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Photo Gallery: Imagine Dragons with Jacob Banks at Toronto’s Budweiser Stage
My Next Read: “TransElectric: My Life As A Cosmic Rock Star” By Cidny Bullens
rom the depths of the ’70s rock ‘n’ roll excesses through unimaginable personal losses to an inspiring late-life transformation, Cidny Bullens’s story is an utterly compelling journey about living and singing with your authentic voice.
An androgynous gender-bending musician from the get-go, Bullens toured extensively with Sir Elton John and performed with Bob Dylan, undergoing a complete immersion in the drug-fueled excesses of 1970s rock ‘n’ roll. Despite getting sober, climbing the charts with the Grammy-nominated Survivor, as well as a Grammy nomination for his lead vocals in the soundtrack for the movie Grease, Bullens was unable to break out as a solo star in a world that allowed its artists to cross the gender line, but had much more narrow expectations about how women could behave and perform.
Retreating into the conventional lifestyle of a suburban mom, Bullens felt like she was living in an alternate universe. Then whatever world she had was shattered by the tragic death of her younger daughter from cancer. Out of the ashes of despair, Bullens brought forth an award-winning album, Somewhere Between Heaven and Earth, that relaunched the musician’s career.
Finally, nine years ago, Cidny claimed his own healing and transitioned from female to male—finding unexpected love, becoming a new stepfather and a grandfather.
What he found, too, was his true voice and true power as a performer.
My Next Read: “We’re Not Here to Entertain – Punk Rock, Ronald Reagan, and the Real Culture War of 1980s America” By Kevin Mattson
Many remember the 1980s as the era of Ronald Reagan, a conservative decade populated by preppies and yuppies dancing to a soundtrack of electronic synth pop music. In some ways, it was the “MTV generation.” However, the decade also produced some of the most creative works of punk culture, from the music of bands like the Minutemen and the Dead Kennedys to avant-garde visual arts, literature, poetry, and film. In We’re Not Here to Entertain, Kevin Mattson documents what Kurt Cobain once called a “punk rock world” – the all-encompassing hardcore-indie culture that incubated his own talent. Mattson shows just how widespread the movement became – ranging across the nation, from D.C. through Ohio and Minnesota to LA – and how democratic it was due to its commitment to Do-It-Yourself (DIY) tactics. Throughout, Mattson puts the movement into a wider context, locating it in a culture war that pitted a blossoming punk scene against the new president. Reagan’s talk about end days and nuclear warfare generated panic; his tax cuts for the rich and simultaneous slashing of school lunch program funding made punks, who saw themselves as underdogs, seethe at his meanness. The anger went deep, since punks saw Reagan as the country’s entertainer-in-chief; his career, from radio to Hollywood and television, synched to the very world punks rejected. Through deep archival research, Mattson reignites the heated debates that punk’s opposition generated in that era-about everything from “straight edge” ethics to anarchism to the art of dissent. By reconstructing the world of punk, Mattson demonstrates that it was more than just a style of purple hair and torn jeans. In so doing, he reminds readers of punk’s importance and its challenge to simplistic assumptions about the 1980s as a one-dimensional, conservative epoch.
Green Day Announce Massive ‘American Idiot’ 20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition Out October 25, 2024
Exactly two decades ago, five-time GRAMMY® Award-winning band Green Day forever changed punk rock and popular culture with their conceptual magnum opus, American Idiot. Commemorating the GRAMMY® Award-winning record’s 20TH birthday this year, the California trio proudly present the definitive American Idiot 20TH Anniversary Deluxe Edition out October 25, 2024. They have assembled massive Limited Edition Super Deluxe Box Sets available in 8-LP Vinyl and 4-CD configurations. Each box set also contains two Blu-ray discs. Also released October 25th will be a limited edition color vinyl of the original 2-LP album, plus an audiophile “One-Step” release of American Idiot. The first three tracks – which include an unreleased demo of “Holiday/Boulevard of Broken Dreams (Demo),” the fan favorite B-side “Favorite Son,” and “Minority (Live from Irving Plaza)” – are available on all streaming platforms now.
Pre-order/Pre-save American Idiot 20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition HERE.
Formed in 1986 in Berkeley, CA, Green Day is one of the world’s best-selling bands of all time, with more than 75 million records sold worldwide and 10 billion cumulative audio/visual streams. The five-time Grammy Award-winning Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees released their breakout album Dookie in 1994, which sold over 10 million and achieved 10x Platinum Diamond status, is widely credited with popularizing and reviving mainstream interest in punk rock, catapulting a career-long run of #1 hit singles. Entertainment Weekly calls Green Day, “The most influential band of their generation,” while Rolling Stone attests, “Green Day have inspired more young bands to start than any act this side of Kiss, and that doesn’t seem to be changing.” In 2004, Green Day released the rock opera American Idiot which captured the nation’s attention, selling more than 8 million copies in the U.S. alone and taking home the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album. Mojo declared “It’s exhilarating stuff, the kind of record that sets new parameters as to what is possible from a punk rock’n’roll band in the 21st century.” In 2010, a stage adaptation of American Idiot debuted on Broadway to critical and commercial acclaim. Released in 2020, Green Day’s thirteenth studio album Father Of All… debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Album Sales Chart and #1 in both the U.K. and Australia. Pitchfork declared, “Green Day’s most fetching and youthful songs in ages. The trio sounds reinvigorated, more like hungry newcomers staking their claim.” In July 2021, Green Day embarked on The Hella Mega Tour (w/ Fall Out Boy & Weezer). The global tour included 29 sold-out stadium gigs – including renowned venues like London Stadium and Los Angeles’ Dodger Stadium. On January 19, ‘24, the band released their highly anticipated 14th studio album, Saviors, which includes hit singles, “The American Dream Is Killing Me,” which reached #1 on Billboard Rock & Alternative Airplay, and “Dilemma.” The album debuted at #1 on seven different Billboard charts and marked their fifth #1 in the UK. Saviors received widespread critical praise, with Rolling Stone describing it as “huge songs and snotty satire for a world on fire,” while The New York Times hailed it as “a decisive, even overdetermined return to form.” The New Yorker summed it up best with “It’s Green Day’s world now.” Green Day is currently on their massive global stadium tour – The Saviors Tour – where they play Dookie and American Idiot in their entirety, along with other Saviors cuts and fan favorites. The tour will conclude on September 28 at Petco Park in San Diego.
Both of these limited-edition Super Deluxe Box Sets feature the Original Album as well as a plethora of essential extras. Among many highlights, this treasure trove consists of 15 unreleased American Idiot demos, a rapturous 15-track 2004 concert recorded at Irving Plaza in New York City capped off by 9 previously unreleased live recordings (including a cover of Queen’s “We Are The Champions”), and 14 songs previously available only as B-Sides and bonus tracks. Plus, it showcases two Blu-Ray Discs, comprising the film Heart Like A Hand Grenade, BBC: Top of the Pops “Mini Gig” and Later with Jools Holland, and finally the brand new, 110-minute, documentary, 20 Years of American Idiot. New liner notes penned by Rob Cavallo and Rolling Stone’s David Fricke complete the package.
In the Vinyl Box Set, each LP has been pressed on its own unique color vinyl. The collection also houses a 36-page book, a large Green Day flag, and the iconic American Idiot red tie. If you purchase via D2C, you will also receive a poster. Meanwhile, the CD Box Set boasts a 48-page book, enamel pin set, sticker sheet, and cloth patch.
Produced by Rob Cavallo and the band, American Idiot represented a turning point for not only Green Day, but rock music in the 21st century. Following its release on September 21, 2004, it crash landed at #1 on the Billboard 200 and eventually moved north of 23 million copies globally—with 9 million in the United States alone. It garnered a 2005 GRAMMY® Award in the category of “Best Rock Album.” It even inspired a Broadway musical of the same name, receiving two Tony® Awards and a GRAMMY® Award.
Powered by smashes “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” “Holiday,” “Wake Me Up When September Ends,” “Jesus of Suburbia,” and “American Idiot,” it has emerged as a commercial and critical high watermark for the group. It has graced dozens of “Best-Of” lists, including Rolling Stone’s coveted “500 Greatest Albums of All Time” and “The 100 Greatest Albums of the Decade,” NPR’s “The Decade’s 50 Most Important Recordings,” Entertainment Weekly’s “New Classics: The 100 Best Albums from 1983 to 2008,” and NME’s “The Top 100 Albums of the Decade.” Not to mention, Pitchfork hailed it as “the band’s most ambitious record to date,” going on to attest, “there’s something to be said for having the balls.”
Nothing would be the same after American Idiot. The revolutionary implications of this punk rock opera masterpiece continue to reverberate from one generation to the next—and that influence shows no signs of diminishing. If anything, it’s only growing.
This is Green Day at their most provocative, politically charged, passionate, powerful, and punk.
This is American Idiot.
GREEN DAY – AMERICAN IDIOT
CD 1 / LP 1 & 2 (original album)
American Idiot
Jesus of Suburbia
City of the Damned
I Don’t Care
Dearly Beloved
Tales of Another Broken Home
Holiday
Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Are We the Waiting
St. Jimmy
Give Me Novacaine
She’s A Rebel
Extraordinary Girl
Letterbomb
Wake Me Up When September Ends
Homecoming
The Death of St. Jimmy
East 12th St.
Nobody Likes You
Rock and Roll Girlfriend
We’re Coming Home Again
Whatsername
CD 2 / LP 3 & 4 (B-Sides & Bonus Tracks – previously released)
American Idiot (Live)
Jesus of Suburbia (Live)
Jesus of Suburbia
City of the Damned
I Don’t Care
Dearly Beloved
Tales of Another Broken Home
Holiday (Live)
Are We the Waiting (Live)
St. Jimmy (Live)
Boulevard of Broken Dreams (Live)
Favorite Son
Shoplifter
Governator
Too Much Too Soon
Are the Waiting (VH1-Storytellers)
St. Jimmy (VH1-Storytellers)
Give Me Novacaine (VH1-Storytellers)
Homecoming (VH1-Storytellers)
CD 3 / LP 5 & 6 (Demos)
American Idiot
American Idiot (Alt. Version)
Jesus of Suburbia
Holiday/Blvd. Of Broken Dreams
Are We We Are/St. Jimmy Opera
Novacaine
She’s A Rebel
Radio Baghdad
Cluster Bomb
Wake Me Up When September Ends
Homecoming (Nobody Likes You)
Everyone’s Breaking Down
Just Another Year
Lowlife
What’s Her Name
CD 4 / LP 7 & 8 (Live Irving Plaza, NYC, Sept 21 ’04)
American Idiot (Live)
Jesus of Suburbia (Live)
Holiday (Live)
Boulevard of Broken Dreams (Live)
Are We the Waiting (Live)
St. Jimmy (Live)
Give Me Novacaine (Live)
She’s A Rebel (Live)
Extraordinary Girl (Live)
Letterbomb (Live)
Wake Me Up When September Ends (Live)
Homecoming (Live)
Whatsername (Live)
Minority (Live)
We Are The Champions (Live)
Blu-Ray 1
Heart Like A Hand Grenade
Blu-Ray 2
20 Years of American Idiot (New Documentary)
BBC Live
St. Jimmy (Live)
Give Me Novacaine (Live)
She’s A Rebel (Live)
Welcome To Paradise (Live)
Wake Me Up When September Ends (Live)
Jesus of Suburbia (Live)
American Idiot (Live in Studio)
Boulevard of Broken Dreams (Live in Studio)
Ariana Grande Hits a High Note While Eating Spicy Wings On Hot Ones
Ariana Grande is a Grammy Award–winning singer-songwriter and pop-music icon with a pair of momentous projects in 2024: Her seventh studio album, eternal sunshine, debuted at #1 on the Billboard charts, and later this year you can catch her as Glinda in the film-adaptation of the Broadway hit Wicked, set to release in theaters on November 22th. But how is she with spicy food? Find out as Ari takes on the wings of death and discusses Max Martin-produced smashes, her philosophy on leaks, and the art of a good vocal warmup.
The Tragically Hip Documentary “No Dress Rehearsal” Trailer Is Out Now
Prime Video today released the official key art and trailer for the upcoming four-part docuseries The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal, an intimate and unvarnished look at the extraordinary 40-year journey of Canada’s most beloved rock band. Directed by Mike Downie, the four-part series chronicles the triumphs, trials and deep bonds of brotherhood that defined The Tragically Hip‘s rise from basement shows to arena rock legends. The docuseries will have its world premiere at TIFF before screening at film festivals nationwide. The Prime Video launch date will be shared at a later date.
“We’re thrilled to premiere the incredible story of The Tragically Hip at this year’s TIFF. It will be a powerful and memorable event,” said Mike Downie. “This project is a labour of love, with personal and unseen footage from the band’s 40-year history. We set out to understand what held the band together, what pushed them apart and how they captured the hearts and minds of so many fans both in Canada and around the world.”
“The Tragically Hip’s music continues to be the soundtrack for generations of Canadians,” said Shaun Alperin, head of content, Prime Video, Canada. “This docuseries offers fans an unprecedented window into the band’s iconic career and the deep kinship they forged with an entire nation through their poetic lyrics and electrifying performances — from director Mike Downie who was there for every moment.”
The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal is a love story between a band and the country they call home. With never before seen personal and archival footage, the Canadian rock’n’roll legends share the story of their unique, complicated and wildly successful musical brotherhood. Forty years of hits and misses, friendship and frustration, triumph and tragedy, the docuseries features unseen performances, unreleased music and unprecedented access to The Hip.
From their hometown of Kingston, ON, Rob Baker, Gord Downie, Johnny Fay, Paul Langlois and Gord Sinclair skyrocketed to fame as The Tragically Hip with their signature blend of rock anthems and poetic lyricism. Over their storied career, the band released 14 studio albums, 9 of which hit #1 in Canada, won 17 Juno Awards, and were inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and received a star on Canada’s Walk Of Fame. Their 2016 cross-Canada tour, undertaken after Downie’s terminal cancer diagnosis, was a cultural phenomenon watched by millions.
The Tragically Hip has been at the heart of the Canadian musical zeitgeist, evoking a strong emotional connection between their music and their fans that remains unrivalled. A five-piece group of friends including Rob Baker (guitar), Gord Downie (vocals, guitar), Johnny Fay (drums), Paul Langlois (guitar) and Gord Sinclair (bass), who grew up in Kingston, Ontario, The Tragically Hip have achieved both mass popularity with more than 12 million albums in Canada and over 2 million sold in the U.S, as well as peer recognition through 17 Juno Awards – picking up the distinguished Humanitarian Award in 2021 at the 50th annual JUNO Awards, which recognizes Canadian artists or industry leaders whose humanitarian contributions have positively enhanced the social fabric of Canada and beyond. In 2022, they were inducted into Canada’s Walk Of Fame for Humanitarianism in pursuit of social and environmental justice. They had previously received a star on the Walk Of Fame in 2002 for Arts & Entertainment. Most recently, the band along with their manager, Jake Gold, received the War Child Canada Founder’s Award celebrating over 20 years of support for the global humanitarian organization. The Tragically Hip’s tireless activism and philanthropic pursuits have raised millions of dollars for multiple social and environmental causes, such as Camp Trillium, the Canadian Cancer Society, the Sunnybrook Foundation, WAR Child, the Special Olympics, and the Unison Benevolent Fund. Their studio catalogue includes their self-titled debut album The Tragically Hip (1987), Up To Here (1989), Road Apples (1991), Fully Completely (1992), Day For Night (1994), Trouble At The Henhouse (1996), Phantom Power (1998), Music @ Work (2000), In Violet Light (2002), In Between Evolution (2004), World Container (2006), We Are The Same (2009), Now For Plan A (2012), Man Machine Poem (2016) and Saskadelphia (2021). A National Celebration was the final show of The Tragically Hip’s Man Machine Poem Tour recorded on August 20th, 2016, at the K-Rock Centre in their hometown of Kingston, Ontario, and is their last performance as a five-piece band. Through their career the band became a cultural touchstone in Canada, who despite their accolades and numerous recognitions, will always be proudest of the humanitarian work they have done over the years through numerous charitable organizations and causes. The legacy of the band’s frontman, the late Gord Downie, continues with The Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund, which aims to build cultural understanding and create a path toward reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal is produced by Courage Films with support from Ontario Creates and the Government of Canada. The docuseries is directed and produced by Mike Downie and executive produced by Jake Gold.
The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal joins the slate of Canadian Amazon Original series and films including TIFF 2023 People’s Choice Documentary Award and Canadian Screen Award-winner Mr. Dressup: The Magic of Make-Believe, Luxe Listings: Toronto, LOL: Qui rira le dernier?, Pour un Soir Seulement, Nuit Blanche, L’ultime gala, Three Pines, Chosen One: Alexandre Daigle, Saving Sakic, All or Nothing: Toronto Maple Leafs, The Kids in the Hall, The Lake, LOL: Last One Laughing Canada, The Unsolved Murder of Beverly Lynn Smith and the upcoming series The Sticky and Elisabeth Rioux: sans filtre.
These series will join Prime Monday Night Hockey, which will stream all national regular season Monday night NHL games in English for the 2024/25 and 2025/26 NHL seasons, and the thousands of TV shows and movies from Hollywood and around the world in the Prime Video catalogue, including award-winning and critically acclaimed Amazon Originals The Boys, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Fallout, Reacher, and I Am: Celine Dion. Prime members in Canada enjoy savings, convenience, and entertainment, all in a single membership, for just $9.99/month or the best value of $99.99/year.
The Essential Guide to DJ Event Insurance
By Mitch Rice
When it comes to hosting an unforgettable event, a skilled DJ is often at the center of the action. Whether it’s a wedding, corporate event, or private party, the DJ sets the tone and keeps the energy alive.
However, with great responsibility comes potential risks. This is where DJ event insurance comes into play. In this guide, they’ll walk you through everything you need to know about insurance for DJs, ensuring you’re fully prepared for any eventuality.
Understanding Disc Jockey Insurance
Understanding DJ event insurance is crucial for anyone in the business. This type of insurance helps protect DJs from risks that can happen while working. It covers things like equipment damage, accidents, and even cancelations.
DJ event insurance is a specialized policy designed to protect DJs and event organizers from potential liabilities and damages during events. Having this insurance allows DJs to focus on their performance. Knowing they are protected can ease their minds and help them enjoy their job more.
Types of DJ Event Insurance Coverage
There are several types of coverage available for DJs. The most common is liability insurance. This helps protect DJs from claims made by third parties for injuries or damages during an event.
Another important type is equipment insurance. This covers damage or theft of your gear. It ensures you can replace or repair your equipment without a huge financial burden.
Cancelation insurance is also available for DJs. This coverage protects against financial losses if an event gets canceled or postponed due to unforeseen circumstances, such as extreme weather or the illness of a key participant.
Choose the Right DJ Event Insurance Policy
When it comes to choosing the right DJ event insurance policy, it’s essential to consider your specific needs and risks. Different policies offer varying levels of coverage and limits. So it’s important to carefully review what each one covers.
It’s also crucial to consider the reputation and reliability of the insurance provider. Look for companies that have experience in providing event insurance.
They should have good online reviews from previous clients. Additionally, make sure you thoroughly understand the terms and conditions of your policy before signing.
When Does A DJ Need Insurance?
A DJ needs insurance when they are booked for an event. This includes weddings, parties, and corporate events. Accidents can happen, and having insurance protects against unexpected costs.
Insurance is also important for equipment protection. If the gear gets damaged or stolen, insurance can help pay for repairs or replacements. And for those looking to hire excellent DJs for a wedding, you can find a wedding DJ here. They have the necessary insurance to provide a worry-free experience.
Secure Your Sound: The Importance of DJ Event Insurance
In conclusion, having DJ event insurance is essential for every DJ. It protects against risks and unexpected events that could cause financial loss. With the right insurance, DJs can focus on their performance without worry.
Knowing that you have coverage for equipment and liability allows you to perform with confidence. Don’t underestimate the importance of this insurance. Secure your sound and enjoy your events fully with peace of mind, thanks to DJ event insurance.
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Data and information are provided for informational purposes only, and are not intended for investment or other purposes.
My Next Read: “The Oral History of Guitar Hero, Rock Band and the Music Game Boom” By Blake Hester
The Oral History of Guitar Hero, Rock Band and the Music Game Boom is the definitive story of a game that, entirely fittingly, lived fast and died young. Building upon Blake Hester’s celebrated 2021 history of Guitar Hero for Vice, it widens its gaze to cover the evolution of the Rock Band series, from its first tentative press of the red fret button to its insane overblown crescendo of songs, hype and impossible-to-pack-into-the-loft plastic peripherals.
The book – a stunning package featuring die-cut tabbed pages and an amplifier-esque textured slipcase – draws on hours of first-hand interviews collected over years of research to tell the full inside story. Designers and developers including Ryan Lesser, Rob Kay, Greg LoPiccolo and Harmonix co-founder Alex Rigopulos recall the rollercoaster ride of the music games boom in this must-have book for everyone who remembers the buzz of nailing that first perfect five-button guitar solo. It’s videogame history turned up to 11.
U.S. Postal Service Commemorates 50th Anniversary Of Dungeons & Dragons With Set Of 10 Stamps
At the Gen Con Indy 2024 gaming convention, the Postal Service celebrated 50 years of DUNGEONS & DRAGONS by releasing a sheet of 20 new stamps now available nationwide.
