Scissor Sisters' Ta-Dah Cut Out Of Major U.S. Retail Chains

The Scissor Sisters' Ta-Dah is currently the top album in the U.K., having sold more than 288,000 copies its first week of release. The first single from that album, "I Don't Feel Like Dancin', " sits atop the U.K. singles chart — afterknocking a certain Mr. Timberlake out of #1 — with sales of more than 67,000 copies, according to the Official Charts Company.

Yet in the U.S., the album — which was released here Tuesday (September 26) — is not being carried in nearly 1,100 record stores in 26 states, all because of a single comment Sisters frontman Jake Shears made at a retail convention in Kissimmee, Florida, last month.

"I complained at the NARM [the National Association of Recording Merchandisers] convention that [For Your Entertainment's] record prices were too high," Shears told MTV News over the weekend at Baltimore's Virgin Festival. "A few months ago, I went to go buy the new Raconteurs album, and it was like $18.99. Of course, I rounded it up to $20 when I made the comments, and now they're denying it. They said, 'Our records are not $20, they're $19.99.' And so now they're not carrying our new record. I mean, even Wal-Mart is carrying it, but FYE is not."

But Shears is only partially accurate, because FYE isn't the only chain that won't be carrying the New York band's Ta-Dah — neither will Sam Goody, Strawberries, Wherehouse, Specs or Coconuts. Like FYE, those chains are owned by Trans World Entertainment, an Albany, New York, entertainment conglomerate that is one of the largest retailers of music, video and video games in the U.S.

According to Trans World President and CEO Jim Litwak, his company was just expressing its displeasure at Shears' comments, which he said were untrue and unfair. And furthermore, he said the whole situation could've been avoided had the band bothered to pick up the phone and call him.

"Mr. Shears said that he tried to buy a Raconteurs album but didn't because it was too expensive," Litwak told MTV News. "But he didn't bring it up to register, because if he did, he would've seen that the CD was on sale.

"So Mr. Shears made an incorrect statement at a convention instead of reaching out to us, to discuss our pricing," Litwak continued. "We decided that it would've been nice to get an apology from them, so we reached out to their distribution company [Universal Music Group Distribution] to let them know we were displeased, and we never heard back from them. So we made the decision not to carry the band's new release."

A spokesperson for UMG Distribution declined to comment on the matter, but neither Shears nor Litwak seemed prepared to let the issue drop, which means that for the foreseeable future, Ta-Dah will be shut out of all Trans World retailers. It will, however, be available just about everywhere else in the U.S., including Virgin, Tower and most major — and indie — music stores, plus electonic outlets like Amazon.com and the iTunes Music Store.

"Our hands are up in the air, and there's no rhyme or reason in this country when it comes to music," Shears sighed. "And this gives you an idea of the iron curtain that's really going on. We've sort of just decided to work really hard and see what happens."

"There are thousands of new releases out there, we've just decided not to carry this one. All they had to do was pick up the phone and talk to us," Litwak said. "But they didn't elect to do that. We were ignored, and he made those comments. So who's the injured party here?"


This report is provided by MTV News

My comments:
I completely agree with Jake. Those record stores sell their cds at such a ridiculous price. It is understandable to see that price at an independent store, but with such a large company and chain, there is little reason for it. Especially when you can walk into Best Buy or go to itunes and get it for much less. These stores (FYE and the like) complain about business (and my former roommate was a manager for an FYE) declining due to digital online music stores and they wonder why? Who shops at these stores anyway? The only sad thing would be for those small town, only-at-the-mall record store type of places where kids may now not be able to get their cd. But does that happen anymore? Am I just remembering what it was like when I was a kid and had to depend on what the Record Town carried? Or KMart? Certainly those kids have Walmart!

Project Runway scandal! I love it!

I guess we'll just have to wait and see the outcome!
My friends and I will be at a Scissor Sisters concert the night of the
finale, but will be watching after. Thank god for Tivo!


Seamy cheating scandal tears at ‘Runway’ fabric
By Jill Radksen
Tuesday, September 26, 2006 - Updated: 03:28 PM EST

New allegations of cheating on Bravo’s hit reality show “Project Runway” will likely cement Season Three as the sleaziest so far.
New York magazine’s online edition reported this week that “Runway” finalist Laura Bennett, the fiery New York mother of five, has accused tattooed competitor Jeffrey Sebelia of outsourcing the sewing of his final collection.
The four finalists - which also include Michael Knight and Uli Hertzner - presented collections earlier this month at Olympus Fashion Week in New York.
At that show, a pumped Sebelia presented the cleanest designs of the group, which he told the crowd was inspired by a book about the supernatural. Bennett showed a predictable line of beaded dresses.
The accusation arose from a strange game of Fashion Telephone, according to New York. When Tim Gunn, the contestants’ mentor, visited Sebelia at his home in L.A. to check on the progress of his collection, he observed that the designer had a lot of work left to do. Sebelia’s mother apparently told that detail to Bennett’s mother, whom she had befriended during an earlier “Runway” challenge. Mother Bennett then told Daughter Bennett, who lodged her complaint after seeing Sebelia’s finished collection on the runway.
Fans have been waiting weeks for the “Project Runway” finale, which airs Oct. 18. Now they’ll have to wait for this latest cheating accusation to be resolved; Gunn told the magazine that the producers “did a very intense and thorough investigation,” but wouldn’t reveal the outcome. Bravo declined comment to the Herald yesterday.
This is the second Season Three scandal: early on, arrogant menswear designer Keith Michael was kicked off the show after producers discovered forbidden pattern books stashed under his bed.
Now Sebelia may be hanging by a thread.
“His collection was very ambitious,” Gunn told New York. “I wasn’t born yesterday.”

A huge day for music!

Today's most important releases,
at least in my mind.


Scissor Sisters Ta-Dah

and
Tori Amos
A Piano: The Collection

Scissor Sisters: A
Be sure to get the deluxe edition that comes
with a second CD that has 5 extra songs plus a
remix of I Don't Feel Like Dancin'.
The whole thing is great! I don't feel like getting
specific. Just get it!

Tori: A
A 5 disc collection that one could almost call a
greatest hits collection, but then really how many
"hits" has she had? This is definitely for a true Tori fan,
although it would certainly be a beautiful gift for someone
not yet familiar with her work - although I can't imagine
someone not. The best part would be the 7 never before
released tracks that range from the Little Earthquakes
period all the way up to Scarlet's Walk sessions.
In particular I love Not David Bowie, Dolphin Song,
and Take Me With You - music written and recorded during the Little Earthquakes period,
with vocals recorded this year. There is alternate mixes of songs - most only slightly different than what appeared on the original releases, and some remixed tracks.
I do question the fact that The Power of Orange Knickers was left off - in my mind one of her
best songs ever.
The packaging and accompaning book are lovely.
And her new album is due in Spring 2007! Can't wait!

I'm back with MAC!

I make my glorious return to MAC this week!
Here is the latest Viva Glam campaign.
One reason I started with this company in the beginning,
and one of the reasons I'm going back.


Established in 1994, the MAC AIDS Fund has contributed more than $70 million globally
to organizations that provide programs, services and care for people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.

I finally found my showgirls in Atlanta!

The Legendary Dames Aflame!

I've been doing makeup for the Dames Aflame shows once a month at the Vortex in Midtown. I've always loved doing stage makeup - so this is right up my alley. And they're real girls! Not drag queens! Not that I don't miss doing some queens, but still...
Thanks to my beautiful friend Martha for the pictures and getting me in the door with the Dames! She's quite a dame herself! Love ya!