May 15, 2006 5:44 PM

Radiohead, Sum 41, Daniel Powter and More

RADIOHEAD frontman THOM YORKE will make his solo debut with the release of the nine-track album The Eraser, on July 11th. While Yorke and the rest of Radiohead have been working on new material for an upcoming 2007 release, he says he has their blessing for his electronica project -- also featuring production by longtime Radiohead collaborator NIGEL GODRICH (U2, PAUL McCARTNEY) and art by STANLEY DONWOOD (tapped by the band numerous times since working on Radiohead's 1994 EP, My Iron Lung). Radiohead, currently on tour in Europe, will play smaller North American venues -- including two new added dates in San Diego -- this June, breaking to headline the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival on the 17th. More information on The Eraser is available at theeraser.net.

Sum 41 Guitarist Quits the Band

SUM 41 guitarist DAVE BAKSH has left the band to concentrate on his own metal band, BROWN BRIGADE. According to a statement on the band's Web site, the split was friendly and came as no shock to the other members. "The fact is Dave lost interest a long time ago," wrote frontman DERYCK WHIBLEY. Whibley maintains that Baksh has not participated creatively for some time and that his departure will have little effect on the group, who are currently in the midst of recording the follow-up to their 2004 gold album, Chuck.

Daniel Powter to Star in "Idol" Finale

Canadian pop singer DANIEL POWTER will appear on the Season Five finale of FOX's American Idol on May 23rd to perform his hit single, "Bad Day." The song, which is currently Number Two on the singles chart and has sold more than one million digital downloads, has been the closing theme to the program this season, with an average thirty million viewers per episode. Powter is currently planning a North American mini-tour to begin in July.

DMX, True to M.O., Gets Arrested Again

Rapper and actor DMX was arrested and later released by British police Saturday following an incident in which he allegedly refused to fasten his seatbelt and became abusive on an American Airlines flight from New York to London. Like fellow rapper SNOOP DOOG last week, DMX, 35, received a caution from London police -- meaning he accepted responsibility for the incident and a record was filed. In 2004, the rapper served a seventy-day jail sentence for violating the terms of his parole after crashing his car through a security gate at New York's JFK airport. He will release his sixth album, Year of the Dog, Again, this summer.

Marley Bassist Loses Lawsuit, Foots the Bill

Longtime BOB MARLEY collaborator and WAILERS bassist ASTON "FAMILY MAN" BARRETT -- nicknamed for the fifty-two children he fathered -- today lost his lawsuit seeking a share of Marley's royalties. Barrett, who co-wrote "Rebel Music" and co-produced eleven Marley albums, sought $115 million in back royalties on behalf of himself and his late brother CARLTON, the band's drummer. Marley died in 1981 without leaving a will. However, the judge in the case ruled against Barrett, upholding a 1994 settlement in which he accepted $500,000 for his share of royalties. Barrett now faces legal fees of nearly four million dollars.

Duran Duran's LeBon in a Trance

Trance DJ FERRY CORSTEN, who recently re-mixed the theme to FOX's Prison Break, will release his second album, L.E.F. (Loud Electric Ferocious), on August 8th. The album's first single -- currently Number Nine on the Billboard Dance Chart -- features guest vocals by DURAN DURAN frontman SIMON LeBON. In June, Corsten will travel to the States for a short string of club dates.

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