Newsbites: Former Cro-Mag in band assault

Not on agenda: David Coverdale

Part of New York City’s CBGB Festival was cancelled at the weekend when former Cro-Mags bassist Harley Flanagan attacked members of the band’s current lineup and stabbed at least two people. He sustained a broken leg during his assault and was changed with second-degree assault and carrying a concealed weapon while he waited for medical attention in hospital. Police cancelled the rest of the event in Webster Hall. Cro-Mags frontman John Joseph told the audience: “You can thank Harley Flanagan for ruining the night for everyone.” Event organisers added: “Live music can be incredibly uplifting, empowering and positive. We don’t feel the actions of one person should overshadow four amazing days and nights of events.” [NY Daily News]

Amen frontman Casey Chaos has been charged with DUI offences after being arrested in Studio City, California, for mowing his SUV into at least 12 parked cars. Police say he abandoned his vehicle and hid at home, where he was detained and found to be just above the legal limit of blood alcohol. [TMZ]

Whitesnake are not currently working on a new studio album, says mainman David Coverdale. Responding to rumours he says: “We are mixing and editing a live album and a separate in-concert DVD, plus mixing expanded editions of Into The Light and Restless Heart. But definitely not a whole new studio album – quite simply we wouldn’t have time to write and record. It was never on our agenda for 2012.”

Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante believes there’s no such thing as the music industry any longer. He says: “Basically you’re out there on your own. The thing that sucks about the young kids is they think music is free and they shouldn’t have to pay for it.” [Denver Westword]

Ex Guns n’Roses bassist Duff McKagan admits he understands why he’s still being asked if the band’s classic lineup will ever reform. “It’s the question I get asked most at rock gigs,” he says. “I don’t get annoyed because it’s out of love – they love that lineup. So I get it. I try to answer the best I can: Probably never. But I never say ‘never’. It would be fun. It would have to be for the right reasons.” [KiroTV]

Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry says the band’s arguments over upcoming album Music From Another Dimension have all been healthy – and many of them were with producer Jack Douglas. He reports: “There’s no doubt he has a vision of how things should sound. We fight with Jack and with each other still – but if we didn’t the album would sound like shit. We were trying to prove something, we were fighting over songs. That’s how you make a great album.” [Boston Herald]

Three directors from Roland UK are training for a 926-mile bike ride with an aim to raise £30,000 for Music for All and Children in Need. To help raise money for this worthy cause Boss is giving away every single current Boss compact pedal to one lucky winner – a prize worth more than £4,000. Go here to enter.