Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty and Nappy Roots joined activists Wednesday (November 20) for the launch of Speak Up, a campaign against weapon-related school violence, sponsored by PAX, Atlantic Records and Teen People, among others. In support of the cause, Nappy Roots filmed a public service announcement and Matchbox Twenty will include a special insert about the campaign in their new album, More Than You Think You Are. ...

In the "takes-one-to-know-one" department, Marilyn Manson wrote in his online journal that fellow über-controversial artist Eminem was "rather delighted with the bits of my new album he was lucky enough to hear" when they encountered one another at the MTV Europe Music Awards in Barcelona last week. ... Slayer will release the DVD "War at the Warfield" on February 11. The disc, which was recorded at San Francisco venue the Warfield on December 7, 2001, features the band's former drummer Paul Bostaph, who dropped off the tour last December because of a chronic elbow injury, and has since joined Systematic. Bostaph was replaced on the road by the band's original drummer, Dave Lombardo, who will play on Slayer's next record. ...

Videos and live footage from New Found Glory, Something Corporate, Home Grown and others will be featured on a Drive-Thru Records DVD due December 17. The video will also feature the label's latest signing, Senses Fail. ... English rockers Supergrass will release their fourth album, Life on Other Planets, in February. Since the album has been available as an import since September 30, the American release will include either a bonus CD or DVD of a full concert of career-spanning material, said Supergrass' publicist. ...

Jordan Knight, who is currently recording his second solo album with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, will sell two new singles on his Web site (www.jordanknight.com) beginning December 2. The songs from the former New Kid on the Block are an acoustic cover of Force M.D.'s "Tender Love" and a club remake of Richard Marx's "Right Here Waiting." ... If you're a punk with a penchant for Green Day, Skunk Ape Records wants you for its forthcoming tribute to the Bay Area punks. On the heels of its homage to Weezer, titled Making Noise and released in February 2001, the California indie label has issued a call to arms for all bands to submit Green Day covers to Skunk Ape Records, 8671 Emramada Avenue, Whittier, CA 90605, before January 31. For more information, visit www.skunkaperecords.com. ...

The University of Southern California dedicated an auditorium located in the

school's theater complex to the late Frank Sinatra, according to the

Associated Press. In support of the dedication, Sinatra's daughters, Nancy and Tina, will loan USC memorabilia including the actor's Congressional Gold Medal, Academy Awards, gold records and his signature fedora for public display through March. ... Coolio will connect with deceased relatives on "Crossing Over With John Edward on Thursday. Through Edward's readings, they will make contact with the rapper's late mother and other loved ones, reaffirming the crazy-coiffed MC's belief in the host's psychic abilities. ... Brian May, founding member of the rock group Queen and former astronomy graduate student, has received an honorary science doctorate from the University of Hertfordshire. May, who received the degree Tuesday at the university's campus north of London, said the honor "completes a great cycle in my life," according to the Associated Press. ...

11.19.02

Though his old bandmates have yet to secure a new guitarist, ex-Limp Bizkit axeman Wes Borland has found a vocalist for his new project, Eat the Day. According to a post on the band's Web site, the group is in pre-production with the as-yet-unnamed new singer and is eyeing a summer release date for its debut album. ...

In a post on the band's official Web site, Coal Chamber vocalist Dez Fafara said he's patched things up with guitarist Meegs Rascon, who's currently writing three new tracks set to be included on a live album that should surface in the spring. The two had been publicly feuding in the months prior to the recent firing of drummer Mike Cox, but have since "been speaking every other day." ... Apex Theory have reached their peak with Andy Khachaturian. The singer and principal songwriter has parted ways with the group, which is in the process of auditioning new vocalists. With the white-topped singer, Apex Theory released their debut, Topsy Turvy, in April. ...

Ozzfest veterans Neurotica have called it quits. Vocalist Kelly Shaefer, who recently auditioned for the new band featuring former members of Guns N' Roses, has already begun writing for a new project. ... Twice the Sun have split up, despite the fact that they just recently signed a deal with Roadrunner Records. ...

Class is back in session for Rival Schools, who plan to hit upstate New York's Bearsville studios in February to record the follow-up to last year's United by Fate. So far the post-hardcore quartet has written a half dozen tracks for the LP, which is expected to drop in the spring or summer. ... When you're making out your Kissmas list and checking it twice, here's an item you might want to include: "Kiss: The Early Years," written by the band's Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, which will be issued November 26 by Three Rivers Press. The 192-page book features over 250 rare photos and chronicles the band's history from 1972 to 1982. ...

Like a killer Bond gadget, Flexplay's recently unveiled proprietary DVD

technology self-destructs after just a few hours, or just long enough to give

someone a taste of a movie or album before they purchase it. After the DVD is

removed from its packaging, a dye between the DVD's layers is slowly

released, eventually rendering it unreadable from minutes to days later; the

technology had its debut at last month's MTV Video Music Awards Latin

America. The technology was also recently employed to promote the new Bond

flick, "Die Another Day." ...