Morrissey Debuts New Song

Never at a loss for eloquent and sometimes obtuse descriptions, Morrissey calls his new song a "cosmopolitan hymm to architecture." - more on this story

New Wave of British Heavy Metal Turns 30

guardian.co.uk reports: This year sees the 30th anniversary of one of our most thoroughly titled musical genres: the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, abbreviated to NWOBHM, and pronounced "nuh-wobbum".

It's a realm of rapid-fire riffs and heroic declarations about motorbikes, the Charge of the Light Brigade and sticking it to the boss. It's also a place of much bathos and human fallibility. One NWOBHM group toured in a van bearing the trademark of its previous owner: Sid Cummings - Tripe Dealer. Another band's drummer played inside a cage while wearing what was often referred to as a "rapist mask". He called himself Thunderstick, though his parents knew him better as Barry Purkis.

NWOBHM was not solely the preserve of bathos. Two of its leading lights, Iron Maiden and Def Leppard, went on to become among the biggest groups in the world, forging long-lasting careers. But they do not, perhaps, represent the British metal scene in its truest light. Def Leppard's transatlantic inclinations soon removed them from the scene that spawned them (and from the affections of hardcore metalheads back home), while Maiden became the international gold standard for metal. The New Wave of British Heavy Metal centres on the hordes of bands who never quite eclipsed the thing that spawned them. - more on this story

Miley Cyrus Not Too Happy About The Hannah Montana Movie?

hecklerspray.com reports: Ready for the first Hannah Montana movie trailer? Good, because Miley Cyrus doesn't seem to be.

You see, it's obvious that Miley Cyrus really, really doesn't want you to go and see the Hannah Montana movie when it's released in April. That's why she's gone out of way to make the whole thing seem as grossly appalling as possible.

Look, there's Miley Cyrus introducing the movie with the voice of a chainsmoking miniature troll who's been possessed by the devil! Look, Miley Cyrus can't stop pulling a genuinely disturbing look of self-hatred every time she says her own name!
- more on this story

Lupe Fiasco Drops Rap For Punk?

Launch reports: Rapper Lupe Fiasco is rumored to have started a post-punk band called Japanese Cartoon. Fiasco, who hinted on several occasions in 2008 that he would soon retire, is still working on what he says will be his final album as a rapper, LupE.N.D.

It is now being rumored that after LupE.N.D's release, Fiasco will continue making music with Japanese Cartoons, under the name Percival Fats.

Three songs, including a cover of the Prodigy's forthcoming album title track "Invaders Must Die," have been posted on the band's MySpace site.
- more on this story

Thin Lizzy's Scott Gorham Remembers Phil Lynott

Sleazeroxx reports: Thin Lizzy guitarist Scott Gorham remembers departed vocalist Phil Lynott in a posting on Myspace. "We're at that time of year again aren't we? I still find myself getting angry with Phil for leaving us the way he did. But then I think back on the very first time he introduced me to the audience in Dublin, him knowing how nervous I was about it. It was only our 5th show together as a band and I knew only too well just how important the Dublin show was to Phil and Brian (they never stopped talking about growing up there) So I'd got it in my head that if the Dublin audience didn't accept the "American" then I just might not make it to the 6th gig, game over baby!!

Well...he saved me for last that night, cause he knew what was going through my head. So he turns to me and winks and gives me the Phil grin and starts in with "The man on the left......wearing red.......Longest hair......from the US..... playing a Les Paul.......and (he added the US President thing a few years later by the way) it seemed like it was going on forever until finally "Scott Gorham" and the audience did get up and cheer (thank God!) I guess the relief on my face was truly visible cause when I looked over at Phil he was absolutely busting up with laughter, which made me bust out laughing (but I think that was more out of relief than anything).

But it's little memories like that that make it so I just can't stay angry with Phil, I never could. I truly miss my old friend and I always will, so I think I'll go out and have a drink in memory of him tonight.
- more on this story

Cult Of Luna Eye DVD Release

Blabbermouth reports: Cult Of Luna have set "Fire Was Born" as the title of their upcoming DVD, tentatively due this spring. Along with an epic live show recorded last year at Scala in London, England, the disc — which was mixed, edited and designed by the band — will feature a brand new interview with the group.

Cult Of Luna says: "We're planning on printing a booklet for the live DVD with photos from the show. If you have professional pictures from London, Scala on July 1, 2008, we would love to publish them.

"Please send a link with high-resolution files along with your credits to info@cultofluna.com. Subject: Scala Photo. The deadline is soon — Saturday, January 10."

- more on this story

Bell X1 Set Release

PR reports: After critical raves, three national tours, and multiple late-night TV bookings earlier this year, Ireland's Bell X1 has recorded its most ambitious work to date with 'Blue Lights on the Runway,' coming out March 3 on Yep Roc Records.

The band's central trio of Paul Noonan, Dave Geraghty, and Dominic Phillips penned every song on the record. Leader Noonan said, "We started recording last November in a big, draughty, stately home called Ballycumber House, under the beady gaze of musty portraits of the Lords and Ladies of the estate from the 15th century. We wanted to make something different, something tight and coherent from start to finish. Where we've landed is a little bit electronic, a little bit Bacharach, a little bit New Orleans Funeral March." - more on this story

Jimmy Kimmel Live Musical Guests for January

PR reports: Jimmy Kimmel Live welcomes the following musical acts in January.

** Notes performances that will take place on the "Jimmy Kimmel Live" Outdoor Pontiac Garage Stage.

ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live" airs nightly at 12:05 am ET/PT.

January 7 – Gabe Dixon Band
January 8 – Lenka
January 9 – Zac Brown Band
January 13 – David Cook**
January 15 – Crooked X
January 16 – Delta Spirit
January 28 – Disturbed**
January 29 – Kraak and Smaak
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. Bruce Springsteen Month: Greetings From Asbury Park, NJ

Kicking off with a lyrical tongue twisting barrage of lyrics that one would assume were derided from dropping acid (but weren't), Greetings From Asbury Park, NJ is an absorbing and nostalgic album that introduced the world to Bruce Springsteen. (3 stars) - Read the full Bruce Springsteen Month: Greetings From Asbury Park, NJ review

. Brett Dennen - Hope for the Hopeless

With Hope for the Hopeless, Brett Dennen solidifies his reputation as a unique, talented folk songwriter and singer. It's this new release that lays to rest any doubt that he has what it takes to produce worthwhile music for years to come. (4 stars) - Read the full Brett Dennen - Hope for the Hopeless review

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