Yusuf Islam, formerly Cat Stevens, has recorded "Angel of War" and re-cut "Peace Train," his first pop recordings in twenty-five years, to protest a possible war in Iraq... natch.

If a band that grew "up in the New Zealand countryside with nothing to do except listen to The Who, Led Zeppelin and Crowded House" sounds like you're cup of tea, then check out Evermore. You can watch the video for "Slipping Away," their first single from the debut Oil & Water EP. Check out their official website for more info.

Talib Kweli will host a benefit in Chicago tonight to raise money for the families of victims of the February 17th nightclub stampede that killed twenty-one people. Hosting means probably other people will be performing as well, so we'll keep you posted.

If you weren't already aware, songs by Slayer, Queens of the Stone Age, Ice Cube, N.E.R.D. and Snoop Dogg will be included on the Motocross compilation, Big Air Experience, due March 25th. Probably going to be much better than Sheryl's Starbucks thing.

Ochre Records is about to release the new album from Cornelius drummer Yuko Araki, under the name Migu. You can read more about it here.

Anti-war chanteuse Sheryl Crow has included songs by Fleetwood Mac, the Pretenders, Crowded House, Marvin Gaye, Ryan Adams and others on a new Artists Choice collection available in Starbucks outlets on April 23rd. Catch it with your latte.

Do you like to be associated with tormented, whiny nü-metal bands? Well, you're in luck! Staind will release their new album, 14 Shades of Grey - which is sure to be as depressing as their last - on May 20th. If you'd like push this album like a crack dealer might, join the street team.

Tomorrow is 311 Day! (Get it? 3/11...) Instead of playing a crazy show with a 47-song setlist, the boys are just adding a bunch of new stuff to their website. So, head over there tomorrow to check out a plethora of new photos, behind-the-scenes videos from touring and video shoots, and download four outtakes from Transistor and Soundsystem, "Seal The Deal", "Cali Soca" (instrumental), "Space Funk" (instrumental) and "Old Funk" (instrumental). 311 are currently still in production on their follow-up to 2001's From Chaos, which they hope to release in the summer.

Next up on the $2 Bill Concert series: Linkin Park. Tickets are available March 8th at the State Theather box office in NYC after 10am. MTV will air the concert on March 25th (the release date of Meteroa) at 9pm ET, and then again on March 28th at 10pm. Consider yourself warned.

Everyone's favorite bluegrass-jazz foursome, Béla Fleck and the Flecktones, have sent their follow-up to 2000's Outbound off to mastering. The album, which could surface as a 2-disc set, still has no title and the songs don't even titles. However, the group have announced enough tour dates to make any band blush. Believe me, it's quite normal for these guys...

The wekeend fun continues. The 13th person to email us will win a copy of Tool's latest album Lateralus. Get to it.

Brand New have re-launched their official website, which includes updated news, tour dates up to August and a media player for their album, Your Favorite Weapon.

From 2 Skinnee J's: "The rumors are true. This year will see the end of 2 Skinnee J's as we know it. Our plans for the immediate future are to tour all of March, April and May 2003 to support our new album Sexy Karate, play a final show in New York City some time in June and then enter an indefinite haitus. There is a possibility that we may continue touring through the fall depending on the success of the new record."

The Dismemberment Plan, who've already announced their breakup, are solidifying plans for a final tour, to begin in June. They're also releasing an album of fan remixes in June as well. But that's it. Then they're really done. Really. Unless of course you count lead singer Travis Morrison's upcoming solo album, which you can preview on his website.

Vue, who released their major label debut EP, Babies Are For Petting, on March 4th, will fill out a sure-to-be-awesome tour this Spring with none other than The Raveonettes. Watch the news for the tour schedule.

So The Raveonettes and Fishcerspooner images over there on the right have just been pretty placeholders for the past couple of days. But, not any more! Get yourself to the contest section and enter to win a copy of the new Ravonettes "mini-album", Whip It On, or the debut album from Fischerspooner, #1. Also, be sure to hit the reviews section, which is off to a running start this month. Expect many more throughout March.

MTV.com is now streaming the new AFI album, Sing The Sorrow, which comes out on March 11th. Click here to listen.

Always one to exapand our listening/viewing experience, Dredg have made a new media player which features a new track entitled "Fucking Smile". The player basically installs on your PC and is like a mini-verison of their website with tour dates, songs, art, and the video for "Same Ol' Road". Get it for PC or MAC.

Zwan have decided to extend their current North American trek through mid-April. Five shows have been added from April 9th - April 18th, with more expected to be tacked on before all is said and done. For the full list of dates...

The Fire Theft are hitting the road this week, starting out at the SXSW Festival in Texas. On a few of the dates they'll be traveling with morningwood. Sounds hott, huh? They have also put out a request on their official web site for people to join a street team that is forming. Click [more] for tour dates.