This Week in Music News

 PJ Harvey is set to release her eighth studio album, White Chalk, September 25th on Island Records. NME describes it thusly: "Sparse sounds, spine-tingling pianos and vocals that bring a tear to the eye-in a good way." Sounds good to me.

Violent Femmes bassist Brian Ritchie is suing lead vocalist Gordon Gano for not crediting and paying him properly for songwriting duties, and soiling their reputation by allowing "Blister in the Sun" to be used in a Wendy's commercial.

Chuck D is quite justified in his historical bragging rights about Public Enemy, but entitling the new album How You Sell Soul to a Soulless People Who Sold Their Soul is just plain silly. 

This year's free Ozzfest proves fatal for some unfortunate patrons. 

Former Hot Snakes and Drive Like Jehu frontman Jon Reis is busy putting out unreleased Rocket From the Crypt material, opening a bar in San Diego, and most importantly, starting a new band called Speedo. 

Finally, this is hardly news, but simply something I must share. When was the last time you saw Better Off Dead? Remember the claymation cheeseburger dancing to Van Halen? No? Well here it is!: