A Taste:

Led Zeppelin, Kings of Leon, Metallica

“I play kazoo! It’s a really great rock instrument,” laughs Malin Akerman.

Malin has quite the musical sensibility, and it’s one of the reasons that she steals the show more than a few times in Couples Retreat. Her sense of rhythm makes for some impeccable comedic moments. That style probably has something to do with her other gig, fronting The Petalstones. Despite a deep love for music, she doesn’t always have her iPod blaring on set though.

“I don’t really listen to music to get into character,” she continues. “The only time I did was during Watchmen before fight scenes. All I listened to was heavy metal like Primus and the hardest stuff you can think of.”

Typically, Malin dabbles in almost every genre though. She shared her playlist with ARTISTdirect.com editor and Dolor author Rick Florino in this exclusive feature. Check it out below and don’t miss her in Couples Retreat in theaters everywhere now!

Malin Akerman’s Playlist:

1. The Rolling Stones

2. Led Zeppelin

3. Metallica

“I’m listening to everything, really. I’m a big fan of old rock n’ roll. I love The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin and Metallica.

4. Rilo Kiley

“I love Rilo Kiley right now; I’m hooked on them.”

5. Kings of Leon

“I have to say I’m insanely in love with Kings of Leon. I think women can agree! The singer has got a sexy voice [Laughs]. They’re just sexy!”

—Rick Florino
10.12.09

A Taste:

Metallica, Korn, Alice In Chains, Krishna Das

Johann Urb just wants to rock!

The Eastwick and 2012 star has his fair share of heavy metal on his playlist, and it’s been quite a big part of his life since growing up in Finland. There’s something about hard rock that’s always spoken to Johann, and he talked to ARTISTdirect.com editor Rick Florino about its importance in this exclusive playlist feature.

Check out Johann’s playlist below and don’t miss him on Eastwick on ABC every Wednesday at 10pm!

Johann Urb’s Playlist:

1. Metallica

Growing up in Finland, it was always dark and cold so heavy music spoke to me as a teenager. I still listen to Metallica—they’re possibly my favorite band of all time. They’re fucking brilliant. I love Death Magnetic. I always felt like, even in the early days, they spoke about important issues. For me, nature and taking care of this planet are crucial so we don’t destroy it. In “Blackened,” James Hetfield touches on that lyrically. Even though they’re a metal band, they talk about how fucked up the government is and they address real issues. When they played Russia for the first time, it was incredible. They were connected to it because they were writing about the man. They’re a metal band with a message and deeper meaning. I love that, and it always moves me and rocks me out! As a kid, I would bang my head to the point of neck injury, and there’s no better band to do that to than Metallica. I still listen to them when I want to get fired up, work out or punch somebody—or get sentimental and howl at the moon.

2. Korn

I think nobody does heavy metal better than Korn does. Mixing the DJ factor in and tuning their instruments down, their music is so rad! They can do wrong. It’s great Krav Maga music too!

3. Krishna Das

I’ve got Krishna Das on my playlist. It’s spiritual chanting music, and I love that as well as heavy metal. I could listen to that all day long. When I was living in New York, I went to a lot of Kirtan. It’s awesome. Krishna is mindblowing! The man has made my heart open with his chants. I’ve seen him live more than any other artist. If I had one artist’s music to take to a deserted island with me, this would be it. I would be chanting and chanting until I die.

4. Tool

I love Tool. Those guys are just true artists! Every time I listen to Tool, I find new nuances. Their videos are amazing. They dare to be different and brutally honest. They sing songs that are really morose and crazy, but a lot of the time, I feel the same way they do. Every song is a journey. It’s artistic and meaningful metal that’s innovative, interesting and moving.

5. Wah!

It’s amazing melodies, chants, dance and vocals! I could listen to them all day long. It makes me smile, and it makes me happy.

6. The Black Eyed Peas

They make me want to move and groove. It’s innovative, positive and fun!

7. The Matrix — Soundtrack

The Matrix soundtrack with Deftones and Rage Against the Machine is so badass.

8. Slipknot

When I listen to some of their songs like “Duality,” I just get crazy chills. I like the Stone Sour records too.

9. Alice In Chains

They’re one of my favorite bands ever. Their dark and moody metal is classic and eternal, but rocks your socks off.

10. Breaking Benjamin

11. Disturbed

12. Faith No More

They’re amazing!

13. Godsmack

14. Helmet

15. Ministry

16. Pantera

I’ve got a lot of Pantera on my playlist.

18. Queens of the Stone Age

I love Queens of the Stone Age. I feel like everything’s been done, but they’re still original. Every song is different and cool. I’m so thankful for those guys. Songs for the Deaf is awesome.

19. Prong

20. Sepultura

“Refuse-Resist!”

21. Sevendust

22. Stone Temple Pilots

23. Reket

My cousin’s Estonian rap is super awesome, especially if you can understand Estonian. I dare you to learn it—double, triple dare [Laughs]!

24. Brothers Urb

The songs by my dad and uncle are always touching and close to the heart. My favorite is “Ipanema Speaking.”

—Rick Florino
10.02.09

A Taste:

Gallows, Thrice, The Beatsteaks, Metallica

Papa Roach are out on the road slaying stages across the U.S. per usual.

Their most recent offering, Metamorphosis, is one of the year’s most raucous rock n’ roll records. The band stripped down their sound to the raw necessities—cranked up distortion and passionate, powerful vocals. Singer Jacoby Shaddix spends a lot of time listening to music in order to get psyched up. He shared his playlist with ARTISTdirect.com in this exclusive feature.

Check out Jacoby’s playlist below and catch the band on the road now!

Jacoby Shaddix’s Playlist:

1. Thrice — Beggars

I just bought it on iTunes, and it’s a fucking stellar record. It’s really cool to see how that band has evolved.

2. Gallows — Grey Britain

I’m really digging Gallows’ new album, Grey Britain. Gallows totally caught me by surprise. This record is a good blend of metal, punk rock and “Fuck you!” They’re definitely a UK revolutionary punk rock band.

3. Billy Talent — Billy Talent III

Billy Talent’s got a new record out that I have got to get. I know it’s going to be one of my favorites.

4. Led Zeppelin

Obviously, I’ve been listening to the classics like Led Zeppelin.

5. Red Hot Chili Peppers

I’ve been digging on early Red Hot Chili Peppers lately.

6. The Beatsteaks — Limbo Messiah

The Beatsteaks have an album called Limbo Messiah. They’re a German punk rock band, and they’re one of my favorite bands of all time. They rock. They run the gamut from The Clash to straight-up punk rock to rock n’ roll to pop music. It’s a very eclectic sound, and I really like that band a lot.

7. Snapcase — Progression Through Unlearning

Obviously, I’m listening to Snapcase. Progression Through Unlearning is a great record.

8. Mother’s Finest

Another band that I just discovered, an old school classic band, is Mother’s Finest. They have some cuts. Now I know where Rage Against the Machine got some of their grooves. Rage reminds me of a cross between Led Zeppelin riffs and Mother’s Finest’s grooves. They’ve got a song called “The Truth Will Set You Free;” it’s fucking off the chain.

9. Letter Kills

They’ve got an album called The Bridge, which is great.

10. LostProphets — Start Something

I love Start Something by LostProphets. I like that record a lot. I’m really excited to see where they’re going to take their music in the future.

11. Guns N’ Roses

12. Metallica

I’m listening to Guns N’ Roses and early Metallica—Kill ‘Em All and Ride the Lightning.

—Rick Florino
08.30.09

A Taste:

Clutch, Mastodon, Metallica, Eagles of Death Metal

So what was Mudvayne main man Chad Gray doing before he left for the Pedal to the Metal Tour?

“I was working on my house and then we had to go,” laughs Chad. “I go back to that handyman root that I have—working on the floors, painting, drywalling and stuff like that. In situations such as those, I turn on the radio, find the rock station and jam out.”

Chad’s home improvement got slightly interrupted by his band’s current tour schedule, but you can catch Mudvayne destroying arenas all summer with Black Label Society. In order to keep that energy on the road, Chad cranks a lot of his favorite hard rock and metal bands. He shared his playlist with ARTISTdirect.com in this exclusive feature.

Check out Chad’s playlist below and catch Mudvayne on tour now!

Chad Gray’s Playlist:

1. Clutch — Blast Tyrant

I’ve been listening to a lot of Clutch, man. I’ve been listening to Blast Tyrant over and over for like a year. All of my favorite Clutch tunes are on Blast Tyrant. That record fucking touched me. Neil’s such a fucking badass.

2. Mastodon — Crack the Skye

The new Mastodon is fucking phenomenal!

3. Bury Your Dead — It’s Nothing Personal

The new Bury Your Dead is awesome. I’m not just saying that because they’re on the tour with us either [Laughs]. Those guys are great.

4. Eagles of Death Metal — Heart On

That shit is badass too!

5. Metallica

Metallica, Slayer, Clutch, Mastodon—that’s generally what I listen to.

6. Slayer

—Rick Florino
08.03.09

A Taste:

James Taylor, Stephen Sondheim, Metallica, John Lennon & Paul McCartney

“Nothing hits me harder than a great song,” says Imagine That director Karey Kirkpatrick.

Watching Imagine That, with its eclectic sonic backdrop, that’s definitely apparent.

Karey’s a genuine music fan, and his love for music comes through in the film’s rhythmic sensibility. In fact, Imagine That is just chock full of great tunes!

About his personal playlist, Karey explains, “Nothing can take me back to a particular time or place like a song can. It’s hard to pick just a few because there are so many I love. For my playlist, I’ve gone with ones that have inspired or impacted my life in one way or another. I’m sure I’ll read this list next week and hate it—or want to change it. But here goes.”

Karey shared his playlist with us in this exclusive feature. Check it out below and be sure to catch Imagine That in theaters this Friday, June 12.

Karey Kirkpatrick’s Playlist:

1. John Lennon & Paul McCartney — “Yesterday”

It’s the perfect song—perfect melody, beautifully simple idea and great rhyme scheme. I just love it every time I hear it. I love how it opens on a major chord, then right after “Yesterday” goes minor, letting you know yesterday was good but now—not so much. Like I said, it’s the perfect song.

2. Stephen Sondheim — “Finishing the Hat”

It’s hard for me to pick one Sondheim song that inspired me, because pretty much all of them do. However, this song, from Sunday in the Park With George, so perfectly encapsulates the creative process and what it does to your personal life and the demands placed on those who must endure those of us who are in the creative arts. It’s sung by the character George Seurat about how he watches the rest of the world through a window while he obsesses over finishing a hat in his painting. “How the kind of woman willing to wait is not the kind that you want to find waiting.” Wow. Now that’s a lyric.

3. Stephen Sondheim — “Move On”

Also from Sunday in the Park With George, I listen to this song when I’m feeling stuck in my life or when I’m feeling down about something that has happened to me. There are so many great lyrics. “Move on, stop worrying where you’re going. Move on, if you can know where you’re going, you’ve gone—you have to move on. I chose and my world was shaken, so what. The choice may have been mistaking, the choosing was not. You have to move on.” It is the go-to song for me about pulling yourself up and just pressing on. I love it.

4. George and Ira Gershwin — “They Can’t Take That Away From Me”

Ah, George and Ira. The masters. I don’t know why, but I just marvel at this song. It’s the perfect blend of music and lyrics, the way it captures those little things you love about someone. “The way you wear your hat, the way you sip your tea, the memory of all that (great rhyme there) No, no they can’t take that away from me.”

5. James Taylor — “The Secret of Life”

Again, it’s hard for me to pick one James Taylor song. I learned to play guitar when I was 12 listening to James Taylor records. I love so many of them (”Sweet Baby James”, “Fire and Rain”) but in this one, I love the chords, the finger picking pattern and that lyric “try not to try to hard, it’s just a lovely ride.” I try to live by that one.

6. Led Zeppelin — “Rock and Roll”

The quintessential rock song about rock from the greatest rock band ever. This song inspires me to pick up an electric guitar because it is so damn fun to play.

7. Queen — “Killer”

The first time I heard this song, it blew me away. I was 9, I think. 1974. I had never heard anything like it; the harmonies, the chord changes, that Brian May sound and those completely unique lyrics. Freddy was way ahead of his time.

8. Fleetwood Mac — “Dreams”

The whole Rumors album had huge impact on me as a kid. I love all of it, but I marvel at this one because the whole song is comprised of two chords. Two chords! Amazing!

9. Metallica — “Enter Sandman”

Come one, I’ve got to have ONE heavy metal song. Believe it or not, the first time I heard this song was on Guitar Hero. And after mastering it all the way to expert level on that format, I just had to learn how to play it on real guitar. And there is something so primal and gut rumbling-ly (is that a word) satisfying about playing it at extremely high volumes.

10. Joni Mitchell — “Real Good for Free”

Joni is so great in so many ways, but I don’t think there is any better songwriter at capturing little moments and with simple and beautiful lyrics. “Across the street he stood and he played real good on his clarinet for free.” I can just close my eyes and picture the scene. That’s what a great song does.

11. Tom Petty — “Free Fallin’”

I always liked Tom Petty growing up. Then I saw the Bogdonavich documentary Runnin’ Down a Dream and now I LOVE Tom Petty. He’s a true artist who has never changed what he does over the years. I think I love this song, not only for the vibe and the cool lyrics (”She loves Jesus and America, too”) but also because of the way it’s featured in one of my favorite films, Jerry Maguire.

—Rick Florino
06.09.09

A Taste:

Beethoven, Bach, Metallica

Gallows guitarist Steph Carter, who is the brother of vocalist Frank Carter, may storm the stage and proceed to play some of the most pissed-off, venom n’ vingar soaked music to blow out of England since 1977. But offstage, it’s an entirely different story. Carter, who also plays piano, is an avid classical music fan.

In typical Gallows, “I don’t give a fuck” fashion, Carter isn’t apologizing for what he likes. Instead, he’s celebrating it. He doesn’t care what you think of his musical tastes or his band. And isn’t that the entire spirit of punk rock in the first place? To be free to do what you want, when you want and how you want? The band’s major label debut, Grey Britain, is in stores now and it’s an anarchic chunk o’ punk. It’s not shocking that Carter listens to much more mellow music in his personal life since he’s surrounding by skull-splitting tunes in his band. Without further adieu, here’s what Carter listens to when he wants to come down off a Gallows high.

Steph Carter’s Playlist:

1. Beethoven

2. Bach

3. Black Sabbath

4. Metallica

I also went through a phase where I listened to nothing by Metallica and Black Sabbath but now I can’t listen to anything but classical. I sit at home and do that. I went out and bought four Beethoven CDs. It wasn’t Strings in A or Sonatas in B. It was literally just 20-30 tracks done by loads of different people. I bought four of each! So I had different versions of exact same song played by different people!

— Amy Sciarretto
06.04.09

A Taste:

Metallica, Justin Timberlake, The Police

Hoobastank makes catchy pop rock that’s hard to deny. However, the band’s musical tastes may be quite surprising to some. Singer Doug Robb, guitarist Dan Estrin and drummer Chris Hesse opened up their iTunes and gave us an exclusive look inside. There are some film buffs in the bunch and a whole lot of ’80s!

Discover what the guys in Hoobastank are spinning below and check out Hoobastank’s latest studio album, ForNever, in stores now!

Hoobastank Playlists:

Doug Robb (Vocals)

1. Metallica – Death Magnetic

Chris Hesse (Drums)

1. Soundtrack — Slumdog Millionaire

2. Justin Timberlake – FutureSex/LoveSounds

Dan Estrin (Guitar)

1. Fleetwood Mac

2. The Police

3. Oingo Boingo

4. Soundtrack – Black Snake Moan

5. Soundtrack – Once

6. Soundtrack – Across the Universe

7. Lily Allen

—Rick Florino
02.09.09

A Taste:

Tool, Mnemic, Jimi Hendrix

Robert Trujillo’s son has very good taste in music. The Metallica bassist laughs, “My four-year-old boy loves Tool! When I take him to school, we’re playing Tool all the time, so I definitely connect with them. There’s a lot of bass in that group which is nice. They’re a great band for a bass player to listen to. So believe it or not, my son and I are going through a big Tool phase!”

It’s good to hear that Robert’s started his son off early on the good stuff. However, Robert’s personal tastes are very diverse. In this exclusive feature for ARTISTdirect.com’s Grammy page, the Metallica bass master opened up his iTunes and gave us a look at his playlist.

Check out Metallica’s Grammy nominated Death Magnetic, and see what Robert’s spinning below.

Robert Trujillo’s Playlist

1. Tool — Everything

2. Jimi Hendrix — Everything

“I just love Jimi Hendrix!”

3. Black Sabbath — Everything

“I always reconnect with my old Sabbath records as much as I can.”

4. Mnemic — Eveything

5. Meshuggah — Everything

“I go through these real technical phases, and I listen to bands like Meshuggah and Mnemic. It’s stuff that’s a little bit complex and takes a lot of patience. Lately, I’ve been jamming a lot to our music. I play through the new songs so I can keep fresh and keep them in my head. I can act crazier on stage if I can play them with proficiency.”

—Rick Florino
02.04.09

A Taste:

AC/DC, Metallica, Buckcherry

Papa Roach’s Jacoby Shaddix lives and breathes music. His taste is also quite diverse. The Papa Roach frontman opened up his iTunes and gave us an exclusive look inside. You might even be surprised by a few of his selections…

Discover what Jacoby is spinning below and check out Papa Roach’s fifth studio album, Metamorphosis when it drops on Tuesday March 24.

Jacoby’s Playlist:

1. AC/DC — Black Ice
2. Buckcherry — Black Butterfly
3. Metallica — Death Magnetic
4. Kings of Leon — Only By the Night
5. Motley Crue — Saints of Los Angeles
6. Jimi Hendrix — Electric Ladyland
7. The Cult — Love
8. A Tribe Called Quest — Midnight Marauders
9. Weezer — The Red Album
10. Cheap Trick — Budokan!

—Rick Florino
01.27.09