Mark Linkous, the frontman of American band Sparklehorse, committed suicide over the weekend according to various friend and family sources of the rock genius, who was believed to be in his 40s.

The music world is most definitely in mourning as a result of the sad demise of one of alternative rock’s greats. Linkous broke onto the music scene in a big way in 1995 with the release of the band’s first album – Vivadixiesubmarinetransmissionplot. The further three acclaimed albums that Sparklehorse released revolutionized the music world. His collaborations with acclaimed artists like Danger Mouse, PJ Harvey and Tom Waits also showed how versatile and talented he was. Virginia born Linkous found a place in music history as a result of all of the above and his very presence on stage.

Linkous’s problems with alcohol and drugs had been well documented through the years, particularly in relation to his collapse as a result of a Valium and antidepressant overdose in 1996 whilst supporting Radiohead’s tour over here. He was out of action after quite some time as a result of how close he actually came to passing away. Following surgery to restore the use of his legs and the full recovery from the heart attack that the overdose caused, Linkous went on to be more musically prolific than ever.

Linkous will definitely be sadly missed but if you are a fan then he is not done yet. Despite his untimely death, a collaboration with Danger Mouse and David Lynch will be officially released in the summer, although Dark Night Of The Soul is available for download now. He was also working on a new album with Sparklehorse. Although there has been no announcement on this yet, it was supposed to be released this year so stay tuned for more information.

My Chemical Romance are amongst the most popular bands in the world and 2010 was supposed to be their major comeback year. Since the release of The Black Parade in 2006, the band has been doing their own projects as well as working on new material for an as yet untitled album that is due for release this year. However, news broke this week that the boys are officially one man down at the moment.

Drummer Bob Bryar has officially quit the band as of February. Although the news broke two days ago, he had already parted ways with Gerard Way and the rest of the band four weeks ago. Bryar originally joined in 2004 after the previous drummer, Matt Pelissier, had left so this will mark the first change in the band’s membership in six years.

Guitarist Frank Lero had the following to say on his blog: “As of four weeks ago, My Chemical Romance and Bob Bryar parted ways.  This was a painful decision for all of us to make and was not taken lightly. We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavours, and expect you all to do the same.” Although there is no hint of why Bryar left here, the statement was pretty matter of fact and closed off the potential for any questions so no doubt more news will emerge a little later.

There has been no explanation given for Bryar’s departure, no replacement announcement and no hint of one either. However, the band has provided fans with assurances that they will continue making music as they have absolutely no plans to split up and go their own ways. Hopefully, the plans for the new album will remain on schedule and we will get to hear all of their new tunes soon.

More festival news today because the headliners for 2010’s V Festival have finally been announced. They are usually released around the same time as the Glastonbury headliners are released so this should come as no surprise but if you are planning on heading to Glastonbury this year then you are in for a treat.

The official headliners of V Festival 2010 are … (drum roll please)… Kings Of Leon and Kasabian!

It may come as a surprise but neither band has headlined before. Kings Of Leon last played at V in 2008, when The Verve headlined, and for Kasabian it was 2007 when The Killers and Foo Fighters headlined. There is little doubt that both bands deserve to headline the event now, given how big they are and how popular they are right now off the back of numerous award wins.

Last year, The Killers and Oasis headlined V… or should have done but Oasis didn’t play there and famously announced their split just a few days later. Hopefully the festival, to be held in Chelmsford and Staffordshire on 21^st and 22^nd August this year, will not see any more drama on that level this year!

There are numerous acts that have already been announced for V this year so far, including Florence And The Machine, Ellie Goulding, La Roux, Pixie Lott, Stereophonics, The Prodigy, Paolo Nutini and Plan B, in addition to Cheryl Cole, who has confirmed that she will make an appearance. Although they have yet to be officially announced, there are suggestions that Kate Nash, Scouting For Girls, Imogen Heap, and Chase and Status will also be playing.

Well people, the festival season is certainly starting to hot up now with so many great acts having already been announced and no doubt many more to come. Get your sunscreen, wellies and tent ready because summer will soon be here!

Music-news.com reported today that the brand new superband composed of Black Sabbath’s Glenn Hughes, Foreigner’s Jason Bonham, Planet X’s Derek Sherinian and Bloodline’s Joe Bonamassa is now completely nameless.

Previously known as Black Country, the band has been forced to abandon their name because of a copyright infringement claim made by a previously existing band of the same name. Regardless, they will undoubtedly come up with a new moniker soon, but it did get me thinking about superbands and how they are affecting music right now.

Superbands are effectively those bands that are made up of members of previously successful bands and there seem to be quite a few around at the moment. The Crooked Vultures (Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl, Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones and Queen Of The Stone Age’s Josh Homme), Dead By Sunrise (Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington, Anthony Valcic and Julien-K’s Elias Andra, Brandon Belsky, Amir Derakh and Ryan Shuck) and The Dead Weather (The Kills’ Alison Mosshart, Queens Of The Stone Age’s Dean Fertita, The Raconteurs’ Jack Lawrence and The White Stripes’ Jack White) seem to be the most popular superbands around right now. However, the idea of a superband has been around since the 1960s.

Cream was the first supergroup in 1966. Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker had all been in hugely successful bands before that. They were followed by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (with a really imaginative name there!), Humble Pie and Blind Faith, which was another Eric Clapton band, before 1970. However, the concept has really taken off since the turn of the Millennium, with no less than 38 superbands being identified in the last 10 years.

As such, it appears as if superbands are here to stay and ill have a huge part in music in the coming years. Why not? They give music fans everywhere exactly what they want, which can only be a good thing!