Hallelujah test!

Inevitably it looks like X Factor will be number 1 at Christmas

But atleast they covered a good song. Already covered by 50 artists and originally written in 1984, Leonard Cohen wrote 2 full notebooks of notes of ideas for recording this song. Test your knowledge of the classic song here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7783704.stm

Stones' get streets named after them

13 places in Dartford to get names from Stones' songs.

In Stella Street style a series of streets in Mick Jagger and Keith Richards' childhood town of Dartford, Kent, are to be named after Rolling Stones songs. Councillors approved the names on December 11, with chosen titles including Satisfaction Street, Angie Mews and Ruby Tuesday Drive.

Other new names include Little Red Walk, Babylon Close, Stones Avenue, Dandelion Row, Lady Jane Walk, Cloud Close and Rainbow Close. Both Jagger and Richards were born in Dartford.

Police are apparently worried that fans will steal the street names as mementos.

Mick & Keith corner shop could be next!?

Radiohead 'Videotape' tape in eBay

A four-hour video remix of Radiohead's 'In Rainbows' song 'Videotape' is being auctioned on eBay to raise money for the Missing People charity.

The remix, which appears on a VHS video, is signed by all five Radiohead members. It was created by James Rutledge (aka music producer Pedro - check his MySpace for a good MGMT remix).

Only one copy of the remix has ever been made, and Rutledge says Radiohead have given him their full support in allowing it to be sold on eBay. All proceeds from the sale will go to charity.

Dave Tyack, one of his former bandmates from the band Dakota Oak, went missing in Corsica in 2002, and was found dead in 2004.

To view the item - the auction ends on December 21 - head to eBay.

Arcade Fire release 'Miroir Noir' film

Watch clips of the 70 minute documentary online now.

Its hard to keep up with band documentaries. I just watched Soulwax, Bloc Party & Justice and now its Arcade Fire's turn. 'Miroir Noir' documents the band through the making of their 2007 album 'Neon Bible' and subsequent tours. It also includes short films made on the road by the band. THe Website is here http://www.miroir-noir.com/ . I saw these guys 4 times already and they are incredible live. If you havent seen them, I would get this DVD as its sure to be a great insight into on of the most interesting and insular bands around.

New (Free) Hot Chip

Hot Chip announced the release of a new 4 track EP collaboration with Robert Wyatt & Geese on the back of a Grammy nomination for 'Ready for the Floor'.

The four-track EP will be released on a limited run on CD, but the band are making two songs available for download for free on Hotchip.co.uk - the first of which, 'Made In The Dark' (with Robert Wyatt), is available now. While 'We're Looking For A Lot Of Love' (With Robert Wyatt) will be given away on the website next week (December 19).

Animals Freaking Out

Skeeter the Narcoleptic Dog

Fainting Goats

Jizzed In My Pants

Andy Samberg & Lonely Island are back. Jizzed in my pants is the new song featuring Timberlake and its epic.

What Babe...

...The babe with the power, the power of voodoo, who do? you do.

Classic Metallicaaar

One...Epic.

Enter Sandman live in Moscow. Complete with 1000's of Russian nutters

Joseph, Better You Than Me

Fantastic new song with The Killers, Elton John and Neil Tennant(!?)

† Live Set

Messy

The Real David Brent (especially the end)

It's gonna be a bit like putting the 'A-Team' back together for a job.'

'It just felt right again' According to Damon

Blur are back! And reuniting for a ging in Hyde Park.

The full line-up – Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, Alex James and Dave Rowntree – will play their first gigs together since guitarist Coxon quit the band in 2002. Albarn and Coxon explained that they had put their differences behind them and were looking forward to playing live in 2009.

"It just felt it was right again," declared Albarn of Blur's return. "It somehow feels like there's something for us to do again, we're not completely useless or pointless, we've got a reason to exist."

Coxon agreed, explaining the band were "making public what's been going on a little bit privately. For the benefit of the fans and those interested we can say that something's on the cards".

What is on the cards is a headlining show in Hyde Park, London on Friday, July 3. Click Here for info

Tickets will go on sale at 9am (GMT) this Friday (December 12). To check the availability call 0871 230 1094.

There are also rumours of further dates, including a possible appearance at the 2009 Glastonbury festival.

However, while the band refused to confirm any other shows, Albarn promised fans around the UK that the band would be announcing some more shows.

"We'll do something in London because that seems sensible," he said, "but we're also playing in other parts of the country working up to there."

You can watch a video of the reunion here.

In the clip, bassist Alex James admits that he had feared the band would "never" get back together, before joking: "It's gonna be a bit like putting the 'A-Team' back together for a job. We've gotta bust Rowntree out of law school!"

I'm excited, I'm getting tickets.

Beetlebum

BUY JEFF BUCKLEY!! KILL X FACTOR!!

Jeff Buckley is in a chart battle but does not know who with yet.

The winner of this years X-Factor will be releasing a cover of 'Hallelujah' a song Jeff famously covered for his 1994 legendary debut album 'Grace'. So Jeff is up against the Irish furbie kid, the 4 urban lads or the girl who actually can sing but is 10 a penny.

Its a fucking shame that a truly great artists work is in the media for these reasons and a shame that the charts are so bullshit nowadays. Its a reason I listen to Radio 2. On the flipside some kids who read about this might have the foresight to download 'Grace' and thus find out about decent music.

Buckley's version rose from 49 to 43 last week (Nov 30) in the charts. Facebook groups are trying to help sales but sadly I reckon some flash in the pan muppet will have that at Christmas time thus to the annoyance of people who have taste and souring a great song.

Last Goodbye

Coldplay are copycats

Coldplay have been accused by Grammy award winning guitarist Joe Satriani of copying his song 'If I Could Fly' for their song 'Viva La Vida'.

However, speaking for the first time about the case, the guitarist insists he did not want his claims to come to court, but that Coldplay ignored him.

"Everybody assumes I'm trying to go after these guys in Coldplay, as if I'm doing this with malice, that's the furthest thing from my mind. I'm just doing what I need to do as an artist, to protect what's mine, to protect those feelings I put down in song," he told Musicradar.com.

"I did everything I could to avoid a court case with this situation. But Coldplay didn't want to talk about it. They just wanted this whole thing to go away. Maybe they figured this little guitar player guy will leave them alone after a while, I don't know. But we're talking about a piece of art that I created, and that's something I feel is important. I think everybody should feel that way."

Satriani said he recognised his work in Coldplay's single the moment he first heard the song.

"I felt like a dagger went right through my heart. It hurt so much," he said. "The second I heard it, I knew it was [my own] 'If I Could Fly'.

"Almost immediately, from the minute their song came out, my e-mail box flooded with people going, 'Have you heard this song by Coldplay? They ripped you off man.' I mean, I couldn't tell you how many e-mails I received. Everybody noticed the similarities between the songs. It's pretty obvious."

Coldplay have yet to respond to the guitarist's allegations.

Make your own mind up here

No New RAGE according to Tom Morello

Guitarist ends speculation of a new album from the reunited band

Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello has said the band have no plans to record a new album together.

Rumours of new material from the band have been circulating since they reformed to play California's Coachella festival in April 2007.

Morello told Billboard that he feels there isn't enough time for the band to record new material together.

"There are no plans for that [recording new material]," he said. "We've had a wonderful year and a half of playing shows, and I don't see any reason to not play more shows. The thing is, there's only so many hours in the musical day, and mine are very occupied right now."

Morello also said that his Nightwatchmen project takes priority over Rage, calling it his "principal musical focus, as I see it, for the remainder of my life".

The guitarist has released two albums under the alias, including 2008's 'The Fabled City'.

Its a shame, but I saw these mothafuckas live at Reading at last so I'm happy.

Rage Against the Machine - Killing in the Name Of

Bob Dylan announces UK tour

The legendary singer-songwriter returns to Britain in April and May to play a series of dates.

He plays:

Sheffield Arena (April 24)
London 02 Arena (25)
Cardiff International Arena (28)
Birmingham NIA (29)
Liverpool Echo Arena (May 1)
Glasgow SECC (2)
Edinburgh Playhouse (3)

Hurricane

Grandmaster Flash to release first album in 20 years

Grandmaster Flash, who clearly got away with some dodgy costumes because he was one of the 'pioneers' of Hip Hop is releasing a new album featuring a lot of current Hip Hop heavyweights.

The legendary DJ and producer releases 'The Bridge: Concept Of A Culture' on February 23. Flash is joined on the album by guests including Q-Tip, Busta Rhymes & Snoop Dogg.

It's the star's first brand new record since 1988's 'On The Strength'.

The tracklisting for 'The Bridge: Concept Of A Culture' is:

'Welcome'
'Shine All Day' Feat. Q-Tip, Jumz & Kel Spencer & Jumz
'We Speak Hip Hop' Feat. Afasi, Kase-O, Maccho, Abass & Krs-One
'Here Comes My DJ' Feat. DJ Kool & DJ Demo
'Bounce Back' Feat. Busta Rhymes
'Swagger' Feat. Red Café, Snoop Dogg & Lynn Carter
'What If' Feat. Krs-One
'Unanswered' (Interlude)
'Tribute To The Breakdancer' Feat. MC Supernatural
'Grown & Sexy' Feat. Mr Cheeks
'When I Get There' Feat. Big Daddy Kane & Hedonis Da Amazon
'Connection' (Interlude)
'I Got Sumthin' To Say' Feat. Lordikim Allah, J-Flo & Almighty Thor
'Can I Take You Higher' Feat. Mr Cheeks, Grandmaster Caz & Tito
'Unpredictable' Feat. Syndee & Big Daddy Kane
'Those Chix' Feat. Byata, Princess Superstar & Hedonis Da Amazon
'Bronx Bombers' Feat. Lordikim Allah, Almighty Thor & Mann Child
'Zuka The Sound' (Interlude)
'Oh Man' Feat. Syndee & Natacha Atlas

It pains me to say it but judging by how shit every other once-great hip hop artists' new albums have been over the last couple of years, this is likely to be bloody awful.

THE MAC ARE BACK!!! (only in the US)

Fleetwood Mac are set to embark on their first concert tour in five years, and this time it's a greatest hits outing.

The band will kick off the 'Unleashed' tour in Pittsburgh, PA on March 1, and will be performing their biggest hits from a career which has now spanned 41 years.

Tickets for the tour go on sale to the public on December 15 at livenation.com and ticketmaster.com.

American Express card members will have early access to tickets from December 8 at 10am local time through to December 14 at 10am at ticketmaster.com, excluding Uncasville, Ottawa and Montreal. American Express presale tickets for the Albany, NY show are available at tickets.com.

Meanwhile, the band’s classic album 'Rumours', which has sold over 10 million copies, will be re-released as part of a special CD/DVD boxed set early in 2009. It will include previously unreleased tracks recorded during the making of 'Rumours', as well as a DVD with never-before seen footage of the band.

The dates are:

Pittsburgh, PA Mellon Arena (March 1)
St. Paul, MN Xcel Energy Center (3)
Chicago, IL Allstate Arena (5)
Detroit, MI Palace of Auburn Hills (8)
Washington, DC Verizon Center (10)
Boston, MA TD Banknorth Arena (11)
Uniondale, NY Nassau Coliseum (13)
Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena (14)
Rochester, NY Blue Cross Arena (16)
Albany, NY Times Union Center (17)
New York, NY Madison Square Garden (19)
East Rutherford, NJ Izod Center (21)
Ottawa, ONScotiabank Place (24)
Montreal, QC Bell Centre (25)
Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre (26)

Go Your Own Way

Guns N' Roses sulking about Dr Pepper Debacle

Drinks company Dr Pepper has responded to a letter from Guns N' Roses lawyer last week that demanded an apology for the free drinks promotion intended to celebrate the release of ‘Chinese Democracy’.

“We are disappointed that Gn’R’s lawyers are turning a fun giveaway into a legal dispute,” the group said in a statement according to Rolling Stone. “We simply commented on the delayed release of ‘Chinese Democracy’ and openly encouraged the band to release it before the end of the year. Axl even expressed support for our efforts earlier in the year.”

As previously reported, Dr Pepper a free drink to everyone in America if the album came out in 2008, but the overwhelming response in the 24-hours after the offer launched crashed the company’s website and many fans were unable to download the coupon to avail of the free soda.

However, the company then extended the offer online as well as adding a toll-free phone number.

“This was one of the largest responses we have ever received for a giveaway” the statement continued “and we’re happy we were able to satisfy the thirst of so many Dr Pepper fans. We wish Guns N' Roses the best with their album.”

Last week, Axl Rose's lawyer Alan Gutman wrote to Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc's president and CEO Larry Young, accusing the company of operating an online redemption scheme that was an "unmitigated disaster which defrauded customers".

Gutman demanded that the company extended the period for the offer and called for full-page apologies in The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, USA Today and The Wall Street Journal.

UNKLE release new album this month

Christmas time, time for bands to get all their remixes and reworkings out the door so the cheques clear in time for a big snow holiday in April. Not excluding UNKLE.

atures classical reworkings of some of their existing songs plus two new efforts.

The album, 'End Titles... Redux', will feature seven reinterpreted songs from the dance duo's 2008 album 'End Titles... Stories for Film' plus the two new songs.

Around 3,000 copies of the album will be released on CD on December 15, while digital copies will be available to download from Unkle.com a day earlier (December 14).

The album will be performed live by The Heritage Orchestra on December 18 at the London Union Chapel.

Damon Albarn's 'Monkey: Journey To The West' to extend London run

Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett's successful opera 'Monkey: Journey To The West' has had its London residency extended.

The opera will now run until January 4 at the Meridian Gardens by the O2 Arena in London, with performances taking place throughout the Christmas period.

Written, conceived and directed by Chen Shi-Zheng, the opera is scored by Albarn and was designed by his Gorillaz bandmate - and renowned graffiti artist - Hewlett.

Here is a look at the show

Akon 'Fan Throwing' Trial Postponed

That annoying little cunt Akon's trial regarding the 'Fan Throwing' incident has been postponed until December 17th.

The rapper will have to face criminal charges in a trial stemming from an incident in which he threw a fan off a stage at a show last year.

The boy had heckled The singer at a concert at a baseball stadium in Fiskhill, NY in June 2007. Akon had him pulled onto stage by security and then hoisted the boy onto this shoulders and threw him into the crowd, where he landed on another concertgoer, who said she suffered concussion.

The star has pleaded not guilty to misdemeanour charges of endangering the welfare of a minor and second-degree harassment.

Watch the fuckwit throw a fan here

If you get one folk inspired Aids charity compilation in 2009, get this one

Arcade Fire, TV on the Radio, Bon Iver, Grizzly Bear and Cat Power have contributed towards a new album to be released for the 'Red Hot' Aids charity.

The album, 'Dark Was The Night', will be released on February 16, with profits going to Red Hot – which raises money and awareness to combat AIDS worldwide. The album will feature a rare Arcade Fire song, 'When Lenin Was Little', while TV on the Radios Dave Sitek has covered ' 'A Girl Like You' for the album.

Artists who have contributed to the folk lead album are as follows (It looks very good!)

Andrew Bird
Antony + Bryce Dessner
Arcade Fire
Beach House
Beirut
Blonde Redhead + Devastations
Bon Iver
Bon Iver & Aaron Dessner
The Books featuring Jose Gonzalez
Buck 65 Remix (featuring Sufjan Stevens and Serengeti)
Cat Power and Dirty Delta Blues
The Decemberists
Dirty Projectors + David Byrne
Kevin Drew
Feist + Ben Gibbard
Grizzly Bear
Grizzly Bear + Feist
Iron & Wine
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings
Kronos Quartet
Stuart Murdoch
My Brightest Diamond
My Morning Jacket
The National
The New Pornographers
Conor Oberst & Gillian Welch
Riceboy Sleeps
Dave Sitek (TV On The Radio)
Spoon
Sufjan Stevens
Yeasayer
Yo La Tengo

Arcade Fire & Bowie - Wake Up

The Specials re-unite for 2009 tour

The legendary ska band have announced they are getting back together to play a series of UK gigs next April. Frontman Terry Hall said that the band were playing in 2009 to celebrate their significant birthday.

"It's the right time to do it [reunite] - we talked about it at 25 but we weren't together enough. Now we're all getting on and it feels comfortable again," he said.

Original members of the band including Hall, Neville Staple, Sir Horace Gentleman, Roddy Radiation, Lynval Golding and John Bradbury are all confirmed to play the gigs.

Tickets for the tour go on sale at 9am (GMT) on December 11.

The Specials will play the following dates:

Newcastle Academy (April 22)
Sheffield Academy (23)
Birmingham Academy (25, 26)
Glasgow Academy (28)
Manchester Apollo (May 3)
London Brixton Academy (6, 7)


The Specials - Gangsters

Bloc Party - New Single 'One Month Off'