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GWAR Unleash “The Return of Gor Gor” With New Music, Comic, and Chaos Arrive July 25

Eric Alper
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GWAR Unleash “The Return of Gor Gor” With New Music, Comic, and Chaos Arrive July 25

Shock rock legends Gwar are back to wreak havoc once again with their new Multimedia Release, ‘The Return of Gor Gor,’ due on July 25th, 2025, via Pit Records/Z2 Comics.

This multi-format assault on the senses includes brand-new studio recordings, ferocious live performances, and an exclusive 32-page comic detailing the epic return of Gor Gor, Gwar’s long-lost, three-ton Tyrannosaurus Rex. This release is a collaboration between Gwar and Z2 Comics, ensuring fans get the ultimate immersive experience.

But where has Gor Gor been all these years? How do you misplace a three-ton Tyrannosaurus Rex? The answer lies in ‘The Return of Gor Gor,’ a multi-format experience that intertwines music and graphic storytelling. ‘The Return of Gor Gor’ follows the tale of an orphaned T-Rex cub, lost in a depraved world that is completely alien to him. Will he become an ally of the legendary Scumdogs of the Universe, or will their reunion unleash an apocalyptic battle? Only time will tell.

Kicking off the carnage, GWAR premieres the NSFW video for “Lot Lizard” today. Fans can also stream the track across all digital service providers (DSPs) and pre-order ‘The Return of Gor Gor’ now at Pit Records (where you can also get a Gor Gor Plush) and Z2Comics.com.

About the new single, Blothar states: “‘Lot Lizard’ is a blistering return to GWAR as a punk metal powerhouse with a sense of humor. What could be more charming than a song about a crack-addicted cross-dressing dinosaur prostitute that shreds weiners at truck stop pickle parks? Nuttin honey. That’s what. The song rocks. Listen ya mooks…”

‘The Return of Gor Gor’ features three brand new GWAR songs mixed by Kurt Ballou (Converge, GodCity Studios) and four live tracks captured at The Masquerade in Atlanta, GA during GWAR’s 2024 tour, mixed by Chris Ronan Murphy. All songs were produced by GWAR and mastered by Alan Douches. The release also includes a 32-page comic detailing Gor Gor’s return, which is included with all versions. Vinyl editions boast an animated etching of Gor Gor on Side A, with a Semi-Translucent Etched Deep Purple Vinyl available exclusively at GWAR.net and Semi-Translucent Etched Green vinyl at Z2Comics.com. A Deluxe Hardback edition is also available via Z2Comics.com.

40 years ago, the intergalactic warlords of GWAR emerged from their Antarctic tomb to conquer the Earth with their barbaric blend of metal and mayhem. Over the decades, their monstrous live shows and relentless discography have solidified them as the ultimate overlords of shock rock. Now, with BalSac, Beefcake, JiZMak, and Blothar joined by the mighty shredder Grodius of the Maximus Clan, GWAR embarks on their latest quest-to reclaim their savage pet, Gor Gor, who mysteriously disappeared following the death of their former frontman, Oderus Urungus.

Blothar comments on ‘The Return of Gor Gor’: “The last time I saw Gor Gor he was just a wee fart dragon. He had crawled on the hood of my Kia Soul and was holding on for dear life while I drove to the store to buy Clamato. I bathed him in wiper fluid and used my wipers to knock him off my sweet ride. Next thing I know, he’s a 20-foot tall trans-species prostitute working a pickle park. Apparently, he’s all grown up and looking for revenge. This record chronicles his struggles as a young Dino-American trying to make his way in a cruel world.”

Teenage Bottlerocket Announce New Album Ready to Roll, Drop Riotous First Single “She’s the Sh*t”

Eric Alper
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Teenage Bottlerocket Announce New Album Ready to Roll, Drop Riotous First Single “She’s the Sh*t”

Pop-punk veterans Teenage Bottlerocket have just released their new single “She’s the Sh*t,” and are announcing the upcoming release of their new LP Ready to Roll, the band’s first full length for Pirates Press Records.

The album is scheduled for release on September 12, and the single is now streaming on all major platforms, plus Bandcamp! Here’s what the band have to say about their new record and their new label:

We’re back with a brand new full-length, and we’re thrilled to announce:
Ready to Roll drops this September on Pirates Press Records! This record came out of a place of just wanting to write songs that felt good to play. No big agenda-just loud, fast, and fun in the way that’s always felt right to us. The whole process reminded us how lucky we are to still be doing this together, and why it still matters. We recorded the album at The Blasting Room with our good friend Andrew Berlin, and had it mastered by Jason Livermore [the same production team behind fellow PPR artist The Riptides’ 2025 LP Burn After Listening, which featured guest musicianship from TBR members]. It’s packed with everything you’d expect from TBR-with a few surprises we think you’ll love.

We’re extra stoked to be working with Pirates Press Records – the crew behind countless records we love and collect. Pirates Press have pressed vinyl for half the punk scene, and now they’re handling Ready to Roll with that same passion and precision. Working with them gives us the freedom to have fun with the physical release-wild variants, cool packaging, all the stuff we geek out on as record collectors ourselves.

And, of course, nothing but love to Fat Wreck Chords. We’ve had an incredible history with them, and we’re proud of everything we’ve built together over the years. We’re stoked to be putting out this new record with their full support.

Making this record reminded us why we started Teenage Bottlerocket in the first place: to play fast, have fun, and make music that brings people together. No distractions. No overthinking. Just four friends doing what we love.

The color theme? Brown and gold. If you’re from Wyoming, you already know.

The first single, “She’s the Sh*t,” is out now-here’s what Ray had to say:
“My wife Rachel loves to give me a hard time-she rolls her eyes when I rock out in front of the mirror, makes fun of the music I love, and calls me an old man when I bring up movies she’s never seen. And I totally love her for it. We talk sh*t while we drive, crank rad music, and laugh our asses off. This song is about all of that-it’s loud, fun, and full of personality. We chose it as the first single from Ready to Roll because it kicks the door open. It sets the tone for the whole record-fast, catchy, and not taking itself too seriously. Just the way we like it.”

The Commoners Announce ‘Live In The UK’ Album and 2025 EU/UK Tour

Eric Alper
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The Commoners Announce ‘Live In The UK’ Album and 2025 EU/UK Tour

Riding high off the strength of their previous releases, Find A Better Way and Restless, The Commoners return to EU/UK in May 2025 for a four-week tour across five countries, bringing a brand-new offering in the form of a nine-song album The Commoners: Live In The UK, recorded live in the UK in 2024.

The album is released by Gypsy Soul Records on May 16th. The first live single “The Way I Am” is available on all streaming platforms now. Introducing nine new live recordings to get you moving and shaking. Songs you know and love with added parts, extended sections, performed live on tour in the UK in 2024.

“The UK has become a second home for us,” says the Commoners bassist, Ben Spiller. “Over the last couple of years, we have had the pleasure of rocking dozens of shows over the course of 4 UK tours. Every time we head back things get bigger and better. On our last run through the UK with The Sheepdogs, we had the idea to record a few of our final shows. The recordings sounded huge, and we immediately knew we had to do something with them.”

Mixed and mastered by The Commoners’ lead guitarist Ross Hayes Citrullo at RHC Music in Toronto, this album features nine tracks from the Find A Better Way and Restless albums, featuring extended intros, outros, solos, and brand new never-before-heard parts of the songs.

“This album means a lot to the band because what you hear is 100% authentically us,” says Citrullo. “It’s the true Commoners live show experience, captured from the perspective of a fan in the crowd. It’s loose, heavy, and full of energy. We were wrapping up a long tour when we recorded this… the band was riding high. You can feel the energy in the room, it’s electric.”

The Commoners will support the release of the album with an extensive five-week EU/UK tour that will take the band across Germany, the Netherlands, France, England, and Sweden.

ALBUM TRACKLIST:
1- Shake You Off (4:19)
2- The Way I Am (5:25)
3- Who Are You (4:19)
4- Gone Without Warning (4:26)
5- Restless (5:48)
6- See You Again (5:01)
7- Devil Teasin’ Me (6:54)

The Brian Jonestown Massacre Announce New Single and North American Tour, Celebrate 20 Years of DIG!

Eric Alper
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The Brian Jonestown Massacre Announce New Single and North American Tour, Celebrate 20 Years of DIG!

THE BRIAN JONESTOWN MASSACRE announce a new single, ‘Makes Me Great / Out Of Body’, on red transparent 10” vinyl, released April 25th via Anton Newcombe’s record label A Recordings. Pre-save here.  Following a hugely successful UK and Europe tour earlier this year, the band will return to North America this fall for an extensive run of live shows, including two dates with special guests, Cast, making their first US appearance in nearly 30 years. Tickets on sale now.

It is over 30 years since Anton Newcombe – frontman, songwriter, composer, studio owner, multi-instrumentalist, producer, engineer, father, force of nature – and his band The Brian Jonestown Massacre released their first single She Made Me / Evergreen. Released in 1992, as the British music press descended on the US to anoint the next US guitar band as flavour of the month and major labels were on the hunt for the compliant hopefuls to be their latest quick fix, Anton Newcombe had an idea: say no. As leader of the Brian Jonestown Massacre, Newcombe had already established himself as a visionary songwriter, a man to whom making music wasn’t a lifestyle choice or a hipster haircut but the very fabric of existence itself, and he had observed in silent horror as his peers meekly acquiesced to everything – yes to contracts, yes to management, yes to suggestions, yes to this, yes to that, yes, yes, yes. But he was different. Anton Newcombe was going to say no to everything. “I just knew I would be more successful in a certain way by saying no, just being contrary because I figured that if people liked me they were gonna like me anyway,” he says. “Or dislike me. It doesn’t matter.”

Much of this was documented on the controversial documentary ‘Dig!’, which is still hailed as one of the best rock documentaries ever made, and celebrates its 20th Anniversary this year with the remastered, expanded version “Dig! XX.”

Brian Jonestown Massacre’s shoegazing-tinged debut album Methodrone was released in 1995 and since then numerous band members have joined Newcombe on his sonic escapades, but he has remained the sole constant, the creative mastermind at the centre of one of music’s most fascinating bands. There have been a further 20 albums under the Brian Jonestown Massacre moniker since then, each embarking on their own mind-expanding adventure and exploring the outer realms of rock’n’roll; psychedelic rock, country-blues, snarling rock’n’roll, blissed-out noise-pop and more.

Along the way, Newcombe has established himself as a once-in-a-lifetime talent who saw the direction in which mainstream indie-rock was heading and opted to take the long way round. He’s emerged as a revolutionary force in modern music, an underground hero. There was no other way, this was how it had to be. “My only option with everything in life has always been that you just jump into the fire,” he declared. “It doesn’t matter what it is.”

It’s with that spirit that he’s hopped around the globe, from the West Coast to New York, from Manhattan to Iceland, and then to Berlin, where he’s lived for 15 years and has two flats, one to live in and one that’s been converted into his studio.

After a hugely prolific 2010s that saw the release of eight long-players and one mini-album, Newcombe had been going through a period of writer’s block when one day he picked up his 12-string guitar and The Real (the opening track on previous album Fire Doesn’t Grow on Trees) came out of him. Like the kraken, it was as if he’d summoned it. “All of a sudden, I just heard something,” he says. “And then it just didn’t stop. We tracked a whole song every single day for 70 days in a row.” By the end of it they had 2 albums ready to go. Joining Newcombe in the studio for The Future Is Your Past were Hakon Adalsteinsson (guitar) and Uri Rennert (drums).

Brian Jonestown Massacre released their 20th full-length studio album The Future Is Your Past, in February 2023 on Anton’s record label, A Recordings. In 2022 / 2023, they completed a massive world tour that saw them play 34 dates in North America, 25 dates across Europe and 16 dates in the UK. Towards the end of 2024, they released ‘Don’t Look At Me’ ft. Aimee Nash. It is a delicious slice of hypnotic shoegaze with Nash lyrically casting a spell with the mantra “Do No Harm.”

There is no such thing as a defining statement in Anton Newcombe’s world anymore, just more chapters that contribute to the tale. “Nobody can stop me, I’m not asking somebody, I’m not making the rounds at Warners, saying ‘please put out my record!’. It’s just for me,” he says. He hopes he can be an inspiration to others. “I would love to see more groups, people playing music in the UK and everywhere else because I really enjoy it. That’s the only reason I need. It’s the only reason to do stuff.” That hits to the core of what makes Anton Newcombe and Brian Jonestown Massacre tick. He’ll keep jumping in that fire. That’s how he rolls. Savor it.

LIVE SHOWS:

Sept. 3 – Cat’s Cradle – Carrboro, NC

Sept. 4 – Variety Playhouse – Atlanta, GA

Sept. 5 – Basement East – Nashville, TN

Sept. 6 – Orange Peel – Asheville, NC

Sept. 8 – 9:30 Club – Washington, D.C.

Sept. 9 – Webster Hall – New York, NY
– with special guests, Cast

Sept. 10 – Union Transfer – Philadelphia, PA – with special guests, Cast

Sept. 12 – The Sinclair – Cambridge, MA

Sept. 13 – Beanfield Theatre – Montreal, QC

Sept. 14 – Danforth Music Hall – Toronto, ON

Sept. 16 – Globe Iron – Cleveland, OH

Sept. 17 – Majestic Theatre – Detroit, MI

Sept. 18 – Mercury Ballroom – Louisville, KY

Sept. 19 – Hi-Fi Annex – Indianapolis, IN

Sept. 20 – Majestic Theatre – Madison, WI

Sept. 22 – Metro – Chicago, IL

Sept. 23 – Slowdown – Omaha, NE

Sept. 24 – recordBar – Kansas City, MO

Sept. 26 – Studio at The Factory – Dallas, TX

Sept. 28 – White Oak Music Hall – Houston, TX

Oct. 31 – Music Box – San Diego, CA

Nov. 1 – Pappy and Harriet’s – Pioneertown, CA

Nov. 2 – Observatory OC – Santa Ana, CA

Nov. 4 – SLO Brew – San Luis Obispo, CA

Nov. 6 – Swan Dive – Las Vegas, NV

Nov. 7 – The Van Buren – Phoenix, AZ

Nov. 8 – Tumbleroot – Santa Fe, NM

Nov. 10 – Gothic Theatre – Englewood, CO

Nov. 11 – Fox Theatre – Boulder, CO

Nov. 13 – Metro Music Hall – Salt Lake City, UT

Nov. 14 – Shrine Social Club – Boise, ID

Nov. 15 – The Showbox – Seattle, WA

Nov. 16 – The Pearl – Vancouver, B.C

Nov. 18 – Revolution Hall – Portland, OR

Nov. 20 – Regency Ballroom – San Francisco, CA

Nov. 21 – Rio Theatre – Santa Cruz, CA

Nov. 22 – Teragram Ballroom – Los Angeles, CA

Nov. 23 – Teragram Ballroom – Los Angeles, CA

Frankie and the Witch Fingers Drop “Total Reset” Ahead of ‘Trash Classic,’ Announce 2025 World Tour

Eric Alper
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Frankie and the Witch Fingers Drop “Total Reset” Ahead of ‘Trash Classic,’ Announce 2025 World Tour

Today, influential Los Angeles psych-punk torchbearers Frankie and the Witch Fingers have shared another example of what to expect from their new album Trash Classic (June 6, 2025 // The Reverberation Appreciation Society / Greenway Records). “Total Reset” arrives with an appropriately grimy lyric video in tow – watch HERE. The new track precedes this weekend’s release of the band’s earthshaking KEXP-presented in-store performance from last year (which goes live on their YouTube channel on April 11, the day before its vinyl release as an official Record Store Day item). Recorded live at the KEXP Gathering Space in Seattle, hosted by the legendary Cheryl Waters, and now immortalized on limited-edition colored splatter “REACTOR BREACH” vinyl for Record Store Day 2025.

“’Total Reset’ is a spasmodic blast of punk and synth freakery, a tech product launch for the post-human era,” the band says. “Writing and recording a song can be such a hassle, so we let AI handle it this time (faster, cheaper, zero complaints). It spat out a nice little doomsday ditty: humanity is toast, a lucky few will be spared to reboot civilization. Weirdly enough, the song kind of rips, so maybe we don’t need humans to make things after all.”

The band has also announced a robust slate of headline world tour dates, which include some of their biggest shows to date. See below for the full list of shows, with more to be announced soon.

Trash Classic follows another sort of classic, the band’s widely-acclaimed 2023 masterwork Data Doom. FLOOD Magazine had an almost prescient take, noting that Data Doom “feels much more in line with vintage dystopian sci-fi connotations, swapping weed-smoke riffs for frigid new wave pulses.” SPIN Magazine was early on the scene to declare the band has “become a heavy hitter in the underground rock, punk, and psychedelic circles,” and Exclaim! praised the band’s tendency to “walk the line between chameleonic and commanding, wielding endless inventiveness as a weapon to outsmart artificial intelligence.”

In addition to enjoying global press accolades in 2023, the band also played their biggest shows yet (including headline festival appearances), recorded a very special KEXP live session, and reached #3 on Billboard’s Alternative New Albums and #4 on Top New Artist Albums charts.

FRANKIE AND THE WITCH FINGERS

ON TOUR 2025

5/16 – Nijmegen, NL – Sonic Whip Festival

5/17 – Diksmuide, BE – 4AD

5/20 – Lyon, FR – Épicerie Moderne

5/21 – Biarritz, FR – Atabal

5/22 – Rouen, FR – Le 106

5/23 – London, UK – Wide Awake Festival

5/25 – Berlin, DE – Desertfest

5/27 – Cherbourg, FR – Le Circuit

5/28 – Brighton, UK – Daltons

5/31 – Bristol, UK – Strange Brew

6/01 – Birmingham, UK – Hare & Hounds

7/15 – Felton Music Hall – Felton, CA °

7/16 – The Chapel – San Francisco, CA °

7/19 – The Den – Portland, OR °

7/20 – The Pearl – Vancouver, BC °

7/23 – Shrine Social Club – Boise, ID °

7/24 – Urban Lounge – Salt Lake City, UT °

7/25 – Mesa Theater – Grand Junction, CO °

7/26 – To Be Announced – Denver, CO

7/27 – Sister Bar – Albuquerque, NM °

7/29 – Hotel Congress – Tucson, AZ °

7/30 – Rebel Lounge – Phoenix, AZ °

7/31 – Swan Diver – Las Vegas, NV °

8/01 – Belly Up – Solana Beach, CA °

8/02 – Teragram Ballroom – Los Angeles, CA °

9/19 – Music Hall of Williamsburg – Brooklyn, NY *

9/20 – First Unitarian Church – Philadelphia, PA *

9/21 – Songbyrd – Washington, DC *

9/23 – Grey Eagle – Asheville, NC *

9/24 – Terminal West – Atlanta, GA *

9/26 – Chelsea’s Live – Baton Rouge, LA *

9/27 – Dan Electros – Houston, TX *

9/28 – To Be Announced – Austin, TX

9/29 – Tulips – Fort Worth, TX *

10/1 – Bottom Lounge – Chicago, IL *

10/2 – Turf Club – Minneapolis, MN *

10/3 – X-Ray Arcade – Cudahy, WI *

10/4 – Grog Shop – Cleveland, OH *

10/5 – Third Man Records – Detroit, MI *

10/7 – Lee’s Palace – Toronto, ON *

10/8 – Foufounes Électriques – Montréal, QC *

10/9 – Oxbow Brewing – Portland, ME *

10/10 – Brighton Music Hall – Boston, MA *

10/11 – Lark Hall – Albany, NY *

° with Iguana Death Cult

* with Population II

Rascal Flatts and Blake Shelton Breathe New Life into “Mayberry” on ‘Life Is A Highway: Refueled Duets’

Eric Alper
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Rascal Flatts and Blake Shelton Breathe New Life into “Mayberry” on ‘Life Is A Highway: Refueled Duets’

Like friends catching up on an old porch swing, Blake Shelton and Rascal Flatts team to revamp the nostalgic “Mayberry,” resulting in a twangy, bright rendition of the 2002 chart-topper.

The third release from the iconic trio’s highly-anticipated LIFE IS A HIGHWAY: REFUELED DUETS album, “Mayberry” embodies the “refueled” theme, with steel guitar, breezy production and the combination of Shelton’s signature baritone with the Flatts’ soaring harmonies – seamlessly blending their musical styles.

“It was so much fun playing with Blake again. He was on our first two tours with us back in the day, and it means so much that he wanted to do this project with us,” says Joe Don Rooney. “He’s one of the best in the business. He truly owned this song…it sounds like a Blake Shelton record now!”

Recently nominated for ACM Group Of The Year following the overwhelming outpour of support for their reunion, Rascal Flatts is set to release their much-anticipated LIFE IS A HIGHWAY: REFUELED DUETS collaboration album June 6th. Releasing via Big Machine Records, the project features nine reimagined, beloved Rascal Flatts hits, including the infectiously emotive “I’m Movin’ On” with Kelly Clarkson and record-breaking single “I Dare You” with Jonas Brothers, boasting an eclectic lineup of guest artists from all walks of life, each infusing their individual music styles to create all-new arrangements of timeless hits from the trio’s acclaimed catalogue.

Life Is A Highway: Refueled Duets Album Track List:
1. “I Dare You” (with Jonas Brothers)
2. “Fast Cars And Freedom” (with Jason Aldean)
3. “My Wish” (with Carly Pearce)
4. “Mayberry” (with Blake Shelton)
5. “Stand” (with Brandon Lake)
6. “Summer Nights” (with Ashley Cooke)
7. “What Hurts The Most” (with Backstreet Boys)
8. “Yours If You Want It” (with Jordan Davis)
9. “Life Is A Highway” (with Lzzy Hale)
10. “I’m Movin’ On” (with Kelly Clarkson)

Ari Lennox Ushers in Her “Soft Girl Era” with New Single Produced by Jermaine Dupri and Bryan Michael Cox

Eric Alper
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Ari Lennox Ushers in Her “Soft Girl Era” with New Single Produced by Jermaine Dupri and Bryan Michael Cox

GRAMMY-nominated recording artist Ari Lennox, celebrated her birthday last week by releasing her anthemic new single “Soft Girl Era,” Ari is embarking on her new journey where peace and serenity reign supreme.

Produced by GRAMMY-Award Winning hitmakers Jermaine Dupri and Bryan Michael Cox, Ari peels back her layers and embraces her femineity as she yearns for the finer things, including being a passenger princess, first-class trips, and more.

“It’s a hard knock life / Can you treat me right?” she commands to any eligible bachelor willing to fulfill her needs. “Soft Girl Era” arrives is a welcoming return for Ari, Jermaine Dupri, and Bryan Michael Cox, as the trio previously teamed up on her first Billboard radio No. 1 hit “Pressure.”

Ari returned to music with 2024’s “Smoke,” an expert blend of classic and contemporary R&B sounds that resulted in her sixth top 20 hit on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart and millions of streams. The multihyphenate has been a constant presence in 2024, gracing the festival circuit with her live performances at Essence Festival along with Dreamville Festival. Her pristine vocals have continued to captivate audiences, as she collaborated with Camper on “War” with Jeremih, Foggieraw’s “Stay Awhile” and Jessie Reyez’s “JUST LIKE THAT.” Fans can catch Ari live at the fifth and final Dreamville Festival next weekend in North Carolina, where she’ll join J. Cole, Erykah Badu, Lil Wayne, and more.

Ari’s career reached a landmark moment with the release of ‘Pressure’ from her riveting 2022 album age/sex/location. The RIAA platinum-certified hit, which soared to over 300 million streams and hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay, marked her first solo Hot 100 single. The scintillating track “Waste My Time” topped the R&B radio and Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay in 2023, further solidifying her position in the industry. With such a successful track record, the release of her new single “Soft Girl Era”‘ is sure to be a thrilling experience for her fans.

Willie Nelson’s “King of the Roadies” to Premiere at Dallas International Film Festival

Eric Alper
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Willie Nelson’s “King of the Roadies” to Premiere at Dallas International Film Festival

Directors Amy Lee Nelson and Trevor Doyle Nelson are proud to announce the upcoming world premiere of Willie Nelson Presents: King of the Roadies at the Dallas International Film Festival (DIFF), an official Oscar qualifying festival, on Sunday, April 27, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. at the historic Texas Theater.

A true American tale -16 years in the making – Willie Nelson Presents : King of the Roadies honors and celebrates the story of Ben Dorcy, aka Lovey, the first and oldest roadie who shaped music history, pioneered an entire profession, and rivaled time itself to keep the show on the road. An unsung hero of country music, Lovey was the man behind the bona fide legends of the past century. Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Jessi Colter, Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Knoxville, Kinky Friedman, Jamey Johnson, Ann-Margret and more come together to honor this legend among legends who shaped Texas and American music history.

Willie Nelson Presents: King of the Roadies illuminates the invaluable role this pioneering figurehead played in the golden era of American country music. The film aims to honor all of those in the service industry who work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly with little or no public recognition.

25 Songs You Didn’t Know Were Covers

Eric Alper
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25 Songs You Didn’t Know Were Covers

Here’s the thing about music—it’s like a game of telephone with guitars. Some of your favorite songs? Not actually originals. The mind-blowing truth is that chart-toppers, karaoke classics, and even Grammy winners sometimes started out in someone else’s notebook. Covers aren’t just tributes—they’re reinventions. They’re love letters with different handwriting. And once you know, you can’t un-hear it. So, let’s blow your musical mind with 25 songs you didn’t know were covers!

 “Tainted Love” – Soft Cell (1981)
This synth-pop banger actually came from the 1960s soul scene. It was first recorded by Gloria Jones in 1964—and didn’t do so well until it came back as part of the British Northern Soul momnent, Now it’s an ‘80s anthem for eyeliner-wearing romantics everywhere.

“Girls Just Want to Have Fun” – Cyndi Lauper (1983)
Before it became a feminist anthem, this was a guy’s tune! Written and first recorded by Robert Hazard in 1979, the lyrics were reimagined by Lauper—and the rest is girl-powered history.

“I Will Always Love You” – Whitney Houston (1992)
Dolly Parton wrote it. Sang it. Released it in 1974. But Whitney took it to another planet with The Bodyguard. Dolly cried tears of joy when she heard it—and then cried again all the way to the bank.

“Hound Dog” – Elvis Presley (1956)
Big Mama Thornton recorded the original in 1952—and it was full of grit and growl. Elvis’s version cleaned it up and cranked it out, but Thornton’s bark came first.

 “Nothing Compares 2 U” – Sinéad O’Connor (1990)
Prince wrote it. The Family recorded it. But it didn’t hit until Sinéad stood in front of a camera, shed a tear, and made it hers forever.

“Respect” – Aretha Franklin (1967)
Otis Redding wrote and recorded it in 1965. Then Aretha added “R-E-S-P-E-C-T,” flipped the gender dynamic, and turned it into a civil rights and feminist rallying cry.

“Twist and Shout” – The Beatles (1963)
This Beatles barn-burner was originally by The Top Notes in 1961, produced by a young Phil Spector. The Isley Brothers gave it life, but the Beatles gave it a roar.

“I Love Rock ’n’ Roll” – Joan Jett & the Blackhearts (1981)
It’s hard to imagine anyone but Joan Jett snarling through this one, but British band Arrows did it first in 1975. Jett saw them on TV while touring—and decided to own it.

“The Man Who Sold the World” – Nirvana (1993)
Yes, Bowie did it first in 1970. But when Kurt Cobain crooned it on MTV Unplugged, a whole new generation thought it was his. Bowie was flattered. And a little annoyed.

“Red Red Wine” – UB40 (1983)
That reggae shuffle hides its true origin: Neil Diamond wrote and recorded it in 1967! UB40 didn’t even realize that when they covered it—they thought it was a Jamaican tune.

“Hallelujah” – Jeff Buckley (1994)
Leonard Cohen wrote this biblical beauty in 1984. Buckley’s haunting version came a decade later, and now it’s the version you cry to after breakups, existential crises, and movie endings.

“I Fought the Law” – The Clash (1979)
This punk rebellion anthem started with The Crickets (yes, Buddy Holly’s band) and was later made famous by The Bobby Fuller Four. The Clash lit the fuse and made it dangerous.

“Blinded by the Light” – Manfred Mann’s Earth Band (1976)
Bruce Springsteen wrote it and released it in 1973. It didn’t chart. Then Manfred Mann added synths and misheard lyrics—and turned it into a #1 hit.

“You Really Got Me” – Van Halen (1978)
The Kinks roared this riff into the world in 1964. Van Halen gave it a steroid shot, but the bones were already British and beautifully unhinged.

“All Along the Watchtower” – Jimi Hendrix (1968)
Bob Dylan wrote it, but Hendrix made it eternal. Dylan himself later said that Hendrix’s version was definitive. Imagine writing a song and someone else improves it so much, even you agree.

“Torn” – Natalie Imbruglia (1997)
This aching ‘90s anthem was first recorded by Danish band Ednaswap in 1995. Natalie’s version turned pain into pop perfection.

“Black Magic Woman” – Santana (1970)
It wasn’t born in Latin rock—it came from British blues! Peter Green wrote it for Fleetwood Mac in 1968. Santana just gave it that irresistible groove.

“I’m a Believer” – Smash Mouth (2001)
This Shrek smash is actually a Monkees hit from 1966. Written by Neil Diamond (again), it’s been stuck in heads for over five decades and two generations of kids’ birthday parties.

“Downtown Train” – Rod Stewart (1989)
Tom Waits recorded it first in 1985 with gravel and gloom. Stewart turned it into a glossy radio hit. Waits probably lit a cigarette and said, “Fine.”

“Because the Night” – 10,000 Maniacs (1993)
Patti Smith wrote it with help from Bruce Springsteen. But for a whole new crowd in the ’90s, Natalie Merchant and 10,000 Maniacs made it soar on MTV Unplugged.

“I Wanna Be Your Man” – The Rolling Stones (1963)
Written for them by Lennon and McCartney before the Stones were famous. The Beatles recorded their own version later. That’s what you call an all-star assist.

“Piece of My Heart” – Janis Joplin (1968)
Aretha’s sister Erma Franklin released it first in 1967, but Janis ripped it apart and made it cry. It’s a heartbreak classic wrapped in a scream.

“If I Were a Boy” – Beyoncé (2008)
Originally written and recorded by BC Jean, Beyoncé heard it and turned it into a soul-stirring powerhouse. BC got the credit, but Queen B made it iconic.

“Me and Bobby McGee” – Janis Joplin (1971)
Kris Kristofferson wrote it. Roger Miller recorded it. But Janis took it to #1 posthumously—and gave it the raw ache of someone who’d really lived it.

 “Valerie” – Mark Ronson ft. Amy Winehouse (2007)
Yep, this dancefloor staple was originally by indie rockers The Zutons in 2006. Amy sang it like she’d known Valerie her whole life. That’s what soul does.

Music is a living, breathing thing. A great song is never finished—it just finds new voices. From dusty B-sides to pop anthems, these covers prove that reinvention is the heart of artistry. So next time you belt out your favorite tune, remember: you might just be singing someone else’s first draft—and making it your own. And really, that’s what great music is all about.

Miranda Lambert Celebrates 20 Years of ‘Kerosene’ with New Song and First-Ever Vinyl Release

Eric Alper
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Miranda Lambert Celebrates 20 Years of ‘Kerosene’ with New Song and First-Ever Vinyl Release

Miranda Lambert is celebrating the 20th anniversary of her groundbreaking major label debut, Kerosene, with a special milestone release. Today, Lambert unveiled the never-before-released “I Don’t Love Here Anymore,” recorded during the original album sessions, while on April 25 fans can get Kerosene on vinyl for the first time ever.

“This album changed everything for me,” Lambert shares of the project named by New York Magazine as one of the year’s best debuts across all genres. “It’s where my journey truly began, and I can hardly believe it’s been 20 years. Releasing Kerosene on vinyl for the first time-and sharing a never-before-heard song from that era-feels incredibly special. I can’t wait for y’all to hear it and relive the fire that started it all!”

Kerosene debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart upon its March 15, 2005 release, eventually gaining Platinum certification by the RIAA and earning praise from AllMusic as a “thoroughly winning debut,” with Rolling Stone celebrating “the songs’ sustained excellence” when revisiting the project on its 10th anniversary a decade ago.

With the breakthrough album setting the stage for the storied career that followed – including her latest critically-acclaimed project, Postcards from Texas, marking the 10th consecutive Top 10 album for the most-awarded artist in Academy of Country Music history – Variety proclaims that “Whoever the entertainer of the year may be at any given recent point, Lambert has a strong claim on being country’s entertainer of the last two decades.”

Today’s anniversary release follows her latest single “Run,” which arrived at Country radio on Feb. 24 with 73 first-week adds. The three-time GRAMMY Award-winner is also set to join Morgan Wallen for several stadium dates of the upcoming I’m The Problem Tour, while headlining sets at festivals and one-off dates this summer including Two Step Inn, Country Stampede, Lakefront Music Fest, Field & Stream Music Fest and more.

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That Eric Alper

Eric Alper is a 6-time nominee for Publicist of the Year during Canadian Music Week and has overseen the publicity campaigns for over 183 JUNO Award-nominated albums (and 16 in 2025), 45 Grammy-nominated albums, including 47 JUNO Award, 58 Canadian Folk Music Award, 126 Maple Blues Award-winning albums and is also truly honoured to work with some of the biggest and most important artists of our time.

Contact me: eric@thatericalper.com

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