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Daron Malakin and John Dolmayan have turned a new leaf, morphing into a new powerhouse rock group -- Scars on Broadway. The duo, joined by Franky Perez, Danny Shamoun and Dominic Cifarelli, have recently released their their self-titled debut. Hailing from the City of Angels, Malakin and Dolmayan have seen the best and the worst of Los Angeles, which qualifies them to count down their top five favorite L.A. landmarks.

1. Whisky A Go Go: This is the first venue both System of a Down and Scars on Broadway played their first show at, among so many other legendary bands.

2. The Rainbow: Many legendary artists have dined at this famous eatery next to The Roxy on Sunset.

Continue reading Count Five: Scars on Broadway's Favorite L.A. Landmarks

These days, UNKLE's James Lavelle has been making a name for himself by creating cinematic music. Most recently, he, along with Pablo Clement, has scored music for the forthcoming 'X-Files' film, landing the closing theme in addition to a remix of the series' theme song. Lavelle, as befitting UNKLE's science-fiction- and fantasy-derived imagery, is a sci-fi buff, which qualifies him to count down his top five favorite films in the genre.

1. 'Blade Runner,' Final Cut: Ridley Scott's masterpiece -- the greatest visual view of the future, Harrison Ford's greatest role finally completed to perfection.

2. 'THX1138,' Director's Cut: George Lucas' first film, set around control and paranoia. Its Lucas' most individual work, with so much resonating in today's society. A massive influence.

Continue reading Count Five: James Lavelle of UNKLE's Favorite Sci-Fi Films

Today is the only day of the year that America has no professional sports to tune in to. Even though this year's MLB All-Star Game gave us six and a half extra innings, rock 'n' roll's resident baseball experts the Hold Steady have put together their top five list of baseball movies, which you can rent to cure your mid-season withdrawal. Craig Finn and Tad Kubler, New York's biggest Twins fans, rattle them off.


1. 'Bull Durham': Susan Sarandon, Kevin Costner when he was still watchable.

2. 'Field of Dreams': "If you build it, they will come" -- phenomenal movie.

Continue reading Count Five: The Hold Steady's Favorite Baseball Movies

Count Five: John Reis' Favorite Tiki Bars

John Reis is a staple of the San Diego music scene from his days with Rocket From the Crypt, Drive Like Jehu, Hot Snakes and the Nightmarchers, his latest adventure in sound. Reis also runs Swami Records, the spawning ground for several of his other projects, including his former stripped-down combo the Sultans. Beside his obsession with music, Reis also likes to seek out tiki bars while he is on the road. He put together a list of his top Polynesian libation outposts that you will need to make note of on your next trip.

1. La Mariana Sailing Club, Honolulu: The real deal, pieced together over decades. It exudes soul in ways that contemporary bars (tiki or otherwise) can't compete nor can compare.

2. Tiki Ti, Los Angeles: A tropical refuge amidst urban turmoil and the gloom of sooty skies. Potent libations and a magnificently welcoming atmosphere.

Continue reading Count Five: John Reis' Favorite Tiki Bars

Count Five: Weezer's Favorite Double Albums

Today, Weezer unveil their sixth album, dubbed 'The Red Album,' which boasts a maturation lrom that of their debut 'Blue Album.' Frontman Rivers Cuomo rocks the Texas look on the cover with the borderline ironic 'stache, while drummer Pat Wilson maintains Weezer's classic retro. The band curated their very own top five list influential double albums exclusively for Spinner to celebrate the release of their own effort Note: Kiss did not make this list.

Count Five: Weezer's Favorite Double Albums No. 5



5. Jimmy Hendrix, 'Electric Ladyland':
Unsuspecting kid heard 'Crosstown Traffic' on the radio asked around and was given this album to listen to. I was never the same.

Count Five: Weezer's Favorite Double Albums No. 4



4. Pink Floyd, 'The Wall':
This album sounded how I felt as a kid. I knew I wasn't the only crazy person in the world. I listened to it everyday for one year.

Count Five: Weezer's Favorite Double Albums No. 3



3. Led Zeppelin, 'Physical Graffiti':
There's so much amazing music on this record, it really makes me want to play bass.

Count Five: Weezer's Favorite Double Albums No. 2



2. The Beatles, 'The Beatles (White Album)':
It covers all the colors of the rainbow for me. Happy, sad, scared and mad. Simply some of the best music in the world.

Slug -- the poster boy for indie hip-hop -- is just about the most punk artist out of "Minne-snow-ta" since the Replacements. The founder of Atmosphere has curated a countdown of his top five dolls for Spinner. "I don't really consider myself a toy collector, but I do collect things that make me laugh and I do collect things that will make my friends laugh," he tell us. "These are my five favorite dolls that I have had the pleasure of obtaining, none of which were bought online," he boasts, adding, "All of them were found and purchased from stores upon original release, because I am that awesometastic."




1. Pee-wee Herman:
How could you not buy this -- it says different things when you push his belly! No explanation needed.

Freak? I know you are, but what am I?

Count Five: Slug's Favorite Dolls No. 2

2. Christopher Walken as the "King of New York": This movie was great! I am a fan of anything that involves Christopher Walken or Schoolly D. But to have them both in the mix? Get outta here!

What is the doll doing with his hand?

Count Five: Slug's Favorite Dolls No. 3

3. Al Pacino as "Scarface": As a rapper, I am required to have a love for 'Scarface.' What better way to show that love than to own the dolls? I have practiced and mastered both of these facial expressions. I will show you sometime.

Look at the doll money!

Count Five: Slug's Favorite Dolls No. 4

4. Master P: Plastic bling; camo gear. If you push his chest, he says, "Uhhhhhhhhh nah-nah-nah-nah," and then he waits for a few uncomfortable seconds before he repeats it. Awesome!

I just wish they'd have let Pen & Pixel design the package.

Count Five: Slug's Favorite Dolls No. 5

5. Cheech Wizard: If you are not a graffiti writer, or a comic collector, or a pervert, you probably have no idea who Cheech Wizard is. And I am probably breaking some sort of code by exposing you to him. Deal with it.

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