Sunday, December 30, 2007

2007 A**HOLES OF THE YEAR: The RIAA



The Recording Industry Of America has reached a new plateau in it's desperate attempt to increase profits.

For the past few years the RIAA has initiated over 20,000 lawsuits against many consumers it claims downloaded music illegally. Damages in the thousands are thrust upon unsuspecting music lovers who may have just a few songs on their computers that they can't account for. Earlier this year, a Minnesota woman was ordered to pay $220,000.00 for 24 songs she was sharing online.

Now The RIAA has decided that even if you simply copy music CDs that you already own onto your computer, you are breaking the law! In a federal case against Jeffrey Howell, of Scottsdale, Ariz., the Industry maintains that the 2,000 or so songs on Howell's computer constitute copyright infringement. Never mind that Howell paid for all the songs and wasn't sharing them with anyone.

According to the RIAA web site: "If you make unauthorized copies of copyrighted music recordings, you're stealing. You're breaking the law and you could be held legally liable for thousands of dollars in damages." The RIAA apparently sees illegal downloading and file sharing online and making a "personal use" copy of music you already paid for, as equally egregious acts.

The Industry is too short sighted to realize that, by limiting copying of music for personal use, their product loses much of it's value. How many people would buy CDs if they couldn't transfer them to listen on their iPods, on their computers or keep a copy in their cars? Lessening the value by restricting use can only weaken demand, negatively effect sales and bottom line profit.

According to Ray Beckerman, a New York lawyer who represents six clients who have been sued by the RIAA, "The basic principle in the law is that you have to distribute actual physical copies to be guilty of violating copyright."

The Industry promises to continue shooting itself in the foot. They "will continue to bring lawsuits" against those who "ignore years of warnings," RIAA spokesman Jonathan Lamy said in a statement.

Unfortunately, The RIAA's rabid enforcement tactics are a negative publicity nightmare. And their latest legal crusade may backfire. A series of court rulings over the last few decades that found no violation of copyright law in the use of VCRs and other devices to make personal copies for the purpose of making portable a legally obtained recording.

Friday, December 28, 2007

The Boss Is Number Two!



According to Rolling Stone, Bruce Springsteen's "Magic" is the second best album of 2007. RS credits The Boss for being "at his toughest and most focused, going for the grimly detailed style of 'Darkness on the Edge of Town' and 'Nebraska'".

Great to see Bruce at the top of his game again, with The E Street Band in tow as they continue their current tour.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Material Girl To Be Inducted Into Hall of Fame



In 1996, Madonna was invited to present David Bowie with his Hall Of Fame credentials and now she gets her own.

Madonna's debut single, "Everybody," was released twenty-five years ago in 1982. She will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame next year, along with John Mellencamp, Leonard Cohen, The Ventures and The Dave Clark Five.The induction ceremony will take place on March 10th, 2008 at New York's Waldorf Astoria.

Among the artists who were nominated this year but did not get in are the Beastie Boys (who were eligible for the first time) and Donna Summer.

Past Inductees:

2007
Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Patti Smith, R.E.M., The Ronettes, Van Halen

2006
Black Sabbath, Blondie, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Miles Davis, Sex Pistols

2005
Buddy Guy, Percy Sledge, The O'Jays, The Pretenders, U2

2004
Bob Seger, George Harrison, Jackson Browne, Prince, The Dells, Traffic, ZZ Top

2003
AC/DC, Elvis Costello & the Attractions, Righteous Brothers, The Clash, The Police

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

Song Downloads For Pennies?



http://www.mp3sparks.com/

Mp3Sparks is a Russian based site that offers song downloads in several formats for much less than other sites. Apparently, when AllofMP3 was shut down due to pressure from US music industry groups last summer, its' parent company Media Services, quickly replaced it with Mp3Sparks.

The RIAA is not happy about this but attempting to enforce its' rules on a Russian enterprise is an uphill battle. Mp3Sparks insists that what they are doing is legal according to Russian law.

The beneficiaries of this site are able to download music at a fraction of the price of other services like iTunes, Amazon, etc.

Question: Would you give your credit card number to an online Russian company that has already had one download site shut down, in order to save substantially on music purchases?

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

The Killers Sawdust Rewards Listeners


The Killers- "Sawdust"

The Killers third release, a collection of previously unreleased songs and B sides, increases the bands' potential for staying power on the cultural landscape. A feat difficult for many bands that, like The Killers, have been blessed with such early, instant success. Too often they fade quickly into obscurity, becoming forgotten one hit wonders. This album may not be full of brand new material but what is there measures up to the best of their previous work.

However, with this release it could be argued that, until proven otherwise, The Killers best work remains in the past. Their sophomore effort being a disappointment. But it also proves that they are capable of producing more than just one or two catchy songs and then disappearing.

There may be no anthemic, massive crossover hits such as "Somebody Told Me" or "Mr. Brightside" on this album. Something that The Killers attempted on their 2nd release and failed miserably in trying. Bombastic attempts at Springsteenish epics have wisely been jettisoned here. And that's ok. The lowering of the expectation to produce a huge hit just may be the right climate for The Killers to give us their creative best.

Songs "All the Pretty Faces" and "Under The Gun" are signature Killers with with foreboding themes, driving beats, dark bass line undercurrents and synth sounds. "Sweet Talk" would be at home on a U2 album with its "Mysterious Ways" percussion, message of spiritual redemption and lead singer Brandon Flowers channeling Bono's falsetto.

The Killer's take on Joy Division's "Shadowplay" is a worthy tribute to New Wave heroes Joy Division. And covering the Kenny Rogers' classic, "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town" shows a willingness to take a shot at their own self importance- something many people doubted The Killers had the ability to do.

The Sawdust collection is impressive and leaves us looking forward to the next Killers creation.

Thumbs Up!

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Free Live Music!



Free Live Music is now available from NPR on iTunes!

Entire concerts can be downloaded for free on iTunes from "NPR: Live Concerts From All Songs Considered".

Featured artists include Arctic Monkeys, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, OK Go, Neko Case, Belle & Sebastian, Arcade Fire, The Frames, Bjork, Peter Bjorn and John, Death Cab For Cutie, Nick Lowe, Iron And Wine, Spoon, Travis, Broken Social Scene and more, more, more!

Download them before they change their minds, it doesn't get better than FREE!!!

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Why The 80s Were Better



A recent debate on the merits of New Wave music brought up some comparisons to the current music scene. 80s inspired Rock seemed to be painted from a palette with more colors available than today's over-hyped, "cutting edge" acts can display.

From New Romanticism to Rockabilly to Ska to Punk, many diverse sounds and influences were represented, accompanied by a spectrum of subject matter and feelings. The spooky strangeness of Talking Heads, the politically charged, raw spirit of The Clash, even the tongue-in-cheek, debonair posings of Spandau Ballet all helped create a diversity that made radio fun to listen to.

By comparison, it seems that popular alternative music now is more one dimensional, mostly emo or thrash, Blink 182 clones or Nirvana wannabes. It's less about rebellion and more about being a whiny victim. Things are oh so serious now. The fun irreverence of bands like B-52s, Go-Go's and Sparks is completely missing. Along with irony and a sense of humor.

The emotional range in New Wave music is what sets it apart and continues to make it appealing. Sure, anger and lust were there as they always are. As were many other subtle and not so subtle tones of displacement, irreverence, kitsch, alienation, loneliness, love, heartbreak, romance, elegance, futurism and downright wackyness.

If MTV darlings My Chemical Romance is the best this generation has to offer, something has gone horribly wrong.

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Where To Find FREE, Legal, Downloadable Music



The RIAA is tightening it's grip on those downloading songs illegally. But there are still many online sites offering free downloads that you won't be sued over. Here are a few:

from http://www.digitalalchemy.tv

Digital Alchemy's "Complete Guide to Free Online Music"

1. We7: Free downloads with a 10 second advertisement inserted at the beginning of every track. Restrictions: None.

2. Ruckus: Free unlimited music downloads. 2.5 million tracks in library. Restrictions: DRM, college students only.

3. Slacker: Play music on-demand along with music recommendations. Restrictions: US only.

4. Pandora: Streaming music recommendation service. Restrictions:US only, not on-demand.

5. Last.fm: Streaming music recommendation service. Restrictions: Not on-demand.

6. eMusic: Limited to 25 MP3 downloads during free trial period. 2 million song library. Restrictions: Limited downloads.

7. Qtrax: Unlimited downloads and song plays with contextual ads. P2P-based client forthcoming. Restrictions: DRM(?)

8. Playble: A free music download service from The Pirate Bay. Forthcoming. Restrictions: None.

9. Broadclip: Like TiVo for Internet radio stations. Schedule recordings of your favorite music and download them later as MP3s. Free software download required. Restrictions: None.

10. iLike: Discover new music through your friends. Share your music library. Download free MP3s of new artists. Restrictions: None.

11. MyStrands: Downloadable application to tag, share, manage, and discover new music. Restrictions: None.

12. iJigg: Digg for music. Rate, stream, and download free music. Restrictions: None.

13. SoundPedia: Listen to free streaming music. Create and share playlists. Restrictions: None

14. Haystack: Social network for sharing and discovering new music. Restrictions: None

15. Deezer: Free streaming online music. On-demand. Formerly called BlogMusik. Restrictions: None

16. Seeqpod: MP3 search engine that lets you play music that you find in your browser. Restrictions: None

17. Jango: Free site that lets you play streaming music on-demand along with related artists. Sticks to more popular music selections than Pandora. Restrictions: None

18. Jamendo: Features free downloadable music from independent artists released under the Creative Commons. Feel free to tip the artists if you like their music. Restrictions: None

19. The Hype Machine: Listen to music gathered from blogs around the world. Restrictions: None.

20. Apple's iTunes Music Store offers a new free download each week. Past offerings have included music by Bruce Springsteen, up and comers The Cinematics and Amy Winehouse.

Monday, October 22, 2007

The Black Rider



A few years ago, Tom Waits came out with "The Black Rider", a spooky, dark album with a greasy black soul. Waits' music is an acquired taste to be sure. And if you thought Waits was strange before, hearing The Black Rider leaves no doubt.

The macabre themes in the album are made more eery with the use of strange instruments including bassoons and saws, along with Waits' low, seething voice- conjuring up images of devil's workshops, dark attics and deserted forests.

This record remains a favorite of mine around this time of year. Sure to quickly put you in the spirit and have you looking over your shoulder at imagined shadows and sudden movements.

Check out "Crossroads" from the album...

Crossroads

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Sting Gets Stung



Blender Magazine recenty published it's Top 40 Worst Lyricists. While I don't agree with all the choices, they are intriguing. And Sting, responding to placing #1 on the list, responds by demonstrating that he is not too pompous or overblown to laugh at himself.

Blender's Top 10 Worst Lyricists

10 • Jim Morrison
Why would a guy who looked this good shirtless want to be smart, anyway?

09 • Donovan
LSD may be a lot fun—But not if we have to listen to entire albums made on it.

08 • Diane Warren
Love stinks.

The famously reclusive songwriter has never been married and doesn’t like dating. This estrangement from actual relationships may help explain her astonishing longevity as the world’s most successful author of creepily idealized cheesy love songs—from Michael Bolton’s “How Can We Be Lovers” to Brandy’s “Have You Ever?” and LeAnn Rimes’s “Can’t Fight the Moonlight.” She has enjoyed more than 100 Billboard chart hits. Unless you’re a big Cher fan, you haven’t enjoyed any of them.

07 • Paul Stanley (KISS)
This is what’s wrong with being sexy.

06 • Tom Marshall
The poet laureate of jam-band America—and a big fan of unicorns.

05 • Dan Fogelberg
John Denver, you’ve met your match.

04 • Noel Gallagher (Oasis)
Too busy being better than the Beatles to edit for clarity.

03 • Scott Stapp (Creed)
Just good friends with the Lord.

02 • Neil Peart (Rush)
An ace on the rototoms, a train wreck on the typewriter.

01 • STING

Mountainous pomposity, cloying spirituality, ham-handed metaphors: He can do it all.

According to Foxnews, Sting gets the last laugh. He sent this column a message by e-mail to relay to Blender.

"I am deeply honoured and proud to receive this tremendous accolade for my past efforts, especially when one considers all of the competition out there. Well, I guess somebody has to be top of the heap, so it may as well be me. I can only try and live up to this extravagant and unexpected honour in my future work. So once again, thank you, thank you and thank you."

Monday, October 08, 2007

$222,000.00 for 24 Songs!



On Oct. 4, 2007, a federal court jury ordered a Minnesota woman to pay $222,000.00 for copyright infringement stemming from sharing music files over the internet.

Jammie Thomas was been sued by six record companies including Capitol, Sony and Warner Brothers, who were awarded cumulative damages of $9,250.00 for each of the 24 songs the defendant illegally shared.

Thomas testified during the trial that she had never had an account with online file sharing service Kazaa, and had not shared the songs in question.

The RIAA hopes that this and 20,000 other pending cases serve as a deterrent to would-be file-sharers. However, the music industry may create such hostility and bad press with its campaign that it outweighs any short-term benefits.

It is not clear how many people may have downloaded copies of these songs from Thomas. The total cost of these songs, were they downloaded legally, is about 24 dollars.

Thursday, October 04, 2007

New Releases- The Sadies, The Last Goodnight



"New Seasons" is the latest album from The Sadies. These melodic and haunting, introspective songs draw the listener in to a world of sadness and beauty. Drawing comparisons to John Doe, Gin Blossoms, The Smithereens and The Outlaws, The Sadies switch gears from straight ahead Country to Southern Fried Rock to Dears' inspired Next Wave.

Check out "My Heart of Wood"




Also recommended:

"Pictures of You" by The Last Goodnight




This is the current Free Single Of The Week on iTunes. Oh and did I mention that it's FREE?

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Amazon Cuts Into Apple's Pie



Amazon now offers mp3 downloads that are compatible with PC or Mac and are unprotected files that can be shared with your choice of player or application- including iTunes and the iPod!

The copyright free downloads are 99 cents or less and are automatically downloaded to the application of your choice (iTunes, etc.). Apple charges $1.29 for copyright free song files and doesn't even offer DRM free songs in many cases.

Being a Mac user, I've been waiting for this day to come. First attempt to download went off without a hitch.

Even though Apple has something like 6 million songs, there's still a lot they don't have. Thanks, Amazon!

Download the Amazon MP3 Downloader software and your first download is free.

Go To: Amazon MP3 Store

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

The Boss Is Back!



Check out the new Bruce Springsteen single, "Radio Nowhere". It's the best thing The Boss has done with the E Street band since the early 80s. "Radio Nowhere" has an immediacy and energy that has been missing from recent Springsteen releases.

"Radio Nowhere":


Speaking of the 80s, retro-rockers Ride The Sky have a new album out. For these Swedish rockers, time stopped when the Berlin Wall came down. Their frenetic guitar licks and rising crescendo's are right out of the 80's Metal playbook.

Exhibit A: "A Smile From Heaven's Eye" sounds like a missing track from the "Top Gun" soundtrack. Not that that's a bad thing.

"A Smile from Heavens Eye":



Los Angeles DJ

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Sour Grapes For Kanye

World class ingrate, rapper Kanye West, had another hissy fit at Sunday's MTV Awards. After being denied awards in all five categories in which he was nominated, West melted down backstage.

"That's two years in a row, man ... give a black man a chance," said West, stomping around his entourage and directing his comments at a reporter. The apparent snipe at Justin Timberlake, who took home several awards, is not an isolated incident.

Last year, West crashed the stage at the MTV Europe Awards after not winning for best video.

In 2004, he walked out of the American Music Awards, claiming he was "robbed" in the Best New Artist category

And in response to the Hurricane Katrina disaster, West once openly proclaimed, "George Bush hates black people!"

Kanye now claims he will never return to MTV. How will they ever get along without him?

BTW Has anybody ever seen Kanye and his look alike, NBA star Baron Davis, in the same room at the same time?


Kanye West


Baron Davis



On a related note, Kid Rock and Tommy Lee, both former husbands of Pamela Anderson, exchanged fisticuffs during the show. Tommy was escorted out and Kid Rock was cited for misdemeanor battery.

And then there's this. A Britney fan defends the former teen idol turned rehab queen from the criticism her performance at The VMA's brought. Surely Britney is comforted knowing this guy(?) is on her side.


Deal With Me - Watch more free videos

Monday, August 27, 2007

Rock Of Love

From the "What Could Go Wrong Here?" Department:

VH1's "Rock Of Love" reality show.



Aging 80's Hair Metal superstar, Bret Michaels, decides to try and find true love by pitting a group of substance abusing, gold digging skanks and strippers against each other, while they live a camera laden house- ensuring levels of dysfunction Dr. Phil has yet to imagine.

The girls transparent attempts to win Michael's favor include demonstrating brazen cattiness towards each other, blatant narcissism, excessive drinking, emotional breakdowns and win-at-all-costs manipulation.

Bret's mission is to find the least rotten apple in a bushel of bad ones. Unfortunately, not one of these girls is a 10 or even a 9. And mental stimulation isn't exactly their forte. Good luck, Bret.

Suddenly Match.com doesn't seem like such a bad idea.

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Michael Feinstein Headlines the 2007 Music Has Power Award Benefit

http://www.newswiretoday.com/news/22619/



The power of music to help healing joins with the power of musicians in funding that healing on September 10th when Michael Feinstein – New York’s consummate cabaret star and an iconic interpreter of American popular music – headlines the seventh annual Music Has Power™ awards benefit at his Park Avenue nightclub, Feinstein’s at Loews Regency – The Nightclub of New York.

The Music Has Power™ benefit and awards ceremony is presented by the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function (IMNF), a member of the Beth Abraham Family of Health Services. The IMNF’s groundbreaking and internationally recognized programs use music therapy to assist in the “awakening and healing” of individuals with a wide-range of conditions including strokes, trauma, dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s diseases. The IMNF plans to expand its work in music therapy for childhood developmental conditions including autism.

“I’ve always believed that music has a unique way of tapping into our emotions and memories in a very profound way,” says Feinstein, “I am honored to be involved in supporting the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function in their mission to raise awareness about the power of music.”

The Music Has Power Awards was established seven years ago to celebrate and recognize the significant accomplishments of the men and women who have supported and brought new understanding to the use of the power of music to awaken and heal. Through this celebration, funds raised will support music therapy programs, along with clinical and scientific research. Previous recipients of the Music Has Power Awards include Dr. Oliver Sacks, Mickey Hart, Remo Belli, moby, and Henry Z. Steinway.

Los Angeles DJ

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

DIVA!

At a point in her career when she should be little more than a nostalgic memory, Dame Shirley Bassey remains on the cutting edge. Long before there was a Shania, Whitney, Mariah or Christina, Shirley Bassey was belting out powerhouse anthems with an unabashed conviction that has become her trademark.

From her James Bond theme songs to sweet ballads to contemporary hits, this woman's ability to interpret and cover songs are unmatched. And, at the age of 70, she still has the pipes to stun listeners with her delivery and ability to sustain notes that many younger singers strive just to hit.

Contemporary DJs are in love with her as witnessed by their devoted remixes of many of her catalogue's past glories.

Check out her new cover of Pink's "Get The Party Started" below. While Pink made a huge hit out of it, Bassey now OWNS it!

Tuesday, July 31, 2007

TOMorrow



A TV legend passed away this week. SNL's Dan Akroyd may have goofed on him for being out of touch but Tom Snyder was way ahead of his time in booking cutting edge musical acts. Check out this DVD offered by The NBC Universal Store:



The Tomorrow Show with Tom Snyder began in October 1973 in the late-night time slot following Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show and continued in one form or another until January 1982. As the punk and new wave music of the late 1970s emerged, The Tomorrow Show welcomed many of its key figures for interviews as well as live performances.

Snyder, admittedly blissfully ignorant of the music, was, at times, so obviously out of his element that the inspiration for Dan Aykroyd’s classic Saturday Night Live Snyder impersonation could not be more clear. But whether Snyder got it or not, The Tomorrow Show featured seminal performances by some of the genres’ early legends.



8 Episodes of The Tomorrow Show with Tom Snyder Featuring Interviews and Live Performances by:
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Iggy Pop
The Plasmatics
The Jam
The Ramones

And Interviews With:
Joan Jett
Paul Weller
Kim Fowley
Patti Smith
John Lydon

Running Time +/- 5 Hours

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

New Releases from New Wave Heroes





iTunes Originals - Elvis Costello- Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Don't know enough about early Elvis to know if it's a remake but "Riot Act" sounds like it came right out of 1978- and that's a good thing!

Red Hot & Live!- Brian Setzer & The Nashvillains
Features live Rockabilly takes on oldies like "Red Hot" and Stray Cats songs.

"#9 Dream"- R.E.M.
A respectable remake of the Lennon tune.

Sunday Girl - EP- Erasure
Don't these guys ever slow down?

Time On Earth- A pretty tame album even by Crowded House standards features "Don't Stop Now".

Greatest Hits- Social Distortion
For those that already have the catalogue, the new single "Far Behind" is the highlight here.

Dylanesque- Bryan Ferry
Surprisingly refreshing takes on Dylan songs including a rock solid "All Along the Watchtower".





DJ Craig

Monday, July 09, 2007

Hootenanny!



Highlights from The 11th annual Hootenanny at Oak Canyon Ranch in Irvine, CA on July 7.



Big Sandy

Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys' swing-a-billy charmed the crowd with upbeat ditties like "Feelin' Kinda Lucky" and "The Greatest Story Ever Told".



Deke Dickerson

Mad Marge and company played on the smaller stage and had a nice mosh pit going. Deke Dickerson would later take this stage, covering Buck Owens and ending his set with favorite, "Muleskinner Blues".



The Blasters

80's rockabilly pioneers, The Blasters, played an energetic set including classics like "American Music", and "Long White Cadillac". Phil Alvin, as ever, seemed about to pop a vein as his contorted face displayed a trademark mix of agony and ecstasy. Phil would later join his brother Blaster, Dave, during his set for a rocking "Marie Marie".



John Doe Band

John Doe kicked off with "The Golden State", a sentimental ode to love and imperfection from his new album. Doe and his band sounded and looked vibrant. His red haired, female backup singer bearing more than a bit of a resemblance to longtime band mate, Exene, in both looks and voice.

Doe then launched into "The New World", a song by his old band, X. Though originally written during the Reagan era, the similarities to the current state of affairs were not lost on Doe. "Don't forget to vote next time", Doe chided his audience before starting. Halfway through, the song unexpectedly morphed into The Beatles' "Revolution". Nice touch.


John Doe


Nekromantix thrashed their way through a psychobilly caucophony of noisy dissonance. Then Squirrel Nut Zippers played their quirky brand of Dixie inspired swing, including "Prince Nez" and "Hell".



Hootenanny Fan

Headliners and crowd faves, "Social Distortion" capped off the show. Their set included a cover of Chuck Berry's "Maybeline" and "Far Behind" from their Greatest Hits release. Social D sounded as good as ever, Mike Ness admitting between songs that it's a good thing music became their vocation as he and his band mates "didn't make very good criminals."

Monday, June 25, 2007

Glory Days?

I happened across Bruce Springsteen's "Glory Days" (1984) video the other day. Haven't seen it in years- funny to look back.

A real undercurrent of laughably unintended (?) homoeroticism going on here. Check out Bruce with his impossibly tight, open collared shirt and Nils Lofgren's French military inspired uniform. Little Steven, adorned in flamboyant gypsy attire, looks like he's on the edge of ecstasy when he and Bruce share the mic. And a way too happy Clarence Clemmons appears to be channeling Grace Jones. Patti Scialfa does her best not to look bored during the whole thing.

The boys from "Queer Eye" couldn't have choreographed it any better.






My vote for Worst Song Of The 80s is still:

"Party All The Time"- Eddie Murphy and Rick James

Basically Rick James ripping off himself by taking "Superfreak" and letting wanna-be singer Eddie Murphy spout lame lyrics over it.

Lyrics that could have been written by a fifth grader during recess.

And the people that would go to clubs during the heyday of great New Wave and request this stupid song used to make me crazy.




Speaking of The 80s, many Duran Duran fans are upset that their New Wave Heroes are collaborating with mega-teen idol, Justin Timberlake for their new album.

Apparently The Spice Girls were unavailable. However, there is speculation that The Girls will officially announce their reunion on June 28. Hope springs eternal.

DJ Craig

Monday, June 18, 2007

The Cinematics



June 11, 2007

Alternative rockers The Cinematics played at the historic Montmarte Lounge in Los Angeles Monday night. The appreciative crowd, many of whom got free passes to the show compliments of radio station Indie 103.1, were also treated to opening band, The Shys. The Shys paid tribute to Van Morrison by closing their set with a rendition of the classic rocker, "Gloria".

The Cinematics then took the stage and played an energetic set, including "Break" and Alt Rock fave, "A Strange Education". The Scottish quartet was probably itching to finally break out their instruments after their three day road trip from Washington, D.C. and it showed. The band was tight and lead singer Scott Rinning's impassioned howling captivated the SRO crowd.

The Cinematic sound is very reminiscent of Joy Division and The Chameleons. A a wailing wall of guitar that is both appealing and angst ridden, carries the songs against an insistent, determined back beat. You can check their website at:

The Cinematics

----------------------------------------------------------------

Los Angeles DJ

Friday, June 08, 2007

Poison Returns



Poisons new album, "Poison'd!" is out and it's not as bad as I had feared.

Decent versions of Suffragette City, I Need to Know, Just What I Needed and Your Mama Don't Dance. Some of the other songs, such as What I Like About You, didn't fare so well.




"Jarhand" by Immaculate Machine Is this week's Free iTunes Single.

According to iTunes, Canada's Immaculate Machine has opened shows for Arcade Fire and The Constantines.

"'Jarhand' draws a little on the harmonies of root-punk heroes X... also features backing vocals from Franz Ferdinand's Alex Kapranos and English trio The Cribs."

I think it's kinda catchy and did I mention it is FREE?

Get it here:

http://djcraig.net/music.html




Here's a great bit bit of New Wave history- U2's first live appearance on American television from 1981:

Monday, May 21, 2007

Bush Sings U2, Don't Lose That Number!




Plumbers battle for hit song phone number

Associated Press May. 19, 2007 03:06 PM

LINCOLN, R.I. - One-hit wonder Tommy Tutone made the phone number 867-5309 famous in the band's 1982 hit single, which uses the digits over and over in its catchy refrain.

Now, a Rhode Island company and a national firm are battling over the right to use the number, which doesn't reach the "Jenny" that Tutone sings about, but could find callers a decent plumber.

Two years ago, Gem Plumbing & Heating of Lincoln, R.I., trademarked the phone number in the early 1980s hit, which reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Gem acquired the number in Rhode Island when its original owner, Brown University, gave up 867-5309 after growing weary of the constant prank calls.

http://www.azcentral.com/offbeat/articles/0519number-ON.html

Wednesday, May 09, 2007

I Love Paris In The Summer!



Socialite, world class flirt and wanna be Rock Star, Paris Hilton, has been sentenced to jail for 45 days for violating the terms of her probation. Many "Parisites" (Paris Hilton fans and groupies) are aghast that their darling may have to actually do hard time. They have even created a petition to be presented to "The Governator" of California, demanding that their darling Paris be pardoned.

Not to be outdone, comedian and talk show host, Jimmy Kimmel is promoting a competing petition on his website- An Urgent Appeal to Governor Schwarzenegger: We implore you to officially proclaim Tuesday, June 5,

"PARIS HILTON IS GOING TO JAIL DAY."

Go here to add your name:

PARIS HILTON IS GOING TO JAIL DAY

DJ Craig

Sunday, May 06, 2007

Why Do We Need 80's Cover Songs?



1. You can't live in the past ALL the time. As great as those songs were, if I have to hear the original version of some of them again, I'm going to puke.

2. Tribute value- when someone takes the time to resurrect the spirit of a twenty or thirty year old song, it means that the song still has value and is still culturally relevant- at least to someone other than an old, New Wave addict like me.

3. A great cover is an opportunity for a new generation to enjoy the song and increases the chance that they may discover the original.

4. Done well, it is a chance for a great song to be exposed to a larger audience and get the recognition it deserves. Many Punk and New Wave songs didn't get the advantage of mainstream airplay and people missed out on them.

5. Once in a great while a cover song actually surpasses the original.

Take Green Day & U2's cover of "The Saints Are Coming" at The Superbowl, for instance. I know a bit about music but probably would have never known about that song had they not dusted it off, performed it with such energy and put it in such a bright spotlight. That was a transcendent experience that lifted the song, the performers, the listeners.. and probably the band that originally wrote and performed it.

Click here for a list of great 80's cover songs: DJ Craig's Best 80's Covers

-Los Angeles DJ

Monday, April 30, 2007

Ziggy Designated as Ambassador to the Aliens!



The man who once sang about being a space invader has been touted to lead a series of concerts as part of an attempt to contact extraterrestrial life forms.

Bowie, along with Paul McCartney, Michael Jackson, Sir Elton John and The Rolling Stones are to headline a series of concerts aimed at establishing peaceful contact with aliens by beaming music into outer space, claims author Michael C. Luckman.

These music festivals are to be callled, 'Signals to Space Concerts' and are planned for Berlin, Tokyo, New York, China, Russia, Mexico and London, in hopes extraterrestrials will respond to the shows. Luckman is the author of 'Alien Rock: The Rock 'n' Roll Extraterrestrial Connection'.

No word on whether Sanjaya from American Idol will be sent to Pluto as part of an alien exchange program.

Friday, April 27, 2007

Cobras Ready To Strike!

Wow, where have these guys been hiding?

The Detroit Cobras' new album, "Tied And True", could be the sounrtrack of a rowdy roadhouse on a Saturday night. With nods to Pretenders, Patti Smith, Joan Jett and Patsy Cline, The Cobras add their own rockabilly twist and come up with an original sound that is new yet very familiar.

Check out "What's Goin' On", "As Long As I Have You", "You'll Never Change".



http://www.detroitcobras.org/

Monday, April 16, 2007

Lost Swing Classics

Lost Classics From The Kings Of Swing





Nothing says "formal yet fun" better than the black tie sound of Swing Dance Music. For some, this music is a newly discovered treat. For others, a surprising reminder of joyful memories from long ago.

Many Swing songs no longer get the exposure they once did. Classic Swing Dance Music by such artists as Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra and Louis Prima still receive airplay. But many other great tunes seem to have gotten lost along the way. This makes hearing them again an unexpected treasure.

Here are my Top Ten Lost Classics:

We Have All The Time In The World- Louis Armstrong
Chet Baker- Let's Get Lost
Tony Bennett- What A Wonderful World (with k.d. Lang)
Nat King Cole- Too Marvelous For Words
Bobby Darin- That Funny Feeling
Bobby Darin- Fly Me To The Moon
Ella Fitzgerald- Something's Gotta Give
Louis Prima- Hey Boy Hey Girl
Frank Sinatra- At Long Last Love
Dinah Washington- Mad About The Boy


Los Angeles DJ

Saturday, April 07, 2007

Who Are The Young Immortals?

Amongst some tough competition, they are the winners of this week's Song Of The Week!

Here are the contenders:

Meat Market- Everybody Else
Say Goodbye- Everybody Else
Helicopter- Flickersticks
Voyeur- Kelli Ali
The Tune- Wax Tailor
Charmer - Kings of Leon
The Bucket- Kings of Leon
White Headphones- The Mother Hips
Same Blood- The Academy Is...
I Gotta Run- Everybody Else
Girl, You Shout!- Dressy Bessy
Golden Skans- Klaxons
It's Not Over Yet- Klaxons
Small Parts- The Oohlas
Love Punch- The Chalets
Come On Let's Go- Broadcast
A New Name- !!! (Chk Chk Chk)

Song Of The Week:

"The Fever" by The Young Immortals

Listen here:

Monday, April 02, 2007

Tired Of MTV? Tune Into The Tube!

tube


The Tube Music Network is all that music television should be. No reality shows, game shows or awards programs and precious few commercials (just six minutes per hour). It is only music, all music and very much Rock oriented.

Live and conceptual clips from Led Zeppelin, Tina Turner, Eric Clapton, Bob Marley, the Rolling Stones, U2, Prince, Rod Stewart and the Eagles are mixed with videos from today's best-selling acts like Norah Jones, James Blunt, Dave Matthews, Sheryl Crow, Jack Johnson and Coldplay.

The mastermind behind it is Les Garland, one of the creators of MTV and VH-1. The Tube could be the forerunner of a major revolution happening in television. The channel is taking advantage of TV's transition from analog to digital format.

As this transition happens, every TV broadcaster will be able to transmit more than one channel. In other words, each broadcasting station will be able to transmit new channels. And Garland's is the first of a growing crop of such new channels that could do to traditional TV what FM did to AM radio.

The Tube, reaching 7 million people as of Jan. 31, 2007, will enter major U.S. markets. In May it could potentially be reaching 20 million people, says Garland.

The Tube is currently available in many metropolitan areas including in LA, New York and Chicago. My local provider (Cox) added the channel without much fanfare. To find out if it is offered in your area go to: http://www.thetubetv.com/

It's easy to watch THE TUBE Music Network in one of THREE ways. Here's how:
FREE Over-The-Air Broadcast that is received from your antenna, plus one of the following:
A digital TV set with a built-in ATSC tuner (sometimes referred to as a digital or HD tuner)
OR
An ATSC tuner hooked up to your TV
Your Cable Company - contact your local cable TV provider for its digital availability and specific channel number.
Your Satellite TV provider - Here's what you'll need:
An HD Satellite Box (which already has an ATSC digital tuner in it),
PLUS
An over-the-air antenna hooked up to your HD Satellite Box

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

New Music That Rocks!

cd player

Dashboard- Modest Mouse
When Tom Cruise Cries- The Rakes
Stop Wastin My Time- The Draft
Little Star- Jesse Malin
The World Was a Mess But His Hair Was Perfect- The Rakes
What In the World- Sex Ant Toys
Clear Adhesive- Auto Interiors

Song Of The Week:

"Hideaway" by Uncut

Listen here:

Monday, March 12, 2007

SOTW

Latest Songs Of The Week!

Juvenile- Black Lips
Sanctify- Calla
Save Yourself- The Colour
Kill the Lights- The Colour
On Your Way Now- Silent Envy
Fill Her In- Tulsa
Follow You Home- Acute
Pieces of the Sun- Test Your Reflex (This week's free download on iTunes)
The Funeral- Band of Horses
North American Scum - LCD Soundsystem
All Good Things- Pacha Massive

Song Of The Week:

"No Cars Go" by Arcade Fire

Listen here:

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

The Top 200 Albums. Ever.

March 7, 2007- The National Association of Recording Merchandisers (NARM) in Marlton, N.J., and the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in Cleveland, released a list of what they term the definitive 200 albums of all time.

Check out where your favorites rank.

wedding dj disc jockey services

The Definitive 200

1. Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – 1967
2. Pink Floyd – Dark Side Of The Moon – 1973
3. Michael Jackson – Thriller – 1982
4. Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin IV – 1971
5. U2 – Joshua Tree –1987
6. Rolling Stones – Exile On Main Street – 1972
7. Carole King – Tapestry – 1971
8. Bob Dylan – Highway ‘61 Revisited – 1965
9. Beach Boys – Pet Sounds – 1966
10. Nirvana – Nevermind – 1991
11. Pearl Jam – Ten – 1991
12. Beatles – Abbey Road – 1969
13. Santana – Supernatural – 1999
14. Metallica – Metallica – 1991
15. Bruce Springsteen – Born To Run – 1975
16. Prince – Purple Rain – 1984
17. Ac/Dc – Back In Black – 1980
18. Rolling Stones – Let It Bleed – 1969
19. Doors – Doors – 1967
20. Grateful Dead – American Beauty – 1970
21. Shania Twain – Come On Over – 1997
22. Who – Who’s Next – 1971
23. Stevie Wonder – Songs In The Key Of Life – 1976
24. Fleetwood Mac – Rumours – 1977
25. Pink Floyd – Wall – 1979
26. Alanis Morissette – Jagged Little Pill – 1995
27. Norah Jones – Come Away With Me – 2002
28. Eminem – Marshall Mathers Lp – 2000
29. Outkast – Speakerboxx-Love Below – 2003
30. Dr. Dre – Chronic – 1992
31. Beastie Boys – Licensed To Ill – 1986
32. Guns ‘N Roses –Appetite For Destruction – 1987
33. Dixie Chicks – Wide Open Spaces – 1998
34. Miles Davis – Kind Of Blue – 1959
35. Eagles – Hotel California – 1976
36. Def Leppard – Hysteria – 1987
37. Soundtrack – Grease – 1980
38. Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On – 1978
39. Beatles – White Album – 1968
40. Soundtrack – Saturday Night Fever – 1977
41. Jimi Hendrix – Are You Experienced? – 1967
42. Beatles – Revolver – 1966
43. Boston – Boston – 1976
44. Bon Jovi – Slippery When Wet – 1986
45. U2 – Achtung Baby – 1991
46. Whitney Houston – Whitney Houston – 1985
47. Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin Ii – 1969
48. Dave Matthews Band – Crash – 1996
49. Rolling Stones – Sticky Fingers – 1971
50. Green Day – Dookie – 1994
51. Led Zeppelin – Houses Of The Holy –1973
52. Joni Mitchell – Blue – 1971
53. Elvis Presley – Elvis At Sun – 2004
54. Aerosmith – Toys In The Attic – 1975
55. Lauryn Hill – Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill – 1998
56. Bruce Springsteen – Born In The U.S.A. – 1984
57. 50 Cent – Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ – 2003
58. Ac/Dc – Highway To Hell – 1979
59. Notorious B.I.G. – Life After Death – 1997
60. Van Halen – Van Halen – 1978
61. Green Day – American Idiot – 2004
62. Black Sabbath – Paranoid – 1971
63. Eminem – Eminem Show – 2000
64. Jewel – Pieces Of You – 1995
65. Coldplay – Rush Of Blood To The Head – 2002
66. Meatloaf – Bat Out Of Hell – 1977
67. Usher – Confessions – 2004
68. Kid Rock – Devil Without A Cause – 1998
69. George Harrison – All Things Must Pass – 1970
70. Billy Joel – Stranger – 1977
71. Eagles – Hell Freezes Over – 1994
72. Van Morrison – Moondance – 1970
73. Rem – Automatic For The People – 1992
74. Phil Collins – No Jacket Required – 1985
75. Metallica – Master Of Puppets – 1986
76. Faith Hill – Breathe – 1999
77. Johnny Cash – At Folsom Prison – 1968
78. John Coltrane – Love Supreme – 1964
79. Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here – 1975
80. Michael Jackson – Off The Wall – 1979
81. Marvin Gaye – Let’s Get It On – 1973
82. Bob Seger – Night Moves – 1976
83. Paul Simon – Graceland – 1986
84. Linkin Park – Hybrid Theory – 2000
85. Prince – 1999 – 1983
86. Def Leppard – Pyromania – 1983
87. Janet Jackson – Control – 1986
88. Red Hot Chili Peppers – Blood Sugar Sex Magik – 1991
89. Dire Straits – Brothers In Arms – 1985
90. Tupac – All Eyez On Me – 1996
91. Matchbox Twenty – Yourself Or Someone Like You – 1996
92. Red Hot Chili Peppers – Californication – 1999
93. Led Zeppelin – Physical Graffiti – 1975
94. Nelly – Country Grammar – 2000
95. Creed – Human Clay – 1999
96. Clash – London Calling – 1979
97. Celine Dion – Falling Into You – 1996
98. Neil Young – Harvest – 1972
99. Soundtrack – Dirty Dancing – 1987
100. Dixie Chicks – Home – 2002
101. Tom Petty – Full Moon Fever – 1989
102. Van Halen – 1984 – 1984
103. Soundtrack – Titanic – 1997
104. Crosby Stills & Nash – Déjà Vu – 1970
105. Tlc – Crazysexycool – 1999
106. Beck – Odelay – 1994
107. Kenny G – Breathless – 1992
108. Nwa. – Straight Outta Compton – 1989
109. Sex Pistols – Never Mind The Bollocks – 1977
110. Beatles – Rubber Soul – 1965
111. Radiohead – O.K. Computer – 1997
112. Simon & Garfunkel – Bridge Over Trouble Water – 1970
113. Dixie Chicks – Fly – 1999
114. Metallica – And Justice For All – 1988
115. Michael Jackson – Dangerous – 1991
116. Mariah Carey – Daydream – 1995
117. Soundtrack – Top Gun – 1999
118. Elton John – Goodbye Yellow Brick Road – 1973
119. Police – Synchronicity – 1983
120. No Doubt – Tragic Kingdom – 1995
121. Rolling Stones – Beggar’s Banquet – 1968
122. R Kelly – R – 1998
123. Tool – Lateralus – 2001
124. Oasis – What’s The Story Morning Glory – 1995
125. Bob Marley – Exodus – 1977
126. Journey – Escape – 1981
127. Christina Aguilera – Christina Aguilera – 1999
128. Jay-Z – Blueprint – 2001
129. Alicia Keys – Diary Of Alicia Keys – 2003
130. Soundtrack – O Brother Where Art Thou? – 2000
131. Cars – Cars – 1978
132. Enya – Day Without Rain – 2000
133. Natalie Cole – Unforgettable With Love Natalie Cole – 1991
134. Soundtrack – Footloose – 1984
135. Lionel Richie – Can’t Slow Down – 1983
136. Sarah Mclachlan – Surfacing – 1997
137. Bonnie Raitt – Nick Of Time – 1989
138. Metallica – Ride The Lightning – 1984
139. Sheryl Crow – Tuesday Night Music Club – 1993
140. Frank Sinatra – In The Wee Small Hours – 1954
141. Earth Wind Fire – Gratitude – 1975
142. Zz Top – Eliminator – 1983
143. Willie Nelson – Red Headed Stranger – 1975
144. John Lennon – Imagine – 1971
145. Toni Braxton – Toni Braxton – 1993
146. Etta James – At Last – 1961
147. Elvis Presley – Elvis Presley – 1956
148. Cat Stevens – Tea For The Tillerman – 1970
149. Smashing Pumpkins – Mellon Collie & The Infinite Sadness – 1995
150. Dave Brubeck – Time Out – 1959
151. Janet Jackson – Janet – 1993
152. Queen – A Night At The Opera – 1975
153. Ozzy Osbourne – Blizzard Of Ozz –1980
154. Will Smith – Big Willie Style – 1997
155. Prince – Sign Of The Times – 1987
156. Public Enemy – It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back – 1988
157. Bob Dylan – Blood On The Tracks – 1975
158. George – Michael Faith – 1987
159. Boyz Ii Men – Cooleyhighharmony – 1993
160. Destiny’s Child – Writing’s On The Wall – 1999
161. Jay-Z – Black Album – 2003
162. Avril Lavigne – Let Go – 2002
163. Fugees – Score – 1996
164. Madonna – Like A Virgin – 1984
165. Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin – 1969
166. Stevie Ray Vaughn – Texas Flood – 1983
167. Stone Temple Pilots – Core – 1992
168. Original Cast – Phantom Of The Opera Highlights – 1988
169. Jethro Tull – Aqualung – 1971
170. Tupac – Me Against The World – 1995
171. David Bowie – Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust – 1972
172. Shakira – Laundry Service – 2002
173. Soundtrack – Forrest Gump – 2001
174. Al Green – Call Me – 1973
175. Curtis Mayfield – Superfly – 1997
176. Live – Throwing Copper – 1994
177. George Benson – Breezin’ – 1976
178. White Stripes – White Blood Cells – 2001
179. Lynyrd Skynyrd – Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Erd – 1973
180. Sade – Diamond Life – 1984
181. Fleetwood Mac – Fleetwood Mac – 1975
182. Paul Mccartney & Wings – Band On The Run – 1973
183. Beyonce – Dangerously In Love – 2003
184. Anita Baker – Rapture – 1986
185. Nas – Iiimatic – 1994
186. Barbara Streisand – A Star Is Born – 1976
187. Earth Wind Fire – That’s The Way Of The World – 1975
188. Anita Baker – Rhythm Of Love – 1994
189. Jay-Z – In My Lifetime Vol 1 – 1997
190. Ll Cool J – Mama Said Knock You Out – 1990
191. Steely Dan – Aja – 1977
192. Willie Nelson – Stardust – 1978
193. Aretha Franklin – Sparkle – 1976
194. Andrea Bocelli – Andrea – 2004
195. Bob Dylan – Bringing It All Back Home – 1965
196. Luther Vandross – Never Too Much – 1981
197. U2 – All That You Can’t Leave Behind – 2000
198. Rush – 2112 – 1976
199. Outkast – Aquemini – 1998
200. Grand Funk Railroad – We’re An American Band – 1973

Sunday, March 04, 2007

What's Playing?

cd player

New Music!!!

Lazy Eye- Silversun Pickups

Kissing Families- Silversun Pickups

Well Thought Out Twinkles- Silversun Pickups

Into a Nightmare- Classic Case

I'm a Sucker for a Girl In Uniform- The Churchills

Suffer for Fashion- Of Montreal

Believe- Lost Ocean

Sugar Assault Me Now- Pop Levi

Shoulders & Arms- Tokyo Police Club

Be Good- Tokyo Police Club

4,738 Regrets- Trans Am

Lonely You- The Subjects

Young Folks- Peter Bjorn and John

Closer At Hand- Field Music

Synthesize Me- Diorama

Gestern_Morgen- Damero featuring Nevis Peak

Everything Must End- Client

Into a Nightmare- Classic Case

Song Of The Week:

"Thru the Glass" by Thirteen Senses

Listen here:

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Songs Of The Week

Kristall- Audionom
And You Said I Was the Only One- Audionom
Bronson- Calla
Holiday- Dilana
Welcome, Ghosts- Explosions In the Sky
Over You (For the 79th Time)- The Incredible Strand
On Your Way Now- Silent Envy
No Emotion (Cucumber Mix)- Idlewild

Song Of The Week:

"I Can't Walk Away" by The Cringe

Listen here:

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

New Ear Candy!

Someone to Love- Fountains Of Wayne
Read My Mind- The Killers
Sandy- Papercuts
Kathy In Her Bedroom- Bedroom Walls
I'm Freaking Out- Racine
Untitled Duet #3- Softlightes
Believe In You- RoBOT LIKE ME
Kill Myself for You (I Wouldn't)- RoBOT LIKE ME
The Picture- Son Volt
Commercial Flight- solar powered people
Speak to Me Bones- Land Of Talk
Summer Special- Land Of Talk

Song Of The Week:

"Start the Cycle" by solar powered people

Listen here:

Saturday, February 10, 2007

The Stooges Announce US Gigs

Influental forerunners of Punk and New Wave reunite.

http://www.uncut.co.uk/news/the_stooges/news/9401



The Stooges have announced a set of US dates, in between the first of their numerous festival appearances.

Iggy Pop and co are promoting the release of their first album in 33 years, “The Weirdness,” their first since David Bowie produced “Raw Power.”

The Stooges have also been confirmed to play at renowned music showcase, South By Southwest in Texas, on March 17.

The Stooges have the following headline gigs arranged:

Caprices Festival (March 8), Crans-Montana
SXSW (March 17) Austin, Texas.
Orpheum, Boston (April 7)
United Palace, New York (9)
Fox Theatre, Detroit (13)
Filmore Auditorium, Denver (17)
The Warfield, San Francisco (19)
WaMu Theater at Qwest Filed Events, Seattle (27)
Tromso Open Air Festival, Bukta, Norway (July 21)

“The Weirdness” is released through Virgin records on March 5.

Wednesday, February 07, 2007

Song Of The Week: "Anticipation"

New Alternative Rock releases:

I Still Remember- Bloc Party
Eighteen- ¡Forward, Russia!
Sunday Sounds- The Apples in Stereo
Ruby- Kaiser Chiefs
All Ones and Zeros- The Early Years
John, Let Me Go- Sondre Lerche
Phantom Punch- Sondre Lerche
Sly- The Cat Empire
The Car Song- The Cat Empire
LIke Ashes Like Millions- Cut City
Last Night- Little Brazil
Used to Think- Little Brazil
November Girls- The Makes Nice
The Day Is Gone- The Makes Nice

Song Of The Week:

"Anticipation" by Cut City

Listen here:

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Police Offered Big Payoff!

http://www.therockradio.com/2007/02/police-reportedly-offered-huge-amount.html

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

The Police reportedly offered huge amount for tour

If a report out of the UK is to be believed, the Police are looking at a staggering amount of money for a reunion tour. According to The Sun, well-known concert promoter Michael Cohl wants the band for dates in Europe and North America, and he's offered them 150 million British pounds sterling, which is worth about $294 million based on the exchange rate on Monday, February 5th. No one will go on the record to confirm that the Police will tour this year, but there have been a lot of rumors to that effect.

Police guitarist Andy Summers told us that a reunion tour would be incredibly lucrative for the band: "It's frightening to think about, because I think we could earn more in four months than we did in seven years, you know?"

Cohl is a Canadian promoter who's worked with the Rolling Stones for about 20 years, and he's also done tours for U2, Pink Floyd, and David Bowie, among others, so he's more than capable of getting the money together for the Police, if he's so inclined.

The Police have been in Vancouver, British Columbia, where they've rehearsed for their appearance on the Grammy Awards on Sunday (February 11th). It will be their first time on stage together since the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in March 2003.

Thursday, February 01, 2007

Songs Of The Week

Jenny Don't Be Hasty - Paolo Nutini
Dashboard- Modest Mouse
Hang Me Up to Dry- Cold War Kids
Via Invested- Damiera
Open Wide- Future Of Forestry
Please- Turn Off the Stars
You Are- Lost Ocean
Find a New Way- Young Love

Song Of The Week:

"15 Minutes"- Greenskeepers

Listen here:



iTunes is offering the following album of cutting edge music for only .99!

Credential Recordings Sampler:

Forever- Edison Glass
This House- Edison Glass
Open Wide- Future Of Forestry
Twilight- Future Of Forestry
Please- Turn Off the Stars
Hours And Days- Turn Off the Stars
Revolution- Dizmas
Riots And Violence- Dizmas
Just Glide- Lost Ocean
You Are- Lost Ocean

Monday, January 29, 2007

Police Reunited!



The long estranged members of legendary New Wave band, The Police, are reuniting for a performance to kick off the 49th Grammy Awards on Feb. 11.

This has fueled rampant speculation that the group, broken up since 1984, will reunite for a full tour this summer. Lead singer Sting, who has long resisted any reunion, seems more open to it than at any time since the breakup.

"We started 30 years ago, so it would be nice to do something to celebrate,” Sting was quoted as saying. “We don’t quite know what, but we’re talking about it.”

Earlier this month, former Policemen Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland were guests at a Malibu birthday party for Sting’s better half, Trudie Styler. And on Thursday night at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, Sting dedicated a lute version of “Message in a Bottle” to the pair of former comrades who happened to be seated in the auditorium.

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Does That Make Me Crazy?

crazy

Recently someone posed a question about the song "Crazy" by Charles Barkley. Is this massive hit truly a great song or just an overhyped bandwagon that everyone seems to be jumping on?

It seems to me that MOST huge crossover hits are "over-rated". The axiom, "You cannot underestimate the taste of the general public" applies here.

For example, look at all the great Clash songs. But their biggest hit, by Top 40 standards, was the unspectacular "Rock The Casbah". How sad is that? The same could be said for many other artists.

Having said that, I'm glad to see the success of "Crazy". Compared to much of what is played in the mainstream, it's like a breath of fresh air. "Crazy" is catchy enough, not too irritating and every time it's played it takes the place of what could have been another lame Rap or vapid Britney Squeals type song. Plus, I gotta give Gnarls Barkley extra credit for their awesome cover of The Violent Femmes' "Gone Daddy Gone" on the same album.

Anytime a non Rap, NuMetal or lightweight Pop artist garners this kind of attention, it is a positive. If Gnarls continues to be successful, that's LESS music we have to hear by the latest in an unceasingly long line of wannabe gangstas threatening to "pop a cap in yo ass". And that's a very good thing.

Admittedly, the choice of quality Pop candidates has become so desolate, it's kind of like a political election where you throw your support behind the less of the nominated evils. Gnarls Barkley probably wouldn't have stood out amongst the great bands of the 80's. Oh how things have changed.

PS For what it's worth, Gnarls Barkley is up for several Grammy Awards including Record Of The Year for "Crazy", at The Grammys on Sunday, February 11th.

Friday, January 05, 2007

They Don't Make 'Em Like That Anymore...



SURE they do. You just have to know where to look.

The follwong are new songs that have successfully captured the retro eighties sound:

The Tourist- Idyllists
The Blinding- Babyshambles
Electric- The Inner Banks
Let's Go- The Presets
Boy from School- Hot Chip
The Vex- Black Tie Dynasty
I Like U- Black Tie Dynasty
Your Eyes Are Liars- Sound Team
With You- Stars of Track and Field
Forever Young- Youth Group
My Friends- Vespers
Theme from Funky Reverend- Placebo
Fathers and Sons (Luxuriamusic Remix)- Misty Roses
Day- Katatonia
Anything You Say (Unreleased Version)- Deas Vail
This Place Is Painted Red (Unreleased Version)- Deas Vail
Flathead- The Fratellis
The Girl's Attractive- Diamond Nights
Spider and the Fly- London After Midnight
Inamourada- London After Midnight
The Spanish Singer- Socratic
The Science of the Seasons- The Russian Futurists
Lost In Time- Stellastarr*
Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt- We Are Scientists
Painted By Numbers- The Sounds
Last Chance- The Sights
Number One Son- Camera Obscura
These Fangs- Say Hi to Your Mom
If Looks Could Kill- Camera Obscura
Portions for Foxes- Rilo Kiley
Six Months In a Leaky Boat- Ted Leo/Pharmacists
Little Dawn- Ted Leo/Pharmacists
A Night At Star Castle- Robbers on High Street
Le Disko (Radio Edit)- Shiny Toy Guns