COLDPLAY DENY NICKING SATRIANI RIFFS
Coldplay have responded to the previously reported Joe Satriani copyright infringement lawsuit, claiming any similarity between their song 'Viva La Vida' and his song 'If I Could Fly' is the result of good old fashioned coincidence.

As previously reported, Satriani began legal proceedings last week claiming the title track from Coldplay's recent album contains "substantial, original portions" of his 2004 instrumental track. He subsequently told reporters he only took legal action because Chris Martin et al refused to discuss the similarities between the two tracks when he approached them about it.

In a statement issued yesterday, Coldplay told reporters: "If there are any similarities between our two pieces of music, they are entirely coincidental, and just as surprising to us as to him. Joe Satriani is a great musician, but he did not write the song 'Viva La Vida'. We respectfully ask him to accept our assurances of this and wish him well with all future endeavours".

I'm guessing that won't satisfy Satriani, meaning this whole matter will presumably proceed to court.

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ANDRE 3000 SUED OVER CARTOON NETWORK SHOW
Andre 3000 is being sued by a former art student who claims the Outkast man stole his idea for an animated series about a group of young musicians and turned it into 'Class Of 3000', the Cartoon Network aired show created, executive produced and starring Andre, two series of which were screened between November 2006 and May this year.

According to the Boston Herald, Timothy McGee, now a Boston postal worker, claims he developed "characters, artwork, storylines and concepts" for an animated series to be called 'The Music Factory Of The 90s' which would follow a group of young musicians as they "try to break into Atlanta's burgeoning music scene". He said his pitch proposed a range of characters, including "a young corporate type who wants to become a music producer, a tough full-of-attitude female executive, a young techno-whiz sound engineer, a talented young Asian singer and a central energetic young singer/rapper".

He says he submitted the programme idea to the Cartoon Network in 1997, proposing R&B star Kenny 'Babyface' Edmonds be involved. The proposal, though, was rejected. He alleges his ideas were then repackaged years later to create the Andre 3000 vehicle, pointing out that some of the core characters in 'Class Of 3000' match the character descriptions he included in his original pitch.

McGee is suing Andre himself, plus the Cartoon Network and its owners Turner for copyright infringement, breach of contract and misappropriation of trade secrets, seeking damages "including but not limited to" all the profits from the show.

Cartoon Network told the Herald it was aware of the lawsuit but, as this time, would not comment.

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NEW SUIT BROUGHT IN BARKER/DJ AM CRASH CASE
The wife of Travis Barker's late assistant Chris Baker has become the latest person to sue over the South Carolina Lear Jet crash that claimed four lives, and left Barker and fellow passenger DJ AM injured. Otilia Villar Baker is suing several aviation companies as well as the estates of the two pilots who died in the crash, alleging negligence and wrongful death. Both Baker and her son are named in the suit, which seeks damages for the pain and anguish suffered by Baker prior to his death, loss of earnings, companionship and the repayment of funeral and other costs.

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WAITS AND U2 ATTEND PARTRIDGE FUNERAL
Tom Waits and the members of U2 were amongst the high profile artists who attended the funeral yesterday of veteran music PR man Rob Partridge, who, as previously reported, died at the end of last month from cancer. Also in attendance was Billy Bragg, who gave a rendition of 'Jerusalem'.

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ELMER VALENTINE DIES
Elmer Valentine, who founded legendary nightclub venues Whisky A Go Go and The Roxy Theatre on Hollywood's Sunset Boulevard, has died at the age of 85.

A former Chicago policeman, Valentine opened The Whisky in 1964, inspired by a Parisian discotheque of the same name that he had visited whilst in Europe the previous year. The club was an immediate hit, and over the years hosted performances from the likes of Buffalo Springfield, Love, Alice Cooper, The Doors, and more recently Nirvana and Oasis. The venue also gave rise to the sixties phenomenon of go-go dancers, of course.

Valentine's friend and business partner Lou Adler said the venue "was a template for what rock clubs would be, not only in Los Angeles, but across the United States and around the world. Up until that point, rock acts did not have that kind of venue. It drew a lot of celebrities, and the celebrities drew people to come watch the celebrities".

Valentine is survived by his daughter and a grandson.

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PETA CRITICISE BRITNEY'S CIRCUS
PETA have released a statement criticising Britney Spears for featuring tamed lions and elephants in the promo for her new single 'Circus'.

The animal rights group claim that Spears continued to make the video even after they had explained to her "in graphic detail how trainers shock, whip and beat exotic animals into performing".

PETA Director Debbie Leahy says: "Britney may think her life is a circus, but for the animals who are whipped, chained, and beaten to perform under the real big top, the cruelty is very real".

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INTERNET WATCH FOUNDATION BACKTRACK OVER SCORPIONS BAN
The Internet Watch Foundation has backtracked over its decision to call on ISPs to bar access to a Wikipedia page about The Scorpions' 32 year old album 'Virgin Killers', whose original artwork featured a controversial image of a naked, prepubescent girl.

As previously reported, certain UK ISP's ban on the web page caused a glitch which affected users' ability to view and edit other areas of the Wikipedia site, sparking a row, as well as confusion as to why the image, never before banned in the UK, and published in several books, was suddenly deemed "potentially illegal".

The IWF released a statement saying that it had reviewed its decision, taking a number of factors into account: "The IWF board has today considered these findings and the contextual issues involved in this specific case, and - in the light of the length of time the image has existed and its wide availability - the decision has been taken to remove this web page from our list". That said, they added that they still believed that the image "is potentially in breach of the Protection Of Children Act, 1978".

They also acknowledged that their attempt to ban it had only caused negative publicity, adding: "IWF's overriding objective is to minimise the availability of indecent images of children on the internet, however, on this occasion our efforts have had the opposite effect. We regret the unintended consequences for Wikipedia and its users".

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SINGLE REVIEW: The Fratellis - A Heady Tale (Universal/Island Records)
It was only a couple of years ago that you couldn't go to an indie disco without being surrounded by people 'dancing' drunkenly to catchy gems such as 'Chelsea Dagger', while spilling their pints all over the place. This type of musical gyrating seems to have calmed down of late. And here's why: 'A Heady Tale' seems to lack the something that would evoke this type of mayhem. It's almost like your proverbial cake, but without its icing or cherry on top. The song starts with a bluesy piano riff with maracas in the backdrop, which really should be the start of something very promising, but the song fails to reach its potential and kind of gets stuck in a rut. It has everything that most of us would be looking for in a song, not least a chorus you can clap along to, and some 'La La La's' at the end for all of us to sing our heads off to. However, it fails to really inject the utmost fun that songs such as 'Creepin Up The Backstairs' used to do. That said, it's nevertheless a pretty decent release from the band's second album 'Here We Stand', even if it doesn't reach the standard of their earlier work. And if you're a fan, it'll probably you'll keep dancing and smiling away. SD
Release date: Dec 22
Press Contact: Island Records IH [all]

Buy from iTunes
Buy from Amazon

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SANTOGOLD TO GUEST ON JAY-Z SINGLE
Santogold is to appear on Jay-Z's upcoming Kanye West produced single 'Brooklyn Go Hard'. The track uses a sample from the singer's track 'Shove It', plus she's also providing a verse for the song.

Santogold comments thusly: "I was so excited when Jay sent me the beat. I think Kanye killed it! Kanye's so passionate about his work and you can hear it in the music. His beats are very emotional. This track sounds so dark and epic. I love working with Jay because he's really funny and makes fun of me the whole time, and doesn't put up with my procrastinating bullshit. They've both got a great work ethic that I really respect".

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BLOC PARTY KELE LIKES HIS NEW ALBUM
Bloc Party man Kele Okereke says that his band's third album must be good, because this time he hasn't started to dislike the music after living with it for a while. The singer told BBC Newsbeat: "With our previous releases, with 'Silent Alarm' and 'A Weekend In The City', by this point into the campaign I'd already started to hate the music. Whereas this time round I don't hate the music - we did something right".

Talking about his own music-listening habits, he added: "I don't listen to albums much any more - I don't sit down and listen to records as much as I used to. It's patience - it just wears thin. I just have no patience. The way that I listen to music now, because of what we do, it's very critical - I listen to something obsessively for like a week and then I never listen to it ever again. That's why singles are good because there's no context, it's just a song".

Nice to hear that he's as upbeat as usual about everything.

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FIDDY ANNOUNCES DOWNLOAD-ONLY SINGLE
50 Cent has announced that he's to release a download-only single, 'Get Up', on 21 Dec. The release of his new album 'Before I Self Destruct', has, as previously reported, been put back until next year.

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OASIS RELEASE EP
Oasis yesterday released a new EP exclusively for American fans. The collection, 'I'm Outta Time', is available via iTunes in the US and features three versions of the title track, as well as remixes of two tracks from latest album 'Dig Out Your Soul'.

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DATSUNS TOUR
The Datsuns have announced a UK tour to coincide with the release of their download-only single 'So Long' on 16 Feb, as follows:

6 Feb: Belfast, Spring And Airbrake
8 Feb: Liverpool, Barfly
10 Feb: Hull, Adelphi
11 Feb: Newcastle, Cluny
12 Feb: Sheffield, Leadmill
13 Feb: Leeds, Cockpit
14 Feb: Birmingham, Dragon Bar
16 Feb: Gloucester, Guild Hall
17 Feb: Southampton, Joiners
18 Feb: London, Underworld
19 Feb: Derby, Rockhouse

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NIN DRUMMER EXPLAINS DEPARTURE
Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor recently announced that drummer Josh Freese will not be joining NIN on the road next year, and Freese himself has spoken to Blabbermouth about why that is the case - basically he's taking time out because his third child will be born in the New Year.

Freese: "Not that it's THAT big of a deal or important compared to other real shit going on out there in the world, but I figured I'd take a minute out to explain anyhow. I know a few people are aware that I'm having my third child in January and basically... that about SUMS IT UP!"

Commenting on working with Reznor, he added he felt "fortunate and privileged to have had the chance to work alongside of him and be a part of what he does for the past three years".

As previously reported, Lostprophets drummer Ilan Rubin will replace Freese on NIN's 2009 dates.

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BLACK BOX RECORDER RETURN FOR GIG
Black Box Recorder, remember them? Well, they have announced a one off gig at the Luminaire in Kilburn next February (18 Feb to be precise). The band haven't ever officially split, but haven't done much since their 2003 album 'Passionoia'. Vocalist Sarah Nixey confirmed the gig on her webpage, noting: "If you intend to attend, please dress smartly".

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ALBUM REVIEW: Sneaky Sound System - Sneak Preview: Mixes and Remixes (14th Floor Records)
Most of us will know Sneaky Sound System for their song 'Pictures' - that, and the fact that a lot of us just assumed that they were The Ting Tings in disguise. Fortunately for us (and, perhaps, for them) they are not The Ting Tings. They are an established electro house outfit from the land of Down Under, and 'Sneak Preview: Mixes and Remixes' is an exclusive iTunes release that contains, among other things, not one, but two versions of that token song (come on, you know you love it). Rich Costey's mix of 'Pictures' opens the album and is an ideal starting point for what is to be a record full to the brim with dirty bass and soulful, shout-out-loud vocals. Fellow Australians Van She's remix of 'UFO' is a spectacular addition, bursting with their signature 80s style synths and Justice-esque space bass. The only disappointing element of this offering is, perhaps, its length. At a meagre forty-five minutes, there is only enough room for nine tracks. It would have been nice to see some surprising additions, perhaps some of the remixes already produced by G.L.O.V.E.S. and Sinden. Nevertheless, it's a hard punch packed in a tiny parcel. Yum. TW
Release Date: 15 Dec
Press Contact: Partisan PR [All]

Buy from iTunes
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EPIC US CHIEF TO STEP DOWN
The President of Sony's Epic US division, Charlie Walk, is expected to leave the major at the end of the month. It's thought he has some TV projects in the pipeline. According to Billboard, Walk's departure will be followed by a bit of downsizing at the Sony division, with A&R and plugging staff expected to be cut. The slimming of Epic comes amid reports that Sony Music is planning a few other efficiencies elsewhere across the group.

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EMUSIC ADDS RECOMMENDATION SERVICE
Independent download store eMusic has added a new recommendation engine to its service which it says it hopes will be the digital equivalent of "a trip to the corner record store". The new facility, which uses both statistical data and human analysis, will build a profile for each user and therefore, akin to last.fm and Pandora, recommend tracks it feels each customer will like. The recommendation system has been created by US tech firm MediaUnbound.

eMusic's VP Of Product Development, Deirdre Stone, told reporters: "For first-time eMusic customers will get great music recommendations the minute they arrive on the site. The recommendations get better and better with every action the customer takes, encouraging true music discovery and trust in the service. And the best part is - it doesn't require you to upload your entire music library like competing digital music services".

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BITTORRENT INC CLOSES CONTENT PLATFORM
BitTorrent Inc, the company founded by the guys who created the BitTorrent file-sharing protocol, have closed down their paid content service, the Torrent Entertainment Network.

While the BitTorrent protocol is best known as the technology that enables faster illegal distribution of unlicensed content over the net, BitTorrent Inc is a legitimate tech firm, and its Entertainment Network was an attempt to utilise its technology for a legitimate paid-for digital content platform. However, despite some support from film studios and MTV who made content available to the Network, the service has never really taken off and the company says it can no longer afford to subsidise what is a loss leader.

The company's VP Product Management, Simon Morris, said yesterday: "After a great deal of soul-searching we decided to close down the Torrent Entertainment Network content store. We want to focus on core technology rather than merchandising and given the harsh economic environment, we can't afford to continue to invest in endeavours that don't come close to break-even".

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US FESTIVALS OFFER PAYMENT PLANS ON TICKETS
Two US festivals are offering payment plans on tickets for their 2009 events, seemingly in a bid to encourage fans to buy their tickets early despite all the economic uncertainty that is around at the moment. The Miami based Langerado festival is offering fans the option to pay for their $120 tickets in three installments, while the Bonnaroo Festival is enabling fans to pay for $250 tickets in five installments. The payment plans only apply to early bird ticket purchases.

As previously reported, when Glastonbury launched its first ever early-bird ticket scheme for its 2009 festival they offered the option for festival-goers to pay £50 now and the rest of their ticket fee in April next year.

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BBC OFFER IPLAYER TO RIVALS FOR FREE TO PROTECT LICENCE INCOME
The BBC is rumoured to be considering opening up its iPlayer to rival terrestrial broadcasters Channel 4, Five and ITV free of charge, which may seem very kind of them, though it is really part of a bid to stop other TV firms from making a claim off the TV licence money.

The iPlayer proposal is reportedly part of the Beeb's response to OfCom's review of public service broadcasting. The commercial broadcasters who also have public service commitments, ie the terrestrial broadcasters, say it is increasingly hard to fulfill those commitments in the commercial sector. Some, like ITV, want to reduce their commitments, while others, in particular Channel 4, want to secure new non-commercial revenues to help them fund their public service activity - that might include a share of licence fee revenues.

The BBC, however, is keen to keep hold on to all the licence fee money, hence its proposals of other ways the Beeb could help the commercial sector. It says its online on demand service is superior to any rival service in the commercial sector (and they're right), and that therefore if other public service broadcasters were to use it they'd be able to offer a better service to their viewers for less money.

While a good idea in theory, Channel 4 is probably likely to push for hard cash over free services from the BBC. Another proposal is that C4 gets a stake of the BBC's commercial division, BBC Worldwide, and earns from that. The Beeb, while not keen on that idea, reportedly concede it is a possibility in their OfCom submission, and propose a Trust structure to govern their commercial operations should that happen, seemingly to stop Channel 4 management from having too much control over it.

OfCom are expected to rule on all this next year.

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REAL RADIO WIN NORTH WALES FM LICENCE
More from OfCom, and a little moment in history. The final new FM licence in the UK has been awarded. And the final FM frequency up for grabs was in North Wales. It went to GMG Radio, who intend to expand the Welsh version of their Real Radio brand so that it covers the whole country.

Outgoing GMG Radio Chief Executive John Myers welcomed the licence, saying: "This is a fantastic moment for our group. We started in Wales nearly 10 years ago after winning our first licence for the south. Now we are Britain's third largest radio group and have replicated the success of Real Radio across the country. Listeners in North and Mid Wales can look forward to a fantastic new radio service that will provide them with great music and entertaining compelling speech".

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RADIO TYPES ADDED TO HALL OF FAME
It was the Radio Academy Hall Of Fame Lunch yesterday, and among the radio types inducted into said Hall Of Fame were Ken Bruce, Simon Bates, Jim Naughtie and Emperor Rosko. A John Peel Award for outstanding contribution to music radio was also presented, and it went to good old Annie Nightingale.

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HALLELUJAH AND ALL THAT
Fans of the late Jeff Buckley are hoping his haunting cover version of Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah' can beat the planned 'X Factor' cover of the track that could be Christmas number one. It won't, of course, but it's a nice idea.

Whoever wins the telly talent show this weekend is expected to release a cover of the track in time for the Christmas chart. But fans of the popular Buckley version of the song are calling on people to buy his version instead - which is available via most download stores. His version is already at 43 in the chart thanks to the song's exposure via 'X Factor'.

Apparently fans of the Buckley song (I think it's them anyway) have also set up a Facebook group calling on the public to boycott the 'X Factor' version of the song, which they presumably fear will be a cheesy reworking of a track which became really rather moving in Buckley's hands (though personally I've always preferred the John Cale version).

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DIDDY TO DRESS LESS FLASHY
P. Diddy doddy daddy has said that he is going to stop being all blingy out of respect for those affected by the economic crisis. "It's one thing to be stylish; it's another to be over the top. You gotta know when to hold back and not rub it in", he's quoted as saying. Of course, it didn't, as previously reported, stop him spending a ludicrous amount of money on some foolish James Bond audition tape. He could have given that money to struggling middle-income British people.

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PERRY RUES LILY ALLEN COMMENT
Katy Perry has said that she was only joking when she said Lily Allen was a fatter version of her, or something. Allen recently complained about the US singer, saying in a radio interview: "When I met her I was bit frosty with her because someone asked her to describe herself. She's like, 'Aha, I'm like a fatter version of Amy Winehouse and a skinnier version of Lily Allen!' It's like, you're not English and you don't write your own songs, shut up!"

Perry explained that it was just a joke. "Yeah, I made a joke about [that] earlier this year", she said. "I was just kind of joking and trying to be funny. I didn't mean anything by it. Comedians are not necessarily to be taken super seriously".

And neither are pop stars, really.

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KERRY KATONA CRITICISES PRICE/ANDRE
Kerry Katona has criticised Katie Price and Peter Andre, because, she says, their marriage is a business arrangement, whereas her own is a romantic dreamland of love and solid commitment. Asked what she thinks about Price and Andre's reported marriage difficulties, she responded: "I think it's more of a business arrangement than anything else. [Me and Mark] are stronger. We'll be together always".

She also defended her other half against recent allegations that he's fathered a secret love child. "It bothers me I have to defend Mark all the time", she said. "I know Mark and how romantic and sickly sweet he can be. If Mark cheated on me I'd get rid of him straight away. I mean, look at him - he's lucky to have me!"

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CMU SOCIAL - POP QUIZ ANSWERS

PART 1 - Questions based on stories from CMU Daily over the last month:

1. Take That racked up the third largest first week sales ever with their new album, 'The Circus'. But which album is number one on that list?
Oasis - Be Here Now

2.What was revealed to be the most-played Christmas song of the last five years, according to PRS?
Wham! - Last Christmas

3. Which band announced they are reforming for a show in Hyde Park next year?
Blur

4. How much of Madonna's fortune did Guy Ritchie take in the couple's divorce settlement?
£0

5. True or false: there will be a Top Of The Pops Christmas special this year?
True

6. Which member of the Osbourne family got engaged?
Kelly

7. Dave Stewart released a song to be given away exclusively with what?
Sex Toys (The JimmyJane 'Little Something' vibrator, to be exact)

8. A brick with whose name on it was removed from the Cavern Club in Liverpool?
Gary Glitter

9. Why was Paul Weller in trouble in Southend?
Smoking on stage

10. What did Ringo Starr reportedly say to a fan who hugged him outside the World Music Awards?
Fuck off

PART 2 - Questions based on stories from CMU Daily across the ages:

1. 2007: A drug dealer who punched Pete Doherty in the face in a Wiltshire pub allegedly did so why?
For buying drugs from someone else

2. 2007: Who was named as the winner of the first Brits Critics' Choice Award?
Adele

3. 2006: Who said of songs on their second album, "We were really keen to get rid of the novelty element but keep the rest intact"?
Kaiser Chiefs

4. 2005: How many Grammy nominations did Mariah Carey receive for her album, 'The Emancipation Of Mimi'?
Eight

5. 2005: Jay-Z was sued for stealing what from a professional wrestler?
A hand gesture

6. 2004: Damageplan guitarist 'Dimebag' Darrell was one of four people shot dead during a gig. Which band was was he a member of previously?
Pantera

7. 2003: Doctors confirmed that Ozzy Osbourne would require major surgery after he did what?
Crashed a quad bike

8. 2003: Which historical figure launched a lawsuit against Outkast?
Rosa Parks

9. 2003: Which celebrity couple married in secret in California?
Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow

10. 2002: At which point in proceedings did Guns N Roses cancel a performance in Vancouver?
After the support act had played

TIE BREAKER: Which pop star would you most like to spend Christmas Day with, and why?

It didn't come down to a tie-breaker situation, but some of you came up with some classics. People had their pun hats firmly on their heads last night. Here are some of the best...

Ian and Tania: "Elvis, because everyone says he had amazing presents".

Pro Sound News Europe: "The lead singer of Wizzard... because if anyone is going to spend Christmas with me, Roy Wood".

Clive and Colin, We7: "Amy Winehouse, so I could make sure she was looking after her elf".

Vicky and Penny, Live Nation: "I'd invite Blur for a Great Escape and a bit of Parklife and to celebrate Christmas in our Country House. We'd drink Coffee and watch TV because Modern Life Is Rubbish".

Collins Long/EMI Music Publishing Mash Up: "Jason Donovan, because (a) it would save him from that Katona woman and (b) he would bring lots of tasty Iceland treats".

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