Billboard Launches Social 50 Chart

Billboard just launched a new chart which ranks artists based on their social network popularity. The rankings are based on friends/fans/followers, page views and song plays from MySpace, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and iLike.

Overall, I like the idea of a social chart since that clearly plays a large part in the success of an artist these days. My issue with it is that it's fairly easy to game the system and artificially boost any of the numbers which the rankings are based on. I just don't know how accurate they can keep this chart. 

Link:

Billboard Social 50

SNL Parodies ICP's Gathering Of The Juggalos

This is one of the funniest skits SNL as produced in years.

Original:

Microsoft Songsmith: Worst Ad EVER!

Who in the fuck came up with this gem? The dude who made all those company training videos in the 80's? First of all this program is shit based on the music in the commercial. Second these fucking people in the ad... fuck!

If Microsoft's goal is to make me want to blow my fucking head off with a shotgun then mission accomplished. Jesus H, really? Dudes if this shit is the best you can do it's time to pack it up. I fucking hate Macs but you kinda just convinced me to switch over.

I truly hope this is a joke.

BandToBand.com = My Favorite Site

I was recently introduced to an awesome website called BandToBand.com. It basically creates a family tree connecting bands via members. It's kinda crazy seeing some of these connections. For example The Bee Gees are only 8 bands removed from Slayer. Which means someone in Slayer played someone, who played with someone (and so on) that was in the Bee Gees. How fucking awesome is that? Nile is only 9 bands removed from Muddy Waters. Buddy Holly is only 9 removed from Integrity!

Shit is crazy... and fun! It also shows you the linking band member and the album they shared. It's cool because there's all types of random ass bands that had some pretty major dudes in them that I never heard of until this site. So yeah, it's also great if you want to know what weird ass side project shit Jello Biafra or Dwid has going on.

Link:
BandToBand

Vineland Music Guide

I just wanted to let you all know that I started a new blog, it's called Vineland Music Guide. The reason I started it is because of the Vineland Festival. I figured now that Vineland is on the musical map and I happen to be from Vineland it makes sense I exploit the situation. Right? Anyway, I'm getting some of my fellow Vinelanders on board to contribute content, so it'll get better. But for now bookmark the page, add it to your feeds, do the del.icio.us and Digg thing and whatever else helps.

Link:
Vineland Music Guide

Former Victory Employee Reveals All

Tony from Victory is world renowned for being one of the most down and out dirtiest dudes in the record business. Everyone knows this about him who works in the biz on any level. He fucks bands over on a level that makes the major labels look like saints. But it wasn't until this very awesome blog post by a former employee that we knew just how bad this guy really is. It's very long so make sure you have some free time, I'm only halfway through. Seriously though you gotta read this, especially if you're in band.

Royalties were payable quarterly and, before each quarter ended, I’d get the amounts, totaling into millions of dollars, that were to be dumped into bogus marketing programs to prevent the band from getting a royalty. It was nothing short of malicious. “Fuck those guys, they’re not entitled to that money,” was his quarterly lament.

Link:
Area 43 - Victory

Gogol Bordello 2 New Songs + Pre-Sale

Gogol Bordello has posted two new songs on their SideOneDummy homepage, take a listen here. I think they're fucking awesome but I'm partially obsessed with this band so listen and judge for yourself.

You can also pre-order the new album here. With your purchase you will also receive a t-shirt.

And finally Gogol Bordello are playing two shows in NYC on July 20th and 21st. Best of luck actually getting tickets.

Bonus MP3:
Not A Crime - Gogol Bordello

High On Noise

Lots of stupid bands make stupid claims that their stupid music will get you off. But according to this report some noise can actually get you high...man. Kids all over the country are buying CD's on the internet that are supposed to get you stoned. Each track is supposed to have a different effect - weed, mushrooms, acid, etc. The CD costs $20 and comes unmarked, which I assume make it seem dangerous. Have kids gotten this fucking dumb? I guess it's good in a way - listening to "Heroin" is better then shooting heroin I suppose.

Link:
Audio High

Rolling Stone Launching Social Network

According to TechCrunch Rolling Stone magazine will be launching a social network site. Somebody get these boys a late pass.

Link:
RS Social Network

33 1/3: The Next Batch

You know those little books about albums called 33 1/3? Well they have announced the next batch and there are some good ones in there. Oh, but you're going to have to wait a year or two until they hit the stands. I really want to check out the 36 Chambers book!

Black Sabbath: Master of Reality - John Darnielle
Wu-Tang Clan: Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) - S.H. Fernando, Jr.
Funkadelic: Maggot Brain - by Matt Rogers
Slayer: Reign in Blood - DX Ferris
Public Enemy: It Takes a Nation of Millions... - Christopher R. Weingarten
Van Dyke Parks: Song Cycle - Richard Henderson
Weezer: Pinkerton - Jessica Suarez
Tori Amos: Boys for Pele - Elizabeth Merrick
Fleetwood Mac: Tusk - Rob Trucks
Nas: Illmatic - Matthew Gasteier
The Pogues: Rum, Sodomy & the Lash - Jeffery Roesgen
Wire: Pink Flag - Wilson Neate
Big Star: Radio City - Bruce Eaton
Pavement: Wowee Zowee - Bryan Charles
Madness: One Step Beyond - Terry Edwards
Israel Kamakawiwo'ole: Facing Future - Dan Kois
Afghan Whigs: Gentlemen - Bob Gendron
Flying Burrito Brothers: Gilded Palace of Sin - Bob Proehl
Elliott Smith: XO - Matthew LeMay
Outkast: Aquemini - Nick Weidenfeld and Michael Schmelling
The Flaming Lips: Zaireeka - Mark Richardson