| CMU Daily - on the inside 29 Jul 2003 |
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In today's CMU Daily:
• Napster revived
• Iron butterfly guitarist dies
• Review: Richard X – X Factor Volume One
• Lostprophets cancel Reading and Leeds
• Delays support Tim Burgess
• Creamfields line up
• Iron Maiden drummer arrested
• RIAA announce new chairman
• New Neil young album
• Realnetworks second quarter 2003
• Review: Various – Hotel Pelirocco: Music From The Legendary Hotel
• Jehst live
• Limp Bizkit booed off stage
• Richard X instore
• The Tidy Weekender 4 sold out
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NAPSTER REVIVED
Roxio Inc has announced that they will relaunch Napster before Christmas having signed deals with all the majors and key independents. The service is set to launch with around 500,000 tracks which will be available through individual track downloads and monthly subscriptions - a few free downloads should be available too.
Napster was started by college student Shawn Fanning back in the late nineties, of course, aiming to provide a way for like-minded music fans to connect. But when it won proper commercial backing Napster quickly became the centre of the downloading controversy leading to numerous crippling lawsuits. Napster eventually filed for bankruptcy last year – despite having been leant millions by BMG in a bid to develop a legal version of the service. Roxio bought the Napster brand in the subsequent bankruptcy auction.
Roxio Inc chairman and CEO, Chris Corog said, "Napster 2.0 is being built from the ground up to reflect the essence of independence and innovation that the brand is known for. Consumers want flexibility, and for the first time they will not have to choose between downloads or subscriptions. Napster 2.0 will allow music fans to do both, putting the power where it belongs - in the hands of consumers."
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IRON BUTTERFLY GUITARIST DIES
Erik Braunn, guitarist for Iron Butterfly died of a cardiac arrest at the end of last week aged 52. The band made famous for the 17-minute rock epic 'In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida', saw Braunn – then a violin prodigy - join when he was only 16. He toured with the heavy metal band from 1967 to 1969. After leaving the live line-up, Braunn occasionally joined the band for performances, and worked as a songwriter, musician and producer until his death. At the time of his death, he was working on a new album.
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REVIEW: Richard X – X Factor Volume One (Virgin)
No seriously… what are Virgin doing with this fucking lunatic on their books? He gets Liberty X into the charts and then invites Deborah Evans-Stickland (Flying Lizards) to cover 'Walk On By' - this guy should be fucking locked up. He should be signed to an independent dance label eeking out a living DJing in bars and living on baked beans. I just don't understand how someone this 'crazy' and this good can get onto a major and then be allowed to put an album out like this – it sounds like Air on crystal meth messing about in Aphex Twins studio after being up on pills for three days straight. JG
Release date: 25 Aug
Press Contact: APB [RP, NP] Virgin IH [CP, CR, RR, NR]
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LOSTPROPHETS CANCEL READING AND LEEDS
Lostprophets have announced that they are no longer able to play the Reading and Leeds Festivals. The warm-up dates preceding Reading have also have been cancelled. The cancellation has been caused by recording commitments - the band is currently in the studio finishing their second album, with producer Eric Valentine (QOTSA, Good Charlotte), due for release later this year.
Singer Ian Watkins said: "We were gutted once we realised we had to pull these shows. We want to make the best record possible and did not want to rush anything. Unfortunately these shows are at the final stages of making the record and we felt it was more important not to short-change anyone. When everything is ready, you will know it and you wont be able to get rid of us. Trust me, it will be worth the wait. At least you still have Metallica, so it's not that bad."
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DELAYS SUPPORT TIM BURGESS
Following the success of The Delays' single, 'Hey Girl', which went top 40 on Sunday, the band have been confirmed as support for Tim Burgess on a number of his UK tour dates.
Dates are:
12 Aug: Liquid Rooms, Edinburgh
13 Aug: Leadmill, Sheffield
14 Aug: Academy 2, Birmingham
19 Aug: Scala, London
20 Aug: Scala, London
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CREAMFIELDS LINE UP
Mint Royale have been confirmed to play Creamfields UK on 23 Aug. They will play the Live Outdoor Stage alongside headliners Massive Attack, Nick Warren, Gus Gus, the Stanton Warriors and headliner Paul Oakenfold.
Latest additions make the Line-up so far: Massive Attack (Live), Chemical Brothers (DJ Set), Paul Oakenfold, Tiesto, Sasha, Paul Van Dyk, Pete Tong, Erick Morillo, Dave Clarke (Live), Timo Maas, Judge Jules, Mauro Picotto, Fergie, U.N.K.L.E Sounds, UMEK, Steve Lawler, Nick Warren, Erol Alkan, Armin Van Buuren, Rob Da Bank, Bent, Audio Bullys Soundsystem, Ferry Corsten, Tall Paul, Gus Gus (Live), Jon Carter, Harry Romero, Justin Robertson, Eddie Halliwell, Jose Nunez, Guy Ornadel, Antranig, Terra Deva (Live), E Smoove & Vocalists, Hernan Cattaneo, James Holroyd, Cuban Brothers, Richard F, Paul Richards, James Zabiela, Lisa Lashes, Yoji, BK, Andy Farley, and Rob Tissera.
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IRON MAIDEN DRUMMER ARRESTED
Iron Maiden are only five dates into their US leg of the 'Give Me Ed... 'Til I'm Dead Tour' and the band's drummer, Nicko McBrain, has been arrested for allegedly purposely driving his black Jaguar into a parking attendant before a concert.
The drummer, who replaced Clive Burr in the early eighties, was trying to pull into the New York venue's VIP car park at the weekend when he was stopped by attendant Mark Robinson, who asked for credentials. The state park police said that McBrain flashed his identification, but the attendant couldn't see it clearly and asked to view it again. McBrain subsequently told the attendant that he would hit him with the car if he didn't get out of the way. He didn't, so he did.
Robinson suffered bruises on his right hand and legs, and was taken to Nassau University Medical Center for examination. Police have charged McBrain with third-degree assault and second-degree reckless endangerment, but released him to perform. If convicted, McBrain could face up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
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RIAA ANNOUNCE NEW CHAIRMAN
Mitch Bainwol, a Republican lobbyist, is to replace current chairman Hilary Rosen at the RIAA as of 1 Sep.
Bainwol, who currently heads up The Bainwol Group lobbying firm, has been Executive Director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, chief of staff to Florida Republican Senator Connie Mack and Chief of Staff to the Senate Majority Leader, Tennessee Republican Bill Frist.
Bainwol said: "I'm delighted to take on this role. It is an honor to be associated with such a talented and creative group. I am especially pleased to be working with [RIAA President/General Counsel] Cary Sherman and look forward to tapping into his expertise about the music business. What could be more rewarding than helping promote two great American traditions—music and property rights?"
Sherman said: "Mitch's strong background and experience will be a real asset. We welcome him and look forward to working with him on the important issues facing our industry at this crucial time."
What role Bainwol will have in the Summer of Litigation remains to be seen.
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NEW NEIL YOUNG ALBUM
Neil Young is set to release his new album, 'Greendale', on 18 Aug on Reprise. The thematically linked songs on the album will accompany Neil Young's film of the same title that will be premiered at the Toronto Film Festival on 4 Sep.
The album was performed in its entirety on Young's recent solo acoustic UK tour, and will be available on single CD format, as well as a double pack with an additional live DVD of the 'Greendale' tracks.
Press contact: Andy Prevezer @ WEA/London
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REALNETWORKS SECOND QUARTER 2003
Digital audio and video services company RealNetworks have announced the results for the quarter ended 30 Jun 2003. Revenue is $49.6m (up 6% from the first quarter) and though net loss was $9.6m.
Rob Glaser, CEO of RealNetworks, Inc said: "In the second quarter we grew our revenue nicely and made progress in each of our two main business areas. We continued to drive our paid content business forward, including introducing a new product, RealOne Rhapsody, that we believe will position RealNetworks very well for the future of the digital music business. We also made major progress in mobile media systems software, laying the foundation for what we believe is a very promising opportunity."
For the third quarter of 2003, RealNetworks anticipates modest revenue growth as it expects increases in its systems infrastructure business and paid content sales, including subscriptions.
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REVIEW: Various – Hotel Pelirocco: Music From The Legendary Hotel (Distinct'ive Breaks)
Although I lived in Brighton for several years, I never came across the Pelirocco Hotel. Maybe because I wasn't the kind of punk/rock/metal/drug/excessive person that the hotel housed. In fact its definitely that. Distinct'ive may be taking a break from the breaks, but it's a Welcome Break™ and the 20 tracker profiles the kind of music that the hotel had blaring (80's word) from the balconies at all hours of the day and night. 'What was that?' do I hear you ask? Well, it's the Damned, Dexy's MR, Minnie Ripperton, Small Faces and - personal favourite - Scissor Sisters' cover of Floyd's 'Comfortably Numb' (which is worth it on its own – trust me). Wicked. JG
Release date: 25 Aug
Press Contact: Distinct'ive IH [all]
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JEHST LIVE
One of the UK's brightest hip hop talents, and a CMU favourite, MC Jehst, will be making a special one-off live appearance tomorrow for Live and Direct at Cargo, Shoreditch, with DJ's MK, Shortee Blitz and Jawa. Jehst's new album, 'Falling Down' has been given a provisional release date of 13 Oct. 12", 'Run Hard' is due a couple of weeks prior to this. The album sees Lewis Parker producing a number of tracks.
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LIMP BIZKIT BOOED OFF STAGE
Fred Durst and his band were showered with bottles and other assorted detritus until they left the stage at Saturday night's Summer Sanitarium show outside Chicago. The short set was punctuated by booing and chants of 'Fuck Fred Durst'.
Bob Gendron, who reviewed the event for the Chicago Tribune said: "The animosity toward Limp Bizkit among the estimated 40,000 fans at the Hawthorne Racetrack had been building all day, according to. From the very beginning of the show, there were people in the crowd with 'Fred Sucks' banners, and every time one of the other bands mentioned Limp Bizkit, [the audience] booed."
After only 6 tracks, Durst walked off stage – the set was supposed to last an hour.
It is believed that the animosity may be as a result of a long-running feud between Bizkit and popular Chicago radio personality 'Mancow' Mueller, who had preceded the event with much slagging off of Durst on-air.
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RICHARD X INSTORE
To promote the release of his new album 'Richard X Presents His X Factor', Richard X will be Djing live at HMV on Oxford st on 29 Aug at 6pm.
Press contact: Caroline Monk 02089870123
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THE TIDY WEEKENDER 4 SOLD OUT
Tickets for the forthcoming Tidy Weekender 4 have sold out just two weeks after going on sale. Taking place on 10-12 Oct the line up includes Lisa Lashes, Anne Savage, Lisa Pin Up, Eddie Halliwell, Tidy Boys, Andy Farley, Paul Glazby, Lee Haslam and many more..
Daytime activities will see the return of the infamous 5-a-side football and DJs will be taking a seat on the sofa with Amo and Andy for an unplanned session.
The Main Arena on Saturday night hosts Big Beach Ball so get your trunks on as we go loco in acoprestatyn. The Second Arena is Vicious; hosted by Vicious Circle, keeping things trance free. Meanwhile, Generation Hardcore takes over the third room as tidy welcomes Brisk for the first time.
Ending the Weekender 4 on Sunday is Hard As Hell in the main arena and National Anthems in the Second Arena where big tunes are the dish of the day.
Press Contact: Beccy Lindon @Most Wanted PR 01788 540908