| CMU Daily - on the inside 23 Jul 2003 |
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In today's CMU Daily:
• Mercury prize favourites
• US universities protest download subpoenas
• Fourth annual Latin Grammys
• Paul McCartney exhibition
• Review: Bumblebees - White Printz EP
• More Reading tickets
• Lemon Jelly on tour
• AC/DC alumni tour
• Online Elbow track
• Another Audio Bullys single
• Dexy's Midnight tour
• AOL & Warner Brothers Pepsi Smash online
• New Metallica video
• The Matrix sign to Columbia
• Vandross all star video
• Review: Stereophonics - Maybe Tomorrow
• MGM still in VUE bidding
• Life after Backstreet
• Midweek
• Polyphonic Robe returned
• Junior Senior instore at HMV
• Isley Brothers live at the Albert Hall
• 3 Inches Of Blood to Support Darkness
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MERCURY PRIZE FAVOURITES
A good day for EMI – Radiohead and Coldplay, both Parlophone artists, are joint favourites to take this year's Panasonic Mercury Music Prize, the former for their 'Hail to the Thief' LP and the latter for their 'A Rush of Blood to the Head'. Both are 4-1 to win at the William Hill bookmaker.
As for the rest of the list - eight are debut albums, including South London duo Floetry, nominated for their debut 'Floetic'; 18 year old East London leftfield garage MC Dizzee Rascal, up for his debut 'Boy in Da Corner'; current media darlings The Darkness; and Martina Topley-Bird and her 'Quixotic' debut – though Martina has technically been nominated before given that she appears on Tricky's 'Maxinquaye' album which was shortlisted in 1995.
Of course being favourites means nothing in the Mercury Music Prize so who knows who will win on the 9 Sep. Half the CMU office has their fingers crossed for The Darkness, the other half for The Thrills, and one deluded publisher guy hopes its Lemon Jelly.
The full list is:
Radiohead - 'Hail to the Thief'
Dizzee Rascal - 'Boy in Da Corner'
The Thrills - 'So Much for the City'
Soweto Kinch - 'Conversations with the Unseen'
Floetry - 'Floetic'
The Darkness - 'Permission To Land'
Coldplay - 'A Rush of Blood to the Head'
Martina Topley-Bird - 'Quixotic'
Eliza Carthy - 'Anglicana'
Athlete - 'Vehicles and Animals'
Terri Walker - 'Untitled'
Lemon Jelly - 'Lost Horizons'
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US UNIVERSITIES PROTEST DOWNLOAD SUBPOENAS
Boston College and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are causing problems in the Recording Industry Association of America's attempts to find out the identities of four students who they reckon have been illegally copying music.
Four of the downloaders currently being targeted in the RIAA's 'Summer Of Litigation' use internet services provided by their colleges. Those colleges argue that, while they support the rights of copyright holders and therefore plan to comply with any subpoenas from record labels trying to track downloaders down, they are bound by another law which means they have to inform the students in question that a subpoena has been issued before they can hand over any data. This is because the personal information of students held by colleges is protected by the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act. If nothing else this will slow down how quickly personal information can be supplied to the litigious record labels.
The RIAA's Jonathan Lamy wasn't impressed: "These universities have chosen to litigate this in an attempt to deny copyright holders the right so clearly granted in Congress.
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FOURTH ANNUAL LATIN GRAMMYS
Producer/songwriter Sergio George has netted six nominations for the fourth annual Latin Grammy Awards, including record of the year, song of the year and best tropical song for 'Mi Premer Millón‚ by Bacilos' album of the year for Bacilos' 'Caraluna', and best tropical song for Tito Nieves' 'La Salsa Vive'.
Singer/songwriter Juanes and producer Gustavo Santaolalla follow with five nominations each.
Juanes, a four-time Latin Grammy winner, is up for record of the year and song of the year for 'Es Por Ti', album of the year and best rock solo vocal album for 'Un Dìa Normal' and best rock song for 'Mala Gente'. Santaolalla's nominations include producer of the year, album of the year for his work on Juanes' set and best classical album for Kronos Quartet's 'Nuevo'.
In addition to the Bacilos and Juanes sets, nominees for album of the year are Rubén Blades' 'Mundo', Alexandre Pires' 'Estrella Guìa' and the self-titled release by Tribalistas.
Others nominated for record of the year are Luis Miguel's "Hasta Que Vuelvas," Molotov's "Frijolero" and Tribalistas' "Já Sei Namorar."
The Latin Grammys take place in Miami on 3 Sep.
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PAUL MCCARTNEY EXHIBITION
An exhibition celebrating the solo career of Paul McCartney post-Beatles will open in Liverpool on 2 Aug. Organised by students from the McCartney supported Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) – 'The Solo Years: Paul McCartney' will be held at the Beatles Story museum, apparantly in response to fans' demands.
Jerry Goldman, Director of the Beatles Story told reporters: "I was recently made very aware, in addition to everything that Paul has achieved in his career, of his influence on the new generation".
The exhibition is set to include a video message from McCartney, telling the audience of his involvement with LIPA, which opened in 1996 in the building that once housed the school McCartney went to as a child.
McCartney says: "It's great that my old school is now back in use helping the next generations. It's exciting that once again my home town will be the world's target for tomorrow's talent."
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REVIEW: Bumblebees - White Printz Ep (Witchita)
Man, there are so many ideas packed into this 8 track debut EP coming from The Bumblebees, a band whose members span continents and whose sound spans genres with such fuck-you-ness that the end result works like a dream. Sounding like early Beastie Boys/Beck/Missy Elliot/Timberland/The Hives/NERD and lord knows what else, White Printz is the culmination of a month long one mic/one take recording frenzy that saw each member of the 'bees collective stepping up and bringing to the mix their own individual take on the music in their heads. What this lo-fi creative and recording process has sporned is an EP that's as honest in its messy, dirty sound that never loses direction that the many styles easily could result in and is hopefully a taster of great things to come from a very exciting new band. The standout party track, microphonediseases is going to blow up this summer and'll have you warm in all the right places has to be heard. TM
Release date: 11 Aug
Press Contact: Witchita IH [all]
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MORE READING TICKETS
An extra 1,000 tickets for the Reading Festival (22-24 Aug) will go on sale at 9am tomorrow through the Orange WAP ticketline service. Weekend tickets for the Reading site have long been sold out, so the allocation will be a final chance for fans to get to see headliners such as Blur, Metallica, The Music and The Polyphonic Spree.
Interested Orange users should go to the channel guide on the Orange WAP homepage, select 'Music' and follow the instructions.
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LEMON JELLY ON TOUR
Fresh from their Mercury Prize nomination, Lemon Jelly are going on their biggest UK tour yet through Oct, and will be leaving a support slot open to one lucky person each night. Wannabes interesting in filling that slot should go to http://www.lemonjelly.ky for details of how to submit and MP3 for consideration.
Other support on the tour will be coming from seven-piece drum & bass act London Elektricity, DJ Tom Middleton (on selected dates), Pete Fowler, designer of Super Furry Animals' record sleeves, will be painting a piece of art live each night, and fans are also promised 'spectacular visuals' and 'mystery giveaways'.
The dates are:
2 Oct: Birmingham Academy
3 Oct: Manchester Apollo
4 Oct: Glasgow Academy
6 Oct: Brighton Dome
7 Oct: UEA, Norwich
8 Oct: Colston Hall, Bristol
11 Oct: Brixton Academy
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AC/DC ALUMNI TOUR
Original AC/DC singer Dave Evans, is set to go on a three month tour of Europe. Evans preceded current singer, Bon Scott, when the band formed in Sydney in 1973 and provided vocals on their debut single 'Can I Sit Next To You Girl'. The song was later re-recorded with Bon's vocal for the TNT album.
Dave's days with AC/DC were littered with various incidents including fights with their tour manager, and he was soon replaced by Scott.
The word is that the set-list for Dave's European tour will include a fair amount of AC/DC classics: 'Can I Sit Next To You Girl', 'Rock 'n' The Parlour', 'Highway To Hell', 'Ride On', 'Rock and Roll Singer', 'TNT', 'Baby Please Don't Go' and 'Long Way To The Top'.
While there a lots of German dates, there are currently no UK gigs planned.
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ONLINE ELBOW TRACK
Another band intent on using downloading to their advantage are Elbow, who are set to release the first song from their new album 'Cast of Thousands‚ on the internet… and once it's live they want people to send it to their friends. Hmm, what cunning.
The band are said to have gone the interent route because the single didn't fit in with radio playlist styles, formats or marketing strategies.
Bass player Pete Turner said: "We wanted to put something out and wanted 'Ribcage' to be the first song people heard from the album. We knew we couldn't put it out as a single because it is far too long at around six and a half minutes. You can't have a single any longer than four minutes unless you're Radiohead. We put it on the Internet low-key so that people into the band could download it. We didn't restrict it. We made sure people could send it on to their mates. I don't have a problem with [downloading]. People can always get their hands on free music, whether they tape it or just steal it. I want people who can't afford to buy it to still hear the song. I think live is where the whole thing goes. Especially from touring you can make loads of money. I'd rather people come and see the live shows and if downloading ours songs for free means they will do that, then that is fine for me. People need a bit of convincing, so downloading something for free is the perfect way of doing it. I really like artwork and looking at the artwork on the inlay card while I'm listening to music sometimes, so I think people will go and buy it anyway even if they have downloaded it".
It will be interesting to see how marketing projects like this help album sales. The industry might yet find MP3 and file sharing is a good thing – except for the legal departments of course, who would lose out big time.
The 'Cast of Thousands' album will be released on V2.
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ANOTHER AUDIO BULLYS SINGLE
Audio Bullys are set to release their third single from their 'Ego War' album, on 18 Aug. The track, 'Way Too Long', features a sample from Elvis Costello's 'I Don't Want to Go to Chelsea.
The Bullys, Simon Franks and Tom Dinsdale, will perform a live set at Fabric on 8 Aug having performed at Glastonbury, Homelands and Amsterdam's 5 Days Off festival amongst others. Rumour has it that The Fabric appearance will be their last club show this year.
With regard to the music on the night, Dinsdale said: "You can expect to hear more than just album tracks. The other music we make is perhaps more suitable for clubs. It's a step on from the soundsystem shows and it's important to keep the chemistry between me and Si when we're on a live tip."
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DEXY'S MIDNIGHT TOUR
The band, who topped the UK singles chart with 'Come On Eileen' in 1982 and split in 1986 are back and going a UK tour to promote their forthcoming greatest hits compilation.
The compilation album, 'Let's Make This Precious', is due on 22 Sep and will include two new tracks, 'Manhood‚ and 'My Life In England', which are expected as singles.
A new biography of the band, also called 'Let's Make This Precious' is to be published in Nov by Virgin Books.
The dates are as follows:
21 Oct: Portsmouth Guildhall
23 Oct: Wolverhampton Civic Hall
25 Oct: Leeds Grand
26 Oct: The Anvil, Basingstoke
28 Oct: Colston Hall, Bristol
29 Oct: Corn Exchange, Cambridge
31 Oct: Guildford Civic Hall
2 Nov: Aberdeen Music Hall
3 Nov: Glasgow Pavilion
4 Nov: Newcastle Opera House
6 Nov: Manchester Academy
7 Nov: Royal Court, Liverpool
8 Nov: Derngate, Northampton
10 Nov: Royal Festival Hall, London
11 Nov: Stables, Milton Keynes
12 Nov: Plymouth Pavilions
14 Nov: Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry
16 Nov: Waterfront, Belfast
18 Nov: De Montfort Hall, Leicester
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AOL & WARNER BROTHERS PEPSI SMASH ONLINE
The reason behind the AOL / Time Warner merger was always cross company collaborations – so we're guessing the merger junkies will be glad to hear America Online and the Warner Brothers TV channel have just launched an range of online programmes and promotions to promote the new WB music show 'Pepsi Smash'.
AOL members can access exclusive video of performances from previous shows, behind-the-scenes footage from upcoming shows, and convenient options to purchase music featured on the show.
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NEW METALLICA VIDEO
Consciously or not, the upcoming Metallica video for 'Frantic' plays like a prequel to their 'St. Anger‚ video - which was shot as they performed live for inmates at San Quentin prison in San Francisco.
That is to day the new video depicts things that might get you into San Quentin. The video will be shot over the next few days by director Wayne Isham (Britney Spears, Ricky Martin, 'NSYNC) in the suburbs of Montreal and will feature a desperate man in his mid-20s driving a car and remembering traumatic and chaotic incidents in his life.
Most of the scenes will be shot in a Montreal apartment, and will focus on the guy's decadent and dangerous lifestyle.
The band's 'St Anger' album has sold 1.1m copies since 5 Jun.
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THE MATRIX SIGN TO COLUMBIA
Songwriter/producers, The Matrix have signed to Sony label Columbia in the US with a view to recording their own material in Aug, due for release in Feb.
Lauren Christy, Scott Spock and Graham Edwards are adding two singers to the team: A British bloke (?) and a girl - yet to be chosen. Once recording is finished, The Matrix intend to recruit a drummer and guitarist for live appearances.
The Matrix are also set to work with CMU favourites, Busted, as well as Mooney Suzuki and Shakira. Recent projects have included work with Avril Lavigne, David Bowie, Britney Spears, Ronan Keating and Darius.
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VANDROSS ALL STAR VIDEO
Beyonce Knowles, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Quincy Jones, Wyclef Jean, Babyface, Brian McKnight, Patti LaBelle, American Idol II winner Ruben Studdard, basketball star Jason Kidd and Stevie Wonder all appear in the video for Luther Vandross's up coming single release 'Dance With My Father'. All the celebs have agreed to take part in the video as a way of paying tribute to the singer, who is still in hospital in New York after suffering a stroke in April.
Beyonce, whose 'Dangerously In Love‚ album features a duet with Vandross called 'The Closer I Get To You‚ said: "I'm a part of this project because I got the wonderful opportunity to work with Luther. When I was in the studio with him, I fell in love. He is such a special person, I just wanted to be here for him. I've been praying for him and am so happy that he's doing well."
The most recent word on Vandross's condition was that he had begun breathing on his own again and was slowly regaining his speech after being in a coma.
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REVIEW: Stereophonics - Maybe Tomorrow (V2)
This is going to be easy. Do you consider yourself a fan of the inoffensive rock sounds of the Welsh working class hero trio, the Stereophonics? (Yes/No). If your answer to the above question was 'Yes' then you're not going to be disappointed with this new offering as it hardly strays from the winning (if soo boring) formula that you've grown to know and love. If you're answer to the above question was 'No' then don't bother with this new offering as it hardly strays much from the winning (if not sooo boring) formula that you've grown to detest and cringe at. One more question: When are the Stereophonics going to a) take any musical risks, b) explore their creative sides and c) fuck off? Answers on a postcard. TM
Release date: 21 July
Press Contact: Renegade [CP, CR] V2 IH [RP, RR, NP, NR]
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MGM STILL IN VUE BIDDING
Following the news last week that MGM had demanded financial data from Vivendi Universal in order to proceed with their acquisition bid, word is the French conglom has complied. As previously reported MGM said that if they could get more detailed financial data from Vivendi they might be able to increase their offer for the Universal businesses – adding that if they didn't get the data they might pull out altogether. No news yet on which if the bids to buy Vivendi's non-music entertainment companies is favourite – though rumour has it it's between MGM and Liberty.
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LIFE AFTER BACKSTREET
Former Backstreet Boy Nick Carter will co-star with Isaiah Washington and Keith David in 'Blood On A Happy Face' (directed by Rick Thompson) which is set to begin shooting in Manhattan and Brooklyn on 1 Aug.
The project is described as a quick-paced action-drama in the vein of 'Reservoir Dogs' - and centres on an undercover agent, played by Washington, who gets caught up in the underbelly of Brooklyn.
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MIDWEEK
Both Stereophonics and Super Furry Animals are said to be in with a chance of knocking Beyonce off the top of the UK charts this Sunday – the former in the singles chart, the latter in the album countdown.
In the singles chart Stereophonics' 'Maybe Tomorrow' (V2) and Daniel Bedingfield's 'Never Gonna Leave You' (Polydor) are selling well, while Ministry of Sound's Deepest Blue could make an appearance in the top ten for the first time. Triple Eight's 'Give Me A Reason‚ (Polydor) could score a second top-ten hit for the band, while the All-American Rejects should make their UK chart debut with 'Swing Swing‚ (DreamWorks) and Goldfrapp (Mute) are expected to chart with 'Strict Machine‚.
Albums: Beyonce is under pressure from the Super Furry Animals (Epic), Jane's Addiction (Parlophone) and Kym Marsh (Universal).
It seems too good to be true but word has it East End Mercury Prize-nominee Dizzee Rascal's experimental garage/electronic album 'Boy In Da Corner' (XL) is set to chart in the top 40 this week too.
Finally, as The Darkness work to spend their third week inside the top ten, Guns 'N' Roses seminal album Appetite For Destruction is lurking around 100, some 16 years after its release. Could that be attributed to the fact that every time the Darkness are mentioned, G'n'R are uttered in the same breath?
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POLYPHONIC ROBE RETURNED
After the theft of the first ever Polyphonic Spree robe, the NME have aided its safe return.
The Spree had just finished a T In The Park warm-up at the Northampton Roadmenders when the robe was stolen.
At the time, upset mainman Tim DeLaughter said: "It was made by my mother-in-law. It's fine if whoever took it wants a picture of it. I must get it back - it has my mojo in it."
Last week an anonymous person returned the robe, freshly laundered. As promised, the band have will not be pressing any charges.
A spokesperson said: "We thank the good people of Northampton, it has restored their faith in human nature."
The venue said: "On Friday a girl hiding her face under a hood snuck up to our box office, threw in a bag containing the valuable garment and legged it across the car park. A note on the robe read: 'Sorry. One washed robe found in the car park'".
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JUNIOR SENIOR INSTORE AT HMV
Junior Senior will be playing live set at HMV 150, Oxford Street this Monday at 6pm. They will also be signing copies of their new single 'Rhythm Bandits'.
For media accreditation call Caroline Monk on 020898701230
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ISLEY BROTHERS LIVE AT THE ALBERT HALL
Oozing with characteristic soul and charisma, The Isley Brothers – represented today by Ronald Isley and Ernie Isley – return to London for a one off live show with full band at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall on 27 Sep.
In addition to their many other contributions to American popular music, The Brothers brought a virtually unknown guitarist by the name of Jimi Hendrix on their maiden tour of England, in 1964 (Hendrix made his first recordings with The Isleys). On the European leg of that outing, their keyboardist was a young man named Elton John.
Ronald Isley maintains a flourishing career as a much sought-after creative partner, having collaborated with artists of varying genres and generations including R Kelly, Snoop Dogg, Lil Kim and JS. He is also a player behind the scenes, serving as manager for Body Kiss guests JS, who laced Eternal with background vocals.
Press Contact: Lisa @ The Play Centre
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3 INCHES OF BLOOD TO SUPPORT DARKNESS
3 Inches Of Blood are set to be the special guest support on the Darkness's forthcoming UK tour.
Their debut album, 'Battlecry Under A Winter Sun' has just been released on Death O'Clock/Must Destroy and has already got the rock press salivating: "3 Inches of Blood aren't just some hardcore band shaking their metal maker - they're a crusading metal army come to smite the heathen naysayers!" - KKKK Kerrang!
The dates with The Darkness are:
4 Oct: Keele University
5 Oct: Solus, Cardiff
6 Oct: Carling Academy, Bristol
8 Oct: Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton
9 Oct: Leeds Metropolitan University
10 Oct: University Of Sheffield, Sheffield
12 Oct: Rock City, Nottingham
13 Oct: University Of East Anglia, Norwich
15 Oct: Academy 2, Manchester
16 Oct: University Of Newcastle Upon Tyne
17 Oct: Barrowlands, Glasgow
18 Oct: Academy 2, Liverpool
20 Oct: Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone
21 Oct: Pyramids, Portsmouth
22 Oct: Carling Apollo, Hammersmith
Info from Triad Publicity on 020 7436 7600 or [email protected]