The Greatest Rock News Report 11.21.07

Posted by Josh McAuley on 11.21.2007

Led Zeppelin update, Trent Reznor annoyed at record labels, Tom Delonge is an idiot, Foo Fighters and Iron Maiden dates, Billy Talent are the video of the week and much more!

Hello to all and welcome to The Greatest Wednesday Rock News Report Vol. 333! I am your fill in host whilst Daniel Wilcox…well, I am not sure what he is doing but even so I am your fill in host: Josh McAuley!


Intro!


Its my first ever news report and boy was it…interesting. From word crashing about 60 times to having to try and decipher Trent Reznor's thoughts there was a lot to do, and hopefully it has all turned out okay, if it hasn't then please just smiles sweetly and await the return of Mr Wilcox.

Onwards and upwards…


The News!

Token Led Zeppelin news of the week

Legendary LED ZEPPELIN guitarist Jimmy Page was interviewed on BBC's "Breakfast" show yesterday morning (Monday, November 19) about his injured finger — which had been the cause of his band's O2 Arena show postponement — and ZEPPELIN's much-anticipated reunion.

In other news, NME.com reports that Page has explained that his finger is now better and the band will resume rehearsals this week.

The guitarist, speaking to Reuters, assured fans that his finger would be fine for ther concert, scheduled to take place on December 10.

"I suppose something like a ZEPPELIN reunion wouldn't be right without a bit of drama," he joked.

"This is two to two-and-a-half weeks from the injury and there we are, it's doing that," Page continued, wiggling his finger. "It's going to be fine for the concert. It's just a bit bruised and a bit painful, but it's going to be fine."

Oh thank goodness for that! I was so worried about the finger! I mean for sure we cant go a week without some more news from the most overrated band in history.

Trent Reznor at war with record companies…again

NINE INCH NAILS mainman Trent Reznor has posted the following message on the band's web site:

"Several years ago I persuaded my record company to let me begin posting my master recording files on nin.com, in order to see what kind of user-generated content would materialize from my music. I had no agenda… the main reason I did it was because I thought it was cool and something I would have liked to do if it was available to me. A lot of really fun stuff started to happen….communities developed, web sites were created, even traditional radio got in the game and began playing the fans' mixes. I felt the experiment, despite not having a specific purpose, was a success. So much so that we're now releasing a remix album that includes some of this fan-created material as well as the actual multitrack master files for every song from my latest record, 'Year Zero'.

On Saturday morning I became aware of a legal hitch in our plans. My former record company and current owner of all these master files, Universal, is currently involved in a lawsuit with other media titans Google (YouTube) and News Corp (MySpace). Universal is contending that these sites do not have what is referred to as 'safe harbor' under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, and therefore are in copyright violation because users have uploaded music and video content that is owned by Universal. Universal feels that if they host our remix site, they will be opening themselves up to the accusation that they are sponsoring the same technical violation of copyright they are suing these companies for. Their premise is that if any fan decides to remix one of my masters with material Universal doesn't own — a 'mash-up,' a sample, whatever — and upload it to the site, there is no safe harbor under the DMCA (according to Universal) and they will be doing exactly what MySpace and YouTube are doing. This behavior may get hauled out in court and impact their lawsuit. Because of this they no longer will host our remix site, and are insisting that NINE INCH NAILS host it. In exchange for this they will continue to let me upload my Universal masters and make them available to fans, BUT shift the liability of hosting them to me. Part of the arrangement is having user licenses that the fans sign (not unlike those on MySpace or YouTube) saying they will not use unauthorized materials. If they WERE to do such a thing, everybody sues everybody and the world abruptly ends.

NINE INCH NAILS' "Year Zero" album has been remixed track-by-track for "Y34RZ3R0R3MIX3D", which is being released today (November 20) via Interscope. Among the remixers are NEW ORDER's Stephen Morris and Gillian Gilbert, the Faint, Bill Laswell, Ladytron, Fennesz and Saul Williams.

The remix of "My Violent Heart" was made by a fan, under the moniker Pirate Robot Midget. "Remix records can be disposable garbage (of which I myself have been guilty of to some extent) but this collection feels good to me," NINE INCH NAILS mainman Trent Reznor previously wrote on NIN.com. "I reached out to heroes, friends and strangers. I encouraged those I approached to do anything and insert themselves as much as possible into the track."

"Y34RZ3R0R3MIX3D" will be available in a variety of formats: digital download, a triple-vinyl set and a CD/DVD-ROM. The latter will feature the multi-track files for all the tracks on the album that fans can manipulate via programs such as Garageband or Ableton Live.

I had to cut that down because the original posting was almost double that length, the basic premise of this, I think is that the record companies won't host the remix sites for NIN because it will make their lawsuits against site such as you tube look hypocritical. I can see how this would become a problem, because if sites such as youtube have to shut down because of the music industry then it will be a huge step back for, well, everything. I think the industry needs to realise that sites like this are a new way of promoting music and embrace them instead of trying to shut them down. The remix idea is pretty awesome, I am tempted to buy that now.

Ozzy Osbourne sick, hates downloads

OZZY OSBOURNE's Tuesday, November 20 show in San Diego is being postponed due to a stomach virus. The concert will be rescheduled for Sunday, December 2 and tickets for the original show will be honored.

OZZY's tour with ROB ZOMBIE resumes Saturday, November 24 at The Joint in Las Vegas.

OZZY OSBOURNE will have his new album, "Black Rain", reissued today (November 20) as a "Special Limited-Edition Tour Package" featuring a bonus CD of live tracks and B-sides. The bonus CD includes the following cuts:

01. I Don't Wanna Stop (live)
02. Not Going Away (live)
03. Here For You (live)
04. Nightmare
05. Can't Save You
06. Love To Hate

"Black Rain" has sold 413,000 copies in the United States since its May 2007 release, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

In an interview with Australia's Herald Sun published earlier this month, Ozzy Osbourne made it clear that he wasn't too happy about the effect of downloading on the music industry. He said, "I've been suffering terribly from people downloading ['Black Rain']. If they don't find something to stop it, people won't be able to make records. There won't be any new bands. How are they going to survive? I'm an old-timer, I've been doing it 40 years now, but new bands are going to suffer. It's ridiculous, you could be doing it for nothing. Sharon said I'd be astounded to find out how many bands are touring because you can download a record but you can't beat a rock show."

This ties in with the above news, I think Trent has got it right. The industry needs to accept that now people know that downloading is feasible the only thing to do is to embrace it and shift the focus onto live shows. Besides, if the records you make are good enough, the majority of downloader's will go out and buy it. I am happy to admit that I use limewire as a way of sampling tracks before buying the album. Anyway, get well soon Ozzy, your new stuff might be terrible but you have a decent enough back catalogue.


Break time~!

Music Video of the Week



Nothing to lose - Billy Talent


And Back to the News…


Scott Wieland to write an autobiography

Velvet Revolver star Scott Weiland is looking to follow bandmate Slash's literary example and pen his own memoirs. Weiland reveals he has a publishing deal to write an autobiography.

The rocker has mixed emotions about the project - he's excited to think his life is worthy of a book, but he's not looking forward to revisiting his dark days as a drug abuser. He says, "You make a lot of records, write a lot of songs, but all of a sudden you go into a whole different vein, and it's a little bit scary to dive into."

Oh wonderful, another washed up rock star telling us all about the drugs he took "back in the day".

Billy Talent to release live CD/DVD set

Billy Talent present "Deluxe Live", a 2 disc live DVD and CD, through Atlantic Records on 26 November.

Renowned for delivering an unfailingly explosive and inimitable live performance, 'Deluxe Live' captures the heart of Billy Talent to perfection. DVD 1 is a recording of their triumphant Brixton Academy show which took place in Feburary of this year whilst DVD 2 features their full Düsseldorf show from earlier this year along with 6 tracks recorded at MTV's Rock Am Ring festival in June. The CD features the full Düsseldorf show. 'Deluxe Live' includes live versions of the formidable singles from last year's Billy Talent II - 'Devil In A Midnight Mass' , 'Red Flag'', 'Fallen Leaves' and 'Surrender', as well as crowd favourites 'Try Honesty' and 'The Ex' from their eponymous debut album.

Track listing:

DVD 1 –
Brixton:
1. This Is How It Goes
2. Devil in a Midnight Mass
3. This Suffering
4. Line And Sinker
5. Standing in the Rain
6. Navy Song
7. Worker Bees
8. The Ex
9. Prisoners of Today
10. Fallen Leaves
11. Perfect World
12. Sympathy
13. Try Honesty
14. Nothing to Lose
15. River Below
16. Red Flag

DVD 2 –
Düsseldorf:
1. This Is How It Goes
2. Devil in a Midnight Mass
3. This Suffering
4. Line And Sinker
5. Standing in the Rain
6. Navy Song
7. Worker Bees
8. The Ex
9. Surrender
10. Prisoners of Today
11. Fallen Leaves
12. Perfect World
13. Sympathy
14. Try Honesty
15. Nothing to Lose
16. River Below
17. Red Flag.

MTV Rock Am Ring:
1. Perfect World
2. Sympathy
3. Try Honesty
4. Nothing to Lose
5. Fallen Leaves
6. Red Flag

CD –
Düsseldorf:
1. This Is How It Goes
2. Devil in a Midnight Mass
3. This Suffering
4. Line And Sinker
5. Standing in the Rain
6. Navy Song
7. Worker Bees
8. The Ex
9. Surrender
10. Prisoners of Today
11. Fallen Leaves
12. Perfect World
13. Sympathy
14. Try Honesty
15. Nothing to Lose
16. River Below
17. Red Flag

Sounds pretty awesome to be honest, these guys never fail to disappoint.

Tom Delonge still an idiot, hasn't spoken to bandmates

Tom DeLonge of Angels & Airwaves spoke with the MTV Buzzworthy Blog in a Q&A, where the singer was asked about whether he has spoken to his former blink-182 bandmates Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker since their split in 2005.

"No, I haven't talked to them," DeLonge confessed. "Isn't that weird? It's one of those things. You have to give it time. We had 10 years under our belt."

As for what makes AVA's sophomore album 'I-Empire' special, DeLonge said, "If people are gonna give this record a chance, I ask that they find a hill that's nearby, park their car, open the car doors, lay on the hood, blast the music at night and pretend that the city below is theirs."

No surprises there, to be honest if I were Travis or Mark I wouldn't want to speak to him, he is a cock by every definition of the word. As for his suggestion of what to do with his album I would suggest hat using it as a Frisbee might be more enjoyable.

Gym Class Heroes to be featured on Kelly Rowland single

The Gym Class Heroes will be featured on the new Kelly Rowland single titled "Daylight." A video has already been shot.

Oh wonderful, maybe at some point they might want to consider making some, you know, music?

Jimmy Eat World announce single

Jimmy Eat World's next single will be "Always Be." The song will go to radio on December 3rd.

Sounds pretty cool, Big Casino is a nice album. Not quite as good as Bleed American though.

AFI check in with an update

As you probably already know, we're putting out an EP soon too, of unreleased songs from the last 2 albums. We're working on the artwork for that as we speak. Maybe you've already heard one of them, Carcinogen Crush? Interesting fact, that's the only one written by Hunter, although the chorus has went through some changes. I remember when he brought in a demo of it, it was all in whispers because he didn't want to wake up his neighbors.

It's that time again, new album time. AFI 8. I had to count them out on my fingers just now to figure out which one we were on. This is always my favorite time of the whole process because you don't really know what the next album is going to sound like. Well, actually, Dave(y) and I spent the last 3 days locked in a hotel room writing and we already have 4 new songs. I have tons of material written so I'm rearing to go. (I also have about 40 songs in various stages of completion for what will be the next Blaqk Audio.) So that's about it for now, we'll be hard at work on the new album, any questions? Nice seeing you again, you look good.

Awesome, I love a bit of AFI and the unreleased EP sounds pretty cool.


Tour Dates From Around The Globe


Dillinger Escape Plan have announced two UK dates in replacement of the cancelled dates from earlier this year:

06 February 2008 - Orange Box, Yeovil
20 February 2008 - Carling Academy, Birmingham

Iron Madien will play a one off UK tour date at Twickenham Rugby Stadium in London on Saturday 5th July

Foo Fighters will play a special show at the newly rebuilt Wembley Stadium on June 7 2008

Megadeth have announced the following UK tour dates for February 2008:

17 Norwich, UK UEA 14+
18 Nottingham, UK Rock City 14+
19 Glasgow, Scotland Academy
20 Newcastle, UK Academy
22 Birmingham, UK Academy 14+
23 Manchester, UK Academy 14+
24 London, UK Brixton Academy 14+

California rockers Great White have lined up the following dates:

Nov 30 - Las Vegas, NV - Sunset Station Casino
Dec. 01 - San Bernadino, CA - Stingers Grand Openning
Jan. 17 - St Charles, MO - Ameristar Casino (w/ VINCE NEIL)
Jan. 26 - Helmond, NETH - Club Plato
Jan. 28 - Newcastle, UK - Carling Academy
Jan. 30 - Glasgow, UK - Carling Academy
Jan. 31 - Wolverhampton, UK - Robin 2
Feb. 02 - London, UK - Shepherds Bush Empire


Outro!


And I am done! It has been a pleasure filling in, come back next week when some other person will be filling in for Dan, and who knows, he might return some time? Now if you don't mind I am off to book Iron Maiden and Foo Fighters tickets before getting ready for Within Temptation.