MUSIC NEWS YOU CAN USE FOR THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30TH

Born on this day in 1955, the man who made the "snarl and fist pump" a rock n' roll salute...BILLY IDOL is 51.
On this day in 1963, the FAB FOUR'S "With the Beatles" became the first million selling album ever in the UK...
And back in 2002, OASIS is forced to postpone its remaining tour dates when frontman LIAM GALLAGHER sustains injuries to his mouth and teeth in a Munich bar brawl...

Your Music News for this Thursday...
*RADIOHEAD'S Thom Yorke is letting the fans create his next music video. NME.COM reports that Yorke and the band are sponsoring the D&AD Global Student Awards search for creative new talent, and have decided to turn over the clip from Yorke's solo album, "The Clock."

* THE KILLERS are teaming up with (Product) Red to release their Christmas song, "A Great Big Sled." The track will be available December 4th via iTunes, with proceeds going to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. The song debuts tomorrow on AOL, and video will follow on December 7th.

* Apple has announced plans to install personal iPod docking stations in the cabins of new planes for six major airlines...

*And finally for you on this THURSDAY...
Ex-GARBAGE goddess SHIRLEY MANSON is working with JACK WHITE and BILLY CORGAN on what might be her first solo record. No details as of yet, but she has recorded a cover of an unnamed JOHN LENNON song for an upcoming Darfur benefit album.
The GARBAGE best-of, "Absolute Garbage," hits shelves this spring.

THERE ARE A FEW RED LETTER BREAKUPS IN THE ANNALS OF MUSIC HISTORY...
THE DAY JOHN LEFT THE BEATLES...THE DAY STING LEFT THE POLICE...THE DAY BILLY BROKE UP THE PUMPKINS. NOW, WE CAN ADD ANOTHER TO THE SHORT LIST...

THE HUGELY POPULAR CHILDREN'S GROUP "THE WIGGLES" IS EXPECTED THIS WEEK TO ANNOUNCE THE DEPARTURE OF ITS LEAD SINGER "YELLOW WIGGLE".
THE BAND HAS SCHEDULED A NEWS CONFERENCE FOR WEDNESDAY IN PERTH, AUSTRALIA WHERE SOURCES ARE SAYING "YELLOW WIGGLE" AKA GREG PAGE WILL OFFICIALLY DEPART THE GROUP.

OBVIOUSLY WE'RE GONNA KEEP FOLLOWING THIS STORY, AND IN THE MEANTIME, WE'RE GOING TO SET UP A COUNSELING HOTLINE FOR ALL YOU PARENTS OUT THERE WHO'RE GOING TO HAVE TO COME UP WITH "ANOTHER" WAY TO KEEP YOUR TODDLERS OFF YOUR BACK.

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IN FAR LESS IMPORTANT MUSIC NEWS...
ABBA, THE LEGENDARY SWEDISH POPSTERS WHO NOW HAUNT MODERN AUDIENCES THROUGH BAD KARAOKE SING-ALONGS, IS GETTING A MUSEUM. YEP, "ABBA THE MUSEUM", OPENING IN STOCKHOLM IN 2008, WILL BE FILLED WITH ABBA'S MUSIC, ORIGINAL CLOTHES, HISTORY, IMAGES, INSTRUMENTS...THERE'S EVEN GONNA BE A RECORDING STUDIO WHERE, YOU TOO, CAN BUTCHER "DANCING QUEEN".

DID YOU KNOW THAT ABBA HAS SOLD OVER 370 MILLION RECORDS?! ONLY THE BEATLES AND ELVIS HAVE SOLD MORE. IN FACT, ABBA SOLD 2 MILLION ALBUMS LAST YEAR ALONE.

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FINALLY FOR YOU THIS WEDNESDAY...
COLDPLAY IS ON HIATUS BUT CHRIS MARTIN IS DOING SOMETHING BESIDES KEEPING GWYNETH KNOCKED-UP. AT A BENEFIT MONDAY NIGHT IN LONDON MARTIN PLAYED A FOUR-SONG SOLO SET THAT INCLUDED A COVER OF DYLAN'S "BUCKETS OF RAIN", THE BAND'S "I SHALL BE RELEASED", THE KILLER'S "WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG", AND A NEW SONG CALLED "BUCKET FOR A CROWN". OF THAT ONE HE JOKED: "IF IT'S "SHIT", WE'LL GIVE IT TO THE KILLERS....
IF IT'S GOOD WE'LL KEEP IT."

MUSIC NEWS YOU CAN USE FOR MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27TH

BORN ON THIS DAY IN 1942, THE MAN TURNED THE GUITAR INTO A WEAPON OF MASS DESTRUCTION, THE BEST AXE-MAN EVER...JIMI HENDRIX

YOUR MUSIC NEWS FOR THIS MONDAY...
ONE OF THE FINAL GAPING HOLES IN THE ITUNES UNIVERSE MAY FINALLY BE GETTING FILLED.
ACCORDING TO FORTUNE MAGAZINE, THE BEATLES, A GLARING HOLD-OUT SINCE THE ADVENT OF ONLINE MUSIC STORES, ARE IN TALKS TO GIVE UP THE GOODS.
DETAILS ARE STILL CONGEALING, BUT THE POSSIBLE DEAL (WORTH TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS), WOULD INCLUDE THE ENTIRE BEATLES CATALOG BEING UP FOR SALE ON "ITUNES" FOR A LIMITED AMOUNT OF TIME. ALSO IN THE WORKS? ALA "U2", A BEATLES-BRANDED IPOD, AND JUST MAYBE AN IPOD COMMERCIAL FEATURING A BEATLES SONG.
SO I GUESS WE CAN ALL LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING "HARD DAYS NIGHT" DRILLED MERCILLESSLY INTO OUR HEADS...

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SPEAKING OF U2, THE BOYS FROM DUBLIN HAVE BEEN "USURPED" AS THE OWNERS OF THE TOP-GROSSING TOUR IN ROCK HISTORY. U2'S "VERTIGO" JAUNT THAT TOOK UP MOST OF 2005 WAS THE PREVIOUS RECORD HOLDER RAKING IN $333 MILLION DOLLARS. BUT NOW, THOSE GYRATING GEEZERS IN THE ROLLING STONES HAVE TAKEN OVER THE TOP SPOT WITH THEIR NEVER-ENDING "BIGGER BANG" TOUR. SINCE THE FALL OF 2005, WHEN THE TOUR STARTED, THE STONES HAVE GROSSED $437 "MILLION" DOLLARS OVER 110 SHOWS.
AND THAT WILL BUY A LOT OF "METAMUCIL"...

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AND FINALLY THIS MONDAY...
A LITTLE OASIS NEWS FOR YOU. WITH THE BAND ON HIATUS AND A GREATEST HITS PACKAGE CURRENTLY ON THE SHELVES, LEAD EYEBROW NOEL GALLAGHER SAYS HE'S CONTEMPLATING A SOLO ALBUM. AND WHILE HE CLAIMS TO HAVE ENOUGH MATERIAL FOR FOUR RECORDS, HE ADMITS HE HAS TO HURRY. SAYS NOEL: "I'D LIKE TO MAKE ONE WHILE I STILL LOOK GOOD AND BEFORE I LOOK LIKE PHIL COLLINS, WHICH, EVENTUALLY...I WILL."

A FATE I WOULDN'T WISH ON ANYBODY...LOOKING LIKE PHIL COLLINS...

AND THE BEST AMERICAN ROCK BAND IS...

T.V. on the Radio? At least, according to a select group of bloggers. Check out the entire list here:
http://www.informationleafblower.com/blog/archives/2006/11/the_top_40_band_3.html

SEX, DRUGS, AND LEGOS...

Ever, uhm, wondered what your favorite rock star might look like as a Lego?
Yep, me neither...Alas, here they are...
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=93340

MUSIC NEWS YOU CAN USE FOR WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14TH

THE DECEMBERISTS, who've gone all big time on us now, are looking for a few talented fans to help them put together the video for "O Valencia!"
Your challenge? Create the animation needed to complete the band's video. The Decemberists have already shot a performance against a green screen and locked the edit. Now they need YOU do is to add your creative touch.
Head on over to MTVU.COM for more information...

* The ever flowing creative spigot known as RYAN ADAMS is at is again. He's posted 8 albums worth of new material over at his official site, RYAN-ADAMS.COM. Of particular interest? His rap project, DJ Reggie. His metal project, WereWolph and their covers of Shania Twain and Creed. And his punk side project, called simply...The Shit.
Check it out at RYAN-ADAMS.COM.

* The remaining members of CROWDED HOUSE, NEIL FINN and NICK SEYMOUR, are working together on Finn's new solo record, which is set to come out next year. In other Crowded House news, on January 16th, they'll release a CD/DVD of their final performance together from Sydney, Australia...

* Finally for you on this Wednesday:
If you musical tastes lean towards the "classic" end of the rock spectrum, by all means head over to WOLFGANGSVAULT.COM and check out their massive concert archive. Most of the shows are from the glory days of San Francisco's Filmore Concert Hall, and all of them are great: THE WHO, LED ZEPPELIN, STEVIE WONDER, NEIL YOUNG, THE BAND...all at their absolute apex. There's even seom vintage CURE from 1984 for all you miserable people out there...
Check it out at WOLFGANGSVAULT.COM.

MUSIC NEWS YOU CAN USE FOR MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13TH

NOW SOME OF US HERE AT ALTERNATIVE MORNINGS ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE NEW G'N'R TOUR...
(OKAY...I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE NEW GUNS N' ROSES TOUR)
BUT FANS ARE WORRIED THAT AXL IS UP TO HIS OLD TRICKS AFTER HE "CANCELLED" A SHOW IN PORTLAND, MAINE LAST WEEK. BUT THIS TIME, HE HAS A GOOD REASON.
AXL CANNED THE SHOW WHEN OFFICIALS TOLD HIM THAT HE AND HIS BAND "COULD NOT" DRINK ONSTAGE. YEP, AXL AND HIS BACKING BAND CANCELLED A CONCERT BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T DRINK THEIR BEER, WINE, AND JAGERMEISTER ON STAGE.
OH, AND THEY WERE ALSO BUSTED TO USING TOO MUCH PYRO.
APPARENTLY, THE CITIZENS OF PORTLAND, MAINE, WERE AFRAID OF BEING ROCKED TOO HARD...

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IN OTHER MUSIC NEWS...
MICHAEL JACKSON IS PLANNING A COMEBACK PERFORMANCE AT THE WORLD MUSIC AWARDS IN LONDON THIS WEEK. HE PLANS ON RECREATING THE GRAVEYARD SCENE FROM HIS 80S VIDEO, "THRILLER."
WE'RE PROMISED THAT NO CHILDREN WILL BE HARMED IN THE RECREATION...

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THREE UGLY BALD DUDES AND A RED-HOT SCOT, THE BAND OTHERWISE KNOWN AS GARBAGE, ARE RELEASING THEIR FIRST "HITS" COMPILATION. IT'S COMING OUT IN MARCH AND FEATURES THE REQUISITE HITS AS WELL AS ONE NEW SONG.
SHIRLEY MANSON...ALTERNATIVE MORNINGS HEARTS YOU...

CANCEL YOUR BANK OF AMERICA ACCOUNTS

THIS IS AMERICA'S OWN VERSION OF DAVID BRENT'S "FREE LOVE ON THE FREE LOVE HIGHWAY, "EXCEPT THAT THIS ONE IS ALL TOO REAL...AND THEREFORE UTTERLY HORRIFYING...
SOME SOULLESS, SUCKING SOUND OF A CORPORATE UNDERLING BUTCHERING U2'S "ONE." TURNING IT FROM A SONG ABOUT PERSONAL SOLIDARITY IN THE FACE OF A CRUMBLING RELATIONSHIP...
INTO A SONG ABOUT TRANSACTION FEES, INTEREST RATES, AND HOME LOANS.

ALL SUNG BY A GUY WHO LOOKS LIKE MATT HASSELBECK, DRESSED UP AS A DOOR-TO-DOOR JEHOVAH'S WITNESS.THE WORST PART? IF YOU WATCH THE VIDEO UNTIL THE END, THE GUY GETS A STANDING OVATION. CANCEL YOUR "BANK OF AMERICA" ACCOUNTS...RIGHT...NOW..

OH, AND THE LINE TO PUNCH THIS GUY IN HIS PLEATED CHINOS FORMS BEHIND ME...
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JOHNNY CASH: "GOD'S GONNA CUT YOU DOWN"

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MUSIC NEWS YOU CAN USE FOR WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8TH

Born today back in 1954, the forebearer of Alt-heroines Suzanne Vega, Tori Amos, and Sarah McLaughlin, Miss Ricky Lee Jones is 52...

And on this day back in 1983, the number one hit in the country was...LIONEL RITCHIE'S "All Night Long"....23 years later and now we're stuck having to deal with his daughter. Ugh.

YOUR MUSIC NEWS FOR THIS WEDNESDAY...
SMASHING PUMPKINS frontman Billy Corgan emerged from a year out of the public eye to play a few songs at a multi-act show featuring THE WHO'S Pete Townshend in Los Angeles last night (November 7).

The star played late in the gig at the Hotel Cafe, premiering four new songs, but appearing uneasy and tuning his guitar frequently...
Speaking of new Pumpkins, drummer Jimmy Chamberlin has posted on Myspace that he's just finished laying down drum track for the band's first album in seven year. Says Chamberlin, "To finally sit down and listen to the drum takes, one after the other, was a truly joyful experience."
We assume that means they're good...

In other new album news...
While OASIS boss Noel Gallagher has spent a lot of time in interviews lately talking about the band going on an extended hiatus, his brother Liam (as you might expect) disagrees.
Speaking to Uncut Magazine, Liam says, "I reckon we're going to start doing something this month. Go to our studio, stay there and get it done. We've just got to wait for Noel to finish his tunes."

And finally...you've heard the rumors and well....they're true...
the queen of pop herself, Britney Spears, finally came to her senses and kicked Kevin Federline out of their palacial double-wide yesterday, bringing to an end what we all just KNEW was a marriage that was bound to last forever.
Thank to an ironclad pre-nup though, K-Fed won't get half of Britney's Lolita earnings. He'll get a year of financial support, but after that, he'll be left with his sole possessions: a baggie of wife beaters, assorted crooked ball caps, and a carton of Marlboro's.
Isn't Karma fun, kids?

MUSIC NEWS YOU CAN USE FOR MONDAY, NOVEMBER 6TH

It was 13 years ago today that PEARL JAM ruled the charts with their blockbuster second album, "Vs."...
AND, on this day back in 1975, THE SEX PISTOLS made their live debut at St. Martin's School of Art in London.
The performance lasted all of 10 minutes.

Your music news for this Monday...
* Congratulations are in order to one Mr. BECK HANSEN. He's announced that he and his wife, Marissa Ribisi, are expecting another child.
Way to go, you wonderful weirdo.

* GENESIS is getting back together. No, not the prog rocking freaks of "Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" fame, but the paunchy, balding version that gave us classics like "Illegal Alien" and "Invisible Touch." Needless to say, the cool one, PETER GABRIEL, is not taking part in the reunion.

*Outgoing, embattled British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who's taken heat for his support of President Bush, told Virgin Radio that his favorite song of all time is...U2's "Where the Streets Have No Name." Considering that the lyrics go "I want to run, I want to hide," I can see how that might resonate.

* And finally...good news for soccer moms everywhere: NORA JONES has announced that her third album, "Not Too Late" will hit stores on January 30th.
Suddenly I'm feeling very...very...sleepy...

MUSIC NEWS YOU CAN USE FOR FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3RD

* Over in Europe, the Old Country version of the MTV Video Music Awards were held last night in Copenhagen with GNARLS BARKLEY and Justin Timberlake walking away the big winners.
Both acts took hom two trophies each, with Gnarls scoring for "Best Song" ("Crazy," naturally) as well as the innaugural "Future Sounds" trophy.
The RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS , who had the most nominations with four, snagged a big honor, receiving the "Best Album" nod for "Stadium Arcadium."
Other winners included DEPECHE MODE for "Best Group," MUSE was named the "Best Alternative Act," the THE KILLERS walked away with the statuette for "Best Rock Act."

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* A big, bad, dreadlocked blast from the past is headed your way...
After recently releasing a live DVD and playing three sold-out shows commemorate the closing of CBGB, D.C. hardcore legends BAD BRAINS seem to be back in commission. According to Billboard.com, the highly influential quartet are planning the spring release of a currently untitled album, produced by BEASTIE BOY Adam Yauch, aka MCA.

Bad Brains are ALSO considering the release of additional archival video footage as well. One such show, shot by a friend of the band, features them playing with the CIRCLE JERKS, LIVING COLOUR, and LEEWAY.

* Of course, it can't all be good news. ROCKSTAR SUPERNOVA has announced plans to release their debut (cough...cough!) album on Novebmer 21st.

*Oh, and finally, for all you folks out there who know what 8-sided die and "hit points" are, well...Happy Dungeons and Dragons Day!!!
I'm serious.

YOUR WEEKLY "LOST" UPDATE

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN...
A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR MR. EKO...
THE BIG MAN WITH THE BIG STICK DIED LAST NIGHT...CONTINUING THE TREND OF CAST MEMBERS WHO GET PULLED OVER FOR DWI IN REAL LIFE...THEN GET KILLED ON THE SHOW...
EKO...WAS OFFED BY THE MYSTERIOUS BLACK SMOKE...WHICH TOOK ON THE SHAPE OF HIS DEAD BROTHER AND LOTS OF OTHER FOLKS HE MURDERED ALONG THE WAY...
AND I'M KIND OF BUMMED. I LIKED EKO. IN FACT, HE WAS PROBABLY MY THIRD FAVORITE CHARACTER BEHIND SAWYER AND LOCKE...IT JUST SEEMED SO ANTICLIMATIC...AND USUALLY WHEN A CHARACTER DIES...WE LEARN SOMETHING ABOUT THE BIGGER PICTURE...THAT DIDN'T SEEM TO HAPPEN LAST NIGHT...EXCEPT THAT DARK DAYS ARE AHEAD FOR OUR CASTAWAYS...
"DUH"

WHAT ELSE DID WE LEARN...
* THOSE X-RAYS WITH THE SPINAL TUMOR...THOSE WERE, IN FACT, CREEPY BEN'S...
* JULIET IS TRICKY...AND SHE WANTS JACK TO BOTCH THE SURGERY, KILL BEN AND MAKE IT LOOK LIKE AN ACCIDENT
* WE GOT A GLIMPSE OF SOME GUY WITH AN EYEPATCH WATCHING OUR GUYS IN THE HATCH...AND IS HE MAYBE CONTROLLING THE BLACK SMOKE??
* AND MOST IMPORTANTLY...AFTER BEING SLAUGHTERED BY THE BLACK SMOKE....WITH HIS DYING BREATH, EKO TOLD LOCKE AND THE REST OF THE LOSTIES THAT..."THEY WERE NEXT"...
...CREEEEPPYYYY...
* OH...AND ONE OTHER THING...THE TWO NEW "LOSTIES" THEY INTRODUCED LAST NIGHT? WHAT DID YOU GUYS THINK? I HATED 'EM. THEY SEEMED THROWN IN...AND HONESTLY, I DON'T NEED TO SIT THROUGH ANYBODY ELSE'S BACKSTORY...HOPEFULLY, THEY'RE JUST THERE FOR BODY COUNT...

NEXT WEEK...THE LAST "LOST" UNTIL NEXT YEAR...THE PREVIEW BOASTED NAKED BODIES...YELLING...AND SAWYER AT THE BUSINESS END OF A PISTOL...
THEY'RE BILLING IT AS THE "BEST EPISODE YET"...AND FRANKLY...I'D LIKE TO SEE THAT BECAUSE...WELL...I HAVEN'T BEEN EXACTLY THRILLED WITH SEASON 3 SO FAR...
NOT THAT I'M GONNA LEAVE THE SHOW OR ANYTHING...
I'M LIKE AN ABUSED WIFE...I'LL JUST KEEP COMING BACK...
NO MATTER HOW MEAN HE IS TO ME...

MUSIC NEWS YOU CAN USE FOR THURSDAY

On this day in 1995, SMASHING PUMPKINS' epic double album, "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness" sat atop the charts...
And way back in 1977, Elvis Costello released his classic, "My Aim Is True."

YOUR MUSIC NEWS FOR THIS THURSDAY...
Jack White tells Uncut MAGAZINE...his songwriting energies are "divided totally 50/50 between the Raconteurs and the White Stripes" and claims that he and Meg have been working on songs during breaks from his tour with the Raconteurs. SAYS CAPTAIN JACK:
"I have so many songs now for another White Stripes record," .
WELL WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR MAN...GET TO IT...

* Chris Rock...that's right...Chris Rock the comedian...will direct the new video for the RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS' song..."Hump De Bump"..

* SNOW PATROL is releasing an EP from their "AOL Sessions" appearance. The digital release will feature live versions of "Chasing Cars," "You're All I Have," "Hands Open," "Run"...as well as a BRIGHT EYES cover...

* We told you earlier in the week about OASIS frontmouth NOEL GALLAGHER calling KEANE singer TOM CHAPMAN a "post lightweight" for his addiction to port...
Well, Chapman has responded with a mouthful of bile...okay, that's a complete lie. "I'm a massive Oasis fan," Chapman says. "Noel's entitled to his own opinion, but frankly...I'm not bothered."
Wow. How, uhm, boring.
But hey...That, my friends is why Oasis is Oasis...and Keane is, well, Keane.

MUSIC NEWS YOU CAN USE FOR WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1ST

Your birthday for today, a biggie...ANTHONY KIEDIS of the RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS is 44...
On this day in 1983, U2 released "Under a Blood Red Sky," still one of the best live documents I've ever heard...
Also, on this day in 1994, NIRVANA'S "Unplugged in New York" hit the shelves...
And just because I know Greg love it...way back in 1980, REO SPEEDWAGON released "Hi Infidelity"....

Your Music News for this Wednesday...
* January should be a big month for the Portland music scene, with our newly adopted indie rock heroes, THE SHINS, finally releasing their long-awaited follow-up to "Chutes Too Narrow." Now, we gave you a sneak preview of the album yesterday when we played the first single, "Phantom Limb," but if you weren't up early enough to catch it, don't fear. The Shins have posted "Phantom Limb" on their Myspace page...so let your fingers do the walking over there.

* One of Alternative Morning's favorite bands, THE FLAMING LIPS, are finally being recognized in their hometown as heroes. They're getting a street named after them. Well, actually, calling it a street is being kind. It's an alley that runs through a poorly lit, broken down section of OKC called "Bricktown" that's littered with open dumpsters and burger wrappers.
Fitting. No doubt Wayne Coyne and the boys will deck the place out in balloons, plush costumes, sparklers, and lots and lots of fake blood.

* NINE INCH NAILS, a band not necessarily known for putting out albums in quick succession, are tenatively eyeing an April 2007 release date for their next record. Until then, TRENT REZNOR and company are also working on a DVD release called "Beside You In Time."

* U2 has unveiled the tracklisting for their latest hits collection, U218 Singles. And well, I dunno, it seems kind of disappointing. No surprises here. All the "Joshua Tree," "Achtung," and "Rattle and Hum" cuts you'd expect, with a healthy dose of songs from their last two albums.
Whatever, it's fine. It's just that some of my favorite U2 albums like "War," "Boy," and "Unforgettable Fire" just don't get the respect they deserve...