A Taste:

Coldplay, KISS, Citizen Cope, Van Morrison

Saw VI plays out like a symphony of destruction.

It’s the most twisted entry into the franchise yet and, as with all of the previous installments, there’s a malevolently musical undercurrent to the film’s madness.
B However, the stars themselves have quite different iPod selections. Though Satanic death metal and dark industrial would fit the film’s vibe best, you’re more likely to find Tobin Bell [Jigsaw] cranking some Coldplay than Slipknot.

I’ve always thought Chris Martin was way more evil than Corey Taylor anyway, so it’s all good…

Saw VI stars Tobin Bell, Costas Mandylor and Tanedra Howard sat down with ARTISTdirect.com editor and Dolor author Rick Florino for this exclusive interview about what’s on their playlists!

Tobin Bell’s Playlist:

1. Coldplay

2. Van Morrison

3. Eric Clapton

I’ve been listening to Coldplay a lot lately. I listen to Van Morrison. I really like Eric Clapton.

4. Bob Dylan

I’ve always been a big Bob Dylan fan!

5. Hydrovibe

I really recommend Hydrovibe; they’re amazing. I think Jigsaw’s probably a classical music guy—maybe some jazz too. I’m not altogether sure that he wouldn’t have a marching band—maybe John Philip Sousa—or something like that going on during a wild night in the lair [Laughs].

Tanedra Howard’s Playlist:

1. Barbra Streisand

2. The Three Tenors

3. The Backyardigans

4. Citizen Cope

You’re going to laugh at me! I listen to a lot of stuff. I have R&B and hip hop. I listen to classical. I have the Three Tenors on my iPod. I’ve got Barbra Streisand. I have The Backyardigans. That’s a cartoon, and I’m not ashamed [Laughs]. If it makes me snap my fingers, I’m going to listen to it!

5. Evanescence

I did play a few songs to get myself in the horror mood and get me amped up. One was by Evanescence. Even though it wasn’t a bad song, it was “My Immortal.” It put me in the state.

Costas Mandylor’s Playlist:

1. Thin Lizzy

2. Muse

I put my head phones on once in awhile to keep my energy up on set. I’m still listening to Thin Lizzy. They’re one of my favorite bands of all time. Someone gave me one of those iPod Nanos, and I’ve been listening to Muse. I like stuff that’s heavy. I’m a bit of a rock n’ roll guy.

3. Led Zeppelin

I love all the classics like Led Zeppelin.

4. KISS

I was part of the KISS army for years. Anything that’s good and heavy I’ll take.

—Rick Florino
10.26.09

Check out Rick Florino’s new novel Dolor available now for FREE here…

A Taste:

Van Morrison, Tower of Power, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, The Band

“How do you pick your favorite song if you’re a song lover,” asks Paul Ben-Victor with a smile. “I have 19,000 favorite songs [Laughs]!”

Nevertheless, the star of In Plain Sight managed to whittle that 19,000 down for this exclusive playlist feature.

Paul’s created some very memorable characters on everything from Entourage and The Wire to The Invisible Man and John From Cincinnati. He comes alive on screen with undeniable presence and a sharp sense of humor. His role as In Plain Sight’s WITSEC chief Stan McQueen is one of his most vibrant though.

So in between running witness protection on In Plain Sight, Paul found the time to open up his iTunes and gave us exclusive look inside. Check out his playlist below.

Paul Ben-Victor’s Playlist:

1. Van Morrison — “I’ve Been Working”

“‘I’ve Been Working’ is a great song. It’s got a real bad R&B riff! I’m seeing Van Morrison this week at The Orpheum fourth row center. To me, he’s one of the gods. I spent my last paycheck on these tickets [Laughs]. It’s insane what these things cost! Even though tickets to see legends like Van Morrison may cost an arm and a leg, they’re priceless in a sense. It’s like a painting by Van Gogh or Picasso. If the artists dies, you still live with the painting forever. You have these guys’ recordings, but you have to see them live and you’ve got to see it up close too! A great live performance feeds my soul. There’s nothing like it.”

2. John Martin — “May You Never”

“This is a beautiful song. He was an obscure folk singer from England, but you’ll dig this!”

3. Bruce Hornsby & Ricky Skaggs — “Come On Out”

“Hornsby and Skaggs did a country album together. Check out this song, ‘Come On Out.’ It’s a real badass, cowboy song. The track basically says, ‘Come on out motherfucker, I’m going to kill your ass’ [Laughs].”

4. Angelique Kidjo — “Babaloa”

“She’s an African singer, and her stuff is fucking awesome. This is a real festive, celebratory song.”

5. Average White Band — “Cut the Cake”

“They’re my boys! ‘Cut the Cake’ is one of my favorite songs.”

6. Stevie Wonder — “Did I Hear You Say You Love Me”

“I had to put a Stevie Wonder song on here. My favorite album was Hotter Than July. The first track, ‘Did I Hear You Say You Love Me,’ was big for us in the ’80s. It’s got this ramp-up in the beginning that’s amazing. It’s really fun to kickoff a party with.”

7. The Band — “Unfaithful Servant”

“There are tons of amazing songs by The Band, but this is one of my favorites. It’s a beautiful bluesy ballad.”

8. Bob Dylan — “Tangled Up In Blue”

“Anytime I head out on a road trip to go skiing or snowboarding, I pop in Blood On the Tracks. ‘Tangled Up In Blue’ is the first track, and it’s fucking amazing. It’s a classic road track. Dylan was in my house early on. I knew those songs and records as a little kid. I grew up with Van Morrison, The Grateful Dead, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles and the Rolling Stones.”

9. Bruce Springsteen — “Thunder Road”

“This is another great road song!”

10. James Taylor — “You Can Close Your Eyes”

“I’m a huge James Taylor fan. I grew up listening to him.”

11. Paul McCartney — “Mother Nature’s Son”

“I had to pick a Beatles song, but I’m particularly a fan of Paul McCartney. I feel like he’s singing about me in some way. It’s about youth and coming of age. There’s a beautiful melody to it.”

12. Marc Cohn — “The Things We’ve Handed Down”

“He did ‘Walkin In Memphis.’ I got really into a couple of his albums. There’s one song called ‘The Things We’ve Handed Down.’ It’s a beautiful song if you ever have a kid. It’s about the generations, and he’s talking about this unborn child. It’s so heartfelt.”

13. The Rolling Stones — “Can’t You Hear Me Knockin’”

“I had to pick one Stones song. I saw The Stones do this a few years ago, and Ron Wood was wasted [Laughs]. I was there with a friend of mine who is a concierge at the hotel where he was staying. That’s where we got the tickets. During the show, Wood was all over the place smoking and kicking Mick in the ass! My friend goes, ‘Oh my God, you’re not going to believe this. I sent a crate of vodka up to his room this morning, and from what I heard, he drank most of it!’ I got it from the horse’s mouth that he was completely fucked up because she sent the booze up there [Laughs]. However, Ron played that solo incredibly. He stuck a cigarette in the head stock of the guitar, and it was inspired. It was even better than the album. I was impressed.”

14. Jimi Hendrix — “The Wind Cries Mary”

“I had to throw in a Hendrix song, and this is my favorite. Where did that come from? It’s incredible.”

15. Led Zeppelin — “Black Country Woman”

“I was a drummer as a kid, and now I’ve got a cool Roland electric kit. Bonham played a fucking great syncopated kick drum on this song. It’s so good! I had to put a Zeppelin song on there! Page was in the moment and inventive.”

16. Nick Drake — “Know”

“His music has come around more lately, but he committed suicide in his 20s. He was a buddy of John Martin’s. Nick Drake is more distant and melancholy though. Like Joni Mitchell, he created voicings and chords. They’re using him in commercials.”

17. Thunderclap Newman — “Wild Country”

“I knew these guys because my brother brought their music into the house when I was nine. This song is really raw rock. They had a great drummer.”

18. The Tower of Power — “(To Say the Least) You’re the Most”

“They’re my favorite band of all-time. They’re the bomb!”

19. Jackson Browne — “Under the Falling Sky”

20. Joni Mitchell — “Coyote”

21. Frank Sinatra

“The man’s got soul. I love early Frank Sinatra. He’s always good; he’s just the man.”

—Rick Florino
05.11.09

Photo By: Fernando Escovar

A Taste:

Van Morrison, Ray LaMontagne

Jason Segel has got rhythm. That’s instantly apparent from his impeccable comedic delivery in the raucously hilarious, I Love You, Man.

“I think comedy is very musical,” the actor explains. “There’s a rhythm to it—especially in a buddy comedy. It’s about leaving moments open for the other actor and coming in strong when it’s your turn. There is a very musical element to it.”

Jason and Paul Rudd’s performances simply sing in I Love You, Man. The film follows Peter Klaven (Rudd), a friendless real estate agent who needs to find a best man before his wedding. Segel’s Sidney Fife is the man for the gig. The film is musical even beyond the actors’ sizzling rhythms with power-prog trio Rush making a hilarious cameo.

Paul and Jason got a chance to rock out in the movie too, covering “Tom Sawyer” in Sidney’s “Man-cave.” About their on-screen jamming, Segel laughs, “Paul sounded amazing. I sounded horrible. My guitar is almost entirely dubbed [Laughs]. Paul really learned to ’slappa de bass’ [Laughs].”

However, the Rush show in the movie wasn’t real. “It was a fake Rush show; they just played ‘Limelight’ over and over again on a loop. I had to dance for ten hours. I’m not going to lie to you, I don’t love exercise [Laughs]. It’s not my favorite thing. That was the one scene I was nervous about [Laughs].”

He nailed the dancing though, and Justin Timberlake may want to watch out.

Jason was cool enough to share his personal playlist with ARTISTdirect.com in this exclusive feature. Check it out below and catch I Love You, Man in theaters this Friday.

Jason Segel’s Playlist:

1. Van Morrison – Astral Weeks Live At the Hollywood Bowl

“I’m a Van Morrison man. To me, he’s the best. I went to Astral Weeks Live at the Hollywood Bowl both nights. That album is incredible.”

2. Ray LaMontagne — Gossip in the Grain

“I like all kinds of music. I’m a musician so I enjoy music in general. I’ve been loving the new Ray LaMontagne. I’m really a singer-songwriter kind of guy.”

3. Forgetting Sarah Marshall — Soundtrack

“I compose music for movies a lot, so my music encompasses all sorts of different styles. I’m writing some music for Get ‘Em to the Greek, and I wrote most of the music for Forgetting Sarah Marshall. I had to write big rock songs for Russell Brand and the weird Dracula rock songs for my character. I don’t really have a particular style; I just go with it.”

—Rick Florino
03.16.09