News Round Up: Week Ending 17th December 2005

[Revan]

Mylo destroys President Bush
The video for Mylo’s new single, “Muscle Car” features a President Bush look-a-like snorting cocaine and indulging in ****. Mylo, who is touring as part of next year’s BDO, says the idea of President Bush on a bender was especially appealing as he was living in the US in 2001 (studying for a PhD in Philosophy at UCLA) when Bush “Stole the election… it was very depressing. In the four years since then, he’s proved to be even more stupid and dangerous than I feared at the time. I felt that I’d already had a satirical pop at American fundamentalism with my track “Destroy Rock & Roll”, but not everybody interpreted it that way.”


From Spoon To Veronica Mars
Spoon singer / guitarist Britt Daniels is set to make a cameo on US television series Veronica Mars reports Pitchfork. The singer has already filmed a scene in a karaoke bar where he performs a version of Elvis Costello’s (yep, you picked it) “Veronica”.


Velvet Revolver unveil 'concept'
Velvet Revolver have revealed their plans to record a concept album. Following in the footsteps of Green Day, who received worldwide acclaim for their rock opera 'American Idiot', the band have been working on the LP for months, but are remaining tight-lipped about its content. "It's something I've been wanting to do since the last Stone Temple Pilots album, since (2001's) Shangri-La Dee Da album, and it never was completely realised," singer (and former Stone Temple Pilot) Scott Weiland said. "You never know until you really completely get there, but it's going in that direction right now." Bassist Duff McKagan told MTV News: "This album really has to make a statement. We've toured for 18 months. Now we have a brand name. Now we know each other as a band. The first album was just us together at home, a spontaneous product. Now it's time to make that record." As well as working on the follow-up to Velvet Revolver's 2004 debut Contraband, Weiland has also started on his second solo album, following 1998's 12 Bar Blues. He revealed that he intended to release the solo effort a few years ago but joined former Guns n' Roses members Slash, McKagan and drummer Matt Sorum along with Dave Kushner to form Velvet Revolver. "I think I was looking really for a way out of doing drugs," Weiland said. "Then I kept on thinking the music (they were sending me) was getting better and better and finally I was just like, 'I think that there really might be a real contribution waiting to happen for rock and roll here. And I think if I join this I can really add something to this and make a real contribution.'" Neither album has a title or release date as yet, but McKagan hinted that the Velvet Revolver LP may hit stores in Spring. The band will also be ringing in 2006 with a special New Year's Eve show at the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, New Jersey. McKagan explained: "It's a tiny little club where people can hang from the rafters. It's gonna be hot and sweaty and ferocious, but that's rock and roll."


The Bravery reveal second album plans
The Bravery have said the new songs they're playing on the road show a "new side" to the group. The band are finishing 2006 with a tour of North America with Depeche Mode, and have been playing two new tracks, 'Angelina' and 'Oh Glory'. Guitarist Michael Zakarin told Billboard that it's not certain the tracks will feature on the follow-up to their debut album, but they explore a different sound. He said: "These aren't necessarily for the next album. They're songs that are kind of finished and are quite different. There's more backing vocals in those two tracks and they definitely show another side of the band. I think it's showing where we could potentially go in any direction. So for us, we'll have to wait and see where we choose to go but I think we're looking for new angles. Definitely going slightly different and obviously progressing is our main goal." The Bravery say they also have 12 other ideas for songs, with a view to going back in to the studio in Spring. The album however, may not be released for another year.


Mogwai reveal all about new album
Mogwai have unveiled the tracklisting for their new album Mr Beast. The post-rock pioneers' follow up to 2003's Happy Song For Happy People is out in March next year. The album was recorded in the band's new Castle of Doom studio in Glasgow with producer Tony Doogan. The tracklisting is:

'Auto Rock'
'Glasgow Mega-Snake'
'Acid Food'
'Travel Is Dangerous'
'Team Handed'
'Friend Of The Night'
'Emergency Trap'
'Folk Death 95'
'I Chose Horses'
'We're No Here'


“You put da film in da camera…”: Nilsson doco set for release
A documentary on the late, truly great songwriter Harry Nilsson (generally known as Nilsson) will premiere in the US in February next year. It will feature interviews with Yoko Ono, Randy Newman, home videos and over 60 songs. Nilsson’s classic songs include “Everbody’s Talkin’” from the film Midnight Cowboy and the calypso tinged (“You put da lime in da) “Coconut”. His 1971 album Nilsson Schmillson is a singer-songwriter classic. Among his many fans were The Beatles Paul McCartney and John Lennon, who declared him their favourite artist at a 1968 press conference. Nilsson died of heart failure in 1994 after a long battle with alcoholism.


Moby attacks Eminem… again!
The conviction of an Eminem fan charged with the murder of a woman that was inspired by the video for Eminem’s hit song, “Stan” appears to have given Moby license to reignite his feud with Eminem… but this time he’s targeting Eminem’s record company and radio and television broadcasters. In a note on his website, Moby said: Any employee of a record company or journalist or radio programmer or MTV employee who has promoted and celebrated misogynistic or homophobic music should be ashamed. You have blood on your hands, and you should be deeply, deeply troubled at the culture that you've helped to create."


Hey, Mr Tambourine Man play a song for me!
Bob Dylan is to become a radio DJ! The music legend has today announced that he will host an hour-long weekly radio show for XM Satellite radio that will feature a hand-picked playlist, commentary, guest interviews and interaction with email subscribers. In a press release Dylan said, "Songs and music have always inspired me," Dylan said in a press release. "A lot of my own songs have been played on the radio, but this is the first time I've ever been on the other side of the mic. It'll be as exciting for me as it is for XM."


Smiths reunion in Manchester!
The Smiths pair Johnny Marr and Andy Rourke are to reunite onstage for the first time since the band split in 1987. The pair will appear together at a cancer charity gig in Manchester. The show, featuring a host of Manchester legends, takes place on January 28 and is being organised by Andy Rourke. Rourke and Marr, along with New Order, Badly Drawn Boy, Doves, Mani and Stephen Fretwell are all appearing, with more acts expected to be announced soon. Speaking about his involvement, Marr said: "Andy and I go back a long way, since our school days. We have been hanging out and seeing each other and he told me about this project. I literally applauded him and said I wanted to get involved with it if he needed any help. It's a privilege to be part of it. It's not the easiest thing getting something like this together because it needs to be done on a fairly big scale to have any significance so I think Andy is really brave. But who would refuse his offer to get involved? I mean, who could refuse it? You can't unless you are out of the country on tour. I made sure I was around and I'm looking forward to it - it will be a good night." He added: "It's going to be interesting. We might even get a version of 'Blue Monday' on the kazoo."


Stones play free show
The Rolling Stones have today announced they will play a free show at Copacabana Beach in Rio, Brazil on February 18. The show is expected to draw up to 1.5 million people. Given Rio’s notorious gang problems, security will be high at the show. No doubt all concerned will be seeking to avoid a repeat of the Stones chaotic 1969 free concert in Altamont, San Francisco, where the Hells Angels were hired as security and stabbed a concert goer to death.


U2 top concert rich list
U2’s Vertigo tour - which is heading Down Under in March next year - is this year’s highest grossing tour in the US, amassing a rather tidy $345 million dollars. All of the band’s 90 shows were sold out, and attended by more than three million people. Rounding out the list of the top 10 grossing US tours are:


The Eagles: $155 million
Neil Diamond: $94 million
Kenny Chesney: $84 million
Paul McCartney: $80 million
Rod Stewart $65 million
Elton John: $60.5 million
Dave Matthews Band: $59 million
Jimmy Buffett: $54 million
Green Day: $49 million


Kaiser Chiefs reveal Dave Grohl's secret
Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson has revealed the band had a great time on tour in Australia - because Dave Grohl got them drunk as soon as they get offstage. In an interview recorded with XFM during the band’s recent Australian tour, Wilson said, "It's so good, we went straight offstage and Dave gave us a load of Jägerbombs. You ever had a Jägerbomb before? It's great. It's a shot of Jägermeister (strong 70-proof (35%) liqueur flavored with herbs from Germany) and a shot of Red Bull. The poor man's speedball, that's what they call it." He added: "It's always good to play with the Foo Fighters, but it's hard work. Especially here where a big bunch of Australians have waited six months to see the Foo Fighters, and they have to put up with half an hour of Brit Pop revivalists. I'm only joking, they love it here." And the star has also been reflecting on an incredible year for the band after the success of debut LP Employment. He admitted: "Everything past 1,000 records sold is a massive bonus to us. I'm not just being humble, seriously. Everything been amazing. From the first week of being in this band I'd done everything I'd wanted to do, which was be in a band. It has been amazing, I can't wait till I can have some time off so I can get all bloated and start walking around and acting like a *****. I want to walk round Leeds with a huge gold-plated hat on...I am joking, y'know."


Coldplay and White Stripes rock Los Angeles
Coldplay and The White Stripes played storming sets at Los Angeles radio station KROQ's Almost Acoustic Christmas show last night. Depeche Mode also rounded off the evening celebrating the bands of 2005 with a headlining set at the Gibson Amphitheatre. The band, who Coldplay's Chris Martin described as "sh#t hot", closed the night with a set of hits that included 1990 classic “Enjoy the Silence”, “Never Let Me Down Again” and “Shake the Disease”. Coldplay, who had almost the entire 5,000 strong crowd on their feet for their own set, were moved to pay tribute to the reformed eighties act. Just before “Fix You” Martin suggested the crowd appreciate Depeche Mode as much as he does. "Please give them the respect they deserve for being the forefathers of modern music," he told the audience.
Highlights of the evening included a storming set by The White Stripes. Though Jack and Meg White kept to themselves at the show, staying in their dressing room until showtime, fellow performers including Death Cab For Cutie and The Bravery ventured to the venue's pit to see them. The duo also treated fans to a cover of 'Man' by Yeah Yeah Yeahs during a triumphant career-spanning performance.


Ian Brown walks offstage in Ireland
Ian Brown walked off during his show in Belfast on Friday (December 9) after fans pelted the stage with plastic cups and bottles. The show started well with the former Stone Roses frontman paying tribute to the late footballing hero, George Best. He walked onstage as “Georgie, They Call Him The Belfast Boy” played, but the atmosphere soon turned. During “Dolphins Were Monkeys”, Brown wrestled with sound problems and stopped and started the song. One irate fan then threw a bottle, which then prompted a hail of bottles and plastic cups from the audience and Brown stormed off. Crew fought to fix the problems and covered up the instruments with towels to save them from damage. Brown came back some time later and continued the show. An official statement issued to NME.COM from Brown's record label read: "On Friday night in Belfast, a number of people in the audience at the Ian Brown show acted disgracefully by throwing glasses and bottles at the stage following some technical problems which meant the band had to restart a song several times. "No artist should have to put up with actions like this, and Ian and his band left the stage twice as a result. Despite the actions of a few threatening the fun and safety of many, Ian did continue the show, and played a full set. Ian Brown does not believe that these people represent his fans in Northern Ireland."


The Dandy Warhols add side shows
Coming back to Australia to headline The Falls Festival, true maestros of style The Dandy Warhols have just announced two sideshows in Brisbane and Sydney. (Thursday, January 5 at The Tivoli) and Sydney (Saturday, January 7 at The Metro). Tickets are on sale now and are $60 plus booking fee.


Henry Rolls Into BDO
Singer, author, activist, actor, publisher, and spoken word performer Henry Rollins has just been announced as a special guest on all shows of the 2006 Big Day Out. Previously Down Under with his Shock and Awe… My Ass tour, the prolific Rollins will now deliver his inspired and ingenious spoken word performances at the BDO. Having previously shied away from performing spoken word shows at music festivals, Henry bit the bullet and performed 'Breakfast With Henry Rollins' at this years Donnington Rock Festival in the UK, going down a storm with 5000+ heavy metal fans. So much so that he has been booked to perform spoken word at a series of European rock festivals throughout their summer. The Auckland BDO though will mark just the second time Henry Rollins has performed spoken word to a dedicated rock crowd. Rollins is renowned for delivering performances that blur the lines between storytelling, standup comedy and political activism. Rollins will also be releasing a new spoken word DVD - filmed earlier this year at the Sydney Shock and Awe tour shows - to coincide with the tour.


The Thrills head back to California
Irish rockers The Thrills have returned to California to get some inspiration as they prepare to record their third album. The band are currently in a Dublin studio working on demos for their third album, though they recently returned to the US West Coast, a massive inspiration for the songs which made up their acclaimed 2003 debut So Much for the City. Frontman Conor Deasy told Rolling Stone, "After complaining and yearning, we finally got off the road a few months ago. But after a couple weeks, everyone was getting restless and itchy again. Touring changes you: You're always wondering what's going on somewhere else." Three of the group - Deasy, keyboardist Kevin Horan and bassist Padraic McMahon - decided to go on a bit of a road trip. "There were a few things Kev wanted to do for a while: He really wanted to go to Big Sur again, and he wanted to see Hearst Castle," said Deasy. "Padraic wanted to see Joshua Tree, because he is the biggest Gram Parsons fan in the band. So it was like, 'F##k it! Let's make it happen.'" New songs the band are working on include “Should Have Known Better”, “There's Someone New In Your Life”, “Teenager”, “Second Guessing” and “Music Won't Change the World”. The follow-up to 2004's Let's Bottle Bohemia is expected sometime in 2006. Deasy said of the new songs: "With this record we made ourselves a promise to write the best songs we can. And it doesn't matter if it seems like it's a step into the unknown. I just hope, by not being self-conscious about it, the songs have naturally become quite unique. This has seemed like a progression for us."


Prince has new single, new label
Prince continues to play musical chairs with his record labels, this time leaving Sony BMG at the expiration of his one album deal (for 2004’s Musicology) for Universal for the release of his new album, 3121. The album’s first single is called “Te Amo Corazon” and features a video shot in Marrakesh and directed by Salma Hayek.


Tom DeLonge Solo Project Set
We’ve been speculating about Tom DeLonge’s new project, Angels & Airwaves for the last six months, but finally we’re getting some hard facts: MTV reports the album is 10 tracks long, with song titles including “Start the Machine” “It Hurts”, “Valkyrie Missile” and “The Adventure". The first, unnamed single will be released in January. DeLonge has also hinted at the album’s direction, saying “You'll see a whole new generation of Mods appearing everywhere, based on the kids in the '60s on their Vespas that were interested in modern living and modern fashion”.


Jam & Lewis Take Control
Production team Jam & Lewis have told Billboard work on that Janet Jackson’s untitled eighth studio album - the follow up to 2004’s Damito Jo - should be ready for release in February/March next year. The album reportedly has a stronger dance feel, and will pay homage to Jackson’s 1986 Jam & Lewis breakout set, Control. “It'll be 20 years since the release of Control’, so there's definitely a little bit of a nod to that on the new album”, said Jam.


Urban throws his cowboy hat into the Grammy’s ring
The success of Australian country music superstar Keith Urban looks set to continue with the singer scoring a Grammy Award nomination for "Best Male Country Vocal Performance" for the track "You'll Think Of Me”. This follows his success at the Country Music Association (CMA) Awards last month, where he won "Male Vocalist of the Year" and the coveted "Entertainer of the Year" awards. To top it all off, his most recent US single "Better Life" spent six weeks at the #1 spot on Billboard's Country Singles chart. “I have been completely overwhelmed by what we have achieved this past year," said Keith Urban. "And just when I thought it couldn't get any better, here's something else to put under my Christmas Tree! Artists everywhere around the world dream of Grammy recognition and I am truly humbled by this nomination." Kylie Minogue again features in the Grammy nominations list and is up for Best Dance Song for “Believe In Me”. She won in then same category last year for “Come Into My World”.


Fanning Feels The Love
The 2006 renaissance of live music gathers pace, with demand for Bernard Fanning’s solo tour outstripping the scheduled performances. Fanning’s ‘Which Way Home?’ shows at the Enmore Theatre in Sydney sold out in 40 minutes, while those at the Forum in Melbourne, Brisbane’s Tivoli and Perth’s Regal Theatre sold out in 35 minutes. To meet demand, promoters have announced the following additional shows

Thursday, 23rd February: Enmore Theatre – Sydney On Sale - Friday December 16
Thursday 2nd March: Forum Theatre - Melbourne - 2nd & Final Show On Sale Now
Wednesday 8th March: Fremantle Arts Centre - On Sale Friday December 16
Sunday 12th March: The Tivoli – Brisbane - On Sale Now


Blur to start work on new album
Blur star Alex James says his band will definitely be making another album together. The bassist is currently working on the "perfect pop" of Wigwam with singer Betty Boo, (aka Alison Clarkson), has revealed the band are due a meet up this month and get back in the studio. However, he told BBC station 6Music that getting back together with his old bandmates Damon Albarn and Dave Rowntree (Graham Coxon was sacked in 2002) to make a new record wasn't always fun. He explained: "It's like a family and you all get together before Christmas and it's great to see everybody, and then after Christmas, Christmas being an album and the album making process this time, and after the album, you're like 'see you next time!' through gritted teeth." James also diclosed that he had another project on the go at the moment. He said: "I've been talking to Steven Berkoff about turning one of his plays East into a rock musical. It's a fantastic piece of work. He wrote it 25 years ago and it's just so bright and fresh still. I'd love to get involved with that."


Mercury Rev pay tribute to John Lennon
Mercury Rev paid tribute to John Lennon at their London show last night. The band was playing a one-off show at Shepherd's Bush Empire, on the 25th anniversary of The Beatles' legend's murder. To mark the occasion, the Rev played “God”, a track lifted from Lennon's 1970 'Plastic Ono Band' album. The crowd broke into a round of applause when they realised what was being performed. Mercury Rev also covered Bob Dylan's “Gotta Serve Somebody”, though the performance was dominated by songs from the band's most recent album The Secret Migration. The set was:

'Secret For A Song'
'Black Forest (Lorelei)'
'Tonite It Shows'
'Tides Of The Moon'
'My Love'
'The Funny Bird'
'Vermillion'
'Everlasting Arm'
'Opus 40'/'Gotta Serve Somebody'
'God'
'Holes'
'In The Wilderness'
'Diamonds'
'Little Rhymes'
'First-Time Mother's Joy'
'The Dark Is Rising'


Graham Coxon confirms new album details
Love Travels At Illegal Speeds will be released in the UK in March through Parlophone and follows 2004's Happiness In Magazines. The LP will be preceded by the single “Standing On My Own Again”. To celebrate the release of 'Love Travels At Illegal Speeds', Coxon will embark on a full UK tour which kicks off at Newcastle University on March 20.