Breaking: “Zombie” Censored from Aiwaves by British Government

March 29, 2003  |  Comments Off on Breaking: “Zombie” Censored from Aiwaves by British Government  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  The Cranberries

The British television control agency, the Independent Television Commission, or ITC for short, has issued a statement to media outlets that war-related content which many stir up public sentiment should be taken off the air. Several media groups are complying with the decision, most notably MTV Europe, drawing up lists of songs and videos which will temporarily be removed from broadcast. Not surprisingly, The Cranberries’ “Zombie” is among the list.

In an internal memo released a week ago by MTV Europe’s Broadcast Standards Manager Mark Sunderland reads, “In the light of the outbreak of war in Iraq in the last 12 hours… there will be heightened public sensitivity to representations of war, soldiers, bombing, destruction of buildings and public unrest at home. The ITC Programme Code requires us not to broadcast material which offends against good taste or is offensive to public feeling. We therefore recommend that videos featuring the following are not shown at the moment: war, soldiers, war planes, bombs, missiles, riots and social unrest, executions, [and] other obviously sensitive material.” Anyone who has seen the video for “Zombie” will know well that it violates several of the qualifiers in this list.

Other artists and videos specifically mentioned are below. Many of the songs, like Tom Jones’ “Sex Bomb” or videos by the B-52s are being censored simply on the basis of their title alone.

»  “Boom!” by System of a Down
»  “Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith (contains footage from the movie “Armageddon”)
»  “So Why So Sad” by Manic Street Preachers
»  “Miss Sarajevo” and “Sunday Bloody Sunday” by U2
»  “This Ain’t a Love Song” by Bon Jovi
»  “Corruption” by Iggy Pop
»  “19′′ by Paul Hardcastle
»  “Lucky” and “Invasion” by Radiohead
»  “Hot in the City” by Billy Idol
»  “Koochy” by Armand van Helden
»  “Thug Holidy” by Trick Daddy
»  “B.O.B. [Bombs over Baghdad]” by Outkast
»  “Holy Wars” by Megadeath
»  “You, Me, and World War Three” by Gavin Friday
»  Any videos by the B-52’s, who share a name with the war plane
»  “American Life” by Madonna
»  “Sex Bomb” by Tom Jones

“It’s not a ban,” says a spokesman for MTV’s international divisions. “It didn’t come from programming. We’re complying with ITC guidelines on good taste, to avoid offending public feeling.”

“Like any other broadcaster we feel it is important to reflect current sensitivities. Any changes to the playlist will be temporary,” said another spokesperson. MTV Europe implied that the censorship will be lifted once the Iraqi conflict is over.

But it is apparent that the list of taboo songs is only being used currently by MTV Europe. “We’re not banning anything,” said a representative for MTV in the United States. “We’re being sensitive to the situation, in general and on a case-by-case basis.”

Meanwhile, on the opposite end of the spectrum, MTV Italy is paying no heed to the actions of its UK sister station. They kicked off a day-long focus dedicated entirely to the Iraqi conflict, playing pacificst videos and showing clips of celebrities speaking to the audience about the war. “Zombie” has been played several times throughout the day.

American radio stations employed a similar blacklist of songs immediately after the 9/11 attacks in 2001. U2’s “Sunday Bloody Sunday” was also included in that list.

Other UK media outlets, like the behemoth Radio One and rival station Xfm, are also toning down the amount of music played that contains “sensitive content.”

Sources: Cranberries Videography, TV Barn, Times Online, Rolling Stone

Details on Secret Hot Press Gig

March 27, 2003  |  Comments Off on Details on Secret Hot Press Gig  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  The Cranberries

You’ve no doubt read by now on the Official Cranberries Website that this past Friday, The Cranberries played a secret, unannounced 3-song set for the launch of the “Hot Press 2003 Yearbook” in Dublin. Zombieguide has some of the nitty-gritty details from that event.

The Cranberries played at Dublin’s intimate Sugar Club this past Tuesday, the 25th, performing “Chocolate Brown,” “Dying in the Sun,” and “Linger.” Other entertainers for the night included Jerry Fish and the Mudbug Club, Think, Maria Doyle Kennedy, and the D1 DJs.

Guests included members of Altan, Skindive, Blo.tooth, The Chalets, Blink, Skyjack, The Jimmy Cake, Sack and The Saw Doctors. Woodstar was also there for the party, who opened for The Cranberries at The Point Depot on December 6th in Dublin. Also in the audience were artists Paddy Casey, Mary Stokes, Roesy, Mary Coughlan, Neosupervital, La Rocca and Perry Blake. Plenty of industry heads were also present for the private party.

We only have one shot of the concert, below, courtesy of Hot Press. Dolores can be seen with quite possibly the longest naturally dark hair that we’ve seen her have during her entire career! Will she keep it that way? Only time will tell.

The Hot Press Yearbook is an annual “who’s who” in the Irish music industry. The 2003 version includes info on record sales, radio plays and other vital stats on the Irish music industry.

Thanks to Jessica van Kessel for sending the news details.
Seen any other info about The Cranberries’ ultra-intimate gig at The Sugar

Club this week? Send it to Zombieguide!

Image Source: Hot Press

“Música Sí” Up to Their Old Tricks Again

March 27, 2003  |  Comments Off on “Música Sí” Up to Their Old Tricks Again  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  The Cranberries

You may recall when in January of last year, Spanish live music show “Música Sí” set The Cranberries up for something bordering on public humiliation. The studio sound was overwhemlingly low quality, as could easily be heard on the broadcast. The band, Dolores in particular, had just finished an argument with the show’s producers over the generic sound system. Halfway through “Zombie,” Dolores, giving up trying to compromise with the faint prerecorded instrumentals, put the microphone, and said, “I can’t do this, this sounds like crap.” With that, she walked off the stage. To add insult to injury, the show mistranslated her words in the subtitles by writing, “I’m stressed and I can’t sing” — while the rest of the show’s dialogue was properly subtitled. And all this after comes after an incident in 1999 when the “Música Sí” audience reportedly boo’ed the band while they were on stage.

April Fools came early this year.

Now, even while the band is at home in Ireland, “Música Sí” is causing trouble for The Cranberries. Weeks ago, reports began popping up around Spanish Cranberries forums that the show had played a “new song” by The Cranberries called “Theme Banshis In Heaven”. Needless to say, those who had posted the information were slaughtered by unbelieving fans who had not seen the actual show.

But the truth is, “Música Sí” did in fact play this song and did claim it to be The Cranberries. In fact, only days ago, the show played the song again on their “Top Dance” part of the show. “Música S픑s hosts, Jennifer Rope and DJ Neil introduced the “surprise” song for a second time by saying:

“Now comes something that’s causing an uproar… a song characterized by the precious voice of the singer for The Cranberries, Dolores O’Riordan! ‘In Heaven!'”

Finally, on Saturday’s broadcast, “Música Sí” put their own false rumor to an end. The hosts ashamedly told the audience that the “surprise song” had absolutely nothing to do with Dolores or The Cranberries. They then related that the song, “In Heaven” is actually by a band called Them Banshis. Reviews of the song have made heavy comparisons to The Cranberries’ own “Zombie.”

Click here to listen to a Real Audio clip of Them Banshis’ “In Heaven”
(LINK NO LONGER AVAILABLE!!)

Source: Cranberries Star Page

US Congress May Pay $3.5 Million for Irish Music Rights

March 27, 2003  |  Comments Off on US Congress May Pay $3.5 Million for Irish Music Rights  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  The Cranberries

In 2000, the Irish Music Rights Organization brought a case to the World Trade Organization stating that United States had not paid Irish artists the full amount of copyright royalties due to them. The complaint stemmed from a law passed by Congress in late 1998 that stated that small businesses — such as bars, restaurants, and small shops — were not obligated to pay for the royalties of broadcasting TV and radio in their business. That law, said the World Trade Organization, was in violation of international copyright treaties. The Irish Music Rights Organization, or IMRO, claimed that Irish aritsts and songwriters alone were losing millions due to their massive popularity in the United States. In late 2001, the US and the WTO agreed on a temporary solution, and now is nearing a finalized compensation agreement.

Last week, members of the United States Congress strongly pushed for an overdue payment of $3.5 million to be given to the WTO as compensation to European artists. The money, if allocated, will be used to fund up-and- coming struggling musicians in Europe.

One source cites that The Cranberries’ “Linger” is one of the most popular “pub” songs by an Irish group, often being played in bars without compensation. Van Morrison’s “Moondance” is cited for the same reason.

The Cranberries themselves are registered members of the Irish Music Rights Organization, alongside other notables like Samantha Mumba, Westlife, and The Corrs. Surprisingly, rock heavyweights U2 are not part of the rights protection group.

Sources: ArtScope.net, European Trade Union, Taipei Times

Dolores is Back – In a Terrific Piece of Art

March 12, 2003  |  Comments Off on Dolores is Back – In a Terrific Piece of Art  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  The Cranberries

And then there was one. Despite the break-up of The Cranberries, many fans are celebrating the return of Dolores, who along with “the lads”, had been somewhat tucked away since the summer of 2003. One exceptionally talented fan, whose artwork has been frequently featured on Zombieguide, Maurizio di Bona, appropriately known as “The Hand.” Last year, The Cranberries commissioned The Hand to design cartoons for several pieces of official merchandise, which is available for purchase on the Official Site’s shopping section. This time, he has taken pen to paper to create a stunning piece of artwork showcasing the strength of Dolores’s personality as represented at Italy’s recent Sanremo Festival.

Encouraging fans to have “No Fear”, The Hand has detailed the excitement of Dolores’s future. Below, is The Hand’s most recent artistic tribute to Dolores O’Riordan.

Source: Exclusive
Thanks to The Hand for the contribution.

“Linger” Included On New Café Rock Compilation CD Set

March 12, 2003  |  Comments Off on “Linger” Included On New Café Rock Compilation CD Set  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  The Cranberries

The Cranberries are among solid company on a new “as seen on TV” two- disc music compilation entitled Café Rock. With “Linger” opening the set, Café Rock is a blend of music from artists like Shawn Colvin, Ani Difranco, 10,000 Maniacs, and fellow tour mates Collective Soul and Toad The Wet Sprocket, among others. Described as music from artists who have “changed music forever”, Café Rock is available now, priced at $26.99 US for two CDs or two cassette tapes.

For a complete track-listing and to order online, logon to MusicSpace.com

Source: Exclusive

Thanks to Lionel A.Vasquez

A Letter from Dolores on Official Web Site

March 11, 2003  |  Comments Off on A Letter from Dolores on Official Web Site  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  The Cranberries

Wondering what’s been going on in the Burton household lately? Dolores gives all the details (and we mean ALL the details) in a letter posted today on the Official Web Site. Dolores shares an important disclosure about the sixth album’s material being “really experimental”, and laments about the cold and flu season.

In Dolores’s letter to fans, she also reveals a few of her St. Patrick’s Day plans, including plans to attend Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Day parade with her kids dressed as “little leprechauns”. And speaking of the Burton children, Dolores tells fans that her stepson Donny, now eleven and a half years old, is venturing out into the world of rock ‘n roll for himself through the music of Avril Lavigne, who Dolores describes as “kinda cutesy”.

Still, “cutesy” or not, Dolores compliments the kindheartedness of young musicians like Dido and Westlife’s Brian McFadden. McFadden and Dolores worked together on the live performance of “The Little Drummer Boy” during the 2001 Vatican Christmas Concert for the Pope in Rome; and recently, with a seat next to McFadden on a plane headed to Dublin, the young boy-band singer gave Dolores a ride to her hotel where she met her mom and children. The experience prompted Dolores to comment on what “a really nice guy” Brian McFadden is, and how she is feeling like the “grandma of rock” with her inspiration to younger musicians. Dolores’s update on the Official Web Site even includes an interesting photo sent in from Litsa Derekenary (Litsa’s Zombieguide Forums profile) that perfectly embodies the “grandmother of rock” theme.

Want to see more pictures of Litsa’s drool-inducing Cranberries-deco bedroom? Check out the CranFanatics section for more!

Source: Cranberries Official Site

Italian Cranberries-Only Concert Scheduled

March 11, 2003  |  Comments Off on Italian Cranberries-Only Concert Scheduled  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  The Cranberries

Reputable Italian online ticket vendor TicketOne posted a listing today thatThe Cranberries will be performing their own concert — apart from the Rolling Stones — in Bolzano, Italy on June 8th, 2003. The date is two days before the June 10th concert where The Crans will be opening for the Rolling Stones in Milan, which gives much credibility to the date and location. TicketOne is one of Italy’s largest ticket sellers and deemed to be extremely reputable. Tickets are not yet on sale, but a notice reads that they will be “out soon!”

Weeks ago, The Cranberries Official Website promised that several “warm up dates” were on tap (including one in Belfast), all of which should be announced shortly.

Another date, June 6th at the Cirkus Krone Bau in Munich, Germany with the Rolling Stones, reported by US-based tour resource PollStar has also yet to be confirmed by the band.

Thanks to Mattia for the tip.

Source: TicketOne

Cranberries Concert Part of BBC6’s St. Patrick’s Day

March 10, 2003  |  Comments Off on Cranberries Concert Part of BBC6’s St. Patrick’s Day  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  The Cranberries

From TV concerts to online polls, The Cranberries are no strangers to St. Patrick’s Day celebrations when they involve music, and this year is no different. Next week on BBC 6 Music’s “Dream Ticket” concert broadcast, The Cranberries will be part of an All-Irish Rock special on St. Patrick’s Day.

“Dream Ticket” showcases past concerts from five notable artists daily in a gala that lasts for several hours. The Cranberries will be joining Sinead O’Connor, among others on next week’s billing. It is unknown which of The Cranberries’ past recorded concerts will be used, but British festivals are favorite choices, so something along the lines of the all-acoustic Fleadh Festival 1994 performance can be expected.

For those not in the UK, the concert will be streamed live from BBC 6 Music’s website. The show begins Monday, March 17 at 10:00 PM local time (5:00 PM EST). For those fortunate enough to be in the UK, the audio channel can be heard on Sky Digital. If you miss the broadcast, don’t worry, an archived on-demand version of the stream will be available on BBC 6 Music’s websitethe following week.

Thanks to Irish Phil for the news!
Heard of any other St. Patty’s Day festivities that include The Cranberries?

Send Zombieguide a news tip!

Source: Exclusive

Japanese “Stars” DVD to Release Next Week

March 7, 2003  |  Comments Off on Japanese “Stars” DVD to Release Next Week  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  The Cranberries

Despite doubts that the DVD of “Stars: The Best of The Cranberries” (as the Japanese release is titled, as opposed to “Best of Videos”) would be delayed yet another time in Japan, it has finally been locked into a release for next Wednesday, March 12th. This past Monday, Universal Music Japan sent out updated release information on the Japanese edition of the DVD to retailers and online merchants, who responded by removing the ominous “Release Pending” notices found on listings for the DVD. Additionally, online retailers like Amazon Japan and the English-friendly CD Japan have now begun taking pre-orders for the new release, which wasn’t the case less than a week ago.

Zombieguide also reported previously that there was no reported cause for the DVD’s delay, but now we know at least a partial explanation: Japanese subtitles have been added to the release. This is unique to the Japanese release, since the original release of the “Stars” DVD carried no subtitles anywhere in the world, making things like the “Love and Rock ‘n’ Roll” documentary difficult to understand for those who don’t speak English as a primary language.

While the “Stars” DVD was released in most regions of the world (including America) in November, “Stars” originally was slated for a December 11th release in Japan. This date was then moved back to Christmas Day, then to January, and finally back to its current date of March 12th.

Aside from the new subtitles, no other new bonus features or extras have been announced for the Japanese release. The Japanese version of the DVD (cat. number UIBO-1006) will be released on March 12, 2003 with a retail price of 4,200 yen ($35 US, almost double the $20 retail price in America). A tiny shot of the cover, which includes a large Japanese sticker, can be seen below. The disc will be encoded in NTSC format and Region 0 (all region) coding, making it playable on American DVD players.

In related news, The Very Best of MTV Unplugged 2, featuring “Zombie,” will be released in Japan on April 9th with a retail tag of 2,400 yen ($20 US). Still no word yet on a US release.

Source: CD Japan

MTV France to Air MTV Unplugged This Tuesday

March 7, 2003  |  Comments Off on MTV France to Air MTV Unplugged This Tuesday  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  The Cranberries

Lately, Zombieguide has been telling you a lot about the recent release of The Very Best Of MTV Unplugged Volume 2, featuring “Zombie.” So now, after all of this talk of The Cranberries 1995 MTV Unplugged performance, it’s completely understandable that you’re juiced up to see it again. And this Tuesday, your wish is MTV’s command… well, at least the MTV French Channel.

This Tuesday, March 11th, those with access to MTV France can tune in to catch a repeat of MTV Unplugged featuring The Cranberries. Those of us without access to MTV France will have to do what we always do when we get a craving for The Cranberries on MTV Unplugged… pop in our home- recorded videotape.

Source: Cranfrance

“Very Best Of Unplugged 2” Released in Germany

March 4, 2003  |  Comments Off on “Very Best Of Unplugged 2” Released in Germany  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  The Cranberries

In 1995, The Cranberries’ MTV Unplugged performance featured a captivating acoustic version of “Zombie”. Now, that version is being included on The Very Best of MTV Unplugged Volume 2. First released in the UK, The Very Best of MTV Unplugged 2 was released yesterday in Germany, selling for approximately $16.00 online. Cover art in higher quality than our last news story can be viewed below.

As the album is released in more countries around the world, Zombieguide will keep you updated.

Source: Amazon.de

Blue Jean Magazine Includes Cranberries Booklet

March 4, 2003  |  Comments Off on Blue Jean Magazine Includes Cranberries Booklet  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  The Cranberries

The Turkish music magazine Blue Jean has a very special Cranberries bonus packed in with their March issue, which has just hit newsstands. Apart from the magazine itself, the issue carries a 18-page bonus Cranberries mini booklet filled with the usual suspects: biography, lyrics, and a discography. Also included are eight Cranberries stickers that you can pull out and stick onto your favorite stuff. Best of all, the bonus booklet includes previously- unseen photos, claimed to be exclusive to Blue Jean.

The timing may seem strange for such a lavish promotional item, but Blue Jean is no strangers to such unexpected releases. In late 2000, while The Cranberries were in the studio recording “Wake Up and Smell the Coffee,” Blue Jean issued a promotional CD/CD-Rom entitled “Greatest Hits,”seemingly out of nowhere. (The Blue Jean “Greatest Hits” promo is not related to “Stars.”) The magazine has given equally good treatment to the Limerick quartet since then, giving them a cover article with the release of “Wake Up” in 2001, and a 2-page interview this past December.

The booklet does not bear any marks of licensing from Universal Music, which would only make sense after January’s announcement that The Cranberries were terminating their contract effective immediately.

Below is a shot of the cover of the booklet, showing an alternate photo from the “Stars” cover.

Huge thanks to Yagiz for the news. If you live in Turkey (or by some other act of God have managed to obtain a copy of the newest Blue Jean) and can make more scans of the new booklet, please send them to us! In the meantime, Zombieguide will have new scans posted as soon as they are available.

Source: Exclusive

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