Columbia Records to give MGMT less freedom on next album: Other than a few die-hard Velvet Underground fans and people who huff paint, Congratulations, the latest album by wunderkinds MGMT, was universally dismissed as painful to listen to. Fret not, though; according to reports, the band's label, Columbia, have vowed to keep a more watchful eye on album number three. The band denies any such monitoring, but for once, we're taking the label's side. [LINK]
John Frusciante teams up with RZA and Truth Hurts: Undeniably, John Frusciante is a maniac on the guitar. But after you make some awesome sex magick with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, how else can you blow people's minds? How about a collabo with Wu-Tang clan general RZA and R&B songstress Truth Hurts? No word yet on what the holy triumvirate pulled off, but we have it on good authority that it'll melt your face. [LINK]
Meet the 2011 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees: It's that time of the year. Can you smell it in the air? No, not Fall; the 2011 nominees for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame have been announced! So while all you dweebs in your cardigan sweaters are watching the trees change color, music nerds across the world will be arguing about whether Tom Waits should get the nod or not (he should) and why Rush continues to be ignored like so many dead dead leaves. [LINK]
Chris Brown "Deuces" remix to feature Kanye West, Andre 3000: There's no denying that a particular event in Chris Brown's personal life all but torpedoed his career. Returning to at least some of his promise with the Billboard chart-topper "Deuces", Brown's trying to climb further up Mt. Redemption with a remix to feature T.I, Drake, Kanye West, and Andre 3000. If this doesn't work, there's always drastic plastic surgery and a name change. [LINK]
Max Weinberg and Conan O'Brien part ways: While Conan O'Brien got the VIP beatdown courtesy of NBC earlier this year, you could take solace in the fact that band leader Max Weinberg had has back. Now, after 17 years, the two have announced their mutual split. Longtime guitarist and keyboard player Jimmy Vivino takes over as band leader when O'Brien heads to TBS this November. End of an era, folks. End of an era. [LINK]
Lady Gaga announces more Spring dates for 2011: In case you missed one of the 9 million other opportunities to see Lady Gaga live and in concert, the queen of the Monsters has added more tour dates for spring 2011. The current itinerary sees her on the road through May 2011, with January 2011 currently without any scheduled dates. That's probably time to work on her album and feed on the blood of virgin goats. [LINK]
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