Blogs

The Michael Jackson tributes continue rolling in, both locally and nationally.

*The Village Voice raided its archives and typed up a bunch of stories about MJ and the Jackson 5, which can be found here.

*My colleagues in Houston and Nashville weighed in on memories involving MJ with Mick Jagger and E.T., respectively.

*KDHX's blog has a King of Pop remembrance from Steve Pick and a video from the Funky Butt Brass Band covering "I Want You Back."


*And finally, the same Philippine jail that's revolutionizing prisoner rehabilitation by conducting dance performances already choreographed a tribute to MJ. View this clip -- and its awe-inspiring "Thriller" dance -- after the jump.

Thanks to the Village Voice, who posted this video of Sonic Youth performing last night on Jimmy Fallon's show and debunked the totally too-hot-for-TV shirt Thurston Moore was rocking. (Confidential to Kim Gordon: I love your dress.) Everyone beyond stoked yet for the band's July 17 show under the Arch?

Sorry, this should read: The Decemberists destroy Heart's "Crazy on You" at the Pageant on May 31, 2009. Thanks, user xdipndotx, for taking this amazing high-quality video. Review here.

Tonight, piano-rockers Mae -- one of the more underrated piano-pop acts around -- are playing at Off Broadway with Person L and Barcelona. After the jump, a video filmed at the band's 2006 Mississippi Nights show, featuring an early version of then-new song "Crazy 8s." (I was at that show. I feel old now.)

I saw this linked on many websites last Friday, but figured it was better to save for a Monday. Here's the all-star sing-a-long ensemble ending to last week's 30 Rock, featuring local faves Michael McDonald and Sheryl Crow.

Vanilla Ice. Home Nightclub. Saturday, May 16. The Ice-man has a new CD called Platinum Underground. He also has a blog called -- wait for it -- Vanilla Ice blog. He wins because he calls Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz "Pete Wince" instead (which is just perfect) AND quotes Tammy Faye. Seriously, guys. You know what I'm going to post below.

With all this talk about withering Midwest cities and all, here's something positive associated with one: Superchunk live at Coachella performing a blistering version of "Detroit Has a Skyline." Awesome song, awesome lyrics, blazing performance. Tour, dammit!

Bored tonight and in the mood for some pop-rock? Head to the Firebird to see the French Kicks, the Blind Eyes and One Lone Car. The latter just released a great new EP, EP23, on iTunes a few weeks ago. (More on them in a future blog/time!) Coincidentally, the French Kicks minions sent me a new video today for the song "Abandon." Check it:

French Kicks "Abandon" from THE FEAR on Vimeo.

I can't believe nobody sent this to me yet: A Spongebob Squarepants version of Sir Mix-A-Lot's "Baby Got Back," as a Burger King commercial. Fabulously twisted.

Incidentally, the SpongeBob mash-ups on YouTube are all shades of hilarious. How about "The Final SpongeDown"?