Alicia Keys performs at "Unplugged"
Photo: Frank Micelotta/Getty Images

More Keys Please: Devout Alicia Keys fans will want to nab the CD+DVD version of Unplugged, which boasts two additional audio performances, "Goodbye" and "Butterflyz," on the CD, and behind-the-scenes action and a video for "Unbreakable" on the DVD. That's not to mention a booklet that has poems, a letter from Keys, liner notes, photos and info on Keep a Child Alive, a nonprofit she aligned herself with for a World AIDS Day benefit last year.

Leading a Double Life: DualDiscs are all the rage, and record companies usually send them to stores at the same time as the standard album in order to maximize sales potential. Not so with Ricky Martin's Life, which will come out in regular form Tuesday but won't see a DualDisc release until November 22. Tracks on both editions include: "I Don't Care" (featuring Fat Joe and Amerie), a Luny Tunes reggaeton remix of "Que Mas Da" and the Spanish track "Déjate Llevar (It's Alright)."

A New G Thang: G-Funk guru Warren G resurfaces after his longest solo hiatus yet — nearly four years — with the indie release In the Mid-Nite Hour. After spending time with 213 for last year's The Hard Way, Warren gets some help from his comrades on a few tracks: Snoop crops up on "Chronic Break" and "Garilla Pimpin," while Nate Dogg chimes in on "We Need Each Other." Raphael Saadiq, Bishop Lamont and Chuck Taylor also lend their skills.

Dive Right In: Originally called [Adult Swim] Presents DangerDoom, The Mouse and the Mask still realizes what Danger Mouse and MF Doom set out to do: high-five the animated-TV block with a set of inspired songs, plus character voices and skits from shows like "Aqua Teen Hunger Force" and "Sealab 2021." Cee-Lo and Ghostface Killah dip their toes into "Benzie Box" and "The Mask," respectively.

United They Stand: In addition to this week's two metal-champ collections — Numbers From the Beast: An All-Star Tribute to Iron Maiden and the Roadrunner Records 25th anniversary throwdown The All-Star Sessions — there's a spate of other kinetic alliances happening. Illinois punks Resident Genius jam along to a recorded phone conversation they shared with legendary Boston University prof/activist Howard Zinn for You Can't Blow Up a Special Relationship; elusive indie darling Chan Marshall (a.k.a. Cat Power) hops onto grimy Aussie instrumental trio Dirty Three's Cinder; and ex-Swans singer Jarboe duets with members of Low, Ministry and Bauhaus on her new one, The Men Album. (For three points: Blixa Bargeld of Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds also sings with Jarboe; her fellow Seed, Warren Ellis, is Dirty Three's violinist.)

SteEPed in EPs: Neo-goth dance punks American Eyes find an unlikely producer in Michael Patterson (Diddy, Notorious B.I.G.) for their first release, Never Trust Anything That Bleeds; likewise, chaotic London punks the Rakes make their debut with Retreat. Also, Lambchop pay Nashville neighbors Hands Off Cuba a visit with Colab; the country-rockin' Magnolia Electric Co. taped two of their Hard to Love a Man tracks at Steve Albini's, uh, Electrical Audio Studios; San Francisco solo artist Kelley Stoltz breaks bread with Sub Pop on The Sun Comes Through; and another solo artist, Amanda Rogers, goes even further out on a limb by covering At the Drive-In, among others, on Something Borrowed Something Blue.

Song Title of the Week: "Major Disappointment Reporting for Duty" (Drowningman's Don't Push Us When We're Hot)

Other Notables:

Sevendust's Next: After eight years and a bitter breakup with career-long label TVT Records, the metal squad is resurrecting itself with a fresh new label (the Universal-affiliated WineDark), single ("Ugly") and guitarist, Snot's Sonny Mayo. Keep an eye out for limited-edition copies of 'Dust's fifth studio record, which come with a bonus DVD.

Gang of Four's Return the Gift: The truly seminal U.K. dance-rock group initially decided to put out a batch of re-recordings of its classic songs as a stand-alone disc and hold off until 2006 for an equally tempting set of remixes by Hot Hot Heat, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, No Doubt's Tony Kanal and others. Now they've decided to simplify by melding the two into a 26-track, double-CD set.

Modest Mouse's Good News for People Who Love Bad News DualDisc: Humble-rodent connoisseurs probably have the bonus track "I've Got It All (Most)" — which previously appeared as a B-side but is tacked onto the Good News DualDisc for good measure — but they should take note of the many visual nuggets: two videos, behind-the-scenes stuff and an interview with main man Isaac Brock directed by — you guessed it — Isaac Brock.

New Releases:

• 31Knots - Talk Like Blood (Polyvinyl)
• Abel - Alegria Musica (Tommy Boy)
• Adult. - Gimme Trouble (Thrill Jockey)
• Agents of the Sun - Monarchs of a Fallen Society (DCide)
• Gary Allan - Tough All Over (MCA Nashville)
• Allister - Before the Blockout (Drive Thru)
• American Eyes - Never Trust Anything That Bleeds (EP; Side One Dummy)
• American Werewolves - 1968 (Fractured Transmitter)
• Apache Indian - Time for Change (Explorer)
• Barr - Beyond Reinforced Jewelcase (5 Rue Christine)
• Hudson Bell - When the Sun Is the Moon (Monitor)
• Boris with Merzbow - Sun Baked Snow Cave (Hydra Head)
• Peter Brötzmann & Han Bennink - Schwarzwaldfahrt (Atavistic)
• Jackson Browne - Solo Acoustic Vol. 1 (Inside)
• Castanets - First Light's Freeze (Asthmatic Kitty)
• Celebration - Celebration (4AD)
• Cheetah Girls - Cheetah-Licious Christmas (Disney)
• The Clientele - Strange Geometry (Merge)
• Company - Parallel Time (Jagjaguwar)
• Constantines - Tournament of Hearts (Sub Pop)
• Susan Cowsill - Just Believe It (Blue Corn)
• Jamie Cullum - Catching Tales (deluxe edition due same day; Verve)
• Danger Doom - The Mouse and the Mask (Epitaph)
• Deerhoof - The Runners Four (Kill Rock Stars)
• Default - One Thing Remains (TVT)
• Dios Malos - Dios Malos (Star Time)
• Dirty Three - Cinder (Touch and Go)
• Drowningman - Don't Push Us When We're Hot (Thorp)
• Early Man - Closing In (Matador)
• Explosions in the Sky - How Strange, Innocence (Temporary Residence)
• Gamma Ray - Majestic (Sanctuary)
• Gang of Four - Return the Gift (two CDs; V2)
  Read: "No Doubt, Beck, Yeah Yeah Yeahs Plan Gang Of Four Remixes"
• Mark Gardener with Goldrush - These Beautiful Ghosts (United for Opportunity)
• Great Lake Swimmers - Bodies and Minds (Misra)
• Hanson - The Best of Hanson: Live and Electric (limited edition; two CDs with DVD; Three Car Garage)
• George Huff - Miracles (Word)
• Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey - The Sameness of Difference (Hyena)
• Jarboe - The Men Album (Atavistic)
• Jonathan Kane - February (Table of the Elements)
• Alicia Keys - Unplugged (special edition due same day; J)
  Read: "Alicia Keys Taps Mos Def, Common For 'Inspired' 'Unplugged' "
• Lambchop/ Hands Off Cuba - CoLAB (EP; Merge)
• The Living Blue - Fire, Blood, Water (Minty Fresh)
• The Long Winters - Ultimatum (Barsuk)
• The Magnolia Electric Co. - Hard to Love a Man (EP; Secretly Canadian)
• Ricky Martin - Life (Columbia)
• The Mass - Perfect Picture of Wisdom and Boldness (Crucial Blast)
• Joe McPhee and John Snyder - Pieces of Light (Atavistic)
• Minus Story - No Rest for Ghosts (Jagjaguwar)
• Mouse on Mars - Live04 (Sonig)
• New London Fire - I Sing the Body Holographic (Eyeball)
• Dolly Parton - Those Were the Days (Sugar Hill)
• Matt Pond PA - Several Arrows Later (Altitude)
• Daniel Powter - Daniel Powter (Warner Bros.)
• The Rakes - Retreat (EP; Dim Mak)
• Resident Genius/ Howard Zinn - You Can't Blow Up a Special Relationship (Thick)
• Roadrunner United - The All-Star Sessions (Roadrunner)
• Amanda Rogers - Something Borrowed Something Blue (EP; Immigrant Sun)
• Kate Rusby - The Girl Who Couldn't Fly (Compass)
• Saving Jane - Girl Next Door (Madacy)
• Sevendust - Next (WineDark/Universal)
  Read: "Sevendust Turn Up The Heaviness, Leave Beef Behind On Next"
• Kelley Stoltz - The Sun Comes Through (EP; Sub Pop)
• Story of the Year - In the Wake of Determination (Maverick)
• T.A.T.U. - Dangerous and Moving (Interscope)
• Susan Tedeschi - Hope and Desire (Verve)
• Warren G - In the Mid-Nite Hour (Lightyear)
• Paul Weller - As Is Now (Yep Roc)
• Nancy Wilson - "Elizabethtown" score (RCA)
• Woolly Bandits - Say Hello to My Little Friend (Dionysus)
• Young Playthings - Pick Up With the Young Playthings (Dionysus)
• Various artists - Numbers From the Beast: An All-Star Tribute to Iron Maiden (Restless)
• Various artists - One Million Strong Vol. 2: Love Peace & War (Bungalo)
• Various artists - "Dora the Explorer: Dance Fiesta!" (Nick/Jive)
• Various artists - "North Country" soundtrack (Columbia)
• Various artists - "Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit" soundtrack (Varèse)

Notable Reissues:

• Johnny Adams - The Great Johnny Adams Blues Album (Rounder)
• Allman Brothers Band - Gold (Mercury/Universal)
• Bachman-Turner Overdrive - Gold (Mercury/Universal)
• Colosseum II - Strange New Flesh: Upgraded (Castle/Ryko)
• John Coltrane - One Down, One Up: Live at the Half Note (two CDs; Impulse)
• The Diplomats of Solid Sound - Instrumental Action Soul (Hammondbeat)
• Dru Hill - Hits (Def Soul Classics)
• Billie Holiday - Gold (Hip-O/Universal)
• Buddy Holly - Gold (Geffen/Universal)
• Holy Terrors - This Is What It Sounds Like When You're Dead (Eulogy)
• Shirley Horn - But Beautiful: The Best of Shirley Horn on Verve (Verve)
• John Legend - Get Lifted (Columbia)
• Don McLean - Rearview Mirror: An American Musical Journey (Hyena)
• Men's Recovery Project - The Very Best of Men's Recovery Project (5 Rue Christine)
• Modest Mouse - Good News for People Who Love Bad News (DualDisc; Epic)
• Nekromantix - Brought Back to Life Again (Hellcat)
• New Edition - Gold (Hip-O/Universal)
• Linda Perry - In Flight (enhanced; Kill Rock Stars)
• Nina Simone - The Soul of Nina Simone (DualDisc; RCA)
• Lyn Taitt & the Jets - Hold Me Tight: Anthology 65-73 (Trojan)
• Tigertailz - Banzai and Berzerk (Ryko)
• Tom Verlaine - Warm and Cool (with bonus tracks; Thrill Jockey)
• Johnny Guitar Watson - A Real Mother for Ya (with unreleased bonus tracks; Shout! Factory)
• Johnny Guitar Watson - Ain't That a Bitch (with unreleased bonus tracks; Shout! Factory)
• Johnny Guitar Watson - Funk Beyond the Call of Duty (with unreleased bonus tracks; Shout! Factory)
• Hank Williams - Turn Back the Years: The Essential Hank Williams Collection (Mercury Nashville)
• Bill Withers - Just as I Am (DualDisc; Columbia/Legacy)
• Yanni - Live at the Acropolis (with DVD; RCA Victor)
• Various artists - Sand & Steel: The Classic Sound of Jamaican Steel Drums (Trojan)
• Various artists - Southern Rock: Gold (Hip-O/Universal)

DVD:

• Terry Callier - "Live in Berlin" (Verve)
• Charlie Daniels - "The Kings and Friends: Live at the Gothic With Special Guest Hazel Miller" (Burnside)
• K-Ci & JoJo - "All My Life: Their Greatest Video Hits" (Universal)
• Alicia Keys - "Unplugged" (J)
• Machine Head - "Elegies" (Universal)
• Bobby McFerrin - "Live in Montreal" (Universal)
• Carmen McRae - "Live in Montreal" (Universal)

Coming Attractions:

October 18:

• Depeche Mode - Playing the Angel (Reprise)
• Ashlee Simpson - In Another Life
  Read: "Ashlee Remembers 'SNL' Incident But Forgets Boys On New LP"
• Thrice - Vheissu (Island)
  Read: "Thrice Going Underground — In A Sense — For Enigmatic Vheissu"

October 25:

• Chamillionaire - The Sound of Revenge (Universal)
• Destiny's Child - #1's (DualDisc; Columbia)
  Read: "Destiny's Child Look Back With #1's Before Going Their Separate Ways"
• Fefe Dobson - Sunday Love (enhanced; Island)

November 1:

• Nirvana - Sliver: The Best of the Box (Geffen)
• Ozzy Osbourne - Under Covers (DualDisc due same day; Epic)
• Santana - All That I Am (Arista)
  Read: "Guest List For New Santana LP: Big Boi, Mary J., Will.I.Am, Bo Bice And More"

• Alicia Keys
• Ricky Martin
• Warren G
• DangerDoom
• Gang of Four

Gwen Stefani (file)
Photo: Lorenxo Agius

Gwen Stefani might be raking in the VMA nominations for "Hollaback Girl" and "What You Waiting For?" but she's already moving on to make a sequel to her solo album, Love, Angel, Music, Baby. She was recording last week with Pharrell Williams again and is back in the studio with No Doubt bandmate Tony Kanal. One of the new songs she and Kanal have written together is called "Fluorescent Lights," according to the singer's label rep. ...

Original U.K. dance rockers Gang of Four have recorded their first new album with their original lineup in more than 20 years, though the material isn't exactly new. Due October 11, Return the Gift features 14 re-recorded versions of classic Gang of Four songs. "Some of the recordings, especially on Entertainment!, in no way reflect the way we sounded live," guitarist Andy Gill said." [Return the Gift] is more like us onstage — a lot punchier and more explosive." A companion album of remixes by Tony Kanal, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, the Dandy Warhols, Ladytron and others is expected in 2006. ... Korn have found a replacement for former guitarist Brian "Head" Welch, but don't expect to see the new addition performing with the band anytime soon. Korn, who're working on their next album, have recruited former Otep guitarist Rob Patterson to take over for the band's upcoming European tour, but, as frontman Jonathan Davis detailed in an online posting, "he will not be onstage." Davis said the band refuses to use "samples or tape, 'cause that would suck," but admitted Korn are "not ready to have a new guy onstage with us." Patterson's stint with the band will end when the European jaunt does, Davis said, promising "some new, exciting ideas on how we are gonna play live in the future" that "will blow your mind." ...

Christina Aguilera is in the middle of recording her new album, but she took a break to do a tune with Herbie Hancock for his new album, Possibilities, due August 30. The two duet on a cover of Leon Russell's "A Song for You." Also collaborating with Hancock on "Possibilities" are Paul Simon, Sting, Carlos Santana, Trey Anastasio, John Mayer and Annie Lennox. ... Jewel has signed on to be the face of an organics line called the Healing Garden that is trying to convince customers they can "Save Your Skin, Save the Planet" at the same time. It claims to be the first mass line of organic bath and body products, and a portion of the proceeds goes to the Nature Conservancy. The singer designed an awareness bracelet for the line that will be available in September. ... Konami Digital Entertainment, makers of music video games "Karaoke Revolution" and "Dance Dance Revolution," announced Monday that it will be making games based on "American Idol" for current and next-generation consoles. This marks the hit TV series' second chance at video games. The first, non-Konami batch of "Idol" games was released more than a year ago but met with poor reviews. ...

Queen have announced two U.S. concerts in October — their first in more than two decades. The news comes on the heels of Queen's 32-date European run. Billed as "Queen and Paul Rodgers," the concert features former Free/ Bad Company frontman Rodgers "collaborating" with Queen; he has not joined the band, but is merely filling in for the late Freddie Mercury, a press release points out. The concerts have been set for October 16 at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and October 22 at the Hollywood Bowl in Hollywood. ... When not consulting indie filmmakers' music choices, Sonic Youth tend to their own music. The experimental noise rockers will reissue their 1990 major-label debut, Goo, as a double CD on September 12. The expanded edition of the disc will contain 31 tracks including demos, outtakes and previously unheard tracks such as a cover of the Beach Boys' "I Know There's an Answer." Meanwhile, the band is writing material for its 20th record. New songs include "Pink Steam," "Helen Lundeberg," "OR" and "Do You Believe in Rapture," a song that attempts to "come to terms with the religious right," guitarist Thurston Moore said. ...

Where has Latin pop sensation Ricky Martin been and what has he been up to for the past few years? Well, trying to end stereotypes apparently. According to The Associated Press, during Martin's first trip to the Middle East, the pop heartthrob said he would do his best to help change the negative perception of Arabic youth in the West. "I promise I will become a spokesperson, if you allow me to, a spokesperson on your behalf. I will defend you and try to get rid of any stereotypes," the 33-year-old singer said at a youth conference on Monday. Martin plans to embark on a concert tour of the Middle East and North Africa next year. ... Tenacious D's Kyle Gass will star in a Broadway musical in the works based on the power ballads of the '80s. Songs from Bon Jovi, Journey, REO Speedwagon and more will be included in the production, titled "Rock of Ages" and currently being shopped to theaters in New York and Las Vegas. ...

Björk has a composed a new album. Well, kinda, sorta — at least not a proper full-length. In the vein of her abstract a cappella record, Medulla, the Icelandic imp has collaborated with contemporary visual artist (and the father of her second child) Matthew Barney for the soundtrack of his new experimental film, "Drawing Restraint 9." Due August 23, The Music of Drawing Restraint 9 features 11 orchestral, vocal-based tracks that center on traditional Japanese music forms. Guests on the record include rustic folk singer Will Oldham of Palace and harpist Zeena Parkins. Both Björk and Barney are featured in the film. ... Head Automatica have canceled the remaining dates of their July tour due to the illness of lead singer Daryl Palumbo, who is suffering a relapse of Crohn's Disease. "I am incredibly sorry for the inconvenience I may have caused, and I promise to see you all soon and make up for the lost time," the singer said in a letter to fans. ...

Eugene Record, the founder of legendary Chicago soul act the Chi-Lites, died Friday after a long battle with cancer, according to the group's booking agency. He was 64. The Chi-Lites formed in Chicago in 1959 and, led by Baker, scored a number of soul hits, including "Have You Seen Her" and "Oh Girl." The group's song "Are You My Woman? (Tell Me So)" was the basis for Beyoncé's hit "Crazy in Love." ... British Blues legend Long John Baldry, who helped launch the careers of the Rolling Stones and Rod Stewart, died Thursday of a chest infection, according to his agent. He was 64. Baldry, who got his name due to his 6-foot-7 frame, recorded more than 40 albums during his career, and his hangdog stylings won him a legion of devoted fans, including Elton John, who took his surname in honor of the bluesman. During the 1960s, Baldry's stage band consisted of a virtual galaxy of stars-to-be, including Mick Jagger, Jimmy Page, Charlie Watts and Stewart. ...

07.22.05

Jessica Simpson, along with her "Dukes of Hazzard" co-star Willie Nelson, will treat U.S. troops stationed at the Marine Corps Air Station in Miramar, California, to a special screening of their new flick on July 29. The duo will host the event and spend some quality time with service members and their families, tour the facilities, and field some questions from the crowd about the film. Fellow "Dukes" co-stars Johnny Knoxville and Seann William Scott will join Simpson to visit troops Tuesday at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia, and Wednesday at Fort Hood, Texas. ...

Prosecutors in the Michael Jackson trial were ordered Thursday to return the singer's seized possessions — including his extensive porn collection — since a verdict was returned of not guilty on all counts in his child-molestation trial. The items seized also included computers, books, and what Santa Barbara District Attorney Tom Sneddon referred to as "contraband" — syringes, Demerol and prescriptions for various drugs in different people's names — which the prosecutor argued should remain confiscated. ... Though Courtney Love had to visit a hospital early Thursday morning, her fainting spell was not drug-related, a Los Angeles court decided on Friday. The singer's status report on her progress in her drug-rehabilitation efforts was "routine," according to the Los Angeles city attorney's office, which noted that Love had successfully completed her program and passed all drug tests, saying that she "seems to be on track." Love is due back in court for a separate status hearing on August 10, and then again on January 27. ...

Snoop Dogg has recruited the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Ice Cube to join him at a benefit concert for his Snoop Youth Football League, which requires kids to maintain certain academic requirements to remain eligible. The concert, which will also include other, as-yet-unannounced artists, is set for August 25 at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles. ... Would you like a celebrity with that order? Clay Aiken, Nick Lachey, Moby and Fat Joe were among a slew of stars who participated in a special 10-day promotion to celebrate Amazon.com's 10th anniversary. Over 10 days, 23 of the online retailer's customers received surprise visits from a celebrity associated with their purchase, The Associated Press reports. So Lachey hand-delivered "Newlyweds" on DVD to one lucky buyer, Aiken dropped off his memoir, "Learning to Sing," to another, and so on. ...

New Found Glory's Ian Grushka wants the band's fans to enter an Oscar Mayer essay-writing contest to use the Wienermobile (a giant hot-dog-shaped bus) for one day — and then put it to what he calls "good use," i.e. spreading vegetarian and animal-rights messages with the help of PETA. The bassist posted a letter to fans on his Web site, iangrushka.net, asking them to use their "creative talents" to come up with ideas that would appeal to Oscar Mayer's judges so they can hijack the contest. "With a bus this big, there's no shortage of colorful ways PETA can use the Wienermobile to tell everyone how bad eating meat is for people and animals," he wrote. The contest ends on Thursday. ... Nick Carter's sister's former roommate is suing the famous musical family, claiming that Nick and his father, Bob, failed to supervise 23-year-old Bobby Jean, and that Bobby Jean abused her roommate via various physical altercations. The Backstreet Boy's lawyer called the claims "fictional" and "absolutely without merit," and said that Kate Kelly only named Nick in her suit against his sister Bobby Jean "so that she could get publicity." Bobby Jean's lawyer — who also called the claim "frivolous" — said that they have hired private investigators to look into the matter, while Nick plans to countersue. Meanwhile, Bobby Jean is suing other members of her family — her mother, Jane, and sister Leslie, claiming Leslie conspired with their mother to take away her Escalade, by forging her signature, taking ownership and refusing to return the car. ...

"American Idol" junkies who've been jonesing for more will have to wait until November 22 for their next fix, when some new DVDs are expected to hit stores, featuring the best and worst moments of the hit series. "The Worst of American Idol: Seasons 1-4" and "The Best of American Idol: Seasons 1-4" will set you back $20 apiece; the two will also be packaged together as a collector's-edition set for $35. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the DVDs will include the show's most breathtaking performances and well as all of the best car-crash auditions from all four seasons. ... It looks like Bonnaroo is hitting Sin City. The producers behind the Birkenstock-friendly music festival have confirmed that they will stage an event in Las Vegas around Halloween. The multi-day fest, dubbed Vegoose, will be held from October 28-31, according to its official Web site. An eclectic mix of musicians are expected to attend, but no one has been confirmed as of yet. ... M.I.A. plans to headline a U.S. tour this fall. The Sri Lanka-born artist's 11-city trek will kick off on September 19 in Athens, Georgia, and wrap up on October 5 in San Francisco. ...

• Gwen Stefani
• Gang of Four
• Korn
• Christina Aguilera
• Jewel

• Gang of Four

Gang of Four, circa 1979
Photo: Wounded Bird Records

Common rock lore states that although the Velvet Underground didn't sell many albums when they were around, just about everyone who bought one started their own band.

If Lou Reed's old band has an '80s equivalent, it seems to be Gang of Four. The pioneering Leeds, England, post-punk group never broke sales records, but a whole new generation of bands has unabashedly picked up on the Gang's pioneering mix of dub, funk, rock, punk, social commentary and walls of dissonant noise. And now some of those acts — including No Doubt, Beck, Hot Hot Heat, Bloc Party, Massive Attack, the Dandy Warhols and Futureheads — are expected to return the favor by appearing on an upcoming Gang of Four remix album.

Singer Jon King, guitarist Andy Gill, drummer Hugo Burnham and bassist Dave Allen reunited last year for a series of well-received U.K. gigs that have set the stage for an upcoming American run that marks their first-ever full tour of the U.S. with the original lineup. The tour kicked off Sunday with a gig at the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival in Indio, California.

Gill continues to work on the two-disc Gang of Four compilation, due August 30. One disc contains re-recorded Gang of Four songs from the first three records — Entertainment!, Solid Gold and Songs of the Free — by the original band. The other disc is a remix collection slated to feature many of the bands inspired by the group. The first single, the Gang's re-recording of "To Hell With Poverty," is available now on iTunes.

The full lineup of remixers for the compilation — tentatively titled The Embarrassment of Paleface, (a reference to the artwork of Entertainment!) — is still being worked out, according to Gill. "In some cases, the bands have re-recorded the vocals and done a whole new track," he said.

While Gill noted that former Bush singer Gavin Rossdale is an avowed fan of the Gang, it's a member of his wife's band, No Doubt, doing a remix of "Ether" for the set — which originally was saddled with the cheeky title The Best Record Ever Made. "It's quite tough sounding," he said of No Doubt bassist Tony Kanal's interpretation. "I think people will be surprised, 'cause they've done something quite hard with it."

Other artists currently slated to contribute songs are Beck, Massive Attack, the Dandy Warhols and Moby, who hopes to entirely re-record his track with a live backing band. So far, the Futureheads have signed on to do a cover of "Anthrax," Bloc Party has chosen "To Hell With Poverty" and Hot Hot Heat are tackling "Damaged Goods."

One of the band's most recognizable songs, "I Love a Man in a Uniform," is being re-imagined by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, with Karen O recording new vocals.

"I gave Nick [Zinner] from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs the multitrack that I recorded, and he played around with it and got some wacky sounds out of it and Karen does some singing on it. It's different. I gave them a pretty straightforward version of the song and they definitely played around with it."

"It's an odd project," Gill said. "But when people hear it, they will say 'Wow!' It's odd to hear songs from decades ago re-recorded."

Gill said one of the reasons he was inspired to do the project was his disenchantment with the sound on the group's landmark 1979 album Entertainment!

"I don't think it sounds anything like how we sounded onstage," Gill said. "The drums sounded like Tupperware boxes. There's nothing wrong with the way it sounds, but it would be nice to have something reflecting how we sounded onstage with those powerful drums. The way we're recording it now, it sounds much punchier and explosive. When you hear the live kick drum, it's like being whacked in the stomach. And the snare pops your eyeballs out."

Gang of Four North American tour dates, according to the band's publicist:

• 5/2 - San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
• 5/3 - San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
• 5/5 - Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom
• 5/6 - Seattle, WA @ Showbox
• 5/7 - Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom
• 5/10 - Minneapolis, MN @ Quest Club
• 5/11 - Chicago, IL @ Metro/ Smart Bar
• 5/12 - Chicago, IL @ Metro/ Smart Bar
• 5/13 - Detroit, MI @ Majestic Theatre
• 5/14 - Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Concert Theatre
• 5/16 - Boston, MA @ Avalon
• 5/17 - New York , NY @ Irving Plaza
• 5/18 - New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
• 5/20 - Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
• 5/21 - Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of Living Arts

• Gang of Four
• No Doubt
• Beck
• Yeah Yeah Yeahs
• Moby

Jennifer Lopez (file)
Photo: Brad Barket/Getty Images

Gwen Stefani, Jennifer Lopez and Will Smith are among the acts slated for Los Angeles radio station KIIS-FM's annual Wango Tango festival. Kelly Clarkson, Black Eyed Peas, Ludacris, Ciara, Backstreet Boys, Simple Plan, Frankie J, Ryan Cabrera, Natalie and the Pussycat Dolls will also perform at the Ryan Seacrest-hosted concert, scheduled for May 14 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California. ...

After weeks of graphic testimony centering around molestation allegations, the Michael Jackson trial turned on Tuesday (April 12) to other crimes the singer is charged with — conspiracy to commit child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion. On day 30 of the trial, the stepfather of the current accuser took the stand and told the court that Jackson associate Frank Tyson pressured the family to participate in a rebuttal video to Martin Bashir's documentary "Living With Michael Jackson." When he asked for a contract, Tyson offered "protection" instead but wouldn't say from what or whom. Tyson also offered the children a college education and a home, said the stepfather, who also described distressed calls he got from the accuser's mother when she was at Neverland, in which she said she wasn't able to see her children there and was always chaperoned. Though the defense has suggested the family is just after money, the stepfather said he never accepted money for the rebuttal video or for interview offers from British tabloids and had no intention of accepting money in the future, either. ...

Paris Hilton is never without a moneymaking scheme, and her latest involves her lapdog, Tinkerbell. The heiress has just signed a deal with Gund to license plush-toy designs, including one of her pup. She's also signed a deal to develop and market Paris Hilton watches, which will encompass both high-end Swiss watches and moderately priced fashion watches. ... 3 Doors Down, Staind and Breaking Benjamin are teaming up for a summer tour scheduled to begin July 1. Details have yet to be announced, but the trek will hit about 40 cities before wrapping up in September. ...

In a scene straight out of "The Surreal Life," Da Brat's 31st birthday party in Chicago turned into a melee when two uninvited men bum-rushed the door. According to the Chicago Tribune, at around 1:30 Monday morning two men pushed passed security guards at the Harold Washington Cultural Center and got into a fistfight with security. Other partygoers joined in and one person allegedly hit a guard in the head with a gun. Four men were arrested. Among the 100 attendees at the party were Twista and actress Lisa Raye. ... The Gap Band's Charlie Wilson — currently featured in Snoop's "Signs" video — is putting out an album of his own. Wilson's debut, Charlie, Last Name Wilson, is executive produced by R. Kelly and is written and produced by the likes of Justin Timberlake, Will.I.Am, Dr. Dre and Scott Storch. Wilson is now in the studio finishing the album, which will hit stores July 12. ...

Want to hear a sample of Coldplay's new single? A 30-second snippet of the "Speed of Sound," off the group's upcoming X&Y, is going to debut as a Cingular ring tone. To order it, go to www.cingular.com/mediamall. ... The Pixies, Futureheads, Spoon, Stephen Malkmus and the Misfits have been added to the lineup of the inaugural CMJ/ Rock Hall Music Fest. The three-day event (June 9-11) in Cleveland will also feature the Art of Modern Rock Poster show, a discussion with Grandmaster Flash, a guitar competition judged by Joe Satriani and additional gigs by the Digable Planets, Powerman 5000, Keoki, Mushroomhead, From First to Last and Nashville Pussy. ...

Anthony Kiedis will be part of an environmental-activist panel with Daryl Hannah for Forces of Nature, which will address sustainability — buying products made with the fewest resources and utilizing earth-friendly materials that replenish themselves easily. Kiedis signed up for April 27's "The Future of Sustainability" panel at the LOHAS 9 Forum in Marina del Rey, California, since he was instrumental in getting his record label to use paper made of hemp, flax and post-consumer waste. Other panelists include Amy Smart, Mariel Hemingway, Raquel Welch and Ed Begley Jr. To attend the forum, visit lohas.com or inspirationfilmfestival.com. ... In an apparent homage to last summer's aborted Lollapalooza tour, the Flaming Lips and the String Cheese Incident have been tapped to headline the ninth annual All Good Music Festival, to be held July 15-17 at Marvin's Mountaintop in Masontown, West Virginia. Both the Lips and the Incident were scheduled to be a part of the last incarnation of Lolla, but slow ticket sales forced promoters to pull the plug before a single show was played. In the meantime, both bands have apparently been sharpening up their hacky-sack skills to take part in the All Good Music Fest, which also features jam bands like Umphrey's McGee, Particle and Les Claypool. Tickets are $92 and go on sale Tuesday (April 12) at AllGood.MusicToday.com. ...

Russell Simmons wants you to pay your taxes. The hip-hop-CEO-turned-political-activist has joined forces with TurboTax to create Rock Your Refund, a Web site that helps young Americans understand and file their state and federal taxes — and aims to get them the biggest refund possible. Visitors to RockYourRefund.com are given tax tips, and filing your income tax forms there costs just $5.95. Simmons told MTVNews he got involved with Rock Your Refund because "the last leg of the civil-rights movement is economic empowerment ... not just for African-Americans, but for all young Americans."... Marxist post-punkers Gang of Four will re-release their seminal 1979 debut album, Entertainment!, via Rhino Records on May 17. In addition to the 12-track original disc, the reissue will contain the long-out-of-print Yellow EP and four other previously unreleased cuts. The group's widespread influence has scored it a headlining spot on the upcoming Coachella festival on May 1 in Indio, California. The next day the group begins a 14-date North American tour that will wrap May 21 in Philadelphia. ...

Cypress Hill and the Kottonmouth Kings, the self-described "two biggest pro-marijuana bands on the planet," have collaborated on a track called "Put the Pipe Down" for the latter's upcoming seventh album. The groups plan to service the track to radio stations on April 20, the weed-smokers holiday established from the police code for marijuana-smoking-in-progress, 4:20. ... On Monday night, rapper/ Cash Money boss Baby threw a bash at the posh New York club B.E.D. to celebrate the release of his upcoming album, Fast Money, and Rockstar video game "Midnight Club 3," which he narrates. The Birdman was also promoting his newest LUGZ shoe collection, #1 Stunna. Denzel Washington, Anthony Mackie, Bobby Valentino and Chaka Zulu of Disturbing Tha Peace Records were in attendance. Fast Money drops June 21. ...

Video directors Chris Mills (Modest Mouse) and Chris Grismer (the Arcade Fire) are teaming up to helm the clip for the new single from the Motion City Soundtrack, "Everything Is Alright." The band's new album, Commit This to Memory, due June 7, was produced by Mark Hoppus. The Motion City Soundtrack are touring through April before heading out on the Warped Tour this summer. ... Experimental laptop artists the Books are teaming up with hip-hop producer Prefuse 73 for the split EP Prefuse 73 Reads the Books, which will surface on Warp Records later this year. Meanwhile, the cut-and-paste Michigan bookworms will embark on their first North American tour in support of their recently released third album, Lost and Safe. The 13-date trek starts off April 20 in Hudson, New York, and ends May 20 in Hollywood. ...

04.11.2005

It's true — there is such thing as a "first iPod." On Monday (April 11), President Bush's iPod playlist surfaced in The New York Times, and it turns out W. is a fan of the likes of Van Morrison, Stevie Ray Vaughan and John Fogerty. The president received the gadget as a gift from his twin daughters and uses his tunes to help him power through his 18-mile Texas bike trail. ...

The Grey Album mastermind and Gorillaz member Danger Mouse and former Goodie Mob crooner Cee-Lo announced on Friday that they are putting the finishing touches on their collaborative effort, The Gnarls Barkley. The pair began work on the album last year. ... Death Cab for Cutie are working at a fervent pace. The "ultimate Bait shop band" (so says "The O.C." creator Josh Schwartz) has nearly finished Plans, the follow-up to 2003's breakthrough disc Transatlanticism, according to a rep for the group. Recorded in rural Massachusetts and due in September, Plans will be Death Cab's fifth LP. Guitarist Chris Walla will again assume production duties. Possible tracks for inclusion on the record include "I Will Follow You Into the Dark," "Brothers on a Hotel Bed," "Someday You Will Be Loved," "Your Heart Is an Empty Room," "Marching Bands of Manhattan" and potential single "Soul Meets Body." ...

The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Weezer are both tried-and-true L.A. bands, but they're going to party Las Vegas-style for Sin City's 100th anniversary. On July 2, the rock groups are headlining Vegas' centennial concert, to be held outdoors for free. "We can't wait to get there, feel the energy of the crowd and rock the house," RHCP bassist Flea said in a statement. Fifty thousand tickets will be available at www.vegasrocks100.com/ beginning April 18. ... Currently screening on TheTransplants.com: a preview of the band's upcoming album. In the promotional spot, we see frontman Rob Aston smoking, Travis Barker walking around shirtless and guitarist Tim Armstrong striking many punk poses. The trio also eat lunch at a diner. At the end of the spot, we are told that the new Transplants album will hit stores May 15 via LaSalle Records. ...

Mötley Crüe had a little trouble at the Canadian border when Mighty Mike, the band's resident "little person," MC and fire-breather, was detained by authorities, since he lacked a green card. The Crüe were trying to cross the border for Friday's show in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and were forced to enter the U.S. without Mike, who was transferred to Edmonton. He's expected to remain there for seven days before being allowed to return to the tour. "This could set U.S.-Canadian relations back a couple of weeks," singer Vince Neil said in a statement. "It's no 'big' deal," said drummer Tommy Lee. "Hopefully Mighty Mike will grow from this experience." ... The members of Alter Bridge inadvertently got mixed up in a high-speed police chase on Friday during a Kansas City, Missouri, tour stop, according to a band spokesperson. The band's crew was unloading equipment from Alter Bridge's tour bus when a man on the run from police pulled up and was blocked from passing. The driver veered into a nearby parking lot, hit a van, and dragged an officer across the street before finally crashing into the group's bus. Several of the crew members aided in the arrest of the driver, who is now awaiting charges. ...

Lil Jon wants to crunk up your cell phone — he's just signed a deal with BlingTones to create exclusive music and shouts for ring tones, voice-ringers and ringbacks. Starting in June, fans can download his master tones and ring tones by visiting BlingTones on their carriers' download page or at www.theblingtones.com. ... Performing for the first time in the U.S. in 10 years, Digable Planets hit the stage at Los Angeles' El Rey Theatre with the classic "It's Good to Be Here" at the stroke of midnight Sunday night. Ladybug, Butterfly and Doodlebug then ran through their two albums and promised new Digable Planets material in the future. Ladybug also debuted a couple of tracks from her upcoming solo album, Trip the Light Fantastic, due out June 12. The trio are planning to hit the road this summer with a 25-city U.S. tour, set to begin in June. ...

So P. Diddy is a baller for real now. At least he will be on Monday night, when he'll display his prowess on the court at BasketBall City at Pier 63 in New York. An honoree at the eighth annual Net Gain tournament, the hip-hop mogul will receive the 2005 H.O.O.P.S. (Helping Out Our Public Schools) Award. Run by Youth I.N.C., the Net Gain tournament gets NBA players, kids and corporate sponsors together to raise money to fund court time for 32 New York City high school teams. ... Alchemist and Mobb Deep's Prodigy performed for New York University students at the school's Music for Tomorrow fundraiser on Friday at Big Apple club Avalon. The student-run organization is looking to raise $10,000 to "adopt" a Lower East Side New York public school and assist in the creation of after-school programs and student-assisted teaching programs there. Members of the legendary Sugarhill Gang were among those in attendance at the event. ...

Il Divo, a group of four singers put together by "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell, will release their debut album in the U.S. on April 19. The group, which combines pop and opera elements, topped the U.K. charts last year. ... Fredwreck, Snoop Dogg's DJ and a producer for Lindsay Lohan, Snoop and others, is releasing a collection of his tracks called Fredwreck: Greatest Hits Episode 1 on June 15. Fredwreck will also be a part of "Kings of Bling," a new show where Tony Hawk and Pharrell Williams build skate parks and recording studios in different community centers throughout the country, and "Minding the Store," a reality show with Pauly Shore. ...

Blackmail and robbery charges against former Libertines singer Pete Doherty have been dropped, the BBC reports. Doherty was arrested in early February for allegedly assaulting a 30-year-old documentary filmmaker at the Rookery Hotel in central London. Doherty served four nights in jail and was released on bail. The charges were dropped, according to officials, because of "insufficient evidence for a realistic chance of prosecution." ... According to a posting on Scottish indie rockers the Delgados' Web site, the band has decided to call it quits after more than a decade together. The group, which released five records during its career, thanked everyone who supported it, "especially all of our fans." The split was characterized as amicable. ... ASCAP (The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers), which hosts a concert series at the Sundance Film Festival, will for the first time bring its Music Lounge to the Tribeca Film Festival. Damien Rice, Ben Jelen and Nic Armstrong and the Thieves are among the acts slated to perform at the Knitting Factory in New York from April 27 to 29. ...

• Jennifer Lopez
• Michael Jackson
• Da Brat
• Charlie Wilson (R&B)
• Ciara

Coldplay (file)
Photo: Capitol Records

Coldplay will kick off their "biggest-ever world tour" on June 27 with a series of outdoor stadium shows in the U.K. According to a message sent out to subscribers at Coldplay.com, the band will be announcing further details of its tour in the coming weeks. For the first time, the group also publicly mentioned a release date — or at least a release month — for its still-untitled third album, writing that it would be released in June. ...

In day two of the Michael Jackson trial, journalist Martin Bashir tried to be excused from testifying, but his attempt failed when the judge decided he could choose which questions to answer or not. The prosecution played his documentary "Living With Michael Jackson," which the judge instructed the jurors to consider some parts of as evidence, other parts as hearsay. Jackson dabbed at his eyes during the playing of the documentary, and he threw up his hands seemingly in frustration during Bashir's testimony. Jackson's attorney also told jurors that Jackson would take the stand. ...

In a reunion slightly less likely than last year's Pixies capitulation, indie rock heroes Dinosaur Jr. will get together for the first time in 15 years to play the Fuji Rock Festival in Japan (July 29-31). Singer/guitarist J Mascis has reportedly ended his decade-plus feud with bassist Lou Barlow, and the pair are expected to rejoin drummer Murph for a string of summer theater and festival shows in Europe, tentatively followed by North American dates, according to a spokesperson at Merge Records, which is reissuing the band's first three albums on March 22. ... Red Hot Chili Peppers have written 35 songs for their next album and will hit the studio this month to record them. "We're so in love with the songs we wrote," singer Anthony Kiedis said. "We're working really hard." ...

Jennifer Lopez is now "enemy number one" for PETA, which plans to target the singer in a new campaign since her clothing line Sweetface uses so much fur. Animal-rights activists plan to storm her Times Square record singing at Virgin Records on Tuesday (March 1) by showing film footage of animals being skinned alive juxtaposed with images of J. Lo dressed in fur in her latest video. The footage was shot during an investigation of fur farms in China. "There is nothing remotely 'sweet' about the torture deaths of animals killed for fur," PETA's Dan Mathews said in a statement. ... Mötley Crüe will ring the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday at 4 p.m. The rockers will arrive via choppers. ...

The upcoming flick "Batman Begins," which explains the origins of the elusive Bruce Wayne and other aspects of the iconic superhero, will hit screens on June 17 in both regular theaters and IMAX theaters. ... Singer/pianist John Legend will head to Miami this month to headline one of the three Sunset Sessions for the M3 Music Summit, a gathering that merges music, technology, art, fashion and multimedia. Legend will perform on March 24 at the Doubletree Surfcomber Hotel. ... The Recording Industry Association of America filed its latest round of copyright-infringement lawsuits on Monday, targeting 753 people it suspects of illegally distributing songs online. Since September 2003, the RIAA has sued 9,100 individuals and settled with more than 1,900, according to an RIAA spokesperson. ...

The estate of late Damageplan/ Pantera guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott will most likely be split right down the middle between his brother, Damageplan/ Pantera drummer Vinnie Paul, and his father, country and western songwriter Jerry Abbott, according to the Dallas-Fort Worth Star-Telegram. The Abbott family's lawyer, Steve McClure, told the paper Dimebag had no formal written will at the time of his death. This, however, has not fueled familial bickering over his assets, which were estimated at $700,000, McClure said; that total does not reflect Dimebag's music-publishing rights, a value yet to be determined. Paul will more than likely serve as the administrator of his slain brother's estate. Meanwhile, Paul appeared onstage with Disturbed and Anthrax during a benefit concert honoring Dimebag's memory in Chicago on February 23 — the first time he performed since the onstage murder of his brother on December 8, 2004. ...

Alter Bridge, the band that's made up of old Creed boys plus singer Myles Kennedy, are set to headline the fifth Jägermeister Music Tour, kicking off in New York on March 29. The group will be joined by Chevelle tour alums Future Leaders of the World and Texas newcomers Submersed. ... Post-punk legends Gang of Four are heading out on a reunion tour of North America in May. The band — singer Jon King, guitarist Andy Gill, bassist Dave Allen and drummer Hugo Burnham — recently played a string of U.K. shows, the group's first since 1981. Following their May 1 date at the Coachella Festival in Indio, California, Gang of Four will play a pair of dates at the Fillmore in San Francisco May 2-3, then trek across the continent before winding down in Philadelphia on May 21. ...

Barenaked Ladies have finished the pilot for their sketch-comedy series for FOX. "It's us getting into strange situations, hijinks, we slap the stick occasionally," singer Steven Page said recently. The Ladies are also writing their next album as well as music for a production of Shakespeare's "As You Like It" at the Stratford Festival in Ontario, Canada. ... The Wonder Stuff are about to strut some new stuff — the U.K. band, known for such bouncy alt rock hits as "The Size of a Cow," "Cartoon Boyfriend" and "Don't Let Me Down, Gently," is back with its first new studio album in 12 years, Escape From Rubbish Island, due out March 22. The group is also heading out on the road, starting April 4 in Asbury Park, New Jersey. The 23-date trek winds up May 8 in New York. ...

2.28.2005

Apparently Britney Spears doesn't want any beef with Paris Hilton — or her lapdog, Tinkerbell, either. In the wake of her boast, "I think my dogs are so much cuter than Tinkerbell," Spears has now released a statement on her Web site saying, "I was just being silly and of course I think that Tinkerbell is very cute." The pop diva even hopes to set up a play date for their miniscule canines. ...

Jury selection continued on Monday (February 28) in the perjury, obstruction and false-statements trial of rapper Lil' Kim. On Friday, several potential jurors who had voiced critical opinions about the musician's lifestyle (one responded in a juror survey that "crime seem[ed] to be part of the hip-hop culture") were ousted from consideration by U.S. District Judge Gerald Lynch, according to New York Newsday. Lil' Kim is accused of lying to a grand jury about a February 21, 2001, shooting she allegedly witnessed outside New York radio station Hot 97, which involved her two bodyguards. ... R&B singer/producer Gerald Levert was arrested Friday in Cleveland after confronting police at a downtown intersection, according to The Associated Press. Levert was cited on charges of driving under the influence and impeding the flow of traffic, then arrested on charges of obstructing official business, resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer after he stopped his vehicle near where another motorist had been pulled over by police. Levert and the driver of another vehicle approached the officer and demanded to know why the other vehicle had been pulled over. They were told to leave but refused, and Levert became agitated and allegedly shoved an officer, who used pepper spray to subdue him. ...

Sum 41 might be taking the mature route on their new album, Chuck, and the video for their new single, "Pieces," may feature lead singer Deryck Whibley wandering the streets of Los Angeles all by his lonesome, but that doesn't mean they're above a good old dirty play on words: hence, the Go Chuck Yourself Tour. The first few dates of the North American trek have been announced, and the first two — April 7 and 8 in Toronto — are actually makeup shows from the gigs Sum canceled when Whibley fell ill with blistered vocal cords. The first U.S. date is April 12 in Buffalo, New York, with other shows scheduled for Philadelphia; Cleveland; Columbus, Ohio; and Kansas City, Missouri. Unwritten Law and Hawthorne Heights will open. ... Handsome Boy Modeling School are taking their curriculum on the road beginning March 28. The hip-hop duo will kick things off in Los Angeles and will tour from April 1-8 with Buck 65, and from April 9-20 with k-os, with the trek ending in New York. ...

Missed Morrissey on his tour? Don't get depressed — Morrissey feels your pain, so he's releasing a live CD and DVD from the tour behind his recent release, You Are the Quarry. The DVD, "Who Put the 'M' in Manchester," was filmed on May 22, 2004, at the singer's homecoming/birthday show in Manchester, England; while the CD, Live at Earls Court, was recorded at the end of the tour. Both will hit stores on March 29. ... Tiffany, the flame-haired 1980s teen pop sensation, is back ... again. This time, she's teamed up with new electronic dance act Second Sun for a duet, "He Said She Said," on their album Inside Out. The LP is set to drop on April 19. ...

Black Sabbath tributes by metal bands are a dime a dozen, so the newest disc of musical homages, Everything Comes & Goes: A Tribute to Black Sabbath, is definitely a change of pace. Due April 5, the nine-track disc will feature reinventions of Sabbath songs by a collection of unusual suspects including electronic laptop artist Four Tet, Japanese noise group Ruins and beatmaking Björk collaborators Matmos. ... Meanwhile, Kieran Hebden will release his fourth Four Tet album, Everything Ecstatic, on May 31. ... Los Angeles alt-rock club Spaceland — at the heart of the Silver Lake scene — is about to turn 10 years old, and to celebrate, a missing-in-action Silver Lake band is reuniting, and possibly for more than one night only. Lutefisk, who last played five years ago for Pop Defect's farewell gig, "return with fresh skills, new guitars, and a love of loudness that has never wavered," guitarist Beale Dabbs said. The show, on March 5, also includes local bands Sissybar, Velouria, Buck, Longstocking and a few "surprises." Just remember who else is from Silver Lake — and you might have an idea of who could swing by. ...

The Eagles are preparing to release their entire original vinyl Asylum Records catalog in one box set. Eagles Box, a limited-edition, nine-disc set, will include their seven chart-topping albums released between 1972 and 1980, featuring such singles as "Hotel California," "Life in the Fast Lane" and "Desperado." The set, which will hit stores on March 15, will also feature the debut of the band's "Please Come Home for Christmas/ Funky New Year" single on CD. ... Dan Snaith may have lost his moniker Manitoba in a lawsuit from Handsome Dick Manitoba, but it won't stop him from making music. His debut under the name Caribou, The Milk of Human Kindness, will hit shelves April 19. ...

• Coldplay
• Dinosaur Jr.
• Jennifer Lopez
• John Legend
• Red Hot Chili Peppers

Ashlee Simpson (file)
Photo: Frank Micelotta

Ashlee Simpson has a high-profile gig lined up to help her warm up for her upcoming tour — she's going to perform at the Orange Bowl halftime show on January 4 in Miami. Her sister, Jessica, and brother-in-law, Nick Lachey, did the gig in 2004. ... Hoobastank have postponed their final shows of the year (in Florida, Minnesota and Wisconsin) to allow singer Doug Robb to recover from bronchial pneumonia. Robb was hospitalized earlier in the week and ordered to rest. ...

While she's supposed to be taking a break from her career, Britney Spears has just wrapped another video — for "Do Somethin'," one of the new songs on her greatest-hits collection. Fans might not have a chance to see the clip, though, as it's only being serviced overseas. ... The Broadcast Film Critics Association named Lindsay Lohan a Best Young Actress nominee for its Critics' Choice Awards on Wednesday, and also nominated "Metallica: Some Kind of Monster" for Best Documentary. "Sideways" earned the most nominations (eight). The winners will be announced during a January 10 ceremony at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles. Eric McCormack will host the show, which the WB will broadcast live. ...

Mötley Crüe frontman Vince Neil has landed in hot water again. On Wednesday, Dallas police issued a warrant for his arrest, stemming from an incident that allegedly occurred during a Neil solo show in October. Neil faces a misdemeanor assault charge for allegedly punching a soundman at the Dallas-area club Gilleys. If convicted, Neil faces up to a year in jail and a fine of $4,000. ... P. Diddy has made CNN and Time magazine's 2004 list of "Global Business Influentials." Diddy was honored for his "combined celebrity and smart branding" for his record label, restaurants and marketing company, Blue Flame. MTV Networks Chairman and CEO Judy McGrath also made the list, for her work running MTV, MTV2, VH1, CMT, Nickelodeon, TV Land and Comedy Central. ...

Christina Aguilera will be the host for the 2005 MTV Asia Awards, to be held in early February in Bangkok, Thailand. Maroon 5 are slated to perform at the event. ... Sony's PSP is still a few months away from U.S. stores and already the handheld wars have begun. To compete with the PSP's ability to play digital music files as well as games, Nintendo announced plans for an adaptor for its Game Boy Advance SP and Nintendo Advance that allows the same multimedia feature. The Nintendo's peripheral is expected to be available in mid-February, around the same time the PSP, which is already available in Japan, drops. ...

Seminal post-punkers Gang of Four have re-formed for a few dates in the U.K., with a U.S. tour to follow. The original lineup, whose funky punk and dance-rock influence can be heard in bands like the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Franz Ferdinand, will play their first show together since 1995 on January 23 in Manchester, England. ... Fatboy Slim, Beth Orton, Billy Idol and Aimee Mann are among the first performers announced for South by Southwest 2005 in Austin, Texas, from March 11-20. Mavis Staples and Erykah Badu will speak at the conference, joining keynote speaker Robert Plant. ...

British DJ Paul Oakenfold has relocated to Los Angeles to focus more on scoring movies. The DJ, who has written music for "Swordfish," "Collateral" and other flicks, is currently working on "The Pink Panther." ... These are good times for Ludacris. His new album, The Red Light District, just made its debut atop the Billboard albums chart, and now Cris has signed an exclusive worldwide publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing Group. He was previously signed to EMI Music. ...

CiWYW, a star-studded album Los Angeles hip-hop group L.A. Symphony recorded in 2001 but were never able to release due to the folding of their record label, is finally available on the group's Web site (www.lasymphony.com), through December 31. Black Eyed Peas and Pharcyde's Fat Lip contributed raps, while Will.I.Am, Prince Paul and Mario C (of Beastie Boys fame) co-produced. ... Bombastic '70s/'80s rockers Journey will be given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on January 21. The band, which has sold 75 million albums since 1973, will perform that night at the House of Blues in West Hollywood. Tickets for the show go on sale December 18. ...

12.15.2004

"Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas" swept the second annual Video Game Awards Tuesday, taking home "Vector Monkey" trophies for Game of the Year, Best Action Game, Best Soundtrack, and Best Performance By a Human - Male. "The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay" won Best Game Based on a Movie, BloodRayne from "BloodRayne 2" won Cyber Vixen of the Year, "Madden NFL 2005" won Best Sports Game and Best Song in a Video Game (for Green Day's "American Idiot"), "Burnout 3: Takedown" won Best Driving Game and Most Addictive Game, "Mortal Kombat: Deception" won Best Fighting Game, and "Halo 2" won Best First Person Action. ...

Ashlee Simpson's upcoming tour has been re-routed, with the whole front end of the outing becoming the back end. Instead of starting in Houston on February 2, it will now begin in Los Angeles on February 18. And instead of ending in Norfolk, Virginia, on March 26, the tour will continue on through the South, eventually ending in Dallas on April 20. ... Jessica Simpson has released two new videos for her Christmas album, Rejoyce, on her Web site. She romps around with an umbrella as snow falls behind her for "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow," while for "O Holy Night," she sings against a simple black background. ... Fat Joe will play Santa Claus next week at his old grammar school in the Bronx, New York. The rapper is donating 20 computers to P.S. 146 and providing money for the school to refurbish its multimedia room, which will be renamed after Joe's late sister, Lisa Cartagena, who died two years ago while giving birth. ...

Courtney Love's assault case in Los Angeles got a continuance on Wednesday (December 15), when the singer mentioned that she's planning to file a petition to waive her appearance at future pretrial hearings. The prosecution opposed, arguing that Love had already been given that privilege and had abused it by failing to appear earlier this year. Love is due back in court for the case on January 11 for a bail hearing and a pretrial conference. ... New music written by Radiohead's Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood will debut at the London Ether Festival in March. Their experimental compositions will be incorporated into a larger piece performed by the London Sinfonietta orchestra at the London Royal Symphony Hall. Other artists taking part in the Ether Fest, the goal of which is to "seek new strategies to present electronica," include rapper Dizzee Rascal and electronic duo Matmos. ...

On January 19, bow-hunting enthusiast/ conservative rocker Ted Nugent will rock the stage at the Texas State Society's Black Tie & Boots Ball. The event, to be held in Washington, D.C., is in celebration of the inauguration of President George W. Bush. Bearded blues-rockers ZZ Top are also on the bill. No word on whether or not the Eliminator will make an appearance. ... Coolio has signed up for "Retirement." The rapper will play Flow, a mentor/rapper and nephew of Ossie Davis' character in the upcoming indie film, in which four grumpy old men go on a road trip to stop one of their daughters from marrying the wrong guy. Taylor Negron, Mario Cantone, Chris Diamantopoulos and Nancy Young round out the cast. Shooting starts in February in South Beach, Florida. ...

Blur have reissued "Starshaped," a documentary about their early days in the burgeoning Britpop movement, as a special-edition DVD. The new version features over one hour of footage not previously seen in the film, including live performances, alternate versions of songs and a super-secret "hidden track." ... Jimmy Eat World have just wrapped the video for their next single, "Work." Director Marc Webb helmed the clip, which was shot in the mountains just outside Los Angeles. ...

• Ashlee Simpson
• Britney Spears
• Lindsay Lohan
• Vince Neil
• Gang of Four