Jul 27

Keith Richards memoir sparks bidding war
[source: NME.com] Keith Richards' forthcoming autobiography has caused a bidding war among several publishing companies.
Publishers have already offered The Rolling Stones guitarist an advance of US$7.3million (AUS$8.31), according to industry insiders.
Yesterday (Thursday July 26), the New York Post claimed the bidding has been narrowed down to two publishing houses: HarperCollins, a unit of News Corp., and Little Brown, a division of Hachette Filipacchi.
The memoirs are expected to include details of Richards' two famous arrests and his romantic relationships with models.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Rolling-Stones-The.aspx


P Diddy launches new fragrance
[source: NME.com] P. Diddy has launched a new fragrance in London.
The rapper's Unforgivable Woman scent is the follow-up to its male counterpart, Unforgivable, which was launched in February 2006.
In a statement, the new fragrance was described as "a breathtaking combination of creamy, floral, warm and luscious notes".
Diddy said he wanted to emphasise the "pina colada" flavour of the smell.
"I think we all have an emotional connection to pina colada," he said. "I had this vision of a woman being on the beach and the Unforgivable man sees her – the scent is just the way he feels, the heat of it."
The scent will be launched in September, and can be purchased via Seanjohnfragrances.co.uk.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/P-Diddy.aspx


Sex Pistols to release special edition Bollocks
[source: NME.com] Sex Pistols will release a 30th anniversary edition of classic debut album Never Mind The Bollocks… Here's The Sex Pistols.
The album will be re-issued on Monday October 29 in heavyweight vinyl with a 7" insert of "Submission" and a poster.
The format mirrors the way the record was originally released on October 28, 1977. "Submission" was left off the original tracklisting when the album was mistakenly released a week earlier than planned. Due to the band's insistence, the first 50,000 copies of the album included a one-sided 7".
The band will also re-release four classic singles in reproductions of their iconic sleeves: "Anarchy In The UK" (Oct 1), "God Save The Queen" (Oct 8), "Pretty Vacant" (Oct 15) and "Holidays In The Sun" (Oct 29).
According to the band's label, Virgin, the vinyl re-issue of the album will "re-create all the original artwork from the first edition's front and back".

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Sex-Pistols.aspx


Carlos D aims for movie career
[source: NME.com] After landing an acting role in forthcoming film My Friends Told Me About You, Interpol bassist Carlos Dengler has revealed he's also an aspiring film and TV composer.
He posted examples on his official website of alternative soundtracks he has made for existing films, such as computer animated movie Ice Age 2, American TV show The West Wing and Meryl Streep film The Devil Wear Prada.
Dengler also posted the short non-dialogue film Golgotha, which he wrote, produced and composed the soundtrack for.
Dengler records in his home studio in New York, using equipment to "simulate the sound of a symphony orchestra". He hopes to one day work with the real thing.
Visit carlosdengler.com to view the films.

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


Linkin Park and Chris Cornell announce joint Oz tour
US nu-metal act Linkin Park are heading to Australia in October and will bring former Soundgarden and Audioslave frontman Chris Cornell with them.
The band's latest LP, Minutes To Midnight, was a number one hit in America and provides much of the impetus for the current live show.
Cornell, meanwhile, will open the Australian gigs with tracks from his new longplayer, Carry On.
Tickets go on sale Monday August 6.

Tour dates:

Sunday October 14 – Melbourne Rod Laver Arena
Tuesday October 16 – Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Thursday October 18 – Perth Burswood Dome
Saturday October 20 – Sydney Entertainment Centre
Monday October 22 – Brisbane Entertainment Centre

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Linkin-Park.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Chris-Cornell.aspx


Etta James hospitalised following surgery
Legendary blues singer Etta James has been re-admitted to hospital following complications from recent abdominal surgery.
The 69-year-old Grammy winner, who shot to fame with gorgeous renditions of "At Last", "Trust In Me" and "A Sunday Kind Of Love", was due to hit the road in early August alongside guitarist B.B. King and soul star Al Green. The post-op difficulties now mean James won't appear until the end of the month.
"If it had been left solely up to her, she would have checked herself out of the hospital and started the tour regardless of her delicate health," James' manager, Lupe De Leon, said.
"However, her doctor advised that were she to do so it would put her at very great risk."

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Etta-James.aspx


Robbie Williams reckons he's "a national treasure"
British pop star Robbie Williams says he's aiming to become "a national treasure" in his home country.
The 33-year-old admitted himself to rehab on his birthday earlier this year after suffering from bouts of depression. Now, however, he insists he's fine.
"I want to be known as 'El Presidente' or 'Nash', as in National Treasure," he told teammates in Los Angeles-based soccer team LA Vale.
"I'm the number one male."

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Robbie-Williams.aspx


Jimmy Barnes signs up for A Day On The Green
Ex-Cold Chisel frontman Jimmy Barnes will appear on national winery tour A Day On The Green in October and November.
The performances will be the first time Barnes – who's currently working on a brand new album – has appeared onstage following heart surgery to fix a faulty valve.
With five different festivals across the country, Barnes will be supported by a variety of acts, including his daughter Mahalia, Vanessa Amorosi, The Black Sorrows, Colin Hay, Richard Clapton, Deborah Conway and John Swan.
Tickets go on sale Monday August 6.

Tour dates:

Saturday October 27 – Craigmoor Winery, Mudgee
Saturday November 10 – Peter Lehmann Wines, Barossa Valley
Sunday November 11 – Sandalford Wines, Swan Valley
Saturday November 24 – Rochford Wines, Yarra Valley

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Jimmy-Barnes.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Deborah-Conway.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/John-Swan.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Vanessa-Amorosi.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Richard-Clapton.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Black-Sorrows-The.aspx


Coldplay head to church for album number four
Coldplay have begun work on their fourth album by laying down tracks in churches around Barcelona.
"We've been travelling light: acoustic guitar, a couple of mics, a laptop and some headphones," the band revealed on their website.
"We're recording in Barcelona, moving from church to church, setting up where we can: in front of the altar, under the pulpit. We've been playing at the feet of archangels."
While the band claimed they won't be picking up "maracas or castanets" anytime soon, they do admit to being influenced by their Catalan surrounds. The music apparently contains "a vibrancy of colourfulness that owes much to the atmosphere of Buenos Aires and Barcelona".
Coldplay's last release was 2005's X&Y.

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


The return of Von Bondies
Detroit garage rockers Von Bondies are back with a new LP after three years of turmoil and time off.
Set for an early 2008 release, Love, Hate And Then There's You sees singer Jason Stollsteimer exercise some ghosts following his break-up with his wife and departure of bandmates Marcie Bolen (guitar), Carrie Smith (bass) and Yasmine Smith (bass).
"When we finished touring Pawn Shoppe Heart we were so exhausted," Stollsteimer told Billboard magazine.
"In my own head, I was like, 'I don't want to ever do it again'. But these three years have revived my energy to do it again."
Stollsteimer has worked with several producers on the new disc, including Rick Parker (Black Rebel Motorcycle Club) and Peter Katis (Interpol). Expect to hear the first single in October.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Von-Bondies-The.aspx


Josh Pyke's "Monkey With A Drum" trek
Sydney-based troubadour Josh Pyke is heading back out on the road for a series of special shows.
Pyke's Monkey With A Drum tour will see the "Middle Of The Hill" singer perform throughout regional Victoria and New South Wales with guests 78 Saab and Whitley.
Tickets go on sale Monday August 20.

Tour dates:

Wednesday October 24 – Newcastle City Hall
Friday October 26 – The Forum Theatre, Melbourne
Saturday October 27 – The Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Thursday November 1 – Concert Hall QPAC, Brisbane
Friday November 2 – Her Majesty's Theatre, Adelaide

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