Spinner http://www.spinner.com Spinner http://www.spinner.com/media/feedlogo.gif Spinner http://www.spinner.com en-us Copyright 2013 Blogsmith, LLC. The contents of this headlines and excerpts feed are available for limited commercial distribution. You may repost this feed to your site provided you link back to the original story, do not edit the material, and do not remove this copyright notice. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ 'Mad Men': Analyzing Its End-Credit Music From Dusty Springfield to The Kinks http://www.spinner.com/2013/04/05/mad-men-music/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/04/05/mad-men-music/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/04/05/mad-men-music/#comments Filed under: , , , ,


Mad Men season 6Mad Men Facebook

After what feels like an eternity, Mad Men is finally coming back to cable. To celebrate, we used Sunday's season six premiere as an excuse to re-watch last season, over-analyze it for potential upcoming spoilers and listen to the soundtrack several times. Clearly, due to awesomeness, this led to us losing our minds.

But before that happened, we managed to juxtapose Matthew Weiner's closing song choices with last season's overarching theme. Did they factor into the big picture? Or were songs like "16 Going on 17" throwaway picks that meant something only in a very specific context? ]]> beethovenconnie conwayConnieConwayDon DraperDonDraperdusty springfieldDustySpringfieldMad MenMad men musicMadMenMadMenMusicMatthew WeinerMatthewWeinermaurice chevalierMauriceChevaliernancy sinatraNancySinatranellie mckayNellieMckaythe beatlesthe crystalsthe kinksthe lovin spoonfulthe sound of musicTheBeatlesTheCrystalsTheKinksTheLovinSpoonfulTheSoundOfMusic Anne T Donahue 2013-04-05T16:30:00 00:00 Happy Valentine's Day: 10 Worst Love Songs Ever http://www.spinner.com/2013/02/12/worst-love-songs-ever/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/02/12/worst-love-songs-ever/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/02/12/worst-love-songs-ever/#comments Filed under: , , ,


Trent Reznor Nine Inch Nails Florence WelchGetty | Getty

It's that time of year again when candlelit dinners are more than just a fire hazard. But maybe your idea of dating is more tragedy than fairy tale, and Valentine's Day has you feeling decidedly unromantic.

If that's the case, have we got a playlist for you.

From Nine Inch Nails and Florence and the Machine to Lionel Ritchie and George Michael we've compiled the tawdriest, creepiest and all-around worst love songs we could find. (Sorry, Taylor Swift, your love songs didn't make the cut, but given your love life is the worst we know of, this playlist is, ahem, tailor-made for you.)

Happy Valentine's Day! ]]> bad love songsBadLoveSongsClay AikenClayAikenFleetwood MacFleetwoodMacFountains of WayneFountainsOfWayneGeorge MichaelGeorgeMichaelill advised love songsIllAdvisedLoveSongslionel richieLionelRichieLittle Peggy MarchLittlePeggyMarchlovelove songsLoveSongsMeat LoafMeatLoafNine Inch NailsNineInchNailsRihannaunromantic songsUnromanticSongsValentines dayValentines day musicValentines day songsValentines day tunesValentinesDayValentinesDayMusicValentinesDaySongsValentinesDayTunes Anne T Donahue 2013-02-12T15:00:00 00:00 History in the Singing: 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' & 19 Other Songs Based On Historic Events http://www.spinner.com/2013/01/30/history-historic-songs/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/01/30/history-historic-songs/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/01/30/history-historic-songs/#comments Filed under: , , ,


U2 Bono Live Aidliveaid.free.fr

January 30 marks the 41st anniversary of Bloody Sunday -- the infamous massacre in North Ireland at the hands of the British army that saw 14 people die and provided a rallying cry for generations of republicans.

And while you may or may not be a history buff, songs like U2's "Sunday Bloody Sunday" have helped history live on by commemorating events ranging from great victories to terrible tragedies. (To wit, this week also marks the anniversary of the school shooting that inspired the Boomtown Rats' "I Don't Like Mondays.")

That's why we've rounded up 20 historically inspired songs. Now, even if you're not particularly into the subject, you'll know the meaning behind a few of Bob Dylan's and Dr. Dre's biggest songs.

To read 20 Important Historical Moments Captured in Song click the gallery below: ]]> Arcade FireArcadeFireArlo guthrieArloGuthrieBilly JoelBillyJoelBloc PartyBlocPartyBob DylanBob GeldofBobDylanBobGeldofBoomtown RatsBoomtownRatsBruce SpringsteenBruceSpringsteenBuddy HollyBuddyHollyCherry Poppin DaddiesCherryPoppinDaddiesCranberriesDavid MilgaardDavidMilgaardDetroit Rock CityDetroitRockCityDon McLeanDonMcleanDr. DreDr.Dreedmund fitzgeraldEdmundFitzgeraldFilterGordon LightfootGordonLightfoothistorical songsHistoricalSongshistory songsHistorySongsHurricane CarterHurricaneCarterice stormIceStormIRA bombingIraBombingJFKJFK assassinationJfkAssassinationKissLA RiotsLaRiotsLos Angeles riotsLosAngelesRiotsmusic historyMusicHistoryNeville BrothersNevilleBrothersPearl JamPearlJamPostal ServicePostalServicerichie valensRichieValensRosa ParksRosaParksRubin hurricane carterRubinHurricaneCarterSeptember 11September11Steve EarleSteveEarlesunday bloody sundaySundayBloodySundayThe CranberriesThe Postal ServiceTheCranberriesThePostalServiceTragically HipTragicallyHipU2 Anne T Donahue 2013-01-30T17:00:00 00:00 10 Best Music Tumblrs -- Adele Doubtfire, Call Me Maeby, Beyonce Looking at Stuff http://www.spinner.com/2013/01/17/10-best-music-tumblrs/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/01/17/10-best-music-tumblrs/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/01/17/10-best-music-tumblrs/#comments Filed under: , , ,


Who is the Arcade Firewhoisarcadefire.tumblr.com

Being at work is boring, right? Well, we're here to help you with that.

Sure, you could watch funny videos, discretely play video games, or read Taylor Swift fan fiction (yes, that is a thing that exists in the world). But we've got a better idea.

After scouring the internet and calling it "work," we've found the best musical Tumblrs to help you pass the time. Just don't let your boss catch you. (And if they do, distract 'em with Adele dressed up as Mrs. Doubtfire!)

Click to launch the gallery below: ]]> adeleadele mrs. doubtfireadele tumblrAdeleMrs.DoubtfireAdeleTumblrArcade Firearcade fire tumblrArcadeFireArcadeFireTumblrArrested DevelopmentArrestedDevelopmentbest music tumblrsBestMusicTumblrsbeyoncebeyonce looking at stuffbeyonce tumblrBeyonceLookingAtStuffBeyonceTumblrbon iverbon iver eroticabon iver tumblrBonIverBonIverEroticaBonIverTumblrcall me maebyCallMeMaebyCarly Rae JepsenCarlyRaeJepsencat tumblrcat tumblrscatsCatTumblrCatTumblrsgangnam stylegangnam style tumblrGangnamStyleGangnamStyleTumblrkanye westkanye west tumblrkanyed by the bellKanyedByTheBellKanyeWestKanyeWestTumblrmrs. doubtfireMrs.Doubtfiremusic tumblrmusic tumblrsmusicians and catsmusicians with catsMusiciansAndCatsMusiciansWithCatsMusicTumblrMusicTumblrsnickelbacknickelback tumblrNickelbackTumblrpsypsy tumblrPsyTumblrrap tumblrrappers looking like musiciansRappersLookingLikeMusiciansRapTumblrrobin williamsRobinWilliamssaved by the bellSavedByTheBellTumblrwho is the arcade firewho the fuck is arcade fireWhoIsTheArcadeFireWhoTheFuckIsArcadeFire Anne T Donahue 2013-01-17T13:15:00 00:00 15 Strangest Musician Appearances in Commercials http://www.spinner.com/2013/01/07/15-strangest-musician-appearances-in-commercials/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/01/07/15-strangest-musician-appearances-in-commercials/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/01/07/15-strangest-musician-appearances-in-commercials/#comments Filed under: , ,


Ringo Starr Pizza HutYouTube

These days it's not enough for musicians to simply make music.

If you're Jay-Z you buy an ownership stake in a basketball team, if you're Sleater-Kinney's Carrie Brownstein you make a television show like Portlandia, but if you're a rocker just looking to be shown the money there's one way to go -- advertising.

In honor of these wallet-first thinkers, we've rounded up the weirdest appearances of musicians in commercials. Surprisingly, insurance hawking is big, while cars and food products are even bigger.

Admittedly, only a few of ads hold a candle to Snoop Dogg and his recent commercial for pistachios. However, their premises are still kind of... nuts. ]]> 50 Cent50CentAnthony Gray Tax ServiceAnthonyGrayTaxServicebauhausBon JoviBonJoviCountry Life ButterCountryLifeButterDavid BowieDavidBowiedevoDuran Duran DuranDuranDuranDuranDusty SpringfieldDustySpringfieldhondaIggy PopIggyPopJohn LydonJohnLydonmaxellMC HammerMcHammerMichael JacksonMichaelJacksonmitsubishimothers pride breadMothersPrideBreadmusician adsmusician commercialsMusicianAdsMusicianCommercialsmusicians in adsmusicians in commercialsMusiciansInAdsMusiciansInCommercialsOzzy OsbourneOzzyOsbournepeter murphyPeterMurphypizza hutPizzaHutrice krispiesRiceKrispiesringo StarrRingoStarrRolling StonesRollingStonessakeSuzukiSwiftcover InsuranceSwiftcoverInsuranceTaco BellTacoBellThe GameThe monkeysTheGameTheMonkeysworld of warcraftWorldOfWarcraft Anne T Donahue 2013-01-07T15:55:00 00:00 11 Musicians With Other Job Skills http://www.spinner.com/2013/01/03/11-musicians-with-other-job-skills/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/01/03/11-musicians-with-other-job-skills/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/01/03/11-musicians-with-other-job-skills/#comments Filed under: , ,


Rick Ross, Jack White, PeachesGetty | Getty | Getty

There are more than a few musicians who had a plan B. Or more specifically, there are more than a few musicians who abandoned bona fide careers for a chance in the limelight. (And vice versa.)

That's why we went on a research binge. We wanted to know if Rick Ross wasn't the only person who's lived a double life, or that post-secondary schooling wasn't just for Girl Talk.

Well, we were correct.

Here are 11 musicians who boast some serious skills should they tire of rock and/or roll: ]]> Amy ColeAmyColeBad ReligionBadReligiondeath cab for cutieDeathCabForCutieDrakeGene SimmonsGeneSimmonsGirl TalkGirlTalkGreg GraffinGregg GillisGreggGillisGregGraffinJack WhiteJackWhiteKISSmusicians with jobsmusicians with other skillsMusiciansWithJobsMusiciansWithOtherSkillsNick HarmerNickHarmerNils EdenloffNilsEdenloffPaul BanwattPaulBanwattPeachesRick RossRickRossRural Alberta AdvantageRuralAlbertaAdvantageSinead oconnorSineadOconnorSlayerTom ArayaTomAraya Anne T Donahue 2013-01-03T16:30:00 00:00 19 Best Cover Songs of 2012 -- Lana Del Rey, Feist, Japandroids, Divine Fits, Cookie Monster & More http://www.spinner.com/2012/12/21/best-cover-songs-of-2012/ http://www.spinner.com/2012/12/21/best-cover-songs-of-2012/ http://www.spinner.com/2012/12/21/best-cover-songs-of-2012/#comments Filed under: , , ,


Lana Del Rey, FeistGetty | Getty

It's been a great year for music.

But what's been even greater is how musicians have been paying tribute to each other's work, as well as creating their own.

Yes, we listeners scored some great original music, but there's something to be said for artists like Feist, Destroyer, and Bruce Springsteen interpreting someone else's song in his or her own, unique way.

So behold: our picks for the best covers of 2012. Luckily for you, because there are so many, your new favorite song is probably included. ]]> AdeleAlanis MorissetteAlanisMorissetteAustraBat For Lashes The Haunted ManBatForLashesBatForLashesTheHauntedManbest coastBest cover songsBest cover songs 2012BestcoastBestCoverSongsBestCoverSongs2012boy georgeBoyGeorgebruce springsteenBruceSpringsteencarly rae jepsenCarlyRaeJepsenCookie MonsterCookieMonstercreedence clearwater revivalCreedenceClearwaterRevivalDestroyersDivine FitsDivineFitsElvis CostelloElvisCostelloFeistFleetwood MacFleetwoodMacFoster the PeopleFosterThePeopleGreat cover songsgreat cover songs 2012GreatCoverSongsGreatCoverSongs2012Green DayGreenDayike and tina turnerIkeAndTinaTurnerJapandroidsKasabianLana Del ReyLanaDelReyMastodonNew Orleans Saints training campNew PornographersNeworderNewOrleansSaintsTrainingCampNewPornographersnick cavenick cave and the bad seedsNickCaveNickCaveAndTheBadSeedsRihannaRobynSantigoldthe bandThe Birthday PartyThe RootsTheBandTheBirthdayPartyTheRootsUsherWillow SmithWillowSmithZola JesusZolaJesus Anne T Donahue 2012-12-21T15:00:00 00:00 Travel, Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll: 15 Most Ridiculous In-Transit Musician Drug Busts http://www.spinner.com/2012/10/18/musician-drug-busts/ http://www.spinner.com/2012/10/18/musician-drug-busts/ http://www.spinner.com/2012/10/18/musician-drug-busts/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,


Alex Wong, Getty

Last week, Nelly's stop at the Sierra Blanca border in Texas came to an end when his tour bus was allegedly found to be containing guns, marijuana and heroin.

However, more shocking than the contents of Nelly's bus (and the fact that he's still getting gigs) is that he's not alone in having his joyride go wrong. Not only have several musicians been stopped and busted on that same stretch of Texas highway, but also many others have been apprehended while on the go as well.

Here's our round up of the most noteworthy in-transit musical drug busts, or as Nelly would say, a list of, um, "Party People." ]]> Aaron CarterCarlos SantanaDavid Lee Rothdrug bustsFiona AppleJa RuleJames BrownJohnny CashLil Waynemusical criminalsmusician crimeMusician drug bustsPaul McCartneyRay CharlesSantanaSly StoneSnoop DoggWillie Nelson Anne T Donahue 2012-10-18T16:00:00 00:00 10 Weirdest Music Award Show Moments: Kanye, ODB, Rage and Multiple Jackos http://www.spinner.com/2012/09/06/10-weirdest-music-award-show-moments-kanye-west/ http://www.spinner.com/2012/09/06/10-weirdest-music-award-show-moments-kanye-west/ http://www.spinner.com/2012/09/06/10-weirdest-music-award-show-moments-kanye-west/#comments Filed under: , , , ,


MTV

Tonight the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards will go down in Los Angeles.

It's not hard to predict that something scandalous will happen during the VMAs broadcast. After all, Drake, Rihanna and Chris Brown may all be in the same building, at the same time (no glass, only plastic cups and cutlery for anyone in their entourages).

And with Green Day, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Miley Cyrus and Ke$ha also appearing at the awards you know at least one of them is going to do something to try to scandalize everyone.

It's going to have to be something pretty great/ridiculous/stupid to get our attention, though. After all, the bar for bizarre awards show stunts -- be they spontaneous or choreographed -- has been set pretty high. ]]> awardsBeyonceBrit AwardsBritney SpearsBrunoChristina AguileraEminemGrammy AwardsHayden PanettiereJarvis CockerJay-zKanye WestLimp Bizkitlisa marie presleyMadonnaMTV Europe Music Awardsmtv video music awardsmusic awardsmusic awards showsOl Dirty BastardPuff DaddyPulprage against the machinesacha baron cohenTaylor SwiftTim CommerfordTom MorelloVMAswu tang clan Anne T Donahue 2012-09-06T12:00:00 00:00 12 'Ironic' Facts About Alanis Morissette http://www.spinner.com/2012/08/28/alanis-morissette-12-ironic-facts/ http://www.spinner.com/2012/08/28/alanis-morissette-12-ironic-facts/ http://www.spinner.com/2012/08/28/alanis-morissette-12-ironic-facts/#comments Filed under: , , , ,


Williams & Hirakawa

Today marks the release of Alanis Morissette's Havoc and Bright Lights, the singer-songwriter's eighth studio album.

And while the record's received genuinely lukewarm reviews by critics thus far, it's essentially a Canadian hate crime not to somehow immortalize her new musical chapter.

That's why Spinner has rounded up 12 "ironic" facts about Alanis Morissette. Oh, and if we use quotation marks because not all examples may be technically ironic, at least Alanis won't notice since she remains to this day the poster child for inaccurate irony.
]]> AlanisAlanis factsAlanis Morissettealanis morissette dogmaAlanis Morissette factsalanis morissette godAlanis Morissette ironicalanis morissette nudealanis morissette ryan reynoldsalanis morissette sarah jessica parker kissalanis morissette sarah jessica parker lesbianalanis morissette vanilla icealanis morissette yogaalanis too hotAlanismorissetteDave coulierdave matthewsfoo fightersjagged little pillringo starrRyan Reynoldssarah jessica parkersex and the cityTaylor hawkinstom pettyvanilla iceyou cant do that on televisionyou cant do that on television alanisYou Oughta know Anne T Donahue 2012-08-28T14:30:00 00:00 Surprising Scores: Movies' 15 Least Likely Sports Anthems http://www.spinner.com/2012/07/31/15-least-likely-sports-anthems/ http://www.spinner.com/2012/07/31/15-least-likely-sports-anthems/ http://www.spinner.com/2012/07/31/15-least-likely-sports-anthems/#comments Filed under: , , , ,


Fox Searchlight

The London Olympics and their Paul McCartney-fronted opening ceremonies are over, and we're now deep into the actual competition (Have you watched handball yet?).

And while montages set to the "Chariots of Fire" theme may be the first image that comes to mind in times like these -- and perhaps the Belle and Sebastian "The Stars of Track and Field" scene from Pumpkin, second -- we've found 15 others that should (but, alas, don't) easily trump these. Race car sound effects and all.

Click below to launch the gallery and see the 15 Least Likely Cinematic Sports Anthems. ]]> A league of their ownAerosmithB-RealBeerfestBlades of GloryblestenationBlue CrushBring it onbusta rhymesCenter StageCooliodj koolDocs Rhythm CatsDodgeballDodgeball: A True Underdog StoryGloria Gaynorjock jamsJock songsKerris DorseyKirsten DunstKool and the GangLL Cool JMadonnaMajor LeagueMajor League Wild ThingMethod ManMoneyballMonstars AnthemOK GoOverlooked Sports SongsPat BenatarPeachesRed Hot Chili PeppersShes the ManSpace JamSports songssugarhill gangTalladega NightsTalladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky BobbyThe Cutting EdgeThe ReplacementsUnderappreciated Sports songsVangelisWhip ItYello Anne T Donahue 2012-07-31T11:00:00 00:00 The Horrors Are Appalled by 'Lazy, Rubbish' Music Journalism http://www.spinner.com/2011/10/31/the-horrors/ http://www.spinner.com/2011/10/31/the-horrors/ http://www.spinner.com/2011/10/31/the-horrors/#comments Filed under: , ,


The HorrorsXL Recordings

As the Horrors emerge from their crypt with third full-length Skying in hand, the British five-piece claim they've fallen victim to the international music press.

"Can we talk about how lazy most journalists are?" keyboardist Tom Furse asks Spinner. "Because that's probably the reason everything you read is the same opening two or three paragraphs: 'Horrors turned up in 2007 with their shocking debut, 'Strange House' and then managed to do some sort of turn-around with their Geoff Barrow Portishead-produced 'Primary Colours.' It's exactly the same thing."

"I personally think it's so documented and scrutinized because there's some understanding that we'll be very important in five years time," guitarist Josh Hayward laughs. "But I think a lot of journalists would feel uncomfortable having to express their own personal views. Having to put too much of themselves in the article."

"I'd prefer if they wrote more about how the record makes them feel, and less about the constant referencing to other people's work," adds Furse. "Because it detracts from the fact that it's actually an original piece of music itself. It's not anyone else's work -- it's our own." ]]> the horrorsTheHorrors Anne T Donahue 2011-10-31T13:00:00 00:00 Mark Sultan Calls Buying Music 'Capitalist Bulls---', Lashes Out at Dubstep Hipsters http://www.spinner.com/2011/10/28/mark-sultan-whatever-whenever/ http://www.spinner.com/2011/10/28/mark-sultan-whatever-whenever/ http://www.spinner.com/2011/10/28/mark-sultan-whatever-whenever/#comments Filed under: , ,


Mark Sultan, BBQCourtesy of Mark Sultan

Mark Sultan does whatever he wants, whenever he wants. At least that's what the Montreal garage rock enthusiast sometimes known as BBQ (but no longer part of King Khan and BBQ Show) says when asked about his new and aptly titled vinyl albums, 'Whatever I Want' and 'Whenever I Want,' as well as in a recent blog post.

"I just read a comment that garage rock is dead, and I don't even care," Sultan tells Spinner. "This is the music I like to do. I hate trends and I'll do whatever I want always. I'm proud of what I've done, and I think I have helped invigorate certain strains of the genre of music I like. You can always tell the fakes from the real s---. You can always tell what's not real and what's real."

What's real is Sultan's frustration. Despite the longevity he's managed to maintain, the rocker's clearly grown tired of what he considers to be industry-wide insincerity.

"I understand and appreciate instantaneous music and artforms in general," he maintains. "But I will say a lot of that is so phony to me. To talk about dubstep, for example: Maybe that's cutting edge for the next month in Williamsburg, but the fact is, I call bulls--- and I don't believe you. I think you're doing that just to be part of something that's popular for the moment, and if you want to take art as disposable fashion, that's your business. But I don't." ]]> mark sultanMarkSultan Anne T Donahue 2011-10-28T12:00:00 00:00 The Horrors on Cracking the Top 40 Charts With Its 'Bloody Awful Music' http://www.spinner.com/2011/10/24/horrors-skying/ http://www.spinner.com/2011/10/24/horrors-skying/ http://www.spinner.com/2011/10/24/horrors-skying/#comments Filed under: ,


The HorrorsXL Recordings

The times they are a-changing. At least that's what the assumption is after the Horrors' third full-length release, 'Skying,' debuted at No. 5 on the British Top 40 charts in July.

"It was just for a week," keyboardist Tom Furse tells Spinner. "But it was a small victory."

"We were up there with some really strong women," guitarist Josh Hayward adds. "It felt good."

The "strong women" they're referring to are Adele, Beyonce and Lady Gaga, who rounded up the top chart spots at the time. Stars that are on the other side of the spectrum when compared to the British four-piece.

"It's not something we ever really think about," says Hayward. "[But someone asked], 'Do you think your album can go Top 5?', and it's like, 'No.' And he was like, 'But you didn't think your record was good?' And I was like, 'No, I thought it was good.' You just don't really expect it." ]]> horrorsthe horrors Anne T Donahue 2011-10-24T16:00:00 00:00 The Drums Discuss Their 'F--- You Attitude' and Passing on 'Dream Producers' http://www.spinner.com/2011/10/04/drums-portamento/ http://www.spinner.com/2011/10/04/drums-portamento/ http://www.spinner.com/2011/10/04/drums-portamento/#comments Filed under: , , ,


the drumsIsland Records

In the year since the release of their critically hailed self-titled debut, the Drums have earned attention for more than their music. So with a band member now gone and gossip still mounting, you might expect the group to use their follow-up, 'Portamento,' to make a fresh start.

"I don't think we're in a place to make a big change," says frontman Jonathan Pierce.

"We actually did everything wrong again," he laughs. "We didn't buy a single new piece of equipment, and we just did it the same way we did the first album -- and it wasn't because it was our only option. We had plenty of options, and we had some pretty dream producers trying to knock our door down. And we considered that for about 30 seconds, and just kind of nipped it in the bud. I think we realized that this is how this band operates." ]]> the drumsTheDrums Anne T Donahue 2011-10-04T15:00:00 00:00 The Drums on Managing Band 'Friction' as 'Stubborn Bullheaded Boys' http://www.spinner.com/2011/09/26/drums-portamento/ http://www.spinner.com/2011/09/26/drums-portamento/ http://www.spinner.com/2011/09/26/drums-portamento/#comments Filed under: , ,


The DrumsIsland Records

If the Drums have a problem, they'll let you know.

"I feel like that's the best way to go about things -- just to speak your mind," frontman Jonathan Pierce tells Spinner. "If anything, it's more interesting when someone isn't guarded. I like a band with some texture and something to spark interest. That's a really boring idea, just to come across as everything being fine."

And things haven't been fine for the New York indie pop band. Following the departure of guitarist Adam Kessler late last year, the group found themselves thrust under the microscope, prodded over inter-band dynamics and whether they had a future. ]]> drumsTheDrums Anne T Donahue 2011-09-26T15:00:00 00:00 Most Memorable 'Saturday Night Live' Music Performances http://www.spinner.com/2011/09/23/saturday-night-live-music-performances/ http://www.spinner.com/2011/09/23/saturday-night-live-music-performances/ http://www.spinner.com/2011/09/23/saturday-night-live-music-performances/#comments Filed under: , ,


sinead o'connorGetty Images

This Saturday, Sept. 24, marks the start of 'Saturday Night Live''s 36th season, and with Radiohead named the show's musical guest, we figured there'd be no better time to pay homage to 'SNL''s most memorable music performances.
]]> ArcadeFireAshleeSimpsonBeastieBoysBluesBrothersDaveGrohlElvis CostellofearKanyeWestnirvanapatti smithPattiSmithRancidSimonAndGarfunkelSinead oconnorTomPettyTomPettyAndTheHeartbreakers Anne T Donahue 2011-09-23T16:30:00 00:00 Girl Talk Slams His Own Sampling Style, Calls It 'Blatant' http://www.spinner.com/2011/08/18/girl-talk-sampling-blatant/ http://www.spinner.com/2011/08/18/girl-talk-sampling-blatant/ http://www.spinner.com/2011/08/18/girl-talk-sampling-blatant/#comments Filed under: ,


Girl TalkDarren Hauck, Getty Images

For a guy who has close to 30,000 followers on Twitter and a fanbase fawning over his every mix, Gregg Gillis, aka Girl Talk, is certainly humble.

"I'm doing a very blatant version of what can be done with samples," he admits to Spinner. "Everyone's incorporating elements of previously-existing music into what they're doing; the idea of it isn't as radical or as controversial as it used to be."

So is Girl Talk, as his critics claim, just the product of other artists' hard work?

Gillis admits it's tempting to slag sampling and remixes for lacking the creativity of "original" work, but one should really reconsider before doing so. According to the mashup master, sampling is what keeps Girl Talk's sound evolving. ]]> Girl TalkGirlTalkGreg GillisGregGillis Anne T Donahue 2011-08-18T14:00:00 00:00 Sexual Abuse and Song: Kathleen Hanna, Raveonettes + More Turn Pain Into Pop http://www.spinner.com/2011/07/26/sexual-abuse-song-kathleen-hanna-raveonettes/ http://www.spinner.com/2011/07/26/sexual-abuse-song-kathleen-hanna-raveonettes/ http://www.spinner.com/2011/07/26/sexual-abuse-song-kathleen-hanna-raveonettes/#comments Filed under: ,


Kathleen Hanna, RaveonettesSophie Howarth | Felix Kunze, Redferns

It's been 17 years since Tori Amos made the first ceremonial phone call to the Rape Abuse and Incest National Network's (RAINN) Sexual Assault Hotline, using her high profile to bring much-needed attention to this shockingly common yet sadly secretive issue. But the singer also acknowledged her own pain in the song 'Silent All These Years' in hopes of inspiring others.

More recently, provocative Danish duo the Raveonettes released the self-explanatory (and, yes, incredibly catchy) 'Boys Who Rape (Should All Be Destroyed).' Though singer-guitar Sune Rose Wagner tells Spinner that they made it for personal reasons, not because of any overarching artist's responsibility.

"I wrote ['Boys Who Rape'] with an old friend in mind who had been repeatedly raped by her uncle," explains Wagner, who also once covered a poem written about Danish women who were sexually assaulted after dating German soldiers in WWII. "I saw how it affected her life and how she became a heroin addict because of it and it nearly killed her. And I saw her sort of bounce back from it and regain a sort of normal life, and I thought it was pretty heart-wrenching to see what it could do to a young person like that. ]]> Kathleen HannaKathleenHannalost in the treesLostInTheTreesRaveonettesTori AmosToriAmos Anne T Donahue 2011-07-26T11:00:00 00:00 Mark Sultan on the 'Bulls--- and Lies' Surrounding King Khan & BBQ Show Split http://www.spinner.com/2011/07/25/mark-sultan-new-solo-records/ http://www.spinner.com/2011/07/25/mark-sultan-new-solo-records/ http://www.spinner.com/2011/07/25/mark-sultan-new-solo-records/#comments Filed under: , ,


Mark Sultan, BBQCourtesy of Mark Sultan

Mark Sultan doesn't care about blog buzz. And since his relationship with friend and collaborator King Khan came under the spotlight following the messy breakup of their duo, the King Khan and BBQ Show, the garage rocker known as BBQ is even more adamant about the old adage: don't believe everything you read.

"It was a self-destruction, and it was inevitably going to happen anyway, but especially Internet media pushed it," Sultan tells Spinner of the chain of events that pulled apart the pair. "I remember reading interviews -- I didn't even do some of these interviews -- where somebody would make s--- up about me saying stuff. And this is right after me and King Khan had a really big fight in Asia, and of course he's going to see that or somebody's going to see that." ]]> King KhanKing Khan BBQ Showmark sultanMarkSultan Anne T Donahue 2011-07-25T16:45:00 00:00