Dec 14

Brandon Flowers: "I nearly lost an eye at Christmas"
The Killers frontman Brandon Flowers has revealed how he nearly lost an eye one Christmas after an accident with an air-pellet gun.
Speaking in this week's special festive edition of NME, the singer described how the dark incident turned into his most memorable Christmas.
"I got a BB gun once – it's a gun that shoots little pellets," he said. "It was during the first Gulf War and my dad brought back pictures of Saddam Hussein for me to shoot at. So I was shooting at one of them and I ran forward to it immediately after I'd fired to see how good a shot I was, but it ricocheted off the shed and came back at me square in the head. I learnt my lesson. I almost lost my eye that Christmas."
The singer said he now really appreciates Christmas and deliberately changed the name of the band's charity single to a "A Great Big Sled" to make it sound more festive.
"I realise now that I probably should have called it 'A Great Big Sleigh' because that's what Santa rides, but it doesn't sound very Christmassy at all," he declared. "It sounds like you're going on a killing spree! Besides, 'sleigh' doesn't rhyme with 'red', which is the next line!"

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Killers-The.aspx


Ozomatli unveil fourth studio album
Ozomatli have revealed how an art installation they created at a gallery in Los Angeles inspired songs on their forthcoming album, Don't Mess With The Dragon.
The ten-piece contributed art and decorations to a space at the Tropico de Nopal gallery where they were holed up for several weeks. They've now drawn on their own art and pieces by other LA artists for inspiration.
"Visitors came in and each of us got a chance to show how we create music, individually and collectively," bassist/vocalist Wil-Dog Abers said. "That environment gave birth to these songs. I think we created our most cohesive album yet."
Abers also said the new album, due at the end of March, focuses on Hurricane Katrina, the multiculturalism of Los Angeles, and the perils of war.

Don't Mess With The Dragon tracklisting:

"Can't Stop"
"City Of Angels"
"After Party"
"Don't Mess With The Dragon"
"La Gallina"
"Magnolia Soul"
"Here We Go"
"La Temperatura"
"Violeta"
"Creo"
"When I Close My Eyes"
"La Segunda Mano"

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Ozomatli.aspx


The Music make live return
The Music debuted four new tracks at a comeback gig in their hometown this week.
The four-piece made their live return at The Cockpit in Leeds, with a set mainly consisting of tracks from their previous two albums, including the likes of "The Dance", "Welcome To The North", "Take The Long Road And Walk It", "Getaway" and "Freedom Fighters".
But the band also threw in new songs "Fire", "Simple Of Hope", instrumental "No Danger" and another untitled track.
The gig, the band's first in more than a year, saw frontman Robert Harvey sporting a skinhead.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Music-The.aspx


BRMC reveal new album details
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club have revealed the final tracklisting for their new album.
They've been recording the follow-up to Howl in a friend's LA studio and hope to have the disc out in March.
"We're doing the final mixes and putting the icing on the cake," band leader Rob Turner told NME.COM.
"It's the first album where we went into the studio knowing exactly what we wanted and we've been able to record when we feel it, instead of when we're supposed to feel it, which is a nice luxury."
The record combines elements of all three previous albums and is "not as much of a concept record" as the blues-and-soul-infused Howl, according to Turner. It also sees drummer Nick Jago, who was absent during their last recording session, return to the studio.
While the band are yet to name the new album, the final track listing reads like this:

"Cold Wind"
"Killing The Lights"
"American X"
"Window"
"Berlin"
"All You Do Is Talk"
"Lien On Your Dreams"
"The Snow's About to Begin"
"Am I Only One Of You"
"Weapon Of Choice"
"666 Conducer"
"Not What You Wanted"

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Black-Rebel-Motorcycle-Club.aspx


Big Day Out finalises line-up
Organisers of the Big Day Out have announced the final additions to the national festival's line-up.
Joining The Killers, My Chemical Romance, Lily Allen, The Streets, Jet and many others on the already packed bill are rockers The Vines, Gold Coast outfit Sick Puppies, Melbourne rapper Macromantics, Perth punkers Snowman, reggae master Luciano, techno legends Digital Primate and DJ Mark Murphy. DJ Sir-Vere, That 1 Guy, P-Money, Foreign Heights, TZU, Keith Flint, DJ Gedo Super Mega Bitch Mrs Flint 4, Dan Kelly & The Alpha Males, Gersey and Ground Components will also appear, as well as a stack of local artists in each city.
For full line-up details, visit http://www.bigdayout.com

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Vines-The.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Dan-Kelly-And-The-Alpha-Males.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Snowman.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Ground-Components.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Luciano.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Digital-Primate-Featuring-Cc-Martini.aspx


Christina plays Santa for Britney
It appears former pop rivals (and Mickey Mouse Club teen stars) Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears have made up.
Currently on tour in Europe, Aguilera dialled an up-market Los Angeles store to order Christmas gifts for Spears' two sons.
Nina Takesh, owner of celebrity baby outlet Petit Tresor, claimed Aguilera called her from overseas and indicated she wanted to "give them something adorable for the colder weather".
The singer reportedly chose two blue cashmere schoolboy sweaters for $164 each. Spears, meanwhile, did some of her own shopping at the store, picking up two Kaloo chairs shaped like teddy bears for $108 each.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Christina-Aguilera.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Britney-Spears.aspx


Korn begin work on new LP
Los Angeles nu-metallers Korn have started on the follow-up to 2005's See You On The Other Side, with the new LP set for release in June 2007.
Jonathan Davis and co are heading into the studio, however, without drummer David Silveria; he's taking a "temporary hiatus" from the group.
"I just need a break right now," Silveria explained.
This week the band shot an episode of MTV's Unplugged series, featuring special guest Amy Lee (Evanescence) on vocals.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Korn.aspx


Beyoncé defends Diana Ross feud rumours
Rumours of a feud between Beyoncé Knowles and former Supremes singer Diana Ross are, Knowles claims, completely false.
The Destiny's Child star said there's no truth to the rumours that her role in Dreamgirls – in which she plays the ambitious Deena, lead singer of a fictional 60s girl pop trio – is based on Ross.
"I actually spoke to her at a Clive Davis party," Knowles revealed this week. "She was so nice. And it made me very happy because I respect her and I want her to be happy. Deena is not Diana Ross. It was very clear that a lot of the story lines never happened to Diana. I kind of borrowed some of her posture and make-up, but it stops there. She's definitely stronger and has a different story."
It has been suggested that Ross was angry about the film and was attempting to hold up its release.
In other news, Knowles confirmed she is planning a solo tour from April to September 2007.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Beyonce.aspx


Flyleaf head Down Under
US hard rockers Flyleaf will head to Australia in February for a tour that includes three shows as part of the national Soundwave Festival.
The Texan outfit have recently finished a US tour with Three Days Grace.
"Flyleaf achieve that rare feat of sounding like nobody else out there right now," Kerrang magazine wrote of the five-piece.
The tour kicks off on Saturday February 24 in Brisbane, before heading to Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. Other acts on the Soundwave bill include the Deftones, +44, Unwritten Law, Thrice, Hatebreed, Juliette & The Licks and more.
Head to http://www.soundwavefestival.com for more information. Tickets are on sale now.
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Flyleaf.aspx