Michael Jackson

The ten traits of the perfect frontperson

The best frontmen and women all have something in common. Whether it's their ability to connect with a crowd or the swagger with which they carry themselves, their fashion sense, the intrigue that surrounds them or their reckless disregard for their own well being, they all have that ineffable "it" ... More >>

Conquering a fear of fear: Haunted houses really aren't that scary, right?

Since becoming an adult (er, since I started having thoughts about things in a way that seemed adult-like), I've wanted to like haunted houses. I've wanted to like them so bad. It sounds dumb -- desiring to enjoy something as inanely holiday commerce-driven as a haunted house. But I'm fascinated by ... More >>

Not-so-great moments in drunk tweeting

The old FPAPGASWTTBTAF phenomenon rears its head

Reader: "Will you morons in the media give it a rest already!"

​Nothing stirs the ire, it seems, quite as efficiently and effortlessly as devoting coverage to pop tarts like Katy Perry. In response to Cory Lamz's Poptimystic piece on Perry's recent chart success how it compares to Michael Jackson's previous chart-topping accomplishments, one rather passio ... More >>

Gretchen Parlato on being a jazz singer and her thoughts on Esperanza Spalding's Grammy win

​Gretchen Parlato (due at Dazzle Jazz for a series of shows tonight and tomorrow night) is often accused of restraint. Ironically, though, she holds absolutely nothing back. Her unmistakable vocal style evokes Chet Baker and Miles Davis's famously muted performances, and like those giants of s ... More >>

Top five best music action figures

​NECA is gearing up to release a topless, Skeletor-esque Iggy Pop action figure onto unsuspecting fans this coming June, a fact that might seem a bit odd for those who aren't familiar with rock stars' long and illustrious history with action figure manufactures. Over time we've seen plenty of ... More >>

Brazilian cab driver imitates Michael Jackson perfectly

If this Brazilian cab driver can imitate Michael Jackson so perfectly, and a homeless dude with a golden voice can come out of the wood work, surely we can predict when and where the next rising star will come simply by reaching out into the community. Here is a list of the best possibilities of r ... More >>

Next Big Sound: Billboard's new "Social 50" chart powered by Boulder music startup

​In October, we profiled the Boulder start-up Next Big Sound, which seemed poised to shake the struggling music industry by using social media sites like MySpace, Facebook and Twitter to discover break-out bands. Now that Billboard has unveiled its new "Social 50" chart powered by Next Big Sou ... More >>

Top Five Most Outrageous Musician Stunts

Last week, on the 101 freeway in downtown Los Angeles, a previously unknown rap-rock group called Imperial Stars stopped traffic so they could play an impromptu gig on the roof of the panel van. Appropriately, the Imperial doofuses performed a song titled "Traffic Jam 101." This über-lame, Airhea ... More >>

American Tomahawk, Chromeo, Black Milk fill our playlists this week

​As people who think about, talk about, listen to and make music, the most common question we encounter is, "What are you listening to right now?" So whether you're looking for recommendations, trying to get a feel for our individual sensibilities, or are just curious, we've compiled a list of ... More >>

Mashed landings: A rundown of the 5 worst mash-ups

flickr / nmfin​Thanks to the absurdly low cost of music and video editing software and an inexhaustible number of people who clearly have too much time on their hands, the Internet has been inundated with mash-ups. Some folks, believe this is a auspicious development for humanity. And while we ... More >>

The Record Revirginizer gives your records a facial

​We were really trying to come up with some great puns for this one, but they all just seemed to easy. Either way, we happened upon this rather odd Australian invention called the Record Revirginizer and couldn't help but share it. As you can see by watching the video behind the link above, the R ... More >>

Tegan and Sara top seller at Bart's CD Cellar

​Sainthood, Tegan & Sara's sixth full length released last week on Sire, nabbed the top spot at Bart's CD Cellar for the week ending November 1. Gov't Mule's latest effort, By a Thread, came in second, Rosanne Cash's The List claimed the third spot, while the Swell Season's Strict Joy and Pink ... More >>

Report: Phil Anschutz has already recouped all losses from canceled Michael Jackson tour

"This Is It" -- another opportunity for Phil Anschutz to make bank.​In a June blog," I described Mile High gazillionaire Phil Anschutz as "among the sharpest businessmen to ever call Colorado home" -- and he's proven it again by the way he's turned a possible financial bath into what looks lik ... More >>

Today's featured event: No mere mortal can resist/The evil of the Thriller!

​Though Thrill the World dance events circled the globe last October (and in L.A., as our cousins at the L.A. Weekly reported), there's no doubt that Michael Jackson's untimely passing this year will spark even more interest among people who want to emulate MJ's famous Thriller moves in public ... More >>

Welcome Back, Heller

An old favorite becomes a new club night.

Welcome Back, Heller

An old favorite becomes a new club night.

Today's featured events: Get your nerd on and flock to Rockbar for a prom with Rockstar Aaron

​When everyone's favorite cheap, trashy hipster bar turns three, ya gotta take notice. And true to form, the brash and retro Rockbar makes that easy: There's something going there every night this week, as well as some cool drink specials. Tonight, Rockbar's Monday-night stalwart, Rockstar Aar ... More >>

Twista on top at Independent Records

​Twista moved back to the number one spot and knocked Fabolous, who was the top seller last week, down to the second slot for the week ending August 9. It's Twista's third time in the first slot in the last month. Eminem and Tech N9ne, who have been top sellers for the last few months, continue to ... More >>

Dancing Machines

The Vail International Dance Festival soars to new heights.

Dead Weather top seller at Twist and Shout

Horehound, the debut album by the alt-rock super group the Dead Weather featuring White Stripes' Jack White, the Kills' Alison Mosshart, Queens of the Stone Age's Dean Fertita and the Raconteurs' Jack Lawrence, knocked Wilco latest effort down to the second slot at Twist & Shout for the week end ... More >>

From the week of July 9, 2009

Michael Jackson memorial coverage

Clearly, Michael Jackson's memorial, which is being held in a few hours in Los Angeles at the Staples Center, is the biggest music news story of the day -- and perhaps the year. Amongst all the wall-to-wall coverage (KCRW, the public radio station out of Santa Monica, is slated to simulcast the even ... More >>

Social media -- getting the word out quickly and sometimes accurately!

"I'm not dead. I feel great, actually." As noted in a blog earlier today, new media, and social media in particular, played a huge part in disseminating the news of Michael Jackson's death yesterday. Chances are most of us heard about it directly or indirectly through Twitter, Facebook or MySpace. ... More >>

From Akon to Usher, today's R&B is a shadow of its former self

Leave the Light on for Me

45 Second Reviews: Goldfinger, The Weepies, The White Tie Affair 9th Wonder & Buckshot

Freeloader

The best in legitimate, artist-approved downloads.

Q&A with Vincent Gallo of RRIICCEE

A Party Goes Dry

India does "Thriller"

Funky Monkey

Northstar Restaurant & Brewery

Motet City Soundtrack

The Motet has no problem finding fans everywhere it plays.

Breaking News

Starz FilmCenter

Death Pool for Cutie

Check the Vegas odds: It's time to predict this year's rock-star deaths.

Overseas MP3s

For just pennies a tune, you can build a primo music library and support free enterprise in Russia.

Soft Serve

Newsical the musical is light, spoofy fare.

Best Nickname in the Kobe Bryant Case

Mr. X

Strange but True

Rampaging bears! Rampaging Buffs! Criminals in the buff! It happened here... unfortunately.

Club Scout

Layo & Bushwacka

For the Record

For national releases, 2003 wonked as much as it rocked.

Mercy Mercy Me

MURS is already a legend. Now if he can just get folks to stop thinking of him as the new guy.

Critic's Choice

Anti-Pop Consortium

Feelin' It

Hard-house veteran DJ Feelgood still has the fever.

Moment of Truth

A Goonie no more, Corey Feldman is searching for his soul as a rock musician.

Postivly Negativ

Sampling ad infinitum with America's sonic outlaws.

Thrills for the week

THRILLS