INTERN OPPORTUNITY AT LEYLINE
Leyline Promotions are currently looking for a web-savvy intern to join their team in west London. Main duties include managing online communities and liaising with agents, artists and press during the build up to events. Applicants must have an interest in indie and electro and be available to work some nights. Leyline's events include: The Remix, Twisted Licks, The Insomniacs Ball, The (wonderful) CMU Social and they also look after the PR for the Glade, 229 the venue and seOne.
More info: [email protected]

HAWTHORNE HEIGHTS DROP VICTORY LAWSUIT
US emo types Hawthorne Heights have agreed to drop their much previously reported lawsuit against Victory Records and release their new studio album through the US independent, which is two big pieces of news in one, really.

This has all been rolling along since August 2006, when Hawthorne Heights sued Victory for breach of contract, copyright and trademark infringement, fraud and abuse. The label countersued claiming the band were simply trying to get out of their record deal so they could sign to EMI's Virgin Records and subsequently sued Virgin, too, claiming that the major had paid the band an advance while they were still under contract and helped them to fight their legal battle. Both sides issued statements dissing the other, while courts made various rulings on the dispute, some favouring one side, some the other. In the middle of all this, of course, tragedy struck when, later last year, guitarist and vocalist Casey Calvert died suddenly of accidental 'combined drug intoxication' while the band were on tour.

In a final chapter, last week, Victory Records announced that they will release Hawthorne Heights' third studio album 'Fragile Future' on 5 Aug, and that, seemingly, the bitter dispute is over.

Victory Records owner Tony Brummel told CMU: "Everyone at Victory is ecstatic about the forthcoming album from Hawthorne Heights. It is by far their best material to date. When Victory and Hawthorne started our relationship in 2003 it was always about beating the odds. We have lived in a reality of petty disputes, unresolved misunderstandings, unhealthy friction and negative sensationalism for too long. Forgiveness and the ability to reunite are powerful gifts. They create a spirit. Couple that spirit with great music and you have something that is extraordinary and transcendental. You cannot change the past but you can affect the future. There is a bigger lesson and story here than just releasing a new album. Victory, and I know Hawthorne Heights, are thankful to be a part of that".

Speaking for the band, Hawthorne Heights' Drummer Eron Bucciarelli added: "We now regret having begun the lawsuit we filed in 2006. We should not have listened to those, who, for whatever reasons, were then advising us to pursue this strategy. We are sorry for having put Victory Records and Tony Brummel through this ordeal, and regret any negative publicity that may have resulted. Unfortunately, we cannot change the past, but we're now taking steps to heal the wounds and start fresh."

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

WARNER PULL CONTENT FROM LAST.FM PREVIEW SERVICE
Warner Music have pulled their tracks from Last.fm's previously reported on-demand streaming preview service, seemingly in a dispute over royalty rates. Billboard report that the CBS owned music networking service starting taking the major's music off their preview platform late last week at the request of the record company. The company has since said in a statement: "We are currently negotiating a new agreement with Warner Music Group and are working hard to build the most comprehensive music service on the web".

The dispute with Warner seemingly only affects Last.fm's on-demand preview service, which launched earlier this year - the major's music still appears in the music website's internet radio service. Although the first major to sign up to the new Last.fm preview system, Warner reportedly had a month-to-month contract with the company, allowing them to pull their content quickly if royalty discussions didn't work out. Billboard quote a source as saying Warner feel Last.fm's financial offer is "completely out of whack" compared to that being offered by other online music services like MySpace and Imeem.

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

BOURNE AND WILLIS WIN BUSTED BATTLE
The two original members of boy band Busted who were suing for royalties they claimed they were due for their role in writing some of the band's biggest hits have failed in their court bid. The judge hearing the case in the High Court completely dismissed their claims against James Bourne and Matt Willis on Friday.

As previously reported, Ki McPhail and Owen Doyle claimed they were forced to sign "dubious agreements" when they were "unfairly" kicked out of the boy band just before they were signed to Universal Records and went on to chart-topping stardom. McPhail and Doyle claimed to have co-written hits like 'Year 3000' and 'What I Go To School For' and that they only gave up their rights in the songs after being mis-advised and threatened by their management. The duo eventually sued both said management and their former bandmates in a bid to secure a multi-million pound royalty pay out.

Busted's management reached an out of court settlement with McPhail and Doyle, meaning it was just former bandmates Bourne and Willis who were defending themselves in court. And they did so successfully, because Mr Justice Morgan last week completely dismissed the plaintiff's case, criticised their evidence, and accused both McPhail and Doyle of being unreliable witnesses. Of the former, the judge said: "If he did believe the evidence he gave to the court, it can only be because he has indulged in very extensive self-serving reconstruction in the period between the relevant events and the time of the trial and has now convinced himself that his reconstructed version of events really happened". So weak was the claimant's case, the judge said, it wasn't necessary to even consider their claims to have contributed notes or lyrics to the songs at the heart of the case.

Needless to say, Bourne and Willis welcomed the ruling, telling reporters: "This was an opportunistic attempt by Doyle and McPhail to cash in on our success. Their claims were a complete fabrication and we are delighted that the judge has seen through this and totally dismissed them. Our position has been completely vindicated and our achievements with Busted remain untarnished".

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

TRIBUTES APLENTY AT BO DIDDLEY FUNERAL
Friends and family paid tribute to the late great Bo Diddley this weekend as his funeral took place in Florida. According to the BBC, a gospel band played his music at the memorial, and as his coffin passed through hundreds of mourners clapped and chanted his song 'Hey Bo Diddley'. His grandson, Gary Mitchell, told mourners: "In 1955 he used to keep the crowds rocking and rolling way before Elvis Presley", while his manager, Faith Fusillo, said to family members who were present: "Please know this, because I know Diddley. As much as you loved him, he loved you more". As previously reported, Diddley died of heart failure last week aged 79.

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

REUBEN PROBABLY SPLIT
Alternative rock types Reuben have announced that they are pulling out of their planned slot at the 2000 Trees Festival, and have no plans to play live or release any records in the foreseeable future. I guess that means they're on one of those 'indefinite hiatus' things, which I presume means they've split up.

Anyway, the band's manager said in a statement on Reuben's official website: "I regret to announce that Reuben are unable to play their slot on the 2000 Trees Festival in July. The band are all in good health but the culmination of several pressures just makes it impossible for Jamie [Lenman, frontman] to go ahead with it. The band are not planning any more gigs or releases for the foreseeable future - I should make it clear that the band members are all on amicable terms and are supportive of the need to call a halt".

The statement concludes, in a fairly final manner, by saying: "This seems like a good time to thank everyone who has helped and encouraged Reuben along the way; some of you have been there from the start, others from last week, some are within the music industry, others are simply fans - it doesn't matter which, you are all important and have given great strength to all concerned".

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

I WAS A CUB SCOUT DEFINITELY SPLIT
I Was A Cub Scout have announced in a MySpace bulletin sent out to fans on Thursday that they will split in July. In the message, frontman Todd Marriott said that they have been having various problems over the last year, which have caused them to come to this decision. It's true, last time I saw them play, they didn't look like they were having much fun at all.

The bulletin read: "Hello friends, here goes. Tonight we have decided that I Was A Cub Scout has and must now come to a close. We have had countless problems over the past year or so and with yet more occurring we it best to end on what would seem like a decent note. We will be honouring all of our UK shows of which we have confirmed, with the iTunes festival at Koko with Death Cab For Cutie on 14 Jul being our last. We will speak more of it all soon, but for now we must tour. It is a very sad day for us".

The band's remaining dates are:

9 Jun: Leeds, Cockpit
10 Jun: Brighton, Barfly
11 Jun: Portsmouth, Wedgewood Rooms
21 Jun: Exeter, Phoenix
22 Jun: Exeter, Marquee
4 Jul: Zoo Thousand Festival
14 Jul: iTunes Festival, London, Koko

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

WINEHOUSE RACIST, CHEATED ON BLAKE
More tabloid gossip about Amy Winehouse for you today, then. The beleaguered singer is again in the headlines, firstly because of allegations of racism, due to some video footage showing Amy and a friend singing a song whilst husband Blake Fielder-Civil is heard off camera, egging the pair on but promising that he wasn't filming them. The problem, mainly, are the lyrics to the song - new words to the old childhood classic 'Heads, Shoulders, Knees And Toes' - which apparently (I've not seen it) go: "Blacks, Pakis, Gooks and Nips, Gooks and Nips". The tape was, it's claimed, given to The News Of The World, by someone "determined to show the world just what power Blake wields in manipulating the vulnerable young star".

I seriously doubt that Amy Winehouse is genuinely racist. But if I were her, I'd definitely cheat on her husband, and according to more NOTW claims, she has. Her mother in law Georgette told the aforementioned tabloid that Winehouse had confessed about the incidents to Fielder-Civil during a visit to Pentonville, where he's been banged up. According to reports, it's Towers of London bassist Kristian Marr and her manager's assistant Alex Haines who won her favour.

Georgette is quoted as saying: "Amy was so riddled with shame she visited Blake in Pentonville and confessed all. Blake sounded terrible when he told me. I find her timing incredibly cruel. He was focused on his trial and fighting for his freedom. Now he's a broken man, knowing his wife has cheated on him twice. He feels humiliated. Amy's infidelity is inexcusable. Blake says she's filled with self-disgust and now feels worthless. She knows she has let him down and blamed the drugs and the booze. She said she hates everything about herself."

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

COLDPLAY STREAM NEW ALBUM ONLINE
Possibly in an attempt to counter those leaked downloads doing the rounds, possibly not, Coldplay began streaming their new album 'Viva La Vida' in full on their MySpace page on Friday evening.

The album will be released worldwide on Thursday (12 Jun) and has received more pre-orders on iTunes than any other album ever, and is already topping the record for first-week sales, too.

www.myspace.com/coldplay

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

GO! TEAM GIVE AWAY MP3
The Go! Team will be giving away a new version of 'Milk Crisis', a track from their second album 'Proof Of Youth', from 21 Jul, along with a video and some rare remixes. The band are also due to start work on their third album later this year.

More info: www.thegoteam.co.uk

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

K7 RELEASE BOWIE COVERS ALBUM
!K7 are following up their 2006 Radiohead covers album 'Exit Music' (released via imprint Rapster if I remember rightly), which included that Mark Ronson cover of 'Just', with a new compilation made up of David Bowie covers. The album, 'Live Beyond Mars', features re-workings of Bowie tracks by all kind of fine electronic artists, with the tracklisting looking a little like this…

Au Revoir Simone - Oh! You Pretty Things 
Heartbreak - Loving The Alien
Kelley Polar - Magic Dance (Harold and Baby O in Italy version)
Leo Minor - Ashes To Ashes
Carl Craig presents Zoos Of Berlin - Looking For Water
Drew Brown - Sweet Thing
Matthew Dear - Sound & Vision
Susumu Yokota - Golden Years
The Emperor Machine - Repetition
Joakim & The Disco - A New Career In A New Town
Richard Walters & Faultline - Be My Wife
The Thing - Life On Mars

The album is release on 23 Jun, info at www.lifebeyondmars.com.

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

KISS MANAGER CONFIRMS REALITY SHOW PLANS
As you'll remember, there's been talk of Kiss doing a reality show to find replacements for each of the band's members, so that the group can continue on once the current members retire. Gene Simmons, as previously reported, told one reporter that it was a done deal, a statement almost immediately refuted by his colleague Paul Stanley, who said that nothing was confirmed, but implied that talks were taking place regarding the matter. 

Now their manager, Doc McGhee, has confirmed that there are indeed plans to keep the band going with a new line up, though again, implies that it's all still at the 'in talks' stage. In a new TV documentary about the band he says: "I believe that Kiss can go on forever. I believe that there is a way - and we are talking to people and we're pretty close to getting it done - about finding the four new members of KISS."

It's not exactly clear when the new band members would take over.

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

JACKSON LABEL STOP PROMOTING ALBUM
According to reports, Island Def Jam have stopped promoting Janet Jackson's recent album 'Discipline', and plan to release no more singles from the LP. There's been only one hit from the album  – 'Feedback' – a far cry from her eighties glory days, when 'Rhythm Nation 1812' spawned seven top five hits in the US charts.

Jackson has apparently been in touch with celebrity blogger/shameless self promoter Perez Hilton, who quotes the singer as saying: "We started off with 'Feedback' and the label and myself haven't quite seen eye to eye since [that] so they've kind of basically stopped all promotion. I'm trying to figure out a way to say this, but just to say it and to be quite honest, they just stopped all promotion whatsoever on the album, so I don't think you're going to hear another single off this album."

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

OASIS GET SILVER CLEF
Oasis are to get one of those Silver Clef Awards – you'll remember that Paul Weller got it last year – at this year's O2 Silver Clef Luncheon in aid of Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy, which takes place 4 Jul at the  Park Lane Hilton hotel in London. Which is nice, if you're Oasis.

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

ALBUM REVIEW: Yeti - The Legend of Yeti Gonzales (Get Up & Go Records) Former Libertines bassist John Hassall and his new band's debut is a feel good album that refuses to squat in the here and now, and it flows along beautifully because of it. Capturing the essence of the multiple vocal harmonies of The Mamas And The Papas, the twanging electric guitars of country, and 60s acoustic pop psychedelia, it's as close as you'll come to The Kings Of Leon making out with The Magic Numbers in a hay barn. Dodgy metaphors aside, the Yeti's staple set up of acoustic chords-electric riff-minimal drums-plodding bass may not sound like much on paper, and sometimes it does become repetitive, but sinister track 'Midnight Flight', mellow 'Merry Go Round' and Beatles-esque 'Sister Sister' make up for the hum-drum. Tracks written by Hassall openly wish they were early Beatles tunes, which is by no means a problem, while the songs penned by Mark Underwood are theatrical and expertly written. If you can get over the fact 'The Legend of Yeti Gonzales' isn't Hassall's take on 'Up The Bracket', and the fact that it's as anachronistic as a penny farthing at a Harley Davidson convention, you'll find a warm, laid back album crafted with love for a yesteryear. RL Release date: 23 Jun Press contacts: Impressive PR [all] back to top

BUY: AMAZON BUY: ITUNES

--------------------------------------------------

TEEN DIES AT ROCK NESS
Police have confirmed that an eighteen year old man died whilst attending Rock Ness at the weekend. Ryan Munro was discovered unconscious near the event's main stage by Red Cross staff, who arranged his transfer to the Raigmore Hospital in nearby Inverness. Superintendent David O'Connor told BBC Scotland: "The youth was removed unconscious by first aiders from the front of the main stage at about 1430 BST on Saturday. He was treated at the A&E field hospital here by a consultant and taken to hospital where sadly he died. Any death in any set of circumstances is tragic and we have been extremely saddened by it. Our condolences must go out to the family of the youth involved."

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

EAVIS PROMISES BETTER GLASTO CONDITIONS
Michael Eavis has promised better conditions for Glastonbury revellers when the rain turns this year's festival into a muddy hellpit. Sorry, IF the rain turns it into a muddy hellpit.

He told The Times: "I thought the criticisms were valid last year. I can't turn back time, but what I can do is address the problem this year. There's extra camping space. We've ordered in lorry-loads of concrete sleepers which will effectively double the seating".

He was also asked about various problems with coach travel many punters had last year, including being turned away from their return buses for being too muddy. Eavis said: "We're working with different people this time and that simply won't happen again".

Given the lengths that Eavis and his daughter and co-organiser Emily have to go to in order make the festival happen, only to have it criticised, the newspaper asked Emily why she does it. She responded: "When I was younger, I remember sitting at the window of the house and seeing people walking past when they arrived on the site. It was the oddest thing. There was this real look of determination. An intense look. Like they were going to have the most amazing time. I remember feeling scared by this look. It was like you're going to come here and you're going to do something that's going to change your life. And sometimes it does. I think that sort of... matters".

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

PAGE AND JONES JOIN FOOS ON STAGE
Led Zeppelin members Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones joined Foo Fighters for a couple of tracks during the second of the Foo's two appearances at Wembley at the weekend. The assembled musicians performed Led Zeppelin tracks 'Rock and Roll' and 'Ramble On'. Introducing the musicians, Foo frontman Dave Grohl said: "Tonight playing here at Wembley Stadium is an honour and if we didn't take advantage of this opportunity we'd be crazy. We knew from the beginning this wasn't going to be another outdoor show, we have been planning this for six months so we would like to welcome Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones onstage."

Earlier in the set, he'd promised "We are going to do something special tonight that we have never done before. Tonight this will be the show we are talking about for the next 20 years."

Which only seems like a slight exaggeration. I suppose extremely happy Led Zeppelin/Foo Fighters fans, lucky enough to be there on the night might, conceivably might be talking about this in two decades' time. But I won't.

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

DANCE ISLAND ANNOUNCE LINE UP
East Anglia's brand new Dance Island festival, which takes place near Ely, in Cambridgeshire, on 5 Jul, has announced its line-up. The event will feature five arenas – hosted by BIG, Slinky, Natural Born Ravers, Raindance and Koolwaters –  as well as a Fierce Angel hosted VIP arena, and an outdoor stage hosted by Kiss FM. Acts set to appear at the various arenas and stages include the likes of Audio Bullys, Stanton Warriors, Dave Pearce, Big Ben, Tidy Boys, Dougal & Gammer LIVE (Feat Cat Knight, Jenna & Lisa Marie), Baby D Live PA, and Utah Saints. There is also a competition to give fifteen DJs the chance to play a set at the event – interested parties need to record a twenty minute mix and submit it via www.trackitdown.net.

Early bird tickets for the hotly tipped event have already sold out, and normal tickets are apparently selling pretty quickly. Get info on it from Black Eagle Media.

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

POLYDOR MARKETER TAKES GM ROLE AT MERCURY
Universal's Mercury Records has announced the appointment of Joe Munns to the role of General Manager. Munns moves to his new role from sister label Polydor, where he was most recently Director Of Marketing for Polydor Associated Labels. He will report to Mercury President Jason Iley, who told CMU: "I'm absolutely delighted that Joe has agreed to join us.  He's an exceptional record executive with an enormous wealth of experience and the skills, ideas and energy to help drive Mercury through a tremendously exciting time for the group". 

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

FORMER EMI PUBLICIST JOINS PPR
Music and entertainment publicity firm PPR have announced the recruitment of one Stuart Kirkham, a former Coalition and later EMI publicist, who will be managing PPR's key catalogue accounts working on mainly SonyBMG releases. PPR MD Pete Flatt says this: "Stuart's combination of agency and in-house experience will be of real value to our clients and our business. He's a well respected PR with an excellent knowledge of current and catalogue music and we're delighted to have him on board".

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

NEW DAYTIME COORDINATOR FOR KISS LONDON
Bauer Radio have announced the appointment of Simon Long to the job of Daytime Editor for Kiss 100. Look, here's Kiss 100 Programme Director Andy Roberts saying so: "It is great to have Simon on board as he joins at a time of a Kiss resurgence following the recent RAJAR success. He understands our audience and knows the brand extremely well. He will ensure Kiss 100 continues to be a great success in what is set to be an exciting year for us".

The former Somethin Else man worked at Kiss previously as a Specialist Producer. In his new role he will be responsible for managing the daytime schedule, working with presenters to ensure "engaging content is produced to run on Kiss' on-air and off-air platforms". Confirming his new role, he told CMU: "I am thrilled to be taking on this new role at Kiss 100 as the station nudges ahead of Capital into the number 3 spot in London. There is a real buzz around Kiss 100 at the moment as it continually develops its programming with fresh ideas and I am looking forward to being part of the team that keeps Kiss 100 as the number one dance music station for young London".

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

OFCOM CONFIRMS FM LICENCES UP FOR THE BID
UK media regulator OfCom has released details of which FM licences are up for renewal in the next eighteen months. Despite the growth of digital, FM remains the primary platform for radio in the UK of course, though some would argue FM licences will become less valuable in the next decade as use of DAB, via-TV and online radio services continue to grow, so it will be interesting to see how many new rival bidders there are for these licences.

Most of the 25 odd licences up for renewal are for smaller local stations, though Bauer's East England wide Kiss FM licence and GMG's North West wide Century licences will be among those re-advertised. I think I'm right in saying that whether or not the current licence-holder gets any preference depends on the nature of their existing licence.

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

MTV OWNERS APPOINT NEW EUROPE-WIDE LOBBYING CHIEF
MTV owners Viacom have announced that Philip Jenner has been appointed as their VP Government Relations for the whole of this mad, bad continent of ours. He will join the TV company from rival broadcaster Discovery and will head up the firm's lobbying activity across Europe, including with the European Union and the UK government. He will also act as a chief liaison with certain trade associations and non-government organisations.

He will report to DeDe Lea, Viacom's Executive Vice President of Government Relations, who told CMU: "We're delighted to have Philip join our strong government relations team. He brings tremendous expertise in the area of public policy development on media and communications issues in the U.K. and European Union. His knowledge and understanding of the legislative and regulatory environments will help to ensure that Viacom is an active participant in the process.  I look forward to working with Philip and to the many contributions I know he will make".

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

DIGITAL ONE FOUNDER STEPS DOWN
The founder and CEO of Digital One, the company, half owned by GCap, which operates the existing national digital audio broadcasting network, has announced he will step down at the end of this month.

Referring to the recent and upcoming shifts in digital audio broadcasting – following outgoing GCap CEO Fru Hazlitt's bid to sell her company's share in Digital One, coupled with proposals by incoming GCap owners Global that the existing digital firm should work with new rival Channel 4 Radio – Quentin Howard said he thought now was as good a time as any to move on.

Confirming his departure, he said: "I think there is obviously a lot of change on the horizon for digital radio at the moment, what with Global taking over GCap and plans for Digital One that may or may not involve Channel 4's multiplex. Clearly, there is going to be a very different approach to digital radio and I think it's the right time for me to let other people get on with it".

Howard will remain President of WorldDMB, which promotes the use of DAB and its offshoot multimedia platform DMB as desirable digital content delivery systems around the world.

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

SINGLE REVIEW: Sway - F UR X (Dcypha Productions) Rap is known for dealing with heavyweight issues - death, fame, love and living in the ghetto, to name but a few. Now Sway, the MOBO award winning artist, wants to turn the genre's attention to the… er… dangers of your ex calling you on your mobile. Lethal Bizzle may not be kicking himself for not rapping about the dilemmas of owning a mobile, but 'F UR X', the first single from 'The Signature' LP, is easier to relate to than packing a .45. Sway's witty, unpretentious lyrics engage in some great call and response rapping with female rapper $tush - although $tush's vocals sometimes overpower Sway's. With its minimal production and processed beats, 'F UR X' may be grime but it's also clean cut fun; even when he's joking about, Sway is better than most. Release Date: 16 Jun Press Contact: Motion PR [o] back to top

BUY: AMAZON BUY: ITUNES

--------------------------------------------------

CHART UPDATE
So, as expected, and with a bit of help from 'Britain's Got Talent' winner George Sampson, that rather groovy Mint Royale remix of 'Singin In The Rain' is at number one in the singles chart this week. Woo. Rihanna is at two with 'Take A Bow' and Ting Tings at 3 with 'That's Not My Name'. New entries come from Morrissey with 'All You Need Is Me' at 24, Alex Gaudino and Shena with 'Watch Out' at 25, Maroon 5 with 'If I Never See Your Face Again' at 29 and Elbow with 'One Day Like This' at 39. Oh, and Radiohead's 'Creep', erm, creeps in at number 37, presumably because the band's catalogue has just become available track by track via iTunes (plus the band are in the news a bit because of EMI's rather cynical best of release). I must admit I downloaded that via iTunes just this last Saturday, thus contributing to that there creeping.

Albums wise, Paul Weller goes straight in at number one with '22 Dreams', while the aforementioned Radiohead best of goes straight in at 4. Other new entries are Zutons with 'You Can Do Anything' at 6, Alphabeat with 'This Is Alphabeat' at 10, Alanis Morrisette with 'Flavours Of Entanglement' at 15, Disturbed with 'Indestructible' at 20, Paul Simon with a best of at 27, Opeth with 'Watershed' at 34, Hall & Oates with a best of at 35, Tom Petty with a best of at 38 and Eddie Cochran with a best of at 40. Busy week for old guy hits albums – possibly that's a Father's Day thing?

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

TOTAL ROCK WORLD ALBUM CHART
It's the Total Rock World Album Chart, as counted down on Total Rock over the weekend - www.totalrock.com. New entries and re-entries marked with a *.

1. Linkin Park - Minutes To Midnight (Warner Bros)
2. Def Leppard - Songs From The Sparkle Lounge (Universal/Mercury)
3. Iron Maiden - Somewhere Back In Time (EMI)
4. Nickelback - All The Right Reasons (Warner/Roadrunner)
5. Daughtry - Daughtry (SonyBMG)
6. Kid Rock - Rock - N Roll Jesus (Warner/Atlantic)
7. Children Of Bodom - Blooddrunk (Spinefarm)
8. Foxboro Hottubs - Stop, Drop & Roll (Warner Bros)*
9. Eagles - Long Road Out Of Eden (Universal)
10. Panic At The Disco - Pretty. Odd (Warner/Atlantic)
11. Rolling Stones - Shine A Light (Universal)
12. Story Of The Year - The Black Swan (Epitaph)
13. Foo Fighters - Echoes Silence Patience & Grace (Roswell)
14. Whitesnake - Good To Be Bad (SPV)
15. Paramore - Riot! (Warner/Atlantic)
16. Buckcherry - 15 (Eleven Seven Music)
17. In Flames - A Sense Of Purpose (Nuclear Blast)
18. Testament - The Formation Of Damnation (Nuclear Blast)
19. Simple Plan - Simple Plan (Warner/Atlantic)
20. Led Zeppelin - Mothership (Warner/Atlantic)

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

SUB.TV PLAYLIST
Here they are again, the videos being played on the Sub.tv video screen network in students' unions all over the UK. New entries marked with a *.

Sub.tv Exclusive
Mink - Talk To Me (Spitfire)*

A-List
Born Ruffians – Hummingbird (Warp)*
The Brightlights – 3 (Distiller)
Cage The Elephant - Ain't No Rest For The Wicked* (EMI/Relentless)
The Fratellis - Mistress Mabel (Universal/Island)
Infadels - Free Things For Poor People (Wall Of Sound)
The Kooks - Shine On (EMI/Virgin)
Laura Marling - Cross Your Fingers (EMI/Virgin)
Mystery Jets - Two Doors Down (Warner/sixsevennine)
Radiohead - Bodysnatchers (Live) (Beggars/XL)*
Sonny J - Handsfree (If You Hold My Hand) (EMI/Positiva)
The Subways – Alright (Warner)
The Ting Tings - That's Not My Name (SonyBMG/Columbia)
We Are Scientists - Chick Lit (EMI/Virgin)
Weezer - Pork and Beans (Universal/Polydor)
Wild Beasts - The Devil's Crayon (Domino)
The Zutons - Always Right Behind You (Deltasonic)

B-List
Annie - I Know Ur Girlfriend Hates Me (Universal/Island)
Black Kids - Hurricane Jane (Almost Gold)
Dizzee Rascal - Dance Wiv Me (Beggars/XL)*
The Duke Spirit - My Sunken Treasure (You Are Here)
Feeder - We Are The People (Echo)
Five O'Clock Heroes - Who feat. Agyness Deyn (Glaze)*
Glasvegas – Geraldine (SonyBMG/Columbia)
Jamie Lidell - Another Day (Warp)
Ladyhawke - Paris Is Burning (Modular)*
Pivot - In The Blood (Warp)*
The Potbelleez - Don't Hold Back (Frenetic)
The Rascals - Freakbeat Phantom (Deltasonic)
Seether - Rise Above This (ADA Global/WindUp)*
Tokyo Police Club - In A Cave (Memphis Industries)
XX Teens - Only You (EMI/Mute)*
Year Long Disaster - Leda Atomica (Volcom)

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

MEL B SOUNDED OUT AS SHARON REPLACEMENT ON X-FACTOR
Sharon Osbourne quit as a judge on 'X-Factor' late last week, and a Sunday paper reports that her decision to go was caused by her previously reported feuding with Dannii Minogue, who was brought in as a fourth judge on the most recent series of the talent show, of course.

After Osbourne let it be known she would not return to the ITV telly show there was speculation she had pulled out because of a pay dispute, but fellow judge Louis Walsh told the Sunday Mirror this weekend that it's all down to Dannii. Saying he was "devastated" that Sharon was leaving the show, Walsh told the tab:  "It's not contracts or money, it's Dannii. They don't get on at all and she wasn't happy with the situation. Sharon has walked off, she's gone. Why didn't they give Dannii the boot instead?"

Walsh, who was axed himself at the start of the last series but later invited back after his replacement didn't work out, said of the next series of the show: "I haven't signed yet but I am negotiating. It's a difficult situation. Sharon is a great friend, I talk to her everyday. She is devastated and so am I. I have absolutely no relationship at all with Dannii. I have no idea how she is feeling about all of this because I simply do not talk to her. I am going to miss Sharon greatly. The show won't be the same. Sharon is very very upset about all this. She loves the show and everything about it".

Although it is always hard to work out how much of the feuding between the 'X-Factor' judges is part of a PR bid to get the tabs (and gullible fools like us) talking about the show and how much is real, insiders did say that many of the tensions between Osbourne and Minogue during the last series were genuine.

Of course 'X-Factor' judges have announced they are quitting before, only to return. But, if the News Of The World is to be believed, fellow judge and exec producer Simon Cowell isn't expecting Osbourne to return, and is currently sounding out former Spice Girl Mel B – one of his original choices for the judging panel before the first series of the show, apparently – about a judging role on the new series, which is due to go into production this week.

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

DYLAN DON'T LIKE YOU, OFFICIAL
Bob Dylan reckons the art and literature worlds are "honest" and "upfront". Well, when compared to the music industry. Speaking about the industry that made him famous, Dylan told the Times: "The music world's a made-up bunch of hypocritical rubbish. I know that the book people are a whole lot saner. And the art world? From the small steps I've taken in it, I'd say, yeah, the people are honest, upfront and deliver what they say. Basically, they are who they say they are. They don't pretend. And having been in the music world most of my life I can tell you it's not that way. Let's just say it's less dignified".

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

ALANIS ON HER MY HUMPS COVER
Remember how Alanis Morissette came out with that rather bizarre cover of Black Eyed Peas' 'My Humps', complete with spoof video, on April Fools last year? Well, with a new album to promote, she's been talking about it all at last. Talking about the cover and the rumours that circulated about it, she told The Advocate: "There are 15 different interpretations, and they're all true. Some of it is me not being precious at all. I was in the studio with Guy Sigsworth and he would say, 'What horse from the apocalypse are you bringing in today, Alanis?' Because every song was this tsunami of emotions. So I said, 'I wish I could just write a really simple song - a song like 'My Humps'. Then we had a pregnant pause, looked at each other, and said, 'All right, let's do it!' Within moments we were recording the piano version of it, and within a week we were shooting the video in my garage here at my house. However it's been interpreted, it has been entertaining for me to watch". So, there you have it. Worth the wait?

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

ARTIST KILLS PETE DOHERTY
Yeah, you always thought the Babyshambles frontman would do it to himself, but Scottish artist Peter Howson has killed Pete Doherty. Killed him in a series of paintings, that is (let me make this absolutely clear, Pete Doherty is not dead. I mean, you think we'd put it in the 'and finally' slot if he was really dead? Well, we might do if he died in a comedy way, I suppose).

Howson, who has battled with drink and drug addiction himself, unveiled a series of six paintings of Doherty in various states of deadness as a warning to the singer and others. He told reporters: "Pete Doherty is someone who has really interested me over the last few months. His spiral downwards reminds me of what I went through myself and I can identify with the way he is acting. Me wanting to paint him dead was pointing the finger at him and saying 'You can influence a whole generation'. He could, if he wanted to, become the right kind of hero".

A spokesman for Doherty said: "Peter Howson has never met Pete as far as I am aware, so I don't know where he's getting his inspiration from. We have not seen the drawings and I don't see how Peter knows that much about Pete's lifestyle".

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

NO DRINKING FOR LEWIS
Leona Lewis has revealed that the lack of paparazzi photos of her falling out of cars drunk isn't down to a good publicist, but the fact that she doesn't drink. She told Blender: "When I was 18, I had a few glasses of alcopops - and it was gross. I've tasted champagne, which is gross. And I tasted wine, which I don't like". 

She added: "I don't wear little mini-skirts and low-cut tops. If you want to show off your bits, that's up to you."

back to top