Tuesday

Nate Dogg a Terrorist?

TMZ reports: TMZ has learned hip-hop artist Nate Dogg was arrested around 8:30 AM PT Monday morning while driving on the 405 in L.A.

Cops tell us Nate's estranged wife called into 911 freaking out as she was driving, claiming Nate was making death threats against her and "dangerously" following her as she drove down the road. The CHP stopped them both, and after interviewing both parties, arrested him for making terrorist threats and driving on a suspended license.

The singer, whose real name is Nathaniel Hale, is currently in the process of being booked into the medical ward of the Twin Towers jail in downtown L.A. - more on this story

Megadeth is Megamad, Verve Set Release, Jam With Bumblefoot for a good cause, Simple Minds add gig, Carl Barat Out of Hospital, Atheist Frontman Returns and more

antiMusic reports: Megadeth is Megamad! They issued the following statement: Megadeth would like to bring to attention that a concert promoter in Turkey is falsely advertising that Megadeth is to play in Bursa, Turkey this coming July. Megadeth is not, and never was, confirmed to play this show. Megadeth's management is aggressively pursuing this concert promoter for false advertising. Can we say Megadeth one more time?

Speaking of Megadeth: "The Reckoning," is the new album from F5. It was produced by Ryan Greene and comes out August 19. F5 features ex-Megadeth members David Ellefson and Jimmy DeGrasso, and they deliver more of F5's characteristic heavy-but-melodic hooks on this sophomore release.

The Verve has christened its reunion album "Four" and will release it Aug. 18 via EMI internationally and a day later in North America. more

The ongoing 30th anniversary salute to the Clash etches a new peak with the long-awaited DVD release of JOE STRUMMER: THE FUTURE IS UNWRITTEN, a film by Julien Temple, which will arrive in stores July 8th. The intimate biographical portrait of Clash frontman, vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and primal lyricist Joe Strummer (b. Aug. 21, 1952 – d. Dec. 22, 2002) underscores his passion for the music, and his instincts as a committed social and political activist. Check out the DVD trailer

Following last week's addition of their Belfast Odyssey Arena concert, Simple Minds have added another date to their 2008 UK 30th Anniversary Tour. Tickets for their Newcastle Metro Radio Arena show (December 3rd), goes on sale Friday June 27th at 9am.

Win A 3 Hour Guitar Lesson With Bumblefoot In NYC And A Gibson Les Paul BFG Guitar And A Ton More. A video explaining the promotion can be found here As the video says, this is an incredible prize package, with all of the proceeds going to the Rock Against Diabetes initiatives. The most exciting part of this promotion, and ultimately the draw for the winner, is that the package will continue to grow, as more shirts are sold. You will need to check back frequently to see what new items will be added for the winner. We are currently working on 2 runner up prizes to have a grand total of 3 winners, one being the GRAND PRIZE winner.

Gotta love press releases with very little info. The inaugural 80/35 music festival is July 4 and 5 in downtown Des Moines' Western Gateway Park. Featuring The Flaming Lips, The Roots, Andrew Bird, Jakob Dylan, Black Francis, Drive-By Truckers, Yonder Mountain String Band, and many more on four stages. Get full details at http://www.80-35.com

Chimaira has announced that they will have a signing session on July 12th at 1pm, the same day as their 10th anniversary show at Peabodies Down Under later that night. For the signing session, Matt, Jim, and Rob will be signing autographs and hanging out at the Sam Ash Music Store in Cleveland. more

Dame Shirley Bassey has pulled out of a concert in London to celebrate Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday, a month after having an operation on her stomach. more

Carl Barat has left hospital and is now resting at home, after suffering acute pancreatitis. The Dirty Pretty Things frontman was rushed into hospital after getting stomach pains last Tuesday (June 17th), which also forced his band to cancel two scheduled shows at weekend. more

Forever In Terror singer Chris Bianchi has been diagnosed with a severe kidney infection, forcing the band to cancel their summer tours (including a trek with Hell Within). more

Plans are underway to release the lost Rose Tattoo album from 1980. In between the first album in 1977, featuring 'Bad Boy For Love' and 'Assault and Battery' in 1981, Rose Tattoo recorded a complete album in Los Angeles that to this day has not been released. more

The Chemical Brothers will release a double 'best of' compilation album, 'Brotherhood', on September 1. The album will feature two discs. more

Brian Wilson has been added to the lineup for the 2008 Newport Folk Festival, taking place August 1-3. The legend joins Cat Power, Jim James of My Morning Jacket, The Black Crowes, Jimmy Buffett and Trey Anastasio at the event which takes place in Newport, RI. more

Voivod will support British heavy metal legends Judas Priest on their August 12 concert at Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. more

Last but certainly not least, our old friend Kelly Shaefer (Atheist / Neurotica) has a new project underway and they have already released 6 songs online. The band is called Pyroclastic and Kelly tells us: This is some new music me and my friends have put together in the last few months.. Shizz ,and G.J, my former bandmates from Neurotica, as well as Bezl on Bass formerly of Pimp Slap the Atmosphere. - Go check it out here and crank it the f**k up!

U.S. Rejects Boy George

Tear Filled Statement reports: Boy George is devastated that he will not be able to tour the US as planned this summer. The singer was looking forward to performing for his American fans for the first time in a decade and was especially eager to perform at The City of New York Department of Sanitation's annual Family Day on August 17th.

The concert was planned as a way to thank the DSNY and the workers' families for the kindness shown to him during his community service with them in 2006. Below is an official statement from his management.

"At the moment, Boy George cannot come to the United States of America because he has been refused permission to enter by the USA Administration. This is not in respect of anything he has done in the past but because he is facing a trial in November in London for something that happened in April last year. George's lawyers in London have absolutely forbidden us to speak about the facts of that case and all I can say is that George is astounded at the decision and is having lawyers here in the States look at it in the hope that someone will change their mind. - more on this story

Beatles Video Game Coming?

idolator reports: Sony honchos in charge of the Fab Four's publishing first voiced their enthusiasm for a Beatles-specific Guitar Hero game back in March, and now Apple Corps and EMI are meeting with both Activision (makers of Guitar Hero) and MTV Games (makers of Rock Band).

Since the death of unofficial CEO Neil Aspinall, Apple has lost some of its usual promotional hesitancy, finally giving American Idol the opportunity to perform Lennon-McCartney songs.

If plans for the game come to fruition, it may only be a matter of time before the band invades the digital marketplace in a big way. Surely the other Apple would be happy to see them warm up to it. - more on this story

Kings of Leon CD and Tour Coming

RCA reports: Kings of Leon will release their fourth album, Only By The Night, on September 23, 2008. Only By The Night was recorded at Blackbird Studios in Nashville, TN, and was produced by Angelo Petraglia, Jacquire King and Kings of Leon.

Only By The Night is a bold and expansive sonic statement that looks set to solidify Kings of Leon's position as one of the most important international acts of 2008 and beyond. It follows rapidly in the footsteps of the band's previous albums, Youth And Young Manhood, Aha Shake Heartbreak and Because Of The Times, all of which have quickly established them as one of the most prolific and acclaimed acts around.

Following on from the end of 2007, which saw the band playing sold-out shows across America, including nights at Radio City Music Hall and the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, as well as a sold-out UK arena tour, Kings of Leon will play their biggest shows to date over the summer of 2008. - more on this story

Boybander Attacks Taxi Driver

BBC reports: Singer Lee Ryan hit a Surrey taxi driver on the head during a row over a traffic accident, a court has heard.

The former member of boy band Blue is accused of hitting Naeem Ibrahim in Oxted on New Year's Eve after his fiancee crashed into Mr Ibrahim's cab.

Mr Ibrahim told Guildford magistrates the singer refused to pay for the damage and hit him as he wrote the vehicle registration number down. - more on this story

Weezer Playing Games

PR reports: Harmonix and MTV Games have announced their next online pack, new tracks from WEEZER's sixth studio release, WEEZER (Red Album), available on June 24th.

The critically acclaimed LA-based, guitar-pop quintet contribute the following three tracks; "The Greatest Man That Ever Lived," "Dreamin'" and "Troublemaker" to the Rock Band Music Store of downloadable content. Each track will be available for $1.99 per track (160 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) or $5.49 (440 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) for the three-pack.

Additionally June 24th will mark the third album added to the Rock Band Music Store catalog of downloadable content: the critically acclaimed Pixies' Doolittle. The additional fourteen tracks join "Wave of Mutilation," which was included on the original Rock Band™ game disc. Each track will be available for $1.99 per track (160 Microsoft Points for Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft) or $18.99 (1520 Microsoft Points for Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360) for the album. - more on this story

Shaq Vs Kobe

TMZ reports: Shaquille O'Neal took the mic at a NYC club last night, unleashing a freestyle verbal assault directed at his arch-enemy Kobe Bryant -- blaming his former teammate for ruining his marriage and imploring him to "Tell me how my ass tastes."

After spending several verses shredding Kobe apart for losing in the NBA playoffs, Shaq drops the line, "I'm a horse, Kobe ratted me out, that's why I'm getting divorced."

The line most likely references a comment Kobe made during his infamous 2003 rape case, when he told Colorado police that he "Should have done what Shaq does ... Shaq would pay his women not to say anything." The two became famously bitter rivals after the incident. - Watch the video

The Revolting Cocks To Deliver Sex-O Olympic-O in Rocktober

HER reports: To some, The Revolting Cocks (aka RevCo) is the bastard offspring of Ministry-madman Al Jourgensen and it seems that "Uncle Al" is a damn proud papa these days. "This is the best RevCo album I've ever done," said Al, who produced the album. "As a matter of fact, I think this is the best album - including Ministry, Pailhead, Lard - anything I've ever done, period. Production-wise, song-wise, I'm really, really happy with this record. It's the first CD I've ever gotten back from the mastering studio that I didn't have anything to bitch about. No complaints. I listened to the whole thing and just went, 'OK - that's a wrap. Let's go'!"

While still retaining the unmistakable RevCo industrial-dance-metal sound, "Sex-O Olympic-O" sees the group (Josh Bradford/vocals, Sin Quirin/guitars, Clayton Worbeck/keyboards) let first-wave glam rock seep into their already rich sound. Case in point, the soon-to-be quirky anthem (and first single from the album), "I'm Not Gay," which debuted on Ministry's 2008 "C U LaTouR" live shows and is now a solid staple on MySpace and Facebook homepages around the world.

Set for release October 14, 2008 via Jourgensen's label 13th Planet Records, it turns out that "Sex-O Olympic-O" was supposed to be RevCo's swansong. However, according to singer Bradford, it was the quality of the material that made Jourgensen alter his plan slightly. - more on this story

Year Long Disaster For The Foo Fighters

PR reports: Year Long Disaster have been selected by the Foo Fighters, one of the world's biggest rock bands, to take the opening slot on five dates during their Midwest run. The shows also feature special guests, Supergrass.

Year Long Disaster, the three-piece blues-based rock band of Daniel Davies (son of Dave Davies from The Kinks), Rich Mullins (Karma to Burn, Speedealer) and Brad Hargreaves (Third Eye Blind) are currently on their own nationwide tour with South Philly's hard-rocking Burning Brides.

Since the release of their eponymous debut on Volcom Entertainment, Year Long Disaster has brought their formidable live show to thousands of enthusiastic fans across the globe. They have toured extensively in both the United States and Europe sharing the stage with the likes of Velvet Revolver, The Sword, Clutch, Turbonegro, Nick Oliveri's Mondo Generator, Dropkick Murphys, Valient Thorr, and The Cult. - more on this story

Aimee Mann Tour Part 2

PR reports: After a stunning performance at Bonnaroo last weekend, Aimee Mann is taking a short 2 week break before she hits the road again on July 9th, for the second portion of her Summer US tour.

Aimee Mann's seventh solo release to date, @#%&! Smilers, is a return to form after the artistic detours of 2005's concept album The Forgotten Arm and 2006's Christmas CD One More Drifter in the Snow. - more on this story

VMAs Return to LA

MTV reports: Van Toffler, President, MTVN Music Group, today announced that the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards are headed to Hollywood to celebrate the rock 'n roll spirit of music in celebrity playground Los Angeles.

MTV will empower their audience to executive produce this year's show including giving them the opportunity to decide this year's nominees helping to create an awards show with the music they love.

MTV's 25th annual Video Music Awards will air live and only one time in its original incarnation, on Sunday, September 7, 2008 at 9PM (Live ET/Tape Delayed PT). Host, performers, nominees, and presenters for the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards will be announced at a later date. - more on this story

Juliana Hatfield To Publish Memoir

PR reports: Juliana Hatfield has unveiled details of her upcoming memoir, entitled When I Grow Up, slated to be published by John Wiley & Sons on September 29th. The book follows the renowned singer/songwriter's much-anticipated new album, How To Walk Away, due from Hatfield's own Ye Olde Records on August 19th.

At turns wryly funny and heartbreakingly sincere, When I Grow Up offers Hatfield's inimitable perspective on her remarkable 20-year career. Penned during her recent year-long sabbatical from music, the book chronicles her extraordinary journey, from her teenage beginnings in the pioneering indie-rock combo, Blake Babies, and iconic rise to alternative solo stardom, to the past decade's stunning streak of increasingly mature, critically acclaimed albums.

When I Grow Up takes readers backstage and behind the scenes of a life lived in rock 'n' roll, detailing the origin of her songs, her battles with clinical depression, and her quest to find purpose after all of her dreams had seemingly come true. Throughout the book, Hatfield recounts her skyscraping highs and deep, dark lows in the same engaging voice her fans have loved for years - spirited, witty, and always candid. - more on this story

Helloween Lineup Changes

Metal Underground reports: Detroit heavy metal band Halloween has parted ways with their guitar player and added some new members. The band gave the following statement on their website:

Due to a difference in artistic vision, Halloween and Donny Allen have decided to part ways. Donny has been a staple in this band for over 16 years and we love him like a brother, he will always be family and we hope the best for him. Good luck Donny.

Mourning Sun/Night Creature guitarist extraordinaire Don Guerrier and Abandon axeslinger Shawn Moore have joined the band. After only one rehearsal with these two, we were blown away by how great it sounded - more on this story

VH1 Rock Honors The Who Weekend

Vh1 reports: The third annual "VH1 Rock Honors" will celebrate The Who in a televised concert, featuring tribute performances by Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, The Flaming Lips and the recently-announced Incubus, before The Who take the stage to make an unforgettable evening. Taping in Los Angeles at Pauley Pavilion on July 12, "VH1 Rock Honors: The Who" will premiere nationally Thursday, July 17 at 9pm ET/PT.

Leading up to the big event, VH1 has once again partnered with LA Weekly for a Who-themed VH1 Rock Honors Weekend, sponsored by [corp name removed], in Los Angeles, July 10-14. Full details on The Who-themed events happening all around town will be announced shortly, in the meantime here's a sneak peak at some of the activities lined up:

Grace Slick (Jefferson Airplane/Starship) art exhibit at Gallery 319 featuring paintings of Pete Townshend. Grace Slick will be in attendance! * The Who-themed karaoke night at Blue Goose Lounge * Rock 'n' Reads brings together music and books with appearances by special bands and various authors including Stephanie Kuehnert (I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone) and Kristin Harmel (How To Sleep With A Movie Star) * Rock Honors BBQ with a Rock Band competition for prize packages at Crane's Hollywood Tavern * 80's cover band Steel Panther tribute The Who the entire night at the Key Club * Watch screenings of The Who movies over a pint @ Ye Coach and Horses * plus a whole lot more... - Rock.VH1.com.

Another Idol Loser Dropped Like A Pauly Shore Sitcom

idolator reports: Ruben Studdard released three albums before getting dropped. Taylor Hicks and Katharine McPhee got a year and a half on their post Idol contracts before being let go.

Now 2007 American Idol runner-up Blake Lewis has been cast away by Arista, less than a year after they announced signing him. How long will Jive give David Archuleta to find a niche? Six months?

Lewis claims that he never wanted to sign to a major in the first place (I mean, who goes on American Idol wanting corporate assistance in becoming rich and famous?), but whether it's a sign that execs aren't going to suffer some "creative control" fool following Kelly Clarkson's My December, or that one shot is all you get in the current marketplace, news like this will probably make next year's contestants even more complacent about actually winning the competition. - more on this story

Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival Lineup

PR reports: Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival is proud to announce new additions to the already-stellar line-up for the first inaugural event. Howlin' Rain, The Dynamites and Carney are rounding out Friday August 22nd.

The Walkmen, Abigail Washburn & the Sparrow Quartet featuring Bela Fleck and Everest have been added to Saturday August 23rd. Toots & the Maytals, Rogue Wave, Mike Gordon and Vienna Teng have been added to Sunday, August 24th.

The multi-faceted, three-day festival will take place in San Francisco's historic Golden Gate Park on August 22 – 24, 2008. Radiohead, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and Jack Johnson will headline the event. - more on this story

Hollow Corp Set US Release

Prosthetic Records reports: Prosthetic Records is proud to announce the release of French metal band Hollow Corp.'s debut record, 'Cloister of Radiance,' throughout North America.

Originally released in Europe last September through Swedish label Dental Records, the deal will make 'Cloister of Radiance' available domestically for the first time on September 30.

"We're feeling really honored joining such a great label like Prosthetic," Hollow Corp. frontman Stephane Azam says. "They have awesome bands and a vision of the music that corresponds with our own. Let us hope to cross the Atlantic soon! We also wish to thank Dental Records for their great job in Europe!" - more on this story

CCA Promise Something Not Different, But Not The Same

PR reports: Would you like to see something different? Or at least, something that is not the same? CCA is what you are looking for. The meeting of three artists (Cushma, Cides, Alexander) presents an album full of good surprises and of exquisite bouquet - from the first moment, we find impressive graphic art. It is a kind of box or carton that presents a "freak circus show."

The packaging design from Argentina by the illustrator Nuno Enriquez is as special as the music that it contains, which was the premise of work that assembled Linda Cushma, Guillermo Cides and the drummer Tim Alexander recognized by his work with the band, Primus. From sticky melodies to uncontrollable moments of rock, the cd cruises for sound explorations including a tango sung in Spanish by Cushma.

The new album has a long list of guests including renowned bassist/stickist Tony Levin (Peter Gabriel/King Crimson) and a remixed version of a song by Quodia with Trey Gunn (ex-King Crimson) and Joe Mendelson. This is one of CCA's many surprises - Gunn narrating a musical story. - more on this story

Bedtime With the Beatles 2

PR reports: Jason Falkner (Jellyfish, the Three O'Clock, the Grays) has delivered his second batch of Beatles lullabies, Bedtime With the Beatles 2. A must-have for parents, kids and Falkner fans alike, the eagerly anticipated sequel to 2001's Bedtime With the Beatles: Instrumental Versions of Classic Beatles Songs compiles serene but compelling instrumental versions of 10 classic Beatles tunes spanning six albums. It's an ideal way for parents to introduce children to the rich and rewarding discography of the Fab Four.

In revisiting the Beatles discography, the versatile Falkner—who has worked with Air, Beck, Aimee Mann and Travis, in addition to releasing three esteemed solo albums—explains, "Great songs are hard to come by, and the Beatles wrote and recorded possibly the most consistently brilliant collection of songs in the 20th century." - more on this story

ThanksUSA Benefit Concert

PR reports: ThanksUSA, a charitable effort to mobilize Americans to "thank" our active-duty troops, will present a benefit concert on July 26, 2008, at the Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C., at 7:00 PM EST.

Headlining the event will be Stephen Cochran, a former U.S. Marine and country newcomer, and international recording artist Mylin, whose father served in the U.S. Navy. The concert is part of a broad fundraising drive to provide college scholarships to the spouses and dependents of active-duty troops.

Over the past two years, ThanksUSA has awarded nearly $4 million in need-based, post-secondary scholarships to more than 1,350 spouses and children of military members serving on active-duty status; scholarships have been presented to recipients in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. - more on this story

Lou Reed's Berlin Screening

Noble PR reports: "Lou Reed's Berlin", a film directed by Julian Schnabel, will receive a Special Preview Screening at the Curzon Mayfair cinema on Sunday 29th June at 6:20pm. The screening will be followed by an exclusive Q&A with Lou Reed at 7:45pm.

A very limited amount of tickets are still available to the general public, priced £15. You can order tickets from 0871 703 3989 or from www.curzoncinemas.com (cinema address: Curzon Mayfair, 38 Curzon Street, London, W1J 7TY).

The film will go on general release on Friday 25th July in cinemas nationwide including London's Renoir Cinema and Curzon Soho, Arts Picturehouse Cambridge, Filmhouse Edinburgh, Watershed Bristol, Showroom Sheffield and will open at the Tyneside Cinema Newcastle on 15th August.
- more on this story

George Jones Duets

W&A reports: Bandit Records will release George Jones - Burn Your Playhouse Down: the unreleased duets, a collection of never before heard duets between Jones and his illustrious guests on August 19, 2008. The recordings range from the mid-70s with his ex-wife, the "First Lady of Country Music," Tammy Wynette to the most recent recording from 2007 with his daughter, Georgette, the only child from the union of George and Tammy.

Seven of the recordings are extra songs, not included in The Bradley Barn Sessions that MCA Records released in 1994. Produced by Brian Ahern, the Bradley Barn recordings brought together superstar musicians and singers from both the country and rock world. Recorded during the worst ice storm in Tennessee history, the 1993 sessions, which took place over the course of several weeks, brought together Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, Leon Russell and Marty Stuart - as the core of the studio band with Keith Richards, Mark Knopfler, Emmylou Harris trading off as instrumentalists and vocalists on many of the songs.

The top players in Nashville - Eddie Bayers, Mac McAnally, Jerry Douglas, Glenn Worf, Brent Rowan, Glen D. Hardin, John Jennings, Harry Stinson, Richard Bennett and many more made the icy trek every day to Mt. Juliet, about 30 miles outside of Nashville. No one wanted to miss these historic sessions which paired Jones with an array of superstars influenced by the artist they considered the greatest living country singer. Ahern produced the classic Jones hits as an acoustic project to give the songs a different feel than the originals. - more on this story

Stos Debut Coming to CD At Long Last

MMP reports: Metal Mind Productions presents remastered edition of the debut album by the legendary female fronted band Stos.

Stos was formed in 1981 in Jaworzno by Irena Bol - vocals, Mirosław Majta - vocals, Mirosław Bol - guitar, Waldemar Harwig - guitar, Waldemar Rosiak – bass and Jan Bol – drums. The first songs from that period proved that the band was heavily influenced by hard rock music in the likes of Black Sabbath, Nazareth, Budgie or UFO.

Their debut album "Stos", previously available only as a LP, contains the material from recording sessions in Opole '86 and Poznań '89. New digipak ediion includes 3 studio and 5 live tracks as a bonus and is limited to 2000 copies. Digitally remastered using 24-Bit process on golden disc. The album will be released on 28th July 2008 in Europe and 2nd September 2008 in USA (via MVD). - more on this story

Killsmith Week: Day 2

antiMusic reports: Most people got their first taste of Neal Smith's talent on most of Alice Cooper's classic songs. But to get the full Neal Smith experience you have to hear the new Killsmith album 'Sexual Savior,' where Neal not only wrote all the songs and played almost all of the instruments but also produced it! Last month Morley spoke with Neal about the album in details and we're including just a small part of that conversation here this week as Neal walks us through some of his favorite tracks from the CD. Here is Neal with today's song:

"Sexual Savior", I'm not going to tell you how it all came about. (Laughs) Now that was just, through the history of the band, I mean, we knew some of the most outrageous groupies in the country. And it was a sort of tribute, or homage to them, if you will, and some of the women that I've known personally through my lifetime. That was pretty much it.

All I'm trying to do is…you know, there are three parts to classic rock and roll, and that's sex, drugs and rock and roll. And I was just trying to sort of highlight the sex part of it, which is always a part of rock and roll."

Learn more about the CD and what else Neal is up to right - here