*** No Doubts star Gwen Stefani is to release her long-awaited solo album. The record, which Stefani defines as "an arts project", will see collaborations from The Neptunes, Dr. Dre, New Order, Depeche Mode's Martin Gore and Dave Stewart. The as-yet-entitled album, originally called What You Waiting For?, will be released on November 23.
*** Ash are considering releasing an acoustic album. Bassist Mark Hamilton has said that the Irish trio is planning to record the new materials in February, but might release some previously written songs first. Hamilton: "We might just get them out there. Just one for the fans". Ash will be back on the road with The Darkness after taking September off.
*** Oasis wont be releasing their new album this Year. Songwriter Noel Gallagher has said that the band is postponing their plan to hit the stores this autumn, after the new songs went down poorly at the Glastonbury Festival. "We hope to have a new album out in February/March 2005", said Gallagher. The first single is likely to be out by February.
*** Jet drummer Chris Cester has started a public fight with Britney Spears and Jessica Simpson. When asked about the trios follow up to the successful debut album Get Born, Cester said: "We want to get Britney Spears and Jessica Simpson to guest on our new album. We want as many talentless people as possible". The Australian quartet is planning to start recording their new album in early 2005.
*** Franz Ferdinand have decided to set a strict "groupie ban" on their aftershow parties. "We are really not into the whole sex thing with groupies", said frontman Alex Kapranos. "We've all got girlfriends, Paul is married, Nick has just got engaged. I've seen a lot of guys in bands around young girls and I think all that stuff can get a bit ugly."
'HK'