CMU
Daily - on the inside Thursday
3rd February
In
today's CMU Daily:
- Doherty arrested after overnight fracas
- Sizzla arrested over bad language
- Usher producer arrested for tire theft
- So Solid Man charged with murder
- Pop stars line up for anti-guns video
- What will Gotti trial mean for Universal And Def Jam?
- Album Review: Scritti Politti - Early
- Houston self-harms after suicide attempt
- New York station sack breakfast team members over tsunami
spoof
- Idlewild and Sons & Daughters tour
- Clear Channel appoint new sponsorship boss
- Reading headline rumours
- Bestival dates
- FFAF headline London fest
- Fresh Air festival
- Album Review: FR8 - In Cold Blood
- Scottish students and music stars meet for football tournament
- Clapton father for fifth time
- Microsoft employees prefer the iPod
- Nude fans cause Ronan filming to can filming
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DOHERTY
ARRESTED AFTER OVERNIGHT FRACAS
So, well done to anyone in music who hasn't been arrested in
the last 24 hours. Arrest number one in today's CMU Daily goes
to - wait for it - Mr Pete Doherty. Yep, the former Libertine
has been arrested following an incident at a hotel in Islington
over night.
A
police spokesman told reporters: "Police were called to
a hotel in Peters Lane, EC1, at 6.20pm on Wednesday following
a report of a man being assaulted". Word is that man was
documentary maker Max Carlish - who last year made a documentary
about Doherty. He was treated at University College Hospital
for minor facial injuries after the incident.
No
more news on what exactly happened or Pete's charges as yet
though, given we are now the self-appointed defender of Doherty,
I'm sure he's innocent of all charges.
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SIZZLA ARRESTED OVER BAD LANGUAGE
Certainly not innocent of all charges is Sizzla - though you
might find the laws under which he has been charged a bit bizarre.
Yep, despite all those allegations of inciting violence against
gay people through his lyrics, it's simple swearing that has
put Sizzla behind bars.
The
reggae star, real name Miguel Collins, has been jailed in home
country Jamaica after he consistently swore on stage during
a concert in St Thomas. Jamaica has a law which prohibits "indecent
dress or expression", and police say they only arrested
Collins after giving him a number of warnings. He will now serve
15 days in prison.
It
is not uncommon for Jamaican entertainers to end up in court
over the use of bad language in public, though normally they
get a way with a verbal warning, suspended sentence or community
service.
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USHER
PRODUCER ARRESTED FOR TIRE THEFT
To America now, and the Grammy nominated producer and songwriter
Manuel Seal Jnr, who is nominated for a Grammy for co-producing
Usher's hit 'My Boo', has been arrested over allegations he
tried to steal some used tires from a Georgia shop - I kid thee
not. Seal faces theft and trespassing charges after being arrested
on Tuesday night. Seal, and another man also charged for the
same crime, claim they had permission from a friend who worked
at the shop to take the tires, but the owner of the store denies
knowing any such employee. The producer was released on bail
yesterday and awaits a court date.
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SO SOLID MAN CHARGED WITH MURDER
Finally in the criminal charges department, So Solid Crew frontman
Megaman has been formally charged with murder over his previously
reported involvement in the fatal shooting of one Colin Scarlett
in South London last Nov. He was remanded into custody and will
face trial on 5 Sep.
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POP
STARS LINE UP FOR ANTI-GUNS VIDEO
Doing their bit to combat crime culture rather than contribute
to it, the Subababes, Asher D, Big Brovaz, Maxi Priest and Kele
Le Roc are all due to appear in a video being filmed today for
a single by SE14-8 called 'Put Down Your Guns - Let The Light
Shine In', part of a new bid to combat the rise of gun crime.
The song will be released to promote a gun amnesty campaign
which will take place in Apr before tougher firearms laws come
into action later this year.
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WHAT WILL GOTTI TRIAL MEAN FOR UNIVERSAL AND DEF JAM?
Finally on the legal front, and there is speculation in the
US as to what the arrest of Murder Inc's Irv Gotti might mean
for the label's two parent companies - Def Jam and the Universal
Music Group. Word is both companies should avoid any of the
fallout of the charges made against Gotti because they haven't
been named in the indictment against the hip hop mogul and his
brother Chris Lorenzo. More importantly, if Gotti is found guilty
Def Jam could come out of the whole debacle on the up because,
insiders say, if guilty of money laundering the label boss would
be in breach of his joint venture contract with the major, meaning
they could fire him, which in turn would trigger a buy clause
forcing Gotti to sell his half of the label to the Universal
division.
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ALBUM REVIEW: Scritti Politti - Early (Rough Trade)
Best remembered for two huge singles in the mid-80s, the superb
slices of synth-pop that were 'The Word Girl' and 'Wood Beez',
you'd be easily forgiven if you thought that Scritti Politti
were little more than a passing phase. However, that would not
tell the complete story. The original incarnation of the band
were at the forefront of the DIY post-punk movement, combining
a complex scratchy-funk sound with politically aware and cerebral
lyrics, referencing the likes of Gramsci, Kant, and Derrida.
Most of the tracks on 'Early' have been unavailable since they
were originally recorded (1978-1982) - only the final two tracks,
'The Sweetest Girl' and 'Lions After Slumber' were on their
debut album. The opening track, 'Skank Bloc Bologna', was the
band's debut single, and a seminal release. The sleeve demystified
the record-making process, by including invoices for the entire
cost of the record. It's typically oblique and obscure, and
one of the significant tracks of the time. The chronological
order of the track listing demonstrates how the Scritti Politti
sound developed over the course of a few years. The first eleven
tracks are from the band's first four EP's and then we have
the two 'Songs To Remember' tracks. 'The Sweetest Girl' is the
key track; it resembles Robert Wyatt's 'Sea Song' (he played
keyboards on this track), and it's a lovely piece of lovers
rock, as well as being a contender for one of the greatest singles
of all time. It's also a pivotal moment in the band's history
- the scratchy, anarchic sound of youth was about to replaced
by something more polished and mainstream, a path the band were
to follow for years to come, with mixed results. 'Early' is
a glorious compilation, one that has been overdue for far too
long, and one that shows UK indie at it's finest; brimming with
ideas, energy, and intelligence. Fans of the new wave of post-punk
inspired bands like Bloc Party and The Futureheads should do
themselves a favour, and listen to see how it really should
be done. KW
Release date: 14 Feb
Press: Rough Trade [all]
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HOUSTON SELF-HARMS AFTER SUICIDE ATTEMPT
From the pop courts to the pop emergency room, and this one
is making feel queasy just writing it. EMI-signed LA-based artist
Houston, promoting his album 'It's Already Written' in the UK,
has reportedly "gouged out his eye" following a failed
suicide attempt. Sources say the singer first attempted to jump
out of the window of his London hotel, but was stopped by his
security staff. He then locked himself in his room where the
self-inflicted injury reportedly took place. A spokesman for
EMI's Capitol division told reporters: "Our thoughts and
prayers are with Houston during this tragic time".
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NEW YORK STATION SACK BREAKFAST TEAM MEMBERS OVER TSUNAMI SPOOF
New York station Hot 97 is hoping to draw a line under the outrage
that followed the broadcast of that parody track 'The Tsunami
Song' on their breakfast show by firing two of the show's team.
As previously reported, the show aired the spoof song, sung
to the tune of charity record 'We Are The World', last month,
causing a barrage of complaints from offended listeners.
It
turned out that one of the breakfast show team - Rick Delgado
- wrote and produced the song, while his colleague Todd Lynn
allegedly made racially insensitive remarks. They are the two
employees to be fired by the station. Their colleagues Miss
Jones, DJ Envy and Tasha Hightower are all on a two week unpaid
suspension.
The
station's parent company, Emmis Communications, confirmed they
would donate those three employee's pay for those two weeks
to the tsunami relief effort, as well as donating a million
dollars themselves. Emmis President Rick Cummings said the actions
of Lynn and Delgado were "socially and morally indefensible,"
and said his company was "ashamed" by the tasteless
stunt, adding: "Emmis and Hot 97 have investigated this
matter thoroughly over the course of the last week. Our decision
to terminate Mr Delgado and Mr Lynn while suspending the other
members of the morning crew sends a message that this type of
insensitivity is utterly unacceptable."
Delgado
is no stranger to controversy. He was sacked from radio station
WNEW for his involvement in organizing an on air promotion that
awarded prizes to listeners who had sex in public places - a
promotion which led to two listeners being arrested after they
had sex in New York's Saint Patrick's Cathedral.
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IDLEWILD AND SONS & DAUGHTERS TOUR
Sons And Daughters will be supporting fellow Scots Idlewild
on a UK tour this Apr. Dates as follows:
5
Apr: Newcastle, Northumbria University
6 Apr: Liverpool, Royal Court
7 Apr: Southampton, Guildhall
8 Apr: Reading, Hexagon
10 Apr: Bristol, Academy
11 Apr: Brighton, Dome
13 Apr: London, Shepherds Bush Empire
15 Apr: Folkestone, Leas Cliffe Hall
17 Apr: Nottingham, Rock City
18 Apr: Cambridge, Corn Exchange
19 Apr: Norwich, Uea
21 Apr: Sheffield, Octagon
22 Apr: Stoke, Victoria Hall
23 Apr: Manchester, Academy
24 Apr: Birmingham, Academy
26 Apr: Leeds, University
28 Apr: Dublin, Ambassador
29 Apr: Belfast, Mandela Hall
1 May: Aberdeen, Music Hall
2 May: Glasgow, Barrowlands
3 May: Edinburgh, Usher Hall.
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CLEAR CHANNEL APPOINT NEW SPONSORSHIP BOSS
Clear Channel have recruited Caroline Lucas, formerly part of
the sponsorship and partnerships team at Capital, to join their
Music Marketing Partnership Team as Director of European Tour
Sponsorship. She will be coordinate partnerships between brands
and Clear Channel's music products.
Confirming
the new appointment, Simon Lewis, Senior VP Europe Music Marketing
Partnerships, told CMU: "Clear Channel Entertainment is
at the forefront of providing multi-dimensional music marketing
partnerships for brands. Our business focuses on delivering
effective, innovative and dynamic solutions that create genuine
and real customer and artist benefits. Tour sponsorship is moving
into a new era and Caroline Lucas's skills and connections make
her the ideal person to take our business through this transition
period and beyond"
Caroline
herself added: "I am very excited about joining Clear Channel
Entertainment, they have unrivalled access to music and entertainment
on a global scale. The 360 marketing opportunities that they
can offer brands in reaching and connecting with their consumers
are second to none. I look forward to starting in February and
developing this exciting and expanding marketing channel".
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READING
HEADLINE RUMOURS
Into the festival file, and the NME quotes a source who says
the Pixies, Iron Maiden and the Foo Fighters will headline this
summer's Reading and Leeds festivals. Although there is no official
word on line up yet, the source tells NME: "They've bagged
Pixies' only UK shows next year, and there's a chance they could
be their last ever in Britain. It's an open secret that Foo
Fighters are playing as well." The actual line up is expected
to be announced in Mar when tickets go on sale.
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BESTIVAL
DATES
Elsewhere in festival news, and have we mentioned that Bestival
returns from 9 - 11 Sep after its acclaimed launch last year?
Well, in case we didn't, now we have. Line up news when
we get it - meantime press info from Get Involved.
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FFAF HEADLINE LONDON FEST
Funeral For A Friend will headline the Give It A Name festival,
which is due to take place at London's Alexandra Palace
on 2 May. Also on the bill will be Coheed And Cambria, Rise
Against, Alexisonfire, Lucky Nine, Fightstar and Emanuel. Tickets
are on sale now for £25.
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FRESH
AIR FESTIVAL
For a very brief moment I though my old student radio station
had got themselves a leading London PR firm to represent them,
but then I realized the press release in my in box was for a
music event by the same name.
The
Fresh Air festival is being staged by Sunkissed Live and the
Royal Norwegian Embassy to celebrate a hundred years Norwegian
independence and basically features the biggest line up of Norwegian
acts you're ever likely to find in one place.
On
the bill will be, among others, Annie (DJ set), Satyricon, Bugge
Wesseltoft, Bj¯rn Torske, Mikal Telle, Xploding Plastix,
Magnet, Ralph Myerz (DJ set with The Jack Herren Band percussionist),
Nils Petter Molvúr, Magne F and Kango's Stein Massiv.
It
all takes place at Fabric on 3 Mar - and will be recorded
for Paul Thomas' One World show on BBC Radio 1 and Fiona
Talkington's Late Junction show on BBC Radio 3. Tickets
for the whole bash are £18 and are on sale now. Press
info from Darling.
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ALBUM REVIEW: FR8 - In Cold Blood (Casket Music)
Henley On Thames doesn't make you think death metal.
And call me traditional, but this grinding growling thundering
Scand-associated noise-core doesn't remind me of boat
races and public schools. But that's perhaps because
it's only the band's recording that's done
there - the four-piece old school heavy metal outfit
come from the North East and clearly brought some of the area's
stereotypical grit with them to their Southern recording studio.
Though they hardly stand out a mile - stylistically or
musically - they must have something that puts them ahead
of the competition as they were invited to support the relatively
puppy-gentle Lost Prophets. This, their debut album, is an unrelenting
and brutal collection of songs that roar from beginning to end
- never letting up. It's solid and ceaseless and
will no doubt stand these northern newcomers in good stead for
the future. JG
Release date: 28 Feb
Press contact: Casket on 01491 575 516
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SCOTTISH
STUDENTS AND MUSIC STARS MEET FOR FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT
Scottish students will be playing football with Scottish musicians
this Sunday in a special five-a-side football competition being
staged by Tennents. Five-a-side teams put together by student
associations / unions at Glasgow, Glasgow Caledonian, Strathclyde,
Edinburgh, Herriot Watt, Dundee, St Andrews, and Aberdeen universities,
and Glasgow School of Art, will play alongside members of Belle
and Sebastian, Mull Historical Society, Aberfeldy, V-Twin and
the Grim Northern Social. The winning university will win a
special gig at their union featuring all of the participating
bands. Sounds like fun - press info from Nicola Meighan
(nmeighan@hotmail.com).
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CLAPTON
FATHER FOR FIFTH TIME
Eric Clapton has become a father again for the fifth time. His
29 year old wife, Melia, has given birth to a baby girl at a
London hospital. A source is quoted in The Sun as saying: "Baby
and mother are doing well. Eric was there for the delivery."
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MICROSOFT EMPLOYEES PREFER THE IPOD
Interesting story published by Wired News reveals that a large
percentage of employees at the Microsoft Redmond campus are
using iPods, much to the annoyance of the company's management
who are trying to promote the idea of using Microsoft-compatible
players like those made by Creative, iRiver, Rio and Samsung.
The report quotes one vocal employee at the campus who says
he "heard from several executives who dutifully bought
Microsoft-powered players, tried them, failed to get them working,
and returned them in favor of an iPod".
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NUDE
FANS CAUSE RONAN FILMING TO CAN FILMING
And finally, Ronan Keating had to abandon filming his bit for
an MTV Tsunami Special when he got overawed by a group of streakers.
He was recording his song by the beach in Phuket - the
spot they chose happened to be near a nudist beach where several
of Ronan's German fans were sunbathing. A source told
reporters: "It was a huge shock when Ronan was surrounded
by naked ladies. The women refused to go away so there was no
choice but to pack up."