Does information from “a source close to the band” constitute what exactly? A substantiated rumor? What’s code here? If the source is legit, then soon enough I suspect we’ll hear the brutal truth that the oft-conflicted by stardom John Frusciante has indeed left the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

The rumors started percolating yesterday in the blogs that Frusciante is no longer with the band and would be replaced by the enigmatic Josh Klinghoffer, oddly enough someone who’s most notable for his collaboration with Frusciante. As recently as a few hours ago, however, the headlines still read Frusciante Quits Chili Peppers?

All speculation aside, for those interested in a deeper dive into who exactly Josh Klinghoffer is, he’s got stats. Along with playing with Frusciante – including the two recording an album together, A Sphere in the Heart of Silence – Klinghoffer has been linked to records and tours with Beck, Butthole Surfers, Gnarls Barkley and PJ Harvey to name a few. Him and Frusciante also hooked up with John Lally from Fugazi to record two albums under the name Ataxia.*

If you want to get real granular with your rock analysis, he’s got that thin, disheveled weirdo look down pat, which bodes best for fitting in RHCP; see Frusciante, Hillel Slovak. (DN, sorry hombre.)

We’ll have to wait for something hard confirmed from the band before writing this one in stone – maybe a good opportunity for Flea or Kiedis to sign up for Twitter? Until then, check out some videos below from Klinghoffer’s body of work and check out the madness that this guy would be bringing to the table.

Josh Klinghoffer w/ John Frusciante Live in San Diego

Red Hot Chili Peppers “This Velvet Grove” (Klinghoffer on second guitar)

Butthole Surfers “Dracula From Houston” (Klinghoffer on guitar)

The Bicycle Thief “Hurt” (Klinghoffer on lead acoustic axe)

Ataxia – The Sides

John Frusciante Makes A Predicted Departure (Antiquiet)

*Some information found via Wikipedia

Have you put an eyeball on Beck’s Record Club yet? Man, what a great idea.

Record Club: Songs Of Leonard Cohen “Suzanne” from Beck Hansen on Vimeo.

Record Club is what happens when a bunch of musicians get together – the likes of Nigel Godrich, Andrew WynGaarden and Ben Goldwasser from MGMT, Giovanni Ribisi? – with the previously mentioned Mr. Hansen to record a classic album in a single day. They change nothing from the original arrangements of the songs – just simply adding their own interpretations.

That was them doing Leonard Cohen’s “Suzanne”, here’s “Sisters of Mercy”…

Record Club: Songs of Leonard Cohen “Sisters Of Mercy” from Beck Hansen on Vimeo.

Posted via email from mike hayes’s posterous

Entourage could go off the air tomorrow without a whimper, and I wouldn’t be the least bit broken up about it. It used to be one of my favorite shows. A great antidote for a feeble mind on a Sunday (i.e. a show where no problem can’t be solved in under 8 minutes). Even the most lethargic of Lazy Sunday routines have an expiration date, I suppose. Now, we just watch Mad Men in the same state, and are left pondering every wacky thing that Peggy Olson does.

Where Entourage continues to thrive and excel however, is the end credits. I don’t mean that in a snide “thank god that 22 minute show is finally over, hyuck hyuck” sort of way. More specifically, the music the producers select for the fade to black – whether they put much thought into it or not – always delivers.

Check out my top-10 Entourage end hits below – including three gems from this current season – and let’s hope that, for the next 1-5 seasons that they prolong this show, HBO reverts to a format where you get to jam to the credits, see if the very brusque Bob Saget is making another filthy guest appearance, and then should you choose, opt-in to watch the actual episode.

The Doors – “Peace Frog” (Season One, Episode Six)

Outkast – “Da Art of Story Tellin’ (part 2)” (Season Five, Episode 63)

Muse – “Time Is Running Out” (Season Two, Episode Nine)

Ace Frehley – “New York Groove” (Season Four, Episode 52)

TV On The Radio – “Staring At The Sun” (Season three, Episode 33)

The Dutchess and The Duke – “Reservoir Park” (Season Six, Episode 72)

Yeasayer – “Sunrise” (Season Six, Episode 74)

Rolling Stones – “Tumbling Dice” (Season Three, Episode 36)

Funkadelic – “Can You Get To That” (Season Five, Episode 66)

The Buzzcocks – “Why Can’t I Touch It” (Season Five, Episode 68)