The Romantics’ “What I Like About You” always had ska potential — and Jer Hunter from Ska Tune Network proves it. With brass, organ, and infectious skanking vibes, this high-energy cover will make you fall in love with the hit all over again.
5 Surprising Facts About Rage Against the Machine’s Debut Album
Rage Against the Machine’s self-titled debut album was a bolt of lightning when it hit the streets. It was a manifesto, a rallying cry for resistance, and a musical explosion that changed the face of rock and metal forever. Released in 1992, the album blends blistering riffs, politically charged lyrics, and groundbreaking soundscapes that remain as powerful today as when they first hit the airwaves. But even the most die-hard fans might not know some of the fascinating details behind this iconic album. Let’s dive into five unknown facts about Rage Against the Machine.
1. The Cover Art’s Revolutionary Origin
The album’s striking cover features Malcolm Browne’s Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph of Vietnamese monk Thích Quảng Đức’s self-immolation. The image was chosen to reflect the album’s themes of protest and defiance. This wasn’t just a shocking choice; it was a statement of solidarity with those who sacrifice everything for their beliefs.
2. A Demo Tape Paved the Way
Before the album’s release, the band created a commercial demo featuring early versions of seven tracks that made it onto the final record. This tape gained traction in the underground scene and played a critical role in getting the attention of Epic Records. It was the raw energy of these recordings that set the stage for their explosive debut.
3. The Lyrics of “Killing in the Name” Were Omitted
The album booklet includes lyrics for most tracks, but “Killing in the Name” is notably absent. Instead, the booklet lists the song’s title and moves on, leaving its incendiary lyrics to be discovered purely through the experience of listening—a bold move that let the music speak for itself.
4. “No Samples, Keyboards, or Synthesizers”
The album sleeve proudly declares that no samples, keyboards, or synthesizers were used in its creation. Every sound—no matter how experimental—was generated through traditional instruments, showcasing Tom Morello’s groundbreaking guitar work and the band’s commitment to authenticity.
5. Thanks to Revolutionaries and Icons
The “Thanks for Inspiration” section of the album credits pays homage to political figures and revolutionaries, including Black Panther Party founder Huey P. Newton and Provisional IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands. It also nods to punk icons Ian and Alec MacKaye, further cementing the band’s ties to activism and rebellion.
Every riff, lyric, and beat in Rage Against the Machine is infused with a spirit of defiance that has inspired generations of fans and activists. Whether you’re cranking “Killing in the Name” or analyzing its revolutionary themes, this album remains a timeless reminder of music’s power to challenge the status quo. After all, as Rage reminds us, sometimes you just have to scream, “I won’t do what you tell me!”
Uncover the Hidden History of Music Press Releases with ‘Pressing News’ by Richard Morton Jack
A treasure trove of rare information and imagery, Pressing News is the latest book by Richard Morton Jack, author of Nick Drake: The Life, Labyrinth, Psychedelia, Galactic Ramble and Endless Trip.
A huge number of new records came out in the UK every week in the 1960s and 70s, many of them accompanied by press releases. These offered important and fascinating information but were almost all discarded, meaning that very few have survived. The product of decades of painstaking collecting and research, Pressing News reproduces 125 of them, accompanied by a wealth of other promo items and supporting imagery from music magazines, the underground press and local and national newspapers.
Artists featured span household names (The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie and Pink Floyd), cult heroes (Nick Drake, Syd Barrett, Mighty Baby and Comus) and lesser-known lights (Tintern Abbey, July, Fuchsia and COB).
Pressing News is a deluxe limited edition large-format hardback, quarter-bound in cloth and containing over 400 full-colour pages.
The first 150 orders will be accompanied by a beautiful Mellow Candle poster, sourced from May 1972 promo materials and reproduced with the blessing of the group’s founders, Clodagh Simonds and Alison Williams. You can get this amazing book here.
Mark Knopfler’s Isolated Vocals And Guitars For Dire Straits’ “Sultans Of Swing”
Dire Straits’ iconic “Sultans of Swing” captures the magic of live music in an unexpected setting, inspired by a jazz band in a South London pub. Written by Mark Knopfler, the track’s intricate fingerpicking and dynamic Stratocaster sound helped launch the band into global stardom, making it a timeless classic of the rock genre.
Ice Spice Drops Y2K!: I’m Just A Girl (Deluxe)
Today, 4x GRAMMY-nominated and Bronx phenom Ice Spice dropped her explosive Y2K!: I’m Just A Girl (Deluxe) album, out now via 10K Projects/Capitol Records/Universal Music Canada. The Deluxe features 5 brand new tracks including “Hannah Montana” featuring NLE Choppa and DaBaby, with additional features from BB Trickz and Anuel AA. Listen HERE.
Ice’s wildly anticipated official debut album Y2K! was originally released in July and came stacked with hits including the Sean Paul-sampling “Gimmie A Light” and hater-dismissing “Think U The Shit (Fart),” which notably became her highest solo charting single on the Billboard Hot 100 (#37). The album also included hits like “Phat Butt,” “Oh Shhh…” featuring Travis Scott, and the smash summer anthem “Did It First” featuring Central Cee. The video for the infidelity anthem (watch HERE) has since racked up over 42M views, while the song went on to peak on Spotify’s US (#34) and Global (#41) charts.
Pitchfork hailed Y2K! for featuring “some of her most dynamic and abrasive bars to date,” while also praising the album for sounding “like nothing her peers could make, swerving from one sonic inspiration to the next.”
Ice spent the summer dominating the world with her Y2K! WORLD TOUR. Produced by Live Nation, the tour began with a series of festival performances across Europe, and included her first ever headlining North American run with sold out shows at Terminal 5 in New York City, the iconic Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, and more. The Y2K! WORLD TOUR also saw Ice take Europe and the UK by storm with a fall headline run that included shows across Dublin, Manchester, London, Paris, Berlin, Copenhagen, and more.
Y2K! confirms what’s been in the air since Ice’s 2023 debut EP, Like..?, landed her on year-end lists from the likes of Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, The New York Times, and numerous others. Hits like “Munch (Feelin U)” and the Platinum-selling “In Ha Mood” and “Princess Diana” have taken Ice straight to the top of the rap game and brought her a slew of honours, including two People’s Choice Awards, an MTV VMA, a BET Hip-Hop Award, and the Hitmaker Award at the 2024 Billboard Women In Music event. All signs point toward Ice extending her dominance.
With a sugar rush of playful sensuality and unbothered cool, Ice Spice has established herself as the music world’s latest shapeshifting superstar. Since emerging with “Munch (Feelin’ U),” in the fall of 2022, she has reconfigured the raucous energy of the Bronx to make anthems for baddies and their baddie friends—sexy theme songs that ring off in the club or a NY deli, places Ice Spice has no problem turning into her own personal dancefloor. Powered by singles like “In Ha Mood” and “Princess Diana,” as well as the deluxe edition of her Like..? EP, she’s collected more than 2.5 billion streams, multiple top 5 Hot 100 singles, and four GRAMMY® nominations, including nods for Best New Artist, Best Rap Song, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, and Best Song Written for Visual Media. More symbolically, she’s become an emblem of the new Big Apple, a fact that isn’t lost on the media.
Writing for The New York Times, Maya Salam listed Ice Spice as the breakout pop artist of 2023, citing her “cool, confident, raw” signature sound. Meanwhile, Variety listed Like..? as her fourth favourite project of last year, praising her “sharpshooter flow” and her all-around versatility on the project. For their part, Billboard named Ice Spice 2023’s Rookie of the Year. It’s all part of a calculated level up at the intersection of planning, distinctive style and unfailing belief. As Rolling Stone put it, “it’s already tough to imagine we ever lived in a world without her.”
Ice Spice’s breakout really began with “Munch (Feelin’ U),” a track that quickly became a playgirl’s dancefloor bat signal. The song earned Ice Spice her first RIAA-certified Gold plaque before amassing nearly 120 million Spotify streams. After initially releasing the song and its follow-up, “Bikini Bottom,” she signed a deal with Capitol Records and 10k Projects. From there, she fortified her buzz with “In Ha Mood” and the Lil Tjay-assisted “Gangsta Boo.” Both tracks landed on her debut EP, Like..?, a critically acclaimed project that crystallized her star status.
The hits have only continued to pile up. In February 2023, Ice Spice appeared on “Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2,” a PinkPantheress single that’s equal parts infectious and emotionally vulnerable. That March, it peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Then came the “Princess Diana” remix with her idol Nicki Minaj. All of that was before she guested on Taylor Swift’s 2023 single, “Karma,” which hit No. 2 on the Hot 100. Ice Spice parlayed that popularity surge into 12 performances as Doja Cat’s opening act for The Scarlet Tour. It was her first time performing in arenas, which has set her up for even bigger stages, like Coachella, which she hit in April 2024.
Her musical impact has only made her a ubiquitous cultural force. Last year, she appeared as the star of Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS campaign, with her fly everygirl persona making her a perfect fit for an emerging fashion powerhouse. That summer, she teamed up with Nicki Minaj again for “Barbie World,” a single that belonged to the Barbie soundtrack. A flurry of effervescent pop, the track peaked at No. 7 on the Hot 100 chart. She also appeared alongside Ben Affleck for a Dunkin’ commercial introducing her MUNCHKIN Drink, a frozen treat named after her dedicated fan base. Malleable enough to oscillate among brands, genres, and fans, it’s no surprise that Google announced Ice Spice as the second-most searched musician of 2023. Her level-up isn’t stopping anytime soon. With her debut album on the way, Ice Spice plans to continue to make varied soundscapes her playground.
Y2K!: I’m Just A Girl (Deluxe) Tracklisting:
Phat Butt
Oh Shhh… (with Travis Scott)
Popa
Bitch I’m Packin’ (with Gunna)
Plenty Sun
Did It First (with Central Cee)
BB Belt
Think U The Shit (Fart)
Gimmie A Light
TTYL
GYAT
Hannah Montana (with NLE Choppa & DaBaby)
So What?
BB Belt (Remix) (with BB Trickz)
Popa (Remix) (with Anuel AA)
Like
Dana White, John Elkann and Charlie Songhurst to Join Meta Board of Directors
Meta today announced that Dana White, John Elkann and Charlie Songhurst have been elected to the company’s board of directors.
Mark Zuckerberg, Founder and CEO of Meta, said, “Dana, John and Charlie will add a depth of expertise and perspective that will help us tackle the massive opportunities ahead with AI, wearables and the future of human connection.”
“I’ve never been interested in joining a board of directors until I got the offer to join Meta’s board. I am a huge believer that social media and AI are the future,” said Dana White, President and CEO of UFC®. “I am very excited to join this incredible team and to learn more about this business from the inside. There is nothing I love more than building brands, and I look forward to helping take Meta to the next level.”
“I am honored to be able to contribute to the future of one of the most significant companies of the 21st century,” said John Elkann, CEO of Exor. “I look forward to bringing my global experience and long-term perspective to the board as Meta continues to shape and push the next frontiers of innovation and technology.”
“As part of Meta’s advisory group, I’ve seen firsthand the opportunities to scale new products and grow AI and enterprise capabilities, and I’m honored to be asked to join the board to further this work,” said Charlie Songhurst.
Dana White serves as President and CEO of UFC®, the world’s leading mixed martial arts organization and one of the most valuable and globally popular properties in all of sports. White is responsible for the overall strategic direction of UFC’s global business, which employs over 600 people across five continents. Under White’s leadership, UFC has become a global sport powerhouse, producing more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world, while broadcasting to over 975 million households across more than 170 countries. Over the course of his career, White has received numerous industry and business accolades for his impact and influence in sports. Most recently, White was named one of the most influential figures in sports by Sports Illustrated (2023) and Sports Business Journal (2024), as well as one of the most influential executives in media by Variety (2024).
John Elkann is CEO of Exor, one of the largest European investment companies, controlled by the Agnelli family. He is also Executive Chair of Ferrari and Stellantis. He began his professional career in 2001 at General Electric as a member of the Corporate Audit Staff, with assignments in Asia, Europe and North America. In 2003, he joined the Fiat Group, and in 2004, he appointed Sergio Marchionne as its CEO, and together, they led the successful turnaround of the business. The company would later merge with Chrysler to form FCA and then with PSA in 2021 to create Stellantis. In 2009, Mr. Elkann established Exor with the purpose of “building great companies.” Its portfolio is principally made up of companies in which it is the largest or reference shareholder, such as Ferrari, Stellantis, CNH, Philips, Christian Louboutin, Juventus Football Club and The Economist Group, among others. In 2023, Mr. Elkann founded Lingotto, an investment management company committed to long-term and principal investing, wholly owned by Exor. He has also been investing in both early- and late-stage ventures globally and launched the Italian Tech Week, now one of Europe’s most important tech conferences. Among his family’s philanthropic activities, Mr. Elkann is Chair of the Agnelli Foundation, a non-profit, independent social sciences research institute with a focus on education. He is also a board member of MoMA. Born in New York in 1976, Mr. Elkann obtained a scientific baccalauréat from Lycée Victor Duruy in Paris, France, and graduated from Politecnico di Torino, the Engineering School of Turin, Italy.
Charlie Songhurst is a technology investor who currently invests in more than 500 startups globally. He has extensive experience across enterprise SaaS, AI and deep tech. He previously served as General Manager and Head of Global Corporate Strategy at Microsoft, focused on partnerships and M&A. As part of this role, he led the Yahoo and Skype acquisitions. Before running Corporate Strategy, Charlie focused on the emergence of Google and the growth of the search industry. Charlie received a Bachelor’s degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Oxford University.
Meta’s current board members are Mark Zuckerberg; Peggy Alford, former Executive Vice President, Global Sales, PayPal Holdings, Inc.; Marc L. Andreessen, Andreessen Horowitz; John Arnold, Co-Founder, Arnold Ventures; John Elkann, CEO of Exor; Drew Houston, Co-Founder and CEO, Dropbox, Inc.; Nancy Killefer, Retired Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company; Robert M. Kimmitt, Meta’s Lead Independent Director and Senior International Counsel at WilmerHale LLP; Charlie Songhurst; Hock E. Tan, President and CEO, Broadcom Inc.; Tracey T. Travis, Executive Vice President, Senior Adviser to the CEO, The Estée Lauder Companies, Inc.; Dana White, President and CEO, Ultimate Fighting Championship; and Tony Xu, Co-Founder and CEO, DoorDash, Inc.
5 Surprising Facts About The Who’s “Who’s Next”
When it comes to legendary albums, Who’s Next by The Who is always in the mix. Released on August 2, 1971, the album evolved from Pete Townshend’s ambitious but scrapped Lifehouse project and became one of the most celebrated records of all time. While its hits like “Baba O’Riley” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again” are etched in rock history, there are still surprising details about this iconic album that even die-hard fans might not know. Here are five fascinating facts about Who’s Next.
- A Synthesizer Revolution
The use of synthesizers on Who’s Next wasn’t just decorative—it was revolutionary. Pete Townshend used a Lowrey organ and early synthesizers to create the iconic loops on “Baba O’Riley” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” blending analog warmth with futuristic sounds. At the time, integrating synthesizers so prominently in rock music was groundbreaking and set the stage for its use across genres. - The Mystery of the Monolith
The Who’s Next cover photo is one of rock’s most iconic images. For decades, its exact location remained a mystery. Recently, the Derbyshire Times revealed the photo was taken near Temple Normanton, Derbyshire, during the band’s journey back to London on May 15, 1971. Photographer Ethan Russell, inspired by 2001: A Space Odyssey, directed the band to mimic scenes from the film. The monolith, now partially buried on private farmland, has become a pilgrimage site for fans—just be sure to ask the landowner for permission before recreating the moment. - The Forgotten Concept Album
Who’s Next was born out of the ambitious Lifehouse project, which envisioned a multimedia rock opera exploring themes of technology, individuality, and spiritual enlightenment. While Lifehouse was shelved due to its complexity, many of its songs—like “Behind Blue Eyes” and “Bargain”—found new life on Who’s Next. - A Gift from Joe Walsh
Pete Townshend’s signature guitar sound on the album came from a 1959 Gretsch 6120 gifted to him by Joe Walsh. This guitar, paired with a Fender Bandmaster amp, became a defining element of Who’s Next’s unique sound, proving that the right gear can make rock history. - The CSI Connection
The tracks “Baba O’Riley” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again” gained an unexpected second life as theme songs for the CSI franchise. “Baba O’Riley” was used for CSI: NY, while “Won’t Get Fooled Again” became synonymous with CSI: Miami, making Who’s Next a surprising pop culture staple for crime show fans.
Who’s Next remains a masterpiece, blending raw power, innovative technology, and timeless songwriting. Whether you’re blasting “Baba O’Riley” for the millionth time or discovering its deeper cuts, this album continues to prove why The Who are rock legends.
How ‘Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein’ Inspired Jerry Garcia’s Creative Genius
Jerry Garcia reveals how Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein was more than just laughs —it shaped his creative worldview. In this 1995 AMC interview, the Grateful Dead legend dives into the movie magic that inspired him.
That Time Jefferson Airplane Appeared On Dick Clark’s American Bandstand In 1967
On June 3, 1967, Jefferson Airplane appeared on American Bandstand at the height of their fame with the breakthrough hits “Somebody to Love” and “White Rabbit.” The band’s spirited exchange with Dick Clark provided a snapshot of the counterculture movement’s charm and wit during the Summer of Love. Grace Slick, at 27, succinctly credited San Francisco’s promoters for their creative freedom, a sentiment emblematic of the era.