Cobain Memorial
Blabbermouth reports: Plans are in the early stages to create a memorial for Kurt Cobain in his hometown of Aberdeen, Wash. A committee recently held its first public meeting to discuss possible ways to pay tribute to the late NIRVANA frontman, including renaming a local park in his honor. Another idea is to put up a sign at the city's entrance that reads "Welcome to Aberdeen � Come as You Are." - Click Here for the Full Story 

Wouldn't this be the last thing Kurt would want? Didn't he hate the town?

Shadows Fall in September
The PRP reports: Shadows Fall have set a September 21st release date for their new album "The War Within". [see full story for track listing]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Sharon Osb New Idol Judge
MTV reports: Simon Cowell has managed to find a Brit as feisty and brutally honest as he is to be a judge on his new series. 

Sharon Osbourne will join the "American Idol" judge when "The X Factor" debuts in Britain in September. [see full story for lots more including interview with Sharon and Simon]- Click Here for the Full Story 

This is good news for contestants, if Sharon thinks Kelly can sing, even the worst acts will get off light!

Slipknot No 2
Blabbermouth reports: SLIPKNOT's new album, "Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses)", has sold 242,683 copies in the U.S. in its first week of release to debut at No. 2 on next week's The Billboard 200 chart. "Vol. 3 (The Subliminal Verses)" is the follow-up to "Iowa", which registered a first-week sales tally of more than 254,000 copies back in September 2001 to enter The Billboard 200 chart at No. 3. - Click Here for the Full Story 

Durst Denied Nookie
Blabbermouth reports: Avril Lavigne spoke with Rolling Stone magazine about how she shot down LIMP BIZKIT frontman Fred Durst after hanging out with him at the METALLICA tribute concert. She said, "[Backstage at a METALLICA tribute] I mentioned to Fred that I was hungry � like, 'I want an In-N-Out burger'. He had someone go out and get me a whole box of them, with fries. I was like [sarcastically], 'Yeah!' Then he took a private jet out to one of my shows, expecting me to bang him. He was disappointed that I wouldn't even go near him [laughs]. He was a little pissed that I went to my room alone that night." - Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: Blabbermouth also has news on RHAPSODY, JUDAS PRIEST's Reunion Tour: Opening Night Setlist Revealed, BOTTOM To Work With TOOL Producer, LOLLIPOP LUST KILL To Play Farewell Show This Weekend, Ex-MEGADETH Members, WATCHTOWER Guitarist To Perform At WORLD GUITAR CONGRESS, LACRIMAS PROFUNDERE, CANDIRIA, CHILDREN OF BODOM and more click here to check it out

Pearl Jam Prep New CD & Tour
siN's metal news reports: PEARL JAM are hard at work on material for a brand new studio album, their 1st since leaving Epic Records. Plans are to start recording at the end of 2004, word also has it that a 'Greatest Hits Album' is in the works, as well as a small tour in November. - Click Here for the Full Story 

Society 1 Pulls a Manson
siN's metal news reports: SOCIETY 1's Matt Zane has ran into some trouble with the law yet again. This time for shoving a girls face into his crotch during a show. 

According to recent media reports, "Zane offered the heckler, a woman later revealed to be 17 years of age, the chance to approach the stage and speak her mind about the band into the microphone. The heckler accepted Zane's offer but found herself humiliated in front of the entire room when, instead of allowing her to speak, Zane quickly removed the microphone and forced her face into his crotch." 

After being apprehended after the performance by police, Zane promptly sorted the issues out and was released without charge. [more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: siN's metal news also has news on MuDvAyNe - Bass Ad censored, Soilwork - New album being written, Shadows Fall - The War Within - Sept. 21, Big Iron's Tour Manager Passes Away, 18 Visions, The Locust, and more click here to check it out

Helmet Set Release
IAYM reports: Further to our report this morning, Helmet have confirmed via their official website www.helmetmusic.com that their upcoming new album will indeed be entitled "Size Matters", and it is scheduled for release on September 14th via Interscope. [see full story for band line-up info]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Ward Is Back Sabbath
IAYM reports: It has now been confirmed that original Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward will definitely be helming the group's percussion when they perform on Ozzfest this year. A statement on www.ozzfest.com regarding the matter reads as follows: "After initially declining an offer to join Black Sabbath members Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler for a reunion on Ozzfest 2004, drummer Bill Ward has now reconsidered. The original line-up is now complete for their much anticipated headlining slot on the 9th annual OZZfest. Sharon Osbourne says 'You have the original Black Sabbath and the original Judas Priest. What more could you want!'" - Click Here for the Full Story 

Primus Vinyl
IAYM reports: Primus have announced that their latest outing "Animals Should Not Try To Act Like People" is to be given the wax treatment, "featuring 1/2 speed mastered, 180 gram, high definition audiophile vinyl". The record will be available for purchase from their official website www.primussucks.com shortly. - Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: IAYM also has news on Celldweller, Head Automatica tour dates, Lamb Of God/Every Time I Die/Atreyu/Unearth dates (and venues), Shadows Fall, Oma update, LeFT reform, new EP, Off-Fest Dates (Lamb Of God, Every Time I Die, Atreyu, Unearth) Drowning Pool U.S. summer tour and more click here to check it out

McCartney Admits Heroin Use
ArrowFM reports: He always looked like such a nice kid, you probably would've never though Sir Paul McCartney was the type to dabble in heroin. But that's exactly what the singer/songwriter did during the height of his career with the Beatles. In a recent interview in this month's issue of Uncut magazine, Sir Paul admitted that drugs "informed" most of the Beatles' music. That's a pretty well known fact, but nobody suspected that the baby-faced bassist actually indulged in such narcotics as heroin and cocaine; drugs that were more savored by his contemporaries such as Keith Richards, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton and his partner, John Lennon. Still, it's really hard to imagine McCartney dabbling in the smack: "I didn't realize I'd taken it - I was just handed something and smoked it," he told Uncut. "It didn't do anything for me." [see full story for lots more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: ArrowFM also has news on Classic Rock Film Comes To Light, Join The Black Sabbath Army!, Stewart Gets Lost In Own House, Deep Purple Singer Gets Nabbed For D.U.I., and more click here to check it out

Brand New Brand New Coming
Knifeparty reports: Brand New will be heading into the studio sometime around September to record their follow up to Deja Entendu. In the mean time they will be rehearsing on Long Island. - Click Here for the Full Story 

Oprah Faith Boost Sales?
Ananova reports: An appearance on Oprah Winfrey's chat show has helped boost sales of George Michael's Patience album in the US. 

Following last week's appearance on the Oprah show, the 40-year-old former Wham! singer's latest album has seen sales increase by more than 40 per cent. 

According to early sales figures the album has sold more than 50,000 copies since Michael's appearance on Oprah and is set to jump from last week's disappointing debut spot of No. 25 up to a mid-Top 20 spot in this week's chart which is officially announced later. 

Industry insiders predict the album could land in this week's Top 10. [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Ozzy Olympics
Ananova reports: Will Young, Ozzy Osbourne and Jamelia will sing at a free concert to celebrate the Olympic Torch's return to London, it has been announced. 

70,000 tickets will be available to the public by telephone or online. 

Rod Stewart, James Brown, McFly and Emma Bunton will also be taking to the stage. 

The event is set to be the grand finale to a day in which more than 140 torchbearers carry the Olympic flame on a 50km (31-mile) journey past some of London's most famous landmarks. - Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: Ananova also has news on Blur, Bono, Madonna, Avril Lavigne, Ex-Atomic Kittens Jenny Frost and Liz McLarnon, Nelly and more click here to check it out

They Might Be Giants CD and Tour
liveDaily reports: Do-it-yourself duo They Might Be Giants plan to unveil their first new rock album in three years this summer, and are also set to embark on a tour. 

The tour, which is currently scheduled to visit 17 cities in July and two more in August, includes a mix of festival gigs and club dates. The July 10 appearance in Minneapolis will be a kids show. 

TMBG's John Linnell and John Flansburgh have completed a new album titled "The Spine," which is set to hit stores on July 13. [see full story for more, including dates]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: liveDaily also has news on Dave Mustaine revives Megadeth after two-year respite, Clay Aiken, Dokken, Live Review: Prince, Live Review: Yo La Tengo, The Cure, liveDaily Interview: Justin Hawkins of The Darkness and more click here to check it out

Avril's Walmart Hit
USA Today reports: Despite a lukewarm reception on the radio, Avril Lavigne got the attention of Kmart shoppers. And buyers at Wal-Mart, Costco and Target. 

Big-box stores accounted for 60% of the opening sales for Lavigne's Under My Skin, No. 1 in Billboard after selling 381,000 copies its first week, according to Nielsen SoundScan. 

It's a strong showing, considering the teen pop-rocker had a weak launch on the radio with late-blooming Don't Tell Me. While not the instant hit Complicated was, it's now No. 9 and climbing at top 40 radio. [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

MC5 Recruit Top Guest Talent For Tour
Xfm reports: Seminal rockers MC5 (or DKT/MC5 as they're currently known) have announced a string of special guest guitarists and vocalists for their summer world tour. The legendary punks have confirmed a sizeable trek that includes three UK dates. 

The three surviving members will be joined on stage by The Hellacopters' Nicke Royale for their appearances at their three UK shows including the Carling weekend and a headline set at the Glasgow Garage on August 31. 

Elsewhere, singer/songwriter Marshall Crenshaw and ex-Screaming Tree and Queens Of The Stone Age singer Mark Lanegan join the band in North America, Radio Birdman's Deniz Tek, Mudhoney's Mark Arm and Lemonhead Evan Dando become honouree MC5s in Australia and The Hives' Howlin' Pele Almqvist will be howling in Japan. [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Blur Begin Recording New CD
Xfm reports: Xfm Online can exclusively reveal that Blur have already started work on the follow up to their 2003 album �Think Tank' with frontman Damon Albarn's recent low fi solo demo album �Democrazy' forming the basis for the new record. 

Speaking to Xfm Online, Blur drummer Dave Rountree explained that the band have already returned to the studio, and while a release date isn't set, progress is being made. 

"We've done a week or so recording, and we'll do another couple of weeks, I think in September," he explained, "There's no deadlines we'll just chip away, like we did with the last one. It's sounding very good. - Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: Xfm also has news on X-clusive: TV On The Radio (On The Radio), The Thrills Announce New Album and Single, Paul Weller Announces Full UK Tour, Glastonbury Line Up Announced, Stellastarr* Add Headline Shows To UK Visit and more click here to check it out

Far Bonus Reissue
press release reports: Northern California band, FAR will be re-releasing their 1998 album, Water & Solutions on June 22nd. The cd will be packaged as a double-disc including a DVD of rare footage and live performances along with other bonus material. The album will be released on Immortal Records. 

It has been 6 years since the members of FAR originally released the album, which was critically appraised as being a few steps ahead of its time. Recently, this has proven to be true. Water & Solutions has been listed in the Top 50 of Kerrang! Magazine's Most Influential Albums of All Time and snagged the #3 spot on their Most Essential Post Hardcore/Emo Album list. Many of the strongest bands on the current scene site FAR as an influence and cover songs from Water & Solutions. A few of these bands include Thursday and Funeral for a Friend, the first of which had the opportunity to perform the song, "Mother Mary" live alongside FAR lead vocalist, Jonah Matranga. [see full story for more on this CD and the band] - Click Here for the Full Story 

Motorhead Inferno
press release reports: The Motorhead legend roars on in 2004 with the release of the new studio album 'Inferno' on June 22. 

Guitar legend Steve Vai makes a guest appearance on two tracks. 

'Inferno' is an appropriate titl for Motorhead's latest skull-grinding, internal-organ-liquefying album. The 12 tracks are: "Terminal Show," "Killers," "In the Name of Tragedy," "Suicide," "Life's a Bitch," "Down on Me," "In the Black," "Fight," "In the Year of the Wolf," "Keys to the Kingdom," "Smiling Like a Killer" and "Whorehouse Blues." 

"Music is very personal. It's just like sex in that way," says Lemmy. - Click Here for the Full Story 

Madison Paige Take the Airwaves
press release reports: Can it be? An unknown melodic hard rock band getting airplay on a giant commercial station in one of the most influential music markets in the United States? Not only is it true, it is set to happen on June 6th at 11:00 PM when the Los Angeles radio giant 95.5 KLOS FM will premier several tracks from "Famous Last Words," the recently released debut album from U.S. hard rock hopefuls MADISON PAIGE. The young band's sound, which is a refreshing blend of arena rock anthems with contemporary sensibilities, is already drawing comparisons to everyone from modern-day Bon Jovi to Stone Temple Pilots. Yet despite the diversity of their self-produced debut, the band retains a uniquely identifiable sound all their own. [click the full story link to visit the band's homepage to learn more. They will be included in the upcoming "California" edition of our special Indie Bands Coast To Coast Melody Makers series on our sister site Rocknworld.com. Also a quick word on KLOS, they have long had a policy of exposing local unsigned talent, especially with "Local Licks" show, so hats off to them for giving local bands a place to be heard. That's hard to find on commercial radio these days, let alone in L.A.]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Queensrÿche Live CD & DVD
press release reports: The extraordinary live show of the progressive metal band Queensrÿche is captured on the new DVD and CD 'The Art of Live' on Sanctuary Records. The DVD is out now, and the CD will be released on June 8, 2004. The DVD and CD, sold separately, each include exclusive bonus tracks. 

'The Art of Live' was filmed and recorded in summer and fall 2003 on Queensrÿche's tour promoting the Sanctuary studio album 'Tribe.' The summer tour was a co-headlining run with Dream Theater.- Click Here for the Full Story 

Indigo Girls Extend Tour
(press release) reports: Epic Recording artists Indigo Girls (singer-guitarists Amy Ray and Emily Saliers) continue into summer with a tour supporting their ninth studio album All That We Let In, the latest addition to their already formidable catalog. 

The Grammy winning folk-rock duo released All That We Let In earlier this year. The Indigo Girls once again set up shop with producer Peter Collins, who produced Become You, as well as their 1994 album Swamp Ophelia, and are augmented on All That We Let In by their longtime backing band of bassist Clare Kenny, keyboardist Carol Isaacs and drummer Brady Blade. Singer extraordinaire Joan Osborne adds her distinctbacking vocals to "Heartache For Everyone," "Tether" and "Rise Up." Osborne also contributed backing vocals to a number of tracks on 1999's Come On Now Social. [see full story for the latest dates] - Click Here for the Full Story 

Volcom Comp
(press release) reports: "The Only Constant Is Change", the first Volcom Entertainment commercial compilation in over five years, is set for release on July 13th. 

An epic two-disc set featuring 46 tracks (36 of which are either unreleased, live, out-of-print or B-sides) The Only Constant� serves as a diverse and up-to-the-minute sampling of the thriving independent music scene. 

Represented here are such longstanding favorites as Pennywise, Death By Stereo, BigWig, Guttermouth, Turbonegro, Strung Out, Slightly Stoopid, Rise Against and theLINE, as well as emerging artists such as Vaux, Piebald, A Faith Called Chaos, Brazil, Maxeen, Single Frame, Scatter The Ashes and many more. [see full story for more details, track listings etc] - Click Here for the Full Story