Kelly Osbourne's former boyfriend Bert McCracken and his band The Used have been banned from performing in Canada for a decade due to the frontman's criminal record.

The group has been forced to scrap a Canadian tour after McCracken was denied entry into the country earlier this month.

He tells Rolling Stone magazine, "They won't let me in. They said not for 10 years. It's weird, they're like, 'You need to rehabilitate these crimes before you come back to Canada.' I'm like, 'What does that mean?'"

The rocker insists Canadian authorities have blown his past indiscretions out of proportion...

This edition of the Review Rundown features reviews from Xiu Xiu, Useless ID, the Used, Halestorm, and Fall From Grace.

File Under: Irreverent Dissonance (Huh?)

Xiu Xiu – Always (Polyvinyl/Bella Union): Xiu Xiu frontman and brainchild Jaime Stewart sets the manic depressive rollercoaster into motion right from the get-go on the bands eighth studio album Always, an album that should effectively entertain as many people as it enrages, most notably with the incredibly controversial track “I Luv Abortion,” which boasts the lyric set ‘When I look at my thighs I see death/It's great!/I love abo...

The Almost are back with "Monster Monster", the follow-up to their hit 2007 album, "Southern Weather". While Monster is technically their second album, some might view it as being their first true album because "Southern Weather" was written completely by lead singer, Aaron Gillespie - both lyrically and musically. But this time around Gillespie has a band of warrior musicians around him and they worked in collaboration to make the new disc.

Monster is a terrific - fun filled pop record that is reminiscent to the Blink-182 and Sugar Ray-fun sound of the late 90s - except The Almost appe...

The music festival season is upon us! Line-ups, dates and venues are continuously being announced for this summer's crop of festivals. Here's the lowdown on some of the biggest American musical smorgasbords:

Warped Tour

Location: U.S. and Canada

Dates: June 26-August 23

Band Highlights: Less Than Jake, NOFX, Forever the Sickest Kids

Celebrating it's 15th anniversary, the Vans Warped Tour is set to begin and end it's journey in California, conquering other locations in the U.S. and Canada in between. In the past few years, the Warped Tour seems to have shied away from big-na...

The wait is over! Hook Me Up, the new electro-rock dance friendly album from The Veronicas, is finally in stores! Released digitally earlier this year through Sire Records, the sophomore sizzler showcases Aussie twin sisters Lisa and Jessica Origliasso's expert songcraft, organic vocal chemistry, and sophisticated sensibilities.

The super-hot duo is currently on the road playing a string of select dates with the Jonas Brothers on their "Burning Up Tour" and have just announced new shows with Hanson. Head out to your local record store to grab a copy of Hook Me Up or order it from iTu...

Fueled By Ramen recording group Cute Is What We Aim For has made a spectacular chart debut with their second album, "Rotation." The Buffalo, New York-based combo's sophomore outing entered this week's Billboard 200 at #21, with sales exceeding 22,000 copies. In addition, "Rotation" debuts at #10 on the Top Digital Albums Chart and #9 on the Current Alternative Albums Chart. Cute Is What We Aim For are currently in the midst of a cross-country summer headline jaunt. The tour – which sees support from Ace Enders, Danger Radio, and labelmates Powerspace – continues through late-August (see...

Fueled By Ramen recording group Cute Is What We Aim For have revealed details of their eagerly anticipated sophomore outing. Entitled "Rotation," the album will arrive in stores and at all digital retailers on June 24th. "Rotation" is currently available for pre-order via the Fueled By Ramen web store, along with a special Limited Edition CD/DVD package that includes an "In The Studio" documentary, bonus tracks, acoustic performances, photo gallery, and more .

Cute Is What We Aim For will introduce fans to their new songs on a coast-to-coast summer headline jaunt. The tour will h...

The Veronicas are back! The 23-year-old twin sisters from down under have a new album and a new twist to their sound. The pop-punk influences on their award-winning debut album have been updated to an electro-dance sound that is bound to get you on your feet.

Already named a "Breaker Artist" by AOL and called "Australia's rockingest twins" by Blender, The Veronicas have proven to be at the top of their game. Hook Me Up, the girls' sophomore release, has already sold over 130,000 albums in Australia and secured them their first # 1 single.

Lisa and Jessica's vocal chemistry, funky...

The Used frontman Bert McCracken once paid $160 to score some marijuana - but ended up with a bloody tissue instead. The rocker, who comes from a strict Mormon home, recalls how he had a hard time finding the drug in London, scouring Camden Town before he was sold the nasty surprise.

He says, "I once spent £80 on a drop of blood. It was a rolled up block of tape, inside which was more tape, some tissue, some tape, some tissue. I thought I was buying marijuana. Finally got down to the final piece of tissue and it had been stained with a single drop blood. That was pretty weird."

(T...

Due to strong demand from fans, including an online petition, Warner Bros. Records will release Transformers - The Score - a CD of the instrumental music from this summer's blockbuster live-action robot adventure film Transformers.

None of the film's orchestral music, composed by Steve Jablonsky who has also composed music for the hit TV series Desperate Housewives, as well as the films The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Amityville Horror, was included on the official album soundtrack to the film, which was made up of hit songs from Linkin Park, Goo Goo Dolls, Smashing Pumpkins, The U...

June 26, 2007 (Burbank, CA) - Warner Bros. Records will release the original soundtrack to DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures' live-action robot fantasy film TRANSFORMERS on July 3rd, the same day the Michael Bay-directed movie hits theaters nationwide. Transformers: The Album features hit songs from some of the hottest established and emerging rock bands, including Linkin Park, Taking Back Sunday and The Used, as well as brand-new tracks from Goo Goo Dolls, Smashing Pumpkins, Disturbed, HIM, Armor For Sleep, Styles of Beyond, and Mute Math, who contribute an electronic remake of th...

The Used rocker Bert McCracken has been forced to cancel the group's summer tour dates after doctors ordered him to rest his vocal chords and undergo surgery. Medics have discovered a node on one of his vocal chords and have recommended treatment and rest for the next month.

The news has prompted The Used to scrap shows planned for June and July, which means they'll no longer be taking part in the Van's Warped Tour.

Doctors are expecting a full recovery and insist McCracken, who once dated Kelly Osbourne, will be able to sing again in "about five weeks".

In a statement, McCr...

Transformers – The Album will be released on July 3. The album features 9 brand new songs from today's hottest bands. Here's the Official Track Listing:

1. Linkin Park "What I've Done"

2. Smashing Pumpkins "Doomsday Clock"

3. Disturbed "This Moment"

4. Goo Goo Dolls "Before It's Too Late (Sam and Mikaela's Theme)"

5. The Used "Pretty Handsome Awkward"

6. HIM "Passion's Killing Floor"

7. Taking Back Sunday "What It Feels Like To Be A Ghost?"

8. Styles Of Beyond "Second To None"

9. Armor For Sleep "End Of The World"

10. Idiot Pilot "Retina and the Sky"

11. Julien-K ...

Maroon 5 have scored their bestselling week on the Billboard 200 album chart in America, stealing the top spot from Linkin Park with 429,000 sales of their new album It Won't Be Soon Before Long.

The group leads a pack of high new entries, with Ozzy Osbourne landing his highest debut on the U.S. countdown at number three with Black Rain and troubled rapper Young Jeezy's new album, Cold Summer, crashing in at four.

Linkin Park's Minutes to Midnight drops a place to two on the new chart, while The Used's Lies for the Liars is the fourth highest debut of the week - at five.

Els...

Reprise Records will release the third album from The Used, Lies For The Liars, on May 22. The band -- which features singer Bert McCracken, guitarist Quinn Allman, bassist Jeph Howard, and new drummer Dan Whitesides -- began writing the songs on Lies in early 2006 after taking time off to decompress from a relentless touring schedule in support of its previous album, 2004's Top 10, gold-certified In Love and Death. Needing a change of pace, McCracken moved from the band's hometown of Orem, Utah, to Los Angeles, where he says he discovered "the most fake people I had ever come across on the...

30 Seconds To Mars lead singer Jared Leto broke his nose while performing with his band in Texas on Thursday night. The 35-year-old singer/actor was playing a gig in El Paso when he ran into the crowd and was rushed by fans. Leto also hurt his foot and suffered minor injuries to his face and body.

According to MTV News, Leto managed to finish the show and even called it one of the best of the tour. After completing the concert he checked into hospital to make sure he wouldn't need surgery for any of his injuries.

Tour organizer Kevin Lyman says, "I've been producing shows for 25...

Happy Birthday to actress/singer Samantha Mumba (1983), guitarist Quinn Allman and vocalist Bert McCracken of The Used (1982), KoRn singer Jonathan Davis (1971), rapper DJ Quik (1970), "Law & Order" actor Jesse L. Martin (1969), WWE wrestler Batista (1966), late night comedian Dave Attell (1965), legendary Canadian hockey star Mark Messier (1961), "Open Range" star Kevin Costner (1955), Temptations singer David Ruffin (1941; d. 1991), actor Danny Kaye (1913; d. 1987), silver screen star Cary Grant (1904; d. 1986), comedic actor Oliver Hardy (1892; d. 1957), and "Winnie the Pooh" author A.A....

Jared Leto turned down the opportunity to star in Clint Eastwood's upcoming war movie Flags Of Our Fathers to open for The Used on tour. Leto has no regrets turning down the legendary film-maker, because he had already committed to promoting his band 30 Seconds To Mars' second album A Beautiful Lie.

He says, "I look back at the things I had to say no to, and no one in their right mind... Clint Eastwood wanted me for Flags Of Our Fathers last year. And I had to say no, because we were booked to open for The Used. It wasn't even the main support slot, but the third band on the bill. Peo...

Los Angeles modern rock band The Exies have signed with Eleven Seven Music to release their forthcoming album, "A Modern Way Of Living With The Truth," the band's first studio album in two years. The Exies first two studio albums (Inertia & Head for the Door, Virgin Records), have yielded such hits songs as "Ugly" and "My Goddess." The new studio album on Eleven Seven Music will be part of the label's "upstreaming" business model with ADA and is slated for release in March of 2007. Eleven Seven's model was proven to work via the label's inaugural release (Buckcherry's new album 15) whic...

Jamie Kennedy will serve as host for the first-ever televised "fuse Fangoria Chainsaw Awards" to be held Sunday, October 15, at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles. Categories include: "Best Butcher (Villain)," "Chick You Don't Want to Mess With," "Creepiest Kid," "Prince of Darkness (Darkest Male in a Music Video)," "Best Video Inspired By A Horror Film" and "Femme Fatale (Most Evil Female Character in a Music Video)."

Buzz bands 30 Seconds To Mars and Avenged Sevenfold have signed on to lead the list of acts to perform during the telecast. Rob Zombie and his actress wife Sheri Moon Zo...

Drummer Branden Steineckert has been kicked out of The Used midway through the recording of the group's third album. In a joint statement, bandmates Bert McCracken, Jeph Howard and Quinn Allman have confirmed Steineckert's departure, explaining they felt the need to move forward without him.

The statement reads, "We wish Branden well, and owe a great deal of gratitude towards him for his hard work over the years. We could not have gotten this far without him. We all wish much happiness and success in Branden's future endeavors (sic) - wherever they may lead."

The Utah-based grou...

30 Seconds to Mars (actor Jared Leto's band) embark on their very first official headlining tour ever. The tour, christened "Forever Night Never Day" will begin March 4th in Salt Lake City with dates running through April 30th in San Francisco.

The anthemic first single from the band's latest release, "A Beautiful Lie," "Attack," (click here to watch the "Attack" video) quickly became a staple at alternative radio and on FUSE; The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel called it "complex enough to be interesting, but readily accessible for people who just want to rock out." The second single, "The...

In conjunction with the kick-off of this year's Taste of Chaos Tour, WARCON Enterprises has announced a January 24th release date for The Best of the Taste of Chaos, a two-disc compilation that features an onslaught of music from the biggest and best bands in the punk/metal scene.

Being hailed as the most definitive post-hardcore collection to ever be assembled, The Best of the Taste of Chaos includes 36 songs comprising unreleased tracks, rare outtakes and special songs from such heavy hitters as Story of the Year, The Deftones, The Used, Killswitch Engage and more.

The perfect...

Happy Birthday to actress/singer Samantha Mumba (1983), guitarist Quinn Allman and vocalist Bert McCracken of The Used (1982), KoRn singer Jonathan Davis (1971), rapper DJ Quik (1970), "Law & Order" actor Jesse L. Martin (1969), WWE wrestler Batista (1966), late night comedian Dave Attell (1965), legendary Canadian hockey star Mark Messier (1961), "Open Range" star Kevin Costner (1955), Temptations singer David Ruffin (1941; d. 1991), actor Danny Kaye (1913; d. 1987), silver screen star Cary Grant (1904; d. 1986), comedic actor Oliver Hardy (1892; d. 1957), and "Winnie the Pooh" author A.A....