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Posted on Thursday, October 21st, 2004, 12:00 am

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Former members of Nirvana Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic have appeared in public together for the first time in 10 years last night in an attempt to oust President George W. Bush.

The pair appeared at a rally on Wednesday evening at the Stardust Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas in support of Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry.

Also appearing were Blink-182’s Tom Delonge and West Wing actress Melissa Fitzgerald.

Grohl has been an active supporter of the Kerry campaign, while Novoselic has recently expressed a desire to go into politics himself.

Marc Almond is critically ill after a motorcycle crash in London. A member of the ’80s band Soft Cell, the star is currently in the hospital after he was involved in an accident with a car near Cannon Street station.

An eye-witness told the London Evening Standard newspaper: “There was an almighty bang as the bike crashed with the car. Both the motorcyclist and his passenger were thrown into the air and landed in the road.

“Lots of people rushed to help, and about five minutes later 999 crews arrived and closed off the area. I heard someone say it was Marc Almond. He looked like he had done a lot of damage to his head.”

The singer is currently at the Royal London Hospital. A statement issued by the hospital asks that “privacy is respected at this time.”

Dante Decaro, the guitarist for Hot Hot Heat, has left the band. Decaro finished work on the Canadian outfit’s new album, the follow-up to last year’s debut, “Make Up The Breakdown,” before going public about his departure.

The band released the following statement: “Dante has decided to leave Hot Hot Heat. We respect his decision, will miss him, and he will always be a friend of the band. While Dante made his decision a while ago, he still co-wrote and recorded the new album with us and is as proud of it as we are.

“No decisions have been made as to who will fill the position. For now, we are focusing on wrapping up the new record for release next year and touring as soon as possible.”

Coldplay has confirmed it has been invited to take part in the re-recording of the Band Aid charity classic “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” but it has not confirmed its involvement.

U.K. tabloids reported on Wednesday that the band, alongside the likes of The Darkness and Travis, would be teaming up on the 20th anniversary of the single’s release to put together a new version.

Midge Ure, who planned the original Band Aid and Live Aid projects alongside Bob Geldof, is quoted in Wednesday’s Sun newspaper as saying: “It’s definitely going to happen. I’m very excited.

“The lineup proves that this country is brimming with talent and the big names approached seem very keen.”

Other acts reported to be taking part include Robbie Williams, Jamelia, Noel Gallagher and Dido.

The single is anticipated to be the Christmas No. 1 in the U.K. and will also feature the original version released in 1984. A rerecorded version reached No. 1 in 1989.

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The White Stripes is being sued in a dispute over its debut album.

According to court documents, a complaint has been filed by James Diamond, who claims he collaborated and co-produced sessions with Jack and Meg White that became the duo’s debut album.

Diamond is looking for royalties for the sessions, “ownership interest” for the master recordings and an entitlement to future profits.

A spokesperson for the White Stripes’ management said the band members considered the action “without merit,” saying the band intend to “vigorously and successfully defend this action.”

White Stripes’ self-titled debut album was recorded in Detroit in 1999. According to the court papers, Diamond co-produced the sessions by providing “additional artistic suggestions, supervision and contributions.”

- Aerin Raymond