"They've lost the plot. I don't get it anymore. What they're doing now I don't think is very good." --Tad Kubler

The Hold Steady guitarist wasn't bashful about his distaste for Radiohead's 'In Rainbows' approach, but had nothing but glowing reviews for Oasis, who he called "earnest" and "honest."

Let's hear it for the boys. The Hold Steady and the Drive-By Truckers are teaming up for a nationwide tour called 'Rock 'n' Roll Means Well.' Taken from a line from the Drive By Trucker's 2003 album 'Decoration Day,' the full lyric is one of the Hold Steady's Craig Finn's favorites: "rock 'n' roll means well but can't help telling young boys lies."

The cross-admiration between the two bands will be apparent on the co-headlining tour itself, as they take turns with who goes last. Such gentlemen. The tour begins on October 30. In the meantime, check out the Hold Steady on Conan O'Brian on August 25.

• Marc Ronson is teaming up with Duran Duran for the band's show in Paris on July 2.

• The Breeders, MGMT, the Hold Steady and Deerhunter are among the performers slated for this year's JellyNYC Pool Parties.

• Wolf Parade have revealed the cover art for their forthcoming album, 'At Mount Zoomer.'

• ZZ Top will celebrate the 25th anniversary of their landmark album, 'Eliminator', with the release of an expanded CD/DVD Collector's Edition on August 12. Bonus content includes alternate and live versions of the disc's classic singles, including a dance mix of 'Legs.'
  

• Jazz legend and New Orleans resident Dr. John has spoken out against the governement, criticizing their interference with the city's sacred institutions. "The tradition of the second-line brass bands is right there in Treme, that neighborhood," he told Newsweek. "And now politicians want to charge people [for parade permits] to have a second line. They have to have a police escort -- all that crap. This is a spiritual thing, You don't put spiritual things in politicians' hands."

Indie rock faves the Hold Steady will release their fourth studio album, the optimistically-titled 'Stay Positive,' in July, though the band's label, Vagrant Records, has been mum so far on date confirmation.

Honing new material in the band's Greenpoint, Brooklyn rehearsal space, the Craig Finn-fronted band spent the bulk of the past winter perfecting the follow up to 2006's 'Boys and Girls In America' at Hoboken, NJ's Water Music and Wild Arctic studio in Queens, New York. Guests on the sessions include former Guided by Voices guitarist Doug Gillard and Lucero's Ben Nichols.

The 11-track album boasts titles like 'Both Crosses,' 'Slapped Actress' and the set-launcher, 'Constructive Summer.' Describing the new disc, Finn told Uncut, "I believe it captures a band hitting their creative peak, as well as enjoying each other's creativity and company."

In advance of the disc, the Hold Steady will play a brief tour next month, anchored by an appearance at All Tomorrow's Parties on May 11.

• Kanye West has launched his own travel web site at KanyeTravel.com.

• The Hold Steady, Regina Spektor and Ingrid Michaelson are among the artists scheduled to perform during the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival. The event runs April 23-May 4.

• Aimee Mann will release her new album, titled '@#%&! Smilers,' on June 3. The singer-songwriter will kick off a North American tour the day prior in L.A.
  

• My Morning Jacket have revealed the album cover for their forthcoming effort, 'Evil Urges,' which hits stores on June 10.

Home is where the heart is and TV on the Radio, the Hold Steady and the Rapture have found theirs within the confines of New York City's boroughs. First up, TVOR shake down Brooklyn's Prospect Park with their heavy-loaded art rock, while Minnesota natives turned New Yorkers the Hold Steady offer up a twofer from Brooklyn's Warsaw. Finally, the Rapture -- New Yorkers by way of San Diego -- get folks hip-shakin' at NYC's Bowery Ballroom.

Want more 3x3? We've got 60 different performances for you to watch.

Sharp-witted Hold Steady frontman Craig Finn will be honored by his alma mater, Boston College, next week for his musical accomplishments. "I am honored," Finn -- who will be speaking about his life and music to the English Department -- tells Spinner. "I haven't been on campus since I graduated in 1993."

Despite that, Finn is confident about his speaking points for the session and adds that the only preparation he'll need is to watch BC's football team.

And while Finn is often recognized for his inventive lyrics in both Lifter Puller and the Hold Steady, he has a favorite of his own: "Rock n' roll means well but it can't help telling young boys lies," by the Drive-By Truckers.


More Hold Steady on Spinner:

• Download their Interface performance
• Watch them live on 3x3
• Download 'First Night'
  

Right-wing rocker Ted Nugent tells Barack Obama to "suck on my machine gun," and calls Hilary Clinton a name we can't print. [Rolling Stone]

What inspires Missy Elliott? Doritos. [Billboard]

Fiona Apple, Sigur Ros, David Byrne and Roseanne Cash are among the artists on board for this year's New Yorker Festival. [Brooklynvegan]

The Hold Steady get immortalized in a comic book. [Pitchfork]

Pop's little boy-toy Jesse McCartney could be in for an arse-whoopin' by Buffy the Vampire Slayer. [Perez Hilton]

Vanessa Carlton pokes fun at her one-hit-wonderness. [Blender]

Indie is as indie does. [Idolator]

"Welcome to Eddie's brithday party! We're the Hold Steady," frontman Craig Finn said, giving the b-day shout-out to the band's soundman before opening their Day Two Lollapalooza set with 'Stuck Between Stations.' At the Hold Steady's Lolla set last year, Finn proclaimed that it was "the most fun he's ever had before 3 o'clock." At precisely 5:43 pm today, he speculated that he was having more fun than he's ever had in his "entire life." Introducing the tune 'Hot Soft Light,' Finn explained that the song was about getting busted. The time of your life indeed, Mr. Finn.

The Hold Steady

Who: This self-described Minneapolis bar band waxes philosophic about everything from baseball to Catholicism.

Fun Fact: Their rendition of 'Take Me Out to the Ball Game' has been played at Minnesota Twins games.

Sounds Like: Bruce Springsteen and Paul Westerberg's offspring.

Download: 'First Night' (MP3)