In a recent Rolling Stone interview, producer Rick Rubin reports that he has been recording songs with various artists for a "peace album." Some of the artists involved include Sheryl Crow, System Of A Down, Audioslave, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Weezer. Rubin says that there is no timeline for the release of said compilation. Regarding the theme of the album Rubin says, "I want it to be a general statement of peace, not tied to an event. I want it to be a timeless statement."

The followup the debut effort from The Vines will be entitled Winning Days. Produced by Rob Schnapf, the disc is said to be "more psychedelic" than the first album. "The harder songs are harder and the softer songs are maybe the ones which have improved more." says bassist Patrick Matthews. Overseas the album is expected to be released March 8th with the first single "Ride" hitting airwaves on February 23rd. No confirmation yet if US dates coincide. We've got the tracklisting too..

Sonic Youth have announced that they will be reissuing Goo in a "deluxe 2CD / 4LP edition with extensive liner notes" by Byron Coley. Expect the package to include all the b-sides, oddities, and 8-track demos from the Goo era. The band also reports to be compiling "anything / everything" together for the first official Sonic Youth DVD. Official release dates coming soon.

Before releasing their new LP, Guiltshow, The Get Up Kids have announced they will be releasing a 5 track EP entitled Wouldn't Believe It. The EP will be released in January and include the tracks "Wouldn't Believe It" and "Martyr Me" which will be from their upcoming album, as well as an inference mix of "Walking On A Wire", a demonstration recording of "On A Wire" and an acoustic version of "I'll Catch You".

Still no word on the official release date for the forthcoming Self release Ornament & Crime, but it has been announced on the band's official site that they will be releasing a new streaming b-side every week until the album is released. Already you can check out "While The Gangsters Sleep" and "Breakdown."

Some Records has announced that they have signd southern California based Innaway. The band has started work on their debut LP and it will be out before Summer. For now you can download the song "Wild" off their debut EP.

Starsailor's new album, Silence is Easy will be released on January 27th, but we already have some audio and video clips you can check out. Two songs from the album, one of which is below, were produced by Phil Spector, his first work in over two decades.

The Thrills have launched Thrillslist.com, a community for fans to share their pop culture preferences. Thrillslist.com is a quick and easy way for the band and fans to share what's "thrilling" them this week; music movies, books, food, a favorite nightspot, etc. Each week, participants will receive an email with the band's list updates, and a reminder to update their own list. Each week the site will choose a winner of Classic EMI CD or DVD and Thrills merchandise.

As previously mentioned, Count the Stars have called it quits. Rather than take guesses at what happened, we have an official press release from the band:

Supergrass have announced that they are working on a DVD and need some help from their fans. They request that anyone who has any footage of them playing live over the last 10 years send an email to Supergrass.DVD@virgin.net with a description of the kind of footage you have (not the actual video). The DVD is expected to contain various live footage (obviously), as well as the videos from the band. No details on a release date.

Some time after his public announcement that he was leaving the music industry, Krist Noveselic, former bassist of Nirvana, has announced tentative plans to run for Lt. Governor of Washington State. Go here to read more about his past political activism.

Elvis Costello is on the road supporting his most recent album, North. The dates are...

Have you been doing what you were told and checking the Social Distortion website for updates? Apparently, "Social D has closed the first chapter of recording for their forthcoming record. The guys have completed recording drums and bass, and after taking a short break last week for Thanksgiving, Mike and Jonny jumped back in yesterday to begin recording guitars. Danny will follow up next week with B3 organ to close out phase two of recording." Can't wait...

Alkaline Trio will not be playing the Cincinatti date of the Vagrant Tour because they were given the opportunity to perform on David Letterman. You can catch that performance on this Friday,December 12.

You either love 'em or hate 'em: The Transplants, the side project of Rancid's Tim Armstrong and Blink-182's Travis Barker, have plans to record the follow up to 2002's self-titled album on Hellcat records. I am proud to say that I am looking forward to this one.

The Jade Tree Records website reports that Pedro the Lion is back in the studio recording a new full-length to be released tentatively in the Spring of 2004. Be on the lookout here and on the site as more details emerge.

'Tis the season for best-of lists. Rough Trade has actually gone and put together a double cd of what they consider to be the best material of 2003. They're calling it Counter Culture 2003 and releasing it into your posession in February 2004. The variety is immense, but some artists of note included are Mates of State, The Gossip, Erase Errata, Peaches, (The Real) Tuesday Weld, The Boggs, Dizzee Rascal and The Kills. The full tracklist is...

Stuart Aitken of www.mad.co.uk has written an article tracing the history of Rephlex records and its artists, including when Aphex Twin and Luke Vibert first met back in misty pre-rave Cornwall. You can buy the new Rephlexions compilation in Warpmart now, featuring exclusive tracks from AFX and Amen Andrews/Luke Vibert plus a host of other Rephlex artists.

Phonometrography (por que?) are releasing a collaboration between Autechre and The Hafler Trio. You can buy the CD from the phonometrography website if you so desire.

Songs by Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly and the Allman Brothers Band will join Pearl Jam's new "Man of the Hour" on the "Big Fish" soundtrack, due December 23rd. Interesting mix, don't you think?