tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-221010792012-01-23T16:04:37.495-05:00Musings of an East Coast writer hell-bent on destroying and rebuilding the written word one sentence at a time, covering pop culture, news matters and the world-at-large with a valiant attempt at insightful interviews, witty commentary, first hand reviews and droll sarcasm.MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.comBlogger6371100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-87479646458954725932011-11-04T11:46:00.007-04:002011-11-04T13:08:36.662-04:00

The much-hyped collaboration between Metallica and Lou Reed hit shelves this week, and it’s pretty terrible. Both the heavy metal kings and the former Velvet Underground head have talked the project up like it was the second coming of chocolate and peanut butter. Unfortunately, it comes across more like sour cream and coffee. Yes - it’s that bad. Dubbed Lulu, the 10-song mish-mash has been

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-88671492182419094782011-10-29T11:00:00.008-04:002011-11-09T11:37:52.291-05:00

Rock Music Menu has just returned from another road trip in search of exciting new musical experiences to share with readers.  This time travels took me to Reykjavík for Iceland Airwaves, a five day music event that takes place each fall, and one that single-handedly provides the reason for the very existence of destination music festivals. Started as a single event in an airplane hangar in 1999,

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-19066994025732239872011-09-23T16:00:00.010-04:002011-09-30T16:17:52.578-04:00

Nirvana’s breakthrough album, Nevermind, turns 20 this weekend, and for most music fans and musicians, its release is a “Where were you when JFK got shot?” moment. The album would come to define grunge, was a complete changing of the guard and ushered bands like Pearl Jam and Soundgarden into the mainstream while effectively dispensing with the spandex clad hair metal purveyors of the time

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-72357254437774491392011-09-10T11:00:00.023-04:002011-11-04T11:36:21.318-04:00

Part 2: What you needWhen it comes to collecting vinyl, the first question people tend to ask is, “Where do I start?” That’s an easy answer: with a record player. You just need to figure out in what manner you’re going to use it. Is this going to be a serious venture as a budding audiophile, or a phase of which you’ll soon tire? Technics is the best known name when it comes to turntables,

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-80671885533406697332011-09-09T13:08:00.003-04:002011-09-12T13:31:35.207-04:00

Part One: Call it a comeback A couple weeks ago, I walked into a local specialty music store that shall go unnamed. But you know the type; they sell guitars, amplifiers, snare drums, pedals, etc. I was looking for a dustcover for my new turntable, a Stanton STR8.150. Online, it had said this was one of the official dealers for accessories to the record players. But when I asked for the dustcover,

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-77262516477242049342011-08-26T17:02:00.004-04:002011-08-26T17:08:47.093-04:00

Days after an earthquake struck the Northeast, those who say they felt it rattle in Delco are still talking about it. Thankfully, it wasn’t much more than a Twitter trend, a chance to unlock the “Epic Swarm” badge on Foursquare and an opportunity for watering holes throughout the land to come up with drink specials to mark the rumbling. But something was missing, because like any other

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-10928981280367209212011-08-19T19:14:00.007-04:002011-08-19T19:35:27.047-04:00

The music world lost another one of its own way too young last week when glam rock poster boy Jani Lane of Warrant fame was found dead in a Los Angeles Comfort Inn with a half-empty bottle of vodka and prescription pills found at the scene.  No cause of death has been determined pending a toxicology report, but an accidental overdose is suspected.  He was 47. Jani Lane: 1964 - 2011 The

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-45555607847038817422011-06-17T09:28:00.009-04:002011-06-17T10:24:19.657-04:00

Last week, Rock Music Menu took a look at some of the best cover songs floating around out there, from some of the best known, like Johnny Cash's haunting cover of "Hurt" by Nine Inch Nails to the lesser known, Gus doing "Don't Fear the Reaper" for instance. Readers had a few of their own to add too. "I would like to add Devo's cover on "(I Cant Get No) Satisfaction," Tony said. "A great tune

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-10467625750893020562011-06-10T09:30:00.015-04:002011-06-10T11:12:21.767-04:00

Nearly every rock and roll band starts out playing covers. The Beatles first few studio offerings were filled with songs by other artists as no one had any idea at the time that John Lennon and Paul McCartney would turn into an iconic songwriting team with their respective last names forever joined like Chang and Eng. Even more so, The Rolling Stones, which had its first five albums feature more

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-14839657240161745732011-05-28T16:30:00.009-04:002011-06-01T18:47:14.635-04:00

One week later, people are still talking about the shocking death of "Macho Man" Randy Savage. He was one of the few wrestling superstars to completely transcend the sports entertainment niche and crossover into the mainstream consciousness a-la Hulk Hogan and The Rock. The reason could have been the omnipresent Slim Jim commercials and the barked rasp of a slogan, "Snap into a Slim Jim!"

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-4430554127906245062011-05-09T16:40:00.002-04:002011-06-03T16:54:19.850-04:00

Still Debonair One of the most widely circulated Afghan Whigs bootlegs, from our own Paradise in May 1994, has the iconic alt-rock foursome busting out a loose and rollicking version of New Order's "Regret." It was one of those rare unexpected moments during a live gig that felt genuine and unplanned and made for a legendary show. This Wednesday, 17 years later almost to the day, Greg Dulli

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-63177137902171202982011-04-22T15:58:00.008-04:002011-04-26T14:12:46.709-04:00

Late last summer, Universal Music launched its Icon series, which spotlights a variety of artists from James Brown to The Cranberries to Patsy Cline, giving them the greatest hits treatment at a cheap price, typically around eight dollars.Basically, it’s a way for the record company to make a quick buck or two on the material it has sitting around in its vaults collecting dust. Many of the bands

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-65991696141766136232011-03-04T18:12:00.008-05:002011-06-06T13:35:59.025-04:00

Letting people know that you’re a music critic typically opens up a whole can of worms. Other than, “My friend is in a band, have you heard of them?” the biggest question I get is, “What are you listening to right now?” It’s always a tough one to answer, because it changes, literally, everyday. There is so much new stuff to pore over, like the new Twilight Singers and Radiohead albums, a bunch

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-81729623840384787272011-02-13T19:00:00.042-05:002011-02-13T23:29:23.853-05:00

L I V E - B L O G !Tune in to The Chronicles of MC this Sunday February 13th at 7:30pm7:44pm: Flipping around on the red carpet shows, turned on the TV Guide channel to see Katy Perry getting interviewed. She's brought her 90 year-old grandmother - how sweet! Even drops a cheesy, "No matter what, I'm leaving with a Grammy tonight!"7:45pm: Interviewer just asked what Perry's

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-60234881381555912542010-12-31T19:00:00.000-05:002011-02-12T21:56:23.411-05:00

Tired of all the year-end best of lists clogging up the airwaves, magazines and almost every existing Internet site? Well, sorry to say, here’s one more before 2010 takes its final bow.Music was an interesting beast over the past 12 months; there were some comebacks from bands once hailed as indie rock saviors, reaffirmation delivered by those hailed as consistently great and some elder statesmen

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-57625076700670482292010-11-29T14:24:00.008-05:002010-11-29T15:27:48.738-05:00

One of the most influential, but ultimately tragic, albums to ever be recorded is Joy Division’s Unknown Pleasures; it’s responsible for influencing everyone from Bloc Party to Nine Inch Nails to R.E.M., but the band itself never really got to reap the fruits of its labor as less than a year after its release in 1979, singer Ian Curtis would take his own life the night before the band was to

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-5690215139511081542010-10-22T16:39:00.005-04:002010-10-22T17:08:46.692-04:00

The Electric Factory is a great place to catch shows, despite age old complaints about the sound, the overzealous security and drink prices.It’s perfect to see a band that just graduated from places like the TLA, ones that might be stepping back from arenas or just playing a smaller sized venue for its fans. Since opening a decade and a half ago, there have been some pretty notable gigs that Rock

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-30079649119305464742010-10-15T10:00:00.002-04:002010-10-15T10:17:52.991-04:00

One of the hottest topics in the news these days is gay rights and the civil liberties surrounding them. From the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” to gay marriage and adoption, it’s a controversial matter that musicians are either avoiding completely for fear of drawing ire, or taking a stance that runs the risk of alienating a part of their fanbase.Last week, Cyndi Lauper launched her Give a

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-1444308141679675482010-10-08T15:28:00.003-04:002010-10-08T15:42:28.237-04:00

Had he not been downed by an assassin’s bullet, John Lennon would have turned 70 this Saturday. This year is resonating much more than those in the past, partially due to the conveniently timed glut of merchandising, tributes and other events designed under the guise of celebrating the singer’s influence and importance to the world.So what exactly did John Lennon mean – and why is he still so

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-72975644906856255122010-09-07T14:31:00.004-04:002010-09-07T14:53:40.418-04:00

The man who gunned down John Lennon in cold blood outside of his New York City apartment building in 1980 was denied parole for the sixth time today.Mark David Chapman shot the former Beatle in a tragedy that sent shockwaves around the world. As she has in previous years, Lennon's widow Yoko Ono submitted a letter requesting that the parole be denied.Chapman will be up for parole again in 2012.

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-33315230761522077062010-08-29T14:23:00.002-04:002010-08-30T15:44:00.554-04:00

There was a time when the covers of releases by musicians were important. Buying a record was an experience. You would purchase it, take it home, put it on the turntable and soak in the sounds while obsessively going over the liner notes, song lyrics and, of course, the album art.Unfortunately, the advent of the compact disc shrunk record covers to about five inches, and now downloading and two

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-16597752172117525942010-08-20T14:28:00.002-04:002010-08-23T16:33:52.311-04:00

A peaceful little get together after a Switchfoot show in Tampa Bay got a bit messy when an overzealous police officer began to throw his authority around.The "Meant to Live" band had finished its set opening for the Goo Goo Dolls at the awfully named 1-800 Ask-Gary Amphitheatre at the Florida State Fairgrounds when frontman Jon Foreman tweeted that the aftershow would take place outside the

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-19212051726547954522010-08-16T01:01:00.003-04:002010-08-16T09:49:13.641-04:00

Paul McCartney continued to defy time and trends this weekend, as he rolled out nearly six hours worth of hits between Saturday and Sunday. Fans young – really young, and old were dancing in the aisles and singing along to hits from The Beatles, Wings and Macca’s solo albums.The first show setlist, at more than 30 tracks, went something like this:• Venus & Mars / Rockshow • Jet • All My

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-63214148728334168532010-08-13T16:07:00.007-04:002010-08-17T10:30:36.073-04:00

Rock Music Menu went on the road last week, heading out to Chicago to catch Lollapalooza, the music event now in its 14th year, and sixth as a destination festival. Put on by Jane’s Addiction leader Perry Farrell, it remains probably the best multi-day fest in the country.Sure, Coachella is the best to camp out at and lose yourself in the desert, Sasquatch! undoubtedly presents the most scenic

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-87033295382405530192010-08-08T23:30:00.000-04:002010-08-17T10:46:55.551-04:00

Chicago finally lived up to its reputation as Day 3 of Lollapalooza began with a summer rain made chilly by strong winds whipping around Grant Park. Rockers Switchfoot, who to many seemed out of place on the festival bill, had the unenviable task of taking the stage amidst uncertain skies. But frontman Jon Foreman took the reins of the crowd like a champ, climbing stage scaffolding, daring the

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-41548084070006239152010-08-07T23:10:00.000-04:002010-08-08T12:21:09.608-04:00

Another gorgeous day weatherwise in Chicago as Lollapalooza continued to satisfy the masses.Locals Skybox performed an all-too-short set early in the day on the BMI stage. And DJ Steve Porter, he of "Press Hop" YouTube fame, turned the hot sun into a strobe light and made an afternoon rave happen.The xx, one of the biggest breakout bands over the past year, were slotted on the Sony Playstation

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-90057682490215471252010-08-06T23:29:00.000-04:002010-08-07T14:41:35.736-04:00

Lollapalooza 2010 kicked off Friday under blue skies, picture perfect weather and a cool breeze lifting off of Lake Michigan. But inside Grant Park, where the once touring festival has been held for the past six years, things heated up quickly.Early afternoon sets by The Walkmen and Raphael Saadiq had the crowd rocking and grooving. Former Live frontman Ed Kowalczyk hopped onto the Kidz stage

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-65347875932242302672010-08-06T16:09:00.002-04:002010-08-23T16:21:19.229-04:00

Football season is about to kick into high gear and it’s not the August heat or upcoming preseason snoozefests that are the clear indicators. No, it’s the reprisal of the Brett Favre retirement saga that alerts fans that it’s time to unpack the replica jerseys, air out the cooler and clean off the tailgate grille. What was first bittersweet, then surprising, then annoying has, for the fourth

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-32677023708110519122010-08-01T13:00:00.005-04:002010-08-02T13:25:30.062-04:00

A band cutting shows unexpectedly short is nothing new. Sometimes it’s due to illness. Other times it may be the prima donna antics of a member of the group who isn’t getting the sound he wants from the monitors or the desired reaction from the audience. Many cases have local officials pulling the plug on a gig that is too loud, too rowdy or one that goes past curfew. But getting shut down

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-90812175429131608742010-07-23T11:27:00.003-04:002010-07-30T14:16:16.701-04:00

Back in October when The Gaslight Anthem last played Philadelphia, it was for a two-night sold out stand at the historic Trocadero.The New Brunswick, N.J., foursome tore through sets that spanned both of its full-length releases, an EP and even tossed in a cover of Tom Petty’s “Refugee” for good measure.It was a victory lap of sorts, the final leg touring on the album that will always be known

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-18415135096084059192010-07-17T11:10:00.002-04:002010-07-30T11:26:39.753-04:00

It was quite the shocker when Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour and Roger Waters got together in London last Saturday and performed a handful of songs for the Hoping Foundation benefit in Oxfordshire, which raised money for young Palestinian refugees.Along with the Phil Spector hit "To Know Him Is to Love Him" the duo played the Pink Floyd classics "Wish You Were Here," "Comfortably Numb" and "Another

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-17150778779632108122010-07-16T08:43:00.003-04:002010-07-30T11:09:22.805-04:00

Beatles fans are a strange bunch. The most well-known group in music history doesn’t really have many “casual fans,” no; it’s either all or nothing. And they get very defensive when feeling like the legacy of the band is being tainted.Take for instance the absolute furor spouted by some devotees when John Lennon’s son, Sean, posted to his Twitter account, “With gaga at mom’s house, she’s belting

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-46222135703092320752010-07-10T10:16:00.003-04:002010-07-30T10:39:50.266-04:00

Unplug that laptop, shut down your computer tower and get rid of the data plan on your smartphones, because the Internet is dead. Wait - what? What about e-mail? Instant messaging? The Chronicles of Michael Christopher blog?Forget it, because according to Prince, it’s done.“The Internet’s completely over,” he told The Daily Mirror, a UK newspaper this week. “The Internet’s like MTV. At one time

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-39479298174312310602010-07-09T10:37:00.004-04:002010-07-09T12:22:23.113-04:00

The temperature outside isn’t the only thing rising on these sweltering summer days; the rock and roll rumor mill is also heating up in record numbers. Buzz around farewell tours, reunions and long-awaited comebacks have been circulating with increasing frequency, and Rock Music Menu is here to help sweat - or sort, it all out.Rumor: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is going to change its

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-43736916749234356222010-07-05T13:00:00.006-04:002010-07-06T13:52:01.604-04:00

Whitesnake’s self-titled album, unofficially dubbed 1987 by imaginative fans after the year it came out, was recently given the deluxe-edition treatment, and looking back, there are very few - if any, works from that era that fall into such a gray area musically.The record somewhat exists on a plane by itself, one that isn’t necessarily good nor bad - but different. Hits like “Here I Go Again”

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-58296396201682359662010-06-26T13:30:00.003-04:002010-07-06T13:35:22.438-04:00

Not only did music fans in the United States get a first look at The Big Four in concert this week, but they also witnessed history.Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax, the quartet of bands credited with launching the thrash metal genre three decades ago, played its third of seven Eastern European festival dates together Tuesday in Sofia, Bulgaria. And in the end, members of each act got

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-46880584438960837512010-06-25T13:00:00.002-04:002010-07-06T13:29:22.616-04:00

Robin Leach, the former Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous host, may have jumped the gun last week in a column for the Las Vegas Sun when he revealed that to celebrate its 50th anniversary, The Beach Boys would be reuniting with estranged former member Brian Wilson.“The Beach Boys are gearing up for next year’s 50th anniversary, and Mike Love told me that his cousin, founder and longtime member

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-32510332278331719422010-06-24T12:51:00.006-04:002010-07-06T13:18:16.959-04:00

When Michael Jackson died unexpectedly last June at the age of 50, many asked the logical question as to how he would be better remembered. Would it be as the “King of Pop,” an artist who delivered jaw-dropping dance moves, sights previously unseen on stage that drew admirers from jaded music fans to world leaders and a voice that always delivered or “Wacko Jacko,” the surgical mask wearing,

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-58956618056609600222010-06-23T08:29:00.001-04:002010-06-23T10:40:06.717-04:00

Megadeth guitarist Dave Mustaine rejoined his former bandmates in Metallica for the first time in 27 years last night when he jammed on the Diamond Head classic "Am I Evil?" along with members of Slayer and Anthrax.The show took place in Sofia, Bulgaria, and was beamed by satellite to 450 movie theatres in more than 140 markets in the United States.A full report will appear in this week's Rock

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-61222118981851106232010-06-21T12:25:00.004-04:002010-06-21T15:56:11.095-04:00

Tickets for Paul McCartney's triumphant return to perform live in Philadelphia, PA, on August 14, as part of the Up and Coming Tour, sold out in two minutes, the fastest sell out ever at the Wachovia Center.By overwhelming popular demand, a second show has been added for Sunday, August 15 at the Wachovia Center and tickets immediately went on sale exclusively through ComcastTIX.com, 1-800-298-

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-16968502246377158392010-06-19T15:00:00.001-04:002010-06-24T15:39:41.118-04:00

Friday night signaled the beginning of the end as the legendary rockers Scorpions embarked on the North American leg of its farewell tour at the PNC Bank Center in Holmdel, N.J. And while more than 100 million albums sold during nearly 45 years together might be enough of an accomplishment for any band to exit gracefully, the German outfit is doing it on the heels of releasing one of its

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-28026592633502091962010-06-11T14:32:00.005-04:002010-06-11T14:51:33.012-04:00

On Tuesday night, to kick off the 25th season of the Central Park SummerStage music festival in New York City, a concert was held in tribute for two of the city’s favorite sons, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel.Paula Cole, Shawn Colvin, Death Cab for Cutie’s Ben Gibbard and the Raconteurs’ Brendan Benson were among those who paid homage to the legendary duo, who in 1981 staged a reunion at the

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-21373863698850955082010-06-11T13:22:00.004-04:002010-06-11T13:42:13.340-04:00

It was James Brown who breathlessly crooned “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World,” but toward the end when he belted out the coda, “But it wouldn’t be nothing, nothing without a woman or a girl,” you have to think he might have been a bit prophetic given the swagger of the all-female band The Donnas, who headline a show tonight at the Theatre of Living Arts to promote autism awareness.“Chicks who rock

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-55215068815456458702010-06-11T08:50:00.003-04:002010-06-11T14:13:01.189-04:00

Having just completed a sold-out two-night stand at Mexico City’s Foro Sol Stadium, Paul McCartney’s record-breaking Up and Coming 2010 Tour will swing back to North America for a series of July-August dates, and finally Philadelphia is getting some love.Saturday, Aug. 14 at the Wachovia Center will mark the first time the former Beatle will be performing in town since a landmark, career spanning

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-70959652762677995292010-06-08T09:10:00.001-04:002010-06-09T09:27:24.341-04:00

Platinum-selling, pop-singing sensation Justin Bieber is bringing his My World tour to the Wachovia Center on Sunday, November 14. Tickets will go on sale on Saturday, June 12 at 10 a.m. exclusively through ComcastTIX on line at ComcastTIX.com, by phone at 1-800-298-4200 or in person at the Wachovia Center box office.Bieber is the first solo artist in history to send four songs from a debut album

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-43723900722377623962010-06-04T12:41:00.008-04:002010-06-04T14:01:14.987-04:00

Last week, rapper 50 Cent shocked the entertainment industry by posting a picture of himself on his official website looking gaunt and sickly after having lost more than 50 pounds in nine weeks for a film in which he plays a football player with cancer.Dropping from 214 pounds to 160 pounds on a liquid diet, 50, real name Curtis Jackson, isn’t the first actor to go to the extreme for a gig.

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-47160158303883294462010-06-01T14:00:00.003-04:002010-06-01T14:05:27.192-04:00

Live Nation today announced “No Service Fee June” with the elimination of service fees on nearly 8 million tickets, more than 700 shows and 110 artists at all 50 Live Nation owned and operated amphitheaters for the entire month of June.This includes all shows at Susquehanna Bank Center, Festival Pier and River Stage at Great Plaza for the entire month of June.“A fan in every seat is our mission

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-36315409194781662402010-05-25T16:19:00.005-04:002010-05-25T16:32:18.371-04:00

The one man wrecking crew that heads up Guns N’ Roses these days has dropped a vicious counter complaint against his former manager in the form of a 28 page document filled with allegations that do one of two things; either it makes Axl Rose the single most persecuted musician in history, or the most paranoid artist this side of Kanye West.Live Nation Entertainment Executive Chairman Irving Azoff

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-57146664820974217682010-05-25T12:00:00.000-04:002010-05-25T13:06:09.196-04:00

Irish rocker Bono is "heartbroken" after U2 were forced to postpone their entire North American tour, including a July 12 Philadelphia date, and cancel their appearance at legendary British music festival Glastonbury following his emergency back surgery.The 50-year-old singer was admitted to a specialist neurosurgery unit at a hospital in Germany on Friday after suffering "severe pain" and "

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-66249839660301996952010-05-21T12:00:00.002-04:002010-05-21T14:47:16.288-04:00

Last Sunday’s death of Ronnie James Dio reverberated not just through the heavy metal community for which he had become a legendary figure, but throughout all of music.Bands from Pearl Jam to Metallica have chimed in on what the singer meant to them and how sad they were to hear of his passing at the age of 67 after a battle with stomach cancer that began late last year.One of the most poignant

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-51739959358494440692010-05-19T08:50:00.008-04:002010-05-19T09:39:37.381-04:00

Full-disclosure: in the almost 15 years since getting paid to write for various publications, there’s probably no band I’ve chosen to cover more times than Local H, who played The Khyber in Old City Monday night. The main reason is because probably not since late 70s AC/DC has there been a rock act so consistent with crunching riffs, shredding vocals and neck-snapping drum work that manage to

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-82596579636584857412010-05-16T12:00:00.004-04:002010-05-18T13:06:12.631-04:00

On Friday, we gave you the top five albums which should be played in full.Here’s five more to round out the list at 10.Metallica – …And Justice for AllNever has a transitional period of an artist’s career been so positively volatile. There were hardly words to describe the brutality of Justice when it was released. “Epic” is probably the best though, especially in retrospect. Here was one of the

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-27034836130229732652010-05-16T11:05:00.001-04:002010-05-17T11:10:30.398-04:00

Following a lengthy battle with cancer, legendary hard rock singer Ronnie James Dio has passed away at the age of 67, according to a statement from his wife, Wendy.More to come later this week.

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-9803432039108469072010-05-14T13:13:00.010-04:002010-05-18T13:46:31.965-04:00

About a year or so ago, an interesting trend started up in rock and roll where a band would play an entire record from its back catalog. This wasn’t about performing something that was typically done live, like The Who has done with the rock operas Tommy and Quadrophenia, or Queensryche doing the concept album Operation: Mindcrime, but rather Metallica celebrating the 20th anniversary of the

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-15741351329189089632010-05-11T20:19:00.003-04:002010-05-11T20:56:41.051-04:00

After selling out two upcoming performances of The Wall at the Wachovia Center, November 8-9, Roger Waters, co-founder and principal songwriter of the archetypal progressive band Pink Floyd, will add a third performance at the Wachovia Center on Thursday, November 11. Tickets to the newly added third show will go on sale on Friday, May 14 at 10 a.m. exclusively through ComcastTIX.com.Waters is

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-13917674844554615772010-05-10T20:01:00.000-04:002010-05-11T20:19:48.961-04:00

Legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame songwriter-producers Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff were presented honorary doctor of music degrees, their first together in a distinguished partnership that is nearing its 50th anniversary, Saturday at Berklee College of Music’s 2010 Commencement, capping a weekend celebration here at the Agganis Arena.The architects of the world-renowned “Sound of Philadelphia

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-608668427781338952010-05-04T13:32:00.004-04:002010-05-04T13:55:34.693-04:00

Roger Waters, co-founder and principal songwriter of the archetypal progressive band Pink Floyd, is commemorating the 30th anniversary of the original release of The Wall with a monumental tour featuring a full band and a newly-mounted state-of-the-art production of his epochal masterpiece of alienation and transformation performed in its entirety.The tour will stop at Philadelphia's Wachovia

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-51813118777112665812010-05-01T08:24:00.004-04:002010-05-05T09:14:44.236-04:00

Who knew Scott Stapp fans could be such a vocal bunch? Last week, after writing a pretty unfavorable review of the Creed singer’s attempt at not only a “fight song” for the Florida Marlins, and his butchering of the national anthem at the baseball team’s home-opener, I received a tremendous amount of comments – and even death threats from disgruntled readers.“Kill Yourself!,” blared one. “Stop

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-79556797840491117732010-04-30T12:24:00.002-04:002010-05-04T12:35:07.314-04:00

At press time, the extent of damage done to Poison’s Bret Michaels by a massive brain hemorrhage he suffered last week was still, for the most part, unknown - aside from occasional updates on his official website, which has been experiencing constant delays and outages due to all the traffic.What’s been made official so far is that the frontman, who also suffers from juvenile diabetes, remains in

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-40971404707964318722010-04-27T09:28:00.003-04:002010-04-27T09:46:41.269-04:00

By overwhelmingly popular demand, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers will now perform live at the Wachovia Center on Saturday, July 31, and Sunday, August 1, as part of their 2010 North American tour. After quickly selling out the first show (July 31), a second show (August 1) has been added. Blues guitar legend Buddy Guy will be Petty's special guest.Tickets for the newly added show on August 1 will

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-72680339270451239622010-04-26T12:35:00.002-04:002010-05-04T13:24:30.298-04:00

The Icelandic volcano spewing out ash and grounding flights around the world is affecting travelers everywhere - including many musicians who are either trying to get to the States or travel across Europe while on tour.Last weekend at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, Calif, a number of acts big and small couldn’t make it in time because of the clouds of ash by

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-41292337697787444512010-04-26T12:29:00.003-04:002010-04-26T12:37:49.152-04:00

Kicking off what is pledging to be the annual rock event each summer - Shinedown announced this morning that they will headline the inaugural year of the Carnival Of Madness Tour. Everybody needs a little madness in their life, so this summer the boys in Shinedown will be bringing several of their friends along with them.Joining them on the road for 27 dates this summer in North America, which

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-89767659632609699812010-04-25T13:42:00.000-04:002010-04-25T13:46:41.517-04:00

What’s more painful to admit: being a fan of baseball’s mediocre Florida Marlins, or being a fan of music’s mediocre Creed? How about both? In what is one of the more puzzling unions, or perfect matches depending how you look at it, the MLB mid-carders have enlisted one of rock’s most reviled frontmen in Scott Stapp for a musical partnership. It debuted at the Marlins’ home opener against the

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-21666106857157062792010-04-24T20:27:00.005-04:002010-04-24T20:53:52.007-04:00

While rumors continue to swirl about the state of Poison singer Bret Michaels, who suffered a massive brain hemorrhage yesterday, an official statement has been released."There are several incorrect reports on Bret's condition," read the Saturday posting on his Website. "Bret remains in critical condition at an undisclosed location. Further tests are being ran and information will be updated in

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-88042845783428100732010-04-23T08:07:00.001-04:002010-04-23T09:15:35.480-04:00

The hard rock world is mourning the passing of Type O Negative singer Peter Steele, who died last week at the age of 48 due to apparent heart failure. The Brooklyn based band couldn’t have asked for a more perfect frontman to deliver its bleak imagery and lyrical subject matter that was tempered by an incredibly dark sense of humor. The group’s sound was as if The Beatles and Black Sabbath got

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-14563184439051850852010-04-22T11:25:00.006-04:002010-04-22T11:57:31.055-04:00

Band preps acoustic album, Tower stop and "lengthy hiatus"In celebration of the 20th anniversary of their 1990 debut multi-platinum release Shake Your Money Maker, The Black Crowes will release their first ever double album of all acoustic material on August 3, 2010. After touring last year, The Crowes spent time at the Sunset Sound Studios in Los Angeles, recording over 20 songs from their 20

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-37075529919639234582010-04-20T22:00:00.004-04:002010-04-21T00:54:28.668-04:00

Columbia Records will release Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band's London Calling: Live In Hyde Park concert film June 22 on one Blu-Ray disc and as a two DVD set.Captured in London at the Hard Rock Calling Festival on June 28, 2009 in HD, the 163-minute film documents 26 tracks of live Springsteen that begin in daylight and progress through a gorgeous sunset into night.London Calling: Live In

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-81950435089699840862010-04-18T22:00:00.004-04:002010-04-22T10:36:34.084-04:00

It’s pretty much common knowledge restraining orders are given out like candy on Halloween, because when that kooky ex-girlfriend shows up at her former beau’s house with enough artillery to make General Petraeus jealous, the judge can always say, “What - it’s not my fault – I gave her that piece of paper that told her to keep a hundred yards away!”The world of music is no different, and over the

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-17131850898030486972010-04-16T21:00:00.002-04:002010-04-20T22:33:06.452-04:00

Take a break from the MP3 player and iTunes Store this Saturday and head out to a music-selling establishment in celebration of Record Store Day 2010.What’s that? You don’t know what a record store is?Well, it’s kind of like the digital music stores online, but you actually have to leave the house, find an independent record shop, and physically haul yourself into the building where hundreds of

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-60025183895443505942010-04-15T09:33:00.003-04:002010-04-15T12:42:19.986-04:00

It has been confirmed that Peter Steele, the iconic, larger than life frontman for Type O Negative has passed away of heart failure.He was 48 years old.The remaining members of the Brooklyn based band are scheduled to make a statement later this afternoon.

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-60148137563747962002010-04-12T18:00:00.003-04:002010-04-12T18:22:06.276-04:00

This fall, in what is sure to be one of the most anticipated, and quite possibly most incoherent music related tomes of all time will hit shelves when Keith Richards’ autobiography is due to come out.The Rolling Stones co-founder has been the poster boy for rock and roll excess since what seems like the beginning of time, but one of the more shocking revelations isn’t going to involve drugs,

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-14269255950587132682010-04-09T17:35:00.003-04:002010-04-12T18:05:39.644-04:00

The lineup for Lollapalooza was revealed this week, and for music fans in the States looking to hit one or more of the many destination festivals that run through the summer, it was the final piece of information needed to figure out which is most appealing.Last week, organizers released a teaser bill that was a mock-up of a Wheel of Fortune puzzle. All of the blocks were in place, but only a

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-37351193881061581282010-04-08T09:18:00.003-04:002010-04-08T09:23:17.389-04:00

Rush, the legendary band from Canada that looms large among rock royalty with 24 certified gold and 14 platinum selling records, will open The Great Allentown Fair on Tuesday, August 31.Rush’s show is a powerhouse production that runs over three hours featuring the band’s renowned musicians; bassist , keyboardist, lead vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson and drummer, lyricist Neil Peart.

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-91281236750022468442010-04-03T17:20:00.003-04:002010-04-12T17:34:26.904-04:00

Robert Plant is borrowing something from his past and making it new, and chances are it’s going to make Led Zeppelin fans blue, despite the fact that he’s embracing a former group - in a way.Thirty years on, reuniting the ’70s behemoths for a proper tour has been the top dream of rock and roll fans everywhere. But other than a handful of performances over the years, most recently for a 2007

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-36118192429372692202010-04-02T12:00:00.000-04:002010-04-05T17:14:36.718-04:00

The line-up for this year's Lollapalooza, scheduled for August 6 - 8 in Chicago's Grant Park, has been revealed...sort of.Organizers debuted the bands performing on the festival website, and if you've been honing your Hangman skills by watching Wheel of Fortune for the past several years, you're in luck.As you can see, all the blocks are in place, but only a handful of letters are given away.

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-19907711338633375372010-04-02T09:29:00.005-04:002010-04-02T09:52:48.909-04:00

The big news story this week in music isn’t that Ricky Martin has acknowledged that he is gay, but rather the fact that no one is really surprised. Do a quick news search online, and you’ll find a resounding swell of shoulder shrugging throughout media outlets around the country.“Ricky Martin is gay: Duh,” read a headline in the Miami Herald. “Yep, He’s Gay,” blasted Rolling Stone across its

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-60733833168309680372010-04-01T11:29:00.004-04:002010-04-01T12:18:41.192-04:00

Forget about the familiar criticisms levied against the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame over the years; it’s "too corporate," it’s "keeping out deserving artists" and the nominating committee is "completely out of touch." While all of these assessments may be true, save for a few digestible moments, the induction ceremony for the Class of 2010, held last week at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York, was a

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-67951298742133312922010-03-30T14:00:00.001-04:002010-03-30T17:33:43.686-04:00

Due to overwhelmingly popular demand, Grammy Award-winning sensation Lady Gaga will now perform live at the Wachovia Center on Tuesday, September 14, and Wednesday, September 15, as part of the Monster Ball Tour presented by Virgin Mobile. After quickly selling out the first performance (September 14), a second show was immediately added. The show promises to push the limits of the live concert

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-73146880635605035072010-03-29T19:26:00.002-04:002010-03-29T21:22:38.732-04:00

Latin heartthrob Ricky Martin just made huge news by announcing via his website, "I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man. I am very blessed to be who I am."This comes as a shock to um, people who don't breathe oxygen? That is, no one.Martin's sexuality has been one of the industry's worst kept secrets. Anyone who had a doubt but saw the 2000 interview with Barbara Walters where

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-88813287609877478192010-03-26T17:50:00.004-04:002010-03-29T19:03:16.156-04:00

Guns N’ Roses’ Appetite for Destruction was the big record in 1987, dominating radio with a string of hits that signaled the apex of hair metal. But on another, more underground level, there was The Replacements.The Minneapolis indie band released a gem in Pleased to Meet Me, and in particular the song “Alex Chilton,” a rocking track with a jangly guitar riff and loose bottom end that was so

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-14831820047611865182010-03-25T14:38:00.004-04:002010-03-25T14:55:25.492-04:00

The Eagles, one of the biggest selling rock and roll bands of all time, will perform live at Citizens Bank Ball Park, home of the National League Champion Philadelphia Phillies, on Monday, June 14 with very special guests the Dixie Chicks and Keith Urban.The Eagles - Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit – will perform hits from their more than 35-year career, such as “Hotel

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-54088209742309061112010-03-23T18:38:00.004-04:002010-03-25T14:37:58.835-04:00

Shocking and rocking, Grammy Award-winning sensation Lady Gaga will perform live at the Wachovia Center on Tuesday, September 14, as part of the Monster Ball Tour presented by Virgin Mobile. The show promises to push the limits of the live concert experience, bringing fans a spectacle even more eye-popping than what they experienced before.Tickets will go on sale on Saturday, March 27 at 10 a.m.

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-48714255265132228962010-03-21T20:00:00.003-04:002010-03-29T19:36:37.521-04:00

Back in 1987, the big record of the year was Guns N’ Roses’ Appetite for Destruction, dominating radio with a string of hit singles that signaled the apex of hair metal. But on another, more underground level, there was The Replacements. The Minneapolis indie band released a gem in Pleased to Meet Me, and in particular the song “Alex Chilton,” a rocking track with a jangly guitar riff and loose

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-78103641317367438802010-03-13T00:01:00.002-05:002010-03-13T00:01:02.358-05:00

Posthumous releases by artists have become pretty standard in the music industry. They are also disappointing a disturbing percent of the time. That’s because for every unfinished near-masterpiece like Jeff Buckley’s Sketches for My Sweetheart the Drunk, there are two , one of way too many Tupac Shakur records that have come out since his death in 1996.But no catalog has been so mired in such

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-57199280856722663272010-03-12T09:10:00.003-05:002010-03-12T09:22:53.547-05:00

Too many times in music, it’s the salacious news that ends up grabbing the headlines. Whether it’s which rock star is hooking up with a famous Hollywood starlet, or the band busted for drugs or what singer fell off the stage, the negative is what it seems like people want to hear.That’s why the Alice in Chains story is so refreshing, and for a band as dark and mired in such a sludgy sound, it’s

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-4781713700757578682010-03-05T17:06:00.003-05:002010-03-08T17:23:09.982-05:00

One of the greatest mysteries in music looked as if it had come to an end last week when headlines around the globe screamed, “Carly Simon reveals subject of “You’re So Vain’” following a series of articles that ran in British tabloids like The Sun and The Daily Mail which proclaimed the singer has ended decades of speculation by naming David Geffen as the inspiration behind the early 70s chart

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-39717786534983519902010-02-26T12:43:00.004-05:002010-02-26T13:19:17.101-05:00

To celebrate the birthday of Johnny Cash, who would've turned 78 today, American Recordings and his family are encouraging fans to wear black in honor of the singer universally known as "The Man in Black."It's been just over six years since the outlaw country legend passed away, but his legacy still reigns, evidenced on American VI: Ain't No Grave, released this week, which is the sixth and final

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-60429409946046089612010-02-19T10:34:00.005-05:002010-02-19T15:05:03.592-05:00

A couple of things are worth noting about the two versions of “We Are the World,” the original which cobbled together the biggest pop stars of the 80s under the moniker USA for Africa, and the new version, “We Are the World: 25 For Haiti,” that debuted during the Winter Olympics Friday and will benefit victims of the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti last month.The first and most important

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-58469586156234529002010-02-18T13:01:00.005-05:002010-02-18T13:52:48.286-05:00

Editors first hit the U.S. five years ago with the dark post-punk blast of The Back Room, a raw record full of frenetic guitars, impassioned vocals and hypnotic bottom end. It initially put the UK group into the same revivalist category that housed other indie rockers considered to be heavily influenced by the likes of Echo and the Bunnymen and Joy Division, though singer Tom Smith told Boston

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-36323332458651028092010-02-16T14:00:00.004-05:002010-02-16T16:43:30.676-05:00

Still reeling from a Valentine’s Day hangover, or simply looking for a lonely hearts club that has some rock and roll to go along with it? Then head out to TT The Bears tonight for the area debut of Scott Lucas and the Married Men.Lucas is best known as the singer and guitarist for the Chicago-based rock duo Local H, who were last seen in 2008 releasing a concept break-up album, 12 Angry Months,

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-77480768810454496692010-02-12T10:41:00.006-05:002010-02-12T10:58:07.256-05:00

Some 45 years ago, Roger Daltrey sang the famous line, “Hope I die before I get old.” He may have been thinking about avoiding any particularly embarrassing moments in his musical future like this past Sunday when The Who punched the clock for a 12 minute shift at Sun Life Stadium in Miami for the Super Bowl XLIV halftime show.Kicking off with a one verse, one chorus shot of “Pinball Wizard,”

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-63198518018291006102010-01-29T17:42:00.018-05:002010-02-01T13:03:04.162-05:00

52nd Annual Grammy AwardsL I V E - B L O G !Tune in to The Chronicles of MC this Sunday January 31st at 7:30pm8:02: Elton with Lady Gaga? My roommate is in heaven.8:12: Green Day doesn't win....but they play. Nice.8:23: No thank you.8:28: At what point did Beyonce rock?! Covering Alanis? Yes please.8:40 Leonard Cohen? Awesome. Thanks Seal!8:50: Zac Brown...best new artist? Who woulda

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-87415001560383401532010-01-29T15:00:00.013-05:002010-01-29T21:55:47.927-05:00

Despite the hit and miss nature of the Grammy Awards, the 52nd of which takes place Sunday night, the telecast remains the standard in parading over hyped and mediocre talent right to your living room. But in recent years, there have been a good amount of highlights in the rock world that indicates the show just might be getting it - and is becoming a bit more respectable along the way.Who could

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-88696590698122611882010-01-20T18:58:00.012-05:002010-01-29T20:58:04.437-05:00

Michael Christopher appeared on The John DeBella Show this morning to talk about the rumors surrounding the sons of The Beatles getting together to work on a musical project...You can listen to the spot HERE.And tune in Monday through Friday between 5:30am - 9:00am at 102.9 on your radio dial if you live in the Philadelphia region, or stream The John DeBella Show HERE.

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-13563811696178210212010-01-19T12:00:00.005-05:002010-01-19T14:11:50.931-05:00

Sons of Beatles Set to Invade sounds like the title to a bad Japanese monster movie from the 50s; but if the rumors are true, it’s a headline you can expect to see a lot of as it will signal the arrival of one of the most talked about musical fusions of the millennia.The Beatles were arguably the most influential and popular act of all time, and as expected, that talent extended to the gene pool,

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-9742055381392376382010-01-12T11:00:00.003-05:002010-01-12T12:25:45.901-05:00

With just a few weeks before it’s determined who is going to play in the Super Bowl in Miami this February, one child abuse prevention organization is letting it be known who shouldn’t be playing at all: The Who’s Pete Townshend.The legendary British rock act is slated to play the high profile halftime gig February 7, but Child Abuse Watch, based out of Florida, has called upon the National

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-5058709862170580812010-01-08T12:18:00.006-05:002010-01-08T13:10:33.667-05:00

Chances are pretty good Chris Cornell isn’t a regular reader of this column. But it was extremely coincidental that the Rock Music Menu interview alum announced through his Twitter account that Soundgarden was reuniting less than 24 hours after that very action was recommended in last week’s “Resolutions for rockers who need them.”“The 12-year break is over and school is back in session,” the

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-22117593301479502382010-01-02T12:00:00.004-05:002010-01-04T17:56:59.318-05:00

The first week of the New Year can only mean one thing: it’s time to start counting down the days until you cave in and abandon the resolutions you swore to at midnight. Be it the gym membership that you signed a bit too ambitiously for five years or the pledge to never watch another episode of the new Melrose Place again; the odds of succeeding are unfortunately stacked against you.But don’t

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-13006310635538443232009-12-31T14:00:00.003-05:002009-12-31T15:53:18.398-05:00

There was a ton of great music to come out over the last ten years. Some of if you should know, and there’s some you might not.But countdowns and “Best of the Decade” lists have become too passé in recent months, so here’s a list of 25 recordings that you need to own from the last decade before moving into the next, in no particular order whatsoever.The Gaslight AnthemThe ’59 SoundHigh energy

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22101079.post-50501700132445053862009-12-29T18:00:00.005-05:002009-12-29T19:26:18.045-05:00

It’s that time of year when all you see are year end best lists that tout everything from the best restaurants you haven’t eaten in to films that you refused to plunk down ten bucks to see in the theater. Critics try to outdo each other much of the time, thinking they’re being unique, indie or just plain cooler than the rest. Music is no different, but the reality is, there’s nothing else going

MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708192188036648546noreply@blogger.com1