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…..

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.

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.

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 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!