Where Do They Find These Names

I came across this site earlier. 2 questions come to mind. First, why would you want to name your child something so bizarre? And second, what the fuck were they thinking? Honestly, how could you walk around knowing your name is Moon Unit (Zappa)? I'm at a loss for words.

Willie Tries a New Path

At 72, Willie Nelson has traded in his cowboy boots for dreadlocks on the upcoming album, Country Man. I am really interested to see how it sounds. However, I just don't think it can work well. It's hard to play country music your whole life and then make a sudden stylistic shift. We'll see. Personally, I'm looking forward to seeing him as Uncle Jesse in the upcoming Dukes of Hazzard film.

I Guess I'm Living Under a Rock

"If you haven't heard that Madonna is back in the studio recording, then you might be living under a rock." In a statement from her official website.

Actually I didn't know you were back in the studio. Maybe it's because I don't really care. Plus, don't flatter yourself. You haven't had a hit song in how long? I think you should retire early and maybe have a few more kids. Your career is over.

E.T. Really Does Exist

Who would've thought the Olsen twins could be compared with E.T.?

This picture is hilarious on so many levels.

Bands in the Slammer

Get to know your friendly jailhouse bands. Each band is unique in their own way, and are bitches to no one. Excpet for the music. Personally, I have my eyes on the band Versatility:

"When the group starts cranking," Tank says, "Dudes be yelling out their hoods and repping their sets. Everybody be into it hype."

That's as good a sell as any, wouldn't you say? I just hope they don't play any gigs around here when they are finally released from prison.

Spice, Take 2?

You know, everyone and their mother is putting down this whole Spice Girl reunion hoopla. But guess, what? All you people secretly love their music. There I said it. Most people I meet confide in me that they did like "Wannabe." Some of them even went to see the Spice World movie (how lame is that?) I even knew some hardcore metal dudes in high school who secretly worshipped the freaky fivesome.

The bottom line is, reunion or not, many people on both sides of the pond would be glad to see the talentless group back together.

I'll only accept a reunion if the rest of them kick out Scary Spice.

American I..don't Give a Fuck

Someone please explain why American Idol is still dominating headlines. Like, that was so two years ago! And anyway, why are people so obsessed with all this sugary pre-fab talent? Can't anyone think for themselves anymore? Apparently not. Unfortunately, the basis of the show is to steer the clueless automoton in the direction of their music. It is just disappointing how these idol worshippers need to be spoonfed such garbage. These fans are being completely exploited, yet still love to watch. You know what? I feel bad for all of you.

But that isn't the end of it. The worst part about this phenomenon is that "credible" news networks cover this story more than any other. If I am not mistaken, we are still in a war and running up a trillion-dollar deficit. Hey, it works as a pretty good diversion.

Famed 'Fro

Img via AP

Legendary producer and number one murder suspect Phil Spector has a new look. Maybe he's trying to chase the style of his old girl-group project, the Ronnette's. Either way, enjoy the picture; and the trial, coming to a courtroom in September.

Bush Hearts Blair

You in the mood to Bush-bash? Yeah, I thought so. Check out this music video.

Censorship Squeeze

The FCC keeps getting more conservative. Now they want to censor cable television? Fuck off. This article is worth reading.

"It's hard to say if the content police are having an "immediate" influence on what we see and hear on the nation's airwaves. But they are having a "chilling effect": if you fail to broadcast something because your fear punishment, you have been "chilled." The last time anyone checked, such an idea clashes with established Supreme Court precedent."

One distinct role of government is to regulate media, NOT control it.

Does Anyone Care Anymore

After years of plodding and pissing away millions of dollars, word is that the long-awaited new Guns n Roses album will be available by year's end (???). The question really is, who cares? We know that in all likelihood, the washed-up frontman will come up with some excuse to delay. Hey Axl, your band left your egomaniac ass to form a successful band of their own. In addition, I don't see what's so hard about showing up for your own concerts.





I hope the album bombs, and Axl goes further into his egomaniacal depression.

Back to School

I should go back to school just for this class, offered for the first time at the University of Iowa. That's freakin' awesome. I think it's really funny how porn is one of the most lucrative businesses, yet it's so hush-hush.

A Must-See

Just came back from the "Episode III" premier at the Ziegfeld Theater. Even if you did not like the first two episodes, this movie is still a must-see. Witness the republic dissolve from within and the rebirth of Anakin Skywalker as Darth Vader. Plenty of action scenes to leave you begging for more.

iPod Tax?

To try and combat piracy in the Netherlands, a law might be approved that levies a tax on all new iPods. The tax revenue accrued will benefit the music industry. Should this become law and garner much support, will Americans face the same issue? While I don't totally warm up to the idea of such a tax, it is a rather fair move on their part.

For All the Indie Peeps Out There

I just couldn't resist this one. Especially funny is the part about not reading Rolling Stone. Anyway, see how you stack up HERE.

Velvet Revolver

Saw Velvet Revolver last night at Jones Beach and learned that Scott Weiland is a fuckin' idiot. Part of the reason is because he was wearing a Nazi SS cap. Despite his stupidity, the show was still rockin'. The band puts on a good show. No doubt the highlight was the amazing cover of "Wish You Were Here." Here is the setlist:

• Sucker Train Blues
• Do it For The Kids
• Headspace
• Superhuman
• Crackerman
• Illegal I
• Fall To Pieces
• Dirty Little Thing
• Big Machine
• It's So Easy
• Sex Type Thing
• Set Me Free
• Wish You Were Here (Pink Floyd cover)
• You Got No Right
• Mr. Brownstone
• Slither

What Not To Do...

....At A Concert:
1. Never, under any circumstances, wear the tshirt of the band you are seeing.
2. After the show, do us all a favor and not blast the band's music we just saw five minutes ago in you're shitty-ass pickup truck. You aren't impressing anybody, so just can it.
3. Do the devil horns with your fingers, and not the universal sign for love. Dio wouldn't be very happy.
4. When tailgating, don't screw your skank girlfriend in the back of your truck so everyone can see.
5. Try and withold the urge to scream Freebird between songs.
6. Don't wear a leather jacket in the mosh pit, fool.

iPod's New Market Strategy

The new iPod commercial is so obviously geared toward African Americans. Pay attention to the profiles of the roller skaters and we will be in agreement immediately.

The chumps over at Apple decided to go with the song "Feel Good, Inc." by the Gorillaz. Don't get me wrong, the song is great. However, it just feels out of place in the commercial and doesn't live up to it's forebears: Jet, The Caesars, and U2. But listeners beware, "Feel Good Inc." will soon reach overplayed status on a radio station near you.

Gorillaz' second effort, Demon Days, hits record stores on May 24.

The Other Adam Levine

Ok, I know this is kind of old, but it's still very funny.

After visiting the site, it's hard not to think of that dude Michael Bolton in Office Space. After all, his name was perfectly fine until that no-talent ass clown started winning Grammy's.

Therefore, Adam Levine, don't change your number. He's the one that sucks.

Foo's Track List Revealed

The upcomng 2 disc set, In Your Honor, will be released on June 14. It includes guest appearences by John Paul Jones, Norah Jones, and Josh Homme. I've already read a number of articles comparing the Foo's to Led Zeppelin. It's hard not to make comparisons when Dave Grohl himself compares the album to Physical Graffiti, released in 1975.

Here is the tracklist:

Disc one:
"In Your Honor"
"No Way Back"
"Best of You"
"DOA"
"Hell"
"The Last Song"
"Free Me"
"Resolve"
"The Deepest Blues Are Black"
"End Over End"

Disc two:
"Still"
"What If I Do"
"Miracle"
"Another Round"
"Friend of a Friend"
"Over N' Out"
"On the Mend"
"Virginia Moon"
"Cold Day in the Sun"
"Razor"

Street Drummer

My friends 6ML sent me this link. It's crazy, so definitely check it out.

http://media.ebaumsworld.com/streetdrummer.wmv

It's Not The Drugs?

So it turns out that Ozzy's constant tremors are not due to his notorious drug-induced past. He was just diagnosed with Parkins disease (not to be confused with Parkinson's).

"I'd always assumed it was the booze and stuff. Now I've found it all stems from the family...When I told my sisters she said, 'Not you as well? Mum had that and Auntie Elsie and your grandma.' I'm like, 'Thanks for fucking telling me'. Me walking around thinking I've got some drug paralysis."

Slow down there Ozzy. You still have a drug paralysis. Make no mistake: The tremors are from the disease and your delayed response to everything is from all the drugs.

Million-Dollar Meltdown

In the current issue of Newsweek, we find out that Dave Chappelle is having a nice little million-dollar meltdown. It seems he can't cope with his own success, and is afraid the third season won't live up to the hype. That fat advance of $50 million is a pretty nice safety blanket (while it lasts). Expect a lawsuit any day now.

""I saw him start trippin' when the buzz started to get real loud," one unnamed friend tells Newsweek. "I think he was in shock after the first season. Then during the second season, it hit him that he was the Man. That freaked him." And then came the pressure of living up to expectations for the third season. He's never been there--where something's so good and you got to come even stronger the next time. It was too much.""

On a somewhat related sidenote, the next person who quotes "I'm Rick James, Bitch" should get a foot lodged deep in their ass. You're not being cool by quoting it. Only Chappelle can do it, not you. So stop thinking you are unique by saying it in a social situation.

Louie, Louie Post-Nipplegate

IMG courtesy of All Music

Back in the 60's, Hoover led an investigation to determine whether the frat song "Louie, Louie" was obscene. So appropriate in the age of entertainment post-nipplegate. Why would Hoover even waste his time deciphering the lyrics? Sounds like we have another case of history repeating itself.

Check out all supposed versions of the lyrics, as well as the true version HERE.

After These Messages....We'll Be Right Back

Leaving aside high ticket prices, the movie experience just isn't what it was. Now when you show up to a 9:30 movie, it really doesn't begin until 10. Advertisers know all-too-well about these patterns and have been taking advantage of movie audiences for too long. I'm sick of sitting through "The Twenty" and other bullshit commercials before the movie starts. I can understand if it were a free event, but we are using our disposable income and are exploited for it.

Recently, Loews Theaters has heard the gripes of many like me and are beginning somewhat of a change:

"John McCauley, the company's senior vice president for marketing, said the times in the company's newspaper and Web listings would still be the times when the trailers and commercials start. But the ads will also carry a note advising that, as Mr. McCauley put it yesterday, "the feature presentation starts 10 to 15 minutes after the posted show time.""

I guess it's a step in the right direction. Bottom line is, these commercials should be eliminated altogether. If I wanted commercials I would've stayed home and watched network TV. Good thing DVD movies come out shortly after the movie releases.

Don't Let Punk's Birthplace Die

IMG courtesy of CBGB

Help save CB's. Show your support and visit Project Save CBGB. The following is a quote from the club's founder, Hilly Kristal, from his website:

To the Musicians, Fans and Friends of CBGB; My Landlord is "BRC" These are the people that have control over whether I stay or go. The current money situation and legal status of the club, despite what Muzzy Rosenblatt says, is not in negotiation. It is in the courts to be decided by a judge. I am not going to cast aspersions on the representatives of the BRC, as they have on me. I only wish the problem be solved so we can both "do our thing" If you want us here, the BRC has to be persuaded that a gradual increase in rent is feasible.

Hilly Kristal, Owner of CBGB

Send a letter to The Mayor's Office asking Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg if he's prepared to say "CBGB can be closed down because they can't pay 40-50 thousand dollars per month rent to a non profit organization that is funded by the city, state and federal government to the tune of 23 million dollars per year." Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg City Hall New York, NY 10007 Phone: 311 or 212-New-York Fax: 212.788.2460 Email: click here

Diamond Certification

Okay, so The Beatles just earned another spot in the record books. Their sixth RIAA diamond certification (10 million units shipped) for the "1" compilation. Beat that American Idol.

The Beatles just can't be topped. I hope iTunes and other services never sink their meathooks into their catalog.

Weezer on Myspace

Myspace junkies will get a treat starting early Thursday morning. Weezer will stream its upcoming album Make Believe on the site until the official release next Tuesday. It stars at 3 AM on Thursday morning, so make sure you wake up in time. Read more here.

Idollatry

An ex-contestant of American Idol tells ABC News that he had an affair with host Paula Abdul, and that she provided him with tips and assistance.

"Clark, then 22, said that during the competition he had an off-camera relationship with Abdul, then 40, which was at first platonic but later became sexual. He said Abdul, who was herself a chart-topping singer in the late 1980s, initially told him, "I want to look out after you like I'm your mom.""

Well Paula Abdul, you definitely are a great mother figure...hooking up with kids half your age. But you already knew that opposites attract. I hope this spells the beginning of the end for the uber-popular show and Abdul's second coming.

Second Coming of Cream?

Last night, Cream picked up where they left off 36 years ago, The Royal Albert Hall. Around for only two years, this seminal trio shook up the rock genre with hits including "I Feel Free" and "White Room." Aside from the Yardbirds (which also contained Clapton at one point), they pretty much invented the template of the "supergroup," which is still used by bands like Audioslave and Velvet Revolver.

Indy IV in the Works

Courtesy of USA Today

Word has it that Indiana Jones will be making a final screen appearence sometime in the near future. Harrison Ford may be a bit aged, but who wouldn't want to see another Indy flick? Especially if they bring back some of the older characters? Lucas had an interview with hollywood.com in which he more than alluded to the upcoming movie. Check out the full excerpt from the conversation here.

Linkin Park Wants Out of Warner IPO

Remember kids, you must always keep the investors happy. I hate Linkin Park, but they do have a point.

"The statement quotes music attorney Peter Paterno from an article in The New York Times, where he said that the heads of WMG "who are running this thing are looking at it pretty cynically. It's becoming more and more apparent that this is nothing more than a financial play for the investors. It's not about the music or the employees; it's about a return for private equity investors. It's kind of astounding when you sit back and look at the audacity.""

Audioslave Rocks Out

I am still in shock at how great Audioslave played last night at Roseland Ballroom in NYC; And I have the bruises and gross-sweaty clothes to prove it.

Definitely a crowd pleaser, the show was mainly original compositions, with Rage and Soundgarden favorites mixed in. You could tell the crowd was happy with the selection because the mosh pit was pretty crazy. It began pretty tame, but as Cornell moved into "Spoonman," the pit really opened up. It was funny to see teens and middle-aged alike flailing around and beating the crap out of each other. At one point in the show I saw a more well-dressed couple on the side bopping their heads and moving around. I couldn't help but think that ten years ago they were my age, seeing Cornell front Soundgarden. And last night, the kids were probably at home with the babysitter while they were holding onto a piece of youth. I only wonder now what they though of the show.

The two most memorable moments: Cornell playing an acoustic version of "Black Hole Sun" and unveiling the new single "Your Time Has Come." Negatives: Vocals were not mixed high enough and the concert was too short.

Below Is the Setlist:

Set it Off
Exploder
Your Time Has Come (from Out of Exile)
Like a Stone
Spoonman (Soundgarden)
Gasoline
Drown Me Slowly (from Out of Exile)
Doesn't Remind Me (from Out of Exile)
Be Yourself (from Out of Exile)
Bulls on Parade/Sleep in the Fire (Rage Against the Machine)
Outshined (Soundgarden)
Shadow on the Sun

Encore:
Black Hole Sun (Chris Cornell, solo Acoustic)
I Am the Highway
Show Me How to Live
Killing in the Name Of (Rage Against the Machine)
Cochise

Emo Game

My friend told me about the Emo Game last night. It's fuckin' hillarious. It's from the same dude that made the Bush game last summer before the election. Definitely worth checking it out.