HOT: D-List Metallers Thrash Disney
In 2014, Walt Disney Records commissioned EDM artists like Avicii and Kaskade to turn songs from classic Disney movies into club bangers for its “Hey kids, we’re cool!” compilation album, DCONSTRUCTED. Last year, Disney similarly went after certain music fans in Japan with Metal Disney, a collection of Disney songs performed by the “D-Metal Stars” that was recently released in the U.S. The “D” stands for Disney, but it could also refer to the status of the musicians who recorded the album — “A-list” they are not. The band includes the singer and guitarist from the band Obsession (?) and an ex-Obsession drummer whose résumé also includes “occasional Dokken touring member.” Unsurprisingly, the music is cringe-worthy, but I'm sure the kids will LOVE it.
WARM: Prayer Remix
A DJ’s well-intentioned remix played in the Tunisian coastal town of Nabeul caused government officials to shut down the club hosting the party. British DJ Dax J spun a mix that featured the Muslim call to prayer, which is about as acceptable as drawing a cartoon of Muhammad in a Muslim-majority country. The governor of Nabeul told Agence France-Presse that the club’s manager was being detained “for violation against good morals and public outrage against modesty.” Dax J did apologize, but it’s probably a safe bet that Tunisia is off of his tour itinerary for the foreseeable future.
COLD: New Distribution Model?
The New York Times reported on a weird new gig for producer Steve Lillywhite, who has worked with artists like U2 and The Rolling Stones. Lillywhite is the chief executive of a company in Indonesia owned by Kentucky Fried Chicken; the producer’s job is to find music to feature on CDs that are bundled with menu items at Indonesian KFC restaurants. Lillywhite, who told the paper his job is like running a label that “also happens to sell chicken,” is apparently doing well; the company is selling about half-a-million CDs (featuring only Indonesian acts) a month through the KFC deal.
