The Best and Worst
The NME Awards will take place on 28 February 2008 in the 02 Arena. The weekly music magazine New Musical Express is known more commonly as NME. The magazine held its first awards show in 1953. It is known for displaying its indie philosophy. The NME Awards snubs the commercialism that is portrayed by other awards ceremonies.
The UK indie rock band Arctic Monkeys fit in with the whole NME philosophy. Hailing from High Green in Sheffield the band got together in 2002. The band members consist of:
Alex Turner (lead vocals and guitar)
Jamie Cook (guitar)
Matt Helders (drums and backing vocals)
Mick O’ Malley (bass guitar)
(Previously Andy Nicholson was bass guitarist)
This band has seven nominations for the 2008 NME Awards such as:
Best British Band
Best Track
Best Album
The Arctic Monkeys have some stiff competition for the Best British Band Award. They are up against:
Babyshambles
Radiohead
The Enemy
Klaxons
Muse
The Arctic Monkeys made full use of the power of the internet when they formed their band in 2002. They are credited as being one of the original bands who gained publicity via this medium. They were bright and futuristic enough to see the potential of the net in bringing in fans. Arctic Monkeys used file sharing and demo tapes to promote their music. They changed the marketing and promotion of emerging acts. The independent record label Domino Records eventually persuaded Arctic Monkeys to sign up with them.
NME enthusiasts will be pleased to hear that Amy Winehouse is up for Best Solo Artist. She is also nominated for the Worst Dressed. The category of Worst Dressed has also been extended to Pete Doherty. In true NME style Pete also fills the slot for Best Dressed.
UB40’s Blame Game
Ali Campbell resigns from UB40 to focus on solo career
‘Intolerable management difficulties’ is the reason given by Ali Campbell for the demise of the band UB40. But the other members of the band disagree. They say they have no management. According to them the band is run along democratic principles with all members making decisions. Campbell was ‘deeply unhappy’ when the band reported what they believed to be his reason for leaving UB40. They said Campbell could not concentrate one hundred percent on the band due to his solo career.
Campbell went further by saying that he was looking into how his business situation with UB40 had been managed over recent years. He felt that because of these grievances he had to resign as a member of UB40. The band’s spokesperson was quick to reply. He said as a fully paid member of the band Campbell took part in all of the proceeds over the years. His comment was that the singer had chosen a solo career over being a member of UB40.
Campbell’s solo album was released in 2007 and UB40’s newest album is due for release in May. The band has been together for thirty years. Forty eight year old Ali Campbell will continue to perform with UB40 until 23 February 2008. This will be the date of his final appearance as a member of the band. The band will perform in Kampala, Uganda.
