Mogwai frontman Stuart Braithwaite has paid tribute to Ron Asheton – The Stooges guitarist who was found dead at his home yesterday (January 6).
Braithwaite has joined stars including Primal Scream's Bobby Gillespie and his bandmate Iggy Pop in speaking about Asheton's influence on music.
"I think the way he played guitar and the way The Stooges played as a band took rock music back to the primeval basics," Braithwaite told NME.COM.
He added: "He seemed to play really instinctively, really raw, he had amazing guitar playing. Songs like 'I Wanna Be Your Dog' were really simple but with the kind of riff that you can't believe no-one had thought of before. That was just absolutely amazing."
Asheton, who died aged 60, was found dead in his home after a suspected heart attack. Police reported that his body may have been there for several days.
Via nme.com
hinese State Media Against New Guns N’ Roses Album
lunes, 24 de noviembre de 2008 | Etiquetas: MusicRock band Guns N’ Roses has released its first studio album in fifteen years and its provocative title – “Chinese Democracy” – has understandably irked China’s Communist Party.
A newspaper published by the Chinese Communist Party caustically criticized Guns N’ Roses’ most recent album as an attack on the Chinese nation, reports the Associated Press, quoting the Global Times. The album is said to “turn its spear point on China.”
Guns N’ Roses released their last studio album in 1993; “The Spaghetti Incident?” consisted of cover versions of 1970s and 1980s punk and glam rock songs. Their previous “Appetite for Destruction,” “Use Your Illusion I” and “Use Your Illusion II” albums had already turned them into a superband.
The band has been working on “Chinese Democracy” since 1994 – in the end, Axl Rose, the 46-year-old frontman, is the only original member left. The album became available in North America this Sunday, November 23.
Then again, many fans had already listened to the music when it was mysteriously leaked on the Internet by a man that pleaded not guilty to breaking copyright laws in a Los Angeles court last month. Kevin Cogill, a 27-year-old man from Culver City, California, is alleged to have leaked nine new songs from the album on his website, Antiquiet.com, in June. He afterwards took them down but the harm had been done.
In August, he was arrested and then released on $10,000 bail. Authorities said at the time he faced up to three years in jail if convicted. If he is found to have had a profit from uploading the songs, he can face an even longer sentence. Cogill has no known direct connection to the band.
While fans of the rock band from around the world have been eagerly awaiting the long-delayed release of the album, it is unlikely that “Chinese Democracy” will be released in China. The Associated Press reports spokespersons for the Culture Ministry and State Administration of Radio, Film and Television could not be reached for comment as of Monday. These are the government bodies which regulate album releases and performances in China.
The album has not been officially banned yet. It is not only the title that may worry Chinese authorities. The record’s title track makes reference to the Falun Gong movement that was banned in China as an “illegal cult.”
One song from “Chinese Democracy,” titled “Shackler’s Revenge,” was made available in September, when Harmonix and MTV Games released Rock Band 2. All of the tracks are available for listening, but not downloading, on Guns N’ Roses’ MySpace page.
Via efluxmedia.com
This fall is full of questions for the topsy-turvy music world:
Will Guns N' Roses' "Chinese Democracy" finally be released?
Can Britney manage a comeback?
Will anyone escape the tween typhoon of "High School Musical 3"?
Nevertheless, five albums to look for (we think):
_ "Death Magnetic," Metallica: On Sept. 12, Metallica will drop their much-awaited, Rick Rubin-produced new album. Their ninth studio disc — and first in five years — is said to return the band to their speed metal roots. The band has been shy about playing the new tunes in concert, but expectations are high thanks to Rubin's involvement. Even with all their black clothes, Metallica's fans remain an extremely hopeful bunch.
_ "Paper Trail," T.I.: The Atlanta-based rapper returns with his sixth album, which already boasts a hot single: "Whatever You Like." Due out Sept. 30, "Paper Trail" is all but assured of keeping T.I.'s streak of No. 1 albums intact. But the rapper (real name: Clifford Harris) will also have a balancing act in promoting it. While he continues to rap about violence, he's also speaking against it as part of a punishment handed out in March after pleading guilty to federal weapons charges. Besides at least 1,000 hours of community service, he faces almost a year in jail.
_ "Black Ice," AC/DC: It's been eight years since AC/DC made a studio album, and a lot has changed since then. For starters, just look at how the seminal Australian hard rock band is releasing their new album on Oct. 20: only through Wal-Mart, Sam's Club stores and ACDC.com. Stoking excitement have been reports that suggest "Black Ice" bears similarities to AC/DC's classic 1980 disc "Back in Black," one of the best-selling albums of all time.
_ "Dear Science," TV on the Radio: Not all the hotly anticipated albums are surefire chart-toppers. Music fans are also eager for new material from Lucinda Williams, Jenny Lewis, Kings of Leon and this ambitious Brooklyn band. TV on the Radio's last album, the absurdly named "Return to Cookie Mountain," topped many critics' best-of lists for 2006 (including this writer's). With each subsequent disc, TV on the Radio has seemed to mature — a trajectory that suggests very good things for "Dear Science" (out Sept. 23).
_ "High School Musical 3: Senior Year": Don't even try to fight it. The latest big-screen installment — and the accompanying soundtrack out Oct. 21 — of this Disney Channel phenomenon will be received with teenybopper hysteria in late October. If you must, begin constructing your bomb shelter now. But don't stop, even for a second, to gaze into Zac Efron's eyes. They ... will ... draw ... you ... in.
Via associatedpress
Katy Perry's sapphic triumph 'I Kissed A Girl' scored a third week on top of the UK singles .
The track saw off the challenge of Irish trio The Script whose 'The Man Who Can't Be Moved', moved up one place to number two.
There was better news for the band on the album charts. Their debut self-titled album remained number one for a second week, ahead of ABBA's Gold compilation.
The only new entry on the album top 10 came from Damon Albarn's new project. 'Monkey: Journey To The West', which has provided a soundtracj to the Olympic coverage on the BBC in the UK entered at five.
Elsewhere in the singles chart, under-pressure Rihanna's finances got a shot in the arm as 'Disturbia' moved up two places to number four. It had been reported this week that the 'Umbrella' star was down to her last $20,000.
Meanwhile, Scottish rock heroes scored a new entry at 10 with 'Mountains'.
The UK album top 10:
1. The Script - 'Script'
2. Abba - 'Gold: Greatest Hits'
3. Duffy - 'Rockferry'
4. Coldplay - 'Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends'
5. 'Monkey: Journey To The West'
6. Kid Rock - 'Rock N Roll Jesus'
7. Noah & The Whale - 'Peaceful The World Lays Me Down'(Vertigo)
8. Rihanna - 'Good Girl Gone Bad'
9. Jane Mcdonald - 'Jane'
10. Scouting For Girls - 'Scouting For Girls'
Via nme.com
Swedish pop sensation Abba made UK chart history with the return of their greatest hits album to the number one spot.
First released 16 years ago, Gold - Greatest Hits is the oldest album ever to reach number one, The Official Charts Company revealed.
It is the fourth biggest-selling album of all time in the UK and one of the top 40 worldwide, with sales topping 26 million, the company said.
It is the fifth time that Gold - Greatest Hits has topped the UK chart, and the second time that the band has achieved a number one selling album in the last few weeks.
The soundtrack to the hit Abba-inspired film Mamma Mia! took the top spot in July.
The album's success saw Coldplay's Viva la Vida pushed down one place to number two.
Meanwhile in the UK singles chart, American musician Kid Rock took the top spot, ending rapper Dizzee Rascal's four-week reign.
Kid Rock's catchy All Summer Long moved up one place, knocking Dizzee Rascal's Dance Wiv Me down to number two. Kid Rock also saw success in the official album's chart, with Rock N Roll Jesus jumping more than 140 places to number four.
Another US musician celebrating success in the singles chart was Katy Perry, whose popular track I Kissed A Girl shot to number four from position 139.
Script moved up 27 places to number three with The Man Who Can't Be Moved and Jordon Sparks Featuring Chris Brown dropped two places to position five with No Air.
Via ukpress
More than 50,000 music fans are heading for the first of the summer's major festivals to see classic rockers The Police and one-time rebels the Sex Pistols.
The announcement of The Police as the headline act for The Isle of Wight Festival follows a string of top acts in recent years including The Rolling Stones, The Who, Coldplay, REM and David Bowie.
Other newer and younger acts at this year's event include Kaiser Chiefs, American hip-hop group N.E.R.D., Kate Nash, the Zutons and the Kooks.
Other classic names appearing include Ian Brown and Iggy and the Stooges.
The Police, headed by lead-singer Sting and famous for hits Roxanne and Every Breath You Take, are appearing as part of a world tour and will close the festival on Sunday night.
Isle of Wight Festival promoter John Giddings said: "It's a coup to get The Police for the festival.
"We're very happy to have the biggest tour of the last two years stopping by the Isle of Wight."
The event, held at Seaclose Park, Newport, will be the seventh year since the festival was reincarnated in 2002.
The event won Best Major UK Festival Award at last year's UK Festival Awards.
The promoters aim to recreate the spirit of the famous festivals held on the island at the end of the 1960s, which featured legendary performances by acts such as Jimi Hendrix, the Doors and Bob Dylan.
Via ukpress
'Singin' In The Rain' knocks Rihanna off her perch.
Mint Royale have scored a surprise number one single today (June 8).
Manchester's big beat veterans are in at number one with the re-release of their 'Singin' In The Rain' remix ending Rihanna's three-week reign with 'Take A Bow'.
Further down the chart, Morrissey is in at 24 with 'All You Need Is Me' and Mystery Jets enter at 28 with 'Two Doors Down'.
On the album chart, Paul Weller is straight in at number one with his new collection '22 Dreams', while Radiohead's Best Of and The Zutons' 'You Can Do Anything' are in at four and six respectively.
The UK's top ten singles this week are"
1. Mint Royale – 'Singin’ In The Rain'
2. Rihanna – 'Take A Bow'
3. The Ting Tings – 'That's Not My Name'
4. Duffy – 'Warwick Avenue'
5. Ne-Yo – 'Closer'
6. Sara Bareilles – 'Love Song'
7. Gabriella Climi – 'Sweet About Me'
8. Madonna ft Justin Timberlake – '4 Minutes'
9. Sam Sparro - 'Black And Gold'
10. Will.I.Am ft Cheryl Cole - 'Heartbreaker'
Via nme.com
Rapper Nas has revealed the video for "Be a N****r Too," the lead single from his upcoming untitled album, due July 1 via Def Jam. The clip was unveiled for media last night (May 29) at the Tribeca Grand Hotel in New York.
The treatment for the black-and-white video, directed by Rik Cordero, features Nas looking at his reflection through a mirror and rapping about racism, politics and religion, among other things, while images of people of different races sporadically appear throughout. "We all black within, okay / we all African, okay," the Queensbridge rapper rhymes over a piano-heavy beat.
Towards the middle of the video, a scene of what appears to be a white slave owner pointing a gun at a black male slave emerges, right before the song shifts into its chorus: "They like to strangle n*ggers / blaming n*ggers / hanging n*ggers / still you wanna be a n*gger too?"
At the end, Nas, still facing the mirror, says, "F*ck you. You had it all and you threw it all away." When asked about the significance of that portion of the video, Nas said the concept was Cordero's idea and he "just went with it."
According to Cordero, the clip was inspired by old Spike Lee films. It features cameos by Latina rapper La Bruja and actor John Cho ("Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle"), among others.
Although the album won't be titled "N****r" as originally planned, its cover -- an image of Nas' bare back with welts similar to the ones slaves endured from lashings -- "speaks for itself. It says 'n*gger' real loud," he said.
That image was on display in the room during the screening last night but at the time was not being trumpeted as the official cover. A Nas spokesperson confirms it will be used as such.
Via billboard.com
Nine Inch Nails was offering its new album through its website on Monday morning -- for nothing.
The 10-track record, called "The Slip," is available in its entirety in several formats -- including MP3 and high-quality, "lossless" audio compression options like FLAC -- via a link on NIN.com. All of the formats come free of digital rights management.
In a post on the website, the band's leader, Trent Reznor, said simply, "Thank you for your continued and loyal support over the years -- this one's on me."
This is the first time Nine Inch Nails has made a new album available completely and exclusively for free as a digital download. In March, the group released nine songs from its instrumental album "Ghosts I-IV" for free on the site, with the full 36 tracks costing 5 U.S. dollars.
Before that, the British rock act Radiohead broke with convention by offering its 2007 album, "In Rainbows," online under a tip-jar-style setup in which people could name their own price -- including zero.
Nine Inch Nails sold more than 10 million albums in the U.S. between 1992 and 2007. But they have been outspoken critics of the music industry and the price of CDs.
Reznor has attacked his former record label Universal for "ripping off" fans, and once told a crowd to "steal, steal and steal some more".
The band's deal with Universal has now ended, but "The Slip" will still be coming out on CD and vinyl in July and will use traditional brick-and-mortar distribution, Reznor said.
Via xinhuanet.com
After a five-year breakup and nearly eight-year absence from the concert scene, Stone Temple Pilots will reunite for a North American tour.
On Monday, Singer Scott Weiland, guitarist Dean DeLeo, bassist Robert DeLeo and drummer Eric Kretz revealed the details of their 65-city tour, set to begin May 17 in Columbus, Ohio.
"The story's not finished," Weiland told The Associated Press. "There's more to be revealed and more to be told."
DeLeo said the band plans to record a new album after the tour, which is set to wrap in November.
Formed in 1992, the band has sold more than 35 million albums worldwide.
The Grammy-winning rockers celebrated their announcement with a private show in the Hollywood Hills.
They're scheduled to make their first national television appearance May 1 on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"
Weiland, 40, has been dogged by drug problems since the band's early days. His arrests for drug possession and stints in rehab led the group to cancel tour dates and contributed to their breakup. Weiland pleaded not guilty last month to charges of driving under the influence of drugs stemming from a November car crash.
After Stone Temple Pilots' split, Weiland formed the rock group Velvet Revolver. On April 1, his bandmates — Slash, Duff McKagan, Matt Sorum and Dave Kushner — announced that Weiland was no longer part of the group.
"Among other things, his increasingly erratic on-stage behavior and personal problems have forced us to move on," Slash said in a statement.
Two days later, Stone Temple Pilots announced their reunion.
Via associatedpress
Seventeen U.S. concert dates on Van Halen's tour are being rescheduled so Eddie Van Halen can continue medical tests, the band announced.
A statement posted on the official Van Halen Web site said Eddie Van Halen is "under doctors' care" and undergoing more tests "to define a course of treatment."
No other information about the guitarist's condition was offered.
The tour is to resume April 19, with rescheduled dates to be announced shortly.
The Web site said fans should retain their tickets as they will be honored at the rescheduled concerts or ticket refunds will be issued at the point of purchase.
Via upi.com
Paramore cancelled the remaining dates of their European tour because of “internal issues”, frontwoman Hayley Williams has revealed.
Williams said that the band had been having problems for “quite a while” and weren’t able to “keep it together” in order to finish the tour.
The cancelled shows included three UK dates in Nottingham, Glasgow and Portsmouth due to take place next week.
An open letter signed by the band posted on WIlliams' website, said: “We really feel that taking this time is going to give us a chance to get away and work out our personal issues at home and on our own terms.
“We just aren’t willing to risk the life of our band over one tour,” she continued.
Williams called for the support of the bands fans, explaining that maybe one day the extent of their problems will be revealed.
“You deserve that and we deserve to make this last as long as possible - and to enjoy every second of it,” she said.
Via gigwise.com
Two runners-up from the BBC's Joseph and Maria talent searches are competing for Eurovision glory.
Rob McVeigh and Simona Armstrong are bidding to represent the UK at the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest in Belgrade, Serbia, along with former EastEnder Michelle Gayle and X Factor's Andy Abraham.
McVeigh was a finalist in TV show Any Dream Will Do and earned the nickname "Rob the Builder" thanks to his former job as a construction worker. Armstrong was one of Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber's final 10 in How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?
A total of six acts will take part in the Eurovision - Your Decision programme next month on BBC1 and the winner will become the UK's official entry at the Song Contest in May.
The soloists are Michelle Gayle, who appeared as Hattie Tavernier in EastEnders and went on to enjoy a top 10 chart career in the 90s and Andy Abraham, who lost out to Shayne Ward in the 2005 X Factor final.
Two girl groups will also battle it out.
Pop duo LoveShy consists of Aimee Kearsley and Emma Beard, formerly of Clea, a girl band made up of Popstars: The Rivals rejects. Motown-inspired girl group The Revelations are the only entrants who do not owe their existence to a TV show.
The eventual winners will hope to do better than last year's contenders, Scooch, who finished a disastrous 22nd out of 24 with their song Flying The Flag.
The UK is taking the competition more seriously than Ireland, which has put forward a children's puppet called Dustin the Turkey as a possible entrant.
The BBC's Eurovision host Terry Wogan said: "A turkey is one of the contenders for this year's Irish entry. For the past few years, we've been picking a turkey for the UK. Let's hope that the British public will make the right decision this year and give the UK's entry a fighting chance against the Eastern Bloc in Belgrade in May."
Via ukpress
Ex-Beatles pay tribute to Maharishi
viernes, 8 de febrero de 2008 | Etiquetas: Music, Paul McCartney
Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr paid tribute to the late Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the Indian guru who famously set the Beatles on the path to spiritual enlightenment.
The Maharishi died at his home in the Netherlands on Tuesday. He was thought to be 91.
Sir Paul said: "I was asked for my thoughts on the passing of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and I can only say that whilst I am deeply saddened by his passing, my memories of him will only be joyful ones."
He added: "He was a great man who worked tirelessly for the people of the world and the cause of unity. I will never forget the dedication that he wrote inside a book he once gave me, which read 'radiate, bliss, consciousness', and that to me says it all. I will miss him but will always think of him with a smile."
Starr also released a statement paying his respects. He said: "One of the wise men I met in my life was the Maharishi. I always was impressed by his joy and I truly believe he knows where he is going."
The Maharishi became famous in the 1960s through his relationship with the Beatles.
The group visited his ashram in India in 1968, where they studied his transcendental meditation techniques.
Starr went home after 10 days, complaining that he missed egg and chips. The others stayed, joined by other celebrities including Mick Jagger, Donovan and Mia Farrow.
But the rock stars fell out with the Maharishi over rumours that he had made inappropriate sexual advances towards Farrow.
The Maharishi went on to build a multimillion-pound global empire and moved his headquarters to a former Franciscan monastery in the Dutch town of Vlodrop.
Via ukpress
The headliners for this years Glastonbury Festival have been announced and will see two artists headlining who just can’t seem to quit the music world.
Both The Verve and Jay-Z will be taking one of the headline slots of the festival. The rapper formally announced his retirement from the music business a few years ago, but apparently the lure to work with Linkin Park proved too strong. The Verve likewise split late in the 20th century only to reform in 2007.
Taking the third slot announced thus far will be Kings of Leon, the grandsons of a pentecostal preacher, during their youth the boys toured the country with grandpa Leon as he sought to bring light to peoples eyes. Michael Jackson thought of doing a similar tour of nurseries. Say what you will, he does have a very reflective face.
Other acts already confirmed to play include Neil Diamond, Leonard Cohen and British Sea Power.
Would be festival goers can currently register for tickets on the official Glastonbury website, after which they will be able to attempt ticket purchase on April 6.
Via strangeglue.com
Jazz and soul singer Adele appears to be living up to her billing as the hot new talent for 2008 after her album went straight in at number one in the charts.
The 19-year-old singer-songwriter Adele Adkins, who uses only her first name, took the number one spot with her album "19", the Official UK Charts Company said on Sunday.
It was one better than her single "Chasing Pavements" which remained at number two in the charts for the third week.
Scouting for Girls' album of the same name dropped one place to two in the album charts, while Nickelback, one of the most renowned of the modern post-grunge genre bands, moved up from 10 to three with "All the Right Reasons".
The south Wales four-piece metalcore band Bullet for My Valentine was a new entrant at five with "Scream Aim Fire".
There was no change among the top three in the singles charts.
Basshunter's Euro dance track "Now You're Gone" kept Adele at bay as the Swedish DJ Jones Altberg held onto number one spot for the fourth week in a row.
Nickelback's single "Rockstar" remained at three.
American R&B singer Kelly Rowland's "Work" moved up three places from seven to four while Rihanna's "Don't Stop the Music" dropped one to five.
Electropop band Hot Chip was a new entrant at six with "Ready for the Floor", while troubled star Britney Spears slipped one to seven with "Piece of Me".
Via reuters.com
Stone Temple Pilots are gearing up for a reunion this summer when they will reportedly return to the live circuit.
According to Scott Weiland’s Velvet Revolver bandmate Slash, the band will get together this summer for a few shows, but no further details have been revealed.
Scott Weiland earlier this week reportedly told the Miami Herald that a reunion is on the cards in the coming months. Stone Temple Pilots split in 2002.
Meanwhile, Velvet Revolver continue to tour their second album ‘Libertad’ and Slash tells Billboard.com that they may begin recording their third studio album this spring.
Via nme.com
Basshunter's catchy Eurodance tune about finding love on the internet has held on to the top spot in the singles charts for a second week.
Now You're Gone, which was a number one in several European countries in its original Swedish language version, held off the new single from Adele.
The London singer's soulful Chasing Pavements was this week's highest new singles entry, storming in at number two, knocking troubled star Britney Spears into third place.
Via afp
London piano pop group Scouting For Girls have gone to number one in the UK album chart with their eponymous debut.
The trio, whose hits include She's So Lovely and Elvis Ain't Dead, moved up from last week's number four.
They pushed Amy Macdonald's debut This Is the Life down to second place, with Take That a non-mover at number three.
On the singles rundown, newcomer Adele's Chasing Pavements entered at number two, failing to knock Swedish DJ Basshunter off the top spot.
London singer-songwriter Adele, who topped the BBC's influential Sound of 2008 poll earlier this month, released her debut single Hometown Glory in October as a limited edition of just 500 copies, so this marks her chart debut.
Britney Spears dropped a place to number three with Piece of Me, while Lupe Fiasco and Rihanna rounded out the top five.
Via bbc.co.uk
A teenager from Basingstoke has become an overnight pop sensation in the Far East after posting a video of herself singing online.
Rebecca Strachan, 19, from Aster Road, Kempshott, Basingstoke, was catapulted to attention when she uploaded a video of her and a friend singing in Korean on the popular video-sharing website YouTube.
Since it went live in November, the video has received more than 130,000 hits and led to record executives offering the pair the chance to go to the South Korean capital Seoul for a series of gigs.
Rebecca will now fly out next month to receive expert singing and dancing tuition and is set to play her first gig at a festival in May.
The trip will be funded by Korean social networking website Gypsii and record label JYP Entertainment.
She said: "I can't believe the amount of interest we've received in Korea and the whole thing seems like a dream. When I posted the video, I was totally unprepared for all the attention.
"I love Korean music and it's my dream to make it as a pop singer there.
"My family don't know what to make of it and my friends have been really supportive. I can't wait to go out there and, hopefully, with a bit of luck and hard work, I can make it as a star."
Rebecca discovered Asian music in 2003 after searching for the soundtrack to her favourite computer game Final Fantasy.
She began studying Japanese at Queen Mary's College, in Basingstoke, and taught herself Korean. She started mimicking her favourite artists and then posted a video of herself and friend Sharon Schilperoord, 18, who lives in Holland, singing a popular Korean song on YouTube.
The pair met via an online forum and managed to record the song by sending vocals to each other via e-mail.
Within five days of being uploaded, the video received more than 65,000 hits and hundreds of people were leaving comments about how well the western pair had performed tricky pronunciation.
Since then, Rebecca has covered other popular Korean songs, which have also been posted online.
Her mum, Rosemarie, 41, said: "Rebecca dreamed of being a Korean singer, so I suggested posting a video online because I've heard of people getting noticed that way.
"When she said how many hits it had received and that people wanted to fly her out there, I couldn't believe it. I've checked out that everything is legitimate and fully support her."
Kyu Sub Choi, chief executive of Gypsii, said: "Rebecca is a very talented and highly-motivated young lady. Her cover versions of Korean pop songs have attracted tremendous attention on YouTube and Korean websites and, globally, more than a million people have viewed her video.
"She is a raw diamond and we intend to make her a singing sensation in Korea."
Despite also being offered the chance to fly to South Korea, Rebecca's friend Sharon has decided to finish college first.
Rebecca is following in the footsteps of other stars from the UK who made a name for themselves online, including Arctic Monkeys and Lily Allen.
Via thisisbasingstoke.co.uk
