Masters of Delay

"It's almost done. We're just waiting for Metallica to finish their song," Rob Zombie said Saturday at the MTV Movie Awards. What's he talking about? We're A Happy Family, the Ramones tribute album he's currently producing. Metallica originally hit the studio and played around with eight Ramones songs, according to the band's Web site, but they've since narrowed the pool down by half and are trying to settle on a single selection. Meanwhile, Zombie, who recorded a version of "Blitzkrieg Bop" for the LP, said he's nearly finished illustrating the LP's cover art. Although a final track list has yet to be determined, other artists who have recorded Ramones songs for the project include Eddie Vedder ("I Believe in Miracles"), Red Hot Chili Peppers ("Havana Affair"), Marilyn Manson ("KKK Took My Baby Away"), Green Day ("Outsider") and U2 ("Beat on the Brat"). Zombie also wrote that he expects Metallica to deliver a version of "We're a Happy Family," which appeared on the Ramones' Rocket to Russia (1977). Maybe if someone just posts their demos online they'll hurry up...