Jay Z, like Ryan Adams, is an Oasis fan and paid homage to the Gallagher brothers at this year's Glastonbury festival by sporting a guitar and singing "Wonderwall" as an intro to his "99 Problems." I'll write that one more time in case your brain is still trying to make sense of it: Jay Z covered Oasis at Glastonbury. And, if you don't believe me Perez Hilton has got the footage.

Of course, it's not Jay's first foray into the rock world. You'll recall Jay Z's performances with Linkin Park, including the one from the Grammys where Paul McCartney joined them and there was also the time Jay Z welcomed Phish to Brooklyn. Never the less, still cool seeing Jay Z getting down with a little Oasis. And you thought Amy Winehouse trying to hit someone in the audience was the only punch from the show?

Labels: Jay-Z, Oasis

Taking time out from his constant vigil to save the world, Bob Geldof wants to turn people on to The Beatles one more time, marking the 40th anniversary of The Beatles' landmark Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by organizing an All-Star cast to re-record the album. The tracks will be recorded at London's Abbey Road studios by Grammy winning Beatles engineer Geoff Emerick using analog equipment common to the era in which the Beatles recorded. Oasis, Travis, The Killers, The Fratellis and Razorlight are already on board and Geldof will try to get a little help from his friends and persuade U2 contribute a track. Once completed, the new Sgt. Pepper's will debut on BBC 2 set for some time in June.

The editor of this humble site has no doubt that one of the Oasis boys is not only likely to demand to re-record the entire record themselves, but also claim their output is better than the original.

Labels: Beatles, Bob Geldof, Oasis, Razorlight, The Fratellis, The Killers, U2

Usually Noel or Liam Gallagher is the bloke making headlines insulting some other band or artist. But, Kele Okereke of Bloc Party has apparently turned the tables on Oasis. Okereke is quoted as saying: "I think Oasis are the most over-rated and pernicious band of all time. They had a totally negative and dangerous impact upon the state of British music."

Not content to leave the commentary there, Okereke also reportedly mocked the Oasis brothers' oft attempts to link themselves to the Beatles' legacy. He's further quoted as sniping: "They claim to be inspired by the Beatles but, and this so saddens me, they have failed to grasp that the Beatles were about constant change and evolution. Oasis are repetitive Luddites."

"...repetitive Luddites" - now that's not an insult you here everyday. Surely, one of the Gallaghers will respond. I'm betting they won't be able to help themselves.

Labels: Bloc Party, Oasis

Arcade Fire front man Winn Butler lashed out at big bands like U2, Oasis and The Rolling Stones. Speaking to NME Butler implied that these big acts "force feed their music to fans."

Butler reportedly said: "It's not like we shun success, but at the same time we don't want to shove it down people's throats. In the UK there's this kind of rock star competition." The Gallaghers of Oasis certainly feel they're in a competition given the way they mouth off, but I don't think the Stones and U2 fit into that same mold.

I love it when rock stars talk about other rock stars "selling out" or trying to be too famous (like this guy didn't know he'd get tons of exposure for making these comments). Butler is a somewhat admitted hypocrite here. If he truly didn't like music to be marketed to fans he wouldn't have his band on one of the most successful labels who focus on marketing his music to fans. Yes, they are a good band and are putting on good shows, but lets drop the holier than thou attitude.

Labels: Arcade Fire, Oasis, The Rolling Stones, U2

By now most people realize what a blowhard, asshole Noel Gallagher is and simply ignore his seemingly weekly rants about either how great he is or how bad someone else is. One of his latest targets has been Radiohead's Thom Yorke.

Gallagher felt the need to criticize Yorke's stage show that sometimes incorporates political messages. He's also quoted as a saying "I never went to f****** university. I don't know what a paint brush is, I never went to art school."

On Radiohead's "Dead Air Space" blog, Yorke responds simply and elegantly:

"i did. it taught me to respect other artists."

Seems Noel should take some of his own advice and put a sock in it and stick to writing and playing pop songs.

Labels: Oasis, Radiohead

Can a week go by without Noel Gallagher insulting someone? The "I'll say anything to get more press while pretending I don't need it" rock star is quoted as calling Robbie Williams' latest effort dog shit. Speaking of Oasis, one of the few acts to receive praise from Noel is the Arctic Monkeys. They've been preparing a new record, but claim a ghost visited them in the studio. It is claimed the ghost is a young girl. Perhaps it's simply Alex Turner's ex rattling some chains.

And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead have a new video for their latest single called "Naked Sun." You can stream it here: Windows Media / Real Audio.

North Carolina indie rockers the Annuals are hitting the road with the Dears and will perform on Conan O'Brien this Thursday night. You can download their single "Brother" here.

Norah Jones is taking her act to the big screen. The songstress is appearing in My BlueBerry Nights along side Jude Law, Natalie Portman and Rachel Weisz. No doubt Jude isn't unhappy with that cast of ladies.

Rose Hill Drive, who are touring in support of their debut record, will join the Who on tour again this year. The band will join friend and fan Pete Townsend on select US dates in February and March.

Keegan DeWitt is finished with his new record and it is available via his website. You can sample two tracks here: "Bed of Mercy" and "So High So Low."

The Metermaids combine their own brands of hip-hop and indie rock on these tracks: "Let it Rain" and "Don't Sleep."

Perry Farrell is apparently ready to record some new music. Reports have Farrell working on tracks with old pals from New Order and the Red Hot Chili Peppers as well as the Black Eyed Peas leading lady Fergie and DC's Thievery Corporation. In other guys-recording-before-it's-too-late news, My Bloody Valentine is also reportedly ready to put out new material as well. If they do, it'll be their first record since 1991's Loveless.

Pete Doherty released without charges after his latest brush with the law. Pete apparently quickly put the incident behind him because reports had him joining his band Babyshambles for a surprise gig last night in a London pub.

Labels: Arctic Monkeys, Mp3s, Oasis, Perry Farrell, Pete Doherty, Rose Hill Drive