| CMU Daily - on the inside 13 Sep 2004 |
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In today's CMU Daily:
- Simon Cowell responds to Pop Idol legal action
- Michael Jackson releases 5 disc box set
- What became of the likely lads?
- Doherty recovers at home
- Radiohead are good Samaritans
- Single Review: The Dead 60's - Riot Radio
- Mcfadden tops the chart
- Mcfadden rescues handbag
- Real say half price download promotion was a success
- Eavis calls in police to investigate ticket scam
- Electroclash rocker dies from overdose
- Super Furry weekend
- Album Review: Rennie Pilgrem - Pilgremage
- Fatboy announces tour
- P Diddy fights child pay orders
- Keys cancels Jakarta gig
- Pet Shop Boys reveal Battleship soundtrack
- The Duke Spirit to support Razorlight
- Club NME update
- B52s back in the studio
- No big ting for Skinny Man
- Blink 182 cover the Cure
- George Michael nearly slept with Madonna
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SIMON COWELL RESPONDS TO POP IDOL LEGAL ACTION
Simon Cowell's role in the Pop Idol franchise was in question this weekend after the show's producers, Simon Fuller's 19TV, began legal action against Cowell's company Syco over that new reality pop show, X Factor.
X Factor, a joint venture between Syco and Bertelsmann owner Fremantle Media, launched on ITV last week, of course. Like Pop Idol it is a music based talent show that begins with filmed auditions. The difference between the two shows is that on X Factor each of the three judges - Westlife manager Louis Walsh, Sharon Osbourne and Cowell himself - will adopt a finalist and develop their sound and image on air before a public vote on who is best.
Having seen the first episode of X Factor, Pop Idol creator Simon Fuller decided the two formats were too similar and has begun legal proceedings against Cowell on the grounds of copyright theft. Fuller is also reportedly angry that Cowell has recruited half of the Pop Idol production team to work on his show, and that it is being presented by Kate Thornton, the presenter of Pop Idol's behind-the-scenes spin off.
Cowell this weekend called Fuller's legal action "totally and utterly ridiculous", while his spokesman, Max Clifford, told reporters: "I'm surprised that when Pop Idol started they didn't get a writ from Popstars, Opportunity Knocks, New Faces and all the other talent shows that went before it. Whatever next - will the BBC be getting a writ from Coronation Street for EastEnders? Historically in these situations I can't remember any case when the allegations have been successful, but I'm sure the lawyers will do very well".
More interesting than the question of who will win the legal battle, is what the litigation will mean for Cowell's involvement in future Pop Idol series. He is already contracted for two more series of American Idol, and ITV are likely to demand he features on the next UK series of the show. How either Simon - Fuller or Cowell - will feel about that now remains to be seen.
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MICHAEL JACKSON RELEASES 5 DISC BOX SET
An unusual story from our Michael Jackson department today - one about his music. Sony will release Jacko's 'Ultimate Collection' on 15 Nov - a five disc set including four CDs plus a previously unreleased live concert DVD.
The material spans Jackson's career from 1969-2004. The 57 audio tracks include 36 chart hits, album tracks, 14 unreleased songs and rarities from the archive. The DVD is footage of Jackson's 1992 concert in Bucharest. There will also be a 64-page booklet with rare photography, personal memorabilia, chronological timeline, complete discography, a newly-commissioned liner note essay by Nelson George, and the case for the defence.
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WHAT BECAME OF THE LIKELY LADS?
An unusual story from our Libertines department today - one about their music. Rough Trade have confirmed the next single release from the band will be 'What Became Of The Likely Lads?'. The second single to be taken from the band's chart topping second album 'The Libertines', 'WBOTLL' will arrive in shops on 24 Oct and comes backed with a selection of live versions of old songs 'The Skag and Bone Man', 'Time For Heroes', 'The Delaney' and 'Boys In The Band', which were all recorded at London's Brixton Academy in March this year.
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DOHERTY RECOVERS AT HOME
Those who prefer their Libertines news to be filled with idle gossip, well this just in. Libertine-in-exile Pete Doherty has told fans he has gone home to his parents in a new bid to kick the drugs. Writing on his http://www.babyshambles.com website Doherty told his fans: "I've come out to my mum and dad's to get clean, and I've just had a bath so I'm halfway there. I'm bearing up very well, mostly in the mind you know.I can't really talk now but lots of love and wish me luck. Peter."
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RADIOHEAD ARE GOOD SAMARITANS
Radiohead drummer Phil Selway is getting behind a new campaign by The Samaritans to recruit more volunteers, especially younger volunteers. The charity's 'Extreme Listening' campaign has been distributing postcards in Ibiza and displaying posters around the country in order to find new recruits.
Talking about the campaign Selway told reporters: "There's the common misconception that at that age you're too young to do the work, you haven't got enough experience, but age isn't a barrier."
Explaining what is involved in joining the Samaritans Selway, who has been a Samaritan ever since joining at university, told reporters: "The experience that you need is to listen properly and effectively - give people the space to examine their own feelings. The whole Samaritans thing is about getting alongside someone who is really trying to understand what they're going through. Working with The Samaritans has been a profound experience for me. It's the knowledge that hopefully you've made a positive difference to someone's life when they've been going through a crisis."
For more information about the 'Extreme Listening' campaign, visit http://www.samaritans.org/extreme.
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SINGLE REVIEW: The Dead 60's - Riot Radio (Deltasonic)
Liverpool's latest offering on the Deltasonic label, yes the one that's brought out a conveyor belt of scally bands such as The Coral, The Basement and The Zutons to name but, well, all of them actually. The Dead 60's aren't going to rock the boat, but don't let that put you off. 'Riot Radio' is a ska-influenced oddball which at first listen might leave you thinking 'hmm', but in time that should develop into a mouthwatering 'mmm mmm!' What a tasty prospect to relish. YN
Release date: 27 Sep
Press contact: Coalition [RP, NP] Sony IH [CP, CR, RR, NR]
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MCFADDEN TOPS THE CHART
Well, bad news for us McFly fans, good news for those still loyal to all things Westlife, or to all things formerly Westlife. Despite McFly taking an early lead in singles sales last week it was Brian McFadden (that's with an 'i' don't forget) who topped the singles chart yesterday - never forget the Saturday shopping power of Asda record buyers. McFadden's solo debut 'Real To Me' pushed Nelly's 'My Place'/'Flap Your Wings' down to number two leaving McFly's 'That Girl' at number three. Of course McFadden co-wrote 'Real To Me' with Guy Chambers, who knows a thing or to about songwriting former boy band stars into the charts, so perhaps a number one was always likely.
Elsewhere in the singles chart and despite getting gunged on kids TV on Saturday morning, Peter Andre could only managed 14 with his new single 'The Right Way'. The Music go in at 15 with 'Freedom Fighters', Jet went in at 34 with 'Cold Hard Bitch' and Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds went in at 37 with 'Nature Boy'.
Albums wise, and quite a few new entries this week (and not just greatest hits albums either). Natasha Bedingfield tops the proceedings with 'Unwritten' going in at number one. Kasabian go in at 4 with the self-titled debut, Alison Moyet's comeback 'Voice' goes in at 7 and Dizzee Rascal's new one 'Showtime' is in at 8. Oh yes, and Dean Martin's greatest hits went in at 25.
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MCFADDEN RESCUES HANDBAG
Elsewhere in Brian McFadden news, and reports that the former Westlife boy came to the rescue of a tourist in London after a thief ran off with her handbag. According to the Mirror, Brian (that's with an 'i') dragged the thief to the floor and grabbed the handbag away from him - the man then punched Brian in the side of the head before running off.
McFadden told the paper: "I heard the lady screaming and I knew that she had been robbed because this guy ran past me with a handbag. I ran after him and caught him at the end of the street. We fell to the ground and I grabbed the bag. I tried to hold him until help came but he clocked me on the side of the head and ran off." Brian returned the handbag back to the tearful tourist: "She only spoke a little English but she said: 'You're Brian from Westlife'. She kept saying she was a big fan - but to be honest I was more worried about her being OK."
The member of the CMU team who was heard saying "isn't it convenient that Brian was in the vicinity of a mugging the week his debut solo single is released, and even more convenient the mugger got away" has been made to wear the 'too cynical for their own good' hat.
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REAL SAY HALF PRICE DOWNLOAD PROMOTION WAS A SUCCESS
Digital music firm RealNetworks claims its three week half price download promotion was a huge success, helping the company to sell three million tracks in just three weeks.
RealNetworks slashed the price of its downloads to 49 cents to coincide with the launch of its new software Harmony, which allows users to reformat the tracks they buy off Real into whatever format their MP3 player requires including, somewhat controversially, the AAC format used by Apple's iPod.
With the loss-leading promotion now complete, RealNetworks vice president Dan Sheeran told reporters last week: "The discount and the Harmony promotion has enabled us to take a leading position in the download segment of the market".
Whether Real will maintain that position now that their pricing is back at the same levels as their competitors remains to be seen. The company hopes an ongoing promotion with Rolling Stone magazine, which will see the ten most popular tracks sold at half price, will help them maintain momentum.
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EAVIS CALLS IN POLICE TO INVESTIGATE TICKET SCAM
Glastonbury organiser Michael Eavis has asked police to investigate a possible ticket scam after an investigation by TV show Watchdog found an online ticket agency selling tickets for his festival at hiked up prices.
With demand for Glastonbury tickets increasing in recent years, Eavis has put in place a number of measures to stop ticket touts from making bulk bookings. This year the number of tickets each person could buy was limited, and the person who bought them had to show ID when arriving on site.
However, an investigation by the Watchdog show found that online ticket agency Getmetickets.net still managed to sell up to 500 tickets for Glastonbury at a considerable mark up, reportedly providing fake ID to ensure ticket buyers could get on site. The TV programme also reckons the company is already selling tickets for next year's Glastonbury, even though Eavis is yet to confirm whether or not he will stage a festival in 2005.
Eavis this weekend confirmed he had asked Avon and Somerset Police to investigate the matter. He told reporters: "I am asking the police to find out where these tickets came from. There is a serious problem here and I am not happy about the source of the tickets."
Eavis also again pledged to try and improve the ticket booking process for Glastonbury - such was the demand in 2004, online and telephone booking services went into meltdown as tickets went on sale.
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ELECTROCLASH ROCKER DIES FROM OVERDOSE
Ryan Noel, the 29 year old guitarist with electroclash pioneers A.R.E Weapons has been found dead in the band's Manhattan studio after taking a heroin overdose. A.R.E. Weapons frontman Paul Sevigny (the brother of movie star Chloe) told the New York Post they'd been "blindsided" by his death, saying "The real tragedy is as far as anyone knew, he wasn't using drugs; his life was going really well, he was really happy." Along with Fischerspooner, A.R.E. Weapons are one of the prominent bands among the Electroclash movement.
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SUPER FURRY WEEKEND
Super Furry Animals have announced some special events at London's National Film Theatre and Royal Festival Hall to mark the release of their greatest hits collection. 'Songbook - The Singles Volume One', released on 4 Oct, contains 21 tracks, including 17 UK Top 40 hits.
On 1 Oct the band will hold Lightning Fryday which will see the band take over the RFH for the evening with a live performance plus a series of other events and guest appearances which will extend beyond the venue's boundaries to nearby landmarks. Reappearances from some of the band's old acquaintances are rumoured.
The following day (2 Oct) Super Furry Saturday will take place at the neighbouring NFT with the band showcasing their videos. The videos will be shown on one of London's biggest screens in surround sound, and the band are likely to make an appearance to discuss the clips too.
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ALBUM REVIEW: Rennie Pilgrem - Pilgremage (TCR)
A brand new eleven track affair from the breakbeat don - and quite an eclectic mix. 'Defender' has a bit of a bass riff, there's some wacked-out-ragga-style-flava on 'Celeb', live jazz trumpets work well on the pacy 'Attention' while 'Go Back' is something of a jazz workout. The highlight of the whole album, though, is the track 'Atlantis' which is simply a benchmark in dancefloor breaks. A good outing from the Pilgrem, who is clearly making progress. PV
Release date: 13 sep 2004
Press contact: Trailer Media [CP, RP, NP] TCR IH [CR, RR, NR]
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FATBOY ANNOUNCES TOUR
Fatboy Slim has announced a tour to promote his new album 'Palookaville', including a Brixton Academy gig which will run from 9pm until 3am. Tour dates as follows:
10 Sep: Turnmills, London (DJ set)
13 Oct: Newcastle Northumbria University
14 Oct: Sheffield University Octagon
15 Oct: Liverpool University
16 Oct: Manchester Academy 1
20 Oct: Nottingham Trent University
21 Oct: Norwich UEA
22 Oct: Leeds University
23 Oct: Cardiff University
26 Oct: Brixton Academy, London
Elsewhere in Fatboy news, and due to a problem over a sample clearance, Fatboy Slim's new single 'Slash Dot Dash', due for release today, will now come out on 20 Sep. Cook had to return to the studio to re-record a section of the track as "one minute the sample was cleared, the next it wasn't".
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P DIDDY FIGHTS CHILD PAY ORDERS
P Diddy is fighting a court decision ordering him to increase child support payments to the mother of his first child. According to the BBC, the hip hop mogul has been ordered to increase payments to Misa Hylton-Brim, the mother of their ten-year old son Justin, from $5,000 (£2,800) to $35,000 (£19,600) per month. The rapper said he is appealing against the Westchester County magistrates court ruling. He said: "It's ridiculous to think any of my kids would want for anything."
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KEYS CANCELS JAKARTA GIG
Alicia Keys has cancelled a concert in Jakarta following last week's bomb attack on the Australian embassy there. Keys was due to perform in the city on 5 Oct, but a spokesman for promoter Java Musikindo this weekend confirmed the gig was off saying Keys' management was concerned about security in the wake of the bombing, which killed nine people.
Blue are also due to perform in Jakarta next month and it is not yet clear if the concert will go ahead.
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PET SHOP BOYS REVEAL BATTLESHIP SOUNDTRACK
The Pet Shop Boys revealed their new soundtrack to the 1925 film 'Battleship Potemkin' at a free concert in London's Trafalgar Square last night.
Talking prior to the event, Neil Tennant told the BBC: "We liked the idea that we were going to take something made in the 1920s and put contemporary electronic music to it. The ICA approached us because they knew we had a background of using film with our music - our first tour, for example, was directed by Derek Jarman."
Sergei Eisenstein's classic tells of a sailors' revolt in 1904, and has been a major influence on film-makers and artists. Tennant continues: "The director, Eisenstein, said that he wanted there to be a new soundtrack to the film every 10 years to keep it fresh."
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THE DUKE SPIRIT TO SUPPORT RAZORLIGHT
The Duke Spirit have just been confirmed as main support to Razorlight on the NME Rock 'n' Roll Riot Tour this Sep / Oct. The London quintet also head out for a further ten headline shows. The Duke Sprit release their new single, 'Cuts Across The Land' on 27 Sep which is the title track from the band's debut album lined up for release in Jan 2005. Full upcoming Duke Spirit UK tour dates, meanwhile, run thus:
Headline Shows...
5 Sep: Manchester, Bierkeller
16 Sep: Nottingham, Social
17 Sep: Northumbria, University
18 Sep: Glasgow, King Tuts
20 Sep: Norwich, Arts Centre
21 Sep: Leicester, Charlotte
23 Sep: Sheffield, University
24 Sep: Liverpool, Academy
25 Sep: Cork, Cypress Ave
26 Sep: Dublin, Temple Music Bar
NME Rock 'n' Roll Riot Tour with Razorlight
28 Sep: Keele, University
29 Sep: Norwich, UEA
30 Sep: Nottingham, Rock City
1 Oct: Hull, University
3 Oct: Leeds, University
4 Oct: Manchester, Academy 2
5 Oct: Newcastle, University
7 Oct: Glasgow, Barrowlands
8 Oct: Cardiff, University (Great Hall)
9 Oct: London, Brixton Academy
10 Oct: Bristol, Academy
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CLUB NME UPDATE
Talking of the NME - apparently we got the dates for the Club NME tour slightly wrong last week, so use these dates instead.
25 Sep: Anglia Polytechnic Uni, Cambridge
26 Sep: Leeds Met Uni
28 Sep: Newcastle Uni
29 Sep: Edinburgh Potterrow
30 Sep: Hull Uni
2 Oct: Keale Uni
3 Oct: Nottingham Trent Uni
4 Oct: Lancaster Uni
5 Oct: Liverpool Uni
6 Oct: Bournemouth Uni
7 Oct: Bangor Uni
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B52S BACK IN THE STUDIO
The B-52's are recording a cover of the Beatles' 'Paperback Writer' for an American TV commercial for car firm Buick. Word is the cover will be made available via Apple's iTunes Music Store.
Currently without label, the B52s are also working on a new album, the'r first since 1992's 'Good Stuff', plus they are involved in a remix project spearheaded by Manhattan Clique (the British duo of Chris Smith and Philip Larsen).
Talking about the new album on their website, frontman Fred Schneider says: "We haven't discussed producers yet, but we want to have a summer 2005 release with a tour to support it. You can't compare it to past albums. We've change and evolved with the times. But you will know it is us.
On making the new album the band's Kate Pierson adds: "We jam a little bit and try to pick out a chorus. We try to zero in much sooner instead of doing endless, endless jams. Basically we're just being more conscious about 'What do we hear as a chorus? Let's make that the chorus. What do we hear as a verse?'"
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NO BIG TING FOR SKINNY MAN
Rapper Skinny Man is to set off on a big fat tour. The dates will follow the release of 'No Big Ting' on 13 Sep, the second single to be taken from his debut album 'Council Estate Of Mind'. The rapper will be joined by DJ Flip, and the pair will then head out on a string of gigs with Goldie Lookin' Chain and John The White Rapper. He will also play a series of shows with Blade.
The dates are:
18 Sep: Newcastle Turbulence
19 Sep: Birmingham Radio 1 One World Stage
24 Sep: Brighton The Beach Club
29 Sep: Bath Stonegruve Social
30 Sep: Bournemouth University
1 Oct: Plymouth Academy
(with GLC and John The White Rapper)
2 Oct: Cardiff University
3 Oct: Reading University
4 Oct: Oxford Brookes University
6 Oct: Norwich Waterfront
7 Oct: Newcastle University
8 Oct: Aberdeen Lemon Tree
9 Oct: Glasgow Garage
11 Oct: Nottingham Rock City
12 Oct: Liverpool Academy
13 Oct: Bangor University
15 Oct: Manchester Academy 2
16 Oct: Leeds Metropolitan University
17 Oct: Birmingham Academy
19 Oct: Bristol Academy
20 Oct: Exeter Lemon Grove
21 Oct: Portsmouth Pyramids
22-23 Oct: London Astoria (with Blade)
28 Oct: Leeds Cockpit Sound System
29 Oct: Lincoln Po Na Na Longuistics
30 Oct: York Fibbers
4 Nov: Bedford The Pad
5 Nov: Exeter Lemon Grove
12 Nov: Nottingham UK Takeover
19 Nov: Sheffield Venue TBC
24 Nov: Liverpool Venue TBC No Fakin
25 Nov: Oldham The Castle Urbanise Festival
26 Nov: Nottingham Stealth UK
27 Nov: Penzance Club 2000 Dynamite
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BLINK 182 COVER THE CURE
Blink 182 are to cover The Cure for an MTV show dedicated to the band.
As previously reported, The Cure will be celebrated on an MTV Icon show hosted by Marilyn Manson on 17 Sep. The show will feature performances and testimonials from artists and celebrities who have been influenced by the band, their videos and their music. The Cure will also play live at the event.
Blink 182 are fans of the Cure, and their single 'All Of This' featured guest vocals from Robert Smith.
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GEORGE MICHAEL NEARLY SLEPT WITH MADONNA
Time for some Monday morning gossip? Well, George Michael has told GQ that he nearly slept with Madonna after the Material Girl made a pass at him.
He told the magazine: "I was only 23 and was really intimidated because I felt that she was coming onto me. I thought she was really sexy. I had a feeling it would be sex of the same intensity as if I was with a man."
Michael has been seeing partner Kenny Goss for eight years but says he would have sex with a woman if he wasn't already in a relationship: "When I walk into a restaurant, I check out the women before the men, they're more glamorous."
He also said that he became so depressed after his mother died that he thought about committing suicide. The singer has said only his relationship with boyfriend Kenny Goss kept him going. George's mum Lesley Panayiotu died of cancer in 1997. He said that if Kenny had not been around "my life would have been in danger. After mum's death I couldn't write. I felt worthless."