» Lawmakers in Britain have decided not to make new laws to combat scalping, or, as they call it, "touting." Because it "doesn't add anything to the cultural life of the country," scalping still potentially faces legislation, if voluntary codes between sellers and promoters do not work. This sounds kind of like a loss for the fans, since scalping will most likely continue, but it does mean one good thing: Fans actually own the tickets they do buy, own them enough to sell them.

» Three catholic priests, cunningly named The Priests, have signed a deal with Sony BMG for a million pounds. The priests are all practicing priests and have included in their contracts clauses which will allow them to continue doing their priestly things, like presiding over weddings and funerals. Managing director of Epic: "They're going to be wonderful global superstars." Wonderful!

» The Game and 50 Cent almost released their records on the same day, paralleling The Game's previous record-selling battle with Kanye West. Turns out they won't release on the same day, The Game will release his record "on July 8th in order to clean up the mess 50 made with his new release on July 1st." Also: 50 Cent begins "girlie" aerobics for new film.

» Metallica, those dicks who spearheaded the Napster-is-amputating-my-child campaign, are now thinking of using that evil technology, "The Internet," to release their first post-Warner record.  There is one more record left on Warner between now and then. They attribute the change-of-mind to reacting negatively about deals like the very-inclusive one Madonna has with Live Nation.

» The Rest, in short: Smashing Pumpkins' Corgan and Chamberlin added to "Rock Walk"; A Joy Division Zune is on its way; Czech police find a music hosting server unknowingly stored in the Academy of Sciences; Yellowcard "indefinite haitus"-ing; Sony BMG joins Nokia's Comes With Music plan; John Lennon apparently discussed putting LSD in Nixon's tea and the Beatles have their own day; MSN Music customers set to lose their music with new computer; U2 begin work on new record.