Tuesday, 26 August 2008

Black Francis performs marathon set at Club NME LA

Black Francis performed a marathon set of his recent solo material for a sold-out crowd at Club NME Los Angeles with Fred Perry Subculture last nox (August 20).


The Pixies frontman, backed by a drummer and bassist, tore through his latest full-length album 'Bluefinger' in its entiretly, as well as the bulk of his late EP 'Svn Fngrs' for the worshipful Spaceland audience.


"Don't clap so far, it's premature," he quipped when the crowd erupted as he took the stage. There was a bit of a snafu when Francis stopped in the middle of his second sung dynasty, 'Threshold Apprehension'. "My bad," he apologised. "I had a white wine spritzer ahead the show and I'm a little discombobulated."


The isthmus quickly recovered and proceeded to play several songs inspired by the biography and workings of Dutch musician and artist Herman Brood, including a cover of his song 'You Can't Break A Heart And Have It'.


"It's all around Herman," aforementioned a sweat-soaked Francis, before adding, "Sorry we're only playing new obscure songs you're unfamiliar with." This didn't halt the crowd from dance and moshing throughout the night.

Francis also played a cover of Gary Green's 'Burnt Out Rock And Roll', but no Pixies tunes despite various cries from the audience to play material by his early band. This didn't faze Francis, wHO seemed philosophic about his affiliation with one of indie rock's greatest bands when talk to NME.COM after his set.


"In a sense you kinda milk it," Francis aforesaid. "(The Pixies) gave me financial exemption so it's all good. It's a win-win. It's my career card. It's nice to have a calling bill because I know a lot of people world Health Organization may be good just don't let one. It gets me invited to parties I wouldn't be invited to otherwise."


As for the gig, Francis said, "We were turned of our game just slightly, mayhap, but it was enjoyable. This was sort of a warm up gig for Del Mar to get our juices flowing. I used to come here to Spaceland when I lived in LA, so it's nice to finally play here."

Francis is set to perform in Del Mar, California tomorrow night (August 22) before embarking on a tour of Australia later this month.

--By our Los Angeles staff.
Find out more around NME.



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Saturday, 16 August 2008

The Banana Splits are Back! Warner Bros. Consumer Products Serves Up Four Scoops of Hilarity with Relaunch

Classic '60s TV and Music Icons Return With New Comedy Shorts on Cartoon
Network and Boomerang, Music Videos, Website and Live Entertainment

BURBANK, Calif., Aug. 15 -- The Banana Splits, fondly
remembered by Baby Boomers for their unique combination of kid-style comedy
and contemporary music -- including unitary of the catchiest radical songs in
television history -- are back. Starting Tuesday, September 2, The Banana
Splits throne be viewed in all-new comedy short pants and music videos on Cartoon
Network and Boomerang as step one of a multi-platform cause that includes
a new website, DVDs, live entertainment and music CDs.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080815/NYF051 )

"Everything that made The Banana Splits tremendously popular in the '60s is
bet on, including the group's terrific humor and hit music," said Jordan
Sollitto, Executive Vice President of New Business Initiatives and
International Licensing, Warner Bros. Consumer Products. "We take heavy
pride in having carefully updated the look and feel of the original show
for today's kids while retaining all of the elements that made the original
Banana Splits such a hit."

The Banana Splits are a costumed rock band made up of Fleegle (a dog),
Drooper (a lion), Bingo (a gorilla) and Snorky (an elephant) world Health Organization hang out
in their Banana Pad while tinkering with their music and telling
eye-rolling jokes. They came onto the prospect in 1968 as hosts of "The Banana
Splits Adventure Hour," a show created by Hanna-Barbera airing on NBC that
featured drollery and medicine videos. The popular show generated loyal fans, a
multitude of consumer products, numerous albums and a theme strain -- The Tra
La La Song -- that became one of the most covered songs by other popular
bands in the history of contemporary music.

" ... the Banana Splits are here!" -- New Comedy Shorts

With interest in The Banana Splits on the upswing, a cay element of the
group's return testament be as many as 130, 1 1/2-to-2 1/2-minute comedy boxershorts
appearing on Cartoon Network, Monday through Friday betwixt 9:00 a.m. and
2:00 p.m. The new short pants, filled with unique, kid-focused comedy, portion the
same "groovy" look of the original television series. The Banana Splits
will also appear on Boomerang, beginning September 2.

"The Banana Splits is a classic that has been entertaining kids for
long time," said Stuart Snyder, President and COO, Turner Animation, Young
Adults and Kids Media. "We're thrilled to have this new version on Cartoon
Network for our kids to savour today."

"Go Bananas your way" -- New Music from The Banana Splits

Additionally, Universal Records will debut a CD and DVD featuring 13
new Banana Splits pop and rock songs and music videos. Intended to appeal
to kids and parents, the medicine and music videos volition be offered online and
incorporated in the Cartoon Network comedy shorts.

"The songs made famous by the original Banana Splits hold a special
space in music history and were ahead of their time for young audiences,"
said Doug Morris, Chairman and CEO, Universal Music Group. "Universal is
emotional to debut the new Banana Splits kids' record album and help introduce them
to a whole new generation of music fans."

Universal Records will score The Banana Splits music and music videos
available on hTTP://www.bananasplits.com, iTunes and amazon.com.

"Bananas every night, Bananas every day" -- The Banana Splits Website

In increase to comedy shorts and music, Warner Bros. Consumer Products
will launch the all-new The Banana Splits internet site, http://www.bananasplits.com,
where boys and girls ages forty-seven can entree Banana Splits entertainment. The
site will enable kids to view the comedy trunks and try the new Banana
Splits songs prior to the acquittance of the album. Visitors will likewise be able
to decipher secret messages, join The Banana Splits Club, attend virtual
meetings, hear Banana Splits jokes and play exclusive games.

"Ready to Rock?" -- Banana Splitsville at Hard Rock Park

"Go Bananas" took on a new dimension with the June announcement from
Hard Rock Park, which teamed up with Warner Bros. Consumer Products to
produce a live show and play-land -- Banana Splitsville -- featuring the
dearest characters, Bingo, Drooper, Fleegle and Snorky. Located in the Born
in the USA environ, Banana Splitsville features rides intentional for
children, including the popular "Sole Train" and "Dune Boogie," as well as
Mount Splitsville, a sand sculpture play area.

The fast-paced kids' concert, "The Banana Splits Live," is performed
multiple times per day filled with rockin' music, silly gags and nutty
jokes. The Banana Splits ar available to pose with guests for photos and
sign autographs after each show. Hard Rock Park is based in Myrtle Beach,
South Carolina.

The Banana Splits will also be seen in concert tours, other live
appearances, and a wide of the mark range of exclusive product including toys,
games, books and dress.

About Warner Bros. Consumer Products

Warner Bros. Consumer Products, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company,
is one of the prima licensing and retail selling organizations in
the macrocosm.

About Cartoon Network

Cartoon Network (CartoonNetwork.com), currently seen in 91 million U.S.
homes and 160 countries about the reality, is Turner Broadcasting System,
Inc.'s ad-supported cable television service offering the topper in original, acquired
and classic alive entertainment for kids and families. Overnight from 11
p.m.-6 a.m. (ET, PT), Cartoon Network shares its channel space with Adult
Swim, a late-night address showcasing original and acquired animation
for young adults 18-34.

THE BANANA SPLITS and all related characters and elements are
trademarks of and (C) Hanna-Barbera. (s08)




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Thursday, 7 August 2008

Keira out to prove smarts






�I am whole uneducated.�

That�s Keira Knightley, talk to Tatler about how her lack of higher learning has made her more compulsive to dilate her knowledge base, MSN Entertainment reports.

�Not loss to university did give me an incredible driving force because it leaves you with a little chip on your shoulder,� the actress admits. �It makes me feel I am going to read absolutely everything so I bathroom prove that I am not stupid.�

Among the highbrow tomes on Knightley�s bookshelf: a history of the Vietnam War, a biography on Hitler�s go-to designer Albert Speer and Germaine Greer�s The Female Eunuch.








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