Joe Kavanagh's Music News

The big event in the world of Irish rock music last week was the announcement of this year's nominations for the Meteor Music Awards, kind of like a Father Ted version of the Grammy Awards without all the silicone. As always there were few surprises at an event which is essentially an opportunity for all of those in the Irish music industry to tell each other how great they are and hit the free bar. How else can one explain Andrea Corr on the list of Best Female Act nominations, despite putting out an album that was trashed by the critics and ignored by the public? How about Ash being in the Best Irish Band category even though theirs has been a year to forget or Aslan in the same bracket despite the fact that they have not made a good album in almost two decades and even then you would have an argument on your hands over what constitutes "good." As usual the Meteors have little to do with what is going on in the ground in the Irish music scene but are instead used as a tool of the established industry players anxious to move their product, irrespective of how crap it often is. Given the perfect opportunity to use the one date on the Irish music calendar that actually could launch an Irish band overseas, organizers once again spat the bit and went with the safe bets, instead of showcasing the actual vibrant diversity that is out there. If you are an overseas music scout looking at this show in order to get a gauge of what's going on in the Irish rock scene, then you're looking at the vast majority of it saying: "Man, more singer songwriters and bands that sound like ten years ago." Just another example of how the Irish music industry could use a kick up the behind...

We Irish are known for our silver-tongued ways but music mogul Louis Walsh could certainly use a refresher course in cordiality if his behavior over the past week is anything to go by. First, the Mayo man drew the ire of the Spice Girls when he was asked about his feelings on the band's current comeback tour. Walsh allegedly told reporters: "I couldn't care less about the Spice Girls, I really couldn't. They've never done anything for me vocally. They're just five girls out there trying to make some money now. I think young kids grew up with that Girl Power thing, that's the attraction. I don't get it because they can't sing in my books." While I would have to agree strongly, perhaps it's the fact that they don't sing on Louis' books that he is cutting them down, because it hasn't stopped him reforming Boyzone for another go around - and Boyzone make the Spice Girls look like the second coming of The Supremes. Anyway, then Louis went on to annoy Kylie Minogue's sister, Danni (or Dahnee, or Daknee or whatever pretentious way she spells it), while sharing judging duties with her on the UK's version of American Idol. When Minogue accused one of the contestant's of singing out of tune, Walsh quickly pointed out that the comment was a little rich coming from someone with such limited vocal abilities as herself. Danni then ran from the studio in floods of tears, leaving the man who actually proved that you can polish a turd through his work with Boyzone and Westlife, looking more than a little sheepish. Louis was always more known for his ability to work with men anyway...

A sensational row has erupted between Morrissey and music publication, NME, over a series of comments attributed to the singer that have given Britain another controversy of a racial nature. In a recently published interview with the legendary front man, the magazine claims that Morrissey was waxing lyrical about the continued influx of immigrants into Britain when he stated: "Other countries have held on to their basic identity, yet it seems to me that England has thrown it away. Britain's a terribly negative place... with the issue of immigration, it's very difficult because, although I don't have anything against people from other countries, the higher the influx into England the more the identity disappears." The comments drew a sharp rebuke from across the political and social spectrum, with most positing that Morrissey's words were unhelpful at best, while some characterized them as something far more sinister indeed. With the missiles flying, Morrissey's camp announced that they are beginning legal proceedings against NME, with a spokesman for the singer asserting: "We are suing them (the NME) for defamation. They have not only misquoted Morrissey, they have omitted critical parts of the interview and distorted the tone of the piece, his responses and the questions he was asked in order to try and present an inflammatory case." NME claim they are standing by the story and ready to fight it out in court so this story undoubtedly has some legs.