Joe Kavanagh's Music News

Only weeks after her reputed overdose, Bob Geldof's 19-year-old daughter, Peaches, has married US rocker, Max Drummery, in a small ceremony in Las Vegas last week. The 23-year-old groom is lead singer with US act, Chester French, in addition to being a Harvard graduate with a degree in anthropology. The pair met over a year ago but only became an item during the past two months, which might have the more skeptical among you holding a pool on how long this will actually last. No word yet on how her father feels but I'm guessing that concerned might cover it. By the way, I'll take the under on six months...

U2's Bono is apparently the unwitting source for the online 'leak' of new U2 material. If the official story is to be believed, Bono was in his mansion in the south of France, playing parts of the band's as-yet, unreleased follow-up to 2004's How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb, when somebody happened by outside the walls of his palatial home and began recording proceedings. The result is a rather muffled 30-second excerpt that has appeared on YouTube. You'll pardon me if I'm a bit skeptical but there always seems to be some harmless 'leak' of new U2 material, or a stolen laptop in the case of 2000's All That You Can't Leave Behind. There is even an online webpage dedicated to guessing the date of the leak for U2's latest album, which will allegedly be called No Line On The Horizon, but I guess that settles that...

Oasis' Noel Gallagher, is certainly not one to shy away from controversy and only months after stirring up a hornets' nest with his comments about Jay Z being "wrong" for Glastonbury, he was at it again, this time slagging off a host of fellow musicians during an interview with Radio 1 host, Chris Moyles. After joining the host on air for the morning show, the guitarist admitted that he had only had two hours sleep and was still drunk from the night before, which probably served to sharpen his verbal barbs. Gallagher likened singer Amy Winehouse to a "destitute horse" and reserved special attention for Grammy-winning producer, Mark Ronson, saying: "He wants to write his own tunes instead of ruining everyone else's... [and] needs to learn three chords on the guitar and write a tune." His most critical words were set aside for the Kaiser Chiefs, with the ornery older brother of Liam claiming: "The Monkees haven't split up, they're just going under the name of the Kaiser Chiefs. I did drugs for 18 years and I never got that bad as to say, 'You know what? I think the Kaiser Chiefs are brilliant'." He even offered his opinion on Peaches Geldof, stating: "God almighty, I have respect for Sir Bob... stamp on her though." I have a feeling that those words might lead to one of those situations where Noel wakes up thinking: "Oh man, what have I gone and done now!"... Probably not though...

While we're on the subject of Oasis, their former drummer (and son of legendary Beatle, Ringo), Zak Starkey, announced that he has formed a new band to the UK media last week, but this time it's personal, in the sense that he is related to his band mates. The Penguins will feature Starkey's girlfriend, Sharna Liguz, on vocals and his daughter, Tatia, on bass guitar. Tatia Starkey also plays bass with London-based act, Belakiss and has also worked as a stripper under the name Tasher...

Barak Obama's people have reportedly approached 21-year-old UK singer, Joss Stone, and asked her to compose a theme song for the senator's presidential campaign. The Democratic nominee is apparently impressed with Stone's ability to appeal to people from across the racial spectrum with her nu-age soul. I'm guessing that he hasn't heard her speak yet because if Obama's people let this girl anywhere near a microphone on the campaign trail, they're likely to see years of hard work go up in smoke. Joss Stone talking on behalf of a presidential candidate is about as dangerous as a Viagra party at Christine Keeler's house. This is a girl with a ridiculous mid-Atlantic accent, who recently turned up a half hour late for the baptism of her brother's child and insulted those that she didn't disgust with her diva-like behavior, before head-butting her brother. All of this despite the fact that she was actually there to be godmother to the child...

Ronnie Wood's personal life continues to be splashed across the pages of European tabloids, with some saying he is reconciling with his wife, while others claim that the Rolling Stones' guitarist has been receiving regular visits from his 19-year-old lover, Ekaterina Ivanova. According to reports, the young Russian cocktail waitress has been visiting Woods in the Sussex clinic he has been attending, in an effort to address his alcohol problems. Ivanova certainly appears to be enjoying her time in the spotlight, walking the streets of London sporting a Rolling Stones jacket and attending clubs with gaudy paint covering her face. Late last week, several tabloids reported that the relationship with the young woman was over and that Woods' wife of 23 years, Jo, had visited him in the clinic and was hopeful of a reconciliation. Although she allegedly left the country to escape the public embarrassment, Jo now believes that the entire affair was "based on vodka." Maybe on one side alright but I'm pretty sure that the other side was about money and fame. I'm also pretty sure that I'm guessing that Ron Woods will begin to feel a little embarrassed about how this has played out, right around the time he sobers up...

One of the more unusual stories circulating on the t'interweb last week was the one purporting that troubled ex-England football player, Paul Gascoigne, has decided that the only way to deal with his ongoing mental health problems and very public meltdown, was to get out on the road with a heavy metal band. Despite the fact that he is an acknowledged galloping alcoholic and was sectioned earlier this year, over concerns for his mental health, Gazza, has apparently been sighted on the road with Iron Maiden, for their European tour. According to all counts, he has been having quite a time. The only trouble is that Gazza is an emotional version of Isaac Newton's law on gravity, only his downs appear a little bit more prolonged than his ups...

A British dentist has been refused permission by Prince, to do an operatic version of his track Purple Rain, on an upcoming album of cover versions. Andrew Bain was signed to a multi-album deal by Sony BMG, who were mightily impressed in particular by his version of the Prince standard, and the singer is said to be gutted that he won't be allowed to use it. Other artists that have allowed the dentist to cover their tracks on his upcoming debut album include, Abba, David Bowie and Bryan Adams. If I was to sit down with a pencil and an evil glint in my eye, I honestly do not think that I could come up with a more frightening strain of music than operatic Bryan Adams... I lied, Celine Dion in modern country... James Blunt done by a polka band... It's going to be tough sleeping tonight...

Finally, and all joking aside, Ireland lost one of its bone fide national treasures last week with the death of Ronnie Drew, who succombed to cancer last Saturday. As lead singer of The Dubliners, Drew was one of the most important - and well liked - individuals in the world of trad music. He leaves behind a son, a daughter, six grandchildren and the kind of legaxy that will make him immortal in the eyes of many around the world. R.I.P.