Unsigned Chicago band Shock Stars has posted some new tracks titled Love/Hate So Chicago and World Is On Fire. Very cool uptempo guitar oriented tracks. Our favorite track is World Is On Fire that opens up with an intense melodic lead ala Soul Asylum’s ‘Somebody To Shove‘. Finally a band referencing another era; miracles can happen.

We hear from today’s artist that writing greats songs and being original seems impossible due to the lack of inspiration. New rock musicians aren’t inspired by today’s rock artists and that can be said across the board of all genres. The truth is, nobody is taking chances, even Simon Cowell reiterated that during the last season of American Idol. If we want to put music back on the map then inspiration needs to flourish again.

It’s a simple equation; no inspiration = no creativity = nothing.

Want to get inspired? Start listening to music that came from different era’s. Start stealing ideas as plagiarism is fine as long as it’s great.

This is what the world was listening to on August 20th:

August 20th in 1962 – Breakin Up Is Hard To Do by Neil Sedaka

August 20th in 1967 – All You Need is Love by The Beatles (The Kings of Melody)

August 20th in 1969 – Honky Tonk Women by The Rolling Stones

August 20th in 1979 – My Sharona by The Knack

August 20th in 1980 – Magic by Olivia Newton-John (100% vibe)

August 20th in 1982 – Beat It by Michael Jackson (Listen and observe. You won’t create a great pop record listening to Justin Timberlake. Michael Jackson wrote his songs, assisted in video direction, and created his dance moves. Always steal from the best. If you don’t heed our warning, you may as well create an embarrassing shameful cover like this)

August 20th in 1985 – The Power of Love by Huey Lewis & the News

August 20th in 1987 – Who’s That Girl by Madonna (Compare this to Madonna’s recent Timbaland (Ringtone producer) produced bland dance track 4 Minutes. What’s missing? Real musicians, theatrics, substance, dynamics and originality. This isn’t brain surgery folks.)

August 20th in 1987 – Women by Def leppard (Compare this track with today’s generic rock music. Let’s not forget to thank producer Mutt Lange for creating the 15 million platinum monster)

August 20th in 2001 – Fallin by Alicia Keys

What do you do from here? Listen, Study, Observe, Write, and Record. If you’re to lazy to even try to get inspired, you will never make it. Send new music to tips@kingsofar.com

Reactive Record: So far in 2008 we’ve had a few singles that could easily be deemed as “reactive”, basically meaning it will get some kind of actual reaction out of you and light up a station’s phone lines, most notably with Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl” & Flobots “Handlebars”. Former Myspace Records (now A&M/Octone) band Hollywood Undead is a less intimidating, mask wearing, genre bending group that calls themselves a mix between hip/hop & screamo. The new single “Undead” is definitely capable of generating a fair amount of lovers and haters. Is this a ridiculous track from a ridiculous band or one worthy of some radio play? Either way it should get people paying attention to what’s coming out of their speakers.

#1 in Ireland: Irish piano/rockers The Script have Ireland’s #1 album on iTunes. Don’t dismiss them as Maroon 5 wannabes with their hits “We Cry” & “The Man Who Can’t Be Moved”, this is a band that has potential to make an impact worldwide. Check out those singles and “Before The Worst” on their myspace.

Bringin’ The Rock: Netherlands rockers The [New] Shining bring back some 90’s soaring vocals on their track “Red Eyes” and Dallas, TX rockers Miser also have some noteworthy tracks with their cover of the Cranberries 90’s hit “Zombie” and their second single “Zen”.

Quick Picks:

Rise Against – “Re-Education (Through Labor)” – another hit from this Chicago, Illinois punk band.

Brandon Heath’s track “Give Me Your Eyes” is nearing the top of the Christian chart, similar to 2007 breakout artist Mat Kearney.

Also worth a listen is indie act Deas Vail , new singles from recent major label signing The Urgency “Fingerprints” , and the interesting new single Ricochet from Shiny Toy Guns (They brought the rock for this one.)

Soundcheck is written by Dallas who currently attends San Francisco State University and works on the Live 105 (KITS) Action Team.

30 Seconds Sued For 30 Million: 30 Seconds To Mars and front man Jared Leno is being sued by Virgin Records for violating their recording contract. According to the contract, the band owes Virgin Records 3 records. The band’s last album, “A Beautiful Lie,” was released in 2005. However, the band split from the label and Virgin Records insist that they have rights to claim a financial loss.

Platinum Artists Becoming Extinct: According to Music Week platinum artists and beyond has fallen to its lowest level this decade, with just two artists making the grade so far this year. Duffy and Adele are the only UK artists with debut albums released this year that have to date shifted 300,000 units or more. There were nine platinum-selling debut artists in 2006.

More Questions: Sirius-XM merger’s approval opens up a new set of questions, read here.

Shrinking Salaries: Music exec’s salaries are shrinking says the New York Post. “Multiple sources said that labels have cut back on long-term contracts with guaranteed money. New deals tend to be more performance-driven and are often limited to 2-to-3 years in length.” Another source claims that music companies money troubles are preventing them from competing aggressively for top talent.

14 Years In The Making: Guns N’ Roses track titled ‘14 Years‘ that comes off ‘Use Your Illusion’ may have just been a prophetic song because the long awaited Chinese Democracy has been 14 years in the making. Apparently, the negotiations are under way for “Chinese Democracy” to come out as an exclusive at either Wal-Mart or Best Buy.

Katy Perry On Trial: If you don’t like ‘I Kissed A Girl‘ then you’re not alone. Perry’s parents are embarrassed by the song. The daughter of evangelical Christian preachers is deemed “shameful and disgraceful” with the lyrics of the song that promotes “sin”. Speaking to DailyMail.co.uk, Perry’s mom, Mary Hudson said, “I hate the song. It clearly promotes homosexuality and its message is shameful and disgusting.” She added that this is no longer a secret, saying, “Katy knows how I feel. We are a very outspoken family and she knows how disappointed her father and I are.

Colour Academy former The Skyline Drive will release a new EP produced by Billy Hume (Rehab) that will be independently released August 26th. The band tells KOAR that they are influenced by epic sounding bands like Jimmy Eat World and Coldplay. The band will perform a CD release show (August 26th) in their hometown of Alabama with an expected attendance of 1,500. Our favorite tracks are Out Of The Sky and Save Me.