THE VERVE are back in the news this weekend. As we reported earlier, not only did the Wigan lads lose the opening act for their upcoming US tour (Massive Attack bowed out due to "scheduling conflicts"), but they also lost lead guitarist Nick McCabe, who has chosen to take a sabbatical from touring due to "stress". Well, The Verve's camp has now announced that in the wake of McCabe's departure from the live stage, the band is attempting to quickly assemble a string section and a session steel guitarist to join them on the road.

Okay, we can now confirm that MASSIVE ATTACK have dropped out of the plagued VERVE tour of the States. The Verve's US booking agent, Marty Diamond of Little Big Man, told Sonicnet's Music News of the World today that Massive Attack were dropping out due to unknown "scheduling issues" and that a replacement is currently being decided upon.

Rumor: Nick McCabe quits the Verve!! There have been several unconfirmed reports from fans and even radio stations. Verve are supposed to continue their US tour with a replacement which starts on July 28. The Verve has always been plagued with bad luck and thing is just another example. So far the US tour has been victim to cancelled shows, poor ticket sales, rescheduled venues, Massive Attack dropping out from the opening slot, and now the genious behind the music is gone. We can only hope that this rumor is false.

We now have CONFIRMATION on earlier rumours regarding THE VERVE. NME has today confirmed that Verve guitarist Nick McCabe is pulling out of all remaining live commitments for the remainder of 1998, due to "stress of touring." This includes the Verve's American tour, which is scheduled to start later this month. The Verve will play these dates as a four-piece, NOT with a replacement as reported elsewhere. There has thus far been NO comment as to whether or not McCabe's actions today will result in a permanent separation from the band.

First off, we can now confirm/expand on two previously stated stories. THE VERVE have indeed pulled out of the Tibetan Freedom Fest. NME reports that bassist Simon Jones collapsed directly following a show in Germany. The band has flown home to England to await medical test results, and hope to restart the tour as soon as possible.

Unconfirmed Rumor! Word on the street is that some or all of The Verve U.S. tour for this summer will be postponed due to scheduling conflicts. We will keep you posted as we hear more.

Here's a bit of a concert tour newsflash for everybody: It was announced today that THE VERVE are returning to the States for a summer arena tour, with no less than Bristol crusaders MASSIVE ATTACK in tow as an opening act. The Attack's new album comes out within a couple of
weeks, and critics everywhere are already calling it one of 1998's Albums of the Year. Gee, if only there were a way to hear it early... hmm... (hint hint - look for the flame.)