Metal Sludge Founder Comes Clean
Metal Sludge reports: Tuff frontman Stevie Rachelle has confirmed the long standing rumor that he was the man behind Metal Sludge (or is this another gag???). Here is a bit of the press release (or rather letter to Sludge readers), click the full story to read it all.] After many, many years I have decided to step forward and break my vow of silence. Thus claiming and acknowledging my roll as 'the guy' behind Metal Sludge. I am sick of hiding the fact that I am 'the guy' and have no shame in saying this. I've had countless friends, comrades, fans and industry people comment to me in regards to Metal Sludge for years and it's no longer going to be a secret. 

I have wanted to do this for some time now (years), but due to various issues related, mainly my 'webmaster' � I was forced to wait until now. 

For the record, I am and have always been the sole proprietor of Metal Sludge, Metal Sludge Entertainment, Metal Sludge Records, Metal Sludge LLC, and all related domain names. Ultimately I was responsible for the initial overall direction and entire concept of Metal Sludge since inception. Including but not limited to the brand name Metal Sludge, the no frills style interview questions, Donnas World Famous Penis Chart, the Hair Chart, and Exposed, Sludge Scans, the MSX tour, the Parties, and the CD release. 

Unfortunately, I was not completely in control of the actual site itself for its entire history. I had hired a 'webmaster' who over time decided to appoint themselves 'editor' and 'moderator' to the many message boards as well. Basically I was locked out from having access to the multiple e-mail accounts, and the ability to upload or delete anything from the site. So, after many years of arguments about the content, direction, quality, and timely response to news and more I've released this person of their duties and have now stepped forward. [click full story for more] - Click Here for the Full Story 

Disturbed, Finch Brawl Pt. 2
Day in Rock reports: A follow up on the story from yesterday. Disturbed guitarist Dan Donegan posted a message to his band's website, telling his side of the Rolling Rock on stage brawl with Finch. Here is part of it [see full story to read it all] 

There is some truth and a lot of false things being said. I will clarify a few things. First of all ,this all started with death threats from Randy and Finch, to the band and David that we take very seriously. There was no attempt from anyone from Finch to apoligize or clear things up. We had never met them or done any shows with them before so we didn`t understand what their problem was� Randy did not say sorry or hold out his hand for me to shake, nor was I interested in doing so. They huddled up laughing, thinking it was funny when they noticed that we were there. I confronted Randy to ask about his comments and then did what any man should do, defended my family and band from anyone who thinks it is okay to threaten someone`s life. When all hell broke loose, it was Finch members and thier crew members against only me, David, and my manager. We did what was necessary. This was not pre-mediated obviously, because David was walking his dog when he came up and Mike and John were not anywhere near. My fiance was holding my 8 month old daughter when a father of a Finch member pushed her and my daughter so he could get involved� After the chaos, they asked for security to walk them to their bus where they hid until the state troopers came to escort them off of the property� Most of these comments and rumors are so far off. This is not the new east coast vs. West coast or emo vs. Metal. It is a simple life lesson, there is consequences for your actions. We just finished the battle they started. Dan Donegan - Click Here for the Full Story 

Guttermouth UnWarped
RIFTrock reports: Guttermouth are no longer on this year's Vans Wapred Tour. An official statement from the band's website can be found below. 

Some of already know that we are not on what we called the second leg of Guttermouth's Warp Tour. First and foremost we want to apologize to the people who support our style of show and music, especially in Quebec City, Montreal, Toronto and Florida... As most of you know we have never dropped off of a tour, period.(only if incarcerated) This year though, a chain of unforeseen events long enough to goat rope a million or so head of cattle have surfaced. ... Some pretty big promises were broken and reneged on and that has taught me an invaluable lesion about the trust and honesty of some big businesses. I'll tell you these promises or lies if you would, played an enormous roll in forcing us out. Please learn from my mistakes and get everything in writing. A handshake is worthless in 2004. [that's only part of the statement, see the full story link to read it all]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: RIFTrock also has news on Nightwish and Roadrunner?, Chimaira drummer leaves, New Dead To Fall song online, The Blood Brothers "Crimes" cover, Preview new Rise Against and more click here to check it out

Nightwish Sign to Roadrunner
siN's metal news reports: It's being reported that NIGHTWISH have finally inked a deal for a North American release of their acclaimed disc 'Once', which has sold over 100,000 copies in Europe. Rumor has it that the band has signed to Roadrunner Records.- Click Here for the Full Story 

Nevermore Plan Tour, New CD
siN's metal news reports: NEVERMORE are scheduled to follow up their appearance at this year's Wacken Open Air festival with a U.S. tour, which is expected to take place in September/October. The band will then enter the studio with producer Andy Sneap beginning November 1 to record their follow-up to last year's "Enemies of Reality", tentatively due on March 31, 2005..[more] - Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: siN's metal news also has news on Roadrunner Records: "Chimaira Drummer Chokes On Own Vomit, Again", Belphegor Gets Banned In Germany, Black Metal - Top 10 Kvltish Pics!, KoRn - Cameo Cover - Online, Spiritual Beggars- Studio Update! and more click here to check it out

Good Charlotte Grow Up?
MTV reports: The dour title 'The Chronicles of Life and Death' is the first indication that Good Charlotte have moved beyond juvenile humor � like celebrity bashing ("Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous"), heavy-handed self-deprecation ("The Young and the Hopeless") and the shallow, material differences between the sexes ("Girls & Boys") � that marked their last album. 

The other indication that this definitely isn't the same pop-punk band as before hits you like a blind-sided slap almost immediately upon hearing a sample of their third album, which is due October 5: Absent from the six-song preview are the bouncy, pogo-inducing melodies, sing-songy vocals and accelerated tempos. Dynamic tunes with textures, depth, and even keyboards (courtesy of guitarist Billy Martin) take their place. [see full story for more] - Click Here for the Full Story 

Meatpuppet Sentenced
MTV reports: Former Meat Puppets bassist Cris Kirkwood was sentenced to 21 months in an Arizona federal prison Monday (August 2) for assaulting a post-office security guard with his own baton in December. Prosecutors also requested $7,000 in retribution to be paid to the victim, and three years' supervision upon his release. Kirkwood pleaded guilty to a charge of assault with a dangerous weapon in May. - Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: MTV also has news on John Mayer, Chris Carrabba, ?uestlove, Norah Jones Sign On For Shortlist Prize, Disturbed, Finch Brawl Onstage At Rolling Rock Festival, Creed Ex-Members Taking Alter Bridge On The Road, At Cure's Curiosa Fest, Stiffness, Old Hits, Inappropriate Black Suits Abound, Quick News On Kanye West, Cris Kirkwood, The Bush Twins, Nick Carter, 50 Cent, Pixies & More, click here to check it out

In Stores Today: Nonpoint
Day in Rock reports: [How about two weeks in a row? This week, antiGUY gives us his take on the new Nonpoint CD, which hits stores today. Here is a small sampling of the review, click the full story link to read the whole thing]I keep waiting for them to disappoint me, but even now with this their third CD, where most bands become stale, Nonpoint manage to remain captivating and demonstrate musical growth. And as their contemporaries are dropping like flies and settling for indie deals, Nonpoint managed to buck the trend and wound up on Lava / Atlantic. There is a good reason for this--the songs are there. 

Nonpoint's last album Development was aptly titled as it showcased a band that was developing. The same can be said about Recoil, although the evolution this time isn't as dramatic, the band took the best elements of Development and expand upon them with this new CD. 

All in all, Nonpoint have once again done themselves proud and offer us a compelling glimpse into their development as a band. Longtime fans should be pleased and there are plenty of attractive elements to Nonpoint to appeal to a wider audience. If you have missed the boat with this band up to this point, Recoil is the perfect opportunity to right that wrong. This CD is definitely on the recommend list for those that are into heavier rock. - Click Here for the Full Story 

Built To Spill Plan CD and Tour
Pitchfork reports: Built to Spill: the band, the myth, the legend. Formed in 1993 in Boise, ID, the band, under the leadership of hirsute frontman Doug Martsch, was responsible for creating some of the 1990s best indie records, namely 1994's There's Nothing Wrong With Love and 1997's Perfect from Now On. Their latest outing, Ancient Melodies of the Future, was released long, long ago in the great year of 2001, and your average Built to Spill fan's desire for a new record has naturally been building to almost unbearable levels ever since. 

Well, ladies and gentlemen, while the specifics are still hazier than a bong party at Method and Red's fictitious suburban sitcom hizzouse, we at the 'Fork have received the smallest of news bones to throw your way: Built to Spill have a new record that should be seeing the light of day this fall. Do we have a title? No. Do we have a tracklist? No. What we do have are some tour dates, which may prove your first chance to hear some of the material off of the new LP. Consider it a small consolation. [see the full story for those dates] - Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: Pitchfork also has news on The Strokes to release live album by Christmas, issue early, Sixtoo, Blockhead, DJ Signify tour, My Favorite tour, play benefit concert, Beastie Boys unveil more U.S. tour dates, John Vanderslice tours with Mountain Goats and more click here to check it out

Jacko Movie For VH1
AP reports: Going behind the music isn't enough when it comes to Michael Jackson � an entire film is needed. On Friday, VH1 will debut an original movie on the King of Pop, "Man in the Mirror: The Michael Jackson Story," the cable network said Monday. 

The film traces the trials and tribulations of Jackson's life from his Motown days to his present legal woes. Flex Alexander, who plays the gloved-one, performed all the dance moves in the movie. Alexander now stars in UPN's "One on One." [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Poco Drummer Suffers Stroke Onstage. 
The Republican reports: The long-time drummer for the rock band Poco suffered a stroke and collapsed on stage one song into the group's Thursday night performance in the CityBlock concert at Stearns Square. 

The band had just finished playing its first song when George Grantham, 57, of Nashville, Tenn., was stricken. 

Rusty Young, lead singer and founder of the band, said Grantham was resting yesterday at Baystate Medical Center with his wife at his side. [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Anathema Dropped
IAYM reports: Anathema are the latest casualty following the folding of Music For Nations into BMG/Zomba. They are currently seeking new label backing. - Click Here for the Full Story 

Darkest Hour DVD
IAYM reports: Darkest Hour are seeking video footage from fans for inclusion on an upcoming DVD release. Material can be sent to the following address up until September 15th: 
Darkest Hour Video
C/O MJS
1010 25th St. Suite 804
NW Washington, DC 20037- Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: IAYM also has news on Orgy tour update, Nebula U.S. Tour, Mistress sign with Earache, Engine Down tour dates, Paradise Lost update, Anthrophobia: "Magnetic" and more click here to check it out

Metal Church CD Delay
BW&BK reports: The following message has been posted at METAL CHURCH's official website: 

"The record label (SPV) has pushed back the release date of The Weight Of The World to September 28, 2004 (North America) and September 29, 2004 (Europe) in order to more heavily promote the album. The first leg of the tour has wrapped up, and more dates are being put together now... - Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: BW&BK also has news on DREAM THEATER/YES - More Dates Added, BRIDES OF DESTRUCTION Guitar Picks, iPods Available, NIGHTWISH Ink Deal With Roadrunner, ANONYMUS Celebrate 15 Years Of Metal, SILENTIUM Confirm New Vocalist, Drummer and more click here to check it out

Misfits Halloween
Blabbermouth reports: The MISFITS all-star line up of Jerry Only with special guests Marky Ramone (THE RAMONES) and Dez Cadena (BLACK FLAG) will headline several select dates in Europe in September, including Holland, Belgium, Czech Republic and Russia. The MISFITS will also team with none other than ALICE COOPER in Los Angeles on October 22 for a special Halloween-themed show. [see full story for tour dates]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Queensryche Revisit Mindcrime
Blabbermouth reports: Art rock pioneers QUEENSR�CHE will perform the classic album "Operation: Mindcrime" in its entirety on the upcoming fall 2004/winter 2005 tour, which is being presented by VH1 Classic. A "greatest hits" set will open each show, and at the end of the night there will be a preview of the upcoming Sanctuary Records release "Operation: Mindcrime II", the working title of the long-awaited, eagerly desired sequel to the groundbreaking concept album. Audiences will be blown away by the Surround Sound audio setup on the tour. [see full story for lots more, including initial dates] - Click Here for the Full Story 

Rammstein Set Nov Release
Blabbermouth reports: German industrial metallers RAMMSTEIN have set a November 2 North American release date through Universal Records for their new album, "Reise Reise". - Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: Blabbermouth also has news on BRIDES OF DESTRUCTION To Give Away Limited-Edition Guitar Picks, METAL CHURCH: New Album Delayed Until September, It's Official: NIGHTWISH Sign With ROADRUNNER RECORDS, CHIMAIRA's Record Label Confirms Drummer Switch, DIO's Tour Bus Broken Into, RUDY SARZO's Bass Guitars Stolen and more click here to check it out

Gene Simmons Jeans?
ArrowFM reports: KISS bassist/singer Gene Simmons has dipped his toes into every marketing pool, save gardening. Well, the tongue-wielding "Demon" wants to design his own pair of jeans. He recently posted the following message on his web site: "Met with a jeans company (name cannot be mentioned just yet) to discuss a GeneJeans line, and yes, there will also be a GeneJeannies line for the girls. And, there will be a Kid GeneJeans and Kid GeneJeannies line. And, there will be T-shirts, hats, bathing suits, bathrobes and more. The logo for the line will be my moneybag logo. [more... don't forget those matching Gene Simmons condoms, tampons, shoes, sun glasses, cell phones, sex toys, can opener, yard ornament, mouse pad, home proctologist kit and his new book "The Gene Simmons Diet"] - Click Here for the Full Story 

Clapton To The Rescue
ArrowFM reports: A gentleman in his own right, guitarist Eric Clapton knows the importance of keeping up appearance, which is why he's helping to restore a historic gentlemen's outfitters he saved from bankruptcy. According to store officials, the 59-year-old guitarist, bought half the share of Cordings on London's famous Piccadilly in December and now is helping to update the store. ... "Cordings had been about to go bankrupt, but now its accounts are in the black for the first time in seven years," said spokeswoman Melanie Cable-Alexander. "Without Eric, the shop would have gone bankrupt." [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: ArrowFM also has news on Parking Solutions For Sold Out Clapton Concert, McCartney Inducts Bangles In Liverpool, Knopfler Draws Inspiration Cali Style, Who's Eligible For 2005 Hall of Fame? and more click here to check it out

Farm Aid Goes West
liveDaily reports: Longtime Farm Aid supporters Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews will take the benefit concert to the West Coast for the first time in the event's 19-year history. - Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: liveDaily also has news on Wilco unveils more summer and fall shows, John Mayer peppers tour with in-store appearances, Saliva pools more summer tour dates, Pixies to play first L.A. concerts in more than a decade, Live Review: Al Green at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles and more click here to check it out

Mansun Box
Xfm reports: Defunct Chester four-piece Mansun have announced that their final release will be a 3CD set of demos, B-sides, rarities and basically everything they never got round to releasing before they split. All lovingly compiled with a commentary from frontman Paul Draper. 

The triple album �Kleptomania' will be released on September 27 and will include tracks recorded during the abandoned sessions for the band's fourth album as well as a special 32-page booklet...[see full story for more including tracklist] - Click Here for the Full Story

Live Aid DVD Zep Free
Xfm reports: Led Zeppelin have confirmed they are refusing to allow their performance at the legendary charity fundraiser Live Aid to feature on the forthcoming DVD that will be ready in time for a Christmas release. 

The seminal rockers played as part of the Philadelphia leg of the extravaganza with ex-Genesis drummer Phil Collins standing in for late sticksman John Bonham. The performance was notably the first time the band had attempted any kind of reunion performance since the drummer's death. 

The Sunday Times reports that the band were unsatisfied with their performance and have vetoed permission to reproduce their set claiming they felt it was below par. [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Strokes Live CD
Xfm reports: Following the new material no-show at T In The Park, Xfm can exclusively reveal that The Strokes will be releasing a new album in time for Christmas. The record's release was announced informally on the band's fanclub newsletter and will be a live album recorded earlier this year at London's Alexandra Palace. [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: Xfm also has news on Norm Hits The Road: Fatboy Slim Announces Tour, The Xfm Tent Auction Is Go, Travis Work Without A Record Label, Emin-FM: Marshall Hits The Airwaves, UK Beware: The GLC Hit The Road and more click here to check it out

Ben Folds EP No. 3
press release reports: Ben Folds and Epic Records are proud to announce the release of EP #3 of the Ben Folds EP series. The trilogy of EP's is finally complete with the release of super d on August 17. super d features three original Ben Folds songs, "kalamazoo," "adelaide," and "rent a cop." In addition to the three original songs, super d also includes two covers, The Darkness' "get your hands off my woman," and a wonderful early Ray Charles song called "them that got" recorded live at the Avalon in Boston. super d will be available at www.attackedbyplastic.com and through Internet downloads. - Click Here for the Full Story 

New Clutch
press release reports: Clutch will release Jam Room, on August 3, 2004 [Today]. It is a highly-anticipated release since it showcases Clutch's aggressive and genre-bending side. It will differ from the European release, which has 12 tracks. The USA release has 15 studio tracks and includes collectible stickers. Jam Room was produced by Uncle Punchy. 

TRACK LISTING: 1. Who Wants To Rock? - 2. Big Fat Pig - 3. Going To Market - 4. One Eye Dollar - 5. Raised By Horses - 6. Bertha's Big Back Yard - 7. Gnome Enthusiast - 8. Swampt Boot Upside Down - 9. Basket Of Eggs - 10. Release The Kraken - 11. The Drifter - 12. I Send Pictures - 13. Sink Em Low - 14. Super Duper - 15. Release The Dub. - [see the full story link to purchase a copy online (it's even on sale!)]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Layne Staley Benefit Show
antiMUSIC reader reports: The Layne Staley Fund have announced their 3rd Annual Benefit show. The fund is used to benefit for heroin recovery. 

Special guest this year include Aaron Lewis (Staind) and Kevin Martin (Candlebox)& the HiWatts 

Here are the show details, see the full story link to visit the site for more info. 

3rd Annual Layne Staley Fund Benefit Show Friday, August 27, 2004 
7:00 p.m. @ The Premier 1700 First Ave S Seattle, WA 98134 
All Ages (18+) - Tickets $18 at the door - or $15 through www.ticketswest.com- Click Here for the Full Story