Hollywood oddball Tracy Morgan offended many, many people when he went on a homophobic rant during a show in Nashville earlier this month that included the suggestion that he would stab his own son if his son was gay. The rant was originally documented by Kevin Rogers, a photographer and owner of the soon-to-be-published FUZZ Magazine, on his Facebook page, and spread quickly from there. more ›

Some bands are like those brilliant, glowing sparklers that you light on Independence Day. They burn really brightly for a couple minutes and then fizzle out. Promising Nashville rockers Be Your Own Pet did just that. They put out an album, toured for a couple years, and then imploded in on themselves. A year later, rising from the ashes of that band, former guitarist and bassist, Jake and Jamin Orrall have decided to get serious about their side band, Jeff the Brotherhood. Releasing their fifth reverb heavy, garage rock album (and first really serious foray as an independent group) the brothers will be opening for Ted Leo and the Pharmacists at the Echo on Friday. more ›

Last Sunday was the fourth edition of Kidrockers at The Echo (MySpace), hosted by comedians Matt Dwyer (MySpace) and Matt Braunger (MySpace), with performances by local indie bands Le Switch (MySpace) and Radar Bros (MySpace). more ›

Tuesday nights in LA can be slow in the Spring; the energy of activation to get prettied up and brave the slick streets is much higher than that required to crack open a beer and settle on the couch. But when a heat wave hits with its concomitant restlessness, suddenly a weeknight outing is not only desired but sorely needed. It was in this fitful state I found myself making my way down a back alley off Cahuenga Blvd to check out songstress Audra Mae and finding a performance alight with the weather. more ›

It’s shaping up to be a busy year for singer-songwriter Cary Brothers. With the fourth annual Hotel Cafe Tour beginning in just a few days and his first full-length CD, Who You Are, getting great reviews, things won’t be slowing down for him anytime soon. Brothers first received nationwide attention when his song “Blue Eyes” was featured on the Garden State soundtrack four years ago, and his fan base has grown with the release of two EPs and the new LP. more ›

Tuesday, a 16-year-old California teenager was arrested in Nashville after a Southwest Airlines flight Los Angeles. The AP reports that "Authorities searched the teen's home in California and found a mock cockpit... The teen's parents were reportedly unaware he was traveling to Nashville." Rumors floated around the media saying the teen planned to crash the plane into a Louisiana Hannah Montana concert. more ›

Suns 106, Lakers 98 - Maybe Mitch Kupchak isn't a cupcake, but an evil genius. After mis-managing the Lakers in recent years, it turns out he was right about Andrew Bynum. He refused to trade the young center, and all of a sudden the kid got GOOD. Unfortunately, he's out with an injury and his backup was worthless against Phoenix (hence the evil part). Kwame Brown had seven turnovers and missed an open dunk. Bravo. He was already being booed in the first quarter, and was booed when he sat down for good in the third after committing his fifth foul. It's a tough cowd, and he's got large shoes to fill. Literally. As for the rest of the game, Kobe had a typical 30 point night, and Steve Nash had a typical 20 assist night. more ›

Lakers 117, Grizzlies 101 - A few weeks ago, KLAC's Matt "Money" Smith said he wouldn't be surprised if the Lakers lost all their remaining games or won all their remaining games. It's looking like the latter. They thumped Memphis in Tennessee and are a game and a half back of Phoenix for first place in the West. It was a special occasion, as even the referees got into Elvis night. more ›

Ducks 5, Predators 2 - Anaheim erupted for four goals in the second period, two coming off of the power play and one on a delayed penalty. It was a welcome change of pace for a team that's been lacking on offense the past few weeks. The contributions came across the board, as not a single player was in the minus. more ›

Lakers 112, Pacers 96 - The purple and gold have won six of seven and 12 of their last 15 games. Against Indiana, several players had big nights. All five starters hit double-digits in scoring, including 26 from Kobe Bryant, 23 from Andrew Bynum, and 22 from Derek Fisher. The Pacers are 0-9 against the Lakers in Staples Center. more ›

For this evening, a selection of gentle acoustic guitars to assist in warming your bones by the fire. Acoustic instruments made of wood just fit the theme - the yule log, the Christmas tree, toy horses, and now, the wood stove where Sufjan Stevens' presents end up - oops! more ›

Amy Winehouse got booed offstage during the opening of her new tour after ranting about her husband's incarceration - BBC more ›

After stumbling out of the gate, your Los Angeles Kings have won 4 in a row, and suddenly find themselves back to .500 with a not-too embarrassing record of 6-6. A lot of credit for the recent surge goes to the solid play of goalie Jason LaBarbera. People in LA might not have noticed, but the good folks who run the NHL have, and consequently, today they named LaBarbera as the league’s #1 star... more ›

Artist: Neil Young Album: Chrome Dreams Two Label: Reprise Records Release Date: October 23, 2007 “An ambulance can only go so fast”, sang Neil Young thirty-three years ago in the stony career meditation “Ambulance Blues.” “It’s easy to get buried in the past/ When you try to make a good thing last.” It’s kind of funny to think about guys like Pete Townshend and Eric Clapton making records about the perils of aging at... more ›

Jazz 102, Lakers 81 - This game looked bad on the scoreboard but it was even worse on the court. Los Angeles was 3-of-19 in the first quarter, and Kobe missed his first eight shots overall. They were down 21 at halftime. By the final buzzer, three different Utah players reached double-digits in rebounds. Fortunately, it's just the preseason ... A bad omen of things to come, Lamar Odom is out for a little longer... more ›

Just one week ago, the Kings were a miserable 1-5 and it looked as though desperate managerial measures would be coming down the pipes. After a 6-0 pounding the LA boys laid down on the Nashville Predators tonight, the Kings are a far more respectable 4-6. One storyline has changed, while another has stayed the same. What's different is that the Kings have exhibited stable defending and offensive production, enough to win three of the last four. What has not changed is that the Kings have one hell of a bargain in young Michael Cammalleri. more ›

Today's Action - Ducks @ St. Louis (5:30pm) ... Nashville @ Kings (7:30pm) ... Utah @ Lakers (7:00pm).
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Ducks 3, Predators 1 - Another day, another 28 saves from Jean-Sebastien -- Giguere , that is. The southern JS notched his first win in goal this season after coming back from a sports hernia. Rookies Petteri Wirtanen and Drew Miller both netted their first career goals in the third period ... The Ducks continue to struggle on the power play. They were 0-2 last night against Nashville and are now 3-36 on the season.... more ›

Kings 4, Wild 3 (SO) - The Kings took down previously undefeated Minnesota, which is a surprising sign of a pulse. It did take them an extra period and a shoot-out to get their first win since upsetting Anaheim six games ago in the season opener. Jean-Sebastien Aubin made 28 saves in his first start for Los Angeles. We're not convinced Southern California is big enough for two NHL goalies named Jean-Sebastien. Kobe Watch -... more ›

on the Johnny Cash Show, 9/23/70 more ›

Hello Ducks fans, I'm back to regale you all with my take on the greatest game on earth. When I signed off last time (seemingly for good) the Anaheim Ducks of Los Angeles Anaheim were the glorious winners of Lord Stanley's silver chalice. more ›

I’m writing this from bed, plan on returning to sleep when I’m done and will be too busy cleaning up the residue from my birthday celebration last night to post on dear ole LAist anytime soon, but...in my bleary, horizontal state, I felt moved to write while still basking in the glow of the Old Crow Medicine Show’s concert last night. It’s a miracle I made it at all, having hours before returned from... more ›

With a crowd that maybe topped 35, we caught Ferraby Lionheart's appearance last night in the intimate back room of the Tangier Lounge. more ›

Van Morrison - Best Of Vol.3 (Manhattan/EMI) more ›

The last three contestants on American Idol fought for a place in the finale last night. Jordin Sparks, Blake Lewis and Melinda Doolittle sang three songs each: one picked by a judge, one picked by the producers and one of their own choosing. Of course, to fill the hour, the show followed the contestants back to their respective hometowns. Uber-perky-to-the-point-of-annoying Jordin traveled back to Glendale, Ariz., where her local mall was mobbed by fans.... more ›

Loreena McKennitt @ The Gibson more ›

Wanna know why LAist has four writers at SXSW all of whom paid their own way? Because LA loves music and LAist is obsessed with good tunes. Below are just some of the killer acts playing today here in Austin. Yes be jealous, but better, come here next year and party with us. LA Bands: 4pm: Ozomatli @ Austin Convention Center 8pm: The Chairs of Perception (formerly Urinals) @ Soho Lounge 10pm: Dengue Fever... more ›

A few interesting things happened today as the White Stripes announced that they have finished their new record Icky Thump (those things just seem to ease right out of Jack White's mind, dont they?). The first was the Stripes, who should know better, announced their news on their website that is only accessible via Flash, meaning it's impossible to cut n paste the info and pop it into an email or a web post... more ›

The Ataris - Welcome the Night (Sanctuary) David Bowie - Station to Station [VCT] (Virgin) David Bromberg - Try Me One More Time (Appleseed) Bobby Conn - King for a Day (Thrill Jockey) Dean & Britta - Back Numbers (Rounder) Delorean - You Can't Win (Yep Roc) John Denver - Essential John Denver (RCA) Dr. Dog - We All Belong (Park the Van) Electric Light Orchestra - Out of the Blue [30th Anniversary Edition]... more ›

(l-r): Billy Bob Thornton, Marty Stuart, Porter Wagoner, and Dwight Yoakam perform a surprise set before Neko Case @ The Henry Fonda Theatre. Photo courtesy Ice Cream Man. For the first time in recent history, Hollywood was rattled by bonafide foot-stomping. Many in the audience at the Music Box last night had no idea what was taking place when Neko Case announced Porter Wagoner's intention to take over Hollywood. But a historic buzz took... more ›