FEATURES
66 ASHANTI
What's on Ashanti's "to do" list this summer? 1. Set more sales records.
2. Become a movie star. 3. Find a man. Oh, yes — and play down allegations
that her record-label boss is far too friendly with the leader of a murderous
drug gang.
70 $848 - THE FLAMING LIPS
Blender gave the Flaming Lips $848, which they promptly blew on a lot of Pepto-Bismol.
Did they have the world's nastiest case of MontezUmma-porn-star">Uma's Revenge? No, silly —
they needed it to pour over strippers!
72 THE DEFTONES
Beneath the Sacramento metal freaks' pile-driving riffs, tattoos and facial
hair lurk sensitive boys who read books and everything. Is that why they've
been branded hard rock's answer to Radiohead? Why, yes!
78 AN ORAL HISTORY OF DURAN DURAN
In the '80s, Duran Duran were riding high. Then, the inevitable comedown: rival
splinter bands! Rehab! Raising chickens! Now, the original lineup is reconvening
for a new album and world tour. That is, if they can stand to be in the same
room without puking.
86 33 THINGS ABOUT METALLICA
One of their post-show rituals called for 10 naked women to be waiting in the
showers. They tortured their bass player with meat pies. They're in therapy.
And 30 more fun facts!
118 JEWEL
She's va-va-vooming back with an album fit more for a dance floor than a coffeehouse:
"Here's cleavage and poetry," she generously offers. Yes, please!
REGULARS
20 EDITOR'S LETTER
22 LETTERS
30 BURNER
Ol' Dirty Bastard is out of jail; Rod Stewart pads his bra; Britney reportedly
dates a former politico old
enough to be her dad. And more!
34 THE NEXT BIG THING!
Thalia; Evanescence
56 DEAR SUPERSTAR
Hey, Meat Loaf, what's it like to be dead? How much do your breasts weigh? And
may we call you "Meat"? Oh, all right, Mr. Loaf it is.
62 THE GREATEST SONGS EVER!
Pressure to follow up Radiohead's "Creep" with another big hit was
driving Thom Yorke to tears, but "Fake Plastic Trees" had the group
boo-hooing all the way to the bank.
64 ASK BLENDER
Did the Rolling Stones have an orgy with a prime minister's wife? The unspeakable
sex act that spawned Korn's name. And more!
172 WHO DOES PETE YORN THINK HE IS?
He's a car thief who'd rather watch Little House on the Prairie than tie up
his girlfriend. Oh, no, Mr. Yorn, we'd never tell your mom. Psych!
THE GUIDE
130 NEW RELEASES
Radiohead, Metallica, dead prez, Jewel, Liz Phair and more
148 CHART
150 REISSUES
Led Zeppelin, Duran Duran, the Byrds and more
158 BACK CATALOG
Joni Mitchell
160 LIVE!
Beastie Boys, Queens of the Stone Age, the Hives, the Donnas and many, many
more bands at the CoachElla Valley Music Festival
164 MOVIES
166 DVDS
168 GAMES
170 CROSSWORD
