Marilyn Manson recently shot scenes for "Beat the Devil," the next film from director Tony Scott ("True Romance"), which co-stars Gary Oldman ("Bram Stoker's Dracula") and James Brown. "I am proud to have gotten a signature from the Godfather of Soul on my very own Bible," Manson posted on his Web site. ... Sebastian Bach has signed to star in a year-long national tour of "Jesus Christ Superstar," beginning November 1 in California, according to the hard rocker's Web site. The former Skid Row frontman has previously appeared on stage in Broadway's "Jekyll & Hyde" and "The Rocky Horror Show." ...
Robbie Williams emerged victorious from a case to evict a cybersquatter who was using www.robbiewilliams.info to direct users to Oasis' Web site, according to Reuters. Howard Taylor of Southampton, England, who said his intention was to use the URL as a fan site for Williams and made the Oasis link as a joke, was required by the United Nations World Intellectual Property Organization to transfer the site to Williams. ... Eleven previously unreleased tracks by crooner Jeff Buckley will be released on October 15. The album, Songs to No One, was culled from demos and live performances Buckley recorded with Gods and Monsters founder Gary Lucas. ...
Guitarist Erik Rutan has parted ways with death metal standard bearers Morbid Angel in order to focus on Hate Eternal, a project he formed in 1996. "Being in Morbid Angel for the past nine years has been the greatest time in my life," Rutan said in a statement released via Earache Records, home to both bands. ... Former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted will be releasing a split CD from two of his long-running projects -- IR8 and Sexoturica -- through his own Chophouse imprint, according to the label's Web site. IR8 features Newsted, Tom Hunting of the Bay Area thrash band Exodus and Canadian Strapping Young Lad mastermind Devin Townsend, while Sexoturica includes Sepultura guitarist Andreas Kisser. ...
The Rolling Stones played a surprise gig in Toronto on Thursday at the Palais Royale, treating lucky fans to such Stones classics as "Wild Horses." The band has been rehearsing at a Toronto school for its upcoming world tour that kicks off on September 3 in Boston. ... Sheryl Crow, Sting, John Mellencamp and Don Henley have been confirmed to play both "Music to My Ears: In Celebration of Timothy White" concerts on October 7 in Boston and October 8 in New York. The concerts, benefiting the family of the late Billboard editor-in-chief, will also feature James Taylor and Billy Joel in Boston and Jimmy Buffet and Brian Wilson in New York, among others. ...
Course of Nature, newcomers who are currently touring with Nickelback, will appear in season premiere of "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" on the WB on September 20. In the episode, Sabrina encounters the band (fronted by Melissa Joan Hart's real-life boyfriend Mark Wilkerson) at their rehearsal space, playing their single "Caught in the Sun." ... Glenn Lewis' duet with Amel Larrieux, "What's Come Over Me," will be the third single from the "Barbershop" soundtrack, due August 27. Lewis' Hennessy Privilege Music Tour with Kelly Price and Dave Hollister kicks off September 25, ... Eddie Money, Loverboy and Survivor will hit the road on what is being dubbed the Triple Shot of Rock Tour. Opening night is August 22 in Cleveland. ...
08.16.02
Backstreet Boy Nick Carter has pushed the release of his debut solo album, Now or Never, back a week to October 29. "Help Me," the first single from the LP that features tracks written by Carter, the Matrix, Mark Taylor, Steve Mac, Max Martin and Rami, will hit radio on August 20. ... P. Diddy has started his own market research company, called Blue Mindset, which will release a national survey on a different topic each week, according to the Associated Press. Last week's debut poll was a survey on the national economy, while this week's was about September 11. ... 8Ball & MJG, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Lil' Jon & the Eastside Boys and Lady May are going on the road together for the Grey Goose Vodka Music Tour. Starting on September 17 at New York City's BB King's and ending on October 14 at Club Level in Miami, the tour has 19 confirmed dates so far. ...
LIFEbeat: The Music Industry Fights AIDS is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a benefit concert featuring the Hives, Jimmy Eat World, Sugarcult and Pete Yorn on August 28 at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York. Tickets and updates of performers are available at Lifebeat.org, the organization's official Web site. ... India.Arie played a free show in New York's Bryant Park on Wednesday night, according to the Associated Press. The thousands of fans who turned out for the event were treated to a preview of some new songs from the songstress' follow-up to Acoustic Soul, due next month. ...
On the heels of the release of their second single from The Guest, "Lonely Day," Phantom Planet will headline an East Coast U.S. tour beginning September 2 in Chicago and ending in Plainview, New York, on September 20. They will then tour as the opening act for Elvis Costello & the Attractions beginning September 23 in Seattle and wrapping up October 7 in Houston. ...Nickelback lead the nominees for the Prairie Music Awards in Winnipeg, Manitoba, with four honors including Entertainer of the Year. Prairie Music Week kicks off on September 26 and ends with a bang with the awards show on September 29. ...
Melissa Auf Der Maur's new project Hand of Doom, a Black Sabbath tribute band that features the ex-Hole/Smashing Pumpkins bassist on lead vocals, will release their debut album on October 22. The band also boasts Nick Oliveri (Queens of the Stone Age) handling Ronnie James Dio's lead vocals on "Mob Rule," Pedro Yanowitz (ex-Wallflowers/ Natalie Merchant drummer) behind the kit, Guy Stevens on guitar, Joey Garfield as DJ and Molly R. Stern on bass. ... Kevin Murray, the California senator working closely with Don Henley and the Recording Artists Coalition, has pulled back the state bill he introduced in January that would have abolished the music industry's exemption to a state law that prevents contracts from lasting more than seven years. Murray now plans to introduce a broader legislative package on artists' rights next year that will address accounting practices and health care and pension benefits.