Albert Hammond Jr.
Different Strokes For The Strokes?
With the Strokes taking a break until February—and their songwriting largely on hiatus since 2001—the boys have bolted for the relative security of the side project. Of course, there’s guitarist Albert Hammond Jr. and his well-received solo albums, most recently ¿Cómo Te Llama?. Then this summer—while Julian Casablancas, Pharrell, and Santogold shilled for Converse —we learned about drummer Fabrizio Moretti and bassist Nikolai Fraiture’s new ventures.
Recorded material has recently surfaced from both of these guys and, surprisingly, it doesn’t suck, at least not entirely. Fraiture’s band is a collaboration with Regina Spektor and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ Nick Zinner (who’ve gotten at least as much billing as the Stroke) called Nickel Eye (get it?). read more »
Morning Memo: A-Rod Donates to Madonna's Charity; Princess Michael Gets Mad at a Blogger
Great Britian's Princess Michael of Kent is angry with New York Social Diary blogger David Patrick Columbia over his report that her husband, Prince Michael, was seen out with another woman. [P6]
New York Yankee Alex Rodriguez will reportedly donate at least $500,000 to Madonna's charity, Raising Malawi. [TMZ]
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Morning Memo: Agyness Deyn Engaged; Mariah Carey Celebrates Her Marriage; Gossip Girl Identity Theft
Model Agyness Deyn and Strokes guitarist Albert Hammond Jr. are engaged. [Us]
Woody Allen's new film Vicky Cristina Barcelona premiered Wednesday night at the Hotel Plaza Athenee on East 64th St.; stars Scarlett Johansson and Rebecca Hall didn't show up. [WWD]
At the screening, Vicky Cristina Barcelona star Javier Bardem gloated over his sex scenes with Ms. Johansson, Ms. Hall and real-life girlfriend Penelope Cruz. [P6]
Mariah Carey is paying $125,000 to rent the Stone Meadow Farm in East Hampton for one week to celebrate her recent marriage to Nick Cannon. [P6]
Someone has been RSVPing for events under Gossip Girl stars Blake Lively and Penn Badgley's names, and now people are wondering who's playing a joke on Serena and Dan. [Rush & Molloy]
The Strokes Blow It … Bob Pollard: Almost Famous
