A MUSIC ROUNDUP FOR THE LADIES

BUILDING THE PERFECT BASTARD
Newsmaker Courtney Love unveiled Thursday (3/8) the lineup of her new band, to be called Bastard, on Hole's official website, Carrie Borzillo-Vrenna's allstarmag.com reported first. Love, who will sing and play lead guitar, has enlisted Veruca Salt guitarist-vocalist Louise Post, former Hole drummer Patty Schemel and Rockit Girl bassist Gina Crosley to join Bastard's ranks. Bastard hopes "to make a South of France, AC/DC, fuck-off record" for new label Epitaph, Love said. Wonderers are wondering exactly what the hell that statement means.

SPORTY'S FREE AGENCY
Sporty Spice has exercised her right to free agency. Melanie Chisholm told Reuters Thursday (3/8) that she does not plan to work with the Spice Girls again, and will instead focus on her solo career. Chisholm said that she "has not been comfortable being in the Spice Girls for probably the last two years. It doesn't really feel that natural to me anymore. I've grown up, and I just feel that I want to do things my own way and not compromise." Chisholm's exit could be the final nail in the coffin for the British group that sold 38 million albums since 1995, as the group's other members have also had a taste of solo life. Sporty's "Northern Star" was by far the most successful among the girls, selling about 2.5 million copies worldwide—although U.S. record buyers predominantly ignored its release. "I no longer have to split my money five ways," she was overheard saying. "And the other Spices' penchant for wearing my clothing and using my makeup really started to get on my nerves."

A NIGHT AT THE OPERA?
Just one week before their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Queen has granted permission for their songs to be used—and will participate—in the production of a stage musical. In an interview with London radio station Capital Gold, guitarist/founding member Brian May said the band is indeed working with playwright Ben Elton on a show. "The rumor is that we're doing a musical, which is true," May said Wednesday (3/7). "Elton has written us a fantastic script." While details of the musical's plot were not revealed, May said the production is not about the band itself but uses Queen's songs in the telling of an original story. "Freddie [Mercury] often spoke of being Broadway bound," a know-it-all said. "This would be his dream come true."