Korn doesn't rap, but for some reason, they were still classified under the rap-rock genre back in the day.

 

Singer Jonathan Davis didn't like that. He tells AllHipHop.com:

 

I hated it, honestly. I never f**king rapped. [laughs] I'm not a rapper, but I think they laid that because there were some definite Hip-Hop influences [in our music] like Hip-Hop style bass lines and sh*t like that. We took subtle influences from Hip-Hop. We didn't take a turntable all the way over the top like Limp Bizkit or that type of sh*t. It was more of a tasty flavor. Because so many bands came out after this and were like what we did, [critics] kinda created a name for the genre. But I think we're more than that. It's something that's always going to follow us, but I always thought it was corny.

 

OK, if you're the singer of a band named Korn, never say something is "corny." That needs to be a rule. Also, it's usually best not to describe yourself as a "tasty flavor." But beyond that, Davis has a point. When did he rap? It's funny how people have a habit of judging things without knowing the facts. I blame the Jews.

 

Also, props to Davis for not calling out Crazy Town in that interview. "Revolving Door" was awesome.

Tommy Lee has decided not to press any charges against Kid Rock for the infamous VMA Smackdown. After coming away from the incident with no injuries, Lee has decided he'd rather put the whole thing behind him than move forward with charges.

 

And in interesting news, turns out the other party involved in Kid Rock's equally-infamous Waffle House brawl threatened to sue Rock before the fight even happened. From E! Online:

 

According to Rock, the alleged instigator said, "I hope you get mad, I'll sue the hell out of you." To which Rock replied, "Take a number."

 

To top that off, I hear Kid Rock's All-Star Breakfast was undercooked.

 

That's one part of being famous that must suck (the annoying people, not the undercooked waffles). Remember when Russell Crowe punched that guy and had to pay him $100,000? I bet those kind of incidents happen all the time. Hell, on the new Britney Spears CD, she has a lyric about how the paparazzi are giving her the finger and hoping she'll do something crazy so they can sue her (yes, I listened to the new Britney Spears CD, it's my job, screw you). If you're famous, you probably have to resist to urge to hit jackasses all the time. Between that, the constant travel, and pretending to go to rehab, well... don't let anyone ever tell you being a celebrity is easy.

 

On the flip side, if you're a broke jackass, this is a great way to make some easy cash. I always hear guys joke about boxing, saying stuff like, "I'd get in the ring with Mike Tyson and let him beat me for a million bucks." Well, what about $200,000 grand to take a few shots from Kid Rock? That's only 1/5 the cash, but Kid Rock is only 1/8 as jacked as Tyson, so once you do the math, you're making out pretty well. In fact, I might start a business where I lead broke jackasses to celebrities and instigate verbal fights. Then, I'll move out of the way while the celebrity punches the jackass. The jackass can sue and I'll take my 10% finder's fee. Everybody wins. Except for the celebrities, but whatever, they're already rich.

 

Avenged Sevenfold's new self-titled album, out today, has more of a pop-oriented sound than the band's previous efforts. It's not really a pop CD, it's just not as "metal" as their other albums.

Anyway, per usual, when a band makes even the slightest move toward popular music, a bunch of people come forward with the "sell-out" chants. Avenged Sevenfold singer M. Shadows has responded to critics by unapologetically admitting that he is a fan of pop music.

The Smashing Pumpkins released a new version of the Zeitgeist album today. That makes 7 different versions of the album that are available.

The latest version does include three bonus tracks -- "Death From Above," "Stellar" and the previously unreleased "Ma Belle" -- plus a DVD documentary titled Inside the Zeitgeist. But is that worth it?

Coldplay is in the studio working on a new album, and Chris Martin is feeling the pressure. Check out this note Martin wrote to fans:

 

 

Who does this guy think he is, Thom Yorke?

 

You might notice that the writing gets cut off. Fortunately, I have obtained a copy of the rest of the note. Take a look:

 

The pressure to finish is intense. Luckily, I don't let things like "pressure" and "consequences" bother me. Otherwise, I wouldn't have named my kid Apple. I mean that. The kid is going to get his ass kicked all the time. I should really get investigated for child abuse. But that won't happen, cause I'm Chris Muthafuckin' Martin. Anyway, you're probably wondering about the previous part of the letter, where I mention oil painters and glasses of water. What's that about? Well, there's a guy painting in here. I'm actually high on fumes right now, which is why I'm writing this pointless note. That, and I couldn't finish the album on time, so I'm trying to distract you. That's it.

 

Wait, one last thing. You know how I know I'm gay? I listen to me.

 

I love that joke.

 

Lata playas,

Chris Martin

 

It's been a few years since anyone has heard from Story of the Year, who were wildly successful in 2003 with their album Page Avenue. The band suffered a bit of a "sophomore slump" and took time off to regroup -- only to sign with Epitaph Records, shunning the major labels. Story of the Year isn't the first band to leave the harsh world of the major labels for an indie or punk label -- nor will they be the last.



Both sides -- the band and the label -- have nothing but great things to say about their pairing. The band's third album is expected in spring 2008.

Of course, he thinks his house is haunted by boring old regular people ghosts. But, in an interesting [read: ridiculous] twist, he also believes that he has felt the presence of John Lennon at a friend's house in Manchester. Because, you know, the ghost of John Lennon doesn't have anything better to do than stand around and stare at one of the dudes who rip off his music every chance they get.



Then again, while I can see haunting Mark David Chapman is probably his top ghostly priority... it has probably gotten old after so many decades, so maybe Liam Gallagher isn't batshit crazy and John Lennon's ghost is having a laugh.

*note: The image is not an actual photo of the ghost of John Lennon.

This is a follow-up to the F**k Rob Thomas story from yesterday.

The Matt & Ramona show has issued its own open letter in response to Rob Thomas' complaints. Here is that letter:

Remember that Kurt Cobain biopic that Courtney Love is helping to create? They've allegedly found an actor to star as Kurt.



This is probably worthy of a drumroll...

A man named Maurice Foreman from Kentucky is suing Rock, claiming that Rock's new single "So Hott" is a rip-off of his 1997 song "Slow Death." Both songs repeat the title three times during the chorus, and both have similar guitar lines, according to Foreman.



Tom Petty might be able to sue them both.

Listen to the songs...

AHH AHH AHH AAWWWW!!!

Disturbed is in Chicago working on a new album. This will be the band's follow-up to 2005's Ten Thousand Fists. The new album is scheduled for release in spring of 2008.

Rob Thomas has written an open letter to DJs Matt & Ramona of the Charlotte radio station WLNK. Turns out Thomas and Paul Doucette of Matchbox 20 were scheduled to appear on the Matt & Ramona show last week, but had to cancel when Thomas got food poisoning and fell behind schedule.



When Matt & Ramona found out that Thomas was making other appearances during the day, they got a little fired up and starting making fun of Matchbox 20.

The DJs said something about not playing Matchbox 20's music anymore, which Thomas did not take kindly to.