Rock
Weezer Go Vivaldi-Rock (?) on SZNZ: Spring EP
For a band still very much defined by the crunchy alt-pop of their very first album (and by the departures from that sound on their classic follow-up), Weezer has used its unlikely second and third decades as a band to practice a surprising amount of eclecticism. For Decade Two (roughly 2003 through 2013), this translated to never knowing whether a Weezer song would be pop-rock bliss or appalling disaster, leaving only the certainty that any given album would have at least several tracks’ worth of each. But since 2014 or so, the band has seemed less defiantly scattershot in their experiments. Their albums still come out at a steady clip, but they feel more sonically and thematically cohesive — without sacrificing their playfulness. Appropriate for its debut in a season of blooming, the ban...
Arcade Fire’s Will Butler Leaves the Band
Will Butler, a longtime member of Arcade Fire, has announced his departure from the band. “Hi friends — I’ve left Arcade Fire,” Butler — who’s the younger brother of frontman Win Butler and has been a part of Arcade Fire since the group’s debut full-length album, Funeral — announced in a tweet on Saturday (March 19). “I left at the end of last year, after the new record was complete,” the multi-instrumentalist and songwriter clarified. “There was no acute reason beyond that I’ve changed — and the band has changed — over the last almost 20 years. Time for new things.” Explore See latest videos, charts and news His update continued, “I’m working on a new record; booking some shows this summer. I’m working on music for a David Adjmi play (which is so good). A few other projects percolati...
Song of the Week: Arcade Fire Return with the Genuine and Cathartic “The Lightning I, II”
Song of the Week breaks down and talks about the song we just can’t get out of our head each week. Find these songs and more on our Spotify Top Songs playlist. For our favorite new songs from emerging artists, check out our Spotify New Sounds playlist. This week, Arcade Fire return to form with a blistering and emotional two-part track. After 2017’s Everything Now, Arcade Fire are back with a new pair of (linked) singles: “The Lightning I, II,” which is set to appear on their upcoming sixth studio album, WE, out May 6th. Arcade Fire are no stranger to sprawling (sorry) odysseys, and on “The Lightning,” they bring a sense of urgency that hasn’t been as present in the band’s catalog since Neon Bible. The first half of “The Lightning” has an air of theatrical dra...
Muse Confront Global Instability, War, Authoritarianism on 9th Album, ‘Will of the People’
Muse are not holding anything back on their upcoming ninth album, Will of the People. The hard-hitting English rock trio announced the title of the 10-track collection on Thursday (March 17), Will of the People, which is slated to drop on Aug. 26 via Warner Records. Explore Explore Muse See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “Will Of The People was created in Los Angeles and London and is influenced by the increasing uncertainty and instability in the world,” said singer Matt Bellamy in a statement. “A pandemic, new wars in Europe, massive protests & riots, an attempted insurrection, Western democracy wavering, rising authoritarianism, wildfires and natural disasters and the destabilization of the global order all informed Will Of The People. ...
Duran Duran Talk Rock Hall Nomination, Perform ‘Tonight United’ on ‘Corden’: Watch
Duran Duran are more than 40-years deep into a recording career that has delivered the wild boys ample fame, fortune, and, just maybe, induction into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame. The British ‘80s stars are the runaway leaders in the Rock Hall fan vote, and with the announcement earlier this week of a long-overdue tour of North America, DD are guaranteed to spark more chatter in the months ahead. On Wednesday night (March 16), founding members Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, John Taylor and Roger Taylor stopped by The Late Late Show for a chat with its host James Corden, and a performance from their 15th and latest studio album, Future Past. Explore See latest videos, charts and news Will Duran Duran earn Rock Hall glory on their first nomination? Time will tell, though a development in recen...
Steve Albini Offers to Produce Dolly Parton’s Rock Record
After Dolly Parton removed herself from consideration for the Rock and Roll of Fame, saying she first needed to make a great rock record, she got an offer from a man who’s helped more artists into those hallowed halls than just about anyone living: Steve Albini. Parton was nominated for the Class of 2022 in February alongside Eminem, Rage Against the Machine, and more. In a statement explaining why she would be declining potential Hall of Fame induction at this time, she said that she would like to be considered in the future, but only after she has “put out a hopefully great rock ‘n’ roll album… which I have always wanted to do!” Albini retweeted this statement and his offer was short and sweet: “Dolly Parton do you like analog recording,” he wrote, though so far she has not publicly...
‘Phoenix Rising’ Doc Offers Harrowing Look at Evan Rachel Wood Abuse Allegations Against Marilyn Manson
[Trigger warning: this article contains descriptions of domestic violence, as well as sexual and physical abuse.] Sometimes the film you set out to make is not the one you end up with. That’s the case with director Amy Berg’s intense two-part HBO documentary Phoenix Rising. The veteran filmmaker originally set out to document actress Evan Rachel Wood’s successful drive to lengthen the statute of limitations for domestic violence felonies in California from three to five years. As Wood was fighting for the Phoenix Act — which was signed into law in 2019 — Berg realized that any potential film would have to delve into Wood’s allegations against her former fiancé/boyfriend, shock rocker Marilyn Manson (born Brian Warner). That story makes up much of the first part (“Don’t Fall”) of the nearly...
Dave Grohl Recounts Seeing David Bowie For the First Time, And the Art of Saying ‘No’
When you’re Dave Grohl, two-time Rock And Roll Hall of Fame inductee, you don’t so much rub shoulders with the rich and famous. You are the rich and famous. But the Foo Fighter, like the rest of us, has his heroes. Right at the top of the heap is the late, great David Bowie. Speaking on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s 7.30 program, Grohl recounted the first time he laid his eyes on Bowie, the Man Who Fell to Earth. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Bowie was headlining a festival in England, Grohl was on the bill, lower down. “I stood in the photo pit and looked at him and it was like seeing an alien,” he recounts. “You know, it was like seeing a UFO for the first time, like, ‘Oh, my God, it’s real’. That’s something I’ve never seen bef...
How to Get Tickets to Pearl Jam’s 2022 Tour
It’s been a long road for Seattle grunge rockers Pearl Jam to tour behind 2020’s Gigaton, but with frontman Eddie Vedder’s solo endeavor Earthling in the books and a bout with coronavirus in the rearview, the band is set to head out with rescheduled and additional dates two years in-the-making. Get tickets here, and read on for more info including pre-sale dates. What Is Pearl Jam’s Next Tour? The 2022 tour features rescheduled North American tour dates as well as a previously announced European leg that covers the summer into early fall. The tour kicks off on May 3rd in San Diego followed by two nights in Los Angeles, more postponed shows along the west coast, and a new closing date in Las Vegas on May 20th. The North American tour resumes in September with four concerts in Canada, a stop...
Arcade Fire Announces Ukraine Benefit Show Tonight in New Orleans
Arcade Fire is doing what they can to help the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. The band took to Twitter on Monday (Mar. 14) to announce a last-minute Ukraine benefit concert at the Toulouse Theatre in New Orleans. Admission for tonight’s show is on a “pay what you can” basis. According to the flyer that Arcade Fire posted, doors for the show open at 7:30 p.m., though wristbands (one per customer) will be handed out starting at 10 a.m. The flyer notes that “all proceeds benefit the Plus 1 Ukraine relief fund.” Plus 1 is a non-profit organization that focuses on social and environmental justice, particularly within creative industries. Explore See latest videos, charts and news 👀 pic.twitter.com/yM7SzjtD4F — Arcade Fire (@arcadefire) March 14, 2022 The benefit show will mark Arcade ...
Jack White Calls on Major Labels to Build Their Own Vinyl Record Plants
Jack White has issued a new open letter and video calling on major labels to build their own vinyl record pressing plants. “At least once a week, without fail, someone will reach out asking me to help expedite their vinyl record manufacturing,” writes White to begin his letter. “It’s a natural thought… knowing that I own a pressing plant and have my own record label, “if anyone could help, it’s this guy!” As the founder of Third Man Records, White has become one of the leading advocates for and producers of vinyl records. Over the years, several major artists — including JAY-Z and Dave Chappelle — have partnered with Third Man to press their releases on vinyl. Advertisement Related Video But, as White goes on to explain in today’s letter, recent supply chain issues and manufacturing bottle...
Pearl Jam Announce 2022 North American Tour Dates
Pearl Jam will finally return to the road for their long-awaited North American tour supporting their latest album, Gigaton. The band was forced to postpone the tour, originally scheduled to take place in Spring 2020, due to concerns over the coronavirus pandemic. Now, three years later, they’re finally ready to make good on those rescheduled shows — as well as play a few newly announced dates. Check out the updated tour schedule below. A Ticketmaster Verified Fan pre-sale will begin Tuesday, March 29th at 10:00 a.m. local time. Fans can register for access now through Sunday, March 27th. Additionally, a special pre-sale for members of Pearl Jam’s Ten Club is now underway. Advertisement Related Video Josh Klinghoffer’s solo project, Pluralone, will open for Pearl Jam on their North America...
