News: 05-10-01

NICKY WIRE HELPS SAVE ANIMAL SANCTURY
COURTNEY SUES GEFFEN, NOVOSELIC, GROHL
GUILFORD LIVE GOES INTO LIQUIDATION
MADONNA TO PRESENT TURNER PRIZE?
POGUES COMEBACK TOUR: TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE
DIVIDED THEY FALL... BANDS SPLITTING
PJ HARVEY NOMINATED FOR US SHORTLIST PRIZE
JAY KAY TO APPEAR IN COURT FOR ASSAULT
JESUS & MARY CHAIN MAN FORMS NEW BAND
MOBO AWARD WINNERS
BANDS RESCHEDULE IN THE WAKE OF TERRORIST ATTACKS
STARS CHARITY WORK FOR NEW YORK
ALBUM RELEASES
SINGLE RELEASES
AND FINALLY...




NICKY WIRE HELPS SAVE ANIMAL SANCTUARY

Manic Street Preacher Nicky Wire has helped to save his local animal rescue sanctuary from closure. The All Creatures Great and Small sanctuary in South Wales needed thousands of pounds to keep it running; so Nicky gave his mum numerous Manics memorabilia to auction online. The auction, which sold signed CDs, promos and photos, raised the necessary funds to keep the centre going, much to Nicky's relief. Nicky's mum, Irene, told reporters: "Nick does care a lot about animals. I think he gives a lot of donations to animal charities on the quiet." Big Brother's Helen Adams has also taken part in fundraising events for the sanctuary.




COURTNEY SUES GEFFEN, NOVOSELIC, GROHL

Courtney Love is suing the two surviving members of Nirvana and record label Geffen, claiming that the label has been mismanaging Nirvanaıs music. She wants to invalidate an agreement that she signed with them in 1997; she says she was "distressed" when she signed it. The current lawsuit was triggered by a song called 'Monstersound', released on Geffen's parent label Universal by German band Balloon . The song featured a sample of 'Smells Like Teen Spirit', and Love is claiming that this is illegal use of the music. Love has already been battling with Geffen over her band Hole. She is currently in court with other musicians over contract terms. Lawyers for Geffen, Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic have not yet commented on the lawsuit.
This follows on from recent news that Courtney Love is still planning on suing the remaining members of Nirvana over the rights to Kurt Cobain's music. A planned release of rare and unreleased Nirvana recordings is being blocked by Love, as executor of Cobain's estate. This is currently being fought by Grohl of Novoselic on the grounds that Love was never a member of Nirvana and hence they belive she has no right over the release of such material.




GUILFORD LIVE GOES INTO LIQUIDATION

The Guilford Live festival is yet another event to have gone into liquidation due to the foot and mouth crisis.
While in it's ten year history the festival has never broken even, event organiser Tony Scott has always been able to fall back on the revenue earned by his marquee business. However, the recent outbreak of foot and mouth in the farming industry has led to a drop in demand for marquees. In addition the fact that the proposed festival headliners Catatonia pulled out at the last minute, and the weather forecasts of rain this year led to very poor ticket sales and debts totalling £120,000.
There will be a meeting for creditors later this month to sell both Guildford Fusion Festival Ltd and Tony Scott Marquee Hire Ltd. It's not clear whether Guilford Live will take place next year.
This latest bankruptcy follows hot on the heels of the voluntary liquidation of Bishopstock Music Festival and Bishopstock Blues festival. The foot and mouth epidemic caused the Bishopstock Festival, which has been running for the last five years, to be moved from it's usual May slot to August. This led to the cancellation of many acts such as Jools Holland and John Lee Hooker (who sadly passed away in June).




MADONNA TO PRESENT TURNER PRIZE?

Madonna is allegedly planning to present this year's Turner Prize, to be awarded at the Tate Britain in December. The 43-year-old singer recently lent a Frida Kahlo self-portrait from her own collection to the Tate for a surrealism exhibition. Previous awards have been presented by Charles Saatchi and fashion designers Agnes B and Paul Smith. A Turner Prize spokesman would not confirm nor deny the rumours.
However, this might be made a little difficult by recent tabloid reports that Madonna now fears that she may be the target of terrorist activities and has since tightened up security around herself and her family.




POGUES COMEBACK TOUR: TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE

Tickets for The Pogues' comeback tour ­ where the band reunite with Shane McGowan for one week only ­have gone on sale. The dates are as follows:
December 16 - Manchester Apollo
December 17 - Glasgow SECC
December 18 - Birmingham Academy
December 20 - Dublin The Point
December 21 - London Brixton Academy
December 22 ­ London Brixton Academy




DIVIDED THEY FALL...

Last year it was Pavement, Zach La Rocha, Unbelievable Truth and Magnetic North Pole... As usually happens around this time of year, several of our most beloved band have decided to call it a day...
We waved bye-bye to Seething Little Monsters fanzine favourites 68 Special, as they split up. However, there's already a phoenix from the ashes, as Mel & Mike plan to form a new band. "No disrespect to what we were doing before," Mel said "but this is just in a different league." They'll be recording a mini-album before the end of the year, which will be due out in early 2002.
Murder City Devils keyboardist Leslie Hardy left the band last month, due to serious injury to her wrists which has required serious hospital treatment. The rest of the band felt they could not continue playing the songs which Leslie co-wrote and decided to call it a day. Their next mini-album on Sub-pop, 'Thelema', will be their last ever release.
Elastica singer Justine Frischmann has revealed that the band have split up, but will be releasing a final single. Their final LP, 'The Radio 1 Sessions', is released through Strange Fruit on October 29, but details of the single are to be confirmed.
And finally, after months of speculation about the well-being of the band, and lead singer Cerys Matthews in particular, Catatonia have bidden us farewell. After disappointing sales of their latest album 'Paper Scissors Stone', a crisis meeting last week sealed the deal, and an amicable split has already taken place.
Rumours of Cerys recording solo material soon were unconfirmed as we went to press.




PJ HARVEY NOMINATED FOR US SHORTLIST PRIZE

As if winning the Mercury Prize wasn't enough for PJ Harvey, ­she's now been nominated for the US version, the Shortlist Prize. Gorillaz are also among the 10 acts nominated ­ but as yet they haven't rejected their nomination, as they did with the Mercury. Other nominees for the Shortlist Prize include Macy Gray, Foo Fighters, Beck, Trent Reznor, Air, Ryan Adams, The Dandy Warhol and Sigur Ros. The winner will be announced on October 30, and will receive a £6,000 prize.




JAY KAY TO APPEAR IN COURT FOR ASSAULT

Jamiroquai frontman Jay Kay is to appear in court after being charged with common assault and criminal damage. He is accused of attacking a photographer and breaking his equipment outside London's Attica nightclub in April, just weeks after he split from Denise Van Outen. He will appear before Bow Street Magistrates Court on Monday.




JESUS & MARY CHAIN MAN FORMS NEW BAND

Jim Reid, the founder of the Jesus and Mary Chain, is making a comeback with a new band, Freeheat. Their new EP, 'Retox', will be released on November 5. Ben Lurie, a former guitarist with JAMC, is also in the band. Theyıre also playing the following dates in November:
November 26 ­ Leicester Princess Charlotte
November 27 ­ Glasgow King Tuts
November 28 ­ Leeds New Roscoe
November 29 ­ London Mean Fiddler




MOBO AWARD WINNERS

Last week's MOBO awards saw Usher and So Solid Crew scoop two awards each, whilst other winners included Destiny's Child, Craig David and Missy Elliot. The full list of winners goes like this:
Best R&B act - Usher
Best hip hop act - Missy Elliott
Best video ­ 'Up Middle Finger' by Oxide & Neutrino
Best reggae act - Shaggy
Best producer - Dr Dre
Best gospel act - Mary Mary
Best world music act - Nitin Sawhney
Best UK garage act - So Solid Crew
Best UK act - Craig David
MasterCard best album ­ '8701' by Usher
Best single ­ 'Independent Women Part 1' by Destiny's Child
Best jazz act - Incognito
Best newcomer - So Solid Crew
Best UK radio DJ - Jigs (Choice FM)
Best UK club DJ - DJ Spoony
Mobo unsigned award - N Jay
Mobo outstanding achievement - R Kelly
Mobo lifetime achievement - Luther Vandross




BANDS RESCHEDULE IN THE WAKE OF TERRORIST ATTACKS

The attack on the World Trade Centre last month, and the subsequent security measures in places have had a great effect on touring accross the country, particularly from US acts.
Many bands, such as New York-based punkers Bouncing Souls found themselves stranded in Europe. Other bands were confined to the United States and were unable to meet imminent touring commitments. Other bands, such as Howie Beck, continued to play, and fulfil their commitment to their fans.
Sonic Youth have cancelled the first US All Tomorrowıs Parties festival in Los Angeles in the wake of the terrorist attacks on the US last month. Instead, the band are to play a benefit gig for the victimıs families on October 7. The festival was due to take place between October 19 & 21 at the University of California, organised by Sonic Youth ­ reports now suggest that it will be rescheduled for early 2002. Other acts reported to be appearing at the event include Stereolab, Television and Stephen Malkmus.
This is by no means a comprehensive list...
As far as we know the following bands have rescheduled dates:

New Found Glory/Fenix TX - rescheduled to December - check press for details
Newcastle University 12 Dec 2001
Manchester Academy 13 Dec 2001
Nottingham Rock City 17 Dec 2001

Tattoo The Planet - resceduled to October - check press for further details.
Unfortunately this date change means that Static X will no longer be playing, and Pantera have withdrawn from the bill. Slayer will now be headlining.
Glasgow SECC 11 Oct 2001
Birmingham National Indoor Arena 13 Oct 2001
London Wembley Arena 14 Oct 2001

And the following band have cancelled their tours completely:

Janet Jackson cancelled her UK tour this week, as she does not wish to risk the lives of her large entourage by flying. "My European fans are among the most loyal and I was very excited to share this show with them," Janet said. "I have agonized over this decision... If anything happened to anyone on this tour, I could never forgive myself." Rumours are that she may be rescheduling to early next year. Check http://www.janet-jackson.com/news.html for details...

Weezer have also cancelled all UK dates for third time this year (after previously cancelling Northern dates earlier in the summer, and appearances at Reading and Leeds festivals) leaving many disgruntled fans. For a full explanation of why, go to http://www.weezer.net/news/
Refunds can be obtained from the point of sale.

Rumours currently flying around suggest that Blink 182 are also considering cancelling, but there was no confirmation of this as we went to press.




STARS CHARITY WORK FOR NEW YORK

In the wake of the terrible traged in New York, many stars have been out in force, promoting charity events and doing telethons.
However some artists have chosen rather more suitable methods of paying tribute to the thousand who have died...
Continuing with their long history of being active and aware, Anti-Flag have made a statement and recorded a song in response to the events of 9/11. This MP3 is only available online...

You can hear "911 For Peace" by going here:
http://www.fatwreck.com/empee/50137.mp3
The lyrics and their statement can be found here:
http://www.anti-flag.com/anti-flag/911forpeacestatement.html

In the meantime reports state that Dr Dre has apparently been writing a rap about the worldıs current Public Enemy No 1, Osama Bin Laden. He has told reporters that he wants to express the anger and outrage many are feeling. The former NWA producer has already donated $1m to the victims of the terrorist attacks on the US.
In the wake of the terrible traged in New York, many stars have been out in force, promoting charity events and doing telethons.




ALBUM RELEASES


October 8th 2001

Starsailor - Love Is Here
Va: Talvin Singh - Back To Mine
Stephen Jones - 1985-2001: 3cd
Ben & Jason - 10 Songs About You (Ten)
Dr John - Creole Moon
Fenix Tx - Lechuza
Lamb - What Sound
Luther Vandross - Very Best Of: 2cd
Alice Cooper - Dragontown
Emperor - Prometheus Discipline Of Fire & Demise
Paul Weller - Days Of Speed
Fugazi - Argument
Royksopp - Melody Am
Lilac Time - Lilac6
Va - Gatecrasher Digital: 2cd
Simple Minds - Neon Lights
Garrett,Lesley (Sop) - Va: Gift Collection: 4cd
Engelbert Humperdinck - I Want To Wake Up With You
Lennon,John: Yoko Ono - Milk & Honey
Lost Prophets - Fake Sound Of Progress (re-release with fresh recordings of many original tracks)
Olc: Pet Shop Boys: Jonathan Harvey - Closer To Heaven
Sum 41 - All Killer No Filler: New Version
Va - Pepsi Chart: 2002
Va - Q Anthems

October 15th 2001

Leonard Cohen - Ten New Songs
Kinobe - Versebridgechorus
Ozzy Osbourne - Down To Earth
Luther Vandross - Very Best Of
Ol Dirty Bastard - Dirty Story Best Of
Grateful Dead - Golden Road 1965 1973 1
Ozzy Osbourne - Down To Earth Ltd
Mull Historical Society - Loss
Richard Hawley - Late Night Final

October 22nd 2001

Hope Sandoval - Bavarium Fruit Bread
Ub40 - Cover Up
Mull Historical Society - Loss
Aphex Twin - Drukqs
Incubus - Morning View
Pulp - We Love Life
Ozomatli - Embrace The Chaos
Cranberries - Wake Up & Smell The Coffee

October 29th 2001

Bananarama - Very Best Of
Kelis - Wanderland
Michael Jackson - Invincible

November 12th 2001

Radiohead - I Might Be Wrong: Live Recordings




SINGLE RELEASES


October 8th 2001

Michael Jackson - You Rock My World
Pj Harvey - This Is Love /You Said Something
Pulp - Trees/Sunrise
Ub40: Feat Lady Saw - Since I Met You Lady
Luther Vandross - Take You Out Enhanced
Fugazi - Furniture (First single in 9 years from the cult US hardcore trio)
India Arie - Brown Skin: Enhanced
B,Mark & Blade - Theres No Stoppin It Ep
Roots Manuva - Dreamy Days
Elbow - Newborn
Sugar Ray - When Its Over
Super Furry Animals - Rings Around The World: Enhanced

October 15th 2001

Beta Band - Human Being
Jay-z - Izzo Enhanced
Kelis - Young Fresh & New
Britney Spears - Im A Slave 4 You
Spiller - Cry Baby
Afroman - Because I Got High (From the 'Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back' soundtrack)
Harvey,Brian: Refugee Crew - Loving You Ole Ole Ole
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Whatever Happened To My Rock N Roll
Cranberries - Analyse
Jagged Edge: Feat Nelly - Where The Party At: Enhanced
Lopes,Lisa Lefteye - Block Party Enhanced
Mis Teeq - One Night Stand
System Of A Down - Chop Suey
Turin Brakes - Emergency Seventy Two (72)
Wideboys: Feat Dennis G - Sambuca

October 22nd 2001

Andrew Wk - Party Hard Enhanced
Gorillaz - Rock The House (Parlophone)
Daft Punk - Harder Better Faster Stronger

October 29th 2001

Slipknot - Left Behind
Limp Bizkit - Boiler
Cure - Cut Here Enhanced

November 5th 2001

Strokes - Last Nite
White Stripes - Hotel Yokha




AND FINALLY...

Germany has just opened the world's first drive-thru brothel. Details of whether they provide an eat-in service, or fries with that, were unknown at the time of going to press...