Paper Rival Week: Day 4 "Swimmer King"

Swimmer King - This one came together very quickly. Patrick had the music written for almost the entire song and the lyrics were really easy because I had something in mind that I knew would work great with the pace of the song. The harmonies in the bridge are my favorite part of this one for sure. - more on this story

GNR Leak Plugged (updated)

antiMusic reports: On Wednesday, a website streamed what they reported as nine "finished" tracks from Guns N' Roses allegedly forthcoming album "Chinese Democracy". Which they deemed well worth the wait.

Axl's lawyers quickly sprung into action and the website removed the streams of the tracks but the reaction from the few fans that actually heard the songs was mostly positive with a couple of Naysayers.

We originally published some of the text of the article from that website (which was submitted to us by the author.) However, we got a love letter from Axl's lawyers claiming that reporting about the leak was somehow "broadcasting" his copyrighted material. So much for the First Amendment? Had we linked directly to the files or actually posted them on our servers that would have been one thing, but simply reporting about a leak is another thing entirely. But as a courtesy we did remove that article and we won't mention the site's name. Now release the damn CD already, so we can buy it!

Interestingly enough, Idolator also reported about this leak. What makes that interesting is that they were recently acquired by a company that Axl's label invested in. Wonder if they got a love letter from Axl's lawyers too? -

Kid Rock Vs iTunes

BBC reports: US music star Kid Rock is refusing to put his albums on iTunes because he says artists do not get paid enough for downloads from the Apple store.

He said it was based on "an old system, where iTunes takes the money, the record company takes the money, and they don't give it to the artists".

His latest album Rock 'n' Roll Jesus went to number one in the US last year, despite being absent from iTunes. - He had a lot more to say on the subject and says he is losing CD sales because he is sticking to his guns.

Poison Claim EMI Ripped Them Off

TMZ reports: Poison is set for a new tour this summer, but first they're getting the band back together to sue their record label!

According to a lawsuit filed today in L.A. Superior Court, the band claims Capitol Records stiffed 'em -- underpaying them royalties for years.

They also claim they were shortchanged by EMI Music Marketing over a deal they made in 2005 for their greatest hits album, which featured a new track entitled "We're An American Band." - more on this story

Aerosmith Singer Out of Rehab and Onto The Court

BW&BK reports: According to Sfgate.com, Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler has completed his stint in rehab, celebrating his release by grabbing courtside seats for the Boston Celtics' basketball game on Tuesday.

The singer checked into a facility in Pasadena, Calif., last month, prompting speculation he had slipped from sobriety, 20 years after he kicked hard drugs.

Tyler later revealed he was in rehab on doctor's orders because of a foot injury. But he appears to be recovering well, and looked happy and healthy as he cheered on his team - more on this story

Young Jeezy Busted

TMZ reports: TMZ has learned rapper Young Jeezy was popped early this morning in Atlanta driving like a crazy person!

Cops arrested the Jeez around 2:30 AM on a whole mess o' charges, including DUI, speeding, reckless driving, no tags, driving with an open container and no proof of insurance. Somebody get Geico on the phone!

Jeezy -- whose real name is Jay Jenkins -- was released this morning on bail. He'll be back in court in July 17. - Read his response to this

Reason 764,231 Why Tom Waits is One Cool Mofo

antiMusic reports: Even if you don't like his music, you can't help but love Tom Waits. In an age of bland manufactured "rock stars," Tom stands out by the sheer force of his personality. The latest example of this is Tom interviewing himself for The Independent. We're sure many artists wish they could do this at the end of a long day of answering the exact same questions over and over again. But Tom is a man of action so he took the bull by the horns and asked himself the questions he wanted to answer! They cover a wide variety of topics but his introduction to the interview itself is priceless. Here is that:

I must admit, before meeting Tom, I had heard so many rumours and so much gossip that I was afraid. Frankly, his gambling debts, his animal magnetism, coupled with his disregard for the feelings of others... His elaborate gun collection, his mad shopping-sprees, the face-lifts, the ski trips, the drug busts and the hundreds of rooms in his home.

The tax shelters, the public urination... I was nervous to meet the real man himself. Baggage and all. But I found him to be gentle, intelligent, open, bright, helpful, humorous, brave, audacious, loquacious, clean and reverent. A Boy Scout, really (and a giant of a man). Join me now for a rare glimpse into the heart of Tom Waits. Remove your shoes and no smoking, please...# - The full Q & A is here

Just When You Thought VH1's Celebretardity Couldn't Get Any Worse

antiMusic reports: Before we get to this, we want to give you an update about a quality show that's actually worth watching. We heard from Showtime today that Dexter will be back this Fall for a third season. No more details yet, but we wanted to offset the following IQ dropping news with something positive. Here is the news about VH1's latest installment of "celebretardity" (maybe we can get Dexter to take care of the "contestants"?):

Contestants from VH1's series "Rock of Love," "I Love New York" and "Flavor of Love" are set to star in the network's newest 'celebreality' series, "I Love Money" premiering on Sunday, July 6 at 9:00 PM.*

Hosted by Craig J. Jackson, the 12-episode series will pit 17 all-star contestants against one another for a chance to win a $250,000 grand prize.

Infamous cast members including 12 Pack, Chance, Heat, Midget Mac, Mr. Boston, Real, The Entertainer, Whiteboy, Brandi C., Destiney, Heather, Hoopz, Megan, Nibblz, Pumkin, Rodeo and Toastee will travel to Mexico where they will participate in outrageous challenges to test their determination to get rich. For this group of men and women competing for a chance at love is nothing compared to competing for their true heart's desire, money. - more on this story

Nine Inch Nails, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, and Coldplay for Pemberton Festival

PR reports: Last week we told you about the Pemberton Festival side stage acts, which unless you're into that kind of music might not have been that appealing, but today we present you with the info on the main-stage headliners and acts and they make it worth the price of admission.

The inaugural Pemberton Festival to be held July 25-27 with headliners Nine Inch Nails, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, and Coldplay is quickly coming upon us. Here is the complete line-up (main and side stage)

The complete line up for Pemberton is: Nine Inch Nails, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, Coldplay, Interpol, The Tragically Hip, Jay-Z, Serj Tankian, The Flaming Lips, N.E.R.D., Wolfmother, My Morning Jacket, Vampire Weekend, Kathleen Edwards, Sam Roberts Band, Matisyahu, The Secret Machines, Black Mountain, Wintersleep, Shearwater, Buck 65, Inward Eye, Minus the Bear, Brazilian Girls, The Fiery Furnaces, Grand Ole Party, Mates Of State, The Airborne Toxic Event, Monte Negro, Carolina Liar, Low Vs Diamond, Annie Stela - more

Portugal. The Man Tour Plans

HER reports: Few modern rock bands fit the phrase "diamond in the rough" as well as Wasilla, Alaska's finest sons, Portugal. The Man, and with the late summer/early fall release of "Censored Colors," the band's third full-length CD, this should be made all the more evident.

So, the countdown has begun until they premiere the new tunes on a concert stage, as they will be embarking on a tour with RX Bandits this summer before headlining a European trek, and then returning for a U.S. Fall headline jaunt.

"Censored Colors" was recorded and mostly written in a frantic two and a half week period in Seattle with the aid of producers Phil Peterson and Kirk Huffman of The House of Breaking Glass. Paul Kolderie (Pixies, Radiohead, Throwing Muses) did additional production and mixed the album. Gourley admits the group was armed with some ideas for "Censored Colors," but not nearly as much as the average rock band. "Throughout the year, we're constantly writing and there were little ideas here and there. I think we went into the studio with two songs that we had demoed before and part of another song we had been jamming live - that was it. We went in, and realized, we have to start doing a song a night to even get 15 songs done in two and a half weeks." - more on this story

John Mayer Live Releases Set

PR reports: On July 1st a brand new 2CD, DVD & Blu-Ray package hits stores entitled Where The Light Is: John Mayer Live In Los Angeles filmed last December at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles and directed by Danny Clinch.

The special Columbia Records release includes three distinct sets: an acoustic performance, a rare set with John Mayer Trio (John Mayer, Steve Jordan and Pino Palladino), as well as a Continuum set featuring Mayer's full-band.

Additionally, John Mayer will embark on an amphitheatre tour this summer with Brett Dennen, Colbie Caillat, OneRepublic and Paramore as supporting acts on various stops. Tickets for Mayercraft Carrier 2, setting sail on March 27, 2009 from Los Angeles, went on sale June 16th. - more on this story

The Funeral Pyre and Antagonist Team Up For Tour

PR reports: Fresh upon returning from a three week tour in support of the release of the band's new album, 'Wounds,' Los Angeles' The Funeral Pyre will again head out on the road in July with labelmates, and fellow Southern Californians, Antagonist for a two and-a-half week tour across the Southwest and West Coast.

The Funeral Pyre will continue to support their May 27 release of 'Wounds,' while Antagonist will be on tour in anticipation of the band's Prosthetic Records debut, 'Exist,' due for a fall release through the label.

The Funeral Pyre's frontman chimed in on the band's upcoming tour plans and has also issued several updates from the road in June at the band's online weblog. "So, I didn't really manage to find time to write about what happened in the last few shows," the band says. "Just know that they were all really good, we had a fun time and then the tour ended. Yeah, I know, not a good wrap up. Oh well. But I'll wrap the rest of this up. We had a fun three week tour in support of our new record 'Wounds' which came out on May 27. If you haven't checked it out, please do. We'll be hitting the road here in a few weeks with our best friends in Antagonist and we'll be teaming up with Sea Of Treachery. This will be another 2 1/2 week tour or so, so if you didn't manage to catch us on the last run, come out to these shows. We're pretty busy at the moment! Come check out the shows, have a good time. I'm sure we'll be on tour sometime in September as well." - more on this story

Santogold Supporting Coldplay in North America

PR reports: Santogold will support Coldplay on part of their North American arena tour this summer.

These will be the first Santogold live dates in the US since SXSW and Coachella where her performances became highlights of the festivals. She will also perform at this year's Lollapalooza and Central Park SummerStage.

Downtown/Lizard King released Santogold's self-titled debut album in April and it instantly became one of 2008's most acclaimed albums. (they include a quote but it's from the same pub that called Moose Elliot a genius, so we didn't want to prejudice anyone reading this, until they hear for themselves). - more on this story

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