Sound Bites

Music

Nirvana house party out on DVD Although a label spokesperson declined to confirm specifics, Universal Music Enterprises will release a three-CD boxed set from Nirvana in November, according to MTV. Limited editions of the project will include a DVD, which boasts footage of the Kurt Cobain-led band playing at a 1987 house party. The boxed set was originally intended for release in Christmas 2001, to coincide with the 10-year anniversary of Nirvana's breakthrough album, Nevermind. But surviving members Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic were thwarted by lawsuits from Cobain's widow Courtney Love, who objected to their planned use of the previously unreleased track "You Know You're Right" in the set.

New Wilco book to come with CD The Wilco Book will come out November 15 and will feature an exclusive bonus CD with 12 previously unreleased songs recorded during sessions for this year's Nonesuch album, according to Rolling Stone. The 160-page book sports previously unseen images of Wilco by photographer Michael Schmelling, essays from band members and authors such as Rick Moody, paintings and assorted other visual images. Fans who pre-order the book from Wilco's official Web site by Sept. 30 will be eligible to win an autographed reprint of a photo from the volume.

Stefani goes solo and collaborates Gwen Stefani will be releasing an album on her own, but it's not a solo album, according to MTV.com. "The whole idea was to collaborate," says Stefani. "To do a solo record means trying to pour my heart out, which I feel like I already do in No Doubt. This is more of an art project. I wanted to play different roles and work with a ton of people." The lineup she recruited is as all-star as they come: Dallas Austin looks to his past work with Pink and TLC for a dance feel, Dr. Dre and the Neptunes bring the hip-hop beats, and Martin Gore, Dave Stewart and New Order provide New Wave authenticity. "I knew exactly what my influences were - Club Nouveau, Lisa Lisa, Prince, New Order, the Cure, early Madonna," says Stefani. "Everybody was under strict instructions." The album will be released November 23rd.

Newest U2 song to appear soon U2 will commercially release its new single, "Vertigo," November 8 internationally via Interscope, according to Billboard. The disc will be available in two CD formats as well as a DVD, alternately featuring the new track "Are You Gonna Wait Forever?," a cover of Kraftwerk's "Neon Lights" and a Jacknife Lee remix of "Vertigo." In addition, the DVD sports a live performance of "Vertigo" taped at the band's Hanover Quay Studio in Dublin, plus a gallery of photos recently shot in Lisbon, Portugal, by Anton Corbijn.

McCartney to perform at benefit Paul McCartney, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tony Bennett, Sonic Youth, Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals, Los Lonely Boys and Tegan & Sara will join event founder Neil Young on the bill for the 18th annual Bridge School Benefit, according to Billboard. The shows will be held October 23 and 24 at Shoreline Amphitheatre outside San Francisco. Performing as part of Bridge School's traditional acoustic format will be unfamiliar to a number of the artists, particularly McCartney. The former Beatle will be offering what is believed to be his first acoustic set since a 1991 taping for MTV Unplugged, which was later released on CD.

Movies and Television

Cruise to make $360 million for film Movie superstar Tom Cruise has become the highest earning actor in Hollywood history after signing a deal that could earn him a staggering $360 million for his role in War Of The Worlds, according to Imdb.com. Rather than agree a set fee for his part in the Steven Spielberg-directed epic, Cruise will earn 10 per cent of the film's box office takings plus a share of profits from DVDs, video games and toys. Experts predict the film - based on HG Wells' classic novel about a Martian attack - could make $1.8 billion at the cinema alone, of which Cruise's share would be an incredible $180 million. And, if he stars in the two planned sequels, Cruise's earnings will double at least. A Hollywood source says, "No expense will be spared. Spielberg wants to make it the film of the decade - the one that everyone talks about and rushes to see."

FCC fines CBS for Jackson's antics Janet Jackson's televised bare breast flash earlier this year will result in a record $550,000 fine for 20 CBS stations, U.S. Federal Communications Commission officials said, according to Billboard. The five FCC commissioners have voted to accept a staff recommendation to fine the 20 television stations that CBS owns $27,500 each but let the remaining 200-plus CBS affiliates escape penalty, according to the officials, who declined to be identified.

French president honors Spielberg French president Jacques Chirac has awarded legendary director Steven Spielberg with France's highest honor, for his work fighting hatred and intolerance Spielberg was made a knight of the French Legion Of Honor on Sunday at a star-studded ceremony in Paris - Gwyneth Paltrow and Sophie Marceau where among the celebrities in attendance. President Chirac cited Schindler's List as a powerful piece of film-making which has played a huge part in remembering past atrocities along with heroic deeds. He said, "In this difficult time when intolerance, racism, xenophobia, anti- Semitism and fanaticism are on the rise again, it is essential that cinema, which touches each one of us deep inside, recalls the horror of what is unutterable. It is essential that this form of eminently popular expression and creativity reminds everyone of the disastrous effects of hatred, intolerance and the rejection of others." After accepting this latest honor, Spielberg said, "We have to work very, very hard to make people understand that we have to celebrate people's differences and not condemn them."

Maguire fights release of old movie The Sopranos star James Gandolfini was shaken up after he was involved in a hit-and-run accident at the weekend, according to Imdb.com. The Emmy-winning actor was driving to a college football game when his sports utility vehicle was hit by a drink driver in New Brunswick, New Jersey, after the other motorist ignored a red stop light. Gandolfini's aides insist the actor wasn't hurt in the collision.