MIA

Sorry for being MIA the past few days. I'm in DC right now visiting my brother in College Park. Regular postings should resume tomorrow sometime.

In the meantime, enjoy this link.

Later Y'all.

Hillary Schmillary

This article is pretty worthless, and doesn't deserve to be on MTV.com. Actually, come to think of it, these days it does. Anyway, this quote was just unavoidable:

"It's so funny. I have friends, and even a sister, who can write a song and then go, 'Mom, I wrote a song,' or 'Hilary, listen to this,' " she said. "I don't know how they can do that. I could never write a full song and let people hear it."

This is a shot in the dark, but maybe it's because the dumb blonde has no talent whatsoever.

XM + Napster

The once notorious file sharing company and satellite giant, XM, are teaming up. It seems like a great idea and all, but who wants to pay two monthly subscriptions for music, just to have a fancy mp3 player? You got me.

"The XM/MP3 player will give the user the ability to mark the songs they like while listening to XM for future reference or online purchase. When the unit is connected to a PC, the XM + Napster service will match the marked XM song titles with Napster's music catalog, allowing users to easily make their purchases."

I will most likely not pick another mp3 player until regular FM tuner and video capabilities are seemlessly incorporated into the design. Guess I'll need to wait a few years on that one.

(Via FMQB)

Source Shootout

Employees of Source Magazine were involved in a late-night shootout. First Hot 97 and now this shit? WTF mate? Hip Hop culture is just getting out of hand. Talking shit in the public eye is fine if you want to sell records. But killing each other over it is just, for lack of a better word, dumb.

Strokes Reveal More

The New York outfit ditched longtime producer Gordon Raphael, and are instead working with David Kahne. Details of the upcoming album are still scant at best, but expect it in early 2006.

Early reports indicate that there is a sonic departure from the first two records. Let's see if the Strokes can make a record without lifting from the Cars. All kidding aside, I am still looking forward to the release.

"As for the album's current status, the Strokes are now holed up in a New York City studio mixing a total of 14 tracks for the disc with Andy Wallace (Bruce Springsteen, Nirvana, Jeff Buckley)."

Tales From The Commute #1

In this, the first intallment of Tales from the Commute, I bring you the Village's favorite bum. Each day when I walk to work, there is a bum who is dressed in decent clothes and talking on a cell phone. When people pass he says, "Spare some change for your favorite bum?"

So next time you pass him, ask what cell plan he's on, then toss him a nickel.

Shit Really Hits the Fan

I'm sure everyone has already heard about the Sony/BMG payola scandal in recent days. It made front page of NY Times business section on Saturday. However, the LA Times report online has email correspondence that was used as evidence in the case. It is definitely worth a gander. Check the right side toolbar.

Here is another good analysis of what happened. At least the settlement money is going to a good place:

"In addition, the company has agreed to make a $10 million payment for distribution by the Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors to New York State not-for-profit entities in a manner that will inure to the benefit of the residents of the State of New York by funding programs aimed at music education and appreciation."

Murderer or Computer Dork

I got a measley 6 out of 10.

Try your luck here.

Where Are My Teef?

I had a dentist appointment this morning. No cavities to report. However, I felt like the Bill Murray character in Little Shop of Horrors, who just loved the dental experience. Yet before you make any generalizations, like "are you cracked? No one likes the dentist", you must read this article. After finishing it, I felt pumped about protecting my teeth from ever rotting.

Note: this feeling will inevitably fade and the normal queeziness of dental offices will quickly return.

A Bit Racy

This t-shirt is not what you would call PC. However, there is definitely a kernel of truth in it. And after the latest round of terrorist attacks in London and Israel, people are quickly losing patience. You be the judge.

Buy Them Here.

Lollapalooza, Post #2

The festival is this weekend in Chi-town. If you can't make it there, read the lineup and weep.

"Primus is the only act from the original Lollapalooza lineup in 1993 to also play this year's version." (via FMQB)

Okay, I'm weeping because there is no way I can make it out there.

Y-M-C-YA

This just cracks me up. So ironically, the policeman (Victor Edward Willis) in The Village People was arrested this past Monday. Lacking a valid license or identification, and with yayo and other drug toys in the car, Willis was summarily taken into custody.

On a somewhat related note, Garth did a stellar job performing as the policeman in Wayne's World 2.

Blue Oyster Cult

No, this isn't a post about needing more cowbell in "Don't Fear The Reaper" (but it should be pointed out that Bruce Dickinson is the lead singer of Iron Maiden).

However, in case you might be wondering where Husker Du and Motorhead got the idea to use the umlaut, you should read it here.

Beware Myspacers

Beware Myspacers. Your days of corporate-hating, indie-loving, networking among fellow net dorks has come to an end. Yesterday, the conservative News Corp bought out the popular company for an estimated $580 million. Say goodbye to your free spirit...and all the strippers who love their profiles.

I don't know what this will mean for the millions of people fixated on the site, but it could be bad. Just remember that News Corp. owns Fox News Channel and the NY Post, among other things. So don't be surprised if you start getting a bunch of junk mail and unwanted ads.

Get Ready For Another iPod?

It works like clockwork. In a given year, Apple will release two new updated iPods; every six months. Don't even try to catch up with their output, because it won't happen. This proves the old axiom that once you buy a computer, it is obsolete.

I refuse to aquire another updated iPod until video content is provided, and works seemlessly. According to this report, Apple has been in talks with some record labels about licensing music videos for sale on iTunes music service.

Eminem Stays On

Multiple reports claiming that Eminem would soon be calling it quits turned out to be unfounded rumors. Detroit Free Press is responsible for the foul up in its reporting skills.

All news media seems to be suffereing from a lack of decent and intelligent reporters. You don't wanna fuck with Shady...

Report via Stereogum.

500,000,000

(IMG via Tech-Edge)

Today, Apple Computers once again made history. Their iTunes music service has just surpassed the 500,000,000 download mark.

However, the more publicity and money Apple garners from the the music industry, the harder Beatles lawyers will be working on a suit against them. And The Beatles will win it.

Yes, It Has Come To This...

This diva won't pose for Playboy, but will show everyone her "miracle of childbirth." That's right. Mrs. Kevin Federline allegedly wants to one-up her rival, Mrs. Nick Lachey, by giving birth on the next season of her reality television show.

It's only fitting that her pop star life has been reduced to this. Her child will grow up knowing he was born on tv, much like the Truman Show. That and the combination of a shitty gene pool will give the child problems down the road.

Pixies News

Frank Black (Black Francis) and the Pixies are at work on a new album. It will be their first effort in 14 years.

"We have been discussing recording a new album lately. As happy as we are with the success of the reunion tour, we really want to make a record for the right reasons, whether it is successful commercially or not."

He added: "We would be satisfied if it played like our other records, never chart-topping but always in print."

No dates mentioned on possible release, but I am still very much looking forward to it.

What's For Lunch

Having trouble figuring out what to eat for lunch? Let the professionals help you out. This website will randomly generate restaurants in your area, based on the zip code you enter. Don't say I never did anything for you...

Bon Appetit!

The Emo 'Do

The only thing more annoying than the screaming, whining Emo music is the fashion statement. Here is a link that celebrates Emo haircuts. They are, like, so trying to be hardcore with those hairstyles. I could not stop thinking of A Flock of Seagulls while watching it.

Send it to all your Emo friends.

Enough Already

Give the art back to the artist for God's sake. MJ should never gotten his meat hooks into The Beatles territory. F*ckin A**hole.

See for yourself.

Birthday Beating?

I've never met another guy in my life who didn't like the idea of strippers. For this very reason, I just don't see how this dude's case against the strip club can hold water.

"Lowery, who was celebrating his 31st birthday with pals who paid $25 for his ceremonial birthday whuppin', said that he was injured when the 4:30 AM stunt went too far. He claimed that he "begged" management to stop the paddling/whipping, but that his plea was rejected."

Yeah, I'm sure he was really begging to be spared the whip. This guy is a probably one of those fat forty-something losers who hangs out at the strip club at lunch breaks and after work.

Anyway, try to avert your eyes from the pictures on the website. These are not good-looking dancers.

Franz Ferdinand Release Tour Schedule

In support of their upcoming album, "new" New Wavers Franz Ferdinand announced tour dates. See below:

(via Billboard)

Aug. 9: San Sebastian, Spain (Estadio de Anoeta; w/ U2)
Aug. 11: Madrid (Estadio Vicente Calderon; w/ U2)
Aug. 20-21: Staffordshire/Chelmsford, England (V Festival)
Aug. 30-31: Edinburgh (Edinburgh Castle)
Sept. 20: Chicago (Aragon Ballroom)
Sept. 21: Minneapolis (Target Center)
Sept. 22: Kansas City, Mo. (Uptown Theatre)
Sept. 23: St. Louis (Pageant)
Sept. 25: Austin, Texas (Austin City Limits Festival)
Sept. 27: Denver (Fillmore Auditorium)
Sept. 28: Magna, Utah (Great Salt Air Amphitheatre)
Oct. 1-2: Seattle (Paramount Theatre)
Oct. 3: Portland, Ore. (Rose Garden Arena)
Oct. 4: Vancouver (Orpheum Theatre)
Oct. 6: San Francisco (Bill Graham Civic Auditorium)
Oct. 7: Los Angeles (Greek Theatre)
Oct. 9: San Diego (SDSU Open Air Theatre)
Oct. 11: Las Vegas (the Joint)
Oct. 17: New York (Theatre at Madison Square Garden)
Oct. 18: Toronto (Ricoh Centre)
Oct. 28: Paris (Zenith)
Oct. 31: Rouen, France (31st)
Nov. 1: Lille, France (Zenith)
Nov. 2: Metz, France (Les Arenes)
Nov. 4: Grenoble, France (Zenith)
Nov. 7: Dusseldorf, Germany (Phillishalle)
Nov. 8: Berlin (Tempodrom)
Nov. 9: Hamburg, Germany (Colour Line Arena)
Dec. 12: Munich (Zenith)

There's No Shame in Glam

Check out this site and have your name "glamorized." You'll love it, I promise.

Mine's Mikey Moon. Sounds more like a porno name if you ask me.

Everyone Loves Etch-A-Sketch

Everyone's favorite toy (sorry Slinky) is coming to a cell phone near you; if you live in Britain that is. Customers on the Orange wireless network will have access to the legendary game. Not the same as the old red rectangular toy, but is probably fun nonetheless. I mean, who doesn't love Etch-A-Sketch?

Aireoke

Aireoke might be the dumbest fad to hit the streets since slap bracelets. But of course leave it to the hipsters of Brooklyn to eat this shit up. The "air guitar champion" set up a monthly contest at Williamsburg's Trash Bar.

"I know the glory of dressing up and fanatically playing an invisible instrument in front of a crowd is not something that everyone immediately grasps. When I tell people I've spent more than two years as a competitive air guitarist, they often look at me bewildered, like a dog tilting its head at an unfamiliar command. Or they just laugh at me. Following a segment about a competition, Jack Cafferty, a CNN anchor, once scoffed: "That's the dumbest thing I've ever seen. Air guitar?"

I look at you as being a complete tool shed. Air guitar is fine. However, competing for an air guitar crown is just abusrd...

San Dimes High School football rules.

A Thin Slice of Nostalgia

The MTV "Liquid Television" star cartoon, Aeon Flux is making its silver screen debut. Charlize Theron is to play the sexy Aeon. The now-grown-up middle school dorks that had a crush on Aeon can finally visualize the character in a human form.

I hope this resurrects newfound interest in the old tv series. Hell, even Beavis and Butthead got their start on this program as 2 small shorts. I'm eagerly awaiting that reunion.

Too bad the cartoon showcase only lasted a few years.

Founding Rockers

We're coming up on the anniversary of Bill Haley's "Rock Around the Clock." CNN has a great in-depth article about the song and the genre it helped create. It is a must-read for all music fanatics. The 50's rock pioneers created the template for all music.


(IMG via Walcott)

There is more celebration on Pause and Play, where the editors are creating a massive list of key dates in rock music history. It is a work in progress, but is still worth checking out.

Egos Die Hard

The Floyd reunion was spectacular, both visually and sonically. However, Drowned In Sound reports that PF rejected a $150 million offer for a robust US tour. They are sticking to their collective guns, saying Live 8 was a one-time show.

Or maybe it's just a ploy to bump up record sales. Not like they really need help in that department.

(Story via The Dark Stuff)

Greatest American Band?

I don't really consider USA Today a "real" newspaper. It's basically a poor summary of current events, written on a second grade reading level. Not only that, the headlines never match the content of each story.

Anyway, they conducted a reader's poll of the Greatest American Bands ever.

I don't necessarily agree with what's listed. The "greatest" encompasses both the breadth of music, as well as influence on music itself. How influential were they compared to the others? In my mind, Ramones being ranked at #14 is just a travesty. They INVENTED the genre of punk music. You can't really say that for many other American bands.

Nirvana also deserves to be listed higher than Kiss. This band is nothing more than a marketing machine. They have one or two decent songs, and the rest is just a freakshow. And what about The Pixies??

The readers of USA Today must go back and relearn the history of music.

A Year and a Day

Lil Kim must now serve a sentence of 366 days, plus a fine of $50K because she felt the need to lie in front of a federal grand jury. She shouldn't worry though. The hip hop community adores ex-cons, so once she's out, her street cred will increase exponentially.

Unless of course Lil Kim has a confrontation with a butch lady inmate named Suzie. Time will tell.

Four Tops Lose Another Founder

Motown is no longer the power-house it once was. It was D-Town's version of the Brill Building, pumping out hits like an industrial factory. Now Motown is pretty much reduced to the bargain bins and best-of collections, which are a constant reminder of how great the music is.

Last Friday, Motown suffered another blow to the family as Four Top founder, Obie Benson, died. He is also remembered for his penmanship of Marvin Gaye's gem, "What's Goin' On."

For more on Benson.

Oh, Canada...That Must Hurt

I hate Celine Dion and her bullshit music. I nearly killed myself during the reign of "Titanic", when her lackluster love song was inescapable. Well, she finally got a dose of her own suckiness as she was booed at the Candadian version of Live 8. Not to be confused, of course, with the stellar performance at London's Hyde Park.

You can read more about it here.

Or hear what Superficial has to say about it.

For All The Hipsters

(IMG Via Vice Magazine)

Most Hipsters will never admit that they are in fact that. They are too hip to realize their own hipness. This makes poking fun that much more fun. The geniuses at Vice Magazine realized this and came up with an in-depth guide, The Vice Guide To You.

Priceless

THE FLOYD REUNITED AT LIVE 8!!!!!

Going into it, I was a bit skeptical as to how they would sound. Yet, to my genuine surprise, the band sounded very much a cohesive unit. And David Gilmour's vocals were still on target.

At the end of the 4 song set, the band had an emotional bow toward the crowd. Roger Waters had his arm around David Gilmour and the rest of the band. One would hope that this signals an end to the decades-long feud between the two egos.

In short, find a copy of their show online. It's definitely worth your time. I think AOL might have reruns of it later on.

Here is the set list:

Breathe
Money
Wish You Were Here
Comfortably Numb

New Franz

The sophomore album from rock outfit Franz Ferdinand will be released on Oct. 4. The band says the track listing is near completion:

"We haven't decided on a running order yet," lead singer Alex Kapranos tells Billboard.com by phone from the studio. "We've been through about 25 songs altogether and we're mixing 15 songs; of those 15, we'll probably choose 12 or 13."

Keep your fingers crossed if you want them to avoid the sophomore slump.

They're All Growns Up

(IMG via Geocites)

I'm so proud of these guys. They've finally grown into the men we never cared they'd become. The Backstreet are ever-closer to the realizition that their music is lame as shit.

In an effort to convince the world of their (il)legitimacy, the boys are dropping the dancers on the upcoming tour. However, don't get your collective panties in a bunch, the "Flaming Five" still promise some "pyro" on stage.