Sunday, December 15, 2002
Street Date Dec. 17: Lil’ Romeo, Prince
Also: Dashboard Confessional, “Gangs of New York” soundtrack, S Club.
Also: Dashboard Confessional, “Gangs of New York” soundtrack, S Club.
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Lil’ Romeo - “Game Time” (No Limit)
Master P’s offspring returns with the follow up to his 2001 self-titled debut. The new album features the track “True Love,” which is streaming at Lil’ Romeo’s official website. The site also features a complete track list for the new disc.
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Prince - “One Nite Alone ... Live” (NPG Records)
For the first time in his 20-plus-year recording career, the ever-eccentric Prince releases an official live recording. The three-disc set comprises two-discs-worth of material recorded during last spring’s “One Nite Alone” tour. The third CD features post-show jam sessions with guests such as funk veteran George Clinton. More information is available at Prince’s official website.
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Dashboard Confessional - “Unplugged” (Vagrant)
Dashboard Confessional--a.k.a. Chris Carrabba--played an acoustic set for an hour-long June edition of MTV2’s “Unplugged” this year. A bonus DVD of the performance is included on this CD release of the show. A new Dashboard Confessional studio album is expected in the spring.
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Various artists - “Gangs of New York” (Interscope)
Interscope’s soundtrack for Martin Scorsese’s forthcoming film--starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Daniel Day Lewis--features the single “The Hands that Built America,” a track that first appeared on the group’s recently released “Best of 1990-2000.” Other artists featured include Peter Gabriel and composer Howard Shore. Shore, who is also behind the recently released “Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” soundtrack, contributes several compositions to “Gangs of New York.”
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S Club - “Don’t Stop Movin’” (Universal)
This young pop group is vaguely familiar to American audiences due to its cable television series, which has aired on the Disney Network and on ABC Family. The group is a much bigger deal in the U.K., where this album entered the charts at No. 1 more than a year ago, and was named Record of the Year by the public at the 2002 Brit Awards.
Thursday, December 12, 2002
Moby attacked after show at Boston club
Moby was beaten and sprayed with mace by two men outside Boston’s Paradise Rock Club on Thursday morning (12/12).
Moby was beaten and sprayed with mace by two men outside Boston’s Paradise Rock Club on Thursday morning (12/12).
According to reports from Boston, the electronic artist was signing autographs outside the club after a performance when two men in their early 20s approached him and began beating him. When club security guards tried to intervene, the men sprayed Moby and the guards with mace before escaping.
According to police reports, Moby, 37, refused medical treatment.
Moby described the attack in his online tour diary on Thursday (12/12): “They punched me from behind and I really had no idea what was going on. I assumed that a bar-fight had spilled out of the bar and that somehow I had gotten caught in the middle of it. But no. After being punched in the head from behind a few times I turned around to see what was going on and one of them punched me in the face a couple of times and then they all ran away.”
He added that he held no grudge against his attackers. “I’m not angry. I don’t feel vindictive. Not to sound weird or wimpy, but I’m a pacifist and I believe in forgiveness. I just hope that at some point in these guy’s lives they come to realize that hurting other people is wrong.”
On Friday, the musician thanked fans for their “outpouring of support, but added that “I wasn’t all that badly hurt… I’m still left quite confused as to why these guys wanted to attack me, but I guess they had their reasons.”
David Lee Roth sues Van Halen
Former Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth has filed a lawsuit against his estranged bandmates, in which he claims that the group owes him royalties.
Former Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth has filed a lawsuit against his estranged bandmates, in which he claims that the group owes him royalties.
According to published reports, Roth filed the suit on Wednesday (12/11) in California Superior Court for Los Angeles County. The suit alleges that his former Van Halen cohorts --guitarist Eddie Van Halen, drummer Alex Van Halen and bassist Michael Anthony--signed a deal with Warner Bros. Records in 1996, unbeknownst to Roth, for increased royalties from sales of the group’s back catalog.
Roth reportedly claims that the new deal caused him to lose out on a total of at least $200,000 as of the end of 2001.
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages, plus legal fees, and also calls for an accountant to review the group’s royalties to determine the amount, including interest, that Roth is owed.
Roth, Van Halen’s original frontman, released six albums with the band between 1978 and 1984. He parted with the group on bad terms in 1985, and was replaced by Sammy Hagar.
Hagar was bounced in 1996, and was replaced by former Extreme frontman Gary Cherone, with whom the group recorded one album--1998’s “Van Halen 3"--before Cherone quit the group in 1999.
This past summer, Roth and Hagar teamed up for a successful co-headlining tour.
Earlier this year, Van Halen parted ways with Warner Bros., the label to which the band had been signed since its self-titled 1978 debut. The group remains without a singer, and has made no indication of its plans since Cherone’s departure over three years ago.
Bruce Springsteen’s 2003 tour itinerary grows
Bruce Springsteen’s 2003 tour itinerary with the E Street Band grew to 31 shows this week with the addition of three U.S. dates prior to the tour’s Australian and European legs.
Bruce Springsteen’s 2003 tour itinerary with the E Street Band grew to 31 shows this week with the addition of three U.S. dates prior to the tour’s Australian and European legs.
Tickets for new dates in Duluth, Ga., on Feb. 28 and Providence, R.I., on March 10 go on sale this Saturday (12/14). Tickets to a new March 11 stop in Rochester, N.Y. are scheduled to go on sale next Saturday (12/21), according to Ticketmaster.
The new shows join a previously scheduled March 2 date in Austin, Texas.
According to the Rochester Democrat, Springsteen representatives had been working with New Jersey-based Metropolitan Entertainment to arrange the winter-spring U.S. run of dates, but that relationship reportedly unwound when Metropolitan was purchased by industry giant Clear Channel this week.
The change in plans has allowed smaller concert promoters to step in and bid on shows, which is how Binghamton, N.Y.-based Magic City Productions was able to bring a Springsteen show to Rochester’s Blue Cross Arena. The concert will mark Springsteen’s first performance in Rochester since 1980.
Springsteen and the E Street Band took over roughly half of Conan O’Brien’s airtime on Wednesday night (12/11), playing a lengthy rendition of 1973’s “Kitty’s Back” and a spirited “Merry Christmas, Baby” that had O’Brien joining the band on guitar.
The band will wrap its 2002 tour supporting “The Rising” on Tuesday (12/17) in Indianapolis.
Wednesday, December 11, 2002
New Wilco EP reaches stores in February
Wilco plans to issue a six-song EP in February consisting of five previously unreleased songs and an alternate version of a track from the band’s 2002 album “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.”
Wilco plans to issue a six-song EP in February consisting of five previously unreleased songs and an alternate version of a track from the band’s 2002 album “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.”
The alternate version, titled “Kamera,” was titled “Camera” on “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.” Another song on the EP, “A Magazine Called Sunset,” was recorded for the 2002 album, but didn’t make the final cut.
The remaining tracks on the as-yet-untitled EP are “Bob Dylan’s 49th Beard,” “Handshake Drugs,” “Woodgrain” and “More Like the Moon.”
Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy is scheduled to play shows at the Vic Theatre in Chicago on Jan. 8 and 9.
The full band will regroup to play a Jan. 12 warm-up show at San Francisco’s Great American Music Hall before embarking on a tour of Australia, New Zealand and Japan.
Meanwhile, the Wilco documentary “I Am Trying To Break Your Heart” is set for release on DVD on Feb. 18.
Click here to read SoundSpike’s 2002 interview with Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy.
Tuesday, December 10, 2002
Stereolab’s Mary Hansen dies in accident
Stereolab guitarist and backup vocalist Mary Hansen is dead following a bicycle accident in central London on Monday (12/9). She was 36.
Stereolab guitarist and backup vocalist Mary Hansen is dead following a bicycle accident in central London on Monday (12/9). She was 36.
According to preliminary British press reports, a truck apparently backed into Hansen as she was riding.
Hansen, a native of Australia, had been a core member of Stereolab since she joined the experimental pop band in 1992.
“The suddenness of her death has shocked the band,” said a statement issued by the group’s survivors. “Mary was a special person. Our thoughts are with her family and friends who will miss her greatly.”
Album Chart: Shania beats Mariah, hangs on to No. 1
For the third straight week, Shania Twain’s “Up!” was the top-selling album in the country, a feat that keeps it ahead of the Top 10 debut of Mariah Carey’s “Charmbracelet.”
For the third straight week, Shania Twain’s “Up!” was the top-selling album in the country, a feat that keeps it ahead of the Top 10 debut of Mariah Carey’s “Charmbracelet.”
During its third week in stores, “Up!” moved about 317,000 copies, according to industry sources, which brings the album’s total to about 1.8 million copies. Though the album’s sales were nearly half of the previous week’s total, “Up!” will continue its undefeated reign at No. 1 on the forthcoming Billboard 200 album chart.
Also staying put despite a sizeable sales drop-off is Tim McGraw’s “Tim McGraw & the Dancehall Doctors,” which sold about 250,000 copies, down from about 601,000 copies the previous week. The album hangs on to the No. 2 spot, where it debuted last week.
Despite being bested by the chart-topping pair of country artists, singer Mariah Carey posts a strong first-week showing with “Charmbracelet,” which features the single “Through the Rain.” The album, which sold about 241,000 copies, enters the chart at No. 3.
The “Now That’s What I Call Music! 11” hits-compilation stays put at No. 4 for the second consecutive week, while Eminem’s “8 Mile” soundtrack slips two places to No. 5. Now in its fifth week on the chart, the latter album fared much better than its recently released counterpart, “More Music from ‘8 Mile’,” which debuts at No. 152.
Avril Lavigne’s “Let Go” continues to show some serious staying power by climbing three spots to No. 6, while Jennifer Lopez’s “This Is Me ... Then” slips a notch to No. 7. Also losing ground is Tupac Shakur’s latest posthumous release, “Better Dayz,” which drops three places to No. 8.
The Dixie Chicks’ “Home,” which topped the chart for several weeks following its release in late August, jumps back into the Top 10 at No. 9 this week, up from No. 17. Faith Hill’s “Cry” follows at No. 10, down from No. 7.
Just outside the Top 10, several albums are riding the holiday-shopping wave: Elvis Presley’s “Elvis: 30 #1 Hits” spends its second week at No. 11, while Josh Groban’s self-titled debut and Justin Timberlake’s “Justified” rise from Nos. 27 and 19 to Nos. 12 and 13, respectively. Nearby, Norah Jones’ “Come Away With Me” leaps from No. 26 to No. 17.
Others that didn’t fare quite as well include Paul McCartney’s “Back in the U.S.A.,” which drops to No. 16 after debuting at No. 8 last week; Ja Rule’s “Last Temptation,” down 11 places to No. 24; System of a Down’s “Steal This Album,” down to No. 25 after debuting at No. 15 last week; and Snoop Dogg’s “Paid tha Cost to Be tha Bo$$,” which drops to No. 28 after debuting at No. 12 last week.
The record industry’s end-of-year slowdown results in relatively few debuts this week; the handful of albums that do surface includes Josh Groban’s live EP, “In Concert,” at No. 35; and the Brian Setzer Orchestra’s ”Boogie Woogie Christmas” at No. 158.
Monday, December 09, 2002
Ashanti scoops up eight Billboard Music Awards
Ashanti, who walked away with eight awards, was the big winner at the 2002 Billboard Music Awards, while fellow R&B/hip-hop artist Nelly was close behind with six.
Ashanti, who walked away with eight awards, was the big winner at the 2002 Billboard Music Awards, while fellow R&B/hip-hop artist Nelly was close behind with six.
Three rock acts--Nickelback, Puddle of Mudd and Creed--took home four awards apiece. The honors were doled out on Monday (12/9), at a ceremony that was broadcast live by Fox-TV from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Los Vegas.
Rapper Eminem’s “The Eminem Show” won in the Album of the Year and R&B/Hip-Hop Album of the Year categories. Electronic artist Moby also got two nods.
Among the performers at the ceremony were Avril Lavigne, Nelly and the St. Lunatics, Creed (which performed from the top of the Stratosphere tower), Justin Timberlake, Faith Hill and Puddle of Mudd.
Michael Jackson received a Special Billboard Award, recognizing his 1982 album “Thriller.” The album spent 37 weeks at No. 1, more than any other in the history of the Billboard 200 chart. Actor Chris Tucker was at Jackson’s Neverland Ranch to present the singer-songwriter with the trophy.
The show’s finale was a tribute to slain Run-DMC member Jam Master Jay that featured Nelly, Busta Rhymes, Ja Rule, Naughty by Nature, Queen Latifah, and Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Joe Perry.
A complete list of winners follows.
Artist of the Year: Nelly
Male Artist of the Year: Nelly
Female Artist of the Year: Ashanti
Top New Pop Artist of the Year: Ashanti
Group/Duo of the Year: Creed
Album of the Year: “The Eminem Show,” Eminem
Group/Duo Albums Artist of the Year: Creed
Hot 100 Singles Artist of the Year: Ashanti
Hot 100 Singles Male Artist of the Year: Nelly
Hot 100 Singles Group/Duo of the Year: Nickelback
Hot 100 Single of the Year: “How You Remind Me,” Nickelback
Hot 100 Airplay Single of the Year: “How You Remind Me,” Nickelback
Top 40 Track of the Year: “How You Remind Me,” Nickelback
R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year: Ashanti
R&B/Hip-Hop Male Artist of the Year: Nelly
R&B/Hip-Hop Female Artist of the Year: Ashanti
New R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year: Ashanti
R&B/Hip-Hop Album of the Year: “The Eminem Show,” Eminem
R&B/Hip-Hop Single of the Year: “Foolish,” Ashanti
R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Artist of the Year: Ashanti
R&B/Hip-Hop Single (sales) of the Year: “Uh Huh,” B2K
Rap Artist of the Year: Nelly
Rap Track of the Year: “Hot in Herre,” Nelly
Country Singles Artist of the Year: Toby Keith
Rock Artist of the Year: Puddle Of Mudd
Rock Track of the Year: “Blurry,” Puddle Of Mudd
Modern Rock Artist of the Year: Puddle Of Mudd
Modern Rock Track of the Year: “Blurry,” Puddle Of Mudd
Dance/Club Play Artist of the Year: Cher
Electronic Album of the Year: “18,” Moby
Electronic Albums Artist of the Year: Moby
Catalog Artist of the Year: Creed
Catalog Album of the Year: “Human Clay,” Creed
Century Award: Annie Lennox
Artist Achievement Award: Cher
R.E.M. to kick of world tour in 2003
R.E.M., which hasn’t embarked on a full-scale tour in nearly four years, will kick off a 2003-2004 world tour with 18 summer-festival and headlining dates in Europe.
R.E.M., which hasn’t embarked on a full-scale tour in nearly four years, will kick off a 2003-2004 world tour with 18 summer-festival and headlining dates in Europe.
According to the Athens, Ga.-based band’s official website, the outing opens on June 27 at the U.K.’s Glastonbury Festival. The tour is expected to hit North America in the autumn; dates will be announced “after the first of the year,” according to the site. “As for other parts of the world ... 2004 is a good guess.”
The band is currently in Vancouver recording an album for release sometime next year. “We have been locked up in the studio and are anxious to see the outside world again,” frontman Michael Stipe said in a statement. “So we will spend some of the next year on tour with other people who love music.”
A new R.E.M. “Best Of” compilation is expected to hit stores in the fall of 2003.
Bruce Springsteen adds to 2003 U.S. itinerary
Bruce Springsteen will help to inaugurate Duluth, Ga.’s Gwinnett Arena as part of a brief set of U.S. shows in early 2003 before taking the E Street Band’s tour into Australia and New Zealand.
Bruce Springsteen will help to inaugurate Duluth, Ga.’s Gwinnett Arena as part of a brief set of U.S. shows in early 2003 before taking the E Street Band’s tour into Australia and New Zealand.
A single show set for Feb. 28 at the new, 12,000-seat venue was announced Tuesday (12/10), with tickets set to go on sale Saturday (12/15), according to local media reports.
The concert marks the second U.S. date officially booked for Springsteen and the E Street Band for 2003. A March 2 date in Austin, Texas was postponed from its original Nov. 6 play date when band member Clarence Clemons underwent surgery for a detached retina following the tour’s Houston stop.
Springsteen’s tour, supporting the summer 2002 release of “The Rising,” is wrapping up its “barnstorming” phase, where the band is playing single-night stops in 45 cities across the U.S and Europe. Springsteen reps have said that the U.S. tour plan for 2003 will focus on longer stops in key cities as the tour itinerary fleshes out.
For now, though, Springsteen and the E Street Band appear to be establishing a brief U.S. run prior to their week-long trek into the Pacific Rim in late March. From there, after a month-long break, the band kicks off a two-month run of European stadiums, after which a more formal U.S. tour is expected.