Jam band the String Cheese Incident [ tickets ] has nailed down a Sept. 23 release date for a new studio album titled "Untying the Not."

The set was produced by Youth(Crowded House, The Orb), and will be issued by the band's SCI Fidelity label.

"'Untying the Not' is the biggest musical leap we've ever taken," bassist Keith Moseley said in a statement. "We took some chances and experimented with some ideas we'd never explored before. That's why we decided to work with someone like Youth, who was outside of our normal realm and would push our creativity a bit."

Joshua Gracin, the country-singing U.S. Marine who was the fourth runner-up on this year's edition of Fox-TV's "American Idol" competition, won't be appearing on tour this year with the show's other finalists.

"Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Gracin will not be participating in the 'American Idol' tour as he was unable to complete his required training in the allotted time," a Marines spokesperson said in a statement.

The show will go on with nine of this year's "American Idol" finalists, including top finishers Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken.

Marion "Suge" Knight could be facing another year in prison. He is charged with a parole violation in connection with his recent arrest.

Police told reporters that Knight--apparently unhappy with his parking spot--was nabbed on Friday night (6/27) after allegedly assaulting a parking lot attendant near a Hollywood nightclub.

The Los Angeles Times quoted Knight's attorney as saying, "That's so un-Suge-like to hit somebody. Have you ever seen the size of Suge? If he hit one of those little valets, the guy would be broken."

The California Board of Prison Terms reportedly will decide within 30 days whether Knight's parole will be revoked.

Loudon Wainwright III [ tickets ] releases a new live CD titled "So Damn Happy" on Aug. 19. The set, his first for Sanctuary Records, was recorded in January of 2002 at Largo in Los Angeles and at the Mystic Theater in Petaluma, CA.

Featured on the disc are Richard Thompson (guitar), Van Dyke Parks (piano), David Mansfield (guitar/fiddle/mandolin) and Wainwright's daughter Martha Wainwright (vocals).

Hoobastank [ tickets ] will play a July 15 benefit show at The Canyon in Agoura Hills, CA, to raise money for the new Alice C. Stelle Middle School in the group's hometown of Calabasas, CA.

According to a press release, "the school is set to open in the fall but is now facing financial roadblocks due to California's $38 billion deficit and cutbacks in the educational system."

The benefit aims to raise funds to help buy musical instruments, PE equipment, science labs, computers and other supplies for the upcoming school year.