2005

The only Hasidic reggae star since – well, ever – will be bringing the word to fans across the U.S. over the next few months. Matisyahu has recently announced a string of dates from July through September.

Matisyahu’s tour begins on July 9 at Philadelphia’s World Caf

BitTorrent users, beware: Your download may include adware and spyware.

Purveyors of the applications that produce pop-up ads on PC screens and track browsing habits have discovered BitTorrent as a new distribution channel. According to observers of the trend, videos and music that hide adware and spyware are increasingly being offered for download on various BitTorrent Web sites.

BitTorrent has grown into one of the most widely used means of downloading files such as movies or software. Unlike peer-to-peer networks such as Kazaa, eDonkey and the original Napster, no central search technology exists for BitTorrent. Instead, links to specific files are posted on Web sites.

While applications such as Kazaa have long been associated with adware and spyware, BitTorrent has not. Until now, that is. Chris Boyd, a security researcher who runs the Vital Security Web site, said he found adware and spyware hiding in BitTorrent files.

In one case, an episode of the Fox TV show “Family Guy” was bundled with several pieces of known adware, according to Boyd. “Under that kind of load, a midrange PC can easily go under,” Boyd said. Both spyware and adware are known to hurt PC performance because they use PC resources to run.

In other examples, music files and porn videos came bundled with adware or spyware, Boyd said in an e-mail interview. He suspects that online marketers have launched campaigns to get their software installed on more desktops using BitTorrent.

“This is one of the most egregious spyware infestations that we have seen,” said Alex Eckelberry, president of Sunbelt Software, a maker of anti-spyware software. “It is a major concern. It is going to riddle your system with pop-ups, slow your system down and potentially cause system instability.”

Full story: cnet.com

The Slip have begun recording their latest collection of songs for a new album. The band is working with engineer and co-producer Matthew Ellard (Billy Bragg and Wilco, Elliot Smith, Morphine) on this latest project which according to the band

Natalie Merchant is recording an undetermined number of new songs for forthcoming two-disc Warner Bros. compilation of her solo work. “The deadline is mid-July, so I should expect it to be released in the early fall,” she writes on her official Web site.

The artist is also designing the packaging for the set. In addition to such well-known songs as “Jealousy” and “Carnival,” also expected are B-sides, live recordings and songs Merchant has contributed to various benefit albums over the years.

Since leaving the major-label world, the former 10,000 Maniacs singer has taken a low-key approach to career, releasing “The House Carpenter’s Daughter” in 2003 on her own Myth America label and devoting her energies to motherhood. Beyond the month-long outing launched in support of that release, Merchant says she has no plans for hitting the road anytime soon. “Touring with a baby is a bit more complicated and exhausting (for everyone),” she writes on the site. “So I have to be realistic.”

Source billboard.com.

Motley Crue is one of 65 bands that were reportedly turned down by organizers to appear at the July 2 Live 8 concert in London’s Hyde Park, according to The Scotsman. The show’s promoter told the newspaper, “We simply don’t have room for them.” Along with the five previously announced shows in Philadelphia, London, Berlin, Paris and Rome, additional concerts in Toronto, Tokyo and Johannesburg were expected to be confirmed this past Friday (June 17).

The worldwide event will feature acts like Coldplay, Linkin Park, the Dave Matthews Band, Bon Jovi, the Cure, Elton John, Keane, the Killers, Madonna, Mariah Carey, Muse, Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd, REM, Snoop Dogg, Sting, U2, Snow Patrol, Brian Wilson, Crosby Stills and Nash, Faith Hill and event organizer Bob Geldof.

Live 8 is aimed at increasing awareness of poverty and hunger in Africa, while pressuring world leaders at the upcoming G8 Conference to “make poverty history.”

Motley Crue is currently on tour in Europe, and returns to North America for summer shows beginning July 24 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Source yahoo.com.

Today, Billy Corgan took an ad out in the Chicago Tribune, on the day his latest solo album, TheFutureEmbrace, hit the shelves. In it, he describes how the album represents Chicago and how it represents hope and is music to stand and fight for. Corgan mentions that he has made plans to renew and revive The Smashing Pumpkins. Corgan writes,

John Popper, Chan Kinchla, Brendan Hill, Tad Kinchla and Ben Wilson – will release their eighth studio album and Vanguard Records debut,