| CMU Daily - on the inside Tuesday 11th July |
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In today's CMU Daily:
- BPI challenge ISPs over illegal file sharing
- US senator helped producer Austin avoid jail
- Commodore dies
- Beanie Sigel makes R&B donation
- AC/DC man's gravestone vandalised
- James Dean Bradfield on Richey and Doherty
- The Killers preview a snippet
- Kaiser Chiefs album news
- Nine Black Alps begin work on new album
- Weller announces tour dates
- The Feeling single, live stuff
- Muse announce tour
- Little Barrie single, dates
- BBC launch electric proms
- Welsh download platform launches
- Yahoo! China fight back over infringement claims
- MusicNet appoint mobile man
- Visa launch interactive campaign with Williams
- Bandwagon launch in Ireland
- Sanctuary settle with former urban team
- IMPALA elect new top guys
- Warner/Chappell acquire Timbaland catalogue
- Dylan musical to open on Broadway
- RHCP criticise U2 and Peas for ad endorsement
- Madonna going lukewarm on kabbalah
- Kasabian want to punch chief Kaiser
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TOP BIT: THE GREAT GIG GRAB>>
While the fortunes of the recorded music sector have fluctuated over the last five years, the once poorer live sector seems to have been in a constant state of growth with an eager audience seemingly always available for an ever expanding number of venues, tours and festivals. So healthy is the live industry, in fact, that there is much talk of the record companies getting more involved in the live side of things, clawing back their investment in new artists through a cut of ticket sales as well as traditional record sales. Some would argue that development is now inevitable, with the big record labels needing to diversify to survive, and with the recently lucrative live market the obvious first port of call for such diversification. But is the live sector ready for such collaborations, and will it welcome the arrival of the major record companies in its space? And perhaps more importantly, can the live sector maintain its recent growth patterns - with or without the major labels getting involved? Is the constant launch of new tours and festivals every month, coupled with rising ticket prices and the growing community of online touts, all conspiring to bring the live sector crashing back to earth in the next eighteen months? As MusicTank turns the spotlight on the live sector at its latest ThinkTank event, we spoke to keynote speaker Ben Challis, a music industry lawyer who works as general counsel for both 3A Entertainments and the Glastonbury Festival, to get his insight on exactly where the live sector is heading. You can read that interview right now at:
http://www.cmumusicnetwork.co.uk/interviews
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HOT OFF THE PRESS>>
ALOUD FESTIVAL GUIDE IN ASSOCIATION WITH SONY ERICSSON
Can't be arsed to research festivals this summer? The Aloud Festival Guide has got the info on over 60 events taking place, written by music-lovers for music-lovers. As well as news and updates, we've got on-site blogging from the festivals, features, photos and advice from the illustrious Professor Portaloo - don't shag Anne Widdecombe scores quite highly. You can also win tickets to Lovebox, Belladrum and Bestival by sending in your photos, and feature in our summer podcast - brilliant!
www.aloud.com/festivals
www.myspace.com/aloudfestivals
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RIGHT NOW IN THE CMU BEATS BAR>>
MySpace Of The Day: Adem
I really liked Adem's second solo album 'Love And Other Planets', which was released in April this year, and I played it rather a lot. Why I haven't nominated him for MSOTD before is beyond me. Anyway, now, clearly is the time. And actually, it would seem like a good time, because he's got a new single out, on 7 Aug. Adem, for those of you who don't know, is Adem Ilhan, bassist in Fridge alongside Kieran Hebden, aka Four Tet. Adem's solo output is folky, wistful pop. I know this from having listened to it. Though I just found out, by looking him up on Wikipedia, that he is "sometimes described as being part of the nu-folk movement". My knowledge of the nu-folk movement isn't fantastic, so I shall trust whoever wrote that Wiki entry that this is the case. Whatever, it's good stuff. I like it. What more do you need to know?
http://www.myspace.com/ademilhan
This and more at http://www.thebeatsbar.co.uk
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BPI CHALLENGE ISPS OVER ILLEGAL FILE SHARING
The BPI has announced a new angle in its fight against illegal file sharing - trying to persuade (or force) internet service providers to turn off the net connection of suspected sharers. The trade association yesterday confirmed that it has written to Tiscali and Cable & Wireless, requesting that they suspend the accounts of 59 individuals who they suspect of being guilty of large amounts of illegal filesharing.
The move is certainly a bid to test the internet service providers who, some in the record industry reckon, have been too keen to turn a blind eye to the illegal sharing of copyright music online. If the ISPs could be persuaded to take a more proactive role in stopping illegal file sharing, then the record labels would be able to tackle larger numbers of file sharers quicker. Whether they will succeed in persuading the ISPs to take on such a role through polite letters alone remains to be seen (Tiscali are still rather pissed off at the major record companies, don't forget, for being forced to drop their online jukebox service), but I'm sure the BPI want us to infer that if the ISPs don't act in a voluntary capacity, then they will try to force the role on them through the courts.
Announcing the new move yesterday, BPI Chairman Peter Jamieson told CMU: "We have demonstrated in the courts that unauthorised filesharing is against the law. We have said for months that it is unacceptable for ISPs to turn a blind eye to industrial-scale copyright infringement. We are providing Tiscali and Cable & Wireless with unequivocal evidence of copyright infringement via their services. It is now up to them to put their house in order and pull the plug on these people."
The BPI wants the ISPs to withdraw internet services from the 59 suspected file sharers, 17 Tiscali customers, 42 Cable & Wireless, until those individuals sign an undertaking to stop unauthorised file sharing. BPI General Counsel Roz Groome says that the ISPs are in the right to make such demands from their customers, so they should be able to act quickly on the BPI's request. She told reporters: "Both Tiscali and Cable & Wireless state in their terms of use for subscribers that internet accounts should not be used for copyright infringement. We now invite them to enforce their own terms of use."
Of course those people sharing music online probably deserve to have their internet connections withdrawn - for being so behind the times. Every one knows the cool kids are using untraceable mobile based 'blue-tooth sharing' to acquire music illegally these days.
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US SENATOR HELPED PRODUCER AUSTIN AVOID JAIL
Turns out that a US Republican senator helped secure the release of music producer Dallas Austin from a Dubai jail last week. As previously reported, Austin, who has produced music from the likes of Madonna, Pink and TLC, was arrested in Dubai after being found in possession of cocaine. With tough anti-drugs legislation in the Arab emirate, the producer was facing four years in jail, but was pardoned almost immediately by the state's ruler, Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Following the news of Austin's release, a spokesman for conservative Senator Orrin Hatch confirmed he had had a role in achieving it. Hatch, a politician with music leanings, and possibly familiar to CMU readers for his support of tough legislation against file sharing, confirmed he had been contacted by Austin's lawyers, and that he had then spoken to the ambassador and consul of the United Arab Emirates in Washington on the producer's behalf. Hatch's statement is vague as to what exactly he did or said to help Austin - his spokesman simply observed that the senator has "good relations with the ambassador and other good people in Dubai". It is also unclear if Hatch and Austin know each other, though reports suggest they both employ the services of Atlanta based entertainment lawyer Joel Katz.
Hatch's statement concluded that he was "grateful to the leaders of Dubai for agreeing to provide a workable and compassionate solution for this situation", adding that he was confident that Austin would "learn from this experience". Yeah, learn to keep a senator's phone number in your mobile at all times.
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COMMODORE DIES
Milan Williams, one of the founding members of the Commodores, has died aged 58. Williams played keyboards in the Commodores, who, of course, rose to fame with a string of seventies hits after signing to Motown subsidiary MoWest in 1972.
Paying tribute to his former bandmate, fellow Commodore Watler 'Clyde' Orange yesterday told reporters: "He was once, twice, three times a brother and we love him. He gave all that he could give to the Commodores. He'll always be remembered."
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BEANIE SIGEL MAKES R&B DONATION
Rap star Beanie Sigel has expressed support for past R&B artists by making a donation to the Rhythm & Blues Foundation's Doc Pomus Financial Assistance Program. Sigel contributed $3,200 to the scheme, which provides emergency financial assistance to past R&B artists when they require help with medical and living expenses, at the Foundation's Pioneer Award after party. His donation prompted production duo Dre & Vidal (Andre Harris and Vidal Davis) to make a gift of $6,400.
Sigel says: "I never realized who these artists were or the history and importance of their contributions to music. Tonight also showed everyone the impact the work of the R&B Foundation has on the artists. I also issue a challenge to all my musical peers to step up and follow our lead."
The Foundation's executive director Kayte Connelly said: "Mr. Sigel's actions were a tremendous surprise. The Foundation is very grateful to Mr Sigel, Mr Harris and Mr Davis for their generosity and the challenge that they issued to their peers."
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AC/DC MAN'S GRAVESTONE VANDALISED
A brass plaque has been stolen from the gravestone of late AC/DC frontman Bon Scott, on what would have been the singer's sixtieth birthday. Scott died back in 1980, of course, at the age of 33 in London; his heritage-listed grave is in the Fremantle Cemetery in Australia.
Doug Thorncroft, of the Western Australia Bon Scott Fan Club, told Melbourne broadsheet The Age: "It's very disappointing; particularly at this very special time of the year.Some insignificant individual has decided to sabotage it, and steal this plaque. They're possibly sitting at home now feeling terrible, which I hope they are."
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JAMES DEAN BRADFIELD ON RICHEY AND DOHERTY
Manic Street Preacher James Dean Bradfield has said that he has no advice for Pete Doherty, despite his experiences with troubled former fellow bandmate Richey Edwards, who, of course, has been 'missing' since 1995, but has never been legally declared dead, and who had a history of self-harm and alcoholism.
The comments were prompted by questions addressing possibly parallels between Doherty and Edwards. Bradfield told the BBC: "I would never have any advice to give to anybody who is close to Pete Doherty or to Pete Doherty himself because I don't feel qualified, because we really didn't know what to do ourselves with Richey. We've re-traced our steps in terms of what happened to Richey so many times and at the end of the day Richey was surrounded by people who cared about him and who were quite sensible and still we couldn't help."
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THE KILLERS PREVIEW A SNIPPET
The Killers are previewing a teeny snippet of a new track from their forthcoming long player via the Island Records website. The forty second clip is taken from 'When You Were Young', set to be the album's first single release on 18 Sep. See the news section at http://www.islandrecords.com.
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KAISER CHIEFS ALBUM NEWS
Talking about highly anticipated second albums, Kaiser Chiefs told Zane Lowe at Oxegen at the weekend that they expect to finish their new long player by September and are planning to release it in February next year. Chief Kaiser Ricky Wilson said: "We should finish recording [the album] in September. It should be in all good record shops in February. It should be just in time for Valentine's Day, we might put a big heart on the front. The perfect gift for a loved one! How's that for marketing?"
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NINE BLACK ALPS BEGIN WORK ON NEW ALBUM
Even more second album news. Nine Black Alps have started work on their sophomore outing and plan to start recording in the next few months. A statement on the band's official website reads: "We've been at home in Manchester for the last few weeks writing and rehearsing and working on tracks for the next album, it's pretty much there now, all we have to do is find a studio and record it which will happen sometime over the next few months."
The band are currently on tour in the US, and say they will tour the UK in the autumn.
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WELLER ANNOUNCES TOUR DATES
Paul Weller has announced a series of tour dates. Here they are:
17 Nov: Dublin, Olympia
18 Nov: Dublin, Olympia
20 Nov: Newcastle, City Hall
21 Nov: Newcastle, City Hall
23 Nov: Sheffield, Octagon
24 Nov: Glasgow, Barrowlands
25 Nov: Glasgow, Barrowlands
27 Nov: Manchester, Apollo
28 Nov: Manchester, Apollo
30 Nov: Wolverhampton, Civic Hall
2 Dec: Brighton, Centre
3 Dec: Poole, Lighthouse
4 Dec: Gloucester, Leisure Centre
6 Dec: London, Forum
7 Dec: London, Forum
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THE FEELING SINGLE, LIVE STUFF
The Feeling are to release a third single, 'Never Be Lonely', on 28 Aug. They are also appearing at a few festivals over the summer. And they've also announced a series of tour dates for the autumn. Here's a round up of their live appearances, press info from Island:
23 Jul: Lovebox Festival
19 Aug: V Festival (Stafford)
20 Aug: V Festival (Chelmsford)
1 Nov: Birmingham, Academy
2 Nov: London, Shepherds Bush Empire
3 Nov: London, Shepherds Bush Empire
6 Nov: Cambridge, Corn Exchange
8 Nov: Brighton Dome
9 Nov: Oxford University
11 Nov: Southampton Guildhall
12 Nov: Cardiff University
13 Nov: Bristol Academy
15 Nov: Manchester Academy
16 Nov: Nottingham Rock City
17 Nov: Liverpool Academy
19 Nov: Newcastle Academy
20 Nov: Hull University
21 Nov: Glasgow ABC
22 Nov: Leeds University
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MUSE ANNOUNCE TOUR
Muse have announced a series of tour dates, as follows. Tickets on sale 9am on 14 Jul.
10 Nov: Manchester Evening News Arena
12 Nov: Cardiff International Arena
14 Nov: Birmingham NEC
17 Nov: Nottingham Arena
18 Nov: Sheffield Arena
19 Nov: Newcastle Metro Radio Arena
21 Nov: London Wembley Arena
22 Nov: London Wembley Arena
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LITTLE BARRIE SINGLE, DATES
We love Little Barrie here at CMU, so it is with great pleasure that I report that they are to release a limited edition 7" single, 'Pretty Pictures'/'Girls & Shoes', ahead of their second album, which is to be released sometime soon, but I don't know quite when. They've also announced two live dates, and are set to play London's St Moritz Club on 2 and 23 Aug. Which, despite my love for the band, infuriates me slightly, as they must have known that I'll be in Edinburgh all month and won't possibly be able to attend. Press info from Sainted.
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BBC LAUNCH ELECTRIC PROMS
Now, you might say that the one thing we don't need the BBC to spend licence fee payers' money on is yet another live music event - that money surely being better spent on a weekly prime time TV show to champion and support contemporary music, no? But whatever, the BBC are spending licence fee payers' money on yet another live music event, hurrah!
The event is a five day rock and pop festival in London, inspired by the Beeb's Proms programme. The new venture, to be called the Electric Promos, will see gigs staged in a number of North London venues featuring both established and emerging music talent. The programme will also feature film screenings, art and masterclasses.
Confirming the new project, the Electric Proms director, Lorna Clarke, told reporters yesterday: "Our ambition is to stage an event that will create new musical moments and foster interesting collaborations between big-name artists alongside exciting performances from up-and-coming talent".
The event will take place at various Camden venues, centring on the recently reopened Roundhouse, from 25-29 Oct. A full line up is expected to be announced in August.
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WELSH DOWNLOAD PLATFORM LAUNCHES
Now you might ask if Wales really needs its very own download platform, though someone was telling me the other day how many good independent and unsigned rock bands are coming out of the country just now, so perhaps they do. Anyways - Wales' first digital music download site has gone live, specialising in independent Welsh music. So if you are interested in all those quality Welsh acts, get on down to http://www.disaudio.com
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YAHOO! CHINA FIGHT BACK OVER INFRINGEMENT CLAIMS
Yahoo! China have apparently disputed claims by the International Federation Of The Phonographic Industry that it is guilty of copyright infringement. As you'll remember, the IFPI has accused the search engine of copyright violation because an MP3 search service it offers links to many illegal sources of music. The IFPI, which is already locked in a legal fight with China's biggest search engine, Baidu.com, on the same issue, hopes to use new tougher Chinese copyright laws to force Yahoo! to drop the service.
However Yahoo! China's owner, Alibaba.com, has denied that it is guilty of violating anyone's copyright, and says that it will take action against the IFPI if they damage its corporate reputation by making such allegations. In a statement issued by their Hong Kong based PR company, Yahoo! China told reporters: "The IFPI have no basis in claiming that Yahoo! China 'is infringing IFPI member companies' rights on a large scale. With respect to any damage to Yahoo! China's reputation and our ongoing business operations, we hereby reserve all of our legal rights."
As previously reported, the global Yahoo! Corp has a 40% share in the Chinese service (actually, I think it actually has a 40% share in Alibaba.com).
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MUSICNET APPOINT MOBILE MAN
MusicNet in the US has announced it has nabbed Ted Casey off American mobile firm Verizon Wireless to fill the role of Senior VP Business Development & Partner Relations. Having led Verizon's mobile music services, it is expected that Casey will have a key role in expanding MusicNet's backend digital music services into the mobile domain, and in particular in developing backend technologies that will simultaneously service different kinds of hardware.
Confirming the appointment, MusicNet boss Alan McGlade told reporters: "Ted's expertise and proven success in mobile and digital media will play an integral role in MusicNet's continued global expansion and diversification".
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VISA LAUNCH INTERACTIVE CAMPAIGN WITH WILLIAMS
Visa have announced details of a new partnership with Robbie Williams which will let German fans remix the singer's track 'Sin Sin Sin'. The online promotion allows fans to remix the song with the option to submit their creation to a Germany-wide competition. They can also remix the track into a personalised ringtone, utilising that YourSpins technology, made by UK company Digimpro.
The online promotion will be incorporated into the credit card company's traditional advertising, which usually uses the strapline "love every day", but which will say "love every remix" for the duration of the Williams campaign. Harry Otto of Saatchi & Saatchi, who are coordinating the ad campaign, told reporters: "Online activity will increasingly be at the center of campaigns. Visa needs to appear as an authentic partner within the target group."
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BANDWAGON LAUNCH IN IRELAND
Bandwagon, the previously reported music social networking thingy, has just launched in Ireland. As previously reported, Bandwagon offers artists both signed and unsigned a platform to sell their music and build communities. The Irish service will, obviously, provide those facilities to artists in Ireland - with plans to promote Irish talent signed up to the site's existing UK audience, and vice versa presumably.
Bandwagon MD Huw Thomas told CMU: "Launching Bandwagon in Ireland will be an exciting journey. Some of the most original artists and bands have broken through in Ireland and gone onto great success. There's a deep vein of original talent here. We're hoping Bandwagon will give the next generation of artists that first opportunity to promote themselves and get noticed".
Press info from [email protected]
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SANCTUARY SETTLE WITH FORMER URBAN TEAM
I wish the new bosses at the Sanctuary Group would do something fun, like organise a jelly eating competition, or something, just to give their PR team a break from having to distribute long press releases dealing with tedious and frequently depressing restructure news. We'd enter a team, to show our support for the struggling music company. Well, providing it was lime jelly.
Anyway, more tedious restructure news from Sanctuary, though not so depressing, given that it brings to an end ongoing litigation between the London based music company and three US artist managers who were formerly employed by its now defunct urban division. Sanctuary had said it would sue former associates Troy Carter, Julius Erving III and Tony Davis over one breach of contract claim or another, but admits that it is not in a position to fight a long drawn out legal battle with the three men, who would counter-sue, and so has reached an out of court settlement with them.
Details of that settlement are unknown, though I doubt it involves any jelly eating so, frankly, I don't care.
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IMPALA ELECT NEW TOP GUYS
Pan-European independents trade body, IMPALA, has appointed two people to replace PIAS man Michel Lamot, who is stepping down as the association's President. The top role will be split into two - with Naïve Records boss Patrick Zelnik in the role of President, and Beggars chief Martin Mills taking on the new job of Chairman. The trade body says the rejig recognises the increasing work load facing the association and its top people. Zelnik and Mills will be supported by two new VPs - !K7's Horst Weidenmüller and Epitaph Europe's Hein Van der Ree.
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WARNER/CHAPPELL ACQUIRE TIMBALAND CATALOGUE
Major publishing form Warner/Chappell Music has extended its agreement with songwriter/producer Timbaland, and in doing so has acquired his extensive catalogue of nearly 400 copyrights - a catalogue which includes Missy Elliott hit 'Get Ur Freak On', Justin Timberlake's 'Cry Me A River' and Nelly Furtado's current single, 'Promiscuous', so a catalogue well worth owning.
Confirming the deal, Warner/Chappell top man Richard Blackstone told reporters: "With his ability to transcend genres and his track record of creative innovation, Timbaland has built a reputation as one of music's most diverse and prolific songwriters, performers and producers. Warner/Chappell is delighted to continue and expand our successful partnership with Timbaland and remain committed to developing new opportunities for his first-rate catalog and ever-impressive songwriting skills."
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DYLAN MUSICAL TO OPEN ON BROADWAY
Reasons why I should be very rich, number 307: I'd buy up the entire Bob Dylan catalogue and stop them being used in a Broadway musical. But, alas, I'm just not that wealthy, so the songs of Bob Dylan will in deed appear in a new Broadway show called 'The Times They Are A-Changin'. The show, which premiered in San Diego earlier this year, will be choreographed by Twyla Tharp, who adapted Billy Joel's hits for the show 'Movin Out', and will also feature classic tracks 'Subterranean Homesick Blues', 'Mr Tambourine Man' and 'Blowin' in the Wind'. I can't wait. To be rich enough to buy Dylan's catalogue, that is.
Meanwhile, Dylan himself will headline a 'peace concert' in the Basque city of San Sebastian, a celebration of the ongoing ceasefire of Basque separatist group Eta, who, having stopped their terrorist attacks, are now expected to enter into talks with Spanish political leaders. Commenting on the Dylan headlined event, the concert's organisers said: "We are living days of hope when at last peace is possible. The gathering of thousands of people united by the music and over political ideas of any kind looks like the best way to symbolise this moment."
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RHCP CRITICISE U2 AND PEAS FOR AD ENDORSEMENT
Presumably this means we can rest assured there'll never be a cheap Red Hot Chili Peppers compilation musical on Broadway - because the RHCP guys would be a bit hypocritical to sell out in that way given that they have been bitching about U2 and Black Eyed Peas because both bands allowed their songs to be used as TV commercials.
The band's drummer, Chad Smith, has said they would never allow their music to be used in an ad soundtrack. Smith: "I'd feel like a jerk if we did that. But they're all lining up to do it. I think Black Eyed Peas look like a bunch of idiots. It's dangerous. The U2 song on the iPod when it came out was weird and it was longer and it had more parts. I think young people, not old guys like myself, think it's normal now to have Led Zeppelin on jeans commercials. Oh, no! That's not normal to me."
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MADONNA GOING LUKEWARM ON KABBALAH
The Independent On Sunday has reported that Madonna is considering distancing herself from the trendy and only slightly sinister Jewish sect, Kabbalah, which the singer has been a big supporter of in recent years. The newspaper says it is getting increasingly hard for Madonna to follow the strict religion, which stops her family from celebrating festivities like Christmas, and which, the paper claims, has come between her and hubby Guy Ritchie - not to mention the fact it's proving quite a financial burden. Not sure on what basis all that rumour is based, but losing Madonna as a supporter could end the increased profile and celebrity support the religion has enjoyed in recent years - although some at the core of the faith would probably be keen to see her go, arguing that her version of a Kabbalah lifestyle is not true to the sect's strict teachings.
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KASABIAN WANT TO PUNCH CHIEF KAISER
More inter-band bitching - it really is in fashion these days. All these bands need to calm down a bit. Perhaps a big jelly eating competition would help everyone overcome their tensions. I heard somewhere that Sanctuary Music is organising one - so that's good news.
Anyway, Kasabian have apparently hit out at Kaiser Chiefs after Chief Kaiser Ricky Wilson said that they were "shit". Apparently insiders feared things might kick off when both bands appeared at the Oxegen festival in Ireland this weekend after Kasabian's Tom Meighan apparently told the Mirror: "The next time I see Ricky I'm going to punch him in the face. I can't believe the Kaiser Chiefs dissed us - they're the ones to talk."