Franz Ferdinand just uploaded a new song to their Myspace profile. The song, titled “Hallam Foe, Dandelion Blow” was composed for the soundtrack of a Scottish film. Here’s a blog post about the song by Franz’s frontman, Alex Kapranos:

“We wrote it a couple of months ago as a theme for a Scottish film called Hallam Foe, directed by David Mackenzie who directed Young Adam and Asylum. The title character is played by Jamie Bell who was the lead in Billy Elliot. Sexual tension, voyeurism, dark humour, Scotland and death are themes of the film - all of which seem good ingredients for a song by the Ferdinand. Nick and I read the script and went to screenings of early edits in the Glasgow Film Theatre which gave us the ideas for the melody and lyrics. Other Domino artists appear on the soundtrack including Psapp, Unpoc and Sons & Daughters. The film will be released some time this year and will be appearing at the Berlin Film Festival. There’s a blog that has been kept by Colin Monie here http://www.getyourpeople.com if you want to read more.”

Kapranos is also releasing a book these days, titled “Sound Bites - eating on tour with Franz Ferdinand”, which is a collection of food related writings written by the Ferdinand’s singer while on the road. Actually, if you’re around Manhattan this evening, you could catch some Alex Kapranos action at the Union Square Barnes and Nobles. Free wine included.

Here’s a silly little video found on Franz’s myspace:

mtv.com is premiering the new TV on the Radio music video for “Province” (off of the “Return to Cookie Mountain” album). I do find it ironic that MTV is super interested in the band, and are hailing them as a “Brooklyn avant-indie rock outfit”. And I thought MTV was all about sweaty teens in reality shows…

To watch the video, you’ll have to log on to the empire of evil’s website, mtv.com, then pick the videos section. Because sometimes it’s not about how you get there. Good luck.

Photo via NME

Stereogum leads to an article in US magazine reporting the possibility of Courtney Love to join the judges of American Idol. Apparently, the controversial rocker was approached by one of the Idol producers, who invited her to join the judges. Courtney herself tipped US magazine, thereby raising two suspicions: the first, that the show producers are planning to get rid of Paula Abdul. The second - that Courtney is taking a piss at everyone. It’s hard to tell what’s on Love’s mind, but if you ask me, she could be a perfect judge for the Idols, one that might introduce a rock agenda to the show and maybe convince America and Simon Cowell, that singing really loud with all those rolling pitch changes doesn’t mean you’re a good singer. Then again, wouldn’t that be selling out? What would Kurt say had he been alive?

As for Courtney’s musical career, a visit to her pink website tells the story of a new solo album in the works. It isn’t clear yet what label will Love release this one though, since Virgin Records chose not to renew Love’s recording contract.

Here’s a Youtube video of Love’s famous Letterman appearance. A true classic:

Our favorite guys with scary makeup (no offense Alice Cooper), Kiss, are setting on a quest to release - and I quote - the world’s largest comic book. What does that mean? Will it be a large comic book? A thick one? The best comic book ever? I don’t know, and I dare not guess. I do know that while Kiss has been featured in many comic books since the seventies, this is the first time the kiss merch empire starts an entire new company dedicated to comic books.

Here’s the gist from the Kiss website:

Platinum Studios, an entertainment company that controls the world’s largest independent library of comic book characters, and KISS Catalog Ltd., the billion-dollar merchandising empire created and managed by original members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, announced the creation of a new worldwide comic book entertainment company, the KISS Comics Group - www.KissComicsGroup.com.

And they’re also giving out some exquisite details about the company’s first release, the so-called “Largest comic book ever”:

“KISS 4K, the story of the transformation of Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and the other KISS band members from rock stars to world-protecting warrior spirits, is the first branded property released by KISS Comics Group. KISS 4K will debut as the world’s largest comic book priced at $50.”

OK, so now you know what I want for Christmas. Go get it.

Here’s KISS’ video for “I Was Made For Loving You”:

I can only imagine what has been going on with Fall Out Boy over the last few days. I can see them sitting in some hotel conference room somewhere, Pete and the boys and some execs, and they’re all discussing the measures they have to take to stop fans from downloading the leaked version of their new album, Infinity on High. First thing they decide is Pete needs to do some press and say this is “probably the worst leak in the history of music” and that they might release the album sooner then planned, so the fans won’t be tempted. Then they also bring up the option of giving a little something extra to all the fans who actually buy their album.

So who said illegal downloading doesn’t pay off? Now fans who do buy the album get a free bonus EP, ironically titled the “Leaked in London EP”. Here’s the word from Fall Out Boy’s official site:

“The Leaked In London EP, recorded live at Hammersmith Palais, will be available for one week to all fans who purchase the physical CD of Infinity On High. All you have to do is play the CD in your computer and then log back on to falloutboyrock.com for instructions on how to download. You’ll also have the opportunity to upload your photo and be a part of Fall Out Boy history. Find out how on February 6th!”

Kevin Federline did something smart and went along with this video, portraying him as a loser worker in a fast food joint. There’s nothing smarter than trying to spin your loser image and getting some money in return. Will Kfed be able to transform himself into an ironic, self-aware figure? If so, he can have a whole new career going. Meanwhile, Nationwide, the life insurance company behind the spot, can be very pleased: the bet on Britney’s ex seems to be paying off, and because of blood thirsty celebrity gossip sites, the video is spreading like a bad disease all over the web.

Here’s the spot Kevin Federline did for Nationwide (via Popsugar)

To start off the day in a nice sort of way, here’s the new !!! (chkchkchk) video, a live show of sorts, for “Hearts of Hearts” posted on Youtube by record label, Warp Records:

Arcade Fire’s Neon Bible has already leaked, people are dancing in the streets, and I found a strange video on the official Arcade Fire myspace page:

And speaking of the official arcade fire myspace page, did you ever notice who’s myspace profile comes up when you type in www.myspace.com/arcadefire?

A friend sent me this great link to a hardcore Christian anti-gay website called Love God’s Way, and to a list found within it, of “bands to watch out for” (for being gay). The list includes such pop artists as Bjork, Wilco, Interpol, Scissor Sisters, The Doors (what?), Cole Porter, and even Metallica (I always knew there was something gay about these guys!). You can find the whole list here.

The other part of this site, that really looks like some kind of clever hoax or spoof, is a video by proclaimed pastor, Donnie Davies, who will turn you back from the gay way, and offer you a lesson in music at the same time. Ladies and gents, click here to watch “God Hates Fags” by Davies’ group, Evening Service. The video was first featured on myspace, but was censored, and now is creeping in the band’s own website.

Just to make sure we’re all on the same boat, let’s make it clear that while I find these videos and lists hilarious, I think the opinions expressed are absolutely despicable - How can you possibly ask people to stop listening to Madonna, Metallica, Elton John, The Doors, Interpol, and Morrissey? God couldn’t possibly be supporting this. No way.

The king is dead. Long live the new king, this time, a British punk rock group, The View. Liked the Arctic Monkeys? You’re going to love these youngsters, all born after 1986 (which makes me feel old and obsolete) and all rocking pretty hard - in a British, zitty kind of way. And why do I crown these guys to be the new kings of the rock kingdom? because their album, “Hats Off To The Buskers” just reached the #1 spot of the UK album chart, thereby beating Damon Albarn’s hyped new group, The Good the Bad and the Queen. You can find the full chart on BBC radio 1, right here.

And the best news? You can stream the band’s ENTIRE album today on Myspace, for free. Now that’s how I like my music being marketed.

Here’s the video for Wasted Little DJ’s: