A Taste:

U2

You need a good soundtrack to kill Zombies.

Zombieland is fueled by the perfect mix of heavy metal and classic tunes, making it the most rock n’ roll zombie flick to ever conquer cineplexes. In the film, Woody Harrelson’s Tallahassee is the perfect badass.

He caps zombies first, and doesn’t even bother to ask questions. Every detail of Tallahassee was crucial to Harrelson. He specifically chose for the character to brandish the sawed-off rifle that Steve McQueen had in The Rifleman, and the health conscious Harrelson even managed to play Tallahassee’s Twinkie fixation like a pro.

However, the music proved most important. Harrelson shared his pump-up playlist with ARTISTdirect.com editor Rick Florino for this exclusive feature.

Check out Woody Harrelson’s playlist below and catch Zombieland, in theaters now.

Woody Harrelson’s Playlist:

1. U2 — Pop

To get fired up for something, I think there’s no better album than U2’s Pop, which is probably their least popular album but, to me, it’s their best album and their most underrated. Man, it just rocks! That’s a good one!

—Rick Florino
10.02.09

A Taste:

U2, Rihanna, Blondie

Boh Runga specializes in soulful and catchy pop. Her debut album, Right Here, perfectly balances sultry and saccharine. The New Zealand sonic temptress shared her playlist with ARTISTdirect.com for this exclusive feature. Check it out below and pick up Right Here now!

1. Rihanna feat. Jay-Z — “Umbrella”

This song with was on mega-high rotate for a VERY long time. I remember walking around with a friend in the supermarket, and we were singing it to ourselves. Two little girls pushing the shopping trolley for their mom joined in on the ”Ella, ella, ella…” Made us smile.

2. The Beach Boys — “That’s Not Me”

The singing on Pet Sounds is so very special that I truly believe everyone should have the album. The life of Brian Wilson is also one of those tragic stories of passion and genius and madness. It makes the music even more unique.

3. Blondie — “I’m Always Touched By Your Presence, Dear”

I think Deborah Harry is a one of those legendary figureheads for music in the early 80’s. She was talented, sexy and wore her smile and clothes like no one else. This song is off an early Blondie album called Plastic Letters. She’s one of my heroes.

4. Justice — “Let There Be Light” A friend said I should get Justice because they were like a hard Daft Punk. I did. They were. I like the abrasive sounds that drill into your brain but do so melodically. I hope to hear them play live one day. I hope I remember my earplugs.

5. U2 — “North and South Of The River”

I’ve never heard this song before! It was on a Best Of U2—The B Sides compilation that I put into my iTunes.

—Rick Florino
08.24.09

A Taste:

Patty Griffin, Tamela & Malina, Feist, U2

Tyrone Wells knows pop music.

The man can create a hook with ease and, as a result, his music can be heard all over hit TV shows like Rescue Me. However, it’s on his latest solo album, Remain that the SoCal singer truly shines. He’s studied song structure, and he breaks everything to down to its necessary components, constantly creating meaningful music.

Wells decided to share his playlist with ARTISTdirect.com for this exclusive feature. He opened up his iTunes and gave us an exclusive look at what he’s spinning.

Tyrone Wells’ Playlist:

1. Tamela & Malina

I’m listening to the new record that my wife and my sister made together. My sister was a main influence on me in terms of being musical. I have four older sisters, and they all were writing songs in high school. They made a little record while they were in school. When they did that, I was six or seven. Tamela had three kids and now she put out a new record with my wife, which is really cool.

2. Patty Griffin

I will always love Patty Griffin. She’s one of those songwriters that flies under the radar, but so many songwriters love her. She’s written songs that big acts like The Dixie Chicks cover. She’s not real country; she’s more of a singer/songwriter with an acoustic guitar. I think she started writing and became known in her ’30s. She continues to make heartbreaking beautiful music. It’s perfect in its own way.

3. Ray LaMontagne

4. Snow Patrol

5. U2

6. Regina Spektor

I’ve been really digging her lately.

7. Feist

It’s about lyrics and melody. I think all of those artists are doing something really cool. What moves me is anything with soul and vulnerability. Great music is usually really vulnerable.

—Rick Florino
07.14.09

A Taste:

Deftones, Ministry, Patsy Cline, U2

Filter have always been able to pack just the right dose of anger and melody into the same song.

Who could forget “Hey Man, Nice Shot” or “Welcome to the Fold,” they were about as pissed off and passionate as rock music gets. However, Filter mainman Richard Patrick is as fired up as he’s ever been on the band’s most recent offering, Anthems for the Damned, a scathing and soulful slab of rock.

Richard Patrick decided to share his playlist with us in this exclusive feature. Check out what he’s spinning below!

Richard Patrick’s Playlist:

1. Deftones — “Feiticeira”

I find Chino’s sense of melody astounding.

2. U2 — “The Unforgettable Fire”

U2 has always been a huge inspiration to me, and this is one of their grand achievements.

3. Jane’s Addiction — “Three Days”

Having toured with Jane’s Addiction, this brings back tremendous memories.

4. Radiohead — “Everything In Its Right Place”

I Love the Fender Rhoads on this.

5. Ministry — “You Know What You Are”

The inspiration behind Nine Inch Nails and Filter.

6. Patsy Cline — “Sweet Dreams (of You)”

Al Jourgensen once told me her sense of vocal control is amazing, and I agree.

7. Neil Diamond — “And the Grass Won’t Pay No Mind”

My father played Neil Diamond records when I was growing up, and that is a huge reason why I make music today.

8. Air — “La Femme D’Argent”

Always good on a Sunday afternoon.

9. The Beatles — “The Long and Winding Road”

A wedding song.

10. Veruca Salt — “Sick as Your Secrets”

Louise Post is an amazing artist, and I have the utmost respect for her.

—Rick Florino
05.19.09

A Taste:

Kings of Leon, The Ting Tings, U2

The Bacon Brothers have got a lot of heart. In fact, it all pours out on New Year’s Day, the duo’s latest collection of inspired, cinematic folk rock. Iconic actor Kevin Bacon (Mystic River, Wild Things, The Woodsman, Footloose) and his brother Michael know how to write a good tune, and that’s instantly apparent after one spin of their latest offering.

For Kevin, songwriting starts at home. “We grew up in Philly and there are some songs on the record that are very evocative of Philly soul music,” says Kevin with a smile. “We have a lot of different influences, and the guys in the band influence us as well. We like to keep our ears open and take in as much music as possible.”

That approach has served the Brothers well, especially on the album’s standout track, “Kikko’s Song.” Dissecting that particular cut, Kevin continues, “My wife’s nickname is ‘Kikko.’ I sort of wrote the song for both of us. There was a philosophy she was starting to embrace. Remembering some of the sentiments of the song, it’s funny because it speaks as much to myself as much as it does to her. That’s part of what helping people through rough times and marriage are about. It’s got some of those same thoughts that we’ve expressed to each other at different times.”

Well put!

Check out what Kevin and Michael are spinning below only on ARTISTdirect.com.

Kevin Bacon’s Playlist:

1. Kings of Leon — Only by the Night

“It’s such a great record.”

2. The Hold Steady

3. U2 — No Line On the Horizon>

“I love the new U2 Record!”

4. Mike Doughty

“I’ve been listening to him a lot lately.”

Michael Bacon’s Playlist:

1. The Ting Tings — We Started Nothing

“My newest discovery is the Ting Tings. I love them. I saw them in New York. They’re very modern, but they have a lot of depth—much more depth than a lot of new music does.”

—Rick Florino
03.26.09

A Taste:

U2, Cat Stevens, Janis Ian

Rachael Yamagata can croon about lost love with the best of ‘em. Her dark and painful folk songs come to vibrant life over the course of Elephants…Teeth Sinking Into Heart. It’s slow, somber and sultry—just how you’d expect a sonic sliver of heartbreak to be.

Nevertheless, Rachael’s musical taste is quite eclectic. She opened up her iTunes and gave us an exclusive look inside.

Check out what Rachael’s spinning below, catch her on tour when she comes to your town this spring and don’t forget to listen to Elephants.

Rachael Yamagata’s Playlist:

1. Jenny Lewis — Acid Tongue

“I’m all over the place. The most recent record that I got was Jenny Lewis’ Acid Tongue. I absolutely love that record.”

2. My Morning Jacket — Evil Urges

3. Janis Ian

“She’s from the ’70s. She did the first performance as a musical guest on Saturday Night Live. I saw this special on her. Her song “At Seventeen” just blows me away.”

4. U2

5. Cat Stevens

6. Elton John

7. Rocky — Soundtrack

“I listen to the Rocky Soundtrack when I go to the gym. It’s very inspiring. I would note that as a good one when you’re working out [Laughs].”

8. MGMT

9. Calexico

—Rick Florino
03.10.09