Mar/100
Redonkulous News featuring: Weezer’s inner child
Redonkulous News featuring: Weezer’s inner childWeezer Bugs Out – Weezer dropped by the set of “Yo Gabba Gabba!” yesterday to perform “All My Friends Are Insects” for the kiddies. Strangely, I totally would’ve bought this as a new Weezer video if I had seen it out of context. They probably even brought their own costumes.
Wanted: Two Pumpkins, Slightly Smashed – Billy Corgan and Smashing Pumpkins are looking for a new keyboardist and a replacement for their touring bassist, Ginger Pooley, who is taking some time off to be with her new baby. Corgan reportedly wants someone with a prog-rock background. If you think you fit the bill, kick them a resume and some performance clips at pumpkinsbass@gmail.com or pumpkinskeys@gmail.com before the end of March. Just tell ‘em ShowClix sent ya… and make sure not to play anything from Zwan during your audition.
The Final Countdown – It’s a bit of a running gag that Jack Bauer, the all-go, no-quit, “tortured” antihero of FOX’s 24, is forever asking random terrorists to tell him “where the bomb is.” Yet, if Jack actually sat down and watched this year’s abysmal season, he’d know the answer to that question. Which is why the network is considering cutting the show loose after eight seasons. The costs are up, the ratings are down, and Kiefer Sutherland has pursued every single part of a nuclear weapon there is to pursue. Of course, one more romp on the big screen is still a possibility, but early reports are unclear as to whether or not it would be released as 12 separate movies.
Mar/100
Redonkulous News featuring: Shelley Duvall as Dave Grohl?
Redonkulous News featuring: Shelley Duvall as Dave Grohl?
A few news items to make you feel better about your Tuesday:
Dave Grohl’s Doppelgänger – Casting rumors for Kurt Cobain’s biopic continue to fly, with the latest being spread by Dave Grohl himself. “I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m crossing my fingers that Shelley Duvall plays me,” said the Nirvana vet. I’m assuming Grohl is referring to the “drowned rat” look Duvall rocked in The Shining. “That is my face,” Grohl reiterated. “You cannot get any closer than that.”
DMX: Grunting for God – Is a “Gospel Rap Extravaganza” one of the signs of the Apocalypse? Because one is happening at the Morning Star Sanctified Church of Glendale, Arizona, slated to be headlined by none other than DMX. According to Pastor Barbara King, DMX and his family have been attending services for the past eight months, and agreed to help with a fundraiser that will hopefully pull in funds to repair the building.
Ozzy Bombs (Almost) at Barnes & Noble – 40 years after blowing up the metal charts for the first time, Ozzy Osbourne damn near got himself blown up this weekend during a Palm Beach Gardens book signing for his new autobiography. A local bomb squad was called in after police spotted a man carrying homemade fireworks. Early reports suggest that the man also had a lit joint with him at the time of his arrest. Now, if he decided to light the fireworks with the joint, we would’ve had the cover of the next Black Sabbath album right there.
Feb/100
Casting call for Kurt Cobain biopic
Casting call for Kurt Cobain biopic
Billboard.com is reporting that a long-awaited Kurt Cobain biopic is finally getting run up the proverbial Holywood flagpole, with Oren Moverman (The Messenger, I’m Not There) at the helm. Moverman will start the project by reworking the existing Universal Studios’ screenplay penned by David Benioff (Brothers), and finish it up in the director’s chair. Rumors suggest that most of the story elements will be pulled from “Heavier Than Heaven,” a 2001 biography on Cobain written by Charles R. Cross.
It’s interesting that the man who wrangled up six different people to play Bob Dylan landed this gig. If he sticks with one actor for this role, who do you think should get to walk a mile in Kurt’s tattered Converses?
My money’s on Clint Eastwood. Don’t laugh. He’s the most tortured soul in Hollywood. The man was born in angst and raised in pathos. Fit him with a blonde wig and slap a fresh coat of CG on him, and we’re good to go.
Oct/090
Monday Newsmix: ODB’s son snags a single; plus The Strokes and more
Monday Newsmix: ODB’s son snags a single; plus The Strokes and more
Like father, like son?
It’s so hard to believe that it’s been five years since the untimely death of Wu-Tang member Ol’ Dirty Bastard. (But then, I tend to say that about a lot of things – maybe I’m just getting old, eh?) In fact, it’s been so long since then that now ODB’s own son is ready to take up his father’s mantle.
Barson Jones, AKA Boy Jones, will release his first single before the end of the year, according to reliable sources. The 21-year-old son of ODB, whose real name is Russell Jones, first appeared on stage at age 9 with his father, so he’s had a lot of time to hone his skills. Here’s hoping that the single lives up to its namesake.
Also, the linked article drops another interesting tidbit: ODB’s final posthumous album, A Son Unique, may be seeing a release before the end of the year. A fitting album name, all things considered, isn’t it?
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In other new album news, The Strokes are officially back in the studio. The five-piece indie group have been working on solo projects since the release of their 2006 album, First Impressions of Earth, but now they’ve collected once again to write and cut their long-awaited fourth album.
According to reports, the group have nearly finished writing the album, and frontman Julian Casablancas has compared the new songs to Thin Lizzy, as odd as that sounds. It’s good to hear that the band is taking their time, I suppose, but that description leaves me with a bit of apprehension. Here’s hoping that they can pull it off.
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I guess being behind bars doesn’t bar one from receiving accolades. Rapper T.I., whom you may know from his collaboration with Rihanna on the single “Live Your Life,” received two B.E.T. Hip-Hop Awards this past weekend while serving a year’s prison sentence for possessing illegal weapons. Hey, it is a pretty catchy single…
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So it looks like the new Animal Collective album is actually a five-track, half-hour-long EP. According to the description, it seems like it’ll be a bit harsher than the “springy, summery” Merriweather Post Pavillion. Okay, it’s not a new album, but it IS more AnCo. I’m certainly not complaining.
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As if you needed any further reason to avoid the next Good Charlotte record (other than the fact that it’s another Good Charlotte record), it looks like Pink will perform in some fashion on a song. Blech.
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See the track list for the upcoming Lego Rock Band video game here. Not a bad list, though I want to throttle the guy who thought that Vampire Weekend would be fun to play.
Sep/090
Monday Newsmix: Jay-Z wins and Kanye fails
Monday Newsmix: Jay-Z wins and Kanye fails
Blah blah blah Beyonce blah blah blah...
Yes, I’m back (for really real this time!) The past few weeks have been hella busy, but believe me when I say that I’ve held you, my loyal readers, in the fondest corner of my heart while I’ve been away. (Yes, all three of you. And speaking of which, hi Mom!)
But anyway, let’s get to the news:
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Yes, our good buddy ol’ pal Kanye was at it again over the weekend – and this time on national TV. At the start of yesterday’s MTV Video Music Awards show, as country starlet Taylor Swift began her acceptance speech, West hopped on stage, snagged the mic, and let loose a torrent of verbal diarrhea. The cause? Defending pop singer Beyonce, whom he felt had produced “one of the best videos of all time.” All the while, a timid and confused-looking Swift simply stood there. (One can only imagine what was going through her head at the time. Sadness? Shock? A desire to bludgeon Kanye over the head with that award statue?) Thankfully, West was removed from the show shortly after.
Things even worked out in a roundabout way. Later on in the show, none other than Beyonce herself let Swift finish her speech. Kanye also apologized for the incident, but all things considered, his words ring hollow, smacking of publicist pressure rather than genuine remorse. Just please become a gay fish or something already, Kanye. We’re tired of your crap.
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In other hip-hop news, perennial news generator Jay-Z pulled a far more hilarious stunt recently. When wacko conservative “commentator” Glenn Beck appeared on Fox News’ The O’Reilly Factor late last week, he gifted host Bill O’Reilly with a copy of the latter’s book, A Bold Fresh Piece of Humanity. The catch? The book contained an inscription by none other than Jay, reading: “Peace Bill, JZ. Off That.” O’Reilly – a vocal opponent of “hip-hop culture,” AKA a racist – remained ignorant of the reference to a lyric in Jay’s recently-released The Blueprint 3: “This ain’t black verse white, my n*gga we off that.”
Billy Boy then proceeded to ignore the peace offering and launch into a tirade against Jay. Good show of maturity, ol’ chap.
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NEWSBITES
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R.I.P. Jim Carroll, punk rocker and author of The Basketball Diaries.
Waiting for the next Massive Attack album? If so, don’t hold your breath: according to Rob “3D” Del Naja, the album is in a “state of flux,” and it may be a while before it’s released. The good news, however, is that they have 10 tracks ready to go, incorporating guest appearances from Damon Albarn and Guy Garvey (Elbow), among others. Hope this one’s worth the wait.
Pop duo Tegan and Sara have unveiled an October 27 release date for their next album, Sainthood.
Strokes frontman Julian Casablancas is set to release his solo album, Phrazes for the Young, on October 19.
Grab a new EP from Portugal. The Man for the low, low price of nothing (and a quick website registration.)
Apr/090
Stephen Colbert challenges the Decemberists to Rock-Off #2
Stephen Colbert challenges the Decemberists to Rock-Off #2
This time, it’s personal.
The first time that The Decemberists appeared on Comedy Central’s Colbert Report, show anchorman and master of the deadpan Stephen Colbert had challenged guitarist Chris Funk to a “ShredDown.” In an upset, Colbert thoroughly trounced Funk after pulling a secret weapon: guitarist Peter Frampton.
And now, on April 27, the two will face off once again, man-to-men (and woman), leaving no grudge unsettled in their wake. Yes, ladies and gentleman, this will truly be a battle for the ages. Only one party will be left standing.
Who will triumph? Only time will tell, but a repeat Colbert victory smacks of truthiness, does it not?
Mar/091
VHI resurrects “Behind the Music”
VHI resurrects “Behind the Music”
For those of you who love hearing about all of the drugs, booze, womanizing, anger management issues, and periodic visits to rehab that seem to mark the lives of so many famous musicians: Your messiah has returned. VH1, a television station otherwise known as “MTV for your parents,” plans to resurrect their trademark “Behind the Music” documentary series later this year.
The series’ producers have already got rapper Lil Wayne and former STP/Velvet Revolver frontman Scott Weiland to sign on for episodes. (I really want to see that second one.) That leaves eight others open for this season. One thing’s for sure, though: If they nab Kanye for one, I’ll die of sheer laughter.
Feb/091
Joaquin’s descent into the mouth of madness
Joaquin’s descent into the mouth of madnessWhat the Christ is up with Joaquin Phoenix? If it wasn’t apparent that he was losing his marbles when he quit a successful and obviously lucrative acting career to become a mountain-man-bearded white rapper, it should be now.
On an appearance on The Late Show to promote his last acting gig, Phoenix settled for mumbling two-word answers to host David Letterman’s questions. He also seemed rather insecure about those ridiculous whiskers.
As for the rest? Well, see for yourself.