Monday Morning Newsletter (11-24-08)

Weeks after the election, politics continues to cling to rock n roll. Velvet Revolver guitarist Slash has spoken out on gay marriage this week. He released a video protesting Proposition 8 in the state of California. In the video Slash plays The Star-Spangled Banner on guitar in the background while his wife, Perla Hudson, narrates. Unexpectedly California banned gay marriage by ballot in the November 4 election.

Rumor has it that internationally renowned pederast Michael Jackson has converted to Islam and changed his name to Mikaeel. The 50-year-old singer reportedly became a Muslim in a ceremony at the home of Steve Porcaro in Los Angeles. His brother Jermaine Jackson has previously hinted at the conversion. Jermaine converted in 1989. the brothers had been raised as Jehovah’s witnesses.

This week pop heiress Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz bore their first child. The couple named him Bronx Mowgli Wentz.The child was named for the infamous Los Angeles Hardcore band “The Bronx”. He was born Thursday night, and weighed in at 7 pounds, 11 ounces. Rumors of paternity abound.

Acid Tiger, the side project of Converge's Ben Koller has posted two new tracks from their impending first album on MySpace. The tracks were recorded at Godcity Studios by Converge guitarist Kurt Ballou at Godcity Studios in Salem, Massachusetts.

Today Capitol Records releases the expanded version of Coldplay's Viva La Vida. The two-disc package includes the Viva La Vida album plus a brand new EP entitled Prospekt's March. The EP includes six new songs plus alternate versions of two album tracks: "Lost +" (with Jay-Z) and a remix of "Lovers in Japan."

Former Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker is suing the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. The Goodyear Company owned the plane and were responsible for maintenance. Barker's suit claims the companies improperly operated and maintained the Learjet that nearly killed him. He seeks $25,000 in damages and a $75,000 stipend for tattoo removal.

The infamous Cavern Club in Liverpool England has removed Gary Glitter's Brick from it’s wall. Originally management refused to remove the brick for historical reasons. But after complaints and renrewed press on the pedophile, the club opted to chisel it out. It has been replaced by a new brick bearing the name of the Mighty Wah's lead singer Pete Wylie.