DMX Is Making A Deal

Famous American rapper DMX had confessed about the fact that he was stealing, possessed drugs and kept on being violent with animals, said the AP news agency. During the court hearings in Maricopa (Arizona) DMX (whose real name is Earl Simmons) made a deal with the investigation, according to which he is not trying to deny all the above convictions. In riverse, the court is not going to continue to pressure him and will close the case. Due to this legal deal Simmons will be put to jail for three months, and after that he will be forsed to stay under a constant police supervision. Until the verdict is finally given Simmons will stay in custody, and the worst for him is that all this waiting time shall not be counted. Back in 2007 DMX was cought under some real fire. Still it’s hard to tell if he was really so ruthless with animals, particularly dogs, but the law is really stepping on his shoes this time.

Other deal requirements will prohibit him from having any pets or animals, and of course no guns. Besides that, he must undergo the special psychological treatment program, which is prescribed to people who are potentially or literally cruel with animals.

A Source: ThatsJustMusic.com

Two Years Of Touring

Guns N’ Roses is planning to start the world tour (sometimes by the end of March, 2009), which is going to last for nearly two years. What a shocking news for the band that stayed without an album for almost fifteen years. This information was given to the Rolling Stone magazine by the band’s guitarist Richard Fortus. This giant tour will be dedicated to their new album “Chinese Democracy”, which took decade and a half to be released. It’s going to be the fifth tour in support of this album since 2001, but the first one after the actual release. Currently, there is no official information from Axl Rose himself due to his traditional habit of not communicating with the media. Rolling Stone believes that an upcoming tour will allow them to stand out as headliners of many summer and autumn festivals on both sides of the Atlantic. Well, fifteen years in making of the album require some pay off, and this band needs to work quite hard to popularise it.

“Chinese Democracy” was released on November 23 and right from the beginning had experienced a lot of warm judgements from the critics, but failed to lead the music charts. The only exception took place during the first week of sales. Some people criticise Axl for this failure because he refused to show off and promote it.

A Source: ThatsJustMusic.com

Smashing Pumpkins Brings In Lottery

Visitors of the Stereogum.com will be able to win the 8 Gb iPod Nano player with the full Smashing Pumpkins discography in it. Slowly, but definitely the music industry is realising that new things are going to continue no matter what. Besides the studio albums it will include b-sides, rare songs, and previously unreleased song ‘Translucent’. This “full of music” iPod will be a ‘lottery gift’ called ‘Gum Drop Giveaway #69’. In order to be a part of this procedure one should register on Stereogum.com. A winner shall be identified on February 1, 2009. The owner of iPod Nano will also receive “If All Goes Wrong” DVD, which is dedicated to the band’s 20th anniversary. It contains various interviews with Billy Corgan and other musicians. Jack Gulick is the director and producer of the DVD, who is also famous for his notable co-working with Metallica, Godsmack and Bruce Spingsteen.

Previously, Billy Corgan kept on saying that the music industry in it’s traditional shape and form cannot exist anymore. According to him their fans are not willing to worth the band’s music anymore, especially if it’s long and alternative. Well, possibly his view is currently being reflected upon this free gift.

A Source: ThatsJustMusic.com

Ian Gillan Goes Classical

Deep Purple legendary vocalist Ian Gillan is planning to perform together with the Paris symphonic orchestra in two German cities – Grafenhainichen and Magdeburg, said Blabbermouth. By organizing these two concerts they shall write another important page in the history of rock and classical music. The whole program is called “Classics Play Rock” and may include a lot of attention. The coolest thing about it is that both rock and classical sides have agreed to make everything going without any problems. This joint concert program shall include the most famous Deep Purple songs, but the whole plan was not revealed so far, and it sounds like the whole track list will become known only during the concerts. In addition, Gillan will repeat this co-operation with the classical stuff again in September, 2009 together with the Prague orchestra. Definitely, everyone would like to perform with such a person.

Ian Gillan used to leave Deep Purple twice, but each time he just kept on coming back. He was in the middle of every Deep Purple song which became legendary, and practically without him this band would probably not exist. Recenty, Gillan had performed together with the band in dedication to their 40th anniversary. In January, 2009 he is about to release his solo album “One Eye on Morocco”.

A Source: ThatsJustMusic.com

Gorillaz Got It Right

Virtual band Gorillaz which is organized by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett (designer) turned to be the most popular group of 2008 among the users of MySpace social network, said New Musical Express. The total number of votes reaches up to 682875. All these guys have decided to proclaim them to be the best out of eight other bands. It seems that virtual stuff in the music industry keeps on moving. The second spot (596885 votes) was taken by Bullet For My Valentine, and a third place went to Amy Winehouse (542268). Here is a complete list: 1. Gorillaz, 2. Bullet for My Valentine, 3. Amy Winehouse, 4. Coldplay, 5. Lilly Allen, 6. M.I.A., 7. Oasis, 8. Imogen Heap.

Besides that, MySpace had published a list of the most popular videos of 2008. Practically, it was quite expected that popular music on TV will be reflected upon this social network. Madonna’s “4 Minutes” goes first. The Verve’s “Love is Noise” follows her, and “Toe Jam” which is performed by BPA (David Byrne and Dizzy Rascal) takes the ‘bronze medal’.  

1. Madonna – “4 Minutes”, 2. The Verve – “Love is Noise”, 3. BPA – “Toe Jam’, 4. Justice – “DVNO”, 5. Oasis – “I’m Outta Time”, 6. Dragonforce – “Heroes of Our Time”, 7. Sigur Ros – “Inni Mer Syngur Vitleysingur”, 8. The Raconteurs – “Old Enough”.  

A Source: ThatsJustMusic.com

"No Line on the Horizon"

The new U2 album “No Line on the Horizon” shall be released on March 2, 2009 and will include five variations, said Billboard. Despite the traditional format it will also be available in three ‘gift’ versions for 35,98$, 49,98$ and 96$. Each one will incorporate Anton Corbijn’s documentary about U2. Anton Corbijn is the famous music video director and producer. He is co-working with this legendary Irish rock band for a while, and has made a few videos for them. Other differences between each version may vary on the quality of booklets, and possibly some other exclusively minor things. Every time when a consumer is looking at those 98 cents and the commercial variety of albums nothing cool comes to mind. During the age of the online music distribution, iPods and MP3s such things look too traditional because in reality only the hardcore fans will actually go for it. What actually matters is not the price, but the quality of music. Anyway, good luck to U2 with this new release, hence so far this band kept it quite real.

“No Line on the Horizon” will be their 12th studio album since the release of “How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb” in 2004.  

A Source: ThatsJustMusic.com

Record Industry Is Changing Some Tactics

The American Recording Industry Association (RIAA) had declared it’s wish not to press any charges against those who are downloading music illegally using the MP3 format, said Cnet News. Instead of following that repressive path the RIAA will concentrate upon those who are downloading more than five/six thousand songs per month. In other words, those who are just playing with it shall not be followed. Of course, this is the great news for almost every Internet user who is getting things with the help of ‘digital progress’.  RIAA’s new strategy will be supported by the unknown (so far) Internet providers, which are planning to limit the traffic speed (kpbs) to those who are vigourosly downloading an incredible amount of music all the time. Every user who is getting too much stuff on the Internet will get a warning message on his/her email.

Previously RIAA was trying to follow everyone who had violated the copyright laws. However, these methods were getting negative feedbacks from musicians, users and even some record labels. Critics believe that such ‘dragon-like’ actions only make things worse and cannot be effective. One of the loudest court procedures made by RIAA is the case of Jayme Thomas. She was found guilty for stealing and spreading of twenty four music tracks (had to pay 220 thousand dollars fine). A year later the judge had accepted the fact that this was a bad mistake.

A Source: ThatsJustMusic.com

The Best Of All Times

The British rock legend Jimmy Page is now officially considered to be the best among the greatest guitar players of all times, said Blabbermouth. These results were taken from the polls made by the American radio station “Chop Shop”. This list was set up by the experts that work in the various branches of music industry. Totally it includes one hundred guitar players. Particularly, all these musicians were graded on the basis of nine criterias including technical abilities, their influence on music, songwriting, uniqueness of their sound, and scenical longevity. Pretty hard to accomplish every point, but Page must deserve it. He seems to fit into each one.

The second guy is Jimmy Hendrix. He definitely takes up all the above criterias, but misses the last one. Eddie Van Halen came in third, and it’s really hard to say if he was placed on the right spot. Let’s just believe those experts. Eddie made some good music and always used to sound quite innovative. Here is a list of the first ten musicians:

1. Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), 2. Jimmy Hendrix, 3. Eddie Van Halen (Van Halen), 4. David Gilmour (Pink Floyd), 5. Keith Richards (The Rolling Stones), 6. Pete Townshend (The Who), 7. Steve Vai, 8. Les Paul, 9. Angus Young (AC/DC), 10 Jeff Beck.

A Source: ThatsJustMusic.com

Sharon Osbourne Defends Her Husband

American police is suspecting that Sharon Osbourne (a wife of the Black Sabbath leader Ozzy Osbourne) attacked a woman for saying something really bad against her husband, said The Guardian. As Sharon’s victim reported, this incident took place during the filming of the American reality show “Rock of Love”: Charm School”, which is organized and led by Ozzy’s wife. The one who presumably suffered Sharon’s attack is an ex-Playbody model Megan Hauserman. It was said that Sharon grabbed her hair and began to scratch Hauserman’s face. When women are fighting just try to be as far as possible, especially if they’re rocking! Sharon Osbourne turned to be extremely angry after Megan had accused her of being only the manager of a brain-dead rock star and that there is nothing else she can do in her life. Anybody would get angry… LAPD’s representative has stated that they’re investigating this scandal, but still cannot prove if Sharon was really doing it. After all who knows, even though it sounds like Ozzy’s wife is capable of protecting her husband and this story may be very realistic anyway. All thumbs up for Sharon.

Sharon Osbourne became quite famous after the reality show “The Osbournes”, which was aired on MTV since 2002. The last episode was made in 2005.

A Source: ThatsJustMusic.com

Miroir Noir

Canadian indie-rockers Arcade Fire have released their concert DVD under the name “Miroir Noir”. This release represents a documentary about the band’s tour which took place in support of the album “Neon Bible” in 2007. A seventy minutes long movie was directed by Vincent Morisset, and actually filmed by Vincent Moon. DVD incorporates various concert and studio appearances including a “Neon Bible” performance inside the elevator (it was a part of their Take Away Shows project). “Miroir Noir” was recently posted at this site http://miroir-noir.com/, successfully continuing the Internet advertising traditions. It can be downloaded in three versions (5,99$ 9,99$ and 13,99$). Besides that, it can be ordered on the traditional disk for 15,99$, and if someone wants the gift version it’s price may reach 29,99$. Sounds like every version is pretty much the same, but advertising makes it look very different. Only the gift version contains Arcade Fire performance on BBC (Saturday Night Live). At the same time the gift version can be delivered exclusively until March 31, 2009, so those who consider themselves Arcade Fire fans should reach for it before this date.

A Source: ThatsJustMusic.com

Supergrass Goes Independent

The British band Supergrass had created it’s own record label, which is called Supergrass Records, said New Musical Express. All the future records shall be released exclusively by the powers possessed by Supergrass’ musicians, and no one else will be involved. Since the beginning of this band in 1994 these guys used to co-work with the Parlophone records, which belongs to EMI, so it’s not the first time when they’re trying to produce other people’s music. Also, they believe that this move may help them to make their own stuff more easily. In other words it won’t stop on recording process, but will move onto producing, designing and distribution of the new albums. Bassist Mickey Quinn is appointed to be the director of the band’s new business. “When you’re footing the bill you pull your horns in. In a lot of way that makes you more creative,” he added.

The first release of the Supergrass Records will be the band’s new song “Rebel in You”, and it must appear on their official web site in June, 2009 (http://www.supergrassrecords.com/). This page enebles pre-ordering as well. Practically, Supergrass is moving in the right direction by making themselves more independent from the major record labels. No one wants to depend on anyone, especially on the recording bureaucrats who make things only worse.

A Source: ThatsJustMusic.com

Pearl Jam Is About To Make Things Big Again

Pearl Jam had decided to re-release it’s debut album “Ten”. This record should see the light in four variations, and each one shall include previously unknown tracks that were made way back in the 90’s. Also, it will include remixes of their famous songs, said Billboard. Originally, “Ten” was released by the Epic records in 1991 and turned this previously unknown band into something absolutely great. Practically, Pearl Jam was one of those artistic groups which formed the grunge movement of the early 90’s. “Ten” includes their major hit ‘Even Flow’, which is proclaimed to be the most successful and popular songs that were ever produced by Pearl Jam. Nielsen SoundScan says that only in the US “Ten” sold 9,58 million copies. Think about the rest of the world!

The new release of “Ten” (also organized by the Epic records) must be out on March 24, 2009. It will incorporate the early versions of ‘Breath’, ‘State of Love and Trust’ and maybe ‘Brother’ (should be different from the one released on “Lost Dogs” in 2003), ‘Just a Girl’, ‘Evil Little Goat’ and ‘2,000 Mile Blues’ (an improvised version). DVD will be accompanying each release depending on it’s variation and price.

A Source: ThatsJustMusic.com

Smashing Pumpkins Will Refuse Albums

Smashing Pumpkins leader Billy Corgan has told the press that his band shall never again release albums in the classical format, and must concentrate only on singles, said The Guardian. “People don’t even listen to it all. They put it on their iPod, they drag over the two singles, and skip over the rest. The listening patterns have changed, so why are we killing ourselves to do albums, to create balance, and do the arty track to set up the single? It’s done”, said Corgan. He just throws the reality into everybody, and practically admits everything what takes places in the music industry today. Corgan is thinking that a bad sale of their last album “Zeitgeist” (2007) is due to fans who “have stopped being alternative” and simply cannot take ten minutes long tracks. Some people who have attended their last concerts asked for return of the money. Basically it was caused by the fact that on one of those concerts Smashing Pumpkins refused to perform their old hits, but tried to promote brand new twenty minutes long guitar jams.

Also, Corgan has told Chicago Tribune that he is not interested in reunited the “golden” Smashing Pumpkins lineup, – “Now that we’ve found people who we trust and are really dedicated, the door is closed. They’re done. They’re never coming back.”

A Source: ThatsJustMusic.com

On Sunday With Music

British tabloid The Mail On Sunday had created it’s own record company, said NME. The new label is called The Mail On Sunday Sounds. It’s director Peter Wright has stated that he is about to search for the new talents, and believes that this idea absolutely coinsides with The Mail’s point of view on such things. Usually this tabloid is not taking an old information from other news sources, but searches for everything on its own. It simply means only one thing, they may find someone new, and of course those can be valuable talents. Actually, this tactic is not very popular among those huge record labels, and maybe ‘The Mail’ will do something useful because it seems that nothing new gets out there. The first song which was produced and recorded by The Mail On Sunday Sounds was a Christmas melody “Holy Night” sang by an unknown church chorale - it came out on December 8.

Previously, The Mail On Sunday had tried to produce and spread music albums. In fact, it worked with Prince’s “Planet Earth” and McFly’s “Radio:Active”. These releases were given for free while accompanying their informative paper issues.

A Source: ThatsJustMusic.com

Slade Can Be Annoying

Holiday Inn’s administration (the one which is located in East London-Kensington area) had decided to eliminate one of the Slade’s songs from it’s playlist. It used to be the biggest Christmas hit way back in 1973, said The Daily Telegraph. Recently, this hotel’s residents constantly kept on complaining about the fact that “Merry Christmas Everybody” (watch it right here http://ru.youtube.com/watch?v=niIJ9Yb-xwQ) is extremely annoying and they cannot take it anymore. Holiday Inn London-Kensington’ representative said that this is the only song which was literally deleted from their playlist. Also, she has mentioned that they are ready to look after any future complaints too. Interesting, is it the first time when people actually went on to ask for something like this?  Funny anyway!  Well, old stuff is not always good, especially if it turns to be extremely boring. What about airing something less ‘goofy’? Sex Pistols for example…

Slade became very popular in the beginning of 1970’s and was often heard in the British night clubs during Christmas time. Due to this kind of demand they’ve appeared on the British music charts for more than once.

A Source: ThatsJustMusic.com

McCartney Didn't Steal Anything

Sir Paul McCartney has denied any accusations of plagiarism, specifically underlining that his melody “Light From Your Lighthouse” (it was made up by his solo project The Fireman and can be heard on the album called “Electric Arguments”) could not be taken from anywhere else, but his own mind, said New Musical Express. Recently, McCartney was accused of stealing Blind Willie Johnson’s melody “Let Your Light Shine On Me”, but he said that this song only worked as a source of inspiration and nothing else. Also, he noted that Johnson himself had interpreted the famous American gospel melody, and therefore it belongs to a folklore-like un-authorized piece of musical creation. In other words, what is in the hands of history may be in everybody’s hands too. “His is a traditional song and this is not the first time an artist has made their own version using such a traditional song.” Quite simple…

“Electric Arguments” was released in November 2008 and became the number three in The Fireman’s discography. This band includes McCartney and an ex-Killing Joke bassist Martin Glover, also known as Youth.

A Source: ThatsJustMusic.com

The Sound of 2009

BBC began to publish the list that supposedly includes the most promising musicians of 2009. Fortune telling which is mixed up with some analysis may not be very clear and solid when speaking of musical talents. In other words, only time will tell. The Sound of 2009 incorporates fifteen names made up primarely by the music journalists. Soon various experts should identify the last ten names that sound totally cool and promising. All the names which are located in between 5–10 shall be announced on January 5. After this day BBC representatives will name the rest of the lucky ones, and on January 9 we’ll know who made it to the first spot. Practically, here are some bands and artists that belong to the Sound of 2009: White Lies, Empire of the Sun, The Temper Trap, Passion Pit, (solo) VV Brown, Dan Black, Master Shortie and others. Actually, this list is set up from those who were not able to make it big in the undustry during the last twelve months.

The Sound of 2008 was lead by Adel, in 2007 by Mika, and in 2006 the winner turned to be Corinne Bailey Rae.

2005 – American indie-rockers The Bravery

2004 – The British band Keane

A Source: ThatsJustMusic.com

Amazon Goes British

Amazon.com began to sell out the copyright unprotected music all around the UK, writes Musically. Previously this MP3 service worked only in the United States, and now it’s British version is offering 256kpbs quality (actually equal to it’s American counterpart) sound, notied T3. The regular price starts with 59 pences per track, but some of them may jump to 80. Albums cost is also ranging in around 6,49 pounds. Free music is still better, but it’s not the worst price anyway… On the other hand a lot of popular albums, especially if they’re absolutely new (for example, Take That’s “The Circus”, Kings of Leon, Coldplay or Girls Aloud) go only for three pounds. The UK’s version of Amazon lacks some groups that were released on the independent labels such as Oasis or Arctic Monkeys. In the beginning of 2008 Amazon had signed business agreements practically with all the major record labels, so things are moving with the universal speed. 

Amazon MP3 was created during the autumn of 2007 and is considered to be one of the biggest rivals to another MP3 giant Apple iTunes Store. It looks like their ‘war’ is making things better when it comes down to prices, even though the free music sounds better no matter what. Isn’t it true?

A Source: ThatsJustMusic.com

Velvet Revolver Is About To Make Changes

Velvet Revolver is planning to invite Million Dollar Reload’s Phil Conalane for the role of a new frontman, said Music Radar citing this news to those who are closely related with the band. Currently, an Irish group Million Dollar Reload is almost unknown and it may be the big push for them and exclusively for Conalane. Good luck to everybody. Earlier this year all the former Guns N’ Roses guys worked together with Scott Veiland, but in April he was kicked out for having a ‘terrible personality’. Soon after that Veiland had reunited with his original band Stone Temple Pilots and released a solo album “Happy in Galoshes”. Of course, Velvet Revolver began to search for the replacement, but without having any success until now. As the Music Radar thinks Phil Conalane was particularly invited by Steven Adler (ex-Guns N’ Roses drummer). It is also known that Phil was welcomed by the band Stone Gods (former The Darkness), but most likely he is going to choose Velvet Revolver. At this time there is no official prove from ‘Revolver’ that he is their new frontman, but Radar’s information is usually quite solid.

A Source: ThatsJustMusic.com

#2 For "Chinese Democracy"

Guns N’ Roses leader Axl Rose is being accused of not making the band’s new album “Chinese Democracy” get on top of the British charts during the first week of sales, said The Daily Telegraph. The release of this album was awaited for fifteen years, and now it was able to reach only number two allowing The Killers’ “Day & Age” take over the number one spot. One of the Geffen records representatives has told the press that Axl Rose had to use more effort to make “Chinese Democracy” way more popular, but instead of that he just decided to disappear from everybody’s view for two months right before the release. “The label is really glad to have him back but it is frustrating because the album would have had a much better chance of going to number one if only he had been prepared to show his face,” he noted.

The release of “Chinese Democracy” was facing various difficulties including the fact that it was worked out for fifteen years. It was constantly postponed without any visible reasons, and possibly only indolence can explain such a “good” thing. Eventually it was out on November 23 getting an excellent feedback and respect from the fans.  Right now the new album is available at the band’s official MySpace web page.

A Source: ThatsJustMusic.com

The Grammy Award, Queen And Many More

The double single made by the legendary British rock band Queen “We are the Champions/We Will Rock You”, which was released back in 1977 is now included in the Grammy’s Hall of Fame, said Gigwise. Also, this American music award was given to another twenty eight rock songs. Among them are “Synchronicity”-1983 (The Police), “For Once in My Life”-1986 (Stevie Wonder), “The Star Spangled Banner” that was performed by Jimmie Hendrix, “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd, and “Love Theme” (soundtrack for The Godfather – 1972). The Hall of Fame will become a part of the Grammy’s museum, which is about to re-open on December 6 in Los Angeles. This infamous museum was created in 1973 and consists of 826 names. The list of new albums and songs that are getting into the Hall of Fame are being annually updated. Those who are choosing the right songs and albums should belong to all parts of the music recording industry. However, only fans are those who trully identify the greatness of music. Professionals are just creating brands, but they’re not creating. Music historians may belong to the best of professionals who are ‘recording’ what was really respected by the fans.

A Source: ThatsJustMusic.com

Live Earth India 2008 Was Cancelled

Live Earth India music festival which was about to start on December 7, 2008 in Mumbai was cancelled due to the recent tragic events that took place in this city, said France Presse. Right now it is absolutely impossible to stay happy and listen to music. “Due to circumstances far beyond our control, we are saddened to announce that Live Earth India has been cancelled…”, said the festival’s organizers, which also include the ex-vice president of the U.S. Albert Gore. Previously it was planned that Live Earth India 2008 as much as the last year’s event shall be dedicated to the problem of the global warming. Live Earth charity concerts began in 2007. It took place in Rio De Janeiro, London, New York, Hamburg, Johannesburg, Shanhai, Sydney and Tokyo. Such famous artists as Madonna, The Police, Smashing Pumpkins, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Beastie Boys, Duran Duran, Genesis, Foo Fighters, Black Eyed Peas, Metallica and Bon Jovi were participating in it. This time it’s not going to happen.

Following the last information 195 were killed (20 of them were foreign citizens) and 295 were injured as the result of the terrorist attack in Mumbai (former Bombey) during the last week.

A Source: ThatsJustMusic.com