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Ed O'Brien OK Computer Radiohead The Bends

News for December 19, 1999

Ed’s diary has been updated once again with some wonderful news, especially if you missed the recent “Amateur Nite” webcast. Here is an excerpt:

“i have just had a thought……..still excited by last thursdays live webcast .and thinking about ways it could be developed……i think it could be very cool to play new stuff by unsigned bands, musicians, collectives (ie bands not on major labels – small indie is fine).if any of you are making music, have mates that are or you just think that this music that you are in to deserves to be heard then send it into me at our po box address, which is po box 322, oxford, ox4 1ey. i like all kinds of shit so please don’t just send in guitar band stuff. anything. spread the word. alright that’s enough for now. happy xmas… and a very merry millenium…..”

Jam Music has an article about it here.

Radiohead was was named twice in the 100 Most Compelling Albums of the ’90s list compiled by Nude as the News. OK Computer was honored with #2 while The Bends was #38.

OK, I know this is too late, but the French-German TV channel ARTE aired “Meeting People is Easy” last night. It was edited down to 52 minutes.

They apparently got the names of Radiohead totally wrong: “Oxford-based, Johnny Greenwood, Charlie May, Jerry Chater and Thom Yorke, a.k.a. Radiohead……” “As for Jerry, the bass player, …”)

Phew, it must be the end of the year… Entertainment Weekly recently named Radiohead #8 for Best Group in their online poll. You can see that and the rest in the current Entertainment Weekly which can be found at your local newsstand.

[many thanks to Leen Smet, Tony Raffini, and Xavier for their help with the news!]

Categories
Amnesiac Radiohead

News for December 4, 1999

Ed is on a roll. His diary was updated again with a mention of another new song, “I Will.”

The Sundance Channel is giving away 10 autographed copies of the Meeting People is Easy DVD among other prizes. Go now and good luck!

If any of you subscribe to the Sundance Channel either by cable or satellite, you may be interested to know that Meeting People is Easy will be aired on the following dates and times:

Monday, December 6 – 9:00 PM
Sunday, December 12 6:30 AM & 4:30 PM
Friday, December 17 7:05 AM & 1:15 PM & 7:05 PM
Thursday, December 23 6:25 AM & 1:00 PM
Tuesday, December 28 11:35 AM & 1:00 AM

Categories
OK Computer Radiohead

News for July 28, 1999

Radiohead’s Ok Computer was named as one of Spin Magazine’s 90 Greatest Albums of the ’90s in the most recent issue. Here is the top ten:

1. Nirvana – Nevermind
2. Public Enemy – Fear of a Black Planet
3. PJ Harvey – To Bring You My Love
4. Beck – Odelay
5. Pavement – Slanted and Enchanted
6. Hole – Live Through This
7. Bjork – Post
8. Dr. Dre – The Chronic
9. Radiohead – Ok Computer
10. The Chemical Brothers – Dig Your Own Hole

According to MTV, the re-broadcast of 120 Minutes of Radiohead will “hopefully” air Saturday, August 14, at 11pm Eastern. The special, which originally aired last May, contains a TV version of Radiohead’s film Meeting People is Easy, along with a hour of videos and live performances. Definitely worth checking out. If the date changes, I’ll post it here.

Categories
Ed O'Brien Radiohead Thom Yorke tour

News for July 11, 1999

Much Music will be airing Radiohead’s “Meeting People is Easy” on July 12 at 9pm and midnight ET. It will also air July 13 at 8am ET.

There is a video of the Amnesty International Concert that was held in Paris last December that has recently been released. The video is of good quality but only contains 3 of the 10 songs Radiohead performed. You may purchase the video at Cdnow.

For those of you that would like to see the whole performance, there is a video out now put out by Griftworks. It is really a great video with a Radioheadesque vibe to it. I suggest you check it out.

From the Radiohead Announce List:
Thom (supporting the Jubilee 2000 Drop the Debt campaign on site) and Ed went down to the Glastonbury Festival last weekend to wander around and take in the sunshine and hot weather. Here’s some of the column-filling ‘gossip’ the daily-published Select paper on site decided to write about the band :

Ed O’Brien of Radiohead arrived at Glastonbury with his usual problem – no car pass. With his customary creditable modesty, he refused to approach the festival authorities and say “I’m Ed from Radiohead and we headlined here two years ago so sort me out” and instead secured the requisite documentation by a process of furtive politeness. As always, total respect.

Prize for the most splendid mobile home on site must go to Thom Yorke, whose vast white winnebago – replete with awning – dominates the backstage camping area much like St. Paul’s dominates the City Of London. “I’ve been inside,” said one of his neighbours, “and it’s pretty bloody roomy”

Ed was spotted queueing patiently outside a portaloo with toilet roll in hand. “It’s the one thing you’ve got to be totally open about – going for a dump. It’s the great leveller”

It seems that being billy-no-mates is the thing this year, with both Thom Yorke and Steve Malkmus from Pavement wandering around backstage unfettered by any friends.

Michael Eavis also, speaking after the festival, confirmed it will go ahead next year, and are chasing after Radiohead to headline with Oasis. This of course is subject to the band accepting – they will definitely not do it unless they feel totally confident. There is a possibility that it will be one of the first times that they play stuff from the next LP live (much like they did in 1997). As with all touring and live performances – the band will start thinking about them as soon as the next LP is finished and not before.

Categories
Colin Greenwood Jonny Greenwood Radiohead Stanley Donwood Thom Yorke tour

News for June 26, 1999

Ok, back from vacation… let’s sum up:

In case you haven’t noticed, the official Radiohead website designed by the amazing Stanley Donwood has been updated with a whole new look with lots of irrelevant goodies. Take the day off from work and explore!

Happy Birthday to Colin who turns 30 today! He recently got married also in the U.S. Way to go Colin! Phil has become a father! His wife gave birth to a baby boy. If you would like to write to either Colin or Phil, or any band member for that matter, write to them at:

w.a.s.t.e. products
PO Box 322
Oxford
OX4 1EY
United Kingdom

“Meeting People is Easy” is selling very well in the U.S. Here is the latest Billboard Top Video Sales report:

“Austin Powers,” New Line Home Video
“You’ve Got Mail,” Warner Home Video
“Alien Resurrection,” Fox Video
“Radiohead: Meeting People is Easy,” Capitol Video
“A Bug’s Life,” Walt Disney Home Video

Thom played an amazing acoustic set aided by Jonny at the Tibetan Freedom Concert on June 13 in Amsterdam. They started off with a new song with Thom on piano. The song has no known title and has the lyrics ‘Nothing to fear / Nothing to die for’ in it. If you’ve visited the updated official Radiohead website you may notice that this page has those lyrics. Thom and Jonny also played “Street Spirit”, “Wear it Proudly” (an Elvis Costello cover), “Lucky”, “Karma Police”, and “Exit Music”.

Categories
Radiohead

News for May 30, 1999

Radiohead did well on the weekly charts for the nation’s most popular videos. Here’s the totals as they appear in the June 5, 1999 issue of Billboard magazine.

Top Music Video Sales (Compiled from a national sample of sales reports):

1. Homecoming-Live In Orlando,” Backstreet Boys. Jive/Zomba Video.
2. Meeting People Is Easy,” Radiohead. Capitol Video.
3. So Glad,” Bill & Gloria Gaither. Spring House Video.
4. Live,” Shania Twain. PolyGram Video.
5. N The Mix With ‘N Sync,” ‘N Sync. BMG Video. (Platinum)

The London radio station 104.9 XFM has been running a “Radiohead weekend” this weekend. They have been having contests to win various Radiohead CD’s and all the winners will be entered into a contest to see Thom play his solo set at the Tibetan Freedom Concert in Amsterdam next month. For those of you outside of London, you can listen via Real Audio by going to http://XFM.co.uk/WebObjects/Capital/ListenLiveNow/RAMFiles/XFM.ram.
The Radiohead documentary “Meeting People is Easy” is available everywhere now on video and DVD.