| CMU Daily - on the inside Monday 9th October |
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In today's CMU Daily:
- Impala respond to SonyBMG appeal
- U2 switch Universal labels
- Release date set for Chinese Democracy?
- Robbie release date unclear as Martin-Smith sues
- Babyshambles cancel gigs - who'd have thought?
- EMI India recall Slayer album
- Jadakiss arrested on weapons charges
- Dresden Dolls Panic At The Disco, make video
- Album review: Colleen Et Les Boites A Musique
- Claude Luter dies
- Dinosaur Jr plan new album
- New Faithless album next month
- Girls Aloud announce hits album
- Pet Shop Boys live album
- Evan Dando on being booed
- Ryan Adams website shut down
- My Chemical TV ad
- Tower Records to be liquidated
- Universal promote digital guy
- New comms chief at PPL
- Google to buy YouTube?
- More talk or rock for Manchester, possibly both
- Chart update
- Total Rock World Album Chart
- Subshot playlist
- This week's Student Radio Chart
- Single review: Imogen Heap - Headlock
- Tweedy says All Saints are copycats
- More naughty X-Factor types break the rules
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TOP BIT: HUMANZI INTERVIEW>>
Many bands split up because of infighting between bandmates, infighting which can, at particularly tense moments, turn physical. But I think Humanzi are the first band I've come across who got together through a fight. "We all used to drink at the same pub", frontman Shaun Mulrooney explains, "but we never really spoke to each other. Then one night me and Colm [Rutledge] had a bit of a scrap. You know what it's like, we were a bit younger, and for no reason at all really we started to wind each other up one night, and it quickly came to a head and a few fists were thrown". Luckily for us, once the scrapping was done, Shaun and Colm started talking properly, and soon discovered they actually had a lot in common - in particular, a desire to play music. It was a desire shared by fellow drinkers Gary Lonergan and Brian Gallagher who knew each other through more traditional routes - childhood friendship. The four of them started to occasionally play music together, and so Humanzi was born. Many gigs later, and their sound - kind of guitars with dance beats ("we don't really fit into any particular genre" Shaun says) - started to garner interest across Dublin and beyond, leading to a deal with Fiction Records, studio time with Nine Inch Nails producer Chris Vrenna, and the release of this summer's excellent debut long player 'Tremors'. I'm cutting a long story short, just in case you're not fully up to speed on these guys - because either way, you should check them out when they take to the stage at the all new look Kill All Hippies at the Carling Islington Academy this Friday, 13 Oct. To get the full lowdown from Mr Mulrooney, and for details of this month's KAH, check out the full interview...
http://www.thebeatsbar.co.uk/cmuinterviews
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CLASSIFIEDS>>
INTERESTED IN SELLING YOUR RECORD LABEL?
Music Gain is acquiring record labels and catalogue. If you are thinking of selling, or are interested
in a long term capital partner, please contact us. Introduction and spotters fees also paid. Please visit us - http://www.musicgain.com
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ADVERTISE YOUR SERVICES & PRODUCTS here for just £50 a week, or £150 for two weeks in the Daily and four weeks on the web. Email [email protected] for details.
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JOBS N STUFF>>
SCRUFFY BIRD SEEKS: NATIONAL RADIO PLUGGER
Scruffy Bird Ltd is looking for a full time National Radio Plugger to join our Radio and TV promotion department. Applicants should have at least four years radio plugging experience, excellent contacts and outstanding business knowledge. You must also have an obsessive passion for music and an exceptional work ethic. The right applicant will be used to executing both higher profile campaigns as well as new breaking acts across national radio. Scruffy Bird is a young, dynamic music company offering national press and artist management services alongside radio and TV promotion. Please send CVs to Emily Cooper, Director - [email protected]
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ADVERTISE YOUR JOBS here for just £50 a week, or £150 for two weeks in the Daily and four weeks on the web. Email [email protected] for details.
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CMU RECOMMENDS>>
KILL ALL HIPPIES OCTOBER 2006
Ladies and gentleman - Kill All Hippies returns after its Summer break this Friday at a brand new venue - the Carling Islington Academy. And the line up is looking both big and wonderful. Live wise you'll get The Others, performing tracks off their new album, Dublin's finest rock 'n' roll export Humanzi, plus Action Plan, shining lights from the Young And Lost stable. DJ action comes from the indie mash up master himself, The Freelance Hellraiser, with support from Anu Pillai from Freeform Five and resident Gavin Nugent (Fully Comprehensive). Room 2 (Bar Academy) will be hosted by the Moshi Moshi guys featuring their finest DJ talent playing filthy electro, bootlegs, remixed classics and new wave. It's going to be a good night. It takes place on Friday, 13 Oct, from 8.30pm to 4am. Entry is just a fiver before 11pm and £7 after. Not only that, but the first 100 people with a flyer, or the answer to the question 'Which band released the single Kill All Hippies?', will get themselves in for free. All good.
Full info>> http://www.leylinepromotions.com
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MYSPACE OF THE DAY: LUXEMBOURG
And now, about time, and by popular request. Well, not request, exactly. I haven't had people phoning and saying "make Luxembourg MySpace Of The Day". They haven't been emailing either. What they have been doing (and when I say 'they', I mean CMU reviewers, hangers on, friends of the publication, that sort of thing) is being very vocal in their appreciation of this band for their particular brand of indie rock, replete with interesting lyrics. That's not to say that I'm only nominating Luxembourg on account of other people's requests. No, I like them too, not least because they like a nice cup of tea, if their influences are anything to go by. So there.
http://www.myspace.com/luxembourgband
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IMPALA RESPOND TO SONYBMG APPEAL
Pan-European independent record label trade body IMPALA told reporters on Friday that they expect Sony Corp and Bertelsmann's appeal to the European Courts regarding the SonyBMG merger to be turned down.
Their statement followed the submission of SonyBMG's appeal last week. As previously reported, the major record company is appealing the ruling made by the European Court Of First Instance earlier this year which said that the European Commission was wrong to approve the merger of Sony and Bertelsmann's record label operations back in 2004. That ruling means that the Commission is now having to reconsider Sony and BMG's merger proposals a new and, if they were to reach a different conclusion this time round, in theory SonyBMG could be forced to split back into two companies. On submitting their appeal, a spokesman for Bertelsmann said last week: "The EU Commission's 2004 decision to clear the Sony BMG recorded music joint venture was correctly decided on both the law and the facts".
But IMPALA, whose legal action against the merger led to the Court Of First Instance's ruling of course, said that while they were still to review SonyBMG's appeal in full, they thought there was a high chance it would not even be considered by the courts, let alone succeed. They said in a statement: "We would be very surprised if the Court were to allow this appeal at all. An appeal is only possible on grounds of law. The judgment was based entirely on grounds of fact - material errors of assessment and reasoning by the Commission. We would expect it to be struck out on grounds of inadmissibility".
Observing that the Commission itself was not, as it could, appealing the ruling, something which IMPALA says "speaks volumes", the trade association concluded: "In any event, our judgement still stands and SonyBMG remains an unauthorised merger which needs Commission approval. The parties and the Commission are obliged to act with due urgency to prevent further damage on the marketplace. The Court identified serious market problems and material errors of assessment that the parties have no choice but to try and solve if they want to avoid a de-merger. This appeal shows that the parties are indeed concerned by the prospect of what lies in store".
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U2 SWITCH UNIVERSAL LABELS
U2 have parted company with Universal's Island Records after over 25 years together following reports that the band were becoming increasingly frustrated with the label as they worked on their upcoming greatest hits package. The weekend's newspapers reported that things came to a head when no representative of the label was on hand during recent recording sessions in London where new tracks for the best of album were being produced.
However the band will stay within the Universal Music Group, signing to Island's sister label Mercury Records. This suggests that the move may have been in the pipeline for longer than some reports say, because there they will be able to work again with former Island Records General Manager Jason Iley, who moved over to the role of MD at Mercury Records last year.
Mercury will now release the band's upcoming greatest hits and charity records.
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RELEASE DATE SET FOR CHINESE DEMOCRACY?
Now here's a story we never thought we'd get to write. A date has been set for the release of Guns n Roses' long, long, long awaited new album 'Chinese Democracy'. Well, there's a US release date according to Rolling Stone magazine - but that's more than we've ever had before. The magazine says the new long player will be released in America on 21 Nov. Time will tell I guess - there's been no official confirmation one way or the other - except for a rather cryptic note issued by the band last week that said: "there are 13 Tuesdays left between now and the end of the year".
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ROBBIE RELEASE DATE UNCLEAR AS MARTIN-SMITH SUES
Confusing reports also regarding Robbie's upcoming new album 'Rudebox', which is due out in a fortnight.
What we do know is that former Take That manager Nigel Martin-Smith has come through with his threat of legal action regarding the track '1990s' which was set to appear on the new long player, and which was distributed in early promo versions. As previously reported, Martin-Smith reckons certain lyrics in that song, in which Robbie makes accusations against his former manager, amount to libel (the Sun's Victoria Newton wrote on Friday that she couldn't reprint the offending lyrics for legal reasons - and I'm assuming her lawyers know about these things - so we won't either; but basically Robbie accuses Martin-Smith of being either incompetent or corrupt in his management of the boy band's affairs). Martin-Smith has launched legal proceedings against both Robbie and EMI, to the tune of £300,000.
As that lawsuit works its way through court, the question now is what does the legal action mean for the planned release of the album? The track was removed from some promo versions of the long player, and some speculate that it won't now appear on the final release either. Others say a new version of the track with the offending lyrics edited out is more likely. Either way, some say that the legal problems mean that the album simply won't be ready in time for its 23 Nov release, meaning an expensive rejig of marketing plans may be required. We await confirmation from EMI.
Meanwhile, even if the lyrics, or the entire song, are removed from the album when it is released, Williams may still find himself facing the libel proceedings because the lyrics have been in circulation, and Robbie is reported to have 'mouthed them' at a recent gig. Moreover, Williams has, so far, been seemingly unwilling to renounce the accusations made in the song. Meaning the singer and his former manager may well end up in court once more (Martin-Smith successfully sued Williams for breach of contract after his initial split from Take That).
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BABYSHAMBLES CANCEL GIGS - WHO'D HAVE THOUGHT?
Talking of EMI making announcements, one assumes the Parlophone press office has already set up a Word template on their system that starts with the line "we would like to apologise for the following cancelled Babyshambles gigs". After all, those cancellations often come last minute.
Yep, five Babyshambles gigs, including some this weekend just gone, have been postponed so that Pete Doherty can spend more time on his drug addiction. Overcoming it, obviously. A spokesman for Doherty's recently appointed record label, Parlophone, said on Friday: "Babyshambles have made the decision to postpone the remaining five dates of their current UK tour. It has become clear that Peter embarked on this arduous and high profile tour too soon after his discharge and still needs time to recover from his extensive rehab treatment. Peter asks that he be given the time and space to continue with his excellent effort to recover. The band apologises to fans but hope that they will understand the importance of Peter being able to best continue his good progress in recovering from addiction. The dates will be rearranged for as soon as possible and all tickets will remain valid."
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EMI INDIA RECALL SLAYER ALBUM
Oh, and more EMI announcements for you now. EMI Virgin India Ltd has announced it will recall all copies of the new Slayer album, 'Christ Illusion', after they got a memo from God telling them he found the whole thing rather offensive.
Well, the memo came from the Mumbai based Catholic Secular Forum which said it took "strong exception" to the album's cover artwork which, the Forum observes, features "Christ with a missing eye and amputated arms". The group also said: "we also condemn the track 'Skeleton Christ' as the lyrics are an insult to Christianity".
Whereas in the UK such proclamations of blasphemy would be glorious news to a major label marketer (all of whom are well known sinners, obviously), it seems you have to take such complaints more seriously in India. Kaveri Khullar, Marketing Manager for EMI India told reporters last week: "We met with the CSF and were apologetic while assuring them that all copies of the album would be pulled out. We have no plans of re-issuing it in any way."
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JADAKISS ARRESTED ON WEAPONS CHARGES
US hip hop star Jadakiss was arrested over the weekend and charged with criminal possession of a weapon after being stopped by police in the early hours of Saturday morning. The rapper, real name Jason Phillips, was one of four people inside a car which was found to contain a loaded handgun. All four occupants were charged.
It's not the first time Phillips has been in trouble over weapons possession. Back in July of 2004, the rapper was arrested in North Carolina after a search of his vehicle revealed a supply of Marijuana and two loaded .45s. He reached a plea agreement on the subsequent charges, and paid a fine of $900.
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DRESDEN DOLLS PANIC AT THE DISCO, MAKE VIDEO
That's not Dresden Dolls panicking, at a disco, and then deciding to make a video about it. Oh no. In fact, Dresden Dolls are on a US tour with Panic! At The Disco, and the two bands have both appeared in the promo for DD's recent download only single 'Backstabber'.
Dresden Doll Amanda Palmer explained via the band's MySpace: "Why not make a video with these guys? They're here, they're bored like we are, they're hilarious. We aren't making a 'real' video for our next single. 'What's more real than this?' we keep asking. Nothing."
The video's storyline sees Dresden Dolls attempting to bump off their tour mates, who then retaliate. And what do you know? You can see it on YouTube. Like everything else, these days, seemingly. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewqkF_lzqRQ
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ALBUM REVIEW: Colleen Et Les Boites À Musique (Leaf)
The music box is a lovely instrument and criminally underused in modern music. (Just think how impossibly moving the end of The Smiths' 'Asleep' is made by the inclusion of one). Surprisingly, few electronic artists have exploited its sonic joys, although Aphex Twin and, inevitably, Björk have both had a go. French avant-garde musician Colleen (aka Cécile Schott) has taken up the challenge of using the instrument, only she's gone slightly further than you'd expect, and made a whole album with the things. Not only that, but music boxes are the only instrumentation used on 'CELBAM' (so if you have a phobia about the instrument, this probably isn't the album for you). It's a brave piece of art, and at times a beautiful one (the dreamy 'Your Heart Is So Loud' is spellbinding), but the absence of any other sounds, beats or melodies means the sparse minimalism occasionally feels a tad lacking in purpose and import. (It might have proved more interesting had the music boxes been used as the template to construct music using other sounds and instruments, rather than as an exercise in abstract purity). It remains an interesting curio, but perhaps one best seen in the context the music was originally conceived for - a one-off commission from a French radio station. It's certainly an innovative album and by no means a failed experiment, but it's ultimately a pleasant piece of background listening that you'll file away and rarely feel the need to listen to. MS
Release date: 2 Oct
Press contact: Leaf IH [all]
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CLAUDE LUTER DIES
French band leader and clarinetist Claude Luter, a star of Paris's post war jazz scene, died on Friday at the age of 83. Regarded as one France's greatest jazz exponents, Luter, who played alongside the likes of Sidney Bechet and Louis Armstrong, discovered New Orleans jazz during his teenage years and became an active performer in Paris during the Nazi occupation. After the war, his band became a fixture at the famous Lorientais jazz club.
Luter met Louis Armstrong at the Nice Jazz Festival in 1948, and it was in the following year that he began working with Sidney Bechet. His working relationship with Bechet continued for the next ten years, ending only with Bechet's death in 1959.
French Culture Minister Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres called Luter "a very great name in French jazz",
adding: "For me as for so many, the name of Claude Luter will be for ever associated with Saint Germain des Pres in the post-war years, with its innumerable jazz clubs where one ran across Camus, Sartre, Giacometti, Boris Vian, Raymond Queneau and so many others. Now and for ever he will be remembered as one of the remarkable men who symbolised this highly talented epoch."
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DINOSAUR JR PLAN NEW ALBUM
Dinosaur Jr's original line-up are making a new album, their first material together for eighteen years, following the success of their recent reunion tour. Lou Barlow says: "We spent the better part of two years touring together, so we might as well make a record together. The reunion thing went well, considering we held up and enjoyed it. The new album is just a way of extending it. The band pretty much does one thing at a time. I thought we'd be done after the tour, but then the album magically popped up. We probably won't do anything else, but then again, we'll see."
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NEW FAITHLESS ALBUM NEXT MONTH
Faithless have announced details of their new album. 'To All New Arrivals' is set to be released on 27 Nov, preceded by a single 'Bombs', which will be available from 23 Oct as a download, with the full physical release to follow on 20 Nov.
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GIRLS ALOUD ANNOUNCE HITS ALBUM
Girls Aloud are set to release that previously reported greatest hits album. At this juncture I ought to say things like "but they've only done three albums", but I can't be bothered. Partly because I quite like the idea - because they do great poppy tunes but, frankly, I'm not a fan enough to listen to those three albums in full. So I'm looking forward to a hits package actually.
Anyway, 'The Sound Of Girls Aloud' will be released at the end of this month (not sure which exact date) and will comprise two CDs, one of, well, all the group's greatest hits and one with alternative versions and covers, including a reworking of 'I Predict A Riot'. I wonder if it's as good as Sugababes' 'I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor' cover?
Here's the tracklisting:
CD1
Sound Of The Underground
Love Machine
Biology
No Good Advice
I'll Stand By You
Jump
The Show
See The Day
Wake Me Up
Life Got Cold
Something Kinda Oooh
Whole Lotta History
Long Hot Summer
Money
What A Feeling
CD2
No Good Advice (alternative version)
Wake Me Up (alternative version)
Love Machine (demo)
Wicked Game
I Predict A Riot
Sound Of The Underground (instrumental break down mix)
Hanging On The Telephone
Loving Is Easy
Singapore
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PET SHOP BOYS LIVE ALBUM
The Pet Shop Boys are to release a live album this month. 'Concrete', out 23 Oct, was recorded at the Mermaid Theatre in London and features backing from the BBC Concert Orchestra and guest appearances from Robbie Williams and Rufus Wainwright.
Here's the tracklisting:
Left To My Own Devices
Rent
You Only Tell Me You Love Me When You're Drunk
The Sodom And Gomorrah Show
Casanova In Hell (feat Rufus Wainwright)
After All
Friendly Fire
Integral
Numb
It's Alright
Luna Park
Nothing Has Been Proved
Jealousy (feat Robbie Williams)
Dreaming Of The Queen
It's A Sin
Indefinite Leave To Remain
West End Girls
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EVAN DANDO ON BEING BOOED
Evan Dando has spoken to The Sun about his unpleasant experience at Glastonbury back in 1995. Dando, who is, as previously reported, back with a new Lemonheads album, recalled how after missing his scheduled slot, he was forced on stage in front of a crowd of angry Portishead fans who were expecting Portishead to turn up, and who booed Dando offstage. He added that it was the moment when he realised that he needed to take a break from music:
Dando said: "I wanted it to end at that time. I was ready to step aside. It was the perfect moment as pop was getting huge. I don't care about it now. I just missed a gig. They put us on when all my fans had left and Portishead were supposed to be playing. It was an interesting experience to say the least. You learn from mistakes like that."
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RYAN ADAMS WEBSITE SHUT DOWN
Ryan Adams has shut down his website after he felt threatened by messages posted on the site's discussion boards. Site administrator Dave Smith explained: "One event in particular has caused this to come to a head. I won't go into details, but sensitive information was exposed on the board that was a threat to both Ryan and the band. And he felt (understandably so) very exposed because of the visibility of this site. So he requested that the board be taken offline while we take some precautions in an attempt to prevent this from happening in the future."
Smith continued: "I just had a good discussion with Ryan about his concerns and reasons for requesting that the board be taken off-line temporarily. There's been a lot of talk about censorship and restricting free speech, but I can assure you he has no grand plans to silence the .org. In fact, quite the opposite, he sees it as a valuable resource, and has enjoyed taking part in the message board, discussing shows even when someone gives a negative review."
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MY CHEMICAL TV AD
Ok, so we're all familiar with those remix competitions an increasing number of bands are doing - well, My Chemical Romance are doing a 'remix your own TV ad' competition. Yep, and it's not as hard as it sounds - basically you download some static images and audio, and mix them together to create an ad. The winning ad will get played on MTV2, and its creator will get to see and meet the band, should they wish to. Details at http://www.diymcr.com/
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TOWER RECORDS TO BE LIQUIDATED
The US's most famous music retail brand is no more following the sale of Tower Records to a consortium led by a group called Great American. They are known to represent a number of different buyers who are interested in different assets of the retail chain - ie they will essentially liquidate the company and divide the assets up between different partners. This means Tower Records will, essentially, cease to exist.
As previously reported, Tower Records, which has been struggling in the increasingly competitive music retail space for a few years now, has been looking for a new buyer for much of the year, but that process was stepped up when the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in August. A deadline was set for last week for groups interested in acquiring the company - either as a going concern, or with a view to liquidating at profit.
While it was unclear what plans each of the sixteen bidders had for Tower, reports suggested at least three were interested in taking the retail chain as a going concern - most prominently, in the end, the Trans World Entertainment Corporation. Finally, however, the Great American bid, $134.3 million, was the biggest and therefore won.
Trans World subsequently upped its bid by $500,000 to match Great American, and lawyer Michael Bloom, acting on behalf of Tower's creditors, urged the bankruptcy courts to sell to them because, he claimed, their bid was "more beneficial for the 2700 Tower employees and all the trade creditors". However Judge Brendan L Shannon ruled in favour of the Great American bid, noting that it was "important to vindicate the Chapter 11 auction process".
The major record companies were among the Tower creditors who would have wished for the chain to be sold as a going concern. Jim Urie, president of Universal Music Group Distribution, told Billboard on Friday: "It's a sad day for the music business and I feel badly for all Tower employees. Tower was probably the greatest brand that will ever exist in music retail."
Tower may well live on as an online music store because one of Great American's partners will specifically acquire the Tower.com operation.
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UNIVERSAL PROMOTE DIGITAL GUY
Universal Music Group International has announced that the company's key new media man has been promoted to a new Senior Vice President Digital role. Rob Wells, formerly Divisional Director for Digital, will oversee all aspects of UMGI's digital strategy in his new job, including mobile. And the company says his appointment "completes an important phase in the integration of the company's new media and mobile units into the Digital division, which began earlier this year".
Confirming the appointment, UMGI top bloke Lucian Grainge told CMU (well, actually, he emailed over a statement, but this was about a Digital job appointment, so that's to be expected): "Rob has been a digital pioneer at Universal Music UK, pushing the company - and the industry - forward through innovation and dedication. He and his team have produced significant results, supporting our entire artist roster with industry-leading promotion and marketing. Now Rob has the opportunity to work with our companies worldwide to take it all further. He's a great guy and he deserves this promotion."
Rob himself added: "My upgrade is as exciting as it will be challenging. I'm looking forward to driving the international digital business forward for Universal Music, as well as unlocking the opportunities that the less digitally developed territories provide."
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NEW COMMS CHIEF AT PPL
Elsewhere in appointments news, royalty collection types PPL have announced they have appointed Jonathan Morrish, formerly of the Outside Organisation (and before that Sony Music), to the new role of Director of PR and Corporate Communications. The new role replaces that formerly fulfilled by Jill Drew, who left the company back in July.
Confirming the appointment, PPL chairman Fran Nevrkla told CMU: "I am truly delighted to have Jonathan Morrish on board because I know that he will make a substantial contribution to our business and will prove to be an invaluable team player. Jonathan is by far and away the highest calibre candidate with the most extensive knowledge and understanding of the industry as well as the current environment generally. He has a wide range of contacts and a real instinct for where PPL and VPL needs to go moving forward. I have no doubt that Jonathan will take our PR and corporate communications to even higher levels."
Jonathan himself added: "I have learned an enormous amount on the agency and consulting side at The Outside Organisation but this is a fantastic opportunity for me and I very much look forward to working with Fran and his executive team at PPL. It's a very exciting time to be joining the company. The music industry is undergoing fundamental changes and PPL sits very much at the heart of many of them - copyright, new media, government relations to name a few - as well as the integration and expansion of the company's member and performer services in the UK".
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GOOGLE TO BUY YOUTUBE?
That popular gossip rag the Wall Street Journal reports that Google is in talks to buy YouTube in a deal possibly worth about $1.6 billion. But, the paper says, the talks are still at a "sensitive stage" so could still break off. YouTube is, of course, the flagship video upload service, commanding a 47% share of the online video search market, according to HitWise research. Google's own video service has an 11% share.
A major buy out might be preferable to YouTube's current owners rather than those other rumoured plans to float on the stock exchange - after all, the latter is likely to be more susceptible to growing concerns regarding the copyright implications of sites like YouTube which, as we all know, is mainly so popular because it provides access to thousands of music videos and TV show clips - most without the permission of the owners of those videos and clips.
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MORE TALK OR ROCK FOR MANCHESTER, POSSIBLY BOTH
The deadline for the new Manchester wide FM radio licence closed last week, and it looks like the city may be getting a speech station. Or a rock station. Or possibly a bit of both.
Chrysalis submitted one of each - one proposal for a terrestrial output for its digital rock station The Arrow, another for a talk station to be called GMBC. Should the latter be successful, it may well follow a similar format to the two LBC talk and news stations that Chrysalis operate in London, though in their application the radio group called it a "24-hour conversation station" that will "revolve around user-generated content" which sounds like non-stop phone ins to me.
EMAP's big bid was also for a talk service. EMAP, of course, already own Manchester's two main commercial stations, good old Piccadilly Key 103 and its AM spin off, formerly Piccadilly Gold, (now the Manchester outpost of EMAP's Magic brand). The new station they are proposing is Piccadilly Talk, a service where, and I quote, "listeners' opinions will play a key role". Hmmm, sounds a bit like non-stop phones ins to me.
The Guardian Media Group's proposal (which I'm pretty sure we've previously reported on) includes both the rock and the talk. Their RockTalk format - which they unsuccessfully proposed for the recently awarded North East licence - has rock music by night, talk by day. Not sure what the talk will consist of - fully integrated station audience interaction I suspect - or non-stop... yep, that's it.
Predominantly rock orientated applications came from four others - Absolute Radio's Jack FM, Original 106, MNR FM and Manchester Citylife - while one other also had a combination of music and speech, UK1 FM Manchester, which is promising a "contemporary and unpredictably wide music mix as well as a fresh and intelligent approach to news, sport, current affairs and talent development in key genres such as music, journalism, comedy and enterprise", which is all well and good, but what about the classic rock and phone ins?
Actually, UK1FM does sound very interesting, though really the licence probably ought to go to one of the two final bids, from Manchester Sound and Masti Radio, which are both proposing stations to service Manchester's Asian community.
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CHART UPDATE
So, Razorlight have brought to an end Scissor Sisters' reign at the top of the UK singles chart with their track 'America', which goes to the top now that the physical CD release is out. Mmmm, razors and scissors - there's a gag in that somewhere. If we did gags, we'd find it for you, but we're far too serious for all that.
Which is a shame, because David Hasselhoff's 'Jump In My Car' goes straight in at number three, and there's a definitely a gag in there somewhere, too. I'm no expert, but I'm guessing that's the best the Hoff has ever done UK charts wise - presumably thanks, in part at least, to Scott Mills' on air campaign to get him to the top of the charts.
Other new entries this week come from My Chemical Romance at 23 with 'Welcome To The Black Parade', Nerina Pallot with 'Sophia' at 32 and the mighty Trivium with 'Anthem (We Are The Fire)' at 40. Interestingly there are three re-entries in the lower part of the Top 40, which is unusual - not quite sure why, though possibly some online promotions have had an impact of some sort.
Albums wise and it's The Killers and Evanescence who together push the Scissor Sisters off the top spot - with the former's new LP 'Sam's Town' going straight in at one, the latter's new album 'The Open Door' going straight in at two. The Scissor Sisters are at 3, one place ahead of Razorlight at 4.
New entries as follows: Daniel O'Donnell at 10 with 'Until Next Time', Jet at 13 with 'Shine On', Marti Pellow at 27 with 'Moonlight Over Memphis', KT Tunstall at 32 with 'Acoustic Extravaganza', Rod Stewart at 33 with 'The Best Of', Evanescence at 35 with 'Fallen' and Sarah Brightman at 38 with 'Classics'.
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TOTAL ROCK WORLD ALBUM CHART
As counted down on Total Rock over the weekend - http://www.totalrock.com. New and re-entries marked with a *
1. Audioslave - Revelations (SonyBMG/Epic)
2. Iron Maiden - A Matter Of Life And Death (EMI)
3. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Stadium Arcadium (Warner Bros)
4. Nickelback - All The Right Reasons (Roadrunner)
5. Muse - Black Holes & Revelations (Warner Bros)
6. The Mars Volta - Amputechture (Universal)
7. Billy Talent - Billy Talent II (Warner/Atlantic)
8. Stone Sour - Come What(ever) May (Roadrunner)
9. New Found Glory - Coming Home (Universal/Island)*
10. Mastodon - Blood Mountain (Warner Bros)
11. Razorlight - Razorlight (Universal/Mercury)
12. AFI - Decemberunderground (Universal/Polydor)
13. Papa Roach - The Paramour Sessions (Universal/Geffen)
14. Black Label Society - Shot To Hell (Roadrunner)
15. Tool - 10,000 Days (Volcano)
16. Blue October - Foiled (Universal)
17. Guns n Roses - Greatest Hits (Universal/Geffen)
18. Avenged Sevenfold - City Of Evil (Warner Bros)*
19. Rise Against - The Sufferer & The Witness (Universal/Geffen)
20. Lamb Of God - Sacrament (SonyBMG/Epic)
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SUBSHOT PLAYLIST
The videos appearing on the SUBtv screens network in students' unions around the UK this week. New entries marked with a *.
A-List
Beatfreakz - Superfreak
Bob Sinclar - Rock This Party
Cord - Sea of Trouble
David Hasselhoff - Jump In My Car
*Fedde Le Grande - Put Your Hands Up For Detroit
Hot Chip - Over And Over
Kasabian - Shoot The Runner
he Kooks - Ooh La
Lily Allen - LDN
*Panic at the Disco - I Write Sins Not Tragedies
Paolo Nutini - Jenny Don't Be Hasty
The View - Superstar Tradesman
B-List
Alesha - Knockdown
*Gym Class Heroes - New Friend Request
Little Man Tate - Man I Hate Your Band
The Long Blondes - Once and Never Again
Jamie T - If You Got The Money
*The Magic Numbers - Take a Chance
Oakenfold feat. Pharell - Sex'n'Money
The Ordinary Boys - Lonely At The Top
*Placebo - Meds
*The Rifles - Peace & Quiet
*Vatican DC - Wow
*Wolfmother - Joker and the Thief
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THIS WEEK'S STUDENT RADIO CHART
New college year, new term, new Student Radio Chart, the first of the new year and term. If that makes sense. The most played music on UK college radio this week, compiled by the Student Radio Association.
1. The Killers - When We Were Young
2. The Kooks - Ooh La
3. Hot Chip - Hot Chip
4. Moistboyz - That's What Rock and Roll Can Do
5. New Young Pony Club - Ice Cream
6. Ross Copperman - As I Choke
7. The Vines - Don't Listen to Radio
8. Razorlight - America
9. Pugwash - This Could Be Good
10. The Automatic - Recover
11. The Morenas - My Violent Femme
12. Lily Allen - LDN
13. Placebo - Meds
14. Muse - Starlight
15. Paramore - Pressure
16. Xpress 2 - Kill 100
17. Shuffle - My friends Girlfriend
18. Guillemots - Trains to Brazil
19. Basement Jaxx - Take Me Back to Your House
20. Lorraine - Heaven
21. Switches - Lay Down the Law
22. The Young Knives - The Decision
23. The Magic Numbers - Take a Chance
24. Cherry Blackstone - Watcha
25. Love Is All - Make Out Fall Out
26. Zero 7 - Futures
27. Moby - New York New York
28. Jamie T - If You Got the Money
29. Beck - Cell Phones Dead
30. The View - Superstar Tradesmen
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SINGLE REVIEW: Imogen Heap - Headlock (White Rabbit Recordings/Sony BMG)
Now this single has been used on Zach Braff's new film and he is just the cutest thing in Scrubs, and was even cuter in 'Garden State', so as logic would have it, this song is just lovely. Eerie electronic keys and plucked strings flow underneath Imogen Heap's trademark offbeat raspy vocals. Pounding timpani sounds and almost inaudible bassy brass march through the duplicated choral chorus. Imogen produced this one and her adventurous approach and innovative sound is pretty darn impressive. Various vocal lines loop and interweave throughout the track and you can almost see Zach moping around with that perfectly practised heartbroken look on his face. AW
Release Date: 2 Oct
Press Contact: JS Publicity [all]
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TWEEDY SAYS ALL SAINTS ARE COPYCATS
According to reports, Cheryl Tweedy has said that All Saints' new material has copied the Girls Aloud sound (do they have a patent on it?). If I remember rightly (I may be wrong), Tweedy accused Charlotte Church of the same thing, so I think perhaps she's a bit sensitive on this issue.
The singer said: "The new All Saints sound just sounds like us. They must have looked at what's working at the moment and thought we'll go that way, but the whole reuniting band thing at the moment is driving me insane."
Bandmate Kimberley Walsh added: "Good luck to them, I hope they stay friends this time."
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MORE NAUGHTY X-FACTOR TYPES BREAK THE RULES
According to tabloid reports, more X Factor types could be disqualified for breaking the rules. As previously reported, boyband Avenue were kicked off for already having a management contract, and now, apparently, the programme's producers have investigated a second boyband, Eton Road, and singer Ray Quinn, because both apparently have agent representation.
Details of both acts have been discovered on a website belonging to a Liverpool based agency, Colette Fenlon Management. The site explained that the boyband was formed via audition in April this year, while a page about Quinn blatantly references his the singer's X Factor involvement, reporting: "He's been selected for the boot camp, watch this space."
The show's producers say: "Neither act is currently under a deal and we have asked Ms Fenlon to remove their details from her site."
But another source says: "It's a clear breach of the show rules. What are Colette Fenlon Management, if not a management company? There's a huge row brewing."
If only they would televise all this backstage politics instead of all that bloody singing, I might actually watch.