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Fred Durst

Van Morrison inks album, label deal with EMI

Van Morrison's next release, a live performance of his 1968 album "Astral Weeks," will be issued on Listen to the Lion Records, Morrison's own label under a new deal with EMI Music, according to a press release. The album, which is scheduled for an early 2009 release, was recorded live at the Hollywood Bowl in November.

Briefly: Fred Durst, Less Than Jake, Coolio, The Kinleys, Jeff Buckley, Virgin Megastores

Fred Durst's Interscope Records imprint Flawless, in a venture with garageband.com, is looking for new talent. People can go to garageband.com's website and vote for their favorite bands. The 11 winners will perform in cities where the "Back to Basics" tour, featuring Durst's band Limp Bizkit, is playing. Representatives from Flawless will attend the winners' performances.

Assault Charges Dropped Against Fred Durst

A Minnesota judge has dismissed disorderly conduct and simple assault charges against Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst. The decision puts an end to the criminal proceedings that stemmed from a 1999 onstage scuffle, following which a security guard accused Durst of kicking him in the head.

Interview: Les Claypool

When Primus sat down and tried to pick a producer for its recently released LP "Anti-Pop," bassist/singer Les Claypool said that the threesome was stumped and couldn't think of any one person who could adequately capture the eclectic swings that the band's bottom-heavy tunes take.

Primus' "Anti-Pop" Tour Is Underway

Primus, which filled slots on the bills of Ozzfest and the Family Values Tour earlier this year, has embarked on a headlining tour to support their album "Anti-Pop" (Interscope). The band's current outing opened last week in Cleveland, and will conclude with a Nov. 30 show in Las Vegas.