metallica

Music News You Can Use: Pop Tarts and Humiliating Music Hilarity

Thursday, January 22nd, 2009

gwen_live_with_tony

Doubt no longer … After weeks of rumors and hints, Gwen Stefani and the dudes from No Doubt have officially announced that they are reuniting with a summer tour, with Paramore as their “Special Guests,” if they can call them that. While most fans think of the pop-punkers as noobs to the scene, some No Doubt diehards aren’t afraid to say that the kids will probably garner more sales than Gwen and company. Tickets to be on sale soon.

I’ll give you something ridiculous to ponder over … Katy Perry and celibacy? Well, at least that what she says. After a surprisingly short-lived relationship with Gym Class Heroes’ frontman Travis McCoy, the pseudo girl-kisser says that the only lip-locking this year will be with her cat, Kitty Purry (clever one). When MTV asked about her breakup with Travie, she took the opportunity to talk about her tour instead. Looks like homeboy got the short end of the stick this time around.

50 beefs it up … 50 Cent is giving Weezy and West a verbal run for their money, hitting them with disses on interviews and live performances. While promoting his new album Before I Self Destruct, 50 called into a radio station, dissing Lil’ Wayne as a “junkie” and calling Kanye’s latest an “R&B album.” Cough, publicity feud, cough.

Let’s talk about a real rapper … Actor Joaquin Phoenix is “embarking on a new path as a rapper,” as part of a documentary whipped up by Casey Affleck. The film will be focused on Phoenix’s new career, along with another actor and friend who, too, have decided to drop their day jobs for a more…street credible one? The album, according to Billboard, will be produced by Sean Combs.

No, really, where’s the real music? … In other, more substantial music news, Metallica, Run-DMC, and Jeff Beck are a few musicians who will be inducted into the 2009 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Other notable artists include Fifties R&B vocal group Little Anthony and Sixties soul singer Bobby Womack. Run-DMC will be performing at the April 4th ceremony for the first time since Jam Master Jay’s death seven years ago.

Live Show Review: Rodrigo y Gabriela (More Than Just Metal Mariachi)

Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008

Dubbed by the press as a “metal mariachi band,” Rodrigo y Gabriela is what happens when a couple of young Mexico City natives evolve from local thrash metal bandmates to acoustic guitarists with serious improvisational skills. Not only do they pick and strum—they hit (yes, hit) their guitars.

The speedy guy-and-gal guitarists’ heavy metal influences shined through their Latin-roots performance September 18 at the Grove of Anaheim.

Short story: the pair met in Mexico City as teenagers and later relocated to Dublin. There the duo’s 2006 album debuted number one on the Irish charts, beating Johnny Cash and Arctic Monkeys for the spot. Their sound—a fusion of their vast influences— metal, flamenco, folk, and jazz—is genuine, original, and eye-and-ear-opening.

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