Michigan post-hardcore quintet Chiodos have fired frontman Craig Owens.

The remaining band members - Brad Bell, Jason Hale, Pat McManaman and Matt Goddard - issued a statement earlier today.

“This decision was a necessary one,” say the band. “Out of respect for all of the hard work that we have put in together for all of these years we will not be discussing the specific reasons that this needed to happen. We wish Craig well. We will absolutely be continuing on as a band and we will keep you informed as this next chapter unfolds. Chiodos fans are the best fans in the world and all we can ask of you, after everything you have already given us, is to share in our excitement for this next album. We promise you will not be disappointed.”

Owens is planning to release a free EP which will include covers of songs from Counting Crows, Joy Division, Warren G, Usher, and Ne-Yo. The songs will be posted for streaming on his Myspace page and he will also provide a link to a website where you will be able to download the EP for free. Keep checking his blog for updates and the release date for the EP.

See next week’s Kerrang! for the full story.

It’s official, Marilyn Manson has swine flu.

The shock rocker was diagnosed with the H1N1 this past Monday (September 21).

“So I have officially been diagnosed, by a real doctor, with THE SWINE FLU,” blogged The Double M from his sickbed.

In true Manson style, he used the opportunity to make a dig at his ex-girlfriends.

“I know everyone will suggest that fucking a pig is how this disease was obtained,” he continued. “However, the doctor said, my past choices in women have in no way contributed to me acquiring this mysterious sickness.”

New Found Glory with Title Fight & Fallen from the Sky, Live at the Chance October 21! 7pm $19.99

This is straight from the guys myspace!

last night half an hour before showtime sean took a really bad spill on his skateboard and broke his leg in 4 places and tore his acl. we are on our way to visit him in the hospital here in kansas city where he awaits surgery tomorrow. we will keep you all posted with updates. all we can do is hope for the best
love
ryan and jake

Get well soon Sean! Love Licks FM!!!

Black Label Society guitarist Zakk Wylde is on the road to recovery after suffering blood clots which led to the cancellation of the band’s US tour.

Doctors gave Wylde the go-ahead to perform at a special Halloween performance in New York to promote his new limited-edition Epiphone Graveyard Disciple guitar.

Following yesterday’s news that former Korn guitarist Brian ‘Head’ Welch allegedly asked to rejoin the nu-metal titans, Head has issued a statement denying the claims.

“I recently learned of an interview that Munky gave where he said that I came to Korn and asked to be taken back in the band,” said Head. “That’s definitely not a complete and accurate picture.

“The full truth is that for about a year, ever since [frontman] Jonathan [davis] publicly said he wanted me back in Korn, Korn’s managers have been requesting my manager to work on getting me back into Korn,” he continued. “The calls were initiated by Korn’s managers, not my manager. I shut the door on their requests many, many times over the last several months, through my manager. However, [bassist] Fieldy personally called me during Korn’s last tour in Europe and we talked as friends for a long time. He also told me if I ever wanted to rejoin Korn, or open for Korn as a solo artist, the door was always open.

“Since Fieldy is sober now and a Christian like me, I thought it may be a good idea to visit with Fieldy, a friend of mine, to see what he was up to and what it was all about. I had a great time reconnecting with Fieldy. I mainly went to his house to connect with an old friend. The Korn stuff we talked about was secondary, but it was discussed. Fieldy thought that Jonathan, Munky, and I should all meet AS FRIENDS; reconnect; and maybe discuss the possibilities. Both Jonathan and Munky refused that meeting.

“I learned a lot visiting with Fieldy. I learned that I love and miss my friends, but the visit confirmed to me that I have a different calling in life than to reconnect musically/professionally. I continue to wish nothing but the best for Korn, and that includes all of my friends there — Fieldy, Jonathan and Munky.”

In related news, Korn are currently in the studio with producer Ross Robinson (Slipknot, Amen, Glassjaw) working on their ninth studio album.

Don’t miss She Wants Revenge, Kill Hannah, New Medicine, and Alta Mira at Northern Lights in Clifton park New York September 25,2009! The Show starts at 7pm!

$13 adv., $15 dos.

In a world exclusive interview in this week’s Kerrang! magazine, Tennessee pop punks Paramore reveal how they nearly split up earlier this year.

“You know those bands that travel separately because they hate each other and they get offstage and don’t talk to each other? That’s what it was for us,” frotnwoman Hayley Williams told K!

“We’d just gotten to a point where we were sick of dealing with everything.,” she added. “We were so tired from being on the road for two years, and we just hated each other.”

“It felt like we were going to implode!” explans drummer Zac Farro. “It really did. We were just, day-to-day, ‘Oh, I’m really sick of you right now because your breath stinks’. That’s how bad it got on tour. We were upset about anything and everything.”

For the full story, and to find out how making new album Brand New Eyes brought them back together, be sure to pick up a copy of this week’s K!

30 Seconds To Mars will release their new studio album, This Is War with not one, not two, not 200, but 2,000 different covers!

In what is an innovative and exciting - but possibly quite mental - move the band are inviting fans to upload photos to be used for the covers via their official website.

The move follows the band holding summits earlier this year in the US, Australia, Italy, Germany, France, Japan, Mexico, Canada and the UK where fans were able to record backing vocals which will be used on the album.