Mar 22
Madness to re-record classic hit with Sway
[source: NME.com] Madness will record a new version of "Baggy Trousers" with hip-hop producer Sway.
Renamed "Baggy Jeans", the track has a lot to live up to; the original went to number three back in 1980.
"It is not often you get to rework a legendary song with the original writers," Sway told NME.COM.
"Madness have been brilliant. Creating a totally modern version of a classic is phenomenal."
Sway admits he was cautious about tinkering with such a famous song, but was impressed with the risks Madness were prepared to take.
"It was brave of the band to be so creative and change a song that sits so proudly in British music history."
The new version, Sway said, will be "a huge smash" when it's released later this year.
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Madness.aspx
Britney Spears leaves rehab
[source: NME.com] Britney Spears has completed her rehab programme at Promises Malibu Treatment Center.
The singer checked into the facility on Wednesday February 21 after exhibiting increasingly erratic behaviour. A week prior to her admission, Spears spent less than a day at Eric Clapton's Crossroads rehab in Antigua. She then returned to Los Angeles where she tearfully shaved her head, went to Promises on Tuesday February 20, left the next morning but returned later that day.
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Britney-Spears.aspx
Producer issues apology to Christina and Joss
[source: NME.com] Producer Dallas Austin has apologised to Christina Aguilera and Joss Stone for making lewd comments about them.
Footage of Austin suggesting the singers slept with producers in exchange for songs was posted on YouTube.com, although it was later removed.
"My statement about Christina Aguilera and Joss Stone was a reaction to an incident I care not to discuss in any forum," Austin said in a statement released on Tuesday. "While I may have felt justified, I do owe an apology to Christina, Joss and their families.
"The comments I made… were purely an act of retaliation and not of malice or cruel intent. I sincerely apologise as this is not in my character."
Meanwhile, Aguilera's representative, Cindy Guagenti, said the singer would not comment on "such ridiculous statements" and confirmed she is exploring legal options. Stone has yet to respond.
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Christina-Aguilera.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Joss-Stone.aspx
Avril Lavigne: big in Japan
Skater girl Avril Lavigne is set to star in a Manga-style comic book called Make 5 Wishes.
In the stories, Avril comes to the rescue of a shy teen and helps the girl overcome her personal demons.
The project will undoubtedly broaden Lavigne's fan base in Asia. Her last single, "Girlfriend", was also aimed at a worldwide audience. In addition to the English version, she recorded the chorus in Spanish, French, Mandarin, German, Portuguese, Japanese and Italian. The song debuted at number one on Japan's international and domestic charts, so the comic comes at an opportune time.
The weekly stories will soon be available as two-minute clips that can be viewed online or downloaded to mobile phones, and will feature otherwise unavailable Lavigne songs.
Lavigne's new album, The Best Damn Thing, is due for release on Tuesday April 17.
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Avril-Lavigne.aspx
Jurassic 5 call it a day
The Gold Coast Bulletin scored a scoop recently when Jurassic 5 rapper Soup revealed the group would disband after their Australian tour.
"I don't want to sit here and fake it," Soup said. "We're not seeing eye to eye right now. People see us as a harmonising, loving group, but that's far from the truth."
The five-piece hip-hop group formed in Los Angeles back in 1992 and are renowned for their old-school hip-hop sound and positive lyrics.
In between producing four Jurassic 5 albums, the members have all worked on numerous side-projects with other artists. Soup claimed each member's desire to work on solo projects is at the core of the split.
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Jurassic-5.aspx
James Blunt starts work on new LP
James Blunt has started recording the follow-up to multi-million selling album Back To Bedlam.
In a recent interview with MTV, the singer claimed the new material is much edgier.
"I'm recording with my band, who have toured with me for two years, so they know the new songs and they give a bit of grit and edge that perhaps wasn't there when I was doing it on my own."
Blunt also revealed he's had no trouble with writers' block.
"I'm pretty efficient in the way I write," he said. "If it's not a good song, I'll stop writing halfway through and say it's not good. So if I finish the song, normally it means it should be close enough to be getting on an album."
Blunt's debut album was released in 2004 and has sold 11 million copies worldwide. It's not a bad feat for someone who claims the only music he heard growing up was "Happy Birthday" and "Silent Night".
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/James-Blunt.aspx
Bay City Rollers get day in court
Members of Bay City Rollers – a Scottish teenybopper band who briefly enjoyed worldwide stardom in the 70s – sued their former record label this week, seeking millions of dollars in unpaid royalties.
According to the suit against Arista Records, filed in the US District Court in New York, the Rollers sold at least 70 million albums worldwide but, in more than 25 years, received only one royalty payment (of approximately AU$254,000).
The band inspired a wave of "Rollermania" around the world. The fame never translated into much financial success for the band, however, because of low royalty rates.
The lawsuit claims Arista executives have repeatedly promised to pay royalties but did not know who to pay. The suit says the ploy was a "pretext intended to deprive [the band] of the royalties to which they are entitled".
The money would certainly come in handy: former frontman Les McKeown tours small venues with a group dubbed Les McKeown's Legendary Bay City Rollers, while drummer Derek Longmuir is a nurse. Another former member works as a plumber.
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Bay-City-Rollers.aspx
Return of the Dinosaur
Indie rock icons Dinosaur Jr will release a reunion album on Tuesday May 1 and follow it with a headlining tour.
The new album will be the first from the original members in 19 years.
Dinosaur Jr first gained notoriety after the release of You're Living All Over Me back in 1987. But original bassist Lou Barlow was sent packing in 1989, although he went on to find success in Sebadoh.
At the time, Barlow was scathing in his contempt for Dinosaur Jr frontman J. Mascis. He wrote songs about his frustrations and referred to the band as "Dino-Bore Jr".
The power trio's unlikely reunion will see them play 27 dates across America after the release of the new album. Barlow is also touring with his own reunited act, Sebadoh.
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Dinosaur-Jr.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Sebadoh.aspx
[source: NME.com] Madness will record a new version of "Baggy Trousers" with hip-hop producer Sway.
Renamed "Baggy Jeans", the track has a lot to live up to; the original went to number three back in 1980.
"It is not often you get to rework a legendary song with the original writers," Sway told NME.COM.
"Madness have been brilliant. Creating a totally modern version of a classic is phenomenal."
Sway admits he was cautious about tinkering with such a famous song, but was impressed with the risks Madness were prepared to take.
"It was brave of the band to be so creative and change a song that sits so proudly in British music history."
The new version, Sway said, will be "a huge smash" when it's released later this year.
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Madness.aspx
Britney Spears leaves rehab
[source: NME.com] Britney Spears has completed her rehab programme at Promises Malibu Treatment Center.
The singer checked into the facility on Wednesday February 21 after exhibiting increasingly erratic behaviour. A week prior to her admission, Spears spent less than a day at Eric Clapton's Crossroads rehab in Antigua. She then returned to Los Angeles where she tearfully shaved her head, went to Promises on Tuesday February 20, left the next morning but returned later that day.
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Britney-Spears.aspx
Producer issues apology to Christina and Joss
[source: NME.com] Producer Dallas Austin has apologised to Christina Aguilera and Joss Stone for making lewd comments about them.
Footage of Austin suggesting the singers slept with producers in exchange for songs was posted on YouTube.com, although it was later removed.
"My statement about Christina Aguilera and Joss Stone was a reaction to an incident I care not to discuss in any forum," Austin said in a statement released on Tuesday. "While I may have felt justified, I do owe an apology to Christina, Joss and their families.
"The comments I made… were purely an act of retaliation and not of malice or cruel intent. I sincerely apologise as this is not in my character."
Meanwhile, Aguilera's representative, Cindy Guagenti, said the singer would not comment on "such ridiculous statements" and confirmed she is exploring legal options. Stone has yet to respond.
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Christina-Aguilera.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Joss-Stone.aspx
Avril Lavigne: big in Japan
Skater girl Avril Lavigne is set to star in a Manga-style comic book called Make 5 Wishes.
In the stories, Avril comes to the rescue of a shy teen and helps the girl overcome her personal demons.
The project will undoubtedly broaden Lavigne's fan base in Asia. Her last single, "Girlfriend", was also aimed at a worldwide audience. In addition to the English version, she recorded the chorus in Spanish, French, Mandarin, German, Portuguese, Japanese and Italian. The song debuted at number one on Japan's international and domestic charts, so the comic comes at an opportune time.
The weekly stories will soon be available as two-minute clips that can be viewed online or downloaded to mobile phones, and will feature otherwise unavailable Lavigne songs.
Lavigne's new album, The Best Damn Thing, is due for release on Tuesday April 17.
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Avril-Lavigne.aspx
Jurassic 5 call it a day
The Gold Coast Bulletin scored a scoop recently when Jurassic 5 rapper Soup revealed the group would disband after their Australian tour.
"I don't want to sit here and fake it," Soup said. "We're not seeing eye to eye right now. People see us as a harmonising, loving group, but that's far from the truth."
The five-piece hip-hop group formed in Los Angeles back in 1992 and are renowned for their old-school hip-hop sound and positive lyrics.
In between producing four Jurassic 5 albums, the members have all worked on numerous side-projects with other artists. Soup claimed each member's desire to work on solo projects is at the core of the split.
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Jurassic-5.aspx
James Blunt starts work on new LP
James Blunt has started recording the follow-up to multi-million selling album Back To Bedlam.
In a recent interview with MTV, the singer claimed the new material is much edgier.
"I'm recording with my band, who have toured with me for two years, so they know the new songs and they give a bit of grit and edge that perhaps wasn't there when I was doing it on my own."
Blunt also revealed he's had no trouble with writers' block.
"I'm pretty efficient in the way I write," he said. "If it's not a good song, I'll stop writing halfway through and say it's not good. So if I finish the song, normally it means it should be close enough to be getting on an album."
Blunt's debut album was released in 2004 and has sold 11 million copies worldwide. It's not a bad feat for someone who claims the only music he heard growing up was "Happy Birthday" and "Silent Night".
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/James-Blunt.aspx
Bay City Rollers get day in court
Members of Bay City Rollers – a Scottish teenybopper band who briefly enjoyed worldwide stardom in the 70s – sued their former record label this week, seeking millions of dollars in unpaid royalties.
According to the suit against Arista Records, filed in the US District Court in New York, the Rollers sold at least 70 million albums worldwide but, in more than 25 years, received only one royalty payment (of approximately AU$254,000).
The band inspired a wave of "Rollermania" around the world. The fame never translated into much financial success for the band, however, because of low royalty rates.
The lawsuit claims Arista executives have repeatedly promised to pay royalties but did not know who to pay. The suit says the ploy was a "pretext intended to deprive [the band] of the royalties to which they are entitled".
The money would certainly come in handy: former frontman Les McKeown tours small venues with a group dubbed Les McKeown's Legendary Bay City Rollers, while drummer Derek Longmuir is a nurse. Another former member works as a plumber.
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Bay-City-Rollers.aspx
Return of the Dinosaur
Indie rock icons Dinosaur Jr will release a reunion album on Tuesday May 1 and follow it with a headlining tour.
The new album will be the first from the original members in 19 years.
Dinosaur Jr first gained notoriety after the release of You're Living All Over Me back in 1987. But original bassist Lou Barlow was sent packing in 1989, although he went on to find success in Sebadoh.
At the time, Barlow was scathing in his contempt for Dinosaur Jr frontman J. Mascis. He wrote songs about his frustrations and referred to the band as "Dino-Bore Jr".
The power trio's unlikely reunion will see them play 27 dates across America after the release of the new album. Barlow is also touring with his own reunited act, Sebadoh.
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Dinosaur-Jr.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Sebadoh.aspx
posted by nick at 12:05 AM
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