A Lily Allen parody is buzzing around the internets and apparently it has even struck a chord with Ms. Allen herself. The tune "LDN is a Victim" parodies Allen and some of her crew on the London music scene. Allen doesn't seem amused and a comment was left by her MySpace profile saying "So what if w'ere (sic) middle class? Just cause your mum was too lazy to get her fat ass up off the sofa and make some cash . I shouldn't be able to make tunes yeah? (which is more than you're doing by the way.)" Someone a bit touchy?

Ozzy Osborne has reportedly enlisted Britney Spears producer Kevin Churko to polish up his latest record Black Rain. Ozzy apparently thinks the record will be some of his "darkest work" is quoted as muttering: "I just thought there's so much f**king bad news, the only way I can release it is to put it in a song." The disc hits stores May 22nd.

The NY Post says Jessie Malin "is the successor to Lou Reed's crown as the lord of The City's underground." Be that as it may, Jessie is popping his head above ground in a couple of weeks for "Storytellers" type gig at the Apple Store Soho. Talk about a walk on the wild side...

In between listening to their Tom Waits and Neil Young records, Backyard Tire Fire are set for a busy spring tour and then summer playing just about every major festival. As a bit of preview check out some live video: Blood on the Strings and Crack Alley.

Speaking of great live music, the Pawnshop Roses will hit the main stage of Philadelphia's Trocadero Theatre on May 10th for a cd release party for Let it Roll the band's full length debut on Earvolution Records. Ok, I'm a little biased, but you'll definately want to check this out! As a sneak peak, I've put the title track in the mp3 offerings below.

Mp3 Offerings:
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals: Ah Mary
Pawnshop Roses: Let It Roll
The Hold Steady: Take Me Out to the Ballgame
Medeski and Martin: Crustaceatron
The Brakes: Hotel Lobby

Billy Martin and John Medeski of Martin, Medeski and Wood fame put out a new cd called Mago on Billy's own Amulet Records. It is in stores now and you can check out the video for the single "Crustaceatron" here.

Neil Aspinall, one of a few "Fifth Beatles", stepped down from Apple Corps after reportedly becoming upset with the policy direction of the Apple board. Apple politely wished Aspinall well stating "had been with John, Paul, George and Ringo for a spectacular 40 plus years, during which he played an indispensable role for the four. He was there since the inception of the band in Liverpool and has meant so much to the Beatles' family for all these years and still does." But, Aspinall is quoted as saying he didn't like the way the band's legacy was being turned into a "cash cow." No worries for Apple, as McCartney is still around to assist in the milking.

Labels: Beatles, Lily Allen, Mp3s, Pawnshop Roses, The Hold Steady