blink-182 Return with 50-second Punk/Hardcore Ripper "Generational Divide" from "Punk-Rock Closet" (Viking Wizard Eyes/Columbia Records)

Last Friday was quite the busy day for critically-acclaimed drummer/producer Travis Barker: his remix for rising Pop songstress Maggie Lindemann's "Friends Go" was released, as well as "F9mily (You and Me)" from Country/Rap emcee Lil Nas X's latest 7 EP, AND his main gig, Blink-182 released a new song, "Generational Divide." As many of you may know by now, long-time co-vocalist and guitarist, Tom DeLonge, was fired/quit Blink back in 2015. Prior to this, the band had been active with Mark Hoppus, Tom DeLonge & Travis Barker from 1998-2005, then, the band broke up for about four years, and reunited in 2009 for numerous world-wide tours. FULL DISCLOSURE: Blink-182 was amongst my first favorite Punk/Hardcore bands, so I'm a bit biased! I've always stated, I was happy when Blink returned—although, Mark & Travis' Electro-Rock/Pop-Punk band (+44) formed in the interim, put out one of my all-time favorite albums!—although, their proper 2011 "reunion" album, Neighborhoods, was a bit lackluster and disjointed-sounding. Honestly, I would have been completely happy and content, if Blink-182's final album was their genre-eschewing first "final" album, untitled/self-titled from 2003... or even their 2012 holiday EP, Dogs Eating Dogs, which featured a couple verses from Shady/Slumerican Records emcee, Yelawolf.

Although, to any effect, Blink have now recruited long-time friend and touring mate, Matt Skiba from Alkaline Trio as their newest member and replacement for Tom DeLonge. This new incarnation of Blink with Matt Skiba has already released a full-length together, 2016's California, which received a Deluxe Edition Re-issue in May 2017 complete with 12 additional Bonus Tracks. "Generational Divide" is a 50-second Punk/Hardcore ripper that, it appears, will serve as the second proper single from Blink-182's upcoming as-yet-untitled/unannounced eight studio album. "It's kind of anything goes. It's the same vibe that was that was going on when we did the self-titled [album]. Literally, anything goes... I think, we're creating one of the most important Blink albums, so I'm really proud of it," Travis Barker explained within a recent interview with Front Row Live Ent. Barker, also, confirmed said album will, supposedly, be produced by long-time collaborator John Feldmann (Goldfinger) as well as Pharrell & The Futuristics. "Generational Divide" was filmed at a secret location, which has thus far, only been referred to as the "Punk-Rock Closet" and directed by Kevin Kerslake. Blink are surrounded by what appears to be a room plastered wall-to-wall with Old School & Modern Day Punk/Hardcore flyers; blink and you might miss it, but you'll catch quick glimpses of flyers for The Misfits, Fugazi, Circle Jerks, Melvins, Naked Raygun, The Cramps, Wasted Youth, Youth of Today, Hinds, Rancid, Dead Kennedys, The Orientles, Stains, and countless other seminal Punk bands.

"Let Me Shine for You:" Lindsay Lohan for Playboy (Winter 2011-12 Leak)

Lindsay Lohan essentially embodies exactly "What NOT to Do In Hollywood :" Fame, fortune, success... sex, drugs & Rock "N" Roll . Within a fairly short period of time, Lohan somehow managed to obtain a plentiful helping of POWER @ a very young age. This gradual rise-downfall was captured on film; Between 1998-2010, she portrayed a wide array of roles across the silver screen in movies including: Mean Girls, Bobby , Herbie Fully Loaded , Georgia Rule, Machete , and Freaky Friday . Between rapid-paced film shoots, Lindsay Lohan also found time to record 2 Pop Rock albums for Casablanca , Speak (2004) and A Litter More Personal-Raw (2005). Needless to say, Lindsay Lohan has gotten roped up in a lot of troubles and woes with the law over the last 3-5 years... a vicious cycle of drugs, arrest, court, rehab, "daddy issues," jail time [Repeat]. That's the pure basics of it - But Google that shit for additional info, if necessary. Towards the end of...

[W]reckless, Topless American Youth: Lana del Rey - "Born 2 Die" (Britney Spears Birthday 30)

Lana del Rey [Lizzy Grant] effectively became 2011's "It Girl" with the release of her phenomenal debut single, "Video Games" (Stranger) . Like many struggling singer-songwriters, Grant has been signed, dropped, and significantly changed her public image since bursting onto the scene (2009). With that said, it can be assumed that Lana del Rey has collected just as many "haters" as she has avid supporters. To be perfectly honest, the only other artist I can think of that made this much commotion... garnered so much wide-spread buzz/hate and critical acclaim -- right out of the gates -- with just one track is Britney Spears . And maybe in this post- Mike musical era, that's the true synthesis of Pop Culture: Britney Lynn Spears . After months of repeated teasing and speculation, Lana del Rey 's major label debut, Born 2 Die will [finally] be released this coming Jan. 30-31, 2012. Pitchfork reports that it will feature "Off to The Ra...

Liberty Bell Cracked In 1/2: Ween - "Freedom of '76" (Gene Ween's Final Send-Off)

Chocolate & Cheese (1994) was one of the first albums I bought with my own money. I was in some sort of BMG Music Club , where you'd buy 5 CD's and then get 10 for "FREE." It was all sent through mail order and you picked the titles from some special booklet. I'm almost positive that Chocolate & Cheese's side boob-baring album cover was what initially drew me in... mind you, I was 12-15 and the zany Ween logo/middle finger CD graphic really didn't hurt either. Honestly, I forget how I really felt about it @ the time, but a few years later, my older cousin Josh told me that Ween were this BIG college "jam band." CKY did some sort pf 93.3 radio takeover to promote their new album and played "Freedom of '76" late that night on air. Needless to say, I re-visited Chocolate & Cheese @ about 20-something this go 'round and I fucking loved it! Ween were really weird, yet talented... almost too talented. I can vaguel...

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