Search Results for: Avril Lavigne

Since helping launch Avril Lavigne to pop stardom, the Los Angeles-based production trio the Matrix has worked with everyone from Ricky Martin to Britney Spears to David Bowie. “Somebody said we were the hottest production team in the world the other day,” says Lauren Christy. “We just laughed.” Up next for Christy, her husband Graham Edwards and Scott Spock is a trip to Spain to work on Shakira’s second English-language album. “She’s such a great writer,” Christy says. “She might have ideas she wants us to flesh out with her. We’ll probably just wing it.” The three are also serving… Read more »

You are your record collection, according to new research that reveals how personality is reflected through music. If you really want to get to know someone, try rummaging through their CD collection. An study has proved that when it comes to judging a person’s character, their favourite music is one of the most valuable clues. Almost anything about a man or a woman – from their looks, intelligence and fitness, to politics, wealth and even conversational ability – can be gleaned from the tunes they enjoy most. People who favour Madonna’s Material Girl, for example, are likely to be cheerful,… Read more »

Now that he’s flying high with a hit record and one of the only successful tours of the summer, Justin Timberlake is unstoppable and afraid of nothing – not even a little SARS. The pop star will join the Rolling Stones and a host of other artists and celebrities at an eight-hour concert in Toronto on Monday to revive tourism and spirit in the city following the wane in both that hit after the city was hit by a highly publicized outbreak of the infectious disease SARS. The event will take place at Downsview Park and will be hosted by… Read more »

Canadian rock bands Treble Charger and Our Lady Peace were the big winners on Sunday as the MuchMusic Awards, Canada’s music video awards, were handed out in Toronto. Homegrown sensation Avril Lavigne picked up the trophy for best international video by a Canadian for her single, “Sk8er Boi,” and country star Shania Twain, who was raised in Timmins, Ontario, picked up the MuchMoreMusic Award for her “Up!” video. But both Canuck divas were overshadowed by two dual-winning rock bands: Treble Charger grabbed two awards – best rock video and best director – for the single “Hundred Million,” and Our Lady… Read more »

After a night of partying, the only thing worse than a hangover is a pounding case of regret to keep it company. Unfortunately Sum 41 singer Deryck Whibley has woken up to the insufferable couple more times than he’d care to recall. While a headache and peaked feeling usually vanish with some aspirin and rest, embarrassment lasts a lot longer. And it’s that “what the hell was I thinking?” feeling that inspired Sum 41’s next single, “Over My Head (Better Off Dead).” “It’s [about] regretting something you said, usually the night before,” Whibley said. “Like, a lot of times, I… Read more »

The only person who gets to poke fun at Eminem is…himself? That’s the word from Weird Al Yankovic who, despite gaining permission from the rap superstar to parody his hit “Lose Yourself” in a tune called “Couch Potato,” couldn’t convince his Em-inence to let Yankovic do the same in a music video. One would think the hip-hopster would stand up and oblige a comedian who’s made a career out of satirizing the likes of Michael Jackson (“Eat It,” “I’m Fat,”), Madonna (“Like a Surgeon”), Nirvana (“Smells Like Nirvana”) and Coolio (“Amish Paradise”), but the answer was an unequivocal no. While… Read more »

Talented kids living in the middle of nowhere Canada get bored, learn some instruments and write some songs. Throw in several accomplished producers (Linda Perry, Phillip Stier and The Matrix) overseeing some of the latest in North American pop, and thus is born Lillix – a quartet of teenage and young twentysomethings who sing about angst and life with eternal girl-powered optimism. “Falling Uphill” is a solid but not groundbreaking debut, and one that will please the teen set – even those looking for some edgier bubblegum. A blend of tight harmonies (the track “Quicksand” is a great example) and… Read more »

Mullets, Chevelles, BMX bikes, muscle cars, cheesy mustaches. The science of guitar solos by White Lion and Extreme’s Nuno Bettencourt. These are ’80s things bands like Blink-182 like to poke fun at. Damone’s Dave Pino, however, isn’t laughing with them. “That whole mullet thing, American Hi-Fi and Sum 41 can goof on that stuff – the Camaro-driving guy with the mustache. It’s funny and I get it, but it’s offensive to us,” said Pino, the musical mastermind behind Waltham, Massachusetts, rockers Damone. “In this town, we’re stuck in some ’80s suburb,” Pino explained of the working- class Boston ‘burb of… Read more »

Proving that no one does Metallica better than Metallica, acts such as Sum 41, Limp Bizkit, Korn and Avril Lavigne gamely covered songs by the hard rock group at MTV’s annual tribute concert on Saturday while fans impatiently awaited a set by the honorees themselves. Playing in public for the first time with new bassist Rob Trujillo, Metallica ran through a fast and furious medley of songs, including “Creeping Death” and “Sanitarium,” before unveiling the speed-metal song “Frantic” from their upcoming album, “St. Anger.” Still a little rusty from a long layoff, Metallica performed “Frantic” twice after deciding that the… Read more »

The members of Metallica are the heroes of the day at San Quentin State Prison, one of the most infamous prisons in the United States. The hard rock quartet, preparing to release its new album “St. Anger” on June 10, is shooting a video for the title track at the prison on Wednesday, and will perform an hourlong concert the following day, the group said on its Web site (http://www.metclub.com). The video will be directed by the Malloy Brothers, who previously worked with 311 and Foo Fighters. The 150-year-old prison, just north of Metallica’s San Francisco home town, was the… Read more »