RSS This Blog
Genesis, ABBA, The Stooges Lead 2010 Rock Hall Inductees
Elizabeth on December 15, 2009 at 08:48 PM
Fuse.tv
Frequent Tags
Archives
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
- August 2007
- July 2007
- June 2007
- May 2007
- April 2007
- March 2007
- February 2007
- January 2007
- December 2006
- November 2006
- October 2006
- September 2006
- August 2006
- June 2006
- May 2006
- April 2006
- March 2006
- February 2006
- January 2006
- December 2005
- November 2005
- October 2005
- September 2005
- August 2005
- July 2005
- June 2005
- May 2005
- April 2005
- March 2005
- February 2005
- January 2005
- December 2004
- November 2004
- October 2004
- September 2004
- August 2004
- July 2004
- June 2004
- May 2004
- April 2004
- March 2004
User Comments
« March 2008 | Main | May 2008 »
PIG FOUND
Posted on April 30, 2008 at 05:27 PM
You can stop looking now and get back on your computers - they found the pig. The fat capitalist pig, property of Roger Waters, flew away during Waters' Coachella-closing set on Sunday evening after the pig (not a tiger) broke free during the apropos political lament Leaving Beirut. At some point, the pig split in two before plummeting to earth in death throes, a fall made all the more ironic by landing in a golf club residence. Whither compassionate socialism? Dying a death on the back nine?
The remains were found by two families: the Stoltzes and the Rimmers. They seem nice.
Read Comments (0) | Add Comment | Permalink
Miley Cyrus Embarassed, People Mag Readers Furious
Posted on April 29, 2008 at 10:55 AM
Where to start with this whole topless (she's not really topless) Miley Cyrus / Hannah Montana hubbub. To quickly recap - Miley Cyrus posed for Annie Leibovitz's camera for Vanity Fair magazine. Leibovitz is a well-respected photog who has shot countless magazine covers and even some unforgettable album art (just one example: Bruce Springsteen's Born In The USA). So who can blame Cyrus, and her parents, for thinking the shoot would result in tasteful photos?
And tasteful photos were what emerged. However, the fact that Miley is 15 is a bit much for everyone - "everyone" being the enraged internet surfers who made their feelings known over at People.com. And it was to People that Cyrus gave an apology, hoping to not ruin her lucrative career with one careless throw of a well-placed bedsheet. Disney? They're pissed. Annie Leibovitz? She can't be happy having her name sullied like this. And Miley Cyrus? Well, she IS just a kid. She should just be happy that these photos aren't all that racy.
One curious aside: the Hannah Montana theme song was co-written by Robbie Nevil. If you know your 80s one-and-a-half hit wonders, you'll know Robbie Nevil:
Read Comments (0) | Add Comment | Permalink
Roger Waters and His Missing Pig
Posted on April 29, 2008 at 10:25 AM
Over the years Roger Waters has used his giant inflatable pig to advance his cause/storyline myriad times and ways - at its birth in the Animals era in 1977, it conveyed the greediness of man via an existential gigantism. Today, it is being used to forward Waters' views on America's current political landscape. At Waters' Coachella-ending set(s) on Sunday night, the pig appeared during Waters' political call to arms Leaving Beirut, its belly emblazoned with the words "Don't be led to the slaughter," "fear builds walls," and, also, simply, "Obama," with a checked ballot box next to the name.
Then the pig took off. Concertgoers reported seeing the pig fly off, thinking it was a planned flight, and that the pig might possibly be remote controlled. The pig DID fly off; however, there was (and is) no remote control. It's gone, hog-hovering or perhaps having crash-landed somewhere in the Palm Desert. Hence a press release offering a reward for the pig's return ($10,000 and four Coachella tickets for life). Not bad. To the desert, pig-hunters! Email lostpig at coachella dot com when you find it. Video below of the pig flying away...
Tagged as: Music
Read Comments (0) | Add Comment | Permalink
8 NYC Bands You Should Hear
Posted on April 28, 2008 at 05:46 PM
According to the L Magazine, that is. What is the L Magazine? Its a free weekly New Yorkers can pick up in orange boxes all over town. It's a (pop) culture mag that resides in a zone you could call hip. Well, one of the hip things the hip L likes to do is annually inform "us" of eight bands in New York "we" should know about. Their track record is impressive - last year they were onto Vampire Weekend and White Rabbits. Full list is below, but fuseblog especially recommends High Places, a electro dream-calypso duo, and The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart, pure, painless, impeccable pop.
The L Magazine's 8 NYC Bands You Need To Hear
The Lisps / The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart / Famous Amos / This Is Ivy League / La Strada / Team Robespierre / High Places / Violens /
[photo of High Places by Zandy Mangold]
Tagged as: Music
Read Comments (0) | Add Comment | Permalink
Prince Covers Radiohead At Coachella
Posted on April 28, 2008 at 03:34 PM
If there was any doubt that Prince is the greatest artist of the past 25 years, it was erased on Saturday night in Indie-O, California, where Prince played a two hour show heavy on hits, guest stars (The Time and Sheila E.) and unusual covers, including a soulful version of Radiohead's Creep featuring vocals that undeniably Prince-ify the tune. Watch now before Prince realizes it's on the internet and demands that it be pulled down.
Tagged as: Music
Read Comments (0) | Add Comment | Permalink
Evan Dando of the Lemonheads Played NME Awards, Hates NME
Posted on April 25, 2008 at 10:52 AM
Evan Dando of the Lemonheads has always had a bit of the eff-up mystique to him; a bit dangerous, a bit amusing, but always fascinating to follow. That legend was continued on Wednesday night at the NME Awards in Los Angeles, where Dando and his Lemonheads (basically just Dando) was presented with some Classic Album award for It's A Shame About Ray, their 1992 full-length. Dando performed two songs from that record, but not before accepting his award (a bronzed middle finger for you awards followers) and promptly tossing it in the trash as he left the stage. Rock n' roll! Evan Dando, enjoy the newfound respect you now command.
You won't read about THAT episode on the NME site, but you can at Entertainment Weekly.
Tagged as: Music
Read Comments (0) | Add Comment | Permalink
Radiohead's Green Performance On Conan
Posted on April 25, 2008 at 10:19 AM
Conan O'Brien's all about the environment, and so in honor of his "Green Week," Radiohead played on the show. However, they were not in the studio; they were in London, where they taped this special performance. Flying the band to NYC would have resulted in the amount of carbon emissions equal to driving one's car for a year; hence this remote performance of House Of Cards. Recycle your plasatic bags Conan! And if you listen closely at the beginning, you'll hear Thom Yorke refer to George W. Bush with a rather naughty English word.
Tagged as: Music
Read Comments (0) | Add Comment | Permalink
Here's That Weezer Cover
Posted on April 22, 2008 at 12:37 PM
That we (we being us here at the fuseblog, but also "us" as fans in the greater scheme of things) are making such a big deal about this upcoming Weezer album can be explained several ways. First, ANY new album by ANY popular rock band on a major label is now, bizarrely, huge news. Secondly, Weezer has released crucial albums in several of the industry's watershed moments over the past fourteen years: the immediate post-grunge party of alternative radio, the Napster/Limewire heyday of 2001 and now the post-sales, free music era of 2008. And all three of those albums were/are self-titled releases featuring dominant color schemes that served/serve as mileposts in the band's career. And so Spinner presents the new Weezer album cover. They're dressed kind of funny for this being such an important release, but thats L.A. for you.
Tagged as: Music
Read Comments (0) | Add Comment | Permalink
We Are The World In Japan
Posted on April 21, 2008 at 12:00 PM
The Japanese have the best television on the planet. Here is further proof.
Tagged as: Music
Read Comments (0) | Add Comment | Permalink
Velvet Revolver to Audition New Singers
Posted on April 21, 2008 at 11:23 AM
ABOVE: Velvet Revolver in clearly happier times.
Of course Velvet Revolver would audition new singers... they're a band aren't they? You were expecting a GnR reunion? First things first: let's get a new VR warbler up in the b*tch. According to the NME, Velvet Revolver are building a website via which prospective singers can submit their efforts. Got a computer? Or a friend with one? Or a bus route that passes an internet cafe? Can you remember the melodies of any VR tunes? You could be the next singer of Velvet Revolver!
So what does this mean for any possible original Guns n' Roses reunion? Nothing. Continuing the Velvet Revolver ship makes sense. It's a moneymaker and it gives everyone something to do. The fact that is shows Axl that these guys aren't sitting around waiting for him to call is nice for them, too.
And one more item of note: HeavyMetalMusic.biz is gossiping that Slash and Axl were at the same Manhattan hotel this week ten minutes apart. They're just saying, is all.
Tagged as: Music
Read Comments (0) | Add Comment | Permalink
So Long, Danny Federici
Posted on April 18, 2008 at 09:58 AM
The longtime keyboardist for and original member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, Danny Federici, died in New York yesterday, April 17. He had been suffering from melanoma. He was 58. The organ player was an integral part of the E Street Band, contributing warm Hammond sounds, accordion squeezes and glockenspiel that was a subtle but unmissable part of the E Street Sound (see Backstreets, from Darkness On The Edge Of Town and the current tour's set closer). Federici played on the US leg of Bruce's fall tour, but bowed out when the tour hit Europe in order to recuperate. Seeger Sessions Band member Charles Giodano (above, right) had been filling in for Federici, though Federici made a notable one show appearance in Indianapolis this spring. Springsteen's next two shows have been postponed.
More from Bruce site Backstreets, at Entertainment Weekly and the AP.
Tagged as: Music
Read Comments (0) | Add Comment | Permalink
The Music Of The Spheres
Posted on April 18, 2008 at 09:02 AM
We know music is beautiful but did you know music could be beautiful? Scientists at Florida St., Yale and Princeton have assigned graphical value, almost like graphed X's and Y's, to what they call musical "families," chords, rhythms and scales, and thus can represent them visually. The results are beautiful and reveal, among other things, that rock and classical music have similar structure. To quote one of the scientists, though, differences between Aerosmith and the Rolling Stones are negligible, providing visual proof that Boston's Toxic Twins were always the cheap knockoffs that Jagger and Richards claimed they were. Thanks, science.
Scientists Make Music Into Mathematical Shapes [Telegraph]
Tagged as: Music
Read Comments (0) | Add Comment | Permalink
Hear New Weezer - Pork And Beans
Posted on April 17, 2008 at 07:52 PM
It's streaming on their site. It's quite a departure, featuring soulful female background vocals and an oboe interlude... Just kidding, it has loudQUIETloud verse and chorus and verse interplay, zeitgeist-nailing references (Timbaland) and evidence of angst ("I don't care, I don't care, I don't care, I don't have a thing to prove to you"). Welcome back, Weezer.
Listen to Pork and Beans.
Tagged as: Music
Read Comments (0) | Add Comment | Permalink
Slash Has More To Say About Weiland
Posted on April 17, 2008 at 06:32 PM
Yet more awesome fallout form the whole Velvet Revolver / Scott Weiland conflagration. According to the fine metal gossipers at Blabbermouth.net, Kerrang Magazine has a nice interview with Slash in which he offers up some revealing deets on those final, fractious moments of the Weiland term. Nice nuggets include the fact that Weiland received the cold shoulder from his bandmates for the entire tour and that Weiland never went to rehab when Velvet Revolver canceled an Australian tour so that Weiland could go to rehab.
It's stuff like this that makes following rock n' roll so much fun. It's nice having Weiland around.
Tagged as: Music
Read Comments (0) | Add Comment | Permalink
Motley Crue + You = Rock Band
Posted on April 16, 2008 at 03:44 PM
Those stately old gents in Motley Crue (and their marketing team) have stepped into the modern world with the intriguing news that "Saints Of Los Angeles," the first single from their upcoming The Dirt full length, will be released as a playable track on Rock Band, the game that taught millions how to play fake bass to Weezer's Say It Ain't So. The easy to medium level news comes days after word got out that the Crue would be signing a 360 deal with Live Nation. Where was all of this savvy in the 90s and early 00s? Lost in a sea of irrelevance and reality TV.
Tagged as: Music
Read Comments (0) | Add Comment | Permalink
Jane's Addiction To Reunite!
Posted on April 16, 2008 at 03:33 PM
Even with Perry Farrell seemingly all over the place, and Lollapalooza getting ready to kick it again this summer, no news could be as exciting, and unexpected, as news of a Jane's Addiction reunion. Well break out the controversial album artwork and the steel drums, because that news is here: Jane's Addiction, including original bassist Eric Avery, are reuniting for one night only, at the NME Awards in LA on April 23rd. The band will be receiving something called the Godlike Genius Award, which goes legendary artists who are godlike geniuses.
The full original lineup of Perry Farrell on vocals, Dave Navarro on guitar, Stephen Perkins on drums and Avery on bass will play three songs on the night of the awards, which take place at the El Rey Theatre. Don't expect more reunion activities but if it goes well, playing Lollapalooza couldn't be THAT far-fetched...
Tagged as: Music
Read Comments (0) | Add Comment | Permalink
Weezer Pork and Beans Art
Posted on April 15, 2008 at 12:00 PM
Word on the LA freeway has been that the Weezer album set to drop on 6/17 was going to be named/referred to as The Red Album and the artwork for single Pork and Beans over on Amazon does nothing to dispel that notion. You see, it's red (see above).
Tagged as: Music
Read Comments (0) | Add Comment | Permalink
Alicia Keys' Vast Government Conspiracy
Posted on April 15, 2008 at 09:19 AM
Alicia Keys may be the last person you'd hear tough conspiracy talk from until you remember that she was raised a pretty tough person in NYC's Hell's Kitchen. The Manhattan neighborhood, though, is not known for its conspiracy theories (except regarding organized Irish... never mind), which makes it someone surprising that Alicia Keys lays her opinions out on the line in the newest issue of Blender magazine. The gist? The government fostered the concept/movement of gangsta rap, enticed by the increased black-on-black violence and the subsequent prevention of a "great black leader" (Keys' words) from rising. On the jewelry side, Keys has taken to wearing an AK-47 necklace... nice!
All of this is news to Keys' mother, who is surprised by her daughter's militarism. Not surprised? Bob Dylan, who's been looking for Alicia Keys clear through Tennessee.
Tagged as: Music
Read Comments (2) | Add Comment | Permalink
Chinese Democracy Delivered?
Posted on April 11, 2008 at 03:18 PM
The Chinese Democracy world just gets more and more bizarre. This week's news is a doozie - news outlets have been reporting that the final, mastered, finished, FINAL FINAL version of Chinese Democracy has been delivered to Geffen, the long-suffering Guns n' Roses label. That's right - FOURTEEN yers after the last GNR release - The Spaghetti Incident?, a collection of covers - Axl Rose may finally have delivered what Geffen, but perhaps not the world, wanted - a new Guns n' Roses album, featuring none of the original Gunners save Dizzy, and Axl, of course.
Despite the fact that Chinese Democracy is essentially an Axl Rose solo album, the final product should prove fascinating to hear. The world has heard bits and pieces, in varying quality, over the past couple of years, but not the whole thing. The arrival of Chinese Democracy may be momentous occasion.
Tagged as: Music
Read Comments (0) | Add Comment | Permalink
Ashlee, Pete Engaged
Posted on April 10, 2008 at 10:45 AM
They said it wouldn't happen! Actually, they didn't say that, but it's still pretty amazing: Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz are now engaged. According to an online statement, the happy couple wanted to be the first to tell us... awwww. Good luck to them. Somebody please turn their wedding into a reality show.
Marriage is a serious thing, guys... just picture Ashlee doing that highland jig when she's 64.
Tagged as: Music
Read Comments (0) | Add Comment | Permalink
Alarm Clocks
Posted on April 10, 2008 at 10:40 AM
Not that we needed a study to tell us this, but according to the UK division of the motel chain Travelodge, Coldplay is the top musical artist - or book (!) - that Brits employ when battling insomnia. Other worthy sleep-inducers include Snow Patrol, James Blunt and s'Norah Jones. The study notes that insomniacs are relying increasingly on "slow, sleepy music" to ease us down from the high stress of modern life.
But does Chris Martin listen to Coldplay when he can't sleep?
Tagged as: Music
Read Comments (0) | Add Comment | Permalink
A Skin, A Night, A DVD, An EP
Posted on April 10, 2008 at 09:29 AM
The National, the chamber rock Brooklyn/Cincinnati quintet, have long carried a late night, avant art aesthetic in their music. Lyrically, their songs unfold like noir tales of love, love lost and rage barely concealed. It is no surprise, then, that the band's first DVD, A Skin, A Night, features touches like music-less frustration, scenes of tortured artistry and some black and white weirdness. If you're into this kind of thing, you'll love it. If it puts you off, you'll loathe it. Either way, the music is phenomenal; mature and introspective. The DVD will also come with an EP that features demos, live tracks and a Hayden cover. The film was made by Vincent Moon, who is the man behind La Blogotheque. He also shot the newest REM vids. Watch the trailer.
Tagged as: Music
Read Comments (0) | Add Comment | Permalink
Mr. Sarajevo
Posted on April 9, 2008 at 08:55 AM
Sad but true news from Italia - Luciano Pavarotti's final performance was lipsynced. Leone Magiera, a conductor who conducted Pavarotti at the 2006 Turin Olympics Opening Ceremony performance, states in a new book that the bitter cold of the day, combined with the tenor's deteriorating physical condition, made a live performance too risky. Even the great ones fade away.
Pavarotti, who died in September 2007, was no stranger to the pop world, having collaborated with U2 and Brian Eno on the Passengers project. Watch their performance of Miss Sarajevo below. When Pavarotti comes in... chill-inducing.
Tagged as: Music
Read Comments (0) | Add Comment | Permalink
Stone Temple Pilots Reunite
Posted on April 8, 2008 at 10:54 AM
It's back to the future for Scott Weiland, Mr. You Can't Fire Me, I Quit. The very recently former Velvet Revolver frontman was back leading his former BMs (bandmates) Stone Temple Pilots through a quick set meant to promote the announcement of their upcoming tour. NME called it triumphant.
The show took place at legendary magician Harry Houdini's estate and apparently featured a contortionist theme. The Pilots played a seven song to a bunch of industry suits who no doubt had their eyes closed and were enjoying the last vestiges of coke-fueled, Hollywood rock debauchery before their expense accounts dry up, as if on some STP-fueled rock holodeck.
The music? They played Plush, Vasoline, Big Bang Baby and Interstate Love Song, of course. And three other less famous ones.
Tagged as: Music
Read Comments (0) | Add Comment | Permalink
Lollapalooza Lineup Announced
Posted on April 8, 2008 at 10:43 AM
Sometime in the past few years, North America became as festival-happy as the Brits and Euros have been for years. Bonaroo, Sasquatch and the current favorite Coachella have helped warm U.S. audiences to the idea of spending several days without showering and using port-a-johns. [As an aside, port-a-johns now have port-a-sinks outside the actual port-a-john where one can wash their hands. This and the iPhone all in one decade!] This year, more festivals than ever are vying for your entertainment, devalued dollar; one new one being Jersey City's All Points West.
The grandaddy of them all, of course, is Lollapalooza, Perry Farrell's once-touring festival that made its name in the 90s bringing bands like Pearl Jam and Pavement to the masses. Beginning a few years ago, Lolla pared down to a single location, single weekend show, camping out in Chicago's Grant Park. The lineups have perennially been fantastic. This year's lineup has just been announced and it's a doozie. Some of the bigger names include Radiohead, Rage Against The Machine, Nine Inch Nails, Kanye West and Wilco. Wow. The festival takes pace August 1-3. The Chicago Tribune's Greg Kot has some reaction here.
Highlights include hometown heroes Kanye as well as Wilco and, of course, one of Radiohead's summer stops. But the festival also succeeds with it's mid-tier and more indie names - Grizzly Bear, MGMT, Okkervil River, CSS and the Weakerthans will all be there. So, um, pretty kickass.
Definitely worth a trip to Chicago. Stop in at the Weiner's Circle while you're there.
Pic via NME.
Tagged as: Music
Read Comments (0) | Add Comment | Permalink
Norah Jones Has A Side Project With Bad Words
Posted on April 8, 2008 at 08:26 AM
If you follow Norah Jones or live in New York City, you may know about El Madmo, the Norah Jones "rock band" that periodically plays on the Lower East Side and features songs that are not typical Norah fare. You may also, like some of those familiar with this project, find it annoying that Norah seems to be a bit overprotective of herself, keeping her shows secret and even taking to wearing makeup and masks to hide her identity. Norah - it's New York - NO ONE CARES.
Anyway, El Madmo are making el record and want you to buy it. Norah is known as "Maddie." According to their site, they have a potentially raw sound. Potentially raw? What is it now? Though that may be a joke. There are a lot of jokes on their site. You can also stream music there. They even have a song called Vampire Man, firmly establishing their nomenclature skills in the indie zeitgeist.
Tagged as: Music
Read Comments (0) | Add Comment | Permalink
RickRolling Is Here To Stay!
Posted on April 7, 2008 at 11:42 AM
Well, now it's official - RickRolling is an international phenomenon, Reuters having now noticed. For those not up to speed, rickrolling is a phenomenon whereby websurfers are duped into clicking through attractive links only to be faced with YouTubage of 80s star Rick Astley performing his magahit Never Gonna Give You Up. As with all internet phenomena, it was funny at first, then fun for awhile, but now has become, well, annoying. But not to Harvey Lunchpail and Joe SixPack, who are just now discovering the joys of rickrolling. Not to mention the joys of Astley, who has seen iTunes sales skyrocket in the past few months.
Nick Lowe, however, would find all this ghastly.
Tagged as: Music
Read Comments (0) | Add Comment | Permalink
OMG
Posted on April 7, 2008 at 08:29 AM
Is it more troubling that parents are beginning to employ accepted txt conventions in naming children, or that this comes as no surprise? IDK, but it IS surprising that this trend hadn't subtantially developed earlier. According to the Daily Mail, more parents are giving their offspring names which have been shortened as a result of our world's texting normalities. Connor becomes Conna, Laura, Lora and Cameron? Cam'ron, though the UK Daily Mail may not realize that Cam'ron drops rhymes, word, and the popularity of his name may have more to do with dropping beats than Verizon Wireless.
Experts think unconventional naming also comes from attempted originality, as well as simple carelessness. Either way, it's FUBAR.
Photo via Gizmodo.
Read Comments (0) | Add Comment | Permalink
If You're In New York Tonight...
Posted on April 4, 2008 at 10:55 AM
...Why not head over to Jay-Z's place? Word on the street is that he and Beyonce may be getting married today, may have already gotten married, maybe having a party for no reason, or maybe having a party for the reason that the former major label exec has just signed a $150 million deal with Live Nation. Either way, it's a party. Show up around, hmmm, ten? Bring something. Diddy's going.
Tagged as: Music
Read Comments (0) | Add Comment | Permalink
Majors Deal With MySpace
Posted on April 4, 2008 at 09:27 AM
Everyone knows that the music industry model is changing, and that the majors are falling fastest, but it's still amusing to see them attempt to play catch-up with the rest of, well, the world. Witness the latest MySpace deal, which sees three of the four remaining majors, Sony, Universal and Warners (EMI is expected to join soon), signing a deal to participate in a new MySpace music destination. MySpace will relaunch its existing music site to include the entire digital catalogs of the participating labels; users will be able to stream, download or pay for subscriptions.
The move is a great deal for MySpace, and an unsurprising one for the labels. MySpace, steadily losing traffic to Facebook, pumps some new life into its brand. The labels, however, could once again be behind the times. Yes, MySpace has a proven track record, but in the social networking world, popular destinations come and go. MySpace has been here awhile... how long will users and listeners continue to go there?
Tagged as: Music
Read Comments (0) | Add Comment | Permalink
JAY-Z Video
- JAY-Z on 'The Blueprint 3'
- Toure finds out where the new album resides in JAY-Z's catalog of classic records.
- JAY-Z on Cover Art
- Toure and JAY-Z talk about the inspiration for his new album's cover art.
- Daily Noise: JAY-Z Interview
- We sit down with JAY-Z to talk about his new album and more.
- D.O.A. (TRANSLATED!)
- Watch the video and read Fred Pessaro's translation for the hip hop impaired.
- Run This Town
- Watch JAY-Z, Rihanna and Kanye run this town. Heck, I'd vote for them.
Woo Hoo! The Hollies made it!!!! I am one happy Graham Nash fan to see this. Wonder if Crosby and Stills will induct them?