| CMU Daily - on the inside Thursday 24th August |
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In today's CMU Daily:
- CMU at the Edinburgh Festival
- Apple and Creative settle
- Foxy Brown misses court hearing
- Proof estate sued over shooting
- Songwriter sues over Williams track
- Thom collapses
- Spinto Band put out mandolin plea
- Bragg gets Bebo terms changed too
- Classic Rock nominations
- Wolfmother tour
- Razorlight pull US dates after Keane tour cancelled
- Album review: Hybrid - I Choose Noise
- Musicians Union say airport rules having devastating impact on members
- Kiss reveal more on revamp
- Piracy not wholly to blame you know
- Tower founder considering bid
- Posh plans fashion show
- BB Pete's band to be followed on TV show
- Kaisers not impressed with BNP video
- Nude Britney ad given go ahead, second time round
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CMU AT THE EDINBURGH FESTIVAL>>
Hey there people - we're still here at the largest arts festival on the planet - which reaches its big finale this weekend. Then we'll be back to London to get on with all those September type things - like getting the CMU Daily out before lunchtime. Meantime, here's some Edinburgh Fringe music reviews.
Little Man Tate at Cabaret Voltaire at Edinburgh Fringe on 14 Aug
In ten years time no one will remember The Libertines. What might be remembered is a whole host of middling bands attempting to carve a niche for themselves in a narrow genre of tightly played indie rock. Little Man Tate may sound oddly familiar to other bands (e.g. The Rakes, the aforementioned band and occasionally The Pixies), but they are excellent at what they do, providing a controlled explosion of four-chord guitar rock in the underground confines of the Cabaret Voltaire. Charismatic Jon Windle already looks every bit the confident front man, often delivering cheeky lyrics ("I've seen your band, I hate your band"). Already in possession of a recent top 40 single, Little Man Tate look like they're fast building up a deserved cult following. DA
tw rating 4/5
Andi Neate at The Spiegel Garden at Edinburgh Fringe on 14 Aug
For one night only, Andi Neate graced the Fringe with her poetic presence. The extraordinarily talented singer/songwriter took just an hour and ten minutes to endear herself to a delighted Spiegel Garden crowd, with her gob-smackingly good voice and highly sensitive song-writing skills. After nearly 18 years of performing, Neate's three album releases have taken her as far afield as the Falkland Islands, developing her Jazzy-Folk music along the way. Tonight, the accomplished guitarist had a keyboard, a double-bass, a cello and backing singers accompanying her, which complemented the wonderfully resonating acoustic sound. With musical talent coming out of her ears, it is no surprise that Neate has been labelled 'Scotland's best kept secret'. How long before she becomes 'Scotland's best worldwide export'? TL
tw rating 4/5
Bob Fox at Acoustic Music Centre @ St Brides at Edinburgh Fringe on 15 Aug
The audience entered to find Fox sitting on a small stage, guitar in one hand, pint in the other. From then on, a wonderfully friendly atmosphere permeated; in the intimate room, the audience felt that they could interrupt him between songs and ask for old favourites which he was more than happy to sing. Fox's voice has an amazing clarity which is ideal for his choice of songs that tell sometimes complicated, winding tales. The songs from his native North East England, sung in thick Geordie vernacular were a delight to watch, his love for his home region abundantly evident. Fox is a truly underexposed singing storyteller and an inspiring guitarist to boot. BP
tw rating 3/5
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APPLE AND CREATIVE SETTLE
Bad news for fans of tedious drawn out litigation - Apple and Creative will not be taking their patent squabbles through the courts, instead they have reached an out of court settlement, which is no fun whatsoever.
As previously reported, the main patent over which the two MP3 player rivals were squabbling covered the system used to enable users to navigate their music collections on a portable music player. Creative applied for the patent on that system at the start of 2001, sometime ahead of Apple, and it was granted to them last year. Claiming that Apple was now violating that patent, Creative earlier this year began action against its rival - seeking a court injunction to ultimately stop the manufacture and sale of iPods, in the US at least. Apple subsequently countersued, claiming Creative violated some of its patents.
This week's out of court settlement, which will see Apple pay Creative $100 million, will bring to an end both sets of litigation. Apple may also be able to get some of that some back if Creative is able to secure licensing deals with other MP3 player manufacturers, though the specifics of that arrangement are unclear.
Apple boss Steve Jobs confirmed a deal had been reached, adding: "Creative is very fortunate to have been granted this early patent", while a spokesman for Creative added: "We're very pleased to have reached a broad agreement with Apple".
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FOXY BROWN MISSES COURT HEARING
Elsewhere in legal news, rapper Foxy Brown has missed a court hearing where she was due to face charges from a former colleague who claims Brown made "terroristic threats" against her (whatever they are). The rapper denies all the charges, but failed to make the court hearing in New Jersey to say so. Her lawyer, who was there, was told Brown must attend the next session set to consider the charges, otherwise she could face contempt of court charges too.
It's not the first time Ms Brown has missed a hearing - she has been told she will be arrested if she ever returns to Jamaica after failing to attend a court hearing there back in 2002 where she was due to face charges following an altercation with a policewoman. She is also still awaiting a final trial on those previously reported charges relating to a run in with some nail salon workers back in 2004.
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PROOF ESTATE SUED OVER SHOOTING
Elsewhere in the hip hop courts, D12 member Proof is being sued. He too won't be in court for his hearing, though given that he is being sued posthumously, presumably that won't be an issue. The litigation is being pursued by the family of Keith Bender, the other man killed during the fatal shoot out involving the rapper back in April. According to the Detroit Free Press, they claim that Proof kicked off the trouble at Detroit's CCC Club, and they are suing the rapper's estate for damages accordingly. The full details of what happened at the Detroit Club that night are, of course, still to be qualified by the criminal investigation into the shooting. Whether the civil case can proceed without a completion on the criminal side of things remains to be seen - sometimes they do.
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SONGWRITER SUES OVER WILLIAMS TRACK
More legal fun, and Robbie Williams reportedly faces a legal fight with Rod Stewart's stepson Ashley Hamilton over a song on his upcoming new album 'Rudebox'. According to the Daily Mirror, Hamilton, who worked with Robbie on some tracks in LA, claims that Robbie took one of those tracks as the basis for his collaboration with Pet Shop Boys, but without his permission.
The Mirror quote Ashley as saying: "We came up with this idea over coffee one afternoon. Robbie said he had an idea for a song about some girl he used to date, Tania Strecker, and how she was dumped by Guy Ritchie for Madonna. That was a smiley thing to do, so I said, 'Why don't we make a joke song about it?' That's how it started. We worked on the lyrics together at home and at the studio. The next thing I know, a producer's ringing me up to say congratulations for getting my song onto Robbie's record. I just said 'I don't know what you are talking about'."
The Mirror says Ashley's lawyers are launching legal proceedings, though a spokesman for Williams says they are yet to hear from them about the matter.
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THOM COLLAPSES
Sandi Thom has reportedly collapsed minutes before a scheduled TV performance. Reports say doctors have now advised the singer, made famous by her pre-record deal webcast gig of course, to take a break. Thom collapsed from exhaustion while preparing to film an interview with Sky TV.
A spokesman for the singer told reporters: "Sandi has been working so hard to break America and the UK that her body literally couldn't take any more punishment. The doctor has insisted she take a few days off at home with her guitar to recuperate. She will be fine after that, though."
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SPINTO BAND PUT OUT MANDOLIN PLEA
One for all your thieves out there - please pass this message on from The Spinto Band to all your thieving friends. They're trying to locate a much loved mandolin which was nicked during a gig in Manchester. They have issued the following note...
Dear friends,
Tonight we experienced a tragic loss. During this evening's performance at Manchester Academy 3 (08/23/06), somebody stole our Mandolin from the stage. This instrument has little monetary worth, but provides a wealth of sentimental value to us. It is a Kay electric mandolin with a wood sunburst finish, white pickgaurd, and a crack in the headstock. We are prepared to offer healthy reward upon its return. In addition, if the Mandolin is received before we play Reading / Leeds, the person who delivers it will be offered tickets to those events. This is truly a sad day for The Spinto Band. If you have any information regarding its whereabouts or wish to express your sympathy, please contact us.
Yours sincerely,
The Spinto Band.
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BRAGG GETS BEBO TERMS CHANGED TOO
Billy Bragg is still dedicating his time to reading the small print the rest of us ignore. Having forced MySpace to change the terms and conditions of its music service, because ambiguity in the small print suggested MySpace had certain rights to music posted by bands on their site, Mr Bragg has now turned his attention to the terms operated by the music service of rival site Bebo.
He reckons similar ambiguities exist in their small print, and he took the site's founders - Michael and Xochi Birch - to task about it during a live webchat on the Media Guardian website earlier this month. That web exchange led to a meeting between the singer and the web community company, and as a result of that their music terms will now be changed to clarify that registered bands hold on to all the rights of music they post on any Bebo pages.
Bragg welcomed Bebo's changes, telling reporters: "Social networking sites are a revolutionary tool for new artists who utilise them in order to gain a following. Any ambiguity about the ownership of rights could have serious implications not only for artists but for the sites themselves. If this new medium is to attain its full potential, it is crucial that artists are able to post content secure in the knowledge that doing so will not hinder their future career and earning potential."
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CLASSIC ROCK NOMINATIONS
Ladies and gentlemen, the nominations are out for the second Classic Rock Roll Of Honour, which will take place at London's Langham Hotel on 6 Nov. Alice Cooper is set to be given the magazine's Living Legend Award, while nominees for the other awards are as follows:
Album Of The Year:
Muse - Black Holes & Revelations (Warner/A&E)
The Answer - Rise (Alberts)
Wolfmother - Wolfmother (Universal/Modular)
Iron Maiden - A Matter Of Life & Death (EMI)
Motorhead - Kiss Of Death (SPV)
Cheap Trick - Rockford (SPV)
Opeth - Ghost Reveries (Roadrunner)
Band Of The Year:
Iron Maiden
Whitesnake
Journey
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Rolling Stones
Best Reissue:
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Gimme Back My Bullets (Universal)
Queensryche - Operation: Mindcrime (EMI)
Queen - A Night At The Opera (EMI)
The Allman Brothers - Eat A Peach (Universal)
The Small Faces - Ogden's Nut Gone Flake (Sanctuary)
DVD Of The Year
Pink Floyd - Pulse (EMI)
Cream - Classic Albums: Disraeli Gears (Eagle Vision)
Metal: A Headbanger's Journey (Momentum)
Whitesnake - Live...In The Still Of The Night (AFM)
Rush - Chronicles (Mercury)
Classic Rock Event Of The Year
Return of Monsters of Rock
Lordi Winning Eurovision Song Contest
Guns N' Roses tour
Metallica playing Master of Puppets at Download
Roger Waters playing Dark Side of the Moon at Hyde Park
Best New Band
Roadstar
Wolfmother
Pure Reason Revolution
Winterville
The Sword
Commenting on the shortlist, Classic Rock publisher Chris Ingham told CMU: "The inaugural Roll of Honour was a massive success and really shone through for its unique format and because it doesn't pander to fads and trends. We do celebrate the overlooked and the industry and stars appreciate that. This year's Roll of Honour is set to be bigger and better in our new home".
Press info on the awards from Dan at The Incubator.
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WOLFMOTHER TOUR
Talking of Wolfmother, which we were, kind of, the band have announced the following live dates:
5 Nov: Glasgow Carling Academy
6 Nov: Dublin Olympia
8 Nov: Leeds University
9 Nov: Manchester Academy
10 Nov: Birmingham Carling Academy
12 Nov: Bristol Carling Academy
15 Nov: Brixton Carling Academy
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RAZORLIGHT PULL US DATES AFTER KEANE TOUR CANCELLED
Staying with live news, and Razorlight have pulled two headline dates in the US. This is because the dates were to coincide with Razorlight's joint US tour with Keane, which has been called off now that Keane's Tom Chaplin has checked himself into rehab. Alas Johnny Borrell et al couldn't justify gigging in New York and LA without the wider US tour in between.
A spokesman for the band said this: "Razorlight were due to support Keane on the first leg of the tour, however the withdrawal of the Keane shows left their own schedule in chaos, forcing the band to drop their own gigs. The band are hugely disappointed that they have had to delay their US gigs and are in the process of rescheduling for December or January when the band will return for substantial touring".
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ALBUM REVIEW: Hybrid - I Choose Noise (Distinctive Records)
If ever an act merited use of the words 'epic', 'widescreen' or just plain 'big', it's Hybrid, and this, their third album, is certainly no exception. Whilst the Welsh duo like their beats big, they also recognise that size isn't everything. Indeed, there's far more to this vast album than just block rockin' beats. Consider it a soundtrack to the best action film you've never seen (featuring an A-list cast of collaborators), and one that evokes a myriad of moods and feelings throughout the journey. (Particular credit here goes to the wonderful orchestrations of film composer Harry Gregson Williams, which just elevate the music several levels above Hybrid's contemporaries). We start with some foreboding ambience. Sit up and pay attention, it says - something serious is on the way. And it is. What follows is some of the best 'dance' music I've ever heard, but to even call it that simply belies the breadth and scale of this monumental music. 'Dogstar' has pummelling grooves, moody strings and - wait for this - Perry Farrell of Jane's Addiction on vocals. Singing like his life depends on it, frankly it's the best thing he's done in years. You could say the same about 'Falling Down' (featuring Judie Tzuke); an apocalyptic piece of progressive, symphonic house. And whilst the tracks with the guest vocalists are perhaps the most memorable (elsewhere Kirsty Hawkshaw and Quiver's John Graham contribute to more simply towering pieces of music), the instrumental tracks that join them together are still awe-inspiring. 'I Feel Noise' makes so much modern music (if not life itself) seem utterly inconsequential. Very much foreground, not background, music, it's similar in many ways to Pet Shop Boys' equally breathtaking 'Battleship Potemkin' soundtrack. More than that though - it's simply one of the best albums to ever emerge from club culture. MS
Release date: 11 Sep
Press contact: Trailer Media [all]
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MUSICIANS UNION SAY AIRPORT RULES HAVING DEVASTATING IMPACT ON MEMBERS
The Musicians Union says that the current strict security measures being operated at Britain's airports are having a "devastating impact" on their members because they are unable to take their instruments on with them as hand luggage. The rules mean that musicians have to put their instruments in the hold, but many say their instruments are too fragile and valuable to make that a viable option. As a result they say they are unable to travel internationally with their instruments, and therefore cannot work outside the UK.
The BBC quote a US violinist who is suffering in this way. Olivia Hajioff told them: "We have been in Europe this summer performing at various music festivals. We are planning to return to the States on 27 August, but have been informed by the airline and by the Department for Transport that we will not be able to take our violins with us into the cabin. Our violins are extremely valuable and delicate. There is no way that we, or any other serious musician, could consider putting them in the hold. This means that we would have to return home without our instruments indefinitely. There should be a dispensation for travelling musicians. There are so few of us and it is so easy to screen the instruments carefully that I cannot see how this would be a problem."
The Musicians Union adds that this situation may leave many musicians facing legal action for contracted work commitments they are unable to fulfil.
The UK's Department Of Transport, who coordinate the airport rules, seem unwilling to make any exceptions, though the Department For Culture, Media & Sport has recognised the problem, telling reporters: "We understand that the situation is urgent and we are working very closely with the Department for Transport on this issue. We have made progress on chartered flights, but the issues surrounding commercial flights remain to be resolved. We do also understand that this is a security situation".
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KISS REVEAL MORE ON REVAMP
EMAP have revealed more about their planned revamp for Kiss FM. As previously reported, Kiss is relaunching its London station in a bid to halt recent listening figure declines, with a shift back towards the station's dance origins rather than the R&B heavy playlist of recent years. With that in mind, Carl Cox and Armin Van Buren have both been recruited to present shows on the station, while Justin Wilkes, who used to present the weekend dance show on Capital Radio, has been recruited for a morning show. As for the peak time breakfast show host, which has been presented by Robin Banks since the sudden departure of Bam Bam earlier this year, there is no official word as to the future of the slot - although MediaBulletin are reporting that the plan is to keep Banks on breakfast.
Announcing the new changes, Kiss PD Andy Roberts told reporters that the new schedule was an "exciting mix between established local talent; excellent new signings and some superstar names".
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PIRACY NOT WHOLLY TO BLAME YOU KNOW
One for the 'research that states the obvious' file. A new report from media analysts Screen Digest says that online piracy is not solely responsible for dwindling record sales - rather cultural changes and the rise of the DVD have also had an impact. However, the report says revenues from legit digital music platforms will help the record industry recover, though it will take a few years for them to completely recover. As I said, stating the bleeding obvious.
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TOWER FOUNDER CONSIDERING BID
Tower Records founder Russ Solomon is reportedly considering a takeover bid for the struggling retail chain. As previously reported, the current owners of Tower applied for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this week after admitting they would not be able to pay their August bills. They have been seeking a sale of the company since the start of the year and, with Chapter 11 protection in place, hope to have a deal done within two months.
Solomon, who started Tower in 1960, lost control of the company during a previous bankruptcy proceeding in 2004, though he still owns 15% of the company. It is unclear how the company's current owners view Solomon's takeover proposal. There are reportedly nine parties interested in buying the retail chain, with this week's bankruptcy papers naming Trans World Entertainment, Highland Capital Management, HM Capital, Bayside Capital, Balmoral Advisors, Platinum Equity and Chicago Centrum Properties, Inc as potential bidders.
The music industry will be watching the various take over bids with much interest. If the company were to be split up or liquidated the cost cutting supermarkets like Wal-Mart would become even more powerful players in US music retail, which would not be an ideal situation for the record labels, who are trying to fight the reduction of their profit margins on all sides.
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POSH PLANS FASHION SHOW
Simon Fuller has revealed he is developing a TV fashion show for former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham, which sounds just swell. He told Broadcast magazine: "It will be more serious than a reality show but will still be entertaining because Victoria is so funny". I can't wait.
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BB PETE'S BAND TO BE FOLLOWED ON TV SHOW
Talking of TV shows, Big Brother winner Pete (I'm not sure he has a surname) will be appearing in a new 'rockumentary' series which will follow him and his band Daddy Fantastic who we would have reviewed at the Brighton Fringe back in May had Pete not pulled out of the gig last minute to go and live in the Big Brother house.
Needless to say, the new show will be made by Big Brother producers Endemol. The Sun quote a source as saying: "Cameras would get backstage access to Pete and the band and film their shows. It's likely to be similar to the Monkees TV show in the 60s. But Daddy Fantastic are such characters it'll probably be more like This Is Spinal Tap".
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KAISER'S NOT IMPRESSED WITH BNP VIDEO
Kaiser Chiefs have taken action against the BNP after claims a video posted online in support of the political party used 'I Predict A Riot' as a soundtrack. The video has now been taken down, though BNP officials are denying they ever used the track, telling the BBC in a slightly bizarre quote: "This isn't the type of music our party would ever want to be associated with, like rap music we think it's wrong to play this stuff, what's wrong with Beethoven?"
You'll remember Fatboy Slim had a similar problem a while back when the Labour Party used one of his songs to soundtrack a party conference, without his permission. He was mighty pissed off about the whole thing because, let's face it, it's bad enough being used to soundtrack the political cause of a bunch of racists, but is there anything worse than seeing your music being used to soundtrack a gurning Tony Blair?
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NUDE BRITNEY AD GIVEN GO AHEAD, SECOND TIME ROUND
And finally, as they say, an advert showing a nude pregnant Britney Spears will be displayed on Tokyo's underground system, despite an earlier decision to ban the image. Officials originally banned the ads for the next issue of Harper's Bazaar magazine, which includes the Britney pic on its cover, because they said the image was "overly stimulating" for public display. But they say that they now realize that the picture intended to "portray a happy mother rather than to be sexually explicit", so everything is alright again.