by BBG

DOWNLOAD: Twin Stumps - "Child Republic" Live at WFMU (MP3, via)

Mike Yaniro, in happier times

As you all may or may not know, a dear friend of mine named Michael Yaniro was a victim of violent robbery in the Ridgewood area of Queens (NYC). He was savagely beaten beyond recognition, and now he's got a long road ahead of him with many surgeries. To add insult to his injuries, he has no medical insurance!

A brief description of his injuries: His right eye socket needs surgery as there is a bone protruding into it... so it needs to be repaired to restore his ability to move the eye. (He has had this surgery, and will need more work in the future). He has a fractured jaw and nose which will require surgery to repair, as well as multiple broken bones in his face. Pieces of titanium metal is to be inserted in his face to support the bones.

His girlfriend Abby is trying to get him Emergency Medicaid, but that is really tough to get approved, and its doubtful whether or not it will be rewarded. That is why this fundraiser was started. Its not registered as non-profit organization (so if you're looking for a tax break, this is not the time and place for it), but as a way to possibly raise a little money to help him through his crisis. [Julie Finley]

Twin Stumps recently released a new killer LP on Dais Records. It's what turned me on to the damaged, caustic noise rock (in a Clockcleaner, Drunkdriver, Brainbombs sense) band. Soon after, their bassist Mike Yaniro was viciously attacked. Since then a groundswell of support from the underground has surfaced, including a few benefit shows. The latest show is scheduled for Dec 4th (Friday) at Death By Audio, where Pink Reason, Sightings, York Factory Complaint (featuring Genesis P-orridge), and White Suns are all on the bill.

If you can't make it on Friday, head to the Mike Yaniro site to see how you can help, or pick up a copy of the Twin Stumps LP (recommended!) here. Get back to rockin soon!

Pink Reason and White Suns tour dates, the show flyer, and a ton of videos are below...

Continue reading "help Michael Yaniro of Twin Stumps recover from attack - benefit show Friday (Pink Reason, Sightings, more)"

Michael Jackson's planned 50-show run at the O2 Arena in London would have been the highest-grossing single concert engagement. Now it's a major problem for the promoter AEG Live.

More than $85 million worth of tickets have already been sold for the series of performances, which have the now sadly ironic title "This Is It." As much as $30 million has already been spent on production, according to sources close to the situation. So what's at stake for AEG, the world's second-largest concert promoter, can't be overstated.

Concert business executives have estimated that AEG paid Jackson an advance of as much as $10 million. That, plus the production costs, would mean AEG stands to lose as much as $40 million if nonappearance insurance isn't substantial enough to cover this contingency. For AEG, "it's either horrible or really horrible," a concert business executive says....

...AEG Live CEO Randy Phillips told Billboard May 12 that his company was well-insured. "We have one policy in place and we're negotiating for an even larger binder," said Phillips, who couldn't immediately be reached for comment regarding Jackson's death. "We have insured the production costs. In order to get the first part of the insurance in place, [Jackson] had to have a physical, and he passed it with flying colors." AEG CEO Tim Leiweke made similar comments in March at the Billboard Music & Money Symposium... [Billboard]

PREVIOUSLY: Michael Jackson fans gathering outside Apollo Theater

Jermaine Jackson (who Fox News called Randy) just spoke to news reporters. That Fox News video below...

Continue reading "'Fortune At Stake On Michael Jackson London Concerts'"