Stephanie Snow's Blog

"Tina Turner's Nipple Gravy!" all three members of TTNG respond enthusiastically when asked what their favorite fake name is for one of the UK's biggest math rock bands.

Henry Tremain, Tim Collis and Chris Collis used to be known as This Town Needs Guns, but the ironic humor in the band's name was lost as the trio became more famous, and they didn't want to be confused for a decidedly pro-firearm group. Rather than switching gears entirely, the band's well-known abbreviation became their official moniker. 

"There are some legit rivals for the name on social media, like The Three Nice Girls and The Travel Network Group," guitarist Tim Collis says with a smirk. "We get tagged in all sorts of stuff on social media. That's the real reason we changed it: to do better on social media and to confuse our fans. Beside that, there's a big chat and spiel we can go on, but it's not a big deal."

But that was almost four years and a pair of releases ago. These days, TTNG's touring the world in support of July's Disappointment Island and has built a fanbase spanning continents. But today, they're still shaking off the jet lag and tracking down their instruments as they stroll into L.A.'s Mohawk Bend for a bit of lunch before their U.S. tour kicks off in two days. Of course, it's a lot cheaper for TTNG to go out to eat on tour these days than it was for the first couple of tours.

"When we first started, there were five people," Tim says as he bites into one of the four seared ahi tuna sandwiches at the table. "Then there were four, and then when we did 13.0.0.0.0 it was a transitional period. This is the first time we've been comfortable and written as three for the whole record."

"I'm just looking forward to the next record as a two-piece," jokes vocalist and bassist Henry Tremain. "We're going to have to draw straws to see who gets cut."

While some bands may struggle losing two members over two records, the guys in TTNG believe the downsizing has actually improved their sound. Tremain plays a modified bass to bridge the melodic gap of not having a second guitar, and each of the members believe that they have more space to shine individually as a trio. In a genre crowded with the most complex multi-guitar riffs and layered sounds, it gives TTNG a unique sound both on record and during live shows. 

"It's nice to have that variety rather than a tonal range for the entire album," Tremain says as he crunches down on a fresh-made potato chip. "There are sections when the bass is missing, and then when the bass comes back in and you have some low frequencies it changes the feeling of the album. It gives variety and contrast, and I think contrast is super important for keeping music interesting."

Over the course of the next few months, TTNG will find out just how an American audience feels about Disappointment Island during their live shows across the country. By the end of the year, they'll have spanned most of the world with their new material in venues big and small. But while many bands dream of being able to tour internationally and have fans fill their concerts, the guys in TTNG are at the point where they appreciate the little things after over a decade of existence.

"It's always fun to come [to the U.S.] and see everyone," says drummer Chris Collis between fries. "It's also nice to be out here in sunny California where the weather is beautiful. We haven't had much of a summer back home in England, so the weather is a factor."

"I'm just looking forward to avocado," Tremain adds as he stares at his sandwich.

Although the sunshine and guacamole may not follow the band everywhere they go, there's little doubt that TTNG will continue to be one of the biggest names in math rock for years to come. From Albuquerque to Ireland, Philadelphia to Japan, they'll be continuing to dine on patios anytime the sun's out and crack jokes on each other regardless of temperature.

And for those still wondering what TTNG could possibly stand for these days, Teenage Tutant Ninja Gurtles and Tar Trek the Next Generation are two of the band's other favorites. It's pretty tough to beat Tina Turner's Nipple Gravy though.

Following the big success of their 2012 album, Lunatic, Kongos took some time to figure out what they wanted to do for their next record. And after the members of the South African-born, Arizona-based band penned new tunes on their own, they later came together to hash out what has become their latest album, Egomaniac.

"We came up with the title after we had written a bunch of songs," Jesse Kongos tells Myspace, "so once we saw the theme running through everybody's songs, based on the experiences of touring and ideas we had in our head, that's when we decided to make it more of a cohesive album. From that point on, we made sure those songs would be around that theme."

But did they feel any pressure when it came to making something that could top the success of Lunatic?

"Over the course of the Lunatic cycle, everything got better," Johnny Kongos explains. "The venues got better. The dressing rooms got better. The crowd got better. We definitely don't want to go backwards, you know?"

Danny Kongos also adds, "They're big shoes to fill. But during the recording process, we try to isolate ourselves from that. We were in Phoenix, AZ. You're not in LA or New York City where there's that hype, and the competitive nature in us comes out. [In Phoenix], we could just disappear and make the album that we wanted."

While chatting with Kongos, we took the opportunity to get to know brothers — Jesse, Johnny, Danny and Dylan — a little bit better.

Instrument: Bass/Guitar/Vocals
Band or Song That Inspired them to be to a Musician: Jackson Browne
Best Show They've Played: Toss up between Oppikoppi, Lollapalooza Brazil, and Corona Capital
Best Show They've Seen: Punch Brothers at Crescent Ballroom
One Thing I Can't Wait to See or Do in South Africa: Go to the game farm

Instrument: Drums and vocals
Band or Song That Inspired them to be to a Musician: Drums - Jack DeJohnette
Best Show They've Played: Corona Capital - Mexico City
Best Show They've Seen: Tinariwen at the Troubador in LA
One Thing I Can't Wait to See or Do in South Africa: House party with old friends

Instrument: Accordion
Band or Song That Inspired them to be to a Musician: Keith Jarrett - "Autumn Leaves (Live at the Blue Note)"
Best Show They've Played: Corona Capital, Mexico City
Best Show They've Seen: Tinariwen at The Troubadour
One Thing I Can't Wait to See or Do in South Africa: Visiting the Game farms

Instrument: Guitars/vocals
Band or Song That Inspired them to be to a Musician: Jeff Beck
Best Show They've Played: Armando Records Bogota, Colombia
Best Show They've Seen: The Wall, Tinariwen, Punch Brothers
One Thing I Can't Wait to See or Do in South Africa: See lions

In 2002, when seven strangers took over an entire floor of The Palms Casino Hotel in Las Vegas, it made for one of the most memorable seasons of The Real World, and one that wholeheartedly embraced the city’s nickname of Sin City.

Arissa Hill was one of the seven strangers we would end up getting to know.

Currently, Hill resides in Boston, working as a chef. She also runs a food blog and is putting together a cookbook focused on eating healthy and organic without busting one’s budget. In addition to her culinary exploits, Hill recently re-signed with Maggie Inc., the modeling agency that sent her on the path to Vegas.

Though she happily admits she’s “definitely not the same person” she was during her time on The Real World, Hill notes, “There are elements of that girl in me now.

“My curiosity is the same, and my desire to have really dope experiences, it’s still there, it’s still prevalent, and it’s still passionate.”

Myspace caught up with Hill to find out more about her experiences on The Real World — including a crazy night that wasn’t seen by viewers — and why she did one, and only one, Real World/Road Rules Challenge.

MTV Classic has been airing marathons of early seasons of The Real World. You know they're going to get to Vegas. When they do, what are you most looking forward to seeing again, and least looking forward to seeing again? (Since the interview, MTV Classic actually did air this season.)

I have only ever watched maybe three episodes of my original season, and after three, that was enough. I didn’t need to see any more. I’ve never really gone back and revisited it in any real sense.

What I do get excited about is the nostalgia that it brings back. When they play a marathon, it’s kind of like a gentle reminder, like, You did this. I get to go back to those feelings, which is really cool. It was a cool experience.

Knowing what you know now, if you could go back, and give advice to yourself on the day you arrived at the hotel suite, what would you say?

I would probably tell myself to have fun a lot earlier. Funny enough, even though it doesn’t look like it, for the first two months I really didn’t do anything. There were the first three nights, and after those three nights I was so into being a good girlfriend I would sit in the house and read books. I would have probably really let loose a lot earlier.

Would you have broken up with your boyfriend before going on the show?

Oh absolutely. I would have gone there single as all hell. I would have been like, “Listen little girl, you’re about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime, have nothing holding you back.”

Did being in those particular accommodations change the way you view hot tubs forever?

(Hot tubs) and pools. I don’t think they could print enough money for me to step into a hotel pool, or Jacuzzi. Never again.

Did you bring home a souvenir from the house that maybe MTV didn’t know you came home with?

I got an eight ball. I got an eight ball from the pool table.

I’m glad you said “from the pool table.” That’s an important part of that sentence.

[laughs] Yes.

Oh, and we had the whole floor (for the show), I think it was the 28th floor of The Palms. Maybe three rooms were the control room, but there were these other rooms they had just walled off.

Something that you didn’t see was that maybe about three weeks before we vacated, one night at four or five in the morning, we were being reckless, and I discovered the walled up room, and broke into it. I pulled off this thing and ended up getting into a suite that had been walled off completely. It was a full, complete, walled off, suite.

I remember Irulan and I climbed through the hole, and we went into the suite. We came out with bathrobes and toiletries. So I did take a sweep from a room that I discovered in our wall on the 28th floor.

You must have been like, “We totally could’ve had private bedrooms!”

I was so upset, because I was like, if I had found this earlier you guys would have never ever found me.

You are now really into healthy living, which a lot of people who watched the show may find interesting, because you were shown smoking A LOT. When did you trade cigarettes for organic food?

I only smoked cigarettes for like two years. It’s crazy, because once I got to California, that was when the lightbulb went on, and everything became extremely organic. I wanted to just put the best things in my body, and it’s paid off tenfold, because I feel great. It literally changed everything for me, so yeah, to look back and see myself smoking, not only smoking cigarettes, but smoking fucking Newports. Ugh.

That hallway must have smelled awful.

Still, years later, it’s embedded. Alton was smoking Marlboros. Irulan was smoking. All of us were smoking, and not one of us smoke now.

I liked the fact that there was never a fight about the smokers having to smoke outside of the living area.

Nobody was trying to pretend that cigarette smoke wasn’t the most disgusting thing ever. We all knew it was absolutely atrocious, and disgusting, and rude.

How did anybody deal with me then? I don’t want people near me when they smell like smoke, so I can’t even fathom how I had one friend, or how I even went on one date.

Five years after the show aired you did a seven episode Reunited special. If that offer were to be presented to you today, would you want to see everyone again?

I always want to see everyone. They’re the only people on this planet that truly know what that experience was like that we lived together, so I always want to see them, and I’m gonna always want to know how they’re doing, because I’m gonna have that connection with them for the rest of my life.

You also competed in a Real World/Road Rules Challenge. You just did one, though, you didn't make a career out of it like some folks have. What made you want to do it, and what made you only want to do it once?

The idea of going and playing games in sometimes exotic locations was inviting, and appealing. Then the reality of it was atrocious.

They asked us, “What is every single one of your fears?” They heard them, and they placed me in front of all of them.

On the one hand I was glad I faced every single one of my fears, whether I was successful at it or not is another story. However, I wouldn’t make a career out of it, because something that I just discussed with Melissa Beck, who did The Real World in New Orleans, the idea of trying to melt ice with your body for 18 minutes for a lifetime of clothes from Abercrombie, or eating bugs for a Tempur-Pedic mattress is not a viable career option after a certain age. You have to look at your life and say OK, what am I doing? Am I letting somebody make me look like an asshole?

At that point it may be time to log on to LinkedIn.

You know, let me just go back to the real world and just get a fucking job.

A regular job can have its drawbacks, but it’s still better than eating bugs.

Seriously. I was terrified of bugs, but I was presented with a challenge where I either had to eat the bugs, or get into the glass coffin with the bugs. The prize was a Tempur-Pedic mattress.

I was terrified, but I got in that coffin, and was in there for like three and a half hours. (Viewers) get such an extreme, edited version.

I did that challenge with Mark Long, and we decided to get out at the same time, because he was like, “Arissa, I want to get out of this so bad, but if I get out of here before you my life will be ruined as far as being a man, so if we could just make the decision to get out at the same time that would be great.”

Three hours was not a good time to choose. Three minutes would’ve been a much better time.

But we had to give them a chance to chew up all of those bugs and spit them in a cylinder, which, when I think about it, is literally one of the most disgusting sentences I’ve ever uttered.

Tell me this ruined the Tempur-Pedic mattress for you.

You know, I now refuse all Tempur-Pedic.

OMI's "Cheerleader" was one of 2015's most played songs. And although the tune was penned by the Jamaican singer, it's the remixing talents of Felix Jaehn that brought it to its chart-topping status. At 22, the German DJ and producer has dropped his own hit tune, "Ain't Nobody (Loves Me Better)" featuring Jasmine Thompson, as well as played on many of the major EDM stages in the world. With his ear tuned into melodic electronic music, we found out what songs have inspired his producing and DJ skills.

See Felix Jaehn's playlist below. 

I [recently] plays Pacha Ibiza with David Guetta, and he's such a cool guy and so relax. "When Love Takes Over" is obviously one of his first huge hits, and I had to include David Guetta on this list because he's one of the guys who got dance music to the mainstream audience and to radio and to pop. So me making melodic house music that's being played on radio right now is massively influenced by his work.

When this song was released, I was 15 or 16 years old. That's when I started DJing, and this song was on repeat. And this song is probably one of the reasons I got into DJing and stuff. Also, what I really like about it is the melody is so great. And all his songs are all about great emotions and melodies, and that's what I'm trying to approach as well.

You need to check it out. When it came out, it was surreal like wow! This is something new and something fresh. At the time, I was living in London and started producing music and studying music business and stuff. I was really inspired by [the song]. And he actually used a whistle as the lead sound, and I thought it was really cool because he was thinking out of the box or something, which I really like.

This is another song I was listening to a lot while I was living in London, but it's completely acoustic. This one is not about the lead sound or the bass or the drums at all. It was all about the songwriting, which I think is incredible about this song. And listening to the song at that time, I also realized that it's not just about the bass, drums and dance music. It's emotions as well, like the words and melodies. What I'm trying to do right now is a lot of songwriting. The top line, the vocal is key to my music. And of course, it's a house record with an electronic sense, but I think the song is really the focus. And this song made me realize it.

This is another song I listened to a lot in London. It's a really cool song with a deep, amazing vibe. And living in London, I didn't only start producing music, but I also opened at Ministry of Sound there. It was when I was 18, and it was incredible that I got to play there. And they played that song a lot in the clubs at that time. So I really relate this song to my time in starting to get out there as a DJ.

It was the song last year. And I love the whole production, the hooks, it all works well. If you hear my recent releases, you'll hear that I'm Major Lazer-inspired.

I think everything about Jack Ü and particularly Skrillex that I love is the percussion and synths are just so spot on. The layering and the sounds are so punchy and special. I can't even describe it. That's a huge inspiration.

And I end on a classic. The funny thing about this song is that everyone knows the hook, but until recently, I haven't actually listened to the entire song. I've been listening to the whole song a lot recently, so you may hear it in some of my coming productions.

It's easy to blame the Kardashians for just about anything these days, but comedian Chelsea Handler has taken things a step further with the upcoming election.

The good folks at XUMO teamed up with Vanity Fair to bring us a steady stream of Handler's hottest takes on recent stories. It's definitely not something you'd want to miss.

Are the Kardashians actually to blame for Donald Trump's presidential run? No more than Brandy is responsible for the Kardashians' success. Check out the video below for a good thought-provoking laugh.

Vanity Fair on XUMO - Chelsea Handler Blames the Kardashians for Donald Trump from XUMO on Myspace.

Keep up with all things entertainment whenever you want. Get XUMO for unlimited, free access to Vanity Fair.

First Lady Michelle Obama said Tuesday that she and Beyoncé “have a lot in common,” acknowledging what most of the country has already realized.

“She’s a sweetheart. I mean, she’s smart, she’s creative, she’s a great mother, she loves her family. I mean, you know, she’s just a low-key lady, so we have a lot in common in that way—except I can’t sing, I can’t dance,” Obama said Tuesday in an interview on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. “Not like Beyoncé.”

Michelle Obama and Stephen Colbert Built a Blanket Fort

Colbert—who called Obama “Beyoncé’s Beyoncé”—agreed.

“She’s so talented that I have trouble looking at her without my retinas burning out,” Colbert admitted.

“You shouldn’t look her in the eye,” Obama said.

The power duo has collaborated on projects in the past and have both spoken out about their admiration for each other.

This H&M Commercial Celebrates Femininity in All Its Forms

Obama also referenced Beyoncé later in the interview, explaining that a typical family dinner at the White House often involves her eldest daughter, Malia, asking the President about his work, much to the chagrin of the First Lady and Sasha, her youngest daughter.

“Sasha and I want to talk about our favorite song on the Lemonade album,” Obama said. “That’s what we want to talk about.”

This article  originally appeared on TIME.com

Stranger Things fans have long theorized that Steve Harrington, the rich meanie whose only redeeming quality was his hair, played by Joe Keery, must be the father of Jean-Ralphio Saperstein, Parks and Recreation‘s most spirited entrepreneur, played by Ben Schwartz.

Here’s When Fuller House Season 2 Hits Netflix

To fulfill the Internet’s hopes and dreams, Schwartz confirmed the answer to this long-simmering question on the Late Late Show with JamesCorden in August. But the Jean-Ralphio actor really brought the fan theory home when he shared a video and snapshots of the pair on Tuesday night, and it’s the most important fake father-son photo series ever created. Cue up John Lennon’s “Beautiful Boy” and gaze at them shaving together like family.

James Corden Made Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad and Stranger Things Into Inappropriate Musicals

Not only do their outfits match, but there’s also the irrefutable fact that they really do look alike.

See and watch below.

 

Dad and son meet because the Internet. @uncle_jezzy @strangerthingstv #strangertwins

A video posted by Ben Schwartz (@rejectedjokes) on Sep 20, 2016 at 1:44pm PDT

 

My son

The announcement that Angelina Jolie had filed for divorce from Brad Pitt on Tuesday was the celeb split-up felt round the world. Brangelina fans basically broke the Internet speculating about the cause, wallowing in their feelings about it, and finding the appropriate memes for the occasion.

Watch George Clooney Find Out About Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s Split During an Interview

Thankfully, one of the few things that ardent Brangelina shippers won’t have to worry about is the fate of the former It-couple’s wax figures.

Madame Tussauds wax museum in London has done the only logical thing they could at this time and tastefully separated Jolie and Pitt’s wax counterparts, who debuted at the museum in 2013. 

Watch Mark Wahlberg and Jimmy Fallon Give Watermelon Slinging a Shot

In an Instagram posted by the museum on Wednesday, it appears that Robert Pattinson now stands between the two in the “party area” of the exhibit; they offered this as explanation in the caption: “Following the news of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie commencing divorce proceedings, we can confirm that we have diplomatically separated the couple in our Party area.”

 

Following the news of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie commencing divorce proceedings, we can confirm that we have diplomatically separated the couple in our Party area. #madametussauds #london #tussaudslondon #brangelina #bradpitt #angelinajolie #brad #ange #wax #divorce

A photo posted by Madame Tussauds London (@madametussauds) on Sep 21, 2016 at 2:16am PDT

This article  originally appeared on TIME.com

Carlos Walker, better known by his stage name Shawty Lo, died early Wednesday in a car accident in Atlanta.

Police say he may have been the victim of a hit-and-run but have yet to find the other vehicle apparently involved, according to CBS. His 2016 Audi went up in flames after hitting a tree.

Walker, 40, was ejected from his vehicle and died on the scene. Two women who were in the car with him were injured and taken to the hospital.

The Weeknd Teases Details About His New Album

Walker found success with his group D4L when they debuted 2006’s “Laffy Taffy,” which peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. He is also remembered for his solo releases like “Foolish” and the 2008 single “Dey Know,” the video for which featured his iconic running-in-place dance.

He made a splash in 2013 when he unsuccessfully helmed an Oxygen reality show that was set to feature his 11 children and their different mothers called “All My Babies’ Mammas.” The show was met with criticism and never made it to the air.

Watch Lady Gaga’s New Music Video for ‘Perfect Illusion’

Fans and well wishers celebrated Walker’s life online on Wednesday, posting videos, images and music as they mourned the artist.

legends never die...Shawty Lo Forever

The Weeknd broke into stardom last year with Beauty Behind the Madness, and now, 13 months later, everybody's favorite drug-loving R&B crooner has officially announced his sophomore album, Starboy. 

We don't know much about the album, aside from its cover, which shows Abel Tesfaye grabbing his head that is no longer adorned with the swirling locks we've come to know and love. He recently teased new music via Instagram (though the post has since been deleted) and his label, Republic Records, divulged he's collaborating with Daft Punk, which is pretty exciting.

While we wait for more info to leak, check out the album cover below.

 

NEW ALBUM COVER / TITLE shot by @nabildo #STARBOY

A photo posted by ⚡️✝⚡️ STARBOY ⚡️✝⚡️ (@abelxo) on Sep 21, 2016 at 9:01am PDT