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B-Sides Report for 07/27/2015



Bobbi Kristina Brown Dead At 22

(Radio.com) Bobbi Kristina Brown, daughter of late singer Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown, died at a hospice in Duluth, Georgia on Sunday (July 26th), according to CBS News. She was 22.

Radio.com reports: She was moved to the hospice in June after being hospitalized in January after she was found unresponsive in a bathtub in her home in a Atlanta suburb.

"Bobbi Kristina Brown passed away Sunday, July, 26 2015, surrounded by her family," her family said in a statement released Sunday evening. "She is finally at peace in the arms of God. We want to again thank everyone for their tremendous amount of love and support during these last few months." Read more here.

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Drake's Alleged Ghostwriter Speaks Out About Controversy

(Radio.com) Quentin Miller, who has been rumored to be Drake's ghostwriter, has spoken out about the nature of his collaboration with the superstar hip-hop artist. In the wake of Meek Mill claiming that Drake doesn't write his own rhymes, Miller took to his tumblr to respond, discussing his relationship with Drizzy.

He said: "I am not and never will be a 'ghostwriter' for drake.. Im proud to say that we've collaborated .. but i could never take credit for anything other than the few songs we worked on together .."

In his post, he says that Drake reached out to him when he was "just another guy working a job he hated with a passion for music" - noting that he worked in a bakery - and that the MC told him he is "destined for greatness."

As far as his contribution to Drake's songs, he said "Most of the project was done before I came in the picture.. I remember him playing it for me for the first time thinking "Why am I here?" like.. what does he need me for?? The answer is.. Nothing' I watched this man piece together words in front of me' I watched him write/ replace bars 2- 3 at a time on 6pm in NY.. I witnessed him light up, go in and freestyle madonna'.I took notes from the best in the game'." Read more here.

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KISS Rock Acoustic Version Of Rock and Roll Over Rarity

(hennemusic) KISS unplugged for An Acoustic Evening With performance at the San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino, in Highland, CA on Friday. The band has released video footage of the vintage 1976 "Rock And Roll Over" track, "Love 'Em And Leave 'Em", marking its first live appearance since 2006.

KISS' 20-song set list featured 17 tracks from their classic 70s era alongside a pair of 80s tunes and a single track from the 90s. "Like all things that we do, we do it only if we want to," Gene Simmons tells The Press-Enterprise about the rare acoustic evening. "Sometimes it takes a lot of work. Sometimes it's just seamless. Like when we do the Kiss cruises, it's a lot of work. You're talking, making sure every person gets personalized signed stuff, pose for photos with every person and do a few shows.

"Playing at San Manuel is seamless. You sort of get up and it feels like somebody's in your living room, compared to the stadiums we play in. It's easy and we get a chance to not worry about the pyrotechnics and technical stuff. It feels informal." Watch the video here.

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U2 Joined By Jimmy Fallon To Perform Classic Song

(hennemusic) U2 were joined by Jimmy Fallon for a performance of their 1988 hit, "Desire", at New York's Madison Square Garden on July 22 and video of the jam has been posted online. Fallon also shared the behind the scenes story of his U2 performance the following night on his NBC show.

The surprise appearance on the group's "Innocence + Experience" tour began when Fallon was called on stage from his spot in the crowd on the floor, where he held up a sign that read "singer with a broken finger."

"I'm a big fan of Irish people that fall down and hurt themselves," said Fallon when he arrived on stage with an introduction by Bono. "So you're like a mentor to me, brother. Edge, what you did a couple of weeks ago falling off the stage was classic, brother. I'm happy to be a part of the club."

The reference calls upon Bono's bicycle injury in New York's Central Park last November, as well as guitarist The Edge's fall off stage during the tour's opening night in Vancouver on May 14.

Still wearing a cast, Fallon recently suffered a serious injury to his left hand that almost cost him a finger when he fell in his apartment at the end of June. Following "Desire", Fallon and U2 brought out The Tonight Show house band The Roots for 1988's "Angel Of Harlem." Watch videos here.

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Prince And 3rdEyeGirl Releasing 'Weird, Experimental' Album

(Radio.com) Never one to sit quietly for long, Prince is already at work on his next album, the follow up to last year's Plectrumelectrum and Art Official Age. In a new interview with BBC 6 Music, his band 3rdEyeGirl made the announcement and dropped a few clues about the release.

Titled The Hit & Run Album, the new project is being described as one of Prince's spacier offerings. "It's weird, there's a lot of experimental sound," 3rdEyeGirl said.

"It's just hit after hit and definitely caters to those fans who just love to hear what Prince has to say, rather than wanting to always hear that classic Purple Rain Prince sound."

Still, the album will have plenty to offer those Prince fans who've stuck by the Purple One over the past several decades. Read more here.

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Parents TV Council Protest Miley Cyrus Hosting VMAs

(Radio.com) Earlier this week, MTV got the music world buzzing after announcing Miley Cyrus will be hosting this year's VMAs. But not everyone was on board with the decision.

According to Gossip Cop, the Parents Television Council didn't like the choice of host MTV is going with. The advocacy group issued a statement with their concerns of Cyrus being the host, as well as implying the show should be labeled as TV-MA rating.

The Parents Television Council also protested MTV's bundling in a cable package, which doesn't allow parents to unsubscribe from the station. Council President Tim Winter believes the VMAs is 'not going to be safe for children to watch."

'With Miley's shtick, it's probably going to be very edgy, very profane, very sexually explicit. As a parent of a teenager, the content from two years ago was clearly not appropriate for a 14-year-old. I think last year's was toned down quite a bit. I think that came from advertiser pressure to not have a re-twerk, he said. "This year, clearly, they're going to try to ramp it back up again. And based on everything we've seen Miley doing in recent years, she certainly seems angry and certainly seems enjoying being the provocateur." Read more here.

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Janet Jackson Releases 'No Sleeep' Video Featuring J. Cole

(Radio.com) "It's fait accompli/that we ain't gonna get no sleep." Those ten words may be the sexiest ten words you've heard this week. But when cooed by Janet Jackson in her new song "No Sleeep," they are definitely the sexiest ten words you've heard this week. Or this year. Or ever.

Of course, we first heard the song about a month ago but the video ups the hot factor, and features J. Cole to boot. And yes, "sleeep" is spelled with an extra "e."

That's what Janet wants, that's what Janet gets. Adjust your spellchecks appropriately. Janet kicks off a tour next month, and has just announced dates stretching into 2016. Watch the video here.

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Drake Responds To Meek Mill's Ghostwriter Claims With New Track

(Radio.com) Drake has finally spoken out in response to Meek Mill's claims that he uses a ghostwriter. Instead of going on social media, he went straight to the booth and recorded a track.

In a radio appearance earlier today, Drake dropped a new song called 'Charged Up.' While the song doesn't name Meek Mill or the alleged ghostwriter Quentin Miller, Drake makes it clear what situation he is addressing in the track. (Anyway, Miller posted a message on his tumblr saying that "I am not and never will be a 'ghostwriter' for Drake.")

Meek Mill originally made the claim about Drake saying that Drake's guest verse on Meek's "R.I.C.O." was penned by a ghostwriter. Drake seems to address this in this line: "I'm done doin' favors for people/'Cause it ain't like I need the money off a feature." Read more here.

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Ed Sheeran Announces TV Special

(Radio.com) Ed Sheeran has some good news for fans that didn't make the cut for his sold out shows at London's Wembley Stadium (or anywhere else on his tour, for that matter). Next month, he'll be the subject of the television special, Ed Sheran: Live at Wembley Stadium.

The televised event is sure to pack all of Sheeran's biggest hits, but on top of that, it will feature a duet with the glitteriest knight at the round table, Sir Elton John, who joined the 24-year-old on stage during the three-night stint.

Additionally, the broadcast will include exclusive footage documenting preparations for the event.Sheeran is quoted in saying that he thought filling Wembley 'was out of reach and didn't think it was possible'" Read more here.

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Duff McKagan Talks Mad Season Reunion Concert

(Radio.com) On January 30 of this year, fans of the '90s Seattle music scene had their minds blown by a (probably) one-off event that paid tribute to the city's supergroups and fallen icons, and now it's going to be released on CD, vinyl and as a download.

The centerpiece of the show, which took place at Seattle's Benaroya Hall, was an ad hoc reunion by the supergroup Mad Season's surviving members, guitarist Mike McCready (also of Pearl Jam) and drummer Barrett Martin (formerly of Screaming Trees, currently of Walking Papers). Accompanied by the Seattle Symphony, and joined by singer Chris Cornell (of Soundgarden) filling in the for the late Layne Staley (of Alice In Chains) and bassist Duff McKagan (formerly of Guns N Roses, currently of Walking Papers) filling in for the late John Baker Saunders, they performed a few songs from Mad Season's lone album, the 1995 classic Above.

The show also saw McCready performing a classical original, "Walking the Horizon," accompanied by Pearl Jam/Soundgarden/Temple of the Dog drummer Matt Cameron and the Seattle Symphony. Finally, there was a Temple of the Dog reunion when Cornell and McCready were joined by Cameron and Pearl Jam's Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament, for two songs from the legendary band's sole album, their 1991 self-titled effort.

We recently spoke to McKagan about the show, as he was promoting his latest book, How to Be a Man. While some may have been surprised by the choice of the ex-Guns N Roses member to fill in for Mad Season, McKagan is a proud Seattlite who has jammed with McCready in the past, and is a former member of legendary Seattle band the Fastbacks. And, as mentioned, he is bandmates with Mad Season's Barrett Martin in Walking Papers.

"The Seattle Symphony approached Mike McCready about doing the Mad Season record," he told Radio.com. "Immediately, Cornell agreed to do it. He was [Mad Season/Alice In Chains singer] Layne [Staley]'s friend. And then they asked me, I was also Layne's friend. Regrettably, I didn't know [Mad Season bass player] Baker [aka John Saunders]. But I feel like I do now, because I listened to his bass playing inside and out." Read more here.

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Weezer's Rivers Cuomo Looks for Love In 'Go Away' Video

(Radio.com) Rivers Cuomo goes looking for love using the latest dating app. Well, kinda. In support of their recent collaboration with Best Coast's Bethany Cosentino, titled 'Go Away," Weezer has released a music video in which frontman Rivers Cuomo uses 'Winder" (a play on Tinder), to woo his online crush.

Dressing like a hipster DJ, a bleach-blond surfer dude, and a money-grubbing millionaire, Cuomo fails to attract his e-love, until he figures out the perfect con.

The fuzzy track comes from 2014's Everything Will Be Alright in the End, the ninth studio record in Weezer's lengthy career. Unlike the band's preceding handful of releases, this album harkens clearly to their roots, feeding fans of the storied band the tinny guitar tones, chants, and insistent catchiness that attracted them to The Blue Album back in 1994. Read more and watch the video here.

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Kataklysm Release 'The Black Sheep' Video

(TeamRock Radio) Kataklysm have released a music video for their track The Black Sheep. It's taken from 12th album Of Ghosts And Gods which is released on July 30 via Nuclear Blast.

The band revealed earlier this year that they felt rejuvenated while recording the follow-up to 2013's Waiting For The End To Come. The Canadian outfit say about the track:

"The Black Sheep is a song we feel represents anyone who follows his or her own path despite facing critics and hate for being different than the norm. I'm sure many metalheads will relate - we surely do."

Kataklysm recently announced plans for a 44-date European tour, which kicks off in Germany on January 7. Watch the new video here.

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Gus G Releases 'Brand New Revolution' Video

(Classic Rock) Gus G has premiered a music video for the track Brand New Revolution. The song is taken from his solo album of the same name which was released last week. He previously issued streams of Burn and The Quest.

The Ozzy Osbourne and Firewind star said of the record: "I feel the album as a whole has many influences, from classic hard rock and metal, to more modern and current sounds."

The follow-up to I Am The Fire features guest appearances from Jeff Scott Soto, Mats Leven, Amaranthe's Elize Ryd, and Jacob Bunton of Lynam and Adler.

The guitarist is currently on tour across Europe and will set sail from Florida on the Monsters Of Rock Cruise in February. Watch the video here.

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Natalie La Rose Releases 'Around the World' Video

(Radio.com) Natalie La Rose has released her new music video for the track 'Around the World" featuring Fetty Wap, and the clip takes viewers on a seductive tour of the globe.

In her successfully tested strategy, La Rose's intricate group choreography and flashy costuming remind us of a simpler time, when videos required little thought, and vibes counted more than narratives.

This new clip comes after the viral success of her first video for the airwave-dominating song 'Somebody" featuring Jeremih. The Dutch singer is signed to Flo Rida's IMG imprint Republic Records. Read more and watch the video here.

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SoundCloud Cofounder Confirms Subscription Service Plans

(Radio.com) The rumors were true: SoundCloud is indeed launching their own subscription service. After a contract leaked revealing the details of the alleged three-tier service, the company's co-founder Eric Wahlforss has confirmed their next move to The Wall Street Journal.

While Wahlforss didn't give any more details other than the announcement, if the contract is anything to go by the new rollout will offer three plans. Free service reportedly includes a limited catalog and ads while the cheapest paid model includes an ad-free experience and a larger catalog. If users want to listen to SoundCloud's entire catalog without ads, they will allegedly have to shell out even more.

Under the new contract, user experience won't be the only change to SoundCloud. The company would also revise their payout system for royalties based on the percentage of streaming revenue acquired from members.

They would pay labels 18 cents a month for each individual with a 'Full Catalog" account and 80 cents per month for each individual signed up with an 'Additional Services" membership. Read more here.

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Ellie Goulding and Tarrus Riley In Major Lazer's New 'Powerful' Video

(Radio.com) Ellie Goulding and reggae singer Tarrus Riley display psychic powers and wreak havoc on a diner in the latest video from Major Lazer. In a recent interview with Radio.com Diplo talked about how "Powerful" came together.

"Ellie had been hitting me up around that time wanting to work with Major Lazer, so I sent her this demo," Diplo explained. "She was like, 'whoa, this is the perfect record for me to do with you guys.'

She changed some bits around and did that awesome bridge for us. Then I had my boy Switch, who was one of the original members of Major Lazer, do some drum productions on it and Skrillex added some touches."

Read more and watch the video here.

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The Fierce And The Dead Release 'Magnet In Your Face' Video

(Prog) The Fierce And The Dead have released a video for Magnet In Your Face - their first new track in two years. It's taken from their EP entitled Magnet, set for launch on August 14 and follows the stream of the lead track earlier this month.

Guitarist Matt Stevens said: "This EP represents a different sound for us. It's important to keep moving forward. It's more joyous and intense, with bigger riffs and more of an electronic feel."

The band continue work on their third full-length album, having described the material as "f***ing terrifying." Watch the "Rehearsal Recording" video for "Magnet In Your Face" here.

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Obsidian Kingdom Release Live Drone Set Video

(Prog) Obsidian Kingdom have released a live video shot during their Drone Set side-project. It features a performance of their piece BCNmp7. Metal�l�rgies, recorded during a concert in Barcelona last month.

The Catalan outfit say: "We combine our rock band aspect with the Drone Set effort - an ephemeral live project focused on impromptu and sonic experimentation.

"Through active listening and an exclusively live approach we amalgamate drone, noise, ambient music and video projections for a unique and surrounding audiovisual live experience."

Each session requires the musicians to "rethink their connection with their instruments, deepening their possibilities through unorthodox use." The effect is maximised through the contributions of a video artist who effectively becomes an additional member of the band. Watch the video here.

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