Joe Kavanagh's Music News

I would imagine that a few record executives at Capitol were choking on their cornflakes last week upon reading their morning newspaper when their eyes fell upon words attributed to Coldplay's Chris Martin. The singer was discussing the upcoming release of his band's third album, Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends, when he claimed that the band would be doing a 'buy one, get one free' deal with their latest record saying: "Buy one get one free, it comes from working in Kwik Save (British budget supermarket), I think. As I said before nobody buys albums any more, certainly no body buys full albums and we've made an album that you have to have from start to finish." The people at the label see it very differently and claim that they had never entered such a deal with the band. This one could get ugly... Some people manage to see a cloud in every silver lining. Instead of being grateful for the fact that their new album is poised to reach number five in the US Billboard Album Chart, Def Leppard have been moaning about the lack of attention their last couple of albums have received. Given the fact that it has been about two decades since anybody cared who they were, I would have thought that seeing your album defy critics and re-launch your flagging career would have been enough but guitarist, Phil Collen sees it differently, bemoaning the poor sales of the band last two albums, saying: "I am irked that people didn't pay this much attention to the other albums which I felt were just as good. This one is stripped down and people seem to be going nuts for it." Well, Phil, pick a reason. It could be because both albums were awful, or perhaps it's the fact that bands can only keep churning out the same old same old for so long before even their most supportive fans get tired of it. If I were Phil, I would consider any day that people didn't shout "play Coming In The Air Tonight" at me while I was on stage, as a good day...

Speaking of has-been metal bands, Whitesnake's David Coverdale is the latest to claim that Led Zeppelin will more than likely embark on a 40th anniversary tour next year. The 80's singer, who counts the members of Zeppelin as close friends, told UK tabloid, The Mirror: "I'm expecting a call from Jimmy any day asking my band Whitesnake to support them on their world tour. Am I on board? You bet. Probably worth billions. Unlike rolling out the wheelchairs with the umpteenth Rolling Stones world tour, a Led Zeppelin tour will be incredible." My goodness, you can picture the dollar signs dancing in his eyes as he gave that quote. Also, what's this business about him inferring that Led Zeppelin or Whitesnake are spring chickens when compared to the Rolling Stones. Hardly fair is it? There are rocks on this planet that are younger than the Rolling Stones and David Coverdale can spend as much of his royalties as he likes on plastic surgery (have you seen him recently) but it still won't change the fact that he is an old man in the music business... Or the fact that his band is s***e...

Already known as one of the most abrasive characters on the UK indie scene, Kooks singer, Luke Pritchard, did his popularity few favors last week when he was called upon by the BBC to give his opinion on the latest single from The Fratellis. Upon offering that he "absolutely hated" the Scottish band's latest track, Mistress Mabel, Pritchard went on to add: "I don't get it. They're a good band but I was really miffed by that single. I would love to see them though." I'm sure that they would love to see you too Luke and in view of the fact that the Kooks latest album, Konk, has been receiving less than favorable reviews; it might be a good idea for Pritchard to keep his opinions to himself. Plus, Luke's a little rich kid from the suburbs of London and The Fratellis are from Glasgow so I know who my money's on...

A spokesperson for Oasis has released a statement that pours cold water on allegations that the band's forthcoming album has been leaked online, after several tracks began doing the rounds on the internet last week. The statement read, in part: "A number of old Oasis songs have appeared on the internet amidst claims that the band's new album has leaked. The songs are actually all old demos from previous sessions and well-informed fans will have known that these tracks have been in circulation for some time. In fact, most are versions of songs that have already been released. None of the songs are from sessions for the band's new studio album." It's an honest mistake considering the fact that virtually every Oasis record since their first two albums has sounded almost identical...

The suicide of a 13-year-old girl in Kent, England, has opened up a debate regarding the effect of "emo" (emotional rock) music on vulnerable teenagers. Hannah Bond took her own life after having an argument with her mother but her parents are convinced that her obsession with the morose music and it's attendant creed, had a detrimental effect on their child. While not blaming the music directly, the coroner charged with investigating her death has also speculated that the emo movement was not without culpability in her suicide. Robert Sykes claimed: "The emo overtones concerning death and associating it with glamour I find very disturbing." While I hate emo music at least as much as the next man, am I the only one that can remember Morrissey singing to his mother about how the soil was falling over his head? Or Kurt Cobain singing about how he hates himself and wants to die just before he put the business end of a shotgun in his kisser? Nick Drake anyone? This is a dangerous debate to open up in a world where creationism is taught in some classrooms...

Finally, The Clash topped a poll conducted by website Spinner.com, asking people to list "bad songs by good bands." Joe Strummer and company topped the list for their hit, Should I Stay Or Should I Go? The remainder of the top 10 was as follows:

1. Queen - Radio Ga-Ga
2. The Beach Boys - Kokomo
3. Madonna - American Life
4. Bruce Springsteen - Dancing In The Dark
5. U2 - Discotheque
6. Beastie Boys - Brass Monkey
7. Kiss - Beth
8. The Replacements - I'll Be You
9. Outkast - Roses

A spokesman for the website noted: "The politically charged Clash gave us songs about race riots, leftist revolutionaries and resisting the draft. Joe Strummer must be turning in his grave every time this lame little ditty resurfaces." I'm sure that the royalties that rolled in from the song by the truckload took some of the sting out of it. Write as many protest songs and political ditties as you like but if you're not making money, you're not making music that anyone's going to hear.