More Top Stories: Arcade Fire, Linkin Park, Billy Corgan
Arcade Fire paid tribute to Jay Reatard, who passed away in January, by covering the Memphis rocker’s “Oh It’s Such a Shame” during their concert at Philadelphia’s Mann Centre last night. Watch Arcade Fire’s rendition above. [Consequence of Sound]
After letting fans toy around with song stems for their new single “The Catalyst,” Linkin Park finally unveiled the official version of the A Thousand Suns track on MySpace. Linkin Park’s new album is due out September 14th. [Linkin Park MySpace]
Beastie Boy and Oscilloscope Laboratories founder Adam “MCA” Yauch lashed out at the Motion Picture Association of America after A Film Unfinished, a Holocaust documentary released by Yauch’s film company, was given an “R” rating due to graphic nudity and disturbing images. “While there’s no doubt that Holocaust atrocities are displayed, if teachers feel their students are ready to understand what happened, it’s essential that young people are giving the opportunity to see this film,” Yauch argued. [The Playlist]
Billy Corgan made a surprise appearance onstage with Los Angeles all-star cover band Camp Freddy to perform Poison’s “Every Rose Has Its Thorn.” [Blabbermouth]
While Michael Jackson fans eagerly await the disc of new MJ material due in November, Will.i.am, who worked with Jackson in the studio, spoke out against the unearthing of the never-before-heard material. “I don’t think that should ever come out. That’s bad,” Will.i.am said. “He was a perfectionist and he wouldn’t have wanted it that way. How you gonna release Michael Jackson when Michael Jackson ain’t here to bless it?” The Black Eyed Pea also called the Jackson estate “freaking parasites.” [Huffington Post]
Indie darlings Joanna Newsom and Fleet Foxes’ Robin Pecknold shared a surprisingly mainstream duet during their Oakland, California concert, opting to cover Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow’s country-tinged hit “Picture.” [Consequence of Sound]
The Warped Tour has issued a statement about the death of an concertgoer at the festival’s August 2nd show in Bonner Springs, Kansas, that reads, “The tour would like to offer their thoughts and prayers to the young man’s family and friends. Tour organizers are working closely with Capitol Federal Park @ Sandstone staff and local officials to determine the actual facts surrounding this tragic incident and will make further details known as they become available.”
The documentary Who is Harry Nilsson (and Why Is Everybody Talkin’ About Him) will finally hit theaters this September after premiering on the film festival circuit in 2006. [Variety]
A van carrying two San Francisco-area heavy metal bands, Early Graves and the Funeral Pyre, crashed in Oregon, injuring two guitarists and killing Early Graves singer Makh Daniels. The driver of the vehicle reportedly fell asleep at the wheel on Interstate 5. [AP]
M.I.A. revealed a brief, YouTube-and-hall-of-mirrors-inspired snippet of her upcoming video for the Maya single “XXXO.” [YouTube]
Frank Sinatra, Jr., the grandson of the legendary singer, was hospitalized in Downey, California, following a reported suicide attempt. [TMZ]
In addition to penning a memoir, Justin Bieber will also star in a 3D biopic about his own life. The film is due out February 11th, 2011 and will reportedly be directed by An Inconvenient Truth‘s Davis Guggenheim. [Deadline]
The Michael Jackson estate has sued GoDaddy.com for $100 million for allowing a mysterious gambling site called MichaelJacksonCasino.com to register the domain name and hosting the illegal site, which violates the Jackson estate’s copyright. [TMZ]
Bandleader and Columbia Records executive Mitch Miller passed away at the age of 99 following a short illness. [ The Hollywood Reporter ]