2004

Geffen has confirmed additional details regarding the Nirvana boxed set, “With the Lights Out,” due Nov. 23. The three-CD, one-DVD package will include 81 tracks, 68 of which are previously unreleased. Included are a selection of Kurt Cobain’s home demos, live tracks and studio outtakes. The DVD boasts footage of the fledgling band playing a 1987 house party as well as studio and rehearsal clips.

“With the Lights Out” was originally intended for release in Christmas 2001, to coincide with the 10-year anniversary of Nirvana’s breakthrough album, “Nevermind.” But surviving members Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic were thwarted by lawsuits from Cobain’s widow Courtney Love, who objected to their planned use of the previously unreleased track “You Know You’re Right” in the set.

The dispute was eventually settled in September 2002, with the parties agreeing to earmark “You Know You’re Right” for a self-titled Nirvana compilation released the following month.

Source billboard.com.

So, what’s Bob Mould been up to lately?
He spent the

After twelve years of shimmering minimalist rock, Luna are calling it a day. The New Yorkers’ new album, Rendezvous (due October 26th), will be their last, and they will play their final U.S. and European dates through early 2005.

“Anyone who has ever been in a band knows why,” says frontman Dean Wareham of the breakup. “This is what bands do. There was no incident, no fight, or anything like that. We’ve been around for a long time. If you look at the other bands that stay together this long, they are usually making millions of dollars.”

Wareham formed Luna in 1991 after departing the influential Galaxie 500, and, throughout Luna’s nine albums, Wareham continued to evolve his somber, moody sound. While Rolling Stone named 1995’s hypnotic Penthouse one of the best records of the Nineties, Luna gradually grew warmer and more upbeat, particularly on 2002’s Romantica and the new Rendezvous, helmed by producer Bryce Goggin (Phish, Pavement).

Despite several lineup changes and record deals, Luna — now Wareham, guitarist Sean Eden, drummer Lee Wall and bassist Britta Phillips — soldiered on. Over the last two years, they’ve released two albums, an EP and the Wareham-Phillips record L’Avventura. Though matter-of-fact about the breakup, Wareham does acknowledge that there is an emotional side to calling it quits. “I can see why people are sad,” says Wareham. “I was very sad when the Clash broke up. It’s kind of like when a friend dies. But it’s difficult to organize your life around a rock & roll band. And I want to stop when we all like each other.”

After Luna’s final tour wraps up, Wareham plans to begin writing a second album with Phillips, and he may do another project with Hong Kong actress Maggie Cheung, who recorded Wareham-penned songs for her recent film, Clean.

Wareham will also continue to pursue his budding acting career. He played a credit-card thief in the indie film Piggie and appeared as a bartender on an episode of TV’s Law and Order. He says, laughing, “As David St. Hubbins said in This Is Spinal Tap, ‘Got time for all those projects now.'”

Luna tour dates:

10/30: Hoboken, NJ, Maxwell’s
11/5: Cambridge, MA, Middle East
11/7: Toronto, Lee’s Palace
11/9: Cleveland, Beachland Ballroom
11/10: Ann Arbor, MI, Blind Pig
11/11-12: Chicago, Abbey Pub
11/14: Minneapolis, MN, Fine Line Music Cafe
11/15: Madison, WI, High Noon Saloon
11/16: Champaign, IL, High Dive
11/18: Newport, KY, Southgate House
11/19: Nashville, Exit/In
11/20: Atlanta, Echo Lounge
11/21: Carrboro, NC, Cat’s Cradle
11/22: Baltimore, Ottobar
11/27: New York, Irving Plaza
12/31: New York, Southpaw

Source rollingstone.com.

Only in Las Vegas: Beatles songs, as portrayed by the acrobatic troupe Cirque du Soleil, will replace animal training duo Siegfried and Roy at one of the city’s biggest tourist theaters, according to a deal announced on Thursday.

Characters from Beatles songs like “Eleanor Rigby,” “Nowhere Man” and “I am the Walrus” will be featured in the $30 million show about the Beatles’ life in the 1960s, said Gilles Ste-Croix, the Cirque du Soleil vice president of creation in charge of the project.

The show marks a musical first: the Beatles have never before allowed a major theatrical performance of their music, but surviving members Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr as well as Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison, the widows of John Lennon and George Harrison have approved the deal.

The show will take the place of the magic and animal taming duo Siegfried & Roy, in a new, roughly $100 million, theater at the Mirage casino on the Las Vegas Strip, Montreal-based Cirque said.

Siegfried & Roy closed a year ago after a tiger mauled animal trainer Roy Horn.

The Cirque show will be a financial partnership between Cirque, the Beatles’ Apple Corp, and casino owner MGM Mirage, which will also pay for the theater.

Before his death, former Beatle George Harrison struck up a friendship with Cirque founder Guy Laliberte, leading to the idea for the production.

Source CNN.com.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Thursday announced Chris Rock will host the next Academy Awards telecast.

Rock, who’s been in the films “Head of State” and “Dogma,” is best known for his standup comedy specials “Bigger & Blacker,” “Bring the Pain” and “Never Scared.”

Rock, 39, has previously hosted the MTV’s Movie Awards.

“I am a huge fan of Chris Rock,” said Gil Cates, the producer of the Oscars telecast. “He always makes me laugh and he always has something interesting to say. Chris represents the best of the new generation of comics. Having him host the Oscars is terrific.”

The one-time “Saturday Night Live” regular has won three Emmys for his TV programs and two Grammys for his comedy albums.

Rock currently is shooting a remake of “The Longest Yard” with Adam Sandler and recently provided the voice of the zebra in the animated feature “Madagascar,” both to be released in May 2005.

His other film credits include “Head of State,” “Bad Company,” “Down to Earth” and “Nurse Betty.”

The 77th Academy Awards telecast is set for February 27.

Source CNN.com.

Loveland Ski Area in Colorado was the first U.S. resort to open for the new 2004-2005 ski season this morning. Loveland, which is located at the base of the Continental Divide and at an elevation of 10,600 feet, is the first resort to open with continuous operation for the season.