A private touring helicopter operated by Island Express crashed at approximately 9:25 this morning in the rainy weather, killing 3 and injuring 3 more. According to KFWB, the crash took place "on the west end of the island and caused a small fire that was quickly doused." The chopper hit the ground near the Banning House Lodge in Avalon. It is believed the the engine failed while flying over Isthmus cove. KNBC.com describes the incident......

The 88 are great. The end. Dot com. But there is a disturbance is the force, and I’m not sure what the deal is. I do not know why Muppet-haired Brandon Jay left the band, but his high-energy nerdiness was visibly missing from last Friday’s performance at the Troubadour. Also missing were lead singer/guitarist Keith Slettedahl’s trademark glasses (sweatily sliding down his nose), and the whole band-in-matching-suits gimmick. New to the line-up, a suspicious......

A bear-hugging belated congratulations to local rockstars The 88 for their record deal with Island Def Jam (announced last week). These LA marvels have been working their tush (it’s a technical term) off for years and I am thrilled for their success. I heard a track off Kind Of Light in 2002 or 2003 and it was one of those compulsive, immediate love, kismet things. I assaulted the internet looking for any information on the......