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Amy Winehouse Punchdrunk, Jay-Z Kicks At Noel

Posted on June 30, 2008 at 08:46 AM

The Glastonbury Festival in southern England is probably the most beloved long-running festival in the world. The festival's A-list bookings, as well as it's Arthurian, solstice-embracing aesthetic, have made Glastonbury the definitive summer festival in the U.K., if not the world.

And each year, it results in an intriguing story or two. The big news when the line-ups were announced earlier this year was the Jay Z-dissing quote from Oasis' Noel Gallagher, who claimed that hip-hop wasn't welcome at Glastonbury, that Glasto was the domain of guitar bands. Jay-Z fired back, and then proved his worth this weekend, appearing onstage with an acoustic guitar and performing the Oasis classic Wonderwall, before launching into his own 99 Problems. Reportedly, the crowd made clear their appreciation of Jay-Z.

The bigger news, however, was the appearance of Amy Winehouse, who, in addition to her own Rehab, performed covers of Sam Cooke's Cupid and the Specials' A Message To Rudy. Oh and she jumped in the crowd and then punched a fan after he reportedly tried to grab her in an inappropriate place (video here). It's a pretty sweet mini-attack. A quick jab, followed by a flurry of additional stabs. Finally, she called Kanye West a very bad British word that begins with 'c.' What would we do without Amy Winehouse, etc.

Also Worth Camping Out For:

Did you know that Madonna's close friends call her "Em"? Apparently, it's so. Oh, and Guy Ritchie flew to New York to try and save his marriage to Em, oops, Madonna. Too bad the Concorde no longer flies.

Would the Fuseblog be remiss in neglecting to mention the Verne Troyer sex tape? Unclear, but um, unless you saw the brief clip on TMZ before it was taken down, you may have missed your chance: a judge has ruled that distributors cannot haggle over the tape and that sites can no longer post clips. Well, that was short, I mean fast, I mean... never mind. Seriously, never mind.

Links:

Last Night: Glastonbury Festival, Worthy Farm, Somerset [The Independent]

Amy Winehouse Appears To Punch Fan at Glastonbury Festival [The Times, UK]

Never Say Die Guy Flies To NY [The Sun]

Judge Enrobes Troyer Sex Tape [E! Online]

Tagged as: Music

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I'll Keep My $18.99, Thanks

Posted on June 27, 2008 at 12:35 PM

Former Skid Row vocalist and Axl Rose BFF Sebastian Bach are working on a top-secret, non-Velvet Revolver, project with Slash. Bach calls it "mind-blowing," but it probably won't be. The audience for this sort of arena rock must be dwindling. A fearsome band like Iron Maiden selling out Madison Square Garden is not surprising, but who could actually get excited about Slash and freaking Sebastian Bach working together? And in an age in which the death knell for the industry is repeatedly sounded, and Coldplay represents a savior figure, how can anyone get amped about a lame collabo between sycophantic vox man and a guitar player who should really be playing with his original band (Axl's issue, admittedly)? There's a choice in play here for the majors - back Coldplay, back pop vocalists (Clive, that new Whitney album is welcome anytime now) and back Big Rock Bands, but don't offer us lame, unfulfilled potential like Seb Bach and the former Saul Hudson.

Hopefully Not As Lame:

Dapper Scots Franz Ferdinand are playing a last minute gig at Glastonbury this weekend, will have a non-album track on Madden 2009, and will have a brand new album in January.

Lindsay Lohan's third album is called Spirit In the Dark. It'll be out in November and features Pharrell, just like every other pop album by a famous person of the past five years.

Nine Inch Nails have released a Google Earth Map detailing the locations of people who downloaded The Slip [via Paper Thin Walls].

LINKS:

Slash and Sebastian Bach Working on 'Top Secret' Project [NME]

Franz LP Set For January, Song Due In Madden '09 [Pitchfork]

Lindsay Lohan Nabs Hitmakers For Third Album [Rolling Stone]

A Google Map Version Of Where Nine Inch Nails' The Slip Was Downloaded Most [Paper Thin Walls]

Tagged as: Music

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Did You Hear Us? It's FREE

Posted on June 26, 2008 at 12:57 PM

When you play a big show in New York, it's a good bet the New York Times will be there. And when you pull off an "ad-lib" so perfect its authenticity it becomes questionable, and the NY Times is there, you can bet that the Gray Lady will make a mention of it. During the evening's performance of Fix You, Coldplay main man Chris Martin "flubbed" a line, then uttered a "spontaneous" curse. Not surprisingly, the NYT is having none of it. A quote is in order:

Toward the end of the night, a decidedly U2-ish version of “Fix You” had the expectant air of an empty pub at last call: things are happening, somewhat, but the room feels stagnant.

But then Mr. Martin flubbed a line, spitting yet another curse into the microphone. As if to explain, or compensate, for the gaffe, he altered the words of the song a few moments later, perfectly in rhythm and in key: “Lyrics to old songs that you don’t know/And you embarrass yourself at MSG/But it doesn’t matter one bit, everyone got in for free.”

On first blush it was a clever save. But you couldn’t avoid the creeping sensation that even this seemingly spontaneous trick was little more than a neatly executed, contrived stab at humility in a show measured to the last second. And even when it was done, the band didn’t drop its veneer: the crowd stuck around and cheered well after the house lights went on, hoping for an encore, but Coldplay was long gone.

Ouch. Chris Martin, we KNOW you put on a free show. Marketing move or gift to fans, or both, it was smart. Now please... move on.

Also Ad-Libbing Through Life:

Billy Corgan has designed his own custom Fender Stratocaster. It's like every other Strat, but not as likable.

Barack Obama's all-time musical hero is Stevie Wonder. He's also down with Jay-Z. His opinion on Pussycat Dolls remains a mystery.

If there was any doubt that Scott Weiland is a self-deluded buffoon, this loogie-filled exchange with the LA Times erases it.

Links:

Coldplay Changes, and Stays the Same [NY Times]

Pumpkins Guitarist Designs Custom Guitar [Aversion.com]

Barack Obama Names Stevie Wonder His All Time Musical Hero [Gigwise]

Hey Weiland - Say It, Don't Spray It! [The Guide: Los Angeles Times]

Tagged as: Music

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Kanye To Bonnaroo: Eff You!

Posted on June 25, 2008 at 12:22 PM

So now that the hubbub regarding KanyeGate at Bonnaroo - the two hour delay that resulted in Kanye's spaceship landing at 425am - has died down, and people are forgetting and moving on, Kanye West has decided to bring up the topic again, via a pretty harshly worded statement. Kanye's pretty pissed off - he nearly broke the keys on his MacBook Air typing so hard (so he says)! Clearly, something's up - he spends most of the post typing in ALL CAPS. Fascinating rant though - he calls the Bonnaroo people "@#$ing idiots" and asserts that they should release a statement defending him. Kanye also claims that he kept getting different answers form the Bonnaroo crew regarding specs, times, and whether the Kanye stage could even fit. All pretty fascinating behind-the-scenes stuff that casual fans don't usually hear. Final Fuseblog verdict? We'll say 60% Bonnaroo's fault, 40% Kanye's fault. Again, read it all here.

ALSO TYPING SO HARD!!!:

Ohio New Wave pioneers Devo, one of the most imaginative, innovative rock bands ever, is suing McDonald's over a copyright infringement issue stemming from McD's blatantly swiping one of Devo's iconic images. Being a big, bad, corporate-type corporation thing, McDonald's should know you just can't steal someone's sh*t. Plus Devo "don't like" McDonald's.

The leaked Guns n' Roses Chinese Democracy episode gets more and more intriguing. After the original poster admitted he had originally hosted the files (and that he had taken them down after being contacted by Camp GnR), dude received a little visit from the Federal B.I. Sounds like Axl's calling in favors. Too bad the Feds can't write and record music.

LINKS

Kanye West Responds To Critics [Kanyeuniversecity.com]

McDonald's Sued Over Happy Meal Toy [stuff.co.nz]

Guns n' Roses Chinese Democracy Leaker Gets FBI Visit [Rolling Stone]

Tagged as: Music

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High N' Dry

Posted on June 24, 2008 at 12:10 PM

You can always count on Joe Elliott of Def Leppard to give great quote. He's never been shy about offering up his opinion, which he does to The Irish News this week. They topic? Touring mates, specifically who he would tour with, and who has turned down Def Leppard in the past. Who is he a fan of? Current tourmates Whitesnake for one. Whom does he hold in low regard? That would be folks like Poison, Warrant and Winger. And then there are bands like the Manic Street Preachers, hip UK acts not well known in the States, but who still turned down opening slots on a Leppard tour. Sometimes, there are things more important than money. And as an aside, Winger's Kip Winger? Reportedly not a nice guy, which is why the "loser" on Beavis and Butthead was always wearing a Winger shirt.

Also Hysterical:

There's good news and there's bad news about Amy Winehouse. The good news is that she made it to rehearsal! The bad news is that she had to leave the hospital where she was being treated for emphysema to do so. Apparently, the hard living has resulted in Winehouse developing 'crack lung.' Yes, that's a real affliction. And yes, it's because of crack.

Former Culture Club head honcho Boy George has been denied a work visa by these United States, putting in jeopardy a planned tour. Yes they really want to hurt him. Nice of him to play a garbage show, tho.

Links:

Joe Elliott Calls Winger, Poison and Warrant "Shite" Bands [Sleaze Roxx, via Idolator]

Winehouse Begins Gig Rehearsals [BBC]

Boy George Denied U.S. Visa For Tour [Reuters]

Tagged as: Music

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Friday Quickies

Posted on June 20, 2008 at 11:34 AM

Remember how Atlantic was going to sue Stone Temple Pilots? Now Poison is suing THEIR label, Capitol. Why? Underpaid royalties, aa financial discrepancy which has led to Bret Michaels doing TV shows he really shouldn't.

Jamie Lynn Spears has gone and made Britney Spears an auntie! Jamie had her shortie early Thursday morning. The lil' tyke's handle is Maddie Briann. It's a she. Good luck to her... that's all there is to say.

Those leaked Guns n' Roses tracks from the forthcoming Chinese Democracy that we mentioned yesterday? They're here.

Wired's Listening Post has an iMeemed playlist celebrating Boston's victory and features no Boston. And speaking of Boston, former Stryper frontman Michael Sweet is now in the band. Uh, that's right.

Links:

Rockers Poison Sue Label Over Royalties [Boston.com]

Jamie Lynn Spears Has A Baby Girl [People]

Chinese Democracy Leaks, Underwhelms [Stereogum]

Boston Celtics Victory Soundtrack [Wired]

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So, What Do You REALLY Think, Small Venue?

Posted on June 19, 2008 at 09:59 AM

Bands, sigh. They do a lot of dumb things. Especially (no offense intended) inexperienced bands. When one thinks about it, it's pretty flabbergasting how completely clueless some of these people are. Idolator points us to a sorta funny, sorta obnoxious list of the Top 39 Annoying Things Bands Do, as compiled by smallish St. Louis club The Creepy Crawl. Among the offenses:

5. Local bands that have a girlfriend as their manager (Can you say annoying pain in the ass?). This usually marks the beginning of the end for most bands at the Creepy.

12. Top 3 signs that the band will bring no one to the show - 1) 2 Weeks before the show they say "We're gonna pack your place!" - 2) 1 Week before the show they ask - "What's your capacity?" - 3) Upon arriving at the gig they ask "So how many people do YOU usually get on a Wednesday night?"

13. Bands who draw is so bad that even their guests don't show up.

14. Bands who have no guests because they have no friends.

Kinda funny, and yes, there are many ignorant young bands out there that doubtless commit these crimes, likely many times over. But the tone from this list also suggests a venue staffed by bitter peeps who would love to book a Vampire Weekend, but can't, and instead spend their time making fun of the smaller bands, and their fans, who keep the club alive.

More Band Stuff!

Bands do covers. It's fun for the artists, the fans and, when it's recorded, for the songwriters (publishing, baby). Would you like to hear some recent covers? Sure you would. How about Toronto's Tokyo Police Club covering the Rentals' Friends Of P for the Lupus Foundation of America? Go here to listen (and donate, if you'd like). Ottawa's polyrhythmically melodic The Acorn recorded Cyndi Lauper's The Goonies Are Good Enough for CokeMachineGlow's podcast. Listen there or here. And no mp3 yet, but be on the lookout for covers of R.E.M.'s Oddfellows Local 151 and also the Psychedelic Furs' Love My Way on UK 7" Pork and Beans singles.

According to (once again) Idolator, Antiquiet was streaming nine tracks that they claimed to be finished tracks taken from the mythical Chinese Democracy. In what may be a sign that they had the real thing, the Guns n' Roses people had them pull everything from the site. In case you were wondering, the Antiquiet peeps were impressed with what they heard.

Links:

No Love In This Club: St. Louis Venue Lists 39 Reasons Why It Hates Your Band [Idolator]

Weezer Cover R.E.M. On New U.K. Single [NME]

Chinese Democracy Creeps Ever Closer to Actually Existing (Maybe) [Idolator]

Photo of Local Band via The Onion

Tagged as: Music

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Viva La Thiefa?

Posted on June 18, 2008 at 11:09 AM

The big news out of Brooklyn this week is that a formerly unknown band called Creaky Boards has suddenly made itself very known by accusing Chris Martin of stealing the melody from their song to use as the melody in his own song Viva La Vida. The band (jokingly, it seems) claims that Martin caught one of their chows at last year's CMJ festival in new York. They then posit that Martin went home, spellbound by a melody, and then applied that tune to what became Viva La Vida. The verdict? Very similar 8 bar repeating passage. But that's it. And the melody is so bland that it in the last year alone, it was likely written by Creaky Boards, Coldplay, and a thousand other bands. Verdict? Not guilty!

Also, Oh and Other Ting Ting's Dept:

Metallica have named their upcoming album Death Magnetic. Better than St. Anger, worse than everything else.

Vampire Weekend played in the rain in New York and covered Tom Petty with Andrew W.K. If the drummer wants to play that beat properly, he needs to watch some live video of Stan Lynch playing that thang better than the original recorded machine.

Finally, here's some crazy YouTube footage of a feverish (literally) Josh Homme going bananas on a Norwegian "fan" who threw something at Homme onstage. Is Homme justifiably angry? Yes. Sick as a dog? Yes. Possibly homophobic? Um, yes. See below. (Via Stereogum)

Links:

Coldplay Deny Stealing Song [Guardian UK]

Metallica Previews New Titles, Not New Songs [Chicago Tribune]

Vampire Weekend, Rain and Andrew W.K. at Summerstage [BrooklynVegan]

Josh Homme Verbally Abuses Fan [Stereogum]

Tagged as: Music

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S*T*R*O*K*E*S???

Posted on June 16, 2008 at 10:13 AM

He wants it bad! Following a Converse-inspired collabo with Julian Casablancas, N.E.R.D.'s Super Producer Pharrell Williams has made public his desire to produce the next Strokes album. "I want it bad... I really wanna do it." Dude, calm down! To be honest, I'd kinda forgotten about the Strokes. The Modern Age EP though... talk about defining New York City rock in the spring and summer of 2001. Seven years later, the Strokes are chased by a hip-hop producer they met doing a commercial. Sigh.

Other Impressions Of Earth:

Speaking of hip-hop, a famous hip-hop musician named Kanye West did a heck of a job pissing off a tired and irritable Bonnaroo crowd by going on two hours late. A nearly unforgivable transgression in any circumstance, but when you're scheduled to take the stage at 230am, you should try to be on time. The delay was due to a late Pearl Jam set plus the time involved in setting up Kanye's overhead screen, his spaceship, and his female space computer. All of which is why Kanye went on at a time when early risers are pouring their day's first glass of Tang.

Finally, the guys in Velvet Revolver aren't the only people steamin' mad at Scott Weiland; the Stone Temple Pilots vox man has also incurred the ire of his label, Atlantic Records. The label is claiming that Weiland and drummer Eric Kretz are threatening to stop performing if Atlantic doesn't make some serious changes to their contracts. It's easy to see all sides of this disagreement. STP feel their value has increased with their recent reunion. The label thinks a deal's a deal. And everyone else is tired of hearing complaints from rich rock stars and also labels that shot themselves in the foot, and everywhere else, and is now trying to save their lawsuit-happy cans. Not such a nice Monday morning story but whoomp, there it is.

Links:

Pharrell Williams: I Want To Produce the Next Strokes Album [NME]

Delayed Kanye West Gig Angers Bonnaroo Crowd [AP/Yahoo]

Record Label Sues Two Stone Temple Pilots [Reuters]

Tagged as: Music

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Madonna's Brother To Take Out Madonna

Posted on June 13, 2008 at 08:34 AM

Earlier this week we mentioned a story from the UK which detailed Madonna having a meeting or two with one of Britain's top lawyers. A couple of days later, the speculation regarding the target of Madonna's ire has switched from husband Guy Ritchie to brother Christopher Ciccone (that's him on the left in that AP photo above). That's right - Madonna's brother, who is no longer close with the Material Girl (a moniker used in articles in Madonna billions of times a year), has penned a memoir entitled Life With My Sister Madonna, in which he details life with his sister Madonna. The book will be released by Simon and Schuster in mid-July and has an extraordinary first run of 350,000 (that's a uge number in the publishing world). Madonna's longtime publicist Liz Rosenberg has not commented except to say that Madonna did not hp with the book and that Madonna is no longer close with her brother. Which explains the huge initial printing.

Other Items To Cherish:

Prefix has a nice piece on mega-producer and, by all reports, complete ******* Scott Storch. Dude is wanted by the fuzz. Apparently, he's running out of money and owes tons of child support to numerous baby mama's, including the mother of his 16 year-old. Storch is 34.

Everyone knows there are bands out there who turn out album after (mostly) good album but never get their due. Canada's Sloan is one of those bands. The National Post has a very entertaining quick interview with frontman Chris Murphy. What kind of famous musician is usually so honest to say something like "there are jocks and ass****s at our shows"? Very few. See? Entertaining. BTW, Murphy used to date Feist.

Oh and, One More Thing (for no reason other than it's Friday): Hot Chicks With Douchebags.

Links:

Memoir Coming From Madonna's Brother [AP]

Scott Storch: Wanted By Miami-Dade Police [Prefix]

Murphy's Jaw: Slaon's Frontman on Radiohead, Feist, Crystal Castles and Finding the Good In Everyone [National Post]

Hot Chicks With Douchebags [Hot Chicks With Douchebags]

Tagged as: Celebs

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KISS Will Keep Licking It Up. And Licking. And Licking...

Posted on June 10, 2008 at 04:24 PM

Some bands never die - they live on through tribute acts. One need only check out the popularity of such tribute acts as The Soft Parade (playing the hits of The Doors), Black Dog (Led Zeppelin) and even, ahem, Spread Eagle, a tribute to The Eagles, to witness firsthand the popularity of tribute bands. And why not? The rush of a live performance of one's favorite tunes is a strong one, whether it's Joe Walsh or Joe Six-Pack on vocals. Still, forming your OWN tribute band... that takes chutzpah, as they say. And KISS? They've got chutzpah. Lots of it. (And former members, and burned bridges, and chest hair, and lame reality shows.) So it comes as no surprise that longtim KISS manager Don McGhee has announced plans to find eventual replacements for frontman Paul Stanley and bassist Gene Simmons via an American Idol-style reality talent show. The winners will become KISS themselves, continuing the tradition of outdated 70s rock long after Paul and Gene have retired to desert homes with above ground pools.

You Wanted the Rest...

Word on the high street is that Madonna and Guy RItchie may be desperately seeking lawyers. Some site called Holy Moly in the UK is claiming that Madonna has hired the most notorious divorce lawyer in the UK; the one that prevented Heather Mills from grabbing undeserved dough from Paul McCartney. If so, Heather Mills Guy Ritchie better watch out.

Beck has a new album coming out. Beck played a club show in LA. Beck played new songs. Beck grew his hair. Check it all out here.

Links:

KISS Manager Confirms New Members Rumors [keye-tv]

Madonna Hires McCartney Lawyer To Negotiate Divorce From Guy Ritchie [Holy Moly]

Beck Performs Modern Guilt [YouTube]

Tagged as: Music

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Don't Keep 'Em Comin'

Posted on June 9, 2008 at 01:52 PM

Given all of the trouble that Stone Temple Pilot and former Velvet Revolver guy Scott Weiland has had in the past with drinking and other nefarious activities you'd think that maybe something as tempting as, say, a shot glass might not make the final cut for branded items sold at the Stone Temple Pilots merch store... but you'd be wrong! Embodying that rebellious rock n' roll attitude that has made STP the band they are, these shot glasses feature the Stone Temple Pilots name on one side, and the star logo on the other. You provide the alcohol. And the attitude. And the sanity.

Do Keep 'Em Coming:

Chris Martin tells the UK's Telegraph that Coldplay will never be cool. And he's right.

As rumored, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones of a band called Led Zeppelin showed up to the Foo Fighters' London show Saturday night. The Led Fighters performed Rock n' Roll and Ramble On in the encores. Dave Grohl handled the Bonham work, while normal Foos skinsman Taylor Hawkins took the vocal duties. YouTube action here.

AC/DC finally have something in common with the Eagles, Garth Brooks and Journey: they will be releasing an album exclusively through Wal-Mart. The album, their first since 2000, will be out in the fall and will be produced by Brendan O'Brien, the Atlanta-based soundman whose heavy hand has made Bruce Springsteen's last two potentially great albums merely good.

Oh and there's a new Radiohead song. Yes, newer than In Rainbows. Performed over the weekend in Dublin. A lovely, piano-based tune called Super Collider. The melody has an almost subconsciously joyful feel that is still understated. Via everyone, but watch it here.

Links:

Stone Temple Pilots Official Store [Link]

Chris Martin: Coldplay Will Never Be Cool [Telegraph]

Watch Led Zeppelin Play WIth Foo Fighters at Wembley! [Gigwise]

New AC/DC Album To Be Wal-Mart Exclusive [Billboard]

New Radiohead Song Live In Dublin [YouTube]

Tagged as: Music

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Gotta Endorse Somebody

Posted on June 6, 2008 at 04:15 PM

THIS is the real deal. Bob Dylan, America's best songwriter of the last fifty years, actor, writer, curmudgeon, former Greenwich Village resident, University of Minnesota dropout, Jew, Christian, other and Never Ending Tour-er, has endorsed, whatever that means, Barack Obama. In an interview with The Times of London, the 67 year-old described the United States as being in a "state of upheaval" and Obama as a man who is "changing politics from the ground up."

Also Blowin In the Wind:

For all of the hubbub surrounding Van Halen's tour, the starts, the stops, David Lee Roth, Eddie's rehab, Eddie's 16 year-old son playing bass, no Michael Anthony, that out of tune Jump in North Carolina, despite ALL of that, Van Halen still had the highest grossing tour of their career. Of course, that is after inflation, and since no one seems to mention inflation, we'll just assume that is really is their highest grossing tour ever, even after inflation is taken into account. Van Halen actually pulled it off.

And one more for the weekend, The Walkmen, the greatest NYC band of the early 00's (yes, better than the Strokes, or the Moldy Peaches pre-Juno), have a new album coming out. Music is like U2 in a Jim Jarmusch film. Deets here.

Links:

Bob Dylan Says Barack Obama Is Changin' America [Times UK]

Van Halen Reunion Tour Grosses $93 Million [Rolling Stone]

The Walkmen New Album Details [Ear Farm]

Tagged as: Music

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Viva La Leaka

Posted on June 5, 2008 at 11:53 AM

As everyone knows, the record industry is going to die and the fat cats at the top will soon be living in Dell boxes on street corners. But there was one final hope: Coldplay, who new album Vida La Vida or Something Or Other was going to Save the Industry or, more specifically, their label EMI. (It's also on an iTunes commercial that runs on every channel every ten to fifteen minutes.) Well, EMI staffers woke up to some bad news - the  album has leaked. The good news? Coldplay fans probably don't know where to find leaks. More good news? Apparently Viva La Vida is better than X and Y (according to Idolator commenters). The bad news? It's still Coldplay.

Also Viva-in our Vida:

In What Would Ian Curtis Think news, Microsoft's Zune is releasing a Joy Division edition. A limited release of 500 will ensure that wealthy Joy Division nuts will strongly desire this. It comes preloaded with the Joy Division doc Unknown Pleasures. Microsoft says the the special Zune is a "tribute" to Joy Division and the turn of the 80s Manchester scene. It's also a tribute to Zune's attempt to have ANY cred in this iPod-blanketed world.

And one more piece of bizarro industry news - a record store owner in New York's East Village thinks people who legally - LEGALLY - download music are idiots. John Kioussis, owner of Rockit Scientist Records, says that there's no difference in sound between legally and illegally downloaded files (true most of the time) and that the industry killed itself by charging too much for CDs (definitely true). He should just illegally download the new Coldplay and move on with his life.

Links:

You Got Coldplayed [Idolator]

Joy Division Edition Of Microsoft Zune Slated For June 17 [Wired]

Anyone Who Downloads Music Legally Is An Idiot [CNET]

Tagged as: Music

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Metallica Finally Relevant

Posted on June 4, 2008 at 01:16 PM

Curmudgeonly rockers Metallica are getting hip to today's freshest trends and signing up with Guitar Hero! The rumors are all over the place, and so very coy words (so coy they sound like they were written by a five year-old) are now on Metallica's site. Seriously, look:

"Let's just say that perhaps, just maybe, if you've already mastered "One" on (Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock), there might be a pile of 'Tallica songs in your future. More details later this summer..."

Does anyone really refer to them as 'Tallica? Besides themselves? So anyway, stunningly, Metallica may again be somewhat relevant. That is, until Guitar Hero is so totally over and then Metallica are back to where they started: comically out of it but doing backstrokes in piles of cash.

Also Hogging the Controller:

Coldplay, who have yet to release Viva La Vida, have already announced a quick follow-up, an album that will be taken from the same sessions. So when will Coldplay fans get to hear this quick follow-up? Fall? Too soon. Christmas? Nope. January? Nah. Try end of 2009, according to Chris Martin. Real quick, Chris. Getting Coldplay to release new material - like trying to turn around a barge. And just as fun.

This guy has an extra orchestra seat for My Morning Jacket's upcoming show at Radio City Music Hall. But he's not selling it. Not for money, at least. He wants something unique. A private museum tour, perhaps. Or a trip to the zoo. Sex is a maybe, but not guaranteed to get the ticket. It's classic Craigslist.

A headline writer's dream as legendary proggers Yes have to say No to a scheduled tour.

A million musicians have given quotable tributes to the late pioneering genius Bo Diddley. Here's one from Wilco's virtuoso guitarist Nels Cline.

Links:

Guitar Hero Looks To Book Metallica Next [Reuters]

Coldplay To Release Quick Follow-Up? [Twisted Ear]

What Would You Do For A My Morning Jacket Ticket? [Craigslist]

Yes Says No Tour As Singer Stricken [NY Times]

Wilco Guitarist Pays Tribute To Bo Diddley [NME]

Tagged as: Music

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Ashes To Ashes

Posted on June 2, 2008 at 01:28 PM

Somehow, Kurt Cobain is never far from our collective pop cultural thoughts. His influence is (still) everywhere, as is his widow Courtney Love, who periodically stumbles into the public eye. The engine for her latest public, frenzied torrent of rage? The stunning theft of Kurt's ashes, which were taken along with some valuable jewelry and clothing has left Love, who is being described as suicidal, in a state of shock.  The desire to steal someone's remains can only come from a mind so warped and anxiety-addled that all common sense is lost to fanaticism and poor decision-making. Which would make Courtney Love the prime suspect if it weren't her husband's ashes which were stolen.

Also Greeting Our Monday...

Jessica Simpson, who reportedly did her best to sabotage sis Ashlee's wedding via tears and other Romo-fications, has told People Mag that she thinks Ashlee will be a great mom. "Amazing, absolutely amazing," to quote her absolutely. Aw, Jessica sounds like she'll be a super duper baby auntie. And no way is she feeling lame that her little sister beat her to the altar and to  pregnancy. Remember the jig Ashlee did on SNL? That's how Jessica feels.

Hey, if you're looking for a bizarre old new band to get into, you could do worse than Chickenfoot, the awfully-named new project from Cabo Wabo partyman, and former Van Halen crooner, Sammy Hagar. The "supergroup"  also features cuckolded bassist Michael Anthony, Alien Surfing guitar hero Joe Satriani, and free-from-RHCP duties skinsman Chad Smith. The band will be hitting the studio this summer, where Smith will no doubt record his parts while sporting a backwards baseball cap.

And as you may or may not know, 50 Cent's Long Island home was destroyed in a fire on Friday, a fire that everyone is calling suspicious. Shaniqua Tompkins, who is Fiddy's baby mama, has accused, via Fox News, the rapper of trying to kill them following a dispute earlier in the week. She said he said he was going to "send someone." That doesn't sound very nice, unless that someone was bringing passes to the Sex and the City movie.

Links:

Kurt's Ashes Stolen [News Of the World, via NME]

Jessica Simpson On Ashlee As a Mom: 'She'll Be Amazing' [People]

Sammy Hagar Talks Tequila [Blabbermouth]

Mother Of 50 Cent's Child: He Tried To Kill Us [Fox News]

Tagged as: Celebs , Music

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