Officially A Yuppie

EXCLUSIVE! Farewell Continental INTV!

2012-02-12T08:47:00.000-08:00

What started off as a secret side project for Motion City Soundtrack front man Justin Pierre has now blossomed into a touring band that has developed a cult-like following along the way. The band, Farewell Continental began in 2008 as a group of friends from the Minneapolis area began, with each member taking on identities of characters from Harrison Ford films and never revealing who was who until the release of their debut record, ¡Hey, Hey Pioneers! and a non-stop touring schedule, Farewell Continental have become fan favorites. As the band embark on a tour this month and gather up cash to begin recording their sophomore record, we spoke with singer Justin Pierre about the group's history, music and Harrison Ford. Take a look!

The band was an enigma at first before you revealed your true identities, why did you plan out doing that at first?

I wanted to put out the music and just let people stumble upon it rather than have people respond to it as a side project from a guy in another band. That way people either liked it or disliked it without having any preconceived notions.

For a while you had fans guessing and arguing on blogs that “Richard Kimble” was in fact, you - Justin Pierre. Did you find this amusing?

We didn't really try all that hard at hiding it. Although at our first shows I did make everyone wear ski masks to hide our identities. In retrospect that was dumb and very hot. I think what humored me most was reading that people though the singer of Farewell Continental was a shitty version of Justin Pierre.

What made you eventually reveal who you actually were?

We wanted people to come to the shows on our tour. We hoped that we could either con or intrigue people who were into our various other bands into spending their hard earned dollars on our nonsense.

You all took your names from Harrison Ford characters, who chose what? Why Harrison Ford? Also, no love for Dr. Henry Jones, Jr?

Harrison Ford is the greatest. We couldn't be too obvious with the names, therefore no Indiana Jones or Han Solo. Because we have a girl in the band we had to find a suitable name. The Mosquito Coast was our ace in the hole in that department.

How did each of you link up to form the band?

I've known Tommy since the mid/late '90's. He actually played keyboards in MCS for a brief while and even wrote the lead for a song called "Don't Call It A Comeback," but he wasn't interested in joining the band. We both share an affinity for all things feedback laden and late '80's/early '90's. Josh played in Small Towns Burn A Little Slower with Tommy. Kari used to drive me to various Emergency Rooms across Minneapolis and scrape me off the floor for several years. She was a genius piano player and had a great voice. I always wanted to do something musical with her. Jim was some hardcore kid that was a friend of Tommy's and talked his way into recording on the first Farewell Continental EP even though he didn't actually know how to really play bass. I found this out recently.

All of you come from other bands that sound vastly different than Farewell Continental but all have the same influences. Is it difficult transitioning from one style of rock and roll to another?

We all play in 1 to several other bands and they are all quite different. The trick for us is that we try not to think too much about what we are doing. Also, our schedules never really line up so we rarely every rehearse or write in the same room. We send ideas to one another and then show up for the few hours we can while in the studio and do our best to come up with stuff if we haven't had time to do so beforehand.

What form do you like better?

I like the freedom that comes with not having to care about cd sales and whether or not people listen to your band. Unfortunately, one cannot support themselves with this type of artistic outlet. But for FC it is all about gut feeling and not over analyzing anything. Hell, it's about not analyzing anything to begin with.

You finally released your debut, Hey Hey Pioneers. What was that experience like?

It was really fun. Fun is the word that we function under. If we're not having it, then there is no point in existing. We also sold 200 copies on the little tour we recently embarked upon, which is huge for a band that nobody really knows about.

Being from different bands and knowing the recording process, was this a quick and painless recording or the total opposite?

It took over a year to record because we could never find enough time when all of us were available, so we had to do it in small increments. I think we spent a total of 12 days recording and Ed Ackerson mixed the whole record in a few days.

Do you envision yourselves recording more or is this a one off project?

Absolutely. We already have our next 2 records somewhat worked out in our heads. We have an insane amount of songs, snippets or ideas floating around. The thing that is proving hardest is our ability to tour. We hope to at least tour once for every record, but mostly it'll be around Minneapolis unless we run into some rich people that want us to come to Amsterdam for a private show or something. That we can handle.

RIP Whitney Houston

2012-02-12T08:31:00.001-08:00

On Saturday Afternoon, international pop-star Whitney Houston was found dead at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. No cause of death has been determined, however, in recent years she had struggled with drug abuse.

Houston was 48.

The Newark, New Jersey native began her career in the 80's with songs like "How Will I Know," "I Want to Dance With Somebody." In the early 90's, Houston made her acting debut in the film, The Bodyguard and the films main single, "I Will Always Love You," which was written by Dolly Parton and performed by Houston became one of the biggest singles of all time. In her career she sold over 200 million albums and singles worldwide. She won 30 Billboard Awards, 22 American Music Awards and two Emmy Awards

She will be missed. Our thoughts go out to her family, friends and former husband, Bobby Brown, who learned of the news before performing Mississippi last night.

Quick News

2012-02-12T08:08:00.000-08:00

Bruce Springsteen has confirmed that the late Clarence Clemons' nephew, Jake Clemons will join the Boss and E-Street Band for the groups next tour which begins in March.

Get excited Blur fans, guitarist Graham Coxon has stated to The Daily Record, "There will definitely be another Blur album." While promoting his solo effort, A&E, which arrives in April, Coxon confirmed the legendary Britpop band will indeed have a release. The band reunited in 2009 to play a slew of gigs across England but nothing more came of it aside from the brand new single, "April Fool" which was in celebration of Record Store Day.

Longtime Ra Ra Riot cellist, Alexandra Lawn has departed from the Syracuse indie band. The news broke via the band's website and the group has no hard feelings for Lawn's departure. Lawn spent six years playing in Ra Ra and we wish her the best.

Sound City Trailer

2012-02-12T08:00:00.000-08:00

Scream, Nirvana, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age, Probot, Them Crooked Vultures, drummer, guitarists, songwriter, singer, producer and now Dave Grohl can add director to his impressive resume.

Grohl has spent over a year filming the documentary Sound City in what little spare time he has had. The film is about the legendary recording studio, Sound City. Take a look at the very quick but very impressive trailer.

No release date has been set on the film, but head on over to www.soundcitymovie.com for more info.

VINTAGE CLIP - Rare Depeche Mode 101 Footage

2012-02-10T06:37:00.000-08:00

A rare eight-minute film promo reel for Depeche Mode's revolutionary 1989 concert documentary 101, surfaced on the internet this week. The footage comes from director D.A. Pennebaker, it shows scenes that were shot but never made the final cut, as well as footage that appears in the film. Take a look!

Graffiti6 on Conan

2012-02-10T06:35:00.000-08:00

One of our "15 Artists to Watch in 2012," Graffiti6 performed "Free" on Conan last night. Take a look!

The Kills on Letterman

2012-02-10T06:34:00.000-08:00

Watch The Kills perform "The Last Goodbye" on Letterman from last night!

Fanfarlo Live Session 3

2012-02-09T13:26:00.000-08:00

In the third installment of Fanfarlo's special web-only "Live Series," the band performed the song "Feathers" off their forthcoming, Rooms Filled With Light record.

Dr. Dog on Conan!

2012-02-09T06:32:00.000-08:00

Dr. Dog hit up Conan last night to perform, "That Old Black Hole," off their latest album, Be the Void.

QUICK SPINS

2012-02-08T17:19:00.000-08:00

Gotye – Making Mirrors
The international sensation’s acclaimed third album FINALLY arrives in the US and proves it was the worth the wait. For the Australian Gotye, whose micro beats and falsetto have made him a sensation in the music world for years finally comes full circle with Making Mirrors. One of the most well thoughtout, creative and fresh pop albums to arrive since Robyn’s Body Talk series. Making Mirrors crosses boundaries and genres in a record about heartbreak, yet, through all of the raw emotion put on the album, Gotye shows off there is something triumphant to come. It is only February but this could end up on many top 10 lists at the end of the year.
FINAL GRADE: A

Cloud Nothings – Attack on Memory
Lo-fi meets grunge on the Midwestern American bands third record in as many years. The brainchild of singer Dylan Baldi fires back with distorted guitars, melodic hooks and brings us back to the days of Sub Pops heyday. At first listen to Attack on Memory, you really believe it is 1989 again and grunge is about to explode at any moment, yet, with basic production and sounding like it was recorded in a garage, Attack on Memory plays on our nostalgia and shows how Cloud Nothings is a band we maybe talking about all year.
FINAL GRADE: A-

Crosses – EP 2
Deftones frontman Chino Moreno and Far guitarist Shaun Lopez return with their second EP and after a very disappointing first start on EP 1, EP 2 works out all the kinks. EP 2 finds Crosses blending the moody disposition of classic Deftones songs like “Digital Bath,” “Be Quiet and Drive,” and “Pink Cellphone,” and takes Lopez’s attacking guitar work and brilliant production qualities and marries the California musicians together.
FINAL GRADE: A-

Craig Finn –Clear Heart, Full Eyes
The Hold Steady front man goes solo and finds his inner Nebraska. Much like one of Finn’s heroes, Bruce Springsteen, the rock and roll front man went acoustic and simple on his solo debut. Trading Brooklyn for Austin, Texas to work and record Clear Heart, Full Eyes and inspired by the hit TV show, Friday Night Lights, Finn gets much more introspective than ever before. Unlike his work for The Hold Steady, the brilliant lyricist does not tell a story of central characters but seems to pour his heart out in what he loves and lives for. For fans of Finn’s words this is one for you.
FINAL GRADE: A-

Lana Del Rey – Born to Die
Born and bred in hype via the internet, loved and praised by nearly every blogger and major magazine and then a disastrous SNL performance seemed to give everyone that loved her, the right to bash the New York singer. So when her debut, Born to Die was released, it was unfairly trashed and trampled on. However, while it may have been cool and fun to bash the singer, when you really listen to what Born to Die has to offer, it is far from a terrible record. Sure, her debut is not ground breaking nor the beginning of the second coming, but it plays like an SOS for distraught females everywhere who are looking for love or who have been scorned by the men in front of them. Her vocal range is low, her lyrics are clever, the beats are sublime, so why all the hate? Oh right, the fellow pretentious writers of today get upset when someone becomes popular.

FINAL GRADE: B+

Leonard Cohen – Old Ideas
The brilliant songwriter, poet and author returns with a new album. While Old Ideas shows off classic Cohen, it also shows off why we need more of his work today than ever before.
FINAL GRADE: B+

Foxy Shazam – The Church of Rock and Roll
The Ohio rockers return with album number four and preside in The Church of Rock and Roll. Foxy Shazam are a group that simply know how to have fun, they do not take themselves too serious and make a form of rock and roll that you can easily let your hair down to. The Church of Rock and Roll hears the band paying homage to 70’s classic rock, 80’s hair metal, 90’s grunge and beyond. A record to pick up and rock out to.
FINAL GRADE: B+

Guided by Voices – Let’s Go Eat the Factory
The Ohio indie rock legends release album number 16 and after a revolving door of musicians to come in and out of the band for years, this has GBV bring their “classic” line-up to their new record. Let’s Go Eat the Factory is classic GBV and with 21 songs and clocking in at over 40 minutes, GBV show they still go it.
FINAL GRADE: B

Ingrid Michaelson – Human Again
The Staten Island born singer/songwriter fires back with album number five and shows her flexing serious muscle. Human Again hears Michaelson’s voice like never before, playing off both pop and indie rock, Human Again blurs the fine line between the two genres and shows how you can do a record that will appeal to various groups of people and fans. One of Michaelson’s best.
FINAL GRADE: B

Big Deal – Lights Out
The debut record of couple Kacey Underwood and Alice Costelloe shows off sexual tension, colorful sounds and the music world at their fingertips – after all they are Big Deal. While what is based around the duo is very minimal and at times ambient, what works is Big Deal’s members playing off each other with such camaraderie that it is something to look forward to as to what they will do down the line.
FINAL GRADE: B-

Quick News

2012-02-08T17:02:00.000-08:00

Pure Love, former Gallows singer Frank Carter's new band, will record their debut record with Gil Norton (Foo Fighters).

After the massive success in theaters of their concert-film Don't Think, The Chemical Brothers will release the feast for the eyes on DVD and Blu-Ray on March 27.

The Jesus and Mary Chain have been confirmed for this years SXSW festival in Austin, Texas. This will be the band's first US appearance since 2008.

Rocketjuice and the Moon - the band starring Damon Albarn, Flea and Tony Allen will release their debut album on March 12. The album will feature special guests, Erykah Badu, Fatoumata Diawara, M.anifest, Cheick Tidiane Seck, and the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble.

Tyler, The Creator has Tweeted the cover to the new Odd Future mixtape. Tyler also confirmed that wayward member, Earl Sweatshirt will not be on the tape. Take a look at the cover to OF Tape 2, which comes out March 20.

Chi Cheng of Deftones Beginning to Emerge From Coma

2012-02-08T16:54:00.000-08:00

In November 2008, Deftones bassist Chi Cheng was involved in a horrific car accident in California that has left him in a coma since then. While his band has soldiered on without him, they have never left him from far from their thoughts. Organizing benefit shows and a charity "One Love for Chi." Now the charity organization posted a video of Cheng able to life his leg on request and emerge from the coma that has trapped him since the accident. Watch the video above and for more info on Cheng and "One Love for Chi," go HERE.

Big Easy Express Trailer

2012-02-07T17:24:00.000-08:00

Big Easy Express Official Trailer from S2BN Films on Vimeo.

Last year Mumford & Sons, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zero's and Old Crow Medicine Show toured the old fashioned way. Indeed, the "Railroad Revival Tour," was something so different and diverse, it saw the three bands traveling to a handful of places on train and playing on the trains in between gigs. The bands documented the experience and watch the trailer to the forthcoming documentary, Big Easy Express.

QUICK NEWS

2012-02-07T17:14:00.000-08:00

Fans of Johnny Cash have something to be excited about - a new museum dedicated to "The Man in Black" will open in Nashville later this year. The new museum will be on Nashville's main strip, Lower Broadway, "right in the middle of the hubbub," said Cash's son John Carter Cash to AP.

The worlds of dance music are about to collide as Daft Punk are reportedly in talks with former Chic front man Nile Rodgers to collaborate on the robot DJ's forthcoming album. Disco pioneer, Rodgers told CultureMap, "They're coming to my apartment on Monday and we're going to talk about making a new record together." No word as to when a new Daft Punk record will be released, but this sis something to get excited over.

Timbaland has told MTV that he and Missy Elliot will be releasing records in June. Timbaland says, "We want to do it as a movement and spontaneously... I just don't want to move too ahead of her, and she doesn't wanna move too ahead of me."

Holy SHIT! Metallica are headlining the inaugural Orion Music and More two-day festival in Atlantic City, New Jersey on June 23 and June 24. Metallica are set to play their signature records, Ride the Lightening and The Black Album in full on the two days, respectively. The band hand selected a list of bands that includes; Gaslight Anthem, Best Coast, Avenged Sevenfold, Gary Clark Jr., The Sword, Modest Mouse, Hot Snakes, Titus Andronicus, Fucked Up, Liturgy, A Place to Bury Strangers, Lucero, Arctic Monkeys, Black Angels, Roky Erickson, and more to play at the festival.

Gotye on Kimmel!

2012-02-07T17:11:00.000-08:00

Making his US TV debut, international sensation Gotye performed his smash hit, "Somebody I Used to Know" and "Eyes Wide Open" on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Take a look!

RISING ARTIST EXCLUSIVE - Sulk!

2012-02-05T09:17:00.000-08:00

Could Britpop be staging a comeback? Thanks to reunions in recent years of Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, Pulp and Blur, could the sound that dominated the world for part of the 90's return? While that remains to be seen aside from the nostalgia factor, one thing is for certain, the generation that grew up on Oasis, The Verve, Suede and those mentioned before are coming of age and coming to attention with a heavy Britpop inspired sound. Bands like Born Blonde, Scoundrels, Viva Brother and this months pick for Rising Artist, Sulk, are brining back the sound that brought forth the second British invasion.

Sulk are a London based band has been turning heads in the big city and around their country since 2011. We tipped them to be one of our "15 Artists to Watch in 2012" and our UK correspondent Linn Branson hailed them in her picks in "London Rocks in 2012," for bands in the shadow of Big Ben that will break big in the new year.

We spoke with singer John Sutcliffe on the bands acclaim, inspirations and what it means to be a buzz band from London these days. Take a look at our interview with John below:

You are from Northern England but are based in London now, has the transition affected your sound and style? Do you consider yourself a Northern band or a London band?

Yeah 2 of us are from the North….it doesn’t really make a difference where your from really. Records sound the same wherever you listen to them and it is the music that inspires us not where we are from.

Hailing from London, how much has the city influenced you?

The only thing London has really done for us is strengthen our stance of no compromise…we do it our way.

London has more great bands emerge from that city than one can imagine, how do Sulk stick out from the mold?

It’s simple, no one is doing what we do and no one can…. it takes a songwriter like our Tomas and he staying with us

How did the band form?

Tomas (Lead Guitar and Song writer) and I met at a Tamborines show a few years back. He had seen Andy and I play in another band and asked us if we were interested in listening to some tunes he had written and if we would be up for getting involved. We had all the same influences so it was kind of exciting, I had no idea what we were gonna hear would be so mind blowing. I am and always will be the biggest SULK fan!

The name of the band is quintessentially English, given the doom and gloom of the weather, how did you decide on Sulk for the band name?

Sulk suited us as a name because we are moody bastards but with a slight sense of humor…. also it’s the name of an album by the associates than Andy and I became friends over.

In your music, you hear a deep root and influence of 90’s Britpop (which, on a personal level excites me), who of that era had that greatest impact on you on?

Well if it’s Britpop I would say Oasis for me and Suede for Tomas…. I like the Britpop tag because it was a time to be proud of British guitar bands and it exuded confidence, which is so lacking in modern British music. However I wouldn’t say we are Britpop. Our sound reminds me more of what came before. It was these greats who set the stage for the movement and are a huge influence on us and we are proud people notice it! One just reformed…happy days.

Growing up was it team Oasis or Team Blur?

Both for me…. we all know it was a media thing and I don’t fall for that rubbish. First Blur album and first Oasis album still live on my record deck.

In many ways the 90’s Britpop seemed to make a bit of a comeback in terms of sound with bands like The Horrors, Viva Brother, Arctic Monkeys, Born Blonde and yourselves all releasing material in 2011 with some inspiration from the past. Do you ever think it will ever be as big as it once way?

If we are counting on those bands you just mentioned us excluded…not a fucking chance!
Our personal aim is not to be lumped with a scene and we certainly wont be holding hands with them on the front page of the NME… SULK is bigger than a made up fad for 2012.

With Stone Roses back together, NME has called you out to be one of the opening acts for the legendary band’s reunion. How do you feel about such an accolade? Would you do it?

Honored they are a great band and one of our favorites…can’t you tell. If asked we would jump at the chance because we know we are good enough to share a stage with them.

Some blogs in the UK have called you “The Best New Band in Britain,” how do you respond to such a claim? Does it humble you or do you just push forward?

It doesn’t humble me…I can’t speak for the others. We have worked hard to deliver the music you are hearing and it defo helps to see we are getting recognized but we would still believe we were the best without the such praise because we play the music we want to hear and would buy.

You have released a few limited edition 7” and singles, is a full length in the works?

Yeah we are working on a long player at the moment and aim to have it in peoples hands by the end of the year…. can’t wait really because the second one is gathering dust in demo form.

Now that the band is successfully rolling into all the right places in terms of buzz and acclaim, which do you like better – playing live shows in front of a room full of unknowns or hitting the recording studio and crafting the music?

For me it will always be live shows…every night is different and I like hearing the cheers. You can’t beat touring, 5 mates in a van seeing the world and meeting interesting people.

When can we expect you in the US?

Soon I hope…. its somewhere we really want to get out teeth into and are already getting a great response, which we really appreciate, thank you.

What has been the best thing about Sulk thus far?

Getting the records out in a so called lull for guitar bands and selling them out and receiving praise for the quality of our work…. you can’t fake that!

Underrated Classic - Amy Winehouse "Frank"

2012-02-05T09:04:00.000-08:00

Before she was the tabloids favorite headline, before she won all of her acclaim and Grammys, before she was tattooed and looked more punk than soul - Amy Winehouse was just another R&B / neo-soul singer trying to make it in the big music world. In 2003, Winehouse released her debut album, Frank. It was a record that displayed a healthy and happy looking Winehouse on the cover walking what is believed to be her dog. She was an innocent girl singing of love and loss, heartbreak and happiness. She played on ideas of sex and sexuality and turned heads with songs like "Fuck Me Pumps," "I Heard Love is Blind," and "In My Bed." While released in the UK to positive reviews, the album would never cross the pond until Winehouse's blockbuster 2007 year when she released the phenomenal Back to Black. While Back to Black showed off proper production by Mark Ronson, Frank was much more laid back and much more raw in terms of recording. While Back to Black was much more raw in emotion, Winehouse on Frank sounded vulnerable, the sound and production of the record would echo Winehouse in years to come - the sound of a woman trying to shed her innocence and come into her own. While we lost Winehouse last summer, her music lives on, Frank was the first step to her international success.

Quick News

2012-02-05T08:45:00.000-08:00

U2's Bono is set to become the world's richest rock star, surpassing the fortunes of Sir Paul McCartney. Bono owns 1.5 % of the shares in Facebook through his private equity firm, Elevation Partners, as soon as the social networking site floats on the stock exchange later this year, his shares will be worth just under $1 billion. Elevation Partners invested in Facebook in 2009, yet, part of the money is not going to Bono's pockets, it will go to to his various charity projects like his humanitarian work in Africa.

As mentioned last week, Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward was threatening to pull out of the legendary metal bands reunion tour and new record slated for this year. Now it is official, the band will continue on without him. The remaining members of the band took to Facebook to announce that Ward will not be part of the reunion. They stated, "We were saddened to hear yesterday via Facebook that Bill declined publicly to participate in our current Black Sabbath plans. We have no choice but to continue recording without him although our door is always open."

The 20th anniversary reissue of Pantera's legendary album, Vulgar Display of Power will feature a previously unreleased song entitled "Piss."

Tenacious D will release their new record, Rize of the Fenix in May. The new album from the comedic rock duo comprised of Jack Black and Kyle Gass will be their first new album in six years.

Fitz & the Tantrums on Fallon!

2012-02-04T08:03:00.000-08:00

Fitz and the Tantrums shook up the Super Bowl village this week and performed on Fallon ahead of Sunday's big game!

Movie of the Month - Sling Blade

2012-02-04T07:42:00.000-08:00

This year's Oscar race, the Weinstein's raked in the nominations thanks to their films; The Artist, My Week with Marilyn and The Iron Lady. Yet, back in the brothers best days, nearly every year in the 90's at the awards was dominated by Miramax, the studio that Bob and Harvey Weinstein ran. In 1996, the brothers were at fever pitch with the films they were buying at film festivals and distributing around the world. One film that year that caught many off guard was Sling Blade. Based on the short film, Some Folks Call It A Sling Blade, which writer, director and lead actor Billy Bob Thornton also created, Sling Blade is the story of a man, Karl, who was institutionalized in a mental hospital after killing his mother and her lover at the age of 12 with a kaiser blade. After he leaves the institution, he has to find his place back in the real world. Back on his feet with a real job, Karl befriends a 12 year old boy in the small Arkansas town and becomes a father figure to the pre-teen. With the two now sharing a bond, the boys mother's abusive boyfriend begins to plague the relationships of everyone around him and Karl is forced to step in. With a brilliant cast from Thorton to Dwight Yoakam, John Ritter, J.T. Walsh, Robert Duvall and music by Daniel Lanois, Sling Blade shows off every reason why it is one of the most praised independent films of all time.

Nas on Fallon!

2012-02-03T06:30:00.000-08:00

Nas totally owned Jimmy Fallon last night. Take a look at Queens' finest taking the stage by storm.

Quick News

2012-02-03T06:23:00.001-08:00

Dave Grohl is always keeping himself busy as a musician, now the Foo Fighter will jump into TV as he is developing a series for FX. The Hollywood Reporter states, "He is working with comedian Dana Gould on the series which would revolve around a rock band reaching the brink of stardom and breaking up. The series would document the band seeking help from a couples counselor."

A band that Grohl would love is British hardcore band Rolo Tomassi. The band recently spoke with NME to discuss their forthcoming third record. Keyboardist James Spence said, "It's a lot more direct, 'Cosmology' had to be listened to a few times to be digested, whereas this is hard hitting straight away and much more immediate. We've built on the more melodic bits and I wanted to give Eva more of a chance to bring in her clean vocals. I hope it's the kind of record that people who were already into our band still like, but also brings new people in who haven't got into us before."
Read our 2011 interview with Rolo Tomassi HERE.

Just ahead of her hyped Super Bowl half-time performance, Madonna unleashed the tracklisting to her upcoming record MDMA, which is slated for a March release. Take a look:
'Girls Gone Wild'
'Gang Bang'
'I'm Addicted'
'Some Girls'
'I Don't Give A'
'Turn Up the Radio'
'Give Me All Your Luvin'
'B-day Song'
'Superstar'
'I'm a Sinner'
'Masterpiece'
'Falling Free'
'Love Spent'
'I Fuckedd Up'
'Beautiful Killer'

Lana Del Rey on Letterman

2012-02-03T06:21:00.000-08:00

Lana Del Rey hit up Letterman last night to perform "Video Games," and showed her biggest critics she is not just hype.

Quick News

2012-02-02T14:26:00.000-08:00

Tegan and Sara have confirmed they will enter the studio on February 20 to work on new material.

The Bouncing Souls have announced the title and release date of their new record, the album Comet will arrive June 12.

It has been confirmed that next week, February 9, Sir Paul McCartney will FINALLY receive a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame. McCartney is the last and remaining Beatle to be honored on the legendary Los Angeles icon. Like his former bandmates star's, he will be placed right in front of the Capitol Records building on Vine Street.

After getting on punch after another. The Black Sabbath reunion is now in jeopardy, first came reports that guitarist Tony Iommi was battling lymphoma, however, his treatments would not effect the reunion tour or new record. Now, another punch has been delivered by drummer Bill Ward. Ward has, at least temporarily, dropped out of the album and tour over contract issues.
63-year-old Ward released an open letter Thursday saying, "Sabbath Fans, Fellow Musicians and Interested Parties" nodding that he would not go on with any of the reunion "unless a 'signable" contract is drawn up; a contract that reflects some dignity and respect toward me as an original member of the band." The reunion was set to kick off May 18 in Moscow.

WATCH! Airborne Toxic Event on Letterman!

2012-02-02T06:55:00.000-08:00

For David Letterman's 30 Years on late-night TV, he brought out some of his favorite stars and friends this week from Bill Murray, Regis, Howard Stern and Airborne Toxic Event.

Watch the band perform with The Caldar Quartet, "All I Ever Wanted," from their latest record, All at Once.

Watch RINGO & Conan Jam Together!

2012-02-02T06:44:00.000-08:00

In support of his new album, Ringo 2012, former Beatle Ringo Starr dropped by Conan for a special three-part interview. Yet, the highlight of all was when Conan picked up his guitar and jammed with Starr. Take a look as they perform, "Act Naturally."

Bjork on Colbert!

2012-02-01T06:49:00.000-08:00

The Colbert Report
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Watch Bjork perform "Cosmogony" on Colbert Report last night. This Friday, the Icelandic Princess kicks off her 10 night run in New York City. We will be on hand to cover her final night on March 2 at Roseland!

Fanfarlo Live Session 2

2012-01-31T16:59:00.000-08:00

As we mentioned last week, Fanfarlo will be doing different live sessions each week leading up to the release of their new album, Rooms Filled With Light.

Take a look at this week's session of the single, "De.Con.Struction."

Fishbone on Kimmel!

2012-01-31T06:57:00.001-08:00

Legendary ska punks, Fishbone hit up Jimmy Kimmel Live last night to perform "Everyday Sunshine" and plug their new documentary of the same name. Take a look!

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. On Conan

2012-01-31T06:55:00.000-08:00

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. hit up Conan last night to perform "Simple Girl." Take a look!

LIVE Pix - GIGANTOUR @ The Theater at MSG

2012-01-30T16:05:00.000-08:00

The Gigantour featuring Megadeath, Motorhead, Lacuna Coil & Volbeat made its stop to the newly renovated Theater at Madison Square Garden over the weekend. Our photo correspondent RICH D SMOOV captured the action. Take a look!

Motorhead

Megadeath

Lacuna Coil

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Quick News

2012-01-30T15:54:00.000-08:00

In an interview in NME, Crystal Castles will head to Warsaw, Poland to work on album three next month. The band hopes to have the record out by the summer.

The Vaccines are also going to head back into the studio to work on new material. To follow-up one of last years best albums, What Did You Expect From The Vaccines? will be produced by Ethan Johns (Ryan Adams, Kings of Leon). Singer Justin Young told NME, "It's mostly written and we're going into the studio in Belgium in March to start recording so it'll definitely be out this year, without a doubt. We've definitely got six songs written that we all want to be on the record, but there's tonnes of other new songs and we're actually going into the studio out in Australia to work on ideas. I think we're in a good place with it and it's quite exciting." The band hope to have the record out this year.

Jack White has announced his plans for his solo debut. The former White Stripes front man will release his debut, Blunderbuss in April. Take a listen to the first single, "Love Interruption" below:

As we mentioned earlier this month, Garbage will release their new record this year. The band has come out and given the record a title and date, Not Your Kind of People and will be released via the band's Stunvolume label May 15.

Spiritualized has announced they are pushing back the release of their seventh studio album, Sweet Heart Sweet Light by a few weeks. The record, which was slated to arrive in March and some copies have been sent to critics, is not pleasing main man J.Pierce and they are reworking the record. Take a look at the tracklisting below:

01 Hey Jane
02 Little Girl
03 Get What You
04 Too Late
05 Heading for the Top
06 Freedom
07 I Am What I Am
08 Mary
09 Life Is a Problem
10 So Long You Pretty Things

EXCLUSIVE! Austra INTV!

2012-01-28T10:32:00.000-08:00

After being named one of our "15 Artists to Watch in 2012," Canada's Austra are certainly living up to the title. The Canadian three-piece electronic band have been making a name for themselves for a handful of years and last year saw them release their debut LP, Feel it Break on Domino to rave reviews. In fact, Austra were shortlisted as one of the finalists for their country's Polaris Prize but lost to Arcade Fire. The band is a wild, sexually charged and fierce talent that creates a sound to be admired. Take a look at our interview with Austra front woman, Katie Stelmanis. Take a look.

Hailing from Canada, we have seen many electronic inspired acts break out from there over the years. Is electronic music very popular there?

Its not hugely popular. Canada has a really small population and its difficult to foster a huge number of music genres. At the moment there just isn't a foundation for electronic musicians to make their music heard in Canada, so most of them have to seek recognition in other countries that are more set up to support it.

You are a classically trained artist, do you take what you know about classical music and bringit to electronica? Are there similarities in composing the two different genres?

I think electronic music and classical are quite similar. They both rely on the quality of the arrangements, and have layers and layers of harmonies, tracks, and landscapes within each song. I think my background in classical music led me to make electronic, because I could create complex arrangements for many instruments on my computer.

There has been so much buzz about the band in recent months, how to do respond to it?

My band and I are very realistic and try not to pay attention to buzz. We work hard and will continue to work hard and take the project as far as we can.

You seem to be the center piece of the band, is this your band with two backing members or a solo project under the banner Austra?

Its a collaborative project between 3 musicians, though that is always evolving. Currently I am touring as a 6-piece who all input their ideas into the project.

Where does the name Austra originate?

Its my middle name, and its a traditional Latvian name.

Sexuality plays a strong role in Austra, is it liberating to express yourself over music?

I think that music and dancing is a very sensual thing and people should feel like they want to express that when they see music or listen to it. Indie rock tends to be quite the opposite and we like bringing a strong sexual vibe to the stage.

You and Maya are gay and with sexuality playing a strong role in the music, is this the most gratifying outlet on how you can express yourself?

I suppose. I never think of my music as gay music, or as music with a political message. I am political as a person though and enjoying speaking up about the topic.

Do you find fans coming up to you and thanking you for being so proud of who you are?

Ya we do actually, I've had a lot of people thanking me for being at out musician.

There was an interesting paradox with how your video for “Beat and the Pulse” was censored from Youtube, while other videos – far more graphic and violent, were allowed. Do you feel the double standard in what is right and wrong in entertainment more frequently now?

I think its a clear depiction of where North America's values lie. There is a lot of hate, violent stuff on youtube, but clearly women's sexuality is more offensive to America's population.

How would you describe your music to someone that has never heard you before?

Electronic, dramatic pop music.

What can we expect from Austra down the line?

Lots of touring and lots of music.

QUICK NEWS

2012-01-28T06:18:00.000-08:00

The legendary Miles Davis will be immortalized on a US postage stamp. Joining the ranks of Elvis on the US stamp, the release shows the US Postal Service working in conjunction with France's La Posta how are creating musically themed stamps that will honor Edith Piaf.

Over a decade after they broke up, Ben Folds Five are currently working in the studio on a new album. The band expects to have it out this spring.

Taking to Twitter this week, Gaslight Anthem gave fans something to get excited over. The band tweeted, "This is my favorite songs we've ever recorded. Feels like we found our own sound." The band are currently in Nashville working on album four.

Epic Records has confirmed that they are promising a new Fiona Apple record this year. The long awaited record will come seven years after Apple released her last record, Extraordinary Machines in 2005.

Playlist

2012-01-25T16:57:00.000-08:00

Its winding down to the end of the month...Time for a new playlist!

- Deer Tick - "Main Streets"

- Friendly Fires - "Live Those Days Tonight"

- Mental As Anything - "Nips Are Getting Bigger"

- Amy Winehouse - "Fuck Me Pumps"

- Ultravox - "Vienna"

- Wall of Voodoo - "Mexican Radio"

- Nine Inch Nails - "Terrible Lie"

- Jesus and Mary Chain - "Nine Million Rainy Days"

- David Bowie - "Battle for Britain"

- Liars - "Mr Your On Fire Mr"

- Psychedelic Furs - "Sister Europe"

- Suede - "Heroine"

- James Blake - "A Case of You"

- Theophilus London - "Last Name London"

- Bon Iver - "Towers"

- EMA - "Coda"

- Ill Bill - "Society is Brainwashed"

- Company Flow - "8 Steps to Perfection"

- Sage Francis - "Slow Man"

- Red Hot Chili Peppers - "Monarchy of Roses"

- Husker Du - "Ice Cold Ice"

- U2 - "Stay (Faraway, So Close)"

- Noel Gallagher - "The Death of You and Me"

- Robyn - "Be Mine!"

Get most of this playlist on Spotify!

Quick News

2012-01-25T16:44:00.000-08:00

Glasvegas are hitting the road in the UK a year after they released their sophomore record, EUPHORIC /// HEARTBREAK \\\. As the band released a statement discussing their new tour, they also said they are demoing and writing new songs and will be in the studio at the end of this tour to work on record number three.

After we have been discussing all week, the Joy Division inspired Mickey Mouse shirt has now been pulled from the Disney store. A representative from Disney says, "As soon as we became aware there could be an issue, we pulled it from our shelves and our online store to review the situation further."

Norah Jones will release her new Danger Mouse produced album, Little Broken Hearts in the Spring. Jones and Danger Mouse worked together last year on the Rome album that also featured Jack White and Daniele Luppi.

Frank Turner took to his blog and gave an update on his hardcore side project. Turner says, "It’s something I’ve been thinking about doing for a long time, but it took a while to figure out the right way to do it. Now we have a line-up and we’ve been in the rehearsal room as a bunch, writing songs. Still no band name as of yet. Haha. It’s noisy, tongue-in-cheek, aggressive, abrasive stuff. It’s a side project, so it takes back seat priority-wise, which means I’m not sure when we’ll have time to record anything or get some music released, but it’s a lot closer to being a real band right now than it has been previously." Turner used to front the hardcore band, A Million Dead.

Blood Red Shoes will release their third album, In Time to Voices on March 26. Take a look at the track listing below:

01) In Time To Voices
02) Lost Kids
03) Cold
04) Two Dead Minutes
05) The Silence and the Drones
06) Night Light
07) Je Me Perds
08) Stop Kicking
09) Slip Into Blue
10) Down Here in the Dark
11) 7 Years

In 2010 we interviewed Blood Red Shoes in one of their first American interviews. Take a look at it HERE.

Dinosaur Jr. DVD Trailer

2012-01-25T16:41:00.000-08:00

On February 21, Dinosaur Jr. will release the DVD, Bug Live at 9:30 Club: In the Hands of the Fans. The band shot the concert while on the road last year in support of their landmark record, Bug's anniversary at DC's 9:30 in June. Take a look at the trailer.

OFFICIALLY A PODCAST EPISODE 5

2012-01-24T17:35:00.001-08:00

After a near two month hiatus, OFFICIALLY A PODCAST IS BACK!

Sorry for the delay folks!

Back For Episode 5, Host Bill Reese and Officially A Yuppie Owner, Sal Bono discuss the major reunions of 2012 - The Stone Roses, At the Drive-in and Refused. Plus, who they would like to see reunite!

Also, Reese sits down for a "Q&Ale" with Julius C. frontman Jay Stolar before the band plays their final gig in NYC this Saturday. A great interview with a great band! One not to miss!

Episode 5 by Officially A Podcast

Quick News

2012-01-24T17:17:00.000-08:00

Canadian band Our Lady Peace will release their eighth album, Curve on April 3.

The newly reformed Garbage will release their yet-to-be-titled new album on their own label, Stunvolume. The record is a follow-up to 2005's Bleed Like Me and is produced by member and extraordinaire, Butch Vig.

The Gaslight Anthem are trading New Jersey for Nashville...only for a little bit to record the follow-up to 2010's American Slang. The band have finished writing and demoing materials and will record the record in the Music Capital.

The Klaxons have begun writing music for their new record and the follow-up to 2010's Surfing the Void. The band have been rumored to work with The Chemical Brothers and LCD Soundsystem's James Murphy for album number three.

Yesterday via Facebook we pointed out that Disney are now selling Joy Division inspired Mickey Mouse shirts. Yes, no shit, we know and are just as shocked too. Now Joy Division bassist Peter Hook spoke to MTV Hive about it and says, "I have seen a lot of Mickey Mouse t-shirts in my time. But I have to say this is probably the best... I hope that [Disney] will be as understanding when we start doing Donald Duck shirts." He also said he had no prior knowledge of Disney using the cover of their debut, Unknown Pleasures to influence the shirt. The other former members of Joy Division aka New Order, have not commented on the shirt nor have given permission to use the design. The Mickey Mouse company knows that Joy Division singer Ian Curtis did kill himself, right? Or what the hell the band's name means? OR what the fuck the band sounds like?! Take a look at the shirt below:

The Disney store website states, "Inspired by the iconic sleeve of Joy Division's Unknown Pleasures album, this Waves Mickey Mouse Tee incorporates Mickey's image within the graphic of the pulse of a star. That's appropriate given few stars have made bigger waves than Mickey!" The shirt is "created especially for Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort." Crazy is all we can respond with.

Read our 2011 feature and interview with Peter Hook HERE.

Frank Turner Road Diary

2012-01-24T17:09:00.000-08:00

Frank Turner had a massive 2011 and 2012 is looking just as bright and busy. To showcase what just happened with him in the last year, Turner and his backing band, The Sleeping Souls cut together a video diary. Take a look.

Read Frank's first interview of 2012 that he did with us HERE.

Fanarlo Live Sessions

2012-01-24T17:04:00.000-08:00

Leading up to the February release of their new album, Rooms Filled With Light, once a week Fanfarlo will treat fans to live sessions of various songs off the new record. For session number one, they picked, "Shiny Things," take a look!

Also, read our November feature on Fanfarlo discussing the making of Rooms Filled With Light HERE.

Watch WILCO on Conan

2012-01-24T13:47:00.000-08:00

Wilco hit up Conan last night to perform the title track off their latest release, The Whole Love.

EXCLUSIVE! Born Blonde INTV!

2012-01-22T08:42:00.000-08:00

Just last month we picked England's Born Blonde as our Rising Artist. Now, as the new year rolls on, this British band with a distinct influence from The Verve are turning heads even more. Maybe it is because of the massive Stone Roses reunion taking place later this year, Britpop is seeing a revival in a whole new generation of bands inspired by the 90's genre. Bands like Sulk, Viva Brother, The Horrors and of course, Born Blonde. As the band's cosmic and psychedelic sound is catching a buzz back in Britain, it is time to learn more about the band. We spoke with singer, Arthur Delany about the back's backstory, sound and when are they finally going to make it to America.

How did the band come about?

We got together in late 2009. A few of us had already been playing together but a few new songs started kicking around and it just made sense to start fresh. Since then we have always tried to keep exploring and challenging ourselves, you know; keep the forward momentum going.

What made you want to be in a band?

The buzz you get onstage is pretty magical, and we seem to spend all our time in pursuit of that feeling, so it just makes sense for us to be there as often as possible. And because life is too short not to.

There has been much buzz about you over the recent months, how do you respond to the buzz?

It is obviously flattering, it is a particularly exciting time for us, but we are continuing to work hard and trying not to get too distracted.

Now the name of the band, Born Blonde seems to be ironic since no one in the band is blonde. How did the name come up?

We were all blonde once but nothing last forever.

Hailing from West London, do you find the city has an impact on your style and sound?

London is a crazy place to grow up. I think that the real struggle has been to slow down and let everything grow at its own pace; London encourages impatience! I also think that growing up here has inspired us to create our own world. There is so much going on that it forces you to find a space you can call your own.

You have been gaining much attention in London as the cities new house band, what is your favorite venue to play and why?

We have been playing all over London for quite a while. We did a residency at the Troubadour when we were just starting out, so many great names have played there so its got a load of soul. We all live near Shepard's Bush Empire so to do a show there someday is a dream of ours.

There have been many comparisons to your music and The Verve. Do you find the comparisons flattering or a pain in the ass? Were The Verve a big influence on you?

When we are in the studio we try not to think too much about what we are putting down, so all the music we make is the sum of all of our influences. We find a sound that excites us and it hopefully takes us somewhere new.

Your music is very trippy and spacey, do drugs play a role in your songwriting process?

We smoke all the time but none of us inhale...

Because England has such as strong musical legacy, do you ever stop and think how you can or will fit into the timeline of British music?

We don't stop and think really. Thinking about music prevents us from making it so its best not to be concerned with these things. There is no way of saying where or how we will fit in so it is best to just get on with it.

When can we expect a full length from you?

We have nearly finished recording our record but, as with all things creative, it is only finished when it is finished so we are going to take our time.

You supported the Kooks at one point, what was that like?

They've got some mad loyal fans who were a joy to play for. I think it showed us all what we wanted, to make that kind of connection is pretty cool.

Who would you love to play with and why?

We are real admirers of Tame Impala; their record 'Innerspeaker' has been on repeat so I guess they would be up there.

What has been the best thing about being in the band and why?

I think that making this record has been a high point so far. That, and watching our singe 'Solar' gather speed. You spend so much time getting everything ready it is nice to see people reactions.

How would you describe or sell yourself to someone who has never heard of you before?

Give it a listen.

Can we expect you in America soon?

We would definitely hope so. It would be an absolute pleasure.

Is playing America a big deal for you or would you rather concentrate on your home territory first?

Yes its a big deal. Were pretty excited about getting the chance to do so one day but we've got to get our shit all sorted over here for a while first. Its definitely on our list of things to do!

Very Awesome Video From Butch Walker

2012-01-22T08:35:00.001-08:00

It is very rare that we plug and showcase music videos here on the website, we generally save them for Facebook & Twitter, but when a video this good and this fun comes across our desk, we have to show it.

Watch the new video from Dangerbird artist, Butch Walker for his song, "Synthesizers," and pay attention to who is the star of the vide0....Matthew McConaughey reprising his iconic character from Dazed and Confused. He just keeps on Livin...L.I.V.I.N!

Live Review - Caveman @ Bowery Ballroom

2012-01-21T08:40:00.000-08:00

There was so much build-up and anticipation in Bowery Ballroom last night that you knew something special or something disastrous was going to happen. One of our "15 Artists to Watch in 2012," Brooklyn buzz band Caveman, who formed in 2010 and played their first show at Bowery Ballroom returned to the iconic venue now as headliners. The sold-out audience packed the venue on a very frigid Friday night to see the buzz band in action.

At 11pm, smoke spat out from a dry ice machine and Caveman emerged on stage. With a screen projecting a skull and the band's logo, which by the way makes them look more like a metal band rather than an ambient indie band was an awkward juxtaposition to the sound they would create moments later. The best way to describe Caveman's sound is think James Mercer fronting The Stone Roses with a bit of Spiritualized thrown in, it is all very positive and very fun to listen to. As the band plugged and played away and the crowd swayed back and forth and were very locked into what the band were doing, it echoed the fact that Caveman have arrived. For years the members of the band have kicked around with other bands and have now come together and with sets at SXSW and CMJ last year and the release of their debut, CoCo Beware, Caveman have legitimized their buzz. Singer Matt Iwanunusa is one of the most humble people in music, as he addressed the crowd halfway through the set, "It's 2012! We survived! We are in this moment and thank you for being here and surviving with us!" It has been a long road for the musicians in the band to evolve and form Caveman, but now that they have done so and the fact that their live shows are so spot on to what they have on record and create such a tangible atmosphere to their songs in concert, their buzz is only going to get bigger as the year goes on.

Read our interview with Iwanunusa from earlier this month HERE.

Cults on Fallon!

2012-01-21T08:36:00.000-08:00

New York City dance-rock outfit Cults made their TV debut last night on Fallon, take a look!

Los Campesinos on Letterman!

2012-01-21T08:30:00.000-08:00

Watch Los Campesinos perform "By Your Hand" from their latest, Hello Sadness on Letterman. Then watch the band and Letterman get into a nice quarrel about football or soccer, pretty hilarious.

RIP Etta James

2012-01-20T16:42:00.000-08:00

Etta James 1938-2012

Music legend Etta James has passed away.

The singer of "At Last" was 73 and had endured a long battle with Leukemia.

James, who was born Jamesetta Hawkins in Los Angeles, crossed color lines and musical genres with her style, sound and presence. Taking soul, R&B, rock, gospel and jazz and mixing it all together to make her own unique blend of music that would make her one of the world's most popular and beloved singers.

James was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2011 and passed away today at 73 years old in Riverside, California.

She will be missed.

Avett Brothers on Fallon!

2012-01-20T08:33:00.000-08:00

Watch the Avett Brothers on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon from last night. Happy Friday!

Live Review - Susan Justice @ Rockwood Music Hall

2012-01-19T16:57:00.000-08:00

If Susan Justice looks a bit familiar to you, well, don't shake your head and think it is someone else, it is the woman you are think it is. Back in 2006 a little known singer-songwriter named Susan Cagle was discovered singing in a New York City subway station. Her talents were recorded for a popular record among indie fans called, The Subway Recordings. Cagle appeared on Oprah and things began looking up for the singer from New York. After gigging around the city and the country, she seemed to disappear.

Until now...

Susan has remarked. She is now reloaded, renamed and rebranded but still has the great songwriting chops that she had before. Striking you right in your heart and gut simultaneously, the now named, Susan Justice struck a chord with a packed room at Bowery's Rockwood Music Hall last night. In a short 30-minute set, Justice performed songs off her forthcoming EMI debut, Eat Dirt. She showed that after years in the business, she is not jaded or bitter, in fact she has come back better than before, now with thicker skin and stronger lyrics, songs like her title track and "Bob Dylan," display her raw talents and emotion. Just take one listen to Justice and you will learn more about this woman in one song than most artists display in a full career.

On the Road w. VIVA BROTHER

2012-01-19T16:45:00.000-08:00

VIVA BROTHER, a band that had to change their name more times in 2011 than Lady Gaga changed outfits has put together a series of YouTube videos to showcase their current tour with The Wombats in Europe. Take a look at some of the webisodes below:

The band are also releasing a FREE live album on their website, get it HERE.

In 2011, we interviewed the band, take a look at that interview HERE.

Quick News

2012-01-19T16:30:00.000-08:00

With all of the excitement and details about Bruce Springsteen's new album, Wrecking Ball, one piece of very cool information was overlooked. Longtime Springsteen friend and sometimes collaborator, Rage Against The Machine, Nightwatchman guitarist Tom Morello makes an appearance on the new record.

Eight years after his death, Johnny Ramone's autobiography, Commando: The Autobiography of Johnny Ramone will be released in April. His widow, Linda approved the posthumous release of the book.

J. Tillman, drummer for Fleet Foxes has left the band. Tillman released a statement on his Tumblr page that said, "Farewell Fleet Fans and Friends. Back into the gaping maw of obscurity I go. Tokyo is my last show with the Foxes. Sorry if I was distant and obtuse if we ever met. Have fun." In 2009 we interviewed Tillman, read that interview HERE.

Ladyhawke will release her sophomore release, Anxiety on March 19. She released the tracklisting to the album, take a look below:

1. Girl Like Me
2. Sunday Drive
3. Black, White & Blue
4. Vaccine
5. Blue Eyes
6. Vanity
7. The Quick & The Dead
8. Anxiety
9. Cellophane
10. Gone Gone Gone

Wale on Fallon

2012-01-19T06:31:00.000-08:00

Wale with help from Miguel hit up Jimmy Fallon last night, take a look!

Ellie Goulding on Letterman

2012-01-19T06:29:00.000-08:00

Ellie Goulding hit up Letterman last night to perform her smash single, "Lights," take a look!

Grouplove on Kimmel!

2012-01-19T06:27:00.000-08:00

Grouplove were on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Tuesday night and performed their hit, "Colours" and the song, "Tongue Tied." Take a look!

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN Cover & Tracklisting

2012-01-19T06:21:00.000-08:00

The Boss - Mr. Springsteen has released the cover and tracklisting to his latest album. The record, Wrecking Ball will be out March 5 in the UK and the following day in the US. The title of the record comes from the song Bruce penned for the closing of New Jersey landmark, Giants Stadium in 2009. Take a look at the tracklisting below:

01 We Take Care of Our Own
02 Easy Money
03 Shackled and Down
04 Jack of All Trades
05 Death to My Hometown
06 This Depression
07 Wrecking Ball
08 You’ve Got It
09 Rocky Ground
10 Land of Hope and Dreams
11 We Are Alive
12 Swallowed Up (Bonus Track)
13 American Land (Bonus Track)

Listen to the first single, "We Take Care of Our Own," below:

Great Soundtracks - The Departed

2012-01-17T17:34:00.000-08:00

Martin Scorsese just walked away this weekend with a Best Director trophy at the Golden Globes for his work in Hugo. Yet, in 2007 Scorsese finally got the attention from the Academy Awards as a Best Director winner for his 2006 film, The Departed. While the film brought Marty back to his gritty crime stories and saw him work with a brilliant cast that included Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon, Alec Baldwin, Mark Wahlberg, Vera Farmiga, Martin Sheen, Anthony Anderson and more, one of the stars of the film was never seen and only heard - the film's soundtrack.

Just as brutally intense and violent his films can be, Martin Scorsese is a stickler for music. It is why he is crafted some of the best rock and roll documentaries of all time - from The Last Waltz, Shine a Light, No Direction Home and recently, George Harrison - Living in the Material World. Yet, the soundtrack for The Departed not only played perfectly for the films story to flow and pack a punch, it struck a chord with audiences. From the opening use of Rolling Stones "Gimme Shelter," to Dropkick Murphy's "Shipping up to Boston." Yet, oddly enough, Marty needed a hand in picking the soundtrack. He contacted his friend, and The Band leader, Robbie Robertson to help pick music. The result was the soundtrack that features music from The Stones, Dropkick and the brilliant cover of Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb," done by Floyd's Rodger Waters with Van Morrison and The Band. Plus music from Patsy Cline, Badfinger, The Beach Boys, The Allman Brothers and more.

Also a striking notice as to what is not on the soundtrack is "Gimme Shelter," like many songs from the film including Nas' "Theif's Theme," and John Lennon's "Well, Well, Well," they did not make the soundtrack cut and only appear in the film. With or without these songs, The Departed soundtrack plays like the gritty crime sage that it rests over and one to admire.

Mars Volta Cover & Tracklisting

2012-01-17T17:27:00.000-08:00

Fresh off the heels of announcing a reunion of At The Drive-in, The Mars Volta announced they will release their sixth LP, Noctourniquet on March 26 in UK and the following day in US. Take a look at the cover above and the tracklisting below:

'The Whip Hand'

'Aegis'
'Dyslexicon'
'Empty Vessels Make the Loudest Sound'
'The Malkin Jewel'
'Lapochka'
'In Absentia'
'Imago'
'Molochwalker'
'Trinkets Pale of Moon'
'Vedemalady'
'Noctourniquet'
'Zed and Two Naughts'

VINTAGE CLIP! KANYE WEST Rapping at 19!

2012-01-17T17:18:00.000-08:00

Before he told people to "Watch the Throne," and before he was one of the biggest rappers on the planet, Kanye West started small just like everyone else. This past weekend, never-before-seen video of West rapping at 19 years old in his native Chicago surfaced. Take a look!

Screaming Females Cover & Tracklisting

2012-01-17T17:07:00.000-08:00

New Jersey's Screaming Females will release their new album, Ugly on April 23. Steve Albini (Nirvana, The Cribs) has produced the record, take a look at the cover above and the tracklisting below:

1. It All Means Nothing
2. Rotten Apple
3. Extinction
4. Red Hand
5. 5 High
6. Expire
7. Crow's Nest
8. Tell Me No
9. Leave It All Up to Me
10. Doom 84
11. Help Me
12. Something Ugly
13. Slow Birth
14. It's Nice

In 2010 we interviewed the band, take a look at our interview with Screaming Females HERE.

Quick News

2012-01-17T16:55:00.000-08:00

After eight years, electronic pioneers, Orbital will release their new album, Wonky in March. The record was produced by Flood (U2, Editors, The Killers).

Odd Future will release their new mixtape, OF Tape Vol. 2 on March 20. The mixtape will feature Tyler, the Creator, Frank Ocean, Hodgy Beats, Left Brain, Domo Genesis, Syd the Kyd, the Internet and Mike G. Odd Future front man, Tyler, The Creator will release his third solo album, Wolf this spring.

Dubstep artist and producer, Rusko will release his new album Songs on March 27 on pal Diplo's Mad Decent label. Take a look at the cover below:

The Cribs have announced the title of their forthcoming third record, the Steve Albini (Nirvana, Screaming Females) produced record, In The Bell of the Brazen Bull will arrive this Spring. The band have recorded the record in Chicago, New York and London. This will be the bands return to their signature three piece that they had prior to Johnny Marr who joined the band for their sophomore album and tour.

Unsane Cover & Track Listing

2012-01-17T16:49:00.000-08:00

Heavy rockers Unsane will release their new album, Wreck on March 20. Take a look at the cover above and the track listing below. The record features nine new tracks and a cover of Flipper's "Ha Ha Ha."

1.) Rat
2.) Decay
3.) No Chance
4.) Pigeon
5.) Metropolis
6.) Ghost
7.) Don't
8.) Stuck
9.) Roach
10.) Ha Ha Ha

EXCLUSIVE! Towns INTV!

2012-01-15T07:17:00.000-08:00

Every new year brings an influx of new bands and sounds to check out. As we posted our "15 Artists to Watch" in 2012 list last week, if we had to pick a 16th band, it would be Towns. The UK band has been building a buzz in their native land thanks to a big push from NME. Yet, Towns are just enjoying the spotlight that is being shed on them. A band with a strong 90's Britpop sound, it is no wonder they are building a strong fanbase on a popular sound. I had the chance to speak with Towns front man, James Maclucas. Take a look.

You are still a new band and building a buzz, how difficult is it to be a young band in the era that there seems to be a new one pop up every week?

The fact that there are people taking such a keen interest in new music can only help young bands. The internet has certainly made things more accessible, but it's still important to be good live. None of that social media stuff counts for anything if the tunes don't hold their own.

Being a young band and having to self finance everything, do you feel that this is an investment well worth it?

It's definitely a worth while investment otherwise our money would be wasted on a average night out. We save up our cash together because we love what we do and we're really having fun with it. I think its the wrong industry to get into if you just want to make money, you've got to have the passion and love it. We'd feel really lucky if anything does happen for us.

Who are some of your influences?

As teenagers the first band we shared a love for was The Cooper Temple Clause. Even before we started making music we would always go to gigs and listen to music together. We've been lucky in that respect, growing up together we have shared all the same experiences. The first gig that we all went to was The Vines, it was a pretty mental first gig to experience. I can also remember the look on each of our faces the first time we saw Forward Russia, they blew us away. Its a shame they couldn't capture their live sound on the record.

For great songwriting though you don't need to look any further than Jesus and Marychain, when you take away the noise all the songs can be sung on acoustic guitar... fucked up pop songs, that's what we would like to achieve.

How would you describe your band to someone who has never heard of you?

We're four lads who have grown up together listening to music and going to gigs. Now we're making music together, we can't think of anything better to do. Hopefully we can continue this and delay the onset of real life responsibility.

Brit-pop is indeed a major sound shaping the band, were you influenced by the 90’s Britpop era? Who were some of your favorites?

I think it's only natural that we are shaped by the 90's as that's the era we grew up in. But we do hate the word Brit-pop as it sounds tacky, and reminds us of a time when Tony Blair used music to gain popularity. I think in music you have to be true to yourself, it'd be fake of us to be heavily influenced by another era. I love Pulp and Oasis and its through those 90's records that you discover bands like, Velvet Underground, Smiths, Stone Roses, Sonic Youth and The Jesus and Marychain.

The name of the band, Towns, is it reflective of where you come from?

Most certainly yes. We wanted quite a non fussy name that is true to us and where we're from. I like band names such as Pavement or Ride that are just everyday words.

Does your town have a great influence on the band?

It's where we grew up so naturally our experiences seep into the music. We grew up in a seaside town called Weston-Super-Mare. It's a place full of hen parties and stag dos, where Bon Jovi supplies the soundtrack. I think we consciously fought against that and tried to escape it through our music. A lot of the themes we write about come from the monotony of everyday experiences of living in a small town.

Your live shows have been gaining you much attention with you crawling on floors and singing as one example. How much fun do you have each night you go on stage?

We wouldn't be doing it if we didn't have fun. We love watching bands who are exciting live, maybe even a bit ramshackle, bands like The Vines, Cribs, The Libertines all did live shows the right way. I hate watching bands who just stand there and are to afraid to look passionate.

You have been releasing singles like “Fields” one by one; will we be getting an EP or possible album soon?

At the moment we're just taking each step as it comes. We don't want to rush anything. But since our first London show we've had a few people interested in the band, so maybe in the near future we'll be asked to record some new tracks, but at the moment we have no backing or management, we're just four lads having a good time, making the most of opportunities we get to make music and play shows.

Music journalists back in the UK keep comparing you to Yuck, does the references and comparisons get old after a while?

We love Yuck but they weren't on our horizon when we started making our tunes, most of our songs were written before we'd heard of them. I like that band though and I can see the similarities, kinda fuzzy pop songs, but I dare say it is a slightly lazy comparison. But it doesn't bother us at all.

What is the best thing about Towns right now?

The fact that we're sharing these exciting times with close friends. Really can't explain how buzzing we all are at the moment.

What are your biggest goals for Towns?

I want to play shows all across the world, even if they're in really small clubs and we have to travel in a tiny van, I wouldn't care. We recently put on our own night in Bristol called Feed Me With Your Hiss. We set up our own P/A and there was about 50 people crammed into this really tiny pub. There was a really exciting atmosphere and everyone was buzzing. I wanna keep doing things like that. You get to meet people who are really into it and care about music, that to me is what it is all about.

Glastonbury festival is 20 miles down the road from our town, to play that would be a pipe dream come true. We just want to have a platform to put out the records and play shows.

Given the landscape these days with the internet and finding new bands all the time and giving reactions, do comments on sites, blogs and feedback about Towns ever make you want to alter things?

We take on advice from people we know. But comments on the internet aren't going change what we do. It is annoying when people compare us to Oasis, don't get me wrong Definitely Maybe is one of my favourite albums but I wouldn't say we sound anything like them.

Where would you like to see Towns in a year’s time?

It's hard to tell the future but in a year's time we'd love to be playing more shows. We really want to tour everywhere, work hard and really learn our craft. If we keep writing and doing shows who knows where we can get, but hopefully we'll be doing this for many years to come.

VINTAGE CLIP- At The Drive-In on Jools Holland

2012-01-14T09:36:00.000-08:00

With the major excitement this week that At The Drive-in have reunited after 11 years apart, we had to post this VINTAGE CLIP.

Back in 2000, At The Drive-in made their UK TV debut on Later...With Jools Holland. Watch the band completely destroy the set and their gear and create a name for themselves on the British TV staple. Also, fun trivia, appearing on the show that night was British crooner Robbie Williams-what a combo!

Quick News

2012-01-14T09:24:00.000-08:00

Madonna has titled the name of her new album, the record which is called, MDNA will be released this Spring.

In the wake of the announcement that Black Sabbath axeman Tony Iommi was diagnosed with Lymphoma, a press statement was issued this week said that his battle with cancer will not disrupt Black Sabbath's 2012 reunion plans.

After four years producing, touring and working with everyone under the sun - Santigold will release her new album, Master of My Make Believe later this year. Santi, who just titled the follow-up to her 2008 "League of Their Own" album, will hit the road with Red Hot Chili Peppers next month.

The Decemberists will release a double-live album entitled, We All Raise Our Voices on March 13. The album will be a live retrospect of the band's career.

Blur guitarist Graham Coxon will release his eighth solo record, A+E this spring. Take a look at the tracklisting below:

'Advice'
'City Hall'
'What’ll It Take'
'Meet+Drink+Pollinate'
'The Truth'
'Seven Naked Valleys'
'Running For Your Life'
'Bah Singer'
'Knife In The Cast'
'Ooh, Yeh, Yeh'

VINTAGE CLIP - PULP on JOOLS HOLLAND!

2012-01-14T09:18:00.000-08:00

With all the Coachella news this week, watch Pulp from a 1996 performance of "Disco 2000" from Later..With Jools Holland.

Jenny Owen Youngs Cover & Tracklisting

2012-01-14T09:10:00.000-08:00

After launching a massive Kickstarter campaign, Jenny Owen Youngs raised nearly $40K to fund making her third album. The record, An Unwavering Band of Light arrives February 7. Take a look at the cover above and the tracklisting below:

01 Love For Long
02 Your Apartment
03 Pirates
04 O God
05 Born To Lose
06 Why You Fall
07 Sleep Machine
08 Two By Two
09 Already Gone
10 So Long
11 Wake Up

This past fall, Jenny gave us an exclusive sneak peak into her recording sessions and discussed making her new album, take a look at that feature HERE.

EXCLUSIVE! TOM SMITH INTV!

2012-01-11T17:04:00.000-08:00

Christmas may be all but over, yet, it is time to discuss what could be one of the greatest records based on the holiday season. This past fall, Tom Smith of Editors and Andy Burrows formerly of Razorlight joined forces and released their debut, Smith & Burrows - Funny Looking Angels. The album has both Andy and Tom doing vocal duties and the duo crafted modern holiday classics on their first go around. While the duo did a small tour of Europe which saw Smith roll right into writing and recording sessions with Editors, Smith took time from his busy schedule for a chat with Officially A Yuppie.

In his only American interview about Smith and Burrows and first US interview of 2012, Smith and I discussed how he and Burrows got together, their songs and of course...some info on the new Editors record. Take a look:

Who approached who to start Smith & Burrows and how did the idea come about to do a Christmas album?

We'd been pestering each other about doing something for a long time, we didn't really know what to start with but to just get into a studio together and see what would happen was the guiding light....So that's what we did! It didn't start as a Christmas record, we just did a couple of covers. I think it was my suggestion to make an album of covers and release it for Christmas after thinking those first two (black and Yazoo) felt a little festive and wintery.

It is a hard thing to do, make a good holiday song without sounding a bit like Wham! So when you were writing these songs, did you think, “how are we going to sell ourselves to the public on holiday tunes and not come across very cheesy?

I like sad songs, Christmas or otherwise. Our Christmas record is a melancholic affair, avoiding the cheese was easy.

“When the Thames Froze” maybe the single greatest Christmas song ever and it is so bleak but also holds much hope. How did it come about? Also, did you think a song with the words “God Damn, this Government, can you tell me where the money went?” would strike a serious chord with listeners around the globe?

Thank you. I've been trying to write a Christmas song for years, I knew deep down that it wouldn't be right for Editors so as this S&B record developed I decided to go back to that seed of the song I'd tried to finish for the last 3 Christmas's. I wanted it to feel classic with that kinda communal hope that next year will be a cracker but also connected to now. Christmastime is generally spend spend spend so it felt right to have a frustrated off the cuff lyric referencing the fact that many many people are skint and don't see why.

You and Andy have such polar opposite sounding voices, how did you figure out who would sing what song? Did it boil down to who wrote the songs?

There really wasn't that much thought or discussion about that. Felt obvious to us for some reason.

Did you write songs for Andy and did Andy write songs for you?

We wrote one song together,"This Ain't New Jersey." "Thames" is mine and "Snowflakes" and Rossyln are Andy's. Although there was much collaboration in the recording, trust too...there were times when we were each working on the others song without the other one of us around.

The tour in support of “Funny Looking Angels” sees you both in clubs but also sees you guys busking to raise awareness, where did you decide what non-traditional places to play?

We had special Christmas Agent Elves booking the shows.

How did the title – “Funny Looking Angels” come about?

It's a cover of a tune by the band Delta. They're an almost mystical band from Birmingham, UK.

“This Ain’t New Jersey” is an interesting song since it is based off the mood one gets after viewing “It’s A Wonderful Life.” Is that one of your must watch holiday films?

Absolutely! That and The Snowman.

Will a non-holiday motif Smith and Burrows record ever happen?

Definitely.

Since I have to ask to please my readers, what are the plans for Editors in 2012? Sounds like you guys are back in the studio, can you give us a bit of an update?

We've been writing all year and start recording with Flood on Monday!! Hopefully out in the second half of 2012.

Photo by Alistair Burns

Quick Spins

2012-01-11T16:46:00.001-08:00

The Weeknd – Echoes of Silence
The third and final mixtape to The Weeknd’s mixtape trilogy, which started earlier in 2011 with House of Balloons then continued onto Thursday and concluding with Echoes of Silence. The final installment is the best work of the trilogy, not discounting how great the others were, Echoes of Silence is a tighter sounding and much more conscious record, an “end of the night,” sounding record that will have you trying to recount the epic tales of your wild night.
FINAL GRADE: A

Snow Patrol – Fallen Empires
Northern Ireland’s biggest band returns with a fantastic follow-up to their brilliant and underrated 2007 release, A Hundred Million Suns. Since reaching acclaim in 2004 with their universally acclaimed, Final Straw, Snow Patrol then became one of the biggest bands in the world thanks to the massive single, “Chasing Cars” off the rather disappointing 2006 release, Eyes Open. Since then, the bandhas tried to not sound commercial and stick to their roots but have matured in every sonic way possible.Linking up with producer Jacknife Lee (REM, Bloc Party, Editors), Snow Patrol have layered their sound and taken inspiration in front all around the world, the result is Fallen Empires. Released this past November in the UK and Europe, finally seeing the light of day in North America, Snow Patrol prove again why they are one of the kings of their craft. The band utilizes sound the way Picasso utilized his paintbrush and spread a hefty amount of color into our atmosphere. Fallen Empires is a must listen, even if you are not a fan of the band.
FINAL GRADE: A-

James Blake – Love What Happened Here EP
James Blake’s second EP in just a handful of months finds the dubstep / soul singer dabbeling more in beats and sounds rather than tossing his signature vulnerable and brilliant vocals over the tunes. A three song EP of experimental music that will move Blake into the next phase of his career.
FINAL GRADE: B+

Enter Shakari – A Flash Flood of Colour
On the latest record from the British nu-metal / rap-rock band, Enter Shakari went to Thailand to pick up new inspiration and vibes and A Flash Flood of Colour seems to be their best work to date. A much more intense and technical sounding record and it finds the band deviating from the British version of Linkin Park or Pendulum sound they have ridden on over the years. A Flash Flood of Colour, which was released in the UK last September and now finally getting a US release is a worthwhile listen that will get you motivated to cause a raucous in your own home.
FINAL GRADE: B+

Howler– America, Give Up
Minnesota’s garage rock buzz band and one of the bands that we tipped to be a “15 Artists to Watch in 2012,” Howler are what their name says – a band howling full of fuzzy guitars, pounding drums and balls-to-the-wall rock and roll. This is a band not to sleep on and America, Give Up is a record to embrace.
FINAL GRADE: B+

The Big Pink – Future This
The British dance-rock duo returns and is just as poppy as ever. Following up the worldwide success they had with their 2009 debut, A Brief History of Love, The Big Pink have immersed themselves in various styles of both dance music and rock and roll and created a great hybrid of both.
FINAL GRADE: B

Graffiti6 – Colours
The debut of Tommy D and Jamie Scott’s brainchild, Colours is a record that will have so many people talking in 2012. Scott, who is not afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve, writes about love that has gone wrong and the situations and people that have come across his life that have made him take note for what they have done to inspire him. The perfect blend of radio-friendly rock and pop, Graffiti6 will embrace the ears of their beholders.
FINAL GRADE: B

The Internet – Purple Naked Ladies
The debut of Odd Future members, Syd the Kid and Matt Martians aka The Internet, displays a cornucopia of trip-hop induced electronica mixed with the vulgarity and humor we have gotten from Odd Future since day one. Purple Naked Ladies is a fine crafted album full of various beats and styles and featuring guest appearances from Left Brain, Mike G, Pyramid Vritra (Hal Williams), Tay Walker, Kilo Kish, and Coco O, The Internet, like fellow Odd Future member Frank Ocean, look to break away from the pack but still count on support.
FINAL GRADE: B

Black Taxi – We Don’t Know Any Better
New York’s Black Taxi returns with their sophomore release and do not fall victim to the “sophomore slump” at all. The straight up rock and roll band from Brooklyn go gun-ho on album number two, working with again with producer Aaron Nevezie (Black Keys, Danger Mouse, Ambulance LTD) and respond with a solid rock effort.
FINAL GRADE: B-

Common – The Dreamer, The Believer
Common returns with a new record that is easily forgettable. After releasing the fantastic single, “Ghetto Dreams” that featured Nas, it looked as if a new Common record was going to showcase a poet full of rage who had a fire lit under his belly. Yet, the end result is one of the most disappointing releases of the acclaimed rappers career, The Dreamer, The Believer finds someone who is always so smart with lyrics and words that he sounds like every other rapper out there today. Nothing original, nothing fresh and nothing to get excited over aside from the record’s first single.
FINAL GRADE: D

WATCH! LCD SOUNDSYSTEM Documentary Trailer!

2012-01-11T15:44:00.000-08:00

In April of 2011, beloved Brooklyn band LCD Soundsystem waved goodbye to fans at one final blow-out gig at Madison Square Garden. Now a documentary entitled, Shut Up and Play the Hits chronicles the events around the gig and what front man James Murphy will do post-LCD will premiere at Sundance. Take a look at the trailer.

VCMG Cover & Tracklisting

2012-01-10T17:09:00.000-08:00

As we have mentioned in the past, former Depeche Mode founding member Vince Clarke and principal Depeche Mode songwriter, guitarist and founder Martin Gore are working together since Clarke left the band in 1981, while Gore remained. The duo will release their debut album, Ssss on March 12. Take a look at the cover, above and the tracklisting below:

Lowly
Zaat
Spock
Windup Robot
Bendy Bass
Single Blip
Skip This Track
Aftermaths
Recycle
Flux

Quick News

2012-01-10T16:57:00.000-08:00

After the big news that At The Drive-In have reformed and will play Coachella in April, many other rare reunions will be making a Stateside appearance. Swedish post-hardcore heroes Refused have reformed and will play the California festival as well as Way Out West Festival in Sweden this summer.

In a statement on the bands website, Refused said: "It's been a motley 14 years since our band came apart. We've all kept busy in our respective endeavors but we've all remained friends and kept in touch. There have been offers, and lots of jokes about these offers. We've sort of looked down from our high horses and made fun of people who've just wanted to share the psychopathic intensity that we would deliver on a nightly basis in our post-pubescent prime. A reunion has just seemed irrelevant to us. Too much other shit to do."

The band went onto say: "Coachella got in touch. There were a couple of phone-calls, lots of skepticism, some hesitant enthusiasm before one of us basically said: "– This is ridiculous. There are friends of ours who would murder close relatives just to go see bands there. Let's just do it, one last time." And with that, socialist fag-loving pc scumbags were on the road again. We never did "The shape of punk to come" justice back when it came out, too tangled up in petty internal bickering to really focus on the job. And suddenly there's this possibility to do it like it was intended. We wanna do it over, do it right. For the people who've kept the music alive through the years, but also for our own sakes. We feel that you deserve it and we hope the feeling is mutual."

Also playing Coachella and making a rare US appearance, Pulp! The Britrock band who reunited last year will play the festival and rumor has it they will be playing other US cities around the festival.

With all of the good music news that happened over the last two days, some sad news has struck the music world as Black Sabbath guitarist, the legendary Tony Iommi has been diagnosed with Lymphoma. In a statement on the bands website, the band said: "With the news that Black Sabbath´s Tony Iommi has been diagnosed with the early stages of lymphoma, his bandmates would like everyone to send positive vibes to the guitarist at this time. Iommi is currently working with his doctors to establish the best treatment plan--the “IRON MAN” of Rock & Roll remains upbeat and determined to make a full and successful recovery." As of now, the band still plan to go full speed ahead with their reunion, pending Iommi's sickness.

One of our "15 Artists to Watch in 2012," Lana Del Rey has revealed the tracklisting for her debut album, Born to Die, which arrives later this month. Take a look:

1. Born To Die

2. Off To The Races
3. Blue Jeans
4. Video Games
5. Diest Mountain Dew
6. National Anthem
7. Dark Paradise
8. Radio
9. Carmen
10. Million Dollar Man
11. Summertime Sadness
12. This Is What Makes Us Girls

Surfer Blood on Fallon!

2012-01-10T07:01:00.001-08:00

Surfer Blood hit up Late Night with Jimmy Fallon last night! Take a look!

Live Review - Snow Patrol @ Ed Sullivan Theater

2012-01-09T19:07:00.000-08:00

As the clock struck eight, the back doors to the Ed Sullivan Theater opened and out walked Northern Ireland's Snow Patrol. With the crowd at their feet screaming and clapping, the band were smiling from ear to ear. Before even playing a note, singer Gary Lightbody had mentioned how nervous and excited he was to play such a landmark venue with his band. For a special 45-minute taping of the acclaimed Live on Letterman web series, Snow Patrol flexed a bit of muscle and took fans in the audience and at home watching on the internet on a ride through their fantastic catalogue.

Opening with "Chocolate," off their breakthrough album, Final Straw, Snow Patrol knew how to get the crowds attention straight away. Going into their latest single, "Called Out in the Dark," off their new album, Fallen Empires, which finally makes its US release on Tuesday, it became a fun alternative rock and roll show. As great as the band sounded and as fantastic as the songs are, the night belonged to Lightbody, who, like most Irishmen has an amazing knack for storytelling and keeping peoples attention. Lightbody would make jokes and do fantastic banter with the audience in between songs and then go right into business when the music had to be played. Playing a selection of songs off Fallen Empires, Final Straw, A Hundred Million Suns and Eyes Open, the band that has been making music since 1994 stuck to a safe set for their limited time. It was a set that was well worth it, including songs like "Run," "New York," "Chasing Cars" and the epic show closer, their title track, "Fallen Empires." Being the band's first and only US show right now, they have just announced a slew of dates for early spring, catch them while you can, you will not be disappointed.

STREAM SNOW PATROL Live on LETTERMAN TONIGHT!

2012-01-09T15:00:00.000-08:00

Tonight! Snow Patrol are performing a private concert at Ed Sullivan Theater in NYC for a taping of Live on Letterman.

Couldn't get into the show? Can't make it to NYC? No worries - We got you Covered!

TUNE IN TONIGHT at 8pm (EST) RIGHT HERE -when OFFICIALLY A YUPPIE Brings a LIVE STREAM of the ENTIRE CONCERT! It will be like you are right there!

All you have to do is just click PLAY in the box ABOVE and ENJOY!

AT THE DRIVE-In REUNITE!!!!!

2012-01-09T14:24:00.000-08:00

At The Drive-In Website Intro from MONDIAL on Vimeo.

11 years after they broke-up, indie punks / post-hardcore hero's At The Drive-In have confirmed they are reuniting!

Initial rumors started after a festival organizer in Russia claimed the band were playing, yet nothing from the band confirmed anything. Since the band's split in 2000, At the Drive-in severed into two bands, The Mars Volta and Sparta and for years fans have waited for them to reunite.

As the years rolled on and more and more talk of a reunion came to surface, reps for the band and members of the band would strike it down until now. Earlier today, the band tweeted "¡ ATTENTION ! To whom it may concern: AT THE DRIVE-IN will be breaking their 11 year silence THIS STATION IS …NOW…OPERATIONAL." With an active website now and video (which you can watch above), the punks from El Paso, Texas are back!

Last year, Officially A Yuppie Owner, Salvatore Bono wrote a special article for UK's Spectator- Night and Day Arts Blog about the band's breakthrough record, Relationship of Command. You can read that HERE.

LISTEN! LOST RADIOHEAD SONGS SURFACE!

2012-01-09T14:18:00.000-08:00

In the months after early Radiohead songs, pre-Bends era when they were Johnny Greenwood-less and known as On a Friday, that were recorded at Oxfordshire's Abingdon School in the late-80's have surfaced.

Take a listen to "Fat Girl," and "Fragile Friend."

Another lost early Radiohead track, was revealed as a hoax just before Christmas. The fake track, which was allegedly called 'How Do You Sit Still', actually turned out to be the work of singer-songwriter Christopher Stopa, who now works as a baker.

EXCLUSIVE! Caveman INTV!

2012-01-08T08:15:00.000-08:00

As we mentioned in our previous post that Caveman were one of our "15 Artists to Watch in 2012," this Brooklyn band has made a name for themselves at American showcase festivals like SXSW and CMJ. After gaining rave reviews of their self-released debut, CoCo Beware which was released last fall, Caveman are ready to emerge from Brooklyn and trek across the music world. Blending psychedelic rock and pop combined with swelling guitars and drums, Caveman provide a sound to admire. As they are currently on their first headlining tour, which see's the band make a stop at New York's legendary Bowery Ballroom on January 20, I had a chance to speak with singer, Matt Iwanunusa about the band's beginnings, praise, Brooklyn and what happens next.

After forming in 2010, you gained so much attention in 2011. What was it like to be around for only a year and have all this buzz?

Matthew: It's exciting! People have really responded nicely to what we are doing and it's been really inspiring. A perfect way to spend the last few months before the apocalypse.

You started the band older than most bands that start young; do you feel you had to prove yourself more to live out your music dreams?

M: It takes time to find the right fit with things. I don't think it's about when you get into the scene, it's about making something you're proud of. That's the dream my friend. People respond to that.

What made you start the band?

M: I don't know how to do anything else.

Your sound is very unique; how would you explain it to someone who has never heard of you before?

M: Tunes you can vibe out to... sending out the pos vibe.

Who were some of your influences when starting the band?

M: Well during recording I was really obsessing over Brian Eno, Fleetwood Mac.

Hailing from New York City, how do you break the mold of not being just another band from New York?

M: The same way you break the mold of being just another band... I love NY, I love the scene. Lots of talented people reping!

CMJ 2011 was a big success for you, is it something you would return to and build off of now that you were one of the break-outs from it?

M: CMJ and all the other people who put us on their shows really made it a special time for us this year! Of course I would play it again, we had fun.

What has this experience been like for you this far?

M: Its been really great. Having people appreciate something my group of friends and I created is one of the best feelings ever, but we're staying focused to hopefully keep the good times comin!

The title of your debut is “Coco Beware,” what does the title signify? Is there a Coco?

M: Put the lime in the coco my dude.

What was it like making your debut?

M: We had one of the best men alive, Nick Stumpf, Producing it. It was a time in my life and everyone involved I think. 6 men just focused on an idea that we really cared about. I learned a lot about myself and made something we're all proud of!

Where does Caveman go from here?

M: I'm down for whatever...

What has been the best thing about being in Caveman thus far?

M: Spending time with everyone involved, meeting people in different towns, having people enjoy our music... the list goes on.

15 Artists to Watch in 2012

2012-01-08T08:00:00.000-08:00

As we look into the New Year, we look forward to see what new sights and sounds 2012 will bring us. Here is a list of 15 musical acts that are sure to make a name for themselves in the year the Mayans believe the world will end.

1) Lana Del Rey – Not since Arctic Monkeys made a name for themselves has an artist been this hyped on the web. The New York City via Lake Placid singer found herself the talk of the blogosphere in 2011, thanks to her single, “Video Games,” which showcased her clever lyrics, talented voice and fantastic production. Now Del Rey will release her debut, Born to Die in January and it’s already being hailed by some critics.

2) Frank Ocean – While 2011 belonged to hip-hop collective Odd Future and their front man, Tyler, The Creator, Odd Future member Frank Ocean had more admiration thanks in part to his mixtapes and work on Jay-Z and Kanye’s epic Watch the Throne album. As Ocean readies a new solo album, this will be the year where he breaks out and may even break away from the collective that got him started.

3) Reptar – Athens, Georgia has given us amazing artists through the years – REM, B-52’s, Danger Mouse among others. Meet Athens next buzz band – Reptar. A pop-rock indie band that will certainly grab your attention right away.

4) Wolf Gang – This UK singer, producer, beatmaker is the full package and the real deal. Already a massive hit across the pond, Wolf Gang’s ambient electronic sounds will transport listeners to a whole new dimension.

5) S.C.U.M. – This London psychedelic punk band has been kicking around their city since 2007, now after all these years their music has taken shape in all the right ways. Once this band hits the festival circuit, they will be instant fan favorites.

6) The Front Bottoms – From New Jersey, a Blink-182 meets Ben Folds meets early Green Day inspired pop-punk band that take teenage angst to a whole new level. Their live shows are a sight to be seen and The Front Bottoms are ready to be The Garden State’s next big band.

7) Niki and the Dove – This Swedish duo formed in 2010 and signed to the legendary Sub Pop records in 2011 have managed to create the perfect blend of pop and electronica. Their live shows feel less like a concert and more like a Broadway production and with music this fascinating – 2012 is looking good for them to fly high.

8) Austra – A Canadian all girl electronic trio that have something special. Blending all types of electronic music together (pop, new wave, synth, Krautrock) and layering it under very sexual and seductive lyrics, Austra’s music is something that you can dance to and be entranced all at the same time.

9) Fallulah – 26-year-old Danish singer, Maria Apetri goes by the name Fallulah and has been a big buzz in Europe since releasing her debut in 2010. Now, as 2012 approaches, it is time Fallulah makes her mark in the US. Fans of Oh Land and Lykke Li will enjoy her immensely.

10) Dry the River – This London acoustic band has already drawn comparisons to another London acoustic band – Mumford and Sons and draws massive crowds to each of their shows back home. With their debut slated for the Spring and a forthcoming US tour, Dry the River are ready for your attention.

11) Howler – Howler are a Minneapolis garage rock band and are already getting attention from Spotify and NME and now deserve your attention. Signing to Rough Trade Records, the band will release their debut; America, Give Up in January and it for sure will be a record people talk about all year long.

12) Caveman – This Brooklyn band has only been around for a year but thanks to the release of their debut, Coco Beware and their acclaimed sets at SXSW and CMJ, Caveman are ready to emerge from the booming borough and into the New Year with a bang.

13) Blu – After releasing brilliant mixtape after brilliant mixtape, this California rapper has been a favorite among fans of the genre for years, but still remains unknown to the mainstream. After signing with Warner Bros for a 2011 release and later dropping the label and giving away his album for free, Blu is making his own rules and sticking to them, which is why he is someone who has respect among fans and critics wanting more.

14) Sulk – With the Godfathers of Britpop, The Stone Roses reuniting for a new album and world tour, the sound that dominated part of the world in the 90’s may experience a renaissance thanks in part to a new generation of bands that were inspired by the music that arrived a decade or so earlier.

15) Graffiti6 –Assembled by British producer Tommy D and songwriter Jamie Scott, Grffiti6 signed to Capitol Records and will release their debut in January and will be pop music’s favorite new band of 2012. Graffiti6’s radio friendly pop (think Coldplay, Snow Patrol) is easy to engage to and will swoon fans around the globe.

London Rocks in 2012

2012-01-07T08:51:00.000-08:00

London Rocks In 2012
by Linn Branson*
We may still be in the throes of an icy winter, but looking ahead to 2012 there are some very hot musical prospects emerging to melt your eardrums and warm your soul. And, pleasingly for this particular Londoner, the capital appears to be hothousing a thrusting multitude of artists ready to break out of their cocoons and spread their indie wings far and wide over the next 12 months.

So if you want to know what is making London’s heart beat – and hopefully will do yours too – here are 20 of our most brightly shining stars right now. And for our US friends, take note of those with an * by their name. These are amongst the 75-plus artists from the UK who will be winging their way Stateside in March to showcase at SXSW (March 13 – 18) in Austin, Texas.

(Click on each band name to visit their websites)

AU PALAIS*

Brother and sister David and Elise Commathe – aka Au Palais - may be strictly Canadians, but as they are now London-domiciled – and we love them (especially since David has commented on how the city is “one that truly is at the forefront of music”) – the Toronto duo meet the cut. The dark, synth/poppers shimmer brightly in a similar vein to fellow N. Americans, Austra. Smoothly rich sounds of electronica – as evidenced on their recent Tender Mercy EP – over which Elise’s vocals glide like an ethereal angel. Tracks such as ‘Tender Mercy’ itself and the equally sublime ‘Pathos’ send a shiver of excitement down the spine for their 2012 debut album.

BRETON*

Five-piece south London-based enigmatic arty electronica outfit who combine elements of electro and math-rock into something that is both unique and atmospheric. Multi-instrumentalists, indie film-makers and audio-visualists and remixers (they’ve remixed the likes of Chapel Club and Local Natives), their style has been described as a ‘multimedia Massive Attack’. ‘Edward the Confessor’ was the first single taken from their forthcoming album Other People’s Problems which they will be headlining their first UK shows in support of from March 28.

CLOCK OPERA*

Clock Opera's sound is focused around an array of sampling, falsetto vocals and Guy Connelly's pioneering of 'chop pop' (breaking up sounds to create songs and hitting on metal objects purloined from skips, or his own kitchen). Signed to Moshi Moshi/Island, they last year won fans and hearts a-plenty with their upbeat, catchy rhythms when they played support dates with Metronomy, Crystal Fighters and Chapel Club; released the acclaimed ‘Lesson No. 7’, as well as provided remixes for Everything Everything and Feist, amongst others. Their first single of 2012, "Once And For All," is released on January 30, to be followed by Ways To Forget, their debut album, on April 9.

CRUSHED BEAKS

Lo-fi guitar and drums duo, Matthew Poile and Alex Morris, started out as a bedroom project in 2010. Their music based around wildly distorted and lushly hook-filled swirling melodies, via which they create a ‘fuzzy wall of noise’, is described by Poile as aiming to ‘make a huge pulsing soundwash, a panoramic sound that envelops the listener’. They released their debut single ‘Close Ups’/’Sun Dogs’ last November. Their next London show is on February 13 (with Fairewell).

DAUGHTER*

Via a series of demos in late 2010, word soon got around last year about this folk ensemble fronted by the engaging Elena Tonra that weaves in a glacial soundscape along the lines of Bjork. With sessions on BBC 6 Music, Radio 1 and support shows to Benjamin Francis Leftwich and John Grant, they packed a full 2011 with playing the BBC Introducing Stage at Reading/Leeds festivals and released the EPs His Young Heart in April and The Wild Youth in November. They kick of 2012 playing Eurosonic festival on January 11, before further UK dates with Ben Howard.

DRY THE RIVER*

“Emotive, lilting folk and upbeat impassioned rock”, is how Dry The River was described by Q magazine. Longlisted in BBC’s Sound of 2012, appearances at SXSW last year, together with festival touring during the summer and the completion of their debut EP, have won them over many new converts. With No Rest being glowingly hailed, expect to be hearing a lot more of this east London-based quintet. They kick off the new year with dates in the US (Jan 25 – The Troubadour, LA w/ Alabama Shakes; 26 – The Independent, San Francisco w/ Alabama Shakes; 30 – Glasslands Gallery, Brooklyn; Jan 31 – The Mercury Lounge, NY), before heading back to the UK for a headlining tour in the spring.

JAMIE N COMMONS

BBC Sound of 2012 longlister, Commons is a 22-year-old Bristolian, now London-based (by way of Chicago and the West Country) singer/songwriter, who blasts out a growl-driven vocal in the style of a fortysomething Delta bluesman. Style, youth, a passion for lyrical intensity across themes of violence and Old Testament retribution, and a debut EP, The Baron released in October, all make Commons a name to sit up and listen to.

KINDNESS*

Sensual gilded electro-pop soul, with an M83 feel, Kindness – aka Adam Bainbridge, whom some may recall from his 2009 emergence with The Replacements – was brought to label Moshi Moshi’s attention via a mixtape compiled by Concrete’s Lisa Milberg. Kindness is the working name of With just the total of two gigs (including a London squat eviction part), on the basis of these and two aired tracks last year, ‘Cyan’ and ‘SEOD’, the March 19 release of his debut album, World, You Need A Change Of Mind (through his own Female Energy label) is one to welcome expectently.

MICHAEL KIWANUKA*

Winner of BBC's Sound of 2012 is Michael Kiwanuka. The 24-year-old north London-born son of Ugandan parents, Kiwanuka is something of a folk/soul prodigy, compared to Bill Withers and Otis Redding. His debut EP Tell Me A Tale was released last June, followed by the second, I’m Getting Ready. His much-anticipated debut album Home Again arrives on March 26.

SCOUNDRELS*

Rock ‘n’ roll ‘n’ country ‘n’ blues rousing quartet formed in 2009 during a sojourn on a houseboat in Lafayette, Louisiana, before de-camping to London. Their self0-titled debut album came out last year, along with the ‘Gulf Of Mexico’ single and Sniff It Up EP. They ended 2011 supporting The Kooks, and start of the new year with a January (22nd) show in Newcastle.

S.C.U.M*

Post-punk art rock Whitechapel quintet, whose bassist Huw Webb is the brother of The Horrors’ Rhys – and there is a fair similarity between the musical styles of the two bands: dark, atmosheric, trippy. S.C.U.M released their debut album Again Into Eyes in 2011. They head out to Europe for late January/February dates, before returning to London for the NME Awards Show on February 24.

SPECTOR

Nominated in the BBC’s Sound of 2012 longlist, an appearance on Later…with Jools Holland and the launch of their ‘Never Fade’ last June being attended by the great and the good (and not to mention frontman Fred MacPherson making NME’s ‘Cool List’), this is a band well on its way. With a debut album and UK tour with Florence and The Machine (March 2-16), much is expected of the Dalston hipsters and their indie soul vibe.

SULK*

Shoegaze returns with this London-based outfit SULK. On their second single release, 'Back In Bloom', they are seemingly aiming to revitalise the genre in a psychedelic, dreamy kind of way that reminds of the baggy grooves of Primal Scream, Ride and the Stone Roses, with a sound filled with melliferous reverb-laced guitars.

THE GHOSTS

Formed at the end of 2010 by Alex Starling, formerly the of Ou Est le Swimming Pool, with drummer Ian Palmer (to be later joined by Rayna Ferner and Alex Sharman on keys, plus Dan Whiffin, guitar), after OELSP's vocalist Charles Haddon took his own life at Belgium's Pukkelpop festival that August. Their first single ‘Enough Time’ (produced by Tim Bran - The Charlatans, La Roux - is an enticing foretaste of what to expect on their first album, The End set for an April release: darkly sweet and seductive lyrics, layers of pounding drum beats, luxuriant guitar chords and arrangements that swell on big choruses. Think part Empire Of The Sun, part MGMT.

THEME PARK

Much touted four-piece indie funk-rock band (that air a nod to Talking Heads) comprising of brothers Miles (vocals, guitar) and Marcus Haughton (vocals, guitar); Louis Bhose (bass) and Oscar Manthorpe (guitar). Signed to Luv Luv Luv Records, they have just finished recording their debut album, a follow-on from the much-praised ‘Milk’ single release of December. From their first live show only last August, they have since supported Bombay Bicycle Club and Spector, with an upcoming opening date at Alexandra Palace on March 9 for Florence and The Machine.

THE MILK

The Milk started out as teen punksters, then reformed and came back with a change of style that bleeds a mix of soul, funk and hip-hop. And it looks like they have hit on a winning formula. Nominated for 'Best Breakthrough Artist' at the UK Festivals Awards last year, they have already played sell-out shows around London at venues like Camden Barfly and Jazz Café. With a big UK tour lined up for March/ April, and the release of their debut album, The Milk look like the cream of the crop right now.

TRIBES*

Complete with big choruses, interesting lyrics and energetic guitar riffs, Tribes created traffic chaos last summer on a video shoot on the streets of their native Camden, and now the four-piece grunge-pop outfit are likely to set 2012 on fire, a year after their formation. 2011 saw the release of the singles ‘We Were Children’, ‘Sappho’ and ‘When The Day Comes’. The new year begins with the arrival of their Nirvana/Lemonheads twinged debut album Baby on January 16, before they embark on the NME Awards Tour around the UK from February 8.

VARIOUS CRUELTIES

Named after a painting by American Art Pop exponent Edward Ruscha, Various Cruelties are a quartet, orginally from Leeds and now London-based, with a Northern Soul/ mod pop feel that’s somewhere in the mid 60s – 70s (they describe themselves as ‘shabby Motown pop’). They have supported The Vaccines and Mumford & Sons and appeared on Later…With Jools Holland, playing the title track – and just released single – of their April dropping debut album Great Unknown. Next scheduled are five UK dates between January 16 – 21.

WE ARE THE OCEAN*

Five-piece post hardcore band from the Essex reaches (Loughton) of London, 2011 saw the release of their second album Go Now And Live and singles ‘What It Feels Like’, ‘The Waiting Room’ and ‘Runaway’ all Radio 1 playlisted. They play a few UK dates this month, before embarking on a coast-to-coast US tour from January 24.

ZULU WINTER*

London-based quintet Zulu Winter have come from nowhere (if you discount their earlier incarnation as The Molotovs) in under a year to be on course to rival both their management stable-mates, The Vaccines and White Lies, and gather up a following by largely word-of-mouth following with their Friendly Fires/Wild Beasts brand of indie-pop. Following up their first single release ‘Never Leave’, Zulu Winter are currently working on their debut album with Tom Morris (due in May). They start off 2012 with an appearance at Eurosonic and a London date at XOYO as part of the Q magazine sessions.

*Linn Branson is Officially A Yuppie's UK Correspondent, her other work for the site includes her December review of Smith and Burrows at Union Chapel.

Quick News

2012-01-07T08:37:00.000-08:00

Paul McCartney has titled his forthcoming February album, Kisses on the Bottom. The album with the cheeky name is a collection of covers and a few original songs.

Grinderman, who just announced their end last month in Australia are releasing a remix version of their final record, Grinderman 2. The album will feature remixes from Yeah Yeah Yeah's Nick Zinner, Josh Homme, Cat's Eyes, UNKLE, A Place to Bury Strangers, Silver Alert featuring Matt Berninger of The National and more. The album arrives March 12 in UK and the following day in the US.

Hip-hop internet sensation, The Weeknd is looking for a backing band to hit the road. The Weeknd, who just released his latest mixtape, Echoes of Silence is seeking out a professional guitarist and bass player in the Toronto area to travel and perform live in concert. For more info or fancy sending in a submission, go HERE.

London's Chapel Club have traded the dreary and dark UK for California sun to work on their second album. The British band, who released their debut album Palace a year ago this month, are working in LA with producer Tom Biller (Kanye West, Eels, Warpaint) for their sophomore release. No word as to when it will be released.

Velvet Revolver, who have been on hiatus in what seems to be longer than they were a band are linking up again with Scott Weiland for a benefit concert to honor their late friend, John O'Brien, who died at age 45 this past summer. The concert will also feature Tom Morello, Crosby, Stills and Nash and others will take place January 12 at LA's House of Blues.

Hot Chip have given an album update to fans via Twitter with guitarist Al Doyle tweeting, "hot chip album update: we have one more song to record then we have enough songs and we're gonna stop. Cannot wait to play them to y'all. al." No word as to when this record will be released.

New Thom Yorke

2012-01-05T16:46:00.000-08:00

At a Fashion Week show in September for Rag and Bone, new music from Thom Yorke was spun over a show for the popular clothing company. Now the two songs, "Stuck Together" and "Twist" have surfaced on YouTube. Take a listen.

Snow Patrol Live on Letterman on Monday

2012-01-05T16:41:00.000-08:00

To go along with our "Hottest Ticket in Town" feature, Snow Patrol will be performing on Live on Letterman on Monday. You can stream the performance at CBS.com at 8pm (EST). Be sure to pick up the bands new album, Fallen Empires on Tuesday!

The Hottest Ticket in Town

2012-01-04T17:29:00.000-08:00

Coldplay, Adele, Foo Fighters, Wilco, Peter Gabriel and the New Blood Orchestra, Beady Eye, TV on the Radio – All of these acts have a few things in common, clearly, they all released albums in 2011, they are all headlining acts of their own, but these musicians along with many more played some of their best gigs in front of a small room of people at one of the most legendary venues in New York City. Each of these bands and many others including Snoop Dogg, Ryan Adams, Tinie Tempah, Foster the People, Incubus and Cake all performed at Ed Sullivan Theater in front of a handful of lucky eyes for the Live on Letterman web series.

The series, which began in 2010 and featured artists like Gorillaz, Ben Harper, Mary J. Blige, takes these artists while they are in town or appearing earlier on The Late Show with David Letterman and has them stick around.

The stage that Elvis, The Beatles, Rolling Stones and Doors made famous on Ed Sullivan Show has been home to David Letterman since 1993 and thanks to modern technology and clever programming, Live on Letterman was born. After tapings of certain Late Show episodes, the stage at Ed Sullivan Theater is reconfigured for the private concerts. It is an extremely fascinating place and atmosphere to see these artists do a gig; maybe it is because the artists playing it currently were influenced by each of these artists that appeared on that stage decades earlier. Foo Fighters dressed as the Fab Four when they played, Mark Foster of Foster the People referenced his love of sharing the same stage as Jim Morrison and of course, it was no surprise or accident to hear Liam Gallagher belt out his song “Beatles and Stones” on that stage during Beady Eye’s performance, which coincidentally was the New York debut of the former Oasis frontman’s new band. “Imagine seeing KISS in a place like this? That would be awesome,” mused Ryan Adams during his set. Proving that the musicians are just as elated to be at the venue as the audience is.

The Live on Letterman series gives spectators at home a chance to see lightening in a bottle, these concerts are truly special for everyone involved; from the artist right to the fans inside and those at home. To see a band that can easily headline Madison Square Garden or Radio City in a small and special setting such as this is something for any music fan to treasure. These events feel less like a taping and more like an intimate gathering that happens to be recorded. For those lucky enough to be in, it is the hottest and best ticket in town. Yet, tickets are unavailable at any box office or scalper or broker, they can only be won through CBS Radio or the artist’s websites, all of this ups the ante as to how special and unique these gigs really are. For an experience such as this, you cannot put a price on it, it would be near impossible and in an age when everything seems to be so expensive and out of reach, it is brilliant to think that even in New York City you CAN get something for free.

For tickets, info and past performances and see who is coming up, click HERE.

Frankie Rose Cover & Tracklisting

2012-01-04T17:20:00.000-08:00

Former Vivian Girls, Crystal Stilts, and Dum Dum Girls member Frankie Rose will release her sophomore album, Interstellar in February in the US and March in UK. Take a look at the cover, above and the tracklisting, below.

01 Interstellar
02 Know Me
03 Gospel/Grace
04 Daylight Sky
05 Pair of Wings
06 Had We Had It
07 Night Swim
08 Apples for the Sun
09 Moon in My Mind
10 The Fall

Take a listen to the first single, "Know Me" below:

Frankie Rose - Know Me by Slumberland Records

Quick News

2012-01-04T16:42:00.000-08:00

2011 was the year that Mike Skinner hung up The Streets, now he will be releasing his memoir, entitled The Story Of The Streets, on March 29. It will chronicle his rise from an unknown rapper to becoming global sensation and the reason why he called it quits after a decade.

Actor Don Cheadle spoke to The Wall Street Journal this past week and gave some insight on his forthcoming biopic which see's the actor play legendary jazz musician, Miles Davis. Cheadle says, "It's not a cradle to grave story… It's not a biopic, per se. It's a gangster pic. It's a movie Miles Davis would have wanted to star in."

This past weekend, Primal Scream bid a du to Mani as he will concentrate full time on The Stone Roses reunion. Singer Bobby Gillespie spoke to Q Magazine in UK about the band's 10th studio album, slated for release this year and he says it will be a "psychedelic record" and is "based around one chord."

After confirming via Facebook a month ago that Kele Okereke is still in Bloc Party after much speculation and massive confusion that he was not. The singer has now spoken to Zane Lowe and confirmed that a new Bloc Party album will be out later this year.

In an interview with the LA Times, Elton John has spoken out that he would like Justin Timberlake to play him in a biopic. Timberlake has donned John's persona before, playing the iconic singer in the video for "This Train Don't Stop."

The Arctic Monkeys missed the mark on ringing in the New Year in Australia. The band, who were performing at Falls Festival in Lorne, left the stage at 11:58pm when they were supposed to leave and finish their set at exactly midnight to rock in the New Year. Singer, Alex Turner arrived on stage at 12:01 saying, "Sorry we thought someone else had organised a countdown … let’s do one now then shall we?

Speaking of Alex Turner, his other partner-in-crime Miles Kane confirms that the duo's side-project will release a new Last Shadow Puppets album. Kane told Noise11.com, "There will be [another record] when the time is right. We'll both know together when it's right. We're both enjoying our own things, but we're still working together and when the time is right we'll go and do that again." Kane was then asked if he could put a date on it, he replied, "Maybe the end of this year, maybe next year."

Cursive will release their new album, I Am Gemini and will be released on February 21.

Taking to Foo Fighters website, Dave Grohl confirmed that the band are demo-ing new songs with Wasting Light producer, Butch Vig. Grohl did not give any exact dates as to when any new material will be released.

Dubstep virtuoso, Burial will release a three song EP later this month via Hyperdub. The EP titled, Kindred will include the tracks:

01 Kindred

02 Loner
03 Ashtray Wasp

Black Star on Fallon!

2012-01-04T10:38:00.000-08:00

In advance of their new album and new tour, Black Star jammed with The Roots on Fallon last night and performed "You Already Knew" and "Little Brother." Take a look!

Guided by Voices on Letterman!

2012-01-04T10:35:00.000-08:00

The reunited classic-line-up of Guided By Voices hit up Letterman last night, take a look at the band playing "The Unsinkable Fats Domino" off their new album, Let's Go Eat at the Factory.

EXCLUSIVE! FRANK TURNER INTV!

2012-01-01T13:32:00.000-08:00

2011 was a year that singer-songwriter Frank Turner will never forget. The British singer and former Million Dead front man has been making music on his own since 2006, yet, it was not until the release of his latest record, England, Keep My Bones where Turner really started taking the credit and getting the attention the punk and poet really deserved. 2012 is shaping up to be a massive year already for Turner, who just turned 30, Turner will embark on a tour with Dropkick Murphy's and will headline Wembley Arena in April, the event will be Turner's largest headlining gig to date. With such a great year behind him and a great year plotting ahead of him, we had to kick off 2012 in a big way and showcase our interview with the one and only Frank Turner. Take a look...

Over the last few years we have seen many post-hardcore and punk artists go acoustic, why the change for you and so many others that electric music can not bring about?

Personally, my old band had just broken up and I was a little burned by the experience, we didn't part on the best of terms. I needed a new direction, both musically and personally, and I wasn't interested in being in a conventional band any more, so playing acoustic made a lot of sense. More broadly, I think that the punk scene in general is going through a period of self-reexamination right now, using more acoustic music as a tool. It's intriguing, to a degree. It's also become something of a bandwagon, I think, though (at the risk of sounding a touch defensive) it really wasn't back in 2005.

Being English and playing the type of music that you do, you immediately get compared to Billy Bragg. Does the comparison get annoying after a while? Is Bragg an influence on you?

I think every singer or band has one other person who they are relentlessly compared to - it's journalistic shorthand if nothing else - and at least I'm being compared to someone I like, both musically and (lately) personally. My old band spent its entire career being compared to a band we all hated! Billy is something of an influence, sure, but I'd say people like Dylan and Young are bigger for me.

You were born in Bahrain, how long did you live there? Did your time and your families time shape the person you are today?

I was only there for about 6 months so I have no recollections of the place.

“England Keep My Bones” is your latest record, what does the title signify?

The title is a Shakespeare quote (which makes me sound terribly erudite, dontchaknow). It came up late in the process of making the album, and it seemed to neatly capture what seem to be the two main themes of the album, namely England and mortality.

Four albums in, what has changed for you? Did you ever envision going solo this long?

Well my life has changed over time, as one would expect - I've spent pretty much the whole of the last 7 years on tour. The road will keep you free and clean, as Townes Van Zandt put it. One of the biggest changes, aside from playing to rather more people now than I did when I started, has been getting a stable line-up for my backing band together. They even have a name now - The Sleeping Souls. They're great players, and settling in with them has changed some aspects of how I write. I think I'd say I hoped things would last this long, but maybe not expect. It's good to still be here. I hope to keep doing this for a long time.

Franz Nicolay plays on “Wessex Boy,” how did that relationship come about? How was it like to play with Franz?

I met Franz when he opened for me at a show in San Francisco last year. I'm a huge Hold Steady fan, and I was totally blown away by his solo act as well, and we stayed in touch. He was touring in the UK while I was recording, and after the London show he stayed at the place I crash in London, so in the morning I kidnapped him and took him to the studio for a quick session. He's a lovely guy and a great player.

You at one point toured the US with Gaslight Anthem and The Loved Ones, two great bands with two great singers and lyricists, did you, Brian Fallon and Dave Hause ever think of working together?

We all hung out, for sure - nothing more concrete than that, but they're both great writers and we're all still in touch, so who knows?

You have cited early Dylan, Nick Cave as inspirations as well as Mewithoutyou and Dr Dog as modern bands you are into. Who else brings you inspiration musically?

Springsteen looms large, and Neil Young. Loudon Wainwright III is someone I find very inspirational as well.

What, outside of the music world, inspires your writing?

I read a fair bit of poetry - early 20th century stuff really does it for me, Larkin, Eliot, Betjeman and so on.

Your songs and shows involve the audience very much, they are almost punk pub song singalongs, how much joy does it bring you to see and hear your audience sing your words back to you each night?

It's a fantastic feeling, at once both elating and humbling. I'll confess to writing with that effect in mind from time to time, but I really feel that when a room full of strangers comes together in song, music reaches a point of transcendece, and becomes truly interesting to me. You can't beat a good singalong.

Passion and love are big things that guide your music and sets, are there words that describe how you feel about what you do?

Sure. I'd throw in dedication and maybe even obsession as well, haha. Now I sound like I'm advertising perfume.

In 2006 you did a great split with our friend Jonah Matranga, how did the idea to work with each other come about?

I met Jonah on tour with Million Dead in 2004, and we stayed in touch since. When I started playing solo stuff, he was one of the only other people around who had followed a similar path at the time, so it made sense for us to work together. We did the split and a tour swap - I played with him in the USA and he came around the UK with me, in 2007.

From your first band Million Dead to your solo work, what is your favorite song that you wrote and why?

It's nigh on impossible for me to choose one, at least with any degree of objectivity. Right now, I'm probably proudest of the song Redemption from the new album, but ask me again in a few months and I'm sure that will have changed.

With your constant touring and recording schedule, do you ever find time for yourself? What does Frank Turner do in his downtime?

Well, I have downtimes in the mornings! Actually, having breakfast on my own each day is one of my tips to staying sane on the road. I read a lot, watch films, do crosswords.. I'm pretty content with the current pace of my life.

Given that music is always changing and evolving and the landscape of music these days is far different than what it once was, what are your thoughts on the current state of music?

Music is a pretty timeless form of human expression, so I sometimes find all the discussions about downloading and so on to be a little tiring - people need to make music and they will continue to do so regardless of the technological context. There's a lot of great music being made right now, that's enough for me.

What's Coming in 2012!

2012-01-01T13:19:00.000-08:00

We have entered a New Year, the start of something new and fresh and as a New Year engages us, we can look forward to many things and of course, new music. Here is a list of what to look out for in 2012!

JANUARY
- Lana Del Rey – Born to Die
- Asteroids Galaxy Tour – Out of Frequency
- Fionn Regan
- Graffiti6 – Colours
- Howler – America, Give Up
- Leonard Cohen – Old Ideas
- The Big Pink - Future This
- Ingrid Michaelson – Human Again
- Craig Finn – Clear Eyes, Full Hearts

FEBRUARY
- Tennis – Young and Old
- Sharon Van Etten – Tramp
- Air – Las Voyages das La Luna
- Sleigh Bells – Reign of Terror
- Nneka – Soul is Heavy
- Nicki Minaj – Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded
- Paul McCartney

MARCH
- The Heartbreaks
- New Order – Lost Sirens EP
- Paul Weller – Sonik Kicks
- Ladyhawke - Anxiety
- Tim Fite – Ain’t Ain’t Ain’t
- Jonquil – Point of Gold
- Dry the River – Shallow Bed
- Fanfarlo – Rooms Filled with Light
- The Magnetic Fields – Love at the Bottom of the Sea
- The Shins – Port of Morrow
- Miike Snow – Happy Next to You
- The Soundtrack of Our Lives – Origins Vol. 2
- The Parlotones

APRIL
- GOOD Album
- Screaming Females
- Queen and Michael Jackson

SPRING
- Madonna
- Black Star
- Public Image LTD.
- Sigur Ros
- Silversun Pickups
- Gallows
- VCMG
- Jenny Owen Youngs
- Spiritualized
- OFF!
- Surfer Blood
- Rocketjuice and the Moon
- Regina Spektor – What we Saw From the Cheep Seats

SUMMER
- EPMD – There is No Business like Show Business
- Metric
- Noel Gallagher
- The Killers
- Green Day
- No Doubt
- Soundgarden
- Sparta
- Pure Love
- The xx

ALSO IN 2012:
- Muse
- Deftones
- Cribs
- Gaslight Anthem
- Pearl Jam
- Bad Religion
- Jay-Z
- Joy Formidable
- The Bravery
- How to Destroy Angels
- Primal Scream
- Atoms for Peace
- Ben Folds Five
- Best Coast
- Hot Chip
- Santigold
- Nas
- Garbage
- Modest Mouse
- Bouncing Souls
- The Hold Steady
- Metallica
- Stone Roses
- The Walkmen
- Franz Ferdinand
- Black Sabbath
- Q-Tip
- Watch The Throne Part 2
- Erykah Badu
- Mumford and Sons
- Bruce Springsteen & E-Street Band
- Editors
- Inspirational Carpets
- The Vaccines
- Tyler, The Creator
- OMD
- Against Me!
- Titus Andronicus
- Scissor Sisters
- Slayer
- Frank Ocean
- Bloc Party
- Blood Red Shoes
- Chapel Club
- The Flaming Lips
- Dillinger Escape Plan
- Flats

Possible Releases in 2012:
- Outkast
- Dr Dre
- Beady Eye
- U2
- Jimmy Eat World
- Nine Inch Nails
- Depeche Mode
- The Strokes
- Foo Fighters

Rising Artist - Remember Remember

2012-01-01T13:08:00.001-08:00

Thanks in part to bands like Explosions in the Sky, Mogwai and the current state of electronic music, all instrumental bands are becoming more and more popular now than ever before. Hailing from the same country as Mogwai, Scotland's Remember Remember is the work and brainchild of musician Graeme Ronald. The band started off as a solo venture of Ronland in 2007, playing every instrument and making every beat, yet as he progressed as an artist, he began filling in the void of instruments he could not play with musicians who could. Now, Remember Remember is a seven-piece outfit making waves and a name for themselves all over the UK. Releasing a handful of EPs and a full length last year, Remember Remember rising to the attention that will bring them to the festival circuts around the world and into the headphones of new fans.

Underrated Classic - Coldplay "X&Y"

2012-01-01T12:55:00.000-08:00

No band began their career and exploded more last decade than Coldplay. The British four-piece received critical and global acclaim with their 2000 debut, Parachutes and then became household names with their sophomore release, A Rush of Blood to the Head in 2002, then in 2005 the band took a risk with their third album, X&Y. The album, which is broken up into two parts, part X and part Y hears the band taking the idea of two EPs and mathematical equations and laying it over music. The album, which received many changes during its formation was originally titled Zero Theory and was originally produced by British producer, Ken Nelson who was eventually fired due to dissatisfaction with his work. The band ended up producing a majority of the songs themselves and had help from Danton Supple and the result was massively mixed from the majority. While some fans and critics loved the record, many hated it. The band captured a sound that inspired them in the early 90's, gunning for the influence that U2 had on Achtung Baby but for some they failed to make their own mark. Yet, with all the hype and mixed reactions to the album, it managed to pull massive success in the singles; "The Speed of Sound," "Fix You," "Talk," and "White Shadows." The hidden treasure of X&Y is the bonus song, "Till Kingdom Come," which singer Chris Martin wrote for Johnny Cash, yet Cash passed away before he could record it. While the band continued to become a blockbuster global sensation, the reaction behind X&Y did not slow them down, in fact, it only made them bigger.

Movie of the Month - "Bottle Rocket"

2012-01-01T12:41:00.001-08:00

Let's start 2012 off with a bang, shall we? The first "Movie of the Month" of the New Year is the first feature film directed by cult director, Wes Anderson. Based off his 1994 short film of the same name, the 1996 feature Bottle Rocket is a funny and charming picture about the worst heist and criminals ever written for the screen. The off-beat comedy stars brothers Owen and Luke Wilson, Owen had a hand in writing the film with Anderson and is about how brothers, Dignan and Bob (Owen and Luke Wilson respectively) stage grand robberies of small businesses in a small Texas town and try to befriend a major local criminal boss played by James Caan and attempt to pull off a big robbery that just goes everywhere but successful. Anderson begins using his ironic and subtle comedic voice to his first film, which received rave reviews in the festival circuit and kick started the careers of Anderson and his fraternal stars. The soundtrack, which features original composition by DEVO leader Mark Mothersbaugh only adds to the delight. One nerd composing for a team of nerds, it all works.

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T10:12:00.000-08:00

On behalf of everyone at Officially A Yuppie, I just want to say HAPPY NEW YEAR and THANK YOU for everything this year. As we celebrated our five years, I realized how fortunate we are as a music website to have such great readers and have been fortunate to speak with so many legendary artists and rising bands. Thank you to all the artists, labels, publicists and of course YOU for making 2011 our biggest and best yet!

We can't wait to share what we have in store for you in 2012! Stay tuned, the best is yet to come!

Stay safe and have a Happy New Year!

-Salvatore Bono

Officially A Yuppie - Owner and Editor-in-Chief.

Quick News

2011-12-30T07:39:00.000-08:00

The Screaming Females will release their new album in April. The yet-to-be-titled album was produced by Steve Albani. Read our 2010 interview with the band HERE.

Being the king of narcassism, Morrissey released his top 10 list of his Top 10 Albums that he has released as a solo artist and with The Smiths. Take a look at the list below, which he calls "OF WHICH I AM MOST PROUD":

1) Years of Refusal

2) Ringleader of the Tormentors

3) You are the Quarry

4) Vauxhall and I

5) Strangeways, Here We Come (Smiths)

6) Rank (Smiths)

7) Louder Than Bombs (Smiths)

8) Bona Drag

9) Southpaw Grammar

10) Your Arsenal

Speaking of Moz and The Smiths, longtime Smiths fan Noel Gallagher has of course, backed the band for a reunion. Noel spoke to Sky News Australia and said ""The one everybody would like to see is The Smiths and they say it's not going to happen but they said the Roses wouldn't happen and they said Led Zeppelin wouldn't happen." Noel then commented on fellow Manchester legends, Stone Roses plans for their 2012 reunion and said "I'm happy for them, it's great for the fans. It's going to be great, what can I say?"

NOW speaking of reunions some thought would never see...Slash tells Esquire Magazine that he is "trying to put the feud with Axl Rose to rest." Slash, along with his fellow and former members of Guns N Roses are set to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012 with Beastie Boys and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Slash says to Esquire "The split between Axl and I was a quiet one. But because there was so much attention on the break-up - and are we going to get back together - it got built up into this monster that led to a kind of animosity that wasn't the focus for me. Neither one of us wants to be down each other's throats for no reason. At this point, I'm trying to put it to rest." Maybe we will see the original GNR link-up for the special Rock and Roll Hall of Fame one-off gig.

LOST Pearl Jam Demo Uncovered!

2011-12-30T07:38:00.000-08:00

Cameron Crowe guest DJ'ed Pearl Jam Radio this week and spun a lost demo from Pearl Jam, circa 1991 called "Chinese." Take a listen!

Quick News

2011-12-28T16:32:00.000-08:00

On a sad note to start off with, legendary jazz musician and composer, Sam Rivers passed away. Rivers was 88.

The cause of death for legendary rapper, Heavy D who passed away in November has been released. According to TMZ, the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office has said that the rapper died after suffering a pulmonary embolism, more commonly known as a blood clot, in one of his legs, which was brought on by deep vein thrombosis. The rapper also suffered from heart disease, which could have also been a contributory factor.

To celebrate his 30th birthday and his epic year, Frank Turner along with Jon Snodgrass have released the free song, "New Years Day," to celebrate, well, new years! Get the song HERE.

Scissor Sisters will release the follow-up to 2010's dance-tacular, Night Work. The band will release their fourth album in 2012 and their new single in the coming weeks.

In the next few days, producer and DJ extraordinaire, Diplo will release his new EP, Express Yourself. Diplo is giving the EP away for free via Mad Decent and will feature Datsik, Sabi, Elephant Man, GTA, Excision, Nicky Da B, LAzer Disk, and Billy the Gent.

As a Christmas gift to fans, The xx released a demo from their forthcoming sophomore release which will be out in 2012. Take a listen to it below:

Manchester Orchestra are already at work on the follow-up to this years, Simple Math. Take a look at a video of them in the studio that they tweeted earlier today:

EXCLUSIVE! Brian Cannon INTV!

2011-12-26T08:21:00.000-08:00

As Britpop shined its bright light in the 90's and England hit a cultural Renaissance through music, film and politics, no one came to capture the moments like Brian Cannon. Cannon, who photographed iconic album covers and sleeves for The Verve, Oasis, Groove Armada, Ash, Inspirational Carpets and many others became the man with the "eye" for Britpop. His unique style of photography was like capturing the feeling of what it is like to be enhanced by heavy drugs and a state of euphoria. This past year, Cannon had his work displayed at the British Music Experience at the O2 in London and was given the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Global Annual Design Awards this past November. Aside from hismassive success as a music photographer, Cannon also is the owner of Microdot, a graphic design company that celebrated its 21 years in the business this past year.

We spoke with Cannon about his work and accolades and who he would still love to work with and what he considers his favorite work. We also discussed his favorite music and seeing if there is any hope that Oasis or The Verve would ever reunite again...

Your iconic work will be featured as part of the British Music Experience at the O2, how excited and proud are you to have your work displayed?

I am honoured and flattered to have my work displayed alongside some of the all time greats, it really is a wonderful feeling to think people are interested in my creations.

Your company, Microdot has been going strong for 21 years now. How do you think you have managed to stay on top of your game and successful after all of these years?

The thing with me and Microdot is passion. I absolutely live for what I do and every job that leaves the studio is done to the absolute best of my ability, don’t forget, my name is on these works and some of them will be around forever so they have to be good.

Back to theO2 exhibit, was it difficult picking certain works to showcase? Did you leave something out that you felt was important but could not feature?

Everything I wanted to include was in there more or less so I was very happy with the presentation.

Like Annie Leibovitz photographed American rock and roll of the 70’s, you made your mark on Britpop of the 90’s. What was it like to be apart of that now infamous and notorious era?

It was a riot, looking back I’m amazed we actually got any work done let alone the calibre of stuff we were turning out. For about 3 years in the mid 90’s it seemed like one long party. I lived in Noel Gallagher’s old flat in Camden Town, North West London – it was like being at the eye of the hurricane, it was fantastic.

Do you ever feel Britpop will ever make a big comeback, or was that just a moment in time?

Britpop was just a label made up by the music press, in reality there were very few bands who were any good and with the exception of Oasis and The Verve, none of them really had much to do with each other. If it does make a ‘comeback’ it’ll be just another invention of the media.

Of all the sleeves you have done, which is your favorite?

Easily Verve’s first album, A Storm In Heaven.

Of all of your photos which one was the hardest to create?

Putting a Rolls Royce in a swimming pool for Oasis Be Here Now was no easy feat I can tell you!

Oasis and The Verve were two band’s you spent the most time photographing for. How much to do you miss them?

It’s not a case of missing them, that was then and this is now, I’m obviously grateful for the exposure it gave my work, but you have to move on.

How did you first get introduced to those bands?

I met both Richard [Ashcroft] and Noel [Gallagher] purely by chance six years apart, Richard at a party and Noel in an elevator! They liked what I was doing visually and invited me to work with their respective bands.

Who, of any bands of today would you like to work with?

Arctic Monkeys

Aside from the work that you have done, what is your favorite album sleeve that you wish you had done?

There’s two, Pink Floyd Ummagumma and Never Mind The Bollocks by the Sex Pistols

Many of your images have your signature trademark of an item or person coming at your right in the foreground and smaller decreasing images in the background. Almost like a fish-eye or extreme wide angle. Was this done on purpose to make your mark?

Now you mention it – it’s the first time I’ve actually noticed that!

Aside from photographing and working with musicians, Microdot has done various ad campaigns for major companies. Are those just as fun and creative?

On the whole no – you have to deal with a team of people all trying to have their say – creative decision by committee just doesn’t work

What is next for you?

All sorts going on at the minute, working with bands, doing some lecturing in Universities, lots of overseas clients, many in the US – exciting times.

Mariachi El Bronx on Letterman

2011-12-24T13:07:00.000-08:00

Mariachi El Bronx hit up Letterman this week to perform "Revolution Girls." Take a look!

Another Look at 2011

2011-12-24T12:05:00.000-08:00

As we posted our Top 10 list earlier this month, in keeping with tradition, we asked our magnificent correspondents their opinions on their favorite albums of the year. Take a look at the different flavors of 2011.

Correspondent Leah Marchesano aka Leah Lovecat's Top Albums of the Year:

Grouplove - Never Trust A Happy Song
The Horrors - Skying

Miles Kane
The Vaccines- What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?
Wyldlife
The Strokes- Angles
White Lies- Ritual
Foster The People-Torches
The Joy Formidable- The Big Roar
Cat's Eyes

Thank You's:
As always, Sal Bono, who continues to be a beacon of light to music lovers, Mike Hindert, Ann Marie Weis, Kimmy Grace Santos & The Sour Mash Blog, Wyldlife, SHAPES, Maverick Inman, The Twees, everyone at Merrifield Records, The Van Doo's, The Narrows, Stateside Menace, Gem and the Deadheads, Julian Harding, Dave Cromwell, new friends and old...lets have a great 2012! Love-Leah Lovecat

Our special UK correspondent and New Addition to the team, Linn Branson's Picks:

Wild Beasts - Smother
Chapel Club - Palace
Other Lives - Tamer Animals
The Horrors - Skying
PJ Harvey - Let England Shake
The Antlers - Burst Apart
Washed Out - Within and Without
Elbow - Build A Rocket, Boys!
I Break Horses - Hearts
Lykke Li - Wounded Rhymes

Our British Muse and Close Friend, Simon Mason's Top 10:

Ghostpoet - Peanut Butter Blues and Melancholy Jam

White Hills - HP-1

Radiohead - The King of Limbs

Parking Lights - 939

John Maus - We Shall Become the Pitiless Censors of Ourselves

SBTRKT

Balam Acab - Wander / Wonder

Delta Swamp Rock - Sounds From The South: At The Crossroads Of Rock, Country And Soul

Burial - Street Halo EP

Our Photo Correspondent, Videographer and Primer NYC DJ RICH D SMOOV's List (Broken Down by Genre):

Indie Album: Radiohead - The King of Limbs
Commercial Hip-Hop: Raekwon The Chef - Shaolin vs Wu-Tang
Latin/International: Davilla 666 - Tan Bajo

Hardcore: Atari Teenage Riot - Is this Hyperreal?
Indie Hip-Hop: Apathy - Honkey Kong
Black Metal: Wolves in the Throne Room - Celestial Lineage
Turntablism: J-Roc- Some Cold Rock Stuff
Instrumental: Clams Casino - Rainforest EP
Prog: Opeth: Heritage
Experimental: Wagonchrist- Tomorrow

Honorable Mentions:
Retro/psych Rock: The Black Lips - Arabia Mountain
DJ Album: DJ Shadow - The Less You Know, The Better
Mix Tape Of The Year: Danny Brown - XXX
Electronica: Mr Oizo - Stade 2
Dubstep: Bassnectar - Divergent Spectrum
Metal: Krallice - Diotima
Commercial Metal: Mastodon - The Hunter
Best Brooklyn Black Metal Band: Liturgy - Aesthethica
Alternative: The Joy Formidable - The Big Roar

Now, Our Loud Rock Correspondent, The ROCK(jock)'s list:

You Yuppies ready to make your ears bleed?! Here are the ten best albums from the past year to help you get your headbang on.

10. The Human Abstract- Digital Veil – Despite being a band close to the ROCK(jock)’s heart, there’s no bias here. The band experimented a little too much on their sophomore effort, Midheaven, but took the lessons learned there, applied it to the sound from their stellar debut, Nocturne, and returned to form in 2011 with their best album yet. Fans of Between the Buried and Me, take notice—Digital Veil may have been the best full-length progressive album of the year.

9. Fallujah - The Harvest Wombs – This might win the award for the most overlooked record of the year. Right out of the gate on their debut LP, Fallujah sets the standard for what death metal can achieve through smart songwriting--something a number of their contemporaries seemed to realize in 2011. Instead of blasting us to death with repetitive chugs like every other uninspired death act, The Harvest Wombs couples intricate rhythms with melancholic and apocalyptic melodies (that’s right, MELODIES) to keep things heavy yet diverse and interesting.

8. Volbeat - Beyond Hell/Above Heaven – Thank you Officially a Yuppie for introducing me to this band. If only all radio rock could be this sophisticated and fun.

7. Kvelertak - Kvelertak, The End – I named this the Best Debut record on Episode #9 of The SIDESHOW Podcast despite the fact it was released internationally last year and there’s actually a full-length debut ranked higher on this list. But as The SIDESHOW’s listeners have come to realize, the ROCK(jock) is not a man of logic. Besides, Kvelertak deserves to be singled out. Just like iwrestledabearonce two years ago, this record is an extremely promising, totally fun, and completely different offering that metal and music in general needs to keep moving forward.

6. Between the Buried and Me- Hypersleep Dialogues– I referred to The Human Abstract’s Digital Veil as the best FULL-LENGTH progressive album in 2011. That was an important distinction because BTBAM is still the torch-bearer and part one of their two-part concept album shows why. Honing the heavier sound they returned to on The Great Divide following the brilliant departure into the unclassifiable Colors, this year’s EP features everything that makes Between the Buried and Me the best at what they do. Over the course of just three tracks, which still clock in at a whopping 31 minutes, BTBAM ties together disparate musical elements with a story about “two human characters who live in different planes of existence, separated by millions of light years.” (Courtesy: Gun Shy Assassin). Besides being a sucker for concept albums, BTBAM took a chance experimenting with the EP format that could soon become the future of the record industry and for that, they should be commended.

5. August Burns Red - Leveler – For those who weren’t in love with ABR’s last offering, Constellations—you’re an idiot. Regardless, Leveler gave you exactly what you wanted as the band brought back the breakdowns and applied them to the experimentation that made Constellations so great. However, this album has slowly but continuously fallen farther and farther down my Top Ten since its release back in July. While no other metal album this year was as infectiously catchy as Leveler, the preachy lyrics get tiresome. Sadly, between songs like “Salt & Light” and tour partners like Silverstein, all the hallmarks of a band on the verge of selling out are there. Enjoy Leveler while you can—it’s likely August Burns Red’s last great album.

4. TesseracT - One – It took a while, but no album grew on me more this year than TesseracT’s debut LP. It’s beautiful and ethereal and shows why the rise of progressive djent as the next big scene in metal is the best possible thing. Not to mention, you know an album has some chops if the label decides to re-release it instrumentally. (Well, in most cases. I’m looking at you Darkest Hour.) By the way, notice how this marks the THIRD debut to make my Top Ten? Yeah, 2011 was pretty disappointing for the heavy hitters but that opened the door for a ton of new talent to step up, just like TesseracT did on One.

3. Glassjaw - Coloring Book – Considering the crowd reaction to the band’s new music, it seems odd Glassjaw only released this EP as free handout at their concerts. Well, it’s time you “real” Glassjaw fans faced facts and got over your teen angst. Darryl’s all grown up now and it shows on Coloring Book—hands down the best music the post-hardcore legends have ever crafted. Instead of another collection of spastic, disjointed mishmashes, Glassjaw coherently mixed its signature elements into tight and memorable performances which haunt you long after you’ve finished spinning the record, something their older material never quite achieved. Add to that the lyrical fodder Palumbo’s rejection of his former lifestyle makes for and Coloring Book finds Glassjaw boldly evolving with the times, regardless of fan outcry, and doing it in a way that lives up to the mythic status they’ve cultivated over the years.

2. Black Dahlia Murder - Ritual – Black Dahlia Murder has been at the top of the death metal subgenre for years now but had yet to make that career album—the kind so good it defies genre borders and earns universal acceptance and praise. Ritual is that album. Long among the most technically gifted musicians in all of heavy metal, their music was often too focused on ability, not to mention their sonic assault made it difficult to listen to one of their albums all the way through. Just like Fallujah though, Black Dahlia flexed its songwriting chops on Ritual to deliver not only the most memorable and diverse songs of their career, but maybe in the history of death metal. Virtually any other year, this would be a #1 album.

1. Machine Head - Unto the Locust – If you’ve listened to The SIDESHOW at all, this should come as no surprise. Hell, if you have ears then this should be a no-brainer. Four-and-a-half years after composing the greatest metal album of the new millennium and one of the all-time classics, Machine Head had no chance of living up to the anticipation surrounding Unto the Locust. But somehow, not only did they meet expectations, they vastly exceeded them with this instant classic to make one of the greatest back-to-back album tandems in metal history, rivaling Metallica’s Ride the Lightning/Master of Puppets. Every song is unforgettable and unique, each displaying one of the band’s innumerable strengths. “I Am Hell” may be the heaviest intro in the band’s already incomparably heavy repetoire, “Locust” is the perfect live song, and “Darkness Within” shows a range few of Machine Head’s contemporaries share. If you Yuppies are anything like Sal, then you recognize and appreciate good music regardless of genre. Do yourself a favor this holiday and gift yourself what is surely one of 2011’s best, no matter what you listen to.

LISTEN TO The ROCK(jock) on THE SIDESHOW PODCAST by Clicking HERE.

..and Finally, Bill Reese, Managing Editor and Host of Our Podcast, OFFICIALLY A PODCAST. Here is his End of the Year List:

Honorable mentions:

Bon Iver
Bess Rogers - Out of the Ocean
Candy Hearts - Everything's Amazing and Nobody's Happy
Death Cab for Cutie - Codes & Keys
The Jayhawks - Mockingbird Time
Radiohead - The King of Limbs
TV on the Radio - Nine Types of Light

Top 10:

10. Hurrah! A Bolt of Light! - Hello
Their yet-unfinished sophomore effort would have placed much higher, but it won't see release until 2012.

9. Mastadon - The Hunter
A prog rock album that's not afraid to bear its teeth.

8. Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues
Title track is one of the best pieces of songwriting put out this year. Flawless production.

7. Cults
Catchy as fuck, a fantastic record to put on at a PBR-drenched party.

6. Decemberists - The King Is Dead
Proof that a hyper-literate band can follow up a bona fide opera with a low-down Tom Petty-ish record of country/folk jams.

5. Arctic Monkeys - Suck it And See
Turner, The prodigal son is back, singing another fooking Sha-La-La-La

4. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - Belong
Remember what I said about the Cults disc being catchy? This one puts it to shame, especially the first 2 tracks.

3. St. Vincent - Strange Mercy
The most musically ambitious record of 2011. Chilling and mesmerizing.

2. Ringo Deathstarr - Colour Trip
Shoegaze and synth pop, two dynamic genres forged together by these surprising newcomers.

1. Fucked Up - David Comes to Life
4 acts. 76 minutes. 18 songs. It's brutal. It's poignant. It's got the sharpest hooks in punk or any rock and roll this year. An unequivocal masterpiece. Sure to be in the top 5 of the decade.