Out today (October 16) is Cuttin’ Heads, the latest album from John Mellencamp. The album is marked by several songs that deal with race relations, including the title track (which features a rap by Public Enemy’s Chuck D) and the first single, “Beautiful World,” which features newcomer India Arie. Mellencamp tells LAUNCH that he’s no newcomer to the topic. “I’ve always been interested in race: the white and black relationship. ‘Pink Houses’ starts out, ‘There’s a black man and black cat, livin’ in a black neighborhood.’ And in ‘Cherry Bomb,’ I had, you know, a black guy dancing with a… Read more »
The mother of A.J. McLean of the Backstreet Boys says she’s proud of her son for seeking treatment for depression and alcohol abuse. “I was very proud of him for realizing he had a problem and doing something about it on his own,” Denise McLean told Orlando television station WKMG on Wednesday. McLean began a 30-day treatment program earlier this week, forcing the group to postpone the rest of its U.S. and Canada tour dates. Denise McLean said she’s confident her son will return to performing. “I’m sure he’s going to want to go out there and talk about it… Read more »
Ike Turner may be one of the more influential figures in rock music. He created what many see as the first rock ‘n roll record, “Rocket 88”; his guitar licks on classic blues recordings are considered masterful; he helped launch the careers of Buddy Guy, Howlin’ Wolf, and Otis Rush, among others; and he discovered one of the most dynamic female rock stars ever. But that is not the Ike Turner most people know, or think they know anyway. In the public mind, he remains the man who allegedly broke Tina Turner’s nose and abused her for years, until she… Read more »
In what promises to be one of the most exciting concert events of the summer season 200l, singer/songwriter Paul Simon and his 11-piece band will kick-off a 28-city tour of the United States Saturday, June 9th, at the Gorge Amphitheatre in Seattle, Washington. Simon will be joined on the tour by one of rock’s most deeply revered figures, the legendary Brian Wilson, co-founder of The Beach Boys. Wilson will be accompanied by his 10-piece band, which includes the four-member group, The Wondermints. The Paul Simon Summer 200l tour comes hot on the heels of Simon’s Grammy Nomination for Album of… Read more »
In the aftermath of his acquittal on gun-possession and bribery charges, Sean Combs doesn’t just plan to change his life – he’s going to change his name, too. In an effort to break from his past, the artist formerly known as both Puffy and Puff Daddy now wants to be known as P. Diddy, he told MTV News Wednesday morning (March 28) in his first on-camera interview since his acquittal on gun possession and bribery charges. “No more Puff Daddy – the first week in June we’re gonna have a name change ceremony,” Combs said. “I’m not doing it as… Read more »
Pat sniffs out an early screening of Superman and meets the cast at a Hollywood red carpet event while Jared weighs himself down on the Go Kart track by eating a whole mess of Tater Tots. Milking NickelJack? Milking MichaelBack?
Another week means another fresh batch of new songs to blast on repeat. This roundup swings from shimmering indie-pop bangers by joan to the unexpected but welcome return of post-hardcore cult favorites Drop Dead, Gorgeous. Looking for even more new music? idobi Radio is the soundtrack of your summer. Download the free idobi App for new music every minute, every hour, every day. Did we mention it’s totally, 100%, always free? joan — “alibi” Following the release of singles, “magic,” “body language,” and beyond, indie-pop duo joan has returned with their ethereal, dreamy song, “alibi.” This undeniable bop is riddled with… Read more »
Cobra Starship is officially back and about to make their legendary return to Warped Tour—this time hitting the stage at Long Beach. On this episode of idobi Warped Radio, Gabe Saporta and Victoria Asher (aka Vicky-T) sit down with Peyton Grufik of idobi Radio to rewind the clock and relive the neon madness of their rise, one purple hoodie and keytar riff at a time.
From the moment online AI started claiming Cobra Starship’s name was inspired by Lilo & Stitch (Gabe confirms: he’s never seen it) to performing “One Night” at a party on 90210 (which Vicky had to remind Gabe of), the interview is packed with hilarious behind-the-scenes stories. The duo also dish on what it was like collaborating with Gossip Girl star Leighton Meester on “Good Girls Go Bad” and how Gabe ended up on the show himself in a brief cameo alongside Blake Lively. Plus, Vicky-T laughs about the label-directed remake of their “Guilty Pleasures” video, which the band took the opportunity to poke fun at.
Gabe and Vicky reflect on their first and only Warped Tour appearance in 2008, why they ended the band in 2015, and how it feels to be stepping back into the world of Cobra after nearly a decade away. Spoiler: It’s way more fun now. They talk candidly about growing pains, evolving lineups, and the way the music industry became less about community and more about competition.
Through it all, one thing is clear: Cobra Starship have brought the party back to life!
Following the release of “Pill To Swallow,” Softcult is back with “Naive.” The shimmering shoegaze track is raw, touching on the moment when the rose-colored glasses fall off. Softcult notes of the song, “It’s about coming to the painful realization that the person, idea, or reality we trusted and believed in never really existed in the first place. This song is about the moment the scales fall from our eyes after we realize we’ve been romanticizing someone or the idea of someone. After this moment, we’re no longer able to see them or the world as innocently as we did… Read more »
Hey, classmates! We are just 10 days away from the start of the idobi Radio Summer School Tour with our dazzling artists Charlotte Sands, Taylor Acorn, and Rain City Drive. Additionally, the tour will feature performances from Beauty School Dropout, If Not For Me, Arrows In Action, and special guest HUDDY. So, if you need to study up before the big day comes to a city near you, we’ve rounded up songs to know and scream along to for each set. Make sure to ace your summer school report card and get your tickets to a city near you ASAP. Charlotte Sands — “Dress” This Charlotte Sands song… Read more »
