June 16, 1904, is known worldwide as "Bloomsday," the date of the events in James Joyce's 1922 novel, Ulysses. To mark this increasingly popular literary anniversary, Blair Sanderson points out some of the important musical connections in the book, and promotes the idea that music lovers can find much to enjoy in Joyce's boisterous and noisy masterpiece.

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Van Halen has announced intentions to sue Nike, claiming that the sneaker company's new brand of running shoes "infringes on the aesthetics of Eddie Van Halen's Frankenstrat guitar." Damages, confiscation of profits, and the destruction of the entire shoe line (!!) are all included in the band's list of demands, although the legal papers make no mention of brown M&Ms. [Guardian.co.uk]

American Idol finalist Adam Lambert has begun writing and recording with RedOne, the producer behind Lady GaGa's hit singles. "I want to go rock — David Bowie and Queen, but make it more easy for people to get,” RedOne said of the collaboration. The duo's work will appear on Lambert's album, due out this fall. [RollingStone.com]

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The sunburns have begun to heal. The ears have stopped ringing. But the memories of Bonnaroo 2009 -- which saw nearly 80,000 people flocking to Tennessee for a weekend of live performances and varying weather patterns -- don’t fade so easily. This was Andrew's fourth time at the festival, and some things never change. There will always be mud. There will always be harsh, unrelenting heat. As the festival wraps up on Sunday evening, a combination of substance abuse and sleep deprivation will inevitably take their toll on Bonnaroo’s most adventurous attendees, resulting in a subdued atmosphere and a sea of passed-out bodies.

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