New York – Few musicians can boast the level of success that Billy Idol attained in the ’80s and early ’90s. Unfortunately, the “live hard and die young” punk rock ethos doesn’t come with a middle-age survival guide. “When you’re young you never think you’ll be a 50-year-old rocking out with the young bands,” Idol told The Associated Press. That’s exactly what Idol, 49, hopes to be doing next year. The pop-punk patriarch has just released “Devil’s Playground,” his first full-length album since 1993’s unremarkable “Cyberpunk.” With five million-sellers already under his belt, Idol hopes “Playground” will return him to… Read more »
Los Angeles – When Billy Idol hits the stage at Stubb’s at the South by Southwest Music Conference March 16 in Austin, he is sure to show some of those young whippersnappers how it’s done. Idol’s performance is to promote his first album of original material since 1993’s “Cyberpunk.” On March 22, Sanctuary releases “Devil’s Playground.” Its first single, the “Rebel Yell”-sound-alike “Scream,” hit No. 7 on the Billboard Heritage Rock chart. The rest of the album synthesizes Idol’s many styles, ranging from punk to rockabilly to straight-ahead pop. For “Playground,” he reunited with longtime producer Keith Forsey. But he… Read more »
New York – After taking himself out of the music business “to regenerate, get free of myself and make an album for the right reasons,” Billy Idol has completed his first album featuring new songs in over 10 years, aptly titled DEVIL’S PLAYGROUND. The CD, which may or may not be named after a location deep inside the Idol mind, is scheduled for release on March 22, 2005, and is the English rocker’s first for CSP Records/Sanctuary Records. The first single, “Scream,” is a down and dirty love romp featuring the sinister signature guitar of Steve Stevens and Idol’s rock… Read more »
Billy Idol rang in the summer solstice Thursday night with a tight, concise and energetic show befitting one of glam-punk’s most sovereign and feisty pioneers. At 45, His Right and Honorable Rude Dude can still whip crowds into giddy submission, as the 2,000 or so nostalgists and newcomers attending his Kiss the Skull Tour at the Fillmore happily discovered. With the house lights lowered, an introduction of ambient synth washes conjured visions of deep space nebulae (or any fantasy H.R Giger might dream up), before Idol sauntered out, trademark sneer intact, for the first of a long string of chartbusters:… Read more »
Eddie Vedder, Anthony Kiedis and John Frusciante may have grown up believing the punk axiom “kill your idols,” but on March 18 they’ll be among the presenters honoring their forefathers at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. New York’s posh Waldorf-Astoria hotel will host the hall’s 17th annual induction dinner, which will air March 20 on VH1 at 9 p.m. Vedder will induct punk progenitors the Ramones – sans singer Joey Ramone, who died of cancer in April – and Kiedis and Frusciante will usher in alternative rock pioneers Talking Heads. Grammy darling Alicia Keys will do the honors… Read more »
Charlotte Sands just reimagined the iconic AFI track “Miss Murder.” The song will appear on the Sumerian Records’ American Psycho comic book series official soundtrack. The artist shares, “I am so grateful to get to be a part of such an incredible project alongside so many artists I love and so many songs that have been such an enormous part of my life.” Sands adds, “I grew up listening to ‘Miss Murder’ and I’m so humbled to have gotten to create my own version of it and imagine an entirely new world for it to exist in. I enjoyed every… Read more »
Royal & the Serpent just dropped a haunting, pop-rock-tinged cover of folk and blues musician Lead Belly’s classic “Where Did You Sleep Last Night.” Nirvana‘s 1993 MTV Unplugged cover of the track is also well-known in pop culture. Royal & the Serpent‘s stunning rendition is set to appear on the official soundtrack for Sumerian Comics’ American Psycho series. She explains, “I’ll never forget the first time I watched the iconic Nirvana MTV unplugged performance. My heart nearly stopped when I heard Kurt’s rendition of ‘Where Did You Sleep Last Night.’ I’ve been dreaming of covering this song for the entire… Read more »
Ready to get your knees moving? Shaky Knees Music Festival has announced its 2024 line-up. Headliners Queens Of The Stone Age, Foo Fighters, Girl In Red, The Offspring, Weezer, Noah Kahan, and more will take the mainstage during the three-day weekend from May 3-5 in Atlanta, GA’s Central Park. Notable acts such as Loveless, Nova Twins, Pool Kids, Microwave, and Sunny Day Real Estate will add a little emo essence to the alt-rock weekend. Read more: Set It Off Announces The Deathless Tour With Crown The Empire & More With some fests and acts announcing anniversary or album play-through shows,… Read more »
— Today we talk about the passing of rapper Coolio, Willow’s acoustic cover of Yungblud’s “The Funeral”, and Malala’s production company. — — The Life of Coolio Yesterday rapper and Grammy award winner Coolio died unexpectedly at 59. His talent manager Sheila Finegan released a statement to CNN saying, “He touched the world with the gift of his talent and will be missed profoundly. Thank you to everyone worldwide who has listened to his music and to everyone who has been reaching out regarding his passing. Please have Coolio’s loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.” It was said that… Read more »
What better way to kick off a weekend than with new music? Featuring new tracks from Panic! At the Disco, Mod Sun, Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, and more.
