The Jonas Brothers are sure looking like the next big thing in pop. Scratch that. They’re already big and, based on the reaction of all those 12-year-old gals that nearly drove me deaf with their screaming last month at the Tacoma Dome, they could get Back Street Boys big.

Their first headlining arena tour kicks off tonight and will make its way to the Comcast Arena at the Everett Events Center on Tuesday. Their third album is due in stores this summer. And “Camp Rock,” the Disney flick they shot last fall, will also see light

Read more »

The Bob Marley Fest? Black Lips? North Mississippi Allstars? The Cops? Wow! Look’s like Neumo’s is the place to be through next week. But before you call in sick to work and go crash with your buddy on Capitol Hill, there’s a few things closer to home, too, starting with …

South 11th (Friday, Hell’s Kitchen): A night of RAWK! Alos with Everything Must Go, Johnny Babalouie & the Master of Bation and a band whose name my editors would want me to post even less than that last one. You’ll just have to click the link

Read more »

Tim McGraw’s just released 2008 tour itinerary includes a June 24 date in Seattle. But it doesn’t say where. (This time he’s leaving wife Faith Hill at home, in case you’re wondering. Or rather, she’s staying backstage unlike the 2006-2007 Soul 2 Soul tour, which featured them both.)

I checked in with his Nashville-based publicist Jessie Schmidt, and she said the venue had yet to be finalized. And an itinerary that seems to include both arenas and amphitheaters doesn’t help narrow things down. I’m thinkin’ White River maybe? The June 25 date at Vancouver’s Clark County

Read more »

Last time I dropped in at Rocket Records, owner Steve Gaydich mentioned he was working on an in store with Blue Cheer. And he just called to say it was a done deal. The power trio — known for “Just a Little Bit” and their proto-metal remake of Eddie Cochran’s “Summertime Blues” — will drop in to sign some records and possible play a few songs around 1 p.m. on Valentine’s Day. That’s the day after they’re scheduled to rock El Corazon up in Seattle.

Avril Lavigne will perform that song that sounds dubiously like Tony Basil and the Rubinoos — plus a whole lot of other stuff that’s been in heavy rotation on “TRL” — on May 10 in Everett. That’s the day the pop princess is scheduled to perform at the Comcast Arena at the Everett Events Center, Live Nation announced this morning.

Tickets will go for $35 to $47.50 and go on sale at 10 a.m. on Feb. 9. Boys Like Girls will open. Check here for more details.

I was goofing off for a sec, surfing around Digg.com (you know, like every shock jock in America does for “research”) when I came across the headline “Six musicians with pasts they’ll hope you forget.” Of course I had to read it. And most of it wasn’t news. I already knew about Tori Amos’ butt rock roots in Y Can’t Tori Read and Dr. Dre’s less-than-gangsta appreciation of eyeliner in his pre-NWA days. But while I’d read about Alice in Chains’ glammy, pre-grunge period, I wasn’t quite ready for the picture I found …

Read more »

As usual, click here if you want to take the quiz, sans spoilers. Otherwise, check yesterday’s answers below:

1. “Nevermind” (H. Garbage man Butch Vig)

2. “Reign in Blood” (K. Super producer Rick Rubin)

3. “Los Angeles” (A. Doors keyboard guy Ray Mazarek)

4. “It Takes a Nation of Millions …” (M. The Bomb Squad)

5. “Unknown Pleasures” (I. Martin Hannett … what a beautifully produced record!)

6. “Abbey Road” (G. George Martin)

7. “Thriller” (B. Seattle Garfield High guy Quincy Jones)

8. “The Joshua Tree” (J. Eno &

Read more »

Are you ready for this week’s quiz, y’all? It’s kinda tough. Your task: Match the classic album to the guys who produced ‘em:

The classics

1. Nirvana’s "Nevermind"

2. Slayer’s "Reign in Blood"

3. X’s "Los Angeles"

4. Public Enemy’s "It Takes a Nation of Millions …”

5. Joy Division’s "Unknown Pleasures"

6. The Beatles "Abbey Road"

7. Michael Jackson’s "Thriller"

8. U2′s "The Joshua Tree"

9. Radiohead’s "OK Computer"

10. Parliament’s "Chocolate City"

11. Metallica’s "Master of Puppets"

12. Devo’s "Q: Are We

Read more »

Another cross section of songs I’m obsessed with at the moment …

“One Hundred Days” Mark Lanegan

As much as I’ve dug Mark Lanegan’s output with the Screaming Trees and Queens of the Stone Age, I’ve been guilty of sleeping on his solo stuff. But I revisited 2004′s “Bubblegum” recently, and this song is so sublime. Yet another disc that makes me want to kick myself for not putting it on that year’s best albums list.

“Beyond and Back” X

I’d started craving X again – especially watching

Read more »

Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers are the first headliner to be announced for the Gorge Amphitheatre’s 2008 season. The veteran outfit – known for "American Girl," "Refugee," "Free Fallin’" and other classics – is scheduled to appear Aug. 15 and 16, Live Nation announced just a little while ago.

Tickets are set at $45.00 to $95.00, and they’ll go on sale at 10 a.m. on Feb. 4. Check in with Ticketmaster or Live Nation for further details.

Of course, broke and cheap fans can just stay home and check ‘em out during halftime at

Read more »