In what seems to be a popular week of bands losing members and making lineup changes, Egypt Central announced today that they have parted ways with guitarist Jeff James.

According to their My Space bulletin, Egypt Central explains that “due to personal reasons, Jeff is no longer in Egypt Central. We just want to inform everyone that the decision has caused no animosity from either party and that Egypt Central wishes him the best of luck in life and his pursuits. We will be posting an announcement on September 9th letting everyone know who we’ve chosen as Jeff’s replacement. The post will be on both our official website and our MySpace.”

If you’re not familiar with The Freshmen on MTVU, every week they pit band videos against each other and users vote for their favorites.  The winner at the end of the week gets a spot in the MTVU rotation!

This week, Framing Hanley’s video for the smash hit, “Hear Me Now” is in the competition and they need your help to win!

Go to MTVU The Freshmen website, read up on the competitors, then click the image of Framing Hanley towards the bottom.  On the next page, at the top right (next to the video) is a button to vote.  Press it!  And get your friends to vote as well.

For anyone who’s seen this video, it is a no-brainer vote.  This video is simply outstanding, with a compelling narrative, decent acting (even from the band), and a great track!  So go vote now!

In other news, Framing Hanley recently introduced a new member of their band, guitarist Ryan Belcher, at a show in Louisville. Belcher is native to Nashville, Framing Hanley’s hometown and replaces original guitarist Tim Huskinson, who recently left the band (on good terms) due to family obligations. The rest of the band consists of founding members, Nixon, vocals, Brandon Wooten, guitars, Luke McDuffee, bass and Chris Vest drums.

According to Nonpoint’s My Space:

“Nonpoint is sorry to announce the departure of longtime friend and guitar player, Andrew Goldman. Andy has decided to pursue interests outside the world of music, the entire band wish him nothing but success and happiness. Nonpoint has lined up a replacement and expect to have him make his debut on their next tour in October. Show dates for that run are expected to surface soon.”

Tantric have filmed and released a humorous video of the band performing their first single “Down & Out” off of their new album “The End Begins.” The video shows the band performing the song in their respective bunks on their tour bus. The video can be streamed at JVC Carstereoke by clicking here.

At first, Sixx:A.M. never had any intentions to tour… but Nikki Sixx’s side project jumped onto the inaugural Crue Fest tour this summer and traveled across the United States. Their minimal 30 minute set had fans wanting more.

Although there hasn’t been mention of additional tour dates this year, DJ Ashba, guitarist for the band, announced in a My Space blog that he is going to “take a little break” and then go “right back into the studio to work on the next Sixx:A.M. album!” A time frame for the next album has not been released, but in the meantime check out their next single “Tomorrow” off of their debut album The Heroin Diaries.

Staind has confirmed the following dates for their tour with Papa Roach and Seether:

10.04 Columbia, MD - Merriweather Post Pavilion
10.07 Greensboro, NC - Greensboro Events Center
10.09 Hollywood, FL - Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and casino
10.10 St. Augustine, FL - St. Augustine Amphitheater
10.12 Orlando, FL - Hard Rock Live
10.14 Greenville, SC - Heritage Park
10.15 Johnson City, TN - Freedom Hall
10.17 Orange Beach, AL - The Amphitheater at the Warf
10.18 Southaven, MS - Snowden Grove Park Amphitheater
10.19 Atlanta, GA - Lakewood Amphitheater
10.21 Poplar Bluff, MO - Black River Coliseum
10.22 Rockford, IL - Rockford Metro Center
10.24 Tulsa, OK - Tulsa Convention Center
10.26 Houston, TX - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
11.12 Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun Casion (Staind & Papa Roach only)
11.14 Reading, PA - Sovereign Center (Staind & Papa Roach only)
11.15 Asbury Park, NJ - Asbury Park Convention Hall
11.16 Lowell, MA - Tsongas Arena
11.18 New York, NY - Hammerstein Ballroom

Midnight To Twelve announced today that they will be touring with Egypt Central on the following dates:

09.07 Huntsville, AL - Crossroads Cafe
09.12 Memphis, TN - The Daisy Theater
09.13 Little Rock, AR - Juanita’s Cantina Ballroom
09.14 Shreveport, LA - The Warehouse
09.16 Jackson, MS - Club Fire
09.18 Tyler, TX - Clicks
09.19 Texarkana, AR - Purple Rain
09.20 Austin, TX - Emo’s
09.21 Houston, TX - Scout Bar
09.25 San Antonio, TX - Clicks
09.27 Dallas, TX - Firewater Bar & Grill

Shinedown, who released The Sound of Madness in June, have released a b-side on iTUNES: “Junkies for Fame.”

Shinedown also announced that they are looking forward to fan participation in conjunction with their song <em>”Second Chance.” According to a My Space bulletin, they’ve created a section on their website where fans can submit their idea or experience of a second chance. Fans can describe their second chance by either submitting videos or photos via the website www.shinedown.com/secondchance, call 904-638-4480 to leave the band a voice mail, or comment on their My Space blog.

The band explains “we want anything that represents a second chance to you. We’re not sure yet exactly what we’re going to do with all this but we’re thinking we’ll make some sort of video incorporating as much of the stuff you give us as possible so PLEASE SUBMIT whatever you think is appropriate.”

Dropping Daylight announced today via a My Space bulletin that they have pulled off of the tour with Meg & Dia. According to the bulletin “the tour is still going on” but Dropping Daylight will not be playing. No further details are available.

According to Taproot’s My Space, they will be touring the US with Sevendust this fall. Sevendust released a new album in April and Taproot is planning to release their new album “Our Long Road Home” on September 16th.

The following dates have been released:
09.30 Asheville, NC - The Orange Peel
10.02 Cleveland, OH - House of Blues
10.03 Pittsburgh, PA - Club Zoo
10.04 Springfield, VA - Jaxx
10.05 Lancaster, PA - Chameleon Club
10.07 New York, NY - Irving Plaza
10.08 Wantagh, NY - Mulcahys
10.11 Poughkeepsie, NY - The Chance
10.12 Northampton, MA - Pearl Street Nightclub