Virgin fund-raisers? Sounds like porn to us
The biblical aftermath of the recent Indian Ocean tsunami has, for once, broken our nation’s deadpan stare on the American pop culture parade. Benefits, food drives and bake sales have swept the nation, and even multimedia jabberwocky, Virgin, is doing its part.
On Jan. 20, cities across the nation will unite to support humanitarian aid, and in the spirit of good, old-fashioned rock’n’roll fun, each of Virgin Record’s 20 locations nationwide will play host to bands in hopes of raising funds for various reconstruction efforts in Southeast Asia and Eastern Africa.
Custom-made collectible wristbands will be available for each donation, while hard-to-get band memorabilia (like Bono’s hairpiece…who knew?) will be up for auction.
Virgin has assembled line-ups that highlight the best of national and local acts at each store.
Salt Lake City’s Gateway location will be graced by the likes of Utah’s own religio-centric boy band Jericho Road (…oh man), the 13th Avenue Band, the Matt Lewis Band, Stitch Riley and JW Blackout starting at 6 p.m. Not only is the event noble, but it’s pretty much guaranteed that it will be much more enjoyable (read: comical) than wasting another hour of life on The Rebel Billionaire. Seriously.
Waves of Nausea
In other tidal news, former Throwing Muse Kristin Hersh recently faced the perils of tremendously unfortunate timing.
The debut record from her new outfit, 50 Foot Wave, was mailed to critics one week before the monumental disaster in Asia, sparking controversy (though we can’t imagine why).
While the name was intended to denote its slang terminology, (it means “the lowest audible sound perceptible to the human ear”) and play on the fact that the group has a surf-rock flair, it has inevitably struck all the wrong nerves. Hersh did not make a connection immediately, as she states, “I wasn’t thinking about me, I was thinking about all of those people.”
Real sweet of her, no?
The born again singer/songwriter has decided not to kick the name to the curb, confident that most listeners will not draw the same conclusions.
Sorry kiddo, the Buzz Bin is already choking on the bad taste.
A Big Blingin’ Deal
In lighter news-unless you’re Jadakiss, Nas, Kelis or Fat Joe-the holy one (pun intended) himself, 50 Cent, is back on the warpath. Telling XXL Magazine that, “When [his detractors] are in their articles, they say ‘f*** 50’ off the record.
But they won’t say it to my face.
And the difference between them and me is I don’t have a problem saying f*** them in front of them.”
Most recently, 50 took a swing at Jadakiss for claiming platinum status, while not breaking the 900 thousand record mark-a big blingin’ deal, apparently.
“I got artists under me that are better than him,” states 50.
Like Eminem’s mom?
The G-Unit front man also cracked (pun, again, definitely intended) that he’s interested in signing arch nemesis Ja Rule once Murder Inc. goes down.
“After I destroy him, I’ll rebuild him. Because he never was strong enough to individually go against me. He needs the support of everyone else to try to attempt that,” Half-Dollar said.
One can only hope that his foes will take heed.
Especially in the wake of the G, G, G, G-Unit, G, G, G-gutting Dre’s assailant at the Vibe Awards.
It’s like the buzz bin stated, lighter news, unless you’re Jadakiss, Nas, Kelis or Fat Joe. Sorry guys.
Compiled by Dan Fletcher and Eryn Green