Monday, November 9, 1998

Attention Pearl Jam fans! If you haven't seen the artwork for the upcoming album Live On Two Legs yet, click HERE! It's a link to the band's official website "Synergy", where you can also see the tracklisting that DAMN revealed last week.

TODAY'S TOP 4 HEADLINES:

• NEW CD BENEFITS FRENCH MAHAFFY VICTIMS' FUND
• OL' DIRTY BASTARD ARRESTED AGAIN
• WEST COAST MUSIC AWARDS WINNERS
• BILLBOARD MUSIC VIDEO AWARDS RECAP
• QUOTE OF THE WEEK

NEW CD BENEFITS FRENCH MAHAFFY VICTIMS' FUND

From the 'very worthy cause' department: the Association of Collegiate Entrepreneurs at Brock University (ACE Brock) have organized and released a new compilation CD of Niagara region independent bands called Out Of The Unknown. It features tracks from Up Yer Kilt, Mersey, superGARAGE, Phuse, Confusion of the Senses, Fifty Diamond Rocks, Vegasphere, The Rivermen, The Reverends and more. The disc sells for just $7.00, which is a great deal in and of itself. What makes it so special is that ACE Brock are donating $2.00 from each disc sold to the French Mahaffy Victims' Integrity Fund; this organization exists to guarantee that victims of violence and their families are not robbed of their dignity. (Kristin French and Leslie Mahaffy were two of serial killer Paul Bernardo's young victims). You can purchase Out Of The Unknown from all Niagara area Sam The Record Man stores, Sophies on the Brock University campus, Tantrum Records (St. Catharines), Sloth Records, AVE Entertainment and both the Niagara Falls and St. Kitts Station To Station stores. The disc has been on sale since September, and has already rasied over $2,000 for the fund. For information on how to purchase the CD outside of the Niagara region, please contact the project's producer Curtis Stoutenburg [(905) 684-8160], or ACE Brock's Kaye Buchholz [(905)688-5555 xt 4981].

OL' DIRTY BASTARD ARRESTED AGAIN

This is beginning to get redundant. For the third time since July, Wu-Tang Clan member and budding terrorist Ol' Dirty Bastard has been arrested. First it was shoplifitng; next, uttering threats at a nightclub. Now, ODB has been nabbed by police in Carson, California for allegedly threatening to kill his ex-girlfriend. The Associated Press report that the rapper was found trying to climb over a fence that surrounds property where his ex is employed. The incident took place Thursday afternoon, and ODB's people posted the $500,000 bail Friday morning. It's been quite a year for Russell Tyrone Jones, ODB's um, Christian name. In addition to the arrests, he's been shot, kicked out of hotel for lewd behaviour and nearly blown up on stage at the MTV Music Video Awards. What DAMN wants to know is who the hell keeps putting up the cash to get this clown out of the bog house every time he makes a mess? Moreso, where are they getting this cash??

WEST COAST MUSIC AWARDS WINNERS

Although the broadcast will not air on CBC until November 22, the West Coast Music Awards were held in Vancouver last night. The gala event featured performances from Spirit Of The West, the Rascalz, Bif Naked, Colin James and the Little Big Band, Trooper, Tara MacLean and more. As expected, Sarah McLachlan and the Matthew Good Band were big winners on the night. McLachlan, currently embroiled in a lawsuit that's garnering much attention, won four trophies: Best Rock/Pop Album - Major Distribution (Surfacing), Single of the Year ("Building A Mystery"), Songwriter of the Year ("Sweet Surrender") and Best Female Vocalist of the Year. Matthew Good picked up awards for Best Male Vocalist of the Year and Live Performer of the Year. Other winners included Damn The Diva for Best Rock/Pop Album - Independent Distribution, the Rascalz for Best Dance/Hip Hop/Rap Release, and Colin James (who also acted as host for the ceremonies) for Musician of the Year. On the business side of things, Terry McBride was recognized as an Industry Builder, Dale Penner scored Best Producer honours for his work on Holly McNarland's Stuff album and Jeff Bateman was named the Most Supportive Journalist of the Year (formerly known as the Payola Award...just kidding). Congratulations to all the winners!

BILLBOARD MUSIC VIDEO AWARDS RECAP

Staying on the awards tip (it's Ebonics with DAMN!), the Billboard Music Video Awards were held in Los Angeles Friday night. The ceremony coincided with the 20th Annual Billboard Music Video Conference. A brief list of the winners looks like this: