In Jimmy Eat World’s video for “Sweetness,” the band remains essentially stationary as the world around it changes at a blurring pace. It’s an example of art imitating life, as the band’s self-titled latest album has brought about a change never before experienced in the Mesa, Arizona, quartet’s eight years together: mainstream success. “It’s loosely based on a general journey of what a band goes through as they start and as they progress,” drummer Zach Lind said of the clip. “There’s not really a story line to it. It’s more of a very cool, unique-looking video that will hopefully look… Read more »
Now that their month-long U.S. tour is but a recent memory, animated supergroup Gorillaz are fading into the funny pages for a while, but the individual members will remain active. Vocalist Damon Albarn is releasing an album of West African music and focusing his attention on his longtime outfit Blur, producer Dan the Automator is working on a solo disc as well as producing records by Zack de la Rocha and Peeping Tom, and the remaining Gorillaz will be busying themselves with various other projects. But that doesn’t mean Gorillaz will remain locked up for an extended period of time.… Read more »
Five artistic legends sat alongside President Bush in Washington’s top theater on Sunday night, and were starry-eyed themselves as political and Hollywood heavyweights paid tribute to their glittering careers. Actress Julie Andrews, pianist Van Cliburn, music maestro Quincy Jones, actor Jack Nicholson and opera singer Luciano Pavarotti received the Kennedy Center Honors for their contributions to American culture. “The recipients for 2001 make quite a collection…. As one newspaper put it in the headline, this year’s honorees can carry a tune and then there’s Jack,” Bush told them at a White House reception before the gala. “Perhaps it’s a nice… Read more »
Jonathan Davis co-wrote and recorded five songs for the upcoming vampire flick “Queen of the Damned,” but don’t expect to hear the Korn singer’s recognizable growl on the film’s soundtrack. Because Davis’ record label contract prohibits his voice from appearing on the disc, which will be released around the same time as the next Korn album, he has recruited and trained veteran hard rock singer Jeff Scott Soto to record his parts, according to a Warner Bros. spokesperson for the movie. Soto recently signed a solo record deal after recording some of the music in “Rock Star.” Davis and composer… Read more »
Two words of advice to struggling musicians who can’t get a record contract: Don’t bother. Or rather, take a page from the book of Uncle Kracker, the 26-year-old pop singer whose debut record hit the top 10 on U.S. album charts even though he calls himself “probably the least ambitious person you’ll meet.” Many budding rock stars dream of great power and wealth in the music business. Uncle Kracker – real name Matt Shafer – dreams of a life changing tires, fishing and gardening. For the time being, though, he is playing a bemused accidental rock star and is on… Read more »
Back in 1983, Sting sang about being the “King of Pain.” These days, he’s pain-free, not to mention prosperous. His most recent album, 1999’s “Brand New Day,” is one of the most successful of his career, with more than 7 million copies sold. It won two Grammy Awards and netted him a spot in the pre-game show at this year’s Super Bowl, while his contributions to the soundtrack for Disney’s animated feature “The Emperor’s New Groove” earned him an Oscar nomination. And on Saturday in Washington, D.C., the British musician – who co-founded the Police in 1977 and dissolved the… Read more »
Warped Tour is back, and the road to their monumental return is growing shorter every day! During our debut episode of idobi Warped Radio—the official radio and podcast partner of Warped Tour—we held an exclusive, in-depth conversation with founder Kevin Lyman. During the interview, Lyman pulls back the curtain on one of the festival’s most unexpected success stories. Reflecting on the parking lot commerce culture that became synonymous with Warped, he shares, “Going back to the early days, that was those brands like Volcom and Hurley, some of those brands growing up in there. Then it turned into Glamour Kills.… Read more »
After releasing singles “Spit,” Laughing Without Smiling,” “The Gallows,” and their LP title track, Cleveland punk-rockers Heart Attack Man are ready to reveal their fourth LP, Joyride The Pale Horse on April 25. This marks the trio’s second independent release, preceded by 2017’s The Manson Family, 2019’s Fake Blood, and 2023’s Freak Of Nature. In their most realized album to date, Heart Attack Man has found their stride and their voice. Touching on the nuances of death, aka “The Pale Horse,” lead vocalist Eric Egan, guitarist Ty Sickels, and drummer Adam Paduch eloquently wander through life’s highs, lows, anxieties, and… Read more »
Fairfield, Connecticut’s own Anxious is a force to be reckoned with. On their sophomore album, Bambi—out now via Run For Cover Records—the young East Coast quintet blends delicate emo sonics with blistering hardcore and sweltering pop-punk melodies. The 11-track record is nothing short of refreshing, an effortlessly timeless collection of songs. Partly inspired by Panic! at the Disco’s 2005 record A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out, Anxious offers exciting chaos and poised sentiments alike from their opening “Never Said” to the closer, “I’ll Be Around.” Currently on their massive headlining tour with Ultra Q and Stateside, idobi Radio had the… Read more »
Following the release of single “Bloodlust,” UK hard rock act Acres are back with “Staring At The Sun,” set to appear on their forthcoming LP The Host, due out on May 2 via Solid State Records. Lead vocalist Ben Lumber says, “‘Staring at the Sun’ is a classic miserable Acres love song. The record goes in a brand new direction, but we wanted a few songs to nod to our roots with remnants of our old vibe. It’s about not being able to let go of someone or something who has a hold over you.” He continues, “The Host represents a bold step in… Read more »
