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Remembering Napster

Wendy Greuel's Private Sector Job Involved Lobbying At L.A. City Hall

As she campaigns for mayor, Wendy Greuel has repeatedly stressed one thing that distinguishes her from her top two rivals: She has private-sector experience.Indeed, Greuel's resume includes a four-year stint at DreamWorks -- something that neither Jan Perry nor Eric Garcetti can claim -- which says ... More >>

Lucy Raven Turns Test Patterns Into Art, at the Hammer Museum

As she campaigns for mayor, Wendy Greuel has repeatedly stressed one thing that distinguishes her from her top two rivals: She has private-sector experience.Indeed, Greuel's resume includes a four-year stint at DreamWorks -- something that neither Jan Perry nor Eric Garcetti can claim -- which says ... More >>

101 Essential Rock Records: The Golden Age of Vinyl From The Beatles to The Sex Pistols,

As she campaigns for mayor, Wendy Greuel has repeatedly stressed one thing that distinguishes her from her top two rivals: She has private-sector experience.Indeed, Greuel's resume includes a four-year stint at DreamWorks -- something that neither Jan Perry nor Eric Garcetti can claim -- which says ... More >>

Metal Blade Records Celebrates Its 30th Anniversary

A look back at the little metal label that could

L.A. Indie Book Publishers Are Thriving. How Is That Possible?

Starting a book publishing house in today's economic climate, Anthony Berryman acknowledges, was "insane." He admits, "From a business perspective, it was never a thought that I was going to be a book publisher. I'm a high school teacher. That's what I do."But start a publishing house is just wh ... More >>

Director Genndy Tartakovsky Chats About Hotel Transylvania, His Feature Debut

Starting a book publishing house in today's economic climate, Anthony Berryman acknowledges, was "insane." He admits, "From a business perspective, it was never a thought that I was going to be a book publisher. I'm a high school teacher. That's what I do."But start a publishing house is just wh ... More >>

Will Israeli Government Follow West Hollywood and Ban Fur Sales?

In the L.A. Weekly cover story about West Hollywood's first of its kind fur ban, several folks were skeptical about its impact on the rest of the world. Well, the Jerusalem Post reported in late July that the Israeli government is considering its own ban on fur sales. "The text of the bill explains ... More >>

E3 Convention, Gamer Geeks' Heaven, Stays in L.A. Through 2015

Geeks rejoice. It might not be Comic-Con, but it's the "largest annual conference that the city hosts," according to L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. And the E3 Electronic Entertainment Expo is staying in town for another three years (through summer 2015), despite some chatter that conventions wou ... More >>

A Work of Shrek

Geeks rejoice. It might not be Comic-Con, but it's the "largest annual conference that the city hosts," according to L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. And the E3 Electronic Entertainment Expo is staying in town for another three years (through summer 2015), despite some chatter that conventions wou ... More >>

San Diego Comic-Con 2012: Hasbro Listens to Fans with New, Exclusive Toys

Over the course of two seasons, My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic has emerged as the kid's cartoon with a far greater audience than just children. Adult fans of the show -- known primarily as Bronies, as well as the less frequent term Pegasisters -- have created their own online forums and fan con ... More >>

Brave Review: Pixar's Latest is the Rare Family Film that Actually Has Something to Say

With her flame-colored ringlets, Merida, the barely adolescent heroine of Pixar's 13th feature, looks like a wee Rebekah Brooks, maybe a pint-size Florence Welch. Despite these resemblances, Merida remains an original: Brave, set in the Scottish Highlands in the 10th century, is the animation studio ... More >>

A Summer Wonderland

With her flame-colored ringlets, Merida, the barely adolescent heroine of Pixar's 13th feature, looks like a wee Rebekah Brooks, maybe a pint-size Florence Welch. Despite these resemblances, Merida remains an original: Brave, set in the Scottish Highlands in the 10th century, is the animation studio ... More >>

A Dollar a Whale

With her flame-colored ringlets, Merida, the barely adolescent heroine of Pixar's 13th feature, looks like a wee Rebekah Brooks, maybe a pint-size Florence Welch. Despite these resemblances, Merida remains an original: Brave, set in the Scottish Highlands in the 10th century, is the animation studio ... More >>

Colt Following

With her flame-colored ringlets, Merida, the barely adolescent heroine of Pixar's 13th feature, looks like a wee Rebekah Brooks, maybe a pint-size Florence Welch. Despite these resemblances, Merida remains an original: Brave, set in the Scottish Highlands in the 10th century, is the animation studio ... More >>

Record Store Day 2012: Our Comprehensive Guide to Steals and Deals, Free Grub and Live Performances

Record Store Day is this Saturday. Because there are almost as many record stores in L.A. as there are donut shops, we compiled a handy guide to help you get your hot little hands on as much vinyl as possible. We called every record store in a 40-mile radius and made a list of all the day's deals ... More >>

Movie Studios Are Forcing Hollywood to Abandon 35mm Film. But the Consequences of Going Digital Are Vast, and Troubling

Record Store Day is this Saturday. Because there are almost as many record stores in L.A. as there are donut shops, we compiled a handy guide to help you get your hot little hands on as much vinyl as possible. We called every record store in a 40-mile radius and made a list of all the day's deals ... More >>

Porn Shoots, Sex Acts in L.A. Can Be Tracked Via Smartphone?

One of the great standoffs in modern history has pitted the multi-billion-dollar porn industry against L.A. City Hall. The L.A. City Council recently passed a law that requires on-location adult video performers to use condoms, but there's still no fine print about how, exactly, that will be enforc ... More >>

Top 10 Lies of the Music Industry

Jeffrey Weber is the author of the recently-released You've Got A Deal: The Biggest Lies Of The Music Business. Based in Beverly Hills, Weber is a longtime industry producer known for his work with Luther Vandross and Ronnie James Dio, and two of his projects won Grammys. But after 30 years he's ... More >>

Rave Promoters' Alleged Under-the-Table Cash Payments to Union Hands at L.A. Coliseum Probed by FBI -- Source

Kevin TodoraRaver boys.​The FBI is looking into allegations that millions of dollars in under-the-table cash payments were made by rave promoters and other exhibitors to union hands working events at the troubled L.A. Coliseum and its sister venue, the Sports Arena. FBI agents in recent weeks ... More >>

The Image Comics Alpha Girl Show

Kevin TodoraRaver boys.​The FBI is looking into allegations that millions of dollars in under-the-table cash payments were made by rave promoters and other exhibitors to union hands working events at the troubled L.A. Coliseum and its sister venue, the Sports Arena. FBI agents in recent weeks ... More >>

Hollywood Websites Attacked by Anonymous Hackers in Wake of Megaupload Bust, SOPA Support

Hollywood might be on the offensive when it comes to limiting your internet freedom (via the controversial and moribund Stop Online Privay Act), but it appeared to be against the ropes today following the U.S. Justice Department's takedown of file storage sight Megaupload at the behest of the conten ... More >>

Oh Hollywood, You've Really Let Yourself Go

Hollywood might be on the offensive when it comes to limiting your internet freedom (via the controversial and moribund Stop Online Privay Act), but it appeared to be against the ropes today following the U.S. Justice Department's takedown of file storage sight Megaupload at the behest of the conten ... More >>

The Bill To Stop Online Piracy Would Totally Fuck Up Music Blogs

By Gabrielle Canon Over Thanksgiving weekend, 2010, a Homeland Security division wrongfully seized a hip-hop blog called Dajaz1, on allegations of copyright infringement. The site -- which got some 3,000 hits a day or so -- was run by a guy from Queens known only as Splash. As you can see on the C ... More >>

NFL Stadium Along L.A. River a Better Idea Than Farmers Field-Convention Center Proposal?

AEGAn artist's rendering of Farmers Field.​LA Neighbors United, the group founded by City Controller hopeful Cary Brazeman, suggests in a letter to top city officials this week that alternatives to the downtown NFL stadium proposal have not at all been taken seriously. The group wonders aloud ... More >>

Porn Defends the Money Shot

Critics gain ground, demanding condom use to control AIDS

A Better Life: The Music and The Message

Critics gain ground, demanding condom use to control AIDS

Five Things That Could Go Wrong at Disney's Newly-Planned Avatar Land

​ Of all that is in the name of being over-commercialized and tacky, Disney is prepping to open one of several Avatar lands at its Walt Disney World theme park in Florida. The first is expected to break ground in 2013 at its Animal Kingdom portion. Here are five things that are bound to go w ... More >>

Farmers Field or Blade Runner Stadium?

The downtown NFL arena deal allows a sea of billboards, congestion and millions in public costs

Farmers Field Downtown Stadium Deal Approved by L.A. City Council

Dennis RomeroWoot-woot.​With reporting from Simone Wilson. The downtown stadium dreams of Anschutz Entertainment Group, the owners of Staples Center and LA Live, are coming true one spineless bureaucrat at a time. The City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a deal, negotiated mostly beh ... More >>

Downtown Stadium Deal Moves a Few Yards Forward in L.A. Just as NFL, Players Come to Terms

Coming to downtown?​Even before the NFL and its players agreed on a new labor deal today the mayor of Los Angeles called a press conference to reveal a proposed pact between City Hall and the billionaire-controlled company that wants to build an NFL stadium on land owned by you, the taxpayer. ... More >>

The Sublime Webb Sisters

Coming to downtown?​Even before the NFL and its players agreed on a new labor deal today the mayor of Los Angeles called a press conference to reveal a proposed pact between City Hall and the billionaire-controlled company that wants to build an NFL stadium on land owned by you, the taxpayer. ... More >>

American Radio Network Under Attack

Coming to downtown?​Even before the NFL and its players agreed on a new labor deal today the mayor of Los Angeles called a press conference to reveal a proposed pact between City Hall and the billionaire-controlled company that wants to build an NFL stadium on land owned by you, the taxpayer. ... More >>

Kreayshawn: Overnight Sensation

Coming to downtown?​Even before the NFL and its players agreed on a new labor deal today the mayor of Los Angeles called a press conference to reveal a proposed pact between City Hall and the billionaire-controlled company that wants to build an NFL stadium on land owned by you, the taxpayer. ... More >>

Nuremberg: Courtroom Drama or Genocide Porn?

Coming to downtown?​Even before the NFL and its players agreed on a new labor deal today the mayor of Los Angeles called a press conference to reveal a proposed pact between City Hall and the billionaire-controlled company that wants to build an NFL stadium on land owned by you, the taxpayer. ... More >>

Where NOT to Go To Dinner Tonight: President Obama Has Booked Tavern

Tavern's websitethe dining room at Tavern​ As you probably know already -- hopefully, if you're going to be in a car anywhere on the Westside later today -- President Obama is in town. Why? Why do you think: the man is fundraising in a place that has historically been very kind to him. So, the ... More >>

Countdown to Record Store Day: Neil from Origami Vinyl in Echo Park

​You have seen the storefront of Origami Vinyl if you have ever gone to the Echo or had a slice of pizza at Two Boots. The store is packed with an impressive mix of local (and not-so-local) releases in a variety of genres, and host some amazing all-ages in-stores on a pretty regular basis. T ... More >>

Porn Legends Who Love Vinyl, Part 2: Jasmin St. Claire on Record Store Day (and Being Metal 4Ever!)

Diamond Bodine-FischerJasmin St. Claire at The Rainbow Room​Yesterday we found out where crossover porn queen/indie musician Shash Grey goes to get her vinyl (read "Countdown to Records Store Day: We Found Sasha Grey's Favorite Record Store!") Today we were lucky enough to corner one of West ... More >>

Countdown to Records Store Day: We Found Sasha Grey's Favorite Record Store!

​ Wombleton Records sells an amazing collection of rare- and not-so-rare imports--though its stated mission is to further cultural exchange between Los Angeles and Glasgow, it does all that and more carrying everything from Suzy Quattro and Zounds LP's to original pressings of Dutch freakbeat ... More >>

Countdown to Record Store Day: An Interview with RSD Co-Founder Michael Kurtz

​We've been looking forward to Record Store Day (or RSD) for awhile now. For one, it provides a welcome diversion for those of us not going to Coachella. Also, we are looking forward to all of the limited-edition vinyl releases, in-stores, and sales that come along with RSD. We keep hearing a ... More >>

Kevin Smith: "I Am So, Like, Sick of Movies and Shit"

On the road with the cult filmmaker turned podcaster turned DIY warrior

Campaign Finance Reports Show Hollywood's New Chief Lobbyist, Former U.S. Senator Christopher Dodd, is No Stranger to the Movie Industry

Chris Dodd is Hollywood's new man in D.C.​It was big news  when former U.S. Senator Christopher Dodd accepted a job as the chief lobbyist and top dog at the Motion Picture Association of America. Most news stories rightfully highlighted the fact that, due to  lobbying laws, Dodd can't w ... More >>

Porn: California Attorney General Kamala Harris Asked to Investigate Adult Industry Medical Clinic

Porn.​The war over condoms in porn continued this week. The AIDS Healthcare Foundation sent a letter to California Attorney General Kamala Harris asking her to look into the transfer off the adult industry's main health-care and testing clinic from nonprofit to for-profit status. The clinic, ... More >>

Oscar Shorts: Brief Encounters

A showcase for Academy-anointed bite-size cinema

Honda Civic Owners, Better Check Your Brakes; Class-Action Lawsuit Claims it Could Save Your Life

Honda​A little more than two years ago, Rivella Dunner of Los Angeles bought a new 2009 Honda Civic at a dealership in Woodland Hills. She, like most Civic owners, was psyched that the car was both affordable and supposedly reliable. Thirteen months and 10,433 miles later, however, Dunner was sho ... More >>

R.E.M and Eddie Vedder Team Up for New Song (Listen)

​This would have made people run to Tower Records circa 1993 (we miss Tower Records...), but thanks to the Internet (because we live in the future) you can stream the brand-new R.E.M.-Eddie Vedder collaboration right in the comfort of your own gadget. Listen:

AIDS Activists Call On Porn Industry Health Clinic To Shut Down After California Denies Its License

Ted SoquiDerrick Burts at a news conference Wednesday.​The L.A.-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation on Thursday called on the porn industry's health-care clinic to shut down after the state of California denied its community clinic license this week. All this comes amid allegations by an HIV-pos ... More >>

Are The Carnival Cruise Victims The Next Chilean Miners?

Carnival Cruise LinesLuxury cruise ship? More like luxury hardship​The nation's finest yellow journalists were rabid to pin down as many Splendor passengers as possible for an interview this morning, just after the cruise liner was docked (hours ahead of schedule, thanks to six trusty tugboats ... More >>

And the Winner Is...The Television Networks!

Carnival Cruise LinesLuxury cruise ship? More like luxury hardship​The nation's finest yellow journalists were rabid to pin down as many Splendor passengers as possible for an interview this morning, just after the cruise liner was docked (hours ahead of schedule, thanks to six trusty tugboats ... More >>

Credit Crunch Hits Hollywood Studios

Paramount Is First to Feel Financing Woes