Not happy news to report, but we HAVE had it confirmed to be true: The upcoming US tour from the MANIC STREET PREACHERS has been cancelled. The official word is "due to a serious illness in the family." Hopefully, the dates will be rescheduled as soon as possible, but for now, it's all off.

Yet another band split to report on: MTV Europe is confirming the recent rumours that Mushroom has left MASSIVE ATTACK due to creative differences with co-founders 3D and Daddy G. From what we can ascertain, the group will continue as a duo and retain the Massive Attack name (the shrunken line-up has already played some festival dates this month in Europe.)

Not UK-indie related at all, but worth commenting on: The editors and staff at Excellent Online send their condolences and love to the family and friends of MARK SANDMAN, frontman of the seminal Boston band MORPHINE, who died of an apparant heart attack while performing Saturday night. The band were two numbers into their set at a music fest in Rome when Sandman collapsed to the stage floor. Doctors in the crowd attempted to revive the stricken singer, but Sandman was pronounced dead upon arrival at hospital.

Odd remake alert: NME is reporting today that the new single from TRICKY, due July 26, will include an unlikely cover version of M's classic electro/disco track, "Pop Muzik" on the flipside. The single, "For Real," is the first release from Tricky's forthcoming album, "Juxtapose."

Crispian Mills of KULA SHAKER suffered minor injuries when he was mobbed by fans in Japan, NME is reporting. There's little danger of that happening again here in the states where Kula Shaker will be touring in July. Click on 'Tours' for full details.

CDnow is reporting that SUEDE are currently planning only one U.S. show in support of their new album, "Head Music", with that show expected to take place on the east coast. The location and other details have yet to be announced.

Yet another Day the Music Died, as SPIRITUALIZED have split up in the strangest of circumstances. Lead guitarist Mike Mooney, drummer Damon Reese, and bassist Sean Cook were abruptly sacked from the band this week by frontman Jason Pierce (while keyboardist Kate Radley, once girlfriend of Pierce and now wife of Richard Ashcroft, apparantly left the band prior to this week's actions.) The sacked members were notified this week by nothing more than a legal document seeking to terminate their "contract" with Pierce.

THE CHARLATANS are ready for an active second half of 1999. Following festival appearances this summer, the band returns with a new single in August and an album in September. The album is reportedly in the final stages of mixing. In other Charlatans news, their former accountant has pled guilty to stealing about $ 500,000 from the band and will be spending a little time in the big house.

MARION have called it a day, following the chaos surrounding the release of their second album, The Program. Originally the album was to be released in the UK by London Records last year. When it looked as if the label was more keen on dropping the band than releasing the record, Marion shopped the album around to other distributors.

Yep, it's been a quiet week in the world of music, folks. You know it's rough when the top story of the week is LIAM GALLAGHER staying sober. About every magazine and website on the planet has been documenting the strict no-booze policy set to the Oasis frontman by brother NOEL. Today, Dotmusic is reporting that Liam's seats for this weekend's Man City match are indeed in the tee-totaller section. Look in the sky for four horsemen, appearing at an apocalyse near you.