Topic: Karl

SLEATER-KINNEY gets animated, Bob's Burgers-style, in "A New Wave."

GANG OF FOUR advance streams What Happens Next.

THE JULIANA HATFIELD THREE stream Whatever, My Love.

MAZZY STAR at studio 105 in Paris, 1993.

HAVE MERCY & SONOS advance stream a split EP, including a nifty cover of Jackson Browne's "Somebody's Baby."

LEON BRIDGES drops and doo-wops “Lisa Sawyer” ahead of his debut album. Delish.

CALEXICO and Ben Bridwell (Band of Horses) are "Falling From The Sky" ahead of Edge of the Sun. &0s synths and Mexicali horns? Yes, please.

SUN KIL MOON covers Led Zeppelin's "Sick Again."  Meanwhile, Laura Marling takes on “Bron-Yr-Aur.”

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN breaks out a 12-string to cover Jackie DeShannon's "When You Walk in the Room," which was also a hit for The Searchers.

NOEL GALLAGHER talks to Stereogum about Spotify,  Kanye, Beck, Jack White and so much more. The man has opinions.

KIM GORDON discusses her memoirs on All Things Considered.

HOZIER talks to The Current about  Morris Day & the Time, Jucy Lucys, Annie Lennox and more.

ALVVAYS: Molly Rankin talks to Pitchfork about the supreme idiocy of brunch, how Noel Gallagher taught her to play guitar, her undying love of Celine Dion, and the most terrifying motel in Canada.

LEONARD NIMOY was rushed to the hospital after severe chest pains prompted a 911 call. LLAP.

PATRICIA ARQUETTE found herself under attack from the left after her comments on wage equality.

SEAN PENN also sparked controversy by making a joke about Birdman director Alejandro González Iñárritu's Mexican heritage at the Oscars. Iñárritu found it hilarious, others not so much.

JOAN RIVERS: The Academy responded to public dismay that she was left out of the Oscars' In memoriam segment.  The Academy wants to be Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Maya Angelou; the public knows it's really Joan.

BEN WOOLF (American Horror Story: Freak Show) has died in an L.A. hospital from injuries suffered last week when he was hit by a passing car.

MICHAEL SAM will be competing in March, not on the football field, but on Dancing with the Stars.

FRENCH authorities seized the passports of six alleged French jihadis who were planning to depart to fight in Syria, the first time this anti-terrorism measure has been used.

RUSSIA's main defense contractor Rostec has offered Iran its latest Antey-2500 anti-aircraft missiles. A 2010 UN resolution bans the delivery of such missile systems to Iran.

IRANIAN and AMERICAN  officials ended a round of high-level nuclear talks here on Monday considering a proposal that would strictly limit for at least 10 years Iran’s ability to produce nuclear material, but gradually ease restrictions on Tehran in the final years of a deal. Antony J. Blinken, the newly appointed deputy secretary of state,said any deal would have to “cut off all pathway for Iran to get to a nuclear weapon,” including the covert path. That would require highly intrusive inspections, Mr. Blinken said, the details of which were still up for negotiations.

YEMEN's Shiite rebels on Monday threatened to arrest and try for treason the prime minister and all Cabinet members if they fail to return to work, as thousands took to the streets in the capital, Sanaa, to denounce the rebels and show support for the country's embattled president.

SYRIA: Members of the Islamic State stormed the Tell Tamer area in Syria on Monday morning, taking hundreds of villagers hostage.

PAKISTAN: The foreign office admiited the Islamic State's activities inside Pakistan posed a "serious threat" to the country.

IRAQ: Now would be a very good time for U.S. President Barack Obama to think about what happens after Mosul, Iraq's second largest city, is liberated from the Islamic State. If Iraq were to re-take Mosul without a real plan for what comes next -- i.e., having credible Sunni Arab leaders in place to administer the city -- it could intensify sectarian hostility that is already breaking Iraq apart.

CAT vs DOG: Who you got?

A 700-LB MAKO SHARK was caught at a Florida pier.

130 BIRDS were set on fire in mid-air during testing of a new solar power farm.

A FLORIDA POLICE DOG was fired after biting a Dunkin' Donuts employee. Walk like a Belgian Malinois.

STEPHEN MALKMUS & THE JICKS cover Taylor Swift's "Blank Space" for the kids. Literally.

OF MONTREAL advance streams Aureate Gloom.

SWERVEDRIVER advance streams I Wasn't Born To Lose You.

MOON DUO advance streams Shadow Of The Sun.

ELVIS PERKINS advance streams I Aubade.

GANG OF FOUR drops "Stranded" ahead of What Happens Next.

THE SINGLES: Scarlett Johansson joins Este Haim, Holly Miranda, Kendra Morris and Julia Haltigan on the pop "Candy."

TEGAN & SARA bring ?uestlove, Andy Samberg, Will Arnett, and Mark Mothersbaugh on for "Everything Is Awesome" at the Oscars. BONUS: Lady Gaga's medley from The Sound of Music may be her most surprising performance yet.

ARCADE FIRE's Will Butler will be writing a song a day based upon a news story in the Guardian for a week starting today.

KIM GORDON talsk tot the NYT about her book; Billboard has an audio excerpt.

THE ARISTO & THE SPIV: The true story of the men behind the Who.

TUSK: Fleetwood Mac's follow-up to the 1977 megahit Rumours, revisited by The New York Times Magazine.

WEEKEND BOX OFFICE: Fifty Shades of Grey dominates the chart again with 23.2 million; that's a 72 percent drop, but with over 400 million worldwide on a 40 million budget, the trilogy is already assured. Kingsman: The Secret Service places again with 17.5 million on a 52 percent drop (which isn't too bad considering last weekend was Valentine's/Presidents' Day weekend).  It likely needs about 200MM to profit and has 153MM so far worldwide.  The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water shows again with 15.5 million on a 50 percent drop; again, not bad given last weekend and it's on track to profit.  McFarland USA debutes in the fourth slot with 11.3MM against a ballpark 25MM estimated budget; okay, but likely a disappointment for Disney.  The DUFF rounds out the Top 5 with 11MM which is actually a bit above estimates against an 8.5 MM budget.  Below the fold, Hot Tub Time Machine 2 debuted with 5.8MM against a 14MM budget which amy only turn a profit after overseas grosses come in.

THE OSCARS went to these folks. Congrats, JK Simmons.

THE INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS went to these folks.

THE RAZZIES went to these folks. Bad night for camerons.

KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE, is directed by Matthew Vaughn (KickAss, X-Men First Class), based on a limited comics series by Mark Millar (KickAss),so it's not surprising that it sends up the over-the-top super-spy genre as well as celebrate it.  It's not an Austin Powers-esque pastiche, but has its tongue firmly in cheek.  At the same time, the film tries to provide enough bacstory for the audience to care about the protagonists, particularly spy-in-training Eggsy.  All the actors handle the limits of the material well enough, with Samuel L. Jackson as equal parts Goldfinger, Ted Turner and Spike Lee.

LEONARDO DiDAPRIO helped throw Rihanna a star-studded affair for her 27th birthday.

BOBBI KRISTINA BROWN was under the influence of drugs the morning she was found unresponsive in her bathtub. Shocka.

HILARY DUFF filed for divorce from her estranged husband Mike Comrie.

A RUSSIAN newspaper claims to have an official government strategy document outlining the invasion of Ukraine that was prepared weeks before the Ukrainian government collapsed last year.

TURKEY invaded SYRIA, but just a little. Just the tip. 

EGYPT  Egypt has banned Islamic State videos from the internet. Qatar recalled its ambassador to Egypt after the latter's airstrikes in Libya.

OCTOPUS Gets Crabby.

SHARKNADO actually happened: Shark stranded on beach after twin cyclones hit Australia.

A COW has a bicycle mishap.

PET MONKEY stands to inherit.

THE WEEKEND STARTS HERE:

...with THE RASPBERRIES!  Live on the Sunset Strip, your setlist includes: "I Wanna Be with You," The Who's "I Can't Explain," "Play On," "Tonight," "Should I Wait," "Nobody Knows," "Makin' It Easy," "Come Around and See Me," "If You Change Your Mind," "Let's Pretend," "Last Dance," The Searchers' "Needles and Pins," "I Can Remember," "Party's Over," "Don't Want to Say Goodbye," "Overnight Sensation (Hit Record)," "Hard to Get Over a Heartbreak," "I Don't Know What I Want," "Ecstasy," "I'm a Rocker," and "Go All the Way."

JD McPHERSON stopped by The Current for a chat and mini-set.

THE LONE BELLOW, Live at Rockwood Music Hall.

STEVE EARLE plays the blues for KUTX.

KEVIN MORBY covered Bob Dylan, The Germs, and Silver Jews for Aquarium Drunkard.

THE KNACK: "Frustrated."

BLUR gave DIY the first interview about The Magic Whip, their first record in 13 years.

RICHARD THOMPSON & JEFF TWEEDY? Yes, please.

JEFF THE BROTHERHOOD talks to Stereogum about getting dropped by Warner Bros and their new LP.

BECK, ranked by Stereogum, uninterrupted by Kanye West.

NOW SHOWING: This weekend's wide releases include Hot Tub Time Machine 2, which is currently scoring 16 percent on the ol' Tomatometer; Mc Farland USA, which is scoring 74 percent; and The DUFF, scoring 64 percent.

BILL COSBY thanked EDDIE MURPHY for not mocking him on the SNL40 special.

EDDIE MURPHY: talked to The Guardian about his music and why Beverly Hills Cop 4 is taking so long.

ALLISON WILLIAMS defends BRIAN WILLIAMS, admits his troubles have delayed her wedding.

JAY Z was slapped with a paternity suit.

ALIEN: Neill Blomkamp (District 9, Elysium, Chappie) will direct a new installment of the franchise.

UKRAINE:  Fighting raged in eastern Ukraine on Thursday despite European efforts to resurrect a stillborn ceasefire, a day after pro-Russian separatists spurned the truce by forcing thousands of government troops out of a strategic town.

TURKEY and the US signed an agreement to train and equip moderate Syrian opposition fighters, a Turkish Foreign Ministry official said on Thursday.

THE ISLAMIC STATE may be in danger of losing a main supply route.

AFGHANISTAN: The Obama administration distanced itself from claims by two senior militants that members of the Afghan Taliban were due to hold direct talks with U.S. officials in Qatar on Thursday.

A CAT calms a puppy.

SAUERKRAUT: Grumpy Cat has a rival.

BEES need codfee and cigarettes.

DOGS are like catnip to the ladies.

PALMA VIOLETS drop a video for the title track to their next LP, "Danger In The Club."

KING KHAN & THE BBQ SHOW advance stream Bad News Boys.

JACK LADDER & THE DREAMLANDERS advance stream Playmates.

OWEN PALLETT dropped by World Cafe for a chat and mini-set.

BEACH BABY drops their debut single, "Ladybird". 

CROCODILES return with “Crybaby Demon” ahead of Boys.

JACCO GARDNER drops “Find Yourself” ahead of Hypnophobia.

THE FOUR TOPS: Levi Stubbs works up a sweat on live French TV, belting out a supercharged "I'll Be There."

LAURA MARLING talks to Noisey about life in L.A., Alejandro Jodorowsky, and more.

THE SONGWRITERS' HALL OF FAME will induct Grateful Dead scribes Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter, Cyndi Lauper, Willie Dixon, and more.

GANG OF FOUR: Andy Gill slags his former bandmates at Noisey.

BECK & ANNIE LENNOX got a Grammys bump. 

VANILLA ICE has been arrested and charged with burglary and grand theft for allegedly stealing furniture, a pool heater, bicycles and other stuff from a vacant home in Florida.

AFROMAN was arrested onstage after punching a fan in the face. And there's video. 

BEYONCE: Two hundred and twenty-four apparently unretouched photos of self-styled Queen Bey were leaked online.

BOBBI KRISTINA BROWN: While she remains in a medically induced coma, some of her relatives have attempted to cash in on the tragic turn of events.

GEORGE CLOONEY & AMAL ALAMUDDIN are installing a panic room in their Berkshire, England, mansion.

KRISTEN STEWART, interviewed by...Patti Smith.

THE X-FILES: David Duchovny thinks a revival "looks good."

UKRAINE accused rebels and Russia of scuppering a fragile 3-day-old cease-fire after insurgents armed with automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades stormed a flashpoint town and engaged thousands of troops there in intense combat.

THE ISLAMIC STATE: Yeah, I doubt it.

LIBYA: The US believes Egypt and the United Arab Emirates carried out air strikes there...and is not very happy about it.

SYRIA: Robert Ford, the former U.S. ambassador to Syria who made news when he left government service a year ago with an angry critique of Obama administration policy, has dropped his call to provide weapons to the rebels. Instead, he’s become increasingly critical of them as disjointed and untrustworthy because they collaborate with jihadists.

A BEAR with a spinal problem learns to walk again.

A SEA LION PUP hitches a ride on a kayak.

A PITBULL-BOXER MIX saved its owner during a gas station robbery - by biting the suspect twice on the face.

THE OREGON CHUB becomes the first fish to be removed from U.S. Endangered Species Act protection.

LESLEY GORE, the singer and songwriter who scored a string of enormous hits in the early ’60s and who helped define the way that melodramatic teenage pop could sound, has died. Her longtime partner confirmed that she passed away from cancer at Manhattan’s New York-Presbyterian Hospital. She was 66. “It’s My Party” and  “You Don’t Own Me" are your Twofer Tuesday, but there's more at the first link. Also, the NYT obit, which somehow fails to mention Klaus Nomi.

DUTCH UNCLES advance stream O Shudder.

FATHER JOHN MISTY stopped by WFUV's Studio A for a chat and mini-set.

TENNIS played a mini-set for Oregon Public Broadcasting.

MARSHALL CRENSHAW dropped back into The Bottomless Pit on WFUV.

THE JULIANA HATFIELD THREE drops "I'm Shy" from the upcoming Whatever, My Love.

SURFER BLOOD dropped "Grand Inquisitor" as a mystery single for the Joyful Noise label.

I WANT CANDY from The Strangeloves and a super-charged Bow Wow Wow for Twofer Tuesday.

SUFJAN STEVENS gets an in-depth profile at Pitchfork, including a stream of "No Shade in the Shadow of the Cross."

RAISING POPS: Mavis Staples And Jeff Tweedy Complete A Family Circle.

THE SEA URCHINS: James Roberts talks to Drowned In Sound about life after The Sea Urchins, his thoughts on nostalgia, the ‘vinyl revival’ and dispelling the myth of those Sarah Records feuds, or lack thereof...

1985 was in fact a terrific year to be a college DJ.

JENNIFER ANISTON & JUSTIN THEROUX have reportedly agreed on a prenup.

LADY GAGA is engaged to Taylor Kinney.

BRUCE JENNER claims he has known since the age of 5 that he was a female.  He also doesn't trust his family to not leak info about his sex change.

KANYE WEST made KIM KARDASHIAN update her entire wardrobe.

THE SNL40 AFTERPARTY looks like it was fun, including Sir Paul and Prince. There are also highlight clips including the Miley Cyrus cover of "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover," which was better than anyone had a right to expect.

JOHNNY DEPP forms a band with ALICE COOPER and JOE PERRY.

MADONNA has been deemed too old and irrelevant by the BBC.

CINDY CRAWFORD has had a new, leaked, unphotoshopped picture go viral.

LOUIS JORDAN, who crafted a Hollywood acting career in the footsteps of fellow dapper Frenchmen Maurice Chevalier and Charles Boyer and is best remembered for the musical “Gigi” and as the villain in James Bond pic “Octopussy,” has died at 93.

THE ISLAMIC STATE: What ISIS Really Wants.And why they're different from Al Qaeda.

EGYPT carried out airstrikes against Islamic State group targets in neighboring Libya on Monday and began a push for international military intervention in the chaotic North African state after extremists beheaded a group of Egyptian Christians.

IRAN: A U.S. offer would allow Iran to enrich uranium with 6500 or more centrifuges as part of a final nuke deal.

A GOLDEN LABRADOR was interviewed by the BBC.

ROCKET, a shih tzu co-owned by Patty Hearst, won its group at the Westminster Kennel Club show.

OLAF the CAT was found frozen to the side of a building. It was a triple-dog dare.

BRIAN the POLICE HORSE gets to keep his name.

A DISABLED RABBIT gets along on his front feet.