Monday Morning Newsletter (4-20-09)

Record producer Phil Spector has been sentenced life in prison for the murder of Lana Clarkson in 2003. The jury didn’t care that he’d produced records for the Beatles, Tina Turner, The Ronettes, Leonard Cohen and many others. Despite a family history of insanity, and his daily psych meds he did not opt to plead insanity in six years and two trials. He will be eligible for parole in 18 years, which at his age is still a life sentence.

HORSE The Band is putting out a limited 7-inch for their track "Shapeshift" with a remix by Skrillex on the b-side. They will be on sale May 11th through the Vagrant Records website and on tour. Their LP Desperate Living is scheduled for a tentative summer release through.

It’s arts and crafts time. Rappcats.com posted a pdf origami kit for rapper MF DOOM. All you gotta do it print it, cut it out, and follow the directions. Jose recommends card stock over regular paper after ruining the first two attempts.

Marilyn Manson is hasn’t taken the hint yet and is dropping a new album The High End of Low, May 26th. Tites include “Arma-goddamn-motherfuckin-geddon.” “We’re From America” ...and the oh-so-clever, “Pretty As a Swastika.”

Notice for all Boston readers, The Megapolis Audio Festival, runs April 24-26 They are holding sessions on field recording, circuit bending, illegal art, activist films, sound art and collage, audio production, radio wizardry, electro-acoustic instrument building, and what else could you possibly have to do?

This week paparazzi jumped out of the bushes and frightened a horse. This wouldn’t be notable except Madonna was riding the horse and was rushed to the hospital. The scope of her injuries is presently unknown. This is not her first mishap in horse play. In 2005, she broke 3 ribs and her collar bone in a similar fall.

John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats and John Vanderslice have recorded an EP together called Moon Colony Bloodbath. The album is being released exclusively on 10-inch vinyl. Producer Chris Stamey guests on a few songs.

Monday Morning Newsletter (2-9-09)

The 13th Annual Millennium Music Conference & Showcase begins this Wednesday, February 12th. the four day fest will be held at the Radisson Penn Harris Hotel in Camp Hill, PA. The MMC features two days of presentations, panels and workshops with four nights of showcase performances by 300+ bands. Do the math, that means you have time to sober up every other day.

HORSE the band have reportedly signed a record deal with Vagrant Records. They are scheduled to begin recording a new LP in March for a summer release. They are also pressing forward with previously announced plans to self-release a tour DVD and photo book.

Lux Interior a.k.a. Erick Lee Purkhiser died this week. He was the vocalist for the iconic punk band The Cramps. The band’s publicist released a statement attributing death to a preexisting heart condition. He is survived by his wife Cramps guitarist Kristy “Poison Ivy Rorschach” Wallace. He was 62.

Jason Null, the lead guitarist of the Christian rock group Saving Abel and guitarist Brandon J. Danger are being charged with felony counts of forced oral copulation with a minor. Police claim the duo lured a 17-year-old girl onto their tour bus with promises of appearing in a rock video. Guess that works better than the old kittens and candy routine.

Former Buffalo Springfield Dewey Martin drummer died this week. His body was discovered at his home in Van Nuys, CA. He had been a session drummer in Nashville before joining Buffalo Springfield in 1966. After the band broke up he whored out the brand recognition by continuing to tour with new members as the “New Buffalo Springfield.” The old Buffalo Springfield sued and euthanized the eponymous sequel. He soldiered on and did the oldies circuit in the 80s. He was 68.

Etta James and Beyonce are on the verge of a catfight. The 71-year-old singer said that she intended to "whip" Beyonce for singing her song at President Barack Obama’s inaugural ball. She was referring to "At Last" her signature piece. Of course Etta didn’t’ write the song. It’s by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren. Just the same, beware of angry divas.