Russia might outlaw emo culture because it encourages anti-social behavior and suicide. And also because Russian barbers just can't get the bangs right. [NME]

MTV is going to remake 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show.' If you ask me, Pete Wentz is a shoo-in for the role of Dr. Frank-N-Furter. [You Ain't No Picasso]

Thurston Moore defended Sonic Youth's un-indie decision to do a Starbucks compilation. [Brooklyn Vegan]

Karen O revealed tunes from her 'Native Korean Rock' side project. [MySpace]

Q-Tip doesn't like music blogs. We like you, Q-Tip ... [Buzzgrinder]

Amy Winehouse quiz: Which one isn't real? [Best Week Ever]

Nas stopped by 'The Colbert Report' last night. [Idolator]

Where is the naked baby from Nirvana's 'Nevermind' now? (Spoiler: He is wearing clothes.) [NPR]

Artist: N.E.R.D., Santogold and Julian Casablancas
Video: 'Midnight Madness'
Highlight: The unlikely trio help celebrate Converse's centennial with this inventive animated video.

While the world still anxiously holds out hope for the mighty Led Zeppelin to tour, one very lucky fan will be able to bring the legendary quartet home. British artist Jon Ellinor, 25, painted the band's likeness in conjunction with the upcoming Led Zeppelin Memorabilia Exhibition, held Aug. 1 to Sept. 3 at the Knebworth House, near London, in honor of the 40th anniversary of the group's founding.

The image of Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and John Bonham will be signed by Page and available online as part of a charity raffle. Fans have to correctly answer a trivia question, after which they will be directed to a site to purchase an entry to the contest. Ellinor, who told U.K. paper Town Crier Today, "It was very exciting to have been chosen to do the painting. It is always nice when people like your work," donated the art to the Brazil's Children Trust (also known as ABC Trust), an organization founded by Page that provides education to Brazilian youth in needl.

'This is my bulls---,' Terrence Howard said as he introduced his album in an exclusive Spinner listening session. The Academy Award-nominated actor and self-taught guitar player glided into our New York office and previewed seven tracks off his upcoming album, 'Shine Through It,' which he finished, along with his 13 piece band, in six days.

"I'm no singer; I sing the way I talk," Howard admitted before pushing Play on the stereo. His raspy singing voice -- which can be easily compared to that of Seal or Ben Harper -- belts out introspective lyrics over horns, flutes and his own guitar riffs. "Every song is a different story for me," explains the actor turned musician, who was heavily inspired by beautiful women and precious love stories.

Black Kids have just released their debut album, 'Partie Traumatic,' but rather than celebrating with a fancy dinner and a heavy session at the bar, frontman Reggie Youngblood is on the phone. After spending months in Europe -- in particular the United Kingdom, where they've already had a Top 20 single -- the Florida-based indie-party band are finally back stateside and talking up the record.

"It's really kind of ass-backward for us to be popular there, being from the States," frontman Reggie Youngblood tells Spinner of the band's overseas success. "It just seems easier to get well known there quicker and in a way ... I always hoped it would happen that way."

While Europeans have had a chance to immerse themselves in the band's spirited blend of indie, dance and juvenile brat-pop, the band is thrilled about releasing their album in America. The effort was recorded this past spring in London with guitarist Bernard Butler of London Suede fame as producer.

50 Cent has filed a lawsuit against Taco Bell. The superstar rapper says the fast-food giant used his name without permission in an advertising campaign when it issued a challenge for him to change his name for a day to either "79 Cents," "89 Cents" or "99 Cents" to match their menu prices.

In exchange for his compliance, Taco Bell promised to donate a mere $10,000 to the charity of Fiddy's choice. However, the suit argues that by dragging 50 Cent's name into the marketing stunt against his will, Taco Bell generated millions of dollars' worth of free publicity.

"As Taco Bell intended, many customers believed that 50 Cent had agreed to endorse Taco Bell's products," the lawsuit reads. "Indeed, postings on numerous Internet 'blogs' castigated 50 Cent for 'selling out' by his apparent endorsement of Taco Bell." A spokesman for the restaurant chain stated that the company ran the campaign in good faith and had always intended to donate the money to the charity of 50 Cent's choice.

"Listening to Lil Wayne is like picking up a Bible." --Lil Wayne

We don't want to speak for God, but with lyrics like this, we're gonna have to say we'd beg to differ.

Can't get behind McCain or Obama? How about a Redheaded Stranger? There's a write-in movement under way, complete with campaign song, extolling the virtues of electing country music icon Willie Nelson as the next President of the United States.

The song, available on Blushtone Records, is performed by former Pirates of the Mississippi lead singer Bill McCorvey. Its humorous lyrics include, "Let's write in Willie Nelson for president/Someone we can trust to run the government /I'll bet he could fix this/And get rid of the IRS." The song also speculates that with Willie in the White House, "Air Force One would smell like weird cigars," and that President Nelson might be able to "keep the peace between the Dixie Chicks and Toby Keith."

Fleetwood Mac are planning a tour in early 2009 that will likely be followed by a new album.

Fountains of Wayne guitarist Jody Porter's first solo record will be released next month.

Mute Records is reissuing remastered, surround-sound-enhanced versions of the entire Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds discography.

The Mountain Goats and Kaki King will embark on a U.S. tour in October.

The Rules for Battle: Each week, we pit versions of the same song by two different artists in a head-to-head death match for musical supremacy. (Sometimes it will be the original recording vs. a cover version; other times it will be two different covers.) Then it's up to you to decide: Listen to and vote on which version you think should emerge victorious and which should be sent packing. May the best band win!



The Song: 'Gravity Rides Everything'

The Contestants: Modest Mouse vs. Lenka

In This Corner -- Modest Mouse: This long-running trio from Washington state released this tune on their major-label debut, 'The Moon and Antarctica.' Adored by hipster bloggers, 'Gravity' was catapulted into the mainstream by its featured spot in Nissan's 'Moms Have Changed' minivan campaign.

Modest Mouse, 'Gravity Rides Everything'

Buy on iTunes

In This Corner -- Lenka: Within moments, you can tell there's a distinct difference in the two versions. However, unlike other acoustic covers, the Aussie singer and her breathy voice retain the spacey feel (with a folk twist, of course) of the original but without all the electronics.

Lenka, 'Gravity Rides Everything'