VMA Winners (rock and pop)
A partial list of winners for the 2004 MTV Video Music Awards, held in Miami on Sunday: 

Best rock video: Jet, "Are You Gonna Be My Girl" 

Breakthrough video: Franz Ferdinand, "Take Me Out" 

Best group video: No Doubt, "It's My Life" Best New Artist: Maroon 5, "This Love" 

MTV2 Award: Yellowcard, "Ocean Avenue" 

Click the full story if you want to see the other awards (rap, r&b, hip-hop, dance.. no metal) - Click Here for the Full Story 

Avril Stalker Charged
Seattle PI reports: Prosecutors have charged a 30-year-old man with felony stalking, accusing him of harassing Canadian pop singer Avril Lavigne's parents and violating a court order by trying to contact her. 

Prosecutors say James B. Speedy's obsession began in 2003, when started writing the teenage rocker. After finding out where her parents lived, he started writing them, too. 

"He sent his letters by FedEx and complained when they were not answered," Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Janice Albert said in charging papers filed Friday. "In his letters, he discussed (Lavigne's) family in detail. He sent wine, photos, CDs and requests for contact. They never responded." [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

50 Cent Booed Off Stage
NME reports: 50 CENT was dramatically booed off stage tonight at the CARLING WEEKEND: READING festival (August 29). 

The rapper was pelted with a shower of plastic bottles from the angry crowd, and even had a camping chair thrown at him, forcing the star to walk off after just twenty five minutes of his Main Stage set. 

50 and his G-Unit crew were hit by a rain of bottles as they came onstage, and they even started to pick up the missiles and hurl them back towards the front rows. 

Chants of "50 Cent is a wanker" were heard and the group were jeered and heckled throughout the short appearance. [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

This almost makes up for the Spice Girls

Band Pelted With Bottles At Reading Fest
NME reports: THE RASMUS have walked off stage at CARLING WEEKEND: READING after being pelted with bottles and mud. 

Eyewitnesses at the gig have told NME.COM that as soon as the band came on stage, objects started flying towards where they were playing. One fan had a banner which read 'Burn The Rasmus'. [see full story for more] - Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: NME also has news on Darkness support band - 'I wouldn't want to be in the same position', Space-rockers come to The Streets rescue, The Killers top the NME Chart, Franz Ferdinand bring out a rainbow at Leeds, Natasha Bedingfield is at number one for the second week and more click here to check it out

Ja Rule Crib Fraud
Much Music reports: Ja Rule was hit with a lawsuit yesterday for allegedly filming an episode of MTV's "Cribs" in a Miami mansion that he had rented for the weekend and passed off as his own. The owner says she didn't give permission for her home to be filmed. She also alleges that the rapper held a party with 600 guests and damaged her home. [see full story link for the following stories Sizzla Protested, A Political Circle, Paris Tells All and more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Weiland Vs. GNR Fans
Blabbermouth reports: According to a posting at the VELVET REVOLVER fan site Velvet-Revolver.com, VELVET REVOLVER were "treated very badly" by a group of audience members during the band's appearance at the Rock Am See festival in Konstanz, Germany on Saturday (August 28). A few people in the crowd were reportedly shouting for "GUNS N' ROSES" in a move that was "very disrespectful towards the band in general and [singer] Scott [Weiland] and [guitarist] Dave [Kushner] in particular.' Scott reportedly asked the audience to "come on stage and sing yourselves if you want GN'R," and later threw his megaphone into the crowd during "Sex Type Thing". [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Darkest Hour Denied Entry Into Canada
Blabbermouth reports: DARKEST HOUR were forced to miss their scheduled performance with DIMMU BORGIR in Kitchener, Ontario Friday night (August 27) "due to complications at the [USA/Canada] border," according to a posting on the group's web site. "This will not affect our scheduled tour in October," the band write. "We are very excited about playing Canada, we can't wait to get back. We apologize for this unfortunate inconvenience." [more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Monster Magnet Nix Tour?
Blabbermouth reports: MONSTER MAGNET have cancelled their scheduled performance at Jaxx in Springfield, VA Saturday night (August 28) amid rumors that the rest of the group's headlining U.S. tour has been called off. No further information is available at this time. [see full story for more MM news]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: Blabbermouth also has news on IMPALED Complete Work On 'Death After Life', INTENSE Part Ways With Bassist, Announce Replacement, IMPALED NAZARENE To Record Live Album In Italy, IRON MAIDEN: The Loneliness Of The Greek Long Distance Runner, FREEDOM CALL Set Working Title For New Album and more click here to check it out

Libertines Ban Pete
Rockdirt reports: The Sunday Mirror reports Pete Doherty was so desperate to patch things up with his old Libertines bandmates that he turned up at Reading uninvited in the hope of a dramatic stage reunion, only to discover he was banned from the backstage area on the orders of the group's management. [see full story for more] - Click Here for the Full Story 

Living End Best Of, DVD
Punkbands.com reports: The Living End are about to release their first Best Of album as well as a DVD featuring a 2 hour documentary on the band. The album will feature two new songs 'Bringin' It All Back Home' and the new single 'I Can't Give You What I Haven't Got'. There will also be a bonus disc featuring covers of songs by U2, Soft Cell and of course their punk version of The Theme from Prisoner 'On The Inside'. 

The album is scheduled for September 27. [see full story for tracklistings]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Engine Down Robbed
Punkbands.com reports: On Saturday night after their Houston show, Engine Down's van and trailer were stolen from the parking lot of the Red Roof Inn on NW Freeway in Houston. All of their gear, 3 laptop computers, cameras, merchandise and personal items are all gone. [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Air & Stereolab Going To Cali
Pitchfork reports: Self-described "French Band" Air have announced they'll be teaming up late next month with fellow freedom-haters Stereolab for a three-day mini-tour of Southern California. For Air, the trip marks their first U.S. dates since April (if you aren't counting May's Coachella Festival), having been otherwise tied up by their Talkie Walkie tour in Europe for the past three months. The two bands will be joined on this jaunt by Norwegian singer/songwriter Sondre Lerche, who is currently cooling down from a summer of European festival appearances... much like his tourmates, really. [see full story for more including dates]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: Pitchfork also has news on Morrissey announces first North American tour in support of You Are the Quarry, I Am the World Trade Center benefit, Is Jandek's new album his last?, Next Trail of Dead album delayed until early 2005, bassist Neil Busch leaves the band, Wilco expand U.S. fall tour to 27 dates and more click here to check it out

Darkness Win Kerrang! Award
Reuters reports: Glam rocker Justin Hawkins appears naked except for a guitar on the latest issue of Kerrang! magazine and declares of his fans: "They salivate at the prospect of seeing us and then when they do they sweat. It's all round moisture loss." 

It is these sort of antics that have seen Hawkins's band The Darkness secure the title of best British band at the Kerrang! Awards, the UK's biggest accolade for hard rock music. The 70s-style foursome also won the title for best live band, beating out U.S. heavyweights Red Hot Chili Peppers and Slipknot. 

The coveted best band on the planet award went to rock veterans Metallica [see full story for more] - Click Here for the Full Story

Screaming Trees Hits
Reuters reports: The later years of Seattle rock act Screaming Trees will be celebrated with the upcoming compilation "Ocean of Confusion: Songs of Screaming Trees 1989-1996." 

Due Nov. 9 via Epic/Legacy, the 20-track set is drawn from the Trees' three Epic releases: 1991's "Uncle Anesthesia," 1993's "Sweet Oblivion" and 1996's "Dust." [see full story for more] - Click Here for the Full Story 

Love A Martyr?
AP reports: Rocker Courtney Love said her well-publicized court hearings reflect a life she led months ago � not where she is now. 

"The court cases are like a lagging indicator in economics," Love told the Los Angeles Times. "They show where I was, not where I am. ... I'm doing OK. I'm doing well, as a matter of fact. It's so stupid, but I even enjoyed the martyrdom." 

In her latest court appearance on Aug. 20, Love pleaded not guilty to a felony assault charge for allegedly attacking a woman with a liquor bottle at her ex-boyfriend's home in April. [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Society 1 Recording
siN's metal news reports: LA shock-rockers, SOCIETY 1, are currently entrenched in NRG Studios with producer Wade Norton (STATIC-X, DOPE), recording their second Earache album, "The Sound That Ends Creation". Release is planned for February 2005. [see full story for more] - Click Here for the Full Story 

Ministry Pissing Razors
siN's metal news reports: Following our news that Rick Valles will be playing with MINISTRY this Summer, bandmate Eddy Garcia will also be joining the fold as part of the touring band. Garcia will be playing bass, and Valles will be handling all guitar duties. In other PISSING RAZORS news, the band will be releasing a new album Pissing next year.- Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: siN's metal news also has news on Halford with Sabbath - Filling in..the camera phone reigns.., Crematorium - Full album update, Metallica - Throwing out another twist.., Darkest Hour - Tour Announced..!, Ozzy says Thanks! Will be performing on Saturday and more click here to check it out

Fuel Lose Drummer
IAYM reports: Fuel's drummer Paul Miller recently made the decision to make his exit from the group, citing reasons including frontman Brett Scallions' lip-syncing as the impetus to depart.- Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: IAYM also has news on Fume: "Everything Alive", Head Automatica Headlining Tour / New Remix, Mastodon Tour Update, Ed Gein/Lickgoldensky Dates, Lamb Of God/Fear Factory/Throwdown/Children Of Bodom Tour Update and more click here to check it out

Maiden Future Plans
BW&BK reports: Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain phoned in to the Eddie Trunk radio show on the NYC Radio last night (Aug 27): 

- The band will take the rest of 2004 off, and start preparing another summer festival tour in late April/early May 2005. 

- A new album will be written and recorded in late 2005 and released some time in 2006, followed by another world tour in the same vein as the Dance of Death Tour last year. [see full story for more on the touring plans.]- Click Here for the Full Story 

GNR CD Delay Explained
BW&BK reports: If the rumors prove to be true, the new GUNS N' ROSES album, Chinese Democracy, will be hitting stores in November. Stories of the album's arrival have been around since 2000, but rest assured Chinese Democracy is coming and the band will be doing a tour in support. 

Bassist Tommy Stinson, who just released his first solo album, Village Gorilla Head, took a moment from promotion of the record to talk about one of the most eagerly anticipated rock albums, perhaps, ever. So what's been the 12 year delay? Stinson said a big reason was the member changes and the evolution of a new Guns N' Roses cast. 

"The real delay was just the way it went down. Having an eight person band to write a record is a daunting task to begin with, but to have it... to do it in a way where none of the guys have really been in the band that long together, and trying to pull in all those different influences from each band member to make a cohesive songwriting thing, It takes time." [more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Source: BW&BK also has news on U.F.O. - Looking Back On The MICHAEL SCHENKER Years RAMMSTEIN - Coming To 'Amerika' THERAPY? - New Audio Samples Online DIMMU BORGIR - Looking Forward To A Two Year Break ROTTWEILER - Dog Barks Again and more click here to check it out

Kinks 40th
Ananova reports: The Kinks are to mark the 40th anniversary of You Really Got Me topping the charts by rereleasing the single. 

Sanctuary Records plan a massive publicity campaign to promote the single and a new double-CD Kinks' compilation. 

You Really Got Me will be released as a CD single and on seven-inch vinyl presented in a replica of the original Pye Records sleeve. 

The rock classic first topped the British chart in September 1964 beginning a long run of hits by the band with songs like All Day And All Of The Night, Waterloo Sunset and Lola. [see full story for more] - Click Here for the Full Story 

Kevin Shirley Vs. Record Labels 
antiMUSIC reports: Veteran producer/mixer/engineer Kevin Shirley, best known for his work with Iron Maiden, Slayer, Silverchair, Joe Satriani, The Black Crowes and the Led Zeppelin DVD and "How The West Was Won" CD, has decided to "commit professional suicide" by publicly expressing his frustration with recent dealings with record companies and band managers. 

Shirley posted the following rant on his website last week: 

"I'm definitely commiting professional suicide on a huge scale these days. I just get so pissed at these record companies and band managers that treat us engineers and producers like s***, and we are supposed to take it, because there is apparently a dearth of work out there and we should be scraping and groveling. Because the labels spend so much on A&R 'expense' accounts, and bitch so publicly about downloading, budgets are cut so much that the quality of product up for offer is often short of nothing but peurile. The music is not the problem, so why spend less on the music than they did thirty years ago... [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Laura Branigan Rip
antiMUSIC reports: Singer Laura Branigan died in her sleep Thursday at her East Quogue, New York home. She reportedly suffered a brain aneurysm. Branigan had complained about a headache for the past two weeks but did not seek medical attention. She was 47. 

Branigan was best known for her 1982 hit "Gloria", which landed on the charts for 36 weeks and earned her one of her four Grammy Award nominations. [see full story for more]- Click Here for the Full Story 

Tsunami Bomb Soph Effort
press release reports: TSUNAMI BOMB will return September 21 with THE DEFINITIVE ACT--the band's second full-length offering--on Kung Fu Records. Currently in the midst of a headlining U.S. tour, TSUNAMI BOMB offers a potent live show, with enough stage energy to power an entire city block. Equal parts introspective and propulsive, THE DEFINITIVE ACT is the band's most varied effort to date, building on their history of vibrant compositions. 

The album was recorded with producer and former Hot Rod Circuit drummer Mike Poorman (Orange Island, Scraps and Heart Attacks and Piebald) at his Fort Apache studios in Boston. The band emerged with a diverse 12-song collection filled with their signature melodic and engaging punk rock anthems fused with razor sharp rhythms. - Click Here for the Full Story 

The Used Tracks
press release reports: Here are tracks for 'In Love and Death', the new album from The Used, which hits stores on Sept. 28th: 

1. Take It Away
2. I Caught Fire (In Your Eyes)
3. Let It Bleed
4. All That I've Got
5. Cut Up Angels
6. Listening
7. Yesterdays Feelings
8. Light With A Sharpened Edge
9. Sound Effects and Overdramatics
10. It's Hard To Say
11. Lunacy Fringe
12. I'm A Fake
- Click Here for the Full Story 

Phenomenauts Set 2nd Release
press release reports: Imagine if the The Kinks, Devo, Stray Cats and The Ventures were galactic pioneers and joined forces to defend earth's right to "rocket roll." Combine that with a fast driving blend of punk, pop, rockabilly, solid songwriting and a smart Sci-Fi theme and you've got one of San Francisco's most talked about bands, The Phenomenauts. Ready for one of their biggest missions to date, the Phenomenauts will release their second full length recording "Re-Entry" on Springman Records on Nov. 16. - Click Here for the Full Story 

Indie Online Promotion Workshop
press release reports: "Presenting Yourself as a Priority Artist Online" is part of a new workshop series offered by San Diego, CA based company MusicHosting.net. One surprising premise underscores the fact that independent artists should avoid using search engines, download sites and point-to-point file sharing services until they learn how to communicate who they are as artists in order to feed any demand properly. Other aspects focus on what artists can do to make email more effective for them, understanding what an artist's web site is truly used for and what role the Internet actually plays in moving their music career forward. John Dawes, founder of MusicHosting.net and author of The Complete Guide to Internet Promotion for Musicians, Artists & Songwriters, will be conducting the next workshop Saturday, September 4th, 2004 in Phoenix, AZ.- Click Here for the Full Story