Fresh from their recent fisticuffs with blogger Perez Hilton, a new controversy is brewing for pop group Black Eyed Peas. DJ/producer Adam Freeland, whose Freeland project recently released COPE™ — which features cameos by Tommy Lee, Twiggy Ramirez of Marilyn Manson, Pixies guitarist Joey Santiago, and Devo’s Gerald V. Casale — claims that his track “Mancry” is used prominently in the Peas’ dance anthem “Party All the Time.”
While he hasn’t filed a lawsuit (yet), Freeland has tweeted about the matter:
“OK. Check this. Listen to our song ‘Mancry.’ Now listen to Black Eyed Peas ‘Party all the time.’ WTF!”
Justice seems to have hit a rough patch lately, eliciting speculation from their fans and no doubt causing their publicists endless headaches. After a slip of the tongue that brought to light the fact that hundreds of samples scattered across their much-lauded 2007 debut, Cross, were never cleared for use, several photos have surfaced of Gaspard (better known as the taller, hairier half of Justice) rocking out at a gig on an un-plugged MIDI controller.
Anyone who knows anything about electronic music knows that in order to function, a MIDI controller has to be connected to a computer; otherwise….it’s dead useless.
So what does this mean? Does Justice fake their live sets? Does the short one do all the work? Does any of it really matter? Well, Gaspard had this to say to URB.com in his defense:
“Yeah, shit happens! I remember the story, I couldn’t remember the city but i think it was in Manchester. I didn’t noticed at first, because as you can see I was looking at the computer to launch the next vocal hook and right after I realised that the blue screen went black, so there was no way possible it could work. So I plugged it back in, big deal! And the next thing you know is this picture.”
Hmmm…curious. What timing! Regardless of whether or not Justice is taking us for a ride, their live album and tour documentary, wittily titled A Cross The Universe (get it?!), drops digitally today via iTunes. The physical release comes out December 9th via Atlantic Records.
Watch closely and see if you can’t spot the loose USB cables!
There’s been a lot of chatter on messageboards about the departure of Carah Faye Charnow from LA-based electro-rock outfit Shiny Toy Guns. Was she fired? Did she quit? In an exclusive interview, the band talked to Big Shot about recent personnel changes in the band, their upcoming second album, Season of Poison, and why these road warriors’ sound is darker and more intense than ever.
Also inside: We met up with Bloc Party, visited Red Bull Music Academy in Barcelona, chilled with deep house maestro Charles Webster, and interviewed a cranky Deadmau5. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Subscribe right now for just $15 and get six issues and two free CDs. What a deal!
DJ/producer Ben Watt of Everything But the Girl fame has talked to Big Shot exclusively about his upcoming single, “Guinea Pig,” which marks his first track in three years for his revered London-based Buzzin’ Fly imprint. Though Watt’s discography is packed with choice house singles like “Pop A Cap In Yo’ Ass” with Estelle, “Attack Attack Attack” with Baby Blak and “A Stronger Man” with Terence Trent D’Arby, among others, he says his new single is the result of conquering a three-year battle with writer’s block.
“‘Guinea Pig’ is my first stand-alone single for the label for three years. I’ve been suffering with periods of indecision and writer’s block for much of that time, which has not helped my productivity much!” Watt confessed. “But I discovered a new working method where I kidded myself that I wasn’t really working but just messing around. It was an experimental process, hence ‘Guinea Pig.'”
“People imagine that after 25 years of making music, I must be permanently creative. But even veterans suffer doubts.”
Watt says the glowing reaction to the track—the vocal version features Julia Biel, who sang on “I Love You” released on Buzzin’ Fly in 2004—by several top DJs “has been like a blood transfusion. To see kind words from people like Francois K, Laurent Garnier, James Zabiela and Will Saul gladdens the heart. People imagine that after 25 years of making music, I must be permanently creative. But even veterans suffer doubts.”
In addition to Watt’s new single, Buzzin’ Fly will release Chaos Restored 2 mixed by Justin Martin next week.
