Born on the outskirts of Motown and raised in the shadow of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Joe has been writing about rock music since interviewing Shudder to Think's Craig Wedren for his high school newspaper -- back when bands like Shudder to Think were recording for major labels. He's written for the Cleveland Free Times, Alternative Press, the Village Voice, SuicideGirls and a variety of other online publications and blogs, some of which have not existed in years. He started with Townsquare in 2011 writing for Loudwire and Ultimate Classic Rock, and has been with Diffuser.fm since it launched in spring 2012.
Joe Robinson
27 Rockers Who Died at Age 27
"Now he's gone and joined that stupid club," Kurt Cobain's mom, Wendy Fradenburg Cobain O'Connor, infamously said in April 1994 upon hearing of the Nirvana frontman's suicide death at the age of 27. "I told him not to join that stupid club." Despite Wendy's heartfelt plea, it was too late for Cobain, who had the dubious honor of being the latest member at the time of the group
Did Jack White Drop an F-Bomb During His 2013 Grammy Performance?
Did Jack White take the opportunity of performing before a worldwide TV audience at the 2013 Grammys last night (Feb. 10) to swear? That's exactly what CBS is denying after swarm of viewers took to Twitter and other social media to claim White and singer Ruby Amanfu, a member of his all-female backing band the Peacocks, each sang the F-word instead of "fight" during the 'Love Interruptio
Grammys 2013: Mumford and Sons’ ‘Babel’ Wins Album of the Year
Perhaps surprising nobody but themselves, Mumford and Sons snagged the biggest award of the night at the 2013 Grammys, winning Album of the Year honors for their critically acclaimed and commercially successful 'Babel.' The British folk rockers beat out some strong competition -- the Black Keys' 'El Camino,' fun.'s 'Some Nights', Frank Ocean's 'Channel Orange' and Jack White's Blunderbuss' -- to w
Jack White Has 20 Songs Written for Second Solo Album
Jack White's debut solo album, 'Blunderbuss,' dropped less than a year ago, but the prolific rocker -- who is also known for his work with the Raconteurs, Dead Weather and, of course, the now-defunct White Stripes -- is already hard at work on the follow-up. “I’m writing a lot of songs for another record, I have over 20 tracks I’m working on right now," White tells BBC 6 Music News. "So
Dave Grohl Interviews Rapper Nas on ‘Chelsea Lately’
Dave Grohl continued his week of filling in as host of the E! talk show 'Cheslea Lately' on Tuesday (Feb. 5) with a visit from Nas. With the 55th annual Grammy Awards coming up on Sunday, Grohl (watch above) talked with the rapper about how well hip-hip is represented at the ceremony. "It's cool, but I feel it could be a little more loved, though," said Nas. "Hip-hop is making a lot
Bonnaroo 2013 Lineup to Be Announced By ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic on YouTube
The Bonnaroo 2013 lineup still hasn't been announced, but we now know that when this year's acts are revealed, none other than parody artist and accordionist "Weird Al" Yankovic will do the honors. "I just wanted you to know that I'll be announcing this year's Bonnaroo lineup live on YouTube," "Weird Al" reveals in a new video that surfaced on YouTube today (Jan. 31).
Check Out the New Song ‘One Way Trigger’ From The Strokes
Two weeks after a Seattle radio station claimed it had an exclusive on the new Strokes single and a week after news surfaced about plans for a new album, a song bound for the as-yet-untitled disc has surfaced in our inbox.
Replacements Reunion EP Gets Title, Artwork
The Replacements have revealed the title and artwork of their forthcoming comeback EP. The set is called 'Songs for Slim' and will be issued in a limited edition of 250 copies. No release date has been announced for the collection, sales of which will benefit former Replacements guitarist Slim Dunlap, who suffered a stroke in February.
Vampire Weekend Releasing New Album This Spring
Vampire Weekend have emerged from their cave and announced plans to release a follow-up to their 2010 album 'Contra' sometime soon -- possibly as early as this spring, Consequence of Sound reports. The band recorded the as-yet-untitled disc in New York City and Los Angeles with producer Ariel Rechtshaid (Murs, We Are Scientists, Usher) and assistance from the group's own Rostam Batmanglij.
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Skrillex Posts New EP, ‘Leaving,’ on YouTube
Skrillex landed at No. 2 on the Forbes magazine Electronic Cash Kings list of the world’s highest-paid DJs last year by pulling in a reported $15 million, and this year, he's definitely putting in the hard work to stay there -- or even climb a spot. A day after dropping a new video for 'Summit,' his collaboration with on-again, off-again girlfriend Ellie Goulding, Skrillex has unleashed a brand ne
2013 Pitchfork Music Festival Dates Announced
Arbiters of Internet indie music cool Pitchfork have announced that its annual Pitchfork Music Festival will return to Chicago's Union Park next summer with a three-day gathering that's set to run from Friday, July 19 through Sunday, July 21.
The Decemberists Visit ‘The Simpsons’
The Decemberists made their previously announced visit to the town of Springfield on the Fox animated comedy 'The Simpsons' last night. The group sat in as the elementary school's new music teachers in an episode about the town becoming hipper when a couple -- played by 'Portlandia' stars Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein -- moves in from Portland with a pretentious son (comedian Patton Oswalt) i
Dave Grohl, Eddie Vedder Added to 12-12-12 Hurricane Sandy Relief Concert
Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl and Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder are among the artists added to the lineup of the 12-12-12 Hurricane Sandy relief concert set to take place in New York City next month. The two alt-rockers and Bon Jovi join a star-studded bill that already includes Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, the Who and several other artists.
Soundgarden Perform ‘By Crooked Steps’ and ‘Been Away Too Long’ on ‘Jimmy Kimmel’
Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell strapped on the old axe during his band's performance on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' last night (Nov. 27), locking into a tight groove with guitarist Kim Thayil on 'By Crooked Steps' (watch above), a deep cut from the band's recent comeback album, 'King Animal.'
fun. Cover ‘Sleigh Ride’ — FREE MP3 DOWNLOAD
Get in the holiday spirit with fun.'s version of 'Sleigh Ride,' a Christmas classic that the band recently recorded and contributed to the new Starbuck's 'Holidays Rule' compilation.
Andrew W.K. Appointed Cultural Ambassador to the Middle East by U.S. Department of State
The country of Behrain best be getting ready to party with a rock star, because none other than Andrew W.K. has been named by the U.S. Department of State as a cultural ambassador to the Middle East. He is set to travel to the island nation next month to visit music venues, elementary schools and the University of Bahrain, "all while promoting partying and world peace."