Tim McIlrath

Rise Against lead singer, Tim McIlrath, brought the discussion of teen bullying to the mainstream rock scene this summer through the song and video for “Make It Stop (September’s Children)” off the band’s sixth studio album. He was cool enough to take time out of his day to sit down with Logo’s beCause project to talk about this issue that’s become so important to him, and the It Gets Better Project that’s helping to address it.

The wave of gay suicides in September 2010 made many across the country reconsider how they approach the issue of bullying. Through the It Gets Better Project and other forms of artistry and activism, the discussion of bullying was suddenly being had in unexpected places. From President Obama and Secretary Clinton’s supportive YouTube videos to pop singers like Demi Lovato and Katy Perry belting out positive messages to fans, public figures seemed to be increasingly speaking out on this pressing issue in new forums.

Rise Against’s lead singer Tim McIlrath was also inspired by the traumatic events of that month to raise awareness about the issue of bullying. The Chicago hard core punk rock band Rise Against, which has risen from grungy dive bars to mainstream rock domination over the last decade, was in the midst of recording their sixth studio album Endgame when Rutgers freshman Tyler Clementi’s suicide dominated the news. McIlrath told MTV News that the moment crystallized for him the fact that “the rock scene in general kind of fails to comment about this stuff.”

In addition, he says, “I found a lot of fans who were unsure about how we felt about if our fans were gay, and that broke my heart, to think that any one of our fans might even question for a second where we stand on that.”

With those thoughts in the back of his mind, McIlrath (married with two daughters) and Rise Against recorded “Make It Stop (September’s Children)” inspired by bullying and suicides in the LGBT community. With the song, he says, he hopes to give teens struggling a sense that “life does improve after high school.”

The video for the single, which premiered on June 21st, was set at Rolling Meadows High School, where McIlrath went to school, and focused on three teens being bullied, pushed to the brink, and then realizing there’s hope. Produced in partnership with the It Gets Better Project, the message of the video was that the band doesn’t tolerate bigotry and that young fans coming to grips with their sexuality should be empowered.

We talked with McIlrath about what motivated him to make such a powerful statement, how he sees music aligning with activism, and why he feels so passionately about this cause.

Rise Against’s latest album, Endgame, marked the band’s highest debut as well as the most albums the band has sold in a week. For more on Logo’s because project, you can go to logotv.com/because. To hear more of Rise Against’s music or to catch them on tour check out www.riseagainst.com.

More Stories

NEXT TRIP: India

NOW: Michelle Williams Models In Cemetery

NEW: Madonna Announces 'MDNA' Tour Dates

PENGUIN PRISON BREAK.

During the craziness that was this year’s CMJ music marathon, artists from around the country filled venues all over NYC to play for fans, journalists, and open bar chasers. One of the acts that seemed to be everywhere was Penguin Prison (aka Chris Glover) a pop-y, electronic artist who can make even the most stiff-legged, hardened bro dance like he has ants in his two dollar PBR.

Chris and I caught up backstage before he played one of his sets that week at Tammany Hall and talked about everything from his desire to discuss serious themes in a light-hearted tone (ever notice how so many of his songs have to do with the economy?) to his thoughts on Occupy Wall Street, where he recently shot a video. Also, he once wrote a song about BBM with Lana Del Ray? What?

Check it out below, and try to earn your “Penguin Trivia Badge” along with us.

And here’s that Lana Del Ray “Blue Jeans” Remix we talked about:

Lana Del Rey – Blue Jeans (Penguin Prison Remix) by Penguin Prison

To find out more about Penguin Prison, and order his debut album, go to his website: http://penguinprison.com

More Stories

NEXT TRIP: India

NOW: Michelle Williams Models In Cemetery

NEW: Madonna Announces 'MDNA' Tour Dates

The Halloween fun box is always a big hit.

On this very special Halloween episode of Scouting, we sat down with UK singer Rumer to talk about her soon to be released debut album, Seasons of my Soul. (and we earned our Costume Identification Badge)

Rumors’ soothing, throwback sound makes it no surprise that she’s attracted the attention of people like Burt Bacharach. On songs like Slow and Aretha, Rumer takes the listener on a soothing emotional journey. We talked about that song and more of the tracks on her upcoming album in the studio yesterday. As well as her secret use of foot doubles and the summer she spent at Carly Simon’s house? Check it out below:

To hear more of Rumer go to rumer.co.uk

More Stories

NEXT TRIP: India

NOW: Michelle Williams Models In Cemetery

NEW: Madonna Announces 'MDNA' Tour Dates

Let’s hope this evil witch loves Cartier as much as Pam

Kristin Bauer has endeared herself to many a horror fan with her impressively deadpan portrayal of Vampire Pam on HBO’s ‘True Blood.’ Let’s see if she can hit that evil woman sweet spot as well for the fantasy crowd with her upcoming turn as Maleficent on ABC’s new show “Once Upon A Time.”

Bauer will be making her debut as the witch (and “Sleeping Beauty’s tormenter”) on the upcoming October 30 episode of the show. From the look of these recently released publicity photos, it looks like Mal’s trademark horn headpiece is in tact, but the rest of the look differs from the Disney version quite a bit.

What do you think? Should Angelina be worried or is this over the top look more “ham” than “Pam?”

[EW]

More Stories

NEXT TRIP: India

NOW: Michelle Williams Models In Cemetery

NEW: Madonna Announces 'MDNA' Tour Dates

Have you seen that video making the rounds today of Hillary Clinton reacting to Colonel Ghadaffi’s death before a CBS interview?

Well, in similar “where were you then” fashion, New York Times fashion editor Cathy Horyn opens her piece on attire for gay weddings with a look back at where she was when gay marriage passed in New York. Spoiler: It was at a fashion show in Paris inspired by “spiky” bird of paradise prints.

From there, Horyn and T Magazine men’s fashion editor Bruce Pask style 3 very different gay couples for their special day. One inspired by “Brideshead Revisited in the Deep South,” one in traditional suits, and one in the aforementioned print. All of them, not surprisingly, turn out looking pretty adorable.

Check out the looks for yourself to see if you prefer the more adventurous or traditional attires.

[NYTimes]

More Stories

NEXT TRIP: India

NOW: Michelle Williams Models In Cemetery

NEW: Madonna Announces 'MDNA' Tour Dates

Rihanna found love in Ireland! It’s like Finian’s Rainbow with hard drugs

You may have noticed that since deciding a year ago that she was the only girl in the world, Rihanna has taken it upon herself to fulfill that role by releasing a new music video every two weeks. (actually she has some competition in that regard)

This week, RiRi’s taking us on a magical journey to the enchanted land of Ireland. A land of leprechauns, banshees, and angry farmers. We Found Love (produced by Calvin Harris) is the first single off of “Talk The Talk,” Rihanna’s upcoming follow-up to 2010′s Loud. She’s described the sound on the album as “gangsta,” so perhaps to fit with the theme, the video features a fistful of illegal Irish shenanigans. Namely, heavy drug use and making out with a Chris Brown stand-in:

Watch it here.

So are we being led to believe that Belfast, Ireland is really a “hopeless place” for love? Because I know some ginger chasers who would beg to differ lassie.

More Stories

NEXT TRIP: India

NOW: Michelle Williams Models In Cemetery

NEW: Madonna Announces 'MDNA' Tour Dates

Brandon Flowers

Well, I never thought that this day would come. To be honest, I am honestly completely and utterly shocked by this news but I guess it’s now official. My favorite Mormon advertisement is no longer HAWK MORMON:

“Hawk Mormon”

Killers frontman Brandon Flowers came out as a proud Mormon today in the following YouTube clip. This may come as a surprise to Flowers’ gay fans that he’s pretty wholeheartedly supported in the past. Watch for yourself to see if it will change your opinion of Brandon, if at all.

[Towleroad]

More Stories

NEXT TRIP: India

NOW: Michelle Williams Models In Cemetery

NEW: Madonna Announces 'MDNA' Tour Dates

Ellen Barkin has whole heartedly embraced new media

18 hours ago, something magical happened.

Likeable Ellen Barkin, star of Ocean’s Thirteen, Broadway’s recent critically lauded production of The Normal Heart (and mother or two) decided to get a twitter account. Over the next half a day, that has turned out to be a big f*cking deal. (the words she would most likely use)

Some highlights of Barkin’s profanity laced ranting over the last day:

“And yes, this old white broad can use the word “brutha” cuz she’s from the muthafukkin’ Bronx. Straight up project style.”

“Someone just tweeted at me that I was an “endearing hot mess.” Whoever the fuck you are… I’m 57 years old, it’s only gonna get messier.”

RT “@brianaugust your fuck to tweet ratio is fuckin impressive” I fuckin love you, you brian fuckin’ august, you badass muthafukka.”

And my personal favorite:

“Fuck you twitter bird without a fuckin’ face. I just verified my own fuckin’ self:”

That’s how you get verified on twitter straight up project style.

[Ellen Barkin's twitter]

More Stories

NEXT TRIP: India

NOW: Michelle Williams Models In Cemetery

NEW: Madonna Announces 'MDNA' Tour Dates

For a giant blockbuster, years-in-the-making film like The Avengers, there’s certain product placements that one would expect. Perhaps a Coca Cola bottle discreetly left on the table of a submarine missile command station or a frantically running heroine checking the number of bars left on her mobile Sprint phone.

That’s why it’s so funny that for our first look at the new Avengers film, the only brand in sight (other than ScarJo’s personal silent/bodysuit gimmick) is…

Aussie Bum?

That’s right. Everyone’s favorite clothing band for their “down under” can be seen in the background of what appears to be a street fight scene in the new trailer. Sneaky, Marvel.

Other than that, the first look at this supersuperhero movie is pretty much what you’d expect. Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, The Hulk, and bodysuit ScarJo forming the flashiest Guardian Angels group ever and a lot of slo-mo.

Watch the trailer here

More Stories

NEXT TRIP: India

NOW: Michelle Williams Models In Cemetery

NEW: Madonna Announces 'MDNA' Tour Dates

Catching up with George Salazar of "Godspell"

Everyone knows the one thing no traveler to New York City should miss is a Broadway show. Well, that and any L train after 2 am.

This fall, one of the big shows opening on the Great White Way is a revival of the Stephen Schwartz musical Godspell. In fact, the biblically inspired musical (it’s loosely based on the Book of Matthew) will be taking over the Circle in the Square theater right next to Schwartz’s long-running hit “Wicked.”

We caught up with George Salazar, one of the young members of the cast, to talk about the revival, what makes it different from past productions, and to get some quick tips for travelers to NYC who want to take in a Broadway show. (Are there any other kind?)

Godspell
Circle in the Square
1633 Broadway at 50th St.
www.godspell.com

48 Lounge
1221 Avenue of the Americas
www.48nyc.com

Hurley’s Saloon
232 W. 48th St.
www.hurleysnyc.com

Top of the Rock Observation Deck
30 Rockefeller Plaza
www.topoftherocknyc.com

More Stories

NEXT TRIP: India

NOW: Michelle Williams Models In Cemetery

NEW: Madonna Announces 'MDNA' Tour Dates