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Recap of top stories for the week of Feb 25th, 2008

Top 3 stories for this week

Van Halen Tour in Trouble? Or Just Another Silly Rumor?

antiMusic reports: The following was a report about a funny Van Halen rumor that was sparked when the band cancelled two shows without explanation. The band's publicist did not have a statement for us about why the shows were pulled, she did however tell another publication that the fight rumor discussed in the following story was not true. Also for the Van Halen fans that do not get the sarcasm in the story, we were making fun of these kinds of rumors. Now here is the story: 

In today's edition of fun with Van Halen rumors we hear some interesting tales of Wolfgang taking on a biker gang single-handedly at bar in North Carolina, causing the band to cancel two concerts. Ok we made up the biker gang thing, but the rumor making the rounds had the young Van Halen getting into a bar fight. Something the bar says didn't happen. The band did pull shows last Friday and this Monday. We're waiting to hear back from their rep to see if they have a public comment, but here is one of the stories that is circling around for your entertainment. (Maybe the band will use this rumor in a video if they make a new album? Imagine Wolfgang staring as Bruce Lee!)

TicketNews.com has this :"Van Halen's fan website reports what it calls a rumor: 'We have had two unsubstantiated reports from the Charlottesville area that the members of Van Halen were in a bar called Rapture on Thursday the 21st, and it was reported that Wolfgang got into an altercation with someone, which precipitated fighting within the band at the nightclub. It reportedly got heated and apparently this caused the abrupt postponement of the shows in Charlottesville and Atlanta.'" 

Charlottesvillenewsplex.tv had additional info on this. The bar in question confirmed that members of the band's road crew did go there- not members of the band, let alone the underage Wolfgang. "But the bar says there was no altercation and Rapture had nothing to do with why Van Halen canceled the show. Van Halen says that the concert has just been postponed and they will reschedule."
- read the full Ticketnews story

KISS Sex Tape Blackmail

The rocker claims that he has been aware of the "decades" old footage for quite a while and said that the people behind it have even tried to blackmail him in the past. He is currently taking legal action.

"The entity behind the garbage has repeatedly tried to make money off of this and we have always refused. This is not the first time the entity has tried to blackmail and extort us. We have always refused and we will continue to refuse."- more on this story

Ozzfest Tour RIP?

But the latest blog blab wonders if this year's Ozzfest won't actually be a tour at all, in what might turn out to be a very limited run indeed. Yes, Ozzfest is now rumored to be turning into a two-day festival to be held in Texas during one of the most festival-saturated summers in recent memory. 

Admittedly the headbanging Ozzfest won't really be competing for the same limited audience as the 800 festivals currently set to feature a performance from affable surf goof Jack Johnson and/or the dozens of mid-level indie bands that will spend the hot weather months whoring themselves out to any two-day gathering that will have them - more on this story

Monday

McCartney Working on New CD

Fresh from his headlining appearance at the Brits on Wednesday and last year's well received 'Memory almost Full', the former Beatle has just started recording material for a new release this year. 

His spokesperson says, "Paul started recording last week, but he has been writing for a while. It should be ready by the summer."- more on this story

Thugs Attack Band

"We had to cancel the gig tonight in Leipzig while some crazy a**holes kicked Peter (Tägtgren), Johan (Husgafvel) and David (Wallin) down when they where on their way home from a local bar yesterday. They just came from behind so there was nothing they could do. I was in the bus watching a movie so I am totally okay, besides the fact that we had to cancel. 

"I feel really shitty to cancel but there was no way we could play today. I hope we will be able to be on stage tomorrow but I am not sure. But the guys are in a good mood and are working on recovering. Today we will sleep in a hotel and I'll try to make our heroes feel a little bit better."- more on this story

Jello Vs RIAA Mafia

"Don't take from the smaller, independent labels. Then fantastic bands would have to surrender way too early, because they can't afford it, Support the independent labels, but the big ones –f*ck'em. Anyways, I haven't found anything in many years which come from a large label worth buying. 

"The RIAA reminds me most of the Godfather, we will sue you. If you want out of this without going to court, we can make an arrangement: Give us $5000. If not, you will find a horses head in your bed. They are doing this to 12 year old girls, they are doing it to 80 year old women, and they do it to students."- more on this story

Nickelback Looking For More Than Pocket Change From Warners

...With the ability to go anywhere as leverage, these sources added the band will look for a richer deal from Warner that also includes the rights to its "master recordings," which means that the group would collect royalties on album sales, which so far total 16.3 million from five albums, according to Nielsen SoundScan. 

For its part, sources said Warner wants to sign a so-called "360 deal" with the band that would give Roadrunner a piece of its album, touring and merchandising sales.- a lot more on this story

Aaron Carter Drug Bust

TMZ has confirmed Aaron was pulled over on I-10 earlier today for speeding -- and when authorities decided to search his vehicle, they found at least two ounces of pot! 

Aaron, 20, is currently in jail until tomorrow, when a judge will be present for his arraignment.- more on this story

Maxim Review Fraud Doesn't Fly with Black Crowes

Case in point: the "review" of Warpaint--the new album by THE BLACK CROWES--in the March issue of Maxim magazine. The writer--who has not heard the album since advance CDs were not made available--wrote what appears to be a disparaging assessment anyway, citing "it hasn't left Chris Robinson and the gang much room for growth."

Incredulously, the magazine gave the album a two and a half star rating--although neither the writer nor the editor could have heard more than one song (the single "Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution"). When approached for an explanation, the magazine described the review as "an educated guess preview." Huh?- more on this story

Ne-Yo Arrested

Cops pulled Ne-Yo after they observed him driving well over 100 mph in his 2006 Range Rover. 

He was arrested for reckless driving and for not having a valid license.- more on this story

more stories including: Ne-Yo Arrested- Maxim Review Fraud- Aaron Carter Drug Bust- Thugs Attack Pain- Walls Of Jericho- God Tells Head To Play Festival?- The Kinks Reunion Possible- Nick Cave- The Explosions in Your Pants Tour - The Grande Mothers Tour- more

Tuesday

Rush Releasing Live CD

PR reports: Rush have announced early details of their upcoming new album, "SNAKES & ARROWS LIVE." The 2-CD live set will arrive in stores on April 8th. Rush will simultaneously release the new live CD with another four months of concert dates. This extended schedule will see the band traveling North America through mid-July.

"SNAKES & ARROWS LIVE" was recorded last October at the Netherlands' Ahoy Rotterdam arena during the renowned rock trio's lengthy world tour, and mixed by frequent collaborator Richard Chycki (Aerosmith, Mick Jagger). The five month trek celebrated Rush's acclaimed 2007 studio release, "SNAKES & ARROWS," which includes the Grammy Award-nominated track, "Malignant Narcissism." 

Produced by Live Nation Global Touring and SRO/Anthem, the 2008 leg of the "Snakes & Arrows Live Tour" will take off on April 11th at San Juan's Coliseo de Puerto Rico - Rush's first-ever concert appearance in Puerto Rico. - Tour dates and the tracklisting

Sevendust Nix Mayhem Tour

Due to changes in Sevendust's touring schedule, the band will NOT be appearing on the Mayhem Tour this Summer. 

However, the band will be touring in full support of their forthcoming release "Hope & Sorrow, Chapter VII". Stay tuned for more details. Please spread the word to other Sevendust supporters! - more on this story

Larry Norman RIP

Norman was an eccentric visionary whose songs drew controversy from both the conservative religious establishment and the secular music press for his lyrical mix of radical religious, political, and social themes. His 1969 solo album Upon This Rock was the first Christian rock record, and his milestone 1972 release Only Visiting This Planet is considered one of the best albums in the genre. His music was an influence on such diverse artists as U2, John Mellencamp, and the Pixies.

"Larry was my door into the music business and he was the most Christlike person I ever met," former Pixies singer Frank Black said Monday upon hearing of Norman's passing.- more on this story

Nikki Sixx Diaries The "Needle-Induced Fantasies Of An Attention-Starved Junkie" Says Motley Producer

In a letter to the New York Times, Werman took issue with Sixx's assertion that he chatted on the phone during the recording of "Theatre of Pain", "Shout at the Devil" and "Girls Girls Girls" while Sixx did all the work.

"As the producer of three MÖTLEY CRÜE albums over a four-year period, I found Sixx's allegation that in the recording studio he did 'all the work' with Vince Neil's vocals while I chatted idly on the phone not only humorous but pure fiction.

"If this distortion of reality is the result of Sixx's past heroin habit, then his diary is truly nothing more than a pipe dream, and the events to which this book refers may simply be the needle-induced fantasies of an attention-starved junkie."- more on this story

Fan Hits As I Lay Dying

So last night I got hit in the head by an empty glass Maker's Mark bottle. While it did stun and disorient me, I am completely fine. Lucky for me the bottle was huge so it didn't break and I have no need for stitches. I'm sorry we had to stop our set but I was quite discombobulated for a good while, and more importantly the EMT dude wouldn't let me play because my head was bleeding quite a bit... or some sort of mumbo jumbo like that. 

I am happy to say that aside from having a bulbous lump and cut on top of my skull, I'm in good health and feeling like a gladiator. Thank you to everyone who has been expressing concern though, I really appreciate it : ) Nick - Myspace Blog

more stories including: Van Halen in Trouble?- Fan Hits As I Lay Dying- Larry Norman RIP- R.E.M. and The Cure Sasquatched- Bisc1- Modern Life Is War Farewell Tour- Rothbury Expands Lineup- Chris Stills- Mason Proper- The Lee Boys Road Plans- more

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