About 53 miles outside of New York City, FBI agents were working with state and local authorities to track down a group that had robbed a series of banks in central New Jersey. Yesterday afternoon, during a confrontation with the automatic weapons-carrying robbers outside a PNC Bank in Readington, NJ, an FBI agent was killed by gunfire. And it seems the gunfire was from other federal agents. more ›

It's going to be a slow week in music. American Analog Set are playing Joe's Pub, but that sold out before it went on sale (download an AAS/Kelly Clarkson mashup). Sick of it All and The Bouncing Souls are playing CBGB benefits, but good luck getting in to those (see what it will likely look like inside). Louis XIV are at Irving Plaza. You're definitely too cool to go to that (watch a NSFW video). Even uncooler would be showing up at a Bush side project, or either of the two sold out nights Our Lady Peace are at Bowery Ballroom (tix on sale for a 3rd show at Webster Hall). You don't go to Jersey and you don't go to venues that hold more than 1000 people, so count out (best band on the planet) Green Day's show at Giants Stadium and the Coldplay/Rilo Kiley one at PNC Bank Arts Center (where Alice Cooper is playing tonight). Looking for a free summer show? A jam band is playing South Street Seaport on Sunday (like Ted Leo did on Friday), and as of Thursday we're into September. more ›

Last week I didn't tell you about the show Beck played at Hiro Ballroom Friday night (one night before his appearance on Saturday Night Live). That's because the "secret" show wasn't even announced until Thursday. Beck is known for playing last-minute small-venue shows, and I was lucky enough to score a ticket to this one. Here are the pictures. more ›