The UK band The Hours (Antony Genn and Martin Slattery) are really on their way to becoming household names. After releasing their debut, Narcissus Road in the UK last year. “See The Light” is a amazing single from the band who are currently working on their new album. Click the pic and listen to a special Calvin Harris remix.  Stay tuned for more on the band soon. Ah, The Hours… not just a shitty Meryl Streep movie anymore.

Taylor Lautner of Twilight was out in full force the other night to promote the film. Lautner plays Jacob Black in the film.  Vampires are clearly back with this film as well as True Blood on HBO, but one wonders why The Lost Boys sequel couldn’t be better. Starring at my bowel movements for a half-hour is more entertaining then that straight-to-DVD mess. Anyway, I digress.

Photos/Mike DiScuillo

Twilight actress Kristen Stewart is seen here heading to the Apple store, going back to her hotel to prepare for her appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman, and then seen outside the Ed Sullivan Theater. Stewart was excellent in last year’s Into the Wild and seems poised to be the next big thing. On another note, how many people actually read the novel Twilight? We’re so friggin uneducated in this country. Oh wait, I didn’t read it either.

Photos/Mike DiScuillo

Billy Joel has been milking the final drips of the cow nipple that is his career for years. Without a new album since 1990’s “River of Dreams,” all that guy does is tour off of music he made back in the day. I say that, because it’s time for some new piano-driven music that doesn’t suck. Thankfiully, The 88 have arrived and they ain’t playing in no bar with a jar on their pianos. They’ve got a piano-fueled sound and I like it like snow during Christmastime.

The L.A.-based group, which has Keith Slettedahl on vocals/guitar, Anthony Zimmitti on drums, and Adam Merrin on – what else- the piano, has an eclectic sound to it. It’s no surprise they’ve toured with acts like Smashing Pumpkins and Matt Costa. It’s also not surprising they used to serve as Elliott Smith’s backup band.  Their songs have appeared on everything from The OC to Grey’s Anatomy so it’s clear everyone loves them. Us, too.

Anyway, we spoke with Merrin recently and asked him about the band’s unique sound, and how they came to be.How’d you guys come up with the band name and, um, why?
We visited a psychic and told her to pick a name. She informed us that we had to be The 88, and said that there would be consequences if we went with anything different.

Your music has appeared on 90210 and Gossip Girl, why do you think your music attracts the younger audiences like those?
It must be those subliminal messages that we put in our songs.

Speaking of which, do you want to sucker punch any cast members of The Hills?
If we did that, then they wouldn’t want to use our music anymore and we don’t want that to happen.

Your new album came out… what can you tell people about your sound, etc. What’s your background as a band?
We put out two records on our own, Kind of Light in 2003 and Over And Over in 2005. This new record Not Only…But Also is our first record with Island. It came about with the help of a little black magic. A few spells here and there, and wallah, a new record was born!

Who has the best mustache ever and why?
It has to be Keith when we performed at The Troubadour in Los Angeles a little over a year ago.

Has Jeff Foxworthy inspired anyone at all?
I’m channeling him right now.

Why did you decide to first release your album digitally?
We let iTunes sell our album a week before it hit stores. They contacted us and said they wanted to feature “Go Go Go” as their “Single Of The Week.” It turns out it was downloaded over 350,000 times which is more downloads than the band has had in the 5 years of us playing together.

What’s the songwriting process for you guys?
We write all of our songs on our boat. We’re very influenced by the way Fleetwood Mac and The Eagles did things in the 70’s. We also like to wear white.

Do you guys fall into any rock and roll clichés? If so, spill it.
I think we fall into more of a classical cliché: white wigs, tights, and waltzes.

Sexiness. What makes you different?
I am part fish.

That’s amazing. What makes me different?
You’re in bold type.

Do you think American Idol rock stars can actually become respected rock stars?
I respect David Archuleta. He has a good voice.

Describe your band in one word.
Money.

I’ll admit that I’m a little biased. Not only do I dig Hall & Oates - always have ever since their “Maneater” and “Out of Touch” videos, but I’ve had the good fortune of meeting and sort of working with John Oates. That said, it should come as no surprise that the forthcoming release Daryl Hall & John Oates Live At the Troubadour , a DVD and Double CD combination being released Tuesday, is kickass.

The album, which was filmed over two nights last May at the infamous Los Angeles club, marked the first time the duo played the venue in 35 years. The set features 19 songs including “Maneater,” “Private Eyes,” “Rich Girl,” “Sara Smile” and “Say It Isn’t So.” One never truly realizes how influential the duo were and just how many hits they had. This record is an amazing tribute to the band and their fans. Aside from the hits, by the way, there’s terrific performances of other gems like “Cab Driver” and a personal favorite “Had I Known You Better Then.” The DVD, too is terrific, compiling interviews with the guys. Pick that up along with John Oates’ recently released second solo disc and you’ll be having a very Merry holiday season.

To celebrate the arrival of the film adaptation of Twilight, I’ll be posting some pics of the film’s stars. I’ll also be biting people’s necks but you didn’t need to know that.

Live with Regis and Kelly co-host Kelly Ripa picks up daughter Lola Grace and son Joaquin Antonio from their Upper West Side school and walks with her arms filled with bags.  On an unrelated note, Joaquin Phoenix retired from acting and my friend’s dog’s named Lola.
Photo/Mike DiScuillo

Charice Pempengco stops for a smile after leaving the Good Morning America studios the other day. The singer has an amazing voice and recently opened for Celine Dion. The good news is Pempengco doesn’t hit herself in the chest repeatedly like Dion. The bad news is everytime I hear Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On,” I’m still hopeful that the line “near…far…” will turn into this Grover skit. It’s not to be.

Photo/Mike DiScuillo

Blonde Acid Cult are a NYC party band that makes me wiggle my hips, and that takes a lot folks.
The band recently performed at CMJ and they tore shit up. Check out their free download of “Calypso” here. Their music is a boner for your ears I promise. For more, go here.

Click the pic now and listen to MySpace’s exclusive stream of the entire Chinese Democracy now. The album arrives Tuesday after, what, 17 years!?

What are you waiting for? Listen!

I never understood the expression of not crying over spilt milk. Like are we sobbing because milk spoiled smells like someone shit in a can? I don’t know. Anyway Matt Duke’s new single “Spilt Milk” is the opposite - it’s a reason to smile. It’s guitar-driven pretty crafty little thing off his new album Kingdom Underground. Click the pic, and get the song. Click clack.

Valerie Bertinelli, still a fox by the way, is seen here impersonating Uncle Sam - well not really, the photo just caught her pointing at somebody or something - anyway, here she is leaving Good Morning America studios yesterday. Valerie is set to star in a new sitcom next year. Here’s hoping Schneider gets a comeback as well. That handyman had a handy mustache.
Photo/Mike DiScuillo