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Buzz In: What Are Your Favorite Band Names of All Time?

BuzzSugar — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 07:30:01 -0700

See those fine young chaps to your right? They're the members of Does It Offend You, Yeah? - the British rock band that possesses my current favorite band name. It's a tough award to win, especially with so many other good contenders out there right now (including Someone Still Loves You, Boris Yeltsin, which comes in a close second).

Band names can convey so much, from a sense of what the music might sound like (the Weepies or the Ditty Bops) to an appreciation of music history (Pretty Girls Make Graves, named after a Smiths song) to a strange and baffling inside joke or reference (Architecture in Helsinki, Better than Ezra). Of course, then there are band names that are just purely ridiculous - Hootie and the Blowfish comes to mind - but in general, I like it when bands take a risk with names that are almost guaranteed to stick in my head.

So, I'm wondering: What band names are your all-time faves? And do you like them most for their quirky references, sense of history, or pure chuckle-worthiness?

Source

It's Official: Steven Tyler Is Out of Aerosmith

BuzzSugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:30:33 -0800

Joe Perry has taken to his Twitter account to break the news that Aerosmith is looking for a new lead singer. Steven Tyler has apparently dropped out amid rumors that he's looking for a solo career - which the front man alluded to himself in an interview earlier this year. Perry assured fans that the band is not breaking up tweeting, "You just can't take 40 years of expiriance and throwitinthebin!"

I'm sure I echo most people's sentiments when I say this is a sad day in rock 'n' roll. I feel like the group should call it quits, because I can't imagine anyone replacing Tyler's swagger. Joe Perry has done solo projects before, but when it comes to Aerosmith, he and Tyler have always been a package deal in my mind. Although, perhaps I'm being too pessimistic - after all, Van Halen did go on to have a successful run when Sammy Hagar took over for David Lee Roth.

Do you think Aerosmith can (or should) go on without Tyler? Can you name a worthy substitute?

Adam Shankman to Direct Rock of Ages Movie Musical

BuzzSugar — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:30:28 -0700

Sometimes I forget that So You Think You Can Dance's Adam Shankman is also heavily involved in the movie biz - he directed 2007's remake Hairspray and recently produced 17 Again. Now the booty shakin' judge just scored a deal to direct and choreograph another movie musical, the Broadway hit Rock of Ages.

The stage show debuted in 2006 and revolves around the hits of '80s glam/hair/metal rock bands. It boosted the career of former American Idol contestant Constantine Maroulis, but he may not be reprising his role: Shankman remarked, "I'm thinking big, and absolutely am going to attempt to cast with movie stars. Now that musicals are working again, actors are much more open to it."

I've never seen the show, but I just read the listing of songs (think Journey and Bon Jovi) and now I'm dying to see it on stage and on the big screen. If you've seen it, what big names could you see starring?

Video of the Day: Summer Lives on Thanks to Thao With the Get Down Stay Down

BuzzSugar — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:15:16 -0700

This weekend I'll be heading to the Treasure Island Music Festival for two days of music just outside of San Francisco. The awesome lineup includes MGMT, The Flaming Lips, The Decemberists, and Yo La Tengo just to name a few. I'm also excited to see Thao With the Get Down Stay Down, whose front-runner rocks out on her guitar to catchy, upbeat tunes that always make for a fun live show. In a new video for "When We Swarm," the band dances happily lakeside with a bunch of friends, making it the perfect pick-me-up if you're still in denial that Summer is long gone and Fall is here. Check it out below.

For more on the latest music, check out the Music Review group in the Buzz Community - and be sure to check back for updates on my Treasure Island weekend!

Buzz In: Which Actors Have Made Albums You Like?

BuzzSugar — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 13:30:00 -0700

Earlier this week, I gave the Dead Man's Bones debut album a listen. You may not recognize the band name, but you probably recognize the frontman: it's actor Ryan Gosling. I'm a big Gosling fan, but I wasn't expecting his music to have any substance, or for me to actually like it. Nothing against him, it's just that actors crossing over into music usually fall into a fitting cliche - epic failure.

Every once in a while, though, someone talented proves they're truly multi-talented and makes some enjoyable music. Last year, I fell for She & Him, Zooey Deschanel's project with M. Ward, and I loved Phantom Planet: The Jason Schwartzman years.

There's a longer list of tragic actor/musician crossovers, but I want to focus on the diamonds in the rough: What actors have made albums that you like?

Link Time!

BuzzSugar — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:33:30 -0700

Which of the latest New Moon posters is the hottest? - PopSugar
Michelle Obama heads to Sesame Street - The Wrap
5 reasons to keep watching The Hills - TV.com
Olivia Wilde and Jonathan Tucker have joined the Russell Crowe thriller The Next Three Days - Coming Soon
Thom Yorke's putting together a brand new band during his hiatus from Radiohead - Stereogum
Go behind the scenes of Where The Wild Things Are - Cinematical
Going forward, TLC is dropping Jon's name, calling the reality show Kate Plus Eight - LilSugar
Survivor creator Mark Burnett gets real for a new CBS drama - TV Squad

What to Download: New Music Today

BuzzSugar — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:30:32 -0700

Tuesdays are big in entertainmentville: not only do all the new DVD releases hit Netflix, but new music also pours into stores. So I take a spin through each week's music releases and pick out some albums and tracks worthy of a download.

Still rockin': I was surprised when I heard that Pearl Jam was releasing an album exclusively through Target this past Sunday - huh?! - but Backspacer is a solid, mature showing from the heralded band. The songs are full of introspective lyrics, like an older and wiser Eddie Vedder reflecting back on his life, but most of the tracks are fast-paced with a tinge of punk sound. While a bit of head-banging is fun, I've always preferred Pearl Jam's ballads like "Black" over their heavier stuff, so I'll be downloading "Just Breathe" and "The End."

Still waters run deep: Yesterday, we got word that indie artists Sea Wolf made it onto the New Moon soundtrack; now comes their sophomore full-length effort White Water, White Bloom, a mellow album of romanticism. (Perfect for Edward and Bella, no?) Every track has gorgeous storytelling imagery, as singer-songwriter Alex Brown Church constantly weaves in water themes (as his album title and band name hint). The result is something dreamy and lush to listen to on a lazy, sunny day. My favorite tracks: "Wicked Blood," "Dew in the Grass," and "The Orchard."

One more up next, so read more.

Child's play: Those neon outfits, those tight pants, that Freddie Mercury falsetto - everyone knows Mika is a bit outrageous, and his latest album is just as super-charged as his debut. Reportedly inspired by his own adolescence, The Boy Who Knew Too Much is full of that rebellious teenage attitude with the standard Mika dance fever. From the island music of "Blue Eyes" to the nursery rhyme-ish ditty "Toy Boy," it feels light and fizzy, like pop music on Red Bull - and it's just as addictive. You'll either love it or hate it, but as for me, I'll be downloading "We Are Golden" and "By the Time," where he collaborates with Imogen Heap.

The New Moon Soundtrack - Revealed!

BuzzSugar — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:30:45 -0700

Finally! For weeks, there's been gossip about which artists would land a coveted spot on the New Moon soundtrack, and now we have the final list. We knew that Death Cab for Cutie's "Meet Me on the Equinox" was going to make it on there, and Thom Yorke, Muse, and The Killers were rumored as well.

Still, I'm psyched to see a few unexpected names on the roster (like Bon Iver and Lykke Li), as well as some relatively unknowns. Alexandra Patsavas put it all together - she's also the music supervisor for Grey's Anatomy and Gossip Girl - and her eye for artists is always spot-on, so I can't wait to download the whole thing. The soundtrack hits stores October 20th, but until then, check out the full playlist and tell me what you think!

To see the full list, read more.

Death Cab For Cutie - "Meet Me on the Equinox"
Band of Skulls - "Friends"
Thom Yorke - "Hering Damage"
Lykke Li - "Possibility"
The Killers - "A White Demon Song"
Anya Marina - "Satellite Heart"
Muse - "I Belong to You (New Moon)"
Bon Iver and St. Vincent - "Rosyln"
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - "Done All Wrong"
Hurricane Bells - "Monsters"
Sea Wolf - "The Violet Hour"
Ok Go - "Shooting The Moon"
Grizzly Bear - "Slow Life"
Editors - "No Sound But the Wind"
Alexandre Desplat - "New Moon (The Meadow)"

To meet more Twilight Fans, join the Twilight Group on the BuzzSugar Community!

Announcing the Winners: The 2008 American Music Awards

BuzzSugar — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 23:01:50 -0800

Chris Brown, Rihanna, and Kanye West were among the big winners Sunday at the American Music Awards. Brown took home the biggest prize of all, winning Artist of the Year by beating out Lil Wayne, Coldplay, the Eagles, and Alicia Keys. It was one of three awards for Brown, who also won Favorite Male Artist in both the pop/rock and soul/R&B categories.

Rihanna was Brown's female counterpart, taking home Favorite Female Artist awards in the pop/rock and soul/R&B categories. Kanye was another double winner, named Favorite Male Artist in the rap/hip-hop category and also winning the Favorite Album award in that category for Graduation. Alicia Keys' As I Am was named Favorite Album in both the pop/rock and soul/R&B categories.

The night was also kind to American Idol winners, with Carrie Underwood winning Favorite Album in the country category for Carnival Ride and Jordin Sparks winning Favorite Artist in the Adult Contemporary category. Winners in all categories were picked by voters online and via text message, and to see the full list of people who took home awards, just read more.