Odds & Ends: AC/DC, Dierks Bentley, Lollapalooza, Fun Fun Fun, Earl Sweatshirt

Brian Johnson recently gave an interview in which he announced AC/DC had finished working on its new album and commented on Malcolm Young’s absence in the recording studio.

Coming to us from Rolling Stone, the frontman told Classic Rock, “We miss Malcolm obviously. He’s a fighter. He’s in hospital but he’s a fighter. We’ve got our fingers crossed that he’ll get strong again.

“Stevie, Malcolm’s nephew, was magnificent, but when you’re recording with this thing hanging over you and your work mate isn’t well, it’s difficult.

“But I’m sure he was rooting for us. He’s such a strong man. He’s a small guy but he’s very strong. He’s proud and he’s very private so we can’t say too much. But fingers crossed he’ll be back.”

AC/DC put out a statement in April confirming that the guitarist and founding member was taking a break “due to ill health.” The act assured fans it would “continue to make music.” The new album, featuring Stevie Young on guitar, is due out later this year or in early 2015.  

Thanks to Death Grips canceling its tour and calling it quits last week, you’ll now get to see Murder City Devils perform in its place at Fun Fun Fun Fest.  

Plus, Modest Mouse is filling in for Death Cab For Cutie, who had to back out of its appearance because of “an unforeseen and unavoidable scheduling conflict.” 

The festival of fun is scheduled Nov. 7-9 in Auditorium Shores in Austin, Texas. You can catch Modest Mouse on the Orange Stage Nov. 8 and Murder City Devils on the Black Stage Nov. 9.

Passes are on sale now. For more information visit FunFunFunFest.com.

Dierks Bentley is bringing along Chris Young, Randy Houser, Kip Moore and Jon Pardi for his ninth annual “Miles & Music For Kids” Sept. 28.

Since founding the event in 2006, the country star has raised more than $2.5 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in seven cities. This year’s event benefits the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville.

Following an hour-long celebrity motorcycle ride, a family-friendly day of music will be held at Nashville’s Riverfront Park.  

More acts will be added. In the meantime, presale tickets are available now. The general onsale is schedule July 11.

Visit Dierks.com for all you need to know.

Earl Sweatshirt has backed out of a handful of festival appearances, citing physical and mental exhaustion.  

The rapper announced the cancellations via Twitter Tuesday.

“I sincerely apologize to any of y’all who planned to see me at these next couple festival dates. Due to lack of self maintenance ….. i had to press eject on the tour. I am physically and mentally at the end of my rope. I weigh a fraction of what I’m supposed to …. and without synergy between the body and mind there is nothing. no point in performing if it’s not the best show I can give every time.”

He added, “now that I am home I can get healthy and get this album out to y’all while it’s still fresh.”

Pitchfork reports that Earl will still play two Chicago dates – July 19 at Metro/Smart Bar and July 20 at Pitchfork Music Festival at Union Park. Earl’s representative was not available for comment.

Canadian fans might get to experience Lollapalooza on their own turf next year.

This news comes to us from an interview Consequence Of Sound did with Toronto Urban Roots Festival head organizer Jeff Cohen.

“Lollapoloza is surely coming to Toronto next August 2015, and it’ll be very interesting to see how that changes the summer landscape in our great city,” Cohen told CoS. “Honestly, we’ve never played by the industry sets of rules with regard to how things work in our venues, etc … being able to book a festival and at the same time also book some into our clubs is just an organic progression. But yes, we are absolutely self-sufficient in terms of how we do business and fiercely independent of the big players like C3, AEG, and Live Nation.”

Consequence Of Sound notes that promoter C3 Presents said “nothing is confirmed” yet for a Toronto edition.

Following events earlier this year in Argentina, Brazil and Chile, Lollapalooza returns to Chicago’s Grant Park Aug. 1-3.