Fashion Rock

Face it...there is an electric chemistry that will forever bind Rock and Fashion together. For the most part this is a very good thing. For generations the two have constantly inspired brilliance in each other.

However, things have gotten out of control. What the fuck has our generation been thinking lately? There are so many hack bands out there simply known for unique fashion sense...and lord knows this artistic expression of shite has only been aided by mundane and out-of-touch designers grasping at the straws of inspiration.

According to pulse-fingering guru and contributing editor at GQ, Alex Pappademus, the number of violators is getting out of hand. Its about time we called out the top offenders and here are his top 5 (I absolutely agree with 4 of the 5...but that's why I'm not an editor at GQ).

1. Pete Doherty/Babyshambles
With the Libertines, he was half a genius; solo, he's a gifted substance abuser with a songwriting problem. The fact that this mope isn't warbling his tuneless shooting-gallery ballads from the pokey right now is proof that Britain's infamous "374 Strikes And You're Out" law just does not work.

2. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Pure snarling rock-and-roll attitude. As for the music—um, did we mention their pure, snarling rock-and-roll attitude?

3. The Kooks
Bitter, nonsensical 2006 feud with fellow runway-music favorites Razorlight should be cited on Wikipedia page for "narcissism of minor difference."

4. The Gossip
Never mind the ongoing debate over whether the fashion world's appropriation/assimilation of 225-pound Gossip singer Beth Ditto as a muse was a creepy self-congratulatory stunt—See? Fashion is for everyone, even this hideous food-eating monster!—or a courageous assault on fattism—last year's Music For Men was a limp dance-rock bummer. Next time, more basement, less after-party.

5. Pharrell Williams
In your heart, you know it's true.

So that's the worst of the worst as of today. Who will be our top offender next week? I welcome any predictions here on Automated Man's Blog.

I'll leave you with an about-damn-time quip of insight from Pappademus:

Oh, and hey, Chris Brown? You looked pretty sharp at the shows, dude. But we don't care. Looking sharp doesn't buy you redemption. You beat up your girlfriend. Game over. It doesn't matter if your publicist can still get your name on a guest list. You're fired from the job of being a famous person. Please stop showing up for work. Go home and think about your mistakes. Forever.

In Exile

You know that feeling when you hear a catchy song and it gets stuck in your head and no matter what you do you can't seem to get the tune to stop playing in your mind? Well, I've had that feeling about Thrice's new song "In Exile" of their latest album Beggars since the day it was released, November 24th. Yep, that means I've had the same song stuck in my head for almost 50 DAYS.

I'd like to quote Brian Fantana here:

"It's made with bits of real panther, so you know it's good."

Except that the "panther" would have to be replaced with something like "total-fucking-rock-god-awesomeness".

Take a gander here:

(Automated Man not responsible if song gets stuck in your head)

Top Punk Albums of 2009

Yes, its that time again folks...the time for "best of" lists.

This one comes to us from the fine editors of Punk News. They are compiled a list of the best 20 albums of 2009 based entirely on numbers of votes and giving preferential treatment to none! I'll list the top 5 here on Automated Man but you'll have to head on over to Punk News for the official top 20.

There are some new faces on this list so give em a listen.

5. Converge: Axe To Fall

4. The Thermals: Now We Can See

3. The Pains of Being Pure At Heart: The Pains of Being Pure At Heart

2. Bomb The Music Industry!: Scrambles

1. The Sidekicks: Weight of Air

Merry Xmas from Dustin Kensrue

Thrice is a badass band (period). I won't take any lip from those of you that disagree. They are an icon of musical innovation and excellence.

Frontman Dustin Kensrue has launched a solo project and just released a Christmas album titled This Good Night Is Still Everywhere. Here is his song "This Is War" and a video interview explaining what the song means to him.

New Strung Out Video

Where has Strung Out been lately? Busy damnit!

They have just released the new video for "Carcrashradio" from their 2009 album, Agents of the Underground.

Rise Against

The U.S. gets an exclusive perk from Rise Against...finally!

The band has just released a new cut of their video "Savior" that is only available in the USA.

According to the band:

We received so much great feedback from our last music video, "Savior", so we decided to compile another version of the video for everyone to check out. This one is focused more on the performance ( i.e; us trashing equipment). Enjoy.

For your viewing pleasure:


Savior

Rise Against | MySpace Music Videos

Silent Rock

Fuck "silent disco". These boys don't disco. They only rock.

I love this ad.

"Sublime" Just Ain't the Same

The latest news in the on-going Sublime controversy is that on November 3, 2009 a Los Angeles judge officially blocked the use of the name 'Sublime' by surviving bandmembers Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh. So scratch any plans you had to catch them in concert this summer.

Man this sucks! If you ask me, 2 out of 3 ain't bad. Listen to any of the posthumous releases or performances by the Long Beach Dub All Stars I think you'll agree that the music has stayed true to the Sublime "way". They have carried on the Bradley's message and honored his memory every step of the "way". Regardless...

According to the Nowell family, original front-man Bradley Nowell had registered the 'Sublime' trademark under his own name prior to his death in 1996. And as part of the preliminary injunction the new lineup will be unable to perform or record under the name 'Sublime' without approval and permission from the Nowell estate.

Back on August 31st, 2009 it was announced that the remaining bandmembers (Eric and Bud) would reunite, featuring a new front man, Rome Ramirez, and would be playing Cypress Hill's Smokeout Festival on October 24th in San Bernardino, CA. It seemed that once again Sublime's message of peace and love would be brought to the ears of dedicated fans across the world!

However, the Knowell family and executors of Bradley's estate threatened Wilson, Gaugh and Rome with a lawsuit if the band used the name 'Sublime'.

It was recently announced that Sublime bassist Eric Wilson and Sublime drummer Floyd 'Bud' Gaugh are 'reuniting' and teaming with singer and guitarist Rome Ramirez in a band they intend to call 'Sublime.' Prior to his untimely passing, both Bud and Eric acknowledged that Brad Nowell was the sole owner of the name Sublime. It was Brad's expressed intention that no one use the name Sublime in any group that did not include him, and Brad even registered the trademark 'Sublime' under his own name. As Brad's heirs, and with the support of his entire family, we only want to respect his wishes and therefore have not consented to Bud and Eric calling their new project 'Sublime.'

The band responded to the lawsuit by saying:

On behalf of the band Sublime, founding members Bud Gaugh and Eric Wilson are thrilled by the opportunity to reconnect with their fans around the world. While we all mourn the passing of our brother and bandmate Bradley Nowell some thirteen years ago, Sublime still has a strong message of hope and love to share — a message that is especially important in these difficult times. Brad's heirs apparently do not share this vision and do not want the band Sublime to continue.

We urge everyone to join us in our message of peace and love, and we look forward to sharing the music we created — the music that defines us.

Who knows what this ruling will do to the band (or at least its name). But one thing remains clear, the band will continue to play and spread peace and love through music.

I salute Sublime and all their fans! Check out my favorite tune here: