Feb 23

My Morning Jacket host prom in Georgia
[source: NME.com] My Morning Jacket will host two "prom" nights at the 40 Watt Club in Athens, Georgia.
The US rockers intend to give fans who never attended their high school prom – a traditional American ritual – a second chance to go to the dance by creating a futuristic under-the-sea themed evening.
"For all of you who missed your prom back in 1956 or 1986, or 2006 for that matter, we will be hosting the first annual MMJ two-night prom," the band wrote on their website.
"The first time we walked through those hallowed 40 Watt doors we said to ourselves, 'This place looks perfect for a prom!'. Now the dream will be a reality."
In order to be admitted to the concerts, which take place on Tuesday March 6 and Wednesday March 7, guests must wear prom or ocean-themed attire, including tuxes, suits, robot, mermaid and lobster costumes.
And, in keeping with traditional prom custom, My Morning Jacket plan to provide cake and balloons.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/My-Morning-Jacket.aspx


No Eurovision for Morrissey
[source: NME.com] Morrissey will not represent the UK at this year's Eurovision Song Contest, according to the BBC.
At the beginning of the year, the broadcaster said they had been in talks with the former Smiths frontman and it looked likely he would represent the UK in the competition.
But a BBC Eurovision spokesperson has now confirmed the 47-year-old will not take part.
"We were in discussions with him and other artists, and he had been genuinely interested, but the timing wasn't right," a spokesman told The Telegraph.
Apparently the singer could have been put off by the public vote that chooses the UK's entry.

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


Velvet Revolver release studio footage
[source: NME.com] Velvet Revolver have released a video diary featuring footage of the band recording their forthcoming second album, Liberated, in a Los Angeles studio.
Fans can watch the in-studio shenanigans at www.velvetrevolver.com.
Meanwhile, the band's record label have listed the album's international release date as Monday June 4, but an official release date is yet to be confirmed.
Velvet Revolver issued debut album Contraband in June 2004.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Velvet-Revolver.aspx


The Darkness to reform
[source: NME.com] The Darkness have announced they are working on new material without former lead singer Justin Hawkins. Bassist Richie Edwards has taken over vocals.
"It's finally happened," Edwards said. "The big red button has been pressed and we've officially started our album."
The new material won't, however, be released under The Darkness name.
Hawkins quit the band in 2006 after checking himself into The Priory for an alleged cocaine addiction, which he claimed cost him more than AU$372,000.

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


Paul Weller pens track for pals
[source: NME.com] Regular Ocean Colour Scene collaborator Paul Weller has written one of the songs that will appear on the band's new album.
The former Jam frontman's "For Dancers Only" will appear on On The Leyline, which is due at the end of April. The album's first single, "I Told You So", will be released a week earlier.

On The Leyland tracklisting:

"I Told You So"
"On The Leyline"
"Waiting"
"For Dancers Only"
"Man In The Middle"
"I Just Got Over You"
"Go To Sea Boys"
"These Days I'm Tired"
"You'll Never"
"Don't Get Me"
"Loneliest Girl In The Whole Wide World"
"Mr Brown"
"Two Lovers"
"Daylight"

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Paul-Weller.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Ocean-Colour-Scene.aspx


Eskimo Joe hit the road
Fremantle trio Eskimo Joe will head out on the road in May for a national tour in support of award-winning LP Black Fingernails, Red Wine.
The Beating Like A Drum tour kicks off in Brisbane on Friday May 4, before heading to North Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, Northern Territory and New South Wales. Dates in South Australia and Western Australia will be announced soon.
Tickets are on sale from Thursday March 8.

Tour dates:

Friday May 4 – Tivoli, Brisbane
Wednesday May 9 – Brothers Leagues Club, Cairns
Thursday May 10 – Bombay Rock, Townsville
Friday May 11 – Seagulls, Tweed Heads
Saturday May 12 – Alexandra Hills, Brisbane
Thursday May 17 – Palais Theatre, Melbourne
Saturday May 19 – Hobart City Hall, Hobart
Sunday May 20 – Albert Hall, Launceston
Saturday May 26 – Bass In The Grass, Darwin
Wednesday May 30 – Wollongong Uni, Wollongong
Friday June 1 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Eskimo-Joe.aspx


ARIA #1 chart awards unveiled
Some of the biggest names in Australian music gathered to celebrate their success yesterday, picking up gongs at the ARIA #1 Chart Awards.
Hosted by Australian Idol/Channel [V] presenter James Mathieson, the ceremony saw awards presented to the 14 local artists who landed a number one record in 2006.
Fresh from their win at the WAMi Awards the previous night in Perth, Eskimo Joe performed new single "New York" and received recognition for chart-topper Black Fingernails, Red Wine.
Other acts collecting trophies (either in person or via satellite) included Something For Kate, Human Nature, Hilltop Hoods, John Farnham, Kylie Minogue, Lee Harding, Youth Group, Damien Leith, Kasey Chambers, Crowded House, Kate DeAraugo, TV Rock, comedian The 12th Man and The Living End.
"ARIA would like to congratulate the 14 artists who achieved number ones across this period," ARIA chairman Denis Handlin said.
"The chart-topping success of these artists deserves to be celebrated. It also highlights how much enjoyment Australian artists give to the public, as well as the vast array of excellent talent we have."

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Eskimo-Joe.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Something-For-Kate.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Hilltop-Hoods.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Damien-Leith.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Living-End-The.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Kylie-Minogue.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Kasey-Chambers.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Youth-Group.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/The-12th-Man.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Human-Nature.aspx


No Doubt to reform
Platinum blonde pop queen Gwen Stefani has confirmed she will team with her No Doubt bandmates in 2008 to record a new LP.
Work can't begin, however, until Stefani finishes promoting her latest solo album, The Sweet Escape.
No Doubt shot to fame in 1995 with second LP Tragic Kingdom and have recently been on hiatus while Stefani forges a solo career.
"I got an idea in my head about what we could do and now that's all I can think about," Stefani told UK radio station Galaxy this week.
"And [that's] doing a No Doubt record."
Earlier this month, bandmate Tom Dumont revealed he was working on new songs with the rest of the band, guitarist (and Stefani's ex) Tony Kanal and drummer Adrian Young.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/No-Doubt.aspx


Christina not pregnant
Christina Aguilera, who picked up a Grammy recently for Best Female Pop Performance, has denied reports she's expecting a child with hubby Jordan Bratman.
A sales assistant at exclusive Beverly Hills kids store Bellini told reporters from the New York Times the couple were discussing their supposed pregnancy with staff, and insisted Aguilera was over the moon about the news and determined to find out the baby's sex before the birth.
A publicist for the 26-year-old singer, however, denied the conversation ever took place.
"[Christina] said it is not true and she wasn't in Bellini," her publicist insisted.

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


The Vines head out on tour
Following sets across the country with the Big Day Out last month, The Vines have announced plans for more live appearances, including April festival dates in Perth, Sydney and Hobart.
The band had been absent from the music scene for two years after singer-songwriter Craig Nicholls was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome (a mild form of autism). They made a stunning comeback at last year's Splendour In The Grass festival and continued that form into this year's Big Day Out concerts.
The new shows will see Sydney indie group Red Riders join The Vines, as well as Perth rockers The Silents.
Tickets go on sale Friday March 9.

Tour dates:

Thursday April 5 – Blackjack Festival, Perth
Friday April 6 – The Great Escape, Newington
Saturday April 7 – Southern Roots Festival, Hobart
Thursday April 12 – Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide
Friday April 13 – Prince Of Wales, Melbourne
Saturday April 14 – Tivoli, Brisbane

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


Paul Kelly pays tribute to Shane Warne
Paul Kelly has written a song about cricketing hero Shane Warne.
"The Shane Warne Song", which can be seen on YouTube, covers not only the cricketer's bowling expertise but also his text messaging habits.
"I was watching this year's Sydney Ashes test on TV around the same time as I listening to Lord Kitchener's (aka Aldwyn Roberts) great calypso song, "London Is The Place For Me"," Kelly said.
"The Kitchener tune suggested to me a new set of lyrics based on the adventures of Shane Warne."
The tongue-in-cheek lyrics include: "Mr Warne on his phone sent a lot of text 'cause he liked to have a lot of sex. Took a prohibited pill to lose his love handles, said 'Mum gave it to me', it was a terrible scandal. I wonder, what would Warney do next?."

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Paul-Kelly.aspx