1. How slow has music news been the past week? So slow that the most interesting press release I got today was about how the USC marching band will be playing an AVENGED SEVENFOLD song (“Almost Easy”) during the halftime of the Rose Bowl on Thursday. Is that the one that rips of GUNS N ROSES, or is that the other one? Does anyone know of a marching band version of GREEN DAY’s “When I Come Around?” – I would be interested in hearing that.

2. I’m not a big of the pop-punk band THE MEASURE (SA), but I have to give them credit for naming their new 12″ EP release Songs About People‚Ķand Fruit N’ Shit. You can check out an mp3 of the song “Revisionist” from that release here.

3. Amazon.com continues to offer great deals on new mp3 releases – right now they have their “50 favorite and best selling” albums of 2008 available for a mere $5. Artists include DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE, VAMPIRE WEEKEND, SNOW PATROL, METALLICA, CITY COLOUR, and more.

4. Not music related, but this just cracks me up… a guy on his cell phone today missed a road construction sign in DC and drove into a big hole in the ground. Supposedly, he then fled the scene. More info and fun photos here.