MUSIC NATION

20 years ago today Belinda Carlisle was topping the charts with "Heaven Is A Place on Earth."

“Heaven” was Carlisle’s only Number One. Her former employers The Go-Go’s never topped the Billboard Top 100, falling short twice with #2 hits “We Got The Beat” and “I Get Weak.”

The Go-Go’s did, however, reach the pole position on the Billboard album charts with debut disc Beauty and The Beat – a first for an all-female group that composed its own material.

Oscar-winner Diane Keaton directed the video for “Heaven,” an odd clip that features children running in place, wearing black masks and holding illuminated globes, while Carlisle writhes around in some shallow water with a cheesy French-looking dude.

Speaking of France, Carlisle released Voila, her first LP in over a decade, in 2007. The album features the singer tackling various French pop tunes by Edith Piaf and others. A movie based on The Go-Go’s music and extracurricular exploits is in the works, natch.

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Filipino vocalist Arnel Pineda of the Journey tribute band The Zoo is the third lead vox replacement for the original Perry. Journey guitarist Neil Schon discovered Pineda online while browsing vids of The Zoo in action.

Cites “Jacko Malfunction.” Ms. Jackson (if you are nasty) will steer clear of the recently announced reunion concert dates featuring Michael and his other less (in)famous sibs.

The five Brits that changed music forever refuted reports that they lip-synced their way through a comeback concert in Vancouver last week. Phew!

Super Bowl organizers announced that Petty and his Heartbreakers will perform during this year’s halftime show. Prince was apparently too busy suing his fans.

Or not. Organizers are denying rumors that Led Zeppelin and Metallica will headline next summer’s installment of the fest, slated for June 12-15.

Velvet Revolver singer Scott Weiland may not exactly be getting his act together after all. The artist was arrested for driving under the influence after he crashed his car in California.

Each other. A second reunion of the dark arts outfit is off, according to a band member. They are marking their latest breakup with a new LP, however. Goth damn right!

Kim Deal knows something about reunions. Her Pixies toured successfully the last two years, and now her 90s outfit, The Breeders, is back with a new Steve Albini-produced disc.

Of stealing. From himself. Accused of ripping off his own material from 1994 for a 2004 track, Rock was vindicated when the judge ruled that the riff in dispute was “common.” Uh huh.

It’s been a long time coming, but Spin’s Hot Pursuit is almost over. Only one week left before the winners are announced, signed, shipped off to the studio, and (lord willing) turned into household names. It’s completely up to the judges as to who’s going to win now, but if you voted them into the finals, a friendly comment or two would probably go a long way. CHECK IT OUT.

When he wasn’t getting busy with his posse, 90s talk show host Arsenio Hall got busy with his lovably sexist send-up of rap culture in the guise of Chunky A. Chunky released this forgotten LP in 1991, and yes, that’s Hall all right, fake obese and bedecked in gold chains and hos. Ha! Hmm. Sadly, Arsenio’s Weird Al vanity project (insanity project?) peaked at number 41 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop album charts.

JUGGS THE DOG SAYS: Aresni-who?

It’s finally happening, Slash is on the site, looking at entries for Slash’s Ultimate Guitar Showdown as he prepaires to crown a winner. It’s not too late to influence his decision though. Spend a few minutes with the head to head player so the big guy in the big hat knows where to look as he searches out the solos that count. CHECK IT OUT.

Stop animation lego men get violent, chase hookers, do blow… and those are the clean parts.
HAVE A LISTEN.

This artist takes home recording to an entirely new level.
HAVE A LISTEN.

These Tulsa-based experimental robots seem almost human. Almost.
HAVE A LISTEN.

ABOUT MUSIC NATION

Music Nation is an artist development company at the helm of an online music community, empowering independent artists with tools to market, promote and find an audience. Through this community, the company supports multi-genre, video-based music competitions both domestically and abroad. Music Nation looks to serve as the ultimate portal where artists, records labels and fans alike can connect in today's digitally driven climate.