Jay-Z defends Glastonbury gig & other

Friendly Fires, Friendly Fires

2008-09-03T18:22:00.001-07:00

Friendly Fires, the splendidly-named trio hailing from St Albans, first ventured into showbiz using the medium of instrumental, Fugazi-esque hardcore. Realising that it wasn't really them, and thankfully lightening up a chip, Ed, Edd and Jack ventured onward into the world of disco and headed towards a far more interesting and musically rewarding next. It's one that's set up them feted by the likes of Zane Lowe, Colin Murray and Rob Da Bank, loved by Guardian and NME alike, and now on XL � dissolute becoming a label that's the home of the hits.

Friendly Fires rattles on quite nicely. There crataegus laevigata not be an immediateness or insistent large to the angle of the Fires' jangle, but after a couple of listens you're wondering why they didn't outlet it at the altitude of summer, as it would've sounded perfect. Self-produced, with the exception of the Paul Epworth-produced single and jumper lead track, Jump In The Pool, and recorded under Ed's parent�s house, it's an album that sounds at home on both the radio and down pat the rave-up.

Earlier tracks, Paris and On Board are particularly ebullient and joyous, delivery to creative thinker classic Chicago house textures with hand-in-air rushing moments. In The Hospital has the sweaty urgency of LCD Soundsystem, and Photobooth may destroy Earth itself, once a few pick remixes are commissioned. Lovesick is downright amazing: potentially the tune that turns the band from skinny indie groovers into chart-eating pop behemoths. Certain choruses and breakdowns mark this as a post-Klaxons album but that's about as much as FF has in common with the nu-rave herberts. Friendly Fires sound more like an excitable, puppylike version of The Rapture or Cut Copy.

Overall, Friendly Fires � along with Late Of The Pier and Wild Beasts � have shown that there's some more forward-thinking and multiplex bands for people who've grown bored of the identikit picture indie gristle. A bit of scintillate and magic trick is all you want, and your life improves immeasurably.

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JoJo could have been Hannah Montana

2008-08-14T18:12:00.001-07:00

JoJo has revealed she was offered the role of Hannah Montana in the strike Disney TV show.

The R'n'B singer�- world Health Organization shot to fame with Leave (Get Out) in 2004�- considered taking the part simply eventually distinct starring in the series about a teenager wHO leads a double life as a schoolgirl during the day and pop star at night was not for her.

When asked if she regretted turning down the role which has made 15-year-old Miley Cyrus a household list, JoJo said: �No declination. No regrets at all. Yeah, Disney offered me the character but it's not truly what I see for myself.�

JoJo, 17, also aforesaid another reason she sour down the role was because she didn�t want to move to Los Angeles, where the point is filmed.

She added to US TV show Extra: �I tranquil live in New England. I'm an east coast girl until I die and I still live with my mum.�

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'Transformers 2' Star Tyrese Gibson Doubts Shia LaBeouf's Injury Will Delay Filming: 'He Can Afford A Private Nurse'

2008-08-06T19:33:00.001-07:00

SAN DIEGO � Shia LaBeouf is currently convalescent at Cedars-Sinai Hospital from extensive hand surgery, as well as injuries to his articulatio genus and headspring caused by a railroad car accident in Hollywood on Sunday forenoon, but the "Indiana Jones" star won't be acquiring any understanding cards from his "Transformers" co-star Tyrese Gibson, world Health Organization downplayed the incident when MTV News caught up with him on Sunday at Comic-Con.

Asked if there were whatsoever contingency plans in place given the early word that LaBeouf might be in the hospital up of a month, Gibson scoffed: "A month? He won't be in the hospital for a month. He just hurt his hand. He can afford a private nurse."

"Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" had a buffer window reinforced into its hectic shot schedule early on, given fears of a possible SAG strike last month. Whether that buffer testament be secondhand to fit LaBeouf's potential difference absence is unknown, just for now, production is moving full steam out front, Gibson said.

"Right now, there's only three films existence shot in this country," he proudly declared on where production stood at the mo. "We got two and a half more months. I just did two night shoots in a row extinct there in Long Beach. We

Wim Wenders to head jury at Venice Film Fest

2008-06-27T18:54:00.001-07:00

VENICE, Italy —

Wim Wenders will head the international jury that will award the coveted Golden Lion at this year's Venice Film Festival.

The decision was made Friday during a board meeting of the Venice Biennale, whose activities include the film festival.

The Biennale said in a statement that the 62-year-old German director is one of the most innovative among contemporary filmmakers and has produced some of the most influential works of the past 40 years.

He won the Golden Lion in 1982 with "The State of Things." He's also known for "Wings of Desire" - for which he took the best-director prize at the 1987 Cannes Film Festival - and 1999's "Buena Vista Social Club."

The festival in the lagoon city runs from Aug. 27 to Sept. 6.

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Winehouse refused visa for Grammys

2008-06-19T19:13:00.001-07:00

Amy Winehouse will not be performing at this year's Grammy Awards because her request for a visa has been turned down by the US Embassy in London, according to her publicist.
The Outside Organization, which counts the troubled retro-soul singer among its clients, said in a statement: "Amy has been progressing well since entering a rehabilitation clinic two weeks ago and although disappointed with the decision has accepted the ruling and will be concentrating on her recovery."
The 24-year-old singer and her acclaimed 'Back to Black' album are nominated in six categories for the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday.
Organisers of the music awards are now arranging for the singer to perform via satellite.
Since the album's US release last year, she has cancelled a slew of appearances amid reports of drug use.

Shia LaBeouf Calls Friend 'F*ggot' In Video Footage

2008-06-13T00:30:00.001-07:00

Shia LaBeouf has been caught up in a video scandal, after calling his friend a faggot.

The Indiana Jones actor is filmed urging a pal to ‘bitch slap’ him, and calls him the derogatory homosexual name to provoke a reaction.

He eventually does get slapped in the minute long clip, with spectators in the back laughing at the incident.

Shia has previously been in trouble with police for trespassing in a drug store. He also allegedly attended Alcoholics Anonymous for a drink problem.

See Shia’s ‘bitch slap’ video below.

Corrie star named Celeb Mum of the Year

2008-06-06T22:34:00.001-07:00

'Coronation Street' star Kym Ryder has been named Celebrity Mum of the Year by Tesco Magazine.
The 31-year-old actress, who plays barmaid Michelle Connor in the soap, has two children, 12-year-old David and 10-year-old Emily.
The actress was reportedly chosen as Celebrity Mum of the Year because of her ability to balance her acting and charity work with her family life.
Ryder said: "I'm shocked and thrilled to have won this award from Tesco Magazine. And I feel humbled to have won alongside such amazing mums, whose stories are truly incredible."
"I'll be bringing lots of tissues to the awards ceremony as I know it will be a really emotional and inspiring day."

Model Bruni marries French president

2008-06-04T18:43:00.001-07:00

Former international model Carla Bruni married French president Nicolas Sarkozy on Saturday in Paris.
The couple walked down the aisle at the presidential Elysee Palace, less than three months after they reportedly first met.
In a short statement, the couple said that they "were married... in the presence of their families in the strictest privacy."
The official who had performed the ceremony, Francois Lebel, mayor of Paris' eighth arrondissement said, "The bride wore white; she was ravishing, as usual and the groom wasn't bad either."
53-years-old Sarkozy married Bruni, thirteen years his junior, in the presence of 20 close family and friends, Lebel said.
He called the ceremony "a moment of family intimacy for the young newlyweds, of great simplicity and apparently a lot of affection between the spouses."
"I wished them a lot of happiness," he said.
At a news conference in January, Sarkozy revealed that the relationship was "serious" and hinted that wedding plans were in the works.
However he refused to reveal the date for a wedding, saying only that France might learn about the nuptials once they had already taken place.

Pj Davy and Danny Graham

2008-06-04T18:41:00.001-07:00

Artist: Pj Davy and Danny Graham

   Genre(s):
House

Discography:

Blind Exit

Year: 2004
Tracks: 2

Alex Cartana

Alisha

2008-06-04T18:39:00.002-07:00

Artist: Alisha

   Genre(s):
Ethnic

Discography:

Made In India

Year: 1996
Tracks: 11

Initially Alisha Chinai was hailed as the Babydoll of India. An image change later, she was the Indian Madonna. She made the transition successfully. Alisha adopts a chameleon carriage whenever the fashion winds bollocks up. With eyes on the long-run prize, she besides has touched into the humanity of Indian pic music. She crataegus laevigata be heard alongside S.P. Balasubramanyam, Sadhana Sargam and Anu Malik on Chiranjevi and Juhi Chawala's The Gentleman & Other Hits of '94 (EMI India CDF 1 10051).

Florian Meindl

Johnny Hates Jazz

2008-06-04T18:39:00.001-07:00

Artist: Johnny Hates Jazz

   Genre(s):
Other

Discography:


Tall Stories

   Year: 1991
Tracks: 10


Turn Back The Clock

   Year: 1988
Tracks: 13

The British triple Johnny Hates Jazz had Spandau Ballet's hit attire, trim looks, and bent for smooth, glossy pop songs that were more than soulful than the critics gave them credit for. Unfortunately, like Spandau Ballet Johnny Hates Jazz were stigmatized in the U.S. by an ubiquitous hit that burned-out out interest in the radical in front the take a breather of their discography had the chance to be heard. Johnny Hates Jazz was formed in 1986 by Clark Datchler (vocals, pianissimo), Calvin Hayes (keyboards), and Mike Nocito (bass). Named after a acquaintance wHO scorned malarky, Johnny Hates Jazz released their first single, "Me and My Foolish Heart," on RAK Records that year. The band searched for a major-label deal, and they were signed by Virgin Records after a fizgig at, ironically sufficiency, a malarky nine nigh the terminal of 1986. The group's debut single for Virgin, "Tattered Dreams," rocketed them into superstardom in 1987. "Tattered Dreams" landed at number five on the U.K. charts and number deuce in America. The band's debut LP, Turn Back the Clock, appeared in 1988, leaving multi-platinum in England and in the U.S.

Patch none of Johnny Hates Jazz's subsequent singles took off in America, they launched a strike parade in the U.K. as "I Don't Want to Be a Hero," "Turn Back the Clock," "Centre of Gold," and "Don't Say It's Love" followed "Tattered Dreams" onto the airwaves. However, despite the success, Datchler bygone from Johnny Hates Jazz in the summer of 1988. Datchler was angry at how the other members were reinterpreting his compositions and distinct to engage a solo career, recording Raindance in 1990. Hayes and Nocito replaced Datchler with producer Phil Thornalley on Johnny Hates Jazz's 1991 effort Tall Stories. Although it didn't sound that different from Turn Back the Clock -- "Let Me Change Your Mind Tonight" could've fit utterly on that album -- Tall Stories was a break. Johnny Hates Jazz broke up afterwards.

'Sex and the City' tops boxoffice

Corrie star wants evil David to return

2008-06-04T18:38:00.002-07:00

'Coronation Street' actor Jack P Shepherd has said that he hopes his character David will return to his evil ways when he leaves jail.
According to Digital Spy, the actor said: "I definitely want David to be evil again. I love playing that side of him."
"The badder he is, the better it is for me. New scripts are ready at the moment but I don't know what's in them. I really hope he goes back to his old tricks."
Speaking about David's future, he said: "He is a lot calmer than before as well. He wants to continue in hairdressing and make a stab at carving out a career for himself."

Silencium

2008-06-04T18:38:00.001-07:00

Artist: Silencium

   Genre(s):
New Age

Discography:

Songs Of The Spirit

Year: 1997
Tracks: 12

David Cook wins American Idol

Danity Kane, Day26 Announce 'Making the Band 4' Tour Dates

2008-06-04T18:37:00.002-07:00

What's the best way to celebrate back-to-back #1 Billboard album debuts? How about a national tour? That's what Danity Kane and Day26 will do starting May 24 when they kick off "Making the Band 4 — The Tour," which will hit major cities from coast to coast, beginning with a gig at Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre in Orlando, Florida.
In addition to the sometimes romantically entangled "Making the Band" boy and girl groups, the tour will also feature breakout "Band" star Donnie Klang, who Diddy diverted from Day26 in order to offer him a solo contract with Bad Boy. His debut, Come into My World, is due out in June, and the first single, "Take You There," is out now.
When Kane's second album, Welcome to the Dollhouse, recently debuted atop the Billboard 200, they became the first female group in Billboard history to have their debut and sophomore album enter the main chart at #1. Day26's self-titled debut hit the top spot one week after Kane, [LINK hit the top spot one week after Kane TO 1584646] setting a record for the biggest-selling debut from a male R&B group in the SoundScan era.
The tour will be filmed for a new season of "Making the Band" slated to air in late summer and will feature another Bad Boy artist, Cheri Dennis.
The itinerary for "Making the Band 4 — The Tour," according to Bad Boy's Web site:
· 5/24 - Orlando, FL @ Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre
· 5/25 - Miami, FL @ The Fillmore Miami Beach
· 5/29 - New York, NY @ Hammerstein Ballroom
· 5/30 - Baltimore, MD @ Pier Six Concert Pavilion
· 5/31 - Detroit, MI @ The Fillmore Detroit
· 6/1 - Chicago, IL Chicago Theatre
· 6/5 - Phoenix, AZ @ Dodge Theatre
· 6/6 - Las Vegas, NV @ The Pearl Concert Theater
· 6/7 - San Diego, CA @ Viejas Casino
· 6/9-10 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern

Jay-Z defends Glastonbury gig

2008-06-04T18:37:00.001-07:00

Jay-Z has hit back at rocker Noel Gallagher's criticism of his Glastonbury slot, saying his appearance on the bill is a natural evolution of the music festival.

The New York rapper has broken his silence over his controversial headlining appearance, and insists the Oasis guitarist should be more open-minded about rap music. Gallagher caused a stir when he said including a hip-hop artist on the bill was “wrong” because the festival has a “tradition of guitar music”. Jay-Z told Britain’s The Sun newspaper: “We don’t play guitars, Noel, but hip-hop has put in its work like any other form of music. This headline show is just a natural progression. Rap music is still evolving.” Jay-Z also insists rap and urban music is an important force in world music. He added: “People have a passion and have an opinion about who should perform there. But the world changes and we have to embrace the change. I’ve never been involved in anything this controversial. What’s the big deal about doing a show?” Glastonbury has seen its slowest ticket sales for years in 2008, with tickets still remaining for the event a month after they were made available. Joining Jay-Z as headliners are Kings of Leon and The Verve. Other acts confirmed to play include, Crowded House, KT Tunstall, The Fratellis, Massive Attack and Groove Armada. Glastonbury festival runs over the weekend of June 27-29 in Somerset, South West England.