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Recap of top stories for the first half of this week

Top 5 stories for first half this week

Bon Jovi Bomb Threat

Sleazeroxx reports: A bomb threat forced a three-hour evacuation of a Bon Jovi concert Saturday night at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise [Florida] as authorities swept the massive arena for explosives.

The threat turned out to be a hoax, courtesy of someone calling from a cell phone with only 911 capabilities, authorities said. It was unclear if Sunrise police had any suspects. Police did not return numerous messages and pages seeking information Saturday evening.

Sunrise police received the threat sometime around 6 p.m. from a caller saying they would blow up the arena with two bombs at 7:57 p.m., said Sunrise Commissioner Sheila Alu. She said the police had several bomb-sniffing dogs sweeping the arena. "We are taking this very seriously to ensure the safety of all concertgoers," Alu said - more on this story

Guns N' Roses Almost Reunited

antiMusic reports: Scott Weiland dropped a bomb in a new interview with Classic Rock magazine. During the conversation he not only said that he thinks his former Velvet Revolver bandmates should reunite with Axl Rose, but he also said that they almost did. Blabbermouth has posted part of the interview including this discussion:

When asked if an alternative to this heated situation between him and the rest of VELVET REVOLVER would that they all cool off, do their separate projects and then regroup and see how the land lies, Weiland replied, "I think they should get GUNS N' ROSES back together, to tell you the truth. I think that would be the greatest thing that they could do. I think the world would be very happy.

"If they could stop talking trash about Axl [Rose, GN'R singer] in the press. It almost happened. The pens were ready to sign. With the 'Greatest Hits', there was a possibility [of a reunion], but there was too much stuff being said. But it was a close call. I would love to see that happen, as a Guns N' Roses fan. I'd pay to see it." - They went on to ask Duff about this. Read what he had to say

Weiland Going To Jail

antiMusic reports: The Stone Temple Pilots reunion tour may have just hit a snag as frontman Scott Weiland has been sentenced to jail time. While he's only been sentence to what works out to be 8 days, the STP tour starts on May 17th and his deadline to serve is May 28th. So he'll have to find some time during the next three weeks to serve his sentence.

TMZ has more on the sentencing: Rockstar Scott Weiland has just been sentenced to 192 hours in county jail for his November DUI arrest. This is Weiland's second DUI offense. Scott, who was not present in court today, entered a no contest plea through his attorney, Anthony Brooklier. The former Velvet Revolver singer was also ordered to complete an 18-month alcohol program and pay almost $2,000 in fine. He will be put on a four-year summary probation.

Weiland was charged with one misdemeanor count of driving under the influence of alcohol with a prior conviction, and with an allegation that he refused a chemical test as required by law. We are told he was over the legal limit of .08%, but not by much. - more on this story

Metallica Headlining Ozzfest

Blabbermouth reports: As BLABBERMOUTH.NET exclusively reported on April 11, this summer's Ozzfest will consist of two separate two-day (Saturday/Sunday) events — one of which will be held in Dallas — in late July/early August, with OZZY OSBOURNE headlining one day and METALLICA the other.

Reactivated Texas thrash/speed metallers RIGOR MORTIS have now announced via their MySpace page that they are confirmed for Ozzfest 2008 in Dallas on Saturday, August 9. METALLICA will apparently close out the show this night.

RIGOR MORTIS will perform with its original lineup consisting of Bruce Corbitt (TEXAS METAL ALLIANCE), Mike Scaccia (MINISTRY, REVOLTING COCKS, BLOHOLE), Casey Orr (GWAR, MITRA, X-COPS, THE HELLIONS, BLOHOLE), and Harden Harrison (MITRA, PERVIS, SPEEDEALER). - more on this story

Miley Cyrus Goes Topless For Vanity Fair

antiMusic reports: If the leaked photos of Miley Cyrus didn't erase the squeaky clean Hannah Montana image, then the photo spread by Annie Leibovitz in Vanity Fair just might. You see ol' Hannah was asked to take off her top for the shoot and complied. Her minders at Disney are apparently not pleased at all.

This sparked quite a controversy. On one hand some might say that it was Miley growing up and following the predictable poptart path where the teen princess goes from clean Disney star to provocative sexpot (kind of disturbing since she's just 15). Others, including Miley and Disney, are claiming she was somehow manipulated into doing the shoot which she says she told was going to be "artistic." Perhaps Miley (or her parents and managers) never heard of the David Hamilton's version of "art" before when she agreed to do a "artistic" photo shoot for a magazine known for racy photos of celebs. "I took part in a photo shoot that was supposed to be 'artistic' and now, seeing the photographs and reading the story, I feel so embarrassed," she said in a statement. "I never intended for any of this to happen and I apologize to my fans who I care so deeply about."

Vanity Fair have a different memory of what happened, "Miley's parents and/or minders were on the set all day," the magazine told Entertainment Tonight. "Since the photo was taken digitally, they saw it on the shoot and everyone thought it was a beautiful and natural portrait of Miley." - more on this story

Monday

Winehouse Gets Slapped On the Wrist

antiMusic reports: Amy Winehouse was arrested on Friday for assaulting two men earlier in the week. But after being questioned, the cops let the troubled singer go after cautioning her about her wild ways.

According to the BBC, Winehouse's spokesman said in statement: "Amy Winehouse was questioned this morning at a London police station in connection to an incident in Camden in the early hours of 23 April, 2008.

"She admitted to a common assault by slapping a man with an open hand and accepted a caution. Amy was fully co-operative with inquiries and apologised for the incident. She thanked the police for their professional handling of the matter. There will be no further action taken." - Read about the attacks here

Eddie Van Halen Health Update

Blabbermouth reports: Eddie Van Halen recently spoke to People magazine about his health in the wake of last month's announcement that Van Halen's ongoing world tour was put on ice after the guitarist was diagnosed with an unspecified medical condition.

There are still no public details on exactly what ailed, or ails, the guitarist, but he says, quote, "I feel excellent. I'm healthier than I've ever been. It's wonderful."

VAN HALEN resumed its reunion tour with singer David Lee Roth on April 17 in Reno, Nevada, followed by a performance in Las Vegas on April 19 at Tiger Jam XI, an annual fundraiser hosted by pro golf star Tiger Woods. - more on this story

American Idol's Lowest Ratings in Five Years

antiMusic reports: It looks like American Idol has already hit its peak and is on a downhill slide after posting their lowest rating five years for a much coveted demographic. While the show sill has a lot of viewers, more and more people seem to be tuning out.

Wednesday night's telecast lost 700,000 viewers from the previous week and had the lowest ratings among 18-49 year-olds in five years. Last week 23.3 million people tuned in for the results show but this week the number dropped to 22.6 million.

Still an insane amount of viewers but the ratings have been sliding all year as it looks like more and more Americans are tuning out. At this rate Paula might disappear back into obscurity within a couple more seasons. Then you'll have to do a bar to get your fix of karaoke. But we'll have to wait and see. - more details

The Fiddy Cent Workout!

antiMusic reports: 50 Cent has put his finger into a lot of different areas aside from music to make a buck. Perhaps a "Fiddy Cent Workout" DVD is in the cards as well? Might not go down very well in the hood, but there are probably enough people out there stupid enough to buy it.

Before people start thinking that Fiddy is really putting out an fidness DVD, he isn't but he's reportedly catching some hell from his homies for taking up aerobics to become more of a girlyman. Gigwise has the report: 50 Cent has become the laughing stock of the Hip Hop fraternity after turning to aerobics to get in shape for his new film role.

Fiddy, real name Curtis Jackson, has taken up the exercise regime to shed some of his muscle for his part as a cop in 'Streets of Blood'. - more on this story

Metallica For Halloween?

antiMusic reports: Has the release date for the new Metallica album been leaked onto the Inaweb? It may have been as Amazon.com has added a release date to their listing for the album. And it's sooner then you think. Howz about getting a treat from Lars for Halloween?

Blabbermouth has the story: Amazon.com is currently listing an October 28, 2008 release date for the new METALLICA album. It should be noted, however, that this information has not yet been corroborated by the band or the group's record label, Warner Bros. Music. METALLICA has set up a web site at MissionMetallica.com that says it will offer fans a chance to "experience the new album before it's done."

METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich told RollingStone.com that the band intends to explore "everything" in terms of selling its music once its current recording contract expires. But although the group's upcoming ninth studio album is its last with Warner Bros., Ulrich said they would be hesitant to follow in the footsteps of U2 and MADONNA and sign a comprehensive "360 deal" with Live Nation. - more on this story

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Tuesday

Free Coldplay Song and Shows

PR reports: "Violet Hill," the first single from Coldplay's upcoming album, Viva La Vida, will be available as a free download from the band's website for one week beginning Tuesday, April 29th, at 7:15 a.m. EDT - a full week before it goes on sale at digital retailers. Viva La Vida will be released in North America on June 17th.

"Violet Hill" also debuts on radio this Tuesday. On the same day, Coldplay will post preliminary details on its website regarding the band's upcoming free show: June 23rd New York, NY Madison Square Garden

Please check their site beginning April 29th for details on how to win tickets. As this is a free show, no tickets will be available for purchase. Coldplay will also be playing a free show at Brixton Academy in London, England on June 16th. - Their website

Kenny Chesney Injured

TMZ reports: Kenny Chesney suffered a foot injury during his entrance to the stage Saturday night -- but finished his set without incident. Who says country stars ain't tough?

He was coming up through the bottom of the stage on an elevator, when his foot (which was harnessed in for safety) got stuck between the lift and the stage. After finally freeing himself, Chesney performed his whole set -- he was the final act of a show that included LeAnn Rimes and Brooks & Dunn -- with a noticeable limp.

[According to the Associated Press "Chesney's boot had to be cut off his foot after the show, the singer said in a statement that did not detail how serious the injury was." No word yet is the injury will keep from kicking off a string of U.S. dates on Thursday with a show in Texas.] - more on this story

Canadian Protests Motley Trash

Sleazeroxx reports: In a recent letter to Canada's The Observer, a writer states that the community should "not be exposed to such trash as Motley Crue." The citizen wrote: Sir: I am responding to the article in the April 18 issue of The Observer regarding a Bayfest event this summer.

The city and residents of the community of Sarnia-Lambton should not be exposed to such trash as Motley Crue. The degradation and the immorality of the community with the promotion of such an event is astronomical. Our community is worth more than this.

This letter is to mobilize people and groups of people to rise and address this issue and to challenge them publicly to have it stopped. - more on this story

Doherty Turns to Islam

antiMusic reports: Pete Doherty may have turned to Allah to help him overcome his drug addicted ways. At least that's the word on the street. Seems that Pete may be traveling down the Cat Stevens path while in prison.

Gigwise has the report: The Babyshambles front man, who is currently locked up in Wormwood Scrubs, has apparently been reading the Koran daily.

He first requested to holy book after to being moved to an isolated cell last week. [According to a "friend" of his,] "He's got a lot of Muslim friends and they've been on at him for ages to study it. Now he's on his own he's got time on his hands to study it". - more on this story

Bon Jovi Escort Scandal

antiMusic reports: Has Bon Jovi given an Aussie cop a bad name? Seems there is a scandal brewing Down Under with cop acting as unauthorized escorts to popstars and Bon Jovi is reportedly in the middle of it. Sleazeroxx has the details: It looks like Melbourne has a groupie police officer. Following the k.d. lang unauthorized police escort scandal in Melbourne, Australia earlier this week, police are now investigating a similar incident involving Bon Jovi.

An anonymous caller into radio station 3AW's Rumour File segment on the breakfast show has unveiled that, like k.d. lang, Bon Jovi also received a police escort without approval from the department.

Bon Jovi toured Australia in May for Paul Dainty. Dainty is also touring k.d. lang. The Victoria police department has not confirmed if one "groupie" police officer was involved with Bon Jovi and k.d. lang or if the department has a pop star fixation epidemic. - more on this story

More Stone Temple Tribute Details

PR reports: STP Tribute LP To Feature Members of Concrete Blonde, Badlands, Megadeth, Fuel, others. Since announcing the early 09 release of 'Wicked Garden: A Millennium Tribute to Stone Temple Pilots', Versailles Records is excited to report that the album's artist roster now includes a who's who of rock n' roll.

The disc will feature contributes from current/former members of Concrete Blonde, Black Sabbath, Racer X, Megadeth, Badlands, Alice Cooper Band, Fuel, Surgical Steel, Circle Jerks, Slash's Snakepit, Warrant, Steelheart, Michael Shanker Group, Dokken, L.A. Guns, Machine Head, Ratt, WASP, Quiet Riot, and others to be announced.

The roster also includes a host of millennium rock bands, in many cases paired with the aforementioned name rockers, including such artists as Rev. Jones & friends, Katet, The Rosemary Ftring. Keri Kelli, Dirty Vendetta Ftring. Chris Poland, Binary Code, Richard Kendrick, Motor Devil, Brian Colburn & D.C. Slater, Jeff Martin & James Mankey (lead guitarist of Concrete Blonde), Spiral Arms, Rose Reiter, Martian Honey, Blackk Jack, One Bad Son, Nigel Cuff, Lee Thompson, and others to be announced covering STP's greatest hits! The CD will also include a bonus CD Sampler featuring original bands/songs influenced/inspired by STP. Inquiries re the latter bonus sampler may be directed to - www.myspace.com/versaillesrecords

NIN Bypass Scalpers Reserve Best Tix For Fans

NLM reports: Nine Inch Nails has secured extremely limited allotments of the guaranteed best possible seats to every headlining show on the band's upcoming tour and reserved them for pre-sale via NIN.com. Beginning roughly 72 hours prior to each general on-sale, Nine Inch Nails fans registering under their legal names at NIN.com will be offered exclusive advance access to these prime tickets.

Additionally, in an initiative to protect NIN fans from scalpers and ticket brokers, every pre-sale ticket will be personalized with the purchaser's legal name printed on the ticket. Tickets will not be available until night of show, at which point they will be waiting for the purchaser and his/her party at designated will calls at separate entrances to be used exclusively by NIN.com pre-sale ticket holders. Government-issued ID matching the name printed on the ticket will be required for venue entry night of show. NO tickets will be mailed in advance.

Ticket quantities are extremely limited and available on a first come first served basis. For further information regarding tour dates, pre-sales, on-sales and other major developments, keep checking back at - nin.com

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Top Reviews of the Week

. Def Leppard - Songs From The Sparkle Lounge

Def Leppard's 11th studio album, arriving 21 years after mammoth 'Hysteria' and a dozen years past the experimental 'Slang' finds the band not embracing either of those formulas and instead made the finest depiction of their musical philosophy. (4 stars) - Read the full Def Leppard - Songs From The Sparkle Lounge review

. McDowell Mountain Music Festival

This year was the fifth outing for the McDowell Mountain Music Festival, Arizona's premiere jam band event. About 10,000 people attended the two-day party, grooving to over a dozen bands including headliners Gov't Mule and the John Butler Trio. - Read the full McDowell Mountain Music Festival review

. 10 Years of antiMusic: Pearl Jam Live

We're looking back at 10 years of antiMusic. This week we're looking back at some highlights of our live coverage through the years. Today Tony looks back on one of the most unforgettable shows he has ever witnessed-- courtesy of Pearl Jam. - Read the full Pearl Jam Live review

. Scarlett Johansson (Dolly Review)

I'm sure this album will probably win her a Grammy for best spoken word album. We all can thank the writer's strike that led to such intense boredom that led Scarlett to pursue something that would have her reciting speeches in a different media. - Read the full Scarlett Johansson - Anywhere I Lay My Head review

. 10 Years of antiMusic: AC/DC Live

We're looking back at 10 years of antiMusic. This week we're looking back at some highlights of our live coverage through the years. Today we look back at Goth Brooks' review of the 2000 AC/DC and Slash's Snakepit tour! - Read the full AC/DC Live review

. Ace Frehley Live

It's been over a dozen years since Ace has toured solo and I had doubts if he really would be capable of launching a tour and not being a mere shadow of his former self. I couldn't have been more wrong as he unblinkingly rocked the sold-out crowd flawlessly. - Read the full Ace Frehley Live review


 
 

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