Chatterbox: Thirsty Merc to tour

A band fronted by the guy with the best designer beard in Australia is playing Edgefest 06. Yes, Thirsty Merc, the brainchild of singer/guitarist Rai Thistlethwayte, is one of the headliners on the annual four-city tour which starts in Wellington at the Events centre on March 23.

Thirsty Merc join The Presidents of the United States of America - who played a sold-out show in Auckland in October - and local acts Nesian Mystik, Savage, Goodnight Nurse, Elemeno P and Aaradhna.

There's another hot act which is yet to confirm, but fingers crossed it happens because they will make you purr with delight.

Other Edgefest dates are Westpac Centre, Christchurch, March 24; Supertop Ericsson Stadium, Auckland, March 25; and Mystery Creek Events Centre, Hamilton, March 26.

Tickets on sale Monday.

* * *

Theron alone

When Charlize Theron arrives in town this week for the New Zealand premiere of Niki Caro's North Country, one person will be notably absent from her entourage - partner Stuart Townsend won't be coming Downunder.

Then again, the Irish actor probably doesn't have fond memories of the last time he was here. Originally cast at Aragorn in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy, he was fired from the role after a few days when the director had second thoughts about his suitability for the part, which eventually went to Viggo Mortensen.

* * *

Fort Minor coming

Fort Minor, the hip-hop side project of Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda, play an all-ages show in Auckland on March 7.

Now, Shinoda isn't just some uppity little rocker who decided he wanted to get into rap now that he's made a bit of money. This guy has big ups from the best in the hip-hop business, namely rapper Jay Z, who executive-produces Fort Minor's debut album, Rising Tied.

Jay Z worked with Shinoda in the past when he collaborated with Linkin Park on 2004's Collision Course album.

Although Shinoda is almost single handedly responsible for the Fort Minor album, in a live environment they are most definitely a band. Featuring three MCs, a DJ, three backing vocalists, a live drummer, three strings players, and Shinoda as leader, it should be an experience.

Fort Minor play the St James Theatre on March 7.

* * *

Holy moly

We're not calling Melanie Lynskey blasphemous but, Christ, does that girl use the Lord's name in vain.

In the Listener, the Kiwi sitcom star of Two and a Half Men fame uttered "Oh my God!" four times over the course of 16 questions. That's a 25 per cent chance she's upsetting the man upstairs.

Just one such exclamation during a Herald interview late last year registered on our sacrilege scale.

Mind you, we took the time to count, which could mean we're the ones with the problem.