BLACK CROWES too loud. According to Sonicnet, a nineteen-year-old from Ohio is suing the BLACK CROWES for permanent hearing damage he claims to have suffered following one of their performances over a year ago. He wants his diagnosis of "tinnitus" compensated for, asking the CROWES to shake their money makers to the tune of $385,000.

LIMP BIZ and SWIZZ BEATZ. LIMP BIZKIT is in the studio working on their next album, tentatively titled Limpdependence Day. MTV News reports that the band has enlisted the hip-hop Ruff Ryders producer SWIZZ BEATZ (whose "beatz" can be heard on the latest from JAY-Z, DMX, and EVE) for a track or two. Limpdependence Day is, of course, scheduled for release July 4.

RAGE AGAINST solo projects. NME reports that the political-punk rock band RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE's frontman, Zack de la Rocha, is working on a solo album. De la Rocha is said to be teaming up with producer EL-P from the rap group COMPANY FLOW, for several of the tracks. No word yet on release dates and guest appearances on any of the tunes.

Compiled by Glennie Rabin
News Editor