Music news and notes 2/17/07

By Art Shimko
shimko_7@hotmail.com

-- We're back with a packed news update from the last week in the music world...

[Photo credit: KABC-TV]

-- Well, Britney Spears has really gone off the deep end. Who would've thought that in 2007 it would be Britney pulling off some insane shit while her ex-husband was not the one fucking up. A few days ago, at the urge of family and friends following an alleged intoxicating New Year's Eve for Spears, she checked into Eric Clapton's Crossroads rehab facility in Antigua only to check out one day later and head back to L.A. where she was spotted at a tattoo parlor sporting a Sinead O' Conner skinhead-type look. This chick's self-destruction is providing way more entertainment than her music.

-- Well it's quite the coincidence that Chris Cornell announces that he's leaving Audioslave just as Rage Against The Machine is reuniting for the Coachella Festival.... let the rumors begin~! This could give Rage more opportunity to cash-in on their reunion should they decide to extend it and record a new album, because the political climate these days are a lot more volatile then when they were an active band I think. Guitarist Tom Morello insists that the Rage reunion at Coachella will be a one-time thing but of course that can all change in the blink of an eye. Meanwhile, Cornell will be releasing a solo album titled Carry On on 5/1 and even though he cited the usual "irresolvable personality conflicts as well as musical differences" reason for leaving he also said, "I wish the other three members nothing but the best in all of their future endeavors," which is the usual P.C. press-release-type statement but I guess it's better than having a bunch of grown men bitching at each other in public.

-- Speaking of Coachella, the festival is sold out months before it takes place at the end of May and despite rumors floating around, organizers say the festival will stay put in its Indio, CA location.

-- Hank Williams Jr. and wife #4, Mary Jane are divorcing after 16 years of marriage the country singer announced on Friday. "Today is one of the toughest days in my life," the country singer said in a statement sent to The Associated Press by his publicist, Kirt Webster. "All families experience difficulties; I hope everyone will respect our privacy during this time." If you want privacy don't announce this shit to public.

-- Foxy Brown combined with hair salons seems to be a mix similar to that of a Molotov cocktail. Brown spent Thurday night in a jail in Penbroke Pines, FL after throwing hair glue at a salon employee and swatted an officer all of which got her charges of battery and resisting an officer with violence. Brown (real name: Inga Marchand) is already on probation for three years stemming from a salon incident in New York a few years ago where she was involved in a scuffle with salon employees over a payment dispute. Brown was released Friday afternoon following a $1,500 bond posted for her.

-- Ian Atsbury is leaving the "Jim Morrison postion" with the Doors to reunite The Cult, meanwhile Doors members Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger, who perform under the moniker Riders On The Storm will seek out an new vocalist. Just fucking give it up already for Christ's sake.

-- Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore announced a series of concerts to take place this July promoting awareness on climate change and its danger towards the environment and planet. Performers include Melissa Etheridge, the Foo Fighters, Lenny Kravitz, Sheryl Crow, John Mayer, Duran Duran, Korn, the Black Eyed Peas, Akon, Enrique Iglesias, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw with concerts planning to take place in Shanghai, China; Johannesburg, South Africa; Sydney, Australia; London and cities to be announced in Japan, Brazil and the United States and even Antarctica.

-- Former Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio could face up to 14 years in prison if convicted of felony drug possession according to prosecutors earlier this week. Last month Anastasio pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor drug possession charges and DUI involving drugs but now that an indictment handed up includes felony possession of painkiller hydrocodone and misdemeanor charges for possessing heroin, oxycodone and alprazolam, an anti-anxiety drug Anastasio could be up shit creek without a paddle.

-- Tickets for Roger Waters at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia are on sale here.

-- Jazz guitarist Pat Martino plays the Theater of Living Arts in Philadelphia on 3/16.

-- FBI Investigates Boy-Band Architect

-- Milli Vanilli film 'in pipeline'

-- MTV Cuts Staff, Focuses On Web Video Clips

-- Come for Liverpool, Stay for Louisville; 25,000 Beatles Fans 'Come Together' at Abbey Road on the River

-- Spector's Murder Trial To Be Televised

-- Gov't Mule, Randolph Hunker Down For Mountain Jam

-- Music greats share memories of Ertegun in PBS documentary

-- iTunes Cutting Off Music Lovers' Options

-- Yahoo Music might drop copy protection from some songs

-- Time to Face the Music on File Sharing
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Note to webmasters/reporters: When recapping news or referencing commentary from this site please include a link to meanfilipine.blogspot.com as opposed to "Strong Style Shimko", "From The Mean Filipine Blog" or derivatives. Thank you!

Music news and notes 1/24/07

By Art Shimko
shimko_7@hotmail.com

-- News from the last few days in the music world...

-- Artists have been announced for this year's Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival which takes place on 4/27-4/29 at the Empire Polo Field in Indio, CA. The concert festival, this time around expanding to three days, features headling acts Bjork (performing Friday), the Red Hot Chili Peppers (performing Saturday) and a reunited Rage Against the Machine (performing Sunday) who will be together for the first time in seven years. "For the first time in its eighth outing, Coachella expands to three days, giving concertgoers an additional day of music to experience the eclectic mix of acts for which the festival has become known," organizers said in a statement Monday. Tickets are on sale Saturday at 10AM, $85 for a one-day ticket and $249 for all three days.

Other acts announced included: Arctic Monkeys, the Arcade Fire, Interpol, Willie Nelson, the Decemberists, the Roots, the Kings of Leon, Damien Rice, Rufus Wainwright, Lupe Fiasco, Ghostface Killah, Fountains of Wayne and Regina Spektor.

-- Michigan-based producer David "Disco D" Shayman, best known for working with 50 Cent on his multi-platinum album The Massacre, committed suicide yesterday morning at the age of 27. Shayman had been diagnosed as bipolar and also suffered from depression and was said to be going through rough times according to friend DJ Vlad, "I tried to cheer him up. I wish I realized how bad it was. I'm devastated right now." Shayman produced hip-hop mixed with electronic music developing a genre that become known as "ghettotech".

-- Former Social Distortion bassist Brent Liles was killed last Thursday when he was struck by a big rig carrying a trailer as he was riding his bicycle onto a crosswalk at the Orange (57) Freeway in Placentia, CA. At that moment Javier Lopez, the driver of the rig, was turning right on a green light and as he accelerated towards the on-ramp struck Liles, 43, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Lopez was not immediately cited by California Highway Patrol officials as the crash is still being investigated. Liles joined Social Distortion in 1981 and left the band during a New Year's Eve gig in 1983 due to inner band problems, and later on played with Orange County punk group Agent Orange.

-- Bono will be recieving the Chairman’s Award at the 38th NAACP Image Awards on 3/2. "Bono has been an inspiration to many people around the world through his music and humanitarian efforts," said [ NAACP Chairman Julian] Bond. "We are delighted to honor him with this award in recognition of the difference he has made." The 38th NAACP Image Awards air on Fox at 8PM 3/2.

-- From Marilyn Manson's website: Marilyn Manson has nearly completed work on his upcoming album, set to come out this spring. The album is titled EAT ME, DRINK ME. The band will also launch a world tour coinciding with the release.

-- Heather Mills McCartney's lawyers confirmed on Monday that she in fact has not agreed to reported $63 million divorce settlement from husband Paul McCartney. London-based tabloid News of the World reported Sunday that McCartney had agreed to the settlement but according to Mills' lawyers, "with regard to the article in yesterday's [Sunday's] News of the World, we would like to state that there has been no offer made whatsoever at any time to our client and therefore no settlement has been agreed." This is the second time I can recall that a divorce settlement has been reported and then denied by Mills McCartney. What a fucking mess.

-- Dinosaur Jr will be releasing Beyond on 5/1 and is the first album to feature the line-up of J. Mascis, bassist Lou Barlow and drummer Murph since 1989. The album, recorded at recorded at Mascis' home studio in Amherst, MA will be released on the Fat Possum label. Here's the album's track list:
"Almost Ready"
"Crumble
"Pick Me Up"
"Back to Your Heart
"This Is All I Came To Do"
"Been There All the Time
"It's Me"
"We're Not Alone"
"I Got Lost"
"Lightning Bulb"
"What If I Knew..."

-- This is BULLSHIT~!

-- The Nuge says that Texas Gov. Rick Perry had no problem with him wearing a Confederate flag shirt at Perry's inaugural ball last week. It doesn't matter as the Nuge is still a DOUCHE.

-- Mother Dynamite will be having a CD release party at the Grape Street Pub in Manayunk (right outside of Philadelphia), this Saturday, January 27th at 10PM.

-- Heaven And Hell, consisting of Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Vinny Appice, have announced dates for a North American tour this spring:
March 11: Vancouver (Pacific Coliseum)
March 13: Edmonton (Rexall Place)
March 14: Calgary (Saddledome)
March 16: Regina, Saskatchewan (Brandt Centre)
March 18: Winnipeg, Manitoba (MTS Centre)
March 20: Sault St. Marie, Ontario (Steelback Centre)
March 22: Toronto (Air Canada Centre)
March 24: London, Ontario (John Labatt Centre)
March 26: Montreal (Bell Centre)
March 27: Quebec City (Colisee Pepsi Arena)
March 28: Ottawa (Civic Centre)
March 30: New York (Radio City Music Hall)
Tickets are on sale this weekend and more dates will be added. Megadeth and Down support.

-- Krokus Tour Bus Crash in Denmark

-- Kid Rock Prepping Album Full Of 'Bangers'

-- Babyshambles signs with Parlophone label

-- Coca-Cola and Unsigned British Band Settle Copyright Dispute

-- Fla. promoters sue rapper Lil' Wayne

-- Music industry divided over digital future

-- Injury forces Barker off +44 tour
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Note to webmasters/reporters: When recapping news or referencing commentary from this site please include a link to meanfilipine.blogspot.com as opposed to "Strong Style Shimko", "From The Mean Filipine Blog" or derivatives. Thank you!

Coachella 2007 poster

From the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival Myspace page: