The State was a sketch comedy group whose highly influential self-titled show aired on MTV from 1993 to 1995. Even if you didn't get a chance to watch The State when it was originally broadcast, you've no doubt seen the work of its members.
Whether it's their cult-classic film Wet Hot American Summer, the Comedy Central show Reno 911, Michael Showalter and Michael Ian Black's Michael and Michael Have Issues, or the numerous film projects their members have been involved with (A Night At The Museum, Role Models, Superbad, The Baxter), you've probably seen the work of these incredibly funny folks who count David Wain, Joe Lo Truglio, and Thomas Lennon among their numbers.
Let's take a look back at one of their classic sketches -- fan favorite, "Porcupine Racetrack."
Paramore got the went under the microscope of none other than Dr. Alexa Chung (who received her PhD from Oxford in Interviewing Technique) recently.
Paramore discuss the state of daycare on this past summer's No Doubt tour (which they opened), and long for the protective earphones worn by the tykes who accompanied Gwen and the Gang. Other highlights:
- Hayley doesn't shower enough.
- Hayley seems noncommittal about "Party In The U.S.A."
- The boys in the band all wear the same shoes.
- Hayley writes lyrics in her PJ's.
The band goes on to chat about their Brand New Eyes album and generally display the unassuming cuteness and likability that makes us all love them to death.
The Franks are an adorably self-conscious punk rock trio from the streets of L.A. They know they're loud, and they know they're snotty, and they don't seem to care very much. Often times such brazen disrespect for authority and institutions can be galling to upright citizens like myself and, no doubt, the readers of this blog. But in the case of The Franks, it's pretty endearing.
Frontman/guitarist Jean Don't (sweeeeeeeet name) is a snotty little Repo Man searching and destroying all that he surveys. On their debut EP, Un, released in February of this year, Don't and eff-things-up partners-in-crime Mimi Malone and Ron Ray Gunn kick out the three-chord jams and the bad attitude -- perfect for the theme song to MTV's Pranked.
The thing that makes this more than run-of-the-mill punk-rock dress-up is that The Franks actually have the songwriting chops to balance out the copious amounts of attitude.
Watch The Franks kick up some dust in their "Neon Politik" video below.

Priscilla Renea started making music in her Florida bedroom by throwing stuff at the wall and using whatever stuck. She's a product of (YouTube) channel surfing; flicking from old-school No Doubt-esque alt-pop to the dancey fun of Katy Perry.
She first made her name performing originals and covers in her home and broadcasting to the widest audience possible (the internets), in the hopes that someone would sit up and take notice. And boy did they. One major label record contract later (thanks to Capitol Records) and an eclectic, super fun debut album in the can (Jukebox), Renea is bringing her homegrown charm to the mainstream.
Check out her DIY take on Cassie's Me & U as well as her video for her first official single, "Dollhouse." And be sure to head on over to the Discover & Download page to get an MP3 of "Dollhouse" in your life.
Oh, Pink. Only happy when it rains. I gotta say, there are two different ways to deal with wedding day heartbreak. There's the Katy Perry way, as seen in "Hot 'N' Cold" (all choreographed dancing, and runaway-groom chasing) and there's the Pink way, as seen in this video for "I Don't Believe You," the sixth single from Funhouse.
In this impressionistic clip, directed by legendary music vid auteur Sophie Muller (Blur's "Song 2," No Doubt's "Don't Speak"), Pink is trapped inside of an old movie, set in an empty church where love once blossomed. Well, needless to say, love don't live here anymore; and there's lotsa running around, crying and staring into mirrors to prove it.
In preparation for what will no doubt be a sumptuous main course of a video, we humbly offer this appetizer to Rise Against's video for their third single from their Appeal To Reason album, "Savior." Little can be gathered from this brief glimpse. The video, directed by alt-rock auteur Kevin Kerslake (Stone Temple Pilots, Green Day, Smashing Pumpkins) is divided into two parts: a performance by Rise Against lit merely by flares, and sub-plot featuring someone dressed as a polar bear.
We can only hope that the video culminates with the polar bear man meeting up with the guy dressed as the disco mutt from Daft Punk's "Da Funk" video. The full video for "Savior" premieres Monday.

+ Slightly weird megastar Celine Dion is pregnant again at the age of 41. Talk about taking chances! (Bitten & Bound)
+ Our girl Britney Spears is starting back up on her Circus tour (woohoo!) and is making a special appearance on the Late Show With David Letterman. No doubt she will dazzle and amaze legions of fans worldwide as she <deep breath> reads the Top 10 list. Strong Britney! (US Magazine)
+ Kelly Clarkson and Joe Jonas plan to be celebrity judges on an upcoming episode of American Idol. Should be pretty cool for Kelly to be sitting next to fellow judge and songwriter extraordinaire Kara DioGuardi (who's penned several of her hits including the most recent"I Do Not Hook Up"). (PopCrunch)
+ Who's ready for a new Radiohead single? We are, too. You're welcome. (The Tripwire)
+ Bet there are two things that you don't know about pop star Selena Gomez (and reigning Queen of Disney). (Blogamole)
+ As a little girl, Buzzcrush Katy Perry prayed to the Lord for big boobies, and boy did He answer her prayers. In fact, Katy talks an awful lot about her boobies most days, but we're not mad at it. Or her. Or them. (Socialite Life)
There are no bells, whistles, or smoke, though there are mirrors in Paramore's brand-new video, "Ignorance." Just a perfectly post-punk performance video like you've come to expect from Paramore, with hints of Hole, former tour mates No Doubt (Hayley does look a little Gwen in that white Clockwork Orange-inspired outfit), and even some Nirvana-but-now color palettes.
Watch Hayley -- red-headed-er than ever and the biggest little frontwoman in rock today -- turn the light on Josh and Zac Farro, Jeremy Davis, and Taylor York in the first song and video off Paramore's forthcoming Rob Cavallo-produced album, brand new eyes (intentional lowercases), out September 29.
Is Paramore's illuminating "Ignorance" video, directed by Honey, a breakthrough or an inquisition? You decide.
+ Plus, find out which 2009 MTV VMA Paramore's nominated for, and vote now!
We know Pink was not in her happy place when she wrote Funhouse. Sure, "So What" was empowering and lighthearted; sure ex-ex-husband Carey Hart made an amicable cameo in the music video; but if you heard the rest of that album, you knew Pink was not feeling like a "rock star" for a minute.
And now we have the video for the album's title track and fourth single, "Funhouse" -- watch it below -- looks like Pink's pretty much lost it this time, y'all. The manic skipping recalls, in its giddy, deranged abandon, the chainsaw-brandishing/buggy-on-the-highway craziness of the "So What" video. In a good way, of course. According to her "Funhouse" confessions, Pink plans to burn down the home where her relationship memories reside (maids and exorcisms weren't cutting it), but I'd say someone beat her to it: that toilet landed clear in the desert.
Note, please, that the "Funhouse" video, directed by Dave Meyers, features No Doubt's Tony Kanal, who co-wrote and co-produced the track with Pink and Jimmy Harry. And Tony's a true performer: He keeps on playing, even covered in sweat and ash -- even dangerously close to pyro-mode Pink! Which is totally a theme with Pink -- she blew up tons of stuff in her performance of "So What" at the 2008 VMAs. (Watch that after the jump!)
Watch "Funhouse," and don't miss Pink's live performance at the 2009 VMAs at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Sunday, September 13 at 9pm!
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+ Move over "Drake's Knee's" Twitter! Time to make some room for "Teyana's Mustache," another fake Twitter account named after a celeb's body part. What's next?? "PammiesBoobays?" (Twitter)
+ Kings of Leon tore up the Today show stage this past Friday at NYC's Rockefeller Center. These guys are sooooo hot and sound so GOOD!! I need to go towel off now, if you'll excuse me. (The Rad Report)
+ Gotta scroll down a bit after you click, but here's a really cute interview with Demi Lovato, who topped the Billboard charts last week at #1 with her sophomore album "Here We Go Again." Congrats, Demi! (Katie & Karleigh)
+ This one is bringing the Monday LOLz: Whitney Houston's Good Morning America performance next month will be taped instead of sung live because Ms. Houston is "not a morning person." Is that what we're calling it these days? (PopCrunch)
+ No Doubt's Gwen Stefani and Paramore's Hayley Williams teamed up in concert together in Irvine, CA at what was at the least an unforgettable show. (Neon Limelight)
+ Remember when Rihanna almost got in trouble for giving a tattoo to her tattoo artist? Well, now Chris Brown is doing the same crap. (Singersroom Celebs)
+ Rocker Dave Grohl got a street named after him in his hometown of Warren, OH. (NME)
Tags Chris Brown, Dave Grohl, Demi Lovato, Drake, Gwen Stefani, Hayley Williams, Kings of Leon, No Doubt, Pamela Anderson, Paramore, Rihanna, Teyana Taylor, Whitney Houston