IndieBlips - Latest Mark Ronson News Articles

Baroness Rock D.C. on Opening Night

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:36:28 +0000

Launching their U.S. tour Wednesday night in Washington, D.C., Savannah, GA, quartet Baroness wasted little time in showing off the grand, intricate style of Blue Record , one of 2009's most acclaimed metal albums. Leading off with instrumental album opener "Bullhead's Psalm," the band blended detailed guitar with delicate feedback before yielding to the galloping rhythms and yowling vocals of "The Sweetest Curse." The quartet executed similar transitions several more times during an imposing 80-minute set -- although not so often as on the new album. Despite the band's undeniable sonic grandeur, the visual presentation onstage at the 300-capacity Rock'n'Roll Hotel was more punk than prog. The only stage decoration was a reproduction of Blue Record 's cover (hand drawn by singer-guitarist John Baizley) that was largely hidden by Allen Blickle's drum kit. The bushy-bearded, cropped-haired Baizley didn't say a word until the set's end, and tank-topped new guitarist ...

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Paste's Holiday Gift Guide for Book Worms

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:48:16 +0000

It’s difficult to buy gifts for book lovers—you never know what books they already have or if they’ll approve of your selection. Here are some reading-related gift ideas for the book worms in your life:...

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Will Desperados be the Female Hangover?

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:00:13 +0000

With the roaring box-office success of this summer’s The Hangover, not to mention its planned sequel, you can all but rest assured that studios are being flooded with pitches that begin something like, “It’s just like The Hangover, except…,” even as we type this....

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Mark Hoppus' Pick of the Week: Ladyhawke

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:48:43 +0000

When he's not commandeering the stage as the boisterous bassist for SoCal punks Blink-182, Tweeting wisdom to more than 1.4 million followers, or handling album production duties for bands like Motion City Soundtrack and New Found Glory, you'd think Mark Hoppus would turn down the music. Share Not. Possible. In our new series, Hopp on Pop, Hoppus is sharing his favorite up-and-coming acts, culled from his incessant pursuit of all that rocks. ( Click here to discover Mark's previous picks: Canadian rock duo Japandroids and NYC popsters fun. ) Check out his third entry below, and come back to SPIN.com next Wednesday for Mark's next musical revelation. Be sure to follow more of Mark's opinions and exploits via Twitter and on his blog ! Ladyhawke HOMETOWN: Wellington, New Zealand THE BASICS: Don't let this 29-year-old Kiwi's lanky, model-esque looks fool you. Ladyhawke, aka Pip Brown, co-wrote and played guitar, bass, and synths on ...

Find more top indie music news, videos, and blogs on IndieBlips: Indie Music, Ladyhawke, Mark Ronson, blink-182, Spin

Mark Lawson imagines the media under the Tories

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:05:27 +0000

Imagine flashing forward five years to life with the Tories: Mark Thompson has been sacked, Strictly Pole Dancing is on TV, and Simon Cowell runs an alternative BBC November 16, 2014: In a combative interview yesterday with Sunday Guardian Observer Online, Boris Johnson insisted that the broadcasting reforms by the current government have been "better for the taxpayer and better for television and radio. If I may adopt, tongue-in-cheek, the title of the country's most popular show: It's A No-Brainer!" Few in the industry, however, share the prime minister's optimism. It is already a tense November in Westminster, as the parties prepare for the general election that must be held by May 2015 and speculation mounts that David Miliband may abandon his post as European Union foreign minister to challenge his brother, Ed, for the Labour leadership, in a so-called "Cain and Abel option". But this already febrile atmosphere has become even tenser after two events in recent days. The human rights ...

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Devo Perform Full 'Are We Not Men' Album in Chicago

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:00:00 +0000

Filed under: Concerts and Tours , News In the 21st century, aren't things supposed to function well? That wasn't the case during Devo 's first of two shows at the Vic Theatre in Chicago. Before the band performed their recently-reissued 1978 'Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo' in its entirety, a video containing old footage of the band was supposed to screen. But once the lights dimmed and the projectionist pressed play, not much happened. After the unknown problem apparently wasn't fixable, the house lights came up, which made the crowd boo in dismay. 20 minutes later, the lights dimmed again and Devo's cover of 'Secret Agent Man' then 'Jocko Homo' played over an empty stage before the band finally came out to a cheering, relieved crowd. Wearing their trademark yellow jumpsuits and 3D glasses, Devo busted into the first song off the record, 'Uncontrollable Urge.' The guys spun around, pivoted and made stilted robot moves while lead singer Mark Mothersbaugh went around ripping off pieces ...

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Bassist Mark Smith Dies at 49

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Filed under: News , R.I.P. Bassist Mark Smith was found dead in his London apartment Monday, Nov. 2, when he failed to turn up for a gig. The 49-year-old made a career out of playing as a session and touring musician for popular acts such as Roxy Music , Bryan Ferry , Robbie Williams and David Gray . The cause of death is currently unknown. Born in 1960, Smith got his start with the '70s British band Kokomo when their bassist went on tour with Roxy Music. While most session musicians remain in the background, their contributions are often heralded and it's no exception in Smith's case. Speaking with Music Week producer Robin Milar described Smith as a "true unsung heroes. Mark was one of the great people and players. He was one of those guys who never pushed himself forward, but was a great all round musician -- a real musicians' musician."

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