Cool Britannia

“Reporters” are going crazy because Robbie Williams and Gary Barlow have been spotted at the same West London recording studio.

But that is exactly it, they are both at the same recording studio working on separate projects.  Producer Trevor Horn said they are friendly and have been bumping into each other, but nothing more than just that.

Williams is in the studio working on his album due out in the fall while Barlow is working away at some songs of his own.  There is no specification if they are for Take That, solo work or for another artist.

To me it is amazing that former band mates cannot use the studio without causing chaos.  If Williams is rejoining Take That I can almost assure he would confirm it or the rest of the guys at least.

Kelly Jones, frontman of The Stereophonics, feels for the slow demise of Razorlight.  Jones told NME that Razorlight is in the same position his band was at while recording the band’s third album “in f*cking trouble.”

Meaning the departure of drummer Andy Burrows due to low sales of their latest release, Slipway Fires, is not a good thing for the band’s line up.   Jones hopes no one else leaves the band causing more turmoil than exists now.

Despite his fear, Jones had a great piece of advice for Razorlight’s frontman, Johnny Borrell- reinvent himself, and fast. The solution may not be so obvious, but is the best advice I have heard all week.

“Just change your haircut, they’ll forget all about you then. It’s a new you – Madonna’s done it all her life.”

It’s the perfect solution to the problem.  People will be more excited by your hair than your music and they’ll buy plenty of albums.

Although their last album was a complete flop that nearly knocked them off the radar and introduced rumors that the band was going to call it quits, The Kaiser Chiefs are back in the studio recording their next album.

Drummer and songwriter, Nick Hodgson spent five or six hours with Duran Duran and wrote a number of songs with the international superstars.

Another big name on the project is producer Mark Ronson.

“I called Nick a week ago and asked if he’d be interested in coming to work with Duran Duran and write a song” Ronson told NME.COM. “He’s never done that before, because he only writes with Ricky and his own band, but I thought it made a lot of sense because there’s a lot of Kaiser Chiefs songs I could imagine being on a Duran Duran record 25 years ago.”

Ronson plans on putting at least two of the songs on the album that could define the band’s future.  The Kaiser Chiefs are booked for many of the UK’s summer festivals and can be seen on tour with U2 on selected dates.

Never a dull moment in the world of music. Between Radiohead upsetting everyone in the world and crazy auctions, I can’t help but point out the highlights of my week.

*Victoria Beckham has a new scandalous Armani layout hitting magazines and the Internet.  The incredibly sexy, beautiful picture can be seen here .

*Pete Doherty has had enough . Let’s face it he’s not wrong when he says the media only points out the bad parts of his life..

*Damon Albarn is giving back .  I think it shows true artistry when you’re not too full of yourself and can allow students to use your music.

*Liam Gallagher is pulling a Victoria Beckham and turning to a fashion line . Let’s just hope he doesn’t give up his singing career , too.

*Jarvis Cocker and many other celebrities are auctioning off their underwear for charity. Now, it may be just me, but I’m not so sure I’d want Jarvis’ underwear. He’s not the cleanest person in the world, regardless how talented he is.  Only if they were brand new maybe…

*I’d hate to give her anymore attention, but let’s take a moment to show what a “great” role model Mischa Barton is. After her highly publicized pretend relationship with Luke Pritchard from The Kooks, Barton is all over the Internet saying how marriage puts a terrible stress on things. Pritchard hardly dated her, and I have a feeling why he “broke up” with her if this even comes up. She wants to have babies, then get married- maybe.  If it’s not bad enough that she wants to reproduce more talentless “actresses,” but yes, encourage premarital sex to your young fans.

*Poor Thom Yorke. Now you’ve managed to upset Ronan Keating as well.  Let this be a lesson to all, don’t forget to say hello to people or act like their best friend even if you don’t know them well because you may be labeled a muppe t as well.

The Gorillaz documentary, Bananaz, will be available for four weeks starting April 20 on Bablegum.com.

The intimate look at the working relationship between Gorillaz co-founders Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett is captured in this documentary.

Bananaz will make a run in select theaters as well as be available on DVD in the future.

Babelgum is also planning to run a channel devoted to the Gorillaz featuring exclusive live footage and videos.

It is enough to keep you entertained while awaiting the reunion of Albarn’s original project, Blur.  Albarn has a lot of work coming up in the future so stay tuned.

The best news I have heard all day is the return of Behind the Music on VH1! Let’s face it, it is only human nature to enjoy looking at the unfortunate events of others’ life. However, I love Behind the Music because it shows the sides of some of my favorite bands, as a journalist and inquiring mind, I want to see.

The Backstreet Boys Behind the Music made me cry my eyes out. Creed’s made me respect them more as musicians and even buy their CD. I can’t wait to see what is up Scott Weiland’s sleeve, although I am most likely not going to tune into to support anything Lil Wayne touches.

I personally cannot wait to see who else comes on board. I will definitely keep everyone informed!

Roses, Kings and Castles will be releasing a new EP titled “Apples & Engines” later this year.  A preview, cassette version is available for purchase via Roseskingscastles.com after March 30. The actual album will be released later in the year.

Bloc Party is also releasing a new album on May 11.. the only thing is it’s just a remix of their last album, “Intimacy.” It will be available on CD and triple vinyl set. The tracklist is as follows:
Ares remixed by the Villains
Mercury remixed by Hervé Is In Disarray
Halo remixed by We Have Band Dub
Biko remixed by Mogwai
Trojan Horse’ remixed by John B
Signs remixed by Armand Van Helden
One Month Off remixed by Filthy Dukes
Zephyrus remixed by Phase One
Talons remixed by Phones RIP
Better Than Heaven remixed by No Age
Ion Square remixed by Banjo or Freakout
Letter To My Son remixed by Gold Panda
Your Visits Are Getting Shorter remixed by Double D

I cannot help but be happy that Radiohead is standing up to these viscious attacks against them. They are one of the most influential bands in existent and I highly doubt they would truly deny real fans the privilege of meeting them.  Quite honestly I find more respect for them that they did not bow down to tween princess Miley and her demands to meet them. Get over it Miley. Adam from Taking Back Sunday never came out to meet fans towards the end of their demise (yes I recognize that they are still together, but let’s face it.. they are nothing like they use to be with John or Fred). However, regardless if I was upset I did not get to meet Adam or not THEIR MUSIC IS WHAT WAS IMPORTANT TO ME. If you really are an artist yourself, you would see that. They are not in it to be on the cover of every magazine and toy box like you. If they were then yes, I bet in a heartbeat they would have their fake smiles on to shake your hand and listen to you gush.

I was a Radiohead fan before, but almost moreso now because I respect them as artists and people. Way to go absolutely anti-establishment on this one. Their response to US Weekly was “When Miley grows up she’ll learn she has no right of entitlement.”  Sorry Miley, pick up some Hannah Montana Kleenex and wipe your eyes. And if you want to be taken seriously as an artist, then act like one. Don’t go around saying you are going to ruin a band that has enough fans to boycott the next line of Hannah Montana pillows.  Oh wait, they’re grown up fans and don’t care about things like boycotting crap music….

Gavin Rossdale is squeezing in a North American tour before wife Gwen Stefani sets out to conquer the summer with her band, No Doubt.

Jarvis Cocker is back! His second solo effort, “Further Complications” is due out in May.  His first solo album, “Jarvis” was released in 2006.

“Further Complications” is rumored to feature: ‘Angela’, ‘Pilchard’, ‘I Told You Twice (Leftovers)’, ‘Hold Still’, ‘Fuckingsong’, ‘Further Complications’ and ‘You’re In My Eyes (Discosong)’.

Cocker is touring the UK in June:
10- Blackpool Empress Ballroom
12- Glasgow ABC
16- Brighton Dome
17- London Troxy