Van Tango

Another 'Heroes in a Half Shell' movie? The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film will hit theatres on March 30th 2007. The project has been under development for some time with animation veteran Kevin Munroe and comic book co-creator Peter Laird involved in the production. Rated PG, this comeback film will have a sharper edge than the three live-action ones released back in the early 90s. Don't think it will have much success.


Speaking of comebacks, East 17 are to perform their first gig in a decade. The newly-reformed outfit - with original line-up - will play London's Shepherd's Bush Empire on May 30th. Now it is quite easy to get some moolah if you belong to a once-famous group in the past. Just reform, announce to the public about an upcoming 'reunion' gig and ka-ching! They must have been inspired by another 90s group..

Take That have splashed out 75,000 pounds to get Robbie Williams to join them on their comeback tour - in a fountain. Robb will be singing and dancing with the rest of the group. The only difference is that - it is only his projected image on a water curtain cascading. "Virtual Robbie" is directed by Water Sculptures, a special effects firm. A spokesman said: "It will be spectacular. It's the nearest you will get to Robbie being there in person." Two possible reasons for this. They really want to pay homage to Robb for the band's success or.. to pull in more spectators for commercial reasons. Smartie pants.

Fake DIY Radio. A good station for me to discover lesser known bands out there.

Chikinki - Assassinator (video). I like the band's name; very groovy. This electro-pop group integrates weird sounds in this music video that can come across as ridiculous or quite impressive. Goldfrapp, The Knife and Ladytron supporters will appreciate Chikinki.

The Strokes - You Only Live Once [ totp 08-01-2006 / Jay Leno 29-03-2006 ]

Popdrivel has the YYYs Gold Lion mp3 from The Letterman show (29.03.06)

What has been happening in the Paris Hilton world? She has enlisted Three 6 Mafia to help her with her debut album. Jordan Houston said: "We ran into her at a William Morris Agency party and she said she liked our song 'Stay Fly' and asked could we work with her. "We let her listen to a dance track and she really liked it and plans to record it." 'Paris Is Burning' should be out this June... She recently went to Miami Beach for the "Winter Music Conference 2006-Paris Hilton hosts Entertainment Weekly Party"; probably to de-stress after filming the Simple Life on Rodeo Drive.

Natasha Hamilton is recording a solo album. She described the LP as "funky-soul with a rocky edge, inspired by early Tina Turner records". Although Tash is confident the project will be a success, she admits going it alone without her former band members is a scary prospect. She told OK! mag: "It is a daunting thing writing your own album because it's up for criticism. But you also have to have faith in yourself." Jenny did horrible with 'dancy-pop' while Liz is doing fairly well with nostalgic-pop. Tash is now attempting a J.Stone + Alanis? She's got the best vocals anyway. Good luck to her.

Noel Gallagher is a 'Super-sonic Trouper'? Noel is a huge fan of ABBA. The guitarist has declared his love for the Swedish songsmiths, Benny, Bjorn, Frida and Agnetha, and admits he is perplexed as to why they are not rated as highly as other groups. He said: "I love ABBA. To listen to those songs, they're incredible. And the way that they sound is even more incredible." How can anyone not like ABBA? Maybe in 10-15 years time, some well known musician might just compliment the same thing about a certain Manchester rock 'n' roll band.

---Waterloo To Anywhere = DPT tribute to ABBA's first single?---

How Rock'n Roll are you? (quiz)

The Vines - Gross Out (Coloured Version) / Don't Listen To The Radio (30 sec video teaser)


A new site for The Raconteurs

Live Performance on bbc3 - Steady As She Goes / Intimate Secretary

Teawithtufty has an audio collection from Glasgow ABC gig (21-03-06)

Sendspace - Newcastle gig (Northumbria Uni. 22-03-2006)



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If the Arctic Monkeys are the future of rock 'n' roll, how do they feel about the present and past? In a recent interview with 19-year-old Arctic Monkeys bassist Andy Nicholson, names of various musical acts were thrown at him liberally, focusing mainly on the current British scene. Here's what the young Englishman -- whose band is among the hottest in the world and will open for Oasis on Monday at the Air Canada Centre before headlining a gig at the Phoenix the next night -- told the Toronto Sun:

Q: Oasis?
"Each of us was into different types of music, but Oasis was one of the first bands that all four of us were really into. That's kind of why we're a band. We met them when we went to Japan not that long ago. "We went to see them and it was just amazing. We got to go backstage and meet them. Noel Gallagher is one of my heroes and he was so nice to me. And musically, they're just f---ing amazing."

Q: Robbie Williams?
"I'm not a big fan of Robbie Williams, I don't think (chuckles)."

Q: Subways?
"They're all right. I quite like them. They've got some good songs."

Q: McFly?
"No, I'm not a massive fan of theirs."

Q: We Are Scientists?
"They're a good band, aren't they? We did an NME tour with them, and they're such nice guys and they're just so good at playing."

Q: Paul Weller? (formerly of the Jam)
"They're a big influence on us. I think kind of what Alex (Turner, Arctic Monkeys frontman) is singing about is along the lines of what Paul Weller was singing about in the Jam. It's singing about what you see. Paul Weller is amazing at that, and that's kind of what we're trying to do."

Q: Richard Ashcroft? (formerly of the Verve)
"Yeah, he's amazing. I just got his new solo album, which is pretty good. There aren't many people who are in a band that's good and then go solo, and they're as good as the band they were in. It's very rare."

Q: Rolling Stones?
"Oh, I don't know. I kind of like a few songs, but I'm not a massive fan."

Q: Beatles?
"They're from Liverpool, I think (tongue firmly in cheek). They're an English band, yeah. They're pretty good, aren't they? I've heard them a couple of times."

Q: Anyone who ever has been on American Idol?
"I don't even know any, I don't think."

Q: What about Kelly Clarkson?
"Was she on that? I think Kelly Clarkson's pretty good, me. I don't mind her. And she's a pretty good looking girl, isn't she?"
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Jennifer Aniston has been offering Matt LeBlanc a shoulder to cry on. LeBlanc has been spending time at her house in California after beginning divorce proceedings against Melissa McKnight. Aniston has been using her own experiences to comfort her buddy while Courtney has also been visiting to raise LeBlanc's spirits. A source tells the Daily Star, "Matt's spending most of his time away from the cameras at Jen's Malibu home. Courtney has popped in to cheer him up too." Such sweet gestures from those two. While 'Joey' didn't have much success, 'Friends With Money' might do well on the big screens. Here's a video clip of Aniston and the other stars from the show at the movie premiere.












Scarlett Johansson posing with Travolta.



Amanda Bynes: F1 Grand Prix of Australia 02/04/2006... It's her 20th Birthday today!





Courtney Love has finally sold twenty-five percent of her share of Nirvana's sought-after publishing catalog -- to Larry Mestel of Primary Wave Music Publishing. The reported price for the rights costs around 50 million dollars. [ full article ] At least they have assured everyone that the songs won't be heard on some cheesy commercial advert. What I'm worried about is seeing overrated bands like U2 or Bon Jovi attempting a grunge tribute performance sometime soon. That would be equivalent to reggae outfit UB40 singing Champagne Supernova.

LOST spoiler --> The map [ backlight / clear ] that represents the location of the stranded ones?