For more than three decades, the Roxy Theatre has maintained its status as one of the ultimate venues in music. Ever since Neil Young performed there the very first week the venue was open, the legendary acts that have graced the Roxy’s stage have remained the best of the best: Bob Marley, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie, Nirvana, Brian Wilson, Tori Amos, Foo Fighters, Motley Crue, Guns N’ Roses, Van Morrison, Bad Religion, Red Hot Chili Peppers…the list goes on and on. The person currently responsible for maintaining the A-plus level of artists the venue brings in is Megan Jacobs, the Roxy’s talent buyer, and LA Music Blog recently got a change to talk with Megan about how she got involved with the Roxy, what the venue has planned for Sunset Strip Music Festival, and that giant six-string currently residing on the roof of the legendary building.
Now anyone who knows me knows that I’m not what you would call a “kid person.” Not to say I hate all the youngsters of the world; I’m just against having my own (the result of many years of babysitting and a staunch disbelief that pregnancy could be anything but a freaky and miserable experience). Well, now one internet sensation is making me reconsider my anti-procreation stance. The PS22 choir is comprised of 60-70 5th graders from Public School 22 in Graniteville, Staten Island, and what sets this chorus of kids apart from others are the songs they sing. No boring hymns to be heard here. These kids rock out to Phoenix and Lady Gaga. The videos of the choir performing are so wonderful that I would actually consider popping out a couple of rugrats just so they could be involved.
It’s that time of the week again…new album releases! As per usual, I’ve left my thoughts on the newest batch of albums to be birthed into the world of music. Let me know yours in the comments.
AC/DC, Backtracks [CD/DVD box set]
Tori Amos, Midwinter Graces – Tori takes a crack at a seasonal album with 2 original songs included.
Bobby Birdman, New Moods
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Live [live CD/DVD]
Bon Jovi, The Circle
Michelle Branch, Everything Comes and Goes The pop starlet releases her first solo country album.
Dashboard Confessional, Alter The Ending – For those of you who miss the old unplugged Dashboard, you can pick up a deluxe 2-disc version of this release and get all 12 tracks performed acoustic.
Echo and the Bunnymen, The Fountain
Theendisthebeginning, master machine
Melanie Fiona, The Bridge
Flyleaf, Memento Mori
Robyn Hitchcock, I Often Dream Of Trains In New York
Hollywood Undead, Desperate Measures
Hurricane Bells, Tonight Is the Ghost
Wyclef Jean, From The Hut To The Projects To The Mansion [EP]
The Killers, Live at Royal Albert Hall [CD/DVD]
MF Doom, Unexpected Guests
Omar Rodriguez Lopez, Xenophanes
mr. Gnome, Heave Yer Skeleton – You can check out our interview with Nicole Barille here.
Snow Patrol, Up To Now
Stereophonics, Keep Calm and Carry On
Switchfoot, Hello Hurricane – This is the group’s 7th full-length release so they must be doing something right in the studio.
