| CMU Daily - on the inside 21 Mar 2003 |
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In today's CMU Daily:
• Warners to revamp royalty reporting
• Ja Rule rumours from down under
• ITC reckon digital TV uptake will be bigger than internet
• Review: Various - 2cds & Mp3s
• Lostprophets think political popstars should shut up
• Have the BBC banned anti-war record?
• Tenacious D cancel euro dates because of war
• Survey shows teens have no problem with illegal downloads
• Astoria gets licence renewed
• Previously unheard Macca track to appear on Beatles DVD
• US house DJ to mix next fabric release
• Dirty Vegas storm us dance awards
• Review: Kinesis - And They Obey
• Evans questioned about his drinking in share options trial
• Geri: Britney is hot
• Blue boy wants to breed with aliens
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CMU POP QUIZ
Win a free 12 month subscription to Xfm's new monthly music magazine X-Ray – here’s how – email the answers to this week’s pop quiz questions (all on a movie theme) to [email protected] by Sunday at 5pm to go into the draw to win the subscription.
Which five movie soundtracks contained these tracks:
Q1: Blur 'Coffee & TV', The Verve 'Bitter Sweet Symphony' and Fatboy Slim 'Praise You'
Q2: Prefab Sprout's 'King of Rock 'n' Roll, Nina Simone's 'My Baby Just Cares For Me' and Queen's 'You're My Best Friend'
Q3: Leftfield's 'Snakeblood', Underworld's '8 Ball' and All Saints' 'Pure Shores'
Q4: Pulp's 'Mile End' and Lou Reed's 'Perfect Day'
and today’s question…
Q5: Hot Chocolate's 'You Sexy Thing'’, Nene's '99 Red Balloons' and Rick Springfield's 'Jessie’s Girl'
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WARNERS TO REVAMP ROYALTY REPORTING
As Senator Kevin Murray's legal action to make record labels adopt more rigid royalty reporting practices continue, Warners has announced they will voluntarily putting in place "accounting practice changes that will put "teeth" into our commitment to reporting accurate royalties".
Murray's legal ramblings followed complaints from artists that record companies used complicated account reporting to confuse them so that labels could under-pay royalties without anyone noticing. The senator called on the US Senate to force labels to introduce simpler clearer reporting practices.
Although, as you'd expect, the legal route is proving time consuming and difficult, the PR around the campaign has forced a number of record labels to act off their own backs. Universal and BMG announced they would reform their royalty reporting at the end of last year, and now Warners are promising to do the same – even providing auditors access to all manufacturing documents so they can assess how the label has calculated profit – and promising to pay any underpaid royalties that auditors spot with interest.
All eyes are now on Sony and EMI who are yet to make any moves on the reporting issue – it also remains to be seen if Murray is satisfied with the label's self-imposed commitments.
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JA RULE RUMOURS FROM DOWN UNDER
Rumours galore regarding the cancellation of a Ja Rule gig in Perth, Australia. The official line is that the rapper felt it inappropriate to perform during a military conflict in Iraq. But gossip in Adelaide suggests the cancellation may have been down to a rumoured incident in a nightclub there earlier this week.
One club-goer has told Aussie music website Undercover that during an after show party at the Rise Nightclub Ja Rule went "berserk" when the DJ played 50 Cent's 'In Da Club'. According to said clubber: "He stormed downstairs and ripped the 50 Cent record off the decks and threw it at the DJ before screaming in the mic not to play 'no more fuckin 50 Cent nigga' and smashing the mic." The witness then alleges violence broke out involving the rapper's people – "His crew hit a girl and later two of his crew took turns in hitting a guy in the face and breaking his nose for nothing. The night eventually ended for Ja Rule when he was asked to leave by the police".
Ja Rule's label denies any such incident took place, and, to be fair, Adelaide Police have told reporters they have no reports of officers intervening at the venue.
But that hasn't stopped a local dance station, a DJ from which was at the club, from dropping Ja Rule from their schedule. The Music Director telling reporters: "If he is going to bring his petty insecurities about the rivalry between him and 50 Cent into Adelaide clubs and get stuck into our DJ's who are supporting the hip hop scene, then he can take his 2 cent attitude home. We are not interested in supporting his pop branded tracks".
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ITC RECKON DIGITAL TV UPTAKE WILL BE BIGGER THAN INTERNET
The ITC (who are little biased in this regard) reckon the growth of digital television is such that it will overtake the internet in terms of uptake later this year. They reckon 10 million homes currently have digital TV, while 11 million have internet access. "If current growth rates are sustained, digital TV take-up is on target to exceed internet penetration in the UK later this year," an ITC spokesman told reporters yesterday.
The growth is down to the popularity of the one-off-charge Freeview system, and the continuing growth of Sky Digital. When you take in digital cable services, they reckon nearly half of all homes in Britain will have access to digital TV by the end of year.
The same report presented bad news from those digital TV systems that come down high speed internet connection – such as the Home Choice 'TV on demand' systems. Despite seeming to be where the future of TV truly is (a library of programmes you can activate at any time) these systems have seen a fall in customer base in the last year. The companies behind these services could well find themselves being too ahead of their time to survive.
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REVIEW: Various - 2CDs & MP3s (Novamute)
Techno Techno Techno Techno. Quite literally, in fact. It may be all electroclash, Hoxton and mullets down your way these days, but some people are still listening to good old hands-in-the-air techno. Can't say I'm one of them, though, on the strength of this compilation, whose main attraction seems to be the inclusion of all tracks (and others) as MP3s, for any budding DJ mixers and/or piracy enthusiasts. (You may have noticed this from the title. Not since Peter Gabriel deigned to call his first four albums all 'Peter Gabriel' has there been such a 'will-this-do?' attempt at album naming). There's plenty of robot voices, synth squelches and frenetic beats but, sadly, barely a semblance of anything you might call a tune throughout the album. The likes of Speedy J, Plastikman and Luke Slater have all been frequently brilliant, but seemingly aren't up to much based on their contributions here. Barring S.I. Futures shimmery Kraftwerk plagiarism on the pretty 'Eurostar', '2CDs' (the CDs at least) is, at best, one-dimensional and, at worst, just a cacophony. MS
Release date: 7 Apr
Press contact: Pomona [CP, RP] EPM [NP] Red Alert [CR, RR] Out Promotion [NP]
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LOSTPROPHETS THINK POLITICAL POPSTARS SHOULD SHUT UP
Welsh metallers Lostprophets reckon rockers should stay out of politics and keep their anti-war ramblings to themselves. The band’s Ian Watkins told Radio 1: "I don't think they know the background of what's really going on. They just say 'anti-war is cool - let's speak out, let's speak out. More record sales', which I think is wrong. It doesn't matter how many movie stars say 'I don't like the war' - it will not make a difference. You know, do you think Bush cares? Like Bush is saying 'oh, I don't know about this war now. Ms Dynamite said it was wrong'".
Co-member Mike Lewis added: "Mr Bush doesn't care what George Clooney thinks. Tony Blair doesn't even listen to his backbench MPs - never mind listening to some rock star..."
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HAVE THE BBC BANNED ANTI-WAR RECORD?
Elsewhere in the world of musical politics, independent record label Zebra Traffic claim BBC urban station 1Xtra has told its DJs not to play a controversial track from their artist Life called 'Bush & Blair'.
In a statement yesterday the label said: "DJ's on BBC 1xtra have been playing the record for the past 8 weeks. They have now been told not to play it. Mr Scruff recently presented a 2 hour mix to BBC radio which had a 20 minute 'peace' section which included the above record. He was told that he could not use 'Bush & Blair' in his mix".
"This is very frustrating," they continued, "particularly as the track has been played on a number of regional radio shows across the UK on stations in Brighton, Liverpool, Manchester, Dublin, Glasgow and London. John Kennedy from XFM playlisted it for a week and invited people to phone in and discuss it - isn't this what democracy is about?"
Those wanting to see what the fuss is about will find the track, alongside music from Ms Dynamite, Massive Attack, Beastie Boys, Alabama 3 and Roots Manuva, on the forthcoming 'Peace Not War' album.
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TENACIOUS D CANCEL EURO DATES BECAUSE OF WAR
Final bit of war related pop news for today – Tenacious D have cut short their European tour over safety fears caused by the start of the war on Iraq. A spokesperson for the pair told NME that they had "listened to their families' fears and returned to the US". Word is their label, Sony, will be encouraging other US based artists to avoid travelling around Europe. This follows Warner label Elektra's decision to cancel European activity for its US acts yesterday. Nice to know those Americans reckon we in Europe will be the ones to reap the revenge of Middle East terrorist groups now they're dropping bombs on Baghdad.
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SURVEY SHOWS TEENS HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH ILLEGAL DOWNLOADS
Bad news for the companies hoping to persuade music fans to pay for music download services - a survey by polling firm Ipsos-Reid in the US has found that only 9 percent of teenagers see anything wrong with making copies of tunes and sharing them for free on the Internet.
On the launch of the survey the Associated Press in the US asked students from The Art Institute of California for their opinions on downloading, and whether they thought the record labels' legit websites will take off. Among the responses they received were:
"I don't think the record label's subscription sites will lead to a mass commercial acceptance because people are so tired of paying extreme prices for CDs that cost mere pennies to produce".
"I don't think it would work because it would usually cost too much to check out a song. ... Don't performers give out demos? They should be happy people are bothering to download their stuff."
"No matter what, there will always be someone who will find a way to get free music out there. But things change, for better or for worse. And perhaps the age of the music industry's empire has come to an end."
Even with the pirate proof technology and legal suits it's still gonna be a long tricky battle if the labels really want to stop illegal downloading.
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ASTORIA GETS LICENCE RENEWED
Westminster Council have backed down on their threats to revoke the London Astoria's licence. Officials originally said they wouldn't renew Mean Fiddler's licence to run the venue following the shooting that took place during a So Solid Crew party in November 2001. But Mean Fiddler appealed and yesterday the licence was renewed.
Commenting on the decision Mean Fiddler MD Vince Power told reporters: "This is obviously very good news. I'm delighted that the Magistrate Court has confirmed the faith in the management structure that I have always had at the Astoria, and that they have found the venue to be well managed. The Astoria can now continue to run successfully providing entertainment of the highest quality in the centre of London."
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PREVIOUSLY UNHEARD MACCA TRACK TO APPEAR ON BEATLES DVD
A private 'jam' between Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison from the mid-nineties – footage of which will appear on a forthcoming DVD – includes a track written by McCartney when he was just 16 – 'Thinking Of Linking'.
Five previously unseen tracks will appear on the DVD – out on 31 Mar – all recorded at the late Harrison's Henley On Thames home – three in his in-house recording studio, two in his back garden with Harrison and McCartney on ukuleles and Starr slapping his thighs.
'Thinking Of Linking' was written in McCartney's childhood home. Despite the fact McCartney frequently performed the track during studio warm ups it was never released.
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US HOUSE DJ TO MIX NEXT FABRIC RELEASE
Fabric have confirmed their next compilation release, out on 5 May, will be mixed by US house music veteran Doc Martin. Harking from San Francisco Martin has built himself a sound reputation across the US and is now a regular as some of New York's top clubs, including Twilo and the Tunnel. No word on the content of the mix album, though his DJ sets combine house, funk, acid and electro. Word is the next two Fabric albums will be mixed by Fabio and Swayzak respectively.
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DIRTY VEGAS STORM US DANCE AWARDS
Grammy award winning Dirty Vegas have continued their dominance of dance music in the US by winning three awards at the USA DanceStar Awards, which were held as part of the Miami Winter Music Conference. The British band won Best Video for 'Days Go By', Best Use Of Music In A Commercial for the Mitsubishi ad, and the prestigious Record Of The Year award.
Elsewhere at the Dancestars, Moby took the prize for Best Dance Act, Best Album went to Paul Oakenfold and Justin Timberlake was named Best Chart Act.
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REVIEW: Kinesis - And They Obey (Independiente)
This is how I imagine how Kinesis formed: At The Drive In meet early Manics in small time pub. They get talking about Castro and Mesa Boogie amps and end up shagging hard and fast in the nearby alley way. Nine months later, four baby boys were born and decided to follow in their fathers' footsteps. Fuck science, Kinesis are proof this happened. 'And They Obey' is a declaration of war. The war against American imperialism, the war against your senses, the war against schmindie. Its tactic is to blow you away with guitars that are too delicious to ignore and an arsenal of lyrics that could make your brain explode. FC
Release date: 10 Mar
Press contact: Hall Or Nothing [CP, RP, NP] Alan James PR [CR, RR, NR]
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EVANS QUESTIONED ABOUT HIS DRINKING IN SHARE OPTIONS TRIAL
Chris Evans was questioned about his drinking habits when he took the stand yesterday in his legal case against the Scottish Media Group regarding his sacking from Virgin Radio in 2001 – he reckons is due £8.6 million of share options after the station abruptly terminated his contract.
Representing SMG Geoffrey Vos QC accused Evans of going on an all-night drinking binge after "getting rid" of his Virgin Radio breakfast show production team in April 2001. Because of the binge Evans was unable to attend work the next day, he argued, something which had become a regular occurrence.
Evans argues he took time off because he was suffering from a stress caused illness caused by his treatment by Virgin Radio bosses.
Vos went on to claim Evans had deliberately and maliciously made fun of his bosses on air and in public after he had sold them the station because he didn't like "not being in charge any more". But Evans countered that, by his contract, he had complete control over his breakfast show and that was all he was interested in – not being in charge of the whole station didn't bother him.
The case will continue today with further questioning of Evans expected.
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GERI: BRITNEY IS HOT
Pop gossip round one. Geri Halliwell has told American TV viewers she'd like to "give Britney one". Guesting on an American chat show with Fred Durst – who claims to have had a fling with Spears earlier this year – Geri said: "If I was a guy, I'd wanna do Britney and all of those. If I was and I could, I would because she's hot. She's very hot."
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BLUE BOY WANTS TO BREED WITH ALIENS
Pop gossip round two - Lee Ryan of boyband Blue has told the Sun he believes in aliens, and that if he ever met one he’d like to 'breed' with them. The singer, apparently famous for his eccentric outbursts, told the paper: "I believe aliens really do exist and the human race is a big experiment. Think about it - have you ever looked at someone in the street and thought "you don't look right." If it was a girl alien I would go on a date with her, just to see what happens. We might even make a baby. Imagine that, a new species".