The Zone Insider

Well, this is a strange month for the Insider. After March's events, the Insider's getting a chance at a radio show for April (or until the basketball games come back.) Trouble is, I donit know how to do a radio show (Sundays, 6PM - 10PM). But at least I got my own message board now (1071thezone.proboards23.com) Advice and comments are appreciated.

Let's get the big news out of the way first: KORN and LINKIN PARK, two of the Zone staffis favorite bands, are touring together this summer -- with SNOOP DOGG! Also throwing down will be THE USED and LESS THAN JAKE!! Unbelievable! I know the St Louis showis in August, but as much as tickets cost, you should start saving now.

Wow, I just took care of two band updates in one paragraph. Bondsy and Boner should be pleased. (Hey, that sounds like a cool cop show or a Saturday morning cartoon. (I wonder if I'm showing my age with that remark (I wonder how many asides I can slip into one thought?)) That leaves one more fave to report on.

EVANESCENCE UPDATE (or, Life Goes On):

Well, they took one more Grammy than I predicted, but thatis cool with me. I thought it was freaky enough to see Amy and Ben on the same stage again; to see gangster rapper and nominee 50 CENT saunter through the middle of their acceptance speech was priceless. Donit expect them to be doing a track together anytime soon.

BTW, Benis making quite a reputation as a songwriter. You can hear one of his post-Ev compositions in the movie 'The Passion of the Christ', and more in upcoming flicks 'The Punisher' and 'Resident Evil: Apocalypse.' Of course, the real test will be the songs he whips up with AVRIL LAVIGNE and KELLY CLARKSON?!?

Now's a good time to bring up the 'Punisher' soundtrack. It seems with every cool comic movie (besides 'X-Men'), there's a radio hit. And the Punisher soundtrackis covering its bases: just like 'Spiderman', it's got a NICKELBACK tune; like 'Daredevil', it's got the candidate for Next Big Thing (EDGEWATER, ATOMSHIP); and just like 'Hulk' got VELVET REVOLVER on the radio, 'Punisher' introduces the post-Pantera supergroup DAMAGEPLAN and the re-vocalized DROWNING POOL('Step Up'). And while it's not exactly a reunion, the duo formerly known as Evanescence each contribute a track: Amy Lee's doing a guest shot with her boyfriendis band SEETHER, and Ben Moody jams with Jason Miller (GODHEAD).

More evidence that life goes on after a breakup #1:

Just found out that PHANTOM PLANET's most famous member, drummer and actor Jason Schwartzman, has parted ways with the band. Makes sense, considering the former Max Fisher is doing a Fox sitcom now, and Planetis touring as you read this in support of their latest album. But he was nice enough to direct the albumis first single 'Shakin'. If you like zombies, and who doesn't? check out their 'Big Brat' video. If you want to hear Phantom Planet with their original drummer, watch the opening credits of 'The O.C.'

More evidence that life goes on after a breakup #2:

Guitarist Josh Homme announced in February that he had to fire bassist Nick Oliveri from QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE. Queens is, however, working on the next album.

Let me reiterate: The guy from the TWO-MEMBER BAND that is QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE had to fire the OTHER guy from the TWO-MEMBER BAND that is QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE. But the rest of the NOW ONE-MEMBER BAND is going to make the next album.

Seriously, doesn't that make him the QUEEN OF THE STONE AGE?

THE VINES didn't break up, but people were wondering. Vocalist Craig Nicholls was a crazy mofo on Letterman, and the Chicago show was enough of a turkey to make the news (bad idea to bomb in Chicago: they sue!) And even though they were the last of the first wave of the iThei bands, they seemed more like SILVERCHAIR doing a better NIRVANA impression.

'Ride', the radio song off their new album, sounds like even the singeris bored with their sound. Critics say that's his style. Fans know he's got more, much more. But Dodge could sell a lot of trucks with these guys

Tabatha loves BEN FOLDS, so it's a good day when I can give her some news. She probably already knows about his spring college tour. She probably knows that his album comes out this summer, his first studio album in three years. But did she also know Ben's producing the new WILLIAM SHATNER album? (Y'know, the Priceline.com guy?)

Ten years ago this month, Kurt Cobain died, and that's why you hear the music you hear on the Zone.

Before Nirvana came along, there was no "modern rock", no "alternative radio". It was bubblegum pop, football rock, and whatever Europe considered in fashion... whatever your speed, style was king in the 80's. Everybody wanted to be Michael Jackson, Van Halen or Whitney Houston. When Nirvana blew up worldwide, all the Paula Abduls and Phil Collins and Poisons of the world seemed obsolete.

For three years, record companies had no idea what people wanted to hear. They began searching for their own Nirvanas, and throwing money at them. They thought that Seattle was the answer: SOUNDGARDEN, ALICE IN CHAINS, Pearl Jam, and anything grungy got play. They thought the college radio stations had the answer: bands like REM, Chili Peppers, and Flaming Lips became fashionable. They thought that Nirvana was "the new punk": Bad Religion, Green Day, and the Offspring took over. They thought people wanted sensitive screamers: artists like Alanis Morisette, Radiohead, and Weezer got their hands on the ball.

Of course, what made Nirvana's music so captivating was something more elusive and insidious: honesty. The songs were desparate and ugly, alive and unpredictable. Thatis because Mr. Cobain didn't hide anything in his songs. Whatever your opinion of the quality of his songs, itis easy to agree that the same sources that inspired his songs inspired his ultimate decision. That choice doesn't make the songs any better or worse, any more or less meaningful, just sadder to hear, at times like these.

Ten years after the end of Nirvana, things are kinda like they were when they started: Bush is in office, America's fighting Iraq, Ninja Turtles are on the air, MTV loves bubblegum pop and R&B. Football Rock is back in vogue (Nickelback, limpbizkit, 3 Doors Down); even in "alternative rock," style is king again (Creed, Good Charlotte, The Strokes). But we got our own corner of the radio now, and I'd like to thank Kurt for at least that much.

Before I wrap up, I want to say goodbye to Stevie J, and good luck with the operation. I believe that anyone that can afford to shape their outside to better reflect their identity within is a courageous person, and doing the world a favor.

Also, now that I'm working on my radio skills, I have less time to spy on the guys for the column. Anybody want a job?

INSIDER RADIO: SUNDAYS, 6PM-10PM