In the throes of a killer party at the Neptune last night, we were thrilled beyond belief to find out the details on another most excellent year for the Sasquatch! music festival, taking place out at the Gorge on Memorial Day weekend {May 25-28}. Sasquatch! is by far one of our favorite fests every year, and 2012 is going to be no exception.

We're particularly excited about partying down with the likes of Jack White, Beck, Tenacious D, Beirut, Girl Talk {hell yes!}, The Head and the Heart, Tune-Yards, Wild Flag, Blind Pilot, Mark Lanegan Band, The Cave Singers, Grouplove, Ted Leo, Deer Tick, Alabama Shakes, We Are Augustines, Shearwater {!!!!!}, Charles Bradley, Pickwick, Hey Marseilles, Sallie Ford, Dyme Def, Fresh Espresso, and Katie Kate -- but by no means does that even scratch the surface of the seemingly-zillion fantastic bands included on this year's lineup. As usual, there's a thoughtful mash of notable locals and squee-worthy headliners, so much so that slapping down the ticket price to spend the long weekend with twenty-plus thousand of your closest friends is an absolute no-brainer.

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The news just broke that the White Stripes are no longer. Even casual acquaintances of mine might assume I'm drowning in red and white tears over "the end" of one of my favorite groups. I am a little.

But actually I'm slightly relieved because nothing stings more than a beloved band going the way of just-too-much. I've loved watching the amazing White Stripes trajectory since I began my Jack White love affair {June 15, 2000 to be exact, when I saw them open for Aislers Set and Bratmobile at an afternoon show at the Sit & Spin}. I'm so happy for Jack & Meg and the masses that we've had over a decade of scarlet and ivory good times {and great limited edition stuffs}.

I can honestly say I've never been disappointed by a single White Stripes release or show or media interaction, so it makes sense that I'm likewise impressed with Jack's announcement of the break-up {as posted on Third Man Records.com}:

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My video addiction this week hasn't been a video for a song but a video about a vinyl record single. Each time I watch it, I'm more intrigued, baffled, and hungry to get my hands on a copy of a Triple Decker Record. Anyone in Nashville want to run down to their local Third Man Records to pick me up one?

Here's the press clipper scoop:

The Dead Weather's latest single, "Blue Blood Blues", will have a limited edition component in the form of an all new Triple Decker Record. Designed by Jack White and assembled by United Record Pressing, the Triple Decker contains a 7" record embedded inside a 12" record. The Triple Decker is limited to 300 copies and are available at Third Man Records in Nashville on Friday Sept. 17, and at finer brick and mortar independent record stores worldwide. 50 copies will also be inserted in random mail order for "Blue Blood Blues."

Side note: I also would sign up for any class that Jack White teaches. Civil War History 101, Calculus, or Auto Mechanics... I'm in. He's such a good explainer!

It's no secret that I love and trust everything Jack White does. From his short drumming stint with Goober and the Peas, to anything White Stripes, to the recent Dead Weather album, I'm all about the JW love.

You can imagine my surprise when I heard the melody of the White Stripes' "Fell In Love With A Girl" as the soundtrack to the Air Force ads that played during the Super Bowl ad breaks.  I never would have imagined he'd be into that sort of thing: White Stripes, Air Force? Really? Surely he must have signed off on the usage of the highly recognizable version of the song... but *why* would he? I was confused.

But then, today, AHA! I was comforted to learn that Jack actually didn't sign off on it. Looks like the USAF used it with out his permission... and our dear ole Mr. White had a thing or two to say about it to clear up the matter! Go Jack!

As posted on the Third Man Records website today:

And now that I read his response ... can you imagine the White family's surprise when they saw this commercial as they crowded on their living room couch in front of the TV and chomped on their Super Bowl nachos?

Didn't a similar thing happen in 2008 when the NFL used an Arcade Fire song during the halftime show with out their approval?  What is up with people?!