Brad Elterman Special

Some of the great shots by the guy who told me that of all the stars he’s photographed, Bob Dylan, Robert DeNiro, and Joan Jett were the ones who had “something special.”

via Brad Elterman epic photographs of rock n’ roll History « Beautiful/Decay Artist & Design.

A Punk Tale of Two Cities

I can’t wait to listen to this BBC Radio special about New York and London by my dear, brilliant friend Vivien Goldman. Quick, listen now: Only 3 days left!

via BBC Radio 6 Music – A Punk Tale of Two Cities.

Lita Ford Returns

Just in time for the Rock of Ages-fueled hair-metal revival, Lita Ford is back with a new album and a spot on the Rock of Ages tour. Yes, she wants the Runaways to get back together. My LA Times interview ran yesterday:

 

Lita Ford from the Runaways joins the resurging heavy metal scene – latimes.com.

via Lita Ford Returns.

Joan Jett in Transgendered Duet

Joan Jett has balls. In the ’70s, she (of course) led the first all-teenage-girl hard rocking band the Runaways. She blew up the charts in the ’80s by slinging a guitar, not writhing on the floor. And in the ’90s, she supported the punk feminist movement (aka Riot Grrrl) more than any other single rock star. Now she’s aligning herself with transgender ass-kicker Tom Gabel, aka Laura Jane Grace. She performed the Replacements’ “Androgynous” with Gabel’s band Against Me! in New York, see video below. I love the way their voices blend together, and the way they shout, “See no evil at all!”

No Nuke

Put the San Onofre nuclear plant out of our misery, permanently. Have we learned nothing from Japan?

 

San Onofre nuclear plant out of service for the summer – latimes.com.

via No Nuke.

Patti Smith, Good Again

Banga, Patti Smith’s first album of new material in eight years is her best in decades, despite some failed pretensions. My LAT review:  Album review: Patti Smith’s ‘Banga’ – latimes.com.

Amanda Palmer Kicks Some Kickstarter Butt

Amanda Fucking Palmer just made herself a million plus bucks for her new album. Who needs a record company? My full Los Angeles Times story here:

via Pop & Hiss – Pop music, Indie music, Grammys, Oscars, Music Awards, Country Music Awards, American Music Awards, best original song, best original score, film music, composers, Recording Academy – latimes.com.