| CMU Daily - on the inside 15 Apr 2003 |
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In today's CMU Daily:
• Musicians among MTV film award nominees
• EMI not fazed by Robbie's US sales
• 50 cent plans Jay Z collaborations
• More pop reality TV – this time it's in the family
• Sony boss appoints new boss for US business
• Review: Various Artists - The Drum and Bass Fiesta presented by DJ Patife and Suv
• Jonathan king applies for case review
• Capital steal Heart breakfast girl
• 6Music plan Smiths celebrations
• Polyphonic second album complete
• Madonna charts on import sales
• Suge – web pranks and denials
• Live Review: The White Stripes @ Brixton Academy on 12 Apr
• Sharon Osbourne responds to la altercation
• Morello on his axis of justice
• Goldie's club returns to east end
• Pop festival line up news
• Review: Grand Drive – A Little Like You
• Strummer family sets up fund for young musicians
• Marley bassist can take royalties case to court
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CMU POP QUIZ
With Mr Scruff's remixed Sweetsmoke CD out end of May, we have some Scruff goodies (a mug, t-shirt and some vinyl) to give away. To be in with a chance of winning keep the answers to our sample related pop quiz questions each day this week – details of how to win on Thursday.
Q2: Whose rendition of whose track 'The Last Time' was famously sampled on the Verve's 'Bitter Sweet Symphony'?
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MUSICIANS AMONG MTV FILM AWARD NOMINEES
MTV announced the nominations for their movie awards yesterday – and a number of musical people are up for award. Eminem is nominated for best male performance and breakthrough male, while '8 Mile' is up for best movie. Queen Latifah is nominated for best female performance for her role as Matron Mama Morton in 'Chicago'. Eve is in the 'breakthrough female' nominations for her role in Ice T's film 'Barbershop', as is Destiny's Child's Knowles for her appearance as Foxy Cleopatra in 'Austin Powers in Goldmember'. Topping the nominations overall were 'The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers' and 'Spider-Man'. For the first time the nominations were chosen by a national poll of MTV and MTV2 viewers – the same group of people can now vote for the overall winners by phone or via http://www.mtv.com, where there is also a complete list of nominees.
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EMI NOT FAZED BY ROBBIE'S US SALES
EMI have told Radio 1 they are not too concerned about Robbie William's poor performance in the US with new album 'Escapology'. As reported last week William’s latest album, which has only just been released over there, shifted 21,000 records in its first week. By comparison the current number one album from Linkin Park shifted 810,000 in its first week. Both artist and label are keen to break American properly and a commitment from both sides to endeavour to make this happen was key to William's recent £80 million recording contract.
So much is Williams breaking America part of EMI's business plan that the record company's share price slipped when Robbie’s album entered the US charts at 43. But EMI Senior Vice President of Marketing Mark Collen told Radio 1 yesterday: "America is a totally totally different market and you cannot compare in any way to the UK. If you look at how Coldplay have done it, they've spent months touring, they've spent months doing radio shows, and that's very much the strategy that we're taking with Robbie. The question you keep asking me - 'am I happy with 21,000?' Yes, because I was expecting 10-15,000 records."
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50 CENT PLANS JAY Z COLLABORATIONS
50 Cent has told MTV he is planning a tour and studio collaborations with Jay-Z. The live shows will follow 50's current club tour where Eminem's protégé is headlining, though 50 expects Jay to headline on their joint dates: "It's easy. I give him that pressure. Let Jay headline. He's got a string of records that have had their opportunity to have their moments. He can go on for a good 40 minutes with just the singles, so he should be headlining." No word yet on actual dates for either the gigs or studio work.
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MORE POP REALITY TV – THIS TIME IT’S IN THE FAMILY
Oh dear – the latest reality pop show has materialised. FremantleMedia are launching a new series called 'First Family Of Pop' where they will be looking for a Jacksons / Osmonds / Bee Gees style musical family. Simon Jones, the man behind the show, explains: "We are not just looking for vocalists - we're looking for the whole ensemble. Maybe Dad is an accomplished sax player, which sits well with Mum's falsetto range. Perhaps two young brothers' hip-hop moves complement big brother's rap lyrics. Maybe Mum and her two daughters carry the harmony as Dad and his two sons carry the backline of drums and guitars." The TV company are currently looking for a network to take the show.
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SONY BOSS APPOINTS NEW BOSS FOR US BUSINESS
New Sony boss Andrew Lack has made one of his major new appointments. He has promoted current head of Columbia Records, Donnie Lenner, to the new post of President of Sony US. In this role he will report directly to Lack and oversee all of Sony's US based record labels – including Columbia, Epic, Sony Classical, Sony Music Nashville, Sony Music Soundtrax, Sony Wonder and Legacy Recordings – as well as overseeing the strategic development of sales and distribution.
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REVIEW: Various Artists - The Drum and Bass Fiesta presented by DJ Patife and Suv (V Recordings)
The Brazil EP's release on V in 2001 changed the face of drum and bass forever, and this is the progression - a double CD dedicated to the cause. Bristol's Suv compiles the first disc - pushing the Bristol envelope further with his own 'More' and then choosing some downtempo jazz from John B, a roller in an early Aquasky vein from techno superstar Dave Angel and the top 20 classic 'LK' by Marky and XRS. The lowpoint on this disk is a rather bland mix of his collaboration with Patife in 'Inta Outa'. The stand out. meanwhile, is Suv's own 'Sueno Differentes' - with the heavenly vocals of Maria Jose married to a far futuristic morphing bassline. On his disk Sao Paulo's Patife (long suffering understudy to Marky) selects some gems: from Cleveland Watkiss's 'Torch of Freedom' to high energy pressure from XRS and Marky with 'Highlights' and their hard edged killer 'System'. Danny C's anthem 'Mexican' and Lemon D's 'Get on Down' are faced with strummed guitar carni-folk from Como Le Gusta, and chillout from Mierda Hedionda. All in all a great package of hard to find tracks truly representing the scene. Wall to wall sheer Braziliance. PV
Release date: 21 Apr
Press contact: Electric PR [all]
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JONATHAN KING APPLIES FOR CASE REVIEW
Jonathan King, currently serving a seven year jail sentence after being found guilty of sexually abusing boys in the 1980s, has asked the Criminal Cases Review Commission to review his case. This follows a refusal by the Court of Appeal in January to rehear his case. King's high profile court case saw him accused of four indecent assaults and two serious sexual offences against boys aged 14 and 15. He has always maintained his innocence, saying it was impossible to defend himself against allegations that had happened many years previously.
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CAPITAL STEAL HEART BREAKFAST GIRL
Capital FM have signed up Emma Forbes from rival London station Heart 1062 where she has been co-presenting the breakfast show with Jono Coleman. Heart's breakfast has been one of the key competitors to Capital's Chris Tarrant show and some Capital insiders have pointed to Forbes partnership with Coleman as one of the reasons for the increased popularity of the rival. Announcing the signing Capital MD Andria Vidler told reporters: "Having had the recent increase in listeners to Heart's breakfast show attributed to her, she has already proved a hit with London listeners." Forbes will co-present Capital's revamped weekend breakfast programme with Chris Brooks from 14 Aug. Harriet Scott will co-present Heart's breakfast show in the short term – it's not clear whether she will become a permanent part of Heart's breakfast format or whether a new partner will be found for Coleman.
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6MUSIC PLAN SMITHS CELEBRATIONS
BBC digital radio station 6Music is planning a special show to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of The Smith’s debut single 'Hand In Glove'. Among the programmes planned are an interview with drummer Mie Joyce, a search for the most obsessive Smiths fan and a show where current indie acts will perform their favourite Smiths track. Confirmed to participate in the latter are The Thrills, who have covered 'Last Night I Dreamt Somebody Loved Me', Ed Harcourt who will perform 'Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want' and Nada Surf who are recording a version of 'There Is A Light That Never Goes Out'.
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POLYPHONIC SECOND ALBUM COMPLETE
The Polyphonic Spree have completed their second album and the band's label hope to have it ready for release later this year. Speaking to Rolling Stone frontman Tim DeLaughter described the new album by saying: "Sonically it's the best thing I've ever been a part of, it's pretty much hair-raising and it's a really wonderful representation of The Polyphonic Spree two-and-a-half-years later. There's a story and theme that's cohesive through the whole record, a lot of hope and aspirations of reaching more and making it through."
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MADONNA CHARTS ON IMPORT SALES
Despite a mixed critical reception for Madonna's new single 'American Life', early indications are that the new album will be another hit project because said single has entered the charts before even being released! So many fans bought 'American Life' on import that the single sold enough units to get to 57 in the singles chart the week before it was actually released in the UK. And Madonna's label will be hoping those fans might just buy a second copy of the single this week because the UK release has a number of remixes from the likes of Missy Elliott and Timbaland, Paul Oakenfold, Felix Da Housecat and Peter Rauhofer. As for those thinking of downloading the new album, rumour has it Madonna's label has put 'spoiler' copies of the album online which, once downloaded, feature Madonna saying "What the fuck do you think you are doing?" on every track.
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SUGE – WEB PRANKS AND DENIALS
Two stories from the continuingly mad life of Death Row Records boss Suge Knight.
Firstly, seemingly in response to the attempted shooting of Snoop Dogg this weekend, Knight (never a friend of Dre affiliates) has put a picture of Snoop on his website with the caption "Watch Out for Snoop's Boys In Blue" – it's refers to the fact that at least two of the bodyguards with Snoop when he was shot turned out to be police officers. The picture is accompanied by the sound of a gunshot followed by that of a whimpering puppy.
Second, Suge has denied allegations that he encouraged a young rapper called Antron Singleton (aka The Big Lurch) to commit violent crimes in order to "build a more gangsta image". Singleton's mother claims her son, who faces murder allegations, was given drugs by the label to make him more violent for image purposes. But Suge denies any knowledge of the rapper, let alone supplying him with drugs: "This is not only slander, it's extortion, like that girl who claimed to be Bill Cosby's daughter. If I had any dealings or conversations with this guy, you would know about it. I'm not shy about promoting my artists."
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LIVE REVIEW: The White Stripes @ Brixton Academy on 12 Apr
How much further can it go? Jack White has acknowledged that a band like The White Stripes has a limited life span, but surely even he didn’t expect this. At a creative peak the band have a high-charting album across the globe, Nicole Kidman as acting colleagues and a fanbase able to sell this tour tens of times over. Their do-it-yourself, 'I can barely play this thing' – 'what's a set-list?' attitude is kicking and fighting next to the Linkin Park's of this world - and all this while they spend £6000 on making a record while others spend millions. It's not necessary to describe this gigs details. It's clear though that The White Stripes are changing what it means to be a 'rock' band, no-one has done this since Nirvana, it's a pleasure to witness it. DH
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SHARON OSBOURNE RESPONDS TO LA ALTERCATION
Sharon Osbourne and Renee Tab, an entertainment agent for International Creative Management, were reportedly involved in what has been referred to as an "altercation" in an LA restaurant last Thursday. Needless to say there are two sides to the story. In a statement Osbourne's publicist claimed Tab hit out at Osbourne in what she described as a "vicious" assault that led to Sharon being taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center to be treated for a dislocated jaw, chipped tooth and sprained neck. Ever the diplomat Kelly Osbourne later added that: "All I know is she punched my mom in the face and my mom has a black and blue face," adding that had she been there to defend her mom, "I'd be in jail right now," she said. Tab, for her part, says Sharon has exaggerated, and that the altercation only occurred after Osbourne spit on her. Apparantly there has been bad blood between Osbourne and Tab ever since a New Year's Eve party at the Osbourne’s house. Tab wasn't an official guest, but she won a raffle the Osbournes ran, the prize for which was a $15,000 diamond necklace. Sharon claimed because she wasn't a proper guest she didn't deserve the prize – and so the feud began.
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MORELLO ON HIS AXIS OF JUSTICE
Audioslave / Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello has been talking about his website - Axis of Justice - which provides a forum for the anti-war anti-Bush movement. Talking to Aussie music website Undercover, Morello explained: "It is really a crime up the Bush administration is up to. I've been doing some political work along with Serj Tankian from System of a Down. It is a way to build a bridge between progressive minded musicians, fans of music an grass roots political organisations to fight for social justice together". Back on to Bush he continued: "First of all my question would be 'What does George Bush know about democracy"?" he says. "He didn't even get the most votes in the Presidential election. I think it is a criminal war and while I am tremendously supportive of the young American men and women who are over there, who have been ordered to go over there and fight, I wish every one of them is able to come home safely to their families. The fact that, over the objections of the entire world basically, the US has gone and invaded and taken over Iraq. It is really a crime. We continue to speak out against it over here and try to diffuse as much democracy and dissent and to at least remind our leaders that those are American values as well that need to be preserved". There's more on the Morello’s political campaigning at http://www.axisofjustice.org
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GOLDIE'S CLUB RETURNS TO EAST END
Goldie’s infamous end-of-weekend drum & bass club Metalheadz returns to its original Hoxton base this weekend. From 20 Apr the legendary club, which was originally stage in the East End Blue Note club, will take up residence at Hoxton's Bridge and Tunnel. Since the Blue Note closed in 1998 the club has had temporary homes in Islington, Camden and the West End.
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POP FESTIVAL LINE UP NEWS
Line up news for two of this summer's pop shows/tours.
First Channel Five have confirmed Kelly Rowland, S Club and Dannii Minogue will headline its Spring Break Live show at the Birmingham International Arena on 27 Apr. Among the 23 act line up will be Big Brovaz, Busted, David Sneddon, Emma Bunton, Kym Marsh, Girls Aloud, Sinead Quinn, Sarah Whatmore, S Club Juniors and Abs. Meanwhile EMAP have added Craig David and Big Brovaz to the bill of their Box Tour – though they will only play the London date on 30 May. Other acts participating on the eleven date tour are Dannii Minogue, Mel C, Darius, Girls Aloud, Mis-teeq, Busted and Blazin' Squad.
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REVIEW: Grand Drive – A Little Like You (BMG/Gravity)
Hooray! Rod Stewart has invented time travel in the 1970's, and has travelled forward through time with The Faces to make more of the cracking records they used to make before they all turned old and rubbish. Or joined the Rolling Stones. But wait! It's not the girl-magnetising tartan superstar time travelling after all – it's another bunch of lads from this moment in time. Well, knock me down with a mop top. Evocative of a time when shagpile carpets were acceptable hairstyles and scarves were a fashion statement, the pared down simplicity exhibited here should be noted by others. Guitars, drums, keyboards, bass and vocals – that’s all you need to create the lush warmth that’s the centre of this fine record. TO
Release date: 7 Apr
Press contact: Excess [CP, RP, NP] BMG IH [CR, RR, NR]
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STRUMMER FAMILY SETS UP FUND FOR YOUNG MUSICIANS
Joe Strummer's family have announced they are setting up a charity to raise funds for struggling rock 'n' roll musicians. The new project will be launched at a tribute show for the former Clash frontman being held at London's Tabernacle this weekend.
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MARLEY BASSIST CAN TAKE ROYALTIES CASE TO COURT
Aston Barrett, the bassist with Bob Marley's backing group The Wailers, has won the first stage in his 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 tried to have the case thrown out of court because of a 1994 agreement between the label and various members of the Wailers with regards royalties. But Mr Justice Laddie last week refused the application so both parties now need to prepare for a full hearing of the claim, though no date has actually been set for the trial.