Friday, May 22, 2009

Stop With the Remakes Already / Is Tarantino a Douche bag?

What's next? A remake of Phantom of the Paradise? Skatetown U.S.A.? Bad Ronald? Or worse - The Death of Richie, and Over the Edge? I've been up all night and am possibly about to ramble incoherently. So, A brief semi rant and then back to your regularly scheduled bowel movement.

I know Hollywood wants to make money. I know some people aren't the sort to investigate older films. I even recognize that some people haven't seen cult classics. So, it's inevitable that remakes will be made. Let's not get into comedies, because there are too many and it's maddening. So I won't comment. Except to say that if anyone touches Young Frankenstein, I will personally organize a candlelight vigil wherein all present join together to wish genital warts upon all involved. I've only cared enough about this remake phenomenon to comment to friends a few times.

The first time was the Psycho "tribute" by Gus Van Sant. I didn't see the point before I saw it, and I didn't see the point after I saw it. The second time was the Halloween redux by Rob Zombie. The original Halloween was, in my opinion, a ten. So really, why mess with that? Unless in some Spinal Tap way - one is trying to achieve eleven. I admit, I haven't seen it. So maybe I'm like "those people" who picket things they haven't seen or read. Except that I didn't picket, because a.) I'm just not that passionate about what ultimately amounts to entertainment, and b.) I have nothing against Rob Zombie. Maybe he did a fine job. And even though The original Texas Chainsaw Massacre was gritty perfection, and though I understand why it was done, I argue that it was not an improvement. I can also admit that some might not find the original Carnival of Souls as charming as I. Make-up and special effects could potentially improve a Sci-fi or horror film. I loved the first remake of Invasion of the Body Snatchers. But did we need more than one? No.(And though I just acquiesced the case of science fiction - the upcoming remake of Logan's Run is already disappointing to me.

When Haneke remade his own movie Funny Games, I just shook my head and thought "the only reason he is doing this is because Americans love violence and are too lazy to read subtitles." The first version was what it was - like it or not. Call it an experiment in cinema, call it a commentary on modern film audiences, or call it pretentious bullshit. But it wasn't going to be improved. Unless you count the eye candy that is Michael Pitt. And I made myself watch the entire remake simply to prove myself right.

A successful remake is possible. I enjoyed The Ring - even though Ringu was far superior. Again - lazy Americans. And Cape Fear, I mean, come on, DeNiro. Who didn't love style="font-style:italic;">Cape Fear? But damn it - and here is my point - leave Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill! alone. Have we learned nothing from Tim Burton's Planet of the Apes? I don't care that you're Quentin Tarantino. Russ Meyer wrote the love letter to big boobed, bitchy, violent, dominant women. He directed it. And the tits are amazing. I bow down to Tura Satana, (and if you're smart, you will too). No one could ever portray Varla better than Ms. Satana.

Why oh why is Tarantino doing a remake? I know the man loves and respects cinema and could knock me out of a film trivia contest in no more than two rounds, (maybe one), but this, to kitsch fans, is tantamount to remaking Casablanca or Citizen Cane, except with cleavage. Couldn't he just reissue it? Like he did with Switchblade Sisters? No, I guess that wasn't profitable enough. So, okay Quentin, do what you do best. Maybe you'll even improve upon the music. But I hope you know a lot of people who are fans of your work, as well as devotees of this cult classic, are watching. And if you fuck it up, you will remake the meaning of the word douche bag.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

They Might Be Baseball Sponsors

News from quirky rockers / children's music mavens, They Might Be Giants:


As baseball season starts up, Little League teams are forming all cross the United States. In Seattle, the newest team in the league is THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS. When two coaches named John (just like those two guys in They Might Be Giants) thought what better name then They Might Be Giants for their T-Ball team of 5 to 6 years olds. As the team They Might Be Giants does not keep score at their games, we like to say they currently undefeated!

And now, back in Brooklyn, alternative rockers They Might Be Giants have caught the baseball spirit and are offering to sponsor other teams. They Might Be Giants, recent recipients of the 2009 GRAMMY for Best Children's album for "Here Come the 123s," were delighted to hear the about the new TMBG team. Guitarist John Flansburgh: "It's very flattering, and the photograph just knocked us out. Seeing an entire Little League team all wearing the "No!" t-shirts just made everyone in the band smile."

The band was so enthusiastic that they are now offering teams free "No!" shirts in support of getting kids involed in America's favorite pastime. Flansburgh explains: "If a pizza parlor or a super market can sponsor a team, why can't a rock band? We've posted a free shirt offer on our web site, and as new teams form we're going to post their group photo alongside the Seattle team. We only have t-shirts to offer right now, but if we can get hats too, we're up for that."

They Might Be Giants Live:
05/22: Kansas City, MO @ Beaumont Club, 7:30 pm adult show
05/23: Kansas City, MO @ Crown City Square, kids show
05/30: New York, NY @ Le Poisson Rouge - adult show @ 8 pm
06/12: Portland, ME @ Port City Music Hall - adult show
06/13: Boston, MA @ Berklee Performance Center - kids show @ 3:15 pm, adult show @ 7:30 pm
06/14: New Haven, CT @ International Festival of Arts and Ideas @ New Haven Town Green (family show) @ 6 pm - FREE
07/11: Brooklyn, NY @ Celebrate Brooklyn Fest - Prospect Park Band Shell

Sea and the Cake Update

More shows have been added by the reliably amazing band The Sea and the Cake in support of their upcoming album, Car Alarm, due October 21 from Thrill Jockey.

Nov 7 Philadelphia, PA First Unitarian Church
Nov 8 Washington, DC Black Cat
Nov 10 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
Nov 11 Brooklyn, NY Music Hall of Williamsburg
Nov 12 Boston, MA Middle East
Nov 13 Montreal, QC La Sala Rossa
Nov 14 Toronto, ON Lee\'s Palace
Nov 15 Chicago, IL Empty Bottle (Early Show)
Nov 15 Chicago, IL Empty Bottle (Late Show)
Nov 28 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge
Nov 29 Seattle, WA Chop Suey
Dec 2 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall
Dec 3 Los Angeles, CA Troubadour
Dec 4 Los Angeles, CA Troubadour
Dec 5 Pomona, CA Glass House
Dec 6 San Diego, CA Casbah

Sonseed Pals Around With Jesus

Jesus Is A Friend Of Mine will be released via Arena Rock Recording Co. Aug 4th. I smell a Kaufman/Glover/Phoenix

Hey, if it sells cloths, hair clips, and ridiculously oversized blankets with sleeves, maybe it'll sell records too.




A message from Sonseed:
God, where to start? We formed in the late-70s to play a special Mass for the Bishop at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Brooklyn. Most of us met for the first time while rehearsing for that Mass and decided to keep in touch. We realized that Catholics (we were all Roman Catholics at the time) had nowhere to go to hear fun, inspirational music, so we began playing church halls and schools doing "rocked-up" versions of songs we pulled out of hymnals. Eventually some of us wrote our own stuff.

We played hundreds of shows over the next 4 years, passing the hat for donations to pay for necessities that we needed to keep the group going (microphones, wires, gas for the van, and eventually, the "First Fruit" album, which we sold at concerts for just about cost). It was never about the money; it was all about spreading the Good News and having fun doing it. We consistently lost members through the years and gave our last concert in December 1983.

Doug Prinzivalli, who owned a video copy of our appearance on a local TV show sometime in 1982, had been running "where are they now" (or more specifically, "who are they") contests on his California blog for years. It wasn't until he got his hands on a copy of the album (which is amazing considering we only printed 1,000 or so) that he found my name and tracked me down. That video was originally put on YouTube not by Doug, but by some visitor to his blog who thought it was too good not to share.

Sal Polichetti (Sonseed)
February 2009

Tracklisting

Sonseed
Jesus Is A Friend Of Mine
Another Kind Of Love Song
The Opened Door
Oh Happy Day


http://www.arenarock.com/bands/sonseed/

Trent Reznor Takes On A Cause

A Letter from Trent:

This is for something important. Eric De La Cruz is dying and needs a heart transplant. He keeps getting turned down for a transplant list because he's on Nevada Medicaid, and there are no transplant centers in Nevada. We want to get involved and hopefully so do you, so we're extending a hand. His sister Veronica (former Anchor and Internet Correspondent for CNN) has started a campaign to save his life.

Eric's situation shines a bright light on a broken health care system, and his particular set of problems are being addressed on the political front, aiming for reform in addition to the need for immediate financial help to keep him alive TODAY. I think we can help with the latter.

Here's what we're offering - three options:

If you have a ticket to a NIN/JA show: if you donate $1,000 to this cause, we'll invite you to come hang out with us before the NIN/JA show of your choice. You and a guest can watch soundcheck, eat dinner backstage with us, take pics / get autographs and watch the show from the side of the stage if you'd like.

If you donate $300, you and a friend can join us for soundcheck and a handshaking / hug session before doors open at the NIN/JA show of your choice.

If you do NOT have a ticket to a NIN/JA show: if you donate $1,200 to this cause, we'll invite you to come hang out with us before the NIN/JA show of your choice and provide 2 tickets (best available). You and a guest can watch soundcheck, eat dinner backstage with us, take pics / get autographs and watch the show from the side of the stage if you'd like.

100% of the money collected from this will go directly to Eric's fund.

I hope you'll consider helping out with this.


Sincerely, Trent Reznor

For more information:
http://weloveeric.com/
http://www.veronicadelacruzonline.com/

In less urgent news, Trent Reznor was awarded a webby award for "Artist of the Year."

Dolores O'Riordan (Cranberries) To Release Second Solo Album

Dolores O'Riordan will release her second solo album, No Baggage on August 25 via Rounder Records. She has described No Baggage as a "very personal album." She told Billboard Magazine "I wanted to address everything and not hide anything. I think for a long time, I closed up and became introverted. As human beings, we're always looking forward and always looking back. It's hard to live in the present." Commenting further, she addressed her early popularity, "I got to say, it was the darkest and weakest part of my life, emotionally," she said. "I got so big so quickly, I lost sense of reality. I lost my friends and I didn't really have a normal life. All my friends went to college when I was 18 and I went and got famous overnight. So, I was a bit of a train wreck, to say the least." The album's first single "The Journey" will hit radio stations in July.

Actress From Upcoming Gainsbourg Biopic Found Dead

According to Eonline, British actress Lucy Gordon who plays actress Jane Birkin in the upcoming film Serge Gainsbourg (A Heroic Life), was found dead of an apparent suicide in her Paris apartment Wednesday. According to French police, she hanged herself in the apartment while her boyfriend was sleeping. Her film credits include Spider-man 3, China in episode one of one of my favorite shows Stella, The Four Feathers, Perfume, and Serendipity. Her other upcoming film Cineman is in post production.

Green Day Are Not At Wal-Mart

Of course not, they're on tour. But their new cd 21st Century Breakdown will not be offered for sale at the mega store. It seems the band was asked to alter any offending content so it would be sanitized for sale at the chain, (which has become a leading seller of music in the United States). The bands label, to my surprise, has agreed to accept Green Day's decision and not alter the cd's content for Wal Mart. According to AP, singer Billie Joe Armstrong commented "They want artists to censor their records in order to be carried in there," he said. "We just said no. We've never done it before. You feel like you're in 1953 or something."


Green Day are scheduled to appear live in Central Park tomorrow for ABC's Good Morning America. Head to the band's website to find out how you can attend. You can also meet the band at Hot Topic's Hollywood and Highland store, June 2 at 7pm. For more information: 323.462.2590.

Again the band's tour dates:

05-22 New York, NY Good Morning America Performance
Rumsey Playfield - 69th St / 5th Ave
06-04 Hollywood, CA The Music Box at the Fonda
7:30 PM
07-03 Seattle, WA Key Arena
Tickets available May 16th
Support: The Bravery
07-04 Vancouver, BC GM Place
Tickets now available
Support: The Bravery
07-06 Edmonton, AB Rexall Place
Tickets now available
Support: The Bravery
07-07 Saskatoon, SAS Credit Union Centre
Tickets now available
Support: The Bravery
07-09 Winnipeg, MAN MTS Centre
Tickets now available
Support: The Bravery
07-10 Fargo, ND Fargo Dome
Tickets now available
Support: The Bravery
07-11 Minneapolis, MN Target Center
Tickets available May 16th
Support: The Bravery
07-13 Chicago, IL United Center
Tickets available May 16th
Support: The Bravery
07-14 Detroit, MI Palace Of Auburn Hills
Tickets available May 16th
Support: The Bravery
07-16 Hamilton, ONT Copps Coliseum
Tickets now available
Support: The Bravery
07-17 Ottawa, ONT Scotiabank
Tickets now available
Support: The Bravery
07-18 Montreal, QUE Bell Centre
Tickets now available
Support: The Bravery
07-20 Boston, MA TD Bank
Tickets available May 16th
Support: The Bravery
07-21 Philadelphia, PA Wachovia Spectrum
Tickets now available
Support: The Bravery
07-22 Pittsburgh, PA Mellon Arena
Tickets available May 16th
07-24 Hartford, CT XL Center
Tickets available May 16th
Support: The Bravery
07-25 Albany, NY Times Union Center
Tickets now available
Support: The Bravery
07-27 New York, NY Madison Square Garden
Tickets now available
Support: Kaiser Chiefs
07-28 New York, NY Madison Square Garden
Tickets now available
07-29 Washington, DC Verizon Center
Tickets now available
Support: Kaiser Chiefs
07-31 Nashville, TN Somet Center
Tickets available May 16th
Support: Kaiser Chiefs
08-01 Atlanta, GA Gwinnet
Tickets available May 16th
Support: Kaiser Chiefs
08-03 Tampa, FL St. Pete Times Forum
Tickets now available
Support: Kaiser Chiefs
08-04 Miami, FL American Airlines Arena
Tickets now available
Support: Kaiser Chiefs
08-05 Orlando, FL Amway Arena
Tickets available May 16th
Support: Kaiser Chiefs
08-07 New Orleans, LA New Orleans Arena
Tickets now available
Support: Kaiser Chiefs
08-08 Houston, TX Toyota Center
Tickets available May 16th
Support: Franz Ferdinand
08-09 San Antonio, TX AT & T Center
Tickets available May 16th
Support: Franz Ferdinand
08-11 St. Louis, MO Scottrade Center
Tickets now available
Support: Franz Ferdinand
08-12 Kansas City, MO Sprint Center
Tickets now available
Support: Franz Ferdinand
08-13 Omaha, NE Quest Center
Tickets available May 16th
Support: Franz Ferdinand
08-15 Denver, CO Pepsi Center
Tickets now available
Support: Franz Ferdinand
08-16 Salt Lake City, UT ESA (Energy Sol Arena)
Tickets now available
Support: Franz Ferdinand
08-18 San Jose, CA HP Pavilion
Tickets available May 16th
Support: Franz Ferdinand
08-20 San Diego, CA Cox Arena
Tickets available May 16th
Support: Franz Ferdinand
08-21 Las Vegas, NV Mandalay Bay
Tickets now available
Support: Franz Ferdinand
08-22 Phoenix, AZ US Air Arena
Tickets now available
Support: Franz Ferdinand
08-24 Sacramento, CA Arco Arena
Tickets available May 16th
Support: Franz Ferdinand
08-25 Los Angeles, CA Forum
Tickets available June 6th
Support: Franz Ferdinand
09-28 Lisbon, Portugal Atlantico Pavilion
Tickets now available
09-29 Madrid, Spain Palacio de Deportes de la Comunidad
Tickets now available
10-01 Barcelona, Spain Palau Sant Jordi
Tickets now available
10-02 Toulouse, France Zenith
10-04 Paris, France Bercy
10-05 Cologne, Germany Cologne Arena
10-07 Berlin, Germany World Arena
10-08 Hamburg, Germany Color Line Arena
10-09 Copenhagen, Denmark Forum
10-11 Stockholm, Sweden The Globe
10-12 Oslo, Norway Spectrum
10-16 Rotterdam, Netherlands Ahoy
10-17 Antwerp, Belgium Sportpalais
10-19 Glasgow, Scotland SECC
10-20 Belfast, Northern Ireland Odyssey Arena
10-21 Dublin, Ireland The 02
10-23 London, England The 02
10-24 London, England The 02
10-26 Sheffield, England Sheffield Arena
10-27 Birmingham, England LG Arena
10-28 Birmingham, England LG Arena
10-30 Manchester, England MEN Arena
10-31 Manchester, England MEN Arena
11-01 London, England Wembley Arena
11-03 Munich, Germany Olympiahalle
11-06 Vienna, Austria Stadthalle
11-08 Zurich, Switzerland Hallenstadion
11-10 Milan, Italy Datchforum
11-11 Bologna, Italy Futur Show
11-12 Turin, Italy Palaolimpico

N.Y.C.'s Siren Music Fest Line-up Announced

It's up to you New York...

Built To Spill
Spank Rock
The Raveonettes
Frightened Rabbit
Grand Duchy
Monotonix
Furture Of The Left
Japandroids
Micachu And The Shapes
Bear Hands

Hot Tub Time Machine

I can finally announce that the currently in production time travel treat,Hot Tub Time Machine has a release date: February 26, 2010

The comedy based on the idea of a group of men, drunk in a hot tub, traveling back in time, (I hate it when that happens), gained three more cast members this week according to IMDB. The major players thus far are John Cusack, and Crispin Glover. Also in the foamy fray are Charlie McDermott, and Rob Corddry. There is a character (played by Jamie Switch), named cell phone Chuck. You know we're talking quirky.

Tim Burton: 9 To Be Released 9/9/09

I've been waiting a long time for something solid to post for the film 9 , which is based upon an animated short by Shane Acker. I've been asleep on the job, because I finally looked for the trailer to find a short clip was already on youtube. HEre is a longer version released three days ago - enjoy.

9 -d. Tim Burton, official trailer HD from Volker Ragnarok on Vimeo.



Directed by Shane Acker
Produced by Tim Burton, Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted), and Jim Lemley (Wanted, Tristan and Isolde)
Voice work by: John C. Reilly, Elijah Wood,
Crispin Glover, Jennifer Connelly Christopher Plummer, Martin Landau
Music by: Danny Elfman

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

D.J. Mogwai

Barry Burns (Mogwai) visited Viva-Radio’s Brooklyn studio and recorded an interview and DJ set. The show will air next week on Viva-Radio.

Remember USA Nightflight?

They would have played the new Deerhoof video, "This Is God Speaking."

Directed by akiko carver (of old 5rc band semiautomatic)

Black Moth Super (Hairy) Rainbow

Have I mentioned lately how much I love Black Moth Super Rainbow? And how I love their upcoming cd? The last album was amazing, and this new one Eating Us, (available May 26), does not fail to disappoint. If this is the only electronic band you buy this year - or ever - buy this record.

Download/listen to Black Moth Super Rainbow's "Born On A Day The Sun Didn't Rise" here: http://www.graveface.com/born_on_a_day_the_sun_didn't_rise.mp3.

Black Moth Super Rainbow Listening Parties:

San Jose, CA - KSCU Presents @ On the Corner - May 24 @ 3 PM
Santa Cruz, CA - KZSC Presents @ Metamusic Records - May 24, 4 PM
Chicago, IL - WHPK Presents @ Hallowed Grounds Coffee w/ The Butts, Patchwork, WHPK DJs - May 25, 8 PM
Raleigh, NC - WKNC Presents @ TBA - May 25
Los Angeles, CA - KXLU Presents @ Origami Vinyl - May 25, 6 PM
Miami, FL - WRGP Presents @ Sweat Records - May 26, 9 PM
Philadelphia, PA - WKDU Presents @ Marvelous Music - May 26, 7 PM
Eugene, OR - KWVA Presents @ Vet's Club prior to King Khan & the Shrines show - May 26, 6:30 PM
San Francisco, CA - Terrorbird Media & Aquarius Records Presents @ The Knockout w/ Tempo No Tempo + more May 26, 6-9 PM

Black Moth Super Rainbow's "Dark Bubbles" video: http://www.darkbubbles.com

Tour Dates:
Wed. May 20 Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge w/ School of Seven Bells, Follows
Thu. May 21 Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon w/ School of Seven Bells
Fri. May 22 Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock Social Club w/ School of Seven Bells
Mon. May 25 Quincy, WA @ Sasquatch Festival
Tue. May 26 Portland, OR @ Holocene w/ School of Seven Bells
Thu. May 28 San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill w/ School of Seven Bells
Fri. May 29 Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour w/ School of Seven Bells
Sat. May 30 Costa Mesa, CA @ Detroit Bar w/ School of Seven Bells
Sun. May 31 Phoenix, AZ @ Rhythm Room w/ School of Seven Bells
Tue. June 2 Austin, TX @ The Mohawk w/ School of Seven Bells
Wed. June 3 Denton, TX @ Hailey's w/ School of Seven Bells
Thu. June 4 Little Rock, AR @ Sticky Fingerz w/ School of Seven Bells
Fri. June 5 Nashville, TN @ Exit/In w/ School of Seven Bells
Sat. June 6 Columbus, OH @ Skully's w/ School of Seven Bells
Fri. June 19 Knoxville, TN @ Pilot Light
Sat. June 20 Birmingham, AL @ City Stages Music & Arts
Sun. June 21 Newport, KY @ Southgate House
Sat. June 27 Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
Tue. June 30 Detroit, MI @ Magic Stick
Fri. July 24 New York, NY @ South Street Seaport - Seaport Music Festival, Pier 17
Sat. July 25 Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brendas w/ Dan Friel
Sun. July 26 Washington, DC @ Rock and Roll Hotel w/ Dan Friel
Mon. July 27 Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar w/ Dan Friel

More deserved hype?
the band has created 1600 hairy Eating Us CDs which will be sold in ten different retail stores across the country, as well through Graveface Records' website (http://graveface.com/) and other online outlets. (Retail stores include all three Reckless Records in Chicago, IL Underground Sounds in Louisville, KY, Good Records in Dallas, TX, Landlocked Music in Bloomington, IN, Grimey's New + Preloved Music in Nashville, TN, Park Ave CDs in Orlando, FL, Sonic Boom Records - Capitol Hill in Seattle, WA and Aquarius Records in San Francisco, CA.) Black Moth Super Rainbow has also created insanely awesome and completely unique in-store stands, some of which are up to 4 feet in height, to display these limited-edition hairy CDs. No two stands are the same. Jpegs of the hairy CD and three of the in-store displays are below.

Each copy of the limited-edition hairy version of Black Moth Super Rainbow's Eating Us, comes with a download card which immediately triggers an mp3 download of the "Born on a Day" demo and entry into the hairy CD contest. There will be three contest winners picked sometime in late June!

1st Prize: A hairy stand for the winner’s house plus a BMSR test pressing
2nd Prize: The available back catalog from Graveface Records
3rd Prize: A signed copy of Eating Us

Black Moth Super Rainbow Eating Us - limited edition hairy CD:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/graveface/3507151995/

Blur To Issue Seconnd Compilation

Midlife: A Beginners Guide To Blur, replacing the one cd Best Of Blur, will be released in the U.K on June 15. The two disk set features the following tracks:

CD1
'Beetlebum'
'Girls & Boys'
'For Tomorrow'
'Coffee & TV'
'Out Of Time'
'Blue Jeans'
'Song 2'
'Bugman'
'He Thought Of Cars'
'Death Of A Party'
'The Universal'
'Sing'
'This Is A Low'

CD2
'Tender'
'She's So High'
'Chemical World'
'Good Song'
'Parklife'
'Advert'
'Popscene'
'Stereotypes'
'Trimm Trabb'
'Badhead'
'Strange News From Another Star'
Battery In Your Leg'

How's Your Health?

Health will release their sophomore effort Get Color, September 8 on Lovepump United. (Lick my love pump anyone)?

Track Listing
1. IN HEAT
2. DIE SLOW
3. NICE GIRLS
4. DEATH+
5. BEFORE TIGERS
6. SEVERIN
7. EAT FLESH
8. WE ARE WATER
9. IN VIOLET

Trivia:
Health have played over 400 shows and have opened for Crystal Castles, Nine Inch Nails, and Of Montreal.

Three New Jack White Produced 45s

In Third Man Records News, they have announced that "every Third Man 45 will have a limited run of 100 Three-Colored vinyl. These will come with a jukebox label and are only available in our Nashville shop at 623 7th Avenue South."

Jack White, via Third Man Records, has produced three (shocker) new 7" singles to be released May 25.

The Dead Weather - “Treat Me Like Your Mother” b/w “You Just Can’t Win”
The second single from The Dead Weather with a Them cover on the B-side. Vocals feature both Mossheat and White, and the b-side ("You JUst Can't Win) is a cover of a tune by Them.

Mildred and the Mice - “I Like My Mice (Dead)” b/w “Spider Bite”
The first in our blue series of 45s and the debut single from this mysterious goth milquetoast from Mammoth Cave, Kentucky.


The mysterious goth milquetoast “Mildred” appeared before Jack White at a hardware store in Kentucky. She had no demo to give, nor guitar with her, so instead she sang her song “I Like My Mice (Dead)” at the top of her lungs in front of several hardware store customers before quickly walking out of the store in shy earnest. Mr. White immediately followed her to the sidewalk and signed her to a Third Man single contract. She hails from the Mammoth Cave area, but hasn’t given the staff an age, or current address! (don’t worry we’ll be holding her royalty checks here for her) In fact her mother dropped her off at Third Man studio for the single session and waited patiently in a Winnebago outside the studio until Mildred was done recording. Mildred showed up with a very cool Gretsch Princess guitar but called it a “gitch”. Her band The Mice were even less forth coming than she was, asking only for a copy of the record when it was done. Luckily we were able to snap a few shots of them at the Third Man headquarters before they headed back to Kentucky. The two songs available now are nothing short of remarkable, and were recorded live to 8 track in one take. Jack White has given this recording the special Third Man catalog number of #003 stating; “this is exactly the kind of record we want to put out.”

Interesting... Karen maybe?


Rachelle Garniez - “My House of Peace” one sided single
Second in the blue series from New York’s Rachelle Garniez. A haunting and poetic singer with an incredible vocal dynamic range and fingers that are at home both on the accordion and the piano.

Online: A special price if you buy all three singles at once, pre-orders begin now and these will ship on May 25th.

Go to the STORE page at thirdmanrecords.com to get yours. Limited time only.

The Dead Weather's album HOrehound will be available July 14th

Another Band Makes Punctuation Harder - the fun.

the fun. have signed to Nettwerk, and will release their debut album Aim and Ignite August 25.



Aim and Ignitee:

1. Be Calm
2. Benson Hedges
3. All The Pretty Girls
4. I Wanna Be The One
5. At Least I'm Not As Sad (As I Used To Be)
6. Light A Roman Candle With Me
7. Walking The Dog
8. Barlights
9. The Gambler
10. Take Your Time (Coming Home)

TOUR DATES:

May 19th Bottom of the Hill San Francisco, CA (sold out)
May 21st Troubadour West Hollywood, CA (sold out)
May 22nd Voodoo Stage @ HOB San Diego, CA (sold out)
May 23rd Club Congress Tucson, AZ
May 24th Clubhouse Tempe, AZ
May 26th Emo's Austin, TX (moved to bigger venue)
May 27th The Loft Dallas, TX
May 28th Walter's on Washington Houston,TX
May 29th Spanish Moon Baton Rouge, LA
May 30th Proud Larry's Oxford, MS
May 31st The Bottletree Birmingham, AL
June 2nd State Theatre St. Petersburg, FL
June 3rd The Social Orlando, FL
June 4th The Social Orlando, FL


Trivia: The song "Barlights" was arranged by Roger Joseph Manning Jr. (Solo, Air, Moog Cookbook, Jellyfish).

Yo La Tengo Go "Almost Acoustic" Again

Much like in their Dylanesque free wheeling days...


Sunday, May 31- Ferrera, Italy - Sala Estense- Doors are at 8:00 pm. Tickets are €20, and are available here.
Thursday, June 4 -Paris, France- L’Alhambra - Tickets are €25, and are available here.
Sunday, June 7 -Hamburg, Germany - Imperial Theater - Doors are at 8:00 pm. Tickets are €16/21, and areavailable here.
Monday, June 8 - Berlin, Germany- Babylon - Doors are at 7:00 pm. Tickets are €16/21, and are available here.
Thursday, June 11 - Amsterdam, Holland - Bimhuis - Tickets are €16, and are available here.
Friday, June 12- Brussels, Belgium - Botanic, Orangerie - Tickets are available here.
Monday, June 15 - London, England - Southbank Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hall Part of the Ornette Coleman’s Meltdown line-up.

Additional non acoustic dates;

Thursday, May 28 - Primavera Sound Festival, Barcelona, Spain
Monday, July 13 - Keyspan Park, Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY (Wilco Support Act) (tickets)
Friday, July 17 - Pitchfork Music Festival, Union Park, Chicago, IL (with Built To Spill, Tortoise)

Sonic Youth Opening Acts Announced

Sat-Jun-27 Chicago, IL Vic Theatre w/ The Entrance Band
Sun-Jun-28 Chicago, IL Vic Theatre w/ White/Light
Mon-Jun-29 Royal Oak, MI Royal Oak Music Theatre w/ The Entrance Band
Tue-Jun-30 Toronto, ONT Massey Hall w/ The Entrance Band

Thu-Jul-02 Philadelphia, PA Electric Factory w/ The Entrance Band
Fri-Jul-03 New York, NY United Palace w/ The Entrance Band

Mon-Jul-06 Washington, DC 9:30 Club w/ Endless Boogie
Tue-Jul-07 Washington, DC 9:30 Club w/ The Entrance Band
Wed-Jul-08 Richmond, VA The National w/ The Entrance Band

Fri-Jul-10 Knoxville, TN Bijou Theatre w/ The Entrance Band
Sat-Jul-11 Nashville, TN War Memorial w/ The Entrance Band
Sun-Jul-12 Birmingham, AL Sloss Furnace w/ The Entrance Band
Mon-Jul-13 Atlanta, GA Variety Playhouse w/ The Entrance Band

Wed-Jul-15 Dallas, TX House of Blues w/ Awesome Color
Thu-Jul-16 Tulsa, OK Cain’s Ballroom w/ Awesome Color
Fri-Jul-17 St. Louis, MO Live on the Levee w/ Awesome Color
Sat-Jul-18 Kansas City, MO Uptown Theatre w/ Awesome Color

Mon-Jul-20 Milwaukee, WI Turner Hall w/ Awesome Color
Tue-Jul-21 Minneapolis, MN First Avenue w/ Awesome Color

Thu-Jul-23 Boise, ID Knitting Factory - Boise w/ Awesome Color
Fri-Jul-24 Spokane, WA Knitting Factory - Spokane w/ Awesome Color

New Raconteurs Faux Infomercial / Fake

It's very Cincotron (Tim and Eric Awesome Show. Great Job.) I love The Raconteurs.




New Carina Round Video "Backseat"

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Indie Gods The Sea and Cake Schedule Shows

Jun 22 Chicago, IL Millennium Park
Jun 26 Ann Arbor, MI The Blind Pig
Jun 27 Toronto, ON Toronto Jazz Festival
Jun 30 Winnipeg, MB Pyramid Cabaret
Jul 1 Vancouver, BC Biltmore Cabaret

Taking One For the Team...

One For the Team recently released their EP Build A Garden , and the band is currently on tour.


May 19 - Denver, CO - Hi Dive
May 20 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Sho
May 21 - Davis, CA - University of California - Davis
May 22 - San Francisco, CA - The Retox
May 23 - Upland, CA - The Wire
May 24 - Anaheim, CA - Chain Reaction
May 25 - Phoenix, AZ - The Phix
May 26 - Albuquerque, NM - The Telos
May 27 - Colorado Springs, CO - The Loft
May 28 - Lincoln, NE - Box Awesome
May 29 - Des Moines, IA - Vaudeville Mews

Iron Age Signed To Tee Pee Records

Having signed to Tee Pee Records, Austin, Texas punk band Iron Age will release their album The Sleeping Eye on August 4th.


The Sleeping Eye Tracklisting:
1. The Sleeping Eye
2. Dispossessed
3. Burden Of Empire
4. Materia Prima
5. A Younger Earth
6. Arcana Pt. I
7. Arcana Pt. II
8. The Way Is Narrow

Tour Dates:
May 24th: Red 7 - Austin, TX**
June 6th: Cake Shop - New York, NY (Early Show)*
June 6th: Death By Audio*
June 7th: The Barbary - Philadelphia, PA*
June 8th: TBA - Providence, RI*
July 31st - El Rodeo Community Center - Oxnard, CA (Sound and Fury Fest)

* w/ Sex Vid and Mind Eraser
** w/ Annihilation Time, Cro Mags, Amebix and more

Wayne Coyne and His Big Ass Fan and More

(Signed by Robert of Apples In Stereo), Big Fresh has a song called “Losing Friends To War” Here it is: http://www.fanaticpromotion.com/projects/bigfresh/mp3/bigfresh-losingfriendstowar.mp3



* Secondly, band leader John Ferguson grew up appearing on R. Stevie Moore’s recordings. (That tidbit is mostly for you if you are David Fricke). But, here ya go: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._Stevie_Moore



* Lastly in more Flaming Lips / Wayne Coyne related news, the musical backing to this Wayne Coyne’s Big Ass Fan clip is the song “Vortex Punch” by Big Fresh and it’s unavailable anywhere but at this link: http://www.fanaticpromotion.com/projects/bigfresh/mp3/bigfresh-vortexpunch.mp3

Ex Murder Junkie / Ex Hobo J.B. Beverly Revives Real Deal Country

“He is the real deal, an unstoppable, musical, virtuous force.” – John Carter Cash


J.B. Beverley & the Wayward Drifters to Release Watch America Roll By on Helltrain Records. His country music is influenced by Jimmie Rodgers, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, and Merle Haggard.

LISTEN TO J.B. BEVERLEY AND THE WAYWARD DRIFTERS HERE: http://www.myspace.com/jbbeverleyampthewaywarddrifters




Taken directly from the publicity release:
A “retired” hobo, Beverley takes his experiences from the road, the trains, and everyday American people he encounters, and them into some of the most heartfelt, real-deal country music to see the light of day in a long time. With driving acoustic rhythm guitar, slamming upright bass slapping, amazing banjo rolls, and other blistering accompaniment, Beverley and his “high lonesome” voice have earned a solid reputation for their live shows. The Drifters have toured extensively with Hank Williams III and often share the stage with compatriots like Wayne “The Train” Hancock, Dale Watson, Lee Rocker and Bill Kirchen. They’ve also has made fans out of the likes of John Carter Cash, Slim Jim Phantom of the Stray Cats, Bruce Springsteen, and Piedmont Blues great Warner Williams.

J.B. Beverley was born in Virginia in 1977. Reared in a musical household, Beverley grew up on early country, bluegrass, rockabilly, big bands and various forms of old time blues. By his teens he was bitten by the punk bug and began spending long nights at DC’s 9:30 Club and other haunts. Learning drums and guitar, J.B. formed his first band, The Bad Habits in 1993. An old-school punk band rooted in influences like The Misfits, FEAR, Black Flag and Motörhead, the band made a name in the DC area but disbanded in 1996. With the Bad Habits gone, Beverley drifted. Working odd jobs and traveling by bus and freight train, J.B. began writing old time country blues songs and busking on street corners to get by. In 1998, he began commuting between the Washington DC area and New York City when he became the front man for The Murder Junkies, former band of the late GG Allin.



In 1999, J.B. spent several months in Florida compiling his country blues songs, and re-learning some old standards. He emerged back in the DC area later that year with his honky-tonk outfit J.B. Beverley and The Wayward Drifters, and subsequently began touring locally and regionally with the band. Beverley insists that as long as he can, he will tour this land with a passion. He is intent on reaching that core of the American people who miss culture and reality in their music. With him and his band there are no gimmicks, no “outfits”, and no boot-scootin’ pop country. With J.B. Beverley & The Wayward Drifters, all there is in the end, is “three chords and the truth!”

June 3 New York, NY TBA

June 4 Pittsburgh, PA 31st Street Pub

June 5 Cambria, WI Deer Creek Campground

June 6 Black River Falls, WI Campout Roots Festival

June 9 Minneapolis, MN Lee’s Liquor Lounge

June 10 Fargo, ND Nestor Tavern

June 12 Bozeman, MT Filling Station

June 13 Victor, ID The Knotty Pine

June 14 West Yellowstone, MT Stage Coach Inn

June 16 Salt Lake City, UT Club Vegas

June 18 Sioux City, NE Huddle Lounge

June 19 Lincoln, NE Knickerbockers

June 20 Saybrook, IL Shady Nook Pub

June 21 Urbana, IL The Historic Rose Bowl Tavern

June 22 Dow, IL Do Drop Inn

June 23 Milwaukee, WI Club Gerabaldi

June 26 Cleveland, OH Town Fryer - at the Agora

July 3 Frederick, MD Old Towne Tavern

July 4 Washington DC Washington Mall - 40th Annual Smoke In

Suckers Live



Suckers Tour Dates:
Tue. June 2 Brooklyn, NY @ Bell House w/ Rock Plaza Central
Wed. June 3 Washington, DC @ Black Cat w/ Rock Plaza Central
Thu. June 4 Philadelphia, PA @ M Room w/ Rock Plaza Central
Wed. June 10 Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle
Thu. June 11 Chicago, IL @ Beat Kitchen
Fri. June 12 Pontiac, MI @ Pike Room w/ Rock Plaza Central, Manna and Quail
Sat. June 13 Toronto, ON @ Lee's Palace w/ Rock Plaza Central
Wed. July 1 Brooklyn, NY @ Prospect Park w/ MGMT
Thu. July 9 New York, NY @ Piano's
Thu. July 16 New York, NY @ Piano's
Thu. July 23 New York, NY @ Piano's
Thu. July 30 New York, NY @ Piano's
Fri. Oct. 2 - Sun. Oct. 4 Austin, TX @ Austin City Limits - Zilker Park

Artists Pay Tribute To Cult Music Favorite, The Late Judee Sill

Crayon Angel: A Tribute To the Music of Judee Sill

September 22, American Dust will release CRAYON ANGEL: A TRIBUTE TO THE MUSIC OF JUDEE SILL, which features Beth Orton, Bill Callahan, Ron Sexsmith, Final Fantasy, Nicolai Dunger, Marisa Nadler & Black Hole Infinity, Colossal Yes (with members of Six Organs of Admittance and Comets on Fire), Meg Baird, Frida Hyvönen, and Daniel Rossen of Grizzly Bear and Department of Eagles.

Judee Sill has the distinction of being the first artist signed to David Geffen's Asylum Records. She released two albums, 1971's Judee Sill and 1973's Heart Food, before exiting the music industry and later dying of a drug overdose in North Hollywood, California in 1979. Her albums were reissued on in 2005, and have garnered a cult following.





Crayon Angel: A Tribute to the Music of Judee Sill
(American Dust)
Street date: Sept. 22, 2009
01 Ron Sexsmith: "Crayon Angel"
02 Beth Orton: "Reach for the Sky"
03 Daniel Rossen: "Waterfall"
04 Frida Hyvönen: "Jesus Was a Cross Maker"
05 Shalants: "Lopin Along Thru the Cosmos"
06 Final Fantasy: "The Donor"
07 Nicolai Dunger: "Soldier of the Heart"
08 Trembling Blue Stars: "Lady-O"
09 Colossal Yes: "The Phoenix"
10 Marissa Nadler & Black Hole Infinity: "The Kiss"
11 Princeton: "Down Where the Valleys Are Low"
12 The Bye Bye Blackbirds: "There's a Rugged Road"
13 Meg Baird: "When the Bridegroom Comes"
14 Bill Callahan: "For a Rainbow"
15 P.G. Six: "Til Dreams Come True"


Trivia:

In addition to cover versions of Sill's published songs, Crayon Angel also features two unearthed - never before released Sill tracks.

Bill Callahan recorded "Like a Rainbow," which was co-written with Sill's onetime boyfriend Lal Baum (great-grandson of Wizard of Oz author L. Frank Baum.

RELATED LINKS:
American Dust - http://www.americandust.net

More on Judee Sill - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judee_Sill

Monday, May 18, 2009

British Sea Power Man Of Aran DVD/CD

British Sea Power Man Of Aran DVD/CD will be out June 9th on Rough Trade. The film won the Grand Prix at the 1935 Venice Film Festival and the eminent film critic Pauline Kael described it as, "The greatest film tribute to man's struggle against a hostile nature." "It's a wonderful film," says BSP guitarist Noble. "The images vary between huge drama and a brilliant kind of ridiculousness - check out the amazing foot-wide bobbled berets that the fishermen wear. It's a great look, like a 1930s Irish version of Jack White or Kraftwerk. It's a film that's also relevant to the current era - a time when the idea of living a simpler life is in the air. The film shows something I'd like to think I could do, but know I never will."




Download the song "Come Wander With Me" here: http://britishseapower.co.uk/audio/comewanderwithme.mp3

The Antlers Sign To Frenchkiss Records And Book Tour

The bands remastered debut Hospice will be released August 18th, and a tour with Au Revoir Simone & Cotton Jones has been scheduled.

NPR's All Songs Considered : "One of the most beautiful and moving works I've heard in a long, long time. Just astonishing."

“Hospice came from the idea of caring for a terminal patient who’s mentally abusive to you,” says Silberman. “You don’t have the right to argue with them, either, because they’re the one who’s dying here; they’re the one that’s been dealt a wrong hand. So you take it, but you can only take so much. Eventually, you realize that this person is just destroying you.”

We were going for something that’d be dense but not too complicated,” explains Silberman. “I hate the word ‘lush,’ but I guess that’s the best way of describing it. The structures are like pop songs—verse/chorus, verse/chorus—but the sound is a little more shoegaze-y or post-rocky.”

“Hospice was the clear indication that this isn’t a singer-songwriter thing at all,” says Silberman. “Whatever we record next is going to define the three of us as a ‘band.’

He continues, “I always figured I’d be the ‘shredder’ in a group… But things somehow ended up this way.”


- Peter Silberman (Founder of The Antlers)

US Summer Tour Dates

5/21 - Bowery Ballroom W/ White Rabbits & Cymbals Eat Guitars - New York NY
5/29 - Music Hall Of Williamsburg W/ Au Revoir Simone - Brooklyn NY
5/30 - Rock N Roll Hotel W/ Au Revoir Simone - Washington DC
5/31 - Southgate House W/ Au Revoir Simone - Cincinato OH
6/1 - The End W/ Au Revoir Simone - Nashville TN
6/2 Hi Tone W/ Au Revoir Simone - Memphis TN
6/3 - Allways Lounge - New Orleans LA
6/4 - The Cavern W/ Au Revoir Simone - Dallas TX
6/5 - Walter's On Washington W/ Au Revoir Simone - Houston TX
6/6 - Mohawk W/ Au Revoir Simone - Austin TX
6/9 - Plush W/ Au Revoir Simone - Tuscon AZ
6/11 - El Rey W/ Au Revoir Simone - Los Angeles CA
6/12 - Velvet Jones W/ Au Revoir Simone - Santa Barbara CA
6/13 - Bimbos W/ Au Revoir Simone - San Francisco CA
6/14 - Drunken Unicorn W/ Cotton Jones - Atlanta GA
6/16 - Local 506 W/ Cotton Jones - Chapel Hill NC
6/17 - Outback Lodge W/ Cotton Jones - Charlottesville VA
6/18 - Iota W/ Cotton Jones - Arlington VA
6/19 - M Room W/ Cotton Jones - Philadelphia PA
6/ 21 - Middle East W/ Cotton Jones - Boston MA


http://www.myspace.com/theantlers

http://www.antlersmusic.com

Your Load Is Ready At American Laundromat

word from the fine folks at ALR

*SING ME TO SLEEP - INDIE LULLABIES
We've begun pre-production on "Sing Me To Sleep" which will feature indie artists covering traditional and non-traditional lullabies for charity. We already have several outstanding artists confirmed and expect others from our wish-list to sign-on in the coming weeks. All proceeds from "Sing Me To Sleep" will be donated to "The Valerie Fund", a non-profit organization that provides support for the comprehensive health care of children with cancer and blood disorders. Watch their video here: http://www.thevaleriefund.org/fund.asp#video. twitter: http://twitter.com/indieforkids

*JULIE PEEL UPDATES
- Julie's single "Once More With Feeling" is now available exclusively from iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=312800395&s=143441
- Julie's playing two NYC area shows in June. Piano's in NYC (Wed/Jun3rd), and Bar4 in Brooklyn (Fri/Jun5th). Both are 9pm shows - we hope to see you there!
- John Campbell (Independents Uncovered) will be interviewing Julie and playing tracks from her debut album this Monday (May 18th). The show begins at 7:30pm EST. Visit http://www.wgmuradio.com/ and click on "listen live"

*OFFICIAL GEAR
Our American Laundromat t-shirts look and feel great. Get yours today at http://www.alr-music.com/shop.php

*ALR CATALOG REVISITED
One of our favorite projects to produce was "Cinnamon Girl - Women Artists Cover Neil Young For Charity." Over 20 amazing female artists covered their favorite Neil Young song for our double-CD including; Tanya Donelly, Kristin Hersh, Lori McKenna, Britta Phillips, The Watson Twins, Veruca Salt, and Jill Sobule. To-date we've donated over $30,000 to Casting for Recovery (CFR), national non-profit support and educational program for women who have or have had breast cancer. CFR provides an opportunity for women whose lives have been profoundly affected by the disease to gather in a beautiful, natural setting and learn fly-fishing, "a sport for life." The weekend retreats incorporate counseling, educational services and the sport of fly-fishing to promote mental and physical healing. Please consider purchasing this CD. It's an outstanding tribute and for a very worthy cause. Buy it here: http://www.alr-music.com/shop.php

Mungolian Jetset We Gave It All Away...Now We Are Taking It Back

“a lush, alien soundworld somewhere between the ethnodelic mystery of Brian Eno and David Bryne's My Life in the Bush of Ghosts, and the cheesy progtastic expansiveness of Orb's Adventures Beyond the Ultraworld. . . what makes Mungolian Jetset’s recorded work so exciting is precisely how it seems to snatch victory from the jaws of disaster, venturing dangerously into a no man’s land of overblown grandiosity, and coming back with treasures that in anyone else’s hands would be mere trash." -- Tim Finney, Idolater



Mungolian Jetset We Gave It All Away...Now We Are Taking It Back will be available August 18:

CD1 - We Gave It All Away...
01. Mungolian Jetset - Y Lenotokone Mungo
02. Mungolian Jetset - Creepy
03. Pizzy Yelliot vs. Mungolian Jetset - Could You Be Loved
04. Mungolian Jetset - Madre Epics Part 2
05. Mari Boine vs. Mungolian Jetset - It Ain't Necessarily Evil
06. Ronny and Renzo vs. Mungolian Jetset - Big Smack and Flies - Medievel Knievel Mix
07. Lindstrøm vs. Mungolian Jetset - A Blast of Loser - 9406 Version
08. Mungolian Jetset's 16th Rebels of Mung feat. Lindstrøm And Dominique Leone - Clairevoyage

CD 2 - Now We Are Taking It Back
01. Mungolian Jetset - Whatever Keeps Your Daisies n Glory
02. Athana vs. Mungolian Jetset - Ocean 0304 - Cruisin With The Henleys Mix
03. Eivind Aarseth vs. Mungolian Jetset - Murky Lambada - Mungs Lambada
04. Ost & Kjex vs. Mungolian Jetset - Milano Model - A Thrilling Mungophony in Two Parts
05. Nils Petter Molvær vs. Mungolian Jetset - Darker - Metro Mix
06. LSB vs. Mungolian Jetset - Original Highway Delight - Miami Camp Mix
07. The Shortwave Set vs. Mungolian Jetset Glitches n Bugs - Awaiian Spaces Version AM
08. They Came From The Stars vs. Mungolian Jetset - Moon Song (The Gospel According To Mung) - 2012 Live @ The Hacienda Version

Pomegranates: One Fierce Brow Wipin' Tamborine Player

During a Pomegranates performance at SXSX - they had an audience member jump up and join in on tambourine. He kicks the ass of that Brian Jonestown Massacre guy.



Free Download: Savoir Adore

New York, NY - May 18, 2009 - Cantora Records, the indie outfit who brought you debut records from artists like MGMT and Violens, today announces Savoir Adore's The Machines EP, available online for free. The record serves as a preview for their debut full-length In The Wooded Forest available on Cantora Records through Red/MRI on August 25, 2009. The Machines EP can be downloaded today at http://savoiradore.com/.

Spearheaded by Paul Hammer and Deirdre Muro, Savoir Adore is a New York-based five-piece who use narrative storytelling to create inspirational characters and adventures through their music. Their debut EP, The Adventures of Mr. Pumpernickel and the Girl With the Animals in Her Throat, released in 2008, introduced Savior Adore as a fantasy-pop collective painting songs with imagery and imagination while making fans out of the most cynical of critics.

"We are always trying to create a strange and magical world within our music", said Paul Hammer of Savoir Adore. Deirdre elaborates, "We think of this EP as both a sequel to The Adventures of Mr. Pumpernickel... as well as a segue to introduce the concepts and rhythm of our upcoming full-length, In The Wooded Forest ".

In conjunction with the release of The Machines EP, Savoir Adore have also created a video for "MERP" which will appear on their debut full-length. The video can be seen at http://www.99dollarmusicvideos.com/musicvideos/episode/99MV_20090514

The Machines EP Tracklisting
We Talk Like Machines*
Bodies
The Garden

*Will appear on In The Wooded Forest available on Cantora Records August 25, 2009

Flaming Lips Message

A Message From Kliph



Hello there, all you lovely Flaming Lips friends!

Our beloved cosmic brethren, STARDEATH AND WHITE DWARFS, have a new album coming out soon. Very soon, in fact. It's called "The Birth" and you can pick up the vinyl (which includes a free digital download card) starting this Tuesday, May 19. It will also be available on all digital download outlets that day. But, if you happen to be turntable-challenged and/or you don't have an iTunes account, the CD will be out on Tuesday, June 9. Yep, the vinyl is out first to give all you hipsters first crack at it. I know many of you have seen them on tour with us over the last several years and have wanted a Stardeath record to call your very own. Now (well, soon) is your chance. It's been a few years in the making, but they wanted to make sure they got it done right before unleashing it on an unsuspecting public. The Age Of The Freak is truly here, people.

Words can't even begin to express how much we all love this record. On our latest trip up to the studio, we listened to it 3 times from start to finish. It has 10 songs on it and they are all great. No filler here, folks. I mean, how can you go wrong with an album that has a song called "Smoking Pot Makes Me Not Want To Kill Myself"?

If you absolutely can't wait, you can check out a couple of their songs at stardeathandwhitedwarfs.com or at myspace.com/stardeath. But, trust me, you're gonna wanna get the whole album.

You can also check out their brand new video for "New Heat" right here. It was lovingly directed by Wayne and expertly edited by George Salisbury, the winning team behind such record-breaking blockbusters as "UFOs At The Zoo", "Christmas On Mars" and a video for "I Was Zapped By The Lucky Super Rainbow" that never got finished.

You can also see them on tour everywhere this year. Head Dwarf, Dennis Coyne, learned a thing or two about hard work from uncle Wayne and they will be touring relentlessly. Do yourself a favor and go see them when they come to your town.

So, once again, "The Birth" is the name of the brand spanking new debut album by Stardeath And White Dwarfs. Out soon on Warner Bros. Records and CDs. The aural equivalent to smoking too much pot and laying out in the sun too long. It hurts so good.

Have a wonderful day!

Your pal,
Kliph



flaminglips.com

Iron Maiden: Flight 666

Flight 666 - the aircraft of the beast.


Direct from the press release:

FLIGHT 666 documents the first leg of Maiden’s legendary SOMEWHERE BACK IN TIME WORLD TOUR which took them 50,000 miles round the planet playing 23 concerts on five continents in just 45 days. One of the stars of the movie is the band’s customized Boeing 757, Ed Force One, which carried the band, all their crew and 12 tons of stage equipment and was piloted by Maiden vocalist Bruce Dickinson, a fully qualified and active Airline Captain with Astraeus Airlines.

FLIGHT 666 will be released on extended Blu-ray and DVD formats, alongside a double-CD soundtrack album and limited edition double-vinyl picture disc which will be available Tuesday, June 9.

Filmed digitally in Hi Def to provide pristine picture quality, FLIGHT 666 was directed by Sam Dunn and Scot McFadyen with the award-winning Banger Productions team (“Metal; A Headbanger’s Story” and “Global Metal”) who take you right inside the Maiden family with almost total access to the band, something which Maiden have never allowed before. The stunning 5.1 soundtrack was specially mixed by Maiden producer Kevin Shirley to complement the picture quality as an ultimate attack on your senses.

As a very special bonus for the fans, Maiden have included a second disc of the entire set from the 2008 segment of this tour with the DVD (and long-play Blu-ray). Sixteen songs from sixteen different cities in eleven countries around the world, for the first time ever encompassing such varied places and cultures in one concert. (See full track listing below). We will also release a special souvenir Limited Edition Deluxe DVD with 26-page booklet, after which it will be available as a standard double DVD version. The soundtrack audio version of the live show will be available on a double CD, as a limited edition vinyl set with two picture discs, and a digital download especially for those fans who do not have DVD access or just want to enjoy the show as a great live album. All are lavishly packaged as an ultimate memento of a tour to remember!

Five Different Packages!...

Deluxe Double DVD: Disc One: FLIGHT 666: THE FILM (112 minutes)
Disc Two: FLIGHT 666: The Concert (104 minutes)*

Limited Edition with special packaging and 26-page booklet

Standard Double DVD: Disc One: FLIGHT 666: THE FILM (112 minutes)

Disc Two: FLIGHT 666: The Concert (104 minutes)*

Long-play Blu-ray with FLIGHT 666: THE FILM and FLIGHT 666: The Concert (215 minutes)*

FLIGHT 666: The Original Soundtrack album - Double CD (102 minutes)*

FLIGHT 666: The Original Soundtrack album - Limited Edition Double Vinyl Picture Disc

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Jeniferever - "Green Meadow Island"

“With a sound that gels ambient indie rock, shoegazer, and post-rock, lyrics about nostalgia, loss and hope and an undeniably epic quality, this quintet really is something special.” – Big Cheese (UK)

“Green Meadow Island”

Last Minute Additions To Pitchfork Festival Lineup

Friday - "Write the Night: Set Lists by Request"
Built to Spill
The Jesus Lizard
Yo La Tengo
Tortoise

Saturday
The National
Beirut
DOOM
Yeasayer
Final Fantasy *
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
Fucked Up
Plants and Animals
Cymbals Eat Guitars *
Matt and Kim
Lindstrøm
Wavves
Ponytail
Bowerbirds *
Charles Hamilton
The Duchess and The Duke
Disappears
Michael Columbia *

Sunday
The Flaming Lips
Grizzly Bear
M83
The Walkmen
The Thermals *
Pharoahe Monch
Blitzen Trapper
Frightened Rabbit
The Mae Shi
Black Lips
The Very Best
Mew
Vivian Girls
Japandroids
DJ/Rupture
Women
Killer Whales *
Dianogah

* Just added

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Flaming Dick Valentine and Will Bates Are Covered In Gas

Electric Six (who have a new album due in October), have been touring (and talking to Popshifter.com), to promote their most recent release Flashy. Lead singer and shenanigans producer Dick Valentine (a.k.a. Tyler Spencer), and Will Bates (Fall On Your Sword), have joined forces and homo-erotically crossed light sabers whipping up a little project called Evil Cowards. The debut release Covered In Gas, is set for release May 19 from Metropolis. Judging by the song titles it's a deadly serious affair.

Covered In Glass Song Titles:

Love Pigs
Sex Wars
Theme From Evil Cowards
500 Ways
Soldiers Of Satan
My Mind Is Rotting
Classon Ave. Robots
I'm Not Scared Of Flying Saucers
Horrible People
You Really Like Me
Please Don't Make Me Feel You Again
Zora And Nora
Chopping Up The Teacher

http://www.myspace.com/evilcowards

YACHT Pay Homage To A Cult Classic Film

YACHT are currently touring the U.K. with patrick Wolf, to promote their new album See Mystery Lights, available July 28 on DFA Records. Additionally, they've pressed a limited run of 1,000 7" singles titled "Don't Put Out," hitting stores June 16. The release, also available digitally, includes a dub version of "Waste of Time," and a remix by Hedford Vachal will be featured on a 12" single.


"Don't Put Out" (as you may know), is in reference to a quote from the pre-riot grrl, cult classic film Ladies And Gentlemen the Fabulous Stains. The film features Diane Lane, Laura Dern, Paul Simonon (The Clash), Steve Jones and Paul Cook of The Sex Pistols, and Fee Waybill (The Tubes). According to the band, the message inspired by the film, and conveyed on the single, is "Don't be an old man in a young girls' world." The songs "Waste Of Time" and "Professionals" were originally performed by all female faux band The Stains, from the 1981 Lou Adler film. Rrriot on!

Free Music From Green Label Sound: The Cool Kids

Unedited from the press release:

Stic.Man, one half of political hip-hop duo Dead Prez adds his hard-hitting style to a remix of Matt and Kim's Green Label Sound single "Daylight." Stic.Man is a perfect choice as a remixer given Matt and Kim's love for hip-hop and their long-standing tradition of covering of Dead Prez' "It's Bigger Than Hip Hop" during their live shows.

"Daylight" (Stic.Man RA-mix)
http://www.greenlabelsound.com/mattandkim/102/0

An additional "Daylight" remix is available for free download today from Lord Warddd, also known as Phil Ward from the Lo-Fidelity Allstars. Lord Warddd adds a bouncy, foot stomping energy to his very own version of "Daylight."

"Daylight" (Lord Warddd Remix)
http://www.greenlabelsound.com/mattandkim/101/0

"I was so excited when I heard Stic.Man from Dead Prez was going to do a remix for 'Daylight.' 'It's Bigger Than Hip Hop' is one of the only covers Kim and I have done, and we've played it at most of our shows for the past year. Having a connection come back to us makes it feel as though things have come... well maybe not full circle, but semi-circle for sure. Then, hearing the Lord Warddd Remix, and watching Kim shake her ass to it in the kitchen... it just seemed tooooo right," said Matt of Matt and Kim.

Exclusive remixes for The Cool Kids' "Delivery Man", Flosstradamus feat. Caroline Polachek's "Big Bills" and Kuroma's "In New York, Everything Is Tropical" have also been created for Green Label Sound and are available for free download at http://www.greenlablesound.com

Expect more exclusive tracks this year from Green Label Sound, and to stay up to date on everything new, visit http://www.greenlablesound.com

Tori Tour

See prior post for more information.

How Tori Amos Spends Her Summer Vacation:

07/10: Seattle, WA @ WaMu Theater
07/11: Portland, OR @ Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
07/13: Oakland, CA @ Paramount Theatre
07/14: Oakland, CA @ Paramount Theatre
07/16: San Diego, CA @ Humphrey’s
07/17: Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theatre
07/18: Phoenix, AZ @ Dodge Theatre
07/20: Salt Lake City, UT @ Abravenal Hall
07/21: Denver, CO @ Paramount Theatre
07/23: Kansas City, MO @ Starlight Theatre
07/24: Grand Prairie, TX @ Nokia Theatre
07/25: Austin, TX @ The Long Center for the Performing Arts
07/27: Atlanta, GA @ Chastain Park Amphitheatre
07/28: Orlando, FL @ Bob Carr Performing Arts Center
07/29: Miami Beach, FL @ The Fillmore Miami Beach @ The Jackie Gleason Theater
07/31: Durham, NC @ Durham Performing Arts Center
08/01: Washington, DC @ DAR Constitution Hall
08/03: Chicago, IL @ Chicago Theatre
08/04: Milwaukee, WI @ Riverside Theatre
08/05: Minneapolis, MN @ State Theatre
08/07: Indianapolis, IN @ Murat Theatre
08/08: Detroit, MI @ Detroit Opera House
08/10: Toronto, ON @ Massey Hall
08/11: Montreal, QC @ St. Denis Theatre,
08/13: New York, NY @ Radio City Music Hall,
08/15: Upper Darby, PA @ Tower Theatre
08/17: Boston, MA @ Bank of America Pavilion

Faux Hoax (Featuring A Member Of the Legendary Gang Of Four)

Much mystery surrounds the Portland based trio Faux Hoax, but then that just adds to the antici... pation, right? Faux Hoax (pronounced "Folks") consists of Danny Seim (Menomena), Dave Allen (Gang of Four), John Askew (Tracker), and features Joe Haege of 31Knots and Adam Gnade of Asthmatic Kitty. Your Friends Will Carry You Home , the debut 7" (mm smell the vinyl), will be available May 19 courtesy of the fine folks at Polyvinyl Record Co. There will be more material released, allegedly, but what and with whom remains to be seen. According to Seim, "The goal is to focus on a new project that involves all sorts of collaborators contributing to songs written by core Faux Hoax members."

Your Friends Will Carry You Home
1. Your Friends Will Carry You Home
2. Hippies Will Rule
3. Foxworthy*
4. Underwood*

*Digital Bonus Tracks


Damn you digital bonus tracks. ::shakes fist::

more information:
www.faux-hoax.com
www.myspace.com/fauxhoax

Wheels On Fire Finally Hit the U.S.

Wheels on Fire (described as Elvis Costello meets The Stooges,) are about to launch a Midwest/Southeast US Tour beginning May 22 in Athens, OH. The tour is in support of their latest release, Get Famous! (Fat Possum). Good luck boys.

Wheels On Fire dates:
May 22 Casa Cantina - Athens, OH
June 03 The Comet - Cincinnati, OH
June 06 Cobra Lounge - Chicago, IL
June 07 The 501 Club - Minneapolis, MN
June 08 Vaudeville Mews - Des Moines, IA
June 09 Replay Lounge - Lawrence, KS
June 10 Off Broadway - St. Louis, MO
June 11 Hi Tone - Memphis, TN
June 12 Two Stick - Oxford, MI
June 13 Rubber Gloves - Dallas, TX
June 14 Beerland - Austin, TX
June 18 Drunken Unicorn - Atlanta, GA
June 19 Springwater - Nashville, TN
June 20 The Milestone - Charlotte, NC
**more dates TBA**

This Week At Daytrotter

The new Daytrotter sessions available for you courtesy of the folks at the Daytrotter site are as follows:

Generationals (SXSW Session) at Daytrotter, 5/13/2009
Kevin Devine and the Goddamn Band at Daytrotter, 5/12/2009
Meat Puppets (SXSW Session) at Daytrotter, 5/11/2009
Leatherbag at Daytrotter, 5/10/2009
T Bird and the Breaks (SXSW Session) at Daytrotter, 5/9/2009
J. Tillman (SXSW Session) at Daytrotter, 5/8/2009
The Soft Pack (SXSW Session) at Daytrotter, 5/7/2009
Dawes at Daytrotter, 5/6/2009
Rodriguez at Daytrotter, 5/5/2009

David Lynch, Sparklehorse, and Danger Mouse

(Prior post April 8)

Dark Night of the Soul , the collaborative musical work by the always interesting David Lynch, the wonderful Sparklehorse, and Danger Mouse, which will be released in July, is now exclusively available for streaming on NPR's website.

Did the tracks rumored to be from The Flaming Lips, James Mercer (The Shins), Julian Casablancas (The Strokes), Iggy Pop, Suzanne Vega, Frank Black (a.k.a. Black Francis,) Vic Chesnutt, The Cardigans' Nina Persson and Jason Lytle (Grandaddy) make the grade?

Minus the Bear

Sources say that Seattle's Minus the Bear are currently in the studio with Grammy winning producer Joe Chicarelli (My Morning Jacket, The White Stripes), working on their as yet untitled fourth album. The band is self financing the album in order to maintain control in the climate of the swiftly changing music industry. They plan to release the finished work this fall on a label yet to be announced.

Minus the Bear recently released the EP Acoustics, which was sold online as well as on tour.

www.minusthebear.com
www.myspace.com/minusthebear
www.twitter.com/minusthebear
www.flickr.com/photos/minusthebear

Universal Pictures And Martin Scorcese Join Forces On Sinatra Biopic

Universal Pictures has acquired the feature film project Sinatra from Mandalay Pictures for Academy Award®
winner Martin Scorsese to direct.

Oscar® nominated screenwriter (Field of Dreams) Phil Alden Robinson is
writing the screenplay for Sinatra based on the life of the iconic
entertainer. Universal Pictures and Mandalay Pictures have been developing
the project, after securing the Frank Sinatra life rights and music rights
from Frank Sinatra Enterprises (FSE) - a joint venture of the Sinatra
Estate and Warner Music Group.

"We have dreamt of making a movie about Frank Sinatra, and Marty Scorsese
is undeniably the perfect vision keeper for this project," said Chairman of
Mandalay Entertainment Group, Peter Guber. President of Mandalay Pictures,
Cathy Schulman added "In addition to our excitement at having Marty in the
director's chair, we are thrilled to be in business with Universal, the
Sinatra estate, Warner Music Group and the talented Phil Alden Robinson on
this project about one of our greatest entertainers."

"It's an honor to be involved in this film which will celebrate the amazing
life and work of Frank Sinatra," said President of Production for Universal
Pictures, Donna Langley. "With Phil Alden Robinson writing the screenplay
and Martin Scorsese at the helm, we know that this first feature motion
picture adaptation of Sinatra's extraordinary life is in the best of
hands."

"My father had great admiration for the talent of the people he chose to
work with, and the talented people who worked with my father had great
admiration for him," said Tina Sinatra. "It is personally pleasing to me
that this paradigm continues with Marty Scorsese at the helm of the Sinatra
film."

Frank Sinatra was born in Hoboken, New Jersey in 1915. Over the course of
his career, he performed on more than 1,400 musical recordings, was awarded
31 gold records, received 10 Grammy Awards in addition to three special
honors bestowed upon him by the Recording Industry Association of America.
He appeared in 58 films winning three Oscars® and two Golden Globe awards,
in addition to a lifelong legacy of humanitarian work.

Guber and Schulman will produce the film for Mandalay Pictures with
Scorsese producing on behalf of Sikelia Productions. Former President of
Worldwide Music Distribution at Warner Bros. Pictures, Gary LeMel, Tina
Sinatra and Robinson will serve as Executive Producers.

www.universalstudios.com
www.mandalay.com

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Congratulations to Steve McDonald and Anna Waronker

Sources tell me that Anna Waronker (That Dog, Ze Malibu Kids, solo) gave birth on Saturday to a healthy baby boy, whose name is yet to be determined. ( hint - Alfie) This is the first child for Waronker and husband Steve McDonald (Redd Kross, SMG, Ze Malibu Kids, session musician). Congratulations to them, and three is the magic number, yes it is.

Plans are still afoot, and recording sessions taking place for a new Redd Kross album to follow up the success of the bands Neurotica Line Up Tour.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

New Album By Nebula

Nebula have returned to Tee Pee Records and will reissue Let It Burn later in the year. The bands new album Heavy Psych will be available July 7th.

"This is one of those records that makes you want to throw out every other record you've listened to, grow your hair to your elbows, and start all over again" - NME

"Nebula collapses a long lineage of heaviosity in its gravitational pull: Blue Cheer, the MC5, the Stooges, early Sabbath, mid-Seventies hard rock, sludge-era Black Flag, and mentors Mudhoney" - Revolver

Heavy Psych Tracklisting:
1. Pulse
2. The Dagger
3. Aphrodite
4. Dream Submarine
5. In The Depth's
6. The Other Side
7. Crown Of Thorns
8. Lead Sky
9. Little Yellow Pill

The Curious Mystery Album And Tour

The Curious Mystery release their debut album Rotting Slowly on K; tour the western US

"A junkyard band with a heart of dirt, smoke, and wires; The Curious Mystery blends Sixties-style psychedelia with American country-blues and garage experimentalism. Cool night air, slow burning heaviness, impregnation by blackberry, Captain Beefheart, late night crawlers, native fowl, dinner, river blindness; these are some of the things The Curious Mystery bides its time thinking about. A stranger in a new town, Rotting Slowly [KLP206] is their debut album."


Tour:
May 15, 2009 - Seattle, WA
Sunset Tavern - Record Release Party
May 16, 2009 - Olympia, Washington
Northern - w/ Old Time Relijun
May 21, 2009 - Portland, Oregon
The Dunes
May 22, 2009 - Salem, OR
The Space
May 23, 2009 - Arcata, California
Arcata Theatre Lounge
May 26, 2009 - Redding, CA
The Downtown Eatery
May 27, 2009 - San Francisco, CA
Hemlock Tavern
May 30, 2009 - San Jose, CA
Streetlight Records - Early Show - 4pm
May 30, 2009 - San Jose, CA
The Blank Club
May 31, 2009 - Los Angeles, CA
The Smell
Jun 1, 2009 - Phoenix, Arizona
Trunk Space
Jun 3, 2009 - Tucson, Arizona
Red Room
Jun 5, 2009 - Salt Lake City, UT
The Woodshed
Jun 6, 2009 - Boise, ID
Neurolux

The XYZ Affair Premiere Two Tracks On Stereogum

XYZ Affair May Tour Dates

5.11 - Pianos - New York NY
5.18 - Pianos - New York NY
5.21 - Black Cat W/ Deleted Scenes - Washington DC
5.25 - Pianos - New York NY

All Music Guide “Crush Band” : http://blog.allmusic.com/2008/02/07/crush-band-xyz-affair

Food Network : http://blogs.foodnetwork.com/food/simonsays/

The New Yorker - “The XYZ Affair, the local little power-pop band that could”

Eels Hombre Lobo

The new EELS Hombre, Lobo is available for pre-order on vinyl or cd from the EELS online store. you may purchase the album alone, or bundled with a ltd. T-shirt and 22x28 poster. Orders will be received June 2. The US EELS store has the gold foil-embossed digipak enhanced CD with Tremendoud Dynamite: Making Hombre Lobo 30 min. documentary film included, and the UK EELS store has the 2 disc deluxe gold foil-embossed digipak edition including a DVD of the documentary. Both stores welcome international orders. Pre-order now from the EELS US or UK/Europe stores:
http://www.eelstheband.com/stores.php

HBO’s New Series Tremé / Kermit Ruffins

Jazz trumpeter, vocalist, composer, and, now, actor Kermit Ruffins will be one of the central characters in HBO’s new series, Tremé. Set against the New Orleans backdrop of parades, brass bands and Mardi Gras, this drama should be interesting. Besides highlighting Ruffins as a performer, Tremé will bring much needed cash flow, local jobs, and national exposure to New Orleans as it continues to recover from Hurricane Katrina.

A pilot episode written by The Wire's creator David Simon and shot in March and April. The rough cut of the pilot that Simon delivered — minus final soundtrack music, which will play a major role in the series — was enough to sell HBO on the series, who have now given it "the greenlight."

The series is based on real-life models Kermit Ruffins, Donald Harrison Jr. and Davis Rogan, and others through the first Mardi Gras after Katrina. Each season of the series will potntially advance the story one year further from the storm. Ruffins plays himself in the pilot.

Friday, May 8, 2009

War Tapes On Tour

May 27 CD RELEASE PARTY! CLUB MOSCOW - 18+ Hollywood, CA

May 28 CONTINENTAL ROOM Fullerton, CA
SUMMER TOUR with VNV NATION:
Jun 27 CLUB NOKIA w/ vnv nation Los Angeles, CA
tickets
Jun 29 REGENCY CENTER w/ vnv nation San Fransisco, CA
tickets
Jun 30 BERBATI’S PAN w/ vnv nation Portland, OR
tickets
Jul 1 THE SHOWBOX w/ vnv nation Seattle, WA
tickets
Jul 3 MURRAY THEATRE w/ vnv nation Salt Lake City, UT
tickets
Jul 5 GOTHIC THEATRE w/ vnv nation Englewood, CO
tickets
Jul 7 TURNER HALL w/ vnv nation Milwaukee, WI
tickets
Jul 8 STATION 4 w/ vnv nation Minneapolis, MN
tickets
Jul 10 HOUSE OF BLUES w/ vnv nation Chicago, IL
tickets
Jul 11 ST. ANDREWS HALL w/ vnv nation Detroit, MI
tickets
Jul 12 PEABODY’S w/ vnv nation Cleveland, OH
tickets
Jul 14 PHOENIX THEATRE w/ vnv nation Toronto, ON
tickets
Jul 15 LE NATIONAL w/ vnv nation Montreal, QC
tickets
Jul 17 PARADISE w/ vnv nation Boston, MA
tickets
Jul 18 NOKIA THEATRE w/ vnv nation New York, NY
tickets
Jul 19 TLA w/ vnv nation Philadelphia, PA
tickets
Jul 21 9:30 CLUB w/ vnv nation Washington DC
tickets
Jul 23 MASQUERADE w/ vnv nation Atlanta, GA
tickets
Jul 24 THE RITZ w/ vnv nation Tampa, FL
tickets
Jul 25 CULTURE ROOM w/ vnv nation Ft. Lauderdale, FL
tickets
Jul 27 GRANADA THEATRE w/ vnv nation Dallas, TX
tickets
Jul 28 WHITE RABBIT w/ vnv nation San Antonio, TX
tickets
Jul 30 MARQUEE THEATRE w/ vnv nation Tempe, AZ
tickets

Drug Rug Sophomore LP July 28th

NPR Song Of The Day : http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=12679190

Drug Rug (Thomas Allen and Sarah Cronin), met in 2006. They traded demos, combined forces, drank whiskey, strummed an old gee-tar, and the rest is history. They’ve been inseparable ever since. They claim their tunes are inspired by "the storytelling style of early folk musicians, comic books, campgrounds, funny hats, and the illustrations of Garth Williams." The duo's self titled debut garnered favorable reviews, the new album, Paint the Fence Invisible will be released July 28, and tour dates (not yet final) are to follow.

www.myspace.com/drugrugdude

France's Plasticines Tour With U.K. Artist Patrick Wolf

Paris band Plasticines second album About Love will be released in the U.S. in June - just in time for the bands tour dates. About Love was recorded in Los Angeles, produced by Butch Walker (Katy Perry, Pink, Avril Lavigne) and mixed by Claudius Mittendorfer (Foo Fighters, Franz Ferdinand, Muse).The band has been described as "Garage", but I don't think that's appropriate. Decide for yourself:


"Barcelona" from the April E.P. Barcelona


The band will tour with U.K. artist Patrick Wolf, who will release his fourth studio album, The Bachelor (Part one of a two part piece), on August 11th.

Tour Dates
06/05: Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
06/06: Vancouver, BC @ Richard’s on Richards
06/08: San Francisco, CA @ Slim’s
06/09: West Hollywood, CA @ The Roxy
06/12: Denver, CO @ Oriental Theater
06/14: Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line Music Café
06/15: Chicago, IL @ The Bottom Lounge
06/17: Toronto, ON @ Mod Club
06/19: Buffalo, NY @ Tralf Music Hall
06/20: Philadelphia, PA @ North Star Bar
06/21: Boston, MA @ Middle East Downstairs
06/23: New York, NY @ Highline Ballroom
06/24: Washington, DC @ Rock & Roll Hotel
06/26: Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle
06/27: Atlanta, GA @ The Loft at Center Stage Atlanta
06/30: Dallas, TX @ Granada Theatre
07/01: Austin, TX @ Antone’s Nightclub

Moderat Update: Tour Dates And Video

I blogged about a week ago about Moderat releasing their long awaited album, but in the spirit of always trying to keep you all up to date, here's some new information, including a video clip and tour dates:

DVD Trailer: http://www.bpitchcontrol.de/Moderat/statements.html

Tour Dates
Tue. May 19 Seattle, WA @ Neumos
Wed. May 20 San Francisco, CA @ Harriet
Fri. May 22 Los Angeles, CA @ Paladium
Sat. May 23 Denver, CO @ Beta
Sun. May 24 Boston, MA @ Paradise
Wed. May 27 Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge
Thu. May 28 Montreal, PQ @ Metropolis (Mutek)
Fri. May 29 Toronto, ON @ Circa
Sat. May 30 New York, NY @ Webster Hall

The Builders And The Butchers Break It Down

Willamette Week’s “Best New Band of 2008” and Seattle Sound’s “Best Live Performers 2008”

“I was raised on Punk Rock but when I moved to Portland I discovered American Roots music, I felt as though there was similarities between the two styles. They are both genres that you cannot passively listen to, they almost evoke a response or an immediate reaction from you.” Ryan Sollee

The Builders And the Butchers release their second album, Salvation Is A Deep Dark Well
, June 30 on Gigantic Records.


Track By Track
by Ryan Sollee

"Golden and Green"
I wrote this song after watching “In the Realms of the Unreal” about Henry Darger who was a reclusive artist from Chicago, who worked his entire life as a janitor and wrote a 15,000 page fully illustrated novel. His life story and the plot of his life’s work I found so captivating that I wanted to write a song about it. The story of the song intertwines his life with the plot of the story, the “Vivian Girls” are the main hero’s and a General named Manley is the villan. This was the most fun song to record on the record and definitely one of the strangest Builders songs so we decided to make it the first track.

"Devil Town"
A song I brought to the rest of the Builders thinking it was mediocre at best, the song was transformed when Ray and Paul added the drums and suddenly I realized it’s potential. The interplay of the clicks on the bass drum rim, and the mandolin give the song a cool off kilter momentum. It’s probably one of the hardest hitting Builders songs and a common first track of a set list.

"Short Way Home"
The only song on the record where melodica is featured, Paul is playing it like a harmonica through a lot of the song, which really works with the banjo. The stompy tempo and call and response vocals are more similar to the early builders work. This is one of two songs that we used the 15 person Flash Choir on, when the song breaks down they sing a harmonic, “Ahhhhhhhhhh”.

"Barcelona"
This is one of several songs I’ve written about the Spanish Civil War, recently I spent some time in Europe and visited Barcelona and attempted capturing the feeling of being there in this song. Harvey and Sebastian (who played a lot of the trumpet that’s on the record) came up with the mandonlin/trumpet flourish on the chorus and Paul along with our friend Victor mimicked the line.

"Hands Like Roots"
This song was written and recorded for the first record, but never sounded like it fit. For “Salvation” we added pump organ and violin which fills the song out. It’s a tough song to pull of live since to play all the parts we’d need a sixth person.

"Down in This Hole"
This song is about being locked up in a small town that feels like a prison. I wrote it after a heavy doses of Tom Wait’s, wanted to write a song where the last line of the first half of the verse was the first line in the last half. The piano driving the song is played by Paul, who originally wrote this on melodica, in the studio started working out the part on piano, we all looked at each other and said, “no do that, that is amazing.”

"Raise Up"
This is the other song on “Salvation” that’s about the Spanish Civil War, this song also blends some apocalyptic imagery. The rim shots on the bass drum and Alex’s bass line drive the song forward with a swing that’s unique to any other Builders song. The mariachi section near the end was pulled off by countering the mandolin melody with a counter melody of 3 trumpets and violin.

"Vampire Lake"
This is one of the oldest Builders songs, it was recorded 3 years ago, but didn’t go on the first record, “Salvation” needed another simple straight fast rocking song so we included it here. There is a slight lyrical change that probably only the original Builders fans will catch, the original version of the song is on the split LP we did with Loch Lomond.

"The Wind Has Come"
The Builders only real ballad, when Chris Funk approached me originally to produce the record, he inquired if we had ever written a ballad, at the time I had just written this song and I emailed him a demo of it. At home he scored out a violin, viola, and cello string arrangement and our friends Analisa and Emily Tornfelt, and Amanda Lawrence laid down the parts. Ray has a cool meandering clarinet part and Harvey is strumming Baritone Uke through the whole thing. The booming bass sound was attained by putting one bass drum in front of another and putting a mic behind the second one. There is also French horn, Organ, Bass and Bass Clarinet on this song, definitely the most involved composition on the record.

"In the Branches"
Chris had the idea to blend “The Wind has Come” and this song using several violin tracks creating an eerie chord. This song is set in the same time and storyline as “The Coal Mine Fall” and “Bringin’ Home the Rain” from the record before. This is the other song on the record where the Flash Choir sings, they start with a prolonged “Ahhhhh” coming after the break near the end, and then echo the “my branches are waiting for you“ chorus at the end.

"The World is a Top"
In the tradition of the first record, and most likely the next, of ending a record with a gospel song. This was fully recorded in the Masonic Temple in north Portland, which has a pretty incredible natural reverb in the room. For this one Chris Funk called upon his friend Marlon Irving from Lifesavas to gather friends and family who sing in a church in north Portland to sing on this track. Originally Ryan sang the entire song, but for this version Kaysandra Irving sang the middle verse and drove the feeling and spirit of the song home.


Deep Inside 1 (A tour video filmed 2/09)

Simian Mobile Disco

The new Simian Mobile Disco album, Temporary Pleasure will be released the second week of August. Contributions include Jamie Lidell, Beth Ditto (The Gossip), Gruff Rhys (Super Furry Animals), Alexis Taylor (Hot Chip).

Orbital To Release A Compilation

Orbital 20, a 2 disk remix and "best of" collection by Orbital will be released June 8, just prior to the band's summer tour. A digital version with extra mixes "Impact" (James Zabiela's Mix), "Halycon" (Tom Middleton), and "Lush" (the Herve remix), will be exclusive to itunes.

Disk 1

Chime (Live Style Mix))
Belfast
Satan
Halcyon (Tom Middleton Remodel)
Lush 3
Impact (Live @ Royal Albert Hall)
Are We Here (Who Are They)
The Box
Nothing Left (Much Ado About Nothing Left)
One Perfect Sunrise (Radio Edit)

Disk 2

Omen
Choice
The Naked & the Dead
Sad But True
Style
Funny Break (One Is Enough)
The Girl With the Sun In Her Head
Remind (Live In New York)
Lush (Herve's Tree & Leaf Remix)
Impact

Live:
Jun 5 2009 8:00P
Planet Festival - Letiste u Capova Dvora (Airfiled by Capuv Dvur) Tabor
Jun 6 2009 8:00P
The Selecter Festival Krakow, Krakowskie Btonia
Jun 10 2009 7:00P
Brighton Dome BRIGHTON
Jun 11 2009 7:00P
Leeds Academy LEEDS
Jun 14 2009 8:00P
Rock Ness Festival - Second Stage Headline Inverness
Jun 20 2009 8:00P
Sónar 2009, Barcelona’s International Festival of Advanced Music and Multimedia Art Barcelona
Jul 3 2009 8:00P
B’estfest B’estfest
Jul 4 2009 8:00P
Global Gathering - Istanbul Istanbul
Jul 18 2009 8:00P
Monegros Desert Festival 2009
Jul 24 2009 8:00P
Global Gathering - Headline Main Stage (24th or 25th - DAY NOT CONFIRMED) Stratford upon avon
Aug 8 2009 12:00A
The Big Chill Festival - Headline EASTNOR
Aug 30 2009 8:00P
Get Loaded in the Park Festival London
Sep 4 2009 8:00P
Electric Picnic Festival
Sep 18 2009 7:30P
Manchester Academy MANCHESTER
Sep 19 2009 7:30P
Manchester Academy MANCHESTER
Sep 21 2009 7:00P
Newcastle Academy NEWCASTLE
Sep 23 2009 7:00P
Sheffield Academy SHEFFIELD
Sep 24 2009 7:30P
London Brixton Academy LONDON
Sep 25 2009 7:30P
London Brixton Academy LONDON

Oh Come All Ye Goths

Long running Gothic festival Convergence will take place this year on the famous, (and rumored to be haunted), Queen Mary in Long Beach, California, July 17-20. Tickets are now available. There will be merchants hawking their wares, a fashion show, and both official and unofficial goth gatherings and excursions. There are still spots open for vendors, if you are so inclined. The current musical line-up includes:
Nacotheque
Juan Son
Sergio Iglesias & The Latin Love Machine
Los Valenberg
Dezu
The Ink Blots
Fogo Na Roupa
Loco Bloco

Don't forget to pack your fangs.

Big Star Reissue #1 Record

Frankly I'm not sure how many times this has been reissued, but for those of you who don't own it - you should maybe consider dropping the dough. The remastered version of #1 Record / Radio City is due for a June 16 release, and will include a new mix of "In the Street." (The song the That 70s Show theme was based upon). Each title will be released separately on vinyl. The last new album from the re-united band was 2005's In Space. By the way, if you don't own Third/Sister Lovers - I definitely endorse it.

01. Feel
02. The Ballad Of El Goodo
03. In The Street
04. Thirteen
05. Don't Lie To Me
06. The India Song
07. When My Baby's Beside Me
08. My Life Is Right
09. Give Me Another Chance
10. Try Again
11. Watch The Sunrise
12. St 110/6
13. In The Street
14. O My Soul
15. Life Is White
16. Way Out West
17. What's Going Ahn
18. You Get What You Deserve
19. Mod Lang
20. Back Of A Car
21. Daisy Glaze
22. She's A Mover
23. September Gurls
24. Morpha Too
25. I'm In Love With A Girl
26. O My Soul

http://www.bigstarband.com

Current:
Alex Chilton - vocals, guitar
Jon Auer - vocals, guitar, keys
Ken Stringfellow - vocals, bass
Jody Stephens - vocals, drums

Former:
Chris Bell - vocals, guitar (1971-1972)
Andy Hummel - vocals, bass (1971-1973)
John Lightman - vocals, bass (1973-1974)

An Update On God Help the Girl / Stuart Murdoch

See prior post for more info.

Direct from Matador:
God Help The Girl: Subscription + Brand New Video
May 8th, 2009 at 9:00 am by The Management

GodHelpTheGirl.com has re-launched with a very exciting, fan-drooler of a subscription offer that includes 7″s, a Deluxe CD or LP of the new album, a 10″ and oodles of extra digital goodies. Plus, if you order you will get an instant stream of the entire album.

This subscription package will gently unwind over the months allowing you to soak up the living, breathing world of God Help The Girl. A musical project with a beautifully and diligently crafted narrative that deserves to be listened to over time, for each place, character and voice to be properly digested before moving on to the next.

As well as delivering 7″ singles, 10″ EPs and your choice of CD or LP albums straight to your door we will regularly fill your inbox with video footage made to document the creative process by Stuart Murdoch and Marisa Privitera, music videos and album streams to keep you entertained no matter how far from your record players you stray this summer.

By subscribing you will receive the following:

Physical

* 11th May: 7″ ‘Come Monday Night’ single
* 22nd June: LTD CD or LP God Help The Girl album
* 20th July: 7″ ‘Funny Little Frog’ single
* By Xmas: 10″ 5 track exclusive EP

Digital

* A full album stream on purchase
* MP3s of the Album & 7″ on release
* The ‘Come Monday Night’ video
* 4 x episodes documenting the ‘Making of”
* The ‘Funny Little Frog’ video