You Need Help If You Look To Kanye For Advise

Gigwise reports: US rapper Kanye West has published extracts from his new self-help book, 'Thank You And You're Welcome', on his blog.

The book, which has been described by West as his "guide to creating then celebrating your moment", is released later this month.

Each of West's theories in the book is accompanied by a 'Kanye-ism', with one extract proclaiming: 'Get Used To Getting Used! - more on this story

Lifehouse Pro Bowl and Leno

PR reports: The Giants won the Superbowl and now it's time to tune in to the Pro-Bowl! Lifehouse will perform their hit single "Whatever It Takes" and other tunes during the Pro Bowl Halftime Show at the Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii this Sunday, February 10th.

Tune in to Fox – Sunday, February 10th at 1:30pm HST to see the Halftime Show. In other Lifehouse news, the band will perform "Whatever It Takes" on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno February 15th.

The following week they will kick off a national headlining tour February 24th in Spokane, Washington. Matt Nathanson and honeyhoney will be opening for all dates. - dates

Modest Mouse Working on New Material

Gigwise reports: Modest Mouse are reported to be working on new material ahead of their forthcoming tour with R.E.M.

According to frontman Isaac Brock, the band, including former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr, will go into the studio to write together in March.

Brock also told Rolling Stone that he is currently putting the finishing touches to a new Modest Mouse EP which will consist of outtakes from the band's previous two albums. - more on this story

Diddy Retiring From Music?

Contact Music reports: Rapper SEAN COMBS is planning to quit music to pursue a full-time career in acting. The star has scaled down his hip-hop projects in recent years, so he can expand an acting resume that includes a Broadway stint in A Raisin in the Sun and a critically-acclaimed role in 2001 Oscar-winning movie Monster's Ball.

Combs recently revealed he would be reprising his Broadway role in a TV version of A Raisin in the Sun - and he hopes it will help him make a move to acting full-time.

He says, "Right now I'm transitioning from a recording artist to acting. Having an opportunity to play this role, it really changed my life. - more on this story

The Breeders Tour

NME reports: The Breeders have announced the dates of an extensive North American tour this spring.

Kim Deal's band will hit the road in support of their forthcoming album 'Mountain Battles' following their April 25 performance at California's Coachella Festival.

The band will play dates in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas and Portland before heading east for dates in cities including Philadelphia, New York and Washington DC. - more on this story

Carnal Forge Lose Two Members

Lambgoat reports: Swedish metal band Carnal Forge has announced the departure of Jari Kuusisto (guitar) and Jens C. Mortensen (vocals). According to the group, "We are sorry not to have the guys on board anymore, and we wish them all the best for the future. We want to thank them for all their work and efforts in the band and all the crazy times we've shared through the years."

The two members has subsequently been replaced by guitarist Dino Medanhodzic (Soulbreach) and singer Peter Tuthill (ex-Construcdead).

Kuusisto has issued the following statement: "It's with great sadness I must inform you all that I have decided to leave CF. I just feel that my time in CF has come to an end, and I really haven't anything more to offer to the band. It's been great working with the band over these 10 years and I wish the guys the best of luck in the future (Because they deserve it). For those of you that wonder. I will continue with my music carrier but with my other band This Human Design. - more on this story

Soft Focus on Graham Coxon

antiMusic reports: Soft Focus UK features a 4 part interview with Graham Coxon. VBS.TV sent over this info on the series: When going over dream interviewees that we wanted to chat with while crashing London, Graham Coxon was an obvious choice of hero.

Part 1: In this edition of Soft Focus, Ian talks with the former Blur guitarist about why Brits write off American bands as lazy while local bands who fade into the woodwork onstage get a free pass.

Part 2: In the second part of their conversation, Graham discusses his mixed feelings at being dragged through the whole Blur Vs. Oasis media circus.

Part 3: In this third part Mr. Coxon describes being a Pisces alcoholic and we learn "refutation" is a good word. And Part 4 runs Thursday. - You can see all the Soft Focus episodes of this season and last season here

Beastie Boys And Moby for Music Has Power Benefit

NME reports: Beastie Boys are set to headline a special benefit concert in New York City next month.

The band will play the Music Has Power benefit to raise funds for the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function (IMNF) , a leader in innovative music therapy treatments and research.

The show will take place at Terminal 5 on March 4, and will be hosted by Moby who is a board member of the IMNF. - more on this story

Night Ranger Hire New Guitarist

BW&BK reports: US rockers Night Ranger have confirmed that Joel Hoekstra is their new guitarist, replacing Reb Beach (Winger, Whitesnake).

According to his bio, "Hoekstra is a musician on the rise as both a consummate sideman and an innovative solo artist. Joel's CDs Undefined and The Moon Is Falling have found a strong cult following and critical acclaim.

He has performed and/or recorded with: Alan Parsons, Eric Martin (Mr Big), Joe Lynn Turner, Rik Emmett (Triumph), Kip Winger, Mark Slaughter, Kevin Cronin (Reo Speedwagon) And Jimi Jamison among others." - more on this story

King's X Set Release

Metal Underground reports: The Japanese release date for King's X' new album, Go Tell Somebody, has been announced March 26th via Avalon.

Inside Out Music will release the album shortly after in Europe and North America.

Go Tell Somebody was produced by the legendary Michael Wagener's (METALLICA, MEGADETH, TESTAMENT) at WireWorld Studio in Nashville, Tennessee.
- more metal news

Orbison Now a Beetle

Contact Music reports: Late singer ROY ORBISON has been awarded a bizarre posthumous honour, by having a species of beetle named after him.

The Pretty Woman star, who died in 1988 aged 52, will lend his name to the Orectochilus Orbisonorum, a new species of Indian whirligig beetle.

Quentin Wheeler, Arizona State University entomologist announced the naming during a tribute concert for the star in the state last month (Jan08), saying the honour was "a token of admiration for Roy's work".
- more on this story

Frightened Rabbit Soph

PR reports: At times ramshackled and worn in, others grand and explosive, Glaswegian trio Frightened Rabbit's sophomore release, THE MIDNIGHT ORGAN FIGHT, due April 15 on Fatcat Records (Animal Collective, Sigur Ros, No Age), is a testament to the band's scope and ambition. The album comes on the heels of their acclaimed debut LP, SING THE GREYS, which was revamped and re-released last fall on Fatcat.

Recorded in Bridgeport, Conn., far from the band's homeland, the Scottish threesome slugged out the 14 tracks in just two weeks with veteran producer Peter Katis, best known for his work with Interpol, The National and fellow countrymen and friends The Twilight Sad. Conceived and realized in far less time than its predecessor, the whirlwind process has resulted in an album that is equally as cohesive as it is immediate. - more on this story

Sarah Brightman's Highest Debut

PR reports: "Symphony" by Sarah Brightman, the world's biggest selling soprano of all time, scores her highest U.S. chart debut this week at #13 on Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart with first week sales totaling 31,463. "Symphony" is Brightman's first album of new material in five years.

Released by EMI/Manhattan Records on January 29, "Symphony" is a 13-track collection of all new songs, featuring duets with Andrea Bocelli, KISS' Paul Stanley, Alessandro Safina and Fernando Lima. "Symphony" also bows at #1 on three other Billboard charts - Classical Overall Albums, Classical Crossover Albums and on Top Internet Albums. "Symphony" enters at #17 on Billboard's Top Digital Albums chart. - more on this story

Atlantic Ink Marc Broussard

PR reports: Atlantic Records welcomes a new addition to its storied roster, acclaimed singer/songwriter Marc Broussard. The Louisiana-based bayou soul troubadour will make his label debut with "MUST BE THE WATER," his first collection of all-new songs since 2004's breakthrough "CARENCRO." The five-track EP – which heralds a full-length collection due later this year – will be available via iTunes on February 19th.

"MUST BE THE WATER" is highlighted by the fuel-injected title track, which is currently serving as the theme for TNT's on-air promotions of the 2008 NBA All-Star festivities, set to air live from New Orleans, LA. On Saturday, February 16th Broussard will perform his hit song "Home" during the NBA player introductions prior to All-Star Saturday Night before a nationwide audience live on TNT at 8pm EST. - more on this story

J.Lo X 2

Hecklerspray reports: As Jennifer Lopez is so fond of reminding us, she used to have a little now she got a lot - but it seems that she was discussing the contents of her over-stuffed womb all along.

That's because Jennifer Lopez isn't just pregnant, but pregnant with twins. David Lopez broke the news of Jennifer Lopez's impending twins during an interview on a Spanish-language TV show.

Although let's not forget that the Spanish word for 'twins' and the Spanish word for 'underwhelming singing voice' are very similar, so there's a good chance that David Lopez was merely providing a randomly-timed, somewhat harsh critique of Jennifer Lopez's performance style for the Spanish-speaking community.
- more on this story

Fate Tour and Song Preview

PR reports: Fate is currently gearing up to head out on the road with Dance Club Massacre, Catalepsy, and Blind Witness starting February 19th in Newport Beach, CA.

Fate will be showcasing music off their April 29th release Vultures so make sure to catch the band to get a taste of the new album.

Head over to Fate's MySpace page to check out 'Your Creed is Greed', the first track available from the bands upcoming Metal Blade debut Vultures. http://www.myspace.com/fate - more on this story

.... The Dillinger Escape Plan - Ire Works

The gradual erosion of pop music continues with The Dillinger Escape Plan's glorious third full-length album. Entitled Ire Works, the blitzkrieg 38 minutes on offer here blazes past with all the subtlety of an exploding gasoline pipe. A perfect 10. - Read the full The Dillinger Escape Plan - Ire Works review

.... MGMT - Oracular Spectacular

Oracular Spectacular sounds more like Ace of Base than The Flaming Lips, but the popularity of theatrical eunuch psychedelia is apparent based on the underground success of bands like Fiery Furnaces. (1.5 stars) - Read the full MGMT - Oracular Spectacular review

.... Fiona Joy Hawkins - Angel Above My Piano

There's nothing about this disc that particularly stands out, but that doesn't have to be a bad thing, and it's good music for mellowing out or creating a soothing atmosphere. (3 stars) - Read the full Fiona Joy Hawkins - Angel Above My Piano review

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