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When writing the lyrics for “From Under the Cork Tree,” Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz, far right, shifted his focus from a romance gone horribly wrong to a more introspective vew of the world. After writing an album’s worth of lyrics about a girl who shattered his heart, Pete Wentz realized that the world is a bigger place than a cold-hearted woman and he needed to pen tunes that reflected that – a world where tsunamis could devastate parts of Asia, a war in Iraq could affect people on a global scale and the Molly Ringwald vs. Samantha Fox debate… Read more »
Just like in professional wrestling, a band’s entrance music provides a pretty good forecast of what’s to follow. When Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger” filled an arena, Hulk Hogan’s irrepressible fortitude wasn’t far behind. The sound of glass shattering typically prefaced a Stone Cold-style beat-down. And this past summer, when Joe Esposito’s “You’re the Best,” off “The Karate Kid” soundtrack, rained down upon an unsuspecting rock club, it meant that one of the most immodest bands around was about to deliver its musical equivalent of a jump-front kick to the head. “We thought it was the funniest thing,” explained Fall… Read more »
While the vote count in Ohio plays out, there is one fact that is not in dispute. The same percentage of eligible voters between 18-29 showed up to the polls yesterday as they did in the 2000 Presidential election. Despite the fact that over $40 million was spent by the New Voters Project, Rock the Vote, MTV Choose or Lose, Declare Yourself, Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, and Smack Down Your Vote, as well as the Democratic and Republican National Committee, the percentage of eligible voters between 18-29 in yesterday’s election remained at 17%. However, the campaigns did increase the number… Read more »
Good Charlotte is slated to appear on a compilation album titled Rock Against Bush, which is being assembled by Fat Wreck Chords president and NOFX frontman Fat Mike. Good Charlotte, Green Day, Sum 41, and a number of other punk acts will contribute songs to the record as part of a campaign to vote George Bush out of office next year. Good Charlotte guitarist Billy Martin revealed that the band isn’t afraid of the same kind of backlash that hit the Dixie Chicks. “I mean, we considered that at the same time, you know, but I think that the Dixie… Read more »
Matchbox Twenty has announced the dates for their upcoming North American tour. The band wrapped up a 10-week tour in July and will hit the road for a North American tour starting September 24 in Tallahassee, Florida. In between, however, Matchbox Twenty will play seven European shows. Guitarist Adam Gaynor revealed that for Matchbox Twenty, touring is hardly a chore. “I think there’s nothing more fun and exhilarating than your own crowd in an indoor setting that’s there to see you, you know what I mean?” Gaynor said. “But when you’re doing your own show they’re there for you and… Read more »
Concert tours to Southeast Asia have become the latest casualty of recent bomb blasts in Bali and the Philippines with veteran jazz guitarist George Benson and rock groups Red Hot Chili Peppers and Oasis canceling shows. “George Benson did cancel some dates that he had lined up for Indonesia,” promoter Nigel Peters said on Tuesday. “It’s obviously a direct relation to the Bali bombing. That’s the only reason this decision was taken.” A bomb attack at a nightclub on the Indonesian holiday island of Bali on October 12 killed more than 180 people, most of them Australian. Ten people were… Read more »
Their video for “Deny,” starring Muhammad Ali ‘s daughter Laila Ali, is nearing release, and the hard-rockin’ song is going strong on radio, but Default are already planning their next single. Vocalist Dallas Smith would love to hear the propulsive “Sick & Tired” booming across the radio, but he’s aware that marketing two heavy songs back-to-back might not be the best career move, and he and his bandmates can’t agree on a softer track to push. So they’re leaving it up to their fans to vote on the Default Web site for the next single from Fallout (2001). ” ‘Live… Read more »
Goldfinger teamed up with none other than blink-182‘s Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker to craft a high-energy pop-punk track for your summer enjoyment, “Freaking Out A Bit.” Goldfinger’s John Feldmann shares, “‘Freaking Out a Bit’ is a song I wrote with Travis Barker and Mark Hoppus… I had the concept for a song and a chorus, and they came in and brought it to life! Mark wrote the best verses, and Travis turned the beat around in the bridge, which gave it a whole new life of its own. Those guys are some of my best friends and I love them.… Read more »
