Filed under: News of Note | Tags: Axl Rose, Chinese Democracy, Christopher Cross, Devendra Banhart, Guns n Roses, James Mercer, Lil Wayne, Michael McDonal, Phish, Rivers Cuomo, The Roots, Ulrich Schnauss, Weezer
Ulrich Schnauss, a German electro-gaze composer, is suing Axl Rose for plagiarism
PREVIEW: WATCH Ulrich Schnauss’s “Clear Day” Video
Stereogum reports on Axl Rose’s latest shenanigans. German electronic musician Ulrich Schnauss has decided to sue him for ripping off two songs. The electro-gaze artist has been making music since the mid-’90s while Rose had been putting Chinese Democracy off for release for Schnauss’s entire career. The tracks in question are Guns n’ Roses’ “Riad N’ The Bedouins” against Ulrich Schnauss’s “Wherever You Are” and “A Strangely Isolated Place.” Axl denies any and all allegations of plagiarism. [Previous 20 Watts Coverage: Chinese Democracy Fizzles on Opening Day]
Stereogum also reported on Michael McDonald and Christopher Cross’s performance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon yesterday. Joining them were The Roots dressed in captain’s hats along with the studio audience. Stereogum ironically notes that none of the guys imitated on Yacht Rock ever actually owned a yacht. They sang the classic “Ride Like the Wind.” [Previous 20 Watts Coverage: Grizzly Bear Collaborate with Michael McDonald]
Devendra Banhart has announced the dates for his upcoming North American tour, Pitchfork reports. The tour begins after his album, What Will We Be drops on October 27. If you’re in NYC around Thanksgiving time, check out his November 22 show at Town Hall. [Previous 20 Watts Coverage: Editor’s Pick #179: Devendra Banhart’s “Shabop Shalom” and Collaborations]
Pitchfork interviews Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo, and sheds light on the band’s upcoming album, Raditutde. If, like us, you are wondering how Lil Wayne ended up on a Weezer track, this is your answer. [Previous 20 Watts Coverage: Lil Wayne: Rock Star]
– 20 Watts Staff
Bonaroo Dates Announced
Bonaroo, named the best music festival in the world by Rolling Stone Magazine, has announced dates for 2009. The festival will take place from June 11-14, on its usual farm property located in Manchester, TN. Perhaps due to the economic crisis, this will be the first year that fans can pay for tickets in five installments of $50. Pre-sale tickets will go on sale Dec. 4 for $209.50. The festival lineup will not be announced until early next year.
Filed under: Industry News | Tags: Beatles, Guns n Roses, Gwen Stefani, No Doubt
Want Beatles Music? Try Going to a Record Store…
Unfortunately, the Beatles and iTunes failed to settle on an agreement to place the rock bands entire discography on sale in the iTunes store. There were not any clear reasons (at least, none issued to the public), for why the settlement failed. Rumors range from the iTunes 99 cents per song fee to the need to remaster a lot of the old Beatles albums.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Animal Collective, Guns n Roses, Justice, The Killers
An unexpected surprise! There were a ton of leaks this week including The Killers - Day & Age, Guns N’ Roses – Chinese Democracy and Justice – A Cross The Universe (Live) – all due out November 24th. The leak of the week, however, is a studio version of “Brother Sport” off of Animal Collective’s next album Merriweather Post Pavilion. While Animal Collective has been experimenting with “Brother Sport” at their live shows for years, this is the first studio recording that has come out, and it’s pretty amazing.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the whole album leaked within the next month.
If you’re unfamiliar with Animal Collective, a good place to start would be their (arguably) most approachable album, Feels. Other awesome tracks of theirs include “Fireworks,” “Banshee Beat,” “Grass,” and “Leaf House.”
Merriweather Post Pavilion is due legally through Domino on January 20th, 2009.
- Tuan Le
Filed under: Industry News, Uncategorized | Tags: Eminem, Foo Fighters, Guns n Roses, Led Zeppelin, U2
New Eminem Single
Good news: One of raps most polarizing figures, Eminem played a song off of his soon to be released album “Relapse.” Even better news: Dr. Dre produced most of the upcoming album. The upcoming release of “Relapse” (Eminem’s first album in four years) might be a precursor to Dr. Dre’s much anticipated “Detox.” Interscope could be planning a “three-headed monster” with 50 Cent, Eminem and Dr. Dre releasing their albums in succession.
Filed under: Industry News | Tags: Elton John, Guns n Roses, Led Zeppelin, Smashing Pumpkins
Hold Me Closer, Tiny Senator
It is not uncommon for politics to influence music. So many anti-war songs exist that it would be impossible to name them all. However, this week saw the most unlikely pairing of politics and music – Elton John played a concert in NYC to benefit Hilary Clinton’s presidential campaign. So many things are wrong with this picture that I don’t even know where to start. First of all, I’m not sure if Elton John is a citizen of the US, so I’m not sure if he can vote and actually support Hilary. Secondly, Hilary is not usually supported by the gay community because she supports civil unions, rather than gay marriages. Regardless, the concert took place April 9th at Radio City Music Hall. I wish Elton had brought Hilary out on stage for a duet of “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” with special guest Bill Clinton on the saxophone…how awesome would that have been?
