The last couple of weeks have been absolutely nuts. When we returned from Australia with the Kings of Leon, in late March, we had to put our head down and write the story. The new issue of Rolling Stone -- with the Kings on the cover -- is on stands now, so if you ain't a subscriber, go on and buy one. We had a lot of fun writing it, and we hope you enjoy.

There are so many people to thank in helping us get our Kings story together (the band, the crew, etc.), but first and foremost we want to give a shout-out to Andy Mendelsohn, the Kings' day-to-day manager. We also wanted to congratulate him on his marriage a couple weeks back to his longtime honey, Julie. At the ceremony, everybody praised Andy for being the nicest guy on the planet, and we can only second that emotion. And at the afterparty, none other than Eddie Vedder dropped by to pay his respects to the newlyweds. It was a beautiful thing. Mazel tov!

Since the Kings love and idolize the Band, their cover shot was loosely inspired by Elliott Landy's iconic photo of the Band in the Catskills. In fact, drummer Nathan Followill has a rare print of that exact photo above his fireplace in Nashville.

So now get this: Last Friday, for a separate story, we happened to be talking to Robbie Robertson and he told us he dug the story (!), and he was flattered when he'd read that the Kings admired the Band. And he also said he's been listening to the Kings a bunch recently. How fuckin' rad is that?

And on Saturday we were up in Woodstock and visited the Midnight Ramble, where Levon Helm assembles a sick band to jam on killer covers and old Band songs at his house up there. It's was one of the greatest shows we've ever witnessed: Larry Campbell (a Dylan alum) ripped it up on guitar, and Steely Dan's Donald Fagen (our hero) played piano and organ throughout. (They even covered "Black Friday"). After the show we got to go back to Levon's kitchen to interview him for a story we're working on about the Ramble and his new album, Electric Dirt, out in June.

When we got back to the kitchen it was 1 a.m. Levon rolled us a super-fat J, and we sat on a rocking chair between Larry and Levon, burning that fattie down to the nub. 

We can't wait for you to read the whole story!

Levon was the sweetest, funniest, most humble dude ever!

Greatest night of our life? Maybe so!

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Photo: Mayer/WireImage

According to comments made by JA frontman Perry Farrell to Reuters, he and bassist Eric Avery -- the only Jane's member to decline to perform with his old band mates after their break-up in 1991 -- have not been getting along on their current reunion tour, or in the studio.

This past weekend at Coachella, Farrell said the studio time "hasn't been all smooches and hugs." He then elaborated, "We're different people, that's okay. He serves a different purpose, he's got a different frequency he operates on. I'm overjoyed that we're working together. I don't care that we butt heads as long as when we hit the stage we blast on people."

Things apparently got so heated that Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor, who is producing the new Jane's album, and will be touring with them this summer, tried to step in and play mediator.

"He did his best to be both producer and psychologist," Farrell said. "He was very respectful, trying to get out of the way and not overproduce. I wish honestly he would've produced a little more, but he was a little gun shy after seeing us explode on each other in the studio. He became the referee for a day and after that day I think he was done."

They better keep their shit together, at least until we see them in New York, in June.

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Photo: DiSanto/WireImage

Billy Corgan is the Smashing Pumpkins, and after drummer Jimmy Chamberlain quit the band (again) recently, Corgan announced an open call for his replacement. The first round of auditions went down on Tuesday, April 16th, and according to the Pumpkin's website, System of a Down drummer John Dolmayan gave it a shot.

From the website:

"Overall the drumming auditions were considered a very positive experience. The talent in all the drummers that tried out was incredible. Some of the candidates include John Dolmayan of System of a Down and Frank Lenz, a past band-mate of guitarist Jeff Schroeder from The Lassie Foundation."

We're not sure how impressed Corgan was by Dolmayan's skills -- according to the Pumpkins website, they're thinking about holding another audition in May due to the "overwhelming response" from drummers around the world.

Do you think Dolmayan would be a good fit? Do you give a flying shit?

Photo: Diaz/WireImage

Wilco has just announced a full-on North American summer tour in support of their June release!

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Photo: Mazur/WireImage

Yankees fans heading up to the new stadium today for the home opener will receive a special treat.

Photo: Gentner/Getty

We recently spoke with Russian-born chanteuse Regina Spektor about her new album, Far (out June 23rd). We got to hear the album and it's AMAZING, so we thought we'd share the chat with y'all.

FAR features 13 new tracks by Spektor, and the production work of four A-list producers, including Jeff Lynne (ELO, Traveling Wilburys), Mike Elizondo (Dr. Dre, Eminem, Fiona Apple), David Kahne (Paul McCartney, the Strokes) and Garrett "Jacknife" Lee (Weezer, REM).

"I wanted to learn as much as possible from as many people as I could," Spektor tells us. "If I had more time and if I got to make a 25-song record, I would have worked with another four or five or six people, just because it is so amazing to experience how different producers approach things and what they’re looking for in sounds."

Click the jump for the full interview with Spektor! 

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Here's a new animated video for M. Ward's "Rave On" -- his crazy Buddy Holly cover -- the second single off his cool album, Hold Time. Ward has just added some new dates to his summer tour, so make sure you check him out if he comes to your area--you won't be disappointed!

M. Ward Dates:

Apr. 17 - Indio, CA - Coachella
Apr. 18 - Tucson, AZ - Rialto Theatre
Apr. 19 - Tempe, AZ - Marquee Theatre
Apr. 20 - Albuquerque, NM - Sunshine Theater
Apr. 22 - Tulsa, OK - Cain’s Ballroom
Apr. 23 - Omaha, NE - Slowdown
Apr. 24 - Milwaukee, WIK - Pabst Theater
Apr. 25 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
Apr. 26 - Chicago, IL - Vic Theatre
Apr. 27 - Toronto, ON - The Phoenix Theatre
Apr. 28 - Montreal, QC - Le National
May 16 - Oakland, CA - Fox Theatre

May 18 - Visalia, CA - Fox Theatre
May 22 - Eugene, OR - McDonald Theater
May 23 - George, WA - Sasquatch Music Festival
Jul. 23 - Salt Lake City, UT - Twilight Concert Series
Jul. 27 - Athens, GA -40 Watt
Jul. 28 - Nashville, TN - Cannery Ballroom 
Jul. 30 - Washington, DC - 930 Club 
Aug. 01 - New York, NY - Summerstage

Photo: Lutze

Not too long ago we told you about our new favorite band from Seattle, the Moondoggies! 

Here's the deal. They're led by guitarist/singer Kevin Murphy, with Robert Terreberry on bass, Carl Dahlen on drums and Caleb Quick on keys. The 'Doggies debut album Don't Be A Stranger is awesome, full of fuzzy guitars, rad choruses and stacked harmonies.

The Moondoggies – "Changing"

On April 25th, for the first time ever, the Moondoggies will be playing in Manhattan, at Crash Mansion. If you live near here, drop us an e-mail for a chance to win free tix!

Photo: McCarthy/WireImage

Here's a sneak peak at what to expect from Levon Helm's upcoming album, Electric Dirt. Enjoy "I Wish I Knew How To Be Free" below, and look out for Electric Dirt on June 30th. 

Levon Helm - "I Wish I Knew How To Be Free" 

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