Blondie- Union City Blue
Deborah Harry wrote the lyrics to this song from 1979 during the filming of the movie Union City which she starred in. Pat Benatar, a friend of Harry’s, who had yet to make it in the music business, also has a small part in the film.
Blondie will co-headline with Melissa Etheridge at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday July 26.
The Game- It’s Okay (One Blood) ft. Junior Reid
This song was the lead single off The Game’s second album Doctor’s Advocate from 2006. It also features Junior Reid whose song One Blood is sampled. It features the line “You 38 and you still rappin’, ugh”, a reference to Jay-Z, that might feel different to him now at 35.
This Saturday at the Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre, The Game is performing as part of The Art of Rap Festival, which features a huge lineup that includes Ice-T, Big Daddy Kane, Slick Rick, Afrika Bambaataa, Warren G, Xzibit and many more.
Jurassic 5- The Way We Do It
Both a new and old song, The Way We Do It was released last year and was Jurassic 5′s first new release in eight years. The track was recorded, however, during their 2006 Feedback sessions. Produced by the late Heavy D, it samples the White Stripes single My Doorbell.
Jurassic 5 are starting their US tour tonight (7/9) at Club Nokia.
Ginuwine- Pony
This song was the first single from Ginuwine’s 1996 debut album Ginuwine…The Bachelor and was produced by Timbaland. Channing Tatum strips to the song in his film Magic Mike and it will be (according to Wiki) used again in Magic Mike XXL, which was released yesterday. The lyrics of the song were also used by Rihanna in her single Jump.
On the television series Parks and Recreation, Ginuwine is said to be Donna Meagle’s cousin. He makes two appearances on the show and even performs a bit of Pony.
On Friday, July 3rd, he will be playing the Greek Theatre as part of a 90′s R&B showcase that includes Toni! Tony! Toné!, Blackstreet, SWV and Troop.
The Roots- You Got Me ft. Erykah Badu
This Grammy Award winning song from 1999 is from The Roots fourth studio album Things Fall Apart. Musician Jill Scott co-wrote the song and recorded vocals for it but because she was still relatively unknown the label MCA Records insisted on replacing her with Erykah Badu. The rapper Eve also performs on the track.
As part of the BET Experience, The Roots will be at Club Nokia on Saturday 6/27 to present Dilla, a tribute to the producer J Dilla, with Erykah Badu.
Underworld- Born Slippy. Nuxx
This song was originally released as a B-side of the instrumental and completely different sounding Born Slippy in 1995. In 1996 it was re-released as its own single due to the popularity it received from its use in the film Trainspotting (clips of which are in the video above). They teamed up with the director of that film, Danny Boyle, to help create the opening ceremony for the London 2012 Olympics.
Underworld are currently on tour with the re-release of their critically acclaimed album dubnobasswithmyheadman and are playing the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on Sunday 6/21.
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah- Over and Over Again (Lost & Found)
It’s the 10th Anniversary of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah’s eponymous self-released debut album, which the song above is from. They are currently on tour, playing the album in its entirety along with other songs from their catalog. The show tonight at the Troubadour is sold out but you can see them in Santa Ana on Saturday 6/13/15 at The Observatory.
The Rentals- Friends of P.
This song is from The Rentals’ 1995 debut album The Return of the Rentals. The band, formed by former Weezer bassist Matt Sharp, released their first full length album in 15 years, Lost in Alphaville, last August. The video below is the first track off that album and takes place around downtown Los Angeles.
The Rentals are on tour and are playing the El Rey Theater Friday June 5th.
L7- Pretend We’re Dead
This is off Los Angeles band L7′s 1992 album Bricks are Heavy. They are currently on tour with the original lineup for the first time in 18 years. For their sold out date tonight at the Echo they are live-streaming on Spaceland Radio from 10:30-12.
U2- I Will Follow
This song is from U2′s 1980 debut album Boy and was its second single. According to Wiki, it is the only song that they have performed on every tour.
U2 are playing The Forum for several nights but they are also playing an exclusive show at The Roxy on May 28th and KROQ is having a trivia contest to win free tickets.