Search Results for: GOLD

Even though the RIAA continues to go after Internet file-sharers, millions of music fans keep downloading songs. Naturally, this hurts album sales, which were down around 12 percent for the first half of 2003. To try to convince people to actually buy albums again, record companies have offered value-added packaging such as the ever-popular bonus DVD, which typically contains backstage footage, exclusive interviews, videos and maybe a live recording or two. But adding a DVD can be costly. Labels typically pay between one and two dollars per extra disc, which means as much as an additional $2 million for an… Read more »

After more than two decades as a pro, Tony Hawk is hanging up his board. The 35-year-old father of three announced his retirement from competition after winning the gold at X Games IX on Sunday in Los Angeles. Hawk placed first in the Vert Best Trick competition with his patented 900, a full two-and-a-half-rotation spin off the half-pipe. Fans of the skateboarding legend won’t be completely devoid of their idol, however. Hawk said he would still participate in his annual Boom Boom HuckJam skateboard/BMX/motocross tour, which begins its 30-date run October 2 in Vancouver, British Columbia, according to a tour… Read more »

Now that the unfortunately dubbed SARSstock is finally over and done with, Ontarians have another “stock” to look forward to: Wakestock. Wakestock, held each year at Wasaga Beach (which, for those of you not in the know, is the world’s longest freshwater beach), is a huge four-day festival of boarding, bands, bikinis and beaches. While the main attraction of Wakestock is the World Cup Wakeboarding competition, the bands the organizers have booked aren’t too shoddy either. Ska-punk veterans Goldfinger will be headlining the musical portion of the festival. They’ll play a special on-site concert with Vancouver punk faves Gob on… Read more »

Headbanging riffs prevail on Marilyn Manson’s “The Golden Age of Grotesque.” “Use Your Fist and Not Your Mouth,” and “mOBSCENE,” with its taunting cheerleader chants, carry a heavyweight sound of bludgeoning rhythms and chainsaw guitars. Perhaps most engaging is the title track, a trawling hummer of a bummer; it’s melodramatic vaudevillian style recalls Pink Floyd’s personal crises of “The Wall” and fades with a chorus similar to Iggy Pop’s “Passenger” as it celebrates an age where the profane is profitable.

The debut album from Montreal pop-punk band Simple Plan has been certified gold this week in the U.S. “No Pads, No Helmets?Just Balls” has sold more than 500,000 copies since its release last year on Lava Records. This year, the band has reached international fame, playing on 5 continents and performing over 300 shows. They’ve already gone gold in Canada and Japan. But there’s no slowing down in sight for Pierre Bouvier (vocals); Chuck Comeau (drums); David Desrosiers (bass, vocals); Sebastien Lefebvre (guitar, vocals) and Jeff Stinco (guitar). Simple Plan will play some dates on the Warped Tour and Avril… Read more »

A Wisconsin senator took aim at radio and concert-promotion giants on Thursday with legislation that seeks to curb alleged anti-competitive practices in the recently deregulated industries. Pointing to a decline in local ownership of radio stations, escalating ticket prices, and strong-arm promotion tactics, Democratic Sen. Russell Feingold said his bill would rein in the worst abuses of an industry that has undergone rapid consolidation since ownership caps were relaxed in 1996. “I think it is time for Congress to make a strong statement on this,” Feingold said. The 1996 Telecommunications ( news – external web site) Act eased restrictions on… Read more »

Leave it to Austin Powers to have two leading ladies, and two fine ones at that. Britney Spears and Beyoncé Knowles will release the leadoff singles from the Austin Powers in Goldmember soundtrack, with Knowles’ “Work It Out” dropping shortly before Spears’ “Boys,” which was remixed by Pharrell Williams of the Neptunes, who produced the original version. Knowles’ up-tempo “Work It Out,” which was also produced by the Neptunes, will premiere Thursday (May 23) on AOL.com. The Destiny’s Child singer will shoot a video for the song in New York in early June. “Work It Out” will also be the… Read more »

Sex PistolsThe Sex Pistols have pulled the plug on a planned gig for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee celebrations in London in June, according to Reuters. “They simply did not want to play that weekend and it will not go ahead,” said John Giddings, managing director of London-based music promotions company Solo, which is organizing the event, as quoted by Reuters. Instead, plans are in the works for the Sex Pistols to get together for another gig, possibly at London’s Crystal Palace National Sports Stadium on July 21, although nothing had been confirmed at press time. Over 2 million people have… Read more »

Jimmy Eat World, Lil’ Romeo, and Adema were among the seven artists who received their first gold records from the Recording Industry Association of America in March. On the rock front, self-titled albums by Jimmy Eat World, Adema, and G. Love & Special Sauce and Default’s The Fallout reached the 500,000 mark. On the urban tip, R&B artist Keke Wyatt’s Soul Sista and pint-size rapper Lil’ Romeo’s self-titled debut met the half-million milestone, as did country singer-songwriter Chris Cagle’s Play It Loud. Jaheim was the only artist to score a first-time platinum award (for sales of 1 million) in March… Read more »

Not only did Brit-rockers Bush change the name of their current single “Speed Kills” to “The People That We Love” in wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the U.S., the band also scrapped the planned cover art for their new album, Golden State, which was released this week. Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale said that such changes were necessary. “We had a great cover plan, which was this plane,” he says. “It was a silhouette of a plane, which is so inappropriate now, and of course it would be a horrendous cover to have. But prior to those attacks,… Read more »