Justin: If, like me, you though that the last New Amsterdams release contained a few too many instruments “plugged in” then I’ve got the cure for you. As musicians get older they tend to spawn, creating smaller, cuddlier versions of themselves. I’ve always assumed that most band members probably write a song or two at some point for their offspring but not much of ever sees the light of day. Matt Pryor (of Get Up Kids fame) has written and recorded a full album of these songs under the moniker of the Terrible Twos, many of them reminding me of the first couple New Amsterdams releases with their simplicity – often times sparse arrangements featuring Pryor and a guitar and possible one other backing instrument. “Grumpy Bug” is such a song, begging his daughter (the Bug in question) to sleep. It’s as desperate as any of the tracks he’s recorded throughout his long career yet still sounds so sweet and tender. I guess as musicians get older, they find new things to write about (thankfully) so we continue to get to hear new material that has the same passion as the songs written when they were 21 and in love for the first time.

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Source Continue reading MP3 of the Week: The Terrible Twos →

Beth Ditto, the frontwoman of punk/soul act The Gossip, recently opted to cancel in-store appearances at popular UK retail chain Topshop.

Ditto argues that it is because the chain doesn’t cater to girls her size. She says she wouldn’t mind designing a plus-size range for the chain: “Give me the job. I want to design. I want you to make clothes for big girls – big boys. I want you to make big sizes.”

The entire situation has provoked a emotional debate about “natural” weight and you can check out the discussion here.

The Gossip recently signed to Columbia Records imprint, Music With A Twist. The imprint was announced last January and is geared towards GLBT recording artists.
Source Continue reading Beth Ditto (The Gossip) refuses to perform at Topshop because of lack of plus-size gear →

Our pals over at Pastepunk have brought us up to speed on the latest addition to this year’s Bamboozle festival. Rapper/dancer/Nationwide insurance spokesperson MC Hammer has been added to this year’s diverse lineup, joining the likes of Saves the Day, Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock, My Chemical Romance, the Blood Brothers, Linkin Park, Andrew WK “Pep Rally 2007”, Rx Bandits, Brand New and gaggle of others. MC Hammer, or “Hammer” as he became to be known as, is widely credited for helping to bring hip-hop the mainstream success it has come to know over the past 15 years. His mega-hit single, “You Can’t Touch This”, adorned many slap bracelets, wallets, bootleg t-shirts and other cheap merchandise throughout the early 1990’s.
Source Continue reading Former Oakland Athletics batboy to be special guest at The Bamboozle →