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B-Sides Report for 08/25/2015



One Direction Star Confirms Group Going On Hiatus

(Radio.com) Over the past few days there have been rampant rumors circling One Direction's questionable future. Singer Niall Horan took to Twitter on Monday to clear the air saying the group will take a "well earned break," and added the popular group is not breaking up.

He told his 23 million followers that One Direction is not breaking up. "Ok so Lots of rumours going round. We are not splitting up, but we will be taking a well earned break at some point next year."

He followed it up with another tweet: "Don't worry though, we still have lots we want to achieve! Can't wait for you to hear all the new music we have for you and to perform." Read more here.

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Eazy-E Reportedly Plotted To Kill Suge Knight

(Radio.com) Jerry Heller, the lawyer for N.W.A portrayed in Straight Outta Compton by Paul Giamatti, recently revealed that Eazy-E had plotted to murder Suge Knight. In a recent interview, Heller says he talked Eazy out of the crime, but in retrospect, he should have let Eazy do the job.

Heller explains that he walked into a room where Eazy-E and another man were talking. There, Eazy explained his intentions to Heller. "Eazy said, 'You know this guy Suge Knight?� I'm gonna kill him," Heller told Prez and Mac Jay on the Murder Master Music Show. "'This guys going to be a problem and I think I should kill him.'"

"I said, 'Let me think this thing through. First of all, we're doing $10 million a month with six employees. We don't even have a typewriter in the office. We are the most successful start-up record company in the history of the music business and you wanna kill this guy? That doesn't make any sense to me.'"

Heller said he regrets that decision these days, and suggested that Suge had Eazy killed, pointing to a quasi-confession on the Jimmy Kimmel Live in which Knight made mention of an AIDS needle. (It has been long rumored that Knight punctured Eazy with a needle containing the AIDS virus which led to the rapper's death.)

"And you know something, I should have let him kill him," Heller said. "I would have done the world a favor. He would have done it for sure. By himself. He always rolled by himself and he was fearless. I think he was going to go do it. I took him seriously."

But according to Heller, he convinced Eazy to avoid the risk. Read more here.

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T.I. Hit With $4.5 Million Tax Lien

(Radio.com) T.I. has been hit with a $4.5 million tax lien, alleging that he hasn't paid taxes. The feds are going after his property and assets, which include a mansion in Georgia and a handful of luxury cars. T.I.'s wealth has been estimated at $215 million.

Daily Mail Online obtained the filing documents, which claim that T.I. and his wife Tameka Cotte neglected to pay taxes in 2012 and 2013. The first lien alleges that he owes $1,397,283.47 for 2012, while the second claims he's in the hole for a total of $3,173,476.39 for 2013.

"Mr. Harris and his team are working with the appropriate parties to resolve this matter," reportedly said a representative for the rapper to US Weekly. Read more here.

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Justin Bieber Talks New Song 'What Do You Mean?'

(Radio.com) Justin Bieber stopped by the Radio.com offices to talk about his forthcoming song, "What Do You Mean?" As we've been reporting on for weeks, celebrities from Ben Stiller to Usher, Coldplay to Hilary Duff have been taking to Instagram to shout their support for Beiber and his comeback jam.

"'What Do You Mean' is an uptempo song," he said. "It's actually perfect for summer, even though summer's just ending. I had the best time recording it, I had the best time recording my album."

During our conversation, his recent collaboration with Jack U comes up; when I noted that "Where Are You Now" could probably be arranged for a band, Bieber agrees. "That's how I want it to be for all my songs. I want to be able to strip it down completely and say, 'What is the raw structure of this song? If we take everything else away, is it still a good song?' I think that's why it worked so well." Read more here.

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Def Leppard's 'Pour Some Sugar On Me' Lullaby Version Streaming

(hennemusic) The music of Def Leppard is featured on "Lullaby Versions Of Def Leppard", the latest release from Twinkle Twinkle Little Rock Star who have released a stream of the lullaby version of "Pour Some Sugar On Me".

The company which creates "beautiful lullaby versions of your favorite artists" was born for the parent that wants to pass along their passion for music to their child by transforming popular music into instrumental lullabies perfect for babies, yoga or just relaxation.

"Pour Some Sugar On Me" is one of six classic 80s tunes featured on the set alongside "Rock Of Ages", "Photograph", Love Bites", "Hysteria" and "Foolin'." Check out the stream here.

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Ill Nino Release 'Blood Is Thicker Than Water' Video

Ill Nino have released a new music video for the track "Blood Is Thicker Than Water," a song which is deeply personal for frontman Christian Machado and is the latest single from the band's current album Till Death, La Familia.

Machado had this to say about the track, "'Blood is Thicker Than Water' is more than just a piece of music to me. Writing the lyrics seemed to me, at that point in my life, to be a healing process than anything else. Two years to that exact date, I held the hand of a beautiful human being and I watched her take her last breath.

"After her death, I held her for an hour, I cried, I thanked her for all her beauty, her innocence, and her love. I felt an incredible amount of regret, it was possibly the most painful moment I will ever go through in my life. I cannot put into words the feeling. I can say I attempted to put that emotion into the lyrics of 'Blood is Thicker Than Water,' but I know the depth of the words cannot bring to light the pain and suffering that she went through and also the mourning that followed.

"When we perform the song live, I sometimes have to put all my power into not being succumbed by that emotion once again. I hope the song can reach into the hearts of everyone who hears it. I hope it allows her beauty to live forever." Watch the video here.

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Clutch Launch The Making Of Psychic Warfare Video Series

(hennemusic) Clutch have launched the first installment in a video series on the making of the band's 11th album "Psychic Warfare." Due October 2, the Maryland group recorded the project at their own studio as well as producer Machine's place in Dripping Springs, Texas.

The behind the scenes series titled "The Making Of Psychic Warfare" opens with a three-part first segment, including Creation, Production, And Speculation.

Filmed by David Brodsky and My Good Eye: Music Visuals, the footage in segment one presents interviews with the band as they started the pre-production process while the album was being developed in Frederick, MD.

The series will include two more installments as Clutch document the recording process when they move to Austin, TX to record at the Machine Shop and then return to Maryland to put the finishing touches on the project.

The band are previewing the album with the release of the lead track "X-Ray Visions." "The title 'Psychic Warfare' is taken from the track, 'X-Ray Visions," says singer Neil Fallon. "It's a tale about an unnamed protagonist who is forced to seek refuge in a flop house motel. He is hiding from several nefarious psychic forces, the worst of which is his own sleep deprived paranoia." Check out the video for the track and the first episode of the video series here.

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Avicii Releasing New Singles 'For A Better Day' and 'Pure Grinding'

(Radio.com) Though we still have a little more than a month for Avicii's sophomore studio album, Stories, the electronic music star is ramping up the release process, with two new singles announced today and a pre-order for the new record now lined up.

The next Avicii singles will be "For a Better Day" and "Pure Grinding," with both being released on August 28, the same day that Stories becomes available for pre-order.

Smart money would guess that a pre-order would get you those singles in advance of the album's release, but we'll have to wait a week to see if that is the case. The ramp up will not be without its bells and whistles, with Avicii's Instagram presenting the single artwork throughout the week. Read more here.

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50 Cent In Feud With French Montana Over Vodka

(Radio.com) Rap's vodka wars are heating up, as a new rapper enters the battlefield: French Montana. Montana mocked the liquor brand 50 Cent has recently been endorsing, EFFEN Vodka, on Instagram, only hours after initially praising it.

It all began on Saturday when French initially appeared on DJ SpinKing's Instagram with faint praise for the brand: "Shout out to EFFEN vodka," he said. "That s-t kind of watered down, but I love it."

This good will wouldn't last, though-a few hours later, on his own Instagram, French posted a video in which he throws bottles of EFFEN into the trash. "This is how I feel about your bulls-t," he said in the post. "What the f*ck is this?"

50 Cent wasn't about to take this lying down. A few hours later, he posted a video claiming that Montana is merely a puppet of Puff Daddy, who's Ciroc vodka brand is a competitor of EFFEN.

"Yo, I just seen a clip of French Montana throwing bottles of EFFEN in the garbage," 50 Cent says in the clip. "You know Puffy called him like, 'You said you f-g like that sh*t? You f-g bitch, you want your record out don't you? You f*cking dummy. You f*cking playing? They f-g putting us out of business you f-g a-hole. You better do something!'"

Watch 50 Cents NSFW video here.

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The Weeknd Releases NSFW 'Tell Your Friends' Video

(Radio.com) Death is not an obstacle for The Weeknd in his new video for "Tell Your Friends," a new single he's just shared off his forthcoming Beauty Behind The Madness album. Coming after the singles "Can't Feel My Face," "The Hills," and "Earned It," the Kanye West-produced track offers our latest glimpse into the album-it's a slow, dramatic torch song, driven by West's melancholy piano.

The video begins with The Weeknd burying himself alive in the middle of the desert. He's wrapped in a plastic bag while a doppelg�nger covers him in dirt. Then, he walks confidently through the landscape, while the old man character from the "Can't Feel My Face" video strides towards him.

The Weekend shoots him, and the track changes to the massive chords of "Real Life," the first track from Beauty Behind The Madness. We hear The Weekend listen to the song from his car radio while driving off into the night.

Watch the NSFW video here.

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Michel'le Doesn't Think Dr. Dre's Apology Was Sincere

(Radio.com) Michel'le, Dr. Dre's ex and a singer once signed to Ruthless Records, responded to Dre's recent statement about the abuse she and other women suffered at his hands. According to her recent remarks, she places little weight in his words.

"I don't really think it's a sincere apology," she told Dotun Adebayo on 5Live, as reported by BBC Newsbeat. "I didn't ask for a public apology and I think if he is going to apologize he should do it individually. To just group us like we are nothing and nobody-I just don't think it's sincere, treat us like we have names."

Dr. Dre released a statement to The New York Times that addressed the allegations of abuse, including the beating he issued to music video show host Dee Barnes in the 1990s.

"Twenty-five years ago I was a young man drinking too much and in over my head with no real structure in my life," he wrote. "However, none of this is an excuse for what I did. I've been married for 19 years and every day I'm working to be a better man for my family, seeking guidance along the way. I'm doing everything I can so I never resemble that man again. I apologize to the women I've hurt. I deeply regret what I did and know that it has forever impacted all of our lives." Read more here.

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Amorphis Release 'Sacrifice' Video

(Prog) Amorphis have released a video for their track Sacrifice, taken from upcoming album Under The Red Cloud. The follow-up to 2013's Circle is set for release on September 4 via Nuclear Blast.

Guitarist Esa Holopainen admits that producer Jens Brogen picked the single to be released from the album, because the band could not choose their favorites.

He recently said: "There's lots of elements in the songs, but every not and element is in perfect harmony - so the result is heavy and melodic. Under The Red Cloud will be in my personal top three Amorphis albums." Watch the video here.

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Mike Tramp Releases 'Give It All You Got' Video

(Radio.com) Mike Tramp has released a video for his track Give It All You Got. The song is taken from the former White Lion singer's ninth solo album Nomad, released on August 28 via Target Records. Nomad is the follow-up to last year's Museum.

Filming for the Give It All You Got video took place in Tramp's homeland of Denmark earlier in the summer. He says: "For someone who was a big part of the MTV video generation of the 80s, where videos became short movies, record companies spent big cash on production and the artist's motto was, 'We want it bigger and better than the other bands,' I can't express how gratifying it is to be able to do my new video, spanning across two evenings and with just one other person involved, who, in this case, wears both the cameraman and director hat.

"Yes, it might be late in my career, but I finally feel that I recognize and identify with the person on the other side of the camera, I am finally me, and that's what it's all about." Watch the video here.

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The Wonder Years Stream New Song 'I Don't Like Who I Was Then'

(TeamRock Radio) The Wonder Years have made a track from their upcoming album No Closer To Heaven available to stream. I Don't Like Who I Was Then is the fourth track on the band's fifth album

The Wonder Years previously made the song Cigarettes & Saints available to stream. They are on a widespread North American tour and play the UK early next year with Enter Shikari.

The new album is scheduled to be released on September 4 via Hopeless Records. The track is available as an instant download for fans who pre-order the album. Stream the new song here.

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The Legendary Shack Shakers Release 'Mud' Video

(The Blues The Legendary Shack Shakers have released a video for their track Mud, taken from upcoming album The Southern Surreal. It's launched via Alternative Tentacles Recordings on September 11, and marks their first studio outing in five years.

Frontman Colonel JD Wilkes says: "Mud is an anthem for good ole Whiskey Dick - the train that once served as the drunkard's shuttle to the 'wet' counties of Kentucky.

"Characters abound along the way, from a clown named Spoons to a Dixie Witch with a mud yurt in a ditch. I always wanted to sneak the word 'yurt' into a song."

The Shakers return to the UK in November, to mark their 20th anniversary. See the dates and watch the new music video here.

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Skrillex And Diplo Recruiting Couples For Jack U Video

(Radio.com) If you are a huge fan of Skrillex, Diplo, or preferably both, the time has come for you to possibly be in a Jack U music video. An open casting call was solicited by Diplo on social media, with just a few pre-requisits required to make yourself a star.

One, you need to live in Detroit or in the surrounding area (or at least be willing to get yourself to Detroit). Two, you can't be alone. Yes, Jack U is looking for couples for their music video, and they don't care what kind of couples you happen to be part of.

The last requirement is that the electronic DJs want the couple to be youthful, which will keep your parents from creeping on your chance to be a music video star. Read more here.

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Singled Out: Jonesin and the Hurt's Concerta

Today Ralph Clarke from the Toronto rock band Jonesin and the Hurt tells us the story behind their song "Concerta" which comes from their latest album "Why Not?" Here is the story:

As I was writing this song I was making a discussion whether to continue my education or build my band from the ground up. The lyrics in this song describe my decision. Jumping into music feet first seemed to be the right thing to do: "what the hell have I done, I didn't mean to hurt anyone, but me".

A lot of the songs from our first album tell an over arcing story about a night out or two weeks worth of nights out. Over a year ago I was trying to find the crucial balance between staying awake, partying, and studying on a substance made only for the ladder. We have a friend who "wasn't studying anymore" that thought that it would be better in my hands. I am from the East Coast originally and miss my mother everyday. She isn't the one that makes me want to smoke cigarettes, but she is the reason why I will be heading home soon. It is dark in a sense that it feels anxious and busy, but we always like to resolve it with "I was feeling alright after a couple vodka sprites".

When I wrote this song I believed that it wouldn't really matter what we said within the words. We in the band feel inspired by the song because we have all been in situations when our vices seem to take over a little more then they should. Our vices and habits often effect the people around us and this song really creates this feeling. When we started writing music for this band and giving everything up for each other, it wasn't an attempt to hurt other people's feelings, sometimes we did. After having a couple vodka sprites and writing this I believe that it doesn't even matter what I was thinking during the process. What really matters is what people get out of it and how they feel after hearing it.

I don't know if the kids know what the free number is on a payphone.. But it's the damn Police.

Hearing is believing. Now that you know the story behind the song, listen for yourself here and learn more about the band and album right here!

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