Joe Kavanagh's Music News

The Irish rock fraternity was shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the death of Liberty Kings guitarist, Eohgan Mac Aoidh (24), as the result of a traffic accident in the early hours of last Wednesday (August 11), while the band was on tour in the UK. According to reports, the accident occurred when the band's Volkswagen camper van pulled onto a hard shoulder, only to be struck by a truck from behind. Guitarist Brian Kelly is also fighting for his life as a result of the collision, while the remaining three band members escaped with only minor injuries. Police reportedly arrested one man at the scene of the smash, which happened only hours after a performance by the up-and-coming Dublin act in Manchester, and as they were traveling to the site of their next gig in Liverpool's legendary Cavern Club. Adding to the cruel sense of tragedy was the fact that the five piece was due to release their debut single over the weekend, having only recently signed a recording contract. Our thoughts are with the band members and their families during this most trying time...

Damien Dempsey was among the more than 150 Irish creative artists that agreed to embark on a boycott of Israel, until the Jewish nation lifts its ongoing blockade of Gaza. Those participating in the boycott will refuse to perform or display their work in Israel, and will turn down any funding from official Israeli sources, as long as the crippling blockade remains in effect. Speaking at the official launch of the boycott, Dempsey declared: "What's going on in Palestine is very wrong. We have a long history of oppression so I think anybody else who's being oppressed, we should have a duty. And as artists we yield a bit more power than ordinary people." Not to question Damien Dempsey's convictions, but why stop at Israel? I fully agree that the blockade at Gaza is a bona fide case of collective punishment, but where exactly is the moral line drawn when it comes to solidarity? ... Robbie Williams announced to the world that he is no longer a single man, having married his long time girlfriend, 'actress' Ayda Field, during a secret ceremony in LA. I say 'actress' because I've never heard of her appearing in a single production. Perhaps she's very dramatic when she walks past CCTV cameras. According to the Angels singer, his bride was aided and abetted in the ceremony by their eight pet dogs, which acted as bridesmaids. I've heard about brides not wanting to be outshone by their bridesmaids but that really takes the biscuit. Or should I say dog biscuit...

The Ting Tings have announced that they will release the long awaited follow-up to their 2008 debut album, We Started Nothing, this coming October. The critically-acclaimed two-piece return to the spotlight with the single Hands, before releasing sophomore effort Kunst, which was recorded in Berlin. The band has apparently struck up a close relationship with Jay Z, who intends to assist them in their promotion in the US. A source close to the band was quoted in the UK media last week as saying: "Jay can make them one of the biggest British bands in America." Yeah, just like he did with other UK acts like Lady Sovereign and the Sugababes. When it comes to breaking UK bands in the States, Jay Z has been about as successful as the proverbial one-legged man in an arse kicking competition. I believe it is known as the Sadim Touch... I read last week where UK pop group The Saturdays claim that they want to begin stealing ideas from Michael Jackson. Considering that they don't write their own music, have a choreographer that creates all of their dance routines, have their wardrobe chosen by a stylist and a publicist that tells them what to say in public, I haven't the foggiest idea as to how they could possibly steal any ideas from Michael Jackson. Perhaps they're going to buy a pet chimpanzee...

I also came across an article last week which said that Prodigy main man Liam Howlett and former Oasis singer Liam Gallagher were seen at a dog show in London's Hampstead and I thought, my how things have changed. I also thought that usually when you hear the words 'Hampstead' and 'dogging' in the same sentence, it denotes something entirely different than a collection of coiffured pooches prancing around a park...

Reports in the media claim that tempers are frayed on the set of Madonna's movie W.E., which is currently being shot on location in the UK. Apparently some of the actors and crew are sick and tired of the laborious approach by Madge, who co-wrote and is directing the movie. One account claims that the Material Girl spent three hours shooting a 10 second scene featuring lead actress Abbie Cornish sitting in a bath. Crikey, the poor girl must have had a body that looked like Yoda by the end of that performance. W.E. will also feature the debut acting performance of Madonna's daughter Lourdes, but let's hope that she didn't inherit the acting gene from her mother who has all the thespian skills and nuances of a brick. The movie recounts the story of the 1936 abdication of Britain's King Edward VIII, so that he could marry his American bride Wallace Simpson, but I'm guessing it's going to leave out the fact that he was a personal friend and huge admirer of Adolph Hitler, who would most likely have returned to the British throne if the Nazis had managed to conquer Britain. Or the fact that Wallis Simpson was effectively the 1930s version of Heather Mills...

Amy Winehouse's father Mitch was forced to cancel the remaining dates of his current UK tour after he was rushed to hospital last week, upon complaining of chest pains. The singing taxi driver was subsequently diagnosed as having gallstones, so we should all be grateful that he decided upon a career in music as opposed to medicine, after jacking in his job as a cab driver. Either that, or they were some humongous gallstones. Winehouse is apparently being doted upon by his notorious daughter who has been acting as something of a nurse to him during his recovery. Well, she probably knows more about drugs than the average nurse but I think I'd be hiding the prescription pads if I were on the staff in that hospital. When not tending to her father, Amy packed in plenty of partying last week, as she passed out drunk on a park bench after having a blazing row with actress Mischa Barton, and also managed to insult the King Goodwill Zwelithiri of the Zulu Nation, by falling into a drunken slumber during his official opening of new London restaurant, Shaka Zulu. All in all, just another average week in the life of Amy Winehouse...

Despite a savage mauling from the critics, anemic sales of her single and little or no airplay, Katie Price is eager to release a follow-up to the dreadful Free To Love Again. The UK glamour model vows that she will keep on singing, so I hereby vow to keep on not listening. Announcing her decision, Price admitted to a UK TV interviewer that she is "no Whitney Houston". When it comes to singing Katie Price is no Sam Houston, and he's bloody dead...

The Buggles are set to make a brief return to the music world, having announced that they will play a one-off show next month. The gig will be the Video Killed The Radio star act's first foray into the spotlight in over almost three decades, though that could be a long gig for anyone not suffering from Alzheimer's Disease. I mean, can you name one other track by The Buggles? I'll even give you the time it takes me to make a cup of tea to mull that one over... I didn't think so...

Speaking of 80s icons, Boy George voiced his concerns about Lady Gaga's recent revelations regarding her occasional cocaine use. The Poker Face singer was talking to Rolling Stone magazine when she announced of her flirtation with Colombian marching powder: "I won't lie; it's occasional. And when I say occasional, I mean maybe a couple of times a year." The confession raised a red flag with Boy George, who knows a thing or two about drug use, prompting him to write: "If Lady Gaga were about to be exposed as a drug user I would understand her recent confession... that she is an 'occasional' coke sniffer. But why offer up this information on a whim? Could it be that her use of coke is not so 'occasional?' As a recovering addict who knows how dangerous 'occasional' use is, I can think of no reason for Gaga to reveal this to her young audience... Isn't saying you're an 'occasional' drug taker a bit like saying you're bisexual? That usually means you're raving." Quite frankly, there seems to be very little that Lady Gaga won't reveal to the public, in either the physical or personal sense and in terms of privacy, Lady Gaga is more open than your average bodega in Times Square...

Boy George wasn't the only person openly opining on Lady Gaga in the music world last week, but producer Mike Stock's opinions on the controversial megastar were slightly less sympathetic, as he accused her and her ilk of dragging mainstream entertainment ever closer to the type of seedy enterprises that Times Square was also renowned for, before Rudy Giuliani cleaned it up in the 90s. As a member of the production trio of Stock, Aiken and Waterman - who inflicted their own dubious dirge on us during the 80s - many would feel that Mike Stock has revoked his right to talk about tasteful entertainment, but the producer is appalled at the current titillation factor in music, stating: "It's about keeping values that are important in the modern world. These days you can't watch modern stars - like Britney Spears or Lady Gaga - with a two-year-old." He continued: "Ninety-nine per cent of the charts is R 'n' B and 99 per cent of that is soft pornography. Kids are being forced to grow up too young. Look at the videos. I wouldn't necessarily want my young kids to watch them?" While I'm not quite at the John Ashcroft level of wanting to cover up the modesty of statues, I must confess that I do find it disturbing that you can now buy thongs for children, and was positively aghast when I once heard a five-year-old girl singing the chorus to I Wanna Have Sex On The Beach. If I am ever blessed with a daughter, I'm probably going to buy a big dog, a Colt 45 and begin work on a Rapunzel tower post haste...

From one old man ranting about the decline of morals to one who wishes to usher said decline in. Much like his legendary kitsch album, this William Shatner story doesn't have much musical value, but I read last week where the former Captain James T. Kirk is livid that TV show bosses have decided to call his new comedy show $#*! My Father Says. The over exuberant star claims: "Do you know what I wish? I wish they would call it s***. I've got grandchildren. I brought up three girls. They've all got kids. OK? And you say, 'Boopy-doo-doo, you've got to make poo-poo. Come on. Make poo-poo in the toilet.' Eventually, poo-poo becomes s***. 'Go take a s***, you'll feel better.' You say that to your kids. The word s*** is around us. It isn't a terrible term. It's a natural function. Why are we pussyfooting?" Considering his name sounds like the verb for pooping on members of the opposite gender, he should probably be grateful that he isn't billed as William $#*!ner. Personally I don't know what all the fuss is about either because odds are that the show will be cancelled in a few months, precisely because it is so $#*!.