Chad Hanks, bassist and principal songwriter of the Minneapolis metal band American Head Charge, has died of an undisclosed illness at age 46. Founded in the 1990s, American Head Charge surged in popularity during the nü metal boom of the early 2000s. Their 2001 album This War of Art was recorded at Rick Rubin’s L.A. mansion, and released on the superproducer's American Recordings label. A benefit and tribute show had been already scheduled for First Avenue on Nov. 26; that show will now also be a memorial. (Star Tribune)

The music world is also mourning singer-songwriter Fred Cole, best known as frontman of the Portland underground rock group Dead Moon, who has died of cancer at age 69. Dead Moon's fuzzy garage rock won them fans among groups like Pearl Jam and Japandroids, both of which have covered Dead Moon songs. (Billboard)

Today's Prince estate dispute news

In 2015, Prince made a deal with Tidal, JAY-Z’s music streaming service. A year and a half since Prince's death, the precise terms of that deal are still being fought over. The estate says Prince just made a short-term deal for a single new album, while Tidal says the deal encompassed much more music and extended for a longer period of time.

The estate is now saying that a document produced by Tidal is "fabricated and back-dated to appear authentic." As Billboard reports, the exact terms of the deal were hashed out in phone calls between Prince and JAY-Z, and the estate is trying to get its hands on e-mails with subject lines including "P would like to speak with J" and "Can u tell P to call right back for 1 second J has 1 question they just got off."

Meanwhile, Comerica Bank & Trust has filed a raft of documents challenging the claims of some Prince heirs that the bank has mismanaged the late icon's interests. "In the most detailed documents about the musician's estate to date," notes the Star Tribune, "Comerica revealed the painstaking efforts that have been made to protect his music and other intellectual property. The bank estimated it has already prevented the illegal sale of more than $50 million in music, videos, T-shirts and other Prince merchandise."

Breeders promise new album in 2018

The Breeders — who just played the Xcel Energy Center as openers for Arcade Fire — are promising a new album in 2018. The news broke via Kim Deal’s appearance on Marc Maron’s podcast, where she also revealed that Steve Albini is involved with the upcoming album. (Pitchfork)

Brand New frontman acknowledges sexual misconduct

Jesse Lacey, frontman of the emo rock band Brand New, has acknowledged the truth of allegations that he engaged in sexual misconduct with a minor in the early 2000s. Lacey has released a statement that reads, in part, "I do not stand in defense of myself nor do I forgive myself. I was selfish, narcissistic, and insensitive in my past, and there are a number of people who have had to shoulder the burden of my failures."

As Consequence of Sound notes, "A woman named Elizabeth Garey has accused Lacey of soliciting nudes from her when she was just 15 and he was 24." Since Lacey's statement, another woman has come forward with similar accusations, and Brand New have postponed an upcoming tour.

Billy Corgan defends Nickelback

Not many bands have as many fans as Nickelback, but possibly no band has as many haters. You know who's not among them? Billy Corgan. The Smashing Pumpkins leader recently appeared on a podcast where he mentioned that he loves Nickelback.

Corgan called Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger "an incredible songwriter" and went on to say about the Canadian rockers, "I don't know enough about their world, but I don't think there's anything wrong if that's who you want to be. Pop is predicated on satisfying. I've said many times pop is porn. It's porn, they want to get you off. It's just how they're going to get you off. I'm not that concerned with getting you off, I'm just not." (Exclaim)