dirty blondes

Just a quick one because I have to go out of town for the day...

Morrissey openly criticized a new England animal testing facility... yet still played shows there. (Hypocrite.)

Madonna might be the new face of H&M. Uh, do people actually want to look like Madonna?

Courtney Love's memoirs come out in November. It's bound to be an interesting read.

Canada's Next Top Model premieres tonight at 8pm on CityTV. None of the girls appear to be Top Model material so the only reason to watch is for the drama (as if you watch for any other reason).

Clap your hands if you're hot and want to take off your clothes.

air conditioning season begins

BBC Summer Festivals Guide (UK and Europe) for all you lucky bastards over there with a million festival options. I'm so jealous!

The Guardian talks to Beth Orton who I want to be friends with.

Morrissey's manager bought out a butcher to avoid offending the vegetarian singer. Wow. You know you're high maintenance when...

Arctic Monkey's replacement bassist has broken his hand but insists he can still play.

The Go! Team are hoping Kevin Shields will produce their next album.

This guy is trying to raise money for a date with Lady Sovereign. (Here's an article about it.)

Kate Moss' new man is "sex obsessed" and "promiscuous". Sounds like Kate might have finally met her (slutty) match.

Franz Ferdinand have recorded a new "pop" version of 'Eleanor Put Your Boots On" which they're releasing as their next single. Yay!

The Guillemots covering The Streets "Never Went To Church". Cute.

After yesterday's temperture soaring to 33'C (felt like 42'C) you should kick off the summer by downloading the first great song of the summer (Lily Allen, "LDN").

the boy has bad luck

Always nice to wake up on a Monday morning to a surprise TTC strike leaving 700,000 people without a way to get to work. BOOOO!!!

Gnarls Barkley are "deleting" (whatever that means) their single 'Crazy' in Britain today. It's been #1 for the past nine weeks.

"Country Girl" is Primal Scream's most succesful single to date after entering the charts at #5! You know you want to watch the video again!

Gorky's Zygotic Mynci have "decided to call it a day". "Poodle Rockin'" is a damn good song!

Brett Anderson (Suede/The Tears) has announced his solo album is due for release in January 2007.

Torr posted a link to the new James Dean Bradfield single.

The Kooks frontman Luke Pritchard has been dumped. I doubt he'll be single for long.

For those living under a rock, Brangelina had a baby girl named Shiloh and Gwen Stefani had a baby boy named Kingston over the weekend. Both children are sure to be ridiculously good looking.

This is still funny.

WHAT!?!

The Sun has posted a Toronto summer concert guide. What I found interesting was under "Confirmed exclusively by The Toronto Sun" where it says Morrissey will play Massey Hall on October 14th and 15th. What the fuck is this about? Someone please explain this to me!

If you're a massive Moz/Smiths fan the NME wants you!

Michael Eavis says Kylie will headline Glastonbury 2007! I am so there!

Reggae/ska legend Desmond Dekker has died.

CBC examines the Douglas Coupland based documentary Souvenir of Canada.

Kate Moss kicking a paparazzo is funny but the best bit of this story is the last sentence when they note that Pete Doherty left her house by hitching a ride on a garbage truck.

It took a while but this song really grew on me.

Boys do cry.

The best part about yesterday's pre-prom party at my house? Seeing this beast pull up! (It looked like this on the inside!)

Have a great weekend kids! (Enjoy your long weekend Yanks!)

PROM!

Just a quickie today because it's my little sister's PROM today and I've been enlisted to help with the big pre-prom bash we're hosting in a few hours.

Kaiser Chiefs, Gorillaz and New Order were all winners at the Ivor Novello Awards. Suck it Coldplay!

The 17th annual MuchMusic Video Awards nominees have been announced. Metric, Feist, Broken Social Scene, Stars, and Arcade Fire all got props.

Roddy Woomble of Idlewild is releasing a solo album, 'My Secret Is My Silence', this summer. He's got a lovely voice.

Larrikin Love's next single will be 'Downing St. Kindling' and we can look forward to a debut album in the Fall.

The Charlatans have written a song about Carl Barat (of Dirty Pretty Things/Libertines fame) called "Hard To Be You (Song For Carl)". I haven't yet decided if the title is sweet or insulting.

Wayne Coyne (The Flaming Lips) delivered a speech to kids at his old high school in which he admitted he didn't technically graduate himself and instead opted to work at Long John Silver's and sell pot out of his apartment. What an inspiration.

Kate Moss has a new boyfriend. He's kinda dishy.

Some guy with grey hair won American Idol... And I still don't give a shit.

There will NOT be Pussycat toy Dolls. So that's one less thing you need to worry about warping the minds of young girls.

That is all. HAPPY PROM to all the young'ns.

the war against the sniffles

The Sun alleges Pete Doherty dumped his cousin in the street after he fell into a drug-coma. Whether its true or not I hope Pete has very limited access to his children because he's seriously dangerous.

Pitchfork offers a track-by-track first glimpse at Thom Yorke's solo album, 'The Eraser'.

Broken Social Scene are headlining the World Electronic Music Festival this July in Tweed, Ontario.

CBC looks at indie rock cashing in on commercials.

Torr posted a great link to The Smiths, The Complete Peel Sessions. Awesome.

Sofia Coppola's new film Marie Antoinette recieved a cool reception at its premiere in Cannes.

Geri Halliwell named her daughter Bluebell Madonna. Seriously.

A stripclub in Toronto that caters to the indie kids. Niiice.

Bad news for Canadian drivers.

Is it weird that I found this entertaining?

i survived hobo camp '06

I'm baaack! I had a a great weekend camping up North despite the chilly/wet weather (yeah, it snowed)! I totally recommend the park we stayed at and living like hobos for a few days!

Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson was hit by a car over the weekend but escaped with minor injuries.

Arctic Monkey's bassist Andy Nicholson is pulling out of the band's upcoming North American tour due to exhaustion. Nick O'Malley of The Dodgems will be filling in.

Babyshambles have been dropped by their record label Rough Trade. Apparently, Pete Doherty is "difficult to deal with".

Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy" is the most successful single in the UK in over a decade. Not bad for their first single.

Jamie Hewlett, the artist behind Gorillaz, has won the won the prestigious Designer of the Year award. That's a nice bonus.

The new album from Phoenix, 'It's Never Been Like That', is out today. Listen to it in full here.

If you haven't heard it yet I suggest you rush and download Willy Mason's brilliant song "Oxygen". It came out like over a year ago but its still good.

The Guardian looks back on the birth of the Manchester music scene 30 years ago.

Torr posted some Stone Roses studio demos.

Dodge posted a bunch of covers of The Smiths "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out".

Take Your Medicine wrote a funny little piece about classifying MP3 blogs.

I've added my site to elbo.ws (an MP3 blog aggregator) - even though this site is more links to music news/entertainment. Just so ya know.

That's all for today folks.

fucking in the bushes

Woohoo! Long weekend! I'm gonna be spending my May 2-4 camping up North - but first I have about a million things to do so this is just a quickie post... I'll be back on Tuesday.

REM, Ryan Adams, Wilco and Idlewild are amoung the many artists on an upcoming Big Star tribute album. Should be solid alt-country goodness.

The Kooks are trying to stir up a fued with Razorlight.

Speaking of, here's The Kooks new video for "She Moves In Her Own Way".

Some 'Viva Hate' outtakes from Morrissey. (Thanks G!)

Dodge has a whole lotta cover versions of "Love Will Tear Us Apart" but none of them even come close to the original's brilliance as far as I'm concerned.

Live review of Depeche Mode in Toronto.

Would you have ever guessed that Prince Charles is a Leonard Cohen fan?

Another reason I love Scotland.

Alright, I better go... I'm really looking forward to the getting back to nature this weekend... like Geraldo!

i want candy

The Concretes have cancelled the rest of their US tour after having their equipment stolen and their frontwoman getting sick.

Panic! At The Disco have lost their bassist but assure fans they will still continue to make incredibly mediocre music.

Details on the new album from Muse for those interested.

Alex Kapranos (Franz Ferdinand) was fired from his first band for being "too ambitious".

Lots of free shows in NYC this summer. Let's hope Toronto has a similar fate in store for all the broke indie kids (like myself).

Hey, did you know Sloan's song "The Other Man" was written about Feist? Yeah, I sure didn't!

Skatterbrain has The Pipettes singing "I ThinK We're Alone Now". As much as I like The Pipettes I've NEVER liked this song.

Chromewaves has news/music/videos from The Futureheads and Maximo Park. Both bands have always sounded very similar to me and consequently I love them both equally.

The man behind the awesome Unearthed Podcast I posted a few days ago has a blog.

Does Kate Moss have a new crackhead boyfriend? Does anyone care anymore?

Rumours (possible spoilers) circulating about tonight's season finale of The O.C.. It feels like all I've done is watch TV this week.

If you like Grey's Anatomy you're gonna wanna watch this video (fastforward to about 2 minutes, 40 seconds in).

I'm really looking forward to Sofia Coppola's new film Marie Antoinette and with Kevin Sheilds working on the soundtrack I have even more to get excited about. (Seriously, who doesn't enjoy "I Want Candy"?)

Happy Birthday to my old friend/housemate Lyn Kenney!

sunburnt in springtime

Arctic Monkeys outdrink Noel Gallagher. Seriously? I'm disappointed. Liam would have never let that happen.

Chris Martin whores himself out for another charity.

Elbow frontman Guy Garvey wants Radiohead to sign a deal with his record label. I guess he figures it's worth a shot.

Razorlight think they're "better than Arctic Monkeys" and I have to agree.

The Raconteurs have announced some North American tour dates. The only Canadian date (thus far) is in Vancouver.

The new video from The Streets for "Never Went To Church". It's a sad one!

The first five albums from Jesus and the Mary Chain are being re-released this July.

Torr has new singles from Keane and Cooper Temple Clause.

Snoop Dogg's been banned from the UK which I don't think is very fair...

Paul McCartney's seperating from his wife and they're blaming the media for their split. Riiight.

The Cannes Film Festival will kick off tonight with the premiere of The Da Vinci Code which is a film I normally would avoid for various reasons (Tom Hanks, religious content, buzz, etc) but, I confess, I'm actually looking forward to seeing it thanks to the combined sexiness of Audrey Tautou and Paul Bettany. Sorry for rambling on there for a minute.

Damnit! We've lost Keira Knightley to Kabbalah! Nooo!

Season finale of America's Next Top Model tonight. I'm cheering for Joanie or Danielle - pretty much anyone except that bitch Jade.

I'm making a new workout playlist for my iPod. Anyone have any suggestions?

let's waste time

That song that was playing last night in the final moments of Grey's Anatomy when you were bawling your eyes out? "Chasing Cars" by Snow Patrol.

Pete squirts a syringe of his own blood at an MTV camera crew. A new low every day...

Noel Gallagher announced Oasis are taking a one-year hiatus. It feels like the Oasis I loved has already been on hiatus for years.

Paul Weller joined Hardi-Fi onstage last night in London. Really?

Pitchfork's review of The Futureheads new record 'News and Tributes'. I don't even like Pitchfork so I don't know why you should care.

The Charlatans kick off their North American tour today. They roll into Toronto next Monday night while we're all recovering from the long weekend.

Peaches will be back with a new album this summer titled 'Impeach My Bush'. She overwhelms me a bit but I like her in small doses.

Canadians! Fill out your 2006 Census today! It's the law!

This game is what I'm doing with my spare time. It's like "Collapse" but cuter.

the clean and the green

Geri Halliwell gave birth to a little girl last night. Awwww.

Thom Yorke (Radiohead) is releasing a solo album, called 'The Eraser', this July.

Bob Marley's bassist lost his legal battle for £60m in unpaid royalties. Greed will get you nowhere.

Damon Albarn criticizes Coldplay, Radiohead, Bob Geldof and Bono for trying to save the world. Well done.

Another reporter doing a "month in the life of Pete Doherty" story. Oh and Pete Doherty dressed in drag for a Babyshambles show in Cologne over the weekend. He looks quite good as a girl.

Pitchfork gives The Raconteurs and Dirty Pretty Things relatively favourable album reviews. Also there's an interview with Sufjan Stevens.

Richard Hawley in The Guardian.

A Tribe Called Quest are planning a US reunion tour this fall. I figure there's a few readers who might be interested.

Canadians sure do love their Leonard Cohen.

Y'know that Telus commercial with the parrot and the really catchy song? In case you haven't figured it out yet, it's "Martell" by The Cribs

Some guy named Ross Partlett made a killer playlist (lots of UK indie bands) which you can download here.

I'm really looking forward to parking my ass in front of the television for 3 hours of season finales tonight - Prison Break and Grey's Anatomy! I really like drama when its not in my own life!

breathe deeper

Remember Menswe@r? I sure do!

Dave Gahan has laryngitis which might result in Depeche Mode's US tour being cancelled.

Pete Doherty failed to turn up for his court appearance today.

An article about Hard-Fi in the Guardian titled "Birth of the Uncool". How apprpriate because as much as I want to hate them I just can't.

The lineup for NXNE has been announced. Notables include Television and The Buzzcocks and even a few Canadian artists I actually like.

Bloc Party have announced some US tour dates. Is it bad I don't give a shit?

Stereogum has Editors covering REM. If you're into that kinda thing.

Check out this film clip from Michel Gondry's new film "The Science of Sleep" starring the very sexy Gael Garcia Bernal. So fuggin weird.

"Why journalists shouldn't bother with those 'become the professional' features." (From Holy Moly!)

only happy when it rains - occasionally

I love rainy, grey days like this. This morning the rain was so loud it was like waking up in a tent.

James Dean Bradfield, frontman of Manic Street Preachers, releases his debut solo album 'The Great Western' this summer. I'm looking forward to hearing the first single because he has a really lovely voice.

Clor have split up. That didn't last long.

Skatterbrain has "Pull Shapes", the awesome new single from The Pippetes, avails for download.

Metric have created their own music festival, "Dog Day Afternoon" with tour dates in Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal this July. Other bands making apperances include Fiery Furnaces, Holy Fuck, Secret Machines and Electric Six.

Here's a live version of Art Brut's brilliant "Moving to LA" that I meant to post a few days ago.

People are very confused about the new Britney Muse single "Supermassive Black Hole".

CBC examines the trend of run-on song titles. Bands guilty of the charge include Fall Out Boy, Panic! at the Disco, Sufjan Stevens, Of Montreal, and The Flamng Lips.

Ashlee Simpson won't fess up to her recent nose job.

Vice: The Comic Issue.

get me away from here

I missed the season finale of Gilmore Girls (with a guest appearance from Sonic Youth) last night. Who saw it? Did I miss much?

Britney has confirmed she is pregnant with her second child. I was secretly hoping she was just getting fat.

Radiohead have cancelled their show in Amsterdam tonight "due to an unexpected and sudden family bereavement".

NME's 'Heroes' issue (out now) celebrates Kurt Cobain, Liam Gallagher, Morrissey, Pete Doherty, David Bowie, Ian Brown, Joe Strummer, John Lennon, Dave Grohl and Alex Turner. Speaking of those "heroes"...

David Bowie is curating a new music festival in New York scheduled for May 2007.

Ian Brown wants to do a prison tour. How original.

Pete Doherty's blood paintings go on display in a London gallery today.

Mark E Smith (The Fall) is fucking crazy. Halfway through their current US tour he fired his drummer, bassist and guitarist, recruited new bandmembers and carried on with the tour.

The Zutons new video for "Valerie". It's weird (like everything The Zutons do) and there's a prison break so I give it my thumbs up.

Dodge has music from The Rakes so go listen to it (if you haven't already).

A grime soap opera. Loves it. (Thanks Dart)

Is it strange that I love watching bad music videos as much as good ones?

pull shapes

I'm so in love with The Pipettes these days. Here's details on their debut album and their adorable video for "Your Kisses Are Wasted On Me"... For the record, I agree with Skatterbrain that Rose is by far the cutest.

Carl Barat (Dirty Pretty Things) thinks The Libertines will reform one day. I can only dream.

Alex Kapranos (Franz Ferdinand) is having a book published later this year. 'Sound Bites' is a compilation of the food columns he's been writing for The Guardian newspaper.

Embrace are shooting their new video in London tomorrow and need the help of 1500 fans.

Dave Grohl gives trapped Australian miners the hook-up. What a good dude.

Stereogum has a recent Radiohead bootleg to comfort everyone (like me) who didn't get tickets to their upcoming tour.

Toronto Star's Ben Rayner talks to Mike Skinner (The Streets) and is shocked by how little he has to say on the phone.

Former Beta Band frontman Steve Mason tells the Guardian why he's decided to quit music and disappear.

Elton John had cowritten (and played piano) on a new Scissor Sisters track.

Geri Halliwell had a baby shower and I imagine the celebrations might have been slightly spoiled by The Sun's recent story that her baby's daddy is a former junkie. Ouch.

I'm lovin' this new Toronto transit map.

nothing beats a $4 weekend

The Go-Betweens lead singer Grant McLennan died suddenly in his sleep on Saturday. Listen to the classic "Streets of Your Town".

Keith Richards had brain surgury this morning. Consequently, the Rolling Stones European tour has been postponed.

The Toronto Sun's review of The Strokes show in Toronto this weekend. Julian is King of the F-Bombs.

Damon Albarn wants Liam Gallagher on the next Gorillaz album.

I don't like to support Canada haters but... Here's Morrissey's new video for "The Youngest Was The Most Loved".

Pitchfork interviews the lovely Feist.

Pete Doherty sold his phone (with text messages from Kate Moss) to a fan for quick cash for a fix.

Primal Scream frontman Bobby Gillespie is frustrated his outspoken political views will never have any serious impact on the government. It's hard to take anyone with a junkie past seriously.

I want to start posting MP3s again. Can anyone recommend a good place to host them?

Who doesn't love a french maid?

my terrible, awful, no good, very bad, week is almost over

Keith Richards won't be having any brain surgury. Maybe the tree-climbing 62-year-old could use it.

Send your questions for Morrissey! For example, "Why do you hate your Canadian fans so much? What did we ever to do you?"

Pete Doherty's blood paintings. I've seen better "paintings" by 5 year olds but I guess the blood factor makes it significant.

Noel Gallagher speaks about his dislike for baldness, whiny celebrities, and Welsh people. Way to offend as many people as possible in one interview Noel.

Stereogum has The Streets next single and new music from Sonic Youth.

The Rakes played a show in a London kebab shop last night.

Maximo Park are releasing a DVD, 'Found On Film', next month.

Did anyone else feel that earthquake yesterday?

(Thank you) Slaves. (I know it's old but I'm still ever so entertained by it.)

Have yourself a great weekend... and maybe some sex over the phone.

we've been had

I've just been screwed over buying a used cell phone over Kijiji... And you're damn right if you think I've been crying my eyes out over this... I am so naive!

Jack White and model wife Karen Elson had a baby girl named Scarlett Teresa on Tuesday.

Morrissey: A Simulated Canadian Farewell Concert On The "Seal Hunt" Tour, Shaw Centre, Edmonton, May 3, 2006. Thanks Mark!

Last night Richard Ashcroft participated in a charty football (er, soccer) match. I would have paid to see it.

Dizzee Rascal will address and later perform for students at Oxford University next week. Hopefully it'll loosen those keener students up.

Muse have named their next album 'Black Holes And Revelation'. Weirdos.

Razorlight's comeback single will be "In The Morning".

Franz Ferdinand will be taking a well-earned vacation at the end of summer.

The Futureheads are heading to Toronto July 27th with Tapes 'n Tapes. Sounds like a solid show.

Guillemots are playing a show at The Mod Club tonight. And ScriptGirl informs me that they will be performing on MTV Live on Friday, May 5 in Toronto. If you're 18+ and want to be a part of the audience, call 1-888-491-6888 or email liveaudience@mtv.ca. It airs live from 6-7 PM EST.

Toronto Pillow Fighting League! Tonight!

Today kicks off Cannibis Week in the city for all the dirty hippies.

I guess in some cases it pays to suffer.

And as if my day hasn't already sucked enough, I now have to go to the dentist now to get cavities filled. (Sorry for the excessive whining. It's really not a good day.)

fix my life

Rumour has it that despite Keith Richards recent release from hospital, he's due back for surgury to treat a small brain haemorrhage. A spokesperson for the band didn't confirm or deny this. I wouldn't worry though, he's Keith Richards - nothing can kill him!

Speaking of people who miraculously haven't died despite mass drug consumption... David Bowie's taking a sabbatical! His reason? "I'm fed up with the industry. And I've been fed up for quite some time."

Expect American influences (like Bruce Springsteen), not British ones, on the new Killers album.

Noel: "I wanted to kill Liam - Again". When I grow up I want to be a Gallagher (will settle for "drunken lout").

Gorillaz are writing an "autobiography". So, since they're a fake band doesn't that mean they can pretty much make up anything they like?

The Superficial has the best commentary. Ever.

Maybe the guy at the movie theatre was on to something when he said I looked like Kelly Clarkson. But only when she's brunette, chubby, and looking slightly rough.

If you live in Toronto and you are
a) selling an old cell phone for very cheap,
b) working for a company that's hiring in the Communications field, and/or
c) know of a decent one-bedroom apartment for rent (June 1) in central Toronto,
please get in touch with me.

make something happen

New live Radiohead songs have leaked online. Check the fansites for downloads.

Liam Gallagher admits that Oasis are no longer the greatest band in the world. I bet Noel Gallagher's having a heart attack somewhere.

You can listen to the debut album from Dirty Pretty Things over at NME.

Pete's response to the recent picture controversy. Questionable. And surpringingly unintelligent.

The Glastonbury film trailer makes me wish I was there again.

60 Minutes segment on Stephen Colbert - my hero of the week.

Best use of polariods ever?

may day

RADIOHEAD ARE COMING! They'll play Toronto's Hummingbird Centre June 7th and 8th and tickets cost lots of moneys.

US Immigration won't let M.I.A. back into America so she's recording her next album elsewhere.

Details on the new album from The Dears, 'Gang of Losers'.

The Zutons next single will be "Valerie". I'm pretty excited since there hasn't been a good song with my name in it since Material Issue's one-hit wonder "Valerie Loves Me".

Friday night's Carling Live 24 music festival in London sounds like a massive success. Plus Ian Brown threatened to punch someone.

Obvs, Coachella went down this weekend. NME reports on here, here, here, here and here. To all of you that were lucky enough to go... I hate you. ;)

Pete Doherty was arrested (again) and bailed (again) over the weekend. This routine is getting old.

Kate Moss is (apparently) set to star as drug addict Paula Yates, girlfriend of late INXS frontman Michael Hutchence, in a Hollywood film. I'll believe it when I see it.

Keith Richards fell out of a tree and had to be hospitalized this weekend. Don't do drugs kids.

The Time 100: The People that Shape Our World. Everyone from the Pope to Stephen Colbert is on here.

Oh yeah, and Stephen Colbert hosted the White House Correspondents Dinner this weekend. He tore into Dubya pretty bad and earned my respect for life.

My friend Wes and his Cynically Tested crew are funny.

If you're an illegal immigrant, today's the day to wave your hands in the air like you just don't care.