Right back at ya Noel

Noel Gallagher of Oasis admitted in a BBC Radio 1 interview that the title for the latest Oasis album Dig Out Your Soul  did not come from his brain, but from someone else’s who shall remain nameless.

Noel explained: “I couldn’t think of any ideas and then somebody had just taken bits of the lyrics out and ‘Dig Out Your Soul’ was what came up.

‘Dig Out Your Soul’ is not the best one but it was the best title on a day when we had to choose one. Originally it was going to be called ‘Bag It Up’ and then it was going to be called ‘Shock of the Lightning’ and then it was going to be called ‘Standing On The Edge Of The Noise’.” 

Out of those choices, it definitely sounds like Dig Out Your Soul was the clear winner.

Noel went on to explain: “I was like, ‘You know what? Titles become themselves.’ ‘Definitely Maybe’ isn’t a great title but if the album is good enough it’ll become itself.”

Ah, definitely. Or, maybe.

When Noel agreed to join Oasis at the band’s conception it was under the condition that he would call all the shots. Maybe Noel allowing someone else to name the album is a sign that he is mellowing with age. Hopefully he has begun to embrace the great all powerful rock ‘n roll holy spirit that knows no hierarchies in the anarchic spirit of Sid Vicious.

Sid Vicious

Definitely.  Maybe.

Oasis are definitely on tour. Get your Oasis tickets here before they are gone.

Nothing like a shower of bubbly

Heikki Kovalainen was covered in the sweet victory of bubbly at the end of the Hungarian Grand Prix after teammate Lewis Hamilton suffered tyre problems and race leader Felipe Massa bit the dust with only three laps to go before his engine failed.
 
The fifth place for Hamilton meant that his hopes of extending his world championship points were wrecked, but Hamilton was gallant about it all:

“Congratulations to my team-mate on his deserved first grand prix victory. It was nowhere near as bad as it could have been as we could have had Kimi and Felipe [ahead of us]. The race could have been better for me. My start was OK but Felipe’s was better and he managed to overtake me. My lap times were good and I kept the gap slightly small. With our strategy we still had the chance to pass him but the damaged tyre destroyed my race. I don’t know why it happened but at least I scored some points, so the result was not too bad for me.”

The tyre was reportedly damaged when it grazed a sidewall.

The temperature outside rose at one point to 45 degrees whilst Brazilian Felipe Massa took the lead from Hamilton in a flawless display of driving skill, until his engine died.

Timo Glock was in the race after a nasty crash in Hockenheim a fortnight earlier that saw him leave in an ambulance. A few days later Glock was back. Glock drove brilliantly and finished second in the Hungarian Grand Prix. Glock explained:

“It is just unbelievable after the race in Hockenheim and the big crash. I could not believe it when I saw Felipe’s engine go and I was second. I was under pressure from Kimi, with soft tyres and I was struggling quite a lot. We knew since Friday that the soft tyres would be difficult. I had a really good car. It was perfect until the last stint. Unbelievable, in my first year.”

Noel Gallagher was on BBC Radio 1 to promote the Oasis tour and set Chris Moyles straight on a few things:

“The Monkees haven’t split up, they’re just going under the name of the Kaiser Chiefs. I did drugs for 18 years and I never got that bad as to say, ‘You know what? I think the Kaiser Chiefs are brilliant.’” 

Gallagher is also not impressed by Mark Ronson, saying of the musician and producer:

“He [Ronson] wants to write his own tunes instead of ruining everyone else’s. Mark Ronson needs to learn three chords on the guitar and write a tune,” the Oasis front man added.

Gallagher also called Amy Winehouse a “destitute horse”, which is a bit rich coming from a man who is not aging well and whose face is beginning to look like a prune infested by two hairy, bleached out caterpillars. Not to mention the fact that Amy winehouse can really sing. C’mon Noel, where is the love?

Noel, you are blind. Amy is no destitute horse.

 “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. If you start to break it then people aren’t going to go.  I’m sorry, but Jay-Z? No chance. Glastonbury has a tradition of guitar music and even when they throw the odd curve ball in on a Sunday night you go ‘Kylie Minogue?’ I don’t know about it. But I’m not having hip-hop at Glastonbury. It’s wrong.”

Jay-Z ended up headlining the Glastonbury festival, and in an historic Glastonbury moment covered Oasis tune Wonderwall , singing his version of the Oasis hit to a massive adoring crowd who cheered and sang along. Jay-Z is so enamoured with the Wonderwall cover he has decided to work on the tune some more and possibly add it to an album.

We shall see what Noel Gallagher has to say about that. Get your Oasis tour tickets here.

Happy Birthday Madonna

Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone turned 50 on Saturday. The firey Leo shares her star sign with other famous people in history such as Napoleon Bonaparte (August 15, 1769), the Italian dictator, Benito Mussolini (July 29, 1883), President Castro of Cuba, Robert Redford (August 18,1936),  Jennifer Lopez, and the songwriter and frontman of the Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger (July 26,1947).

Map of the Heavens, Planets, Astrological Chart, Horoscope for Madonna
Born August 16, 1958 at 7:05 AM in Bay City (MI) (USA)
Sun in 23°07 Leo, Ascendant in 8°15 Virgo,
Moon in 11°33 Virgo, MC in 3°44 Gemini
Chinese Astrology: Earth Dog
Numerology: Birthpath 11
Height: Madonna is 5′ 4½” tall (1m64)

What does Madonna’s star sign and natal chart say about the Queen of Pop?

Madonna has a triple conjunction of planets on the ascendant which she shares with Mick Jagger. This conjunction indicates her raw sexual energy. Madonna certainly has plenty of that. Madonna’s Like a Virgin was anything but. Madonna performed Like a Virgin at the first MTV Video Music Awards, wearing her infamous “Boy Toy” belt. In July of 1985 Playboy magazine published black and white nude photos taken of Madonna in the 1970s.

Madonna on her Playboy shoot: The Material Girl never leaves home without her shoes and hand bag

Madonna was also part of a venture that produced a book called Sex with sexually provocative and explicit images photographed by Steven Miesel. After that Madonna released her fifth studio album Erotica featuring songs with sexually explicit lyrics. Madonna also appeared in the erotic thriller Body of Evidence which was riddled with S&M and bondage scenes. I think we can safely say that Madonna is positively exploding with raw sexual energy. If you still have doubts, get tickets to Madonna’s Sticky & Sweet tour where fans have been treated to Madonna grinding up against Britney Spears in a sexual dance that leaves absolutely nothing to the imagination. Remember the infamous snog between Britney and Madonna? We can add that to the list of Madonna’s raw sexual energy.

Neptune and Jupiter are very close to the cusp in Madonna’s natal chart which suggests riches to be gained from singing and music. Well, that is a no brainer. Madonna’s net worth is an estimated £400 million. Madonna is the best selling female artist of the 20th century and the second top-selling female artist in the U.S. The Guinness World Records lists Madonna as the world’s most successful female recording artist of all time and the top-earning female singer.

Madonna’s Virgo moon and Virgo ascendant make her both Like a Virgin and a Material Girl.

Maybe Madonna will get a birthday kiss from Britney?

Happy Birthday Madonna! We wish you a Sticky & Sweet day on your 50th! Get your Madonna Sticky & Sweet tickets here.

Oasis is on tour

Yes, it is true. Oasis has embarked on a major UK Arena Tour that will kick off in Liverpool on October 7th, the day after their latest album Dig Out Your Soul is released. Oasis will be on the road for an entire month, playing 18 shows across the U.K. This is the second leg of Oasis’ 14 month world tour.

Oasis took on the world in 1994, hailed by some as the new Beatles, taking British pop back to the top of the worldwide charts. Oasis was formed by singer and frontman Liam Gallagher, Paul Arthurs on guitar, Paul McGuigan on bass and Tony McCarroll on drums. The band was soon joined by Liam’s older brother Noel Gallagher who steppedinto the lead guitar and lead vocals shoes. Oasis have sold more than 50 million records worldwide. The band has eight UK number-one singles, 15 NME Awards, 5 Brit Awards and 9 Q awards. The Gallagher brothers are the band’s leading songwriters and the only members who have been there from the beginning. The present band includes Gem Archer and Andy Bell, as well as unofficial drummer Chris Sharrock.

Oasis harkened back to the raw revolutionary energy of the Rolling Stones and the Who fused with sweet and melodic Beatles sounds and that anarchic devil may care, destroy all to create the world anew Sex Pistol’s paradigm. With deafening guitar roars and a cheeky defiant attitude Oasis is infamous for their cocksure arrogance.

Oasis began in its conception as a band formed by schoolmates Liam Gallagher, Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs, Paul McGuigan, and Tony McCaroll. Noel Gallagher wasn’t there at the outset as he was hired as the guitar technician for a band called Inspiral Carpets which had been inspired by the Stone Roses. When Noel Gallagher returned to Manchester he found that his brother had started up a band and said that he would be a part of it if he could have total control over the group. The band agreed to Noel’s terms and Oasis was born.

Noel Gallagher’s songs reflect this fusion of rock ‘n roll influences. Gallagher reworks hits like “Cigarettes and Alcohol” and has borrowed the riff from “Bang a Gong” by T. Rex. Gallagher has also used parts of Wham’s “Fade Away” and “Freedom”, putting the hooks on different settings and tweaking the sounds. 
Here are just a few quotes from Liam Gallagher:

“Lennon was right. And we are bigger than Jesus. We will be as big as the Beatles, if not bigger.”

“I will always be an oasis.”

“I am Oasis and I should get more fuc*ing money. This is madness. We earn loads of it and I want more.”

“I suppose I do get sad, but not for too long. I just look in the mirror and go, ‘What a f***ing good-looking f*** you are.’ And then I brighten up.”

“There’s Elvis and me. I couldn’t say which of the two is best.”

Elvis?

 Oasis released their first single “Supersonic” in the spring of 1994, but it was with “Shakermaker” adapted from the song “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing” (the song featured in a famous Coca-cola advert) that the UK stood up and took notice of the band that was to become the legendary Oasis. Oasis struck black gold with first album, Definitely Maybe, which became the fastest selling debut album in British history, beating out the Beatles. Thus the beginning of Oasis mania. Let’s not forget Wonderwall. Get your Oasis tickets now before they are ancient history.

or Liam?

Hartnett hits the West End

Fans of Josh Hartnett, the Hollywood actor whose film credits include Pearl Harbor, Black Hawk Down, 30 Days of Night, Virgin Suicides, The Black Dahlia and Lucky Number Slevin have been trawling the West End in hopes that they will get a glimpse or even a shot of the fit Hollywood actor in the flesh. Hartnett is currently rehearsing for the role of Charlie Babbitt in the stage adaptation of Rain Man that will debut at the Apollo Theatre on the 9th of September.

The role of Hartnett’s autistic brother – which earned Dustin Hoffman an Academy Award for Best Actor – will be played by British thespian Adam Godley whose film credits include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Love Actually.

Hartnett was last sighted at Soho House and drew comparisons to Johnny Depp with his retro black framed glasses and check shirt. The press has inevitably been comparing Hartnett to Tom Cruise, as he will be interpreting the same character Cruise played in the Oscar winning film.

Josh Hartnett told the BBC: “It has always been my intent to work on the London stage,” and that after he had read the script he knew he wanted to play the “complex and charismatic character” of Charlie Babbitt.

Josh Hartnett has also been busy in Hollywood. Harnett plays a dot-com entrepreneur who, in one scene from the trailer below of his recent film with David Bowie called August, insists that the new internet phenomenon will increase freedom and choice.

Harnett has recently been linked with Rihanna who rubbished claims that they were snogging when they met at the New York club Pink Elephant. Rihanna told Allure magazine: “This is what really happened. He [Hartnett] and my management, they have each other’s contact information. I went to Pink Elephant, and he came by. All of a sudden, the next day, I’m seeing that we were kissing and hugging up each other.”  

Rihanna went on to explain: “You can’t even go out with a friend who’s a celebrity and have a good time without people making [bleep] up. Well, at least he’s good-looking, right?”

Right. Many women would agree with Rihanna. Hartnett has been nick named Hotnett by throngs of fans blogging about the Hollywood hunk.

After rubbishing claims of snogging Hartnett in Allure Rihanna told the press: “He [Hartnett]  is so hot and he is really sweet to me, she told reporters at the World Music Awards in Monte Carlo. “When we hang out it feels right – even though it’s pretty new. I would be lying if I told you we were not more than just friends… I have so fallen for him, he’s lovely.”

Hartnett and Rihanna are pals

This statement has utterly baffled Hartnett followers who recalled that in a recent interview after the Rihanna declaration that she and Hartnett were an item, Hartnett had stated that he had been dating his current girlfriend for a year. Whilst filming 30 Days of Night Hartnett caught the teenage kissing disease mono and explained: “Apparently I haven’t kissed enough people as I’ve been with the same girl for a year, so I don’t even want to know.”

Hartnett has also been linked to Hollywood actress Kirsten Dunst who broke up with rocker Johnny Borell.

Hartnett is currently the spokesmodel for Emporio Armani aftershave Diamonds for men.

Tickets for Rain Man with Hartnett are expected to be in high demand. Secure yours now to be there and see Hartnett in the flesh

George in the face of a big hairy monster

George Michael is on his game. It’s been a year and the x-Wham! superstar is back on tour and has managed to stay out of the headlines for “stupid” drug possession charges and has reportedly signed a multi-million-pound contract with HarperCollins to write a “no-holds-barred” autobiography which he is to write “entirely himself”.

Fans attending George Michael’s concerts have been raving about his talent and blogging up a virtual storm filled with love, lust and admiration for the pop superstar. After his concert in Dallas fans wrote thousands of comments such as the ones below:

“What an amazing concert! My husband and I went last night and felt completely justified in spending $145 per ticket. George was so gracious and appreciative of his fans, and he gave such a heartfelt, energetic, and talented performance. His voice still has amazing range, and he looked like he was thoroughly enjoying himself.”

“HOLY COW!! Let me tell you, my husband and I were pleasantly surprised. George had the whole place on their feet!! I missed the song “Monkey” and the other songs mentioned too, but this concert sooooo was worth it. Oh and my husband would like say say thank you for the Dita Von Teese strip tease video. kee kee kee”

Dita von Teese enjoys a bit of bubbly

And this is the tip of the iceberg of praise for George Michael. The man still has it. Even when George was grappling with drug charges he maintained his sense of humour and remained gracious throughout stating:

“It’s my own stupid fault, as usual. I was in possession of class C drugs, which is an offence, and I have no complaints about the police, who were professional throughout.”

In reference to his song “Outside,” which was inspired by a 1998 arrest for engaging in a “lewd act” in a Los Angeles public toilet, Michael jokingly added, “I promise I won’t make a record out of this one – even though it’s tempting.”

The singer later stated: “That’s the second time in a year I’ve been caught with one unused spliff in the car. I had no drink or drugs in my body. I haven’t got a problem with drugs.”

After Michael was charged for possession of marijuana he spoke outside of the courtroom and accepted responsibility for his crime but branded the “media coverage of this trial farcical.” In true George Michael form he added, “I’m glad to put this behind me and am now off to play the biggest show of my life at Wembley.”

Nothing can keep a good man down.

Long live King George

George Michael began his musical career in a ska band called The Executive with his best friends Andrew Ridgeley, Paul Ridgeley, Andrew Leaver, and David Mortimer (aka David Austin).

In 1981 he and Andrew Ridgley formed Wham! The next year the band’s first album shot to no. 1 in the charts. The talent, charisma and energy of Wham! spread like wild fire around the globe and catapulted the band to instant international super stardom.

George Michael decided that he needed to experiment and go off on solo career. In early 1987, Michael recorded a duet with soul music icon Aretha Franklin called “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)“. The duet was a one-off project that helped Michael achieve his ambition of singing with one of his favourite artists. The song reached number one on both the UK Singles Chart and the Billboard Hot 100 upon its release. 

In the autumn of 1987 Michael launched his explosive first solo album, Faith. The single “I Want Your Sex” from the album was heavily censored and not aired on many radio stations, which only increased the incredible buzz and hysteria surrounding the album.

George Michael responded to the media circus by stating that the sex act was a beautiful thing if it was monogamous. He even recorded a brief prologue for the video in which he said: “This song is not about casual sex.” One of the racier scenes the media attacked involved Michael writing the words “explore monogamy” on his partner’s back in lipstick.

Faith  reached Diamond certification by the RIAA for sales of 10 million copies in the US. To date, global sales of Faith are more than 20 million units.

 In 1991 George Michael sang a duet with Elton John that the latter had written in 1974 entitled “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” which reached the no. 1 on the UK singles chart and on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was the only no.1 single at that time to be recorded at an outdoors venue. Proceeds from the single were divided among 10 different charities for children, AIDS, and education.

George is currently supporting a campaign to help raise US$32 million (GBP15 million) for terminally ill children.

 We can not wait for George Michael’s juicy tell-all autobiography to fill in all the gaps of his extraordinary life. George Michael is the man. Long live King George.

Buy and sell George Michael concert tickets here.

Avril Lavigne is all loved up

Nettwerk Management, a label and music management firm based in Vancouver, British Columbia has found a way to make money for artists on YouTube and has raked in £1 million for Avril Lavigne’s video Girlfriend in just one year. This hefty sum is for Avril Lavigne’s own pocket as it is what is left over after YouTube has taken its cut.

A year go Nettwerk Management uploaded Lavigne’s official video Girlfriend to YouTube and began a fan campaign to drive fans to the site. The video received 100 millions hits from around the world. On the page views for Girlfriend are ad views and this is where Nettwork Management has found its pot of gold.

Nettwerk Management is a maverick enterprise in the mainstream music industry who was one of the first to abolish access control technologies used by hardware manufacturers, publishers and copyright holders to limit usage of digital media or devices. The label sells all of their music in an un-encrypted MP3 format, allowing fans to share their music.

In 2006 Nettwerk Management are champions in the movement to free music. The company offered to pay the legal fees of teenager David Gruebel who was slapped with a lawsuit by the Recording Industry Association of America for downloading music.

Nettwerk manages Dido, the Pipettes and Martha Wainwright as well as Avril Lavigne, and releases music by the likes of Sarah McLachlan, Ron Sexsmith and the Be Good Tanyas on their label.

Nettwerk Management has followed the rainbow of their imaginations and found the motherload of gold at the end of it. The company’s CEO Terry McBride explained to MusicTank: “We haven’t even given kids the choice to show us this tipping point yet … the profit margin in the digital space is about 300% that inside the physical space.” And it is not even the end for the Lavigne video. “We will start a Mandarin website with Mandarin ads and we will make a shitload of money, because 40% of her intellectual property value comes from Asia.”

Duh, I do!

Rock on Nettwerk. Finally someone has found a way to make big change out of YouTube. It appears to be the tip of the iceberg. One can only imagine where this idea will take YouTube video posters. Who wants to be a millionaire?