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Tingly

July 29th, 2008, 06:36 AM

ROCK BAND TAKING ON ALL COMERS

INTERVIEW WITH HARMONIX CEO ALEX RIGOPULOS

When you announced that the original Rock Band content could be exported to Rock Band 2 you said it's "almost all" the songs. Why not all? Is it a licensing issue?

Alex Rigopulos: Yeah, it's purely a licensing issue. We licensed the original music on Rock Band for the Rock Band 1 disc. To be able to export that for use in another application we basically have to re-license all that music. Until we've completed the process, we don't know what percentage of that soundtrack will be available.

So you yourself don't actually know which songs won't make it?

That's correct. At this point we're still in the licensing process so we don't have a final list.

From a "battle of the bands" standpoint, obviously you're going up against your former creation, so how do you feel about how the Rock Band brand stacks up against Guitar Hero now?

We feel great about it. When we set off to build Rock Band we wanted to take the genre in a very different direction, focus on co-op play and authenticity, and focus to the greatest degree possible on the music itself, and I feel we've done that successfully, and I especially feel that's coming to fruition now in Rock Band 2 with our platform strategy. By holiday of this year we'll have 500 songs available for play on the platform—that's something we're really proud of.… For a music game to be as compelling as possible to the largest number of people possible, it's critical to have the largest and most diverse song library possible, which is why we made such an investment in interoperability of the content between different applications. I feel this is an area where we really distance ourselves from the competition.

Do you feel it's gotten easier to secure some of the songs or bands that you want now because of the massive popularity of this music game genre? It seems like the bands are seeking you out rather than you having to go after them…

Yeah, that's absolutely the case. It was hard to get record labels as recently as three years ago to even return our phone calls. At this point we have great rapport with the music publishers and record companies, and now recording artists are reaching out to us on a weekly basis to talk about ways they might get more involved in the game. Everything is changing around.

Behind the scenes is there a new IP or other projects that Harmonix has its sights set on or is it 100% Rock Band still?

For the short term, we're very much focused on Rock Band just because I feel we're at the very beginning of what the franchise can be. There is a great deal of dream that is still unexplored in terms of feature set and the amount of content for the platform. … Meanwhile, we have a skunkworks thinking about what's next behind the horizon.

Speaking of feature sets, some people have wondered if it's really necessary to launch a new Rock Band game so soon after the last one. With no music studio option in the new game, what qualifies it as Rock Band 2 as opposed to say Rock Band 1.5?

A few things. First of all, the soundtrack alone is an incredible value proposition—being able to get 100 playable songs for the price of $60. In the feature domain, there was so much innovation in designing the first Rock Band, so there wasn't a lot of time to refine those features. We wanted to get Rock Band 2 out for this holiday because this is the first complete manifestation of the original vision. Big ideas like playing the World Tour mode online, the complete career mode with your band online distributed around the world—that was something we wanted in the first one that we didn't have time to do. The Battle of the Bands tournament system is an incredibly fun new flagship feature… It takes the play experience to a whole new level.

-Business Week

Full Article:

http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/jul2008/id20080728_991802.htm?campaign_id=rss_topStories

Tingly

July 29th, 2008, 06:41 AM

CANADIAN TOMBOY WILL PLAY LEAD IN TORONTO SHOW

A self-described tomboy from Vancouver will play the role of Maria in "The Sound of Music" in an upcoming Toronto production after a Canadian reality show named a winner to a cross-country competition.

Host Gavin Crawford announced Monday that Elicia MacKenzie, 23, had received the most viewer votes.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation produced its own version of the hit BBC series "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?," which garnered the 2007 International Emmy Award for best non-scripted entertainment program.

Andrew Lloyd Webber, who was a guest judge on the CBC series, is co-producing Toronto's version of the beloved Rodgers and Hammerstein musical.

MacKenzie will play the role of iconic governess Maria von Trapp in the Toronto stage production set to open Oct. 3. Maria Von Trapp is the singing and dancing nun-turned-governess made famous by Julie Andrews in the 1965 film.

Auditions began earlier this year in a cross-country audition tour. Forty-eight finalists were ultimately chosen and sent to "Maria school" to prepare for the role.

Each week, they performed show tunes in front of a panel of judges that included Webber's musical supervisor, Simon Lee, vocal coach Elaine Overholt and British entertainer John Barrowman.

The British version of the show, which aired in 2006, enjoyed incredible popularity and made a star of Connie Fisher, the woman chosen by the public to play Maria in the stage production at the London Palladium.

In the United States, NBC used a similar format on the show "Grease: You're the One that I Want" to cast the lead roles in a Broadway production of the musical "Grease" last year.

-Taiwan News

Tingly

July 31st, 2008, 06:27 AM

FERGIE LANDS ROLE

Melbourne, July 31 : Singer Fergie is all set to play a prostitute in the musical Nine.

The singer recently signed up for the part of Saraghina and now reveals just her character entailed.

"She's basically a prostitute on the beach. She introduces him to the world of sexuality. It's a very strong song. I'm just thrilled I get to play a character," the Daily Telegraph quoted her, as saying.

The singer will be joining Kate Hudson and Oscar winner Nicole Kidman in the movie.

Hudson will be playing the part of a fashion magazine reporter on assignment in Italy.

The movie, an adaptation of the Tony-winning Broadway musical, will be directed by Rob Marshall.

-ANI

Tingly

July 31st, 2008, 06:29 AM

RECORD SHOP ON OASIS ALBUM COVER FACES CLOSURE

Sister Ray, the record shop that now occupies the store featured on the cover of Oasis' landmark 1995 album '(What's The Story) Morning Glory?', is facing closure.

Located in London's Berwick Street, the shop were the first people to distribute Arctic Monkeys' records, selling the band's debut EP 'Five Minutes With Arctic Monkeys' through its mail order system in 2005.

The store, which is featured on the left side of Oasis' album cover, has gone into administration, although owners are keen to find someone to continue the business.

Sister Ray, established nearly 20 years ago and named after a 1968 song by The Velvet Underground, was awarded Music Week's Independent Record Shop Of The Year award in 2007.

It is currently the only fully independent record shop in London's West End.

-NME

Tingly

July 31st, 2008, 06:31 AM

SIMON LEE EXPECTED TO BE FIRED AFTER ARREST

TORONTO, LONDON — Simon Lee, a musical supervisor and judge on the CBC reality television show How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?, is expected to be dismissed from the creative team attached to the Mirvish-backed Toronto production of The Sound of Music, following his arrest Sunday.

Lee was arrested at the Hazelton Hotel in Toronto's Yorkville neighbourhood on Sunday afternoon, after a 24-year-old man said he was assaulted and held in Lee's room against his will. Toronto Police Constable Tony Vella said a passerby outside the hotel's restaurant spotted the man trying to leap from one hotel room balcony to the next, allegedly trying to escape. Lee was charged with assault and forcible confinement.

Andrew Lloyd Webber personally selected Lee, who acted as the musical supervisor in the British production of The Sound of Music, to be a judge on the CBC program, which featured 10 performers vying for the lead role. Lee was also supposed to be involved in the Toronto stage production's orchestration, but a spokesperson for Really Useful Group in Britain, Lloyd Webber's entertainment company and one of the Toronto show's three producers, said yesterday that "on this occasion we have felt it necessary to seek the termination of his engagement on The Sound of Music in Toronto."

-globalandmail.com

Tingly

July 31st, 2008, 06:32 AM

OBAMA SAYS 'NO' TO LUDACRIS

Presidential hopeful Barack Obama has rejected support from US rapper Ludacris on new track, 'Politics'.

Even though the hook is positive ("The world is ready for change because Obama is here") other lyrics attack his Democratic rival for the nomination, Hillary Clinton, as well as Republican candidate John McCain and current President George Bush.

The lyrics include: "McCain don't belong in any chair unless he's paralyzed/Yeah I said it cause Bush is mentally handicapped ... you the worst of all 43 presidents" and "Hillary hated on you, so that ***** is irrelevant".

Despite Obama claiming he is a fan of Ludacris in an interview with Rolling Stone, his spokesperson issued a statement which distanced the potential US President from sharing the song's sentiments.

"As Barack Obama has said many, many times in the past, rap lyrics today too often perpetuate misogyny, materialism, and degrading images that he doesn't want his daughters or any children exposed to," they explained.

-NME

Tingly

July 31st, 2008, 06:36 AM

GUY RENTS RADIO CITY IN NY FOR HIS OWN CONCERT!

Jack Moelmann is a retired Air Force colonel with a passion for playing the pipe organ. His passion runs so deep that he recently plunked down nearly $120,000 to fulfill a lifelong dream - to perform on the famed Wurlitzer organ at Radio City Music Hall.

On Aug. 9, the 67-year-old Moelmann will sit at the ebony horseshoe-shaped keyboard console at the magnificent Art Deco concert hall for a single evening performance titled "A Musical Showcase featuring Col. Jack Moelmann and Friends at the Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ."

Moelmann said that Radio City for him has always constituted "the mecca of places to play." "One day back in February, I looked in the mirror and said, 'Jack, you have a dream, go for it!'" he said. "Not to argue with myself, I have personally rented Radio City Music Hall for an organ program the likes of which has not been done in years, if ever."

The organ at Radio City is the largest theater pipe organ ever built by the Wurlitzer Company. Installed in 1932, the year Radio City opened, it features four keyboards, 58 sets of pipes and twin consoles that can be independently operated.

Moelmann has no illusions of making money or attracting a huge audience. He spent $118,182 to rent out the 6,000-seat hall, and concedes that he had to cash out his savings accounts and savings bonds to cover the cost.

"I'll be happy with 1,000 people," he said of the show, where tickets cost $50. "I'm going there to gratify myself by playing ... and to show off what the music hall has in the way of an organ." He said proceeds from the show will cover his cost, and he may donate some money to the Theatre Organ Society International, where Moelmann serves as secretary.

Moelmann said he will decide on the program at the last minute.

-AP

Tingly

July 31st, 2008, 06:39 AM

NO ARRESTS IN SINGER'S MURDER IN DUBAI

The devastated father of Suzan Tamim is set to arrive in Dubai to assist police, following the brutal murder of his daughter.

Abdul Sattar Tamim, father of the Lebanese singer found dead in her Dubai apartment on Monday, has spoken to media about his suspicions regarding her murder. In an interview Tamim said someone had been threatening his daughter, and he had 'documents and information' to back up his suspicions.

Tamim said that he would be in Dubai soon to assist police with their investigation.

The popular Lebanese singer had hosted a party the night before she was found dead, it has also been revealed.

The body of Suzan Tamim, 31, was discovered in the living room of her Jumeirah Beach Residence apartment. Her throat had been cut and she had been the victim of a frenzied knife attack, UAE daily The National reported on Thursday quoting police sources.

The night before her body was found, Tamim had a late-night gathering, with about 20 guests partying until the early hours of Monday morning. Her body was found after friends and family grew concerned when they could not contact her all day.

A police source said detectives were pursuing a possible lead after a security guard, on duty at Tamim’s Rimal 1 tower the day she was murdered, described a man demanding to know her apartment number. He was last seen entering the lift and heading for her apartment on the 22nd floor about 9am on Monday – which is the time police believe she was murdered.

Despite several people being brought in for questioning, no one has yet been arrested in the singer’s murder.

Fans and former colleagues of the singer have spoken of their shock on the internet site Facebook - a page – RIP Suzan Tamim – was created hours after the news broke that the star had been found dead.

Meanwhile, outraged residents of Dubai's Jumeriah Beach Residence (JBR) are calling for tighter security. Residents have said security at the residence is too relaxed, with access to buildings easily available to non-residents.

Suzan Tamim had shot to Middle Eastern fame in 1996 after she won the ‘Studio Al Fan’ television talent show. She later released two albums and had been twice married, the first time to Ali Muzannar which end in divorce in 2002 and the second time to music producer Adel Matouk.

-arabianbusiness

Tingly

July 31st, 2008, 06:41 AM

BLACK CROWES SERVE COPYRIGHT NOTICE ON GRETCHEN WILSON

Lawyers for the Black Crowes have served copyright infringement notices to Gretchen Wilson, TNT, Sony BMG and publishing company J Money Music over the band's 1991 hit "Jealous Again."

The Crowes claim Wilson exploited the track for her own song, "Work Hard, Play Harder," which TNT in turn then used in ads for its show "Saving Grace."

"Work Hard, Play Harder" is slated to appear on Wilson's next studio album, due before the end of the year.

"We find the musical verses of Wilson's song to be such an obvious example of copyright infringement that I expect all parties to reach a relatively quick resolution to avoid litigation," Crowes manager Pete Angelus says in a statement.

A spokesperson for Wilson had no comment on the development.

-Billboard

Tingly

August 1st, 2008, 05:48 AM

RARE BEATLES RECORDING UP FOR SALE

London, August 1 : A half-hour Beatles recording featuring the Beatles cracking jokes and breaking into giggles will be auctioned in a music and entertainment sale on Tuesday.

Berkshire-based auction house Cameo has revealed that the footage contains John Lennon and Paul McCartney-composed songs, and versions of other artists' compositions.

Recorded in 1964, the tape is expected to raise between 8,000 and 12,000 pounds.

Lennon and Sir Paul are said to be clearly audible on a number of occasions in a track called "I'll Follow The Sun", which starts on the first side of the tape and goes into the second.

The Scotsman quoted the auction house as telling that Lennon can be heard saying, "I'm not looking at you," and Sir Paul as saying, "You were."

Lennon says: "It's just going to get funnier and funnier as the evening goes on," and "It's 11 o'clock you know."

Sir Paul says: "Let's just try this once more and if it's the last one that's hard lines."

A spokesman for Cameo said that the person who found the video wanted to remain anonymous.

He also revealed that the tape had been hidden away for around 40 years.

The tape features the songs: Don't Put Me Down Like This; I Feel Fine; She's A Woman; Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby; Honey Don't and I'll Follow The Sun. On side two the Fab Four perform I'll Follow The Sun, I'm A Loser, I'll Follow The Sun again, Too Much Monkey Business, Nitty Gritty, Something's Gotta Hold Of Me and I Shall Not Be Moved.

-ANI

Tingly

August 1st, 2008, 05:51 AM

SONG TO INDIAN STAR COINCIDES WITH HINDU CALENDAR

Patna, Aug 1 : Cashing in on the huge fan following that Mahendra Singh Dhoni is enjoying, a music company released an album featuring a devotional song on Dhoni.

The song in the recently-released album, Baba ke nagariya bada pawan lage la, (Lord Shiva's abode is sacred to us), shows girls dancing and praying to Lord Shiva to grant them a husband like Dhoni.

Singer Saloni is quite happy having sung this song and she says that the song was purposely released just ahead of Shrawan month.

"Dhoni is liked by many. He is the first choice of many girls. This has been made keeping in mind their liking for Dhoni," said Saloni, singer.

The album coincides with the ongoing month of Shrawan in the Hindu calendar when festivals and special prayers to Lord Shiva are held. Unmarried girls thronghiva temples during the month to seek suitable husbands.

Dhoni was recently assigned an all-female group of bodyguards to keep unwanted admirers away.

-ANI

Tingly

August 1st, 2008, 05:53 AM

TOUR WILL FEATURE 'ROCK BAND' BETWEEN SETS

You've been playing it in your basement for months, much to the chagrin of your parents and your girlfriend. Now, "Rock Band" will be coming to an amphitheater near you, along with Panic at the Disco and Dashboard Confessional. And if you're any good at the game, there's a chance that you, too, could end up rocking out onstage.

Panic and Dashboard are set to co-headline the inaugural "Rock Band" Live Tour, which kicks off October 5 in San Diego. The trek will hit 29 cities, wrapping up November 14 in Houston. Plain White T's and the Cab will be opening on all dates. Presale tickets go on sale August 1, and all remaining tickets will be available August 8.

On each date of the tour, "Rock Band" devotees who think they're up to the challenge can compete for a chance to take the main stage in between the bands' sets, where they'll rock through an entire song.

"It's the tour of your life, man," said Dashboard's Chris Carrabba, a self-professed "Rock Band" fan. "It's the greatest tour ever. We go and entertain you, but you also get a shot to get up onstage. The day you come to the show, you go to this area where they have gameplay, and you compete, head-to-head, against other players. And if you win, you get chosen to be onstage, playing in between bands, playing 'Rock Band.' "

Carrabba joked that he may even test his "Rock Band" skills with fans by entering some of the competitions.

"I went and got a fake ID with a different name, and I have a pair of sunglasses and a hat," he deadpanned. "[The game is] incredibly accurate. ... It's identical. And it's so intuitive for me, as a player, that I have become better at my instrument. It's gotten me a hotter girlfriend, it's made me better-looking, and I've made more money since playing it."

"Rock Band" Live will be Panic's first experience co-headlining a tour, and they're not so sure how that's going to work. "From what I hear, it's settled by the fist," bassist Jon Walker joked of determining the lineup. "That, or you pick out of a hat, which is not fun. We can run faster than Dashboard Confessional, so if it comes down to a foot race, it should be us."

Panic, who recently finished the Honda Civic Tour, said they'll be bringing a bigger, louder show to the stage for "Rock Band" and are hoping to go halfsies with Carrabba on a few backstage distractions.

"We're working stuff out with his management, and we're talking about splitting the cost of a Ping-Pong table to take out," Walker said. "Also, a Slurpee machine and a churro machine."

-VH1

Tingly

August 1st, 2008, 05:56 AM

ADDITIONAL FACTS EMERGE IN MURDER OF SINGER

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg221/3xyz9/tamin.jpg
Suzan Tamim

Suzan Tamim, the murdered Lebanese singer, had hosted a party at her home the night before she was found dead with knife wounds to her face and body.

The body of Tamim, 31, was discovered in the living room of her Jumeirah Beach Residence apartment on Monday night, police said. Her throat had been cut and she had been the victim of a frenzied knife attack.

The night before her body was found, Tamim had a late-night gathering, with about 20 guests partying until the early hours of Monday morning.

Her body was found after friends and family grew concerned when they could not contact her all day.

A police source said detectives were pursuing a possible lead after a security guard, on duty at Tamim’s Rimal 1 tower the day she was murdered, described a man demanding to know her apartment number. He was last seen entering the lift and heading for her apartment on the 22nd floor about 9am on Monday – which is the time police believe she was murdered.

Despite several people being brought in for questioning, no one has yet been arrested in the singer’s murder.

Robert Safri, who was Tamim’s manager for three years in the latter part of her short career and became close friends with the star and her estranged husband, Adel Maatouk, said yesterday: “The police in Dubai have promised to release the body within 48 hours and conclude their investigations.

“Mr Maatouk has flown to Dubai, but the police aren’t telling him anything more than that, he has taken a Lebanese lawyer with him to Dubai to follow the case.”

Mr Safri said he and Mr Maatouk were shocked and upset by Tamim’s death.

“I was very close to Suzan. When we heard what had happened, we were very shocked, especially Mr Maatouk; he was very, very upset. I stayed with him all night and consoled him before he flew to Dubai the next day.”

Grief-stricken fans and former colleagues of the singer have spoken of their shock over her murder.

On the internet site Facebook, a page – RIP Suzan Tamim – was created hours after the news broke that the star had been found dead.

One fan said: “Oh beloved of the masses, oh most beautiful voice, most beautiful image, rest in peace. You were attacked, exiled, treated unfairly and in the end they killed you. Why?”

Elias Rahbani, the well-known Lebanese record producer and music composer, said: “I worked with her in 1996. I can’t imagine anyone like her being butchered. She was really sweet and beautiful. She could have been a big star if this hadn’t happened. We had planned to work together, but she left suddenly.”

Born in Lebanon in 1977, Tamim signed a lucrative record deal after graduating from Studio Al Phan, an academy that nurtures up-and-coming pop stars in Lebanon in 1996.

However, she became more famous for her antics out of the studio. A very public divorce from her first husband, Ali Mouzanner, was followed by a failed marriage to Mr Maatouk.

In 2005, she was arrested by Interpol in Egypt over allegations that she had stolen US$350,000 (Dh1.28 million) from Mr Maatouk. A Lebanese court sentenced her to two years in jail and fined her following accusations from her husband that she had fled to Egypt, breaking their management contract. While in Egypt, she faced allegations of being involved in a heroin smuggling ring with her father. Later that same year, she was accused, again with her father and an Egyptian businessman, of attempting to murder Mr Maatouk.

Hoping to get her promising career back on track, she returned to the recording studio in 2006. She recorded 25 songs, 10 of which were selected for her new album.

Her most popular song is Saken Albi, from the album of the same title.

Meanwhile, residents in Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) say they are taking extra security measures, including double-locking their doors and parking near elevators. They say police should calm fears among the thousands of expatriates that Tamim’s murderer may strike again.

One New Zealander who lives in the Amwaj cluster of JBR, which is several hundred metres from Tamim’s apartment, said: “There are too many entrances for the apartments to be secure. Pretty much anyone can gain access to the building from the Marina Walk side of the development. Since this has happened, and the fact that we don’t know if this was an isolated incident against this poor woman or if the killer will strike again, I have changed how I go about my day.

“I double lock my door, park my car next to the elevator and check who’s around when I get out of my car. Speaking to my neighbours, it has got a lot of people frightened in JBR, many people are in shock.”

* Additional reporting by Rasha Abu Baker and Hani Bathish

-the national

Tingly

August 1st, 2008, 05:59 AM

TIX GO ON SALE FOR GONZO FESTIVAL ON MALTA!

As from 1 August 2008, the General Standing tickets for the Gozo Music Festival happening on the 23rd of August 2008 at the Gozitan Complex, on the main road from the Mgarr Harbour, will be selling at €30. Vodafone Malta customers are being offered discounted tickets at €20 each from any Vodafone Retail Outlet, whilst the VIP tickets are sold out.

The festival, organised by Dynamic Promotions, is sponsored by Vodafone Malta Limited. This year’s edition of the Gozo Music Festival will offer its followers an exciting atmosphere throughout the night. The German pop music duo Modern Talking will give a live concert on the first stage. This stage will also host Ira Losco, Tribali, Cash & Band, Morena, Zoo Team,The master of 80`s music, Dj Alex Grech, Jonathan Abel & Eleanor and from Bay Radio Dj Simon Pisani & Captain Drew. Presenting this line up will be Angie Laus and Moira Delia.

The second stage will host the world’s famous House Duo Junior Jack and Kid Crème with the launch of their new album. They will be supported by Malta’s finest DJs including Ruby, Luc Adams, Carl Bee, Miss Roberta, Panzius, JJoy, Tenishia and Ryan M. The stage will be entertained by dance TV presenters Ronald and Frank Zammit.

The Festival will also feature two of latest technology stages with the best sound and lighting systems possible, uplifted VIP area, bars, wine and liquors stands, fireworks, photo shootouts, merchandised area, fire jugglers and dancers. A large parking area is available to the general public.

For more information about the Gozo Music Festival, one can log on to www.gozomusicfestival.com

-maltamedia

Tingly

August 1st, 2008, 06:02 AM

WILL OBAMA APPEAR AT LOLLAPALOOZA?

This weekend, tens of thousands of music fans will pour into — and trample — Chicago's verdant Grant Park for three days of around-the-clock music called Lollapalooza, an annual gathering of some of rock's biggest names and most buzzed-about upstarts, and the brainchild of ex-Jane's Addiction frontman Perry Farrell. But as far as Farrell knows, none of the tens of thousands of people who'll be there to watch Radiohead, Nine Inch Nails, Rage Against the Machine and hometown favorite Kanye West perform will be named Barack Obama.

In recent weeks, rumors have surfaced suggesting that the presumptive presidential candidate would take the stage to introduce West's set. "I've heard that," Farrell said Wednesday afternoon (July 30) from his Chicago hotel room, just days before the festival's commencement. "That's definitely been the rumor, and it's been coming from their camp, so I really can't conform that at all. I positively cannot confirm that. I hear that it's his birthday that weekend, so he might be in town. But these guys — you're never going to know anything until the last minute anyway. That's what I've been told. I've heard those same rumors, and that would be really cool, right? But there are definitely no guarantees. You'll just have to settle on listening to great music."

But even if Obama does prove a no-show Sunday night, Farrell said he's got another Harvard graduate in his 40s, born of a white mother and a black father, to dazzle the crowds: "Tom Morello, man ... I tell you what, Tom Morello is the real deal, and you will not be disappointed."

During this, the calm before the rock-saturated storm, Farrell said he's doing what festival organizers do. "Well, you start walking the grounds, and they start loading everything in, and you see sort of how your blueprint's working out," the singer said. "You've got everything from the stages to the sound and lights to your backstages, your artist area, your VIP area, your cabana area ... and then you get floods of friends and guests that want to come, and where are you going to accommodate them, and you get new areas you're putting in. You always have sound issues because you have so many stages, so you have to position each stage and the speakers so they don't affect that other area."

Farrell is also concerned about maximizing shade — spots where concertgoers can get away from the blaring sun, thus avoiding heat exhaustion. "We've got a ton of trees in Grant Park, and we're really maximizing those trees this year," he said.

New to the Lolla layout this summer are two new "bar" areas, Farrell said. A beer garden, featuring microbrews from across the country, and a shade-bathed "proper club" called Perry's will be located in the middle of the park, near Buckingham Fountain. Here, Farrell said fans will be able to hear authentic club tracks and down sangria. The imbibing havens will add to the overall social vibe of the fest.

"Aside from the music, the other thing we're creating here is a scene," he said. "It's the most important aspect of Lollapalooza, aside from the music and the musicians themselves. It goes right to the audience and who's there. People want to bop around and meet people and maybe hook up, so we're always looking to create social situations and social stimulations within the grounds."

At this point, Farrell said Lolla is pretty much sold out, and it's the headlining acts that helped make that happen.

"As far as our single-day ticket counts, Radiohead seem to have taken this year," he said. "Radiohead sold out first, and their production is just incredible. I'm excited to see their production. And when Rage touches the stage, there's going to be an electricity. ... It's something you'll remember your entire life, if I know my guys. I am really excited to see if Kanye gets up there without a hitch and just delights people. I have been getting a lot of questions about him. 'Do I think he's going to show up on time?' Look, it's his home crowd, so I think he'll come here and put on the best show he's ever done.

"We also have Nine Inch Nails, and Trent Reznor's production is one of the best in the world," Farrell continued. "I can tell you that, on the inside, he's ramping up. If you thought Nine Inch was great before, and the production was great before, they're stepping it up that much more now. And when Jack White came in with the Raconteurs the first time, lots of people said it was the best act we've had. I am assuming these guys have developed and evolved together, so that's going to be a great rock show."

As far as whether there will be any surprise reunions this weekend, Farrell said don't count on it — especially if you were hoping to see Jane's Addiction. Even though the band's original lineup shared a stage back in April for the first time in more than 15 years, Perry said they won't be repeating that moment in Chicago.

"Not this year," he said. "This year, I couldn't ask for a better lineup. But it's going to be quite something to top 2008. We are the biggest festival in the country, overflowing with 75,000 people a day, so I think this year, we're done. We've done it. But next year, we're already speaking and planning, and guess what? Next year looks fantastic. It really is unbelievable."

Could there be a Jane's reunion at Lollapalooza 2009? "Look, we are at each other's throats almost every step of the way," Farrell explained. "So the concept of it sounds unbelievable, right? Wow, man — that would be a trip. But then the reality of it starts to set in, and it becomes one of those things where — you know how somebody can just get under your skin and things can just become just unlivable? I go through that process, but let me tell you this. When I think about the party and I think about the aftereffects, it may be worth it. It may be worth it. But don't hold me to it. It's one of those things, man. I have a fantastic life, and as much as I'd love to have Jane's in my life, I know there's a window. We should try, shouldn't we? We're all still able to kick ***. Musicians, we get good up until we get really old. Our career goes twice as long as an athlete's, but not three times as long. There's a certain age where, all of a sudden, your fingers aren't flying, and you can't jump off the riser anymore, and you can't take your shirt off. So we'll see what happens."

This report is from MTV News.

Tingly

August 1st, 2008, 06:04 AM

THE VERVE ON COMEBACK TRAIL

The Verve roars back to life after an 11-year hiatus between new albums with "Forth," a bracing blend of the experimentalism of the group's early work and the more structured songwriting of its last two efforts.

The set is due Aug. 25 in the U.K. via Parlophone and the following day in North America on the band's On Our Own label, with distribution by RED/Megaforce.

Only one song is less than five minutes long on "Forth," which begins with the seven-minute jam "Sit and Wonder." Atop a big bass groove and foreboding atmospherics, frontman Richard Ashcroft pleads, "Lord, give me the light," setting the table for the single "Love Is Noise," the most electronic track of the Verve's career.

The cut's sampled "woo-hoo" vocal and synths stake out new territory, but rarely have Ashcroft's vocals sounded as raw and angrily passionate. "Love Is Noise" will be released in the U.K. Aug. 4 digitally and Aug. 11 in physical form.

"Forth" is further highlighted by the dreamy "Judas," arguably one of the most beautiful songs the band has yet penned, and the anthemic ballad "Valium Skies," a sure-fire future concert staple which is reminiscent of the hit "Lucky Man" from 1997's "Urban Hymns." "I See Houses" muses on Ashcroft's everyday surroundings while pivoting between the eerie vibes of 1995's "A Northern Soul" and the elegant emoting of "Urban Hymns."

-Billboard

Tingly

August 2nd, 2008, 07:04 AM

LYDON OF SEX PISTOLS: 'WINEHOUSE LACKS TALENT'

Rock Band Sex Pistols' lead singer John Lydon has hit out at troubled British singer Amy Winehouse, accusing her of imitating music and turning to drugs and alcohol to disguise her 'lack of talent'.

Lydon criticised the singer's Grammy award winning 2006 album "Back To Black", branding her style of music as 'idiotic', reports contactmusic.com.

'Poor old Amy. Aimless Winehouse would be a better term. I love all kinds of music but the one thing I have never done is imitate black music in her idiotic way,' he told Scottish newspaper Daily Record.

Lydon also put Winehouse's ongoing struggle with her addictions down to her alleged musical failings and said: 'I don't like pale imitations and shades of things and I am always wary when people go jazzy because jazz is the best cover up for a lack of talent.

'And the cover up for her, which is probably the guilt trip, is that she requires vast amounts of drugs to hide the fact that she is a fake.'

Winheouse's mother claimed earlier this week that her daughter was no longer using drugs.

-IANS

Tingly

August 2nd, 2008, 07:06 AM

MUSIC MARKS ONE YEAR SINCE BRIDGE COLLAPSE

MINNEAPOLIS — It was another perfect summer day — so similar to and yet so different from that day a year ago when the Minneapolis freeway bridge fell.

On Aug. 1, 2007, there was crashing and panic and disbelief and horror. On Friday, there were songs and doves and tears and hugs. And then silence, to remember the moment a year ago when the Interstate 35W bridge collapsed into the Mississippi River during the evening rush hour, killing 13 people and injuring more than 140.

Minnesotans came together for two memorial ceremonies in Minneapolis to mark the anniversary. Hundreds gathered in Gold Medal Park and marched to the whine of bagpipes to the Stone Arch Bridge, just up the Mississippi from the bridge that fell. A new bridge, still under construction, already stands in its place. The red fire truck from Fire Station 11 — the first rescuer on the collapse scene — led the procession.

Shortly before 6:05 p.m., the time of the collapse, Minneapolis Police Inspector Mike Martin read the names of those who died: Julia Blackhawk. Richard Chit. Paul Eickstadt. Sherry Engebretsen. Peter Hausmann. Patrick Holmes. Greg Jolstad. Vera Peck. Christine Sacorafas. Hana Sahal. Sadiya Sahal. Scott Sathers. Artemio Trinidad-Mena.

-deseretnews

Tingly

August 2nd, 2008, 07:12 AM

VIDEO GAMES CHANGING THE MUSIC SCENE

The booming success of the Guitar Hero and Rock Band franchises has dropped a bomb on the music biz. Record labels and rock stars alike are eyeing new revenue streams as gamemakers compete for musical talent, scramble to secure rights to original master tapes and bring in aging artists to re-record classic rock hits.

Activision Blizzard -- publisher of Guitar Hero, the groundbreaking videogame that lets wannabe rockers tap out songs on Les Paul-shaped controllers -- raked in a reported $830 million in 2007, an annual record for any game franchise.

Now an industry reeling from the disruptive effects of technology is looking at music games as a lucrative new income stream.

Here are a few ways that Rock Band and Guitar Hero are changing the game for the record industry:

Old bands, new fans

Young gamers are getting turned on to classic rock songs recorded before they were born, with videogame consoles functioning almost like radio did in its hit-making heyday.

"Guitar Hero is a really funny craze, kind of like the Hula-Hoop," says Nancy Wilson of Heart, whose 1976 hit "Crazy on You" appears in Guitar Hero II. "It also is one big reason why so many really young kids are showing up at Heart concerts these days."

Musical mimicry

"Crazy on You" might be winning Heart new fans, but it's not the original recording that gamers are playing along to. Of the 106 recordings featured in the first three releases of Guitar Hero, only nine are original recordings. The other 97, including the Heart hit, are re-recordings done by a stable of studio hired guns at WaveGroup Sound in Fremont, California, according to Will Littlejohn, WaveGroup's president.

"We usually shoot for the same vibe, and pick players and vocalists that will work with the song," says Littlejohn. "We don't over-think it, we just have them play the song as they hear it or sing the tune with their own voice. In terms of the arrangements, we often make changes to the guitar and bass parts in order to make gameplay more interesting in Guitar Hero."

Looming lawsuits

While record labels and classic rock groups are enjoying newfound success as a result of music games' popularity, at least one band is not happy about the situation and is challenging Activision in court. Members of '80s rock band The Romantics are suing Activision, claiming their hit "What I Like About You" and the Guitar Hero cover version of the song sound so much alike that gamers are confused and the band suffers as a result.

"There's at least a half-dozen other bands waiting in the wings to see what happens with this case," says Romantics' attorney Mike Novak.

Activision insists it obtained proper licensing to include the song in the game, and says the band is on a fishing expedition. "What they did was file for a preliminary injunction over the Thanksgiving holiday trying to disrupt sales of Guitar Hero on a theory that just doesn't hold water," says Activision attorney George Hedges, referring to The Romantics' lawsuit. The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan has agreed with Activision at least at the preliminary stage, finding that the band sold its rights in the song and recordings to a music publisher and record company, neither of whom is suing.

In her opinion denying the band's bid (.pdf) for an injunction to stop sales of the game, U.S. District Judge Nancy G. Edmunds noted that the lead singer of the song, Jimmy Marinos, is not even a plaintiff and is no longer in the band. The court held a summary judgment hearing July 9 and is expected to decide soon who wins.

-wired.com

Full article:

http://www.wired.com/entertainment/music/news/2008/08/soundalikes

Tingly

August 2nd, 2008, 07:14 AM

ANOTHER AUSTIN VENUE BITES THE DUST?

AUSTIN, Texas (KXAN) -- Following a string of noise ordinance violations that could cost thousands of dollars to pay off, the House of Blue Lights in Marble Falls had to shut its doors due to delinquent mixed-beverage taxes.

The Texas Comptroller's Office said it owes $3,950 in overdue taxes for the months of April, May and June.

A Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission officer accompanied a representative with the Texas Comptroller's Office into the business on July 25 and temporarily suspended its alcohol permit.

Once the taxes are paid, it can start selling alcohol again.

The owners said they plan on paying but are working through some financial issues. They plan on reopening once the taxes are paid under a new business name and a new staff.

Tingly

August 2nd, 2008, 07:16 AM

MUSIC SELLER DROPS PRICES TO 3 CENTS A SONG - BUT ONLY IN CHINA!

LOS ANGELES (Map, News) - A U.S. distributor of independent music is offering songs for about 3 cents apiece online in China, where people have easy access to free, pirated music.

The Wawawa Music Store site opened for business Friday offering a subscription service that allows 88 MP3 downloads a month for 20 yuan - the price of a hamburger meal at a Chinese McDonald's, or about $2.93.

The cut rate is meant to raise the bar and encourage Chinese to pay for legitimate music in a country where song files from top artists are available free on sites like Baidu.com.

"Right now the bar is free," said Kevin Arnold, the founder and chief executive of the San Francisco-based Independent Online Distribution Alliance, a digital clearing house for artists who haven't signed with major record labels like Sony BMG, EMI Group PLC, Warner Music Group Corp. or Vivendi SA's Universal Music Group.

-examiner.com

Tingly

August 9th, 2008, 06:42 AM

PRE-OPENING OLYMPIC PERFORMANCES FEATURED CHINESE FOLK MUSIC & DANCE

Beijing, Aug 8 (Xinhua) A group of dancers danced to festive Tibetan music before fanning out to form the Olympic rings here Friday, about two hours before the opening of the Beijing Games.

The Chinese ethnic dance was the centrepiece of a feast of folk art performances before Beijing finally raises the curtain of the 29th Summer Games.

Drums and folk music resounded at the National Stadium, or the 'Bird's Nest' here, as 28 folk ballads and dances were staged.

Performers dressed in traditional costumes featuring different Chinese localities and ethnic groups including Tibetans, Uygurs, Hui, Miao, Tujia, Yi, Miao, Mongolian, Tu and Qiang, took turns to march into the centre of the stadium, staging lion dances, drum ballads, acrobatic dances, rolling lanterns and stilts dances, among other folk artforms.

The pre-opening performances lasted more than an hour and ended with a group of dancers holding two colourful dragons nearly 300 meters long each.

The weather in Beijing was still hot and stuffy Friday, and most people were sweating in the roofless stadium.

The Bird's Nest has a seating capacity of 91,000.

-IANS

Tingly

August 9th, 2008, 06:43 AM

NEW LIAM GALLAGHER TUNE IS LENNON TRIBUTE

London, Aug 8 : Oasis rocker Liam Gallagher has penned a song in tribute to late Beatles singer John Lennon for his new album 'Dig Out Your Own Soul'.

Gallagher isn't known as the sensitive type, but he has gone out of his way to write two songs for the greatest loves of his life - Lennon and wife Nicole.

Gallagher has claimed that he got into music when he had an out-of-body experience featuring Lennon.

The rocker also revealed that he still thinks he is haunted by Lennon's ghost.

"Liam has so much passion for the subject. He's obsessed. That's why the song is so brilliant and poignant," The Sun quoted a source, as saying.

-ANI

Tingly

August 9th, 2008, 06:48 AM

JONAS BROTHERS CAUSING CHAOTIC 'BEATLE-LIKE' SCENES IN NY

NEW YORK — Mothers, hide your daughters: Jonas Brothers mania has taken over New York City.

The trio of teen heartthrobs — Nick, Joe and Kevin — rocked a packed Bryant Park in Midtown Manhattan for their "Good Morning America" appearance Friday (August 8), wooing both daughters and mothers alike. One mom held a sign that read, "Make me a Jonas mother-in-law"!

The guys played a quick set containing several fan favorites — including "S.O.S." and their VMA-nominated hit "Burnin' Up" — and snippets of a couple other songs from their new LP, out Tuesday, A Little Bit Longer. (Hear the whole album on "The Leak"!) But truthfully, what they were playing was difficult to hear over the screams — and may well have been irrelevant to the near-hysterical (and very loud) crowd.

It was a scene straight out of Beatlemania: There were reports of several people fainting, although it was unclear whether that was due to the size of the crowd or the effect of the boys on that crowd.

One group of friends from Connecticut had worked on T-shirts for two days to demonstrate their devotion to the band; the shirts were filled with messages, lyrics and pictures of the guys. "We found pictures that we really loved on the computer and then we put them on the shirts and then we started designing them," Crystal, 12, told MTV News. "It was all worth it because we got to see the Jonas Brothers!"

Some teenage girls braved a rainy night on the street just to catch a glimpse of the boys, braving arguments between fans — and even vermin — while waiting to get into the park. New York-area native Naisa, 14, and Maryland native Paula, 13, told MTV News, "It was horrible! When we went to the train station there was rats. [Outside the park,] people were shoving each other. There were a lot of fights." Still, they thought the Jonas' appearance was nothing less than "awesome."

Katie, 17, from New Jersey, and her sisters traveled to the city a day in advance to get a spot in Bryant Park. "We wanted to get the best seats and we wanted to have fun camping out," she said. "Well, we go to hear their new songs too, which was amazing. The Jonas Brothers are worth camping out for any day!"

Still, we couldn't help but ask: Rats, rain, fights, a night on the streets of New York City? What is it about these guys that has girls traveling hundreds of miles and lining up two or three days in advance for this gig?

For some it's their tunes, for others it's their image. "They really put everything they can into their music and they really love their fans, so they deserve it," said Amber, 14, who'd traveled from Rhode Island on a bus by herself to catch the show. "They're great inspirations to kids. They're a very wholesome band and they put everything they can into it."

Cristina, 10, from Queens, New York, said she loves the boys because "they're hot. They're cute. They're very cool."

But for one girl, the answer is very simple — if slightly unexpected.

"Nick is the best. He has great eyebrows," one excited 16-year-old proclaimed. "Every guy should have great eyebrows."

Don't have Jonas fever yet? Well, then be sure to catch the guys when they're on "TRL" next week for "Jonas Brothers TRL Fan Week"!

-MTV

Tingly

August 9th, 2008, 06:50 AM

CARLA BRUNI DEFENDS HER MUSIC

Washington, Aug 9 : French President Nicolas Sarkozy's pop star wife Carla Bruni has hit back at critics who have panned sexually charged lyrics of her new album.

Conservatives claim some of Bruni's songs about drugs and sex on her latest album Comme Si de Rien N'etait (As If Nothing Had Happened) are inappropriate for the wife of a government official.

In one song, the singer compares being in love to an addictive drug, singing: "You are my drug/More deadly than Afghan heroin/More dangerous than Colombian white."

The lyric has been lambasted by Colombia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Fernando Araujo, who insisted the illegal drug link is "painful" for Colombia, and shouldn't feature in a song by the wife of a world leader.

But Bruni insists she isn't fazed by the uproar, and finds it flattering people still listen to her music.

"It doesn't bother me much. It's actually nice to have people searching for a meaning (in my lyrics). At least they read them," Contactmusic quoted her, as saying.

"It's a song about love addiction, when people just go crazy, you know? I know it can be taken in other ways, but in the end, all the songs can speak for themselves," she added.

-ANI

Tingly

August 9th, 2008, 06:52 AM

VMA NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED

Each year, one of the most coveted trophies handed out at the MTV Video Music Awards is the Moonman for Best New Artist. Guns N' Roses, Nirvana, Stone Temple Pilots, Eminem, Alicia Keys, Avril Lavigne and 50 Cent are among the award's previous winners, while Gym Class Heroes walked away with the honor last year.

But who will take the prize home in 2008, the awards' 25th anniversary? Will it be the world's richest and most famous teenage girl, or a bunch of German rockers who can't spell Tokyo? Well, we won't know until September 7 at 9 p.m., when this year's big show is broadcast live from the legendary Paramount Pictures Studios in Hollywood. This year's awards will be hosted by British comedian and "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" co-star Russell Brand and is set to feature performances from nominees Lil Wayne and the Jonas Brothers.

But we can tell you right now that some of your favorite artists from '08 made the list — thanks in large part to your votes.

Millions of votes poured into VMA.MTV.com, which, along with input from a select assembly of industry insiders, helped determine the five nominees for this year's Best New Artist prize. MTV also revealed the nominees in the Best Dancing in a Video category on Friday (August 8) during an episode of "FNMTV," and they include a pop-music icon, a dimpled R&B sensation and a gaggle of gals discovered by Sean "Diddy" Combs.

"Hannah Montana" star Miley Cyrus picked up her first VMA nomination and seems an early favorite for the Best New Artist title. But she'll have to contend with Katy Perry, the lass behind this summer's infectious hit "I Kissed a Girl," which was already nominated in the Best Female Video category. Nods also went to "American Idol" veteran Jordin Sparks, country-crossover cutie Taylor Swift and German rock collective Tokio Hotel, whose "Ready, Set, Go!" is also in the running for Best Pop Video.

Madonna's clip for "4 Minutes" is among the nominees up for Best Dancing in a Video. The Material Girl is joined by Ne-Yo (nominated for "Closer"), Chris Brown ("Forever"), delicious girl group Danity Kane (whose "Damaged" was also singled out in the Best Pop Video category last week) and the Pussycat Dolls, who get their first-ever nod for "When I Grow Up."

Starting now, you can head over to VMA.MTV.com and cast your votes in two new categories: Best Rock Video and the one every artist wants, Video of the Year.

Want to attend this year's VMAs? Well, here's your chance. One lucky viewer will be honored at this year's awards for the good work they've done. Think.MTV.com, MTV's online community for youth activism, is hooking up one young activist and shipping them off to Los Angeles to attend the VMAs, and it could be you. From now until August 22, all Think.MTV.com members who join the "Do Good. Go to the VMAs" group can enter to win two tickets to the VMAs, along with travel and hotel accommodations.

-MTV

Tingly

August 9th, 2008, 06:55 AM

NEW ZEALAND VIDEO BANNED FOR 'EXPLOITING CHILDREN' IN MILK DRINKING SCENE

A New Zealand music video depicting children binge-drinking milk has been banned by TVNZ.

Funk band The Hot Grits' video Headlights features about 30 children having a night out and drinking from shot glasses and funnels.

TVNZ says the video was banned because it risked breaching broadcasting standards by exploiting children.

But Hot Grits' lead singer Barnie Duncan says that's rubbish and that the ban is heavy-handed.

He says the video was intended as an allegory of adult drunkeness and misbehaviour and that it supported the "It's not the drinking, it's how we're drinking" message of the Alcohol Advisory Council's campaigns.

He also claims that children drink out of shot glasses all the time.

TVNZ says it is not convinced, and that this is a case of adults using young children in inappropriate adult behaviour as a source of entertainment.

However, Duncan says he is not losing sleep over the ban, as the band's video is on regular rotation on three other New Zealand music channels (C4, Juice TV, and ALT).

The wide range of music channels today leaves the Hot Grits in a better position than local industrial band the Skeptics were in in 1987, the last time TVNZ banned a music video.

Their grisly clip for the song AFFCO showed graphic freezing works footage of sheep being slaughtered

-tvnz

Tingly

August 9th, 2008, 06:57 AM

NINE INCH NAILS CANCEL MASS. SHOW DUE TO THROAT AILMENT

Nine Inch Nails have cancelled their show tonight (August 8) at the DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Frontman Trent Reznor has reportedly been battling a throat ailment that forced him to cancel a gig in Minneapolis earlier this week.

In a posting on the band's website, Reznor wrote: "Just want to personally say how sorry I am to have to do this. I never take postponing a show lightly and if there were any possible way I could pull this off I would. This is a very frustrating and maddening situation for me and I appreciate your understanding. I'll make it up to you."

Tickets for tonight's show will be honoured on the rescheduled November 9 date. Those who prefer a refund can get one at their original point of purchase.

-NME

Tingly

August 9th, 2008, 06:59 AM

STING HAS BEARD SHAVED AFTER LAST SHOW

To commemorate the end of the Police's reunion tour, Sting shaved off his tour beard in front of the sold out Madison Square Garden show Thursday.

After an hour of performing, Sting and bandmates Andy Summer and Stewart Copeland, left the stage. The crowd was treated to a video screen with a bare-chested Sting backstage on a makeup chair, allowing two women to shave his facial hair.

-180 WGY

Tingly

August 9th, 2008, 07:00 AM

METALLICA GETS THEIR OWN RADIO STATION!

Metallica will have their very own US radio station, which launches this month to coincide with the release of their highly anticipated forthcoming album 'Death Magnetic', due out worldwide on September 12.

'Mandatory Metallica' will feature rare live recordings from the band's personal archives, as well as band interviews, rare import tracks and other selections from the Metallica catalogue.

Metallica members James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo will serve as hosts of the programme, which will be broadcast on XM Radio's channel 51 for six weeks beginning August 16.

-NME

Tingly

August 9th, 2008, 07:02 AM

2008 OLYMPIC SONG UNVEILED

U.K. soprano vocalist Sarah Brightman and Chinese singer Liu Huan unveiled the official 2008 Beijing Olympics theme song “You And Me” at the National Stadium (aka the Bird's Nest) during the opening ceremony in front of a crowd of 91,000. The global TV audience is expected to be over one billion.

The performance, which came an hour into the Aug. 8 opening ceremony (at 9pm Beijing time), was the climax of the artistic portion of the program.

It featured the duo singing from the top of a 16-ton globe with a diameter of 18 metres, surrounded by a sea of portraits of smiling children’s faces from around the world. The song, which was a heavily guarded secret before being performed at the ceremony, was composed by France-based Chinese classical composer Chen Qigang, the musical director of the opening ceremony.

Film director Zhang Yimou was responsible for the overall artistic direction of the ceremony. The parade of nations competing in the Games followed the Olympic theme.

Liu, who began the performance by singing the Chinese verse of the song, previously sang the theme to the 1990 Asian Games in Beijing. Brightman also sang the official theme to the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, “Friends For Life”, with Jose Carreras.

-Billboard

Tingly

August 9th, 2008, 07:03 AM

BLIGE SUED FOR STEALING SONG

Mary J. Blige has been sued by an entertainment company for allegedly stealing music she used on her most recent album and in an iPod commercial.

The Drama Family Entertainment company is seeking $2 million in the suit filed in Manhattan federal court earlier this week.

The lawsuit alleges the company suffered copyright infringement because the R&B star stole the music to her song 'Work That', which appears on her album 'Growing Pains'.

The company claims the music was created by a producer who worked for the company at the time, reports the Associated Press.

The song was also featured in an iPod commercial, but Apple Inc is not named in the suit.

-NME

Tingly

August 10th, 2008, 12:39 AM

BRITNEY TAPES VMA APPEARANCE

Washington, Aug 9 : After a thwarting performance at the Video Music Awards last year, Britney Spears has returned to the MTV Stage to tape a promotional video for this year's ceremony.

Britney looked much better, while performing her act.

"Britney looked really good," the People Magazine quoted a source, as saying.

Even though the network could not confirm whether Britney will appear on the show to be aired on the 7th of September, Britney's promo give a promising sign.

Although the 'Hit Me Baby One More Time' hitmaker has been nominated 17 times, she is yet to walk away with an award.

-ANI

Tingly

August 10th, 2008, 12:43 AM

FLORIDA WOMAN IN MIDDLE OF DOWNLOADING CASE

FORT PIERCE - The Beastie Boys, *NSYNC and Paula Abdul have gotten a 20-year-old Hobe Sound woman into some serious trouble.

The artists' songs are among the 419 copyrighted audio files record companies such as Warner Bros. and Virgin Records caught Stephanie Wielinski distributing online in April 2007 using peer-to-peer, file-sharing software, according to a federal lawsuit filed against Wielinski on July 29.

Since 2003, the Recording Industry Association of America has sued about 30,000 people on behalf of record companies for online file sharing, according to the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a San Francisco-based nonprofit organization that advocates on behalf of those targeted by such suits.

But the volume of these lawsuits could lessen if a landmark federal case — back in court this past week — raises the burden of proof for copyright infringement.

In October, a jury for the first trial over music file sharing decided that Jammie Thomas, 31, of Brainerd, Minn., infringed copyrights when she downloaded and distributed 24 music files over the Internet. The jury awarded the affected record companies $9,250 for each of the 24 songs.

But now the presiding judge, U.S. District Judge Michael J. Davis, is questioning whether he erred by telling jurors they did not have to consider whether the songs Thomas made available online were downloaded by others.

A court precedent requires proof of distribution of copyrighted materials for infringement to have occurred. Neither Thomas nor the record companies addressed that matter during her trial, Davis wrote in an order signed in May.

Davis on Monday conducted a hearing on whether a new trial should take place, and he has promised to make his decision by the end of September, Thomas attorney Brian N. Toder, of Minneapolis, said Friday.

Record companies could be less willing to go after file sharers if they have to prove someone downloaded the materials a defendant made available, said Fred von Lohmann, a senior staff attorney for the Electronic Frontier Foundation. Von Lohmann submitted a brief supporting a new trial for Thomas.

Because peer-to-peer distributors, or uploaders, put their files in the public domain for all to see and download, it is easy for record companies to note the IP, or Internet protocol, addresses of these users and subpoena Internet service providers for the owners' name, von Lohmann said. But there is no central server that keeps track of who downloads what files. This is generally why those who download files are considered safe from lawsuits by record companies.

Proving distribution "could mean they have to work a lot harder," von Lohmann said.

Attorneys for the record companies suing Thomas could not be reached to comment.

However, according to the brief they submitted against a new trial, they should have to prove only that a defendant made files available for transfer — not that a transfer occurred — to demonstrate copyright infringement.

Most defendants quietly settle their cases rather than risk thousands of dollars in litigation fees, von Lohmann said.

-sunsentinel

Tingly

August 10th, 2008, 12:44 AM

HOT LIXX HULAHAN WINS U.S. AIR GUITAR TITLE

SAN FRANCISCO — Former Alameda resident Hot Lixx Hulahan (Craig Billmeier) beat out 24 competitors from around the nation Friday night to take the U.S. Air Guitar national title.

While the world's eyes were focused on Beijing, a fierce competition of another kind rocked out San Francisco's Grand Ballroom for the 2008 Cuervo Black Air Guitar National Finals.

Guitarists each got a 60-second shot to prove their "airness." Officially representing the Bay Area was "Awesome" ("Shred Begley"), but 2006 national champ, Hot Lixx, who qualified for the nationals by winning the Washington, D.C., regionals, prevailed.

Hot Lixx will represent the United States at the world finals Aug. 22 in Finland, a long road from the U.S. regionals, where judges saw some 500 hopefuls try for their shots at world domination.

According to the Air Guitar organizers, in one regional show, a father of three defied all physics and took flight, costing himself a "perfectly good ankle" upon landing.

One talent rode a Harley into the venue and up to the stage.

A man in Los Angeles made flames rise from his fingers, only to be outshone by ROCKIT, who finished his routine hanging head over heels from the rafters.

There were vikings, leprechauns, a professional stripper, an inflatable fat-suit, an official NBA mascot, and, in an old church in Pittsburgh, Pa., they heard the very Voice of God.

And do not forget Bette B. Goode, the Brooklyn finalist who had to have a toe amputated after a run in with a chair on stage.

In a nod to the hubbub in China, the competitors were judged on the same scale as Olympic ice skating (4.0-6.0). The three judges were evaluating stage presence, technical prowess and "airness."

It seems unlikely any ice skaters will be caught spitting a mouthful of booze out at the audience, as was the case at the Grand Ballroom.

So will air guitar ever be an Olympic sport? Apparently the Air Guitar organization has applied repeatedly to the International Olympic Committee but has yet to be acknowledged.

As one fan reasoned, "It is too intense." It seems that most air guitar athletes would not pass the drug tests.

But the sport might just make sense at a world event.

As air guitarist Bjorn says, air guitar could lead to world peace because, "If you're holding an air guitar, you can't hold a gun."

-insidebayarea

Tingly

August 10th, 2008, 12:48 AM

BILLY JOEL REAMS PHONY MUSIC WRITER

When Sunday Star-Times music critic Grant Smithies called some of Billy Joel's music "sentimental rubbish" he didn't expect the rock star to read it. Much less respond.

But the Piano Man, a former boxer, has come out punching writing to Smithies and suggesting that if the reviewer comes to hear him play in Auckland in December, he should wear a hockey mask for his own protection.

"I had no idea when you interviewed me that you considered much of my later work to be `sentimental rubbish', or that you thought songs like Uptown Girl and We Didn't Start the Fire were 'abominations'. And your back-slapping, buddy-buddy style of conversation betrayed no indication that you actually compared talking with me to `sleeping with an inflatable girlfriend'," Joel fumed.

"You didn't bring any of this up during the interview, and I certainly would have welcomed the opportunity to discuss those kinds of things, person to person. I believe that it's always best to be upfront with someone when you have strong opinions about their work or their image, simply as a gesture of respect, or if the respect isn't there, then purely as professionalism.

"Had I known you felt this way, I still would have done the bloody interview, but your comments reveal you to be already critically predisposed and somewhat insincere. You are still welcome to attend our concert in Auckland, but just as a safety precaution, please wear a hockey mask."

Smithies, who has been a music writer for nearly 20 years and defends his right to express his personal opinion, says it is unusual for someone of such high profile to read his press, let alone respond to it.

"I've had letters before from the bass player in some local band who is ****** off because I said his record is crap... but I've never had a letter from someone in the big league before. It's actually made him go up in my estimation.

"He just wants respect for his work and I think good on him for making direct contact. He was great to talk to and no matter what I think of those songs, other people clearly love them because he's sold over 150 million records."

Smithies won't be attending the Auckland concert and says he is relieved he is safely out of the former boxer's reach.

"He was undefeated in 21 fights. So I do feel fortunate that I'm not living in New York so he can't come around and smack me one."

-www.stuff.co.nz

Tingly

August 10th, 2008, 12:50 AM

REM MOVES GIG TO SMALLER VENUE

REM's forthcoming gig at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium has been switched to a smaller indoor venue in the Welsh city after sluggish ticket sales.

The show, due to take place on August 25, will instead be at the nearby Cardiff International Arena. Tickets are still valid, but fans can get a refund if they wish.

About 18,000 tickets had already been sold for the stadium, against a capacity for the show of about 35,000.

Bob Gold, the band's European manager, told the BBC sales had not met expectations and it was decided it was better for the band and the audience to move into "a smaller, more intimate venue".

Fans who have already bought tickets have been contacted about the change.

They can use their stadium tickets, or get a refund, and have been offered discounts on other REM shows at Twickenham and Southampton.

Gold blamed the general economic situation for the lack of sales, although he said tickets for REM's other UK shows were "satisfactory".

REM play four shows on the second leg of their European tour, having already played a headline slot at the T In The Park festival in Scotland last month (July 13).

-NME

Tingly

August 10th, 2008, 12:53 AM

TOKYO'S SUMMER SONIC FESTIVAL IS ROCKING JAPAN!!

The Prodigy brought the first day of Tokyo's Summer Sonic festival to a close tonight (August 8), playing a blistering set that culminated in both Maxim and Keith Flint running loose through the crowd under a sky of fireworks.

Both dressed in customised suits, Maxim's black with a white trim, Flint in red and white stripes with 'My Dogs Will Kill You' daubed across the back, the dance three-piece (completed by producer Liam Howlett) played a greatest hit set including the likes of 'Breathe', 'Voodoo People' and a remixed and extended version of 1996 UK Number One single 'Firestarter', that represented almost all stages of their development as a band. Only material from their 1992 debut, 'Experience', was ignored. They performed against an apocalyptic backdrop that included demon-like robot eyes watching over the crowd.

Taking place at the Chiba Marine Stadium and neighbouring Makuhari Messe, the international festival also saw performances from Sex Pistols, The Verve, Santogold and a host of Japanese bands. A sister festival with a rotating line-up takes place in Osaka simultaneously.

Earlier in the day, French electro-riot queen Yelle forced security to close off entry to the Dance Stage where she was performing, as the venue filled to capacity. Wearing a blue sequinned top and neon leggings, she backed her bassy electronics with live percussion, sending the crowd into a dynamic dance frenzy.

Japanese bands, including the eccentric thrash metal of Maximum The Hormone and Eastern-infused surf poppers Go!Go!7188, drew in huge crowds as they performed on home turf, both spending much of their performances regaling the crowds with lengthy anecdotes in Japanese between playing songs.

Before The Prodigy, The Verve serenaded the audience of the Chiba Marine Stadium with a sundown set that included 'Lucky Man', 'The Drugs Donâ€™t Work' new single 'Love Is Noise' and a jubilantly received 'Bitter Sweet Symphony'.

The festival continues tomorrow with Coldplay, Super Furry Animals and Late Of The Pier among the attractions.

-NME

Tingly

August 10th, 2008, 12:54 AM

CAB CALLOWAY'S DAUGHTER DEAD AT 62

SANTA FE (AP) - Chris Calloway, daughter of the famed Cotton Club bandleader Cab Calloway and a performer in her own right, has died.

Calloway died (Thursday) at her home in Santa Fe after a long battle with breast cancer. She was 62.

Calloway sang with her father's Hi-De-Ho Orchestra for two decades until his death in 1995.

She then put together a new version of the band and took the group on a 55-city tour in 2001.

Her Broadway credits include singing in "Hello, Dolly!"

In recent years, Calloway sang and acted at venues around Santa Fe.

Calloway was born in Los Angeles on September 21st, 1945. She got her sta

Tingly

August 10th, 2008, 12:56 AM

SUPER JAZZ GROUP OPENS NEWPORT FESTIVAL

August 9, 2008 - In a set filled with angular, thoroughly modern originals, the supergroup of bassist Dave Holland, pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba, saxophonist Chris Potter and drummer Eric Harland kicked off the Saturday program at the Newport Jazz Festival. In 2007, the four musicians met on the summer festival circuit and hit it off immediately. Though their busy schedules dictated that they were playing only their third gig as a quartet, they played together with the instinct of a long-time working group.

It's no surprise, however, that the four instrumentalists were able to mesh so easily. Dave Holland has performed in every conceivable setting under the jazz umbrella for over 40 years. As a leader, he has led bands large and small in forging a distinctly contemporary sound, merging many aspects of his past experiences. He often calls upon saxophonist Chris Potter in his groups; meanwhile, Potter has grown into a prime mover himself. Not yet 40, Potter is a busy man at this year's Newport Festival: He had another appearance with this supergroup, in addition to sitting in with keyboard/electronics wizard Marco Benevento, holding the saxophone chair in Herbie Hancock's quartet, and leading his own group, Chris Potter Underground.

The U.S. jazz audience discovered virtuosic pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba after bassist Charlie Haden heard him playing in Havana, Cuba. Haden brought him on tour and in contact with Blue Note Records; he has since released many albums as a leader which show off a prodigious jazz technique filtered through traditional Cuban musical ideas. Highly dynamic 28-year-old drummer Eric Harland joins the group as one of the most demanded sidemen today, and frequently gigs with Dave Holland as well.

-NPR

Tingly

August 10th, 2008, 12:59 AM

FLA GOV FORMS TASK FORCE ON MUSIC INDUSTRY

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. -- Gov. Charlie Crist has formed a new state task force aimed at strengthening Florida's music industry.

Crist made the announcement Friday during a meeting with music industry executives on South Beach.

The move comes amid slumping sales in the recording industry and the closings of some studios in Miami, a center of the Latin music scene.

Some of the music executives complained about how Miami wasn't able to keep the Latin Grammys in town. Crist challenged them to create a large music festival of their own.

-local10.com

Tingly

August 10th, 2008, 01:01 AM

RADIOHEAD KILLS IN JERSEY

Radiohead played a dazzling headlining set Friday (Aug. 8) to crown the first day of the inaugural All Points West festival, set just across the Hudson River from Manhattan at New Jersey's Liberty State Park.

Fresh of a similarly high profile gig exactly a week ago at Lollapalooza in Chicago, the U.K. band was at its best on material from its 2007 album "In Rainbows," particularly the gauzy ballad "Nude," the tightly wound rocker "Weird Fishes" and the sublime, soulful "House of Cards."

There were only occasional visits to the Radiohead back catalog, but they were among the best moments of the night, including "How To Disappear Completely," "Morning Bell" and "Optimistic" from "Kid A," "Lucky" and "Paranoid Android" from "OK Computer" and the lone selections from "The Bends," "Street Spirit (Fade Out)" and "Just."

Radiohead's first New York-area show in more than two years was by far the biggest drawing card of the day, although dance acts Underworld and Girl Talk packed the throngs in during their early evening sets just prior to the headliner.

Underworld's high-energy performance was back-loaded with classics such as "Jumbo" and "Born Slippy Nuxx," as sequined blazer-clad vocalist Karl Hyde danced spastically. "Two Months Off" was also a hit with the crowd, its key, repeated line of "You bring light in" perfectly appropriate for All Points West's first day.

-Billboard

Tingly

August 10th, 2008, 01:02 AM

19TH SAN JOSE JAZZ FEST UNDERWAY

SAN JOSE (CBS 5) ― The San Jose Jazz festival kicked off its 19th year on Friday, with about 100,000 visitors expected to attend. While music is the major focus, behind the scenes it's about the environment.

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, David Sanborn and The Manhattan Transfer are among the headliners. There will be 1,000 performers in a hundred different bands on 10 different stages.

Organizers say this year, the blues is going green. Every amplifier, speaker and microphone on the Blues Stage will be completely solar powered. Sustainable Waves, who runs the stage, say powering the weekend's concerts is like taking off the road for the entire year.

People attending the festival will also be asked to separate recyclables from compostables. There is also no Styrofoam plates at the event and even all the cooking grease will be converted to biodiesel. Festival organizers are aiming to recycle about 85 percent of its waste.

-CBS

Tingly

August 10th, 2008, 01:05 AM

GILMOUR STRAT AVAILABLE 9/22/08

David Gilmour and the Fender Custom Shop have announced the highly anticipated release of one of the most iconic musical instruments of the past 50 years--the David Gilmour Signature Series Stratocaster guitar. Based on Gilmour’s famous “Black Strat” guitar, the instrument will be available at select Fender retailers worldwide beginning Sept. 22, 2008.

A cornerstone of Pink Floyd’s incomparably revolutionary sound, Gilmour’s Black Strat is featured extensively on The Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, Animals, The Wall and his critically acclaimed 2006 solo effort, On An Island. The Fender Custom Shop worked hand-in-hand with Gilmour and his longtime guitar technician, Phil Taylor, to create this signature model, a detailed reproduction of the Black Strat--complete in its unmistakable look, sound and feel.

Gilmour bought the original instrument in May 1970 from Manny’s Music in New York. The guitar’s first Pink Floyd recorded appearance came on the group’s fifth album, Atom Heart Mother. It subsequently became Gilmour’s main guitar for live performances and studio work.

The new reproduction--the David Gilmour Signature Series Stratocaster guitar--features an alder body, black over three-color sunburst finish, a black pickguard, a one-piece straight-grain maple neck, custom pickups and Gilmour’s now-infamous electronics and shortened vintage tremolo arm. Beautiful, powerful, unique and as idiosyncratic as Gilmour’s playing, the guitar will be produced by the Fender Custom Shop in N.O.S. (new old stock) and Relic versions.

The David Gilmour Signature Series Stratocaster guitar comes with a custom case, an Evidence high-end guitar cable, Gilmour’s three-disc Live in Gdansk CD/DVD set and Taylor’s 2007 book about the guitar’s history, The Black Strat. The first 500 guitars sold in either finish option will include a limited edition, signed copy of The Black Strat book, autographed by Phil Taylor.

-GW

Tingly

August 10th, 2008, 01:08 AM

McKAGAN DENIES REPORTS OF NEW VELVET REVOLVER SINGER

Velvet Revolver’s Duff McKagan has denied reports that Spacehog’s Royston Langdon is set to become the band’s new singer: “He’s ******* awesome, at this point I’d have to say no.”

McKagan added, “We just have to make sure it’s the right guy,” saying the band has grown closer since they parted ways with Scott Weiland in April. While they wait on their decision for a new singer, the band continues to work on new music. “We have a bunch of stuff finished. It’s great. It’s killer,” McKagan said.

And here’s a fun fact: Slash listened to those leaked Chinese Democracy tracks, but McKagan hasn’t, saying “I wouldn’t even know where to look.”

-RS

Tingly

August 10th, 2008, 01:10 AM

TREY WOWED THEM IN BROOKLYN!!

Sure, Trey Anastasio unveiled a couple of new songs and dusted off a couple of old Phish favorites (”Gotta Jiboo,” “Sand” and “Bug”) at last night’s comeback show with his Trey Anastasio Band at the tiny Williamsburg Music Hall in Brooklyn, New York. But the highlight of his show came during the mellowest point of the night. During the breezy ballad “Drifting,” Anastasio crooned, “I’ve been drifting for years at sea/ But now you’ve come along to rescue me.” Never has that sentiment rang truer: after getting arrested for drug possession in upstate New York in 2006 and subsequently entering court-ordered rehab, Anastasio looked happy and healthy last night as he delivered a lively two-and-a-half hour set to hundreds of adoring fans (including one dude who sported a hockey jersey emblazoned with Anastasio’s name on the back).

Anastasio’s fret-playing skills have also seemed to improve as a result of his time off: “Drifting” featured a watery, almost-lyrical guitar solo. Later, Anastasio unleashed the killer new cut, “Valentine.” Powered by a Beatles-esque bassline from “Come Together,” Anastasio let loose with drone-y, slow-dripping funk licks, which he shaded with masterfully controlled feedback. Predictably, the venue was packed to capacity — and there were ticketless fans who hung outside during the show — so most people had a tough time getting a clear sightline. Still, Anastasio came armed with a nice lighting rig to entertain anyone stuck in the back. As one woman cried while showing off her hippie-shake dance moves, “You can see the lights!”

Set List:
“Alaska”
“Gotta Jibboo”
“Peggy”
“Sweet Dreams Melinda”
“Sand”
“Cayman Review”
“Gone”
“Windora Bug”
“Night Speaks To A Woman”
“Tuesday”
“Drifting”
“Backwards Down The Number Line”
“Spin”
“Valentine”
“Greyhound Rising”
“The Way I Feel”
“Mr. Completely”
“Light”
“First Tube”

Encore:
“Heavy Things”
“Bug”

-RS

Tingly

August 10th, 2008, 01:13 AM

WOLFMOTHER SPLITTING UP

After only one album, Wolfmother have announced via their website that they are splitting up. Initially, keyboardist/bassist Chris Ross left the Australian trio, citing irreconcilable personal and musical differences. Not wanting to simply fill the void and continue on in a changed line up, drummer Myles Heskett followed Ross’ exit.

That leaves singer/guitarist Andrew Stockdale, who said he would recruit new musicians and continue on as Wolfmother. After touring the world from 2006 to early 2007 on the strength of their self-titled debut, “longstanding frictions within the group” finally came to the forefront, forcing the band to take an extended break to consider its future in late 2007.

Earlier this year, the band regrouped to start work on their new album and to “road-test” new material. But after this weekend’s Splendour in the Grass Festival in their native Australia, Ross decided he had had enough.

The band said they ask “fans to please understand that in spite of their best efforts over a long period of time, they just could not find a harmonious way to work together and that has lead to the decisions announced today.”

In their short history, Wolfmother sold a half-million copies of their self-titled debut album in the U.S., became a Guitar Hero favorite and even won the Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance in 2007 for “Woman.”

-RS

Tingly

August 10th, 2008, 02:17 PM

SOUL SINGER ISAAC HAYES DEAD AT 65

Isaac Hayes, Oscar-winner for his pop/R&B classic ''Theme from Shaft,'' Stax Records pioneer, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, and familiar voice to a younger generation as the voice of Chef on South Park, has died, CNN reports, citing sheriff's officials in Memphis, Tennessee.

A family member found Hayes unresponsive near a treadmill and he was pronounced dead about an hour later at Baptist East Hospital in Memphis, according to the sheriff's office. The cause of death was not immediately known.

In the early 1970s, Hayes laid the groundwork for disco, for what became known as urban-contemporary music and for romantic crooners like Barry White. And he was rapping before there was rap.

His career hit another high in 1997 when he became the voice of Chef, the sensible school cook and devoted ladies man on the animated TV show "South Park."

The album "Hot Buttered Soul" made Hayes a star in 1969. His shaven head, gold chains and sunglasses gave him a compelling visual image.

"Hot Buttered Soul" was groundbreaking in several ways: He sang in a "cool" style unlike the usual histrionics of big-time soul singers. He prefaced the song with "raps," and the numbers ran longer than three minutes with lush arrangements.

"Jocks would play it at night," Hayes recalled in a 1999 Associated Press interview. "They could go to the bathroom, they could get a sandwich, or whatever."

Next came "Theme From Shaft," a No. 1 hit in 1971 from the film "Shaft" starring Richard Roundtree.

"That was like the shot heard round the world," Hayes said in the 1999 interview.

At the Oscar ceremony in 1972, Hayes performed the song wearing an eye-popping amount of gold and received a standing ovation. TV Guide later chose it as No. 18 in its list of television's 25 most memorable moments. He won an Academy Award for the song and was nominated for another one for the score. The song and score also won him two Grammys.

"The rappers have gone in and created a lot of hit music based upon my influence," he said. "And they'll tell you if you ask."

-nydailynews & ew.com

Tingly

August 11th, 2008, 05:59 AM

CLIFF RICHARDS WANTS A HIT FOR HIS 50TH ANNIVERSARY!

It's the 50th anniversary of Cliff Richard's first big hit, and the singer is asking for a simple present – another No 1 smash. 50 years after Move It moved up the British charts, Sir Cliff has invested his hopes in Thank You for a Lifetime, a new song released next month.

Sir Cliff has had No 1 hits in each of the past five decades, including 1959's Living Doll, 1961's The Young Ones, 1979's We Don't Talk Anymore, 1988's Mistletoe and Wine and 1990's Saviour's Day.

Although his Christmas single came close in 2006, Sir Cliff has not topped the charts since The Millennium Prayer in 1999.

"I may be greedy, but to notch up a No 1 after 50 years would be just fantastic," he told the BBC. "I've got the song, I can only hope for the support."

He's got some support at Woolworths, at least, as the retailer has agreed to sell copies of Thank You for a Lifetime - a special exception to their decision not to stock singles.

The song's B-side is Mobile Alabama School Leaving Hullabaloo, a 1977 song that he doesn't even remember recording. It was lost in the Sir Cliff archives and was only recently discovered.

Both songs will be part of a new, eight-disc retrospective, also released in September.

"With the singles market gradually dying, this could be the last chance for Cliff to achieve his 'sixth decade' ambition," said a statement on his website.

We think Sir Cliff may ultimately have to settle for a very big cake.

-The Guardian

Tingly

August 11th, 2008, 06:01 AM

CELEBS PROTEST IN INDIA OVER BAN ON MUSIC!

Bangalore. People of various walks of life, including members of the film, art, music and fashion industry, as well as disc jockeys employed in the city, on Sunday staged a protest against the police imposing a ban on playing of live music and dancing at pubs in the city.

The protestors, who included celebrities like Girish Karnad and Prasad Bidappa, on Sunday came down heavily on the police imposing ban on playing of live music and dancing at pubs.

The protestors contended that music was an expression of oneself and clamping a ban was akin to clamping on one's personal freedom.

The protestors, who carried placards saying 'give our freedom back', wondered how listening to recorded music was permissible, but not listening to live music.

Police had earlier enforced a 11.30 pm deadline, which was followed by a ban on dancing and live music performances, including karaokes.

-keralanext

Tingly

August 11th, 2008, 06:06 AM

MANY CLASSICAL PRO MUSICIANS MUST TEACH TO SURVIVE

Tim Eckert's job requires a light touch and a measure of heavy lifting.

As a workaday classical musician, he lugs a 40-pound double bass from downtown Los Angeles to Century City to Azusa and points in between.

"In the most reductionist terms, I am paid to come in with my bass and play these notes," he said, minutes before descending, tuxedo-clad, into the orchestra pit at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. "We are the laborers."

Eckert's routine illustrates how the business of producing beautiful sounds can play out as a dissonant mix of art and toil: major scales versus wage scales.

For all its intrinsic rewards -- Eckert loves what he does -- his vocation comes down to a fretful chase of elusive paydays, each demanding a level of excellence here that might be unsurpassed in the tuneful world.

Lately, the gigging has only gotten tougher.

Eckert and his colleagues say they must contend with an influx of talent from as far away as New York and Europe and Asia, a growing crop of younger competitors from L.A.'s ever-improving academies and increasing use of canned music onstage and in television.

"We have tremendous numbers of members who are absolutely struggling," said Leslie Lashinsky, a veteran bassoonist who is secretary-treasurer of the L.A. musicians union. "Even very prestigious musicians are hard-pressed to make ends meet."

Eckert, 39, counts himself among the fortunate. He holds one of the few "tenured" orchestra positions in the region, as the fifth-chair bassist for the Los Angeles Opera. That assures him a spot in the pit whenever the opera needs at least five basses.

But as prized as the posting is -- landing it took Eckert three years of subbing for regulars -- full-time employment it's not. Players are paid per rehearsal and performance.

"I couldn't survive on just this," said Eckert as he prepared for a weeknight presentation of "Tosca," for which he would collect about $300.

In the local classical realm, only the L.A. Philharmonic offers musicians a full-time salary.

The Phil starts its players at more than $100,000 a year, and openings draw hundreds of applicants. Winning candidates survive a gantlet of auditions, beginning with a "blind" tryout in which they play behind a screen.

The rest of the classical performers in town -- there is no official tally, but estimates range up to 1,500 -- piece together engagements with other civic orchestras and chorales, grab the odd church or school pageant, do weddings and teach.

Studio sessions can be a livelihood saver. A day of recording tracks for a CD, movie, TV show, commercial or video game can be more lucrative than weeks of live performing, especially because of residual payments.

Recording opportunities are limited, however. And there is no telling when the phone will ring with a booker on the line.

"The combination of studio work and residuals is more than a third of my income," said Eckert, who recently contributed to songs by pop star Dido and the soundtrack for the "X-Files" movie.

"But I can't make that happen," he said. "There is a pool of work out there, and it ebbs and flows."

Boyish, dark-haired and fashionably bespectacled in solid black frames, Eckert was born in San Diego to a Navy officer father and homemaker mother. He took up the clarinet at 9, the year before the family moved to the Detroit area. A teenage fixation with rock 'n' roll led him to the guitar and electric bass.

"AC/DC was an epiphany," said Eckert, whose iPhone is still loaded with rockers.

-LATimes

Full article:

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-eckert11-2008aug11,0,1064582.story?track=rss

Tingly

August 11th, 2008, 06:09 AM

CONN. MUSIC FEST STARTED AS A BLOCK PARTY WITH 'BAR BANDS'!

STAMFORD - As thousands flooded streets and parking garage rooftops to hear Boyz II Men perform in Columbus Park on Thursday night, chatter about attendance swirled wildly through the crowd.

"I heard some guy say that there were 12,000 people there that night," said Martin Nirschel, a local music buff who has been attending Alive @ Five since the concert series began in 1997.

"At some point, you start wondering if we're going to get the Rolling Stones," he said.

What started in 1997 as a block party featuring bar musicians has grown into one of the biggest free musical events in the region. As the event's growth has dovetailed with developers' redefining the Stamford skyline, Boyz II Men on Thursday became the Trump Parc of Alive @ Five acts.

The act will be hard to top, and the city has to decide what to do for an encore next summer.

"The event is going through growing pains," Nirschel said. The city is doing the same, he added.

With ambitious aspirations colliding with residents' anxiety about the loss of a hometown feel, the summer concert series has become a metaphor for the city itself.

"This was an extraordinarily successful concert year, but it came with problems," said Sandy Goldstein, director of Stamford's Downtown Special Services District, which sponsors the shows.

By problems, Goldstein means crowds, though she refrained from giving estimates.

"Thousands," she said.

The DSSD does not attempt to measure attendance.

Crowd control was an issue this summer, as has growing concerns about public drunkenness. After an Eve 6 concert July 17, police began closing Columbus Park from 9 to 11 p.m. after the shows. Concertgoers were allowed to remain in the blocked-off area, but no one was allowed in after 9 p.m.

"It's not Central Park," said Lt. Sean Cooney, a spokesman for the Stamford Police Department. "It's a confined space. And as the concert has grown larger and larger, it's bumping up against its physical limitations as well as our abilities to police it."

Officials have been careful about gauging the scope of safety issues. Police said the seven arrests made near the concert area after the Eve 6 show were unrelated to the concert. Police had not yet compiled a total number of arrests related to the series as of Friday.

On Thursday night, traffic along Washington Boulevard had to be redirected as hundreds of fans, turned away from the packed concert area by police, spilled into the streets.

By the end of the night, 50 police officers wound up working the event, about 20 more than anticipated.

Staging the concerts now requires weekly strategy sessions among Goldstein and city officials. Stamford EMS crews are on hand at appointed locations.

"We've gotten a much better handle on it," Goldstein said. "But every week we still work to improve it."

As Stamford has become more sophisticated over the last decade, so have the acts. The concert series began with members of the Next Door Cafe Jam Band imitating James Brown as they gazed upon a few audience members and weary brick buildings and long-forgotten restaurants that would soon make way to redevelopment and upscale eateries.

Meanwhile, bar bands were replaced by name acts such as Delbert McClinton by 2001 and old favorites such as America in 2002. Crowds continued to grow with an ABBA tribute band in 2003 before the Spin Doctors redefined the scope of the series three years ago. Last year brought a lineup of famous acts, including Don McLean, the Cars and the Neville Brothers. Boyz II Men capped off a season this year that included Blind Melon and Blues Traveler.

Over those 11 years, the University of Connecticut opened its bright new campus; Swiss Bank expanded into the world's largest trading floor and changed its name several times before settling on UBS; and construction of the 34-story Trump Parc tower redefined the city's skyline.

Despite policing and safety concerns, the growth of Alive @ Five has invigorated area businesses. The bulk of the benefits have gone to the restaurants and bars surrounding Columbus Park, that recently have had to shoulder the blow of a down economy.

"If we didn't have these seven weeks of concerts," said Michael Marchetti, owner of Columbus Park Trattoria and secretary of DSSD, "I guarantee one or two of these restaurants wouldn't be here. I know my restaurant would be in serious trouble."

Owners of other eateries, a block or two from the main event, said they barely feel the presence of the concerts. On July 24, the night when Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes performed, restaurants on Atlantic Street were half-empty, with the exception of Zody's, a cafe that features its own live music Thursday nights.

At Katie's Gourmet, a delicatessen around the bend from the concert area on Bank Street, owner Phillip Costas said sales the night of the Boyz II Men show amounted to an order of fries.

Similarly, Tacos Guadalajara, a 28-year-old Mexican restaurant on Atlantic Street, also reports little extra business during the series.

The owner, Galdino Velasco, would like to see the festivities extended to other parts of downtown.

"It's a little park," he said. "It's too tiny."

Velasco, 72, wondered aloud why the event couldn't be more like the street and music festivals the downtown hosted 30 years ago.

"Like it was in '76," he recalled.

While Marchetti, a Stamford native, sympathized with owners such as Velasco and Costas, he said business would ripple to other sections of downtown.

"I remember when over the years, Bedford Street felt the brunt," he said. "But as the event went on and the event grew, there came a surge of business after nine."

As buoyed as Marchetti is by the success of Alive @ Five this year, he questioned how far they should take it next year.

"Do we want to push the envelope further and risk something negative happening or scale back a little bit?" Marchetti said. "We take a beating. We're not used to those kind of crowds. For example, we have two bathrooms. You can imagine the abuse that they take."

Ultimately, the value of a free concert that electrifies thousands of fans goes beyond dollars and cents.

Just ask Nirschel, who can recite a list of the obscure to mildly famous acts that have performed in Stamford.

As he drove toward Bedford Street to catch the final Alive @ Five performance of the summer Thursday, he was stunned by the size of the crowd.

He was especially familiar with Boyz II Men, but that didn't stop him from feeling a sense of awe at how far this once modest music festival had come. In the early days, getting Aztec Two Step, a folk duo from Massachusetts, had been a coup, he recalled.

The size of the crowd seemed to surprise not just Nirschel, but also Goldstein, police, businesses and residents. None of them expected that three nattily dressed singers from Philadelphia could inspire hundreds to dance and sing sweet ballads in the streets.

Even the weather cooperated. Threats of a thunderstorm and a tornado loomed. But while a few drops fell and lightning flashed across the sky, it never rained.

"God was looking down on us," Goldstein said with a laugh.

-Stamford Advocate

Tingly

August 11th, 2008, 06:12 AM

ETHIOPIAN REGGAE STAR IN JAIL IN CONTROVERSIAL CASE

ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA -- Sequestered in a dank prison cell here, Ethiopia's biggest reggae star awaits trial in a deadly hit-and-run case that has galvanized the nation.

Federal prosecutors say Tewodros Kassahun, dubbed the Bob Marley of Ethiopia, fled after striking a homeless boy with his BMW. They call it a case of celebrity bad behavior.

Fans say the singer, also known as Teddy Afro, is being framed because of his music's perceived anti-government message. In one song, he accuses Ethiopia's leaders of promising change, but bringing only "a new king."

Fans also ask why Kassahun was not charged until April, though the boy was killed in 2006.

Kassahun's controversial incarceration has spurred small protests, a rarity in this tightly controlled Horn of Africa country, and is fast becoming a national symbol of what some call Ethiopia's latest democratic backsliding.

After a 2005 postelection crackdown, Ethiopia's government tried to ease tensions last fall by pardoning thousands of jailed opposition supporters and allowing some independent newspapers to reopen.

"We'd hoped that was the beginning of an opening in the democratic space," said Hailu Araaya, deputy chairman of the recently formed Unity for Democracy and Justice party. He spent 20 months in jail before his release in July 2007. "But the political space is contracting again. It's clear the ruling party is determined to stay in power by any means."

Government critics point to a string of new laws targeting political parties, journalists and humanitarian agencies.

Under one new law, political parties can no longer accept foreign donations and must disclose the names of domestic contributors. Opposition groups say that restriction has dried up their financial support because potential contributors fear government retaliation.

A draft bill would ban private aid agencies and civic groups from "political" activities, such as advocating human rights, if they receive more than 10% of their funding from foreigners.

A new media law permits government censorship and jail terms for journalists.

Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said the reforms were an attempt to bring Ethiopia's laws up to international standards, noting that U.S. rules also ban foreign campaign contributions.

"We are institutionalizing democracy and getting the law right," he said. "I don't think the political space is in any way being constrained."

But critics said restrictions on foreign funding and political activism were particularly galling considering that nearly 40% of Ethiopia's government budget comes from international donors and that the ruling party has hired a Washington lobbyist to attack U.S. legislation seeking to tie aid to Ethiopia's human rights record.

"This is a nationalist charade," Human Rights Watch attorney Reed Brody said. Opposition leaders and some Western diplomats say the new laws appear to be an attempt to consolidate power before the 2010 presidential election.

Ethiopia is eager to avoid a repeat of the 2005 election, when opposition parties won in many cities, including Addis Ababa, the capital. Postelection wrangling led to the government crackdown in which nearly 200 people were killed and more than 30,000 opposition candidates and supporters were imprisoned.

In local elections this spring, the ruling coalition won handily in most locations. Opposition parties boycotted the polls after complaining that the government prevented them from fielding candidates in many districts.

Negasso Gidada, a former president who quit the ruling coalition in 2001, blamed its members' roots as former Marxist rebels for the government's heavy-handed approach. "They don't claim they want a socialist state, but the ideology is still there," he said. "They don't tolerate other ideologies."

Meles dismissed as "hogwash" claims that his government is ideologically driven.

His government is under heavy pressure from Western donors to improve Ethiopia's democratic record.

Over the last two years, Ethiopian soldiers have been accused of killing, torturing and raping civilians in their battle against an insurgency in the restive Ogaden region and of similar abuses in neighboring Somalia, where thousands of Ethiopian troops are propping up Somalia's weak transitional government.

Meles denied any systematic rights abuses in either region.

Opposition parties and rights groups are calling upon Western nations, including the United States, to use their leverage to push harder for reforms. The Bush administration, which sees Ethiopia as a key anti-terrorism partner in Africa, has dramatically increased aid to the country in the last two years.

"The international community espouses ideas about good governance, transparency and human rights, but then they help a regime that flouts and violates those fundamental rights," said Araaya, the opposition official.

U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia Donald Yamamoto defended Washington's support, noting that most of the $800 million in Ethiopian aid this year is for emergency food and AIDS drugs. About $13 million is budgeted for military assistance.

"I don't think the American people or the Congress are going to accept decreasing food when there are photographs from Ethiopia of starving children," he said. "They are going to ask, 'Why aren't you helping these starving kids?' "

On the streets of Addis Ababa, some Ethiopians say they've noticed political improvements. But fear of government intimidation remains strong and many have interpreted the arrest of Kassahun as a warning against speaking out. Two Ethiopian journalists have been arrested for writing sympathetically about the singer's case.

"Before, when we were operating in a full-fledged dictatorship, you knew what you could and couldn't do," said one Ethiopian, who was afraid to be identified. "Now there is more openness, but you don't know where the line is -- until you've crossed it."

-LA Times

Tingly

August 11th, 2008, 06:17 AM

FESTIVAL TO HONOR HAYES POSTHUMOUSLY, INSTEAD OF GIVING HIM AWARD

RIVERSIDE, Calif. -- Soul icon Isaac Hayes, who was found dead Sunday in Memphis, will be honored on the final day of the Inland Empire Jazz Festival on Aug. 24 as originally planned, the event's executive director said Sunday.

Annetta Bryant, speaking Sunday afternoon from Rancho Cucamonga, said she did not have a statement to make about Hayes' untimely death.

But Bryant confirmed the festival's plans to go ahead with plans to honor Hayes and the Isaac Hayes Foundation, which promotes human rights worldwide.

Hayes was expected to attend and become the first recipient of the festival's "Celebrate Life Award."

-knbc

Tingly

August 11th, 2008, 06:18 AM

DUBAI POLICE ARREST SUSPECT IN SINGER'S MURDER

DUBAI: Police announced yesterday that they have arrested a 39-year-old Arab man suspected of murdering the Lebanese singer Suzan Tamim.

The suspect had fled the emirate less than two hours after committing the crime. Police said the man was arrested three days after the murder. No details were given about the man’s nationality or the country where he had fled to.

Maj. Gen. Khamis Mattar Al-Mazeina, acting chief of Dubai police, said at a press conference that the killer had slit the singer’s throat and that she was not stabbed, as was widely reported.

Al-Mazeina said Tamim did not know her killer, who was dressed as an Asian man when he visited her apartment at Burj Al-Remal tower in the Dubai Marine area. The killer then tricked his way in by claiming he was from her estate agent and showed her a forged letter. After entering her flat, the man slit her throat and changed his blood stained clothes before leaving the UAE.

The singer had arrived in Dubai just 10 days before her murder on July 28. Her body was found in the living room of her apartment. Tamim had been living alone in the building for the past eight months.

-arabnews

Tingly

August 11th, 2008, 06:22 AM

RADIOHEAD PACKS THEM IN FOR SECOND NIGHT

For the second night in a row (Aug. 9), Radiohead fans descended upon New Jersey's Liberty State Park to hear the band rock the inaugural All Points West music festival. Staged across the Hudson River from Manhattan, the event's second day drew a larger, more enthusiastic crowd to Radiohead's main stage performance, another mesmerizing blend of new songs and classic hits.

The two-hour-plus performance was anything but a duplicate of the previous night's show. Though both sets drew largely on material from Radiohead's 2007 "In Rainbows" album (the driving "Jigsaw Falling Into Place" and the serene "All I Need" stood out as highlights on both evenings), Saturday's show featured a more upbeat set list, and included additional gems from the band's back catalog, such as "No Surprises," "The National Anthem," "Airbag" and "Fake Plastic Trees."

Frontman Thom Yorke, guitarist Johnny Greenwood and the rest of the English band commanded an eerie control over the audience, which stood in silent reverence during tranquil ballads like "Exit Music (For a Film)" and "House of Cards" and exploded with jubilation during anthems such as "The Bends" and "Idiotque."

As impressive as the band's musicianship was its state-of-the-art light show -- a towering display that has been lauded for its energy efficiency (the rig is powered by solar-charged batteries and uses one-fourth of the amps required by traditional concert lighting systems) as well as its innovative design.

Radiohead capped off a day that featured performances by 14 acts across three stages. Other highlights included appearances by New York's Animal Collective, who dazzled its hometown crowd with a mid-afternoon set of avant-garde rock, and hip-hop band the Roots, whose funky sunset performance included a jammy, 15-minute version of their hit "You Got Me."

APW day two also offered standout sets by a diverse range of established and up-and-coming acts, such as Southern rockers Kings of Leon, Canadian indie darlings Metric, synth-pop revisionists Chromeo, folky New York quartet the Felice Brothers and enchanting New Jersey singer/songwriter Nicole Atkins.

All Points West is produced by Goldenvoice, producers of California's Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, in tandem with AEG Live. The event is already slated to return next year to the same location.

Jack Johnson headlined a more jam-friendly bill Sunday that also included Trey Anastasio and Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals.

-Billboard

Tingly

August 13th, 2008, 08:22 AM

OLYMPICS USING ECLECTIC MIX OF MUSIC

Spectators are being treated to an eclectic mix of Chinese and western music to keep them at ease during the Olympics.

Played during breaks between competitions, the tracks are being punctuated with the odd commentary.

Blondie's 'The Tide Is High' has turned out to be a favourite at the weightlifting venue.

Apart from the obligatory Beijing Welcomes You, one of the Beijing Games' theme songs, artists from Taiwan are having their voices heard loud and clear.

Popular Hong Kong singer Emil Chau is also performing on the sidelines of the Beijing Games.

Breakdancing Fuwa, the five stylised animals who are the official mascots of the Beijing Olympics, and cheerleaders called the 'Beijing Dream Dancers' are hamming it up for basketball fans.

IANS

Tingly

August 13th, 2008, 08:24 AM

JOURNALIST RATES NATIONAL ANTHEMS

Bangladesh has bagged a silver on the sidelines of the Beijing Olympics - not for a sporting event but for its national anthem written by Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore.

Bangladesh may not have the chance to win any medal in the ongoing Olympics, New Age newspaper said Wednesday, but the country 'has already won unexpected recognition for its national anthem that was played in the opening ceremony'.

Alex Marshall, a freelance journalist specialising in music, tracked down every one of the 205 national anthems that might be heard at this year's Olympic Games, and sat through four-and-a-half hours of listening to them before ranking them by musical quality.

Marshall's choice of best 10 national anthems that could make their countries proud has Bangladesh coming second after Uruguay.

'A wonderful anthem that sounds like it was written for a stroll along the Seine,' said Marshal about Bangladesh's 'Amar Sonar Bangla' while delivering his verdict.

Indian national anthem, also written by Tagore, 'Jana Gana Mana', came in for evaluation too.

Marshal said most of the national anthems in the world were tedious and only about a dozen of them were musically worth listening to.

He has sought to compare the countries' anthems musically. 'There is no other fair way to compare... National anthems are the same the world over - a short, classical piece meant to stir up pride.'

The national anthems of Uruguay, Bangladesh and Tajikistan shared the top three honours in his list while Mauritania, Dominica, US Virgin Isles, Senegal, Nigeria, Nepal and Japan made it to the top 10.

'After listening to 205 of them I have realised there are actually just two types of anthems: the perfunctory, lifeless ones, and those that make the effort to be different. It's a shame that 190 fall into the first group,' said Marshall.

Although Bangladesh, none of whose six athletes competing at the Games qualified, 'have no chance of winning a medal, they should be cheered for their music', he added.

-IANS

Tingly

August 13th, 2008, 08:25 AM

JOHANSSON TO RELEASE SECOND ALBUM

Washington, Aug 13 : American actress Scarlett Johansson is planning to work on a second album, just months after her first music record was released.

Johansson, who released her debut album 'Anywhere I Lay My Head' last in May (08) - a collection of Tom Waits covers, admits that she is eager to do it all over again, even though she has received disappointing reviews from critics.

"It was fantastic to do that album. Not only live with that music that I love everyday, but I just worked with such wonderful musicians who are so talented," Contactmusic quoted her as saying.

But Johansson has admitted that she's not really in any rush to do the album, as she has yet another career path in mind.

"I would love to do another album. Right now, though, I'd like to focus on developing something to direct," she added.

-IANS

Tingly

August 13th, 2008, 08:26 AM

MADONNA INJURES ANKLE 4 WEEKS BEFORE TOUR

Washington, Aug 13 : Queen of pop Madonna's forthcoming tour has been thrown into jeopardy, as the singer has injured her ankle just two weeks before "Sticky + Sweet" tour kicks off in Cardiff, Wales.

The 'Material Girl' is currently in New York rehearsing for her world tour, which will begin in Cardiff Wales on 23 August 2008, reports Contactmusic.

Last weekend, the stunner was photographed nursing a heavily bandaged foot - prompting fears that the 49-year-old may not be fully fit for the first date of the tour.

The tour will cover Europe and North America and will wrap up in Mexico City on 30 November (08).

-ANI

Tingly

August 13th, 2008, 08:29 AM

RADIOHEAD DONATES SONG TO MOVIE

Radiohead have donated a song to Choke, an upcoming film based on Chuck Palahniuk's novel. Reckoner, a track taken from their recent album In Rainbows, will play over the movie's closing credits.

It was originally reported that the band had been writing an ambient soundtrack for the film. Palahniuk himself had told BBC 6Music that "they've written the score, most of the ambient music throughout it. So it's Choke - with the music of Radiohead." However a band spokesman told guardian.co.uk/music that this was incorrect.

Director Clark Gregg's adaptation of Choke stars Sam Rockwell and Anjelica Huston. It is the story of a sex-addicted con artist who pays for his mother's medical treatment by playing on the sympathies of those who rescue him from choking.

Though Radiohead won't be scoring the film as a band, their members are no strangers to the task. Jonny Greenwood was widely celebrated for his soundtrack to There Will Be Blood, and Colin Greenwood collaborated with Clap Your Hands Say Yeah on the score for the upcoming film Woodpecker. That score is now streaming at the website of composer James Lavino.

-The Guardian

Tingly

August 13th, 2008, 08:31 AM

8 YEAR OLD NOT ALLOWED TO PLAY IN BARS

ELKHORN, Wis. — When Tallan "T-Man" Latz was 5, he saw Joe Satriani playing guitar on TV. "I turned around to my dad and said, 'That's exactly what I want to do."'

Three years and countless hours of practicing later, 8-year-old Tallan is a blues guitar prodigy. He's played in bars and clubs, including the House of Blues in Chicago, and even jammed with Les Paul and Jackson Browne. He has a summer of festivals scheduled and has drawn interest from venues worldwide.

And what, you might ask, would a kid not even in the third grade have the blues about? The state of Wisconsin for one, and some possibly jealous older musicians for another.

An anonymous e-mail sent to state officials complained that Tallan was too young to perform in taverns and nightclubs because of state child labor laws. His booking agent even got an anonymous letter threatening her with death if she keeps booking him.

When Tallan's father read him the state's letter saying he couldn't play clubs anymore (he can still play festivals), the boy's response — like his music — seemed beyond his years.

"He goes, 'It's not how many times you get knocked down but it's how many times you get back up and go forward,' Carl Latz said his son told him. "And I told him that's exactly what this is all about and if nothing else this letter just taught you a life lesson."

The lesson can be stiff: Each day he performs, the employer can be fined $25 to $1,000 and the parent from $10 to $250.

Jennifer Ortiz of the state Equal Rights Division said her agency has a responsibility to enforce the law once it becomes aware of a violation.

"Well, the law prohibits it, and the Legislature enacted the laws to protect the health, safety and welfare of all children."

Latz, who also is Tallan's manager, has asked a legislator for help changing the law but it's unclear whether any action will be taken.

Latz received the letter a few days before Tallan was to perform at Lil Downtown Lounge in suburban Milwaukee, where club co-owner Michelle Boche said the boy always packed the place when he sat in with other musicians.

Latz claims that two weeks before getting the letter he overheard local blues guitarist Jammin' Jimmy, whose real name is James Kemeny, say Tallan shouldn't be in a bar and he was going to turn him in.

Kemeny, who's been playing for 44 years, denied badmouthing Tallan.

"It seems totally unbelievable that somebody would even go to that extreme to send a letter to somebody, let alone looking to find something about child labor laws," Kemeny said.

Boche said she has received backlash from musicians and area bar owners because she supports Tallan. Some have tried to take patrons away, she said. Some even called in fake incidents to police, causing them to look for guns or underage drinkers, she said.

"If my doors close and I never open again and this boy becomes successful, then I will be the happiest person in the world," she said.

Tallan's agent, Sharon Pomaville, said she received a threatening letter June 2 warning her to stop booking the boy. She thinks he's a local musician and believes he's harmless. Deputies came to her house, but she didn't want to pursue the case.

Greg Koch, 42, an internationally known guitarist and clinician for Fender Musical Instruments, called the backlash despicable.

He said most 8-year-olds don't have the strength or attention span to pursue guitar or can't endure the calluses.

"It's strange that a kid at this age would glean onto this particular kind of music and show the intensity and kind of the ability to function as kind of 8-year-old blues guy," he said.

Brad Tolinski, editor-in-chief of Guitar World magazine, said kid guitar prodigies are rare, with one emerging perhaps every four or five years.

"It would be unusual to find an 8-year-old who can play Joe Satriani licks," he said.

Carl Latz said there's no explanation for Tallan's blues connection other than he seems to have an old soul.

"I've had more people tell me, they say 'It's a kid's body but it has a 70-year-old dude inside,"' Carl Latz said.

Tallan, whose heroes are Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan, has 13 guitars and endorsements from at least nine companies to use their equipment. He can read music but plays mostly from memory.

He has two bands — one with veterans called T-Man's Blues Project and another with 16-and-younger bandmates called Tallan "The T-Man" Latz and the Young Guns. He also sings and plays drums, harmonica, bass and piano.

Tallan said he likes to play guitar to "put smiles on people's faces" when they are having a bad day.

"It sounds awesome," he said. "I think it's so much you can do on the guitar."

He knows 30 to 40 songs and someday hopes to write his own. It was his idea to start playing in public.

"He drags me around," his dad said. "I don't drag him around."

Tallan said the problems he's faced have doing nothing to dampen his ambition to be a blues rock star when he grows up. Just the opposite, in fact.

"Because I got more inspiration, I got more sadness in me," Tallan said. "I'm just feelin' it."

-twincities.com

Tingly

August 13th, 2008, 08:33 AM

SONG IN OLYMPIC OPENING WAS LIP-SYNCHED

If you were one of the estimated 1 billion people around the world who tuned in to the opening ceremonies of the Olympics on Friday night, there were several moments where you probably said, "Wow! No way!" As it turns out, you had reason to be skeptical about some of the amazing visual and vocal feats of wonder that took place.

In fact, two of the ceremonies' most indelible moments — the image of adorably pigtailed 9-year-old schoolgirl Lin Miaoke singing "Ode to the Motherland" and an impossible-looking volley of fireworks in the shape of feet stomping toward the stadium — were actually faked.

According to The New York Times, Miaoke's father was told 15 minutes before the ceremonies began that his daughter would be performing one of the signature roles in the pageant, but once he watched her on television he noticed that "the voice was a little different from hers." He told the paper on Tuesday (August 12) that he assumed the difference "might be caused by the acoustics."

As it turns out, the ceremony's production team was put under intense pressure by the ruling Communist Party to find what the paper called the "perfect face and voice" for the performance, and they ended up using two girls instead of one. Apparently, third-grader Miaoke was judged to be cute enough but "not suitable" as a singer, while another girl, 7-year-old Yang Peiyi had a good voice but was not considered as attractive due to her crooked teeth.

What viewers heard and saw was Miaoke lip-synching to Peiyi's vocals, and, according to the Times, it's unclear if Miaoke even knew her voice was being overdubbed. It's not unusual for even major recording artists to sing along to a pre-recorded track or lip-synch all together at events like the Super Bowl, where acoustics and conditions might sometimes make live performance difficult, but singing along to another person's vocals is highly unusual.

The general music designer of the opening ceremonies, Chen Qigang, who owned up to the bait and switch during a radio interview on Sunday, said it was done "for the national interest. ... The child on camera should be flawless in image, internal feeling and expression." The song coincided with the pivotal arrival of the Chinese national flag in the stadium, which is why Qigang said a member of the Communist Party's powerful Politburo committee demanded a change during rehearsals.

On Monday, Peiyi appeared on China Central Television and said, "I'm OK with it. ... My voice was used in the performance. I think that's enough."

After Friday's extravaganza, filmmaker Zhang Yimou, who oversaw the production, had high praise for Miaoke's singing and said her section of the program was among the most satisfying. With the opening ceremony viewed as a sort of coming-out party for China, intense pressure was put on Yimou to make the evening stand out as one of the most iconic in Olympic history. That might explain why another stunning image from the event was also doctored.

The Miaoke scandal came on the heels of the revelation that dazzling shots seemingly showing fireworks in the shape of 29 footsteps — to signify the 29th Olympiad — advancing toward the National Stadium during Friday night's event were actually computer-generated graphics.

Organizers explained that the fireworks did take place in real time but that CGI footage was painstakingly created over the course of a year to simulate the effect, due to fears of shooting it live from a helicopter and concerns about poor visibility. Producers went so far as to recreate a "shaky camera" effect to heighten the believability of the illusion.

NBC Sports responded to the report, stating that viewers were informed of the manipulation through on-air comments made by co-hosts Matt Lauer and Bob Costas, who called it a "cinematic device" that is "actually almost animation."

-MTV

Tingly

August 13th, 2008, 08:34 AM

ALLMAN BROTHERS SUE FOR MORE iTUNES MONEY

NEW YORK (AP) -- The Allman Brothers Band has sued a record company to demand a bigger cut of recordings sold through third parties such as Apple's iTunes music service.

The Southern rock band filed its lawsuit against UMG Recordings Inc. in federal court in Manhattan on Monday, saying it was the victim of "digital exploitation."

The band behind such hits as "Melissa" and "Ramblin' Man" demands at least $13 million and additional royalties from the sales of newly configured compact discs and digital downloads for use on telephone ring tones.

The Allman Brothers Band was formed in the late 1960s and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995.

A telephone message left with a lawyer for UMG hasn't been returned.

-CNN

Tingly

August 15th, 2008, 07:20 AM

BONO'S NEW TUNE LEAKED ON YouTube

Rock star Bono of U2 inadvertently leaked songs from his new album when he sang aloud in his villa in South France and a fan walking past his house overheard him and recorded it.

The fan then posted the songs on YouTube, reports thesun.co.uk.

Daniel Lanois, who has worked with the band in the past, says this is the best work he has done with them.

He said: 'I think we can safely say it's one of the great, innovative records from U2. Bono's in great form, singing fantastic.'

-IANS

Tingly

August 15th, 2008, 07:22 AM

JACKSON BROWNE SUES JOHN McCAIN

Singer Jackson Browne has sued Republican presidential candidate John McCain for using one of his songs in a campaign ad that ridiculed Democratic contender Barack Obama, according to Billboard magazine.

In the lawsuit filed in the District Court in Los Angeles, Browne, a lifelong Democrat, is seeking unspecified damages as well as a permanent injunction prohibiting the use of the song, Running on Empty, in any form by the McCain campaign, the magazine reported Thursday.

In the suit, Browne claimed that McCain did not obtain permission to use the song for an ad in which 'Senator McCain and the Republicans mock Democratic candidate for president Barack Obama for suggesting that the country conserve gas through proper tyre inflation.'

'Not only have Senator McCain and his agents plainly infringed Mr. Browne's copyright in 'Running on Empty,' but the Federal Courts have long held that the unauthorised use of a famous singer's voice in a commercial constitutes a false endorsement and a violation of the singer's right of publicity,' said Browne's lawyer Lawrence Iser.

-IANS

Tingly

August 15th, 2008, 07:23 AM

JESSICA SIMPSON OUT OF POP & INTO COUNTRY

Washington, Aug 14 : American pop singer Jessica Simpson has revealed that she is dropping pop music to concentrate on country music.

Simpson, who had recently expressed her desire to be like country music legend Dolly Parton, is preparing to release her new album of country tracks in September (08).

The Texan native also revealed that she already feels more comfortable in her new genre.

"I will never do pop again," Contactmusic quoted Simpson as telling Elle magazine.

She is more than happy to let her sister Ashlee concentrate on topping the charts and appearing on pop shows, because her sibling is a better dancer.

"I'm just not rhythmic like that. I might shake my booty, but I'll be off the beat. My sister Ashlee has got all the rhythm in the family," Simpson added.

-ANI

Tingly

August 15th, 2008, 07:25 AM

HUNGARIAN MUSIC FEST HAS A LITTLE OF EVERYTHING

Cosmopolitan, cool and versatile: the Hungarian capital's Sziget festival has become one of the top events on the European summer music circuit, attracting visitors from around the continent for a weekend extravaganza on a small Danube island.

"I was in Denmark recently at a festival but here the atmosphere is much more easy-going. And the weather is much better," a young Dutch visitor said over a keg of local beer.

The festival, held every year on the island a couple of kilometres (miles) from Budapest's city centre, opened on Wednesday and lasts until Sunday.

And variety is the key to this mega-event with more than 600 concerts on 30 stages over five days, with styles ranging from mainstream rock, reggae and pop to hard rock, gypsy music, alternative folk, electric, jazz and Hare Chrisna metal.

Dressed in a bikini top and minimalist shorts in the August heat, an English girl, clinging to a less-than-sober Frenchman at a concert by Canadian singer Alanis Morissette, said she loves the cheerful and bizarre mood and the variety at Sziget.

With performers from 42 countries, the musical experience is definitely diverse.

When Leningrad -- a Russian ska band with punk and Russian folk traits, and a singer with a foul mouth and a strong liking for vodka -- performed on Wednesday, a band member bit open a can of beer after breaking it on his head, took a few gulps and sprayed it over the Russian crowd.

And the fans went crazy.

Later, visitors were taking bets over whether British band Babyshambles will actually perform or call off its main stage concert on Sunday due to "health reasons": lead Pete Doherty is known for his issues with drugs.

Not only concerts make up the program on the 76-hectare (187-acre) islet. Tents line the cement path on the main avenue, advertising services ranging from the practical to the unusual.

One representing the Hungarian tax authority is manned by a woman who explains with inifinte patience, despite throbbing base sounds from a nearby stage, that not paying tithes to the state is "a sin against one's own purse".

Another set up by a Jewish rabbi advertises "Answers for 10 forints" -- the equivalent of four euro cents (five US cents) -- while inside he imparts wisdom to a middle-aged rocker with a beard as long as his own.

Catholic, Protestant and Baha'i tents also try to lead lost lambs back onto the right track -- apparently not in vain. According to one Protestant minister, "many convert" during the festival.

Outside Hungarian, French is the most-heard language in the crowd, though Dutch and German are spoken as well -- with visitors toting tourist phrasebooks struggling to order langos, a local specialty of fried dough topped with sour cream and cheese, or other items.

Forty-six other nationalities are also represented among Sziget's visitors, from Armenians to Chileans to Jamaicans, Japanese and Malians.

Their flags all fly high above the dusty, noisy grounds until Monday morning when the island will slowly return to its usual calm.

-Breitbart

Tingly

August 15th, 2008, 07:27 AM

FIRST SINGER FROM MALTA TO SING ANTHEM AT U.S. BALLGAME

Performing before a crowd of over 40,000 fans, Eleanor Spiteri became the first Maltese to sing America's national anthem -- The Star-Spangled Banner -- prior to a game at AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants major-league baseball team.

While on vacation visiting relatives in California, Spiteri was invited by the Giants' Publicity Department to perform America's favorite patriotic song before a recent San Francisco game.

Spiteri's rousing rendition was very well-received by the appreciative American audience which roared its approval at the performance's conclusion.

Numerous enthusiastic ovations were received by Spiteri as she made her way through the grandstands to her reserved seat. This event was also attended by Maltese emigrants living in San Francisco.

If there is anything taken more seriously by Americans than their red, white and blue flag, it's possibly their national anthem. The Star-Spangled Banner accompanies every major American function, and at major sporting events a significant honor is bestowed on those asked to sing what is probably the best known national anthem in the world.

-maltamedia

Tingly

August 15th, 2008, 07:29 AM

DAUGHTRY AND FLOBOTS TO GIG AT DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION

Political conventions can get a little boring, what with the speeches and the banner-waving and the speeches. Luckily for Democrats planning to attend their party's convention in Denver later this month, Daughtry will be on hand to provide some rock relief.

Along with the Flobots and Everclear, Daughtry is scheduled to play a show called "Grammys Rock the Conventions," benefiting the Grammy Foundation's effort to shine some light on music education and the issues affecting the creative community. The bands will play host to an up-close-and-personal acoustic evening at the Democratic National Convention in Denver on August 26.

The initial lineup for the corresponding gig for the Republican convention on September 2 will have a bit less star power, however. The Recording Academy is providing the expected coronation of Senator John McCain with a show in Minneapolis titled "The Songwriters Circle: The Songs We Love," which will feature performances by Grammy-winning songwriter Brett James (Carrie Underwood's "Jesus, Take the Wheel") and up-and-coming singer/songwriter Greg Laswell ("What a Day"), with more songwriters to be announced soon.

While the Grammy events are nonpartisan, you can bet that there will be a fair amount of politicking and metaphorical stone-throwing (but hopefully no real stone-throwing) at some of the other shows being planned during the Republican convention. Rage Against the Machine will be hitting the Twin Cities for a September 3 show, while Rage guitarist Tom Morello, Lupe Fiasco, Mos Def, Billy Bragg and Steve Earle are scheduled to play the Service Employees International Union's "Take Back Labor Day" Festival on September 1.

And don't worry about missing out on the action yourself: MTV News and our Street Team '08 will be on the ground at both conventions to sort through all the speeches, streamers and ceremony to find the information you need to choose our next president.

-MYV

Tingly

August 15th, 2008, 07:31 AM

RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE TO PLAY PROTEST EVENT

This year at least, Rage Against the Machine are bipartisan bomb-throwers. The agit-rockers, who are already playing a show in Minneapolis during the Republican National Convention in September, have just announced another gig during the Democratic National Convention in Denver at the end of this month.

The "Tent State Music Festival to End the War" will take place August 27 at the Denver Coliseum and feature sets by Rage, the Flobots, the Coup, State Radio and former MC5 guitarist Wayne Kramer, whose proto-punk band famously performed against the wishes of Chicago Mayor Richard Daley during the violent protests outside the 1968 DNC gathering. The band went home without their instruments, but they did have bloody battle scars from brawls with police.

Rage also know a thing or two about getting shut down at the DNC, as their 2000 set during the party's gathering in Los Angeles erupted in chaos when police rushed in and used tear gas to disperse the crowd. This year's all-ages show will begin at 11 a.m., and tickets are free to those who sign up for the lottery by presenting a valid ID at the Tent State University location in Denver between August 24 and August 26. Winners will be notified by e-mail on August 26.

The Denver protest event is being put on in conjunction with the Iraq Veterans Against the War and Tent State University, a group that works to help young people "take back their campuses and their communities." Tent State plans to erect a "sea of tents" in City Park, Denver, during the DNC and create an "alternative university, teaching tactics and strategies necessary to force an end to this war." Among the guests on tap during the protest are third-party presidential candidate Ralph Nader and former Democratic Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney.

During the protest, Tent State will also host a series of other shows as part of the first Tent State Music Festival, featuring sets by longtime social critic and ex-Dead Kennedys singer Jello Biafra, as well as the Coup, Michelle Shocked, Jill Sobule and some "special guests" during an event they are billing as "4 Days of Love & Action."

The logo for the protest, as well as the slogan, are meant to evoke the iconic poster for the legendary 1969 Woodstock Festival, which promised "3 Days of Peace and Music" and featured a white bird sitting on the neck of a guitar. The Tent State festival, in contrast, features an electric guitar being held aloft by a fist.

The organization has several days' worth of creative protests planned, including the Funky Snake Marches that will wind through downtown to protest the war in Iraq, daily morning gatherings that the group says will "turn downtown into one massive reminder to the delegates and the public of what war looks like" and the erection of mock checkpoints around Denver on August 26 to "mimic the experiences we force on people in Iraq, Palestine and on the U.S./Mexico border."

Other acts scheduled to perform during the Tent State festival include: Melissa Ivey, Blue Scholars, Son of Nun, God-des and She, 8" Betsy, David Rovics, Rachel Bagby, Common Market, Apex Vibe, P Nuckle, Fulcrum, Kombat, DJ Russh and the Flash Mob.

The latest Rage show is part of a growing musical roster for both conventions, which also includes a just-announced Grammy Foundation-sponsored gig featuring Daughtry, Everclear and the Flobots during the DNC; a Service Employees International Union-sponsored show by Rage guitarist Tom Morello, Mos Def, Lupe Fiasco and Steve Earle during the Republican Convention; and various other local concerts in the Minneapolis/ St. Paul area during the gathering.

MTV News and our Street Team '08 citizen journalists will be on the ground at both conventions, sorting through speeches, streamers and ceremony to find the information you need to choose our next president. Stay tuned for more coverage.

-MTV

Tingly

August 15th, 2008, 07:34 AM

WILL THE JONAS BROTHERS KICK MILEY'S ***??

Late last month, "Hannah Montana" star Miley Cyrus released her first true solo album, Breakout. A week later, Nielsen SoundScan announced that the album had sold nearly 371,400 copies in its first week on sale, entering the Billboard Top 200 at #1 for the teen sensation's second chart-topping debut.

These days, selling 371,400 records in a week is no small feat — but it now seems as though next week, three brothers from Wyckoff, New Jersey, will surpass that impressive number to score the first #1 debut of their young careers.

Billboard is reporting that, based on first-day sales, the Jonas Brothers' A Little Bit Longer could sell as many as 725,000 copies during its first week of commercial release. If the brothers shift that many units, it means theirs will be the year's third-biggest first-week seller, after Lil Wayne's Tha Carter III (which sold more than a million copies) and Alicia Keys' As I Am (which sold 742,400-plus).

This news comes in the middle of a whirlwind week in New York for the boys, which has seen them hosting "TRL," appearing on "Good Morning America," wowing fans with a performance at the Apple Store and filming a scene for their forthcoming 3-D concert film in Central Park. Last week, Cyrus also publicly confirmed for the first time that she and Nick Jonas were an item.

According to Nielsen SoundScan's Building chart, which was released Wednesday but is not available to most media outlets, the unweighted first-day sales of the set stood at 201,000. Billboard says the nine merchants who report to that chart — Trans World Entertainment, Best Buy, Circuit City, iTunes, Starbucks, Borders, Target, Anderson Merchandisers and Handleman Co. — constitute about 80 percent of all U.S. album sales. Meanwhile, the Jonas Brothers' label, Hollywood, and its distributor, Universal, project that Longer could end the week with between 675,000 and 725,000 sold.

The band could pull off another first when total album sales figures are released next week. With their latest a veritable shoo-in for the #1 position, the Jonas Brothers' 2007 self-titled effort, which this week sits in the #11 slot, could make a return to the Top 10. If it does, it will be the first time a group has done so since 'NSYNC in late 1998, when their 1998 self-titled effort claimed the #2 spot with 535,700 sold, and 1998's Home for Christmas rounded out the Top 10 with 265,600 copies scanned.

-MTV

Tingly

August 15th, 2008, 07:37 AM

STILLS & MELLENCAMP OPEN NEW STADIUM

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - It was an impressive unveiling at the Lucas Oil Stadium grand opening celebration. It included everything from marching bands to imperial storm troopers. But it started with a couple of Jim Irsay's friends.

Stephen Stills started the show singing some of the songs he made famous with Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. Then, as he moved off the stage, a Hoosier legend came on.

John Mellencamp performed his song "Small Town" and predicted the new stadium would be a good luck charm for the Colts.

Mellencamp was followed by a star of the future, an 11-year-old from Fort Wayne named Marnee. She sang under the stars as the stadium roof opened.

Eventually, show broke from the concert mode and became a monster truck and motorcycle show followed by a marching band and Star Wars storm troopers.

The event was concluded with a burst of patriotism from The Voices of Unity Choir of Fort Wayne. A fireworks show accompanied their performance and provided the perfect conclusion.

-wishtv.com

Tingly

August 15th, 2008, 07:38 AM

JONAS BROTHERS TO RELEASE MOVIE

Earlier this month, it was announced that the Jonas Brothers' 3-D concert flick will be landing in theaters in February of next year —

During the boys' whirlwind week in New York — which included a long stint on "TRL" — the group shot a scene for the as-yet-untitled film in Central Park. The guys have been all over town promoting their new album, A Little Bit Longer, which is widely expected to debut at #1 on next week's Billboard albums chart. (On Tuesday night, the group performed before screaming fans at the downtown Apple Store.)

In the segment, the guys — dressed in their usual colorful garb: skinny jeans, bow ties and blazers — perform a tune on a grassy knoll on a sunny day in the park.

JustJared reported that that teen country sensation Taylor Swift stopped by the set to make a cameo in the scene. She also joined the guys onstage Sunday during their sold-out show at Madison Square Garden. No word yet on what role she might play in the movie.

The film comes hot on the heels of the Miley Cyrus 3-D movie, "Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour." Much like hers, the Jonas movie is slated to combine live concert footage with behind-the-scenes moments.

-MTV

Tingly

August 15th, 2008, 07:39 AM

DMX ARRESTED ON WARRANT

Rapper DMX was arrested outside a South Florida Wal-Mart by Miami police Thursday afternoon (August 14) in connection with a bench warrant issued earlier this week by an Arizona judge, according to TMZ.com.

The bench warrant, which authorizes the immediate on-sight arrest of the accused by any civil authority, was issued Tuesday afternoon by the Maricopa County Superior Court after the rapper failed to appear at a pretrial conference related to his pending drug case. At the time, a source close to DMX told MTV News that he didn't appear because he had checked into rehab.

The rapper's public defender, Charles Kozelka, told the gossip site that he was working out a way for DMX to surrender when the arrest occurred.

-VH1

Tingly

August 15th, 2008, 07:42 AM

CONCERT IN MEMORY OF SHOOTING VICTIM TO BE SCHEDULED IN UK

A concert to remember a Merseyside schoolboy shot dead almost a year ago is to take place in Liverpool later.

Rhys Jones, 11, was killed walking back from football practice near his home in Croxteth Park, on 22 August.

Merseyside stars including Mel C, Jimmy Tarbuck, Tony Christie, Barbara Dickson and Natasha Hamilton are all set to perform at the Liverpool Echo Arena.

The concert's proceeds will go to the Liverpool Unites campaign for the Rhys Jones Memorial Fund.

It will be a special way to mark Rhys's life
Rhys's parents
Melanie and Stephen Jones

It aims to raise money to build a community centre in honour of Rhys in Croxteth, the area where he grew up.

Speaking about the event, Rhys's parents, Melanie and Stephen Jones, said: "To see people and performers of such professionalism, and such big names, give up their time to help the cause is just great.

"There is something for everyone on the bill.

"We want as many people to come and join us on the night as possible. It will be a special way to mark Rhys's life."

Seven people charged in connection with Rhys's death are due to stand trial at Liverpool Crown Court on 2 October.

Four more people accused of perverting the course of justice in relation to Rhys's death have been bailed to reappear on 2 October, when they are expected to enter pleas.

-bbc

Tingly

August 15th, 2008, 07:43 AM

WARNER ADDS LIBRARY OF VIDEOS TO XBOX CONSOLE

LOS ANGELES - Gamers with a hankering to watch music videos will have more choices after Warner Music Group Corp. announced Thursday it is adding its library of videos to Microsoft Corp.'s Xbox 360 game console.

Videos from Sony BMG, which sell for the equivalent of US$1.99, have been offered on the Xbox since last December.

Microsoft's game division is in talks with other major labels, such as Vivendi SA's Universal Music Group and EMI Group PLC, to add their music videos to the service offered to 12 million users of Xbox Live.

"It's been promising enough that we're going to amp up our discussions with other labels to grow the catalogue," said Peter Orullian, senior group product manager on Xbox Live.

Faced with declining CD sales, Warner and other labels have aimed to expand revenues from new digital outlets. The music company will receive licensing revenue from each video sale.

The offering of videos ranges from the most recent, like Warner's T.I. and Flo Rida, to those that go back to the 1980s, such as Michael Jackson's "Thriller," reflecting the growing number of 30-and 40-somethings who are Xbox users, Orullian said.

-technology canoe

Tingly

August 15th, 2008, 07:44 AM

PUMPKINS WILL PLAY AUG. 22 FREE SHOW IN ORLANDO, FLA

Smashing Pumpkins have announced details of a free show, set to take place August 22 at Hard Rock Live.

The show is part of the Samsung AT&T Summer Krush Concert Series, with tickets being allocated through the Summer Krush website.

The band’s Myspace page encouraged locals to apply for tickets, reminding fans that travel and accommodation is not included in the tickets,

Other acts scheduled to play during the series of shows include Nelly, Nas and Good Charlotte.

For details of all shows and how to obtain tickets go here.

-NME

Tingly

August 15th, 2008, 07:47 AM

BRAINY CONFERENCE DISCUSSES MUSIC MARKETING

The afternoon sessions of the Bandwidth Conference focused on the future, as some panelists attempted to look into a crystal ball and others described using a vision of a dystopian future to promote a Nine Inch Nails album.

The two-day music and technology conference gathered leaders from those intersecting fields to discuss musical discovery and purchasing trends.

The founders of 42 Entertainment, president/CEO Susan Bonds and chief creative officer Alex Lieu, described how they used alternative reality games to draw fans in to participate in the launch of Nine Inch Nails’ “Year Zero.” They decided to use the record’s concept of a bleak future to create puzzles and give listeners clues to stimulate dialogue around the album. For example, they created websites that appeared to be sent back in time, and commissioned artists to paint murals depicting the lyrics and ideas on the record.

The last panel of the day featured Michelle Quinn of the Los Angeles Times asking Richard Gottehrer of The Orchard, Steve Jang of imeem, and Craig Palmer of Gracenote to share their predictions for the future of the industry.

Palmer predicted that social networks would replace album art as a way to learn about and share with musicians. Gottehrer predicted that albums will become evolving projects, with artists doing things like releasing a few tracks every few months in addition to releasing static records.

Jang said that many companies run the risk of falling prey to opportunity overload and letting their core missions get diluted.

-Billboard

Tingly

August 15th, 2008, 07:49 AM

MUSIC AGENTS NEED A VARIETY OF SKILLS

A producer had asked Kraft's composer client to write a "very Hitchcockian, Bernard Herrmann-type score" for his production, but the composer was leaning toward something sparser. The producer was adamant: "I want wall-to-wall music," he said, "just like in 'The Birds.'"

And there lay a snag. "He managed to pick the one Hitchcock film that had no music in it," says Kraft.

By the time the agent had finessed the matter, it was too late: The producer realized music was the least of his problems and had to reshoot a good chunk of the picture.

Welcome to the world of the film music agent, a world that involves an unusual blend of knowledge and art, of cajoling and diplomacy.

It is work that differs subtly from that of other agents. Music agents tend to know far more about their clients' art, they have operational skills that often resemble a producer's, and they frequently develop intense relationships with their clients, much like managers.

While a number of gargantuan agencies are at the heart of the entertainment business as a whole, "the representation of film composers is dominated by smaller agencies who don't represent a lot of other creative talent," says Seth Kaplan of Evolution Music Partners. "The larger agencies may have a composer or two, but the dominant force in our little niche is the specialized agencies."

Those specialized agencies include Kraft-Engel Management, First Artists Management, the Gorfaine/Schwartz Agency, Greenspan Kohan and Soundtrack Music Associates, among others. Their history is full of intertwined relationships, rivalries and conflicts -- exacerbated by the narrow world in which they operate.

One agent dismisses two rivals by saying, "They're both nuts"; he notes of a competing company, "They could be selling widgets." Another agent is known to have sabotaged a former colleague by badmouthing him to all his clients. These agents may be friendly on the surface, but the competition between them is intense.

That's partly because so many have worked together at different times. Take Kraft: Recognized as the most knowledgeable about music among his peers, he taught film music and worked for a soundtrack label before joining ICM in the 1980s. When ICM decided to exit the film composer business in the early 1990s, Kraft went out on his own.

Later, he was teamed in Blue Focus Management with veteran agent Vasi Vangelos, who then formed his own company, First Artists, in 2003.

While these are the major players in film music, the big agencies still have plenty of clout. ICM is back in the game, and agent Tad Lumpkin -- who represents a roster of writers, producers and directors, as well as such composers as Paul Cantelon ("The Diving Bell and the Butterfly") and Mateo Messina ("Juno") -- says there are advantages to being with a powerhouse.

"At a full-service agency that represents all kinds of talent and filmmakers, you see projects move from idea to the finished phase," he argues. "Being involved in a project that long really gives you (the chance) to get a composer an opportunity."

If ICM and CAA are kingpins in the larger world, Gorfaine/Schwartz is the most prominent composers agency. But the company, which once stood unrivaled (rather like CAA in the '90s), is facing greater competition today.

"There is more of a balance of power than there has been for a while," one competitor notes. "Today they are the largest, but they're not alone."

Gorfaine/Schwartz's strength has been bolstered by the fact that it represents Hans Zimmer, "the most important person in this business, without question," according to one rival agent. "That is how Gorfaine/Schwartz maintains most of its power, because Zimmer uses a group of other composers to collaborate on the scores that he is doing and has a whole team of people that work for him," and that in turn leads to a higher volume of business for the agency. (The agency's Sam Schwartz declined to comment.)

Zimmer has not yet been "poached." But agents are increasingly aware of how easy it is for their clients to be stolen.

"Any time one of my clients gets a major job, I can depend on the fact that (another agent) will be calling. Luckily our clients value our hard work and stay loyal," Kaplan notes.

Kaplan's partner, Christine Russell, says months of work can go into securing a big job.

"I worked for seven months to get Mark Kilian the job as composer on (Overture's upcoming release) 'Traitor,'" she says. "When he got it, I thought, 'F***in' A!' When you know somebody's really right for something, you do push harder, and sometimes you have an instinct that a certain client would work well with a particular director, even if there's not a specific project at hand. In those cases, I will try to create an opportunity for those two people to meet. It always pays off."

It also pays off these days to stand out as a composer, and the best way to do that, according to the Agency Group's Linda Kordek, is to be willing -- and able -- to work in a broad range of styles.

"It's really critical right now that a composer have a signature sound," says Kordek, whose roster includes Jonathan Goldsmith ("Away From Her"), Susan Marder (TNT's "Saving Grace") and songwriter Joe Jackson. "A film composer needs to be able to compose music in all genres and all styles -- that's part of the job description."

Anita Greenspan of Greenspan Kohan Management adds that while talent and versatility are certainly vital, a strong head for business doesn't hurt.

"The most successful composers in our business -- and I'm not saying the most talented, I'm saying the most successful -- are the ones who are good businessmen first," she says. "That said, I love the tortured artist. I've got one guy who is outgoing, but the rest of them shy away from rooms full of people or act so bizarre they need their behavior explained. Sometimes I have to ask, 'What the hell did you do that for?' The one that's the most unpredictable and the one you don't want to let loose on a crowd of people is probably my husband (Mark Mothersbaugh)! But they all have to have at least some business acumen and not get their egos bruised. They have to remember it's not personal."

As for the economics of the boutique agencies, unlike the majors, which take a standard 10% of their clients' income, music agents' fees are individually negotiated and tend to range from 10%-15%, akin to managers' fees. That is in part because their work covers an array of tasks not handled by regular agents.

-Hollywood Reporter

Full article (there is a second page):

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3i3accb70086cea8f5d189d18ab0ba1af8

Tingly

August 15th, 2008, 07:51 AM

SEATTLE CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL STILL THRIVING!

The 27th season of the Seattle Chamber Music Festival, which closes tonight, will be remembered as among the best and most popular of any season in the festival's history.

Concert after concert at the festival's primary venue at Lakeside School demonstrated the sort of extraordinary playing one has come to expect at the festival.

The houses invariably have been sold out. The Eastside season opened last week at Overlake School in Redmond, and Wednesday's concert was simply more of the same, although there was a handful of empty seats. It takes time to build an audience, and the Eastside branch is only three years old. Every season has been better than the previous one.

Two piano trios and one string quintet made up the program. It was mostly high-powered music making that gets people to their feet. Wednesday's program elicited two standing ovations.

The exception was Clara Schumann's G Minor Piano Trio. This is music evoking lyricism that is gentle and soft-grained. As Steven Lowe's program notes point out, Robert Schumann's wife and caregiver, mother of eight children and a famous pianist did not have a lot of time for composition. But this trio, written when she was 26 and pregnant with her fourth child, demonstrates her ability to weave more than one memorable tune in a deft manner and create interesting textures for those long-limbed melodies.

She favored the piano and gave it most of the best material in the work. Anton Nel took full advantage of what he was given without unduly dominating the proceedings. He allowed Schumann's music to ripen and blossom. His playing possessed a lovely and measured quality throughout. Cellist Robert deMaine also had a crucial role in developing the melodic resonance of the piece. Erin Keefe, the violinist, was lighter in emphasis.

Mendelsosohn's String Quintet in B-flat, composed within a couple years of his death at 38, is an expansive work of considerable finesse. Excitement is written into nearly every phase. Some might complain the reading was too muscular, but that muscularity is embedded in the work. Certainly violinists Joseph Lin and Ida Levin, violists Che-Yen Chen and Richard O'Neill and cellist Amos Yang gave the work every bit of energy and power they had at their disposal. But that display of strength was not an empty-headed display for display's sake. Its vitality and dramatic force were well-considered and often balanced by warmth, occasional melancholy and light-fingered subtleties.

Lin is a powerful violinist who sometimes plays like a demon. Fortunately, he has the technique and musicality to make that worthwhile. He also is a good colleague. It was good to have Yang back in Seattle, where he used to be a cellist with the Seattle Symphony. He is now assistant principal with the San Francisco Symphony. He is a fine musician. O'Neill's exceptional qualities are well-known at the festival, since he has played in nearly every concert. He was joined by Chen, principal violist with the San Diego Symphony, an excellent musician. Levin should not be left out of any list. A veteran of the festival, she always seems in first-class condition.

The evening ended with another high-octane performance - Smetana's G Minor Piano Trio. It is a big, big romantic work with an exceptionally large part for the piano. Andrew Armstrong was more than up to the task. He played with fierceness coupled with refinement and sensitivity. Violinist Scott Yoo and cellist Amit Peled were his able colleagues.

-seattlepi

Tingly

August 20th, 2008, 06:08 AM

FEMALE SINGERS WILL CUT CHARITY SINGLE

London, August 20 : 'X Factor' winner Leona Lewis, 23, will be among a dozen of the world-famous female singers who have joined hands to record a charity single.

Singing along with her will be A-list stars like Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Miley Cyrus, and Rihana.

Overall, the track entitled 'Just Stand Up' will be recorded by overall 15 singers.

All singers will share the stage for a US TV special on September 5, reports The Sun.

Being recorded for the Stand Up To Cancer charity, the song will be released on iTunes three days earlier.

-ANI

Tingly

August 20th, 2008, 06:10 AM

GLITTER FEIGNED HEART ATTACK TO AVOID TRIP TO UK

London, Aug 20 : English rock and pop singer Gary Glitter released from Vietnam prison feigned a heart attack to escape returning to London.

Glitter, who had been jailed in Vietnam in 2006 for obscene acts with two girls aged 10 and 11, was released from the Thu Duc prison in Binh Thuan province on August 19.

Vietnamese authorities, who planned to deport Glitter immediately back to London, handed him over to British authorities at the Ton Son Nhat airport.

On the flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok, Glitter avoided the 20 or so press representatives, choosing to sit down next to the Sun's reporter, Virginia Wheeler, and he is said to have stroked her arm and called her "sweetie".

"Tell me, sweetie, what is the weather like in England? I'm not used to the cold any more. I've got so used to the heat in Asia," the Sun quoted Glitter as having said to Wheeler.

"I'm so happy to be going back to England. I've been waiting for this day a long, long time.

"England is my home. It's where my heart is and where my family are. I can't wait to see them. God bless them all," he said.

Glitter also insisted on his innocence and stated that he would be "welcomed back to England as a music hero".

"God, am I happy to be leaving Vietnam and that jail. I should never have been in there. It has been a nightmare. Every second. I was set up, that's all I will say," he stated

"But you wait. All the time I've been inside I've been preparing for my book. It's all here in my head.

"I'm an innocent man and my book will show you that. I'm not worried at all about coming home to England.

"Why would I be? I'm an innocent man. I think people realise that. I think I'll be made welcome. That's all I will say. Take care of yourself," he added.

But once the plane landed in Thailand, the 64-year-old singer changed his behaviour and deliberately failed to board a connecting flight to London.

His request to Thai authorities to let him enter the country was refused, making him wave his papers from his Vietnamese lawyer, saying he was a free man and that he wanted to travel to Singapore.

Thai authorities then told Glitter that there was no flight to the country until much later, leaving him with no option but to claim that he was having a heart attack.

Two Thai cops escorted him to an airport VIP area that had small bedrooms and he rented one for eight hours for 100 pounds.

British police and Home Office officials have no jurisdiction to force him on to a flight to the UK, and with a passport issued by the British consulate in Ho Chi Minh City last November, he can travel anywhere a British citizen can go without a visa.

If Glitter returns to Britain he will be put on the Sex Offenders Register, and could face a tax probe into his secret fortune.

-ANI

Tingly

August 20th, 2008, 06:13 AM

POP SINGER ISSUES SUNBED WARNING IN UK

London, Aug 19 : Pop singer Sandi Thom has joined hands with Cancer Research UK to warn young people about the dangers of using a sunbed.

The computer-generated images show the 27-year-old singer with deep-set wrinkles, drooping eyelids, under-eye bags, and sagging and discoloured skin, thus warning youngsters of the dangers of sunbed.

One set of images shows how the fresh-faced Thom would look at 57 as a result of natural age progression, while the second set shows her at the same age after decades of over-exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays - resulting in 70 per cent more wrinkles.

According to the charity using a sunbed before the age of 35 increases the risk of skin cancer by 75 per cent.

Thom, who was herself a regular sunbed user is shocked to see the images.

"I'm in a state of shock and the thought of looking like this at 57 is terrifying. Having seen these images I can honestly say I am never going to use a sunbed again," the Telegraph quoted her as saying.

"You can so easily get brown from a bottle these days, there is just no point in ruining your looks and risking skin cancer by using sunbeds.

"I hope the horrible image of me will make other young people think twice before they next use a sunbed," she added.

-ANI

Tingly

August 20th, 2008, 06:16 AM

AVRIL TOO HOT FOR MALAYSIA?!

Malaysia's government has told promoters of a concert by Canadian pop star Avril Lavigne to postpone the show because it could mar the country's independence day celebrations, an official said.

The decision came after the opposition Islamic party, Parti se-Islam Malaysia, objected to the August 29 concert in Kuala Lumpur, saying that mainly Muslim Malaysia should not ape Western values and cultures.

Although Malaysia is a moderate Muslim country with sizeable non-Muslim minorities, conservative groups often frown upon departures from strict interpretations of the Koran.

A culture ministry official said the show's promoters now have to find another slot for Lavigne.

"We did not reject the concert. We asked them to find another date as the original date is so close to the independence day," the official said. "That's the only reason."

A spokesman for the organisers said more than half of the tickets had already been sold. "As far as we are concerned, the show is still on," he said. Malaysia marks its 51st year of independence from Britain on August 31.

-TVNZ

Tingly

August 20th, 2008, 06:17 AM

COLDPLAY GIVING AWAY ANOTHER SINGLE TRACK

Anyone left craving more new Coldplay tunes in the wake of "Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends'" can sleep a little easier tonight.

Another song from the "Viva La Vida" sessions, "Death Will Never Conquer", is now available to download from their website, coldplay.com.

Maybe Chris Martin haters should give it a go: the song, which Coldplay have been playing live on their current world tour, is sung by drummer Will Champion.

-uncut

Tingly

August 20th, 2008, 06:22 AM

SAX PLAYER FOR DAVE MATTHEWS DEAD AT 43 FROM ATV ACCIDENT

LeRoi Moore, the saxophonist for the Dave Matthews Band, died today (August 19) due to sudden complications stemming from an all-terrain-vehicle accident earlier this summer.

Moore, 43, passed away at the Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center near his Los Angeles home.

The accident occurred in June on his farm near Charlottesville, Virginia. He had been admitted to the hospital at the time, but was released and had begun intensive rehabilitation at his Los Angeles home when he was readmitted to the hospital for unexpected complications, according to the band's website.

Moore was a founding member of the Dave Matthews Band, and co-wrote several of the songs sung by Matthews. In addition to playing the saxophone, he also played the flute, bass clarinet and wooden penny whistle.

Matthews reportedly paid tribute to Moore at the band's sold-out show at the Los Angeles Staples Center tonight. "We all had some bad news today," he said. "Our good friend LeRoi Moore passed on and gave his ghost up today and we will miss him forever."

-NME

Tingly

August 20th, 2008, 06:23 AM

EXHIBIT WILL FEATURE PIX OF ELTON JOHN

Over 200 pictures of Elton John by the photographer Terry O'Neill are to go on display in London this September.

Eltonography: A Life In Pictures will open at the Proud Camden gallery on September 24. O'Neill first photographed John when he was still trading as Reginald Dwight, and has assiduously tracked his career ever since. Eltonography will contain many previously unseen images from O'Neill's archives.

A book, also titled Eltonography, should arrive to coincide with the exhibition.

-uncut

Tingly

August 20th, 2008, 06:26 AM

DIP**** QUITS SCHOOL TO BE 'PRO' GUITAR HERO PLAYER

A US teenager has quit school to master the hugely popular Guitar Hero video game - and try to make a living out of it.

NME reports that 16-year-old Blake Peebles chucked in school to focus on becoming a Guitar Hero expert.

His parents say they let him drop out of the North Carolina religious school to stop his incessant complaining.

He hopes to turn pro - along with thousands of others - but so far has only won gift certificates, game gear and chicken sandwiches.

-NZ Herald

Tingly

August 20th, 2008, 06:34 AM

JONAS BROTHERS VISIT WHITE HOUSE

Thousands visit every year, but very few leave a permanent mark on the White House. The brave and intelligent men and women who shape history. The powerful leaders of the free world.

The popular trio, Nick, Joe and Kevin, were in Washington, D.C., on Monday (August 18) to attend a briefing on diabetes and tape a public-service announcement about national parks, CNN reported. While there, they signed their names to the wall of a swimming pool that was also signed by, among others, first lady Laura Bush.

"There's other names up there that are just astounding, some of our favorite artists and politicians," Joe Jonas told the news network. "But it's going to be really cool to see that in 10 years, 20 years from now."

In the end, the Jonas Brothers might not be the most famous graffiti artists in the world, but you wouldn't know it from the sensation their appearance caused at the White House. According to CNN, Vice President Dick Cheney even brought his three granddaughters to meet the singing siblings.

It wasn't all fun and games for the famous brothers, though, who have visited the White House under less serious circumstances twice before, both times in 2007. For Nick Jonas, who suffers from diabetes, the morning briefing was a chance to learn more about the disease while solidifying his image as the face of the illness, he said, insisting that those afflicted have to stick together to make it through.

"A lot of kids feel lonely when they first get diagnosed with diabetes. I'm just so encouraged at the end of the day because all I'm trying to do is make it through another day managing diabetes," Nick Jonas told CNN. "They're just doing the same thing. We're all there for each other."

Nick was diagnosed with diabetes when he was 13.

Also important, they stressed, was a chance to tell kids about exercise, which they did in a PSA encouraging children to visit national parks.

"We run around onstage constantly for about an hour and 45 minutes, and we know what that can do. You just feel great at the end of the night and when you wake up in the morning," Kevin Jonas told the White House press corps.

So given that they've visited the Bush White House three times, and are noted Evangelical Christians, does that mean they'll be voting Republican?

Not so fast, Kevin said, refusing to endorse either candidate for this year's election.

"But we do — me and Joe are both of voting age — so we do endorse voting, getting to know the issues, learning about the candidates and [making] a decision for yourself," he said.

-MTV

Tingly

August 20th, 2008, 06:37 AM

TOP RAPPERS STILL RAKING IN MILLIONS

You've read about the $150 million deal with Live Nation, bought the hit American Gangster album and gone to see the smash, sold-out tour with Mary J. Blige. Given his mountain of coin, Jay-Z must be sitting securely at #1 on Forbes magazine's 2008 list of "Hip-Hop Cash Kings," right?

Not if 50 Cent has anything to do with it. According to the magazine, after topping the list in 2007, Jigga dropped down to #2 this year behind 50, who hauled in $150 million over the past 12 months, nearly twice as much as Jay ($82 million) made in that same period.

A huge chunk of that ($100 million after taxes) came from the sale of 50's stake in VitaminWater, but he also raked in millions from his G-Unit clothing line and record label, his movie projects, video games and sales of Curtis. He could be primed for a repeat next year as well, if his joint venture with South African mining billionaire Patrice Motsepe pans out and produces the expected 50 Cent-branded line of platinum bling.

For the second year in a row, the man who has made a career out of diversifying his portfolio, Sean "Diddy" Combs, came in third on the list, pulling down $35 million from his Sean John clothing line, Bad Boy label, premium Ciroc vodka and a pair of reality shows.

You can bet that the man in the #4 slot isn't happy about being out of medal contention when it comes to what Forbes refers to as "hip-hopreneurs." But Kanye West, no slouch at $30 million, can still have the satisfaction of beating 50 in the record stores and at the Grammys, even if his album sales, production and tour grosses didn't get him into the top three this time out.

One of the busiest men in hip-hop, rapper/mega-producer (and Chris Cornell's new best friend) Timbaland, who is working on tracks for Jay-Z's next record, slid into #5 on $22 million, just ahead of another superstar performer/producer, Pharrell Williams, who banked $20 million thanks to album sales, production fees, touring, his Ice Cream and Billionaire Boys Club clothing lines, and a line of Louis Vuitton sunglasses. Just behind him was yet another producer/performer: Swizz Beatz scooped up $17 million thanks to his debut solo album, One Man Band Man, [as well as his work as a model for Gap, a cut of the hip toy company Kidrobot and production fees.

And for a guy who seems to have his hand in every aspect of the business, down to a line of clothes for dogs and a reality TV show, it's a bit surprising that Snoop Dogg came in at #8 with $16 million. He was followed by his former mentor, Dr. Dre, who cooked up $15 million mostly composed of royalties from nearly 20 years of producing and appearing on albums, according to Forbes.

The rest of the list includes Ludacris (#10, $14 million), T.I. and Lil Wayne (#11, $13 million), Eminem, Common and Akon (#12, $12 million), Jermaine Dupri and Lil Jon (#13, $11 million) and Outkast, Game and Chamillionaire (#14, $10 million).

In keeping with his status as the Elvis of hip-hop, Tupac Shakur, who was murdered in 1996, continued to ring up serious numbers with $15 million in income.

-MTV

Tingly

August 20th, 2008, 06:39 AM

NEW RADIO STATION WILL EMPHASIZE SAMOAN MUSIC IN PAGO PAGO

American Samoa-based South Seas Broadcasting Inc., which has operated 93KHJ in the territory since 1999, this week officially launched a new radio station - WVUV-FM. It is known as “V103,” located on the 103.1 on the FM dial.

While company president Larry Fuss is on island for the station’s launch, there was no fan-fare or special speeches at KHJ’s office at the Pago Plaza.

V103 has been conducting tests for the past several weeks before the official launching, which includes the launching yesterday morning of a new morning show on V103 hosted by veterans radio broadcaster Andrew Fa’asau and Christina “Nana” Samana, who has been with 93KHJ since last year.

Unlike 93KHJ, which programs American-style pop music and mostly English dialogue, V103’s programming features mostly Samoan dialogue and a mix of Samoan and Polynesian music.

He said V103 is also airing local news from veteran KHJ newscaster Monica Miller, world and national news from the ABC Radio Network and will soon add a Samoan-language news broadcast.

WVUV-FM is named in honor of American Samoa’s original radio station, WVUV-AM, which was purchased by South Seas in 2001.

-Pacific Magazine

Tingly

August 20th, 2008, 06:40 AM

RAPPER DMX IN A WORLD OF LEGAL TROUBLES

The twisted saga of DMX's legal woes continues to get more bizarre and impossible to follow as the days go on. But even as multiple law-enforcement jurisdictions across the country vie to get the first shot at the rapper (born Earl Simmons), one thing seems certain: The next few months, and possibly years, of DMX's life will likely find him either sitting in a cell or putting in hard time to get his once-multiplatinum career and chaotic personal life back on track.

The rapper missed another court date on Tuesday (August 19) in Arizona, where attorney Charles Kozelka, the public defender appointed to try his multiple drug and animal-cruelty cases, heard some bad news from the trial judge. Unlike last week, when DMX did not show up to court because of a reported hospitalization, this time he was absent because he is being held in a Miami jail cell following his arrest last Thursday, Kozelka told MTV News.

That arrest was a result of a felony fugitive warrant put out by Arizona authorities following DMX's failure to appear in court last Tuesday to face a marijuana-possession charge from earlier this year. Officials in Miami nabbed X outside a Wal-Mart when they spotted him sitting in the passenger seat of a vehicle that had no license plates and was parked in a handicap spot. A routine check revealed the outstanding warrant.

Because it was a felony fugitive of justice warrant, a spokesperson for the Miami-Dade Police Department said his jurisdiction is not allowed to offer DMX bond. That means the rapper will either sit in jail until October 2, when he will face drug charges in Miami for an arrest in June, or be extradited to Arizona, where he will go in front of Judge Michael Kemp on charges that could land him in prison for five years.

"At this point, no one is taking responsibility for which law is holding him there," Kozelka said, adding that he has had a hard time getting Florida and Arizona law-enforcement officials to explain to him which state's laws are keeping X locked up. "Now I understand that there's a Florida law on fugitives that allows them to give no bond, and the Florida judge said he won't give bond unless the prosecutor here [in Arizona] says it's OK, which is not happening."

Captain Paul Chagolla of the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said he "certainly" plans to try to extradite DMX to Arizona, but at press time he was not sure when that would happen. "He will sit in jail until he adjudicates the charges there [in Miami], and then we'll pick him up," he said, adding that it's also possible X will be brought back to Arizona first, if the process of trying him in Miami stretches out and causes further delays in the timetable for the Arizona cases.

"I went to the judge with a compromise solution where he could set aside the [fugitive of justice] warrant from last week, and I asked for one week so we can get the ball rolling and get his [Arizona] cases back on track," Kozelka said. "The judge said the bond was reasonable, and if Florida holds him, they hold him. I can tell you one thing: I've never seen this process before on a marijuana case."

-MTV

Tingly

August 20th, 2008, 06:41 AM

UNIVERSAL GETS FOOTHOLD IN UAE

Universal Music Publishing Group, the world's leading global music publishing corporation, has signed a deal with Fairwood/BKP Music (Arabia), to act as a sub-publisher and licensing representative across the UAE and neighboring region, according to a statement. The deal makes UMPG the first major global music publishing company to enter the UAE region. The new agreement will encourage the use of UMPG's catalogue in local advertising campaigns, local film and television uses, and other revenue generating uses throughout Dubai and the region.

-ameinfo

Tingly

August 20th, 2008, 06:43 AM

SECOND GUITAR FESTIVAL DOWN UNDER STARTS NOV. 29

This year's Adelaide's International Guitar Festival will feature local and international names including the Grigoryan brothers, Troy Cassar-Daley and UK performer Guy Pratt.

Organisers say they are confident of success, despite last year's $1 million loss on the event's first outing.

Festival producer Christine Schloithe says she is confident of growing success, especially among younger audiences.

"We're looking at a lot more genres that are a bit more contemporary this time round," he said.

"We're quite deliberately trying to broaden our audience base to be quite inclusive, so we've got a huge diversity of performance styles coming into the festival."

The event starts on November 29 with a free concert in Adelaide's Elder Park.

Anyone with a guitar is invited to be there for a world record attempt to form the biggest guitar band, and perform AC-DC's It's A Long Way To The Top.

-ABC

Tingly

August 20th, 2008, 06:45 AM

TROOPER ACCUSED OF SNOOPING ON MUSICIAN

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A Tennessee state trooper was suspended Tuesday after investigators said he used his position to conduct 182 background checks — at least some of them unauthorized — on people including two journalists and a country music figure.

Officials with the Tennessee Highway Patrol declined to name the people who were checked. Investigators did not recognize the names of any elected officials or politicians on the list, said Col. Mike Walker, the THP's commander.

The latest suspension adds to a series of scandals involving the department in recent years.

Walker and Safety Commissioner Dave Mitchell were brought in to help clean up the department's image after its top three officials resigned in December 2005 following reports of troopers with criminal backgrounds, allegations of ticket-fixing and a culture of cronyism and political arm-twisting.

Many of the problems were revealed in a series of investigative stories by The Tennessean newspaper in Nashville.

In another unrelated scandal, a trooper resigned last year after a porn actress claimed he let drug charges slide in exchange for oral sex in an encounter captured on video.

Suspended Lt. Ronnie Shirley accessed the records between October and July, Walker said. Shirley's motive remains unclear.

"It looks more for nosiness purposes, maybe," Walker said. "There does not appear to be any pattern of any type where there is an attempt to harm someone."

Investigators aren't sure how many of those checks were improper, but Safety Commissioner Dave Mitchell said "there were unauthorized queries, absolutely."

Some of Shirley's records checks appear to have been made at the request of others, Walker said. Shirley has been placed on administrative leave until the investigation is complete.

nj.com

Tingly

August 20th, 2008, 06:46 AM

NEIL YOUNG WILL HAVE BIG BANDS AS OPENERS

Neil Young has snared two of alternative rock's biggest bands to open for his fall North American tour.

Seattle-based Death Cab for Cutie will open the first portion -- beginning Oct. 14 in Minneapolis and including a stop at the Comcast Center in Everett on Oct. 21 -- while Chicago band Wilco jumps aboard Nov. 29 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Young wraps a European tour Saturday in Coburg, Germany. Death Cab finishes an Australian run Friday and starts a short North American headlining tour Oct. 3 in Boston after playing the Bumbershoot Festival in Seattle on Sept. 1.

-seattlepi

Tingly

August 20th, 2008, 08:15 AM

IS GUITAR HERO SAVING ROCK?

LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- Metallica's Lars Ulrich loves Black Sabbath and Deep Purple -- and so does his 10-year-old son.
Guitar Hero

Ulrich may have played songs from those old rock bands around the house on his stereo, but he gives credit for his son's excitement to another source: video games.

Myles Ulrich is a fan of games such as "Guitar Hero" and "Rock Band," which have spawned a comeback for rock music.

"It's a cool generational thing to share that with your kids," said Ulrich, the drummer for the multi-platinum quartet. "My [son's] favorite bands are ... the same bands that are my favorite bands -- the bands I grew up on."

A few years ago, rock music was struggling on the charts. With hip-hop and teen pop ruling, rock was finding it hard to break through with new music -- or sell more of the old.

But "Guitar Hero" and "Rock Band" have prompted kids born in the '90s to discover artists from the '70s and '80s such as Aerosmith, Twisted Sister and Pat Benatar. The games' amazing popularity -- last year, the two brought in more than $935 million in revenue, according to the NPD Group market research company -- has helped create success in other markets, according to observers.

Geoff Mayfield, senior analyst and director of charts for Billboard magazine, said he sees a direct cause-and-effect for some of the artists who have licensed their songs to "Guitar Hero."

"A few weeks ago, when the game featuring Aerosmith ['Guitar Hero: Aerosmith'] came out, there was more than a 40 percent increase in their catalog sales. I expect you'll see that again when Metallica gets the same kind of treatment in a few weeks," Mayfield said. iReport.com: Do you shred on "Guitar Hero?"

Once wary of downloading, Metallica has changed its tune with its upcoming album.

"When 'Death Magnetic' comes out in September, you can actually download the new album the same day it comes out, and play it on your 'Guitar Hero III,' " Ulrich said -- fully aware of the irony, given his band's past litigation with the Internet music file-sharing service Napster.

Even in an uncertain economy, the video games also have increased interest in guitars, according to the nationwide Guitar Center chain. And bars holding "Guitar Hero" nights also have enjoyed a boost in business: Big Wangs sports tavern in Hollywood, California, reports a 25 percent to 35 percent increase in sales.

The results have played out at such places as Roosevelt High School in Los Angeles, where most teens have grown up on a steady diet of hip-hop and R&B.

Recently, heavy metal blared from the school's darkened auditorium as it sponsored a three-day "Guitar Hero Face-Off." Spotlights illuminated the competitors, and an audience full of enthusiasts screamed wildly at the end of each song.

It was enough to make 16-year-old finalist George Gomez nervous. "You got fans cheering you on," he marveled shyly.

For Mayfield, the marriage of music and video games makes perfect sense, especially for an ailing record industry that's been having trouble selling CDs.

"This is a chance for something that's been a competition to actually be an ally, if you will," he said.
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Mayfield has never played "Guitar Hero" or "Rock Band," but he said he understands the irresistible appeal of kids and adults indulging in some harmless headbanging -- albeit with toy instruments.

"If you've ever played air guitar, more than likely, you weren't doing it to a Michael Jackson song. You were doing it to an Aerosmith song," he said. < Tingly made this printing bigger, as an editorial comment.
-CNN

Tingly

August 20th, 2008, 09:00 AM

MOVIE SATIRIZES ROCK BANDS

Watching Rainn Wilson gyrate through the motions of being a rock ’n’ roll wild man in the middling comedy “The Rocker,” you can’t help wondering if Mr. Wilson (from “The Office”) is inhabiting a role that was originally turned down by Jack Black. Despite the maniacal glint in Mr. Wilson’s eyes, he is a decidedly nerdy hell-raiser in comparison with Mr. Black, who conjures memories of the rampaging John Belushi. Mr. Wilson, for all his quirky charm, is no volcano.

That said, he is perfectly adequate in the role of a superannuated 41-year-old teenager with a chip on his shoulder. His character, Robert Fishman, a k a Fish, is a flamboyant drummer who, as the movie begins, is cheated out of his moment of glory when a record company offers his heavy metal band, Vesuvius, the moon and stars on the condition that he be replaced by an executive’s nephew. The offer is too sweet to refuse, and Fish ends up stewing in wretched obscurity for 20 years before an unlikely second chance at rock ’n’ roll redemption presents itself.

Reduced to living in the attic in the home of his sister Lisa (Jane Lynch), Fish agrees to be a substitute drummer in A.D.D, an amusingly named teenage band made up of Lisa’s schlubby guitar-playing son Matt (Josh Gad); Amelia (Emma Stone), the group’s scowling quasi-punk bassist; and Curtis (the pop teen heartthrob Teddy Geiger), its mopey lead singer and songwriter.

Before their first gig, at Matt’s high school prom, Fish astounds his band mates by ostentatiously vomiting in his hand, which he then sticks in his pocket. The “pocket full of puke” ritual, he proudly declares, is the rock ’n’ roll equivalent of carrying a rabbit’s foot. Although his out-of-control drum solo ruins the prom, A.D.D. decides to stay together after Fish vows to get them a real club gig, a promise on which he makes good.

In this technologically savvy movie, the band rehearses by Webcam with Fish playing nude in the ratty basement of a Chinese restaurant. Clips of “the Naked Drummer,” as he is called, find their way onto YouTube, and A.D.D. becomes an Internet sensation. Matchbox Records, the same label that signed Vesuvius two decades earlier, comes calling in the person of David Marshall (Jason Sudeikis), the ne plus ultra of sleazy, jive-talking record executives.

What happens next is entirely predictable. To the chagrin of the band members’ parents, A.D.D goes on the road, and Fish finally gets to live the wild rock lifestyle he always longed for as his sober band mates look on in amazement. The movie carries off the trick of conjuring nostalgia for the bad old days when bands trashed hotel rooms and drank themselves into oblivion while making such behavior appear pathetic.

A minor romance blossoms between Fish and Curtis’s mother, Kim (an ill-used Christina Applegate), who is chaperoning the tour and has her own fond rock ’n’ roll memories. The inevitable showdown between A.D.D. and Vesuvius takes place on the eve of Vesuvius’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, the hometown of both bands. In the 20 years since Vesuvius dumped Fish, its members have developed conspicuously phony British accents.

But if “The Rocker,” directed by Peter Cattaneo (“The Full Monty”), has its witty moments, the movie is encrusted in rock lore and stale attitudinizing borrowed from “This Is Spinal Tap” and “School of Rock,” each of which it shamelessly cannibalizes. Most disappointingly, the music is tepid, mediocre pop pastiche. There is absolutely nothing special about A.D.D. In its portrayal of a rock culture that was once synonymous with liberating self-expression, everything is secondhand and done by rote. Hip has become rigidly, thuddingly square.

“The Rocker” is rated PG-13 (Parents strongly cautioned). It has nudity and some strong language.

Opens on Wednesday nationwide.

Directed by Peter Cattaneo; written by Maya Forbes and Wally Wolodarsky, based on a story by Ryan Jaffe; director of photography, Anthony B. Richmond; edited by George Folsey Jr.; music by Chad Fischer; production designer, Brandt Gordon; produced by Shawn Levy and Tom McNulty; released by Fox Atomic. Running time: 1 hour 42 minutes.

-NY Times

Tingly

August 22nd, 2008, 05:56 AM

METALLICA BACK WITH NEW ALBUM?

Metallica lead singer James Hetfield promises they will once again be at the top with their new album 'Death Magnetic'.

The group has gone through some tremendous ups and downs but are happy with their new album 'Death Magnetic', which they are releasing next month, reports thesun.co.uk. The songs takes the band back to the essence of what made them great, with a more recognisable Metallica sound than on 'St. Anger', an album which fans and critics panned when it was released in 2003.

Hetfield said: 'St. Anger was the low point of the roller-coaster, but we're back at the top now.'

Talking about his tempestuous relationship with drummer Lars Ulrich, Hetfield said: 'Our relationship is part of what makes Metallica special. If everything goes smooth all the time then something is wrong. You have to have friction as it creates energy, brainstorms, pro-activity and we go forward.'

Metallica's legacy speaks for itself. They've sold 100 million records and achieved Gold or Platinum album status in 40 countries and won seven Grammys.

-IANS

Tingly

August 22nd, 2008, 05:57 AM

CELINE DION GIVEN HONORARY DOCTORATE

Canadian singer Celine Dion, who is not even a high school graduate, has been given an honorary doctorate in music by Laval University in Quebec City.

The honour Thursday comes a day before Dion performs a free concert for the year-long 400th birthday celebrations of Quebec City - the oldest city in Canada and also the capital of Quebec province.

Receiving the honorary doctorate from Laval University superintendent Denis Briere at a ceremony attended by 800 people, Dion said the degree was a great honour for 'a little girl from Charlemagne'.

Charlemagne is a small suburb of Montreal where Dion was born as the fourteenth child of poor parents in 1968.

Thanking the university for the honour, Dion said: 'If there is something that has guided my life, it's my wish to excel and go further, to the maximum of my abilities, to the top of my goals, my hopes and my dreams.'

Referring to her unfinished high school education, Dion said: 'the school of life is also very important.'

To thank her for performing free Friday, the organisers also presented her a commemorative medal.

Dion, who is currently on her on-off 'Taking Chances Tour', said she was dedicating the honour to her much older husband-manager Rene Angelil.

Later, Angelil surprised media persons when he said the couple wanted to have a sibling for their six-year-old son Rene-Charles after the end of their 'Taking Chances Tour' next year.

Dion has undertaken the world tour after the end of her five-year contract with a Las Vegas club.

Congratulating Dion, Canadian heritage minister Josee Verner called her 'a citizen of the world who promotes Canada wherever she goes'.

Dion, who started her music career in the early 1980s, has sold over 200 million albums worldwide so far.

-IANS

Tingly

August 22nd, 2008, 05:58 AM

GARY GLITTER BACK IN UK

By Luke Baker

LONDON (Reuters) - Gary Glitter, a British singer who spent three years in a Vietnamese jail for child sex abuse, returned to London on Friday after failing to find sanctuary in Asia.

Glitter, famous in the 1970s and 80s for songs such as "Hello, Hello, I'm Back Again" and "I'm the Leader of the Gang (I Am)", arrived at Heathrow airport after an overnight flight on Thai Airways from Bangkok.

He was met by police and escorted away under the flashing bulbs of a pack of paparazzi photographers.

At a court hearing outside London hours after his arrival his lawyer failed in a bid to prevent him having to sign the sex offenders' register, a list of convicted pedophiles kept by the police. His lawyer said the ruling could be appealed.

Glitter, 64, was released from jail in Vietnam on Tuesday after serving almost all his three-year sentence. He was then flown to Bangkok for a connecting flight to London, but failed to board the flight saying he had ear and heart problems.

He wandered Bangkok airport for nearly 24 hours despite being declared persona non grata in Thailand. He then flew to Hong Kong but was rejected by Chinese authorities. After returning to Bangkok, he was put on the flight to London.

British media have speculated the singer, whose real name is Paul Gadd, tried to avoid returning for fear of the negative reception he would receive. Since his release, Glitter's every move has been tracked by British tabloid photographers.

Snapshots have shown a pale, drawn figure sporting a long white goatee beard, his face partially hidden by a baseball cap, and a checkered scarf loosely drawn around his neck.

Tingly

August 22nd, 2008, 06:00 AM

EVERYTHING SET FOR READING FESTIVAL TONIGHT!!

Rage Against The Machine are set to headline the first day of the Reading Festival tonight (August 22) with a set on the Main Stage after Queens Of The Stone Age and The Fratellis.

The rockers, who previously played the event in 1996 and 2000, will be going head-to-head with Babyshambles, who are set to headline the NME/Radio 1 Stage. They will play after sets from the likes of The Wombats, Vampire Weekend, MGMT and Pete And The Pirates.

Biffy Clyro, Serj Tankian and Dizzee Rascal are also set to perform on the Main Stage, while Future Of The Left will kick off the day's musical action on the NME/Radio 1 Stage at midday (BST).

Elsewhere on the Reading site Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip headline the Festival Republic Stage. They will play after Does It Offend You Yeah?, Late Of The Pier, Friendly Fires and These New Puritans.

-NME

Tingly

August 22nd, 2008, 06:03 AM

WILL HOGE IN BAD MOTORBIKE ACCIDENT

Nashville rock musician Will Hoge, 35, is in critical condition in Vanderbilt University Medical Center after being involved in a motor scooter accident Wednesday evening.

Hoge was traveling north on Main Street in East Nashville at about 8 p.m. when a southbound van failed to yield while turning into 712 Main St., Metro Police spokesperson Kris Mumford said. Hoge's motor scooter collided with the passenger side of the van. Police found no evidence of alcohol or drugs involved in the accident.
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Ashley Hansen, editorial assistant at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, reported Hoge's family "appreciates everyone keeping Will in their thoughts and prayers."

The driver of the van, Sibomana Viateur, 28, of Nashville, did not suffer any injuries.

Hoge is one of Nashville's most accomplished rock artists, having moved from a promising major-label stint in the early part of the decade into a thriving career as a hard-touring, do-it-yourself musician. His most recent album, last year's Draw the Curtains, was his first for indie label Rykodisc, and marked his return to label affiliation.

The singer-songwriter is in the midst of recording the follow-up to that highly praised album at Sound Emporium Studios at home in Nashville. He is scheduled to take a hometown stage at the Mercy Lounge on Sept. 20, as part of the 2008 Americana Music Festival.

-tennessean

Tingly

August 22nd, 2008, 06:05 AM

RADIO REVENUE IS DOWN

No matter how you spin it, radio's revenue story is still bleak. Combined local and national spot radio advertising dropped 8 percent in second quarter to $4.6 billion for a 7 percent drop in the first half of the year to $8.4 billion, according to figures released Thursday (Aug. 21) by the Radio Advertising Bureau.

Even factoring in a robust 12 percent growth in off-air advertising to $889 million and a healthy 3 percent climb for network radio to $567 million, radio advertising is still down 5 percent to $9.9 billion at mid-year.

Radio continues to be hit by a very soft national ad market with national spot dropping 11 percent in second quarter and staying there. For the first half of the year, national spot is down 11 percent to $1.4 billion.

Local advertising was only slightly better, down 7 percent in second quarter to $3.8 billion, and down 6 percent to nearly $7 billion for the first half of the year.

While off-air advertising can't make up the difference, it's additional revenue the industry is clinging to in this tough ad market. According to the RAB, radio off-air revenue is "exceeding expectations," increasing at a compound annual growth rate of 12.3 percent over the past two years. The RAB has forecast off-air revenue, made up primarily of online activity, to pass $2 billion in 2009.

What radio can do to turn around its fortunes is a popular topic among Wall Street and other observers. In a report released earlier this week, Jim Boyle, an analyst with CL King & Associates accused radio of doing little to reverse the negative trends.

"The industry's larger groups do not appear ready to institute revolutionary changes yet in sales, programming, promotion or station clusters. There is a notable sense of denial of how harsh the prospects have been and continue to be for radio. The classic CEO reply is radio is not bleeding as badly as newspapers," Boyle wrote.

The RAB's figures are based on pool of more than 100 markets as reported by the accounting firm of Miller, Kaplan, Arase & Co.

-Mediaweek

Tingly

August 22nd, 2008, 06:07 AM

LAST SHADOW PUPPETS ENTERTAIN AT OXFORD

Alex Turner and Miles Kane have never looked so grown-up. The two singers, from Arctic Monkeys and the Rascals respectively, are backed in this side-project by the 16-piece London Metropolitan Orchestra. The latter are in evening-wear; Turner and Kane are in mid-60s beat-combo sweaters, jeans and pointy boots. But their immersion in the ornate balladry and mariachi rhythms of Burt Bacharach and Scott Walker is so total it threatens to make their day jobs seem like the side-projects.

Their voices, despite one being from the Wirral, the other from South Yorkshire, are virtually interchangeable, which encourages unison singing rather than contrasting harmonies. Kane, who takes centre stage, has clearly had a transformative effect on Turner's songwriting: the tracks from The Age of the Understatement - notwithstanding the murkiness of the mix, which often sounds like standard guitar-rock with strings on top - are masterfully epic, yet concise.

Having had only a week to rehearse, many of the album's subtleties are lost: the lush Black Plant and the twangy spy theme Muzak of The Chamber are reduced to bluster live. The crowd do not mind, though. A bouncer had moved to pounce on an excitable punter who refused to sit down, but after he and Turner have a conflab, we are all allowed to stand. This is a shame: the Sunday Night at the London Palladium ambience is lost in favour of a regular gig atmosphere. However, the closers - Meeting Place, Standing Next to Me and a breathtakingly pared-down Time Has Come Again - more than make up for it.

-The Guardian

Tingly

August 22nd, 2008, 06:09 AM

STEFANI HAS SECOND BOY

Gwen Stefani gave birth to a baby boy, and has christened him with the obligatory quirky celebrity baby name.

Zuma Nesta Rock Rossdale was born at 12:46 pm today (August 21) at Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles, weighing 8.5lbs.

Zuma is the son of former Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale and brother to Kingston, 2.

"Kingston, Gwen and Gavin Rossdale welcomed the newest member of their family. Mother, baby and family are all happy and healthy,” said a statement released to people.com.

Gwen Stefani has forged a successful solo career since the release of her debut solo album ‘Love Angel Music Baby’ in November 2004. She has also made an extremely successful foray into the fashion world with her Harajuku Lovers and L.A.M.B. lines.

-NME

Tingly

August 22nd, 2008, 06:10 AM

SHERYL CROW OFFERS SONG TO 'ROCK THE VOTE' MAILING LIST MEMBERS

Sheryl Crow has teamed up with the Rock the Vote organisation to encourage young people across the United States to register to vote in the upcoming presidential election.

Current members of the Rock the Vote mailing list will receive access to a free download of her song ‘Gasoline’.

-NME

Tingly

August 22nd, 2008, 06:11 AM

RIHANNA, PARAMORE, PINK ARE READY FOR VMA'S

Rihanna, Paramore, Pink and T.I. are the latest additions to the list of performers at this year's MTV Video Music Awards.

Also on the bill for the event, which is set to be held September 7 in Los Angeles, are Kid Rock, Lil Wayne and the Jonas Brothers.

"I can't wait," Pink told the Associated Press, adding that she plans to "blow stuff up."

British comedian Russell Brand will host the event, as previously reported. Britney Spears has been nominated for several awards and has done promos for the event, but it is not yet known whether she'll make an appearance on the show after her come-back debacle at last year's VMAs.

-NME

Tingly

August 22nd, 2008, 06:14 AM

CHEETAH GIRLS GO BOLLYWOOD

The Cheetah Girls: One World lives up to its title. The successful Disney Channel franchise traveled to India for its third movie (tonight, 8 ET/PT), mixing the familiar, three singing-dancing friends, with what many viewers will find exotic: dance, music and clothing emblematic of India's Bollywood film industry.

One World, which comes five years after the first Cheetah film, opens with the three recording hopefuls — Chanel (Adrienne Bailon), Dorinda (Sabrina Bryan) and Aqua (Kiely Williams) — hitting young adulthood and contemplating separate pursuits. (The fourth member, Galleria, is off to classes at Cambridge, an explanation for the absence of Raven-Symoné, who was in the first two films.)

The three change plans when they're cast in an Indian musical, only to find one role when they arrive.

The actresses, who spent two months in the cities of Mumbai and Udaipur, had to pick up different dance moves and music tempos, learning how various movements symbolized the stars, the moon and other elements, Bailon says.

"It was difficult for us in the sense that it was different. We're so used to one style of dance. (But) we were really enthusiastic about learning it," she says. "I think our movie will open some eyes to a whole new culture."

One song, Dance Me If You Can, begins as a challenge between performance styles, which come together as the song concludes. "It was really cool the way we blended our sound, which is pop, hip-hop, with Indian sounds. It started out like two different songs and it (ends) like one complete song," Williams says. "Fans will be able to do it the Cheetah Girls way and the Indian way."

Filming in India provided scenes of "breathtaking" beauty, Bailon says, and a full-on Bollywood experience for the actresses, including a song, One World, the singers performed in Indian dress on top of an elephant. "Riding an elephant was so fun (but) scary at times because we had a huge elephant, and when she walks it's not the sturdiest thing to be on top of," Bryan says.

The Cheetah presence will make Bollywood elements less intimidating to core viewers (ages 6-14) who are unfamiliar with the genre, says Gary Marsh, entertainment president of Disney Channels Worldwide. "There's a connection our audience has to Western elements. Using that connection, we can introduce Eastern cultural elements."

And on a business level, the foreign setting and multicultural cast should play well on a network available in more than 100 countries, including India, Marsh says.

The first two films were big draws; they attracted 6.5 million and 7.8 million viewers, respectively. Marsh says audience response will help determine whether there is a fourth. The three stars are gung-ho about another film, even as they venture into solo projects.

"We've got a wish list of places to go," Williams says. "Japan, South America, 'Cheetah Girls Down Under.' We can pretty much go anywhere."

-USA Today

Tingly

August 22nd, 2008, 06:16 AM

AVRIL PLANNING TO SING IN MALAYSIA!

It seems Avril Lavigne will sing in Malaysia after all.

Reports the show had been cancelled are untrue, Lavigne's manager, Terry McBride, said Thursday.

"We're going ahead with the concert," McBride said from Vancouver. "I think the media has made a whole lot of nonsense out of absolutely nothing and has gone on speculation and gossip."

Lavigne has a large Asian fan base and will be "respectful to the culture," he said.

But McBride refused to say whether the punk princess will change her style of dress or set list to please Malaysian officials.

Reports from the region earlier this week said that Malaysia's Arts, Culture and Heritage Ministry refused to permit the Aug. 29 show in Kuala Lumpur because it was "too sexy."

Malaysia requires all performers to wear clothes without obscene or drug-related images and be covered from the chest to the knees.

Lavigne's concert plans drew opposition from hardline Islamists.

But Lavigne gave an interview with MTV on Thursday saying she plans to put on a good show.

"I've already sold 10,000 tickets there, so I will be going to put on a concert for the fans," Lavigne said.

-cbc

Tingly

August 22nd, 2008, 06:17 AM

MAXWELL IS BACK!

Absent from the scene for ages, R&B star Maxwell will embark on his first tour in six years this fall, beginning Oct. 8 in Boston and running through Nov. 21 in Philadelphia.

The artist hasn't released a new album since 2001's "Now" but continues to work on a three-part follow-up, "Black Summers' Night." There is no release date for or additional information about the Columbia project, according to a spokesperson.

The most recent details about "Black Summers' Night" came last September, when Columbia urban music exec Kyambo "Hip-Hop" Joshua told Billboard that "Maxwell's still working with Sade's band, his tried-and-true team. He took some time off and now he's ready."

Joshua added, "He's recorded so much material that he's got a couple of albums done."

In the past couple of years, Maxwell has eked out previews of new songs on his MySpace site, including "Pretty Wings," which has racked up more than 762,000 plays. He also made his first major appearance in recent memory at the BET Awards in June, performing "Simply Beautiful" as part of an Al Green tribute.

-Billboard

Tingly

August 22nd, 2008, 06:54 AM

END SEEMS NEAR IN DOORS LEGAL DISPUTE

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- The end is near for a bitter legal dispute between the three surviving members of The Doors now that the California Supreme Court has refused to take up their case.

Keyboardist Ray Manzarek and guitarist Robby Krieger are on the hook for more than $5 million after they were found by lower courts to have improperly invoked The Doors' name and images during a 2003 concert tour. After the high court declined to hear their appeal on Aug. 13, they'll have to pay up to drummer John Densmore, the parents of the deceased lead singer Jim Morrison and the parents of Morrison's deceased wife, Pamela Courson, who died in 1974.

The case goes back to 2002, when Densmore declined an offer from the other two to go on a concert tour as The Doors. Densmore said he didn't object to Manzarek and Krieger touring and singing The Doors' songs, as long as they didn't call themselves The Doors, use the group's distinctive logo or any other Morrison-era imagery.

"You can't call yourselves The Doors because you can't have The Doors without Jim Morrison," Densmore's attorney S. Jerome Mandel said.

Densmore and the parents sued Manzarek and Krieger in 2003 after the two began touring the country with Ian Astbury, former lead singer of The Cult, and calling themselves The Doors of the 21st Century.

Densmore complained that the phrase "of the 21st Century" was often little more than fine print in advertisements and that the new band displayed Morrison's image dozens of times during concerts. The tour grossed $8 million and netted $3.2 million, which went to the new band's company called Doors Touring, Inc. and none of which went to Densmore or the parents.

In 2005, a judge ordered the new band to stop using "The Doors" in any form and ordered Manzarek and Krieger to pay Densmore and the parents a combined $3.2 million, plus $2 million in legal costs.

An appeals court upheld the $3.2 million award, and is considering Manzarek and Krieger's appeal of the $2 million in legals costs as excessive.

"It's really disappointing," said lawyer Mark Poster, who represented Manzarek and Krieger. He said the two pursued the appeal so vigorously because a judge had overruled a jury decision in awarding Densmore damages.

The dispute stems from a 1970 agreement signed by the four original band members, including Morrison, that any business deal would require an unanimous vote of The Doors. The agreement was reached after Morrison and three others got into a "violent disagreement" over using "Light my Fire" in a Buick television commercial, according to the appeals court's decision in May backing Densmore.

"While the three partners had agreed to the commercial, Morrison vehemently disagreed and the commercial was not done," the appeals court wrote.

Since Morrison's death in Paris in 1971, the remaining band members and the parents split Morrison's share of the still-flourishing sale of The Doors' music and memorabilia. Each partner has veto power over business deals.

Seven years ago, for instance, General Motors offered the partnership $15 million to use "Light My Fire" to sell Cadillacs, and everyone but Densmore wanted to take the deal. Densmore also refused an endorsement deal offered by iPod maker Apple.

"Morrison had been adamant against doing commercials and Densmore wanted to honor Morrison's memory," the appeals court noted in its May ruling.

The Los Angeles-based band, which was inducted in 1992 into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, had a string of hits in the 1960s including "Break on Through," "L.A. Woman" and "Riders on the Storm."

Manzarek and Krieger now call themselves Riders on the Storm and continue to perform The Doors' songs live.

Tingly

August 23rd, 2008, 07:19 AM

CONCERT SPREADS AIDS AWARENESS IN INDIA

Gangtok, Aug 23 : Sikkim recently played host to 'Freedom rock tour 2008', a music concert aimed at spreading AIDS awareness.

The show jointly organised by 91.9 FM channel and Sikkim State Aids Control Society (SSACS) in the state with an aim to educate the residents about the dreaded disease.

Bobby Gupta, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of 91.9 FM said that music cuts across all barriers and is one of the best mediums to spread awareness about a sensitive issue like 'AIDS'.

"The aim of the concert was to create an image and spread message about the AIDS awareness among the youth and socially conscious people," Gupta added.

The performers said that music shows draw a large number of people and the message can be sent across easily.

Alpha Thapa, a performer, said: "When we organize such music shows, we get a lot of response and a lot of people come. Through the medium of music, we can spread the message of AIDS awareness."

The number of people estimated to be living with HIV/AIDS in India is about 2.47 million.

Though it used to apprehended that India may have up to 5 million persons affected by HIV, more recent estimates suggest that the number could be between 2 to 3 million.

According to reports, many Indians living in rural areas have never heard of AIDS, creating a dangerous combination of lack of knowledge and unprotected sexual activity.

-ANI

Tingly

August 23rd, 2008, 07:20 AM

DRUMMER BUDDY HARMAN DEAD AT 79

Buddy Harman, the percussion heartbeat of Music Row and Nashville's best-known and most-recorded drummer, died Thursday evening in hospice care. He was 79, and suffered from congestive heart failure.

A native Nashvillian born Murrey Mizell Harman Jr., Mr. Harman played drums on more than 18,000 recordings, including Roy Orbison's "Oh, Pretty Woman," Patsy Cline's "Crazy," Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire," Tammy Wynette's "Stand By Your Man," Ray Price's "Crazy Arms" and Elvis Presley's "Little Sister." He was the first staff drummer on the Grand Ole Opry and the first prominent drummer in country music history, and his work helped secure country's place as a viable, popular and modern art form.
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"Buddy Harman set the standard, both quantitatively and qualitatively, for what a great country drummer should be," wrote David Cantwell in Heartaches by the Number: Country Music's Greatest Singles. "The mind boggles at the number of musically distinctive and emotionally fitting ways Harman found to lay down a beat."

Mr. Harman was a master of the hard-driving country shuffle (which he helped invent during the "Crazy Arms" session), and he was enough of a musical chameleon to play pounding rock 'n' roll on "Pretty Woman"; stately, restrained pop on "I'm Sorry"; graceful swing on Roger Miller's "King of the Road"; and straight-ahead country on Loretta Lynn's "Coal Miner's Daughter."

"He's Nashville's all-around drummer, and he's the best drummer I ever worked with," said Harold Bradley, who played on thousands of records with Mr. Harman.

WSM air personality and country music historian Eddie Stubbs said of Mr. Harman: "If anybody could be called the father of modern country drumming, it would be Buddy. He defined the role of the drums in country music. No matter the song, he knew what to play. More importantly, he knew what not to play. Always."

-tenessean

Tingly

August 23rd, 2008, 07:22 AM

CALIFORNIA BAY AREA HAS MUSIC ALL OVER THE PLACE

1. Maria Muldaur: Let's show some love for the longtime Bay Area singer and activist (pictured), who's at Yoshi's in Oakland this weekend with the Women's Voices for Peace Choir to spotlight her new CD, "Yes We Can!" a collection of socially relevant covers from Bob Dylan, Marvin Gaye, Allen Toussaint and others. Whatever you think of the politics involved, Muldaur's credentials as an interpreter of blues, gospel, R&B, jazz, rock and other quintessentially American music transcend the red/blue state business.

Details: 8 and 10 p.m. Saturday, 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday, 510 Embarcadero West; $5-$22; 510-238-9200.

2. Outside Lands Festival: Perhaps you've heard of it? A little rock music soiree in Golden Gate Park all weekend with obscure performers with names like Radiohead and Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers? It's probably worth a shot.

Details: 5 p.m. Friday, 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. See Jim Harrington's concert blog — www.ibabuzz.com/concerts — or the festival Web site — www.sfoutsidelands.com — for band, transport and other details.

3. "Little Shop of Horrors": A flesh-craving extraterrestrial plant, a vicious dentist, a geek in love "... what more can a musical need?

Details: Wednesdays through Sundays through Sept. 14, Willows Theatre at Willows shopping center, 1975 Diamond Blvd., Concord;
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$30-$40; 925-798-1300, www.willowstheatre.org.

4. Goodguys West Coast Nationals: For hot-rod buffs, it's one of the biggest and best events of the year.

Details: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Alameda County Fairgrounds, 4501 Pleasanton Ave., Pleasanton; $6-$17; 925-426-7600, www.alamedacountyfair.com, www.goodguys.com.

5. "Grey Gardens": TheatreWorks presents the first post-Broadway production of the musical based on the documentary about a truly bizarre story — the aunt and first cousin of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis living like squatters in a run-down mansion in East Hampton, N.Y.

Details: "Garden" plays in preview at 8 tonight; main run is Saturday through Sept. 14 at Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View; $26-$64; 650-903-6000, www.mvcpa.com,theatreworks.org.

6. Habib Koite: The wonderful African guitarist holds forth in Yoshi's San Francisco through Saturday.

Details: 8 and 10 tonight and Saturday, Eddy and Fillmore streets; $26; 415-655-5600, www.yoshis.com.

7. Berkeley MusicFest: What a blast. The event serves all types of music (well, OK, a brief glance at the lineup didn't turn up a single Norwegian death metal act, but no one's perfect) at venues all over Berkeley, from the farmers market and a BART station to nightclubs. Most of it is free.

Details: Through Sunday. Go to www.downtown berkeleymusicfest.org. for the full schedule and other details.

8. Cajun-Zydeco Festival: Get in touch with your inner crawdad-chomping, dancing-fool Creole-type person. This Fremont event has a day full of Cajun bands and great food.

Details: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, Ardenwood Historic Farm, 34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont; $2-$16; 510-796-0199, www.ebparks.org.

9. Oakland Chinatown StreetFest — Take a break from the Olympics with a visit to Oakland's Chinatown for this annual fest, which has live entertainment, food and, of course, lots of atmosphere.

Details: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 7th Street to 11th Street and Broadway to Harrison Street; free; 510-893-8979, www.oakland chinatownstreet fest.com.

10. Wild 94.9 Comedy Jam: The yukfest offers Katt Williams, Russell Peters, Pablo Francisco, Gabriel Iglesias and many more.

Details: 7 p.m. Saturday, Shoreline Amphitheatre, 1 Amphitheatre Parkway (off highway 101), Mountain View; $26-$75.50, 650-967-3000, www.livenation.com.

-Oakland Tribune

Tingly

August 23rd, 2008, 07:24 AM

LEEDS SECOND DAY!

Rage Against The Machine are set to headline the second day of the Leeds Festival tonight (August 23) with a set on the Main Stage after Queens Of The Stone Age and The Fratellis.

They will be going head-to-head with Babyshambles, who are set to headline the NME/Radio 1 Stage. They will play after sets from the likes of The Wombats, Vampire Weekend, MGMT and Pete And The Pirates.

Biffy Clyro, Serj Tankian and Dizzee Rascal are also set to perform on the Main Stage, while Future Of The Left will kick off the day's musical action on the NME/Radio 1 Stage at midday (BST).

Elsewhere on the Leeds site Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip headline the Festival Republic Stage. They will play after Does It Offend You Yeah?, Late Of The Pier, Friendly Fires and These New Puritans.

NME.COM is bringing you live coverage straight from both sites of the Reading And Leeds Festivals 2008. For the latest news, blogs, pictures and video interviews head to the Reading And Leeds Festivals index now.

Plus make sure you get next week's issue of NME - on newsstands nationwide from Wednesday August 27 - for the ultimate Reading And Leeds Festivals review.

For more Reading And Leeds Festivals coverage including live footage and more, visit fellow official media partner bbc.co.uk/readingandleeds.

-NME

Tingly

August 23rd, 2008, 07:25 AM

iTUNES BLOCKED IN CHINA FOR TIBET SONGS?!

Apple’s massive music download site iTunes has been blocked in China since August 18, presumably because athletes in Beijing have been downloading pro-Tibet songs.

Over 40 Olympic athletes in Beijing had downloaded the Tibet solidarity album Songs for Tibet, a project initiated by the Art of Peace Foundation, according to International Campaign for Tibet (ICT). The athletes had been contacted by ICT, Students for a Free Tibet, and Team Darfur.

"Athletes downloaded the album as an act of solidarity with Tibet," stated an August 18 release posted on the ICT's website. "Twenty artists, including Sting, Alanis Morissette, Dave Matthews, John Mayer and Moby contributed songs for the release."

But according to London's Telegraph, starting Monday web users in China began complaining of being blocked from accessing iTunes Store. Apples' iTunes is one of the Web's biggest music stores.

Postings criticizing Apple for having allowed the pro-Tibet album on to iTunes in the first place have appeared in the often-nationalistic Chinese blogosphere.

“Steve Jobs is better to block off any Tibetan propaganda. Otherwise, his company will face the boycott. As a result, the Apple stock will go down," read a posting on IT World.

"China is best! Everyone who likes Apple is very stupid! Tibet is terrorists!" stated another.

A phone call to Apple was not immediately returned.

Tsepak Rigzen of the Emory University-based Drepung Loseling Institute in Atlanta took a very different approach. He thinks the communist regime's closed approach ultimately helps both Tibetans and Chinese.

"It kind of boomerangs on them," Rigzen said. “Every freedom-loving people will say it’s wrong. The more they block the more they help us."

-epochtimes

Tingly

August 23rd, 2008, 07:27 AM

20,000 EXPECTED AT 'CHRISTIAN WOODSTOCK'

HACKENSACK, N.J. - It started when a Christian couple in Hunterdon County, N.J., set out to provide some contemporary, but wholesome music to local kids.

Now, just several years later, Bob and Kim Grom are expecting more than 20,000 people to converge on their farm Labor Day weekend for a concert that some call the Christian Woodstock.

"There's no drugs, no alcohol - you just get high on Jesus," Kim Grom said this week in an interview.

In 2005, the Groms, with the help of a team of pastors and volunteers, founded Revelation Generation, a two-day Christian music festival that has quickly become the biggest concert of its kind in the region.

This year's festival, which takes place Aug. 29 and 30 in Frenchtown, N.J., features an eclectic set of performers that run the gamut from hard rock and heavy metal bands to rap and gospel groups. The festival will have three stages - one for mainstream headliners, another for alternative bands, and another for more acoustic and praise-and-worship acts.

The diversity of styles - from the clean-cut, Grammy-nominated Newsboys to long-haired guitar slingers like As I Lay Dying - reflects an evolving consensus of what constitutes Christian music.

"Culture is constantly changing, and the church's presentation needs to change with the culture to remain relevant to the generation it is supposed to reach," said a statement on the festival's Web site. "The way people dress, their hairstyles, music preferences, musical instruments etc. have absolutely nothing to do with the Gospel or the word of God."

A Bergen County, N.J., minister who will be contributing technical support for the festival agreed.

"It's a crossover event, and it will attract kids from every background," said the Rev. Jeff Boucher, who runs the Allendale, N.J.-based Touch the World Ministries. "Our kids love it, because it is putting so many of the bands they like in one venue right before they go to school."

Boucher, of Wyckoff, N.J., said one particularly appealing feature is the offstage appearances by performers to discuss their personal faith.

"I think for the kids it ends up being an incredibly important moment," Boucher said. "The kids look up to them, and when they hear the personal testimony of their faith and how the success they achieved pales in comparison to their faith, that makes a huge impact."

Ben Morgan, a 14-year-old from Wyckoff, said he's looking forward to seeing Chris Tomlin, a singer-songwriter and Christian worship leader from Texas.

"Listening to this music, it's easy to come to God," Morgan said.

The festival will also present a range of motivational speakers and evangelists, including the actor Stephen Baldwin, the youngest of the famed Baldwin acting brothers. An extreme sports demonstration, including skateboards and BMX riders, will also take place.

The Groms, who have four children and own a 140-acre horse farm, started the festival to counteract what they felt was the negative and sometimes destructive messages of pop culture.

The idea came to them after they attended a Christian music concert, Creation Festival, in Pennsylvania.

"We thought, 'Why don't we have a smaller festival along the same lines?'" Kim Grom said. "You could come up for a day or two."

The first year, the festival attracted about 2,000 people despite muggy weather and a potential conflict with a concert by Christian superstar Michael W. Smith. The second year, a hurricane disrupted the show, and the Groms refunded about 6,500 people. Last year, with good weather, some 18,000 people attended.

With the festival succeeding far beyond their initial plans, Grom said she can only guess at the impact it is having on kids.

"We don't know what the impact is," she said. "We just hope the gospel message will reach into their ears and hearts and allow them to get away from the drug, suicide and death culture that is speaking to our youth."

-The Ledger

Tingly

August 23rd, 2008, 07:29 AM

CELINE DION WOWS THEM IN QUEBEC!!

Céline Dion wished Quebec City a happy 400th birthday Friday night as she took the stage before a huge audience for a concert on the historic Plains of Abraham.

"Happy birthday, Quebec! Are you ready?" Dion shouted before swinging into the first song of the evening to get the event off to a rocking start.

She kicked off the show 20 minutes late with one of her French-language hits, but didn't waste any time once she hit the stage, marching around and pumping the air with her fist as she sang.

The crowd for the free show was estimated at about 250,000.

The mega-show has been the talk of the town this week as the prodigal pop star daughter came home to perform a series of concerts.

Quebec City police reported several fans fainted from the heat Friday after waiting hours for exclusive access to the concert grounds. Some people had waited since midnight to be the first in line and get closest to the stage.

One Dion fan drove for 10 hours from Long Island, N.Y., to see the superstar.

"I think that she's got an incredible voice," said Lois Morales.

"She loves her family — that's very important to me — and she's a very good humanitarian. I just think that she's very balanced since she had her son. I think that in all aspects of her life she's been very grateful for the gift that she has and she shares with other people. I just think that's great."

Diana Farnham, of Weld, Me., got the trip to Quebec City to see Dion as a birthday gift from her husband.

"My birthday was in June so he booked this trip because he knew Céline was going to be here," she said. "She has such a beautiful voice. It's just so peaceful. It seems to be so natural."

The concert was a break for Dion from her multi-night run in Montreal, where she is headlining in her worldwide "Taking Chances" tour. The tour marks Dion's return to the road after a five-year gig in Las Vegas.

-cbc

Tingly

August 23rd, 2008, 07:37 AM

RICKENBACKER GUITARS CAN'T MAKE THEM FAST ENOUGH!!!

By ALAN OHNSMAN
BLOOMBERG NEWS

Rickenbacker International has a problem that General Motors would love to have. The company that made the first electric guitar and whose instruments were popularized by the Beatles in the 1960s can't make them fast enough.

"We're back-ordered two years," company owner John Hall said. So he raised prices on all 6- and 12-string guitars and basses by as much as 20 percent this year to cool demand. "It hasn't completely done that," he admitted.

The 77-year-old company that made the chiming guitars played on folk-rock hits such as the Byrds' "Turn! Turn! Turn!" is a music industry anomaly: a debt-free, family-owned brand that makes everything at one small factory in Santa Ana, Calif., 38 miles southeast of Los Angeles.

Larger U.S. rivals Fender Musical Instruments Corp., famed for its Stratocaster, and Gibson Guitar Corp., maker of the Les Paul line, moved most production to Mexico or Asia to cut costs. Their domestic factories now make only high-end custom guitars that can cost $3,000 to $10,000 and more.

"There's nothing like that sort of industrial-sized company that's still doing everything in-house," said Mitch Easter, a Rickenbacker player with the 1980s college-radio darlings Let's Active. "They either are really contrary or very classy."

Easter, producer of R.E.M.'s first records with fellow musician Don Dixon, helped spark new enthusiasm for the brand in mixes of Peter Buck's ringing Rickenbacker 360 guitar on songs such as "Radio Free Europe."

Like Harley-Davidson Inc., another U.S. manufacturer that's obsessed with brand image, Rickenbacker won't manufacture abroad or add a discount line below its current $1,500 to $5,000 retail-price range, Hall said.

"I could do it with a phone call, but it dilutes the brand, the image of the company, the product," he said. "Beyond that, we need the work here. Why ship it off someplace else?"

Likewise, Hall says he declines unsolicited offers to sell the company "about once a month." Distinctive, vibrant-sounding Rickenbacker guitars are "back-ordered two years," says company owner John Hall.

Last year, Rickenbacker's "60 or so" assembly workers in its 37,000-square-foot factory turned hard-rock maple from Michigan, Indiana walnut and imported bubinga wood from Africa and Asia into more than 10,000 guitars.

"Studies that we've done suggest that our market is about eight times what we're producing right now, so we're way behind the eight ball," Hall said.

To quadruple output, he added laser cutters, quick-drying ultraviolet coating ovens and metal injection-molding devices. Such equipment shortens assembly time and improves quality, he said.

That also should lift Rickenbacker's annual revenue beyond last year's "$10 million range," said Hall, 58, who doesn't disclose financial results of his closely held company.

Hall inherited Rickenbacker from his father, Francis, whose Radio & Television Equipment Co. first handled sales of Leo Fender's namesake guitars and amplifiers in the late 1940s.

Francis Hall bought the company in 1953 from Adolph Rickenbacker, who co-founded it in 1931 with George Beauchamp. That year, the company introduced the first electric guitar, a lap-steel model made of aluminum that's referred to as "the frying pan" for its round body and elongated neck. Decades before rock 'n' roll, the instrument was designed to play Hawaiian music.

Through the 1950s, the elder Hall updated the products, hiring German luthier Roger Rossmeisl, who had worked for Gibson, to add touches that became brand hallmarks, including exaggerated slashes on hollow-body instruments in place of standard F-holes. The distinctive, vibrant sound of a Rickenbacker comes from a solid neck that runs from the headstock through the body, said DeWitt Burton, R.E.M.'s equipment manager in Athens, Ga.

"I can only describe it as a very 'round' sound," said Burton, who oversees more than a dozen Rickenbacker guitars and basses used by the band for tours and recording. "All spectrums of the sound wave are represented."

Rickenbackers gained attention in the 1950s after teen heartthrob Ricky Nelson occasionally played them while singing on his parents' TV show, "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet."

John Lennon, who had played a Rickenbacker 325 since his days in Hamburg, Germany, in the late 1950s, made the guitar even more famous when the Beatles appeared on "The Ed Sullivan Show" in 1964. That made the brand essential for other British Invasion bands, including the Rolling Stones, the Who and Herman's Hermits. Francis Hall scheduled a meeting with the Beatles in New York before their first performance on Sullivan's program.

"He made arrangements with manager Brian Epstein to meet them and set up a suite in the Savoy Hotel," John Hall recalled. "They all came except George, who was sick." His father brought Lennon a new guitar, a 12-string for the absent George Harrison and a bass for Paul McCartney.

"It was a right-handed bass. Oops," Hall said. His father didn't know McCartney was left-handed. A year later, when the Beatles played a famous 1965 show at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, then 15-year-old John Hall delivered a proper left-handed instrument to McCartney.

"He still uses it for recording," Hall said.

-seattlepi

Tingly

August 23rd, 2008, 07:40 AM

INTERVIEW: BRIAN WILSON

By SOLVEJ SCHOU
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. -- Brian Wilson sits on a plush couch in his living room, smiling nervously.

On the Beach Boys visionary's back porch, his family's 15 pooches yip and scramble over each other. Inside, photos of his children with wife Melinda Ledbetter -- 11-year-old Daria, 10-year-old Delanie and 4-year-old Dylan -- lace the walls.

The two-story house, snuggled deep into a gated hillside community in Beverly Hills, is immaculately clean, with beige carpeting and marble floors. Housekeepers tidy up downstairs. A swimming pool overlooks the sun-drenched valley below. The scene resembles a postcard.

"I'm happier now than I was a year ago," Wilson said in a recent interview. "I started exercising and I started eating more of the right food and I started feeling better. I just get up in the morning and say my prayers."

Gangly and tall in a pinstriped dress shirt, his graying hair swept back into waves, the wizard songwriter and composer behind such '60s Beach Boys hits as "Good Vibrations" and "California Girls" stares with sharp blue eyes, frequently fidgeting.

A lot has changed for the historically reclusive Southern California native, who speaks with a slight slur, a result of his drug-abuse past and medicated journey through mental illness.

He is a second-round father at age 66 (musician daughters Wendy, 38, and Carnie, 40, from his first marriage, tour as The Wilsons). Following 2004's long-awaited rock opera "Smile," and a 2005 Christmas release, he has a new, ambitious solo album, "That Lucky Old Sun," due out Sept. 2. He is touring behind the material, pushing through years of stage fright.

"I think the new album is just as good as anything the Beach Boys ever recorded," said Wilson. "Playing these songs live, I feel proud. You know that funny feeling you get in your stomach, like, 'Oh my God, this is sounding great!' "

Two years ago, he says, he recorded 18 songs, then chose 10 last year for Capitol Records/EMI. He came up with the album's lush orchestration and music, while 43-year-old bandmate Scott Bennett scribed the lyrics, with colorful narrative interludes by Wilson's longtime collaborator, Van Dyke Parks.

The outcome is a blend of up-tempo pop and piano-based ballads. The title track, a cover of Louis Armstrong's "That Lucky Old Sun," flows into the bouncy anthem "Morning Beat," setting the album's tone.

"Van Dyke Parks, Brian and Melinda thought this should be a love letter to Los Angeles," Bennett said. "At this point, Brian was 65 years old and it just felt right to embrace his legend and be a bit nostalgic."

Songs such as "Forever She'll Be My Surfer Girl" touch on Beach Boys melodies while "Mexican Girl" adds a dash of salsa flavor. "Midnight's Another Day" and "Oxygen to the Brain" reference Wilson's dark days in the '70s and '80s, when he receded from the spotlight into isolation, drugs and weight gain.

Wilson calls "Midnight's Another Day," which skirts on a solitary piano melody, his favorite song, "kind of introspective, kind of how I feel around people."
A creative period The album's last song, "Southern California," reminisces about co-founding the Beach Boys in 1961 with his late brothers, Carl and Dennis, and ends the album on an uplifting note. Wilson sings, "It's magical/ Living your dream."

"Yes, Brian had a rough time of it, with his mental health, but I would kill to have the kind of catalog he does, and tour everywhere with his brothers like he did," said Bennett, who confirms that Wilson "is on a heavy dose of antidepressants."

Regardless, Wilson has hit a creative stride in his life. Inspiration comes at night when he sits down alone at a Yamaha synthesizer and grand piano in his purple-curtained music room.

"When I go to the keyboard, I feel holy, like an angel over my head. I feel very holy. When we did (the Beach Boys hit) 'God Only Knows,' I felt holy about that too. A godly something comes through me," Wilson said, motioning with his hands. "I'm always thinking about melodies. The melodies come from my brain, and my keyboards. I play a really pleasant keyboard. It sounds so pleasant it makes me want to write melodies."

But life as a busy dad and touring musician can be overwhelming. Wilson describes a house full of kids and dogs as "very loud" and "a madhouse." He frequently goes to a nearby park and takes walks. "The kids make me feel a little jumpy," he says. "Sometimes I want to get out of the house to get away from my kids but I love my kids a lot. I love my kids. ... Quiet time comes around 10 at night when I go to sleep. It's peace of mind. Things run smoothly at night. During the day, things are more rough."

Later on, when Ledbetter comes home with their small son Dylan -- floppy-haired, barefoot and wearing a Hawaiian shirt -- Wilson brightens. He's quieter when it comes to daughters Wendy and Carnie, who both live less than 10 miles away.

"I don't talk to them very much. I used to. I recorded with them at one time, but I don't talk to them a lot," he said, explaining that the women are "really busy."

Don't ask

Questions about the Beach Boys' current status get lukewarm response as well. Wilson, who also formed the band with cousin Mike Love and then-school friend Al Jardine, split with most of the group's surviving members years ago over legal squabbles. Love and later Beach Boys bandmate Bruce Johnston tour as the Beach Boys Band, while Jardine has his own Endless Summer Band. Wilson stresses the subject's touchiness.

"We don't want any publicity about me getting back with the Beach Boys, 'cause I don't want to. They're not my group anymore. That's Mike and Bruce's group now. I'm on my own, and I would rather do that than go back to the Beach Boys," he said.

Wilson, though, clearly loves performing Beach Boys tunes as well as his own solo work, even with nightly stage fright, which he works through by getting neck and shoulder rubs, and praying.

At a taping days later for Yahoo! Music's Live Sets, Wilson is joined onstage by his nine-piece band, including Bennett and members of the Wondermints. Tentatively at first, Wilson claps his hands and directs the group in rousing, harmony-filled versions of such Beach Boys classics as "Help Me Rhonda" and "I Get Around." Wilson later sings from the new album.

When asked during a Q&A session his biggest regret, he doesn't mince words.

"The drugs I took which kind of messed up my mind. The LSD, the marijuana, the cocaine," he said, to audience laughter.

Wilson isn't letting his past stop him from throwing his ambitions forward. After "That Lucky Old Sun," Wilson says the unreleased songs he recorded, including a slow, smooth version of "Proud Mary," will form another album. He gushes that "the only person I really want to work with is Paul McCartney." He also would like to record "a rock 'n' roll album inspired by Phil Spector-type records, a really hard rock album that really rocks, with big orchestration, the whole bit."

Yet, he also views his future gingerly, as day-to-day.

"I look forward to today," he said. "I never look forward to the future because I think to myself, 'What if there's an earthquake, what if I die or someone I love dies?' I get those kind of thoughts all the time. It's 'oof' to my head."

Tingly

August 23rd, 2008, 07:42 AM

METALLICA KILLS AT LEEDS WITH FLAMETHROWERS AND FIREWORKS!

Metallica brought flamethrowers, explosions and fireworks to their headline set on the Main Stage at Leeds Festival tonight (August 22).

The metal legends, set to release their ninth album 'Death Magnetic' on September 12, also revealed from the stage that they are set to return to the UK for an indoor arena tour in February 2009.

The band played a hit-packed set, which included Eighties classics '…And Justice For All' and 'Master Of Puppets', and also previewed two brand new tracks, 'The Day That Never Comes' and 'Cyanide', from their forthcoming album.

Before the latter song, frontman James Hetfield told the crowd: "September 12th is a big day for Metallica. September 12th – 'Death Magnetic' is in your face! We're gonna play a new song, is that OK with you?"

As well as using elaborate pyrotechnics, most prominently on the songs 'Fuel', 'One', 'Enter Sandman' and 'Seek And Destroy', Metallica used two stages, one raised above the other, which Hetfield and lead guitarist Kirk Hammett regularly walked up to.

Before performing final track 'Seek And Destroy' and revealing their tour plans, Hetfield said: "Who cares about you? Who cares? Metallica does, that's who."

The four-piece last headlined Reading And Leeds Festivals five years ago, after first performing at the event when it was just at Reading in 1997.

Metallica played:

'Creep'
'Fuel'
'Ride The Lightning'
'Harvester Of Sorrow'
'Welcome Home (Sanitarium)'
'Cyanide'
'...And Justice For All'
'No Remorse'
'The Day That Never Comes'
'Master Of Puppets'
'Motorbreath'
'Nothing Else Matters'
'Sad But True'
'One'
'Enter Sandman'
'Last Caress'
'So What'
'Seek And Destroy'

-NME

Tingly

August 23rd, 2008, 07:44 AM

AVRIL SHOW WILL GO ON IN MALAYSIA

Avril Lavigne has been given permission to perform in Malaysia despite being deemed too sexy by the government there earlier this week.

The Muslim nation's Arts, Culture and Heritage Ministry announced earlier this week that the Canadian singer would not be allowed to perform two days before the nation will celebrate its Independence Day because "It's not in the spirit of our National Day.

But it seems they’ve had a change of heart, and the show will go on as scheduled on August 29, says Lavigne.

"Well, I've actually been approved by the government to play a show," she told MTV. "I've already sold 10,000 tickets there, so I will be going to put on a concert for the fans. They tend to, you know, sometimes not want Western artists in their country. I respect that, but at the same time, you know, there's people that listen to music there and want to see their idols and stuff, so it's all good: been approved by the government and [I'm] going to go put on a show and have fun."

Other artists to have similar experiences with the Malaysian government include Gwen Stefani and The Pussycat Dolls.

-NME

Tingly

August 23rd, 2008, 07:47 AM

RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE SHOW UP IN GUANTANAMO PRISON CLOTHES AT READING FEST!!

Rage Against The Machine headlined the Main Stage at Reading Festival tonight (August 22) in dramatic fashion, arriving on stage dressed in Guantanamo Bay prisoner-style clothes.

The band, who headlined here in 1996 and last appeared here in 2000, came onstage dressed as prisoners of war, complete with bags over their heads and matching boiler suits, launching straight into 'Bombtrack'.

Despite not being able to see what they were playing for the entire song due to their headwear, the band played a note-perfect rendition of the song.

Shortly after finishing 'Bombtrack' the lights on stage went down and the band reappeared to play the rest of their set - in normal clothes.

The huge audience was treated to the likes of 'Testify', 'Bullet In Your Head' and 'Wake Up'.

Frontman Zack de la Rocha also took the opportunity to make a speech slamming George Bush and Tony Blair – saying that both should be tried for war crimes.

The band finished their set by playing an encore of 'Freedom' and their best-loved track 'Killing In The Name' to close the first day of Reading Festival 2008.

Playlist:

'Bombtrack'
'Testify'
'Bulls On Parade'
'People Of The Sun'
'Know Your Enemy'
'Bullet In Your Head'
'Born Of A Broken Man'
'Guerrilla Radio'
'Ashes In The Fall'
'Calm Like A Bomb'
'Sleep Now'
'Wake Up'
'Freedom'
'Killing In The Name'

-NME

Tingly

August 23rd, 2008, 07:49 AM

RYAN ADAMS ADDS TO TOUR PLANS!

Ryan Adams & The Cardinals have beefed up their upcoming tour plans, with the addition of several headlining shows to take place after their opening slot with Oasis.

The band will open for the Gallaghers from August 26 to September 9, with a headlining show slotted in between in Boston, MA.

Following the Oasis outing, the band will stay on the road for a bunch of dates, wrapping up October 7 in Ames, IA.

The jaunt will continue to support Adams’ 2007 album ‘Easy Tiger’.

The dates are:

San Francisco, CA Fillmore (August 23)
Seattle, WA WaMu Theater (w/ Oasis) (26)
Vancouver, British Columbia General Motors Place (w/ Oasis) (27)
Edmonton, Alberta Rexall Place (w/ Oasis) (29)
Calgary, Alberta Pengrowth Saddledome (w/ Oasis) (30)
Winnipeg, Manitoba MTS Center (w/ Oasis) (September 1)
Ottawa, Ontario Scotiabank Palace (w/ Oasis) (4)
Montreal, Quebec Bell Centre (w/ Oasis) (5)
Boston, MA Bank of America Pavilion (7)
London, Ontario John LaBatt Center (w/ Oasis) (9)
Schenectady, NY Proctor's Theater (25)
Syracuse, NY Landmark Theater (26)
Rochester, NY Auditorium Theater (27)
Columbus, OH Palace Theater (29)
Cleveland, OH Palace Theater (30)
Indianapolis, IN Murat Theatre (October 2)
Cincinnati, OH Taft Theater (3)
St. Louis, MO Fox Theater (4)
Madison, WI Overture Hall (5)
Ames, IA -Stephens Auditorium (7)

-NME

Tingly

August 23rd, 2008, 07:50 AM

NYC INTERSECITON TO BE NAMED FOR MUSICIAN

New York.- An intersection of Columbus Avenue between 94th and 95th streets in Manhattan will be named after prominent Dominican musician Mario A. Rivera, a music maestro who played 24 instruments during his career.

Rivera, a virtuoso of the saxophone, died on August 10, 2007 victim of terminal cancer.

-dominicantoday

Tingly

August 23rd, 2008, 07:52 AM

GLASVEGAS GOT LEEDS CROWD GOING!

Glasvegas stormed Leeds Festival tonight (August 22), inspiring huge chants of the chorus to their debut single, the soon to be re-released 'Daddy's Gone', that carried on long after they left the stage.

The Festival Republic tent was completely packed for the Glasgegian rockers' appearance, which saw them preview new songs their forthcoming self-titled debut album, out September 22, including 'Polmont On My Mind' and 'Lonesome Swan'.

Taking to the stage in a black poncho, singer James Allan proceeded to fire his band through one of the most impressive sets of the weekend so far, including previous singles 'It's My Own Cheating Heart That Makes Me Cry' and 'Geraldine'.

'Go Square Go', meanwhile, inspired loud "here we ******* go" chants.

Speaking exclusively to NME.COM after the set, bassist Paul O'Donoghue said the band were more nervous about their appearance on football TV show 'Soccer AM' tomorrow morning (August 23) than their set.

"If I end up taking the penalty at the end, I'm worried I'll humiliate myself and fall over," he said.

Glasvegas played:

'Flowers And Football Tops'
'Lonesome Swan'
'It's My Own Cheating Heart That Makes Me Cry'
'Polmont On My Mind'
'Geraldine'
'Go Square Go'
'Daddy's Gone'

-NME

Tingly

August 23rd, 2008, 07:54 AM

QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE STIR UP READING FEST

Queens Of The Stone Age began putting their 2007 album 'Era Vulgaris' to bed tonight (August 22) at the Reading Festival.

Band leader Jose Homme declared from the stage that tonight's show, along with their appearance at the Leeds Festival tomorrow (August 23), would be the last official outing for the aforementioned album.

Homme described the Reading crowd as the "best in the world" during his band's sunset show on the Main Stage.

"I ****ing mean it," he said shortly into the set. "We wanted to end this album here because the Reading audience is the best in the world."

The band played a pared-down version of 2002's 'Go With The Flow', meanwhile, to kick off their set.He went on to lead his band through a set including many numbers from the aforementioned album, as well as big singles 'No One Knows' and 'Sick Sick Sick'.

Queens Of The Stone Age played:

'Go With The Flow'
'Regular John'
'Sick Sick Sick'
'Misfit Love'
'In My Head'
'Turnin' On The Screw'
'Run Pig Run'
'Little Sister'
'Someone's In The Wolf'
'Millionaire'
'3's and 7's'
'Headache'
'No One Knows'
'Song for the Dead'

-NME

Tingly

August 23rd, 2008, 07:55 AM

CANADA CUTTING BACK ON ARTS FUNDING

Some of Atlantic Canada's top musical acts may be spending less time on the road next year following cuts to federal programs that helped them reach international markets.

The federal government has said it will cut seven arts programs worth about $20 million a year, effective March 31, 2009. Those programs fund business development, administrative support and research for arts organizations across Canada.

Two of those programs, PromArt and Trade Routes, helped bring international delegates to the East Coast Music Awards.

"To be honest with you, it's very difficult to figure out what's going on," Darrin White, executive director of the P.E.I. Council of the Arts told CBC News Thursday.

"Some of the decisions I just can't quite make sense of, but I am worried about what direction this is taking us."

The East Coast Music Awards are well-known as a cultural showcase, but they are also an international trade show. Part of their purpose is to sell and export Canadian music overseas.

ECMA officials say the programs were a good investment. In the two-year period following the ECMAs in Charlottetown, musicians signed overseas contracts worth $1.1 million. P.E.I. musicians who toured outside Canada as a result included Vishten, Barachois, Paper Lions, Les Girls and Richard Wood.

The Conservative government now appears to be phasing out some of the funding programs that help put the ECMAs together. The trend has artists in other disciplines worried. Bryce Elsley, the student artist in residence at the Arts Guild for August, fears more cuts may be coming.

"Local art plus international art is quite important, and promoting it is the most positive thing you can do," said Elsley.

ECMA organizers are meeting in Corner Brook, N.L., this weekend, planning a united front to argue the business merits of arts funding. The cuts won't affect the ECMAs slated for Corner Brook next February, but after that those federal funding programs will be gone.

-cbc

Tingly

August 23rd, 2008, 07:57 AM

BLINK-182 PRODUCER FINN DEAD AT 39 OF BRAIN HEMORRHAGE

Blink-182 and Morrissey producer Jerry Finn died yesterday (Aug. 21) at the age of 39. He had suffered a massive brain hemorrhage last month and was taken off life support on Aug. 9.

Finn got his start as an engineer in the early 1990s before shifting into production on such albums as Rancid's "...And Out Come the Wolves." Among his best-known production credits are Blink-182's "Enema of the State" and Morissey's "You Are the Quarry." Finn has also worked with Green Day, Bad Religion, Sparta, AFI and the Offspring, among many others.

Most recently, Finn lent production to Morrissey's upcoming "Years of Refusal," due in February.

-Billboard

Tingly

August 23rd, 2008, 07:59 AM

DID THE CHINESE RIP OFF MUSICIAN'S ANTHEM ARRANGEMENT?

August 22, 2008 - The source of the American national anthem being played at the Beijing Olympics during medal ceremonies is in question.

Peter Breiner wasn't watching the Games until his friends starting calling to say, "That sounds like your arrangement." It does. Especially the "Rockets Red Glare" section — an unusually soft string rendition that brought some controversy when it was used in Athens in 2004.

He got paid for that rendition in 2004. Now Mr. Breiner says he's "100-percent positive" that the Chinese borrowed it from his work. In an email to The Washington Post, the Chinese insist they came up with the arrangement themselves.

-npr

Tingly

August 25th, 2008, 09:06 PM

MADONNA CAUSES NEW CONTROVERSY, OF COURSE

Madge lauched her Sweet and Sticky tour this past Saturday in Cardiff, Wales, and of course, being Madonna, she had to create some kind of controversy.

She started the drama with a couple of political montages during her song "Get Stupid." The video interlude features images of destruction, global warming, Adolf Hitler and John McCain (uh-oh!), then goes on to include John Lennon, Al Gore, Gandhi and Barack Obama (oh crap!).

Naturally, McCain’s people are ******, and they let her know how not cool her little video is in this statement:

“The comparisons are outrageous, unacceptable and crudely divisive all at the same time. It clearly shows that when it comes to supporting Barack Obama, his fellow worldwide celebrities refuse to consider any smear or attack off-limits.”

Also in response to the ill-conceived juxtaposition of McCain and Hitler, the founder of the tolerance-championing Simon Wiesenthal Center called Madonna's montage "an insult to all Americans, Democrats as well as Republicans.

-eonline

Tingly

August 25th, 2008, 09:08 PM

CLORIS LEACHMAN JOINS DANCING WITH THE STARS AT 82

By Steve Gorman

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Octogenarian actress Cloris Leachman has joined the cast of celebrities who will grace the ballroom floor on the next edition of ABC television hit "Dancing With the Stars," the network said on Monday.

Leachman, 82, an Oscar winner for her 1971 supporting role in "The Last Picture Show" and a record Primetime Emmy champion for her TV work, will become the oldest contestant to compete on America's second-most watched series.

The previous ranking senior on "Dancing with the Stars" was veteran actor George Hamilton, who strutted his stuff at age 66 in season two in early 2006, the Walt Disney Co-owned network said.

Leachman, currently touring in her one-woman show, "Cloris!", recently completed work in three new films. In 2006, she collected the eighth Primetime Emmy of her career, the most by a single actress, to surpass the seven earned by Mary Tyler Moore, on whose show Leachman became a household name in the 1970s for her signature role as the self-absorbed Phyllis.

She also is remembered for her memorably zany turn as the heavy-accented Frau Blucher in Mel Brooks' classic horror spoof "Young Frankenstein."

Joining Leachman this fall on "Dancing" is one of the biggest Emmy bridesmaids of all time, Susan Lucci, who stars as the vixen entrepreneur and self-styled media mogul Erica Kane on the daytime soap opera "All My Children."

Lucci, who will celebrate her 10,000th episode on "All My Children" in November, finally took home a Daytime Emmy as best actress in 1999, after being nominated for a record 18 straight years without winning.

Tingly

August 28th, 2008, 04:37 AM

NICOLE WRITES SONG FOR BOYFRIEND

Nicole Scherzinger, lead singer of Pussycat Dolls, has written an emotional song for her boyfriend, F1 racer Lewis Hamilton.

Thesun.co.uk reports that the song for Hamilton is called 'I Think I'm In Love'.

Nicole said: 'It is a very personal song. It's very in-depth and emotional, a real song that I know is going to connect with people.'

Nicole didn't specify if she will put the song on her group's next album 'Doll Domination' or have it as a part of her solo album.

-IANS

Tingly

August 28th, 2008, 04:39 AM

COMPANY OFFERS ONLINE AUDIO MASTERING

Hannover, Germany (PRWEB) August 28, 2008 -- Audio mastering website Online-mastering.com presents the next big step in online mastering. The internet-centric studio service specializes in connecting musicians and record labels with their high-end facilities in Germany via a unique website interface, guiding clients all the way through the process of getting their music mastered online.

The main idea behind the studios freshly upgraded web service is to deliver a convincing experience of quality and customer satisfaction, making audio mastering via internet more convenient, more secure and also more fun to use.

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Customers can open an account on the website and upload their productions straight into the online mastering studio. As a special service, all new customers get a demo of one of their own songs free of charge. So its possible to check the results of professional audio mastering - before making any payments.

Online-mastering.com just charges competitive flat rates per track. The prices are all-inclusive with all additional mixes e.g. edits, cuts and instrumentals included (as long as the mixes match the original sound-wise). Customers have the option to pay via credit card or PayPal in the currency of their choice to get instant access to their masters after all work is done.

About Online-mastering.com
Online-mastering.com was one the first companies to offer music mastering via internet. Founded by Oliver Belz and Alexander Zwarg, Online-mastering.com is now one of the fastest growing media mastering services in Europe. The company serves a client base of 1000+ customers worldwide, delivering professional audio mastering expertise and superior service to bands, musicians and record labels in more than 35 countries. The studios are located near Hannover, Germany with their web based service already being in 5th year of operation.

For further information on audio mastering by online mastering studio Online-mastering.com, please visit www.online-mastering.com

Media contact:
Arne Reichelt
Press Affairs

T: +49 531 2146890
F: +49 531 2146892
press @ online-mastering.com

Company contact:
Online-mastering.com
Hamburger Str. 268
D-38114 Braunschweig
Germany

T: +49 531 2146890
F: +49 531 2146892
contact @ online-mastering.com

-prweb

Tingly

August 28th, 2008, 04:44 AM

BLOGGER WHO LEAKED GUNS & ROSES SONGS ARRESTED IN CALIFORNIA

The man responsible for posting tracks from the forthcoming Guns N' Roses album on his blog has been arrested on suspicion of violating federal copyright laws.

Originally, it was all looking so well for Kevin Cogill. In June, he was the bold music pirate who posted leaked tracks from Chinese Democracy to his blog, Antiquiet. Though Axl Rose's lawyers came calling, Cogill likely thought himself in the clear once Antiquiet took the material down. Alas, no. The 27-year-old was arrested yesterday at his Los Angeles home. According to the arrest affidavit, Cogill was not exactly furtive. When questioned by the FBI, he readily admitted to posting the songs.

For a brief time two months ago, Cogill's blog was the talk of the internet. The obscure site had somehow acquired advance material from Chinese Democracy, the most anticipated album in rock for more than a decade. These were new leaks, not yet ubiquitous on the web. And within hours, the surge in traffic knocked Antiquiet offline.

Though the site eventually resumed service, Cogill received a call from Guns N' Roses' legal team. "It was a really cool guy from the GN'R camp that was a middle man between someone who was very angry and me," Cogill told Rolling Stone in June. "He was trying to reach out and see if I'd go without a fight, which is more or less what I did." Cogill took the songs down, but he has never publicly disclosed the source of his scoop.

Cogill did not seem particularly worried at the time. "If legal proceedings come my way, I'll face them 100%," he said. "I'm not afraid of that. I did what I did, and I'll face the music if I have to."

Unfortunately, Cogill is now facing a great deal of music. The blogger faces penalties of up to three years in prison and fines of $250,000 (£125,000), according to Digital Media Wire. He could also be hit with civil suits by the copyright holders.

Cogill is set to appear at Los Angeles' US District Court. No word yet if he will live-blog the proceedings.

-The Guardian

Tingly

August 28th, 2008, 04:46 AM

LOUD MUSIC HELPS TEAM GET READY FOR SEASON

KNOXVILLE — The theme from ESPN's SportsCenter blared through the speakers during Tennessee's practice on Tuesday. On Wednesday, it was the Monday Night Football theme, made famous by Hank Williams Jr.

And yes, the Volunteers appear ready for some football.

With UT's season opener taking place on Monday at UCLA, the players' excitement has slowly built during the week's practice schedule. And the music has added to the enthusiasm.

"That helps late in practice," Coach Phillip Fulmer said of the tunes.

Plenty of players were jacked up following Wednesday's practice, hooting and hollering and knowing there are only three more practices before they face the Bruins.

"We have to start off with a boom, a bang," UT linebacker Rico McCoy said. "We want to bust some heads in the first game."

The other, more important element of Wednesday's practice was weather. One day after lightning forced the Volunteers inside, UT was able to head outside in the rain.

"It was good to get wet-weather work," Fulmer said. "We would have liked to have had some more, actually, some hard rain. But we were able to throw the wet ball, catch the wet ball and handle the wet ball."

-Tenesseean

Tingly

August 28th, 2008, 04:48 AM

NEIL DIAMOND OFFERS REFUND FOR RASPY VOICE SHOW!

Disappointed Neil Diamond fans will get a refund after attending a concert at Ohio State University in which the 67-year-old singer's voice sounded raspy.

Some fans left the Monday concert in Columbus early and others said Diamond completed the concert without mentioning anything to the audience about his voice.

A statement from Diamond, the singer of such hits as "Sweet Caroline" and "Song Sung Blue," on Tuesday said a doctor has diagnosed acute laryngitis.

Diamond spokeswoman Eve Samuels says the singer is offering a refund to those who place a request before Sept. 5.

-Deseret News

Tingly

August 28th, 2008, 04:55 AM

PRODUCER SUGE KNIGHT ARRESTED IN VEGAS

LAS VEGAS, Nevada (AP) -- Marion "Suge" Knight was jailed Wednesday on assault and drug charges after he was accused of beating his girlfriend while brandishing a knife near the Las Vegas Strip, police said.

Knight, 43, posted $19,000 bail and was scheduled to be released late Wednesday with a promise to appear September 26 in Las Vegas Justice Court, a court spokeswoman said.

Police said the founder of bankrupt Death Row Records was arrested about 6:40 a.m. after officers arrived at the scene of a minor traffic accident and found Knight hitting a woman in a parking lot off a busy thoroughfare.

"A citizen sees the beating in a parking lot; police get there fast; they see him beating her. It's a good, solid case," Las Vegas police Lt. Chris Carroll said.

The woman was not stabbed, but she was treated at a hospital for injuries that Carroll said were not life-threatening.

Police did not release the woman's name or age but said she identified herself as Knight's girlfriend of three years.

"This is a very large man," Carroll said, estimating his weight at more than twice the woman's. "He was on top of her, actually in the act of violently beating her when the officers arrived, with the knife in his hand."

At least one officer drew a Taser stun gun as they approached Knight, said Officer Jacinto Rivera, a police spokesman. He said he did not know whether the officers drew their handguns.

Knight dropped the folding knife and was taken into custody without incident, Carroll said.

He was booked into the Clark County jail on felony charges of assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a controlled substance, and misdemeanor charges of possession of dangerous drugs without a prescription and domestic violence.

Knight had the drugs Ecstasy and hydrocodone when he was arrested, Carroll said, but it was not clear whether he or the woman had used drugs or alcohol before the arrest.

Lawyers David Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld, who are representing Knight, said they wanted to gather information about the arrest and talk with Knight before commenting.

Rivera said Knight and the woman left a Las Vegas strip club, Spearmint Rhino, shortly before the arrest. They were alone in a champagne-colored Cadillac Escalade.

Police said Knight and the woman argued in the vehicle while Knight was driving before he punched her in the head.

"The victim purposely grabbed the steering wheel and caused the vehicle to hit the curb," police said in a statement. Police said the woman tried to run away, but Knight caught her.

Knight has a history of legal problems and was with Tupac Shakur when the rapper was gunned down in Las Vegas in 1996.

Knight was convicted of assault in 1992 and placed on probation and then jailed for five years in 1996 for violating that probation.

He was returned to jail in 2003 for again violating parole for punching a parking attendant at a Hollywood nightclub. He was released the next year.

Knight was wounded during a shooting at a party in a Miami, Florida, nightclub in August 2005.

His former record company was auctioned in June for $24 million to New York-based Global Music Group Inc.

Daniel McCarthy, a lawyer handling a Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing for Knight and the record company, said Wednesday that the sale is pending.

Death Row Records was known for releasing seminal gangster rap albums by Tupac Shakur, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, and it sold tens of millions of albums in the heyday of early 1990s rap.

In 2006, a federal judge ordered a bankruptcy trustee takeover of Death Row Records, saying the label had undergone gross mismanagement. Knight's decision to file for bankruptcy protection staved off a move by the court to appoint someone to take control of the record label and his assets.

Tingly

August 28th, 2008, 04:59 AM

MUSIC FESTIVAL TIPS HELP YOU SURVIVE 'BUMBERSHOOT'!

It's easy to get overwhelmed at Bumbershoot. You have thousands of music fans roaming around in sweaty, packed masses in zombie slow-mo, food smells commingling with other odors and, with any luck, a lot of sun pouring down on you.

But a little planning and some tips from experienced festivalgoers can help you cope with the craziness.

After a couple of years, I've gotten to know where the least busy bathrooms are, where the best spot is to soak it all in, where to find the beer garden with the best vantage point of the stage and what to bring. But I also asked the folks over at One Reel and other repeat Bumbershooters for their tips.

Preparation is key to being able to make it through Bumbershoot. It's not like you're going out to The Gorge -- civilization is close at hand, but the more essentials you carry and the more you know about where to seek relief, the better off you'll be.

I usually carry my Dickies' mini-messenger bag, or something about that size. Inside: wallet, sunglasses, eyedrops, a collapsible rain poncho, a cap, sunscreen, a small umbrella and something new this year, my Sigg water bottle.

This is going to come in handy, especially at Memorial Stadium -- where the headliners play -- because disposable plastic bottles aren't allowed (though they are elsewhere). You can refill at hydration stations inside the stadium.

Another thing to think about before even setting foot into Bumbershoot: What/who are you going to see? Create a personalized schedule at Bumbershoot.com or check out the P-I's guide in Friday's What's Happening.

Now, how are you planning to get there?

If you can avoid taking your car, do it. But if you choose to drive, there are plenty of lots in the area, especially west of KeyArena in Lower Queen Anne, with some lots offering reduced rates for car-pooling. Free spots are scarce and mostly of the two-hour variety.

One Reel spokeswoman Jen Orr said Bumbershoot is eagerly embracing ecofriendly options:

"Skip the traffic and take a bus, Metro Rideshare or bike to the festival! Bicycle parking is free and highly encouraged -- don't forget your bike lock." The festival's bike corral is on Thomas Street between EMP and the Space Needle.

Once inside, start scoping out your trajectory for the day.

Again, One Reel's advice: "Arrive early to pick up a wristband for the evening Mainstage performances at any of the three info booths located around the grounds. Plus, new this year, you can stop by the Comedy Pass booth to claim a brand-new pass that guarantees you a seat to one of that day's performances on the three comedy stages."

Comedy passes are available on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of show. You must show your ticket for that day at the booth (at the northwest corner of the Center House) to receive a pass.

Comedy shows and movies at SIFF cinema are notoriously packed, so if you really want to do that, make it a priority.

Somewhere along the way, try to get to the Music Lounge.

"The biggest (and arguably best-kept) secret is KEXP's Music Lounge. It provides an opportunity to see some of the big acts from Bumbershoot in a small, intimate setting," said Laudon Williams, 41, who has attended Bumbershoot six times.

This year's highlights in that super-secret space: Nada Surf, Thao with the Get Down Stay Down and the Old 97's.

Orr said that the invite-only lounge is filling up fast, but savvy Bumbershooters still can receive an invitation if they R.S.V.P. at KEXP.org.

Especially on hot days, it's a relief to sit in that quiet, comfortable and cool studio and listen to the bands in such an intimate space. It hardly ever gets overly crowded, and the sound is fantastic.

If you stay properly hydrated throughout the day -- and you really should -- then you'll need to know where to take your bathroom breaks. Honey Pots are around, but why do that when you have the real bathrooms of Seattle Center at your disposal?

My favorite sure-thing loos are in the Center House, on the lower level facing Memorial Stadium. Other places to find rarely busy toilets: in the arcade, Northwest Rooms and Fisher Pavilion, where you also can peruse the original posters made by artists for Flatstock.

When I need a moment to decompress from the crowds, there's one spot I go back to every time to unwind: the top of Fisher Pavilion. There usually are seats right up to the railing, where you can look over and listen to the bands playing on the green below or look out over to the International Fountain.

My favorite beer garden is the one on the green in front of Fisher Pavilion -- it offers a pretty good vantage point of the stage, as does the beer garden in front of the Mural Ampitheatre. The worst: the beer garden facing the Broad Street lawn. Once the festivalgoers get up on their feet, it's nigh impossible to see from there. But if all you want is to kick back with a cold brew, any of the beer gardens will do.

Just remember, this is a music and arts festival, so there are other things to occupy your days.

"Make sure you make time for the nonmusic events," Williams said. "There are usually some excellent comics performing, and the book readings can be awesome -- same for the performance pieces."

Walking through the Northwest Rooms and taking in the visual arts exhibits can give you a fuller appreciation of Bumbershoot. Last year, I stumbled upon the Portable Confessional Units and let go of some things I'd been holding onto. It's that kind of serendipity that makes the festival special.

Don't beat yourself up if you don't make it to everything.

"The biggest thing is to give yourself time," Williams said. "Don't expect that you will make it from venue to venue in five minutes."

-seattlepi

Tingly

August 28th, 2008, 05:01 AM

KIDS BEING 'ORDERED' TO PROTEST AVRIL?

Muslim youths in Malaysia will be ordered by the conservative Islamic party to protest outside an Avril Lavigne concert scheduled for this Friday (August 29).

Lavigne was recently given the go-ahead to perform in Kuala Lumpur, despite protests that her performance might be too racy for Malaysian youths.

Even with permission from the government to stage the concert, conservative muslims in the country are planning to protest outside the gig. They feel the performance will be an insult to their religion, as Ramadan starts just days later.

Nasrudin Hassan of the Pan Malaysian Islamic Party PAS announced the planned protest today, saying: "A concert of this nature is not conducive to teach the younger generation to become good citizens, upright and competitive, but instead would weaken them morally and mentally.

"If the concert organisers do not heed this warning to cancel the concert, PAS youth will order all muslim youth to turn up and protest the concert in order to prevent it from taking place."

The application to play Malaysia was rejected in the first place, simply because it was submitted too late, reports Bernama.

-NME

Tingly

August 28th, 2008, 05:03 AM

SNOW PATROL ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM

Snow Patrol have announced details of their brand new album, and have scheduled the release date for October 28.

'A Hundred Million Suns' is the band's fifth album, and was recorded this summer with the band’s regular collaborator Garret 'Jacknife' Lee at Hansa Studios in Berlin and Grouse Lodge in Ireland.

The album will be preceded by the single 'Take Back The City', the video to which was shot by director Alex Courtes, who’s responsible for The White Stripes' famous 'Seven Nation Army' clip in 2003.

The album is the follow up to 2006's seven-times platinum album 'Eyes Open' which sold 2.1 million copies in the UK (that year's biggest seller) and over one million in the US.

-NME

Tingly

August 28th, 2008, 05:06 AM

P. DIDDY TRYING TO FLY COMMERCIAL

P. Diddy has taken to blogging about increasing oil prices, and says that for now he is flying commercial in order to save money on gas.

In a YouTube blog, the rap mogul, who earned $35 million last year according to Forbes, says that the next president of the US needs to work to bring gas prices down.

"Gas prices are too ************* high," Diddy complained. "As you know, I do own my own jet and I have been having flying back and forth to LA pursuing my acting career. Now, if I'm flying back and forth, like, twice in a month that’s like $200,000 or $250,000 round trip. **** that. I'm back on American Airlines."

He then appealed to oil-producing countries to send him some oil so he could fly his plane.

He said: "I want to give a shout out to all my Saudi Arabian brothers and sisters and all my brothers and sisters from all the countries that have oil, if you could all please send me some oil for my jet I would truly appreciate it."

He also said that the fact that he, P Diddy, was flying commercial is evidence that the prices have got out of control, reports Dlisted.

"Right now, can you believe it, I am actually flying commercial. That's how high gas prices are OK, so I feel you. Look, I'm at the gate right now. This is proof that gas prices are too high, we need to do something about it, so tell whoever the next president is that we need to bring gas back down."

As previously reported, Diddy scored third place after 50 Cent and Jay-Z on Forbes' Hip-Hop Cash Kings list. It is not known if 50 Cent or Jay-Z have resorted to flying commercial.

-NME

Tingly

August 28th, 2008, 05:08 AM

R KELLY DENIES KNOWLEDGE OF SCAM

R Kelly has released a statement denying involvement in a fraud case that scammed investors in South Africa out of over a million dollars.

As previously reported, Busiswe Zakwe, of Durban, South Africa, says she deposited $1.5 million dollars to Kelly's bank account after convincing people to invest in a tour of South Africa by the star. When the singer did not come to South Africa, she reportedly absconded with the cash.

Police raided her office after receiving complaints that she had conned people out of $1,300 each in 2005. Officials reportedly found a deposit slip which apparently proves the money went into R Kelly's account, and sought to speak to the singer.

However, a statement from Kelly's camp today reads: "There is absolutely no truth to the reports that R Kelly received money from a South African woman accused of swindling investors by convincing them to invest in a non-existent R Kelly tour in 2005.

"Mr Kelly has no knowledge of this woman, has never received any money from her, and has not been contacted by any law enforcement authorities regarding the matter. He will, of course, cooperate fully with any legitimate investigation of this matter, since he has nothing to hide."

-NME

Tingly

August 28th, 2008, 05:12 AM

ECCENTRIC POP STARS MAKE LIFE INTERESTING FOR THE REST OF US

It was 1973. After five years of critical praise yet low sales, the prodigiously talented Todd Rundgren finally had his moment. Introduced by the Four Tops, he would play his intense, blue-eyed soul hit Hello It's Me on the US TV show Midnight Special. Rundgren - never one for denim, leather, or the de rigueur cheesecloth of the singer-songwriter - had a brainwave: he would perform the song dressed as half-man, half-peacock. Rundgren, from Pennsylvania, was hoping to make a seismic impact. But the peacock plumage turned out to be commercial suicide. He never scored another major hit.

As if he cared. Rundgren was a pop maverick: one of those fabulously eccentric characters who, thanks to a mixture of independent spirit and sheer bloody-mindedness, have created some of our most enduring (if often uncelebrated) music - in spectacularly unconventional careers full of bizarre twists and turns. Mavericks are loners. Their stories often contain a strong element of control freakery, something I discovered when I was asked to put together a season of films about mavericks for the Barbican in London.

Unknown in this country but an eastern bloc legend, Dean Reed was a would-be teen idol working out of Holly-wood. He was a toothpaste ad man's dream: deep tan, perma-grin; it hardly mattered that his voice was a little less solid. Whichever way you read him, Reed was so square he was a cube - not obvious maverick material. But fate stepped in when Our Summer Romance, one of his sub-Ricky Nelson ballads, became a hit in South America in 1962. He toured Chile and was shocked by the extremes of wealth and poverty. He developed strong socialist tendencies, spoke out against US foreign policy, and played free shows in barrios and prisons. To knock some sense into him, his manager - a Czech baroness who had seen communism at close quarters and thought her charge naive and delusional - packed him off to play Moscow. Reed loved it, stayed out east and became a Marxist poster boy, a blonde Cali kid singing Elvis songs in red propaganda movies.

Mavericks aren't always such clear-cut heroic figures. Take PJ Proby. Originally he was James Marcus Smith, a Texas boy with a voice that could mimic, if not better, pretty much any 1950s rocker. He released a screamer called Go Girl Go under the name Jett Powers, but it did nothing. His break came when he was introduced to British TV director Jack Good, then whisked over to London in 1964 where he instantly became an event.

His songs Hold Me, Together, and a dadaist take on West Side Story's Somewhere all went top 10. He wore his hair in a ponytail, roared "Am I clean? Am I pure?" on stage, and split his velvet trousers at a gig. Perfect tabloid fodder. But when the trousers split again, it became problematic, and he was barred from certain venues. The hits dried up. He has since had umpteen comebacks, many fleetingly successful but, almost always, Proby has screwed up. There have been bankruptcies, an allegation that he shot his wife (he was acquitted), even a stint as a shepherd in Huddersfield. Off the drink now for 15 years, Proby has been touring with fewer hitches. He should write his autobiography. Nobody would believe a word.

Some mavericks' stories are simply tragic. Gary McFarland showed no great interest in music until he joined the army in his 20s, when he was introduced to jazz. Soon, he was playing trumpet, trombone, piano - before settling on the vibes. He won a scholarship to the Berklee College of Music and was recording a year later; fellow jazzer Gene Lees described him as an "adult prodigy".

McFarland loved the Beatles, Stan Getz, big film scores; he wasn't afraid to mix them up, and was duly ostracised by the straight jazz set. By the end of the 1960s, he'd written a ballet (Reflections in the Park), and an a orchestrated jazz protest album (America the Beautiful), and was moving into a unique, somnambulant pop sound with the beautiful Butterscotch Rum in 1971. Then, in a New York bar one night, someone spiked his drink with liquid methadone, and he dropped dead on the spot, aged 38.

Though it doesn't end in death, the story of Dolly Mixture is a similar tale of unfulfilled promise. A three-piece British girl group who sang harmonies, eulogised the Shirelles, wore bowlcuts and clothes from Oxfam, Dolly Mixture ignored the agit-punk zeitgeist. None of this sounds too radical today, but, arriving in the late 1970s, they were regarded with disdain by the press and other female musicians alike. Their attempts to be taken seriously weren't helped by the fact that two of the members looked like they were barely teenagers.

At a time when sexual politics were deemed essential lyrical content (contemporaries were writing songs with titles like Sex Without Stress), Dolly Mixture covered the Love Affair's bubblegum soul hit, Rainbow Valley. To rub it in, a rival girl group called the Mo-Dettes appeared in 1979; they had a singer with a French accent, wore tighter tops, sang a spiky cover of Paint It Black, and bagged a major label deal. Dolly Mixture resorted to a privately pressed double album of their demos.

All of this would sound like nothing more than a hard luck story if it wasn't for the quality of their songwriting. After we saw them play in Croydon in 1982, my Saint Etienne colleague Pete Wiggs was moved to say, with heartfelt teenage sincerity: "They've got better songs than the Beatles." They split in 1985. Their timing was excruciating. Around the corner were two movements - C86 and Riot Grrl - that heavily cited their independent, floral-print and bovver-boot feminism.

Come the dawn of eBay, none of Dolly Mixture's records could be found for less than £50. They prove that you don't have to wear peacock plumage or burn your own house down (yes, Proby again) to be a maverick. Simply hiding your burning light can count, too.

-The Guardian

Tingly

August 28th, 2008, 05:14 AM

THE VERVE STILL TRYING HARD

The Verve's road to reunion has been a bittersweet symphony.

In 1997, The Verve's hit Bitter Sweet Symphony launched the English rock quartet to international stardom, propelling album Urban Hymns to platinum sales in the USA.

But the success of Symphony also was a harbinger of the band's demise. The pressures of touring and fame proved too much, and in 1999, the band called it quits. Nearly 10 years later, they've put the rocky past behind them and released fourth album Forth, new this week on the group's On Your Own label.

For fans who have been waiting patiently for a reunion, Forth is a seamless transition from Urban Hymns, employing the poetic lyricism and shimmering atmospherics that established the band as one of the most influential of British rock.

"I called the band back together simply for the joy of making music," says lead singer Richard Ashcroft, speaking over the sound of a rooster crowing from his home in Gloucestershire, England. "I don't think The Verve should be something we just kill off. Let's breathe some life into it."

But Ashcroft, 36, is taking a realistic approach to the reunion. "If it works out, it does, but if not, I'm glad we got to record this album."

To create Forth, the band (Ashcroft, guitarist Nick McCabe, bassist Simon Jones and drummer Peter Salisbury) met in the studio for the first time since its breakup, with equipment ready to go. "We just got down to business," Ashcroft says. "We're there to make music, not to get along, not to create false relationships.

"Forth is really the most spontaneous album we've ever done. People thought we were fossils, but they're all wrong."

Ashcroft is promoting the project with reluctance and says no tour is planned to support Forth. "I thought that being famous means you have to have created great works, but nowadays it's just fame for fame's sake," he says.

But Ashcroft has been around long enough to know that fame comes with a price. Before the breakup, the band was plagued by lawsuits. Jazz label Verve filed a trademark infringement complaint, forcing the band to change its name to The Verve. ABKCO Records demanded Bitter Sweet's profits and royalties over use of a loop from the Rolling Stones' The Last Time. Rampant drug use and friction between Ashcroft and McCabe also kept the group uncomfortably rooted in the limelight.

Still, Ashcroft has no regrets. "Fame is a funny thing. It's a combination of a Shakespearean comedy, Spinal Tap and Hunter S. Thompson. You've got to just have a laugh at it."

-USA Today

Tingly

August 28th, 2008, 05:16 AM

INDIAN MUSICIANS BUYING GOOD QUALITY FOREIGN INSTRUMENTS EASILY - IF THEY HAVE THE $$$$

City musicians no longer have to be super rich or depend on relatives abroad to procure foreign instruments. They don’t even have to place an order and wait months for their chosen brand of instrument to be imported. Pearl and Yamaha are now available off the shelves in Calcutta.

“There was a time when we had to request relatives coming from abroad to get us foreign instruments. Things have changed, especially over the past two years. One can now get a decent foreign instrument at an affordable price,” says ace guitarist Amyt Dutt.

According to musicians, the foreign brands available may not be top of the line but they are better than local brands. “We are getting lower-end instruments from abroad but it is still good for city musicians. We can now get the quality that we had been deprived of for so long,” says Monojit Dutta, the leading man of Latin Jazz band Orient Express.

Local music stores like Braganza and Co., Signature and Musik Messe have started stocking foreign guitars, keyboards and drum kits instead of importing them only when an order was placed.

The brands being sold include Roland, Yamaha and Korg keyboards, Fender Stratocaster, Ibanez and Gibson Les Paul guitars, and Pearl, Tama and Mapex drum kits.

Even shops in Lalbazar, known for manufacturing instruments, have started stocking instruments from abroad. The price range is Rs 1,500 to Rs 2 lakh.

“If someone wanted a foreign drum kit, I used to place an order. Now I have five Pearl kits in the shop. I can afford to stock them because there are buyers,” says Tony Braganza, who runs a well-known music shop on Marquis Street.

Increase in purchasing power and supportive parents have created the market for products from abroad.

“People have become quality conscious. Parents are willing to pay Rs 12,000-Rs 13,000 for a guitar when their children start learning the instrument,” says Dutt.

The boom in the live music scene has boosted the demand for foreign instruments. The popularity of music-based reality shows has also broadened the market for quality instruments. Schools in Calcutta are purchasing foreign brands instead of settling for cheaper local alternatives.

“Five years ago, only 10 per cent of my sales comprised foreign brands. Now 70 per cent of the equipment I sell is of foreign brands,” says Bobby, who runs the Roland Pro Music store in Kidderpore.

With increase in the number of shops selling foreign instruments, most of them offer discounts, sweetening the deal for buyers.

“Customs duty on imported instruments has been slashed from 60 per cent to 35 per cent. Sales tax has also been reduced from around 15 per cent to 12.5 per cent,” adds Bobby.

The use of better instruments has the potential to improve the quality of music, feel musicians. “Instruments are the medium of sound. With better quality sound, the quality of music will also improve,” says Dutt.

-telegraphindia

Tingly

August 28th, 2008, 05:18 AM

NO INSTRUMENTS? NO CONCERT!

A concert by one of the world's oldest orchestras at the Edinburgh International Festival had to be cancelled at the 11th hour last night causing embarrassment for the orchestra and organisers.

The concert by the Staatskapelle Dresden orchestra, scheduled to begin at 8pm at the Usher Hall, was cancelled at 5.30pm because the orchestra's instruments had still not arrived from Germany.

All 106 members of the orchestra arrived in the capital early yesterday from Dresden to play two concerts. Another is planned tonight.

However, their instruments were not expected to arrive until last night - too late to save the first concert at the festival's premiere music venue.

A festival spokesman said he was not aware of the details of why the instruments did not arrive in time and said the travel arrangements for them were made by the orchestra.

About 1000 tickets - half the Usher Hall's capacity - were sold for the concert. They ranged in price from £10 to £36.

The spokesman said organisers used "all manpower" at their disposal to try to contact customers by e-mail or phone before they set off for last night's concert after a decision was taken to cancel it.

He said the "vast majority" of patrons had been contacted and only about 120 people came to the venue.

One elderly couple who travelled from Northern Ireland especially for the concert were among those who were disappointed. They declined to comment.

-The Herald

Tingly

August 30th, 2008, 04:18 AM

LEONA LEWIS TO DO ANOTHER XMAS ALBUM

British singer Leona Lewis is planning to come out with a Christmas album this year like she did last year.

According to thesun.co.uk, her album 'Spirit' will be repackaged with a few extra songs and videos for this Christmas season. This should add to the already successful sales record she has had in the US.

Her song 'Bleeding Love' has passed the $3 million sales mark in the US - the first song to do so since the Beatles in the 1960s.

Lewis also enthralled audiences with her performance at the Olympics handover ceremony in Beijing Aug 24.

=IANS

Tingly

August 30th, 2008, 04:22 AM

By JAKE COYLE
BIG NAMES TO KICK OFF NFL SEASON WITH CONCERT

AP Entertainment Writer
NEW YORK --

Like the NFL teams beginning their new seasons, Usher is hoping to go all the way to the Super Bowl.

The R&B singer will perform the season's kickoff concert on Thursday in New York's Columbus Circle along with Keith Urban and Natasha Bedingfield. The 3 p.m. concert will be held just before the season opener, when the Washington Redskins take on the Super Bowl champion New York Giants.

Like the Redskins and Giants, Usher is aiming for the big game in February. The game might be the destination of all football players, it's also one of the most sought-after gigs in music.

"I don't think it's too early to consider it," said Usher, speaking from Atlanta. "Certainly being associated with the organization makes that a lot more possible. There have been conversations for a lot of years about me being part of a performance at a Super Bowl."

He added: "I'm hoping that this leads, definitely, to that. This whole process is basically you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours."

Usher feels that he's sufficiently built up his "brand" over the past decade - it can sometimes be easy to forget that the 29-year-old singer has been around that long. Recent Super Bowl performers include Prince and Tom Petty.

Last year, Usher married Tameka Foster and the couple had a son, Usher Raymond V. The onset of family life has brought out a more mature side of Usher, whose 2008 album "Here I Stand" deals considerably with growing into adulthood.

At the kickoff concert, which will stream on NFL.com, Usher plans to perform "Here I Stand," "Changing Places" and "What's Your Name" with guest star will.i.am.

Usher, who spent much of a his childhood in Tennessee, counts himself a Titans fan, and vividly recalls being at the 1999 Super Bowl and watching the Titans' Kevin Dyson fall one yard short of the end zone as time expired.

An expert dancer, Usher gives props to Randy Moss and Terrell Owens' endzone dances, but says their moves still fall short of another.

"The greatest end zone dance of all time has to be Cuba Gooding Jr.," said Usher, referring to the actor's dance in "Jerry Maguire." "The greatest of all time."

Tingly

August 30th, 2008, 04:23 AM

WINEHOUSE MISSES CONCERT DUE TO 'ILLNESS'

LONDON (Reuters) - British soul singer Amy Winehouse pulled out of a Paris concert at short notice on Friday after falling ill at home in London, her spokesman has said.

The 24-year-old, whose battle against drug addiction has overshadowed her recording successes, had been due to appear at the Rock En Seine festival in Paris.

"Amy Winehouse was regrettably unable to perform at the Rock En Seine show in Paris due to illness," her spokesman said in a statement late on Friday.

"She was taken ill at her house and wasn't able to travel to France for the concert."

During the last three months Winehouse has twice been rushed to hospital, most recently after suffering a reaction to her medication.

Her father has said Winehouse is suffering from the lung disease emphysema.

Winehouse's husband, Blake Fielder-Civil, was jailed recently after pleading guilty to beating up a pub landlord in 2006 and conspiring to cover up the crime.

The singer is due to appear at the Bestival festival on the Isle of Wight next weekend.

Tingly

August 30th, 2008, 04:25 AM

JAZZ FEST WILL BE ON BEAUTIFUL ISLAND

NEW YORK, USA: The Anguilla Tourist Board and BET Event Productions have announced the special performers for the Sixth Annual Tranquility Jazz Festival set to take place in the island of Anguilla on November 6-9, 2008.

The “Straight. No Chaser. Tranquility Jazz Festival” has earned a reputation as one of the Caribbean’s only true all jazz events and this year’s lineup is guaranteed to keep the tradition going.

The star-studded lineup will feature Patti Austin, the legendary and beloved performer, songwriter and vocalist; Trumpeter Christian Scott, one of the brightest new jazz stars; Tony winner and two time Grammy-winning jazz vocalist Dee Dee Brightwaters; saxophonist Dean Fraser, one of Jamaica's finest brass players; Michel Camilo, Grammy and two-time Latin Grammy Award winning pianist from the Dominican Republic, and Arturo Sandoval, one of the world’s most acknowledged guardians of jazz trumpet and flugel horn, winner of 4 Grammy Awards, 6 Billboard Awards and an Emmy Award. They will be joined by a host of young, talented Anguillian musicians, ready to make their mark in the jazz world.

The festivities get underway on Thursday, November 6 at CuisinArt Resort & Spa with dinner and an intimate evening with Patti Austin. Friday swings in the daytime too, with “Jazz on the Parkway” a showcase of local and regional artists from 11:00am to 5:00pm presented by the National Bank of Anguilla.

That night, the action moves to the festival’s main event venue, the Temenos Golf Club with headliners Arturo Sandoval and Christian Scott. Saturday brings an exciting triple billing back at Temenos with Dee Dee Bridgewater, Dean Fraser and Michel Camilo, and a set from local or regional performers.

Sunday provides the perfect send off to the weekend as the action takes to the beach at Sandy Ground for the traditional free finale with Dean Fraser and a host of local and regional performers.

-carribeannews

Tingly

August 30th, 2008, 04:30 AM

RADIO STATIONS BATTLE IT OUT IN SCOTLAND

Fame Academy "headmaster" Richard Park is bringing an English radio station north of the border to challenge commercial stations like Radio Clyde and Real Radio for listeners and advertisers.

Global Radio is to rebrand its Xfm Scotland as it expands the Galaxy FM name north of the border.

Galaxy Scotland will take over later this year and transform the station from a guitar-dominated indie rock station into one that focuses on dance music.

The move will see Mr Park, Global's executive director, going head to head in the west of Scotland with his old station Radio Clyde, where he was a DJ for many years.

Galaxy Scotland will continue to use some local DJs, but listeners will also hear new voices from their shows in the north of England. Xfm's homegrown presenters include Heather Suttie, former Scotsport host Julyan Sinclair and comedian Des Clarke.

It comes after fears were expressed that independent radio stations are losing their local identity to networked content. Smooth Radio, owned by GMG Radio, which took over Glasgow-based Saga Radio, earlier this year sacked six Scottish DJs and replaced them on air with networked shows by UK household names, including Tony Blackburn.

Real Radio, also owned by GMG Radio, has begun using networked shows with big names like Chris Tarrant in a bid to woo advertisers. Scottish presenter Shereen Tulloch was also axed to make way for a networked show by an English presenter, Jo Lloyd.

Mr Park said the mix of local and network has been successful and will be the model for the new station, which will target 15 to 34-year-olds.

In the latest Rajar listening results, the Galaxy UK network increased its listening hours by 9.3% to a total of 18 million every week.

The figures followed a relaunch of the brand in April this year, featuring a new corporate identity.

Galaxy includes stations in Manchester, Yorkshire, the north-east of England and Birmingham.

Mr Park added: "Central Scotland can prepare itself to receive Britain's fastest-growing radio station aimed at young people."

Industry regulator Ofcom's guidelines allow commercial stations to broadcast networked programming for three hours a day during the week. Local FM stations should also broadcast at least 10 hours of locally-made programmes each weekday during the day and at least four hours at weekends.

-The Herald

Tingly

August 30th, 2008, 04:32 AM

GLOBAL MUSIC GROUP OFFERS TO BUY BANKRUPT DEATH ROW RECORDS FOR $24 MILLION, BUT THERE'S A PROBLEM

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Music Group, Inc. a corporation incorporated in the State of Delaware (GMG Delaware) today submitted an offer to the Trustee in the Death Row Records bankruptcy proceeding in Los Angeles, California to acquire the Assets of Death Row Records for the sum of $24 million if the bid of Global Music Group of New York (GMG New York) is deemed terminated by the Court. Last week, the Trustee for the bankruptcy estate filed to terminate the rights of GMG New York because they had not yet successfully completed the transaction.

On June 24, 2008 the Court awarded the winning bid in the bankruptcy sale of the assets of Death Row Records for $24 million dollars to the party that applied to bid for the assets on June 10, 2008. GMG Delaware has contended it was the rightful bidder but the Court identified GMG New York in error.

After GMG Delaware filed suit against GMG New York, the parties reached a settlement on August 6, 2008 which contemplated GMG New York financing the acquisition and sharing equity with GMG Delaware.

Michael J. Collesano, Esq., GMG Delaware's General Counsel and Senior Vice President explained, "Until today, GMG Delaware has been content to await GMG New York's funding of the deal and has not exercised its rights directly. At this time, however, GMG Delaware is not confident in GMG New York's ability to finance the transaction, GMG New York has denied GMG Delaware any access to information concerning their alleged financing, and the Trustee has moved to terminate GMG New York's rights to the acquisition."

Tingly

August 30th, 2008, 04:35 AM

ENTERTAINMENT AND VENUE MANAGER GLOBAL ENTERTAINMENT REPORTS $4 MILLION LOSS FOR THE YEAR

Global Entertainment Corp. Friday posted a net loss of $4 million, or 62 cents per share, for the fiscal year ended May 31.

Tempe-based Global (Amex: GEE) saw its annual revenue decline from $25.8 million in fiscal 2007 to $12.4 million in fiscal 2008. The company recorded a loss of $1 million for its sale of Cragar Industries.

In fiscal 2007, the company posted a net loss of $4.1 million, or 63 cents per share.

Company officials predicted fiscal 2009 will see increased revenue as the result of the scheduled October 2008 opening of the Town Toyota Center in Wenatchee, Wash. Three Global Entertainment subsidiary companies are contracted to provide services to the new arena for 15 year.

Global Entertainment focuses on mid-size communities to provide sports management; multipurpose event and entertainment centers; related real estate development; facility and venue management and marketing; and venue ticketing.

-bizjournals

Tingly

August 30th, 2008, 04:41 AM

SYDNEY SYMPHONY ADMITS 'LIP SYNCHING' BY ENTIRE ORCHESTRA!!!

By Rhiannon Edward

CHINA is not the only country to fake a musical performance during an Olympic opening ceremony. It turns out that Australia also knows a thing or two about miming music.

Eight years after Sydney hosted what was dubbed "the best Olympic Games ever", officials with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra acknowledged that their stirring performance at the 2000 opening ceremony was entirely pre-recorded.

And perhaps even more cringe-inducing for Sydneysiders: some of the music was recorded by the orchestra of Sydney's rival, Melbourne.

The disclosure of the mimed performance – which both orchestras have defended as a necessary pre-caution against embarrassing mistakes – followed an international uproar over China's decision to pass off the voice of a seven-year-old singer as that of another girl at this year's Olympic opening ceremony. The Beijing ceremony's chief music director said the real singer, Yang Peiyi, with her chubby face and crooked baby teeth, was not good-looking enough.

So the pigtailed and perky Lin Miaoke mouthed the words to Ode to the Motherland instead, in front of the 91,000 spectators at the National Stadium and television audiences globally.

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra managing director Trevor Green confirmed today that the 2000 opening ceremony performance had been pre-recorded by both the Sydney and Melbourne orchestras, saying that such steps had to be taken to ensure mistakes were not made live during such high-profile events.

"If you've got an event the size of the Olympics, and you've got billions and billions of people watching it, you definitely have to have a backing track and mime to it, because anything could go wrong," Mr Green said.

"It is just a 'safety first' thing. You simply cannot take the risk."

The Sydney orchestra's decision to call on Melbourne for help was not surprising, given the workload, Mr Green added.

"It was just too much for one orchestra," he said. "We share artists all the time and conductors all the time."

-scotsman

Tingly

August 30th, 2008, 05:15 AM

MICHAEL JACKSON, UPBEAT, AT 50

NEW YORK (AP) -- Michael Jackson marked a personal milestone Friday: his 50th birthday.

The 13-time Grammy winner, who has sold more than 750 million albums, told ABC News' "Good Morning America" that he's "looking forward to doing a lot of great things. ... I think the best is yet to come in my true humble opinion."

Jackson talked to ABC by phone Thursday.

"People see some of the things I do and they say, `Why don't you show this to the world? People don't know you do these things.' And maybe I will," he said.

Jackson said recording the blockbuster albums "Thriller" and "Off the Wall" were the happiest times of his life.

"That meant very much to me and seemed to be received so beautifully by the public and the world. You know, I enjoyed it very much," he said.

As for his birthday plans, "I'll just have a little cake with my children and we'll probably watch some cartoons," he said.

Jackson, a twice-divorced father of three, said he aims to provide a normal life for his children.

"I am letting them enjoy their childhood as much as possible. ... I let them go to the arcade and go to the movies and do things. I think that comes naturally. I want them to get to do things I didn't get to do," he said.

"I get pretty emotional when I see them having a wonderful time," he said.

Jackson was asked if he had received a membership card from AARP, which focuses on the needs and concerns of those 50 and older.

"Not that I know of!" he said, laughing.

Tingly

August 30th, 2008, 05:17 AM

DEAN GUITARS FOUNDER UNVEILS NEW COMPANY

World-renowned guitar maker Dean Zelinsky has unveiled his new company DBZ Guitars LLC, and web site DBZGuitars.com. Said CEO Zelinsky, “DBZ Guitars will have my personal control over design, direction and quality.” The web site, currently revealing only a glimpse of the new line, also includes the DBZ Guitar Forum where Zelinsky will be interacting once again with his fans online.

Zelinsky, who founded Dean Guitars in 1976 at the age of 18, is recognized industrywide for ushering in a new era in guitar design. That evolution continues with the new line of DBZ Guitars, premiering in January ’09, showcasing Zelinsky’s ability to “take guitar design to the next level.” Zelinsky will be doing for guitars what custom bike builders have done for the motorcycle industry. Zelinsky stated rare exotic woods, laser technology and proprietary graphics applications will be essential to DBZ Guitars’ new look.

Equally newsworthy, Dean Zelinsky has partnered with Diamond Amplification owner Jeff Diamant (who is now also President and COO of DBZ Guitars), and Diamant’s Texas partner, Terry Martin. Explained Zelinsky, “Jeff and I share a vision for DBZ, and see eye-to-eye on how this industry should be serviced. I have teamed up with Jeff because his proven business savvy is critical to this challenging new venture...guitar brands are not built every day. His Diamond Amps are second to none and add cache to the DBZ Guitar brand.”

“Dealers and distributors worldwide are already calling and vying for exclusive rights to DBZ/Diamond,” added Diamant. “Simply, together we can do more than we can apart.” Diamant continued, “Diamond will not be changing its current vision or plan. We have a vision for DBZ and a vision for Diamond.”

“We are bringing a radical approach to every aspect of DBZ Guitars; guitar design, marketing, advertising and distribution, while retaining traditional and elegant styling and feel,” said Zelinsky. “The technology available today is being way under-utilized. This industry is stuck in the Dark Ages -- it needs another shot in the arm.”

DBZ Guitars will be offering distributor exclusives worldwide on U.S.A.-made custom and high-end guitars, and a full range of lower price point guitars (electrics, acoustics and basses) to fit every level of talent and budget. Zelinsky and Diamant are focusing on quality, from top to bottom, to not only meet but exceed the expectations of Dean’s more than 30-year fan following and the Diamond Amps fans.

-GW

Tingly

August 30th, 2008, 05:18 AM

MEGADETH PUTS OUT ANOTHER ANTHOILOGY

Following the successful 2007 release of the coveted 4-CD+DVD Warchest box set, Megadeth is back with a vengeance with Anthology: Set The World Afire. The career-spanning 2-CD and digital collection, to be released September 30 by Capitol/EMI, features Megadeth’s top hits and fan favorites, a previously unreleased demo and two rare concert recordings.

Anthology: Set The World Afire is loaded with 35 electrifying tracks, among them Megadeth’s top hits, including “Trust,” “A Tout Le Monde,” “Insomnia” and “Train of Consequences.” Also included are rare 1992 concert recordings of “Peace Sells” and “Symphony of Destruction,” previously available only in limited release, the latter having never been released in the U.S. “High Speed Dirt” is a demo version, previously unreleased.

-GW

Tingly

August 30th, 2008, 05:19 AM

COMPANY OFFERS "Locoape Lemmy Kilmister Motörhead" ACTION FIGURE

Rock-n-Roll-Action-Figures.com, an innovative retailer of unique music and pop culture figures and collectables, has announced the debut of an officially licensed 7 inch figure of Lemmy Kilmister, front man of the legendary heavy metal band Motörhead. The new figure is manufactured by Locoape, a Chicago-based company specializing in licensed and proprietary action figure toys based on current pop culture trends, and is the first of the Icon series, which depicts legendary music personalities. Lemmy Kilmister is offered by Rock-n-Roll-Action-Figures.com for $19.95.

Fans and collectors will appreciate the high level of detail in the new Lemmy Icon figure. From his realistic face (complete with wart!), wrinkles in his tight leather pants and Ace of Spades “Born To Lose, Live To Win” tattoo, the figure captures every subtle nuance of the heavy metal iconoclast. Rickenbacker USA, Kilmister’s longtime endorser, even granted licensing rights for the miniature Rickenbacker bass guitar accessory. Each figure is randomly packed with an eagle or Iron Cross guitar. A microphone stand and sturdy Motörhead backdrop and platform make for a compelling presentation.

Rock-n-Roll-Action-Figures.com is a retailer/wholesaler of distinctive collectible music action figures, designer vinyl toys, and limited edition rock and roll art prints. The company was founded in 2000 and specializes in high quality action figures featuring notable rap and rock musicians, as well as bands and pop culture icons from movies, and television. Some of the notable music figures offered include Sid Vicious, Johnny Rotten, Joey Ramone, Notorious B.I.G., Flava Flav, John Lennon, Kurt Cobain, AC/DC, Jon Bon Jovi, Jimmy Page and more. A complete online catalog is available at Rock-n-Roll-Action-Figures.com.

“We’re very excited to offer this new Locoape Lemmy Kilmister Motörhead figure to our customers,” says Josh Lundorff, owner of Rock-n-Roll-Action-Figures.com. “Motörhead has played a critical role in the evolution of heavy metal, hard rock and punk and Lemmy’s notoriety is legendary. Locoape did a great job manufacturing a figure of exceptional quality and detail, and our ability to offer this great figure at a modest price makes this an ideal showpiece for serious collectors and musicians, as well as pop culture enthusiasts and even casual fans. We invite everyone to explore our catalog of exciting products!”

-GW

Tingly

August 30th, 2008, 05:21 AM

PINK FLOYD CRUISE WITHOUT PINK FLOYD

Kiqstart Music, an entertainment company based in New York, NY and Think Floyd USA, the number one touring production of Pink Floyd in the country, announced plans to host the first Pink Floyd themed cruise aboard a Carnival Cruise Ship to the Bahamas. Dubbed "Great Gig in the Sea," the cruise will allow Pink Floyd music fans to combine sun and sea with an amazing concert experience.

The one-of a kind voyage will feature the music of Think Floyd USA: The American Pink Floyd Show, and will celebrate material from Pink Floyd's earliest days through the present. Think Floyd USA will take listeners on a musical and visual flight through the Pink Floyd galaxy performing all of Pink Floyd's classic hits from legendary albums such as Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, Animals and the all time classic, The Wall.

Think Floyd USA: The American Pink Floyd Show goes beyond the typical tribute act with an unparalleled performance and light show. They have performed before Roger Waters at Milwaukee's Summerfest and have received personal acclaim from David Gilmour himself. The band has been performing to packed houses at numerous arenas, theaters, festivals and casinos around the country, and will be the first tribute band to headline a stage at Milwaukee's famed Summerfest this summer.

"This cruise provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity for Pink Floyd fans to come together and enjoy the exceptional music and memories of one of the most celebrated performing acts of all time, combined with a truly outstanding vacation experience," said Justin Seidenberg, co-owner of Kiqstart Music.

Cruisers should also be prepared to hear special shows each night, such as Dark Side of the Moon performed in its entirety. Dark Side has held the record for the longest duration of any album on the Billboard 200 and has sold over 40 Million copies worldwide. Other unique events will feature "special guests," Pink Floyd trivia, parties and games.

"We are excited to be a part of this unique concert experience. Floyd fans are so passionate about the band and love to get together to celebrate the music...its going to be a blast," said Mitch Blumfield, vocalist in Think Floyd USA.

Tickets for Great Gig in the Sea are onsale now at GreatGigintheSea.com.

-GW

Tingly

August 30th, 2008, 05:26 AM

JUDGE SAYS GUNS & ROSES BLOGGER'S DRAMATIC ARREST WAS UNNECESSARY

In his hearing this week, a judge questioned the necessity of arresting
Guns N’ Roses leaker Kevin Cogill, calling it unnecessary.

The man who posted nine songs from the previously unheard sessions for the forever-in-production Chinese Democracy was shown some leniency by the court as the presiding judge felt the proposed $50,000 bail was excessive and noted that a court summons would have been sufficient.

Instead, as Cogill’s girlfriend Shana told Rolling Stone, “They put him in handcuffs. They let me get him a shirt, and shoes without any laces before they took him away.”

Cogill has a preliminary hearing scheduled for September 17, and if he’s found guilty of violating federal copyright law, he faces up to five years in prison.

-RS

Tingly

August 30th, 2008, 05:29 AM

FOO FIGHTERS TO HELP INTRO METALLICA'S NEW ALBUM

Next Thursday, Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins will host a radio program marking the world premiere of another band’s album, as the Foo duo will help
Metallica debut Death Magnetic on radio stations across the country.

According to a post on the Metallica’s website, “On Thursday, September 4, we’re going to hang out, play tracks from Death Magnetic and chat with Dave and Taylor.”

The hour-long program will be broadcast live from Metallica’s HQ to radio stations across the country, as well as stream on both the Metallica and Mission: Metallica websites.

Details about which stations will carry the program should be announced soon. For fans, the prospect of hearing some Death Magnetic on the radio a week before its release definitely beats murky song streams and 10 second snippets.

-RS

Tingly

August 30th, 2008, 05:30 AM

RYAN ADAMS WITH OASIS IN VANCOUVER

The once scarily prolific Ryan Adams hasn’t put an album out in a while, but that didn’t stop him and his band the Cardinals from hitting the road with Oasis or from presenting a stirring set in Vancouver’s huge GM Place. Adams stuck mostly to songs from 2005’s Cold Roses and points forward, including a handful of new tunes that resulted in lengthy jams with his air-tight band. Liam Gallagher watched “Everybody Knows” and “Off Broadway” from the side of the stage and Adams mentioned that coming up after him was “one of the best bands in the world.” The best? Fellow Mancunians the Smiths, he said. “They must put something in the water there,” he said, before exiting on “Easy Plateau.”

Oasis took the stage with their trademark swagger, blurring the line between cockiness and contempt. The band dropped in a healthy dose of Definitely Maybe in between the more recent (but less infectious) singles like “Songbird” and “Lyla.” When the hit list arrived (with the buzzsaw that is “Morning Glory”), Noel taunted the audience with, “That was what you wanted, right?” For the remainder, they balanced old sing-alongs with new tracks from the upcoming Dig Out Your Soul, which were hungrily absorbed if not totally accepted. After spitting “Wonderwall,” Noel cautioned the next was their last (he lied; they returned with “Champagne Supernova” and “I Am the Walrus”). When the crowd booed Oasis’ departure, Liam snarled, “Don’t you ******* boo” as he exited with the same swagger.

Ryan Adams & The Cardinals Set List:
“Peaceful Valley”
“(New Song)”
“(New Song)”
“Mockingbird”
“Bartering Line”
“Off Broadway”
“Cold Roses”
“Shakedown on 9th Street”
“Cobwebs”
“Everybody Knows”
“Easy Plateau”

Oasis Set List:
“Rock & Roll Star”
“Lyla”
“The Shock Of The Lightning”
“Cigarettes & Alcohol”
“The Meaning Of Soul”
“To Be Where Theres Life”
“The Masterplan”
“Songbird”
“Slide Away”
“Morning Glory”
“Ain’t Got Nothin”
“The Importance Of Being Idle”
“Wonderwall”
“Supersonic”
“Don’t Look Back In Anger”
“Falling Down”
“Champagne Supernova”
“I Am The Walrus”

-RS

Tingly

September 3rd, 2008, 05:35 PM

EGYPTIAN TYCOON CHARGED WITH SINGER'S MURDER

Melbourne, September 3 : An Egyptian tycoon has been charged with hiring a contract killer for Lebanese pop singer Suzanne Tamim's murder, reportedly his one-time lover.

Egyptian prosecutor Abdel Meguid Mahmud has revealed that Hisham Talaat Mustafa has been charged with paying two million dollars for brutally killing Tamim at her upmarket flat in Dubai in July.

Tamim, who rose to fame after winning a Lebanese talent show in 1996, was stabbed several times and her throat cut, allegedly by a retired policeman paid by Mustafa.

A judicial source has revealed that Mustafa, who runs the Talaat Mustafa Group real estate conglomerate worth several billion dollars and is close to President Hosni Mubarak's son Gamal, has been arrested and is being held pending trial.

Retired Egyptian policeman Mohsen al-Sukkari has also been arrested and charged with carrying out the murder.

The prosecutor has revealed that Sukkari confessed to Mustafa's involvement in the case after his arrest.

Mustafa and Sukkari may face the death penalty if convicted, reports the Daily Telegraph.

-ANI

Tingly

September 3rd, 2008, 05:36 PM

BRITNEY WILL BE BACK AT MTV SHOW

Britney Spears's appearance on the MTV Video Music Awards last year may have been a train wreck, but that hasn't stopped the network from inviting her back.

MTV announced Wednesday that Spears will again kick off the music video awards show, scheduled for Sunday.

It will be something "fun and unexpected," rather than a dance performance, said network president Van Toffler.

Toffler even hinted that another troubled star might make an appearance — Michael Jackson.

"We've been talking to him as well, I don't know if that's going to happen," he said. "People fall in and fall out up until the day of the show."

So far, confirmed performers for Sunday's show include the Jonas Brothers, Lil Wayne, Rihanna, T.I. and Kid Rock.

Spears's painful performance of Gimme More at the awards ceremony last year was just part of a disastrous year for the pop princess.

Still, she was a ratings winner for the network — the number of viewers was up 23 per cent over the 2006 show.

But with her personal life still overshadowing her career, what's in it for Spears?

"MTV has long played an important role in my career. How can I not be there to kick off their 25th VMAs? I'm excited to open the entire show, to say hi to my fans and to be nominated," Spears said in a statement.

Spears is nominated for three VMAs, including video of the year, for Piece of Me

-cbc

Tingly

September 3rd, 2008, 05:38 PM

AGUILERA WILL RELEASE ALBUM THRU TARGET

NEW YORK (AP) — Christina Aguilera has become the latest musical act to release an album exclusively through one retailer.

The multiplatinum singer announced Wednesday that her greatest hits CD Keeps Gettin' Better — A Decade of Hits will be released only at Target. The CD, out Nov. 11, will feature two new songs as well as rerecorded versions of two other hits, Genie in a Bottle and Beautiful.

"I can't believe it's been over 10 years since my first album and it was really exciting to put all of my favorite songs in one collection for my fans," said Aguilera in a statement.

Aguilera is following a growing list of acts who have struck exclusive deals with retailers. Wal-Mart has had huge success with similar deals with The Eagles, Journey, and Garth Brooks; AC/DC's October release of Black Ice will be available only at Wal-Mart, its affiliated Sam's Club and the band's website. The Eagles comeback album, Long Road Out of Eden, was the third-best selling CD of 2007 with 2.6 million copies sold.

Target exclusively released John Legend's Live from Philadelphia in January and has had other exclusive releases of special edition albums by the likes of Alicia Keys and Carrie Underwood.

Tingly

September 3rd, 2008, 05:40 PM

NOKIA LAUNCHES MUSIC SERVICE

Mobile-phone giant Nokia (NOK) has taken a major step in its drive to move beyond selling hardware and into the potentially lucrative business of online content and services. On Sept. 2, the Finnish company officially launched its so-called Comes With Music offering, a new approach to selling digital music aimed at challenging the Apple (APPL) iTunes music store and the growing popularity of Apple's iPhone.

The Comes With Music service, first announced late last year [BusinessWeek.com, 12/4/07], bundles access to digital music into the purchase price of a handset. Starting in Britain in October and spreading later to other countries, buyers of the Nokia 5310 XpressMusic device, which is designed with hard-core music fans in mind, will get a year's unlimited access to the Nokia Music Store. They can download as many songs as they like and keep them even after the subscription expires.

The service also will let users share songs with other subscribers -- creating online communities that could prove to be a powerful form of marketing. "Sharing music becomes legal, and you can start to build the offering into a social network," says Tero Ojanper, executive vice-president and head of the Nokia Entertainment & Communities business.

One-Price Service Nokia hasn't yet revealed how much higher the price will be for the 5310 XpressMusic with the bundled music service than for the existing 5310, which now sells for about $200 before operator subsidies, or $50 on a two-year contract with T-Mobile USA (DT). The company also hasn't said whether it will offer annual subscriptions to the Nokia Music Store from other MP3-capable phones. Currently, customers can buy music by the song or album, or subscribe to streaming music.

After Apple encroached on Nokia's turf with its phenomenally successful iPhone, Comes With Music represents an attempt by Nokia to grab a share of the digital music market now dominated by iTunes. Currently, buyers of iPhones or iPod music players must pay extra to download songs from iTunes. Nokia is challenging that business model by charging one price for both the device and the service. "The goal is to get people to listen to more music on their mobile phones," Ojanper says.

-Red Orbit

Tingly

September 3rd, 2008, 05:42 PM

SLIPKNOT TAKES NO. 1 SPOT

Slipknot's "All Hope Is Gone" barely wins out over the Game's "LAX" in the race for No. 1 on The Billboard 200 this week. The Roadrunner set moved 239,516 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan, only 1,134 more than the rapper's Geffen album at 238,382.

This marks the first No. 1 for the masked hard rockers, who scored a No. 2 with 2004's "Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses" and a No. 3 with 2001's "Iowa" (named for the group's home state). The Game's last two efforts, 2006's "Doctor's Advocate" and 2005's "The Documentary," both debuted at No. 1.

Kid Rock's "Rock N Roll Jesus" (Atlantic) takes an 11% sales hit to 89,000, falling 2-3. After two weeks at No. 1, the Jonas' Brothers' Hollywood set "A Little Bit Longer" slides to No. 4 with 80,000 (-45%).

The "Mamma Mia!" soundtrack (Decca) slips 4-5 on an 11% decrease to 78,000. With only a 5% loss in sales, Lil Wayne's "Tha Carter III" (Cash Money/Universal) climbs a slot 7-6 with 54,000.

The multi-label compilation "Now That's What I Call Country," the latest version of the successful "Now" series, debuts at No. 7 with 50,000. Other spin-offs of the hits-based collections include Christmas tunes, Latin music, No. 1s, '80s hits and classic rock. Of these offshoots, only the "Now No. 1s" set boasted a bigger opening week, when it started at No. 6 with 90,000.

-Billboard

Tingly

September 3rd, 2008, 05:43 PM

F YEAH FEST A BIG SUCCESS IN L.A.

A long list of US bands brought a DIY aesthetic to this year's F Yeah Fest in Los Angeles.

When financial backers pulled out at the last minute, festival organiser Sean Carlson put himself into debt so the show could go on. The result was a diverse array of musical acts that performed at the Echo and Echoplex over Labor Day weekend.

Glass Candy delivered one of the highlights of the festival, entrancing the crowd with deep driving beats and synth sequences. Ida No's flamenco-style dancing inspired a crowd member to storm the stage and mirror her moves. No handed him the microphone to sing a few lyrics before security escorted him off-stage.

Later, when an audience member handed her a book titled 'Man, Myth and Legend', she read from it while Johnny Jewel added synthesizers to create an impromptu song.

The Portland band also debuted a new tune called 'Beats Alive' during their energetic, sexually-charged set.

Self-described tropical LA punks Abe Vigoda got the crowd dancing despite a guitar malfunction. Several audience members sang along to 'Skeleton', the title track off of the band's new album, as the band closed their set.

Brooklyn duo Matt and KIm brought their trademark joyful energy to the proceedings. Matt constantly shared funny stories between songs and Kim maintained an ear-to-ear smile throughout their entire set.

Matt played a few bars of Beyonce's 'Crazy In Love' on his keyboard before saying, "Just kidding, how about this one?" and segueing into a cover of the hook from Dead Prez's 'Hip Hop', which prompted an audience sing-along.

A joyous rendition of 'Yeah Yeah' got people moshing and crowd surfing, before the duo ended their set with 'It's A Fact'.

LA's No Age closed out Saturday with a punch, performing a cover of LA punk band the Urinals' 'Male Masturbation' and working the crowd into a frenzy.

The duo assaulted the crowd with their short, loud and intense songs, and encouraged the crowd to get rowdy. "You guys tired? **** that. If you're not tired let's tear this up," drummer Dean Allen Spunt told the audience, who complied.

Randy Randall then asked security to hang back as they had been trying to curb the constant stage-diving during the set, and invited anyone who knew the lyrics to The Misfits' 'Night of the Living Dead' to join them on stage to sing along.

Organiser Carlson came on stage and threw the microphone into the audience, and Randall did a final stage dive, bringing their set and the rowdy night to a close.

-NME

Tingly

September 3rd, 2008, 05:45 PM

AKON GOING TO TRIAL FOR TOSSING FAN OFF STAGE

Akon is headed to trial on criminal charges he tossed a fan offstage at a concert last summer.

The 35-year-old singer is accused of throwing a teenager off the stage during a June 2007 concert at a minor league baseball stadium near Poughkeepsie, N.Y. Another concertgoer said she suffered a concussion when the boy landed on her.

Akon, whose real name is Aliaune Thiam, asked for the jury trial during a brief appearance today (Sept. 3) with his lawyer in Fishkill Town Court. He's due back in court for trial Dec. 1 unless a deal is negotiated in the meantime.

He pleaded not guilty in December to misdemeanor charges of endangering the welfare of a minor and second-degree harassment, a violation.

In court today, Judge Harold Epstein met privately with Akon's lawyer, Andrea Zellan, and Dutchess County Assistant District Attorney Anthony Parisi before announcing the case would go to trial unless a deal is reached.

"We are pleased that Judge Epstein adjourned the case to a date certain for either a trial or a negotiated resolution," Zellan said in a prepared statement. "Akon looks forward to putting this incident behind him, and in the meantime he will continue to meet every requirement set forth by the court."

-Billboard

Tingly

September 3rd, 2008, 05:47 PM

GUITAR DUO RELEASING NEW ALBUM

Rodrigo y Gabriela are set to release a live album next month.

October 20 will see the Mexican duo release 'Live In Japan', a two-disc CD and DVD set.

The release was recorded at Tokyo's Duo Club on March 30 this year: their first-ever Japanese show.

The album's tracklisting will be:

'OK Tokyo'
'Juan Loco'
'Orion'
'Foc'
'Satori'
'Ixtapa'
'Vikingman'
'Take Five'
'One'
'Gabriela Solo'
'Rodrigo Solo'
'Stairway To Heaven'
'Tamacun'
'Diablo Rojo'

The DVD will feature footage of the band playing the following songs:

'Sartori'
'Ixtapa'
'Vikingman'
'Tamacun'
'Diablo Rojo'

Tingly

September 3rd, 2008, 05:49 PM

NEW STREAM MEDIA WILL RECORD & DISTRIBUTE CONCERTS FROM 2 LONDON VENUES

Digital content provider New Stream Media (NSM) has inked licensing deals with the four majors, allowing it to record and distribute concerts at London's O2 and indigo2 venues.

NSM -- the venues' digital content partner -- has signed deals with Universal Music, EMI, Warner Music Group and Sony BMG in the U.K. to transmit recordings of concerts via digital TV, mobile networks and the Internet. The deal with Sony BMG also includes distribution in continental Europe.

NSM's contract with AEG, operator of the O2 Arena and indigo2, already gave it first option to provide digital platforms for events at the two venues. It has previously recorded live shows by the likes of Elton John, Keane, Kaiser Chiefs and the Sugababes, making them available to download via O2 Active, a mobile service from the venues' mobile carrier sponsor O2.

In June, NSM teamed with U.K. content-production company Spin TV to produce "Live at indigo2," a series of events transmitted on commercial digital-TV network ITV2, and available for audio and video download through online retailer 7digital.com.

And the major-label licensing agreements will create further digital opportunities, according to NSM's managing director, Abigail Hemingway.

"It gives us a stronger platform from which to propose ideas to artists performing at the O2 [Arena] and indigo2, and to create better content from the events," she tells Billboard.biz. "It allows us to be more creative."

Hemingway says deals with several indies are also in place. Future plans include streaming events live.

-Billboard

Tingly

September 3rd, 2008, 05:51 PM

STEVIE WONDER TO RECEIVE GERSHWIN AWARD FOR POP

Legendary singer/songwriter Stevie Wonder has been chosen as the second recipient of the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. The award presentation will take place in the Library's Great Hall on Feb. 23, 2009. A concert celebrating the award is being planned for the following evening.

In addition to the prize, Wonder has accepted the Library's offer of a musical commission. With that acceptance, Wonder enters a circle of noted composers -- including Aaron Copland, Leonard Bernstein and Paquito D'Rivera -- who have received Library commissions.

"It's an immense privilege to join such a remarkable roster of musicians and composers," said Wonder in a statement. "I am touched to receive this honor and look forward to creating music for the celebration."

A winner of 25 Grammy Awards, Wonder was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 and the Songwriters' Hall of Fame in 2002. In 2005 the Library of Congress placed Wonder's 1976 double album "Songs in the Key of Life" in the National Recording Registry, which recognizes recordings that are "culturally, historically or aesthetically important and/or inform or reflect life in the United States."

The first Gershwin Prize -- established in tribute to the legacy of composer siblings George and Ira Gershwin -- was awarded in May 2007 to singer/songwriter Paul Simon. This year's Prize advisory committee was comprised of Simon, singer/pianist Michael Feinstein, "Saturday Night Live" creator and producer Lorne Michaels, music producer Phil Ramone and New Orleans singer/songwriter/producer Allen Toussaint.

-Billboard

Tingly

September 4th, 2008, 05:00 AM

RIMES SAYS IT'S HARD TO FINISH SOME SONGS ON STAGE

Country singer LeAnn Rimes says she has trouble finishing songs on stage as she gets older.

Contactmusic.com reports that the 26-year-old has been singing ever since she was 13 and she thinks all those years of performing have made her emotional.

Rimes said: 'There is so much more emoting that goes into it. When I was a little kid, I was always an actress, really playing a part.

'These are real experiences. These are my words and these are my feelings. There's just this emotion that goes into it. I go onstage sometimes and can't get through songs... it's a completely different connection,' she added.

-IANS

Tingly

September 4th, 2008, 05:02 AM

AUSTRALIAN PIRATED DVD BUST

A 63-year-old Melbourne resident has been charged with importing and selling Australian $220,000 ($183,000) worth pirated movie and music DVDs, some allegedly imported from India among other countries.

According to the Australian Federal Police (AFP), the man is said to sold the DVDs imported from various countries, including India, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Singapore and the US.

The investigation began after the Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft (AFACT) located a suspicious seller of DVDs on an internet auction website. More than 5,000 copies of movies and music DVDs were seized from the man's home.

'The AFP is working closely with its industry partners to disrupt organised intellectual property crime. This investigation shows that criminals, who seek to sell unauthorised copies for financial gain, risk facing criminal prosecution,' AFP national manager for economic and special operations Warren Gray said.

The maximum penalty for these offences is five years imprisonment and/or a fine of $60,500 per infringement.

In October last year, customs officers in Sydney had seized more than 11,000 pirated Indian movie DVDs. The Bollywood counterfeits were in two commercial consignments from Singapore.

-IANS

Tingly

September 4th, 2008, 05:03 AM

BJORK IS ANGRY

Icelandic singer Bjork is upset with the lack of credit she got for her work on her 2001 album 'Vespertine'.

Ananova.com reports that sound engineer and music producer Valgeir Sigursson has been getting the credit for the album.

In an open letter to the Icelandic paper Raykavik Grapevine, Bjork wrote: 'It still feels like after all these years people cannot imagine that women can write, arrange or produce music. I have experienced many times that the work I do on the computer gets credited to whatever male is within a 10-metre radius.'

She was not happy with the newspaper for supposedly wrongly crediting Sirgursson as producer of the album.

-IANS

Tingly

September 4th, 2008, 05:04 AM

FAMOUS BERLIN MUSIC HALL NEARING BANKRUPTCY

London, September 4 : The Friedrichstadtpalast music hall in Berlin, where actress Marlene Dietrich made her debut, is reportedly on the brink of bankruptcy.

An official in the city's culture department has revealed that the music hall, known for upholding a tradition of near-naked young women performing risque dance routines with almost military discipline, has appealed to Mayor Klaus Wowereit to provide 2.8million pounds to fend off imminent financial collapse.

"This was completely unexpected. It is deeply worrying and depressing," Times Online quoted the official as saying.

The theatre is said to be working at 60 per cent capacity, and is relying heavily on annual government subsidies.

Wowereit considers the music hall to be a vital part of the city's image, but he still has to convince the city's Parliament to spend more money on it.

Young adults in the city, however, do not seem to be in a mood to support funding for the hall.

"Chorus girls? That's something for my grandad," said Eike Depping, a 23-year-old student wheeling her bicycle past the huge music hall.

"This is Berlin, not Las Vegas. You don't have to pay for a theatre ticket to see women without clothes," the student added.

-IANS

Tingly

September 4th, 2008, 05:07 AM

NEW YNGWIE ALBUM DUE OCTOBER 14!!

Perpetual Flame, Yngwie Malmsteen's latest studio album, will be released on October 14, 2008. The album will be the first Yngwie album to be released via Rising Force Records (distributed via Koch), while the album also marks the debut on an Yngwie album by ex-Judas Priest/Iced Earth frontman, Tim "Ripper" Owens.

The album will feature 12 tracks spanning more than 70 total minutes. Joining Yngwie and Ripper on the album is keyboardist Derek Sherinian and drummer Patrick Johansson (Yngwie contributed bass, additional keyboards and vocals), but on tour, Michael Troy will supply keyboards, and Bjorn Englen will be laying down the bass. A supporting tour of the U.S. and Canada is slated to run through all of October.

In addition to the arrival of Perpetual Flame in October, Yngwie will be inducted into the Rock Walk in Los Angeles on Monday, October 13th.

Additionally, a new Fender/Yngwie Malmsteen custom shop guitar will be unveiled on November 28th (with a limited run of 100 instruments) and there will be a series of CD reissues of Yngwie classics to soon be announced.

Perpetual Flame Track Listing:

1. Death Dealer
2. Damnation Game
3. Live to Fight (Another Day)
4. Red Devil
5. Four Horsemen (Of the Apocalypse)
6. Priest of the Unholy
7. Be Careful What You Wish For
8. Caprici Di Diablo
9. Lament
10. Magic City
11. Eleventh Hour
12. Heavy Heart

YNGWIE MALMSTEEN 2008 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES:

SEPTEMBER 28, 2008 SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO – CENTRO BELLAS ARTES
OCTOBER 4, 2008 SAN ANTONIO, TX – SCOUTBAR
OCTOBER 5, 2008 DALLAS, TX – GRANADA THEATER
OCTOBER 8, 2008 SAN DIEGO, CA – HOUSE OF BLUES
OCTOBER 9, 2008 ANAHEIM, CA – HOUSE OF BLUES
OCTOBER 10, 2008 LAS VEGAS, NV – HOUSE OF BLUES
OCTOBER 11, 2008 VENTURA, CA – MAJESTIC VENTURA THEATER
OCTOBER 12, 2008 LOS ANGELES, CA – AVALON
OCTOBER 17, 2008 ROYAL OAK, MI – ROYAL OAK THEATER
OCTOBER 19, 2008 CHICAGO, IL – HOUSE OF BLUES
OCTOBER 21, 2008 WILLIAMSVILLE, NY – CLUB INFINITY
OCTOBER 24, 2008 SAYREVILLE, NJ – STARLAND BALLROOM
OCTOBER 26, 2008 NEW YORK, NY – BLENDER THEATER

--GW

Tingly

September 4th, 2008, 05:08 AM

EXODUS RE-RECORDS 1985 'CLASSIC'

Legendary Bay Area thrash band Exodus have re-recorded their 1985 classic Bonded By Blood album, with new vocals handled by current Exodus singer Rob Dukes (replacing the original vocal tracks by late frontman Paul Baloff).

"After many years in the planning and discussion stage, we have finally completed the re-recording of Bonded By Blood," says longtime Exodus guitarist Gary Holt. "We have decided to call it Let There Be Blood and it is our way of paying homage to [original singer] Paul Baloff by showing how relevant these songs we had written together still are. We aren't trying to replace the original, that's impossible anyway. We are just giving these songs the benefit of modern production. It's something we talked about before Paul's death and it's always been important to us to do. We were super excited about entering the studio once again to record these classics, and now it's back to writing the next studio record!"

The release date for Let There Be Blood is October 28, 2008 through Zaentz Records.

Produced by Gary Holt, Let There Be Blood was recorded at Sharkbite Studios in Oakland, CA, JKZ Production Studio in San Rafael, CA, with vocal tracks by Rob Dukes recorded at J. Rod Production Studios in New City, NY. Andy Sneap mixed and mastered the album at Backstage Studios in Derbyshire, UK.

For the troops in the underground trenches, it began in 1982 with a low generation copy of a local band’s three-song demo. For some, it began with their first listen to Combat Records’ version of Bonded By Blood in 1986. Regardless of the year, Exodus are the undeniable forefathers of thrash metal.

Exodus gained huge notoriety in the international underground scene as a result of the tape trading community. Their dynamic guitar riffing, adrenaline-inducing drum work, and bloodied live shows made all the difference in the band’s mission to take Bay Area Thrash to a worldwide audience.

The immortal, must-have, thrash classic Bonded By Blood was released in 1985 via Torrid Records (then re-released in 1986 on Combat Records), and inspired the likes of Testament, Death Angel, Vio-lence and many others. To this day Bonded By Blood is inspiring a whole new breed of thrash metal.

-GW

Tingly

September 8th, 2008, 06:05 AM

BRITNEY SURVIVES MTV AWARDS

Britney Spears made a shining comeback at the MTV Video Music Awards, one year after a disastrous performance there, and took home three awards.

'Thank you so much. Thank you for all the love,' Spears said Sunday night after receiving a 20-second standing ovation before introducing the 25th-anniversary show broadcast live from Los Angeles.

The 26-year-old pop singer won statuettes in all three categories she was nominated for - video of the year, best pop video and best female video - all for the tune Piece of Me.

Chris Brown won best male video for With You. Linkin Park took home the best rock video for Shadow Of The Day, and Lil Wayne won the award for best hip hop video for Lollipop.

Best New Artist honours went to Germany's Tokio Hotel, while Pussycat Dolls were awarded with best dancing in a video for When I Grow Up.

'I can't describe it in any words what we're feeling right now,' said Tokio Hotel's singer Bill Kaulitz, thanking the band's fans all over the world.

Host British comedian Russell Brand, who starred in the movie Forgetting Sarah Marshall, made several quips about the Jonas Brothers' abstinence pledge and his deep desire to have Barak Obama elected president.

The show featured live performances by Christina Aguilera, Rihanna, Kid Rock, Pink, teen dreams The Jonas Brothers, rappers TI, Lupe Fiasco and Lil' Wayne and the rock band Paramore.

The show ended with a performance by Kanye West, who said last year that he would never again appear at the awards show after not winning any prizes. One of his videos won this year for best special effects.

-IANS

Tingly

September 8th, 2008, 06:06 AM

WINEHOUSE GETS BIG CROWD AT 'BESTIVAL'

A crowd of thousands saw British singer Amy Winehouse's strongest show of the summer at Bestival.

Winehouse was 45 minutes late for the festival at the Isle of Wright, but turned up, unlike at Rock en Seine in Paris earlier this week. Although the singer had little of her usual interaction with the crowd, she was in full voice and finished with hits 'Back to Black', 'Love is a Losing Game' and 'You Know I'm No Good', reports contactmusic.com

Earlier, the Specials and Grace Jones appeared as surprise guests.

The festival has suffered from the heavy rain that has been battering Britain over the weekend.

-IANS

Tingly

September 8th, 2008, 06:08 AM

GLITTER PLANS TO MOVE TO IRELAND

London, Sept 8 : English rock and pop singer Gary Glitter is planning on moving to Ireland in order to avoid his five-million pounds fortune from being taxed.

For him, moving to Ireland would mean that he would not have to pay income tax, as according to the Irish law artists are exempted from it.

With there being no official ban on foreign travel for Glitter, he can easily cross the Irish Sea and live a free life as there is no court-ordered supervision also.

As per Glitter's lawyer, Giovanni Di Stefano, the 64-year-old pop singer is making the move to avoid media scrutiny and to save his money.

"If he goes to the South of Ireland he will pay no tax whatsoever because under their system artists and sports people like jockeys are exempt," the Daily Star quoted Di Stefano as saying.

"His earnings would be classed under what they call 'historical artistic earnings'.

"He can't be taxed as these earnings are what are known as 'residuals' - he has not worked in the last seven years," he added.

Restrictions put on him mean he only has to tell police if he plans to travel outside Britain for over three days or spend more than seven days away from home.

If he does not inform the police, he could be jailed for up to five years.

Amazingly his lawyer claimed that after some well-publicised child abuse cases involving priests in Ireland, Glitter would not be a major cause for concern.

"He will probably be left alone over there," Di Stefano added.

-ANI

Tingly

September 8th, 2008, 06:12 AM

BEATLES MUSIC FOUND TO BE POWERFUL MEMORY TRIGGER!!

London, Sept 8 : 'Beatles' music appears to be one of the most powerful triggers of memories, as people can still recall where they were and what they were doing when they first heard the Fab Four's music, according to a new study.

In the study by the University of Leeds, involving more than 3,000 people of all ages from 69 different countries, the research team studied the links between memory and music.

Most responses were from the people between the ages of 55 and 65, who would have been in their teens during the Beatles era in the 1960s.

The song that generated most memories - from first kiss to funerals to hot summer nights was 'She Loves You', followed by 'I Saw Her Standing There', 'Imagine' and 'In My life'.

However, for Americans, 'I Want to Hold Your Hand' evoked more memories.

"We are so impressed with how vividly people could recall memories sometimes from more than 40 years ago, especially when many eloquent and vivid memories appear to have been little recalled in decades," the Telegraph quoted Dr Catriona Morrison from the Institute of Psychological Sciences, as saying.

"This shows the power of music in shaping and reliving sometimes long-neglected memories. We were very keen to examine the levels of emotionality in the uploaded memories.

"We had anticipated that women might have more emotional memories but this has not been substantiated by the data. This again emphasises the universality of the Beatles as a force in people's lives," she added.

The researchers suggest that Beatles music is more than just a mere "auditory cheesecake".

"We argue that music is more than auditory cheesecake. It's a means by which people can account for themselves both as an individual and as part of society," say the researchers.

Professor Martin Conway, also from Institute of Psychological Sciences said: "Music taps you into the history of your times. We have built up evidence that music jogs your memory."

He added that it was possible that happy memories of the Beatles could be used therapeutically to help people suffering from depression.

-ANI

Tingly

September 8th, 2008, 06:24 AM

BRAD PITT LIKES MADONNA

Washington, Sept 8 : American actor Brad Pitt has been pictured as hearing and rocking really hard to a song in his new movie 'Burn After Reading'.

Upon being probed whose song Pitt was hearing to, director Joel Coen immediately named "Madonna".

"But we used something else on the actual soundtrack," Fox News quoted him as saying.

Co-director/writer Ethan Coen concurred: "Something from Madonna."

"I don't know which song though," he added.

Pitt made quite an impression with his moves, and his acting in the movie could even land him an Oscar nomination.

-ANI

Tingly

September 8th, 2008, 06:25 AM

CAMBODIA TO ATTEMPT CRACK DOWN ON PIRATED MUSIC AND VIDEOS

Phnom Penh - Cambodia would begin raids on shops suspected of selling pirated movie DVDs and music CDs, a senior official warned Monday. The South-East Asian nation has become well-known among travellers for its thousands of shops offering dirt-cheap pirated copies of the latest international movies and music, which often hit the stalls before they are in general release overseas.

"The ministry will implement measures imminently to stop the sale of pirated CDs and DVDs to protect the intellectual property of their writers and producers," said Tauch Sarou, undersecretary of state for the Culture Ministry.

"But the ministry alone cannot stop this, so we will cooperate with police and the vendors themselves to stamp the problem out," Sarou said. "It isn't going to stop overnight, but we need the sellers to understand the issue and why we must do this. We will not stop until they do."

The ministry called a meeting of bootleg vendors Friday to warn them of the new crackdown, and police said Monday that they were prepared for the raids.

Cambodia's bootleggers enjoyed impunity for years, but the country was accepted as a member by the World Trade Organization in 2003 and the body has given it until 2013 to comply with regulations.

A vendor from Prey Nokor CD near the capital's Central Market said Monday that she understood intellectual property rights well but that sellers found themselves in a catch-22 situation.

On the one hand, nobody imports original work to Cambodia, and on the other, the 2-dollar-per-disk cost for pirated copies prices the genuine articles out of the market, said the vendor who declined to be named.

"However, I will stop if the law is enforced because I know artists have rights even though it will kill my business," she said.

-earthtimes.org

Tingly

September 8th, 2008, 06:28 AM

36,000 PERSON STUDY: YOUR MUSICAL TASTE REVEALS YOUR PERSONALITY!

Musical tastes and personality type are closely related, according to a study of more than 36,000 people from around the world.

The research, which was carried out by Professor Adrian North of Heriot-Watt University, is said to be the largest such study ever undertaken.

It suggested classical music fans were shy, while heavy metal aficionados were gentle and at ease with themselves.

Professor North described the research as "significant" and "surprising".

What does your musical taste say about you?

He said: "We have always suspected a link between music taste and personality. This is the first time that we've been able to look at it in real detail. No-one has ever done this on this scale before."

Prof North said the research could have many uses in marketing, adding: "If you know a person's music preference you can tell what kind of person they are, who to sell to.

"There are obvious implications for the music industry who are are worried about declining CD sales.

"One of the most surprising things is the similarities between fans of classical music and heavy metal. They're both creative and at ease but not outgoing.

More than 36,000 people from all over the world were asked to rate 104 musical styles and also questioned about aspects of their personality.

-BBC

Tingly

September 8th, 2008, 06:30 AM

EMI MUSIC AND WARNER MUSIC JOIN FORCES IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

LONDON and NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - September 8, 2008) - EMI Music and Warner Music Group Corp. (NYSE: WMG) announced today a new marketing and distribution partnership in South East Asia, building on the companies' existing relationship in India, the Middle East and North Africa.

Under the multi-year license agreement, Warner Music Group will market and distribute EMI's worldwide repertoire in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Korea and Thailand. WMG will serve as the exclusive local physical and digital distributor of all EMI Music releases. EMI will continue to develop global digital partnerships which will include these territories.

The two companies already enjoy a successful partnership in India, the Middle East and North Africa, where EMI has marketed and distributed Warner Music's physical product since 2005.

Lachie Rutherford, President of Warner Music Asia Pacific, said, "We are extremely pleased to be expanding our relationship with the talented team at EMI and to have access to their outstanding artist roster and catalog. For WMG artists, this has meant being able to utilize EMI's first-rate infrastructure in parts of the world where our presence has been historically limited. Meanwhile EMI's artists will now be able to fully leverage our South East Asian operations, specifically our marketing teams and vast distribution network of traditional retail, wireless and online partners, through which we've seen great success in recent years."

Adrian Cheesley, EMI Music's President - Asia Pacific/Latin America, said, "This collaboration allows EMI Music and Warner Music to leverage each other's resources locally to the mutual benefit of our artists and our business. In South East Asia, EMI will retain a small regional team in Hong Kong to oversee the local marketing and distribution of our artists' music, working closely with Lachie and his excellent team."

The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

-marketwire

Tingly

September 8th, 2008, 06:31 AM

RAZORLIGHT WILL RELEASE THIRD ALBUM NOV. 3

Razorlight have announced details of their third album.

Titled 'Slipway Fires', the follow-up to the band's 2006 Number One album 'Razorlight' will be released on November 3.

Recorded over the last two months in North London (pictured), it will be preceded by a single, 'Wire To Wire', available on download on September 26, with physical formats released on October 27.

Zane Lowe will premiere 'Wire To Wire' on his BBC Radio 1 show tonight (September 8).

Razorlight singer Johnny Borrell has previously told NME.COM that the album is "sounding ******* incredible".

-NME

Tingly

September 8th, 2008, 06:34 AM

MySpace SEEKING TOP EXEC

MySpace co-founders Chris DeWolfe and Tom Anderson have 243,738,669 friends on the social networking giant, and seemingly almost as many rumored CEO candidates for MySpace Music, their new digital-music joint venture with the major labels.

With the service currently expected to launch later this month, MySpace and its partners are still on the hunt for an executive for the top slot, sources close to the matter said.

The most recent possible candidate to emerge is Andy Schuon, former head of programming of MTV, MTV2, VH1, former president of programming of Infinity Broadcasting and former CEO of Presplay.com, a Universal and Sony-owned precursor of what today is Napster.com.

Schuon is the co-head of "C" Student Entertainment, a boutique radio and mobile media company syndicating broadcast content from gossip and music blogger Perez Hilton.

He is just one of a number of options MySpace (a unit of News Corp, which also owns The Post) and the labels are said to be actively canvassing for the position, sources said.

Just who else is still on the list - which late last week still totaled close to a dozen names, according to sources - was not clear.

Ex-Yahoo Music chief Ian Rodgers, MTV digital music guru Courtney Holt, former MTV executive John Sykes, and former AOL exec Jim Bankoff have previously surfaced as potentials in the screening process, sources said.

MySpace is looking for an exec who can balance experience in music with a strong grasp of its core business.

DeWolfe and MySpace COO Amit Kapur are said to be actively driving the project, and the company plans to make use of its existing sales force of over 300 staffers worldwide, something it already does with MySpace's music properties.

Whoever gets the job may not be inheriting the iTunes killer many in the industry were anticipating - at least at launch.

Much like the current MySpace, which claims more than 15 million unique monthly music and more than 5 million individual artist pages, the service is expected to focus on ad-supported streaming music and video at the outset, with an expanded selection of content.

-NY Post

Tingly

September 8th, 2008, 06:37 AM

OASIS GUITARIST ASSAULTED ONSTAGE!!

BRAD WHEELER
Globe and Mail Update
September 8, 2008 at 2:13 AM EDT

Guitarist Noel Gallagher of the English rock group Oasis was attacked while playing on stage Sunday evening at Toronto Island Park.

Oasis was midway through its headlining set at this year's Virgin Festival when a man rushed the band from the side of the back-stage area and pushed Gallagher during the 1995 hit Morning Glory.

Security personal apprehended an unnamed intruder who was later charged with assault.

After a short break, Oasis did return to the stage to complete the concert, performing wistful hits Don't Look Back in Anger and Wonderwall and three other songs before finishing with the Beatles' I Am the Walrus.

However, the mood of the performance and of the crowd was notably subdued upon the show's resumption.

The interrupted concert was an unfortunate finale to a two-day festival that drew some 40,000 music fans to see acts such as Foo Fighters, Paul Weller, Stereophonics and Bloc Party.

Oasis plays the final concert of its recent string of Canadian dates in London, Ont., on Sept. 9.

-globeandmail.com

Tingly

September 8th, 2008, 06:42 AM

FLORIDA GETTING FILM AND ENTERTAINMENT COMPANIES

The number of film and entertainment industry-related companies in Central Florida -- and the people they employ -- is growing.

So said a new report by the University of West Florida's Haas Center for Business Research and Economic Development.

The Pensacola-based research center's August Employment in the Film and Entertainment Industry in Florida report shows Central Florida was home to roughly 2,158 industry-related firms in 2002 that provided services such as motion picture and video production, teleproduction, record production, broadcasting, sound recording studios and commercial photography.

Last year, that number reached 3,125 established businesses in Orange, Lake, Seminole and Osceola counties, a 45 percent hike.

-bizjournals

Tingly

September 8th, 2008, 06:43 AM

ANNUAL ROCK AND ROCK HALL OF FAME LIST PRODUCING YAWNS

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is proud to induct England's loudest band, Spinal Tap …

OK, that's not a likely scenario, even if the metafictional metal band is finally eligible. But when the nominating committee for the Rock Hall sits down today in New York to hash out nominees, the first step in the process that will elect the class of 2009, it will be choosing from a relatively unappetizing menu of first-time prospects.

The closest thing to the Madonnas, R.E.M.s, Van Halens and U2s that have starred at recent inductions is probably the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Other leading prospects include the Pet Shop Boys, the Jesus & Mary Chain, Nick Cave and a potential controversy generator, Whitney Houston.

Madonna's nomination last year polarized voters and fans — some of whom admired her musical innovations and longevity, others who thought she had nothing to do with the three words that precede "Hall of Fame" in the institution's name. If nominated, Houston probably will stir up even more of a fuss.

"Her entire career lives on the other side of the line from rock 'n' roll — pop and R&B," says Sam Sutherland, senior producer for MSN Music.

As for the rest of this year's prospects, Sutherland says the Chili Peppers have a "broad base of commercial success and critical regard," but he feels the others are marginal possibilities.

Which means the committee will need to turn to holdovers — those previously eligible artists who have yet to gain sufficient support. Among them are previous nominees Chic, Donna Summer and the Beastie Boys (all of whom must confront the "Is disco or rap really rock?" conundrum), and at least one massively popular rock act: Bon Jovi. "They have just enough rock legitimacy and sales power that it's hard to see skipping them," Sutherland says.

A number of perennial fan favorites long ignored by the Hall — Rush, the Moody Blues, Chicago — shouldn't raise their expectations, he says. Their disconnect with the critics and executives who dominate the nominating committee is still in strong effect. But he holds out hope for one long-overlooked legend, Neil Diamond.

"He's got his credibility back, working with (producer) Rick Rubin," Sutherland says. "He's got a much better shot than he did 10 years ago."

-USA Today

Tingly

September 8th, 2008, 06:48 AM

GREAT GUITARISTS LEARNED MORE ABOUT THE GUITAR MAKING DOCUMENTARY

Jimmy Page, the Edge and Jack White say they all learned a little more about the guitar when they sat down to talk about their craft in Davis Guggenheim's entertaining new documentary, It Might Get Loud.

But the White Stripes frontman and U2 guitarist were clearly the ones being schooled in a memorable scene featuring Page, in which the Led Zeppelin axeman plays the searing opening riff to his legendary band's Whole Lotta Love.

The Edge suddenly stands up to get a better look at Page's fingers. A smile tugs at the lips of White.

"You kind of put everything else aside for a second and say: 'Look can we just enjoy the moment?"' White says as he looks back on the experience at a news conference over the weekend.

"I was looking at myself thinking, 'Oh my God, stop smiling,'" adds the Edge, seated alongside his guitar colleagues and wearing his trademark tuque. "[I have a] stupid grin as I'm staring at Jimmy's hands, thinking: 'Oh, that's how it's done."'

The documentary, which is screening at the Toronto International Film Festival, is filled with such moments of musical inspiration as the three guitar gurus discuss their creative processes and their continuing fascination with the instrument.

The film's creators say they wanted to approach three musicians of different generations and styles. They were thrilled to get who they wanted. Page says he was intrigued by the chance to share stories with a new generation of players.

-cbc

Tingly

September 8th, 2008, 06:49 AM

TUNSTALL MARRIES HER DRUMMER

Singer KT Tunstall has married her backing band's drummer, Luke Bullen, in a ceremony on the Isle of Skye.

The 33-year-old singer booked a hotel on the north east of the island for four days for the event, with banns posted in the town of Portree.

She wore a fitted strapless gown covered in crystals and jewellery, while the groom chose a dark suit.

Bullen, 34, proposed on Christmas Day afer paying a surprise visit to her family's home in St Andrews, Fife.

Tunstall is best known for her hit Suddenly I See, which reached number 12 in September 2005.

Her most recent album, Drastic Fantastic, was released in September 2007.

-BBC

Tingly

September 10th, 2008, 05:08 AM

APPLE UNVEILS NEW iPod

Apple, the consumer electronics giant, has unveiled new versions of its popular iPod music player, but failed to deliver the surprises that finicky investors have come to expect from CEO Steve Jobs.

The new iPod line presented by Jobs in San Francisco at a press event Tuesday included a new fourth generation Nano video player. He also slashed the price of the year-old iPod Touch.

But investors signalled their thumbs down as they saw no sweeping changes in products and pricing by Apple. Consequently, the company's shares fell three percent at the end of Jobs speech.

Apple has sold more than 184 million iPods since their 2001 debut. But sales of the iPod, which once accounted for nearly half of Apple's annual revenue, had flattened out by last Christmas.

Now, in a case of cannibalisation, iPhone, the new apple of the company's eye, which comes with its own built-in MP3 player, is threatening to make the iPod obsolete.

The new Nano is thinner than previous models and slightly curved. The display screen changes orientation from horizontal to vertical depending on how you hold the device. iPod Nano incorporates Apple's Genius technology that automatically creates playlists from songs in the music library. An 8-GB model costs $150, the same price as the original 1-GB model marketed two years ago.

Jobs also unveiled cheaper models of its Touch music player, a touchscreen-only device. An 8-GB version now costs $229, down from $299. The 16GB version will sell for $299 and the 32GB model for $399, down from $499.

The new iPod touch is designed to provide up to 36 hours of music playback or six hours of video playback on a single charge, under standard conditions.

Jobs said: 'iPod touch is the funnest iPod we've ever created. Users can listen to millions of songs, watch thousands of Hollywood movies and now, thanks to the App Store, download and play hundreds of great games on their iPod touch.'

In a related development, Apple announced the launch of iTunes 8, a free-download music and video player for Macs and PCs which is integrated with the online content collection, iTunes Store.

The event began interestingly with Jobs, referring to an inadvertent release of his obituary by a business news agency, had a message flash on a screen behind him: 'The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.'

Speculation about Jobs' health has not died down since he appeared gaunt at a recent Apple event. Apple has since said Jobs, 53, a survivor of pancreatic cancer, suffered from a bug and is better. He appeared thin but energetic at the Tuesday event.

Meanwhile, software major Microsoft, struggling to consolidate market share with its Zune digital music player, has revamped the Zune line with a new software that enables users to discover new music and more capacity to store it. The new Zune player was released Monday.

-IANS

Tingly

September 10th, 2008, 05:10 AM

SCARY SPICE BECOMES UNDERWEAR MODEL

London, Sept 10 : English pop singer Melanie Brown walked the ramp for underwear giants Ultimo at the city's historic Metropolitan Pavilion.

The former Spice Girl, also known as Scary Spice, showed off her curvy 34DD figure as she modelled on the catwalk, but she left the skimpier garments to a selection of gorgeous models.

The reception she was given at the show indicated that she was fast becoming popular, and almost at par with Victoria where in terms of fame.

"The show was fantastic! I was so nervous, but as soon as I stepped out onto the catwalk the nerves went out the window," the Sun quoted her as saying.

"All the girls looked great in the lingerie and did Ultimo and Michelle proud - it was a great day," she stated.

Michelle Mone, 36, co-founder of MJM International and creator of Ultimo, was thrilled to bits about the show.

-ANI

Tingly

September 10th, 2008, 05:11 AM

MUSIC HELPS PEOPLE COPE WITH 'ADVANCED ILLNESS'

Washington, Sept 10 : Music therapy can serve as a physical and psychological aid to patients coping with advanced illness, according to a new study.

The researcher team says that the study is the first to gauge -and substantiate - that exposure to music therapy can dramatically improve the mental and physical condition of patients receiving palliative care.

"We've known for a while that music therapy can be used for a wide variety of things in a medical setting," Live Science quoted study author Lisa M. Gallagher, a music therapist with the Cleveland Music School Settlement and The Cleveland Clinic's Horvitz Center for Palliative Medicine, as saying.

"But this particular study clearly shows that it helps improve mood while decreasing pain, anxiety, depression and even shortness of breath among seriously ill patients," she said.

Gallagher was expected to present her findings Tuesday at the American Academy of Pain Management Meeting being held this week in Nashville, Tenn.

In order to reach the conclusion, the authors, between 2000 and 2002, focused on 200 patients battling several types of cancer, noncancerous tumors, pain disorders, sickle cell disease, aortic aneurysm, Gardner's syndrome, AIDS, neurodegenerative conditions, and other so-called "life-limiting" diagnoses.

Patients were between the ages of 24 and 87, with an average age of just over 60. About 60 percent of the patients were women, and the research team noted that almost 30 percent had some sort of musical background.

Music therapy first involved the patient choosing the style of music her or she wanted to hear, after which Gallagher herself (or a music therapy intern under her guidance) played appropriate selections on keyboards. The therapy averaged approximately 25 minutes, during which patient family members were also present about a third of the time.

Physical and psychological tests were conducted both before music therapy and after an initial therapy session. The results indicated that in addition to marked benefits in patient anxiety, mood, pain and shortness of breath, more than 80 percent of the patients said their mood had improved following music therapy.

Movement, facial expression and verbal skills were also found to have significantly improved as well. Having had a prior musical background seemed to play no role, and, for the most part, women and men derived similar benefits from the experience.

-ANI

Tingly

September 10th, 2008, 05:14 AM

MUSICIANS UNION APPROVES ELGIN SYMPHONY 5 YEAR CONTRACT IN ILLINOIS

ELGIN -- The halls of Hemmens Cultural Center will be filled with the sweet sounds of music for the next five years thanks to an agreement reached between musicians and the Elgin Symphony Orchestra.

The Chicago Federation of Musicians, which represents ESO performers, recently ratified a five-year contract with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra after reaching a tentative agreement June 4, according to ESO General Manager Julie Griffin.

"We're always happy to hear that the musicians are pleased with the settlement because that always makes them happy to come to work," Griffin said.

CFM President Gary Matts said he was please with the new deal, which he felt would help allow the symphony to maintain its reputation as one of the state's best orchestras.

"We're very happy," Matts said. "We think it's a good agreement that is something that will allow the Elgin Symphony to continue to attract and maintain highly-qualified musicians for the orchestra and keep the level of performance at the level that their audiences have come to expect."

Griffin said talks began around April, but ratification of the final contract was delayed because the musicians' schedules made it difficult to hold a vote before the Aug. 30 deadline.

She said at no time during negotiations were there any concerns that a new deal would not be reached.

The Elgin Symphony Orchestra is Illinois' second largest, and performs more than 60 concerts a year to more than 50,000 people.

-suberbandchicagonews

Tingly

September 10th, 2008, 05:16 AM

BAND TO GIVE AWAY NEW ALBUM IN RETURN FOR EMAIL ADDRESS

Marillion are set to make their next album, 'Happiness Is The Road', available to download free.

The album, which is set for a conventional CD release on October 20, will be available on peer-to-peer file-sharing sites. When the songs are first played a pop-up box will appear, asking for the downloaders' e-mail address.

The band said that the system was designed to encourage fans to buy gig tickets and merchandise, making money for the band that they might have missed out on by fans not paying for a full album release.

Keyboardist Mark Kelly told BBC News: "Everybody's aware of the effect of peer-to-peer file-sharing on CD sales and the music industry in general.

"Up until recently we've felt fairly immune to that because the fans have been really supportive of the band and, I suppose, because of the age demographic, they do tend to prefer CDs to downloads."

Kelly added that he still expected fans to buy the physical album when it was released, pointing to the fact that Radiohead's 'In Rainbows' album went to the top of the charts when released on CD despite being available online before.

-NME

Tingly

September 10th, 2008, 05:18 AM

NEW MUSIC VENUE OPENING IN KENTUCKY

The Tin Roof live music venue could be open near the University of Kentucky campus in three months if the operators can get the approvals they need from the Urban County Government, founder Jason Sheer said Tuesday.

The first step, he said, is getting a building permit to allow him to double the size and add a large deck to the former Huddle House restaurant at 303 South Limestone, where The Tin Roof will be.

"It won't be recognizable," he said of the small 1,937-square-foot Huddle House, noting the renovation will add some spaces to the 24-space parking lot.

The Tin Roof, which has locations in Nashville and Franklin, Tenn., is a restaurant, bar and stage where singers and small musical groups entertain.

Performers typically include local groups and national headliners, such as Toby Keith, Kenny Chesney and Jon Bon Jovi, who have performed at the Nashville area locations.

"You never know who is going to sit on the stage and start singing," Sheer said. "It's pretty wide open."

The Tin Roof caters to families — Sheer has three children who eat there — as well as young professionals, students and 70-year-old retirees who come to the Nashville location for lunch.

The menu is not typical bar food, he said. "It's more like homemade. It's not just stuff we chuck in a deep fryer. We don't even have a microwave."

The music is not loud, Sheer continued. It is generally singles, duos and trios who sing or play instrumentals of their choice. All types of music are welcome.

Sheer said a drop box will be placed at the Lexington site as soon as construction begins so that local groups can begin leaving recordings and other material for managers to review.

"We are certainly looking for a lot of local talent," he said.

The Lexington location will be managed by Wes Stephens and Tim Gibbons, two longtime Tin Roof employees who will be part-owners of the local Tin Roof.

Sheer, 37, is a New York native who has lived in both Atlanta and Nashville. He started the first Tin Roof in Atlanta in 1995, but sold it before opening in Tennessee.

He plans to open three or four more Tin Roofs in the 18 months after he opens in Lexington. Future locations include Louisville; Birmingham, Ala.; and one or two cities in Florida, he said.

-kentucky.com

Tingly

September 10th, 2008, 05:21 AM

JONAS BROTHERS WILL DO WEBCAST OF NOV. 14 CONCERT TWO DAYS LATER

Fans of the Jonas Brothers can watch them in concert Nov. 16 via a Web site that South Side-based American Eagle Outfitters Inc. has created for its new kids' clothing brand.

The teen band's Nov. 14 concert in Los Angeles will stream over www.77kids.com two days later, and one time only.

The Web event also will include Jonas Brothers concert performance footage, interviews and other exclusive content. The new brand will be introduced online only on Oct. 21 by the clothing retailer, which is running a nationwide sweepstakes. Seven boys and seven girls will win a chance to attend the concert. Customers can register through Oct. 4 on the Web site.

-Tribune Review

Tingly

September 10th, 2008, 05:23 AM

ZZ TOP TIX GOING FOR $50 TO $500

Tickets for ZZ Top's Oct. 19 show at the Washington Pavilion's Great Hall are on sale, with prices ranging from $50 to $500.

Blackberry Smoke will open the show.

Billy Gibbons, Frank Beard and Dusty Hill have toured and recorded for the past 39 years. ZZ Top will begin their six-week In Your Face Tour on Sept. 26 in Wichita, Kan.

-angusleader

Tingly

September 10th, 2008, 05:27 AM

FAMOUS SEATTLE CLUB TO REOPEN AS ROCK VENUE

Fans of the Crocodile Cafe can rejoice.

The shuttered Belltown nightclub, which closed abruptly in December, will reopen as a live rock venue in late January or early February under new ownership. The rejuvenated club will add a dash of rock 'n' roll excitement to the Belltown neighborhood.

Investors in the nightclub where R.E.M., Nirvana, Hole, the Beastie Boys and many other groups played include Marcus Charles, a Seattle club owner and Capitol Hill Block Party co-producer, and his wife, Sheila, as well as Peggy Curtis (a longtime Pearl Jam associate), Sean Kinney (of Alice in Chains) and Susan Silver (manager of Alice in Chains and former manager of Soundgarden).

"What's notable about Susan and Sean is that they're really behind the project," said event planner and club spokeswoman Kerri Harrop. "It's an interesting pool of people from the rock world."

The investment group is committed to live music. The members don't want it to become another Belltown dance club.

"They're conscious of the history of the room," Harrop said. "It's such a well-loved institution in our city."

Remodeling plans include removing the wall separating the original showroom and cafe, creating a larger space with improved sightlines for live music. Capacity will be about 400.

"It makes it an intimate space, without a doubt," Harrop said.

Via Tribunali, the local pizza chain that specializes in wood-fired, Neapolitan-style pizza, will take over the back bar as a separate, adjoining business.

"There's a lot of construction that needs to take place," Harrop said. "And they want to make sure it's done right."

"The Crocodile was a well-worn rock club, with very little done to update the place. It's pretty filthy and pretty worn down."

Some of the club's original decor, including the devil's head and the snakes on the ceiling, may not survive the remodeling.

"People should not expect a cleaned-up version of the old Crocodile," Harrop said. "Nobody wants to open a Crocodile museum. But hopefully the heart and soul of the place will remain intact."

Former Crocodile sound engineer Jim Anderson will again be in charge of sound. The news is sure to delight local musicians who appreciate his skill at getting the best out of a performance.

Anderson will work with Daniel Casado of McCauley Sound on the sound system.

"I've been using McCauley for years," Anderson said. "It's quality stuff. And Daniel actually has an engineering degree. I just twist knobs."

It hasn't been determined who will book the music.

"It's a crucial element for a live music venue, obviously," Harrop said. "A decision will be made soon."

The Crocodile opened in 1991 at the height of Seattle's grunge explosion and immediately became a comfortable hangout for the stars of the local music scene.

Over the years, patrons enjoyed performances by an amazing array of rock luminaries, among them Beck, Yoko Ono, The Ventures, The Presidents of the United States of America, Ann Wilson of Heart, Sleater-Kinney and many others.

In 1992, Mudhoney and Nirvana, billed as Pen Cap Chew, performed for a $3 cover charge. In 1996, Cheap Trick was joined on stage by Pearl Jam.

Robin Pecknold of Seattle band Fleet Foxes was among the last musicians to play the club just before it closed.

"That was my favorite club, for sure," Pecknold said in an interview with the Seattle P-I earlier this year.

"I think it had a good feeling. It was a good place to play and a good place to see a show. All the other clubs are cool, too, but there was something special about that environment, I thought."

After her divorce from R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck last year, former Crocodile owner Stephanie Dorgan struggled with club finances. In December, she left voice messages for employees telling them not to report for work because of financial woes.

"We all knew the club has problems with money, but we certainly didn't think it would be closing right now," Eli Anderson, the club's former booker, told the P-I at the time.

In the months since the Crocodile closed, bloggers have speculated about possible buyers, among them actor Johnny Depp.

Last winter, Groupee Venues applied for a liquor license for the space, but later withdrew the application. In July, Charles, owner of the Bad Lounge, and his wife applied for a license, again fueling speculation about the club's future.

"It's nice to be part of a project where everyone is so enthusiastic," Harrop said. "Everyone's heart is in the right place."

-seattlepi

Tingly

September 10th, 2008, 05:30 AM

WOMAN SUES OVER INJURY FROM THROWN DRUMSTICK

Lisa Gelbard, wife of Broward neurosurgeon Dr. Steven Gelbard, is suing rock singer Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty fame.

Lisa, 43, says she was hurt at a December '05 concert at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Thomas was on tour -- without MB 20 -- to promote his first solo album. A member of Thomas' band threw a drumstick into the audience, and it hit ''about her face,'' says Lisa's complaint, filed by attorney Walter ''Skip'' Campbell Jr. She suffered a cervical herniated disk, Campbell says.

Steve, 51, who attended the concert with Lisa, is party to the suit, filed against Thomas' company, Bidnis. He suffered ''the loss of his wife's services, support, consortium and the care and comfort of her society.'' They have been married since '02.

The doc had his own legal issue a while back -- failure to file income tax returns. He pleaded guilty. Sentence: three years' probation, 180 days' home detention and $31,964 restitution to the IRS. His criminal defense lawyer, Ben Kuehne, says the doctor ultimately received a tax refund.

Thomas, 36, has had a respected career outside of MB 20. He co-wrote the Carlos Santana smash Smooth from the album Supernatural. He has also written for WillieNelson, Mick Jagger and Marc Anthony.

Thomas could not be reached for comment. Broward Circuit Judge Leroy Moe has the case.

-miamiherald

Tingly

September 10th, 2008, 05:39 AM

MIAMI PRODUCER BEHIND BIG DOINGS FOR SEPT. 18 MEDAL CEREMONY IN PHILLY

Another feather in the cap of Miami music maven Judy Drucker: She scored famed pianist Van Cliburn for a Sept. 18 ceremony in Philadelphia during which former President George H.W. Bush will present the Liberty Medal to Mikhail Gorbachev, the one-time Soviet Union president.

Drucker, 80, who produced concerts in South Florida for 40 years, says she and Cliburn, 74, are longtime pals. ``He's played for me many times in Miami, and we got very friendly.''

Fred Stein, Philly-based co-producer of the Liberty Medal Ceremony, asked Drucker to try for Cliburn, who made history 50 years ago when he won the first International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow. ''I thought it was a long shot because Mr. Cliburn does not perform just anywhere,'' Stein says.

Stein worked with Drucker in '95 on Luciano Pavarotti's beachfront concert in South Beach, and again in '06 for the opening of Miami-Dade's performing arts center. Cliburn introduced Drucker at that event.

So Drucker called Cliburn's office in Fort Worth, Texas. ``He called back and said he'd love to come. I'm arranging everything.''

Cliburn's 1958 Moscow triumph propelled him to fame. From npr.com: 'It was at the height of the Cold War, with the U.S. and the Soviet Union posturing over Berlin, nuclear tests and the space race. The competition's judges reportedly asked Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev if they could really give first place to an American. Khrushchev replied, `Is he the best piano player? Then give it to him.' Cliburn returned home to a ticker-tape parade in New York . . .''

Judy Collins will open the ceremony -- Amazing Grace, a cappella. Cliburn will perform Franz Liszt's transcription of Widmung, and entertain at the black-tie dinner that follows. ''He promises to play Moscow Nights,'' Drucker says. She hints that Gorby will lead a sing-along.

The big night is at the National Constitution Center. Drucker, now the Florida Grand Opera's senior artistic advisor, will be there. Of course.

-miamiherald

Tingly

September 10th, 2008, 05:40 AM

NEW SEX PISTOLS DVD DUE OCT. 14

NEW YORK (Billboard) - Punk veterans the Sex Pistols will release their live DVD "There'll Always Be An England" on October 14 in the United States. The Rhino Records release features the original lineup of Johnny Rotten, Steve Jones, Paul Cook and Glen Matlock performing at November 2007 reunion shows at London's Brixton Academy.

"This film is about the unique electricity between the Sex Pistols and their audience," director Julien Temple said in a statement. "The amazing cross section of the crowd at a Pistols gig is like no other, and the Brixton shows last year brought the band to a whole new generation as well as to those that have been there from the very beginning."

In addition to the concert, the DVD package includes more than an hour-and-a-half of bonus footage, such as a feature, "The Knowledge," showing each band member revisiting his old London hunting grounds.

Also on October 14, Rhino will release the band's landmark 1977 debut, "Never Mind the Bollocks ... Here's the Sex Pistols," on 180-gram vinyl.

"Buy one get one for the same price as one," the ever-enigmatic Lydon said on his Web site.

-Reuters/Billboard

Tingly

September 10th, 2008, 05:41 AM

CRUE TO STUDIO CATALOG RE-RELEASE

Mötley Crüe have announced that their complete studio catalog will be rereleased on September 30, 2008 on Mötley Records/Eleven Seven Music (RED Distribution). The catalog includes their eight chart topping studio albums originally released between 1981 and 2000.

The complete studio catalog contains the highly successful albums: Too Fast for Love (1981); Shout at the Devil (1983); Theatre of Pain (1985); Girls, Girls, Girls (1987); Dr. Feelgood (1989); Mötley Crüe (1994); Generation Swine (1997) and; New Tattoo (2000).

Also released on the same day will be 17 of the band’s classic music videos which will be available for download online via all digital music stores.

-GW

Tingly

September 10th, 2008, 05:43 AM

ROADRUNNER RECORDS ANNOUNCES NEW NICKELBACK ALBUM DUE NOV. 18

Roadrunner Records announced today the upcoming new album from multi-Platinum rock powerhouse Nickelback. The band is currently recording the follow-up to 2005’s massively successful All The Right Reasons with famed rock producer Mutt Lange (AC/DC, Def Leppard) in their homebase of Vancouver, B.C.

The album is set for release on November 18, 2008. The first single, “If Today Was Your Last Day,” will be available on September 30th.

-GW

Tingly

September 12th, 2008, 07:03 AM

KANYE WEST ARRESTED IN AIRPORT SCRAP

US rapper Kanye West has been arrested at an airport on suspicion of vandalism after an altercation with a photographer.

A Los Angeles International Airport spokesman said police also arrested West's road manager in the incident on Thursday morning.

Marshall Lowe said that West got into an altercation with a photographer and a camera valued at more than 10,000 dollars (£5,700) was broken.

The incident happened before West and his manager, who was not identified, cleared a security screening at the airport.

Mr Lowe said police are continuing to interview witnesses and West may be charged.

West has had hits in the UK with Stronger and Gold Digger, as well as a number one collaboration this year with British singer Estelle on American Boy.

-ukpress

Tingly

September 12th, 2008, 07:05 AM

OASIS HAS 'BUSKERS' OUT PLAYING THEIR SONGS IN NY

Oasis are using buskers to showcase their new album in New York after they were forced to cancel a concert.

The gig was called off as Noel Gallagher continues to recover from injuries caused after a fan attacked him on stage in Canada.

Gallagher wrote on the band's website that it felt like he had been sparring with champion boxer Ricky Hatton.

The street performances will take place at locations including Grand Central Station, and will be filmed.

'Severe tickling'

The event, sponsored by New York city officials, will see four new songs from Dig Out Your Soul played around the city, including Bag It Up and The Turning.

A number of musical acts will also perform new single The Shock of The Lightning, which is released worldwide on 29 September.

The band's cancelled New York concert was due to take place at the city's Terminal 5 venue.

Fans have been advised to seek refunds at the point of purchase.

In his latest blog posting, Noel Gallagher said he "spent all day in bed suffering from my severe tickling".

-BBC

Tingly

September 12th, 2008, 07:12 AM

6 ARRESTED IN MUSIC SHARING INVESTIGATION

A 25-year-old IT worker from Middlesbrough has been charged with conspiracy to defraud, in an inquiry into the OiNK website, police said.

Five other people have been charged with copyright infringement.

The charges follow an international inquiry into illegal music downloads. The 25-year-old man has been bailed to appear in court later this month.

The IT worker was originally arrested and released on police bail after his home was raided in October 2007.

The raid was part of an Interpol-led investigation, involving music industry bodies the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) and the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).

Other arrests were part of Cleveland Police's operation Ark Royal into music industry piracy.

The OiNK site, which had computer servers based in Holland, was closed down by police last year, amid allegations it was used to share pre-release music.

-BBC

Tingly

September 15th, 2008, 05:43 AM

ROBBIE WILLIAMS AWARDS CHILDREN OF CRISIS

British pop singer Robbie Williams has launched an award scheme for children at his old school who have succeeded against odds.

According to thesun.co.uk, the children will get signed certificates and handwritten messages from Williams. The 34-year-old singer keeps in touch with the St. Margaret Ward Catholic School and Arts College in Tunstall.

His mother Jan said the awards would go to children who overcame crises at home or coped with disabilities.

Willams himself had to overcome drug and alcohol addiction and depression.

-IANS

Tingly

September 15th, 2008, 05:44 AM

McCARTNEY TO GET MOSSAD GUARDS

Beatles singer Paul McCartney will be guarded by Mossad agents as he tours Israel later this month.

Thesun.co.uk reports that politicians have ordered a one million pound (nearly $2 million) Mossad operation to avert an attack by suicide bombers. There are reports that McCartney has angered Muslim fanatics by agreeing to the four-million-pound Friendship First concert to celebrate Israel's 60th anniversary.

A radical cleric Omar Bakri who is in exile declared McCartney as the 'enemy of Muslims'.

-IANS

Tingly

September 15th, 2008, 05:46 AM

KYLIE MINOGUE SET FOR BIG DUBAI SHOWS IN NOV.!

Kylie Minogue has confirmed the date of her two concerts in Dubai, one of which will launch The Atlantis resort.

The Australian pop singer will perform on November 21 before a 20,000-strong crowd at Festival City.

She will also perform on private concert on November 20, attended by 2,000 guests, including business leaders, politicians, actors, musicians and members of the Dubai royal family.

Other media reports say she is performing on November 19 and 20 but a spokesman from Atlantis confirmed the dates to Arabian Business on Monday.

The performances are Minogue’s first in the Middle East. Tickets will go on sale on September 24 and are expected to sell out within a day.

The Atlantis resort officially opens on September 24 - despite a recent fire on September 2 that destroyed the hotel lobby roof and caused smoke damage to the outside of the main hotel building - but the grand opening will take place a few weeks later.

The launch of Atlantis has become one of the most talked about events on the Dubai calendar, with several global superstars linked with the grand opening, including Michael Jackson and Madonna.

The 1,539-room resort will encompass a 46-hectare site with 17 hectares of water-themed amusement parks, an open air marine habitat, beaches, boutiques and restaurants.

-arabianbusiness

Tingly

September 15th, 2008, 05:49 AM

FACEBOOK'S MUSIC PLANS ARE MURKY BUT MySpace IS CHARGING AHEAD

With the launch of the much-anticipated MySpace Music expected within the week, tech industry wags are already asking if MySpace's archrival Facebook has its own "social music" strategy.

Now Facebook, despite bouts of indecision, may be leaning toward a plan: The social music service iLike announced Monday that Radio Retaliation, the forthcoming album from electronica duo Thievery Corporation will make its exclusive debut Thursday on its site. (It probably wasn't a coincidence that Thievery Corporation was the headlining musical act at Facebook's F8 conference in July.)

iLike became a runaway success on Facebook's platform and was selected as one of the social network's preferred "Great Apps" at F8. The music site has debuted albums before, most notably R.E.M.'s Accelerate in February, but this one will be officially promoted by Facebook in a "listening party" that lasts until the album's wide-release debut on September 23.

Facebook's choice to openly promote iLike as a "Great App" and enter into an album release partnership is a distinct shift away from the "neutral platform" image that Facebook has cultivated in the past. So does this mean that Facebook is finally going to embrace music?

Officially, the answer is a coy maybe. "For Facebook to start doing more things with iLike is definitely in the direction of keeping things pressing forward," Ali Partovi, co-founder and CEO of iLike, said in a phone interview last week. He described the Seattle start-up's relationship with Facebook as "ongoing and deep." Facebook representatives produce a standard "no comment" on future plans, except to say that digital music is a niche that the company continues to explore.

Unofficially, the answer isn't all that different. Music industry sources say Facebook has been notably indecisive about its music plans, frustrating industry executives who would love to have another major digital outlet for their music, despite their investments in MySpace's planned music service. It's gotten so bad that executives at one major recording label call Facebook's clumsy two-step of initial enthusiasm and meetings that lead nowhere "the Facebook dance."

A straight-up music service, or some other kind of potentially lucrative music strategy like promotion or ticket sales, hasn't been as natural a fit for Facebook or, for that matter, MySpace (perhaps that will change this week, of course, for MySpace).

This struggle has been going on since 2004, when the creators of Facebook--then a small site limited to students with e-mail addresses from a select number of U.S. universities--built a side project called Wirehog. Now mostly forgotten, Wirehog allowed Facebook members to share their music libraries and other files with people on their friends lists.

Wirehog, which was cross-promoted on Facebook and used the same user credentials but was never officially a part of the site, didn't last long. With obvious potential legal issues, the service was suspended in early 2005.

Company insiders say the music debate has been going on inside Facebook since then. For a while in late 2007 and early 2008, it looked like a Facebook music service might be on the way as rumors spread that the company was negotiating with labels and looking to hire a "music czar." But the most that came out of it publicly was Facebook's "Fan Pages" feature, which were marketed to music artists as well as to other brands, movies, television shows, and products.

With MySpace Music on the way, and entertainment-focused social sites like Imeem and Buzznet making headlines, the pressure is on Facebook to finally make up its mind. One source within the digital music industry said to expect more aggressive music initiatives from Facebook in the next three to five months. Another said that in addition to iLike, Facebook has met with subscription-music companies Napster and Rhapsody. Both make sense: Rhapsody has partnered with iLike to provide full-length music playback, and early Napster exec Sean Parker was Facebook's first president before he left to join the Founders Fund, the venture firm run by Facebook investor Peter Thiel.

"All social networks are aggressively looking at adding social music features to their experience, said one executive in the digital music industry who asked not to be named. "I think for the last six months I've really seen almost every social network out there, the top 20, all making moves to go after social music."

The ad industry, still lukewarm on the prospects of getting good click-through rates from display ads on social profiles, will be more upbeat about serving their inventory on music-related content, the executive said. Entertainment, even digital entertainment, is a more familiar playing field.

Now, there is plenty of "social music" on Facebook. iLike's application is one of many: Imeem, Pandora, and Last.fm (which is owned by CBS, publisher of CNET News) all have applications on the platform. Many bands have created "fan pages" on Facebook, though MySpace remains the hub of choice for most band promotion in the U.S.

But this is where the advertising issue comes up again: Facebook does not charge for external applications on its platform, nor does it take a cut of the revenue. In spite of its ongoing development of "Social Ads" as an alternative to display advertising, advertiser confidence in Facebook and the social-network industry as a whole remains low.

It's not clear how much money changed hands in the Radio Retaliation promotion, but suffice it to say that Facebook would probably make a few bucks if it became known as a hub for promoting and previewing new music. That's one area where MySpace is still the leader--parent company Fox Interactive Media was recently estimated to be the biggest market for display advertising on the Web, regularly pulling in flashy ad packages from movie studios, automakers, and even high-end luxury brands. With a renewed focus on media and entertainment, it's a friendlier destination for ads.

Additionally, Facebook executives have confirmed that the company is working on developing a payment system, something that could have huge implications for both third-party music companies on the site and Facebook's profit margin. If Facebook took a cut of the revenue from the use of a PayPal-like system on its platform, this could mean a lot for sales of songs, tickets, merchandise, and the like.

"Because we're one of the 'Great Apps,' one of the benefits of that includes getting early access to any new features before other applications have access," iLike's Ali Partovi said when asked about how his company would take advantage of a Facebook payment system. "We haven't thought through exactly what the best scenarios are but I think something with respect to tickets would be something to consider."

Not everyone agrees that Facebook, or anyone else for that matter, should count on social music to help it make a profit. This could be why Facebook has hesitated for so long on the music front: it knows it wants to make licensing agreements but isn't sure what the resulting product would be.

Imeem, iLike, and others including the forthcoming MySpace Music count on ad-supported free streaming, a trendy but ultimately unproven business model that one source close to Facebook said the company does not find particularly compelling. High profit margins from digital downloads or streams are "a bit of a fantasy," said another industry source who requested anonymity. "iTunes exists to sell iPods." Billboard magazine estimated earlier this year that iTunes is indeed profitable, likely pulling in between $160 million and $390 million, but that's pocket change compared to the multibillion-dollar iPod industry.

That leads to another reason for Facebook's indecision. Streaming music on Facebook has been a product of third-party companies rather than Facebook itself, and clever legal language in the terms of the developer platform means that Facebook is exempt from many of the legal issues that would require it to negotiate with the labels. Direct negotiations with executives who have caused Apple fits in its iTunes pricing decisions could prove unpalatable to the social site, and an industry source hinted that legal issues, not profit margins, were the driving force behind MySpace Music.

Facebook has thrived on offering products that are, for better or worse, major shakeups in the social-media world. It introduced the "news feed" as a means of social consumption, and the developer platform as a way to bring in outside services, both of which are now industry-wide offerings, and its "Beacon" advertising program made a splash, as well (though not exactly a positive one).

There's no question that Facebook would want a large-scale "Facebook Music" to be equally groundbreaking, but record executives still aren't sure of the social site's intentions. With the official "listening party" for Radio Retaliation, Zuckerberg & Co. are starting to drop a few hints.

-cnet

Tingly

September 15th, 2008, 05:51 AM

DOWNING CONCERT SERIES IN KANSAS IS DONE

The Downing Concert Series, which has raised nearly $1 million for Wichita nonprofit organizations in its three years of existence, will end, at least for now.

“We’re looking forward to a little break,” says Buff Hukle, executive director of the Downing Concert Series.

The series launched in 2006 with a concert by Chicago. Last year, Earth, Wind & Fire came to town.

That was followed in April by Joe Cocker, who didn’t have the drawing power of the two previous acts, but still netted more than $300,000 — about $50,000 less than Earth, Wind & Fire pulled in — for local charities.

-bizjournals

Tingly

September 15th, 2008, 05:53 AM

IRON MAIDEN SINGER FLIES RESCUE MISSION!!

Iron Maiden's lead singer Bruce Dickinson piloted two of the rescue flights sent to bring stranded XL customers home to the UK.

As well as regularly inviting heavy metal fans to Bring Your Daughter to the Slaughter and to Run to the Hills, the singer is a qualified commercial pilot and flew to Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt and the Greek island of Kos to help bring back holidaymakers.

Dickinson, 50, qualified as a pilot in the 1990s and went on to work for Astraeus, a charter company which no longer operates scheduled services but leases its aircraft out across the world.

A spokesman for Astraeus said Dickinson had been employed as a full-time member of staff for the last seven years and regularly piloted planes to Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

"The roster meant that Bruce Dickinson was on holiday when this was going on," the spokesman said. "After XL went bump it just so happened that Bruce, being on holiday, was available and other cabin crew were brought in as well for the flight."

Iron Maiden tours in its own Boeing 757, named Ed Force One after the band's mascot Eddie, and piloted by Dickinson.

-The Guardian

Tingly

September 15th, 2008, 05:55 AM

METALLICA AT TOP OF UK ALBUM CHART!!

Metallica have beaten Glasvegas to the top of the UK albums chart.

The rockers' ninth studio album 'Death Magnetic' entered at the top spot ahead of the Scottish band's self-titled debut, which debuted at Number Two.

In the singles stakes, Kings Of Leon's 'Sex On Fire' debuted at Number One, ending Katy Perry's five-week stint at the top with 'I Kissed A Girl', which slipped to Number Two.

"We're Number One? That sure beats the hell out of being Number Two," Kings Of Leon's Nathan Followill told NME.COM when he heard the news.

Glasvegas' James Allan told NME.COM he never expected to beat Metallica in the album chart battle. See the Glasvegas NME chart news story for the full interview with the singer/guitarist.

The original release date for 'Death Magnetic' was last Friday (September 12). However, the Metallica album was released early, with shops selling copies on Wednesday (September 10).

Elbow's Nationwide Mercury Prize success on Tuesday (September 9) resulted in a leap in sales for their award-winning album, 'The Seldom Seen Kid', propelling it to Number Seven.

The top ten UK singles are:

1. Kings Of Leon - 'Sex On Fire'
2. Katy Perry - 'I Kissed A Girl'
3. Cliff Richard - 'Thank You For A Lifetime'
4. Pussycat Dolls - 'When I Grow Up'
5. Rihanna - 'Disturbia'
6. Eric Prydz - 'Pjanoo'
7. The Script - 'The Man Who Can't Be Moved'
8. Madcon - 'Beggin''
9. Kid Rock - 'All Summer Long'
10. Biffy Clyro - 'Mountains'

The top ten UK albums are:

1. Metallica - 'Death Magnetic'
2. Glasvegas - 'Glasvegas'
3. Rihanna - 'Good Girl Gone Bad'
4. The Verve - 'Forth'
5. Duffy - 'Rockferry'
6. The Script - 'The Script'
7. Elbow - 'The Seldom Seen Kid'
8. Michael Jackson - 'King Of Pop'
9. Abba - 'Gold: The Greatest Hits'
10. Coldplay - 'Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends'

-NME

Tingly

September 15th, 2008, 05:56 AM

JACK WHITE ANGRY WITH COKE

Jack White has distanced himself from a new TV advert for Coca Cola which uses his new James Bond song, 'Another Way To Die'.

The song, a duet with Alicia Keys, will appear as the theme song for the forthcoming Bond film, 'Quantum Of Solace'.

Jack White's song is soundtracking an advert for the drink Coke Zero, which Coca Cola have re-branded Coke Zero Zero 7 to tie in with the film.

However, White's management have issued a statement distancing The White Stripes and Raconteurs man from the advert, claiming that it was not his decision to license the song for use in the promo.

"Jack White was commissioned by Sony Pictures to write a theme song for the James Bond film 'Quantum Of Solace', not for Coca Cola," read the statement. "Any other use of the song is based on decisions made by others, not by Jack White.

"We are disappointed that you first heard the song in a co-promotion for Coke Zero, rather than in its entirety."

-NME

Tingly

September 15th, 2008, 05:59 AM

VINYL MAKING A COMEBACK?!

Step aside, iPod users. Move over, digital downloaders (legal and otherwise). A very cool “new” form of recorded music is growing in popularity with teens, twentysomethings and even their parents: It's called . . . vinyl records?

That's right.

Against all odds in this high-tech age, vinyl albums – those round, 12-inch discs that look like thin Frisbees with a small hole in the middle – are experiencing a resurgence in popularity in San Diego County and across the nation.

Granted, vinyl albums are unlikely to regain the dominant position they held before the advent of CDs, even as CD sales continue to plunge. (CD sales in this country last year totalled 511 million, a 17.5 percent decline from 2006 and a whopping 30.5 percent drop from 2005.)

But sales of vinyl albums, which were officially pronounced dead in the mid-1980s after CDs were introduced to the buying public, jumped to 1.3 million last year. That's a 36.6 percent increase from 2006, according to the Recording Industry Association of America, a figure that is deemed dramatically low by some industry experts.

“I'd have to say there are more than 5 million new vinyl records sold in the U.S. each year. And that's not accounting for the 20 million used albums selling annually,” said Josh Bizar, sales director for Musicdirect, a Chicago company that services nearly 300 independent record and electronics stores around the world.

ALSO MOVING TO VINYL

Metallica's new album, “Death Magnetic,” is available from Warner Bros. not only as a CD with 10 songs, but also in a five-record vinyl box set (one song per side) that goes for $115.

Other artists with upcoming vinyl albums range from such veterans as Bob Dylan, The Pretenders and former Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour to such young acts as Plain White T's, Margot and The Nuclear So & So's and Rise Against. San Diego indie bands that have recent or new vinyl releases include The Muslims, Night Marchers, Lady Dottie & The Diamonds and Pocket, whose debut album is available on CD and in a special double-album set on green vinyl. San Diego band The Creepy Creeps only releases its music on vinyl.

Eager to cash in, major record labels will soon reissue landmark albums on vinyl by such legends as the late Miles Davis (“Kind of Blue”), Jimi Hendrix (“Band of Gypsys”) and John Lennon (“Imagine”).

“Most vinyl albums are sold in independent stores, through mail-order companies and over the Internet, and none of them uses the Nielsen scanning system that tracks sales in national chain stores,” Bizar noted. “Demand for vinyl is through the roof. We had to buy a new warehouse just to store all our stock.”

For the beleaguered record industry, soaring vinyl album sales are providing rare glimmers of hope:

Amoeba Records, Los Angeles' biggest independent record store, is now selling 2,000 vinyl albums a day, up 15 percent from last year, while Best Buy stores nationwide are starting to sell vinyl.

Nationally, turntable sales climbed to nearly 500,000 last year, up from 275,000 in 2006. “We've seen a huge increase in sales, not just for turntables, but also for styluses (needles) and record-cleaning products,” Bizar said.

On Sept. 2, EMI/Capitol Records re-released multiple albums on vinyl by the top rock bands Radiohead and Coldplay, along with the Beach Boys' classic “Pet Sounds,” R.E.M.'s “Document” and The Steve Miller Band's “Greatest Hits 1974-78.”

Consumer appetite for new vinyl is creating production delays. “We're having issues with manufacturing capacity because demand has surged so quickly,” said Bill Gagnon, EMI's senior vice president of catalog marketing in Los Angeles. “We weren't releasing anything on vinyl five years ago.”

Indie-rock favorite Beck – who performs at San Diego's Street Scene festival Saturday – went so far as to have the online MP3 version of his new album, “Modern Guilt,” taken from the vinyl pressing of the album. As a result, the first thing listeners hear on the opening track is the needle dropping onto the original vinyl.

“At this point, everything is coming out on vinyl,” said Heather Johnson, the co-owner of M-Theory, an independent record store in Mission Hills.

“For the more mainstream releases, like Radiohead's 'In Rainbows,' the price of the vinyl album is $17.99 and the CD is $14.99. For the new Calexico album, the CD is $12.99 and the vinyl is $14.99, but it includes a redemption number to get a digital download of the album. And for the new Bon Iver album, both the vinyl and CD versions are $15.99.”

Johnson estimates that new vinyl releases account for 30 percent of M-Theory's sales, while used vinyl sales account for another 30 percent to 40 percent of sales. M-Theory's best-selling new vinyl releases so far this year are by Radiohead, Nada Surf, The Hold Steady, Portishead and My Morning Jacket.

At Lou's Records in Encinitas, the largest indie music store in San Diego County, vinyl sales have grown steadily over the past year while CD sales have continued to decline. The best-selling vinyl albums at Lou's are by Radiohead and indie-rock favorites Dr. Dog and Conor Oberst, along with a recent vinyl reissue of “Pacific Ocean Blue,” the 1977 solo album by Beach Boy Dennis Wilson.

“Our Top 20 selling albums right now are all vinyl,” said Andrew Snodgrass, Lou's manager. “Amazon.com is now selling vinyl, and I think you'll see other places start carrying vinyl, as well.”

This unexpected surge has been dubbed “the vinyl solution” by some. Under any name, it's clear many fans are now embracing vinyl, a medium that – until recently – had little cachet beyond turntable-manipulating DJs and hip-hop producers seeking obscure songs to sample.

In some cases, there's a growing frustration with the thin, compressed sound of MP3 files, which rarely match the warmth and audio depth of vinyl. In others, it's a desire to have a more meaningful experience with music and to be able to enjoy the art on an album sleeve and read the credits and liner notes while listening.

The vinyl payoff is palpable whether listeners are using an old turntable, which can be hooked up to their home entertainment systems, or a new turntable equipped with a USB connector, which allows music from vinyl records to be transferred to a computer. Turntables are available locally at RadioShack, Costco and other chain stores, though styluses can be harder to find outside of specialty stores, such as Stereo Unlimited, or from mail-order Web sites.

“Customers are frustrated with the sound quality of downloaded music and their MP3s are crashing,” said M-Theory's Johnson. “So the growing popularity of vinyl is a backlash to downloading and also a little bit of a generational thing, with kids who grew up on their parents' vinyl now embracing it.”

In the case of San Diego musician Ray Suen, 23, aesthetics and a deep love of music prompted his newfound passion for vinyl.

“I got into vinyl last year,” said Suen, who is now a touring member of top national rock band The Killers, with whom he'll perform on “Saturday Night Live” on Nov. 22.

“The first vinyl album I got was Elvis Costello's 'Imperial Bedroom,' and it was so much more of an engaging physical experience to sit and listen to it. When side one was done, I flipped it over. It demanded my attention; I try not to read or do anything else but listen.”

Suen used to download music from Napster and other pirate music Web sites, he said, but now finds himself buying vinyl copies of many of the same albums he had previously purloined digitally.

“I'm sort of paying penance,” Suen said. “Now that I collect vinyl, I just can't stand CDs anymore. I really think CDs are on their way out.”

So does Musicdirect sales director Bizar.

“The forecast is for the eventual demise of CDs,” Bizar said. “But 50 years from now, there will still be new vinyl albums being made. Vinyl will outlive us all.”

-signonsandiego

Tingly

September 16th, 2008, 04:00 AM

WINEHOUSE FREAKING OUT ABOUT 'LOOKS'

Troubled British singer Amy Winehouse refused to attend her own birthday party after realising how drugs have ravaged her looks.

Winehouse had a furious row with best friend Remi Nicole, as the latter desperately tried to convince her to attend her own 25th birthday bash, reports thesun.co.uk.

Friends and family kept on waiting for the singer at the surprise celebration that had been arranged for her but she refused to leave home.

"Amy was standing in front of the mirror telling everyone how rough she looked. Unfortunately her lifestyle has had a major affect on her appearance and it's only just started to sink in," a friend said.

"She kept saying she was ugly and was in an awful state. They couldn't get her out," the friend added.

IANS

Tingly

September 16th, 2008, 04:04 AM

SOFTWARE DUPLICATES BANDS' ACCOMPANIMENT "STYLES"!

Washington, September 16 : Two University of Southern California researchers have written a piece of software that can help create a musical accompaniment in the style of any chosen artist, or even the particular style used in select pieces by the artist.

Elaine Chew, an accomplished pianist and professor at the USC Viterbi School Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, and graduate student Ching-Hua Chuan have revealed that they started developing the system called ASSA (Automatic Style Specific Accompaniment) two years ago.

"We describe an automatic style specific accompaniment system that makes songwriting accessible to both experts and novices. (T)he system should be able to identify the features important to the style specified by the user, (enabling the user to) ask for harmonization similar to some particular songs," they said while making a presentation at the International Joint Workshop on Computational Creativity in London a year ago.

During the presentation, Chuan and Chew laid out the basics of the system, and tested it on Radiohead songs. They trained the system on three Radiohead songs, and generated chord progressions for the fourth.

The original accompaniment served as "ground truth", that is, the test for the aptness of the accompaniment. Thus, the measure of success was not a subjective perception of whether the accompaniment worked, but rather, based on the observation that it was very close to the band's own accompaniment.

The researchers have since then gone on to a more sophisticated system, which they plan to present in September at the International Conference on Music Information Retrieval.

The ASSA system can be run on any ordinary computer.

"A PC is definitely sufficient for this program," Chuan said.

The researchers plan to continue the work.

Among the possibilities is building an end-to-end interactive prototype that will take user humming input, create the accompaniment, and render it with the appropriate instruments.

-ANI

Tingly

September 16th, 2008, 04:05 AM

DANNII MINOGUE QUITTING MUSIC TO ACT!

Washington, Sep 15 : Popstar Dannii Minogue has revealed that she is ready to quit music to pursue her dream of playing a 'WonderWoman' in a film.

The 36 year old, who has carved a niche as a popstar, has recently signed up to the William Morris talent agency - whose clients include Sharon Stone and Russell Crowe - to make a mark as the 'WonderWoman'.

"I'd love to play her. She is an inspiration for some of my favourite stage outfits," Contactmusic quoted Minogue, as saying.

The 36-year-old made her acting debut in Australian soap operas 'The Sullivans' and 'Home and Away' before carving a niche as a popstar.

-ANI

Tingly

September 16th, 2008, 04:12 AM

HEAVY METAL MUSIC MOVES LUTHERAN MASS ALONG IN FINLAND

Most teens may not get excited about church, but in Finland they go out of their way to attend in the latest testimony to the country's infatuation with heavy metal music: Metal Mass.

"It's nice that there are slightly different church services compared to the usual ones," says 15-year-old Teea Pallaskari, who skipped geography class to make the service in the plain, red-brick Lutheran Church -- the state religion -- in this small town about 60 kilometres (40 miles) north of Helsinki.

Inside, Pallaskari and her classmates squash together on packed pews, belting out hymns as a lead singer moshes wildly onstage to his band's earsplitting tones.

When the music stops, the students burst into ecstatic applause and whistles -- to smiling approval from Pastor Haka Kekaelaeinen. It's Metal Mass -- or Metallimessu -- and it's okay to be loud.

"It was really good," Akseli Inkinen, a 17-year-old high school student with long, messy hair and big headphones, says afterwards.

It is hardly surprising that masses with metal hymns have surfaced in Finland, which won the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time in 2006 with Lordi's monster heavy metal song "Hard Rock Hallelujah".

If it has a niche audience elsewhere, heavy metal is now mainstream in Finland. Helsinki alone abounds with heavy metal karaoke bars, dedicated metal clubs and regular gigs, adding to the dozens of summertime heavy metal festivals held around the Nordic country.

Some say the answer lies in the Finnish character.

"Finns are known to be reserved, serious and very honest ... Somehow heavy metal fits into this as it is no-nonsense, honest, straightforward and quite gloomy," Mikko Saari, a co-founder of Metallimessu, tells AFP.

"When you switch on the radio in Finland, you hear heavy metal music. The Finnish Eurovision Song Contest and even 'Idols' (the Finnish equivalent to the "American Idol" competition), were won with metal songs," says Kimmo Kuusniemi, one of Finland's metal music pioneers.

The first metal mass in Finland was held in 2006 at the "Tuska" ("Pain") metal music festival in Helsinki. Since then, a Metal Mass tour bus has been zigzagging across the country.

"This is not the Church's plan. Bishops did not plan this. It was started by five metal fans, three of whom worked at a church," Saari says.

Not everyone is happy with the mix. Some churchgoers feel loud rock music has no place in a house of God, and some pure metal fans accuse the Lutheran Church of co-opting their music to lure young people.

"Of course some Christian circles were scared and some true metal people were irate. But many said that the idea was great and that they had been waiting for it," Saari says.

Kuusniemi, 50, who is producing a documentary about Finnish metal music, says he too was at first skeptical. "For me, metal mass was a surprise. Metal music and church did not fit in the same room."

But the Finnish music scene has changed dramatically since he started his own band, Sarcofagus, in the late 1970s when the genre was widely considered "devil music", he says.

Today, heavy metal "is truly a mainstream phenomenon, metal is everywhere, and people have a positive attitude towards it."

So far this year, Finland's top 10 album sellers include three heavy metal records: Children of Bodom, Teraesbetoni and Finnish "Idols" winner Ari Koivunen.

Heavy metal gained a foothold in Finland thanks to independent record labels who gave little-known metal bands a chance to record, according to Jouni Markkanen, a promoter and agent with Finnish Metal Events (FME).

But now the big -- and small -- record companies are investing heavily.

"There are many bands with export potential in Finland, it has been proven," says Markkanen, saying Nightwish and HIM as well as Children of Bodom have sold well abroad.

But "we are still waiting for a mega class success."

-AFP

Tingly

September 16th, 2008, 04:15 AM

L.A. STATION CANCELS BENEFIT CONCERT

Los Angeles radio station KCRW has announced the cancellation of its annual 'A Sounds Eclectic Evening' benefit concert, due to scheduling conflicts.

The Duke Spirit and KD Lang were among the performers announced for the seventh annual event, which was to be held at Los Angeles' Gibson Amphitheatre on October 12.

KCRW Music Director Nic Harcourt explained the reason for the cancellation in a statement, saying: "We've always had a high standard for the bands we've invited to play this concert and changing the date to fall - at the end of the summer festival season - proved to be a bigger hurdle than we were expecting," he said.

Instead, the radio station has announced that Lang will perform on the same date at the Malibu Performing Arts Center as part of their KCRW Sessions series.

-NME

Tingly

September 16th, 2008, 04:16 AM

RICHARD WRIGHT DEAD AT 65

LONDON -- Richard Wright, a founding member of the rock group Pink Floyd, died Monday. He was 65.

Pink Floyd's spokesman said Wright died at his home in Britain after a battle with cancer. He says the band member's family did not want to give more details about his death.

Wright met Pink Floyd members Roger Waters and Nick Mason in college and joined their early band, Sigma 6. Along with the late Syd Barrett, the four formed Pink Floyd in 1965.

The group's jazz-infused rock and drug-laced multimedia "happenings" made them darlings of the London psychedelic scene. In the early days of Pink Floyd, Wright, along with Barrett, was seen as the group's dominant musical force. The London-born musician and son of a biochemist wrote songs and sang.

He wrote "The Great Gig in the Sky" and "Us and Them" for the hit 1973 album "Dark Side of the Moon," and worked on the group's epic compositions, such as "Atom Heart Mother," "Echoes" and "Shine on You Crazy Diamond."

-seattlepi

Tingly

September 16th, 2008, 04:18 AM

BRITNEY COMING OUT WITH NEW ALBUM

Britney Spears' second comeback is in full swing: She's due to release a new album in December, on her 27th birthday.

"Circus" is set for release Dec. 2, a little more than a year after she released last November's "Blackout," which was perhaps her most critically acclaimed album, but came during her infamous year of erratic behavior, rehab, custody battles and at least one hospitalization.

But these days, Spears has been in the spotlight for all the right reasons, winning three MTV Video Music Awards this month. The new album's first single, "Womanizer," will be released to radio Sept. 22.

-seattlepostintelligencer

Tingly

September 16th, 2008, 04:19 AM

THE WHO RELEASE DOUBLE DISC

The Who have announced that they will release a double-disc DVD of one of their landmark 1970s performances.

'The Who: At Kilburn 1977' is due out in the US on November 18 and features footage from the legendary rock band's performance at the Gaumont State Theatre in North London on December 15, 1977.

The Kilburn gig featured the band's classic line-up of Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, John Entwistle and Keith Moon performing many of their hits, including 'Baba O'Riley' and 'My Generation'.

The DVD also includes footage from the band's 1969 London Coliseum performance, bonus tracks and the first-ever full live recording of their rock opera 'Tommy'.

-NME

Tingly

September 17th, 2008, 05:45 AM

WHALES ARE HEARD 'SINGING' NEAR NYC (IN THE OCEAN)

Scientists have, for the first time, recorded the beckoning calls of endangered fin, humpback and North Atlantic right whales in the waters around this US city.

'This is an exciting time for New Yorkers. Just think, just miles from the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State building, Carnegie Hall and Times Square, the great whales are singing,' said Chris Clark, director of the Bioacoustics research programme at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

'These are some of the largest and rarest animals on this planet, trying to make a living just a few miles from New York's shores. It just goes to show us that there are many important and wonderful discoveries to be made about the living world right here, right in our back yards,' he added.

'With data generated by acoustic monitoring, we can better understand New York's role in the life history of these endangered whales and make more informed conservation decisions,' said James Gilmore, chief of the New York Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) marine resources bureau. 'This is especially important for the survival of right whales.'

The recorders were placed about 20 km from the New York harbour entrance and off the shores of Fire Island. Information about the seasonal presence of whales will help policymakers develop management plans to protect them, reports eurekalert.org.

Knowing the whales' travel paths will help ship traffic managers avoid whale collisions in New York waters. Further, the study will characterise New York waters' acoustic environment and examine whether underwater noises, including shipping, affect the whales.

Acoustic monitoring was initiated in spring 2008 - between March and June - in order to record the right whales' northward migration from their calving ground off the Florida eastern coast to their feeding grounds off Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

Acoustic monitoring has begun for the whales' southern migration in the fall, back to the calving areas. The study will continue through February 2009 and is expected to reveal which species occur in New York waters throughout the winter months.

-IANS

Tingly

September 17th, 2008, 05:46 AM

BRUNI SINGS WITH METALLICA

London, September 17 : Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, the wife of the French President, recently performed live together with rock bands Metallica and Kings of Leon.

Recording her song "Tu Es Ma Came" on BBC's 'Later... with Jools Holland', the former supermodel evoked Parisian cafes with her signature breathy chanson style, while Metallica gave its thrilling heavy metal performance.

The 40-year-old singer was given a warm reception while the crowd cheered for Metallica.

During the interview, the French first lady also confessed bothering her significant other when she played in the middle of the night.

"I play it at home and I disturb him with it in the middle of the night," BBC quoted her, as saying.

"But he's very kind and he listens to all my doubts," she added.

-ANI

Tingly

September 17th, 2008, 05:47 AM

NEW BOOK: COURTNEY RUINED NIRVANA

London, Sept 16 : Singer Courtney Love is responsible for the breakdown of her husband Kurt Cobain's band Nirvana, says a new book.

In his book 'Bumping Into Geniuses', former record executive Danny Goldberg claimed that the Love led to the downfall of Cobain's career and pushing him into drugs and debauchery.

He said that the 44-year-old songtress acted as Cobain's "mouthpiece" and once demanded that Goldberg give them a huge amount of cash, which they were allegedly planning to spend on a heroin binge.

"I felt pretty uncomfortable as I delivered the package of 100 dollars bills to her at the hotel," the Daily Express quoted him, as writing in the book.

"Abruptly, the dark cloud of drug excess had entered the band's life. I was confronted by the baroque facade of lies and the awful glassy-eyed deadness that regular heroin use provides."

"Courtney's very presence was a metaphor for the end of one era in the band's life and the beginning of another," he added.

The book is scheduled to hit shelves later this month.

-ANI

Tingly

September 17th, 2008, 05:54 AM

DOES METALLICA SOUND BETTER IN A VIDEOGAME?!

Audiophile fans of Metallica shouldn't bother buying copies of their new album, Death Magnetic. According to one analyst, the record sounds better in the Guitar Hero video game.

"On purchasing our CD ... we gave the disc a spin and couldn't help wondering if our office headphones were faulty as the kick and snare drum seemed to be audibly clipping, along with some of the palm-muted guitar parts," wrote Chris Vinnecombe, guitar editor of music-making website MusicRadar.

The sound issues are a result of the "loudness war" - an ongoing industry effort to make recordings as loud as possible, so that on cursory listens tracks leap forcefully from the speakers. While any album can just have its volume turned up on your stereo, records like Death Magnetic have their audio compressed, making them inherently louder at the expense of dynamic range and sound quality.

The CD version of Death Magnetic takes this to an extreme, pushing the compression past the point of distortion. The version used on the Guitar Hero videogame, where players can solo along with James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett, has been mixed differently - with far better dynamic range. The videogame version of the record was made available last week, as an $18 (£9) download.

Mastering engineer Ian Shepherd's analysis of the two versions - shown as graphical waveforms - makes the CD version's hyper-compression acutely visible.

While there is no official response from the famously cantankerous Metallica camp, the engineer who mastered Death Magnetic is apparently as frustrated as the fans.

"I'm certainly sympathetic to your reaction," said Ted Jensen, head engineer at Sterling Sound, quoted on the Metallica forum. "I get to slam my head against that brick wall every day. In this case, the mixes were already brick-walled before they arrived at my place. Suffice to say I would never be pushed to overdrive things as far as they are here."

"Believe me I'm not proud to be associated with this one, and we can only hope that some good will come from this in some form of backlash against volume above all else."

The Guardian

Tingly

September 17th, 2008, 05:57 AM

UK START UP 7digital OFFERS FOUR BIG SONG CATALOGS WITH NO DRM

A UK start-up yesterday stole a march on digital music rivals such as Apple's iTunes and Amazon by becoming the first in Europe to offer the catalogues of all four of the big labels free of rights restrictions.

London-based 7digital, which launched in 2004, said the move to offer the majority of its 4m tracks in MP3 was a major step forward for the music industry.

It also vowed to boost download sales, which have been growing - but not fast enough to make up for a decline in CD sales - by slashing the price of album downloads. It will offer some new albums at £5 and back-catalogue titles at £2 and £3.

Co-founder Ben Drury said that as labels relaxed their pricing policies for digital music, albums sales had increased, contradicting the theory that digital downloads would kill off the format.

Labels have been moving away from the digital rights management (DRM) software they believed was essential to protect tracks from being copied once downloaded. It proved unpopular with consumers because it made difficult the process of transferring tracks from one digital music player or mobile phone to another and backing them up. In the face of continued piracy, the big labels have embraced the restriction-free, higher-quality MP3 format that can be played on most devices and copied to CD. Apple founder Steve Jobs said last year he wanted to drop rights restrictions for the iTunes Music Store, but has only agreed deals with EMI and some indie labels. Amazon has launched a DRM-free download service in the US and is expected to do so in Europe next month.

Drury said 7digital had become the first European service to sign a deal with Sony BMG, home to Bob Dylan, Kings of Leon and Glasvegas. He said the label had agreed to upgrade all previous purchases of DRM-protected tracks to the new format.

Yesterday, 7digital opened download stores aimed at Italy, Austria and Portugal to add to its UK, Irish, German, French and Spanish services. Drury said it would launch a US and Canadian store this year.

-The Guardian

Tingly

September 17th, 2008, 05:58 AM

LINCOLN CENTER IN NYC CELEBRATES 50TH

NEW YORK -- Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts is throwing a yearlong bash to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

The celebration will include a series of artistic and educational events and initiatives, including a free concert by Yo-Yo Ma.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower broke ground on the center in 1959.

Center President Reynold Levy said this is another phase in its storied life.

As a prelude to celebrations, Lincoln Center will open a refurbished Alice Tully Hall on Feb. 22.

-seattlepi

Tingly

September 17th, 2008, 06:00 AM

YOUTUBE BECOMING NEW MUSIC RELEASE OUTLET

When Ludacris' manager wanted to create buzz for his client's upcoming album, he went directly to YouTube. But instead of releasing a flashy video for Ludacris' song "Let's Stay Together," Chaka Zulu just uploaded the track directly to the site with just a picture of the rapper as accompaniment.

"You actually get to visualize the music," said Zulu, who also is co-founder of Ludacris' Disturbing tha Peace label. "Even if it's not a real video, music is emotion. Music has a concept and theme."

Though YouTube is known as the Internet's greatest video warehouse, it's becoming known as the place to find new music, no video needed. Put in the name of your favorite artist and there's a chance that besides an assortment of his or her videos, you'll find a song with perhaps just a picture or a montage of photos to accompany it -- and it still gets thousands of views.

If anyone wants to hear Akon's remake of Michael Jackson's "Wanna Be Starting Something," it's there. Someone yearning for the new Guns N' Roses track "Shackler's Revenge" or T.I.'s new release "Live Your Life" featuring Rihanna, all it takes is quick searches of their names and song titles. No problem. While some of the songs are posted directly by an artist's camp, others are uploaded by fans eager to share and discuss new music by their favorite act.

DJ Sickamore, who was director of A&R at Atlantic Records for two years and has his own entertainment management company, says YouTube is a simpler way to listen to music on the Internet.

"Other file hosting sites have too many steps," said DJ Sickamore. "If I like a song, I can hear it instantly without any problems. You definitely have to take advantage of this tool."

Zulu first noticed the power of YouTube sans video two years ago when he posted Ludacris' song "War With God" with just the rapper's picture as a visual. Soon after, Zulu's BlackBerry was bombarded with text messages.

"It had the Internet going crazy," Zulu recalled. "I was getting tons of messages about how they loved it. I didn't know that many people heard it.

"It's a viable marketing tool for us now."

Country star Taylor Swift also has caught on. For the upcoming November release of her sophomore album "Fearless," Swift, along with her label, hopes to create a picture or video montage for each of the album's tracks for YouTube. So far, she has enjoyed checking out the fan-created postings of her songs on YouTube.

"It's like having another video," said Swift, 18. "For me, it's a chance to see someone else's take on my music. I embrace that and think it's cool."

It's easy to see the benefits YouTube offers: It gets millions of views per day, according to the site. In addition, by posting a song on YouTube, it creates excitement in a low-cost way compared to other promotional methods, such as sending out a crop of street team members to various local nightclubs or other events.

"You can do mass advertising for every song through one click," said gospel artist Tye Tribbett. He and his choir, Greater Anointing, who have had their songs posted on YouTube, had strong success on the Billboard gospel charts with the album "Stand Out" this year.

Still, there are downsides, such as having an unreleased track floating on the Web before a label approves its release.

"It's a double-edge sword for us," said David Bell, director of digital marketing at the Zomba Label Group, which includes Jive Records, home to Justin Timberlake, Chris Brown, Ciara and Britney Spears, among others. Despite the potential of releasing songs first on YouTube, he said advertising on the radio is still a preferred method.

"It's another channel for leaked music," Bell added. "It's not just peer-to-peer sites anymore. All they're trying to do is show their love for the artist, but at the end of the day, they're taking a leaked track and (it's) just sort of a multiplication of our music."

Tribbett wasn't initially keen on his songs being posted without his knowledge either. But now he believes YouTube had a major influence in helping the group's album become a successful one.

-seattlepi

Tingly

September 17th, 2008, 06:01 AM

TOM JONES RELEASING ALBUM

NEW YORK -- After 15 years without a new album in the U.S., Tom Jones will release a disc of almost entirely original material this fall.

The 68-year-old singer will release "24 Hours" on Nov. 25 on S-Curve Records. It's a retro-tinged album much in the style of Amy Winehouse's "Back to Black" that finds the Welshman's voice as strong as ever.

"The fire is still in me," Jones told The Associated Press in a recent interview, speaking by phone from his home in Los Angeles. "Not to be an oldie, but a goodie. I want to be a contender."

The disc was produced by British production duo Future Cat, who have cut tracks for Lily Allen, Kate Nash and others. With backing horns and an almost Stax Records kind of soul, the sound is distinctly retro.

-seattlepi

Tingly

September 17th, 2008, 06:03 AM

SMALL TURNOUT FOR MORISSETTE CONCERT ON PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

About half as many concertgoers as expected turned out for the Alanis Morissette concert in P.E.I. Saturday, but both fans and organizers were still happy with the event.

Organizers were hoping for 10,000 at the event, but say there was only 5,000. They are blaming short notice for the low ticket sales, but said it was a good test of the new concert site at Vista Bay in Alexandra, east of Charlottetown.

"It's the first year, it's a big site and you know you're selling tickets right up to showtime really," said organizer Mark Carr-Rollitt.

"We've seen that the Vista Bay site is a fabulous site for a concert."

Carr-Rollit said the site could hold up to 50,000 people.

Saturday's show featured Metric, Joel Plaskett Emergency, Good Charlotte and Haywire along with headliner Alanis Morissette. The site was originally proposed for the Black Eyed Peas concert in 2006, but it was moved to Charlottetown when local residents complained about the disruption. Locals were given free tickets as a goodwill gesture this time around.

Eighty-two-year-old Wanda MacLennan said she enjoyed having a concert down the road.

-cbc

Tingly

September 18th, 2008, 04:45 AM

LILY ALLEN ALBUM DUE FEB 9

London, Sept 17 : English singer songwriter Lily Allen has revealed the details of her new album, which she says will release on Feb 9 next year.

The details, released on her Myspace blog, spoke of her excitement at the new album.

"I am so excited, were getting all the artwork and stuff done and coming up with new and interesting ideas," the Daily Mirror quoted her as having written.

"I hope you'll all love it as much as I do," she wrote.

Allen, 23, further stated that she still had some work to be done on the album.

"I'm working on some extra stuff in the studio at the moment, it seems making an album isn't enough these days, some websites (not naming any!) won't put an album on their front page unless you give them exclusive tracks, not that I'm complaining," she stated.

"I am at my happiest in the studio so it works well for me, I just don't want to put out sub standard stuff . I always thought an album was a body of work in itself. you take it or leave it.

"You wouldn't say to a painter 'yeah I love the naked ladies, but would you mind painting their hair blonde instead of brown, and making their **** a bit bigger?" or " the trees are really pretty, a few more leaves perhaps?" Maybe you would actually, ha ha," she added.

-ANI

Tingly

September 18th, 2008, 04:48 AM

I see headlines like this^ all the time. I don't post the piece because I feel it is not 'music news.'

'Just thought you should know.

-The Tinglemeister

Tingly

September 18th, 2008, 04:51 AM

FOOS JOKE THAT THEY "SHOULD NOT RETURN TO UK FOR 10 YEARS"

Dave Grohl has announced that Foo Fighters are bidding cheerio to the UK, not to return for up to a decade.

The decision isn't prompted by the price of airfares or the impact of a high-flying tour on the environment. Nor were the band offended by the 170,000 people who packed into Wembley stadium to see them this summer. No, Foo Fighters are going to take time out from the UK simply because we like them too much.

"After doing Wembley, we shouldn't come back there for, like, 10 years," Grohl said to BBC 6 Music this week. "We're over there every year, every summer, and I think it's time to take a break and come back when people really miss us."

Over the past three summers, Foo Fighters have played a series of behemoth British gigs. In 2006 they played London's Hyde Park, in 2007 they joined Madonna and the Red Hot Chili Peppers at Live Earth, and this June they played two sold-out concerts at Wembley stadium – and were joined by members of Led Zeppelin on the second night.

They've certainly come a long way from being just the Nirvana drummer's side project. "It's a funny place being in the band now because we've been a band for about 14 years," Grohl said. "We've gone from playing the Astoria, to playing Earls Court to playing Wembley. That wasn't really the goal but hey, we'll take it."

"We've never really taken a long break," he said. "I think it's time."

If you ask us, he's just sick of the rain.

-The Guardian

Tingly

September 18th, 2008, 04:59 AM

OPINION: BANDS GIGS SHOULD BE 45 MINUTES - TOPS

by Caroline Sullivan

Last week, I caught the first part of a radio interview with Razorlight's Johnny Borrell, who was plugging his band's forthcoming album due in November. For a man who wears his jeans tucked into his cowboy boots (it was during his Kirsten Dunst phase last year), he came across as a surprisingly decent chap, and, more striking still, he announced that his plan for the next Razorlight tour is to "play really long sets – we want to play and play and play".

His tone made him sound like a man who assumed that the news we'd been waiting to hear all our lives was, "Hey, Razorlight are going to play a three-hour show!" But what grim tidings for the world – imagine sitting there as they clank through every song they know and a few more for good measure. I cannot stress strongly enough how little I welcome the prospect. No band – not Razorlight, not anyone – needs to be onstage for longer than 45 minutes. In most cases, half an hour would suffice. An exception might be made for Madonna and others who stage big, theatrical spectaculars - they'd be allowed an hour, but not a minute longer.

Bands should be thinking about quality, not quantity – they need do no more than get up there, play their eight or nine best songs and go away again. In their desire to give value for money, bands have forgotten how to leave a crowd wanting more.

The Ramones, whose early sets lasted 15 breathless minutes, had the right idea – they aimed to make an impact and then disappear before the audience knew what had hit them. Even at the height of their career, their shows lasted less than an hour. Similarly, the Jesus and Mary Chain were famous for rarely exceeding 20 minutes, while the fledgling Manic Street Preachers not only played brief shows but flatly refused to do encores, the latter a policy they observe to this day. All of these bands understood the value of brevity.

I know what you're thinking. I'm a rock critic who receives free tickets, so getting my money's worth isn't an issue. Well, before I did this job I paid for gigs, and even then, I felt exactly the same. I wanted to hear the best bits an artist had to offer, period. Anything more was extraneous, and once past a certain point – say 90 minutes – I'd be bored, because by then we'd be deep into the grim territory of unloved tracks and new material. At two hours, the act might just be hitting their stride (although Bruce Springsteen, who I once endured for three hours, would barely have warmed up), but I'd just be standing there, wondering how I was going to get home. So should a band ever play for more than 45 minutes?

-The Guardian

Tingly

September 18th, 2008, 05:02 AM

UB40 ROLLS ON, OVERCOMING CHALLENGES

By Tony Sauro

The members of UB40 didn't miss a reggae beat when faced with a major crisis this year.

Singer Ali Campbell, who had fronted the Birmingham, England, band since 1978, decided to quit and pursue a solo career.

No one panicked.

His younger brother Duncan, 49, quickly replaced him and UB40's pop-reggae rhythms have rolled sinuously on, including a second 2008 U.S. tour that brings the group Tuesday to Modesto's Gallo Center for the Arts.

"When the lead singer leaves, people think it leaves such a large hole, especially with his distinctive voice," James Brown, UB40's drummer, said during a telephone conversation Wednesday from New York. "But it's a little like clones. His brother has an uncannily similar voice and looks like him as well."

The addition of Duncan Campbell maintains UB40's sibling symmetry. Robin Campbell, 54, has been playing guitar and singing since UB40 was formed 30 years ago.

"He hadn't really done anything on this level," Brown, 49, said of Duncan Campbell, who was singing folk music - the Campbells' father, Ian, is a well-known British folkie - before replacing his brother. "But he's loving it."

The situation is a bit awkward. Ali Campbell, 50, is the main vocalist on "Twentyfourseven," a new UB40 album that will be released here Oct. 28.

No problem, according to Brown.

"It's been going great, really well," he said. "There'll be nothing missing from the music. People will enjoy the music and be dancing and having a good time."

Though UB40 generally is known for its sultry and silky pop songs, some of the new album's tracks are "overtly political almost to the point of being antagonistic on purpose," said Brown, no fan of U.S. foreign policy. "One suggests the American flag should have a few dirt stains on it. The Union Jack, too. It's not a nice thing to say, but sometimes that's the best way to say it."

Of course, the 17-track album includes some UB40-style versions of other people's songs, among them reggae icon Bob Marley's "I Shot the Sheriff" and the Beatles' "I'll Be Back."

The group still is best-known in the States for its No. 1 versions of Neil Diamond's "Red Red Wine" (1988) and the Elvis Presley classic "Can't Help Falling in Love" (1993). UB40's other major hits include reggae takes on the Temptations' "The Way You Do the Things You Do" (1990) and Sonny & Cher's "I Got You Babe" (with the Pretenders' Chrissie Hynde in 1985).

The group's most successful U.S. albums have been three "Labour of Love" volumes of cover tunes. A fourth is being planned.

What's the secret?

"You have to hold a stick in the wind, throw it up and wherever it lands do that number it lands on," Brown said with a laugh. "It's random. You can only know it when it happens."

One clue to UB40's longevity has been an unusual degree of loyalty and consistency. Until Ali Campbell and keyboard player Michael Virtue, 51, left this year, the band had maintained the same eight-man core lineup since 1978.

Maxi Priest (Max Alfred Elliott), who appears on two of the new album's tracks, and his son have joined UB40 for its U.S. tour. Astro, the band's "toaster" and percussionist, was denied a visa.

A bigger lineup has been better in UB40's case, according to Brown.

"You don't get things so focused and so insular," Brown said. "There's always someone bringing an alternative to the table. It's not a 'Spinal Tap'-type thing. It brings things into perspective.

"We're a bunch of friends. A bunch of mates."

That's how it all began in the multicultural, working-class neighborhoods of industrial Birmingham. ("It's always informed what we do," Brown said.)

The group, named after what was then a British government unemployment benefits form, got its do-it-yourself start in 1978 when Ali Campbell and saxophone player Brian Travers, now 50, hung up UB40 posters around Birmingham before they even owned or played any instruments.

Turned off by the mainstream rock of that time, they were infatuated by Motown, ska, rock steady and reggae.

"The music around us then was from the working-class area: Caribbean, Black, Irish, whatever," Brown said. "We were all brought up loving the same music, going to the same dances, wearing the same fashions. None of us are very intellectual when it comes to music."

After hearing the band perform in a pub, Hynde (an Ohio native) asked UB40 to tour with her group. That exposure helped UB40's first independent single ("King/Food for Thought") reach No. 4 in the U.K., the first of its 50 singles that have made the pop charts there.

Ten tracks from "Twentyfourseven" originally were issued as a free insert in 3 million copies of The Mail, a national British newspaper, in May.

"It's the only way to get that much music physically out on the street," Brown said.

The full 17-track CD was released on June 18, but failed to make the U.K. top 50, the first such disappointment in UB40's 25-album history.

"We hope it will be the biggest-selling album in the world but I don't think that's gonna happen," Brown said. "It's a good reggae album and there are not that many good reggae albums right now.

"The music business has changed. Reggae struggles to get its head above water the way all music struggles now. Certainly the audience is there. We still tour in Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Polynesia. We're pulling great audiences."