Fletcher - Open Arms

Chicago youngin's Oscar and Harvey Baker and drummer Tom Fry have been getting a little flare of love from their hometown, but have yet to make it much further out. Listening to the trio's EP title track "Open Arms," the influences are obvious; modern alt Brit-pop in the ilk of Arctic Monkeys and the Kooks. In fact, the band revealed in a Filter interview that both the acts were primary influences, so Fletcher aren't ashamed of it.

Check out "Open Arms" below and grab the EP of the same name April 9.

Lollapalooza Brazil lineup released

With yesterday's release of the Lollapalooza Chile lineup, promoters have also dished out the newest Lolla expansion - Lollapalooza Brazil - Sao Paulo, specifically.

For those familiar with the Santiago, Chile lineup, the Sao Paulo version isn't much of a shock. The majority of the well-known names (Foo Fighters, Arctic Monkeys, MGMT, others) are on both billings with only a few minor alterations. Instead of Bjork, the festival's second headliner will be the Perry Farrell-led (there's some kind of theme here) Jane's Addiction, which performed in Santiago last spring.

You can see the whole lineup and grab tickets here.

Lollapalooza Chile 2012 lineup announced

It's been over three months since the 20th annual Lollapalooza commenced and the Perry Farrell brand continues its new tradition of expansion. Last April, the festival launched it's first non-Chicago venue since its mid-2000s hiatus in Santiago, Chile, and luckily enough is making its way back.

Lollapalooza Chile 2011 saw previous Lolla performers Kanye West, Jane's Addiction, and The Killers headline alongside acts like The National and Flaming Lips. And while those acts have performed at multiple Lolla's in recent past, of the 57 artists who performed there last year, only four were also found on the next Chicago billing (roughly .07 percent turnover rate). So those looking for early clues to the August 3-5 lineup may not find much.

Regardless, the 2012 lineup was released just a few moments ago, and the model is similar to last year. Several artists from the last Chicago event are on the billing, including; headlining act Foo Fighters, Arctic Monkeys, Cage The Elephant, Skrillex and more. Alongside Dave Grohl and Co., Bjork will be Santiago's other headliner, marking the very first Lolla-anything that Bjork will be performing. If that's worth any clue, you can expect her to make the billing on at least one other major concert festival next summer.

You can read the entire lineup and look for tickets here.

New Vaccines video for "Norgaard," tour dates

I remember back a few months ago when I first discovered the Vaccines and was worried that they wouldn't last past fall 2010. Since that time, the English four-piece have blown up, amassing countless tour dates alongside the Arctic Monkeys, and a modestly successful debut album (reaching #4 on the UK charts).

Not even a year later, the group is gearing up for their own headlining tour across North American throughout September and early October. The tour dates include a stop at Philly's Popped! Music Festival Saturday, Sep. 24. You can check out the rest of the band's tour dates below and their newest video for "Norgaard."

Vaccines Tour Dates

9/8       Seattle, WA                 Crocodile Café

9/9       Vancouver, BC            Venue

9/10     Portland, OR                Doug Fir Lounge

9/13     Los Angeles, CA          Music Box

9/14     San Diego, CA             The Casbah

9/18     Austin, TX                    ACL

9/21     Chicago, IL                  Lincoln Hall                                         

9/22     Columbus, OH             Newport Music Hall

9/24     Philadelphia, PA           Popped Festival

9/25     Boston, MA                 Paradise Rock Club

9/27     Toronto, ON                Phoenix Concert Theatre

9/28     Montreal, QC               Corona

9/30     New York, NY            Webster Hall

10/1     Brooklyn, NY              Music Hall of Williamsburg

The Vaccines - Norgaard

Wednesday Bears: Stream Arctic Monkey's 'Suck It and See'

A few days ago, fans got their first listen to the Arctic Monkey's fourth studio album, Suck It and See, via the band's website.

After bit by bit (which could be a considered a play on words here) release of the album in the previous weeks, you can listen to the entire new album stream, thanks to We All Want Someone to Shout For.

The album will available June 6 and 7 stateside via Domino Records. Listen to it here.

Friday Bears: New Vaccines video - All In White

The Vaccines premiered their newest NSFW video for "All In White," off the group's What Did You Expect From The Vaccines debut, scheduled for release May 31. The video is an arty mish-mash with a little nipple that's about ... something.

The band's in the middle of their tour with the Arctic Monkeys but will eventually split off for a length European stop before returning back to the states for Lollapalooza.

The Vaccines - All In White

All the Lollapalooza rumors so far ... today.

It's been a while since I've filtered the website (and not my Twitter account, which you should be following) with Lollapalooza rumors, so I'll get back on base.

Yesterday, it was pretty much revealed through several sources and suspicious scheduling that A Perfect Circle are set to be one of the six main headliners at this year's festival. So, for those that need a refresher, that makes four confirmed headliners: Eminem, Foo Fighters, Muse (all three completely confirmed), and A Perfect Circle.

With two headlining spots remaining (and three Perry's Place, the electronic/dance stage, headliners still unnamed), there have been speculation for a small handful of artists, including; Coldplay, My Morning Jacket, and now Death Cab for Cutie.

Rumors, however, became even more interesting after Perry Farrell revealed in the March/April issue of Relix that, “I can’t tell you who’s gonna be headlining this year, but one of the headliners is a dance act." Early rumors indicate that the probable act will be either Justice, Deadmau5, who played the festival two years ago, or the Chemical Brothers. Daft Punk was also mentioned, but chances of them performing again seem like a disillusioned dream.

The festival's Last.fm page, which has every artist confirmed or semi-confirmed for the weekend, has also listed Justice. Again, it's not a confirmation, but a reasonable suspicion for the French duo's speculative appearance. From this point, I'd make them the most likely headliner to be named next.

Outside of headlining rumors, several acts have also been added to the billing, including; Arctic Monkeys, Surfer Blood, and Tennis. It may also be within reason to assume that the Vaccines will make the lineup. The group is currently touring with the Arctic Monkeys and have no Chicago dates scheduled around August 5-7.

Stay tuned to Bears and Bullets for any and all rumors and information regarding the annual festival through the coming weeks ...

Tuesday Bears: Alex Turner's "Piledriver Waltz"

Alex Turner, better known as the front man for the Arctic Monkeys, has released a six track EP for the film "Submarine," and a new video of film footage accompanied by "Piledriver Waltz," a song that seems afflictively better than anything I've heard from the band's upcoming album.

Alex Turner - Piledriver Waltz