Black Crowes Set To Record in 2009

According to a recent interview wth Billboard.com, Black Crowe’s guitarist Rich Robinson, brother of lead singer Chris Robinson, announcd that the band is cosidering releasing a new album in 2009. Both Robinsons will share writing duties on the new album.

“Right now I’m just writing what I write, and Chris is writing what he writes,” the guitarist said. “When we get together and put all of our songs together, I think it’ll dictate what common direction it’s going to go. Once that happens, that’s when I think everyone’s gonna come in and we’ll solidify everything.”

I’m a big Black Crowe’s fan, so this is good news. The brothers have been working on an acoustic side project for a while, so it will be good to see them get back together as the Crowes.

Beatles Document Labeling Eleanor Rigby Sold for $177,000

A 97-year old document with clues to the character of the famous Beatles’ song Eleanor Rigby sold Thursday for $177,000 at an auction in London. The song detailed the story of a woman that died alone with no one to mourn her. Apparently Paul McCartney sent the document to Annie Mawson after learning of the woman’s attempt to raise money for her charity Sunbeam Music Trust. The document sold for well under the early estimates of $500,000, but it still managed to raise a lot of money for a good cause.

The valuable document is a salary register for E. Rigby, a scullery maid whose anual salary was 14 pounds. McCartney had previouly hinted that Rigby was a fictional character

Batman Killed By Bruce Wayne’s Father

Titled Batman R.I.P., the new comic book from writer Grant Morrison has the caped crusader finally meeting his match in his estranged father. Batman is finally killed by Simon Hurt (supposedly Wayne’s father and the mysterious leader of the Black Glove organization), after taking a bullet from his good old dad. This is a sick way top end Bruce Wayne’s life. I love it. The original comic versions of Batman were so dark that this fits appropriately. One will have to wonder if it will signify the end of the Batman movies series. I highly doubt it as replacements such as Dick Grayson (the current Robin) and Boy Wonder (Tim Drake) are currently in line for the title of Dark Knight.

John Forte Pardoned By Shrub

Grammy-award winning hip hop producer John Forte had his sentence ommuted recently by President Bush. Arrested in Newark Airport in 2000 for possesion with intent to distribute narcotics and conspiracy, it is kind of ironic that a one-time charlie cowboy turned president is pardoning a guy caught with $1.4 million in liquid cocaine.

I’m all for people getting off when it comes to non-violent drug charges, so I’m happy that Forte will be able to make hip hop tracks again instead of licence plates. It certainly didn’t hurt Forte’s cause that folk singer Carly Simon helped leas the charge for his freedom.

Joe The Plumber Vs The Desperate Housewives

There is some talk aroundthe Hollywood campfires that today’s television line-ups may be changing back to shows featuring the comman man and woman such as All in the Family and Rosanne. This makes a lot of sense since people can’t identify with shows such as Desperate and Dirty Sexy Money. Apparently there may also be a shift fom reality shows to more crime shows.

Although I will take Survivor over CSI, I’m probably in the minority as ratigs continue to drop for many long-standing shows. I hope that Desperate survives, just because it gives me something to watch with the wife other than Iron Chef.

The New U2 Release Is On the Horizon

The New U2 CD is set for a February 2009 release. Titled No Line On The Horizon, this is the band’s first studio effort since 2005. Originally the group recorded with Rick Rubin (Beastie Boys fame), but later they decided to scrap the songs because it didn’t sound the way they wanted it to.

Shortly after deciding the tracks weren’t to the band’s liking, they re-united with Brian Eno, who has worked with the group on a number of previous albums.

I’m so excited about this new album. To quote Edge, the new album title is about infinity. “It’s an image, Bono tells me,” he explained. “It’s like when you’re moving forward, but you’re not exactly sure what you’re heading towards – that moment where the sea and the sky blend into one. It’s an image of infinity, I suppose – a kind of Zen image,” said Edge in an interview with Mojo.

I frigging love these guys.

Punk Still Fashionable According to Christie’s Auction House

Christie’s auction house will have an unique sale of punk memorabilia next Monday. Featuring items from The Sex Pistols, The Buzzcocks, and The Clash, this auction might take the cake for insulting the icons that made them. I can’t possibly think of a time when these agro-rockers would have ever thought that their memorabilia would ever be sold by an auction house. I think Sid Viscious would be rolling over in his grave.

In total, there are 120 punk memorbilia lots available for bidding, including a poster for the Scream on the Green concert featuring The Clash, The Buzzcocks, and The Sex Pistols, oringinal artwork from the Beastie Boys Licensed to Ill (which is actually pretty cool in my book), and one of Kurt Cobain’s bass guitars.

Will Sony Find Success with Crackle.com?

Sony has invested a pretty lartge sum of change in hopes of capitalizing on the online medium and they are set to launch a series of online television shows that will run in seasons the way traditional television does.

Crackle.com is Sony’s latest online venture and next week marks the start of the website’s programming. Featuring sketches from L.A. comedy group The Groundlings and a television-style talk show called Anytime with Bob Kushell, Crackle.com is looking to tap the key 18-31 demographic.

Another show that might prove popular with web geeks is The Jace Hall Show, a show based on video games. It debuts on December 1, 2008.

No Doubt to Tour in 2009?

Apparently punk/ska/hit machine No Doubt is considering hitting the road again and they are working on new material for a new album. According to the band’s website, group members including Gwen Stefani traded text messages discussing the group’s possible re-union.

This is a big plus for many No Doubt fans as it has been over four years since the band released any new material. No dates have been officially announced, but as soon as they are, I will post them here.

The New Star Trek Promo Shows Promise

The latest incarnation of Star Trek is set for release in roughly six months, but the trailers have stated airing in various theatres around the globe. In a shrewd move by director J.J. Abrams, the new film previews are doing what some might call a media tour, airing in various countries in hopes of reaching out to a new generation of Star Trek fans.

I saw the trailer and it is pretty sick. Although this is a big leap from the old series and the movies, I’m excited that a new franchise could be on the way. Hopefully, the actors will be able to show glimpses of what made the hit television show so popular.

 Click here to watch the trailer.