In The News: Julian Casablancas, Peter Bjorn And John, Weezer, Spoon, Liars And Free MP3s

Black Francis, She Wants Revenge, Love And Rockets and popular comedians including Bob Odenkirk and Tim & Eric will be performing a benefit concert in L.A. on December 8 and 9 for Winston Bertrand, a baby born in February with lymphatic and venous malformations … Former Test Icicles guitarist Dev Hynes will release his second album under the Lightspeed Champion moniker, Life Is Sweet! Nice To Meet You (Domino), in February … Sub Pop Records has joined forces with KEXP radio host Jon Kertzer to create Next Ambiance, a world-music imprint. Its first release will be from Malian group Bassekou Kouyate & Negoni Ba, scheduled for digital release in December and CD release in February … Former Stone Roses frontman Ian Brown was arrested after a disturbance in his home for allegedly attacking his wife. The singer has been released on bail … The Strokes’ Julian Casablancas will be issuing a Christmas single, “I Wish It Was Christmas Today.” It follows the release of his debut solo album, Phrazes Of The Young, which dropped November 2 … If that’s not your Christmas style, check out the free XO For The Holidays Volume II, featuring bands including Blue Skies For Black Hearts and Caravan Of Thieves. Download it … While that might be all right for some, truly unique Christmas fans will make Julian Koster’s The Singing Saw At Christmastime the quirkiest holiday must-have. Download “Jingle Bells” … It may not be Christmas yet, but it’s Peter Bjorn And John’s 10-year anniversary, and the band is feting it in style, with a two-week tour of the U.S. that started last night … Forty years on and still going strong, John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band anthem “Give Peace A Chance” is having an anniversary of its own, thanks to a special anniversary edition, only on iTunes, courtesy of Yoko Ono, Sean Lennon and Julian Lennon. All proceeds will go to the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund … There’s no gift like a Snuggie, and if you’ve always been waiting for a Weezer-approved model, well, you’ve got some issues to resolve. But you’re in luck, because the band has released its own Snuggie, and every purchase comes with a copy of the band’s new album, Raditude … Spoon (pictured) announced the release of its seventh album, Transference, which will be out on Merge on January 26 … Spoon isn’t the only hip young band making a return; post-rockers Liars will release their fifth studio album, Sisterworld (Mute), early next year. If they’re telling the truth, that is … If you’re already nostalgic for the days of summer festivals, Lollapalooza is giving you the chance to pick the bands for its festival next August. Go on MySpace, Facebook or Twitter and submit suggestions for the chance to win not only your dream lineup but merchandise and prizes.