If you didn’t catch AWOLNATION on the road in 2011, you are in luck because the band has released a 2011 Tour Yearbook, which documents their year of touring. The clip features a remix of “Burn It Down” by Innerpartysystem, which can be downloaded for free via a Tweet to Download. AWOLNATION has also given you, Shockya readers, another chance to see them work their indie-electronic magic live. The Aaron Bruno fronted outfit will be performing at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival Sunday, April 14th and 21st in Indio CA, alongside such artists as Radiohead, Noel Gallagher, Feist, Kasabian and The Shins. Prior to Coachella, AWOLNATION will be going  [ Read More ]

With the upcoming release of their debut album, “I Waited For You”, Valora will redefine the male ego. The alternative rock genre is in dire need of this shake-up. The music industry doesn’t yearn for a band that can deliver a Daughtry hit, followed by a Nickelback hit, a Foo Fighters’ hit and topped off with the ultimate mimic, a Nirvana hit. The industry needs originality and what better way to spice up the bland rock stew than with some female flavoring? Shockya readers, say hello to the ultimate alternative ingredient, Syd Duran. Don’t worry, she is not a duplicate of Paramore’s Hayley Williams. Duran will not simply dismiss the  [ Read More ]

The recipe to make a successful party song doesn’t consist of a laundry list of ingredients. You should take a listen to LMFAO’s slew of hit singles to understand the simplicity of it. Despite the few track requirements, there are handfuls of party tunes that fail to accomplish the dapper duo’s mastery. Whether it be an unimpressive hook, unmemorable beats or choppy verses, these lackluster tracks are far from contagious. LMFAO triumphed over the competition in 2011, but Far East Movement may surpass the party kings in 2012 with their new single, “Jello”, featuring Rye Rye. The Los Angeles electro-hip hop group just released the official music video for “Jello”.  [ Read More ]

Rapper and NCIS: Los Angeles actor LL Cool J has been confirmed as the host of this year’s Grammy Awards. The news was announced this past Wednesday by the Recording Academy, marking the Academy’s first host for the big event in seven years. Set to perform at the awards night is singer Jason Aldean, pop star Taylor Swift, Kelly Clarkson, The Foo Fighters, Bruno Mars and rapper Nicki Minaj. Singer Kanye West is currently leading the night’s nominations in seven categories, along with the Foo Fighters, Bruno Mars, and Adele. A two-time Grammy Award winner, LL Cool J announced his happiness over taking on the hosting duties for the night.  [ Read More ]

Yesterday, ShockYa reported on the music video for Blink-182′s newest single, “After Midnight.” Today, the behind-the-scenes video of the making of the film has been released on AOL Music. According to the press release, director Isaac Rentz said the music video, which is about troubled lovers in a psychiatric ward who break free to spend an incredible night together, is a little like the 1980s film “Ferris Beuller’s Day Off.” “It’s that idea of one person trying to help another person to live life,” he said. “It’s almost like ‘Ferris Beuller’s Day Off’ in that they have this one night to have a great time together.” Aside from seeing the  [ Read More ]

Fans of the legendary rock band Van Halen seem to define the rock band before David Lee Roth and after Roth left the group. For those who have been clamoring for the band–the full band–to get back together and forget their differences, it would seem that your prayers have been answered. Van Halen have been hard at work on their newest CD, “A Different Kind of Truth,” their first original studio album with David Lee Roth since the classic multi-platinum album “1984.” The band has also released their video for their new single, “Tattoo.” The video can be viewed either below the post or at VEVO.com. The album is also  [ Read More ]

Blink-182 fans, if you haven’t heard that your favorite band has a new video out, then think of this post as your wake-up call. The pop-punk band has released the music video for the second single from “Neighborhoods,” “After Midnight.” The video was directed by Isaac Rentz, and according to Mark Hoppus, “the concept [of the video] is troubled love found in a psych ward.” You can watch the video below this post. Also, a behind-the-scenes video on “After Midnight” will be out on AOL Music Thursday. I’m sure if you love seeing how a music video comes together, you’ll love seeing the details that went into the making of  [ Read More ]

Ever since it was announced that Beyoncé had given birth to her daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, the Twittersphere and blogosphere have been alight with reactions, jokes, and even music. Let’s take a look at how the internet responded to the joyous news. -Blue Ivy’s father, Jay-Z, released a song on SoundCloud called “Glory.” The song also features Blue Ivy’s voice. You can listen to it here. -Seconds after it was announced what Beyoncé and Jay-Z named their daughter, Twitter hashtags #IvyBlue and #NamesBetterThanIvyBlue were created, with tons of people making jokes about the baby’s name. Of course, these hashtags were created when it was still thought that the baby’s name  [ Read More ]

Rapper Snoop Dogg has been arrested in Texas for possession of marijuana. The well known singer was busted after a drug sniffing dog picked up the scent of weed on his tour bus. Snoop Dogg, who just recently showed up on the long time game show, Price is Right, was stopped at a patrol check point in Sierra Blanca, a small town located in West Texas. Snoop Dogg’s arrest happened over the weekend on Saturday morning after police uncovered three prescription bottles filled with marijuana cigarettes, per CNN. According to a statement released from the Hudspeth County Sheriff’s office, the rapper “freely admitted” that the drugs were his. The news  [ Read More ]

With the 2011 album countdowns officially over, there is now enough room for the music of 2012 to come on through. As with every year, the top ten albums competition is stiff, but that only means good news for listeners who are provided with a wide variety of genres to choose amongst. What will you pick for your 2012 lists? You are probably quite unsure of your choices right now, but The All-American Rejects upcoming album, “Kids In The Street”, will be a given contender. The DGC/Interscope recording artists will digitally release the first track, “Beekeeper’s Daughter”, off their fourth studio album on January 24th. Written by lead singer, lyricist  [ Read More ]

Casey Desmond is probably a name you have heard more than once this year, especially if you watched “The Voice”. The Boston native was a part of Adam Levine’s team, which also consisted of “The Voice” winner, Javier Colon. Unfortunately, the singer, songwriter and musician was sent home by Levine after she battled teammate, Jeff Jenkins, on Elton John’s “Don’t Let Sun Go Down On Me”. You only temporarily had to say goodbye to Desmond that night in May because in 2012, she will be releasing a new studio album. Yes, Desmond will frequently be associated with “The Voice”, but her 2012 album will also showcase her game-shifting sound abilities  [ Read More ]

Beloved rapper Heavy D was one of the celebrity casualties of this year. The news of his death rocked the music industry, but the speculation about how he died was also something that took over the mindspace of the entertainment news industry. According to a post by Entertainment Weekly, a coroner has finally given the cause of death. According to Entertainment Weekly, there was not just one cause, but several causes. According to the coroner’s report, Heavy D died from a pulmonary embolism–a condition that is blockage of the main artery to the lungs– as well as a deep leg-vein thrombosis–a condition that causes blood clots to form–as well as  [ Read More ]

Hip-hop music has gotten a bit jagged with the technological advances in music production. In no way is jagged meant as an insult, but there are times, where hip-hop and rap would sound more appealing if the hard tempo beats were replaced with sleeker ones. These genres were originally meant for artists to battle each other on who had more flow, but have now adapted to who can drop the bigger beat. Thankfully for La Coka Nostra, hip-hop will be able to revert back to the ways of velvetiness. The La Coka Nostra super-crew, which consists of Everlast, DJ Lethal, Danny Boy and Ill Bille and Slaine, have re-surfaced just  [ Read More ]

With 2011 coming to an end, you should prepare to be flooded with countdowns from the year’s top movies to the top music videos. Yes, some of these lists are entirely trivial, but they are also short and sweet and sum up a year in less than five minutes. A trivial list in this context would be the top ten reality stars, which is a completely unnecessary countdown since a Kardashian is at every number. You, Shockya readers, deserve an unpredictable list that can benefit you, not make you wish you could be famous for doing absolutely nothing. So, open up your iTunes and get ready to purchase the Top  [ Read More ]

On the ShockYa list for the Top Ten Albums of 2011, which is coming soon, is AWOLNATION’s “Megalithic Symphony”. The 14 track debut album, which dropped March 15th via Red Bull Records, blended the indie rock vocals of Aaron Bruno with an electronic tempo. These synthesized background beats are complex and take to the darker side of the electronica genre. Pop-techno may not be everybody’s calling, but with albums like “Megalithic Symphony”, rock-techno could be the genre to proudly convert those to the eletronica side. So, thanks AWOLNATION for opening up the music doors to fans of more than one genre. Double that thanks because AWOL has given you a  [ Read More ]