Daily News: In Brief

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T-Pain, Rihanna, and Paul McCartney Dominate Charts, Radiohead Nearly Done With Their New Album, And More

6/13/07, 3:09 pm EST

Photo: Getty

Jeff Tweedy To Play God, Katharine McPhee Becomes An Indie Actress, Jay-Z and Beyonce Possibly Engaged (Again)

6/5/07, 3:41 pm EST

Jeff Tweedy

  • Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy will guest-star, fittingly, as The Voice of God in an upcoming episode of the Comedy Central cartoon Lil’ Bush. Other rockers getting in on the animated, Bush-bashing fun are Frank Black, who will talk on behalf of Satan, Dave Grohl, and members of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Iggy Pop lends his larynx to the reoccurring role of Lil’ Donald Rumsfield.
  • Katherine McPhee, already the black sheep of American Idol, will make her big screen debut by starring in an independent film, The Last Caller.” Are you surprised by her secret hipster coolness? She thought you might be. “It’s something that a lot of people wouldn’t expect me doing,” the almost Idol said of the role.
  • Download Ziggy Marley’s new single “Into the Groove” from his sophomore solo album “Love is My Religion” here, where you can also check out an interview with the artist.
  • What would happen if someone shot over 70,000 still photographs and made them into a music video? Find out by watching the new video for The Polyphonic Spree’s “Running Away.”
  • According to reports, Jay-Z and Beyonce are rumored to be engaged for the 748th time since April.
  • Watch this incredible a cappella interpretation of Grizzly Bear’s “Knife” by some collegiate barbershop octet.

Prince Declines Michael Jackson’s World Tour. PLUS: The Latest on Kanye West, Kelly Clarkson and More

5/31/07, 2:52 pm EST

Prince

Amy Winehouse: The Latest Rolling Stone Cover Star

5/30/07, 4:10 pm EST

Amy Winehouse on Rolling Stone Cover

Amy Winehouse: Boozy Brit Sensation Graces Next Cover of Rolling Stone

5/29/07, 2:13 pm EST

Amy Winehouse

Phil Spector Trial Recap, Marilyn Manson Song News, Snoop Drama and More

5/24/07, 1:51 pm EST

Phil Spector trial

  • Yesterday at the Phil Spector trial, details of infamous missing “fingernail” finally emerged. The gunpowder-stained fingernail, alleged to have been shot off of Lana Clarkson’s hand as she defended herself against Spector, was confiscated by forensic expert/Court TV star Dr. Henry Lee. Lee not only has yet to turn over the fingernail to authorities, he denies even finding the fingernail, rendering a valuable piece of evidence for the prosecution missing. Also on Wednesday, jurors were treated to gory crime scene photographs of the Clarkson’s death, as well as testimony from the paramedic who declared the former actress DOA. The trial is in recess until next week.
  • We don’t know what provoked Marilyn Manson to cover Justin Timberlake’s “What Goes Around” but we assume it has something to do with the strange influence dating a 19 year old has had on his iPod.
  • Ex-Soundgarden/Audioslave singer Chris Cornell and Snoop Dogg are set to headline the Hamburg, Germany portion of Live Earth. Insert “If they let Snoop Dogg in the country” joke here.
  • Paul Simon briefly reunited with Art Garfunkel in Washington DC to commemorate Simon winning the inaugural Library of Congress Gershwin Award.
  • The Strokes are taking 2007 off in an effort to avoid releasing another First Impressions Of Earth

Ryan Adams Goes Under Cover. PLUS: The Latest on the Killers, Nelly and More

5/21/07, 1:45 pm EST

Ryan Adams

  • Ryan Adams appeared at a Louisville concert this weekend wearing a shower cap, white plastic sunglasses and a hoodie. Adams reportedly kept the stage banter to a minimum, but during the 20-minute show, the Easy Tiger material he played was reportedly “excellent.”
  • Faux-metal band Spinal Tap wants The Office mastermind Ricky Gervais to join them onstage at Live Earth. On a comedic scale of 1 to 10, this is an 11.
  • The Killers’ Brandon Flowers has bronchitis, forcing the band to cancel shows in Denver, Seattle and the KROQ Weenie Roast. Make-up dates have been announced.
  • Wu-Tang’s Method Man was pulled over in NYC and charged with unlawful possession of 28 grams.
  • Nelly is set to pimp both Pimp My Ride and energy drink Pimp Juice in South Africa.
  • The John Mayer/Jessica Simpson relationship is reportedlyover.
  • The Strokes and challengers-to-the-Youtube-throne IMEEM are teaming up by showcasing an alternate video for the song “You Only Live Once.” It will be directed by Star Wars art director Wayne Fu, who channels Kubrick’s 2001 for the new video.
  • The wait is over: Ween will release a brand new EP on June 8th, followed by a new album later this year.

Phil Spector Too Short to Have Killed? PLUS: The Latest on Paris Hilton, Girl Talk and More

5/17/07, 2:31 pm EST

Phil Spector

Keith Richards and Johnny Depp on Rolling Stone’s New Cover

5/16/07, 3:24 pm EST

Pirates of the Caribbean, Johnny Depp, Rolling Stone, Keith Richards

  • As promised, here’s the Web debut of Rolling Stone’s new cover, featuring the rock & roll combo of Johnny Depp and Keith Richards. Come back tomorrow for an excerpt of our lively and hilarious Q&A with the Pirates of the Caribbean III stars.
  • Chart Roundup: Michael Buble’s Call Me Irresponsible makes the quantum leap from #2 last week to #1 this week, as Bone Thugs-N-Harmony’s Strength & Loyalty enters the chart in the second spot. While we’re kinda creeped out by the image of 119,000 people rushing out for the new Bone Thugs album, we take solace in the fact that Bjork’s Volta came in at #9 and Elliott Smith’s posthumous New Moon came in at #24.
  • Fergie gets introspective (boring) in her new video for “Big Girls Don’t Cry.” In the video, Fergie lies in bed with that guy from Heroes for what seems like an eternity, then performs with a back-up band that looks like it’s auditioning for Rock Star: Smashmouth.
  • According to reports, Ike Turner was arrested and locked up last night in LA. While details are sketchy, we’re pretty sure the charges stem from an outstanding felony narcotics warrant and not the usual felony wife-beating warrant.
  • Details for the Brad Delp memorial concert have been announced. Delp, the former lead singer of Boston, died in March. Among the bands performing are Cheap Trick, Sammy Hagar and two Delp acts: the remaining members of Boston, and his Beatles cover band Beatlejuice.
  • What happens when you combine one of the greatest actors of our time with Duran Duran? You get the inimitable Bruce Campbell singing “Hungry Like a Wolf” in this incredible commercial for Old Spice. [via PopCandy]
  • Christina Aguilera has received a rare thumbs-up from China’s censors to perform live in Shanghai. Last year, the Rolling Stones and Jay-Z both had to cancel concerts in China due to their “indecent lyrics.” We assume the Chinese Ministry of Culture hasn’t really listened to Aguilera’s “Candyman.”

Britney Spears Schedules Florida Concerts, Live Earth Adds Brazil, Turkey and More

5/15/07, 1:58 pm EST

Britney Spears, Florida, Concerts, Lip-synch, rolling stone

  • The M+Ms, aka Britney Spears and dancers, are bringing their not-so-secret act to Florida for two “concerts.” Brit promises she’ll lip-synch even better in Miami than she did in San Diego.
  • Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Istanbul, Turkey have been added to the roster of cities participating in the Al Gore-endorsed Live Earth concert series on July 7th. The “24-hour, 7-continent” affair also includes New York, London, Sydney, Johannesburg, Shanghai and Hamburg. No word yet on the brave souls who will play Live Earth: Antarctica, but we recommend the Arctic Monkeys, Ice Cube and The Avalanches, for synergy reasons.
  • The other day, we gave you a preview of Ryan Adams’ new album Easy Tiger. Now you can listen to his song “Two” for yourself. That’s new mother Sheryl Crow on background vocals. [via Stereogum]
  • The Thrills have announced the details of their new album Teenager, their first album in three years. Notice how the supposed “hidden” track is totally revealed.
  • Producer Rick Rubin is officially taking his genius to Columbia Records.

On the Cover of the New Rolling Stone: Blood Brothers Keith Richards and Johnny Depp

5/14/07, 12:55 pm EST

Keith Richards, Johnny Depp, Pirates of the Caribbean

  • Fans of Pirates of the Caribbean, look no further. Our next cover story is a Q&A with the most rock & roll “father and son” of all time: Keith Richards and Johnny Depp. Come back Wednesday for a look at the bitching cover image and a peek at the story. Tomorrow we’ll drop our lead album review, in which Rob Sheffield gives Wilco’s new disc four stars.
  • Speaking of Wilco, Jeff Tweedy and co. ask (very politely) that you please purchase their new four-star album Sky Blue Sky when it comes out tomorrow.
  • After you’re finished stealing Paul McCartney’s recently-leaked Memory Almost Full, make amends by legally downloading the remainder of Paul McCartney’s solo works.
  • More post-Imus fallout? The new 50 Cent video “Amusement Park” has been deemed too hot for MTV.
  • Billy Corgan, Jimmy Chamberlin, and whoever else is in the new Smashing Pumpkins have announced a two-city residency to promote their new album Zeitgeist. During the 17-gig residencies (8 shows in San Francisco and 9 in Asheville, NC) the band will be “taking chances in the hope of taking fans, and their music, to new places.” By new places, we assume they mean Asheville, NC. Full press release after the jump.

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Prince to Play London Residency, Spice Girls Reuniting? Tori Amos Plans Broadway Takeover

5/8/07, 3:50 pm EST

Prince

  • Prince announced today that he will play a mind-boggling 21 shows in London, starting with seven nights at the O2 Arena on August 1st. Not only will these shows likely be awesome, but they will also be cheap. Ticket prices have been set at £31.21 — an apparent reference to the title the Purple One’s last album. Ticket buyers will also get a copy of the singer’s new, as-of-yet-untitled studio album. “Last time I was here, a lot of people didn’t get to see me, so we’re trying to make it affordable,” Prince said. “That’s why we’re doing an extended stay. I got used to this while working in Las Vegas. I also have a wide fanbase, which come to multiple shows all the time.”
  • Nothing says “we miss you Princess Diana” like a Spice Girls reunion, apparently. In a potentially dangerous confluence of ’90s zeitgeist, the Spice Girls are rumored to be reuniting to play the upcoming Princess Diana memorial concert. The request supposedly came from Prince William and Prince Harry themselves. That’s weird.
  • On May 12 Wilco will take over Garrison Keillor’s “A Prairie Home Companion.” We feel comfortable saying this will be better than the movie.
  • The Australian Live Earth show will feature performances by Crowded House, Wolfmother, Toni Collette with her band the Finish (apparently Toni Collette has a band called the Finish), and Jack Johnson. Okay. Cool.
  • Tori Amos is currently writing a musical and you should be stoked, but she can’t really talk about it. “I think I am writing a musical! I’m gushing but I’m under lock and key,” the singer teased. “I’m trying to be Lloyd Webber and Rice. I’m trying to be both. I’m busy.”

Phil Spector Trial Heats Up, Virgin Festival To Be Awesome, Beth Ditto Gives Advice

4/27/07, 3:12 pm EST

Phil Spector

Kelly Clarkson to Cover Patty Griffin With Jeff Beck on Idol?

4/25/07, 2:44 pm EST

Kelly Clarkson

  • Rumor has it that Kelly Clarkson’s appearance on tonight’s super-obscenely-special-must-see-amazing-fabulous episode of American Idol (it’s all for a good cause so you’re supposed to feel guilty if you don’t watch) will involve her singing a cover of Patty Griffin’s “Up to the Mountain” with Jeff Beck of all people. You know we’ll be watching.
  • You gotta admire Pharrell’s commitment to getting his flop of a solo album — 2006’s In My Mind — some play. The guy apparently stalked ?uestlove into teaming up with him to re-work the albums tracks and wants to re-release it with the new title Out of My Mind. “Pharrell called me at 4 a.m. like three times in a row from Japan,” ?uestlove said. “I picked up and in his ’sell a drowning man water’ mode, he sold me on the album: ‘I need to make this world see my vision with this record. Please help me translate it, man!’ He had me dressing and in the studio starting this record five hours later.” No word yet on whether Pharrell’s label, Interscope Records, is behind the re-release.
  • We’re still in awe of the sheer quantity of drugs Willie Nelson was busted for possessing back in September. All these months later it’s good to hear that Nelson’s only punishment for his victimless crime is six months probation and the payment of $1,024. St. Martin Parish Assistant District Attorney Chester Cedars said he dismissed the citations against both Nelson and his tour manager because there was no indication they “had anything to do with the contraband.” Comedy.
  • Someone at iTunes UK is cowering behind the watercooler right now as yesterday’s rumors that Bjork’s new album Volta leaked on iTunes two weeks before its release date seem to have actually been true. Volta was available on UK iTunes late from Monday night to early Tuesday morning.
  • FINALLY The Long Blondes‘ album Someone to Drive You Home is coming out here in the states (on June 5th). We’ve had a serious crush on the band’s cheeky new wave sound forever, so we’re almost as psyched the record will be available here as we are that they are planning to tour in support of it. Dates after the jump. [via BrooklynVegan]

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Eddie Van Halen Out of Rehab, Morrissey Ready to Pick Hall of Fame Fight and More

4/23/07, 2:44 pm EST

Eddie Van Halen before and after

  • Remember what Eddie Van Halen looked like before he headed off to rehab? This is him now. What a difference a month-plus and several hundred dollars of highlights can make. Rock on Eddie.
  • LIFEbeat, a U.S. charity dedicated to educating young people about HIV/AIDS prevention, is organizing a series of after-party shows and other performances by artists, the proceeds from which (tickets are $10) will go to fund the charity’s work. The artists involved include the Fratellis, the Hold Steady, Third Eye Blind, Duncan Sheik and Lesley Gore.
  • Damon Albarn said there will be no more Gorillaz records. “We’re trying to make a film next, starting in September hopefully. It will be a film score,” the rocker said of the band’s next project. “There won’t be another pop record.”
  • Morrissey is already planning to snub his potential nomination to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame next year. The notoriously particular rock and pop cultural visionary is – along with the rest of the Smiths – reportedly on the short list of possible inductees, but the Mozzer has said he won’t attend the ceremony because of his ongoing issues with drummer Mike Joyce. “Morrissey has never forgiven Joyce and if organizers think he’s going to bury the hatchet by joining him to accept this award, they’ve got another thing coming. The only way he could be persuaded to turn up would be if Joyce decides not to attend,” a source explained.
  • Check out new Bob Dylan North American tour dates. The whole list is after the jump.
  • Interpol may or may not be releasing their forthcoming new album on July 10th. (Or is it October 7th?) [via Pitchfork]

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