OutKast Ad Outrage
NME reports: A poster advertising OUTKAST has been branded "irresponsible" by the advertising watchdog the ASA. 

A complaint was lodged with the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) over the ad, which showed rapper Andre 3000 holding a pink gun. 

The ASA said that because the "the gun was smoking", the ad implied it had just been fired and "could be seen to glorify gun use". [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Jack White Vs. Von Bondie Overblown?
NME reports: JACK WHITE has spoken out about fighting, the new WHITE STRIPES album and his broken finger in a Q&A session with his fans. 

In a frank interview published on www.whitestripes.net, the guitarist opened his heart following a dramatic year which has seen him in court, hospital and on stages around the world. 

Speaking about the bust-up with The Von Bondies singer Jason Stollsteimer in Detroit's Magic Stick club last year, White claimed Jason "completely exploited" the situation by releasing a photo to the press. 

He claimed: "Take a look at it again. It's a black eye once you wash the dried blood off. His face isn't full of cuts." 

He continued: "I was so nice to Jason and his band you wouldn't believe it. I let them rehearse in my house for free. I got them signed. I produced their album for free." [see full story for more] - Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: NME also has news on The Darkness � �There could be some cracks appearing', New iPod details revealed, T In The Park - all you need to know, Exclusive - The Vines pull UK festival dates, Kelis UK shows announced, Kurt Cobain's guitar to be displayed and more click here to check it out

Vines Break Down?
Xfm reports: We'd like to pretend it wasn't a surprise, but it isn't. The Vines have cancelled their upcoming Carling Weekender Reading and Leeds Festival appearances, citing singer Craig Nicholls' mental and physical exhaustion. 

"The Vines have reluctantly made the decision to pull out of their scheduled Reading and Leeds performances this year," reads a statement issued to the NME, "The band were unable to take part in a planned US summer tour with Incubus due to lead singer Craig Nicholls' needing to rest and recuperate following a mentally and physically demanding period. With the festival shows coming directly after the cancelled US dates, The Vines felt they would still not be ready to return to the stage." - Click Here for the Full Story 

Final Elliot Smith
Xfm reports: According to reports, the album singer/songwriter Elliot Smith had been recording just prior to his death last year, has been completed by two of his associates and may well get a release later this year. 

Elliot Smith had virtually completed the record before his death from a (possibly) self-inflicted stab wound to the chest in October 2003, but it was felt, as it stood, it was not suitable for release. 

However the record, entitled �Songs From A Basement On A Hill', is now nearly ready for an Autumn release after Rob Schnapf (co-producer of Smith's 1998's �XO' and 2000's �Figure 8' albums) and Joanna Bolme (Smith's former girlfriend and bassist with The Jicks) tied up the loose ends on the recordings. [see full story for more] - Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: Xfm also has news on Eminem Teams Up With Tupac Shakur, Guns N' Roses - November Reign?, Stars Line Up For Empire Anniversary, Oasis Confirm Anniversary DVD Details and more click here to check it out

Metallica Killer Execution Blocked
Blabbermouth reports: The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday (July 7) blocked the scheduled execution of a man who chanted the chorus to METALLICA's "No Remorse" � "Another day, another death, another sorrow, another breath" � after fatally shooting a man in the head in Corpus Christi and robbing him of $13 twenty years ago. 

Appeals filed to the court contend jurors were not allowed to properly consider Troy Kunkle's drug and alcohol abuse history and that Kunkle's due-process rights were violated when appeals lawyers were denied access to a state-paid full transcript of juror questioning, according to the Associated Press. 

The Supreme Court issued an indefinite stay. [see full story for more] - Click Here for the Full Story 

Axl Loses Demo Suit
Blabbermouth reports: On Tuesday, July 6, United States District Court Judge Gary A. Fees denied the motion of W. Axl Rose and his GUNS N' ROSES partnership for a preliminary injunction against Los Angeles-based independent record label Cleopatra Records. Rose had sought an injunction against the release of the album entitled "Hollywood Rose � The Roots Of Guns N' Roses". 

In early June, Rose sued Cleopatra Records for trademark infringement, violation of rights in his name and likeness, and for unfair competition. The singer was trying to prevent the label from releasing original HOLLYWOOD ROSE recordings from early 1984. HOLLYWOOD ROSE is the band Roseformed with Izzy Stradlin, Chris Weber and Johnny Kreis before Rose and Stradlin went on to become part of the biggest rock 'n' roll band in the world, GUNS N' ROSES. [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

MetalScan
Blabbermouth reports: RUSH's brand-new CD, "Feedback", a collection of covers of classics popularized by the likes of THE WHO, CREAM, BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD and THE YARDBIRDS, has sold 48,006 copies in its first week of release to debut at No. 19 on next week's The Billboard 200 chart. ATREYU's "Curse" registered a first-week tally of 34,144, landing at No. 32, while UNEARTH's "The Oncoming Storm" shifted 13,285 copies to enter the chart at No. 105. Elsewhere, NEUROSIS' "The Eye of Every Storm" premiered with a first-week total of 2,074. - Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: Blabbermouth also has news on Couple Fined For Sex During Concert, METALLICA's LARS ULRICH: 'I Feel Sad For DAVE MUSTAINE', DANZIG: 'Power Owned' Forum Avatar Now Available!, ROB ZOMBIE, A PERFECT CIRCLE To Contribute New Recordings To 'Resident Evil' Soundtrack and more click here to check it out

Solo Bush
RIFTrock reports: Gavin Rossdale, of Bush, has released statements that he will be releasing a 14-track album soon. Rossdale will be using the moniker, or nickname, Institute. No title has been confirmed. - Click Here for the Full Story 

Weezer Prep New CD
RIFTrock reports: Weezer's work on their new album is still in some of the beginning stages according to Billboard.com. The band is still in the demo stages for creating and testing out material for their new record. The band hopes to begin the actual recording process shortly and have their new, currently untitled record out by the end of the year or by early 2005. - Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: RIFTrock also has news on Flaming Lips summer plans, Skinless plan DVD, Sony sponsores Ozzfest, Haste The Day/Martyr A.D. tour, Resident Evil soundtrack announced and more click here to check it out

Danzig Release Date
IAYM reports: Danzig's forthcoming new album "Circle Of Snakes" has been confirmed to see a release on August 31st through Evilive Records in North America. [see full story for some new Euro tour dates]- Click Here for the Full Story 

A Perfect Rumor
IAYM reports: We received word of this some days ago, but with nothing whatsoever to back it up, decided not to make a mention. Anyway, as the story goes, A Perfect Circle's next album is now rumored to be surfacing as early as November... you guessed it, on the same date that their previously announced live DVD and remix CD are tentatively due to arrive in stores: that date being November 02nd. [more] - Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: IAYM also has news on Old Man Gloom: "Christmas", O.h.m. become Opus Dai, Darkthrone: "Sardonic Wrath", Amon Amarth: "Fate Of Norms", Aaron Lewis acoustic CD/DVD? and more click here to check it out

Silly News: Olsens Got Dropped
Much Music reports: [We can't let a Thursday go by without some silly news]Hey Mary Kate, Got Milk? Not for the time being. Out of "sensitivity to their current situation," the "Got milk?" magazine ads featuring the Olsen twins have been retracted. Mary-Kate is currently in rehab for what was first thought to be an eating disorder but is now rumoured to be a cocaine addiction.- Click Here for the Full Story 

Paris Hilton Born To Be Denied
ArrowFM reports: Popular socialite and reality TV star Paris Hilton might have won the hearts of audiences across the globe, but Steppenwolf singer John Kay isn't taking the bait. Kay recently told a Canadian newspaper that Hilton asked him to let her use the band's Sixties anthem "Born To Be Wild" on her show, The Simple Life. Kay said he refused outright. "There are certain things even a rock and roller will not stoop to, and this is one of them," Kay told the Toronto Star. Right on!- Click Here for the Full Story 

Still A Hard Days Night
ArrowFM reports: Sir Paul McCartney celebrated the 40th anniversary of the film A Hard Day's Night at a special screening Tuesday. The movie was released internationally this week on DVD. McCartney attended the film-tribute to 1960s Beatlemania with his wife, Heather. "Heather has never seen it full-length. We have just seen bits and pieces," he said. McCartney said he hadn't seen the movie since its 1964 release. [more] - Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: ArrowFM also has news on Back In Black Reaches 20 Million, Jagger's Lovers Featured In Documentary, Crosby Pleads Guilty To Possession, Skynyrd Drummer Gets Picasso On His Fans and more click here to check it out

Different Strokes 
AZ Central reports: While taking some time off from the road this summer, the Strokes have begun pre-production on a handful of new songs with longtime producer Gordon Raphael. And while manager Ryan Gentles tells Billboard.com a new album isn't likely to be ready until spring 2005 at the earliest, the sessions are set to unfold in an entirely new way. 

"The recording of this record will be much different from the last two," he says. "They're not working on any deadline whatsoever and have built a recording studio into their rehearsal space so that they can just record everything that they do over the next 8 to 10 months, and shape the new songs for the next record out of that." [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Oedipus Hoobastank
MTV reports: Although Hoobastank's original treatment for their second video for "Same Direction" had a guest-star spot for the mom of the fictional lost member of their band, Joan Jett's cameo in the clip was altered in the final version so that she's now playing a sister, not a mother. - Click Here for the Full Story 

Cure Fest Addition
MTV reports: The final act has been booked for the Cure's Curiosa Festival. Joining second-stage acts Thursday, Muse, Cursive, Melissa Auf Der Maur, Cooper Temple Clause and Head Automatica will be Sympathy for the Record Industry act Scarling. The Curiosa Festival kicks off July 24 in West Palm Beach, Florida.- Click Here for the Full Story 

Locobazooka DVD
MTV reports: Live footage of Staind, Shinedown and Sevendust will be included in a DVD of last year's Locobazooka! festival, which comes out July 20. Proceeds will be donated to Home for Our Troops, which constructs handicapped-adjusted houses for severely disabled soldiers. [more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: MTV also has news on Jadakiss Busted For Celebrating Fourth Of July With A Bang, Lloyd Banks' Hunger Debuts At #1; Brandy Settles For #3, Fantasia Beats Diana DeGarmo Again � This Time In Stores, R. Kelly, Usher, 'American Idol,' Farnsworth Bentley, 3 Doors Down & More click here to check it out

Tupac Lives On?
Ananova reports: Tupac Shakur is about to release his seventh 'new' album since he was murdered in 1996. 

The as yet untitled album will include a 'collaboration' with Eminem, reports MTV. 

The album will be made up of Shakur's previously unreleased verses put to beats by today's big hip-hop producers. [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Slayer Reign In Blood Live
antiMUSIC reports: [You may have to wait a bit longer for a new CD but this should excite Slayer fans!] SLAYER devotees, rejoice! For the first time in the band's long career, fans will be able to see the original Slayer line-up performing an entire concert live on DVD when the band releases "Reign In Blood Live: Still Reigning" on September 28, 2004. The DVD will have an approximate 75-minute running time and will retail for $14.98. 

On "Reign In Blood: Still Reigning," the original members of Slayer - Tom Araya (vocals, bass), guitarists Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman, and drummer Dave Lombardo (who permanently rejoined the band in 2003) - will perform in its entirety "Reign In Blood," the 28-minute, 1986 classic considered to this day the pinnacle album of its genre. 

"'Reign in Blood' is our signature record, and if people think that it helped set the path for that genre of music, that's great," said Araya. "It's a record that means a lot to all of us in the band - it was our first record for a major label, and our first record with Rick Rubin who gave it unconditional support." [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Static-X Update
antiMUSIC reports: Static-X are heading out on the road to support their forthcoming rarities set "Beneath, Between, Beyond". The Cd is set to hit stores on July 20th. The support the new CD, the band will hit the road for a series of headlining dates on July 20th before taking part in the Family Picnic Tour with Trust Company, Soil, Lo-Pro, and Arithmetic of War. [see full story for tracklist and tour dates]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Modest Mouse Altapalooza Plans
antiMUSIC reports: Modest Mouse are not about to let a little thing like the cancellation of Lollapalooza to keep them from hitting the road to promote their new CD "Good News For People Who Love Bad News". The band will take their show on the road with a series of headlining dates that kick off on July 16th at The Senator Theatre in Chico, CA. The Walkmen and Broken Social Scene have been tapped for the supporting slots. 

There is some momentum behind the band right now, their album was recently certified gold by the RIAA and the disc is currently riding at No. 25 on the Billboard Top 200 chart fueled by the hit single "Float On". 

The band will take a break from touring on July 21st when they will perform on Late Night With David Letterman. They are set to perform "Ocean Breathes Salty" for the first time on national television. [see full story for dates] - Click Here for the Full Story 

Road Rage 04
antiMUSIC reports: It's that time of the year again, while Ozzfest takes the spotlight on metal tours, Roadrunner has once again put together their own alternate touring festival, Road Rage. 

Machine Head and Chimaira are set to headline with support from Roadrunner newcomers 3 Inches Of Blood and Trivium. The tour kicks off on August 3rd in Cleveland and will rage on through September. (So far the August dates have been announced with more to follow). 

The bands seem excited about the tour. In the press release, Machine Head's Dave McClain says "Ever since our last tour together we've not only remained friends with the Chimaira guys, but we're also huge fans and are proud to share the stage with them one more time. This will prove to be THE best metal tour out there this summer." [see full story for more, plus initial dates] - Click Here for the Full Story 

Gibson A Go Go
Email Submitted reports: Attention L.A. Rock Bands: Gibson Guitar is inviting L.A.'s unsigned rock bands to submit a demo and compete for showcase slots at "Gibson A Go Go" opening for Atlantic Recording Artists, Shinedown and the grand prize of a Gibson endorsement deal. 

DEADLINE FOR SUMBISSIONS: July 16th, 2004 

Gibson Guitar Corp. presents: "GIBSON A GO GO - L.A. Rock Show" 

Tuesday, August 24th, 2004 @ THE WHISKY West Hollywood, CA [see full story for more info on signing up]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Fear Before The March of Flames
press release reports: Equal Vision is proud to announce the September 7th release date for the highly anticipated sophomore album from Colorado's FEAR BEFORE THE MARCH OF FLAMES. Entitled Art Damage, the new album was produced by Matt Ellard (Motorhead, Converge, Between The Buried And Me) at Q Division in Boston, MA. 

Fear Before The March Of Flames recently completed an east coast tour with Eighteen Visions and will be back out this month playing select Warped Tour dates, Hellfest and the //:Radiotakeover Tour with Evergreen Terrace, Red Chord and A Life Once Lost. 

Check out the [full story link] for a listen to the first track from Art Damage, tour dates and up to the minute news. - Click Here for the Full Story 

Anadivine Hitting The Road
press release reports: Anadivine are hitting the road once again, this time in anticipation of their forthcoming full-length "Zoo", which is set for release September 21st on The Militia Group. 

The upstate NY rock band will be out from July 11 to August 4th with Blue Epic (TVT) and River City High (Doghouse) and will follow-up those shows with a 3-date stint on the Vans Warped Tour August 7, 8 and 18th [see full story link for more including dates]- Click Here for the Full Story