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U2 donates to music schools; New Order bassist slams reunion; Ex-Oasis Noel …
Posted by admin on Sep 10, 2011 in News & Rumors | Comments Off
MANILA, Philippines — U2 is giving back millions to music.
The Irish superband is donating five million euros to fund music schools and education to Irish children. The donation will given on a phased basis on through til 2015, and will be mainly usedto acquire musical instruments and as salaries for music teachers.
U2’s donation comes after major cuts in the Irish education budget was declared as part of the Irish government’s effort at an economic bailout. The band’s donation was programmed so that by the end of its five-year phased term, the government can take over the funding of the program.
“While we have a very rich musical culture and heritage, access to music education is like a geographic lottery – it depends on where you live and if your parents can afford it,” said Rosaleen Molloy, director of Music Generation, a unit funded by U2 and international charitable network Ireland Funds.
“There is an assumption that music is being provided in mainstream schools, when the reality is it is not – U2 had been looking for some time for a way to invest and support access to music education in Ireland (as a way) to give something back,” Molloy added.
The band also donated an additional two million euros ($2.9 million) that will be given to Ireland Funds, another charitable group supported by people of Irish ancestry around the globe.
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Synth driven, New Wave band and alternative rock pioneers New Order is reforming but their original bassist is not happy about it.
While fans welcomed the news that New Order is scheduled to play two benefit shows this year with original members Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris and Gillian Gilbert, bassist Peter Hook has expressed dismay that his bandmates have reformed without him.
The bassist said he wished that his former bandmates had consulted him about the reunion and in a statement, Hook said that, “I first heard about this on Monday and it has taken me completely by surprise! Everyone knows that New Order without Peter Hook is like Queen without Freddie Mercury, U2 without The Edge, Sooty without Sweep!”
Hook said that he “does not understand the decision” his former bandmates have taken, and that he was dismayed that he was not approached about the reunion. He added that “it would have been courteous and professional to have spoken to me in advance of the announcements. It is very sad.”
Peter Hook left the band back in 2007 following the release of the album “Waiting for the Siren’s Call.”
The newly reformed New Order will play Brussels Ancienne Belgigue and Paris La Bataclam on Oct. 17 and 18 respectively and proceeds will go to help out the medical expenses of the group’s friend Michael Shamberg. The band’s hits include “Bizaare Love Triangle,” “Blue Monday,” and “Thieves Like Us” among others.
In the meantime Peter Hook is set to play in the US to perform the Joy Division albums “Closer” and “Unknown Pleasures” in its entirety and will feature guest Moby singing on a few songs.
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Ex-Oasis songwriter, singer and guitarist Noel Gallagher has called the work of classical playwright William Shakespeare, “f***ing gibberish.”
Recalling a time when he saw actor Jude Law in a production of “Hamlet,” the “Wonderwall” songwriter said that there “wasn’t one single minute that I know what’s going on” while he sat watching the four hour production. “I was thinking ‘I know they’re speaking English but it’s all f***ing gibberish’” said the Gallagher, who added that “I can appreciate the action and the way they learned all the lines but, what the (expletive) was going on?”
Noel Gallagher will be releasing his solo debut album titled “Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds” on Oct. 17. In the meantime, the singer-songwriter-guitarist will put out a new single this Sept. 11 called “AKA…What A Life!” The new song comes with a B-side titled “Let The Lord Shine A Light On Me.” These songs along his previous solo singles “The Death Of You And Me” and “If I Had A Gun” will all be included on his upcoming solo set which features some tracks written during his time with Oasis. The album will be released through his own label Sour Mash Records.
