The Disney mass marketing scheme that is the Jonas Brothers really made some bank this past year; believe it or not, the opaquely-titled Lines, Vines and Trying Times is the band’s third (!) release in less than a year, although one of them was technically a “concert” record. Their brand of disarmingly infectious power-pop was catchy enough, and their handsome boy-band image coupled with their virtuous Christian beliefs made them the perfect poster child for Disney Channel after Miley’s semi-nude photo scandal semi-meltdown, and damn, have they capitalized. Seriously, go check out their Wikipedia page for the past year.

THE POP FIX kicks off the summer concert season in style this weekend – from indie chanteuses to some of the hardest rappers in the game, the next four days more than make up for the live music drought Los Angeles has been suffering from the past few weeks.

Phoenix has been chugging along dutifully for years ever since their taste-making role in Lost in Translation’s soundtrack, but fame has continued to elude the French foursome. Lost in Translation wasn’t Garden State, and Phoenix certainly isn’t the Shins, but despite Phoenix’s ability to churn out irresistibly catchy pop singles, those same singles have never managed to translate into pop success. Maybe something was lost in translation over the Atlantic (sorry, I had to), but Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, their 4th major label effort, offers more than enough quirky synth-rock to finally give the band a hit on American shores.

Actor, performer and singer/songwriter Levi Kreis is taking a break from his extremely busy schedule. Not for a well-deserved vacation to a sunny island, a weekend bed and breakfast getaway, or a trip to a family reunion. Instead,Kreis is recovering from surgery. He tore his ACL while executing a maneuver during an encore performance of “Million Dollar Quartet” that could best be described as half gymnast, half superhero. “It gets very physical,” says Kreis, “I was vaulting myself over a piano. I jumped really high and said, ‘this must look cool,’ came down and ended up on the floor.” This is the second time he has injured himself while performing a similar gold-medal worthy jump over a piano. But instead of feeling upset or down-trodden over this physical setback, Kreis feels blessed. “I’m recovering beautifully. I’m feeling blessed that I can walk around my apartment.”

Dave Darling stands next to the stove in the kitchen of his Valley Glen home, stirring the steamy contents of a large pot. Spicy aromas of roasting peppers and tomatoes waft through the Spanish-style kitchen. “I hope you like chili verde,” says the Grammy -nominated producer and musician as he peers through black rimmed glasses. “I don’t have any real hobbies because I work a lot, but I can cook and ride bikes. That’s about it.” Darling’s 30 year career encompasses forming a band, releasing three albums, and grabbing three Grammy nominations for producing music for acts like Tom Waits, Queen Latifah, Brian Setzer and Jack Johnson…

Looking for some new music to rotate into your iPod playlists, but lack the funds to download freely? Not to worry, in my opinion, oldies are always goodies. Here are some CDs you can borrow from your roommate or pick up at your local used music store. Who knows, these dated gems might even be in your current music collection…and you simply forgot you had them.

Don’t miss sexy soul singer Joss Stone at Club Nokia this Thursday, at 8 PM. Who knows when this UK import will come our way again, so THE POP FIX advises all die hard fans to try their very best to make it out to her show. Her stellar show comes complete with legend Jeff Beck, so we doubt you’ll be dissapointed. Enjoy!

What’s sexier than sweating onstage among thousands of screaming fans, creating albums that sell millions, and playing a popular sport professionally?
Interning.