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Vertical Horizon re-entered the studio for two days recently to record a version of “I Believe In Father Christmas,” originally recorded by prog-rock heroes Emerson, Lake & Palmer. The song will appear on a holiday release being readied by BMG. The track was produced by John Shanks, who is also overseeing the band’s next album, Go, due early next year from RCA. The recording marks the first time that Vertical Horizon has recorded another artist’s tune. “It was a wonderful experience,” the band writes on its official website ( verticalhorizon.com). “We spend a great deal of time creating our own… Read more »

Bjork, N.E.R.D., Cee-Lo and the Hives are among the 10 finalists for this year’s Shortlist Prize, which celebrates acclaimed artists whose work has yet to reach widespread commercial success. Other finalists for the award, to be presented Oct. 29 in Los Angeles, are Aphex Twin, the Avalanches, DJ Shadow, Doves, the Flaming Lips and Zero 7. Last year, Icelandic band Sigur Ros took home the $10,000 first prize. “The Shortlist honors creative achievement across all genres of music, from the energetic punk of the Hives to the late-night grooves of Zero 7,” said co-founder Tom Sarig in a statement. “This… Read more »

Terrorism struck the United States on a Tuesday, the day labels release albums, and that day had its share of potential blockbusters: Jay-Z, Bob Dylan and Mariah Carey were among the artists who released records on September 11, 2001. The first anniversary of the attacks, by contrast, will pass quietly in the nation’s record stores, with no big-name releases hitting shelves this week and retailers predicting that new records will be the furthest thing from fans’ minds. “It just seems to be in bad taste,” said bassist Joe Escalante of veteran punk band the Vandals, who chose a September 17… Read more »

The classic rock world is once again organizing benefit concerts to help victims of Sept. 11. Styx singer Tommy Shaw came up with the idea for a benefit concert last year, and he said they had such a good time they wanted to do it again. There will be two concerts: one in East Rutherford, N.J., on Oct. 19, and another in Cleveland on Oct. 20. Other artists involved include Bad Company, Foreigner, REO Speedwagon, Sam Moore of Sam and Dave, Survivor, John Waite and Edgar Winter. Proceeds from the first show will go to the Port Authority Police World… Read more »

Hoobastank was one of the many bands on the road on September 11 last year. Bass player Markku Lappalainen and drummer Chris Hesse shared their experience, which mirrors that of many Americans, watching the horror unfold on television. The two musicians revealed about their memories of September 11. “St. Louis, that’s where we were and it was a very scary thing, ’cause Chris, Chris’s girlfriend called Chris, ‘Oh my God, turn on the TV,’ and we were in separate rooms and Chris came over, pounding on the door and I kind of woke up and I was like, ‘I’ve never… Read more »

For the past year, Piebald frontman Travis Shettel has been screaming for crowds almost every night, and when he’s not onstage he’s rarely lacking something to say. But now he’s got to keep his mouth shut for two weeks. The singer overexerted his voice while on tour, damaging his vocal cords. Last month he was diagnosed with a hematoma – a tumorlike collection of blood – that forced the band to cancel a couple of shows with Hey Mercedes. And though doctors felt that he was on the mend, his voice deteriorated. “When the tour ended, my voice didn’t feel… Read more »

The cameras were out for the final date of Eminem’s Anger Management tour on Sunday (September 8) at the Palace Of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. All of the performances by Eminem and his road partners were shot for a tour home video that should be released in the first quarter of 2003. An estimated 110 hours of behind-the-scenes footage was also shot during the tour and will be woven into the video. Eminem took advantage of the cameras and expanded his show for the occasion. Although he performed the same 70-minute setlist from the rest of the tour,… Read more »

The album ex-Beatle George Harrison recorded in the last months of his life as he fought a losing battle with cancer will be released in November, 10 days before the first anniversary of his death, his recording company said on Monday. “Brainwashed,” the first release of new solo material from the former lead guitarist for the Beatles since his 1987 album “Cloud Nine,” features 11 new Harrison compositions and one cover track. The record was produced by Harrison in collaboration with his son, Dhani, and longtime friend and fellow musician Jeff Lynne. “Before we started working on the album, George… Read more »

Singer Brian Littrell’s wife, actress Leighanne Wallace, has the couple’s baby on board. “We’re expecting a baby boy at the end of this year and we’re very excited,” the twosome said. The news comes almost exactly two years after Littrell, 27, and Wallace, 33, wed. (They celebrated their second anniversary on September 2.) “The only thing we have to deal with now is our puppies being jealous,” the couple added. “We’d like to thank the fans for all of their support and love.” Pending puppy problems notwithstanding, Littrell will become the first Backstreeter with his very own brood. His bandmate… Read more »

“American Idol” winner Kelly Clarkson may have the magic to put RCA Records back on top. All the major record labels are pulling out their big-gun releases for the fourth quarter in hopes of hitting some high numbers to make up for the year’s extreme sales dip. RCA has been struggling overall because of a weak release schedule. The label has thus far scored hits only with Dave Matthews Band’s “Busted Stuff,” which has sold more than 1.2 million units, and critically acclaimed postpunk band the Strokes, whose “Is This It” has passed the half-million mark. Clarkson’s two-sided single release,… Read more »