The Beastie Boys will hit the road later this month for a series of select dates as part of their 'Swing State Voter Awareness Tour.' Sheryl Crow, Ben Harper, Jack Johnson, Norah Jones, Crosby and Nash, Santogold and Tenacious D will support the band when they pick up the mics for Barack Obama at shows in battleground states like Virginia, Minnesota and Wisconsin .

"We are going to do a few shows in hopes that we can remind people to vote," the Beasties announced. "This election is too important, too much is at stake to stay at home. We hope that you can come out, have a nice night, dance, sing, get your freak on, and then wake up the next morning and get everyone that you possibly can to get out and vote. If they have early voting in your state then ask people to vote early; Let's get everyone we can out there on election day."

"We are very excited about Obama," the trio adds. "Hope you all feel the same." Sale times and info for the three confirmed shows, which will also count representatives from Rock the Vote, are available through the band's website. Additional shows are expected to be announced shortly.

"Is our country so divided that the Republicans' best hope is a narrow-minded, media-obsessed homophobe?" --Lindsay Lohan

LiLo laid into VP hopeful Sara Palin on her blog and poked fun at Palin's previous "aspirations to be a television anchor."

The original Motor City Madman, Ted Nugent, achieved national superstardom following the release of his 1977 breakthrough, 'Cat Scratch Fever.' These days, however, Nugent is scratching a whole other itch. The diagnosis? Sarah Palin fever. While other celebrities have wasted no time proclaiming their distaste for her, the Nuge sent her an autographed copy of his new book, 'Ted, White & Blue,' along with an open letter of support.

"As a proud fellow American hunter, fisherman and lover of Alaska's soul cleansing magnificent Spirit of the Wild, we who live our American Dream by God, truth, logic, goodwill and decency, thank you for bringing such defiant common sense and self evident truth back to the GOP and politics," he writes. "We wish you Godspeed for the best hunting and fishing season of your life and pray to God almighty that you bring your bold spirit to the White House."

And we, at Spinner, who value entertainment, creative publicity and the Spirit of Rock 'n' Roll, would like to thank Uncle Ted for giving us three decades of lively water-cooler talk .. and for finally retiring the loin cloth.

While many rockers -- from Bruce Springsteen to Bright Eyes -- make no bones about their political opinions, don't expect the Killers, who release their third album, 'Day and Age,' on November 25, to follow suit.

"It is sort of a conscious decision," guitarist Dave Keuning tells Spinner of the band's unwillingness to publicly choose a side. "If you stick your neck out there, you risk alienating potential fans. We don't sing about politics so people shouldn't decide whether to listen to us or not based on that. I think we appeal to both Democrats and Republicans. That's not what it's about for us."

"We're an optimistic band and there is always an optimistic theme, but it doesn't pertain to politics," vocalist Brandon Flowers adds. "It's more spiritual. It's not left or right. I'm not really educated enough to make remarks that could sway people. A lot of people who say things probably shouldn't."

While Portland's -- by way of Alaska -- Portugal the Man gears up for the release of their latest disc, 'Censored Colors,' later this month, frontman John Gourley is getting political on the band's website.

In an essay detailing growing up in the Alaskan wild, titled 'Palin, Because We Don't Need It,' Gourley writes about the first time his dad took him hunting. With a moose squarely in the rifle's line of fire, his father didn't pull the trigger, explaining to his son that they weren't going to kill the animal "because we don't need it."

Gourley reminisces about living in the wilderness town of 5,000 residents under the jurisdiction of then-mayor, now VP-candidate Sarah Palin. Discussing her actions and beliefs, he ultimately concludes that, like the moose, "we don't need it."

Gear up for the final night of the Republican National Convention with a photo roundup of musicians who rocked for their political views this year. See why country ruled at John McCain's G.O.P. bash in St. Paul, with performances by Gretchen Wilson, John Rich and Joe Nichols, among others. Then check out the plethora of pop stars who showed up last week to support Barack Obama at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, including Stevie Wonder, Sheryl Crow and more.

"The reporting of the past few days have proven tackier than a costume change at a Madonna concert." --Mike Huckabee

The former presidential hopeful used his speech at the RNC as an opportunity to slam Madonna, whose tour visual effects offended his party's nominee.

So help the Man who comes between Zach de la Rocha and his bullhorn. The Rage Against the Machine frontman and his bandmates were set to perform at the Ripple Effect concert at St. Paul, Minnesota's Capitol building as part of a peaceful protest during the Republican National Convention, but the band showed up too close to the 7pm curfew and without a permit. Police refused to allow Rage to play, inciting, well, rage and protests among the crowd. The band then walked into the audience, yelling rally cries and performing a cappella versions of 'Bulls on Parade' and 'Testify.' De la Rocha and Co. would later lead the 2,000-strong crowd to the Xcel Energy Center, prompting more protesting in downtown St. Paul. And, thanks to modern technology, it's all on video.

'Only in America' by Brooks & Dunn

Brooks & Dunn blasted over the loudspeakers Thursday night at the Democratic National Convention after Barack Obama concluded his history-making speech, accepting the Democratic nomination for president. Despite the nonpartisan, patriotic message of the hit country song, some may find it a bit of a surprising choice for Senator Obama. That's because the same song was used in President George W. Bush's 2004 re-election campaign. Brooks and Dunn were also supporters of the president, performing at a Republican rally the night before the 2004 election.

Still, the song was a natural fit to conclude Obama's speech, given its patriotic "dreams come true" message. And the country duo have not come forward with their political preference for 2008.

Listen to 'Only in America'

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R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe makes no bones about his feelings for George W. Bush, accusing the President of desecrating the memory of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.

Stipe told the BBC this week that 'Man Size Wreath,' a track from R.E.M.'s latest album, 'Accelerate,' was written in response to Bush visiting King's grave in January 2004 during the invasion of Iraq.

"I just can't stand the guy or his administration," Stipe said. "[The song] was about him going to the graveside of Martin Luther King, one of my heroes, and I think desecrating the memory of that great man and his work by being there during the war. I found it pathetic so I wrote that song about it."

It should also come as little surprise then that Stipe is lending his support to Barack Obama, calling him an "exceptional person" that needs in office. "I think he's going to make it," Stipe said, "and it will be a better day for all of us."