John Vanderslice U.S. Tour Dates...

John Vanderslice is set to go out on the road once again this Spring without a band this time, opting to try out the songs as a duo with drummer Dave Douglas pulling double duty on drums and Moog. Try to catch him at one of these dates:

April 6 PORTLAND, OR Doug Fir Lounge 21+

April 7 SEATTLE, WA Triple Door all-ages

April 9 SALT LAKE CITY, UT Kilby Court all ages

April 10 DENVER, CO High Dive all ages

April 12 AMES, IA Maintenance Shop 18+

April 13 CHICAGO, IL Lakeshore Theatre all ages

April 14 GRAND RAPIDS, MI Ladies Literary Club 18+

April 15 ATHENS, OH Ohio University / The Union 18+

April 17 PHILADELPHIA, PA Johnny Brenda's 21+

April 18 HOBOKEN, NJ Maxwell's 21+

April 19 NEW YORK, NY Mercury Lounge 21+

April 20 CAMBRIDGE, MA Middle East 18+

April 24 BALTIMORE, MD Sonar all ages

April 25 WASHINGTON, DC Rock and Roll Hotel all ages

April 26 CARRBORO, NC Local 506 18+

April 28 CHARLESTON, SC Map Room 21+

April 29 COLUMBIA, SC Art Garage all ages

April 30 ATHENS, GA 40 Watt 18+

May 1 BIRMINGHAM, AL Bottle Tree all ages

May 2 ST. LOUIS, MO Billiken Club all ages

May 3 SPRINGFIELD, MO Randy Bacon Gallery 18+

May 5 DENTON, TX Dan's Silverleaf 18+

May 6 AUSTIN, TX Emo's all ages

May 8 PHOENIX, AZ Modified all-ages

May 9 SAN DIEGO, CA Casbah 21+

May 10 LOS ANGELES, CA Largo all ages with dinner reservations (323-852-1073)



http://www.johnvanderslice.com

http://www.myspace.com/johnvanderslice

Rocky Votolato News...

One of the best singer/songwriters out there right now, Rocky Votolato (formerly of Waxwing) has a new record coming out, here is what his label (Barsuk) had to say:

"Barsuk Records is pleased to announce the upcoming release from Seattle's Rocky Votolato. Entitled 'the brag & cuss', the record will be released nationally on June 19th, and sees Rocky moving from the minimal acoustic guitar and vocals of his previous release, 'Makers', to a fuller sound. Most of the record was played by a full band, featuring James McAllister (Sufjan Stevens) on drums, Bill Herzog (Jesse Sykes & The Sweet Hereafter) on bass, Casey Foubert (Pedro the Lion) on electric guitar, banjo, mandolin and percussion, and Rick Steff (Cat Power, Hank Williams Jr.) on keyboards and accordion. "

http://www.barsuk.com

http://www.rockyvotolato.com

http://www.myspace.com/rockyvotolato

Dick Chesney Interview

Looking for good bands in the midwest is kind of like going through the used section at a chain store. You might find something good, but you usually find the copycat bands that every scene has. Remember a few years back when there were ska bands in every city?! -Enough Said.

Oklahoma may have seen it's fair share of bands rise out of the midwestern mediocrity surrounding it (The Evangelicals, Starlight Mints, Flaming Lips, etc.), but in the sea of copycat hardcore/screamo bands that exist in the Sooner State, few can do what Dick Chesney do. Untraditional song structures and original concepts that call to mind those "screamo" bands that existed before track jackets became staples, coming up as a breathe of fresh air in over-crowded scene where every kid wants to be "hardcore". I decided to catch up with them right before their upcoming tour of the south and here's what they had to say...



There have been some line-up changes lately with Dick Chesney. How has this affected the band in it's sound and direction for the newer songs?

DC: Well, we lost our guitarist and vocalist Trey. We took a break for a while after that to kind of figure out where we wanted to go, and even if we still wanted to continue on. We decided to add our longstanding friend Nick Sanchez on guitar, and we also decided to add our friend Judd Orsburn on vocals. Adding Judd as a main vocalist really allowed us to focus on more complex song structures and parts, and he's come to this band with a different lyrical standpoint, which is always nice.



Screamo has become (by many who misuse it) a word that seems to mean almost anything these days. Can you explain what it is about the style of Screamo that you play that separates Dick Chesney from people's pre-conceived notions of what Screamo is (i.e. hot topic kids and track jackets)?

DC: Passion. I think you'll see a lot more energy and heart put into what we're doing, as opposed to the typical screamo band that concerns itself more with how many t-shirt designs they want rather than what they are playing.



It has been noted quite well by your fanbase that your song structures are vastly different than that of many bands who follow the traditional "verse/chorus/verse" mentality. Why is that so?

DC:I think it mainly evolved from us getting bored. To us (this is coming from a musician's standpoit), if you have to repeat any part of a song, it gets dull. We like to keep the song moving and (to) challenge ourselves rather than replay what we've done already.



With another tour coming up, what places are you looking most forward to playing?

DC: Everywhere! On this tour, we'll get to revisit some awesome friends we've made thus far. We're really excited to play at the I Can Fly House in Atlanta with our friends Histories, and with our friends We'll Dance Like Ghosts on Rooftops in Cape Coral, FL. We're also all pretty excited about not playing, too. We're taking a day off in Houston to go to a Hot Cross show, haha.



Playing with many bands, you've had to hear some amazing ones. Are they any bands that our readers should take note of?

DC: Take notes everyone: Histories, A Silhouette, me and him call it us, Damezumari, runsfasterscared, Rousseau, Kidcrash, Steeples, and the list goes on.....



Lastly, do you have any final statements?

DC:Let us play in your living room.


http://www.myspace.com/dickchesney

I stold this from buddyhead, but still watch this!

I bet the Uni-Brow brothers are great fun at soccer games.

Bands Reunited? Uh... Really?

Only every once and a while can a band get back together after losing their lead singer and pull it off successfully. This year expect to hear new material and see new tour dates for Alice In Chains and Blind Melon?! What?! Didn't their singers die?


Catch up with the rest of us...

http://www.blindmelonmach2.com/video.htm

http://www.myspace.com/blindmelon


and watch this:




http://www.aliceinchains.com


Does this remind anyone of that movie "Rockstar"?



It seems almost impossible the shoes some people are expected to fill...

Uh Oh...

Dudes who watch ECW and chicks with tribal tats are gonna be bummed out on this one:

"Chinese Democracy", the long-awaited Guns & Roses album is put on hold, once again leaving people waiting on their guh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh knees until the next delay.

In other news just as "shocking":

Bruthing your teeth helps prevent cavities.

Lance Bass is gay.

Everyone likes pizza.

Rockstars Talking Crap Round Two:

The Arcade Fire frontman Win Butler has got alot to say... about other bands...

In a recent interview with NME, he was quoted talking trash on Oasis, The Rolling Stones, and U2 saying:

"It's not like we shun success, but at the same time we don't want to shove it down people's throats. In the UK there's this kind of rock star competition. I don't know if U2 started it, or the Stones or Oasis, but a lot of bands think in terms of: 'I'm going to be the biggest band in the world. F--k all those bands who've got no ambition.' think that's a total crock of sh-t."
There's nothing less interesting to me than the idea of marketing the f--k out of something so people are forced to like it. Some bands are just manipulating people to buy music. That's how 90 percent of the record industry works! It's basically the same as selling a f--king toaster or a cruise package..."


Wow. He makes a good point. But the fact remains, U2 writes better songs. Once The Arcade Fire make an album as good as "The Joshua Tree", will their words of criticism take effect in the hearts of those people forced to like it.

Besides, who else but Bono can live past their mullet years and still be epic?

Your haircut got stuck in the 80's and it can't get out of it.

Rockstars Talking Crap Round One:

Apparently uni-brow spokesman and Oasis guitar player Noel Gallagher called out Thom Yorke for being too gloomy in an recent interview...

According to Gallagher, Yorke has to realize that at the end of the day the world is still going to end. Funny he should say that in an interview an not in the face of the cold-eyed killer himself...

At the end of the day, anyone would rather listen to Thom Yorke over Oasis any day.

Sorry about the lack of updates, the flu has been bringing me down...

You will have much more soon...

John Davis Interview

John Davis is probably known to most of you as the singer of Superdrag. For those of you who don't know, Superdrag had some major airplay with their songs "Sucked Out" and "Destination Ursa Major" in the 90's and have maintained quite a loyal following even after the band disbanded a few years ago. For those Superdrag fans out there wanting more, they have a b-sides album, "Changing Tires On The Road To Ruin" out in April.


After Superdrag, John Davis put out a self-titled album that not only rocked, but shows more of His Soulful & Spiritual side. With a good band backing Him, a new album recorded, and an ever present Faith, we asked John a few questions. Even in type, you can just feel how nice and passionate He is. Don't take my word for it, keep reading:




We hear there is a new album recorded. Could you give us some insight as to the direction of for the newer material? ; When might we see the new record?

J: Well, there are actually a couple of unmastered album tracks posted on MySpace (www.myspace.com/johndavis) at the moment---those would probably give people a pretty good ballpark idea of what the record’s like. Some of the music has been compared to Superdrag; I’m getting a lot more of that than I did with the previous record. I wouldn’t necessarily say the record rocks more than Superdrag, but it’s definitely faster and more aggressive in spots than anything we did. I think the SST Records-era influences (Black Flag, Husker Du, Descendents, Dinosaur Jr., et al) really rose to the top during the writing process for this album. Those bands were some of the biggest inspirations for me as a young songwriter—they still are. I expect to be able to get the record out this summer.



Who is in your band for live shows?

J: Yogi Watts (drums) and Ethan Luck (bass) from Demon Hunter. When we’re able to do a two-guitar configuration, Ethan switches to guitar and Josiah Holland from The Lonely Hearts plays bass. I feel very fortunate to have those three dudes helping me out. You couldn’t ask for a more solid line-up. Yogi also played all the drums on the new record. In two days, he just absolutely killed it.



Many people know of your past work in Superdrag. How would you describe your music now to a long time Superdrag fan?

J: I would say this record picks up where "In The Valley Of Dying Stars" left off, but with a totally outspoken Gospel message. This was the first opportunity I had to work on music with ("In The Valley…" co-producer) Nick Raskulinecz since 2000, but the first day we went in and got to work that gap completely disappeared. It was really exciting. So, that’s a pretty easy parallel to drawback to our previous work. I guess it’s safe to assume that if you like Superdrag and you don’t mind hearing someone profess faith in God through music, then this album’s for you.



Faith seems to be a tremendous part of your music. Would you care to share or expand more on that?

J: I think what it ultimately comes down (to) is wanting to take what you feel is the very best thing you have to offer as a human being and give it back to God. It’s His anyway. I still just open my heart and whatever’s in there comes out, like before, so the process never really changed but it was my heart that changed. I hope God never stops changing it, until the day we’ll meet face-to-face.



What are you currently listening to? Any bands that we should be taking note of?

J: Ha---to be perfectly honest, I can’t stop listening to Dr. Dre right now. Doc, if you’re reading this, and you need more musicians to work on Detox, holler at your boy.



Thank you very much, is there anything else that you would like to add?

J: Not really, just keep an eye out for the new album, hit me up on MySpace (www.myspace.com/johndavis ), y’all take care of yourselves, love your neighbors as you do yourselves. That’s God’s word.


http://www.myspace.com/johndavis

http://www.johndavismusic.com

http://www.superdrag.com

Line Up for Sasquatch 2007

For those of you not in the know, every Memorial Day Weekend at the Gorge Amphitheatre in George, Washington people get together for the Sasquatch Festival. Tons of great acts come through and put Coachella to shame...

Check out the line up they have so far:

Saturday:
Bjork
Arcade Fire
Manu Chao
M.I.A.
Citizen Cope
Neko Case
Silversun Pickups
The Hold Steady
Beastie Boys- jazz set
Grizzly Bear
Ghostland Observatory
Electrelane
Two Gallants
The Slip
Loney, Dear
The Thermals
Viva Voce
The Blow

Sunday:
Beastie Boys
Interpol
Michael Franti & Spearhead
Spoon
Bad Brains
The Black Angels
Mirah
Cold War Kids
St. Vincent
Smoosh
Helio Sequence

http://www.sasquatchfestival.com/

Unwed Sailor Interview

With history that is quite extensive, Jonathon Ford’s work in music goes all over the place, stylistically and geographically. From the Heartland to the West Coast, and from the Midwest to the East Coast, Jonathon Ford has seen it and most likely played it. His most notable project though would have to be Unwed Sailor, a mostly instrumental band that seems to be driven by his instrument of choice, the bass. Beautiful, Calming and Erratic, Unwed Sailor has a way literally making you feel the music. Their live shows capture also that same vibe, and with the amount that they tour, you have plenty of chances to see them too. Despite their busy schedule, which includes touring and recording, Jonathon Ford was nice enough to answer a few questions for us…


Unwed Sailor's last two releases ("The White Ox", and the "Circles" EP) seem to be in a different direction than some of your previous works. What is in store with "Little Wars"?

I want "Little Wars" to be more of a rock record. A rock record with many forms of "rock". Light rock with feedback & distortion.



How does the songwriting process start for an Unwed Sailor album?

I will start off with some guitar ideas or bass ideas that I have come up with while messing around on those instruments. Then we go in the studio and just let it happen. Let the music appear before us. Sometimes I am a little more prepared, like when we recorded "The Faithful Anchor". Other times we go in and have no idea what will happen. A good example of that would be "Circles" and "The White Ox". 85% of that record happened on the spot in the studio.



With being on tour so much, how does that effect the line-up of the band?

Unwed Sailor's lineup has always been changing. At this point i have a permanent guitar player(Aaron Hamby), and a permanent keyboard player(Brooks Tipton). I am still searching for a permanent touring drummer.




This is a little off subject (it goes back, I promise), but when Roadside Monument got back together a few years ago, I saw you almost murder your Bass during "S.R.B." at the end of the set. How would you describe the energy of an Unwed Sailor show to someone who hasn't been and knows you from your previous projects?

Unwed Sailor puts off an "honest" energy live. We all truly love this music, and we would not do it if we did not love it. When we play a show we look at it as an event, an experience for everyone involved...audience and band members. Things can be aggressive at times, things can be mellow at times. It's all about what is happening in the moment. Our job is to guide the moment and read it correctly.




How do you decide if a song needs vocals or not?

Well, I tend to lean towards an Unwed Sailor song not needing vocals. Dan Burton(engineer for The White Ox, The Faithful Anchor & Circles), suggested I put vocals on "The White Ox". "Pelican", for instance, originally had vocals, but i decided to take them off...mostly because I did not like my vocal take. I really like using vocals for non-lyrical purposes....just using them to make sounds and melodies. You will hear that on "Little Wars".



How do you decide/go about picking out the artwork for your releases?

I tend to let ideas come to me. Whether it be songs or artwork. I have found that when I try to find something, it's alot harder to get that inspiration. If I just wait for it to come to me, then it all comes together. It has been an honor to work with artists like Jamie Hunt(The Marionette & The Music Box), and James Marsh(The White Ox & Circles). These guys are just great artists who really made Unwed Sailor's music come alive.





Having been involved with a few bands that people have taken note of (Roadside Monument, Raft of Dead Monkeys, Pedro The Lion, Decahedron, etc.), is there anything we need to be looking out for from ex-members of those bands that we might not yet know of?

Doug Lorig from Roadside Monument has a band called "Patrol" now. I am such a fan of Doug's guitar playing....it really comes out in "Patrol". Of course, Dave Bazan of Pedro the Lion is still going strong. He is doing his own records now. Shelby Cinca from Decahedron is doing a band called "The Cassettes" on Buddyhead records. The Cassettes have been touring alot lately.




Before closing, is there anything you would wish to add or want our readers to know?

If you are interested in hearing our music online, you can go to www.myspace.com/unwedsailor or www.unwedsailor.net Thanks for listening!

Malkmus-Kinney

Former Pavement frontman Stephen Malkmus and his band (the Jicks) have recieved a new member to the fold. Sleater-Kinney's Janet Weiss is now their official drummer. Indie fans are stoked. Pavement fans still waiting for a reunion will have to listen to the song "Stereo", where Bob Nastonovich goes "you'll just have to wait". I am anxious to hear what the new Malkmus will sound like as the last album was pretty good too. Word on the street has it that S.M. has also layed down some vocals on an upcoming Dylan movie, although that is still just the word on the street.


http://www.stephenmalkmus.com

Dinosaur Sr.

Dinosaur Jr., the original Dinosaur Jr., have a new album coming out soon and you can hear a track at their website. Do it:

http://www.dinosaurjr.com

Wow...

Yo La Tengo might have had the best album name ever, but look at the name of this band playing at this year's SXSW:

http://2007.sxsw.com/music/showcases/band/41729.html

do it.

Silverchair? Seriously.

Silverchair are still around? I thought they were one of those bands that just faded away in the 90's like The Verve Pipe or Seven Mary Three, but I guess was wrong. Turns out their singer guy had all kinds of health problems, and after some side projects, they are gonna release a new album called "Young Modern" later this year. Never really cared for their music, but if that's your thing you can go ahead and give yourself a pat on the back.


http://www.chairpage.com

Hard Times for Anti-Flag...

Anti-Flag have recently dropped off of tour due to a horrible horrible set of events:

Quote from Chris #2:

"For those not completely in the know, my sister and her boyfriend were murdered a few days ago. Of all the people I know my sister was the most proud of our band. If you live in the Pittsburgh area you may have met her, it was not uncommon for her to strike up a conversation with anyone wearing an Anti-Flag pin, patch, or t-shirt. She was anxious to meet anyone who was a member of the community. My sister had two beautiful children, who I'm sure will be just as curious and just as loving. Thank you all for the kind words. Thank you to everyone surrounding us on the last tour for their help. I want to specifically thank my three brothers in Anti-Flag and everyone in our crew for helping me and dropping everything to get me home and with my family immediately."


Please keep them in your hearts as they go through this incredibly hard time.


http://www.anti-flag.com

Why Does It Always Rain on Travis?

I don't know why I chose that title. I have nothing bad to say about Travis. Those guys in Keane totally owe them some money though for ripping them off big time.

Anyway, Travis has a new album coming out in May called "The Boy With No Name". With the title similar to one of their older albums ("The Boy Who"), one wonders if they will go back to their older sound or stay more on the "agressive" side like their last album. If you live over in the UK, look out for tour dates in March.


http://www.travisonline.com/

Son Volt Tour Dates

Jay Farrar and company, otherwise known as Son Volt, are hitting the road for their upcoming album "The Search", check out one of these shows if you can:

March26 - The Nightlight @ Bellingham, WA
27 - Showbox @ Seattle, WA
28 - Crystal Ballroom @ Portland, OR
30 - The Fillmore @ San Francisco, CA
31 - Mystic Theatre @ Petaluma, CA

April03 - El Rey Theatre @ Los Angeles, CA
04 - Belly Up @ Solana Beach, CA
05 - Rialto Theatre @ Tucson/Flagstaff, AZ
07 - Fox Theatre @ Boulder, CO
09 - First Avenue @ Minneapolis, MN
10 - Vic Theatre @ Chicago, IL
13 - Higher Ground @ Burlington, VT
14 - Pearl St. @ Northampton, MA
15 - Paradise @ Boston, MA
18 - Irving Plaza @ New York, NY
19 - Mr. Small's @ Pittsburgh, PA
20 - Headliners @ Louisville, KY
21 - The Pageant @ St. Louis, MO

May01 - George's Majestic Lounge @ Fayetteville, AR
02 - Revolution Room @ Little Rock, AR
03 - Ridglea Theater @ Ft. Worth, TX
04 - Stubb's @ Austin, TX
05 - Floore's Country Store @ Helotes, TX
06 - Continental Club @ Houston, TX
08 - House of Blues @ New Orleans, LA
09 - TBA @ Jackson/Memphis
10 - WorkPlay @ Birmingham, AL
11 - Variety Playhouse @ Atlanta, GA
12 - Crawfish Boil - Riverfront Park @ Nashville, TN
14 - Rhythm & Brews @ Chattanooga, TN
15 - The Orange Peel @ Asheville, NC
16 - Visulite @ Charlotte, NC
17 - 9:30 Club @ Washington, DC
18 - Trocadero @ Philadelphia, PA
19 - BandTogether @ Raleigh, NC

http://www.sonvolt.net

Silversun Pickups on Leno Tonight...

California's Silversun Pickups have been making quite a name for themselves recently. The reason is because they are just that good. I guess Jay Leno's people took notice and they will be on tonight. I suggest you watch if you are able to.

http://www.silversunpickups.com

http://www.myspace.com/silversunpickups

Bloc Party coin attack...

While playing a show in Europe, some guy (who was obviously a jerk) threw a coin at the singer of Bloc Party two songs into the set. They took a quick break and got right back on. Well done, they could have been jerks about it and they weren't. Kudos.


People who were not cool with fans throwing stuff:


Panic At The Disco singer gets knocked out with bottle:


Nickelback singer/resident horse gets hit with rocks.

Phil Spector part II...

Ok, I got nothing. But look at this pic:

HOLY CRAP!

Phil Spector goes TV...

For whatever reason, the L.A. Judge presiding over the murder trial involving legendary producer Phil Spector made the shocking decision to have the murder trial televised as to dispell any chance of this being some overblown media circus, which is funny because he just furthered that cause in doing so.


Even more shocking, Phil Spector's uncanny resemblance to Edward Scissorhands...

Peter Bjorn and John...

"Young Folks" is such a friggin catchy song. Kexp.org has been playing it non stop... and no one is complaining. It's no wonder their video won a Swedish Grammy (although a Swedish Grammy is made of sardines and gummys). I am shocked Adult Swim didn't make this video.





http://peterbjornandjohn.com


Belle & Sebastian better watch out!

Death Cab For Cutie does The Band

While Ben Gibbard is busy slaving away tracks for the latest installments of the Postal Service as well as DCFC, He still finds time for something more...

Apparently Death Cab has covered The Band's "Rockin' Chair", on a tribute album to the afforementioned with other tracks by the Allman Brothers and My Morning Jacket. It's worth checking out.

http://www.deathcabforcutie.com

Oh Britney...

Your Divorced, Your Bald... Next thing you know it your emo.

A day of to recover...

Friday night I went and watched "Ghost Rider" and I needed to take a few asprin afterwards from the horribly cheesy dialogue. Since this is a music site, I looked up the soundtrack on I-Tunes so I could talk crap about it. I assumed it was all metal bands like Nickelback and Saliva, but it was actually the score for the movie. Huh...

So, upon my day away on Saturday.... I noticed something. While on I-Tunes, I accidentally clicked on the "Black Snake Moan" Soundtrack. Lo and behold, I found something so bad and great at the same time...




SAMUEL L. JACKSON SINGS!

"Old MF" himself sings three tracks on the "Black Snake Moan" soundtrack, most notable a track called "Stack-O-Lee", a track that makes Dolemite seem lame...


You can get it for free here:

http://music.download.com/blacksnakemoansoundtrack/3600-10615_32-101002306.html

Al Gore's Global Warming Concert

You have probably heard by now that everyone and their mom is getting in on Al Gore's Global Warming Concert coming up, but was it really a good idea to invite a guy who puts out as much smoke as a car?

Gabba Gabba Fiddle

Tommy Ramone, one of the founders of The Ramones is doing bluegrass now under the name Uncle Monk.


He's the guy with the mandolin and the old-hippy thing going on.

This is what their site says about the duo:

Uncle Monk’s music is rooted in old-time and bluegrass influences. To this mix they have added unique musical textures to create a sound with a new sensibility. “We are working with what feels natural to us.” says Ramone. “We are making use of string-band instrumentation along with alternative rock flavorings. We use mandolins and other stringed instruments to add texture and dimension to the overall sound. We have been drawn towards the classic simplicity of string band music, but at the same time we are deeply involved with the aesthetics of alternative music, and we do our best to use our musical influences to create an original style. There is a similarity between punk & old time music, both are home brewed as opposed to schooled, both have earthy energy, and there is a certain cool in old time music that is found in the best alternative acts.”





You can hear this stuff at:

http://www.myspace.com/unclemonk

http://www.unclemonk.com

Wilco's "Sky Blue Sky"

While alt-country fans everywhere are beating each other up to be the first to hear the new Wilco, they actually released the track listing:

"Either Way"

"You Are My Face"

"Impossible Germany"

"Sky Blue Sky"

"Side With the Seeds"

"Shake It Off"

"Please Be Patient With Me"

"Hate It Here"

"Leave Me (Like You Found Me)"

"Walken"

"What Light"

"On and On and On"




http://www.wilcoweb.com

http://www.myspace.com/wilco

Cornell Wises Up...

I don't know if it is because Rage Against The Machine is playing again or what. But Chris Cornell quit Audioslave. Some (people who aren't professional wrestling fans) might cite that it is because that band totally sucks and Chris Cornell can do better. But according to the former Soundgarden front man, it is something like this:


"irresolvable personality conflicts as well as musical differences."

-he also added:

"I wish the other three members nothing but the best in all of their future endeavors."

-then we added:

"I'm gonna break my rusty cage, and run."


Chris Cornell is gonna work on a new solo album due out in may befittingly titled "Carry On".


Meanwhile, you can go see Rage at Coachella amongst the mix of Patchouli stink, sandals, and horn-rimmed glasses.

OH SNAP!

Hollywood is in the works of making a movie about Milli-Vanilli! The Hollywood Trade papers are already talking about this! How does something like this even happen? Did the four guys who got canned from their studio for making "Reindeer Games" actually get someone to listen to them again?

It also seems the guys who were the writing team for "Catch Me If You Can" are working on this one.

I wonder who they are gonna get to to play them?

Here is what a trailer might look like:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_ngwWYfMuE

Ken Stringfellow's new 7"

Ken Stringfellow seems to be one of these forces in music that people forget about. He is a long time touring member of R.E.M., playing various instruments. If you've ever watched one of their live DVDs you can see Him on there. He is one of the founding members of The Posies, who came out of Seattle around the same time a certain other group of musicians did that changed the face of music in 1990's. He produces for tons of people, and has album credits not only to the afforementioned, but is noted on albums by The Long Winters and Damien Jurdao.


Anyway, Ken has a new 7" out on some French label (Fiat Lux) with a guy named Luis Francesco Arena and they cover each other's songs.



Perhaps the most puzzling thing about Ken Stringfellow was the fact that He was once in Lagwagon! DUDE!


http://www.myspace.com/kenstringfellow

http://www.kenstringfellow.com

Ignorance still lives on, and is most evident on this link:

http://www.lovegodsway.org/GayBands

This is so insane that people actually think this way still.


Not to bash on any Christians out there (I am a very devout one myself), but you can't teach a Peace-Based Faith by promoting the ignorant and judgmental nature that sites like this promote.


Please Email mailto:donniedavies@gmail.com and let him know what you think about this.

Elliott Smith Rarities to see formal release...

Chances are you have downloaded most of Elliott Smith's rarities from blogs across the net over the past few years. According to Billboard, Olympia's Kill Rock Stars is set to properly release some of them on a double-disc collection in may.
The story is over here:
http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003545498



You might want to check up on these sites for details too:

http://www.killrockstars.com

http://www.sweetadeline.net

http://www.elliottsmithbsides.com/








I think it's time to listen to "Either/Or" again, it's so good.

Amiina adds more U.S. tour dates...

Iceland's Amiina are set to tour the U.S. this spring and they have added more dates to their tour,going beyond the east coast and the midwest as they originally had planned.



Mar 21 2007
8:30P
Café Montmartre
Madison, Wisconsin
Mar 22 2007
8:00P
Varsity Theatre
Minneapolis
Mar 23 2007
9:30P
Lakeshore Theater
Chicago, Illinois
Mar 25 2007
8:00P
Cambridge Room @ House of Blues
Cleveland, Ohio
Mar 26 2007
9:00P
Magic Bag
Detroit, Ferndale, Michigan
Mar 27 2007
8:00P
Music Gallery
Toronto, Ontario
Mar 28 2007
8:00P
Le National
Montreal, Quebec
Mar 30 2007
7:30P
World Café Live
Philadelphia
Mar 31 2007
7:30P
Remis Auditorium
Boston
Apr 1 2007
8:00P
9:30 Club
Washington DC
Apr 2 2007
8:00P
The Wordless Music Series
New York City, New York
Apr 6 2007
8:00P
MusicNOW festival
Cincinnati, Ohio
Apr 9 2007
8:00P
Triple Door
Seattle
Apr 10 2007
8:00P
Doug Fir Lounge
Portland
Apr 12 2007
8:00P
Swedish American Hall
San Francisco
Apr 13 2007
8:00P
Silent Movie Theatre
LA
Apr 14 2007
8:00P
House of Blues- 5th Avenue Stage
San Diego

If you haven't heard this band, you are missing out. If you like Sigur Ros and you haven't heard Amiina, you are really really missing out.


Go now:

http://www.myspace.com/amiina

http://www.amiina.com

Wu Tang Casino...

Well, not quite... but close. It appears that earlier this month, Wu Tang Clan's Ghostface Killah (perhaps one of the best names ever), launched a website that he describes as a place "where hip-hop plays hold em", an online poker site that allows players to enter (at no charge) into a chance to play for $1,000 known as "Hip Hop's Freeroll".

The website states:

"Ghostface and his crew are like most in the game, meaning they like to gamble. The GFK team knows that Hip Hop is down with holdem and is providing a place where the two come together!"

And somewhere on there, it has to say "Wu Tang Clan ain't nothing to..." (you know what it says).



Get broke at:

http://www.gfkpoker.com/

Mirah

After about a year's hiatus from perfoming regulary , K Records' Mirah is playing a few dates on the East Coast:


Feb 27, 2007 - New Haven, Connecticut Toad's Place, 300 York St. $12 all ages - w/The Blow
Feb 28, 2007 - Northampton, Massachusetts Iron Horse Music Hall, 20 Center St. $10adv $12dos 8:30pm all ages - w/The Blow
Mar 1, 2007 - Waltham, Massachusetts Brandeis University (Chums), 415 South St. all ages free - w/The Blow
Mar 2, 2007 - Bronxville, New York Sarah Lawrence College - w/The Blow
Mar 3, 2007 - Bronx, New York Fordham University, 441 E Fordham Rd. all ages, free - w/The Blow
Mar 5, 2007 - Williamstown, Massachusetts Williams College, Goodrich Hall all ages - w/The Blow
Mar 6, 2007 - Wellesley, Massachusetts Ruth Nagel Jones Theater, 106 Central St. all ages $8 general, free for students - w/The Blow
Mar 7, 2007 - New York, New York NYU - Shorin Auditorium, 60 Washington Square South - 8th all ages free - w/The Blow
Mar 8, 2007 - Haverford, Pennsylvania Haverford College - Lunt $5 general, free for students all ages - w/The Blow
Mar 9, 2007 - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania First Unitarian, 2125 Chestnut St. all ages $10 - w/The Blow


No word of yet for a new album, but Mirah just released "Joyride:Remixes" where you might have already guessed -people remix Her work from previous albums.

http://www.krecs.com

CSS wants you to direct their new video...

Brazilian Indie band CSS (SubPop) want you to direct their new video for European release.
The Band is going to be releasing "Alcohol" as their next single over in Europe. They are already going to film themselves in front of a green screen, for the fans to finish the video.

Users of the Italian social networking/video site QOOB can access the raw footage and create their own clip, which must be submitted by April 15.

http://www.subpop.com/artists/css

The Brothers Martin

There have been two acts of Tooth & Nail that have been on that label since it's beginning. One is the electro-pop project Joy Electric (Ronnie Martin). The other is longtime indie fav Starflyer 59 (Jason Martin). Back in the early 90's the Martin Brothers used to perform together as "Dance House Children", releasing two albums.

Once again, the two have come together as The Brothers Martin. Suprisingly, they have released their album on... Tooth & Nail. Oh wait, that is NO SUPRISE at all. It sounds pretty much like what you would think. Starflyer meets Joy Electric, but more on the SF59 side.


http://www.myspace.com/brosmartin


http://www.joyelectric.com

http://www.sf59.com


A few years ago, Me and my friend Chris were at a SF59 show, and he yelled out "play some joy electric" upon my dare. Jason Martin looked around for who said it and then said "someone kill that guy".

The White Stripes on Warner...

Word on the street is that since V2 went under, The White Stripes have signed with Warner. I personally like Jack White in His other role...

Zorro!

Modest Mouse Stuff...

I think everyone knows that Modest Mouse has a new album coming out entitled "We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank"...

Most people know that Johnny Marr of the Smiths is their new guitarist...

Chances are you downloaded their single "Dashboard" off of someone's music blog or heard it at:
http://www.myspace.com/modestmouse

















Also they have tour dates:

Sat 10-Mar -- Mexico City -- Foro SolWed 14-Mar -- Portland, OR -- Crystal Ballroom Thu 15-Mar -- Portland, OR -- Crystal Ballroom Fri 16-Mar -- Missoula, MT -- Missoula Univ Theater Sun 18-Mar -- Sioux Falls, SD -- Ramkota Exhibit Hall Mon 19-Mar -- Fargo, ND -- Play Maker's PavilionSun 20-May -- Somerset, UK -- ATP vs the Fans Wed 23-May -- London, UK -- Royal Albert HallFri 1-Jun -- Barcelona, ES -- Primavera Sound


But did you know they finally updated their website!?! It's been forever!
http://www.modestmouse.com

Suprise! Suprise! Robbie Williams is on Drugs!

Boy Band Star and future reality-show castoff, Robbie Williams checked into rehab today for his dependence of prescription drugs.

"Robbie Williams has today been admitted into a treatment center in America for his dependency on prescription drugs," said spokeswoman Bryony Watts. "There will be no further comment on this matter."

TAKE THAT!

The Thermals News...

Thank Heavens! There are still punk bands out there that are refreshing to listen to. Maybe it's because there is a ton of good stuff coming out of Portland, or maybe it's just because they are that good... The Thermals are going everywhere with their latest release "The Body, The Blood, The Machine"-one of last year's best albums, and it seems like even Carson Daily and his sometimes skeleton/sometimes fat face recognized this and booked them to play on Last Call this Friday.

If you are up late and at home this Friday night, you must check them out:

http://www.myspace.com/thethermals

http://www.subpop.com


Tour Dates:


Feb 19 2007
8:00P
Crystal Ballroom
Portland, Oregon
Feb 21 2007
8:00P
Chop Suey
Seattle, Washington
Feb 22 2007
8:00P
Media Club
Vancouver, British Columbia
Feb 23 2007
8:00P
WWU-Viking Union Multipurpose Room
Bellingham, Washington
Feb 24 2007
8:00P
Center Stage
Spokane, Washington
Feb 27 2007
8:00P
Triple Rock Social Club
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Feb 28 2007
8:00P
Subterranean
Chicago, Illinois
Mar 1 2007
8:00P
Beachland Ballroom
Cleveland, Ohio
Mar 2 2007
8:00P
The Black Cat
Washington DC
Mar 3 2007
8:00P
TT The Bears
Boston (Cambridge), Massachusetts
Mar 4 2007
8:00P
Bowery Ballroom
NYC, New York
Mar 5 2007
8:00P
Studio B
Brooklyn, New York
Mar 6 2007
8:00P
First Unitarian Church
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Mar 8 2007
8:00P
Local 506
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Mar 9 2007
8:00P
Drunken Unicorn
Atlanta, Georgia
Mar 10 2007
8:00P
The Social
Orlando, Florida
Mar 11 2007
8:00P
Cafe Eleven
St. Augustine
Mar 12 2007
8:00P
Club Downunder
Tallahassee, Florida
Mar 13 2007
8:00P
BottleTree
Birmingham
Mar 14 2007
8:00P
Hi-Tone Cafe
Memphis, Tennessee
Mar 15 2007
8:00P
Off Broadway
St. Louis, Missouri
Mar 16 2007
8:00P
Music Mill
Indianapolis, Illinois
Mar 17 2007
8:00P
Newport Music Hall
Columbus, Ohio
Mar 19 2007
8:00P
Picador
Iowa City, Iowa
Mar 20 2007
8:00P
Bottleneck
Lawrence, Kansas
Mar 22 2007
8:00P
Hi-Dive
Denver, Colorado
Mar 23 2007
8:00P
T.R.E.A.
Rapid City, South Dakota
Mar 24 2007
8:00P
The Yellowstone Perk
Missoula, Montana
Apr 3 2007
8:00P
Bottom Of The Hill
San Francisco, California
Apr 5 2007
8:00P
Casbah
San Diego, California
Apr 6 2007
8:00P
Echo
Los Angeles, California
Apr 7 2007
8:00P
Howie And Sons Pizza
Visalia, California

Unwed Sailor News...

Jonathon Ford and His various (and I do mean various as the line up changes constantly) group of musicians that assembled together go by Unwed Sailor are ready for another release after putting out two last year alone:



"2007
Unwed Sailor is scheduling studio time for the follow up to "Circles" and "The White Ox".The next album will be entitled "Little Wars".We are very excited about the songs and sounds that are happening.You can hear one of the songs that will be included on "Little Wars" here on our myspace page. The song is called "Copper Islands".We think you will be surprised and pleased with what you will hear and experience on the new record.There are lots of surprises coming this year....so keep an eye and ear out for us.As always, thanks for listening.yours truly....Unwed Sailor"

http://www.unwedsailor.com

http://www.myspace.com/unwedsailor

Treat Your Momma Right...

I honestly have no idea what Mr. T is doing lately, but if you could classify this as music, I would give it a "HOLY CRAP":

The Smashing Pumpkins New Album...

Well, it's officially going to happen. The Smashing Pumpkins (confirmed members Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlain) are going to release "Zeitgeist" on 7.7.07 and tour some of Europe in support of it.

I wonder what era of SP they will sound like.

Now that this is solved, let's find out who Billy's Daddy is...

http://www.smashingpumpkins.com/