Search Results for: hard rock

If there were any doubts that the White Stripes — consisting solely of guitarist Jack White and his “big sister” drummer Meg — could rock out the cavernous Madison Square Garden, the duo erased them with their debut there Tuesday night. “I don’t believe we’ve played this barn before,” joked the guitarist toward the end of their blistering set. Touring to promote their critically acclaimed new release, the explosive “Icky Thump,” the White Stripes made no concessions to the size of the venue. They played sans special effects for much of the set, save for a giant disco ball hanging… Read more »

With his ragged mane and heavily tattooed wiry frame, former Guns N’ Roses bass player Duff McKagan looks every bit the rock star. But the 43-year-old musician doubles as a savvy investor, overseeing a diverse portfolio ranging from property and stocks to vintage guitars. While he draws the line at donning a suit and tie, McKagan also runs the business affairs for his new band, Velvet Revolver, which just released its second album, “Libertad.” “I do everything I can do so this band doesn’t get ripped off,” said McKagan, who subscribes to the online edition of The Wall Street Journal,… Read more »

INDIO, California – Perhaps it was a sign that the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Arcade Fire and Hot Chip were sharing the same bill. Whatever the case, Saturday was certainly one of the most scorching Coachella afternoons ever, with temperatures into the100s for hours on end. That meant the tented stages provided plenty of shadowy solace, while pre-sunset outdoor acts were playing to their diehards and suffering while doing it. (Let’s just say there were multiple hipster rockers quoting Lil Jon’s infamous sweat-dripping lyrics.) Still, Peter Bjorn and John and the Decemberists wore their suits and the Sahara tent was… Read more »

The Raconteurs are planning to release their second album next year if things go to plan. Fronted by Jack White of the White Stripes and Brendan Benson, alongside Jack Lawrence and Patrick Keeler of The Greenhornes, the retro-tinged rockers hit critical acclaim last year with “Broken Boy Soldiers”, which was backed by a year-long tour. Speaking to Billboard this week, Jack White reveals the band aren’t resting on their laurels, and have 12 tracks already written for sessions at Blackbird Studio in Nashville. “We don’t know if were going to finish but we wanted to get everything down before we… Read more »

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame swung open its doors Monday night to the latest batch of acts ticketed for music immortality, with the Georgia alt-rock icons and the dysfunctional Pasadena party band leading the way. They were joined by ’70s punk pioneer Patti Smith, ’60s girl group the Ronettes and the first hip-hop act to crash the party, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. The 22nd annual induction ceremony–which per tradition was held at New York City’s Waldorf Astoria Hotel–felt like an I Love the ’80 special, thanks to its two biggest inductees. R.E.M. received a warm introduction… Read more »

Geneva, NY-based crossover rap/rock group Gym Class Hero’s are here to put fun back into hip-hop. As frontman Travis McCoy reveals, we couldn’t agree more; “Everybody takes themselves so seriously, it’s become a fashion show more or less. We want the vibe to be as fun as possible.” It’s hard to imagine anything less fun than their new single “Cupid’s Chokehold”, set for it’s UK release this month (February 12th) after already burning up across North America. The band have even catapulted themselves from relative newcomers to serious U.S. chart contenders with the cut – currently being featured atop MTV’s… Read more »

Phew! CBS got through the halftime show without a “wardrobe malfunction.” The Artist Formerly Known as a Munchkin of Wardrobe Dysfunction began by singing “Let’s Go Crazy,” but he didn’t. Prince, who became a Jehovah’s Witness in the mid-1990s, no longer wears yellow, butt-baring pants as he did at the 1991 MTV Video Music Awards (prompting Howard Stern’s send-up at the ’92 VMAs). The closest thing to a fashion statement Sunday night was an odd kerchief on his head. So the NFL had no repeat of the 2004 Janet Jackson/Justin Timberlake show, which happened the last time CBS broadcast the… Read more »

London pop rockers Hard-Fi are hard at work on their second studio album, which they describe as ‘sounding great’. The four-piece took some time off after the runaway success of their debut “Stars Of CCTV”, which hit No. 1 in the UK and went someway to establishing the band stateside, but reconvened last week. The new album is rumoured for release this winter. “We’re all back in the studio now after the Christmas holiday all a little bit fatter and unhealthier, Kai still hungover and Steve still wearing the jumper his Nan knitted him,” writes guitarist Ross Philips. “But a… Read more »

HIM will be the star attraction at this spring’s Give It A Name rock festival, Sound Generator can reveal. Confirmed today, the Californian rockers will head one night, in London, for the hard rock event, which travels through London, Birmingham and Glasgow in late April. Joining HIM on the bill will be The Used, playing second headliner. High energy slots will also come from Alexisonfire, Juliette and the Licks, From First To Last, Mindless Self Indulgence and Cry For Silence. Both the other two shows in Birmingham and Glasgow will be headlined by Jimmy Eat World and Brand New. Dates… Read more »

A minor career change for the guitar legend Rolling Stones legend Keith Richards will make an appearance in the next Pirates of the Caribbean flick, the franchise’s producer has revealed. Richards famed rock and roll persona was famously the inspiration for Johnny Depp’s Academy Award-nominated role as Captain Jack Sparrow in the two previous films, and will make a cameo appearance at Sparrow’s father, it is rumoured, for the third outing. Hollywood heavyweight Jerry Bruckheimer confirmed the 63-year-old rocker would be appearing in the latest outing at the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: World’s End’ during a Walt Disney Corporation press… Read more »