Sean Lennon’s newest album Friendly Fire was released in October.

On Philadelphia:“I grew up in New Jersey. My dad went to Penn for dental school. We used to go to Geno's and Pat's all the time. I've become ‘Pat's only' because of the whole Geno's thing. That really disappointed me. I have a crazy memory from when I recorded one of my first EPs here in Old City. It was in this guy's basement studio, and it was totally haunted. I saw a couple of really weird things. He said there were some battles that had gone on in that property and a lot of deep Philadelphia history. It didn't surprise me. It felt really spooky.”

Jonny Lives! plays Wed., Dec. 20, 8pm. $8. Khyber, 56 S. Second St. 215.238.5888.

On Philadelphia: “I played at the Tower Theater in ’77 opening for Thin Lizzy. I did the TLA in about ’88. I recorded it, and that came out as a live album. I used to walk up and down South Street just to dig the funkiness of it. There were all these burned-out buildings on one part of it. I remember looking inside and there were comic books that were kind of charred on the ground—the kind of thing that sticks in your head. Philly’s a real place. It’s not like going to Dallas where all you see is glass, and there are no people. I’ve walked around and looked at a few historical things—the big bell or whatever. I went to see G. Love one night. In fact, G. Love played harmonica on my last studio album. We did it in Bryn Mawr, and Pete, the bass player of the Figgs, said I needed a really good harmonica player. He said, ‘G. Love does that,’ and I thought, ‘All right.’ So he came down.”

Graham Parker is currently working on a new album that will be released in March.

On Philadelphia: “I’ve been here probably about 50 times. Played here in ’96 and it was like 20 degrees below zero. So I went outside and much to the chagrin of Electric Factory I brought about 100 kids inside, because they were out in T-shirts, freezing. I’ve always had an affinity for Philly. But I’ve gotta say something that’s going to be inflammatory: The best cheesesteak I ever had was in Portland, Ore. The last time Everclear played here was Nov. 4, 2004, the day after Kerry lost. It was a dark day. I was really depressed, just coming off a divorce. But now, being here on this sunny day, this is good for me.”

Everclear’s CD Welcome to the Drama Club is out now.

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Sofitel Hotel, Tues., Nov. 21, 1:30pm.

On Philadelphia: “I came to Philly from my home in Jersey to do a TV show called Rap Around when I was 15. That was cool. I did speech and debate tournaments at Penn in high school. It's such a close city. Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle was written by Jon Hurwitz, who went to Penn. I didn't have any input into the writing of that, or in the writing of the sequel. I personally think White Castle is disgusting. It's pretty gross.”

Kal Penn stars in National Lampoon's Van Wilder: The Rise of Taj, which opens in Philly this Friday.

On Philadelphia: “It's a mixture of Europe and the U.S. It's the Colonial buildings next to high-rises. It's so quiet and serene and clean. We should really be thankful to Mayor Street because it looks beautiful. When I was 24 I drove out [of Iran] singing ‘freedom, democracy, justice.' I appreciate each and every day I'm living in this country and this democratic society. I want to go to all the great museums you have here. I wish I could stay more and enjoy the serenity that exists in this city. You can hardly find it anywhere else. Don't take it for granted.”

Shohreh Agdashloo stars in 24, and her latest film The Nativity Story opens Dec. 1.

On Philadelphia: “Philly’s like a mini-New York, if I had to say so. All I know is the streets are narrow as hell. That’s what I know about Philly. I put Beanie Sigel on a song that had other rappers who were incarcerated. Not to mention he’s a great MC. Will Smith was a historic figure in hip-hop and rap. Look where he’s at now. ‘Summertime’ was an inspiration. He shot that video here in Philadelphia. Always a fan. Just like in the South—Atlanta, where I’m from—they have hard crowds here in Philly. If you’re not good, they’re gonna tell you. Yep.“

On Philadelphia: JC: “I've lived here. It's tumultuous. Colorful. Center City has really changed. It's a lot cleaner, a lot safer. There are a lot more artsy things and restaurants. I remember when Friday Saturday Sunday was the ultimate, and I used to love to go to the Saloon. There's a place Tom Foglietta used to take me to in a house. Shanks? Am I right? Yeah.”

MM: “When James was working here, I used to come up on the train. He was in the middle of the campaign, so I'd wander around by myself. It's just an incredible, inspirational, beautiful city. When we had the convention here, my baby was a year and change, maybe 2, and the one that's now 11 was sort of post-toddler and talking. They came to the convention and it made such a good impression on them. You're lucky to live here.”

James Carville and Mary Matalin were in town to speak at the Main Line Chamber of Commerce 2006 Red Carpet Dinner.

On Philadelphia: “I think it’s my first time in the city. Great sports town, I know that of it, much like [my hometown] Detroit. Their reputation is they accept nothing less than excellence. Anything less is unacceptable. And it seems sometimes even the excellence is unacceptable. They demand a lot, and like Detroit, whenever they win, it’s the best place to be. Tiger fans know about that. It’s a privilege to play here. I’m looking forward to it. I’m riding this actor-who-sings-and-writes-songs thing as far as I can. The expectations for me are so low. Everyone thinks, ’My God, this could be a 20-minute version of “Michael Row Your Boat Ashore,” a pretentious serious-minded actor trying to sing.’ And it’s not. It’s a lot of fun. I think I’ll like it here. I just wish the Lions had Donovan McNabb.”

Jeff Daniels was in Philadelphia to play songs from his debut CD Live & Unplugged: To Benefit the Purple Rose Theatre.

On Philadelphia: “I’ve been here probably 15 times over the years. Early on we’d be on a mixed bill, playing with punk bands. Then we settled into a thing of our own. At some point in the ’90s a swing scene developed and we were playing for that crowd. When we play in Philadelphia I end up getting into these pretty interesting conversations with record collectors. There are hardcore record people in town. They love to talk about all the musicians who used to play here and about doo-wop records. It’s something I want to find out more about. Sounds like there was a pretty vibrant scene going on. I suppose there still is. There’s a passion here for the old vinyl, and that’s a passion I share.”

Big Sandy and His Flyrite Boys’ newest album is Turntable Matinee

On Philadelphia: “I’ve seen nothing but a Spanish restaurant that was very nice, very good food, which normally you don’t get in L.A. Then I passed the street where the creator of the flag live. What’s her name? Betsy Ross, yes. My very humble impression is a kind of combination between Boston and New York, like a mix of those cities. I haven’t been able to see those historical things, just this lonely room in this hotel. They showed me where Rocky Balboa ran. This film, Philadelphia, was it shot here? Cheesesteak? What is that, like a baguette? Did you invent it here? Should I try one? I’ll have about two hours tonight to walk after the screening. It’s hard in two hours to get something to say about a city, but at least I’ll have the smell of it, you know?”

Alejandro González Iñárritu’s film Babel will be released in Philadelphia on Nov. 3.

On Philadelphia: “I was here last September for our Bring Them Home Now bus tour. Philadelphia, of course, is very supportive. The American Friends Service Committee is here. I was a history major in college and there’s so much history here. I like that about this city. It just makes me want to fight hard for our country to get back the freedom we’ve lost during the Bush administration.”

Cindy Sheehan’s book Peace Mom was published in September by Atria Books.

On Philadelphia: “I played here at a club called JC Dobbs with a band called Gutterboy. I just remember hanging out there and doing all the corny things everybody does here, like eating cheesesteaks till I was gonna die. JC Dobbs was cool. Oh, it’s gone? It was like CBGB in a way. I loved that place. I was here in 1993 or something like that. Nirvana had just been here because someone was telling me about it. That’s the last time. Before it was just for a school trip to the Liberty Bell and Hershey, to eat the chocolate. We took a bus trip from Queens. I was so excited. I wanted to hit the Liberty Bell, but you know, they don’t let you.”

Dito Montiel, the author of A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints, also directed the film adaptation opening Sept. 29. The film won the Dramatic Directing Award and a Special Jury Award for Best Ensemble Performance at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival.

On Philadelphia: JK: “I usually spend time in West Chester, where Bam's from, and come to Philly every now and then. I like it. I love the bar Silk City, but they closed that down. What was the one we were at last night? Tattooed Mom. If I had a memory of it, it'd probably be pretty good. They had a pool table. For most of our stunts we just go where the best bars are. And Philly has some good bars, so yeah, we could do a stunt in Philly.” BM: “And Dr. J's from here, Darryl Dawkins, Rocky—we saw those steps today. Declaration of Independence. Cheesesteaks. Wawa, I think. I have a Wawa tattoo. It's right above a tattoo of Leon Spinks. People generally like it.”

Jackass Number Two opens this Friday.

Electric Factory, Fri., Sept. 8, 4:45pm.

On Philadelphia: “Philly’s always sounded quite hip to me, as a British person. It’s good when the nickname for a town reaches you in a different country. So it’s always been ‘Philly’ to me, and that gives it a good youthful energy. We arrived here last night and got pulled over by the police, which was quite amusing because there was absolutely nothing wrong with the bus and he just wanted to know who was on it. We’re just sitting there going, ‘Oh God, is he gonna, like, tear the whole thing apart?’ We live on the bus. The only thing I really remember about here is walking up South Street on a sunny day absolutely starving, and we ended up in a Whole Foods. We just sat in the cafe and bought food by the pound, and we just ate so much. It was one of those … you’re about to fall down dead and you’re presented with a full buffet in a box, and you just end up going for it.”

KT Tunstall’s latest release is Eye to the Telescope.