Today’s Music News: March 31st

John Mayer Announces Summer Tour Dates

John Mayer released all the dates for his summer US tour on his website. And he’s coming back to Utah. The bluesy singer/songwriter will perform at USANA Amphitheater on August 31st. There is a fan pre-sale for the show April 19th and 20th and tickets go on-sale to the public on April 24th at 10am.

Green Day Talk About New Album

MTV News caught up with Green Day recently and the band got to talking about their new album. The group said they’re currently in the songwriting phase for the disc, which will be the follow-up to their 2009 album 21^st Century Breakdown. Singer Billie Joe Armstrong told the outlet that they are trying to get back to the basics, which the singer says at first made them sound like crap. The effort is still a work in progress and for now, fans will just have to be happy with catching the Broadway play, American Idiot, which features Green Day’s music. (MTV News)

Hit the jump for news on Phoenix, Fall Out Boy’s Patrick Stump and Amy Winehouse.

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American Idol Via Tweets: Top 10

Saving you from wasting time on American Idol. I take the gut punch so you don’t have to! Here’s my thoughts on the Idol Top 10.

I’ve only been watching Idol for 3 seasons, but this has to be the worst top 10 in the show’s history.

Does Shiobahn wear those glasses ironically? #ihatehipsterstyle

Chaka Khan deserves better, Shiobahn. I think this is her worst performance yet. And there’s the banshee scream! Ugh.

Every week Casey is told to step out from behind the guitar, and every week he trots it out again. Just a karaoke singer this week.

Idol contestants, take note of Michael’s performance this week. THAT is how u do it. Change the composition, if only a little.

Didi didn’t over do it, as the judges say, she under did it. Very underwhelming performance.

Didi, when someone asks you “Why?” it’s preferable to answer the question, not avoid the question. It will endear u to the audience.

Here goes Tim “Worst Still Standing” Urban.

Tim’s facial expressions make me want to punch a baby. His voice makes me want to throw my TV thru my window.

The judges are RIPPING Tim. It’s about frigging time!

Andrew was a total fan favorite at the beginning of the season, now he’s just another mediocre wannabe. So boring tonight!

Katie may well b the greatest lounge singer of all time, but she is just that: a lounge singer. Couldn’t b less relevant, imo.

If ur taking musical advice from either Kara or Simon, it MUST b Simon. Kara, is a good songwriter, but Simon has launched careers.

Lee reminded me of “Keep the Faith” era Bon Jovi tonite. Not necessarily a good thing. Prob his best performance. Still not very good.

I see Crystal being like David Cook, good on the show but never really heard from again. She could win this and not have a hit record.

Almost forgot about Aaron being on the show. I’ll forget about his performance b4 bed. He’s just filler on a bad show, at this pt.

Top 2 this week: Michael & Crystal. Bottom 2: Shiobahn & Tim. Do the right thing, America!

Follow my real time thoughts on Idol at twitter.com/grantruby.

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Barack Obama Likes Awesome Things

I wish I could give a look at all the awesome stuff that Obama gets to look at. Check out all the awesome things Dean Trippe caught Obama looking at.

Being the President totally owns.

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Today’s Music News: March 30th

Creeper Convention? No, MJFanvention

The first annual MJFanvention will take place at the Radisson Hotel and Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville, Indiana.   This is the first tribute event endorsed by the family of Michael Jackson and it is expected to attract thousands of people from around the world for a four-day celebration honoring the late singer’s life and music.  The MJFanvention2010 will be held August 26^th to the 29^th and  members of the Jackson family will be in attendance and participate in question and answer sessions, sign autographs and take photos. Artists like David Nordahl, who painted several commissioned portraits of Michael, and musicians including guitarist Jennifer Batten, who played with Michael on tour, and others will all participate in discussion panels and question and answer sessions. (MTV News)

Is Everyone Covering Lady Gaga?

Paramore’s Hayley Williams and 30 Seconds to Mars just so happened to have independently cover Lady Gaga’s tune “Bad Romance” this week. Williams posted a video on her Twitter account where she’s shown playing the piano and singing the song in someone’s home. The nearly three minute long clip really displays Hayley’s vocal range and vocal ability. The Jared Leto sung 30 Seconds to Mars version is a more produced effort and adds a darker, moddier edge to the tune. See Hayley’s version over at Twitter.com/YelYahWilliams and hear 30 Seconds rendition over at YouTube.com. (MTV News)

Hit the jump for more on Jack White, Gavin Rossdale and more.

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Today’s Music News: March 29th

Bono’s Bad Investments

It seems Bono and his company, Elevation Partners, are not lucky in the world of investments. According to 24/7 Wall Street, the Irish singer is being described as the “worst investor in America.” With large investments in Palm, Forbes and Move.com, the site describes the famous singer’s company’s choices as “an unprecedented string of disastrous investments which even bad luck could not explain.” Seems that Bono should stick to the day job. (MTV News)

Bono and U2 will be in Salt Lake June 3rd on the 360° Tour. Tickets available through Smith’s Tix.

Beck and Friends Cover INXS

More details about Beck’s Record Club covering INXS have come out. The musician has teamed up with Os Mutantes, Liars, St. Vincent and others to cover INXS’ 1987 album Kick. Beck says their version of the album was recorded in a little over 12 hours on March 3^rd and he described the challenge as “intense, hilarious, daunting and completely fun.” The album includes their versions of “New Sensation,” “Devil Inside,” “Need You Tonight” and “Never Tear Us Apart.” (MTV News)

Hit the jump for news on Colbie Caillat, Lady Antebellum, Sublime and more.

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The Temper Trap Release Video For “Sweet Disposition”

The Temper Trap, which released their debut album Conditions earlier this year, have released the video for the lead single “Sweet Disposition.” It’s a pretty cool clip, too. Destroying things always makes a video cooler. Right?

Check it after the jump.

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Today’s Music News: March 26th

Book About Pretty Hate Machine Coming Soon

According to reports, a book on Nine Inch Nails’ classic album Pretty Hate Machine is set to come out later this year. The book is part of the 33 1/3 series, which focuses on classic albums. Author Daphne Carr penned the tome and Amazon.com described it saying it “not only tells the story of the birth of NINE INCH NAILS, but also gives voice to a peculiarly American subculture that — especially since the Columbine shootings — has been widely vilified: mall goths, of whom Trent Reznor is undoubtedly the patron saint.” (MTV News)

REM, Peter Gabriel Donate Voices

REM’s Mike Mills, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes and Andrew Bird are among the artists taking part in The Voices Project. The charity — co-founded by Peter Gabriel’s daughter Anna — raises funds for women impacted by civil war in Uganda. One artist does a cover, and then the artist who’s been covered does someone else’s song to start a “cover chain.” Peter Gabriel and Brett Dennen are also scheduled to contribute covers this year. (Premiere)

Hit the jump for news on John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Michael Jackson and more.

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Today’s Music News: March 25th

The Strokes Recording Without Julian Casablancas?

Julian Casablancas is out on a solo tour right now, which means The Strokes are currently recording new material without him. According to NME.com, the singer is glad that he’s not in the studio for the sessions saying, “I think they [the other band members] did a good job…I’m pretty opinionated. Nothing pushy to the point of it’s my way or no way, but I’ll hear a song and be like, ‘Hmmm, it feels like the bass should be like something different’. Whereas if I feel like I wasn’t in the room then they could just kind of spread their wings.” The Strokes are set to play the Isle of Wight festival on June 12^th. (MTV News)

Grammy Winning Phoenix To Release Live Album

NME reports that Phoenix has just released a new live version of their Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix album. The eight-track record, titled Live in Sydney, features “Lisztomania,” “1901,” “Fences” and more. For more information, visit WeArePhoenix.com now. (MTV News)

Hit the jump for news on Dave Grohl, Jack White and more.

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Today’s Music News: March 24th

Green Day Back On the Silver Screen?

Green Day’s American Idiot musical will hit Broadway this year, but will it also be made into a feature film? According to The Playlist, talks are underway with Tom Hanks’ Playtone Productions to make the musical into a movie. Using the songs from the hit album, the film will reportedly “tell the coming of age story of three small town guys. One joins the armed forces, another moves to the city and gets mired in a drug habit and the third stays home and gets his girlfriend pregnant.” (MTV News)

Honda Civic Tour To Feature Paramore, Dates Announced

Tickets for the Honda Civic Tour, featuring Paramore and Tegan and Sara, went on sale this week. The trek gets underway on July 23^rd in Raleigh, North Carolina and is set to feature two special guests, which will be announced shortly. The jaunt runs through September 19^th when it winds down in Anaheim, California. A full list of dates can be found at CivicTour.Honda.com. (MTV News)

The Civic Tour won’t be coming to Utah, but Paramore will play the E Center May 10th.

Hit the jump for more news on Owl City, U2′s The Edge and more.

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Ghost Stories: Paranormal Activity 2?

Do you remember how the movie Paranormal Activity was promoted? If not, here’s a refresher:

Now there’s a new movie coming out (it’s playing a limited engagement in the UK now) called Ghost Stories.

Hit the jump to see if you recognize the promo clip at all.

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