UPGRADING a 3G flip-phone on a 10-dollar unlimited plan turns out to be tricky and time-consuming.  Fortunately, Monday turned out to be a slow "news" day, so let's get to it. LIZ…

NEIL PEART, the pyrotechnical drummer and high-concept lyricist for the Canadian progressive-rock trio Rush, died from brain cancer on Tuesday in Santa Monica, Calif. He was 67.  The Rolling Stone obit touches…

THE WEEKEND STARTS HERE: … with R.E.M.!  Live in Germany circa 1985, more complete than what has previously turned up on the Tube. Songs include "Feeling Gravity's Pull," "Harbourcoat," "Sitting Still," "Maps &…

JON PRATT has posted a 2007 video of him performing "Backyard Swing" with his three daughters that is charming in that Sound of Music meets Whiplash sort of way. And no, this…

THE FIVE AMERICANS: "I See The Light." THE NEW PR0NOGRAPHERS visit World Cafe. THURSTN MOORE visits WNYC. CAROLINE POLCHEK visits The Current. GUIDED BY VOICES shares "Volcano."   INDIE BASEMENT'S Favorite Albums…

SMOKEY ROBINSON & THE MIRACLES: "Tears of a Clown." Originally released in 1967, but it didn't become a hit until 1970. Sometimes, a hit takes time. SHARON VAN ETTEN & LUCY DACUS…

THE SMITHEREENS: "Behind The Wall Of Sleep", Live on TheTube, 1987. BECK & ST VINCENT joined NIRVANA's remaining members for a benefit mini-set. CRAIG FINN, PATRICK STICKLES and more played tribute to the…

THE WEEKEND STARTS HERE: …with ECHO and the BUNNYMEN!  Live at the Royal Albert Hall, circa July 1983.  Your setlist includes: "Going Up," "With A Hip" and "All That Jazz"; "All My Colours (Zimbo)" and "Silver";…

NANCY SINATRA: "These Boots Are Made For Walking." Are you ready? THE WAR ON DRUGS cover Neil Young, Patti Smith, and the Pretenders at their first shows in over a year. ILLUMINATI…

THE NEW YEAR HOLIDAY STARTS HERE: …with THE BEAT FARMERS!  Making a tradition of this more sober than usual, professionally-shot, early BF gig recorded at Universal Studios, including "There She Goes Again" (VU); "Road…