Phish calling it quits

New York — Phish, the Vermont-based jam musicians whose legions of dedicated fans made them one of the nation’s top touring acts, announced Tuesday that they were breaking up.

The surprise announcement came as the band prepared to release a new album, “Undermind,” on June 15 and embark on a summer tour, which will kick off June 17 at Coney Island in Brooklyn, a borough of New York City.

Band leader Trey Anastasio made announcement on their Web site.

“Last Friday night, I got together with Mike (Gordon), Page (McConnell) and Fish (Jon Fishman) to talk openly about the strong feelings I’ve been having that Phish has run its course and that we should end it now while it’s still on a high note,” he wrote.

The quartet will end its tour in Vermont.

Love pleads guilty to drug charge

Los Angeles — Rock star Courtney Love pleaded guilty Tuesday to a misdemeanor count of being under the influence of a controlled substance and agreed to enter a drug rehabilitation program.

Assistant City Atty. Jerry Baik told reporters that the rehabilitation effort would last several months and was an outpatient program that includes classes, counseling and probably random drug testing.

At the end of the program, Love may petition to have the case dismissed. If she fails the drug program, she could be sentenced to at least 90 days in jail.

Beckham defends family

London — David Beckham, accused in the press of having extramarital affairs, said he’s a good husband and father, and that the media had treated him unfairly.

“I’ve made it clear … the way I and my family have been treated is an absolute disgrace because at the end of the day, I’m a nice person and loving husband and father,” he said Tuesday at a training camp on the island of Sardinia.

“I’ve been called a bad father, I’ve been called a bad husband, and my wife has been called a bad mother,” said Beckham, who plays for Real Madrid and the English national soccer team.

Beckham, one of the world’s most recognizable sports stars, has dismissed claims that he had affairs with two women as ludicrous. He is married to former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham, and the couple have two young sons, Brooklyn and Romeo.