Rise Against has announced dates for their fall headlining tour, which kicks off October 2 in Cleveland, OH. The tour wraps up in Detroit on November 23. The trek coincides with the release of the band’s new album, Appeal To Reason, which is due out October 7. The band will hit clubs and theaters around the country with supporting acts Akaline Trio, Thrice and The Gaslight Anthem. Tickets for the tour go on sale nationally beginning Friday, August 8.

David Byrne and Brian Eno will release their new album, Everything That Happens Will Happen Today, digitally via their own Web site, EverythingThatHappens.com on August 18. A CD release is expected later this year as well. As previously reported, Byrne will hit the road this fall to tour in support of the record, playing new material and Talking Heads classics recorded with Eno.

As previously reported, Paul McCartney joined Billy Joel onstage during the latter’s final performance at Shea Stadium. However, the performance may not have occurred if it were not for the hard work of air traffic control and the police department. When Joel took the stage to begin the concert, McCartney was still on a flight from London to New York. "It was crazy. I’d been on a plane for hours and had no idea how far into the show Billy was," the ex-Beatle told Rolling Stone. "The pilot had been keeping us informed of how we were doing time-wise and we found out later that air traffic control had worked hard to ensure we landed on time, but then there was still going to be the traffic to negotiate in order to make it for the show." Fortunately for McCartney, traffic was not a problem as he had a police escort from JFK Airport to Shea Stadium, making the trip in only 11 minutes. "Billy had no idea I was there. We had just about enough time to find me a guitar strap as I walked on to the stage. I heard the band count the song in and bang there I was, in front of thousands of people playing away."

Heaven And Hell, otherwise known as Black Sabbath with Dio singing, is in the process of recording a new album. "We've got about six or seven new songs," guitarist Tony Iommi told Billboard.com, "and then we stopped to do [The Metal Masters] tour [with Judas Priest]. When we finish that, we'll take a couple of weeks off, then carry on writing." Heaven And Hell has signed a deal with Rhino, the label that just released their new box set, and hopes to have the album out "as soon as we can," according to Iommi, most likely in 2009.

Liz Phair’s new album is currently in the final stages of recording. The yet to be titled album will be the singer’s first release with ATO. "This I can tell you: all my sloppiness is in there,” Phair told Billboard of her new record. "The best way I can describe it is 'natural.' It has mistakes in it. It has layered background vocals of mine that just make an overall slop, but it's perfect slop." Phair also commented on her relationship with her new record label ATO, "They literally look at me and say, 'Here's your budget, don't go over, bring us something good,'" she says. "Even when I was with Matador, combined with other labels, there were so many chefs in the kitchen. I'm working exactly the way I want to work." Phair is currently playing a handful of live gigs around the country celebrating the deluxe re-release of Exile In Guyville.

Alt-rockers We Are Scientists kick off their U.S. tour tomorrow night (July 29) in Philadelphia, but the band will appear tonight on the Late Show With David Letterman to perform their current single "After Hours" from the new record, Brain Thrust Mastery. The U.S. leg of touring wraps up in Pittsburgh on August 11 and the band will head back overseas into the fall, including six dates opening for R.E.M. in Europe.

Our Lady Peace frontman Raine Maida will release his solo debut, The Hunter's Lullaby, on August 26. Maida will self-release the record via his own Kingnoise Records.