Category: American Idol (Page 8 of 31)

American Idol: Back To The Future

Last night’s “American Idol” featured primary auditions from Dallas, Texas. And the show had to harp on the fact that this is where they found Kelly Clarkson six years ago..and I mean, they HARPED on it. Back away from yourselves Idol, we all know your impact on pop music and that you suck us all in to watch these first episodes of frogs and princesses.

With that, here are the frogs and princesses from last night:

Paul Stafford, a park attendant who they showed picking up trash at work, looked like a real-life Dilbert, and he sang just like you would expect him to. Next.

Beth, a singing waitress who was borderline obsessed with Kelly Clarkson, was not as good as you would expect. Simon commented that he couldn’t understand a word Beth was singing, and I completely agree.

Then there was Bruce, who admitted that he, at 19, has never kissed a girl. What’s more, he had some stupid key on a necklace because he’s waiting for the perfect woman to unlock her heart. That sound you just heard is every eligible woman in America running the other way. Still, Bruce sang “Ain’t No Sunshine” and wasn’t all that bad, but not good enough.

There was a student from Austin Continue reading »

American Idol: The Freak Show Resumes

Season 7 of the hit Fox reality show “American Idol” began last night, and it was with the usual stars and freaks that make it to the TV portion of the opening round. The first auditions were held in Philadelphia, so after they went through the usual crap about the Liberty Bell and Brotherly Love, it was on to the performances. And as always with these opening shows, there were highlights and lowlights.

First, the freaks….

“Yuka” sang a Bee Gees song, but before he did said something about how women find him sexy, and that he loves women from their “heads to their nipples.” Are you kidding me? Do I even have to tell you how his performance was?

James Lewis, a Philly tour guide who said his customers encouraged him to audition (note that these were tourists who would likely never see him again), said he was inspired by the likes of Eddie Vedder. So what does he sing? A standard, “Go Down Moses,” which he pretty much sang on one really low note, both literally and figuratively. Paula and Randy could not stop laughing, and neither could I.

Temptress Brown, a 16-year-old with an ailing mom (there are two hours to fill, people!), said she was a football player—a linebacker to be precise, so you know she is not small.
Temptress had an awful voice, and when the judges let her know this, she started crying uncontrollably. Even Simon was sympathetic though, and all three judges hugged Temptress and walked her out to her family.

Mark Hayes, an 18-year-old dude who can simulate cricket noise, attempted “White Christmas,” and then real crickets started chirping.

Then there was Udgeet. Seriously, did anyone named John or Joe or Lisa audition? Anyway, this dude admitted that in his day job at an auto finance company, he incorporated music and fun, doing things like MC Hammer impersonations. So ol’ Udgeet proceeded to sing Sinatra’s “My Way” on one note…seriously. Simon properly told him to go back to his day job.

Alexis Cohen, who they showed to be living in a crappy apartment with her mom and about 12 cats, seemed harmless at first, and then sang Jefferson Airplane’s “Somebody To Love.” Her voice wasn’t horrible, but she was shouting and appeared to be nervous and uncomfortable. Then when she got the bad news, it was like someone flipped a switch, or the producers egged her on, because Alexis went nuts, throwing F-bombs and attempting to moon Simon to the camera…thankfully without actually pulling her pants down.

Milo Turk, a creepy Continue reading »

Road Warriors 40

Country mega-stars Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood will hit the road together as co-headliners beginning January 31 for 24 shows. The tour is being billed as Love, Pain, & the Whole Crazy Carnival Ride Tour (really now, why do these concert promoters think they have to try and be clever?). Tickets go on sale December 1.

Southern California based indie label Hopeless/Sub City Records is organizing the Take Action Tour, which focuses on raising funds and awareness for non-profit organizations. The seventh annual tour will begin in February and features bands such as Every Time I Die and Escape The Fate. Previous artists on the tour include Avenged Sevenfold, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus and Jimmy Eat World. For a complete list of dates, please visit www.takeactiontour.com

Matchbox Twenty is touring for the first time in four years, heading out with special guests Alanis Morissette and MuteMath beginning January 25 in Hollywood, Florida in support of their new album, Exile on Mainstream. The stops include a Valentine’s Day engagement at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Here is the complete list of confirmed shows Continue reading »

Road Warriors 35

MtvU, MTV’s college network, has given students an up close look at artists such as Beck, Death Cab for Cutie, Gym Class Heroes, TV on the Radio, Saul Williams and more. Now, on the upcoming mtvU Woodie Awards, performers include Amy Winehouse, The Academy Is…and Spank Rock. The event takes place on November 8 at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City, and premiers simultaneously on mtvU and mtvU.com on November 15.

Country mega star Carrie Underwood is set to release her new album, Carnival Ride, on October 23 and will perform on Good Morning America that day. Her previous album, Some Hearts, is the number one selling country album this year so far as well.

With Sting developing a throat infection, probably from yelling at his band mates, The Police were forced to cancel two shows last week in Belgium and Germany. After resuming tomorrow in Dusseldorf, the band will hit the UK and then head to Latin America, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

Blondie singer Deborah Harry will be touring in support of her new album, Necessary Evil, beginning November 8 in New York City. Here are the confirmed Continue reading »

Road Warriors 31

Meg White of the White Stripes is suffering from “acute anxiety,” prompting the band to cancel its upcoming US tour that was set to begin this week. Refunds are available at points of purchase. So far, the Stripes are still planning to tour the UK beginning October 24.

Word is that this year’s American Idol tour of the top 10 finalists didn’t do so well. Maybe it was the cost of concert tickets, or maybe it was the declining interest in the show as a whole. But the fact is, this show keeps pumping new pop artists into the system like no other medium. A few of the more popular alumni from the show are now in the early stages of planning a spring 2008 tour: Season 2 champ Ruben Studdard, as well as Clay Aiken and Kimberley Locke.

After winning the VMA for Best Group, Fall Out Boy is planning some intimate shows to give back to their fans. Since the shows are unannounced, we have no information to announce, but that’s the beauty of events like this. Bassist Pete Wentz says that the shows will be in some small venues, and will be primarily acoustic versions of FOB songs as well as some covers.

After being on the road for two years, The Fray are taking a break and recharging their batteries. Plans are in place to tour Europe in the fall, and the band is also working on their next album.

After postponing a bunch of tour dates this fall because they wanted to finish recording, The Cure has announced it will head back to the US in the spring of 2008 beginning May 9 in Washington DC. Tickets for the postponed dates will be honored for the newly scheduled shows. In addition, shows were added to the tour including stops in Kansas City, Phoenix, Austin, Fort Lauderdale and Cleveland.

The concert to raise funs for a Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial at the National Mall in Washington DC this coming Tuesday has added a few more high profile artists: Ludacris, Talib Kweli, and Wyclef Jean. Among the other acts already confirmed are John Legend, Robin Thicke, Stevie Wonder and Joss Stone.

Another band foregoing a US tour to work on new material is the Kaiser Chiefs, who will still be playing their New York and Austin shows but canceling the dates in between. Here is the updated Continue reading »

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