Music News Net

OZZY's New "I AM OZZY" Published

MUSIC NEWS - You think you've heard all about  “rock and roll excess”? Well, double it, and you still would not be near the crazy, dizzying life of Ozzy Osbourne. Ozzy was born into a life so poor that the entire family slept in one room, and music was his salvation. His band, Black Sabbath, went on to change the rock and roll landscape forever. Once the inevitable sex and drugs came along with the rock and roll lifestyle, Ozzy sadly soon fell into an epic downward spiral due to booze and chemicals.

His stories of days on the road are now legendary; biting the head off of a live bat, the tragic plane crash that took the life of his best friend, guitarlist and writing partner. but there's more, the real heartbreak he suffered during those wild days of hard living. His new book, I am Ozzy(out via Grand Central Publishing on January 25, 2010) is the heavy metal pioneer’s unbelievable story, told for the first time, in Ozzy’s hilarious, witty, and inimitable voice.  Fortunately, it was love that saved him: the love of his wife Sharon and kids Aimee, Kelly, and Jack.  Amazing he's made it !

BORDERS Books and Music Closes in the UK

MUSIC NEWS -  Another music retailer fails; sadly the UK division (Glasgow, Scotland & 45 stores in Britain) of book, cd, and dvd retailer, Borders, shutdown this week after management was unable to find a buyer for the collapsing chain. A victim of the declining retail marketplace and drops in music/video sales, they've been running closing sales for several weeks.

Unfortunately, approximately 1,150 employees lost their jobs on December 24, 2009. The chain stopped taking orders on its website this Monday, and a several publishers, record companies and home entertainment divison had already stopped supplying the chain.

No comment from the Borders USA office was issued.

The Former Mrs Scott Weiland Releases New Book and Announces Book Signings

MUSIC NEWS - MARY FORSBERG WEILAND has confirmed two book signings for her new book FALL TO PIECES: A Memoir of Drugs, Rock ‘n’ Roll, and Mental Illness, due out November 10 (via William Morrow/HarperCollins Publishers).  On Wednesday, November 11 at 7pm, Mary will be at Borders (10 Columbus Circle) in NYC and on Monday, November 16 at 7pm, she’ll be at Book Soup (8813 W. Sunset Blvd.) in West Hollywood.  At the appearances, Mary will also read passages from her book and take questions.  

In her memoir written with Larkin Warren, Mary,  mother, model, bipolar disorder survivor and recovering drug addict, tells the story of her life and her longtime relationship with Stone Temple Pilots / former Velvet Revolver frontman Scott Weiland.  She reveals the extreme highs and lows of her life with refreshing candor and unflinching detail and offers a window into her world of modeling and rock ‘n’ roll, while at the same time providing insights into the drug and alcohol addictions that could have killed her, and her serious, recently diagnosed and misunderstood mental illness.  “I'm hoping that someone who may be wrestling with similar demons to mine can find even an ounce of hope in Fall to Pieces,” says Mary.

BON JOVI Documentary to Premiere on Showtime

      MUSIC NEWS - Showtime has announced that they will premiere the BON JOVI documentary, WHEN WE WERE BEAUTIFUL on Saturday, October 24th at 9 PM ET/PT.  The doc is said to offer an intimate glimpse at the globally celebrated rock icons who remain a band of brothers from central New Jersey.

Directed by filmmaker and photographer Phil Griffin and produced by Academy Award and Emmy winning producers @radical.media, the documentary was filmed on tour with the band and behind the scenes during their 2008 Lost Highway World Tour, which came to a close with a  concert in New York City's Central Park (why it wasn't in NJ we're not sure !!??). At the height of their success - with another number one album and the number one grossing tour of 2008 in Billboard magazine -- Bon Jovi: When We Were Beautiful will show the secrets behind this legendary band's determined and charismatic leader Jon Bon Jovi, and band members Richie Sambora, David Bryan, and Tico Torres.

No word on dvd release yet.

"The VELVET UNDERGROUND; An Illustrated History..." to be Published

     MUSIC NEWS  - Voyageur Press will publish the forthcoming book, THE VELVET UNDERGROUND: An Illustrated History of A Walk on the Wild Side  from rock journalist , Jim DeRogatis (Chicago Sun-Times, co-host of syndicated radio program Sound Opinions) on September 15, 2009 (order your copy below thru MNN).   The beautifully packaged book is the first complete illustrated history published on the seminal New York band, and out in time to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the group’s founding.  The hefty 192-page volume, in perfect balance of text and many never-before-seen photos retraces the history of the band which practically single-handedly created what is now known as punk and alternative music, thanks in large part to Lou Reed’s poetic-yet-streetwise lyrics, and music that alternated between white noise and gentle beauty.

The band, founded by Lou Reed and John Cale and managed by Andy Warhol, the Velvet Underground is often cited as the most influential band of the late ’60s. This eye-catching book is able to appeal to both the longtime fan and the newcomer, as it is the first to offer a behind-the-scenes look at this iconic band, from its earliest days through its later incarnation and is a rare inside view of how the Velvet Underground “opened wounds worth opening with brutal imagery, "without apology,” as Patti Smith said upon the band’s 1996 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Included are insightful excerpts from Andy Warhol’s memoirs and rare interviews with band members which shed new light on the V.U.'s history.  Also featured are photographs from Exploding Plastic Inevitable dancer Gerard Malanga, and rare images from Factory photographers Nat Finkelstein, Stephen Shore, and Billy Name, as well as additional color concert and candid photography, plus vintage posters, handbills, memorabilia, and much more.

NICK CAVE'S "The Death of Bunny Munro" To Be Published in September

     MUSIC NEWS - The new novel from rocker Nick Cave, The Death of Bunny Munro, will be out on September 1, 2009 (published Faber & Faber). The Death of Bunny Munro is a furious, funny, disturbing account of a traveling salesman’s last days on earth.  As the lead singer of the Birthday Party, the Bad Seeds, and Grinderman,

Nick Cave has been performing music for more than thirty years. His album Murder Ballads has sold nearly  one million copies. In addition to his previous novel, he has authored King Ink, a collection of lyrics and poetry, and the screenplay and score for the film The Proposition. He recently composed the soundtrack for the film adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s The Road. Born in Australia, Cave now lives in Brighton, England.

This time, twenty years after the publication of his first novel, And the Ass Saw the Angel, Nick Cave brings us the final days of Bunny Munro, a salesman in search of a soul. Set adrift by his wife’s suicide and struggling to keep some sort of grasp on reality, Bunny Munro drives off in his yellow Fiat Punto, Bunny Jr. in tow. To his son, waiting patiently in the car while he peddles beauty wares and quickies to lonely housewives in the south of England, Bunny is a hero, larger than life. But Bunny himself seems to have only a dim awareness of his son’s existence, viewing his needs as a distraction from the relentless pursuit of sex, alcohol, and drugs. When his bizarre road trip shades into a final reckoning, Bunny realizes that the revenants of his world—decrepit fathers, vengeful ghosts, jealous husbands, and horned psycho-killers—lurk in the shadows, waiting to exact their toll. At turns dark and humane—and with all the mystery and enigma fans will recognize as Cave’s singular vision—The Death of Bunny Munro questions the nature of sin and redemption, and lays bare the imprints that fathers leave on their son. 

More Nick Cave news at Nick-Cave.com

"Tell All" Book Planned by SCOTT WEILAND's Ex, Mary Forsberg

MUSIC NEWS - Rocker Scott Weiland's estranged wife is planning to release a tell-all book about her marriage to the Stone Temple Pilots' frontman.  Mary Weiland, nee Forsberg, (pictured at left with Scott in happier times) will publish the memoir "Fall to Pieces" on October 27 via William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers (order your copy, below).

It's said that the book will detail her life with Weiland through their marriage's extreme highs and lows.  The press release promoting the book said, "A visceral, rollercoaster ride inside bipolar disorder, rock 'n roll, celebrity culture, and the competitive world of modeling from a rock star wife and recovering drug addict."  "On the surface, Mary Weiland had a fairytale life. She was a highly paid fashion model married to successful rock star Scott Weiland, the notorious frontman for Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver. Then came the rampage in a Burbank hotel room and the resulting media frenzy that revealed to the world her bipolar disorder and drug abuse."

The former couple, who share two children, were married in 2000 and separated in 2007. They're currently in the process of getting a divorce.  Mr Weiland is currently busy with a tour, promoting his latest album, HAPPY in GALOSHES and  has out new clothing line, Weiland for English Laundry .  Read Mr Weilland's response the book release announcement below.

 

DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL - No Album Release, But Gallery Show is On

    MUSIC NEWS - The infamous, now non-release of the Danger Mouse / Sparklehorse music project, DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL, at least now has a gallery show in L.A. of the photographs for the project, taken by director David Lynch along with public playing of the album.  Due to legal fights, the album will not be released (at least in the foreseeable future), but is streaming at NPR.com (more on the streaming, here).   Danger Mouse (Brian Burton) won't comment, but his spokesperson said, "Danger Mouse is unable to release the recorded music for 'Dark Night of the Soul' without fear of being sued by EMI."  

Director Lynch became involved in the project to "visually interpret" the songs thru his photography.    Lynch said "The photographs are a representation of what went on in my head when I heard the songs,.." "It all came from the music." The result is a multimedia gallery installation titled "Dark Night of the Soul," which opened this week at L.A.'s Michael Kohn Gallery  (running thru July 11).   David Lynch and Danger Mouse have designed a two-room installation at the gallery that capitalizes on the interaction between the Danger Mouse / Sparklehorse music and the artwork David Lynch created for the album.  The LATimes' Pop & Hiss blog said, "Many of Lynch's images are theatrically stage-lit and peopled with costumed extras in intimate, transitional moments. Others capture scenes of suburban torpor, skid row decrepitude and giddy enactments out of some weird hyper-realm."

A limited-edition hard cover book of Lynch's imagery of the same name was released earlier this month, by powerHouse (see below).

DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL Gets NPR Pre-Release Streaming

     MUSIC NEWS - NPR Music is streaming the entire Dark Night of the Soul album as part of their “Exclusive First Listen” series beginning today, May 14, weeks before it officially releases in July.  The long-rumored Danger Mouse, Sparklehorse and David Lynch project is available for free, on-demand listening at NPR.org.  The entire series is available at NPR.org/FirstListen. 

Dark Night of the Soul features music by artist/producer Danger Mouse and experimental rockers, Sparkelhorse, with contributions from a dozen musicians. The advance stream on NPR Music reveals the impressive list of artists who play on the album, including Iggy Pop, The Flaming Lips, The Pixies’ Frank Black, Suzanne Vega, Julian Casablancas of The Strokes, The Shins’ James Mercer and Scott Spilane of Neutral Milk Hotel and The Gerbils. The album will also be packaged with a book of photos taken by filmmaker David Lynch (buy Lynch directed films on dvd).  Buy the hardcover Lynch book seperately, below !

 The complete track listing (see below) and album information is available at NPR Music, where there are also extensive archives of concerts, interviews and reviews with many of the artists involved with the album.  NPR Music is also currently offering a "First Listen" to John Vanderslice's album Romanian Names.

UPDATE 5/15/09- Due to legal squabbles with EMI, a cd release of DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL seems unlikely.  Instead, Waxploitation has issued the following statement (below) about a blank CD-R release instead, with full artwork...

ALICE IN CHAINS Sets New Album via EMI / Virgin

     MUSIC NEWS - 90s USA rockers, Alice In Chains have signed a contract with EMI's Virgin US division with plans for an autumn 2009 comeback album release.  It'll be AiC's first recorded music since the 1995 self-titled album, and the first since the death of original frontman Layne Stanley.  William DuVall will handle vocals duties on the upcoming release.  DuVall's been fronting the band since they returned to the road back in 2005.  See related story in Pop & Hiss on the long process involved in this release. 

In preperation, a good time to read Grunge Is Dead: The Oral History of Seattle Rock Music  by Greg Prato from ECW Press!

THE CRYSTAL METHOD - New Album, Live Show & Contest

     MUSIC NEWS - Word is, electronic music's THE CRYSTAL METHOD (TCM) will unveil a brand new live show this week at Coachella in support of their new album Divided By Night (out on May 12. 2009 on Tiny e Records ).  The duo of Ken Jordan and Scott Kirkland, who embark tomorrow on a tour that runs thru mid June (itinerary below), have released the album's first single "Drown In The Now" digitally today (4/14/09), and a video which features the song’s vocalist Matisyahu will be out on April 21, premiering on Yahoo!  
 
To celebrate the May release of Divided by Night and the upcoming live tour, The Crystal Method, Live Nation, Filter Magazine and Going.com will give fans the chance to win “A Weekend in Vegas with the Crystal Method.”   The winner and a guest will receive a VIP trip to Las Vegas to see The Crystal Method’s live show at the House of Blues Las Vegas May 22 at the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino.  Winner will also ger a private meet & greet with the band, a hotel room at Mandalay Bay, dinner at the exclusive Foundation Room and an autographed copy of The Crystal Method’s entire catalog.  Enter contest,  here .  
 

Who Are You: The Life of Pete Townshend

     MUSIC NEWS- Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam) has written the foreword to the recently published, "Who Are You: The Life of Pete Townshend", an exhaustive, critically acclaimed study of the life and career of the legendary guitarist and composer.   Author Mark Wilkerson spent ten years researching and writing the 642-page book.  He conducted exclusive interviews with Pete & Simon Townshend and several others, including Townshend's friends, family, and other associates. Wilkerson's book explores Townshend's West London roots, reminds us of the excitement he generated with The Who in those early days and brings his story right up to date with many fascinating stops along the way. The book, published by Omnibus Press, includes dozens of photographs and was edited by noted Who scholar and author Andy Neill (Anyway Anyhow Anywhere:The Complete Chronicle of the Who 1958-1978).

Author Mark Wilkerson is promoting the U.S. launch of the book this month with a short book tour which also coincides with The Who's upcoming U.S. mini-tour (see dates below). A book tour began in Mark's adopted hometown of Louisville, KY then headed to cities which also appear on The Who's upcoming concert dates. Mark will talk about Pete Townshend, the book and will sign copies at the following Barnes & Noble  locations:
Sunday, November 2 - Washington, DC 7p
Saturday, November 8 - Los Angeles - time / location tbd