Despite losing the role of Spiderman to a spindly Brit, Childish Gambino (aka Donald Glover) has been having one hell of a year. Community continues to grow despite NBC being hellbent on destroying one of its best comedy, and his new album Camp debuted at #11 on the Billboard 200. Perhaps in celebration of such an achievement, Gambino's released the first round of tour dates in support of the album. The wildly talented Danny Brown will be opening up at the country-wide dates, including a stop here in Iowa City as put on by our good friends at SCOPE...

Coming hot on the heels of the release of their 7th LP El Camino, The Black Keys have announced a headlining arena tour for the spring of 2012. The band's longevity is frequently attributed to their dynamic live show, and you'll be able to see if they can back up the claim in arenas across the eastern seaboard and American Midwest. Coming along for the ride is Britain's stalwart Arctic Monkeys, supporting Suck It and See. I never would have guessed that the band is this big, but the venues back them up:

Tour Dates:

Mar. 2—U.S. Bank Arena—Cincinnati, Ohio
Mar. 3—Joe Louis...

In an announcement shocking to fans of the band, bassist Shonna Tucker of Drive-By Truckers has announced her departure from the band. Tucker served as the band's longest tenured bassist, ranging from 2004's The Dirty South up until this year's phenomenal Go-Go Boots. Her statement on the band's website reads:

Hello friends,
Unfortunately, I come to you all with some sad news.
It's time for me to move on to the next great thing, whatever that may be.
I want to thank each and everyone of

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Rising star Lana Del Rey gained a lot of buzz this year with her beautiful, whimsical hit single "Video Games" along with the burning follow-up track "Blue Jeans". On January 31th, she will release her Interscope debut album Born To Die preceded by her next single, the title track, on the 23rd of that month. You don't have to wait until then to hear the song though as Lana has released the audio and a placeholder video that we'll all want to have as our Android live background. Check out "Born To Die" and the album art below.

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Live Review: Mates of State / Generationals
Blue Moose Tap House, Iowa City, IA - 11.17.11

We’ve spent the past few months working with SCOPE here at the University of Iowa, and to say they’ve booked a diverse lineup is an understatement: In the past few weeks, we’ve seen the R&B spectacle of Janelle Monae, the pop-rock extravaganza of All Time Low, and the frat-friendly strains of Mike Posner. Last up for the group’s fall semester bookings ...

First Thrice, now Thursday. The crop of early-aughts veterans has thinned out yet again with long-time scene kings Thursday throwing in the towel after their upcoming tour. In a statement on the band's website, the band cites the usual "personal difficulties" as the straw that has broke the camel's back. The band also offers a series of possibilities for what may become of the Thursday brand, such as a collective, but nothing is set in stone yet. The band has one more round of shows lined up, so check them out and wish them well on the final dates:

Tour...

French dance provocateurs Justice followed up their much-loved debut with their challenging sophomore effort Audio, Video, Disco, and it's about time they got on the road behind it. The band will be bringing an all-new stage show to the road, including their first US leg in two years. Prepare to dance your pants off at one of the following dates:

Tour Dates:

01-01 Sydney, Australia - Field Day Festival
01-02 Queensland, Australia - Field Day Festival (Gold Coast)
01-03 Perth, Australia - Summadayze Festival
01-06 Melbourne, Australia - Festival Hall
01-10 Osaka, Japan -...

Thrice has been knocking out albums with a certain reliability over the past few years, so it comes as a bit of a shock that the band will be going on hiatus after their upcoming spring tour. In a statement on the band's website, lead man Dustin Kensrue explains that the break is not permanent nor is there any ill will or animosity amongst the band. To condense the length statement down, the rigors of being in a full time touring band has started to take its toll, especially on those with small children. While we lament the loss of consistent access to one of...

You can't keep a good man down. Sadly, the most we've heard of The Boss since the end of the Workin' on a Dream tour was the unfortunate news of Clarence Clemons' passing. But, Springsteen's never been one to lick his wounds, and as such, we can now expect a new album and tour in the coming year. In a message on his website, Springsteen said:

Well, things are starting to heat up down on E Street.

A lot of you have been hearing that Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will be on tour in 2012. That is

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SXSW always brings in a ridiculously large lineup, and so far, it's looking to be a great year. The organization recently released the first two rounds of bands, featuring such TMC Favorites as Against Me!, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, and Lucero while featuring the usual mind-boggling amount of up and comers, as well as a surprise already in the announcement of pioneering punk band FEAR. Round One is here, and Round Two is Here

Pop-Punk Is Dead. Long Live Pop-Punk: An Evening and Interview with New Found Glory

“I hope you did your cardio.” - Chad Gilbert of New Found Glory

The main room of the Blue Moose Tap House in Iowa City was buzzing in anticipation for the Pop Punk’s Not Dead tour, but I was nowhere to be seen. Rather than sweating with the throngs down below, I was being led to what was a makeshift...