Keef snorts Dad ...... Way back in 1973, the baddest of the Rolling Stones' bad boys, Keith Richards was already notorious for his drug and alcohol abuse. So, when he told a reporter that he had secretly traveled to Switzerland and had all of his blood replaced with a clean batch, the story was printed without being questioned, and got widespread distribution. After cooler heads pointed out that there was no such procedure available in Switzerland or anywhere else, our boy Keef owned up to having made up the story because he was tired of answering questions about a medical procedure that he had undergone. So why in the world would anybody take it seriously when the man is quoted as saying to a reporter this week that he had once mixed some of his cremated father's ashes with some cocaine and snorted them? Please. Fool me once, shame on you ... ah, you know the rest. So now our favorite rehabilitated former bad boy has once again come forth with a retraction. Much more astounding than Richards' denial is the reaction the story generated in the first place. Are people really that gullible? Or is it just that it takes a tumble from a coconut tree or a sensational headline to keep an aging rock star in the public eye? ..... Well, I have to be going now. I have an appointment to have my brain replaced with an eggplant.

Starship Battle ..... Trouble is brewing in the Starship camp. Paul Kantner is being sued by former Jefferson Airplane/Jefferson Starship/Starship bandmate Grace Slick and his one-time manager Bill Thompson over his continued use of the name 'Starship' for touring purposes. Under the terms of an agreement reached between the three, Kantner could tour using that name, as long as the words 'Jefferson', 'Airplane'or 'Jefferson Starship' weren't in evidence. What has now complicated matters is that Kantner recently did a sponsorship deal with Microsoft. Slick and Thompson say they were prepared to tolerate Kantner's use of the 'Starship' name for small scale touring, but not in association with major brand sponsorship.

Metallica Name Battle ..... Swedish couple Michael and Karolina Tomaro are fighting a court battle with the country's tax authorities, and all because they want to call their new born daughter Metallica. Under Swedish law, every name has to meet official approval. And the tax office has objected, on the grounds that it's inappropriate.

Weiland In Hotel Fracas.....Velvet Revolver frontman Scott Weiland and his wife Mary are alleged to have trashed their room at a hotel in Burbank, California. As a result, they may face charges, brought by the hotel in question.

Mest Singer Escapes Murder Charge ...... Tony Lovato, former frontman with Mest, was arrested and charged with murder. This follows the death of 25-year-old Wayne Hughes, during an altercation in an underground parking lot in Los Angeles. Lovato is said to have stabbed Hughes, who was dating the singer's ex-girlfriend. However, he's now been released with the police satisfied that he acted in self-defence.

Short Cuts...... We hear that Boulevard Blues Band guitarist Richard Pryor indulged in a bit of 'stage diving' off the back of the Klein Libertas Theatre stage, nearly impaling himself on a hi-hat cymbal stand. It was a stark reminder that lead guitarists are also mortal human beings. When asked why he fell off the back of the stage and not the front he said "Hi Hat no intention of doing such a thing" ... Poison are to release a covers album called 'Poison'd' in June. It will include songs by the Rolling Stones, The Sweet, David Bowie, The Cars and Marshall Tucker Band. It was produced by Don Was ... Acclaimed young British rockers Roadstar release their second album on April 16, through Magic Hat. It's called 'Glass Mountain' ... Gary Moore releases his new album on May 28 through Eagle. It's titled 'Close As You Get', featuring 11 tracks .... Legendary blues-rockers Foghat are to release 'Live II' at the end of May on the Metro City label ... The classic '1987' album from Whitesnake is to be re-issued by EMI on June 4. It comes with extra tracks and a bonus DVD. Plus extensive sleevenotes from Geoff Barton of 'Classic Rock' magazine ... Patti Smith releases a covers album called 'Twelve' on April 16. It includes songs by Jimi Hendrix, Jefferson Airplane, Stevie Wonder and Nirvana. Both Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers) and Rich Robinson (Black Crowes) guest on the record.

The Trews

The Stooges

Porcupine Tree

Ratings:
***** Volcanic....not to be missed.
**** Seismic....highly recommended...buy it!
*** Aftershock....solid effort.
** Damp squib really!
* Do I need to explain this?

Keep the rock real...

Benjy