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30 Seconds to Mars is still in an intense legal battle with EMI records. Jared Leto recently put out this news release:

Still fighting the good fight here in the City of Angels. Working
nonstop in the laboratory, experimenting with any and everything. So
many exciting things happening we wish we could share them with
everyone all the time. Yes, there are those days filled with more
questions than answers and a healthy amount of self doubt but we think
this is the absolute best thing we have ever done to date. Now it’s
just about finishing. About commitment. About surrender. You know the
drill. This part of the story isn’t too different for all of us around
the world. I guess it just depends how the light falls.

So, sorry to say it doesn’t look like we will have a record ready to put out this year….

…just kidding. Hehaw. It’ll be done momentarily and out sometime this
summer. Woooohooooo! We cannot wait. So many secrets to tell about what
we have been up to. Soon….

The EMI situation is still the same unfortunately. They are still
intent on suing us for 30 gazillion dollars and we are still intent on
fighting for what we believe in. We had hopes for some sort of
resolution by now but it’s not yet meant to be. We have prepared
ourselves for whatever outcome may transpire and although we welcome
continued conversation and compromise we remain ready for the battle
for what is right and true.

Whatever happens we promise you all one thing. This new album will be out this year. No. Matter. What.

We miss the road and all of you very much.

XO
-jared

In August of 2007, Related Co. and Vornado (two real estate companies) acquired the Virgin Entertainment Group North America. These closing will reduce the number of Virgin Megastores from 11 to 3. The two latest closings are slated for Union Square, New York City and Market Street, San Francisco. Previously the company announced the closing of the Times Square store in April.

Ronald Frank Asheton July 17, 1948 – January 6, 2009

We are shocked and shaken by the news of Ron’s death. He was a great friend, brother, musician, trooper. Irreplaceable. He will be missed.

For all that knew him behind the façade of Mr Cool & Quirky, he was a kind-hearted, genuine, warm person who always believed that people meant well even if they did not.

As a musician Ron was The Guitar God, idol to follow and inspire others. That is how he will be remembered by people who had a great pleasure to work with him, learn from him and share good and bad times with him.

Iggy, Scott, Steve, Mike and Crew

—————————————–

I am in shock. He was my best friend.
– Iggy Pop

DREAM THEATER’S “PROGRESSIVE NATION 2009″ TO TOUR NORTH AMERICA IN JULY/AUG WITH SPECIAL GUESTS ZAPPA PLAYS ZAPPA, PAIN OF SALVATION AND BEARDFISH
New York progressive metal veterans DREAM THEATER will take their PROGRESSIVE NATION tour back on the road for its second incarnation with a run through America and Canada in July/Aug 2009.

In addition to a headlining set by DREAM THEATER, this year’s package will feature the outstanding musicianship of ZAPPA PLAYS ZAPPA as well as two incredibly talented imports from Sweden: PAIN OF SALVATION and BEARDFISH.

PROGRESSIVE NATION was created by DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Portnoy and its successful inaugural run in 2008 also featured OPETH, BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME and THREE.

Portnoy once again hand-picked all of the bands for the 2009 bill based on their diversity and musicality. He comments: “This year’s lineup is so exciting for me. Every band is bringing something very unique to the package to create an incredibly well rounded musical experience. I am just as excited to be watching all the bands from the side of the stage as I am to be performing with mine in the center of it!”

Fresh on the heels of his Grammy win, Dweezil Zappa is pleased to announce his plans to join forces with Dream Theater as part of the Progressive Nation 2009 tour: “It’s no secret that I started ZAPPA PLAYS ZAPPA with the intention to diversify and expand the audience for my father’s music. I figured I’d probably have to do it one concert at a time. Playing with DREAM THEATER on the PROGRESSIVE NATION tour is a great way to accomplish that goal. Music fans who are seeking something to challenge their senses should definitely consider attending this great bill.”

Portnoy adds, “It is an absolute honor for me to have ZAPPA PLAYS ZAPPA on board. Frank Zappa is one of my all-time biggest heroes and his music practically invented the term ‘progressive’. Dweezil is doing an amazing job carrying on the tradition of his father’s daring spirit and like his dad, has surrounded himself with a band of jaw-dropping, incredible musicians”

Sweden’s PAIN OF SALVATION will bring their unique brand of cutting-edge progressive metal to PN09. Vocalist/Guitarist Daniel Gildenlow comments: “We are truly very happy to be part of the PN09 tour, and to be back in the States again and bring all the sweat and flesh to our music and our well deserving American fans. We feel honored to have been asked.”

Gildenlow also joked, “Actually, Mike has been on our backs now for two years in what we believe to be a personal campaign, bordering on harassment, to make us come over. So when he asked us about PN09, it was a joy to finally be able to say yes. And if Mike didn’t give up on us, then hopefully America hasn’t either.”

Vocalist/Keyboardist Rikard Sjöblom of BEARDFISH is equally excited: “When we read on a website that Mike Portnoy had our album “Sleeping in Traffic Part 1″ among his favorite releases of 2007, we just couldn’t believe it and we were really happy about it! And now we once again gasp for air since we’ve been asked to join PROGRESSIVE NATION 2009 together with DREAM THEATER (one of the biggest bands in this genre today!), PAIN OF SALVATION (hey, fellow Swedes!!!) and ZAPPA PLAYS ZAPPA (being a HUGE Zappa fan myself, I think this is really cool!). Since we’ve only played the US once before we simply can’t wait to come over and rock out!”

PROGRESSIVE NATION will be the first North American tour for DREAM THEATER in support of their newest Roadrunner Records release which is slated for a June 2009 release.

For more information, including dates to be announced soon, visit:
www.progressivenation2009.com (coming soon)

www.dreamtheater.net
www.myspace.com/dreamtheater

New Jersey — Ticketmaster has agreed to change its business practices after a suit was filed by the New Jersey Attorney General.

Springsteen had said, “We were informed that Ticketmaster was redirecting your log-in requests for tickets at face value, to their secondary site TicketsNow, which specializes in up-selling tickets at above face value. They did this even when other seats remained available at face value. We condemn this practice. We perceive this as a pure conflict of interest.”

Under the settlement, Ticketmaster will be restricted for at least one year.

“Ticketmaster will need prior approval from the Attorney General for any links between its ‘No Tickets Found’ Internet page to its TicketsNow re-sale website.”

Also, “Ticketmaster will not use paid Internet advertising that leads customers searching for “Ticketmaster” on search engines to TicketsNow.”

Ticketmaster CEO Irving Azoff offered an apology:
“While we were genuinely trying to do the right thing for fans in providing more choices when the tickets they requested from the primary on-sale were not available, we clearly missed the mark. Fans are confused and angry, which is the opposite of what we hoped to accomplish. We sincerely apologize to Bruce, his organization and, above all, his fans.”

“We recognize that we need to change our course. “We have committed to Bruce and state publicly here that we have taken down all links for Bruce’s shows directing fans from Ticketmaster to TicketsNow. This redirection only occurred as a choice when we could not satisfy fans’ specific search request for primary ticket inventory, but to make sure there is no misunderstanding in the future, we also publicly state that we will never again link to TicketsNow in a manner that can possibly create any confusion during a high-demand on-sale.

“Specifically, we will not present an option to go to TicketsNow from Ticketmaster without the consent of the artist and the venue, both of whom work together to bring the joy of live entertainment to millions of fans.”

Slumdog Composer A.R. Rahman Takes Home 2 Oscars

A.R. Rahman is from India. Only twice before has an Indian won an Oscar. Rahman won two in one night for best original soundtrack and best original song. Both are from the movie “Slumdog Millionaire.”

“I was excited and terrified,” he said. “The last time I felt like that was during my marriage.”

“All my life, I had a choice of hate and love. I chose love, and I’m here.”

“I’m really happy and grateful it worked out.”

A new addition of the video game Rock Band will feature the music of the Beatles. This is interesting in several ways. First of all, that the Beatles could get everyone to agree to the legal issues is amazing. Did Yoko Ono, Apple Records, Sony and Michael Jackson all have to agree? At least I think Michael Jackon is still one of the owners of the Beatles publishing rights.

Speaking of Apple Records, the have been in litigation with Apple computers for quite some time. Their agreement calls for Apple computers to stay out of the music business. But, does a Beatles computer game violate trademark law in the other direction?

In any event, it’s an amazing feat that looks like it will benefit kids in the long run. Paul McCartney was asked –

QUESTION:Can you tell me about this special Beatles edition of the Rock Band game that’s coming out this fall?
ANSWER: It will feature different periods of the band — you get early days, Liverpool, then psychedelic, and on from there. It’s very cool. And I like the idea that the game introduces kids to music, you know?

by Trent Reznor

Towards the beginning of my career in Nine Inch Nails, our biggest break came in the form of an invitation to perform a series of shows with Jane’s Addiction. These performances essentially created and defined the term “alternative” rock in the US, created an ongoing festival franchise that is still thriving (Lollapalooza), set the stage for Nirvana to shift popular taste a few months later, and were really fucking FUN to play and attend – truly the best times I’ve had. The shows were epic. So epic, they propelled NIN to the “next level” (whatever that means), but caused Jane’s to implode. The band broke up at the end of that tour.Fast forward to the present. Corporate rock STILL sucks. A friend tells me they saw the original Jane’s lineup play a tiny show in LA that was unbelievable. I break out my Jane’s records and am amazed by how vital they sound. These guys were the real deal and in this current climate mostly dominated by poseurs and pussies it was refreshing to hear something that sounded dangerous, volatile, beautiful and SINCERE.Emails were sent, phone calls were made, dinner was arranged, ideas were discussed and the next thing I know we’re in the studio experimenting. We laugh, we get to know each other, we cry, we yell, we almost quit, we record LOTS of guitar solos, we discuss, we actually begin to all communicate, we yell some more, we become FRIENDS, we laugh again and we do some great things. I get to see first hand why they broke up all those years ago but I also get the chance to see four distinct personalities that become an INCREDIBLE band when they’re in the same room.In NIN world, 2009 marks the 20th anniversary of our first releases. I’ve been thinking for some time now it’s time to make NIN disappear for a while. Last year’s “Lights in the Sky” tour was something I’m quite proud of and seems like the culmination of what I could pull off in terms of an elaborate production. It was also quite difficult to pull off technically and physically night after night and left us all a bit dazed. After some thought, we decided to book a last run of shows across the globe this year. The approach to these shows is quite different from last year – much more raw, spontaneous and less scripted. Fun for us and a different way for you to see us and wave goodbye. I reached out to Jane’s to see if they’d want to join us across the US and we all felt it could be a great thing. Will it work? Will it resonate in the marketplace? Who knows. Is there big record label marketing dollars to convince you to attend? Nope.Does it feel right to us and does it seem like it will be fun for us and you? Yes it does.Look for tour dates soon and I hope to see you out there. Trent

Smashing Pumpkins guitarist James Iha, Cheap Trick drummer Bun E. Carlos, Hanson’s Taylor Hanson and the bassist from Fountains Of Wayne Adam Schlesinger have formed a new band called Tinted Windows.

The group has recorded a full length album and will perform at Billboard’s South by Southwest showcase on March 20 in Austin, Texas.

Julien’s Auctions announced they will be auctioning Michael Jackson memorabilia with part of the proceeds going to charity. Items for sale will include his American Music Award for “Thriller,” a velvet cape given to him by his children for Father’s Day and a pair of 1981 rhinestone-trimmed socks.

The auction takes place April 22nd – 25th, 2009

Exhibition:
9900 Wilshire Blvd in Beverly Hills, California 90210
Adjacent to The Beverly Hilton
April 14th – April 21st (10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Daily)
$20.00 per person for Exhibition and Auction
Designed by WRJ Design Associates, LLC
Auction:
9900 Wilshire Blvd in Beverly Hills, California 90210
Adjacent to The Beverly Hilton
April 22nd: Session I: Garden Statuary and Outdoor Furniture
Session II: Furniture and Decorative Arts
April 23rd: Session III: Furniture and Decorative Arts
Session IV: Antiques, Paintings and Fine Decorative Art
April 24th: Session V: Amusements, Arcade Games and Disneyana
Session VI: Amusements, Arcade Games and Disneyana
April 25th: Session VII: Memorabilia From the Life and Career of Michael Jackson
Session VIII: Memorabilia From the Life and Career of Michael Jackson