Arts, Entertainment, and Media

Top 5 Ways Bleacher Report Rules the World!

The 10 Most Unreadable Metal Band Logos

Once upon a time, extreme metal bands opted to contort their logos into the most stylized mutations possible as a way to visually represent their music, and as a proud testament to the obscurity of their appeal. By now, it's all become a bad joke, and you're likelier to find the sludgiest doom crust ... More >>

The Great Sonny Rollins on Why Jazz Is "King of All Musics"

Long celebrated as one of the greatest tenor players in the history of jazz, saxophone colossus Sonny Rollins has been refining the art of creative improvisation for almost seven decades. A precocious youth growing up in Harlem during the golden age of jazz, a teenage Rollins led a band that include ... More >>

KCRW's Jeremy Sole on the Importance of Radio and His Addiction to "Black Crack"

Between saturating airwaves with his weekly soul and funk show on KCRW, and throwing an underground party known as theLIFT, Chicago-born DJ/producer/remixer/host Jeremy Sole is a busy and influential artist in the Los Angeles music scene. As a teen growing up in Chicago, inspiration came from his fa ... More >>

Breakaway: Show Preview

Between saturating airwaves with his weekly soul and funk show on KCRW, and throwing an underground party known as theLIFT, Chicago-born DJ/producer/remixer/host Jeremy Sole is a busy and influential artist in the Los Angeles music scene. As a teen growing up in Chicago, inspiration came from his fa ... More >>

Genndy Tartakovsky Still Goes it Alone With "Hotel Transylvania"

Between saturating airwaves with his weekly soul and funk show on KCRW, and throwing an underground party known as theLIFT, Chicago-born DJ/producer/remixer/host Jeremy Sole is a busy and influential artist in the Los Angeles music scene. As a teen growing up in Chicago, inspiration came from his fa ... More >>

Motown Imposter Alan Young Accused of Trotting Out Old Con Act

Back in 2010, local cops caught longtime con man Alan Young's well-worn act. In October of that year, Young was apprehended after a series of cons in which he portrayed himself as Motown singer/songwriter Lamont Dozier, and managed to separate money and goods from those charmed by his anecdotes. It ... More >>

Bay Area Rappers Remake 50 Cent's "How to Rob" With a Misogynist Twist

San Francisco-bred rapper Messy Marv and J-Diggs, president of Vallejo's embattled Thizz Entertainment, have just released "211 on a Industry Nigga," a remake of 50 Cent's 2002 debut single "How to Rob." Both call out specific rap and R&B stars -- many of the same names, in fact -- and detail how th ... More >>

The Top 5 Best Music Videos That Feature Puppets

Fact: puppets are awesome. Second fact: puppets become even more awesome when you stick them in music videos. Which is what all these smart people did. Here are our top five favorite puppet-related music videos.

Green Day's New Album ¡Uno! Is Streaming in Full, If You Don't Mind Dealing With Nokia

And today, the exciting first installment of our riveting three-part series, What Will Green Day Do Next? After the shouty, stadium rock success of American Idiot and 21st Century Breakdown, after touring Broadway and Billie Joe becoming a mentor on The Voice, what will be the East Bay pop-punk trio ... More >>

G.O.O.D. Music's Cruel Summer: A First Listen

Kanye West has officially become the bad guy, people. He's rich, he's rude, he's entitled, he's a rock 'n' roll legend who's awaiting a legit artistic backlash any year now, and he's also a smart businessperson. After Taylor Swift-gate and record sales of his third Pazz & Jop-winning "masterpiece" f ... More >>

Carly Rae Jepsen's Kiss: A First Listen

Normally I do these things on Radiohead or Bruce or Madonna, but my editor cleared one for Carly Rae Jepsen, who was a complete unknown a year ago. That's how big the biggest hit of the year is. Problem is, it's that mass-mass appeal that I think keeps me from all the way enjoying it. It's a cute so ... More >>

Paul Thomas Anderson: Master of "The Master"

Normally I do these things on Radiohead or Bruce or Madonna, but my editor cleared one for Carly Rae Jepsen, who was a complete unknown a year ago. That's how big the biggest hit of the year is. Problem is, it's that mass-mass appeal that I think keeps me from all the way enjoying it. It's a cute so ... More >>

Bridge School Benefit Lineup 2012: Guns N' Roses, Flaming Lips, Jack White, and More

The lineup for the 2012 Bridge School Benefit concert is out! Big names for this year's benefit include Neil Young and Crazy Horse, Guns N' Roses, the Flaming Lips, Jack White, and Foster the People. The annual concert -- which helps support the educational institution for individuals with severe sp ... More >>

Top 10 Black Pop Stars Who Should Go Country

With the nation's major-party political conventions recently drawing to a close with a rousing reelection appeal from the nation's first black president, it seems fitting to cast a spotlight on an equally rare profession: the black country music artist. Or, rather, the former black pop star seeking ... More >>

2012 MTV Video Music Awards: The 10 Lost Categories

The MTV Video Music Awards is an annual occasion for thrill and intrigue. An arena for a slutty young Madonna to writhe around the ground in a wedding dress, or even for a slutty old Madonna to French kiss a couple of aging pop tartlets. A place for pyro and pasties and grand interruptions -- I'mma ... More >>

Fall Arts: Classical Revolution Charts a New Course

The MTV Video Music Awards is an annual occasion for thrill and intrigue. An arena for a slutty young Madonna to writhe around the ground in a wedding dress, or even for a slutty old Madonna to French kiss a couple of aging pop tartlets. A place for pyro and pasties and grand interruptions -- I'mma ... More >>

DJ Apollo on DJ Contests and the Positive Vibes of the Free Doin' It In The Park Party This Weekend

As a pioneer of the turntablism movement, which in the '90s redefined what it means to be a disc jockey, DJ Apollo's numerous accolades include membership in the first DJ team to ever win the 1992 DMC world DJ championships, as well as founding the famous turntable-band Invisibl Skratch Piklz with f ... More >>

Win, Win, or Draw

As a pioneer of the turntablism movement, which in the '90s redefined what it means to be a disc jockey, DJ Apollo's numerous accolades include membership in the first DJ team to ever win the 1992 DMC world DJ championships, as well as founding the famous turntable-band Invisibl Skratch Piklz with f ... More >>

Poetry in Motion

As a pioneer of the turntablism movement, which in the '90s redefined what it means to be a disc jockey, DJ Apollo's numerous accolades include membership in the first DJ team to ever win the 1992 DMC world DJ championships, as well as founding the famous turntable-band Invisibl Skratch Piklz with f ... More >>

Premiere: Shady Blaze and Young Gully's Breezy, SMKA-Produced "Greatness"

Dropping in October, new mixtape Darkest Before Dawn will see a fresh line-up of Bay Area rappers hopping on tracks crafted by Atlanta production unit S.M.K.A. As a teaser for the project, which will include input from Roach Gigz, Mistah F.A.B., and DaVinci, All Shook Down is proud to present the pr ... More >>

Live Review, 8/25/12: Strummerville Offers an All-Inclusive Tribute to the Face of the Clash at Bottom of the Hill

"10th Anniversary Tribute Show To Joe Strummer" The Hooks Chris von Sneidern Eastern Span Interchords Saturday, Aug. 25, 2012 Bottom of the Hill Better than: Hearing Maroon 5 attempt "Should I Stay or Should I Go." Several men clad in sleeveless denim vests pack a dimly lit club on Saturday night. ... More >>

Live Review, 8/25/12: The '80s Babies and Their New Faves Rule Rock The Bells

Rock The Bells Saturday, Aug. 25, 2012 Shoreline Amphitheatre Better than: Partying with your own demographic Rock The Bells is the only annual hip-hop festival to manage the difficult feat of attracting a truly diverse and multi-generational crowd. In its fifth year in the Bay Area (and ninth ove ... More >>

Noel Gallagher Claims Rock Stardom Will Go Extinct, Apparently Hasn't Heard of Other Forms of Stardom

Aw, look: Another one of Oasis' Gallagher brothers uttered a statement that managed to be arrogant, ignorant, and fuddy-duddy all at the same time! This time it was the elder (and usually saner) one, Noel, speaking to the U.K.'s Sunday Express about the impending die-off of that rare and vital spec ... More >>

Bob Weir's Fancy New TRI Studios Is Holding a Contest For a Free Day of Recording

Earlier this year, we told you about Grateful Dead member Bob Weir's state-of-the-art recording facility in San Rafael, Tamalpais Research Institute (TRI). TRI is furnished with a Meyer Sound Constellation system, which allows the acoustic properties of the room to be altered with the touch of a but ... More >>

Pay to Paint: S.F. Street Artists' Perfect Circle of Fees

Earlier this year, we told you about Grateful Dead member Bob Weir's state-of-the-art recording facility in San Rafael, Tamalpais Research Institute (TRI). TRI is furnished with a Meyer Sound Constellation system, which allows the acoustic properties of the room to be altered with the touch of a but ... More >>

Girls Gone Musical

Earlier this year, we told you about Grateful Dead member Bob Weir's state-of-the-art recording facility in San Rafael, Tamalpais Research Institute (TRI). TRI is furnished with a Meyer Sound Constellation system, which allows the acoustic properties of the room to be altered with the touch of a but ... More >>

Todd Akin: Reaction to Rape Comment Shows the Real Power of Social Media

Social media is no doubt a powerful force. But in what ways? How does this power manifest itself? Some people, perhaps confused by the word "media," seem to think it's a replacement for dying traditional media outlets -- particularly newspapers -- despite there being zero evidence that this is takin ... More >>

Animal Collective's Centipede Hz: A First Listen

I'm not an Animal Collective fan. I like Strawberry Jam a lot, and I cherish a few individual songs elsewhere, particularly "Summertime Clothes" (not least because it sounds just like the theme from Snoopy Come Home, which I loved as a kid). But their rhythms are so clumpy, melodies so soupy, and "i ... More >>

S.F.'s Prank Records Is Only Getting More Hardcore With Age

Name: Prank Records Owner: Ken Sanderson Headquarters: Richmond District, San Francisco Founded: 1995 Label one-sheet: Prank Records is a prolific hardcore punk label based in San Francisco that boasts 136 releases from bands worldwide since its inception 1995. Bay Area bands play a pivotal role ... More >>

The RZA: Show Preview

Name: Prank Records Owner: Ken Sanderson Headquarters: Richmond District, San Francisco Founded: 1995 Label one-sheet: Prank Records is a prolific hardcore punk label based in San Francisco that boasts 136 releases from bands worldwide since its inception 1995. Bay Area bands play a pivotal role ... More >>

Pragmatists and Idealists Clash Over the Future of 924 Gilman

Slideshow: Step inside 924 Gilman

Julie Delpy: She's Taking on Everything That's Wrong with Movies

Slideshow: Step inside 924 Gilman

DJ Chucky Brown on Teaching the Art of DJing and His Collection of 25,000 Records

With a record-collecting father and a Studio 54-era disco queen mother, DJ Chucky Brown had a musically rich childhood. Originally an NYC native, he frequented fixtures of the early '90s dance scene such as the Paladium and Danceteria, and began his DJ career by leveraging the vast collection of vin ... More >>

What to See at Outside Lands: Nine Artists

With a record-collecting father and a Studio 54-era disco queen mother, DJ Chucky Brown had a musically rich childhood. Originally an NYC native, he frequented fixtures of the early '90s dance scene such as the Paladium and Danceteria, and began his DJ career by leveraging the vast collection of vin ... More >>

25 Gorgeous GIFs From Lollapalooza 2012

By REED FISCHER See Also:Ten things your Lollapalooza outfit says about you[Slideshow] Lollapalooza 2012 Day One: The Music[Slideshow] Lollapalooza 2012 Day Two: The Music [Slideshow] Lollapalooza 2012 Day Three: The Music[Slideshow] Lollapalooza 2012: The PeopleReady for some GIFs? To quote Ozz ... More >>

Live Review, 8/3/12: Iron Maiden Dominates Shoreline

Iron Maiden Coheed and Cambria Friday, August 2, 2012 Shoreline Amphitheatre Better than: Spending the evening with any other '80s metal band, and arguably any metal band period. Reliving past glories with tours that focus on classic albums or eras has become a standard practice for bands across a ... More >>

Lollapalooza Suspended, Resumed After Dangerous Weather Conditions

BY ERIK THOMPSON The 2012 installment of Lollapalooza has thus far brought the requisite extremes, in terms of performances and potent weather. A two-hour delay cut through the middle of Saturday's entertainment at Chicago's Grant Park, and a good many people were wishing they had just the record h ... More >>

Remembering Tony Sly: Bands, Fans, and Friends Mourn No Use For a Name Singer's Passing

Outpourings of grief and gratitude flooded the Internet yesterday after news broke that No Use For A Name frontman and underground Bay Area hero, Tony Sly, had passed away suddenly at the age of 41. As a key member of the pop-punk scene since the heyday of the 1990s, Sly had been a long-respected an ... More >>

Bobby Flay, if You Must Subject Us to 3 Days to Open, at Least Have the Decency to Scream and Rage

Each week, we take a quick, cautious look at what's going on with food TV. This week, 3 Days to Open, a one-hour show about empires crumbling to dust, Fridays at 10 p.m. on the Food Network. In the past few years the Food Network's programming moved from the time-honored strategy of having people c ... More >>

Summer of the NPR Intern Shit Storms: What Austin Cooper's Public Enemy Essay Says About Taste

In many ways, pop culture in 2012 is more sophisticated than ever. Hit TV shows and movies boast plots that are more twisty-turny than was once allowed; the general public's understanding of what Joni Mitchell once called "the star-maker machinery" seems pretty thorough by now; and there seems less ... More >>

Hear Le1f's "Wut": A Hot Track From an NYC Rapper Who Is, Oh Yeah, Openly Gay

Being a black male who raps and is open about his sexuality is still a big, controversial deal in post-Frank Ocean 2012, if the headlines and blog comments surrounding New York rap breakout Le1f are any indication. But before we get into that whole ugly issue of rap's latent homophobia, let's deal w ... More >>

Live Review, 7/20/12: Melvins Lite Defy Their Moniker at Slim's

See also: * The Melvins' Dale Crover on Lazy Musicians, Knucklehead Slayer Fans, and the Band's Record-Breaking Tour Melvins Lite Hepa/Titus Friday, July 20, 2012 Slim's Better than: Hauling around your biggest amplifiers. The Melvins may need no introduction, but they sure as hell suggest a lot ... More >>

Coachella Cruise: Let's Imagine What Other Music Festivals' Cruises Could Be Like

Our sea legs are still a little shaky from the news earlier this week that Coachella, the annual bare midriff convention of Indio, Calif., is going on a cruise. But then we thought the Bruise Cruise was totally weird. And actually, a cruise boat where Pulp plays and you get to go wine-tasting with J ... More >>

"The Dark Knight Rises": Batman Just Goes on Forever

Our sea legs are still a little shaky from the news earlier this week that Coachella, the annual bare midriff convention of Indio, Calif., is going on a cruise. But then we thought the Bruise Cruise was totally weird. And actually, a cruise boat where Pulp plays and you get to go wine-tasting with J ... More >>

Premiere: Hip-Hop Crew 40Love Share "Tiki Tiki," Talk Working With Zion I's Zumbi and Their Crazy Animal Masks

The hip-hop troupe 40Love is currently in possession of the most famous animal masks in modern Bay Area music history. Having made their debut in the video for Wallpaper's "#Stupidfacedd," the plastic faces are now being sported by three-quarters of the group in promotional pictures for upcoming alb ... More >>

Can't Beat It

The hip-hop troupe 40Love is currently in possession of the most famous animal masks in modern Bay Area music history. Having made their debut in the video for Wallpaper's "#Stupidfacedd," the plastic faces are now being sported by three-quarters of the group in promotional pictures for upcoming alb ... More >>

Green Day's Perfunctorily Catchy "Oh Love": Is This Band Pulling a Weezer?

Remember how, after he thought it'd been long enough for everyone to forget about Pinkerton, Weezer's Rivers Cuomo put out the green album, went back on MTV, and sang a bunch of frothy pop songs that never even pretended to mean anything? Catchy, featherweight singles like "Hash Pipe" and "Island in ... More >>

Tangerine Dream's Edgar Froese on Improvising, Technology, and Why He Doesn't Like Remixes

Along with contemporaries and countrymen Kraftwerk, pioneering German electronic music group Tangerine Dream stands as one of the most influential acts to ever plug in a synthesizer. Founded by keyboardist/guitarist Edgar Froese in 1967, Tangerine Dream got its start creating ferociously psychedelic ... More >>

KUSF Supporters Appeal FCC Decision to Sell College Radio Station

Last month the Federal Communications Commission approved the unpopular sale of KUSF to the Classical Public Radio Network in SoCal, making it official -- University of San Francisco would lose its indie radio station for good. But KUSF supporters aren't yet giving up. Proponents filed the paperwork ... More >>