North Carolina's Annuals have just released the cover art (above) for their new album, Such Fun (due 10/7). The landscape scene was created by none other than the late, great TV painter Bob Ross. We dig it. Here's what the band has to say about it:

"The way that Bob made his paintings, and the way he paints in particular, is pretty similar to the way that our band makes a record. Bob Ross starts his paintings with simple little smudges and blotches, making 'happy trees' or 'cute little bridges,' and he seems to be having 'such fun' doing it. But when it's finished, and his blotches take form, we see that his paintings are actually intricate landscapes--layer on top of layer of what are seemingly a bunch of fun, whimsical drawings are actually quite complicated. Continuing this dichotomy, it seems like all of the happy, lovely places he paints always have a bit of sad loneliness to them too, and some of the songs on our new album can definitely relate to that duality."

Deep. 

Listen to "Confessor," the new single off Such Fun, here. To check out some more of Bob Ross' paintings, click here.

Photo: Gunter Zint / K&K Center of Beat / Retna

Why buy a pair of Jacko's soiled underwear when you can blow your money on Jim Morrison's camera? An ebay auction out of France has the legend's Super 8 for sale. The auction ends on September 15th, so act fast.  

Photo: Walter/Getty

On August 7th, the Police wrapped up their world tour with a blowout at Madison Square Garden. The day before, the boys were at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, taping a guest spot for Elvis Costello's upcoming variety TV show.

The S.S. had the pleasure of interviewing each Policeman, but drummer Stewart Copeland was especially amusing. For instance:

He went into great detail about Sting's "hairy asshole". 

Click more for the full Copeland transcript.

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Photo: Getty
Sheryl Crow has always been very kind to the Smoking Section. We had a chance to visit her this past January -- right before the release of her last album, Detours -- at her ranch outside of Nashville, where she keeps her 19 horses. Crow recorded Detours in her studio basement. There, the walls are lined with amazing vintage rock photo of June and Johnny Cash, the Stones, and a killer print of Dylan and Harrison onstage at the Concert for Bangladesh. We also ate delicious cheeseburgers at a roadside market. It was fun.

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[Photo: Gatley]

The Smoking Section got an invite from Ween guitarist -- and hardcore fisherman -- Dean Ween to participate in the Brownie Troop Trash Fishing Derby, which is sponsored by his online-exclusive fishing show. The challenge is to catch the longest "shit fish" (one you wouldn't necessarily enjoy eating) in one of three categories: carp, sunnies and catfish. We caught up with Dean to talk about fishing, the Derby and the latest on Ween. Click more to dig it.

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Photo: Kempin/Getty

Each day prior to the release of their fourth disc, Only By The Night (out on 9/23), the Kings of Leon are posting highly entertaining home videos on their site. Below is our favorite, featuring the Kings' cousin, and chief roadie, Nacho. Not only is Nacho a valuable asset onstage, he is also a scratch golfer. The Smoking Section knows this because Nacho whooped the S.S., as well as Caleb and Nathan Followill, in the first annual K.O.L.-S.S. Golf Invitational a couple years back.

As Nathan is prone to say, "Put that in yer Smoking Section and smoke it."

Update: The Kings will perform on Saturday Night Live on September 20th!!!