A Few More Things: Morrissey, Scorpions, Incubus

Last week the news came out that Scorpions’ James Kottak had reportedly been sentenced to a month in jail in Dubai.

The Associated Press pointed to a report from the government-based National newspaper, which said the drummer was convicted of insulting Islam, raising his middle finger and being under the influence of alcohol at Dubai’s airport. Kottak had apparently denied all charges except for drinking. The arrest happened April 3, when the band was on its way to a performance in Bahrain, according to the Gulf News.

In a post on Facebook April 30 Scorpions told fans the band didn’t know any details but that Johan Franzon was taking over for Kottak. On Wednesday the group announced on Facebook that the drummer had “boarded a plane out of Dubai and arrived in the U.S. last night. He will have to find the time to sort out his problems.”

The band added, “Dear fans, at this point we want to hear personally from James what happened in Dubai … we let you know … Hopefully there will be better days.”

Things are looking up for Morrissey and his fans. Not only did the former Smiths frontman launch his tour last night in San Jose after the endless string of cancelations that was

2013, but he’s also the subject of a new biopic that’s underway.

“The film covers Morrissey’s life pre-Smiths and is more of a portrait than a conventional biopic,” said director Mark Gill, who wrote the screenplay with William Thacker. “It’s as much a film for non-Morrissey fans as it is for die-hard devotees, but I can’t deny that this is a love letter to Steven Patrick Morrissey and the dark satanic mills of Manchester.”

Along with Gill and Thacker, casting director Shaheen Baig and producers Baldwin Li and Orian Williams are on board for the project, which has a working title of “Steven.” Gill directed and co-wrote the screenplay for the short film “The Voorman Problem” with producer Li. Williams was behind the biopic on Joy Division’s Ian Curtis, “Control.” Baig has over 30 feature film credits inclding “Control.”

Incubus’ Make Yourself Foundation has teamed up with the Urgency Network to give away an out of this world grand prize.

“Ticket To Rise” includes a ticket to the edge of space on XCOR’s Lynx spacecraft (where you’ll reach an altitude of 338,000 feet) as well as a 4g simulator training mission, a video of the entire experience and bragging rights for life.

For a chance to win, donate via Urgency’s website to the Make Yourself Foundation.  The nonprofit created by Incubus in 2003 funds various charities around the world.

Every $1 you donate will give you five entries toward the “Ticket To Rise” grand prize, with a minimum donation of $10. Larger donations will earn prizes such as a “Make Yourself!” poster designed by Brandon Boyd or a Morning View plaque previously owned by Boyd. The campaign ends in 74 days.

After donating, fans can climb up the Urgency Network’s leaderboard by completing activities like watching awareness videos and sending out tweets. The top participant in May will win a VIP Bonnaroo Experience.

For more information visit UrgencyNetwork.com.