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Hawthorne Heights Drop Lawsuit Against Victory

PR reports: The surviving members of platinum selling rock band Hawthorne Heights have agreed to drop, in its entirety, their August 2006 lawsuit against Victory Records. Victory Records will release Hawthorne Heights' third studio album titled 'Fragile Future' on August 5, 2008.

'Fragile Future' follows two highly successful albums with Victory Records. 'The Silence in Black and White' (2004), peaked at #5 on the Billboard Top 200 reaching platinum status. The band followed up in 2006 with 'If Only You Were Lonely' which debuted at #3 on the Billboard Chart and was certified Gold shortly thereafter.

Victory Records Owner Tony Brummel commented, "Everyone at Victory is ecstatic about the forthcoming album from Hawthorne Heights. It is by far their best material to date. When Victory and Hawthorne started our relationship in 2003 it was always about beating the odds ...We have lived in a reality of petty disputes, unresolved misunderstandings, unhealthy friction and negative sensationalism for too long. - more on this story

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KISS To Carry On With Reality Show Members

Old School Metal reports: The manager of rock band Kiss has confirmed the group are in talks to launch a TV talent show to find replacements for frontman Paul Stanley and [bass] guitarist Gene Simmons - when the duo eventually retire.

It has long been rumored that founding members Stanley and Simmons hope to keep the band running when they decide to quit - but both men have been evasive when asked about whether any new members have been signed up and if the takeover will happen after their current world tour.

However their longtime manager Doc McGhee insists that there are indeed plans to replace all four band members and keep KISS alive for a new generation - they are close to signing a deal to find their replacements through an American Idol-style TV show. - more on this story

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Hunter S.Thompson Movie Coming

punknews.org reports: A trailer has been released for the upcoming documentary about Hunter S.Thompson, the father of "Gonzo Journalism," and author of notable works like Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

The film is led by director Alex Gibney and producer Graydon Carter and features narration by Johnny Depp. Thompson passed away in 2005.

The film addresses the major touchstones in Thompson's life-his intense and ill fated relationship with the Hell's Angels, his near-successful bid for the office of sheriff in Aspen in 1970, the notorious story behind the landmark Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas - more on this story

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Alabama Battle Over Cash

AP reports: The drummer for the country group Alabama has been sued by his fellow band members, who say he was overpaid $202,670.

The lawsuit filed May 9 in the Circuit Court of DeKalb County, Ala., claims that in 2003 Mark Herndon was paid for his share of net merchandise sales during the band's "American Farewell Tour" before a final accounting was done.

The final accounting, the suit claims, found that "there were no net merchandise revenues as defined by the contract." [The key word is "net" here, sounds like they had one of the lawyers that draw up record company contracts put this one together. - Seems there is a dispute over some CD money as well, read it here]

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Toto Split Up

House of Rock reports: Steve Lukather has announced the end of long running Los Angeles based band Toto "I would like to make a formal announcement as I have been barraged by e-mails and speculations on various websites.

The fact is yes I have left Toto. There is no more Toto. I told the guys before the last leg of our tour.We had some differences in how business was being done. The other fact is that I have been the only guy who was at the first rehearsal till the last gig a month or so ago.

When Jeff(Porcaro) died part of us all died with him. We pursued it and had some great times. Simon(Phillips) was a champ replacing Jeff at a most difficult time. Bobby was out of the band for 16 years and then came back and you know the other singer stories. Other than Bobby, Joe was the only guy that really fit with us cause he was a high school buddy as well. No offense to Bobby at all. - more on this story

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Osbourne Quits Talent Show

Old School Metal reports: Sharon Osbourne has announced that she is stepping down as a judge on The X Factor after four seasons. In a statement she thanked fellow judge Simon Cowell and "the wonderful British public for their enormous support".

The wife of rock star Ozzy was also joined on the panel by Louis Walsh and, in the last series, by Dannii Minogue.

"She has been a tremendous judge and mentor on the programme, but we respect her wish to leave and wish her the very best," an ITV spokesman said. - more on this story

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Layne Staley Tribute And Benefit Concert Details

antiMusic reports: We had a quick story about this last week but here is the official word with all the details: The seventh annual Layne Staley Tribute And Benefit Concert, honoring musician Layne Staley's life and music, will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2008, 8:30pm at Showbox Sodo located at 1700 1st Avenue S., Seattle, WA, one block south of Safeco Field.

This year's event will feature the band Hurt, who toured as direct support for Alice In Chains on their 2006 tour. Hurt quickly gained attention and a rabid fanbase of their own among Alice in Chains fans. Band members include; J. Loren � vocals, Evan Johns � drums, Josh Ansley � bass, Paul Spatola � guitar.

The show also features another favorite among Alice in Chains fans, Tantric, who's single 'Down and Out" is currently #20 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart and #19 on Radio & Records' Active Rock chart. Band members include; Hugo Ferriera � vocals, Kevin Miller (ex-Fuel) � drums, Joe Pessia � guitar, Eric Leonhardt � bass and Marcus Ratzenboeck � violin. - more on this story

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Underground Thrash Legends Laaz Rockit Set Release

PR reports: Bay Area thrash pioneers Laaz Rockit will be releasing a new album. Left For Dead is set for a July 25 release in Europe on Massacre Records.

There will be a record release party on August 23rd at Betty's Rock Club in Walnut Creek, CA. Two new songs off the new CD are available on the band's official MySpace page

Formed in 1982 in Berkeley, CA, Laaz Rockit is considered to be one the founders of the unique genre of Bay Area thrash metal. The band's new style of metal garnered a huge fan base, with their high energy live performances becoming their signature trademark. - more on this story

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Four Out of Five Accursed Members Jump Ship

PR reports: After seven years, four of the five members of The Accursed have called it quits. This is just an end to one era of The Accursed, with Jonathan [Helme, vocals], Chris [Helme, drums], Timothy [Giblin, guitar] and Metal George [bassist George Pacheco] choosing to go their separate ways, and Loki [guitar] deciding to continue on into the unknown.

It feels like we just couldn't keep going on the route we were headed; we needed change. We have grown apart musically, and our opinions on where The Accursed should go from here differed between members so drastically that there would be no way to make everyone happy."

Commented Loki: "Yes, I will be continuing the band. I will not play the whole catalogue of songs. I am not quite sure which but this is not a death of a band but a rebirth. I plan to carry on and make The Accursed darker like I had in mind at the beginning. Being a fan of other bands, I know that sometimes when they lose members and continue they are never quite as good, but my goal is not fall into that path but to try and make it better. - more on this story

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The Music That Influenced Bob Dylan

PR reports: Get ready for another incredible behind-the scenes look at a genius from Eagle Rock Entertainment, the same folks who bring you the Classic Albums and Live At Montreux DVD series. On July 15, 2008, Eagle is proud to announce the DVD release of Down The Tracks: The Music That Influenced Bob Dylan.

Blues�folk�country�these are the genres of the artists featured�Woody Guthrie, Leadbelly, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Pete Seeger, Reverend Gary Davis, Blind Willie McTell and more on Down The Tracks. Legends all, and they all had a major impact on the young mind and heart of Bob Dylan. Through archival performance tapes and interview footage amidst new interviews, an understanding is achieved on what went into the making of perhaps the most enigmatic poet of music the world has ever known. - more on this story

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zebrahead Set Release

PR reports: Orange County, CA's zebrahead are once again gearing up to make their presence felt with the group's highly-anticipated new album 'Phoenix' with most tracks produced by Cameron Webb (Social Distortion, Motorhead, Papa Roach) along with a few tracks produced by zebrahead's old friend and producer from their debut release Howard Benson (Daughtry, Saosin, POD Adema) CD to hit the street and Internet August 5 on ICON Music Entertainment.

Excited about their second release for ICON Music Entertainment, the band is revitalized, road-ready and eager to get the party started. The quintet comes out kicking, delivering a flurry of pummeling rhythms, clench-fisted chords and meaty hooks that we have come to expect from zebrahead.

In addition to the new CD the band is already slated to play Japan's Summersonic Festival, Europe's Download Festival and Switerland's Greenfield Festival. US tour dates to be announced soon. - more on this story

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Banjo Rock from Oneside Coming

PR reports: With Oneside's debut album First, to Last set to release September 30, the banjo will be reborn this Fall. First, to Last was recorded mainly between the hours of 10 P.M. and 7 A.M. The late nights and early mornings can be heard in the grooves, with lead singer Ned DeBary's earnest and soulful voice effectively bridging the gap between Americana and indie rock.

Beginning with First, To Last's foot-stomping opening track "The Letter," which combines elements of bluegrass, rock, jazz and even reggae, it is apparent that Oneside is willing to take traditional fundamentals of old time music and transform them into a unique, modern context. If My Morning Jacket decided to cover Bill Monroe, chances are that it would come out sounding an awful lot like Oneside. And for music fans, that's a good thing. - more on this story

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Paper Bag Go Digital

PR reports: Toronto's hometown heroes Paper Bag Records are proud to announce the launch of Paper Bag Digital! PBD is scheduled to open its virtual doors later this month with the inaugural release of Sally Shapiro's Remix Romance Vol. 2 on June 17th, 2008 featuring Dntel, Russian Futurists and Solvent.

Preceding its release date, Remix Romance Vol. 2 will first be made available June 3rd exclusively for iTunes, and will include two bonus remixes not available anywhere else!

Digital-only releases are also in the works for Woodhands, rare live highlights of The Acorn's Glory Hope Mountain, and You Say Party! We Say Die! among others. All future releases will now be available in 320kbps / DRM-free files on the Paper Bag Records site. - more on this story

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