Lord_of_the_Dense

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush (news - web sites) endorsed a constitutional amendment on Tuesday that would ban gay marriage as he seized the initiative in a contentious issue that could energize his conservative base for the November election. In making the announcement in the White House Roosevelt Room, Bush expressed alarm at events in San Francisco, where marriage licenses have been issued to gays and lesbians, and in Massachusetts, where the state's highest court ruled gay couples have the right to wed. "If we are to prevent the meaning of marriage from being changed forever, our nation must enact a constitutional amendment to protect marriage in America," Bush said. His hastily arranged appearance came a day after he halted his above-the-fray position in his re-election campaign and opened an attack on Democrat John Kerry (news - web sites), who is running to challenge Bush in the general election. "Today I call upon the Congress to promptly pass and to send to the states for ratification an amendment to our Constitution defining and protecting marriage as a union of a man and woman, as husband and wife. But Bush left the door open to states to provide homosexual civil unions and other legal arrangements for the gay community. "The amendment should fully protect marriage while leaving the state legislatures free to make their own choices in defining legal arrangements other than marriage," Bush said. OTHER LEGAL ARRANGEMENTS Elaborating on this theme, White House spokesman Scott McClellan said "states have a right to enter into their own legal arrangements, certainly hospital visitation rights, insurance benefits and civil unions." The Republican president did not endorse specific legislation as the vehicle for the amendment but the White House said Bush approved of the broad principles offered by Colorado Republican Rep. Marilyn Musgrave. Her proposed amendment says "marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman." Same-sex marriage has become a hot-button issue in this presidential election year, with opponents saying it would destroy the institution of marriage. Proponents say gays should have the same rights as others to marry and that an amendment would enshrine discrimination in the Constitution. Amending the U.S. Constitution is a difficult task. It can take years to win the support of two-thirds of the House of Representatives, two-thirds of the Senate and ratification by three-quarters of the 50 U.S. states. However, Democrats expect conservatives to push the gay marriage issue intensely in an election year in which jobs, health care and the economy are on voters' minds. Recent polls show the issue could be a winner for Bush, who has long courted Christian conservatives as a key element of his political base. "He has always strongly believed that marriage is a sacred institution between a man and a woman," McClellan said. "This is a principled decision." Kerry, a Massachusetts native himself, says he favors civil unions for gays but not the court's marriage ruling. He also says his position is the same as that of Bush's Vice President, Dick Cheney (news - web sites), one of whose daughters is openly gay. Source

psychofun

Welcome to BeatKing! psychofun

Welcome to BeatKing! psychofun

Welcome to Beat thumpin' King! psychofun

SIMMONS RECORDS/Sanctuary Music Group Set for Their Debut Release of Gene Simmons' New Solo Album Entitled ***HOLE on April 20 NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 23, 2004--SIMMONS RECORDS/Sanctuary Music Group is pleased to announce the release of the highly anticipated solo album from GENE SIMMONS entitled, ***HOLE, on April 20. The title track, "***hole," will be the first single released to rock radio on 4/15. This release will mark the second solo album from the "God Of Thunder" since his self-titled platinum solo album in 1978. GENE SIMMONS, founding member of KISS, America's No.1 Gold Record Champions Of All Time (RIAA - Group Category),has rock and rolled all night and partied every day for over 30 years and is nowhere near hanging up his platform boots. The band recently proudly released its KISS SYMPHONY - ALIVE IV on the KISS Records/Sanctuary Music Group imprint. The DVD debuted at No.1. KISS has broken box office attendance records set by Elvis Presley and the Beatles and is the juggernaut of the licensing merchandising world, with over 2,000 KISS toys and games -- from KISS Visa Cards, KISS comic books and KISS Caskets!!! Not one to rest on his laurels, the next GENE SIMMONS epoch continues, stronger than ever. Produced by SIMMONS, this forward thinking, genre splitting effort, is an ambitious musical tour-de force through SIMMONS' psyche, revealing yet another side to the multi-talented artist. "Doing a solo record is important because I write so many different kinds of songs. I literally have hundreds of songs that are demoed up that aren't right for KISS, and some songs that weren't used on KISS records I still like, like 'Carnival Of Souls' and 'Sweet & Dirty.' In assembling the album, I went and reviewed over a hundred songs that I had lying around, and then it was by process of elimination I determined what would go on the record. But at the end of the day, above and beyond style, I had to like the songs." stated SIMMONS. Like his 1978 self-titled solo album, ***HOLE is a model of versatility, drawing together an eclectic swath of styles including hard rock, blues, thrash, neo-psychedelia, Beatlesque pop, rap, prog-rock and even power ballads. "My taste is eclectic and all over the place. I love all kinds of artists, from Patsy Cline to the Beatles, Motown to Hoobastank. As for the record's stylistic diversity, I'm a child of The Beatles. They created this sort of hybrid white version of American music. They could do it all-- Little Richard, country, pop, soul, psychedelia. They had no rules. That had a major effect on me and that influence comes through on the record." SIMMONS said. Transcending genres and confounding expectations, ***HOLE resounds with a surprise at every turn. Like the artist's self-titled solo effort, a number of musical luminaries join in on the fun. BOB DYLAN and GENE co-wrote the album's "Waiting For The Morning Light." FRANK ZAPPA and GENE share co-writing credit on "Black Tongue" and the ZAPPA Family, DWEEZIL, AHMET, MOON, GAIL and FRANK ZAPPA himself sing and play guitar on the song . Other guests featured on the album include DAVE NAVARRO, ex-KISS members BRUCE KULICK and ERIC SINGER, new SIMMONS RECORDS/Sanctuary Music Group signing BAG, as well as GENE's longtime live in SHANNON TWEED and their two children, SOPHIE and NICHOLAS. Track listing is as follows (order subject to change): 1. ***hole 2. Carnival of Souls 3. If I Had A Gun 4. Weapons 5. Waiting For The Morning Light 6. Whatever Turns You On 7. Sweet & Dirty Love 8. Beautiful 9. Dog 10. Now That You're Gone 11. Black Tongue 12. I Dream A Thousand Dreams 13. Firestarter Drawing together over three decades of record making, ***HOLE is a grand, and swaggering portrait of SIMMONS in the 21st Century, a brave musical statement from a man unafraid of pushing the envelope and exploring new boundaries. Source

Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers' Universal Music Catalog Goes Digital For Major Download Campaign 99 Recordings Now Available; Catalog Spans Nine Complete Albums, Including New Diamond Award Winner GREATEST HITS, And More SANTA MONICA, Calif., Feb. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Fans of artist-approved digital downloads are about to claim a new hero -- Tom Petty. Even as Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers continue to sell major numbers of albums the old-fashioned way -- 1993's TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS: GREATEST HITS was recently honored as one of the best-selling albums in history when it received the Diamond Award by the RIAA for sales of 10,000,000 units -- they are now earning new and younger fans by making much of their catalog available for digital downloads. The Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) Petty catalog is now available for digital downloading in the most significant and comprehensive artist-specific campaign of its kind for UMe. The catalog encompasses 99 different recordings spanning his career from 1976 to 1993 and heard on nine complete albums, including GREATEST HITS, plus other tracks. The first day the catalog was available cyber-wide, January 27, GREATEST HITS debuted as the #4 Most Downloaded Album on iTunes. On March 2nd, Universal Music and Video Distribution will partner with Petty's current record label, Warner Bros., in a unique cross-promotion to increase consumer awareness of the catalog's digital availability. On that date, Warner Bros. will debut two previously unreleased live tracks by the band on Apple's iTunes site, helping to drive fans to the site's Petty catalog. Said Bruce Resnikoff, President, UMe: "Having an artist of the stature of Tom Petty committing their catalog to this digital distribution business that is just getting off the ground says a great deal about his foresight. Along with UMe, he is embracing a new digital generation and taking a leading role in putting the music fan first." The digital partners with UMe are Apple iTunes, BuyMusic.com, FullAudio, Liquid Audio (via music retail sites WalMart.com, Tower.com, FYE.com, etc.), Musicmatch, Rhapsody, and Napster (which launched the effort with a two-week exclusive in late January). The tracks are available for download individually, in bundles or by complete album. Petty has 11 albums in his UMe catalog; the only album not available intact 2000 two-CD ANTHOLOGY: THROUGH THE YEARS and the 1995 box set Playback is not available for purchase online. Along with GREATEST HITS, the available complete albums are the double platinum DAMN THE TORPEDOES (1979), platinum HARD PROMISES (1981), gold LONG AFTER DARK (1982), platinum SOUTHERN ACCENTS (1985), live PACK UP THE PLANTATION (1986), gold LET ME UP (I've Had Enough) (1987), five times platinum FULL MOON FEVER (1989) and double platinum INTO THE GREAT WIDE OPEN (1991). Just a few of the major hits on those albums are "Breakdown," "American Girl," "Don't Do Me Like That," "Refugee," "The Waiting," "Don't Come Around Here No More," "I Won't Back Down," "Runnin' Down A Dream," "Free Fallin'" and "Mary Jane's Last Dance." Also included are six ANTHOLOGY tracks not available on any of the complete albums offered. The scope of the campaign is unprecedented for UMe. The consumer awareness tools on the digital sites include Petty radio stations, feature pages (with exclusives, live video footage and more), listening parties, playlists, contests and e-mail blasts. Online grassroots marketing involves tompetty.com, an e-card, chat rooms and messaging, and viral marketing (including a MediaPlayer distributed to fan sites). Offline marketing entails print (consumer magazines, circulars, box stuffers), radio, in-store (posters, bin cards, window signage) and street marketing, particularly on college campuses and at concerts and lifestyle accounts. Tom's Warner Brothers catalogue has been available online since last year. The catalogue includes the Gone Gator release Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (1976) and Your Gonna Get It (1978). Also available are Wildflowers (1994), She's The One (1996), Echo (1999) and The Last DJ (2002). Individual songs from these albums include "American Girl", "Breakdown", "I Need To Know", "Listen to Her Heart", "You Don't Know How It Feels", "You Wreck Me", "Walls", "Free Girl Now" and "The Last DJ." Source

Happy Birthday D.A.I.C.! dancin' psychofun

Welcome to BeatKing, napho! psychofun

Welcome to BeatKing! psychofun

Sorry method. I take advantage of this stuff while at work on my T-1. ;) psychofun

Well paladin, you got a good profile going for you. I dig the Family Guy sig. A while back I got the entire series on DVD. I also dig RATM and other metal & rock. As far as jamming, we're on separate coasts. And I have yet to get the drum kit that I need to be the aspiring drummer that I'd like to be. But who who knows? Maybe everything will fall in to place someday. Dreams: ( thumpin' ) psychofun

Well paladin, you got a good profile going for you. I dig the Family Guy sig. A while back I got the entire series on DVD. I also dig RATM and other metal & rock. As far as jammin', we're on separate coasts. And I have yet to get the drum kit that I need to be the aspiring drummer that I'd like to be. But who who knows? Maybe everything will fall in to place someday. Dreams: ( thumpin' ) psychofun

You'll need volume on this..just not too loud if you value your speakers. Drum Machine psychofun

Cool deal. Yeah, there will be much sorrow when Ozzy finally passes from the world. psychofun

I hope this is just for kicks.

I'm going with LOTR. It's my only choice for this (last) year. psychofun

'American Idol' Hopeful Receives Surprise Recording and Music Video Contract While Performing at University Volleyball Game Halftime NEW YORK, Feb. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Last night, Fuse music network surprised onetime "American Idol" wannabe William Hung with the offer of a lifetime -- a record contract and music video production deal with Koch Entertainment, the largest independent record company in the country. Most famously remembered for his charmingly stilted, off-key, and ultimately failed rendition of Ricky Martin's "She Bangs" at the Fox "American Idol" season auditions, the Hong Kong-born UC Berkeley civil engineering student has become an overnight pop culture phenomenon. "As the underdog music video network, Fuse instantly identified with William's drive to do his best and 'have no regrets at all,'" said Marc Juris, president of Fuse. "Everyone one of us is joyfully guilty of singing our favorite song at the top of our lungs with wild abandon, all the while completely off-key and uninhibited. That's what William did and instantly won the hearts of America. Fuse reached out to our friends at Koch who will help make his dream of becoming a recording artist come true!" Hung performed his now famous rendition of "She Bangs" during halftime at a UC Berkeley men's volleyball game on Wednesday night. At the end of his halftime performance, Fuse VJ Marianela Pereyra, Fuse President Marc Juris and Koch Entertainment Executive Vice President Allan Grunblatt surprised him with the offer for a recording deal with Koch entertainment, a music video for his first single to air on Fuse television and a check for $25,000 should William decide to accept the offer. About Fuse Fuse, a network of Rainbow Media Holdings LLC, is the nation's only all- music, viewer-influenced television network, featuring music videos, exclusive artist interviews, live concerts and specials -- all rooted in the music experience. Fuse reflects the rapidly changing interests and attitudes of its 12-34 year-old audience by uniting the media platforms that are at the center of their communication and entertainment -- TV, online, and interactive games -- and by incorporating their opinions and suggestions into its on-air and online programming. More information about Fuse is available at www.fuse.tv. Source

HAWTHORNE, Calif. - Landmark status could be given to the site where Beach Boys brothers Brian, Carl and Dennis Wilson (news) grew up to proselytize California surf, sun and cars. The Wilsons grew up in a house at 3701 W. 119th St., which was demolished in the mid-1980s to make way for the Century (105) Freeway. The landmark status application for the site, now occupied by a freeway wall, was submitted by Harry Jarnagan, 50, of Tracy. Jarnagan argued in the 84-page application that the site was deserving because the Beach Boys "broadcast to the world an image of California as a dreamlike place of sun, sand, surfing, hot rods and romance, contributing to a specific migration to this state during the 1960s." Baby boomers grew up on Beach Boys tunes like "Surfer Girl," "Surfin' Safari," "Little Deuce Coupe," Good Vibrations," "California Girls," "Help Me Rhonda" and "Be True to Your School." Beach Boys fans could learn as early as this spring whether historical landmark status will be granted. The California Historical Resources Commission might consider the request during its April meeting, said Cynthia Howse of the Office of Historic Preservation, the state agency that forwards applications to the commission. Applications are judged on whether they have statewide significance, Howse said. The absence of a structure at the Hawthorne site doesn't weigh against the application, she said. If Jarnagan's application is approved, the former Wilson home site will be identified by a standard, cream-colored California State Landmark sign with the state's bear logo. Jarnagan's application included maps, historical information on the site and the band, and letters of endorsement from state Librarian Kevin Starr, music icon Dick Clark, the president of the Beach Boys fan club, the city of Hawthorne, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Rep. Maxine Waters, state Sen. Ed Vincent and Assemblyman Jerome Horton, among others. Source

LOS ANGELES - A travel agent sued Michael Jackson (news) on Wednesday, claiming the pop star failed to pay her $18,000 for the infamous charter jet flight that brought him from Las Vegas to Santa Barbara where he surrendered to authorities on child molestation charges. The lawsuit adds to the litigation swirling around the flight. Jackson's defense team is suing the jet's owner, alleging that cameras were covertly installed on the aircraft, and that Jackson and his lead lawyer were secretly videotaped during the flight. Cynthia Montgomery, who has handled Jackson's travel arrangements for three years, said in her lawsuit that their practice was for her to pay for charter air travel in advance and be reimbursed by Jackson. The lawsuit seeks $50,000 in damages stemming from the alleged failure to pay for use of the jet, which was chartered from XtraJet of suburban Santa Monica. Montgomery's lawyer, Robert T. Moore II, said he has been trying to negotiate payment with Jackson's attorneys but has gotten nowhere. "They told us in so many words that we're not going to get paid," Moore said. He said Montgomery had to pay for the plane up front because "Michael Jackson is kind of a slow pay and XtraJet would not deliver the jet without payment up front." Jackson's attorney, Mark Geragos, and his brother, lawyer Matthew Geragos — who has been negotiating with Moore — did not immediately return phone calls seeking comment Wednesday. The Nov. 20 flight from Nevada to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport created earlier controversy when it was discovered that someone had secretly videotaped Jackson and Mark Geragos during the flight. In a lawsuit filed in November against XtraJet, Geragos claimed that the charter company covertly installed two cameras in the plane's cabin. Jackson's attorneys won a temporary restraining order against XtraJet, barring any release of the tapes. Source

LONDON - An English town where the late Rolling Stones guitarist Brian Jones (news) was born has dropped a plan to name a street after him because of opposition from upscale homeowners. A street named Brian Jones Close was to be part of a new development of 70 homes in an area of Cheltenham. But housing developer Bryant Homes applied for the name to be changed in November, following objections from residents and prospective buyers of the properties, which cost as much as $637,000. On Tuesday night, the Cheltenham Borough Council voted unanimously that change the proposed name. Jones, who drowned in 1969 at 27, was born and is buried in Cheltenham. "Some members of the cabinet thought it was a shame to change the name from Brian Jones but recognized that they must listen to the residents," said Jane Grunner, assistant director of policy and public relations at the council. When Bryant Homes first objected to the name, Rolling Stones fans described it as a "slap in the face." Nigel Jones, chairman of the local Brian Jones Fan Club and the town's House of Commons legislator, said he'd received many e-mails from people who were excited by the prospect of having a street named after the musician. Source

CASPER, Wyo. - A white supremacist group has circulated fliers questioning a scheduled rap concert, saying the music promotes violence. The flier, circulated by the local chapter of National Alliance, targets this weekend's performance at the Casper Events Center of rappers Ludacris and Chingy and criticizes efforts by Casper city officials to promote diversity. The flier also denounces the recent appearance of rapper Mystikal, who was sentenced last month to a six-year prison term for committing sexual battery on his hair stylist. Mystikal, whose legal name is Michael Tyler, was the featured artist at the Dec. 6 Rap Fest 2003. The flier states: "Over a month ago, the city welcomed the rapist rapper Mystikal. Now the city is throwing out the red carpet to welcome yet another black rapper. Why are we allowing this violent diversity to be forced into our city." About 2,500 fliers were distributed in Natrona County, said National Alliance Membership Coordinator David Pringle, who's based in Alaska. Pringle's group despises all rappers — even if they're white — because they promote a "criminal culture," he said. The flier also criticizes the city of Casper for promoting diversity, singling out Casper Vice Mayor Guy Padgett. The mayor said blaming a whole group for one person's crimes is outrageous. One of the fliers was left on the porch of Joseph VanLandingham, a black Evansville resident. He said he returned home Saturday evening and tripped over the flier, which was anchored by a sandbag. "I've been living in Evansville for two years now and this is the first time I've ever had a problem, and this is the first time I've ever heard of the National Alliance," VanLandingham said. "If it's a scare tactic, it's not working. I've dealt with this my whole life." Source

Sorry, RD. That was Limp Bizkit on their latest album, last year's Results May Vary. It sounded good to me, but I don't believe I've heard the original. Aside form that, I don't care much for The Who. I don't think I enjoy a single song of theirs (that they sing). I think I have trouble with Chingy. I think anyone who knows him will know the song I'm referencing. But then again, I have trouble with most rap. psychofun

I will have to research my collection for this one. Saying that, there must not be anything that stands out. But I forget what I have sometimes. ^_^ I would have to say that The Last Action Hero is one that stands out. Yes, basically, the movie blew big chunks, but the sountrack is quite good. It wasn't, however, enough to save the movie. From the album, I actually made a video to Megadeth's "Angry Again" using a Commodore 64. I has flashy colors and the lyrics. It was all timed to the music (which you would have to start separately). I would so much love to retrieve it. It's on a large (5¼) floppy. But I haven't found another C64 to play it. psychofun

I just heard it yesterday on KNAC. It brought back memories for me also. It was, I think, one of the first 5 or 10 CDs I owned (I started late, but made up for it ;) ). It was in my early-military, pre-marriage days. Still a great album along with the exceptional follow-up, Slave to the Grind. psychofun