US Style Copyright Bill Resisted in Canada

CMJ reports: A proposed copyright bill in Canada that was set to be introduced to Parliament sometime last week has been halted, due to rampant public opposition by Canadians who feel that it will mainly pander to corporate interests.

Attempting to reform Canadian copyright laws by placing tighter restrictions on intellectual property, critics argue that it falls too closely in line with the US Digital Millennium Copyright Act, effectively outlawing seemingly pedestrian activities such as taping a television show to a DVR device or copying files to DVD and MP3 players.

Opponents are accusing those spearheading the bill of succumbing to the pressure of lobbyists from US entertainment companies that want all manners of digital copying banned. [you mean their legislature are not bought and paid for by special interest?] - more on this story

Keller Williams CD and Tour

PR reports: Keller Williams has been called guitar's mad-scientist, a one-man band for the new millennium, and dozens of other clever sobriquets dreamed up by fans and music journalists trying to get a handle on his uplifting and ever-shifting style of music.

Now, Keller's twelfth album release looks back at a ground-breaking and already remarkable career (in stories this week). Aptly titled 12 (SCI Fidelity Records), the album features one standout song from each of his previous eleven releases. Keller himself dubs this his album of "hitless greatest hits." Added to the mix is one new, previously un-recorded song. While the Keller Williams adventure has only just begun, 12 is a fantastic celebration of a musical milestone.

To get the new year started, Keller Williams and The WMD'S are hitting the road for a short run of dates. - dates

Light This City Drop off Death By Decibels Tour

Metal Underground reports: Bay Area thrashers LIGHT THIS CITY have issued the following update: "Time for an overdue update! First off, Laura had a few words to say about us dropping off the Death By Decibels Tour with VADER and MALEVOLENT CREATION that some of you have been curious about:

"Hey all! We in Light This City are sorry to anyone who was hoping to see us on the rest of the Death By Decibels dates, and want to thank everyone who came out and rocked with us on the tour. It was a fucking blast! Big thanks also to Veil of Maya, Abigail Williams, Cattle Decapitation, Malevolent Creation, and Vader for being so rad. We miss you!

Due to some important personal issues, we agreed that it would be in our best interest to stay on the west coast and build up our energy for all the huge stuff we have planned in the new year, including a week of California shows with our buddies in The Faceless and Suicide Silence, a US tour with All That Remains, Chimaira, and Five Finger Death Punch in February, and the most exciting thing of all; recording our new album in March! Thanks again for your understanding, and we will see all of you very soon." - more on this story

Middian Lose Name and Label Deal

Lambgoat reports: Oregon metal/doom outfit Middian has been forced to relinquish their name following a cease and desist order from Milwaukee band, Midian. As a result, the group has been dropped from the Metal Blade Records roster. Here's a statement from the band:

"So, we had a hell of a time finding a name. When Middian was suggested, we did a search and found nothing out there. So we went ahead and called ourselves Middian. However, in October, we received a cease and desist demand from Midian of Milwaukee, LLC. After checking our options, we have found ourselves with no choice but to comply with the demand.

So, Middian no longer exists. We have also been dropped from the Metal Blade roster as a result of this litigation, being unable to sell our album Age Eternal ever again as well. - more on this story

Neuraxis Inked

PR reports: Prosthetic Records is proud to announce the addition of Canadian progressive death metal band Neuraxis to the label's roster. The band will tentatively release its Prosthetic debut in mid-2008.

"The search for our new label is now over," guitarist Rob Milley comments. "Neuraxis is excited to be joining the Prosthetic Records family. We are working hard on finishing the new album and looking forward to touring like madmen next year!" - more on this story

Emery US Tour

PR reports: As critical acclaim continues to build for Emery's recently released third album I'm Only A Man, the group has announced their first U.S. headlining tour in two years.

The winter trek will kick off January 29 in Nashville, TN and wrap late March; the support acts are Mayday Parade, As Cities Burn, Pierce the Veil and Cry of the Afflicted.

Tue 1/29 Nashville, TN Rocketown
Wed 1/30 Columbus, OH Newport Music Hall
Thu 1/31 Chicago, IL Metro
Fri 2/1 Cleveland, OH Agora Ballroom - more dates

Five Times August's Brighter Side

PR reports: Five Times August, a name with a reputation as one of the most important commodities in the music industry's new business model for up and coming artists. The completely unsigned solo project of 24 year old Dallas, Texas native Brad Skistimas returns with the new album "Brighter Side."

After selling over 100,000 digital downloads without a record label, having every single song from the last album placed on various popular television programs, and becoming the first unsigned act sold in Wal-Mart stores nationwide, one can only wonder what Five Times August will accomplish next.

With "Brighter Side," Skistimas has crafted an album of balance. Relatable catchy pop tunes without the overly produced sound that invades today's Top 40 market. - more including a preview link

Egypt Central CD and Tour

PR reports: Memphis, Tennessee's Egypt Central will be releasing their self-titled debut in January 2008 on Fat Lady Records in conjunction with Warner Music Group's Independent Label Group (ILG).

Egypt Central originally recorded the album in 2006, which was mixed by Josh Abraham (Velvet Revolver, Korn, Linkin Park). Once the band signed with Fat Lady Records/ILG in 2007, they went back into the studio to retool the album. With the help of mixer Paul David Hagar and mastered by legendary George Marino, the insanely catchy, hard-driven disc was re-mixed, re-mastered, and re-sequenced, taking it to another level!

Egypt Central will be touring in Early 2008 to support the January release of their self-titled debut, with more huge dates to come! - dates

Lonestar Christmas Special for the Troops

PR reports: Multi-platinum recording group Lonestar will join Aaron Neville and gospel/pop group Take 6 for a special program, taped at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, as a musical love letter to our men and women in the Armed Forces. The special will be hosted by Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase.

Produced by the Air Force Reserve, "Holiday Notes From Home" will be broadcast to the soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen serving our country around the world. This holiday salute to the troops celebrates the spirit of the season with special Lonestar performances of "My Christmas List," "Jingle Bells," and "Away In A Manger," accompanied by The Band of the United States Air Force Reserve and the Air Force Strings. - TV schedule is here

The Myriad Win Dew Circuit

PR reports: Seattle band, The Myriad were crowned "Dew Circuit Breakout '07" winners this Saturday, December 15th joining an impress list of alumni who have taken home the crown including Hellogoodbye, Yellowcard, Taking Back Sunday and Hawthorne Heights.

Hosted by MTV2 VJ Jim Shearer, each of the Dew Circuit Breakout finalists – The Myriad, Them Terribles and The Material – battled it out at the MTV Times Square studios on Saturday, December 15th in front of a live audience as well as a panel of music industry insiders including Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz, Cobra Starship's Gabe Saporta and Ultragrrrl of Stolen Transmission. - more on this story

Donda West 911 Tape Released

Jam! reports: Two women tried to revive Kanye West's mother after she had a heart attack and stopped breathing, according to emergency 911 recordings released Monday.

An unidentified woman tells an emergency dispatcher during the call that Donda West recently had surgery.

She says West just had a heart attack, has stopped breathing and moving, and is "cold and clammy," according to the call released by the Los Angeles Fire Department. - more on this story

NIN Vs Label For Ripping Off Fans - A Top Story of 2007

antiMusic reports: For the rest of the year we are going to be looking back at the most read articles from the past year. Today we feature the biggest story from May was about Nine Inch Nails rebel Trent Reznor taking on what he saw as a rip-off by his record label. Here is the story:

Nine Inch Nails mastermind Trent Reznor is a bit miffed at his record company. He posted the following blog this weekend. Posted on [05_13_2007] As the climate grows more and more desperate for record labels, their answer to their mostly self-inflicted wounds seems to be to screw the consumer over even more. A couple of examples that quickly come to mind: * The ABSURD retail pricing of Year Zero in Australia. Shame on you, UMG. Year Zero is selling for $34.99 Australian dollars ($29.10 US). No wonder people steal music. Avril Lavigne's record in the same store was $21.99 ($18.21 US). By the way, when I asked a label rep about this his response was: "It's because we know you have a real core audience that will pay whatever it costs when you put something out - you know, true fans. It's the pop stuff we have to discount to get people to buy." So... I guess as a reward for being a "true fan" you get ripped off.

* The dreaded EURO Maxi-single. Nothing but a consumer rip-off that I've been talked into my whole career. No more.

The point is, I am trying my best to make sure the music and items NIN puts in the marketplace have value, substance and are worth you considering purchasing. I am not allowing Capital G to be repackaged into several configurations that result in you getting ripped off. We are planning a full-length remix collection of substance that will be announced soon. -

.... Crossroads Guitar Festival 2007

To call it an unnecessary sequel is unfair as it was a success, for all intents and purposes. Unfortunately, it pales in comparison to the Texas-sized smorgasbord of guitar madness in 2006. This version gets the job done sufficiently and without the bloated gut afterwards. (3 stars) - Read the full Crossroads Guitar Festival 2007 review

.... Devildriver Interview

2008 might just be Devildriver's year. The increasingly popular heavy metal act just put out a ripping new album in "The Last Kind Words". Catching frontman Dez Fafara we chatted about the past, present, and future of Devildriver. - Read the full Devildriver Interview

.... Diona Devin - Anything But Numb

One or two lines into the first track on Diona Devin's debut record, you know she's the real deal. Her voice just curls around each note, like she's giving you little bits of her in music form. (4 stars) - Read the full Diona Devin - Anything But Numb review

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