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Superhero Sounds
From The Hulk to Iron Man to Batman, superheroes are saving the day in Hollywood movies this summer. Today on Soundcheck: the latest superhero soundtracks. Plus, a conversation with
Hans Zimmer, the co-composer of the score to "The Dark Knight," the hugely popular Batman sequel.
Summer of Heroes
From the Hulk to Iron Man to Batman, 2008 is the summer of the superhero movie. And each has a distinctive soundtrack to match. Today, we size up these scores with film music historian and Variety writer Jon Burlingame.
Our blog: John Schaefer on soundtracks with super powers
Music Heroes Inspire Super Ones
Heath Ledger's portrayal of the Joker in the blockbuster Batman flick The Dark Knight is based on Johnny Rotten. Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack was inspired by Keith Richards. And Frank Sinatra was the basis for the singer Johnny Fontane in The Godfather. We look at why rock characters make such good movie characters with freelance writer and UK Guardian contributor Priya Elan.
Tell us: What musicians have made, or would make, great movie characters?
Hans Zimmer
Hans Zimmer joins us in the studio to talk about the score of "The Dark Knight," which he composed alongside James Newton Howard.
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Go behind the scenes!
Find out what John Schaefer and the Soundcheck staff have to say about recent segments on the show. Plus, watch videos from in-studio performances.
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Introducing our Video Contest
Soundcheck
John Schaefer gives the lowdown on Soundcheck's music video challenge with the Fiery Furnaces.
In Studio: Los Amigos Invisibles
Soundcheck
The Venezuelan funk-rock band "Los Amigos Invisibles" was discovered by David Byrne in a Manhattan record shop. They perform live on Soundcheck.
In Studio: Angel Deradoorian
Soundcheck
The 22-year-old multi-instrumentalist performs live in our studio.
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Cucu Diamantes Performs Amor Cronico
Soundcheck
Cucu Diamantes went from a tough childhood in Havana, Cuba, to an art school in Rome to underground New York City, where she co-founded the Latin alternative band Yerba Buena.
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In Studio: The Decemberists
The Portland, Ore., band's latest album, "The Hazards of Love," is a concept album with a mythological flair. They joined Soundcheck to play live for a studio audience in WNYC's Greene Space.
Sound Off
Soundcheck
Throughout May, Soundcheck presents “Sound Off” a Friday series on the many aspects of noise in music and our lives. The series -- which coincides with “Better Hearing and Speech Month” -- looks at issues like New York’s noisiest neighborhoods, the latest research on iPods and hearing loss, and what happens when noise becomes a musical ingredient.
