| CMU Daily - on the inside 22 Jan 2003 |
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In today's CMU Daily:
• Landmark legal decision in download war,
• V2003 headliners announced,
• Moby supports anti-war protesters,
• Brown serves sentence in hospital,
• Blink 182 back into the studio,
• Review: E-Z Rollers - Titles Of The Unexpected,
• US Idol mark two launched,
• Noel rerecords Wonderwall,
• No smoking on pop posters thank you,
• Bee Gees no more,
• No RI:SE in ratings,
• Trainer tribute for Jam Master Jay,
• Stereo MCs on the road to promote greatest hits,
• Review: Various – Naked Music Presents: Bare Essentials 2,
• More awards for Ms Dynamite,
• Fatboy on the beach thing,
• Fatboy on the Zoe thing,
• Durst on the Britney thing,
• We Love new nights,
• Backstreet boy on Broadway
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Two songs, two artists – same song title – which two artists have released tracks called ‘Burn Baby Burn’?
Answer tomorrow
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The Student Dance Floor chart from Upshot returns next week – DJs at student club nights interested in chart returning should contact [email protected]
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LANDMARK LEGAL DECISION IN DOWNLOAD WAR
There was what could prove to be a landmark decision in the legal fight against music downloads yesterday. A federal judge in the US ruled that ISP Verizon has to identify the customer who is suspected by the record labels to be illegally downloading more than 600 songs a day. It brings to an end something of a test case in how far the music industry can take their battle against the downloaders – the answer being considerably further than the ISPs hoped!
The Recording Industry Association of America demanded Verizon release the name and details of the customer last summer. The ISP claimed it was against its customer confidentiality policy to reveal the name of any of its customers – but the courts disagreed.
It all depends on your interpretation of the 1998 Digital Millennium Copyright Act. This US legislation means ISPs have to give copyright owners contact details of anyone they can prove is violating their copyright. The copyright owners are legally entitled to this information and do not need to go to court to secure it. However Verizon argued that this legislation only applied to customers who illegally stored copyrighted material on their webspace – not customers who used their internet access for peer to peer file exchange. There main concern is that if the act is extended to customers who exchange (rather than store) copyright material that might just mean handing over the details of more or less every customer they have!
But District Judge John Bates said yesterday: "The court disagrees with Verizon's strained reading of the act," arguing that under "Verizon's reading of the act, a significant amount of potential copyright infringement would be shielded from the subpoena authority of the DMCA. That would, in effect, give Internet copyright infringers shelter from the long arm of the DMCA subpoena power, and allow infringement to flourish."
Needless to say the RIAA welcomed the decision - President Cary Sherman telling reporters: "We appreciate the court's decision, which validates our interpretation of the law. The illegal distribution of music on the internet is a serious issue for musicians, songwriters and other copyright owners, and the record companies have made great strides in addressing this problem by educating consumers and providing them with legitimate alternatives."
Also needless to say, Verizon plans to appeal. The company’s VP Sarah Deutsch told reporters: "This is not a case in which we believe the court was right. This kind of decision could open the floodgates to copyright holders, sending numerous subpoenas to internet providers seeking identities of subscribers."
As the legalities rumble on the identity of the downloader in question remains a secret – so much so even s/he may not realise s/he is the subject of so much legal debate.
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V2003 HEADLINERS ANNOUNCED
As you’ve probably heard the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Coldplay will headline the V2003 festival in August. Once again the V fest will take place at two venues - Hylands Park in Chelmsford and Weston Park in Staffordshire. A full line up is expected to be announced on 8 Mar when tickets go on sale.
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MOBY SUPPORTS ANTI-WAR PROTESTERS
In his latest online diary piece Moby has praised the thousands who joined demonstrations around America against the war in Iraq last weekend. He told fans: “funny that the Bush administration is projecting a budget shortfall of 200 to 300 billion dollars for fiscal year 2003. And at the same time they are saying that the war in Iraq could end up costing between 200 and 300 billion dollars. Ah well. And kudos to all of the people who braved the freezing cold weather to go to the anti-war march in Washington".
In his latest anti-war piece he goes on to discuss the inconsistencies between Bush’s attitude to Iraq, and his attitude to Korea.
He asks why the US is preparing for war against Iraq but ignoring the situation in Korea, saying: "one - Iraq may or may not have weapons of mass destruction. North Korea definitely have weapons of mass destruction. two - Iraq most likely does not have nuclear weapons. North Korea most likely does have nuclear weapons. three - Iraq has let UN inspectors into their country. North Korea have just kicked the UN inspectors out of their country. four - Iraq have been belligerent and violent towards their neighbors. North Korea have been belligerent and violent towards their neighbors. five - the powers that be in Iraq have been involved in the deaths of millions of Iraqi's. The powers that be in North Korea have been involved in the deaths of millions of North Koreans. six - the leadership of Iraq is despotic and tyrannical. The leadership of North Korea is despotic and tyrannical.
He concludes: "I'm surprised that more people in the United States and the United States media aren't making a bigger deal out of this strange situation. I know that the Bush administration is beholden to the interests of the oil companies, but is that really what's behind all of this weirdness? Who knows?"
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BROWN SERVES SENTENCE IN HOSPITAL
Bobby Brown has been moved from Georgia's DeKalb County Jail where he was serving a one week sentence for drink driving, to an Atlanta hospital. Stressing inmate confidentiality a spokesperson for the local Sheriff's Office said she could not comment on why Brown required medical attention, noting only that M.D. services were enlisted after the entertainer "had some complaints". While in hospital the singer will still be in custody, with at least one police officer keeping a watch outside his room.
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BLINK 182 BACK INTO THE STUDIO
Blink 182 have confirmed they are about to hit the studio to record the follow up album to 2001’s ‘Take off Your Pants and Jacket’. On the band’s website a posting reads: "For the next few weeks, Mark [Hoppus], Tom [DeLonge] and Travis [Barker] will be rehearsing and creating new songs. When they're ready, Jerry Finn will come in and fine tune and record these songs." Regular online updates are promised.
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REVIEW: E-Z Rollers - Titles of the Unexpected (Moving Shadow)
Hurren and Banks - the rollers return on form combining some catchy d and b with chart potential and some ventures into other genres. First for single release will be ‘Back To Love’ - think Peshay vs High Contrast - upbeat vocals with mild percussion. Elsewhere on the album - ‘One Crazy Diva’ takes it deeper as a steppa, then there’s ‘Submission’ with a dirty low end approach, ‘Lady Jam’ is a foray into vocal dub aided by Mango Seed while ‘Take it Easy’ is a big beat affair which will probably serve best to induce some indie kids to the Rollers. On the alternative side US beatboxmeister Doug E Fresh offers some rap over a large kick drum in ‘You'll Never Know’ and some anvil-like delivery in ‘Rhyme and Punishment’. There are weak spots – ‘Sunshine People’ is way too poppy and the aforementioned ‘Lady Jam’ far too short. But over all we’re talking well put together cross over material, that does not sound sold out or a mere exercise in. PV
Release date: 3 Feb
Press contact: Electric PR
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US IDOL MARK TWO LAUNCHED
The second series of the US version of Pop Idol premiered last night with another flood of pop wannabes putting themselves up for some Simon Cowell criticism in return for the chance of stardom.
Talking about this year’s contenders judge Paula Abdul told reporters: “I think the talent is better this time, I really do. I think some of these contestants have a real unique sound and they're true to staying focused on that and not compromising. It's going to be interesting. It's a whole different ball of wax."
Fellow judge Randy Jackson added: “It's definitely a wild, eclectic bunch of kids. There's something for everybody in this bunch. There's two or three I'm pulling for, but I wanna see what America is going to vote for, 'cause you ain't seen nothing like this."
As previously reported a second series of Pop Idol in the UK is looking unlikely as media insiders reckon the backlash against reality pop bands would affect viewing figures.
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NOEL RERECORDS WONDERWALL
According to the NME, Oasis have rerecorded ‘Wonderwall’ with Noel on vocals after the Gallagher brother saw Ryan Adams cover the classic Britpop track. The recording follows an interview where Noel said: "I never got my head round this song until I went to see Ryan Adams play and he did an amazing cover of it. So now I'm going to cover one of my own songs in the style of Ryan Adams."
The song has something of a difficult history for Noel. When first released the media reckoned it was penned as a tribute to then girlfriend Meg Matthews, and insiders reckoned that’s why the band stopped playing it at gigs after Gallagher and Matthews split. Noel, who later denied the song was about Matthews at all, re-added an acoustic version of the track to the band’s live set last year, but had a habit of stopping half way through because fans wouldn’t stop singing along!
It’s unclear if and when the new version – which is said to be quite different – will be released. Sony have confirmed it will not appear on the single release of Songbird on 3 Feb.
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NO SMOKING ON POP POSTERS THANK YOU
A poster company in the US has altered a picture of the Beatles to remove a cigarette from Paul McCartney’s hand! Apparently we’re all meant to forget the fab four smoked. The move was made without the permission of either McCartney or Apple Records, which owns the rights to the image. A spokesperson for Apple told reporters: "We have never agreed to anything like this. It seems these poster companies got a little carried away. They shouldn't have done what they have, but there isn't much we can do about it now."
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BEE GEES NO MORE
Despite originally saying they would continue to perform as the Bee Gees, Robin and Barry Gibb have now said they won’t continue under the name following the death of their brother Maurice. Robin told GMTV: "I think the important thing is we go forward for Maurice. Anything we do, we will do together, but it'll be as brothers and not under the name of the Bee Gees. That will be reserved in history as the three of us. Maurice would want us to continue. It will obviously take a bit of time to get back to the point where you feel excited about creating. I don't think it will affect the type of writing that we do, I don't think that we have to get morose in our writing, but it will certainly inspire us to go forward and to be creative in Maurice's name."
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NO RI:SE IN RATINGS
Despite not receiving the critical panning of its first incarnation, the revamped RI:SE didn’t exactly pull in record viewing figures for its launch edition on Monday. Just 200,000 viewers tuned in to see the Lee / Bowman revamp, and although there was an increase in overall audience share when the Mel and Sue segment of the show kicked in, the figures were still less that the old RI:SE was getting, half the audience enjoyed by the kids programmes on BBC 2, and considerably less that the million viewers the Big Breakfast enjoyed at its height.
All that said Channel 4 did very little marketing – on air or otherwise – for the revamped show. The original RI:SE got a huge marketing push. And having been off the air for over a month over the Christmas period the station would be expecting sometime to be needed to rebuild audience figures – chances are they want to give the show a few weeks to get sorted before they go all out to rekindle their former breakfast audience.
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TRAINER TRIBUTE FOR JAM MASTER JAY
Adidas yesterday launched a new range of trainers in the US to pay tribute to Run DMC’s Jam Master Jay, who would have celebrated his 38th birthday this week. Developed with the consent of JMJ’s widow the new shoe is called the Jason Mizell Ultrastar. Only 5000 will be sold through selected Adidas stores, their company website, and at Run-DMC's favourite sneaker store, Moe's Sneaker Spot in Queens. The owner of Moe's confirmed demand for the $100 Ultrastars was high with some customers travelling from as far as Florida and Maryland for a pair. All proceeds from the sales of the shoes will be donated to New York's Scratch DJ Academy, where JMJ once taught young aspiring turntablists.
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STEREO MCS ON THE ROAD TO PROMOTE GREATEST HITS
The mighty Stereo MCs are going out on tour in support of their 'Best Of' album which hits the stores on 3 Feb. Dates and cities have been confirmed with exact time and venues info to follow. The info as we’ve got it:
7 Mar: Northampton
8 Mar: Portsmouth
10 Mar: Cambridge
11 Mar: Nottingham
12 Mar: Stoke
14 Mar: Glasgow
15 Mar: Sheffield
16 Mar: Liverpool
17 Mar: Manchester
19 Mar: London
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REVIEW: Various – Naked Music Presents: Bare Essentials 2 (Virgin/Naked Music)
Virgin have done themselves proud with their involvement with Naked Music, a solid label with a an output consisting of great 12”s and some perfect compilations. This compilation sees NM stalwarts Aquanote, Miguel Migs and Blue Six get brand new hairdos from the likes of the rising star, Jimpster. The collection is a smooth ride through breakbeat-deep house and Balearic inspired 4/4. The whole sits neatly on a svelte curve, as groovy 4/4 carries funky guitar, mellow Rhodes and sweet soul vocals. Another dress-up / dress-down house compilation for pre-out and coming home listening. JG
Release date: 3 Feb
Press contact: Virgin IH [CP, CR, RR, NR] APB [RP, NP]
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MORE AWARDS FOR MS DYNAMITE
Are they’re any music awards this woman hasn’t won? Ms Dynamite yesterday picked up the best pop act award at ITV’s South Bank Show Awards yesterday, beating both David Bowie and Coldplay for the title. The event, which presents awards to talent across the arts, will be broadcast on ITV1 on Sunday.
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FATBOY ON THE BEACH THING
Now Norman Cook has decided not to proceed with Big Beach Boutique event in Brighton, saying that given how close last year’s event came to tragedy it was simply not worth risking it again. Cook had said he was considering another event after being given the blessing of the family of Karen Manders who died at the 2002 party. But local council officials expressed concern at whether Brighton could cope with an event of that size again – now Fatboy has decided to call at 2003 event off.
Talking to This Is Brighton magazine he said: "The more I think about it, the more I think it could have been another Hillsborough. If we'd had a crush situation, I would have had a nervous breakdown.” He added that intended to live in Brighton for the rest of his life he and did not want people there hating him!
Cook’s change of heart also affects the beach parties he had been considering hosting in Brazil, Australia and elsewhere around the world.
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FATBOY ON THE ZOE THING
Elsewhere in the world of Fatboy Slim, Cook has appealed to the press to leave him and wife Zoe Ball alone to sort out their problems, saying the paparazzi that are camped outside their Brighton home are making life very difficult for both of them. Denying he was suffering from depression, or in rehab, Cook told Radio 1 he still loves Zoe, and has a responsibility to their son Woody.
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DURST ON THE BRITNEY THING
Elsewhere in the world of celebrity relationships, Fred Durst has told fans and the media to "chill" over his relationship with Britney Spears. Writing on his website Durst says: "Well I'm sure we've had it up to our necks with all the hype. Isn't it amazing how something very simple, pure, sweet, and innocent can be blown so far out of proportion? Who really gives a shit that I wanna be with Britney Spears? It seems as if everyone does. The only person that should give a shit is Britney. I never meant to be in this situation. Shit happens. What's the big deal? Yeah, she is a big pop star and her last relationship with another big pop star was a big deal, but damn y'all need to chill."
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WE LOVE NEW NIGHTS
Darren Hughes, promoter of the We Love... Sundays nights and the man behind Homelands, will launch a new bi-monthly night at the End in London. Each night will be billed as ‘We Love... Something’. The first night on 8 Feb will be ‘We Love … Basics’ with Leed’s Back to Basics crew the guest DJs for the night.
Talking about the new night Hughes says: "We want to take the We Love... concept further by simply working with people we're into - The End and Basics being two great examples - rather than going on the road with massive tours”.
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BACKSTREET BOY ON BROADWAY
An Nsync boy has a solo career – a Backstreet Boy has a solo career, An Nsync boy stars in a musical – a Backstreet Boys star in a musical. After Nsync’s Joey Fatone;s appearance in the Broadway production of Rent last year, now Backstreet Boy Kevin Richardson is appearing in the New York production of Chicago. He will play lawyer Billy Flynn, until 9 Mar. With the huge success of the movie version and the presence of a boy band star it should become something of a hot ticket.
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Answer to Tuesday's pop quiz:
Three songs, three artists – same song title – which three artists have released tracks called ‘Angel’?
We were thinking of Rod Stewart in 1957, Robbie Williams in 1997 and Massive Attack in 1998 (Robbie’s track was the plural of course, but hey, so we cheated a little)