The Black Keys predict backlash

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST

The 'Lonely Boy' group's latest album, 'El Camino' has been their biggest to date, but while they feel they are at the peak of their success, they worry it could quickly work against them.
Drummer Patrick Carney said: ''We're lucky enough to be enjoying a brief moment near the top. But that won't last very long. What happens when you become popular? You become the band that everybody wants to f***ing hate. And it won't be long until that catches up with us.
Guitarist Dan Auerbach - who completes the group - thinks they have become so popular almost by accident, after their track, 'Tighten Up' from their 2010 album 'Brothers' became an unexpected hit.
He said: ''People dedicate their lives to writing pop songs because that's how you reach the biggest audience. We just never thought about it before. It never even dawned on us to write something catchy until we did 'Tighten Up'.
''Initially [that track] felt weird to me, I don't know what it was that had me irked. Pat had no problem with it. He thought I was being a weirdo. I don't have any weird feelings about it now. When we play it live it fits in, it feels natural.'']]>

Dappy's collaboration confidence

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 06:30:00 EST

The N-Dubz singer has teamed up with Queen legend Brian May on new track 'Rockstar' and is confident the song will have all other artists desperate to work with him, with Rihanna at the top of his list for a duet.
He said: ''If I get another number one, I can get whoever I want. That's the test. I can send them a song and if they like it they sing it.
''After 'Rockstar', I'm going to do a club record. Dappy versus two producers or something - like Tinie Tempah did with Swedish House Mafia. I'm trying to do it with Tiesto or someone huge.
''After I've done that I might have to do a big feature with Rihanna. Once I've done that, it should be a year from now and I should be huge. I've got my plan.''
Despite N-Dubz's lack of success in America, Dappy is confident his solo material will do well in the US.
He told Q magazine: ''I've got something they would like in America. In our genre of music, there are people representing very highly; Tinie Tempah, Example, Wretch 32, Ed Sheeran.
''I wanna make sure that when Americans hear us they think this is the best of our country in that genre.
''A lot of people think they can just rap a verse on their songs and get someone else to do the hook. How difficult is that? Everyone's doing it. F**k that. I'm doing my verses, I'm doing my hooks, I'm doing my ad-libs, I'm doing it all. There's many opportunities in America.''
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Black Sabbath reunion in jeopardy

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 04:00:00 EST

The band announced they were reforming their original line up for a new album and tour last year, but this has suffered setbacks, firstly when guitarist Tony Iommi was diagnosed with cancer and now Bill claims he is being asked to sign a contract which will make him lose his ''rights, dignity and respectability.''
In a long post on his website, he wrote: ''The place I'm in feels lousy and lonely because as much as I want to play and participate, I also have to stand for something and not sign on.
''If I sign as-is, I stand to lose my rights, dignity and respectability as a rock musician.
''Since the news of Tony's illness, and the understanding that the band would move production to the U.K., I've spent everyday getting to or living in a place of readiness to leave [The US].
''That involves something of a task, and as I've tried to find out what's going on with the U.K. sessions, I've realised that I've been getting 'the cold shoulder' (and, I might add, not for the first time). Feeling somewhat ostracised, my guess is as of today, I will know nothing of what's happening unless I sign 'the unsignable contract.'''
While he has not given specific examples of his grievances with the reunion, Bill - who completes the band with Tony, bassist Geezer Butler and vocalist Ozzy Osbourne - insists he is not complaining because he is not being offered enough money.
He added: ''My position is not greed-driven. I'm not holding out for a 'big piece' of the action (money) like some kind of blackmail deal. I'd like something that recognises and is reflective of my contributions to the band, including the reunions that started fourteen years ago.
''After the last tour I vowed to never again sign on to an unreasonable contract. I want a contract that shows some respect to me and my family, a contract that will honour all that I've brought to Black Sabbath since its beginning.''
Black Sabbath's planned album and tour would be the first to include the original line up since 1978. No other member of the band has yet commented on Bill's statement.]]>

Paris Hilton working with Flo Rida

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 04:00:00 EST

The heiress is having ''so much fun'' in the studio working with the 'Good Feeling' hitmaker and DJ Afrojack on her second album.
She tweeted yesterday (02.02.12): ''In the recording booth, just finished 2 songs. Now about to start another, so much fun! I love music! :D''
She later added: ''Just finished recording 3 songs in one night! Working hard & feeling proud! So happy & excited with how everything is turning out! :D''
The 'Stars are Blind' singer is spending long days in the studio, but isn't letting her tiring schedule dampen her enthusiasm.
She tweeted: ''Just finished a long day of meetings. Now time for a disco nap before dinner & studio.
''@Official_Flo, what up! #YES! So much fun the other night, I love our new songs! Killed it! #YES! (sic)''
Paris also recently revealed she is to work with duo LMFAO on her album and says she has created a ''whole new genre'' with her new record.
She said: ''It's completely different from my last album. I'm going with a whole new genre.
''I have Afrojack executive-producing the entire album. So we've just been coming up with the most incredible tracks. I was just in the studio with RedFoo the other night, so we're going to be doing my new single with LMFAO.'']]>

Madonna reveals MDNA track list

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST

Alongside new single 'Give Me All Your Luvin' and 'Masterpiece' - which won a Golden Globe for Best Song in January after it was included in her film 'W.E.' - are tracks including 'Girls Gone Wild', 'Gang Bang' and 'I F**ked Up'.
A total of 15 songs are included on the deluxe version of the record, which features rapper Nicki Minaj, singer M.I.A and producer William Orbit, best known for his work on Madonna's critically acclaimed 1998 album 'Ray of Light'.
'B-day Song' is widely believed to feature M.I.A, as she is seen in a preview of the album shouting ''Happy Birthday'' with Madonna in the studio.
The other titles include 'I'm Addicted', 'Some Girls', 'I Don't Give A', 'Turn Up the Radio' and 'Beautiful Killer'.
Madonna will be making her debut performance of 'Give Me All Your Luvin' at the NFL Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday (05.02.12), and admits she is particularly nervy about her appearance at half time in the game.
She said: ''Oh my god, I'm so nervous. You have no idea.
''First of all, it's the Super Bowl. The Super Bowl is kind of like the holiest of holy in America. I'm going to come in halfway between the church experience and I'm going to have to deliver a sermon that's going to have to be very impactful.
''I have to put on the greatest show on earth in the middle of the greatest show on earth.''

Madonna 'MDNA' Deluxe Edition, full tracklisting:

'Girls Gone Wild'
'Gang Bang'
'I'm Addicted'
'Some Girls'
'I Don't Give A'
'Turn Up the Radio'
'Give Me All Your Luvin'
'B-day Song'
'Superstar'
'I'm a Sinner'
'Masterpiece'
'Falling Free'
'Love Spent'
'I F****d Up'
'Beautiful Killer']]>

Queen to headline Sonisphere

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST

The legendary 'We Will Rock You' group have signed up former American Idol singer Adam Lambert to step into the shoes of late frontman Freddie Mercury, who died in 1991, for the rock festival, which tours across Europe in July.
Adam told the Daily Star newspaper: ''The intention is to pay tribute to Freddie and the band by singing some f*****g great songs. It's to keep the music alive for the fans and give it an energy that Freddie would have been proud of.''
Adam first met original Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor when he performed with them on the final of American Idol in 2009, and they last appeared together last November at the MTV European Music Awards in Belfast, Ireland.
The Sonisphere tour will include a date at Knebworth in the UK, the venue where the band played their final show with Freddie before his death.
Adam denied he was trying to take the place of the iconic singer, adding: ''After the EMAs, I heard faint little slithers of a backlash from people saying: 'You can't replace Freddie Mercury.' But I already knew that.
''There's no intention in my mind of replacing Freddie. That's impossible.''
Since Freddie's death, Queen have released one posthumous album, 'Made in Heaven' in 1995. In 1997 bass player John Deacon retired and has not been replaced with a permanent member.
Brian and Roger continued to tour under the Queen name, with Free singer Paul Rodgers, between 2004 and 2009.
Although Adam is now singing with the group live, Brian has said any future releases will be built around unreleased tapes of Freddie singing.
He said: ''There is a couple of very interesting tapes with Freddie singing with Michael Jackson that we're looking at.
''Those kind of things we can work on together and it's nice that in a sense Freddie is still involved in it.''
Other acts rumoured to play Sonisphere - which takes in France, Poland, Switzerland, Turkey Greece and Italy, among others - include Faith No More and Green Day.]]>

Iron Maiden singer boards nuclear sub

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 06:30:00 EST

The 'Fear of the Dark' singer boarded HMS Victorious - stationed at HM Naval Base Clyde near Helensburgh in Scotland - for three nights after receiving a special invitation from the captain, to come and sample life on board.
One of the submariners told the Helensburgh Advertiser the unexpected visit was ''surreal''.
The source said: ''When I heard that somebody called Bruce Dickinson was coming on board, I thought it was maybe a civilian contractor or someone who went by that nickname.
''It was a bit surreal - it's not every day you bump into an international rock star on a nuclear submarine!''
Bruce - who is a qualified pilot, and flies the heavy metal group around the world in a private jet when they tours - has long been a submarine fan and last made a visit to a British naval base in 2003, after striking up a friendship with Leading Operator Mechanic Richard Banks, who is also a part time luthier who made a custom guitar for the band's guitarist Dave Murray.
A military spokesperson confirmed Bruce's visit had taken place.
Iron Maiden are currently on a break after completing their The Final Frontier World Tour last year, and will release a live album 'En Vivo!', recorded in Santiago, Chile, on March 26.]]>

Elvis was always dressed to perform

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 06:00:00 EST

The 'Heartbreak Hotel' singer died in 1977 at the age of 42 and although his daughter Lisa Marie was only nine at the time he passed away, one of her overriding memories of her father is how fanatical he was about his appearance.
She said: ''He was always fully, fully geared up. You'd never see him in his pyjamas coming down the steps, ever. You'd never see him in anything but 'ready to be seen' attire.
''There can be a sort of cheesy take on him, which I don't always love sometimes - you know, the later years and that whole thing with his white jumpsuit. Now I'm probably over it. But I mean it was kind of running wild for a while. It was a little bit cringe worthy.''
Lisa Marie - who has just recorded her third album - also revealed her down-to-earth father loved to spend time hanging out on his motorcycle with the locals in his Memphis, Tennessee neighbourhood.
She said: ''Sometimes he would go and there would be a convoy and everybody would follow. He'd be going down Elvis Presley Boulevard and you would see these devices riding down the road, of all sorts.''
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Blur singer and guitarist to play charity show ahead of BRIT Awards

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 04:00:00 EST

The singer and the guitarist will appear alongside Dry The River and Ed Sheeran at the concert, held on February 19, to raise money for the War Child organisation.
It is not known if Damon - who now fronts Gorillaz and The Good The Bad and the Queen - and Graham, who has just released his eighth solo album, will perform any Blur tracks, or appear on stage together at the event.
War Child Music Director, Ben Knowles, said: ''War Child's annual BRIT Awards show has become a unique and important date in the music calendar.
''We believe music can make a difference, it can change lives. This year's amazing line-up will prove that - it will make for a stunning, unforgettable night and one that will raise money to help thousands of children affected by war.''
Blur - which also includes Dave Rowntree and Alex James - will receive the Outstanding Contribution To Music Award at the BRITs, held on February 21 at London's The O2 venue, where they will also perform.
The War Child fundraising show will take place at London O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire venue on February 19.]]>

Noel Gallagher to play at NME Awards 2012

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 04:00:00 EST

The 'Dream On' hitmaker will perform at the ceremony at London's O2 Academy in Brixton on February 29, where he will pick up the NME Godlike Genius Award - the highest accolade bestowed at the spectacle - at the end of the evening.
Noel also has nods for four other prizes including Best Solo Artist - which will see him take on Adele, Florence + The Machine, Frank Turner, Laura Marling and Miles Kane - and Best Album for 'Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds'.
Other performers at the ceremony - which will be hosted by comedian Jack Whitehall - include Kasabian and The Vaccines, while Florence Welch and The Horrors are set to perform a special collaboration.
Arctic Monkeys lead the nominations for the NME Awards with seven nods, including Best British Band, Best Album and Best Track for 'The Hellcat Spangled Shalalala'.
But the 'Black Treacle' rockers will face stiff competition for the Best British Band accolade from Bombay Bicycle Club, The Horrors, Kasabian and Muse, who have not released an album since 2009's 'The Resistance'.
Other nominees see Florence take on Marina Diamandis, Amy Lee, Katy Perry and Paramore's Hayley Williams in the Hottest Female category.]]>

Featured News

The Black Keys predict backlash

Dappy's collaboration confidence

Black Sabbath reunion in jeopardy

Paris Hilton working with Flo Rida

Madonna reveals MDNA track list

Queen to headline Sonisphere

Iron Maiden singer boards nuclear sub

Elvis was always dressed to perform

Blur singer and guitarist to play charity show ahead of BRIT Awards

Noel Gallagher to play at NME Awards 2012