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. ...