Radiohead Accused Of Being Driven By Greed (UG)
By Yuda
Radiohead were accused of being motivated by greed when they featured on the "Colbert Report" last night.
Colbert made the half-joke during a special episode featuring the band.
As you can see in the clip below, Colbert asks the band whether they made more money per record with a major record label rather than self-releasing their music as they do today.
Frontman Thom Yorke looked to his bandmates for an answer, asking "what's the official answer to this question?" with fellow guitarist Ed O'Brian adding: "We sell less records but make more money."
Colbert replied saying "So people are hearing that you're making more money. That means your motivated by greed and that I can respect."
His joke followed a discussion with the band over the fact that the episode was sponsored by Dr Pepper - something Yorke noted hadn't been discussed with them before taking part in the special episode.
"It tastes like that stuff you'd get at the dentist which you swill around in your mouth," said Thom. Their anti-capitalist stance came across as hypocritical after revealing their motivation to make more money rather than distribute their music to more people.- Ultimate-Guitar
Guns N' Roses Nominated For Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame (UG)
By Yuda
Guns N' Roses have been nominated for induction to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.
They join 15 other finalists for the prestigious ceremony, includingThe Cure, Heart, Joan Jett and The Blackhearts, Eric B and Rakim, The Spinners, The Small Faces, Freddy King and Rufus with Chaka Khan.
Some nominees from previous years who didn't make the cut have
returned to the nomination list, including Beastie
Boys, Red Hot Chili
Peppers, Laura
Nyro and War Donovan.
Votes are cast by more than 500 music industry professionals and musicians. The five acts with the highest number of votes will be inducted to the 27th ceremony on April 14.
"It's a great honor," said former Gn'R guitarist Gilby Clarke when asked about their first ever nomination. "The band deserves it. It was a long time coming."
Acts must have released their first record over 25 years ago to be eligible for the award. The only remaining member of the group from 25 years ago is frontman Axl Rose, after tensions within the band led to members leaving or being "fired" by Axl. He is reportedly still not on speaking terms with guitarist Slash.
What will Slash do if the band are inducted to the hall of fame, when there is still some tension between former members? "We'll cross that bridge when we get there," he said (viaBlabbermouth). "If they're gonna pass you over, I don't think it's worth worrying about too much."- Ultimate-Guitar
Linkin Park falls back on formula (MyPaper)
By Yuda
WHAT: Linkin Park Live
VENUE: 2011 SingTel Singapore Grand Prix, Padang stage
ATTENDANCE: 50,000
WHEN: Sunday night
Hate to say it, but Linkin Park might do well with a reboot in the concert department.
Honestly, Sunday's show made one feel as though the American rock band could put on a full show in their sleep - and this isn't necessarily a good thing. Since they first gained international success in 2000 with debut album Hybrid Theory, the Grammy-winning sextet have toured heavily, most recently in support of their album A Thousand Suns (2010).
And, perhaps, life on the road has worn them out just a tad. Don't get me wrong - the 90-minute concert, which marked the end of this year's Formula One festivities, had all the trappings of a Linkin Park gig.
High-octane rap-rock numbers were delivered with effortless panache, and screamo choruses inspired some serious moshing from fans.
The diverse crowd numbered a whopping 50,000, although that figure included those on their way out of the race venue.
Lead singer Chester Bennington, as always, held court as the band tore through crowd favourites, kicking off with New Divide, off the Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen soundtrack (2009) around 10.40pm.
Switching from melodic vocals to his trademark growl, the 35-year-old's voice grew hoarser the harder he pushed it, especially on songs like From The Inside.
But at times, it felt like he was simply going through the motions. One couldn't help but wish he'd shaken things up a bit, perhaps by throwing in his recent rendition of British singer Adele's Rolling In The Deep.
Meanwhile, rapper-guitarist Mike Shinoda, 34, attempted half-heartedly to hype up his ardent following, imploring them to "pump your fists". Surely, Shinoda could do better than that.
The band first played at the Padang in 2004, and the Singapore Indoor Stadium three years after that, and so this round of Linkin Park felt like a case of "been there, done that".
So, while hardcore fans lapped it all up, others, like this
reporter, were left wishing these stars had tried harder to up
their game.
-MyPaper
Sistic appeals against finding, million-$ fine begins (TODAYonline)
By YudaSINGAPORE - Ticket agent Sistic does not have a dominant position in the industry as it is "competitively constrained by the credible threat of losing its major venue operators", its lawyers said yesterday.
Sistic is appealing against the Competition Commission of Singapore's (CCS) finding last year that it had abused its dominant position to block other firms from competing. It is also seeking to reduce the S$989,000 fine imposed by the CCS.
Yesterday was the first day of the appeal, which is being heard by the Competition Appeal Board. The board includes retired Supreme Court Judge L P Thean and Senior Counsel Amarjeet Singh.
Sistic's lawyers from Drew and Napier, led by Mr Cavinder Bull, argued that the venue operators Singapore Sports Council and Esplanade "have the ability and incentive to credibly threaten to use another ticketing service provider, or to self supply services". The venue operators can easily sponsor a new entrant, Mr Bull reiterated.
Mr Bull cited the findings of the Irish Competition Authority (ICA), which ruled that Ireland's TicketMaster, despite holding a 100 per cent market share, would likely not hold a dominant position as it was constrained by the credible threat of losing major venue operators.
Last June, the CCS had ruled that Sistic had contravened the Competition Act by requiring 17 event promoters and two of the biggest venues in Singapore - the Esplanade and Indoor Stadium - to sign exclusive contracts with it.
The Singapore Sports Council is the venue operator for the Indoor Stadium. Together, the Indoor Stadium and the Esplanade account for between 50 and 70 per cent of all ticket sales here. Appealing against CCS' ruling, Sistic is also seeking to reduce the fine to S$769,000.
In court documents obtained by Today, CCS stated in its opening submissions that the exclusive restrictions in the 19 exclusive agreements between Sistic and its event promoters and venue operators were initiated and imposed by Sistic.
It will argue how these restrictions "made no economic sense except having the primary effect of foreclosing competition".
The CCS will also argue that the exclusive agreements contain "total and explicit restrictions, as opposed to those in the Irish Ticketmaster decision, where the decisions were merely preferential in nature" and that Sistic had also created an indirect network on ticket buyers who because they could only buy tickets from Sistic, would continue doing so and attract event promoters to use Sistic to reach out to more ticket buyers.
The hearing continues.
New Releases @ HMV This Week
By Yuda(week starting 26th Sept)
Rock & Pop
- Nirvana - Nevermind: 20th Anniversary (2CD Deluxe)
- Foxy Shazam - Foxy Shazam
- Siti Nurhaliza - All Your Love
- Joss Stone - Best of
- Erasure - When I Start To Work (Break It All Down)
- James Morrison - Awakening
- Blink 182 - Neighborhoods
OST
- Ost Dangerous Method
Classical & Jazz
- Kennedy (Vln) - Four Elements
- Grigolo (Ten) - Arrivederci
Asian
- Wang Li Hong - Open Fire: New + Best Selections
- Super Junior - Mr Simple (A-Cha) Ver C
- Dong Bang Shin Ki - Tone
R.E.M calls it a day after more than 30 yrs
By YudaKey members of the band, whose hits include "The One I Love" and "Losing My Religion," addressed fans in a posting on their website, thanking them for their loyalty and saying they have astonished even themselves with their accomplishments.
"To our Fans and Friends: As R.E.M., and as lifelong friends and co-conspirators, we have decided to call it a day as a band. We walk away with a great sense of gratitude, of finality, and of astonishment at all we have accomplished. To anyone who ever felt touched by our music, our deepest thanks for listening," the band said in its posting.
R.E.M was originally comprised of singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bass player Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry, who suffered a brain aneurysm during the band's 1995 "Monster" tour and subsequently left the group.
But even without Berry, the band continued to make records and tour. Overall, R.E.M. have released 15 albums since breaking through the ranks of rock acts in the early 1980s when they became a sensation on the US college circuit singing their hit " Radio Free Europe".
"A wise man once said -'the skill in attending a party is knowing when it's time to leave.' We built something extraordinary together. We did this thing. And now we're going to walk away from it," Stipe said in the statement.
Bassist Mills said that while making "Collapse Into Now" and on their recent tour to support the album, the band mates began asking themselves what would come next.
- Reuters
Bruno Mars' 'It Will Rain' From 'Breaking Dawn' to Arrive September 27
By Yuda
The first single from "The Twilight Saga's Breaking Dawn Part I" soundtrack album has finally been revealed. Unlike the previous "Twilight Saga" theme song compilations which were led by songs crafted by bands, this upcoming one will feature new music from a solo artist on the lead.
Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Bruno Mars is chosen to sing the first offering. Titled "It Will Rain", the single will be available worldwide on iTunes on September 27, and in the U.K. on October 31. "Remember that song I told yall I finished? Well its called It Will Rain #ComingSoon," so he tweeted.
An official cover art for the forthcoming single was unleashed. It depicts a man in silhouette, supposedly Bruno, as he sits in a slightly-slumped posture. Wearing a quiff hairstyle, he holds an umbrella in his right hand, and clutches a bottle in the other. On the background, colorful pants are dripping down the frame.
The soundtrack album is set to come out for purchase in the U.S. on November 8, ten days before the movie arrives in theaters across the country. Other songs remain under wraps, but it was reported that "Sister Rosetta (Capture the Spirit)" performed by Noisettes might make the cut. The rumor emerged after Bella's pre-wedding clip which was shown at San Diego Comic-Con features the song as a backsound.
Last August, Evanescence revealed their hope to land their song in the album. "I've been screaming for [new song] 'My Heart Is Broken' to land in that, because I think it would fit the story so well. I got sucked into the 'Twilight' vortex by the girls at home, so by default, I've got to watch it," said drummer Will Hunt.
"Breaking Dawn" itself will follow newlywed Edward and Bella Swan as they take their romance to the next level. Their newfound marriage bliss, however, is cut short when Bella finds out about her pregnancy and suffers a great deal of pain. Also, the arrival of their daughter sets in motion a perilous chain of events that pits the Cullens and their allies against the fearsome council of vampire leaders.
The last chapter in the "Twilight" series, "Breaking Dawn" is split into two parts. "The Twilight Saga's Breaking Dawn Part I" will hit U.S. theaters on November 18, while "The Twilight Saga's Breaking Dawn Part II" is set for November 16, 2012 release.
Looking back at the past years, the first installment of the "Twilight Saga" features Paramore's "Decode" as the first single, "The Twilight Saga's New Moon" has Death Cab for Cutie's "Meet Me on the Equinox" on the lead, and "The Twilight Saga's Eclipse" has Muse's "Neutron Star Collision (Love Is Forever)" as the first offering.
- Aceshowbiz.com
Letter From An Elton John Fan
By YudaAlice Cooper Picks Ke$ha To Be The Devil
By Yuda
Alice Cooper just released his 26th studio album to date, “Welcome 2 My Nightmare”, which acts as a sequel to his debut album. To the surprise (and dismay) of many fans, pop star Ke$ha made a guest appearance and contributed vocals to a track on the record. In an interview with Classic Rock Revisited, Alice Cooper explained why he chose to work with Ke$ha.
“I sometimes rebel against my own fans,” the shock rocker stated. “When my fans come up to me and go, ‘You can’t have someone like her on your record.’ Then I go, ‘I can’t? Why?’ If someone tells me that I can’t have Vince Gill play lead on a song, then I say, ‘Why?’ If he plays the greatest guitar solo that you ever heard then who cares?”
“When I met [Ke$ha], I had an idea for a song,” Cooper continued. “I needed a character to play the devil. In the song, she finally has enough, and its time for Alice to pay her with his soul. We decided to call it ‘What Baby Wants Baby Gets’ because in the song he tries to say, ‘Hey, that wasn’t part of the deal’ and she says, ‘No, no, no, you don’t understand, what baby wants, baby gets!’ For me, it was a perfect line for her to say.”
Alice Cooper also mentioned that he offered Ke$ha some advice and is currently trying to convince her into abandoning the Diva image and becoming a real rock singer:
“I met Ke$ha at the Grammys and she never looked, to me, like a Diva, she looked like a rock singer. I told her, ‘Eventually, everyone leaves the Divas. There is no way you can have a long lasting career as no one ends up loving the Divas forever. However, everybody loves a rock band.’ It’s true, no one ever says anything bad about Chrissie Hynde. I am trying to talk her into getting a real rock band behind her.”- Ultimate-Guitar
'CDs Will Be Dead In Five Years', Says Retail Giant
By Yuda
The chief-executive of one of the largest entertainment retailers in the UK says the CD will be dead in five years time.
The HMV executive, Simon Fox, told The Sun (via Gigwise) that the CD market will drop from £900 million ($1.4 billion) in 2010 to £300 million ($475 million) in 2014.
He believes his retail chain, famous for it's logo of a dog peering into a gramophone, will finish stocking CDs by 2016.
"There will be a place for CDs, but it's difficult to see out more than five years,”he said.
CDs reportedly reached their sales peak in 2004, but with the growing popularity of digital stores like Apple's iTunes, and illegal downloading, CD sales began to falter.
It is hard to imagine how a high-street store like HMV will keep their doors open when digital stores have already carved a space online, and it could be difficult for 'traditional' retailers to enter the new marketplace.
However, HMV have a plan. In preparation for their uncertain future, HMV will re-focus their shelves and increase their stock of MP3 players, headphones and other technology products to account for 25% of their product range.Subscribe
