New Weezer Song Out and Preorder Specials

Both pre-order versions come with a special password to buy tickets before the public onsale for Weezer's U.S. tour. You must pre-order the album by June 23, 2008, 11:59 PM local to be eligible to receive these added features. Event markets and presale times will be announced in the coming weeks.
- iTunes link

Metalocalypse Returns

PR reports: Dethklok is back and ready to deal with groupies, fame and yes, politics in all-new episodes of Metalocalypse. The hit Adult Swim series chronicles Dethklok's crusades into darkness and follows the exploits of the world's most popular metal band and most significant cultural force. Created by Brendon Small and Tommy Blacha, the second season of Metalocalypse continues on Sunday, May 18, at 12 a.m. (ET, PT).

Dethklok has a true talent for creating the most death-defying music, making them the undisputed greatest metal band in the galaxy. Unfortunately for Nathan Explosion, William Murderface, Skwisgaar Swigelf, Toki Wartooth and Pickles, that's about all they can do, period. In the new episodes that begin in May, Dethklok its hand at public relations, the dating game and wedding registries.

In fall 2007, a real-life version of Dethklok, led by co-creator Brendon Small, embarked on a national tour, playing at college campuses around the United States. The college tour heralded the release of the hugely successful album The Dethalbum. The album features songs written and performed by Small from the first season of Metalocalypse, and it debuted at #21 on the Billboard Top 200 as the highest-charting death metal album of all time. Dethklok will embark on its second nationwide tour this summer when Adult Swim Presents Metalocalype's Dethklok kicks-off on June 2 and travels to 28 cities. - more on this story

50 Cent $300 Million MySpace Deal?

Gigwise reports: US rapper 50 Cent in talks to sign a $300million deal with Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation, it's been reported.

Under the terms of the deal, News Corporation's social networking website Myspace would control the rapper's touring commitments and TV production.

It would also over see 50 Cent's affiliate work with G-Unit. According to MediaTakeout, the rapper will receive up to half of $300million in shares - more on this story

Metallica Fall CD Release Confirmed

BW&BK reports: A billboard for Billabong, located in Manhattan's Times Square, featuring Metallica, prominently displays September as the release date of the band's forthcoming as-yet-untitled album.

The ad is the only one of its kind, and comes on the heels of the Metallica Billabong shorts which were released a few months back.

[from yesterday's report] With a handful of U.S. and overseas festival and concert dates lined up this summer, Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich has revealed that the band will follow the September release of its new as-yet-untitled album with a tour.] - Some info their gig in LA this week and a photo of the ad.

More Acts Bumbershoot

Filter reports: Seattle's 38th annual Bumbershoot Music & Arts Festival has announced new musical acts to their already stellar lineup.

Joining the roster of bands are Filter cover alums Band of Horses, The Black Keys, Sons & Daughters, and Estelle.

Unfortunately, Ludacris has stepped out of this year's partial lineup, but stay tuned for many more additions to be announced. - See who is now booked

County Academy To Honor Conway Twitty, Just Not Where Anyone Will See It

PR reports: The Academy of Country Music will honor the late Conway Twitty with the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award during the non televised portion of the 43rd Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards. The ceremony, which honors country music's top talent as well as the industry's hottest emerging talent, will be broadcast LIVE from MGM GRAND in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 18th, 2008 at 8:00 PM ET/PT on the CBS Television Network.

In 1970, Conway Twitty set the astonishing pace for the decade with "Hello Darlin'" one of the most recognizable singles in country music history. He later teamed with Loretta Lynn and the Academy of Country Music awarded their partnership with four trophies for Top Vocal Group in 1971, 1974-1976. In 1975, he won two more Awards for Album of the Year and Top Male Vocalist. Before he died in 1993, Twitty had scored a record breaking 55 number one hits, either as a solo artist or with his close friend Loretta Lynn. - more on this story

The Maine Bonus

PR reports: The Maine will release their debut, full length album, "Can't Stop, Won't Stop" July 8, 2008. This album was produced by Matt Squire (Panic at the Disco, Forever The Sickest Kids All Time Low) and will be released on Fearless Records.

In addition to the twelve tracks, the cd will be enhanced with exclusive bonus content. "Can't Stop, Won't Stop" follows their first EP, "The Way We Talk," which has sold over 25,000 albums, in less than 6 months, landed them a "Hot Shot Debut" on the "Billboard Heatseakers Chart"

The Maine will kick off their summer on the Vans Warped Tour and continue in July and August on the The Soundtrack of Your Summer Tour with Boys Like Girls, Good Charlotte and Metro Station. - more on this story

Tommy Lee and Ludacris Reality Show

antiMusic reports: Remember a few months ago when Motley Crue sued Tommy Lee's manager--in part--because they believed said manager made Tommy look stupid by taking part in reality TV shows? It looks like whoever is advising Tommy now didn't get the memo as Lee is set to appear in a new reality show with rapper Ludacris. They aren't forming a band. They're building houses out of bamboo for the show that will air on the Discovery channel's new "green" offshoot.

Sleaxeroxx has the story: A new reality TV show will see Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee team up with rapper Ludacris to build homes out of sustainable construction bamboo. The TV show, 'Battleground Earth' will see the artists build small houses out of construction "kits".

As Jeffree Trudeau, President of Bamboo Technologies, the company behind the project says, "Our buildings range in size from a 120 sq ft tropical bungalow, like those assembled on Battleground Earth, to an over 3000 sq ft, fully insulated, 2 story Bamboo Mansion. The smaller kits assemble in a matter of days, and in the case of Tommy Lee and Ludacris, in a matter of hours, making them particularly attractive for disaster relief." - more on this story

Fans Vs Radiohead

antiMusic reports: Somebody rained on DC Radiohead fans' parade and they are mad! Reuters has the story: British rock band Radiohead's rain-drenched show near Washington D.C. last weekend has triggered an Internet-driven firestorm, with message boards and the blogosphere lighting up amid fan frustration.

The area around the Nissan Pavilion in Bristow, Va., was hammered by monsoon-like conditions last Sunday, with an estimated four inches of rain and flooding forcing road closures and paralyzing traffic. Hundreds or thousands of fans -- depending on who is estimating -- were extremely late or unable to get into the show.

As such, many fans have taken to the Internet to vent their dissatisfaction, with neither the venue, the promoter nor the band being spared. One area blogger offers this headline: "Radiohead (at) Nissan: You Both Suck." - that's nothing, read more

Pearl Jamming Slow, Rihanna Tops Leona, Guns N' Rags, DMX Pleas, Shania and Mutt Split, Baby Black, Hot Chip Tour as Hate Machine Reunite

antiMusic reports: Here are some Friday quicks to put you in the mood to do very little work today as you think about the weekend. Pearl Jam has gotten a start on its next album, but it's still in "its very infant stages" according to guitarist Mike McCready. "We've had one session of writing and it has yielded ... about five ideas so far," McCready told Billboard.com during a conference call with reporters about this year's Bonnaroo Music Festival, which Pearl Jam will headline on June 14. "Some of it's kind of poppy and some of it's a little hard. We want it to grow up a little bit. We have to revisit it a few times."

Rihanna's 'Take A Bow' Has Overtaken Leona Lewis's 'Bleeing Love' At The Top Of The US Billboard Hot 100. Rihanna's Scoop Comes Thanks To First Week Digital-Download Sales In Excess Of 267,000 Copies – Which Saw Her Climb From Number 53-1. more

Guns N Roses drummer Matt Sorum officially launched his new line of clothing at a star-studded grand opening of his Sorum Noce boutique in Los Angeles last night (May 14). The famed drummer, who also plays for Velvet Revolver, has teamed up with designer Max Noce to put out a line of men's clothing with a rock 'n roll edge.

Shania Twain and husband-producer Robert "Mutt" Lange are splitting up after 14 years of marriage. The 42-year-old Canadian country superstar and 59-year-old Lange married in 1993 and have a 6-year-old son named Eja.

DMX has pleaded not guilty to felony drug possession and misdemeanor animal cruelty charges. more

Hot Chip have announced plans for an upcoming fall tour. The party begins with two dates in LA and will wrap up a few weeks later in ATL. more

Brad and Angelina have nothing on pop icon Frank Black/Black Francis/Charles Thompson who welcomed his fifth child into his family. Jude Oliver Francis Thompson was born to the former Pixies vocalist and his wife Violet on May 1 at 12:11PM at the Sacred Heart Medical Center in Eugene, OR. Jude was 20 inches long and weighed in at 6 pounds, 14 ounces. He joins big brothers and sisters Julian, Annabelle, Jack and Lucy.

Duran Duran has created an exclusive video podcast series that gives fans a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the band's latest album Red Carpet Massacre, as well as a glimpse of the creative process surrounding the video "Falling Down." In-studio footage with Justin Timberlake and Timbaland launches this week and will be featured on the front page of MSN Music. Additional podcasts are being released throughout the entire month of May with 4-5 new episodes featured each week. Exclusive backstage interview footage with Nick Rhodes captured by Zune prior to the band's first U.S. tour date in Seattle will be rolling out in weekly installments as well. Duran Duran fans can link to the band's profile in the Zune online music community through http://www.zune.net/duranduran

Hate Machine will reunite for one show this summer. The concert will take place on Friday, August 8 at the Water Street Music Hall in the group's hometown. - more

Alejandro Escovedo Opening for Dave Matthews

PR reports: With the impending release of his 9th solo album Real Animal, Alejandro Escovedo will hit the road as the opening act for the Dave Matthews Band beginning June 9th

Alejandro will perform with his full band which consists of: David Pulkingham (guitar), Josh Gravelin (bass), Hector Munoz (drums), Susan Voelz (violin) and Brian Standefer (cello).

A prolific and influential musician, Alejandro Escovedo will further kick off this much-anticipated release with two national TV performances. On Friday, June 20th, Alejandro and band will perform on NBC's Late Night with Conan O'Brien and on day of release, Tuesday, June 24th, Escovedo and band will make a special appearance on NBC's The Today Show. - more on this story

. Opeth Interview

Opeth's new album "Watershed" is an ambitious potion, concocted from every chapter of the band's timeless, magical sound. I caught up with guitarist Fredrik Akesson and tried to make sense of the musical wizardry afoot. - Read the full Opeth Interview

. Huns & Dr. Beeker - The Middle of Somewhere

The Middle of Somewhere is a soothing, somewhat introspective, solidly captivating buffet of talent that leaves you with a good taste in your mouth, and with a positively sunny outlook on the day. (4 stars) - Read the full Huns & Dr. Beeker - The Middle of Somewhere review

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