MTV News Shutting Down

MTV

MTV News is officially coming to an end:

 MTV News — which was significantly affected by layoffs more than five years ago — will be shutting down. Other units, most of which are operations, will be shuttered as well.

In a memo to staff, Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios and Paramount Media Networks president Chris McCarthy said that, despite Paramount’s “success in streaming, we continue to feel pressure from broader economic headwinds like many of our peers,” and that “senior leaders in coordination with HR have been working together over the past few months to determine the optimal organization for the current and future needs of our business.”

Interview: The Rocket Summer

The Rocket Summer

Recently I was able to schedule a Zoom call with Bryce Avary of ;[ to discuss his new album, Shadowkasters, that will release this Friday, May 12th. In this interview, I asked Bryce about the legacy of The Rocket Summer, how he typically composes most of his music, as well as the unique merchandise items for this album cycle. You can pre-order the vinyl/cassette options for Shadowkasters here.

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Sponsor: E.R.I.E. Release New Album and Video

E.R.I.E.

Like The Gaslight Anthem, Frank Turner, The Menzingers, or similar artists?

Then you should definitely check out E.R.I.E., a band out of Albany, NY who recently released their new album, Suburban Mayhem, on Mint 400 records. The lead single is “Bad Man’s World” and if you like what you hear, you can pick up the album on vinyl, CD, or stream it on all digital platforms.

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Review: Fall Out Boy – Take This To Your Grave

You never forget your first love. Sure, they may leave you heartbroken and picking up the pieces of where to turn to next, but those scars cut deep. Fall Out Boy arrived on the pop-punk scene with their debut LP, called Take This To Your Grave, that featured slick hooks and sing-a-long choruses that made this band destined for superstardom. The band was technically signed to Island Records through a “first-ever incubator type of deal” that gave them money to sign a one-off record deal to put their debut out on Fueled By Ramen to grow a steady following before their major label debut. This seemed to pay off big time for both Fall Out Boy and Island Records, as the band would become one of the hottest acts around by the time From Under The Cork Tree was released. The now-iconic cover photo of the band sitting on a broken futon was actually the second choice from the label, as the initial concept of a live photo was rejected. The lyrical material is largely based around fractured relationships, falling in and out of love, and traveling, while it became a point of contention between bassist Pete Wentz and lead vocalist Patrick Stump. During the recording of the LP, Wentz and Stump argued for days on end about the direction of the lyrics, but they ultimately believe that through this conflict came something beautiful.

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