Music licensing companies come calling for royalties

Six months after raising the curtain on their gourmet coffee shop in the beachside Indian Harbour Place shopping center, Laurie and Jim Hall decided to offer live music on Friday and Saturday nights.

The performers, normally duos, mainly covered songs written and made famous by other musicians. There was no cover charge, no pay for the musicians, no limit to how long patrons could sit on a couch with their coffee, playing chess and enjoying the music.

No problem.

Then a few months later, music industry giant ASCAP started calling and sending letters saying East Coast Coffee & Tea was in violation of copyright laws. The fee to continue the music was $400 a year.

So, seven months ago I was close to correct. I'm almost surprised it took so long.

Spice Girls reunite for world tour - CNN.com

Yes!!! If only Menudo were their opening act, I'd be one happy dude!

I'm listening to Sky.fm, and Quietdrive (whomever that is) comes on with a cover of Time After Time. I wish people would stop covering this song, since the original is great, and the acoustic version is amazing. There should be a list of songs which are to not be covered. A quick list here:

- Time After Time
- Stairway To Heaven
- Freebird (unless it's at a live show, I guess)
- Imagine
- 90% of Queen songs.. actually, 100%. Nobody can touch Freddie.
- Signs. The Tesla version is actually good, but let's just leave it at that.
- Any Vietnam era protest song.
- Celene Dion (just because she sucks and nobody should propagate her music)
- Bob Segar, Turn the Page
- Any Janis Joplin song
- American Pie
- Sweet Child O Mine.. yes, I'm looking at you Sheryl Crow
- Hotel California
- Leather and Lace
- Anything from Dark Side of the Moon (I'll give Phish a pass on this)
- Purple Rain or When Doves Cry
- Paradise by the Dashboard Light
- Any song which was released within 5 years prior to the desire to cover it.
- Africa
- Come Sail Away (I'll give Cartman a pass)

I guess I could keep going, but I'd end up naming about every song or artist.

DJ Drama Arrested - Report - New York Times

Now, they arrest a guy for making mixtapes.

Last night I was wondering when the RIAA will start fining and/or arresting cover bands. After all, they don't get permission to replay an artists music, then play those songs at gigs. Be careful.. if you're in a band and you're playing Freebird at your gig at the local bowling alley, you may be next!

The Palace Theatre - Trey Anastasio

Just making a note so I don't forget this. It's 2 days after my birthday.. so if anyone wants to get me some tickets as a gift :-)

What's great about Party Shuffle in iTunes is how else can you go from Cop Killa from Ice T into Big Leg Emma from Zappa? It would otherwise take a lot of thought to put those two together.. or keep them apart.

CNN.com - Zanzibar Muslim leader: Ban Freddie Mercury party - Aug 31, 2006

That's it.. going to Zanzibar is now off my top 1,000 things to do. If you can't celebrate the best male rock vocalist of all time in his own native country, screw 'em!

This is really a double CD of crap. Remember how L.L. Cool J was once cool and did good rap, but now is all soft and his music sucks? Well, that's how I think of Stadium Arcadium. Or, to put it another way.. you know how enjoyable it is to get drunk and have lots of fun at a party? That's the old Chilli Peppers. But Stadium Arcadium is sort of like later in the night when your sweaty hands are wrapped around the porcelain God praying to make the pain stop while you relive whatever you ate in the last two days chased down with a fifth of Jack and bottle of Mad Dog 20/20.

I don't think I can sit through the whole 28 tracks again. Maybe 2 or 3 of the tracks are worth listening to (Warlock was like a small break between dry heaves.. then Cmon Girl came on and up came lunch). Luckily, I have also been listening to Arctic Monkeys, which is pretty damn good.

HILTON'S CD IS INSTANT TANKER By PAULA FROELICH - New York Post Online Edition: Seven

I'd like to thank the American music buying public. You have restored just a little confidence in you. The CD sold 75,000 copies the first week. So, aside from maybe 74,000 of you (thinking 1000 were sold to be coasters or skeet), you have done the right thing.

Maybe now Paris can start getting out of our pop culture? Please? 100% of us should realize we would rather have her misuse of carbon be sent into obscurity instead of constantly hearing about her like she is some darling.

Metallica Caves, Joins iTunes - Jul 26, 2006 - E! Online News

Even aging rockers who hand-delivered over 30,000 names of Napster users to a court house eventually need to sell out. After selling out about saying they would never do a music video, then doing one for One in 1988. And selling out by helping to sue their fans who downloaded their music (it's just not all about the rock-n-roll is it?). Or, selling out when they started making more commercial friendly music (starting with/after 'And Justice For All') because speed metal was losing money making potential (compare the music to Kill em All). You could argue that they sold out when they changed their style, likely for their corporate label, Elektra. Some could say being on a label like Elektra is selling out.

I wonder if there are any bands out there who keep true to their "I won't sell out, I just like playing music" roots that many bands start with. I think you find that more in punk music (as opposed to Green Day which is like punk rock diluted with hooks and college frat boys). I doubt I'll ever hear a Social Distortion or Bad Religion song on a Pepsi commercial. No Black Flag selling Hanes underwear or Danzig telling me how he loves Capital One. They shouldn't sell out their music, just be like rap artists and 'act'. Or, just play your music, hope people buy it, play concerts and hope people come.

Pretty amusing. I actually couldn't make it all the way through, as my ears started to bleed..

I just re-aquired all my old Social Distortion music. Man, I almost forgot how great a band they really are. From back "in the day" until now, I can still sing out loud to every song. Truely a great and under-rated rock band. I can still recite every word to, probably my favorite, Story of my Life.

Good stuff. Good memories. Good music.

I've been trying to recreate my old punk/hardcore collection digitally, and was looking for some Circle Jerks.. I just love the ads which come up. Yes, I'm looking for *THE* Circle Jerks, not *A* Circle Jerk. But, I guess I could find one on eBay of I change my mind.

Man, this song brings back so many memories. A lot of hanging out at Erics house and Jens house. Wonder whatever happened to them...

You can't be what you were
So you better start being just what you are
You can't be what you were
Time is now and it's running out
You can't be what you were
So you better start living the life
That you're talking about
You can't be what you were
No movement, no movement, no movement
In a bad mouth
It betrays a bad mind
....

C'mon Kelly.. I know you know this one!

And you don't seem to understand
A shame you seemed an honest man
And all the fears you hold so dear
Will turn to whisper in your ear
And you know what they say might hurt you
And you know that it means so much
And you don't even feel a thing
....

Extra points to anyone who knows this song, and..

* The name of it
* Who sings it
* What it's the theme to

Come on and sing along with me... here, I'll get you started (if you don't know this song, er.. you should)..

I need someone a person to talk to
someone who'd care to love
could it be you could it be you
situation gets rough then I start to panic
it's not enough it's just a habit
...

So many great songs on Add It Up.

Stop right there!
I gotta know right now!
Before we go any further....

Do you love me?
Will you love me forever?
Do you need me?
Will you never leave me?
Will you make me so happy for the rest of my life?
Will you take me away and will you make me your wife?
Do you love me!?
Will you love me forever!?
Do you need me!?
Will you never leave me!?
Will you make me so happy for the rest of my life!?
Will you take me away and will you make me your wife!?
I gotta know right now
Before we go any further
Do you love me!!!?
Will you love me forever!!!?

...

You all know you sing along with this song.. admit it!

About every morning, I listen to the same few songs to get me going:

Phish - Fluffhead and/or Run Like An Antelope
Leftover Salmon - Gin 'n Juice (accoustic of Snoop Dogg's song)
Meat Loaf - Paradise By The Dashboard Light

Usually, by time these are done I'm singing along and tapping my feet. If you haven't heard Gin 'n Juice, you should. And I always though Paradise is one of the best sing-along songs ever recorded. Maybe rivaled by Piano Man, but much more upbeat and teen-year memory invoking.

After seeing the HP commercials dozens of times, I remembered I had some Kinks CDs (with Picture Book on them, in fact). Turned 'em on today while I was working and recalled how much the Kinks really rock.

Phish is coming to SPAC!! For 2 nights in June. This is awesome news since SPAC is right up the road, and is a nice venue. What's bad about it is that they are there on June 19 and 20, and I am planning on being in Buffalo until the 19th for YAPC. That means the 20th is no problem, but both nights would be better! Actually, I wanted to do a family vacation around YAPC. Have the family meet me in Buffalo on the 19th for a few days, then go to Toronto for a few days, then make our way back.

I'll try to get tickets for both days and see what my plans end up being. I could always sell tickets I'm not using, but will probably just come back the 19th as planned and go on the 20th. Maybe also the 19th if I leave early enough, but I'd be too tired. After seeing Phish well over 100 times, I no longer get too out of hand to see them. But, seeing them up the road would be very sweet.

They are coming to SPAC on July 4! I really need to get a SPAC newsletter or something. I had box seats to Sting about 4 years ago in CT. Was a great show. I can't imagine how awesome it is with Annie Lennox there too!! $34 for lawn seats.. may have to pic a few up.

Got this in my inbox today from my Bowie Newsletter:

See David Bowie at the Isle of Wight Festival

Seems like a great concert, actually. I only think of it because of Justin who posts here from there. Anyways, here are the details of the concert/hotel package.

I found out an Albany radio station was doing something so you could buy advanced tickets today off their website starting at 10am. So, 9:59 I started to refresh the page on their site and at 10am, a new links was there. I ended up with section 8, which is in the orchestra section, straight on. Can't wait!!

RUSH.. at SPAC!! Tickets go on sale this weekend. I'll be at SPAC, waiting in line and calling with my cell for this one.

I just flipped on the Grammys, and see Prince singing Purple Rain. I don't care what anyone says.. that's a great song and I'm no less manly for thinking so! That whole album is great. I actually saw him on the Purple Rain tour years ago. Was quite a show.

My buddy got tickets for Phish in Boston. It is a show which is 20 years to the day from their first concert. Been a while since I've seen them, but it will be my 124th or so show to go see!

CNN.com - MTV Awards: A party with a pinch of poignancy - Aug. 29, 2003

I was watching the MTV Video Awards last night.. at least the start of it. Glad I did!! Madonna kissing Spears!! *SHA-WING!* Pic at the link above if you missed it.

After that it went downhill to "What person who samples other peoples music and made a video is better than someone else who made a video from a song which samples other peoples music."

Phish did the Anthem last night at the NBA Finals. Here it is. Thanks to Rob for passing this along.

It's kind of funny... having the 100 CD jukebox on shuffle when you have children's CD in it and you get this...

Grateful Dead
Willie Nelson
Phish
Pop Goes the Weasel
Led Zeppelin
Row Row Your Boat
Pink Floyd
Lenny Kravitz
Yankee Doodle
etc...

Rockin away.. then Pop Goes the Weasel... always a treat!

livephish.com | LIVE PHISH DOWNLOADS

This is kinda cool. LivePhish will be making soundboard recordings for download of shows. It's $11 for MP3s and $14 for SHN. Then, it is basically the honor system that you do not abuse the service. There is no type of DRM and they even provide a download for tray inlays, CD labels and booklets to print if you burn a CD.

Until Jan 1 they are letting folks download 10/07/00 from the Shoreline (the last show before the hiatus) for free (I'm downloading now). I think this is pretty cool, even though I can get most shows for free of the internet :-) So, will it last? I doubt it, but it's a nice idea (maybe it will last!).

Is sex the only thing this woman raps about? I only hear what is played on the radio by her, but I think it all contains things about dick, her pussy and sex... with her. Has she seen herself? She is a very non-attractive woman... why would anyone want to listen to her rap about sex? I cringe when I hear her talk about her "cha cha"... ick. I'm glad she is comfortable with herself and all, but c'mon... rap about Ho-Ho's, or your car, or how you want to be Queen Latifa or something. She may be a nice person (can't confirm), and have some decent beats in her music, but I want to hear her talk about her privates like I want to hear a lecture from George Bush on how to run a business.

UPDATE: Missy fans have basically proven time and time again to be idiots and their comments are pretty redundant, childish and have no substance. But, to see if any can read English.. I really have nothing against Missy. This entry was simply a troll to get some reaction, and you people didn't dissapoint! Thanks for playing!

Kudos to Rob for pointing out to me that Trey Anastasio is coming to town in November. It's the next best thing to Phish actually coming. Looks like I may go it alone, but that's cool. Rock on!

On The Weather Channel I have noticed that they sometimes play You Enjoy Myself and Fluffhead from Phish. Nothing like checking out the local radar to some toe tappin tunes.

From and article on Launch:

Moby's new album, 18, is currently at Number 35 on the Billboard 200 album chart, selling approximately 32,000 copies last week. The album was at Number 15 two weeks ago, and has been decreasing in sales. Moby says 18 is suffering from "Pearl Jam Effect."

Moby goes on to say:

"I described the 'Pearl Jam Effect' as being a phenomenon wherein bands who have very technically savvy fans will see their records do poorly in the charts, whereas bands/artists who have less technically savvy fans will do quite well on the charts,"...

... because bands with tech savvy fans will download and/or burn, which tech-idiot fans will purchase. I guess it has nothing to do with a) A slacking economy, b) people generally being more tight with their cash, or c) your music sucks and is rapidly going out of style.

I rarely purchased CDs before I got a burner. Why? I hated buying something and liking only a few songs. Made the CD basically useless. Does anyone seem to remember that, even before digital music, people had (likely more people than those who had burners a year ago) tape-to-tape drives? People have been copying music for quite some time, although digital makes it much much easier.

But, with the slacking economy, 9/11, and generally poor music being released the last few years I would think it is logical that music sales have slipped. Publishing sales (in the tech world, at least) have slipped but I don't hear people crying it is because of pirated e-books. People for the last few years probably figure that spending a few hundred bucks on music is less important than saving it. Also, music by people like Moby is a fad and the fad may be fading (no pun intended). Noone wants to think their music sucks, or that fans won't like it because critics like it.

Moby has money, all these guys do (ever watch Cribs on MTV?). Possibly, the fans who scrounge for $22 for a CD and see these people having a collection of Porches makes them not want to scrounge for the $22. I would bet that the recording process for these folks isn't a big hardship. They do it once, and the cash rolls in. If you want my hard earned money, I'll buy a ticket to your concert. I'm tired of rock stars whining. Last decade it was the athletes, now it is rock stars. Next decade maybe it will be people like cops, or teachers, or nurses or anyone who is really more deserving.

Anyways, I'll keep downloading the music I like and avoiding the music I don't. I expect you will do the same.

Saw this article. Seems the guy liked young women. Too bad it wasn't young boys, then he could be a priest and get away with it! I'm not familiar with his music [sic], but I see he wrote "Feelin' On Yo Booty", so I assume a lot of people will be missing him and his wickity wack booty tracks. Yo, peace.. I'm out.

CNN reports that a few dozen people were injured at an Eminem show in D.C. while "stampeding the mosh pit". Hey folks, you can't mosh to rap music.. you simply can't. That's like doing the Tango to Black Sabbath.

I miss Phish. I really do. I have been to over 100 shows, and this "hiatus" has gone on too long. Plus, none of the members side-bands every seem to come to my area. I WANT MY SEASONAL PHISH TOURS BACK!!!

Devo admits that it has been putting subliminal messages into music for 30 years.

"Mothersbaugh claims Devo has been imbedding messages in songs for 30 years because the band likes to be subversive."

So, about 3 weeks ago it turns out this Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes chick was in an accident which killed a 10 year old kid. I think it is more tragic that a 10 year old kid was killed, than someone who has a fetish with their own left eye. But, our society dictates that we must mourn the death of celebs over everyone else.

I must say, FurtherNet rocks. Well, the app (for OS X, at least) is in Java so it sucks ass (and CPU/RAM) but the network itself is great. Legal downloads of live music. I have been finding the 100 or so Phish shows I have been to and downloading them. Also grabbing some God Street Wine, Janis Joplin, and other great live music.