Avril Lavigne Is “Too Sexy” For Malaysia

Madness….??

Malaysia’s Islamic opposition party has urged the government to cancel a concert by Avril Lavigne, saying the Canadian singer’s on-stage moves are “too sexy,” an official said Monday

Lavigne, a Grammy-nominated rock singer who burst to fame with her 2002 debut album “Let’s Go,” plans to start her month-long Asia tour with a performance in Kuala Lumpur on Aug. 29.

Actually, the album was titled ‘Let Go’ but carry on

The youth wing of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party said Lavigne’s concert would promote wrong values ahead of Malaysia’s Aug. 31 independence day.

“It is considered too sexy for us. … It’s not good for viewers in Malaysia,” said Kamarulzaman Mohamed, a party official. “We don’t want our people, our teenagers, influenced by their performance. We want clean artists, artists that are good role models.”
Kamarulzaman said he sent a protest letter to the Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry and the Kuala Lumpur mayor last week, calling for the concert to be cancelled.

Malaysia requires all performers to wear clothes without obscene or drug-related images and be covered from chest to knees. They must also refrain from jumping, shouting, hugging and kissing on stage.

Still, members of PAS and other conservative Muslims often protest Western and even Malaysian music shows that they deem to be inappropriate.

Last year, pop singer Gwen Stefani made what she called “a major sacrifice” by donning clothes that revealed little skin at a performance here.

Also last year, Christina Aguilera skipped Malaysia during an Asian tour that included neighbouring Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, while R&B superstar Beyonce scratched a planned concert here, moving it to Indonesia.

A Pussycat Dolls concert in 2006 was fined 10,000 ringgit (US$2,857) after the U.S. girl group was accused of flouting decency regulations.

Source: ABC News

Actually, the album was titled ‘Let Go’ but carry on.

Just in case you missed it, “They must also refrain from jumping, shouting, hugging…” How is jumping or hugging deemed “inappropriate behaviour”? I can at least understand why the Pussycat Whores Dolls were banned; they’re essentially strippers. Its not like Avril Lavigne is on stage in a bikini or acting provocatively or anything. Are people really shocked in 2008 at seeing a persons knees?

Malaysia is missing out on these great acts by being too strict and forcing their religious views onto others. If we did that here in Britain, well…..

Music industry has grown 32% in 2008 through Games

According to UBS analyst Ben Schachter, music games have been a “key driver” for music industry this year, with “sales of music-themed games responsible for 19% of overall industry software dollars in July (15% YTD) and 44% of y/y industry dollar growth during the month (32% of growth YTD).”

That’s not insignificant. In a research note, Schachter has also pointed out that Guitar Hero franchise dollars year-to-date are up a mighty 87 percent.

In terms of units, Guitar Hero is up 82 percent this year. On a dollars basis, the recent DS release of Guitar Hero: On Tour took in more than $15 million in July alone.

Moreover, MTV Games’ Rock Band bundles on Wii, PS2 and Xbox 360 combined for nearly $47 million in sales in July.

Source: videogaming247.com

Its very interesting, and shows just how big the gaming industry is. Apart from the obvious titles like Guitar Hero, Rock Band etc (which introduced even me to some gems) games like Need For Speed, FIFA, and Burnout now feature major artists. Driving along to ‘Decadence’ by Disturbed made NFS: Most Wanted what it is (for me), and the R&B/Rap songs which I would not have otherwise heard of, also fit into the game seamlessly.

War Tapes - ‘Dreaming of You’ free Download

Hailing from Downtown, LA, War Tapes are an indie/post punk band who I was recently introduced to through their myspace. After downloading their single for free, I think everyone should hear this band.

They are signed to indie label Sarathan Records, and produce an amazing sound - described as a mix between The Cure, Depeche Mode, and AFI - its a healthy mix and after hearing the soaring chorus, you will quickly find yourself humming and singing along

I would highly recommend giving them a listen, so download the single, “Dreaming of You” for free Here, and see what you think.

MCR, Fall Out Boy, 30 Seconds to Mars and AFI team up for remix album

My Chemical Romance, AFI, Fall Out Boy, 30 Seconds To Mars and 65daysofstatic have all teamed up to remix tracks by The Cure in aid of the International Red Cross.

The Hypnagogic States EP will be released on September 13 and will feature the following tracklisting:

01, The Only One (remixed by Jared Leto from 30 Seconds To Mars)
02, Freakshow (remixed by Jade Puget from AFI)
03, Sleep When I’m Dead (remixed by Gerard Way from My Chemical Romance)
04, The Perfect Boy (remixed by Pete Wentz and Patrick Stump from Fall Out Boy)
05, Exploding Head Syndrome’ (a mix of all four tracks by 65 Days Of Static)

The Cure’s as yet untitled 13th studio album will be released on October 13

Source: Kerrang!

It’s a great idea in theory with big names already confirmed, and it’s for the Red Cross. What more could you ask for?

Paramore Begin Follow Up album to 2007’s Riot!

Paramore have begun work writing material for the as-yet-untitled follow-up to 2007’s Riot!.

Speaking to US magazine Billboard, guitarist Josh Farro said the new material is taking a more mellow direction, and they hope to have it finished for a mid 2009 release.

“The first record (2005’s All We Know Is Falling) and Riot! seemed to stay at the same level,” said Farro. “But now we’ve got some really, really mellow songs that you’d never expect to hear out of our band.

“But then we’ve got even heavier songs than we’ve ever had,” he continued. “It’s gonna be a little different.”

I think one of the great things about Paramore is the skill to have loud/heavy songs as well as soft/mellow songs. We Are Broken and Hallelujah are beautiful songs, yet All We Know, Misery Business, and Born For This are as energetic as anything you will hear. And THEN their are songs like My Heart which are a mix of both. Bring on 2009!

Sharon Den Adel Makes Dance Music Debut

Within Temptation frontwoman Sharon Den Adel has teamed up with Dutch dance DJ Armin van Buuren to provide vocals for the song, In And Out Of Love, taken from his 2008 May album, Imagine.

I’ll be honest and say I don’t listen to dance music so have no idea how big or famous Armin van Buuren is, but what I do know is that Sharon Den Adel has an amazing voice. I’m a big Within Temptation fan so this collaboration was a surprise to me, it’s in stark contrast to their symphonic metal sound I’m accustomed to. I think it’s an OK song, I can’t really get excited about it because I’m a rock fan, but it would be good to hear some Dance enthusiasts opinions on it.

Hayley Williams’ New Piercing

Yes, Paramore’s leading lady has had a septum ring put in (lame news I know, but it’s a slow day and it’s also an excuse to post some more pics of Hayley)

Good on her for doing what she wants. I’m not sure I like it that much, but it’s her nose so she can do whatever the hell she wants with it. She’s not going to care what I think. I don’t really think it’s that big a deal, so as long as the amazing songs keep coming, which I know they will, good on ya girl!

Thoughts?

My Chemical Romance Vs Daily Mail - Protest Follow Up

Following the hundreds of MCR fans that demonstrated outside of the Daily Mail offices in London, the Mail issued the following statement, (un-edited) highlighted in bold;

“The Daily Mail’s coverage of the ‘Emo’ movement has been balanced, restrained and above all, in the public interest. Genuine concerns were raised at the inquest earlier this month on 13 year old emo follower Hannah Bond who had been self-harming and then tragically killed herself.”

“In common with other newspapers we ran an accurate news story recording the Coroner’s remarks and the parents’ comments. We also published two other articles, one of which explained the background to the Hannah tragedy in calm and un-sensational language.

Wait a minute, you said “un-sensational language”? “balanced”, “accurate”, “restrained”? Seriously, do these reporters even read the shit that they themselves write? Let me remind you of the “un-sensational, balanced and accurate” language that was used in the articles. And I quote;

“No child is safe from the sinister emo cult”

“My Chemical Romance’s lyrics promote violence and self-harm”

“Emos like to wear studded belts, long black fringes over one eye, and cut their wrists as part of the emo initiation rite”

None of this is even remotely true, and the fact that the Mail thinks it is being fair and balanced is a joke. The exact opposite is true, and MCR have always spoken out against suicide and even at live shows they tell their fans to not give up and to keep on going. Link here. Many themes and lyrics by MCR are pro-life and encouraging, inspiring people to be strong and carry on with life. This of course, was not mentioned anywhere in any of the Mail’s articles.

Goading the parents into blaming Emo’s and MCR is just disgraceful as they are obviously still distraught, and bringing up new sources to blame, such as a music genre (not a cult by the way) isn’t going to help anyone.

“The other was a first person opinion piece by a well-known writer, written from the perspective of a mother concerned for her children. We have also run two prominent page lead letters from an emo music fan and from a fan of My Chemical Romance defending their point of view.

What they haven’t mentioned is that in addition to two letters from fans, they also printed dozens of letters from people (probably someone who has never even listened to MCR and only read the sensationalised story) agreeing how ‘dangerous’ being an emo is.

“Our music critic admires the music of the band and publicised the band’s UK tour last year. Since this protest was announced a great deal of misinformation has appeared on the internet, much of which confuses what the Daily Mail has actually published with the comments of website readers and ‘blogs’ over which we have no control and which have stirred up emotions.

People copying articles and phrases from the official Daily Mail website and articles is not misinformation. Trying to cover your ass from being sued has never been so hilarious, trying to blame ‘bloggers’ for exaggeration when their own articles are written to provoke people.

“We note it has been pointed out by others that all this provides wonderful publicity for Warners and their impending release of My Chemical Romance’s latest album.

It was the Mail that published the articles, not Warner or MCR, so how on earth can you insinuate that it is some sort of publicity stunt?

“The Daily Mail is a broad church and is always ready to listen to the views of readers. We do, however, suggest those who want to protest or comment read everything we have published and act on fact not rumour.”

Broad church? Emo cults? Why is the Mail so bound by religious language? Anyway, how insulting for the Mail to tell people to read facts before commenting, when the writers themselves make things up about MCR fans like self harm, initiation rite’s, and calling the Emo music genre a cult, and finally; exploiting the pain and suffering of the Bond family for their own agenda is completely and irrefutably despicable. They saw a potential shock story and started digging and stirring up emotions from the family, until they said what they wanted to hear, and could quote them for specific topics.

Photo’s from the day can be found on the Kerrang! website here.