Ian Gillan And Others To Honor Jeff Healey

The second event, to be held May 4, will be for lovers of Healey's jazz career and include artists such as Marty Grosz, Brad Kay and Vince Giordano. - more on this story

F'in Live Earth Potty Mouths

antiMusic reports: It appears that 22 of the roughly 147 people that tuned in to the Live Earth broadcast were a bit pissed off when some of the stars used colorful language. We don't know what they are all bent about. These stars came together to put on a pointless concert to save the f**king earth from that global warming sh*t.

antiMusic reports that they have "been censured by [fascist?]media watchdog Ofcom after swearing was aired before the watershed during last year's Live Earth concert in London. Ofcom acted after 22 viewers complained about what the regulator called 'the most offensive language'.

"Chris Rock and Phil Collins were among the stars who let fly with expletives," added BBC. Our first thought is what in the f**k was Phil Collins doing there? No wonder no one watched this piece of sh*t. Did we offend you with our report? F off and go read the clean - BBC report then.

Last Stop Crappy Town

PR reports: Reggie & The Full Effect will release their long awaited fifth Vagrant full-length on June 17th, entitled, Last Stop: Crappy Town. The 12-track disc was produced by Sean Beavan (Marilyn Manson, NIN, Slayer) and was recorded over the summer of 2006 in both New York City and Los Angeles.

James Dewees, the conservatory-trained keyboardist (for The Get Up Kids, New Found Glory and My Chemical Romance), drummer (for seminal metal act Coalesce) and protagonist behind Reggie & The Full Effect, was joined in the studio by Billy Johnson (RATFE touring drummer) and bassist Paul Grey (better known as #2 from Slipknot) and Cory White (of Coalesce) on guitar.

"Just two weeks after we started, we had this concept record about the NYC transit system. Particularly the subways in Brooklyn – with the songs connecting together like trains in the station," says Dewees. "I also have to mention Sean Beavan has a great falsetto, his wife has a fantastic voice, and Stevie Cruz can scream his head off in an hour. So that was that. Except on this record, there was nothing remotely reminiscent of the Reggie that fans were expecting." - more on this story

Warning, High School Musical 4 Planned

Hecklerspray reports: You might have thought that High School Musical 3 was to be the swansong of the series, leaving tweens everywhere with three near-identical Grease rip-offs to cling onto.

But that's not the case at all. Eager to keep churning out enough High School Musicals to keep everyone in solid gold bathtubs for a decade, Disney has announced that there's a High School Musical 4 in the pipeline.

However, don't expect too many of your favourite High School Musical characters in High School Musical 4, because rumour has it that there'll be a mostly-new cast. Which we're eternally thankful to Disney for - after all, the High School Musical cast of today is the middle-aged pervert's grubby naked sex fantasy object of tomorrow. - more on this story

Dave Stewart and His 30-Piece Rock Fabulous Orchestra

PR reports: One of the most prolific artists in the past two decades, Dave Stewart, will embark on a full-scale North American tour this August. Billed as Dave Stewart and His 30-Piece Rock Fabulous Orchestra the show will include songs from Stewart's vast catalog of classic hits performed in one-of-a-kind arrangements.

In addition to smash-hits from Eurythmics such as "Sweet Dreams" and "Here Comes the Rain Again," the songbook includes timeless tracks penned by Stewart including Tom Petty's "Don't Come Around Here No More," No Doubt's "Underneath It All," Mick Jagger's Golden Globe-winning "Old Habits Die Hard" and Celine Dion's recent chart-topper "Taking Chances," only to name a few.

"This isn't so much a look back but a new beginning," said Stewart. "When stuff has been put away for a while and you dust it off, you often see something you've never seen before. And before you know it, you're on the road with a 30-piece orchestra!" I have a great band as well as an orchestra and some amazing female voices to sing with me. - more on this story

Soul Embraced Injury

Metal Underground reports:

According to the band, "We will make up the shows as soon as we can. The injury is not serious but will need time to heal. Once again we are very sorry and look forward to seeing you all soon."

The affected tour dates are as follows:
April 10 - Tulsa, OK - The Pinkeye
April 11 - Okmulgee, OK - The Aim
April 12 - Wichita, KS - Eagles Lodge
April 13 - Plano, TX - Rock Steady
April 16 - San Antonio, TX - The Underground
April 17 - Mission, TX - Smokin Aces - more metal news

What's The Story with Radiohead

Aniboom reports: We have news about Aniboom's animated music video contest for songs from Radiohead's "In Rainbows".

Storyboard submissions are going live now on Aniboom's community site (Aniboom.com).

With creative contests like the Radiohead competition, Aniboom hopes to help the latest raw and independent talent break into the world of animation which has been dominated by the major Hollywood players. - Check what's been posted so far.

MTV Taps Austin Powers

PR reports: A green ogre, a rock star wannabe, an international spy of mystery, an upcoming love guru and now host of the 2008 MTV MOVIE AWARDS, Mike Myers takes the reins for the seventeenth annual show premiering LIVE on MTV, Sunday June 1 from the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, CA. This is Myers' second time hosting the alternative awards show.

As previously announced, the 2008 MTV MOVIE AWARDS will be executive produced by Emmy Award® winning producer Mark Burnett. With the legendary golden popcorn up for grabs in such eccentric categories as "Best Kiss," "Best Villain," and "Best Comedic Performance," the 2008 MTV MOVIE AWARDS promises more over-the-top moments than ever before.

"I've spent the last year and a half of my life having the most fun ever working on 'The Love Guru,' and now I'm thrilled to have the chance to work with Judy McGrath, Van Toffler and Mark Burnett," said Mike Myers. "Hosting the MTV Movie Awards is like a party, but without having to do beer runs in your mom's mini van; we do beer runs in Will Smith's four-story motor home."

Nominees for the 2008 MTV MOVIE AWARDS will be announced in May. The official 2008 MTV MOVIE AWARDS site launches on April 15. For more on MTV's ongoing movies coverage, check out - http://www.mtv.com/movies/

Spend Spring and Summer With Switchfoot's Jon Foreman

PR reports: Jon Foreman, frontman for the multi-platinum band, Switchfoot, continues his solo excursion into indie-folk with Spring and Summer, the second half in a series of seasonally-themed EPs. Spring is available at all digital music stores now, and both Spring and Summer will be available digitally and physically on May 27th. Now on tour with Switchfoot, lucky fans will see Jon Foreman perform select tunes from the seasonally-themed EPs at each show!

These releases step away from Foreman's alt-rock roots, intimately reflecting his thoughts and feelings as an American troubadour. "Because of the autobiographical nature of these songs, they became a self portrait that was far too personal for a band to release," says Foreman. "Tim, Chad and the rest of the band have been pushing me to get these types of songs out there for years. So I decided to let them go."

The first EPs in the series, Fall and Winter, available now as a two-disc set, have been hailed by critics and fans alike. Performing Songwriter praised Jon's "personal affinity for Dylan" and said "[his] weathered voice is a perfect tool for these melancholy tales." HM Magazine proclaimed him "a man for all seasons" as well as a "talented wordsmith." - more on this story

Solo Spin Doctor

PR reports: Chris Barron, Lead singer of the multi-platinum recording artist, The Spin Doctors, returns to the scene with a new band, a new sound, and a new album, "Pancho and the Kid," Out May 13th. Chris Barron is now on tour in support of Pancho and the Kid backed by his new band, The Time Bandits. Fans of his music will hear new interpretations of some Spin Doctors' favorites, new tracks off Pancho and the Kid, as well as selections from Chris Barron's vast collection of recordings and unreleased material.

Best known as the lead singer for the Grammy nominated band and multi-platinum recording artist the Spin Doctors, Chris Barron has already had the kind of musical career most artists could only dream of. From the cover of Rolling Stone, to charting two singles in the Billboard top five (Two Princes, Little Miss Can't Be Wrong),
the Spin Doctors helped define rock and roll in the early nineties, and ushered in a new bohemian musical movement that brought many underground sensations such as Blues Traveler, and even Phish, to the forefront of the mainstream music market.

It was in the midst of this success that Chris Barron was confronted with an enormous roadblock. After waking up one morning having lost his voice, Chris Barron was diagnosed with a paralyzed vocal chord. Specialists gave Chris a fifty percent chance of ever speaking in a normal voice again. After a regimen of everything from acupuncture to prescription steroids and intensive vocal training, Chris Barron is fully recovered and singing better than ever, charming audiences all over again as a solo artist with his sincerity and vocal style that has made his voice recognizable to millions all over the world. - more on this story

What Does Huey Lewis, Todd Rundgren, and Fergie Have in Common? Hilary McRae

PR reports: Hilary McRae will celebrate the release of her debut, 'Through These Walls' (Hear Music), with shows in her native Florida. She recently opened for Huey Lewis & The News at the Pompano Beach Amphitheatre, and she will be opening for Todd Rundgren at Miami's Jackie Gleason Theatre on April 15. McRae will also perform at NYC's The Living Room on April 10 and April 21, extending her successful residency at the venue.

In other tour news, Hilary was hand-picked to perform at Florida's SunFest in May, where she will warm up the stage for Fergie. In June Hilary heads to Milwaukee, WI for the PrideFest where she will open for Natasha Bedingfield. More shows to be confirmed in the coming weeks, stay tuned for details.

Hilary is the first developing artist signed to Hear Music, the label launched by Starbucks Entertainment and Concord Music Group, after high profile releases by Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell and James Taylor last year. - dates

Plants And Animals Add Dates

PR reports: Plants And Animals confirm more live dates after releasing their first full length CD, "Parc Avenue," through Secret City Records on March 25, 2008 in the United States. This is the follow up to "with/avec EP," which was released in the fall of 2007.

Rapidly gaining a reputation for their fervent live shows, Plants and Animals have recently shared bills in America with The Whigs (February 2008), with Wolf Parade (August 2007), plus Patrick Watson, Akron/Family, Calexico, Iron & Wine, Andrew Bird, and Grizzly Bear in their home country of Canada. Many caught the band during their 3 sets during the 2008 SXSW.

More U.S. dates will be announced for June, including the west coast, after they complete a tour of Europe. The band will continue touring through the summer in Canada (July) and return to the U.S. this fall for a full national tour. - dates

Sinatra At The Movies

SO reports: Frank Sinatra was a titan of 20th Century entertainment, with record-breaking successes in both music and film throughout his legendary career. Capitol/EMI celebrates Ol' Blue Eyes' musical contributions to many of Hollywood's most memorable classic films, in several of which he also starred, with the April 15 release of a new 20-track CD and digital collection titled Sinatra At The Movies.

Sinatra At The Movies includes title themes from The Tender Trap, From Here To Eternity, Young At Heart, Three Coins In The Fountain and Not As A Stranger, as well as "Chicago" and "All The Way" from The Joker Is Wild, "I Could Write A Book" and "The Lady Is A Tramp" from Pal Joey, "How Deep Is The Ocean" and "All Of Me" from Meet Danny Wilson, "To Love And Be Loved" from Some Came Running, and more.

Sinatra At The Movies is one of several high-profile music and DVD releases honoring the Chairman of the Board's storied career as a pioneering legend of entertainment. Other upcoming salutes to Sinatra include a commemorative U.S. postage stamp to enter circulation on May 13 and special TV programming, co-hosted by his children, through the month of May on Turner Classic Movies (TCM), including more than 30 of Sinatra's films and four of his television specials. - more on this story

A Benefit for Cal Robbins

PR reports: The Punk Rock community is coming together to help out one of its finest: J. Robbins of Jawbox and his family. Though not quite ready for it's "official launch", AMPMagazine.com has opened up part of its site to post a time sensitive article about Cal Robbins.

There are great interviews with J. Robbins, Var from No Idea Records, Zach Barocas (ex-Jawbox / Cultural Society) and Gordon Withers (cello player who released Jawbox On Cello: A Benefit for Cal Robbins).

The article also talks about a new drive that AMP is coordinating for Cal. "We will be launching our own Ebay auction in the next few days. THIS IS NOT AN AMP THING! We are merely a hub for our friends support. We will be launching our auction site with test-pressings from NOFX, THE LOVED ONES, THE DWARVES, THE EXPLODING HEARTS, a gold record from HAWTHORNE HEIGHTS, REEL BIG FISH stage clothes, symbols from Zildjian signed by VELVET REVOLVER, art from friends like Horsebites, and so much more. This is directly from them, their own actions, and their concern for this situation. Again, we are merely a hub for this. Please know that, and thank them directly for their help, if you feel so moved." - more info

Calico Horse Saddles Up

PR reports: Banter Records is proud to announce the debut full-length release from San Diego quartet Calico Horse, Mirror, out on June 24. Born out of the ashes of The Clock Work Army, Calico Horse find themselves with a new line-up backing Clock Work's delicate frontwoman and co-songwriter, Emily Neveu. The release of Clock Work's debut EP last year, Catalyst For Change, was met with sudden and overwhelming success. This came as a bit of a surprise for the fledgling band. Within a few months, they were consistently selling out shows, gaining more and more momentum as the word spread across the city that these guys (and gal) were special and seeing them was important.

Following the success of their EP, Neveu and guitarist Scott Wheeler began writing the songs that were to be Clock Work's first full length album. Shortly thereafter, Wheeler ended up moving to Portland and Emily was left to finish the album on her own. Luckily, she enlisted the help of producer Pall Jenkins, best known for leading The Black Heart Procession. The two hit it off immediately and the sessions resulted in what is now Calico Horse.

With the help of seasoned musicians, bassist Dave Pettijohn, drummer Tom Peart and guitarist Matt Mournian, rounding out the Calico Horse lineup, the band will hit the road once again on a nationwide tour. - more on this story

.... Road Trip: Breezing Through Brittany (And Rocking in Rennes!)

There is an immense amount of adventure waiting beyond the City of Light in lesser-explored parts of France, like Brittany. The Trans Musicales Festival, held annually in Brittany's capital, Rennes, served as my introduction to this diverse and beautiful area. - Read the full Breezing Through Brittany (And Rocking in Rennes!) Road Trip article

. Fight Amp - Hungry for Nothing

Loud, fast, and memorable, Hungry for Nothing recalls an era where speed metal lobbed dirtballs alongside more punk influenced acts. This album is a haymaker right from song one and simply never stops the beatdown. Roll with the punches and pick this up. - Read the full Fight Amp - Hungry for Nothing review

. 10 Years of antiMusic: Why Be Different? A Dolly Doppelganger Investigative Report

Today we revisit one of antiMusic's most colorful commentators, the always insightful and entertaining Dolly Doppelganger! Dolly is a true original and that is part of the reason we singled out the article that follows. Don't miss this one! - Read the full Why Be Different? A Dolly Doppelganger Investigative Report review

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