Pegi and Neil Young‘s Bridge School Benefit turns 25 this October, and the all-acoustic show has a silver anniversary-worthy lineup, including Foo Fighters, Mumford & Sons, and Eddie Vedder. [Rolling Stone]
Paramore played an Fueled by Ramen anniversary show last night, and MTV.com streamed it, and is now sharing highlights, including “Brick by Boring Brick.” The band also premiered a new song called “Renegade.” [MTV News]
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Patti Smith Weighs In On Song Of The Summer Competition
We heard on Friday that Patti Smith had covered Adele‘s “Rolling in the Deep” at a NYC show on Thursday night, and even dubbed it “Song Of The Summer,” but evidence didn’t surface until Saturday. Hear it below!
Paramore, Foster The People Premiere Videos
Paramore‘s Transformers 3 single “Monster” has a new video, in which the band is trapped in a time loop, accidentally tormenting themselves in an abandoned hospital. You Oughta Know band Foster The People go even more brutal and higher-concept with a video in which the band is tortured by a post-apocalyptic band of pre-teens who, judging frontman Mark Foster fit (as opposed to, say, the guy they run down with a van), transform him into a child by stealing the life of an old man with a bizarro hockey-mask/electricity contraption. ["Monster," "Helena Beat"]
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Meet the new Paramore, (almost) same as the old Paramore. “Monster,” from the Transformers: Dark of the Moon soundtrack, is the first studio recording from the band since guitarist and drummer brothers Josh and Zac Farro made their dramatic exit in December. Until now, the remaining trio has politely but firmly stood by as the dust from their blowup settles.
“Monster” is a different story altogether. Lyricist and vocalist Hayley Williams plays a lot with pronouns in the song, but her sights are almost definitely set on Josh Farro—as her ex-boyfriend, yes, but primarily as her ex-bandmate. A strongly implied undercurrent of the Farros’ departure has been theological disagreement. All the band members identify as devout Christians, but Josh Farro’s faith carries with it an evangelical certainty, whereas Williams’s few statements on the subject have been less conservative (for lack of a better word). Brand New Eyes was proof that the band could stand up to romantic conflict, but apparently they were ultimately religiously irreconcilable. (Williams’ lyrics include the narrator’s acceptance of, and her subject’s rejection of, a state of “not always knowing the answers.”) All of that said, the comparatively simple drumming on the song proves that despite ill feelings, Josh’s brother Zac, at least, will be missed by fans.
Paramore fans: does the song hold up to old Paramore? (Dare we put it in the running for Song of the Summer?) Paramore haters: is this any better or worse? Let us know in the comments!
Here’s one for the “musicians are just like us” file: artists who followed last night’s news on Twitter!
Zeitgeisty: Hayley Williams of Paramore
Earlier this week, we gave you an alphabetical list of 35 of our Top 40 Music Videos of the year and asked you to guess what artists where going to be included in our top five music videos of 2010. Well, we’ve got good news and we’ve got bad news. If you’re one of the Little Monsters or a card carrying member of Glam Nation, you’ll be happy to see that Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” and Adam Lambert’s “Whataya Want From Me” each made the Top Five. However, if you count yourself as a die-hard 30 Seconds To Mars fan, um, well, there’s always next year!
Without any further ado, here is our complete list of VH1′s Top 40 Music Videos of 2010!
1. Train – “Hey Soul Sister”
2. The Script – “Breakeven”
3. Katy Perry ft Snoop Dogg – “California Gurls”
4. Adam Lambert – “Whataya Want From Me (Concept)”
5. Lady Gaga – “Bad Romance”
VH1 Divas Salute the Troops, airing Sunday at 9/8c, just got a little more interesting with Snooki and The Situation joining the lineup as presenters. Also presenting are VH1′s Brandy, hottie Marisa Miller and comedian Jeffrey Ross.
Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart are new additions to the performer lineup, which includes Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj, Keri Hilson, Paramore, Sugarland and Grace Potter & the Nocturnals. Kathy Griffin will serve as host. Full press release after the jump.
In other Divas-related goodness, Old Navy is calling upon its customers to help keep U.S. troops stationed around the world connected to their loved ones at home during the holidays. As part of Operation Phone Home, minutes can be bought in-store or online at OldNavy.com from Dec. 3-9. Get all the details.
While gearing up to perform for VH1 Divas Salute the Troops on Dec. 5, Keri Hilson swung by VH1′s offices to school us in fashion and take us through her outfit — from head to toe. We were a little bit surprised to hear the “Pretty Girl Rock” singer say she never likes to be “too girly.” Sure, we remember how stunning Keri looked rocking cut-off jeans and a wife-beater in the video for “Knock You Down.” But never?
“My fashion philosophy is to be myself, which is the tomboy within,” she says. “Even when I’m wearing heels there’s a certain masculine meets feminine factor.”
Even more surprising: the Grammy Award-winning Avon spokesmodel claims to “love” discount stores, including Marshalls, Ross Dress for Less and T.J. Max. “I’ll be looking through the racks right next to you,” she says. “And shoot you a smile.” Whoa, now that would knock us down. [Photos: Jen Marigliano]
VH1 Divas Salute the troops will air Sunday, Dec. 5 at 9/8c. Additional performers include Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj, Paramore, Sugarland, and Grace Potter& the Nocturnals. Keri’s new album, No Boys Allowed, will be released Dec. 21.
If you watched VH1′s Divas last year, you may recall presenter Kathy Griffin being called a “fire-crotch” by host Paula Abdul. Now it’s Kathy’s turn to dole out the jabs. VH1 is announcing that the quick-witted “D-List” comedian will serve as host of “VH1 Divas Salute The Troops,” airing Dec. 5 at 9/8c. And she’s already promised VH1 that she “will not hold back.” Also announced: the rock quartet Grace Potter & The Nocturnals has been added to a lineup that already includes Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj, Sugarland, Keri Hilson and Paramore. Full press release after the jump.
* Amy Winehouse has been a denied a visa and will not be attending this Sunday’s Grammy Awards. The singer, who recently entered rehab and was planning on attending the ceremony, will perform via satellite. “I’m really sorry I can’t be there but I appreciate that I’m being given a second chance via satellite,” Amy told UsWeekly.
* Hayley Williams and her band Paramore are headed to the Grammys, but don’t think they’ll forsake their punk roots and go glam for the event: “We’ve never worked with a stylist before, so this is a different world from what we’re used to. We don’t want to abandon our background — like I come out there wearing a gown. We’re going to have fun with it.” Williams thinks the band, up for the Best New Artist Grammy, has a shot at winning. “It’s possible we could win — we made it this far.”
* Kanye West, up for eight nominations at Sunday night’s award show, is planning an emotional tribute to his mother, who died this past November due to complications from plastic surgery. Ye will perform “Stronger” and “Hey Mama.”
* After paying tribute to ’80s smashes by New Order and Michael Jackson on his year’s multi-single-spawning release Good Girl Gone Bad, Rihanna will perform with The Time, who you might remember as Prince‘s musical competition in Purple Rain. The band, formerly led by Morris Day, will be reuniting for the occasion. Let’s hope they do “Umbrella,” (originally written for a certain out-of-control pop star).
Be back here on Sunday night at 8 p.m., where we’ll be dishing on all the performances.
