Yellowcard have released their music video for “California,” the final song on their newest full-length album, Lift A Sail.
New project from Good Charlotte’s Joel and Benji Madden, The Madden Brothers, proves yet again they’re brilliant songwriters who know just how to hook us in, whether the genre’s pop, folk, acoustic, or anything in between.
California’s Supreme Court upheld the state’s gay marriage ban Tuesday but said the 18,000 same-sex weddings that took place before the prohibition passed are still valid – a ruling decried by gay rights activists as a hollow victory. Demonstrators outside the court booed, wept and yelled, “Shame on you!” Activists said they would go back to the voters as early as next year in a bid to repeal the ban. In a 6-1 decision written by Chief Justice Ron George, the court rejected arguments that the ban approved by the voters last fall was such a fundamental change in the… Read more »
LOS ANGELES — In an election otherwise full of liberal triumphs, the gay rights movement suffered a stunning defeat as California voters approved a ban on same-sex marriages that overrides a recent court decision legalizing them. The constitutional amendment – widely seen as the most momentous of the nation’s 153 ballot measures – will limit marriage to heterosexual couples, the first time such a vote has taken place in a state where gay unions are legal. Gay-rights activists had a rough election elsewhere as well. Ban-gay-marriage amendments were approved in Arizona and Florida, and Arkansas voters approved a measure banning… Read more »
Melissa Etheridge married Tammy Lynn Michaels in California on Saturday (September 20), despite the fact that the state does not recognize same-sex unions. The 42-year-old Grammy Award-winning singer and the 28-year-old up-and-coming actress dated for two years before tying the knot. They will share their home with Etheridge’s two children from her previous relationship with Julie Cypher. Etheridge and Michaels said in a statement, “We are so grateful for the blessings from our friends and family as we commence our vows and begin the rest of our lives together.” Etheridge spent 12 years with Cypher, who gave birth to the… Read more »
The California Supreme Court ruled Monday that courts may block Internet users from posting codes that could be used to illegally copy DVD movies, in a case that pitted trade secret rights against free speech. The justices did not resolve whether the code was in fact a trade secret, leaving that for a lower court to determine. They did rule, however, that they would not tolerate the posting of legitimate trade secrets online and reversed a lower court that said disseminating trade secrets was protected free speech. The case centered on San Francisco computer programmer Andrew Bunner, who in 1999… Read more »
The race for governor in California is beginning to look like an episode of “Hollywood Squares.” After weeks of “will he or won’t he?” speculation, “Terminator” star Arnold Schwarzenegger announced on “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno” on Wednesday that he is running for the state’s top office. The 56-year-old former bodybuilder and action movie star said he made his decision because politicians in his home state are “fiddling, fumbling and failing.” The burly pop icon said he aims to bring “California back to what it once was” following what he said was the failure of Democratic Gov. Gray Davis’… Read more »
Hoobastank has committed to performing a benefit show on July 15 for an under-construction school in the band’s hometown of Calabasas, California. The Alice C. Stelle Middle School is not finished being built, and is experiencing financial problems due to the state of California’s budget crisis. The July 15 benefit show will take place at the Canyon in Agoura Hills, with funds to be used for staffing and educational materials so the school can open on time. Hoobastank guitarist Dan Estrin revealed that Howard Benson, who is producing the band’s next album, alerted the band to the school’s problem. “Howard… Read more »
California lawmakers want the Grammy Awards to stay in Los Angeles, where they have been held for 34 of the last 44 years. A resolution formally making that request of the Natl. Academy of Recording & Sciences has been unanimously approved by the State Assembly’s Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism & Internet Media Committee. Its backers plan to push the measure through the State Legislature prior to the Feb. 23 Grammys, being held this year in New York City. “Los Angeles is renowned worldwide for its entertainment industry, and it’s appropriate that the Grammy ceremonies remain there,” said Assembly member Rebecca… Read more »
The 2002 California Music Awards (formerly the Bammies) have awarded veteran soul vocalist Boz Scaggs with two award nominations. Nominated in both the “Outstanding Male Vocalist” category as well as receiving a nod for his new album “Dig” as “Outstanding R&B Album.” The award ceremony will be held at Oakland’s Henry J. Kaiser Arena on April 27, 2002. Scaggs released “Dig,” his first new material in seven years on Virgin Records in early September. The critically acclaimed album was touted by Rolling Stone as “gracious and penetrating” and while it’s predominately a classic Boz record, it showcases elements of hip-hop,… Read more »
