Category: Artists (Page 82 of 262)

Pavement might release best-of compilation

Pavement guitarist Spiral Stairs recently spoke with NME about the possibility of a best-of Pavement compilation. As previously reported, the band will tour for the time since their breakup in 1999, including stops at various festivals across the globe.

Most Pavement crazies already own all of the band’s available material, so it’s nice to know that this prospective compilation will contain previously unreleased radio sessions.

The guitarist, real name Scott Kannberg, told NME.COM that the album would be likely to feature outtakes as well as the band’s best-known songs, and be released around the same time of their reunion gigs next year.

“There’s talk of doing a best of, with some really cool outtakes on that,” he explained. “The very first radio show that Pavement ever did has never been released. I don’t think anyone’s heard it, so we’ll put that out there sometime.”

The Pavement deluxe reissues are incredible. Each package contains the standard album, b-sides, outtakes, and live performances. For a price hovering around 16 bucks, it’s a great deal. I didn’t think Pavement would be the type of band to release a best-of, but I’m game if we get to hear an ancient radio session. The compilation will coincide with the reunion tour, so I guess it’s good to a have a new release out there.

They should just make an album of original material and be done with it. I’m sure they’ll get the itch later in life, but fans won’t want to hear Stephen Malkmus waxing nostalgic. We want their strange brand of rock and we it now!

Renegade company selling Beatles catalogue online

Beatles

Has anyone here ever heard of a music website called BlueBeat.com? Me neither. Well, they’ve recently made the news in a big way.

The online music store, owned by the audaciously-named Media Rights Technologies, has been selling downloads of Beatles albums and songs. Problem is, EMI is the only company licensed to distribute Beatles recordings. Despite the benefits of selling individual mp3s, the Beatles are absent on iTunes and other online music merchants. EMI has something else in mind. On December 7, EMI and Apple Records will release a “limited edition stereo USB” containing the Beatles entire catalogue in digital format.

Still, some fans just want individual Beatles songs, especially now that they’ve all been remastered.

Late last week, BlueBeat began selling Beatles song downloads for 25 cents a pop. It’s a great deal, but EMI isn’t jumping for joy. They’re suing.

BlueBeat is a division of Media Rights Technologies, a diversified Northern California digital media distribution firm. Execs at Media Rights Technologies did not respond to phone and email requests for comment.

Observers immediately viewed BlueBeat’s sale of Beatles tracks with suspicion, since even iTunes musicstore, digital music’s industry leader, has never had access to the Beatles’ music. The online sale of the band’s material has been the subject of protracted wrangling between EMI and Apple Corps (not to be confused with Apple Computer, parent company of iTunes).

Each album is offered as an unlimited free stream. Prices on full albums range from $3.50 for the Beatles’ debut “Please Please Me” to $7.50 for “The Beatles” (the so-called “White Album”).

In a twist ripe with irony, representatives of Media Rights Technologies recently wrote to the Librarian of Congress asking that the webcasting licenses of such firms as iTunes, Pandora and MSN Music be revoked on piracy grounds.

In a company press release issued in 2007, Media Rights co-founder and CEO Hank Risan accused Apple of failing to obtain the necessary licenses to distribute copyrighted material on the Internet, which prompted the company to remove all links to iTunes from BlueBeat.com.

Ha! Countersue!

Most of us don’t know who specifically makes money off the Beatles’ music. Obviously, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and their respective families get their proper share, but most of us could give a damn about the executives from EMI. Still, the company has the distribution rights. I don’t know what loophole Hank Risan and his Media Rights Technologies found, but I doubt it’s legitimate.

How do we solve this dilemma?

Why not make the Beatles catalogue public property? When Paul and Ringo start to experience ill health, I hope they sign over the Beatles music to all their fans. The idea may sound ridiculous now, but give it some time.

Weezer gets their own Snuggie, finally collaborates with Kenny G

Weezer’s new album, Raditude, hits the streets on November 7th. However, why would just want the album? If you go to Weezer’s website, you can purchase Raditude plus their version of the Snuggie for $30. The “Wuggie” comes in multiple colors.

Check out the informercial parody below.

In other Weezer news, the pop-rock juggernaut recently participated in their own AOL Sessions and was joined by Chamillionaire, Sara Bareilles, and Kenny G. Yep, that Kenny G. You can watch all the videos here, which include a performance of Green Day’s “Brain Stew.”

Who cares, right? I know you just want some Kenny G.

Pavement hysteria continues, will headline Primavera Fest

pavement_ca

When I told my friend that Pavement was going to tour next year he said, “I bet you they play Coachella.” While they haven’t been confirmed for the gigantic festival in the California desert, they will definitely be the main attraction at Primavera Sound in Barcelona.

The recently reformed US band will top the bill on the opening day of the festival, which runs from May 27-29 2010.

It is the group’s first confirmed date in mainland Europe as part of their worldwide reunion tour.

As previously reported on Gigwise, Pavement will also play two dates in London on May 11 and 12.

All is according to plan. They haven’t announced any shows taking place after their dates in New York City. I’ll be attending their show on September 24 in Central Park, which I hope is the final date of their reunion tour.

Below is a video of Pavement’s frontman, Stephen Malkus, performing solo at last year’s Primavera Sound.

Dress up like Weird Al, and he’ll call you!*

All right, so Bullz-Eye is doing their most off-the-wall giveaway yet. They are giving away The Essential “Weird Al” Yankovic, a two-disc retrospective of what can only be described as satirical genius. Three runners-up will receive the CD set, and one grand prize winner will receive the CD and…a five-minute phone call with Weird Al himself! Suh-weet!

Ah, but there’s a catch. This isn’t one of those contests where you just send your name in and sit by the phone. Nope, all entrants must provide a photo of themselves dressed as Weird Al. Happy Halloween! So break out your curly-haired wig and start mugging for the camera. But before you get started, take a look at the clip that Jib Jab put together of Al’s White Stripes-riffing homage to “Match Game” panelist Charles Nelson Reilly. Funniest clip we’ve seen all year. Giddy-up, Gene!

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

For more information on Bullz-Eye’s Weird Al Yankovic contest, click here.

*- Odds of winning based on the number of entries. And how much you already look like Weird Al.

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