RM ROUNDUP: QOTSA, RATM, KINGS OF LEON, JESU, DEFTONES, MOGWAI, REFUSED, FFAF, ALEXISONFIRE... 10:23am, 4 Aug 2010

Last week we brought you news of the next big thing in Avian Rock, GU MEDICINE collaborator Ricky the Penguin. This week, it's the turn of his music critic equivalent...

This week, KINGS OF LEON illustrate their cross-species appeal, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE make a cross-borders appeal and LOVAGE wait on a vocal appeal. There's news of new stuff from JESU, new dates from MOGWAI, and a new zine from FFAF's Matt Davies-Kreye. TIGER PLEASE impress through adversity. MOGWAI plan to do the same, and two classics from REFUSED & QOTSA take our top review spots (now's the time to start making your doomsday predictions for rock, conspiracy theorists). Plus ALEXISONFIRE, FUCKED UP, TIGER PLEASE, REEL BIG FISH, PENDULUM, CATHEDRAL, HORSEBACK, KERRANG! AWARDS and more. Not bad for silly season.

Finally just a wee note that news updates are going to be sporadic for the next couple of weeks, as BossMidget takes her first holiday since 2005, and the RM metamorphosis begins. On the way, there's our SONISPHERE coverage, BILBAO BBK LIVE and BLOODSTOCK, so...

We'll be in touch. Don't be strangers.

Click here for the RM RoundUp

…posted by Ruth Midget

RM hits Leeds Fest 4:39pm, 27 Aug 2010

Yup, we're back again at the Northern leg of this year's Reading and Leeds Festival. Check out the tweets from the weekend's action by following us at @rockmidgets, or at the box below...

…posted by Ruth Midget

Follow us at Bloodstock! 2:08pm, 13 Aug 2010

Get all the RM news from Bloodstock by following @rockmidgets on Twitter - or get the updates at the box below:

…posted by Ruth Midget

FESTIVAL UPDATES: Bloodstock 2010 last minute changes, Fear Factory, Cathedral, Sonisphere, Soundwave 12:43am, 12 Aug 2010

Before we break our coding exile with a trip to Bloodstock Festival, there's just for some updates on that and the rest of the festival gossip...

Last minute changes to Bloodstock Open Air 2010 this weekend. Firstly Behemoth have stepped down, after Nergal was rushed to hospital for an undisclosed condition. Click here for the full statement. October File will also be cancelling after frontman Ben Hollyer aggravated an abdominal injury at Sonisphere Knebworth. Get well soon to the both of them!

The good news is that none other than Cathedral, who recently announced plans for their 20th anniversary shindig in December, will be stepping up to fill in. Winterfylleth replace Octoebr File.

In addition Fear Factory still appear to be going ahead with their European festival dates after this bus fire in Northamptonshire. While the blaze closed two lanes of the motorway, noone was hurt, and their gear trailer was undamaged by the incident - though it seems they had a luck escape, since "the bus is just a metal frame on the side of the road".

Meanwhile, forty fans were injured at Sonisphere Finland last weekend, when the festival experienced what organisers are calling "a tornado-like "weather event"". The second stage was declared unsafe, after one of the ground supports for the lighting, sound and roof collapsed; while Alice Cooper's equipment truck was hit by the Main stage's Sonisphere backdrop. Iggy Pop performed an acoustic set, while some of Iron Maiden and Alice Cooper's gear was supplemented by Slayer's kit.

Soundwave 2011 are getting in there early with a huge list of already confirmed bands, including Iron Maiden, 30 Seconds To Mars, Primus, The Gaslight Anthem, Melvins and many more. The touring festival takes place across 26th February - 7th March. Click here for all the details.

And don't forget, our very own Alice in Metaland Ruth Midget will be tweeting all weekend from Bloodstock 2010. Follow all the action, including Gojira, Devin Townsend, Fear Factory and more at @rockmidgets.

…posted by Ruth Midget

Young Guns member taken to hospital from Sonisphere? 1:18pm, 2 Aug 2010

Getting reports in from Sonisphere this morning that one member of Young Guns was taken to hospital last night. Adam from The Casino Brawl had reportedly picked up the band member and accidentally cracked his head on the ceiling of a tent. The band member was subsequently taken to hospital for examination of the injury. More when we have the details.

UPDATE: From the band's press officer - "Johns OK, he did split his head open, and needed it treating, but it was all done on site. He's fine this morning, just going to have a small scar I think."

…posted by Ruth Midget

Follow us at Sonisphere this weekend! 9:40am, 31 Jul 2010

If you're not following our Twitter account (@rockmidgets), have a look at Ali Ryland and Sophie Paterson's tweets from Sonisphere Knebworth below...

…posted by Ruth Midget