Rage Against the Machine created the expected furor at Coachella last weekend and the Drudge Report seems intent on fanning the flames of controversy. Zach de la Rocha called the Administration "war criminals" and suggested that some be "tried, hung and shot(video here)." Drudge has been featuring a link on the issue ever since, to signal a posturing opportunity for his brethren. Zach apparently has great faith in the First Amendment. However, I won't be surprised in these guys end up in Guantanamo Bay.

My friends The Swear down in Atlanta are set to record new material with producer Ted Niceley. You'll recognize Ted from his work with Fugazi and he's also worked with Girls Against Boys, Tracy Bonham, Dead Milkmen and Tripping Daisy. The new recordings will be a part of The Swear's second album, set for release in fall 2007. The band has already tracked three songs for the record with producer Jeff Tomei (Smashing Pumpkins, Jerry Cantrell). Once recorded, the album will be mixed by Girls Against Boys' Eli Janney, known for his recent work on albums by Garbage, Secret Machines, Ryan Adams, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!, James Blount and The Rapture. Keep your eyes and ears out for that one.

Downtown Records have been on a roll lately with a slew of great acts including Gnarls Barkley, Cold War Kids and Art Brut. Now they've signed a young Philadelphia soul singer Kevin Michael. BuzzSugar has the scoop.

Mp3 Offerings:
The Clutters: 9999 Ways to Hate Us
We Are Standard: On the Floor
Born Ruffians: Knife (Grizzly Bear cover)
Astrid Swan: They Need You If They Think You Love Them
Land of Talk: Speak to Me Bones

Mott the Hoople frontman Ian Hunter will tour the U.S. in support of his Yep Roc Records release Shrunken Heads. The album is due out May 15th and Ian's first studio recording since 2001's Rant. The record features Wilco's Jeff Tweedy on backing vocals on three tracks as well as an who's who in backing musicians including Soozie Tyrell (E Street Band violinist), Steve Holley (Wings, Joe Cocker), Graham Maby (Joe Jackson, Natalie Merchant, Joan Baez), Jack Petruzzelli (Rufus Wainwright, Joan Osbourne), James Mastro (John Cale), Andy Burton (the dB's) and Andy York (John Mellencamp).

Britney Spears returned to the concert stage last night for the first time in years. The pop tart graced her fans for all of 15 minutes. Some say she didn't even actually sing. Some show goers even paid up to $125 for tickets. But, despite the disappointing short set, the short skirt and Go Go Boots did look nice, at least until you can no longer keep Kevin Federline from popping into your head. No news yet confirming additional tour dates for Britney.

Labels: Britney Spears, Mp3s, Philadelphia, Rage Against The Machine, The Swear