Not only was AT&T unable to provide me with home telephone service (oops–that belongs on a different blog), but the communications giant has also moved into the realm of censorship. Pearl Jam fans noticed that AT&T’s live streaming video of this past weekend’s Lollapalooza performance was missing a few of Eddie Vedder’s words from the Seattle band’s set. The deleted lyrics, which came during a cover of Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick In The Wall,” were: “George Bush, leave this world alone” and “George Bush, find yourself another home.” AT&T blamed the “mistake” on the actions of its webcast vendor.

Oh, the kids these days, listening to their rapping songs on their internet computers. Now they have a chance to make them too? Word! YouTube is taking a break from infringing copyrights and streaming puppy and kitten videos to hold its first YouTube “OnTheRise” Rap Edition competition, which allows users to submit their own rap videos and have them judged by a celebrity panel that includes 50 Cent and Common.

The CMJ 2007 Music Marathon, to be held in New York City from October 16-20, announced its initial lineup of live performances today. Among the artists who will be taking the stage are Spoon, UNKLE, Justice, Simian Mobile Disco, and British Sea Power.

Portishead is inching ever closer to releasing its first album in a decade. Head Head Geoff Barrow announced on his MySpace blog that mixing for the trip-hop band’s mythical third album is “about a week away.”

Drawer B clues us into an interview in a recent issue of The Word (a UK music magazine) in which Johnny Marr reveals that he has been approached by Warner Bros. about selecting tracks for a Smiths box set, which would include rare audio and visual material.