Month: August 2021

The man who was photographed as a baby for the album cover of Nirvana’s 1991 album, “Nevermind” is suing the band over allegations of child sexual exploitation. 30-year-old Spencer Elden is claiming that the nude image of him as a four-month-old in swimming pool constitutes child pornography. Legal papers filed in California state that “The images exposed Spencer’s intimate body part and lasciviously displayed Spencer’s genitals from the time he was an infant to the present day,” and claim that Elden “has suffered and will continue to suffer lifelong damages” as a result of the artwork, including “extreme and permanent emotional distress.” Elden alleges his “true identity and legal name are forever tied to the commercial sexual exploitation he experienced as a minor which has been distributed and sold worldwide from the time he was a baby to the present day.”

The lawsuit also claims that the family was not compensated for the photo shoot; that his parents never signed a release authorizing the use of his image on the album; and that the band failed to deliver on a promise to cover Elden’s genitals with a sticker. Elden’s suit seeks damages of at least $150,000 from each of the 15 named defendants, who include surviving band members Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic; the managers of Kurt Cobain’s estate; Cobain’s former wife Courtney Love; and Weddle. Non-sexualized photos of infants are generally not considered child pornography under U.S. law.

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Alice in Chains rocker Jerry Cantrell has announced his North American spring 2022 solo tour in support his upcoming solo album Brighten, which comes out on Oct. 29.  Brighten, Cantrell’s third solo album, will be his first full-length solo effort since 2002’s ‘Degradation Trip’, his second solo LP issued in two parts, which followied his debut, 1996’s ‘Boggy Depot.’

Cantrell posted on Twitter: “I’m pleased to announce that I will be taking my new album, #Brighten, on the road in Spring 2022. Artist pre-sales begin tomorrow at 10AM local. General on-sale is this Friday at 10AM local. Looking forward to Rawking out with you all”

A preview video for the tour is accompanied by Cantrell’s first single off Brighten, titled “Atone.”  Cantrell’s run of solo shows is set to kick-off March 24, 2022 at Minneapolis’ First Avenue before wrapping up at San Diego’s House of Blues on May 8.  For concert ticket info and to pre-order ‘Brighten,’ head over to jerrycantrell.com.

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Black Label Society will release its 11th studio album, “Doom Crew Inc.” on November 26, available digitally on CD and vinyl, along with a deluxe edition.  The band also dropped the music video for the LP’s first single, “Set You Free”, which you can view – here.

The 12-track Doom Crew Inc. album can be pre-ordered at the link- here.  The band will also embark on an extensive U.S. tour this fall with support from Obituary, Prong and Armored Saint. The trek begins on Oct. 1 in Sacramento and wraps on Dec. 31 in Tempe. You can see the full list of tour dates on the band’s website.

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Paramore frontwoman Hayley Williams and former guitarist Josh Farro have been added to the writing credits of pop star Olivia Rodrigo’s song ‘good 4 u.’ A listing in the repertory of the ‘American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers’ (ASCAP) notes that Williams and Farro (who left Paramore in 2010) are now credited on the track and listed as writers alongside Rodrigo and producer Dan Nigro. Williams and Farro were not originally credited.

Williams revealed the news to her Instagram Story, sharing a screenshot of a post made by Warner Chappell Music highlighting the single’s Number 1 peak on the Top 40 chart. The post gave a “huge shoutout to our writers Hayley Williams [and] Joshua Farro”, to which Williams added a caption: “Our publisher is wildin rn”. Music journalists and fans have pointed out obvious similarities between ‘good 4 u’ and Paramore’s 2007 hit ‘Misery Business’ for some time.

Rodrigo’s debut album ‘Sour’ also lists Taylor Swift and Jack Antonoff as songwriters on the track ‘1 Step Forward, 3 Steps Back’, due to its interpolation of melodies from Swift’s ‘New Year’s Day’.

https://www.kerrang.com/the-news/paramore-have-been-given-a-writing-credit-for-olivia-rodrigos-good-4-u/

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Coming shortly ahead of Aerosmith’s 50th anniversary in 2022, Aerosmith is transferring their entire catalog of work to Universal Music Group (UMG), a deal that encompasses the band’s recorded music, various audio and video, merchandise throughout their nearly 50-year career, in addition to any future projects. UMG will become home to Aerosmith’s entire recorded music catalog, including the band’s most successful multi-platinum albums, as well as the band’s back catalog of earlier releases from the ’70s, including their 1973 self-titled debut.

The new deal with UMG will also oversee all of the band’s future projects across music, film, TV, and more. Band members Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Tom Hamilton, Joey Kramer, and Brad Whitford have also given UMG access to the “Vindaloo Vaults” and material from the personal archives, including never-before-seen-and-heard music, video footage, photos, artwork, setlists, journals, and memorabilia, which they will curate.

Aerosmith co-founder and lead guitarist Joe Perry in a statement: “It’s been a long road but I’m extremely happy and proud to say on behalf of Aerosmith we have been able to bring our 50 years of music under one roof by partnering with UMG. This will allow us to bring our music to our fans in ways we never were able to before. It’s something we’ve dreamed about happening for a long time. It’s a win for Aerosmith, UMG, and ultimately our fans. Needless to say, we are very excited. It’s an incredible way to celebrate 50 years and the many more years to come.”

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Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts has died at age 80. Watts’ publicist confirmed the new in a statement, saying: “It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Charlie Watts. He passed away peacefully in a London hospital earlier today surrounded by his family.”  Watts was described as “a cherished husband, father and grandfather” and “one of the greatest drummers of his generation.  In closing, the statement read: “We kindly request that the privacy of his family, band members and close friends is respected at this difficult time.” The band also posted on social media with a statement about Charlie’s passing.

The news of Watts’ death comes shortly after he dropped out of the Stones’ U.S. tour earlier this month due to a recent unspecified medical procedure. Watts said at the time, “For once my timing has been a little off. I am working hard to get fully fit but I have today accepted on the advice of the experts that this will take a while. After all the fans’ suffering caused by COVID I really do not want the many RS fans who have been holding tickets for this tour to be disappointed by another postponement or cancellation. I have therefore asked my great friend Steve Jordan to stand in for me.” Watts previously underwent treatment for throat cancer in 2004.

Watts joined the Rolling Stones early in 1963 and remained with the band over the next 60 years, ranked just behind Mick Jagger and Keith Richards as the group’s longest member.

Charlie Watts, the Rolling Stones’ Drummer and Inimitable Backbone, Dead at 80

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