Ja Rule Assault
KATC.com reports: U.S. rapper Ja Rule he was released on $7,500 bail after facing assault charges in a Toronto court on Monday. 

The Grammy-nominated megastar, whose real name is Jeffrey Atkins, did not enter a plea. He is to return to Provincial Court on Aug. 30 to set a trial date. 

There is a court-ordered publication ban on the evidence, although police said earlier the charges stem from an incident at a Toronto nightclub on June 5. 

Atkins, 28, is charged with assault causing bodily harm. [see full story for more] - Click Here for the Full Story 

Creed Sans Stapp
liveDaily reports: Former Creed guitarist Mark Tremonti, drummer Scott Phillips and bassist Brian Marshall have joined forces with former Mayfield Four frontman Myles Kennedy to form Alter Bridge, and will issue their debut album on Aug. 10. 

The album, titled "One Day Remains," will be released by Wind-Up Records, which was Creed's label. The set's first single, "Open Your Eyes," is already gaining airplay on rock radio stations. [see full story for more, including a link to a sound sample]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Incubus Throat Silenced
liveDaily reports: Incubus postponed its Sunday night (7/25) performance at Wichita's Kansas Coliseum because frontman Brandon Boyd was suffering from throat problems. 

The Wichita show has been rescheduled for Nov. 18 at the same venue, and the tour is scheduled to resume tonight in Colorado. - Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: Live Daily also has news on Jadakiss revs for live shows behind chart-topping album, Ministry heads up Evil Doer tour to support new album, Polyphonic Spree plots more summer headlining dates, Live Review: Tim McGraw at Cricket Pavilion in Phoenix and more click here to check it out

C-Murder's New Murder Charge
Curlio reports: C-Murder, who was already found guilty of murder, and later was granted a new trial, is up on new charges. He'll be facing charges of attempted second-degree murder in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. 

Apparently what happened was that C-Murder was told by a security guard that he needed to be searched before he could go in the club. C-Murder refused and asked for the owner. The owner told him the same. C-Murder then grabbed a gun from his pants and tried to shoot the owner in the back. Luckily for the club owner, the gun didn't work. - Click Here for the Full Story 

Is C-Murder a dyslexic form of Murder Charge?

Zodiac Mindwarp Emergency Brain Surgery
BW&BK reports: ZODIAC MINDWARP's official website (www.zodiacmindwarp.com) has been updated with the following message: 

"(July 24th 2004) gig at The Underworld, London was canceled at the last moment as Mark Manning AKA Zodiac Mindwarp was taken seriously ill and admitted to hospital. 

At about 8.00pm this evening (7/24), he was undergoing surgery to address a ruptured blood vessel in his brain. ...UPDATE: 7.00pm, Sunday 25th July 

Zodiac is recovering following emergency treatment yesterday. [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Dickinson Solo CD Rumor
BW&BK reports: According to www.maidenfans.com, IRON MAIDEN frontman Bruce Dickinson and guitarist/producer Roy Z (HALFORD, HELLOWEEN, TRIBE OF GYPSIES) have recorded a full length album for a possible release in 2005.- Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: BW&BK also has news on SUN CAGED - One Down, One To Go, RoadRage USA 2004 Tour - More Dates Confirmed, FORGOTTEN TALES - New Track Posted, ALICE COOPER - New Drummer Brings Vintage Roots To The Stage, LACUNA COIL - "You Don't Need To Show Your Boobs ... You Can Be Sexy With Your Mouth" and more click here to check it out

Korn's Best
RIFTrock reports: A release date for October 11th through Epic records has been set for Korn's "Best Of" CD. Jonathan Davis spoke about the cover tracks that may appear on the release, the covers include PINK FLOYD's "Another Brick in the Wall", PUBLIC ENEMY's "Fight the Power", NINE INCH NAILS' "Head Like A Hole" and FAITH NO MORE's "We Care A Lot". Plans to record a full length of cover songs is down the road according to the singer.- Click Here for the Full Story 

Fuel Not Dropped
RIFTrock reports: Despite recent posts on Fuel's messageboard on their official site, Fuel have not been dropped by Epic Records. The band plans to finish out their tour which runs through Aug. 14th in West Chester, OH, then return to the studio to record the follow up to 2003's "Natural Selection." - Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: RIFTrock also has news on The Banner on Ferret, Mars Volta Update, Drowningman Album Track Listing Revealed, Rob Halford Speaks About Upcoming Album, New Monster Magnet Video Premier and more click here to check it out

The Music Get Verve Remix
NME reports: THE MUSIC's new single features a remix by ex-THE VERVE guitarist NICK McCABE. 

The band release their new single 'Freedom Fighters' on September 6 via Virgin. The track is the first official single to be lifted from their second album 'Welcome To The North', which follows on September 20. [see full story for tracklist for the new cd]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Leeds Sell Out
NME reports: Weekend tickets for the CARLING WEEKEND: LEEDS FESTIVAL have sold out in record time. 

Organisers Mean Fiddler have announced today (July 26) that weekend tickets for the northern leg of this year's festival have totally sold out. 

This year's festival takes place for the second time at Bramham Park (August 27-29), and will see performances from White Stripes, The Darkness and Green Day. [see full story for more and keep clicked on to NME for full coverage of the festival.]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: NME also has news on SFA to play Carling Weekend warm-up, Goldie Lookin' Chain head out on first UK headline tour, Snow Patrol end 2004 with massive shows, Keane mania in London Basement Jaxx help South Africa celebrate ten years of democracy and more click here to check it out

Drowningman Rarities
Day in Rock reports: Here is the reported tracklisting for the Drowningman Rarities CD "Learn To Let It Go", which is set to hit stores on August 24th. 

Tracks: 01 - "Weighted In And Weighed Down" - 02 - "Dial 9" - 03 - "Static Mouth" - 04 - "Red" - 05 - "Your Eyes Look Like Candy" - 06 - "Kiss The Canvas" - 07 - "Where The Heart Is" - 08 - "Wellwisher" - 09 - "Contagious" - 10 - "Open Book Test" - 11 - "Kerosene" - 12 - "Burning Bridges" - Click Here for the Full Story 

Good Life Announce CD Release 
Pitchfork reports: The Good Life, aka Cursive frontman Tim Kasher's excuse to explore the softer, more sensitive side of his melodic muse, are set to release their third full-length, Album of the Year, via Saddle Creek (where else?) on August 10th. This record hotsteps May's Lovers Need Lawyers EP, highlighting a patch of relative prolificness amidst an otherwise sparse studio career. - Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: Pitchfork also has news on M83 announce first-ever North American tour, release 2xCD expanded Dead Cities, Notwist, Console ready soundtrack EP, Casiotone for the Painfully Alone tour, Pitchfork seeks Director of Advertising and more click here to check it out

Avenged Sevenfold Don't Steal
Electric Basement reports: When talking with Electricbasement.com recently, AVENGED SEVENFOLD vocalist M. SHADOWS scoffed at one ridiculous internet rumor suggesting their guitar players stole a riff and used it one of their songs, "...The new rumor about [us] is that Synyster and Zack went to Guitar Center and heard this kid playing a riff, and they had this tape recorder that they had turned on. That riff the kid played is supposed to be the basis for 'Unholy Confessions.'All these kids on this thread were like, 'I can't believe they did that, that's f***ed up. Dude post your version.' The dude's like, 'Oh man, I don't have it anymore.' They still believe him. You've got like thirty or forty kids going, 'f*** Avenged, they steal riffs!'" [see full story for the full interview.]- Click Here for the Full Story 

How could anyone confuse Avenged for Limp Bizkit?

Nevermore Cancel
IAYM reports: Nevermore have been forced to cancel their impending UK tour as a result of "logistical problems". The dates are hoped to be rescheduled for later this year.- Click Here for the Full Story 

Adema Go Indie
IAYM reports: Adema have reportedly inked a deal with Earache Records, you can read more at www.ademaweb.com. Meanwhile the band are said to be plotting out a tour for September/Octboer with Dope and Twisted Method.- Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: IAYM also has news on Cult Of Luna: "Salvation", Nuclear Rabbit part ways with drummer, The Joy Circuit: new music online, Still Life Projector update, Duna Hill (ex-Relative Ash), (hed)p.e. update and more click here to check it out

Cult of Luna Set Release
siN's metal news reports: CULT OF LUNA have confirmed that the bands brand new album will be entitled ''Salvation''. This, the bands third album, follows on from the critically acclaimed ''The Beyond'', and is set to be released on October 4th through EarAche Records. - Click Here for the Full Story 

Sworn Enemy Lose 2?
siN's metal news reports: It appears that the guitarist Mike Raffinello and bassist Mike Couls have left SWORN ENEMY. At their recent appearance at Hellfest 2004 this past weekend, the band performed as a four-piece with, what a fan describes as, "some big black guy" handling the bass duties. No reason has been given for the supposed departures. - Click Here for the Full Story 

Emperor Reissues
siN's metal news reports: Candlelight Records today confirms October 19 and November 2 as the reissue dates for EMPEROR's four genre-defining albums. Wrath of the Tyrants, In the Nightside Eclipse, Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk, and IX Equilibrum, all currently out of print in the US, have been reworked with additional bonus footage and material unavailable on both European and US-licensed versions. 

In documentary style, each of the four recordings have been enhanced with live and studio footage. [see full story for a lot more details on these reissues plus a tidbit on a DVD release]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: siN's metal news also has news on Road Rage 2004 - Full Date Selection, Mushroomhead - Set to leave record label, hit the road with ICP, Head Automatica - MP3's online, Starwood - Metal Blade Debut, My Chemical Romance - Live Version of 'Helena' Online and more click here to check it out

S.O.D. DVD
Blabbermouth reports: Former S.O.D./current M.O.D. singer Billy Milano has posted the following message on his official web site: 

"I want everyone to know that [former S.O.D. and current ANTHRAX guitarist] Scott Ian came through for me and allowed me to put together the ultimate S.O.D. DVD/live CD collection for all the fans that have supported and been there for us. So I guess, Scott, if you read this, respect and apologies to you for returning the friend-in-need card. I guess I'll leave Chuck [former S.O.D. and current ANTHRAX drummer Charlie Benante] alone, too. So, I'll see you at the Christmas premier in New York city of S.O.D. Route 666 South --> Park of Heaven!!" [more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Machine Head Plan Special 10th Anniversary
Blabbermouth reports: MACHINE HEAD will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the worldwide release of their classic debut album, "Burn My Eyes", by setting aside their regularly scheduled set list and performing the record in its entirety on August 8 at the Philadelphia stop on their "Road Rage" tour. 

Widely considered to be one of the best metal albums ever released, "Burn My Eyes" has sold 153,000 copies in the U.S. to date, according to Nielsen SoundScan. [see full story for a full tour dates listing] - Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: Blabbermouth also has news on Former MY OWN VICTIM Members Join Forces In New Band, EMPEROR Reissues To Include Bonus Material, STARWOOD: LIZZY BORDEN Under A Different Name, MEGADETH: 'Die Dead Enough' Single To Be Featured In Upcoming Horror Film, EARACHE RECORDS: 'We Are Proud To Be Working With ADEMA' and more click here to check it out

Adolescents Prep Demo CD Release
Aversion reports: Adolescents fans will have to wait until next year for new material, but a compilaiton of demo tapes will help tide them over until then. 

The band has begun polishing material to release an album of demos cut in 1980. The album, which is still untitled, will drop at the end of the year from Frontier Records. - Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: Aversion also has news on Libertines Album on Way, Keane Announces Tour, Good Life Warms Up Third Record, Nuptials Everywhere for Less Than Jake, Unreleased Souls Track on Cancer Comp and more click here to check it out

Libertines Reunite 
Xfm reports: This weekend saw the opening of the Libertines exhibition at Camden's Proud Gallery, and an intimate solo set from troubled Libertine frontman Pete Doherty. During a short acoustic set at the gallery on Friday night (July 23), Doherty proceeded to surprise the assembled crowd by welcoming Libs drummer Gary Powell onstage to a hero's welcome. - Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: Xfm also has news on Let It Snow(Patrol)! Xmas Tour Confirmed, Yet Another Nirvana Book Set For Release, Ian Brown Resurrects Stone Roses, Fatboy Slim "I'm Very Comfortable With This Album", Courtney No Longer On The Run and more click here to check it out

New Release: Starwood
Day in Rock reports: Occasionally we'll highlight a standout CD on the day of release. The last CD featured was The Cure's new self-titled album. Today we bring you a snippet from Mark Hensch's 5 Star review of the Starwood debut "If It Ain't Broke, Break It!" which hits stores today. Click the full story link to get the full review with links to hear samples, purchase the CD for under $7 bucks and learn more about the band. Here is part of Mark's review: A review of this CD can't do it any real justice. I loved it, and I feel most people, coming in with an open mind at least, will appreciate it as throw-back rock done right. In a world where bands can parody the past of rock and not be chided, artists like Starwood come roaring in with swagger and brass music that says ROCK IS NOT DEAD. It's loaded with awesome guitars, sneering vocals that would do say Axl proud, and it somehow still seems fresh and original. Maybe it's because something of this nature hasn't been made by too many artists in the last few years, or maybe it's because this band takes their music seriously and it gives it a whole new level of greatness missing in less serious ROCK bands. I know I have constantly capitalized the entire word ROCK in this because that is what Starwood is; it is ROCK. These guys go straight for the windpipe and never let go.- Click Here for the Full Story 

Big Easy In A Box
press release reports: New Orleans music has been documented thoroughly on recording and in print � but never like this. Doctors, Professors, Kings & Queens: Big Ol' Box of New Orleans takes the music of the Big Easy outside the history museum and puts it back amidst the total experience of being there � the hurricanes to go, the crawdad etoufeé, the voodoo rituals, the beads, the sultry Caribbean winds � and mixes it up with four CDs worth of new and old Crescent City sounds. According to reissue executive producer Gary Stewart, "It's one big mess, and we like it like that!" Shout! Factory's resultant CD boxed set will arrive in stores on October 5th for the suggested retail price of $59.98. [see full story for a lot more on this release]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Reel Big Wedding
press release reports: Reel Big Fish frontman Aaron Barrett married Molly Terrence, his girlfriend of over 2 years, during an impromptu ceremony in Las Vegas last Wednesday, July 21. 

The couple were joined by Barrett's fellow bandmates, and a small group of friends. The band was in town for a show at the House of Blues. 

Reel Big Fish are finishing up their Coast To Coast Roast tour dates this week and will then head off to Hawaii for another Reel Big Fish wedding--that of bassist Matt Wong.- Click Here for the Full Story 

Acceptance Launch Summer Tour
press release reports: Acceptance are set to launch a summer tour with recent Fearless Records signing and fellow Seattle scenesters Gatsbys American Dream and Equal Vision's The Snake The Cross The Crown. 

The tour kicks off on August 13th, with a hometown Seattle show at Graceland. 

Look for Acceptance's Columbia Records debut out early next year. [see full story for dates and more on the group]- Click Here for the Full Story