Search Results for: christmas

The Used, from Orem, Utah, have become a musical phenomenon in short order since the release of their self-titled debut album last summer. The band’s honest and straightforward approach to their music and lives has captivated an audience worldwide. Now, more than a year into living on the road and performing their music with reckless abandon and extreme passion, The Used have decide to give a little back to their fans in appreciation of all that they have done for them. That gift is a heartfelt, behind the scenes telling of their story, as they say, “with nothing to hide”… Read more »

In a pop-punk field increasingly populated with interchangeable sound-alike bands, Good Charlotte has made a bid to break away from the pack with its second CD, “The Young & the Hopeless.” Lead singer Joel Madden, who along with twin brother Benj writes the group’s songs, credits Eric Valentine, the producer of “The Young & the Hopeless,” with helping to expand the group’s musical horizons. “He challenged me to write different songs than just a bunch of songs that were kind of the same thing,” Joel Madden said. “He was like, ‘Why don’t you try writing some songs that you wouldn’t… Read more »

As if a live CD of every show on their current tour weren’t enough, Pearl Jam have begun selling a live DVD of a December club gig at the Showbox Theater in Seattle. “Live at the Showbox” is available only on the band’s official Web site and at their concerts and features the full set from a December 6 warm-up for the band’s current world tour. Though it does not have any bonus features, the live disc differs from the group’s extras-laden “Touring Band 2000” DVD thanks to the intimate setting in the 1,000-plus capacity theater. The new DVD boasts… Read more »

New Jersey-based artist Pat DiNizio, lead singer/songwriter of the Smithereens, has founded Patrons & Artists Together, a boutique entertainment partnership meant to fund his recording and touring projects and reward participants with a unique music experience, as well as provide free music via the Internet. Limited to 100 subscribers at a cost of $1,200 each, the program offers CD releases that will not be available through conventional channels, private concerts, and more. In a statement, DiNizio describes Patrons & Artists Together business model as “a ‘vision quest’ in which an artist partners up with his or her audience to make… Read more »

Skechers has filed a countersuit against Britney Spears, claiming fraud and breach of contract. The footwear company alleges the pop singer delayed decisions relating to product designs and advertising for Britney 4 Wheelers roller skates and apparel. A Skechers representative says they were “continuously shut down, rejected and ignored.” The complaint says Spears fraudulently induced Skechers into sponsoring her tour as a condition of getting the merchandise license. Spears filed her own suit against Skechers just before Christmas, claiming Skechers ran ads with her picture before her line of skates was available, which caused her to miss out on lucrative… Read more »

EMI Group, home to stars from the Rolling Stones to Norah Jones, came under more pressure to find a suitor on Wednesday after its debt was slashed to “junk,” sending its shares to their lowest level in more than 10 years. EMI, the world’s third-largest music company, saw its stock slump 13 percent after Moody’s slashed its debt below investment grade late on Tuesday on concerns about the weak outlook for the music industry, stoking fears about the group’s profits and dividend. Faced with an increasingly gloomy outlook, EMI has been in talks in recent months with two rivals –… Read more »

British pop singer George Michael, who has spoken out against a possible war on Iraq, has criticized plans by Lee Ryan of British boy band Blue to gather pop stars to record a protest song. Ryan said last week he hoped to approach stars such as Justin Timberlake, Pink and Kylie Minogue for a song in the spirit of Band Aid, the 1984 record to aid Ethiopian famine relief. But Michael, 39, said the prospective participants were too young and politically naive to carry it off. “I’m begging, I’m hoping that there will not be a Band Aid 2 because… Read more »

Britain’s latest manufactured pop groups were forced to hold back their tears Wednesday after promoters canceled their debut 11-night “Popstars” tour. Boy band One True Voice and their chart-topping female rivals Girls Aloud had been due to begin the two weeks of arena concerts on March 1. Concert promoter Triple A Entertainments and Granada, the producers of the “Popstars” television show, both declined to comment on why the tour was canceled. Media reports suggested tickets had not been selling, but a spokeswoman for the London Arena, where the bands were due to play on March 3, said ticket sales had… Read more »

Skechers USA, maker of trendy boots, sneakers, roller skates and other footwear, is fuming mad at pop star Britney Spears, who filed a $1.5 million lawsuit against the company last Christmas. So Skechers is volleying back a multimillion-dollar countersuit within the next two months. The mess all started when Britney accused Skechers of failing to properly promote her line of roller skates and other products. The footwear company says it was actually Britney who skated out on the three-year deal, leaving Skechers’ wheels spinning. “We did not get any value out of the money we gave her,” Skechers attorney Daniel… Read more »

That stunned silence you’re hearing from across the pond might just be the sound of British pop fans’ speechless reaction after turning on their televisions and seeing Justin Timberlake jamming with the Flaming Lips. In another sign of their “anything goes” spirit, the Oklahoma psychedelic rockers invited the ‘NSYNC heartthrob to sit in on bass with them during a “Top of the Pops” performance of the title track from their recent album, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots. The segment, taped Thursday afternoon and slated to run Friday evening (January 24) in England, came about when Timberlake and Lips leader Wayne… Read more »