Oh Canada Week: Billy Talent Pt 2

antiMusic reports: This week we turn our eyes to Canada with two artists that may come from the same part of the world but come from different worlds musically- Serena Ryder and Billy Talent. We recently spoke with Billy Talent's Aaron Solowoniuk's about the band's new live release 666. Today he tells us how the selected which shows to record for the release.

?: How did you select the shows to include on 666?

Aaron: We really wanted to document some shows we were going to be playing in the UK and Europe last year. Brixton Academy is such a legendary venue and the crowds in Europe are crazy.

We'll be back with Aaron with our final questions on Thursday. For now get the lasted on the band at their - Myspace video page for a taste of 666.

Lenny Kravitz Hospitalized

Reuters reports: Rock star Lenny Kravitz was admitted to a Miami hospital on Monday suffering from severe bronchitis, a spokeswoman for the singer said.

The 43-year-old musician had been suffering from a series of severe respiratory tract infections in tandem with the flu since mid-January, and the illness has evolved into bronchitis.

"Due to extreme dehydration and fatigue, doctors were unable to control it with outpatient treatment and advised the singer to check into the hospital ," the spokeswoman said in a statement. - more on this story

Rihanna Car Crash

Contact Music reports: RIHANNA was involved in a car crash hours after claiming gold at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday night (10Feb08).

The sexy star, who claimed a gong for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, was driving away from a Def Jam after-show party when her vehicle was hit by another car.

According to the Umbrella singer's aides, Rihanna and her driver were not injured in the minor collision. - more on this story

The Game Going To Jail

TMZ reports: The Game has pleaded no contest to a felony charge of possession of a firearm in a school zone.

After he entered his plea, a Los Angeles County judge immediately sentenced him to 60 days in jail, 150 hours of community service and three years probation.

The rapper, whose real name is Jayceon Taylor, faced three felony counts for making criminal threats and exhibiting a firearm in the presence of a peace officer. Two counts were dismissed as part of a plea agreement. - more on this story

MTV Loses Its Head

antiMusic reports: As we sit here and ponder how one antiquated and clueless organization bestowed their highest honor upon an album that sold under 60,000 copies in the U.S., another institution of music cluelessness has lost their head. We're pretty sure that most Grammy voters haven't even heard said album but voted because they knew Herbie's name from his hit way back in MTVs heyday in the early 80s. Actually from around the same era that the Grammys gave Lionel Richie the nod over Prince's "Purple Rain" and Springsteen's "Born in the USA". Let's not forget how they made the flutey Jethro Tull into a metal band.

Now we learn that woman that has presided over the recent downfall of MTV and Vh1 is calling it a day. Wonder if she voted for Herbie? Canadian Press has the report: Christina Norman, who rose from a freelance production manager to become president of MTV, is quitting at the end of the month.

During a period in charge of VH1, she helped transform the network into a pop culture channel dominated by celebrity reality. [Big thanks for the Celebretardity. How about a Behind the Music about the fall of MTV?] - more on this story

Yet Another Reason to Hate Yoko

antiMusic reports: Hot on the heals of Yoko whoring out John Lennon's "Real Love" to JC Penny for a TV ad, now she's going after Lennon for using her own name. Here is a PR we received about this along with an open letter from Lennon (Julian also comes to Lennon's defense):

You couldn't make this stuff up if you tried… Lennon Murphy is a singer and a songwriter and an all around cool chick, her songs are an aural outpouring of her extreme, intense life with its ups and downs including tour bus accidents, fighting for the custody of her young sister after the death of their only parent, record industry fiascos and now she's being sued by Yoko Ono for the use of her own name.

An open letter from Lennon: Yesterday I received notice that Yoko Ono had filed a law suit against me, asking for a cancellation of the trademark that I own for the name "Lennon." This could very well mean the career that I have worked so hard at, the one you all have believed in, may come to an end. I wanted to address the situation to all my fans because without you I am nothing and it's not fair to everyone who has believed in my music not to be properly informed of this pure bullshit. - more on this story

Blind Melon Return with CD and Tour

PR reports: In recent years, the tale of Blind Melon has taken a dramatic turn – from an abrupt and tragic end, to a rebirth and reconnection with their legion of fans. No matter how you slice it, the group was responsible for some of the most memorable and pure-sounding rock music of the '90s.

And with their reformation in 2007 with singer Travis Warren, Blind Melon are poised to pick up exactly where they left off a decade earlier – as evidenced by their forthcoming CD entitled For My Friends set for release on April 22, 2008.

On February 28th Blind Melon are set to embark on a five month U.S. tour - more on this story

Eagles Respond to Grammy Win

PR reports: The Eagles have won their first Grammy Award in 29 years for their single "How Long" for 'Best Country Song Vocal Performance By A Duo Or Group' at the 50th annual Grammy Awards for 2008 held in Los Angeles yesterday. This is the fifth Grammy presented to the Eagles, but their first in a Country music category.

Eagles' co-founder Don Henley expressed his feelings about winning the Award saying, "This Grammy win is particularly sweet because of the length of time that has passed since we (the Eagles) won our first Grammy in early 1976. I was 28 years old then. I'm 60 now. I always secretly hoped that we could pull off something like this, but I had almost given up. This win feels really good — and it's in a whole different field than we were in before. Now I'm thinking that we might have a good chance to win again next year because Long Road Out of Eden will be eligible then. This year, only the single, "How Long," came out in time to make the nomination process. We're all very grateful to the Academy members and to our loyal fans. It's been quite a ride and it apparently isn't over just yet." - more on this story

Velvet Revolver Nix Tour

Wenn reports: Rock supergroup VELVET REVOLVER have been forced to cancel a series of shows in Australia after frontman SCOTT WEILAND checked into rehab.

The shows scheduled for 15 to 20 February (08) were due to go ahead, according to gig promoter Chris O'Brien, despite Weiland beginning a spell in a facility in San Diego last week (ends08Feb08). But in an official statement from Australian promoters KMW Productions, the company admits the concerts have now been pulled.

It reads, "Velvet Revolver regret to announce they're unable to perform their five upcoming concert dates in Australia that were scheduled for February 15-20 - more on this story

Sea Wolf Team With Nada Surf for Tour

PR reports: Sea Wolf is roaring into spring with more tour dates alongside Nada Surf (the two shared stages this past fall), following a highly successful year filled with critical acclaim, a national television performance, extensive touring and airplay across the country.
This tour, kicking off March 17 in Tempe, will be preceded by several shows at SXSW.

March 15 - Austin, Texas @ Buffalo Billiards/SXSW Filter Magazine Party *
March 17 - Tempe, Ariz. @ The Clubhouse
March 18 - San Diego, Calif. @ House of Blues
March 19 - Los Angeles, Calif. @ Henry Fonda Theater - more on this story

Motley Crue Not Jumping on Live Nation Bandwagon

antiMusic reports: Nikki "Dude! I Died! Dude!" Sixx issued a statement refuting a story that appeared online that claimed that Motley Crue has signed a deal $100 million with Live Nation. We thought that number was about $98 million too high too. It's too bad this isn't true. We wanted to see Tommy's excitement over jumping on the Live Nation bandwagon, since he hasn't had a new bandwagon to jump on lately.

Here is what Nikki had to say: "MOTLEY CRUE HAS NOT SIGNED ANY DEALS TO TOUR OR RECORD WHATSOEVER. ANY INFORMATION TO THE CONTRARY IS 100 PERCENT INCORRECT." He obviously likes his caps lock key.

Blabbermouth carried the following story which prompted the Nikki statement: Robin Leach reports on his blog "Vegas Luxe Life with Robin Leach" that Motley Crue (Vince Neil, Tommy Lee, Nikki Sixx and Mick Mars) signed a $100-million-plus mega-deal last week to produce three albums and perform three world tours for the giant Live Nation entertainment conglomerate. - Read more of the Blabbermouth story

Kremlin Turned Deep Purple

Reuters reports: The Kremlin rocked to the sound of British band Deep Purple on Monday in a gig with a difference.

The occasion was the 15th birthday party of Russia's giant firm Gazprom, which flew over the veteran British hard rock band to top a gala evening of entertainment -- and to keep the boss happy.

Gazprom chairman Medvedev, who is also the Kremlin's candidate in Russia's presidential election next month, has told interviewers Deep Purple is his favorite band. Officials at the world's biggest gas company are eager to please him. - more on this story

Circa Survive Supporting Thrice

PR reports: Fresh off of the UK Kerrang! Tour, CIRCA SURVIVE announces a six week tour supporting experimental/progressive SoCal natives, Thrice, commencing April 16 in San Diego, CA. The tour will bring them across the U.S. and back to finish off in Los Angeles on May 30.

CIRCA SURVIVE started the year off overseas in support of the UK Kerrang! Tour with Coheed and Cambria, January 23 – February 8. The Pennsylvania natives will then head to the west coast for the 2008 UCR Heat Festival. After a short break, they'll take to the road with Thrice for a six week run which includes the Bamboozle festival in New Jersey. - more on this story

EMI Releasing Radiohead Hits CD

Filter reports: Radiohead will soon join the massive amounts of musicians (big and small) who have released a Greatest Hits collection.

But unlike their recent catalog box set, this collection is credited to their former label, EMI.

Although Radiohead recognizes that EMI has the right to release such a project, the band has no intention of participating in any form of promotion towards the album. - more on this story

James Blunt eBaying His Sister

Contact Music reports: Singer-songwriter JAMES BLUNT had so much success finding his sister a date on auction website eBay.com he's offering to do the same for his younger sibling.

The You're Beautiful hitmaker "auctioned off" one sister, partly because she needed transport to a funeral in Ireland, and that little bit of matchmaking really paid off - last year (07) his sister wed the guy who flew her to the funeral in his helicopter.

So now Blunt is hoping for the same success as another desperate sister looks for love. - more on this story

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