Radiohead's Glastonbury gig tops poll
Radiohead's gig at Glastonbury 1997 was voted best festival gig in a survey carried out by the Proud Galleries in London to celebrate their 'Living the Moment' exhibition of rock photographs. Queen's 1985 performance at Live Aid has been voted the best live show by a band of all time. The results of the vote and celebrity choices are been shown at Proud Galleries in Camden from this Friday (July 29). [thanks Shaun]
[ Posted by adriaan
at 01:30 PM,
July 26, 2005] 
Radiohead T-shirt contest: Deadline closing soon
As reported earlier, at Synthetic Apparatus you can enter their Radiohead t-shirt design contest. Make sure to send your design(s) in before July 27th at Midnight CST. Good luck! Or just check Synthetic Apparatus to vote for your favourite designs.
[ Posted by adriaan
at 01:35 PM,
July 25, 2005]
Stanley Donwood interview in GQ
In the latest GQ (August issue) you can find an interview with Stanley Donwood. GQ explain who he is (for those who still haven't got a clue): Stanley Donwood is the semi-official sixth member of Radiohead. Having designed all artwork from The Bends onwards, he has created one of music's most distinctive band images. Now he's screen-printing old favourites and new classics, and selling them through his website. Here he tells GQ exclusively why.
How did you first get involved with the band?
"I have lied about this so many time that the truth, if there ever was one, has become impossibly sedimented in the strata of my deceit." (Donwood met lead singer Thom Yorke at the University of Exeter)
Who or what inspires you?
"The first pictures that I ever saw were by John Constable, on biscuit tins and as jigsaw box lids. When in the Eighties I saw Peter Kennard's versions of these paintings, with 'The Haywain' as an image of a missile launcher, I knew that I could be an artist. Or something."
What's your favourite Radiohead artwork?
"Kid A. The artwork for this record was almost impossible to do. I wanted to make artwork that looked, from a distance, like jewellery thrown onto mud, but close up revealed itself as the most ghastly shit that people can ever do to each other. I was fascinated by the horror in the Balkans at the time. At the same time, this was a continuation of the work on OK Computer, and it continues on Amnesiac and Hail To The Thief. So they're all inextricably linked."
Are you, for sound bite purposes, "the Terry Gilliam of Radiohead"?
"While it's really complimentary to be compared to someone such as Terry Gilliam, I don't honestly think it's appropriate. God, I'd love to make something as good as Brazil. Here's the riposte: a sound bite is a statement designed to preclude the possibility of intelligent thought."
Do the band have input with your work?
"Oh, man, I'm terrible at working on my own. There's no frame of reference, no one to tell you if what you're doing is good or fucking terrible. I once spent two months working on this idea that combined topiary with porn. I joined the National Trust and everything, just so I could cycle to all these gardens that had famous topiary in them and photograph it. I wanted to make pictures that had phallic topiary fucking vulva-shaped clouds. Quite tastefully, I might add. Anyway, there I was, taking photos and really getting into it... until Thom told me that it might not be.... quite the thing... for the new record. Honestly, topiary and photography... what was I thinking?"
So why the new venture?
"I hadn't screen-printed for about 15 years and I thought I'd better start with something I knew. And I imagined that a few people might like proper versions of pictures only ever seen as the 12x12cm images in jewel cases."
Prints, in limited editions of 288, 288 pounds each, and of 144, 144 pounds each, www.slowlydownward.com [thanks pennyroyalty for transcribing]
[ Posted by adriaan
at 03:35 PM,
July 23, 2005]
Radiohead's Karma Police in US Democrats campaign
In the USA the Democrats have used Radiohead's 'Karma Police' for a campaign to fire President Bush's top advisior, Karl Rove. Or as Nathan wrote in with the following:
This is American politics, but President Bush's top advisor, Karl Rove, is coming under heat for revealing a covert CIA operative's identity in order to smear her husband, the man who debunked the myth that Saddam was trying to by yellowcake uranium from Niger.
So, now the Democrats have put out a video outlining why Karl Rove needs to be fired. At about 2/3 the way trough the video the chorus of Karma Police comes on. "This is what you get when you mess with us" --spot on because Rove's actions were all about payback and revenge.
[ Posted by adriaan
at 06:57 PM,
July 20, 2005]
News in brief
Over at Synthetic Apparatus you can enter a Radiohead t-shirt design contest. This is their second contest, the first being for the Mars Volta. The winners recieve some cash and the intention is to get their shirts printed. The winner's shirts are then available for sale to the community/general public.
MTV Netherlands will rebroadcast the $2 Bill show on Wednesday at midnight.
Radiohead's Just video is listed as the number 8 best video on VH1's Listed: Top 40 Best Music Videos.
There's an interview with Thom Yorke on the subject of climate change in the latest issue of Dazed & Confused magazine.
The earlier reported North American release of Glastonbury Anthems featuring Radiohead is now on sale at Amazon.com
[thanks Erik, Ilja, Eryn, Jim, Tanner]
[ Posted by adriaan
at 10:52 AM,
July 19, 2005]
Radiohead gave pro bono rights for Aussie commercial
As reported earlier, Radiohead's 'Paranoid Android' has been featured in an advertisement on Australian television for a mental illness and disability group called Scope. The ad features a disabled man in a wheelchair listening to a walkman and moaning. A young woman next to him looks shocked, and then Paranoid Android is played over the top ad the screen says, "Don't worry. He's just another radiohead fan. See the person, not the disability."
Radiohead gave pro bono rights to use their Paranoid Android track, and the commercial was created and produced free of charge by the Leo Burnett advertising agency and Exit Films respectively.
"This commercial causes people to pause and actually think about how they perceive people with disability," said creator Rob Beamish of the Leo Burnett agency. "We tend to see someone in a wheelchair, for example, and allow their disability to color our perception of them as a person. And this often happens subconsciously." [thanks Wez]
[ Posted by adriaan
at 10:47 AM,
July 19, 2005]
Xfm sets record straight: Radiohead in Supergroup
As reported earlier, Xfm held a poll to select the World’s Greatest Ever Indie Supergroup. Thousands of people voted and the results were surprising, if not entirely predictable. Judging by the votes, the World's Greatest Indie Band would feature Matt Bellamy from Muse on vocals and guitar, Chris Wolstenholme also from Muse on bass, and (would you believe it?) Dom Howard from Muse on drums and anyone else rather than Bez on maracas. So, essentially, it's Muse.
But Xfm have reason to believe that certain Muse messageboards had been encouraging people to fiddle with their computers so they could multiple vote. Thus things may have been a little Muse-heavy. So disregarding their votes, the band would be formed of Thom Yorke on vocals, Jonny Greenwood from Radiohead on guitar Oasis' Andy Bell on bass and Dave Grohl on drums. Which sounds a little more interesting.
Xfm also learned from their poll and came to the following conclusions:
- We too are very fond of Radiohead bassist Colin Greenwood, we just didn't think his input into the band was as important as Thom or Jonny's. Sorry. Now enough with the death threats.
- As a personal tip from us, if there's ever Radiohead and Muse fanclub conventions in the same city on the same day, avoid the area, it'll almost definitely turn violent.
- In fact, don't trust a Muse fan.
For the full results, check the Xfm website.
[ Posted by adriaan
at 07:26 PM,
July 18, 2005]
Murphy, Cornell and Hebden on Radiohead
In the new issue of Blender, actor Cillian Murphy picked Kid A as "The Record that will outlast us all"
"I was listening to this a lot while I was shooting a movie called How Harry Became a Tree. So it reminds me of that experience, but really I think Kid A will be thought of as a seminal record in the future because now everybody's doing bleeps and weird stuff and deconstructing it all. This immediately created a mood and there's not a weak track here. It's a concept album, I think. You never know what Thom Yorke is saying, but you want to sing along anyway." [thanks Alex]
And then there's Audioslave's Chris Cornell in Rolling Stone on what recent song he wishes he had written?
Chris Cornell: "The last was maybe "Karma Police," from Radiohead. There's something so simple about it."
Kieren Hebden (aka Four Tet) was asked in OOR magazine [Netherlands] on his Radiohead support shows:
"I'm a big fan for a long time now. If you look closely, you'll see me in the Creep video. It was a great experience (opening for Radiohead) that has opened many doors for me. And it was good to see so many Radiohead fans dance to my music".
[ Posted by adriaan
at 10:44 PM,
July 16, 2005]
Vote For The Greatest Indie Band Of All Time!
As a new poll ranks the Top Ten best rock singers, drummers, bassists and guitarists, XFM decided to launch a vote to find out who would be in the World's Greatest Ever Indie Supergroup. All you have to do is click on your favourites and behold the percentages will appear before your very eyes. You can vote for Best Singer (Thom Yorke?), Best Guitarist (Jonny Greenwood?), Best Drummer (Phil Selway?), Best Bassist (Colin Greenwood was not nominated... so why not go for Supergrass' Mick Quinn?). Cast your vote! Apparently, Radiohead are NOT in the lead... so it's time to fix this. [thanks Ami-Ami & Alex]
Turns out that Thom Yorke lost to Chris Martin in the world's sexiest vegetarians poll, conducted by animal rights group PETA.
A spokesman for PETA said: "Vegetarians are sprouting up all over the place, including Hollywood! Going green is all the rage among the red carpet set, as more and more of today's yummiest celebs are embracing broccoli and shunning flesh."
[ Posted by adriaan
at 09:06 AM,
July 13, 2005]
Site update + At Ease TV
As you probably may have noticed, the site's performance wasn't really that good the past time. It turns out that a faulty hard disk cable was giving some trouble. The cable has been replaced and the server should be working as it should be now.
Due to a variety of serious issues which have befallen those who were volunteering their time for this project, we are going to have to postpone the making of At Ease TV.
Thanks to all those who expressed interest in contributing. We must reiterate that we are only temporarily postponing this project, by no means are we completely abandoning what we still believe to be a wonderful opportunity for the fans and those of us who are involved.
We are aiming to take on this project later next year when we are assured of the time constraints and commitments of our volunteers.
Thanks for your support and understanding.
[ Posted by adriaan
at 03:54 PM,
July 12, 2005]
Radiohead News In Brief
 Radiohead.com has a new front page... The 'Against Demons' icon has returned!
Chieftanmews.com has changed as well. There's a ram file of some Tunisian news that opens up. Dated 9th july 2005, there's about 5 minutes of light entertainment type news, then barely 1 minute coverage of the London attack.
Thom is on the cover the latest Japanese magazine 'Rockin' On'. Radiohead's 'Hail to the Thief' is featured in their best albums list.
There's an ad showing on Australian television that has a disabled man singing along to Radiohead on a train platform. Text then appears, saying "He's just another Radiohead fan" and then Paranoid Android clearly plays. Unexpected, at least.
ifilm.com has a clip of Radiohead playing Karma Police from Glastonbury '97. it's on the Glastonbury Anthems dvd.
You can vote for Radiohead at Dutch radio station 3fm for Best Band Ever.
Encyclopedia Dramatica: "Ateaseweb.com is a fansite for the band Radiohead. It includes a messageboard, wherein the drama lies!"
[thanks Dr. Strangelove, Bobby, Ian, Yasuko]
[ Posted by adriaan
at 11:12 AM,
July 12, 2005]
Bodysong DVD released in North America
  The Bodysong DVD with a score by Jonny Greenwood and artwork by Stanley Donwood has been released in North America today. The DVD features an exclusive Jonny Greenwood interview, interview with director Simon Pummell, and complete Bodysong website. The documentary - released as a region 1 version - won "Best Documentary Feature" at the British Independent Film Awards. Get it at Amazon.
Philly.com: "A techno-tuned soundtrack by Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood serves as the ambient background to the honored (and extremely freaky) documentary "Bodysong" (Electic DVD/HIQI Media), a wordless, birth-to-death travelogue often focused on man's inhumanity to man. Not for the immature."
[ Posted by adriaan
at 10:28 AM,
July 12, 2005]
Christopher O'Riley Associated Press interview
In between sound and light checks for an evening show at Joe's Pub, Christopher O'Riley - in an immaculate black suit, cell phone in hand - spared a few minutes for The Associated Press.
AP: I hear you're an I-Pod Shuffle man.
O'Riley: I haven't read a book in about a year because I'm constantly going back and forth. I've got complete works of Radiohead and 20 concerts of theirs, 60 Elliott Smith concerts, Cocteau Twins, Guided by Voices, Nine Inch Nails, Tori Amos, the Smiths, Shostakovich and Bach. Right now, I've got about 80 songs, or versions of songs, that I'm thinking of doing.
AP: Do you see more Radiohead albums in your future?
O'Riley: No. I think two is enough.
AP: Do you see your Radiohead albums as experiments in audience outreach?
O'Riley: Yeah, I do. I'll get e-mails from somebody saying, I really love your Radiohead record, I see you're playing a Mozart concerto in San Diego, I've been meaning to give him a try. If classical music can give you the same charge as being in a mosh pit, then that's great music.
AP: On a scale of one to 10, how would you rate yourself as a Radiohead fanatic?
O'Riley: 10.
AP: What's your take on the controversy over the Internet's role in the music industry?
O'Riley: I'm on a Radiohead fan site constantly, ateaseweb.com. They'll say, I feel so guilty, I'm downloading your record right now. I'll say, well, the people who are objecting to downloading are the people who are putting two decent tracks on a record, and are afraid that the shit's gonna stink when people hear the whole thing. I'm not worried that people are going to hear my record and not want to buy it. You know, I own every single Radiohead ever did, and it's not for lack of having downloaded all of them at various times in various forms. [read it in full - thanks Patrick]
[ Posted by adriaan
at 10:13 PM,
July 11, 2005]
Chris Martin on Radiohead again
Coldplay's Chris Martin on Radiohead again. This time in the Detroit Free Press: "I think if you imagine Radiohead going through a jungle clearing a path, then we're the ones who are probably just criminally paving it. I always see Radiohead as the braver people."
[ Posted by adriaan
at 12:29 AM,
July 09, 2005]
Taking tequila shots is easy
Radiohead was featured in the July 2005 issue of Alternative Press (AP - Issue #204), in which an AP staff member (Randee Dawn) shares the experiences he had with the band nearly a decade ago.
AP magazine claims to be one of the first American magazines to feature Radiohead on the front cover. He joined the band on the road for 5 days, and even taught Thom a thing or two at a bar after their show at the Black Cat (Washington, DC) on 'how to take tequila shots properly' - "Lick, shoot, suck".
The band loved his piece so much that they gave him a Gold Record of The Bends with his name engraved on it 'for a job well done'. [thanks Lina]
[ Posted by adriaan
at 08:50 PM,
July 07, 2005]
Radiohead.org moved to Radiohead servers
Radiohead.org is now added to the Radiohead servers. The Radiohead.org url, once used for a Greek fansite, now has the offcial site's frontpage and links further on to the official site: Radiohead.com
More official website stuff: Stanley Donwood has updated his website with now all 8 chapters of his book 'My Giro' online. Download the PDF's and.... well do whatever you want with it.
[ Posted by adriaan
at 08:27 PM,
July 03, 2005]
Radiohead on MTV Netherlands tonight
MTV in the Netherlands will broadcast a Radiohead show tonight at midnight. Leaves me to tell you that the show is called 'Midnight Live - Radiohead'. I can't think of a more appropriate title. As always... no clue which show will be broadcast. So here's to surprises. [thanks Therese]
[ Posted by adriaan
at 08:10 PM,
July 03, 2005]
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