Beenie Man Vs. Gays
MTV reports: A British gay-rights group is demanding a genuine apology from Beenie Man after the dancehall star responded vaguely this week to disapproval over allegedly violent, homophobic lyrics.

Claiming his raps promote the killing of homosexuals, the organization OutRage! has for weeks been asking concert promoters to cancel Beenie Man shows. 

In the Jamaican icon's "Damn," featured on various compilations, he raps, "I'm dreaming of a new Jamaica/ Come to execute all the gays." Another compilation tune, "Han Up Deh," includes the lyrics "Hang chi chi gal wit a long piece of rope" � "chi chi" being a slang term for homosexual (also used on "Bad Man" from 1997's Many Moods of Moses). [see full story for more mon]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Darkness Sickness
MTV reports: Poor Justin Hawkins. The ailing Darkness frontman has been battling what he calls "a tummy upset," and his band had to pull out of the Summer Sonic Festival in Osaka and Tokyo. The singer has actually been diagnosed with gastroenteritis, and his consultant recommended he take at least one week off from performing to recuperate before starting the tour up again. [see full story for more and find out what surprise Justin came home to]- Click Here for the Full Story 

New Found Glory Blow
MTV reports: New Found Glory's set Wednesday at the Bristow, Virginia, stop on the Vans Warped Tour was cut short by a microburst, a meteorological phenomenon in which a violent wind suddenly descends over a small area.- Click Here for the Full Story 

Guess Mother Nature isn't a fan.

Source: MTV also has news on Young Buck To 'Stomp' Out Luda/ T.I. Beef On Debut Album, Hillary Clinton Tells P. Diddy 'Vote Or Die' Slogan Hits Nail On The Head, Leak Complicates Paris/ Haylie Fight Over Who Gets 'Screwed', Dirty Movies: D12 Making Two Films, Including Horror Flick, Taking Back Sunday: Road Warriors With No Champagne and more click here to check it out

GNR CD Almost Done, Reunion Not Likely
Blabbermouth reports: GUNS N' ROSES bassist Tommy Stinson has spoken to Britain's Kerrang! magazine about the band's reclusive frontman Axl Rose. 

... "He [Axl] is your best friend until you break the chain and then he doesn't want to know you. There are no half measures; you are either with him or against him." Fans have been waiting for Axl and co's album "Chinese Democracy" for over a decade, but Stinson reckons the wait is almost over. 

"It's a hairs breadth from being finished," he adds. [The interview quotes posted here comes in towards the end, see the full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Former Maiden Axe Hurts Hand
Blabbermouth reports: Former IRON MAIDEN/PRAYING MANTIS guitarist Dennis Stratton suffered an "unfortunate accident" at a recent gig and will be unable to play guitar for the foreseeable future, according to a posting on the web site of Stratton's THE DENIAL bandmate, ex-JUDAS PRIEST singer Al Atkins. Stratton "suffered damage to his right hand when a speaker unit fell over on top of him, hurting his shoulder and crushing his fingers," the posting reads. [more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Rock Hall Meaningless To Sabbath
Blabbermouth reports: Asked about SABBATH's glaring omission from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Butler said, "I've got no thoughts on it. It's not up to us. We can't vote ourselves in. I don't really think about it. We'd probably accept it, but I don't think we'd turn up there. It's just meaningless now. I think we've been nominated 10 times so it doesn't mean anything anymore. 

"To me, I think it should be THE BEATLES, the STONES and ELVIS � and that's it. When everybody gets in, eventually it just makes it meaningless." [see full story for more of the interview where Geezer talks about the boxset, his injury, how the reunion came about and more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Def Lep, Pantera Platinum Glory
Blabbermouth reports: DEF LEPPARD's breakthrough 1983 album, "Pyromania", has been certified at the RIAA's (Recording Industry Association of America) diamond level (10 million copies shipped) last month, according to Billboard.com. Produced by Robert John "Mutt" Lange, "Pyromania" benefited greatly from MTV's relentless airing of the album's first two singles, "Photograph" and "Rock of Ages". The U.K. group continues to record and tour, their most recently release being 2002's "X" (Universal). 

Also reaching new multi-platinum heights in July was PANTERA's "Vulgar Display of Power" (Elektra), which was certified double-platinum by the RIAA, signifying shipments of more than 2,000,000 units in the U.S. since its February 25, 1992 release. [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: Blabbermouth also has news on Ex-THE CULT Singer IAN ASTBURY Says He Was Asked To Audition For VELVET REVOLVER, RAMMSTEIN To Film Video For 'Amerika', Norwegian Church Draws Black Metal Fans, NEVERMORE: 'I, Voyager' Video Posted Online, THE DARKNESS: Wheels Stolen From JUSTIN HAWKINS' and more click here to check it out

Eminem Torture
MuchMusic reports: A British judge banned a Birmingham woman from owning a stereo, radio or TV for the next two years, after she played Eminem's "Stan" at ear-splitting volume at all hours of the day and night. Meanwhile, three British "enemy combatants" freed from the American military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba have claimed that part of the abuse they suffered included being forced to listen to Eminem at high volume. - Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: MuchMusic also has news on Esther The Educator, Destiny Dancers, Brandy Believed, Justin's Jag Jacked, Fresh Prince Returns and more click here to check it out

Orgy Delay
The PRP reports: Orgy have decided to delay their previously announced trek with Motograter to a late September/early October kick-off. [see full story for a link to the statement] - Click Here for the Full Story 

NIN Preview
The PRP reports: A preview for the upcoming two DVD edition re-release of nine inch nails' "Closure" can now be seen online. The set is being prepped for an as-yet unannounced fall release. [see full story for the preview] - Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: The PRP also has news on When Videos Become Vultures, Tour Furthered, Minus Shifter, Automatica Confirmed, Bastard Set of Tracks , Alexis' Hopes, Ferret's Banner, more click here to check it out

iTunes Patent Violation?
tinfoil reports: Apple has paid an undisclosed amount for royalties on the concept that powers the iTunes Music Store. E-Date Crop. has patents in both the US and Europe that describe a 'system and method of distributing commercial digital content over electronic and wireless networks'. E- Date Crop. claimed that iTunes was using such a system and now Apple has paid royalties to not only use it in the future but also for their past use. [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Patti Smith & Television Show
Aversion reports: New York's punk godfathers Patti Smith and Television will play a one-night stand in New York this fall. 

The two punk icons will return to the Big Apple after teaming up for a handful of shows in the United Kingdom this summer. The pair will play Roseland Ballroom Oct. 2. - Click Here for the Full Story 

Social D Gets Rancid
Aversion reports: Social Distortion will use Rancid's bassist to fill the hole left by the departure of its longtime bassist. 

Rancid's Matt Freeman will replace John Maurer, who's been a part of the punk act since 1984. Maurer, who appears on the band's upcoming Sex, Love and Rock and Roll, dropped out of the act to focus on his family life. [see full story for more] - Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: Aversion also has news on R.E.M. Names Next Album, Brian Wilson to Smile on States, Shai Hulud Gets Better Name, Doherty Actually Shows Up for Gig, Darkness Singer Has Bad Week, and more click here to check it out

Slash For Kids
BW&BK reports: GUNS N' ROSES fan site Here Today... Gone To Hell! (www.heretodaygonetohell.com) report that VELVET REVOLVER's Slash (ex-GN'R) and ex-STONE TEMPLE PILOTS member Dean DeLeo are among the noted guitarists who will appear on the upcoming children's album Sing A Song With Six Strings, due out October 5th from Sony Wonder, the family division of Sony Music Entertainment. 

Executive produced by Eddie Kramer (JIMI HENDRIX, KISS), the album features an eclectic mix of artists and draws from rock, blues, adult contemporary and country music. 

Sing A Song With Six Strings includes six never before released songs that were written and/or recorded specifically for this collection by Slash, Kyle Cook, Marc Ford, Vernon Reid, Craig Ross and Dean DeLeo. [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

AC/DC Homecoming
BW&BK reports: The original lead singer of Australian rock giants AC/DC is performing in his native Wales this weekend for the first time in 30 years. 

DAVE EVANS, originally from Carmarthen, is a headlining act at what is being billed as the world's largest AC/DC convention in Wrexham. 

Ten tribute bands will also perform to fans at NEWI college. 

Dave emigrated with his family at the age of five, but said his Welsh roots are still strong. 

He was among the founder members of the Australian band back in 1973 with brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. 

But he left a year later after what he calls "fireworks" and "tensions" in the group - and the late Bon Scott joined. [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: BW&BK also has news on ANTHRAX - Charlie Benante Says "f*** Air France!", CRYPTOPSY - Opening Acts Rescheduled For Canuck Tour, Scene Mag Votes ABDULLAH Best Cleveland Metal Band, NARNIA Confirmed For Revolution Metal Fest, METALLICA - The Vault Returns With New Music and more click here to check it out

JibJab Sparks Copyright Dispute
Wired News reports: JibJab, a small animation site, is running an animation that mocks President Bush and his Democratic challenger Sen. John Kerry. The wildly popular cartoon may be goofy, but the legal wrangling about it is becoming a serious and important test of artists' fair-use rights in the digital age. 

The free This Land Flash-animated cartoon is set to the melody of Woody Guthrie's "This Land Is Your Land." With the exception of two lines, all of the lyrics have been changed to mock Bush, the "right-wing nut job," and Kerry, the "liberal wiener." 

Ludlow Music, which owns Guthrie's copyright to the song, threatened to sue JibJab Media, which created the animation. But attorneys for JibJab struck first, filing a lawsuit last week in U.S. District Court in Northern California that asks a judge to declare that This Land does not violate copyright. [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

DVD Funeral For A Friend
NME reports: FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND are set to release their first DVD collection. 

'Spilling Blood In 8mm' charts the Welsh hardcore outfit's meteoric rise over the last 18 months, and is released on September 20. 

The 122-minute disc includes a full live show recorded in London earlier this year, as well as a complete videography [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Beta Band Cancel Final Show
NME reports: THE BETA BAND have pulled out of a scheduled appearance in their native Scotland following their announcement of a split. 

The group, who released their album 'Heroes To Zeros' this year, have decided to call it a day. 

As a result, they will now no longer perform at the T On The Fringe event at the Edinburgh Corn Exchange (August 24). Refunds will be available from point of purchase. [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: NME also has news on Exclusive � Pixies to play tiny UK date, Exclusive - The Darkness pull August festival date, Destiny's Child seek hot men, Har Mar joined by 'Proper Bo' guest, Pete Doherty surfaces and more click here to check it out

Scissor Sisters Plot World Tour
Pitchfork reports: It was bound to happen eventually. The Scissor Sisters, the retro-rock outfit who just sold out Royal Albert Hall to a dedicated English fanbase, are ready to tour America nationwide for the first time. The ironic thing about this fab five are that they're from New York. Imagine that. After making the rounds to just about every country mentioned in my fifth grade geography lesson, The Scissor Sisters will return to the country that birthed them. (Don't worry Budapest and Moscow, they're coming your way, too.) 

Creating buzz with their appreciation of everything from glam to disco, The Scissor Sisters are ambitiously touring the world in support of their self-titled debut. When Pitchfork Senior Editor Scott Plagenhoef reviewed the album in March-- which wasn't actually released in the States until a few days ago-- he said that "the Sisters embrace the playfulness and panache of (the 70's era) artists-- from Sparks and Elton, to 10cc and Mott the Hoople, to The Spinners and, um, Pink Floyd-- and come out smelling like roses." [see full story for more including dates]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: Pitchfork also has news on Fiery Furnaces announce North American tour, reveal plans for next two albums, Neko Case readies new studio, live albums, American Music Club plan 24-date U.S. tour, "Aggressive" new Beck album nears completion, Jack White collaborates and more click here to check it out

Grammys Love LA
AP reports: The Grammys will be held in Los Angeles for a second consecutive year. 

The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences announced Thursday that its 47th annual ceremony honoring the best in music will take place at the Staples Center arena on Feb. 13. [see full story for more] - Click Here for the Full Story 

Sony, BMG Are One
CNN reports: Sony Music Entertainment and BMG, the music unit of the German media conglomerate Bertelsmann, said Thursday they have formally combined their music businesses. 

The new company, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, will rival Vivendi's Universal Music Group for market share. [see full story for more] - Click Here for the Full Story 

Wilson Smiles On U.S.
Reuters reports: Former Beach Boys mastermind Brian Wilson will bring his long-awaited "Smile" live performances to the North America this fall, after debuting the "lost masterpiece" in concert in the United Kingdom and Europe earlier this year. 

The tour will kick off Sept. 30 at the Orpheum Theater in Minneapolis, with 21 dates announced so far. [see full story for more] - Click Here for the Full Story 

R.E.M. Go Small For New Tour
Reuters reports: R.E.M.'s fall North American tour will find the veteran rock act playing some of the most intimate venues it has visited in years. 

The 29-date trek kicks off Oct. 13 at Los Angeles' Greek Theater and will wrap Nov. 27 in Denver. The tour comes in support of the group's new Warner Bros. album, "Around the Sun," due Oct. 5 in North America via Warner Bros. [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Isley Bro Stroke
Reuters reports: Soul veteran Ronald Isley, the lead singer with the Isley Brothers, has suffered a minor stroke, but hopes to resume performing as soon as possible, a spokeswoman for his record label said on Thursday. 

Isley, 63, felt unwell while walking along a street in London last Friday, checked into a local hospital for a few days, and has since returned to his home in St. Louis, Mo., said the spokeswoman at Def Soul Classics. [see full story for more] - Click Here for the Full Story 

'The Wall' On Broadway
ArrowFM reports: With artists such as Billy Joel, Boy George and Rod Stewart getting their own musicals these days, it's a relief to see a real operatic and dramatic band get their due on Broadway. Unlike the latter artists, you won't get some boring boy-meets-girl story laced with love ballads when Pink Floyd's concept album The Wall hits the stage. The adaptation of the 23 million-selling alum, which detailed the splintered mind of a rock star in an increasingly paranoid society, will be co-produced by heavyweight Miramax chairman, Harvey Weinstein.... Waters says there will be some obvious changes. "Now I can write in some laughs, notable by their absence in the movie," Waters said. No opening date has been set for the project, but insiders say that late 2005 is a fair guess. [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: ArrowFM also has news on McCartney Edits His Live Aid Performance, "Father of Southern Rock" Dead At 89, Bono Sings At Billionaire's Wife's Funeral, Is Steven Tyler Going Solo?, Classic Elton Gets SACD Treatment and more click here to check it out

Doherty's Next No Show Gig?
Xfm reports: Well the day wouldn't be complete without a Pete Doherty news story. Therefore Xfm are pleased to confirm* that Pete will be plating a free gig this weekend for all those who attended the cancelled Barfly gig on Monday (August 2). 

Note: These details were correct at the time of publication. Don't blame us if he doesn't turn up. [see full story for all the details]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: Xfm also has news on R.E.M. Confirm Album Title, X-clusive: South Come Clean About '...Crime', Killers Change London Date, Live Aid Update: Macca Lets It Be, X-clusive: New Turin Brakes Album Almost Complete and more click here to check it out

Chevelle No. 1 Radio Debut From New CD
press release reports: Platinum-plus rockers Chevelle have finished the mixing of their forthcoming cd This Type of Thinking Could Do Us In which is slated for a September 21 release. This Type of Thinking Could Do Us In is their third release and was produced by Michael "Elvis" Baskette (Incubus, Three Day's Grace, Puddle of Mudd) and Chevelle. "Vitamin R (Leading Us Along)" has been chosen as the first single and hit Modern Rock, Active Rock and Mainstream Rock stations this week and was the #1 most added at all formats garnering over 100 adds. - Click Here for the Full Story 

Crowbar See The Candlelight
press release reports: Candlelight Records announces the worldwide signing of New Orleans' Crowbar. The band's addition further strengthens the label's already formidable roster, including 1349, Zyklon, Khold and the home to Emperor and early Opeth catalog. 

Life's Blood For The Downtrodden, the band's label debut, is expected to see a February 8, 2005 stateside release date. Final studio work on the album produced by the working team of Warren Riker (Down) and Rex Brown (Pantera), is planned in Miami August 14-September 1. Upon completion it will be the band's first studio album in over three years. - Click Here for the Full Story 

Ben Folds EP
press release reports: [The release date has changed. Here is the updated press release] 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 24. super d features three original Ben Folds songs, "kalamazoo," "adelaide," and "rent a cop" and two covers, The Darkness' "get your hands off my woman," and a wonderful early Ray Charles song called "them that got" recorded live in 2002. super d will be available at www.attackedbyplastic.com and through Internet downloads. - Click Here for the Full Story 

You're Breakin' My Heart Here
[It's Friday, time for Chuck DiMaria to give his 2 cents. This week Chuck looks at how celebs generate their own negative publicity and then complain about it. We'll give you one cent here but you gotta click the full story link to get the other] 

Britney's getting married. It's starting to sink in. 

What the hell am I gonna do now? What will become of me? Whatever will I do, where ever shall I go? 

I thought I had a shot with this chick, too. 

Oh, who the hell am I kidding? I can't possibly be that deranged. Who would want to subject themselves to that Jerry Springer marathon? 

But let's just suppose I did� (Insert dream sequence here.) 

I can see it now: I wake up late ('cause she's got the cash) and roll over to find my young wife sprawled across the bed, sunlight playing across the bluebirds tying ribbons in her hair. 

I smile a self-satisfied smile ('cause she's got the cash) and hoist myself out of bed. I make my way down to the kitchen and whip up some French toast for my lil' honey. I toss a few slabs onto a plate, heat up a little java and some O.J., and head back up to the love nest. 

I gently wake her with the sweet aroma of maple syrup and her eyelids flutter open. A smile creeps across her face. 

"I love you, pookie-bear," she says in a husky bedroom whisper. 

And I turn towards the camera and grin ('cause she's got the cash.) 

That's how I'd shoot it. Yeah. Oh, yeah. 

Now, back to reality: We're followed around 24/7 by ravenous packs of wolves known as the freakin' paparazzi, we're accosted by misguided teens while we try to get a triple venti caramel mac at the local Starbucks, our faces grace the covers of every supermarket gossip rag on the planet, and on and on and on� 

Now, that's paradise. 

[That's 1 cent, click the full story link to get the other. Plus once you are done, be sure to click the link to Chuck's band page (if you live in the LA area) to find out where you can see the man behind the cents (or give him his change)]. - Click Here for the Full Story