Alternative Music
Taylor Swift Broke 73 Records with Release of New Album Midnights
To the surprise of no one, Taylor Swift’s new album Midnights is a certified smash. On its way to debuting at No. 1 in 14 countries — including the US, the UK, Australia, and Canada — Swift’s 10th LP also broke a bevy of records worldwide. Among her many feats, Swift became the only artist to have five albums debut with over 1 million units sold in their first week in US Nielsen history. Midnights moved 1.578 million units, behind only Adele’s 25 for the biggest debut by a female artist in Billboard history. Of the 1.578 millions sold, one million of that total was pure album sales — the first album to achieve this since Swift’s own reputation in 2017. What’s more, Midnights sold 575,000 copies on vinyl — the largest week for an album on vinyl since tracking began in 1991. Advertisement Re...
Elon Musk’s First Grand Plan for Twitter? Charging $20 Per Month for a Blue Checkmark
It’s day three of Elon Musk’s reign over Twitter, and beyond seeing an influx of racists tweeting, one big development is Musk’s plan for verification. According to The Verge, Twitter will soon start charging users as much as $19.99 per month for that little blue check mark. Under the proposed plan, Twitter will make verification one of the core features of its premium subscription service, Twitter Blue. Current Twitter Blue subscribers pay $4.99 per month for features like an edit button, a custom reader mode, bookmarks, and more. Musk will reportedly triple the price with the added carrot of giving unverified users the opportunity of adding a blue checkmark next to their handles. Advertisement Related Video Existing verified users would have 90 days to subscribe to Twitter Blue or lose t...
Use of N-Word Jumps 500% After Elon Musk Buys Twitter
Self-proclaimed “free speech absolutist” Elon Musk officially bought Twitter on October 27th, and in the hours following the deal, a slew of bigoted troll accounts appeared to test the limits of his moderation policies. According to The Washington Post, in the 12 hours after Musk acquired Twitter, use of the N-word surged 500%. “Elon now controls twitter. Unleash the racial slurs. K—S AND N—–S,” one account said, using slurs for Jewish and Black people. “I can freely express how much I hate n—–s … now, thank you elon,” another said. One account, created this month, used a swastika as its profile picture and tweeted antisemitic memes alongside retweeting posts from Musk. Much of this hate speech was organized on platforms like 4chan, said the Network Contagion Research Institute, which anal...
Evan Peters Stayed in Character as Jeffrey Dahmer for Months While Shooting Netflix Show
Hollywood’s constant deluge of serial killer content stems from fascination: How could anyone drug, strangle, dismember, and cannibalize a fellow human being? That’s why when Evan Peters finally wrapped his head around it as he prepared to portray Jeffrey Dahmer in Ryan Murphy’s Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, he stayed in that place, remaining in character during the Netflix show’s six-month shoot. Peters and Murphy discussed the process of making the Milwaukee Monster biopic at a recent panel, Variety reports. After Murphy proclaimed that Peters “basically stayed in this character, as difficult as it was, for months,” the actor explained that he wore lead weights around his arms and lifts in his shoes to get Dahmer’s strangely proper physicality down. “He has a very straight ...
Tom Hanks Returns As David S. Pumpkins on SNL: Watch
Just in time for Halloween, David S. Pumpkins made his long-awaited return to Saturday Night Live. Tom Hanks made a surprise appearance on last night’s episode of SNL (Oct. 29th) to reprise the beloved character alongside his skeletal comrades played by Mikey Day and Bobby Moynihan. (SNL alum Moynihan also appeared earlier in the episode to reprise his Drunk Uncle character). Hanks previously portrayed David S. Pumpkins twice during SNL’s 42nd season in 2016. The success of the character led SNL to create an animated Halloween special that aired in 2017. However, because of Moynihan’s departure from the show following Season 43, there had not been another opportunity for Hanks to reprise the character — until last night. Related Video Below, you can watch SNL’s new David S. Pumpkins sketch...
Robert Fripp and Toyah Take on Black Sabbath’s “Children of the Grave” for Halloween: Watch
King Crimson guitarist Robert Fripp and singer wife Toyah Willcox tackle the Black Sabbath classic “Children of the Grave” for the Halloween edition of their “Sunday Lunch” series. To enhance the Halloween vibe, Fripp dresses up as what we think is Lawrence of Arabia with large spiders on his head and shoulder, while Toyah sports a sheer top with a giant spider leg strategically placed across her chest. “Children of the Grave” is not the first time the married couple has taken on a Sabbath song. Back in the early stages of their “Sunday Lunch” series, they covered “Paranoid” with Toyah dancing wildly behind bars. It led to Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi telling Heavy Consequence, “They’ve gone mad, actually. I think this lockdown has drove them mental.” Advertisement Related Video In a recen...
Morrissey Announces New Album Bonfire of Teenagers
Morrissey has announced his new solo album, Bonfire of Teenagers, which will be released in February 2023. Bonfire of Teenagers was recorded in Los Angeles with producer Andrew Watt. Across the album’s 11 tracks, Morrissey is joined by several big-name collaborators, including Miley Cyrus, Iggy Pop, Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith and Flea, Josh Klinghoffer, and Jesse Tobias. Below, you can watch fan-captured of Morrissey performing the album’s title track during a recent concert. Advertisement Related Video Capitol Records will release Bonfire of Teenagers worldwide — except in the UK, where the singer does not currently have a label deal. Additionally, Capitol has licensed the rights to reissue several of Morrissey’s previous albums, including Southpaw Grammar, You Are The Quarry,...
How to Get Tickets to Pulp’s 2023 Reunion Tour
Britpop legends Pulp are reuniting in 2023 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their album This Is Hardcore. Dubbed the “This Is What We Do for an Encore Tour,” Jarvis Cocker and company have laid out a run of concerts in their native UK between the months of May and July. Read on to learn how to get tickets to their reunion tour. What Is Pulp’s Reunion Tour? “This Is What We Do for an Encore” is a reference to the title track to This Is Hardcore. In a statement, the band explained, “An encore happens when the crowd makes enough noise to bring the band back to the stage. “So… We are playing in the UK and Ireland in 2023. Therefore… Come along and make some noise. See you there.” The 2023 tour begins in May with shows in Bridlington and Warrington, UK. From there, Pulp ...
Henry Cavill Leaving The Witcher, Liam Hemsworth Signs On As Replacement
With the return of Superman on the horizon, Henry Cavill is abdicating his lead role on Netflix’s The Witcher after three seasons. In his place, producers have tapped Liam Hemsworth to play Geralt of Rivia. “My journey as Geralt of Rivia has been filled with both monsters and adventures, and alas, I will be laying down my medallion and my swords for Season 4,” Cavill said in a statement on Saturday. “In my stead, the fantastic Mr Liam Hemsworth will be taking up the mantle of the White Wolf. As with the greatest of literary characters, I pass the torch with reverence for the time spent embodying Geralt and enthusiasm to see Liam’s take on this most fascinating and nuanced of men. Liam, good sir, this character has such a wonderful depth to him, enjoy diving in and seeing what you can find....
Dead Kennedys Drummer D.H. Peligro Dead At 63
Longtime Dead Kennedys drummer D.H. Peligro died Friday (October 28th) at the age of 63. According to a statement from the band, Peligro died “from trauma to the head caused by an accidental fall” in his Los Angeles home. “Arrangements are pending and will be announced in the coming days. We ask that you respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time. Thank you for your thoughts and words of comfort,” the statement added. D.H. Peligro, who was born Darren Henley, replaced original Dead Kennedys drummer Ted (Bruce Slesinger) in 1981. He made his debut on the EP In God We Trust, Inc., and also drummed on the albums Plastic Surgery Disasters, Frankenchrist, and Bedtime for Democracy, as well as singles/rarities collection, Give Me Convenience or Give Me Death. Related Video Following...
Shelley Duvall Returning for First Film Role in 20 Years
Shelley Duvall is returning for her first on-screen role in 20 years. As Deadline reports, The Shining actress is set to appear in the upcoming indie horror thriller The Forest Hills. She’ll play the mother of a man named Rico (played by Chiko Mendez), who is tormented by nightmarish visions after enduring head trauma while on a camping trip. Directed by Scott Goldberg, the film also stars Edward Furlong and Dee Wallace. Goldberg told EW that Duvall “was so sweet and kind. She was in great spirits and a true professional.” He also said she was “happy to be on camera.” Related Video Duvall previously announced her retirement from film in 2002 following an appearance in Manna from Heaven. Advertisement She later resurfaced for a 2016 appearance on Dr. Phil’s talk show, where she spoke candid...
BTS’ Jin Performs “The Astronaut” with Coldplay in Buenos Aires: Watch
Jin of BTS recently shared “The Astronaut,” his debut solo single that he co-wrote with Coldplay, and now, the artists have teamed up to perform the song live for the first time. Watch the clip below. Coldplay are in the midst of their “Music of the Spheres World Tour,” and Jin joined them on stage in Buenos Aires on Friday, October 28th to run through “The Astronaut.” In the professionally shot live video (directed by Paul Dugdale), fireworks go off above the stadium as the artists perform the soft ballad. “There is no one else/ I feel this way I’ve never felt,” Jin and Chris Martin sing. Jin is the second member of BTS, following j-hope, to strike out on their own during the boy band’s “second chapter.” Jin called “The Astronaut” “a gift for the fans” during the group’s ti...
