Daily Loaf

Stay up-to-date on your music news.

• Green Day hit the studio to re-record 21 Guns with the cast of the American Idiot musical, and also plan to shoot a new video to accompany it. This could be the next big hit on Glee.
• Jennifer Lopez has released her new single, “Louboutins,” which she will perform at the American Music Awards on Sunday. Her stilettos were made for walking, and she wants you to know about it.
• Eminem is pushing back his Relapse 2 album release to 2010, but on Dec. 21, he’ll re-release his fifth studio record as Relapse: Refill with seven bonus tracks. If I had to have some sort of relapse, I’d be stoked to have Slim Shady by my side.
• Paul McCartney joins Ringo Starr for a duet on Starr’s forthcoming album, Y Not. Ringo + Macca + new song = something that everyone will listen to and support because nobody talks shit about the Beatles.
• The ninth annual Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival will be taking place June 10 – 13 next summer in Manchester, Tenn. Those are also the only dates in 2010 when I will actually wish to be in Tennessee.
• The Decemberists are releasing an iTunes-exclusive “full-length video album” next month, and have just released its drug-induced trailer. Check out the video and get more music news links after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »

This Friday at the 21st edition of Ribfest, JET proved once and for all that they are no longer a garage rock band but full-fledged rock ‘n’ roll professionals.

The Aussies headlined opening night of the three-day waterside barbeque at Vinoy Park, wordlessly hitting the stage in T-shirts and jeans, kicking off their set with the chart topping “Cold Hard Bitch,” and generally pumping up a crowd of both diehard JET fans and spectators simply there to enjoy a side of music with their racks of ribs.

After “Bitch,” lead singer Nic Cester (third from left) thanked the audience with a boyish grin and asked, “Alright, people, how ya doin’!?” And we were doin’ good, because we knew we were about to be treated to some more of JET’s classic-rock inspired music. Read the rest of this entry »

Does Friday the 13th equal a freaky news day in the music world? Find out here.

The Who are scheduled to perform at Super Bowl XLIV, which will be held Feb. 7, 2010, in Miami. This will be the band’s first North American performance since 2008. The biggest night in pro football and the Who? My dad (and probably yours, too) can now die happy. (But let’s hope they don’t! Die now, that is.)

Don’t forget about your homework for the weekend — keeping up on the latest music news.

Jay-Z announced the second leg of his tour for his new album, Blueprint 3. (No Florida stops are included.) The record may just be a “blueprint,” but no doubt it’s a plan to lay the foundation of yet another successful project for Jigga.

With the exceptions of my sister and my buddy Jesse, there may be no one more stoked for the upcoming Maroon 5 album than me. Songs About Jane, their 2002 debut album as Maroon 5 (the four original members formerly played as Kara’s Flowers), is the one record that takes me back to my high school years, when I played it so many times that the CD is actually past due for replacement. Their follow-up, 2007’s It Won’t Be Soon Before Long, worsened my addiction — but I’ve never really attempted to cure it. Both albums have put the band on the map and have given fans high hopes for the next one. Currently on a tour of college campuses across the U.S., Maroon 5 promises a great release in 2010. Check out a series of three trailers promoting the forthcoming album after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »

I mentioned a few weeks ago that Fuse will be airing a John Mayer concert on Tuesday, November 17, the same day his new Battle Studies album hits the shelves. The concert, which takes at New York’s Beacon Theatre, will be broadcast live across the country beginning at 9 p.m. Fuse has also partnered with American Forces Network to broadcast the show to troops overseas via AFN Radio’s Hot AC to troops and their families stationed in 175 countries and on 140 U.S. Navy ships at sea. AFN Television’s “Spectrum” channel will also be airing the concert on Dec. 6 at 8 p.m. and on New Year’s Eve.

It’s great that Mayer fans, no matter where they are in the world, will be able to listen to his new music and his live performance the very day it’s been made available. Go, John Mayer! Go, Fuse and AFN! And GO, U.S.A.!

A few music-themed conversation pieces to use during this weekend’s Halloween festivities.

Photo by Tracy May.

• The Killers are releasing a CD and DVD of Live at Royal Albert Hall on Nov. 10, and the performance will also be in select movie theaters for one night only, Nov. 5. Is it a coincidence that the only night it will be in theaters is my birthday? No way. Brandon Flowers just gets what women want on their big day.
• An all-star list of musicians celebrated the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 25th birthday Thursday night, including Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel and Stevie Wonder. How did you spend your 25th?
• If you’ve been sitting, waiting, wishing to see Jack Johnson in concert, book a ticket to Hawaii for next month: Johnson will be performing two acoustic shows Nov. 13 and 14 in Honolulu to promote the release of his documentary film En Concert. If you have eyes and you live in Hawaii, you should catch one of these shows.
• While youngest Jonas brother Nick plans to record a solo album next year, all three siblings swear the Jonas Brothers are not breaking up. Oh, thank God. No, seriously, I’ve been losing sleep over the prospect of the end of the Jo Bros. Seriously.
• Weezer is appearing on Nickelodeon’s kids show Yo Gabba Gabba early next year, and will be jamming out in bug costumes. It will be the first time my generation has tuned into Nick since Kenan and Kel went off the air.
• Britney Spears unleashed her music video for “3″ today. Relive your Sesame Street days of learning to count to three — today’s show is brought to you by menage a trois — and get more music news links after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »

My friend Renee recently told me about a band she used to follow (sometimes literally — oh, Renee!) during her heyday in Detroit in the ’80s called Toby Redd. I was interested to learn that the band’s drummer, Chad Smith (third from left), went on to become a member of megaband Red Hot Chili Peppers and supergroup Chickenfoot. It’s always interesting to see the humble beginnings of a great musician, and Toby Redd had — and probably still has — quite the following. They’re definitely the epitome of an ’80s rock band, which doesn’t offend me in the least.

Check out Smith and the rest of Toby Redd rocking Motor City during the band’s glory days after the jump.

Read the rest of this entry »

Imagine running into a crush from your early childhood. He or she is all grown up and married, and balances out a successful career with a loving family. Though you don’t carry the same torch for your former love, just the sight of that person makes you remember why you fell for them all those years ago.

That’s exactly what happened to me Saturday night with three different childhood sweethearts. Kind of.

The brothers Hanson played what has now come to be their annual concert at Orlando’s House of Blues this past Saturday, October 24, a stop on their “Use Your Sole” tour. While I haven’t listened to their music in years, I was the token Hanson fan as a young girl growing up in Oklahoma, where they were also raised. There was no way I could miss this show because I never got to see them in concert as a kid, and I owed it to the little girl inside me. I didn’t expect greatness from a trio of 20-somethings who launched to stardom in their teenage years, and I was content with the idea that driving to Orlando to see Isaac, Zac and Taylor (pictured from left to right) would be nothing more than a stroll down memory lane. Read the rest of this entry »

Before listening to Life Starts Now, the latest album from Three Days Grace, I couldn’t quite decide how I felt about the Canadian rock band. It’s not that I’ve ever disliked their sound. In fact, lead singer Adam Gontier’s distinctively rough vocals make Three Days Grace stand out on radio stations so often filled with indistinguishable bands, and that’s impressive. But my question was always, “Why so angry, Three Days Grace? Don’t you have any good news to report?”

After playing (and re-playing) their third album (out Sept. 22 on Jive), I’ve made up my mind, and the verdict is in: Three Days Grace is completely rockin’ — but no longer completely hostile.

The opening track, “Bitter Taste,” pairs the band’s signature hard rock sound with their expected “you suck and I’m glad we’re through” lyrics, which initially made me wonder how similar this album would be to their 2003 self-titled debut and 2006’s One-X. But the next track and the album’s first single, “Break,” renewed my hope. This is easily the next big anthem for America’s anguished youth, and even 20-somethings standing at a proverbial crossroads. (You know who you are.) Read the rest of this entry »

The weekend doesn’t officially end until you’re caught up on your music news.

• RollingStone.com has exclusive video footage of Maroon 5 recording the follow-up album to 2007’s It Won’t Be Soon Before Long. The video also includes footage of the band lounging in Switzerland, where lead singer Adam Levine (pictured right) and company have been working on the album. Mr. Levine is truly my dream man, a beautiful, perverted poet. Isn’t that what all women want?

• Fuse will air the world premiere of Nirvana Live at Reading on Monday, Nov. 1, at 11 p.m. The concert is from 1992 and has never been released. Yes, everyone you know will be watching (and re-watching) this broadcast.
• Them Crooked Vultures have finally (finally!) announced the release date of their self-titled debut album to be Nov. 17. “No One Knows” for sure until the album drops, but I’d be a “Pretender” if I didn’t say this album could be a “Stairway to [Rock 'n' Roll] Heaven.”
• Artists like Pearl Jam, R.E.M. and Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails have joined the National Campaign to Close Guantanamo after learning their music may have been used to torture detainees. Is Miley Cyrus on the list of musicians whose music aided in the torture? Seriously. I’m not trying to be funny.
• Weezer is teaming up with Chamillionaire, Sara Bareilles and Kenny G for tracks for an upcoming edition of AOL Sessions at AOL’s Beverly Hills studio. Well, Beverly Hills is where Weezer wants to be, but who knew it would be Kenny G that would get them there?
• Speaking of Weezer, the band released the video for “(If You’re Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To,” the first single off their new Raditude album, slated for release on Oct. 27. Enjoy the video — in your favorite undone sweater and with some pork and beans, of course — and more music links after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »

Submission#6: Kristina Welch | My USF St. Petersburg: “Our little island”

Kristina Welch
USF St. Petersburg
Senior, Journalism
22, Florida and Oklahoma

My USF is: “A community. And my friends and I are a family. They always make fun of me for saying that, but it’s true.”

Kristina’s video may make you wonder, between the kayaking and the courtyard and the coffee and the beer, why anyone at USF St. Pete would ever leave campus (or get any studying done). A CL intern, Kristina wasn’t content with just a video; she also wrote the following essay about USF.

I began my college journey four years ago at New College of Florida in Sarasota. It only took a year there to realize it wasn’t the right fit for me.

When I moved back home to St. Petersburg, I thought my best option was USF Tampa. I didn’t even realize they had a St. Pete campus until I looked at the school’s website. Since I didn’t want to relocate to Tampa, and I sure as hell didn’t want to commute there, I decided to give USF St. Pete a try. And I’m really glad I did.

The thing about USF St. Pete is that while it’s a small campus, we have all the benefits of a big one. We have dorms (I don’t live there), a student newspaper (dominated by my journalism friends) and even a Starbucks (thank God). We get the same free tickets to Bulls sports games that the Tampa kids do. We are a separate body connected to the heart of USF.

My life has changed drastically since attending USF St. Pete. I went from hating college in every way to really enjoying every aspect of it — aside from the pesky homework part, of course. I love our journalism program, and while I’m not downplaying what USF Tampa and other schools have to offer, I have no doubt that the St. Pete campus is where I was meant to be. Because of the small class sizes, my professors have really gotten to know me. The downside of this is that they can call me on my bullshit, which they do, but the greater benefit is that they’ve been instrumental in developing me as a journalist on a personal level. Because they know me as Kristina and not just another student, they understand my future goals and work with me on making those dreams come true. They’re not just my instructors anymore — they’re my allies. Read the rest of this entry »

A fresh batch of music links to start the weekend off right.

• The Flaming Lips plan to cover Pink Floyd’s classic 1973 album Dark Side of the Moon, a collaborative effort with Stardeath and White Dwarfs. Let’s just state the obvious, here: It takes some serious balls to redo Dark Side of the Moon. Don’t mess this up, Lips.
• Garth Brooks will be performing at Las Vegas’ Wynn resort on Oct. 24, but promises the show will be completely antithetical to the typical, flashy Sin City show. In fact, it will be reminiscent of his original Stillwater, Okla., shows in 1983. Because people visiting Vegas really wish they could feel like they’re living it up in Oklahoma circa 1983.
• John Mayer’s new album, Battle Studies, drops Nov. 17. Mayer will also perform a concert that night airing live on Fuse. Reasons as to why Battle Studies was not titled Songs About Jennifer Aniston have yet to be announced.
• Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo is writing a song with Katy Perry that will possibly be featured on her follow-up to One of the Boys. It’s like Cuomo knew this collaboration was written in the stars: He looks just like Buddy Holly, and (oh oh) Perry bears resemblance to Mary Tyler Moore.
• Bon Jovi is now the “artist in residence” for NBC to promote their new album, The Circle, which lands in stores Nov. 12. I wouldn’t mind if Jon Bon Jovi pulled a Rick Springfield and bared some of his finer assets to the world.
• The Arctic Monkeys released a video for “Cornerstone,” the second single off of Humbug. The video looks like it was inspired by a homemade YouTube video — Arctic Monkey see, Arctic Monkey do — but its simplicity complements the loveliness of the tune. Watch the video and get more music links after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »

When I first listened to the All-American Rejects‘ When the World Comes Down nearly a year ago, I knew they’d release “I Wanna” as a single and that time has finally come. The song is beyond catchy, and from its conception, was destined to be a hit. The chorus is guaranteed to be stuck in the heads of anyone who hears it even once — and trust me, you’re not going to mind when it finds its way into your subconscious.

I’ve been excited for the “I Wanna” music video premiere since the Rejects announced its impending arrival weeks ago, and it landed this past Tuesday on AOL.com. While I like the video, it’s a shameless plug for every model of the LG phone, which really takes away from what could have been a completely rockin’ video tribute to the art of lusting after an untouchable love interest (because everybody’s had one). If I only wanted to see a miniature version of a greased- and glittered-up Tyson Ritter (pictured center front), I would watch “I Wanna” on my iPhone (sorry, LG).

Enjoy the All-American Rejects’ “I Wanna” after the jump.  And in case you were wondering — yes, I wanna touch Tyson.

Read the rest of this entry »

The first time I ever heard the Backstreet Boys, I was 10 years old and on my way to the hospital to be treated for a fractured wrist. The song was “Quit Playing Games (With My Heart),” and boy, did those dreamboats have me hooked. Amid my pain and my hatred for Ralph Green — the boy responsible for my broken arm — I still remember thinking, “Man, this is going to be my new favorite band. These guys are going to be huge.”

And huge they were, snagging fans like me and just about every other 8- to 17-year-old girl in 1997 after the release of their self-titled debut.  The hits kept coming — “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back),” “I Want It That Way,” “Shape of My Heart” — and it seemed like these singing and dancing machines were unstoppable.

Until they stopped.

Five years later,  when BSB released Never Gone in 2005, they were unable to re-establish their presence on the pop scene and another attempt in 2007, Unbreakable, also failed to chart. An entire era of boy band domination as I’d known it — with acts like ‘NSYNC, LFO, and 98 Degrees following the Backstreet Boys’ lead — seemed to be coming to an end. Read the rest of this entry »

A helping of music links to get you through the weekend.

• Despite Thom Yorke’s ongoing solo project, Radiohead guitarist Ed O’Brien says the band will be releasing a physical album sometime next year. I don’t care if you give me something online or on vinyl — just keep on playing, Radiohead.
• Amy Winehouse is “hopefully” going to be releasing an album in 2010, according to Island Records co-president Darcus Beese. She’ll also “hopefully” be sober next year. And “hopefully” eat a cookie or two. And “hopefully” wash her hair.
• Ozzy Osbourne promises to answer fan questions in an upcoming issue of Uncut magazine, and inquiries are now being accepted online. Whether or not anyone will be able to understand the answers he supplies remains to be seen.
• Method Man was arrested for tax evasion in New York and now faces four years in prison. Dude, didn’t you learn anything about the legal system from your days on The Wire?
• French electronic musician Alan Braxe has re-mixed Beyonce’s new single, “Broken-Hearted Girl.” It doesn’t matter how good it is, Braxe: Kanye’s comin’ after you.
• The Pixies are releasing limited-edition CDs and digital downloads from their current tour, where they’re playing Doolittle in its entirety. Even the indie rock crowd is jumping on the digital bandwagon. Are you taking note, Killers?
• If you can’t wait for Beck to release a new album, listening to Charlotte Gainsbourg’s IRM ought to curb your appetite.  Beck wrote the album’s music, co-wrote the lyrics, produced and mixed it, but it’s still Gainsbourg’s record. Really.
• Soulja Boy was arrested in Georgia for obstruction after telling police officers that people gathered at an abandoned home were there shooting a music video.  This is seriously the uncoolest thing a rapper has ever been arrested for. Read the rest of this entry »

All photos by Tracy May.

I am a MASSIVE fan of The Killers. I love the Killers like the British love the Beatles. On my most existential days — when boys are infuriating and life in general doesn’t make sense — I can be found driving my car, blasting their music from my stereo, shouting, “You just get it, Brandon Flowers! You just get women!” And my friends know that if I’ve had a lousy day, all it takes to pick me up is a glass of wine and some tunes by the Vegas foursome. They’re all used to me randomly quoting Killers lyrics by now, because damn it, Brandon Flowers (pictured left on bass) does just get it.

I only bring this up because I want to emphasize the trickiness of going to a concert put on by a band that rocks your world. On the one hand, you really want to love it. It would feel sacrilegious not to. On the other, said band has to put on a near-perfect show in order to impress you, because when you’ve listened to their albums countless times, you know exactly how their songs should sound. And you can tell whether they’re really putting their hearts into their performance, or if it’s just another stop on a long, dragging tour.

Read the rest of this entry »

Enjoy a dose of music news and videos to kick off the weekend.

• Surprise! Kanye’s all talk and no show and cancels his American tour with Lady GaGa.  But maybe you can catch him at Taylor Swift’s next concert.
• Radiohead’s Thom Yorke announces his solo band will be making an early debut tonight in L.A. The still-unnamed project also includes bassist Flea of Red Hot Chili Peppers.
• New Jersey-based fans of The Boss will be treated to complete performances of some of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band’s classic albums at a series of concerts being played at Giants Stadium. Hungry hearts, consider yourselves fed.
• Social Distortion is currently “road testing” new tracks on their U.S. tour from their upcoming album, tentatively slated for release in 2010.
• Madonna’s latest album, Celebration, takes the top spot on Billboard’s Top 100 European Albums. Does this mean she’s going to bring back the faux British accent? Let’s hope not.
• A biopic on the Ramones is in the works, and is based on a book by Joey Ramone’s brother. If you see this flick, feel free to beat the brat in the theater who refuses to turn off her cell phone.
• Kylie Minogue kicked off her first American tour this week in Oakland, Calif. And you thought Beyonce and Lady GaGa were the only pop singers who could pull off a shiny leotard.
• Michael Buble released his video for “Haven’t Met You Yet” from his upcoming Crazy Love album, which drops Oct. 9. What are you waiting for, Michael? You’ll never meet me if you’re shopping at the wrong grocery store. (The vid and more in music news after the jump.) Read the rest of this entry »

Good Charlotte haters — and I know you’re out there — read no further.

I lost my Vegas virginity this summer on a trip with two of my girlfriends.  I learned there is only one problem with staying at the Luxor in June: It’s located just off the strip, so to get to where all the action is, you can walk or take a $20 cab ride. We never opted to walk off the prior night’s margaritas.

I was taking in the sights as our cab made its way downtown. In what I now believe to be divine intervention, we hit a red light in front of the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino. The hotel’s electronic ticker boasted current promotions and events — hotel bargains, dining deals, Saturday night’s birthday bash for some celebrity I’d never heard of. And then I read something that excited me more than I’d like to admit: “Joel Madden DJing TONIGHT at Club Privé.”

I broke our silence with a noise that can only be compared to someone gasping for their first breath of air after being brought back from the dead. Startled, my friend Kellie asked, “What is it?”

“Oh my GOD, you guys! Joel Madden is going to be at Privé tonight!” I shrieked like a 15-year-old teeny bopper at, well, a Good Charlotte concert. “We have GOT to go there!”

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