SEBASTIAN BACH BECOMES LADY GAGA ON “SING YOUR FACE OFF”
LOS ANGELES (AP) — If Sebastian Bach could turn into Lady Gaga and they put it on TV, would you watch it? You’ll get your chance this summer. ABC is airing a music competition called “Sing Your Face Off.” Bach, actor Jon Lovitz, Landry Fields of the Toronto Raptors, actress Lisa Rinna and 15-year-old Disney Channel actress China Anne McClain each will take on the identity of a musician each week. They will be made up to look like that person, trained to sing the same way and even will take on their mannerisms. In the first two shows, Bach will become Adam Levine and Lady Gaga. Lovitz will transform into Elton John and Pavarotti. Fields will become Lionel Richie and Pitbull. Rinna will take on Dolly Parton and Britney Spears, and McClain will become Rihanna and Tina Turner. Debbie Gibson and Darrell Hammond will be primary judges. “Sing Your Face Off” launches May 31.
GERARD WAY GOES SOLO
UNDATED (AP) — Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance will continue as a solo act. He writes on his Web site he has signed a solo deal with Warner Brothers Records. His album is nearly finished but he did not announce a release date. He says he will also continue doing comics and art.
LORDE, IMAGINE DRAGONS AMONG MUCH MUSIC AWARD NOMINEES
TORONTO (AP) — Imagine Dragons and Lorde are getting some love north of the border. The Canadian site Much Music has nominated both acts for the 2013 Much Music Video Awards. Each has 12 nominations — and will perform at the show, which is set for June 15.
JUDGE RELEASES PHOTOS IN CHRIS BROWN ASSAULT CASE
WASHINGTON (AP) — We’re getting our first look at some of the events surrounding Chris Brown’s arrest in Washington D.C. on a misdemeanor assault charge. A judge in Washington has released five photos prosecutors put into evidence in the trial of Brown’s bodyguard. One image shows Brown posing with two women outside a hotel last year — just before the alleged attack. Another image shows Parker Adams, the man Brown and his bodyguard are accused of punching. His nose appears misshapen and there’s blood flowing from his nose and on his shirt. Two other photos show Brown and bodyguard Christopher Hollosy in custody. Hollosy was convicted and plans to appeal. Brown’s trial is delayed for months because Hollosy is expected to testify for his boss.
THREE ELIMINATED ON “THE VOICE”
LOS ANGELES (AP) — All four coaches on “The Voice” have at least one contestant in the top five. Team Adam is the only one with two. Christina Grimmie was voted into the top five, and Kat Perkins earned the instant save yet again. Delvin Choice was eliminated. Usher still has Josh Kaufman, and Shakira has Kristen Merlin. Blake Shelton’s team took a hit, because he went from three to one. Jake Worthington stays, but Sisaundra Lewis and Audra McLaughlin are out.
JACK WHITE PRODUCES AN “ULTRA LP” VERSION OF “LAZARETTO”
NASHVILLE (AP) — Jack White is putting out a vinyl version of his “Lazaretto” album that’s unlike any LP you’ve seen. Side A plays from the inside out, and the dead wax area contains a hologram that moves when played. Two tracks are only on the vinyl version and are hidden beneath the center label. They are played by dropping the needle on the paper. One of the hidden tracks plays at 78 rpm, while the other plays at 45 rpm. Since the rest of the album is at 33 rpm, it’s a three-speed record. The song “Just One Drink” has either an electric or an acoustic intro, depending where you drop the needle, but the grooves meet for the rest of the song. Both side A and side B end with locked grooves that repeat, like The Beatles did on the “Sgt. Pepper” album. One side of the album is shiny and the other side is matte. Too much to fathom? Watch White demonstrate it at www.JackWhiteiii.com . “Lazaretto” comes out June 10.
BRANDON BOYD LEARNS TO SING
LOS ANGELES (AP) — You’d think after 22 years in Incubus, Brandon Boyd would know how to sing. Boyd says he thought there might be more that he could do with his voice, so within the past year he started taking singing lessons. Before this, he took two lessons when he was 15 and that was it. Boyd says it’s been “wildly educational” and he likes the idea of tricking his brain into learning new things. Boyd will show off his singing chops when he plays Judas Iscariot in the touring production of “Jesus Christ Superstar” this summer.
QUEENSRYCHE SPELLS OUT MORE OF THE SETTLEMENT WITH GEOFF TATE
UNDATED (AP) — More details are emerging about the settlement between singer Geoff Tate and the rest of Queensryche. The rest of the band say on their Web site they bought Tate’s share of the name and will buy out his share of the Queensryche corporation. Tate will be able to refer to himself as “original lead singer of Queensryche” or “formerly of Queensryche” for only two more years. Tate will be the only one allowed to perform the two “Operation: Mindcrime” albums in their entirety, but the rest of Queensryche may perform songs from them. Queensryche are writing new material to be released in the summer of 2015. Tate is planning a “farewell to Queensryche” tour.
CLAY AIKEN IN TIGHT RACE IN CONGRESSIONAL PRIMARY
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Just like his battle with Ruben Studdard in season two of “American Idol,” Clay Aiken’s battle for a chance to seek a congressional seat in North Carolina is a tight one. Aiken and textile businessman Keith Crisco are in nearly a dead head — with both contestants getting about 40 percent of the vote. Aiken appeared before supporters last night — and while not claiming victory, seemed confident that he would prevail in the general election against Republican incumbent Renee Ellmers. Aiken says his campaign theme going forward would be “Walk Away Renee.”
