Even early in their careers, the Beatles led charmed lives. Sure, they spent hundreds of nights playing the clubs of Hamburg before their inherent talent and practiced skill were discovered. But once they were waved into the privileged sanctum of the signed recording artist, they commanded the world’s attention.
SOUTH HACKENSACK, N.J. – A cold Saturday in the middle of January was not enough to dissuade a crowd of approximately 150 loyal fans gathered inside a converted warehouse for a good old-fashioned evening of sing-a-longs and hand clapping.
In 1993, Nirvana, Sonic Youth, Soundgarden, the Smashing Pumpkins and Pavement brought AIDS activism into the bedrooms of grunge-obsessed teens on the benefit album ” No Alternative” marrying music to message in a way that registered strongly with Generation X. The project, organized by the Red Hot Organization — an international production company dedicated to fighting AIDs through pop culture — and released by Arista Records sold 292,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan and generated several modern rock radio hits. But the success was a mixed blessing; other major labels went out of their way to… Read more »
Four years after a stroke, Dick Clark is relishing the prospect of another New Year’s Eve celebration determined to appear for his 36th year in Times Square And he’s hardly surprised by the current state of the music industry he helped build – he predicted this, after all. Clark, who turned 79 last month and has been in front of the cameras for 61 years, said in a recent interview by e-mail that his involvement in “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2009,” diminished though it may be, is a labor of love and “not really a… Read more »
In an interesting clash of inspiration that combines ” The Divine Comedy ” and a highway accident, Red’s sophomore album, “Innocence & Instinct,” echoes the emotional ups and downs the Grammy Award -nominated rock act has experienced over the last two years. “Dante’s Inferno became a cool metaphor for some of the roads we’re taking and exploring the darker stuff that we all deal with,” guitarist/songwriter Jasen Rauch says. A van accident in late 2007 added real-life drama to the process. “We hit a guardrail head-on at about 75 miles per hour on the highway,” Rauch recalls. “There were seven… Read more »
Hard rock band AC/DC has extended its Black Ice tour of North America into early 2009. New dates begin December 20 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and run through January 31 in Nashville. Tickets go on sale Saturday. Eighteen previously announced shows have already sold out, according to the band’s label, Columbia. The tour is in support of a new album of the same name, due October 21 exclusively via Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club stores and AC/DC’s Web site. “Black Ice” won’t be the only AC/DC title available exclusively at Wal-Mart. In November, the retailer will be the only U.S. source… Read more »
A Static Lullaby will be tonight’s studio guest on DJ Rossstar’s Punk Rock Show at 7 p.m. PT (10 p.m. ET). The SoCal hardcore band released their fourth full-length, Rattlesnake!, yesterday and the band will be stopping by the show to celebrate and play some songs off the new record. If you have questions for A Static Lullaby, you can instant message us during the radio show at DJ Rossstar 08 (AIM) or call (818) 641-1605 and leave your questions in a voicemail that may, or may not, be played on air. You can listen to the show on Idobi… Read more »
One of Australia’s most successful rock exports, the Grammy-winning trio Wolfmother, has been torn apart by “longstanding frictions,” according to a statement published on the group’s Web site on Thursday. Bass/keyboard player Chris Ross and drummer Myles Heskett have resigned, while singer/guitarist Andrew Stockdale plans to find other musicians and begin making a new Wolfmother album. “Please understand that in spite of their best efforts over a long period of time, they just could not find a harmonious way to work together,” the statement said. Wolfmother’s self-titled debut album, released in 2006, sold more than 500,000 copies in the United… Read more »
Mariah Carey, Justin Timberlake, Beyonce and Rihanna will perform at the fifth annual Fashion Rocks concert celebrating the relationship between music and fashion. The event will be held Sept. 5 at Radio City Music Hall, and will air in a two-hour special on CBS the following night. Proceeds will benefit Stand Up to Cancer, a program established by the Entertainment Industry Foundation to raise money for cancer research. Also performing: Keith Urban, Chris Brown, Kid Rock, Fergie, Lil Wayne and the Black Eyed Peas. “Fashion Rocks uniquely celebrates the intersection of two of the most sexy cultural paradigms: fashion and… Read more »
Motley Crue is taking a page from the Ozzy Osbourne playbook by launching its own touring hard-rock festival, the band said on Tuesday. Crue Fest, whose roster also includes Grammy-nominated acts Buckcherry and Papa Roach, will kick off in West Palm Beach, Fla., on July 1, and take in 41 cities across United States and Canada. The amphitheater trek will help the band promote its autobiographical new album “Saints of Los Angeles,” which is due in stores on June 17. Singer Vince Neil, bass player Nikki Sixx, guitarist Mick Mars and drummer Tommy Lee performed the title track, as well… Read more »
