MTV Buzzworthy Blog ›

+ UPDATE: Watch Taking Back Sunday answer your fan questions in this brand-new video interview! +

Taking Back Sunday is coming to MTV this Wednesday, May 6 to answer your fan questions. So, what do you wanna know about the new-new-new Taking Back Sunday and their highly anticipated album, New Again, due out June 2.

Do you wanna know how Adam Lazzara achieves such impeccable facial hair? (Answer: I don't know. Ask him). And why isn't "Winter Passing" on the album? Favorite Tom Petty songs? How long did it take to wash off that black goo from the "Sink Into Me" video? Where you too can get your own "I Used To Be In Taking Back Sunday" t-shirt? (I don't know, but I want one too.)

TBS superfans, I KNOW you're out there (I read fan blogs.) So, leave your comments in the comment section, and I'll do my best to ask TBS when they're here at MTV next week.

+ Plus, watch five Taking Back Sunday videos and a whole bunch of Taking Back Sunday MTV live performances.

... And, after the jump, watch Taking Back Sunday on the set of their new video, "Sink Into Me," and watch an old-school clip of TBS discussing the classic Jane's Addiction video, "Been Caught Stealing."

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Tags Jane's Addiction, Taking Back Sunday

The coffeehouse meets the beach in the easygoing music of boho California-free-spirit Angel Taylor. The closest I can come to classifying her summery sonic melting pot is "the female Jack Johnson," but even that falls woefully short. Her bouncy blend of sleepy reggae, upbeat soul and acoustic pop evokes everything from Third Eye Blind to Sheryl Crow to "Somewhere Over The Rainbow," without actually sounding like any of them. Who do you think she sounds like?

Angel's debut album, Love Travels, got a boost from iTunes, when they named her "Make Me Believe" their single of the week. And it's a fitting match. The breezy go-to track would be right at home in an iPod commercial. The song's success won her opening slots on tour with Adele, Brett Dennen, Brandi Carlile and Gavin DeGraw, among others. Are you impressed yet?

To seal the deal, fall into "Make Me Believe" or any of Angel Taylor's other delicately-plucked perfume daydreams, and keep an eye out for this gently rising talent.

Tags Adele, Angel Taylor, Brandi Carlile, Brett Dennen, Gavin DeGraw, Jack Johnson, Sheryl Crow, The Buzz On, Third Eye Blind

Who on deck?? It's Al Kapone! Al Kapeezy! Oh boy... Oh boy... Oh boy...

The veteran Dirty South rhyme-stylist whose parents call him Alphonzo Bailey has been repping the Memphis underground since the '90s, back before Three 6 Mafia and EightBall & MJG blew the scene wide open.

But Al Kapone's got more than OG status on his permanent record. The multi-talented Tennessee-native penned, produced and performed on several Hustle & Flow soundtrack stand-outs, including "Whoop That Trick." He must have made quite an impression on Hustle director Craig Brewer in the process, because when it came time to cast $5 Cover -- Brewer's love letter to the Memphis music scene -- Al Kapone was one of the first people he approached.

In his latest role, Kapone does much more than write rhymes and twiddle knobs. He puts his real life -- including his relationship with his speed-rapping teenage son / protégé, Young AJ -- on display. Get a glimpse of what exactly that adds up to in the series of exclusive interviews and performances below. Then tune in for the full picture when $5 Cover premieres on MTV.com this Friday, May 1 at midnight.

Tags $5 Cover, Al Kapone, Eightball & MJG, Three 6 Mafia, Young AJ

As you may recall, Tuesday's Buzz Bites included this item: Gavin Rossdale, who continues to be inexplicably, unmanageably studly, has just released a solo video that uses the oldest trick in the book to up his man-babe factor. It stars his and Gwen Stefani’s 2-year-old son Kingston. Well, that wasn't quite true.

It turns out, first of all, that Gavin Rossdale's studliness needs no upping. The ex-Bush beefcake is topless for half of the video in question, and he's in better shape than most sculptures. Secondly, Kingston is hardly a star, but he does flash his smushy, sweet little celebaby face at the 2:23 mark.

Now, on to the business at hand: Gavin Rossdale's "Forever May You Run" video is awesome on a variety of levels. For one thing, It includes excessive running, and dude kiiinda runs like Steven Seagal. No offense Gavin. You look great.

Next, Gavin's new video incorporates themes from all of your favorite movies. It opens with an angry Jerry Maguire-ish corporate walk-out, fades into a Forrest Gump running montage, which gives way to a dangerous Lord Of The Rings mountain scenario and culminates in a Hillside Singers-style '70s Coke commercial (which is sort of like a movie).

The song itself is classic Brit-rock. Soft sentimental verses lead into anthemic choruses, which in turn erupt into thumping minor-chord bridges with off-kilter tempos and searing, reverbed guitar solos. Think Snow Patrol + Oasis / U2, only topless, ripped, and sprinting through a busy intersection. Got it? Good. Now watch.

Tags Bush, Gavin Rossdale, Gwen Stefani, Oasis, Snow Patrol, U2

Add this oft-forgotten fact to your recession ruminations: In the '80s, not everyone (except, like Mick Jagger and/or guys who looked like him) was cruising around in limos, eating caviar and wearing designer jeans and doing designer drugs. Today's MTV Vault video gives new insight into how the other half -- specifically Madonna -- lived back in the '80s.

In this exclusive 1998 interview, Madonna, joined by Rupert Everett, reveals that back in her "Material Girl" days, she was so destitute that she had to take "quickie baths" in the sink of the public bathroom of her apartment building. The sink, which only had cold water, hid behind a gross-looking door that didn't lock, with an embarrassingly large peephole in it. Rough.

But guess what? Madonna turned out alright, didn't she? So, Chrysler, though you've just declared bankruptcy, the moral of the story is, don't panic. And don't beg for government bail-outs. Just do like Madonna, and fake it 'til you make it! Even if it means having ice-cold pits for a while.

Madonna, Rupert Everett, take it away.

+ Plus, watch Madonna's "Material Girl" video after the jump!
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Tags Madonna, Mick Jagger, vintage-video

The jury is IN, the decision has been MADE, and not one BUT TWO submissions have been selected as the official name of Buzzworthy's Jonas Brothers milkshake, which, up until now was delicious yet NAMELESS!

Unable to choose between both awesome names, we picked two our of favorites -- JoBroChoco Shake and That’s Just the Way They Shake, submitted by christinexo and tigerchica -- and combined them into one name, which is...

The JoBroChoco (That's Just the Way They) Shake

So nice, we named it twice! Christinexo and tigerchica, yippie skippy to you guys for demonstrating total OJD and Buzzworthy love and coming up with such a fun name. If you're ever in New York City, stop by Olana for the free shake that you both helped name!

Everyone else in the Jonasphere, if you wanna try the The JoBroChoco (That's Just the Way They) Shake, you can visit Olana for lunch or dinner between now and June 15th -- the day the Jonas Brothers' new album, Lines, Vines And Trying Times is set to be released -- and try the shake too!

Don't live anywhere near NYC? (Or Wyckoff?) No probs! Stay home, become Facebook friends with Olana (BTW, are we Twitter friends yet?), and make your own JoBroChoco (That's Just the Way They) Shake.

+ Watch the video and get the JoBroChoco (That's Just the Way They) Shake recipe after the jump!

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Tags Jonas Brothers, Twitter

+ Former Danity Kane member D. Woods provides some terribly blunt revelations about Making The Band and just exactly how real "reality" television is. We applaud her candor. We do not, however, support her new haircut. (Singersroom)

+ Now that Pete Doherty is a Sober Sally, the absolute LAST thing he needs is to be infected with the Swine Flu. NOW GO OUT AND BUY SOME HOG! THE INDUSTRY'S A SUFF'RIN! (Holy Moly)

+ You need to see the trailer for Eminem's new video "3 A.M." It looks like Silent Hill meets a Rob Zombie movie. Pretty creepy (and of course, Em is shirtless). (Rap-Up)

+ As if you needed another reason to head to Austin, TX this year, Pearl Jam and Beastie Boys (along with Dave Matthews Band - meh) are headlining the Austin City Limits Music Festival in October (tix are only $185 for three days.. pretty good for a recesh budgie). Other notables include Lily Allen and John Legend.

+ And here you have it, "the face of digital energy," the official album cover for Black Eyed Peas' "The E.N.D." It's supposed to be a blend of all four band members' faces, but I think it just looks like Fergie after a hard night of drinking, which could explain where her wig went. (Rap-Up)

+ If you're in the market for a creepy Patrick Swayze wax figure (that looks nothing like him but claims to "sport his famous flowing 1980's hairstyle" from Road House), then you have come to the right place! (Live Auctioneers)

Tags Beastie Boys, Black Eyed Peas, D. Woods, Danity Kane, Dave Matthews Band, Eminem, John Legend, Lily Allen, Making the Band 4, Patrick Swayze, Pearl Jam, Pete Doherty, Rob Zombie, Silent Hill, SXSW

Asher Roth, your new video "Be By Myself" is so great that I wrote you a letter by hand, mailed it and then transcribed it here from memory. Please write back ASAP so we can become best friends.

Dear Asher Roth,

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for "Be By Myself," the new video that you have just now released, featuring his soulfulness Cee-Lo Green on the hook. To be greeted first thing on a three Advil morning by such sultry, grooving wonders as your beats, and then by the painted bikini ladies dancing along with them, was an unexpected joy. Next time you see your co-stars (the aforementioned paint-dripping swimsuit models) please pass on my most enthusiastic compliments. As the great artist Shakira once put it, they "make a man wanna speak Spanish."

Furthermore, your video's director, John Christopher Pina (Kanye West's "Champion," Common's "The Game"), has elevated their talents to new heights with his visionary camera work. His use of supersaturated colors and overlapping images -- simultaneously retro and next-level futuristic -- does stunning justice to your mellow but funk-a-fied new jam, my friend.

And finally we come to you, emerging rap artist Asher Roth of Morrisville, Pennsylvania. This is the third single from your debut album, Asleep In The Bread Aisle, and once again you have outdone yourself. Laying that lazy new-school swagger of yours over a deeply vintage loop was a very good idea. Tricking it out with a little Cee-Lo soul was an even better one. Your batting average is astounding, Asher Roth. The only downside to "Be By Myself" that I can think of is that, with a single this sweet, ain't nobody gonna leave you alone. OK, talk to you later Asher Roth.

Sincerely,
Daniel From Buzzworthy

If you wanna add a P.S., be my guest, but I recommend that you skip the chit-chat and get to watchin' that video with a quickness.

Tags Asher Roth, Cee Lo, Common, Kanye West, Shakira

Have you heard of Mute Math yet? They've been around about six years, pumping a steady gush of heady adrenaline into New Orleans' bloodstream with frantic layered rock songs. They were also on the soundtrack to a little vampire movie called Twilight. Maybe you've heard of it?

Made up of Paul Meany (Rhodes, bass, keytar, keys, samples, vocals, guitar), Darren King (drums, samples), Greg Hill (guitar, vocals) and Roy Mitchell-Cárdenas (bass, upright bass, bass drum) -- that's four musicians playing a minimum of twelve instruments -- it doesn't take much math to understand how they come up with their uniquely ADHD-addled sound.

Equally glitchy and overstimulating is Mute Math's video for their new single, "Spotlight." Shot in double time in the back of a moving vehicle, and propelled by a manic clap-track, the in-your-face clip is the musical equivalent of a keg of espresso. Another thing to keep in mind: a previous Mute Math video, "Typical," got the band nominated for a Grammy! Better not miss this one... Watch "Spotlight" after the jump!

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Tags Mute Math, Twilight

(Credit: Daniel Arnold)

After all the rhapsodizing we've done about $5 Cover around here, you must be itching to meet some of the Memphis musicians who inspired Hustle & Flow director Craig Brewer to put the show together. If I've already lost you, refer back to the $5 Cover overview I posted Monday, and then swing back over here for a big ol' bucket of country-fried Memphis music.

The video playlist below includes the sexy folk-blues of Amy LaVere and Valerie June, Al Kapone's hardcore BBQ hip-hop, Harlan T. Bobo, Lucero (!!!) and Jack Oblivian's gruffly growled Americana, Snowglobe and Two Way Radio's charmingly unique pop and more. All of these performances are exclusive to $5 Cover, and each includes undeniable evidence that this show is a must.

+ $5 Cover premieres Friday, May 1 on MTV.com!

Tags $5 Cover, Al Kapone, Amy LaVere, Harlan T. Bobo, Jack Oblivian, Lucero, Snowglobe, Two Way Radio, Valerie June