Alan Thomas Schafer, better known as The Acid Chimp, co-host of The Hairball John Radio Show, passed away on Monday, June 22, 2009, at Covenant Medical Center-Harrison in Saginaw, Michigan. The following is a personal letter from show host Hairball John.

Dear Hairball Nation,

It deeply saddens me to announce the passing of The Acid Chimp. He passed quickly in his home of a heart attack at the young age of 37 on June 22nd. Given the birth name of Alan Schaffer, he was known by most of his friends as “Big Al”, but in the world of music that he loved so much he was adored as “The Acid Chimp”. In the coming weeks I will decide about the future of The Hairball John Radio Show but at this time I morn the loss of a very close friend and genuinely good man.

Comments and memories are encouraged at http://hairballjohn.blogspot.com/ and they will be passed on to family and friends.

Please note that the official site of www.hairballjohnradioshowcom is currently NOT functioning and all news will be posted at http://hairballjohn.blogspot.com/

Thank you for your support.

Hairball John

The Hairball John Radio Show is a long running syndicated radio show featuring the best of Hard Rock, past and present. It is broadcasted worldwide by more than 30 web-based affiliates, including here at PURE ROCK RADIO, that is currently on hiatus.

On behalf of myself and PURE ROCK RADIO, I wish to convey my deepest condolensces to Alan Schafer's (The Acid Chimp) family, friends and all who knew him. His radio prescence and comical quips on the Hairball John Radio Show will be sorely missed. Although I never knew him outside of our partnership with the radio show, I cannot think of the Hairball John show without the fond memory and familiar voice of The Acid Chimp. It sucks that he was taken so young at 37, but I just know that Alan is moshing it up with his new wings and bringing a taste of metal to heaven! We'll miss you Chimpy!!

-Rich Embury
Founder/Program Director
PURE ROCK RADIO

KISS' official web site, KissOnline.com, has uploaded video footage (see link below) of KISS performing the songs "Nothin' To Lose" and "C'mon And Love Me" last night (Saturday, June 27) at the Marcus Amphitheater in Milwaukee, Wisconsin as part of this year's Summerfest.

Summerfest is an 11-day festival with 11 stages featuring over 700 acts. This year, Summerfest runs from June 25 through July 5 and features additional performances by such artists as LOVERBOY, ROBIN TROWER, PUDDLE OF MUDD, BON JOVI, KEITH URBAN, SALIVA, STEVIE WONDER, GEORGE STRAIGHT and JUDAS PRIEST.

KISS' setlist for last night's concert was as follows:

01. Deuce
02. Strutter
03. Got To Choose
04. Hotter Than Hell
05. Nothin' To Lose
06. C'mon And Love Me
07. Parasite
08. She
09. Tommy Guitar Solo
10. Watchin' You
11. 100,000 Years
12. Eric Drum Solo
13. Cold Gin
14. Let Me Go, Rock And Roll
15. Black Diamond
16. Rock And Roll All Nite
17. Shout It Out Loud
18. Lick It Up
19. Gene Bass Solo
20. I Love It Loud
21. I Was Made For Lovin' You
22. Love Gun
23. Detroit Rock City

Read a review of the show from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Photos of the concert can be found at this location.

WATCH KISS LIVE AT SUMMERFEST HERE

Video footage of the reunited CREED performing two songs live on Fox News' "Fox & Friends" in front of a live audience in New York City on Friday, June 26, 2009 can be viewed on the PURE ROCK RADIO Video Boards, link below.

CREED recently entered the studio to begin recording its first new album in eight years.

"We're excited to share (the new music) with our fans, and we really have a lot we want to prove" after a five-year hiatus, singer Scott Stapp told Billboard.com. He said CREED — which hits the road August 6 for a 10-week tour — has "13, 14 songs that we would consider as album keepers" for the group's first set of new material since 2001's "Weathered". We've written more than that, but we've got this many that are fighting for a spot on the record. So we're in a good place." The group is recording in Nashville with producer Howard Benson.

With the reunited band going out on a summer tour for the first time since disbanding in 2004, Stapp told The Pulse of Radio that he felt it was important for them to make new music together too. "From the beginning, I was 'new record, new record,' but as we all had been apart for a while, there was, you know, 'Well, how is everybody now?'" he said. "The thing that really pushed us through that is to be able to talk about our wives and our children and have that common bond of family. I think it allowed the trust level to move a little faster, and soon after that is when everyone was fully committed to making a record."

Stapp told Billboard.com that the band hopes to have the album completed by the end of June, with a tentative August release in the works.

The record's tentative title is "Full Circle".

CREED will begin its comeback tour on August 6 in Pittsburgh.

WATCH CREED LIVE ON FOX-TV 2009 HERE

Fan-filmed video footage of RATT's June 27, 2009 performance at the SummerJam at Water Works Park in Des Moines, Iowa can be viewed on the PURE ROCK RADIO Video Boards, link below.

RATT recently entered the studio to start recording its first studio release in 10 years. The CD is being produced by Michael "Elvis" Baskette, whose credits include PUDDLE OF MUDD, CHEVELLE, SALIVA, LIMP BIZKIT, ALTER BRIDGE and THREE DAYS GRACE, to name a few.

RATT was schedueld to spend a month or so recording the new album in Mathews, Virginia — the first time the band has steped outside of Los Angeles to track a new CD in 20-plus years. A late 2009 release via Loud & Proud/Roadrunner Records is expected.

RATT and EXTREME have teamed up to bring you this summer's most rockin' tour lineup. The tour, which will feature sets from both bands with RATT closing, kicks off on July 12 in Amarillo, Texas and runs through August 7 in Hampton Beach, New Hampshire. It will cross the U.S. and cover 16 markets, with more to be announced soon. In celebration of the 25th anniversary of their landmark debut "Out Of The Cellar", RATT will be playing the album in its entirety.

Over the past two years, RATT has toured the world in support of their releases "Tell The World - The Very Best Of Ratt" and their first-ever DVD, "Videos from the Cellar - The Atlantic Years". During this time, the current lineup of Stephen Pearcy, Warren DeMartini, Bobby Blotzer, Robbie Crane and Carlos Cavazo played shows in Australia, Colombia and Peru for the first time in their careers.

WATCH RATT LIVE AT SUMMERJAM HERE

KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons has issued the following statement (via his Facebook page) regarding the passing of pop music legend Michael Jackson, who died Thursday (June 25) at age 50:

"[I've] gotten a lot of questions from media and from quite a lot of you [regarding] Michael Jackson.

"I have refused all media requests for interviews. There are enough people in the industry being quoted. Some altruistically, some for media coverage.

"Either way... When I was going out with Diana Ross in the early '80s, I met Michael a few times through her. We spent social time together. Found him to be gentle, charming... obviously very talented. And that was that.

"The Michael of later years is someone I didn't recognize... nor like very much.

"When there are children involved... when there are allegations (many) of child molestation... when there are admissions of inviting countless young boys to spend weekends and sometimes Michael's bed with them (Michael's quote), clothed or unclothed... makes no difference... when there are payoffs to the children making the accusations in the $20,000,000 range ($20 million dollars!!! — as reported by media) ....There's more than doubt in my mind.

"This doesn't take into consideration Michael's children... none of whom are biologically his. All three of whom have had a 'strange' upbringing. But then we don't know much, except a 'father' who thought nothing of dangling his young child over the balcony (head covered in a towel), so his fans could get a thrill.

"So what's my comment regarding Michael's passing? I hope he finds peace. I wish his family and friends all the best in these very sad times.

"But as regards media coverage: celebs can always get media coverage.

"But what about the children who spent nights with Michael in his bed? (He has admitted on camera he has done it many times, and would continue to do it.) They need a voice. And they should have a chance to have their say. With lie detectors attached. Maybe then, away from rich celebrities, tricky lawyers and L.A. court systems that can't seem to convict anyone.... maybe then, we'll find out the truth about child molestation charges leveled at Michael Jackson from children (that's plural, not singular).

"My comment? I recognize and respect his talent, but the rest is very tainted. And I want to hear the truth, once and for all."

Fan-filmed video footage of MEGADETH performing a brand new track entitled "Headcrusher" this past Friday night (June 26) at the Rexall in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada can be viewed on the Pure Rock Radio Video Boards, link below.

MEGADETH's setlist was as follows:

01. Sleepwalker
02. Wake Up Dead
03. Hangar 18
04. Skin O' My Teeth
05. Rattlehead
06. Kick The Chair
07. In My Darkest Hour
08. She-Wolf
09. Headcrusher
10. Symphony Of Destruction
11. Peace Sells
12. Holy Wars...The Punishment Due

MEGADETH and SLAYER kicked off the "Canadian Carnage" tour Wednesday night (June 24) in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada by playing in front of about 6,000 people at the 12,285-capacity venue (17,000 for basketball/hockey events), with MACHINE HEAD and SUICIDE SILENCE opening the show.

As previously reportedd, the studio version of "Headcrusher" is available for listening by calling MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine's number (866.597.6342) at TheLiveLine, a service he launched that enables musicians to connect to their audience over the phone.

"Headcrusher" comes off MEGADETH's twelfth studio album, "Endgame", which is tentatively due in September through Roadrunner Records. The CD was recorded at the band's brand new, self-built studio in San Marcos, California — Vic's Garage — which was named after the legendary and iconic Vic Rattlehead character.

"Endgame" was helmed by Mustaine and acclaimed British producer Andy Sneap (EXODUS, NEVERMORE, ARCH ENEMY, MACHINE HEAD). Sneap also manned the boards for 2007's "United Abominations". Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Headcrusher", "1,320", "How the Story Ends" and "This Day We Fight!"

According to a press release, "Endgame" "boasts the technicality, ferocity and snarl that's synonymous with MEGADETH and Mustaine. It's a violent masterwork that represents Mustaine's best work in nearly two decades. In a musical world dominated by bands that make generic, blanket statements, 'Endgame' finds Mustaine, once again, making informed and substantial lyrical declarations about the state of the world we live in."

Commented Mustaine: "Thematically, I've never been known to be a silent bystander in a world that needs our participation. As more is revealed about our former President's legacy, a little-known yet staggeringly frightening document which was signed into law, named 'Endgame', has been uncovered. The album 'Endgame' is the most energetic music offering I have penned in over a decade and is far more believable than knowing someone signed 'Endgame' — the document — into law. The album is also the perfect 'ass-kicking' music to listen to once you are done reading the aforementioned document!"

He added, "This new album is my proudest moment since the famous (or infamous) 'Rust in Peace' album. With this album, I am also very excited to be introducing my new lead guitarist, Chris Broderick, to the world. I have always felt lucky to have had top shredders in that position, but after touring with Chris in support of my last album, I couldn't wait to get into the studio and see what he could do."

WATCH MEGADETH PERFORM HEADCRUSHER HERE

Reactivated '80s hard rockers KEEL entered a North Hollywood, California studio on June 18 to begin recording their new album, "Streets Of Rock 'N' Roll", for a tentative late 2009 release. The CD is being co-produced and mixed by ace producer/engineer Pat Regan (RITCHIE BLACKMORE, WARRANT, BILLY SHEEHAN, ETC.). Ron Keel's vocals are being engineered, recorded, and produced by Paul Shortino (ROUGH CUTT, QUIET RIOT).

Commented Ron: "Today Marc [Ferrari] and Bryan [Jay] will be wrapping up rhythm guitar tracks by putting finishing touches on the new KEEL power ballad 'Does Anybody Believe'. We're going at the rate of about three songs a day — each track has to be doubled and then you split 'em hard left and right in stereo, to get that BIG hard rock guitar sound...

"I'm back in Vegas, getting ready to start lead vocal sessions next week (I should be warmed up and ready for Rocklahoma two weeks from today). Vocals will most likely take the better part of a month: I'll tackle one song a day, give it all I got, scream my guts out, then take a day off before hitting the next one.

"There are 14 songs total, and in addition to lead vocals there are tons of harmonies and background vocals and big shouting rock anthem chants... At some point in the next month, we'll bring the other guys in the band to Vegas to participate in some of the big background harmonies — and since it's a KEEL tradition, we hope to have some special guest appearances on this album (we've already pegged Jaime St. James for a vocal part on 'Gimme That'). And, of course, we've got to take time out for Rocklahoma in the middle of all this.

"We are very close to making our announcement confirming the contract signing with our new record label. Everything — the record company support, the artwork and photography, and especially the music — is coming together to make this the best-sounding and most entertaining KEEL album of all time."

"Streets Of Rock 'N' Roll" track listing:

01. Hit The Ground Running
02. Come Hell Or High Water
03. Streets Of Rock N Roll
04. Push & Pull
05. Brothers In Blood
06. Hold Steady
07. Live
08. Does Anybody Believe
09. No More Lonely Nights
10. The Devil May Care
11. Lookin' For A Good Time
12. Gimme That

With the high volume of requests for the band to reunite, the members — Ron Keel, guitarists Marc Ferrari and Bryan Jay, drummer Dwain Miller along with Geno Arce (Ron's longtime bassist) — felt the time is right to deliver the show fans everywhere have been demanding: a KEEL reunion.

"It would not have been right without these guys," said Ron Keel.

In 1985, KEEL's "The Right To Rock" became the fastest-selling debut in A&M Records' history and the band was proclaimed the "Best New Band" by Metal Edge and Circus magazines. The album's title track was a hit on radio and MTV and remains a staple on VH1 Classic, in addition to the group’s subsequent hits "Tears Of Fire", "Because The Night", "Somebody's Waiting" and "Rock & Roll Outlaw". The group developed a reputation as one of the genre's most entertaining live acts, opening for heavyweights like BON JOVI, AEROSMITH and VAN HALEN, among many others.

For more information, visit KeelReunion.com.

A two-minute video message from WARRIOR SOUL/TROUBLE singer Kory Clarke about his current and upcoming activities with both bands, as well as plans for a new solo record, can be viewed at this location.

Clarke's first "solo" record, "Opium Hotel", abandoned hard rock in favor of electronic and decadent songwriting. The LP, which came out in 2003, "combined the political awareness of WARRIOR SOUL with lo-fi massive attack-isms."

WARRIOR SOUL's new album, "Destroy The War Machine", is scheduled for release on July 14 via Acetate Records through MVD Audio. The eight-song album, which was originally released last year under the title "Chinese Democracy", includes a cover of IGGY POP's "Knocking 'Em Down (In The City)". This time around, you won't hear any hidden meanings or agendas in the lyrics, controversial frontman Kory Clarke tells it like it is and calls a spade a fucking shovel. His ever-present vocals make the band unique and immediately identifiable. A full-scale tour of the United States and Europe will follow.

Check out the track "Motor City" at this location. REQUEST any of the tracks from "Destroy The War Machine" right here on PURE ROCK RADIO in the Auto-Request section!

WARRIOR SOUL's current lineup is as follows:

Kory Clarke - Vocals
Rille Lundell - Guitar
Johnny H - Guitar
Janne Jarvis - Bass
Billy Williams - Drums

DEUXMONKEY, the new band led by former ANTHRAX guitarist Dan Spitz, has released its first track, "Anger Is Free", via the project's official MySpace page.

According to a press release, DEUXMONKEY — whose lineup also includes Peter Baltes (ACCEPT) on bass, Matt Thompson (KING DIAMOND) on drums and A.O.H. (SHAOLIN DEATH SQUAD) on vocals — features "a sound that represents that struggle, that determination and fight within human flesh to succeed and overcome."

Commented Spitz: "Back in the early part of creating the sound of ANTHRAX, I created riffs for me, and me only, it just so happened many of my fans seemed to fall in love with the same aggression and originality my right hand produced. It is the same with DEUXMONKEY."

After spending 15 years on buses and planes touring the world, Dan lost his desire to play guitar. He decided to clear his head by stopping the music and starting the Swiss schooling to become a master watchmaker. He is now "back on track," having gained back the love once lost for his instrument. He said, "DEUXMONKEY is the start of many projects I plan to enter into. It's getting my feet wet, it's reconnecting with my fans and friends, whom I miss so much."

The lyrics to "Anger is Free" speak of "the desire to end it all, and the struggle to do the complete opposite." Meanwhile, the song "O.C.D. (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)" touches on something that surely inflicts not just Spitz, but most musicians. " I wrote this song because, oh man, do I suffer from O.C.D., bad," he said. "Giving it a bit of a hilarious chorus background chants made me crack up so much I almost puked. I hope the fans puke, too. Hahaha," said Spitz about what he calls his new anthem song.

He concluded: "We hope you all enjoy the pounding metal, the devastating riffs, the blistering leads and lyrical content that means so very much to all of us."

DEUXMONKEY is:

Dan Spitz (ANTHRAX) - Guitar
Peter Baltes (ACCEPT) - Bass
Matt Thompson (KING DIAMOND) - Drums
A.O.H. (SHAOLIN DEATH SQUAD) - Vocals

Spitz underwent open-heart surgery on June 5, 2009 after it was discovered that the main artery to his heart was almost "completely closed."

Spitz took part in the reunion of ANTHRAX's classic lineup in 2005 and 2006 but left the band after ANTHRAX's most recent split with singer Joey Belladonna.

In a January 2007 interview with Eddie Trunk of the "Friday Night Rocks" radio show on New York's Q104.3 FM, ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian stated about Spitz, "Whether people are aware or not, Danny's, like, a big deal in the really, really fancy, expensive watch world — like crazy, super-high-end watches — and he's got his own line of watches coming out. It's weird, because before the reunion I would read this stuff online, and I would just kind of be like, 'What the hell…?' But then like after hanging out with the guy for 20 months and you actually talk to him and see the watches and what-not, I was like, 'Holy crap!' It's a pretty big deal."

ALICE IN CHAINS is likely to premiere the video for the song "A Looking In View" at the band's official web site on Tuesday, June 30, according to a date posted at the site. Two short teasers for the clip can be viewed on the Pure Rock Radio Video Boards, link below. Meanwhile, sources tell The Pulse of Radio that an official radio single called "Check My Brain" will head to rock stations in mid-August.

ALICE IN CHAINS' first collection of all-new studio material in 14 years, "Black Gives Way To Blue", is set for release on September 29 through EMI Music's Virgin Records label. The disc will feature the recording debut with the group of singer William DuVall, who first got behind the mic for the band's 2006 reunion tour after original vocalist Layne Staley died in 2002.

The album title first appeared on Amazon.com without any prior announcement from the band, who made their signing with Virgin official a couple of weeks ago through a press release that did not reveal a title or release date.

Guitarist Jerry Cantrell recently told The Pulse of Radio that ALICE IN CHAINS was "really proud" of the new record, adding, "Regardless of how it does, it's a win already for us, 'cause we really dig it and we stand behind it, and each other."

ALICE IN CHAINS will play a small, intimate gig at London, England's Scala on August 4 — two days after playing the second stage at the METALLICA-headlined inaugural Sonisphere festival, set to take place on August 1-2 at the legendary Knebworth Park, United Kingdom.

ALICE IN CHAINS will next perform on July 18 at Comerica Park in Detroit with KID ROCK. The group has yet to air any of the new material live.

WATCH TEASER PREVIEWS HERE

The Pulse of Radio reports: AEROSMITH drummer Joey Kramer is doing more than playing music this summer — he's also promoting a book. Kramer will publish his autobiography, "Hit Hard: A Story Of Hitting Rock Bottom At The Top", on Tuesday (June 30). The book chronicles his years of drug and alcohol abuse, as well as battles with depression, a dysfunctional relationship with his father and an antagonistic, "co-dependent" friendship with AEROSMITH frontman Steven Tyler.

Kramer tells The Pulse of Radio that he hopes readers will learn something from his experiences. "Really my goal is for it to be entertaining but at the same time I think the primary goal that I have is to help people, and that's always been my premise is to help people and to be of service and be entertaining," he said. "So as long as I can continue doing what I'm doing I think that writing the book is just another step along the way of helping other people."

Kramer wrote "Hit Hard" with William Patrick and Keith Garde. AEROSMITH published a band biography, "Walk This Way: The Autobiography Of Aerosmith", in 1997. But Kramer isn't the only group member with his own memoir; Steven Tyler is working on "Does The Noise In My Head Bother You?", which has been moved from an October publication date to the summer of 2010

AEROSMITH is currently on tour with ZZ TOP and next performs Friday (June 26) in Wantagh, N.Y.

PureGrainAudio.com conducted an interview with STREET SWEEPER SOCIAL CLUB — the Los Angeles-based rap-rock supergroup featuring guitarist Tom Morello of RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE and vocalist/emcee Boots Riley of THE COUP — on June 2, 2009 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Watch the chat at this location.

STREET SWEEPER SOCIAL CLUB's self-titled debut album sold 14,000 copies in its first week of release to debut at position No. 37 on The Billboard 200 chart. Released June 16 through Warner Music Group's Independent Label Group, the 11-song set was produced by Tom Morello and features Boots Riley on vocals, Morello on guitar and bass, and Stanton Moore (GALACTIC) on drums.

"It's revolutionary party jams," said Morello of STREET SWEEPER SOCIAL CLUB. "It's got huge steamroller riffs combined with depth, charge, funk, while Boots unloads clip after clip of incendiary rhymes rich with satire and venom." Riley added, "This is a time when the working class is being fleeced left and right. More families will be homeless and more people will be jobless. They'll need something to listen to on their ipods while storming Wall Street."

Tom Morello is a founding member and guitarist of the rock bands RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE and AUDIOSLAVE. The two bands are responsible for multiple Grammy Awards and a combined 30 million albums sold worldwide. Morello has also received critical acclaim as a solo artist known as THE NIGHTWATCHMAN. Widely celebrated for his unique voice as a master electric guitarist, he is recognized by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the "100 Greatest Guitar Players of All-Time" (#26). He is also one of only two guitarists featured as a playable animated character in the overwhelmingly popular Activision video game Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock. Tom Morello graduated from Harvard University with honors as a political science major and has been a widely recognized political activist throughout his career. With SYSTEM OF A DOWN's Serj Tankian, Morello formed Axis of Justice, an organization whose purpose is to bring together musicians, music fans, and grassroots political organizations to fight for social justice.

Boots Riley is best known as the leader of THE COUP, the seminal hip-hop group from Oakland, California. As a producer and lyricist, Riley has crafted critically acclaimed albums for THE COUP that have graced the year-end Top 10 lists of Rolling Stone, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and more. They have also received "Album of the Year" honors from the Washington Post, Time Out New York, while Billboard magazine declared the group "the best hip-hop act of the past decade." Born in Chicago and raised in East Oakland's Funktown neighborhood, Boots became a teenage community organizer. From his history of student organizing in Oakland's public schools, serving on the central committee for the Progressive Labor Party, being the President of Youth InCar (Youth International Committee Against Racism), organizing to build California's Anti-Racist Farm Workers' Union, to developing "guerrilla hip hop concerts" (mobile concerts on flatbed trucks), Boots Riley has been an integral part of the progressive struggle for radical change through culture.

STREET SWEEPER SOCIAL CLUB's debut tour was opening all dates in North America on the NINE INCH NAILS and JANE'S ADDICTION May-June tour.

E1 Music (formerly KOCH Records) has announced the signing of the Canadian all-girl heavy metal band KITTIE to a three-album deal.

KITTIE has released four studio albums during its career which have sold collectively over 1,250,000 copies. The group's new CD, "In The Black", is scheduled for release on September 15. Song titles set to appear on the effort include "Cut Throat", "Sorrow I Know" and "My Plague".

Commented KITTIE vocalist/guitarist Morgan Lander: "We are totally thrilled and honored to be working with Scott Givens and to now be part of the E1 family. We have been hard at work for the past few months perfecting our latest musical offering and are pleased with the final result of 'In The Black'. It is everything that KITTIE is supposed to be: heavy, fast, brash and nasty, yet at times introspective, feminine and emotional. One thing it is not, however, is compromising of the sound and style that we have come to be known for. This shit is HEAVY! Our new label pairing with E1 will actualize the vision that we have held constant over the years for the band."

E1 Music VP of Metal Scott Givens adds, "As a band, KITTIE truly is a one-of-a-kind powerhouse. I know I speak for everyone at E1 Music when I say how excited we are to be working with them and launching 'In The Black' to the masses.”

KITTIE is currently working on fall tour plans and will be shooting two videos during the month of July.

David Lander, the father of KITTIE's Morgan Lander and Mercedes Lander (drums), died of a heart attack in August 2008. David Lander, who is said to have been in his early 50s, also managed KITTIE as part of X Of Infamy/K.M.A. Entertainment.

KITTIE last year parted ways with bassist Trish Doan and replaced her with Ivy Vujic of the Canadian band IN THE WAKE. According to a press release, Doan was diagnosed with the eating disorder anorexia-athletica-nervosa, which she developed during the recording of KITTIE's "Funeral for Yesterday", Doan's first release with the group.

"Funeral for Yesterday" — which was released via the band's own record label, X of Infamy — was recorded at Retromedia Studio in Red Bank, New Jersey with producer Jack Ponti, who has previously worked with BON JOVI, SKID ROW, and ALICE COOPER. The band mixed the effort with producer Kevin Shirley (IRON MAIDEN, DREAM THEATER).

More musicians have paid tribute to pop music legend Michael Jackson, who died Thursday, June 25 at age 50.

CNN.com reports that Michael collapsed at his residence in the Holmby Hills section of Los Angeles, California, about noon Pacific time, suffering cardiac arrest, according to brother Randy Jackson. He died at UCLA Medical Center.

Lt. Fred Corral of the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office said an autopsy would probably be done on the singer later today, with results expected this afternoon.

Fred Durst (LIMP BIZKIT): "On this tour I have been paying tribute to [Michael Jackson] by wearing his 'Beat It' jacket and rhinestone glove [see photos below]. The irony and timing is shocking. I am very sad. He was truly brilliant and the reason why I love to dance."

Alice Cooper: "Michael Jackson was easily as influential as James Brown, and that's saying a lot. We had Vincent Price in common. I used him first on 'Welcome To My Nightmare' in 1975, and he later used him on 'Thriller'. Nobody moved like Michael, he was truly the King of Pop."

Chris Cornell (who recorded a cover version of "Billie Jean" on his 2007 solo album, "Carry On"): "I was on my way from Poland to Berlin following a show. At 1:00 a.m. I got the news and was immediately saddened. I remembered being 6 years old and seeing the JACKSON 5 on our black-and-white TV. His brothers were cool but he had a halo around him. Superstar at 12. What promise. He had magic! It was by chance that I recorded and rearranged his song 'Billie Jean' and have been amazed at the response it gets when I perform it every night. He was amazingly talented and largely misunderstood. I hope that the media will be kind and celebrate the genius instead of cashing in on the tabloid angles that made him a prisoner. I think he deserves that."

Fan-filmed video footage of DOWN's June 23, 2009 performance at Petofi Csarnok in Budapest, Hungary can be viewed on the Pure Rock Radio Video Boards, link below (clips uploaded by "Csaba81").

During a recent chat with NME TV, DOWN drummer Jimmy Bower revealed that the band will tour select U.S. markets with the MELVINS in August/September. The group will then return to the studio from October through December to record what will eventually become the fourth DOWN album, tentatively due in early 2010.

DOWN/ex-PANTERA singer Philip Anselmo recently spent time at home in New Orleans recovering from surgery. Anselmo said in an April online posting, "this time it was a semi-torn ACL [anterior cruciate ligament, one of four ligaments that are critical to the stability of the knee joint] and a semi-torn meniscus [a common knee injury that can cause pain in the joint]."

In October 2008, DOWN released a "deluxe edition" of its critically acclaimed third album, "Over the Under". The deluxe package, which was made available as a Best Buy exclusive, includes a DVD with over 30 minutes of previously unreleased live performances and behind-the-scenes footage. The album was released on Down Records in conjunction with Warner Music Group's Independent Label Group (ILG).

WATCH LIVE, DOWN FOOTAGE HERE