ric ocasek

These 15 classic albums made 1996 a crucial year in punk history

1996: President Bill Clinton was squaring off against Kansas Sen. Bob Dole in a successful bid for a second term in the White House. On April 3, former math professor Ted Kaczynski was arrested in his remote Montana cabin, suspected (correctly, it turns out) to be American domestic terrorist the Unabomber. Conservative public policy bulwark […]

10 underrated Dave Grohl cover performances you need to hear

Foo Fighters fans—and fans of Dave Grohl in general—know that he’s a big fan of the cover song. Fact is, Nirvana had a thing for covers, too, especially ones that their raucous audience wouldn’t, and couldn’t, see coming from a second stage away, never mind a mile. Hell, once Nirvana even dug deep into the […]

10 singers whose first band will probably surprise you

Many of you are no doubt listening to the new Gwen Stefani single and thinking back to when you first heard Tragic Kingdom. Where you were, what you were doing, how long the show Beverly Hills, 90210 could possibly last. Hate to break it to you, ’90s kids, but there are a ton of teenagers […]

These 10 SST Records releases defined ’80s punk and beyond

These 10 albums represent SST Records’ greatest achievements. Greg Ginn began Solid State Tuners at age 12 as a mail-order electronics business still thriving in his early adulthood. In 1978, when pioneering California indie label Bomp! Records dragged its heels releasing Nervous Breakdown, the debut EP from his punk band Black Flag, Ginn figured he […]

Red Hot Chili Peppers perform The Cars tribute in honor of late Ric Ocasek

The Red Hot Chili Peppers have honored the late co-founder of The Cars, Ric Ocasek, by covering the band’s track “Just What I Needed”.  The Chili Peppers join the Killers and blink-182 artist Mark Hoppus with tributes to Ocasek.  Read more: Pale Waves debut pop-punk track “Tomorrow” at Glasgow gig On Sunday, the lead singer […]

Mark Hoppus, Weezer, more pay tribute to the Cars singer Ric Ocasek

On Sunday Ric Ocasek, the lead singer of the Cars, tragically passed away at his home in New York City at the age of 75. Following the news of Ocasek’s death, fellow musicians and artists shared an outpour of love, tributes and condolences for the late singer. From Weezer to blink-182 frontman Mark Hoppus, you […]

The Cars founder Ric Ocasek was more than just your parents' nostalgia

In his roles as vocalist/guitarist/chief songwriter of iconic American new-wave group the Cars, Ric Ocasek brought pop hooks, futuristic sheen and firepower to an American rock scene whose entire goal seemed to be based on celebrating the mediocre. Ocasek passed away yesterday in his Manhattan home at the age of 75, leaving seven albums with […]

Weezer announce small club tour for April

Not only is the Weezer Cruise is set to kick off this week, but the band have also revealed a series of small club dates for April, following the band’s upcoming show at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. You can check out the full list of tour dates and locations below.   Mar 29 – […]

Weezer to record new album with Ric Ocasek starting in January; greatest hits album in the works

With the exception of the news of the Weezer Cruise returning in 2014, all has been quiet in camp Weezer. That's about to change: At a fan event in Los Angeles on Oct. 25, frontman Rivers Cuomo answered questions about the band's upcoming plans, and according to multiple attendees, he said the band will begin […]