MP3.com News Breakers: Britney & Justin, GNR, Pussycats, P.O.D., Bass
Timbaland wants Timberlake's help to revive Spears' career; fan site shuts down; reality show debuts; band signs with Columbia; NSYNCer to write book.
Timbaland wants to revive Britney's career
He helped Justin Timberlake bring sexy back, and now Timbaland wants Timberlake to help him bring Britney Spears back, provided she emerges from rehab healthy and serious about a comeback. The in-demand producer, set to release his solo album Shock Value, told Entertainment Weekly this week that he is "the type of person who tries to save the world."
"I feel her pain, it really bothers me," Timbaland, 34, told the mag. "I just want to take her away, go overseas, and work [it] out." Timbaland said he invited Timberlake, whose smash hit Futuresex/Louvesounds album he coproduced and who he called his "best friend," to be part of the Spears' comeback effort. "I asked Justin, 'How would you feel about me working with Britney?' I had to ask him that," Timbaland said. "I said, 'Would you do it with me?'" The 26-year-old "SexyBack" singer said he would, according to Timbaland, who notes: "She's just gotta be serious." "I just want to hold her hand," Timbaland continued. "I want her to be in my camp, to be around Justin. I need Justin to talk to her. Help her, please!"
GNR fan site shuts down in protest
For the past 13 years, through countless delays and missteps Axl Rose has made in trying to release Guns N Roses' long-delayed album Chinese Democracy, the band's legions of fans have largely stuck by Rose and his band of replacements. That support is beginning to seriously crack, however, as a popular GNR Italian fan site has shut down in protest of the recent passage of the tentative March 6 release date without a release.
The site's administrators issued a statement explaining their displeasure: "The never-ending risible saga of Chinese Democracy lack of respect, clearness and mutual loyalty are just some of the reasons that has brought us down to this painful conclusion...we just can't afford the waste our heads on a project that has never even taken us into consideration. We still want to believe in Axl Rose and his record and we greatly wish that Chinese Democracy would see the light of day before February 2008. If that will be the case we will make our best effort to re-open the site otherwise our domains will be lost and that will be the end of it."
Pussycat Dolls reality shows debuts
Bored at the dearth of sexy reality shows on your television set? CW has a show for you. The Search for the Next Pussycat Doll, an eight-episode reality series that seeks to--that's right--find an aspiring singer-dancer to join the burlesque troupe turned musical group. The show follows the travails of nine final contestants who will learn dance routines with male partners, be taught how to dress sexy, and be put through their vocal paces. The winner is chosen by the show's three judges.
P.O.D. signs with Columbia
Christian hard rock band P.O.D. has signed with INO/Columbia Records, the labels said this week. The band is set to release its first album for the label in late summer 2007. The record will feature the band's "classic" lineup of Sonny (vocals), Wuv (drums), Traa (bass), and returning member Marcos (guitar). "P.O.D. is an exciting and an important band with an expansive musical vision and a powerful message for our times," Columbia Records chairman Steve Barnett said in a statement. "It is a great pleasure to welcome them to Columbia Records."
Lance Bass to write memoir
Justin Timberlake has some mighty long coattails. His former NSYNC bandmate Lance Bass, whose announcement last July that he was gay drew a slew of media attention, is set to write a tell-all autobiography, titled Out of Sync. Bass' publisher, Simon Spotlight Entertainment, said the book will be, "all about his life, his music, and his sexuality." Bass has also been noteworthy for his interest in space travel, as the former boy band singer has tried unsuccessfully to take a trip to space through NASA. We hear they may have a few new openings.
