"Set Me Free" -- the first original song to be released by the ex-Guns N' Roses band known as the Project -- was previously designated to run in the closing credits for "The Hulk," but now it's slated for the flick's soundtrack as well. Though the band's original deal with Universal Pictures only secured the song for the movie itself, it will now be released as the only song with vocals on the soundtrack, the rest of which features a music score by Danny Elfman. The soundtrack is due in stores June 17. ...

First Britney Spears donated her bra for charity. Now Christina Aguilera is giving up her shoes. The pop star was among the many celebrities who donated autographed sneakers to generate funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Other celebs who handed over their kicks include Vanessa Carlton, Alanis Morissette, Mike Myers, Tina Turner and Cher, who will find their sneaks auctioned off on eBay Canada through June 9. ... Linkin Park will perform June 27 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino's the Joint for the Boost Mobile Pro of Skateboarding, one of the biggest boarding events of the year. Fifty-one skaters are competing, including Bob Burnquist and Bucky Lasek. ...

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominating committee is set to meet June 5 in New York to discuss potential nominees for next year's induction ceremony, according to a member of the committee. Among the front-runners eligible for the class of 2004 are the Cars, the Cure, the Pretenders, Van Halen and X. The Rock Hall wouldn't comment on the schedule of its meetings. ... Four tracks from Radiohead's upcoming Hail to the Thief are streaming at www.capitolrecords.com/radiohead. "There There," the first single, is available, along with "Myxamatosis," "A Punch-Up at a Wedding" and "Sail to the Moon." ...

Jeremy Michael Ward, 27, the "sound manipulator" for the Mars Volta, died of an apparent drug overdose on Sunday at his home in Los Angeles. The band had just returned to L.A. for a week of downtime between stints opening for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Although Ward didn't perform onstage with Mars Volta, he contributed background vocals and effects to the band's music and was considered a fifth member. The band's debut full-length, De-Loused in the Comatorium, comes out June 24. ... After one season as a teacher on "Boston Public," Joey McIntyre's contract will not be renewed. The former member of New Kids on the Block is one of four cast members axed by producer David E. Kelley, who last week sent six of "The Practice" stars packing. ...

Paul McCartney and his wife, Heather Mills, announced on Wednesday (May 28) that they're expecting a baby before the end of the year. "We are delighted with this happy news," they said in a release. ...

Creed guitarist Mark Tremonti has taken Orlando, Florida, band Submersed under his wing and will co-produce the band's debut album. He's also acting as a headhunter. When Submersed were looking for a guitarist, Tremonti introduced them to Eric Friedman, who met the Creed axeman last year at the NAMM music convention in Los Angeles and is currently taking lessons from him. ... Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher has announced that the band has 13 new songs written for the follow-up to last year's Heathen Chemistry. The disc is tentatively slated for release in 2004. ...

Eve 6 will play a series of a headlining club dates and radio-station festivals in support of the July 22 release of It's All in Your Head, which includes the single "Think Twice." The band's summer outing begins June 20 at the Roxy in West Hollywood, California, and includes a June 29 appearance at Milwaukee's Summerfest. ... After almost 10 years together, the Dismemberment Plan are launching their final tour. The first U.S. date is Wednesday in their hometown, Washington, D.C., and the farewell show also looks to be in the nation's capital. ...

Christiane J, the singer for Los Angeles punk band S.T.U.N., cut his head in an onstage accident Tuesday in Dallas and was rushed to the hospital, where he received 10 stitches. The band was on the second-to-last song in its set when J slipped while jumping on the bass drum, and his forehead connected with one of bassist Nick S's tuning pegs. Despite the injury, S.T.U.N. continued without canceling a show. ... Thomen Stauch, the drummer for German operatic black metal band Blind Guardian, has suffered nerve damage in his hand and has dropped off the group's summer tour. He will be replaced by Rhapsody drummer Alex Holzwarth. ...

5.27.03

Lots of artists said they supported our troops in Iraq. Godsmack have proven their devotion by offering tickets to soldiers for $10 a pop. Military men and women have already taken advantage of the discounts for shows in Jacksonville, Florida, Boston and Kalamazoo, Michigan. Godsmack plan to offer the deal to armed forces members at additional shows on their Faceless tour, which ends June 23 in Anchorage, Alaska. ...

Along with working on Janet Jackson's next album, recording his own debut and developing new artists for his label, producer 7 Aurelius (Ashanti) has written a movie he plans to film this year. "It's like 'Purple Rain' of our time," he said. "I'm acting in it, along with Tyrin Turner from 'Menace II Society.' And it's going to have a lot of fresh music." As for Jackson's record, "I can't really give too much out," Aurelius said, "but it's going to be a really fresh outing and she is going to bring some fresh collabos to the table." ...

Jewel's upcoming album, 0304, has a bonus for fans who purchase it its first week in stores (June 3-9). Two previously unreleased live tracks, "The New Wild West" and "Life Uncommon," are included in the first run of the album, via a limited-edition download card with a PIN number that will allow access to an exclusive Jewel site where the tracks will be downloadable. The site will also feature content such as in-studio footage and live performance videos of "Standing Still" and "Near You Always." ... Tenacious D and Fieldy's Dreams will headline the first NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) benefit concert in 10 years Wednesday at the Hollywood Palace Theatre. Bill Maher is hosting the event, which will also include appearances by Pauly Shore and Cypress Hill's B-Real and performances from Particle, Dubcat and Whitestarr. ...

Trick Daddy married his girlfriend, Amane Burnett, on Saturday at Hialeah Park in Dade County, Florida. Before the nuptials, the rapper's friend and frequent collaborator Trina threw Burnett a bachelorette party. ... Thalia, the Mexican star who has sold more than 7 million albums worldwide, will release her first English-language album on July 8. The self-titled release includes production by Rick Wake (Jennifer Lopez), Cory Rooney (Destiny's Child) and Steve Morales (Christina Aguilera), along with an appearance from Fat Joe on the first single, "I Want You." ...

While some performers cancel shows when they catch a cold, not even broken bones can stop Liza Minnelli. The singer busted a kneecap when she tripped on a step at her hotel in Bologna, Italy, but she still performed at a benefit concert with Luciano Pavarotti on Tuesday (May 27). Other artists who performed at the annual charity concert in Modena included U2 singer Bono, Ricky Martin, Lionel Richie, Eric Clapton, Queen and Deep Purple. ... MC Lyte, who is promoting her self-released seventh album, Da Undaground Heat Vol. 1, on a tour with Cee-Lo, has recorded guest vocals for the Black Eyed Peas' upcoming LP, Elephunk. After her recent guest turn in "Platinum," the female MC is also reading scripts for movies. "Queen Latifah, along with Will [Smith] and LL [Cool J], coming on the scene as rappers and making the segue into television and then into film, it's just a great pathway that they've created for me to hop on," she said. ...

This summer the bombastic German rock band Rammstein will release a DVD of their videos and concert footage. Included on the disc will be "Links 2-3-4," "Du Hast," "Ich Will," "Feuer Frei" from the "XXX" soundtrack, their cover of Depeche Mode's "Stripped" and "Rammstein" from the "Lost Highway" soundtrack. ... When Ministry vocalist Al Jourgensen and Skinny Puppy frontman Nivek Ogre worked together in the late '80s, they were both battling drug addiction. Now they're clean and ready to hit the road together. In late July Ministry and Ogre's new band, Ogre, will tour with Ministry side project the Revolting Cocks and possibly Jello Biafra (ex-Dead Kennedys), who played with Jourgensen in the thunderous side project Lard. Dates will continue through September. ...