The previously announced Unite the United benefit show to raise funds for hurricane Katrina charities has been cancelled. The event, organized by the producers of Warped Tour and Taste of Chaos festival tours, was to include Bad Religion, Hepcat, Anti-Flag, Pennywise, Taking Back Sunday and others. The festivals will instead donate proceeds from the 2006 tours to the cause. A silent auction is also in the works. From their website:

The producers of the "Vans Warped Tour" and the "Rock Star Energy Taste Of Chaos Tour" have announced that they will donate 50 cents from each ticket sold from the 2006 tours toward Hurricane Katrina charities. Based on attendance numbers from the 2005 tours, they hope to raise over $450,000 in aid. Beginning in February when the 2006 "Rock Star Energy Taste Of Chaos Tour" launches, designated charities (to be determined) will receive a check from every show. In the meantime, the websites for each tour (www.warpedtour.com and www.tasteofchaos.com) will include links to charities enabling donations for the cause.

Despite previous reports, organizers regret to announce that they're unable to move forward with their planned benefit show due to complications in scheduling. UNITE THE UNITED--A Concert To Raise Money For the Victims Of An American Tragedy was set for Saturday, October 8 at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Irvine, California. In other news, the "Vans Warped Tour" and "Rock Star Energy Taste Of Chaos Tour" producers are teaming with artists from the rock and punk world to move forward with a UNITE THE UNITED silent auction to benefit victims of Hurricane Katrina. Go to www.unitetheunited.com for up-to-date information on the charity auction.