Depeche Mode Rocks The Boulevard On Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Depeche Mode will shut down Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles for an exclusive outdoor night time performance to be broadcast live on ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Thursday, April 23 (12:05-1:05 a.m. ET/PT). The band's special performance will include material from their highly anticipated twelfth studio album Sounds Of the Universe to be released on April 21st.

Incredible Roots Picnic at Philly's Festival Pier

The Roots launch The 2nd Annual ROOTS PICNIC!

Check it out:The Roots (two sets), TV on the Radio, The Black Keys, Santigold, Antibalas, The Pipes featuring Zoe Kravitz and...(are you ready?)...A Special Performance by Public Enemy....Public Enemy will be performing "It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back" in it's ENTIRETY, backed by both The Roots & Antibalas Orchestra.

*JAZZY JEFF IS DJ'ING ON STAGE BETWEEN BANDS*

Indie rap superstars Asher Roth, Kid Cudi, Writtenhouse, Back to Basics w/ King Britt & Dozia and Making Time's Dave P. are all set to perform on the second stage.

The can't miss event of 2009.Saturday, June 6th at Festival Pier at Penn's Landing.

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO http://www.okayplayer.com/rootspicnic/

YOU CAN BUY YOUR TIX HERE NOW:http://www.livenation.com/event/getEvent/eventId/405097

Hip Hop Heads!....The Wait is Over!!!

I know you guys been waiting for that next great sound outta Philly. Well, esta aqui mis amigos. South Broad is to the rescue. Philadelphia-based hip-hop quartet comprised of MCs Leo Miles and P Soul and producers Tracknique and DJ Extra Medium.

Feel-good lyrics and soulful hip hop productions gives their sound that unfiltered head nod. No catch phrases, no snap dances, just pure fidelity to the art. I encourage all to check out their myspace, http://www.myspace.com/southbroadmusic , download their EP, A Lil' Louder, become their fans on facebook, and show some love.

Yung Pixies

This is a snapshot of the Pixies early on in their career with a rare song and a quite frankly unrecognizable Black Francis.

To all the folks in internetland, I'd like to pose a question. It's based on the fickle thoughts and superficial beliefs of the average consumer: would the Pixies have been more popular if Black Francis stayed that skinny?

Warm In and Out...

The Lotus Eaters were an odd new wave act because they had folksier elements than the genre had previously encompassed. They had lovely synths with a jangly guitar which would have made Johnny Marr practice longer hours... Here's a sample... "The First Picture of You"

Their lineup included

Peter Coyle - Vocals (1982-1985,2000-) (before The Lotus Eaters played in No Trace (1980-1981),Jass Babies (1981-1982),Tin Ethics (1981), Living Legends (1982) )

Michael Dempsey - Bass (1983-1985) (also in The Cure,The Easy Cure (1977 - 1979), The Cult Hero (1980), The Associates (1979 - 1983))

Jeremy Kelly - Guitar (1982-1985,2000-) (also in The Wild Swans, Psycamesh (1978-79),Care (1983-84),The Lovers (1989-90), Diamond Sutra (1997))

Ged Quinn - Keyboards (1982-1983) (also in The Wild Swans)

Stephen Emmer - Keyboards (1983-1985)

Phil Lucking - Bass (1982-1983)

Alan Wills - Drums (1982-1983) (also in The Wild Swans)

Steve Creese - Drums (1983-1985)

Rip It Up and Start Again

Orange Juice were possibly my favorite indie/post punk outfit from the 80's. They hailed from Glasgow, Scotland. They have roots, in ska, northern soul, and punk rock music! The mixture is definitely present in this performance. Here's one of the quintessential songs from that era... "Rip It Up."  This song is so epic that a gent wrote a book about the period and took its title from the track... Enjoy.

Lineup:

Edwyn Collins (guitar/vocals), James Kirk (guitar), Steven Daly (drums) and David McClymont (bass),  Zeke Manyika (drums), Malcolm Ross (guitar)

Love 4 Sale

Soul singer Bilal Oliver's "leaked"/unreleased 2nd album is entitled Love 4 Sale! The soundscape is so adventurous... I can understand why a record label would have feared its release in 2006's mediocre, mainstream cookie-cutter clutter. The album is actually amazing! It is one of my favorite albums of all-time. Can't wait until your next official release B. PMCFS is a loyal fan! I will support you in a blizzard or a hurricane... Here's a bit of my fve song from Love 4 Sale. It's entitled "White Turns to Grey." The brotha's vocal gymnastics are ill...