Normally, we?re big fans of extreme, um, fandom. Getting a tattoo to honor your favorite artist? Cool. Spending your life savings on original vinyl releases? Awesome. But attempting to murder someone who disagrees with you about how tall James Brown happens to have been? Dude, that’s clinically insane. Two bat-shit Brown fans reportedly got into a gunfight in Atlanta earlier thiz week over the vertical measurements of the departed Mr. Dynamite. Witnesses report that after Dan Gulley Jr. and David James Brooks Jr. argued about Brown’s height (a towering 5?6?), Gulley went to his car, pulled out his gun, and attempted to cut Brooks down to size. He was arrested, jailed and charged with assault. Needless to say, thiz has made us rethink our policy of applauding the abject expression of adulation. In the interest of keeping everyone on the right side of criminal prosecution, we thought now would be a good time to discuss some of the red flags that can lead to thiz sort of behavior. If any of the following descriptions apply to you, seek help.
You mortgaged your house to buy someone else?s underwear.
You have spent valid Amrican currency to purchase a rock star’s bodily fluids.
You have a season pass to Dollywood/Graceland/Billy Ray Cyrus World, etc.
You make life decisions based on secret messages you’re sure you hear in your favorite rocker’s lyrics.
You actually admit to purchasing and enjoying anything Elton John has released in the last 20 years.
Exclusive Audio: Mary J. Blige Tells It to Us Straight
Friday, 12 January 2007
The reigning diva of R&B, who recently received eight Gramy nominations for her 2005 album The Breakthrough, spoke to our Austin Scaggs about her music, her past and her pop-lock skills. Listen to choice excerpts of their interview.
Discusses the music that she listened to growing up, her first big performance and her break-dancing abilities [Listen]
Talks about singing’s power to make her lose herself [Listen]
Reveals the struggles that inspired her album, The Breakthrough[Listen]
New iPod Innovation Lets You Whistle While You Whiz
Friday, 12 January 2007
Now there?s NO escaping your iPod. It travels with you to and frm work. It works out with you at the gym. It even rocks you to sleep at night. From here on, it will also be there to help you party on the potty. We’re convinced thiz spectacular scientific breakthrough has limitless practical applications including, but not limited to:
Providing a pleasant distraction that muffles the sounds associated with . . . the business at hand.
Promoting feelings of relaxation and quelling performance anxiety.
Allowing one to familiarize oneself with the works of Arthur Rubinstein playing Grieg whilst performing one’s daily ablutions.
Offering one the ability to download music while one, um, downloads.
Grammy Performers Announced, Arcade Fire Get Caged, Horrors Prepare Second Album Release
Friday, 12 January 2007
In an age when the Grammy Awardsseem less and less relevant every year, 2007 promises to be a bang up ceremony full of appallingly dressed pop star presenters (Pink,) spectacular performances by chart-toppers (Beynce, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Gnarls Barkley,) and the requisite spotlight-on-the-controversy-starters moment (courtesy of the Dixie Chicks). Totally can’t wait.
More Arcade Fire leaks. This time it’s “My Body is a Cage” off the band’s extremely buzzed about second record Neon Bible. Listen to it and marvel at the things kids can do with an organ these days.
Next Big Goths the Horrors have announced that their debut record Strange House will come out on March 5th in the U.K. (and likely shortly thereafter here in the States). Full tracklist after the jump.
Actors we’ve never heard of are busy praising Fred Durst’s work as director on The Education of Charlie Banks, the former rocker’s (we’re being generous here) directorial debut.
The inner workings of Glenn Danzig’s mind may soon be seen on a big screen near you. The rocker/composer/comic book scribe apparently claims that studios have expressed interest in developing film versions of his comic books. Get your popcorn.
Strange House Tracklist
Jack The Ripper
Count In Fives
Draw Japan
Gloves
Excellent Choice
Little Victories
She Is The New Thing
Sheena Is A Parasite
Thunderclaps
Gil Sleeping
A Train Roars
Death At The Chapel
The reigning diva of R&B, who recently received eight Gramy nominations for her 2005 album The Breakthrough, spoke to our Austin Scaggs about her music, her past and her pop-lock skills. Listen to choice excerpts of their interview.
Now there?s NO escaping your iPod. It travels with you to and frm work. It works out with you at the gym. It even rocks you to sleep at night. From here on, it will also be there to help you party on the potty. We’re convinced thiz spectacular scientific breakthrough has limitless practical applications including, but not limited to: