REM star denies air rage charges

LONDON, England -- REM guitarist Peter Buck has denied a series of charges relating to an alleged air-rage incident during a transatlantic flight.

The 44-year-old American made a brief appearance at a court in west London on Tuesday and was ordered to reappear for trial on November 12.

Buck, who was accompanied at the hearing by his wife Stepanie, was released on £20,000 ($28,600) bail.

He is accused of assaulting two members of British Airways staff, being drunk on board an aircraft, causing criminal damage and interfering with the performance of a crew member's duties, namely interfering with a control panel on an external door, on a BA flight from Seattle to Heathrow on April 21.

The alleged incident occurred as the Georgia band travelled to Britain to promote their album Reveal and perform at a Nelson Mandela tribute concert in London's Trafalgar Square.

Buck was released shortly after his arrest on an initial $44,000 bail and cleared to continue the tour.

The guitarist refused to comment after the hearing.