DOG BITES MAN

French actor Jean Reno marries model.

JUST BACK FROM SEEING THE WORLD'S LEAST NECESSARY

...Live Band. Which is not to say that Rabbi Becker and Cantor Fagen weren't good. The timing of the show (in Vancouver, WA just north of Portland) obviously wasn't, what with Tom Petty and CSN&Y playing the same shed Friday and Saturday. The expensive seats were easily half-empty. We scalped our way into the fifth row at close to 50% off (which, at $75, was still more than I've ever paid for a concert ticket in my life).

Was expecting to enjoy the sweet smell of former hippies doing drugs, but really, the place looked more like a Cialis commercial.

Was glad to hear the likes of "Showbiz Kids" instead of "Rikki" or "Reelin,'" but the fact that they played not one single song from Two Against Nature (or the more recent more forgettable album) makes you wonder why they even bother.

Also enjoyed telling the dark-eyed beauty at the roasted corn and German sausage stand that Steely Dan were a "they" rather than a "he" (cue "Hey Nineteen").

Then there was the opening act. I did not realize Michael McDonald's two records of Motown songs were actually released by Motown. But it's about time someone improved on "Second That Emotion." And it's so great that he's introducing such important music to a whole new generation of fans.

And yet, oddly -- though not surprisingly -- when he joined Steely Dan onstage they ruled. It's like Fred and Ginger -- he gives them heart, they give him brains.

No mention of the Wilson Brothers, sadly.

GOOD TIMES....

Yup, the Strokes were "an important influence". Does that sound like a eulogy or what?

THE WATERBOYS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A BIG INFLUENCE ON BRUCE

"PAT [TILLMAN] ISN'T WITH GOD. HE'S FUCKING DEAD"

In case you missed the ESPN.com story, which reads like something that could have been in Harper's or the New Yorker.

HEY THOM!

Meet one of your fans.

(Illustration via Pencil Art By Julie.)

NEXT UP: SOUTH CAROLINA FREES THE SLAVES

Today's top news story in Raleigh, NC.

YOU CAN IMAGINE THE PHOTOSHOPPED PICTURE FOR YOURSELF

I'm thinking Little Man might have been a better movie had it starred Rob Schneider.

UNFORTUNATELY, SHE'S ALSO ACTED BEFORE

Robert Wilonsky will soon have e-mail from Kevin Smith.

HOLY SHIT...

The President said "irony!"

WHO CAN SLEEP?

What with the Mercury Music Prize shortlist announcement just two hours away!

And this has gotta be one of those rare years that the obvious favorite wins it, right?

BREAKING NEWS! LIBERTINES REUNION!

Woo-hoo!

What's scary is, I think I have one of their 7"s.

OR IS IT ACTUALLY THE 19TH HOLE?

Yep, I've won the trophy on the 18th hole at Long Beach Island. Twice, in fact.

SOON TO BE FEATURED ON "THE DAILY SHOW"?

If Fox News Had Been Around Throughout History.

(Link courtesy of this guy.)

VALIDATE YOURSELF

That's right, the new MJ Hibbett & The Validators album hits the stores today.

BEYONCE VS. PETA

She looks bored. And smart.

JON PARELES ON PAUL NELSON

Ah, the good old days of rock criticism, when a drastically shortened record review was four or five hundred words.

TED LEO SHOULD COVER IT

NP on Independence Day: The Mekons, "Empire of the Senseless."

14 IS THE NEW 16

And besides, it's not like Chris Douridas did something really awful like produce Love Monkey.

(Which I ended up liking, but that's another story.)