Entertainment News
R.I.P. Astrid Kirchherr, Legendary Beatles Photographer Dies at 81
Astrid Kirchherr, the legendary rock photographer who documented the earliest days of The Beatles, has died at 81. Via The Guardian, Beatles historian Mark Lewisohn announced the news of her passing on Friday. No cause of death is known at this time. Born in 1938 in Hamburg, Germany, Kirchhherr became one of The Beatles’ earliest fans during their 1960 residency at Hamburg’s Kaiserkeller club. At the time the band consisted of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Stuart Sutcliffe, and Pete Best. Kirchherr convinced them to sit for their first photo session, and later became engaged to Sutcliffe until his death in 1962. In addition to capturing the band’s time in Germany, Kirchherr famously advised them to cut their hair into mop tops. Those hairstyles became one the band...
Anthrax Members Offer Virtual Classroom Clinics
With the concert industry expected to be shut down for months to come, artists are getting innovative in ways to connect with fans and earn a living at the same time. With that in mind, four members of thrash-metal legends Anthrax are offering virtual classroom clinics. Drummer Charlie Benante, bassist Frank Bello, and guitarists Scott Ian and Jon Donais are each serving up different experiences. Ian is offering a “Guitar Session,” a “Songwriting Session,” and a “20 Questions Session”; Bello is hosting a “Bass Clinic,” a “Songwriting Session,” and a “20 Questions Session”; Benante is holding a “Drum Session” and a “Songwriting Clinic”; and Donais is conducting a “Guitar Clinic.” Prices range from $300 for a “Drum Session” with Benante to $75 for a “Guitar Clinic” with Dona...
Tame Impala Zone Out on 18-Minute-Long Remix of “One More Year”: Stream
Earlier this month, London-based online radio station NTS Radio hosted a star-studded 24-hour livestream that featured Tame Impala, among dozens of others. It seems like Kevin Parker had a good time on the show then because he’s partnering with NTS Radio once more, this time to release a dazzling 18-minute-long (!) remix of “One More Year”. The Slow Rush opener clocks in just over five minutes on the band’s new album. But here, in Parker’s hands, it gets a self-described “balearic house reimagining.” A deep bass drum beat thuds in the background while Parker’s vocal track fades in and out of focus, echoing like it’s being broadcast in a massive warehouse. The synths twist slowly by comparison, creating an overall effect that feels like you’re running in a sprint but your vision is blurry. ...
Jamie xx and The Avalanches Perform B2B DJ Set for NTS Radio: Stream
Jamie xx (photo by David Brendan Hall) and The Avalanches (photo by photo by Grant Spanier) Jamie xx and The Avalanches were supposed to perform on the same stage back in March at Sydney’s No Coal Zone climate change benefit. That event got called off due to coronavirus, but two months later, the musicians have found a way to get together anyway. Jamie xx invited The Avalanches to join him for a back to back DJ set on his monthly NTS radio show. Broadcast live on Friday morning, the hour-long set is now available to stream below. Announcing the collaborative performance on Instagram, Jamie xx described the “special” set as an “actual dream come true.” While no tracklist has yet been provided, the b2b set is tagged as “funk,” “soul,” and “classic disco,” with the participants trading off re...
Justin Vernon Side-Project GAYNGS Return with New Song “Appeayl 2 U”: Stream
Right around the same time Justin Vernon began working on some Kanye West classics, the Bon Iver songwriter was also making ’80s soft rock as part of Midwestern supergroup GAYNGS. The band, which was also led by Poliça member Ryan Olson, put out just one album in 2010 before going on an extended hiatus. Now, Vernon, Olson & co. have returned with a comeback single called “Appeayl 2 U”. According to song credits listed on Bandcamp, the new song features Vernon on synths and guitar, while Olson provided production throughout. There are a few other returning GAYNGS members, such as keyboardist Jake Luck of Leisure Birds and Michael Lewis, saxophonist for Andrew Bird. Also appearing are Velvet Negroni, Naeem Juwan (aka Spank Rock), Minneapolis poet and songwriter Dua Saleh, and R&B art...
Avatar Announce New Album Hunter Gatherer, Unveil Single “Silence in the Age of Apes”: Stream
After teasing new music on the way, Swedish metallers Avatar have announced details of their upcoming album, Hunter Gatherer. In addition, they’ve unveiled a music video for the first single, “Silence in the Age of Apes.” The LP, which marks Avatar’s eighth full-length, hits stores on August 7th. It comes after an extensive touring cycle in support of the band’s 2018 album, Avatar Country. For Hunter Gatherer, Avatar worked with producer Jay Ruston (Anthrax, Stone Sour) at Sphere Studios in Los Angeles. Each song on the album was recorded with the band members performing together at the same time, which is the way Avatar recorded their 2014 record, Hail the Apocalypse. The dark and aggressive “Silence in the Age of Apes” is streaming now via a music video showing off the group’s new wardro...
Zoé Announce New Album Sonidos de Karmática Resonancia, Share “SKR”: Stream
Mexican alt-rockers Zoé have announced a new album called Sonidos de Karmática Resonancia. As a preview, they’ve shared its lead single, “SKR”, as well as a music video. Sonidos de Karmática Resonancia is the band’s seventh studio album to date. It follows their Grammy-winning record Aztlán, which came out back in 2018. While no tracklist has been revealed yet, at least we have “SKR” to tide us over. The song was written by frontman León Larregui and produced by Craig Silvey, who’s worked with fellow alt-rock stars like Arctic Monkeys and Arcade Fire. You can hear a bit of the former mixed in with The Strokes here, as the single uses a closely plucked guitar line to build tension before resolving it all in the chorus, sliding into melodic, drawn-out notes. Editors’ Pic...
DEVO Selling Energy Dome Face Shields
Regardless of what MAGA Nation says, wearing a face mask during a pandemic does not make you a communist. And as the weeks pass by, said face covers are becoming more and more fashion forward. Case in point: DEVO have just unveiled custom face shields made in the style of their iconic Energy Domes (via BrooklynVegan). Not only will you be protecting yourself from airborne particles, but you’ll also be celebrating the 40th anniversary of the DEVO’s world-famous head gear. In a note included alongside the PPE kit’s web store listing, DEVO’s Gerard Casale reflected on the significance of their Energy Domes. It’s the 40th anniversary of DEVO’s Energy Dome – a DEVO icon that is often as misunderstood as the band itself. Although they have been mistaken for flower pots, dog bowls, car urina...
slowthai Drops Killer New Song “BB(BODYBAG)”: Stream
While some struggle to simply get out of their pajamas during this quarantine (me), slowthai has been on an absolute tear when it comes to releasing new music. Following “ENEMY” and “MAGIC”, the 25-year-old rapper is sharing his third single of the week in “BB(BODYBAG)”. Produced by Dom Maker of UK electronic duo Mount Kimbie, the new track is a slightly more subdued affair than slowthai’s two previous offerings, his frenetic rapping wrapped in airier, minimalist atmospherics. Even so, the Nothing Great About Britain artist makes good on the song title’s ominous teasing, dishing out more than a handful of murderous references, and all while name-dropping some left-field folks. “If this was a movie, I’ll be the villain/ You’ll be the bitch I’m killing/ Coin in the well, keep wishin’, s...
Fever 333 Team Up with Run-DMC’s Darryl McDaniels on New Remix of “Animal”: Stream
Fever 333 have joined forces with legendary Run-DMC rapper Darryl “DMC” McDaniels on a new version of their song “Animal”. The track was remixed by producers J Randy and Nellz. The original version of “Animal” appears on Fever 333’s 2019 debut album Strength in Numb333rs. For the remix, singer Jason Aalon Butler trades verses with DMC in what is a dream come true for the Fever 333 frontman. Butler discussed his reverence for Run-DMC and McDaniels in the following statement: “I learned most of what I know and utilize in my life musically, socially, and intellectually via hip hop music. I was obsessed with the idea of taking the adversity of the culture experienced and turning it into a song that moved to the beat of the human pulse while telling a story in a way that only adversity influenc...
Florida to Host First Drive-In Music Festival
With large-scale indoor group gatherings effectively prohibited for the foreseeable future, drive-in-style outdoor events have emerged as a popular alternative. Everyone from Live Nation to Donald Trump is planning such events, which would allow attendees to watch live entertainment while practicing social distancing from the safety of their vehicle. In fact, a few drive-in concerts have already been announced: EDM producer Marc Rebillet has set a seven-date drive-in tour, while the Texas Rangers are hosting a series of country music shows in their stadium’s parking lot. Now comes word of the “first-ever” drive-in music festival. Carnage has announced The Road Rave, which he’s calling “North America’s first-ever drive-in festival of the COVID era.” It goes down June 6th...
Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson Clarifies Health Status: “My Days as a Singer Are Numbered, Rather Than Days to Live”
After revealing that he was “suffering from an incurable lung disease” and that his “days are numbered,” Jethro Tull frontman Ian Anderson has issued a statement to clarify his comments. The legendary rocker assures fans that he’s still reasonably in good health and that he meant his “days as a singer are numbered.” The initial news of Anderson’s health came out of a preview clip for his appearance on Dan Rather’s AXS TV show The Big Interview, which aired on Wednesday night. In the video, Anderson told Rather, “I’m going to tell you something I’ve never told anybody in public before — I am suffering from an incurable lung disease which I was diagnosed with a couple of years back.” He went on to say specifically that he suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). While the c...
