Harry Styles was in DC this week - sending the internet into a frenzy with fans seeing the star just hanging out around the district ...

This photo of Harry Styles at the Barry’s in DC validates my addiction pic.twitter.com/XdVOjwiR4c

— Matthew (@mtthwbrehm) February 25, 2020

But after his stint in DC - he headed north - making a pit stop at one of the east coast's finest convenience stores - WAWA.  

We're not sure WHAT he got - a pretzel? a hoagie (hopefully he asked for a sub)? a bottle of water? 

His shirt was wrinkled bc prior to that he was doing a thing in DC and he had a sweater over it???????? homie does have an iron and I bet he didn’t know that he would encounter a stan when he got off at wawa pic.twitter.com/Gg14Km1KyY

— nattie????????????|| I MET HARRY???? || 64 Days???? (@HxransLatte) February 27, 2020

Whatever he got - he apparently was a total good guy - greeting fans and signing autographs. 

I JUST MET HARRY AT WORK WTF pic.twitter.com/cbvjywl014

— nattie????????????|| I MET HARRY???? || 64 Days???? (@HxransLatte) February 25, 2020

Store employee Natali Maldonado told ABC 6 Action News: 

“I started freaking out and crying because he’s my idol ... He even gave this lady who didn’t even know who he was an autograph.”

A few weeks back - we told you about Songs For Australia an upcoming album featuring covers of classic Australian songs - curated by Julia Stone - to benefit Australian brushfire relief efforts.

 

 

 

 

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We’ve contributed a cover of INXS’ Never Tear Us Apart to the benefit album ‘Songs for Australia’, which is raising money for organizations in Australia who are helping to rebuild during and after the bushfire crisis. ‘Songs for Australia’ was conceptualized by Australian songwriter/musician @juliastonemusic, and is released digitally in March / physically in June. Info about the organizations and pre-order details at SongsForAustralia.com Album art by @dovneon, courtesy of @jennsingergallery

A post shared by The National (@thenational) on Feb 16, 2020 at 2:36pm PST

The album features Kurt Vile, Martha Wainwright, Damien Rice and more covering the likes of Nick Cave, Sia, Gotye, and Gang Of Youths ... but one cover we were particularly interested in hearing was The National's rendition of the 1987 INXS classic - Never Tear Us Apart. 

The band released the cover this week - and while their version stays true to the original's form - there is some National-esque spin on  the song ... and we think its a wonderful tribute to a wonderful song for a wonderful song 

The National - Never Tear Us Apart

Nathaniel Rateliff's new solo album “And It’s Still Alright”  is out now - and the singer stopped by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert for an amazing performance of the song - Time Stands - with a little help from a string and keyboard accompaniment.  Check it out below and don't miss the chance to check out Nathaniel live yourself - when he performs at The Anthem in Washington DC on March 14 ( get tickets here) 

Nathaniel Rateliff: "Time Stands"

On February 24th, 1992 - just 4 days after his birthday -  Kurt Cobain married Courtney Love at Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii. 

The couple welcomed their first and only child, Frances Bean Cobain into the world later that year - on August 18. 

Sadly - two years later - Kurt took his own life on April 5, 1994. 

Earlier this week - Love marked the 28th anniversary of her marriage to the iconic grunge rocker with an emotional tribute on her Instagram account. 

28 years ago , we got married , in Honolulu, on Waikiki beach ???? tonight spoke to sponsor , I .. Lit some candles ???? chanted ,diamoku , Walked my dog ???? . Went to sushi with my best friend , the closest I have to another one.

28 years ago

 

I recall feeling , deeply , delighted , dizzy , so in love, and knowing how lucky I was . This man was an angel. i thank him for looking out for me , many parts of the the last 28 years have been torturous chaotic and uphill, and in public? That is the darkest shit imaginable, it almost tapped my resilience , almost . but between Kurt’s strange amazing divinity , and the honor of a few true friends , the gift of desperation and sobriety . Of a Higher power and of love , and of empathy , I’m here now. It’ll be ok ,fuck , I see him on the shore . Rocking in the free world. My husband.

 

 

 

 

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28 years ago , we got married , in Honolulu, on Waikiki beach ???? tonight spoke to sponsor , I .. Lit some candles ???? chanted ,diamoku , Walked my dog ???? . Went to sushi with my best friend , the closest I have to another one. 28 years ago I recall feeling , deeply , delighted , dizzy , so in love, and knowing how lucky I was . This man was an angel. i thank him for looking out for me , many parts of the the last 28 years have been torturous chaotic and uphill, and in public? That is the darkest shit imaginable, it almost tapped my resilience , almost . but between Kurt’s strange amazing divinity , and the honor of a few true friends , the gift of desperation and sobriety . Of a Higher power and of love , and of empathy , I’m here now. It’ll be ok ,fuck , I see him on the shore . Rocking in the free world. My husband.

A post shared by Courtney Love Cobain (@courtneylove) on Feb 24, 2020 at 6:10pm PST

There's nothing like seeing your favorite band perform live on a gorgeous summer night at an outdoor concert venue ... And in the DMV area, we are very fortunate to have arguably 4 of the top outdoor music venues in the country right in our backyards. 

Each year we are lucky enough to have the chance to catch some amazing shows under the stars ... and in 2020 - Wolf Trap is boasting one of their best lineups ever! 

You can see their full schedule HERE - or check out our highlights below - 

They kick the season off on May 28th - with the Living Image Tour - an amazing double bill of The Head and the Heart (making their Wolf Trap debut) and Margo Price (tickets)

Claiming top spots on multiple Billboard charts with songs like “Lost in My Mind,” “Missed Connection,” and “All We Ever Knew,” indie-folk collective The Head and the Heart makes its Wolf Trap debut following the recent release of Living Mirage (2019). They are joined by Margo Price, “one of the most compelling country talents to come out of Nashville in recent memory” (Vulture), who kicks off the show.

On June 4 - Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit come to town -along with opener (!) David Crosby. (tickets) 

“One of the finest poets working in American music” (Rolling Stone), Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit returns to Wolf Trap with a Grammy-winning blend of Americana and Alabama roots. Two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Famer David Crosby of Crosby, Stills & Nash opens the show with some of his greatest hits and new material.

Just one week later, on June 11- Andrew Bird makes his Wolf Trap debut with collaborators Calexico and Iron & Wine. (tickets) 

Internationally acclaimed multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, whistler, and songwriter Andrew Bird is joined by indie-folk super group Calexico and Iron & Wine (fresh off 2019’s collaborative Years to Burn) for an evening of eclectic and imaginative performances. A trifecta of Wolf Trap debuts!

Another amazing double bill features Indigo Girls and Ani DiFranco on June 23 (tickets) 

Ani DiFranco Photo credit: Credit: Anthony Mulcahy

Indigo Girls, “one of the finest folk duos of all time” (NPR), and feminist icon and singer/songwriter Ani DiFranco return to Wolf Trap with a Grammy-winning blend of female driven folk, rock, and pop.

Three days later - on June 26th - John Prine and Emmylou Harris take the stage (tickets)

John Prine Photo Credit: Rett Rogers // Emmylou Harris Photo Credit: Veronique Rolland

20 Wolf Trap performances. Two legends. One incredible night.
Grammy-winning folk and country luminaries John Prine and Emmylou Harris return in 2020 to celebrate their respective 20th performances at Wolf Trap. Incomparable as songwriters, Prine and Harris’ combined list of star-studded collaborators includes Johnny Cash, Bonnie Raitt, Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, and countless others on iconic songs like “Angel From Montgomery,” “Paradise,” “Boulder to Birmingham,” “Pancho & Lefty,” and more.

July starts off with 2 nights of  Steely Dan and special guest Steve Winwood on the 7th (tickets) and 8th (tickets)

Longtime collaborators Steely Dan ("Do it Again," "Reelin' In the Years," "Deacon Blues") and Steve Winwood ("Can't Find My Way Home," "Dear Mr. Fantasy," "Higher Love") unite at Wolf Trap for two nights of Grammy-winning rock hits infused with jazz, pop, and R&B influences.

It might not be the last summer on earth - but the tour of the same name featuring Barenaked Ladies, Gin Blossoms and Toad the Wet Sprocket comes to Vienna on July 15 (tickets) 

 Smashing together humorous lyrics with pop-rock melodies, headliners Barenaked Ladies have kept audiences singing and dancing to catchy hits like “One Week,” “Pinch Me,” and “If I Had $1,000,000” for over 30 years. The 6th edition of the Last Summer On Earth Tour also features rock quintet Gin Blossoms (“Hey Jealousy,” “Follow You Down”) and melodic band Toad The Wet Sprocket (“All I Want,” “Walk on the Ocean”).

They sold out a 4 DC night residency in DC this winter - so it makes sense that Tedeschi Trucks Band will play two nights at Wolf Trap with St Paul & the Broken Bones and Gabe Dixon on July 21 and 22 (7/21 tickets or 7/22 tickets)

Credit: Ian Rawn

Led by the husband and wife team of guitarist Derek Trucks and vocalist/guitarist Susan Tedeschi, the 12-member strong Tedeschi Trucks Band is acclaimed by critics and fans alike for their unrivaled blend of American soul, blues, country, and rock. Curated in the spirit of musical collaboration, the Wheels of Soul 2020 Tour also features dynamic rock ’n’ roll/soul band St. Paul & The Broken Bones and Gabe Dixon pulling double duty—first with his trio and later with his TTB bandmates.

One of the shows we're most looking forward to - Brandi Carlile playing with the National Symphony Orchestra on July 24th and 25th.  Added bonus - Tanya Tucker is the opener! (7/24 tickets or 7/25 tickets)

Beloved by fans and critics, Americana singer/songwriter Brandi Carlile returns to Wolf Trap accompanied by the National Symphony Orchestra. 2019 was a landmark year for Carlile—she won three Grammy Awards for her acclaimed album By The Way, I Forgive You (2018) featuring “The Joke,” and formed country supergroup The Highwomen. Tanya Tucker, the original female country outlaw, opens the shows.

The National might be one of the most polarizing live bands and they will make their Wolf Trap debut on July 29 with Julia Jacklin (tickets) 

Credit: Graham MacIndoe

Grammy-winning indie rockers The National craft a unique sound mixing elements of alternative, country-rock, Americana, chamber pop, and more. Catch them in their Wolf Trap debut performing favorites like “The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness,” “I Need My Girl,” and “About Today.”

This summer's Miracle Pill Tour will see Goo Goo Dolls, Lifehouse and Forest Blakk perform at Wolf Trap on August 13 (tickets) 

Led by John Rzeznik and Robby Takac, record-breaking, Multi-Platinum rock band Goo Goo Dolls returns to Wolf Trap with smash hits like “Iris,” “Slide,” and “Black Balloon.” Lifehouse, the rockers behind the hit “You and Me,” and urban folk singer Forest Blakk will get everyone up and moving.

David Gray brings his White Ladder: The 20th Anniversary Tour  to Virginia on August 15 (tickets)

Credit: Derrick Santini

Singer/songwriter David Gray celebrates the 20th anniversary and global success of his breakthrough album White Ladder. The success of the album, which features the hits “This Year’s Love,” “Babylon,” and “Sail Away,” spawned a new wave of acoustic singer/songwriters that can be directly traced from David Gray to Ed Sheeran. At this performance, Gray performs White Ladder in its entirety plus his greatest hits.

Another one of our favorite artists making their Wolf Trap debut this summer - The Decemberists - who will be in Virginia on August 16 (tickets)

Hailing from Portland, OR, eccentric indie-folk band The Decemberists “is rock enough for a stadium, but folk enough that they wouldn't get kicked out of a Renaissance Faire” (Chicago Tribune). Experience the band’s hits like “Severed,” “Don’t Carry It All,” and “Make You Better” in their Wolf Trap debut.

Ziggy Marley & Stephen Marley celebrate their father's legacy with a Bob Marley Celebration on August 19 (tickets)

Credit: Chris Hornbecker

Multi-Grammy Award-winning brothers Ziggy and Stephen Marley come together to honor their father's reggae legacy during this one-night-only Bob Marley Celebration.

And saving one of the best shows for last - The Avett Brothers wrap up the outdoor season at Wolf Trap on September 18 (tickets) 

“Americana stalwarts” (Rolling Stone) and Wolf Trap favorites, The Avett Brothers return for their third straight year to perform folk-tinged songs filled with unbridled energy and honest, heartfelt lyrics

So whether your a front row or blanket on the lawn type of concert goer - mark your calendar and make plans to join us at some (or ALL) of these amazing shows coming to Wolf Trap this summer! 

What stared with an on stage announcement at a New Years Eve concert - The Strokes are inching closer to the release of The New Abnormal  - their first release in 7 years.

We've heard 2 tracks from the record - Ode to the Mets and the somber At The Door ... but this week the band released the third track from their sixth record - “Bad Decisions” ... the track has a vintage Strokes feel to it ... with Julian Casablancas crooning over sharp guitar riffs.  

The song's release was accompanied with a video - also vintage Strokes - esque - in which the band is hocking clones of themselves in a 70s era infomercial: 

Enjoy the strangeness below while you wait for April 10th - when The New Abnormal is due out via Cult/RCA Records.

The Strokes - Bad Decisions (Official Video)

“She strips away the structured pop sound of her older material and restructures her newer music into a grounded and sincere sound. Moore embodies Joni Mitchell in her California-molded earthy, yet breezy melody” – Billboard

She has been nominated for Emmys, Grammys, and Golden Globes ... and has spent the past few years starring in the hit TV show - This Is Us - but in 2020 - Mandy Moore is returning to her roots - with a new album and tour.  

The album, Silver Landings, is Moore's first musical output in a decade  and she worked hand in hand with her husband, Taylor Goldsmith (singer/guitarist/songwriter for L.A.-based folk-rock band Dawes) - and here's lead single Save A Little For Yourself. 

Speaking of Dawes, they will be the backing band on Moore's upcoming US tour - which includes a March 26th date in DC at the Warner Theatre (get tickets here)   

Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD is one of the country's best outdoor music venues.  It has hosted acts like Rage Against The Machine, Taylor Swift, Radiohead, and The Who.  You can get a history and behind the scenes look at the venue in this MPT doumentary:

Australian singer-songwriter Julia Stone, one half of brother-sister duo Angus & Julia Stone, had recorded a cover of “Beds Are Burning” Midnight Oil that she planned to release as a one off release... instead - she decided to reach out to some friends and compile an album of them covering Australian artists - with the proceeds set to benefit the country's brush fire relief efforts. 

 

 

 

 

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We’ve contributed a cover of INXS’ Never Tear Us Apart to the benefit album ‘Songs for Australia’, which is raising money for organizations in Australia who are helping to rebuild during and after the bushfire crisis. ‘Songs for Australia’ was conceptualized by Australian songwriter/musician @juliastonemusic, and is released digitally in March / physically in June. Info about the organizations and pre-order details at SongsForAustralia.com Album art by @dovneon, courtesy of @jennsingergallery

A post shared by The National (@thenational) on Feb 16, 2020 at 2:36pm PST

Included on the album, due out March 5th on digital and in June on CD and vinyl (preorder HERE)  are:

• The National covering INXS’ “Never Tear Us Apart”
• Kurt Vile covering Nick Cave’s “Stranger Than Kindness”
• Damien Rice covering Sia’s “Chandelier”
• Martha Wainwright covering Nick Cave’s “Ship Song”
• Dermot Kennedy covering Matt Corby’s “Resolution”
• Dope Lemon covering The Go-Betweens’ “Streets Of Your Town”

Proceeds from the album will benefit Firesticks, Landcare Australia, SEED, Emergency Leaders for Climate Action, WildArk and the NSW Rural Fire Service

Said Stone of the project: 

“I received the most heartwarming replies from the biggest, busiest artists in the world.   Most of these artists have toured here, have family here, friends here, have lived here or spent time here. Everyone has such great memories of this country and to see it in flames was breaking everyone’s hearts.”

So far the only release from the album we have is Stone's cover of Beds Are Burning: 

When it comes to Valentine's Day - who better than to play the tunes than Mr Love himself ... so that's why we invited G Love to come to the studio this year to take over the airwaves on the most romantic day of the year ... 

Lucky for us he brought his guitar and his stack of records - you can stream his playlist below and keep scrolling to see his in studio performance 

G Love's Valentine's Day Takeover 2020 Playlist 

Tracklisting:

• Pearl Jam - Just Breathe 
• Ben Harper - Steal My Kisses 
• Jack Johnson - Wasting Time 
• Marcus King - Wildflowers and Wine 
• Jamtown - Pick It Up 
• Robert Randolph - Ain't Nothin Wrong With That 
• Keb Mo - Every Morning 
• Elvis Costello - My Funny Valentine 
• The Searchers - Love Potion # 9
• The Cure - Hello, I Love You 
• Bruce Springsteen - Tunnel of Love 
• Muddy Waters - I Just Want To Make Love to You 
• The Cardigans  - Love Fool 
• Beatles - It's Only Love 
• Trio - da da da
• Red Hot Chili Peppers - Love Roller Coaster 
• Squeeze - If I Didn't Love You, I'd hate you 
• Bryan Ferry - Slave to Love 
• BB King - Bad Case of Lovin you 
• AM Sixty - Big as the Sky 
• Joe Jackson - Fools In Love 
• NRBQ  - I Love Her, She Loves Me 
• Grace Potter - Love is Love 

And now for Love's Live in studio performance: 

Wednesday night, Michael Kiwanuka brought his psychedelic soul sound to The Lincoln Theatre in DC - in support of his third album KIWANUKA.  The show sold out ... and he will be in Europe all summer - so if you missed him this go around - you can enjoy the show through the lens of Tedd Henn until he returns to our area ... 

View the FULL GALLERY here 

Pearl Jam will officially release ‘Superblood Wolfmoon’ - the second single from their forthcoming album Gigaton on 2/19 - but you can get a preview of the track by pointing your cellphone at the moon.  Yes - you read that right.  

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Pearl Jam (@pearljam) on Feb 12, 2020 at 4:12pm PST

The band, their label (Republic Records) and the we developers Powster have created an augmented-reality experience where when you point your cellphone cameras at the moon - it will trigger an animation with a snippet of the song - ‘Superblood Wolfmoon’

 

 

 

 

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What a time to be alive: you can preview the new Pearl Jam song - Superblood Wolfmoon by pointing your cellphone at the moon ... details at wrnr.com ????: @redtesssanchez ???????? #Wrnr #pearljam #superbloodwolfmoon #moon #gigaton #ar #cellphone

A post shared by WRNR (@103wrnr) on Feb 13, 2020 at 3:14pm PST

Too cloudy to see the moon - you can visit the moon.pearljam.com to unlock the video as well

Powster CEO Ste Thompson said in a statement:

“We’re honored to be working with Pearl Jam to bring their music to life through technology blended with the elements of nature that inspired their tone.  This activation displays their innovation and creative energy going into their new album. Adapting to new technologies and integrating platforms unleashes the full potential of music, as well as changes the way fans experience new sounds, and we are excited to be teaming up with Pearl Jam to provide their fans with this exclusive look at their style and artistic direction.”

 

In 2017 - released the LP Concrete and Gold ... and went on a massive tour to support it - including a massive show at Merriweather Post Pavilion  

photo: Tedd Henn 

Well Foo Fans - Dave Grohl was a guest on the latest episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast and dropped two major pieces of news:

A new Foo Fighters record is done and he's making a documentary about van life and van touring

In regards to the new album: 

"We just finished making a record ... There's a riff on the new record that I've been working on for 25 fucking years - first time I demoed it was in my basement in Seattle, and every record I'm like, 'Ooh, let's put it on' but it didn't work"

And on the movie: 

"I'm making a documentary right now - uh, making a few - but...I'm making a movie about vans and van touring. Because back in the day, that's how younger independent bands, the van was the tour bus for the punk rockers in the 80's. Everybody had a van. Even before, like long before - vans go way back. So I've interviewed everybody, and you'd be surprised. Like, The Beatles toured in a van. Guns N' Roses, Metallica, U2. There's something about that time, you know, it's like you wear it like a badge. You're like, 'Oh, shit, yeah'. I toured in a band for five years, sleeping on floors, butter sandwiches and getting paid two dollars a night.

 

The movie's not so much about, like, really awesome van tour anecdotes - which it is, there are many - but it's really more about the drive to do it. Why would anyone give up everything, quit their job, leave home, leave everything behind, just to chase this dream with no guarantee that you're ever going to make it? And you starve and bleed and you're sick and you're pissed and you get taken to jail and get in fights and blahblah - but you always get to the next gig. Like, you ALWAYS get to the next gig. So you'd be surprised, everybody has the same story, and it is absolutely a key to success."

After teasing the announcement over the weekend- The Strokes have revealed the full details for their 7th studio album - and the first 'official' single. 

The album - titled The New Abnormal  will be out April 10 via Cult/RCA Records. 

Yes, it's true. We have a new record called The New Abnormal and it will be available April 10.

Pre-order, pre-save or pre-add it as this is the world we live in at https://t.co/aihOtuZTKc

This is a song off said album. It’s called At The Door. Stream it however you choose. pic.twitter.com/rlQqZbEXFC

— The Strokes (@thestrokes) February 11, 2020

The first official song from the album is tilted “At the Door” ... the announcement was accompanied by a video directed by Mike Burakoff: 

The Strokes - At The Door (Official Video)

As for the album - it was recorded at producer Rick Rubin’s Shangri-La Studios in Malibu. The album’s cover art (below) is Jean-Michel Basquiat’s painting Bird on Money. 

Keep scrolling for a  track listing and so far announced 2020 concert dates 

The New Abnormal Album Art:

The New Abnormal Tracklist:
1. The Adults Are Talking
2. Selfless
3. Brooklyn Bridge To Chorus
4. Bad Decisions
5. Eternal Summer
6. At The Door
7. Why Are Sundays So Depressing
8. Not The Same Anymore
9. Ode To The Mets

The Strokes 2020 Tour Dates (as of 2/12):

February
14—Berlin, Germany @ Columbiahalle
18—Paris, France @ Olympia
19—London, U.K. @ The Roundhouse
24—Belfast, U.K. @Waterfront Hall

March
05—Vancouver, B.C. @ Pepsi Live at Rogers Arena
09—Seattle, Wash. @ WaMu Theater
14—Los Angeles, Calif. @ The Forum

Rams Head on Stage has announced the nominees for the 8th Annual Rammie Awards (vote HERE)  

There are 20 categories to vote for - including: 

National Show of the Year, Emerging Artist of the Year, Local Show of the Year, Rams Head Presents at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, and our favorite - The 103.1 WRNR Private Artist Showcase of the Year - Rams Head On Stage.

Included in this category are: 

Local Natives

Mt. Joy 

SHAED

Lucie Silvas   

The New Pornographers 

Voting ends Monday, February 17th. Category winners will be announced on Wednesday, February 19th.

Enter your email upon completion for a chance to win a pair of tickets to a Rams Head On Stage show of your choice*.

(*subject to availability)

On February 9^th, 1970 - Jim Morrisson and The Doors released their now iconic album, Morrison Hotel. 

Photo by Andrew Mason

The 11 track album - included the now classic songs Roadhouse Blues, Peace Frog and Indian Summer. 

Photo by Andrew Mason

And on the eve of the albums half centennial anniversary - an impressive group of musicians and celebrities gathered in LA to celebrate the record.  

Photo by Andrew Mason

The event was hosted by John Varvatos and Timothy White.  The Doors' guitarist and co-founder, Robby Krieger was joined by and impressive cast of acclaimed musicians - including The Struts  who gave their take  of "Riders on The Storm", Gary Clark, Jr., Dennis Quaid, and Miley Cyrus - who's performance of the Doors’ “Roadhouse Blues”  you can see below: 

Miley Cyrus performs Roadhouse Blues with Robby Krieger from The Doors at Sunset Marquis

On New Year's Eve - the New York City rock revivalists and indie darlings of the 2000's The Strokes -returned to the stage - playing a sold out show at Manhattan's crown jewel - Madison Square Garden.  

During the show - the band debuted a new song - Ode to the Mets - and frontman Julian Casablancas declared: 

“Yeah, we’ve got a new album coming out soon! 2020, here we come.   The 2010s, whatever the fuck they’re called, we took ‘em off. And now we’ve been unfrozen and we’re back!”

 

This week the band seems to be inching closer to releasing a new album called The New Abnormal. 

Teaser videos appeared on both band's twitter and guitarist Albert Hammond Jr.'s Instagram accounts showing artwork  by American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Hammond commented: 

“You think you’ve been waiting?. But the wait has just begun...Welcome to the new abnormal"

 

 

 

 

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You think you’ve been waiting? But the wait has just begun...?? Welcome to ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ????? #basquiat #thenewabnormal ?? #thestrokes2020

A post shared by Albert Hammond Jr (@alberthammondjr) on Feb 7, 2020 at 1:04pm PST

pic.twitter.com/qyOnL3et0t

— The Strokes (@thestrokes) February 7, 2020

The band has a bunch of tour dates lined up - but only festivals lined up ... and if the track Ode to the Mets is from the album - here it is

The NFL's unanimous MVP and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has another honor to his unprecedented 2019 season - he's been added to the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum's  extremely popular Riding Bobblehead Series! 

The must have bobblehead for any Ravens fan features a smiling Jackson holding a football and sitting atop a black raven on a base with the Ravens’ logo. 

Each bobblehead will be individually numbered (1- 2020)  and they are available through the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum’s Online Store for $40 plus a flat-rate shipping charge of $8 per order ... you'll have to with til June for them to ship though.

 
National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum co-founder and CEO Phil Sklar said: 

"Lamar’s bobbleheads have been among the most popular we’ve had over the past year and the riding series has been one of the most popular, so combining the two was an easy decision.  We think this bobblehead turned out great and will be a fan favorite.”

The bobbleheads were produced for the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum by FOCO, an official licensee and manufacturer of Baltimore Ravens and NFL merchandise.

A fire in Banning, California is looking like it could have massive impacts on what has become a booming vinyl record industry.  The fire took place at the manufacturing and storage facility of Apollo Masters - one of only two companies in the world that makes the lacquer needed to produce the master disc for a record (this is what is used to mass produce vinyl records).  The company also makes the styli used in the vinyl pressing process.  

SR 243 closed south of I-10 due to fire. Use alternate routes. Unknown duration. pic.twitter.com/muPVeCfTHj

— Caltrans District 8 (@Caltrans8) February 6, 2020

Luckily - no one was injured in the blaze - but the damage caused has some people pretty worried about the future of vinyl production.  

A note on Apollo Masters’ website reads:

“We are uncertain of our future at this point and are evaluating options as we try to work through this difficult time.”

 Third Man Records' ( a major producer of vinyl records) co-founder Ben Blackwell told Pitchfork:  

“I imagine this will affect EVERYONE, not just Third Man Pressing and Third Man Mastering, but to what extent remains to be seen...I don’t want to be an alarmist. But I’m attempting to be realistic as opposed to Pollyannish.”

 

Toronto-based vinyl pressing company Duplication tweeted that “vinyl pressing turntimes will go back to being 6 to 9 months!”

These are the lacquers Apollo made, being cut at our mastering lab. pic.twitter.com/gJeNjkLQCx

— duplication.ca Analogue Media (@duplicationca) February 7, 2020

David Read, a vinyl production and sales coordinator at Duplication told Pitchfork: “(the fire) will directly affect all vinyl plants, bands/labels, mastering engineers, plating facilities etc., anyone who used lacquers as part of their vinyl production ... In my almost 40 years experience the vinyl industry as a whole is incredibly resilient, and filled with talented professionals who will, and already are, teaming together to find a way out of this current problem.”

Let's hope his optimistic opinion is right 

After releasing a pair of visualizers for the song  'Dance Of The Clairvoyants', Pearl Jam has released a proper music video for the song - their “first official music video in seven years.” 

The song is the first single off the band's forthcoming album - Gigaton - their first studio album in seven years. 

The video - cleverly titled 'Mach III' - follows the heavy nature theme as the previous videos (Mach I and Mach II).  Nature seems to be a steady theme for the band in 2020 , seeing how gigaton (or one billion tons) is a unit of measurement used to estimate the amount of ice that is melting at the poles. 

Pearl Jam - Dance Of The Clairvoyants (Mach III)

Stand-up comedian, actor, writer and producer John Mulaney has been tapped to host Saturday Night Live on February 29th ... with musical guest David Byrne - who will have just finished up his Broadway run of American Utopia.  

 

 

 

 

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???? Coming up! ????

A post shared by Saturday Night Live (@nbcsnl) on Feb 6, 2020 at 1:03pm PST

Not only is this a major score for SNL (if you've seen Byrne's American Utopia on Broadway or in concert - you know what we're talking about!) - but the last time Mulaney was the show's host - Jack White was the musical guest - and the two were featured in one of the show's most memorable skits in years - 

Cut for Time: Wedding Toast - SNL

It's been a few years since Byrne has appeared on the show solo - his last performance was in 1989 - the year his debut solo album was released

“We had the best time on the road last summer and we are ready to do it again!” Keith Richards exclaimed as his band The Rolling Stones announced a string of 2020 North American tour dates - a continuation of 2019's No Filter Tour - their first major North American tour in four years.  

Tickets for the 15 city run go on sale Friday, February 14th at 10 am local time - see the dates below

Mick Jagger agreed with Keith - saying “It’s always a pleasure to return to North America and play for some of biggest and best crowds in the world!” 

Rolling Stones 2020 No Filter Tour

May 8th – San Diego, CA @ SDCCU Stadium
May 12th – Vancouver, BC @ BC Place
May 16th – Minneapolis, MN @ U.S. Bank Stadium
May 20th – Nashville, TN @ Nissan Stadium
May 24th – Austin, TX @ Circuit of The Americas
May 29th – Dallas, TX @ Cotton Bowl Stadium
June 6th – Buffalo, NY @ New Era Field
June 10th – Detroit, MI @ Ford Field
June 14th – Louisville, KY @ Cardinal Stadium
June 19th – Cleveland, OH @ FirstEnergy Stadium
June 23th – Pittsburgh, PA @ Heinz Field
June 27 – St. Louis, MO @ The Dome at America’s Center
July 1st – Charlotte, NC @ Bank of America Stadium
July 5th – Tampa, FL @ Raymond James Stadium
July 9th – Atlanta, GA @ Mercedes-Benz Stadium

The Vault from Jack White's Third Man Records has announced that it will honor the 20th anniversary of The White Stripes sophomore album with a major reissue - “The Accompaniment to De Stijl: The White Stripes’ Sophomore Album”

From The Vault: 

In the year 2000 the White Stripes released their sophomore LP De Stijl. Named after the minimalist Dutch art movement of the early 20th century, the album was a marked deviation from the raw, urban punk blues exhibited on their debut LP from the year prior. Eschewing the cold confines of a studio, De Stijl was tracked in Jack White’s living room, giving the band the freedom to take the time to massage their songs into their picturesque final forms. The year would prove to be a further continuation of the band’s upward trajectory, complete with their first-ever headlining tour, a clutch run of dates opening for Sleater-Kinney, a first-time overseas jaunt hitting Japan, Australia and New Zealand…all culminating in the tiniest peek into the press hype overload that would land their way come 2001.

 

The reissue features 2 LPs - one red, one white (cause duh), a booklet of rare photos and flyers, and a DVD with two concerts Third Man Records guarantees  "are shows you have NEVER seen before"  ... "giving you, Johnny Q. Fanboy, hours upon hours of fun reading, digging and learning why this is a band, a release and a year worth paying attention to."

They go on to say - “Only recently discovered in the basement of Stripes’ archivist, Ben Blackwell, these recordings, many with alternate and unused lyrics, were completely forgotten by White, yet form a pivotal foundation and structure on which the De Stijl album would build from,”

To get your hands on The Accompaniment to De Stijl: The White Stripes’ Sophomore Album, you'll need to be a member of The Vault  ... but don't fret - you have until midnight CST April 30, 2020 

The Accompaniment to De Stijl: The White Stripes’ Sophomore Album Tracklist

LP 1 (All previously unreleased):

Truth Doesn’t Make a Noise
A Boy’s Best Friend
Sister, Do You Know My Name?
I’m Bound to Pack It Up
Expecting
Vanilla Fields
Piano Octaves
You’re Right, I’m Wrong
I Just Don’t Know What to Do With Myself
(and more!)

LP 2:

Let There Be Rock (AC/DC cover)
Dog Eat Dog (AC/DC cover)
You’re Pretty Good Looking (For a Girl)
Hello Operator
Death Letter
Little Bird
Lord, Send Me an Angel
Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground
Apple Blossom
Broken Bricks
Cannon
Truth Doesn’t Make a Noise
Jolene
I’m Bored
Let’s Build a Home / Goin’ Back to Memphis
Suzy Lee
After Hours (Velvet Underground cover)

Getting the Gallagher brothers to reunite Oasis is starting to be harder than getting the Smiths to reunite. 

In a recent tweet - Liam Gallagher claims his brother Noel recently turned down an offer of 100 million pounds ($130 million US dollars) for a reunion tour.  Read that again - $130 million dollars! 

We’ve been offered 100 million pounds for a tour still not enough for the greedy soul oh well stay young LG

— Liam Gallagher (@liamgallagher) February 3, 2020

Of the two brothers who were the driving force behind Oasis - Liam has recently been open to a reunion .. he has 100 million reasons to  ... while Noel has said if fans want to hear old Oasis songs: 

“they’re being played by a fat man in an anorak somewhere, you know, with shorts on ... So they can go and see that ... I’ve no desire at all to get back involved with Oasis.”

He's talking about Liam if you couldn't tell 

There were plenty of ads during the Super Bowl that used celebrity cameos, special effects and humor to get their message across ... but Verizon decided to go the opposite direction entirely - using a simple voice over spot (read by Harrison Ford) and a snippet of the unreleased song by Pearl Jam song "River Cross" to convey the importance of their 5G service: 

Pearl Jam tweeted the ad out after it aired - with the news that Verzion will donate $1 to The Vitalogy Foundation -  a non-profit organization started by the band that "supports the efforts of non-profit organizations doing commendable work in the fields  community health, the environment, arts & education and social change."

5G is going to change a lot of things. Luckily for us, it will never replace the courage and compassion of those who serve. RT to pledge #OneMoreSunday and @Verizon will *donate $1 to the @PearlJam #VitalogyFoundation: https://t.co/HX8ygvdngO

*Must RT on 2/2 or 2/3 pic.twitter.com/XUqiMrJGI1

— Pearl Jam (@PearlJam) February 3, 2020

Old Bay caught the nation's attention this week when they rolled out a limited batch of hot sauce 

 

 

 

 

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??SOLD OUT ?? ???? #OLDBAYHOTSAUCE IS COMING ???? Less than 1 day until you can get your hands on a bottle (or 10) of this LIMITED EDITION product, available on oldbay.com. Tag someone who NEEDS this. ?????

A post shared by OLD BAY Seasoning (@oldbay_seasoning) on Jan 28, 2020 at 3:00pm PST

The sauce sold out immediately ... but  the Smith Island Baking Company in Crisfield, MD might have rolled out the next hot crab seasoning creation - the Old Bay Smith Island Cake.  

You read that right .. vanilla cake layered with Old Bay buttercream frosting.  

Owner Brian Murphy says his team perfected the concept in one day and after receiving positive feedback from their taste testers  - they plan to offer the Old Bay Smith Island Cake in both small and large sizes as well as cake bites beginning February 5th.  You can place your order HERE 

Earlier this week - Gorillaz announced they were launching a a series of collaborative singles in 2020 - called Song Machine.  

We've heard the first episode - “Momentary Bliss” a track featuring the politically charged British rapper slowthai and UK punk duo Slaves: 

And now .. it seems we have a hint at who the next episode will feature - by way of a social media post from Gorillaz member Noodles ... the post features Tame Impala’s Currents album cover, with Gorillaz superimposed on top of it.  Noodles even tagged Tame Impala in the post and then the band commented on the post ... with the subtle question "Kev?"

 

 

 

 

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???????????????????????????? @tameimpala ????????????????????????????????????????????

A post shared by ? Noodle ?????? (@watashiwanoodle) on Jan 31, 2020 at 5:04pm PST

Earlier this week - Gorillaz annoiunced they were launching a a series of collaborative singles in 2020 - called Song Machine.  

We've heard the first episode - “Momentary Bliss” a track featureing the politically charged British rapper slowthai and UK punk duo Slaves: 

And now .. it seems we have a hint at who the next episode will feature - by way of a social media post from Gorillaz member Noodles ... the post features Tame Impala’s Currents album cover, with Gorillaz superimposed on top of it.  Noodles even tagged Tame Impala in the post and then the band commented on the post ... with the subtle question "Kev?"

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

???????????????????????????? @tameimpala ????????????????????????????????????????????

A post shared by ? Noodle ?????? (@watashiwanoodle) on Jan 31, 2020 at 5:04pm PST