Bowie Emergency Heart Surgery
AP reports: Musician David Bowie underwent an emergency angioplasty to open a blocked heart artery in Germany and is recuperating, his spokesman said Friday. 

Doctors discovered the blockage after the 57-year-old Bowie sought treatment after performing in the German town of Scheesel on June 25, according to the spokesman, Julian Stockton. [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Metallica Headcases
Newsday reports: [an a little taste of the Newsday review] They can sound like a box of razor blades in a blender, but Metallica -- the long-running, much-storied band that has sold 90 million records since 1981 -- is among the more successful phenomena in rock. For those who rate their art by its earnings, they're the Beatles, with anger issues. 

But as we see via Bruce Sinofsky and Joe Berlinger's "Metallica: Some Kind of Monster," even heavy-metal meatheads can morph into New Age-y neurotics given enough time, money and insane success. Years of global touring, substance abuse, rampant sex, blind adulation -- it isn't coal mining, but it takes its toll. 

...Although long by doc standards, at no time does the energy ebb -- as Ulrich has been quoted as saying, "It isn't a film about Metallica -- it's a film about relationships," and he's right: There's an almost soap-opera aspect to the story, about people with deep affection for each other, but also 20 years of hard history and a candidness one can't help but respect.- Click Here for the Full Story 

Victim Denied Jacko Abuse
Sky News reports: A secret tape could clear Michael Jackson of child sex abuse charges. 

Gavin Arvizo,12, is asked on the recording if there is any sexual misconduct by Jackson. 

The youngster emphatically replies: "No." 

The interview was carried out by private investigator Brad Miller in February - just before the alleged offences are said to have taken place. [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Pretender Protest Pet Food
MTV reports: Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders gave Procter & Gamble employees an early morning earful this week, when they found a message from the rock icon in their voicemail. The animal-rights activist asked for their help via an automated dialing service in getting P&G subsidiary Iams to stop conducting tests on dogs and cats that she considers to be cruel. [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Weiland Sentenced
MTV reports: Nearly eight months after his arrest for driving under the influence of drugs, Scott Weiland was sentenced Thursday in a Los Angeles court to three years' probation, during which he'll be treated for his drug problem. 

Weiland had pleaded no contest to the misdemeanor charge earlier this week. ...Under the terms of Weiland's latest probation, he'll be required to enroll in a six-month drug-treatment program and attend three Narcotics Anonymous meetings per week for the next three years. Weiland will also be required to submit to regular drug testing... [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: MTV also has news on R. Kelly Gets Court's Permission For Two-Month Tour, B2K's Raz-B Arrested On Assault And Battery Charges, LL Cool J Records 1 A.M. Club Jams For LP, Calls Timberlake 'Incredible', Beanie Sigel Buys Some More Time, Ruben Studdard Decides Christmas Just Isn't Spiritual Enough and more click here to check it out

Danzig Beat Down?
Day in Rock reader reports: [a regular reader sent this in. It is reportedly an email sent out by Danny the lead singer of the North Side Kings a local Arizona band] Before crazy rumors begin to spread I would like to explain what happened: 

North Side Kings were to play with Danzig last night in Tuba City, Arizona. To make a long story short the whole show was a disaster and a few bands got bumped off. Mr. Danzig (or his managment??) refused to push back the original scheduled time slot so North Side Kings and Rapid Fire would have to play "after" his set. Whatever- we agreeded to play later because we drove 6 hours and didn't feel like going home without playing. 

Needless to say, as soon as Danzig was finished, the venue turned on the lights and Danzigs crew and the staging company began to take the stage apart almost instantly. I confronted Mr. Danzig backsatge while he was signing autographs and told him I thought he was an a**hole because of his "rockstar" attitude and no consideration twords the FEW other bands that got bumped off tonight. In a fit of rage he turned around and slammed me into the wall yelling "f*** you motherf***er" trying to be a big toughguy in front of his fans. I -in self defence punched him in the face knocking him out as he was attacking me again. He went down, bleeding from his mouth, eyes rolled back, and in shock that he got knocked to the floor so quickly. 

A friend happened to tape the entire incident and this is all documented. Many witnesses saw him attack me, and I did what any man would do. [see the full story link to check out video of the incident] - Click Here for the Full Story 

Pete Libertine Goes Solo
Xfm reports: He may have been temporarily foisted from The Libertines while he sorts out his drug problems, but it seems nothing can stop Pete Doherty from playing live as news of an acoustic gig and a set by his solo project Babyshambles arrives at the Xfm News Desk. 

While the Libertines prepare to play a series of UK festival dates without Doherty, the troubled singer has announced a couple of live dates in London next week. 

The Bring Your Own Poisons night at the Rhythm Factory in East London will play host to an acoustic set by Doherty (plus guests) at midnight on Tuesday July 13. [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Major Bootlegger Busted
Xfm reports: A music bootlegger who had made millions over the past eleven years by selling illegal copies of concerts by hundreds of bands is facing a jail sentence and a seven-figure confiscation order. 

Mark Purseglove made a fortune selling illegal bootlegs of live gigs by bands such as Oasis, The Beatles, Eminem, David Bowie, Madonna, Prince, Eric Clapton, Pink Floyd, Michael Jackson, Manic Street Preachers, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, REM, Radiohead, George Michael, Paul McCartney, Guns 'n' Roses and Bruce Springsteen. 

The recordings were made by the band's sound engineers (whom Purseglove allegedly bribed) and concert-goers and formed the basis for a piracy empire and a luxury lifestyle that included a £1.1 million townhouse in Clareville Street, Chelsea, London and an estimated income of over £6 million since 1993. [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: Xfm also has news on TDK Cross Central Festival Launched, Diesel-U-Music Awards Winners Announced, The Killers To Add Extra UK Date, Want To Be In The New Soulwax Vid? and more click here to check it out

MTV Causes Violence Ponders Wildheart Singer 
Chart Attack reports: "Lip-synching in music video is about as natural to me as drinking sperm." 

Grumbling about how The Wildhearts have been revered for years in the North American underground while commercial success continues to elude them, Ginger keenly points a finger at one lone perpetrator: MTV. 

"I blame them for everything," he blasts, guffawing at the notion of them potentially holding the future of The Wildhearts in their greedy hands. "The world is pretty bad, but I think about how much worse it could be � kids growing up to be teenagers and WANTING to watch MTV." 

Well, Ginger, the world is already there. MTV is the basis of all things "young" (insert trademark symbol here). Naturally, Ginger knows that, so he quickly turns the conversation into a half-creepy, half-hilarious rant. 

"Imagine being in that hell; being forced to watch three-minute snippets of people dancing around like idiots. Imagine the nightmares, the urge to buy a gun and go spray bullets around a mall. Maybe there's a correlation between these snipers and MTV? Maybe it's causing stupid people to turn into stupid, borderline psychotics." [see full story for more fun with Ginger] - Click Here for the Full Story 

Drowning Pool Upset at Walmart Censorship
Electric Basement reports: In an EXCLUSIVE interview with Electricbasement.com, DROWNING POOL vocalist JASON JONES derided Wal-Mart for its insistance on a censored cover and music of their recent release Desensitized, "...the record is actually censored too, but you can't make a kid go ride 85 miles on his f***in' bicycle to go and buy a record. It sucks that they censor it and everything, but at least it's in there. I just don't understand how you can get DVDs there of people dyin' and f***in' but the record gets censored. It just shows you that those FCC guys are a bunch of cockheads." 

However, he admits the band has a weakness for the retail super store, "Yeah, but we love Wal-Mart, and we shop there all of the time. (laughs)" [see full story for the entire interview] - Click Here for the Full Story 

American Head Charge Eye Nov. Release
IAYM reports: American Head Charge are now looking towards a November release date for their new album "Just For The Record", which is due out in stores through Nitrus/DRT Entertainment. [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Mars Volta Halloween
IAYM reports: The Mars Volta's forthcoming new album is tentatively due out in stores on October 26th through Universal. - Click Here for the Full Story 

Cannibal Corpse, Napalm Death, Vader, Kataklysm and Goatwhore Plan Tour
IAYM reports: Cannibal Corpse, Napalm Death, Vader, Kataklysm and Goatwhore will be taking to the road in late October for a full North American tour. Dates and venues are still being finalized for the trek and are expected to be announced shortly.- Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: IAYM also has news on [minus.driver] updates, Ozzfest "Summer Sampler" CD, Superkollider update, Old Man Gloom: "Christmas" , O.h.m. become Opus Dai , Darkthrone: "Sardonic Wrath" and more click here to check it out

Classic Doors DVD
ArrowFM reports: A Doors concert shot during the band's 1968 European tour will be released July 27th on DVD. The DVD features clips from shows in London, Stockholm, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam complete The Doors - Live In Europe 1968. [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Racists Vs. Lynott Memorial 
ArrowFM reports: A tribute concert, Thin Lizzy - A Celebration: The Music of Phil Lynott will be held on August 7th at the club of blues guitarist Jeff Healery in Toronto. Canada's top artists will perform in Lynott's honor, who passed away in 1986 of liver and heart failure due to years of drug and alcohol abuse. While Canadians honor the late singer, a group in Stormfront, Ireland is trying to stop plans for a memorial because Lynott is of Black Irish descent (Lynott's father was Brazilian; his mother Irish). The self-proclaimed racists have launched an internet campaigned to stop workers from erecting the statue of Lynott.- Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: ArrowFM also has news on Young Re-releases "Rockin' In The Free World", Rock Scraps For A Lazy Thursday, Rhino Reissues Costello, McCartney Marks "Hard Day's Night" At 40 and more click here to check it out

Silly News: Sock Bandit Nabbed
New York Daily News reports: [It's Friday another good reason for some silly news. This one isn't music related but...] COLUMBUS, Ohio - A man accused of grabbing a 9-year-old boy, carrying him behind a Kroger store and stealing his socks has been arrested on kidnapping and robbery charges. 

Maurice C. Teague told officers he has more than 500 pairs of children's socks. 

Investigating officers said they couldn't confirm the number but said they found "a lot" of socks at Teague's home, police spokeswoman Sherry Mercurio said on Tuesday. 

Police said Teague, 28, accosted the boy Friday evening and dropped a piece of identification as he fled. They arrested him at his home on Sunday, Mercurio said. He's jailed on $75,000 bond. [see full story for more silly news including a story about a restaurant that charges based on the amount of hair on your head] - Click Here for the Full Story 

Hagar Hits
liveDaily reports: An Aug. 10 release date has been set for "The Essential Red Collection," a best-of set from on-again, off-again Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar. According to a press release, the retrospective features 20 of Hagar's solo tracks--including two previously unreleased songs... - Click Here for the Full Story 

Cult In Chains
liveDaily reports: The Cardboard Vampyres, a new supergroup featuring Jerry Cantrell (Alice in Chains), Billy Duffy (The Cult) John Corabi (Ratt, Motley Crue), Chris Wyse (The Cult) and John Howser will debut with a July 16 performance at The Roxy in West Hollywood, CA. [more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Patti Smith Hits The Clubs
liveDaily reports: With a month of U.S. club dates now in the books, singer/songwriter Patti Smith has lined up another round of concerts for August. 

Smith is supporting her new album, "Trampin'," which she issued in April. She's backed on the set by the band she formed in 1996: guitarist Lenny Kaye and drummer Jay Dee Daugherty--both of whom were members of her original group--Tony Shanahan (bass, keyboards) and Oliver Ray (guitar). 

The album also includes the debut performance of Smith's daughter, Jesse, who plays piano on its title track [see full story for dates]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: liveDaily also has news on Hall and Oates, Michael McDonald add dates to joint outing, Live Review: Jonny Lang at The Mountain Winery, Saratoga, CA, Lenny Kravitz, Velvet Revolver, James Brown 'Rock Through Time', liveDaily Interview: Michael Travis of String Cheese Incident and more click here to check it out

The Prodigy Returns
press release reports: On September 14th, The Prodigy will return with their long awaited new album, Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned. Guests on the new record includeLiam Gallagher of Oasis, Juliette Lewis, Princess Superstar and Twista. 

The tracklisting for the album is as follows: 01. Spitfire - 02. Girls - 03. Memphis Bells - 04. Get Up Get Off - 05. Hot Ride - 06. Wake Up Call - 07. Action Radar - 08. Medusa's Path - 09. Phoenix - 10. You'll Be Under My Wheels - 11. The Way It Is - 12. Shootdown [click the full story link to check out the song "Girls"]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Misery Index Minus One
Day in Rock reports: It appears that the Misery Index are one member short. That's because guitarist Bruce Greig has left the band. Here is a posting from the group's homepage: Some have obviously noticed we have been playing as a three piece this round out, and that is because to our surprise and disappointment Bruce quit the band last week. We wish him the best in all his endeavors, but nevertheless we are moving ahead. Former guitarist/vocalist Mike Harrison (featured on "Overthrow" and the "Commit Suicide/Split") will be filling in on all dates in the United States and Europe from the July 21 date in Buffalo through Hellfest, through Wacken and other festivals in Europe. - Click Here for the Full Story 

Atreyu Go Top 40
press release reports: ATREYU's new album, "The Curse" has posted a stunning first week, with Soundscan reporting 34,145 as first week sales (with 407 showing as broken box reports from the previous week, the total sales hit 34,560). The album debuts at #32 in the Top 200 chart, and is ranked in 95 of the top 100 U.S. markets. Additionally, it charted #1 Independent Album in the U.S., #7 Hard Music Album, and #13 Alternative Album. ATREYU has officially broken the Victory Records record! 

ATREYU play Ozzfest 2004 beginning July 10th through September 4th, with select off dates days confirmed with Lamb Of God, Unearth and Every Time I Die. [see full story for more plus dates]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Cafebar Pop
press release reports: Brimming with darkly sweet pop hooks, Cafebar 401 blends Bowie-esque vocal presence with danceable grooves rooted in Euro-rock. Currently setting the Dutch pop scene ablaze, the band has appeared this year on Dutch national television and radio. Their relentlessly contemporary sound calls to mind Coldplay, Masters of Reality, Muse, Beck, Soulwax, Radiohead, and Queens of the Stone Age, but they bring something of their own to the party. 

Don't miss their new CD, being released today.- Click Here for the Full Story 

Ether Seeds Now One for Nothing
press release reports: Former Roadrunner/Island/Def Jam recording artists Ether Seeds have now officially changed their name to One for Nothing. The band will be pulling into New York's famed Quad Studios to record a batch of new tunes that are described as "soulful hard rock with a distinctly vintage vibe". At present, One for Nothing is actively shopping a record deal with tour dates and a web site to follow shortly. 

Portugal Prep EP
press release reports: Portugal. The Man, the new band featuring John Gourley and Zack Carothers from Anatomy Of A Ghost, will hit the studio on July 15th to begin recording an EP that will be made available online for free in August. The EP is being co-produced by members of Vaux. You can preview the new song "Pelicans" [by clicking on the full story link] Portugal. The Man will make their live debut on August 14th at the Meow Meow in Portland, OR with Acceptance, Crosstide and The Burning Room. - Click Here for the Full Story 

2 Cents: Might As Well Jump
[It's Friday time for Chuck DiMaria to give us his 2 cents. This week he tells us why need rock stars] 

David Lee Roth is never going to front Van Halen again. 

It took me almost twenty years to finally figure that one out. (Not bad, given the density of my skull.) But the reality has finally and inexorably set it. 

It's over, baby. The fat lady sang, took her bow and is currently dining at Spago. 

I'll bring those of you who weren't there pre-1984 up to date: 

Once upon a time, there was a real badass walking the face of the planet. His name was Roth and he fronted a band out of Pasadena called Van Halen. 

It was a glorious time to own a radio. 

Unmistakable guitar riffs, unmistakable background vocals and the unmistakable scream of David Lee Roth. 

But, as all good things do, it ended. And it was a pretty messy divorce. Accusations, innuendo, you name it. Some blamed Eddie, some Dave and some even blamed Val. (I doubt it was her fault, though. I'm clinging to my hopes that she's still a nice Italian girl.) 

Roth went on to score some hits after that, but never quite managed to take it to original VH level. The brothers Van Halen did pretty nicely for themselves, though. Picked up Hagar and hit the ground running. 

Years went by and we (the fans) were often teased with the rumor of a VH reunion. But you can only cry wolf so many times. 

And now, after losing Sammy, getting Gary, losing Gary, almost getting Dave then finally getting Sammy again, Van Halen is back on tour. 

[That's 1 cent, click the full story link for the other cent. Also if you are in the LA area Chuck will be performing tonight with his Queen cover band Under Pressure and as fate would have it they are playing with The Atomic Punks, a tribute to early Van Halen. The fun kicks off at 9:00Pm at Paladino's in the Valley] - Click Here for the Full Story