A Serf on Google’s Farm

Google

Josh Marshall, writing at Talking Points Memo:

Now Google can say – and they are absolutely right – that every month they send checks for thousands and millions of dollars to countless publishers that make their journalism possible. And in general Google tends to be a relatively benign overlord. But as someone who a) knows the industry inside and out – down to the most nuts and bolts mechanics – b) someone who understands at least the rudiments of anti-trust law and monopoly economics and c) can write for a sizable audience, I can tell you this: Google’s monopoly control is almost comically great. It’s a monopoly at every conceivable turn and consistently uses that market power to deepen its hold and increase its profits. Just the interplay between DoubleClick and Adexchange is textbook anti-competitive practices.

Against the Current on Rock Sound Podcast

Against the Current

Against the Current are on the most recent Rock Sound Podcast and talk about their next album:

The hope is that we can get a song or two out before the end of the year, it all depends on where we are with the record because we want to do it right – I’m still a perfectionist even though I’m now aware of it! I’m still a little crazy on myself, so we want to make sure we don’t just push something out for the sake of pushing it out, we want to have it exactly right

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Blake Schwarzenbach Does Q&A

Jawbreaker

The documentary Don’t Break Down: A Film About Jawbreaker screened in New York last night. After the premiere Blake Schwarzenbach did a Q&A, Brooklyn Vegan reports:

Another highlight of the Q&A: Blake said Jawbreaker is “trying to” write new music, and while it doesn’t seem like we should hold our breath (this is a band who took 21 years to reunite, after all), he certainly didn’t rule out a new Jawbreaker album, and seemed like he would be excited if there was one.

Avril Lavigne Gives Small Update on Album

Avril Lavigne

Avril Lavigne has tweeted out a small update on her new album. She says it’s coming:

I just want to thank everyone for their patience as I work on putting together this new album. It’s been a long recovery and I want to make sure that this is perfect for you guys!! You only deserve my best effort and that’s what I’m going to deliver! I can’t wait to share the new music I’m working on, I promise it’ll be here before you know it!!

Force Friday Toy Lineup and Details

Star Wars

Star Wars fans know today as “Force Friday.” There’s a whole bunch of new toys out, and Star Wars News has the full list:

Hasbro has been kind enough to set us up with some details and images on all of the toys, games, and retailer specific releases hitting shelves today to aid in your search for everything that is offered. We’ve of course got the new The Last Jedi figures, but also everything else you’d expect from a major Force Friday release. We’ve got Black Series releases, ForceFX sabers, board games, nerf guns, and of course…Porgs!

Lots of fans are talking about their haul in our forums. I’m definitely eying that Rey Funko POP.

Flavor Flav Sues Chuck D, Public Enemy Camp Over Profits

Legal

Althea Legaspi, writing for Rolling Stone:

In the lawsuit, Flavor Flav (real name William J. Drayton) claims that he and Chuck D (real name Carlton Ridenhour) had a long-established agreement that profits from their music, merchandise and concerts would be split between them. Despite that alleged arrangement, Flavor Flav claims that Public Enemy’s business management firm Eastlink has not been sending the earnings he is owed, which have “diminished to almost nothing, and Drayton has been refused accountings, even on the items bearing his likeness,” according to the lawsuit.

‘The Simpsons’ Composer Fired

The Simpsons

Alf Clausen, the composer for almost all of the episodes of The Simpsons, has been fired. Variety reports:

Two-time Emmy winner Alf Clausen has been fired from “The Simpsons” after 27 years of providing music for Bart, Lisa, and company.

Clausen told Variety that he received a call from “Simpsons” producer Richard Sakai that the company was seeking “a different kind of music” and that he would no longer be scoring the longtime Fox hit.