Search Results for: rock

Their music has always been personal and uncompromising, expressing their distaste for authority and their penchant for classic punk. But Rancid have never worn their hearts on their sleeves – until now. The band’s latest album, Indestructible, is a musical manifesto of strength and courage, reflecting all the styles in the group’s arsenal – from the Clash-tinged groove of “Memphis” to the roaring punk firestorm of “Born Frustrated.” Lyrically, however, is where the real breakthroughs take place. Songs like “Ghost Band” and “Tropical London” are more poignant and confessional than most of the band’s past output, revealing a sensitivity that… Read more »

Outkast, Pharrell Williams and Kid Rock are among the initial performers announced for the VH1 Big in ’03 awards. Matchbox Twenty and Shania Twain are also slated to provide a soundtrack for the second-annual pop culture celebration, which will tape November 20 at the Universal Amphitheatre near Los Angeles. Presenters lined up so far include Beyoncé, Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey, Paris and Nikki Hilton, David Spade, Paula Abdul, D.L. Hughley, Vivica Fox, Joe Rogan and cast members of “The OC.” The show, which will air November 30 at 9 p.m., honors the biggest noisemakers of 2003 in entertainment, news,… Read more »

Good Charlotte, Pennywise and Sum 41 have always been known more for their practical jokes than their practical advice. That may soon change. Next year these bands, Green Day, NOFX, Alkaline Trio and others will unite to raise political awareness and encourage pop-punk fans to vote in the next presidential election – against George Bush. The groups will each contribute a track to the compilation Rock Against Bush and take part in at least one show on a tour organized and funded by NOFX singer/bassist Fat Mike, who also owns the label Fat Wreck Chords. “About a year ago I… Read more »

After toughening up her sound on 2002’s multi-million-copy-selling Missundaztood, Pink will continue to move further from R&B and closer to rock & roll on her third album, Try This, due November 11th. The first single, “Trouble,” will likely make its way to radio next month, and Pink has already shot a video for the song. Missundaztood found Pink collaborating extensively with former 4 Non Blondes singer Linda Perry, who has returned to co-write tracks for Try This. Also aboard is Rancid frontman Tim Armstrong, who co-wrote several of the album’s thirteen songs. However, Try This won’t completely forsake Pink’s past.… Read more »

George Harrison, Prince, John Mellencamp and Jackson Browne are among those who’ve made the list of nominees for the 2004 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ballot, a hall of fame spokesperson confirmed Monday. Artists are eligible for induction 25 years after the release of their first record. Criteria for consideration include “the influence and significance of the artist’s contributions to the development and perpetuation of rock and roll,” according to the organization. Several names that have not made the hall before are back for another try, including the Sex Pistols, Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top, country rock legend Gram Parsons,… Read more »

As the music world mourns the death of Johnny Cash-who passed away on the morning of Friday (September 12), at the age of 71-artists from every genre of music are paying their respects to the legendary Man In Black. Guitarist Danny Lohner, who has played with Nine Inch Nails and A Perfect Circle, shared his thoughts with LAUNCH on Cash’s recent cover of the Nine Inch Nails tune “Hurt.” “Johnny Cash’s version blew me away,” Lohner said. “He has such a great character voice…that video is so moving and so well done, and with his wife watching him as he… Read more »

It’s OK with Nickelback if you want to call them a pop group. In fact, pop doesn’t begin to describe the Canadian quartet’s third album, “The Long Road.” The Roadrunner set, arguably the most-anticipated global rock release of the year, is due Sept. 23 in North America and a day earlier in the rest of the world. “Somewhere along the line, people turned pop – as in ‘popular’ – into a dirty word,” says Chad Kroeger, leader of the hard-rocking band. “We want to reach the widest audience possible and let everyone know who we are. Korn, Tool and Slipknot… Read more »

The day after Dave Matthews releases his RCA solo debut, “Some Devil,” the Dave Matthews Band will play a benefit show in New York’s Central Park that is expected to draw upwards of 100,000 people. Full details of the Sept. 24 event will be announced Friday (Sept. 12). America Online is sponsoring the show and is using it to hype the newest version of its software, AOL 9.0. The concert, which RCA will tape for an immediate DVD and CD release, will be held on the park’s Great Lawn and will raise funds for the AOL Concert for the Schools!… Read more »

Barenaked Ladies and Train will perform in the first-ever online concert to be broadcast from the infamous island of Alcatraz in San Francisco Bay on October 16. Tickets for the concert, sponsored by T-Mobile, will be made available to the public via radio promotions and online sweepstakes. In addition, fans from around the world will be able to watch the concert live on t-mobile.com and at America Online (Keyword: tmobileallaccess). Existing T-Mobile customers can win tickets in a sweepstakes by submitting text messages to ROCK (7625). The Alcatraz concert announcement was made on Thursday (September 4) during a webcast of… Read more »

Led Zeppelin has agreed to let one of their songs be used in the soundtrack for the upcoming film School Of Rock-but only because its star, Jack Black, asked personally. According to the studio, Black-who makes music with the comical rock act Tenacious D-stepped in after School Of Rock director Richard Linklater was unable to get permission to use “Immigrant Song.” Black reportedly sent a humorous videotaped request for the song to the three surviving members of Led Zeppelin, who subsequently gave their approval. The School Of Rock soundtrack comes out September 30, while the film opens October 3. Led… Read more »