Joel and Benji Madden graced the fashion stakes at the Melbourne Cup in Australia today.
The A-lister twin brothers’ trilby-style hats, sneakers, jackets, T-shirts and low-riding dark jeans appeared on television footage amid the designer tulle, fuss and fragile fascinators.
More like bulls in a china shop, the Maddens got into the spirit, noting the day was all about the costume. Some 100,000 people showed up at Flemington Race Course while the rest of the nation stopped work to watch the $120million stakes from work, couch or the pub.
The Maddens were caught under the marquee saying they noted it was an occasion for a hat. “We noticed the ladies wear a hat and we, for some reason, considered ourselves ladies – so we wore a hat,” they said.
Commenting on a question about their footwear – sneakers without laces – they said their laces were drawn-on. They said: “All the latest fashions for all seasons you’ll see on the Madden brothers.”
Joel, who recently had a baby girl named Harlow with Nicole Richie, noted: “Ill buy my daughter a horse here. Why not? Bring her something home from Australia.”
Benji, meanwhile, said he would take a jockey, to which the pair exploded into laughter.
On November 2 at 11 p.m. ET, Fuse, the national music network, will televise the worldwide premiere of Nirvana Live at Reading, the band’s legendary, never-before-released 1992 Reading concert. The show, marking the first time that Nirvana fans will experience the epochal August 30, 1992 headlining appearance at UK’s Reading Festival, will debut as an hour long broadcast the night before the limited edition 90 minute CD+DVD Deluxe Edition is by Geffen/UMe.
Featuring 25 songs including “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” “All Apologies” and “Come As You Are,” Nirvana’s performance at Reading ranked No. 1 in Kerrang Magazine’s “100 Gigs That Shook The World” chart and was voted as “Nirvana’s No. 1 Greatest Moment” by fans in a recent NME poll.
“Fuse is excited to provide Nirvana fans with the first opportunity to witness this historic music event since the concert 17 years ago,” said David Weier, vice president, programming, Fuse. “Not only are we airing a highly anticipated, never-before-seen concert in more than 65 million homes, we are providing Nirvana’s loyal fan base with companion programming for a comprehensive and unique viewing experience.”
Leading up to the premiere of Nirvana Live at Reading, Fuse will air “Loaded: Nirvana,” a half-hour of Nirvana’s greatest music videos at 10 p.m. ET, followed by “Videos That Rocked the World: Smells Like Teen Spirit,” a celebration of the legendary music video which was a breakthrough for music, entertainment, culture and society.
While the show’s centerpiece was a performance of nearly the entire Nevermind tracklist, also noteworthy were early performances of three as yet unrecorded songs which wouldn’t be released until 2 years later on In Utero: “All Apologies,” “Dumb,” and in its first ever public performance, “Tourettes.” The career-spanning setlist also reached back to the band’s 1989 Sub Pop debut album, Bleach, for “Blew,” “About A Girl,” “School,” “Negative Creep” and first single “Love Buzz,” and even further back to the mid-’80s for “Spank Thru.” Other songs from the Reading set would appear in studio form on the Incesticide compilation later in the year: “Aneurysm,” “Been A Son” and “Sliver.” Additionally, the band played a pair of beloved covers by two bands that helped shape the formative Nirvana sound– “The Money Will Roll Right In” by Fang and “D-7″ by The Wipers.
Death Cab for Cutie, the first official band to be penning a song for the movie soundtrack of ‘New Moon’, revealed that they were invited to a special screening of the movie – a five-hour long version of it. Guitarist Chris Walla, the only member of the band whose admitted to reading the books, explains that the cut didn’t include any “effects or Foley or music or anything” and they ended up declining the invite due to schedule conflicts. Death Cab for Cutie’s video for their ‘New Moon’ song ‘Meet Me on the Equinox’ will be released on MTV.com on September 13th.
Lit’s drummer, 39-year old Allen Shellenberger recently passed away. The musician lost his battle with brain cancer. He was originally diagnosed back in May of 2008 with a Stage 4 malignant brain tumor. Unfortunately, it was inoperable, but Allen refused to give up and tried fighting the cancer via radiation treatments and chemotherapy. He played his last gig while on tour with Sugar Ray and Everclear last fall. Mark McGrath released a statement regarding his friend’s passing, saying “Allen was a great drummer, but more importantly a great human being. His courage and positive outlook during his battle with cancer was an inspiration
The eldest of the Jonas Brothers, Kevin Jonas, recently got engaged and he is quick to open up about when he proposed to his long time girlfriend Danielle Deleasa. The singer had just returned to his native New Jersey from a show in Vancouver when he planned to pop the question on Wednesday morning. Kevin said “It was tough performing last night, knowing that I was going to ask the biggest question in my life to the most amazing girl in the world.” Danielle was thrilled as Kevin shared “She said yes, yes, yes like 500 times super fast in a row.” I believe in true love and all that but I sure hope he gets a prenup.
The famous British group will be the subject of a documentary that will tell the story of their rise to fame, the peak of their glory and their steady downfall… and maybe the stuff that led to their present-day reunion. A source said the following about the upcoming project: “Everyone in the Blur camp is really excited. There’s plenty of material to fit in – their first five years of struggle, their Britpop heyday with all the drinking and their gradual and bitter demise.” Sounds dreamy, the whole story of Blur in one neat little package… what’s a bit strange is that the band would be so eager to let the world see how they managed to screw everything up because of drinking.
New Video from Rise Against for Hero of War now Premiering on Myspace!
The following is a message from the band:
We’ve just completed our new video for the song “Hero Of War” off of our record, Appeal To Reason. “Hero Of War” is the story of one soldier, not all soldiers, as he battles not just the war around him, but the war that rages within. Inspired by true events, we were given the choice to either document the tribulations of these times as they unfold around us, or ignore them. To ignore these problems, in our opinion, is letting down the brave men and women who risk everything. “Hero Of War” is our attempt to lift the stigma that surrounds everything from the skyrocketing suicide rate of troops, torture, internal sexual abuse, an under-funded VA, and the growing number of military personnel fighting Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as they return home. We hope this song and this video help the simmering dialogue about these problems evolve into a rolling boil.
-Rise Against
“The notion that a radical is one who hates his country is naive and usually idiotic. He is, more likely, one who loves his country more than the rest of us, and is thus more disturbed than the rest of us when he sees it debauched. He is not a bad citizen turning to crime; he is a good citizen driven to despair.”- H.L. Mencken
GREEN DAY’S 21ST CENTURY BREAKDOWN RELEASED WORLDWIDE
First Single “Know Your Enemy” Remains No. 1 at Alternative Radio
21st Century Breakdown, Green Day’s highly-anticipated eighth studio album, was released worldwide on Friday May 15th, by Reprise Records. The album is the follow-up to 2004’s two-time Grammy Award-winning punk-rock opera American Idiot, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard chart, spawned five hit singles, and went on to sell more than 12 million copies worldwide.
The album’s first single, “Know Your Enemy” is already capturing the imagination of listeners across the country. It has been No. 1 at Alternative radio for three weeks and is the band’s ninth No. 1 single at the format, making them the artist with the second most No. 1’s of all-time at Alternative.
Green Day, which is singer-guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist Mike Dirnt, and drummer Tre Cool, are preparing to launch their first proper tour of the United States and Canada in more than three years. The tour begins July 3rd at Seattle’s Key Arena and will cross North America through the summer, including a July 27th stop at New York City’s Madison Square Garden, before finishing up with a show at the Forum in Los Angeles on August 25th. Please visit greenday.com for all cities, venues, and ticket on-sale dates.
Multi-platinum hard-rockers SALIVA have just released the official video for their new single, “How Could You.” The clip was directed by Scott Culver who has also helmed videos by Ludo and Hellogoodbye among others. The track comes off their latest album, Cinco Diablo which hit stores in late 2008. The Bob Marlette (Ozzy Osbourne) produced set also yielded the radio hit, “Family Reunion” and “My Own Worst Enemy” which finds Saliva’s Josey Scott being joined by Shinedown vocalist Brent Smith. The band was scheduled to co-headline this year’s SnoCore tour but Scott had to be operated for an ulcer so Saliva had to bow out of the trek.
Saliva are also working on a reality show that they began filming footage for during the making of Cinco Diablo. The candid look into their rock-n-roll lifestyle, the show will follow them out on the touring circuit and show viewers another side of the band. A pilot has been shot but here are no further details at this time. Expect Saliva to make an announcement in the next few months.
In a US federal court, Coldplay has denied any similarities between Joe Satriani’s ‘If I Could Fly’ and their hit ‘Viva La Vida’, fighting the guitar icon’s December copyright infringement lawsuit. Adding arrogance to their being douche bags, the British band also claimed that Satriani’s piece “lacks originality” and should therefore receive no copyright protection at all. Satriani’s lawyer said that the band’s response is typical and that he felt like the situation could have been handled without legal action. In other words, things would have not gotten ugly if it wasn’t for the band turning out to be made of complete divas.
Billy Corgan who in 1988 formed the band Smashing Pumpkins in Chicago, Illinois is once again the only original surviving member of the band with drummer Jimmy Chamberlin announcing that he has quit the band for a second time.
The original Smashing Pumpkins band consisted of Billy Corgan, Jimmy Chamberlin, James Iha and D’arcy Wretzky but in 2000 when the band was reunited James & D’arcy were not part of it. The group’s management as released a statement saying, “Corgan will continue to write and record as Smashing Pumpkins with plans to head into the studio this spring.”
Billy must one frustrated chap right now; the group he started some 20 years ago cannot seem to stay together. This is something of a common occurrence with artist looking for fresh collaborations and something that gives them enough room to experiment and try newer things.
I think this is one of the bands that has consistently delivered some real good hits but is not recognized as much as it should be. Therefore members would look at other avenues.
Razorlight’s label apparently offered their now former drummer Andy Burrows a solo deal and front man Johnny Borrell is furious that his former band mate’s new project might take their places in the charts. A source said this about the ongoing conflict between Johnny Borrell and Andy Burrows: “Johnny’s arrogance could come back to haunt him because there are plenty of people at the record label who want to move over from Razorlight’s account to make sure Andy gets the recognition he deserves.” Well, it would seem that Andy Burrows’ reasons for leaving the band were accurate. Still, why is Johnny Borrell so worried about their place in the charts? Or is that a function of record deals as well? Maybe he’ll cool down from now on.
Headbanger’s Blog has just premiered the new MASTODON video, “Divination.” The epic clip was helmed by Roboshobo, who also directed the video for “All Nightmare Long” from Metallica.
The clip depicts the band members on a rock n’ roll mission, trudging through the frozen tundra. “We’re climbing a mountain looking for a creature named Brent.” guitarist Bill Kelliher told HeadbangersBlog.com. “We were mountaineers — explorers like in John Carpenters ‘The Thing.’”
“It’s a really fun video,” adds guitarist and vocalist Brent Hinds. “I’m an old caveman trapped in a block of ice. Explorers find me and they put the flying V [guitar] up to the ice and it melts me. I grab the guitar, do the solo and then I kill them.”
“Divination” comes off Crack The Skye which hits stores on March 24th on Warner Bros Records
UK rock / drum’n'bass / hardcore / trance quartet Enter Shikari return to the USA for the first time since 2008’s Coachella to play four sets at this year’s South By Southwest in Austin, Texas.
The band can be found blowing minds and bursting ear drums at the following events
Thursday 19th March
2.15pm(-ish) – EMOS – Artery Foundation show (free entry… all ages. no badge / no wristband. first come first served)
5.15pm(-ish) – THE WAVE. 6th St – Kerrang / Guitar Hero party (rsvp for this one to Kerrangparty@xtaster.co.uk).
Saturday 21st March –
10pm – EMOS ANNEX (this is the band’s official SXSW showcase, so all the usual wristband / badge etc required)
1am @ PUREVOLUME HOUSE (rsvp for entry – http://www.purevolume.com/thehouse)
Enter Shikari have just completed work on the follow up to their debut album ‘Take To The Skies’ entitled ‘Common Dreads’.
‘Antwerpen’, a track from the forthcoming album, was released as a free download via the band’s website – www.entershikari.com – just a few days ago, and just for laughs.
The band will be available for all manner of promo during SXSW. To connect with the band send an e-mail to info@entershikari.com
Former INXS lead singer JD Fortune just screwed himself over. The reality show winner complained to Entertainment Tonight Canada last week about an incident in which he claimed that he was kicked out of the band after their last international tour, which lead to a downward spiral of cocaine abuse and eventually homelessness. Too bad for JD because the word from INXS is that they still considered him a part of the group. Record label head and former manager Chris Murphy told reporters that an INXS album is in the works and the band was days away from giving JD the news. He said “Not only are we shocked by the claims, even the place the supposed incidident was to have taken place is a mystery to the band. I guess I have no reason to call him now.” I find it a little weird that the band claims that they were just about to call JD after a year hiatus and no contact with the singer during that time.
Tokio Hotel’s brand new DVD, Tokio Hotel TV – Caught on Camera, is set to hit U.S. shelves on December 9th. Join Bill, Tom, Gustav and Georg on their couch for an intense, on-the-road documentary that chronicles the best of Tokio Hotel TV. The guys picked their favorite moments and spiced them up with uncensored, never before seen footage. Exclusive band commentary adds a unique touch to the wildly popular episodes and reveals the band’s most intimate thoughts during a very exciting year. Get a taste of what’s to come on the Hot Topic exclusive DVD with this just released video trailer.
DVD Chapters:
01 Intro
02 Tel Aviv, Paris, Cannes, Essen
03 TH-TV: MTV Europe Music Awards 2007
04 Montreal, Toronto, Los Angeles
05 TH-TV: Climbing with Gustav and Georg
06 New York City
07 TH-TV: On the Kart Track with Tom, Gustav and Georg
08 New York City, Oberhausen
09 TH-TV: Hot Topics @ Hot Topic
10 TH-TV: Interview above the clouds
11 Lisbon, Paris
12 TH-TV: Shopping with Bill
13 Modena, Geneva
14: Werchter, Mexico City
15 TH-TV: MTV VMA 2008: Music, Mayhem, Tokio Hotel
The All-American Rejects have just completed their video for the first single, Gives You Hell, from their forthcoming album, When The World Come Down. The Marc Webb (Fergie, Maroon 5, Miley Cyrus) directed video was shot in Los Angeles and features an embarrassing underwear shot of the band and an evil Tyson neighbor. Check out the behind-the-scenes of the video here.
Fans will be able to experience Gives You Hell first hand as the band embarks on a fall tour commencing November 6th in Orlando with additional dates to be announced in the coming weeks. For more updates leading up to the December 16th release of When The World Comes Down head over to www.allamericanrejects.com.
THE ALL-AMERICAN REJECTS ON TOUR!
11/6 The Social Orlando, FL
11/8 The Masquerade Atlanta, GA
11/10 Theatre of Living Arts Philadelphia, PA
11/11 Toads Place New Haven, CT
11/18 The Fillmore NY @ Irving Plaza New York, NY
11/20 Paradise Rock Club Boston, MA
11/23 Stone Pony Asbury Park, NJ
11/28 Diamond Ballroom Oklahoma City, OK
Finch recently stopped by the offices of Buzznet for a special all-acoustic performance. Check out the band?s spot-on covers of the Donovan classic ?Season of the Witch? and Depeche Mode?s ?Condemnation.? They also take on material from their new EP and their seminal What is to Burn album.
Finch EP is out now on all digital outlets and exclusively at Hot Topic stores.
The Veronicas have an exciting announcement, and you can find out what it is by watching their new video message! After watching the video, you should go to VMA.MTV.COM and vote for “Untouched” for Best Pop Video to help it snag a VMA nomination.
The Beatles? historic first record contract is up for auction.
The contract, signed in 1962 by the ‘Fab Four? ? John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, real name Richard Starkey, and George Harrison – tied them to manger Brian Epstein and promises the group one old English penny each for every record they sold.
In addition to the signatures of the band members, fathers James McCartney and Harold Hargreaves Harrison also had to sign their consent, as their sons were under 21 at the time.
The contract is being sold by a private collector at the ‘It?s More Than Rock ‘n? Roll? auction at the Idea Generation gallery in London on September 4.
Manager Epstein didn?t sign the contract himself until eight months later, as he didn?t want to tie the group down if he couldn?t deliver on his promise to get them to number one.
He eventually put his signature on the document – dated January 24 1962 ? after clinching a deal with record company EMI to release the band?s single ?Love Me Do?.
Under the contract, Epstein was entitled to a quarter of the band?s earnings if they made over $400 a week. If the figure dropped below $200, he would only take 15 per cent.
Epstein remained the Beatles manager as their worldwide fame increased and ‘Beatlemania? gripped the US and Europe until his accidental death in 1967 from an overdose of sleeping pills.
The contract originally sold for $250,000 when first sold by Epstein?s estate around seven years ago.
