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When a pop artist leaves the shelter of a major-label nest, the stark reality of being on one’s own can be a sobering experience. But learning to fly solo can also bring tremendous rewards. Although many rock artists have self-released their music after leaving the major-label fold, most pop artists are so dependent on radio play that they have often sought the deep pockets of another major or a large indie label to foot the bill. But several acts – including Evan & Jaron, Sophie B. Hawkins and Alana Davisare forging their own path. Former Columbia duo Evan & Jaron… Read more »

Swedish rockers the Hives will bring their buzzy brand of garage rock back to the U.S. this summer. The group – frontman Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist, guitarists Nicholas Arson and Vigilante Carlstroem, drummer Chris Dangerous and bassist Dr. Matt Destruction – kicks off a thirteen-date tour on July 20th in Washington, D.C. That same day, the Hives will release the as-yet-untitled follow-up to their 2001 breakthrough Veni Vidi Vicious. “It’s a little bit different,” Almqvist told Rolling Stone of the group’s third album. “But the theme of the record is that we have more restraint in the rhythm section – sort… Read more »

This year is a milestone for the Vans Warped Tour, as the hard rocking fest enters its tenth year of carrying the post-punk banner. Footage of some of last year’s touring bands – including the Used, the Ataris, Sum 41, Glassjaw, Pennywise, Rancid, Thrice and Less Than Jake – will be included on Vans Warped Tour ’03, a DVD due on June 22nd. Shot over forty-five dates last summer, Vans Warped Tour ’03 includes twenty-three songs in 5.1 surround sound, an hour of interviews, backstage footage and a photo gallery. As for this summer’s Vans Warped tour, it is scheduled… Read more »

Avril Lavigne will visit twenty-one malls nationwide to preview songs from her second album, Under My Skin. Starting tomorrow in Minneapolis, Lavigne and co-writer/guitarist Evan Taubenfeld will play sets that feature three songs from Skin – including the first single, “Don’t Tell Me” – along with material from her hit debut, Let Go. Fans can find out specific locations for the appearances forty-eight hours in advance by signing up at the tour’s Web site (avrillavigne.net). Skin finds Lavigne no longer working with the hitmaking production team the Matrix, who helped shape the multi-platinum Let Go. In the fold this time… Read more »

Prince is taking that little red Corvette out of the garage again. On the heels of his blistering Grammy “Purple Rain” performance, the ’80s funk legend has announced he will hit the road with the New Power Generation for his first major arena tour in six years in support of his new CD, Musicology. To help hype the tour, Prince says the upcoming gigs may be the last time fans get to see him jam out some of the best-known hits live. That presumably means that tunes like “Little Red Corvette,” “1999” “Purple Rain,” When Doves Cry” and “Let’s Go… Read more »

Fresh off a stint on the Big Day Out tour of Australia and New Zealand, the Strokes have unveiled plans for a six-week spring outing in the United States, with an excursion to Mexico City. Dates get underway March 9 in Washington, D.C., and are confirmed through April 25 in Minneapolis, although Strokes manager Ryan Gentles told Billboard.com the tour is expected to run through May 19. Support acts have not yet been announced. The New York rock quintet is touring in support of its sophomore RCA album, “Room on Fire,” which debuted in October at No. 5 on The… Read more »

Ben Kweller and producer Ethan Johns took a trip back in time in recording Kweller’s third solo release, On My Way. Johns encouraged the twentysomething pop phenom to cut his latest album in classic garage rock manner: guitars, bass and drums played live in the studio with no headphones and minimal post-production. Johns’ recording of the eleven-song set, due April 6th, captures some live-wire vocals from Kweller as well as his inspired guitar interplay with Mike Stroud (formerly of Dashboard Confessional), which echoes that of Neil Young and Crazy Horse’s Danny Whitten circa 1969. Kweller was introduced to the producer… Read more »

Lost Highway recording artist Ryan Adams is set to kick off his nationwide headlining tour in support of his critically acclaimed CD “Rock N Roll,” as well as his two EPs, “Love Is Hell Part 1” and “Love Is Hell Part 2.” The tour will begin March 2 in Columbia, MO, and will include a show at Los Angeles’ Wiltern Theatre on March 13. Released November 4, “Rock N Roll” marks a departure for Adams. The album features 12 electrified songs inspired by some of his musical influences, including The Smiths, U2 and the Replacements. While he continues to heighten… Read more »

Aerosmith has announced a 40-city North American tour in support of their 14th studio album, Honkin’ On Bobo. Scheduled to kick off in the US in March 2004, the tour will hit cities in both the US and Canada through June. Clear Channel Entertainment, the world’s leading promoter and marketer of live entertainment, will promote and produce the tour. Cheap Trick has been announced as the tour’s special guest. Universally renowned as America’s premiere rock band, Aerosmith’s tour promises to be nothing short of spectacular with the band performing classic hits from their 30 year career, as well as new… Read more »

Payable On Death, the newest album from Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum rock group P.O.D., has just been certified Gold by the RIAA after only four weeks on the album charts. Debuting at No. 9 on the Billboard album charts on November 4, the album has been bolstered by eight weeks of chart-topping airplay for their first single, “Will You,” and a #1 MTV TRL video. Ironically, as Payable On Death achieves Gold status, P.O.D. finds itself banned from Christian bookstores. Around 85 percent of Christian bookstores across the country will not allow kids to buy the new record in their stores because… Read more »