Music critic, copy editor, blogger, photojournalist
More People Are Grinding Their Teeth at Night. Here’s How to Stop It
When things are stressful, our bodies can manifest this stress into physical symptoms. We’re talking sleepless nights and sore jaws — a result of bruxism, also known as teeth grinding, clenching, or gnashing. This behavior can happen unconsciously while you're awake (awake bruxism, which affects 22-31% of adults), asleep (sleep bruxism, which affects 9.3-15.9% of adults), or both. So if you’ve been facing anxiety over lockdowns, job loss, illness, or other new stressors, bruxism may sound mor...
John Tesh shares some laughs, explains the Klingon thing and drops some names
TV host, sportscast and musician John Tesh speaks with me about his career as a musician, entertainment journalist, actor and host about his past illness, his claims to fame and his faith ahead of his appearance at Tupelo Music Hall in Derry, NH.
Waving is boring: Find new ways to say hello in 2020
For the New York Times For Kids section, I talked with a communications expert to find out more about the new, fun ways kids can communicate with friends during the COVID pandemic.
King Buzzo on Solo Work, Collaborations, and Why Melvins 1983 is the Closest You’ll Get to the Original Lineup
The Melvins frontman reflects on past projects like Fantômas and Crystal Fairy—and looks ahead to Working with God, the new Melvins record
For our latest Autodiscography, we catch up with the always-opinionated, never-resting Buzz Osborne (better known as King Buzzo) of Melvins—a band vital to the development of the Seattle grunge scene, from its infancy in the early to mid-80s to its apex in 1994. That’s when the bona fide alt-rock movement came to a screeching halt after the death of Nirvan...
The Surprising Origins of 9 Jean Trends
From high-waisted denim and ultra-wide legs to extreme cut-outs and double denim, jeans have seen their fair share of dubious trends (and outright fashion disasters). Here are nine (sometimes embarrassing) demin trends and where they came from.
1. Acid Wash
Like many an '80s slang term, the acid washing process has its roots in 1960s surf culture. According to CRFashionBook, the trend really took off in the 1980s, after Guess released “the first pair of ‘pre-washed’ bleach-splattered jeans.”
...
Matthew McConaughey Recalls That Sexual Tension Between Brad Pitt & Jennifer Aniston
Alright alright alright! Matthew McConaughey's here to stoke the fires that started when Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt took part in a charity table read to re-enact a scene from "Fast Times At Ridgemont High" on Sept. 17.
Aniston's character, Linda, was hard at work trying to seduce Pitt's character, Brad Hamilton, during a scene from the film. The rest of us watching could tell that there was just a tad bit of sexual tension between the two, and now McConaughey is confirming that yes, he fe...
'Saved By The Bell' Reboot Trailer Blends Old-School Stars With Incoming Talent
The first official trailer for the upcoming reboot of "Saved By the Bell" was released from Peacock on Tuesday. It's surprisingly fresh and relevant, while seamlessly merging the show's old-school actors with its newer, younger stars.
Much of the original gang is here, including Mark Paul Gosselaar (Zack Morris), Mario Lopez (A.C. Slater), Elizabeth Berkley (Jessie Spano) and Principal Toddman (John Michael Higgins). Tiffani Theissen also returns as Kelly Kapowski.
Dustin Diamond's character,...
That One Time a Frank Zappa Fan Mashed Up “Absolutely Free” and a Christmas Poem Perfectly
As we near the blessed end of 2020, let’s revisit the time Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention inspired some fans to combine the group’s experimental music with a fragment of America’s decaying pop-culture symbolism: Santa Claus. Gather ‘round the computer and burn some incense—it’s time to experience “Twas The Night Before Christmas” through the twisted mindset of Zappa’s avant-garde song “Absolutely Free,” thanks to one fan, his brother Bob, and a little help from the Yippies.
First, a...
‘Star Trek: Picard’ Calls Back to a Pivotal ‘Next Generation’ Episode About Data
Patrick Stewart at Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: Picard‘s latest episode “Maps and Legends.” CBS All Access
Patrick Stewart at Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: Picard‘s latest episode “Maps and Legends.” CBS All Access
Spoilers ahead for Star Trek: Picard‘s second episode, “Maps and Legends”
Up until now, classic Star Trek characters Data (Brent Spiner) and Bruce Maddox (Brian Brophy) have only appeared on screen together once: in Season 2, Episode 9 of The Next Generation called “The Measure of...
Denny Laine spreads his Wings in a night of rock and (Moody) blues
Besides Paul and Linda McCartney, Denny Laine was the only other constant in Wings, McCartney’s first post-Beatles band, from 1971 to 1981.
That trio was the creative force behind Wings’ biggest album, “Band On the Run,” which scored hits with the songs “Jet,” “Helen Wheels” and, most famously, the title track.
Laine pays tribute to that stage of his career, as well as his time with the Moody Blues in the mid-1960s, with a performance by the Moody Wing Band on Saturday night at the Flying Mon...
The race begins: Which Democratic candidate will face President Trump?
This is a primaries explainer for the New York Times For Kids section.
Nickelback bassist Mike Kroeger sets the record straight about being a metal head
Nickelback bassist Mike Kroeger began his interview with NHWeekend by giving props to a local band.
“I was just looking up one of my favorite bands, and I was pretty sure they’re from New Hampshire. There’s this group called Scissorfight. Totally awesome,” said Kroeger.
Nickelback does its homework on the Granite State. Kroeger said the band often researches what Nickelback songs are most favored in a particular area.
Nickelback — Kroeger, along with his brother, vocalist and guitarist Chad K...
Lupine festival blooms in North Country
Purple, pink and blue lupines are springing up, and the North Country is blooming with colorful back roads and Granite State artistry.
The annual Fields of Lupine Celebration runs through June 22, but the highlight is this weekend with the open-air Lupine Festival Market on Main Street in Sugar Hill. Visitors on Saturday and Sunday will find jewelry, woodworking, quilts, gifts, preserves and other items from more than 70 vendors and local crafters. There are will be photography lessons, music...
Selling Slacker Culture: ‘Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure’ 30 Years Later
Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (working title: Dudes) debuted 30 years ago, a film about two dim high schoolers traveling through space and time in a phone booth, picking up famous figures to help them pass their history presentation. Bill & Ted scored big at the box office, but promoters were prepared for the next step. They marketed anything they could get their grubby hands on and aimed it at unsuspecting teens: a breakfast cereal, a cartoon, clothing, a TV show, video games, action figu...
Purple Reign's Jason Tenner on meeting -- and channeling -- Prince
When Prince tribute artist Jason Tenner first met The Purple One, the iconic performer’s physical appearance struck him the most.
“It was such a strange thing, to sit and see him face to face and to realize just how small in stature of a guy he was. Such a trip,” says Tenner, a funk-music artist who regularly portrays the late Grammy Award-winning musician, songwriter, guitarist, record producer, filmmaker, and overall virtuoso, in the tribute show “Purple Reign.”
The group, dancers and all, ...