The Company Band Week: Day 1

antiMusic reports: Most recent rock supergroups have been underwhelming. Only a small few have pulled it off convincingly (Down anyone?). We're happy to report that The Company Band hits on all on cylinders and delivers on the promise of a band featuring members of Clutch, CKY, Fireball Ministry, and Puny Human. The band recorded a 4-song EP called "Sign Here, Here, and Here". The music rocks so hard that they scared the hell out of the folks at MTV, who ran away in terror from a scheduled appearance on the network next weekend. (Perhaps in fear that once their viewers got a taste of real rock they would never go back to the MTV variety?) But you don't need MTV, we have Neil Fallon (Clutch) with us this week and he will tell us about the new band, the songs of the EP, and more. Today we ask Neil how the band come together and about their tour plans.

?: How did this band come together? Neil: Jess [Margera, CKY] called me one evening and said he wanted to put together a band. That was in the autumn of 2006. Everybody he had in mind was (is) in bands that played at one point with CkY. Jim [A. Rota II, Fireball Ministry] knew Dave [Bone], and asked if he could join in. And there you have it. Lay 'em down and smack 'em yak 'em.

?: Any plans to tour? If so who would you love to tour with? Neil: No plans at moment. That's tough since we have all have our own touring demands and prior obligations. Hopefully, the stars will align so that a tour can happen sooner rather than later. AC/DC.

We will be back tomorrow with more Q&A with Neil. The EP is available on iTunes right now and will be released in CD form next week. It seriously kicks major ass. For now you can check out clips of the songs and get more info on the band - right here

Star Accused of Rape

Contact Music reports: Disgraced rocker GARY GLITTER is facing more legal woes after a British aristocrat accused him of raping her when she was just 15 years old. Vanessa Grey has kept the alleged abuse a secret for 17 years because she was too ashamed to speak out about it - but she has finally broken her silence in an effort to convince authorities to ban the fallen star from returning to his native U.K.

Glitter - real name Paul Gadd - is currently serving a three-year sentence in a Vietnam prison after he was convicted in 2006 of committing obscene acts with two Vietnamese girls, aged just 11 and 12. But Gadd is reportedly set for an early release later this year (08) - and Grey, now 32, is disturbed by the thought of the 63-year-old becoming a free man.

Grey claims she first met Glitter in 1990 when she was 14 and was lured onto the star's luxury yacht on several occasions, where he often plied her with champagne. On one occasion, when she was drunk, she alleges Glitter forced her downstairs into the boat's cabin and performed a sex act on her - but was too "confused and vulnerable" to understand what was happening. Weeks later, Grey claims Glitter invited her to his house, where he again gave her champagne and coaxed her into the bedroom before raping her. - more on this story

U2 Going Indie?

Idolar reports: According to Fox rumormonger Roger Friedman, word is that U2 is one of two outfits currently in negotiations for a deal with Live Nation that would be similar to the 360-degree payday that Madonna scored last fall.

The Bono-led band, which started out its career on Island Records and has put out records in the U.S. on Interscope, went triple-platinum in the States with its 2004 album How To Build An Atomic Bomb; Friedman's tipster is claiming that the band's contract with its label was either fulfilled by Bomb or the recently released remaster of The Joshua Tree.

If the Live Nation deal does come to pass, it'll be interesting to see how U2's recording career is handled by the company; they're one of the few bands out there that can rake in the big bucks on tour and still sell a lot of records, although who knows how their album sales will fare in this year's ever-decimated retail landscape. - more on this story

Britney Psych Hold Extended

TMZ reports: It's not a done deal, but expect that sometime Sat night, papers will be signed at UCLA extending Britney Spears' stay at the psych ward -- by 14 days.

It's an internal process -- done without a court order. But we're told it will indeed happen, and that's not surprising given her mental health. As we first reported, Britney's been diagnosed with severe bipolar disorder.

The ward Britney is in is considered one of the best in the nation for the treatment she is receiving - Get the latest here

Cancelled Morrissey Fans SOL

PR reports: The organizers regret to announce that it has not been possible to reschedule Morrissey's three postponed January shows at the Roundhouse. The original six night run was completely sold out and the three shows that did take place were historic.

The Artiste and Promoters tried strenuously to reschedule the three shows but it proved impossible. We would like to extend our apologies to all of Morrissey's loyal fans over this unavoidable situation. - more on this story

Thrillercast Preview

PR reports: In celebration of the 25th anniversary of Michael Jackson's multi-platinum, multi-award winning album Thriller, Legacy Recordings is proud to present Thrillercast: A groundbreaking podcast event dedicated to the 25th anniversary celebration of the world's biggest selling album of all time, "Thriller"

The 40-episode podcast will run throughout 2008 and feature icons of music and screen, including hip-hop legend DMC, current superstars Akon, Nick Cannon, Chris Brown, will.i.am, Quincy Jones, Imogen Heap, choreographers Shane Sparks and Mia Michaels, turntablist DJ Spooky as well as many more special guests. Each guest sat down with us to discuss their experiences with Thriller, the various singles and videos, and its influence on them, both personally and professionally. Their stories are each unique and profound and singular in their message: Thriller was a game-changer across the board.

The free podcasts start today with "Episode 0", a teaser of what's to come, with a new episode available (roughly) each week starting on February 12. - check it out here

$30M Great White Fire Settlement

Vicente Fox News reports: A TV station and a cameraman accused of getting in the way of people fleeing the nightclub fire that killed 100 people have reached a tentative $30 million settlement with survivors and victims' relatives, a lawyer involved in the deal said Saturday.

It is the largest settlement of several reached so far with the dozens of people and companies who sued over the Feb. 20, 2003, fire at The Station nightclub. The blaze began when pyrotechnics used by the 1980s rock band GREAT WHITE ignited highly flammable soundproofing foam covering the walls.

Brian Butler, a cameraman for WPRI-TV, was at the West Warwick nightclub gathering footage for a segment on safety in public places. His video formed the most complete record of the early moments of the fire, revealing the rapid spread of flames and the frantic rush for the exits. - more on this story

50 Cent Vs Paris Hilton

Contact Music reports: Rap superstar 50 CENT kicked PARIS HILTON offstage and reduced her to tears during a pre-Super Bowl concert on Thursday (31Jan08).

Hilton hosted the bash for 944 magazine in Scottsdale, Arizona and was stunned when the headliner turned on her. The two star attractions have been romantically linked in the past, but there was no love lost when Hilton tried to steal the show.

After 50 Cent namechecked her during his performance, Hilton climbed onstage to dance, but was promptly told to "Get the f**k off the stage" by the angry star. Onlookers tell PageSix.com the outburst prompted Hilton to break down in tears - more on this story

Seven Mary Three Return

PR reports: Seven Mary Three will release their sixth album Day&Nightdriving on February 19, 2008. Co-produced by Brian Paulson (Wilco, Son Volt, Beck) and the band's Ross and guitarist Thomas Juliano, Day&Nightdriving reflects a return to Seven Mary Three's pared down origins, having recorded their first album in a basement while attending the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA.

The album is a highly personal, reflective, yet raw and uncompromisingly honest work about reconciling a career in a rock group with home life and balancing commitments to bandmates and those of family.

Seven Mary Three are most widely known for their platinum debut American Standard featuring the #1 Rock radio hit "Cumbersome," which still receives more than 500 spins per week. The group has toured with the likes of Aerosmith, Matchbox Twenty and Three Doors Down, creating a strong fan base that has loyally supported them through the record company travails that saw them move from their original independent label home of Mammoth to Atlantic Records, settling now again with an independent, Bellum Records. - "She Wants Results" MP3

Spice Girls Cut Reunion Tour

antiMusic reports: Spice World has grown smaller. The BBC has the story: The Spice Girls are cutting short their reunion world tour, blaming "family and personal commitments".

The UK band said they would end their tour in Toronto on 26 February, with planned shows in Beijing, Sydney, Cape Town and Buenos Aires being axed.

The shows had been originally scheduled for January but were postponed after the London leg of the tour was extended and will not now be rescheduled. - more on this story

Talking Metal On Fuse

antiMusic reports: Metalheads out there made the pilot of Talking Metal on Fuse a big hit, so the network has ordered more episodes. Mark and John return to your TV later this month. First with a preview episode and then 2 new episodes the following week.

What's to come after that? Mark says "We have a bunch of interviews and jams with artists like Slash, Zakk Wylde, Killswitch, Bumblefoot, Rob Halford, Danzig, Ian Christe, Richard Christy, Byron Davis, Kory Clark, Eddie Ojeda and Soilwork in the can" for future episodes.

Talking Metal is the No 1 metal podcast on iTunes. Here is the schedule for Talking Metal on Fuse: 2/16 midnight EST / 9PM PST - a sneak peak at the Ozzy/Kerry King episode. * 2/22 - midnight EST / 9PM PST - Talking Metal on fuse - Premiere Night - 2 new 30 minute episodes back to back.

While you wait for those, check out the latest podcast featuring Richard Z. Kruspe of Emigrate and Rammstein at - Talkingmetal.com

Law & Order Star is Gaye

Contact Music reports: [Law & Order star] JESSE L. MARTIN will portray MARVIN GAYE in a new movie about the late soul star's life. The 39-year-old, who has previously showed off his singing skills in rock musical Rent, will play the legendary Motown star in Sexual Healing - a film based loosely on author Steven Turner's book Trouble Man.

The screenplay will document Gaye's rise to international fame in the 1960s and 1970s, right through to his split from the Motown Record label in the 1980s and his self-imposed exile in Europe.

Gaye died in April 1984 - one day before his 45th birthday (02Apr84) - when he was shot and killed by his father following an argument. - more on this story

Mighty Mighty Bosstones Bamboozled

Punknews.org reports: The Bamboozle festival continues to expand it's lineup, with confirmation now that the reunited Mighty Mighty Bosstones will appear at the event.

They join bands like Anti-Flag, Less Than Jake, the Bouncing Souls, Thrice, Streetlight Manifesto, Saves The Day

Plus From First To Last, Cobra Starship, Chiodos, Aiden, Straylight Run and many more. - more on this story

Def Leppard Delay

antiMusic reports: Def Leppard had some bad news for fans this week: Well, it's one of the constants in the history of DEF LEPPARD, and we regret to inform you that it has popped up again: the release of the band's new album, 'Songs from the Sparkle Lounge', has been pushed back (even though the date we mentioned two weeks ago was only a tentative date to start with).

The album is now scheduled to come out on May 5 in the UK and May 6 in North America (international dates have not been confirmed yet, but it will probably be May 6 as well). I guess we don't need to tell you that these dates are also tentative and subject to change.

We can also give you the working titles of all the tracks scheduled to appear on the album. - see here for those

Jay-Z for Glastonbury

BBC reports: US rapper Jay-Z is to headline this summer's Glastonbury Festival, it has been confirmed.

Organiser Michael Eavis told BBC Somerset the star was on the bill for the event in June.

He said he wanted to "break with tradition this time and put on something totally different" - more on this story

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