CMU Daily - on the inside 23 Jan 2003
yesterday's Daily - Daily archive

In today's CMU Daily:
• New look Marquee in administration,
• Another child sex arrest,
• R Kelly arrested,
• The Cranberries on their split with Island,
• Rosen leaves us industry group,
• Review: Melanie C - Here It Comes Again,
• Will Osbourne ad help rekindle ratings?,
• Def Jam man launches hip hop festival,
• Tensions at top of Universal,
• Live Review: Electric Eel Shock & Oki-Dog @ The Underworld,
• Fame Academy set up fund for wannabe popstars,
• MTV doc on MCing contests,
• Bassist wants slice of Marley royalties,
• Duplaix to play Jazz Café,
• Rainy City looking good,
• Review: Just Jack – Snowflakes,
• Culkin passes on bad habits to Manson,
• Slam mix Fabric compilation,
• Chicane are back,
• Craig David: US success leads to struggling UK sales,
• Kylie says pants to the rumours (except the pants rumours),
• Pop couples update

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Two songs, two artists – same song title – which two artists have released tracks called ‘Who’s That Girl’?
Answer tomorrow

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The Alternative Club chart from Wild returns next week – DJs at alternative club nights interested in chart returning should contact [email protected]

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NEW LOOK MARQUEE IN ADMINISTRATION
The all new Marquee, which opened its doors in Islington last September, has gone into administration due to “cash flow difficulties”. The new 1200 capacity club, which counts Dave Stewart among its owners, has benefited from its name – the original Soho based Marquee a legendary venue in London's rock ‘n’ roll history of course. However they have found themselves in a cash flow crisis and are now looking for a new buyer to prop the place up in the short term.

Administrator Tony Nygate told reporters: "The club will continue to run for the foreseeable future while we look for a buyer and acts have already been booked until the end of March. Ticket sales for live music acts have been robust in the last six months, aided by the strength of the club's brand."

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ANOTHER CHILD SEX ARREST
Police investigating those child sex allegations which led to the arrest of Matthew Kelly and former Bay City Rollers manager Tam Paton last week have arrested a third person - record producer Steven Jolley who produced music for the likes of Spandau Ballet, Bananarama and Kim Wilde in the eighties before setting up his own record label.

Police confirmed that Jolley had been arrested in connection with the same allegations, that he was questioned at Guildford police station and has bailed until 12 Mar. It’s not the first time Jolley, another former friend of Jonathan King, has been charged over child sex allegations though he, like Kelly and Paton, deny there is any truth in the latest allegations.

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R KELLY ARRESTED
R Kelly, who is already facing a string of child pornography charges in Illinois, was arrested in Florida yesterday on additional charges after investigators said they found twelve photographs of a nude girl at the singer's home. R Kelly is still awaiting trial in Chicago over an alleged video which shows him having sex with a minor, and over other children pornography allegations. The star was expected to face trial last month, but his case is yet to reach court.

A police spokesman said the latest charges were made after pornographic digital images were found stored in Kelly's camera equipment when they searched the singer’s Florida home in Davenport last June (at the time the original arrest was made). He explained the seven month gap between discovering the pictures and making the arrest by saying “the State Attorney's Office needed time to investigate”.

A statement issued by Kelly's representative called the arrest "a classic case of piling on, in which a local jurisdiction tries to make headlines by attaching itself to a celebrity case. As far as we can tell, the charges all relate to R. Kelly's arrest last summer. In other words, there is nothing new here.”

R Kelly’s new album ‘Chocolate Factory’ due for release this month on Jive has been pushed back to 18 Feb, though it is unclear if this has anything to do with the latest arrest.

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THE CRANBERRIES ON THEIR SPLIT WITH ISLAND
The Cranberries have parted company with Universal label on less than amicable terms. Singer Dolores O'Riordan told reporters: "Since we were signed in 1991 by Island Records we have gradually seen our label dissolve from a pioneering independent spirited label into a corporate monolith that completely lost touch with the group's creative vision. All of the people we have worked with over the years in America and England have been fired or left the company, so the band felt it was time to move on to new opportunities."

Guitarist Noel Hogan added: "We have had great fan support throughout the world for many years. With little effort from our label, we have been pleased to see top-10 sales in many countries. The band is excited about the prospect of a new beginning, starting fresh, and looking forward to another 10 years in the music business."

The Cranberries were due to release one more album with Universal Island – that album will still be completed and should be released on an as yet unnamed label later this year.

The latest announcement from the band seems to quash rumours last year that the band were to split after they released a best of album and Dolores indicated she was working on solo projects. But the band, Dolores included, are keen to stress they are busy working together on their next album.

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ROSEN LEAVES US INDUSTRY GROUP
Hilary Rosen, chairman of the Recording Industry Association of America for seventeen years, will leave the organisation at the end of the year. The group’s President Cary Sherman will stay on and will help find a replacement.
Announcing her decision Rosen said: "This has been the most exciting job I can imagine. During my time here, the recording industry has undergone dramatic challenges and is well-positioned for future success. I have been extremely proud to have been a part of this industry transition."

Talking about her work on music piracy and the battle against downloading she continued: "The RIAA has much to do to address these issues, as well as help the companies transition the music consumer to the exciting offerings everyone has been working so hard to deliver in the legitimate online music business. We must also work with our partners at retail, in the creative and technology industries and with governments worldwide to promote the future growth of the music industry."

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REVIEW: Melanie C - Here It Comes Again (Virgin)
Sporty Spice, also known as the talented one, the miserable one, the fat one, the down to earth one, the stop-me-and-buy-one, returns at last! We’ve been looking forward to this, her last album being a bit of a pop gem. And while this single, co-written by Dr Robert (he formerly of the Blow Monkeys), is more MOR than some of the gems from ‘Northern Star’, it’s still a poptastic love song, conjuring up images of the Radio 1 Roadshow with its anthemic chorus and power chords. On the first listen, it sounds like it was recorded slightly too slow, but it's a grower. And "If the rain crashes down over you, I will love you dry" is the year's best line so far. Melanie C is a top pop star with top pop songs, and we welcome her return.
Release date: Release: Feb 24
Press contact: Virgin IH [CP, CR, RR, NR] APB [RP, NP]

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WILL OSBOURNE AD HELP REKINDLE RATINGS?
Has the bubble burst? The second series of The Osbournes has suffered a ratings slump in America. Last week’s episode won only 3.5million listeners for MTV – down from 6.75 million for the series launch – the first series pulling in 8 million at its peak.

But the show might pick up again after this weekend’s Super Bowl. The family Osbourne appear in the latest Pepsi ad campaign which will premiere during American Football’s big event. More than 100 million viewers are expected to see the 45-second advert where Ozzy wakes up from a nightmare sequence where his children become Donny and Marie Osmond to find he is in bed with the actress who played Carol Brady in 1970s sitcom the Brady Bunch. The ad may do as much for the family’s TV show that the new Pepsi drink it is advertising.

Elsewhere in the world of US TV ratings the premiere edition of the second series of US Pop Idol pulled in 26.5 million viewers last week – making it the highest-rated night of entertainment programming in the network's history. It seems the Americans are yet to tire of reality pop bands.

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DEF JAM MAN LAUNCHES HIP HOP FESTIVAL
Def Jam founder Russell Simmons, the man behind last years Hip-Hop Summit in the US, will this year launch an Urban Hip-Hop Music Festival. The Festival and a second Summit will both take place in Atlanta in April. Already dubbed the 'Woodstock of hip-hop’ the festival is set to be a two-day extravaganza featuring a who's who of rappers.

"Just as music played an important role in the changing of our culture after the original Woodstock, we are again at a turning point where music — specifically hip-hop — will have a role in shaping our future," Simmons said in a statement. "It's time to take that responsibility seriously."

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TENSIONS AT TOP OF UNIVERSAL
Tensions are reported to be growing at the top of entertainment giant Vivendi Universal. The man trying to rescue the Vivendi Universal parent company in France - CEO Jean-Rene Fourtou – is said to be in New York to meet with the man in charge of Universal’s entertainment operations, Barry Diller, to discuss disagreements over what payments Diller will receive if he masterminds a successful sell off of any of Universal’s entertainment assets. While the two men claim to be on good terms insiders suggest Fourtou is losing patience, and that he is now dealing with the music division’s top man Doug Morris direct, rather that going via Diller.

Diller has been looking into the sale of some or all of Universal’s entertainment companies after the group spiralled into financial chaos after allegations of false accounting last year. He was put in charge of the group’s music, film and games companies in order to do this.

According to the Wall Street Journal several potential buyers are said to have approached Vivendi about buying its entertainment businesses, either in pieces or as a whole package, including oilman Marvin Davis, NBC, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and John Malone’s Liberty Media. But insiders reckon the most likely scenario is an initial public offering, led by Diller, sometime later this year in which Vivendi would keep a large stake in the businesses—perhaps as much as 40%.

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LIVE REVIEW: Electric Eel Shock & Oki-Dog @ the Underworld on 22 Jan
Attention please: London’s Oki-Dog, who sound like Elastica when they were good meets The Pixies when they were falling out, are in the building. These boys and girls sound like they drank melody, not milk, from their mothers’ breasts and were then weaned on punk rock, so they do. Singer Grace barks like Mark E Smith only with a lot more grace (as her name suggests) as the band shimmies through snotty future powerpop hits like ‘Everybody Wants a Japanese Girlfriend’. Ace. Now you don’t see *that* every day. Electric Eel Shock’s drummer takes the stage wearing a bunch of wrist cuffs, three socks and *nothing else*. Where’s he wearing the third sock? Tell you when you’re older. But he needn’t worry about catching a sniffle, as EES’s Kyuss-influenced garage metal keeps him plenty warm enough. Kicking in with the riff from Sabbath’s ‘Iron Man’, the fireworks are going off within seconds. If the crowd hadn’t already been standing, the response after their first tune would be classed an ovation. Dynamics? Sod that. Without a hint of exaggeration, the Eels’ ferocious live show is the most relentlessly energetic we’ve seen in ages, their stage presence frightening. And as they leave the show to go and play another in Islington in a couple of hours, the whole room is stunned. Honestly, you *have* to catch this lot before they head back to Japan next week. And bring a sock. DR

More info about Oki-Dog at www.uniservity.net/club_homepage.asp?clubid=4506
More info about Electric Eel Shock at www.electriceelshock.co.uk

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FAME ACADEMY SET UP FUND FOR WANNABE POPSTARS
The BBC is donating its share of the profits from the 500,000 (yes, that’s half a million!) Fame Academy compilation CDs already sold, and the revenue from the phone votes the series received, to set up a bursary fund to help budding pop stars. Though the details haven’t been decided upon the show’s winner David Sneddon is expected to be a member of the board who decide where the money goes.

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MTV DOC ON MCING CONTESTS
Those whose interest in hip hop rhyming contests has been rekindled (or created) by ‘8 Mile’ should check out a documentary about the MCing tournaments on MTV Base next week. The programme, called 'Survival of the Fittest', will chart the history of the contents, and retell the stories behind some of the legendary hip hop confrontations dating back to the seventies. Amongst the hip hop aficionados adding comment are Tim Westwood, Jay-Z, Black Twang and Greenpeace. The show will first air at 8pm on 31 Jan though, given that this is MTV, will probably be repeated ad infinitum.

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BASSIST WANTS SLICE OF MARLEY ROYALTIES
Aston Barrett, the bassist with Bob Marley's backing group The Wailers, was in court yesterday in an attempt to win copyright payments he says he is due from Universal Island. The case relates to a partnership agreement he claims he had the late reggae superstar, who died in 1981, through which he says he is due copyright for six songs and royalties from mid-seventies recordings.
Universal-Island Records and UMG Recordings are disputing the claims saying a settlement reached in 1994 between the label and various members of the Wailers drew a line under numerous claims of copyright co-ownership on Marley material.

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DUPLAIX TO PLAY JAZZ CAFE
CMU cover star Vikter Duplaix will be playing on the Jazz Café on 16 Mar. Duplaix’s new album ‘International Affairs’ is released on Warners label Hollywood Record next Monday (check the interview in CMU 66 – you an download it from www.cmuonline.co.uk). The London date will further promote new material. Press info on the album and live show from Smash Press on 020 7737 6359.

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RAINY CITY LOOKING GOOD
Here’s one we’re looking forward to (though we’ll have to find an excuse to be in Manchester!). Gilles Peterson and Jazzanova will play at the next Rainy City event at Manchester's Music Box on 8 Mar in what promises to be a mega six hour vinyl-swapping session. More info at www.jillys.co.uk/musicbox

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REVIEW: Just Jack – Snowflakes (RGR Records)
This guy just gets everywhere. All those stenciled logos all over the place, and a million remixes from killer heads. And now comes the single release of ‘Snowflakes’ with a number of reinterpretations. Just Jack is a serious antidote to Mikey Streets’ vulgar honesty, as well as filling the gap that instrumental downbeat leaves for those who like words. In fact, Just Jack’s tone is somewhat reminiscent of a young 3D (Massive Attack) or Stereo MCs. Eddy Temple Morris’s (Xfm) bootleg that contains a sample of The Cure’s ‘Lullaby’ is perfect. Who needs lists of remixes when you’ve got this? (PS the other mixes are OK I guess – Terminalhead and Riton aren’t bad).
Release date: 17 Feb
Press contact: Smash [all]

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CULKIN PASSES ON BAD HABITS TO MANSON
Apparently Macaulay Culkin had to teach Marilyn Manson how to smoke on the set of forthcoming movie ‘Party Monster’. Talking about the happy movie – in which Culkin plays real-life murderer and eighties New York club kid Michael Alig – director Randy Barbato told reporters at the Sundance Film Festival that: "Mac taught Marilyn Manson how to smoke because he didn't know how." Manson appears alongside Culkin, Seth Green, Chloe Sevigny, Natasha Lyonne and Dylan McDermott in the film due for release later this year.

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SLAM MIX FABRIC COMPILATION
The next edition in Fabric’s compilation series will be mixed by Glasgow’s Slam and is set to feature tracks from Underground Resistance, Oxia and Ladytron, as well as favourites from the roster of the Slam boys’ Soma label, including Envoy and Tony Thomas.

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CHICANE ARE BAND
Do you remember Chicane – do you remember that track with Bryan Adams? – well they’ve signed to Warners and will release a new single 'Love On The Run’ on 17 Feb with one Pete Cunnah (he of D:REAM) on vocals. The single, apparently a favourite of Radio 1’s Dave Pearce but quite good nevertheless, will be followed by an album in the summer. More info from Warner press.

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CRAIG DAVID: US SUCCESS LEADS TO STRUGGLING UK SALES
Craig David has told Radio 1 he reckons his hectic schedule in the US – where he has been one of Britain’s musical success stories of recent years – is affecting his popularity in the UK: "I came back to a very different music industry and I never expected to waltz back into the charts like ‘here, come on, embrace me now, I've flown the flag’. I've got a lot of work to do here and I've always kept my feet on the floor so hopefully there'll be nothing that's so dramatic that I'm like ‘wow, what's gone wrong?’. But everything seems to be going to plan." His comments followed news that his latest single, released this week, is expected to struggle to go top ten.

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KYLIE SAYS PANTS TO THE RUMOURS (EXCEPT THE PANTS RUMOURS)
Kylie has been busy denying tabloid rumours. Firstly, she is not moving the America, as reported last week, she is staying in London for the foreseeable future where she is currently recording the follow up to ‘Fever’.

Second, she is not appearing alongside John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in the planned Grease 3 movie

However reports that she is launching a 'Love Kylie' underwear line are true – the pants will go on sale in Selfridges on Valentines Day.

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POP COUPLES UPDATE
Atomic Kitten's Natasha Hamilton has told reporters she has split from her club boss fiancé, Fran Cosgrave, a former security guard for boy band Westlife. She said the split was amicable and that the couple would both continue to care for their son, born last August. In a statement her management said: "Atomic Kitten Natasha Hamilton has separated from fiance Fran Cosgrave. The split is amicable, they remain close and their son, baby Josh, will continue to be their top priority".

Elsewhere in the world of pop relationships Nicole Appleton has denied reports she is to marry Liam Gallagher on St Patrick's Day. She told GMTV that it is unlikely they'll tie the knot before next year, as they are too busy to organise a wedding. "We've no plans to marry - it's too difficult at the moment. We'd need a good few months to organise, some time off and a holiday. Maybe next year. We're happy anyway so what's the rush?"

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Answer to Tuesday's pop quiz:
Two songs, two artists – same song title – which two artists have released tracks called ‘Burn Baby Burn’?
Ash, in 2001, of course, and Hudson Ford in 1974.

One for fact fans – regarding Tuesday’s pop quiz - both Jimi Hendrix and Aerosmith had songs called ‘Angel’, so scrub Robbie from the list (as we mentioned, his track was called ‘Angels’) and add one of them! God, it’s a good job we don’t giveaway prizes on this.

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