Born on the outskirts of Motown and raised in the shadow of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Joe has been writing about rock music since interviewing Shudder to Think's Craig Wedren for his high school newspaper -- back when bands like Shudder to Think were recording for major labels. He's written for the Cleveland Free Times, Alternative Press, the Village Voice, SuicideGirls and a variety of other online publications and blogs, some of which have not existed in years. He started with Townsquare in 2011 writing for Loudwire and Ultimate Classic Rock, and has been with Diffuser.fm since it launched in spring 2012.
Joe Robinson
Morrissey: No Smiths Reunion at Coachella 2013
Morrissey has turned down yet another lucrative offer to reunite his former band the Smiths for a headlining spot at the Coachella Festival, reports WENN.The Smiths, who are frequently the subject of comeback rumors, have twice before been asked to reunite at the annual gathering in Indio, Calif., but neither Moz nor guitarist Johnny Marr have expressed any interest.
New Orleans Jazzfest 2013 Lineup Features Dave Matthews Band, Black Keys + Phoenix
The lineup for the 2013 edition of the New Orleans Jazzfest has been announced, and the Dave Matthews Band, the Black Keys, Phoenix and Frank Ocean are among the artists lined up for the annual event, which this year runs two weekends: April 26-28 and May 2-5.
David Bowie Won’t Tour Behind New Album, Producer Insists
David Bowie fans got quite a surprise earlier this week when the rock legend ended a decade of musical silence by announcing plans to release 'The Next Day' in March, but the album's producer and longtime Bowie collaborator Tony Visconti insists the singer has no plans to perform in support of the disc.
Postal Service Reuniting for Coachella?
Contradicting virtually every interview Ben Gibbard has given on the matter over the last several years, rumors suggest the Postal Service are gearing up for a reunion. The website Brooklyn Vegan reported as much with a story that appeared this morning (Jan. 8) titled "Postal Service reunion in the works." Said post features nothing more than a picture of the band, but a "Coachella&
Flaming Lips’ Laser Hands Stolen in Australia
If you've seen the Flaming Lips live, you know all about the crazy multimedia show they put on. The spectacle includes a wild light show, bubbles, balloons, buckets of confetti and singer Wayne Coyne's giant laser-shooting hands. Unfortunately, the Lips report that those specialized hands went missing after the band's appearance at the Southbound Festival in Busselton, Western Australia, last week
10 Albums That Saved a Band’s Career
Every once in a blue moon, a band puts out an album that's so powerful and successful that it provides something few artists ever get: a second chance. From stadium bands rebounding from flops to indie hopefuls doubting their futures, the acts featured on our list of 10 Albums That Saved a Band's Career -- an inventory we put together with our friends at Ultimate Classic Rock -- found themselves
Beck’s ‘Song Reader’ Fan Interpretations Posted Online
Earlier this year, when Beck announced plans to release his 'Song Reader' book, which features sheet music for 20 songs he wrote but hasn't recorded, he hoped other musicians would take on the challenge of piecing together the tunes and maybe even try recording them. Now that 'Reader' is out -- it hit shelves earlier this month -- some musicians are doing just that, and Beck has started a website,
Forbes 30 Under 30 List Includes Adele, Frank Ocean + Marcus Mumford
Adele, Marcus Mumford of Mumford and Sons and Frank Ocean are among the artists Forbes magazine has named to its 2012 30 Under 30 music list, which, as the name suggests, compiles the brightest young stars under the age of 30 from the world of music. EDM DJs Skrillex and Avicii were among the other artists, producers, agents and music-focused web entrepreneurs who made the tally, one of several su
Frank Ocean Says Father Wants to Sue Him for $1 Million
Frank Ocean has revealed via his Twitter page that his father is looking to sue him for $1 million. "Father wanna sue me for a million," the singer wrote in a post he's since taken down. "Like I owe him back child support. Weak individual bought me a swiss knife at 6yrs old then dipped on me."
‘The Voice’ Pays Tribute to Sandy Hook Shooting Victims With Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’
Perhaps it's because he's in the midst of rare and extensive North American tour, but for whatever reason, the music of Leonard Cohen is getting a lot of attention these days. Especially 'Hallelujah,' the 1984 gospel-rock tune that comedian Adam Sandler reworked into the joke jam ‘Sandy, Screw Ya' and performed in front of a global audience of 2 billion during last week's 12-12-12 Concert for Sand
Deadmau5 and Kat Von D Engaged After Twitter Proposal
Forget the news last month that Deadmau5 and Kat Von D had split up. Not only are the EDM DJ and tattoo artist together again, but the latest word is that they're engaged to be married after Deadmau5 popped the question via perhaps the most romantic and old-fashioned forum imaginable: Twitter.
Courtney Love Speaks Out Against Nirvana ‘Reunion’ At 12-12-12 Concert
Before yesterday's so-called Nirvana reunion with Paul McCartney at the 12-12-12 Hurricane Sandy Concert in New York, Courtney Love told TMZ that she was "not amused" by McCartney's involvement, adding that "if John were alive it would be cool." She later commented about the event on the Facebook page for author Mark Yarm’s book 'Everybody Loves This Town: An Oral History of G