Sep 10, 2009 By Dungen Web Exclusive

The Swedish psych-rock band Dungen just finished touring the US of A. Earlier in their tour we posted the first part of band’s tour blog, written and photographed by Dungen exclusively for Under the Radar. Dungen started their tour playing with Fleet Foxes and Woods opened for them. Check out our review of their Philadelphia show. Here’s part 2 of Dungen’s tour blog.

Aug 28, 2009 By Aaron Passman Weezer

Having once been declared Kansas City’s biggest Weezer fan (no bullshit!), it gives me great pain to write the following: Weezer, please break up. I know, it hurts to hear it from someone you love, but I mean it this time. I used to hate those people that said “I only like old Weezer” the way some people say “I prefer old Modest Mouse” or “The Cure haven’t done anything good since the ‘80s.” But I can only be an apologist for so long.

Aug 14, 2009 By Dungen Web Exclusive

The Swedish psych-rock band Dungen is currently touring the US of A. The tour started with some dates with Fleet Foxes. Dungen will be providing text and photo updates exclusively for Under the Radar’s readers along the way. Here is part one of Dungen’s tour diary. Visit the band’s website for details of the rest of their tour dates.

Aug 07, 2009 By Aaron Passman John Hughes

The sudden death of John Hughes today—after suffering a heart attack during a morning walk in Manhattan—creates a void not unlike that left upon the deaths of Elvis Presley, John Lennon or James Dean. Even if his best work was long behind him, he redefined for American culture what it meant to be a teenager.

Jul 21, 2009 By Frank Valish Cheap Trick

Where am I and why am I here? This was how I was feeling as I was walking the much-longer-than-anticipated distance between my car and the Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain in Scranton, PA. Add to this hike the fact that it was raining and unseasonably cold for June, and I was second-guessing myself already.

Jul 15, 2009 By Amanda Tannen Web Exclusive

As part of a new regular feature, artists tackle theme-oriented mixtapes/playlists. We supply the theme, they supply the mix. Our inaugural I Made It Myself blog was written by stellastarr* bassist Amanda Tannen. The NYC-based band’s third album, Civilized, was released last week on the band’s own Bloated Wife Records. Amanda Tannen scores the intersection of “love” and “indecisiveness” by tackling the theme “I Think I Love You.”

Jul 09, 2009 By Jim Fairchild All Smiles

All Smiles is the current project of Jim Fairchild, who was once the guitarist with Grandaddy, has worked with Earlimart, and has recently played in Modest Mouse’s touring band. In this guest blog, Fairchild talks about a recent dream he had and the joys and challenges of self-releasing All Smiles’ new album, Oh For the Getting and Not Letting Go.

Jun 27, 2009 By Tom Vale Web Exclusive

Michael Jackson is gone, and public reactions are about evenly split between those focusing on his greatness and those focusing on his weirdness. He locked down both adjectives—redefined them, in fact, and will serve as a standard for both great and weird for a long time to come.

May 04, 2009 By Frank Valish Web Exclusive

This spring, for the first time since 2004, surviving members of the Grateful Dead, now simply christened the Dead, are hitting the touring circuit. There is no new album or promotional agenda other than the band’s support of things like legacy, nostalgia, and the common musical bond that has united the Dead with its fanbase for more than 40 years. The names are common and household, even without the late Jerry Garcia-guitarist Bob Weir, bassist Phil Lesh, and drummers Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann, rounded out by current keyboardist Jeff Chimenti and, last but certainly not least, filling the co-frontman position, Gov’t Mule leader and guitarist extraordinaire Warren Haynes.