MTV News Round Up 12/03/2004

*** Oasis have enlisted Ringo Starr's son, Zak Starkey, to drum on their forthcoming album. The band has been without a drummer for several months since the departure of Alan White. Until now, Noel Gallagher had been drumming on the band's demos for the follow-up to 'Heathen Chemistry'.

*** The Strokes are to headline this year's V Festival. The band are also on the line-ups for T In The Park and Oxegen festivals. "I've never played there and I don't like mud, so that sounds good," said guitarist Albert Hammond, adding: "We just thought it would be more exciting to play stuff we hadn't played before, you know?"

*** Former Crazy Town guitarist Rust Epique has died of a heart attack aged 33. After parting company with Crazy Town " who enjoyed huge success with their single 'Butterflies' back in 2000 - Epique started the band Pre)thing, who were set to release their debut album '22nd Century Style' in April. Epique died in Las Vegas.

*** Ol' Dirty Bastard has denied he is quitting Wu Tang Clan, insisting he "will never leave" the legendary hip-hop collective. Despite reports that the rapper is concentrating on breaking into movies and his Dirty clothing line, ODB's spokesperson insisted he was still part of the Clan. "Dirty never left Wu, he will never leave Wu and his album has five songs produced by The RZA.

*** Coldplay's Chris Martin has teamed up with Ash to record a song for the soundtrack to forthcoming zombie movie 'Shaun Of The Dead'. The track is a cover of 'Everybody's Happy Nowadays' by Irish rockers Buzzcocks. The movie will hit UK cinemas on April 9.

*** Jamelia is keen to collaborate with her mate Justin Hawkins from The Darkness, according to tabloid reports. "Hes top of my list of people to hook up with," said the R&B vocalist. "We make each other laugh and Ive got massive respect for his songwriting. I really am a huge rock fan." Jamelia has previously teamed up with Coldplay's Chris Martin in the writing of one of her album tracks.

DL