Bigelf Week: Disappear

antiMusic reports: A few years back the Euro release of Bigelf's 'Hex' received an Album of the Year honor from us. How could you not love a band that takes the best elements of Sabbath and mixes them with Pink Floyd? The fans in Europe did and put the CD in the Top 10. A U.S. label finally had the brains to put the CD out here so that Americans can hear what they've been missing. We were excited to ask Bigelf's Damon Fox & Ace Mark to pick their favorite five tracks and tell us a little about each one. Here they are with today's song "Disappear":

ACE: One of the first songs we ever played together, and the song that got me in the Elf, I hear. Obviously influenced by the Floyd, but with a fresh approach. The lyrics are very heartfelt and personal, which also makes this song very special. A live favorite of the band.

DAMON: When I first showed the guys this song, I knew it was going to be a classic. It was indeed Ace's audition, he was on the spot and he was f*cking brilliant. And yes, he got the gig. I absolutely love this song, one of my Elvin favorites.

Words are great and all but Bigelf is really a band you have to hear for yourself. Even our arch nemesis-Courtney Love-loves them. So give yourself a big ol' rockin Christmas gift and check out the music for yourself - right here!

Cop Hired To Kill Cornell?

Contact Music reports: Rocker Chris Cornell has requested a restraining order against a former sheriff's deputy he claims is out to harm him and his family. According to documents, filed on Wednesday (12Dec07) in Los Angeles, Cornell claims his ex, Susan Silver, has put him on high alert after threatening to harm his two-year-old son. And now he is seeking a restraining order against Matthew Turner, who he claims was hired by Silver to kill him.

In the legal documents, obtained by TMZ.com, Cornell claims his former wife sent him "numerous threatening and terrifying death threats." He then describes Turner as a former cop, who was hired to "harass the Cornell family, under the guise of being a process server."

The former Ausioslave frontman claims Turner has "continually harassed, frightened and stalked" him and his family, adding he once broke into the family home, and "urinated" there. - more on this story

Tori Vs Fans

antiMusic reports: Tori Amos showed a San Diego crowd her fiery side during a performance of her song "Code Red" when he admonished a couple of women in the audience. Here is Gigwise with the story: During a gig in San Diego on Wednesday night (December 12), Tori Amos angrily blasted two women in the audience telling them to "get the f*ck out" of her show.

The songstress was performing her track 'Code Red' at the Copley Symphony Hall when she became irate with the 'fans' on the front row who kept leaving and re-entering the auditorium.

Midway through the track, she lost her nerve and told the women: "Get the fuck out of my show! Get the fuck out! It's a privilege to sit in the front row and I reserve those seats for people who appreciate music, get the f*ck out!" - Read more and watch the video here

Teacher Threatened by Guns N' Roses

antiMusic reports: "You're in the jungle baby; you're gonna die!" A Connecticut teacher heard this pronouncement over a school PA and had a bit of freak out. So much so that she barricaded herself in her classroom and called the cops.

Metal Underground has the highlights: She was working after hours and thought no one else was in the building. Then she heard someone say over the loudspeaker that she was going to die. Six troopers and three police dogs showed up and found three teenagers, one of them a custodian at the school, who had been playing with the public address system.

The teenagers were cuffed on the ground for about 15 minutes while police investigated. They were released after being questioned and state police Sgt. Brian Ness said they did not realize the teacher was in the school and will not face charges. "These things happen," Van Ness said. "Luckily it was humorous. You kind of have a gut feeling. As soon as we got there, we spoke to the three kids. They understood." [good thing they didn't sing "One in a Million" or they'd be facing "sensitivity" courses.] - Full story here.

Country Singer Uses Fan's Face For Punching Bag

antiMusic reports: You can't say country singer Chris Cagle didn't offer ample warning with these lyrics, "Maybe you should stop thinking about the fight you've been picking / And the butt-kicking you'll get from me." Life does imitate art as the boyfriend of a belligerent autograph seeking fan discovered these song lyrics in a literal way.

CMT has the story: Chris Cagle was charged with misdemeanor assault early Thursday morning (Dec. 13) following a benefit concert at the Cactus Moon Cafe, a nightclub in Tucson, Ariz.

According to local police, Cagle, 39, was asked by an angry woman to keep signing autographs for her -- after he had already signed several items for her. When he declined, she began to call him names, and he allegedly punched her boyfriend in the face. The altercation was discovered by a police officer who drove past the club shortly after 1 a.m.
- more on this story

Iran To Welcome Chris De Burgh?

antiMusic reports: Will the Lady in Red become the Lady in Berka? Gigwise has the story: Chris De Burgh has always been a groundbreaking artist - and now he's set to be the first Western musician to play a gig in Iran since the 1979 Islamic revolution.

According to Iranian pop group Arian, who De Burgh recently recorded with, the Irish crooner has been given the all clear to perform in the controversial country next year.
The group's manager Mohsen Rajabpour that officials had "announced that there is no problem with holding a joint performance".
- more on this story

Celine Dion's Vegas Reign of Terror is Over!

antiMusic reports: Las Vegas residents can now breathe a sigh of relief as Celine Dion's reign of terror has come to an end after five long years. The Velveeta throated sonic terrorist ended her five year entrenchment at Caesars Palace this weekend.

Proving once again that yuppies have questionable taste and far too much disposable income, Dion's five year run at the casino has grossed $400 million and has reportedly infected the ears of almost three million people with her Clive Davis friendly brand of schmaltz-pop.

Now that the critically disdained Celine show has left the palace, Bette Midler will take over with her show "The Showgirl Must Go On," which is set to open Feb. 20. We've booking airfare as you read this. -

Silverchair Announce Digital EP

ABC reports: Silverchair will release the iTunes exclusive EP on Tuesday, December 18 entitled The Greatest View EP. The six track collection features the current single "The Greatest View" which was originally on Silverchair's 2003 release Diorama and will be stripped onto 2008 editions of Young Modern plus a remix of "Straight Lines" by The Presets, Two previously unreleased Young Modern B-Sides and two videos.

Silverchair is on the verge of finishing up the second leg of their sold out US tour before heading back to Australia for the holidays. They will headline that country's Big Day Out tour in January alongside Rage Against The Machine, Bjork and Arcade Fire. Expect to see the band back in the U.S. in early 2008. - more on this story

Ringo Starr Returns to Capitol for Liverpool 8

PR reports: On January 15 (January 14 internationally), Ringo Starr will release Liverpool 8, his first new album with Capitol/EMI since 1974's Goodnight Vienna. Liverpool 8 will be available worldwide on CD and digitally, and the album's title track debuted as a digital single on December 4. Starr will launch the album with a hometown performance on January 12 to commence Liverpool's 2008 Capital of Culture celebrations.

Liverpool 8, also the title of the album's upbeat, vibrant lead track, "refers to the section of Liverpool where I used to live," explains Ringo. "The song was actually Dave Stewart's idea, as a mini autobiographical travelogue: 'I was a sailor firstS' and then, 'Liverpool I left you' - because I did. 'but I never let you down,' which is true."

Although Starr and Stewart have known each other for years, this is the first time they have collaborated. It began when Dave asked Ringo to lay down some drums on a track Stewart had done with George Harrison. - more on this story

Akon, Daughtry and Beyonce Top Acts of 07

Contact Music reports: R+B star AKON has been named America's top artist of the year (07) by trade magazine Billboard, based on his radio airplay and chart successes.

The accolade ends a troubled year for the Smack That hitmaker, who was accused of dirty dancing with a 14-year-old during a concert in Trindad in April (07). Akon was also charged with allegedly throwing a teenage fan into the audience at a New York concert in June (07).

Meanwhile, rockers Daughtry have ended the year with the most successful album and Beyonce Knowles scores 2007's biggest hit with Irreplaceable. - more on this story

Geffen and Interscope Fire Employees

CMJ reports: Following a trend that has rippled through the ranks of major record labels as of late, Geffen and Interscope, two large subsidies of the Universal Music Group, laid off about 15 employees yesterday from varying departments, including veteran publicists Jim Merlis and Jycorri Robinson, Billboard has confirmed.

The cuts come after a tumultuous several weeks for all of the major labels, a time span that also saw Sony BMG and Island Def Jam clean house.

Though jarring, the recent shakeups are hardly unexpected. Talk amongst industry pundits had been circulating for weeks prior to the layoffs predicting a "Black Monday" - more on this story

Joss Stone Christmas Single

antiMusic reports: All Joss Stone wanted for Christmas was a Christmas song and Dan Mackenzie gave it to her and now she's giving it to you. Ok, it wasn't quite that simple, here is the story we have been told: "All I Want For Christmas" is a song Dan Mackenzie wrote last year when he was commissioned to write a Christmas song for a holiday fundraiser.

It was being pitched to Film and TV for Holiday placement, and after receiving so many great responses, Dan decided that a female vocal would add a certain something.

And so, just one month ago, he sent it out to JOSS STONE... who fell in love with it and recorded it while fully immersed in a European tour. It will be available on iTunes Dec 18, and it is streaming now from
- http://www.myspace.com/jossstone

Presidents Of The United States Of America CD and Tour Announced

PR reports: Presidents Of The United States Of America returns March 11 with These Are The Good Times People, their first album in three years and fourth overall. It will be released via Fugitive Recordings (an alignment between the band and EMI).

The complete track listing is: "Mixed Up S.O.B.", "Ladybug", "Sharpen Up Those Fangs", "More Bad Times", "French Girl", "Truckstop Butterfly", "Ghosts Are Everywhere", "Loose Balloon", "Flame is Love", "So Lo So Hi", "Poor Turtle", "Rot in the Sun", "Warhead", and "Deleter."

This coming March PUSA will launch a world trek including notable U.S. stops in Los Angeles on March 21 (The Roxy) and in New York City on March 24 (Bowery Ballroom). In April, the group will head overseas for shows in The Netherlands, U.K., Belgium and Ireland. Expect the group to announce more shows for mid-2008 and beyond early next year. - dates

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