Not content with topping the music charts, Girls Aloud are now striving to make a blockbuster movie. This sort of continues the theme of “fingers in all pies” and the girls seem to want to better anything the Spice Girls have done. Not going to happen. The Spice Girls were only famous because of Simon Fuller - not their musical talents.

What ever happened to specialising in something and just being the absolute best at it? Spend more time creating and releasing music ladies! Being bad at acting cannot be hidden - checkout every Arnold Schwarzenegger film…. Terrible acting.

All this comes on the back of their cameo appearance in 2007’s St. Trinian’s. Apparently Girls Aloud have been given many scripts since but they were all rubbish. Here’s hoping that trend continues.

::Sigh::

If this is successful - I will eat my hat… Well - I will go out and buy one first and then eat it. I don’t do hats.

Former Guns’n Roses drummer Matt Sorum has had a pop at fellow band member Scott Weiland for not appreciating the greatness of the position he finds himself in. Sorum had this to say :

“My career and life in rock ‘n’ roll has come with its ups and downs. Unfortunately, some people in this business don’t realise how great of a life they have. Touring the world, meeting great people and fans all over the world. And just playing music for a living. I feel truly blessed.”

Not rising above the jab, Weiland retorted with a forceful jibe about Sorum being :

“too immature to have a real relationship, let alone children. So don’t attempt to stand in a man’s shoes when you haven’t walked his path”

….that’s maturity for you.

It seems Weiland is the family man and Sorum is the workaholic - although, cancelling an Australian tour to enter rehab may not indicate as much.

Personally I think Weiland has a right to be with his family - but his career choice makes that a little difficult, unless he expects Velvet Revolver to only play gigs in his back-garden. Perhaps it is time for Scott to hang up his vocal chords if he wants to dedicate all his time to the family.

Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora was arrested on Wednesday evening after the police tailed his hummer in Laguna Beach, California. The vehicle was said to the weaving erratically across the road.

A quick blow into the alcohol tester proved the mans guilt and he was arrested at the scene.

This is not really news for the lead guitarist, whom my friend thinks is the greatest guitarist of all time (I completely disagree), as he has been having “issues” with alcohol for a while now.

The disturbing matter about this story is that Sambora had his daughter (10 years old) and his girlfriend in the jeep at the time. That’s not a rocking thing to do. What a brilliant example for your kid man!

The star had undoubtedly had a tough year and has hit the rocks, but endangering other peoples lives is not the way to handle things.

That title can be a little misleading - but we are talking about, the music related, Virgin Records here.

The Smashing Pumpkins have taken offense to Virgins defamation of their “artistic integrity” by using their name in an advertising campaign with Pepsi and Amazon.

The Pumpkins parted ways with Virgin back in 2000 but the record label still has rights to the band’s digital music. Is this more about money and less about “artistic integrity”? I don’t think so.

Pop bands/artists have lead the way in the last decade in marketing and merchandising - selling their souls and everything else to gain more money and more publicity. From key-rings and posters to dolls and clothing - not to mention perfume and aftershave - there is barely a product stone left unturned by the machine. Virgin Records have entered a deal with Pepsi along the same lines.

If musicians where real artists, in the true sense of the word, they would be of the mindset that they love what do and will never stop - i.e They will release music until they drop. Instead we have “musicians” who see their “careers” as being a flash in the pan. They aim to make money as fast as they can. That’s all fine and well - I am a capitalist as well - but the issue I have is that this mentality makes them lazy. I could rhyme of a hundred bands that have had 1 hit album (i.e 3 good singles) only to disappear before talk of a second album arises. They have made their money - so have little incentive to continue.

It is refreshing then to see the Smashing Pumpkins, after 12 albums, continue to fly their flag. Their website states the following :

“We fought hard for the right to be in control of how our music is used, to avoid situations like this kind of crass commercialism and exploitation. Labels like EMI are no longer running the show, and we won’t be bullied by those in the ‘old’ music business who consider every artist to be easily expendable. Those days are over.” - Billy Corgan

Right on Billy - fight the fight.

Coldplay have announced that their fourth album will be released this June 17th and will be called Viva La Vida.

It has been suggested that the album has been named after a note written by a Mexican artist on one of their paintings. The english translation is “Long Live Life”.

Their 2005 hit album X&Y went to number 1 in the charts the world over and hopefully their latest installment will be of equal or greater content.

Coldplay have always been a fans favourite and their albums have consistently sold extremely well. Some have even compared them to The Beatles. This is, of course, a little far fetched. The Beatles sold an astronomical amount of albums and continue many many years after breaking up to sell albums - they also released new records on an impressive 6 month cycle at times. Coldplay on the other hand have averaged a new album once every 3 years. Maybe artists these days just aren’t as talented or take the music to seriously and over-think its delivery.

We eagerly anticipate this new release….

Are you a Coldplay fan? What has been your favourite album to date?

Not content with being handed £25million for doing nothing, Heather mills has again turned to verbally attack Paul McCartney following the couples bitter divorce.

Outside the court the “model” notes to the press : “Paul has always wanted it public because he wants to look like generous Sir Paul.” in regards to the amount she received.

I maybe being cruel but what has she been given £25million for? Normally the courts will benefit the lady of the relationship her due share of the estate and wealth of the couple if she has been involved in its creation - whether that be through moral support or personal sacrifice - and rightly so. I can’t think of anything that Heather has done.

The model continued with her photo shoots and only really came to light when she hooked up with the ex-beatles bass player and lead singer - so she didn’t give up her career. Paul McCartney had already made his fortune long before the pair met - so she didn’t provide any form of support in creating the wealth.

The only aspect here seems to be Beatrice,  the couples daughter. For this Paul McCartney is reportedly having to pay for her nanny and school fees - and again - rightly so. He should definitely have to contribute to looking after his daughter.

What I don’t get is why Miss Mills is getting a £14million windfall, £2.5million to buy herself a house and another £7.5million worth in assets. What is all this for?

During her tirade to the press after the settlement she says “it was an incredible result to secure mine and my daughter’s future”. Why should Paul have to secure her future? She still has her looks - so can continue to work as a model. I know this is cold hearted - but that is the reality of divorce.

I just wonder what angle the judge comes at to decide on cases like this.

Any ideas?

Amy Winehouse’s father has come out to say that he is probably the one responsible for the stars troubled childhood and states that he has undoubtedly been the one who inspired her talent.

Amy’s dad, Mitch Winehouse, left the family home when the singer was 10 years old to move in with his mistress. The affair had been going on for many years prior and the children often referred to the woman as “Daddy’s work wife”.

He insists, though, that he is not at fault for drug issues.

I think it is funny how the man will try to take credit for the good things his daughter has done and clear himself of all guilt when it comes to the bad. Really shows great parenting skills. Mitch should also understand the brilliance that drugs induces when it comes to creativity. I say this as a bystander and observationalist.

The Greatest Bands Took Drugs

All of the greatest bands in the world have been on drugs when creating their music. Guns’n Roses wouldn’t have even been known otherwise. Slash has often come out to note that it would be impossible to write the same music without being “loaded up”. The beatles even talked about the drugs they took in the music itself.

I also wonder what father and son Tim and Geff Buckley would have sounded like if they had been “clean”.

Damien Rice picks up where he left off with his first album “0″ with 9. Just as much drama and thought is sewn into 9 that you feel anyone of its songs would have been comfortably at home on the “O” record. It’s just such a natural extension.

The orchestras are back and the edge that the violin has really helps to give this album the power that it needs and thrives on. It’s fair to point out that the album seems very pointed - as in directed to one mentality. I think this is one aspect of Damien’s writing that he has room to work with. His Irish counterpart Paddy Casey has a knack of producing positive lyrics. If Rice could take those lyrics and add his phenomenal ability for soft to powerful delivery then he would be a massive hit - not that he isn’t already but he is currently pigeon-holed in one bracket.

Solid album. Key tracks: 9 Crimes, Elephant, Me, My Yolk, and I and Grey Room

(5 votes, average: 4.4 out of 5)

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Track Listing

1. 9 Crimes
2. The Animals Were Gone
3. Elephant
4. Rootless Tree
5. Dogs
6. Coconut Skins
7. Me, My Yoke, and I
8. Grey Room
9. Accidental Babies
10. Sleep Don’t Weep

Influential Rock band Muse have announced that they will no longer release any albums in their current format. Instead that band have decided it best to release many more singles.

The band are currently in the studio recording new material and Matt had this to say “I don’t think we’re going to approach the next album like we’re making an album.”. That makes sense.

So could this be the revival of the singles chart? Single sales have been dwindling for years and I can see this catching on - but only temporarily. If the band keep the current single format of 1 good song and 2 (crap) b-sides, who is going to bother filling up their CD shelf? Its annoying as it is to have to change CD when an album finishes (30-45mins) never mind having to do it after 3 songs. And think what they will be doing to the environment with all that extra plastic. Aren’t musicians meant to love nature?

The band have stated that they will do this in order to gauge public response to the songs and then release a best of album every 2-3 years. Talk about sucking you dry.

Hey Bellamy! Nearly everyone has CD burners now - not to mention mp3 players! Since we own the singles we can make our own compilations thanks. Do what you do best and stop trying to be a business man - just give the public what they want: your music!

Who’s with me?

Fiery Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Cole has laid down the law to her cheating husband Ashley by demanding new things. Ain’t woman hard to please?

Mrs Cole has made it clear that she cannot spend another minute in the couples current house as she believes that their marital bed is the place that her husband led his hairdresser mistress for their now well publicized affair.

The downbeat Chelsea left back, Ashley, has also been told in no uncertain terms that holidays with the lads or nights out with his pals are out of the question for a very long time.

Sounds like a normal marriage really.

It’ll be interesting to see if this relationship lasts. They both have high profile careers and that puts enough strain on the marriage as it is. When Cheryl is touring with Girls Aloud - will she trust that Ashley is doing as he is told?

Time will tell.