[Updated: 6:13 P.M.]
NEWS:
- AVENGED SEVENFOLD Earn No. 1 Album
Southern California rockers, months removed from drummer’s tragic death, top the Billboard chart with Nightmare. [SPIN]
- GREEN DAY Kick Off Epic Tour Near Philly
Covers of “Hey Jude” and “Stand by Me” share the spotlight with the band’s greatest hits in the three-hour, high energy set. [SPIN]
- CONFIRMED: KINGS OF LEON Album Title, Release Date
The Southern kin return this fall with Come Around Sundown. Get details here! [SPIN]
- R.E.M.‘s New Album Sounds “Old School”
“I was like, ‘Yes, a return to form,”‘ said the Posies’ Ken Stringfellow, a friend of the band who heard their upcoming album. [NME]
- Prison Interview: LIL WAYNE on New Album, EMINEM
The rapper speaks with New York’s Hot 97 radio station from Rikers Island jail. [SPIN]
- WYCLEF JEAN to Announce Candidacy for Haitian Presidency
Former Fugee is expected to formally announce the news on CNN’s ‘Larry King Live’ show tonight. [NME]
- FUCKED UP Announce U.S. Tour
Canadian hardcore band hit the road in September. [NME]
- SOUNDGARDEN Album with Unreleased Song Due Soon
Telephantasm includes hits, rarities, the previously unheard “Black Rain” — and will be bundled with Guitar Hero! [SPIN]
- PAUL MCCARTNEY Pitches BEATLES Songs to ‘GLEE’ Creators
Macca sent the show’s creator Ryan Murphy two mix CDs and asked him to consider his songs for the hit TV series. [BBC]
- 8 Best Moments of NEWPORT FOLK FEST
Jim James, Sharon Jones, Andrew Bird, Edward Sharpe, and more perform at the Rhode Island event. [SPIN]
- STEVEN TYLER: ‘AMERICAN IDOL’ Offered Me Job
Frontman promises “honesty,” not just sweet emotion, if he replaces one of the show’s departed judges. [SPIN]
- LADY GAGA Talks Sex, Drugs in ‘Vanity Fair’
The “Poker Face” singer — who grace the mag’s cover naked — admits to using cocaine, says she’s celibate. [Vanity Fair]
- EMINEM Remembers ‘8 MILE’ Co-Star BRITTANY MURPHY
The Detroit rapper talks about the deadly effects of prescription drug addiction. [SPIN]
- BECK Talks New Album, Collaborations
“There’ll be [new music] coming out by the end of summer, even if it’s just a song or two,” says the boho rocker. [Pitchfork]
MP3s & VIDEOS:
- WATCH: SPOON Rock ‘Late Night’ with ?UESTLOVE
Texas rockers play the eerie Transference track “Nobody Gets Me But You.” [Youtube]
- WATCH: Classic Footage of BOWIE, NIN Surfaces
See the Thin White Duke singing “Hurt” with the industrial rockers on their famed 1995 co-headlining tour. [SPIN]
- WATCH: JOANNA NEWSOM & FLEET FOXES‘ PECKNOLD Cover KID ROCK & SHERYL CROW Song
The indie duo — currently on tour together! — cover pop duet “Picture” in Oakland. [Pitchfork]
- WATCH: ARCADE FIRE Cover JAY REATARD
Montreal band honor the late rocker by performing “Oh It’s Such a Shame” live in Philadelphia. [Music Slut]
- WATCH: MATES OF STATE Cover THE REPLACEMENTS
The husband-wife duo rock out to “I Will Dare.” [AV Club]