Eminem will be donating money to save a beloved fireworks display in his hometown of Detroit. "The fireworks are a big part of summertime in Detroit, and I want to support them and the mayor," the rapper said in a statement obtained by The Associated Press. "I've come downtown to watch them since I was a kid, and I'll get involved in something that helps the city in any way I can." This year's show was in danger of being canceled by the city's mayor due to insufficient funds to provide adequate security during the event. ...

With Bob Geldof's Live 8 extravaganza less than a week away, more and more artists continue to be added to the various Live 8 lineups. The most recent additions to the Philadelphia concert include Alicia Keys, the Black Eyed Peas and Def Leppard. Presenter-wise, several A-list celebrities have signed on to introduce some of the show's acts, including Salma Hayek, Natalie Portman, Chris Tucker, Jennifer Connelly, Jimmy Smits and Kami, the HIV-positive Muppet. ... Having wrapped up a successful inaugural run in April, and with plans to launch a European leg in October, organizers of the Taste of Chaos Tour are now planning to release a DVD chronicling the first year of the traveling rock circus. The still-untitled film will feature live performances from Chaos headliners My Chemical Romance, the Used and Killswitch Engage; as well as backstage footage and interviews with fans. The DVD is tentatively scheduled to be released in September. ...

Tommy Lee has selected "Tryin' to Be Me" as the first single from his upcoming solo album, Tommyland: The Ride, due August 9. Guests on the record include Nick Carter, Dave Navarro, Joel Madden, Deryck Whibley, Fuel's Carl Bell, Something Corporate's Andrew McMahon, and Butch Walker. The Mötley Crüe drummer's reality show, "Tommy Lee Goes to College," premieres August 16 on NBC. ... P.O.D. are almost finished with their forthcoming album, Testify, which is expected to hit stores sometime this fall. While none of the LP's tracks have been finalized, the disc will feature Hasidic rapper Matisyahu on a song tentatively titled "Brother's Keeper." ...

Coheed and Cambria are hard at work putting the finishing touches on their third album, Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV - Volume One: From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness, but that doesn't mean they don't also have time to publish a comic book or two. According to a post on the band's Web site, the second issue of Coheed's comic book, "The Second Stage Turbine Blade," will be available in Hot Topic stores starting next month. The first issue of "Turbine Blade" hit stores last year. ... On Thursday, Cold will be in Los Angeles to film the video for "Happens All the Time," the first single from the band's forthcoming album, A Different Kind of Pain, which is scheduled to drop August 30. But before they can start rolling tape, they need some of their fans to step up to the plate and serve as extras. Specifically, the band's looking for "strange characters" with "weird, off-center looks a definite plus." Also, being that the video will be shot on a beach, extras need to feel comfortable in a bathing suit. Those interested have been asked to e-mail frycatcasting@gmail.com. There's no pay for the gig, but Cold will buy you lunch. ...

Pete Yorn has scheduled several dates to debut some new material from his upcoming third studio album. The outing begins July 8 at the Basilica Block Party in Minneapolis and ends July 16 in Columbus, Ohio. ... The Dandy Warhols have set September 13 for the release of their fifth album, Odditorium or Warlords of Mars. The LP was co-produced by frontman Courtney Taylor and longtime collaborator Gregg Williams. The 12-track disc features the first single, "Smoke It," the psychedelic "Love Is the New Feel Awful" and a tongue-in-cheek appearance by A&E host Bill Kurtis. The band is scheduled for the upcoming Lollapalooza fest, and a North American tour announcement is expected shortly. ... Rockers Trapt are set to release Someone in Control, their second major-label studio album, on September 13. The first single, "Stand Up," hits radio on July 11. ...

06.24.2005

Lil' Kim had been expected to appear in court Friday morning (June 24) in New York for sentencing, but the hearing has been bumped back to July 6. The Queen Bee was convicted on March 17 of perjury and conspiracy, for lying to investigators and to a federal grand jury about her involvement in a shooting four years ago at New York hip-hop station Hot 97. ...

Velvet Revolver recently teamed with veteran video director Wayne Isham to shoot a clip for "Come on Come In," the first single from the "Fantastic Four" soundtrack, due July 5. The video combines performance footage and movie clips with Dali-esque abstract portraits of each bandmember. ... "American Idol" season-four finalist Anwar Robinson is already several songs in on an album he plans to shop later this summer. "I wrote a lot of songs when I was away [shooting 'Idol']," he said. "I want to release a single in the fall and a full-length in the spring." ... Louis XIV, the Dead 60s, Tegan and Sara, Robbers on High Street and Longwave are among the more than 500 acts slated to perform at this year's Midwest Music Summit, scheduled for July 21 to 23 in Indianapolis. VHS or Beta, the French Kicks and a Burn It Down reunion are also on the bill, available in its entirety at MidwestMusicSummit.com. ...

DJ Kay Slay debuted the first record from Mobb Deep since they aligned themselves with 50 Cent during his "Drama Hour" radio show. The song is called "Outta Control" and features 50 on a verse and on the hook. ... Someone get Omar Rodriguez-Lopez some Pepto. According to the Mars Volta's Web site, the band has canceled the remainder of its current European tour, as the amply afroed guitarist's been experiencing abdominal pain -- so bad that it's "hampering his live performance." Rodriguez-Lopez is seeking medical attention for his aching abdomen. ... The New York Yankees have arranged a meeting between closer Mariano Rivera and Metallica frontman James Hetfield. The two will meet at Yankee Stadium before Friday night's Subway Series game between the New York Mets and the Yanks, The New York Times reports. Whenever Rivera enters a game at the Stadium, he does so with Metallica's "Enter Sandman" blaring over the ballpark's loudspeakers. ...

Stooges fans who couldn't bear making it through the overwhelming seven-disc 1970: The Complete Fun House Sessions box set from 2000 can breathe a sigh of relief. A more manageable two-disc deluxe version of their 1970 album, and a similar reissue of the Stooges' self-titled 1969 debut will be available from Rhino on August 16. Expanded and remastered, The Stooges features 10 previously unreleased tracks, and Fun House culls 14 tracks from the aforementioned out-of-print collection. ... Brian May has let the cat out of the bag on his Web site: A contemporary Queen covers disc, Killer Queen: A Tribute to Queen, will be released by Hollywood Records on August 2. While a spokesperson for the label said some artists are still being confirmed for the final track list, artists who have recorded songs already include the Flaming Lips ("Bohemian Rhapsody"), Eleven featuring Queens of the Stone Age's Josh Homme ("Stone Cold Crazy"), Gavin DeGraw ("We Are the Champions") and Sum 41 ("Killer Queen"). Other artists expected to participate include Jon Brion, Breaking Benjamin, Jason Mraz, Joss Stone and Rooney. ...

Stick Figure Productions, the New York production company behind the HBO reality series "Family Bonds," is casting a new reality show that'll give one lucky music lover the chance to be his or her own Tommy Mottola. "The Biz" will pit music industry wannabes against one another, in a competition that will land the winner their own record label, an imprint of the Warner Music Group. The show is seeking men and women 18 to 35 who "have tons of personality, an undying love for music, and want more than anything to break into the music industry." Interested? Send an e-mail to thebiz@stickfigureproductions.com with a photo and all your vitals. ... Despite the loss of drummer Nick Jago, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club are still riding strong. A stripped-down and semi-acoustic affair, the group's third disc, Howl, is due August 23. The 13-track album features the single "Ain't No Easy Way," and the album opener "Shuffle Your Feet" is already available via Europe's version of iTunes. ...