Thursday, July 03, 2003

This is just a post to say that there aren't too many juicy stories out there today, so I'm not posting anything. And since tomorrow is the 4th of July, I won't be posting then either. Vacation, it's all I ever wanted. Vacation, have to get away.
posted by Randy on 10:26 AM | permanent link to this entry

Wednesday, July 02, 2003

• News on The Selling Off Of Vivendi Universal's Entertainment Properties:
  -Vivendi Snubs Bidder as It Moves to Keep Record Group (NY Times registration required)
  Vivendi Universal's board eliminated an investor group led by Marvin Davis, the oilman who once owned 20th Century Fox, as one of the bidders for their entertainment properties. They also took the Universal Music Group off the auction block, thinking that they could probably get a better price for it once the record industry recovers from it's slump. If that isn't the funniest thing you've read in a while, you haven't been paying attention. The time to sell is now, boys!
  
  -MGM to Sell Cable Stake to Pay for Vivendi Bid (NY Times registration required)
  Okay, see if you can follow this: MGM sold it's 20 percent stake in American Movie Classics, the Independent Film Channel and WE: Women's Entertainment to Cablevision Systems Corporation in order to raise some funds to help pay for a hoped for acquisition of Vivendi Universal's entertainment assets. Cablevision is part of a consortium led by Edgar Bronfman Jr. that is also bidding for the Vivendi assets. Since Cablevision was already the owner of the other 80% of the channels, this stregthen's the hands of both parties-- MGM has more cash to offer and Cablevision has more fulled owned distribution channels.
  
  
• Man Who Sought $25K For Return Of Lil' Kim's Jewelry Didn't Have It
  Man, the geniuses attached to this case are astonishing. Whoever actually did steal 'em left 'em in an employee locker room. It wasn't, however, 31-year-old John Acheson, who contacted Lil' Kim's lawyer and attempted to extort money from him in order to get the jewlery back-- jewlery which he didn't have. Kim's lawyer contacted the police now Mr. Acheson is charged with third degree attempted grand larceny, fourth degree attempted grand larceny by extortion, and attempted coercion in the second degree.
  
  
• Still Dirty
  Vice Magazine interviews Dirt McGirt, a.k.a. Ol' Dirty Bastard. The typical lunacy results.
  
  
• Collectable CDs setting a new record
  CDs are now old enough (and some rare enough) to be salivated about by record collectors. Not may-- just some rare promos and imports-- but the list is growing.
  
  
• 'Punk Rock Holocaust!' Warped Tour Slasher Flick On The Way
  They're filming a slasher flick during this year's Warped Tour. Why yes, that does sound like a terrible idea. However-- a division of indie horror filmmkaers Troma Films is working on it, so it might not be too terrible.
  
  
• Michael Anthony Tells It Like It Is
  He hasn't spoken to the Van Halen bros. in a year and they were none too happy with him touring with Sammy Hagar (and David Lee Roth) on last summer's "Sans Halen" tour. *Sigh*. I guess it really is over.
  

posted by Randy on 10:48 AM | permanent link to this entry

Tuesday, July 01, 2003

• Twisted Sister Cleans It Up for Kids
  As 80's metal band Twisted Sister plays amusement parks and state fairs this summer, they've entered into agreements with promoters that they won't swear on stage. TS frontman Dee Snider, you'll remember, testifed as a free speech advocate in front of Congress in 1985 when the Parents Music Resource Center was trying to force the music industry to put movie like ratings on albums. Best quote-- "The minute we heard those offers, we said no," Snider said. "They said, `What do you mean, 'no?' We said, `We want to play for our fans! We don't want to play to people in an amusement park! And they said, 'Dee, your fans are in their 30s; where do you think they are on the 4th of July weekend? They're out with their families at the amusement parks or the Jersey Shore. And that was like a real rude awakening."
  
  
• Great White Cancels Fund-Raising Tour
  What do you mean it is too expenisve to insure a Great White/L.A. Guns/XYZ tour to benefit victims of the Rhode Island tragedy? How could that be? Oh, right. Great White will, however, do some spot dates to help raise money.
  
  
• Rap Mogul May Face Up to Year in Prison
  Memo to Marion "Suge" Knight: Just for future reference, please be advised that officials in California tend to look down on parolees puching parking lot attendants from behind becuase the parolee's car isn't ready to go.
  
  
• Owner to Sell Stone Pony Nightclub
  Stone Pony owner Domenic Santana in January 2002: ""There is no dollar value on an icon that means so much to American rock and roll. "Read my lips: Hell no, we won't go. Over my dead body!"
  
  Stone Pony owner Domenic Santana in July 2003, when asked how much he sold the club for: ""I can't say, but I'm smiling,"
  
  
• Elvis' '2nd' to Complement Hits Collection
  On Oct. 7, the good folks behind last Elvis Presley's #1 Hits (and the Junkie XL "A Little Less Conversation" re-mix) will release 2nd To None, a collection of songs from The King that didn't reach #1 but are still beloved by many. We're talking songs like "That's All Right," "Viva Las Vegas," "Blue Suede Shoes," "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You," and "Always on My Mind." The set will also feature a remix-- this time DJ Paul Oakenfold has remixed the lesser-known Presley b-side "Rubberneckin."
  
  
• Cher Springs Eternal
  Chuck Klosterman watches my new fave channel VH1 Classic for 24 hours and writes about it. The results ain't pretty, as one might expect. Long piece, but worth looking at. Speaking of VH! Classic-- this weekend is David Lee Roth Weekend as they broadcast "The David Lee Roth 4th of July Christmas Special." Can't wait.
  
  
• REM endorses sharing of unreleased recordings
  Murmurs.com is a fan-site that distributes a WinMX client for sharing unreleased, live and bootleg R.E.M. recordings-- all with the blessing of the group.
  
  
• New Aerosmith Album Bumped to January
  And it's no longer an all blues covers album, either. They'll throw a few originals into the mix, as well.
  
  
• BMG tinkers with CD copy controls
  Possibly coming soon from music industry giant BMG: copy protection technology which allows users to transfer music to a computer three times and doesn't allow those files to be traded on peer to peer networks. They're testing it out now, no word on when it might it store shelves.
  
  
• Rated X-traordinary: Detroit's White Stripes form an unlikely bond with country music legend Loretta Lynn
  Word up, son: Jack White of The White Stripesi s producing some tunes for Loretta Lynn's next album.
  
  
• Days of The New's Travis Meeks Speaks From Rehab
  Best quote (on the worst part of rehab): "I can't mop the floor. I'll do dishes -- I just will not mop the fucking floor. I just do not like floors. I don't see no progress. That floor looks the same. I don't get it."
  
  
• Benzino Makes Top 115 List In Source Anniversary Issue, Editor Explains
  It's a weak explanation, but it's there. There's no way any hip-hop journalist outside of The Source would put Benzino on a 115 greatest artist list-- but since Beanz owns The Source he makes the cut. The editor says that his (wack ass) albums plus his involvement in getting The Source up and running is what put him on the list.
  
  
• Wyclef Disses Former Fugees Bandmate Pras
  Listen in RealAudio
  
  
• Comedian, film actor Buddy Hackett dies Rose from 'borscht belt' to Hollywood
  Awwwww, man. R.I.P. from all of us here at Rocktober.com.
  

posted by Randy on 12:46 PM | permanent link to this entry

Monday, June 30, 2003

• File-sharing firms plan European lobbying effort
  Tired of being the whipping post for the RIAA, companies like Grokster and Limewire are lobbying legislators in Europe and America to make laws that recognize their activites as legal. Also: File-swapping services, entertainment execs to meet. Better late than never, I suppose.
  
  
• Music Plays On
  Meanwhile, the RIAA's threat of file-trading lawsuits had only a momentary effect on the amounts of files available for download.
  
  
• Out of Control
  President Bill Clinton on media consolidation."
  
  "People joke about my liking McDonald's, and I do. But actually I prefer to go down to Lange's Deli, a great family establishment, near my house.
  
  In the brave new world being defined by the FCC, there will be more McMedia on our airwaves and far fewer broadcast equivalents of our favorite local diners.
  
  Unlike restaurants, the airwaves belong to us. We shouldn't give up our right to have more choice."
  
  
• Ain't that America?
  Interesting interview with John Mellencamp in Salon, though it is a little regretable that it is mostly about politics and very little about his new album of blues covers.
  
  
• Clear Channel Launches Ad-Sponsored Music Magazine
  Don't wretch quite yet, though-- it initally will have a limited run and will only be distributed at concerts. The above linked article mentions a few advertisers: American Express Co., XM Radio, Heineken, Panasonic, Tommy Hilfiger, Budweiser, Smirnoffand Dunkin Doughnuts. Before you get all wide-eyed and awed at those names, just remember that Clear Channel already has corporate relations with a lot of 'em, so this is just more synergy at work. Examples: American Express holders get a jump on tix before the public at many Clear Channel/SFX controlled venues and Clear Channel is an investor in XM Radio. I don't drink so I don't know for sure, but I'm willing to bet that you can find Bud, Heinekn and Smirnoff behind the bar at many a clear channel venue.
  
  
• Lil' Kim's Jewelry Recovered
  Dear Baggage Handler Who Stole A Bunch Of Jewlery Out Of Lil' Kim's Bag: Dude, why'd you keep that shit in the employee locker room? Those lockers aren't owned by you, they can be opend by the company at any time. Thus far, though, you've been lucky enrough not to get arrested. Keep your head down and maybe you'll ride it out
  

posted by Randy on 12:16 PM | permanent link to this entry