ROUGH TRADE RECORDS SEEKS A PRODUCT MANAGER
A rare and exciting opportunity has arisen within the Rough Trade label for an experienced, creative & hardworking individual.

Working closely with managers and artists, you'll be responsible for devising and implementing release plans for the Rough Trade roster.

You'll be highly organised, motivated and capable of effectively marketing and promoting our artist's visions and output.

CVs + covering letters should be sent to [email protected]. Please note this position is based in our London, UK office and the deadline for submissions is 12 Aug 2009.

JACKSON'S MOTHER AWARDED CUSTODY OF CHILDREN
As expected, Katherine Jackson, mother of Michael, was named the permanent guardian of the singer's three children by a judge in LA yesterday.

As previously reported, Michael Jackson awarded custody of his kids to his mother in his will, but out of court discussions between the Jackson clan and the singer's ex-wife Debbie Rowe, the mother, in one way or another, of the eldest two children, caused delays in this being made legal. However, the two sides came to an agreement last week, giving Rowe visitation rights in exchange for not seeking custody of the children, thus allowing Michael's wishes for the continued upbringing of his children to be honoured.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff ruled that Katherine should be named the children's legal guardian and that they should be provided with a monthly allowance from Michael's estate, despite unspecified objections from Michael's dermatologist, Arnold Klein. According to the Associated Press, Klein raised concerns over the children's education and day-to-day parenting.

Klein has been rumoured to have been a sperm donor for Michael Jackson's two eldest children, which would perhaps explain his interest. However, he has previously denied this to be the case, saying that "to the best of my knowledge" he is not the father of Prince Michael and Paris. Klein's lawyer also said yesterday that the doctor was not "a presumed parent".

Prince Michael, Paris, and Prince Michael II will now live with their grandmother, as they have been since their father's death, at her home in LA.

Elsewhere in Katherine Jackson news, she has said that she does not believe her son died of natural causes. Speaking to Fox News at the weekend she said: "All I know is that my son is dead, and I don't think he just died of natural causes or whatever. He's too young for that. Something happened, I don't know what it was and I can't say".

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SUNDE RESIGNS FROM THE PIRATE BAY
Peter Sunde, co-founder and official spokesperson for rogue BitTorrent tracking site The Pirate Bay has announced that he is resigning from the company "to be a person instead".

Because of his position as the public face of the company, and tendency to say anything he can to get a rise out of those who disagree with what The Pirate Bay does, Sunde has always cut a controversial figure. Because of this, it was likely that there might not have been a place for him in the newly legitimised Pirate Bay, assuming the sale to Global Gaming Factory goes ahead and that they make it work in its new form. For this reason, it's entirely possible that he is only the first of the founders, all of whom have prison sentences and hefty fines hanging over their heads, to announce his resignation.

In a statement issued via his own blog, Sunde said: "I have decided to not be the spokesperson for The Pirate Bay anymore. The reasons are many but most importantly it takes too much of my time. I want to build something new and I want to focus my energy in a different direction. I have projects waiting to be finished, a book is waiting to be finalised and many more books are waiting to be read. Today marks the end of a small era for me, but I am simply leaving a role in order to be a person instead".

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MONKEYS TO RELEASE SINGLE VIA OXFAM SHOPS
The Arctic Monkeys will sell their new single, 'Crying Lightning', via Oxfam shops, it has been announced. Well, I suppose it saves time (just kidding, guys). Profits will go to help various Oxfam projects around the world.

The limited edition 7" single will be made available through the charity's 700 shops from 17 Aug, the first time Oxfam have sold a new release single for 25 years. The b-side of the single will be a cover of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds' 'Red Right Hand' and for £2.99 you'll get both tracks on vinyl and MP3 download.

For the less charitable among you, there will also be a 10" version of the single released through normal record stores, which will feature an extra track, 'I Haven't Got My Strange'.

Also on 17 Aug, the band will perform tracks from their new album, 'Humbug', as part of a two hour special on Radio 1, presented by Zane Lowe. Says Zane: "I have been a big fan of Arctic Monkeys right from the start - they did their first ever session with us at Maida Vale. So, I'm looking forward to celebrating with our listeners another brave new record in the place where it all started".

'Humbug', goes on sale on 24 Aug.

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FORMER SPACE DRUMMER DIES
Former drummer with Liverpool indie band Space Andy Parle died suddenly at the weekend, aged 42, it has been announced.

Eyewitnesses said that Parle tripped and fell while trying to run across a road, after leaving a chip shop in Liverpool at around 11.30pm on Saturday. People nearby ran to his assistance and called paramedics, who managed to revive him, but he later died in the Royal Liverpool Hospital. Police say they are treating the death as "unexplained" but confirmed they are not investigating the possibility that Parle died in a road accident or assault.

Andy Parle co-founded Space with frontman Tommy Scott and guitarist Jamie Murphy in 1993. He left the band in 1998 after they completed the recording of their second album, 'Tin Planet'. In his time with the band, he performed on most of their biggest hits, including 'Female Of The Species', 'Neighbourhood' and 'Me And You Versus The World'.

Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Space's former bassist Dave 'Yorkie' Palmer, who joined the band in 1996, said: "It's the saddest, most tragic end you could have. [He was] a brilliant drummer. I think [when he left] Space he'd had enough commercial success. Space continued to have success after Andy left but the band changed and lost something which Andy had contributed. Even though we had another brilliant drummer there was something about Andy's style which was unique".

A police spokesperson said they are appealing to anyone in the Park Road area around the time of Parle's death, in particular taxi drivers, for whom it is a busy route. A post mortem will be conducted to attempt to determine the cause of death.

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DAVID GROHL INSPECTS HIS ALLEY
Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl has returned to his home town of Warren, Ohio to formally open an alley named after him.

Market Street Alley was renamed Dave Grohl Alley in October last year following a campaign led by local radio DJ Fast Eddie and police sergeant Joe O'Grady. Local paper The Tribune Chronicle reported at the time that some residents were concerned about how much the move would cost the city, but the name change was passed unanimously at a vote by the local council.

At a dedication ceremony held at the weekend, Grohl was also given the keys to city. He told the crowd: "I had to come. It's such a huge deal. When I was a kid, I used to love to come here. This is one of my favourite places in the world".

I'm not entirely sure whether he meant the city or the alley was one of his favourite places in the world. Perhaps both. After the ceremony, Grohl played drums with local band Love Turns hate, as well as performing a number of Foo Fighters songs.

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NINETIES REIGN SUPREME AT KERRANG! AWARDS
Well, here's a little shout to everyone in the 90s who said nu metal was just a fad. Well, it was. But a lot of rock and metal bands from the nineties are still around, and apparently they're better than anything that's come along since.

Last night's Kerrang! Awards saw prizes handed out to the likes of Linkin Park, Slipknot, Limp Bizkit, Machine Head, Alice In Chains, The Prodigy, The Wildhearts and the even older Metallica. In fact, the only new-ish acts to get a mention were In Case Of Fire and The Gaslight Anthem, who picked up the two newcomer awards, and Mastodon, who got Best Video for 'Oblivion', and Bullet For My Valentine, who were named Best British Band.

The ceremony was hosted by Slipknot frontman Corey Taylor and Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian.

Here are the winners in full:

Best British Newcomer: In Case Of Fire
Best International Newcomer: The Gaslight Anthem
Best Single: The Prodigy - Omen
Best Video: Mastodon - Oblivion
Classic Songwriter: Linkin Park
Spirit Of Independence: The Wildhearts
Icon: Alice In Chains
Best Album: Metallica - Death Magnetic
Best Live Band: Slipknot
Inspiration: Machine Head
Hall Of Fame: Limp Bizkit
Best British Band: Bullet For My Valentine
Best International Band: Slipknot

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COXON INSISTS BLUR WILL CONTINUE
Despite the fact that Damon Albarn said recently that he thought if Blur did anything more together it would "ruin" the success of their brief run of reunion shows, Graham Coxon is still insisting that the band aren't finished yet. Although he was fairly non-committal at the same time.

Speaking to Xfm last week, Coxon said that they were discussing playing some more shows abroad, and that there was still the possibility of the band writing and recording new material. He said: "We're talking about doing some more shows abroad... I'm not sure how much I can say about that, but we're definitely talking about it".

When asked about new recordings, the guitarist said: "I think I said [to Damon], that'd be quite good fun. That's as far as it's gone. We didn't bother really talking about it, we were just having a good time. We didn't want to put any adverse 'Gs' onto it".

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PUSSYCAT DOLLS EITHER TOGETHER OR NOT
The Pussycat Dolls might have split up. Or they might not. According to official statements they've not. But media reports and speculation say otherwise. Which are you going to believe? Exactly. Reports say that tension has arisen because lead singer Nicole Scherzinger is planning to launch a solo career.

According to The Daily Mail, the group's Ashley Roberts tearfully told fans outside a hotel in London recently: "This is the last time we'll be in the UK as a band. We've broken up. We're sorry".

Bandmate Melody Thornton also said, more cryptically, via Twitter: "You know when you realise someone or something you have been involved in or with for a long time is completely beneath you and needs to be over! Yeah".

However, a spokesman for the group told reporters: "The girls are still together. They are in Beirut for a gig".

The group's founder Robin Antin also took to Twitter to tell fans: "The Pussycat Dolls are not breaking up. And if they ever were, you would hear it from me first - not gossip. Album #3 on the way!"

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LIMP BIZKIT HEADING TO THE STUDIO
Limp Bizkit have announced that they will soon begin working on their new album. I thought they already had, but I suppose that was before guitarist Wes Borland rejoined the band.

Anyway, Fred Durst told the NME: "We're about to go into the studio in a couple of weeks and record our new album. We feel very confident about that".

Explaining how the band go about writing songs together, Borland said: "It takes all shapes and all forms. We've written songs during shows in the last tour. Sometimes it's spontaneous, sometimes it's like trying to take down a Tyrannosaurus Rex. It's like a pool of ideas. It's like a bunch of finished songs that everyone's done on their home studio set-ups. Most of the meat of the record will probably be written when we're in a room together".

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LE SAC DISCUSS NEW ALBUM WITH PIP
Dan Le Sac has been discussing the new Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip album, which the duo are currently in the process of recording.

Le Sac told Clash: "We've both learnt more about what we do and how that slots together, so generally the sound is tighter and more complimentary. If we'd had the normal development of your average band then I could understand the idea of getting paranoid for album two. However, as our first single hit the Top 40 before we'd even decided we were a band, we've gotten used to that kind of pressure".

On the subject of the album's, he said: "There are nods to dnb, dubstep, electro and carny folk so far - there's even a country ballad on there. Collaborations are something we can't talk about yet, not wanting to get people excited about things that mightn't happen, but I can say we've fired tracks to some downright legends, so fingers crossed".

The album is due for release early next year.

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LISTEN TO THE BIG PINK'S ALBUM RIGHT NOW
The Big Pink's debut album, 'A Brief History Of Love' is not due for release until 14 Sep via 4AD, but you can hear it via their official website now. Don't dawdle, though, it'll only be up until the end of the week.

Head over to www.musicfromthebigpink.com to stream the album in full and download an MP3 of the track 'Dominos'. The track will be released as a 7" single on 7 Sep, boasting a b-side ('She's No Sense') featuring vocals from that Florence Welch off of Florence And The Machine.

In case you just want to read the track titles, you can see them here:

Crystal Visions
Too Young To Love
Dominos
Love In Vain
At War With The Sun
Velvet
Golden Pendulum
Frisk
A Brief History Of Love
Tonight
Count Backwards From Ten

Oh, and while we're here and listing things, let's have some tour dates too:

28 Aug: Reading Festival
30 Aug: Leeds Festival
6 Sep: Electric Picnic
11 Sep: Bestival
8 Oct: Portsmouth, Wedgewood Rooms
9 Oct: Brighton, Digital
10 Aug: Oxford, Academy
11 Oct: Coventry, Kasbah
12 Oct: Wrexham, Central Station
14 Oct: Glasgow, King Tuts
17 Oct: York, The Duchess
18 Oct: Leeds, Cockpit
20 Oct: Liverpool, O2 Academy
21 Oct: Manchester, Academy
22 Oct: London, Electric Ballroom

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THEORETICAL GIRL ALBUM LAUNCH DETAILS
Theoretical Girl has announced details of the launch party for her really very good debut album 'Divided'. It will take place at the Lexicon in London on 17 Aug and while it will be very nice to see Amy Turnbridge play live, we are also very excited at the news there will be free Pimms and cucumber sandwiches with strawberries and cream for afters. Mmm.

'Divided' will also be released on 17 Aug. Get it, it's good.

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SXSW REGISTRATION OPEN
Yeah, the headline says it all really. Registration for next year's South By Southwest Music And Media Conference And Festival (generally referred to in print as SxSW, for reasons that should be obvious) is open. It'll all take place between 17-21 Mar.

To register for all the music stuff, go to www.sxsw.com/music. Doing so will give you access to all daytime events and parties, the trade show, and all night time showcases, as well as the 2010 Online Registrants Directory, which allows you to stalk other people who've registered early like big swots. Oh, and if you do it before 25 Sep, it costs a lot less than if you leave it right to the last minute.

If you want to put forward acts to perform, go to www.sxsw.com/music/shows/apply. The deadline is 6 Nov and there's a fee to pay ($30 before 25 Sep, $40 after). There are not separate international and US deadlines for these submissions this year, just so you know.

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MIGHTY BOOSH FESTIVAL MAY RETURN MINUS BOOSH
The Mighty Boosh festival is not taking place this year, you may have noticed. Like us, you probably assumed that this is because it was, by all accounts, something of a disaster last year (even Noel Fielding said it was "shit"). However, this is apparently not the case. The event's co-organiser Vince Power has said that the festival may return next year without The Mighty Boosh's Noel Fielding and Julian Barratt's involvement, instead giving top billing to a stand-up comedy act, rather than a band with some comedians in it.

Speaking to Metro, Power said: "I would love to do it. Not necessarily with the Mighty Boosh again, but with major, major acts like Peter Kay and Eddie Izzard. On a main stage with 25,000 people watching it, [stand-up] shouldn't be any different from rock n roll. In my opinion it's a bloody good idea to have a big main-stage open-air [comedy] festival".

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BLOOM FESTIVAL CANCELLED
The organisers of the CMU recommended Bloom Festival have announced that they are cancelling this year's event with just two weeks to go, citing a last minute site move and the economic climate as reasons for the decision.

Festival organizers Olivia Chapman told CMU: "It's been an incredibly difficult decision for us to make, as Bloom is an independently run organisation, built from our very heart and souls. We have worked tirelessly for the best part of nine months on this event which makes it very hard for us to walk away from it. However we have to think of the bigger picture and feel that we are making the right decision".

The good news is, the festival already has next year's licence in place and so will be back and fighting fit in August 2010. For those of you who have tickets for this year's Bloom, you have a number of options. All of them good.

Firstly, Beachdown and The Big Chill are offering ticket exchanges for Bloom ticket holders. Punters can gain entry for Beachdown by presenting their Bloom ticket plus £22.50 at the gate (you'll need to register by emailing your name, address and Bloom ticket numbers to [email protected] first - full details at www.beachdownfestival.com). Or, if you turn up at The Big Chill with your Bloom ticket and £55, you'll be able to get in there (full details at www.bigchill.net).

All Bloom ticket holders will automatically receive two tickets for Bloom 2010 for every one ticket they bought for this year's festival, regardless of whether they take advantage of either of the ticket exchange offers available.

Finally, for those of you now at a loose end the weekend of the festival, there will be a free party for ticket holders at Motion in Bristol on 15 Aug. More details on that will be released shortly.

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SPOTIFY CLOSE TO SECURING MORE FUNDING
Music streaming service Spotify is close to securing its next round of funding from various sources, according to The Financial Times.

The paper reports that following a valuation of $250 million, the company will bring in another $50 million of funding from its existing backers and new investors The Li Ka Shing Foundation (a charitable organisation set up by Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka Shing), and London-based venture capitalists Wellington Partners. It is also claimed that the company is in negotiations with another strategic investor, which analysts say is likely to be from inside the music industry, possibly one of the major labels.

Li Ka Shing is an interesting investor, as he has previously put $120 million into Facebook, as well handing over cash to TV, music and film video streaming service Joost.

Although some are seeing this as a vote of confidence for Spotify's ad-funded model, investors will no doubt want to see the company increase subscriptions, and will be watching the launch of mobile streaming apps, the companies greatest chance of gaining more paid subscribers at the moment, very closely.

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

1. Green Day - 21st Century Breakdown (Warner Bros)
2. Nickelback - Dark Horse (Warner/Roadrunner)
3. Killswitch Engage - Killswitch Engage (Warner/Roadrunner)
4. Chickenfoot - Chickenfoot (Edel)
5. Dream Theater - Black Clouds & Silver Linings (Warner/Roadrunner)
6. Devildriver - Pray For Villains (Warner/Roadrunner)*
7. Theory Of A Deadman - Scars & Souvenirs (Warner/Roadrunner)
8. Shinedown - The Sound Of Madness (Warner/Atlantic)
9. AC/DC - Black Ice (Sony Music)
10. Billy Talent - III (Warner/Atlantic)*
11. Bruce Springsteen - Greatest Hits (Sony Music)
12. The Mars Volta - Octahedron (Universal)
13. Bruce Springsteen - Working On A Dream (Sony Music)
14. Incubus - Monuments & Melodies (Sony Music)
15. Rise Against - Appeal To Reason (Universal/Geffen)
16. Alexisonfire - Old Crows/Young Cardinals (Warner/Roadrunner)
17. Job For A Cowboy - Ruination (Metal Blade)
18. August Burns Red - Constellations (Hassle)*
19. Clutch - Strange Cousins From The West (Weathermaker)*
20. Mike Oldfield - The Platinum Collection (EMI/Virgin)*

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UFFIE PREGNANT
Ed Banger-signed French vocalist Uffie, known for her hard electro beats and risqué lyrics, has revealed that she is pregnant. Actually, she revealed it back in June, but it seems no one noticed until now.

Uffie said in an interview with the official blog of New York clothing company Married To The Mob: "C'est une petite fille! [It's a little girl!] Name, I am not quite sure. I have to wait to see her... But I have weird taste, I am sure I will be the only one who likes her name... poor, poor girl. But, yes, it was a little sooner than I would have planned, but it really is a blessing that has already changed my life extremely, for the better. Very excited to join the Mob stroller lunches".

She is also currently preparing for the release of her debut album, produced by Mirwais, of which she says: "This album is totally schizophrenic, it will confuse the pigeonholers".

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SINGER BRANDS PERRY "THIEVING LITTLE SLUT"
American singer-songwriter Jill Sobule has hit out at Katy Perry for writing a song with the same title as one of her own. Let's just hand straight over to Jill to explain it.

She told The Rumpus: "For those that don't know or are very young, I had a song in 1995 called, 'I Kissed A Girl'. ... As a musician I have always refrained from criticising another artist. I was, 'well, good for her'. It did bug me a little bit, however, when she said she came up with the idea for the title in a dream. In truth, she wrote it with a team of professional writers and was signed by the very same guy that signed me in 1995. I have not mentioned that in interviews as I don't want to sound bitter or petty... cause, that's not me.Okay, maybe, if I really think about it, there were a few jealous and pissed off moments. So here goes, for the first time in an interview: Fuck you Katy Perry, you fucking stupid, maybe 'not good for the gays', title thieving, haven't heard much else, so not quite sure if you're talented, fucking little slut.God that felt good".

Here's Jill Sobule's 'I Kissed A Girl': www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4r41vPTF8k

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STONE TO PLAY SONGS
Joss Stone is planning to take revenge on EMI for continually pushing back the release date of her fourth album, 'Colour Me Free', by playing songs from it at a gig.

The album was due to be released in February, but this was pushed back to June and has since slipped again. Stone will play a charity event Rockwell at the O2 Dome on 11 Sep, alongside Robert Plant and Razorlight, amongst others, where she will perform some of the songs from the album. I'm still struggling to see how this is going to get revenge on EMI.

She explains: "I'll sing some of my new songs. They're just jams and I love them. They were recorded about two years ago but I have been in a war with my label. I'm just going to sing anyway and if they would like to turn out my album one day that would be nice. Maybe they're trying to shut me up but good luck because they've picked the wrong girl".

"I've no idea when [the album] will be released as it's not up to me", she added vengefully.

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