When many Angelenos heard about yesterday's random shooting rampage at the intersection of Vine and Sunset, their first thoughts were about their proximity to the intersection. But if you were from out of town the view looked different. more ›

William Bratton, the onetime Chief of Police in Los Angeles, has accepted a consulting gig in Britain that will have him helping deal with the nation's gang violence. The job is expected to begin shortly, says NBC Los Angeles, and was confirmed by Bratton with British PM David Cameron. more ›

The Steve Irwin, flagship vessel of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS) featured on Animal Planet's "Whale Wars," is being held for ransom by the United Kingdom for $1,411,692.87 as of earlier this week. more ›

British singer and headline-maker Amy Winehouse has revealed via a spokesman that her Coachella performance next month is a (No, No) no-go, according to the Associated Press. Because Winehouse is facing legal woes in the UK stemming from recent charges she allegedly attacked a fan last fall in London, getting the songstress to the States would be no easy feat: "Being charged with a crime often makes it difficult for people to get U.S. visas." She faced similar trouble last year when her visa request to attend the Grammys was declined, then reversed too late for her to make the event. Winehouse was scheduled to headline the second of three nights of the annual fest in Indio, along with The Killers, Thievery Corporation, and TV on the Radio in a day boasting another nearly three dozen musical acts. Coachella's reaction is succinct: "Yes it's true. Amy Winehouse has canceled her appearance at Coachella." more ›

KGRL -- mentioned previously here -- is a local "...non-profit non-commercial internet radio station that plays the freshest and the best ALL QUALITY female artist / fronted acts in a wide variety of genres." Their "Top 10 Artists To Watch Out For In 2007" included local singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles (MySpace), who in 2008 experienced mainstream recognition due to "Love Song", which garnered Grammy nominations for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and Song of The Year. more ›

If you haven't heard their infectious single "That's Not My Name" burning up LA radio stations, you will soon enough. The Ting Tings, the latest UK import, brought their carefree blend of electro/dance/pop duo to Echo Park's Rec Center Studio in what was their first (and most likely of many) "proper" show in Los Angeles Tuesday night. The Rec Center was packed to see the Tings, a band that at this point really only has thew previously mentioned single to their name (at least here in the US). But that did not matter to this crowd, all that mattered was the quality and freshness of their music. more ›

Not long ago, UK's Athlete scored the prestigious Mercury Music Prize for their 2003 album Vehicles and Animals. I've been following the band ever since that remarkable album. However, many have said that they made a stark transition from bright to melodramatic tones. Some see their 2005 album Tourist as the dawning of the Coldplay-esque, Brit-pop phase in Athlete's catalog. Fresh off the heels of their latest album Beyond The Neighborhood, Athlete have continued in... more ›

If you are gay or European, or considering becoming gay or European, this record may already be yours. For the heterosexual American who has never heard of Mika, however, fret not. You will not be excluded from this elite club. This album is for you, too. Perky, discoed, electro-pop ala Scissor Sisters (but less Elton John, and more Queen) awaits your every, equal opportunity, partying need. Road trip? Perfect. Getting ready to go out... more ›

Street artist and prankster Banksy, who snuck 500 altered Paris Hilton cds into UK record stores last week, says that the LA heiress is probably too blonde to understand his dry wit, according to PR Inside. The reclusive stencilist, who is threatening to cause a stir here in Los Angeles later this month, let his publicist do the talking regarding the doctored discs. "He's saying you can be a celebrity, but you don't have... more ›