Man of Steel

Superman is making his big-budget comeback this summer in theaters. Casting a Superman other than Mr. Reeve is definitely a risky situation. I know you're going to say that Batman recycled the lead role and James Bond does it every few films. Yet with Superman it's just different. Because Christopher Reeve was in all 4 installments of the film, our culture has accepted that he is the true Man of Steel.

However, I had a chance to see the preview for the upcoming movie, and it looks stellar. I foresee many more Superman movies, much to the delight of Hollywood execs and their bank accounts.

Check out the preview here.

Characters (via IMDB):

Clark Kent/Superman - Brandon Routh
Lex Luthor - Kevin Spacey
Lois Lane - Kate Bosworth

Stones

The North American portion of the tour, which is on pace to shatter all previous box office records, will run through Dec. 3 in Memphis. The Stones have also confirmed a performance at the Sprint Super Bowl XL Halftime Show, set for Feb. 5 at Detroit's Ford Field.

Seriously man, is anyone else sick of these guys already? How many more greatest hits collections and Super Bowls do they really need to play before people are sick and tired.

It might take a while though, because a notable movie icon said that he "could not be killed by conventional weapons." 1,000 bonus points to the first person who responds correctly.

(via Billboard)

Nevermind the Bullocks...

Rock Hall inductees named today. The event will take place on March 13.

Black Sabbath
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Sex Pistols
Miles Davis
Blondie

Remember the rules kids, eligibility exists 25 years after the first record is released.

Makes you wonder what took so long for some of these artists to be inducted. I would have thought Miles Davis to be in the Hall already. Seriously, what the fuck were they waiting for? The whole operation is bogus, much like the Grammy's. Get rid of the politics.

Freebird!!

(via FMQB)

The Floyd

Roger Waters claims that his performance with the old Pink Floyd mates was not a one-time gig. His comments are fueling speculation of a possible reunion.

"I'd be very up for doing a lot more," he explained. "It was such fun. We went in and did some rehearsals, and the moment we plugged in for the first rehearsal, it was like putting on an old shoe."

As rosy as this picture seems, a full time reunion seems unlikely. These guys hate each other. Waters himself sued the other members for rights to the Pink Floyd namesake. After such bitter hatred during the 80's, a reunion could be disastrous. Although I would kill to see the full outfit in concert, I would hate to see more bullshit.

Fun little fact: NME quoted Roger Walters (sic)

Chilis Are Back

I meant to post this earlier in the week, but I must've had a brain fart or something.

The Chili Peppers have just released some details about their upcoming record. It is tentatively titled Stadium Arcadium, and will be released sometime in April. Keeping with tradition, RHCP have once again utilized Rick Rubin to produce. These days Rubin is everywhere, from Shakira to the most recent Neil Diamond release, 12 Songs.

The follow-up to 2002's By the Way has been a long time in the making, as the Chili Peppers -- Kiedis, Flea, guitarist John Frusciante and drummer Chad Smith -- wrote and rehearsed for seven months before entering the studio with producer Rick Rubin.

The band is now in the mixing stage, but Flea said there's quite a lot to mix. "We recorded a huge quantity of music," he said. "We're so in the middle of it, so it's hard to step back and look at it, but we think it's the best stuff we've ever done."

(via Rolling Stone)

Mr. Miyagi Dies

It's a sad day for all us 80's spawn. A cultural icon has passed away. In his career post-Karate Kid, no one ever referred to him by his real name (Noriyuki "Pat" Morita), but rather by his defining role as Mr. Miyagi. Sure he was pigeonholed in that one character, however he left an everlasting impression on the English lexicon. Seriously, how many times have you quoted his sayings from Karate Kid? And don't be ashamed to admit that you often tried to emulate his karate moves, including the Crane. In 1984, he appeared in the role that would define his career and spawn countless affectionate imitations. As Kesuke Miyagi, the mentor to Ralph Macchio's "Daniel-san," he taught karate while trying to catch flies with chopsticks and offering such advice as "wax on, wax off" to guide Daniel through chores to improve his skills. (via CNN)

MJ

Michael Jackson picked a familiar target to blame for his mounting money problems - the Jews.

In phone messages obtained by ABC News, the apparently prejudiced pop star likens them to "leeches" and claims they conspired to leave him "penniless."

"They suck...they're like leeches...I'm so tired of it," Jackson tells former adviser Dieter Wiesner in one of them. "The Jews do it on purpose."

The ugly message, which was made two years ago and aired yesterday on "Good Morning America," was one of several provided by Wiesner's lawyer, Howard King.

They should've locked him up long ago. Jacko has some serious antisemetic tendencies he must confront. The Daily News sheds some light on an anti-Jewish conversation he had a couple years ago. But now that he's on the loose again, Jacko will soon make his way back into the pants of little boys. Be patient, though. In another 5 or 6 years he'll be back in the news for the same accusations. Then maybe he'll finally be incarcerated.

(via Fat Asian Baby)

Buy it for Your Kids

Fitty is back in the news (of course) with his new videogame, 50 Cent: Bulletproof. If that isn't enough for you to handle, Mr. Curtis Jackson is telling parents to buy the game for their kids because it will teach them valuable lessons on life.

Just because it is rated 'mature' doesn't mean you shouldn't buy it for your kids," the rapper, whose given name is Curtis Jackson, says. "Play the game and explain to them what they are playing."

Yeah. Explain to them why you're blowing someone's head off or why some slut is dressed the way she is. Good call Fitty. The fact that he has children is frightening in itself.

(via Billboard)

So True

Thanks to Emily for sending this to me this morning:

Everyone Loves a Panda

At first this seemed pretty lame. However, watch a few minutes of it and you'll definitely be hooked. Just leave it on in the background.

Farewell

Guitar master Link Wray passed away at age 76 last week. Here is one eulogy found on Billboard:

Guitarist Link Wray, who was said to have invented the power chord, the major modus operandi of modern rock guitarists, has died in Copenhagen. He was 76. A native of Dunn, N.C., Wray's style is considered the blueprint for heavy metal and punk music.

The artist died on Nov. 5 and was buried Nov. 18 at Copenhagen's Christian Church, according to his official Web site, which did not reveal the cause of death.

Wray is best known for his 1958 instrumental "Rumble," 1959's "Rawhide" and 1963's "Jack the Ripper." His music has appeared in movies such as "Pulp Fiction," "Independence Day" and "Desperado."

His style is said to have inspired many other rock musicians, including Pete Townsend of the Who. David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Steve Van Zandt and Bruce Springsteen have also been quoted as saying that Wray and "Rumble" inspired them to become musicians.

According to Wray's site, he invented the fuzz tone by deliberately punching holes in his amplifier speakers. In 2002, Guitar World magazine elected him one of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time.

Wray, known for his trademark black leather jacket, gave his last performance in July in Glendale, Calif. He is survived by his wife and son.


His ultimate legacy is definitely the fuzz tone. Try and picture a musical landscape without that crucial element. It's pretty much impossible. There would be no Zeppelin, Metallica, or any hard rock music...

"Cars" to Reunite

Eighties New Wavers the Cars are set to reunite and even release a new album early next year. But don't unpack your plaid and AquaNet just yet. Founding member and vocalist Ric Ocasek is sitting out the reunion, and in his place Todd Rundgren will sing and even pen a few tunes. So essentially, only 2/5 of the original band is set to return.

Billboard.com has learned that the New Cars are eyeing a 2006 tour with another legendary new wave rock outfit, but no details have yet been announced. Reaction to the news that Easton and Hawkes were pressing on without Ocasek and Orr has been mixed, but Rundgren defended the decision this week in a post on the Web site TRConnection.com.

Yet another band to join the ranks of the "Spinal Tap Corps." You know, bands with illustrious careers who keep making comebacks with only lukewarm reaction. It ultimately hurts their legacy.

(via Billboard)

Nada Surf Announce Dates

Indie rock band Nada Surf have just announced more North American dates in support of their latest record, The Weight is a Gift.

(via Pitchfork)

02-08 Baltimore, MD - 8X10
02-09 Charlottesville, VA - Starr Hill Music Hall
02-10 Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle
02-11 Atlanta, GA - The Loft
02-12 Nashville, TN - Exit In
02-14 Columbia, MO - Blue Note
02-15 Lawrence, KS - Granada Theatre
02-17 Dallas, TX - Tree's
02-18 Austin, TX - Emo's
02-20 Tempe, AZ - Clubhouse
02-21 San Diego, CA - House of Blues
02-22 Los Angeles, CA - Henry Fonda Theater
02-23 San Francisco, CA - Fillmore
02-24 Portland, OR - Aladdin Theatre
02-25 Vancouver, British Columbia - Richard's on Richards
02-26 Seattle, WA - Showbox
03-01 Denver, CO - Bluebird Theatre
03-02 Omaha, NE - Sokol Underground
03-03 Minneapolis, MN - Fine Line Music Café
03-04 Madison, WI - Annex
03-05 Chicago, IL - The Metro
03-06 Detroit, MI - Magic Stick
03-08 New York, NY - Webster Hall
03-09 Boston, MA - Paradise
03-10 Montreal, Quebec - Cabaret Music Hall
03-11 Toronto, Ontario - Lee's Palace

Smoking Disclaimers

A whole bunch of US Legal Reps want to add disclaimers to all movies that depicts characters who smoke. Uhh, what? Last time I checked, no one reads disclaimers. Especially kids. If I were one of these lawyers, I would focus more on the cigarette ads in magazines and billboards.

Released on 7 November, the study found that 38% of the 6,500 young people polled tried smoking after seeing characters smoke on screen.

Kids will smoke no matter what. They understand that it's wrong, and it's a way to be a rebel. You have to convince them it's not cool, or nothing will change.

(via BBC)

Turn That Shit Down, Part Deux

Yesterday I had a gripe about how people on the train always play their shitty music too loud. Today there is an article on Rolling Stone about hearing loss. Some of the findings are quite fascinating, especially since I listen to my iPod every day. And based on the data cited in the article, it's already too late to save my own hearing.

On average, Fligor found that you can safely listen to over-the-ear headphones with a player set at level six (out of ten) for an hour a day. For most in-the-ear headphones, like the earbuds that come with most MP3 players, the acceptable time at that level is less -- around thirty minutes for some models before you've exceeded your safe daily dose.

The article then goes on to cite 5 tips to prevent hearing loss:

1. Wear Earplugs: Just put them in. If you think doing so is uncool, then you're a two-bit tart.

2. Turn it down: Don't get me started again. See last post.

3. Get better headphones: Totally. The ones that come with the iPod blow.

4. Give your ears a rest: And don't forget to use a q-tip to wax those motherfuckers.

5. Quit Smoking: Losing your hearing shouldn't be the incentive to get you to quit smoking.

Turn that Shit Down

There's a reason people wear headphones. They want a private listening experience. What I don't understand then, is the phenomenon of blasting your headphones so everyone around you can hear them. Even worse is when the music being blasted is shit.

On the commute each morning there's this middle-aged dude who now thinks he's cool because he just bought a Nano. I guess he also thinks he's cool for blasting the music at 8 AM. For the past week he's been blasting Chicago. Now I admit, I like Chicago, but I'm not about to advertise to everyone and their mother by playing "Saturday in the Park."

Then today on the way home, another middle-aged guy was blasting Gloria Estefan or some shit equally as bad. I should have just punched him in the gut and stolen his iPod. What an idiot.

Lesson to be learned: don't blast your music so loud so that I can't hear my own music over yours.

'Tis The Season?

It's almost that time of year. You know, the stretch between Halloween and Thanksgiving where people start decorating for Christmas. I feel like all the lights and decorations have become more a seasonal fixture in this society. Christmas lights are now synonymous with winter-time. People in my 'hood put them up after Halloween and usually don't take them down until Easter.

However, in anticipation of the anticipation for those who observe the holiday, have a little fun this year.

R.I.P. Shortlist, Welcome Pantheon

Coveted as the indie rockstars' Grammy's, the Shortlist Music Prize is no more. You can thank the sour relations between the two cofounders. However, co-founder Tom Sarig is taking the Shortlist idea and expanding on it. Now it will be called the Pantheon Awards.

"...will operate much like Shortlist did, with a panel comprised of celebrities and journalists (known to celebrify one another), each submitting seven nominations for album of the year. The albums must have sold less than 500,000 copies in the U.S., and have been released within the past fourteen months. This lengthy list, which will be announced in the coming weeks, will then be whittled down to several finalists come mid-December."

Not sure how the indie geeks will respond to this mess. Rest assured though, hipsters love to bitch, and this is another excuse to act.

(via Pitchfork)

A New Kind of Hot Dog

This is great. Just don't show this to the ACLU.

short clip

Fitty Cent Does Books

Fitty needs to remain in the news for as long as possible or people might forget about him. Last week it was people getting shot outside his movie premier, Get Rich or Die Trying. This week he enters the world of books. Please say (ask) it with me now, books?

"50 Cent has teamed with MTV/Pocket Books to create a series of novellas and graphic novels. G-Unit Books, a street-fiction series will roll out in 2007 with several titles authors in the genre. The series, which agent Marc Gerald says was the rapper's idea, will feature members of Jackson's G-Unit" posse (Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo, Young Buck and Olivia) as characters."

I will only pick one up if Fitty himself holds a reading of his first book at a local bookstore. Now how funny would that be?

(via Billboard)

Here are some pictures from my NYC ride earlier today. We pretty much covered most of Manhattan below 119th street. A few near-death experiences, but nothing too bad...

Rock Radio in Dire Straits?

The future for rock radio is looking pretty grim. The broadcast landscape is being challenged not only by satellite, but also ipod. Increased choice has given the consumer ultimate dominance over terrestrial radio. People would rather program their own shows, vis-a-vis ipod, and have fewer or no commercials. History repeats itself, and rock radio has now once again been relegated to the underground. And by underground I mean the internet; a format that is as fresh as FM was during its inception in the 60's. Think about it, everyday jobbers are at their computers all day, not in cars. Anyway, I've put in my two cents. Feel free to put in yours. Below is a fascinating article on the current state of radio. (via MTV): Sirius, reggaeton, XM, Free FM, FM talk. "Jack," "Hurban," HD. Whatever happened to good old FM and AM? All of a sudden, it feels like radio has become a brave and baffling new world. Instead of the old dilemma of which local rock, pop or hip-hop station to turn to, listeners now have the luxury of choosing between podcasts, dozens of commercial-free music channels on satellite radio and several new terrestrial-radio formats, all of which aim to be the next big thing. Some cities are losing their modern-rock outlets while others are gaining all-reggaeton stations and/or a new format, Hurban (short for Hispanic urban), which is spreading all over the country as radio syndicates reach out to the fastest-growing demographic in the U.S. (41 million and counting). And that's just the beginning. (READ ON)

Pete Best

This guy must have had a terrible life. His only claim to fame was that he was the founding drummer of the Beatles. Best was fired in 1962 and replaced with the loveable Ringo Starr (Richard Starkey of course). And this, my friends, is the footnote that has always been carried under his name.

Now he's coming out with a DVD firing back at those who fired him. Does anybody really care? I thought so.

The documentary begins with various people from those early days firing back, calling it "a load of bollocks" that he wasn't a good drummer, rather that Best's playing is "brilliant." But then the meat of this human what-if story gets started. Featuring archival film footage and photographic stills from the drummer's two years with the band, Best of the Beatles documents everything from the then Fab Five's gigs at the Indra in Hamburg, Germany, to the earliest known live clips of their 1962 Liverpool performances and up to the recording of Abbey Road. During that time, Best got a taste of Beatlemania with his old mates John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison, as they rose to the cusp of stardom with such destined hits as "Love Me Do" and "P.S. I Love You," already in the can. Best, of course, never got to enjoy the ride, as he would be fired by the group in'62 and replaced by Ringo Starr.

(via Rolling Stone)

New Slayer

If you love Slayer, then you'll be happy to know that they are back in the studio for another album. Their previous album God Hates Us All, will forever be remembered for its hallowed September 11, 2001 release date.

According to a band spokesperson, US thrash gods SLAYER will "go into the studio MAYBE December, possibly January to start recording" their long-awaited followup to 2001's God Hates Us All. The album will feature original drummer Dave Lombardo who rejoined the band in early 2002. The album will surface on American Recordings' new home, Warner Bros. Records, sometime in 2006. More news as it develops.

(via Dark Stuff)

McCartney's Space Broadcast

Macca is giving some astronauts up in the International Space Station a little something to enjoy. Being no stranger in trend-setting, McCartney is the first to broadcast live in space. He can now add another notch on his belt of achievements. "The former Beatle is to wake up the crew of the international space station with the track 'English Tea' from his latest album 'Chaos And Creation In The Backyard', as well as the Beatles classic 'Good Day Sunshine' on Saturday (November 12) from a US gig in Anaheim." (via NME)

Looks like the Republican congress is pushing harder than ever to ban gay marriage. You want my take on the whole issue? These legislators are all hypocrites, especially the right-wing conservatives. They should worry about their own infidelities, sex scandals, and lawsuits. If gays want to marry, let them do so.

"A Senate panel narrowly approved a measure Wednesday that could pave the way for a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.

The push for the Marriage Protection Amendment by conservatives, led by Kansas Republican Sam Brownback, resulted in a 5-4 vote along party lines on the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution.

If passed, the constitutional amendment would define marriage as a union between a man and woman only, which would nullify the Massachusetts law that legalized gay marriage in that state last year."
(READ ON)

(via MTV)

Piano Man to Tour

Billy Joel just announced his plans to embark on a solo tour. It will be his first solo outing in nearly eight years.

Billy Joel will return to the road as a solo headlining artist for the first time in nearly eight years, sources tell Billboard.com, beginning with a series of shows in January through April of next year.

Dates on the tour, which includes stops in such markets as Las Vegas, Jacksonville, Fla., and New York, will begin being announced as soon as Friday (Nov. 11). Ticket prices will top out at $75 in most markets.

The last time Joel toured solo was 1998-99, when he grossed $47 million from 64 shows that drew 1.1 million people, according to Billboard Boxscore.

Since then, Joel's tours with fellow piano pop superstar Elton John have made them the most lucrative co-headlining duo of all time. John and Joel last toured together in 2003, grossing $46 million from just 24 dates.

(via Billboard)

Kidz Bop 9

Here is the tracklist for the latest Kidz Bop release. Eat it up:

Behind These Hazel Eyes
Beverly Hills
Don't Lie
Wake Me Up When September Ends
Listen To Your Heart
Just The Girl
Pon De Replay
Cool
Photograph
These Words
You And Me
Feel Good, Inc.
Chariot
Boyfriend
Speed Of Sound
We Belong Together
Wake Up
Axel F

(via Stereogum)

Jacko or Jesus?

Grab your holy grails and line up for the debut of Jesus Juice, the latest merlot proposed by an actress and a veteran newscaster. The real question to be posited is how many drugs does one need to consume to hatch such an idea?

And further, can I get some? Anyway Some may find it offensive, but I personally see it as hysterical. Hard Core religious righters are probably nursing their latest conniption. By the way, when's the next witch hunt?

(via Smoking Gun)

More Beach Boy Litigation

These guys just can't be happy with their millions. Mike Love is suing his cousin Brian Wilson for violation of his sole ownership of the Beach Boys band name. Wilson's dad and former manager would be proud of the legacy he left.

"According to the Associated Press, Love is perturbed that Wilson "shamelessly misappropriated Mike Love's songs, likeness and the Beach Boys trademark, as well as the 'Smile' album itself". Ostensibly. In reality he's likely a green-eyed mongrel lusting after a cut of the SMiLE profitz, considering that record debuted in the Billboard top twenty and achieved monumental critical acclaim (including a whopping 9.0 from that Pitchfork e-rag). Meanwhile, "Kokomo" continues to mercilessly accost innocent elevator patrons worldwide."

The article is definitely worth a read if you can get past all the stupid Beach Boys puns the author throws in there.

(via Pitchfork)

Lennon Goes Digital

In case you live under a rock or something, John Lennon's solo catalog of songs is about to go digital. Regardless of your view about this, you can thank the bitch Ono.

The songs will not be available through iTunes because of the pending lawsuit between Apple Corps Ltd. (Beatles' label) and Apple Computer.

Read more HERE.

12 Songs

Neil Diamond's latest effort 12 Songs is due in stores on Tuesday. High anticipation owes itself to Rick Rubin's producer nod. You can now stream the album in its entirety on Myspace. Come to your own conclusions.

Put It on the List

Looks like I will need to add another book to the Beatles reading list. At 856 pages, it might take awhile. Even though I know much of the story, I just can't help myself.

"Like Elvis or Lyndon Johnson or Dr. Martin Luther King, the Beatles don't fit into one book.

But Bob Spitz has gone ahead and written one anyway, and at 856 pages, trimmed down from a first draft of 2,800, it's a more than credible start-to-finish account of what the Beatles did and why they matter."

(via Daily News)

Jack & Coke

The better half of the White Stripes was tapped (the puns keep getting better) to write a song for a Coke commercial. It is selling out, but could be much worse. I mean, he did write it for this specific purpose. "I've been offered the opportunity to write a song in a way which interests me as a songwriter. I certainly wouldn't want a song that I'd already written to be used on a commercial. That seems strange." Well he definitely has a point. The White Stripes are currently on the UK leg of their tour in support of Get Behind Me Satan. (via NME)

Inside A Mind I Don't Care to See

A new movie is in production about the man behind Lennon's murder, Mark David Chapman. Dubbed "Chapter 27", its plot is to explore his mind and why he committed the crime. However, 25 years after the Beatle's death, who cares about Chapman? There isn't much of a story there. Anyone can tell you that he was obsessed with The Catcher in the Rye and thought Lennon a phony. That's it. Plus, we already know he was/is a looney obsessed, case closed.

"Chapter 27," is a reference to the 26 chapters in the J.D. Salinger coming-of-age novel "The Catcher in the Rye," which Chapman cited as his inspiration for the murder. Chapman has said he identified with the book's hero, who hated phonies, and gunned Lennon down because he thought him a hypocrite."

The film will star Jared Leto as Chapman and Lindsay Lohan as a crazed fan who befriends him. Not only am I skeptical about the subject matter, but also of Lohan being in the movie. I can't lend credibility to an actress whose last film was Herbie: Fully Loaded.

25 years later, don't you think we should be focusing more on the person Lennon was rather than on his cowardly killer?

(via CNN)

Colbert Stays On

Comedy Central has decided to keep The Colbert Report, signing a deal that will keep the show on until early 2007.

"I want to thank Comedy Central for picking up the show, but more importantly I want to congratulate Comedy Central for picking up the show," deadpanned Colbert in a press release Wednesday."

The show is tough to get into at first, partly because it directly follows The Daily Show. But rest assured, it will eventually grow on ya.

(via Yahoo)

New Strokes LP Has Name

The new Strokes LP is now dubbed First Impressions of Earth and will be released stateside on January 3rd. A tracklisting has been released, however it is still unsequenced. Below are the song titles (via Billboard):

"You Only Live Once"
"Juicebox"
"Heart In a Cage"
"Razorblade"
"On the Other Side"
"Vision of Division"
"Ask Me anything"
"Electricityscape"
"Killing Lies"
"Fear of Sleep"
"Evening Sun"
"Ize of the World"
"15 Minutes"
"Red Light"

Jews Invented Comic Heroes

It's been known for some time that Jews are behind some of the most famous comic book heroes in history. However, through greedy businessmen and corporate interest, the original creators never got any recognition. This article sheds some light on the golden years of the comic book universe, and the place of Jews within it.

A great read even if you're not a huge comic person.