1. Is it just me, or has the FCC, in tandem with some of the nation’s largest media conglomerates effected a pretty massive “”values”" shift with little to no dissent? Clear Channel is showing a lot of moxie (and not in a good way) removing Howard Stern from its few affiliates that carry him, and I gather that the witchhunt against controversial radio hosts will continue. I’m no fan of Stern, but I am of fan of letting all people decide what their tastes are, and not merely accomodating those who preach with the largest stick. This is going to get ugly if it is not already there…

2. Rhapsody really is an awesome online music service. Real Networks needs to advertise this more. $9.95 a month – unlimited ultra high-quality streaming of over 40,000 full-length albums with more being added every day, plus a growing selection of indie content to boot. Plus, you can run the service from any computer you use.

3. YELLOWCARD is about to, or already has gone “”Gold”" with “”Ocean Avenue.”" Hooray for good music on the airwaves.

4. THREE DAYS GRACE is about, or already has gone “”Gold”" with their “”S/T”" debut. There is still a lot of crap on the airwaves.

5. Rumor has it that SILENT MAJORITY and INSIDE will be playing a special one-time only show on Long Island, April 30th, as BLOOD RED says goodbye to their guitarist, Vincent Corrigan, as he’s moving to Ireland. Here’s the info from the BLOODRED.NET site:

Vinny’s Last Blood Red Show

Friday April 30th @ Wading River Congregational Church Auditorium.2057 North Country Road Wading River NY.

Blood Red – Kill Your Idols – Heads Vs Breakers – Dearly Departed – Crime In Stereo – Three Years Older + suprise ‘special guests’

6pm – FREE

BLOOD RED is not breaking up however (woo!). It figures that I have a law final that day. I think I need to place a call to some Korean scientists and find a way to replicate myself. This might just be the best show EVER to grace Long Island.

6. As it seems that SAOSIN has imploded, permanently (not confirmed), can anyone else think of a band that had garnered so much attention though only an EP, and to see it crash and burn so vividly?

7. Go buy something at Tower Records. Yes, they are expensive. Yes, they are the only large music retail chain that seriously cares about independent music. No, efforts to save the company from eventual extinction are not futile.

8. GOD FORBID – Gone Forever.