| CMU Daily - on the inside Monday 15th May |
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In today's CMU Daily:
- UK consumer body opposes copyright extension proposals
- Olympus Mons wins 3 student band competition
- Emma Rohan wins 02 unsigned band competition
- Yorke set for solo release
- Single review: Taking Back Sunday - MakeDamnSure
- TI cancels Japanese tour
- Kylie to make Melbourne comeback
- Hall memorial to take place this month
- Latest Doherty court news
- Snoop got a caution
- Take That meet with Robbie
- Sum 41 guitarist leaves
- MC5 man in bike accident
- Single review: Nate James - Pretend
- AIM appoint new digital man
- OD2 renew MSN Europe deal
- Chart update
- This week's Student Radio Chart
- Subshot playlist
- CMU radio show
- Single review: Forgive Durden - Beware The Jubjub Bird And Shun The Frumious
- Canadian broadcasters call for cut in native music quota
- More payola gossip
- Virgin appoint former Heart drive man
- HMV's Ottakar's takeover gets formal go ahead
- Thrilling World Cup song stuff
- Matt Willis on rehab and reality
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TOP BIT >>
You know the score, it's Monday morning, which means that later today a brand new edition of the CMU radio show will be going live up there on the CMU Beats website at http://www.thebeatsbar.co.uk/cmuradio. This week, in amongst the top tunes as listed in the list below, you'll find Chris and Caro chatting about Keith Richards, Britney Spears, Take That, Sony Awards, HMV, celeb X Factor, the Great Escape, festival launches, ticket touts and incredibly expensive magazine covers (well, one magazine cover in particular). You can listen to the radio show when ever you like providing you have [a] a computer, [b] an internet connection and [c] Windows Media Player. So, what exactly are you waiting for?
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SERVICES N STUFF>>
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ON AIR>>
TODAY ON TOTALROCK
Catbird talks to young British band Chokehold ('Phantasmagoria', 9am to noon). James Gill of 'Metal Hammer' magazine stands in for Lisa, and is threatening a guitar god goulash ('Metal Meltdown', 8-10pm). Listen live at http://www.totalrock.com
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CMU SUPPORTS>>
THE GREAT ESCAPE: You know the deal by now - three great days in Brighton offering an unrivalled programme of one to one interviews with leading industry figures, including Michael Eavis, ie Music's Tim Clark and David Enthoven and, just added, EMI CEO Tony Wadsworth, plus more great gigs and showcases than you can possibly imagine including The Futureheads, British Sea Power, The Kooks, The Bees, The Feeling, The Cribs and Martha Wainwright. It all takes place 18-20 May - full details at http://www.escapegreat.com - plus if you work for an independent or grass roots media or music company, or in the college space, email [email protected] and we'll tell you how you can get a full delegates pass for the very special rate of £175.
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RIGHT NOW IN THE CMU BEATS BAR>>
Beats in Brighton
The Brighton Festival is under way, and you can check out CMU's preview of the Great Escape, plus reviews of other music events taking place at the Festival this year courtesy of our sister title ThreeWeeks in Brighton, all online later on today at http://www.thebeatsbar.co.uk
MySpace Of The Day: Art Brut
Go on, you might as well, you could certainly do worse with the next ten minutes. You've surely heard of Art Brut, so the next step in making their acquaintance is checking the MySpace page and the track that crept up on the CMU team, 'Formed A Band' (amongst others). I say crept up, because it was one of those songs that we thought was alright on its release, but then we played it on the radio show sometime later and started to get into it proper - eventually playing it in the office several times a day - and every time I hear the intro I start smiling. You'll probably think this track gives those who accuse Art Brut of being a joke band a degree of evidence to support their claim, but I think the band has legs, if they choose to keep running. Either way, this is fun, and if there's one thing I like, it's a band with a sense of humour and a frontman with big eyebrows - Eddie Argos sports a pair that are way better than Charlie Simpson's. From what I hear, they're big in Germany - just like David Hasselhoff. Or, to look at it in a slightly more positive light, The Beatles.
http://www.myspace.com/artbrut
Read more about our MySpace of the Day right now at http://www.thebeatsbar.co.uk
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UK CONSUMER BODY OPPOSES COPYRIGHT EXTENSION PROPOSALS
Described by one news website as an "astonishing" statistic, but surely a dead cert candidate for "bleeding obvious stat of the week", the UK's National Consumer Council has revealed that half of British consumers are infringing the country's copyright laws by copying music from CDs onto their PCs or portable MP3 players, and that a similar amount are unaware that to do so is technically illegal.
Those statistics appear in a survey undertaken by YouGov, and have been published by the NCC as part of its contribution to the previously reported government review on all things copyright. By focusing on the laws that forbid the transferring of music from CDs to other digital devices, even for private use - a law few consumers adhere to - the NCC hopes to illustrate some of the ways that current copyright laws are hopelessly out of touch with the reality of the digital music age.
The organisation's Jill Johnstone told reporters last week: "We need to shake up the copyright law to incorporate the right to copy for private use".
Of course, a change in the copyright laws regarding private copying are not generally opposed by the music industry, who never enforce this right anyway, and we heard a rumour that the BPI themselves has made proposals for changes in this area in their submission to the copyright review.
The area in which the BPI and NCC will not agree, however, is the proposed extension of recording copyrights which, as previously reported, the record labels want increased from the current 50 years in order to bring a recording copyright in Europe more in line with copyrights elsewhere in the world, and with the songwriter royalty, which currently runs for the songwriter's lifetime plus seventy years.
On that issue Johnstone continued: "The current campaign to extend copyright terms for sound recordings beyond 50 years has no justification. Evidence shows music companies generally make returns on material in a matter of years, not decades. Current terms already provide excessive protection of intellectual property rights at a cost to consumers."
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OLYMPUS MONS WINS 3 STUDENT BAND COMPETITION
South London based Olympus Mons were crowned Student Band Of The Year, or something similar, at the much previously reported final of the 3 Student Music Awards which took place at ULU in London last Thursday night.
They beat off competition from Hips Like Cinderella, Lotus Lullaby, Whisky Cats and The Wailing Jacks to be crowned overall winners of this year's competition. As winners they now get recording time at the legendary Abbey Road studios and will see their music aired on the 3 mobile network (see, I did find out what the prize was, eventually).
Commenting on his win, Olympus Mons' Aaron MacIntosh told CMU: "It was a tough competition, the other bands were all great. We're amazed to have won and we're really looking forward to recording at Abbey Road."
Press info on the Student Music Awards from Slice.
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EMMA ROHAN WINS 02 UNSIGNED BAND COMPETITION
Talking of unsigned band competitions sponsored by mobile companies (and there's plenty of them), O2 have announced the winner of their Undiscovered competition - one Emma Rohan. Picked out from some 6000 demos submitted overall, she beat nine other finalists in the bid to impress the O2 Undiscovered industry pundit panel thing, which included Music Week's Ajax Scott, Xfm's Lucio, Vince Power and Polydor A&R top bloke Simon Gavin.
The latter's presence was important, because Rohan will now be working with Gavin and the Polydor team to put out a digital single ahead of a performance at the O2 sponsored Wireless festival next month. On that venture, Gavin told CMU: "I'm really looking forward to working with Emma. The coming weeks and months will be hard graft, but will give her a great platform and stage to shine".
Obviously we are so "in the know" on all things music that despite the fact Ms Rohan was unsigned prior to this weekend we already know that she combines highly distinctive vocals with songs that swing effortlessly from the all bruised heart loveliness of Joni Mitchell to the down and dirty nastiness of PJ Harvey - and with a stage presence that has been compared to a young Chrissie Hynde. Yep, we're CMU and we can cut and paste blurb from a press release as good as anyone. And we fix the dodgy commas too.
Of course Rohan's success means that Coronation Street star Rupert Hill, whose band Shepherds Pi entered the competition, was unsuccessful in his bid for O2 funded pop success. Ah well, as a Coronation Street heartthrob he always has the fallback of a Conservative safe seat to earn a living from.
Press info on O2 Undiscovered from Mission Media - [email protected]
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YORKE SET FOR SOLO RELEASE
Radiohead's Thom Yorke is shortly to release a solo album. 'The Eraser', set for a July release via XL, is being produced by the band's longtime producer, Nigel Godrich, and according to a statement, Yorke wrote all of the tracks and played all the instruments.
Yorke says: "I have been itching to do something like this for ages. It was fun and quick to do. Inevitably it is more beats and electronics. But it's songs. Stanley [Donwood - Radiohead's cover artist] did the cover. Yes it's a record! No it's not a Radiohead record. As you know the band are now touring and writing new stuff and getting to a good space."
He added that the long player's release did not indicate that Radiohead are in any danger of splitting, saying: "I want no crap about me being a traitor or whatever splitting up blah blah... this was all done with their blessing. And I don't wanna hear that word 'solo'. Doesn't sound right. OK then that's that."
Doesn't want to hear the word solo, eh? Oops.
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SINGLE REVIEW: Taking Back Sunday - MakeDamnSure (Warner Bros)
It's time for Fightstar, My Chemical Romance et al to step aside. Taking Back Sunday are back. Third album 'Louder Now' is the band's debut release on Warner Bros Records, who should get them more mainstream exposure, and this, the first single, is an indication that the band are finally finding their feet with the not-so-new line up: slick production thanks to Eric Valentine (Queens of the Stone Age, Lostprophets), a catchy chorus and trademark duelling vocals. The video will undoubtedly be played on loop on Kerrang! and every kid with a sweeping black fringe will watch religiously. If 'MakeDamnSure' is anything to go by, 'Louder Now' is the album 'Where You Want To Be' should have been. RM
Release Date: 22 May
Press Contact: Warner IH [all]
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TI CANCELS JAPANESE TOUR
Rapper TI has cancelled his tour of Japan, following the previously reported shooting of his close friend and associate Philant Johnson. His American dates promoting the release of his new album 'King' came to an abrupt halt due to the incident, but it would seem that the tour to Japan has been cancelled for different reasons, namely the hip hop star's arrest on Wednesday for neglecting to fulfill the terms of his probation.
TI, real name Clifford Harris, was sentenced to eighteen months probation and 75 hours of community service after pleading guilty to battery on a law enforcement officer, trespassing and disorderly conduct in relation to an incident that took place in Tampa back in 2003. This sentence was subsequently added too after a previous probation violation. We're not quite sure what the latest violation was, but we do know TI is due to appear in court to answer the charges today, and that that means he won't make the Japanese bit of his tour.
Harris's lawyer, Jonathan Leonard explained that his client had been unaware that he had unfulfilled probation obligations in Florida, plus added that the tour's cancellation was not just as a result of the court appearance, telling the AP: "I think everybody decided it's just a good time for him to take this week and regroup."
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KYLIE TO MAKE MELBOURNE COMEBACK
According to reports, Kylie Minogue is to stage her comeback concert in her home town of Melbourne later this year. The pop star, whose career was put on hold when she was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, will appear at the Rod Laver Arena in November. A 'source' apparently told the People: "She insists on Melbourne for her family, friends and hometown supporters. And her people have already pencilled in the dates in November - the height of summer Down Under - to guarantee a booking."
Her manager Terry Blarney is quoted as saying: "Kylie is going to come back better than ever and we thank the fans for giving her the time to recover."
Elsewhere, Dannii Minogue has been talking about the impact of her sister's illness and how she and Kylie tried to stay positive by playing games, dancing and watching funny films.
"We loved to do what we call 'daggy dancing' - just really stupid dancing to anything I had on my iPod, anything happy and fun," she said, "this guy called Paul Anka has an album of cover songs but because they're so different and swing music, we played Name That Tune. Kylie's so good at it."
On Kylie's recovery, Danni continued: "We were told from the beginning Kylie's cancer could be treated and this would be the outcome but until you actually hear it, only then can you go, 'I couldn't breathe for a year but now I can'. One thing that would be a complete achievement would be to see her finishing her Australian tour. That would be amazing. That would be something to mark that it's all in the past."
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HALL MEMORIAL TO TAKE PLACE THIS MONTH
A memorial event is to take place for soul singer Lynden David Hall, who, as previously reported, died in February, aged 31, after suffering with Hodgkin's Lymphoma for two years. The event will take place at Kensington Roof Gardens on 23 May, and will feature Ms Dynamite amongst the line-up. All proceeds are to go to the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust.
Shortly before his death, Hall set up the Lynden's Wish foundation to raise money for his fellow cancer sufferers. Wife Nikkie said: "Lynden's Wish was set up by my husband and I when he was in hospital last year. On Lynden's passing we had a very private funeral, after which many people expressed the wish to offer condolences. I have decided to use this opportunity to continue our support for the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust by holding this memorial fundraiser in Lynden's honour."
Hall, a graduate of the Brits school, won best newcomer at the 1998 Mobo awards, in recognition of his debut album 'Medicine 4 My Pain.'
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LATEST DOHERTY COURT NEWS
Well, there kind of is no court news, mainly because Pete Doherty, or "troubled-rock-star-Pete-Doherty" as he's now known, has failed to attend a second court hearing in a row because he was off on tour in Germany with Babyshambles.
As previously reported, the singer missed an earlier court appearance because he got stuck in Paris following a gig. Quite what he was stuck to, I'm not entirely sure. Not sure either why no one thought to cross reference his band's tour itinerary with his court summons. Ah well.
Doherty was to attend court as part of his twelve month community order imposed following his arrest on seven counts of drugs possession. He has been ordered to appear again on 9 Jun. We're putting our money on some kind of vehicle breakdown in Spain this time.
Staying with Doherty for a few more lines, Kate Moss (who often stayed with Doherty for a few more lines) has been overheard expressing her continued concern for her former other half. A passenger who shared a flight between London and New York with Ms Moss told the Daily Star: "Kate was telling her friend how Pete is the only man who has ever truly turned her on. He just has that extra something. Kate also told her mate she is so concerned about him. She is doing everything she can to get through to him about the dangers of drugs but she can't make him quit. She is trying every tactic in the book to get him through this rough spell. She absolutely adores him. She couldn't stop grinning when she spoke of him."
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SNOOP GOT A CAUTION
Kind of pop court related, a quick update on Thursday's story, in which we reported that Snoop Dogg had flown back into Heathrow for a meeting with police following that fracas at the airport at the end of last month in which the rapper and his entourage fought with airport police. So, anyway, he got a caution for affray under Section 4 of the Public Order Act. So there you go.
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TAKE THAT MEET WITH ROBBIE
Take That, who were stood up by Robbie Williams, if you remember, during the launch of that recent documentary about the band, have, according to The Sun, met with their former bandmate in a London hotel. It was the first time in more than a decade, of course, that all five members of the original line-up have been in the same room.
The meeting is said to have gone well, with no apparent fight breaking out between Gary 'the songwriter' Barlow and Robbie 'I always was the talented one' Williams. A source told the tabloid "Robbie looked a bit nervous waiting for the boys. He was sat on his own at the bar in a black hoody. The bus pulled up outside the doors and the boys ran into the hotel one by one through the foyer and into the bar. When Gary went through Robbie stood up and they both hugged and laughed. Gary said, 'How are you? It's been a while."
The source continued: "Over the past 11 years they have hardly spoken to each other and since the band got back together last November their only means of communication was through Mark. They looked quite emotional. They haven't all been in a room all together for almost 11 years - it was like old times."
As previously reported, and as you all know, frankly, Take That minus Williams are currently on their sold-out reunion tour, and recently announced that they have signed to Polydor to record a new album.
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SUM 41 GUITARIST LEAVES
Sum 41 guitarist Dave Baksh, aka Dave Brownsound, has left the band to work with his new group Brown Brigade. MTV quote the musician as saying: "I couldn't continue on creatively in Sum 41 without being a thorn in the side of the band. As people grow, they change. All I can ask is that our fans understand and accept my thanks for being there for me whenever I was feeling happy, sad or depressed."
He added that the split was entirely amicable, saying: "We are brothers and no matter what, they are Sum 41 and they will make an incredible album. Peace love and all of the above." Baksh's representative Mike Renaud, meanwhile, confirmed: "He's got a new band called Brown Brigade, and he felt it was time to make a switch. There's no bad blood between anyone in Sum, and Dave is incredibly proud of everything he did with the band."
Sum 41's Derek Whibley, meanwhile, has posted on the bands official message board regarding the guitarist's departure, as follows, lack of caps and punctuation all his own: "hey everyone so yes the rumors are true. dave has left the band. he was sick of this whole life and would have more fun playing in his own classic metal band. so we respect that. there's no hard feelings what so ever. the fact is dave lost interest a long time ago. not to take any credit away from him, but he really didn't have anything to do with this band creatively for a long time. i wrote all those riffs and played most of them on the albums. so from a creative stand point nothing is going to change with sum41. we will miss dave a lot. and we don't plan on replacing him."
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MC5 MAN IN BIKE ACCIDENT
Former MC5 bassist Michael Davis had an accident whilst riding his Harley Davidson in California last week, sustaining a number of injuries, including a fractured spine. The musician, who was apparently riding through Pasadena when he hit a muffler on the road, will have to wear a back brace for six weeks. Davis currently plays with former bandmates Wayne Kramer and Dennis Thompson, who call themselves DKT-MC5.
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SINGLE REVIEW: Nate James - Pretend (Fro Funk)
This little ditty is actually a re-worked version of the B-side to his debut single release 'Set The Tone'. The person twiddling the knobs on this new version is Lauryn Hill producer Jarod Rogers, and accordingly it's a slicker, bouncier version of the original. James breezes his way through the vocals with that smooth voice of his, and the whole thing is very easy on the ear - perfect for the summer months ahead. I have to say that I like the B-side 'Cut A Rug' loads as well. A bit of a departure, it wouldn't be out of place in one of those scenes in 80's high school movies when complete strangers spontaneously burst into a choreographed dance routine for no discernable reason. Full of funky synth bass and a little bit of vocoder, it certainly put a smile on my face. TH
Release Date: 15 May
Press Contact: Emms Publicity [all]
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AIM APPOINT NEW DIGITAL MAN
The Association Of Independent Music has announced that Greg Eden, the man behind Warp's Bleep.com service, will take on the role of GM of AIM Digital which was left empty following the departure of James Kyllo. He will work for the industry association's digital bit on a consultancy basis while still providing similar support to Warp.
Confirming the appointment, AIM's Alison Wenham said Greg had "a deep and technically-proficient understanding of digital trade" adding that "in many ways he married all of our requirements for the role". She continued: "Greg will be responsible for reviewing our digital activities in context of the maturing markets in some of the digital areas. We're going to be drawing up a charter which will be setting the stage for our digital activity in the coming years".
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OD2 RENEW MSN EUROPE DEAL
Loudeye subsidiary OD2 (remember them?) has confirmed it has renewed its contract with the European division of Microsoft's MSN to continue providing the portal's download services. The renewed contract follows that previously reported announcement earlier this month that Loudeye was selling off its US business to concentrate on its Europe based OD2 operation.
The new deal means Loudeye will continue to provide its white label download platform to MSN customers in 13 countries. Although dwarfed by iTunes, MSN's download service says it has "hundreds of thousands" of customers, and in the UK recent research suggested the Microsoft platform had 6% of the digital music market, some way behind Apple on 44%, but comparing well with Napster on 8% and UK based Wippit, also on 6%.
OD2 also continues to supply download services for a number of other European internet service providers as well as MTV, Oxfam, Packard Bell and Coke, though they lost the deal to supply both HMV and Virgin Megastore with their download platforms - both high street retailers opted for MusicNet when they properly launched their digital offers.
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CHART UPDATE
So, you know who is still number one in the singles chart this week. It is possible, you know, to have too much of a good thing.
New entries run thus: Pet Shop Boys' 'I'm With Stupid' at 8, Daz 'Eurovision' Sampson's 'Teenage Life' at 13, Boy Kill Boy's 'Suzie' at 17, Christina Milian/Young Jeezy's 'Say I' at 18, Michael Jackson's 'In The Closet' at 20, Upper Room's 'Black And White' at 22, Busta Rhymes' 'Touch It' at 23, Orson's 'Bright Idea' at 28, Delays' 'Hideaway' at 35, Graham Coxon's 'You & I' at 39 and Hot Chip's 'Boy From School' at 40.
Those Red Hot Chili Peppers go straight in at the top of the old albums chart, pushing last week's chart toppers Snow Patrol into second place. Just behind them are Dirty Pretty Things, whose much much hyped debut 'Waterloo To Anywhere' goes in at number three.
Other new entries - hmmm - not much to tell you, except that John Fogerty has gone in at 32 with 'The Long Road Home' and Sigur Ros has re-entered at 35 and a RHCP hits album has re-entered at 40. And that's it mate.
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THIS WEEK'S STUDENT RADIO CHART
1. [1] Red Hot Chilli Peppers - Dani California (Warner)
2. [8] We Are Scientists - Nobody Move Nobody Get Hurt (EMI/Virgin)
3. [6] Snow Patrol - You're All I Have (Universal/Fiction)
4. [10] Fallout Boy - Dance Dance (Chrome Dreams)
5. [5] The Racounters - Steady As She Goes (Beggars/XL)
6. [NE] The Feeling - Fill My Little World (Universal/Island)
7. [17] Keane - Is It Any Wonder (Universal/Island)
8. [NE] Delays - Hideaway (Rough Trade)
9. [12] Feeder - Lost and Found (Echo)
10. [25] Jack Johnson - Upside Down (Universal/Brushfire)
11. [28] Graham Coxon - You & I (EMI/Parlophone)
12. [NE] Goldfrapp - Fly Me Away (EMI/Mute)
13. [2] The Zutons - Why Don't You Give Me Your Love (SonyBMG/Deltasonic)
14. [NE] Hot Chip - Boy From School (EMI)
15. [18] The Futureheads - Skip to the End (679)
16. [NE] Captain - Broke (EMI)
17. [7] The Streets - When You Wasn't Famous (679)
18. [16] Paul Oakenfold - Faster Kill Pussycat (Warner/Maverick)
19. [NE] The Zutons - Valerie (SonyBMG/Deltasonic)
20. [NE] The Upper Room - Black & White (SonyBMG/Columbia)
21. [NE] Ll Cool J - Control Myself (Universal/Mercury)
22. [15] Richard Ashcroft - Music Is Power (EMI/Parlophone)
23. [27] The Spinto Band - Did I Tell You (Radiate)
24. [NE] Boy Kill Boy - Suzie (Universal/Vertigo)
25. [19] Corinne Bailey Rae - Trouble Sleeping (EMI)
26. [NE] Hazey Janes - Always There (Measured)
27. [3] Dirty Pretty Things - Bang Bang You're Dead (Universal/Vertigo)
28. [20] Camera Obscura - Lloyd, I'm Ready to be Heartbroken (Elefant)
29. [NE] Primal Scream - Country Girl (SonyBMG/Columbia)
30. [NE] Ed Harcourt - Visit From the Dead Dog (EMI/Heavenly)
Someone asked me last week who compiles this, but I can't remember who, so, just for them, it is compiled by the Student Radio Association. Email [email protected] for more info.
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SUBSHOT PLAYLIST
The vids being played on the SUBtv network across students' unions this week. Adds marked with a *.
A LIST
Beatfreakz - Somebody's Watching Me (Ministry/Data)
Feeder - Lost and Found (Echo)
The Feeling - Fill My Little World (Universal/Island)
Panic! At The Disco - But It's Better If You Do (Decaydance/Fueled By Ramen)
Primal Scream - Country Girl (SonyBMG/Columbia)
The Raconteurs - Steady As She Goes (Begagrs/XL)
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Dani California (Warner)
Snow Patrol - You're All I Have (Universal/Fiction)
The Upper Room - Black & White [Live] (SonyBMG/Columbia)
SUBSHOT EXCLUSIVE - DOT LUNCHTIME SESSION
We Are Scientists - Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt (EMI/Virgin)
B LIST
Busta Rhymes - Touch It (Remix) (Universal/Interscope)
*Camera Obscura - Lloyd, I'm Ready To Be Heartbroken (Elefant)
Captain - Broke (EMI)
*Futureheads - Skip To The End (679)
Hot Chip - Boy From School (EMI)
Infernal - From Paris To Berlin (Blanco Y Negro)
Jack Johnson - Upside Down (Universal/Brushfire)
*Keane - Is It Any Wonder? (Universal/Island)
*Little Man Tate 'What? What You Got?' (V2)
*Loleatta Holloway - Love Sensation '06 (Gusto)
*Louie 'Dead Man' (Fallout)
*Mystery Jets - You Can't Fool Me Dennis (679)
Nerina Pallot - Everybody's Gone To War (Warner/14th Floor)
Ordinary Boys v Lady Sovereign - Nine2Five (Universal/B Unique)
PJ Harvey - Victory (Universal/Island)
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CMU RADIO SHOW
Here are the wonderful records that we played on this week's CMU radio show. You know, the radio show you can listen to this afternoon at http://www.thebeatsbar.co.uk/cmuradio.
Primal Scream - Country Girl (SonyBMG/Columbia)
Captain - Broke (EMI)
The Delilahs - Let's Tango (Gene pool)
Adam Green - Pay The Toll (Rough Trade)
Adam Green - Party Line (Rough Trade)
Shack - Black & White (Sour Mash)
The Loose Cannons - Why You? (Fat Fox)
Hafdis Huld - Tomoko (MVine)
Boy Least Likely To - Be Gentle With Me (19)
Arctic Monkeys - Scummy Man (Fake ID Remix) (Bootleg)
Lazy B - Underwear Goes Inside The Pants (Universal)
Go Home Productions - Juicebox Rock (Bootleg)
Team 9 - Belinda's Freakin Out (Bootleg)
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SINGLE REVIEW: Forgive Durden - Beware The JubJub Bird and Shun The Frumious Bandersnatch (Warner/Atlantic/Fueled By Ramen)
Forgive Durden have a really horrible band name. It grates on me. They don't sound a lot better either. Just like the name of the single, thieved from Jabberwocky, the entirety of their sound has been stolen from bands more imaginative than they are. It sounds like System Of A Down gone Emo, which is a bad prospect if ever I heard one, and doesn't work in reality either. A support slot on Panic! At the Disco's forthcoming UK tour is on the way, presumably as they share a label. If Emo-metal really sounds like a concept you'd love, then go see them - the press release promises (like every other) that "you can expect to be hearing a lot more of them this year", so presumably you'll have plenty of chances. Unfortunately, their combination of teen angst, whiny vocals and awful name utterly fail to float my boat. I'm not forgiving them for any of it. DG
Release Date: 29 May
Press Contact: Atlantic IH [all]
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CANADIAN BROADCASTERS CALL FOR CUT IN NATIVE MUSIC QUOTA
The rules that govern how much homegrown music must be played by Canadian radio stations are up for review this week, with a fight on the cards as broadcasters look to relax current quotas, while the independent music sector pushes for them to be increased.
When the Canadian Association Of Broadcasters addresses the Canadian Radio, Television And Telecommunications Commission later today they will call for government playlisting rules to be relaxed because, they argue, regulations are making it harder for traditional radio stations to compete with new satellite and internet broadcasters, who are subject to less regulation.
The Association's President, Glenn O'Farrell, told reporters last week: "Radio faces unregulated competition in an open field of media and entertainment services. This does not mean that more regulation is required, but rather more effective regulation needs to be designed." They want the amount of Canadian music they are obligated to play to be reduced from 35% to 25% in return for commitments to playlisting more native emerging artists.
However the watchdog group Friends Of Canadian Broadcasting is calling for an increase in the quota to 40%. Their spokesman, Ian Morrison, adds: "And at least one-quarter of this minimum should be for new and emerging genres and artists. The industry has never been more profitable. There is an appetite for Canadian music when it's properly presented."
Morrison is likely to win the support of key Canadian independent labels, six of which quit the Canadian Recording Industry Association earlier this year because they said the main recording industry association was not prepared to be hardline enough in these negotiations. The CRIA is known to be happy to stick with the current 35% quota, though they are also pushing for new commitments regarding breaking talent. The indies, however, say they want the quota increased to 45%.
The Commission's review of the quota issue is expected to run for much of the week.
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MORE PAYOLA GOSSIP
Look, will you stop saying the Universal Music Group took so long to settle with New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer over all things payola because they were trying to negotiate down the settlement and because they wanted to stop the publication of certain internal correspondence? A source at the label has clarified matters, telling the LA Times that the delays in reaching a deal with Spitzer over the bribing of US radio stations to play certain records occurred because Universal reckoned some of the practices the AG objected to were actually within current US radio rules.
From what we hear, they might be right, which is reportedly why radio group Entercom is preparing to fight Spitzer through the courts over his attempts to sue them for accepting bribes for airplay. If that whole case goes to court it might turn out the problem (in some cases at least) wasn't so much the practices of the labels/radio groups but the FCC rules they were actually adhering too. If the courts decide that is the case, it will be interesting to see if the major labels can renegotiate their expensive Spitzer settlements which were based on the assumption the AG's interpretation of radio rules were right.
Meanwhile, commenting on the whole payola thing, Spitzer has told the LA Times: "We'd like to see these practices eliminated. My hope is that this will inspire greater confidence on the part of the public that radio choices aren't dictated by under-the-table payments." Of course the public might find that US radio stations programme crap music even when they're not bribed to do so. Which might make the record labels wonder why they bothered in the first place.
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VIRGIN APPOINT FORMER HEART DRIVE MAN
Virgin Radio has hired former Heart 106.2 drive time man Greg Burns to host a Sunday afternoon show and two late night shows. Despite his seven year term at easy pop station Heart, Virgin programme boss Paul Jackson said last week that Burns is a "genuine guy who is into our kind of music". Of course if he was that genuine how did he manage to spend seven years bigging up music on Heart 106.2 which, it would seem, he didn't actually like? Or perhaps he's just got very eclectic music tastes. Yep, that'll be it. Anyway, Burns will present Sundays 1-4pm and Tuesday/Wednesday overnight.
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HMV'S OTTAKAR'S TAKEOVER GETS FORMAL GO AHEAD
The Competition Commission has formally given the go ahead for HMV to take over independent bookseller Ottakar's, following its issuing of a provisional OK back in March. The Commission says that merging Ottakar's in with HMV's existing book chain Waterstones would not lead to a "substantial lessening of competition". HMV are yet to confirm that they will now proceed with the takeover, though insiders say that, given the delays in getting to this point, they will probably be able to get the book chain for a lower price, which is nice. For them.
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THRILLING WORLD CUP SONG STUFF
I am not even going to mention how bored I might be of World Cup related pop songs. Someone suggested to CMU that we campaign for a band to release an anti World Cup song, and I'm almost convinced that it's a good idea.
Anyway, this isn't the news that there's yet another nother nother World Cup track for you to not sing on the terraces (if you're going), this is William Hill announcing what odds they're offering on which World Cup track will chart the highest.
The good news is that Crazy Frog's 'We Are The Champions' isn't the favourite. The Tonedef All Stars are, with 'Who Do You Think You're Kidding Jurgen Klinsman' at evens, followed by Embrace with 'World At Your Feet' at 7/4 and the TalkSPORT ALLSTARS with 'We're England' at 9/2.
So possibly best to put your money on the Frog, because one can never underestimate the power of irritating amphibians, and the odds are definitely better, at 33/1.
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MATT WILLIS ON REHAB AND REALITY
CMU's official favourite ex member of Busted, Matt Willis, has apparently spoken to The Mirror about ending up in rehab. He's probably doing a lot of speaking to people at the moment because he releases debut solo single 'Up All Night' on 22 May.
The tabloid quotes him as saying: "It was awful. I was very unhappy and probably in the lowest point of my life. I hit self-destruct mode. When you're told to fucking look at the rest of your life at 21, it's a bit worrying when you don't see anything. Probably the best thing I've ever done was asking for help."
He also said he would never have considered boosting his career with an appearance on a reality show. "I think it's undignified" he said. "They are so short lived, these Fame Academy and Pop Idol things. People get caught up in it... 'Oh we love him, we love him!' Yeah, do you remember the guy who won it before? Look at that fucking Pete Burns. I've never seen such a wanker in all of my life. I'd never hit a bird, but I'd hit him."