New & Noteworthy: Propaganda is good

Quick! If you haven’t snuggled up to a die-hard U2 fan just because of their exquisite musical taste, you’ll want to do it because they’ll be getting a neat prezzie soon. And if you’re nice, they just might let you listen to it.

We’ve just heard that the band is releasing a limited-edition live concert CD just for the fans who subscribe to their official fanzine, Propaganda. The album, “Hast La Vista, Baby: U2 Live from Mexico City” features “Pop Music,” “Mofo,” “I Will Follow,” “Gone.” “New Year’s Day,” “Staring at the Sun,” “Bullet the Blue Sky,” “Please,” “Lemon,” “Where the Streets Have No Name,” “Discotheque,” “With or Without You,” “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me. Kill Me” and “One.”

If you don’t already subscribe, you can check out the ‘zine’s website at www.getpropaganda.com for details.

In more U2 news, the long-awaited new studio album looks set for release on October 30. If you want to monitor the band’s progress in the final recording and mixing sessions, you can log on to their official website, www.u2.com.

Sinead shuts up about her sex life (fooled ya!)

Panicked at the thought of being out of the spotlight for half an hour, Ireland’s favorite singing priest has announced that her sex life is “nobody’s business.” She just wants to talk about music, dig? But, she can’t help adding, she’s “not a lesbian.”

In fact, Sinead O’Connor insists, she’s bisexual, having had relationships with both men and women. But that’s not a big deal, really, since the singer believes “everyone’s bisexual – there’s no such thing as being ‘gay’ or “straight.'”

Quick – somebody call ILGO.

Anyway, for a woman who wants to focus on her music, Sinead’s awfully chatty about the state of her hormones. She told the Irish Examiner that the song “Daddy I’m Fine” from her wonderful new album “Faith and Courage” is mildly autobiographical. Particularly the part about wanting to – well, you know – “every man in sight.”

Did she act on those impulses? wondered the Examiner. Was it really every man in sight?

“As many as I could,” she laughed. “Until I got sick of it.”

Actually, Sinead — or is it Mother Bernadette Mary these days? — considers herself to be rather circumspect in matters of the heart.

“Although I make myself out to be a total slut in that song, I’m not,” she said. “Inside, I’m a slut – I fancy nearly everyone I meet – but I don’t do anything about it.”

O’Connor tried celibacy for a while after joining the priesthood, but that didn’t last long.

“Celibacy was good for a while, but it wasn’t natural for me,” she told the Sunday World. “I couldn’t pull it off because I’m a . . .” Well, let’s just say it rhymes with “flirty witch,” shall we?

Obi-Wan; a chip off the old pint?

The next time you’re in a pub, trying to decide between a pint of stout and a pale ale, don’t be surprised if you hear a little voice in your ear urging you to turn to the dark side.

We hear that the late actor, Sir Alec Guinness — who despite winning an Oscar and being knighted by that old dear in the palace will always be chiefly remembered as the wisdom-spouting Obi Wan in “Star Wars” — might be a member of the Guinness brewing clan.

Patrick Guinness, a member of the family, recently announced that it was “generally accepted” among his kith and kin that Alec was the illegitimate son of Patrick’s great grandfather, Walter Guinness a/ka/ Lord Moyne. It is believed that Wally had an affair with Alec’s mom, Agnes Cuffe, which resulted in a bouncing baby boy. The child was not acknowledged by the wealthy Guinnesses, and grew up in poverty compared to Wally’s other kids.

Well, his half-siblings may have grown up with silver spoons in their gobs, but Alec got to smack Darth Vader around with a light sabre on the Death Star, so really, it all evened out in the end. But don’t be surprised if, the next time you’re thinking about having a pint of the black stuff, a little voice urges you to trust your feelings, Luke.

Note to “Star Wars” fanatics: yes, yes, we know that Obi-Wan would never really have urged anyone to go to the dark side, him being a Jedi knight, etc., etc. So please, spare us the indignant e-mails. May the force be with ye.

Words & music don’t mix for Ronan

That loud sound that woke us up the other night was the gnashing of Ronan Keating’s teeth when he learned that a technicality was knocking him off the top spot on the U.K. pop charts.

Thousands of copies of Ro’s lead-off single from his new album, “Life is a Rollercoaster,” were disqualified from the count because they contained an interview with the former Boyzone frontman. Under the rules, multimedia tracks are only allowed if they “enhance” the recording. (Apparently, the judges didn’t find Ronan’s chat particularly interesting).

“We have to admit we made a mistake,” said a spokesperson for Polydor, Keating’s record label. “We are hugely disappointed that the single is not number one for a second successive week.”

Less sympathetic were the members of 5ive, the band which replaced Keating in the top spot.

“Basically, Ronan messed up,” said band member Richie Neville. Ouch.

Flatley’s new ‘flame’

We swear, we’re going to do this next story in fifty words or less. (That’s fourteen gone already.) Michael Flatley has a new girlfriend, English cutie Ashley Thirlwell, who’s also his “Feet of Flames” wardrobe assistant. You’ll all be shocked to learn that she’s 24, blond and gorgeous. (That’s fifty).

Just what the (Saw) Doctors ordered

Suffering from rockin’ pneumonia? Got a touch of the boogie-woogie flu? Galway’s most famous rockers have got the cure for the summertime blues.

The Saw Doctors are kicking off a mini-tour of the states this week, with a show at Boston’s Fleet pavilion this Friday, Aug. 18. After that, they’ll be at the 400 Bar in Minneapolis on Aug. 22, the Metro in Chicago on Aug. 23, the Cape Cod Melody Tent on Aug. 25, the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C. on Aug. 26, Toad’s Place in New Haven, Conn. on Aug. 29, the Tradewinds in Seabright, N.J. on Aug. 30, The Vanderbilt in Long Island, N.Y. on Aug. 31, the Pines Theater in Northampton, Mass. on Sept. 2 and The Flats in Cleveland, Ohio on Sept. 3.

For more info, check out their website, www.sawdoctors.com.

Briefings

More Flatley news: Michael’s autobiographical movie, surprisingly named “Lord of the Dance,” starts shooting next month in Dublin’s fair city, and then moves on to his native Chicago.

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Cranberries lead singer Dolores O’Riordan has been ordered by doctors to take it easy, so the band has cancelled the last leg of their current concert tour. No, she’s not sick (except in the mornings, that is – she’s expecting her second child. The little bundle of joy is due early next year).

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The Whole Shabang, one of Ireland’s liveliest and most fun musical exports, will be touring the East Coast this month and next. Upcoming dates include Bad Abbotts in Boston, MA on Aug. 18; the Hunter Mountain Celtic Fest, Hunter, NY on Aug. 19 and 20; the Abbey Pub in Chicago, on Aug. 25; the Great Lakes Irish Festival in Grand Rapids, Mich. on Aug. 26 and 27; and the Tipperary Inn in Montauk, NY on Aug. 30. For information on when they’ll be at a venue near you, call (914) 237-8931 or visit their website, www.i’ntertainment.com/AmericanTour2000.html.