The news out of Des Moines is not good for Brenna Gray, wife of Paul of Slipknot. A jury there has acquitted Paul’s former physician Daniel Baldi of 7 counts of involuntary manslaughter and charges he was responsible for Paul’s death by over-prescribing drugs. The court ruled the drugs Paul died of were not those prescribed to him by his doctor. Brenna testified his drug use the week he died was extreme, and said no one, the doctor nor his bandmates, would help. The doctor is still facing several civil lawsuits as well as administrative charges from the Iowa Board of Medicine which could cost him his medical license. Paul Gray died on May 24, 2010 of an overdose of the painkillers fentanyl and morphine, both of which Baldi never prescribed to him. Very sad. But can I say, if you are going to testify in court, could you have dressed like you were going to a funeral and not a concert, showing off your tattoos in a tank top? Geez. That was not a good move. (Yeah, I said it.)….In other sad news, Pulse of Radio reports Avenged Sevenfold has posted a lengthy message online to fans following the news that a 16-year-old boy in the U.K. had been listening to the band’s music and watching their videos before taking his own life. The group wrote in its statement, “Recently we heard about the tragic suicide of a 16-year-old from the UK who was listening to music and watching videos of, among others, Avenged Sevenfold and an older project of some band members, Pinkly Smooth, in the hours prior to his death. We want you all to know that we are devastated and heartbroken for his family, friends and community. Their pain must be unimaginable and our condolences go out to them.” The statement added, “Experts in the field of suicide have assured us that there are always many things that go into a tragedy like this, and while music can play a powerful role in someone’s life, it does not cause something like this to happen, especially not alone. Research shows that 90% of those who take their life have a brain illness, or a mental illness, going on at the time of their death. This is something most people don’t want to talk about and that keeps them from getting the good help and treatments that are out there.” The statement added the news of the fan’s death had “shaken all of us,” continuing, “Fan or not, no one should have to feel such hopelessness. It has also made us more committed than ever to do something about it so that it doesn’t happen again.”….Yesterday, in honor of Thursday’s (May 1st) celebrations around the world of the international workers’ holiday known as May Day, Rage Against The Machine and E Street Band guitarist Tom Morello reissued his 2011 Union Town EP as a free download at morellomayday.com. The EP includes original acoustic tunes as well as covers of Woody Guthrie‘s “This Land is Your Land,” Merle Travis‘ “16 Tons,” and a live version of Morello’s “Union Song.” The live take of “Union Song” was recorded in Madison, Wisconsin when Morello joined thousands to protest an anti-union bill proposed by Republican governor Scott Walker. Morello wrote about the EP reissue, “This record is dedicated to working people of every nationality, age, color, and religion who have the courage to stand up for justice and dignity in the workplace . . . and beyond. Enjoy the tunes and fight the power!”…Saliva stopped by the hardDrive studios yesterday. Was good to catch up with the guys. I asked them if they are in touch with former singer Josey Scott, and they said they were. And he’s found his religion and returned to the work force working in the prison system. Interesting….Speaking of Josey, he turns 42 on Saturday. Sunday, Green Day’s Mike Dirnt is also 42, Mick Mars of Motley Crue is 63 and Dick Dale, who’s music you hear as in DIRT on hardDrive and hardDrive XL is 77. Have a great weekend.