MTV News Round-Up 19/03/2004

*** Peter Andre is on the verge of signing a 1million record deal, according to reports. The comeback king is said to be joining East West Records and his next release will, of course, be 'Insania'. The deal comes six years after Peter last had a UK record deal, and weeks before his tour kicks off June 15 in Nottingham.

*** Guitarist Buckethead has quit Guns N' Roses, apparently fed up with Axl Rose constantly delaying the release of the band's 'Chinese Democracy' album. A member of the band for four years, Buckethead has quit several times before but always returned to the fold. The guitarist, who is best known for wearing a fried chicken bucket on his head, will focus on solo projects.

*** Wu Tang Clan have joined the impressive line-up for this year's Oxegen Festival in Ireland, formerly known as Witnness. RZA, GZA, Method Man, Ghostface Killa and Raekwon will perform at the event at Punchestown Racecourse on July 10-11 alongside N.E.R.D, Pink, The Darkness, The Strokes, Massive Attack, David Bowie and others.

*** Spandau Ballet are tipped to be the next 80s band to reform, following Duran Duran's successful comeback. All five members, led by Gary and Martin Kemp, are set to sign a new record deal, release an album and embark on an extensive tour, according to reports. Spandau Ballet had eight top ten hits between 1980 and 1986, including 'Gold' and 'True'.

*** Two members of Latino hip-hop collective Ozomatli were arrested after an incident outside a nightclub in Texas. The band attempted to continue a successful gig outside the Exodus nightclub; police ordered the band and fans to return to the club and then used pepper spray on the crowd. Percussionist Jiro Yamaguchi and bassist Willy Abers were arrested and charged with failure to obey the order of a police officer, among other things.

*** U2 have recruited producer Jacknife Lee to work on their forthcoming album. The former Pussyfoot artist, best known for his 2003 remix of Run DMCs 'Its Tricky', will work alongside producer Steve Lillywhite in Dublin on the as-yet-unnamed album. According to Lee, progress on the LP, recently described by The Edge as "very raw rock'n'roll", is "going really well". Lillywhite last worked with U2 on 'War', back in the early eighties.

DL