FROM THE NEWS NEST: Strokes recording without Casablancas and more.

Julian Casablancas is giving the boys of the Strokes (pictured) a break in the recording studio by not being there. Casablancas plans to join in later during the recording process to give the band an opportunity to record without his big opinions there to stunt the creative process. He told ABC, “I’m not pushy to the point where it’s my way or no way. I felt if I wasn’t in the room, and wasn’t saying that, they could spread their wings, if you will.” The Strokes’ next album is due in September.

While they’re not stopping in the U.S., Arcade Fire will be performing again this year, after a way-too-long-for-us hiatus. If you have the expendable cash you can catch them at festivals in Canada, Norway, Belgium and Ireland — more than enough reason for a destination trip! But if you believe the rumors, the band may be headlining Lollapalooza with the aforementioned Strokes, Green Day, Lady Gaga, Soundgarden and more.

Pete Doherty is in legal troubles again, but this time things look pretty dire for one of our favorite hot messes. (He really should have a chit-chat with Courtney Love to see how she pulled it together — yet again.) Doherty was arrested last week for allegedly supplying drugs to heiress Robin Whitehead, whose death is being called a suspected overdose.