andPOP » The Beatles

Joseph Gordon-Levitt Covers ‘Hey Jude’ At Sundance Festival

@coltondaniel — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:30:39 +0000

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Joseph Gordon-Levitt – the actor, troubadour, independent film-trailblzers and recreational musician – remember his duet with Zooey Deschenel pre-New Years Eve?

That was until his Hit RECord event at Sundance on Thursday night, the 50/50 star strapped on his acoustic and belted out an adorkable rendition of the Beatles classic. It was a part of Gordon-Levitt’s collaborative company – the event also included a reading of Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, a variety of short films and a heaping of fan-interaction as he encouraged everyone to turn their recording devices on. Most of those fans did and nearly every moment of the 90-minute performance is captured and already uploaded to the official Hit RECord website.

Oh – and he recently cleared up the definition of ‘hipster’ as: Someone who kind of dresses up like an artist but they don’t actually make anything. He added, “So all you people calling me a hipster can go fuck yourselves cause I’m makin’ shit all the goddam time. People are like, ‘You wear skinny jeans’ but these are 501s man.”

The Beatles ‘Here Comes The Sun’: Lost Solo Discovered

@coltondaniel — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:00:10 +0000

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Here comes the Son.

Dhani Harrison, the son of George (the late and great Beatles guitarist) visited Abbey Road studio with long-time Beatles producer George Martin and his son, Giles to discover something sacred. Deep in the master tracks of “Here Comes The Sun” from 1969′s Abbey Road, Dhani stumbles upon a lost solo from his father’s ballad. It completely changes the texture of the song, not to mention how freakin’ cool it is.

It’s chilling, but doesn’t compare to the moment when George Martin turns to Dhani and says, “You’re like your father.”

Interview: Manchester Orchestra On ‘Simple Math,’ Touring with Blink-182

@coltondaniel — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 18:19:47 +0000

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Overlooking the Toronto skyline from backstage at the Molson Amphitheater, Manchester Orchestra’s rhythm-guitarist and singer-songerwriter Andy Hull took in a drag and the scene.

“It’s pretty awesome to wake up in the city that you grew up in,” confessed Hull, moments before opening for My Chemical Romance and Blink-182 as part of the 2011 Honda Civic Tour. It would almost seem that, other than sharing a stage, lyrical honesty and vulnerability is about all that these three bands have in common.

“It’s fun man, they’re all really kind people,” says Hull about being on the road with MCR and Blink. It’s been a sleepless summer for Hull and company, leaping between a plethora of festivals from Montreal’s Osheaga to Chicago’s Lollapalooza. “It’s been quite an experience to play these venues. It’s definitely this casting vision tour to really see how big a band can get. It’s kind of crazy. And [Blink-182] is definitely a band that represented a huge part of our childhood.”

“I used to hide [Blink-182's] ‘Take Off Your Pants and Jacket’ from my mom all the time,” adds keyboardist Chris Freeman, dawning a black MacBeth Footwear t-shirt, a company owned by Blink-182′s singer-guitarist Tom DeLonge.

Manchester Orchestra was founded by a 16-year-old Hull in 2004 with his buddies: bassist Jonathan Corley, Freeman, guitarist Robert McDowell and drummer Tim Very. Their suburban Atlanta walls likely plastered with posters of the English city Manchester, a city that has spawned musically rich children from Joy Division to Oasis to Stone Roses.

“Growing up at 16, we pretty much named the band after the Smiths,” reminisces Hull as he looked to Freeman’s smile. “It was a band we were all really, really into.” He also cited the range of musical influences to be “anything from Pavement, Built to Spill, Modest Mouse, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Granddaddy, the Weakerthans, and the Flaming Lips.”

The five grew to produce arena-worthy anthems that hinted at an intimacy of an “indie rock” mix-tape. This signature sound was honed in 2005, while playing over 200 shows behind their first release: “I’m Like A Virgin Losing A Child.” A massive sound emerged that rippled exploration into issues of life and the human condition, essentially shredding the chains that age and experience wrapped around him.

Inspired by classic nineties efforts like Nirvana’s “In Utero” and Weezer’s “Pinkerton,” the band shifted their distorted textures to create their sophomore album, “Mean Everything to Nothing.”

After opening for their friends Kings of Leon at Madison Square Garden in 2010, the band went into the studio to patch together a musical vengeance of emotion. Almost like Dylan’s “Blood on the Tracks” responded to his carnage of relationship, Hull painted a comparably darker and more modern picture of the lover’s debris. Its melodies sound like enlightening promise, yet the undercoated lyrics protest distraught and failure (check “Virgin”at the band’s website).

Their third full-length album, “Simple Math,” surfaced in May and critics have praised its intimacy and Rolling Stone magazine found it “tough to look away”. It debuted at No. 21 on The Billboard 200 and at No. 8 on the magazine’s Rock Albums chart. A mixture of spiritual and marital confessions, it’s not just a few good songs; it’s an album.

“We made a strong commitment to each other that we wouldn’t make any records that were a step backwards or even a step on the same plain,” Hull looks at Freeman, almost like reaffirming a non-verbal agreement. “So that was pretty simple. We just wanted to step it up and make something that was grand, potentially better. But, still have it feel like a counter-piece to our record before.”

Freeman notices that, “the writing process was kind of easier on ['Simple Math'] and it felt natural.”

For the first time, the band recorded without former drummer Jeremiah Edmond, who parted ways with the band in January 2010 to focus on his family and the band’s record label, Favorite Gentlemen. “He was such a power drummer,” Hull says. “It was cool to work with guys who had a different feel, finesse and pocket to their vibe. We were playing outside of what we were used to doing when it came to recording and writing. It allowed us to explore different areas.”

This fall, the band will be dedicating their time by embarking on a 25-city tour in the U.K. and across the States. Aside from their hometown, the band is looking forward to playing their namesake.

“It’s one of the coolest cities we play, the people are so appreciative of us,” says Hull, cracking a Jack Nicholson-esque smirk.

Imagining the scene, Freeman chuckled to himself, “those Manchester crowds are crazy.”

“They’re just ready to get it on.”

Foo Fighters Go Beatles At Ed Sullivan Theatre

@coltondaniel — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 16:45:56 +0000

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Foo Fighters celebrated the release of their new album Wasting Light by paying homage to the Beatles historical debut and playing the album from front to back.

The nearly two hour performance showcases Dave Grohl and company in Beatles-esque suits with Taylor Hawkin’s kick drum in Beatles font. The Fab Four poses and head shakes are perfected by the band and they commit to it so much to broadcast the first half of the show in black-and-white.

For those that aren’t following, the Beatles were a British band from the 1960s that had some good songs and significantly changed music. In 1964, they made their American television debut on the Ed Sullivan Show.

Playing fiercly through Wasting Light in its entirety and bringing out a parade of radio hits, including “Everlong” and “All My Life”, the Foos appear to be in their prime. In fact, the new album has been deemed as their best album in years by many critics including Rolling Stone.

Abbey Road Studios Put Up for Sale

Sara Harowitz — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:06:22 +0000

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Abbey Road studios, legendary thanks to The Beatles’ 1969 album Abbey Road, are being put up for sale by record label EMI, reports NME.com.

The iconic recording studios in northwest London, where The Beatles recorded many of their songs, are being offered to bidders because the label’s owners, company Terra Firma, are looking to reduce the company’s debts.

The sale of the studios, located in St. John’s Wood, could reportedly raise tens of millions of pounds.

Along with The Beatles, bands such as Oasis, Blur, Manic Street Preachers, Pink Floyd and Radiohead have also recorded at Abbey Road.

The studios were opened in 1931 by the Gramophone Company, which later turned into EMI. It is unclear at this time if it is just the location or the studio brand which is up for sale.

Just Bust a Move, Prime Minister Harper

Stephen Baldwin — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:44:06 +0000

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Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Bollywood debut was so awkward I could barely watch, but I couldn’t look away either.

There has never been any mistaking Harper for a cool guy; an Obama-type personality. Harper belongs on TLC, not MTV, and that isn’t news. But his appearance on India’s version of So You Think You Can Dance reaffirmed that there really isn’t much personality under his tough conservative skin.

In early October, Harper performed on stage with famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Harper’s rendition of The Beatles’ With a Little Help From My Friends was actually…not too bad. It was the first time that many had seen Harper peek his head out of a Conservative shell that he’d been hiding in since he became Prime Minister. I started to cut him some slack.

But the on-stage embarrassment in India made me reassess my thought. Harper stumbled down a step on the stage as he was being introduced, and then proceeded to put on the most bland display of rhythm and dance that I’ve ever seen. Watching his wife Laureen was almost as disappointing.

Being a good dancer is by no means a Canadian Prime ministerial requirement, but cultural enthusiasm should be. Even George W used to get down. Loosen up Harper.

John Lennon Biopic Trailer Released

Sara Harowitz — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:00:12 +0000

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Imagine all the stories…

A preview for the upcoming film about the Beatles’ John Lennon has been released, reports NME.com. The film, entitled “Nowhere boy,” is about Lennon’s childhood and adolescence. It features Kristin Scott Thomas and screenwriter Matt Greenhalgh.

The film is based on the book, “Imagine This: Growing Up With My Brother John Lennon” by Lennon’s half sister Julia Baird. The movie is also said to feature music from Goldfrapp.

“Nowhere boy” premieres tonight (Oct. 29) as part of the London Film Festival’s closing night. It has a general release date in the United Kingdom slated for Dec. 26.

The movie is directed by Sam Taylor-Wood, and was filmed in Lennon’s childhood city of Liverpool, according to rollingstone.com. It stars British actor Aaron Johnson as Lennon.

“Nowhere boy” will also show the teenage Lennon meeting future bandmate Paul McCartney – played in the movie by Thomas Sangster – for the first time. The two men would later become band mates in the Quarrymen, which paved the way for one of the most popular bands of all time.

But as Rolling Stone points out, the film is less about the development of the Beatles, and more about the relationships between Lennon and his mother and aunt. His mother, Julia, died in a 1958 car crash when she was 44; Lennon was only 17.

It is still unclear whether the film picked up the rights to use the Beatles’ music in the film, and the trailer does not offer any insight. The film so far does not have a North American release date. Rolling Stone had previously reported that the Weinstein Company had received the distribution rights for “Nowhere boy,” but it is not on their current schedule.

Madonna Album Goes to Number One

Vanessa Baker — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 03:17:51 +0000

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Madonna’s greatest hits album, Celebration, has reached number one on the charts in the United Kingdom, reports Perez Hilton. This is the eleventh time the songstress has reached the top spot across the pond, tying her with Elvis and putting her right behind The Beatles for most number one albums.

The most successful female solo artist of all time has also entered the British record books for spending more weeks than any other female solo artist- 29 – at the top of the Official UK Album Chart and having the most number one singles for a female solo artist – 13. She has had the number one album and single simultaneously four times, a record for a female solo artist.

Madonna’s recent Sticky & Sweet tour was the highest grossing tour in history for a female artist.

John Lennon Biopic Packed With More Stars Than Just a Beatle

Emma Renda — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:33:49 +0000

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For a generation of people who missed out on the 1960s and the advent of rock’n'roll, we sure are getting to be well-versed. Yet another biopic is slated for release this October, this time in the name of John Lennon.

Nowhere Boy is based on the book Imagine This: Growing Up with my Brother John Lennon by Lennon’s half sister Julia Baird, according to Pitchfork. The screenplay was written by Matt Greenhalgh, author of the Joy Division film Control. The film will focus more on Baird’s experience growing up with the rising star, perhaps offering a unique insight into what transformed Lennon into one of the most idyllic artists of our time.

On board to direct in his feature film debut is Sam Taylor Wood, whose repertoire includes the BAFTA-nominated punk short Love You More.

The cast includes Kristin Scott Thomas, (The English Patient and Four Weddings and a Funeral), will play Lennon’s aunt, who raised Lennon, as well as Anne Marie Duff (Shameless, also James McAvoy’s wife) and Aaron Johnson (who plays the heartthrob in Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging).

The obvious next question: What about the soundtrack? So far, Goldfrapp has been enlisted to compose the score and will record it at Abbey Road Studios. The film will close the London Film Festival in late October.

Do A Good Deed – Get Yourself an Xbox for Christmas?

Brett Caron — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:07:21 +0000

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The ultimate remastered edition of the Beatles catalog is probably going to be the big-ticket Christmas item this holiday season. Alongside this cornucopia of creamy Liverpool goodness is The Beatles: Rock Band, most likely the other big ticket Christmas item – if the stores have any left after the initial sellout.

And to provide the third stabilizing leg to this triumverate of old-meets-new deliciousness is a brand-new The Beatles: Rock Band Xbox 360 model. Featuring psychedelic designs by the same animators who will blow your minds via the intro cinematic sequence to the new Rock Band cash-cow, this model also has another feature that I’m sure the boys from across the pond would be proud of – every unit sold has all proceeds benefiting Doctors Without Borders.

Finally, as if the above trinity of Beatlemania wasn’t enough, All You Need Is Love is now available as an Xbox Live download, once again with proceeds going to DWB.

To find out more information, head on over to http://www.xbox.com/en-CA/games/splash/b/beatlesrockband/ where you’ll have the chance to join the Fab Four Mystery Tour, an “interactive look at the Beatles and the many twists and turns of their legendary career.” Check it out, Jude, don’t let me down.

Cheers!

Contest: The Beatles lithograph

andPOP Staff — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 06:01:57 +0000

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The Beatles are releasing their entire remastered catalogue on September 9th, the same date as the release of “The Beatles: Rock Band” video game. This is the first time the Beatle’s catalogue has been digitally remastered.

andPOP is giving away a Beatles lithograph (click here to see what it looks like).

All you have to do to enter is email contests@andpop.com with your complete mailing address by 10/11/2009. One winner will be chosen at random.

For more, visit:
www.thebeatles.com

George Harrison Headed For Hollywood Walk Of Fame

Eva Lam — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 02:23:51 +0000

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George Harrison may have been known as “the quiet Beatle,” but the late musician will be the toast of the town when he gets a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame this month.

Harrison, who died of cancer in 2001 at age 58, will receive the tribute on the world-famous sidewalk on April 14, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce announced Friday. The ceremony will be attended by his widow, Olivia Harrison, and his son, Dhani.

The Beatles already have a Walk of Fame star as a group, but Harrison and John Lennon, who died in 1980, will be the only members with their own stars.

A skilled songwriter, Harrison penned several of the Beatles’ greatest hits, including “Here Comes the Sun,” “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” and “Something.” His interest in Eastern music also had an influence on the band’s classic albums “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” and “The White Album.”

After the band broke up in 1970, Harrison went on to a successful solo career that spawned numerous albums and the global hit song “My Sweet Lord.” He also joined up with Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Roy Orbison and Jeff Lynne to form the musical supergroup the Traveling Wilburys.

Oscar-winning director Martin Scorsese is currently working on a documentary about Harrison, while Capitol/EMI has said it will announce details for a new Harrison music project later this month.

‘Fifth Beatle’ Dead

andPOP Staff — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 09:33:19 +0000

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Neil Aspinall has died in hospital at the age of 66, after a battle with lung cancer.

Aspinall was called “The Fifth Beatle.” As a childhood friend of Paul McCartney and George Harrison, he was the band’s first tour manager and continued to work with them throughout their careers. According to the BBC, Aspinall “remained fiercely loyal to the group, looking after their business interests and taking legal action on their behalf.”

Aspinall was a chief executive of Apple from 1970-2007, ensuring that the Beatles continued to make money.

He played various instruments in songs like Magical Mystery Tour, Within You Without You and Being for the Benefit of Mr Kite, and created the albums Beatles Anthology and Beatles One.

In a statement, Ringo Starr said that, “I’ve known Neil many years and he was a good friend. We were blessed to have him in our lives and he will be missed.”

Aspinall has five children with wife, Suzy.

Album Signed By The Beatles Takes in Record Amount of Money

andPOP Staff — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 15:34:01 +0000

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“Meet the Beatles,” an album signed by all four members of the famous British band, has brought in more money in an auction than what was originally expected.

CBC Arts reports the album sold for US$115,228.82 at an auction in New York. It is believed the price is an all-time high.

The record was sold by George Harrison’s sister, although it is not clear who bought it yet, as the auction was done through the site ItsOnlyRockNRoll.com.

All four Beatles signed the record with personal messages to Harrison’s sister, Louise, while they were on tour in 1964.

Bono to Appear in Beatles-Inspired Movie

Eva Lam — Thu, 15 Dec 2005 17:38:43 +0000

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U2?s Bono recently filmed his role in ?Across the Universe,? an upcoming musical romance which features classic Beatles music and stars Evan Rachel Wood (?Thirteen?).

According to MTV, the singer plays a spiritual character named Dr. Robert, who will deliver several pivotal lines and sing ?I Am the Walrus.?

Set in the ?60s, the movie will feature 18 songs by the Beatles and characters from those numbers, but it will not be about the legendary group. Wood plays Lucy (as in ?Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds?), an American girl who meets a young man named Jude. Jude, played by British actor Jim Sturgess, has arrived in New York from Liverpool and winds up protesting against the Vietnam war.

Julie Taymor, who helmed the hit stage version of ?The Lion King,? directs the movie.

The film is currently in production and will hit theatres in 2006.

This is Bono?s biggest movie role to date. He previously had a fleeting cameo as Man in Hotel Lobby in 2000?s ?Million Dollar Hotel.?

Dylan’s “Rolling Stone” Tops Poll of Revolutionary Moments in Pop Culture

Eva Lam — Sat, 06 Aug 2005 19:41:17 +0000

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“Like A Rolling Stone,” Bob Dylan’s classic 1965 single, has been named the greatest cultural moment of the last 50 years.

Elvis Presley’s “Heartbreak Hotel” came a close second in the poll on Friday to find the 100 top cultural moments in music, movies, TV and books, reports the BBC.

The survey for the new issue of U.K. magazine Uncut was voted on by musicians, actors and industry experts, led by Sir Paul McCartney.

The highest-ranking film on the list was Stanley Kubrick?s controversial ?A Clockwork Orange? (No. 5), followed by ?The Godfather? and ?The Godfather II? films in sixth place.

The top TV show was ?60s cult series ?The Prisoner? with Patrick McGoohan (No. 10), while the highest-ranking book was Jack Kerouac?s ?On The Road? (No. 19).

McCartney, Oasis? Noel Gallagher, Robert Downey Jr., Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones and Lou Reed were among those who gave their input for the poll.

Veteran rocker Patti Smith had high praise for the winning song, saying, ?I absolutely remember where I was when I first heard it. It got me through adolescence.?

Ex-Beatle McCartney chose ?Heartbreak Hotel? as his top pick.

?It?s the way (Presley) sings it as if he is singing from the depths of hell,? McCartney said. ?His phrasing, use of echo, it?s all so beautiful. Musically, it?s perfect.?

The Beatles? song ?She Loves Me? landed the No. 3 spot on the list, followed by ?(I Can?t Get No) Satisfaction? by The Rolling Stones.

Actors Edward Norton and Juliette Lewis and ex-Beach Boy Brian Wilson also participated in the survey, which marks the magazine?s 100th issue.

?It is sure to spark discussions,? said Uncut editor Allan Jones.

?This list has been a massive undertaking and considering which films have had a greater cultural impact than Bowie, for example, has fuelled many discussions.

“What we have been left with is Dylan as the most seminal artistic statement of the last five decades – but I’m sure others will disagree.”

Music, Films, TV and Books that ?Changed the World? (Source: Uncut magazine):

1. Bob Dylan ? ?Like a Rolling Stone?
2. Elvis Presley ? ?Heartbreak Hotel?
3. The Beatles ? ?She Loves You?
4. The Rolling Stones ? ?(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction?
5. ?A Clockwork Orange?
6. ?The Godfather? and ?The Godfather II?
7. David Bowie ? ?The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust?
8. ?Taxi Driver?
9. Sex Pistols ? ?Never Mind The Bollocks Here’s the Sex Pistols?
10. ?The Prisoner?