Joe Kavanagh's Music News

Bob Geldof's daughters, Peaches and Pixie, are reportedly furious with one of the submissions in an upcoming art exhibition, which is due to be held in London later this month. Ben Westwood, daughter of acclaimed punk fashion designer, Vivienne Westwood, has included a portrait in his exhibition which reputedly shows the two siblings bound together in a compromising position, while dressed in full bondage gear. Geldof's daughters are said to be absolutely furious that the rope binding them is adorned with the name of their late mother, Paula Yates, who died of a drug overdose in 2000. While I would agree that the two sisters are an example of individuals who are famous simply because their parents are famous, I also think that Westwood has overstepped the mark somewhat and if that's art then I am Lord Percival Snodgrass-Ramsbottom...

Gary Lightbody is not allowing the grass to grow under his feet while his band, Snow Patrol, take a well-deserved break from the constant grind of gigging and recording. Talking to the BBC last week, the singer claimed that he and producer Jacknife Lee are working on several other projects, saying: "A lot of the stuff I've been writing recently is just so leftfield that it just wouldn't fit on a Snow Patrol record. So I've had to invent other ways of getting it out there. We've just been recording and playing instruments on it together. I call it Russian submarine music. I don't know why, there's just lots of voices on it with me using my vocals as an instrument rather than a guitar. It sounds like some underwater choir. I've loved country for a long time. I always thought I had a country album in me and it turns out I did. I don't know whether people will dig it or not. It's just something I wanted to get out of my system." "Russian submarine music"? Goodness gracious, that sounds like a project that Yoko Ono might consider, and that's not meant as a compliment. I wouldn't mind but Lightbody doesn't even indulge in drugs so he hasn't even got that excuse. Methinks that's one for his private collection but what the hell do I know?...

While we're on the subject of people not knowing what the hell they are talking about, leading Irish newspaper, The Irish Times, ran a story last week, which claimed that Radiohead's management company, Courtyard Management, attempted to convince the band to retire rather than continue working on their album, In Ribbons. According to the article, the band's management felt that they were heading down a musical dead-end where they would never be able to achieve the sound which they were attempting to create. Head of Courtyard Management, Brian Message, was quoted in the piece as saying: "I've been lucky to work with some great artists and Radiohead are a once in a generation act. But you have to be honest if it's not working. You have to have passion about what you do. I'm an accountant but I love music and I'm passionate about the artists I work with." Considering that the album went on to be the Oxford act's most successful to date, that surely is a case of where Message the messenger should have been shot, if you catch my drift...

France's First Lady, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, has caused a storm of controversy in her native country, after the French government purchased thousands of copies of her last album, under the auspices of promoting French exports. According to an article in UK's Daily Telegraph, 14,000 copies of her album Comme si de rien n'etait (As if Nothing Happened) will be dispatched to individuals in 19 countries, along with a selection of French wine, cheeses and a corkscrew, as part of a promotional drive to advance French exports. The move has enraged some French citizens who view the move as a prime example of nepotism, although given how poorly the album sold upon its release last year, I'm sure they can get them at a serious discount rate. Incidentally, Bruni-Sarkozy released her last album only four months after her wedding to President Sarkozy, which many viewed as a cynical attempt to cash in on her newfound global fame. I suppose it would be kind of like former Irish Taoiseach, Bertie "ah sure I'm just one of the lads, except rich and crooked" Ahern, getting the Irish government to buy up copies of his daughter, Ceclia's novels, but at least she has talent...

Blur's Graham Coxon revealed to the UK's XFM, that the famed feud and competition during the 1990s between his band and Oasis left him thoroughly depressed. The guitarist told the radio station: "It was the climax to the so-called Blur/Oasis war. 'Country House' had outsold 'Roll With It' and went straight to the top of the charts. Our record company threw a big champagne party at Soho House in London. I felt I was being forced into enjoying the moment and I just wanted to be alone really. I couldn't handle being part of that crowd so I tried to jump out of a sixth-storey window. It was Damon who talked me out of it. Looking back, I should have enjoyed myself a lot more than I did during the Blur days." To be honest, I sometimes get the impression that I would want to jump out of a sixth-floor window if I had to spend too much time in Graham Coxon's company. And no amount of conciliatory words could stop that swan dive...

Leona Lewis has apparently gone back on her vow to never turn her back on her roots, as reports emerged that she is in the process of purchasing an opulent home nestled amongst the Hollywood Hills. Lewis famously declared upon winning X-Factor in 2006: "It would be too hard. I love the flat (apartment) - it's really private and the neighbours are cool and it's very close to mum and dad." I have to say that if it was a choice between living in Hackney and Hollywood then I would have to choose the latter too, so I wouldn't be too hard on her. In all truth, I'd probably choose a dog kennel outside a crackhouse in the South Bronx over an apartment in Hackney if it came down to it...

Sometime Irish resident, Katie Melua, was forced to temporarily call a halt to her gig in LA last week, after two female pensioners became involved in a brawl while Melua was performing on stage. According to witnesses, one of the pugilistic grannies "glassed" her adversary before security was able to step in and quell the violence. I wouldn't mind but it probably started over who got to the nicest meal at the early-bird special. The entire episode reminds me of the old joke that asked, what has 120 legs, blue hair and smells mildly of urine? Answer: The first two rows at a Tom Jones concert. Hey, if you're offended by such humor then I remind you of the time Mel Brooks was asked what his response to people who feel offended by his humor, to which he replied: "Up yours!"...

Heavy metal band Iron Maiden have allegedly filed suit in a US District Court against US firm Iron & the Maiden, asserting that the latter is using a "confusingly similar" title on their books, video games and merchandise. While there may be some merit to the case, I would imagine that the German sadist who invented the torture device of the same name during the 18th Century might just have the slight edge when it comes to ownership of that particular name...

Given the hedonistic, self-indulgent, egotism that typifies many stars in the world of music, I rarely feel too bad about giving some of them a little light ribbing but there remain some truly wonderful people out there whose kind acts deserve to be reported. Pink Floyd's, David Gilmour is certainly no stranger to charities having given literally millions to various causes over the years, which include Oxfam, Amnesty International and the European Union Mental Health Fund, to name but a few. This month he will continue on his altruistic path, when he performs in London at a secret gig, along with Afro-Blues act, Amadou & Mariam. Gig-goers will be informed as to the location of the gig by text only hours beforehand and all proceeds raised will go to the homeless charity, Crisis. Speaking of the event, the legendary guitarist declared: "It was a wonderful surprise when (Amadou & Mariam) called recently, inviting me to collaborate with them on this special one-off occasion for Crisis. I'm looking forward to breaking down a few musical boundaries in the cause of helping the homeless". Despite the humble Gilmour giving the impression that this is his first work on behalf of Crisis, some of you may remember that he donated all of the proceeds from the sale of his home to the same charity back in 2003, which totalled over $5.4 million. If only a few more of these pampered millionaires could use their influence and money in the same dignified manner.

Yours sincerely,
Lord Percival Snodgrass-Ramsbottom