It would be disingenuous to describe the The National as new or up-and-coming. The Cincinnati-based band has been around for a good decade and has a solid body of five albums in their arsenal. Yet their current - which included stop at the Wiltern May 21 - felt like an unveiling for The National as they begin to embrace widespread recognition on the strength of their recent release. more ›

Some bands happily forget their hits of years ago. Last night in Hollywood, Megadeth paid tribute to a month-long tour of doing just the opposite. more ›

Because George Harrison was my favorite Beatle, I devoured Wonderful Tonight: George Harrison, Eric Clapton, and Me, a memoir by his first wife Pattie Boyd (of whom I confess I was, in my Beatle phase, horribly jealous) within days of its publication last year. Since recovering from her marriages, Pattie has become known as a photographer. This Sunday from 12 to 5 p.m., a show of her photographs opens at the Morrison Hotel Gallery on Sunset Boulevard. She will read from Wonderful Tonight this evening at 7 p.m. at Book Soup. more ›

The WGA Board voted unanimously last night to not picket the 50th Grammy Awards, February 10th at Staples Center. more ›

LOUD. Epic. Bombastic. Brooding. Inspiring. Powerful. Political. Rocking. Pounding. Confrontational. Theatrical. Captivating. Dynamic. High Tech. Simply Amazing. Did I mention Loud already? Full review (with 25% less hyperbole) and pics after the jump....... more ›

Last night at the El Rey, The Hold Steady did just that -- Not playing the coy, indie-nerd wallflowers and never crossing into absolute rock and roll mayhem, Craig Finn and the boys held the line, well, steady. Looking like a more-hip Paul Giamatti and gesturing feverishly like a less-nebbishy Woody Allen, Finn led the charge with flails and jolts, hand claps for miles, and his frighteningly accurate, wholly incongruous, Springsteen voice. Mesmerizing. The... more ›

Entering into the House of Blues last night, standing in the Industry Entrance line, behind the well to do hipsters of Los Angeles, I see this smallish woman with red hair, grabbing Foundation Room bracelets in her hand after putting her shiny black gloves back on. She turns around and I realize that it is Drew Barrymore. Who else, right? She was dating Mr. Hammond Jr's bandmate Fabrizio Moretti. Seeing her and a certain... more ›