Independence Day is right around the corner and the celebration is happening at Warner Park right here in Madison, WI on Saturday July 3rd. Rhythm & Booms 2010 has returned for the 18th year, and this year will surely be as great as past years. Rhythm & Booms is an annual Fourth of July celebration that draws over 250,000 people a year to Madison to enjoy the festivities.

This year there will be some great music on the Leinie’s/WOLX stage including Road Trip from 2-4pm, followed by Super Tuesday from 5-7:40pm, and finally Creedence Again from 8-9:30 and then 10-11:30.

Remember to bring your radio and don’t miss the fireworks at dusk choreographed to music broadcast on 94.9 WOLX!

So, if you are in or around Madison this weekend and are looking for a good way to celebrate America with your fellow country men and women, head to Warner Park on July 3rd.

For more information and complete details regarding Rhythm & Booms, check here.

Alternative country fans listen up!  Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit released a deluxe edition of their self-titled album.  The album is Jason Isbell’s second full length album and also with his first The 400 Unit accompanying.  The deluxe edition of the album includes a handful of never before released tracks including the band’s cover of Big Star’s “When My Baby’s Beside Me” along with acoustic versions of “Cigarettes and Wine,” “Streetlights,” and “Blue.”

Here is a free download of the acoustic version of “Cigarettes and Wine” to check out.

If you like what you hear be sure to check out the rest of the deluxe release and also check out Jason when he hits the road this summer.  Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit have scheduled numerous dates across the country including a July 30 date at the Wisconsin Showboat Saloon in Wisconsin Dells, WI.

For more information and tour dates check out Jason Isbell’s site.

New Albums for June 29. 2010

	Alejandro Escovedo
	Street Songs of Love
	John Fogerty
	Centerfield (25th Anniversary Edition)
	Jimi Hendrix
	Experience Hendrix: The Best of Jimi Hendrix
	Indigo Girls
	Staring Down The Brilliant Dream (Live)
	Jackson 5
	J5 Live At The Forum
	XTC
	Apple Venus (7 inch Box Set)

Top Five Movies From Last Week
1. Toy Story 3, $59.3 Mil, $226.8 Mil Total
2. Grown Ups, $40.5 Mil, $40.5 Mil Total
3. Knight & Day, $20.1 Mil, $20.1 Mil Total
4. The Karate Kid, $15.5 Mil, $135 Mil Total
5. The A-Team, $6.2 Mil, $63 Mil Total

Getting up early in the morning can be tough.  Now you can see the one animal that acts just like me when I wake up.

Forbes Releases Most Powerful Celebrity List

Forbes Magazine recently released this years annual list of the richest and most powerful celebrities.  The list of the one hundred most powerful celebrities contains many musicians including Triple M noteworthy artists including  Irish rockers U2 at number 7, Bruce Springsteen at number 17, and Coldplay at number 35.  The top five most powerful celebrities this year include Oprah Winfrey at number one, Beyonce Knowles at number 2, James Cameron at number 3, pop newcomer Lady Gaga at number 4, and finally Tiger Woods at number 5.  For the full list of Forbes Most Powerful, check out Forbes.

Michael Jackson’s Famous Glove Auctioned for $190,000

Michael Jackson items were placed up for auction on the one year anniversary of his death this week in Las Vegas.  The most noteworthy item up for sale was the famous Swarovski-crystal-studded glove from Jackson’s 1984 Victory Tour.  The glove was estimated to sell for approximately 20 to 30 thousand dollars, but ended up selling for $190,000.  Total sales topped one million dollars at the auction of Jackson memorabilia.  more info

R.E.M. and Snow Patrol Members Form Side Project, Tired Pony

R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck and Snow Patrol lead singer Gary Lightbody have formed a new side-project called Tired Pony.  Details regarding the newly formed project are brief, but known information includes that Tired Pony plan on releasing an album titled The Place We Ran From on September 28.  The album will be on mom+pop records and will include contributions from actress and She & Him singer Zooey Deschanel and Editors frontman Tom Smith.  Tired Pony has set up a website where you can check out a track and preorder the release.  more info

Kinks Bassist Pete Quaife Passes Away

Original Kinks bassist Pete Quaife passed away last week in Denmark.  Quaife was 66 years old and died of kidney failure.  Pete Quaife had known and been playing with both Ray and Dave Davies since their days as high school classmates.  This sad passing calls for the listening of some Kinks classics today.  more info

The National’s Matt Berninger Causes Airport Evacuation

Matt Berninger of Brooklyn based rock band The National caused some travel issues when he attempted to bring a Japanese alarm clock he purchased while on tour in Tokyo.  TSA evacuated the Honolulu airport for 45 minutes while they identified the mysterious item in Berninger’s suitcase.  Berninger had to let TSA keep the novelty item but said that TSA was pleasant and professional in their handling of the issue.  Matt Berninger also apologized to anyone who missed a flight because of the incident.  more info

The Sound Strike Coalition Adds Members

Outspoken Rage Against the Machine frontman Zach de la Rocha has set up a coalition of artists to fight and protest the recently passed Arizona immigration law.  The coalition goes under the name Sound Strike and includes artists such as Steve Earle, Billy Bragg, Ben Harper, Maroon 5, Sonic Youth, Rage Against the Machine plus many more.  Within the last couple of days Nine Inch Nails, My Morning Jacket, and Gogol Bordello all joined Sound Strike.  Members of Sound Strike will not perform in the state of Arizona until the law is repealed.  more info

Here is a video of Zach de la Rocha explaining Sound Strike

Zack De La Rocha for The Sound Strike from Producciones Cimarrón on Vimeo.

-Sam Ryan

of Montreal (yes, “of” is not capitalized in the band name) is a band that is surprisingly not “of Montreal.”  In reality, the band is actually of Athens, Georgia.

of Montreal is an indie-rock-pop band who have released a plethora of albums including their 2007 release Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer? and their 2008 release Skeletal Lamping.  To follow up to these past successful acclaimed albums, of Montreal will be releasing a new album on September 14 titled False Priest.

of Montreal is showing love to their truest and dearest fans by allowing anyone to download a copy of the album’s first single “Coquet Coquette” for free through the bands site prior to the official release date.

Check out the track and keep your ears open for more of Montreal tunes and news here on Triple M!

-Sam Ryan

Maybe it just wasn’t meant to be.  Once again ladies and gentlemen- here’s our special guest World Cup Blogger, Keefe Klug…

As the Ghanaen breakaway began in the first few minutes of overtime our nation collectively watched its 2010 World Cup hopes dissapear with the flick of a foot. 

Galiant efforts by the US team against Slovenia and Algeria will be overshadowed by their innability to protect the 18 yardbox at the onset of games.  Of the 5 goals scored against the Stars and Stripes in their 4 games, 3 of them were scored in the first 15 minutes.  In fact, the only goal scored after the first half was the Ghanaen goal to seal our fate.

Playing from behind is doable in one, or maybe two games, but to expect your squad to do that consistently against world class talent is absurd.  Good analogy-  Brewers Starting Pitching: US First half defense

In other world cup news, Im excited for the other first round matchups. My upset pick? Japan over Paraguay tomorrow.

Now that the brackets are official I will show you my picks for the rest of the tourny!

First Round:

Uruguay over S Korea (correct 2-0)

US over Ghana  (incorrect 1-2)

Netherlands over Slovakia

Brazil over Chile

Germany over England (correct 4-1)

Argentina over Mexico (correct 3-1)

Japan over Paraguay

Spain over Portugal

Quarterfinals:

 Uruguay over Ghana (I had US here)

Netherlands over Brazil

Germany over Argentina

Spain over Japan

Semi-Finals:

 Netherlands over Uruguay

Germany over Spain

 Finals:

 Germany 2. Netherlands 1.

 Golden Boot watch:

Gonzalo Higuain (ARG)

Thomas Mueller (GER)

Asamoah Gyan (GHA)

David Villa (ESP)

Luis Suarez (URU)

Interesting facts so far:

-South America as a continent is UNDEFEATED.  5 of 5 teams made the round of 16.  That will change this afternoon when Chile and Brazil meet.

-Through 4 games Argentinian Striker Gonzalo Higuain has scored more goals (4) than Algeria, North Korea, Switzerland, Honduras, and France combined (3) through 14 total games in their first rounds, respectively.

 Enjoy the games!

The quest to find my favorite Madison neighborhood bar continued Sunday with a stop at Mickey’s Tavern in the Willy St./Marquette area.  A friend highly recommended Mickey’s for breakfast and a bloody mary.

The $5 bloody mary was good.  Loaded with pickle, olive, brussel sprout, onion, hot pepper, lemon and lime.  When it landed in front of me I thought.. damn, that’s breakfast right there! Loved all the condiments but it wasn’t like wow.. I gotta have another one of those.

The scrambled eggs with sun dried tomatoes, basil, and fresh mozzarella was tasty.  Service was great. Big patio out back, pool table and nice sized bar inside.  Really like the vibe of Mickey’s. Feels like an old home converted into a bar.  They have live music on the weekends too. Mickey’s pretty much has everything you want in a neighborhood bar.

One Year Anniversary of Michael Jackson’s Death

One year ago today the King of Pop sadly left us.  Michael Jackson, known for his numerous chart topping pop hits during the 80’s and 90’s, died last year June 25, 2009.  Details surrounding the abrupt death are still not clear but Jackson fans around the world have been dancing to all his the in memory of the King.  Be sure to play your favorite Michael Jackson tunes in memory today.  more info

Concerts on the Square Release Summer Schedule

The 27th year of Concerts on the Square has released its schedule beginning June 30th.  The concert schedule includes the first show being songs of Summer Romance, a Beatles tribute night, and also the Madison ballet one night.  Heading to a Concert on the Square is a great way to spend a beautiful summer night.  Be sure to head downtown for a show or two this summer.  Here is the full schedule and information.

Depeche Mode: The Musical?

Alternative rock band Depeche Mode could be taking the Green Day route and adapting their music to take form of a musical.  Theater writer and director Adrian Buckle is reportedly writing a musical that uses the music of Depeche Mode as the story’s narrative backbone.  The tentative title for the play is Playing the Angel after the band’s 2005 album.  Because the musical information is still tentative, specific details are not yet released.  more info

Beach Boys 50th Anniversary, Brian Wilson Reunion?

The Beach Boys will be celebrating their 50th Anniversary as a band soon and rumors of a reunion of all remaining members to play together have been circulating.  Sadly, singer Mike Love recently shot down the speculation when he stated that a Brian Wilson joining Beach Boys date is not planned.  Love explained that Wilson is working on his own solo projects and that the Beach Boys wish him well.  Beach Boy fans can hope this is only a smoke screen, but a reunion is sadly not looking good.  more info

Library of Congress Recording Registry Inducts Songs by Willie Nelson, REM, The Band and more!

The Library of Congress Recording Registry has recently inducted 25 songs to the Library’s collection.  The Recording Registry inducts songs that are at least 10 years old while also being culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.  Nominations were selected by online voting as well as choices by the National Recording Preservation Board.  The recent inductees included tracks by Willie Nelson, REM, Little Richard, and The Band.  More information and the full list of recent inductees

Gregg Allman has successful Liver Transplant

Rocker Gregg Allman of the Allman Brothers recently underwent a successful liver transplant as part of Gregg’s continuing battle with Hepatitis C.  Gregg Allman says he is feeling good and is looking forward to a speedy recovery and getting back to music.  Gregg underwent the surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Florida and was very pleased with the treatment.  Allman described the wonderful staff saying, “Everybody involved here, my doctors and nurses in the hospital and all the Allman Brothers fans, they’ve just all been great.”  more info

Google Working to Expand, Google Music Next?

Google is looking to get into the music download market as they are looking to create a new service tied to their search engine later this year, and a subscription service in 2011.  Specific details, including whether Google has made deals with record labels, about the new services are still vague and will likely trickle out over time.  It is thought that with the expansion of Google’s Android cell phone operating system in the market, a music service is the next step in Google’s attempt to take hold of the media market.  Keep your eyes open for new Google features and services.  more info