The Future Of Pop?

Essex rock band Koopa could become the first unsigned group to land a UK top 40 hit thanks to new chart rules.

The bulk of Koopa’s followers are teenagers who are buying the single using a mobile phone rather than an online store, Mr Raymond believes. It costs £1.50 to send a text message and receive a code to download the song on a computer. “The average 16-year-old doesn’t have a credit card but they’ve got a mobile phone,” the manager explains.

Who needs a record deal anymore?

The Case Of The Zombie Chickens

Oh what a world we live in:

When Jim Stauffer of Petaluma saw a chicken crawling out of a mound of compost like the living dead, he knew something had changed at the egg farm next door. “We called them zombie chickens,” Stauffer said. “Some of them crawled right up out of the ground. They’d get out and stagger around.”

The Boys From Paraguay

Is the Bush administration preparing an escape to Paraguay? Say what Barry? The Cuban news service reports that George W. Bush has purchased 98,840 acres in Paraguay, near the Bolivian/Brazilian border.

Wonkette (via):

Now, Prensa Latina is a Cuban-government operation that is not exactly friendly toward Washington, what with Washington trying to kill Castro for 50 years and all. But Prensa Latina didn’t invent the story. It’s all over the South American press — and not just Venezuela and Bolivia. Here’s a version from Brazil. Here’s one from Argentina. And here’s one from Paraguay itself.

… and:

Here’s a fun question for Tony Snow: Why might the president and his family need a 98.840-acre ranch in Paraguay protected by a semi-secret U.S. military base manned by American troops who have been exempted from war-crimes prosecution by the Paraguyan government?

Habeas Corpus, anyone?

The World League Of Despots Newest Member

In his capacity as secretary of the World League of Despots, Terry Jones welcomes George Bush to the ranks of despots.

I cannot, however, disguise the fact that we adjudicators were extremely anxious when you announced your intention to remove from office one of our most stalwart members, Mr Saddam Hussein. However, we need not have worried. According to a recent UN report, you have ensured that there are now even more human rights abuses in Iraq than there were under Saddam. No less than 10% of those in custody are being physically or psychologically abused. Well done!

Congratulations on a job well done indeed!

A Proper Reaction

In the comments of the previous post, Balint says:

What if ALL the FZ-tribute pages would accept a kind of “statement” or something, and all would present in their homepages at the same time? Telling what we think about it, what we suggest/ask for, and why. It could be called “We’re Only In It For The Music”

While I like the idea, I’m not sure how many FZ-tribute pages would actually agree. So for starters: who of you out there with a FZ-fanpage are reading this — and what do you think about the idea? Second: we’d need a clear, well-written text that explains our position in a restrained, respectful manner. My English is “okay”, but for this kind of copy we’d need some collaboration I guess. Third: do you think it’ll make a difference?

Thoughts?

Chrome Dinette To Be Shut Down?

John Healy, curator of the wonderful Chrome Dinette has apparently received a cease & desist letter, courtesy of the ZFT’s lawyers.

We are hereby formally advising you that you must immediately disable the above-referenced website and cease and desist any and all further unauthorized use of the materials referenced herein or any materials owned by The Zappa Family Trust. Our client will consider every available remedy including injunctions and recovery of attorney’s fees, costs and any and all other damages which are incurred by our client as a result of any action that is commenced against you.

Ouch…