Dean Parks on guitar. - Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: liveDaily also has news on Janet Jackson, Beach Boys, Oak Ridge Boys, Van Halen tour rolls on, best-of set rides the charts, Ministry looks to do more evil during upcoming tour, Bette Midler puckers up for Kiss My Brass tour's return, Rick James autopsy inconclusive, public funeral planned and more click here to check it out

Body of Missing Ash Fan Found
Xfm reports: The body of Northampton backpacker Sean Kennedy, who went missing last month after attending an Ash gig in Sydney during July, has been found near where he originally disappeared 

22 year old former student Sean Kennedy was last seen on July 29 at an Ash gig he went to with his girlfriend Catherine Rowden and two other friends at Sydney's Metro Theatre. However he was ejected from the venue before the end of the gig following an argument with other members of the audience, and hadn't been seen since. [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Ramones Biopic Premiere
Xfm reports: The documentary �End Of The Century: The Story Of The Ramones' will receive its premiere in New York on August 20 and details the full history of the legendary punks. In fact, its so accurate that surviving guitarist Johnny Ramone has described it as leaving him �disturbed'. 

The documentary chronicles the life of the band from its 1974 conception in New York and follows their tumultuous 22-year career up until their obligatory farewell concert in 1996. [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Davies Recovering
Xfm reports: Dave Davies, whose brother Ray is The Kinks frontman and lyricist, collapsed after doing interviews to promote his new solo album �Bug' on June 30. The 57-year-old guitarist was rushed to hospital where it was discovered he'd had a severe stroke. 

It now appears that while he is recovering well, he'll spend at least another month in hospital, but he is expected to make a full recovery with physiotherapy. [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: Xfm also has news on Franz Ferdinand Add Yet More Dates, Joyfest Showcases Best New Bands This Weekend, Polyphonic Spree Cause Terrorist Airport Panic, Afros At The Ready: The Mars Volta Return, Marilyn Manson Greatest Hits Released and more click here to check it out

Nintendo Fusion Tour 
antiMUSIC reports: Story of the Year have been tapped to headline this year's Nintendo Fusion Tour. The outing will also feature Lostprophets, My Chemical Romance and Letters Kills. Anberlin will provide support from October 13th through November first. Autopilot Off will join the tour on November 3rd until it wraps on November 13th. 

The tour is set to kick off on September 18th in Phoenix and run through November 13th where it concludes with a two day stop in St. Louis. [see full story for dates] - Click Here for the Full Story 

Unearth Headline 
antiMUSIC reports: Unearth have been tearing it up all summer long on Ozzfest, supporting their new CD "The Oncoming Storm", but once the Ozzfest wraps the band plan to hit the road for a North American headlining tour that will also feature supporting acts Black Dahlia Murder, Terror and Remembering Never. 

According to the group's official website, "the tour will run from September 23rd through October 29th and will hit most major cities in the US." 

There is good news for European fans as well. The band have announced that they are heading to Europe following the North American headlining tour to take part in the East Pak Resistance tour that will also feature Sick of It All, 7 Seconds, Walls of Jericho and Ramahla and is set to run from November 4th through the 28th. [see full story for dates] - Click Here for the Full Story 

Manson Hits
antiMUSIC reports: Details are trickling out about the new Marilyn Manson greatest hits CD, which is tentatively scheduled for release on Sept 28th from Nothing/Interscope Records. 

The album will reportedly feature 18 tracks including a cover of Depeche Mode's "Personal Jesus" and Marilyn's version of Soft Cell's "Tainted Love". The disc will also reportedly sport artwork created by Manson, rare photos and the previously unreleased uncensored video for "(s)AINT". [see full story for tracklist] - Click Here for the Full Story 

Taking Back Fuse
press release reports: Looks like another awesome week on Fuse! Taking Back Sunday will be on Warped Wednesdays and will be performing two songs! 

Wednesday August 11th 
Guests: Taking Back Sunday (Adam and Fred)PERFORMING two songs!!
Tower Download: My Chemical Romance "I'm Not Ok, I Promise" (Warp)
Additional Content: 
Taking Back Sunday Icons (New ones, not on their site)
Import Version of "A Decade Under the Influence"
TBS Wallpaper 
Warped Letter Kills "Don't Believe"- Click Here for the Full Story 

Kiss Expo Raid Cont.
press release reports: [Got this press release in, a bit of a follow up to a story yesterday] Charlotte, NC Sunday August 8th - Gene Simmons and Company raided Sunday's North Carolina KISS Expo looking for illegal DVD's and Videos along with various other bootlegged KISS material on Sunday, Aug. 8th. 

According to various sources Gene Simmons is trying to root out a notorious bootlegger. 

In attendance was Special Guest, Gordon G.G. Gebert, author of the books KISS & Tell, KISS & Tell More, and Rock & Roll War Stories. 

Gebert states, "At first I didn't know what was going on. When I realized they were confiscating bootlegs I watched the drama unfold. Then some guy claiming to be Gene Simmons' lawyer came to where I was signing my new book and we had a heated exchange. He tried to stop me from selling merchandise until he checked it out. I told him he had no authority to stop me from selling legal merchandise. The exchange was interesting to say the least. After he realized I had nothing illegal they left the venue." 

KISS Expo Organizer is due in court Friday, August 13th.- Click Here for the Full Story 

Green Day Club Gigs
email submission reports: Green Day will be playing a few club dates prior to a full tour...
Sept 16 - Los Angeles, CA - Henry Fonda
Sept 18 - Chicago, IL - The Vic
Sept 21 - New York, NY - Irving Plaza
Sept 24 - Toronto, ONT - Phoenix Theatre 

The fall tour will be with New Found Glory and Sugarcult... dates coming soon! - Click Here for the Full Story 

New York Dolls Tribute
press release reports: [CD Smashed checked in with an update on the forthcoming New York Dolls tribute. ]FastLane Records/CD Smash Records New York Dolls Tribute 

FLR/CSR are finishing up the audio portion of The New York Dolls tribute titled 'Jetboys Of Babylon'. The audio tracks have turned out unbelievable and really give a modern feel to the old classics, we feel this tribute captures the vibe, swagger and energy of the Dolls. Avid New York Dolls fan will be impressed by these classics made new again. We're hoping these new versions will help turn a new generation of music fans into New York Dolls fans. We were fortunate to obtain David Johansen to re-record his classic 'Babylon' with Frankenstein 3000, before he took off to England for the first ever, New York Dolls reunion in 25 years. Other great bands on the tribute include: Flipp w/ Steve Jones, Dogs D'Amour, The Alarm, Blackbird, Slow Motorcade, Killingbird, R50, American Anthem, just to name a few. Slated for a September release.- Click Here for the Full Story