Spinner http://www.spinner.com Spinner http://www.spinner.com/media/feedlogo.gif Spinner http://www.spinner.com en-us Copyright 2013 Blogsmith, LLC. The contents of this headlines and excerpts feed are available for limited commercial distribution. You may repost this feed to your site provided you link back to the original story, do not edit the material, and do not remove this copyright notice. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ Arcade Fire Help Out Montreal Florist Whose Shop Burnt Down in Fire http://www.spinner.com/2013/04/25/arcade-fire-dragon-flowers-montreal/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/04/25/arcade-fire-dragon-flowers-montreal/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/04/25/arcade-fire-dragon-flowers-montreal/#comments Filed under:


Arcade FireAnton Corbijn

While Montreal's Arcade Fire have been known to think worldly in throwing their weight behind relief efforts in Haiti, they're also thinking locally and helping out a florist in their hometown.

Yesterday the group tweeted the following after the Dragon Flowers on Bernard Street in Montreal was destroyed by fire on Monday evening and left florist Tamey Lau without her home.

"Tamey has filled our homes with flowers for years and is well loved in our neighbourhood. Let's help her out! " ]]> Arcade FireArcade Fire charityarcade Fire Dragon FlowersArcade Fire helpArcade Fire MontrealArcadeFireArcadeFireCharityArcadeFireDragonFlowersArcadeFireHelpArcadeFireMontrealDragon Flowersdragon flowers fireDragon Flowers MontrealDragonFlowersDragonFlowersFireDragonFlowersMontreal Jason MacNeil 2013-04-25T11:15:00 00:00 Grimes Throws Down on Music Sexism in Epic Blog Post http://www.spinner.com/2013/04/24/grimes-music-sexism-blog-post/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/04/24/grimes-music-sexism-blog-post/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/04/24/grimes-music-sexism-blog-post/#comments Filed under: ,


GrimesKarl Walter, Getty

After recently completing her touring commitments behind Visions, which also won best electronic album at the Junos last weekend, Montreal musician Claire Boucher, better known as Grimes, posted a lengthy message on her Tumblr site Tuesday evening.

Titled "I don't want to have to compromise my morals in order to make a living," she stated she was "done with being passive about any kind of status quo that allows anyone to suffer or to be disrespected."

"i dont want my words to be taken out of context," Boucher says to open the letter which takes aim at some of the sexism she's seen while on the road. "i dont want to be infantiziled because i refuse to be sexualized."

Boucher continued by adding she didn't "want to be molested at shows or on the street by people who perceive me as an object that exists for their personal satisfaction" and didn't wish to live in a world where "im gonna have to start employing body guards because this kind of behavior is so commonplace and accepted and I'm pissed that when I express concern over my own safety it's often ignored until people see firsthand what happens and then they apologize for not taking me serious after the fact." ]]> Claire Boucherclaire boucher grimesClaireBoucherClaireBoucherGrimesGrimesGrimes blogGrimes statementGrimesBlogGrimesStatementsexismsexism in musicSexismInMusic Jason MacNeil 2013-04-24T10:48:00 00:00 Huey Lewis, Car Theft: It's Hip to Not Steal His Vehicle and Laptop http://www.spinner.com/2013/04/23/huey-lewis-car-theft/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/04/23/huey-lewis-car-theft/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/04/23/huey-lewis-car-theft/#comments Filed under: , , ,


Huey LewisAFP

Picture this: A woman in Mill Valley, California is walking on a thin line after pleading guilty to stealing Huey Lewis' rental car and laptop computer.

The Marin Independent Journal reports Katherine Bowyer Gallagher is charged with possession of stolen property, which is a felony. The rental car was later recovered but Gallagher sold the laptop.

The incident took place in late February when an idling car was stolen from a Holiday Inn Express in the area. California Highway Patrol arrived and identified Lewis, born Hugh Anthony Cregg, as the victim. The musician said he left the car running to go into his hotel room for a receipt but when he came out the car, a 2012 Toyota Corolla, was gone. ]]> Huey LewisHuey Lewis and the Newshuey lewis carhuey lewis car stolenHuey Lewis crimeHuey Lewis theftHueyLewisHueyLewisAndTheNewsHueyLewisCarHueyLewisCarStolenHueyLewisCrimeHueyLewisTheftKatherine Bowyer GallagherKatherineBowyerGallagher Jason MacNeil 2013-04-23T12:35:00 00:00 Sum 41 Drummer Quits: Steve 'Stevo' Jocz Leaving Band Days After They Cancel Tour http://www.spinner.com/2013/04/18/sum-41-drummer-quits-steve-stevo-jocz/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/04/18/sum-41-drummer-quits-steve-stevo-jocz/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/04/18/sum-41-drummer-quits-steve-stevo-jocz/#comments Filed under: , , ,


Sum 41 Steve JoczBryan Bedder, Getty

In what might be very big shoes to fill, drummer Steve "Stevo" Jocz announced late Wednesday evening he's leaving punk rock band Sum 41.

"I'm sorry to announce that I've decided to leave Sum 41," Jocz wrote in a tweet posted on the band's Twitter account. "Touring with the band has been an amazing experience that has taken us far beyond our old practice space in my parent's basement to countless countries around the world. I've had the opportunity to see and experience so much and for that I'm truly grateful. I just want to thank all of our fans for making the last 17 years possible. I had a blast. Thanks again, Stevo."

The departure comes after the band was forced to cancel its remaining Canadian tour dates last week supporting Billy Talent due to a recurring back problem singer/guitarist Deryck Whibley was suffering from. The band's last show with Jocz in the fold was in Kingston, Ontario on April 9. ]]> deryck whibleyDeryckWhibleySteve JoczSteve Jocz leaves Sum 41Steve Jocz quits Sum 41Steve Stevo JoczSteveJoczSteveJoczLeavesSum41SteveJoczQuitsSum41SteveStevoJoczSum 41Sum 41 cancelSum 41 drummerSum 41 Steve JoczSum 41 StevoSum41Sum41CancelSum41DrummerSum41SteveJoczSum41Stevo Jason MacNeil 2013-04-18T15:50:00 00:00 LCD Soundsystem's James Murphy Calls Georges St. Pierre's Music an 'Abomination' http://www.spinner.com/2013/04/18/lcd-soundsystem-james-murphy-george-st-pierre/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/04/18/lcd-soundsystem-james-murphy-george-st-pierre/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/04/18/lcd-soundsystem-james-murphy-george-st-pierre/#comments Filed under: , , ,


LCD Soundsystem James Murphy Georges St. PierreGetty | Getty


LCD Soundsystem founder James Murphy won't be inside an octagon anytime soon, but that doesn't mean he's in love with the walkout music of some MMA/UFC fighters, especially welterweight champ Georges St. Pierre's.

In an interview with Fightland Murphy said fighter Stephan Bonnar's walkout song "Eminence Front" by The Who was "a great song and weird to hear in that context" while also giving props to fellow scrapper Jason Miller for using Daft Punk. But when it came to talking about GSP's walkout music, Murphy simply described it as "an abomination."

"I think it needs to not be a shitty song, first," the musician said regarding what makes a good walkout song. "Or not be too serious. I kind of hate serious songs." He also added he'd use the Fall's "Totally Wired" as his own personal entrance music, saying "it's hilarious and un-scary in the boring check-out-how-heavy-my-walkout-music-is way."s ]]> FababyGeorge St. PierreGeorge St. Pierre entrance musicGeorge St. Pierre musicGeorges St. PierreGeorgesSt.PierreGeorgeSt.PierreGeorgeSt.PierreEntranceMusicGeorgeSt.PierreMusicgspJames MurphyJames Murphy kickboxingJamesMurphyJamesMurphyKickboxingLa FouineLaFouineLCD SoundsystemLcdSoundsystemThe Mexican Hockey LeagueTheMexicanHockeyLeagueUFCultimate fighting championshipUltimateFightingChampionship Jason MacNeil 2013-04-18T10:50:00 00:00 Red Hot Chili Peppers to Perform For Dalai Lama Next Month in Oregon http://www.spinner.com/2013/04/17/red-hot-chili-peppers-dalai-lama/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/04/17/red-hot-chili-peppers-dalai-lama/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/04/17/red-hot-chili-peppers-dalai-lama/#comments Filed under: , ,


Red Hot Chili Peppers Dalai LamaGetty | AFP

They've worn giant light bulbs on their heads at Woodstock and sometimes only socks on their penises, but hopefully the Red Hot Chili Peppers will wear something next month for their audience in Oregon -- the Dalai Lama, who'll be there as part of the Dalai Lama Environmental Summit.

According to the summit's site the group will support His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama on May 11 for a "special musical performance" to inspire "future generations to care for our planet."

Oregon Live reports the concert will take place at the Veteran's Memorial Coliseum. Portland is also home to the first and only Tibetan Buddhist college in the Northwestern U.S., Maitripa College. ]]> anthony kiedisAnthonyKiedischili peppersChiliPeppersdalai lamaDalaiLamaFleared hot chili peppersRedHotChiliPeppersRHCP Jason MacNeil 2013-04-17T14:15:00 00:00 Tim Bachman, B.T.O. Co-Founder, On Trial For Allegedly Sexually Assaulting 11-Year-Old Girl http://www.spinner.com/2013/04/11/tim-bachman-sexual-assault-BTO/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/04/11/tim-bachman-sexual-assault-BTO/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/04/11/tim-bachman-sexual-assault-BTO/#comments Filed under: ,


Tim Bachman Bachman-Turner OverdriveCanadian Press

A judge in British Columbia was told this week that Tim Bachman, brother of Randy Bachman and a co-founder of '70s rock group Bachman-Turner Overdrive, had sexual relations with a girl between the age of 11 and 14.

The Calgary Herald reports that Stacy Bohun, now 24, recalled the relationship as "very sick" during testimony in B.C. Supreme Court where Bachman, 61, is on trial for sexual assault, sexual touching of a minor and sexual interference of a person under 14.

"He would get me to sit on his lap and kiss him," Bohun said. Bohun also told the judge she didn't mind being identified in court proceedings. The case initially had publication ban on identifying Bachman's name in 2010 to protect Bohun's identity. ]]> bachman-turner overdriveBachman-turnerOverdriveRandy BachmanRandyBachmanTim BachmanTim Bachman BTOTim Bachman sexual interferenceTimBachmanTimBachmanBtoTimBachmanSexualInterference Jason MacNeil 2013-04-11T12:00:00 00:00 5 Songs You Won't Hear at Margaret Thatcher's Funeral -- Morrissey, Billy Bragg, Hefner & More http://www.spinner.com/2013/04/08/5-anti-margaret-thatcher-songs/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/04/08/5-anti-margaret-thatcher-songs/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/04/08/5-anti-margaret-thatcher-songs/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,


Margaret ThatcherKeystone Hulton Archive

The death today of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher has caused an outpouring of reactions, but very few of them would be positive from the music world.

"She was only a grocer's daughter, but she ruined lives like a real emperor," Stars singer Torquil Campbell tweeted this morning after posting an earlier tweet with a lyric from Elvis Costello's "Tramp the Dirt Down" which isn't glowing towards the "Iron Lady."

Here are another five songs which most likely won't be heard when Thatcher's funeral takes place: ]]> Billy BraggBillyBraggFrank TurnerFrankTurnerHefnerMargaret ThatcherMargaret Thatcher deadMargaret Thatcher diedMargaret Thatcher musicMargaret Thatcher RIPMargaret Thatcher songsMargaretThatcherMargaretThatcherDeadMargaretThatcherDiedMargaretThatcherMusicMargaretThatcherRipMargaretThatcherSongsMorrisseyThe BeatTheBeat Jason MacNeil 2013-04-08T13:30:00 00:00 Jay Smith Benefit Concert in Halifax Raises $100,000 For Dead Musician's Family http://www.spinner.com/2013/04/08/jay-smith-benefit-concert-halifax/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/04/08/jay-smith-benefit-concert-halifax/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/04/08/jay-smith-benefit-concert-halifax/#comments Filed under: , ,


Jay SmithKayla MacLellan

Yesterday's day-long tribute concert in Halifax for Jay Smith, the late guitarist best known for his work with Matt Mays, raised over $100,000 for his family.

"$100,000 raised, 10,000 live stream viewers, 1,200 people attending and rock royalty performing for #jaysmith and his family," Halifax Pop Explosion organizers tweeted this morning regarding the event at Casino Nova Scotia. "THANK YOU."

The concert -- still online for viewing -- concluded with a rousing, heartfelt headlining set by Mays starting with "Stand Down At Sundown" and concluding with "City of Lakes." "Well it's pretty tough for us to come on stage tonight because of how much everybody smoked it tonight," Mays said of the earlier acts, adding the band was "all pretty overwhelmed" by the performances and outpouring of support. The singer also posted a photo of himself and Smith together on his Twitter account last night. ]]> Jay SmithJay Smith benefit concertJay Smith deadJay Smith diedJay Smith HalifaxJay Smith Matt MaysJay Smith RIPJaySmithJaySmithBenefitConcertJaySmithDeadJaySmithDiedJaySmithHalifaxJaySmithMattMaysJaySmithRipJoel PlaskettJoelPlaskettMatt MaysMattMaysRock RangerRockRanger Jason MacNeil 2013-04-08T11:30:00 00:00 Tegan and Sara Make Cover of 'The Advocate' Gay Mag's '40 Under 40' Issue http://www.spinner.com/2013/04/05/tegan-and-sara-advocate-cover/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/04/05/tegan-and-sara-advocate-cover/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/04/05/tegan-and-sara-advocate-cover/#comments Filed under:


Tegan And Sara The AdvocateThe Advocate

Tegan and Sara can add another feather in their cap now that they've appeared on the cover of The Advocate's new "40 Under 40" issue.

"We are so thrilled to be on the cover of The Advocate for their 40 under 40 issue!" the duo wrote on their site yesterday. "There is just something so exciting about seeing yourself on a newsstand, it really never gets old. Especially when you are on the cover of a magazine that you truly respect and enjoy, included alongside some amazing peers!"

The magazine shows the tandem with "Tegan & Sara: With their latest chart-topping album, the out twins are finally getting themselves the cred they deserve" as the caption. ]]> Tegan and SaraTegan and sara advocatetegan and sara advocate covertegan and sara coverTegan and Sara gaytegan and sara magazing covertegan and sara the advocateTeganAndSaraTeganAndSaraAdvocateTeganAndSaraAdvocateCoverTeganAndSaraCoverTeganAndSaraGayTeganAndSaraMagazingCoverTeganAndSaraTheAdvocatethe advocatethe advocate coverTheAdvocateTheAdvocateCover Jason MacNeil 2013-04-05T12:00:00 00:00 Roger Waters, Israel: Jewish Group Pressure Organizers to Cancel His NYC Appearance http://www.spinner.com/2013/04/04/roger-waters-israel-new-york-cancel/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/04/04/roger-waters-israel-new-york-cancel/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/04/04/roger-waters-israel-new-york-cancel/#comments Filed under: , , ,


Roger WatersJason Kempin, Getty

Amid pressure from a Jewish group, a cultural center in Manhattan has reportedly canceled an interview with Roger Waters following the musician's recent statements regarding Israel.

According to Jewish Daily Forward, "An Evening With Roger Waters" was slated for the Theresa L. Kaufmann Concert Hall in New York City for April 30. The interview, which was to look at the musician's career and current projects, was then reportedly rescheduled to June 19 but now is not happening at all.

"It's absolutely outrageous that Jewish community funds are going to help Roger Waters spread his anti-Semitic message," Richard Allen of JCC Watch said in a statement found on the organization's site. Allen also added Jewish donors to the JCC were essentially "helping to provide Waters with a facility, marketing, and respectability, so he can win over more people with his anti-Israel lies." ]]> Pink FloydPinkFloydRoger WatersRoger Waters IsraelRoger Waters Israel boycottRogerWatersRogerWatersIsraelRogerWatersIsraelBoycott Jason MacNeil 2013-04-04T17:40:00 00:00 Rolling Stones '50 and Counting' Tour: Band Announces North American Trek http://www.spinner.com/2013/04/03/rolling-stones-50th-anniversary-tour/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/04/03/rolling-stones-50th-anniversary-tour/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/04/03/rolling-stones-50th-anniversary-tour/#comments Filed under: , ,


Rolling Stones 50th anniversary tourDon Emmert, AFP

The Rolling Stones today confirmed details of their North American "50 And Counting" arena trek which will kick off sometime in early May in Los Angeles depending on the availability of the Staples Center and potential conflict with the National Hockey League playoffs. The band are also returning to Hyde Park, site of their famous 1969 free concert days after Brian Jones' death.

According to the band's site, the first confirmed date is May 5 in Oakland with arena dates set for San Jose (May 8), Las Vegas (May 11) and Anaheim (May 15). From there the group has a small break before continuing at Toronto's Air Canada Centre on May 25, Chicago's United Center on May 28 and Boston's TD North Garden on June 12. The trek is currently set to conclude on June 18 in Philadelphia.

The group also unveiled a YouTube clip featuring Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood getting in touch with each other via webcam. Jagger is shown sitting on a beach while Wood is painting the city names. ]]> Keith RichardsKeithRichardsMick JaggerMickJaggerRolling Stonesrolling stones 50th anniversaryRolling Stones 50th Anniversary tourRolling Stones anniversaryRolling Stones concertRolling Stones concertsRolling Stones tourRolling Stones toursRollingStonesRollingStones50thAnniversaryRollingStones50thAnniversaryTourRollingStonesAnniversaryRollingStonesConcertRollingStonesConcertsRollingStonesTourRollingStonesToursThe Rolling StonesTheRollingStones Jason MacNeil 2013-04-03T09:47:00 00:00 Prince Settles Breach of Contract Lawsuit With Perfume Manufacturer Out of Court http://www.spinner.com/2013/04/02/prince-perfume-lawsuit/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/04/02/prince-perfume-lawsuit/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/04/02/prince-perfume-lawsuit/#comments Filed under: ,


PrinceChristopher Polk, Getty

Prince and Vivendi SA have settled a lawsuit filed by a perfume and cosmetics manufacturer who accused the musician and his then-label (Universal Music Group) of breaching a contract to promote two products.

According to Bloomberg, Revelations Perfume and Cosmetics, a company based in Pennsylvania, sued the musician and UMG in New York State Supreme Court in November 2008, seeking minimum $100,000 in damages.

The suit claimed Prince didn't follow through on contracts to help market perfumes using his name, likeness and the name of his 2006 album 3121. A judge subsequently ordered the musician to pay nearly $4 million in April 2012 to the company for losses, but denying the company punitive and lost-profit damages. ]]> PrincePrince perfumeprince perfume lawsuitPrincePerfumePrincePerfumeLawsuitRevelations Perfume and CosmeticsRevelations Perfume and Cosmetics princeRevelationsPerfumeAndCosmeticsRevelationsPerfumeAndCosmeticsPrince Jason MacNeil 2013-04-02T12:20:00 00:00 Garbage Gay Marriage: Band Stops Detroit Show For Same Sex Marriage Proposal http://www.spinner.com/2013/04/01/garbage-gay-marriage/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/04/01/garbage-gay-marriage/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/04/01/garbage-gay-marriage/#comments Filed under: ,


Garbage Gay MarriageGarbage Facebook

Garbage interrupted their concert Saturday night in Detroit to allow one man to propose to his boyfriend onstage.

As shown on YouTube, singer Shirley Manson stopped the concert Saturday night at Detroit's Majestic Theater and brought out two men named Dominic and Scott to the stage.

In the video Manson is showing holding Dominic and thanking him for his support when the band had a "very sick friend" named Wally, with Dominic flying out to a benefit concert for him. ]]> GarbageGarbage gay marriageGarbageGayMarriagegay marriage proposalgay marriage proposal garbageGayMarriageProposalGayMarriageProposalGarbagemarriage proposalMarriageProposalShirley MansonShirleyManson Jason MacNeil 2013-04-01T14:45:00 00:00 Bruce Springsteen and AC/DC, Thom Yorke and Ted Nugent Collaborations Announced http://www.spinner.com/2013/04/01/april-fools-music-stories-bruce-springsteen/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/04/01/april-fools-music-stories-bruce-springsteen/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/04/01/april-fools-music-stories-bruce-springsteen/#comments Filed under: , , , ,


Bruce Springsteen Brian Johnson AC/DCGetty | AFP

There were an unusual number of major music stories announced today ranging from Bruce Springsteen and AC/DC joining forces during an Australian show to Thom Yorke and Ted Nugent working on a musical adaptation of a children's book.

With April 1 marking the unofficial launch of the spring/summer concert season, all the big guns appeared to be in the news today.

Here are some of the biggest stories: ]]> acdcapril foolsapril fools 2013april fools storiesAprilFoolsAprilFools2013AprilFoolsStoriesbruce springsteenBruceSpringsteendavid bowieDavidBowieJustin BieberJustinBieberMorrisseyRadioheadRolling StonesRollingStonesTed NugentTedNugentThom YorkeThomYorke Jason MacNeil 2013-04-01T11:30:00 00:00 New Found Glory's Chad Gilbert Collapses After Onstage Electric Shock http://www.spinner.com/2013/03/28/new-found-glory-chad-gilbert-electrocuted/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/03/28/new-found-glory-chad-gilbert-electrocuted/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/03/28/new-found-glory-chad-gilbert-electrocuted/#comments Filed under: ,


New Found GloryGetty Images

Although details are a bit sketchy, New Found Glory's singer Chad Gilbert is probably lucky to be alive after an electric shock onstage during a show in Anaheim, Calif. last night.

According to Australian site MusicFeeds, Gilbert collapsed at Chain Reaction, where the group was recording their first live album. The band has made no comment on what transpired on their official site or via its Facebook page, but speculation suggests Gilbert received a jolt due to poor wiring in his microphone. ]]> Chad Gilbertchad gilbert electrocutedchad gilbert new found glorychad gilbert new found glory electrocutedChadGilbertChadGilbertElectrocutedChadGilbertNewFoundGloryChadGilbertNewFoundGloryElectrocutednew found gloryNewFoundGlory Jason MacNeil 2013-03-28T15:29:00 00:00 Jay Smith, Guitarist For Matt Mays Band, Dies In Edmonton After Show http://www.spinner.com/2013/03/27/jay-smith-guitarist-matt-mays-band-dead-dies-edmonton/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/03/27/jay-smith-guitarist-matt-mays-band-dead-dies-edmonton/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/03/27/jay-smith-guitarist-matt-mays-band-dead-dies-edmonton/#comments Filed under: ,


Jay Smith Rock Ranger Matt MaysKayla MacLellan

Jay Smith, a guitarist best known for his work with east coast rocker Matt Mays, died Wednesday while the band was on tour in Edmonton.

"Our guitar player and dear friend Jay Smith passed away this morning in Edmonton. As you can all imagine, we are completely devastated," Mays wrote in a Facebook post Wednesday evening, March 27. "However, in our heart of hearts we know that we need to Play on. Jay's family as well as the band know he would have wanted it that way. All of the proceeds from the remaining shows will be put into a trust for his two beautiful children. Jay's wit, charm, and unparalleled love of music will never be forgotten.

"He was our brother and he will live in our hearts and song forever.

Matt, Serge Damien, Adam and Matt."

It's unclear what the cause of death was, though CBC reports he was found in his hotel room and that "foul play is not suspected." The band was slated to play in Calgary tonight at Flames Central with guests July Talk after playing The Starlite Room in Edmonton Tuesday evening. They were scheduled to begin a U.S. tour with Gaslight Anthem in mid-April. ]]> jay smithjay smith deadjay smith diesJaySmithJaySmithDeadJaySmithDiesmatt maysmatt mays bandMattMaysMattMaysBand Jason MacNeil 2013-03-27T23:05:00 00:00 Roger Waters Israel Boycott: Ex-Pink Floyd Member Asking Musicians to Not Perform There http://www.spinner.com/2013/03/21/roger-waters-israel-boycott/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/03/21/roger-waters-israel-boycott/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/03/21/roger-waters-israel-boycott/#comments Filed under: , ,


Roger Waters The WallJason Kempin, Getty

Ex-Pink Floyd member Roger Waters says he has asked other musicians to boycott performing in Israel in his ongoing support for the international solidarity movement for Palestine.

According to an interview with the Electronic Intifada and reported by Rolling Stone, Waters said he believes it's "the most effective way to go because the situation is that the Israeli government runs an apartheid regime in Israel, the occupied territories and everywhere else it decides."

Waters also said he's considering creating a single urging artists to not play Israel in the same vein as the 1980s single "Sun City" which highlighted South Africa's apartheid policies. He plans on speaking with E Street Band guitarist Steven Van Zandt regarding it. And he's about to publish an open letter to "all my colleagues in the music industry, asking them to join me in the BDS (boycott, divestment and sanctions) movement." ]]> IsraelIsrael boycottIsraelBoycottmusicians boycott IsraelMusiciansBoycottIsraelPink FloydPinkFloydRoger WatersRoger Waters IsraelRoger Waters Israel boycottRoger Waters palestineRogerWatersRogerWatersIsraelRogerWatersIsraelBoycottRogerWatersPalestine Jason MacNeil 2013-03-21T15:00:00 00:00 Skrillex Cancels Full Flex Express Cross-Canada Train Tour for 2013 http://www.spinner.com/2013/03/21/Skrillex-full-flex-express-canceled/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/03/21/Skrillex-full-flex-express-canceled/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/03/21/Skrillex-full-flex-express-canceled/#comments Filed under: , , ,


SkrillexTheo Wargo, Getty

After an inaugural attempt last year, Skrillex has pulled the plug on the 2013 Full Flex Express, the Canadian tour featuring various electronic dance music and rock artists traveling across the country by train.

According to a statement on the festival site Skrillex explained the reasoning.

"During the past 4 months we lost the train we had booked, found a new one, and then realized the cost associated with using it would put us at a huge, huge loss," the artist wrote. "We explored every option to make the Full Flex Express happen but ultimately we could not get around these setbacks." ]]> Full Flex ExpressFull Flex Express 2013Full Flex Express CanadaFull Flex Express canceledFullFlexExpressFullFlexExpress2013FullFlexExpressCanadaFullFlexExpressCanceledSkrillexSkrillex tourSkrillex trainSkrillex train tourSkrillexTourSkrillexTrainSkrillexTrainTour Jason MacNeil 2013-03-21T11:30:00 00:00 Michelle Shocked Statement: I Have 'Never Believed God Hates Homosexuals' http://www.spinner.com/2013/03/20/michelle-shocked-statement/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/03/20/michelle-shocked-statement/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/03/20/michelle-shocked-statement/#comments Filed under:


Michelle ShockedRick Diamond, Getty

Days after a reported homophobic rant during a concert in San Francisco, folk singer Michelle Shocked is clarifying her position on the issue, saying in fact she was describing the beliefs of "intolerant" and "scared" born-again Christians.

According to Spin, Shocked released two statements today regarding her beliefs. "I do not, nor have I ever, said or believed that God hates homosexuals (or anyone else)," Shocked said. "I said some of His followers believe that." ]]> michelle shockedMichelle Shocked gaysmichelle shocked godMichelle Shocked homophobeMichelle Shocked homophobic rantmichelle shocked religionMichelleShockedMichelleShockedGaysMichelleShockedGodMichelleShockedHomophobeMichelleShockedHomophobicRantMichelleShockedReligion Jason MacNeil 2013-03-20T17:30:00 00:00