IT CAN’T HURT TO HAVE A CATCHY, WITTY SONG like “Little Black Backpack” burst onto the top of the modern rock charts and break a new act into what looks like instant stardom. The members of Stroke 9 no doubt…

IF YOU LISTEN CLOSELY, YOU’LL HEAR AN unexpected inspiration behind P.O.D.’s hard rockin’ hip-hop major label debut, The Fundamental Elements of Southtown. Coming from the mean streets of San Diego’s southern-most section, the foursome looks like quite the hard bunch.…

DAYS BEFORE GOMEZ’S LATEST U.S. TOUR kicked off with a two-night stint at The Fillmore in San Francisco, the group’s Ian Ball recalled the British outfit’s last time perf- orming at the legendary venue. “We were here not too long…

THREE MAY BE GARY ALLAN’S LUCKY NUMBER. He has three daughters, the former promotions head of Decca Records agreed to manage him the third time he asked, and his third album and its single are burning up the charts. The…

IT’S A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF ART IMITATING life. The energy and passion radiating from Beth Hart is so strong that if she didn’t have her music as an outlet, she would probably explode. Thankfully, the explosion comes out in a…