Cool Britannia

Despite being troublesome, Doherty cares about the public’s well-being.

A fire broke out at the weekend’s Reading Festival (headlined by the Killers, Metallica, and Rage Against the Machine). Doherty alerted officials when he saw smoke before taking stage. The fire was started by a small barbecue and damaged 19 cars. No concert goers were injured.

See.. Doherty has some good purpose to life.

How would you like to be one of the most hated men in the county?

Gigwise.com reported that the police in Wiltshire County, United Kingdom, hate that Pete Doherty resides in their county.

Doherty has a history of violent outburst and drug-related arrests. Apparently he is too troublesome for the county.

Police put a stop to Doherty’s band, Babyshambles’, upcoming performance at the Moonfest Aug. 29-31. Moonfest is one of the many outdoor summer music festival the UK has to offer. The police feel the band will invoke violent outbursts.

“The issue is not the act itself, it is the profile of the fans that follow the act,” Superintendent Paul Williams told NME.

This decision was decided after fans rushed the stage at a recent Doherty solo show at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

Last weekend Babyshambles played Leeds Festival where they infamously smoked on stage, despite a city-wide smoking ban.

Is it fair to judge an entire fan base on a few crazy fans at one show? Perhaps this is the police trying to sabotage someone by finding the littlest problem to shoot them down with.

Let’s all take a moment to think.

Boy bands are bombarded wherever they go. It’s the heightened security that prevents this from happening on stage. Babyshambles has the popularity nearing that of a pop act… minus the pop music. A band shouldn’t be denied the right to play because cops do not want to “deal with”their fans.

Who really is being taught a lesson here?

For the record… the organizer of Moonfest is near bankruptcy because of this whole ordeal, so Babyshambles plans on playing nearby, working with the organizer.

Excuse me while I try to hide my excitement.

Howie Dorough told Reuters, “We want to hopefully have something ready to go or at least be heavily into it by the end of the year and have something out towards the beginning of next year.”

Meaning within the next 6-9 months there will be a follow-up album to the Backstreet Boy’s 2007 “Unbreakable.”

“Unbreakable” was a turning point for the longtime crooners after the departure of original member, Kevin Richardson. The four remaining members chose to continue without a fourth member.

Although they are short one member, the boys are more mature sounding with even stronger harmonies. It sounds like they are more in sync than ever.

The boys are currently wrapping up a world tour before returning to the studio to complete their eighth studio album (yes, eight, do not forget their European imports!). In between touring and recording as a group, band members A.J. McLean and Howie Dorough are also polishing off their first solo albums.

Rebellious? Annoying? Provoking? Any way.. you decide.

Pete Doherty of Babyshambles is always in trouble. Everyone is always watching every move he makes to catch him messing up. At the Leeds festival over the weekend Doherty once again took part in an illegal activity… smoking in public.

Did jaws drop? Are people ashamed of this incredible disgrace to society? Probably.

All in all perhaps we should all just be thankful he did not set a line up on the drumset and snort it. Or light up a crackpipe.

Regardless.. he’s a rockstar. A true rockstar.

Newsflash.. Ricky Martin is a… father?! Following the footsteps of Clay Aiken, the latin hunk has impregnated a woman.. but not through sexual intercourse.

Ricky Martin has welcomed two healthy baby boys into the world. Martin plans on taking care of the children by himself for the next year, full-time.

Is anyone else as confused as I? First of all, he hired a surrogate mother.. where did the egg come from? How did no one in the world know about this? The babies were born a few weeks ago. How is that for secrecy?

I’m in shock. Awed. Confused.

But.. congratulations, Mr. Martin.

I’ll be the first to admit I have New Kids on the Block tickets. How could I not? I am a child of the early 90’s! I remember when my sister and cousin went back in the early 90’s, I was about five years old. I was devastated when my mom said I could not go. But hallelujah, it’s my turn!

Now.. with the long overdue reunion is a new song and video, “Summertime.” In classic boy band fashion it is full of hot girls, hot boys, corny story lines and DANCING!

When I heard the rumor that the 40 something boys from Boston were still busting a groove, I had to check it out. I was not left disappointed! Not only are they pursuing girls young enough to be their daughters, maybe some are their illegitimate children, but they are decked out in white suits (not shirts mind you) dancing like they are 20 years old again.

Rumor has it if you want to be young again, it’s all done.. step by step.

The House of Blues is legendary itself. It is an intimate, classy venue ideal for any musician.
What happens when you put a legend in the making in this atmosphere? Add in her fifteen year old admirers.. and you have chaos, but the good kind.
Idina Menzel sparkled-literally- for about 1,000 fans on August 6 in Chicago, Illinois leaving not a single person disappointed. Then again, there were the girls who could not convince the security guard to turn off his distracting walkie talkie.
Menzel is best known for her Broadway roles in “Wicked” and “Rent.” She spent the summer touring for her latest release, “I Stand.” Although touring for her new album, Menzel paid tribute to her roots.
Pulling songs inspired by her husband and life experiences, Menzel wooed the crowd, especially with the Broadway favorites from “Rent” and “Wicked.”
Stopping in between songs to thank the audience and discuss her career, Menzel was a true starlet. The highlight of her set was a trip through her career via a cheesy dress and 80’s classics. Menzel put on her black performing dress- including shoulder pads- and best New York accent, serenading the crowd with such artists as Whitney Houston. The entire journey was a comical look at her voyage from a 15-year-old wedding singer to Broadway goddess.
Menzel ended her nearly two hour set with the crowd pleasing, “Defying Gravity” from “Wicked.”

For more on Idina Menzel visit her official Web site.

At times I wonder if it is all the media. Does the media spark all the crazy comments that erupt from Noel Gallagher’s mouth? Do they ask those questions just for a reaction? “Noel, how do you really feel about Robbie Williams?” “Noel, how do you feel about Pete Doherty and Babyshambles?”
Either way I think we can all agree there is something in the water- or gin- that the Gallagher brothers drink. Whether it be Liam’s physical abuse or Noel’s verbal abuse, there is never a dull moment with the Gallaghers.
Maybe we should all strive to be like them? They say and do as we are all thinking.

Regardless the newest feud between Noel and Jay-Z has sparked some interest. This may be crossing into new territory. All the other feuds are understandable. Blur is clearly a very similar band to Oasis and an important part of the Britpop movement. Pete Doherty is a newer star in the British rock and roll scene, clearly a threat to Oasis. Green Day took England by storm and probably some Oasis fans along the way. Robbie Williams is not only a major popular artist in the UK but also an ex of Liam’s wife.
Jay-Z is a total different genre than Oasis. The feud is bizzare in my opinion. What on earth could Oasis be angry about? Even Jay-Z has crossed genres with this and brought rap wars to a new level.

In my research on boybands I have wandered upon something I’m very upset I missed out on. I went about a year without watching T.V. due to a full school schedule and work. In the midst of this I did not see or even hear about VH1’s Mission: Boy Band. It aired the summer of 2007 and featured Chris Kirkpatrick of NSYNC, Jeff Timmons of 98 degrees, Bryan Abrams of Color Me Badd, and Rich Cronin of LFO.

Although I’m upset I missed it, this does not mean I’m a supporter. Apparently, according to various Web sites, this band is still out actually attempting to get a recording contract.

Let’s sit back and think.

First of all, there is probably a reason their bands are no longer around. NSYNC clearly had their celebrity face and talent, and his name is Justin Timberlake. Hands down he is a modern day prodigy. Chris Kirkpatrick.. hm.. who was he? Oh wait, the ugly one with the crazy hair and TERRIBLE voice. At least the dreads are gone.

Color Me Badd survived the early 90s boy band movement, for a bit. Bryan Abrams was the lead singer and probably fit the “cute one” category. Regardless, after the grunge movement began, Color Me Badd never quite had the success they experience with their debute album. The only thing he has going for him is most of the members of this band are respected- until now.

Jeff Timmons, he was the one always in Nick Lachey’s shadow. In all the pictures you could tell the tension.. who’s biceps look bigger in this picture? Although the two shared the spotlight (kind of.. I’m pretty sure no one remembers anyone but Nick Lachey from 98 degrees. Except for Drew Lachey.. clearly because he’s Nick’s brother.) Timmons has a good voice, but let’s face it, where is his successful solo career? Maybe he should have swept Jessica off her feet.

And finally Rich Cronin. Rich was the face of LFO. He’s a white boy rapper, if you can even call him that. LFO had the shortest fame probably out of all the really popular boy bands. Their sophomore album was a poor idea and had one catchy song out of about 12.

I give the guys and VH1 props for trying. But I can’t be the only one laughing at the washed up boy bands who wish their original boy band had longevity.

Maybe they should have asked the Backstreet Boys for advice….

Oasis has announced plans for a 12 month long world tour starting in the UK and wrapping up at Wembley and Manchester. The tour will begin in October.

There is some worry that this may be a bit too much Gallagher time together. In the past, the band has nearly broke up because of the fighting between brothers Noel and Liam.

Liam has even gone to the extent to withdraw himself from performances due to disputes.

Regardless, the tour is one of the largest tours planned in years, taking Oasis to a new level.

Stay tuned for more details.