411 Mania — This week in Dan Haggerty’s ongoing look at the history of metal, the year is 1974 and we look at the beginnings of Rush and KISS. Plus we look at the debut albums from Rush, KISS, and Judas Priest. Plus we have classics from Budgie, Mont... more info

Guardian Music — Like their motorbike namesake, these Wigan lads have brute force and sheer drive, if not state-of-the-art slicknessHometown: Wigan.The lineup: Adam Bamford (guitar), Chris Veasey (vocals), Robert Warnes (bass), Stuart Robinson (drums).The background:... more info

Stereogum — Dirty Projectors play well in lots of environments, though “A Very Special Night With … ” is a frequent and strong one for them lately. This Very Special Night featured DP co-headlining with L.A.’s Philharmonic Orchestra, who began the night ... more info

Pitchfork - Forkcast — London quintet Yuck rose from the ashes of a short-lived band called Cajun Dance Party, when two of CDP's members joined with two other natives of the British Isles and a drummer from New Jersey. The group has a full-length coming out this year via T... more info

Idolator — We were dubious when supposed new Daft Punk song “Fragile”—said to be from the soundtrack of the upcoming Tron Legacy—surfaced last month. And, it turns out the is-it-or-isn’t-it track ending up being a big isn’t. Now Urb has sn... more info

Undercover, Australia — Deep Purple will be back in Australia in April and Electric Mary has picked up the support slot. more info

Guardian Music — We reveal which artists fill up the iPods and Spotify playlists of the world's most evil menBlame spin doctors or the inevitability of baby boomers coming to power, but today, nearly every politician seems to be a pop and rock aficionado. Gordon Brow... more info

Stereogum — The first song that really stood out for me from incantatory BTW Extra Life was Secular Works's "Blackmail Blues," best described as a darker, heavier Dirty Projectors backed by Torch Of The Mystics Sun City Girls. But that's just one look. This past... more info

411 Mania — The 411Music Top 5 is back after the New Year Holiday! This week, the 411Music Staffers discuss their favorite underrated acts. They discuss everything from Thin Lizzy to Deep Purple, Pink to Matchbox Twenty, Trans-Siberian Orchestra to Soulfly, and ... more info

Guardian Music — This 19-year-old synth whizz is so enamoured of French house that he has given himself a Gallic moniker. Despite being a Londoner. Called Brett EwelsHometown: LondonThe lineup: Brett Ewels (music, production).The background: There were a few genres t... more info