May 25

R.E.M. begin recording new album
[source: NME.com] R.E.M. have started recording the follow-up to 2004's Around The Sun with producer Jacknife Lee in Vancouver.
According to fansite murmurs.com, the band plan to spend a few weeks in the Canadian city before heading to Dublin to work on the rest of the record.
While in the Irish capital, R.E.M. will play five "working rehearsal" dates at the Olympia Theatre between Saturday June 30 and Thursday July 5.
Frontman Michael Stipe said: "Returning to Dublin for our live rehearsal this summer provides the great start we need for our next album's work. I intend to hit the ground running."
Bassist Mike Mills added: "I've seen so many great shows at the Olympia – from The Waterboys to Lou Reed – and am thrilled to play at this wonderful venue, and in front of some of the best fans in the world."

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/R-E-M.aspx

The Strokes take the year off
[source: NME.com] The Strokes will not release anything in 2007, according to a bulletin posted by the band via MySpace.
The band's last album, First Impressions Of Earth, came out in January 2006 and was followed by a period of extensive touring. Now, according to the post, the group aren't planning any activity until at least 2008.
"The band are still enjoying some much needed 'off time'. I wouldn't expect anything to come out this year," the message read.
"In the meantime, they are staying busy pursuing some other personal interests and are busy working/writing/rehearsing and all those things bands do between albums. But there are no immediate plans to release an album or tour."
Frontman Julian Casablancas appears as a guest vocalist on new Queens Of The Stone Age album Era Vulgaris, while Albert Hammond Jr.'s solo touring plans include a headline slot at this year's Reading and Leeds festivals.

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


Lily Allen to duet with Debbie Harry
[source: NME.com] Lily Allen is set to duet with Blondie legend Debbie Harry when the pair perform "Heart Of Glass" on US programme The Today Show.
The show will also see the full Blondie line-up perform three songs, including 1980 chart-topper "Call Me".
Meanwhile, Debbie Harry has plans to release a new solo album, Necessary Evil, on Tuesday August 7. A track from the record, "Two Times Blue", is currently streaming on myspace.com/debbieharry.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Lily-Allen.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Debbie-Harry.aspx
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Green Day perform on American Idol
[source: NME.com] Green Day performed a version of John Lennon's classic "Working Class Hero" at the American Idol finale on Wednesday May 23.
The track is taken from the forthcoming John Lennon tribute album, Instant Karma: The Campaign To Save Darfur, which is released on Monday June 25.
Frontman Billie Joe Armstrong said: "We wanted to do 'Working Class Hero' because its themes of alienation, class and social status really resonated with us. It's such a raw, aggressive song… we felt we could really sink our teeth into it. I hope we've done him justice."
Meanwhile, the show saw the crowning of the youngest ever winner of the American Idol show when Jordin Sparks, just 17, beat 25-year-old Blake Lewis in the final.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Green-Day.aspx


Courtney Love slams Dr Martens' Cobain advertisement
Courtney Love has slammed a new UK advertising campaign by shoemaker Dr Martens. The commercial appears to cash in on the death of several famous rock stars, including Nirvana singer and Love's late husband, Kurt Cobain.
The campaign portrays the stars – which also include Joey Ramone, Sid Vicious and Joe Strummer – as angels, all wearing the famous boots in heaven.
"Courtney had no idea this was taking place and would never have approved such a use," her publicist told US magazine People.
"She thinks it's outrageous that a company is allowed to commercially gain from such a despicable use of her husband's picture. It does appear that in the UK what Dr Martens has done is allowed. Courtney did not, and would not, approve of such a use of Kurt's name and likeness."

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Courtney-Love.aspx


Josh Groban heads to Australia on tour
Californian crooner Josh Groban – who's sold more than 15 million albums thanks to duets with singers such as Charlotte Church and Barbra Streisand – is set to tour Australia in September and October.
He'll be joined by a full choir, an orchestra and a six-piece band. Tickets for the tour go on sale Monday June 4.

Tour dates:

Friday September 28 – The Arts Centre, Hamer Hall, Melbourne
Sunday September 30 – Concert Hall, Opera House, Sydney
Saturday October 6 – Concert Hall, QPAC, Brisbane
Friday October 12 – Adelaide Entertainment Centre

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Josh-Groban.aspx


Cream to reunite?
British rockers Cream, who shot to fame in the 60s with hits such as "Sunshine Of Your Love", "Strange Brew" and "I Feel Free", may be reuniting for a tour.
Cream were one of the defining UK groups of that era and their success helped kickstart the career of ace guitarist Eric Clapton.
Now, according to bassist Jack Bruce, the trio (rounded out by drummer Ginger Baker) are set to play shows in late 2007, following years of acrimony between the band.
It'll be the group's first live performances since 2005, when they got together after a 37-year break for a series of concerts in the US and UK that left members seething.

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


Eminem working on new LP
US rapper 50 Cent has revealed Marshall Mathers – better known to the world as Slim Shady or Eminem – is busy working on a brand new LP, his first disc since 2004's Encore.
50 Cent – whose real name is Curtis Jackson – was discovered by Eminem back in 2002 and has since achieved global success with songs like "In da Club".
"He's got a new album coming," 50 Cent told US magazine Blender. "He's not gonna tell people that, but he's making new music. I've heard a few songs and it's hot."

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


Arctic Monkeys, Amy Winehouse and Scissor Sisters win UK awards
Indie kings Arctic Monkeys, soulful singer Amy Winehouse and disco divas Scissor Sisters were the big winners at yesterday's 52nd Ivor Novello Awards, the annual songwriting gongs presented by the British Academy Of Composers And Songwriters.
Former Clash frontman Mick Jones presented Arctic Monkeys with the Album Award and joked: "A couple of years ago Arctic Monkeys supported us in Sheffield. Now look where they are."
The newly married Winehouse accepted her gong for Best Contemporary Song (for "Rehab") and quipped: "Thank you all very much. I didn't even have time to get drunk as I've only been here about 15 minutes."
New York City's Scissor Sisters – along with co-writer Elton John – took home the award for most performed work, for "I Don't Feel Like Dancin'". Other winners included Madonna, Leona Lewis, Yusuf Islam, Norman Cook and more. For more info, visit www.theivors.org.
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Kylie Minogue performs at Cannes
Kylie Minogue made a special musical appearance at the Cannes film festival this week when she teamed with Hollywood actress Sharon Stone to perform hits at an AIDS charity benefit.
Organised by the American Federation For Aids Research, Minogue – decked out in mid-knee black dress and looking picture-perfect with a new French hairdo – performed in front of stars like Brad Pitt, Goldie Russell, Quentin Tarantino and George Clooney at an exclusive bash that cost more than AU$4000 a ticket. The AIDS organisation has raised about AU$122 million so far.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Kylie-Minogue.aspx