Glenn Danzig
Photo: Scott Gries/ Getty Images

During the recording of 1994's Danzig 4, Glenn Danzig and the record's producer, Rick Rubin, were paid a visit by one of the higher-ups at Def American, the label Rubin launched after leaving Def Jam in 1988. A company vice president had one simple request for the former Misfits frontman.

"He's like, 'You guys, don't do a Satanic record, OK?,' " Danzig recalled. "We just looked at each other, and we were laughing. So Rick said, 'You have to write a song and make it the most Satanic song in the world.' "

And Glenn abided. The end result was "Satan's Crucifixion Points to Hell," a track that started off as a means to stick it to the man, but one that Danzig would fall in love with over the years. It's a song that was never released, but will be available on The Lost Tracks of Danzig, a veritable goldmine of Danzig leftovers compiled in a two-CD set with a hardcover booklet featuring the musings of Glenn. An official release date has yet to be firmed up, but the set is expected later this year or early 2007.

"The song started out as a song to just drive this guy crazy," Danzig said of "Satan's Crucifixion," laughing for a second. "We sent it to him, and he said, 'This is crazy. They're destroying this record — it's totally Satanic. And you want this to be the first single?' So while it started as a joke song, it's become a really good song."

Lost collects a total of 26 tracks, including a number of covers — everything from David Bowie's "Cat People" to T. Rex's "Buick MacKane" and the Germs' "Caught in My Eye." All of the original songs were written — and most recorded in bits and pieces — between 1988's Danzig and 2004's Circle of Snakes (see "Glenn Danzig Preps 'Final' Tour, Film, Box Set And, Uh, Dolls"). Danzig did have to do some additional work on the tracks to make them just right.

"A perfect example is 'Come to Silver' [from 1996's Blackacidevil], a song I wrote for Johnny Cash that I never gave to him," Danzig said. "I showed it to him but I never gave it to him because I left [Cash's label, American Recordings]. But this one's an acoustic version, and I recorded it a while ago. When we went back in to mix it, the vocals had been wiped by the old engineer. I don't know what the reasoning was, but he did. So I had to re-sing the whole song. It's kind of a shock when you're all ready to mix and you ask, 'Where are the vocals?' "

Of the other songs resurrected for the effort, Danzig prefers "Lady Lucifera," "Warlock" and the bluesy leadoff single, "Crawl Across Your Killing Floor." Danzig shot a black-and-white video for that track last month, and describes it as "a takeoff" on the opening of 1966 spaghetti Western "Django."

"So I'm walking into town," he explained. "I have the long leather Western coat, with the shoulder things. I'm dragging this coffin behind me, and I open it up, and it's filled with all these old photos and I just start burning them — pictures of Muddy Waters, Johnny Cash, Sharon Tate, Charles Manson. I even burn a photo of Rick. I put it in an urn ... and it just goes on from there."

Glenn said he intends to start writing material for a proper Danzig release in early 2007. But the man has a ton on his plate. Although he said last year that he didn't want to tour anymore, he'll be reviving his Blackest of the Black Tour this winter for a two-week West Coast run. So far, just Scandinavian black metallers Marduk have been confirmed for the bill. The trek's start date hasn't been determined.

There's also the 3 Faces of Danzig limited-edition action figures he's released. They retail for $75, and highlight the different eras of Glenn's career with a Misfits-era version, a Samhain version, and one representing Danzig in his current form. But there are two more dolls on the way which will be released on Halloween: a second Samhain toy, and a Misfits figurine which shows Glenn with the band's trademark skull logo painted over his face. Both of the toys will be glow-in-the-dark capable, and if you have to have one, grab it fast: Danzig said the manufacturer is releasing a limited run of just 666.

And then there's the October 17 release of the oft-delayed Black Aria II, the sequel to Danzig's 1993 classical album Black Aria.

"I've had it written forever, and just never had the time to sit down and record it," he said. "You have to really get into it. It's more of a classical, soundtrack-y type thing, so you have to listen back to it all, lay all the parts in and make sure they fit. I just never had the time to sit down and do it, and I made the time recently to do it. It's cool to see it's finally going to be released, because the Black Aria stuff was always a labor of love. I put out the first one, did no promotion, no advertising. I just put it out. I did it for the fans. I didn't know it would sell as much as it did. It's probably one if the biggest Danzig sellers."

And what about the recent homages that have been paid to the singer — the Red Hot Chili Peppers' Anthony Kiedis dressed up as Danzig for the band's "Dani California" clip and a picture of him will appear in Audioslave's "Original Fire" video? In typical Glenn fashion, he's indifferent about it all.

"I just don't care," he said.

• Danzig
• The Misfits

Pink
Photo: Dave Hogan/Getty Images

One of the songs on Pink's new album, I'm Not Dead, is about her experience in an abusive relationship, she reveals in the new issue of Seventeen. The magazine's cover star explains inside that she delved deep into her past on "Long Way to Happy" because she knows the impact of that pain. "It affects your entire life and you never truly get away from it. You can just be completely ripped apart." Pink said the experiences of friends who have endured similar struggles also inspired the song. "I don't know why there's so much abuse in the world, I really don't," she said, "but I have friends who've been molested by family members, I have friends who have been raped, [and] I've had my own sh--. It's just painful." Pink explained that she doesn't regret the experience "because I have this platform to talk about it and share it with people. And I am so strong because of it and so much wiser. I know better now and I wouldn't take any of it back." ...

As Marion "Suge" Knight waits for a Los Angeles judge to decide whether the court will seize his Death Row Records assets, the rap boss filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Tuesday morning (April 4) in an effort to avoid losing control of the label. A spokesperson for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Los Angeles confirmed the action in Knight's name, but additional information on which assets the business filing listed was not available. ... Shakira, whose Barefoot Foundation aids children in Colombia, was honored for her humanitarian efforts at the United Nations on Monday with an award sponsored by Woman Together, a nonprofit organization that provides loans to help low-income women produce textiles. The ceremony featured a fashion show with clothing made in part by women from Colombia, Panama, Mexico, Peru, India, Bangladesh, Morocco and Brazil. "Let's not forget at the end of this day when we all go home, 960 children will have died in Latin America," Shakira said after receiving her award. Model Karolina Kurkova was also honored for her work protecting children. ...

Dave Matthews Band fans can finally (well, legally anyway) download the group's music. iTunes announced Tuesday that the band's entire catalog is now available through the online store. Fans can purchase individual tracks or download full albums. ... System of a Down's Serj Tankian and John Dolmayan are heading to Washington, D.C., for three days in late April to lobby congressional leaders to end their complicity in Turkey's ongoing denial of the Armenian Genocide. Events will include a demonstration outside the gates of the Turkish Embassy on April 24 and an April 25 congressional screening of "Screamers," a documentary by Carla Garapedian about the band's campaign for Armenian Genocide recognition. ...

Northern California's U.S. attorney's office announced two guilty pleas Monday as a result of last year's "Operation Remaster," an undercover sting that targeted large-scale suppliers of pirated music, software and movies, according to a statement from the Recording Industry Association of America. The Remaster raids in October hit 13 spots in California and Texas, resulting in the seizure of 500,000 CDs, 1 million CD inserts and 5,500 "stampers" — metal discs used to press multiple CD copies. ... The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry hit out at file sharers in Europe early Tuesday, bringing 2,000 cases in 10 countries, according to a Reuters report. Among the countries targeted were Portugal, where officials blame file sharing by college students for contributing to a nearly 40 percent dip in CD sales over the past four years. ...

Marky Ramone, the Misfits' Jerry Only and John Cafiero, Black Flag's Dez Cadena and the Voidoids' Ivan Julian have formed a new group called Osaka Popstar. The band's debut album is due May 23 and features the single "Wicked World" written by Daniel Johnston, who also contributes vocals on Osaka Popstar's cow-punk version of "Man of Constant Sorrow." ... Classic rockers the James Gang, featuring Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh, will reunite this summer for their first tour in 35 years. The James Gang Rides Again outing kicks off at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado, on August 9 and is currently slated to wrap up September 9 in San Diego. The group is best known for the hits "Funk #49" and "Walk Away." ...

The lineup has been revealed for this year's HFStival, set for May 27 and 28 in Columbia, Maryland. Kanye West will headline the concert's first night, with Counting Crows topping May 28's bill. Others who've been confirmed to perform include Cypress Hill, Matisyahu, Rise Against, Matchbook Romance, the Misfits, OK Go, Cute Is What We Aim For, Dashboard Confessional, Coheed and Cambria, the Strokes, Yellowcard, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, AFI, H.I.M., Boy Sets Fire, Blue October, Flyleaf and Damone. ... Hot off a sold-out tour with Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, New York indie-rockers Elefant will hit clubs for a headlining tour in May. The three-week excursion will include supporting acts Sound Team, Aberdeen City, Voxtrot and Silversun Pickups. Their new album, The Black Magic Show, will be released April 18. ...

Martin Gilks, an original member of the British alternative pop band the Wonder Stuff, died Monday following a traffic accident. The drummer, dubbed the "Groove Controller" in the band's early days, reunited with the group (which disbanded in 1994) for a string of U.K. reunion dates in 2000. He declined to participate in a new Wonder Stuff lineup that launched in 2004, concentrating instead on Furtive Mass Transit, the management company he'd set up with his brother. Gilks was 41. ... British singer Sandi Thom earned more than just a global audience of more than 100,000 people when she webcast her living-room performances for 21 consecutive nights. She received several label offers and ultimately signed with RCA/ Sony BMG.

04.03.06

A judge could decide the fate of Death Row Records as early as Tuesday thanks to label co-founder Marion "Suge" Knight's decision to skip a court-ordered appearance at a Saturday hearing regarding his assets. According to The Associated Press, the action could set the stage for a court-appointed receiver to seize control of Death Row's holdings, which include recordings by Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre and Tupac Shakur. Knight has missed several hearings in connection with a $107 million judgment he lost last year to Lydia Harris, a former associate who claimed she helped start the label. ...

The last time Lindsay Lohan hosted "SNL," she got an intervention of sorts from cast members such as Tina Fey and show producer Lorne Michaels for her alleged eating disorder. But though the actress has since eaten her words — supposedly revealing her bulimia to Vanity Fair only to claim later she was misquoted — she's taking a step back onto the "SNL" stage April 15 to host the show a third time. The musical guests will be Pearl Jam. ... A new edit of Missy Elliott's "We Run This" will be the first single from the "Stick It" soundtrack, due April 17, three days before the gymnastics movie is due in theaters. Talib Kweli, Punjabi MC and Jurassic 5 also have tracks on the album. ...

Nickelback took home two Junos — Canada's answer to the Grammys — Sunday night, scoring Best Rock Album for their 2005 LP All the Right Reasons along with the Best Group award. Neil Young's Prairie Wind won the Best Adult Alternative Album prize, while Coldplay and the Black Eyed Peas shared International Album of the Year honors. The Juno Fan Choice award was given to Simple Plan, Broken Social Scene won for Best Alternative Album, and the Arcade Fire took the Songwriter of the Year prize. Daniel Powter, the man behind the "American Idol" elimination sendoff song "Bad Day," scored New Artist of the Year. Michael Bublé was the night's biggest winner, snatching up trophies for Best Singer, Best Album, Best Artist and Pop Album of the Year for his It's Time disc. ...

Cypress Hill, the Streets and Common are among the latest acts added to the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. Blackalicious, Lyrics Born, Sonic Youth, Matt Costa, Tortured Soul, Deadboy & the Elephantmen, Refugee Allstars, Oysterhead (Trey Anastasio, Les Claypool and ex-Police drummer Stewart Copeland), and a pairing of Umphrey's McGee and Disco Biscuits are the other additions, as well as a comedy tent. ... Lifehouse, whose "You and Me" is currently the longest-running single on the Billboard Hot 100 (60 weeks and counting), will kick off an East Coast tour April 10 in St. Petersburg, Florida. The trek, with Matt White opening, ends April 30 in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. ...

Audioslave guitarist Tom Morello will be honored during the second annual Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Awards on Thursday at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C. Morello is being recognized for the support he has lent to workers fighting for justice and for his efforts to unite musicians and activists taking a stand against corporate interests. Over the years, Morello has devoted his time to organizing benefit concerts and has participated in civil-disobedience movements to support workers' rights. He has been involved in labor struggles including a Los Angeles janitors strike, the Immokalee farm workers' campaign against Taco Bell and the Southern California grocery workers strike. ... According to Nine Inch Nails mastermind Trent Reznor, the band's summer tour with Bauhaus will be its last — at least for "a while." The trek launches May 27 in Ridgefield, Washington, with TV on the Radio on the bill through a June 14 stop in Camden, New Jersey. Peaches has been tapped to open on the trek's second half, starting June 16 in Holmdel, New Jersey, and running through July 8 in Mountain View, California. ...

Megadeth are back in the studio working on a follow-up to their 2004 release, The System Has Failed. According to a posting on the band's Web site, frontman Dave Mustaine says he's "spent the last few days tracking with [guitarist Glen Drover] and [drummer Shawn Drover], and it is the coolest thing to see them be a part of it for real now. And yesterday, especially, was an interesting guitar day, when I witnessed the moment the songs went from an idea in my head to [Glen] getting it. And he is such a great player that each song immediately comes to life as soon as he played on it." ... Shot to Hell, the forthcoming album from Zakk Wylde's Black Label Society, will hit stores July 3, coinciding with the first week of this year's Ozzfest. The band will be headlining the touring festival's second stage. ...

Timbaland, Linda Perry and John Shanks will be among the songwriters taking part in ASCAP's inaugural "I Create Music" Expo April 20-22 in Los Angeles. Tom Petty, Jill Scott, Akon, Jimmy Jam, Glen Ballard, Desmond Child, Mike Elizondo, John King of the Dust Brothers, the Underdogs, Glen Phillips, DJ Quik, Jill Sobule and Heart's Ann and Nancy Wilson will also serve on various panels. ... Parisian indie punks Phoenix have announced dates for a spring tour. Following their Coachella debut, Phoenix will stay Stateside for a five-date trek hitting select cities in May. Their third album, It's Never Been Like That, hits stores May 23. ...

Frank Black will follow-up 2005's acclaimed Honeycomb with a double album, Fastman/ Raiderman, due June 20. The Pixies frontman worked with a variety of musicians on the 27-song project, including Levon Helm from the Band and Simon Kirke from Bad Company. ... A tribute disc honoring Memphis-based power-pop legends Big Star will finally see release on May 23 after seven years of delays. Called Big Star, Small World, the album features contributions from Wilco, Gin Blossoms, Afghan Whigs, Matthew Sweet, Juliana Hatfield, Teenage Fanclub, the Posies and others.

• P!nk
• Shakira
• Dave Matthews Band
• Missy Elliott
• Lindsay Lohan

The Revolution Smile kick off this week. Well, at least the Flawless version. After releasing two independent albums, the band's debut on Fred Durst's label, Above the Noise, hits shelves this week. Produced by David Sardy (Marilyn Manson) and mixed by Andy Wallace (Korn, Nirvana), Above the Noise is the Revolution Smile's riff against all the cookie-cutter music out there. And singer/guitarist Shaun Lopez must really believe in his work because at one time he refused an invitation to play with Limp Bizkit.

Bad Brains' Banned in DC: Bad Brains' Greatest Riffs features 23 tracks from the quintessential hardcore band's history. Also included are previously unreleased tracks. Meanwhile, sisters Kim and Kandy Johnson, better known as JS, release their album Ice Cream. Dubious semantic associations aside, "Slow Grind," "Love Angel" and the "Ice Cream" remix are among the tracks produced by R. Kelly. Continuing in the grand tradition of seduction using ice cream as a metaphor for sex, the girls sing, "Come and get a scoop of my ice cream, baby/ JS got the flavors that I know will drive you crazy."

Two CD/DVD releases come out this week. First up, the Misfits' Project 1950, which features 10 songs and live footage, while Nickelback re-release their 2001 album, Silver Side Up, with a DVD, Live From Home, which shows the band performing live at a homecoming show in Edmonton, Alberta. Also on the disc are videos, interviews and a brand new song.

Finally, how could we not give a special shout-out to Frank Stallone's In Love in Vain, his ambitious foray into singing the songs of Frank Sinatra and Bobby Darin? Oh yeah. That's how.

Out Tuesday, July 29:

• Daevid Allen's Universe of Errors - Ugly Music for Monica (Weed)
• Amy Allison - No Frills Friend (Diesel Only)
• Android Lust - The Dividing (Projekt)
• Avia - I See That Now (NuTone)
• Bad Brains - Banned in DC: Bad Brains' Greatest Riffs (Caroline)
• Balzac - Beyond the Darkness (Rykodisc)
• Bled - Pass the Flask (MCA)
• Blue Rodeo - Palace of Gold (Rounder)
• Boss Bytch - Twisted (Diamond Productions)
• Britny Fox - Springhead Motorshark (Spitfire)
• Hiram Bullock - Try Livin' It (ESC)
• Big Al Downing - One of a Kind (Hayden's Ferry)
• Capture the Flag - Start From Scratch (Go Kart)
• Defari - Odds and Evens (High Times)
• Echo 7 - One Step Away (De Goot/Universal)
• Exhumed - Anatomy Is Destiny (Relapse)
• Anson Funderburgh & the Rockets - Which Way Is Texas? (Bullseye Blues & Jazz)
• Joe Jackson - Night and Day (A&M)
• Jazzupstarts - Are You OK? (NuTone)
• JS - Ice Cream (DreamWorks)
• Kalmah - Swampsong (Century Media)
• Labyrinth - Labyrinth (Century Media)
• Yo-Yo Ma - Obrigado Brazil (Sony Classical)
• Kate McGarry - Show Me (Palmetto)
• The Misfits - Project 1950 (Rykodisc)
• Mob Figaz - Mob Figaz (Warlock)
• Nevermore - Enemies of Reality (Century Media)
• Nickelback - Silver Side Up/Live at Home (Roadrunner)
• Nightrage - Sweet Vengeance (Century Media)
• Paint It Black - CVA (Jade Tree)
• Regurgitate - Deviant (Relapse)
• Revolution Smile - Above the Noise (Geffen)
  Read: "Revolution Smile Mock 'Return Of Rock,' Promise Something New"
• The Sabians - Shiver (The Music Cartel)
• Dan Sartain - Dan Sartain Vs. The Serpientes (Swami)
• The Sleepy Jackson - Lovers (Astralwerks)
• Sprites - Starling, Spiders, Tiger & Sprites (W.A.R.)
• Squirtgun - Fade to Bright (Honest Don's)
• Frank Stallone - In Love in Vain (Simba)
• Dave Stryker and Steve Slagle - The Stryker/Slagle Band (Khaeon World Music)
• Swollen Members - Balance Instrumentals (Battle Axe)
• T-Mack - Out Tha Frame (Diamond Productions)
• Teen Idols - Nothing to Prove (Fueled by Ramen)
• Tora! Tora! Torrance! - A Cynic's Nightmare (The Militia Group)
• Tuatara - The Loading Program(Fast Horse)
• Tina Turner - Country My Way (K-Tel)
• Unearthly Trance - Season of Seance, Science of Silence (The Music Cartel)
• Chris Von Sneidern - The Wild Horse (Innerstate)
• Carla Werner - Departure (Columbia)
• Whatever It Takes - A Fistful of Revolution (A-F)
• Patti Wicks - Love Locked Out (MAXJAZZ)
• Zs - Zs (Troubleman Unlimited)
• Various artists - Arabian Travels 2 (Six Degrees Travel Series)
• Various artists - The Best of Caribbean Party Rhythms (Victory World)
• Various artists - "Freaky Friday" soundtrack (Hollywood)
• Various artists - Holiday Remixed (Basic Lux)
• Various artists - "Le Divorce" soundtrack (Grandstand)
• Various artists - Reggae Singers Revenge (Jammin/Lightyear)
• Various artist - Survive & Advance Vol. 3 (Merge)
• Various artists - Unleaded Reggae Diamond (Adex/Lightyear)
• DVD - Black Label Society - "Boozed, Bruised & Broken Boned" (Eagle Vision)
• DVD - India.Arie - "Music in High Places: Live in Brazil" (Image Entertainment)

August 5:

• Jeff Beck - Jeff (Sony)
• Blues Traveler - Truth Be Told (Sanctuary)
• Smash Mouth - Get the Picture (Interscope)
  Buy Now: Get the Picture (Interscope)
  

August 12:

• Pat Benatar - Go (Bel Chiasso)
• Dashboard Confessional - A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, A Scar (Vagrant)
  Read: "Dashboard Confessional Singer Heals Scars, Stops Singing The Blues On New LP"
  Buy Now: A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, A Scar (Vagrant)
  

August 19:

• Kraftwerk - Tour de France Soundtracks (Astralwerks)
• Neil Young - Greendale (Warner Bros.)
• Various artists - Neptunes Presents: Clones (Arista)
  Read: "Summer Music Preview: Neptunes' Star Trak Presents ... Clones"
  Buy Now: Neptunes Presents: Clones (Arista)
  
• Bow Wow - Unleashed (Columbia)
  Buy Now: Unleashed (Columbia)
  

August 26:

• Hilary Duff - Metamorphosis (Disney)
  Read: "Hilary Duff: Not Just For Kids"
  
  
• Peter Frampton - Now (33rd St.)
• Anthony Hamilton - Coming From Where I'm From (Arista) Read: "Eve, D'Angelo Can Testify: Anthony Hamilton Is 'Hellified Powerful' "
  Buy Now: Coming From Where I'm From (Arista)
  
• Outkast - Speakerboxxx/The Love Below (La Face)
  Buy Now: Speakerboxxx/The Love Below (La Face)
  
• Triumph the Insult Comic Dog - Songs in the Key of Poop (Warner Bros.) Read: "Eminem Enemy Triumph Previews LP; Beefs With Bow Wow, Benji"

September 2:

• Mariah Carey - Remixes (Sony)

September 9:

• John Mayer - Heavier Things (Sony) Read: "John Mayer Tries Hip-Hop With Help From Roots' ?uestlove"
• Seal - Seal (Warner Bros.)

September 16:

• Elvis Costello - North (Universal)
• Bubba Sparxxx - Deliverance (Interscope) Read: "Bubba Sparxxx Softens Bumpkin Image, Teams Up With Justin For A 'Hootnanny' "
  
• Carnie Wilson - For the First Time (KMA)

October 7:

• Jin - Almost Famous (Virgin) Read: "Ruff Ryders' New Dog: Jin"

• Revolution Smile
• Bad Brains
• Nickelback
• The Misfits
• JS

John Popper
Photo: Jason Campbell for MTV.com

NEW YORK — When many people think about jam bands, they picture tie dye, hacky sacks and earthy, organic music filled with instrumental noodling. But lately, musicians have been expanding the boundaries of jam music by infusing elements of techno, hip-hop, avant-jazz and prog rock into their songs.

The goal of the second annual Jammy Awards, held Thursday at the Roseland Ballroom, was to celebrate the growing diversity among jam bands and to encourage artists from different backgrounds to join each other onstage and let fly with the spirit of spontaneous invention. Bluesmen collided with alt-rockers, rappers joined pop stars, turntablists merged with bluegrass twangers, and three-chord punkers dueled with drum'n'bass artists. Regardless of the styles they explored, nearly all the acts held true to the jam edict of pinpointing an emotional moment and stretching it out for minutes at a time.

The house act for the proceedings was the Derek Trucks Band, fronted by the nephew of Allman Brothers Band drummer Butch Trucks. Derek, who replaced guitarist Dickey Betts in the Allmans last year, set the tone for the evening with music that ranged from soulful blues with slippery slide guitar leads to freaky Zappa-esque workouts and covered various strains of funk, free jazz and Latin music in between. During its various sets, the band was joined onstage by Col. Bruce Hampton, pedal steel player Robert Randolph and former "Saturday Night Live" comic Jim Breuer, who led the group through an impromptu blues rendition of his routine "Party in Your Stomach." First to take the main stage was the Del McCoury Band. Accompanied by Randolph and DJ Logic, they played a Southern-fried bluegrass version of "Swing Low Sweet Chariot." While the dense blend of mandolin, violin, keyboards, banjo and acoustic guitars left little room for Logic to scratch, Randolph's frenzied pedal steel playing gave the music a fiery charge even though the country-hick harmonies eventually wore thin.

With a career batting average of .304 and four Golden Gloves to his name, New York Yankees center fielder Bernie Williams won't be in need of a new job for years to come, but during his brief (by jam band standards) set he showed that when he leaves the majors he can probably find work in the music biz. Joined by the Jazz Mandolin Project, Williams batted out some impressive John Scofield-style guitar licks on a version of Ornette Coleman's "Ramblin'." Adhering more closely to traditional notions of jamming, the Steve Kimock Band and Trucks played extended and sometimes overly indulgent funk-jazz excursions.

One of the highlights of the Jammy Awards was the Tom Tom Club, who performed a percussive reggae-fueled version of Phish's "Sand" before being joined by Michael Franti of Spearhead for the Club's "Genius of Love" and "Wordy Rappinghood." The most incongruent performance came from spontaneous combo Lake Trout, who played moody music that incorporated elements of ambient electronica, drum'n'bass, prog rock and avant-jazz. The band's first jam ended with torrents of distorted vocals and epileptic beats that sounded like a slightly less amped-up Atari Teenage Riot. Then the combo was joined by Ramones drummer Marky Ramone and Misfits bassist Jerry Only on vocals for two storming Ramones tunes, "I Wanna Be Sedated" and "Blitzkrieg Bop." An ambitious but ultimately unsuccessful collaboration between Meters bassist George Porter Jr., Roots vocalist Black Thought and Soulive on Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" and James Brown's "Soul Power" ranked as the only major disappointment of the show.

Far more kinetic was Les Claypool's Frog Brigade performance with "Late Show" keyboardist Paul Shaffer and string-slinging maverick Junior Brown. The combo burned through a bizarre, uplifting version of the Beatles' "Taxman," slipping in snippets of Primus' "Wynona's Big Brown Beaver." During maniacal solo breaks, Brown strangled a whirlwind of sound from his double-necked guit-steel guitar, Shaffer played intricate organ runs and Claypool thrummed out a variety of rhythmic, funky bass passages. Claypool ended his band's set with a galactic version of King Crimson's "Thela Hun Ginjeet." The last band of the evening was Disco Biscuits, who along with Blues Traveler singer John Popper and jazz virtuoso guitarist Stanley Jordan played Jane's Addiction's "Three Days" and Led Zeppelin's "Bring It on Home." On the former, Jordan provided angular texture to the band's dusky, moody playing and Popper filled in the sonic gaps with wailing harmonica solos.

The Jammys concluded with various artists including Popper, Jordan and the Derek Trucks Band jamming to the Meters' "Cissy Strut" after Porter won the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Other award winnners included:

• Release of the Year - Ladies and Gentlemen, the Grateful Dead
• Jam of the Year - Phil & Friends with Mike Gordon (12/31/00)
• Live Performance - Phish at Deer Creek in Noblesville, Indiana (7/11/00)
• Live Album - Live Frogs, Set 1, Les Claypool's Frog Brigade
• Studio Album - Farmhouse, Phish
• Mimi Fishman Memorial Award - Mockingbird Foundation
• Festival of the Year - Gathering of the Vibes
• Fan Website - www.etree.org
• Radio Show - "Jam Nation"
• New Groove of the Year - Yonder Mountain String Band

• Phish
• The Allman Brothers Band
• Col. Bruce Hampton
• Del McCoury
• Jazz Mandolin Project

Joey Ramone
Photo: MTV News

Blondie, Cheap Trick, the Cramps and the Misfits will be among the artists honoring Joey Ramone at a New York concert on May 19, the day the late punk icon would have turned 50.

Those acts will join the Independents (an act long championed by Joey) and Ramone's brother Mickey Leigh at the sold out "Life's a Gas — Joey Ramone's Birthday Bash," set for New York's Hammerstein Ballroom. Leigh — one of the event's organizers — will take the stage with his group Stop as well as with longtime Ramones producer Daniel Rey.

A spokesperson for the Birthday Bash said organizers are still talking to other acts about performing at the event.

In addition to the live performances, an event spokesperson said other artists will take part via videotaped messages which will be played at the show. Ramone himself will be the subject of a video profile that will be shown at the concert.

Organizers are also putting together a roster of speakers for the event.

When plans for the Birthday Bash were announced last month, organizers did not name any acts, saying they want fans to show up to honor Ramone, not to see a specific band (see "Bands, Fans To Celebrate Joey Ramone's 50th Birthday").

The hugely influential punk figure — whose impact can still be seen with bands such as Blink-182 and Green Day — died on Easter Sunday after a seven-year fight with lymphatic cancer (see "Punk Pioneer Joey Ramone Dead At 49", "Joey Ramone Laid To Rest").

To see Joey and the rest of Queens' favorite sons at one of their final stage performances together - a gig at New York’s legendary CBGB - check out this streamed concert. [Courtesy of www.popwire.com].

• Joey Ramone
• Blondie
• Cheap Trick
• The Cramps
• The Ramones

Kool Keith
Photo: MTV News

The Rollins Band, the Misfits and rapper Kool Keith will join Weezer, 311, Rancid and Pennywise on the summer's Vans Warped Tour 2001.

Organizers of the annual trek also known as "Punk Rock Summercamp" have announced dates and cities for the 43 stops on the tour, which kicks off in Phoenix on June 22. Venues will be announced within the next two weeks.

Also on the bill are Alien Ant Farm, the Vandals, Fenix TX, Good Charlotte, Less Than Jake, and Me First and the Gimme Gimmes — a cover band featuring Foo Fighters guitarist Chris Shiflett and NOFX bassist Fat Mike, among others. Their repertoire, focused on '60s and '70s music, features songs by Billy Joel, Neil Diamond and John Denver.

Though a source close to the tour earlier had said that Black Eyed Peas would be part of this year's outing, the eclectic hip-hop trio will not participate, a tour spokesperson said.

Other artists appearing on the Warped voyage are AFI, the Ataris, Big Wig, Distillers, Dub Pistols, Esham, Fear, Grand Theft Audio, Guttermouth, H20, Jepetto, the Julianna Theory, Kill Your Idols, Madcap, Midtown, Morgan Heritage, New Found Glory, No Motiv, River City Rebels, Saves the Day, Sugarcult and Userfriendly.

More acts are expected to be announced soon.

The tour's athletic component this year features such extreme athletes as skaters Mike Frazier and Steve Caballero and motocross riders Tyler Evans, Jon Comer and Rick Thorne.

A new attraction is "Incredibly Strange Wrestling," which combines punk rock and wrestling.

Van Warped Tour 2001 dates, according to tour organizers:

• 6/22 - Phoenix, AZ
• 6/23 - Las Vegas, NV
• 6/24 - Fresno, CA
• 6/27 - Chula Vista, CA
• 6/28 - Irvine, CA
• 6/29 - Los Angeles, CA
• 6/30 - San Francisco, CA
• 7/1 - Soda Springs, CA
• 7/2 - Nampa, ID
• 7/3 - Quincy, WA
• 7/5 - Calgary, ALB
• 7/6 - Bozeman, MT
• 7/7 - Salt Lake City, UT
• 7/8 - Brighton, CO
• 7/10 - Kansas City, MO
• 7/11 - St. Louis, MO
• 7/12 - Indianapolis, IN
• 7/13 - Milwaukee, WI
• 7/14 - Minneapolis, MN
• 7/15 - Tinley Park, IL
• 7/17 - Cincinnati, OH or Sparta, KY
• 7/18 - Nashville, TN
• 7/19 - Little Rock, AR
• 7/20 - Dallas, TX
• 7/21 - San Antonio, TX
• 7/22 - Houston, TX
• 7/25 - Atlanta, GA
• 7/26 - Panama City Beach, FL
• 7/27 - Orlando, FL
• 7/28 - Miami, FL
• 7/29 - Jacksonville, FL or Tampa, FL
• 7/31 - Virginia Beach, VA or Norfolk, VA
• 8/1 - Bristow, VA
• 8/2 - Pittsburgh, PA
• 8/3 - Camden, NJ
• 8/4 - New York or Long Island, NY
• 8/5 - Asbury Park, NJ
• 8/7 - Cleveland, OH
• 8/8 - Buffalo, NY
• 8/9 - Boston, MA
• 8/10 - Montreal, QB
• 8/11 - Barrie, ON
• 8/12 - Pontiac, MI

• Henry Rollins
• Kool Keith
• The Misfits
• Weezer
• Rancid

Misfits singer Michale Graves and drummer Dr. Chud stormed off an Orlando, Florida, stage during a show last month and have left the band, according to a statement on the band's Web site.

The statement, confirmed by spokespeople for the group, said the two quit during an October 25 show at Orlando's House of Blues shortly after guitarist Doyle left the stage in frustration due to equipment problems. The statement says Graves had announced earlier in the set that he would be quitting the band on Halloween.

Left onstage alone, bassist Jerry Only, the band's sole remaining original member, performed the song "138" by himself.

Only and Doyle, who are brothers, recruited original Misfits drummer Joey Image for two more shows in Florida, at which Only performed vocal duties. He continued to sing for the band until an October 28 gig in Irvine, California, where the band was fronted by Ignite vocalist Zoli Teglas, who had once filled in for Graves when Ignite and the Misfits toured Canada in early October.

The band has also been joined on some dates by Ken "Renfield" Schalk, drummer with New York rap-metal band Candiria. Schalk will continue to fill in with the Misfits from time to time.

Teglas is scheduled to sing with the Misfits at several more U.S. shows throughout November, and Only is expected to front the band for shows that Teglas cannot make. Teglas is also confirmed for the band's upcoming South American and Japanese tours.

Graves was recruited by the band when the Misfits reformed after a long court battle with original vocalist Glenn Danzig. Graves sang with the band on their first post-Danzig release, 1997's American Psycho, and again on Famous Monsters (1999). He was replaced briefly by touring vocalist Michael Hideous before returning to the band.

Danzig has kept busy with a solo career as well as his short-lived outfit Samhain since the breakup of the original Misfits in the '80s. The Misfits released their best-known material with Danzig, and he and Only fought a long court battle over the publishing rights to the band's songs, its Caroline Records back catalog and the group's name.

The Misfits were posthumously elevated from cult punk status in part by Metallica, who have covered Misfits songs on record as recently as 1998's Garage Inc.

Since reforming, the Misfits have toured relentlessly, releasing two albums and even having their likenesses sculpted into action figures. A 25th anniversary tour is planned for next year.

Spokespeople for Roadrunner Records, Zoli Teglas and Jerry Only declined comment for this story.

• The Misfits

Punk legends X, The Damned, and The Misfits are among the artists that have signed on to play the first annual Blood Drive 2000 Halloween Festival, an All Hallows Eve-themed benefit show set to take place in Irvine, California on October 28.

Zen Guerrilla, The Supersuckers, Zeke, and The Amazing Crowns have also been confirmed to take the Hidden Valley Ranch stage for the Blood Drive 2000 show, which will raise funds for the American Red Cross as well as the Free The West Memphis Three Support Fund.

Several of the artists appearing at Blood Drive 2000, including The Supersuckers and Zeke, contributed tracks to the "Free The West Memphis Three" compilation disc, due out on October 10 (see "Vedder, Supersuckers For West Memphis Three LP").

The West Memphis Three are Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelley Jr., who were convicted of slaying three 8-year-old boys in West Memphis, Arkansas in 1993. A pair of HBO documentaries have raised serious questions as to whether the three received a fair trial.

For more information and a complete lineup for the Blood Drive 2000 Halloween Festival, check out the event's official Web site at www.blood-drive.com.

• The Misfits
• Supersuckers
• X

Despite rumors to the contrary, Danzig frontman Glenn Danzig said he is not reuniting with his former band The Misfits.

Since Danzig's split with the band 17 years ago, followers of the ghoulish punk outfit have held on to the fading hope that the frontman would return to the fold. Those hopes were further fueled by recent rumors (some of which turned up online) of a reunion tour.

Danzig spoke with MTV News recently and flatly denied those rumors, stating that he has no intentions of hooking up with The Misfits.

Instead, Danzig said he is still intently focused on life with the band that bears his name. Danzig is currently pulling together a double-live album (culled from dates on his 1992, 1994, and 1999 tours) that is expected to surface this fall. The metal vet also said he expects to deliver his next studio effort, "Danzig 7," next summer, and that he expects to take Danzig out on the road in South America and Europe later this year. The band is also considering the possibility of doing three weeks' worth of U.S. dates.

Meanwhile, The Misfits' current incarnation (bassist Jerry Only, guitarist Doyle Von Frankenstein, drummer Dr. Chud, and vocalist Michale Graves) has been making the rounds in recent weeks, playing dates throughout the East Coast and visiting various sci-fi and toy conventions.

The Misfits' Danzig-fronted lineup ran from the band's formation in 1977 through 1983 and yielded two studio albums, 1982's "Walk Among Us" and 1983's "Earth A.D.," as well as the 1985 rarities collection "Legacy Of Brutality."

For interviews with these artists, check out the MTV News Online features "Danzig: Evil, Inc." and "The Misfits: Welcome To The Party, Honey!"

• Danzig
• The Misfits

Punk mainstays The Misfits have cancelled the remainder of their U.S. tour, citing an "excessive work load," and the band notes that rumors of its demise are greatly exaggerated.

• The Misfits