(antiMusic) Malaysia has allowed Canadian pop star Avril Lavigne to hold a concert ahead of the country's independence day celebrations, reversing a decision to bar the performance following protests by an Islamist party because they claimed the pop rock poser was too sexy. Maybe they saw her phony guitar playing in that department store TV ad and figured, "what's the harm? Either her songs are made up of one chord or she's a phony." moreAC/DC have released a 30-second sample of their new song 'Rock and Roll Train' at their MySpace site. The track comes from their forthcoming album Black Ice- www.myspace.com/acdc
Ozzy Osbourne will perform in Japan for the first time in seven years, promoters say. The British rocker will perform at Tokyo's Nippon Budokan on October 27 more
Rap star Shawntae Harris, better known as Da Brat, has been sentenced to three years in prison for hitting a hostess in the head with a rum bottle during an altercation at a suburban Atlanta nightclub last fall. more
Blink-182 and Morrissey producer Jerry Finn died last week (Aug. 21) at the age of 39. He had suffered a massive brain hemorrhage last month and was taken off life support on Aug. 9. more
Social Distortion frontman Mike Ness has announced dates for a short solo tour to kick off in December. Ness last released Cheating At Solitaire and Under the Influences both in 1999. Grab the dates
Paul McCartney is set to perform in Israel, 40 years after his legendary band, the Beatles, were banned from playing in the Holy Land. The rock star was scheduled to play earlier in the year, but the show was canceled. Israeli media reported McCartney would perform in Tel Aviv on September 25. more
A statue of late reggae legend Bob Marley has been unveiled in a small Serbian village during a rock festival as a token of peace in the Balkans. Musicians from Croatia and Serbia were joined by rock fans for the midnight ceremony in Banatski Sokolac. more
The new album from Dido, Safe Trip Home will be released by the RCA Label Group on November 4, 2008.
Want to know just how unhip Bill Gates and Microsoft are? They hired Jerry Seinfeld to give them an image makeover to make them more hip. We hear Vanilla Ice wanted more cash than the $10 million offered to Seinfeld. Seinfeld is reportedly set to appear in a series of TV ads along side Bill Gates. Perhaps the Microsoft answer to Apple's Mac and PC ads? Microsoft is in need of an image make over after dropping the software equivalent to "New Coke" on an unsuspecting public with the much maligned Vista. But is Seinfeld the man for the job? more.
Mower has been nominated for a 2008 San Diego Music Award in the category of "Best Hard Rock". The band is nominated alongside Arm the Angels, Earthless, Get Your Death On, Hostile Combover and Thieve & Liars.. The award will be given out on September 17th, 2008 at Viejas Concerts in the Park in San Diego with a performance by As I Lay Dying.
Avenged Sevenfold posted following update on their official MySpace page on Sunday: "We're very sorry to tell you that Avenged Sevenfold will not be performing at Reading today, August 24th. As many of you know, the band had to shorten their set at Leeds Friday due to vocal strain. Since then, Matt's doctors in the United Kingdom and Los Angeles have both advised him that he must rest his voice and cannot perform. more
Cattle Decapitation have announced a free 21+ show for Los Angeles, CA. They will play the Overcast Collective 3 Year Anniversary Party, which also features Captain Ahab, Crom and Moab on the bill, on Saturday, August 30th more
Because Janet Jackson is running out of fresh, innovative ideas, she has had to resort to past glories for a money spinning opportunity. Her lingerie line Pleasure Principle - named after a song that no-one really knows about from 1987 - apparently aims to make women feel feminine and sexy. At least she's not set out to make ladies look hairy, butch and transgender. Janet said: "People have come to me with other ideas, but lingerie is a passion for me, and just like music and acting, I can't do it unless I put 100% into it." No word yet if the line will include nipple mangling clamps. more
This question goes to anyone outside of Canada: Can you name two Canadian Idol winners? Ok, how about one? Oh well, the Canadian version of the Idol franchise is bringing in some star power for this season's finale. Jam reports that Mariah Carey will perform on the results episode which will crown this season's winner alongside five-time Grammy winner John Legend. more
Testament has lined up a series of headlining tour dates with more expected to be announced shortly. Joining them as support will be Soilent Green. dates
The Funeral Pyre welcome Lanny Perelman of Cerberus (Los Angeles) fame, to the band. They said in a statement, "Lanny has been a great friend for a while and we are more than excited to have him join and write a new record with us. So please, say thank you to Lanny when you see him. It's much appreciated." They also have an EP coming out, read all about it here
Gorgoroth has issued an update on their website stating that several upcoming shows have been canceled due to their recording schedule. Find the dates that still standhere
Cult 80s' hardcore-punk band Final Warning is going to reunite for two special Northwest shows in September. details
Dark Tranquillity, have issued the following update regarding the departure of bassist Michael Nicklasson: "D.T. has parted ways with longtime bass player Michael Nicklasson. All booked shows will go on as scheduled with a session bassist. We thank Michael for his time in the band and wish him the best of luck in future endeavours. What Michael had to say
Could it be Alpha Media Group's Kent Brownridge underestimated the herculean effort it would take to turn around first three — and then two — fledgling men's magazines? Or did Alpha Media owner Quadrangle Group decide the company, now home to Maxim and Blender after the closure of Stuff, would be best served if Brownridge stepped aside? Brownridge on Wednesday relinquished his position as chief executive officer. If you care about such things, details are - here
