BRMC Drummer Claims He Was 'Fired' From Band ... Again

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club drummer Nick Jago reports he has been relieved of his kit duties. According to a post on the BRMC website this week, Jago announced matter-of-factly that he has been replaced by Leah Shapiro, touring drummer from the Raveonettes.

"I just had dinner with Rob [Been] and Pete [Hayes] and, well, I'm not in the band anymore," Jago writes. "They are going into rehearsals tomorrow with Leah, she just finished touring with the Raveonettes and is super nice and cool. They presented it to me like they need a break, I took it as I am fired again and to be honest with you I respect their decision. I don't make it easy for them, I hope to be able to play with them again in the future as a reunion as there is really no bad feeling other than we all wanna be happy and right now we are not. Maybe playing drums for BRMC all the time is not my calling and there is something else I'm supposed to do. We will see. I'm sorry to all the fans and know that the drums are in good hands with Leah."

Hayes and Been confirmed the switchout, but insist Jago isn't fired. "It's true, Nick won't be joining us for the upcoming European tour, but it's not true that he is fired. We just feel Nick needs time to sort out exactly what he wants right now. His heart and all his energy and attention is on his own solo project and he needs to see that through."

Yes Cancels 40th Anniversary Tour + More

  • Yes have been forced to cancel their 40th anniversary tour due to singer John Anderson's health problems.
  • The Raveonettes Sharin Foo announced her pregnancy and will be replaced by her sister, Louise, on the band's summer tour.
  • Snow Patrol have begun work on a new album in Ireland. The forthcoming effort will serve as the follow-up to 2006's platinum-selling 'Eyes Open.'
  • Gnarls Barkley, the Roots and the Black Keys are among the acts lined up for the Southern Comfort Music Experience tour, which kicks off June 28 in Denver, Colorado.

Neil Diamond Playing Secret Show + More

  • Neil Diamond will perform a free MySpace Secret Show at New York City's the Bitter End today. Doors for the 18 and up, first come, first served show open at 7pm.
  • Gang of Four bassist Dave Allen and drummer Hugo Burnham have quit the band. Frontman Jon King and guitarist Andy Gill will continue writing and recording new music under the same moniker.
  • David Gilmour will release a live album, titled 'Live in Gdansk,' in September. The effort was recorded at Gilmour's last concert on his 2006 summer tour in Gdansk, Poland.

The DL: Rock Landmarks, Featuring the Raveonettes

The Raveonettes wanted to hang out with Jim Morrison. Turns out he's dead. So, the Danish duo did the next best thing and headed over to the Doors' old office/recording studio where they recorded the 'L.A. Woman' album. The Raveonettes even did a cover of 'Riders on the Storm' in the same bathroom Morrison recorded all the album's vocals ... among other things, we're sure. Ride the snake!

The DL: The Raveonettes' Valentine Massacre - The Beat Dies

Now that you've seen the Raveonettes' Grindhouse trailer for 'Lust Lust Lust,' it's time to watch the DL's full-length music video. It's the sick and twisted tale of a pre-teen serial killer on the hunt for one bloody Valentine. So sit back and enjoy this heart warming story that's so horribly wrong, it could only come from the DL.

The DL: The Raveonettes' Grindhouse Trailer

What does the DL do when we get our hands on the new Raveonettes album 'Lust Lust Lust'? We do what any maladjusted webshow would do. We make a creepy Grindhouse trailer about a young serial killer. It's the heartfelt story of a little girl with a thirst for blood, who's on the hunt for a very special Valentine -- one she can chop up into little pieces and keep with her always. Now, doesn't that sound sweet?