CMU
Daily - on the inside Thursday
6th January
In
today's CMU Daily:
- Charlie not so resolute on Busted future
- Appeal for Glasto footage
- Presidents return
- Scissor Sisters best seller of 04, actually
- Led Zepp to get lifetime achievement award from US industry
- Another setback in RIAA's anti-download battle
- Macca on his 2005 plans - no wardrobe malfunctions
- Owner of Eight Mile studio shot
- House Of Blues to sell promotion and arena businesses
- Carl Barat on life post-Libertines
- Brian Wilson makes appeal for band member lost in tsunami
- Line-up rumours for tsunami relief effort fundraiser
- 12 hour fundraiser
- Britney: "when I said I was taking a break, I meant I
wasn't"
- Beyonce hates the 'b word'
- Four year old outselling Kylie and Robbie in Germany
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CHARLIE
NOT SO RESOLUTE ON BUSTED FUTURE
Despite reassurances from Universal Records last month that
the ongoing rumours that Charlie Simpson was considering quitting
Busted were completely untrue, comments from Charlie himself
seem to suggest otherwise.
Kerrang!
quote Mr Simpson as saying that, ultimately, his passion lies
with his indie side project Fightstar: "At the end of the
day, my passion lies in Fightstar's music. Lots of people say
to me, 'I completely hate Busted.' That's completely cool with
me. I understand why. I can't say too much because of the politics
involved, but Fightstar is what I do and so, if I have to choose,
there's not even a question as to what I'd do. The Busted thing
happened when I was 16. I saw an opportunity, took it and it
was better than being at school. It was a fun job but I'd never
claim Busted was anything other than a pop band. Busted is not
the ideal band I'd like to be in by any stretch of the imagination.
It's not about the money. The money means nothing to me. I'm
completely at peace with myself doing this so I'm happy with
whatever comes with it."
Busted
bosses are hoping they can placate the wandering Simpson by
giving him an early-year break so he can spend some quality
time with Fightstar.
But
rumour has it Charlie is trying to persuade his band-mates of
the benefits of quitting while you're on top.
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APPEAL
FOR GLASTO FOOTAGE
The makers of a new movie about the Glastonbury Festival are
appealing to fans who might have certain legendary Glasto performances
on video. Footage of several of the sets film director Julien
Temple wants to include in his new film about the festival -
due in 2006 - are sadly lacking.
Among
the sets on Temple's wish list are Marc Bolan (1970), David
Bowie (1971), The Smiths (1984), Primal Scream (1992) and Bob
Dylan (1997).
The
Bowie set at what was really the first Glasto proper in 1971
is a particular priority for Temple: "David Bowie is the
interesting one. He played at the first proper festival in 1971
at 4am. He wasn't famous at the time and that performance is
almost the Holy Grail of festival acts. I was actually at Glastonbury
when he played. Someone woke me up saying 'you have to check
this guy out'. He was absolutely amazing and I'd love to see
any footage from a personal point of view."
As
for Bolan's performance at Michael Eavis' very first Glasto
event, Temple says it would be "extraordinary" if
there was a tape of his performance, but says it is not impossible:
"I have seen some footage from behind-the scenes, so we
know there were cameras there".
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PRESIDENTS
RETURN
The newly reunited Presidents of the United States of America
will release their first new album in seven years - 'Love Everybody'
- next month. Despite major label interest in the band's reunion,
they have decided to self-release it in a bid to keep control
of this new stage of their career.
Called
'Love Everybody', the new album is due for a 28 Feb release,
preceded by a single of the same name on 14 Feb. They will play
the Astoria on 3 Mar. Press info from Coalition.
--------------------------------------------------
SCISSOR
SISTERS BEST SELLER OF 04, ACTUALLY
Well, we asked whether Christmas sales of Robbie Williams' greatest
hits would affect Keane's hold to the title of 'best selling
album of the year'. Well, they didn't. It was Christmas sales
of the Scissor Sister's eponymously titled debut album that
knocked Keane of the top of the chart of the year right at the
very last minute. Yep, with last week's sales figures added
into the equation, here is the slightly rejigged album top 10
of 2004.
1.
Scissor Sisters - 'Scissor Sisters'
2. Keane - 'Hopes And Fears'
3. Robbie Williams - Greatest Hits
4. Maroon 5 'Songs About Jane'
5. Katie Melua 'Call Off The Search'
6. Anastacia ' Anastacia'
7. Usher 'Confessions'
8. Norah Jones 'Feels Like Home'
9. Snow Patrol 'Final Straw'
10. Il Divo 'Il Divo'
--------------------------------------------------
LED
ZEPP TO GET LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FROM US INDUSTRY
The Recording Academy of America will present a Lifetime Achievement
Award to Led Zeppelin on the eve of next month's Grammy Awards
in recognition of their "outstanding" contribution
to rock music during the seventies and their continuing positive
influence on musicians.
Recording
Academy president Neil Portnow told Billboard: "These profoundly
inspiring figures are being honoured as legendary performers
and archetypal musicians, cultural ambassadors, and technical
visionaries". Of course Led Zep weren't just worthy cultural
ambassadors, they shifted large piles of records too - 'Led
Zeppelin IV' is America's fourth bestselling album of all time
having shifted 22 million units since its release in 1971.
--------------------------------------------------
ANOTHER
SET BACK IN RIAA'S ANTI-DOWNLOAD BATTLE
The Recording Industry Association of America haven't started
the year on a legal high - they have failed in their latest
attempt to force ISPs to automatically tell record labels the
name and addresses of individuals they suspect of illegally
sharing music online. The latest rejection of the RIAA's legal
battle took place in the US Court of Appeals for the Eighth
Circuit - which, our legal experts tell us, would make it very
difficult for the industry association to proceed to the Supreme
Court - so doom and gloom all round really. Well, except that
most on the inside already knew that this battle will now only
be won by persuading Congress to chance American copyright law.
And,
of course, the court's latest decision means suing individual
downloaders remains a time consuming pastime - which is presumably
good news for the RIAA's lawyers.
--------------------------------------------------
MACCA
ON HIS 2005 PLANS - NO WARDROBE MALFUNCTIONS
Discussing his plans for 2005, Paul McCartney has confirmed
that his headline performance at this year's Superbowl will
not feature any "wardrobe malfunctions".
Talking
about his Superbowl gig, McCartney told reporters: "I'm
very much looking forward to this year. We are planning all
sorts of exciting adventures, the first of which will be the
American Superbowl where we will not be having a wardrobe malfunction!"
Macca
also hopes to have a new album out this year: "We will
keep you posted as things develop but I will be finishing up
my new album which I am excited about and as I said, planning
some new adventures and expeditions. All will be revealed when
plans are complete".
It
remains to be seen whether those plans will include the release
of Macca's Love Songs compilation. That project has stalled
because Yoko Ono won't let McCartney include 'Yesterday' on
the album. Although 'Yesterday' was written and performed by
Macca alone it is technically a Beatles track which means he
still needs to get the permission of the other shareholders
in the Beatles empire - which includes Yoko. She isn't keen
on McCartney on including the track on a solo hits collection.
--------------------------------------------------
OWNER
OF EIGHT MILE STUDIO SHOT
The owner of a recording studio on Eight Mile Road in Detroit
where Eminem recorded his 'Slim Shady LP' has been shot dead
while at work. AJ Abdallah's body was found by a business associate
at the studio on Tuesday - but he may have been killed at the
weekend.
Police
say that, while Abdallah's recording facilities were used by
many in the local hip hop community, they were not aware of
any previous problems at the studios, adding that Abdallah had
not indicated he felt at risk from attack. A police spokesman
told reporters: "He did record for rappers, gangster rap
and hip-hop but we haven't found anyone who had any particular
problem with him yet".
Police
will be investigating whether the shooting has anything to do
with Abdallah's plans to sell the studios (he had advertised
it on eBay) - though there is a chance that the studio boss
was killed in a burglary that went wrong as police say it looks
like some equipment may have been taken.
--------------------------------------------------
HOUSE
OF BLUES TO SELL PROMOTION AND ARENA BUSINESSES
Rumour has it the US based House of Blues empire is planning
on putting its concert promotion and arena business on the market
via finance firm UBS. Any sale will not, however, include the
company's legendary club network.
--------------------------------------------------
CARL
BARAT ON LIFE POST-LIBERTINES
Libertine Carl Barat has spoken to the NME about performing
his last gig for the band, certainly for some time, possibly
forever. As previously reported, given the continuing feud with
Pete Doherty, the Libertines have decided to call it a day -
they played a finale gig in Paris just before Christmas. On
that gig Barat says: "It was inevitably poignant. It was
laying a tombstone to what's been and gone and also laying a
foundation stone for the future" it's cutting the ribbon
into a different realm of freedom. Because The Libertines became
constrained."
On
his decision to close the door on the Libertines, he continued:
"I'd like to have (played a tour of Britain), but I didn't
want to upset Peter, really. I didn't want to rub it in his
face. I believe I've done the right thing."
Barat
is taking a break in order to have some surgery - it was revealed
earlier this week that is to remove a benign tumour from behind
his ear - and will then pursue new music projects. Regarding
his relationship with former bandmate Doherty he continued:
"I intend to contact Peter. I'd like to embrace him on
a level of friendship and maybe". I get upset when he says
things (to the media) that make me sad. I read it. And he knows
I read it. I feel nothing evil towards Peter. I get angry sometimes
but I know better than to spread it to the rumour mill and the
gossipers, like some kind of virus."
You
can read the full interview at http://www.nme.com
--------------------------------------------------
BRIAN
WILSON MAKES APPEAL FOR BAND MEMBER LOST IN TSUNAMI
Brian Wilson has made an appeal for information regarding the
whereabouts of one of his band members who, it is feared, may
have been a victim of last month's tsunami. Markus Sandlund,
a cellist from Stockholm Strings & Horns who appears on
the recent recording of 'SMiLE', was on holiday in Thailand
at the time of the disaster, and hasn't been seen since Boxing
Day.
Wilson
told reporters earlier this week: "I have been devastated
since I heard the news that Markus is missing in Thailand. We
have sent an agent to see what we can find out, but as of today
(4 Jan) we have been unable to locate Markus in the area. If
there is anyone out there who might know Markus' whereabouts
please contact info@brianwilson.com. My prayers go out to all
of the victims and their families and I would ask you to say
a prayer for Markus' safe return".
--------------------------------------------------
LINE-UP
RUMOURS FOR TSUNAMI RELIEF EFFORT FUNDRAISER
Talking of which, the band names been circulated in reference
to that massive fundraiser at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium in
aid of the post-tsunami relief effort include U2, Coldplay,
Franz Ferdinand and The Darkness. Organisers hope to stage the
event on 22 Jan, and could raise over a million pounds. There
is no official word on possible names for the line up, though
the stadium's manager, Paul Sergeant, says he expects an "event
of international proportions". More when we get it.
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12
HOUR FUNDRAISER
And talking of tsunami relief effort fundraisers on 22 Jan,
a fundraiser is being planned that day at the Oak Bar in Stoke
Newington, North London and organizers hope to get as many bands,
DJs, comedians and celebrities involved as possible in a bid
to raise over ten grand.
Organisers
of the fundraiser, to be called the '12 Hour Stake Out' (it
runs from 3pm to 3am) told CMU: "We want people to drop
in throughout the day, staying for as long or as little time
as they want. During the 12 hours there will be a constant flow
of live music, DJs, comics, cabaret, and LOTS of celebrity drop-ins.
As well as all this, there will be quizzes, competitions, raffles
and a major charity auction, where people will have the chance
to bid for some seriously big stuff. Every single penny that
is given will go directly to the Tsunami Earthquake appeal."
Organisers
are now looking for acts interested in performing at the fundraiser,
or people with things to donate to the auction - contacts as
follows:
Live acts: Lea at sillycow51@hotmail.com
Press: Gemma at gemma@vanpraagh.fsworld.co.uk
Other enquiries: Dani at dani.parry@btinternet.com
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BRITNEY:
"WHEN I SAID I WAS TAKING A BREAK, I MEANT I WASN'T"
For those of you a bit confused by news that Britney is working
on a new album just a couple of months after announcing she
was taking a break from the music biz, here's Ms Spears herself
with an explanation.
"I
think I should rephrase myself from my previous letters when
I was talking about taking a 'break'. What I meant was I am
taking a break from being told what to do. It's cool when you
look at someone and don't know whether they are at work or play
since it's all the same to them."
As
reported yesterday, Jive Records have confirmed Britney is working
on new material as we speak. Meanwhile Ms Spears, according
to the New York Daily News at least, has appointed a new manager
- Lloyd Grove, once the right hand man of Larry Rudolph, the
manager Britney abruptly broke company with late last year.
Rumour has it Spears favours Grove over Rudolph because her
old manager wasn't so keen on her idea that new husband Kevin
Federline is a hip hop star in the making.
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BEYONCE
HATES THE 'B WORD'
Beyonce has told reporters she now hates the word "bootylicious".
According to the Daily Star she told reporters this week: "Bums
can never be too big. I'm proud I've helped make curvy women
sexy again. But I hate the word bootylicious.
Everyone shouts it wherever I go."
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FOUR
YEAR OLD OUTSELLING KYLIE AND ROBBIE IN GERMANY
Forget the X-Factor and Pop Idol - if you want pop success these
days you need an irritating song, a website - oh yes, and a
four year old. Or at least that's the case in Germany anyway,
because four year old Joy Gruttmann is currently outselling
the latest Kylie and Robbie Williams singles there with her
track 'Snappy the Little Crocodile'. The toddler's parents
put the joke nursery song online where it was picked up by a
radio station in Cologne. Now everyone is playing it, her website
is selling a whole range of Snappy merchandise, and a dance
remix is doing the rounds in Germany's clubs and getting airtime
on MTV. Marvellous.