Pitchfork

| Posted Monday, August 4, 2003 06:00:00 Pitchfork Central Time |

It's official. The finicky, celebrity-dating White Stripes have dropped out of their headlining spot at Carling Weekend, which takes place August 16th and 17th in the UK. Not only that, but the duo have now also cancelled shows all the way through the middle of September. By our count, that's at least a two month non-rocking hiatus for the pair! Of course, all this hullabaloo is due to Jack's mangled finger that got busted up as a result of a car accident in Detroit; his new special friend Renee Zellweger was unscathed. In lieu of Meg and Jack White, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (whose second full length Take Them On On Your Own is set to drop on August 25th) will grace the stage.

Sorry, that's more than enough non-White Stripes news, we're getting way off subject here! Here's Jack White on the Stripes' official site, waxing philosophical on the subject of his bone: "The White Stripes would like to apologize most sincerely to the admirers of the band who have faithfully purchased tickets to see us perform in the midst of this, a most unfortunate accident. A bone in the index finger of my fretting hand was shattered in an automobile accident, making it absolutely impossible to play guitar, especially since I've been instructed by doctor's that there is no way I can move my wrist until it is completely healed."

White goes on to describe his surgery, which somewhat unbelievably was filmed and is featured on the Stripes' website as a downloadable QuickTime clip. The surgeons are even listening to "Seven Nation Army" in the background! Now, it was one thing when the Flaming Lips filled in for the Stripes at last month's T In The Park festival, but we really think it's best if Jack leaves the surgery footage to the experts. Still, we must admit the contrast of White's crimson, pried-open knuckle against his paler-than-Thom Yorke white skin is a mighty intoxicating color scheme!

Amateur documentarianism and apologetic rockstar banter aside, Carling Weekend organizers are already trumpeting the "mother loving" White Stripes as their 2004 headliner, so at least they're good sports about it. Not to be outdone, the Australian Livid Festival is already touting the Stripes as their headliner (along with festival whores Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and Yeah Yeah Yeahs), and that's in October. What gives, mates? Have you seen that footage?