| CMU Daily - on the inside 4 Apr 2003 |
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In today's CMU Daily:
• Record industry targets colleges in download war
• Pearl Jam say fan walk out after anti-war routine exaggerated
• Jack White has no opinion on world affairs
• Fabric call in administrators, but "nothing to worry about"
• Labels come to agreement with webcasters
• Review: Placebo - Sleeping With Ghosts
• 50 Cent best seller so far
• Electric Six postpone single because of nuclear references
• Problems at merged BMG publishing wing
• Aussie station plays Radiohead downloads
• Live Review: The Moving Units @ The Metro Club
• Evans case continues
• Even more expensive DJ set planned
• The Hives back in the studio
• All Tonight’s parties
• Review: Robbie Williams - Come Undone
• Coxon goes Down The Dustpipe with first solo set since Blur split
• Reborn stars release album
• Kylie angry at mis-quotes about ex
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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 cover versions theme) to [email protected] by Sunday at 5pm to go into the draw to win the subscription.
Q1: The Westlife boys are no nearer to beating Cliff's record of 14 number ones with their number three entry this week – which two acts have had more number ones than Cliff?
Q2: Who had the first ever number one in the UK charts?
Q3: What chart claim to fame have Robbie Williams, Dido and the Beatles have in common?
Q4: Why was the chances of getting into the chart essentially doubled on14th November 1952?
and today's question…
Q5: Four artists have had million selling singles that failed to ever get to number one - Wham, New Order, Robbie Williams and Bing Crosby. What songs sold the million while never topping the charts?
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RECORD INDUSTRY TARGETS COLLEGES IN DOWNLOAD WAR
The Recording Industry of America Association yesterday filed lawsuits against three colleges who have Napster-like networks on their internal networks. The suit says that Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Princeton University and Michigan Technological University are each running systems that "centrally index and process search requests for copyrighted works" which users can then download for free at the click of a button. The suit argues that because of the sophistication of the technology and the expertise needed to install and manage such systems, network operators can't help but be aware of the copyright infringement they facilitate. It also alleges the operators of the networks have loaded up hundreds and, in some cases, thousands—of copyrighted works onto their systems. Talking about the suit RIAA
President Cary Sherman told reporters: "These systems are best described as 'local area Napster networks'. The court ruled that Napster was illegal and shut it down. These systems are just as illegal and operate in just the same manner. And just like Napster, they hurt artists, musicians, songwriters, those who invest in their work and the thousands of others who work to bring music to the public. This is a particularly flagrant way to illegally distribute millions of copyrighted works over the Internet. The people who run these Napster networks know full well what they are doing. The lawsuits we've filed represent an appropriate step, given the seriousness of the offense. We hope that these suits serve as a stiff deterrent to anyone who is operating or considering setting up a similar system."
Meanwhile in the UK the BPI have written to universities warning them that they have "a responsibility to halt illegal activity taking place on their premises and with their resources", which basically means students are using college computer labs to download music, and the BPI want university bosses to stop them. The industry association was keen to stress the letter was not threatening to sue universities over downloading that takes place over their computer systems, but to make them aware of the legal implications of students downloading illegal MP3s and encourage and support them in tackling the problem. A BPI spokeswoman explained: "We hope it won't come to legal action. This was a blanket letter to show best practice, an awareness campaign. We are asking universities to notify students that they have policy against copyright theft and then extend their auditing vigilance to music."
But there was a slight warning in the BPI's stand – "If they don't comply, then they run the risk of prosecution." A spokesman for the Universities and Colleges Information Systems Association said it already had regulations in place which it encouraged universities and colleges to adopt. However the Association's Martin Price told CMU that while British universities took their legal responsibilities very seriously, "there is always a worry about the practicalities of enforcing them. It's very difficult for institutions to adopt a policing role as it would be impossible for them to go about their proper business if they were constantly monitoring. It would be like having someone to stand at every photocopier." Expect most universities to put up some signs, students to ignore them and legal action to being. And so the download war continues...
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PEARL JAM SAY FAN WALK OUT AFTER ANTI-WAR ROUTINE EXAGGERATED
Talking of wars, it's getting very hard for patriotic Americans to find artists they can support as more and more musicians make anti-war stands. Yesterday it was Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder who, during the encore of the first show on their US tour in Denver took a mask of Georgie Bush and impaled it on a microphone stand. To mixed reactions from the audience he then said: "We support the troops. We're just confused on how wanting to bring them back safely all of a sudden becomes non-support. We love them. They're not the ones who make the foreign policy ... Let's hope for the best and speak our opinions."
Initial reports in local media suggested a significant number of fans walked out during the anti-Bush anti-war rant, but an official statement from the band denied that any walk out was marked. "There were close to 12,000 people at the April 1st Denver show," they said. "It's possible two dozen left during encore but it was not noticeable amongst the 11,976 who were loudly applauding and enjoying the evening's music. It just made a better headline to report otherwise. Ed's talk from the stage centered on the importance of freedom of speech and the importance of supporting our soldiers as well as an expression of sadness over the public being made to feel as though the two sentiments can't occur simultaneously".
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JACK WHITE HAS NO OPINION ON WORLD AFFAIRS
Elsewhere in pop war news, Jack White has told Aussie website Undercover he doesn't have any strong opinions on the Iraq Attack. "You know I really don't know too much about it. I try to stay away from political thoughts. It is too much for me to think about. I am more socially minded on a personal level with people that I know and to embrace ideas in a worldwide sense is very hard for my mind. It confuses me too much. I try and stay away from it".
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FABRIC CALL IN ADMINISTRATORS, BUT “NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT”
Fabric has confirmed they have called in administrators Kroll Buchler Phillips to examine its books because of a number of financial concerns which seem to relate to a pending legal judgment concerning the conversion of Fabric's building from a meat house to a club. But insiders reckon there is not too much to worry about - Fabric made a pre tax profit of £671,000 on a turnover of £6.2 million in 2001 so even if there are debts in this financial year creditors are likely to be willing to wait in order to reclaim debts next year. Keith Reilly, a major shareholder and director, told the Evening Standard: "We are open for business this weekend, we will be open next weekend and every weekend after that. People come here to dance, they don't want to know about anything else."
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LABELS COME TO AGREEMENT WITH WEBCASTERS
The digital-music PRO SoundExchange, an organisation that represents US based labels on web issues, has reached an agreement with key commercial webcasters regarding royalties. From what we hear webcasting stations can choose to pay 0.0762 cents per performance, 1.17 cents per aggregate tuning hour or 10.9 percent of gross revenues. The new agreement doesn't affect noncommercial webcasters or simulcasts of "terrestrial" broadcasts – and smaller operations can choose to pay under the existing Small Webcasters Settlement Act agreement. On announcing the deal the RIAA's Steven Marks said: "This deal underscores our commitment to negotiate agreements that reward record labels andartists, while enabling us all to focus on delivering music to consumers."
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REVIEW: Placebo - Sleeping With Ghosts (Virgin/Hut)
Critical opinion is divided on the subject of Placebo's new album. Many see it as a watered-down, chart and radio friendly version of the camp-goth-pop-rock that Placebo made their own. Others see it as another feather in the band's many jewelled crown [Molko-style mixed metaphor]. The album may lack a little of the angst that particularly their debut showcased, but it by no means compromises the energy that the three members can call upon at will. Many predicted that Molko was taking the band into more electronic territory, but refraining has made many if not most, relieved. With tactful melodica-esque synth melodies the 12 tracks use guitar, voice and drums to fantastic effect. JG
Release date: 24 Mar
Press contact: Virgin IH [CP, CR, RR, NP] Pomona [RP, NP] Anglo [NR]
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50 CENT BEST SELLER SO FAR
No surprise really, but the stat people have confirmed rapper 50 Cent is the best selling artist of the year so far in the US, with more than four million copies of his album 'Get Rich or Die Tryin' having been shifted since its release two months ago. It means the 26 year old rapper has one of the most successful rap albums in history on his hands (and a healthy bank account you'd assume).
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ELECTRIC SIX POSTPONE SINGLE BECAUSE OF NUCELAR REFERENCES
Electric Six have postponed the release of next single 'Gay Bar', and therefore debut album 'Fire', because they feel the references to nuclear war contained in the song are unsuitable given world affairs. Beggars label XL had re-edited the track but the band felt the edit didn't work, so they're going into the studio to re-record an alternative verse. They will also reshoot the video. A spokesman for the band explains: "Having rejected an edit of the track done by the label and, although understanding the sensitivity required in the current climate, are rightly only willing to make a compromise on their terms. As a result, all copies of the unapproved edit have now been withdrawn and the band are recording a new version (with a replacement verse) this week in Detroit. The new version will become both the new radio and video edit but unfortunately means that both release dates will have to change." It is now expected that 'Gay Bar' will be released on 2 Jun, with 'Fire' following on 30 Jun.
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PROBLEMS AT MERGED BMG PUBLISHING WING
Gossip, gossip, gossip. We here that following the integration of Zomba's publishing business with other publishing operations within BMG execs have been encouraged to partake in some internal competition – which is causing some friction between new colleagues, especially in the US office. Just rumours though.
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AUSSIE STATION PLAYS RADIOHEAD DOWNLOADS
Aussie radio network Triple J gave in to temptation this week and gave those Radiohead tracks circulating the internet radio play. But they've agreed not to play them again until the band's new album is distributed to radio stations. Triple J's music director Arnold Frolows told reporters: "I had no interest in infringing the copyright, but we did want to play some of the tracks. And so I rang EMI and explained to them that we just had to do it. It was just such a magic musical moment, this is a special album. This is going to be big hit for them." EMI Australia, who Frolows reckons weren't aware that the whole Radiohead album was online, subsequently asked the station to stop playing the downloaded tracks – and the station have said they will comply: "That was it, we won't be playing any more, nobody benefits and we don't want to damage their release."
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LIVE REVIEW: The Moving Units @ The Metro Club on Monday 31 March
With only three members, this LA band combine speed disco drum rhythms with ska-esque basslines (some sounding not unlike like Blurs' 'Girls Who Like Boys'), a dirty guitar sound, the playing style that the Ramones honed to perfection and a vocalist akin to a bastard love-child of John Lydon and that weirdo from the White Stripes. The sound borrows a lot from the two tone sound but combines it with the modern punk-influenced sound to create a fantasticly punchy and hugely danceable hybrid. Although the band were engaging stagemen, I couldn't take my eyes off the young Mick Fleetwood look-a-like drummer - uncanny. JG
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EVANS CASE CONTINUES
Believe it or not – the Chris Evans vs Virgin Radio case is still dragging on. Yesterday Evan's doctor was on hand to say his client was "chronically stressed" in the lead up to his impromptu break from the breakfast show which led to his sacking. Dr John Gayner, said the DJ was in a state of "acute anxiety" and looked "in a real mess" when examined the day before his dismissal from the station. However the medical evidence didn't all go in Evan's favour. The doctor agreed that Evans' three-day drinking binge in the same week - which saw him consume 833% more alcohol than the recommended amount - could have "had an adverse effect" on his condition and conceded that Evans might have exaggerated his bouts of constant crying to get a diagnosis of ill health. The case resumes Monday.
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EVEN MORE EXPENSIVE DJ SET PLANNED
Excess Decks are staging another bout of the 'World's Most Expensive DJ Set' in aid of the Nordoff-Robbins organised World DJ Fund later this month. The event was premiered last year – the basic concept being getting as many DJs to spin records in the space of two hours as possible making it the 'most expensive DJ set' ever. Already lined up to play a track this year are Terminal Head, Hybrid, Arthur Baker, A Guy Called Gerald, Hybrid, The Dub Pistols and Annie Nightingale – the event will take place at Fridge in Brixton with all proceeds from ticket sales going to the fund. The event will occur during a week of DJ organised fundraising around the world from 19-26 Apr. More info at http://www.worlddjfund.com
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THE HIVES BACK IN THE STUDIO
The Hives are back in in Sweden to begin recording a new album – they hope to get into the studio later this month. Speaking about the new album singer Pelle Almqvist told Rolling Stone: "The actual recording is pretty simple, most of the songs are two to three minutes, and it takes two to three minutes to record them. Even if it's a hundred songs, it only takes a few weeks."
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ALL TONIGHT'S PARTIES
The festival season kicks off this weekend with All Tomorrow's Parties, which takes over Camber Sands holiday park from today. It's completely sold out so either you're going or you're not. If you are, personally we're looking forward to A Guy Called Gerald, Aphex Twin, G-Man, Jim O'Rourke, Kool Keith, Kut Masta Kurt, Mira Calix and, of course, Public Enemy.
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REVIEW: Robbie Williams - Come Undone (EMI/Chrysalis)
Not a cover of the Duran Duran song, but merely an egotistical whinge about how being a feted, successful, rich pop star (and ‘the UK’s favourite singer’, according to the press release) is all rather awful really. Poor Robbie. Don’t you just feel for him? I’m all for a bit of self-loathing, but not when it’s this vapid. ‘Come Undone’, essentially a weak strings-and power-chords rock ballad, looks around for tune, realises that dependable Robbie collaborator Guy Chambers hasn’t turned up for this one, before shrugging and carrying on regardless, hoping no-one will twig which of the pair actually has all the talent. After a string of singles ranging from the good to the great, this is a real let-down, although nowhere near as nauseating as parts of the accompanying press release, which made me tut, blow and shake my head for ages, when I wasn’t nervously laughing. MS
Release date: 14 Apr
Press contact: EMI IH [CP, RP] Pomona [RP] Outside Organisation [NP] EMI IH [RR, NR]
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COXON GOES DOWN THE DUSTPIPE WITH FIRST SOLO SET SINCE BLUR SPLIT
Graham Coxon has confirmed he will play his first full gig since the Blur fallout as part of Stephen Malkmus' Down The Dustpipe night at the Royal Festival Hall on 18 Apr. Down The Dustpipe is intended to "present British music's weird and wonderful".
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REBORN STARS RELEASE ALBUM
The contestants of ITV's 'Reborn In The USA' will release an album through Universal TV Music on 21 Apr – with some of the comeback wannabes doing the promo rounds to promote it (Gina G and Michelle Gayle will play G-A-Y on 3 May). Those following the show will know that Lee John and Sonia put are for the public eviction vote this week as the tour bus travels to Nashville.
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KYLIE ANGRY AT MIS-QUOTES ABOUT EX
Pop gossip of the day. Kylie Minogue has said she is considering legal action after newspapers carried quotes of her talking about her ex James Gooding which she claimed were fabricated. "I have not spoken to anyone about private matters," Kylie told reporters yesterday. "I have largely avoided the fiasco and intend to keep it that way".