What better way to show off your brand new boobs than to appear on the cover of Maxim magazine! Heidi Montag of The Hills fame took her new bod for a spin in the February issue, and apparently dished the dirt on L.C., TK and how real reality television really is.
Nice to know that the rump we loved in 2007 is the rump we’re going to love in 2008. The Kardashians show is off the air right now, but we plan to deliver as much KK buttosity as possible. In these ever-loving shots, Lady Kim is at some Slim Fast festival in LaLa Land. Maybe K sip the stuff, but we know that rear will always be round.
Listen up, lambs! Mariah’s back with a new album, wearing nothing but a hat. Mariah’s follow-up to The Emancipation of Mimi is slated to drop in April, and the album cover and title have allegedly leaked. Called That Chick, Mariah stated in early January that she hadn’t yet arrived at an album title and hinted that it might be “the exact opposite” of Mimi. British site Discopop alleges they got a listen, and revealed track titles like “Migrate,” “Lovin’ You Long Time,” “Touch My Body” and “Bye Bye.”
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Liz Smith says that Quentin Tarantino wants to remake Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! Of course he does. What maestro of pop cheese wouldn’t? A trio of busty hotties spewing anger around the Cali desert, busting jujitsu moves on the hapless males that cross their path? It’s a must for anyone into frenzied aggression and woeful scripts. Russ Meyer knew what time it was when he sent those hot-headed strippers out on a Mojave rampage.
But Tarantino’s got a twist, natch. There no room for his girl Uma in this baby. Q sees three fine actresses positioned as the cleavage queens. Say hello to Kim Kardashian, Britney Spears, and Eva Mendes. Brit and Eva can duke it out over who they’ll play, but we know Kardasshian is a shoo-in for the Turo Satana role (even though our graphic is lobbying for Mendes). Once an alpha brunette, always an alpha brunette. Here are a couple of clips to remind you just how wondrous the original film actually is. And one to remind you of Eva’s lusty ways.
Yes, this is all pie-in-the-sky cocktail party talk, but we wish it was opening this weekend. Sounds like it would be a lot more fun than Mad Money. Go, baby, go!
Check out Brad and Angie giggling it up at the Sag Awards last night. They’re not just laughing at Top Model Jay’s fugly outfit. They’ve got a secret under that tent dress, one that can only be discovered via ultrasound. And Brangie can barely conceal their excitement that they’ve got two more unnaturally beautiful humans cooking in that belly, who are just waiting to bust forth and rule the world with their plump lips and angel eyes.
Enjoy the above photo for pregnancy proof, or peruse more pics below of the pair loving life together. They seem happier than they’ve been in months; maybe it’s because they were able to leave their kid army at home with a sitter, but we think it’s really because they’re adding to the troops.
Destiny’s Child star Kelly Rowland has finally admitted to getting a boob job last fall. Her reason, of all things, was to be able to fit into designer clothes better. Um, okay. If only we had some designer clothes to try to squeeze into. Anyway - Kelly didn’t go for the Pamela Anderson look, opting instead to go up just one cup size to a B. Whatever makes you happy Kel! We’ve got the before and after look above, and you can check out some bikini pics here. Bootylicious!
Hey Nicole. Sup? We heard today that you allegedly don’t like your brand-new, awesomely shaped mommy boobs and that it has ruined your outfit choices. You know, you can’t go bra-less, you can’t wear your beloved flowy, hippie shirts, blah blah blah. Must be a real hardship for you. Yet there’s one thing your breast eruption hasn’t ruined - your new hot (and healthy) body. Trust us - you look amazing/stunning/gorgeous/totally bangin’. We know it might be tempting to go back to those carefree days when your toothpick look was worshiped (by Lindsay Lohan and Mischa Barton, obvs) but you’re a mama now, and the only person you’ve got to look good for is that little girl who needs you as a role model. Oh, and us - the internet. We like to stare at you for hours on end. So keep them breasts, and while you’re at it, hold on to some of that pregnancy weight too. It’s radiant.
In a desperate attempt to look less like a human and more like all the other plastic robots wandering Los Angeles, High School Musical star Ashley Tisdale has gone and gotten herself a nose job! She used the old “deviated septum” excuse, but if you check out the before and after pics above you can see the obvious changes her nose has gone through. Before, she looked normal and interesting. After, she looks fake and puckered. Success!
R&B singer Ciara is currently in the UK on tour. Check out above some hot pics of her latest stop that was at the Wembley Arena in London on Sunday night. She looks simply amazing! Cici still has 2 more dates in the UK.
· In other news, Ciara recently sat down for an interview with website So-Urban.com and shared some interesting info about her upcoming single titled "That's Right" (feat. Lil' Jon) and she wanting to release "My Love":
Q: When are you coming out with 'That's Right'?
A: It's funny you ask that as I've been very anxious to release that video. I'm not sure exactly what is going on with a few things that's stopping me from releasing the record and video but I will say that by the end of this year it is my plan to have a video out for my fans.
Q: Is that the last single we can expect from The Evolution before you start on your new material?
A: No, I've want to also do a video for the song 'My Love' but I dont know whether I can get around to it but youll definitely see the visuals for 'That's Right'.
Having seen first-hand the dangers of disregarding the simple-but-direct adage "don't mess with Texas," we've never screwed around with the folks of the Lone Star state -- advice that apparently never reached the geniuses behind marketing Jessica Simpson's 'Blonde Ambition.' After sensibly deciding to send the flick direct-to-video, execs at No Image films came up with the bright idea of giving the alleged comedy a limited release in Jess' backyard -- opening it at eight theaters over Christmas weekend. Sadly for Ms. Simpson, common sense outweighed home-state loyalty, as the film grossed a mere $1300 -- not counting popcorn or Ipecac sales -- over the first three days of its release.
If you do the math -- and, much like your seventh-grade teacher, we strongly encourage that you do -- that translates to just a hair under two patrons per screening. In other words, either Jess's little sister and that eyeliner-wearing boyfriend of hers were on a mission to scarf up as many tickets as possible, or she does still have eleven fans in her home state. Either way, we're not holding our breath for 'Dukes of Hazzard 2: Electric Boogaloo.'
Katherine Heigl is so pretty and perfect and all that sweet stuff. She just got married to that kind of good-looking rocker dude and is now gushing about how pumped she is to have babies. But you know who doesn’t look so psyched? Her new husband. He looks like he’d rather be crammed into a hammock somewhere, strumming his guitar and guzzling a Corona as a couple of hot chicks swoon over his dark and stormy (and mascara-enhanced?) eyes. Katherine’s brought home an Emmy, snagged a raise on her hit show Grey’s Anatomy, and scored a hit movie (last summer’s Knocked Up) and now a serious chick flick in the past year. Her asking price per film has grown from $300,000 to a nice n’ easy $6 million! And you know she’s just waiting to get all ugly for some role and win an Oscar a la Charlize Theron - and score some sweet endorsement deals during her free time. All which leads us to believe that this cute couple isn’t gonna have time for baby-making, because they’ll be to busy breaking up after her star becomes too bright. Don’t believe me? Just ask Reese Witherspoon and Hilary Swank.
Katherine Heigl is so pretty and perfect and all that sweet stuff. She just got married to that kind of good-looking rocker dude and is now gushing about how pumped she is to have babies. But you know who doesn’t look so psyched? Her new husband. He looks like he’d rather be crammed into a hammock somewhere, strumming his guitar and guzzling a Corona as a couple of hot chicks swoon over his dark and stormy (and mascara-enhanced?) eyes. Katherine’s brought home an Emmy, snagged a raise on her hit show Grey’s Anatomy, and scored a hit movie (last summer’s Knocked Up) and now a serious chick flick in the past year. Her asking price per film has grown from $300,000 to a nice n’ easy $6 million! And you know she’s just waiting to get all ugly for some role and win an Oscar a la Charlize Theron - and score some sweet endorsement deals during her free time. All which leads us to believe that this cute couple isn’t gonna have time for baby-making, because they’ll be to busy breaking up after her star becomes too bright. Don’t believe me? Just ask Reese Witherspoon and Hilary Swank.
Slim Shady is now Sick Shady - the rapper landed himself in the hospital over Christmas with a serious case of pneumonia and a heart condition. Sources on the inside also report that Em’s weight has ballooned to over 200 pounds. His rep recently gave the official word: “Over the holidays, Marshall Mathers, aka Eminem, was under doctor’s care at a Detroit-area hospital for complications due to pneumonia. He has since been released and is doing well recovering at home.”
We’re glad to hear he’s healing and kinda hope maybe he’s got enough material to inspire an album. Eminem’s been in hiding for the past year or so, and told Hot 97 in September that his projects were “in limbo.” Let’s hope for a speedy recovery of both his health and his career.
The Epochs, 'Love Complete' - Video Premiere
The Epochs have garnered some serious New York buzz. Meanwhile, the Brooklyn indie-pop quartet took to an old civic center in Florida to bring their electronic-tinged 'Love Complete' to life. "Looks like the sort of place that was designed to look futuristic but now looks like a relic," singer Ryan Holladay told Spinner. "Many famous performers, including Elvis Presley, have come through here and played to a packed house." Have a look at the debut video from a band we'll be seeing a lot more of in 2008.
Well, we feel stupid. Last night we feel asleep giddy with the thought of running into Britney at our local Starbucks here in the Big Apple. Brit leaked the news that she was heading here to NYC, when she really hopped a flight - with paparazzi plaything Adnan Ghalib - to Mexico. Wow, punked by Britney! If only she applied those smarts to getting her life in order, she’d probably be doing okay. But you know - priorities! Apparently Brit was spotted buying fake Gucci bags and checked into a hotel, only to check out later that night, of course. Now, no one has any idea where the pair is. How about rehab?
Tom Cruise is Totally Insane for Scientology
Yesterday, Radar hit the jackpot with a video of Tom Cruise raving about what it mean to be a Scientologist that was shot by the Church for Scientologist eyes only. The clip was nine minutes long but we watched it numerous times - because not only was it bizarre and a little frightening, it was hard to understand what he was talking about. Those guys have a lot of lingo that us regular humans just don’t get. “KSW?” “SPs?” How about WTF? And just when we were all psyched to post the video here for you to enjoy, those pesky Churchies took it down, “due to a copyright claim by Church of Scientology International.” Creepy.
Oh wait - we just found it! Phew. So enjoy Tom’s maniacal laughing and dagger eyes, and just in case it gets zapped off the web again, here are some choice quotes from the video that chill our bones. If only Katie Holmes had seen this before she hopped on the spaceship.
* “I won’t hesitate to put ethics in on someone else. Because I put it ruthlessly in on myself.”
* “Being a Scientologist, when you drive past an accident… you know you have to do something about it because you know you’re the only one that can really help.”
* “But that’s what drives me… I know that we have an opportunity to really help… effectively change people’s lives and I am dedicated to that. I am absolutely, uncompromisingly dedicated to that.”
* “Look, I wish the world was a different place. I’d like to go on vacation and go and romp and play and just do that, you know what I mean. That’s what I want it to be. There’s times I’d like to do that, but I can’t because I know I have to do something about it.”
* “I have to tell you something – it is rough and tumble, and it’s wild and wooly, and it’s a blast, it’s a blast, it really is fun because, dammit, there is nothing better than the going out there and fighting the fight and suddenly you see things are better.”
Tutus, slippers and tights — they’re not the first things that come to mind when you think of Antwan “Big Boi” Patton of Outkast. But the Boi’s changing that with the ballet he’ll be performing in on April 10th through the 13th in his hometown with the Atlanta Ballet Company. The ballet, big, will feature selections from the Outkast catalog (including “Bombs Over Baghdad” and “The Way You Move”) as well as music from his forthcoming album, with plans to take the show overseas in the Spring.
In an interview with Spin magazine about the project, Big Boi said, “I’ve dated a couple of ballerinas. But I was like, ‘That sounds kind of dope – let’s crank it up.’”
Britney Spears’ Worst Idea Yet
Britney’s Daily List of Dumb Things to Do Today
1. Sleep with the married photographer that used to stalk me after only knowing him for 26 days.
2. Get knocked up with his baby because I miss my kids so much after screwing up that whole custody thing. Yeah, that was pretty dumb of me.
3. Eat a delicious, nutritious dinner of chocolates and tiny bottles of Zinfandel.
4. Oh, I almost forgot — get engaged to my creepy boyfriend so I can look at his sexy goatee forever!
5. Go out to buy a pregnancy test in public; let his photo agency take pics of the shopping trip and sell them.
6. Drive by Kevin’s house at 3 a.m. high on Taco Bell.
7. Light a cigarette in the car with a giant kitchen lighter.
8. Not shower, again.
We get it Lindsay, you’re a movie star. You’re Marilyn Monroe and Brigitte Bardot’s love child. But something ain’t right. Yellow plastic isn’t a good look for you, and frankly, we liked the luxurious red locks better. You remember - your natural hair color, but dyed to make it look even better. So here’s some photographic evidence for you to take a look at. Go ahead, decide for yourself. But let us ask just one thing - would you rather look like a Housewife of Orange County OR would you rather have orangey-red hair? The choice is yours (and is obvious).
PS - You might want to try out another pose other than ‘bitch face’. Kisses!
PPS - We’ll talk about the fake tan next week.
First, we’d like to thank whichever Scientology traitor is releasing all the wonderful Tom Cruise videos, as well as this email, allegedly from King of Queens actress Leah Remini. Yes, the rambling, confusing email could simply be a hoax. But what’s fun about approaching this crap with reason?
Below are a couple of excerpts from the supposed email, in which Remini (allegedly) guilt-trips lazy Scientologists into getting back involved with the church, beginning with some brunch she’s holding. The rest is the usual Scientology lingo you’ve come to know and love: SPs, OTs, ORGs, CS, LRH, FARTS, etc etc. It should only take you a few days to figure out what it all means!
Leah starts:
Hi! This is Leah Remini Writing you again. Some of you may know me from
the TV show “King of Queens”, but what is more important is that I am now OT V and at one point I was a very stalled Clear. A lot of people helped me to get OT, and I decided I was going to turn around and help every Clear make it to OT.
Well, it took a death to get this little interesting bit of gossip out: Heath Ledger was reportedly dating Mary-Kate Olsen before he passed away earlier this week. Her name has been in the mix since Heath passed, first in reports that he was staying at her sister’s apartment when he died. Here’s the real scoop: the masseuse, Diane Lee Wolozin, who first discovered Heath unconscious, placed a call to mutual friend MKO to ask for help, who in turn rang her private security peeps in New York. Wolozin later called back to inform the twin that things looked serious and she was calling 911.Mary-Kate was apparently dating the actor, even though he had been recently linked to Aussie model Gemma Ward. Regardless of their relationship’s official status, we’re sure she’s p
On the drug front, Heath’s apartment turned up nothing illegal or suspicious, contrary to earlier reports. The rolled up twenty-dollar bill that was discovered tested negative for drug residue, and all that turned up were pills for insomnia, anxiety and pain. Now that the rumors appear to be busted, perhaps it’s time to end the speculation for a while (at least until his autopsy reports come back in a couple weeks) and give the guy - and his grieving family and friends - a little peace and quiet.
How Hollywood Stays Connected
There’s lots of drama in the office of David Newman, cool-ass film agent and dude who lunches simply to be seen. His assistant is quitting to work for his competitor, his clients are falling for the wrong partners, and his pals break up via text-message. Worst of all? He’s got the big-time hots for the agent who prowls the penthouse office.
Want to find out what we’re talking about? For the next six days we’re recapping our “Connected” series, one Webisode at a time. Here’s where you can find out more about the series, here are 10 Things You Should Know going in, and here’s the kick-off: “Holiday Regrets.”
Move over Britney Spears - Jessica Alba is quickly becoming the most loathsome celeb in Hollywood. It’s not her good looks or charmed life that kill us inside; we can even handle the fact that our cat is a better actress than Alba is. But when she opens her big, beautiful mouth and starts talking, our blood boils and our skin crawls. She’s just so effing clueless about how lucky she is, and it comes across painfully in the stupid things she says. Take for example, her feelings about breastfeeding: “[It] is the only thing I’m paranoid about,” she says. “More than giving birth.”
Really? It’s a boob sagging thing, we’re sure. But Jess should be fine, because she’s not pigging out on ice cream during her pregnancy. Nope, the starlet is watching her waistline, even though it’s supposed to be getting bigger (because, you know, she’s pregnant). “I try to eat as healthy as possible [and] exercise,” Jess continues. “As long as I don’t gain too much, too fast, that’s the key.” Ugh.Excuse us while we go stuff our not-pregnant selves with Doritos and cry. [Us]
Wanna Win Amercian Idol? Take Our Advice
Fox’s annual circus hit TV town last week, and yep, after a couple of nights, there were plenty of entertaining entries on the screen. To get down the road on American Idol, certain rules must be followed, and certain faux-pases must be avoided. Here’s part of the list. You know who the characters are, right?
Do: Tell the producers a great back story that might land you one of those “down on the farm” segments where we see you frolicking with your son/daughter/pets/tractor. The sadder, the better.
Don’t: Have your back story be tied to a bag of nail clippings, your “Star Wars” fetish, a stalker routine, an ability to make funny noises or a “wacky” original song about abstinence. Speaking of chastity, though never-been-kissed virgin Bruce Dickson and his lock-and-key necklace told a tale so bizarrely endearing the striking Writers Guild of America should investigate whether he had some help with it, we recommend a little less sharing next time.
Do: Try to stand out in front of the judges by wearing something interesting, (slightly) provocative, flattering or, failing that, bland enough that it doesn’t distract them from your singing.
Don’t: Shop at the costume shop, paint your face, wear a Cowell-esque top that exposes so much of your chest that Simon and Randy lose their focus, attach anything resembling tin foil to your body or have your shirt signed by your “supporters.” And, for the love of God, if you can’t see your feet, don’t wear a Princess Leia costume, even if you are manscaped. Nobody needs to see that.
Adam Sandler: Leave Tom Cruise Alone!
Funnyman Adam Sandler wants everyone to back off Tom Cruise. After a couple of videos leaked last week depicting Cruise wild-eyed, hysterical and proselytizing the merits of Scientology, Cruise has come under further attack, with “actor” Jerry O’Connell making videos in his free time (which we’re imagining is plentiful) and Cruise being used as a cultural punchline. But Adam Sandler, who’s not exactly known for his cultural sensitivity, is asking everyone to cut it out. “To see anyone’s private life invaded and mocked like this is sickening,” Adam Sandler told People. “It’s especially gross when it happens to a guy like Cruise, who’s a great dad, a great husband, and a great friend.”
While we applaud Sandler’s altruism, and agree that celebrities are people too, we’d like to point out that Tom Cruise is insane, and Sandler’s been responsible for a few mocking portrayals in his time. Below, we’ve come up with a list of folks who could have used some of Sandler’s compassion before he decided to mock them:
Civil Unions
The Mentally Disabled
Vampires
Kids with Trust Funds
Rob Schneider
Golfers
Wedding Singers
The Queen of the Night had another meltdown outside her house yesterday that began in the early evening and lasted until one or two in the morning. Apparently Brit got in a big fight with her master/enabler Sam Lutfi, so she hopped out of his car with her bag and dog and tried to run away (you’re not in Kansas anymore, Brit!). Where she was headed we’re not sure, and neither was she, as she eventually plopped down on the curb to cry. Then Adnan Ghalib, photog boyfriend extraordinaire, tried to come to her rescue, but he was banned (by Sam) from entering her gated community. Eventually both her parents showed up around 9PM, but then Brit bolted to drive around with city with Adnan till 11PM. Eventually she headed back home, only to hit up a drugstore at 1:2o AM with her Mom and Sam in tow.
TMZ is claiming that the gang is in the process of attempting an intervention on the pop queen to try to get her to deal with her mental health issues. What we want to know is, who is thinking about Britney’s poor, suffering millionaire neighbors!? They’ve paid big bucks for their McMansions, only to live in the middle of a freak-show. Check out some video of the scene at her house and you’ll be offering to go evacuate people tomorrow. Seriously, the girl needs her own country to contain all the insanity she attracts.
a) Two wax statues
b) A dude who hates the paparazzi
c) A football star and his Heisman trophy
Give up? Amazingly the answer is b) A dude who hates the paparazzi. You can’t tell that from the way Reggie Bush is posing for the camera with his lady-friend Kim Kardashian, but he recently whined to Sports Illustrated about how much he just loathes those pesky photographers. “I hate the paparazzi,” he said. “I honestly do. She knows I don’t like it, but it comes with the territory. I deal with it. It doesn’t make me view her any different, it’s part of her life and so you just deal with it, but I hate it.”
It’s a good thing he’s with such a caring lady! Kim has tried to help her man adapt to the flashing bulbs, saying, “I’m giving him a few tips here and there. We try not to take it too seriously. The paparazzi are really an invasion of privacy that you’re never really used to…”
Right. Enjoy more pics below of Kim and Reggie not taking the paparazzi - or themselves - “too seriously” at a party hosted by Ms. Dash in Vegas on Sunday night.
Beyonce To Play Legendary Singer in Film + More
* Beyonce will play legendary jazz singer Etta James in the film 'Cadillac Records,' which chronicles the life of Leonard Chess, the legendary founder of the South Side Chicago blues label Chess Records.
* R.E.M. have announced the dates for their forthcoming North American tour in support of their new album, titled 'Accelerate,' due April 1. The jaunt kicks off on May 23 in Vancouver and wraps in Atlanta on June 21.
* Mary J. Blige recently taped two performances for the daytime soap opera 'One Life to Life.' The show will feature Blige singing two tracks off her latest album, 'Growing Pains,' during a surprise birthday party for Starr Manning.
* The Arctic Monkeys earned seven NME Award nominations, including Best Band and Best Album for their latest, 'Favourite Worst Nightmare.' Other nominees include Amy Winehouse (Villain of the Year, Best Solo Artist) and Radiohead (Best Album). Winners are decided by NME readers and will be announced February 28 in London.
Jack Johnson, 'Sleep Through the Static'
Completely recorded by solar-powered analog tape machines, Johnson's latest album features the avid surfer taking on the electric guitar
Jimmy Page Talks Led Zeppelin Tour + More
* Jimmy Page announced in Japan today that Led Zeppelin wouldn't hit the road for a full-fledged tour until at least after September. "The amount of work that we put into the 02, both for ourselves rehearsing and also for the staging of it, was probably what you'd put into a world tour anyway," he said. The legendary guitarist was speaking during promotion for the band's just-released retrospective, 'Mothership.'
* Modest Mouse and the National will serve as openers for R.E.M.'s forthcoming tour in support of their new album, 'Accelerate,' due April 1.
* Moby will be busking outside of London's Sloane Square tonight. The techno star releases his new album, titled 'Last Night,' on April 1.
* My Morning Jacket have titled their forthcoming album 'Evil Urges.' The effort, due June 10, is the follow-up to 2005's 'Z.'
What, you didn’t know that Miley Cyrus’ (aka Hannah Montana) real name was Destiny Hope Cyrus? Yeah, we didn’t either, but it’s definitely the greatest name we’ve heard this side of Scores. It’s one thing to change your name to a sexy monniker later in life, but to be born with such a trashy name is a true gift. We’re sad to see Miley let Destiny go, especially with all those bikini pics that have leaked on to the internet in recent weeks. She is now legally Miley Ray Cyrus - Miley stems from her childhood nickname of Smiley, and she added the Ray as a tribute to her mullet-loving dad.
Seeing as Destiny Hope Cyrus is now dead (er, as a name), we invite you to discover your own awesome stripper name. Here’s a handy name generator to use at your leisure. Give it your best shot and let us know what you come up with!
Signed,
Raquelle Razorthighs
Everyone’s getting into the style game at Fashion Week. No longer content with just sitting front-row and having their pictures taken, select celebrities have started weighing in on their experiences at the show. Witness Rihanna, our favorite umbrella-slinging pop-tart, whose song-of-the-summer and severe new haircut have endeared her to millions across the globe. Rihanna’s currently guest-blogging for Elle.com. So far, it seems, she really enjoyed the Proenza Schouler show:
“Last night, Joe Zee and Robbie Myers [Elle’s creative director and editor-in-chief respectively] brought me to the Proenza Schouler show and it was love at first sight. Joe made a quick introduction between Brooke Shields and me (they are old friends — he knows everyone!) and then we took our seats for the show. It was gorgeous — the sequins, the jewel tones — and definitely perfect for wearing on the red carpet.”
She goes on to note that she’s going to play the Gucci party tonight, which means there are going to be some very entertained suits and similarly happy fashion-types in Midtown. She’s a bundle of sunshine, that Rihanna.
In other celeb news, actress Joy Bryant is reportedly writing about the shows for C magazine. Man, the writers’ strike better end soon, or fashion journalists are going to be hard up for work. Seriously.
Fresh off her (slightly disturbing, somewhat promising) resolution to get clean in the new year, Amy Winehouse is facing trouble with the law ... again.
It appears that the embattled singer is wanted for questioning in an alleged evidence-tampering scam associated with husband Blake Fielder-Civil's assault case. After raiding her home in November, officials believe that James King, the victim, was offered bribes to change his story and leave the country.
According to Britain's News of the World, the singer and her equally troubled husband (it's not a contest, kids) have made a suicide pact in the event that they are handed long jail sentences. "She's determined they'll end it together," a friend of the Grammy-nominated singer told Britain's News. "She's really terrified this time. She's teetering on the brink."
R&B star Beyonce made a quick trip to Milan, Italy to attend to the official launch for the new fragrance of Emporio Armani, called "Diamonds", with Georgio Armani at the Rinascente Store on Monday. As you know B' is the face of the brand's new product and she even shot a tv commercial for it (that premiered time ago)
Hip-Hop Poet Saul Williams Covers U2 Anthem
Spoken-word musician/poet Saul Williams recently took on U2's 1983 epic 'Sunday Bloody Sunday.' Williams paid tribute to the veteran group with his own earthy rendition of the noble arena anthem, with the production help of Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor.
Being a longtime fan of the Irish quartet, Williams tells Spinner, "This is my favorite U2 song of all time. I first heard it while I was an exchange student to Brazil in my junior year of high school. I wasn't familiar with the massacre in Ireland that the song refers to, but I easily aligned it with my experience as an African-American and recognized it as a revolutionary song."
50th Annual Grammy Awards Nominees!
The nominees for the 50th Annual Grammy Awards were announced today. Kanye West received a leading eight Grammy nominations, and UK singer Amy Winehouse received six. Both West and Winehouse were nominated for album of the year for their CD's, "Graduation" and "Back to Back" respectively. Winehouse was also nominated for best new artist, plus record and song of the year for her hit "Rehab" Other record of year candidates included Beyonce's "Irreplaceable," the Foo Fighter's "The Pretender," Rihanna's "Umbrella" and "What Goes Around Comes Around" by Justin Timberlake. CLICK HERE for the full nominees list
Watch for live coverage of the annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, February 10, 2008 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, broadcast on CBS at 8 P.M ET/PT.
Chirstmas Music
I haven't seen a lot of Christmas music here, so I decided to post a few from my own collection. I will only post a few at a time because there are just so many of them.
Wendy & Lisa - The Closing of the Year
Waitresses - Christmas Wrapping
Eagles - Please Come Home For Christmas
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy - Christmas Time in Tinseltown (Again)
Brian Adams - Christmas Time
Amy Grant - It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
Paul Young - What Christmas Means To Me
Savage Garden - Last Christmas
Kelly Clarkson - My Grown Up Christmas List
Bing Crosby - White Christmas
Pretenders - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Relient K - Days Of Christmas
Britney Spears - My Only Wish This Year
Pretenders - 2000 Miles
Elton John - Step Into Christmas
Simple Plan - My Christmas List
Marie Digby - Bring Me Love
Band Aid - Do They Know It's Christmas (Original 1984 Version)
This is the official music video for Jennifer Lopez's third spanish single titled "Por Arriesgarnos" featuring (husband) Marc Anthony. This is one of my faves songs on her "Como Ama Una Mujer" album so i'm glad it got released. The sad part is that i don't think "Te Voy a Querer" will be released now. Anyway, this new music video features footage from her (and Marc's) latest tour "Juntos en Concierto" and some behind the scenes from it as well. Check it out
50 in madrid videos
Ayo technology
in da club
pimp
magic stick
candy shop
this is how we do
outta control
Yesterday night i attended to the 50 cent concert here in Madrid, Spain, that's why there weren't more post after the Lil' Mama's one, just so you know. Well, the concert was nicee, it was my first rap/hiphop concert so it was good a experience. The show lasted about almost 2 hours and 50 Cent along with G-Unit (Lloyd Banks & Tony Yayo) performed hits like AYO Technology, In Da Club and Candy Shop. And damn there were lots of BIG 50 or rap music fans cause they were feeling every song like it was the last one xD, and some times it kinda annoyed me cause i couldn't see properly if everybody was with the arms up and jumping, but then i realize i couldn't complain cause i was the same when Beyonce gave a concert here hehe. Anyways, i had a great time and i can't wait until next week to see The Spice Girls and next March to see Alicia Keys in concert.
Nobody's waiting 'til Saturday! The brand new Janet Jackson single has just leaked. It's titled "Feedback" and apparently it was produced by Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins. I'm soooo loving it! Uptempo, fresh and catchy. Janet's new studio album will be hitting stores in February 2008 via Island Records.
Well, there's at least one female rapper who's in a studio these days, not a courtroom or jail cell. Former inmate Lil' Kim is coming out with her first-ever mixtape in advance of an '08 release, reports MTV.com. The pint-size rapstress, who has reteamed with her original business crew, calls her mixtape Ms. G.O.A.T. Kim is again working with Lance "Un" Rivera, who was her original manager, as well as Trackmasters. Old friend Mr. Cee of New York's Hot 97, is putting out the mixtape. "Chillin' Tonight" one of the mixtape's hotter joints has already surfaced on radio around the country. "I never did a mixtape before, so this is like ... a new album," Kim said. "I got my boy Mister Cee. He's been holding it down since the B.I.G. days. He's part of the family.
Kim's last CD, The Naked Truth on Atlantic, suffered when it was released just as she started her one-year federal sentance for perjury in an infamous Hot 97 shooting case. Despite singles like "Lighters Up" and "Dirty," the CD under-performed and Kim no longer has a deal with Atlantic. However, her BET show "Countdown to Lockdown" did so well that it appeared that folks were still interested in the rap star, but no CD was announced after Kim's release in July 2006.
However, it appears the diminutive diva has regrouped and will put out a CD next year on Queen Bee Records in conjunction with Flavor Unit. Despite calling herself the greatest of all time, Kim pays homage to some of the MC's that inspired her career including Mc Lyte, Lady of Rage and Lauryn Hill, by rhyming over some of the tracks that made them famous. She also introduces her own artist, Shamel, who Kim calles a mix between Mase and Fabolous.
"It's a collaboration of freestyles, brand-new songs," Cee told MTV.com. "Shout out to the Trackmasters — they helped put it together. Whoo Kid is ... helping me put the tape together. It's incredible. I don't even think it deserves to be a mixtape. It's like an album."
We're almost down to the wire on music releases, but there's still a few hot ones left. This week, the boys are back with every new release this week being from a male artist. From hip-hop to R&B, from New Orleans to the Shaolin, this week's releases re-introduce a few superstars and introduce a newcomer. Here's a rundown of this week's new releases....
* Birdman - 5 Star Stunna Cash Money/Universal
* The-Dream - Love Hate Island Def Jam
* Omarion and Bow Wow - Face Off Sony Music
* Beanie Sigel - The Solution Island Def Jam
* Mario - Go J Records
* Gucci Mane - Back to the Traphouse Atlantic
* R.Kelly - Trapped In The Closet Chapters 1-22 DVD Jive
* Hi-Tek - Hi Teknology 3: Underground Babygrande
* Wu Tang Clan - 8 Diagrams Loud/Universal
Brit Readies for Super Bowl with Boob Flash
So what if Britney’s not actually performing at the Super Bowl next weekend? She still made sure she gave us a show that topped Janet Jackson’s whole wardrobe malfunction debacle when she flashed her boob to the paparazzi during a dance rehearsal this weekend. Check out the video above for a couple choreography moves, one of the twins, and a whole lot of crazy (skip to the 3:20 mark to get right to the goods).
But just because Brit was busy letting it all hang out doesn’t mean she’s out of control. It was probably just part of her new “treatment for mental issues!” Yes, Brit’s BEF (Best Enabler Forever) Sam Lutfi called Babs over at The View today (er, why?) and told her that the singer is seeing a psychiatrist and is seeking help for “mental issues,” including mood swings and sleeping problems. More good news: Brit’s in touch with her mother! Now if only someone would step in and help with her unfortunate lipstick choices, she’d be well on her way to almost normal. [Us]
Jack Johnson, 'If I Had Eyes' - Video Premiere
In preparation for the release of 'Sleep Through the Static,' Jack Johnson prepared a back to basics video for the album's first single 'If I Had Eyes.' Keeping it in the Brushfire family, Johnson turned the directorial duties to the Malloys, who shot the video inside Brushfire's solar-powered studio. The video contains animated layered images of the album's artwork. Have an exclusive look at the video and learn more about learn more about Green Because You Can
New Kids on the Block Coming Back + More
* The New Kids on the Block are reportedly staging a comeback. The former teen idols' long-dormant official site has been resurrected in anticipation of the official announcement, which a source tells PEOPLE magazine is to come in the next few weeks.
* Dixie Chicks violinist Martie Maguire announced on Sunday that she and her husband are expecting their third child at the Nobility Artists and Filmmakers Dinner in Austin. The couple already have three-year-old twins Eva Ruth and Kathleen Emilie. (Courtesy of WENN)
* Ringo Starr has apologized to Regis Philbin after walking off the set of 'Live With Regis and Kelly' last week, when the former Beatle was told to cut his performance of his latest single, 'Liverpool 8,' to below three minutes. (Courtesy of WENN)
* Miley Cyrus left the stage midway through her Saturday concert in New Orleans, telling the audience that she felt unwell. The 15-year-old teen phenom stayed backstage for a few minutes before coming back to finish her set. "Thanks, you guys," she told the audience. "I feel a lot better, but I'm going to sit this one down."
Jimmy Page Talks Led Zeppelin Tour + More
* Jimmy Page announced in Japan today that Led Zeppelin wouldn't hit the road for a full-fledged tour until at least after September. "The amount of work that we put into the 02, both for ourselves rehearsing and also for the staging of it, was probably what you'd put into a world tour anyway," he said. The legendary guitarist was speaking during promotion for the band's just-released retrospective, 'Mothership.'
* Modest Mouse and the National will serve as openers for R.E.M.'s forthcoming tour in support of their new album, 'Accelerate,' due April 1.
* Moby will be busking outside of London's Sloane Square tonight. The techno star releases his new album, titled 'Last Night,' on April 1.
* My Morning Jacket have titled their forthcoming album 'Evil Urges.' The effort, due June 10, is the follow-up to 2005's 'Z.'
Lost Countdown: Last Season’s WTFs
Lost returns this Thursday night after a torturous nine-month hiatus. I don’t know about you, but I’m twitching with anticipation - this show has proven to be full of classic cliffhangers. We’re recapping this season’s episodes each Friday morning, but let’s take one last look at season three. Here’sa countdown of the top moments that made us gasp, fall off our seats, or just yell WTF? at the screen! Are these the moments that rocked you, too? Tell us in “Comments.” See you Friday.
12. ‘Guyliner’ Keeps You Young. In a flashback to his youth on the island, little Ben is walking through the jungle and meets Richard Alpert – a man who appears to wear eyeliner and not to have aged in about 30 years. (Nerd note: Alpert’s also the Mittelos Bioscience guy Juliette interviewed with for the job that got her to the island.) He tells Ben he’s not ready yet to join them. Given the pirate duds Alpert has on, he may be part of the Black Rock slave ship that arrived on the island more than a century ago. Who is this dude, how old is he, and does Dharma stock the island with men’s cosmetics? Given that the actor who plays him, Nestor Carbonell, is now on CBS’ Cane, we may never know…
Sundance Stories: Jack Black Shills For Swag
An oddly blonde Jack Black informed VH1 News that the celebrity swag at Sundance wasn’t exactly free — it comes at a price. The price? Taking a picture with the stuff, which means being prepped to be the next face of a random cosmetics brand in their Asian marketing campaign. (Just kidding. Sort of.) We caught all of the action at Sundance, the annual Park City, Utah, meet-and-greet, where celebrities came to check out new films, promote their own, and, in general, raise the level of conversation. Whether or not that actually worked in practice is something else entirely. When asked, for instance, about his horrendous new glasses, Bono claimed that they’re 3-D. That goes along with U2’s new film, U2 3D, but it doesn’t change the fact that the world’s most socially conscious star of the stage needs a new stylist.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo 'Team' With a South African Hero
Ever since being brought to global renown thanks to Paul Simon featuring their distinctive vocals and exhilarating dance moves on the landmark 'Graceland' album and tour, South Africa's Ladysmith Black Mambazo have routinely made recordings and concert appearances with some pretty notable figures, from George Clinton to Stevie Wonder to Michael Jackson to Dolly Parton. They even "collaborated" with Bach and Mozart on 2006's 'No Boundaries.' It's something of a signature -- and one that has kept the group's international profile relatively high and helped win two Grammy Awards and several other nominations.
No surprise, then, that another prominent name dominates Ladysmith's new album. But it's not a pop star. It's Shaka Zulu, a near-mythical hero of South Africa, the warrior who in the late 1700s united the Zulus with other tribes into a cohesive nation. The album, 'Ilembe: Honoring Shaka Zulu,' bristles with the sense of history and cultural pride associated with the name, though with songs that touch on the current political divisiveness ('Let's Do It'), the perils of personal weaknesses ('Umon Usuk Esweni,' which means "jealous eyes") and spiritual touchstones ('Prince of Peace,' somehow managing to weave Jesus' message of peace with Shaka Zulu's warrior spirit).
Beyonce To Play Legendary Singer in Film + More
Beyonce will play legendary jazz singer Etta James in the film 'Cadillac Records,' which chronicles the life of Leonard Chess, the legendary founder of the South Side Chicago blues label Chess Records.
* R.E.M. have announced the dates for their forthcoming North American tour in support of their new album, titled 'Accelerate,' due April 1. The jaunt kicks off on May 23 in Vancouver and wraps in Atlanta on June 21.
* Mary J. Blige recently taped two performances for the daytime soap opera 'One Life to Life.' The show will feature Blige singing two tracks off her latest album, 'Growing Pains,' during a surprise birthday party for Starr Manning.
* The Arctic Monkeys earned seven NME Award nominations, including Best Band and Best Album for their latest, 'Favourite Worst Nightmare.' Other nominees include Amy Winehouse (Villain of the Year, Best Solo Artist) and Radiohead (Best Album). Winners are decided by NME readers and will be announced February 28 in London
Polka Singers Poised to Brawl at Grammys
A civil war of sorts may be brewing for the peaceful nation of Canada. Two of the country's citizens are preparing for an ugly, no-holds-barred grudge match at, of all places, the upcoming Grammy Awards. "We keep telling folks it's a friendly competition," warns one of the combatants, 72-year-old Walter Ostanek (pictured), "but two minutes before the winner is announced, the friendship is over."
Such animosity stems from the fact that the category in which Ostanek opposes his archrival, young buck John Gora, who's 49, may soon be abolished. Brace yourselves, people: the Grammys may be on the verge of eliminating the annual award for best polka album.
If this is the bandleaders' last shot at Grammy glory – Ostanek has been nominated a whopping 20 times and won three; it's Gora's fourth nomination, so far with a goose egg in the win column – they're not going out without putting the squeeze on. Ostanek, who plays the so-called Cleveland style of traditional polka, titled his latest album 'Dueling Polkas.' Not to be outdone by the crusty old-timer, Gora, who grew up on rock 'n roll and is partial to the horn-inflected Chicago style, called his '07 release 'Bulletproof Polkas.'
Who knew the music of Lawrence Welk could be so violent? Ambrose Bierce once defined the much-maligned accordion as "an instrument in harmony with the sentiments of an assassin." But despite all the battle-hardened imagery, polka is an industry in retreat, Ostanek admits. "It's for weekend warriors now," he tells the Toronto Star. If the Grammys fold the style into the broader roots or world music categories, he frets, "you'll never hear of guys like us again." Say one thing for him -- the guy really knows how to push those buttons.
Britney’s back on the loose, so watch your toes as her wheels wizz by. The pop princess busted out of her recent home - the UCLA Hospital psych ward - yesterday, where she was being treated for a serious bi-polar disorder. What ensued was a typical Brit-day: speeding, wigs, British accent, car towing, a visit to the Beverly Hills Hotel followed by a stop at her lawyer’s office. Not surprisingly, her parents are pissed off about the whole thing. We’re hoping this is just a pit stop before Brit heads off for more help, but we’re not yet convinced that she actually wants any.
TMZ got their hands on Kanye West’s rider for his most recent concert tour, and his demands are, well, exactly what’d you expect. You can enjoy the entire 23 pages here, but why not just let us pick out the gems for you?
- There must be a masseuse at each show. Obvi. Big egos make for big back pains.
- A Connect Four game, if possible (The gang travels with one, but ya know - in case Kanye forgets it on his tour bus) .
- An entertainment center with an XBox 360, Playstation III and Guitar Hero. Fun!
- One bottle each of Hennessey, Sky or Absolut Vodka, Patron Tequila, plus six packs of Heineken and Stella Artois beer.
All food must be healthy and organic - NO fried food will be served. NONE! Kanye’s body is too precious for such things (alcohol excluded).
Lindsay’s career may be “back on track,” but her fashion choices are as poor-planned as ever. At a recent event celebrating her current Paper magazine cover, Linds showed up decked out like a Wall Street trader on top, with a fugly skirt surely deemed by someone close to her as cutting edge. Perhaps it was created by her pal Jeremy Scott, the fashion designer who shot the cover, but we have no idea, as all our clothes are from last year’s sale rack at Old Navy. Yet while our garb may be shabby, our eye for bad fashion is not. LiLo’s ensemble is an ensembleghhhhh.
Avril Lavigne Thinks She Can Design
The singer’s creating a line of rocker clothes for girls so you can dress just like her. Attitude problem not included. [Us]
Patrick Swayze’s Cancer Crisis
The Ghost and Dirty Dancing star is currently receiving treatment for pancreatic cancer. We’re sending him lots of good vibes! [People]
Jamie Lynn Spears Back on TV
Brit’s pregnant teen sis will guest star on Ashton Kutcher’s new show Miss Guided. Not that Jamie-Lynn is or anything. [People]
We Got it All Wrong! Jen Aniston Dumped Brad, Okay?
We are we still talking about a break-up that happened years ago!? Brennifer is way over, even if it is cool to know that she dumped his maybe-cheatin’ ass. [DListed]
Britney and Her Dance Students: BFF!
Awwww. This pic of Britney and some of her little dance pupils is just too cute. [TMZ]
Janet’s New Vid: Kylie Locked in a Club?
BET premiered Janet Jackson’s clip for “Rock With U.” The song has overtones of Australian club-queen Kylie Minogue, and the video’s set in a club (or sound stage, let’s be honest) that recalls a futuristic mental hospital/the well-designed drum ‘n’ bass nightspots of decades past. Janet herself is looking fairly fly, dressed in an outfit that looks a little like what might happen if Project Runway winner Christian Siriano did fetish wear. Would Christian collaborate with Janet? We suspect so, yes. Jackson is currently topping the charts with her provocative Discipline. To see other Janet videos — and watch her comment on them — check out our fresh Box Set.
Patrick Swayze, the actor who wooed the ladies (and ticket sales) with his sexy hip-swaying in Dirty Dancing and sultry sculpture work in Ghost, has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The cancer is particularly deadly, with an “average life expectancy for a newly diagnosed patient is six to nine months, with only 4 percent of victims surviving more than five years.” An early report yesterday alleged that the star was on his deathbed with only weeks to live, however his doctor and rep have since clarified the state of his condition. “Patrick has a very limited amount of disease and he appears to be responding well to treatment thus far,” Dr. Patrick George said. “All of the reports stating the time frame of his prognosis and his physical side effects are absolutely untrue. We are considerably more optimistic.”
His rep added that Swayze would also continue to work on his new A&E series The Beast, as well as other upcoming projects. His new film, Powder Blue, is set to be released this year and co-stars Jessica Biel and Forrest Whitaker. In the meantime, we’re sending lots of good thoughts Swayze’s way while he battles this disease.
Biography of Green Day
Green Day was part of the California punk scene. Childhood friends Billie Joe Armstrong (guitar, vocals) and Mike Dirnt (bass; born Mike Pritchard) formed their first band, Sweet Children, in Rodeo, California when they were 14 years old. By 1989, the group had added drummer Al Sobrante and changed their name to Green Day. That year, the band independently released their first EP, 1,000 Hours, which was well-received in the punk scene. Soon, the group had signed a contract with the local independent label, Lookout! Records. 39/Smooth, Green Day's first album, was released later that year. Shortly after its release, the band replaced Kiftmeyer with Tre Cool (born Frank Edwin Wright, III); Tre Cool became the band's permanent drummer.
Throughout the early '90s, Green Day continued to cultivate a cult following, which only gained strength with the release of their second album, 1992's Kerplunk. The underground success of Kerplunk led to a wave of interest from major record labels; the band eventually decided to sign with Reprise. Dookie, Green Day's major label debut, was released in the spring of 1994. Thanks to MTV support for the initial single "Longview," Dookie became a major hit. The album continued to gain momentum throughout the summer, with the second single "Basket Case" spending five weeks on the top of the American modern rock charts. At the end of the summer, the band stole the show at Woodstock '94, which helped the sales of Dookie increase. By the time the fourth single "When I Come Around" began its seven-week stay at number one in the modern rock charts in early 1995, Dookie had sold over five million copies in the US alone; it would eventually top eight million in America, selling over eleven million copies internationally. Dookie also won the 1994 Grammy for Best Alternative Music Performance.
Green Day quickly followed Dookie with Insomniac in the fall of 1995; during the summer, they hit number one again on the modern rock charts with "J.A.R.," their contribution to the Angus soundtrack. Insomniac performed well initially, entering the US charts at number two, and selling over two million copies by the spring of 1996, yet none of its singles -- including the radio favorite "Brain Stew/Jaded" -- were as popular as those from Dookie. In the spring of 1996, Green Day abruptly cancelled a European tour, claiming exhaustion. Following the cancellation, the band spent the rest of the year resting and writing new material. The end result is what is called by many, the best album of their career, Nimrod.
Nimrod was well recieved by most critics and fans. The album sold 80,000 copies in it's first week to land at #10 on the Billboard charts. The first single from Nimrod was "Hitchin' A Ride". The single made it to #5 on the modern rock charts and was in heavy rotation on MuchMusic and MTV. The next single the band released would not make it to number one (it's highest position was #2), but it is now probably the most well known songs Green Day ever wrote. Featuring Billie Joe on accoustic guitar and vocals, "Time Of Your Life" became the song to play in any remotely sad situation. The song was even used on the last ever episode of the hit TV show Seinfeld (it was also the most watched finale in the history of TV). Along with Seinfeld, the song was also played on E.R on two different shows. Nimrod has sold about two million copies, the lowest sales total out of their three major label albums, but it probably garnered the band more respect than they could have expected with another Dookie or Insomniac. The band also vastly improved their live show and even one "Best Live Performance" at the Kerrang awards.
After nearly two years with barely any mention of the band, Green Day returned in late 1999 to play Neil Young's "Bridge School Benefit Concert", their first live accoustic performance. Green Day began recording their follow-up to "Nimrod" shortly after, which would eventually become "Warning:". Early in the recording process, the band decided to fire their new producer, Scott Litt, and produce the album themselves, marking the first time since "Kerplunk" that anyone but Rob Cavallo produced the bands recording. After they finished recording, Green Day decided to do something else they hadn't done before headline the 2000 Vans Warped Tour. Green Day played an amazing set and brought more fans to the tour than any other year in Warped's history (their Toronto performance alone attracted 7,000 more fans than they had any other year).
"Warning:" was released in the fall of 2000, and is by far Green Day's most ambitious album to date. If its first singles, "Minority" and the album's title track, are any indication, the album could prove to be extremely successful. Just four weeks after the release of "Minority", it sat atop Billboard's Modern Rock chart; no other Green Day song has hit the top that fast.
In September of 2004 Green Day released "American Idiot", an album which lashes out against the American government and the media. "American Idiot" was the first Green Day record ever to debut at #1 on the Billboard Charts, and other music charts around the world. The album's title track, was an instant success. The follow up single, "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" experienced a must greater success. "American Idiot" was nominated for seven Grammy awards, and took home one, "Best Rock Album". In August of 2005, Green Day took home 7 Video Music Awards from MTV
Biography of Sum41
Sum 41 hit worldwide radar in 1996 after tiny Ajax, Ontario, proved unable to fully contain the foursome's blathering mixture of punk-pop riffing, hip-hop poses, and toilet-bowl humor. Led by guitarist/vocalist Deryck Whibley, who looked like a mash-up of the Prodigy's Keith Flint, and cartoon land's Calvin, the band also included guitarist/vocalist Dave Baksh, bassist Cone McCaslin, and drummer Steve Jocz,Wooed by the boys' goofy antics and incendiary live show (and excited about the prospect of promoting their very own blink-182), Island put Sum 41 on the payroll in 1999. The Half Hour of Power EP followed, and Warped Tour dates got the word out. They returned in 2000 with the fun-filled full-length All Killer No Filler, and the singles "In Too Deep" and "Fat Lip" became staples of both modern rock radio and Total Request Live. An extensive tour followed, and Sum 41 enjoyed their boffo success the way all near-teenage boys would, with plenty of towel-snapping, groupie-loving, and self-depreciating, low-ball humor. In 2002, they returned to wax with Does This Look Infected? While the album was a bit harder-edged, it found the band just as jazzed as ever to mix punk-pop business with sophomoric pleasure: the video for "Hell Song" featured the fellas acting out a sort of rock star debauchery cage match with the aid of a few celebrity action figures. Metallica, Jesus Christ, and the Osbournes all made appearances in the hilarious clip. Not all fun and games, however, their involvement in the charity group War Child Canada had Sum 41 lending a hand in the making of a 2004 documentary covering the effects of war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Five days into filming, fighting and gunfire suddenly erupted around them, and they barely escaped unharmed -- these events led to 2004's slightly more mature and serious effort, Chuck, named for the UN aid worker, Chuck Pelletier, who was instrumental in getting them to safety. The DVD =Rocked: Sum 41 in Congo was released at the end of 2005 and the live album Go Chuck Yourself appeared the following March. Guitarist Dave Baksh left the band during the spring of 2006 due to creative differences, going on to form the metal-punk outfit Brown Brigade. Sum 41 continued on as a trio, and their first album as such, Underclass Hero, appeared in July 2007. Johnny Loftus, All Music Guide
