Sheryl Crow

Usher, Ciara, JC Chasez, More Reflect On Michael Jackson's Influence

26 Jun 2009 08:59:00 EDT

'I feel it's important for me to continue to let my generation know how important he was to music,' Ciara says during 'A Celebration of Michael Jackson on MTV.'
By Jocelyn Vena

Michael Jackson
Photo: Ebet Roberts/ Getty Images

Entertainment and sports stars came together to remember Michael Jackson on the MTV News special "A Celebration of Michael Jackson on MTV" on Friday (June 26). The special — including several Video Music Awards performances as well as candid moments he spent on the network — brought together Kobe Bryant, Liza Minnelli and Usher, among others, to pay tribute to the departed pop icon.

"I think it's probably deeper than people would expect, actually," Kobe Bryant said. "Being out here in L.A., I had numerous conversations, just over the phone and also at his house, just talking about work ethic and paying attention to details. He was extremely inspirational for me because he helped me understand that it's OK to be different. And when I say different I mean different in the sense of being obsessed with your craft ... and working your tail off and being consumed by what you do. He helped mentor me in that department. I think we lost an absolutely brilliant, brilliant mind and just a genuine nice person."

Fabolous, who has sampled Jackson's music in his songs, said he learned a lot from watching Jackson as a kid. "I was just very disappointed the whole day ... I grew up on Michael Jackson," he said. "One of my first albums my mom bought me was Thriller, so just to see him pass was like a big loss to me and everyone who grew up around me."

JC Chasez, who performed with Jackson along with 'NSYNC at the 2001 VMAs, described the show as "a childhood dream come true." "It was kind of like my life had come full-circle at that point. First you dream about being able to dance like him and the next thing you know you're standing next to him while you're dancing. As a professional, you want to reach the top of your game. Then you find yourself on the MTV awards and you share that moment with him. He's a language. He's a piece of vernacular when you talk about dancing, singing ... entertainment."

Sheryl Crow toured with Jackson for two years in the late '80s, and she was one of the people lucky enough to get to know the personal side of Jackson. "I did a couple of duets with him. He reached out to me on a couple of occasions and invited me to come up to his hotel room to watch movies," she recalled. "A big room with a couple of bodyguards and us throwing popcorn across the room at each other. He was just very childlike and loved to practical joke ... very childlike and innocent and then he'd walk out onstage and you'd see this magnetic, very strong artistic talent up there."

Teddy Riley, who worked with Jackson on both "Dangerous" and "Remember the Time," is still reeling from the loss, but feels honored to have had a chance to work with the King of Pop. "Such a huge impact he had. A lot of the major people out there, they've grown up to Michael Jackson., and I've grown up to Michael Jackson, and it's been a dream to work with him ... he made my dreams come true. It's a big impact and I think everyone out there is going to miss him," he said.

Liza Minnelli, who called in to the show along with Usher, remembered the days they'd spend together. "We would hang together when we were in New York. We would go to [dancer and choreographer] Martha Graham's. I would take him to Martha Graham and he'd say, 'Oh, I got to learn that,' and we'd run upstairs to practice. Anyway, I loved him."

Usher, who was significantly influenced by Jackson, added, "It's pretty hard right now, man. Michael Jackson transcended culture. He transcended love, man. He changed the barrier of life and the way we looked at things."

One woman who has definitely used some of the Jackson aesthetic in her own career, Ciara, admits that MJ was her biggest inspiration. "He was part of the reason why for me," she said. "Whenever someone asks me who inspires me to do what I do, I always say Michael. That's it for me. He's everything to me. He's really a part of the reason why. He's going to be remembered in so many ways for me. I feel it's important for me to continue to let my generation know how important he was to music."

MTV will be paying tribute to MJ throughout the weekend with music videos, exclusive performances and calls and tweets from celebrity admirers and friends. For everything we've got on the life, career and passing of the legendary entertainer, visit "Michael Jackson Remembered."

Share your Michael Jackson memories by uploading video and comments to Your.MTV.com or joining the discussion below.

Related Videos

Related Photos

Related Artists

Michael Jackson Was 'Truly Innovative,' Sheryl Crow Says

25 Jun 2009 10:26:00 EDT

'I can't speak highly enough about what I got to witness every single night for nearly two years,' Crow says of her time on tour with the King of Pop.
By Kyle Anderson

Sheryl Crow and Michael Jackson perform in 1988
Photo: Dave Hogan/ Getty Images

Thursday evening (June 25), on the MTV special "Michael Jackson: A Tribute," Sheryl Crow called in to share her memories of Jackson and her thoughts on his passing. Crow spent nearly two years on the road with Jackson as a backup singer during his world tour for Bad and also appeared in the video for "Dirty Diana." Like many of the stars who spoke to Kurt Loder about Jackson's death, she looked back on his career with a sense of awe.

"I can't speak highly enough about what I got to witness every single night for nearly two years, which was the brilliance of someone who was truly innovative," Crow said. "Before 1984, no one had ever seen moves like that."

Crow was candid about Jackson's demeanor on the tour, suggesting that he was already recoiling from the rest of the world. "When I started working with him, I think that was when he really started to isolate himself," she explained. "I think he started to take into his own hands what he was going to try to project as his legacy, so everybody in the band and in the crew was kind of held at arm's length." Despite his reservations, Jackson still got close to Crow. "I got to go out and sing with him twice every night on 'I Just Can't Stop Loving You' and 'The Way You Make Me Feel.' So I had more interaction with him than most. One thing I remember him telling me was that he really felt like he was sent to the planet for the children. I thought that was really telling, because he considered himself to be eternally childlike."

She also said that she believes Jackson's legacy is visible every day. "You can see how much of an impact he's had when you see Usher and Justin Timberlake. They're still using those moves, they're still sounding like him and using those riffs. You can see how deeply effective he was as an R&B artist."

Share your Michael Jackson memories by uploading video and comments to Your.MTV.com or joining the discussion below.

Related Videos

Related Photos

Related Artists

Huffington Post Inaugural Ball Packs In Celebs From Pete Wentz To Don King

20 Jan 2009 12:13:00 EST

Performances by Will.I.Am, Sheryl Crow distract guests from the overcrowding.
By Sarah Maslin Nir

Fall Out Boy at the Huffington Post pre-inaugural ball
Photo: Joe Kohen/ Getty Images

WASHINGTON, D.C. — It was billed as D.C.'s "most exclusive party," but the Huffington Post Pre-Inaugural Ball certainly was crowded. Make that can't-move-without-spilling-your-drink, can't-talk-without-shouting, sardines-in-a-tin-can packed. Held at the ultramodern Newseum on Pennsylvania Avenue, the party took place amid giant models of laptop computers and interactive journalism terminals that partygoers played with at random.

Calling the bash "our inauguration," the liberal online newspaper aimed to galvanize the public into taking action for the future of America. The site's founder, Arianna Huffington, was interviewed by Larry King at the party.

"The theme of tonight's party is that it's not just Barack Obama being inaugurated tomorrow, it's all of us being inaugurated," she said. "It's imperative not just to look at him as a knight in shining armor who is going to do it all for us. We have to take responsibility."

Toasting that aim was a roster of celebrities fit for an Oscar fete. But despite the heavy star wattage, the night was all about Obama. Even flashy MC Hammer refused to bust a trademark move, saying the event was not about him. Demi Lovato, fresh from a performance for the first lady and first daughters at the "Kids' Inaugural" with Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers, gushed about the thrill of hugging Michelle Obama. Shakira and Rosie Perez spoke rapturously about the impact Obama has had on Latinos.

In a bedazzled denim suit covered in pictures of Jesus and Obama was Don King, the flamboyant boxing promoter who discovered George Foreman and Muhammad Ali. Preaching and yelling, King said that in a knockdown fight between the president-elect and McCain, "Obama would win, no contest."

Jesse Jackson competed for reporters' time with the effusive King and shared red-carpet space with Josh Groban. Groban had the honor of singing the national anthem at Sunday's "We Are One" concert. Groban was still marveling about the experience a day later. He recounted standing between Will.I.Am and Samuel L. Jackson at the gig, giddy "like schoolchildren" as they waited for Obama to come shake their hands.

Other celebs crammed into the crowd included Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher, John Cusack, Ben Affleck, Robert De Niro, Teri Hatcher, David Arquette, Larry David and Sarah Silverman. Musicians represented, too: Members of Fall Out Boy and Maroon 5 hobnobbed with the press. Pete Wentz, who'll perform at MTV's "Be the Change: Live From the Inaugural," said he'd step down as FOB frontman if Obama wants to grab the mic.

Spirits at the uncomfortably crowded party lifted when Sheryl Crow took the stage and sang "Everyday Is a Winding Road," a song fitting for the challenging path to the presidency. Then Will.I.Am got even the stiffest of senators waving their arms. Sting capped off the night with a rousing set.

While dignitaries and celebs abounded, one of the evening's most important guests flew under the radar, clad not in a tuxedo but in a military uniform with a half-dozen medals pinned to his lapel: Todd Bowers, a Marine Corps reservist who was almost finished with his studies at George Washington University when he was sent on two tours of duty in Iraq. Bowers showed up at the event with a piece of shrapnel in his cheek, where the bullet that nearly killed him hit home. Even so, he said he couldn't wait for the inauguration, when the world would welcome his new commander in chief.

"Be the Change: Live From the Inaugural" will air live on MTV on Tuesday, January 20, at 10 p.m. ET/PT. MTV News will have wall-to-wall coverage of the event and of the scenes in Washington, D.C., New Orleans and Kenya in the days leading up to the event and in the days that follow.

Related Videos

Inauguration Celebrations Fill D.C. With Music

Related Photos

Related Artists

Beastie Boys Tour The Swing States Before Election Day Because That's Where 'Every Vote Matters'

22 Oct 2008 04:35:00 EDT

Mike D calls upcoming vote 'the most important election of our lives.'
By James Montgomery, with reporting by Tim Kash

The Beastie Boys
Photo: MTV News

The Beastie Boys have plenty in store for fans on their upcoming Get Out and Vote Tour — and not all of it has to do with, you know, voting.

"We're going to work on a lot of dance steps and stuff, because we're setting aside a block of time just for dance stuff. Maybe an hour," Ad-Rock laughed. "And, you know, then the rapping. We've got to work on the rapping stuff. And then just basically physique and toning and tanning. Work on our core. You know, we're going to work on that."

We suspect he's joking (except for the rapping bit), because the Beasties actually have some rather big ideas for the tour — which kicks off October 27 in Charlotte, North Carolina, and will make stops in five other crucial swing states in the week leading up to Election Day. To them, this is the most important election in recent memory, and they hope to get that message across to young voters.

"The decision to play the swing states was like, 'OK, we're here in New York City. It's a foregone conclusion what's going to happen here' — same in California and some other places," Mike D explained. "But let's really get to the places where ... you've got a younger demographic of voter, and they're saying, 'Well, is my vote really going to make a difference? Is it really going to count? Is it really going to be counted?' And I think in this election, in those states, absolutely. Every vote matters. And I think the last two elections were a great precedent — not how they ended up, necessarily — but in terms of if you look at [how the election was] decided by 2,000 votes in the state of Florida. That's a great example of how clear it is that every vote matters."

"And it's a great example of how bad things can get if the wrong person gets into office," MCA added, drawing laughs from his bandmates.

The lineup for the Beasties' tour changes with each city — Jack Johnson, Ben Harper, Norah Jones, Sheryl Crow and Tenacious D are just some of the acts confirmed — but the message remains the same at each stop: Your vote matters. You can make a difference. This is very important.

"We found ourselves — like a lot of people throughout this whole country — sitting around realizing this is going to be the most important election of our lives, for a variety of reasons," Mike D said. "You've got a huge economic crisis, we're engaged in two wars, Social Security is about to run out, [and there are] huge environmental issues and environmental crises. So I think in terms of our lifetime, we thought, 'What can we do to make sure that this is something that's decided by the overwhelming population of the people and not just a few thousand people in one state?' "

The tour wraps in Denver on November 3 — the day before millions head to the polls — and if you're thinking about showing up but worried that a late night might make you groggy on Election Day, don't worry. The Beasties have you covered. Like we said, this is a pretty big deal to them.

"We finish in Colorado, in a very important swing state ... and yes, everyone needs to get up early and get to the polls. So we're going to give them all a gift certificate for coffee in the morning," D laughed. "Actually, I just made that up, so it's sort of a lie, but it's a good idea. I'm going to put that forward to our people. We'll see what happens."

Get informed! Head to Choose or Lose for nonstop coverage of the 2008 presidential election, including everything from the latest news on the candidates to on-the-ground multimedia reports from our 51 citizen journalists, MTV and MySpace's Presidential Dialogues, and much more.

Related Artists

Jonas Brothers To Play Thanksgiving Halftime Show In Dallas

13 Oct 2008 12:19:00 EDT

Brothers also announce premiere date for 'Lovebug' video: October 19.
By Jocelyn Vena

Jonas Brothers
Photo: Jeff Kravitz/ FilmMagic

The Jonas Brothers aren't necessarily three young men you'd normally associate with football, what with their curly locks and their love of skinny jeans. But they'll be on hand to perform at the halftime show during the Thanksgiving Day game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Seattle Seahawks, The Associated Press reports.

The performance kicks off the 2008 Salvation Army Red Kettle Christmas campaign, which has raised more than $1 billion since the Cowboys began partnering with the program in 1997. That money has been used to help 30 million people each year.

"I was born in Dallas, which makes performing with my brothers at the Cowboys' halftime on Thanksgiving an incredible honor," youngest brother Nick said, according to MarketWatch.com.

"This year, more than ever, the Salvation Army Red Kettle campaign will make a huge impact for families at Christmas and throughout the year," Kevin said. "It's very important for us to give back. We'd like to thank Jerry Jones, the Dallas Cowboys, Israel Gaither and the Salvation Army for inviting us to be part of this awesome Thanksgiving tradition. We'll remember this for a long time to come."

In the past, "American Idol" winners Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood have performed at the game, in addition to Sheryl Crow, Destiny's Child and Jessica Simpson. Last year, the campaign, which runs through Christmas Eve, raised a record $118 million.

The guys also recently revealed more info on their latest video, "Lovebug," a "Notebook"-inspired clip that they made with director Philip Andelman. The brothers told People.com that Camilla Belle (10,000 BC, When a Stranger Calls) makes a cameo in the video, which will debut October 19 on the Disney Channel.

Related Artists

John Legend, Will.I.Am, Stevie Wonder To Close Democratic National Convention

28 Aug 2008 12:00:00 EDT

Sheryl Crow also reported to perform at convention's final night.
By Jocelyn Vena

John Legend at the DNC in Denver Monday
Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

will perform at the Democratic National Convention in Denver on Thursday (August 28), the final night of the event, at which Barack Obama will accept the Democratic presidential nomination, CNN reports. The Denver Post reports that John Legend will also entertain the convention-goers.

The performances are expected to take place at Invesco Field at Mile High. It's also being reported that Will.I.Am will recreate his now famous "Yes We Can" video live with a full gospel choir.

Earlier this week, MTV News caught up with the Black Eyed Peas rapper, who discussed how important Obama's speech is, not only for supporters, but for Americans.

"This speech is important because the time is important," he said. "It's important, 'cause it's engaging the people who have supported him.

"There's people who are going to be skeptical," he added, "but with the momentum of the victory, that's going to propel us up the hill. It's beyond just black and white. It's American — and I'm just happy to be here."

Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson will sing the national anthem at the final night of the convention, according to CNN. Sheryl Crow, who is currently on tour, is expected to perform three songs early in the evening before hitting the stage at the Les Schwab Amphitheater in Bend, Oregon, for her own concert.

As of Wednesday, a spokesperson with the Democratic National Convention Committee would not confirm the reports. "We have not announced any entertainment for tomorrow's event at this time," the spokesperson said.

Our ongoing convention reporting continues Thursday night with coverage of Obama's acceptance speech — with live blogging from Pete Wentz, Bun B, Solange Knowles and other artists at newsroom.MTV.com.

Don't miss out on the action: MTV News and our Street Team '08 will be on the ground at both conventions to sort through all the speeches, streamers and ceremony to find the information you need to choose our next president. And head to Choose or Lose for nonstop coverage of the 2008 presidential election. And after history is made in Denver, MTV News will help you make sense of it all in "Obama Decoded," premiering Friday, August 29 at 7:30.

Related Artists

Amy Winehouse, Alicia Keys, More Get Grammy Sales Boost, But Jack Johnson Still Tops Billboard

20 Feb 2008 12:43:00 EST

Herbie Hancock, Daughtry, Foo Fighters also benefit from the post-awards bump on the albums chart.
By James Montgomery

Jack Johnson's Sleep Through the Static
Photo: Brushfire

It's an annual tradition, and probably one of the only reasons artists still bother showing up for the Grammys (well, that or the gift bag): the post-awards sales bump, which sends albums by nominees, winners and performers — and pretty much anyone who landed a few minutes of Grammy face time (if Jason Bateman had an album, it'd probably be sitting at #1 right now) — rocketing up the Billboard albums chart.

And this year was no exception. Because while Jack Johnson's Sleep Through the Static will retain its hold on the #1 spot on next week's chart, with sales of more than 179,500 copies, the rest of the Top 200 is stuffed with albums posting colossal Grammy-bump numbers, according to SoundScan data.

It all starts with the album sitting at #2, Amy Winehouse's Back to Black, which sold more than 115,300 copies (a 368 percent increase from the previous week's sales), thanks in no small part to the Beehived One's five Grammy wins — including Record and Song of the Year — and her high-profile, live-via-satellite performance.

Coming in at #3 is Alicia Keys' As I Am, which has taken up a permanent residence in the top 10 since being released in November, but still saw sales rise by 36 percent (more than 108,800 copies this week) after Keys' two Grammy performances and her win in the Best Female R&B Vocal Performance category. Following behind Keys is the 2008 Grammy Nominees compilation, which sold 72,400 copies, a 40 percent increase from the previous week.

Landing at #5 is the man who shocked pretty much everyone by taking home the Grammy for Album of the Year, Herbie Hancock, who saw sales of River: The Joni Letters top the 53,800 mark, an amazing 967 percent spike from the previous week. Clearly, winning has its privileges.

The rest of the top 10 is rounded out by the "Juno" soundtrack (more than 53,200 copies sold), Best New Artist nominee Taylor Swift's self-titled debut (52,100 copies), Sheryl Crow's Detours (51,700 copies), Mary J. Blige's Growing Pains (48,600 copies) and the soundtrack to "Step Up 2 the Streets" (more than 45,200 copies).

The post-Grammy mania continued outside the top 10 too. Daughtry didn't take home an award (going 0-4), but sales of their self-titled album still rose by more than 43 percent from the previous week, landing the "Idol" finalist and his band at #15 with about 38,200 copies sold. The Foo Fighters' Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace won a pair of Grammys (for Best Rock Album and Best Hard Rock Performance), and it sold more than 33,400 copies — a 160 percent increase — to land at #22.

Other winners and performers who experienced big-time sales bumps include Carrie Underwood (almost 30,000 copies of her Carnival Ride album, a 43 percent increase from the previous week); Rihanna's Good Girl Gone Bad (27,000 copies, a 60 percent increase); Kanye West's Graduation (more than 22,600 copies, a 74 percent increase); and Feist, who left the Grammys with just a slice of pizza but still sold almost 14,800 copies of The Reminder, a 70 percent increase from the previous week.

Aside from all the Grammy goings-on, next week's chart will also showcase a couple of debuts. Simple Plan's serious, self-titled disc sold more than 39,200 copies to open at #14. Jam-meisters Widespread Panic bow at #78 with their Free Somehow disc, and Natalie Grant's Relentless debuts at #81.

Related Artists

Jack Johnson Surfs Past Alicia Keys, Sheryl Crow To Second #1 Debut

13 Feb 2008 01:47:00 EST

Sleep Through the Static is year's best-selling release so far; Lenny Kravitz, k.d. lang LPs crack Billboard album chart's top 10.
By Chris Harris

Jack Johnson's Sleep Through the Static
Photo: Brushfire Records

We're not even two months into 2008, and already a disturbing trend has developed for the ever-slumping music industry: So far this year, only two of the records to assume the Billboard album chart's peak position have sold more than 100,000 copies. Of course, six-digit sales figures used to be the norm — without them, most records never stood a chance at claiming the chart's #1 spot.

After Radiohead's In Rainbows sold more than 122,300 copies during the first week of '08, earning it Billboard's coveted apex, each subsequent #1 album has failed to come even remotely close to matching that sales total. Alicia Keys' As I Am spent the next two weeks on top, selling 70,300 and 60,500 copies, respectively. Then, the "Juno" soundtrack took over, after moving close to 65,000 units. Keys' LP returned to the #1 position just last week, having sold just 61,300 copies.

But this week, before the release of the generally high, post-Grammy sales figures, surfer-turned-crooner Jack Johnson has reversed the tide, at least for the time being. With little more than 374,600 copies sold during week one, Johnson's latest studio offering, Sleep Through the Static, has become the year's best-selling new release. That means it is 2008's first bona fide "hit" record, according to the latest SoundScan data.

But being on top is a sensation Johnson knows well. While his 2003 LP, On and On, and 2005's In Between Dreams both entered the top 200 at #3, his 2006 effort, Sing-A-Longs and Lullabies for the Film "Curious George," debuted at #1, with sales clocked at just under 163,000. Johnson's new one even robbed music vet Sheryl Crow of a #1 debut. Her latest album, Detours, bows at #2 on next week's chart, after generating just 92,300 scans.

A whopping 22 new releases enter next week's top 200, with four opening in the coveted top 10. Lenny Kravitz's latest, It Is Time for a Love Revolution, opens at #4 with 73,300 copies snatched up, right behind Keys' As I Am, which drops two spots to #3 with 80,200 sold. The 2008 Grammy Nominees compilation holds at #5 with 51,700, while the "Juno" soundtrack trails in the #6 slot, selling another 47,200 units. Meanwhile, Mary J. Blige's Growing Pains closes out the week with 44,600 in sales to finish at #7. The last newcomer to the top 10 checks in at #8: k.d. lang's Watershed, which sold 41,000 copies. Hannah Montana 2: Meet Miley Cyrus follows at #9, scanning an additional 40,000 units, while Taylor Swift's self-titled debut rounds things out at #10 with sales reported at 38,700.

The next highest-charting of the week's newcomers comes in at #13. The soundtrack to "Step Up 2: The Streets," featuring tracks by Flo Rida, Missy Elliott, Cassie, T-Pain and others, sold close to 31,500 units; and next week's #14, Kenny G's Rhythm & Romance, generated first-week sales of 31,000 and change. Nada Surf's Lucky enters the chart at #81 with 9,200 sold, while Hot Chip's Made in the Dark opens at #108 with sales of 7,100. The HorrorPops' Kiss Kiss Kill Kill bows at #148, with 5,200 scans. They Might Be Giants' Here Come the 123s sits in the #171 hole, with 4,500 carried away from the nation's record stores. Finally, Bob Mould's District Line just makes the list at #190, with 4,000 scans, and Al Green's What Makes the World Go Round enters at #197, selling 3,700 copies.

Related Artists

Christina Aguilera, Jack Johnson, Sheryl Crow, Hot Chip And More Plot Their Chart Attacks, In New Releases

5 Feb 2008 08:02:00 EST

Also due Tuesday: Lenny Kravitz, Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, HorrorPops, Bob Mould, Jason Collett, Warbringer, Nada Surf.
By Kurt Orzeck

Christina Aguilera
Photo: RCA Records

Veterans Day won't be celebrated for many more months — it falls on November 11, to be precise — but with new releases from Sheryl Crow, Lenny Kravitz, k.d. lang and others dropping, it may as well be Tuesday (February 5). While those releases will likely rank high on next week's SoundScan chart, though, there are a few more-MTV-friendly artists we need to talk about first ...

Back To Back To Basics: Christina Aguilera has been milking her last studio album, big time, in the year and a half since it came out. Originally released in August 2006, Back to Basics was chased by a massive world trek; a "tour edition" re-release of the set, with a bonus DVD, that November; and now an exclusive Best Buy package containing two DVDs. The first disc has 90 minutes' worth of footage from two gigs she played at Sydney's Acer Arena in July 2007, while the second is loaded with behind-the-scenes peeks; interviews with the singer, husband Jordan Bratman, her dancers, her musical director and others; and more. SoCal fans should head to the Best Buy in West Hollywood, where Aguilera will autograph the release, marking her first public appearance since she gave birth in January.

Jack Attack: Now this is what you call going green — Jack Johnson recorded his entire new studio album in Hawaii and Los Angeles using analog tape machines powered by solar energy. The singer/songwriter, who will play his first U.S. show in support of Sleep Through the Static in Hawaii on Earth Day, April 22, said in a statement, "Some of the songs on this album are about making babies. Some of the songs are about raising them. Some of the songs are about the world that these children will grow up in; a world of war and love, and hate, and time and space. Some of the songs are about saying goodbye to people I love and will miss." Fans who preordered the album — which is a bit more electric than Johnson's previous releases — through iTunes were gifted with a bonus track, "Goodbye."

Hot Stuff: The last time we heard from Hot Chip — in 2006, when they put out The Warning — they walked away with a Mercury Music Prize nomination. Now the electro-pop collective is hoping for repeat success with Made in the Dark, which was recorded and self-produced at its London studio over the last half-year. The new songs are more rockin' than previous Hot Chip material, and fans who have caught their recent gigs are already familiar with some of them. If you're really into the band, keep an eye out for the two-disc version of Made in the Dark — it has five live-performance videos, including a pair from the Glastonbury Festival. As for the proper CD, tracks include "Bendable Poseable"; "Touch Too Much"; and "Shake a Fist," which samples a Todd Rundgren tune, if you can believe it.

Vetted: Big surprise — albums haven't been selling well in 2008 so far, with last week's Billboard albums chart champ, the "Juno" soundtrack, winding up in the throne with just under 65,000 copies sold. Well, this week will likely bring a hot sales injection into the charts, thanks to the return of some big-name veteran singer/songwriters:

Sheryl Crow
· Grammys won: 10
· Studio LPs released: six
· New album title: Detours
· Takeaway quote: "This is the most honest record I've ever made," she said in a statement.
· Details: With producer Bill Bottrell — who worked with Crow on her massive 1993 debut, Tuesday Night Music Club — back onboard, it could be one of her most successful too.

Lenny Kravitz
· Grammys won: four
· Studio LPs released: eight
· New album title: It Is Time for a Revolution
· Takeaway quote: "I felt like a kid playing in my bedroom, and that's the most important thing you can tap into, that feeling of being free," Kravitz — who also tapped into his opposition toward the Iraq war on the disc — said in a statement.
· Details: The deluxe edition — which has a color cover, instead of a black-and-white one — comes with a bonus DVD featuring an intimate documentary.

k.d. lang
· Grammys won: four
· Studio LPs released: 10
· New album title: Watershed
· Takeaway quote: "It's about self-examination. It's about seeing where I am in the world, and how I do or don't connect to the universe," she told New York's Daily News.
· Details: The limited deluxe edition is a Unibox with cloth wrap and embossed foil stamp, and includes photo cards, two CD sleeves — and more importantly, a bonus CD with four extra songs and an interview.

Young Brood: Superstars aside, there is also a batch of fresher faces on the singer/songwriter side this week. Here's a quick breakdown:

Jason Collett
· Hails from: Ontario
· Studio LPs released: three
· New album title: Here's to Being Here
· Details: Fellow members of the Broken Social Scene, as well as the Stills and beyond, lent Collett their skills for the effort.

Omar Rodriguez-Lopez
· Hails from: L.A.
· Studio LPs released: four (as a solo artist)
· New album title: Calibration
· Details: Frequent collaborator John Frusciante of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Mars Volta bandmate Cedric Bixler-Zavala and others gave Rodriguez-Lopez a boost.

Kelley Stoltz
· Hails from: San Fran
· Studio LPs released: six
· New album title: Circular Sounds
· Details: "It's called Circular Sounds, which barely defeated The Glass Moustache and Prism Breakout for [the] new album title," he said in a post on his Web site.

Josh Kelley
· Hails from: Nashville
· Studio LPs released: four
· New album title: Special Company
· Details: He recently married "27 Dresses" actress Katherine Heigl!

Lightspeed Champion
· Hails from: London
· Studio LPs released: one
· New album title: Falling Off the Lavender Bridge
· Details: Taste-making producer Mike Mogis, in addition to members of Bright Eyes and the Faint, helped ex-Test Icicles guitarist Dev Hynes with his LP, which has already drawn raves overseas.

Basia Bulat
· Hails from: Ontario
· Studio LPs released: one
· New album title: Oh, My Darling
· Details: The Rough Trade artist teamed with producer Howard Bilerman (the Arcade Fire, British Sea Power) for the album, and one of the songs has already been selected for a Volkswagen ad.

Song Title of the Week:

"I'll Splatter You Like Jackson Pollock" from Gwen Stacy's The Life I Know

Album Cover of the Week:

Clutchy Hopkins' Walking Backwards

Other Notables:

HorrorPops' Kiss Kiss Kill Kill
"We really wanted to get back to the classic new wave feel that we love," singer Patricia Day said in a statement. "And I think our excitement about these songs has made a hell of difference." The movie-obsessed Danish psychobilly punks dish up "Thelma and Louise," "Hitchcock Starlet" and "MissFit" on their latest effort.

Warbringer's War Without End The young Los Angeles thrash-metal band — which has been touring with Exodus and Goatwhore — made its debut album available for free for a limited time on MetalSucks.net. The disc was produced by Bill Metoyer (Slayer, D.R.I.) and features such titular-appropriate songs as "Total War," "Hell on Earth" and "Shoot to Kill."

Sleep Station's The Pride of Chester James
At the center of this orchestral-pop group is one David Debiak, a man who is prone to mental breakdowns and has written songs in the past about necrophilia, humans falling in love with robots and astronauts dying in outer space. This time around, he and his crew utilized an old tape machine, Hammond organs and more for songs like "Tired of Me Now," "Thunder" and "Hello Mr. Coughlin." "This record has weighed heavily on me for quite some time," he said in a statement. "Writing the songs was the easy part — they came naturally. Living and reliving them was far more difficult, but some say that the joy is in the journey."

New Releases:

· Air Traffic - Fractured Life (Astralwerks) [Buy Now]
· Baby Walrus - Baby Walrus (Slumber Party)
· Big Bang - Wild Bird EP (Grand Sport) [Buy Now]
· Basia Bulat - Oh, My Darling (Rough Trade)
· Caspa & Rusko - Fabric.Live 37 (Fabric)
· Nick Cave and Warren Ellis - "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" soundtrack (Mute)
· Beth Nielsen Chapman - Prism: The Human Family Songbook (two CDs; Thirty Tigers)
· Jason Collett - Here's to Being Here (Arts & Crafts)
· Chick Corea & Gary Burton - The New Crystal Silence (two CDs; Concord)
· Sheryl Crow - Detours (A&M) [Buy Now]
· Taylor Dayne - Satisfied (Adrenaline)
· Dead Meadow - Old Growth (enhanced; Matador)
· Bill Dixon with Exploding Star Orchestra - Bill Dixon with Exploding Star Orchestra (Thrill Jockey)
· Gwen Stacy - The Life I Know (Ferret) [Buy Now]
· Havoc Unit - h.IV+ (Vendlus)
· Clutchy Hopkins - Walking Backwards (two CDs; Ubiquity)
· HorrorPops - Kiss Kiss Kill Kill (Hellcat)
· Hot Chip - Made in the Dark (also available with DVD; Astralwerks) [Buy Now]
· Jack Johnson - Sleep Through the Static (Brushfire)
· Kamera - Resurrection (Nettwerk) [Buy Now]
· Josh Kelley - Special Company (enhanced; DNK)
· Kenny G - Rhythm & Romance (Concord)
· Lenny Kravitz - It Is Time for a Revolution (special edition comes with DVD; Virgin) [Buy Now]
· Kronos Quartet and Wu Man - Terry Riley's "The Cusp of Magic" (Nonesuch)
· k.d. lang - Watershed (deluxe limited edition with bonus CD also available; Nonesuch)
· Lightspeed Champion - Falling Off the Lavender Bridge (Domino)
· Omar Rodriguez-Lopez - Calibration (N20)
· Tera Melos - Drugs to the Dear Youth (Sargent House)
· Aidan John Moffat - I Can Hear Your Heart (Chemikal Underground)
· Bob Mould - District Line (Anti-) [Buy Now]
· Nada Surf - Lucky (limited edition comes with bonus CD; Barsuk)
· Ocrilim - Annwn (Hydra Head)
· The Partisan Turbine - The Partisan Turbine (Ferret)
· Steve Reid Ensemble - Daxaar (Domino)
· Gonzalo Rubalcaba - Avatar (Blue Note)
· Salt the Wound - Carnal Repercussions (Rotten)
· Say Hi - The Wishes and the Glitch (two CDs; Rebel Group) [Buy Now]
· School of Language - Sea From Shore (Thrill Jockey)
· Sleep Station - The Pride of Chester James (Eyeball)
· State Radio - Year of the Crow (Nettwerk)
· Kelley Stoltz - Circular Sounds (Sub Pop)
· Otis Taylor - Recapturing the Banjo (Telarc)
· Claude VonStroke - Beware of the Bird (enhanced; limited edition comes with bonus CD; Fabric)
· Warbringer - War Without End (Century Media)
· Winds of Plague - Decimate the Weak (Century Media)
· Yip-Yip - Two Kings of the Same Kingdom (S.A.F.)
· Various artists - Stronger Than All (enhanced EP; Seventh Dagger)
· Various artists - "Honeydripper" soundtrack (Rhino)
· Various artists - "My Blueberry Nights" soundtrack (Blue Note)

Notable Reissues and Archival Material:

· Bachman-Turner Overdrive - The Definitive Collection (Mercury Nashville)
· Terri Clark - The Definitive Collection (Mercury Nashville)
· Rosemary Clooney - Sings for Lovers (Concord)
· Chick Corea and Return to Forever - The Definitive Collection (Verve)
· Electric Light Orchestra - The Very Best of Electric Light Orchestra, Volume 2: Ticket to the Moon (Epic/Legacy)
· Billie Holiday - The Definitive Collection [Buy Now]
· J. Holiday - Back of My Lac (deluxe edition with DVD; Music Line/ Capitol)
· Lang Lang - The Magic of Lang Lang (Deutsche Grammophon) [Buy Now]
· Brian McKnight - 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection - The Best of Brian McKnight (Motown)
· Wes Montgomery - Plays for Lovers (Riverside)
· Kelly Price - 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection - The Best of Kelly Price (Island) [Buy Now]
· Salt-N-Pepa - 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection - The Best of Salt-N-Pepa (Island)
· SheDaisy - The Best of SheDaisy (Lyric Street)
· Jimmy Smith - The Definitive Collection (Verve) [Buy Now]
· They Might Be Giants - Here Come the 123s (Amazon.com exclusive comes with DVD; Disney Sound)
· Mel Tormé - Sings for Lovers (Concord)
· Paul Weller - Wild Wood - Deluxe Edition (Yep Roc)
· Various artists - New Jack Swing Gold (two CDs; Hip-O)
· Various artists - What's Happening in Pernambuco - New Sounds of the Brazilian Northeast (Luaka Bop)

Music DVDs:

· Christina Aguilera - "Back to Basics: Live and Down Under" (two DVDs; RCA) [Buy Now]
· Iron Maiden - "Life After Death" (two DVDs; Universal) [Buy Now]
· Quincy Jones & Friends - "Live at Montreux 1996 - 50 Years in Music" (Eagle Vision)
· Roxy Music - "The Thrill of It All: A Visual History 1972-1982" (two DVDs; Virgin)
· Jill Scott - "Live in Paris+" (Hidden Beach)
· Chris Smither - "One More Night" (Signature Sounds)
· Thin Lizzy - "Live and Dangerous" (UMe)

Digital Releases:

· Boy George - Sold and U Can Never B 2 Straight (Virgin)
· China Crisis - Diary: A Collection and Working With Fire and Steel: Possible Pop Songs, Volume Two (EMI)
· Cutting Crew - The Best of Cutting Crew (SIS/IKN)
· del Amitri - del Amitri (Chrysalis/EMI)
· Devastations - Yes, U (Beggars Banquet)
· Stephen Duffy - They Called Him TinTin (Virgin)
· Brian Eno - Music for Airports (Live) - Bang on a Can (Cantaloupe) [Buy Now]
· The Hooters - Time Stand Still (Megaforce)
· Ferlin Husky - Capitol Collectors Series (Capitol Nashville)
· Killing Joke - Brighter Than a Thousand Suns and Outside the Gate (Astralwerks) [Buy Now]
· Gene McDaniels - The Best of Gene McDaniels (Capitol)
· Pet Shop Boys - Alternative (EMI)
· Ursula 1000 - Undressed ... Remixed (ELS)
· Faron Young - The Complete Capitol Hits of Faron Young (Capitol Nashville)

Coming Attractions:

February 12:
· Michael Jackson - Thriller 25 (with DVD; Epic/Legacy) [Preorder]
Read: "Michael Jackson, Akon Are 'Startin' Somethin' ' On Thriller 25 Track -- Listen To It Here!"
· Metric - "Live at Metropolis" DVD (Last Gang) [Preorder]
· Simple Plan - Simple Plan (Lava/Atlantic) [Preorder]

February 19:
· Foxy Brown - Brooklyn's Don Diva (Black Rose Entertainment/ Koch) [Preorder]
· Mike Doughty - Golden Delicious (ATO)
· Various artists - Kidz Bop 13 (enhanced; Razor & Tie)

February 26:
· Erykah Badu - New Amerykah (Motown) [Preorder]
· Missy Higgins - On a Clear Night (Reprise)
· Janet Jackson - Discipline (deluxe edition comes with DVD; Island) [Preorder]

Related Artists

For The Record: Quick News On Britney Spears, Beyonce, Snow Patrol, Prince, Ozzfest, Alkaline Trio & More

16 Jun 2006 05:51:00 EDT

Spears hits back at tabloid media; animal-rights group confronts Knowles; Snow Patrol reschedule dates.
By MTV News staff report

Britney Spears and Matt Lauer
Photo: NBC

Britney Spears has a plan to combat reports in the tabloid media: "I need to come up with my own magazine and say the real deal," the singer told Matt Lauer in an interview that aired on "Today" and "Dateline NBC" Thursday. With Sean Preston, a baby on the way and her music career to stay on top of, a foray into publishing is unlikely to happen, but Spears is venting about the press anyway. "I can't go anywhere without someone judging me," the tearful singer said, adding that the February incident in which she was photographed driving with then-4-month-old son Sean Preston on her lap was not a big deal. "I did it with my dad. I'd sit on his lap and I'd drive. We're country." And the time she tripped with Sean in her arms and ended up on the cover of the New York Post? "Accidents happen!" she responded. "There will be plenty more oopses. I'm not perfect. I'm human." Despite reports that her marriage is in trouble, the singer called Kevin Federline an "amazing" husband. "He cares so much and his heart is awesome." Spears said. She also credited Federline with helping her cope while she deals with the pressures of being in the public eye. "I'm an emotional wreck right now." ...

Look out, Beyoncé: People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals have their eyes on you. The animal-rights group secretly placed a winning bid to an eBay auction that granted the victor a dinner with the singer, according to The Associated Press. At the dinner Wednesday in New York, members of PETA approached a reportedly shocked Knowles about using fur coats in her clothing line, although they were eventually booted from the restaurant. ...

Snow Patrol have realigned their 2006 tour schedule after it was put on hold due to singer Gary Lightbody's severe throat problems. The band will play Boston's Bank of America Pavilion on August 15, after which it'll kick off a full-fledged jaunt September 6 in Atlanta. The fun ends September 28 at San Diego's House of Blues. ... Prince surprised outdoor music lovers in Brooklyn, New York, Thursday night, showing up for a cameo at Maceo Parker's show at the Prospect Park Bandshell. Even Parker — a saxophonist and longtime James Brown collaborator who joined Prince on his Musicology tour — wasn't expecting the very special guest, The New York Times reports. ...

John Mayer and Sheryl Crow are joining forces for a tour that kicks off August 24 in Pittsburgh. The 27-date tour will make stops in cities including Boston, Cincinnati, Seattle, Denver, San Diego and Houston before wrapping up October 12 in Tampa, Florida. ... The July 14 date on this summer's Ozzfest, which was scheduled to take place at the Float-Rite Park in Somerset, Wisconsin, has been canceled. The Ozzfest camp didn't give a reason for nixing the date. ... Heavens, the side project of Alkaline Trio frontman Matt Skiba and F-Minus bassist Joe Steinbrick, will release their LP, Patent Pending, September 12. The Epitaph release will feature "Counting," "Dead End Girl" and "True Hate." ...

Pixies frontman Frank Black has lined up a handful of solo dates for August, giving him a chance to headline his own shows in between opening for the Foo Fighters on their acoustic trek. Black will hit the road August 9 in Salt Lake City and swing through Indianapolis; Omaha, Nebraska; Santa Cruz, California; and Wellfleet, Massachusetts. The tour wraps up August 31 in Sacramento, California. Black's Fast Man/ Raider Man double-disc drops Tuesday. ... Sensitive rockers Rainer Maria have announced plans for an extensive U.S. tour in support of their fifth studio album, Catastrophe Keeps Us Together. The 36-date trek kicks off July 14 in Phoenix and runs until September 1 in San Diego. The Format will headline all dates, except for an August 5 gig at Lollapalooza. Catastrophe hit stores in April. ...

On Friday (June 16), a Manhattan judge issued an arrest warrant for Boy George after the troubled singer didn't show up in court, AP reports. George, whose real name is George O'Dowd, was supposed to explain why he wants to change his sentence for falsely reporting to the police that his apartment had been burglarized. After O'Dowd made the false claim in March, police discovered cocaine in his apartment. ... Just how New Year's Eve 1998 finally brought an end to questions about what it'd be like to party in 1999, Sunday should resolve any lingering concerns among Beatles fans over what would happen to Paul McCartney when he's 64. Macca hasn't revealed his birthday plans yet, but AP reports that the Beatles Story Exhibition in McCartney's Liverpool hometown is throwing down with a karaoke contest, balloons, cake and more. ...

If Dinosaur Jr. have reunited, then why is J Mascis excavating Dino bones with another set of backing musicians? Well, for a good cause, of course. To benefit the far-reaching humanitarian organization Amma, Mascis is ganging up with members of Broken Social Scene, including frontman Kevin Drew, for a one-off gig in Toronto. The show goes down at the Mod Club on June 23. ... Selling 14 millions albums worldwide isn't enough to satisfy the Barenaked Ladies, apparently. The Toronto band has a new LP, Barenaked Ladies Are Me, slated for release September 12 through its own Desperation Records imprint. The Ladies are planning to release two digital versions of the set that same day: one with two additional tracks not on the standard CD, and another 27-track deluxe edition. ...

Philadelphia's Mewithoutyou have completed work on their third album, Brother, Sister. The record was produced by Brad Wood (who helmed their breakout 2004 LP, Catch for Us the Foxes) and features guest vocals by Jeremy Enigk (Sunny Day Real Estate, the Fire Theft) on two tracks. Sister is due in stores September 26. ... The Reverend Horton Heat will stage a traveling musical revival with his long-running psychobilly band this summer. The tour launches June 30 in Tempe, Arizona, with 45 gigs scheduled through late September. The band is also slated to appear December 1 in Irving, Texas. Danish rockers Horrorpops will open on most dates, along with California's Throw Rag. ...

EMI North America agreed Thursday to pay $3.75 million to settle a pay-for-play investigation by New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, The New York Times reports. The gubernatorial candidate had been probing radio air time traded to benefit artists including Gorillaz, Coldplay and Beenie Man. Spitzer announced settlements with Sony BMG Music Entertainment and Warner Music Group last year. Investigators are now expected to focus on the conduct of radio corporations, including Clear Channel Communications and CBS Radio. The Federal Communications Commission is also investigating payola claims in radio broadcasting.

06.15.2006

Red alert: Jessica Simpson sports a fiery new 'do on the July cover of Maxim magazine, which hits stands Thursday (June 15). In the issue, the singer/actress makes a promise that has been uttered by others before her: "I will never do another reality-TV show. Been there, done that." In addition to revealing that guys with vivid imaginations send her "through the rafters" and that she likes kissing with her eyes open, Simpson also let fly her admiration of Ashlee: "My sister has the most perfect [breasts] and skinniest legs," she said. ...

Black Eyed Peas, Beyoncé, AC/DC, Chamillionaire, T-Pain, Cyndi Lauper and D4L are among the artists who were honored with the Recording Industry Association of America's inaugural Master Ringtone Sales Awards. In a ceremony on Wednesday, 84 gold (500,000 downloads), 40 platinum (1 million downloads) and four multi-platinum certifications were awarded for the music people hold dearest to their hearts — the tracks they don't mind hearing every time someone calls them. The RIAA has been certifying albums gold and platinum for 47 years, and added ringtones to the mix with Wednesday's announcements. ...

Tom Cruise has topped Forbes magazine's celebrity power list, beating out the Rolling Stones, Oprah and U2. Cruise, who the magazine says is "Hollywood's most bankable actor" after having made $67 million last year, previously held the spot five years ago. ... Ruben Studdard was awarded $2 million Thursday (June 15) after suing his ex-manager for misappropriating Studdard's money and credit cards, according to The Associated Press. A judge in a Birmingham, Alabama, court awarded the "American Idol" winner $1.5 million in punitive damages and $500,000 for his actual losses. ...

If you'd planned to secure a table at one of Jay-Z's 40/40 Clubs with a bottle of Cristal, better consult the drink menu. Jay will no longer serve the pricey champagne name-checked in many hip-hop songs — including Hov's own "Hard Knock Life" and "Dead Presidents II" — following statements made by the managing director of Louis Roederer, the company that produces Cristal, in a recent interview with The Economist. "It has come to my attention that the managing director of Cristal, Frédéric Rouzaud, views the hip-hop culture as 'unwelcome attention,' " Jay said in a statement. "I view his comments as racist and will no longer support any of his products through any of my various brands including the 40/40 Club, nor in my personal life." ... Having wrapped production on their second album in Las Vegas, the Killers have headed to London to mix the record. Co-producers Flood and Alan Moulder are overseeing the mixing for the still-untitled sophomore LP, which is tentatively due later this year. ...

After a one-day hearing that was closed to the public, a Vietnamese court upheld child molestation charges and a three-year jail sentence for British former glam rock star Gary Glitter on Thursday, according to a Reuters report. The sentence against Glitter, 62, born Paul Francis Gadd, will be imposed from the November 19, 2005, date the disgraced rocker was arrested while trying to leave Vietnam and will require him to be deported upon release. Glitter reportedly shook his head as the judge read the evidence against him — he was convicted on March 3 of sexually molesting two 11-year-old girls — and screamed, "No justice here in Vietnam. ... They did not listen to the defense at all," as he was lead out of the courtroom. Meanwhile, The Boston Globe reports that the National Football League has asked teams to stop playing Glitter's popular game-day anthem, "Rock and Roll Part 2," to pump up crowds. ...

Los Angeles County prosecutors have declined to file charges against Eric Wright Jr. — a.k.a. Lil' Eazy-E — in connection with his arrest Saturday on suspicion of carrying a concealed weapon, L.A. CBS affiliate KCAL reports. According to the district attorney's office, there was not enough evidence to prosecute Wright, who was released from jail Sunday. The 22-year-old rapper is the son of late N.W.A member Eazy-E. ... After dueling lawsuits failed to resolve the matter, the U.S. International Trade Commission has launched a probe into whether Apple's iPod infringes on Creative Technology's patent for its Zen MP3 player, according to Reuters. The world's #2 MP3 player maker's complaint alleges that Apple imported into the U.S. and sold iPods that infringe on Creative's "Zen" patent, which covers the user interface on its Nomad and Zen models. Creative said it has asked the ITC for a permanent cease-and-desist order against Apple. A ruling is not expected before next year. In June, Apple filed a second patent infringement lawsuit in the U.S. against Creative, which earlier had filed patent complaints against Apple in a federal court.

Just when you thought Ozzfest couldn't get any freakier, the festival's organizers have added the Bros. Grim Sideshow, billed as "the world's greatest collection of human oddities, strange people and novel entertainers," to the tour's Village of the Damned for nine of the trek's stops. The Bros. Grim Sideshow will be part of the festivities in San Antonio (July 11); Chicago (July 16); Detroit (July 19); Columbus, Ohio (July 21); Indianapolis (July 23); Buffalo, New York (July 27); New York (July 29); Boston (August 1); Raleigh, North Carolina (August 9); and the festival's final stop, West Palm Beach, Florida (August 13). ... "Gabba Gabba Hey! — A Punk-Rock Musical," inspired by the songs of the Ramones, will open in London on July 31 for a one-week run of shows set to conclude August 5. Described as "a postmodern fairy tale about the redeeming power of love," the musical will feature 18 classic Ramones tracks, including "I Wanna Be Sedated," "Beat on the Brat" and "Blitzkrieg Bop." Tommy Ramone, the production's musical director, will be appearing each night during the brief run. ...

Dredg vocalist Gavin Hayes will take the stage with Dan "The Automator" Nakamura at the Paramount Theater in Oakland, California, on Sunday. The duo will be performing selections from Nakamura's Lovage and Handsome Boy Modeling School projects. Hayes will also join Dredg to perform at a benefit to help Day One Symphony pay medical bills following a car accident. The show is set for July 7 in San Francisco. ... Thrice frontman Dustin Kensrue has announced plans for a 10-date club tour in support of his forthcoming self-titled solo acoustic debut, which took two years to complete. Ben Nichols of Lucero and Yellow Red Sparks will open on the trek, which kicks off July 27 in Philadelphia with dates scheduled through August 6 in San Francisco. ...

Primus frontman Les Claypool will be touring this summer in support of his solo LP, Of Whales and Woe, with several gigs sprinkled on off-nights throughout a run with his revived Oysterhead side project. The next stop on the trek, which is already in full swing, is set for Sunday in St. Louis, Missouri, following two appearances at this weekend's Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester, Tennessee. The tour runs through July 22 in Cleveland. ... After months of rumors, Poison the Well have confirmed their split with Atlantic Records. The band continues to work on new material and plans to release an album early next year.

The reunited Germs — with actor Shane West filling the shoes of deceased frontman Darby Crash — are adding more shows to their plate. The band will play three Warped Tour dates, including July 4 in Phoenix. Other cities on the docket include Chula Vista (July 6) and Pomona (July 7), both in California; Detroit (July 25); Chicago (July 26-27); New York (July 29); Boston (July 30); and Washington, D.C. (August 5). ... The Ataris have parted ways with Columbia Records, according to frontman Kris Roe. In a post on the band's MySpace page, Roe said the Ataris made their decision after several people they originally worked with at the label left and, according to Roe, rumors have been circulating about a merger between Columbia and Epic. "Our newfound freedom might cause a slight delay in the release of Welcome the Night," the band's forthcoming LP, he wrote. "We consider ourselves fortunate to be able to release our next album under the best possible circumstances."

[This story was originally published at 8:40 a.m. ET on 06.16.2006]

Related Artists