Five years ago, I heard about a band called Black Lips from my cousins down in Atlanta. I love my cousins, but the Confederate flags hanging on the walls and the deep bass lines of Creed emanating from their dorm rooms prevented me from checking the band out when I came back home. But finally, two years ago, while working at mtvU, I heard that they were playing at the Noise Pop festival in San Francisco and flew out there to interview them.

Upon doing pre-interview research, all I found were references to "incessant puking," "spitting" and some strange antics including peeing in each other's mouths. How can anything else about the band compete with stark images of bodily functions spraying an innocent crowd? The next day, I went to the concert anyway. OK, I didn't stand in the first row ... or the second or third. Fine, I made mtvU get me VIP tickets so I'd be in the balcony. Whatever. Point is, they blew me away. Read more...

By Sarah Muller

The clock is ticking down to MTV's 2008 Video Music Awards on September 7. For the past few weeks, we've been asking viewers to vote for their favorite nominees. And so far, the big names that you always hear about — Britney, Mariah, Kanye — have made the cut, as expected.

But let's just say the indie-rock world hasn't gotten much love this year. This past Sunday, when I spoke with King Khan, the Black Lips' Cole Alexander and Deerhunter's Bradford Cox at the Jelly NYC Pool Party in Brooklyn, out of nowhere, Alexander mentioned the VMAs. He brought it up, not me! That would be like talking about a big blowout party right in front of people you know didn't get invited.

Soon enough, the rest of the gang started chiming in: "How can we go? Please, please, please, let us come!" They promised not to curse and "not to bring any chickens or animals." Alexander swore he wouldn't bother Justin Timberlake, adding, "If you let us perform, I promise we'll be better than Britney was last year." But he admitted that wasn't saying much.

Perhaps as a nod to recovering pop tart, Cox offered to wear a dress with a snake around his neck, and possibly a Chihuahua. ... You've got to check out video for the rest.

Hot. What outrageous stunt would you pull to get a VMA invite? Let us know.

By Sarah Muller and Christopher "CJ" Smith

Live chickens seem more fit for a farm than a concert. An old man on rollerblades doesn't exactly scream rock and roll, either. But Sunday's Jelly NYC Pool Party was all about the punk-rock spectacle.

That's no surprise, though. We're dealing with the triple-threat rabble-rousing crew of the Black Lips, Deerhunter and King Khan And The Shrines — three bands that are known as much for their onstage antics as their various blends of punk. But this time, they turned a party designed for a loft or a basement into a giant outdoor party — complete with audience-participation food fights, an onstage toilet-paper smackdown and plenty of cringe-worthy "did they REALLY just do that?" moments.

The bands are bestest friends. But if you ask them, they're more like family. Sort of...

There's no sibling rivalry here. The performers shared the spotlight with each other throughout the course of the afternoon, and said they're going to officially work together soon. "We would like to officially announce a band that we've started called Butt Flower," King Khan half-jokingly told MTV News, adding that the project consists of the Black Lips' Cole Alexander, Deerhunter's Bradford Cox and himself. With Cox and Khan getting together for an impromptu set at the Pitchfork Music Festival last month — AND Cox and Alexander releasing music as Ghetto Cross — the trio seems closer than ever. Unfortunately, it's been difficult to get them all in one place to record, specifically, Khan noted, "because [Alexander's] helicopter ran out of gas."

Not one to leave anything to the imagination, Khan removed his pants to give the crowd a visualization of the new band's name during Deerhunter's set (with the help of some flowers). But even that stunt seemed tame compared to some of the other outrageous moments of the day.

Read more...

This place needs its own zip code. Really. It’s been a few years since I was at Lollapalooza, but this place qualifies as a small town within one of America’s biggest cities. Took a full half hour to walk the length of Grant Park this afternoon. Began the day with two sets from very different places, geographically and musically – conscience and hip-hop from Somali musician K’naan, followed by my brothers from the ATL, The Black Lips, delivering plenty of flower punk, and some gobs of spit.

(Watch our video interviews from Chicago, including chats with the Cool Kids and the Black Lips, and check back for more all weekend!)

Speaking of expectorate, you can’t spit at this place without hitting a beer stand. Bud Light everywhere you turn, plus there’s a beer garden this year with a ton of microbrews. Food is another matter. No, really. I hiked half a mile until I came across any food vendors. Very odd. Not sure if they are trying to keep the garbage in one place, but not a good move.

On my walk, I passed Perry’s – Perry Farrell’s dance tent in a grove. Very cool atmosphere – though this early in the day, and without the benefit of, you know, the state of mind that makes dance tents fly, it was a bit subdued. DJ Wally Joy on the ones and twos, and hanging from the trees there were day glo fabrics and spheres, from the man who gave you Porno for Pyros and ENIT. Once a trippy dude, always a trippy dude.

Did someone say trippy? Next on my journey, I encountered “Eat Your Own Spaceship,” a circus tent seemingly operated by none other than those creatures from another galaxy called Oklahoma, the Flaming Lips, who are screening their long-discussed film “Christmas on Mars” here at Lolla. The tent is surrounded by pics of the Lips, and written in Russian, a call to make weed weegal.

Finally, I found a vegan burrito (they are gonna starve these people) and now it’s off to an afternoon and evening chatting with Grizzly Bear, Duffy, CSS, the Raconteurs and more. No Radiohead interview, alas. Thom: If you are reading this, I will be on site till about 11 if you change your mind.

(Watch our video interviews from Chicago, including chats with the Cool Kids and the Black Lips, and check back for more all weekend!)

The challenge of festivals – especially ones as big as Lollapalooza – is making sure you are in the right place at the right time to see your favorite bands. That task was made a little easier for me on Day 1 of Lollapalooza 2008 because one of my must-sees -- Atlanta garage punks the Black Lips -- were starting the day off on one of the fest’s biggest stages with a noon set.

Now, noon may not seem early to you, but trust me, for most bands it is. In fact, I actually caught up with the Lips backstage at just after 11 a.m. (“We just stayed up all night” said Jared, kidding... I think) just as they were finishing their BREAKFAST. They were just in from the ATL where they are building a new studio, having recently played their first-ever show in Russia, and preparing to head back to Europe for more festival dates -- yes, it’s a busy summer for the guys.

We talked about the challenges of staying rested and well fed when you’re out on the road – and how Lolla compares to other mammoth multi-band events.