Capitol Records Inc.

Otep Shamaya on standing up for yourself and having a voice when everyone says to be quiet

On a chilly January afternoon in West Hollywood, the heavily tattooed singer Otep Shamaya can't hide her excitement for the release of Hydra, her namesake band's sixth studio album. In the testosterone-fueled genres of aggressive rock and heavy metal, it's not easy to be a lesbian singer, but Shamay ... More >>

Hey, Kanye, that Notorious B.I.G. track being used to hype Taco Bell: Selling out or buying in?

This past weekend at London's Hammersmith Apollo, Kanye West went on a rant about selling out. Apparently, he now hates the Grammys, corporations and possibly the new Justin Timberlake song. Ironically, the self proclaimed "Louis Vuitton Don" saw absolutely no conflict of interest in calling out art ... More >>

Politicians, pundits and pop stars quiz: See if you can tell the difference based on these quotes

It's a common saying around the Beltway: Politics is just show-business for ugly people. The parallels between politician and pop star are too numerous to list here, yet by simply looking at the quotes dolled out by rockers and legislators over the years -- and trying to figure out which belongs to ... More >>

The Dandy Warhols' Peter Holmstrom on major to indie: "the most challenging aspect was to learn how to work with a much smaller budget"

The Dandy Warhols (due at the Gothic Theatre and Twist & Shout on Tuesday, June 12) came out of the underground rock world of the 1990s to enduring popularity and fame. Over the course of the band's career, it has consistently pushed its sonic boundaries and songwriting. The Dandys are one of the ha ... More >>

R.I.P. Levon Helm, 5/26/40 - 4/19/12

See Also: At the Helm - A throat cancer survivor, the Band's Levon Helm can't sing anymore -- but the beat goes on Levon Helm, iconic drummer and singer extraordinaire of the Band, died yesterday at the age of 71, after a long and strenuous battle with throat cancer. Helm's imaginative drumming and ... More >>

Glass Hits has a history filled with punk rock and fast friendships

Michael Buble's Christmas raises the bar for all holiday tracks, plus a breakdown of the charts

It's going to be a holly, jolly Christmas with Michael Buble's new collection of holiday classics.​Michael Buble put out a killer Christmas record, and it could not have come at a better time. While the charts are currently flooded with dance-pop beats, synthesizers-laden hooks and auto-tuned ... More >>

Katy Perry's charisma fizzles on Saturday Night Live guest host, plus a breakdown of the charts

Katy Perry hosted Saturday Night Live last weekend.​For a pop star whose boobs were their own punch line on a previous appearance of Saturday Night Live, Katy Perry's hosting duties fell flat on Saturday. Instead of creating any memorable new characters -- á la Justin Timberlake -- the writer ... More >>

Mile Highlights: Denver/Boulder area concert news, local radio playlists and top album sales

​Here's what's happening in music on the Front Range this week: Brad Paisley's at the Pepsi Center in January, Salt-n-Pepa's at the Gothic in December and Donavon Frankenreiter comes to town in March. Air Dubai, In the Whale, Jen Korte and Saints got spins on local radio. And new and recent re ... More >>

The Epilogues win Westword's Best of the West competition

Jon SolomonThe Epilogues​After Thirty-two bands faced off over the last three months, the Epilogues took the top prize from Yerkish, Forth Yeer and Goldie & the Bears during the finals of Westword's Best of the West competition Friday at Herman's Hideaway. At the end of the night, the Epilogue ... More >>

Vintage Q&A with the late Stooges guitarist Ron Asheton

Ron Asheton, the mega-influential guitarist with the Stooges, died yesterday at age 60 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It's sad news, but at least Asheton was able to experience some much deserved acclaim in his last few years, when the surviving Stooges reunited for a new album, entitled The Weirdness, a ... More >>

Dead Confederate carries the flag for a new variation on Southern rock

Q&A with Hardy Morris of Dead Confederate

Dead Confederate. As a band, Georgia's Dead Confederate -- the subject of a November 20 Westword profile -- is very much alive. Singer/guitarist Hardy Morris and his mates were plucked from obscurity by former Capitol Records president Gary Gersh, who made the band the first recruit for his new ... More >>

Vintage Q&A With the Decemberists' Colin Meloy

The Lost Charlie Louvin Interview

Supersized Stooges

Nationalistic 2005

The rest of the planet generated some good CDs this year, too.

Rubberneckin'

Rubber Planet is Out There, which is just where it wants to be.

Eternal Flame

After half a century, Burning Spear is still stoking the fire in reggae's soul.

Still Scorching

Jason Ringenberg embraces his title as alt country's architect.

Peoples Get Ready

As part of underground hip-hop's newest dream team, Dilated Peoples are at the top of their game.

The Latest Noels

'Tis the season to rate another avalanche of holiday discs.

On a Roll

Singer-songwriter Cheryl Wheeler enjoys a good joke. But her music demands serious consideration.

Time of the Season

This year's holiday CDs alternately inspire joy, nausea and terror. Which would you prefer?

Instrumental Asylum

Swingin' Sting? Bluegrass Bruce? Rhapsodic R.E.M.? CMH Records has given Eighties faves a musical makeover.

The Major and the Minor

A roundup of big-name recordings that live up (or down) to expectations.

Going to W.A.R.?

The inside story of the little Boulder label that could.

Native Intelligence

Robbie Robertson digs into his past so he can move into the future.

Frankly Speaking

Why we care that the king rat has packed it in.

Feedback

To Buy or Not to Buy

Reviews of 23 recent superstar recordings--just in time for your holiday purchasing pleasure.

Christmas Seasoning

Hark! The Herald Angels are practically the only group without a holiday CD this year.

Escapist From L.A.

Jailhouse Rocker

A popular Denver musician goes from playing in bars to being behind them.

Family Ties

Tim and Neil Finn prove that they can make music together without killing each other.

JUST SAY NOEL

THIS YEAR'S CHRISTMAS DISCS PROVIDE SOME ROUGH SLEDDING.

FORGET THE RUMOUR

NEW-WAVE PIONEER GRAHAM PARKER REFUSES TO GO AWAY.

SPEARHEAD'S UP

THERE'S NOTHING DISPOSABLE ABOUT MICHAEL FRANTI'S LATEST ADVENTURE IN HIP HOP.

LOLLAPALOOZA JACKSON

BACK TO THE BEACH

THE BEACH BOYS' MIKE LOVE ON MUSIC, MONEY AND SUING COUSIN BRIAN.