While it may have been a good time to relax, Memorial Day weekend was a lot noisier and angrier than originally planned. In an effort to combat bootlegging and Internet piracy Eminem's label pushed the release date of The Eminem Show up couple of days, with some stores even selling the album as early as last Friday. That way holiday revelers had the chance to BBQ to heartwarming ditties such as "White America," "My Dad's Gone Crazy" and Marshall's ode to himself, "Without Me."

Also landing in stores this week are Maximum Strokes (an album of interviews with the Strokes), an international tribute to the Ramones and Hootie & the Blowfish frontman Darius Rucker's solo album, Back to Then.

When it comes to this week's new releases, maybe Eminem is right: It would be so empty without him.

Out Tuesday, May 28:

• As Friends Rust - Young Trophy Band (EP, Equal Vision)
• The Ataris - Anywhere But Here (Kung Fu)
• Boulder - Reaped in Half: Acts 1 & 2 (Tee Pee)
• Eddie Burns - Snake Eyes (Delmark)
• Cadillac Blindside - These Liquid Lungs (Fueled by Ramen)
• Caural - Stars on My Ceiling (Chocolate Industries)
• Cinematic Orchestra - Every Day (Ninja Tune)
• Chris Connelly - Private Education (Invisible)
• Joanna Connor - The Joanna Connor Band (M.C.)
• James Cotton - 35th Anniversary Jam (Telarc)
• Eminem - The Eminem Show (Aftermath/Interscope) (pre-Tuesday release)
  Read about it ... Eminem Album Preview: Slim As Shady As Ever
• GMS - No Rules (EFA-CAR)
• High on Fire - Surrounded by Thieves (Relapse)
• Hutch - Turn It Around (Smile/Image)
• Shirley Johnson - Killer Diller (Delmark)
• Kaamos - Kaamos (Candelight US)
• Praga Khan - Freakazoidz (Antler Subway)
• Kevin Mahogany - Pride and Joy (Telarc Jazz)
• Mastodon - Remission (Relapse)
• Joe McBride - Keepin' It Real (Heads Up)
• The Arnold McCuller Band - Live (What's Good)
• Metalwood - The Recline (Telarc Jazz)
• The Midnight Thunder Express -The Midnight Thunder Express (Empty)
• Mother Superior - Sin (MuscleTone)
• Mr. Brady - Dusty Baker (Underworld Inc.)
• Mr. Spike - Beer Can Alley (Def Attack)
• Nashville Pussy - Say Something Nasty (Artemis)
• Non-Exist - Deus Deceptor (Century Media)
• Jill Olson - My Best Yesterday (125)
• Omniblank - Birth of a Firefly (Summa)
• Panacea - Underground Stardom (EFA-CAR)
• Phat Boi - Dedicated to the Game (Powerhouse Rap)
• Q-Burns Abstract Message - Re-routed (Eighth Dimension)
• Red Harvest - Sick Transit Gloria Mundi (Relapse)
• Richy Pitch - Live at Home (Seven Heads)
• Darius Rucker - Back to Then (Hidden Beach/Epic)
• The Sabians - Beauty for Ashes (The Music Cartel)
• Scorpions - Bad for Good: The Very Best of Scorpions (Hip-O)
• Skinlab - Revolting Room (Century Media)
• Steroid Maximus - Ectopia (Ipecac)
• The Strokes - Maximum Strokes: Interview Disc (Phantom Imports)
• Susperia - Vindication (Nuclear Blast)
• John Tejada - Daydreams in Cold Weather (EFA-CAR)
• Jimmy Thackery - We Got It (Telarc)
• Tidfall - Circular Supremacy (Candlelight US)
• Ugly Duckling - Journey to Anywhere (Emperor Norton)
• Uphill Battle - Uphill Battle (Relapse)
• Various artists - Crydamour Presents: Waves (Astralwerks)
• Various artists - Dino & Terry Present: Deep Inside (EFA-CAR)
• Various artists - "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood" soundtrack (Columbia)
• Various artists - Hot Guitar Licks (Time Life)
• Various artists - Playing 4 Square 2 (Suburban Home)
• Various artists - Ramones Forever: International Tribute (Radical)
• Various artists - Soul Sessions (Giant Step)
• The Virus - Nowhere to Hide (Punk Core)
• Kevin Yost - Abstrack Funk Theory (Obsessive)

June 11

• David Bowie - Heathen (ISO/Columbia)
  Read about it ... Foos' Dave Grohl, Moby Are Bowie Buddies On New LP
• Raphael Saadiq - Instant Vintage (Universal)
• They Might Be Giants - No! (Rounder)

• Papa Roach - Lovehatetragedy (DreamWorks)
  Read about it ... Papa Roach Distance Themselves From Rap-Metal Peers On New LP
• Swizz Beatz - G.H.E.T.T.O. Stories (DreamWorks)
  Read about it ... Swizz Beatz Unveils Metallica/Ja Rule Track, Sets 'Guilty' Single

• Boy George - Night Out (Moonshine)
• Jerry Cantrell - Degradation Trip (Island/Def Jam)
  Read about it ... Jerry Cantrell Conjures Ghost Of Alice In Chains On New LP
• Solange Knowles - Solo Star (Columbia)
  Read about it ... Solange, Beyonce's Lil' Sis, Says She's No Destiny's Child

July 16:

• Lil' Romeo - Game Time (Universal/No Limit)
  Read about it ... Lil' Romeo Battles His Evil Twin On B-Ball Court

• Eminem
• Nashville Pussy
• The Ramones
• The Strokes
• Scorpions

After what was termed a temporary personnel move, Nashville Pussy and its bassist, Corey Parks, have made their split official, and Parks has shed light on her future plans, which include Motörhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister but not alt-rockers Hole.

A statement released by Nashville Pussy on Thursday confirms that Parks is out as the band's bassist, and that Tracy Almazon (who filled in on bass during the group's stint on this summer's Tattoo The Earth tour) will now be her official replacement. Almazon's next matter of business with the band will be a North American tour that kicks off later this month.

Meanwhile, Parks confirmed the split as well on Thursday in her own statement, in which she simply declares, "I am making it official. I will no longer be playing bass for Nashville Pussy."

Parks then goes on to confirm rumors that she had been courted for the position that opened up in Hole when bassist Melissa Auf Der Maur left the group late last year. As we previously reported, Hole leader Courtney Love placed Parks on the short list of candidates for the gig (see "Hole To Snag Nashville Pussy's Parks?"). In her statement, Parks said: "[Love] wanted the two of us to hang out and jam and see if we could work together. I am extremely flattered that she went to great lengths to track me down, but as you all know, I am a rock 'n roller and I would never be a part of anything that I didn't believe in."

Instead of jamming with Courtney, Parks will soon be kicking it with Lemmy, as the two plan to record a single together. Parks also said she is putting together her own band and might also give wrestling a try, "just for fun."

Parks' former bandmates will also yield some new studio material as well in the near future, as Nashville Pussy will lend a cover of Molly Hatchet's "Flirtin' With Disaster" to the soundtrack to "Run Ronnie Run," an upcoming comedy from "Mr. Show" masterminds David Cross and Bob Odenkirk.

• Hole
• Nashville Pussy

It's a tall order, but it appears that Hole is planning to replace departed bassist Melissa Auf Der Maur with Nashville Pussy's Corey Parks.

A new post on the official Hole Web site names only the Amazonian, fire-breathing Parks as a candidate for the band's vacant bass slot. A previous post by the site's Webmaster told fans that the position had been filled and that the Hole camp was just waiting for paperwork to be signed before announcing the name of the new bassist.

Parks parted company with her Nashville Pussy bandmates just before they embarked on the Tattoo The Earth road trip in mid-July and was replaced by Tracy Almazon (a.k.a. Tracy Wives) for the tour. Parks' absence has been called a "hiatus," and both parties have yet to officially say otherwise.

At the time, the group issued a statement that read, "This band has worked non-stop, touring and recording over the past four years. It was a grueling schedule for everyone. We regret that Corey won't be with us for the Tattoo The Earth tour, but we fully understand and are supportive of her decision."

Parks, who stands 6 feet 3 inches tall, is the sister of NBA star Cherokee Parks, who played with the Vancouver Grizzlies last season after a stint with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

In other Hole news, the band's official Web site has announced that frontwoman Courtney Love has signed a deal with a division of HarperCollins to pen a book inspired by her recent tirade against the music industry delivered at the Digital Hollywood conference (see "Courtney Love Vows To Find Online Home For Hole"). According to the site, Love plans on giving readers "an unobstructed view into both the seedy deals and the ones that have unequivocally prospered."

The site also takes the opportunity to announce that the band has signed to Left Bank Management under the auspices of Allen Kovac. Left Bank also represents Blondie, Meatloaf, Yes, and Mötley Crüe, which is currently touring with Hole drummer Samantha Maloney (see "Mötley Crüe Taps Hole's Maloney For Temp Drum Slot").

The post refers to Kovac as an artist advocate, "furthering artists' rights by assisting with some of the biggest artist catalogue takebacks in history with the likes of the Beatles, the Bee Gees, and Mötley Crüe."

Hole is currently on the outs with its label, Geffen Records, and its parent company, Interscope (see "Courtney Love Crunches Numbers To Explain Label Rift"). Kovac, interestingly enough, also owns the independent Beyond label, which houses most of the aforementioned Left Bank artists as well as Veruca Salt and Sammy Hagar.

The Hole site also confirmed that Love spent a day "jamming" with Oasis singer Liam Gallagher. Reports in the British press have indicated that the pair wrote a song together that may well be included on the next Hole album. Sessions for that album get underway in October (see "Maloney Dishes On New Hole Album, Mötley Crüe Tour").

• Hole
• Nashville Pussy

The inaugural run of this summer's Tattoo The Earth tour just got even louder.

Nashville Pussy, (hed)pe, and Mudvayne have joined fellow new arrivals Soulfly and previously announced acts Slipknot, Sevendust, and Coal Chamber on Tattoo The Earth's maiden voyage. The latest entry in the heavy music summer tour sweepstakes is expected to kick off in mid-July, though specific dates aren't expected to be released until next week.

However, one date is already locked in, as the tour will merge with the KUFO RockFest on July 15 in Portland, Oregon, making for a bill that will include Stone Temple Pilots.

As for the rest of the Tattoo The Earth outing, organizers expect the tour to hit a total of 25 cities this summer, including Atlanta, Boston, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, and Seattle.

Organizers have already launched the tour's official Web site (at www.tattootheearth.com) to give fans the particulars and to get them stoked for the trek.

As we previously reported, Soulfly recently agreed to bring the new sounds of its album "Primitive" to the tour (see "Soulfly Joins 'Tattoo' Tour, Firms Album Details"), while Slipknot, Sevendust, and Coal Chamber have been on board since day one (see "Slipknot, Sevendust, Coal Chamber To Tattoo The Earth").

In addition to two stages' worth of bands, organizers also plan to celebrate body art in all its many forms offering body piercers, body painters, henna artists, temporary tattoos, and (of course) some of the best tattoo artists in the business, including Paul Booth, Hanky Panky, and Sean Vasquez.

Tattoo The Earth rose from the minds at New York's BeatCo (who are producing the event) and The Agency Group (which is booking the tour). The Agency Group also counts Slipknot, Sevendust, and Coal Chamber among its usual clients.

• Nashville Pussy
• Talk Show
• Scott Weiland
• Stone Temple Pilots

After a cup of coffee with Polygram, Nashville Pussy is taking its full-throttle rock to TVT Records for its next effort.

The home of Sevendust and Snoop Dogg proteges Tha Eastsidaz will release Nashville Pussy's second album, "High As Hell," in May. The band's first full-length album, "Let Them Eat...," was released through Polygram in 1998 and earned the group a Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance.

While their record label may have changed, their penchant for colorful language has not, as the band has lined up twelve tracks for "High As Hell" with titles like "Struttin' C**k," "B***job From A Rattlesnake," "Piece Of Ass," and "She's Got the Drugs."

"We'll finally be able to use up our huge overstock of Parental Advisory stickers," TVT president Steve Gottlieb said of the label's new acquisition.

The band will trot out its notorious stage show (which usually includes girl-on-girl make-out sessions and fire breathing) in support of the album, including shows at South By Southwest, a European tour, and a swing through the States in May.

• Nashville Pussy

Ozzy Osbourne has mapped out the route that this year's Ozzfest will take, and he and his tourmates will be on the road well into July.

Ozzy (headlining this year's Ozzfest with the recently reunited Black Sabbath) will have Rob Zombie, the Deftones, Slayer, Primus, System Of A Down, Godsmack, and others in tow when things get rolling on May 27 in West Palm Beach, Florida.

However, recent Grammy nominees Nashville Pussy will not be among the bands on the bill. The group was originally thought to be on tap for the second stage of this year's outing (see "Zombie, Deftones, Black Sabbath Swansong Set For Ozzfest; Judas Priest, System Of A Down, Primus, Nashville Pussy Also On Board"), but a spokesperson for the tour now says that the group is not on the final line-up. Instead, Swedish female metallers Drain STH will join Judas Priest, Static X, hed (pe), Pushmonkey, Slipknot, Puya, Flashpoint, and Apartment 26 on the second stage.

Buckcherry will also not be on the bill, despite reports elsewhere to the contrary. The Ozzfest camp told MTV News that while the tour's line-up has gone through a number of changes, Buckcherry is not on the final roster.

The tour, which will play 28 dates this time around, will mark the farewell outing for Sabbath, who will close the curtain on their reunion at the end of Ozzfest.

If you want to get heavy, here's where to be:

• 5/27 - West Palm Beach, FL @ Coral Sky Amphitheater
• 5/29 - Atlanta, GA @ Lakewood Amphitheater
• 5/31 - Nashville, TN @ Starwood Pavilion
• 6/2 - Charlotte, NC @ Blockbuster Pavilion
• 6/4 - Washington, DC @ Nissan Pavilion
• 6/6 - Philadelphia, PA @ Entertainment Center
• 6/8 - Holmdel, NJ @ PNC Bank Center
• 6/10 - Holmdel, NJ @ PNC Bank Center
• 6/12 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Starlake Amphitheater
• 6/14 - Columbus, OH @ Polaris Amphitheater
• 6/16 - Mansfield, MA @ Great Wood Amphitheater
• 6/18 - Mansfield, MA @ Great Wood Amphitheater
• 6/19 - Hartford, CT @ Meadows Music Theater
• 6/25 - Detroit, MI @ Pine Knob Amphitheater
• 6/27 - Detroit, MI @ Pine Knob Amphitheater
• 6/29 - Indianapolis, IN @ Deer Creek Amphitheater
• 7/1 - Minneapolis, MN @ Float-ride Amphitheater
• 7/3 - Milwaukee, WI @ Alpine Valley
• 7/5 - Chicago, IL @ World Music Theater
• 7/7 - St. Louis, MO @ Riverport Amphitheater
• 7/9 - Kansas City, MO @ Sandstone Amphitheater
• 7/11 - San Antonio, TX @ Retama Park
• 7/13 - Dallas, TX @ Starplex Amphitheater
• 7/16 - Vancouver, BC @ Thunderbird
• 7/17 - Seattle, WA @ The Gorge
• 7/20 - San Francisco, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheater
• 7/22 - Phoenix, AZ @ Desert Sky Amphitheater
• 7/24 - San Bernadino, CA @ Blockbuster Pavilion
  Related Artists
  • Black Sabbath
  • Nashville Pussy
  • Ozzy Osbourne
  ]]> http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1426000/19990406/black_sabbath.jhtml News Article http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1426000/19990406/black_sabbath.jhtml 6 Apr 1999 03:30:00 EDT
  Marilyn Manson

  After being sidelined by a sprained ankle, Marilyn Manson returned to the stage Sunday night in Houston at the Compaq Center marking his band's first gig since Hole dropped off the tour.

  Manson and opener Monster Magnet each played full sets as planned, and the tour is expected to pick up a few other folks in the coming weeks. Starting Thursday in New Orleans, the group Jack Off Jill (which Manson helped name) will join the tour for four dates. The band, which for a brief period included former Manson guitarist Scott Putesky, will stay with the tour through March 30 in their hometown of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

  Picking up the tour on April 2 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina will be the Grammy-nominated outfit Nashville Pussy. Lead guitarist, Ruyter Suys says of the slot, "We’re doing God’s work. It’s rock and roll for the righteous."

  Previously thought to be added to the bill was Imperial Teen, whose video for the "Jawbreaker" soundtrack song "Yoo Hoo" features Manson’s fiancée, actress Rose McGowan. However, it sounds like the group will not be joining Manson on the road.

  "That was by Courtney’s request," Manson told MTV News of Imperial Teen's slot on the tour. "I think we’re probably better off, because that would’ve been an additional torment for our fans that they didn’t need. I like them on CD, but I think that that would’ve been also something that just wouldn’t have worked." [RealVideo]

  Here's where Manson and his rotating cast of opening acts will be:

  • 3/22 - San Antonio, TX @ Alamodome
  • 3/23 - Dallas, TX @ Reunion Arena
  • 3/25 - New Orleans, LA @ UNO Lakefront Arena
  • 3/27 - Tampa, FL @ Ice Palace
  • 3/29 - Orlando, FL @ Orlando Arena
  • 3/30 - Fort Lauderdale, FL @ National Car Rental Center
  • 4/2 - Winston-Salem, NC @ Lawrence Joel Coliseum
  • 4/3 - Fairfax, VA @ Patriot Center
  • 4/4 - Philadelphia, PA @ First Union Spectrum
  • 4/6 - East Rutherford, NJ @ Continental Airline Arena
  • 4/7 - Uniondale, NY @ Nassau Coliseum
  • 4/9 - Worcester, MA @ Centrum
  • 4/10 - New Haven, CT @ New Haven Coliseum
  • 4/11 - Buffalo, NY @ Marine Midland Arena
  • 4/13 - Cleveland, OH @ CSU Convocation Center
  • 4/15 - Auburn Hills, MI @ Palace Of Auburn Hills
  • 4/16 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Pittsburgh Civic Arena
  • 4/17 - Fort Wayne, IN @ Allen Co. Mem. Coliseum
  • 4/20 - Rosemont, IL @ Rosemont Horizon
  • 4/21 - Grand Rapids, MI @ Van Andel Arena
  • 4/22 - Indianapolis, IN @ Market Square Arena
  • 4/24 - Madison, WI @ Dane Co. Expo Ctr. Col.
  • 4/25 - Milwaukee, WI @ Bradley Center
  • 4/27 - Minneapolis, MN @ Target Center
  Related Artists
  • Hole
  • Marilyn Manson
  • Nashville Pussy
  ]]> http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1430051/19990322/hole.jhtml News Article http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1430051/19990322/hole.jhtml 22 Mar 1999 04:00:00 EST
  Ozzy Osbourne

  This summer's version of the annual Ozzfest excursion will bring sets from Rob Zombie, the Deftones, and Slayer as well as the farewell tour from Black Sabbath.

  According to Sharon Osbourne, the wife and manager of Sabbath frontman and Ozzfest namesake Ozzy Osbourne, the recently reunited metal godfathers in Sabbath will headline this year's show. Osbourne also noted that the tour will mark Sabbath's swansong as the group plans to disband permanently after Ozzfest to focus on solo projects.
  Zombie, Slayer, and the Deftones as well as Primus, Godsmack and System Of A Down are also confirmed for the tour's main stage. Second stage acts will include Judas Priest, Nashville Pussy, Puya, Pushmonkey and the unsigned bands Flashpoint and Apartment 26 (which features Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler's son).
  The tour kicks off on May 28 at a Florida venue still to be determined and wraps July 17 in Los Angeles.
  Related Artists
  • Deftones
  • Godsmack
  • Rob Halford
  • Judas Priest
  • Nashville Pussy
  ]]> http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1427996/19990309/deftones.jhtml News Article http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1427996/19990309/deftones.jhtml 9 Mar 1999 03:00:00 EST
  Nashville Pussy "Snake Eyes"

  As the music world's glitterati scour the corners of high fashion for just the right Grammy night ensemble, Nashville Pussy drummer Jeremy Thompson finds himself facing a similar quandary.

  "I've been trying to find a Metallica 'Metal Up Your Ass' T-shirt to wear to the Grammys, but I haven't been able to locate one yet," he says, pondering the fashion statement he wants to make at the band's mainstream coming out party. NP's song "Fried Chicken And Coffee" is up for the Best Metal Performance Grammy, a category that sees them square off against Rammstein, Rage Against The Machine, Judas Priest, and the aforementioned Metallica. Wednesday will also see the guys and gals of Nashville Pussy walk among the ranks of the mainest of mainstream artists, making them the proverbial sore thumb.

  "I'm going to be dressed like somewhere between Evel Knievel and Ted Nugent,"> guitarist Ruyter Suys promised. "It's all going to be like red, white and blue star leather pants and a cute little cowboy-esque top, and (bassist) Corey (Parks) is going to be in head to toe black leather with flames climbing up her legs and crawling around her cowboy hat." [28.8 RealAudio] Given the fact that Corey stretches her curves out over a 6-foot 3-inch frame (her brother is Cherokee Parks of the NBA's Vancouver Grizzlies) and Ruyter has no problem flaunting the gifts god gave her, they shouldn't be hard to miss.

  "Just because of the name alone, I think they're gonna try and skirt around the issue of trying to do anything with it," Ruyter said. "They're just gonna blanketly cancel the whole thing from being televised, that's what we've heard. I don't think it'll be televised."

  In other words, don't expect to hear a Grammy announcer roll out the name Nashville Pussy on Wednesday night. Ruyter said. "As much as I know everybody would like to hear the word 'pussy' on television, I don't think it's going to happen yet." [28.8 RealAudio]

  Of course, the band is surprised that such an event is even remotely possible. "Me and Blaine were at home, and we got a message on our answering machine from this reporter in Nashville who happened to have our phone number and he just left a message saying, 'What's you reaction to being nominated for a Grammy?' and we like, 'What?!,'" Ruyter said of the day the band got the news. "We played this thing back like eight times."

  "When Blaine and Ruyter called me up, I thought they were kidding," Jeremy added. "You know, most of the people you see that win Grammys are like Bill Ocean or whatever. They have videos out and heavy airplay, and we don't have any of those things, but somebody flanagled us in there."

  Of course, those aren't the only factors that differentiate Nashville Pussy from the rest of the Grammy pack. The band seems to exist in a timeless pure rawk biosphere, unencumbered by the advances of modern music. Exhibit A: when asked about their Grammy competition, specifically Metallica, Ruyter replies, "I haven't heard anything they've done since they got that new bass player," referring to Jason Newsted, who joined the band after Cliff Burton's death in 1986.

  Long story short, Nashville Pussy will be pretty far removed from their natural habitat on Grammy night.

  "There's nobody there or is going to be there that we actually have respect for or anything like that... well, Kiss will be there. That'll be cool. Kiss are buds, we can hang with them. If Hanson's there, I'd go and kiss their ass for a little while. I like those guys," Ruyter said of the ceremony. "Maybe if John Fogerty's there, that'd be cool. If AC/DC was nominated for something I'd be happy, but other than that I can't really see myself getting very excited about it. Who cool is going to be there? Is Motorhead going to be there?"

  Faced with the prospect of spending the evening with the Celines and Shanias of the world, the band is planning to make their own brand of fun. "I think we're going to try to tackle Johnny Rotten, and that's about it... kick his ass," Ruyter said. "We think we're just going to be general pariahs on the whole scene. We're going to try to take advantage of all the free food. "We're excited about it, but at the same time it definitely feels like we're crashing someone's party, like someone's senior prom or something like that," Ruyter added. "I'm sure we'll wind up getting kicked out."

  For more Grammy news, check out the MTV News Grammy Archive.

  Related Artists
  • Nashville Pussy
  ]]> http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1429670/19990223/nashville_pussy.jhtml News Article http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1429670/19990223/nashville_pussy.jhtml 23 Feb 1999 11:15:00 EST