Idolator: Update

Update

Maura Johnston — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 10:45:00 EST

"Weird Al" responds to the controversy over "Kazaa" and "Grokster" being bleeped out of the MTV-approved video for his track "Don't Download This Song": “[MTV] told me that they would refuse to air my video” otherwise. “Instead of subtly removing or obscuring the words in the track...I made the creative decision to bleep them out as obnoxiously as possible, so that there would be no mistake I was being censored.” He helpfully adds: "The uncensored, ‘nonridiculous’ version can be seen on my YouTube and MySpace pages.” Don't download, but do stream from official sites. OK, got it. [NYT]

Fall Out Boy's Folie A Deux, announced as ...

Maura Johnston — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 17:20:00 EDT

Fall Out Boy's Folie A Deux, announced as "delayed" earlier today, is coming out Dec. 16: "Though this is not the date we had originally planned nor the optimal date according some demographic marketing analysis, we put our eight feet down told our label it must come out this year. We’re already bummed enough that Chinese Democracy is gonna beat us to release." Well, I wouldn't count on that yet... [petewentz.com]

Hey Asshole: The Aftermath

Maura Johnston — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 13:45:00 EDT

Oasis has postponed its show in London, Ont., tonight, thanks to Noel Gallagher sustaining hip and rib injuries after being attacked on stage Sunday. The show has been moved to Dec. 15; meanwhile, the 47-year-old (!!!!) who jumped on stage to have his way with Noel was charged with assault and released yesterday. [London Free Press via BV]

Kix Brooks comments on Democratic Presidential ...

Maura Johnston — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 12:45:00 EDT

Kix Brooks comments on Democratic Presidential nominee Barack Obama using his song to cap his nomination speech last night: "Seems ironic that the same song Bush used at The Republican Convention last election would be used by Obama and the Democrats now," Brooks said. "Very flattering to know our song crossed parties and potentially inspires all Americans." [Post Rock]

Those of you who drooled over our descriptions ...

Maura Johnston — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:00:00 EDT

Those of you who drooled over our descriptions of the Denny's Rock Star Menu can rejoice, at least if you live near an outlet of the all-night casual-dining chain: Tonight at 10, the Plain White Shake (yummy!) and the Eagles of Death Metal-designed Heart On A Plate (really sweet! also pictured!) will debut on the menu, as will a few other offerings. Be sure to get there late and not early, as the menu's only available between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. (And if you do happen to go, report back! I want to know what "alternative rock music" is on the restaurant's playlist.) [AbsolutePunk / Earlier]

Stooges' Stolen Truck Recovered, Equipment Still Missing

Maura Johnston — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 12:30:00 EDT

The rental truck that housed Iggy and the Stooges' gear when it was stolen sometime Monday morning has been found, but the equipment inside has yet to be recovered. The Stooges' show tonight in Toronto will go on despite the loss, but the band members will have to use rented and donated equipment until their stuff turns up. C'mon, this story needs to have a happy ending! Full list of stolen items—via Hootpage, which has pictures of some pieces—after the jump.

Red roadcase containing:
Red Gibson 1963 EB-3 bass (this is mike watt's bass!) USA No serial number

Black roadcase containing:r
Reverend Flying V guitar - Volcano black USA #08001

Black roadcase containing:
Reverend Orange guitar USA 03416 ZSL7

Black fibre case containg:
Gibson red SG short scale bass USA No serial number

Black roadcase containing:
Marshall Vintage/Modern Amplifier UK M-2007-07-0926-2 RoHS

Black roadcase containing:
Marshall Vintage/Modern Amplifier UK M-2007-07-0927-2 RoHS

4x Marshall 4x12 Cabinets (with Tuki cover) UK #1 Slant: M-2007-05-0149-0

4x Marshall 4x12 Cabinets (with Tuki cover) UK #2 Straight: M-2006-49-0380-0

4x Marshall 4x12 Cabinets (with Tuki cover) UK #3 Slant: M-2007-05-0150-0

4x Marshall 4x12 Cabinets (with Tuki cover) UK #4 Straight: M-2006-49-0381-0

Orange Calzone road case containing:
Guitar pedal board and pedals USA/Japan No serial number
Assorted leads USA/UK No serial number
2x mic stands Germany No serial number
Assorted strings and spares USA No serial number
plus:
2x Boss TU2 Chromatic Tuner
Boss CH1 Super Chorus
Fulltone OCD Overdrive
Crybaby Wah
Peterson Strobo-Stomp Tuner Pedal
Whirlwind A/B Boxes
Whirlwind Cable Tester
and many many istrument cables
various tools ( screwdrivers, soldering iron, pliers, etc... )
tambourine and maracas

Cardboard box containing:
Assorted replacement drum heads USA No serial number

Gretsch Silver Sparkle Catalina drum kit USA No serial number
26" Kick Drum No serial number
13" Rack Tom No serial number
18" Floor Tom No serial number
4x Cymbal Stands No serial number
1x Snare Stand No serial number
1x Hi Hat Stand No serial number
1x Drum Throne No serial number

Eden D810 Bass cabinet USA D810RP4 0703E5001

Eden D810 Bass cabinet USA D810RP4 0703E5002

Cardboard box containg:
Eden VT300 Bass amplifier USA 0601E5115

Cardboard box containg:
Eden VT300 Bass amplifier USA 0507E5033

Floor Fan CHINA No serial number

Green clamshell suitcase containing:
Yamaha snare drum JAPAN No serial number
Yahama kick pedal JAPAN No serial number
Zildjian Mega Bell cymbal USA No serial number
Zildjian 15" Hi-Hats USA No serial number
3x Zildjian 18" 19" 20" crash medium cymbals USA No serial number

Brown Epiphone guitar case:
Black Epiphone EB3 short scale bass KOREA F300503

1 x Wheeled Black Pelican case (50cm x 28cm x 20cm) containing :
A selection of microphones and microphone accessories, most of which are in separately labeled black pouches. All of the microphones are of Shure manufacture, also a BSS DI box. Inside the Pelican case there is also a Ferrari pencil case containing an iPod, iPod accessories, various small cables and adaptors, a Leatherman Charge, a Stooges AAA tour laminate, some pain killers, some sharpies, some electrical tape, some business cards (Mr Rik Hart). Within the case there is also a big pair of Sony headphones (model MDR7506) with a long curly cable and three very long XLR to XLR mic cables. Here's a more specific list of the microphones :
2 x SM91
5 x SM98
2 x B98
2 x SM81
2 x KSM32
1 x KSM27
2 x B52
3 x SM57
8 x SM58
1 x BSS AR-133 DI Box
(all manufactured by shure)

Iggy Pop, Stooges' gear stolen after Montreal show [AP]
Earlier: Ugh

A South Carolina judge has given the go-ahead ...

Maura Johnston — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:30:00 EDT

A South Carolina judge has given the go-ahead to this Thursday's auction of James Brown's possessions. So, who wants to start passing the hat for an Idolator-reader bid on the blue cape pictured at right? (If we fall short of the $20k it's expected to command, well, there's always this mini-Casiotone. We can pass that around instead!) [AP]

Amy Winehouse's Fame Hinders Her DJ Battle Stance

Maura Johnston — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 11:45:00 EDT

Amy Winehouse lost the DJ battle at her London local last night—perhaps because she only picked the songs and stood there, since her 30-minute set included some inarguable classics like Curtis Mayfield's "Move On Up" and the Supremes' "You Can't Hurry Love." But at least she won the war of, um, being famous: "[She] was just trying to do a bit of DJ-ing, but because it was quite a small venue and she's so famous instead of dancing to the music like normal fans would, everyone was crowded around the DJ box trying to take pictures of her. So it was less like a gig and more like a photo shoot or a press conference," an Evening Standard reporter told Reuters. This might explain her decision to depart the pub while cloaking herself with a lampshade and a box, as shown. [Reuters / Photo: WENN]

In case you were wondering what former butcher ...

Maura Johnston — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:30:00 EDT

In case you were wondering what former butcher Tad "TAD" Doyle thinks of music these days, he thinks it's great! "There is always plenty of fresh new bands to keep a guy like me busy and listening for a lifetime," sez Tad, who's been listening to Middian, Celtic Frost, and the Christ Punchers lately. (Just don't ask him about grunge, lest you want the conversation to be directed to other subjects.) [Sub Pop via PTW]

Amy Winehouse is on the scene at Nelson Mandela's ...

Maura Johnston — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:45:00 EDT

Amy Winehouse is on the scene at Nelson Mandela's 90th-birthday concert in London's Hyde Park, and she apparently even managed to make it through a soundcheck. During which she performed "Rehab." With a bottle of vodka by her side. Her set, of course, isn't for a few hours, so we'll just tag this story as "developing." [MTV Newsroom Blog]

Earlier reports on Universal Music Group ...

Maura Johnston — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 14:15:00 EDT

Earlier reports on Universal Music Group masters from labels like Decca being destroyed by the fire on the Universal Studios lot are, happily, false. A UMG spokesperson told Billboard: "We had no loss, thankfully. ... We moved most of what was formerly stored there earlier this year to our other facilities. Of the small amount that was still there and awaiting to be moved, it had already been digitized so the music will still be around for many years." [Billboard]

"In response to an nearly unprecedented outpouring ...

Maura Johnston — Tue, 13 May 2008 14:15:00 EDT

"In response to an nearly unprecedented outpouring of concern from the Chicago music community, Ald. Eugene Schulter, chairman of the City Council License Committee, has decided that he will not present the so-called 'event promoter's ordinance' to the full council on Wednesday for a vote as scheduled—and that the committee will go back to work on fine-tuning the law." [Jim DeRogatis; HT Jon Solomon]

A letter from VH1 lands in the mailbag: "There ...

Maura Johnston — Thu, 01 May 2008 12:45:00 EDT

A letter from VH1 lands in the mailbag: "There is no truth to the rumor that Richie Sambora will participate in Rock of Love." Aw, nuts. On the bright side, this opens up the field to any number of Rocklahoma-playing band members. (Heh, heh, I said "members.") I nominate Taime Downe, if only because his involvement will definitely cause the "rejected Suicide Girl" quotient of potential ladies to go up up up.

An update on David Cook's album sales: "It ...

Maura Johnston — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:45:00 EDT

An update on David Cook's album sales: "It sold 885 copies this week (all digital), or about half of what would be required to make the digital albums chart." Which means, I guess, that Cook doesn't count as a "new artist" by SoundScan standards, since he didn't appear on that 150-album chart either (No. 150, Tierra Cali's Enamorado De Ti, sold about 600 copies). And as a side note, David Cook hater Roger Friedman has moved on to mumbling about the greatness of the Carly Hennessy album, saying that she's taken an "odd route" to the Idol stage. [Earlier]

The Quest To Rickroll Shea Stadium Hits A Trenchcoat-Clad Bump

Maura Johnston — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 20:00:00 EDT

I spent this afternoon at the Mets-Phillies tilt that opened Shea Stadium's final season (FYI to any Phillies fans in the audience: just don't), and the one thing I was looking forward to—aside from my thwarted hopes of a Metropolitans victory—was the eighth-inning spin of "Never Gonna Give You Up." Last week, the Internet had decided that Rick Astley's late-'80s hit was the choice for Shea's eighth-inning singalong, after learning that the Mets had opened the choice for said song to an online poll, and apparently that movement had been successful: According to statistics flashed during the eighth inning and confirmed to me by an MLB operative, more than five million people wrote in Astley's song as their singalong pick. Which would, in normal times, have made the song the winner. But the Mets, being as Internet-savvy as a Major League Baseball team could be these days, had a trick up their "Final Season At Shea"-patched sleeves!

See, the voting form that so many people wrote Astley's song into only said that fans would "help choose" the eighth inning singalong. So in order to avoid being completely jobbed by a bunch of Internet jokers who will never give up their money to get tickets to the quite-lucrative final season at its home park that's kind of a shithole^*, the Mets decided that over the next week, the PA will blare the top six choices by fan vote, which include "Never Gonna Give You Up," Bon Jovi's "Livin' On A Prayer," Billy Joel's "Movin' Out," a Bruce Springsteen song that isn't "Born To Run" (seriously Mets, WTF?), and the ripped-off-from-the Red Sox "Sweet Caroline." And whatever song gets the best "crowd reaction" will be the song that fans are subjected to every game, whether they like it or not.

It's probably not surprising that the Mets chose this afternoon's eighth inning to play "Never Gonna Give You Up," what with it winning the vote and today being the first home game of 2008. And those of you who are actually cognizant of how much the Internet affects popular culture likely won't be surprised that Astley's song was met with a torrent of boos from the first note—shit, the Mets didn't even get Mr. Met to dress up in a trenchcoat. OK, OK, the fans might have also been booing because the Phillies pretty much put the game away in the top of the eighth, thus making all the feel-good vibes that had been engendered by Carlos Delgado's home run and Oliver Perez's 100% W-worthy performance completely moot. But I also think that, given the choice, they'd just rather sing along to Bon Jovi or Billy Joel. I know my people, and maybe-ironic appreciation of late-'80s Stock Aitken Waterman stars just isn't their cup of Dunkin' Donuts hot chocolate.

So one last time, here's the video:

Oh Mets. You don't know what you're missing.

Earlier: Dear Internet: The Prospect Of You Rickrolling Shea Stadium Fills Me With Equal Parts Dread And Delight

^* The ladies' loo toilets near section 35 in the upper deck were flooding by the fourth inning. Just saying.

Two weeks after being arrested on Federal ...

mjohnston — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 17:48:05 EDT

Two weeks after being arrested on Federal weapons charges, T.I. was released to his home in Henry County, Ga., on $3 million bond today. He must stay inside the house, which is in an unspecified location, until his trial, and he's going to be monitored around-the-clock by a private surveillance service that he has to shell out the cash for. [Reuters]

Authorities in Gateshead, England have determined ...

Kate Richardson — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 14:45:14 EDT

Authorities in Gateshead, England have determined that a photograph owned by Elton John that was previously thought to be indecent is not, in fact, child pornography, and is appropriate for display. From an official at the Crown Prosecution Service: "Even if the photograph was now considered to be indecent, a defendant would be able to raise a legitimate defence, given that the photograph was distributed for the purposes of display in a contemporary art gallery after having been deemed not to be indecent by the earlier investigation." Earlier investigation? Of the same piece of art? Sounds like the Crown Prosecution Service has been having a slow couple of years. [Reuters]

Magistrate Alan Baverman declined to rule ...

mjohnston — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 13:47:19 EDT

Magistrate Alan Baverman declined to rule on the matter of bail in T.I.'s federal weapons case today; at the hearing, Baverman declared that T.I.'s bond hearing will resume next Friday (Oct. 26), and that the hip-hop star will remain in jail until then. [XXL]

Gizmodo has all the details on the new Zunes, ...

mjohnston — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 09:46:01 EDT

Gizmodo has all the details on the new Zunes, which are coming in three iterations: $249 for an 80-gig, hard drive-based Zune and $149/$199 for four-gig and eight-gig flash-based versions. The Zune Marketplace will in fact have DRM-free music, and the device's wireless capabilities will now allow for cord-free syncing with a PC, as well as no expiration date on shared songs. (They'll still expire after three plays, though.) [Gizmodo]

The full story on Brent Hinds' head injury ...

Kate Richardson — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 14:17:46 EDT

The full story on Brent Hinds' head injury at the VMAs is finally out: "According to a Metro police report released Monday, the September 10 fight that landed Mastodon frontman Brent Hinds in University Medical Center's intensive care unit with brain hemorrhaging, a broken nose and two black eyes began as a skirmish between Hinds and Shavo Odadjian, bassist for multiplatinum metal band System of a Down." Drunk metal dudes are aggressive dumbasses! Surprise! [Las Vegas Weekly]

Universal's DRM-free files on services like ...

mjohnston — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 16:53:25 EDT

Universal's DRM-free files on services like Rhapsody and Best Buy will be watermarked, but those watermarks won't be used to identify specific users, according to the label. Instead, the watermarks "could provide a way for the label to track which songs —in general — make it onto P2P networks." Color us interested in their studies' eventual results, yet still slightly skeptical. [Listening Post]

The New York Post got a partial list of the ...

mjohnston — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 15:55:29 EDT

The New York Post got a partial list of the "infringing songs" played by Hiro Ballroom and Fusion 215, the two New York-area bars that are being sued by ASCAP for copyright infringement. On that list? "When I See You Smile" by "either Bad English or Clay Aiken." This really isn't helping us not think that ASCAP—who, by the way, wrote us a very nice note that pretty much read like their "about" page—is selecting its lawsuit targets based on the absolute sub-bad-wedding crapitude of their DJs. [NYP]

Warner Bros. Records claims that Tom Breihan's ...

mjohnston — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 18:42:00 EDT

Warner Bros. Records claims that Tom Breihan's seemingly DRM'd-up Against Me! CD is defective, and that there's no copy protection on the commercially released copies; still, as Breihan notes, the fact that there's any doubt at all should give the record industry at least some pause. (The higher-ups, that is. We're sure that people in the trenches know about the industry's woes a little too well.) [Status Ain't Hood]