12.23.03 (Rolling Stone) Three days after an Internet auction site began offering what it claims is an erased tape of a secret 1976 BEATLES reunion, the owner of the Los Angeles studio in which the band allegedly convened called the reunion "pop urban legend." "No sessions of this type ever took place at Davlen Sound Studios," said Len Kovner in a statement sent to Rolling Stone. "The tape box being offered for sale, does not say 'The Beatles' on it or inside of it, anywhere. The box was most likely retrieved from a trash bin at or nearby the Los Angeles studio facility, probably in the early Eighties." Kovner said that although all the band's members had recorded at the studio at various points during the Seventies and Eighties, no session ever featured all four. The tape is being offered on momentsintime.com. Site curator Gary J. Zimet claimed he got verification from Kovner that the sessions took place, but Kovner... [full story]

12.23.03 (AP) OZZY OSBOURNE has been moved out of intensive care as he recovers from the crash of an all-terrain vehicle two weeks ago, his family said Tuesday. Osbourne, 55, fractured his collarbone, eight ribs and a neck vertebra when the 600-pound ATV flipped and landed on top of him at his estate in Buckinghamshire, UK, on December 8th. He spent a week on a ventilator. In a written statement, the Osbourne family said Ozzy had been moved from Wexham Park Hospital to a private clinic. Osbourne's wife Sharon said last week it would probably take six months for the former BLACK SABBATH frontman to recover fully. "The Osbourne family are very happy that Ozzy has been allowed out of the intensive care unit for Christmas, and would like to thank everyone for their kind support, well wishes and prayers," the statement said. Osbourne's single 'Changes,' a duet with daughter Kelly, topped the British charts last week.

12.23.03 (Billboard) Though country singer GARY STEWART will likely be best remembered for one of the best country song titles of all time, 'She's Actin' Single (I'm Drinking Doubles),' his real legacy will be as part of a Seventies vanguard that put a Rock & Roll edge back into country music during a period when it had gone soft. Stewart was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound on Tuesday at his home in Ft. Pierce, Florida; he was fifty-eight. Born in Letcher County, Kentucky, on May 28, 1945, Stewart's family moved to Ft. Pierce when he was a child, after his father was injured in a mining accident. He was living in Ft. Pierce in the mid-Sixties when he started singing country music in local nightclubs. Stewart and Bill Eldridge, a local cop, began writing original material together and with some encouragement from Mel Tillis, they had several... [full story]

12.23.03 (RockAndMetal.com) As Goth Metal band LACUNA COIL prepares to go out on a 2-week tour of Europe with MOONSPELL, PASSENGER and POISONBLACK beginning Christmas Day, the band's video for the song 'Heaven's A Lie' has been seeing heavy rotation on German TV. VIVA and picked the video for N3 day rotation, VIVA PLUS also picked the song for their shows "Get The Clip," "Get The Clip Rock," and "Rock/Alternative." Additionally, ONYX will use the clip for a specially requested show of "Schattenreich" on January 25th. European Venues & Dates:
12/25 Hamburg (D) [Markthalle] • 12/26 Antwerp (B) [Hof Ter Loo] • 12/27 London (UK) [Astoria] • 12/28 Utrecht (NL) [Tivoli] • 12/29 Tilburg (NL) [013] • 12/30 Koln (D) [Live Music Hall] • 12/31 Pratteln (CH) [Z7] • 01/02 Budapest (H) [Petofi Hall] • 01/03 Vienna (A) [Planet Music] • 01/04 Nurnberg (D) [Hirsch] • 01/05 Milano (I) [Transilvania] • 01/06 Paris (F) [Elysee Montmartre] • 01/07 Stuttgart (D) [LKA] • 01/08 Halle (D) [Easy Schorre]
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12.23.03 (AP) WHITE STRIPES lead singer JACK WHITE was charged Monday with aggravated assault after a fight with the lead singer of another band. White went to a police precinct early Sunday morning and gave a statement saying he struck VON BONDIES' lead singer Jason Stollsteimer in self-defense. The December 13th fight between White and Stollsteimer began shortly before midnight at the Majestic Theatre Center, where both men were in the audience for another concert. Stollsteimer, 25, told police that White had punched him seven times in the face. Police said Stollsteimer's right eye was bruised and swollen and he was bleeding from his nose. He was taken to Detroit Receiving Hospital, where he was treated and released. White, 28, faces anywhere from no jail time to a maximum of one year in prison if convicted. WHITE STRIPES spokeswoman Chloe Walsh declined to comment on the fight or the charges... [full story]

12.23.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Uruguayan Melodic Black Metal band REQUIEM AETERNAM are returning with a new album sometime next year after a long period of silence from the band. The new effort, "Philosopher," will be recorded at Big Blue Meenie Studios in Jersey City, NJ (Voivod, Overkill, S.O.D., etc.), with new bassist Maciej Kupiszewski (ex-Ante Lucem). REQUIEM AETERNAM formed in September of 1995 in Montevideo, where their first recordings were featured on a local compilation there. The original line-up included drummer Martin Lopez (ex-Amon Amarth, Opeth), bassist Martin Mendez (Opeth), guitarist Pablo Magallanes and guitarist/vocalist Jose Romero (ex-Inner Sanctum). After some lineup changes and one full-length album released in 1998, Jose Romero moved the band's activities to New York City in 2002.
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12.23.03 (RockAndMetal.com) A German court found members of a neo-Nazi rock group guilty of forming a criminal association Monday, in the first case of its kind in that country. Michael Regener, the 38-year-old lead singer of the band LANDSER, was sentenced to three years and four months in prison, while bassist Andre Moehricke, 25, and drummer Christian Wenndorff, 27, received suspended sentences of 21 and 22 months respectively. Prosecutor Wolfgang Siegmund accused the men of propagating an "Aryan revolution" by producing CDs outside of Germany to skirt post-war laws outlawing publication of neo-Nazi materials. The albums allegedly contained "racist, nationalistic and anti-Semitic tirades of hate." LANDSER songs include 'Ran An Den Feind,' which calls for the bombing Israel, 'Grandpa Was A Sturmfuehrer,' and others glorifying one of Adolf Hitler's top aides, Rudolf Hess.
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12.23.03 (RockAndMetal.com) New Jersey label Trustkill Records has set up a donation account through PayPal for label artists BLEEDING THROUGH to help them get back on their feet after a terrible accident the band was involved in on a Utah highway last week. BLEEDING THROUGH was on tour with CHIMAIRA, SOILWORK and AS I LAY DYING, and had to cancel their spot on the rest of the tour due to the accident, which was caught on video by a local news crew working on a separate story as it happened. See that actual news footage here. Evidently, the band's van and equipment trailer hit black ice when they were on their way out of Salt Lake City and ended up in a four car pile-up. BLEEDING THROUGH's van was badly damaged, the equipment trailer was destroyed along with some of the band's instruments, but luckily the band members only ended up with minor scrapes and bruises. To make a donation, go to www.trustkill.com.
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12.23.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Event organizers have announced that the Friday, January 23rd show -- the first of the two-day Sydney BIG DAY OUT Festival at the Sydney Showground in Sydney, Australia -- is now sold out. Organizers say this is the earliest ticket sell-out in the history of the entire BIG DAY OUT event, which begins in Auckland on January 16th and runs through six total cities in both Australia and New Zealand, ending in Perth on February 1st. The BIG DAY OUT Festival has been in existence since 1992, which featured Nirvana in their prime. This year's BIG DAY OUT line-up features Metallica , The Strokes, The Flaming Lips, The Mars Volta, The Dandy Warhols, Black Eyed Peas, Peaches, The Hoodoo Gurus, Something For Kate, Jet, Kings Of Leon, The Darkness, Lostprophets, Thursday, Poison The Well, The Sleepy Jackson, Blood Duster, and a host of others. For local line-ups for each day go to www.bigdayout.com.

12.23.03 (RockAndMetal.com) German Power Metallers PRIMAL FEAR have been confirmed as "very special guests" of ICED EARTH on an upcoming European tour. Finland's THUNDERSTONE are scheduled to open all shows on the tour, which begins in Tilburg, NL on March 18th. PRIMAL FEAR checked in recently with the following update: "We're damn proud to be part of this tour, 'cause we believe it was a right decision in the spirit of metal. It was not an easy move for us, and we have to thank especially all the promoters of our other tour for their understanding - even more so, the other bands. For our fans in Slovenjia and Hungary -- we're working hard to re-schedule the shows for April/May, but we promise to play these shows! In the end, it was the best solution for the metal fans, for the future of PRIMAL FEAR and for our new album. We promise to prepare a well-mixed setlist for the tour, with some new songs and classics."
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12.23.03 (Reuters) One more shopping day left before Christmas. Whatever you do, don't buy your son or daughter a CD. It makes a lousy gift, according to a web site that draws about 30,000 visitors a day. The not-so-subtle message at http://www.WhatACrappyPresent.com is that kids are far better off downloading music for free off of the Internet than having their parents spend cash on prerecorded CDs. Parents who don't heed the site's warning should prepare themselves for some rather harsh reactions from children who have just unwrapped a music CD, like: "The company that makes this sued my friend" or "I got that on the computer like two months ago." The force behind this anti-Big Music site is familiar, or should be, to executives at the major labels and their lobbyists at The Recording Industry Association Of America (RIAA). It's Nicholas Reville and Holmes Wilson, whose home base effort to... [full story]

12.22.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Louisville, Kentucky Stoner Rockers THE GLASSPACK have pushed back the release of their upcoming new album, "Bridgeburner," to March of 2004. The delay is due to a new distribution deal for the band's label, Small Stone Recordings, which will hopefully make it easier for consumers to find THE GLASSPACK's stuff in music chain stores like Bestbuy, Tower, Virgin, Sam Goody, etc. According to th band, "Bridgeburner" is loaded with surprises, including 10 brand new tracks, a cover tune, and some special guests from bands including BIG CHIEF, RAGING SLAB, and MONSTER MAGNET. Meanwhile, Stonerrock.com still plans on running a contest to win one of 10 rare signed vinyl test pressings of THE GLASSPACK's "American Exhaust" LP when the "Bridgeburner" album is finally released by Small Stone in March.
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12.22.03 (Billboard) OZZY OSBOURNE has been many things throughout his multi-platinum career: lead singer of BLACK SABBATH, successful solo star and a veteran touring artist. But as Ozzy marks the 35th anniversary of his career, there is no doubt that his starring part in the MTV reality series "The Osbournes" ushered in a most unlikely role for him: that of mainstream pop-culture icon. Much has already been said about Ozzy and his family in the saturation media coverage that followed the success of "The Osbournes," which documents the lives of Ozzy; his wife/manager, Sharon; and two of their children, Kelly and Jack (the Osbournes' daughter Aimee does not appear in the show). The reality show -- which debuted March 5, 2002, on MTV in the U.S. -- holds the record for the highest-rated series on MTV. "The Osbournes" also grabbed hit status in other countries, including Canada and Great Britain. The... [full story]

12.22.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Reflections Records recording artists I DEFY checked in recently with the following website update: "We are planning to play some shows with Pistol Grip in January, and there's a good chance that well play the With Full Force festival next year. Other than that, we are also planning a short tour in February which should also hopefully take us to Great Britain. The cooperation with Muttis booking is very good so far, the shows with ANTI FLAG where a great success, as we opened up for 600-800 people every night!! The final show in Amsterdam was a total blast!!! We are also already in the process of writing new songs for our next record. The songs so far show a vital progression of our already punk-influenced hardcore. We hope to record this record as soon as possible, but want to wait until we are completely satisfied with the results."
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12.22.03 (RockAndMetal.com) If you live in Germany and you wanna feel the aural equivalent of a bloody nose, you should bookmark the release date of January 26th 2004. That's when the sonic bastard offspring of a freaked-out biker fronting a brutal post-punk shock-troop Thrash Metal outfit WATCH THEM DIE's debut album hits that country. Formed in early 2000, the band immediately started to blur the lines between Bay Area Thrash, Grindcore, Crust, Punk and Metal - quickly developing a rabid underground fanbase. Oakland-based WATCH THEM DIE rose from the ashes of several highly influential underground bands - GRIMPLE, SCHLONG, ELDOPA (aka: 1332), WORD SALAD, BUZZOV-EN and OJOROJO. Due to their energetic and sometimes violent live shows (powered by high decibel sound levels), WATCH THEM DIE were already headlining Bay Area venues by only their fourth show.
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12.22.03 (Billboard) After a decade that includes a career-defining, self-titled debut in 1995, three Grammy Awards and more than 5 million albums sold, JARS OF CLAY has earned the right to explore new territory and to venture a little off the beaten path. But the band's sixth full-length album, "Who We Are Instead" (released last month on Essential Records), feels more like a homecoming than a send-off into uncharted territory. Harking back to the group's musical origins, "Who We Are Instead" incorporates more of JARS OF CLAY's Nashville hometown flavor with elements of folk, blues, country and Americana rock -- all in an acoustic setting quite different from the band's more recent pop/rock efforts. "We've been reacquainting ourselves with the subtleties of acoustic music and the passion of a good song," lead singer Dan Haseltine says, as... [full story]
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12.22.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Atlanta's THE POWER & THE GLORY have entered Godcity Studios with accomplished engineer Kurt Ballou to record their new album, "Call Me Armageddon," to be released on Deathwish Inc. in 2004. So far word from the front is all positive. As some of you may know, THE POWER & THE GLORY were formerly called DOWNPOUR. But - much like the recent situations with AMERICAN NIGHTMARE and BLACK WIDOWS (who changed their names to GIVE UP THE GHOST and BLACK CROSS respectively) - the band complied with the request. THE POWER & THE GLORY's brand of sonic destruction has matured and mutated immensely since their 1996 inception. Fusing elements of hardcore, metal, grind, noise, classic punk and stoner rock, the listener is assaulted from every angle possible when challenged with THE POWER & THE GLORY's uniquely intense aural constructions.

12.22.03 (RockAndMetal.com) PHANTOM PLANET has scheduled several upcoming U.S. in-store appearances in support of the band's forthcoming self-titled Epic/Daylight debut album, which will be released on January 6th. All events are full band performances followed by CD signings, except where noted. Upcoming Shows:
01/06 La Jolla, CA [Tower San Diego, 7PM] • 01/07 Long Beach, CA [Fingerprints, 7PM] (Acoustic Performance) • 01/09 Ontario, CA [Virgin Records, 7PM] • 01/10 Los Angeles, CA [Tower Records - Sunset Blvd., 2PM] (Outdoor Concert) • 01/14 San Francisco, CA [Virgin Records, 6PM] • 01/16 Seattle, WA [Easy Street, 7PM] • 01/17 Portland, OR [Music Millennium, 2PM] • 01/20 Boston, MA [Newbury Comics, 6PM] • 01/21 New York, NY Virgin Records - Union Square, 6PM] • 01/23 Philadelphia, PA [Tower Records, 6PM] • 01/24 Washington, DC [Olssons Dupont Circle, 3PM] • 01/29 Tempe, AZ [Arizona State University - ASU Memorial Union, 12 Noon]
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12.22.03 (RockAndMetal.com) VENEFICUM's debut full-length album, "Enigma Prognosis" is set to be released in January by Forever Underground Records, after several delays due to continuing line-up changes within the band. In what seemed a revolving door, a new beginning was forged with a solid core now intact for VENEFICUM in the future. Brand new to the black metal genre, VENEFICUM displays their technical prowess and skills throughout "Enigma Prognosis," with excellent production to boot. As the album is also Forever Underground's 20th release, a special promotion will coincide with the release of "Enigma Prognosis." 1. Odd Weather • 2. Psychological Orb Unrest • 3. Oblivion Sektor • 4. Existential Stellar Palette • 5. Bleak Transparent Face • 6. Tired Aeons • 7. Contorted Wake Tapestry • 8. Spectresphere • 9. A New Consciousness • 10. Evolution Damnation • 11. Reflections Collapse
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12.22.03 (Reuters) After a three-year hiatus, the reunited MAVERICKS' eclectic blend of country, lounge-pop and rock was a touch rusty but still fun with a wink. Founding members Raul Malo on vocals, bassist Robert Reynolds and drummer Paul Deakin were joined by new guitarist and harmony singer Eddie Perez, and Jerry Dale McFadden, the group's touring keyboard tickler of the mid-'90s, is back in the fold -- a welcome return -- along with the continued use of a lively three-man horn section. While THE MAVERICKS' new self-titled Sanctuary Records debut isn't quite the "Rubber Soul" unified diversity of their last full studio set, 1998's "Trampoline," it's an inviting collection, and the songs really came to full life onstage. In fact, the group played it too safe, opening with fan favorites including the bluesy 'Tell Me Why' and Beatlesque-with-Tijuana-Brass-horns 'I Should Know,' rather than come on strong with some of... [full story]
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12.22.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Razorback Records has announced the official arrival of mutant couch potato, B-movie loving, boglin-thrashing, critter-gulping lunatics from Holland, FONDLECORPSE, into the Razorback Hive. Get ready to dive into a pool of slime as the band prepares their debut full-length CD, "Creaturegore," for release in mid-2004. As the band so fondly puts it: "We play old school gore/death/grind, plain and simple! So if your looking for a technical, melodic, innovative death metal band -- FUKK OFF!!!!" Pure monster-mashing, gory, old-school Death Metal pretty much sums up the coming of "Creaturegore," with artwork by Jake from Tales From Uranus magazine. So listen for the sound of small spacecraft crashing in your backyard -- it just may be FONDLECORPSE preparing to attack and steal your remote control, as they carve you up next on a late night fast-food binge.
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12.22.03 (CNET) A new generation of music recommendation services is emerging, aimed at helping listeners navigate the often bewildering mass of music now legally available online. One of the most ambitious of these services, dubbed SOUNDFLAVOR, launched last Thursday. The service, produced by a company called Siren Systems, promises to deconstruct songs into more than 700 component parts and then make music recommendations based on how listeners' tastes match these musical elements. SOUNDFLAVOR and other rival services heading for market are part of a longstanding attempt to use technological tools to take over where friends' recommendations, reviewers or other traditional tastemakers leave off. The amount of... [full story]

12.19.03 (RockAndMetal.com) A new live album from PETE YORN showcasing 20 songs on two CD's has been completed, and will be available exclusively on PETE YORN's website (www.peteyorn.com) on Tuesday, January 6th. "Live From New Jersey" was recorded at The Community Theatre in Morristown, NJ this past October 29th, and includes some unreleased covers and new material in addition to many of PETE YORN's most popular songs. The first 500 fans to pre-order "Live From New Jersey" will receive an autographed copy of the album. Complete Track Listing:
Disc 1: I Feel Good Again • Pass Me By • Black • Carlos (Don't Let It Go To Your Head) • Turn Of The Century • Do You Wanna Dance/Closet • Long Way Down • Lose You • Just Another • Strange Condition
Disc 2: Life On A Chain • Bandstand In The Sky • Suspicious Minds • On Your Side • June • Crystal Village • For Nancy ('Cos It Already Is) • Burrito • All At Once • Atlantic City/Murray
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12.19.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Chicago Hard Rock/Nu Metal band SOIL have released their new "Pride" EP, which will be followed by the brand new, full-length "Redefine" come February. You can hear the new 'Pride' single in full by clicking on the "LISTEN" link below. Quickly embraced by the Chicago rock scene with explosive and memorable live shows, SOIL recorded their first full-length album in 1998 with influential producer Steve Albini. That album was released on an independent label, and the band toured throughout the U.S. and Canada opening for acts such as STUCK MOJO and INCUBUS. In August 2000, they entered the studio with producer Johnny K. to record three new songs: 'Need To Feel,' 'My Own' and 'Halo.' That demo -- given out to over 6,000 fans in Chicago -- is exactly what led to SOIL's signing to Clive Davis' J Records label, on which the "Pride" EP is now available.
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12.19.03 (NME) THE VINES are giving fans a taster of what to expect from their forthcoming second record 'Winning Days' by releasing album track 'FUCK THE WORLD' digitally worldwide. The track was unleashed this week, and is being streamed at www.thevines.com (click the "LISTEN" link below). It is also available in the United States through most digital retailers. The full downloadable version of 'Fuck The World' will also be accessible through the band's website any day now as well. "Winning Days," the follow-up to THE VINES' 2002 debut album 'Highly Evolved,' is set for release on March 8th, preceded by the highly-charged first single, 'Ride,' on February 23rd. Bassist Patrick Matthews said: "The album could have gone either way. We could have ended up at each other's throats because we were out in the middle of nowhere. But there was only one day like that out of three months."
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12.19.03 (RockAndMetal.com) SYMPHORCE aree scheduled to start a new tour of Europe with GRAVE DIGGER and WIZARD in support of their upcoming album, "Twice Second," due to be released on Metal Blade Records January 12th. Upcoming Dates:
1/06 Osnabruck, Germany [Hyde Park] • 1/07 Andernach, Germany [JuZ] • 1/08 Pratteln, Czech [Republic Z7] • 1/09 Lichtenfels, Germany [Stadthalle Lichtenfels] • 1/10 Wien, Austria Planet Music] • 1/11 Ludwigsburg, Germany [Rockfabrik] • 1/12 Bochum, Germany [Zeche] • 1/13 Hamburg, Germany [Markthalle] • 1/14 Berlin, Germany [Columbia Fritz] • 1/15 Hannover, Germany [MusikZentrum Hannover] • 1/16 Langen, Germany [Stadthalle Langen] • 1/17 Glauchau, Germany [Alte Spinnerei] • 1/18 Munich, Germany [Backstage] • 1/19 Ljubljana, Slovenia K4 Club
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12.19.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Holland's FACE TOMORROW have found a new bass player in Thijs to replace Denis who had trouble combining his job and the band after eight years... The band also posted this update recently on their website: "We aren't playing any shows in the upcoming months. We'll be working our asses off, though. Up 'til January we'll be writing and rehearsing new songs. Then from the last week of January 'til the last week of February we'll be in Mailman Studios in Utrecht with producer Axel Kabboord (This Beautiful Mess, The Spirit that Guides Us, etc.) to record our next album, 'The Closer You Get.' The official release date will be May 11th 2004... We can't wait! We also added a guestbook to our site (www.facetomorrow.net). Plus there are some pictures from our German tour online now. There's a new message board too, so start spamming that one..."
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12.19.03 (RockAndMetal.com) French Death Metallers GURKKHAS are making a comeback through Crash Music Inc. with their new full-length album, "Tyranny," scheduled to be released in February. GURKKHAS was formed by 3 ex-members of DAB in 1999. That same year, the band record a demo tape and send it to several labels. The "Engraved In Blood, Flesh And Souls" album saw the light in 2000 on Germany's Massacre Records to positive reviews worldwide. In November of 2001, the band put out their second album, "A Life Of Suffering," which was released on Morbid Records. To date, GURKKHAS have played over 620 live dates in Europe, Central America, and the United States. They have also appeared on several TV shows, done several CD compilations, and played with acts including IMPURE, KRABATHOR, DISGORGE, CREMATORY and VADER.
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12.19.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Denver Goth/Country Rockers SLIM CESSNA'S AUTO CLUB will be hitting the road at the beginning of January on a North American tour following two end-of-the-month performances at The Bluebird Theatre. Upcoming Tour Dates:
12/30 Denver, CO [Bluebird Theatre] • 12/31 Denver, CO [Bluebird Theatre] • 01/01 Fort Collins, CO [Aggie Theatre] • 01/02 Laramie, WY [Buckhorn Saloon] • 01/03 Lincoln, NE [Knickerbockers] • 01/04 Kansas City, MO [Fred Piots] • 01/05 Des Moines, IA [Vaudeville Muse] • 01/06 Iowa City, IA [Gabe's Oasis] • 01/07 Minneapolis, MN [7th Street Entry] • 01/08 Chicago, IL [Schubas Tavern] • 01/09 Toronto, Canada [Horseshoe Tavern] • 01/10 Ottawa, Canada [Old Dominion] • 01/11 Montreal, Canada [Jupiter Room] • 01/12 Buffalo, NY [Mohawk Place] • 01/13 Rochester, NY [Bug Jar] • 01/14 Cleveland, OH [Beachland Ballroom] • 01/15 Boston, MA [Middle East] • 01/16 Brooklyn, NY [Northsix] • 01/17 Philadelphia, PA [Khyber]
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12.19.03 (RockAndMetal.com) LAY DOWN ROTTEN's full-length debut album, "Paralyzed By Fear," has been released by German label Remission Records. LAY DOWN ROTTEN was started as a solo-project of band member Daniel Jakobi in 1999. After recording one song by himself, he started to recruit musicians for the band, and in November of 2000, LAY DOWN ROTTEN recorded their first demo "Colder As Cold." After playing some shows with regional established bands in order to gain some live experience, the band recorded their second demo, "Way Of Weakness" in July of 2001. New songs were written during 2002, and in mid-2003, the band entered the studio to record "Paralyzed By Fear." Shortly after, LAY DOWN ROTTEN signed a deal with Remission Records. "Paralyzed By Fear" features 10 songs, with influences such as HYPOCRISY, FLESHCRAWL, BOLT THROWER and AT THE GATES.
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12.19.03 (RockAndMetal.com) BILL DEAL, leader and keyboardist of long-time Virginia Beach, VA "Beach Music" band Bill Deal & The Rhondels, died December 10th in Portsmouth, VA of a heart attack at age 59. BILL DEAL recorded the original organ solo on Jimmy Soul's hit, 'If You Wanna Be Happy,' at the age of 16. In 1969, Bill Deal & The Rhondels launched a recording career that would include 5 hit singles in a dizzying 24 month span. The first was 'May I,' followed by 'What Kind Of Fool Do You Think I Am?,' then 'I've Been Hurt.' With three hit records in the top 10, the group traveled coast to coast as an 8-piece ensemble. Utilizing outstanding choreography, dynamic vocals and a sizzling horn section, their hits went to #1 in countries such as Argentina, Spain, Brazil, Germany, and Mexico, where 'He Herido' ('I've Been Hurt') was chosen as song of the year.

12.19.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Singer JORN LANDE from the band MASTERPLAN is set to issue a solo album next month, entitled "Out To Every Nation." Lande is joined on the album by bassist Magnus Rosen, guitarist Jorn Viggo Lofstad and drummer Stian Kristoffersen. "Out To Every Nation" contains 10 tracks, with 'Living With Wolves' being released as the first video off the new album. Track Listing:
1. Young Forever • 2. Out To Every Nation • 3. Something Real • 4. Living With Wolves • 5. Vision Eyes • 6. One Day We Will Put Out The Sun • 7. Behind The Clown • 8. Rock Spirit • 9. Through Day And Night • 10. When Angel Wings Were White
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12.19.03 (AP) The recording industry can't force Internet providers to identify music downloaders, a federal appeals court said Friday in a major decision shielding online privacy while undercutting the industry's anti-piracy campaign. The ruling does not legalize distributing copyrighted songs over the Internet, but it will greatly increase the cost and effort for the Washington-based Recording Industry Association Of America to track such activity and sue those who are swapping music online. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia overturned a trial judge's decision to enforce copyright subpoenas, one of the most effective tools used by the recording industry. The subpoena power was established by a law passed before the explosive growth of swapping music online. "It's an incredible ruling, a blow for the little guy," said... [full story]

12.19.03 (Billboard) The fallout from the 10.7% drop in album sales that made 2002 such a tough time for the music industry continued to reverberate throughout 2003, a year that will long be remembered for its Chapter 11 filings and store closings. For those keeping count of such grim news, four chains and four wholesalers either filed for Chapter 11 protection or were liquidated, and upwards of 1,000 stores are believed to have closed in 2003. Two major chains -- Tower and Musicland -- were involved in out-of-court restructurings that included management and/or ownership changes, while nervous product suppliers are keeping their fingers crossed that both will prove successful. In an attempt to overcome the problems frustrating music sales, most chains diversified their merchandise, resulting in reductions in album inventory. While that move appears to be paying dividends for stores, it continues... [full story]

12.18.03 (RockAndMetal.com) To pay some more respect and to have a harmony joyride, Alternative Tentacles will be part of the extreme, 24 hour, non-stop Wesley Willis Radio Fiasco this weekend. It will start on December 20th at 9pm and end at 9pm December 21st on the "Fine 89" KFJC. So tune in via the web at http://www.kfjc.org to hear a whole day's worth of WESLEY WILLIS. Hear interviews with Jello Biafra and Wesley's friends, as well as TONS of Wesley Willis originals - including unreleased studio and live recordings and people/bands covering his songs. (this show is being put together by the staff of KFJC as well as an AT staffer. WESLEY WILLIS passed away on Thursday, August 21st, 2003, and he will be greatly missed by all that had the privilege to know him, as well as the fans who have been fortunate enough to experience his genius. His songs were simultaneously disturbing, hilarious, blunt, and intoxicating. Wesley's sheer excitement and unaffected honesty about every cultural phenomenon, defined his music as truly individual, and truly punk rock.
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12.18.03 (Billboard) Internal fighting, therapy sessions and tumultuous making of the band's latest album are headed to the big screen in the documentary "Metallica: Some Kind of Monster." An unflinching, warts-and-all look at the band, the film will be part of the 2004 Sundance Film Festival and will be released next year in theaters. As previously reported, Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky directed the film. The duo also directed the HBO documentaries "Paradise Lost: The Child Murders At Robin Hood Hills" and "Paradise Lost 2: Revelations," both of which prominently featured METALLICA's music. A rough cut of "Some Kind of Monster" was shown at private screenings last week in New York and Los Angeles. Billboard was among those who got an early look at the film. Chronicled across more than two years, the film mostly documents the band's ups and downs in making the band's current release "St. Anger"... [full story]

12.18.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Melbourne's SOMETHING FOR KATE has been confirmed as special guests on the Australian leg of DAVID BOWIE's "A Reality Tour," which kicks off in Brisbane on February 17th with shows also scheduled for Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne. Extra dates have been added in Sydney and Melbourne due to overwhelming demand, and tickets for all concerts are on sale now. "We are thrilled to be touring with an artist we have admired for so long," says band member Stephanie Ashworth. "We are all huge David Bowie fans and cannot wait to get out on the road with him in February." Coincidentally, SOMETHING FOR KATE recently included a DAVID BOWIE cover of 'Ashes To Ashes' in the set list of their recent Australian tour. SOMETHING FOR KATE, whose next live gig will be at the Big Day Out Festival on January 16th, unleashed their new single, 'Best Weapon' (off "The Official Fiction"), on local radio stations this week.

12.18.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Regina, Canada's INTO ETERNITY will release their third studio album, "Buried In Oblivion" on February 23rd, 2004 through Century Media Records in Europe. The band recorded ten songs in their hometown-based Touchwood Studios with Scott Krall (bass), Grant Hall and Johnny Gasparic. The result is music full of emotion and melody, combined with raw, heavy Power Metal and technical Death Metal. Cover artwork was done by Mattias Noren (www.progart.com), who also did the art for the two previous INTO ETERNITY albums, "Into Eternity" (2000) and "Dead Or Dreaming" (2001). Track Listing:
1. Splintered Visions • 2. Embraced By Desolation • 3. Three Dimensional Aperture • 4. Beginning Of The End • 5. Point Of Uncertainty • 6. Spiralling Into Depression • 7. Isolation • 8. Buried In Oblivion • 9. Black Sea Of Agony • 10. Morose Seclusion
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12.18.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Just days since they were nominated for five Grammys, rock band EVANESCENCE picked up two trophies at the 14th Annual Billboard Awards including "Best New Group/Artist" and "Best Soundtrack Single" for their worldwide hit, 'Bring Me To Life.' The honors came just one week since the announcement that they would contend in five categories at the 46th Annual Grammy Awards to be held in Los Angeles next February. EVANESCENCE is currently in the middle of a world tour, with shows scheduled for Australia in January. Coinciding with their visit Down Under will be the third cut off their debut album, "Fallen." The single version of 'My Immortal,' which hits stores next month, has been completely reworked from the original that is featured on the LP. "The version on the album is one that everyone has gotten used to hearing, so it might be a little hard for them to accept a new version," explains front woman Amy Lee.
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12.18.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Deathwish Inc. has announced the upcoming release of "Dead Man's Hand 03, this time featuring INTEGRITY and FIRST BLOOD. "Dead Man's Hand 03" is the third installment in Deathwish Inc.'s ongoing split 7"EP series. INTEGRITY has been a band surrounded by myth, controversy, and legend for much of their now 15-year existence. The are one of the few bands responsible for laying the foundation for "metallic hardcore" as it is known today. Their latest CD, "To Die For" has received praise from critics worldwide. FIRST BLOOD features Carl and Doug from TERROR among their ranks. Their brand of heavy, mosh-filled hardcore is some of the most intense and violent around. FIRST BLOOD are unrelenting in the heaviness, rage, and underlying passion that encompasses their music.
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12.18.03 (Billboard) An advance listen of a track on COURTNEY LOVE's upcoming solo album is now streaming on her official website, www.courtneylove.com. Or click the 'LISTEN" link below to hear it in full. 'Mono,' will be featured on Love's forthcoming Virgin Records debut, "America's Sweetheart," which was originally due October 28th, but was rescheduled for a February 10th release. Love has made headlines recently stemming from an incident at a former boyfriend's home. In November, the widow of Nirvana leader Kurt Cobain pleaded not guilty to drug-possession charges that were filed after she was arrested for breaking windows of a house in Beverly Hills, Calif. Hours after she was released on bail, she was taken to a hospital for what police termed as a "medical emergency." Love lost custody of her 11-year-old daughter Frances Bean Cobain after her arrest. Last week, a hearing on the charges was postponed until January 27th.
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12.18.03 (RockAndMetal.com) CENTURY MEDIA's German division has made available four limited-edition vinyl boxes from 4 of the label's early bands, dubbed "The Classic Series." Merchandise Info:
1. GRAVE - "Morbid Ways To Die": A complete collection of GRAVE songs. All studio albums, the "...And Here I Die" MCD, plus 16 bonus tracks on picture vinyl. 6 picture discs total, plus a 12-page booklet with liner notes, lyrics, rare photos and comments from the band on each release.
2. OLD MAN'S CHILD - "The Historical Plague": Includes all five albums from OLD MAN'S CHILD on black vinyl in deluxe gatefold sleeves. None have ever been released in this format, including their debut, "Born Of The Flickering."
3. SAMAEL - "Since The Creation...": Included 6 picture discs and an 8-page booklet. Contains all official SAMAEL studio releases. "Worship Him," one of the rarest black metal vinyl issues ever, is also included here, as well as a cover version of VENOM's classic 'Manitou' (from the "After The Sepulture" pic single).
4. UNLEASHED - "...And We Shall Triumph In Victory": Includes all UNLEASHED studio releases on six picture discs, plus 8 rare bonus tracks and a 12-page booklet in LP format. Includes liner notes, lyrics and photos.

12.18.03 (NME) THE ROLLING STONES were the highest grossing touring act of 2003, pulling in $299.5 million and playing to over 3.4 million people during their "Licks" jaunt, which wound up in Zurich on October 2nd. The Stones were closely followed by Bruce Springsteen ($181.7 million) and Cher ($76.3 million). Michael Cohl of TGA Entertainment - producers of the "Licks" tour - said: "We're never that aggressive in our projections. It always nice when you come up with an idea, go through rehearsals, go up with the first dates on sale, then start playing the shows, and maybe it works." According to Billboard, the top ten was also occupied by Fleetwood Mac ($69.2 million), The Dixie Chicks ($62.2 million), The Eagles ($53.7 million), The Dave Matthews Band ($52.6 million), Aerosmith & Kiss ($50 million), Metallica's "Summer Sanitarium" tour ($48.5 million) and Billy Joel & Elton John ($45.8 million).

12.18.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Norwegian Black Metal band 1349 have entered an Oslo studio to record the follow-up album to 2001's "Liberation." According to 1349, expect something different this time. 1349 rose from the ashes of Alvheim in 1997. They recorded (but never released) a demo in early 1998. Guitarist Balfori quit shortly afterwards due to musical differences. In 1999, they recorded the never-released promo, "Chaos Prefferred." Archaon was added on guitar, adding a new level of intensity and brutality to 1349's music. Come spring 2000, the band wanted to record a new promo showcasing their new material, so Frost was recruited on drums, who later became a permanent member of 1349. Holycaust Records offered the band a deal, and released the new promo as an MCD, for whom they released the full-length "Liberation." 1349 are now signed to Candlelight Records.
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12.18.03 (AP) WAL-MART STORES INC. said on Thursday it will begin testing digital music downloads on its Web site, undercutting many competing services and perhaps sparking a price war in the crowded online music field. WAL-MART, which has grown into the world's biggest company by undercutting its competitors in the traditional retail business, will try the same strategy online, offering individual songs for 88 cents each -- compared with most other services that offer songs at 99 cents each. WAL-MART will face off against incumbents like Apple Computer Corp.'s iTunes service, Roxio Inc.'s revamped Napster site, Dell Inc. and many others. Microsoft Corp. and Hewlett-Packard also have said they intend to launch competing services next year. The... [full story]

12.18.03 (Reuters) Digital media company LOUDEYE, working with MICROSOFT, has announced announce new digital music solutions that enable companies to have a music store or Internet radio service under their own brand. LOUDEYE's first two customers for this are AT&T Wireless and Gibson Audio, the recently established consumer electronics division of Gibson Guitar Corp. The idea behind the partnership is for any company to have its own digital music offering quickly, legally and with significantly reduced upfront investment, according to LOUDEYE president and CEO Jeff Cavins. The products are based on MICROSOFT's Windows Media 9 Series platform with its integrated Windows Media Digital Rights Management. "There are more outlets for digital music than just the Web store," Cavins said. "These are unique... [full story]

12.17.03 (NME) Mystery surrounds an Internet auction site which claims to have proof that THE BEATLES reunited in 1976 for a recording session in Los Angeles, CA. The website is auctioning a recordings list and tape of five songs that THE BEATLES allegedly recorded on November 2nd, 1976 at Davlen Studios. It is also claimed that the recording ended with the band storming out of the session. A statement on momentsintime.com says: "The names of the songs as listed on the Davlen Studios label are as follows: 1.'Happy Feeling' 2.'Back Home' 3.'Rockin Once Again' 4.'People Of The Third World' 5.'Little Girl'. It adds: "In addition to the four Beatles, George Martin was also allegedly present, Len Kovner, former co-owner of Davlen Studios, can independently confirm all of the above, as can the engineers who were then present." However the web site also says that the tape, which is present in the case, was bulk erased by request of THE BEATLES in order to keep the knowledge of the session secret.

12.17.03 (AP) OZZY OSBOURNE is joking with nurses - asking two to marry him - but will probably take six months to fully recover from his ATV crash injuries, his wife Sharon said Tuesday. The singer is making progress in the intensive care unit of Wexham Park Hospital in Slough, west of London, where he has been since the December 8th accident. Sharon Osbourne said it would be "probably about six months" before Ozzy's back to his old self. "But he will be back, he's not going anywhere. He'll be ordering everybody around, don't worry," Sharon Osbourne told ITV. Osbourne, 55, was taken off a ventilator assisting him to breathe on Monday. She said her husband woke up a week after the accident to discover that his single 'Changes,' a duet with daughter Kelly, was at the top of the British charts. "He has never had a number one and for me it just goes to show how people love him ... He couldn't speak, but tears were coming out."

12.17.03 (RockAndMetal.com) Canadian singer/songwriter JIMMY RANKIN and his second solo album, "Handmade," have been recognized with six nominations for Canada's 2004 East Coast Music Awards. In anticipation of the February 15th awards broadcast, JIMMY RANKIN will perform a concert at Club One in St. John's, Newfoundland, on February 12th, serving as a "kick off" to the ECMA weekend and a launch for his February/March headlining tour of Atlantic Canada. Jimmy's 2004 ECMA nominations include: Entertainer of the Year, FACTOR Album of the Year for Handmade, Male Artist of the Year, Single of the Year for 'Morning Bound Train,' SOCAN Songwriter of the Year (also for 'Morning Bound Train'), and Roots/Traditional Solo Recording of the Year for "Handmade." Blending country, folk and rock with the traditional sounds of his Cape Breton heritage, "Handmade" has been equally well-received by both critics and fans.
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12.17.03 (RockAndMetal.com) MNEMIC recently checked in with the following studio udate on their official website:"So we're back from the dead or as some like to call it: The rehearsal room! Everything is going really well and there are some fuckin nice, heavy tracks under construction. Once again, we are leaving for the heavy metal fields of Sweden to shoot our second video with first class director, Patric Ulleaus of Revolver Film. This time it will be for the opening track of MSP "Liquid" and there is some nice shit in store for this video! Hell yeah! We'll keep you updated on a forthcoming release of this video. Also, a big HELL-O to our fellow metal heads in the U.S. Our record is out there now, so hopefully we'll see you all soon on the american highways. We are currently preparing for our upcoming European Tour and we can't wait to hit the road and pillage our way through the beautiful countries of Europe. We will see you all there! Cheers!"
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12.17.03 (RockAndMetal.com) DAVID BOWIE has rescheduled the five opening shows of his North American tour, which were postponed earlier this month when he was stricken by the flu. The originally planned December 6th opener in Atlantic City, N.J., will now be the North American tour closer when it is made up May 29th. The December 7th Fairfax, Va., show will take place May 16th, December 9th's Boston concert has been rescheduled for March 30th and the December 10th Philadelphia show will be fulfilled a day earlier. The last affected show, December 12th in Toronto, will be played April 1st. Tickets for all of the originally scheduled shows will be honored on the rescheduled dates. For those who cannot attend, refunds will be available through February 27th. In June and July, Bowie will also make the European music festival rounds, with the U.K.'s Isle Of Wight and T In The Park outings already on his schedule.

12.17.03 (AP) Swiss authorities have dropped a criminal inquiry of MARILYN MANSON, launched after a religious group complained about his stage act. The Zurich district prosecutor's office said Monday it found no evidence to back allegations that the musician had incited violence and breached Swiss law protecting religion during a February 2001 concert. The Swiss-based group Christians For Truth had lodged a complaint about the singer. The Zurich prosecutor announced a formal investigation earlier this month. Manson played another sellout concert in Zurich on November 30th, part of his ongoing European tour, and prosecutors questioned him in the Swiss city. The 34-year-old Manson rejected the accusations, and the prosecutor's office said Manson was persuasive in arguing that his act is meant to provoke a debate about violence and religion. Christian groups and lawmakers in Zurich tried unsuccessfully to have Manson's latest concert banned on grounds that his views offend a majority of the population.

12.17.03 (RockAndMetal.com) The upcoming single from Australian singer/songwriter PETE MURRAY has struck a chord with fans around that country. Taken from his ARIA-nominated album "Feeler," 'So Beautiful' will be available in stores on January 19th. 'So Beautiful' was the first track that caught the attention of the album's producer, Paul McKercher. "That's one of the early songs I wrote and it's one that connects with people," says PETE MURRAY. "Every time I've played it you can hear the room go quiet, and it's a song that people always talk about when they come up to me after a show. I got an email from someone saying, 'How do you know so much about relationships?' I don't know more than anyone else but it's one of those songs that rings true with people."
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12.17.03 (RockAndMetal.com) GORGOROTH finally have a brand new website up and running. Besides merchandise, a download section, the latest band news, a forum and a guestbook you'll find more band info and new pics from every actual Gorgoroth member (taken by photographer Peter Beste). According to the band, the site will be updated regularly and it's definitely worth a look. So check out the new hellish site at www.gorgoroth.org. GORGOROTH are also preparing a live DVD which will be released next year. It'll be recorded in Poland/Krakow, so look forward to an amazing live show, several interviews, and some unique bonus material. More news regarding that matter can also be found on the new website soon. GORGOROTH are also checking out the possibilities of doing a mini-tour through Mexico, a U.S. tour with MARDUK, and a European tour in March.
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12.17.03 (RockAndMetal.com) AUDIOSLAVE were two-time winners at the 14th Annual Billboard Awards, taking home trophies for Best Rock and Best Modern Rock Artists at last week's all-star ceremony. AUDIOSLAVE, formed following the demise of Rage Against The Machine, were honored for their work on their self-titled Platinum debut which has spawned the hits 'Cochise,' 'Like A Stone' and 'Set It Off.' AUDIOSLAVE has also been named in the nominees list for the 46th Annual Grammy Awards, where they will contend for the Best Hard Rock Performance and Best Rock LP, "Audioslave," when the ceremony takes place on February 8, 2004. On a side note, also recently released were Rage Against The Machine's "Live At The Olympic Auditorium" CD and DVD, featuring music and footage from the band's final concerts with vocalist Zach De La Rocha.
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12.17.03 (RockAndMetal.com) CANDLELIGHT RECORDS has secured the North American license for all KARMAGEDDON recordings. The new partnership will see the U.S. and Canadian release of all new and reissued catalog titles from the newly formed Dutch record label through CANDLELIGHT's stateside operation. Starting in early 2004, CANDLELIGHT will coordinate release and promotion of new albums from KARMAGEDDON including MORIFADE, TORTURE KILLER, HEARSE, WITHIN Y, DISMEMBER, and special enhanced reissues of SEPTIC FLESH, SEVERE TORTURE, AETURNUS, NOCTURNUS, and the popular DIMMU BORGIR/OLD MAN'S CHILD split album. KARMAGEDDON MEDIA's Guido Heijnens says, "We believe we will finally be able to have impact in the market of North America. We look forward to getting going."

12.17.03 (Reuters) APPLE COMPUTER INC. said this week that consumers have now bought and downloaded more than 25 million songs from the iconic computer maker's iTunes online music store. Apple, based in Cupertino, California, also said that more than $1 million worth of iTunes online gift certificates -- sold in denominations of $20 to $200 -- and allowances have been bought since those features were added in October. "The fact that we've done over $1 million in allowances and gift certificates shows a lot of interest on both Mac and Windows," said Chris Bell, director of iTunes product marketing, in a telephone interview. iTunes customers buy songs at 99 cents each and then can download them to Windows computers, Mac computers or to... [full story]

12.17.03 (Hollywood Reporter) Moving from education to litigation in the campaign against music downloading, major Canadian record labels signaled today that they will follow their U.S. colleagues and start taking serial file-swappers to court. Canadian Recording Industry Assoociation president Brian Robertson said the association has large-scale file-swappers in its sights, citing as an example those with 4,000-5,000 songs on their hard drives destined for distribution to millions of users. He said people who simply sample music online before buying it in the shops will not be targeted.

[News Archives: 12.10.03-12.16.03]
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