Enter the Bloggin

Book (Title) of the Year

2008-11-11T00:46:00.002-05:00

The dudes behind the net's hebreonostalgia-cum-vinyl records board Reboot Stereophonic are releasing "And You Shall Know Us by the Trail of Our Vinyl" (nominee for best book title for obvious reasons, and maybe even best book subtitle). The book hits stores next Tuesday, but you can view the accompanying blog now.

New Yorkers trying to save historic Tin Pan Alley

2008-11-09T23:12:00.002-05:00

A group of New Yorkers is fighting to save Tin Pan Alley, the half-dozen row houses where iconic American songs were born.

The four-story, 19th-century buildings on Manhattan's West 28th Street were home to publishers of some of the catchiest American tunes and lyrics — from "God Bless America" and "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" to "Give My Regards to Broadway."

The music of Irving Berlin, Scott Joplin, Fats Waller, George M. Cohan and other greats was born on Tin Pan Alley.

Oh joy!

2008-10-28T12:10:00.004-04:00

Remember when MTV used to play music videos? Apparently, so do they. And they're cataloguing them at http://www.mtvmusic.com/ with plenty of
Classics:

Talking Heads |MTV Music

Peter Gabriel |MTV Music

Digital Underground |MTV Music

and some I never even knew vids existed for:

Queen |MTV Music

The Grateful Dead |MTV Music

Notorious M.O.V.

2008-10-24T16:41:00.002-04:00

I can't say I've been following news of the film's production, which probably explains why I'm so impressed by the look and sound of clips from "Notorious," releasing in January. Props alone are due merely for the dead ringer producers found to portray Mr. Wallace. (Trailer #2 is available on Apple Trailers.)

Vote for Cool Typefaces and Tri-Chromatic Graphics

2008-10-21T10:55:00.001-04:00

Gender-ambiguous MC Yogi gives us this mellow cut - too idealist, perhaps - but certainly well done.

Christmas on Mars

2008-10-17T14:10:00.002-04:00

Everyone's phavorite phreaks have done it again! The Flaming Lips homage to Ed Wood, Adam Jones and who knows who else, hits theaters near you soon!

Literally 80's, Take Two

2008-10-16T10:47:00.006-04:00

Further to last Wednesday's post, Daveyboy links us to another literal-lyric 80's hit. If this becomes the next lame YouTube trend, I will sigh and groan... as I post every single one here on ETB.

Fun fact: Songs from the Big Chair was the very first record I ever owned... and tried scratchin!

Cash does King

2008-10-14T11:20:00.001-04:00

JFonz linked us to this rare clip of Johnny Cash rocking his best Elvis impersonation. And I thought they were chums.

Take On Me, Literally

2008-10-08T10:27:00.000-04:00

the A-Ha vid gets the literal lyrics treatment. awesome.

Barack-a-Rock!

2008-10-07T14:45:00.004-04:00

Join Andrew Bird, Fiery Furnaces, Les Savy Fav and many more for this debate-watching-slash-comedy-and-music-enjoying fest in W'burg. $40 gets you in, and all proceeds go to fighting the good fight.

The Brand that Won't Die

2008-09-16T14:17:00.002-04:00

I swear, Napster is like that bald dude from Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome - no matter how many times it gets run over by a post-apocalyptic wartruck, it keeps coming back to life.

Best Buy has decided to gobble up online music venture (and, in many ways, arch-enemy) Napster Inc., paying about double today's market value for the company. Best Buy already offers a digital music program in conjunction with RealNetworks' Rhapsody service. It's unclear whether much of Napster's technology will survive the merger: Best Buy will likely try to port the 700,000 Napster customers over to the Rhapsody service, and send the brand to the scrap heap.

FYI, RATM at the DNC

2008-08-29T11:48:00.011-04:00

Zack and Co. rocked a Denver show on Tuesday and led a march for Iraq Veterans Against the War to the Pepsi Center and the DNC.

McCain loves the Gasolina

2008-08-25T17:02:00.002-04:00

I'm bugging. If this is not some type of publicity stunt, I just don't know what's what. Yesterday, Reggaeton star Daddy Yankee publicly endorsed John McCain, and then proceeded to grope a line of 13-year olds on national television.

The Feeding Frenzy Continues

2008-08-19T12:49:00.002-04:00

And down goes Muxtape, the latest target of the RIAA's sweeping crackdowns on internet radio "piracy."

"More Bass"

2008-08-18T14:04:00.003-04:00

Legendary record producer and Rock n Roll Hall of Fame inductee Jerry Wexler died this past Friday, after decades of working a muse with a who's who of R&B, soul and rock acts. NYTimes has a great write-up of his life and career and Rolingstone.com posted 20 essential recordings of Wexler's here.

Farewell to the King (of Free Net Radio)

2008-08-18T11:03:00.003-04:00

Buckling under the weight of the Internet radio royalty hike that SoundExchange pushed through last July, Pandora may pull its own plug soon. Despite being one of the most popular Internet radio services, the company still isn't making money, and its founder, Tim Westergren, says it can't last beyond its first payment of the higher royalties. Via Ars Technica.

Break out the pocket protectors

2008-08-15T12:12:00.000-04:00

Math-rockers Battles are free-showing it at Summerstage this Saturday. Joined by more art-rock/fart-rock/smart-rock bands Black Dice and Gang Gang Dance.

Get to Half Steppin'

2008-08-14T13:23:00.003-04:00

Living rap legend Big Daddy Kane - hopefully not yet relying on one - drops some old playa knowledge (for FREE) tonight at Marcus Garvey Park. Hmm... Marcus Garvey Park - now would that be located down by Wall Street? Maybe Chelsea.

Here's to Hoping the Rain Holds Off

2008-08-13T11:07:00.003-04:00

Tomorrow night, dreamo-rockers Blonde Redhead play a FREE outdoor gig at Hudson River Park (Pier 54), backed up by the Liberty Helicopter orchestral whirling dervishes!

Barack Rocks

2008-08-09T13:49:00.000-04:00

MySpace.com - Shush (Debut EP out Monday 5th May!) - London, UK - Rock / Pop - www.myspace.com/shushsound

2008-08-08T20:25:00.000-04:00

MySpace.com - Shush (Debut EP out Monday 5th May!) - London, UK - Rock / Pop - www.myspace.com/shushsound

Another Weekend, Another Pool Party

2008-08-08T12:27:00.003-04:00

JellyNYC keeps churning out great free shows at McCarren Pool. This Sunday, catch country-blues by way of Brooklyn with Langhorne Slim (headliners are Americana rockers Felice Brothers).

Labia Aquilus Solutum!

2008-08-01T14:27:00.000-04:00

For those of us who can't afford tix to the sure-to-be-most-freshest Rock the Bells this weekend, Black Lips are performing a free gig at McCarren Pool in W'Burg on Sunday (with ambient rock lovelies Deerhunter and others).

Reggin, please!

2008-07-31T17:18:00.002-04:00

One of my favorite rappers, Nas, appeared on the Colbert Report last week to discuss the new album and his ongoing feud with Papa Bear himself. Is there anyone Colbert cannot hang with? So cool, man...

Twones

2008-07-30T16:20:00.002-04:00

Twones is a music service and a new way to store, organize, find & share music played all over the web (i.e. YouTube, Myspace, Last.fm, Hypemachine, Muxtape and many more) or on your computer (i.e. iTunes) to one single point of access. Twones ties all music together and let's you share your taste with others in its most direct way. (Via)

Rush's star power?

2008-07-28T14:19:00.002-04:00

Missed them on the Colbert Report last week, but here's a clip of the band playing their own "Tom Sawyer" on Rock Band... and failing!

eMusic Diggs Deeper

2008-07-25T12:03:00.007-04:00

from Ars Technica: eMusic has introduced new social features to its DRM-free, subscription-based music store that leverage media and artist information from user-driven communities like YouTube, Flickr, and Wikipedia. It's the first of many new features arriving in the next few months that are designed to position the company as a social hub for discovering new music.

Naughty by the River

2008-07-22T12:59:00.004-04:00

Has it really been 15 years since "Hip Hop Hooray"? Man, forget how old you are and head down to Queensbridge Park tonight for a free riverside gig by the OPP boys.

Sweet Siren's Call

2008-07-18T15:57:00.000-04:00

Ah, the smell of Coney Island whitefish. The sweat of 8,000 dirty hipsters. The lack of adequate Port-O-Pottyage. What better way to spend a Saturday than enjoying these fine attributes of the annual (free) Village Voice Siren music fest? This year features Broken Social Scene, Times New Viking, and Syracuse upstarts Ra Ra Riot.

Pure Jeanius

2008-07-16T16:53:00.002-04:00

Will's homegirl Jean Grae (w/ 9th Wonder) is releasing a new album with 4 different very familiar album covers. And 2dopeboyz is right on with "if you can’t name where each cover is derived from, go play in traffic please."

House of Cards

2008-07-15T10:43:00.006-04:00

Radiohead (who play 2 nights of the All Points West fest in Aug) release their impressive vid for "House of Cards," employing data visualization technology.

Watch it here.

Watch how it was made here.

The Rivers Deliver

2008-07-11T11:35:00.003-04:00

Ahh, summer's in full swing and that means great free music shows all over the city, including the always surprising River to River Festival. I already missed Sonic Youth's 7/4 gig. Tonight it's No Age, along with Brooklyn locals Telepathe at the South St Seaport.

Uuuhhhhhhhhh

2008-07-07T12:50:00.001-04:00

Where to begin?

Homme on a Rampage

2008-06-17T16:41:00.000-04:00

Holy flurking shnit! QOTSA's Josh Homme goes nutso on a fan in Oslo. Let's see how many pending lawsuits you can count arising from this one vid (i.e., security guards escorting the kid to within striking distance... WTF?)

He's been everywhere, man.

2008-06-16T21:59:00.000-04:00

Tom Waits unravels the cosmic mystery of his 2008 US tour at this press conference. Da Vinci Code ain't got nothin on this guy (stay till the end).

Obama Boy!

2008-06-11T12:02:00.003-04:00

Nas has released a new single titled "Black President" which contains excerpts of Obama speeches. Listen here. Now if only he was registered to vote!

Nasty Nas, indeed.

2008-06-10T13:33:00.003-04:00

Here's the much-hyped and assumed uber-controversial video for Nas' "Be A Nigger Too." In my opinion, Nas is still the most dominant lyricist making hip-hop today and the controversy he strives for only helps propel his content to a higher plane above his colleagues.

P.S. Why star cameos by only the Asian folks? Harold and Ando.

Weezer's Best of the Web

2008-05-29T16:38:00.002-04:00

Rivers Cuomo and Co. seamlessly integrate themselves into the wacky wuurld of our most beloved webvids in their video for "Pork & Beans" off the forthcoming Red Album:

(still doesn't beat "Buddy Holly" though)

Reznor does it again

2008-05-05T11:41:00.004-04:00

As a follow-up to last month's experiment (which apparently worked out just fine), Trent Reznor is releasing the new Nine Inch Nails album for free.

The music is available in a variety of formats including high-quality MP3, FLAC or M4A lossless at CD quality and even higher-than-CD quality 24/96 WAVE. All downloads include a PDF with artwork and credits. (Click title for link)

Lock and (down)Load

2008-05-05T10:25:00.002-04:00

Rockstar Games' "Grand Theft Auto IV" includes a feature that lets players tag any song in the soundtrack of the video game in order to receive more information about the title and artist, as well as store tagged tracks in a custom playlist on the Amazon digital music store for later purchase.

"It's a very big deal for us," says EMI Music North America. "We're continually looking for new ways to sell our music." Right - there's nothing better than pairing the new Miley Cyrus single with shooting a hooker in the face! Game on.

Fair Trade, indeed.

2008-04-29T13:12:00.004-04:00

... Chris Martin and mates are giving it away. Not quite Radiohead or NIN, but a nice gesture nevertheless - a couple free singles, plus two free gigs in June (23rd at NYC's MSG) to promote Viva La Vida.

More sweet than bitter

2008-04-28T13:28:00.002-04:00

Sweethearts of late 90s British charts, the Verve, have reunited and play MSG's WaMu Theatre tonight and tomorrow night. Nice.

That clinches it!

2008-04-16T16:02:00.003-04:00

"He speaks to the America I've envisioned in my music for the past 35 years," writes Bruce Springsteen on his webpage, officially endorsing Barack Obama. When the boss speaks, that just about wraps up the nomination right there doesn't it?

That ties up the violent rapper primary category...

2008-03-31T13:46:00.001-04:00

So DMX thinks Barack's got a funny name, but 50 (pronounced fiddy) Cent has switched allegiances from Hillary to Obama.

He's also bored of the campaign.

List of Demands

2008-03-24T16:07:00.003-04:00

Song of the month from Will: by Saul Williams, about reparations for slavery (lyrics here). Now go out and buy you some Nikes.

Wait DMX doesn't follow politics?

2008-03-18T18:13:00.001-04:00

This is some funny shit!:

DMX cracks up when he finds out there is a person named Barack running for president. Don't worry tho, as an excon he can't vote.

Mamma Mia!

2008-03-17T12:38:00.000-04:00

The drummer of Swedish pop group Abba has been found dead with his throat cut in an apparent accident at his home on the island of Majorca.

We are the World's...

2008-03-14T17:24:00.002-04:00

...Greatest Karaoke Jam! In 1985, a large group of singers and celebrities banded together for famine relief efforts and a pop classic was born. In 2008, a large group of Japanese karaoke jammers banded together for.... this instant YouTube classic.

Stroboscopic!

2008-03-10T14:59:00.003-04:00

The video for Gnarls Barkley’s new single, “Run,” has been barred from MTV, for failing the Harding Test, established to prevent television images from triggering epileptic seizures in viewers. So without further ado, don't tear your eyes away! (Look for classic Pokemon vids next week!)

Reznor one-ups Radiohead

2008-03-03T16:16:00.003-05:00

NIN has just released Ghosts I-IV, described on the site as 2 hours of new instrumental music composed and recorded over an intense ten week period. But what's really interesting is Reznor's distribution plan: some of it available for free via BitTorrent, with more as immediately downloadable, and with the full set ordered through his website as Deluxe Packages.

Turning a Corner

2008-02-12T15:00:00.001-05:00

After a healthy hiatus from posting, I've returned... and what better way to do so than announcing a free show by one of 2007's breakout indie bands? White Rabbits* play BAM** this Saturday***.

* multi-instrumentalist indie pop for fans of Walkmen and Spoon

** Brooklyn cultural arts / music center for fans of culture, art, and/or music

*** weekly federal holiday won back from the Man after the IT Worker Riots of 2002

Vinyl Sleeve Heads

2008-01-04T17:39:00.000-05:00

Nuff said. Some better than others, but all funny and good efforts. Thanks Will.

David Byrne's Survival Strategies for Emerging Artists

2007-12-20T17:04:00.000-05:00

"Where there was one, now there are six: Six possible music distribution models, ranging from one in which the artist is pretty much hands-off to one where the artist does nearly everything... The totally DIY model is certainly not for everyone — but that's the point. Now there's choice."

David Byrne offers his well-earned perspective on where this bidness is headed.

On a more acerbic note, the Onion reports on the latest RIAA lawsuit.

MeFi's done me right today...

The Worst Band Names of 2007

2007-12-19T11:08:00.000-05:00

According the Onion AV Club. My favorites include: Dance Me Pregnant and The House That Gloria Vanderbilt. Thanks Shai!

The Bottom Line's Encore

2007-12-18T16:03:00.000-05:00

The law school exams are over, and I can now turn to more important business - like recycling old news online!

This Sunday's Times featured a story about the storied East Village music venue, the Bottom Line, detailing its slow demise and looming resurrection across the East River.

Pssst....

2007-12-03T12:33:00.000-05:00

... the Angry Chicken is alive and squawking, just in time to help us make sense of those wacky politicians running our little lives.

The Boss and the Butler

2007-12-01T15:33:00.000-05:00

Yes, I subscribe to SPIN mag, and yes, it's often only one step in journalistic integrity above Tiger Beat for its tiresomely drooling fandom. But, at least you won't see Britney on their covers. And sometimes you'll actually see something like this:
A joint interview with Bruce and the Arcade Fire's Win Butler. And although it contains eye-gouging statements like "Of all the highly touted acts to debut in the past few years, Arcade Fire are perhaps the easiest to imagine still at it in 30 years" it's still a decent read.

The Thermals Raid the A/V Dept.

2007-11-30T15:42:00.000-05:00

I'm a big fan of the Thermals, but this vid for "Returning to the Fold" off The Body, The Blood, The Machine has got to be the most egregious abuse of a green screen ever, ripping off Conan O'Brien and That 70's Show along the way.

Cherry Chocolate Rain

2007-11-29T15:50:00.000-05:00

Tay Zonday, a David Cross-looking teen with Barry White-like pipes + Diet Dr. Pepper = Me completely flabbergasted. Have ads really gotten this good?

For All the Rock in China

2007-11-27T16:24:00.000-05:00

The truth is that I mainly subscribe to the Times to impress my Post- and News-receiving neighbors. But very occasionally, I manage to remove the paper from its shiny blue bag and actually read an article. This year, it was this one...

"A growing tide of Western acts hoping to crack the vast new entertainment market of China. Once largely closed to foreign music, the country has gradually loosened restrictions and — at a time when record sales in the West continue to plunge, and new sources of revenue have become essential — emerged as a crucial territory on pop’s global map."

Really, really not good times... at all

2007-11-15T16:44:00.000-05:00

From the WTF!?! files: Tommy Lee (yes, that Tommy Lee), goes all Jason Mraz on us... or something. What is his doc prescribing him to make (and publicly release) a song like this? Nikki Sixx is rolling in his pre-dug grave.

Rap Music + Excel spreadsheets =

2007-11-14T15:14:00.001-05:00

...Funny stuff! OK, maybe this has been around a while on the internets already, but I'm seeing it for the first time. Bonus: each graph clickable for corresponding music vid. Also, a good test of your hip-hop knowledge (I've found that mine came to a dead stop circa 1996).

Work It Out

2007-11-09T16:50:00.000-05:00

New vid from RJD2. Cool enough on its own, but then really cool to know that the dancer "was born with a degenerative hip condition. His legs cannot carry his own weight and so he has lived a life on crutches. He has developed a new way of moving through life on his skateboard and the crutches. Though this may look like a recreational hobby or a debilitation, it is simply how Bill maneuvers throughout the day."

The Future is Unwritten

2007-10-31T15:44:00.000-04:00

New documentary by Julien Temple (director of "The Filth and the Fury") of iconic Clash frontman Joe Stru mmer out soon. The biopic contains never before seen footage of Strummer including studio sessions, archive and early childhood footage and interviews with Strummer disciples such as Martin Scorsese and Bono.

No Lifeguard on Duty

2007-10-30T16:53:00.000-04:00

Artist and blogger Andrew Kuo charted (literally) this summer's excellent concert series at McCarren Pool, which resulted in a dizzying and very funny set of graphics to illustrate his experience (click title above).

A few samples of the performances:

Faster, Stoneycat, Kill! Kill!

2007-10-26T12:45:00.001-04:00

Vid for QOTSA's "3's & 7's" is a nice homage to Russ Meyer films, or at least Tarantino's homage to Russ Meyer films.

4 reasons why the RIAA won a jury verdict of $220,000

2007-10-05T13:57:00.000-04:00

A not-too-techie brief analysis of how the RIAA won big in their first copyright infringement case (that actually went to trial) against a former KaZaa user.

Let's Make a Deal!

2007-10-04T14:51:00.000-04:00

...Radiohead style. The band is offering pre-orders of their new album, "In Rainbows," from their website. Big deal right? Except the digital-only version is being sold at Name Your Own Price (presumably as little as 1 penny, but what lowlife would resort to that?) We are all rats in Thom Yorke's lab...

Asbury Love in the Nutmeg State

2007-10-02T11:52:00.000-04:00

Bruce is bringing his E Street Band into Hartford tonight to open his tour of the US and Europe to promote "Magic." Connecticut Gov. Jodi Rell has gotten into the spirit by declaring October 2 as Bruce Springsteen Day in the state. Why is this blogworthy? Only because JFonz is the biggest Bruce fan I know, and he's getting married this weekend...IN CONNECTICUT!!! Happy early wedding day, dude.

Black & White is So Right

2007-09-28T11:38:00.000-04:00

Yes! Friday's post features...hip-hop that doesn't suck!

Lupe Fiasco refuses to "Dumb it Down" for the masses:

and Cool Kids could care less about rollin Caddys on 22's - "Black Mags" is BMX porn for dat azz:

iTunes up the River?

2007-09-26T16:08:00.000-04:00

Amazon has launched its public beta of Amazon MP3, offering DRM-free unprotected music (playable on any music player) and cheaper prices than iTunes. Let the hazing of the new guy begin!

The Ghosts in Your Machine

2007-09-25T16:01:00.000-04:00

Spooky-cool negative-thermal effect in the vid for Emily Haines' "Our Hell." Directed by the Predator?

Walk Hard

2007-09-21T11:01:00.000-04:00

The story of legendary rock musician and teen idol, Dewey Cox, finally comes to the big screen:

P.S. Paul Rudd as Lennon + Jack White as Elvis + Patrick Duffy = Pure Film Gold.

The Receiver

2007-09-20T14:23:00.000-04:00

Tryst's favorite opening band is playing tonight in W'burg at Trash Bar. Be there, or be... somewhere else! Open bar from 8-9p. With Red Lights to Rio, Del Jugo, and a couple other bands I've never heard of.

Holdin it Down on Wall Street (WTF?)

2007-09-14T14:53:00.000-04:00

My favorite hard-partying bar poet band, The Hold Steady, are playing a FREE show downtown Monday night, along with my favorite slightly-whiny alt-country band, the Old 97s.

Also playing: Illinois

Post-VMA Fallout

2007-09-12T12:01:00.000-04:00

Thanks to JFonz and his TiVo for providing me with a day-later viewing of the debacle that was the 2007 MTV VMAs. And now the fallout over Britney and Kanye, the 2 biggest losers of the evening (although at least 1 of them is destined for a rapid upswing at the end of this week):

Hit her, baby, one more time: Rebecca Traister of Salon reports on the show's soon-to-be-infamous opening act, its reflection of our society's values, but without letting Ms. Spears off the hook. The video here.

Everybody thinks I snapped: Kanye explains the underlying racism and selectivism of being put on the back burner.

Tonight Tonite

2007-09-11T18:26:00.000-04:00

Innovative music video of the week, brought to you by the Superfantastics:

The Music Man

2007-09-04T10:54:00.000-04:00

This Sunday's Times mag features a cover story on Rick Rubin, and the hopes of salvation that Columbia Records has placed on his shoulders (or, rather, earholes...)

Going into Battles

2007-08-31T12:38:00.000-04:00

Math-rock-avante-garde-jazz-electronica-fusion mirror-laden supergroup Battles is playing a FREE gig down at South St. Seaport tonight. Click title above for details and here for video.
With Deerhunter.

VW + Apple = iCar

2007-08-31T11:46:00.000-04:00

From the news-not-really-any-news files, Apple and Volkswagen are discussing the possibility of building an "iCar" that would feature products by the producer of the ubiquitous iPod personal music player.

Thumpin Thursday

2007-08-30T12:42:00.000-04:00

Wowee, lots of music happening tonight. In addition to a free VHS or Beta gig, we've got:

Sweet Soubrette with Kelli Rae Powell at Lucky Cheng's, 8:00p.
"2 of the NY ukulele scene's hottest chanteuses join femme fatale forces for a set of original duets at "the drag queen capital of the world" (falsies may be worn). Tight harmonies & biting wit make their songs as unforgettable as a disastrous love affair." Video delights here.

and...

Steve Shiffman & The Land Of No
at Cake Shop, 8:00p.

Can't Stop the Hack

2007-08-29T16:41:00.000-04:00

In today's BusinessWeek: AT&T and Apple may face an uphill battle prosecuting hackers who untether the iPhone from the AT&T wireless network.

Harking back to the Pre-Blu Ray Dilemma

2007-08-29T11:33:00.000-04:00

Supporting the release of "Bring on the Comets," electrolight post-punkers VHS or Beta play a FREE show in Brooklyn tomorrow night, with free Bass Ale from 10-11!). Click here to RSVP. They also play the Bowery tonight for mucho $.
With Walter Meego and Team Robespierre.

...and Bob's your uncle.

2007-08-28T16:05:00.000-04:00

Well, I've pissed away a good portion of my afternoon checking out old Dylan footage on YouTube. Here are some interesting ones...

A very young Dylan receiving just respect from Steve Allen in 1964:

Dueling folk guitars with Donovan:

In a London cab with John Lennon, stoned (?) and dapper:

Persian Cardinal

2007-08-24T16:19:00.000-04:00

Yvette Perez (Avant-garde pop/jazz) tonight at VoxPop, Brooklyn, 8pm.

Joe Jackson - Steppin' Out

2007-08-23T12:50:00.000-04:00

Just came across this golden oldie from 1982. The video bleeds nostalgia just as the song does for me.

Tragedy in NYC!

2007-08-23T11:39:00.000-04:00

No, not another Wall St. bank fire, but rather, the city's best metal Bee Gees tribute band, fronted by none other than Royce Peterson (aka Fur Coat, of Double Dong & Wyld Lixx fame). Playing at BB King's tonight, with Aquabats and MC Lars.

Hip-hop's Down Beat

2007-08-22T12:04:00.000-04:00

This week's TIME mag features a concise article on the sharp downturn of hip-hop sales and what the genre needs to pull itself up.

US Air Guitar Finals

2007-08-16T12:18:00.000-04:00

Tonight at the Fillmore Irving, watch the greatest shredders never to hold an instrument windmill their way to a chance at the national title. with Satanicide (?)

How "Guitar Hero" saved guitar music

2007-08-15T17:37:00.000-04:00

Contrary to some purists' claims, the popular video game is inspiring kids to rock out for real.

Close-Up Elderly Naughtiness

2007-08-15T12:36:00.000-04:00

One chihuahua was harmed during the filming of this video for the Shins' "Turn On Me"

Au Revoir Crappy Weather

2007-08-10T16:05:00.000-04:00

Pending a rain-out, the moody melodies of Brooklyn keyboard trio Au Revoir Simone play a FREE show at South Street Seaport tonight. Go Yankees!

BigBrotherpaloooooza!

2007-08-10T00:21:00.000-04:00

Lyrics performed by Pearl Jam criticizing President Bush Sunday at Lollapalooza in Chicago were censored from a webcast by AT&T. Monitors hired by AT&T cut two lines from a song to the tune of Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall." One was "George Bush, leave this world alone" the second time it was sung, and the other was "George Bush find yourself another home." The edited video here.

Jump for Jew!

2007-08-09T11:56:00.000-04:00

Van Halen fans, get ready to "Jump." The rockers have re-formed with original frontman David Lee Roth and will set out on a national tour beginning in October. WARNING: The Roth link in the preceding sentence may cause severe coronaries in hardcore VH fans.

Steadily Holding It Down

2007-08-08T14:14:00.000-04:00

My favorite hard-partying bar poet band, The Hold Steady, are playing a FREE show in Prospect Park tomorrow night, following a stint on this summer's Lollapalooza.

Also playing: The Big Sleep and The Teenage Prayers

A Special Announcement

2007-08-07T12:47:00.000-04:00

The long wait is over...

The Dark Side gives you Free Hip-Hop

2007-08-03T11:52:00.000-04:00

Microsoft's Zune presents a free day of hip-hop, featuring Brand Nubian, Clipse, and Mims. Click the link above for tickets and info.

Battles - Atlas

2007-08-02T15:42:00.000-04:00

When I first met Daveyboy, he wore a watch with a calculator on it. Maybe that's why he's now into math rock. In any event, this band is about to blow up, so keep an eye out. And first to post his transcription of the lyrics wins a free mini-abacus...

VA Tech concert

2007-08-02T00:26:00.000-04:00

Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer and Nas are among the acts who will play a free concert in September for staff and students of VA Tech, site of the April 16 on-campus massacre.

"At least I died doing what I loved... Lip-Synching."

2007-08-01T18:36:00.000-04:00

Fun with squibbs and magic eggs in the Black Keys' "Your Touch."