What's Hot

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This dude might be a sleazy cat (after all, with a name like dirtball, would you expect anything less?) but there’s no denying he’s got a killer flow.

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Listen to Dirtball’s new album Nervous System right here.

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Check out other new album, single and video premieres at MySpace Music.

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For their Wind-Up debut, and fifth overall, Killing Time, Queens alt-punk crew Bayside gave their emo-leanings a razor-sharp hard-rock scruff. And many thanks for this gritty makeover can be traced back to the band’s decision to enlist legendary British producer Gil Norton—a guy who knows a thing or two about getting the most out of bands: Norton has been at the helm of rock’s evolution spanning two decades (He produced the likes of the Pixies and Echo and the Bunneymen in the ’80s, and Jimmy Eat World and Foo Fighters in the ’90s).
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Naturally, Bayside are taking their new tunes out on the road. And as part of the Take Action Tour ( along with Silverstein, Polar Bear Club, The Swellers and Texas In July), it should be cathartic choas. Rest assured, however: as Warped Tour vets, Bayside are no stranger to crazy crowds. So expect a loud, sweaty and rowdy evening from this New York foursome. Check out a full list of tour dates for Bayside’s tour right here, and then listen to a cut from their new LP below.
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–Willow Smith will be unveiling her second single “21st Century Girl” Monday morning on Ryan Secreast’s radio show “On-Air With Ryan Seacrest” at 10:30 a.m. EST. She will also be performing on Oprah.

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–The Beastie Boys finally have a release date for their new album..  Hot Sauce Committee: Part 2, or so we think. An EMI Music rep tells Consequence of Sound that the album was originally due for release on April 19th, but has since been pushed back to May 3rd.

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****“The Beastie Boys FINALLY have a release date set for their new album… what is now “Hot Sauce Committee, Pt. 2” was going to be released as “Hot Sauce Committee, Pt. 1” in Sept. 2009, but was delayed after band member Adam “MCA” Yauch was diagnosed with cancer. If the single from the album ( “Too Many Rappers” which dropped in July 2009) is any indication of the rest of the album, we’re in for a treat this May.” – Music With Sean ****

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–Iron and Wine have extended their U.S. tour, adding more dates. Check out their updated tour schedule here.
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–Dates have been announced for the annual Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago. The 3-day fest will occur July 15-17 in Chicago’s Union Park. Tickets go on sale next Friday, March 4, at 12 p.m. CST. Prices are $45 for single-day tix and $110 for three-day passes. Check out full info here.

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– U2 have confirmed they will be headlining Glastonbury Festival this year alongside Coldplay and Beyonce.

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–Eminem has joined the YouTube Billionaires’ club, and has surpassed Lady Gaga as the most popular person on Facebook.

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–Irish punk-folkster Frank Turner has announced the album title and release date for his new album: It’s titled England Keep My Bones and will be released on June 7th via Epitaph.

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****“Frank Turner is one of the nicest dudes in folk-punk, and he writes killer songs to boot. “England Keep My Bones” has likely skyrocketed to the top of several “Most Anticipated of 2011″ lists, and with good reason.” – Punk With Bryne ****

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–Justin Bieber is auctioning off his hair for charity and bids have reached upwards of $6,700 on eBay. Weird.

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–Hollywood Undead have announced dates for their upcoming “Revolt Tour” with 10 Years, Drive A and New Medicine.

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–Next month marks the 16th anniversary of Latin singer Selena’s death. Check out how her official fan club is remembering its fallen hero.

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Most people would be beyond happy to meet their favorite musical artist. And sure, you couldn’t blame ‘em. But there’s cool opportunities and then there’s ridiculously crazy ones. We’re gonna go ahead and say Myspace user Dominique Steele’s winning prize of the “Get Close WIth Ciara” contest falls under the second category. Dominique and her mom were not only flown out to Hollywood—where she would met and interviewed Ciara about her new album Basic Instinct— but Dominique was also taken on a shopping spree, glammed up by Ciara’s personal “Glam Squad,” was the subject of a professional photo shoot and got to watch Ciara perform at a Grammy party with artists the likes of Black Eyed Peas, John Legend and more. “This was a dream come true,” Steele said afterward. Yes, we might be biased, but all we’ll say is that we can see where this young lady’s coming from.

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Check out Dominique’s “Get Close With Ciara” video recap below.

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There’s still nearly a month until the Strokes‘ new album, Angles, hits stores, but luckily for fans, the group have released some studio footage. The group posted a clip on their website yesterday that sees them working in the studio during the recording of the upcoming album, giving a sense of what the process was like.

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The footage, shot in Albert Hammond Jr’s New York studio, shows the band working, goofing off and generally getting their music nerd on: Singer Julian Casablancas is seen recording vocal takes while the other band members work out parts and record tracks. Despite reports of tension within the group, all the musicians seem relaxed and in good spirits.