In today’s Soundbites, our weekly take on news, reviews and tabloid gossip, Sir Paul McCartney dances like an elf, Morrissey seriously bigs up a new UK band and Chris Moyles could be ready to waddle away from Radio 1. We also take a look at Detroit Social Club’s new track, and there’s news from the recent ASCAP Awards.
Would anything diffuse a potential confrontation quicker than the sight of Sir Paul McCartney dancing like an elf? Probably not, and if The Sun newspaper is to be believed, that’s exactly what happened when a cyclist nearly knocked The Beatles legend over in London. Eyewitness Mark Thorburn told The Sun Sir Paul ‘danced like an elf’ while shouting “Ooh I’m so scary, I’m so scary” at the cyclist. “The cyclist was telling everyone to fuck off out of his way,” Thorburn continued. “Paul danced like an elf and put on a squeaky voice to ridicule him. It was the funniest and most surreal thing I’ve seen.”
Poor Chris Moyles. The outspoken BBC Radio 1 DJ recently spent most of one of his recent breakfast shows attacking his bosses for not paying him his millions on time, and now rumours are surfacing that he may be ready to jump ship before long. Music Week is claiming Moyles has held unofficial talks with founder and Global Group CEO Ashley Tabor with a view to joining Capital FM when it launches across the UK next year. Global Radio has said the company is not in talks with Moyles ‘at the moment’, but added: “We would fully understand the attraction of joining Capital FM as it goes national in early January.”
Newcastle’s Detroit Social Club released the single ‘Northern Man‘ this week, a track from the group which once again brings to mind some of the classic British bands of the past twenty years. The sweeping atmosphere, sharp strings and heartful tones all bring to mind Northern Soul-era Verve, and the track is another solid release from one of the UK’s real talents. ‘Northern Man‘ is taken from Detroit Social Club’s debut album ‘Existence‘.
Big boost for Doll & The Kicks’ frontwoman Hannah Scanlon this week after former Smiths man Morrissey hailed her as ‘the best British singer in years’. “When I first saw Doll & The Kicks live, I could not, even with the best will in the world, look away,” Morrissey enthused. “I can’t be reasoned with where Hannah is concerned – she is the best British singer of recent years. She will sing an entire song without any breathing lulls, and the boys seal her confidence brilliantly.” More info on the band is available on their Myspace page.
Coldplay have been named Songwriters Of The Year at the annual American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Awards in London last night. The track ‘Viva la Vida‘ won the award for Track of The Year, while ‘That’s Not My Name’ by The Ting Tings, ‘Come Together‘ by The Beatles and The Human League’s ‘Don’t You Want Me‘ also picked up gongs. For some reason they also gave an award for songwriting to Scouting For Girls. Work that out.