Blogs

« December 2008  | Main  | February 2009 »

---

Seven Years In Thirteen Days

Posted on January 30, 2009 at 09:52 AM

Have you ever seen the video for She Sends Kisses by The Wrens? It's excellent, and below. And speaking of the Wrens, they are, for the first time in seven years, writing songs for a record, according to their site. The proof is at Magnet, which has a scratchy, but gloriously new, work in progress from this very week. This is in addition to a song they came up with on the spot while recording a session at Abbey Road for a now defunct web show. You should really listen to the Wrens. If we get a new Wrens AND Teenage Fanclub record in one year, the pop world may implode.

After months of speculation, the lineup for the 2009 Coachella Festival, taking place the weekend of April 17th, has been announced. The three main headliners are Paul McCartney, The Killers and The Cure. No Pavement, as rumored, but still, pretty fantastic, and the supporting lineups are pretty excellent: Fleet Foxes, Morrissey, Franz Ferdinand, Leonard Cohen, Beirut, My Bloody Valentine, Amy Winehouse, TV On The Radio and a ton more will be there.

Arena Football League team owner Jon Bon Jovi is being sued by a former team sales manager for owed commission. Given that the league canceled its entire 2009 season, perhaps Bon Jovi should be suing the sales manager.

Rolling Stone wrote a piece on how Vegas was taking bets on what Bruce Springsteen will play in his halftime show Sunday, and the piece had such an effect on betting that betting is now closed.

Speaking of the Super Bowl, will we be seeing the infamous Pepsi ad featuring both Bob Dylan and Will.I.Am singing a song specifically written for this commercial? Do we want to see it?

The Wrens - She Sends Kisses:

Links:

Wrens Watch [Magnet]

Coachella 2009 [Coachella]

Philadelphia Soul Ex-Manager Sues Bon Jovi, Others [AP]

Rolling Stone Accidentally Kills Off Bruce Springsteen Super Bowl Betting [Rolling Stone]

Dylan, Will.I.Am On Tap For Super Bowl Ad [Reuters]

Read Comments (0)  | Add Comment  | Permalink

---

Noble Beast

Posted on January 29, 2009 at 12:35 PM

John Landis, who wrote and directed the legendary video clip for Michael Jackson's Thriller video, is suing MJ for overdue royalties. The dollar amount is said to be just into the seven figures. The suit may have been prompted by Jackson recent sale of the Thriller rights to a Broadway musical production company, who hope to bring Thriller to the Great White Way.

Daniel Radosh discusses the notion that Katy Perry's I Kissed A Girl is pro-gay. A notion he finds laughable.

R.I.P. Billy Powell, keyboard player for Lynyrd Skynyrd, who survived the famous 1977 plane crsah that look the lives of two other members. Also R.I.P. acclaimed Scottish folk and blues songwriter John Martyn. Over a long career, Martyn worked with Phil Collins, Eric Clapton and David Gilmour, among others.

Andrew Bird, whose Noble Beast was released this week, performed Fitz & Dizzyspells on Letterman Tuesday night. Dave seems to like it, and why wouldn't he:

Links:

A Legal Thriller Michael Jackson Sued By John Landis [E! Online]

Kissing Girls Can't Help Katy Perry Escape The Long Arm Of Jesus [Radosh.net]

Lynyrd Skynyrd Keyboardist Dies At Florida Home [AP/Yahoo!]

U.K. Singer/Songwriter John Martyn Dies [Billboard]

Photo of Andrew Bird by Cameron Wittig.

Read Comments (0)  | Add Comment  | Permalink

---

Falling Slowly

Posted on January 28, 2009 at 12:39 PM

Cool music film news: Spike Lee is making a film about the life of James Brown. Wesley Snipes will star but, unlike Joaquin Phoenix in Walk The Line, the singing will come from the original recordings, IE, it'll be JB that you hear. And for more info on King Records, the Cincinnati label/studio where James Brown recorded some of his classic tracks, check out this recent NYT article.

Earfarm has an amusing list of band names they often confuse with one another. Duke Spirit and Delta Spirit, Friendly Fires and Friendly Foes, and, especially, Ladyhawk and Ladyhawke, all on the list.

Noooo... Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova of the Swell Season, the romantic leads in the film Once, have broken off their real-life romance. The pair will continue touring, at least through already scheduled dates, and will complete a second album. Breakup or no breakup, we'll always have Falling Slowly:

Links:

Wesley Snipes A Cert To Play James Brown, Says Spike Lee [NME]

Rocking Cincinnati's R&B Cradle [New York Times]

Band Names We Confuse With One Another [Earfarm]

The Swell Season Forge On Despite Breakup [Entertainment Weekly]

Read Comments (1)  | Add Comment  | Permalink

---

Whole Lotta Peein' Going On At Metallica Show

Posted on January 27, 2009 at 10:51 AM

Metallica's had a heck of a year. Death Magnetic got great reviews, and it's selling well. They're heading into the Rock n' Roll Hall Of Fame. And yes, they've got their own Guitar Hero version coming out in March... the 29th to be exact, and the track listing has been revealed. Head here for the full listing of tracks. You can play Battery and pretend you're auditioning to be in the band, just like Robert Trujillo in Some Kind Of Monster!

In other Metallica news, a Brewster, Massachusetts cop has been arrested for allegedly urinating on another Metallica fan at the band's recent show in Boston. He was thrown out, but then attempted to flash his badge in order to re-enter. He also called a black cop "Obama." What a cool guy!

Lil Wayne's newest jam is called Rebirth and tonight he'll perform Prom Queen, the first single, live on Facebook at 940pm Pacific. Remember, it's supposed to be almost... rock! And it's out April 7th "tentatively." Meaning if it leaks, it could be out by dinnertime.

It's a big week for Bruce Springsteen. Sunday he and the E Street Band will perform at the Super Bowl. Today, his latest album Working On A Dream is released. Rolling Stone gives it five stars. The Minneapolis Star Tribune calls it unsatisfying. The LA Times finds it to be a "string of hits," a response from an album artist to the death of the album. The Hartford Courant says it a keeper. The San Francisco Chronicle feels it might be a bit desperate.

Links:

Metallica Reveal Guitar Hero Track List [Rolling Stone]

Massachusetts Cop Accused Of Urinating On Metallica Fan [Blabbermouth]

Lil Wayne Teams With AT&T To Debut Rebirth [Billboard]

Working On A Dream [brucespringsteen.net]

Tagged as: Music

Read Comments (0)  | Add Comment  | Permalink

---

Ziggy To Play Guitar?

Posted on January 26, 2009 at 10:36 AM

Is there anything Twitter can't do? Last week, followers of David Bowie's Twitter feed got their thin white suits in a bundle when Bowie's status read "Cheers from a snowy Berlin! Working on some new material!" Very exciting, of course, especially as Berlin was the recording locale for such classics as "Heroes", Low and Lodger. Now, naturally, rumors are starting up of a possible appearance at April's Coachella festival. Exciting, sure, but could this particular performance be by alter-ego Ziggy Stardust, "who" last performed in 1973 with, of course, the Spiders From Mars? So sayeth the rumor-laden internet. Ziggy Stardust was Bowie's alien rock star, who arrives on Earth just as mankind learns that Earth is dying. Check out a live version of Five Years, the mesmerizing opening track of Ziggy Stardust, below.

Paul McCartney is planning on marrying current girlfriend Nancy Shevell (says the NME), which is surprising given that McCartney's last marriage didn't, um, go so well. But if Shevell isn't a hugely unpopular, social-climbing you-know-what, Paul will be fine.

Performing at this year's Grammy Awards ceremony will be Coldplay, Katy Perry, the Jonas Brothers, Lil Wayne, and others. And Radiohead. Yes, Radiohead.

The most anticipated indie rock album of 2009 is sure to be the new one from Grizzly Bear. Now we learn that it will be out on Warp in May.

David Bowie as Ziggy Stardust:

Links:

David Bowie Dusts Off Ziggy? [thisisgloucestershire]

Paul McCartney To Marry [NME]

Radiohead To Perform At Grammy Awards Ceremony! [Pitchfork]

New Grizzly Bear Album In May [BrooklynVegan]

Tagged as: Music

Read Comments (0)  | Add Comment  | Permalink

---

What About The Voice Of Geddy Lee?

Posted on January 23, 2009 at 09:23 AM

Wow, are the Strokes finally going to start making some music? They are, according to Austin Scaggs at Rolling Stone. He ran into Albert Hammond, Jr., who revealed that the Strokes will be getting together at 2pm on February 11th to begin practicing and writing for a next record. It certainly has been awhile. And btw, ever listened to Austin Scaggs' dad? Pretty good.

Speaking of the NYC rock n' roll Class of 2001-2003, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs have announced that a new album will be with us in the spring. What's it called? It's Blitz. Or Blitz. It's actually hard to tell.

That Faces reunion, featuring Rod Stewart, Ron Wood, and possibly Flea, and scheduled for '09? Now looks like it may be '10. If ever. Damn.

That beautiful classical performance just before President Obama was sworn in? Lipsynced (so to speak), due to weather conditions!

Stephen Malkmus talks to Spin about the writing and recording of Pavement's weird, catchy and undeniably funky classic track Stereo. Which is all the reason we need to once again show this video of two little kids singing along.

Links:

Strokes Time! [Rolling Stone]

Yeah Yeah Yeahs Reveal Name Of New Album [Stereogum]

Despite Rumors, No Faces Reunion Tour Or Album In 2009 [Rolling Stone]

Barack Obama's Inauguration And The Classical Music Performance That Wasn't [Guardian]

Stephen Malkmus On Pavement's "Funky" Tune [Spin]

Read Comments (0)  | Add Comment  | Permalink

---

The Nominees Are...

Posted on January 22, 2009 at 12:25 PM

So the Oscar nominations were released this morning, and Best Picture was filled with the usual suspects: Frost/Nixon, Slumdog Millionaire, The Reader, Milk, and The Case Of Mysterious Belly Buttons were all nominees. Original Song? That was more curious. The three (that's right, only three) nominees were Down To Earth by Peter Gabriel (Wall-E), Jai Ho by AR Rahman (Slumdog Millionaire) and O Saya by AR Rahman and M.I.A. (Slumdog Millionaire). All good tunes, and, of all the five Best Picture nominees, music was more integral to Slumdog Millionaire than it was to the other nominated films, but really, no Bruce? No The Wrestler, a brutally real lyric and perfect embodiment of its film? The Golden Globe winner? For shame, fuddy duddy members of the Academy.

One advantage of being an Obama campaign staffer: access to secret shows like the one Arcade Fire played last night for Obama peeps. A ten song setlist (opening with Wake Up) included all the hits, as well as a cover of Bruce Springsteen's Born In The USA. Pics by Bao Nguyen at BrooklynVegan.

For many, many years, The Village Voice has been publishing the results of their Pazz and Jop poll, in which music critics vote for best albums and singles of the year. This year's top winners are as good as they are excruciatingly predictable: TV On The Radio's Dear Science and M.I.A.'s Paper Planes. Check out the rest if you care to.

Links:

81st Annual Academy Awards - Nominees [Oscar.com]

Arcade Fire, Jay-Z and President Obama At The Obama Staff Ball [BrooklynVegan]

Pazz And Jop [Village Voice]

Tagged as: Music

Read Comments (0)  | Add Comment  | Permalink

---

The Skin Of Their Yellow Country Teeth

Posted on January 21, 2009 at 12:28 PM

Remember Guns n' Roses? They made an album called Chinese Democracy. Took them about fifteen years, and it came out a couple of months ago. Now a video is being made for the song Better. And soon-to-be Rock n' Roll Hall Of Famer Lars Ulrich is in it. He is on record as liking Chinese Democracy so, makes sense.

Everyone twitters these days, even noise rock legends. If you'd like to follow the progress as Sonic Youth and John Agnello mix the next SY LP, why not follow them? Inside jokes about feedback are yours for the taking.

At first it seemed like indie sensations Clap Your Hands Say Yeah might break up. Now comes word they are not, but rather merely taking a break.

Liam Gallagher of Oasis has taken potshots at many a celebrity. Once in awhile, he gets called on it. Gallagher once called Tom Cruise a "small bastard." Cruise saw that, and remembered the line when he chose to nicely say hello to Gallagher when their paths recently crossed in Berlin.

Links:

Ulrich Confrms That He Makes An Appearance In Guns n' Roses' Better Video [Blabbermouth]

The Sonic Youth [Twitter, via Pitchfork]

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah Not Necessarily Breaking Up [Stereogum]

Tom Cruise Squares Up To Oasis' Liam Gallagher [Gigwise]

Read Comments (0)  | Add Comment  | Permalink

---

January 20, 2009

Posted on January 20, 2009 at 09:43 AM

The musical celebrations in Washington, DC continued last night with a Jay-Z led throwdown at the Warner Theatre. Performing with Brooklyn's finest were Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Young Jeezy and Memphis Bleek. In da house: Samuel L. Jackson, Usher, Eric Benet and Diddy, who later was on Larry King Live. Diddy: still everywhere.

And yes, today is Inauguration Day. Read all about it in the Washington Post and the New York Times.

Let's say you win an award. And then, after you've already accepted the award, you find out that you were not the real winner. That's what happened to Katy Perry, who picked up Best International Song at the NRJ Awards, France's biggest music awards. The song in question is I Kissed A Girl, of course, but unfortunately for Katy, organizers later announced that an error had been made, and the correct winner was Rihanna for Disturbia. Embarrassing for Katy Perry. But then again, she was hanging out in Cannes, and is a big, rich star. So she'll be fine.

Paste gives us six albums to look forward to in '09. Wilco's on there, and so is Sonic Youth, whose Matador debut The Eternal is due in June. Prince also deservedly on the list. But no Dirty Projectors? Or Grizzly Bear?

Kelly Osbourne is once again in the news and once again is seeming all bratty-like. She was arrested, and then released on bail, on charges of allegedly slapping a journalist at a London nightclub last August. Why the smackdown? Said journo, Zoe Griffin of the Daily Mirror, had questioned the brainpower of Osbourne's boyfriend, Luke Worrall. Allegedly, he didn't know how earthquakes worked. Griffin wrote that in her column. And so Osboune allegedly did some slapping. And celebrity life rolls on.

Links:

Jay-Z Wins The Popular Vote With Night Of Hits [USA Today]

Katy Perry Wrongly Handed Award At Cannes [NME]

Six Albums To Get Excited About In 2009 [Paste]

Kelly Osbourne Arrested For Assault [People]

Pic via New York Times/Reuters

Tagged as: Current Affairs , Music

Read Comments (0)  | Add Comment  | Permalink

---

MLK Day '09 - We Are One

Posted on January 19, 2009 at 11:28 AM

The point of yesterday's We Are One Inaugural Celebration Concert was not as much musical, of course, as it was simply to gather and take stock of tomorrow's Big Event. That said, the roll call of musicians was pretty impressive. Bruce Springsteen and a sizable, red-robed choir kicked things off with a gospel-like reading of The Rising (gospel influences were felt throughout the two hour show). U2 were their usual bombastic selves, performing Pride (In The Name Of Love) and also Obama campaign tune City Of Blinding Lights. Stevie Wonder, Usher and a somewhat weak-voiced Shakira delivered a joyful Higher Ground. Jon Bon Jovi and Bettye LaVette performed a quietly wondrous version of Sam Cooke's A Change Is Gonna Come. It all ended with a Beyonce-led sing-along of America The Beautiful. Ain't that America, sang John Mellencamp, for you and me? Oh, and Will.I.Am - please let that be the last time you "sing" Bob Marley's One Love.

In other U2 news, Get On Your Boots, the first single from U2's upcoming No Line On The Horizon album, is now streaming at goyb.U2.com. The track is almost arrestingly exciting, sonically, if a bit all over the place. Dry and dirty guitars well complement even drier drums. On first listen, it's definitely a more raw sound that How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb's first single Vertigo. And if this is one of the album's weaker tracks, as Vertigo was, Get On Your Boots could be a very good sign, indeed.

Notorious, the movie about the life of Biggie Smalls, is drawing some of the same, well, notoriety as its subject did: Four men were stabbed at the movie premiere's official afterparty at a club in Brooklyn.

Links:

'We Are One' - Lyrical Messages About An Inclusive America [New York Times]

Get On Your Boots [goyb.U2.com]

Four Stabbed At Brooklyn Nightclub [Newsday]

Tagged as: Current Affairs , Music

Read Comments (0)  | Add Comment  | Permalink

---

Really, No Line On The Horizon

Posted on January 16, 2009 at 09:31 AM

The news is heating up in new U2 album-Land: Spin has the cover art and track titles for their new album No Line On The Horizon. The cover is pretty straightforward interpretation of the title, done by Japanese photographer Hiroshi Sugimoto: a black and white, somewhat washed-out view of an endless seascape. First songle Get On Your Boots hits radio on Monday. Fingers crossed for a good album. U2 would undoubtedly deliver a winner if they went back to making albums that have a distinct sonic theme running throughout. The last U2 album to somewhat do that was Pop. Zooropa is its last thematically whole album. Lately, U2 is more about touching on a number of styles.

The Grateful Dead have been specifically chosen by Barack Obama to perform at the Mid-Atlantic Inaugural Ball on the evening of Inauguration Day. We could easily use a long, strange trip joke here, but we won't.

The Guardian wonders why, if George W. Bush was so unpopular, there weren't more protest songs over the past eight years. Well, there was, famously, American Idiot by Green Day. And also a lot more from smaller bands. And, you know, Toxic by Britney Spears was like this generation's For What Is Worth.

Links:

U2 Announce 'Horizon' Tracklisting, Reveal Album Art [Spin]

Barack Obama Selects The Dead For Inaugural Ball [Rolling Stone]

A Chorus Of Disapproval [Guardian]

Read Comments (0)  | Add Comment  | Permalink

---

His Love For Us Is Real

Posted on January 15, 2009 at 09:59 AM

The ever-prolific Ryan Adams has decided to take a breather and be less prolific. So writes Adams on a typically lengthy, rambling blog post. But it won't be typically for long - he also states he'll be laying off the blogging. And we'd link to that blog post but, um, it's apparently been taken down. Luckily, Adams has a follow-up post, which clarifies his position. So, again, he needs a breather, he has ear issues and would like a rest, he thinks the Cardinals should go on without him, even though he isn't saying he won't be back. Sad to see Ryan so down. But he'll be back. He's Brian Fellow Ryan Adams!

Damon Albarn has been making news lately due to Blur's reunion, but he's continuing to move forward with Gorillaz. While guest-DJing on Zane Lowe's BBC Radio 1 show last night, Albarn debuted three new Gorillaz demos. You can stream those tracks over at Thighs Wide Shut. (Via BrooklynVegan)

The highest volume music store in the U.S., the Virgin Megastore in New York's Times Square, will close in April. The store is profitable, but pays rent that is way below market price. The closing will leave Virgin with only one other NYC location, the 14th Street branch at Union Square. The Times Square space will be replaced by a Forever 21 store. People, please, there's no online substitute for the tactile experience of browsing racks with fellow shoppers... let's save music stores.

Nothing To Worry About, a tracks from the upcoming Peter, Bjorn and John album Living Thing, had its world debut on, um, Kanye West's blog. And if you head to PB&J's site, you'll notice an anti-vowel bias.

Links:

FOR CARDS FANS AND FAM - Peace Out! RXO [Cardinology]

Gorillaz Tracks Debuted By Damon [BBC Newsbeat]

Times Square Virgin Megastore To Close [Billboard]

World Premiere...! [kanyeuniversecity.com]

Tagged as: Music

Read Comments (0)  | Add Comment  | Permalink

---

Live at Fuse: Metallica

Posted on January 14, 2009 at 05:28 PM

So that Big Thing going down in the Fuse studio? Nothing much, except that Metallica dropped by to say hello and to show off their new respectable, Rock n' Roll Hall Of Fame selves. Yes, the newest members of that very exclusive club were in the house. How did it go? Very well. You see, they are happy. Death Magnetic has gotten great reviews. The self described road dogs are on the road, playing sold out shows. "Life is good in Metallica right now," said James Hetfield, and it showed. Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo all wore smiles the entire time. Also of note: the ceremony, taking place on April 4th in Cleveland will be broadcast live right here on Fuse. Not only that, but tickets will be made available to the public. Not sure if any dinner tickets will be sold, but better choose between chicken or beef, just in case. Notable quotes, and photos, from today's press conference below. And DO NOT MISS this page, chock full of everything Metallica, plus footage and more photos from today (coming very soon).

On who they'd like to induct them:
James: "It's an ongoing discussion."
So, no Ryan Seacrest then?
James: "I don't even know who that is."

Who they would like to see inducted:
James: "Motorhead."
Lars: "Deep Purple."
Kirk: "Rush."
Robert: "UFO."

On what they think keeps the music relevant:
James: "Making music that connects with people. And playing the songs live."
Kirk: We still care, on a passionate level."
Lars: "When all else fails, turn to Rick Rubin."

Other current bands they admire:
Kirk: "Lamb Of God."
Lars: "Trivium. Dillinger Escape Plan. Mastodon."

On whether they would ever tour again with Guns n' Roses:
Kirk: The question is, would Guns n' Roses tour with US?"
James: "We've learned to never say never."
Lars: "All four of us love Chinese Democracy!"

PHOTOS:

Tagged as: Music

Read Comments (0)  | Add Comment  | Permalink

---

Something's Going Down In The Fuse Studios...

Posted on January 14, 2009 at 11:08 AM

... this afternoon! It involves the Rock n' Roll Hall Of Fame. Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice will be there. Just kidding, that's the Baseball Hall Of Fame. But something will be happening, and we'll be there. More later this afternoon. UPDATE: It happened. Video here.

Read Comments (1)  | Add Comment  | Permalink

---

Bono, Previously Everywhere, Now More Everywhere

Posted on January 13, 2009 at 09:10 AM

They said it couldn't last... and they were right. Blake Fielder-Civil, drug and trouble-addled husband to drug and trouble-addled Amy Winehouse, is suing for divorce on the grounds of infidelity. Winehouse has been seen in the Caribbean cavorting with a Josh Bowman, a possible new dude in her life. Can't we just have closure?

London's dingy, smelly, utterly rock n' roll venue the Astoria will close forever after Friday's show. Over its thirty year history, the Astoria hosted every mid-level band, whether on their way up, or down. Pavement played there in the 90s, Teenage Fanclub stopped through in their early, noisy days, as did Ash, the Manic Street Preachers, and most if not all of the classic Britpop lineups. The Astoria has also hosted "secret," small shows by huge acts as the Rolling Stones and U2.

Speaking of U2, Bono wrote a pretty atrocious editorial in the New York Times over the weekend. Basically, the piece states that Frank Sinatra was a good singer, and that he could sing his signature tune My Way several different ways, in order to communicate different feelings. You don't say. Also, Bono knew Frank and went over to his house one day. Also, Bono had some Guinness in Dublin over the holidays. Great column! And you thought the Times had standards.

We've spotlighted random Black Cab Sessions - the UK site in which artists hail a London black cab and proceed to play acoustic tunes in the roomy-but-not-that-roomy cabs - in the past. Recent guests include Ryan Adams and The Walkmen, but an equally worthy though less well known act has also visited: England's own Pete and the Pirates. Take the best moments of the Strokes, add a sophisticated, garage-like gel, as well as an angular UK vibe, and your on your way to an apt description. View, and hear, the Reading band's session here.

Links:

Lawyer: Winehouse's Husband To File For Divorce [AP]

Cramped, Smelly, Run-down... But It Hosted Some Iconic Gigs [Guardian]

Bono: Notes From The Chairman [New York Times]

Chapter 34: Pete And The Pirates [Black Cab Sessions]

Tagged as: Music

Read Comments (0)  | Add Comment  | Permalink

---

AC/DC, Peoria Would Not Mind Being Rocked

Posted on January 12, 2009 at 11:52 AM

The Golden Globes were last night. Who was wearing what? Who knows, but Best Song went to Bruce Springsteen for his song The Wrestler, from the Darren Aronofsky film of the same name. And how 'bout that speech from Mickey Rourke, who thanked everyone who believed in him when he was down, especially his dogs. Bruce also won the award in 1994 for Streets Of Philadelphia. Looking forward to his next Golden Globe in 2024. And word is Bruce will be playing a free show on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on January 18th, two days before Barack Obama's inauguration.

Via RS comes news of this curious event in Peoria, Illinois, in which townsfolk gathered to beckon Aussie rock machines AC/DC to visit their quiet burg. How quiet is Peoria? Organizers said a visit from AC/DC would be the "event of the decade." So, pretty quiet.

On March 30, 1995, the late, great Guided By Voices played the awesome, tiny Maxwell's in Hoboken, NJ. Grab the entire show, MP3 by MP3, over at Aquarium Drunkard and feel the rush of guitars, melodies and spilled beer in the comfort of your own home. And in typical Robert Pollard news, Bob has two albums coming out in the next few weeks. The first is Crawling Distance, a Pollard solo album due out on January 20th. The second is the second release from Boston Spaceships, his band featuring former GBV bassist Chris Slusarenko and Decemberists drummer John Moen, which is out February 17th and is titled The Planets Are Blasted.

Links:

Springsteen, Rahman Snag Musical Golden Globes [Billboard]

Sources: Springsteen To Perform At Inaugural Welcome Event [Washington Post]

Rally For Those Who Like To Rock [pjstar.com]

Guided By Voices :: Maxwells, Hoboken , NJ 3.30.95 [Aquarium Drunkard]

Tagged as: Music

Read Comments (0)  | Add Comment  | Permalink

---

Who Just Happened To Be Feelin' That Way Without Warnin'

Posted on January 9, 2009 at 12:47 PM

William Zantziger, the man convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the death of a mother of ten, an event made famous in Bob Dylan's "The Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carroll," has died. The song, one of Dylan's most spellbinding, and stunning, tells the true tale of Maryland socialite William Zantziger, who struck a black barmaid, Hattie Carroll, with a cane when he felt she wasn't serving him fast enough. Carroll later died of injuries stemming from the incident, which Dylan rightly saw as a criminal and sadly apt portrait of race and class in 1960s America. The final verse of the song exposes the ultimate in justice of the event, which sees Zantziger sentenced a mere six months for his crime. Zantziger, of course, had the song trail him for the rest of his life. He also got caught up in real estate fraud in the 1990's; he was arrested in 1991 for charging rent to poor people on properties he did not own. Zantziger was 69. Watch an early performance of the song here. Read the lyrics here.

They're No Angels: Allman Brother (and former Cher husband, lest we forget)  Gregg Allman is upgrading his home security. Which is good, because his Savannah, GA home was recently burglarized. What was taken? You know, a coin collection featuring 19th century silver dollars and collectable knives... typical rock star stuff. Two people have been charged. The coins are safely back at Chez Allman, presumably. Allman and his Allman Brothers, meanwhile will be hitting New York City for their mostly-annual run of multiple nights (ten this year) at the Beacon Theatre.

The rich are different from you and me. Take Michael Jackson (please), who apparently was going through tough times, and even had to turn over his Neverland ranch to creditors. Well, Jackson, rumored to making yet another comeback, has moved back to LA to be closer to showbiz. MJ's secured a lease on a rental in Bel Air. It's a French style manse. How much? Only $100,000 a month.

Links:

Man Who Inspired Bob Dylan Song Dies Aged 69 [The Guardian]

Two Arrested In Burglary At Gregg Allman's Georgia Home [AP/Yahoo!]

Michael Jackson's New Lease On La La Land [E! Online]

Tagged as: Music

Read Comments (0)  | Add Comment  | Permalink

---

Give The Director Some Tour Dates and Nectar

Posted on January 8, 2009 at 01:45 PM

We knew it was coming, now it's here: Phish have announced a slew a tour dates to follow their already-announced three night stand at the Hampton Coliseum in March. The phun begins on June 4th at Jones Beach on Long Island and hits many of the former haunts: Great Woods in Massachusetts, Deer Creek in Indiana and Alpine Valley in Wisconsin. Sticker up your Prius for the first Phish tour of the hybrid era.

That new project featuring remaining members of Led Zeppelin that aren't named Robert Plant? Not happening.

Daniel Craig would be a fine actor to portray Noel Gallagher in a film about Oasis, says Noel Gallagher, but Daniel Craig may not be able to pull it off says, Daniel Craig, because Daniel Craig says he is a better guitarist than Noel Gallagher.

Who says giving away at least some part or form of your project hurts sales? Not Trent Reznor. Nine Inch Nails' Ghosts I-IV was the best selling MP3 album of 2008 at Amazon. (Via Hypebot)

Links:

Phish Reveal Reunion Tour Details [Billboard]

"Led Zeppelin Are Over!" Says Jimmy Page's Manager [Music Radar]

Bond's Daniel Craig 'Better Guitarist' Than Oasis' Noel Gallagher [NME]

Free Nine Inch Nails Tops Amazon 2008 MP3 Chart [Hypebot]

Tagged as: Music

Read Comments (0)  | Add Comment  | Permalink

---

The Stand-In's

Posted on January 7, 2009 at 12:32 PM

Awhile back, there was speculation that the world might have seen the last of Aerosmith. Steven Tyler was in rehab again, so wh knew if he would ever scarf up a mike stand again. Well, fear not, as it looks like John McCain supporter Joe Perry and the rest of Aerosmith, including Tyler, are gearing up to write and record new material. Drummer Joey Kramer and bassist Tom Hamilton have begun rehearsals, according to an update they posted on the Aerosmith blog. Given that Guitar Hero: Aerosmith sold more copies in its first week than any Aerosmith album ever did, it's no surprise.

Tributes to the late Stooges guitar player Ron Asheton continue to pour in, most notably from Stooges frontman Iggy Pop, who tells Rolling Stone that Asheton was his "best friend." Also, Primal Scream's Bobby Gillespie tells the NME why Asheton's guitar work was so compelling.

Okkervil River, who played an electrifying, "small" show at the Bell House in Brooklyn last night, will perform on the Late Show With David Letterman tonight.

Links:

Happy New Year From Joey And Tom [Aeroforceone]

Iggy Pop Pays Tribute To The Stooges' Ron Asheton [Rolling Stone]

Primal Scream's Bobby Gillespie Pays Tribute To The Stooges' Ron Asheton [NME]

Okkervil River [Okkervil River]

Tagged as: Music

Read Comments (0)  | Add Comment  | Permalink

---

Rumors

Posted on January 6, 2009 at 11:13 AM

RIP Ron Asheton, legendary guitar player for the Stooges. Asheton's dirty guitar sound on songs like I Wanna Be Your Dog is still heard in songs today and is the defining Detroit guitar sound. Asheton was found dead in Ann Arbor, MI, the town where the Stooges formed over forty years ago.

If you subscribe to Britney Spears' Twitter feed, you may have been shocked to read this week that she had revealed details concerning her, you know, private parts. Well, rest easy - she was hacked. As were other celebrity twitter feeds. The offending post has been removed from her feed, but if you'd like to know how Britney spent her holiday, rest assured that she worked out a lot and relaxed.

Worried that Lindsay Lohan and Samantha Ronson might be on the road to splitsville? Don't be. EVERYTHING'S FINE, according to Lindsay's MySpace blog. BTW, her "Current Listening" is Rumors... by Lindsay Lohan!

If you never saw the Grateful Dead, now's your chance to see... some of them. The Core Four surviving members, Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzman, are heading out on the road in April and May. Filling the Jerry role will be Allman Brothers and Gov't Mule guitarist Warren Haynes. If their performance at an October Obama fundraiser at Penn State is any indication, these shows might be quite good. More info here.

Links:

Stooges Guitarist Ron Asheton Found Dead [Detroit Free Press]

Britney Spears' Twitter Account Hacked [Guardian]

Rumors [MySpace.com/lindsaylohan]

The Dead Reunite For First Tour In Five Years [Rolling Stone]

Tagged as: Britney Spears , Celebs , Music

Read Comments (0)  | Add Comment  | Permalink

---

Evil New Year Urges

Posted on January 5, 2009 at 10:22 AM

Years of steady touring, and a rep for outstanding, and outstandingly long, shows have resulted in My Morning Jacket playing larger and larger venues. On New Year's Eve, they played Madison Square Garden in New York. Big show? Oh yes. Guest stars? Yup - like Nicole Atkins. Cover songs of Kool and the Gang at midnight? Of course. Watch here. Audio from the show here. Read here, and here. All hail our new thinking man's southern rock touring machine overlords.

Are Blur going to warm up for their London summertime reunion shows with an equally huge show at Coachella in April? Yes, says not-always-trustworthy UK tabloid The Mirror, who quotes "a source." And in other festival news, remember that Rolling Stone has predicted with some confidence that Phish and Bruce Springsteen will be the two biggest news at this summer's Bonnaroo.

Sad news - the death of Andre Young, Jr., son of Dr. Dre, has been ruled an overdose of heroin and morphine.

Wilco have a live DVD entitled Ashes Of American Flags due for release in February or March. The DVD features performances from Nashville's Ryman Auditorium and Tulsa's Cain Ballroom, both legendary venues.

Links:

My Morning Jacket At Madison Square Garden On New Year's Eve, Pics And Setlist [BrooklynVegan]

My Morning Jacket Ring In 2009 At Madison Square Garden [Stereogum]

Blur To Warm Up For London's Hyde Park With Coachella Date [Mirror]

Phish To Headline Bonnaroo 2009, Sources Say [Rolling Stone]

Dr. Dre's Son's Death Due To Heroin Overdose [Reuters]

Live Wilco DVD To Precede New Album [Billboard]

Tagged as: Music

Read Comments (0)  | Add Comment  | Permalink

---

« December 2008  | Main  | February 2009 »