The Format Pictures

John Lennon Catalog Finally Available on iTunes; George Harrison Solo Work Due By End of 2007, Says Source

Today John Lennon became the third Beatle on iTunes: Sixteen of Lennon’s solo album are officially (and finally) available for download via the music service. Though some of Lennon’s solo work has been available via other digital downloading services since late 2005, today marks both the iTunes and worldwide digital debut of Legend and Acoustic. Exclusive video content will be included (for a limited thirty-day period of time) with John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band, Sometime in New York City, Walls and Bridges, Milk and Honey, and the collections Anthology and Working Class Hero. “John would have loved the fact that his music will now be available in a format suited to a new generation of listeners,” said Yoko Ono. With solo work by three out of the four Beatles now available on iTunes, it seems we’re one step closer to the inevitable digital release of the entire Beatles catalog. In fact, an industry source tells Rolling Stone that George Harrison’s solo catlog is due on iTunes by the end of 2007. Photo: AFP/Getty

Published: 2007-08-15 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News

“The Beatles: Rock Band” - Read the Rolling Stone Review

When The Beatles: Rock Band really clicks — when you’re pounding out “Helter Skelter” hard enough to get blisters on your fingers; when you’re loping through the bass line of “Dear Prudence”; when it starts feeling like you are, in fact, the Walrus — the experience is almost eerie. It begins to seem like the Beatles didn’t write and record these songs so much as construct them — so sturdily that they translate with absurd ease to an interactive format that was four decades away. The Beatles’ mus

Published: 2009-09-08 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News

Gene Simmons Starts Canadian Record Label, Hates on the Doubters

Photo: Pimentel/WireImage KISS‘ Gene Simmons has signed on with Universal Music Canada to form Simmons Records, which will find the self-proclaimed “God of Thunder” signing and developing Canadian bands. “If you’re reading this and you’re in a Canadian band (only!!!)….and you believe you’re the next Elvis or Beatles (don’t we all…)…go to SIMMONSRECORDS.COM and we will tell you how YOU can submit your electronic demo. This is serious,” Simmons wrote on his official Website, stressing his seriousness by Caps Locking the occasional word. “We are signing 3 new acts the first year. We intend on launching them from Canada and then worldwide,” he continued. Hopeful artists must also include a video with their demo, as this is the 21st century and that stuff is important. It’s interesting that the rocker would suddenly embrace the standard record label format, considering Radiohead and their whole pay-what-you-want idea made Simmons lash out at the In Rainbows scheme and wonder how anyone these days can make a living being a musician. Rock blog Idolator asked a similar question of Simmons in their post yesterday about his new label, and somehow Simmons found out, which prompted this response on the Simmons Records site: “Here’s an amateur who’s achieved nothing in his life. Read it. You will see the built in bias…the arrogance of US media. What are YOU and I going to do about it? We’re going to shame this guy into submission. We will send him and his ilk back to fish wrapping factory they escaped from.” It’s worth noting that the “guy” in this situation is in fact a girl, Idolator’s Maura Johnston. Simmons goes on, “We’re going to find, develop, nurture and launch new talent emanating from — CANADA!!!. That’s right, Baby.Why here? Because you actually DO have the talent. And now, you have a WAY. ME.” “Oh, and the asshole who posted the story? He gets no free tix, no backstage passes, and therefore, he won’t have access to our parties and our girls,” Simmons pens in the pos

Published: 2009-01-27 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News

The Complete John Mayer: Guitarist Delivers Acoustic, Blues-Rock and Latest Persona In One Marathon Show

For his First Annual Holiday Charity Revue Saturday night in Los Angeles, John Mayer brought together the three phases of his career — the solo acoustic work, the blues-rock John Mayer Trio, and his current touring band — into one night. Mayer devoted one set to each format, quipping, “It’s a real honor to be opening for myself,” as he began the acoustic set. “I ran into myself backstage and I was very nice — and, I mean, I’m huge!” Mayer began with an acoustic version of the funky “Neon,” off his major-label debut Room for Squares. The half-hour set’s other high points were gorgeous versions of the rarely played “In Your Atmosphere” and a cover of Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin’” (which he had also performed at Neil Young’s Bridge School Benefit in October) with the two guitarists from Mayer’s touring band. But it was clear from the moment that the John Mayer Trio stepped onstage that their performance, already the most anticipated of the night, would go down as the highlight. Looking dapper in matching black suits and skinny black ties, Mayer, Steve Jordan and Pino Palladino tore through an electric 55-minute set of covers (”Every Day I Have the Blues,” “Wait Until Tomorrow,” “Bold As Love”), originals (”Who Did You Think I Was,” “Out of My Mind,” “Come When I Call”) and tracks from Mayer’s Continuum that originated on the trio’s 2005-2006 tour (”Vultures,” “Good Love is On the Way”). Mayer seemed thrilled and completely at ease, and addressed the recent spike in his tabloid appearances, telling the audience “My problem is not that my hair isn’t done or that I’m on video late at night and not walking straight. The reason it bugs me is that it messes with my message of playing guitar and being creative, and my message of being grateful to all of

Published: 2007-12-10 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News, Live Shows

Queen Will Sell Charity Single, Bootsy Collins to Host Eclectic James Brown Tribute, J Records Drops “Idol” Studdard

Queen will put their single “Say It’s Not True” on sale in the coming days to benefit Nelson Mandela’s AIDS charity, 46664. The track was originally available for free download during the days leading up to World Aids Day on December 1st, but high demand (including more than 100,000 downloads in the first weekend) led to its commercial release. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions will return to Cleveland, home of the rock hall’s museum, in 2009 after more than a decade in New York. After the March ‘09 ceremony, the annual event — which has only been held in Ohio once in the twelve years the museum has been open — could return to Cleveland every three years. In other ceremony news, the writers’ strike has caused organizers of the People’s Choice Awards to ditch its original format and introduce a news-magazine-like ceremony on January 8th featuring taped clips of winners making their acceptance speeches and answering pre-submitted fan questions. J Records has dropped 2003 American Idol winner Ruben Studdard, reports SOHH. Sales of his third record, last year’s The Return failed to match his Idol debut or his 2004 gospel release, and Studdard spent time last month acting in the play Heaven I Need a Hug. No immediate recording plans have been confirmed, and Studdard will next portray jazz legend Fats Waller in the national tour of Ain’t Misbehavin’. Bootsy Collins will host a James Brown tribute show this Saturday, three days before the one-year anniversary of Brown’s death, in Covington, KY, near Cincinnati. Proceeds will go towards rebuilding the first recording studio Brown worked in, Cincinnati’s King Records, as well as plans for a museum in Brown’s honor. Chuck D, Buckethead, rapper Lil’ Boosie, bassist Freekbass and the Soul Generals, Brown’s most recent band, will perform, and members of Brown’s original backing group the JB’s and his MC Danny Ray wil

Published: 2007-12-20 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News, Morning News Roundup, On Tour

And You Will Know Trail of Dead by Its Love of Comics, Independence

When he's not creating intricate artwork for his apocalyptic rock band And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, guitarist Conrad Keeley works on a sci-fi novel that he might squeeze into a comic book format.

Published: 2009-02-25 Provider: Wired

Rush ready to record new songs

TORONTO - Rush drummer Neil Peart says the legendary Toronto band is in the early stages of planning a new project but the new music may not be released in traditional album format.

Published: 2010-01-13 Provider: Canoe

'Minotaur' Maps Pixies' Massive Pop-Punk Influence

Screamer/guitarist Black Francis talks about the ultimate Pixies collectible, a 26-pound box set brimming with audacious art, multi-format versions of the band's five studio recordings and more. Enter to win a copy from Wired.com.

Published: 2009-06-16 Provider: Wired

Keane to broadcast gig live in 3D

The Sussex band will stream their Abbey Road performance in ground-breaking 3D format on their website on Thursday evening.

Published: 2009-04-02 Provider: BBC

Jimmy Fallon Settles in to 'Late Night'

Jimmy Fallonofficially took the reigns as "Late Night" host on Monday and the "Saturday Night Live" alum added his own flavor to the late night format. After a funny opening skit with Conan O'Brien who was packing the last of his belongings from the dressing room, Fallon took the stage and greeted an excited crowd. In true "SNL" fashion, during his monologue the funny man opted to present the news of the day as a slow jam/blues performance with house band "The Roots."

Published: 2009-03-03 Provider: Entertainment Tonight

LISTEN UP: Arcade Fired

If you live in NYC, you might be currently sharing the pain I'm currently experiencing from having not been able to get my hands on a ticket to one of the five Arcade Fire shows that sold out in less than 10 minutes. If so, ease your aching heart by downloading a leak over at Neiles Life. Idolator is molesting some new indie band called The Format. Aquarium Drunkard has a few little ditties from Bonnie "Prince" Billy that are pretty "like" good. In honor of Phish's fluffhead frontman getting pop

Published: 2007-01-05 Provider: Best Week Ever Keywords: Entertainment

The Format Promo Photos 2006

Images of the band.

Published: 2006-07-14 Provider: IGN Keywords: The Format screenshots, wallpapers, photos, images, pics, pictures