‘Commando’:

A new autobiography of veritable power-pop shredder of Ramone‘s guitarist Johnny Ramone, dubbed Commando is finally getting published (April 2nd; Abrams Image), eight years after his death in 2004 following a battle with prostate cancer. Speaking to the Associated Press, his wife Linda Ramone said, “It is a really powerful book because his whole life has gone before him and he knows it’s going to come to an end, and he really needs to tell everybody what he’s feeling inside, so that’s what makes it so amazing,” adding, “That is the biggest, most powerful thing, writing a book when you know you’re dying.” Close friend Lisa Marie Presley contributed epilogue duties, while Linda hand-selected photos and Tommy Ramone – the last surviving member of the original lineup of the band – took on the introduction.

‘Wrecking Ball’:

The BOSS man quieted speculation around the release of his 17th record, amidst tour dates and his SXSW keynote speaker gig that the LP is tangible, dubbed Wrecking Ball and due to drop on March 6th via Columbia Records. Longtime manager and executive producer Jon Landau chimes in on the artist’s website, “Bruce has dug down as deep as he can to come up with this vision of modern life. The lyrics tell a story you can’t hear anywhere else and the music is his most innovative in recent years. The writing is some of the best of his career and both veteran fans and those who are new to Bruce will find much to love on Wrecking Ball.” Meanwhile, the album’s first single “We Take Care Of Our Own,” is up and teasing some promising Born In The USA textures, Springsteen writhing “where’s the promise from sea to shining sea,” towards the final verse.

A Second In The Life:

A photo, video, song, (insert whatever passion-for-process form of media) project 365s abound in these times. Not all of them are valuable outside their respective creator’s lives. Or rather, entertaining. Or rather, push into the realm of art. But budding L.A. artist, Madeline Schichtel, managed to accomplish all of the above, montaging a second of video per day throughout 2011. Not sure what she shot with, but her eye shines through in even the most blown out or grainy cuts. Most importantly, though, there’s the use of LCD Soundystem‘s “All My Friends,” in tasteful, lyrically relevant fashion in all sorts of “staggering home” when the “sun comes up” geniusry. Which gets us thinking, how would you soundtrack such an endeavor?

Fight For Your Right To Internet:

A couple handfuls of musicians and artists have assembled to publish an open letter to congress, in opposition of the great SOPA-PIPA fiasco, reports Billboard. Trent Reznor, Amanda Palmer and OK Go are amongst the first named, addressing the issue with the following words, “We, along with the rest of society, have benefited immensely from a free and open Internet. It allows us to connect with our fans and reach new audiences. Using social media services like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, we can communicate directly with millions of fans and interact with them in ways that would have been unimaginable just a few years ago.” This, preceded by the statement: “We are grateful for the measures policymakers have enacted to protect our works.” Time to get off your SOPA box, Mr. Smith.

Lyricapsule:

In a California courtroom on this day in 1971, prosecutors for the Sharon Tate murder trial played “Helter Skelter” to legitimately determine if The Beatles psych-rock classic incited lunatic Charles Manson and his “family” to commit acts of violence. Legitimately. To this, let us collectively cue Sir Paul’s first verse, “Do you, don’t you want me to love you? I’m coming down fast but I’m miles above you.”