| CMU Daily - on the inside Tuesday 1st August |
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In today's CMU Daily:
- RHCP and Shakira dominate VMA nominations
- LAPD relaunch Biggie investigation
- Guns n Roses still annoying their fans
- Wembley now not due until 2007
- Sparks single, live dates
- The Automatic re-release debut single
- Graham Coxon limited release
- Diddy lines up star guests for new album
- Oasis hits LP tracklisting announced
- Dogs Die In Hot Cars
- Free Trivium MP3 online
- Five O'clock Heroes announce album
- Jeremy Warmsley album release
- Pink Floyd considering Barrett tribute
- Flaming Lips live album
- LL Cool J to get TV drama all of his own
- Nearly 4 million tune into final TOTP
- More Live Nation expansion
- Sanctuary studios closing?
- New French copyright laws reviewed again
- News International set to launch free afternoon London paper
- Bebo launches music section
- Bono a very influential guy, apparently
- Shaggy has Bollywood ambitions
- Richards buys hut by the sea
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PRESS ROOM>>
KILL ALL HIPPIES AUGUST
Take note, the next Kill All Hippies will take place at the 333 Club in Shoreditch this Friday, 4 Aug. On the bill live wise will be band of the moment Humanzi plus Apartment in support, while KAH residents Jeff Automatic and Gavin Nugent will be joined by Mark Beaumont, Syrinx and Engineers on the decks (plus one more guest DJ tbc). Guest list in advance at http://www.leylinepromotions.com to enjoy a special five pound entry fee.
More info: http://www.cmumusicnetwork.co.uk/pressroom/killallhippies
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RHCP AND SHAKIRA DOMINATE VMA NOMINATIONS
So, if success in the world was measured alone in MTV VMA nominations, life would be looking pretty good for both the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Shakira, both of whom are shortlisted in seven categories for the music network's annual US awards fest. Among the gongs they are up for, both are contenders for the prestigious Video Of The Year Award - for 'Dani California' and 'Hip's Don't Lie' respectively. In that category they compete with the likes of Madonna (for 'Hung Up'), Christina Aguilera (for 'Ain't No Other Man') and Panic! At The Disco (for 'I Write Sins Not Tragedies').
Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, The Killers, TI, Ludacris and the aforementioned Panic! At The Disco are all due to play at the awards event itself, which takes place in New York on 31 Aug.
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LAPD RELAUNCH BIGGIE INVESTIGATION
LAPD are stepping up their investigations into the shooting of the late Notorious BIG, as the family of the rapper prepare to stage their latest legal assault on the city of Los Angeles over the authorities' incompetent and allegedly corrupt handling of the case.
The LA police force had previously all but given up on the murder case, but with that lawsuit pending, they have now announced that six veteran homicide detectives will lead a police task force in a new investigation. Given that, according to the LA Times at least, there is no immediate new evidence for the new task force to use, it could be argued that the new investigation is wholly political, rather than a mission to follow up new leads.
The new team are expected to again investigate rumours that Biggie's killing was linked to ongoing hip hop feuds, and that he was killed by a member of the Southside Crips gang at the bequest of hip hop mogul Suge Knight - allegations Knight continues to deny.
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GUNS N ROSES STILL ANNOYING THEIR FANS
Guns N Roses have yet again incurred the wrath of their fans by keeping them waiting until 10.30pm to start their show at Wembley Arena on Sunday night, with frontman Axl Rose later quitting the stage part way through the last song of the band's main set. As previously reported, Rose has frequently behaved in an erratic manner on the current tour, frequently leaving the stage, and when the band appeared in Newcastle, the gig had to be cancelled after fans, angered by the late running of that show, began throwing glasses at the group.
At the London show, the band were met with boos and slow hand claps before they finally took to the stage, while later Rose walked off during a rendition of 'Night Train', leaving guest Sebastian Bach, formerly of Skid Row, to complete the singer's vocal performance in that song, as well as for an encore rendition of 'Paradise City'
Manager Merck Mercuriadis appeared onstage at the end of the gig and read a short statement explaining that Rose was suffering from either "high-blood pressure" or "hypertension". The singer played an acoustic set at Koko at 4am on Sunday morning, just hours after playing a full set at Wembley on Saturday night, prompting speculation that he was not in a fit state to play at all by Sunday night.
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WEMBLEY NOW NOT DUE UNTIL 2007
Wembley Stadium may not now be ready to host a major event until June 2007, over a year after last May's FA Cup Final, which had been due to re-open the arena, but which had to be moved to Cardiff once building work delays became apparent. Already delays have caused a number of music events due to take place at the venue to be moved elsewhere, including Take That, Stones and Robbie Williams gigs.
The June 2007 date comes from the company building the new stadium, Multiplex (who have been blamed for most of the delays so far), although they said that the vast majority of their own work on the stadium was now done, and most of what remains to be done, including the holding of test events in order to secure relevant licences, was the responsibility of Wembley National Stadium Ltd. A spokesman for Multiplex told reporters: "Unless and until WNSL hold and successfully complete this series of test events... Multiplex will be prevented from achieving practical completion". Citing their own analysis, the statement continued: "it is unlikely that the stadium will be able to hold a test event for 90,000 spectators before June 2007".
However this contradicts a statement made by WNSL themselves earlier this week when they admitted that the latest deadline for completion, September, will not be reached. However, they said they thought the venue would be open within the year. But if Multiplex's estimates are right the stadium will miss out on hosting the FA Cup Final once again.
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SPARKS SINGLE, LIVE DATES
Sparks are to follow the release of twentieth album 'Hello Young Lovers' with a double A side single - 'Dick Around' / 'Waterproof' - on 25 Sep via Gut Records. They're also releasing a live version of 'Change' via download. And they're also set to tour Europe in the Autumn, following festival appearances at the Wickham Festival, The Big Chill, and Electric Picnic. Headline tour dates as follows, press info from Noble PR.
27 Sep: Elysee Montmartre Paris
28 Sep: Colston Hall Bristol
30 Sep: Forum London
1 Oct: Dome Brighton
3 Oct: Civic Hall Wolverhampton
4 Oct: Corn Exchange Cambridge
5 Oct: ABC Glasgow
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THE AUTOMATIC RE-RELEASE DEBUT SINGLE
Er, The Automatic are to re-release their debut single 'Recover' in September. The band, who have just finished a UK tour, confirmed the decision to re-issue the track via a message on their website.
The band said: "We're re-recording and re-releasing 'Recover' because we didn't feel the original version did the song full justice and we wanted more people to hear the song. The limited edition release last year will always be special to us as it was our first release but we're really pleased with the new recording."
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GRAHAM COXON LIMITED RELEASE
Graham Coxon is to release a limited edition live album, a recording of a show the former Blur man is to play at London's Astoria in 25 Oct. Which seems mighty confident. What if he has a bad night? Oh, I see, it's once of those instant thingies.
A post on Coxon's official website confirmed the plan, saying: "We're delighted to announce that we've teamed up with LiveHereNow to produce a special limited edition live CD of Graham's entire show at the Astoria on the 25th October. If you're at the show you'll be able to buy it on the night and leave with the recording within minutes of the show finishing - for people who can't get to the show, there's a facility to pre-order the CD by mail order."
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DIDDY LINES UP STAR GUESTS FOR NEW ALBUM
The new album from Diddy (no P, remember) is set to feature guest appearances from a host of big names. 'Press Play', out 3 Oct, will include vocal performances from the likes of Kanye West, Christina Aguilera, Fergie and Will.I.Am Peas, Pussycat Doll Nicole Schrezinger, Big Boi and Havoc from Mobb Depp. 'Come To Me' will be the first single to be released from the album, but no date appears to have been confirmed as yet.
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OASIS HITS LP TRACKLISTING ANNOUNCED
Oasis have announced the tracklisting for that previously reported greatest hits album, 'Stop The Clocks', out 20 Nov. Here you go, list-lovers:
Some Might Say
Don't Look Back In Anger
D'You Know What I Mean?
All Around The World
Go Let It Out
The Hindu Times
Lyla
The Importance Of Being Idle
Masterplan
Half The World Away
Acquiesce
Champagne Supernova
Rock 'n' Roll Star
Supersonic
Wonderwall
Whatever
Boy With The Blues
Stop The Clocks
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DOGS DIE IN HOT CARS
Well, they do. But seriously, the band Dogs Die In Hot Cars have announced that they are on the verge of finishing their second album and have given fans a preview via the internet, at http://www.dogsdieinhotcarsblog.com/
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FREE TRIVIUM MP3 ONLINE
Attention, metallers. Trivium have released a free track, 'Detonation', a preview for their new album 'Crusade', out on 9 Oct. The MP3 can be downloaded from http://www.roadrunnerrecords.co.uk/detonation/ but will only be available until 21 Aug, so don't procrastinate. The band release their first proper single release from the album, 'Anthem (We Are The Fire)', on 2 Oct.
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FIVE O'CLOCK HEROES ANNOUNCE ALBUM
New York based buzz band Five O'Clock Heroes have announced that they will release their debut long player, 'Bend To The Breaks', on 18 Sep. The album will be preceded by the release of a single, 'Time On My Hands', on 11 Sep. A UK tour will follow in the autumn.
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JEREMY WARMSLEY ALBUM RELEASE
Hurrah. Good news. CMU favourite Jeremy Warmsley releases his debut album 'The Art Of Fiction' on 2 Oct via Transgressive Records. I'm still saying hurrah, but now my feelings of hurrah have dwindled a little on realising that 2 Oct is actually quite a long way away. I'd like to hear it right now.
Anyway, the album is preceded by a single, 'I Believe In The Way You Move' on 18 Sep, so there's a bit of consolation. But oh, no, he's playing a live set at the Young & Lost Club @ Old Blue Last, London, on 9 Aug, which is all very well for those of you in London. I'm in Edinburgh. And I can't go.
You should all go, however. I saw him play live a couple of months ago, and he's great. And get your press info on all of this from Sainted PR.
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PINK FLOYD CONSIDERING BARRETT TRIBUTE
According to reports, the former members of Pink Floyd are considering reuniting for a tribute to the late Syd Barrett. As reported ad nauseum, David Gilmour has repeatedly said he has no interest in reforming the group, but now the Daily Telegraph is quoting a source who says that the band are feeling better disposed towards the idea of a reunion to celebrate the life of their former colleague, and says: "They didn't want to let Syd go without a huge send-off."
I will not be holding my breath, however.
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FLAMING LIPS LIVE ALBUM
The Flaming Lips have announced that they are to release a live album next year, a recording of their performance at the Hollywood Bowl last week. This will be supplemented by the addition of some more obscure tracks, to be recorded at a forthcoming gig in the band's home, Oklahoma City. Bass player Michael Ivins told Billboard that the LP will be out early next year, adding: "we never want to rush stuff out and say, 'Hey, look, it's out for Christmas'".
As previously reported, The Flaming Lips are set to tour the UK later this year, dates as follows:
4 Nov: Brighton Centre
5 Nov: Bournemouth BIC
6 Nov: Manchester Apollo
8 Nov: Blackpool Empress Ballroom
9 Nov: Birmingham NIA
10 Nov: Glasgow SECC
13 Nov: London Hammersmith Apollo
14 Nov: London Hammersmith Apollo
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LL COOL J TO GET TV DRAMA ALL OF HIS OWN
LL Cool J has reportedly signed a seven figure deal with US TV network CBS which will see the rapper develop his own TV drama series. That's all I know I'm afraid. But hey, you know the basics, what more do you want?
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NEARLY 4 MILLION TUNE INTO FINAL TOTP
So, turns out all the BBC had to do to boost the audience of Top Of The Pops was to axe it. Yep, 3.9 million people tuned in to the final ever edition of the legendary music show on Sunday, which is pretty rubbish compared to the 17 million who'd tune in during the programme's seventies heydays, but nevertheless it was nearly four times as many people as have been watching other recent editions of the show.
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MORE LIVE NATION EXPANSION
Denis Desmond's Gaiety Investments and Live Nation are reportedly working together again in their collective bid to own pretty much anything to do with live music in the UK. This time they are collaborating in a bid to acquire Academy Music Holdings, who run the network of 'Academy' venues around the UK, as well as legendary London venues the Shepherds Bush Empire and Brixton Academy.
Gaiety and Live Nation (the latter then still part of Clear Channel) first went into partnership in order to acquire UK based live music and venues group Mean Fiddler. Their joint venture has since won the contract to operate London's Wembley Arena.
In the new deal, Desmond would look to utilise his relationship with Live Nation to increase his current 12.5% shareholding in the Academy group in a bid to take a majority interest in the company. Those plans have, however, been referred to the UK's Office Of Fair Trading because they would potentially leave two major players incredibly dominant in the live music sector.
Elsewhere in Live Nation news, the US division of the company has acquired a stake in a company called Musictoday, a web services company for the music business founded by Dave Matthews Band manager Coran Capshaw. Both he and Musictoday VP/Chief Nathan Hubbard will continue to take an active role in the running of the company, with Capshaw stressing to Billboard that the new relationship with Live Nation was more of a joint venture than a takeover.
Billboard quote him as saying: "Live Nation wanted a major stake as a condition of the deal, and given what they offered in additional resources for the business, it was worth it to me to accommodate their request. But I wasn't looking to sell a major stake. I am looking at this as a joining of forces and abilities, not as a sale."
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SANCTUARY STUDIOS CLOSING?
Billboard reckon that the struggling Sanctuary Group will close down the legendary Sanctuary Town House studios because they failed to get a buyer for the West London recording complex. More on that when we get it.
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NEW FRENCH COPYRIGHT LAWS REVIEWED AGAIN
Having taken almost as long to write as it took the new Wembley Stadium to be built, there may yet be further changes (yes. more) to France's much reported new copyright laws after the country's Constitutional Council raised concerns.
As previously reported, the new French copyright legislation has been through a number of drafts already, with some drafts including extreme measures in terms of the fines and sentences for illegally sharing music online, whether or not the use of P2P networks is illegal at all, and what powers government should have to force technology firms to share their DRM technologies with others.
The Council's concerns about the new laws included the suggestion that moves to force technology firms to share their DRM 'codecs' with others would violate existing constitutional law on property protection. Moves to force interoperability into the French digital music space had already been watered down when the two houses of the French Parliament clashed on the issue - the Upper House giving technology firms a get out clause that said they could use proprietary DRM software, and keep it secret from their competitors, providing the artists and labels who licence music to their download platforms agree to such practices.
Apple were most opposed to the forced interoperability proposals, so for them that get out option would be very helpful - because given the dominance of Apple's iTunes in this digital music space it is unlikely many artists would object to their music being sold in a proprietary file format. However, the French Constitutional Council now suggests that making Apple share its codecs at all, oblivious of the opinions of artists and labels, would be unconstitutional.
Given these and other Council concerns (including concerns that the fines being proposed for illegal file sharing are too low), the new laws will now have to be reviewed afresh by the French Parliament. What such a review would involve, and how long it would take, is not clear at this time.
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NEWS INTERNATIONAL SET TO LAUNCH FREE AFTERNOON LONDON PAPER
Media Guardian report that Murdoch's News International will launch a new free afternoon newspaper in London this Autumn, with 400,000 copies due to be distributed by a team of 700 distributors, who will be posted next to stations, tube stations and bus stops. That will compete, of course, with Associated Newspapers' Evening Standard, though early indications are that the new paper will have an entertainments bias and will have a portion of 'reader-generated' content, so it doesn't sound like it will be an all out competitor of the main London evening paper. Reports suggest that rather than bidding for the rights to officially distribute a free afternoon newspaper via London's public transport hubs (Metro style), News International is keen to launch its own distribution network and, they will hope, grab market share (in terms of both readers and advertisers) before any officially distributed paper is launched.
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BEBO LAUNCHES MUSIC SECTION
Well, not only are the kids dumping MySpace for rival community site Bebo, it now seems that the unsigned band community are too. Well, I'm probably exaggerating there, but Bebo have announce that they have now formally launched their own MySpace style music section - called Bebo Bands (as the laws of alliteration would demand) - and that 25,000 artists and bands have already signed up and uploaded music onto their Bebo pages.
Confirming the service was live, Bebo founder Michael Birch wrote on his blog: "It may not be 100 per cent ready but we thought we would throw it out there, get some feedback and evolve it. Expect to see many enhancements over the next few weeks."
Of course many bands will probably have both a Bebo and MySpace page, and it remains to be seen if Bebo can attract large numbers of signed bands as MySpace have done. But who knows? By the time September comes round perhaps MySpace Of The Day won't be returning - perhaps the axe will fall to make way for Bebo Recommended. We'll see I guess.
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BONO A VERY INFLUENTIAL GUY, APPARENTLY
Bono is the most influential pop star of the last 25 years - just so you know. Michael Jackson is the second most, while Madonna is third. Or at least that's according to a new survey commissioned by MTV to celebrate their previously reported 25th anniversary. More than 4000 people took part in the 'Rock Royalty' survey, with 15 artist slots available on a mock up photo showing the most influential rockers standing on the Buckingham Palace balcony. The other 12 artists to appear are: Kurt Cobain, Prince, Eminem, Kylie Minogue, Snoop Dogg, Justin Timberlake, Sir Elton John, Beyonce Knowles, Robbie Williams, Pete Doherty, Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears.
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SHAGGY HAS BOLLYWOOD AMBITIONS
Shaggy says he'd like to be become part of the Bollywood scene. He says he is drawn to India's music culture because of its soulful yet glamorous nature, adding: "I'm from a country like India. Jamaica has similar problems and similar joys and warmth. I sense that warmth in India, that affection and love from the audience."
That said, Shaggy isn't so sure about launching a career in India itself, mainly because of music piracy concerns. He explained: "Unless the piracy stops it is difficult to consider India a major market for music. How can any artiste think of good sales if everything just gets illegally copied?"
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RICHARDS BUYS HUT BY THE SEA
Keith Richards has reportedly spent sixty grand buying a beach hut the size of a garden shed in the English beach resort of West Withering. The little huts by the sea frequently fetch exorbitant prices, such is the demand to own one, though reports suggest Richards paid over the odds for his. Presumably he paid a premium on the condition that, however much global warming affects us in the UK, no palm trees ever grow near his hut.