Van Tango

Natasha Hamilton has come to a definite standstill. It's not that her career has reached a dead end - she was sending out a road safety message to under-sixes as part of a government campaign. Tash, who survived a crash as a youngster, is surely the most glam lollypop lady ever. She visited 'GM:TV' [link] to talk about Total Little Learners, a campaign for road safety where she discussed why she's part of the program and her own brush with road peril when she was just 3 years old.

Keane interview with the Associated Press regarding their new album, 'Under The Iron Sea'. [keane-interview]. They talked about the different sound on their second album and being scared they're friendship couldn't survive the success they've enjoyed.

Another brief interview with the Real Radio Breakfast Show to talk about doing Live 8, attending the Grammy Awards, flying business class, and more. [link]

Keane performed at Bowery Ballroom on Friday (June 23) in New York City. [wireimage]

Somewhere Only We Know [live vid]

Intro to "The Iron Sea" -


Tilde De Paula of TV4's 'Nyhetsmorgon' in Sweden caught up with Ronan Keating last Sunday (June 25). He talked about his new album being his best, his role as an activist for charitable causes, his kids, his faults, and more. [Ronan-interview]

Cheryl Tweedy was photographed out and about on Thursday (June 22) in Baden Baden, Germany. Check out pictures from FilmMagic. [tweedy-germany]

According to Robbie Williams' dad Pete Conway, who left his mother when the singer was 2, believes he is partly to blame for his son being a commitment phobe. "Was Robbie affected by me leaving? I'm sure he was," Conway admitted. "But he's happy enough now and we're good friends. I still don't know if he'll ever settle down. It's not that he doesn't like families or kids. He just hasn't met Miss Right yet." Hmm... bachelor for life?

Robbie Williams playing soccer with some Dutch friends, including former player and Chelsea manager Ruud Gullit in Amsterdam, Holland on Friday (June 23). WENN pics -> [page1 / page2].

Kasabian - Heroes [link]. The music video for their next single 'Empire' will see the foursome depicting a WWI scenario; trenches and all that stuff.

A terrified Charlotte Church fled to a police station in Cardiff last Wednesday after being followed by stalkers in a silver car. She led her pursuers directly to the city's Canton Street Police station - for the third time in one day, after finding herself followed by the same vehicle. After diving inside the station, officers made sure the stalkers had gone before letting a stressed and flustered Church return to her car, under the watchful eye of the station inspector. Cops even let her sneak away the wrong way down a one-way street, so she could escape safely. The police later revealed Church had made two earlier visits to complain about the stalkers. Were those stalkers not satisfied about her being happy with her weight issues?

'Lost' followers.. remember the episode where they found a missing piece of the film regarding Dharma Project? Well, using that analogy, I have watched The Strokes $2 bill for some years and have only seen 5 songs performed. Now to my delight, here are 3 more songs from which were unearthed just recently.

The Strokes $2 Bill MTV Performance - Between Love And Hate (aka Ze Newie)


The Strokes $2 Bill MTV Performance - (When It Started / Is This It / New York City Cops)


Rolling Stone's Rock & Roll Daily blog has added a interesting Pete Doherty watch feature documenting the days since the Babyshambles singer's last arrest and last visit to rehab. Check it out. [Pete-Watch]

The Subways, Eagles of Death Metal, Foo Fighters, and The Strokes performed in concert on June 18th at Lancashire County Cricket Ground in Manchester, England. [Strokes/ Subways]

The Futureheads have announced details of their new single. 'Worry About It Later' will be the second single from their new album. I think 'Man Ray' should be in the album. That song is freakishly fun to hear.

WC Update--> Ok, after all the continous games shown daily, 8 teams are left in the competition. Germany rolled over Sweden like some practice game and will meet the Argies, who had a tough match against the Mexicans. I think that will end in a score draw. The winners of that game will meet either Italy or Ukraine. Am so freakin' glad that Guus Hiddink had to pack his bags after his team lost to the Azzurris. Nothing against the Aussies who didn't actually trouble Buffon even when they had an extra man on the field thanks to a harsh red card given to Materrazzi. But it doesn't matter as Grosso won the Italians a penalty where Totti smashed it home in the 93rd minute. So that Guus must have felt the same way as the Italians/Spanish when his Korean team of 2002 won games with some major referee blunders which denied Totti a clear penalty and disallowed a totally legitimate Spanish goal. Karma, baby. Ukraine got through the 2nd round after a 3-0 penalty shoot out win over Swiss. That game was so b-o-r-i-n-g that I think the spectators felt sleepy all the way. I tipped an Italian job over Sheva & gang. The 3rd Q-Final game showcase the third time Sven 'Bugs Bunny' will meet Phil 'Super Mario' at the same stage of a big tournament. Phil masterminded two victories over Bugsy with his Brazil WC 02 & Portugal Euro 04. With all the talk of the English going all the way, maybe they could do it as Deco & Costinha will miss the game through suspension. But that Mario guy ain't no fool and knows where to target the weak spots of the English team. Best thing is that Jose Mourinho told the press that Crouch shouldn't start as Carvalho has always kept him quiet during games at club level.. I tipped the portuguese ship to win this battle in FT. If they do, Brazil or France will be waiting for them. In the repeat of WC 98 final, the samba boys have a chance to avenge their loss back then. After breezing through a guillable Ghana team whose team tried to defend a high line ala Valencia FC but failed miserably, Brazil might need to work a bit more against the French who got through by beating Spain. That particular match was like the Oldies vs the Young Ones and after a silly elbow (or a Hen-ry dive) by Puyol, Veeeair-rah scored the decisive goal from the resulting free kick to put them 2-1. Zizou then put the icing at the 90th min, rounding off two players and scoring the 3rd. I think attacking wise, those sambas are more clinical so most probably the French will get toasted in this game.

Who's the luckier one here? Keira Knightley apparently has begged the P.o.t.C director to let her share a screen kiss with Johnny Depp. She locks lips with Captain Jack Sparrow as well as Orlando Bloom's Will Turner. Keira said she had pleaded with the movie's boss: "Come on, just give me one kiss, give me one kiss, please." And of course she said the experience had been worth the wait. "It was good," she said while giggling. "Really good." She added: "It's like, wonderful, I can have feelings for both of these very beautiful men." Keira had done a lot of physical work in the movie, but had not been injured at all thanks to an "amazing" stunt team. "I've got this brilliant stunt double - she's just sensational," she said. She talks me through everything step by step so I can do as much as I can, because I love it." Bet her stunt double won't mind taking over the smooching scenes too..

Keira arrives at LAX Airport (06/22/2006)


Keira at the Pirates of the Caribbean 2 Premiere (06/24/2006)





Is $4 million too little for Ashlee Simpson? She has turned down that huge paycheck offer to appear in Playboy. Why the need for this direction? That is because the younger Simpson wants to distance herself from big sis 'golden image' and was rumoured to consider that offer. Her publicist, Rob Shuter confirmed that Ashlee has received an offer but had promptly turned it down. The question now is, will Playboy increase their offer and if so, will Ashlee accept it? Living in the shadow...


The Raconteurs have covered the David Bowie classic 'It Ain't Easy' for their forthcoming single. The track which originally appeared on Bowie's classic 'The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars', appears as the b-side to new single 'Hands'. It also comes backed with fresh tracks Intimate Secretary and The Zane Rendition. The single hits the shelves on July 31. Everyone is Bowie crazy nowadays..

The Automatic has joined in the recent indie war between The Kooks vs Razorlight by backing the Brighton four piece all the way. Keyboardist Pennie revealed that they would stand firm behind the Kooks in any resulting ruckus. He told Popworld.com: "If the Kooks had a fight with Razorlight we'd definitely help them out. The Kooks would probably win because there's a big queue of people that wanna hit Johnny Borell anyway. I don't think Razorlight would mind as much 'cos their faces look pretty battered anyway." As bad as the monsters in the music video? Oh, and they also spoke badly about Sandi Thom who wished she was a punk rocker with a flower in her hair. That is a crappy song anyway so it's good someone finally said something about it.