What a lousy pot shot that was. Jastro Castro, who was recently voted off American Idol signed autographs and posed for photos in a steady rainfall as he left the Regis and Kelly show Monday. Jason admits to being goofy. Check out pic below for further proof. Read the rest of this entry »

In the bloated market of young female singer-songwriters, coming out with a unique sound is pretty difficult. But young Welsh crooner Duffy tries her hardest with her debut album, Rockferry. The results are mixed.

Like many neo-soul singers Duffy focuses on the woes of love, and though her topic isn’t particularly original, she is good at writing catchy hooks. Her vocals are much the same story. She has a strong voice, but she often seems to be veering between Alanis Morissette and Norah Jones imitations. The first half of Rockferry really showcases these weaknesses, especially with the repetitive, overly mellow “Stepping Stone.”

But track five, “Syrup and Honey,” proves a turning point in the album, if only because Duffy finally seems to find her own voice on it. The songs that follow are full of the spirit and emotional honesty that were missing from the first half of the album. The highlight track of the disc is definitely “Mercy” which shows that this girl can get funky when she wants to. And most of the other songs are enjoyable and easy to listen to. Even at her worst, Duffy never drags. There’s plenty of good stuff here, it’s just a little underdeveloped.

- Helen Horn-Mitchem

“Election Day” to play in Election Year
By Jon Chattman

Nick Rhodes, longtime keyboardist for Duran Duran, told thecheappop.com that the band plans on rehearsing “Election Day” soon and include it in their current Red Carpet Massacre tour. The song, which the band has never played live, was a big hit on Rhodes’ 1985 side project Arcadia, which featured Duran Duran bandmates Simon Le Bon and Roger Taylor. The band only recorded one album (So Red The Rose, which went multiplatinum), but has never toured together.

“Funny enough,” Rhodes told the pop humor website that Duran Duran guitarist John Taylor actually came up with the idea for the band to include it in their set list.

“John said recently he’d really love to do ‘Election Day.’ We sort of prepared it and figured out what certain things are and what sounds we need and all these kind of things. We haven’t rehearsed it yet [but] yeah that’s going to be coming into the battalion.” Read the rest of this entry »

Paris Hilton and boyfriend Benji Madden arrived at JFK airport in New York from LA. Paris stopped to take a photo with a fan as the two were in search of their truck. After heading to the upper level of the airport, the couple had to wait in a holding area for their truck to finally arrive. Luckily, a creep old guy wearing an expensive gray suit was there to help them with their luggage.

Photo/Mike DiScuillo

Katherine McPhee left her Upper West Side apartment, raced to her car and headed to an office building on Sixth Avenue in Midtown the other day. She and Bo Bice look alike - in this picture anyway - you know but without the beard.

Photo/Mike DiScuillo

Brooke White, recently voted off American Idol, was whisked into and out of The Mike and Juliet Show with her husband nearby, in Midtown Manhattan the other day. I wonder if Brooke is really that nice in person. I mean seriously no one can be that nice right? Well, Betty White is seriously is anyone else?

Photo/Mike DiScuillo

Stand Pat
By Mike Johnson

When I first heard about the opportunity to go check out a Pat McGee show at the Canal Room I was psyched to catch a live version of that “Yooouurrrrrrr so beautiful” song, but it turns out that dive bar classic is performed by Pat McGuire. Then I was reminded of a rude, Scottish, sexually charged character I created as a 12 year old on a long car ride to a soccer tournament in Michigan named Pat McGroin, but that’s neither here nor there. The important fact to take home here is that I couldn’t even call myself a casual Pat McGee fan before the show, not because I didn’t like him, but because I didn’t know who he was. That statement doesn’t put me in the majority. Several people were excited on my behalf that I was going to a McGee show last Tuesday and I was adequately convinced that I would enjoy it. Read the rest of this entry »

You know the song, love the song, can’t get enough of the song so here’s a special remix for all yas.
Time To Pretend (Jorge Elbrecht of Violens Remix)

“Well, the best one ever without any shadow of doubt is Salvador Dali. There’s even a book on Salvador Dali’s mustache. It’s a fantastic surrealist book, and it’s available on reprint and I would recommend for you mustachees out there that you go straight to that book and rethink your position on your mustache. As you will see, Salvador Dali had many ideas of what one can do with a little wax.”

On whether the band ever considered a mustache?
“I don’t know that any of us have ever had a mustach. I think maybe John had a mustache for a little while perhaps when he was doing some of his solo stuff, and Simon definitely wins the unshaven award.”

Check out my full interview with Nick tomorrow!

Me likey.

Carly Simon on the set of GMA the other day, where she performed in the Summer Concert Series. American Idol’s Brooke White is drawing comparisons to Carly, and Carly has lent her support for White as well. But, White was voted off last week so I’m not sure what any of you can do with that information.

Photo/Mike DiScuillo

Taylor Swift performed on Good Morning America in part with their Summer Concert Series. You know who will never perform for the show’s summer concerts? Rue McClanahan. I’m just saying.

Photo/Mike DiScuillo

John Mayer, as he pointed out on his own blog, got a new 1980s inspired feathered do - only this guy can get this haircut and still reportedly shag Jennifer Aniston or anyone for that matter.

Photo/Mike DiScuillo

Scarlett Johansson highly anticipated solo album is on its way. The video to her first song, a Tom Waits cover as all of the songs are on the album, was released to a swirl of mixed reactions this week. On an unrelated note, we caught her the other day leaving SoHo grand with her face down. Chin up, Scarlett. You’re rich, famous, and Bill Murray wanted to shag you in that Japanese karaoke movie.

Photo/Mike DiScuillo

The Bosch, one of thecheappop.com’s favorite new (or newer anyway) bands, has released a follow-up to their Hurry Up EP. You can stream and download the songs now!

El Perro Del Mar and Lykke Li are both on the rise. We can’t get enough of their respective eclectic sound. Now we’re spreading the wealth. In order to win, comment below and tell us why you’d like to win and get four of your friends to subscribe to thecheappop.com feed at - where else - thecheappop.com/feed. Also note in comment if you’d like to receive updates from El Perro Del Mar and Lykke Li! Let us know if you’d also like ticket info for “An Evening with El Perro Del Mar and Lykke Li with special guest Anna Ternheim” in NYC next week. Good luck, hipsters.