The Clash were “The Only Band That Matters.” But more to the point, they were the only band who’s ever gotten away with calling themselves something so self-aggrandizing, because it felt close enough to the truth. They formed in early 1976 out of the ashes of Joe Strummer’s pub rock band, The 101ers, and Mick […]
In some ways, U2 have had a fairytale existence unheard of in rock music. Paul “Bono” Hewson, David “The Edge” Evans, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. began making music together, with two more friends, when they were 14 or 15. And that core quartet has remained together for over four decades, with no lineup […]
Last year, when helping assemble SPIN‘s 50 Best Albums of 1971, I wondered if that year could have been popular music’s absolute peak. Now I’m asking myself that same question all over again. As I built a spreadsheet for 1972, gathering our writers’ votes alongside my own weird choices, I was once again struck by […]
Getting toasty stoned and streaming a flick is a marriage that was made in Hollywood heaven ages ago. The ritual of sparking a joint and watching a movie can be cathartic and watching stoned people navigate the world high on THC is equally as entertaining on the silver screen as it can be in real […]
It happens every spring, pitchers and catchers start to report to spring training and America shifts its attention from thousands of other things to the National Pastime. You’ll see kids heading to little league, folks filling out their fantasy rosters, and – all over the country – people who have never visited New York will […]
The powers-that-be did their best to prevent this year’s Major League Baseball season from happening, but, alas, we’re back. By we, I mean the annual SPIN baseball preview. As usual, everyone (or almost everyone) is optimistic about their team’s chances in 2022. In 2021, a good chunk of the season was played with minimal fans […]
Skull-cracking elbow drops and ground-trembling suplex slams are only part of what makes WrestleMania great. The WWE’s biggest annual event — considered the pinnacle of “sports entertainment” by its creators (aka “Showcase of the Immortals,” “Grandest stage of ‘em all”) — happens at the intersection of athleticism and theatrics. Equally as thrilling as the high-flying […]
Red Hot Chili Peppers have been one of the most consistently popular bands in the world for most of their 39 years together, but it hasn’t always been an easy ride. Frontman Anthony Kiedis and bassist Flea have been the only constants throughout the band’s history. Over the years, they’ve recorded albums with five different […]
The rock world is mourning Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins, who was found dead at the age of 50 on Friday in Colombia. Hawkins joined the band in 1997 after playing in Alanis Morissette’s band during the Jagged Little Pill tour. Coincidentally, the Foo Fighters opened a string of dates during that run. Dave Grohl, […]
Guitarists Thurston Moore and Lee Ranaldo and bassist Kim Gordon founded Sonic Youth in New York City in 1981, bringing Michigan-born drummer Steve Shelley on board to fill out the classic lineup in 1985. And for the next three decades, Sonic Youth ruled as one of alternative rock’s most influential bands, bringing alternate guitar tunings […]