ABC News Radio

ACC,

Country

Friday

Jun222012

Guitarist Nicholaus Arson Says Lex Hives Was Made “According to the Laws of The Hives”

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Disques HivesThe Hives are law-abiding citizens, especially when they’re dealing with their own rules. Guitarist Nicholaus Arson says that the band named their recently-released album, Lex Hives, after a set of rules they created to govern their creative process.

“The title [Lex Hives] means the law of The Hives,” Arson tells ABC News Radio. “This is a record made according to the laws of The Hives. When we started the band we started making laws for The Hives. Doing that you sort of end up with some sort of formula that shapes your band and that was a good way of doing it for us.”

Arson added that one of the reasons that it took the band five years to put out their fifth studio album was that they had to scrap their original ideas for the album and start over. “We made a record in about a year and that didn’t sound good enough, so then we had to work on it for another year and hence, the five years [hiatus],” he explains. “We want the record to be something that you listen through and it’s supposed to feel good all the way through and then you’re supposed to want to hear the record again. So we had to swap some songs to give it a good album feel, I think, but most of them are still on the record.”

Friday, June 22, 2012 at 6:01AM

Alternative Rock

Friday

Jun222012

Ledisi's Be Good to Yourself Tour Kicks Off This Weekend

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Facebook.com/LedisiVirginia is for lovers -- and for Ledisi. She'll be at the Hampton Jazz Festival on Saturday to kick off her Be Good to Yourself tour, in support of her latest album Pieces of Me. Ledisi will hit the Jazz Fest stage, joining fellow performers Monica, Kenny G and Will Downing for a sold-out show.

On Sunday, Ledisi will head to Philadelphia for a concert with the Be Good to Yourself tour's special guest, Eric Benet. The road trip includes stops in New York City, Houston, Chicago, Los Angeles and Ledisi's hometown New Orleans. The 26-city tour wraps up with an Atlanta show on August 5.

Friday, June 22, 2012 at 6:01AM

Urban AC

Friday

Jun222012

Lil Wayne Earns 100th Entry on "Billboard" R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart

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Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesDropping in on a hot track is old hat for Lil Wayne, but the YMCMB boss' guest spot on French Montana's "Pop That," has special significance. The single earns Weezy his 100th entry on Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, with the new release debuting at #57 on the list.

Trailing behind Jay-Z and James Brown, Wayne is the third artist and second rapper to snag big numbers on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. James Brown is still on top with 111 entries, while Jay-Z has 108 chart titles.

Lil Wayne's first entry on the chart happened back in 1999, when the then 16-year-old got a guest spot on Juvenile's "Back That Thang Up," also featuring Mannie Fresh. Of the 100 Wayne tracks that have charted on the list, eight have reached #1. Jay-Z and Drake both snagged nine #1s on the R&B/Hip-Hop list.

Friday, June 22, 2012 at 6:01AM

Urban

Friday

Jun222012

Linkin Park’s Tour to Incorporate Unique Visuals for "Living Things" Songs

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Warner Bros. RecordsIf you make it out to Linkin Park’s upcoming tour, you'll be treated to a unique visual experience. Multi-instrumentalist Mike Shinoda says that the band recruited visual artists to create a special video for “I’ll Be Gone,” the first single from their upcoming album, Living Things.

"The visuals for 'I'll Be Gone' stuck out to me because that song is a relationship-based song, but it's also got a second read of a space theme," Shinoda tells Rolling Stone. "A lot of the songs have metaphors, and one of the metaphors in that song is space. [The visual artists] picked up on that language and turned it into this weird, intergalactic space travel thing."

Shinoda added that fans will get their chance to see the video when the band hits the road this summer. "A lot of the stuff is part of the album experience,” he reveals. “I know that it's going to be showing up in the live show. If you go online and look at the lyric videos for 'Burn It Down' and 'Lies Greed Misery,' you'll see some of that imagery there. We use it in many different ways."

Living Things will arrive in stores on Tuesday. You'll get the chance to check out the songs performed live when LP kicks off their co-headlining tour with Incubus on August 11 at Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, VA.

Friday, June 22, 2012 at 6:01AM

Thursday

Jun212012

Taylor Swift and B.o.B Brave Wild Insects of Nashville Filming "Both of Us" Video

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Big Machine RecordsTaylor Swift and rapper/singer B.o.B braved the wilds of Nashville to film their new video for "Both of Us." In a behind-the-scenes clip with Access Hollywood, Taylor revealed that bugs were crawling all over her and B.o.B and their crew.

"There was one point, I looked over, and on B.o.B’s shoulder is this giant spider," Taylor says. "It was just hanging out there, just ready to kill him, and I saved his life by pointing it out."

The video wrapped production without any major insect-related incidents though. "Both of Us" is the new single from B.o.B's latest album, Strange Clouds.

Thursday, June 21, 2012 at 9:00PM

ACC,

CHR,

Country,

Hot AC

Thursday

Jun212012

Metallica Guitarist Hammett to Release Horror Memorabilia Book, "Too Much Horror Business," in October

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Warner Bros. RecordsMetallica guitarist Kirk Hammett wants to share his love of horror films with you. On October 1, the guitarist will release Too Much Horror Business, a 228-page coffee table book which profiles his extensive horror memorabilia collection.

"This is my gift to all the other horror nerds out there who are just like me," said Hammett in a statement. "It's been made with great love for all the many characters and movies which guided me through childhood, into adulthood and which still keep me on track today."

In addition to releasing Too Much Horror Business, Hammett will be launching a line of Kirk Von Hammett collectible toys the same day that the book arrives in stores. “I've spent my life collecting toys, so what could be more fun than making a series of toys which indulge my childhood fantasies AND which people can collect,” reveals Hammett. "It's more about fulfilling a huge ambition than anything else, and I hope I get the first one!"

Fans who attend Metallica’s inaugural Orion Music + More Festival this weekend will be able to get their first look at the forthcoming book. Hammett will be unveiling Too Much Horror Business and displaying select pieces from his horror memorabilia collection in Kirk’s Crypt, an exhibit celebrating classic horror films, at the event. For more details, head over to OrionMusicAndMore.com.

Thursday, June 21, 2012 at 9:00PM

Thursday

Jun212012

Yoko Ono Set to Release CD Collaboration with Members of Sonic Youth

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Photo by Dave M. Benett/Getty ImagesYoko Ono will release a new CD September 25, the result of an ongoing collaboration with Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore of alt-rock band Sonic Youth. According to SPIN, the six-song CD YOKOKIMTHURSTON includes the trio's previously released 14-minute single "Early in the Morning." The track benefits the Ashinga Rain House which is raising funds for Japanese tsunami relief.

The Ono, Gordon and Moore alliance dates back to their 2010 appearance on stage in Los Angeles during a performance of the Plastic Ono Band. Gordon and Moore are continuing to work together after announcing their separation last October after 21 years of marriage.

Here's the YOKOKIMTHURSTON track listing:

"I Missed You Listening"
"Running the Risk"
"I Never Told You, Did I?"
"Mirror Mirror"
"Let’s Get There"
"Early in the Morning"

Thursday, June 21, 2012 at 9:00PM

Classic Rock

Thursday

Jun212012

Elton John Suing "The Times of London" for Suggesting He's a Tax Dodger

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Facebook.com/EltonJohnElton John has never been shy about suing any publication that publishes lies about him, and now he's prepared to do it yet again. A statement on the Rocket Man's website says that Elton has "instructed his solicitor to proceed against" The Times of London for an article it published this week which mentioned him prominently.

So what did the paper say about Elton that's gotten him so upset? Surprisingly, it's the suggestion that he, along with other wealthy Brits, is using a certain loophole -- namely, investing in movies -- to avoid paying huge amounts of tax.

According to the statement on the website, "The Times newspaper has run a series of articles about tax avoidance schemes, particularly the film finance scheme. Elton John has never had any involvement in such schemes, and yet The Times has included his photograph, and three prominent mentions of his name, within the article."

The statement goes on to say, "Elton strongly objects to The Times using his name and image in such a gratuitous manner, provoking unnecessary innuendo."

Thursday, June 21, 2012 at 9:00PM

Adult Contemporary,

Lite AC

Thursday

Jun212012

Miranda Lambert Hosts 5th Annual Cause for the Paws Concert Friday

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Randee St. NicholasMiranda Lambert hosts her 5th Annual Cause for the Paws concert in Beaumont, TX Friday to benefit her Mutt Nation Foundation. Proceeds will go to provide support for homeless and neglected animals. The show takes place in Ford Park and features Josh Abbott Band and Wade Bowen joining Miranda on the bill.

For those who can't make it to the show but still want to help the cause, Miranda has launched a Mutt Nation Foundation eBay auction running through this weekend. Items up for bid include signed memorabilia from Miranda, Carrie Underwood, Scarlett Johansson and others.

Thursday, June 21, 2012 at 9:00PM

ACC,

Country

Thursday

Jun212012

Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and Joe Perry Look Back at Saturday's Tour Opening Night in Minneapolis

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Michael Becker/FOXAerosmith opened its 18-city Global Warming tour Saturday in Minneapolis, and on Thursday lead vocalist Steven Tyler and guitarist Joe Perry posted a new video on the band's YouTube channel raving about the show.

Tyler said, "The second we get up on the stage and do 'One Way Street' or 'Walkin' the Dog' or 'Big Ten Inch' or 'Draw the Line' or 'Train Kept A-Rollin',' it's insane." Tyler was bit insane in the video, talking as he chewed on the microphone, then apologized with a laugh.

Perry added, "A lot of that energy is the same kind of energy we felt when we first got together and its always been instant."

The video comments are interspersed with brief clips of the band playing, presumably on opening night, with live sound excerpts of band classics including "Sweet Emotion" and "Walk This Way."

Aerosmith performed Tuesday in Cleveland and the third stop on the tour is scheduled for Friday in Chicago. The band will be on the road through August 8 in Tacoma, WA. Aerosmith's new CD, Music From Another Dimension, is set to be released in August.

Thursday, June 21, 2012 at 9:00PM

Oldies

Thursday

Jun212012

Carly Rae Jepsen Overtakes Avril Lavigne for Chart Record

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Photo: Vanessa HeinsMove over, Avril Lavigne -- there's a new Canadian pop star in town. Yahoo!'s Chart Watch blog reports that Carly Rae Jepsen's mega-smash "Call Me Maybe" has sold 3,553,000 copies so far. That makes it the best-selling digital song in history by a Canadian female artist.

The previous record was held by Avril, whose 2007 smash "Girlfriend" has sold 3,505,000 copies. Like "Call Me Maybe," "Girlfriend" was also a #1 hit.

Unless Celine Dion, Shania Twain or Alanis Morissette comes up with a mega-selling digital smash in the near future, Carly looks like she'll be holding onto that record for a while.

Thursday, June 21, 2012 at 9:00PM

CHR,

Hot AC

Thursday

Jun212012

Erykah Badu Calls Andre 3000 a Work of Art... Sorta

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Universal Music Group/Paige ParsonSure, the Mona Lisa is cool, but when U.K. newspaper The Guardian asked Erykah Badu what work of art she'd most like to own, the Grammy Award-winner answered, "Andre 3000." Of course, it's unclear how Andre, who has a son with Erykah, would feel about going up on her wall.

Asked which artists she admires most, Erykah rattled off a list of greats including Jimi Hendrix, Joni Mitchell, Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind and Fire, the Emotions, Chaka Khan and the Doobie Brothers. But not everybody that Erykah likes is a veteran. "Janelle Monáe is keeping me on my A-game –- secretly, I feel that I have to go out and crush her. We're best friends, though: she'll only find that out by reading this," Erykah joked about her pal, who she's referred to in tweets as her "Wonder Twin."

Badu's advice to younger singers is to follow their heart, adding that their only job is "to be honest." Badu, who released her debut album, Baduizm in 1997, says that if anybody wants to know her or anything about her children, enemies, fans or the gods, should listen to that disc. "That's who I am," she says.

Erykah's latest release was 2010's New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh). If you're waiting for a new Badu record, be patient. The singer says her biggest challenge is meeting a deadline.

Thursday, June 21, 2012 at 9:00PM

Urban,

Urban AC

Thursday

Jun212012

Sonic Youth's Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore Releasing CD with Yoko Ono

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Al Pereira/WireImageSonic Youth's Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore are continuing their musical collaboration with Yoko Ono on a new CD to be released September 25. According to SPIN, the six-song CD YOKOKIMTHURSTON includes their previously released 14-minute single "Early in the Morning." The track benefits the Ashinga Rain House which is raising funds for Japanese tsunami relief.

The Gordon, Moore and Ono alliance dates back to their 2010 appearance together on stage in Los Angeles during a performance of the Plastic Ono Band. Gordon and Moore are continuing to work together after announcing their separation last October after being married for 21 years.

Heres' the YOKOKIMTHURSTON track listing:

"I Missed You Listening"
"Running the Risk"
"I Never Told You, Did I?"
"Mirror Mirror"
"Let’s Get There"
"Early in the Morning"

Thursday, June 21, 2012 at 6:00PM

Alternative Rock

Thursday

Jun212012

Wynonna Explains Why Naomi and Ashley Judd Weren't at Her Wedding

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Big EnterprisesWynonna tied the knot with drummer Cactus Moser in a small ceremony on June 10, but her mom Naomi and sister Ashley Judd weren't on the guest list.

Wy tells Us Weekly she's not even sure Naomi and Ashley knew the wedding took place. It seems things have been a strained between the family members since Ashley's memoir, All That Is Bitter and Sweet, was released last year. There were several family bombshells in the book, and it put Wynonna in a bad spot between Naomi and Ashley.

There are plans for the women to try and reconcile their differences. Wy says, "We're getting ready to sit down with our life coach and re-evaluate what we want out of this relationship . . . We just don't have a lot of contact right now, if any, because we're all doing our own thing."

Wynonna adds that she didn't want her sister and mother at the wedding diverting attention from her and Cactus.

"I just wanted to get married!" Wy says.

For more on Wynonna's wedding, pick up the new copy of Us Weekly on stands Friday.

Thursday, June 21, 2012 at 6:00PM

ACC,

Country

Thursday

Jun212012

Alicia Keys Joins the League of Extraordinary Women

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Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage via ABCAlicia Keys is on a mission to ensure that children and families affected by HIV and AIDS get the life-saving treatment, care and nutrition they need. For her work with the non-profit group Keep a Child Alive, the Grammy Award-winner has been named to The League of Extraordinary Women. Like real-life superheroes, the 60 women were chosen by Fast Company for their efforts to provide solutions for some of the world's most urgent problems.

Alicia remembers the early days of her career, when the then 19-year-old felt overwhelmed by all the attention she was getting. She says in a clip for Fast Company that she found herself "falling back, or hiding," when the cameras followed her. But then, she says "I realized one day that... if I had this opportunity talk to people, and people would listen to what I would say, maybe it was 30 seconds on an awards show, or maybe it was one minute on an interview, you know, I would pray that I had something to talk about."

Alicia says she was moved to speak up when she met young people who were affected by HIV and AIDS. What struck her was that, in addition to dealing with things like raising younger siblings, the youngsters were also dealing with the day-to-day "teenage things," like worrying about a crush. The experience, she says, changed her forever.

Asked what makes for an extraordinary woman, Alicia named two traits. The first is tenacity, "just the utter desire to survive, and through it all, never ever stopping." Then, there's love. "Love...yourself," Alicia says. "Then you can love everybody, too."

Thursday, June 21, 2012 at 6:00PM

Urban,

Urban AC

Thursday

Jun212012

"American Idol's" Jessica Sanchez in Talks to Appear in Multiple Episodes of "Glee"

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Michael Becker/FOXJessica Sanchez may not have won American Idol, but she may be getting something just as good: a role on Glee. TVLine.com reports that the pint-sized powerhouse is close to a deal to appear in a multi-episode arc on the show's upcoming fourth season.

According to TVLine.com, the plan is for Jessica to join the cast halfway through the season, after she wraps up her work on the American Idols Live summer tour. And since many of the main characters on Glee have graduated from McKinley High and presumably won't be hanging around the choir room, there's plenty of room for some new blood, either as part of New Directions or as one of the rival show choirs.

Jessica's appearance on Glee could be similar to the arc featuring another Filipina powerhouse singer, Charice, back in season two.

TVLine.com notes that if Jessica does appear on Glee, it'll mark her third time on a primetime TV show. In 2006, she was a contestant on NBC's America's Got Talent.

Thursday, June 21, 2012 at 6:00PM

CHR,

Hot AC,

Lite AC

Thursday

Jun212012

Details of Heart's Memoir Announced, Hear New Album's Title Track Now

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Heart-Music.comAn upcoming memoir by Ann & Nancy Wilson of Heart now has a title and a release date.

The book will be called Kicking and Dreaming: A Story of Heart, Soul and Rock and Roll and will hit stores September 8. The Wilson sisters have co-written the book with Charles R. Cross, who's already published books on two other famous Seattle musicians: Jimi Hendrix and Kurt Cobain.

The book promises to tell the inside story of the sisters' rise to the top of the world of rock and roll, including their struggle against the ingrained sexism of the music industry. The memoir is described as an " intimate, honest, and a uniquely female take on rock and roll life."

Meanwhile, fans can get a early taste of Heart's forthcoming album, Fanatic, which is due October 2: the rockin' title track has just been posted on YouTube.

It's a busy time for the Wilson sisters; in addition to the book and the album, earlier this month, a definitive Heart box set called Strange Euphoria hit stores. In a statement, Ann says, "What a crazy year we are having. Our box set...and our book...each tell the story of our lives so far, personally and musically. Our new album, Fanatic, tells our story as it is now and brings it all up-to-the-minute." She adds, "Anybody want to RAWK??"

Thursday, June 21, 2012 at 6:00PM

Oldies

Thursday

Jun212012

Report: One Direction Have Major Las Vegas Fail

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Peter Kramer/NBCWhat happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but when the guys in One Direction were there recently, they failed to anything that would have allowed them to put that saying into practice.

A source tells the British tabloid The Sun that 1D were "hoping to go wild in Vegas by boozing and gambling into the early hours," but sadly, their age prevented them from doing so. While they're able to party it up legally back home in the U.K., the band members aren't of legal age to either drink or gamble in the U.S.

The source tells the paper that because 1D's members are under 21, "Security at every casino in town knew who the lads were and threw them out."

And, to add insult to injury, the boys were excited about booking the decadent Vegas hotel suite that was featured in the movie The Hangover, but they discovered that, while their room was plenty decadent, the movie was actually filmed in L.A.

"Finding out the hotel suite they had ordered wasn’t the one in The Hangover was also pretty annoying," said the source.

Still, don't feel too badly for them. They got to stay at the Hardwood Suite at the Palms Hotel & Casino, which features two floors, a hot tub, a pool table, 24-hour butler service and a basketball half-court. That indulgence cost over 20 grand.

Thursday, June 21, 2012 at 6:00PM