| CMU Daily - on the inside Wednesday 2nd April |
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In today's CMU Daily:
- Velvet Revolver to carry on without Weiland
- BPI publish ISP arguments
- The Specials reunite
- NKOTB announcement expected Friday
- Sean Levert dies
- Nickelback man convicted of DUI
- Supergrass on EMI jobs cull
- Weezer update
- Carey re-signs publishing deal
- Perez Hilton announces SonyBMG boycott
- Radiohead announce remix competition
- The Enemy promote volunteering
- Scorsese to direct Marley doc
- Estelle steps in for Gnarls Barkley on Later
- Turbonegro cancel US tour
- Summercase additions
- Hard-Fi to headline anti-racism event
- Captains call it a day
- BPI add music component to soccer programme
- Gut sign up to the Orchard
- Universal to enter partnership with INgrooves
- Sony/ATV set up global marketing division
- Tour sponsorship is up up up
- Red Bull to set up record label
- Beeb commission more Lily
- When record labels go bad
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TOP BIT RECOMMENDED
Well, firstly can I just take some Top Bit minutes to say a big thank you to Big Strides, Sportsday Megaphone, the CMU:DJs and everyone who came down to 229 in London last night for the very first CMU Social which, I think it's fair to say, was a big success, and very very sociable. This is now a monthly event that will be taking place on the first Tuesday of every month from now until the end of time - and we have some very good bands and some nice surprises in the pipeline for future months. Watch this space where we will, of course, include plugs galore as the next Social approaches. Hurrah.
Meanwhile, after all the plugging of our own night in the last few days, let's plug someone else's now - another one of those CMU Recommended things. Our old friends TuneTribe.com have got a new regular acoustic session going on, which is sounding especially good. Taking place at The Mason's Arms on Harrow Road on the first Sunday of the month - so this Sunday, 6 Apr - from 7pm-11pm, the Sunday Service describes itself as "a monthly ceremonial proclaiming the glory of acoustic live music", which sounds very good to me.
This month you will get to experience Steve Pilgrim, a great acoustic talent, Colorama, a cross-cultural collage of uplifting and often eclectic musical stylings, and Matt Johnson, a guy who Jim Gellatly from Xfm Scotland has described as "bridging the gap between the Kinks and Arctic Monkeys".
This all takes place at the Mason's Arms from 7pm - 11pm on Sunday, and costs £4 to get in, with free downloads for everyone who comes. For more info click the banner at http://www.tunetribe.com/
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JOBS N STUFF
NEW MEDIA COORDINATOR
Cherry Red Records, a West London based independent record company founded 30 years ago, is looking for a New Media Coordinator to look after it's fast growing catalogue. The ideal candidate would be very organised, have good initiative, a decent level of new media knowledge, and a genuine affinity with, and enthusiasm for, the unique and very diverse Cherry Red catalogue. Please write with a detailed CV and name your favourite Cherry Red album to [email protected]
KUDOS RECORDS REQUIRES A SALES AND LABEL MANAGER
Based in our busy Kentish Town office, core responsibilities include developing our distribution roster, project managing releases for our distributed labels, and maintaining sales to a selection of UK and overseas accounts. The successful candidate will be scrupulously organised and an effective communicator. He or she will posses relevant industry experience, a genuine enthusiasm for the music we distribute, along with a passion for discovering new music. Salary will be based on experience. We also offer a generous performance related bonus scheme. Application by email only, attaching a copy of your CV to [email protected]
OUTPOST FREELANCER/TEMP REQUIRED
Outpost is a successful music and events PR agency based in London. A raft of new business wins means we are looking for a freelancer/temp with AT LEAST 6-12 MONTHS MUSIC PRESS/PR EXPERIENCE to assist in some of our key music and event campaigns. You will be tenacious, enthusiastic and willing to get stuck into a variety of projects. Computer literate and possessing first-class writing skills, you will also have an outstanding knowledge of cutting edge music. The post is temporary in the first instance and may lead to a more permanent role.__Please apply in writing to [email protected], with cover letter and CV explaining why we're right for each other!
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CMU CLASSIFIEDS
ALIVE ADVERTISING - ACCESS ALL AUDIENCES
Reach the audience of Camden Crawl via advertising in the official programme or placing your swag in the official goodie bag. Deadline for this highly targeted opportunity is this Friday and we have just a few opportunities available starting at just £195. Call us now to find out about advertising opportunities in Plan B, Fact, Loud and Quiet, Disorder and Super Super, plus over 20 festival programmes this season starting with the Camden Crawl. Contact [email protected] 07966 555 857
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SNAP OF THE DAY: CHANDELIERS
Bastions of unconventional rhythms and the kind of lovely bleepy noises that Team CMU admire so much, Chicago's Chandeliers have easily enough potential to match the recent success of their equally-difficult-to-pigeon-hole contemporaries Battles, who set the blueprint for the unpigeonholable with their highly-praised last album 'Mirrored', managing to avoid both esotericism and the often futile attraction of a 'pop' single in their rise to popularity. Drafting inspiration from Kraftwerk, as well as Krautrockers buddies Can and Klaus Schulze, they form delicate, oddly melodic electronic tunes like 'Mango Tree', which hums and tinkles along with synthy goodness. Currently releasing in the UK through respected Leicester-based indie Pickled Egg (who put out early Go! Team releases and some recent Daniel Johnston singles, so they clearly have fantastic ears), you'd be wise to hit the link below.
http://www.myspace.com/chandeliers
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VELVET REVOLVER TO CARRY ON WITHOUT WEILAND
Following Scott Weiland's recent renewed personal woes, and subsequent suggestions from his bandmates regarding its impact on their plans, the founding members of Velvet Revolver yesterday announced they had parted ways with their frontman.
In a statement seemingly representing his colleagues Duff McKagan, Matt Sorum and Dave Kushner, the man that is Slash told reporters: "This band is all about its fans and its music and Scott Weiland isn't 100% committed to either. Among other things, his increasingly erratic onstage behaviour and personal problems have forced us to move on".
The statement follows seemingly growing tensions in the Velvet Revolver camp regarding Weiland's recent return to rehab, and his plans to reunite with his original band Stone Temple Pilots. Weiland himself recently announced during a Velvet Revolver gig that they were planning on calling it a day, but Slash insisted yesterday that wasn't true, saying that the band would work on a third album, but without their frontman.
It remains unclear at this point how Slash et al plan to proceed, or whether they have even started to consider a replacement for Weiland. He was recruited by his bandmates to front the rock outfit back in 2002 after a high profile series of auditions filmed by VH1. It remains to be seen if the band would consider a similar exercise to recruit a replacement.
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BPI PUBLISH ISP ARGUMENTS
UK record label trade body the BPI has published a web page giving its side to the much reported ISP/P2P debate, and explaining what it is look for from the internet service providers and why.
As previously reported, the record and wider music industry have been increasingly calling on the ISPs to take on a more proactive role in policing the illegal distribution of unlicensed content on the internet. One proposal is that ISPs monitor content traffic on their servers and issue warnings to customers who access or make available illegal sources of music, ultimately cutting off consumers who ignore those warnings.
The government has indicated that it also sees the ISPs taking on a policing role in the online copyright domain, and is encouraging the net firms and content owners to work together to find a workable solution. But the net firms are not altogether keen to take on any such role, and have so far resisted the record industry's suggestions, despite ministers indicating they'll force the ISPs into action through legislation if a voluntary system cannot be found.
Earlier this week it was reported that Virgin Media, in its ISP guise, had been talking to the BPI about such a voluntary system and was close to launching something, but both sides denied such talks yesterday, with the former telling reporters: "We have not agreed to the three strikes scheme [where customers get two warnings and are then cut off], not started trials with the BPI or any other rights holder, and not decided to snoop on customers and inspect their data. Our goal is to have an open discussion with rights holders to come to voluntary solution - else the government will anyway. That is all. We certainly won't be progressing anything in the short term, and in the long term, whether we manage to come to a voluntary code or there is government legislation, we would let our customers know well in advance".
As the BPI moved to also deny there had been any especially fruitful talks with Virgin, they also pointed people in the direction of a page on their website which outlines in detail what they are looking for from Planet ISP. They say: "There is little doubt that the widespread availability of music online - illegally and for free - is undermining record labels' ability to generate income, which challenges their ability to maintain investment in new music. ISPs lie at the heart of this problem and should be at the heart of the solution. Working with ISPs to tackle unlawful downloading is clearly just one part of a very big picture. But it's a big part; the single most important thing that can be done by the BPI to help the music business prosper in the digital age".
Those who advocate ISP involvement in policing P2P usage can go to this URL so to nod their heads furiously in agreement - while those of you who own ISPs might want to surf on over so to shake your heads and say "no but yes but no but" or some such.
http://www.bpi.co.uk/isp-partnership
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THE SPECIALS REUNITE
OK, two reunion news stories today, decide for yourselves which one you want to get most excited about. First up, ska legends The Specials are planning to get back together proper, and by that I mean fronted by Terry Hall, who quit the band at their height way back in 1981.
Hall's decision to go back into business under The Specials banner follows his on stage reunion with former Specials and Fun Boy Three bandmate Lynval Golding at Glastonbury last year, and, he says, is motivated in part by other successful reunions of recent years, most notably Pixies.
He added yesterday: "We're still trying to put dates together, but hopefully we'll tour September/October time. We need to spend the summer rehearsing. I think it's taken me 30 years to realise we could do it really well".
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NKOTB ANNOUNCEMENT EXPECTED FRIDAY
Next up, and all that recent rumour about a New Kids On The Block reunion is expected to come to ahead at the end of the week following the news that all five members of the late 80s/early 90s boyband are expected to appear on the US 'Today' TV show.
As previously reported, there has been speculation of a NKOTB reunion ever since the start of the year - mainly because of activity on the band's relaunched website - though at one point one of the five, Danny Wood, confused things by seeming to deny any reunion was in the offing. But everyone who has an opinion on these things seems to think all five New Kids have been into the studio recently, and that a reunion tour to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the release of 'Hangin Touch' will be announced on the TV show on Friday.
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SEAN LEVERT DIES
Sean Levert, the 39 year old son of O'Jays vocalist Eddie Levert and himself one third of R&B outfit LeVert, has died just a week after being jailed in Cleveland, Ohio for failing to pay child maintenance. The singer died just an hour after being rushed to a near by hospital from the jail where he had begun a one year ten months sentence last week.
A coroner's spokesman said an autopsy had been inconclusive regarding the cause of death, though he confirmed that foul play had been ruled out. He added that Levert suffered from high blood pressure and had been hallucinating in jail, and that toxicology reports should provide more clues regarding cause of death, but that they could take several weeks to come through.
The judge who jailed Levert last week has told reporters that the singer gave no indication of ill health when being sentenced, but that he had admitted to having been addicted to marijuana from the age of 14 until recently. Levert's brother Gerald, another member of LeVert, died in 2006 after taking an accidental overdose of prescription drugs.
Sean enjoyed quite a bit of success, especially in the US, performing as LeVert with brother Gerald and school friend Marc Gordon. In 1995 he launched a moderately successful solo career, though didn't enjoy the same level of solo success as Gerald.
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NICKELBACK MAN CONVICTED OF DUI
Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger has been convicted of drunk driving in a British Columbian court after being found to be over the legal limit after being pulled over for speeding last year. As previously reported, Kroeger previously attempted to have the case against him quashed because police failed to follow procedure to the letter when arresting the rocker, but said attempts failed, and this week he was found guilty of the DUI charge. He will now be sentenced on 1 May and faces a fine and maybe a temporary driving ban.
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SUPERGRASS ON EMI JOBS CULL
EMI/Parlophone signed Supergrass have been commenting on the radical overhaul being planned at the major record label by current owners Terra Firma, and say that they hope that not too many key staff fall foul to the pending jobs cull which will see a third of the record company's workforce lose their jobs.
Clearly missing former EMI UK chief Tony Wadsworth, who left the major earlier this year after the Terra Firma takeover, the band's Gaz Coombes told Gigwise: "I think as a company there's no reason why it can't just carry on but our only wish I suppose as a band is that they don't get rid of too many Tony Wadworths. He knew about music and had a good approach and wasn't too biz about the whole thing. I think it's good if you keep those people around".
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WEEZER UPDATE
Weezer's Rivers Cuomo has put a posting on the band's website reporting on progress on the band's next album, which is due for release in June. Cuomo wrote: "We have one song left to mix and then it's on to mastering. We should be all done very soon. Then we chill for a minute. The album will be out in June so with any luck you will hear a new Weezer song on the radio soon. I think I know which song is the first single but I'm not sure so I can't tell you. I'll give you some hints, though. It's one word, starts with a T, ends with an R and contains twelve letters. You should be able to figure it out because you're smart li'l Weezer fans. The album is meaty, crunchy and melodic like a good Weezer album should be".
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CAREY RE-SIGNS PUBLISHING DEAL
Mariah Carey, who is busy busy here in the UK promoting upcoming new album 'E=MC2', has just renewed her worldwide publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing. Confirming they had extended their publishing relationship with the diva, Universal Publishing boss David Renzer told reporters: "Carey is well known for her incredible voice, but we also celebrate her incredible strength as a songwriter and the fact that she has co-written most of her best known songs. We're honoured that she has agreed to renew her working relationship with UMPG and we look forward to continuing to promote her amazing and wonderful body of work globally".
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PEREZ HILTON ANNOUNCES SONYBMG BOYCOTT
That Perez Hilton chap has said he will stop writing about SonyBMG artists on his popular gossip blog because the major is suing him for posting new Britney recordings on his site before they had been officially released even to media. Hilton says the lawsuit is unfair because the tracks were streaming and not available for download, other sites had them but have not be targeted with legal action, and the blogger, or so he claims, has a history of taking down tracks when requested to do so by record labels. With SonyBMG's litigation still pending, Hilton says he no longer wants to inadvertently give the record company free promotion by reporting on their acts, which include Tori Amos, Celine Dion, Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Lopez, The Gossip, Adele, Lil Mama, Pink, Usher, Justin Timberlake, and Whitney Houston to name but a few.
Hilton writes: "These are some of our favorite musicians. It really, truly pains us not to talk about them. But, it is something we HAVE to do! Why???? Because [Britney's label] Zomba, which is owned by SonyBMG, is suing us and we had a lightbulb go off recently - we can't support any artist signed to SonyBMG. Why should we help the company suing us make money???? Especially when their lawsuit is personal! We KNOW that our support can help their artists, some of our favorites, immensely. We hope alienating us was worth it for SonyBMG! Every other label out there wants to have us as a friend. It really makes us question the business practices of SonyBMG that they would rather have Perez as an enemy. Their loss! And, though we may never write about Leona again, we still love her. Always will. Same for Xtina. And J Lo. And Adele. And Ditto".
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RADIOHEAD ANNOUNCE REMIX COMPETITION
Radiohead have teamed up with iTunes and GarageBand to give fans the chance to remix 'Nude', the second single release off the band's most recent album 'In Rainbows'. Fans can buy the track as five separate channels via iTunes Plus, and if they buy all five bits - bass, voice, guitar, strings/fx and drums - they will get a code which enables them to make their own mix with the separates via GarageBand or Logic music production software. Said bedroom remixers are then encouraged to upload their mixes to a special website - http://www.radioheadremix.com - where a public vote will be held to find the best one, the maker of whom will win something, I guess.
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THE ENEMY PROMOTE VOLUNTEERING
The Enemy yesterday swapped their guitars for garden tools, because guitars, it turns out, aren't very helpful when it comes to planting trees. The band were planting trees at the launch of a thing called vinvolved, which is trying to encourage young people to get involved in various voluntary projects which help their local communities or such like.
Commenting on the programme, The Enemy man Tom Clarke told reporters: "Doing the job swap opened our eyes to the difference volunteers can make. We helped bring green trees to grey spaces. It felt good to make a difference to the people living there. Volunteering at festivals is great but there are so many other projects people should know about".
The Enemy will also headline a special gig at the Bloomsbury Ballroom in London at the end of the month as part of the vinvolved campaign - tickets for which will be given away to people involved in vinvolved volunteer schemes.
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SCORSESE TO DIRECT MARLEY DOC
Martin Scorsese is set to follow up his Bob Dylan and Rolling Stones films with a new documentary on Bob Marley. This would be a separate project from the movie in development based on the memoirs of Rita Marley.
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ESTELLE STEPS IN FOR GNARLS BARKLEY ON LATER
Estelle stepped in at the last minute to replace Gnarls Barkley on the first live edition of 'Later' last night, after Cee-Lo Green cancelled a trip to the UK because of a family illness. The current chart topper agreed to perform on the BBC show with just 24 hours notice, so well done her.
As previously reported, a live edition of the Jools Holland telly show will now air every Tuesday night on BBC2, with a longer repeat edition complete with extra pre-recorded content airing in the show's traditional late night Friday slot.
Cee-Lo's decision not to come to the UK also means the duo's planned gig at 229 in London tonight has been postponed.
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TURBONEGRO CANCEL US TOUR
Also cancelling live dates because of illness - though this time in the band itself - are Norwegian rockers Turbonegro, who have announced that they are pulling their forthcoming US tour because of guitarist Euroboy's ongoing health problems. The decision will also see the band pull out of a Coachella set.
In a statement, the band said: "A huge apology to the US fans and to the promoters. I'm sure that all will understand that this decision wasn't taken lightly, but it is the right decision for Euroboy. He is in good shape, all considered, but his treatment makes it impossible for him to be away for long periods of time and certainly not to be taking long haul flights".
The band say they hope to be back on the road by May.
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SUMMERCASE ADDITIONS
Kaiser Chiefs, Kooks and Primal Scream have all been added to the bill of Spanish music festival Summercase, which takes place in Barcelona and Madrid on 18 and 19 Jul. The Verve, Grinderman, Mogwai, Santogold, CSS, The Breeders and MIA are also all on the bill. More info at http://www.summercase.com
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HARD-FI TO HEADLINE ANTI-RACISM EVENT
Hard-Fi have been announced as headliners for the Rock Against Racism carnival being staged by the Love Music Hate Racism chaps in London's Victoria Park on 27 Apr. Also on the bill for the event, which celebrates the thirtieth anniversary of the original Rock Against Racism carnival and procession, will be all sorts of fine musical talent including Patrick Wolf, Roll Deep, DJ Nihal, Bashy and The Paddingtons. Go to http://www.lmhrcarnival.com for more info.
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CAPTAINS CALL IT A DAY
The people behind the always inventive Captains Of Industry record label have announced that they are celebrating their fifth anniversary by calling it a day, on the basis that the project was always intended as a five year plan.
In a statement on their website, the Captains say this: "To celebrate our 5th anniversary record label Captains Of Industry is ceasing trading as of April 1 2008. Captains Of Industry began life as a collective in 2003. Outlined in a series of communiqués we detailed a '5 Year Plan' ("to release some cool records"). Those five years have now passed and the circle is complete. Captains Of Industry exit just as they entered - with dignity and health intact. No bitterness, no bankruptcies, no falling's out".
They continue: "Entirely self-funded and existing for its duration in a time of major transition for music, without so much as an office, phone-line or 'fruit and flowers' budget, from 2003 to 2008 Captains Of Industry have released over 40 singles, EPs and albums by bands from the UK, USA, Australia, Iceland and Switzerland".
The recently launched Captains Of Industry books imprint will continue as a sepearte concern. For more info on all things COI contact [email protected]
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BPI ADD MUSIC COMPONENT TO SOCCER PROGRAMME
Record label trade body the BPI has announced it is supporting a community programme called Kickz which will aim to offer young people interested in football or music, or football and music, with the opportunity to expand their skills. The Kickz programme is also supported by the Premier League who will be funding the sporting component of the project, while money from the BPI's Brit Trust will fund music programmes with young people around the country.
BPI chief Geoff Taylor said the Kickz programme would "ensure that young people looking to develop their music-making will have access to better facilities, equipment and mentoring. We're looking forward immensely to furthering our involvement in Kickz and finding other ways in which we can work with the world of football to reach out to help young people discover and develop their talent".
Premier League man Richard Scudamore, meanwhile, told reporters: "It makes perfect sense for music to be a part of Kickz. Clubs can offer young people an opportunity to improve their football skills, whilst the new investment from the BPI can give those into music a chance to develop their talents too".
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GUT SIGN UP TO THE ORCHARD
Indie label Gut Records has signed an exclusive worldwide deal with independent digital aggregators The Orchard. I know this because Gut MD Steve Tandy has just said this: "In this ever changing, demanding, consumer driven digital age, every record company needs to make sure that they are working with all of the very best world wide digital partners. We are very confident and excited about these new and expanding opportunities that this new multi platform partnership with The Orchard will give to the Gut Group".
Orchard chief Greg Scholl added: "Gut's track record speaks for itself, and we look forward to serving them as a valued client in bringing the next great slate of Gut artists to the world. For a label of Gut's stature to determine it makes more sense to work with The Orchard than to 'go it alone' speaks volumes about our offering and capabilities".
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UNIVERSAL TO ENTER PARTNERSHIP WITH INGROOVES
Universal Music is reportedly about to enter into a strategic relationship with US based digital distributor INgrooves which will cover various things including - it is reported - the major taking a stake in the digital firm. The deal would also see INgrooves handling a variety of distribution, promotional and royalty projects in the digital domain on behalf of Universal and its labels. The major is presumably most interested in INgrooves' proprietary distribution platform known as ONE Digital, which provides various online and mobile distribution facilities.
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SONY/ATV SET UP GLOBAL MARKETING DIVISION
Publishing majors Sony/ATV have created a new worldwide marketing division which will look to expand the use of songs in their catalogue in the advertising industry, as well as developing new merchandising relationships and strategic alliances with corporate partners, whatever that means. The new division will be overseen by Rob Kaplan, who will be known as the Senior VP Global Marketing. Sony/ATV boss bloke Marty Banider says this: "Music is an essential ingredient in almost all aspects of life today, more so than we've ever witnessed before. For a music publisher, partnering with users to license our songs legally is a necessity. Rob is the right man to take us into licensing the next wave of music listening experiences and his admiration and respect of the songwriter's craft gives me confidence that I can entrust our songs to him".
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TOUR SPONSORSHIP IS UP UP UP
Talking of strategic alliances with corporate partners, a company called IEG which tracks sponsorship revenues in the live music sector has revealed that the US tour sponsorship market will hit $1.04 billion this year, confirming, in case there was any doubt, that if you're an established artist it is the logos on your flyers that really make you rich.
Reporting on the report, US marketing website Brandweek add that although it is traditionally big name pop and classic artists that get a bulk of the sponsorship pound, smaller artists with niche audiences that are attractive to certain brands can increasingly secure sponsorship revenues. With credible and alternative acts accepting the sponsorship buck seemingly less looked down upon as it once was, niche audience partnerships could be the big growth area in music sponsorship moving forward.
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RED BULL TO SET UP RECORD LABEL
Talking of brands doing music, the New York Post has reported that Red Bull are following Starbucks' lead and are planning of launching their own record label. The energy drinks brand has had a long involvement in music sponsorship - most notably through its Red Bull Music Academy programme - but the Post says that the company is about to step up its music activity, so much so they have set up their own recording studio to be run by former Universal A&R guy Greg Hammer, and word has it they plan to work with artists on full release projects moving forward. It is not clear if they will look to do a deal with another label or distributor to get any music they create out to market, or whether they'll use their own existing reach into retail as a way to consumers.
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BEEB COMMISSION MORE LILY
Given that I've somehow managed to get hooked on 'Skins', I probably should make an effort to catch the Lily Allen show on BBC Three which has been seemingly building a dedicated following amongst the nation's yoof despite being universally panned by pretty much every critic forced to watch it. The good news for that ambition is that the Beeb's third channel has just commissioned a second series of the show, with the channel's controller Danny Cohen remarking how Allen had "developed astoundingly well as a TV host in just a few weeks" (which is possibly a remark designed to convince critics that the show is not now as awful as the early editions they reviewed). Responding to the news, Allen herself told reporters: "I'm thrilled that we're going to make a second series of the show, it's been such a laugh. I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who tuned in and I can't wait to film series two".
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WHEN RECORD LABELS GO BAD
It's a bit US biased, but it's funny nonetheless. Here, ladies and gentlemen, is the top ten biggest record company screw ups of all time, according to Blender magazine.
1. The majors putting Napster out of business, even when Napster was willing to work with the labels, and in doing kicking off a decade of other P2P madness.
2. Decca Record's Dick Rowe turning down the Beatles.
3. Berry Gordy Jr sells MCA the Motown label for a mere $60 million
4. The growth of independent promotion (and all that payola nonsense it enabled, presumably).
5. The RIAA suing a struggling single mother over P2P.
6. Casablanca sending out a million copies each of the four Kiss solo albums in 1978, and selling practically none of them.
7. Leeds/Duchess selling Bob Dylan's publishing back to Albert Grossman in return for its $1,000 advance.
8. Warner giving up Interscope because of the lobbying of the anti-hip hop brigade.
9. The whole mad "Rootkit" digital rights management thing SonyBMG got itself into.
10. Columbia losing Alicia Keys to J Records, and then dropping 50 Cent. Duh.
There's another ten at http://www.blender.com