HOT
If It's Not Scottish, It's ... Not On This List!

Scotland's The List magazine has announced the results of an online poll that asked, "Who is the greatest Scottish band of all time?" Belle & Sebastian fanatics helped the band earn the top honors, followed by Travis, Idlewild, Wet Wet Wet, The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Simple Minds, Teenage Fanclub, Bay City Rollers, Primal Scream and The Proclaimers. B&S' loyal fanbase previously caused accolade controversy when they helped the group win the "Best Newcomer" statue at the 1999 Brits (the U.K. version of the Grammys). Critics (and their competition in the category) insisted the voting was rigged in favor of the band, which was considered a cult-fave underdog at best. Other artists making The List's list: Franz Ferdinand (No. 15), Jesus and Mary Chain (criminally coming in at No. 19), Nazareth (No. 25), The Vaselines (No. 35), Aereogramme (No. 39), Incredible String Band (No. 43), Cocteau Twins (No. 44), Average White Band (No. 47) and several other bands that make us Yanks go, "They were Scottish?"

WARM
R.I.P.

The Classic Rock world bid farewell to two of its own recently. Jimmy Griffin, a co-founder of Bread (the epitome of '70s "Soft Rock") died at the age of 61 from cancer. And drummer Spencer Dryden (a nephew of Charlie Chaplin), who replaced eventual Moby Grape founder Skip Spence on the drums in Jefferson Airplane in 1966, also succumbed to cancer, dying Jan. 11. He was 66.

COLD
Those Whacky Conservative Christians, Part 632

With an arrogant swagger akin to a blindly drunk sailor winning a hooker for a night in an arm-wrestling contest while on shore leave, the evangelical, Christian family-value folks have taken G.W.'s religiously-assisted faux-mandate as a sign that it's time get serious about turning the U.S. into that small town in Footloose. The Jesus freaks were outraged (as they so often are) that heathenistic rocker (and Bush supporter) Kid Rock was scheduled to appear at a "youth concert" during Bush's "I'm still the king!" extravaganza this Thursday in D.C. Lyrics to Rock's early song, "Pimp of the Nation," began making the media and neo-con rounds (in it, the poet laureate boasts that he is "only pimpin' hoes with the big tush/While you be left pimpin' Barbara Bush" -- ohh, snap!), the Campaign for Children and Families (which sounds like something made up for The Simpsons) rallied their supporters, and, in no time, Rock was off the agenda. The "family" groups took credit, but soon after, reports surfaced from shocked inauguration committee spokespeople, who said that Rock had never even been booked. In other news, the Campaign for Children and Families is also taking credit for getting Cheers, M*A*S*H and Friends taken off the air.

Those Whacky Conservative Christians, Part 633

Also this week, Country singer Wynona Judd reportedly responded to some Christian members of her fan base, who were outraged (again!) that the performer was set to entertain on a cruise for gay and lesbian couples. Judd, an ardent AIDS activist, didn't back down, saying, "I've had the biggest gay following in the history of Country music" and reportedly echoing one of George Bush's many misspeaks, by telling those who disagree with her decision to perform to "bring it on." So, uh, who wants to tell them about Judy Garland? They'll never look at the Wizard of Oz the same way again!