Billy Morrison, reporting for duty SAH!!! Checking in with the Modern Guitar tribe and letting you all know about a few things happening in my world over the coming months. And (completely non music or guitar related!), the first thing is that this weekend, I am appearing at the Fangoria Horror Convention at the LA Convention Center. It seems that I will be appearing on the Black Gate Films Panel (I have no idea what a panel is, but I?m on one!!) at 3.30 p.m. this Friday 25th May. Entry to the Convention for the day is $25 and the place is a nirvana for all Horror fans!! Plenty to see and do all day, films to be seen, blood to be spilt etc!! And the first screening of my last movie, Basement Jack happens the next day (Saturday) at 6.00 p.m., so if you wanna see yet another musician running around on screen trying to act, you know where to go!! Check out the pic of me in full zombie make up from my previous flick, Evilution…
Press release Source: Wiredset Neil DiamondTo the delight of his millions of fans, legendary singer, songwriter and performer Neil Diamond will return to concert stages this summer for a 37-city North America tour, promoted nationally by AEG Live. Tickets for…
Press release Source: VQPR Live in Sao Paulo is Richie Kotzens first-ever live album released. With much prompting from fans, Kotzen chose a stellar performance from his South American tour in 2007. Live in Sao Paulo is an absorbing collective…
The Daisy Rock Debutante Rock Candy guitar is designed specifically for young girls with a desire to learn to play the guitar. The fact that this particular model comes as part of an affordable and complete package is the icing on the cake to what is actually a very nice instrument. Though it makes sense to not spend too much money on an instrument for a youngster, the good thing about this inexpensive model is that quality hasn?t been substituted for an economical price tag. It?s adequately constructed in every way, and it comes with everything needed to get started. Read »
John 5′s latest solo project, Requiem, is set for a June 3 release on the 60 Cycle Hum label. Although known for his guitar work with Marilyn Manson, David Lee Roth, Rob Halford and Rob Zombie, Requiem is the guitarist’s fourth solo album and follows on the heels of 2007′s The Devil Knows My Name, which was voted Best Shred Album of the Year in the 2008 Guitar World readers’ poll. More »
- At least part of Roger Waters’ escaped Coachella pig appears to have been found by a couple who spotted “a glob of vinyl” in their driveway and almost threw it away before reading about the missing balloon.
- A federal judge in Arizona denied the motion filed by major record labels against Kazaa users, saying the labels must prove music was downloaded off of the service and not simply made available.
- A man was charged with murder in a shooting that took place after a party for Dr. Dre biographers earlier this month.
- Supermodel Agyness Deyn has made her musical debut by recording vocals for an upcoming track by indie group Five O’Clock Heroes. She’ll also appear in the song’s video.
[Photo: Getty]
The Big News: An engagement and a (possible) pregnancy wasn’t enough to help Ashlee Simpson, as the singer’s new album Bittersweet World landed at number four with 47,387 copies sold. Simpson was beat out by Mariah Carey’s E=MC2, which took number one for a second consecutive week, Leona Lewis’ Spirit at two and, surprisingly, Flight of the Conchords’ self-titled debut, which grabbed the third spot with 52,133 copies sold. That’s right: Pete Wentz’s fiancée got edged by the comic duo who were on the show that followed Big Love on HBO. Atmosphere’s When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint that Shit Gold rounded out the top five in its debut week.
Debuts: Story of the Year’s Black Swan scooped eighteen, the Weepies’ Hideaway took thirty-one and Mobb Deep rapper Prodigy’s H.N.I.C. Part 2 claimed thirty-six, giving the jailed rapper something to brag about to the other inmates. Tokyo Police Club’s freshman Elephant Shell nabbed 106, while Elbow’s Seldom Seen Kid placed in at 109.
Last Week Heroes: Carey and Lewis remained in the one-two spot. R.E.M.’s Accelerate finally fell out of the top ten after a month, dropping to seventeen, along with the suddenly-mortal Alvin & the Chipmunks soundtrack, which dropped to twelve. But the biggest drop from last week goes to Rush’s Snakes & Arrows Live and Thrice’s Alchemy Index: Vol. 3-4, as Rush plunged from eighteen to 110 and Thrice followed from seventeen to 111. Also, shoulder-bearing Miley Cyrus’ Hannah Montana 2 soundtrack went triple-platinum.
[Photo: Amelia Handscomb]
In this week’s New Music Report, RollingStone.com Deputy Editor Caryn Ganz takes a look at Hard Candy, the latest offering from Madonna. Does the cavalcade of all-star producers help or hinder the Material Girl? Click above to find out.
• Review: Madonna’s Hard Candy
>>Watch every episode of our weekly New Music Report video podcast by subscribing via iTunes (when prompted, click “Launch application”). Every Tuesday, a new episode will be delivered to your iTunes. [If you don’t have iTunes, download it here.
[Video: Jennifer Hsu]
The literate leader of the Decemberists loves a lyricist who manages to balance sadness and humor. Click here for Colin Meloy’s pick for Best Lyricist from Rolling Stone’s Best of Rock 2008.
• Best of Rock 2008 Artist Picks: Colin Meloy
With Radiohead less than a week away from embarking on the first leg of the U.S. tour, there’s plenty going on in their world. This Saturday, VH1 will air the band’s complete live performance of In Rainbows and other songs from Nigel Godrich’s basement studio in the special Radiohead_In Rainbows_From the Basement, airing on the network Saturday, May 3rd, at midnight. Speaking about the band’s “pay-what-you-want” scheme the ushered the arrival of In Rainbows, Thom Yorke admitted Radiohead would likely not repeat the experiment, saying “I don’t think it would have the same significance now anyway, if we chose to give something away again.” Finally, the band also contributed a video to MTV’s Exit campaign, which seeks to raise awareness about human trafficking. You can watch the new video for the In Rainbows track “All I Need” here. The band will play the first U.S. show of 2008 on Cinco de Mayo in West Palm Beach, Florida.
[Photo: Getty]