Jon Foreman (Switchfoot) Week: The Moon Is A Magnet

antiMusic reports: Jon Foreman, the frontman for Switchfoot is returning to his indie-scene roots by releasing four solo EPs over the coming months, individually titled Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer. To celebrate the digital release of the first EP, Fall, we asked Jon to pick his five favorite tracks from the release and tell us a bit about each one. Here is Jon with today's song:

The Moon Is A Magnet: This is an older tune of mine. I love odd time signatures- this one is in nine. I usually count it five then four then five then four... so fun to play. I was honored to have a man who is comfortable with complex time signatures play on this one: Jeff Coffin, (of Béla Fleck and the Flecktones fame) I love the bass clarinet. Such a beautiful instrument played by a true master.

The trick with this song is that through the time signature is fairly out there, the melodic changes are pretty strict. So it feels like the jazzy notes will work but they won't. I remember showing this song to Jeff and hearing the song with new ears, I'm not sure where it came from, but it's a great, odd piece of music that feels almost like a cover sometimes.

[Fansites, if you reprint please include credit and a link] Learn more about the new EPs, hear samples, read the lyrics, buy online and more - right here

Britney the Virgin Mary?

Contact Music reports: Remember last week when Method Man said that Britney was a sign of the apocalypse? He might be onto something. If this story pans out then God might just become angry enough to bring it on. Contact Music reports:

BRITNEY SPEARS is in secret talks to play the VIRGIN MARY in a quirky retelling of the Nativity Story. U.S. reports suggest the troubled pop superstar is being considered for a part in new film Sweet Baby Jesus.

Leaders of a Catholic group are outraged by claims BRITNEY SPEARS is in talks to play the Virgin Mary in a spoof movie. French producers want the troubled pop star to take the lead role in new film Sweet Baby Jesus - about a pregnant 19-year-old who goes into labour alone on Christmas Eve. And officials at America's Catholic League are appalled the single mother-of-two is up for the role. - [you have to click over to read the quote from the Catholic League head! It's a real classic. We're thinking of making up bumper stickers]

Top Tours of 07

antiMusic reports: You can just imagine Sting laughing as he sits in his castle counting his loot as he ponders his wisdom over ditching his lute and giving The Police reunion the green light. He's seeing a lot of green these days over the decision, as the tour has been named the top grossing tour of 2007 by Billboard Boxscore. As of the reporting cutoff date of Nov 13th Sting and company brought in a cool $212 million from the trek.

Far less hyped, Genesis put on a reunion tour this year as well which grossed $129 million beating out boybander Justin Timberlake's $126.8 million drawing FutureSex LoveShow tour.

Here is how the rest of top 10 came out according to Billboard: Kenny Chesney ($71.2 million), Rod Stewart ($70 million), Cirque Du Soleil's Delirium ($59.4 million), Roger Waters ($53.2 million), Tim McGraw/Faith Hill ($52.3 million), Christina Aguilera ($48.1 million) and Rascal Flatts ($41.6 million).

But it's not all good news as US concert attendance is down almost 20% this year. Wonder how much outrageous ticket prices have to do with this? More on that trend and this year in tour grosses - here

Piles Coke Bust

Contact Music reports: The manager of rapper PILES has been arrested after police allegedly discovered a major stash of cocaine at his Florida home.

Piles - real name David Lee Gay Jr. - was detained, along with several other associates, on Wednesday (12Dec07) after cops seized over 80 pounds (36 kilograms) of the drug from his property in Tampa, Florida.

In addition to recovering the cocaine, police found a supply of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, a handgun and almost $8,000 (GBP4,000) in cash in the master bedroom of Pile's residence, according AllHipHop.com.
- more on this story

Crock Hall of Fame Class of 08

antiMusic reports: The 2008 inductees for the "aging hippies annual let's pat ourselves on the back and be a symbol for everything rock n roll is not" have been announced. For the less cynical and pro black tie affair-Rolling Stone readers, we're talking about the "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame". 2008s inductees will be Madonna, John Mellencamp, Leonard Cohen, the Ventures and the Dave Clark Five. Snubbed for this go round are Afrika Bambaataa, Beastie Boys, Chic and Donna Summer. The incredibly un-rock n roll induction ceremony will take place on March 10, 2008.

For those that scratch their heads at the (c)Rock Hall and how they select nominees and inductees, Fox News columnist Roger Friedman pointed out in an editorial in October that Rolling Stone and Rock Hall founder Jann "Wenner's nominating committee consists largely of his current and former employees from Rolling Stone (Nathan Brackett, David Fricke, Jim Henke, Joe Levy, Brian Keizer, Toure, and Anthony DeCurtis)."

Of course, the sham nominees are voted on by mostly (clueless?) outsiders but all votes apparently are not equal as Friedman broke the story last year that Jane tossed out the inducting vote for Dave Clark Five and instead gave it to Grandmaster Flash. Read about Friedman's call for a boycott of Rolling Stone over their shame hall of fame - here.

Twisted Sister Demand $50K NOT To Play for the Troops

OC Register reports: Twisted Sister is not only keeping the $25,000 deposit for a cancelled benefit concert for the troops, they are demanding more money from the Newport Beach couple that organized the fundraiser.

"The group is the injured party here," Twisted Sister agent Steve Green said Thursday. "They're entitled the whole $50,000."

Danny Peykoff, one half of the Newport Coast couple who organized the show, said he was "shocked, surprised and upset that a band … ya know, if this were a for-profit show I would totally understand, but this was a show for the troops. They're already out here (for a House of Blues show). The injured party here is the injured soldiers coming back from Iraq. Not the rock stars. They didn't spend a dime for this. That to me is un-American."

[If you missed the story yesterday, the show was cancelled after pitiful ticket sales. It's really too bad that Twisted Sister is taking this stance but what were the organizers thinking booking TS for this? They could have probably gotten a lot bigger drawing band that would have donated their time and effort instead of charging. Disturbed flew themselves from Chicago to L.A. to appear for free at the Raven's Heart Benefit. - More on this story here]

Paralyzed Bon Jovi Fan Sues

Hecklerspray reports: A Bon Jovi fan has launched a $14 million compensation claim after he was paralyzed at a gig in Edmonton, Canada. Initial rumours suggest that Dennis Schulz suffered a dislocated spinal cord when he was crushed by an overpowering force of mediocrity that had been building like a whirlwind, reaching its destructive crescendo somewhere between the second chorus of Bad Medicine and the opening chord of Always. Schulz reached a level of boredom that scientists refer to as 'The David Gray Effect', where mind and body becomes so aware of the dullness of the immediate moment that the spine gives up on you, and tries to flee the body.

However, further research into the matter revealed that this was not the case, and that the injuries was caused by Schulz getting caught up in a brawl. Initial reports suggest that the crowd became so overwhelmed with the mediocrity of the situation that, in what scientists call 'The Collective David Gray Effect', where the mind and body become all too aware of the collective dullness of the immediate moment, that the only effective therapy is to lash manically out at the bored soul standing nearest you.

However, further research into the matter reveal it is almost totally unclear as to what sparked the brawl. Schulz has filed his lawsuit against four fans, staff, promoters and the venue in Edmonton, but not the band, who have got away with it scot-free. - Now read this Heckler Spray report "Paris Hilton Gets Naked For Booze"

Van Halen Add Dates

antiMusic reports: Van Halen have added 3 new dates to their 2008 itinerary. They will now make a stop in Little Rock, AR and have added additional dates in Dallas and Sunshine/Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Alex will also be featured in a upcoming issue of Modern Drummer.

The Van Halen camp sent over some info on that: Alex Van Halen talks in an exclusive interview with Modern Drummer magazine about helming the heavy artillery in the iconic band. The extensive 21-page story hits newsstands on February 5.

"As the pounding, aggressive heartbeat of one of the greatest bands in rock history, ALEX VAN HALEN has inspired drummers the world over with his unique sound and style," says Modern Drummer magazine's Editor In Chief Bill Miller. - all the tour dates and onsale date info here

Spice Girl Goes Splat

Gigwise reports: Emma Bunton has taken a tumble on stage during the U.S. leg of the Spice Girls comeback tour and landed on crutches.

Baby has been pictured hobbling about after spraining her ankle when he hit the deck during their Las Vegas.

Emma explained of the twisted foot: "I had a tumble on stage and unfortunately I have sprained my ankle, so I'm hobbling around on crutches." - they can now cover the Culture Club's "I Tumble For You!"

Linkin Park Announce Full Tour Details

PR reports: The full itinerary of the Linkin Park 2008 US Arena Tour has been announced, with the most recent addition being a show on March 4th at the Los Angeles Staples Center.

The show at Staples Center will go on sale to the public beginning early January, but LP Underground Fan Club members will have first access to tickets beginning 12/20.

Chiodos have just been added to the tour, in addition to Coheed and Cambria.

Shows are on sale now unless otherwise noted.
2/12 Omaha, NE - Qwest Center Omaha (On Sale 12/15)
2/13 St. Paul, MN - Xcel Energy Ctr
2/15 Columbus, OH - Nationwide Arena (On Sale 12/15)
- more dates

Rush Plot 08 World Tour

PR reports: After a hugely successful 2007 run, Rush are pleased to announce they will extend their Snakes & Arrows World Tour into 2008. The band will begin rehearsals in March to revamp the set list before kicking off the tour with their first ever appearance in San Juan, Puerto Rico in April.

2008 will see Rush tour in over 40 cities throughout the United States and Canada making stops in many where they haven't performed in well over a decade including: Orlando, Oklahoma City, New Orleans, Austin, Jacksonville and Winnipeg to name a few.

Along the way, Rush will play new venues in Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia and Seattle and will revisit some familiar ones in Boston, Washington and Charlotte amongst others. Rush fans can look forward to a complete tour announcement in mid January. As details develop more information will be made available at - www.rush.com

Robert Plant Announces Tour

Gigwise reports: Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant has announced a European tour to promote the recent album 'Raising Sands'.

Plant will be joined by the album's other star Alison Krauss for the extensive set of dates which start in Birmingham.

The May 2008 shows also include a Wembley Arena date plus gigs in Cardiff and Manchester. - more on this story

Digital Anthrax

PR reports: Two classic Anthrax records - "Sound of White Noise" and "Stomp 442" - are going to be available on iTunes on December 18. They will be expanded editions with bonus tracks, and it's the first time the records will be released digitally. The online versions of the albums will also include commentary tracks from the band members themselves!

If you missed the story a couple days ago, there is more big news. The PR: Anthrax is excited and proud to introduce their new singer, Dan Nelson. Nelson is a virtual unknown, having fronted several local bands in the Long Island/New York area in the past. Says drummer Charlie Benante, "Rob [Caggiano] called me and said, 'I have a singer, you should check him out.' We gave him a shot, and he floored us."

Anthrax, featuring Nelson on vocals, guitarists Ian and Rob Caggiano, bassist Frankie Bello, and drummer Benante, is currently working on all-new material. "We wrote these songs and they f**king kicked ass," says Benante. "It was cathartic. We also want to take our time. This record will be under the microscope, more so than the others. We want to make sure it's 100% perfect." - more on this story

Smashing New Year?

Gigwise reports: Fans may have had to wait seven years for the last Smashing Pumpkin's album but it seems the next one may arrive a lot quicker.

Writing on their official website Jimmy Chamberlain announced: "The tour was a rock rampage and now we are back in the studio recording some songs for a possible release worldwide.

"Look for these around the first of the year. Busy Bees! I wish all a Happy Holiday and a productive 08!" - more on this story

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