U.S. Court Overturns Record Fine for 2004 Superbowl ‘Wardrobe Malfunction’ with Janet Jackson

OZZY OSBOURNE To Begin Work On New Album

According to a bulletin issued by OZZY OSBOURNE’s MySpace page, the Prince of Darkness will follow up his appearances at the Monsters of Rock show in Calgary, Alberta, Canada on Saturday, July 26 and Ozzfest 2008 in Dallas, TX on Saturday, August 9 by returning to the studio to record a new album.

OZZY OSBOURNE’s latest CD, “Black Rain”, was certified gold on December 14, 2007 by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) for shipments in excess of 500,000 copies in the United States.

“Black Rain” was reissued on November 20 as a “Special Limited-Edition Tour Package” featuring a bonus CD of live tracks and B-sides. The bonus CD includes the following cuts:

01. I Don’t Wanna Stop (live)
02. Not Going Away (live)
03. Here For You (live)
04. Nightmare
05. Can’t Save You
06. Love To Hate

“Black Rain” debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard album chart, with first-week sales of 152,000 copies.

Ozzy and his family will return to television in a new reality variety show this fall. The Fox program has the working title of “The Osbournes: Loud And Dangerous” and will feature Ozzy Osbourne, his wife Sharon, and their kids Jack and Kelly.

Fox has reportedly ordered six episodes of the series and each episode will run for an hour. “The Osbournes: Loud And Dangerous” will feature musical performances, comedy sketches, and game-show competitions. The show is being produced by FremantleMedia North America, who also produce “American Idol” for Fox.

Motley Crue To Play Live Online Concert in Las Vegas on August 1st

Mötley Crüe have announced today that they will perform in a live global concert on Friday, August 1st, 2008, from the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. The groundbreaking event will be available live on-line, free of charge, compliments of DeepRockDrive.com and Mötley Crüe, to anyone with broadband Internet access.

The August 1st event is DeepRockDrive’s official launch of a series of partnerships with industry-leading venues to bring live performances to global audiences via the Internet. Fans that previously would be unable to attend performances will now have instant digital access to their favorite artists from the convenience of their own homes.

Mötley Crüe hits the stage August 1st at 9:30PM PST. As with any concert, tickets are limited so reserve your seat today! Fans can pick up their free ticket now at http://www.deeprockdrive.com/!

VINCE NEIL: ‘MÖTLEY CRÜE Isn’t MÖTLEY CRÜE Without The Four Of Us’

Larry Rodgers of The Arizona Republic recently conducted an interview with MÖTLEY CRÜE singer Vince Neil. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow.

The Arizona Republic: You seem to have as much energy as ever onstage.

Neil: Playing live, you feed off the audience. You just out there and rock . I don’t feel any older when I’m onstage. We could be playing Whisky A Go Go, for all I know.

The Arizona Republic: Has the recording process changed through the years?

Neil: With technology these days, you don’t really go to a recording studio and sit around like you see in the movies. This record, I never even saw the guys in the band. I did all my vocals at the producer’s house.

The Arizona Republic: THE ROLLING STONES once did that when they weren’t getting along. Should we read anything into this with MÖTLEY CRÜE?

Neil: No, not all. It’s just easier. We all travel on separate buses because we can afford it. People like to read stuff into it. You make your life easy and make the things you have to do enjoyable.

The Arizona Republic: You left the band twice but always returned. Is it similar to working on a marriage or relationship?

Neil: That’s why a lot of bands don’t make it. Once they hit a bump in the road, they quit. We took some time off from each other at one point — but MÖTLEY CRÜE isn’t MÖTLEY CRÜE without the four of us.

The Arizona Republic: Back in the band’s wildest days, did you ever look at yourself in the mirror and say, “I’m pushing things too hard?”

Neil: I tried to be sober back then, but it was tough because there was no support system. After I got into the accident in ‘84 (which left a passenger in Neil’s car dead) and I did some jail time, I was ordered by the court to be sober. . . . You have to stop when you want to stop, and back then, I didn’t want to stop. I wasn’t ever really a drug guy; I just like to drink.

The Arizona Republic: What is the key to being a rock front man who lasts for decades?

Neil: You have to really enjoy what you’re doing and try to deliver the songs to the people out there the way they want to hear it. I try to stay as close to the records as possible because I hate going to see a singer who sings it differently. It drives me crazy.

Read the entire interview at The Arizona Republic.

Milwaukee ‘Summer Slaughter’ Concert Filmed For DVD Release

This past Saturday’s (July 26) Summer Slaughter tour stop at The Rave in Milwaukee, Wisconsin was reportedly shot for future DVD release. According to the BLABBERMOUTH.NET registered user “Satan’s Scrotal Scent”, all the bands on the bill — THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, KATAKLYSM, VADER, CRYPTOPSY, THE FACELESS, DESPISED ICON, ABORTED, BORN OF OSIRIS, PSYCROPTIC, and WHITECHAPEL — “announced [from the stage] that they were filming a DVD for the tour. Cameras were all over the place (hand-helds and stationary) and you could tell each band was trying to ‘up the ante.’ The greatest thing about it was the fact that no security was there to break up any pits (as that happens at every show at The Rave). There were people getting pummeled and kicked left and right. Hardcore scenesters were punching and kicking with no avail. I saw at least four kids get dropped to the ground. Pretty entertaining stuff and should turn out to be a pretty good DVD.”

Southerly To Play Project Lodge in Madison August 9th, 2008

On Saturday, August 9, Southerly will play a solo homecoming show at Project Lodge in Madison. Southerly began as the project of Krist Krueger, a Madison, Wisconsin-based songwriter. Krueger later moved to Portland and recruited a full band, but still sings, writes and arranges the music of Southerly. Krist Krueger is also a seasoned recording engineer, record label manager and professional booking agent. He remains hands-on in all aspects of his music.

Southerly’s lush, orchestral pop is reminiscent of The National, Brendan Benson, Richard Ashcroft, and Elliott Smith. Krueger recorded the second Southerly album, Storyteller and the Gossip Columnist, with his own full orchestra and horn arrangements. The arrangements flesh out the songs, which center on Krueger’s otherwise intimate singing style. Even in his solo performances, you can almost hear the sweeping and swooning violins, horns and backing vocals that surround Krueger’s every note.

Check out Southerly live on August 9 at:

Project Lodge
817 E Johnson St.
Madison, WI 53703

LUNA MORTIS Comments On CENTURY MEDIA Deal

As BLABBERMOUTH.NET Rumor first reported on Blabbermouth as a rumor back on July 11, Century Media Records has now officially announced the signing of the Madison, Wisconsin-based, female-fronted five-piece metal band LUNA MORTIS. Formerly known as THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE, the group prides itself on blurring genre lines to arrive at something both beautiful and aggressive. The band’s ability to capture a progressive and dark sound should appeal to metalheads regardless of their sonic inclinations.

“All of us have been looking up to the artists on the CM roster for years, and to be a part of the family is truly amazing and humbling,” says vocalist Mary Zimmer. “We have put years of hard work into the band and it’s all finally paying off. To the fans that have been with us this far, keep expecting the same kick-ass metal. To people who are hearing of us for the first time, it’s nice to meet you and we’ll see you all out on the road!”

When you’re trying to break into the international music scene from Wisconsin you’re left to claw your way up yourself, and LUNA MORTIS did exactly that with the 2006 release of its self-produced LP, “Way of the Blade” (released under the original band name THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE). As the album made its way through the local grapevine the band had cemented enough of a regional reputation to generate label interest. They began a period of intensive demo production and showcasing, beginning with the recording of their EP, “The Answer: Does Not Exist” (also released as THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE), and culminating in the opportunity to cut four tracks with producer Jason Suecof (TRIVIUM, CHIMAIRA, ALL THAT REMAINS). These efforts ultimately found LUNA MORTIS a home at Century Media amongst a literal pantheon of some of the band’s most respected and admired influences.

LUNA MORTIS is:

Mary Zimmer - Vocals
Brian Koenig – Guitars, Vocals
Cory Scheider - Guitars
Jake Bare - Bass
Erik Madsen - Drums