The Lonely Island's new LP The Wack Album will be out on June 11th, and to stir up buzz, Andy Samberg's comedy crew has started Wack Wednesdays, a YouTube series that will feature new music and videos leading up to the release of the record.

Zach Galifianakis leads the first episode, hosting his offbeat fictional talk show Between Two Ferns with James Franco as his guest. Galifianakis chats up Franco, botching the title to Oz the Great and Powerful, making wild assumptions about 127 Hours and discussing the Spring Breakers star's "sausage." The show also has a special musical guest; none other than the Lonely Island, and the group takes inspiration from Spring Breakers for the expectantly outrageous and boneheaded "Spring Break Anthem."

The Wack Album sports an impressible list of collaborators, including Lady Gaga, Pharrell, Billie Joe Armstrong, Adam Levine, Kendrick Lamar, T-Pain, Solange and Justin Timberlake. The Lonely Island have also booked their very first live show for July 15th at the Aragon Entertainment Center in Chicago. YAY!!!!!! 

Watch, LAUGH, and enjoy. :)

* WARNING: livemusicTO is not responsible or should not be held accountable for any involuntary release of bodily fluid such as urine, after the viewing of this video. 

I knew back when I was a teenager, after being exposed to The Beatles and Led Zeppelin, that I wanted to eventually own their recordings in the medium that they were intended to be listened to. The first record I purchased was a copy of Ray Charles’ Modern Sounds of Country and Western Music (1962), an influential album where the RnB wizard covers popular Country music with lush string arrangements. I got it at a Goodwill for $5. I didn’t even own a turntable.

By the time I got a turntable for my 22nd birthday I already owned a few records. It was just a standard plug and play USB style player. It was a present from my parents, and I threw on John Lennon/Yoko Ono’s Double Fantasy (1980), starting with the classic Lennon solo song “Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)”, a song that was important to my mother when she was younger.

I was hooked. I started spending all my disposable income at my local record stores, to the point where my record collecting girlfriend and I now have over 120 albums in just over two years of collecting. We have everything from Howlin’ Wolf and  Elton John, to Wu-Tang Clan and Foster The People. Record Store Day is for people like us.

It was a last minute idea to go to this event, so on Friday night I went to the RSD official website where all the releases are listed. I made a list of about ten records I would love to pick up. My girlfriend and I got up early Saturday and headed down to Sonic Boom in the Annex, now attached to Honest Ed’s. We managed to get there ten minutes before the store opened at 10AM, where there was already close to 100 people in line.

Store employees came out to check out the line and reminded everyone there was a limit of only one copy of any given record per person. There has been a recent backlash of people buying up rarer (read: popular) pressings and flipping them on eBay for quadruple the retail value.

Even though the people at Sonic Boom with all the room they have could have spread out the records a bit more, it was fairly well organized. All the bulk 45’s were in crates and all the limited edition 45’s were placed on a shelf. The full LPs were in crates along the back wall in their newly reorganized space.

It was chaos with everyone bum-rushing the tables. Except the nice thing about the vinyl culture is that no one was overly aggressive. People would shout out “Anyone see the Cake 45?” and within seconds the record would be passed down the line/mass of people to the requester. Employees were only too kind to point out where specific albums were being stored.

I went in only wanting to spend a bit, but after grabbing everything that was left on my wish list I ended up scoring Mumford and Sons Live at Bull Moose (2013) 10”, The Roots’ Things Fall Apart (1999) LP, Phoenix’s Entertainment (2013) 7”, Biffy Clyro’s (the band who recently opened for Muse at the ACC) Modern Magic Formula (2013) 7” and The Joy Formidable’s A Minute’s Silence (2013) 12” 45 record.

In all, I ended up spending $75. Not bad for my first Record Store Day, where I grabbed everything that looked awesome. CP24 was there with a news truck to film the cash registers dinging with joy. I spent 30 minutes looking for my loot, then another 30 minutes in a line that wrapped around the store.

I spent the day in contact with another vinyl fiend of a friend who hit up several stores including an early start at Sunrise Records at Yonge and Dundas. I was texting aggressively to see if they had the two records I most wanted but wasn’t able to score. A re-issue of The White Stripes’ Elephant (2003). The first record was half dipped in red vinyl, the other half black, while the second record of the double LP set was all white. I had seen pictures and it looked gorgeous. The other record I really wanted was a 7” of the Black Keys and The Stooges both performing the same song “No Fun” on a orange and red sunburst coloured vinyl.

Even though the White Stripes album was only selling for $35, it was being flipped for over $60 by later in the day. Luckily I found the BK/Stooges 7” on sale from NoneSuch Records official site which I purchased.

I had hoped to spend more time at Sonic Boom where they were having live performances by local bands starting at 1PM and finishing up with a headlining performance by Young Mother at 8pm.

I can’t wait for next year's edition to see what is released and what I can score! Part of the fun of record collecting is the unknown. You never know what you are going to get once you start digging.

- by Dakota Arsenault (via livemusicTO's Open Submissions)

- via the Rolling Stone

Now in its sixth year, Record Store Day continues to celebrate independent record stores by offering up a wide assortment of incredible releases for one day only. The latest, set for April 20th, is jam-packed with goodies: artists from Mumford & Sons to David Bowie and MGMT are offering up limited-edition treats. Check out some of our favorites below. 

Astralwerks, Music in 20/20 box set
Since first releasing Amorphous Androgynous' Tales of Ephidrina in 1993, New York indie label Astralwerks has championed some of the electronic scene's most influential albums. To celebrate 20 years in the game, they're dropping a box set full of goodies, including rare cuts on flexi-vinyl from artists including Kraftwerk, Hot Chip, Air and the Kooks. 

David Bowie, "The Stars (Are Out Tonight)/"Where Are We Now?" seven-inch (copies available: 5000)
Thought the Thin White Duke was done offering up new audible treats? Think again: Bowie is releasing a double-sided seven-inch featuring "The Stars (Are Out Tonight)" and "Where Are We Now?," both from his stunning new album, The Next Day. And that's not all: he's also releasing his 1965! EP on vinyl, as well as a "Drive-In Saturday" picture disc.

Elliott Smith, Either/Or Alternate Cuts seven-inch (copies available: 3500)
Shortly before his heavy drinking and drug use began to draw concern from his close friends, the late Elliott Smith released his brilliant third album, Either/Or. The 1997 LP is now revisited on a limited-edition vinyl containing four alternate versions of select tracks.

Grateful Dead, Rare Cuts & Oddities 1966 12-inch double vinyl (copies available: 5000)
Originally recorded in 1966, first released in 2005 and now finding their way onto vinyl, these early studio recordings and live covers find the Dead raw and unencumbered by fame. Check out early takes on eventual live staples including "Good Lovin'," "Not Fade Away" and "Big Railroad Blues."

MGMT, "Alien Days" cassette single (copies available: 2000)
"Alien Days", a bouncy new cut rumored to be included on MGMT's forthcoming new album, has been popping up recently in the synth-pop duo's live sets. Record Store Day will be fans’ first opportunity to hear the song in its recorded form. In typically oddball fashion, the new track arrives on the practically obsolete cassette format, but includes a coupon to download a digital version.

Mumford & Sons, Live at Bull Moose EP, CD and 10-inch vinyl (copies available: CD – 6000, vinyl – 4000)
Those clamoring for more from the Mumfords following their Grammy-winning second effort are in luck: the U.K. folksters are dropping a new four-track EP featuring rowdy live takes on tracks including "I Will Wait" and "Awake My Soul," recorded earlier this year in Maine.

Notorious B.I.G., Ready to Die 12-inch double vinyl (copies available: 2850)
Record Store Day was made for releases like this: Notorious B.I.G.'s legendary debut album has been pressed onto white vinyl, and the double LP includes the "Big Poppa" B-side "Who Shot Ya?" and rarely before-seen cover art of the late emcee.

Pulp, "After You" 12-inch (copies available: 1600)
Last December, Pulp shared a re-recorded version of a previously unreleased 2000-era demo, "After You," later revealing it was produced by LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy. Now a Soulwax remix and dub version of the disco-flavored cut appear on 12-inch vinyl.

R.E.M., Live in Greensboro EP, CD (copies available: 5000)
R.E.M. will reissue its major-label debut Green in a deluxe 25th anniversary two-CD set this May, along with the full live set from the band’s monumental 1989 North Carolina gig on their Green World Tour.  Now you can preview the live set on a five-song EP released exclusively for Record Store Day.

The xx, Jamie xx Edits 12-inch single (copies available: 1600)
Production guru Jamie xx, the sonic mastermind of U.K. minimalists the xx, offers up a double-sided 12-inch remix disc, including alternate takes on the band's Coexist cut "Sunset" and bonus track "Reconsider."

Soundgarden, King Animal Demos, 10-inch (copies available: ?)
Appearing for the first time together, six demos from Soundgarden’s recent comeback album, King Animal, will be pressed onto 10-inch pink vinyl. The grunge gods' limited-edition release also comes with a free digital download card.

Tegan and Sara, Closer Remixed 12-inch (copies available: 3600) 
Indie-pop sister duo Tegan and Sara called upon a slew of DJs, including Sultan and Ned Shepard, to remix the standout single "Closer" from their recently released album Heartthrob.  Ten remixes of the track all appear on this 12-inch Record Store Day release.

When your favourite band covers a song by another artist, in most cases, you fall in love with the track. A cover song, although not an original thought, has the chance to be completely reformed and mastered in a plethora of variations, sounds, and genres. Nothing is elusive for a cover song, and that's what real music making is all about - true creativity! Below are a few of the latest cover songs that livemusicTO deems worthy of your listening pleasure. Enjoy!

New Hampshire post-hardcore band Our Last Night recently covered the James Bond theme song "Skyfall" made famous by Adele, and to be quite frank, it almost soars above her performance. Their latest album Age of Ignorance, was released last August through Epitaph.
 

Ever since Thomas Mars, frontman of french indie rock quartet Phoenix, saw legendary rockers Dinosaur Jr. play back in 1991, he's been a self-proclaimed fan. So for his idols to turn out and cover one of his tracks must be so humbling. Although it's titled as a remix, Dinosaur Jr.'s rendition of Phoenix' "Entertainment" is more so a raw stripped down cover of the normal upbeat energetic k-pop track.

Now this collab is definitely a WTF moment. Feist and Mastodon did a switcheroo, covering each others songs for a Record Store Day release entitled Feistodon. Now, while Mastodon's cover of "A Commotion" is a little bland and hard to handle, Feist takes the heavy metal track "Black Tongues" and gives it her talented twist. Still keeping the edgy undertones, Feist is able to bring a bit of sunshine without losing the dirt and grit. Tons of kudos to her for annihilating this cross-genre cover.

The Weeknd's Abel Tesfaye is known for his masterful sampling, but it was more than a pleasant surprise for listeners of his free Echoes of SIlence EP, when he covered Michael Jackson's "Dirty Diana". What's better is he masterfully works in the striking vocals with the drum loops and after-hours productions to fit in beautifully with the rest of the albums works. Keeping true to his sound, without losing the feel of the original, The Weeknd was able to pull of what few can do, reinterpreting the late Michael Jackson in a way deemed honorable.

Covering the Queen Bee is NO easy task considering that she is revered by millions and seen as a goddess in some eyes. However, The xx were more than satisfactory in covering the Frank Ocean penned "I Miss You" off of Beyonce's last album 4. They were able to take the heart-wrenching ache in the feel of the original and work it into a minimalistic underbelly tone-styled track that exudes The xx's normal vulnerability.  Enjoy as Oliver Sim and Romy Madley Croft strip down this track for a truly haunting cover of "I Miss You".

Staying loyal to the original sound, lead singer Emily Haines of Canadian new wave and Metric, refurbishes Morrissey's melancholy tune "Why Don't You Find Out For Yourself". Without saying anymore, why don't you find out for yourself, whether you like this beautiful rendition or not. :p

A Capella artists have been reinterpreting artists songs with their unique instrumentless covers for quite some time now, but no one has made such a splash like fellow Torontonians Walk Off The Earth. Lucky for us, they returned to cover the huge hit "I Knew You Were Trouble" by Taylor Swift, featuring the vocal beatbox stylings of Terry 'krNFx' Im. Impressive? I think so.

The song definitely seems to be well produced (excluding a dicey transition at the beginning possibly due to the splice of putting a 90 second snippet together), however the simplistic lyrics somewhat drag down the feel of what could be a great Trap song. Regardless, Will.i.am. has definitely succeeded in breaking into the EDM world, and I'm anxious to hear the rest of what he comes up with. Elephunk4lyfe.

Listen here, enjoy, and tell us what you think of this collab in the comments below! Do you think they got #thatpower?

For those hardcore fans out there, you may remember the original version of this song - which was then titled PARTYNAUSEOUS - that featured Lady Gaga. Unfortunately due to creative differences, the song was changed to "Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe" and Lady Gaga was taken out. Below is the new remix featuring Jay-Z, as well as the 'original' with ms. Gaga.

"Up in the Air" is rock trio Thirty Seconds To Mars first single of off new album Love Lust Faith + Dreams, and it debuted today exclusively at the International Space Station. The single will be made available for us earthlings tomorrow, March 19th. The band watched from Cape Canaveral, Florida as a CD copy of the song was launched into space on a Falcon 9 rocket.
"It was amazing to feel it take off," frontman Jared Leto said in a recent interview via theassociatedpress.com. "The noise and the brightness was overwhelming, and you're still a mile away."

Launching a CD into space seems to be no small feet but it was nothing in comparison to the $30 million lawsuit the band was facing back in 2008 for a breach of contract with EMI. The lawsuit, thank god, was resolved, and the band continues to work with EMI.
"That $30 million lawsuit in that battle was very real. It wasn't a headline. It was something we thought about every single moment of the day that was there, weighing on us. And not just the fact that we would lose and owe a corporation $30 million, but we would have our creative lives stamped out," Leto said.

Upwards and onwards is a phrase quite fitting for the latest album, due to the out-of-this-world exposure, and I'm curious to see how this beginning is reflected in their work.
"The last album was about closure. There was a battle and a war that we fought. This one is a new beginning," the 41-year-old singer-actor said. "The good news is that there's an entirely new group that's running things. It's essentially a new record company."

About 70 songs were written and recorded for the latest album, and dwindling down to 12 choices seems to be no easy task.
"My songs must feel like discarded lovers because I'm continuously abandoning time," Leto joked. "But that feels better than being sued."

The band, which also includes Shannon Leto and Tomo Milicivic, will begin a world tour in June to support Love Lust Faith + Dreams which is due to be released May 21, 2013.

In more good news, Leto will make a grand re-entrance onto the big screen after five years, playing a transsexual and starring opposite Matthew McConaughey in the AIDS drama, "Dallas Buyers Club."

Head on over to either the bands website, or NASA's to listen to a conversation between astronaut Tom Marshburn from the International Space Station and singer Jared Leto.

The guys over at 3 Floyds Brewery helped the band concoct this magical liquid. 

“"Toxic Revolution was borne of relentless experimentation, ancient alchemy, and hatred.  Hatred of uninspired, flavorless beer.  MUNICIPAL WASTE demanded we brew a massive yet drinkable American style oatmeal stout perfect for winter shred sessions.  Black as night and creamy on the palate with fruity, tropical hop notes balanced with roasted and chocolate malt. 50 IBUs, 8.5% ABV."

Did you read that? DID. YOU. READ. THAT?! “Black as night and creamy on the palate with fruity, tropical hop notes balanced with roasted and chocolate malt.” A dream come true. Mouth watering. 

I should have seen this coming with their music video for ‘A Fatal Feast’ – what with a spacecraft completely composed of beer cans – it was foreshadowed this whole time!

The official release date for these beers is March 11th and will be available from any one of 3 Floyds’ Distribution channels. The lusty liquid comes in 22 ounce bottles.  

So, while I lay here on this empty Friday night, I think I’ll order myself some Toxic Revolution off their 3 Floyds’ site for next weekend and give these bad boys the tasting they truly deserve and crank up The Fatal Feast on full blast.

Thank you to Municipal Waste and to 3 Floyds Brewery for creating this beverage! 

Definitely give this a try, Toronto.

- by Robby P

The video is K-Pop inspired, featuring couples battling through all the different styles in Asian culture - past to present. Elusive at best are Phoenix, consistently marketing their music rather then there own faces, proving where their passion lies.
Phoenix will be performing main stage at both this years Coachella festival, as well as The Grove Music Festival, August 3rd at Niagara-on-the-Lake.

The Postal Service, in cahoots with FunnyOrDie.com, have released so-called unseen footage of auditions from back in 2002.

The video was captioned with, "Sub Pop Records held auditions in 2002 to fill out the rest of Postal Service. Before today, these auditions had never been seen by the public.

The spoof hosts auditions by notable musicians such as Moby, Tom Delonge, and Al Yankovich, just to name a few.

So what do you think? Funny or Die?