Purple Melon, Painting Hollywood Purple

By Piya Sinha-Roy

 

Purple Melon (Creative Commons)

“Eric’s balls.”

“Pardon me?”

“Eric’s balls. That’s what our band name means.”

Purple Melon. That is the name being discussed on a warm sunny afternoon in a parking lot in Hollywood. A quick glance at the smug smile on the face of the owner of the above-mentioned balls that inspired the band name, indicates that this definition for the name ‘Purple Melon’ may indeed be true, although no explanation was offered regarding the choice of color.

The speaker, Owen Barry, a 27-year-old musician hailing from Essex, England, reclines on the ageing but surprisingly clean interior of the band’s decaled van. As well as being a nickname for Eric’s genitalia, Purple Melon is also a band, and presently, the four band members are congregated outside their white van by the iconic Swinghouse Studios, taking a break from rehearsing.

“Oh, I’ve had sex in here,” declares Eric Joyce, the youngest band member at 22. Hardly surprising seeing as he’s almost 6,000 miles away from home and his shaggy dark hair, Indian ethnicity and refusal to wear a shirt seems to entice the local girls.

Cee Lo And Big Boi Bring The Grammy Pre-Party To Club Nokia

By Frances Vega

Cee Lo Green livens up the crowd at Club Nokia on Friday night before his colorful Grammy performance on Sunday (Photo by Frances Vega)

 Friday night’s Cee Lo Green concert at Club Nokia was an all age event, welcoming a diverse crowd to listen to their favorite rappers, Big Boi and Cee Lo, with Grammy-nominated Melanie Fiona as the evening's MC.

The night began with Big Boi rapping classics like “Bombs Over Baghdad,” “Rosa Parks,” and Outkast's “ATLiens.” Where most rappers expect their rhymes to carry the entire show, Big Boi brought in a few dancers to liven up his set and busted out some moves of his own.

Honor Society XTHETXT

Taylor Swift Thanksgiving Special Tapings

HTS went to the two-day taping for Taylor Swift's Thanksgiving Special "Speak Now" which will air on Thanksgiving (November 25) on NBC.

On Monday, Taylor Swift was surprised to see fans surrounding her piano and strings section in the middle of central park. She came out jumping up and down, saying "Wow," a countless amount of times. She sat down on the piano and told the audience of about 250, "I'm sorta losing my mind right now." She had no idea anyone would be there to celebrate the release of her album.

McCoy Tyner: Jazz Legend Plays At The Catalina Bar And Grill

by Frances Vega 

  Jazz legend McCoy Tyner played five shows from Sept. 29 through Oct. 3 at the Catalina Bar and Grill.

  Audiences could not get enough of Tyner’s upbeat melodies. Some were so moved by the music they joined in on the songs.

McCoy Tyner at the Catalina

    The 71-year-old NEA Jazz Master shared the stage with veteran saxophonist Gary Bartz, bassist Gerald Cannon, and drummer Eric Kamau Gravatt.

    Tyner has a reputation for allowing younger musicians the opportunity to show off their skills—this show was no different.

Taylor Swift's single, Mine.

Taylor Swift's new single "Mine" from her upcoming album has just hit the internet. You can check it out over at Perez Hilton, or buy it on iTunes here.

No New Britney, Yet.

Rumors have been going around recently saying that Britney Spears will be releasing new music within the next few weeks. But, one of her managers Adam Leber set the record straight on his twitter saying

"No new music news right now...Wish people wouldn't mislead you guys with BS info. Not cool! PS- the guys that ARE working on Brit's next album ARE NOT talking about it..."

Are you excited to hear new Britney music?

Remember This Mullet?

Remember the kid with the mullet that got cut from American Idol way too early last season? Alex Lambert, who probably could have won the entire competition, isn't letting his dismissal from the show get in the way of this dream. After getting voted off, a petition appeared online to get him back on the show. Although Alex didn't get back on American Idol, he joined the cast of If I Can Dream, an online show which follows 5 people in their process to make their dreams reality (in acting, modeling, and music).

Alex just released a music video for his song, "I Didn't Know." Check it out under the cut.

Taylor Swift New Album

In a live chat yesterday (July 20), Taylor Swift announced that she would be releasing a new album, Speak Now, on October 25. Her first single will be called "Mine" and Taylor says the song is about "my tendency to run from love." The album will feature 14 tracks, all written by only Taylor, and will also include a song called "Sparks Fly" that she has played on her Fearless Tour.

Plain White T's video films in Malibu

    Pop Rock band, the Plain White T's shot the video for their new single "Rhythm of Love," in Malibu yesterday.

  The shoot took place in a secluded area near Pt. Magu State Park. Not many passersby knew a video was being filmed, though park police were on hand just in case. The video will have a 1950s beach party theme which is appropriate considering how sweet the song is.

   Though dancing and singing on the beach sounds like loads of fun, band members Tom Higgenson, Tim Lopez, De'Mar Hamilton, Mike Retondo, and Dave Tirio had a very exhausting day. The shoot went for nearly 12 hours (that's only by HTS accounts, we left before the band did). Sodas, coffee, red bulls, and "work soda"--or beer as most people call it-- were on hand at all times to help keep the energy going.
   
 "Rhythm of Love," is the first single off their up-coming CD "the Wonders of the Younger," which is scheduled to release in the fall of 2010.

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