Thursday, April 10, 2003
Deftones ready to drop new album
On May 20, Deftones will release their latest studio set, which is a self-titled, 11-track affair, according to a http://www.billboard.com/bb/daily/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1862223 >Billboard report.
The album’s first single, “Minerva,” is due to hit radio stations on April 15. The album also includes the track “Lucky You,” which appears on the May 6 “Matrix Reloaded” soundtrack.
On May 20, Deftones will release their latest studio set, which is a self-titled, 11-track affair, according to a http://www.billboard.com/bb/daily/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1862223 >Billboard report.
The album’s first single, “Minerva,” is due to hit radio stations on April 15. The album also includes the track “Lucky You,” which appears on the May 6 “Matrix Reloaded” soundtrack.
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More Michael Jackson madness
Michael Jackson is apparently not yet convinced that in-depth, primetime television specials offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse into his life only serve to perpetuate the public’s perception that he is a total freak. On April 24, Fox television will air a two-hour special titled “Michael Jackson’s Private Home Movies,” which features a new interview with the singer, VH1.com reports. Jackson also narrates during some of the footage.
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30th anniversary edition of Bowie’s “Aladdin Sane” due in June
Virgin Records plans on June 24 to release a digitally remastered version of David Bowie’s 1973 album “Aladdin Sane.” The updated set includes a bonus CD of unreleased and rare tracks, according to the label.
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311 nails down release date for ‘Evolver’
Rap-rock outfit 311 plans to release its seventh studio album, titled “Evolver,” on July 11, Reuters reports. the group enlisted Ron Saint Germain to produce the set.
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Apple takes a bite out of Universal Music Group?
Apple Computer Inc. is making plans to buy Universal Music Group, according to an Associated Press report. The deal may cost as much as $6 billion.
Wednesday, April 09, 2003
Album Chart: Linkin Park’s ‘Meteora’ stays locked at No. 1
Despite a massive dip in sales, Linkin Park’s “Meteora” remains atop the U.S. album chart, well ahead of the White Stripes’ Top 10 debut, “Elephant.”
Despite a massive dip in sales, Linkin Park’s “Meteora” remains atop the U.S. album chart, well ahead of the White Stripes’ Top 10 debut, “Elephant.”
After selling about 810,000 copies during its first week in stores--and easily snaring a No. 1 debut on the Billboard 200 chart--"Meteora" moved about 264,000 copies this time around, according to industry sources. Even with a roughly 67-percent sales dip, the album keeps a 90,000-copy buffer between itself and 50 Cent’s “Get Rich or Die Tryin’,” which is up two spots to No. 2.
The “Now That’s What I Call Music! 12” compilation stays put at No. 3; the album--which features previously released hits from 3 Doors Down, Justin Timberlake, Vanessa Carlton, Nelly and others--sold about 166,000 copies.
Celine Dion’s “One Heart"--which debuted at No. 2 thanks to first-week sales of about 431,000 copies--drops two places to No. 3 after selling another 165,000 copies. Norah Jones’ Grammy-winning “Come Away With Me” follows at No. 5.
“Elephant," the White Stripes’ highly anticipated follow-up to 2001’s “White Blood Cells,” dished out about 126,000 copies during its first week in stores, giving it a No. 6 debut.
Close behind is Cher’s “Very Best of Cher” hits collection, which gets a boost thanks to hype surrounding the singer’s current farewell tour and promotion for her Tuesday night (4/8) concert special. The album lands at No. 7 with sales of about 122,000 copies.
The Oscar-winning “Chicago” soundtrack dips two places to No. 8, while Evanescence’s “Fallen” and R. Kelly’s “Chocolate Factory” stay put at Nos. 9 and 10, respectively.
Debuting not far outside of the Top 10 is country singer Chris Cagle’s self-titled debut, which clocks in at No. 15. Fellow country act the Dixie Chicks’ “Home"--which has taken a beating at cash registers and radio stations following singer Natalie Maines’ recent anti-Bush statement--seems to have stopped the bleeding, and slips only one spot to No. 17.
Further down the chart, Robbie Williams’ “Escapology” makes its debut at No. 43, and the soundtrack to rocker Rob Zombie’s “House of 1,000 Corpses” enters the chart at No. 53.
Tuesday, April 08, 2003
Madonna’s hype machine revs up
Madonna issues a new album titled “American Life” on April 22, and the master of self promotion will be hard to avoid on the television during that week, Billboard.com reports.
The main event will be a one-hour MTV special dubbed “Madonna on Stage and on the Record,” which airs the day the album hits stores. Also that day, she appears on “Today,” “Dateline” and “The Late Show with David Letterman.”
On April 23, she appears on “Live with Regis and Kelly,” and makes a guest appearance on the sitcom “Will & Grace.”
Madonna issues a new album titled “American Life” on April 22, and the master of self promotion will be hard to avoid on the television during that week, Billboard.com reports.
The main event will be a one-hour MTV special dubbed “Madonna on Stage and on the Record,” which airs the day the album hits stores. Also that day, she appears on “Today,” “Dateline” and “The Late Show with David Letterman.”
On April 23, she appears on “Live with Regis and Kelly,” and makes a guest appearance on the sitcom “Will & Grace.”
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Four more ‘Live Phish’ volumes on the way
The next four volumes of the “Live Phish” album series are scheduled for release on May 20, according to Phish’s official website. The shows were chosen this time by Phish bassist Mike Gordon, and are: Portland, Ore. (July 15, 1998); Dallas (May 7, 1994); Keane, N.H. (July 12, 1991); and Providence, R.I. (Dec. 29, 1994).
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Paul McCartney back in action
Though a nasty cold forced the cute Beatle to call off a concert in Sheffield, England, over the weekend, Paul McCartney was back on stage by Wednesday, Ananova.com reports.
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The Lou Reed ‘curse’
Though he’s generally known as the author of the media column “Stop the Presses” in The Nation and a of new book titled “What Liberal Media,” Eric Alterman writes today in his Altercation blog of the Lou Reed “curse.”
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Indie promoters given the boot by Clear Channel
Clear Channel Communications, the Oz behind 1,200 radio stations in the U.S., announced this week that it will stop dealing with independent promoters, RollingStone.com reports. Independent promoters are paid by record companies to get songs placed on radio station playlists, a practice that has been criticized as being akin to “pay for play.”
Perhaps not coincidentally, a U.S. Senate committee has been looking closely at Clear Channel’s business, and is pondering whether media deregulation has gone too far.
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The Rolling Stones skip Bangkok
A technical problem that grounded their crew’s airplane in Bombay forced The Rolling Stones to call off a scheduled concert in Bangkok, the Associated Press reports.
Monday, April 07, 2003
Flag-waving at the Flameworthy awards
Red-blooded Americans with modems voted, and Toby Keith--who in his eloquent song “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)” expresses his desire to insert his boot into the rectum of Osama Bin Laden (remember him?)--was the hands-down winner over the Dixie Chicks at Monday’s (4/8) CMT Flameworthy Video Music Awards.
Among Keith’s honors was the “Cocky Video of the Year” award, a category so weird that it made us pine for the Blockbuster awards.
The Dixie Chicks, by the way, were nominated for four awards, and won none. The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that the trio--which has been taking abuse since singer Natalie Maines made some anti-George W. Bush comments at a recent London concert--was booed heartily.
Red-blooded Americans with modems voted, and Toby Keith--who in his eloquent song “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)” expresses his desire to insert his boot into the rectum of Osama Bin Laden (remember him?)--was the hands-down winner over the Dixie Chicks at Monday’s (4/8) CMT Flameworthy Video Music Awards.
Among Keith’s honors was the “Cocky Video of the Year” award, a category so weird that it made us pine for the Blockbuster awards.
The Dixie Chicks, by the way, were nominated for four awards, and won none. The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that the trio--which has been taking abuse since singer Natalie Maines made some anti-George W. Bush comments at a recent London concert--was booed heartily.
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Bon Jovi keeps ‘Bounce’-ing this summer
New Jersey rockers Bon Jovi head to Europe next month for a string of May and June tour dates, but the group will mount another U.S. run this summer. Details about the outing--which kicks off in July--are available at the band’s official fan-club website.
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Pavarotti, Bono to duet for Iraqi refugees
Luciano Pavarotti and U2’s Bono will duet at a May 27 concert to benefit the United Nations refugee agency. Funds raised at the concert in Modena, Italy will benefit Iraqis uprooted by the war, Reuters reports.
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Avril Lavigne cleans up at Canada’s Juno Awards
Canadian native Avril Lavigne--who, despite five nominations, was shut out at this year’s Grammy Awards--fared better at her country’s equivalent, the Juno Awards. On Sunday (4/6), the 18-year-old singer scored trophies for Single of the Year ("complicated"), Album of the Year ("Let Go"), Best New Artist and Best Pop Album ("Let Go").
A complete list of winners is posted at the official Juno Awards website.
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Paul McCartney explains songwriting-credit controversy
Remember last year, when Paul McCartney was getting ready to release his live album “Back in the U.S.A. Live 2002,” a brouhaha kicked up when he sought to have the songwriting credit on some of the Beatles tracks switched from “Lennon-McCartney” to “McCartney-Lennon”? Well, the singer recently explained his side of the story during an interview with British newspaper the Mirror.
Reading between the lines, it would appear that the whole thing can be chalked up to Yoko Ono, who continues to be a pain in the collective ass of the Beatles’ legacy.
Sunday, April 06, 2003
Incubus parts ways with fouding guitarist
Bassist Dirk Lance has parted ways with Incubus, a decision that was made after the group finished its latest tour, according to the group’s publicist.
Bassist Dirk Lance has parted ways with Incubus, a decision that was made after the group finished its latest tour, according to the group’s publicist.
“We, as a band, would love to express our gratitude towards Dirk for an amazing 12 years of artistry and dedication,” singer Brandon Boyd said in a statement. “He was and will remain a valuable asset to the history of this band.”
Ben Kenney, former guitarist for the the Roots, has signed on to play bass for Incubus during this summer’s Lollapalooza tour.
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Ex-Snot guitarist joins Limp Bizkit
Limp Bizkit, which has been searching for a new guitarist since the 2001 departure of Wes Borland, has finally named a replacement. It’s Mike Smith, formerly of Snot, who made his debut with the group when Limp Bizkit performed at Wrestlemania XIX in Seattle on March 31.
“We really like jamming with Mike,” Fred Durst wrote of Smith on Limp Bizkit’s official website. “He’s dope. This you will find out soon enough.”
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Staind to launch new album with free shows
Boston-based rock outfit Staind will release a new album titled “14 Shades of Grey” on May 20, according to the group’s publicist. The first run of the disc will include a limited-edition bonus DVD that houses footage of the band captured throughout the its career, album lyrics and new group photos.
Staind will mark the new album’s release with a series of four free club shows that are set to take place at the Avalon Theatre in Boston on May 15, the Manhattan Center in New York City on May 17, the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles on May 20, and the House of Blues in Chicago on May 23. More info is posted at the group’s website.
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Counting Crows and John Mayer co-headline summer tour
The latest summer amphitheater pairing is Counting Crows and John Mayer, who join forces for a tour that gets underway in the Denver area on July 7, and runs for two months, Billboard.com reports.
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Musicians sign on for Rhode Island nightclub-fire benefit
Billy Gilman, Phoebe Snow, Ricky Medlocke (formerly of Lynyrd Skynyrd), Rick Derringer, Southern Rock All-Stars (featuring former members of Molly Hatchet, Blackfoot and the Rossington Band) are among the initial artists scheduled to perform at an April 22 benefit concert at Rhode Island’s Providence Performing Arts Center, Billboard.com reports. Dubbed “A Night of Healing,” the event will benefit victims of the February nightclub fire at the Station in West Warwick Rhode Island, which resulted in the deaths of 99 people and injured almost 200 others.
Wednesday, April 02, 2003
Pearl Jam fans walk out after anti-Bush display
Denver’s Rocky Mountain News reports that “incensed fans walked out of Pearl Jam’s concert Tuesday (4/1) after lead singer Eddie Vedder impaled a mask of President Bush on a microphone stand, then slammed it to the stage.”
Denver’s Rocky Mountain News reports that “incensed fans walked out of Pearl Jam’s concert Tuesday (4/1) after lead singer Eddie Vedder impaled a mask of President Bush on a microphone stand, then slammed it to the stage.”
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Madonna can’t stand the heat
If you’re dying to see Madonna’s supposedly controversial new video, hop on over to Salon.com. (You’ll first need to be a subscriber or click through an advertisement for a “day pass.") Good luck--the server has been overloaded all day.
Previously ballsy Madonna has decided that it is inappropriate to release the video, given the current state of the world.
Remember when California Gov. Jerry Brown was too conservative for the Dead Kennedys? Those were the days.
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Johnny Cash back at home
Johnny Cash has again beaten back pneumonia, and is now resting at home after nearly a month in a Nashville hospital, the Associated Press reports.
Cash, 71, suffers from autonomic neuropathy, a disease of the nervous system that makes him very susceptible to pneumonia.
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Trey Anastasio’s solo tour an appetizer for Phish
Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio is scheduled to bring his nine-piece solo band on a 10-date spring tour that gets underway in May, according to Phish’s official website.
The mighty Phish is scheduled to take to the road in July.
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Great White’s Jack Russell writes to fans
Great White frontman Jack Russell, via his website, has addressed fans for the first time since the Feb. 20 Rhode Island concert that ended in a fire that killed 99 people.
“I could not keep silent for one more night,” he wrote. “I have been quietly reading your posts for the last 6 weeks. The love, support, and encouragement that most of you have expressed to us, both on this site, and personally has been overwhelming. Some of your posts have literally taken me through the darkest days and nights I have ever known, and I just wanted to say thank you on behalf of all of us for taking the time to let us know you are out there, encouraging us to keep doing what we do.
“Words will not now, nor will they ever, begin to express the sorrow we are all feeling not only for the loss of our Ty, but for everyone that was affected by this terrible tragedy. I just couldn’t let one more day go by without saying thank you to those of you that have always been more than fans, even more than friends, more like family to all of us.
“God bless all of you.”
Album Chart: Linkin Park’s ‘Meteora’ shoots to the top
With first-week sales in the high six-figures, Linkin Park’s “Meteora” easily takes the top spot on the forthcoming Billboard 200 album chart.
With first-week sales in the high six-figures, Linkin Park’s “Meteora” easily takes the top spot on the forthcoming Billboard 200 album chart.
The group--whose new set moved about 810,000 copies, according to industry sources--seems to have maintained the momentum created by its 2000 debut, “Hybrid Theory.” That set didn’t claw its way to the top of the chart until several months after its release, but its steady growth garnered it the title for best-selling album of 2001.
Helping to propel “Meteora” is the hit single “Somewhere I Belong,” which sits at No. 2 on Billboard’s Modern Rock Tracks chart.
Following “Meteora” at No. 2--but with only about half the sales--is Celine Dion’s “One Heart.” The album--which was timed to hit stores amidst a publicity swirl for the launch of Dion’s three-year, multi-million dollar Las Vegas gig--moved about 431,000 copies during its first week out.
Debuting at No. 3 is the 12th installment in the “Now That’s What I Call Music!” series. The set features previously released hits from 3 Doors Down, LL Cool J, Vanessa Carlton and others.
All the newcomers push 50 Cent’s “Get Rich or Die Tryin’” out of the No. 1 seat and down the ladder to No. 4. The album, now in its seventh week of release, spent five of its first six weeks in the top slot.
Also down is Norah Jones’ “Come Away With Me,” which slips three places to No. 5; and the “Chicago” soundtrack, which--despite a post-Oscar Awards sales boost--still dips two spots to No. 6.
The debuts resume with Brian McKnight’s “U Turn,” which enters the chart at No. 7 thanks to first-week sales of about 109,000 copies; and continue with the Diplomats’ “Diplomatic Immunity” at No. 8, which sold about 91,000 copies.
Closing out the Top 10 is Evanescence’s “Fallen,” which slips four spots to No. 9; and R. Kelly’s “Chocolate Factory,” which loses seven places to land at No. 10.
Debuts happening outside the Top 10 include Hot Boys’ “Let ‘Em Burn” at No. 14; the “Rewind Hip-Hop” compilation at No. 34; 702’s “Star” at No. 45; Stacie Orrico’s self-titled sophomore release at No. 59; Les Nubians’ “One Step Forward” at No. 79; Ringo Starr’s “Ringorama” at No. 113; and Cradle of Filth’s “Damnation and a Day” at No. 140.
Monday, March 31, 2003
Sammy Hagar and David Lee Roth to tour … separately
In the wake of their summer 2002 co-headlining tour--during which Sammy Hagar and David Lee Roth reaffirmed that they really don’t like each other--the two former Van Halen frontmen are opting to go it alone in 2003. Hagar is due to release a new concert CD dubbed “Sammy & the Wabo’s Live Hallelujah” on May 20, and will precede the run with a short round of concert dates, according to his publicist; details are posted at his website.
Roth, meanwhile, is due to drop a new album tagged “Diamond Dave” on July 8, and is hitting the road for a lengthy spring and summer outing of his own. His website is still virtually devoid of any information whatsoever--a condition that has persisted for months--but dates are posted at Pollstar.
In the wake of their summer 2002 co-headlining tour--during which Sammy Hagar and David Lee Roth reaffirmed that they really don’t like each other--the two former Van Halen frontmen are opting to go it alone in 2003. Hagar is due to release a new concert CD dubbed “Sammy & the Wabo’s Live Hallelujah” on May 20, and will precede the run with a short round of concert dates, according to his publicist; details are posted at his website.
Roth, meanwhile, is due to drop a new album tagged “Diamond Dave” on July 8, and is hitting the road for a lengthy spring and summer outing of his own. His website is still virtually devoid of any information whatsoever--a condition that has persisted for months--but dates are posted at Pollstar.
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Madonna decides to be uncontroversial
Madonna’s new video for the title track from her forthcoming album “American Life” was due to debut this week, but she has decided to pull the plug on the clip in light of the war in Iraq. In a prepared statement, Madonna said that she doesn’t want to “risk offending anyone who might misinterpret the meaning of this video,” which reportedly ends with the camouflage-clad singer tossing a grenade at a President Bush look-alike.
One might surmise that her decision was also spurred by the seemingly popular opinion that voicing your opposition to the war and/or President Bush is synonymous with being a card-carrying member of Al-Qaeda.
Joe McCarthy lives!
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Al Gore has the Dixie Chicks’ back
Former Vice President Al Gore told the Tennessean that the flap following Dixie Chicks singer Natalie Maines’ anti-Bush remark during a recent London concert is one of many indications that the first amendment is currently taking a beating.
“They [the Dixie Chicks] were made to feel un-American and risked economic retaliation because of what was said,’’ Gore told the newspaper. ‘’Our democracy has taken a hit. Our best protection is free and open debate.’’
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No pride, but proud to be an American
Though they’re not too proud to subject themselves to the barbs of crusty British talent judge Simon Cowell, the second-season finalists in the Fox TV show “American Idol” are evidently proud to be Americans.
The finalists will release this month a charity single that will feature cover versions of Lee Greenwood’s “I’m Proud to Be an American” and “God Bless the U.S.A.,” Billboard.com reports.
The charity single was originally going to be a cover of Burt Bacharach’s “What the World Needs Now Is Love.”
We’re trying our best not to be cynical about this.
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Amphitheaters to host Neil Young and Crazy Horse
Neil Young and Crazy Horse have announced plans to embark on a 26-city North American amphitheater tour in June. Lucinda Williams will open on all dates. As it usually is when it comes to news regarding Young, the fan site hyperrust.org is the best place to find more information.
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Mark Knopfler calls off tour
Mark Knopfler, who broke his collarbone and six ribs in a motorcycle accident last month, has canceled all of his scheduled tour dates. There are no immediate plans to reschedule.
Thursday, March 27, 2003
New Metallica album to include bonus DVD
Metallica fans who’ve waited nearly six years for a new batch of tunes from the group have even more to look forward to now: the band’s new album, “St. Anger"--due out on June 10--will also include a free bonus DVD featuring footage of the band performing all of the songs from the new album.
Director Wayne Isham is in charge of filming the group’s performance of the album’s 11 tracks, seven of which have been filmed so far, according to Metallica’s website. Isham has worked with the group in the past on videos for “Enter Sandman, “Sad But True” and “I Disappear,” as well as on the “Cunning Stunts” and “S&M” concert DVDs.
Metallica fans who’ve waited nearly six years for a new batch of tunes from the group have even more to look forward to now: the band’s new album, “St. Anger"--due out on June 10--will also include a free bonus DVD featuring footage of the band performing all of the songs from the new album.
Director Wayne Isham is in charge of filming the group’s performance of the album’s 11 tracks, seven of which have been filmed so far, according to Metallica’s website. Isham has worked with the group in the past on videos for “Enter Sandman, “Sad But True” and “I Disappear,” as well as on the “Cunning Stunts” and “S&M” concert DVDs.
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Great White to perform at benefit for fallen guitarist
The surviving members of Great White are due to perform together at an April 29 benefit concert at West Hollywood’s Key Club, Billboard reports. Proceeds from the show will, in part, benefit the pregnant girlfriend of the group’s late guitarist, Ty Longley, who was among the 99 people killed in the nightclub fire that occurred during the band’s Feb. 20 performance in Rhode Island.
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Sony Music axes 1,000 employees
In another sign of the ongoing trouble faced by the recording industry, Sony Music on Friday sacked 10% of its worldwide staff--about 1,000 employees--Reuters reports.
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China dates canceled by The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones, who recently announced with great fanfare their plans to play their first-ever concerts in China, have canceled the shows due to severe acute respiratory syndrome, the flu-like disease that has been plaguing Asia of late.
“We are very sad and disappointed not to be able to do these concerts,” lead singer Mick Jagger said in a statement. “We have been looking forward to the shows in China for so long and will reschedule them as soon as possible.”
The Associated Press reports that the flu-like SARS illness has infected more than 1,400 people worldwide and killed 54, mostly in Asia.
The Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization have issued warnings regarding SARS, recommending that people in certain parts of Asia avoid live gatherings.
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Dandy Warhols return with new album in June
A July 22 North American release date has been set for “Welcome to the Monkeyhouse,” a new album from the Dandy Warhols. The album takes its title from Kurt Vonnegut’s 1968 short-story collection, and features guest appearances from Chic guitarist/producer Nile Rodgers and Duran Duran frontman Simon LeBon.
Wednesday, March 26, 2003
R.E.M.’s fall tour plans take shape
R.E.M. opens its first North American tour since 1999 this fall; dates and other relevant information were posted Thursday (3/27) at the band’s official website. Splitting opening-act duties are Wilco, Ed Harcourt and Sparklehorse.
R.E.M. opens its first North American tour since 1999 this fall; dates and other relevant information were posted Thursday (3/27) at the band’s official website. Splitting opening-act duties are Wilco, Ed Harcourt and Sparklehorse.
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Backstreet Boys scrap recording plans
Backstreet Boys were expected to begin work on a new album this month, but those plans have been postponed indefinitely.
“As a group, we have decided not to record our next album at this time,” the band said in a statement. “We are not breaking up, but individually we are currently at different places in our lives, and our hearts and minds are focused in other areas. All of us are getting along great and are supporting each other in our individual endeavors.”
The statement adds that they’ll record again “when the time is right.”
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Rolling Stones call off Hong Kong concerts
The Rolling Stones have canceled two Hong Kong concerts--which were to take place on Friday and Saturday (3/28-29)--due to the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in Southeast Asia. The SARS virus has killed about 50 people to date, and more than 1,300 have become ill, Reuters reports.
“Increases in the number of cases of SARS in Hong Kong and Southern China and continued concern over large gatherings have created apprehension among fans and concern for their safety,” the band said in a statement.
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Neil Young takes Crazy Horse for a ride
Elder statesman of rock Neil Young and his band Crazy Horse are lining up dates for a summer North American tour. The outing follows Young’s recent collaboration with Crazy Horse bassist Bill Talbot and drummer Ralph Molina, with whom Young has recorded a new album, Billboard.com reports. The set is due out some time this year, but a specific release date hasn’t been announced.
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American Idol contestant may have to swap mic for gun
“American Idol” finalist Josh Gracin is currently living with his fellow finalists at the program’s Hollywood Hills house, but he could soon find himself in a tent pitched in the Iraqi desert; in addition to being a singer, Gracin is also a lance corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps. The Corps announced on Thursday that--despite rumors to the contrary--Gracin has not been given a deal that keeps him out of Iraq and on the popular television program, according to a Reuters report.
Show-host/judge Simon Cowell might be a real prick, but we’re guessing Saddam is worse.