Good Charlotte have given the title The Chronicles of Life and Death to their follow-up to 2002's The Young and the Hopeless. The band is halfway through recording its third album in Los Angeles. The LP is expected to drop in late September. ...

Julia Volkova, one half of faux-mosexual Russian pop duo T.A.T.U., is pregnant. The father is longtime boyfriend karate champ Pasha Sidorov, who incidentally already has a wife and child. Volkova and singing partner Lena Katina plan to record another album after the baby is born. ... For the second year in a row, Eminem will play a key part in the Detroit Hip-Hop Summit. This year, Slim Shady is hosting the event and his group D12 are scheduled to attend. Also lending their support to Russell Simmons' organization in Detroit will be the G-Unit, the Ying Yang Twins, Doug E. Fresh, Layzie Bone and Reverend Run. The summit will take place on Saturday from noon to 4 p.m.. ...

A judge ruled Monday that Eminem can proceed with his lawsuit against Apple Computer, advertising agency TBWA/Chiat/Day and MTV over an advertisement for iPod and iTunes that featured a 10-year-old boy rapping lyrics to Eminem's song "Lose Yourself." Despite not getting permission to use the Oscar-winning song from Eminem's movie "8 Mile," Apple ran the advertisement on MTV last summer. ... John Mayer helped the dreams of the senior class of Pennsburg High School in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, come true on Saturday by making a special appearance at the prom. The school is the subject of the book "Wonderland: The Story of a Prom," which chronicles a year in the lives of several students who worked to get Mayer to play their prom. ...

You've heard of Wavy Gravy and Cherry Garcia, now check out Death by Sharon and Ozzy's Carnivorous Carrot Cake. The Country Cow Creamery in Woodbridge, New Jersey, is serving Osbourne-inspired flavors of ice cream. Creamery co-owner Ed Dubroski Jr. sent an e-mail to the Osbournes in January offering to create an ice cream flavor for Sharon. The Osbournes accepted the offer and asked that one be created for Ozzy, too. Dubroski recently shipped five gallons of ice cream to the Osbournes along with a letter which producers told him would be read by Sharon on an episode of her talk show that will air on Wednesday. The flavors will be available in the Country Cow Creamery starting Wednesday. ... Damon Dash is no longer the only hip-hop mogul with his own vodka. Jermaine Dupri has purchased part ownership of 3 Vodka, a zero-carbohydrate vodka distilled from soy and endorsed by the American Vegetarian Association. ...

Andre and Big Boi of Outkast will kick off "Good Morning America" 's summer concert series on Friday with a free early-morning concert in New York's Bryant Park. The TV show's Friday series also includes Stevie Wonder (June 11), Ruben Studdard (June 25), Clay Aiken (July 2), Hilary Duff (July 16), Usher (July 30), Jessica Simpson (August 6), Black Eyed Peas (August 13) and Nelly (August 20). ... Nas' free show at New York's Central Park has been set for August 15. The concert will not be held on the Great Lawn, but as part of the city's eclectic Summerstage lineup. Nas has promised several special guests for the performance, though none have been announced yet. ... The Big Tymers will kick off a brief tour Saturday in Cincinnati. The Cash Money group will visit cities in the South and along the Atlantic seaboard, wrapping up June 11 in Washington, D.C. ...

3 Doors Down have joined the ranks of rockers with a cause. The group raised $90,000 at a concert at the Mobile Civic Center in Mobile, Alabama, on March 26, and distributed the funds to 16 Gulf Coast charities at a press conference on Monday in Mobile. At the conference, they also announced the creation of their new charity, the Better Life Foundation. Named after the band's six-times-platinum debut album, the foundation will benefit children and young adults with special needs. ... Perry Farrell will get together with Lollapalooza co-headliners the String Cheese Incident for a one-off performance by the Perry Farrell Incident at the tour's stop in Denver, the Cheese's hometown. Farrell has also reportedly expressed his desire to bring Lollapalooza to the U.K. ...

Something Corporate fans attending the band's show in Ventura, California, on Thursday may be immortalized for posterity. The band intends to film the show at the Ventura Theatre for inclusion in an upcoming DVD. ... Football fans will be running and gunning this season to the sounds of New Found Glory. The band's "This Disaster" is the first song confirmed for "Madden NFL 2005," which is expected to street in August. ...

"American Idol" creator Simon Fuller is launching a record label called 19 Recordings; the first release will be Tamyra Gray's The Dreamer (May 25). Tom Ennis, former record-label executive and current vice president of 19 Entertainment (which produces "Idol" and manages past winners), will run the label headquartered in New York and distributed through Universal Music. Gray will promote the release by performing two songs on the Wednesday episode of "Idol." ... Tenacious D will headline the latest in the Concerts for Kerry series. The June 6 show at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood will also feature the Naked Trucker and comedians Bob Odenkirk, Kevin Nealon, Fred Armisen and Laura Kightlinger, Jack Black's girlfriend. All proceeds go to John Kerry for President. ...

The Ruff Ryders are going pop and not disguising it one bit. Scottsdale, Arizona, singer LT will release her debut album this year on the spinoff label Ruff Pop. ... The repercussions from Atlantic Records' merger with sister labels Elektra and Lava resulted in roughly half the artists previously signed to the 57-year-old label being dropped. The artists caught in the downsizing were mostly lesser-known new artists, although Third Eye Blind, who sold more than 3.5 million copies of their debut album in 1997, are currently without a home. ...

Alex Nelson, who played guitar with metal band Lizzy Borden for a year in 1986, then joined again in 2002, died in a head-on car collision on Monday in Palm Springs, Florida. On Sunday in Los Angeles, the remaining bandmembers will perform some Lizzy songs with their new group Starwood in tribute to Nelson. ... Eighties Australian sensations INXS will issue the double DVD "I'm Only Looking" on June 29. The retrospective set includes music videos, concert footage, documentary clips and interviews. ... Ben Folds, Guster and Rufus Wainwright are joining forces for a package tour beginning June 18 in Highland Park, Illinois. The outing wraps July 15 in Pittsburgh. ...

Beck, Bright Eyes and Nick Zinner of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Sparklehorse with the Flaming Lips, Tom Waits, Death Cab for Cutie and TV on the Radio have covered Daniel Johnston songs for the tribute record Discovered, Covered - The Late Great Daniel Johnston. Produced and curated by Sparklehorse's Mark Linkous, the double disc, slated for August 24, will contain the original Johnston songs on the second disc. ... Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante plans on recording and releasing one full-length album a month for the rest of 2004. So far, six records are scheduled, beginning with The Will to Death, which hits stores June 22. The batch also includes a side project, Axtaxia, recorded with members of Fugazi (due August 10), three solo albums and a record with collaborator Josh Klinghoffer. ...

5.17.2004

Halle Berry, Dave Chappelle, Kirsten Dunst, Eve, Jimmy Fallon, Kate Hudson, Scarlett Johansson, Shia LaBeouf, Tobey Maguire and Snoop Dogg have signed on as the first set of presenters for the 2004 MTV Movie Awards. Last week, Lindsay Lohan was named the host of this year's ceremony, which airs on June 10. ...

Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow are celebrating the birth of their baby girl, Apple Blythe Alison Martin. The baby was born Friday at a London hospital and weighed in at 9 pounds, 11 ounces. "We are 900 miles over the moon, and we'd like to thank everyone at the hospital who have looked after us amazingly," Martin said in a statement. In commemoration, Coldplay have posted a spoof video on their Web site, in which they're wearing wigs and performing as the Nappies, who bear more than a slight resemblance to the Darkness. During the clip, which is available for one week, Martin raps, "I'll be there through the thin and the thick/ I'm gonna clean up all the poo and the sick." Paltrow announced in December that she and Martin were expecting. ...

Though it's meant for the U.K., Christina Aguilera's commercial for Virgin Mobile — where she has a sort of "When Harry Met Sally" moment — is now available online at www.xtina-spotted.com. ... Jessica Simpson and her sister Ashlee are teaming up for another commercial endorsement. Following their Pizza Hut ads together, the siblings are shilling for Ice Breakers' new Liquid Ice breath mints. "As a busy newlywed and singer, I know how important it is to have fresh breath," Jessica Simpson said in a statement. "Whether it's liquid or it's ice — Ashlee seems to think it's both — Liquid Ice does the trick. But I'm a little stumped, so I'm hoping everyone will try it, decide for themselves, and cast their vote at www.liquidice.com." For every vote received, Hershey Foods is donating $1 — up to $10,000 — to Rock the Vote. ...

Joey Fatone, who made his Broadway debut in "Rent," will return to the Great White Way in "Little Shop of Horrors." Fatone will play Seymour in the production at the Virginia Theatre, starting on June 24. ... P.O.D. were forced to cancel a show on Saturday in Columbus, Ohio, after singer Sonny Sandoval fell from the stage and bruised his ribs at a show a few days earlier. Sandoval is recovering and was able to perform in Atlanta on Sunday. ...

The inaugural NASCAR Nextel All-Star Challenge will have a special guest when it kicks off at the Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, North Carolina, on May 22. Lenny Kravitz will be the grand marshal and say the obligatory "gentleman, start your engines." ... Jon Bon Jovi will act in two upcoming films. According to the Bon Jovi Web site, the Jersey rocker will star as Frank in National Lampoon's "The Trouble With Frank," directed by Arthur Hiller. The singer also has a minor role in "Cry Wolf," a modern-day adaptation of the children's tale "The Boy Who Cried Wolf," which is slated for a fall release. ...

A host of reggae artists has gotten together to pay tribute to Bob Dylan. The 15-track Is It Rolling, Bob, due August 10, features contributions from Toots Hibbert, the Mighty Diamonds and Sizzla covering "Maggie's Farm," "Lay Lady Lay" and "Subterranean Homesick Blues," respectively. ... On May 31, Beenie Man, Elephant Man, Baby Cham and T.O.K. will play at the fifth annual Celebrity Soccer Match, Caribbean Family Day and Food Festival taking place at Roy Wilkins Park in Queens, New York. ...

Libertines frontman Pete Doherty checked into the Priory drug addiction clinic in London on Friday. The band's second album, tentatively due this summer, is currently being mixed. ... Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood has been hired by the BBC Concert Orchestra to write songs as a composer in residence. Greenwood's music will be broadcast in the U.K. by Radio 3, and he will also write for BBC festivals and theme tunes for programs. ...

• Good Charlotte
• t.A.t.U.
• Eminem
• John Mayer
• Tamyra Gray

Metallica
Photo: Elektra

They can play faster, sound rougher, take an extended hiatus, and even lose a longtime member, and still Metallica can't seem to do any wrong in the eyes of their fans.

Despite an abbreviated sales week, St. Anger, Metallica's first album of new material in five years, sold more than 417,000 copies in its first week, according to SoundScan, to top next week's Billboard albums chart. When it became apparent that the songs had been leaked online before the original June 10 release date, Elektra Records pushed up the album's availability five days to June 5 (see "Metallica To Unleash Their Anger Earlier Than Planned").

The titanic metallers' previous albums Reload (1997) and Load (1996) also debuted at #1, with sales of 417,000 and 680,000, respectively. Their double covers LP, Garage Inc., came in at #2 in 1998, with sales of more than 426,000.

Newly tarted-up Jewel will follow Metallica at #2 with 0304. The shift to dance-pop on her fourth LP didn't change her first-week take that much, however. 0304's total of 143,000 is just 3,000 more than what its predecessor, This Way, pulled in its opening week two years ago.

Fans responded to Train's decree "Calling All Angels," allowing the band's third album, My Private Nation, to place at #6. The follow-up to 2001's double-platinum Drops of Jupiter sold more than 86,000 copies.

Train will be trailed on the chart by country quartet Lonestar, whose first greatest-hits collection sold more than 86,000 copies to come in at #7.

Featuring 50 rare and unreleased tracks from skate-punk scenesters such as the Used, Less Than Jake, Simple Plan, NOFX and others, the double LP Warped Tour 2003 will take the #21 spot; while Sugar Ray's In the Pursuit of Leisure will drop in at a disappointing #29. With its fifth album the band will make its poorest chart showing since its 1997 breakthrough LP, Floored. John Mellencamp's Trouble No More, consisting of covers of blues and folk tunes by Robert Johnson, Woody Guthrie and Son House, among others, will find a home at #31.

Albums that complete next week's top 10 are 50 Cent's Get Rich or Die Tryin', which moves a spot down to #3 (98,000) and cracks the 5 million mark in the process; Evanescence's Fallen, also taking a step back, at #4 (90,000); the soundtrack to "2 Fast 2 Furious," advancing three places to #5 (88,000) with a 13,000-copy boost to coincide with the film's release; the soundtrack to "Lizzie McGuire," slipping two spots to #8 (80,000); former top LP Led Zeppelin's How the West Was Won sinking eight places to #9 (75,000); and Kelly Clarkson's Thankful falling from #4 to #10 (74,000).

On the heels of their performance at the MTV Movie Awards, T.A.T.U.'s 200 KM/H in the Wrong Lane will make a significant leap forward. A medley that merged "All the Things She Said" with their latest single, "Not Gonna Get Us," helped almost double the album's weekly sales and push it from #127 to #71.

With the momentum of a cover of "Drift Away" featuring Dobie Gray, who himself had a top 10 hit with the song in 1973, Uncle Kracker's No Stranger to Shame has been advancing steadily up the chart. Having vacated placements in the #138 and #116 spots, the second solo album by Kid Rock's DJ will re-enter the top 100 at #92.

Other notable chart debuts include Ultimate Smash Hits, featuring contributions by Avril Lavigne, P. Diddy and Pink, at #55; Americana singer/songwriter Gillian Welch's Soul Journey at #107; Depeche Mode frontman Dave Gahan's solo debut at #127; Dolly Parton's Ultimate Dolly Parton at #130; and the Eels' Shootenanny! at #145.

• Metallica
• Jewel
• Train
• The Used
• t.A.t.U.

While Mark Romanek is handling Linkin Park's next video, the band's own Joseph Hahn will return to the director's chair for the group's third single from Meteora. That video and a clip for the next European single will be shot in Prague, Czech Republic next week, Hahn said Tuesday, although he wouldn't reveal what songs they will be for. "You need to focus on 'Faint,' " he joked. "I shouldn't be talking so far ahead." ...

Russian police barred T.A.T.U. from filming their new video in Moscow's Red Square on Thursday (May 15). Several hundred fans, many decked out in schoolgirl uniforms, showed up to be extras in what was supposed to be the duo's video for the Eurovision song contest. Russia chose the kissing crooners to represent the country at the contest, happening later this month in Riga, Latvia. ... Mandy Moore is giving fans a sneak preview of her upcoming covers album, Coverage. Four of the album's 12 tracks are available for listening on her official Web site, www.mandymoore.com. The songs are covers of John Hiatt's "Have a Little Faith in Me," XTC's "Senses Working Overtime," Todd Rundgren's "Can We Still Be Friends" and Joan Armatrading's "Drop the Pilot." Moore is also about to film Warner Bros.' "First Daughter," with co-stars Mark Harmon, Jeremy Piven and Annabella Sciorra. ...

Chevelle have scheduled 14 shows during down days on this year's Ozzfest. Four of the shows will be with Korn, six will be with Disturbed and the rest will be headline gigs. The first date is June 30 in Lubbock, Texas, and the last announced show is August 31 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. ... "Revealing Jewel: An Intimate Portrait by Family and Friends," a book about the personal details of the star's life, is being released in June with her approval. The tome, by author Kenneth Calhoun, features interviews with Moby, Billy Bob Thornton, producer Arif Mardin, Jewel's father, Atz Kilcher, and her mother and manager, Lenedra J. Carroll, among others. ...

All proceeds from Santana's summer tour will be donated to Artists for a New South Africa, an organization dedicated to fighting the spread of AIDS in Africa. The trek starts June 11 in Atlanta and continues through July 14 in Los Angeles. Angelique Kidjo will open every show. ... Henry Rollins is planning to perform material included on the compilation LP he put together last year, Rise Above: 24 Black Flag Songs to Benefit the West Memphis Three, on a world tour kicking off June 1. Joining the Rollins Band on the U.S. dates of the outing will be Keith Morris, leader of the Circle Jerks and original singer for Black Flag. All proceeds from the shows will go to the West Memphis Three Defense Fund, created to help overturn the convictions of Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley, whom many feel were not given a fair trial in the 1993 murders of three young boys in West Memphis, Arkansas. ...

05.14.03

50 Cent, Pink and T.A.T.U. have signed on as performers for this year's MTV Movie Awards. Mark Wahlberg, Kate Hudson, Luke Wilson, Amanda Bynes, Brittany Murphy, P. Diddy and Hilary Duff have been lined up as presenters for the show, which airs on June 5. ...

With four nominations, including Video of the Year for "Work It," Missy Elliott will be the leading contender at the BET Awards June 24 at Hollywood's Kodak Theatre. 50 Cent, who will perform at the ceremony along with Snoop Dogg, India.Arie and others, and B2K follow with three nominations apiece. Several artists are up for two trophies, including Eminem and Justin Timberlake, who will compete in the Best New Artist and Best Male R&B Artist categories. ...

Seann William Scott, Tara Reid, Eve, Kelly Osbourne, Tony Hawk, Alyssa Milano, members of Linkin Park, System of a Down, Counting Crows and No Doubt and several other celebrities turned out to a Playstation 2-sponsored party in Santa Monica, California, on Tuesday to catch an invitation-only performance by 50 Cent. Sporting a Pirates cap and his usual bulletproof vest, and flanked by members of his G-Unit crew, 50 briskly ran through a brief set that included "Wanksta," "In Da Club" and "Many Men." ...

Britney Spears and Skechers footwear company have made nice, settling their legal disputes out of court for an undisclosed sum of money. In December, Spears filed a $1.5 million breach-of-contract suit against Skechers for allegedly failing to properly promote and pay her for marketing a line of roller skates and accessories. Skechers slapped back with a $10 million suit, accusing the singer of fraud and breach of a three-year licensing agreement she signed with the company in January 2002. ...

Jane's Addiction have changed the name of their upcoming album from Hypersonic to Strays. The album drops July 22 on the band's new label, Capitol. ... Coldplay are auctioning off tickets to six of their upcoming shows to benefit Amnesty International. Fans can bid on tickets at www.amnestyusa.org/musicforhumanrights until Thursday. After that, a new auction will begin for an autographed copy of the band's latest album, A Rush of Blood to the Head. ...

After being declared by Billboard the most played song of 2002, Nickelback's "How You Remind Me" was named Song of the Year at the 51st annual BMI Pop Awards on Tuesday at the Regent Beverly Wilshire in Los Angeles. Irv Gotti landed Songwriter of the Year honors, and Motown trio Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland received the BMI Icon Award. ... The Used will release three unreleased studio recordings, "Untitled Song Idea," "Just a Little" and "Alone This Holiday," along with demo versions of "Bulimic" and "Poetic Tragedy" in a CD/DVD package due July 17. The video portion of "Maybe Memories" will include concert footage from a recent Los Angeles show. ...

A Los Angeles judge has declined to issue a temporary restraining order to keep Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger from touring as the Doors 21st Century, although he has yet to issue a final ruling. Original Doors drummer John Densmore is suing his former bandmates for using the Doors name without his consent for a group that does not include him. ... Pete Yorn, whose career was launched when the Farrelly brothers used two of his songs in the flick "Me, Myself & Irene," will repay the filmmaking team by donating a cover of Albert Hammond's "It Never Rains in Southern California" to their upcoming comedy, "Stuck on You." Hammond, father of Strokes guitarist Albert Hammond Jr., had a top 10 hit with the song in 1972. ...

Because of past episodes involving arson and other disturbances at the Temple Newsam Park site, officials in Leeds, England, were reluctant to grant a license to the promoter, Mean Fiddler, for this year's Leeds Festival. But after a lengthy meeting with city politicians, the city agreed to once again host the festival, which will take place August 24 to 27 and feature Metallica, System of a Down, Sum 41, Primal Scream, Courtney Love, Good Charlotte, Linkin Park, the Used, Blink-182, Jay-Z, the White Stripes, AFI and dozens of other acts that will perform across six stages. ...

Jessica Simpson wants to help children smile — and not just with her music. She's signed on to help Operation Smile, a nonprofit group that provides free reconstructive facial surgery for severely disfigured children worldwide. Simpson plans to attend the medical service charity's fundraiser auction Wednesday in New York to announce her support. ... The Rolling Stones have canceled an August 2 concert in Belgrade, Serbia, due to the rocky political climate. Serbia was plunged into a state of emergency following the assassination of Serbian prime minister Zoran Djindjic in March. ... Dwele, the R&B singer featured on Slum Village's 2002 single "Tainted," will release his solo debut, Subject, on Tuesday. The first single is titled "Find a Way." ...

• Linkin Park
• t.A.t.U.
• Chevelle
• Henry Rollins
• Mandy Moore

T.A.T.U.
Photo: Interscope

The management for Russian pop duo T.A.T.U. is being sued by the promoters of three canceled concerts in the U.K. The shuttered shows were the result of poor ticket sales.

Two shows at London's Wembley Arena on Friday and Tuesday were canceled Wednesday, along with one at the Manchester Evening News Arena on Sunday, according to promoters EEM Group. Less than 2,000 tickets were sold for the pair of shows at Wembley, which holds 12,000, while about 1,000 seats would have been taken for the Manchester gig, leaving about 9,000 empty, according to the British weekly NME.

A T.A.T.U. spokesperson in England blamed the sluggish sales on EEM, claiming they shouldn't have booked a group with only one hit in such a large venue. Although "All the Things She Said" and "Not Gonna Get Us" were released as singles from T.A.T.U.'s debut, 200 KM/H in the Wrong Lane, the latter has yet to come out in England.

The promoter claims the group's "unachievable and numerous obstacles" prevented it from selling more tickets, the U.K.'s Press Association Limited reported. EEM is asking for £300,000 ($476,000) to cover what it spent staging and promoting the shows. The suit was filed in a Russian court.

Among EEM's complaints were that no one informed the promoter of whether the purportedly lesbian couple's stage antics would be considered "immoral behavior," and that management had asked the promoter to invite 300 under-16 girls dressed in school uniforms. The request was denied.

Also, the group's management allegedly told EEM that the reason for the cancellation was because singer Julia Volkova was sick and unable to perform. Should the girls be paid more, however, management would have persuaded the singer to ignore her doctor's orders. EEG said they did not want to put the 17-year-old girl's health at risk.

• t.A.t.U.

T.A.T.U. will collaborate with flame-throwing German industrial metal outfit Rammstein on a "most unpredicted project," according to a statement on the pop duo's Russian-language official Web site. "T.A.T.U.'s producer, Ivan Shapovalov, and Rammstein's management are now discussing the details," reads an English translation on a T.A.T.U. fan site. ...

Fabolous has recorded rhymes for a remix to B2K's latest hit, "Girlfriend." R. Kelly wrote the track. ... Ashanti has made her concert in Huntington Station, New York, on Thursday free for family members of those serving overseas in the U.S. military. Ja Rule and Redman have also joined the bill, a homecoming of sorts for Ashanti, who calls nearby Glen Cove home. ...

Portions of the Music as a Weapon 2 Tour, which began March 6, are being recorded for two live albums. One, from tour headliners Disturbed, will feature the previously unreleased tune "Dehumanized," while the second will be a compilation of live cuts from fellow aural assaulters Taproot, Chevelle and Unloco. No release dates have been set. ... Santana and Moby are the latest artists to call off shows in Hong Kong out of concern for the mysterious and deadly virus SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome). Moby's shows in Singapore on Tuesday and Hong Kong on Thursday were postponed indefinitely, and Santana's Hong Kong gig on April 11 was moved to Osaka, Japan. Last week, the Rolling Stones canceled two Hong Kong shows because of the disease, 1600 cases of which have been reported worldwide — 60 have died. ...

A second Bonnaroo festival for 2003 has been set for August 8-10 at Calverton Enterprise Park in Riverhead, New York. This marks the second year for the eclectic three-day music and camping event. Eighty thousand tickets for the first incarnation, held June 13-15 in Manchester, Tennessee, and featuring Neil Young, the Flaming Lips, Ben Kweller and My Morning Jacket, among others, sold out exclusively through www.bonnaroo.com in just 18 days, topping last year's mark of 70,000 tickets in 19 days. A lineup for Bonnaroo NE has yet to be announced. ... Mondo Generator, the side project featuring Queens of the Stone Age's Josh Homme and Nick Oliveri, are slated to drop their second album, A Drug Problem That Never Existed, in July. For a preview, check them out on tour with labelmates Tomahawk and the Melvins April 28 in San Diego, April 29 in Anaheim, California; and April 30 in Las Vegas. ...

The man who once sang as about a rat feasting upon a "tender" cat could take you to dinner. The WWE and Lion's Gate Films are offering a chance to win a date with Rob Zombie through a promotional contest being staged in support of Zombie's "House of 1000 Corpses" film. Details can be found at the World Wrestling Entertainment Web site, wwe.com. ... The Vans Warped Tour and the Take Action! Tour, along with the National Hopeline Network, have teamed up to present "Kevin Says ...Take Action!" on this summer's Warped Tour. Named for Warped promoter Kevin Lyman, the area, which will promote activism and be located in the vending booths, will provide information on various nonprofit organizations and feature participation from some artists. The annual Take Action! Tours, a product of indie imprint Sub City (subcity.net), has featured such bands as Jimmy Eat World and Alkaline Trio since its inaugural run in 1999. The Hopeline Network is a suicide prevention hotline (1-800-SUICIDE). ...

Kittie and producer Garth Richardson filed suit against the band's label, Artemis Records, Monday, claiming the Canadian metal band is owed nearly $900,000 in royalties and other compensation, while Richardson is due more than $120,000. An Artemis spokesperson said the label had not yet received the complaint, and therefore had no comment on it. ... On June 6, art rockers Clem Snide will release Soft Spot, the follow-up to their third album, The Ghost of Fashion. Joe Chiccarelli (Elton John, Rufus Wainwright) produced the record. ...

Sometimes staggering obstacles can open up new paths. Beleaguered R&B icon Diana Ross has taken her recent failed marriage, filmed drunk-driving arrest and unsuccessful Supremes reunion tour as an opportunity to write a new book. "Upside Down: Wrong Turns, Right Turns and the Road Ahead" will come out this spring. ... The organizer of British summer event the Glastonbury Festival has made a heated plea for partygoers not to pee in the bushes, ditches or river that flows through the site. "Urine is a huge pollutant and kills fishes," event coordinator Michael Eavis told www.efestivals.co.uk. The sold-out celebration, which takes place June 27-29, will feature additional porto-potties and security to try to flush away the urine problem. A lineup for the event has not yet been announced. ...

03.31.03

It's "green for the money, gold for the honey," according to Bishop Don "Magic" Juan on the new remix to 50 Cent's "P.I.M.P." Besides an additional verse from 50, Don Juan's main man Snoop Dogg appears on the track, rapping "I drive a Cadillac, wear a perm 'cause I'm G./ And I'm a C.R.I.P." Meanwhile, 50's new DVD, "New Breed," has a new release date of April 15. ... The Neptunes' latest protégé, Rosco P. Coldchain, has joined the lineup for 50 Cent's upcoming tour, kicking off April 1 in Denver. Coldchain will be promoting his debut, Hazardous Life, due in the summer. ...

Jennifer Lopez and Bono have apparently recorded a song together. Spokespeople for both artists had no comment, but J. Lo mentioned the collaboration during a chat on her Web site and said the duo were waiting for the right time to release it. Lopez also said she would like to join Craig David in the studio. ... A Perfect Circle have been tapped to replace Queens of the Stone Age on a handful of dates on this summer's Lollapalooza Tour. The Queens were forced to withdraw to honor overseas touring commitments. A Perfect Circle's first scheduled performances with ex-Marilyn Manson bassist Twiggy Ramirez, who replaced Paz Lenchantin when she left to join Zwan, will take place August 15 in Phoenix; August 17 in Chula Vista, California; August 19 in Mountain View, California; and August 21 in Salt Lake City. ...

"What the World Needs Now Is Love," recorded by the 10 finalists from the second season of "American Idol," will be released on April 15 as a charity single, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Red Cross. Burt Bacharach, who wrote the song, a Jackie DeShannon hit in 1965, produced the sessions. Meanwhile, American Idol Season 2: All the Classic American Love Songs, is due April 29. ... On Wednesday, Jay-Z will be awarded the Joseph Papp Racial Harmony Award by the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding for the rapper's "commitment and dedication to the strengthening of Black/Jewish relations." Russell Simmons serves as secretary on the board of the nonprofit foundation. ...

Ashanti and Limp Bizkit repped for R&B and rock at Wrestlemania XIX on Sunday, but there was no hip-hop presence. That's because Jay-Z and Fabolous were scared, according to rhyming wrestler John Cena. Before the pay-per-view event started, the grumpy grappler did a freestyle on WWE program "Sunday Night Heat" where he said that he could out-rap the Jiggaman and claimed Fab pulled out of their scheduled rap-off battle after listening to his skill in a rehearsal. ...

Al Gore told the Nashville Tennessean the harsh response to the Dixie Chicks' negative comments about President Bush threatens free speech. "Our democracy has taken a hit," he said, and the Chicks have been "made to feel un-American and risked economic retaliation." Meanwhile, the Marshall Tucker Band will headline an anti-Dixie Chicks concert May 1 in Greenville, South Carolina. ... Evanescence, whose single "Bring Me to Life" is #1 on Billboard's Modern Rock Singles chart, will kick off a headlining tour on April 12 in Nashville. Depswa, Revis and Die Trying are opening on the trek, which continues through May. ...

Even after all the sleaze in the Mötley Crüe biography "The Dirt: Confessions of the World's Most Notorious Rock Band," there's still more dirt to tell. So claims drummer Tommy Lee, who is writing his own autobiography with Lonn Friend. The tome, titled "Misunderstood," is tentatively scheduled for release in November 2004. ... Cheap Trick drummer Bun E. Carlos, Yes skin-basher Alan White and Heart timekeeper Michael Derosier drummed up a novel way to land in the "Guinness Book of World Records" and raise money to battle polio at the same time. On March 29, the players took part in a simultaneous 266-man drum session directed by Seattle Symphony conductor Gerald Schwartz at Tacoma Narrows Airport in Tacoma, Washington. The previous record for simultaneous drumming was 120. The event, which featured six minutes of pounding, brought in more than $20,000 for Rotary International's Polio Plus program. ...

He feels good, and he wants the troops to feel good, too. Godfather of soul James Brown is doing his part to boost morale by giving 400 military personnel free tickets to his concert on Saturday in Houston. ... For those who've grown tired of predictable benefit concerts — such as the ones that donate to disease research, crisis centers or victim funds — Bonnie Raitt, John Mayer, Danny O'Keefe and others will take part in a benefit to educate people to purchase organic, shade-grown and fair-trade coffee in order to preserve the habitats of migratory songbirds. The Songbird Foundation concert will be held April 26 at the Orpheum Theatre in Boston. ...

• t.A.t.U.
• Fabolous
• Ashanti
• Ja Rule
• Disturbed

R. Kelly
Photo: Jive

The media hoopla surrounding R. Kelly and his string of child pornography charges were seemingly ignored by his fans, who bought enough copies of Chocolate Factory to knock 50 Cent's Get Rich or Die Tryin' from the top of the Billboard albums chart.

Kelly's new album sold more than 532,000 copies in its first week, just 11,000 fewer than the amount he moved in his most successful opening week, when TP-2.com dropped in November 2000.

Although it will vacate the top slot it held for two consecutive weeks, 50 Cent's studio debut is no slouch. Get Rich or Die Tryin' was shy of Kelly's album by just 12,000 copies. Since its release, the album has consistently sold more than 500,000 per week. The last time an album had such a stretch was in late 2000, when both the Backstreet Boys' Black & Blue and the Beatles' 1 each sold half a million copies for three weeks straight.

Get Rich or Die Tryin', in just three weeks, has sold 2 million copies.

Norah Jones' Come Away With Me will retain its #3 spot, selling more than 144,000 copies in the week capped off by the 45th annual Grammy Awards. Jones' weekly draw is likely to increase dramatically, given her five wins (eight overall for the Jones camp). The Dixie Chicks, whose Home will drop two notches to #4 (126,000) next week, will also probably see a sales increase this week, since they left New York's Madison Square Garden with three Grammys Sunday night (see "Norah Jones Sweeps Grammys, Boss Wins Three, Avril Shut Out").

The DMX-studded soundtrack to "Cradle 2 the Grave," a film in which he stars alongside kung fu champ Jet Li, will be the second-highest chart debut, at #6. The LP, which also features contributions by Eminem, 50 Cent, the Clipse and Fat Joe, sold more than 97,000 copies.

Thanks to the Ben Affleck flick "Daredevil" being tops at the box office for two weeks running, the film's soundtrack will jump up six spots to #9.

Next week's top 10 also finds Kid Rock's Cocky dropping a spot to #5; Avril Lavigne's Let Go slipping one place to #7; the soundtrack to "Chicago" moving down three spots to #8; and the Grammy Nominees 2003 compilation climbing up six spots to #10.

Among the top 20, T.A.T.U.'s 200 KM/H in the Wrong Lane and Sean Paul's Dutty Rock made tremendous strides. The teen-pop duo's debut launched forward 23 spots to #13, as U.S. radio stations catch up with their U.K. counterparts and put "All the Things She Said" into heavy rotation. Meanwhile, the dancehall DJ's second album, Dutty Rock, propelled by momentum-mounting single "Get Busy," will move from #39 to #14.

Next week's notable chart debuts include indie chanteuse Cat Power's sixth album,You Are Free, at #105; alt folkie Dar Williams' The Beauty of the Rain at #120; Styx's Cyclorama at #127; and Ministry's Animositisomina at #157.

• R. Kelly
• 50 Cent
• Norah Jones
• Dixie Chicks
• DMX

• t.A.t.U.

Kid Rock
Photo: Atlantic

Her album's called Come Away With Me, but Norah Jones doesn't seem to be going anywhere.

For the third week in a row, Jones' debut album, which has been nominated for, among other things, Album of the Year at the 45th annual Grammy Awards, will lay claim to the #1 spot on the Billboard albums chart, with weekly sales of more than 112,000 copies, according to SoundScan. In all, Jones and Come Away With Me are up for five awards, including Best New Artist and Record of the Year, and the LP has now sold more than 3.1 million copies since its release last February.

Still hot on the heels of its three Golden Globe wins, the soundtrack to "Chicago," featuring many songs by the film's stars Richard Gere and Renée Zellweger, moves up two spots to #2 on next week's chart, with more than 91,000 copies sold. It's followed by Avril Lavigne's Let Go at #3, down a peg from last week's runner-up position, with sales of more than 90,000 copies.

The most impressive move on comes courtesy of Kid Rock, who has every reason to be cocky, as his second major-label studio album will re-enter the top 10 at #7, the same place where it debuted in November 2001. Cocky, which had been slowly dropping down the chart for months, has been making huge sales strides since its fourth single, "Picture," a duet with Sheryl Crow, became a crossover radio hit. (Country crooner Allison Moorer initially sang on the radio version of the single, as Crow's label did not immediately give Rock's label permission to release the song as a single.) The track sits at #13 on the pop chart and #41 on the country chart, according to Radio & Records.

In the last week of 2002, the album was at #53. It has moved 46 places in the four weeks since, while selling more than 230,000 copies. Last week's sales of more than 58,000 has been its highest subtotal for that period.

"The whole record Cocky was kind of modeled around the song 'Picture,' [but] it was a pain in the butt trying to get [the single] released," Rock said. "The record company didn't want to touch it. They thought it would kill my career. 'We want to keep him the Early Mornin' Stoned Pimp, "Bawitdaba" guy.' Which is fine. I'm all of that [too], and there's gonna be more of that to come."

Rounding out next week's top 10 will be the Dixie Chicks' Home, which vaulted over the 4 million mark with last week's sales of more than 87,000, at #4; Jennifer Lopez's This Is Me ... Then holding at #5 (80,000); the soundtrack to "8 Mile" also staying put at #6 (60,000); Missy Elliott's Under Construction dropping a slot to #8 (55,000); Aaliyah's I Care 4 U doing the same at #9 (51,000); and Ja Rule's The Last Temptation maintaining its composure at #10 (50,000).

Thanks to heaps of praise thrown around by Eminem and most every mainstream media outlet, 50 Cent has been cashing in with his mixtape Guess Who's Back? The collection, which features a small contribution from Nas, will jump 29 places to #43, with 8,000 more copies sold than the previous week.

T.a.t.u.'s 200 KM/H in the Wrong Lane is headed in the right direction, propelled by the single "All the Things She Said," the #17 song on R&R's pop chart. The premiere album by the excessively affectionate teens will jump from #110 to #53, while its weekly sales increased by more than 7,000 copies.

Beyoncé Knowles' little sister, Solange, will make her debut on the chart at #49 with her first album, Solo Star. Meanwhile, Unwritten Law, rounding out the chart's notable debuts, will occupy the #134 slot with their acoustic live album, Music in High Places.

• Norah Jones
• Kid Rock
• Avril Lavigne
• Dixie Chicks
• Solange

The insanity is turning out to be even more insane that expected. Insane Clown Posse have hit the road with '80s rap hellraisers 2 Live Crew and Anybody Killa. The Posse will remain on tour through April 26 in Columbus, Ohio, and they're mixing up their formula until it's as explosive as a shaken bottle of Faygo by presenting the public with totally rad new face paint. Instead of standard black-and-white patterns, the Clowns will alter their designs to meet their twizted moods. Crazy. ...

Bay Area punks Rancid are working on their sixth studio album, produced by Epitaph founder and Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. The band's first recording since 2000's self-titled album is due for release in June, just in time for their headlining slot on this summer's Warped Tour. ... The girls of T.a.t.u. are back in their native Russia, where Julia Volkova is seeking treatment — possibly surgery — for a throat ailment. As a result of the diagnosis, the group was forced to postpone a few promotional shows in the U.K. last week. ...

Har Mar Superstar, eccentric Midwestern singer/ Kelly Osbourne's date for the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards, is in negotiations to play Dancing Ernie in "Starsky & Hutch," director Todd Phillips' big-screen update of the 1970s cop show that stars Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson in the title roles. Snoop Dogg will also appear, as street-informant Huggy Bear. ... Adam Levy, the guitarist in Norah Jones' band, is releasing a solo album, Get Your Glow On, April 8 on his own Lost Wax label. Jones and Memphis soul singer Otis Clay are among the guest performers. ...

American Head Charge keyboardist Aaron Zilch has parted ways with his bandmates due to irreconcilable differences. In a post on the band's official Web site, bassist Chad Hanks said the group will not seek a replacement, and that from now on their other keyboardist, Justin Fowler, will handle all sampling duties. ... Lamb of God's new album, As the Palaces Burn, will come out May 6. The disc, which is being produced by Strapping Young Lad frontman Devin Townsend, will feature appearances by Townsend, ex-Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland and Today Is the Day vocalist Steve Austin. ...

01.27.03

Mariah Carey will perform during halftime at the NBA All-Star Game on February 9 in Atlanta. The game and performance will be broadcast live on TNT at 7:30 p.m. ET. ...

The nefarious Rob Zombie has signed on to direct the video for Black Label Society's new single, "Stillborn," which features guest vocals by Ozzy Osbourne. Black Label Society's new disc, The Blessed Hellride, drops April 22. ... A Perfect Circle, the group that includes Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan, ex-Tool guitar tech Billy Howerdel and Queens of the Stone Age's touring guitarist Troy Van Leeuwen, reconvened in a Los Angeles studio on January 17 to begin recording their second album. "When it's done, you all will be the first to know," Keenan wrote on the band's Web site. "Actually, the second to know." ...

On February 20 in Somerville, Massachusetts, Bruce Springsteen and his wife Patti Scialfa will play a benefit concert for DoubleTake, a Boston magazine that suspended publishing in December due to lack of funds. Tickets will range between $1,000 and $5,000. ... Power thrash band Shadows Fall will shoot a video for "Destroyer of Senses" on February 16 in Springfield, Massachusetts. The second vid from their latest album, The Art of Balance, will be directed by Zack Merek (Converge, Atreyu), and will feature guest appearances by members of Hatebreed, Lamb of God, Converge and others. ...

Hootie and the Blowfish will release their first studio album in nearly five years on March 4. Don Was (Barenaked Ladies, B-52's) produced the self-titled collection, which will feature the single "Innocence," due at radio outlets in mid-February. ... I'm Staying Out, the second solo album from former Whiskeytown singer and violinist Caitlin Cary, is due April 22. Chris Stamey (Yo La Tengo) once again produced and Mary Chapin Carpenter, cellist Jane Scarpantoni (R.E.M.) and others make guest appearances. ...

• Insane Clown Posse
• 2 Live Crew
• Norah Jones
• Rancid
• Snoop Dogg

Whitney Houston
Photo: Arista

Fresh off her television appearance that lit up message boards everywhere, Whitney Houston is ready to get people talking again with her first release in four years, Just Whitney.

Of course, if you don't want an album that "just" features one artist, there's always hip-hop CDs with their many guest appearances. Common's Electric Circus features everyone from Erykah Badu and Jill Scott to Sonny from P.O.D. and the Neptunes' Pharrell Williams. Nas's double album God's Son, whose release date was bumped up to combat bootleggers, steers clear of Murder Inc. colleagues in favor of Alicia Keys and Kelis. And GZA teams up with many of his Wu-Tang affiliates like Ghostface Killah, RZA and Inspectah Deck on Legend of the Liquid Sword.

Most likely to stay away from swords of any kind are T.A.T.U., a pair of Russian teenagers who'll storm the States this week with 200 km/hr in the Wrong Lane and their cheery cover of the Smiths' "How Soon Is Now?," while homegrown teens B2K create purposeful Pandemonium! with their new album.

Phish reunited after several members' side projects for Round Room, while a couple of posthumous LPs come down the pike from Joey Ramone (Christmas Spirit ... In My House) and Aaliyah (I Care 4 U.)

Out Tuesday, December 10:

• 504 Boyz - Ballers (New No Limit)
  Read: "Master P Showing Off Gucci Ferrari, Helicopter In 504 Boyz Videos"
• Aaliyah - I Care 4 U (Universal)
  Read: "Aaliyah LP Will Have Hits, Six New Songs, DVD Of Her Videos"
  Buy Now: I Care 4 U (Universal)
• Ragheb Alama - Tab Leh (Mondo Melodia)
• Animal - 900 lb Steam (Perris)
• B2K - Pandemonium! (Epic)
  Read: "B2K, P. Diddy Inject New Life Into Retirement-Home Dances" Buy Now: Pandemonium! (Epic)
• Bile - Copy Machine (Underground Inc.)
• Black From the Dead - Black From the Dead (Underground Inc.)
• Eric Burdon - He Used to Be an Animal (Sanctuary)
• Byrne - Slowly and Gloriously (EP, Rocket Girl)
• Jerry Cantrell - Degradation Trip 1 & 2 (Roadrunner)
  Read: "Jerry Cantrell Reroutes His Degradation Trip, Plans Tour"
• Common - The Electric Circus (MCA)
  Read: "Common On A Musical Journey With Progressive Electric Circus"
• Count Bass D - Dwight Spitz (High Times)
• Covenant - Northern Light (Metropolis)
• Creeper Lagoon - Remember the Future (EP, Arena Rock)
• Dare - Belief (Legen)
• Disco & Vibe - The Album (Wicked)
• Duke of Earl - Duke of Earl (Familia)
• Esham - Acid Rain Greatest Hits (Psychopathic)
• Fatal - Fatal (Rap-a-Lot)
• Gathering - Black Light District (Psy)
• Philip Glass - "The Hours" soundtrack (Nonesuch)
• GZA/Genius - Legend of the Liquid Sword (MCA)
• Whitney Houston - Just Whitney (Arista)
  Read: "Whitney Houston 'Back To Goose-Bump Time' On New LP"
  Buy Now: Just Whitney (Arista)
• Independents - Back From the Grave (Jump Up)
• Jett Brando - Jagged Junktion (EP, Go Kart)
• Kills - Black Rooster (EP, Dim Mak)
• Liars/Oneida - Atheists Reconsider (Split EP, Arena Rock)
• Nivea - Nivea (Jive)
• Phish - Round Room (Elektra)
  Read: Phish Wrap New Album In Four Days, Plan February Tour
• Plan B - Like a Ship Sailing (Luckyhorse)
• Planetary Assault Systems - Archives 2 (Peacefrog)
• Punishers - Beat Me (Rumbl)
• Queen Latifah - She's a Queen: A Collection of Hits (Motown)
• Joey Ramone - Christmas Spirit ... In My House (EP, Sanctuary)
• Snypaz - Snypaz (Rap-a-Lot)
• Swizz Beatz - Presents G.H.E.T.T.O. Stories (DreamWorks)
• T.A.T.U. - 200 km/hr in the Wrong Lane (Interscope)
• Throbbing Gristle - 24 Hours of Throbbing Gristle. (box set, Mute)
• Virtual Voodoo - Bugi-Vugi (EFA-Coline)
• Worthless United - I Am Nothing (EP, Now or Never)
• Various artists - Black on Black - Tribute to Black Flag (Initial)
• Various artists - Bossa Mundo 2 (Wave)
• Various artists - "Catch Me If You Can" soundtrack (DreamWorks)
• Various artists - "Drumline" soundtrack (Jive)
  Read: "JC Chasez, Joe, Jadakiss, Alicia Keys On 'Drumline' Soundtrack"
• Various artists - Fashion Week (George V)
• Various artists - Flipsides (Groove Attack)
• Various artists - Gatecrasher Residents Transmission (Gatecrasher)
• Various artists - Headquarters: Berlin (EFA-Caroline)
• Various artists - "The Hot Chick" soundtrack (Hollywood)
• Various artists - "La Boheme" soundtrack (DreamWorks)
• Various artists - "Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" soundtrack (Reprise)
• Various artists - Making Singles, Drinking Doubles (Bloodshot)
• Various artists - "Pinocchio" soundtrack (Virgin)
• Various artists - Hidden Beach Recordings Presents: Unwrapped Vol. 2 (Epic)
• DVD: Tony Bennett - "Wonderful World: Live From San Francisco" (Columbia)
• DVD: "Drive-Thru Records" (Drive-Thru)
• DVD: Alanis Morissette - "Feast on Scraps" (Maverick)
  Read: "Alanis Fans To Feast On Scraps In December"
• DVD: A Motown Christmas (Motown)

December 13:

• Nas - God's Son (Sony)
  Read: "Nas To Release God's Son Earlier Than Planned

December 17:

• Lil' Flip - The Leprechaun (Sucka Free/Columbia)
• Lil' Romeo - Game Time (New No Limit)
• S Club 7 - Don't Stop Movin'(Universal)
• Various artists - "Gangs of New York" soundtrack (Interscope)
• Various artists - The Source Presents: Hip Hop Hits, Vol. 6 (Def Jam)

December 24:

• Various artists - We're a Happy Family: A Tribute to the Ramones (Sony)
  Read: "Rob Zombie Finalizes Ramones Tribute With Last-Minute Adds"

December 31:

• Various artists - "Deliver Us From Eva" soundtrack (Hollywood)

January 14:

• Fabolous - Street Dreams (Elektra)
  Read: "Fabolous Shoots 'Party' Video, Dreams With Mary J. Blige"

January 21:

• Pretty Girls Make Graves - Pretty Girls Make Graves (EP, Tiger Style)

February 11:

• Third Eye Blind - Crystal Baller (Elektra)
  Read: "Third Eye Blind Recruit Fred Durst, Andrew W.K. For Third Album"

February 21:

• Blu Cantrell - Bittersweet (Arista)

• Whitney Houston
• Aaliyah
• Phish
• B2K
• Common

t.A.T.U.: You Hear It First Photos

• t.A.t.U.

• t.A.t.U.