Gary Reynolds and the Brides of Obscurity Week: Day 4

antiMusic reports: Described as psychedelic indie-rock / space pop that used "Abbey Road" as a reference when it came to mixing their new CD "Santiago's Vest," Gary Reynolds and the Brides of Obscurity caught our attention. So we asked Gary to pick some of his favorite tracks from the CD and tell us about them. Today Gary tells us about the song "The wall-eyed girl":

I was strumming the guitar while watching TV. I don't remember what show it was but the actress had a wondering eye. My wife said the derogatory term was "wall eyed". Some how it fit to the melody that I was humming. I was thinking about how everything and everyone is so perfect in Hollywood and how it had affected our society. So I wrote the lyrics using "the wall eyed girl" as a metaphor for how mass media is destroying our individualism. "They're phasing out the wall eyed girl" like and unwanted product.

Now it's up to you to be the ultimate judge, go grab a listen to their songs and see if you agree that this is an exciting new indie release. Samples, tour dates and more about the band can be - found here.

Aerosmith Surgery

antiMusic reports: It appears Joe Perry had to cancel concert plans because he will have to go under the knife so he can "Walk This Way" again. Hopefully he'll be "Back in the Saddle" soon. Blabbermouth has the story:

The Joe Perry concert scheduled for Saturday, April 5, at the Seneca Allegany Casino and Hotel has been canceled.

Perry, lead guitarist for Aerosmith, is to undergo knee surgery and must cancel some of his tour dates, casino officials said in an announcement today. Tickets for the performance can be refunded at the original point of purchase. - more on this story

Gnarls Barkley Cause Seizures

Gigwise reports: The video for Gnarls Barkley's new single, 'Run', has been withdrawn from MTV over fears that its strobe lightning could cause epileptic seizures.

The video, which features a cameo appearance Justin Timberlake, failed to meet guidelines set out by the Harding Test, which establishes whether images are likely to cause an epileptic fit.

The video for 'Run' is set in the early 90s and sees Timberlake play the host of a fictional public access TV show. [who knew MTV showed videos] - some fun comments from the group

Blunt Producer Sues Label

Reuters reports: U.S. songwriter and record producer Linda Perry is suing Warner Music Group for not turning over millions of dollars in royalties from the debut album of her protege, English singer James Blunt.

Perry's California-based record company, Custard, filed suit against Warner Music Group and one of its labels, Atlantic Records, which distributed Blunt's wildly successful album "Back to Bedlam," claiming breach of contract.

The suit, seeking lost royalties and $5 million in punitive damages, was filed Tuesday in Manhattan federal court. - more on this story

The Starting Line On Hold

antiMusic reports: The Starting Line made the following announcement today: This is one of the most difficult decisions we've had to make but after eight years of nonstop touring and recording The Starting Line will be taking a break after their headline tour with Bayside, Four Year Strong and Steel Train (March 18 – April 20) and the college shows following the tour.

This break does NOT mean the band is breaking up or going on hiatus it just means were going to stop for a little while and focus on other things in our lives besides The Starting Line. This break may last a year, two years or a few months, as of right now we don't know. We're talking to some friends about doing a quick tour to South America as well as options to tour Europe, Japan and Australia again and we're not ruling them out. We just aren't going to be doing any full time touring or recording as The Starting Line for a while. - more on this story

Ozzy Adds Another Nail to His Credibility Coffin

antiMusic reports: Ozzy has some metal fans scratching their heads at the former Prince of Darkness turned reality TV clown. In a new interview Ozzy blasts the use of the term "Heavy Metal," saying it has no musical connotation. However, he uses the term rock n' roll several times in this interview.

The New Zealand Herald asked Ozz several questions including this one about his influence: What influence do you think the classic Sabbath albums and Ozzy albums like Diary Of A Madman have had on today's music?

Ozzy: "You know, we had success from the word go. We never had to wait. You know, we formed in '68, then had a bit of a booze up touring thing in '69, recorded the first Sabbath album in 1970 in 12 hours or something and it just took off and it's never stopped for me. So when you're immersed in something it's hard to say. Plus, I hate that f*cking phrase heavy metal. It's got no musical connotation what so ever." - read the full interview

Avril Punk Poser Wear

antiMusic reports: Jerry Leigh the company that brought you the Gwen Stefoni ska-goes-hip-pop fashion line has inked a new deal with another rock poser. Here is part of the press release: Jerry Leigh announced its latest partnership with Avril Lavigne today. This July, Jerry Leigh and Lavigne will launch Abbey Dawn -- a new junior's lifestyle brand to be sold exclusively at Kohl's in the U.S., with additional opportunities currently being explored internationally.

Comprised of jewelry and apparel that mirror Lavigne's rock style and energy, the collection will be updated every 60 days with new prints and pieces for juniors to further define their own individual styles.

Additional categories will be added to the Abbey Dawn line including shoes and bags. The first collection will be sold in nearly 1,000 Kohl's stores nationwide in time for back-to-school shopping and marks Lavigne's first retail collaboration to date. - This should go nicely with Avril's latrine products.

Louis Vuitton Bags Keef Richards

Gigwise reports: Rolling Stones legend Keith Richards has become the latest face of Louis Vuitton in an advertising campaign for the famous fashion brand.

The 64-year-old has been drafted in to promote the Core Values campaign, selling branded travel luggage and accessories, which promotes the 'process of self-discovery' and 'personal journeys.'

In the advert, Richards has been photographed by Annie Leibovitz and is pictured looking all serious playing his guitar in his hotel room. Under the image is the phrase: 'Some Journeys Cannot Be Put Into Words. New York. 3 am. Blues in C.' - more on this story

New Metal Supergroup

Metal Underground reports: It has been revealed that FEAR FACTORY members Christian Olde Wolbers (guitar) and Raymond Herrera (drums) have joined forces with former DAMAGEPLAN singer/HALFORD guitarist Patrick Lachman in a new project called BURN IT ALL.

The group is currently shopping a four-song demo containing the following tracks: 01. Disciple 02. Spiral Fracture 03. Godless 04. War To End War
FEAR FACTORY is currently on hiatus while the band's frontman, Burton C. Bell, focuses his attention on the ASCENSION OF THE WATCHERS project, which recently inked a deal with MINISTRY mainman Al Jourgensen's 13th Planet Records. - more on this story

Def Leppard Finalize CD Plans

Metal Underground reports: Def Leppard's 14th studio album, Songs From The Sparkle Lounge, is set for release on April 29th in North America, the 30th in Japan and May 5th in the UK. The limited edition Japanese version will feature a bonus track, and a bonus DVD with behind-the-scenes interviews and music videos. The CD will be a limited edition featuring the new deluxe SHM-CD (Super High Material CD) format which is completely compatible with standard CD players.

The finalized tracklisting for the album is as follows: 'Nine Lives', 'C'mon C'mon', 'Go', 'Love', 'Cruise Control', 'Bad Actress', 'Hallucinate', 'Tomorrow', 'Come Undone', 'Only The Good Die Young' and 'Gotta Let It Go'.

Recorded last year during month-long stints at lead singer Joe Elliott's Dublin studio, the album's title refers to a backstage area called "The Sparkle Lounge" on Def Leppard's 2006 tour where the band would go to write songs. Tracks from the album have been described by the group as written in the style of 'Hysteria', with the production of High N' Dry. - more on this story

Marley Film Given Green Light

Gigwise reports: A film about the life of Bob Marley, which will be lifted from the autobiography of his widow, Rita Marley, looks set to go into production.

Rita Marley, who released 'No Woman No Cry: My Life With Bob Marley' in 2004, will also act as an executive producer on the project.

The autobiography follows the couples 15 years of marriage up until Marley died of cancer in 1981. - Find out who they are trying to get to star in the film

Crock Hall TV

PR reports: VH1 Classic will air the "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony" LIVE on Monday, March 10 at 8:30 PM/ET. Music fans will get to see and hear Madonna, John Mellencamp, Leonard Cohen, The Dave Clark Five and The Ventures get inducted into this esteemed musical institution as the action and music unfolds. In addition, Little Walter will be inducted into the "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's" sideman category, and the newly named "Ahmet Ertegun Award" (formerly the non-performer category) will be presented to legendary producers, Gamble & Huff.

For the second time, the induction ceremony will be telecast LIVE from the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City on VH1 Classic and MTV Networks' MHD: Music High-Definition channel on Monday, March 10 at 8:30 PM/ET. In addition, a special two and a half hour highlight edition will premiere on VH1 on Saturday, March 22 at 11:00 PM.

The week leading up to the live special, VH1 Classic will air special programming to salute past and present Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees including Madonna, The Police, Stevie Wonder, Elton John and more. - Highlighted programming for the week

Rocklahoma Second Stage

PR reports: In an unprecedented move, Nightmare Records, Blastzone Entertainment Group, and Chavis Records have teamed up to form a new partnership, the Tri-Label Group. The Tri-Label Group intends to bring you four incredible days of music entertainment on The 2nd Stage (North) at this year's major U.S. Rock Festival, ROCKLAHOMA.

ROCKLAHOMA is set to take place July 10-13, 2008 in Pryor, OK. This highly touted event triumphs all others in the U.S. ROCKLAHOMA will bring you four days of nonstop, festive, 1980s-era rock music. Last year, the rock n' roll event brought over 100,000 fans from all over the globe, to see the best in rock entertainment. - more including the list of bands you never head of

Belladonna To Spread Anthrax in the UK

Metal Underground reports: Former ANTHRAX vocalist Joey Belladonna has updated his "Never Look Back 2008" tour itinerary to include several UK dates in September.

According to a press release, "Joey has recruited a new powerhouse band and is currently working on a new BELLADONNA album to be released in the fall of 2008."

Sep. 19 - The Ferry Glasgow, UK
Sep. 20 - Yardbirds Rock Club Grimsby, UK
Sep. 24 - Dudley JB's Dudley, UK
Sep. 26 - London Astoria 2 London, England
- See the dates elsewhere in the world

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