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A ton more on the way.. STAY TUNED!!

Meet the 5th Beatle

Beatles fans are being given the chance the stay at a former home of the 'Fifth Beatle ', manager Brian Epstein. The new owners of the house in Anfield, Liverpool, have turned the property into a bed and breakfast, after discovering who it had previously belonged to. According to electoral records, Epstein 's father lived in the home until 1933 and his grandparents were there from 1927 to 1946. The current owners of the house, Darren McLennan and Ian Quigg , bought the property for £36,000, and were stunned to find out that Epstein had lived their. Mr McLennan said: "We are both builders and we were doing a bit of work on the property when a neighbour came over and told us who used to live in it. I couldn't believe it so I went to Liverpool Museum and looked it all up on the archives." The pair opened the themed property - called 'Epsteins' - for business at the beginning of December. So far, they have received 20 bookings. "There are thousands of visitors from all over the world to Beatles attractions in Liverpool every year," said Mr McLennan . "We are hoping to tap into that market." Brian Epstein died in August 1967, aged 32, after taking an overdose of sleeping pills.

Records and goodies to look forward to in 2004

The $100.00 iPod from Apple
The US release of “Cast of Thousands” by Elbow (V2) 1/13/04
Dub Narcotic Sound System: t.b.a. (K Records) 1/20/04
Air: Talkie Walkie (Astralwerks) 1/27/04
Helmet: Helmet Unsung: The Very Best of Helmet (Interscope/UME) 1/27/04
Stereolab - Margarine Eclipse 1/27/04
Microphones/Mount Eerie: Live in Japan CD (K Records) 2/3/04
Lambchop - Aw C'mon\No You C'mon (2/9/04)
The Von Bondies - Pawn Shoppe Heart (Sire)(2/9/04)
Probot: [title TBA] (Southern Lord) (2/10/04)
Monster Magnet - Monolithic Babes (2/16/04)
Liars: They Were So Wrong We Drowned (Mute) (2/28/04)

Sir Ray Davies? Sir Eric Clapton?

LONDON, England (AP) -- Could Queen Elizabeth II be a rock 'n roll fan? Legendary guitarist Eric Clapton and Kinks founder Ray Davies received royal honors Wednesday, becoming Commanders of the Order of the British Empire just weeks after Rolling Stone Mick Jagger picked up his knighthood at Buckingham Palace. Also among the luminaries singled out for awards in the annual New Year's Honors list were World Wide Web inventor Tim Berners-Lee, who became a knight, and tennis star Tim Henman, made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, or OBE. A total of 981 people received honors including 37 players and coaches from England's national rugby team, which won this year's Rugby World Cup.

Larry David to Star in The Producers?

Mel Brooks invites Larry to star with Ben Stiller in The Producers, only to see Larry refuse to shake his new co-star's hand after Stiller sneezes into it.
CLICK HERE FOR THE WHOLE STORY
(from off on a tangent)

American Analog Set- "The Postman (Just Like the 90's Never Happened Mix)" (Legal MP3 Download)

Another pop masterpiece from The Austin, Texas-based drone-pop quartet the American Analog Set
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

Interscope Celebrates 'Unsung' Helmet

Interscope has penciled in a Jan. 27 release for "Unsung: The Best of Helmet (1991-1997)," a 21-track retrospective of the seminal New York hardcore act. Group leader Page Hamilton was involved in the selection of the songs, which include the 1997 Modern Rock Tracks chart hit "Exactly What You Wanted" and such staples as "Unsung," "Milquetoast" and "Give It." "Unsung" also sports the House Of Pain collaboration "Just Another Victim," from 1993's "Judgement Night" soundtrack, plus the "Feeling Minnesota" soundtrack contribution "Disagreeable." Helmet split in 1999 after five studio albums. And while a published report in August claimed the group was eyeing a reunion, a management spokesperson for Hamilton refuted the claim. Instead, Hamilton has signed a deal with Interscope for a new project, which includes late period Helmet guitarist Chris Traynor. As previously reported , the pair has also collaborated on tracks intended for Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale's solo debut. The group is targeting a May or June release for its Interscope debut, which will be supported by Hamilton's most extensive set of live dates in some time. "Page is serious about working and returning to the live scene," the spokesperson says.
Here is the track list for "Unsung":
"Repetition"
"FBLA"
"Bad Mood"
"Sinatra"
"In the Meantime"
"Better"
"Unsung"
"Give It"
"Iron Head"
"Just Another Victim"
"Milquetoast"
"I Know"
"Rollo"
"Wilma's Rainbow"
"Overrated"
"Like I Care"
"Disagreeable"
"Pure"
"Renovation"
"Driving Nowhere"
"Exactly What You Wanted"

Mission of Burma Reunite Under Matador

Thirty-something music snobs who haven’t bought a new album since Repeater , rejoice! Boston ‘80s indie giants Mission of Burma have recently signed with Matador Records and are currently working on a new album, their first since the groundbreaking Vs. released in 1982. One of the most influential (and loudest) bands in the last few decades was forced to end its run early when guitarist Roger Miller was diagnosed with Tinnitis, a syndrome causing a loss of hearing. Think indie Mozart with better hair. Understandably, the legendary guitar noise and blaring tape loops of the Burma boys aren't really the best thing for a man going deaf, so the band called it quits in 1983 to the disappointment of early indie kids everywhere. Since the amicable break up, the Mission of Burma members have played in several other bands and pursued different projects. It wasn’t until 2002 that they came together again for a pair of sold out reunion shows (Either Miller got a snazzy pair of earmuffs or he decided that whole “long term hearing” thing is overrated). After the success of these concerts, they have been performing regularly including a spot at the 2002 All Tomorrow’s Parties festival in England. Rumors of an official reunion were denied by the band, who said they had no intention of being a full-time band again, but damnit if sometimes the grape vine doesn’t know what’s up. Miller, bassist Clint Conley and drummer Pete Prescott are, indeed, all together (original noise-man Martin Swope has not been a part of the Burma rebirth, and Shellac’s Bob Weston has been twisting the knobs instead) in the studio working on a new full length for Matador with a tentative May release date.

Top of the charts around the world

USA
single: Outkast : Hey Ya
album: Alicia Keys : The Diary of Alicia Keys

U.K.
single: Mike Andrews ft Gary Jules : Mad World
album: Dido : Life For Rent

NEW ZEALAND
single: Guy Sebastian : Angels Brought Me Here
album: Hayley Westenra : Pure

CANADA
single: Ryan Malcolm : Something More
album: Sarah McLachlan : Afterglow

IRELAND
single: Will Young : Leave Right Now
album: Dido : Life For Rent

AUSTRALIA
single : Black Eyed Peas : Shut Up
album : Guy Sebastian : Just As I Am

Rollins to Embark on Spoken Word Tour

Ah Henry Rollins . That man can always be counted on to keep himself in the news. Whether it’s a VH1 special on Beyonce or a PBS documentary on the Civil War, Mr. Rollins can always be found putting his two cents in about something. It’s unclear who declared Rollins to be an expert on anything besides neck-thickening, but anytime there’s an opportunity to express an opinion, and there’s an opening for a guy with tattoos, Henry is there, prepared with an idea. But there are a finite number of retrospective television programs that can be made. The networks can only do so many versions of We Love the ‘80s Strikes Back before the presence of a 45-year-old Boy George just starts to make people change the channel. But where does this leave our Black Flag waving friend? Just because MTV doesn’t want to hire him to talk doesn’t mean he could possibly shut the fuck up, does it? No way. And this is why Rollins always has a back up plan. Often called the “rap for white people who can’t find a DJ,” the genre of spoken word has always been a happy home for Henry. Here he is free to run his mouth about anything at all, no matter how boring, weird or just plain wrong, and it is considered art. Henry can just talk and talk and talk, neck veins bulging, flattop glistening, record his monologue, and consumers buy it up. Come on people, he wasn’t even the ORIGINAL singer for Black Flag! Have some discrimination for God’s sake. Well, apparently the Holidays have brought a lull in the TV spots available for Rollins, and has responded by announcing his “Shock and Awe My Ass” speaking tour. You, yes you, can pay more than 15 dollars to sit and listen to more of the wisdom of Henry Rollins, in person! You can’t afford NOT to go! This cleverly named tour is going along with his recently released spoken word album, Nights Behind the Tree Line , and whimsical book entitled Broken Summers . Don’t be disappointed, there’s more! In addition to the tour and the book and the CD, there are several reissues of other great Rollins classics scheduled for release in 2004. It’s like a Henrypalooza ! And we’re invited! The man who has the MetRx dietary supplement website linked from his home page has much insight to spread to the people of the world. Henry Rollins is a man with a message. What it is, nobody’s quite sure. But it may have something to do with the ‘80s. Or the Civil War. Or working out. It’s unclear really. But there is a lot of it, and it’s coming our way whether we like it or not.

The Kingblind Famous 5 Top 10 of 2003

Well, We told you what we thought was the best of ’03 back in November now it’s time for the movers and shakers to tell you there’s.. Every week for the next 5 weeks Kingblind will bring another “Famous 5 Top 10” Ok enough talk.. Please welcome #1.
Theresa Kereakes lives in Brooklyn, NY. she likes single bean dark bittersweet chocolate, vodka, Detroit, Paris and hats. Not necessarily in that order. She is an employee of a vast industrial complex that generates cultural products, one of which is a nationally syndicated radio show. she hears just about every record released. Trust us.. TK knows everyone.. TK is the queen of rock.
1. Dirtbombs / Dangerous Magical Noise.
Mick Collins is one of the best vocalists around today, bar none. "Get it While You Can" is a great track and quite possibly boasts the best use of the word "apocalyptic" in a rock song. Also, this track invokes an amazing visceral memory every time I hear it --- I can SEE the mighty 'bombs, with their two drummers pounding this out in a fantastic rhythmic synergy with their two bassists.... though if you saw them last time around, you saw NEITHER of the bass guys on the record..... it was still AMAZING. This is a band that can capture its live energy on vinyl, thanks to the way they make the records over there in the Ghetto.

2. Outrageous Cherry / Supernatural Equinox
Matt Smith is kissed by genius and possessed with the virtuosity of Paganini and Page (who may be the same person, really, when you think about it) with a fuzz box. Outrageous Cherry define the genre I call Velvet psycho bubblegum Underground. There really should be more of that sound, ya know.
"Saturday Afternoon" and "Girl You Have the Magic..." are classics.

3. Nick Cave / Nocturama
Nick Cave can do no wrong in my book. He's vying for the Leonard Cohen/John Cale crown and is a worthy knight in waiting. He does in fact, write the songs that Leonard Cohen or John Cale didn't write. Nocturama is a good sibling/book end for "The Boatman Calls" which may be one of my favorite records OF ALL TIME.

4. John Cale / Hobosapiens
I can only agree with Uncut's review that this "music whose scope, erudition and vitriol makes everything else....seem puny." Another sentimental favorite BUT Cale earned his spot on this list.

5. Warren Zevon / The Wind
There is no lyricist as wry or as smart as Warren Zevon and there never will be. This album had a lot riding on it and did not disappoint, except that there will be no more Zevon albums.

6. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club / Take Them On, On Your Own
I like fuzzy guitars. I like almost-goth fuzzy guitars. Hey I still listen to Jesus and Mary Chain.

7. The Shazam / Tomorrow The World
I also like glam/Badfinger-homage-paying arena-wannabe. This is just FUN stuff.

8. The Beatles / Let It Be...Naked
Always liked the rock part of this record and now it actually does ROCK.
"Dig a Pony," "Get Back," "One After 909," "Ive Got a Geeling," "Don't Let Me Down," AND "The Two of Us" sound good in the nude.

9. Led Zeppelin / How The West Was One
Two words: Jimmy Page.

10. Libertines / Up the Bracket
They're a train wreck. They love the Clash and the Kinks and you can tell. That's the kind of wear-it-on- your-sleeve thing I can handle. For every list that includes the Strokes.... The Libertines are my vote that tries to counteract it... Besides, Carl Barat thinks I think he is a girl and it keeps him on edge. I LIKE having the upper hand and it is SO RARE when I do. I revel in it.

but wait...... it goes to 11.

11. Paul Westerberg / Come Feel Me Tremble
He released a record. Isn't that enough?

And in case you were wondering, this is my Top Ten of All Time..Heavy on records released in the 60's.

1. Bob Dylan / "Blonde on Blonde"
"the ghost of 'lectricity howls in the bones of her face." With a lyric like that in a song that also has lyrics like "jewels and binoculars hang from the head of the mule," this record gets my vote for the best thing ever recorded... but it doesn't stop there. It is a life-changing aural experience all the way through. Performances sound spontaneous and raw.... I know they're not.... I know they are rehearsed and crafted, but they achieved the ultimate groove of seeming to threaten to completely fall apart at any moment -- so loose, so uninhibited.

2. The Beach Boys / "Pet Sounds"
Mind blowing pop music. Perfection. "Caroline No," heart wrenching, moving....

3. The Beatles / "Revolver"
"Tomorrow Never Knows" and "She Said She Said." 'nuff said.

4. Bob Dylan / "Highway 61 Revisited"
"When you want someone you don't have to speak to....." The speaker of "Queen Jane Approximately" became the type of guy I deemed perfection and still seek. I was a child when I heard that, too. Talk about INFLUENCE. So many great stories and characters here. The Devil is everywhere and the wild women, Dylan's cavalcade of tricksters are their most colorful here.

5. The Beatles / "Rubber Soul"
One of the great turning point records for me. The British version that is. Musically, the performances, the introspective lyrics, the album cover.... you name it.

6. The Rolling Stones / "Exile on Main Street"
Sprawling, drunken, uninhibited, loose.... see everything about "Blonde on Blonde" and apply it to rock and blues. A little Slim Harpo here, a little soul influence there. "Shine a Light," you know -- I seek out room 1009 in hotels.... a sentimental hangover from this record.

7. Led Zeppelin / "II" (the second album)
Rock, phase 2. Driven, decadent, blues-fueled, hedonistic virtuousity. Two words: Jimmy Page.

8. The Clash / "London Calling"
Punk bravado at its finest and that essential dub n reggae sneaking in... This may be the best record of the genre we like to call punk. It is the smartest and most musical of the lot.... but has heart and passion and mean guitars. Even the pop tart, Mick Jones's stuff has emotion even if lacking cajones. Yes, I'm referring to "Train in Vain." I like this one so much, I have 4 copies (vinyl; CD for California; CD for NY bedroom; CD for walkman - always in my bag)

9. Nick Cave / "The Boatman Calls"
Mature, elegant, poetic, elegiac. Stately. The finest Leonard Cohen record made.... by someone else.

10. The Dirtbombs / "UltraGlide in Black"
* token soul record? no.... what a bunch of stellar, genre bending AND defining performances. I have dreams that include "Chains of Love" as the soundtrack.... this version. There are plenty of AMAZING soul records out there..... Marvin Gaye's "What's Goin' On" being at the top of my list. But this mixed bag of ghetto ethnicities known as the Dirtbombs just have that special edge that speaks to my generation. I guess that's postmodernism for you.... me, being a bit older than them, I really dig the way they interpret the music of the generation previous to me.... two generations previous to them. Why can one never explain postmodernism?

Making New Year's Eve plans? The choices this year are pretty amazing: UPDATED
*******************************************
The Dirtbombs in Detriot
Patti Smith in New York City
The White Stripes and Flaming Lips in Chicago
Guided By Voices in San Diego
Josh Rouse in Nashville
Mastodon in Atlanta
Drive by Truckers in Atlanta
The Strokes and Kings of Leon in Las Vegas
The Boss Martians in Las Vegas
Grandaddy and Polyphonic Spree in Los Angeles

Meat Puppets bassist shot by security guard

Phoenix-based Meat Puppets bassist Cris Kirkwood was shot December 26 by a security guard outside a post office. Kirkwood apparently got into an argument with a woman over a parking spot, gestured as if to hit her when he confronted her outside their cars, and she reported his odd behavior to the security guard. When the guard confronted Kirkwood, he grabbed the guard's baton and hit him in the head, at which point the guard drew his gun and shot Kirkwood in the abdomen. The guard "took out the baton and held it out in front of him and said, 'You need to leave,' " Killigrew said. "The guy took the baton from him and struck him at least one time in the forehead at which time the guard felt fear for his life. He said, 'I thought the guy was going to kill me.' He already displayed that he would hurt him, and the guard shot him one time in the abdomen." Shortly after the incident, the guard was sitting dazed on the steps of the post office. Kirkwood's clothing sat in a pool of blood on the sidewalk. Kirkwood is recovering in a local hospital.

KINGBLIND RECOMMENDS

Here's what's on the kingblind stereo this week
(The Shins: Chutes too narrow)--(Van Halen: II)--(Rolling Stones: Aftermath)--(John Coltrane: Blue Train)--(British Sea Power: The Decline of British Sea Power)

The Kids are Alright

Here are some super rare live concerts from The Who. Enjoy !
London, 1964 (Marquee Club), including a rocking cover of the Kinks' "You Really Got Me"
Monterrey Pop Festival, 1967-06-18
Stockholm, 1966-06-02 & 1966-10-25
Amsterdam, 1969-09-29
Woodstock, 1969-08-17
And a LOT more

Making New Year's Eve plans? The choices this year are pretty amazing:
*******************************************
The White Stripes and Flaming Lips in Chicago
Guided By Voices in San Diego
Josh Rouse in Nashville
Mastodon in Atlanta
Drive by Truckers in Atlanta
The Strokes and Kings of Leon in Las Vegas
Grandaddy and Polyphonic Spree in Los Angeles

Live Yo La Tengo (Legal MP3 Downloads)

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

The $100 iPod?

My prayers have been answered.. It looks like we will have $100.00 (USD) iPod from Apple in January.. AWESOME..
CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE DETAILS

Sonic Youth at Live the Bonnaroo Music Festival in Tennessee. (Legal MP3 Download)

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN
(found at largehearted boy)

The Shins Live at Austin City Limits, September 21, 2003. (Legal MP3 Download)

Good sound and a great show, it's highly recommended. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (Movie Review)

It might be the cinema's most astonishing holy war film. The Lord of the Rings took seven years and an army of gifted artists to execute, and the striving of its makers is in every splendid frame. It's more than a movie--it's a gift. As good as each individual movie is, the third film vaults the work into the stratosphere of classic movies. Key characters are enhanced, new civilizations visited and battles fought more intensely, while feelings and motivations are plumbed more deeply and movingly. From the acting to the special effects to the landscapes to the cinematography, editing and music, to the details of decor, wardrobe and armaments, we never once feel that we are in anything but the hands of an absolute master of the medium. Truly astonishing work, Well worth the wait.

Father Christmas

In the spirit of Christmas, here is a wonderful, if slightly unsettling telling of the Santa Claus story, via the imaginative mind of Finnish director Jalmari Helander.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW (Quicktime)
(via the rocking largehearted boy)

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

HOW CHRISTMAS WORKS.. CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE ANSWERS

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM KINGBLIND.COM

Holiday MP3 offer has expired.. Gotta be fast for the free stuff..
(Art by R.Land)

It's December 24th... HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEMMY

That's right the Hawkwind / Motorhead legend lives one more year!! Excellent!! Oh by the way.. He is 58..

The Roy Owens Jr.- "Far Away Friends" (Legal MP3 Download)

Rare B-Side from The Roy Owens Jr. fall tour single. A great Lo-Fi beauty CLICK HERE TO LISTEN---- For more info on The Roy Owens Jr. CLICK HERE

MORE: (DVD / MOVIE PREVIEW)

The Academy-Award® nominated animated short-film tells the story of a lonely inventor, whose colorless existence is brightened only by dreams of the carefree bliss of his youth. By day, he is trapped in a dehumanizing job in a joyless world. But by night, he tinkers away on a visionary invention, desperate to translate his inspiration into something meaningful. When his invention is complete, it will change the way people see the world. But he will find that success comes at a high price, as it changes himself, as well. CLICK HERE TO WATCH IT Requires Quicktime

Cobra Verde Video Spoofs Reality TV

A surreal universe featuring punk icon Mike Watt, actor George Wendt ("Cheers") and Rudy May Moore's "Dolemite" character is exactly what John Petkovic had in mind for Cobra Verde's outrageous "Riot Industry" video. "Videos are just so didactic and it is usually some band that is very whiney," the band's frontman said. "They sort of posit this kind of real emotion. They have a band playing who is usually very serious and very chest thumping. We just wanted to have a lot of fun and try something different with a video, with just a bunch of vignettes pasted together." The result is pure mayhem, aping low-budget videos from the 1980s dawn of the music video while commenting on the reality television trend. Watt, Wendt and Moore were all eager to contribute to the band's inaugural venture into the visual medium, according to Petkovic, with Wendt offering his Lake Michigan summer home (and paddle boat) as a backdrop for his scenes. While "Riot Industry," from Cobra Verde's late-summer MuscleTone release "Easy Listening," was the set's lead single some time ago, the video won't be serviced to MTV2 and other outlets until early January. In the meantime, Cobra Verde is making 2004 touring plans that will begin with a coast-to-coast headlining club jaunt in February. In addition, the band plans a spring release for an album of covers, "Kill the Singer; Save the Song." Featuring remakes of Pink's "Get the Party Started," New Order's "Temptation" and Donna Summer's "I Feel Love," among other tracks, the set gave the Cleveland-based band a chance to experiment a little before starting a new studio album. "We wanted to do a covers record because we wanted to try different recording techniques for the next album of originals," says Pektovic. "And the idea was to record a bunch of covers using a bunch of different techniques and different arrangements. [But] These are not jokey versions." With the majority of new tracks already written for a new album, Cobra Verde is aiming for a late 2004 release for its sixth release. Although "Easy Listening" has been acclaimed as one of the year's best garage-rock discs, Petkovic hints the band is exploring new ground for its next release. "It's going to be like more open-ended, more of a cross between power pop and kind of post-punk," tells Petkovic. "It's going to be all over the map”.

RIAA: Shot Through the Heart?

The top brass at the Recording Industry Association of America probably have "I Don't Like Mondays" on heavy rotation this morning, especially after a weekend where every story about their legal campaign against music piracy started off with words like "setback," "sharp blow," "struck down" and "stinging rebuke." That's because a three-judge panel on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled on Friday that the RIAA can't force Internet service providers to drop the dime on their customers who are suspected of illegally trading songs online. The Washington Post took the "sharp blow" approach in its front-page story, while the Associated Press reported that "The ruling does not legalize distributing copyrighted songs over the Internet, but it will greatly increase the cost and effort for the Washington-based Recording Industry Association of America to track such activity and sue those who are swapping music online." "Stinging rebuke" honors went to the the San Jose Mercury News editorial board, which opined today that the ruling "is also an invitation to Congress to fix copyright law not only to protect the entertainment industry but also consumers whose rights have been trampled." In a separate article on Saturday, the Mercury News said the ruling "means the secret identities of thousands of file swappers are safe for now." (from The Washington Post)

JACK WHITE CHARGED WITH ASSAULT

White Stripes lead singer Jack White (real name: John Anthony Gillis) was charged today in Detroit with aggravated assault after a fight with the lead singer of another band. White, 28, faces anywhere from no jail time to a maximum of one year in prison if convicted. Wayne Co. Prosecuter Mike Duggan spoke about how he is tired of seeing celebrities get away with breaking laws that normal citizens are bound to.

MAD CHRISTMAS

‘MAD WORLD’ by MICHAEL ANDREWS and GARY JULES scooped the Christmas number one spot in the UK singles chart today (December 21) despite strong competition from THE DARKNESS ’’CHRISTMAS TIME (DON’T LET THE BELLS END)’ and OZZY and KELLY OSBOURNE’s ’CHANGES’. The track ‘Mad World’, originally recorded by Tears For Fears on their 1982 album ‘The Hurting’, reached new audiences when it was re-recorded by the relatively unknown Andrews and Jules and included in the cult film ‘Donnie Darko’. The race for the coveted Christmas number one was close throughout the week, though it was The Darkness that led the way in the mid-week charts - causing bookies to tip them as favourites. However Lowestoft ’s spandex-rockers had to settle for second place in today’s run-down. Ozzy and Kelly’s ‘Changes’ fell from the top of the charts to number three this week, whilst a handful of new entries hit the Top Ten. Bo Selecta ’s ‘Proper Chrimbo’ entered the charts at four, The Idols ’‘Happy Xmas (War Is Over)' at five, Atomic Kitten’s ‘Ladies Night’ at eight and Sugababes ’’Too Lost In You’ crept in at 10. Other new entries included Blue’s cover of ‘Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours’ featuring Stevie Wonder and Angie Stone narrowly missing out on a Top Ten hit at 11 and G-Unit ’s ‘Stunt 101’ entering in at 29. Elsewhere in the charts, Fast Food Rocker’s attempt at a Christmas number one fell very short with ‘I Love Christmas’ debuting at 25, while OutKast’s ‘Hey Ya’ re-entered the Top Twenty at 16. In the album charts, the top three LPs remained the same as last week, with Dido’s ‘Life For Rent’ holding onto number one, Will Young’s ‘Friday’s Child’ at two and ’Number Ones’ by Michael Jackson at three.

Elliott Smith: “From a Basement on a Hill” (bootleg-- Record Review)

George Harrison was stabbed by an intruder near the heart about a year before he died. Elliott Smith was stabbed in the heart by a woman I presume he allowed into his house, into his home. This is a sad record, this “From a Basement on the Hill” which he was working on before his untimely death. George Harrison is the first simple thought that radiates-from the guitar lines to the faltering vocal inflections, Smith was making a masterpiece of splintering proportions that makes the listener feel guilty to enjoy. When a fan told Bobby D (aka: Dylan) how s/he liked “Blood on the Tracks”, the album chronicling his divorce from Sara, he snapped: “How can you enjoy that?” It starts off electric, and he wistfully sings “so bad, so far, you’ll make him sad-shooting star-when it was me I was momentarily proud-you said you’d be for real but I don’t believe that you are, you make me sad, shooting star-“ a surprising infusion of a piano couplet-“you don’t feel bad when you lie…” It’s so sad. And that’s just the first song. There are more acoustic songs on this theme. Two instrumentals, one sounding like “exile” era Stones and the other sounding like Dark Horse era George, combinations of piano and guitar-“I’m stuck here waiting for a passing feeling” the guitar solos are long and mournful. Allegedly Dreamworks is going to release this in early 2004. All I got is eight songs. 8 of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard. (By Jim Hayes.... GENIUS..)

Neutral Milk Hotel: Live and Rare (Legal MP3 Download)

A Neutral Milk Hotel show, a Jeff Mangum acoustic show, some other Mangum collaborations and NMH rarities. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

Replace the battery in your iPod

Two easy ways to replace the battery in your iPod. Either from Apple..
Or a 3rd Party Now isn't that nice.

Yoko's Revenge - Yoko Edits Herself Into John Lennon's History

Yoko Ono is not making fans of John Lennon very happy right now. She's been busy editing Lennon's videos and changing songwriting credits. Call it her revenge on old enemies like Paul McCartney and May Pang. Ono's weirdest piece of video trickery comes on the recently released DVD "Lennon Legend: The Very Best of John Lennon." On one film, for the classic song "#9 Dream," Ono has edited herself into the original video. There you will find her mouthing the backup vocals that were sung on the original hit recording by Lennon's girlfriend at that time, May Pang. Pang, of course, was not thrilled to hear this had happened. "She is trying to erase everyone who had anything to do with John with her alone," says Pang, who is a popular figure in the New York music scene. "I am definitely upset at her misleading everyone into thinking she is on '#9 Dream.' She had nothing to do with this particular album and it was John's only No.1 album and No. 1 single during his lifetime. Boy, do I understand how Paul feels." And how does Paul feel? Well, no one's been able to ask him yet, but apparently Ono has dropped his name from the songwriting credit on "Give Peace a Chance." The song was written by Lennon only, but at the time the songwriting duo was still putting their two names on everything. Last year, in his own bid for more immortality, McCartney wanted Ono to let him drop Lennon's name from the Beatle songs he didn't write. When that didn't work, McCartney reversed the traditional order so they read "McCartney-Lennon." Now it seems Ono - who took umbrage at McCartney - has gotten her revenge. As for the DVD, another source points out that Ono also edited herself in the video for "Stand By Me." "It should now be called 'Sit By Me,'" quips the insider. None of this comes as any surprise to those who saw the TNT tribute to Lennon in the fall of 2001. Ono edited all the footage of Lennon from his Beatle days so that none of the other Fab Four appeared. And no reference to the Beatles was ever made, as if Lennon had simply arrived on the scene singing "Imagine." Imagine that.

KINGBLIND RECOMMENDS

Here is what kingblind is listening to this week
(The Shins: Chutes too narrow)--(The Darkness: Permisson to Land)--(Van Halen: Van Halen)--(Ledbelly: Sings to Children)--(The Beach Boys: Smile)

Shake it like a Polaroid Picture !

Now that OutKast has put the phrase "shake it like a Polaroid picture" into the pop culture vernacular, the instant photography company's ad agency has used it as an opportunity launch a guerrilla "buzz trend" campaign. With the line from the hip-hop duo's infectious hit "Hey Ya!," putting Polaroid on the lips of a new generation of picture takers, New York-based MVBMS has put cameras into the hands of Andre 3000 and Big Boi, among others. "Our intrepid group got in touch with OutKast's manager before their [November] appearance on 'Saturday Night Live' and gave them and some of the dancers Polaroid cameras for their performance of the song," a MVBMS spokesperson said. "As things have gone on, they've made sure that OutKast and others have Polaroids on hand to capture the moment on stage, at parties and other events." The agency is putting cameras into the hands of so-called "Polarazzi," celebrities and other trendsetters. They plan to hit high-profile events on New Year's Eve as part of "The Polaroid Ambush."

The Who Confirmed For Isle Of Wight Festival

Legendary 60's rock group The Who are returning to their roots, confirmed for a headline performance at this summer's Isle Of Wight Festival. The Who played a classic set at The Isle Of Wight Festival back in 1970. From 2am until 5am they played continuously, churning out their classic hits plus 13 songs from their rock opera Tommy. Pete Townshend then decided to smash up his electric guitar and Keith Moon trashed his drum kit. They were subsequently banned from playing there again. The band are now set to return to the festival stage on Saturday 12th June and will perform alongside other headline acts The Stereophonics (Friday 11th) and David Bowie (Sunday 13th). The 2004 Festival is the third Isle Of Wight Festival since it has been revived. The Isle of Wight Festivals at the end of the 1960's were a series of legendary events featuring Bob Dylan, The Who, Free, The Doors, Joni Mitchell, Jefferson Airplane culminating in 1970 with 600,000 hippies descending on the island to see Jimi Hendrix perform his penultimate concert. As documented in the film 'Message to Love' and celebrated in songs such as Oasis' 'F***ing in the Bushes', the event has played a major part in shaping the music festivals we know today and was the European answer to Woodstock. The historic festival returned in 2002 after a 32 year absence and featured The Charlatans, Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant, Ash, Starsailor, The Coral and local heroes The Bees. In 2003 Paul Weller, Starsailor, Iggy Pop, Counting Crows, Bryan Adams and Cooper Temple Clause, John Squire, The Thrills, The Darkness, Hell is for Heroes and The Raveonettes rocked the island. Due to the continued success of this festival, next year's event has been extended to three days and will run from Friday 11th June to Sunday 13th. The festival will take place in Seaclose Park, Newport.

LONDON WELCOMES THE DARKNESS!

THE DARKNESS amazed fans with a breakfast signing session in LONDON today (December 19). The band turned up at 9.30am at the HMV Oxford Street store to sign copies of their single ‘Christmas Time (Don’t Let The Bells End)’, which is leading the battle to be this year’s festive Number One. The band announced they would arrive at the store on a horse-drawn carriage, and would be welcomed by The Haberdashers' Aske's Hatcham College Choir. Hundreds of fans managed to get to the store in time to meet their heroes. The 2004 Christmas Number One will be announced this Sunday (December 21).
(from nme)

The Shins on the road and TV

Indie-pop darlings the Shins have set a short U.S. tour for February in support of the group's most recent album, "Chutes Too Narrow" (Sub Pop). The dates will follow a three-show London stand in late January, where the band will play the Arts Cafe, Garage/Scala and Monarch Barfly venues on consecutive nights. The Portland, Ore.- and Alberquerque, N.M.-based band is also booked for two late-night TV appearances in the U.S. in the new year -- a Jan. 13 engagement on CBS' "Late Show With David Letterman" and a Feb. 17 booking for NBC's "Late Night With Conan O'Brien." The group also plans to play NBC's "Last Call With Carson Daly" later in February, but the date has not yet been set. "Chutes Too Narrow" debuted in November at No. 86 on The Billboard 200 and No. 6 on Billboard's Top Independent Albums chart. The set has sold 63,000 copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan.
Here are the Shins' tour dates:
Jan. 13: New York (Late Show With David Letterman)
Jan. 20: London (Arts Cafe)
Jan. 21: London (Garage/ Scala)
Jan. 22: London (Monarch Barfly)
Jan. 31-Feb. 1: Seattle (Showbox)
Feb. 2: Portland, Ore. (Roseland Theater)
Feb. 4: San Francisco (Fillmore)
Feb. 5-6: Los Angeles (Henry Fonda Theater)
Feb. 8: Mission Beach, Calif. (Canes Ballroom)
Feb. 10-11: Washington, D.C. (Black Cat)
Feb. 13: Boston (the Roxy)
Feb. 14-15: New York (Irving Plaza)
Feb. 17: New York (Late Night With Conan O'Brien)

WATCH THE NEW PEACHES / IGGY POP VIDEO! (Music Video)

The Iggster and queen-strap-on get it together for new grunge-punk-rocker 'Kick It'. The single is out now, and features a bizarre 'Night Of The Living Dead' stylee video to boot. It's quite a showdown:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW REQUIRES REAL

TSOL: “Serious” (Legal MP3 Download)

New single from TSOL. Wow.. The best stuff in YEARS.
CLICK HERE LISTEN

GUIDED BY VOICES: OF MITES AND MEN (Legal MP3 Dowload)

MP3 FROM THE NATE FARLEY SESSIONS, TRACKS THAT WERE EXCLUSIVELY RECORDED FOR AIR ON RADIO STATIONS IN THE UK
CLICK HERE TO DOWLOAD

IN THE CAN

A DVD chronicling the seminal career of German experimental rock kingpins Can has been made available in the UK (a US release date has yet to be set). 'Can DVD' brings together for the first time a raft of exclusive footage of the band, who are considered one of the most influential and experimental groups to emerge in the 1970s. Released to coincide with the 35th anniversary of the band's formation in Cologne, Germany, 'Can DVD' features two CDs of film and a separate audio CD. Amongst the material is a documentary shot by Rudi Dolezal and Hannes Rossacher, covering the entire history of the group. Also included is the 'Can Free Concert', which took place in Cologne in 1972 and filmed by Robbie Muller and directed by Peter Przygodda before a crowd of 10,000. A selection of the solo work from the band is also included, as is a short film by Brian Eno, consisting of footage of the band winning the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Echo Awards, which was presented by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. 'Can DVD' is out now.

How to become a rock star without leaving the house: By David Berman of the Silver Jews

CLICK HERE FOR THE WHOLE STORY

The Frames release live record

"Set List," a live album recorded across four November 2002 shows at Dublin's Vicar St., will be the first Anti- Records release for Irish rock band the Frames. Long renowned for its live show, but underexposed outside of its homeland, the band hopes to show its might to America with the 13-track set, released over the summer in Ireland via Plateau Records. Like all of the band's previous releases, "Set List" can be streamed via the band's official Web site. Fronted by Glen Hansard (known to many for his role in "The Commitments"), the Frames are working on a new studio album due sometime in 2004. The band will close out 2003 with a pair of Dublin shows Dec. 30-31 at the Olympia Theatre

Another Queen musical is on the way

"Mercury: The Afterlife and Times of a Rock God," a one-man show about late Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, will open a three-month Off Broadway run Jan. 11 at New York's Triad Theatre. Starring Amir Darvish ("Two Men In Shoulder Stand", "Aida"), the show has received strong reviews during two previous limited engagements. For more information visit theatermania.com or call 212-352-3101. "Mercury" is not to be confused with "We Will Rock You," a musical by Queen and Ben Elton currently playing in London, Spain and Australia. The show's official Web site reports that plans are ongoing for 2004 openings in the U.S., Germany, and Russia, and Mexico, South Africa, Japan, South Korea, Canada and Italy are on the map for 2005-2006.

David Sedaris Christmas story from the New Yorker

CLICK HERE TO READ THE STORY
(found at every so rockin fimoculous)

The Darkness- Christmas Video (Music Video)

In the UK every year there is a VERY big deal made about what the #1 Christmas single will be.. There is nationwide betting and debates everywhere, So anyways, this year’s frontrunner is The Darkness. And here is their new video for their new Christmas single. And the following story is a short blurb from the UK press about the song / video. (Here is UK story) There’s a debate circumventing the elfish, snow snorting grottos of the North Pole as to whether The Darkness ’ bid to suck Christmas no.1 cock is a the work of an idealistic rock n roll genius or the devil himself. Some believe they may be related. For our sakes… ‘Christmas Time (Don’t Let The Bells End)’ is every rock kid’s fantasy; an opportunity to steal pop thunder and turn xmas into something to be proud of. While the cool kids vacated the Hawkins mobile long ago, Whitesnake cherishing youths all across the country have been content to watch the Chessex girls and desk bound sales brats buy into their product to help procure the airwaves once and for all. Rumours have it that the song was originally written for Cliff Richard , but PR bosses felt the children’s choir may have caused problems with his ‘image’ . No longer will Slade drown your local spit & sawdust on xmas eve; the Pogues have been permanently sent to rehab and Wizzard got cancelled. This is our chance…
CLICK HERE TO VIEW Requires REAL

Tis the season for some bling-bling

It’s Christmas.. get some bling for ya favorite playa.. CLICK HERE TO VIEW SITE

David Sedaris: "The Santaland Diaries"

NPR features a performance by humorist and NPR commentator David Sedaris. He charms us with the complete "Santaland Diaries." This piece first ran on NPR's Morning Edition a few days before Christmas 1992. Even though Sedaris has achieved national fame and movie contracts for his humor writing, he still cleans apartments during the day, because, he says, he can only write at night.. (forward to 4:42 hear david .. But the entire NPR show is streaming.. It's an excellent Christmas special. Check it out)
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN Require Real

iTunes Music Downloads Pass 25 million

Apple have passed another milestone for their hugely popular legal music download service, topping 25 million in downloads. The 25 millionth song, purchased last Friday afternoon, was "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" by Frank Sinatra. Apple also announced that over $1 million of iTunes online gift certificates and allowances have been purchased since the features were added to the iTunes Music Store on October 16, 2003. "With over 25 million songs purchased and downloaded to date, the iTunes Music Store is hands-down the most successful online music store," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "Music fans are buying and downloading almost 1.5 million songs per week from the iTunes Music Store, which is a rate of 75 million songs per year."

Singer claims photos show aftermath of fight

These are photos of Von Bondies lead singer Jason Stollsteimer after the alleged brawl between him and White Stripes lead singer Jack White (real name: John Anthony Gillis). Stollsteimer's manager, Rick Canny, supplied the photos in an effort to support his claim that White attacked him Saturday night at the Magic Stick club on Woodward. Cops investigate singers' fight at Detroit nightclub The photos were taken after Stollsteimer was released Sunday morning from Detroit Receiving Hospital, Canny said. Assistant Wayne County Prosecutor Marcus Connor said the allegations are still being reviewed and a decision on whether anyone will face criminal charges should be made later this week.

Chemical Brothers: “Get yourself high” (Music Video)

Excellent new video from the bros. Kung Fu action is go!! CLICK HERE TO VIEW Requires Quicktime

Super Furry Animals hit the road

Forward-thinking Welsh pop quintet Super Furry Animals has confirmed a large slate of tour dates for the first four months of 2004, covering European and U.K. dates as well as a month of North American concerts. The bulk of dates starts Jan. 21 in Madrid and winds up April 8 in London. The North American dates stretch throughout the month of February, kicking off Feb. 2 in Minneapolis and hitting 21 major U.S. and Canadian markets through a Feb. 28 gig in Los Angeles. The band has nearly a month after that with no scheduled activity, followed by a run of 10 dates in its native U.K. at the end of March and beginning of April. All dates are in support of the band's most recent album, "Phantom Power" (XL/Beggars Group). Its sixth studio album overall, has sold 22,000 copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan.

'Carnivale' Rolls Up for 2nd Season on HBO

NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - "Carnivale" will reopen its tent next year on HBO. Sources said the premium cable network has ordered 13 episodes for a second season of the primetime drama about a troupe of Depression-era circus performers. Production is expected to begin in the spring, with the show set to start airing again in late 2004. Its ensemble cast includes Nick Stahl, Clea Duvall, Amy Mafigan, Adrienne Barbeau and Ralph Waite. "Carnivale" completed its rookie season earlier this month with the final episode drawing 3.5 million total viewers, just under its season average. While HBO's more established series such as "The Sopranos" and "Sex and the City" attract much bigger audiences, "Carnivale" earned a respectable viewership on par with another of its critically acclaimed dramas, "The Wire." The series appeared to hit a ratings trough early against stiff competition on the broadcast networks but surged in the latter half of its run even as its lead-out, the faux-reality series "K Street," faltered. Launched simultaneously with "Carnivale," "Street" will not return for a second season.

Sony and BMG Merge

Sony Records acquired BMG Records in a deal signed Friday (Dec. 12), making the new company the second largest music corporation in the world. The company, Sony BMG, will be co-owned in a 50-50 split of ownership between the parent companies. If regulatory agencies in the United States and Europe approve the merger -- which will take several months -- Sony BMG will command 25 percent of worldwide music sales, putting it slightly behind Universal Music which controls about 29 percent of the world's music market. The merger only applies to music holdings. Each company retains its individual publishing, manufacturing and distribution arms.

KINGBLIND UPDATE: JACK WHITE, JASON VON BONDIES FIGHT..

As reported yesterday.. Here are all the details of the fight..
While Brendan Benson was opening a record release show for Blanche, a brawl broke out between Jack White and Jason Von Bondie. Jason, along with bandmates Marcie Bolen and Carrie Smith, was watching the show in the front row. Jack was also at the front of the stage, near the Von Bondies clan and Saturday Looks Good To Me singer, Fred Thomas. Jack left after a few songs, then came storming back to the front of the stage - back to Jason Von Bondie. Those standing close enough could feel Jack's spit - aimed at Jason - hit their faces. Jack then proceeded to yell something, very loudly, into Jason's ear. Seconds later, Jack landed a solid punch on Jason - most likely breaking his nose. Blood splattered over the floor and covered the back of Carrie Smith's shirt. The fight carried on for a few minutes - Jack pinning Jason to the floor in front of the speakers. It took several men to pull them apart, and Jason, who was having difficultly getting up, was helped backstage by Marcie and Carrie. Brendan Benson left the stage after only four songs, and the show reached a halt. Meanwhile Meg White sat on a speaker sipping a cocktail throughout the incident, and its aftermath. To view the police report GO HERE
(story from E.R., police report from smoking gun)

Polyphonic Spree Announce Xmas Benefit

The Polyphonic Spree will play a couple shows in Los Angeles to benefit Toys for Tots. The sprawling 23-member band announced a pair of fund-raising shows at Los Angeles' Lakewood Theater on Dec. 19 and 20 to benefit the toy-drive charity. The Christmas spirit will pervade the shows, with Santa and Mrs. Claus scheduled to entertain families outside the venue, and a screening of the animated Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer after both shows. Patrons are encouraged to bring an unwrapped, new toy to donate to Toys for Tots.

The Desaparecidos not going anywhere fast

The Desaparecidos aren't going to finish many projects in the near future. The band announced that, because of conflicting tour schedules for its other members -- it features members of Bright Eyes and Statistics -- the act wouldn't be able to finish writing its album scheduled for a spring release. No revised release date was issued by the band or its label, Saddle Creek Records. The conflict of scheduled also forces the band to renege on its commitment to headline the upcoming Plea for Peace tour. Saddle Creek's Cursive are still scheduled to play the benefit series, though no replacement for Desaparecidos has been announced.

The Darkness: Concerts, radio shows and interviews (Legal MP3 Download)

Loads of live concerts, radio shows and interviews from The Darkness!! RIGHT ON (Oh yeah there are photos too !!)
CLICK HERE TO DOWLOAD

The Mistreaters: “I won’t like you” (Legal MP3 Download)

Fuzzed out punk garage noise from Milwaukee, WI.. Totally awesome
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

Amon Tobin: “4-Ton Mantis” (Music Video)

Mistress of visual funk Floria Sigismondi directed this eerily beautiful video for British/Brazilian beat junkie Amon Tobin (please note this version highlights an alternate ending different from the originally broadcast version).
Click here to view Requires Quicktime

Soul Junk: “Hogging all the islands” (Legal MP3 Download)

When the seminal indie noise band Truman's Water moved out of San Diego, Glen Galloway stayed behind and became Glen Galaxy . He soon began recording as Soul-Junk and celebrating his love for Jesus Christ by referencing lyrics directly from the Bible. Soul-Junk is all about spirituality through musical invention and reinvention. Galloway started by creating sounds rooted in free jazz and noise. He then brought in guitars and composed actual songs while remaining rooted in the experimental. With his album 1956 , he started to move into rapping, while also sticking to its original foundation of avant-garde, indie rock, and conventional singing. This eclectic commingling of styles propelled Soul-Junk toward the territory of Beck . A fun little track.. Enjoy
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

Separated at Birth?

Saddam Hussein Captured!!! After months of eluding Coalition forces, Saddam Hussein was captured last night in a "spider hole" in Tikrit . Authorities said he was talkative, but "tired and haggard, unrepentant, even defiant." I think he's just pissed off that they found him looking like Nick Nolte. ;-)

KINGBLIND EXCLUSIVE: Jack White and Jason from The Von Bondies in fist fight

At the Garden Bowl / Magic Stick in Detroit, MI last night Blanche/Brendan Benson were playing at the venue. In attendance were White Stripes frontman Jack White and Jason from the Von Bondies. A quick argument started and Jack White hauled off and cracked Jason from the Von Bondies and broke his nose and swelled his eye shut. The reason for the fight is unknown.. But I guess the former goodwill between the two bands is now over. Kingblind will update you on any further information as we get it.. In related news, Jack was the observer of another fight on Thursday ..The New York Post reports at Thursday's White Stripes show at Roseland, Jack White stopped in the middle of 'Look Me Over Closely,' to yell at two guys in the crowd. "Take it outside! For God's sake - this is a Marlene Dietrich song and you guys are punching each other," he yelled. "I can taste the testosterone from here."

The Thrills: “One horse town” (Music Video)

The Thrills are from Dublin, Ireland, but they've recorded songs called "Big Sur," "Your Love Is Like Las Vegas," "Santa Cruz," and "Hollywood Kids." Inspired by the likes of Neil Young, the Byrds, and the Beach Boys, the group appeared twice on the U.K.'s Top of the Pops program in support of their 2003 debut album, So Much for the City. (Requires Quicktime) CLICK HERE TO VIEW

Satellite Radio Gives Lyrics Free Rein

Seeking every edge they can get over terrestrial radio, the satellite radio programers XM and Sirius are touting the uncensored nature of several of their rap/hip-hop channels. "The popularity is not hard to imagine with the way hip-hop is part of the culture, not only in terms of music but fashion, style and verbiage," says Steve Harris, vice president of programing for Washington, D.C.-based XM. XM programer Leo G says, "XM's Raw channel emulates the lifestyle by programing with a mix-tape mentality. For those living the hip-hop lifestyle, mix tapes have become a form of promotion and marketing for record labels and new projects," he explains. "Raw exudes this, from the music to the on-air personalities to the production in between. There hasn't been anything yet that's crossed my desk that's too raunchy." That same philosophy is in play at New York-based Sirius, whose uncut rap is featured on the Hip-Hop Nation channel. "A lot of DJs around the country submit mixes," says Geronimo, Sirius program manager for rhythmic formats. "Everything you hear on-air is anything you would hear off the air in a normal conversation. That's all part of the idea of being uncompromised. We don't have to worry about angering sponsors; I don't have to look at any other station to see what it's doing. If it fits, we'll put it in, no matter what the lyrical content." The channels primarily target male listeners 18-35 and offer a variety of special segments. Raw operates with six on-air personalities, including Leo G. In addition to a countdown show, Raw devotes an hour daily (9-10 p.m.) to playing hip-hop from a specific region. Its "On Blast" segment highlights newly released albums. More live broadcasts of hip-hop concerts and other events are on Raw's agenda after its success in airing the D.C. stopover on the Def Jam Vendetta tour. Besides Hip-Hop Nation, Sirius' genre-related channels include Street Beat (rap hits), BackSpin (old-school hip-hop) and Wax (mixes, remixes and freestyle). XM has eight urban channels, two of which are devoted strictly to hip-hop: Raw, which plays contemporary/new music, and The Rhyme, which focuses on classic hip-hop from the '80s. Sirius recently hosted Hip-Hop Appreciation Week, capped by a seven-hour broadcast sporting some of the biggest legends in the genre: DJ Red Alert, Grand Wizard Theodore, Mister Cee and Kurtis Blow. egarding subscribers, XM will say only that it has more than 1 million subscribers; it does not give out individual channel numbers. And in a press release, Sirius said it has surpassed 200,000 subscribers on its nationwide service of 60 commercial-free music streams and 40-plus streams of news, sports and entertainment. However, both are united in their efforts to steal commercial radio's thunder. "With the way music sales have been, most of the labels -- majors and indies -- are looking for any possible way to expose their artists," Geronimo says. "We're looking to break new artists and give exposure to artists who may have trouble getting spins on commercial radio." Leo G. says that many traditional radio programers think satellite radio won't work. "But the evolution of radio is inevitable, like with AM and FM back in the day. This is just a natural evolution of what's to come. And there's not much to stop it."

Kingblind Recommends

Here is what's on the kingblind stereo this week:
(The Shins: Chutes too narrow)--(The Minutemen: Double nickels on the dime)---(Neutral Milk Hotel: In the aeroplane over the sea)--(Black Flag: Complete 82' demos)--(Al Green: I can't stop)

Hot Hot Heat: "Bandages" (Music Video)

New video from HOT HOT HEAT.. Great song.. mmmm mmmm good.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW Requires Quicktime

The Rapture: "House of Jealous Lovers" (Music Video)

Cool video from The Rapture... Enjoy
CLICK HERE TO VIEW Requires REAL

Sonic Youth Plans DVD, Reissue, Experimental LP

Veteran rock act Sonic Youth is making plans for its first official DVD releases, as well as an expanded reissue of its 1990 Geffen album "Goo" and the next in a series of experimental LPs. According to posts on the band's official Web site (http://www.sonicyouth.com), "the first official Sonic Youth DVDs ... will be jammed with anything/everything that needs to be jammed onto DVD." The group is eyeing a videoclip retrospective of its tenure on the Geffen label as well as commentary by band members and other artists. According to the post, director Dave Markey has also prepared a 2-DVD set of his 1991 documentary film "The Year Punk Broke," featuring extra footage of Sonic Youth, Nirvana and others. Release dates have not been set for either project. The expanded release of "Goo" will be in the vein of the 2-CD revisiting of the 1992 album "Dirty," released earlier this year by Universal. The "Goo" reissue will include B-sides, oddities and the original 8-track demos for the album. Finally, the group is continuing work on its series of experimental LP releases. The site says an upcoming edition will include a recording from the band's performance at the U.K.'s All Tomorrow's Parties concert in April 2001. "We played 'J'Accuse Ted Hughes' -- a 20-minute dronef--- piece that p----d off every Guinness-swilling journalist awake at the time," says the post, adding that "side two is an unheard studio session."

KEEPING UP WITH THE SMITHS

THE FALL are celebrating their silver jubilee with a series of special LONDON shows. Twenty-five years after the Manchester art-rockers’ debut album ‘Live At The Witch Trials’ Mark E Smith will be taking centre stage at the Barfly venue from February 2-4, with a different support line-up each day. February 2 sees the veterans playing with McClusky and Jarcrew , with Jeffrey Lewis and Ill Ease on the following day. The final night, February 4, sees Pink Grease and Selfish C*** opening proceedings. (NME)

EZ T: "Goodbye Little Doll" (Legal MP3 Download)

With melodies from places you ain't ever seen, EZ T's debut is going to break your neck and then your heart. A touring member of both the Bonnie 'Prince' Billy and SMOG, EZ T has created his own path, combine style, and has created something beautifully indescribable. Produced by BillCallahan, EZ T's debut is a Jolt Cola to your cranium.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

Dead Can Dance's Lisa Gerrard To Score With Mel Gibson

Lisa Gerrard, one-half of the ethereal, ambient, world beat duo Dead Can Dance, has been tapped to compose the score to the controversial new Mel Gibson film The Passion Of The Christ . This will mark her second solo outing in the film score game, as she also scored Niki Caro's The Whale Rider back in 2002. Just because she's only handled one other soundtrack on her own doesn't mean she's some sort of amateur, though. Gerrard has also contributed to the soundtracks for Gladiator, Ali, Heat, The Insider, Black Hawk Down , and many more. Gerrard is certainly walking into a proverbial shit-storm of controversy, as early screenings of The Passion Of The Christ have brought about a great deal of criticism and complaints from Jewish communities worldwide. The film, which depicts the final 12 hours in the life of Jesus, has already seen a great deal of protest from the Anti-Defamation League for what it claims is promoting anti-Semitism. In a statement made to the New Yorker Abraham Foxman, national director of the ADL, said, "The film can fuel, trigger, stimulate, induce, rationalize, [and] legitimize anti-Semitism." A spokesman for the Roman Centurions' league offered similar concerns. Gibson insists that his film is not meant to do any of those things. He has made no secret of the fact that he follows a rather traditional vein of Catholicism, and he maintains that his attempts were to create a film that adhered quite strictly to the Biblical accounts of Christ's death (even going so far as to record the principal dialogue in two dead languages-- Aramaic and Latin). It would seem that he is aware of how the film could be seen in this manner, however, for he's admitted that he regrets cutting scenes that he felt would bring about too much controversy and/or too much moody Gerrard scoring. The film will arrive in theaters in March of 2004, and Gerrard's score will presumably hit stores the same month.

Decemberists, Superchunk, Xiu Xiu, Bro. Danielson, Need New Body Lend Exclusive Tracks To Kill Rock Stars' Latest 2xCD Extra

The middle section of a trilogy is the hardest to nail. The evidence is all around-- think the unabashed crap of Back to the Future 2 , or the criminally silly Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom . And on the Star Wars front, I'm sure we all agree that Empire is the best, but take a look at Attack of the Clones . Apparently lightning doesn't even strike twice for George Lucas-- even when he orders the CGI department to make it appear that way. And don't even get me started on Poison Ivy 2 ! Where am I going with this, you wonder? What's the all-important indie rock angle? Well, Kill Rock Stars has decided to get in on the action and take a hint from Hollywood with their own trilogy, only this time, the second act is going to be good, and it doesn't involve Kate Capshaw or a wisecracking Asian sidekick named Short Round. At least I don't think it does. Following the class act of the compilation trilogy Kill Rock Stars ,Stars Kill Rock , and Rock Stars Kill , KRS has announced the second release in the next wave-- Tracks and Fields . The follow-up to last year's Fields and Streams (and precursor to the future finale Roads and Tracks ), Tracks and Fields will feature 41 previously unreleased tracks from 41 bands,. According to KRS founder and label honcho Slim Moon, the compilation will be out on March 9th, 2004, and the tracklist will be like so:
Tracks :
01 The Legend!: "I'm Not Like That"
02 Antietam: "This Lush Life"
03 His Name is Alive: "Peace in Detroit"
04 Superchunk: "Everyone Gets Crushed"
05 Bro. Danielson: "Our Givest"
06 Dos: "Make Her Me"
07 Gas Huffer: "Release the Robots"
08 John Wilkes Booze: "We've Got Room in Outer Space"
09 The Capricorns: "Steve and Tiffanie"
10 Cynthia Dall: "Eric's Song"
11 Lovers: "Birds in the Sky"
12 Xiu Xiu: "Clowne Towne" [live]
13 GRAVY TRAIN!!!!: "Ghost Boobs" [live at Batwiddicals]
14 The Buff Medways: "Pink 14" [with "Wild" Billy Childish]
15 The Charades: "The Only One"
16 The Wiretaps: "TV Life"
17 Brooke: "Inside Out"
18 Young People: "Version Valley"
19 Jucifer: "Amplifier" [live]
20 Total Sound Group Direct Action Committee: "Wake Me When I'm Over"
21 The King Cobra: "This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us"
22 Semiautomatic: "Search & Seizure"
23 Alaska!: "R U Listenin"
Fields :
01 Shoplifting: "Hegemony Enemy"
02 Biography Of Ferns proudly presents: "John the Barber"
03 Radio Berlin: "Bright Things"
04 Measles Mumps Rubella: "Fantastic Success II"
05 Slumber Party: "Electronic Boots Remix: Brown Rice vs. Young Soul Rebels Sound System"
06 Sleetmute Nightmute: "Walking Backwards"
07 Need New Body: "ggaannkk"
08 Male Slut: "Industrial Noise Blues"
09 the pAperchAse: "I'm Your Doctor Now"
10 Devendra O Banhart: "Poughkeepsi" [demo]
11 Laura Veirs: "Icebound Stream"
12 Thanksgiving: "The 'In The Lake'"
13 Nedelle: "Begin to Breathe"
14 Sahara Hotnights: "Rockaway Beach"
15 Sweet Heat: "Oh Johnny"
16 C Average: "Stalwart (Main Title)"
17 Dead Meadow: "Golden Cloud" [acoustic]
18 The Decemberists: "Everything I Try To Do, Nothing Seems To Turn Out Right"

The Shins Live on KCRW (Los Angeles)
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN REQUIRES REAL PLAYER
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The Thrills Live on KEXP (Seattle)
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN REQUIRES REAL PLAYER

Pre Xmas Pinback Tour Directly Related to Pre Xmas Pinback Fervor

Ever mindful of the holidays, Pinback kicked off its West Coast Tour Monday in Tucson, AZ, bringing fellow San Diegan glitch whiz kids, Aspects of Physics along for the sleigh ride. A promising perk of this Pinback tour, other than a ginormously good show, is the possible availability of “Blue Screen Life,” which was a 2001 CD only release by Ace Fu Records, on clear vinyl. This availability at the shows is, of course, random, hopeful speculation. However, sources close to Ace Fu, i.e. AceFu.com, announced the release and of said vinyl in limited pressing on Monday. Checky, checky, check the website, AceFu.com, for ordering information. Pinback’s most recent release, The Offcell EP , came out in June on Absolutely Kosher in the States and Touch and Go in Europe to great anticipation. Pinback’s Armistead Burwell Smith, IV and Rob Crow are currently working on their next album, to be released sometime in the next year by Touch and Go Records. (a rumoured east coast tour is in the works for early 2004)
12.09.03 - Tucson, AZ - Plush
12.10.03 - Tempe, AZ - Nita's Hideaway
12.11.03 - Pomona, CA - The Glasshouse
12.13.03 - Berkeley, CA - Starry Plough
12.15.03 - Portland, OR - Aladdin's
12.16.03 - Seattle, WA - The Showbox Showroom
12.18.03 - San Francisco, CA - Slim's
12.19.03 - Los Angeles, CA - The El Rey
12.21.03 - San Diego, CA - Casbah

Pretty Girls Make Tour Plans; Ale & Whisky Flow Like Water

Before things get out of hand, let's clarify that the Pretty Girls we are talking about aren't Katedid, Leah, Rachel, Owl Kill You, Dramamine, Sarah, Mighty Mel, Leg of Lamb, Nicolemc99, D, Jess Sauer, and Amneziak. It's true that our very own writers are pretty girls, too, but alas not very musical. It is of course Seattle's own Pretty Girls Make Graves that we speak of. The band has decided to brave the coming UK winter and will tour a fortnight (~ one week) this mid-December. We at TMT know that the UK is truly a magical place during the Christmas season. It's a place where Ale & Whisky flow like water leading many to proclaim 'Thou rank dread-bolted bum-bailey!' or 'Thou art truly a motley guts-griping harpy!'. All Elizabethan insults aside, we should also tell you that there are a smattering of U.S. shows on the books for the Girls including a New Year's Eve hometown show at the Graceland. In other news, the band released "All Medicated Geniuses" from The New Romance on December 8th. The single, which is available in vinyl or CD flavor includes a cover of Bow Wow Wow's "C30,C60,C90 Go" and new song "Magical Lights." If you would like to order this delicious single, check out Matador Records website. And if you'd like to see those delicious tourdates, just look down!
Shows:
12.13.03 - Wolverhampton, UK - TBA
12.14.04 - Cardiff, UK - Barfly
12.15.04 - Oxford, UK - Zodiac
12.16.04 - Nottingham, UK - Rescue Rooms
12.17.04 - Manchester, UK - Uni
12.18.04 - London, UK - Meanfiddler
12.19.04 - Brighton, UK - Freebut
12.31.04 - Seattle, WA - Graceland
01.17.04 - San Diego, CA - L5
02.06.04 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
02.21.04 - Tacoma, WA - Hell's Kitchen

Wilco Wraps Up Yankee Hotel Followup For Spring Release

Still basking in the critical glory that surrounded the band after the release of their 2002 album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot , Wilco is currently in the studio wrapping up work on the follow-up, according to reports from Rolling Stone and Entertainment Weekly . After taking a short break around the Thanksgiving holiday, the band headed home to Chicago to put the finishing touches on the album, which they began recording in New York a couple of weeks before. Warner Bros-affiliated Nonesuch Records, who Wilco signed with after a much-chronicled split with Warner Bros-affiliated Reprise back in 2001, will be releasing the album, tentatively scheduled for the spring. Two titles have been bandied about so far: dBpm (also a title the band gave to a group of improv recordings dating back to 2002) and W*lco Happens . An official tracklisting has yet to be released due to the fact that the band is still narrowing down from the close to thirty songs that have been recorded. Some of the tracks that might make the final cut are: "Hell Is Chrome," "Muzzle Of Bees," "Panthers," "Theologians," "Company In My Back," "At Least That's What You Said," "Wishful Thinking," and "Kicking Television." That last one must be about Emeril Live! That junk is kickin'. The band, which in addition to core members Tweedy, Stirratt, Kotche, and Bach will be recording with touring keyboardist/laptop player Mikael Jorgensen, is co-producing the effort with Jim O'Rourke, who also engineered Yankee Hotel Foxtrot . Fans have noted how the band's sound has evolved with each album, and this one promises to be no different. According to Tweedy, some tracks are similar to Foxtrot 's "dryness and kraut-rock vibe," but others have a much more "live, organic, live vocal" sound. "We're just waiting to see what kind of record pops out," he continues. Um, kraut-rock? I must've been listening to the wrong album this whole time. Someone hook me up with the one he's talking about.

Rocket From The Tombs - 12/9/03 - Echo Lounge, ATL, GA (LIVE SHOW REVIEW)

Rocket From The Tombs existed for less than a year, played fewer than a dozen shows and was probably never seen by more than a few hundred people but it has over the decades since 1975, due to a frenetic trafficking in bootlegs, acquired an international status out of all proportion to its popularity. When the band split in 1975, David Thomas and Peter Laughner went on to form Pere Ubu , taking along rock classics such as "Final Solution, "Life Stinks," and "30 Seconds Over Tokyo." Cheetah Chrome and John Madansky formed the Dead Boys, taking "Sonic Reducer," "Ain't It Fun," "Down In Flames," and several others. Now fast forward to 2003.. the great Peter Laughner has passed away and RFTT has replaced him with Richard Lloyd (Television). This show was the stuff of legends.. All the hits and energy that made this band great in the first place.. Truly something for the scrapbooks.. The wailing guitar of Cheetah Chrome... The Cascading solos of Richard Lloyd and the beauty and power of David Thomas.. Totally awesome.. David Thomas: singer, Cheetah Chrome: guitar and vocals, Richard Lloyd: guitar, Craig Bell: bass and vocals, Steve Mehlman: drums. (photo of Dave Thomas and Cheetah Chrome by Matteblack)

Teenage Fanclub: "What You Do To Me" (Legal MP3 Download)

Exploding in the US with 1991's "Bandwagonesque", Teenage Fanclub easily thrived beyond the madness of the early 90s, touring widely (with REM, Nirvana, and Radiohead, among others), and releasing several more much-lauded, commercially successful records. This greatest hits collection spans TFC's brilliant career, featuring standout tracks from their five studio albums, along with three new songs. "At some point soon after 1991's heralded masterpiece Bandwagonesque, the 90s had to make their choice: rock songs about Scottish sunsets or rock songs about antichrists and bad sarcasm. In retrospect, we made the wrong decision."-
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

New Turbonegro Single Due in December

Having already been forced to strip down to their Scandinavian leather, our denim recruits now find themselves facing even more arduous tortures, the result of which will require you to "Sell Your Body (To the Night)." Turbonegro have chosen the track as their next single, out December 15th. In addition to the aforementioned track, the single, which will be released through Burning Heart Records, will feature a brand spanking new track entitled "The Death of Me." Rounding out the audio portion of our program, you can expect live versions of the Ass Cobra hits "Back to Dungaree High" and "Just Flesh." Finally, the CD will also feature the videos for "Sell Your Body (To the Night)" and "Fuck The World." In other Turbonews, the UK's X-Ray magazine features a free CD this month that contains an exclusive version of "Sell Your Body (To the Night)" recorded at London's XFM radio. As if that wasn't enough, those in the UK will also get to see the apocalyptic dudes on a nice little tour over the next week and change. For my money, nothing quite brings out the yuletide cheer like several hundred sweaty men singing along to a song called "Rendezvous with Anus." (NME)
12-09 Newport, England - TJ's
12-10 Aberdeen, Scotland - Lemon Tree
12-11 Glasgow, Scotland - Garage
12-12 Manchester, England - Academy
12-13 Nottingham, England - Rescue Rooms
12-14 Dublin, Ireland - Music Centre
12-15 Portsmouth, England - Wedgewood Rooms

Sun Kil Moon: "Carry Me Ohio" (Legal MP3 Download)

Ghosts of the Great Highway is the remarkable debut album from Mark Kozelek's long- anticipated new band, Sun Kil Moon. As anyone who has followed Kozelek's career over the past twelve years expects, the songs featured on 'Ghosts of the Great Highway' carry with them a perceptible amount of intrigue with the joys and struggles of everyday life. But while the songs often concern themselves with the frightful power of memory and the romantic lure of looking back, they are fueled by the propulsive energy that occurs when a new band finds its spark. The new band's chemistry is undeniable. Whether it's the gorgeous string trio underpinning "Last Tide," Kozelek's stunning jump to the falsetto register for "Duk Koo Kim," the unexpected driving post-punk rhythms of "Lily and Parrots," or the compelling personal reminiscences of "Floating," the material simultaneously expands and refines Kozelek's trademark sound.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

WHAT'S YOUR PIRATE NAME?

Pixies To Open For Red Hot Chili Peppers?

The internet-bred rumor that the reformed Pixies are to open for the Red Hot Chili Peppers in Paris next June is false, according to a report from French-language music site MCM.net. Although the Chili Peppers have indeed booked a June 15th, 2004 gig at the 50,000-seat stadium Parc des Princes (with tickets on sale next week), a spokesperson for the group has apparently denied that the Pixies are set to open the show. The Red Hot Chili Peppers tip is just one of several unconfirmed Pixies booking rumors which would have the influential quartet playing, variously, the 2003 editions of the Eurockéennes festival in France, the Witnness Festival in Ireland, and next May's Coachella festival in Indio, CA. The Coachella rumor is at least backed up by comments from Radiohead's Thom Yorke in Urb that both Radiohead and the Pixies are being actively courted for next year's fest. Hell, there had even been a rumor that the Pixies were to secretly reform tonight to open for David Bowie at Boston's FleetCenter (we can quash that one for you as well: Bowie has had to reschedule this week's Boston and Philly gigs due to a bout with the flu). Although Kingblind has heard other unofficial speculation regarding the whens and wheres of a pending Pixies reunion, the most reliable information is still the original announcement from an unidentified "spokesman" for the band who told MTV the original lineup of the group would be reuniting for some tour dates in April 2004. You can make what you want of the fact that the reunion was announced precisely one day prior to the release of Frank Black's latest opus, Show Me Your Tears. And speaking of Frank Black, fansite Frankblack.net has just announced that SpinART has just released an exclusive Frank Black and the Catholics EP on iTunes. The untitled EP includes four previously unreleased songs including the discarded title track from Show Me Your Tears . Tracklist:
01 Don't Clip Your Wings
02 A Dab'll Do Ya
03 Preacher's Daughter
04 Show Me Your Tears
The Pixies' 4AD catalog is still on track for U.S. reissue in May 2004. This will include Come On Pilgrim and Surfer Rosa (still on separate discs domestic stylee), Doolittle, Bossanova, Trompe le Monde, Pixies at the BBC and the never-released-domestically Complete 'B' Sides . Advance word is that neither the packaging nor the content will be substantially different on the reissues (i.e., no remastering and no bonus tracks). 4AD is also prepping a Pixies DVD for an early 2004 release which is reported to contain all eight of the Pixies' videos (that's "Monkey Gone To Heaven," "Here Comes Your Man," "Dig For Fire/Allison," "Velouria," "Debaser," "Head On," and "Alec Eiffel") as well as an entire live gig filmed at London's Town and Country in 1988.

Krist Novoselic as Washington State Lt. Governor?

Former Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic, for the most part, left the public eye after his band's career was cut short in April, 1994. He is easily the least recognizable face of Nirvana, being that few people have their face on more posters and T-shirts than Kurt Cobain does, and Dave Grohl's amazing second career via the Foo Fighters and Queens of the Stone Age is hard to top. Being strongly politically minded, Novoselic has instead spent much of the last decade organizing fundraisers and protests. Some of his agendas took shape during Nirvana's heyday-- organizing a benefit show at the San Francisco Cow Palace, whose proceeds went to Bosnian rape victims-- but his biggest contribution was/is J.A.M.P.A.C. (Joint Artists and Music Promotions Political Actions Committee), which, throughout the 1990s, fought against Tipper Gore's then-impending censorship of music. Suffering no success in his duo Sweet 75 (which released one self-titled album before folding) and limited success in his most recent endeavor, Eyes Adrift, Novoselic's most recent stance at the political mic was in 1999 when he teamed up with Jello Biafra for a Seattle protest show against the World Trade Organization. And now, after Krist publicly announced his end as a rock musician (which was more of a personal, therapeutic announcement, it seems, than a public one) he's spoken out about potentially running for Lt. Governor in Washington State, 2004. With a foot in the Democratic Party door, Novoselic is well-known as a mouthpiece for liberal causes in the Seattle area. But his idea to run for office is somewhat squelched by the arduous task of challenging to two-term Lt. Governor, Brad Owen (who is also known for his blue moon dabbling with rock 'n' roll, although it's safe to say that he never chucked his guitar into the air on national television and had it crash into his fat forehead and knock him senseless, which may cause him to reside in greater favor with the more politically moderate Washingtonians). Krist speaks on the upcoming political year: "I've been really contemplating how I want to get involved next year and make a contribution. It's going to be a big year and I'm trying to find a way to fit into it."

Supreme Court allows Rosa Parks to sue OutKast

The Supreme Court refused Monday to intervene in a lawsuit over the hit song "Rosa Parks" by the Grammy-winning musical group OutKast. The action, taken without comment from the justices, means the 90-year-old civil rights figure can go ahead with her lawsuit against the band. The 1998 song is about the entertainment industry and its lyrics do not refer to Parks by name. The chorus of the song goes, "Ah-ha, hush that fuss. Everybody move to the back of the bus." Parks claimed that OutKast violated her publicity and trademark rights and defamed her. She lost her first round in federal court, but a three-judge panel of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati, Ohio, reinstated part of the lawsuit earlier this year. The case will now return to a lower federal court judge. Parks wants all references to her removed from future versions of the record. OutKast has argued that the song is neither false advertising nor a violation of Parks' publicity rights and is protected by the First Amendment. Parks made history in December 1955 when she was arrested for refusing to give up her seat to a white man on a Montgomery, Alabama, city bus. Her arrest triggered a 381-day boycott of the bus system by blacks and led to court rulings desegregating public transportation nationwide. The case is LaFace Records v. Parks, 03-504.

Bridget Fonda weds composer Elfman
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LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Actress Bridget Fonda and composer Danny Elfman were married Thanksgiving weekend, Fonda's publicist said Friday. The wedding took place near Los Angeles, with the reception at a downtown restaurant, publicist Nancy Seltzer said. The newlyweds are on a two-week honeymoon. Seltzer refused to offer further details. Fonda, 39, whose film credits include "Single White Female," "The Godfather: Part III" and "Jackie Brown," is part of an acting dynasty that includes father Peter Fonda, aunt Jane Fonda and the late Henry Fonda, her grandfather. Elfman, 50, the former frontman for the '80s pop group Oingo Boingo, has composed scores for dozens of movies, including "Spider-Man," "Mission: Impossible" and "The Nightmare Before Christmas." He's also the composer of the theme to "The Simpsons."

SMOG- I BREAK HORSES (MUSIC VIDEO)

CLICK HERE TO VIEW IT Requires REAL

ARAB STRAP- "Amante De Una Noche" (Legal MP3 Download)

"Amante De Una Noche " -- Japanese bonus track from Hug & Pint, 3.63MB /
Download

Sticking it to the RIAA

The boys at Downhill Battle are taking the fight against the Recording Industry Association of America to the streets (and malls) with a new anti-RIAA stickering campaign that kicked off last week. Using the excellent RIAA Radar as a resource (a site that lists which record labels are RIAA members, and therefore help fund all their misdirected lawsuits), the DB guys are stealthily (if not anonymously) placing their own warning stickers on RIAA-associated discs at their local mega-marts. Check out the site for the photographic evidence (taken with a digital camera they 'borrowed' from Walmart for the day), and order up some stickers of your own if you want to get in on the action. It'll be interesting to see if the RIAA, or the stores in question, get their panties in a bunch over this and decide to take action against the Downhill Battle crew. By putting themselves out there, posting pictures, taking payments, and using their real names, they may be setting themselves up for a bigger fight than they planned on. Or maybe that is their plan. Either way, wish 'em good luck and good lawyers. CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE SITE
(from Bradley's almanac)

MORE ACTS SIGN UP FOR CAMBER SANDS

The 2004 line-up for ALL TOMORROW'S PARTIES is starting to take shape, with MOGWAI and SONIC YOUTH at the helm. Next year the annual 'alternative's alternative' takes place over two consecutive weekends, March 26-28 and April 2-4 at Camber Sands in East Sussex England. This special fifth birthday year has been dubbed 'The Director's Cut' .Traditionally the festival has been 'curated' by a different artist each year. For 2004, selection duties are split six ways, with the acts each putting together a different day. The first weekend is handled by Mogwai (Friday), Tortoise (Saturday) and Shellac (Sunday), while three days of the second weekend will be looked after in turn by Stephen Malkmus ,Sonic Youth and ATP founders Barry Hogan and Helen Cottage of Foundation .As well as the curators themselves, acts that are confirmed so far include Cat Power, Kid 606, Broadcast, Erase Errata and Tindersticks. Tickets cost £110 per weekend and include entry to all events as well as chalet accommodation for the weekend.

LONDON CALLING!

THE STROKES rounded off their UK tour last night (December 6) in front of a star-studded audience. The band’s second sold-out night at Alexandra Palace saw them cover The Clash ’s classic ‘Clampdown’ , as they had the previous night. The show also saw the band reprise their collaboration with Regina Spektor on new song ‘Post Modern Girls’. Alexandra Palace also played host to a host of big names, in town to check out The Strokes . In attendance were Oasis guitarist Gem Archer, The Libertines, Bernard Butler, The Bandits, members of Coldplay and comedian Matt Lucas. The Strokes now have a string of dates of Europe before returning home for Christmas . They release a new single, ‘Reptilia’, in the new year. (nme)

STOOGES TRY TO RECRUIT JACK WHITE

JACK WHITE almost became a temporary member of THE STOOGES. The White Stripes star was in the frame for a collaboration after the garage legends reformed to play a number of tracks on frontman Iggy Pop 's new album, 'Skull Ring'. Pop was so inspired by the Stripes that he based some songs on the band, and was tempted to draft White in to play bass on the record, according to VH1. Talking about new track 'Loser', Pop said: "I wrote that after I heard 'White Blood Cells', because I thought, 'My God, they're a little bit Stooges, a little bit Pretenders, I could do that. I decided that if they're gonna rewrite me, I'll rewrite them." And since late bassist Dave Alexander was not around to join the reunion, Iggy Pop claims there was talk of bringing White in, which would have been ironic since The White Stripes famously have no bass player. "We came very close," said Pop , "but Jack wanted to do an entire Stooges album, and the Stooges weren't ready for that. It was one of those things that got a little off-balanced and went a little too far, too fast, so it didn't happen."

WHITE STRIPES JOIN THE GRAMMY NOMINEE CLUB

THE WHITE STRIPES have earned their first-ever nominations for the prestigious GRAMMY AWARDS. The full list of nominees was announced yesterday at the Beverley Hills Hilton, and 'Elephant' was put forward for Album Of The Year, as well as Best Alternative Album. Jack and Meg's single 'Seven Nation Army' also picked up two nominations, for Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With A Vocal and Best Rock Song. Other big hitters among the nominees include Beyoncé Knowles, with six nominations including Record Of The Year, where 'Crazy In Love' is up against Robert Palmer's 'Where Is The Love?', Coldplay 's 'Clocks', Eminem's 'Lose Yourself' and OutKast 's 'Hey Ya'. OutKast and Jay-Z also boast six nominations each, with Missy Elliott, Eminem, Evanescence, 50 Cent, Chad Hugo, Ricky Skaggs, Justin Timberlake, Luther Vandross and the late Warren Zevon all have five. The Grammy Awards take place on Sunday, February 8 in Los Angeles. The full list of nominations can be found at www.grammy.com

Jagger knighthood: Richards rages
LONDON, England -- Keith Richards is not amused.

The legendary Rolling Stones' guitarist has flown into a rock and roll rage against Mick Jagger over the singer's decision to accept a knighthood, the ultimate nod from the British establishment. "I don't want to step out onstage with someone wearing a coronet and sporting the old ermine," Richards told British music magazine "Uncut" in an expletive-rich interview. "I told Mick it's a paltry honor ... It's not what the Stones is about, is it?" The Stones, still rocking after 40 years, made their names with crunching rock classics including "Satisfaction," "Street Fighting Man" and "Brown Sugar." A 1967 Stones' album was entitled "Their Satanic Majesties Request." Despite his near spotless rebel credentials, Jagger, 60, is scheduled to become "Sir Mick" at a Buckingham Palace ceremony on December 12. He will join British musicians Paul McCartney and Elton John who have already been knighted by Queen Elizabeth with a touch of the sword. Richards' own chances of arising Sir Keith, already thought slim after 59 years of hard living, will have receded even further.

Minutemen Documentary In The Works

The legendary Minutemen, preserved for posterity on DVD? Score! It's enough to make a man start fires. Although history tends to be more collaborative and ambiguous than the often arbitrarily designated icons of historical record and cultural memory let on, we can say with confidence that The Minutemen, through their Herculean touring and relentless musical innovation in the front half of the '80s, played a pivotal role in laying down the network of clubs, labels, and paradigmatic refinements that the independent music apparatus enjoys today. The Minutemen rated their own chapter in Michael Azerrad's history of the origins of the American indie underground, Our Band Could Be Your Life -- and like the other pioneers addressed in that book (Black Flag, Mission of Burma, Minor Threat et al.), their influence is almost impossible to overstate. From 1980 through the untimely vehicular demise of guitarist/vocalist D. Boon in 1985 The Minutemen, who took their name from the elite forces culled from the ranks of militias during the Revolutionary War (of which Boon was a passionate student), built a still-towering legacy by blending radical punk politics with free-jazz clusterfucks, granular funk, encyclopedic historical/literary knowledge and sardonic wit. Esoteric yet accessible, these adamant proles engaged with the political and social incongruities of their day on classic after classic album from their debut, The Punch Line , through their swan song, 1985's Three Way Tie (For Last) , and removed their DYI ethics from the realm of abstraction by living the ideals embodied in their music. Now, according to www.theminutemen.com, Rocket Fuel Films will be releasing a documentary of The Minutemen's prolific, prodigious exploits, entitled We Jam Econo-- The Story of the Minutemen . "We jam econo," incidentally, was a Minutemen lyric that became their de facto creed, referring literally to their Econoline touring van and figuratively to their self-sufficiency and independent spirit. The film is being cut by Tim Irwin and Keith Schieron, and will feature over eighty interviews, never-before-seen live performances, video outtakes (Mike Watt rips a fart, disrupting an otherwise seamless eight-note run: hilarity ensues), and hundreds of still photos. Because, everyone loves to sit around and look at still photos on TV, right?
This is no third-party hagiography; the project has been personally approved by Minutemen bassist Watt, who went on to fIREHOSE and a noteworthy solo career after The Minutemen disbanded and who, the aforementioned website maintains, "has been a key player in the production and even named the film." The filmmakers have conducted extensive interviews with Watt and drummer George Hurley. The filming and editing of We Jam Econo began in January of 2003, and the final product should hit the festival circuit in the summer of 2004. In the meantime, the filmmakers are still gathering footage, so if you have or know of any, don't hesitate to contact Keith through the site linked below and stake out your own little "I was there" section of the legend.
http://www.theminutemen.com/

New Pornographers Guitarist Preps Solo Debut

Considering that The New Pornographers were billed as a Canadian super-group of sorts from the start, it was perhaps inevitable that the side projects would start to flow forth like so much indie-rock champagne on the last days of the old year. And if you really think about it, you realize that the latest effort from Rob Thomas and the boys will likely outsell, well, every other record that Matador released this year. Combined. Sorry, I guess the winter makes me bitter-- I'm putting on that Christina Aguilera Christmas album, stat. Anyway, so it will be, as the March Records website reports that they've signed Pornographers guitarist Todd Fancey, and will be releasing his debut solo album, the sorta-eponymous Fancey. We contacted Fancey about the release, and he was forthcoming with the scoop: "If all goes according to plan, March Records will release Fancey in February [2004] or so, thanks to various members of the New Pornographers' efforts. I guess it may be seen as 'retro' but I hate it when people too consciously try to be '70s. Having said that, it does have a lot of those classic instruments and sounds and I do love the '60s and '70s, and the era casts such a long, brilliant shadow that it's not going away anytime soon." Kurt Dahle (drummer for the Pornographers) produced the album with Fancey, and they're planning to tour in the U.S. and Canada in 2004. The tracklist:
01 Carry Me
02 Dial Jupiter
03 Sunbrite
04 Strayed Out
05 Rock and Roll Rhythm
06 Saturday Morning
07 'Til the Morning Comes
08 In Town
09 Autumn Music
10 I'll Be Down
On other fronts, We also contacted Pornographers frontman Carl Newman, who let us know that he's also currently in the studio finishing up a solo album-- and that Dan Bejar's next Destroyer album is completed, has a title ( Your Blues ), and will be out in early March. Obviously there's a lot more to be said about each of those releases, and they'll be right here, baby. Just not yet. Unnnghh!

Beachwood Sparks Keyboardist, Drummer Tune Up All Night Radio

Beachwood Sparks, those fine purveyors of high-pitched California psychedelic country-rock, have spawned a side project consisting of founding members "Farmer Dave" Scher and Jimi Hey. Their name: All Night Radio. Their modus operandi: taking psych-rock to another level using what Sub Pop describes as "a deranged assortment of modern and primitive equipment." The result is sample-heavy creations that invoke classic elements of '60s psychedelia and combine it with a touch of present-day electronica. The Dave and Jimi saga begins about seven years ago, when Scher was a late night DJ on Los Angeles indie mainstay KXLU and a teenage Hey was an avid listener. According to their bio, Hey called repeatedly to request Six Finger Satellite tunes. What might read as a prefix to a stalker scenario actually resulted in a lasting friendship that led to the birth of Beachwood Sparks. Hey soon left Beachwood Sparks and drifted from band to band for several years, eventually losing touch with Dave. Finally in 2002, the two reconnected and Jimi rejoined Beachwood Sparks for the Make The Cowboy Robots Cry EP. Earlier this year, the pair began working on what would become All Night Radio. Earlier this month they released their debut twelve-inch/CD single on Sub Pop, aptly self-titled and backed with the intriguingly titled "Flying Radio Bat Factory." There are MP3's of both selections on the band's website linked below. Sub Pop will also be releasing the duo's full-length album, Spirit Stereo Frequency , on February 17th of next year (tracklist to be determined and duly reported). :: All Night Radio: http://www.flyingradiobats.com

Grandaddy Team Up With Polyphonic Spree For New Years, Prep

Re-releasing their latest album, Sumday , with a glut of bonus tracks just wasn't enough for Central Cali's postpop synth-wielders Grandaddy. Nope, they went and decided to cough up a double A-side single from the new album on the 12th day of 2004. Sporting both the ace "I'm On Standby" and the bafflingly awful "Stray Dog And The Chocolate Shake," the UK-only single will also include a new cut called "The Town Where I Live In Now," and a video for "Fare Thee Not Well Mutineer." As previously reported, Grandaddy has been in the midst of a 52-date tour since mid-September. First of all, I'll be damned if that ain't a long dawg-on tour. And second of all, Jason Lytle and company have but four of those 52 dates (all of which take place in the UK) left to go. Once back in the states, Grandaddy are poised to jump-start 2004 with a firecracker New Years' gig in Los Angeles, the city so bad Vegas had to slap a restraining order on it demanding it stay at least a five-hour drive away at all times. Supporting Grandaddy for the occasion will be The Polyphonic Spree, who we're pretty sure are just trying to get an east coast-west coast thing going with the Danielson Famile over who has the better robes and who is tigher with Jesus. The dates:
12-07 Brighton, England - Corn Exchange
12-08 Norwich, England - Waterfront
12-09 Portsmouth, England - Pyramid
12-10 London, England - Brixton Academy
12-31 Los Angeles, CA - Wiltern (w/ The Polyphonic Spree)

RADIOHEAD BALLET COMING TO THE UK

The MERCE CUNNINGHAM ballet scored by RADIOHEAD is set to come to the UK. Earlier this year the band and Sigur Rós put together the improvised soundtrack for 'Split Sides' and performed it live at the show's premiere in New York in October. The ballet is now set to come to the London Barbican in October 2004, although a spokesperson for Radiohead said the group probably won’t be playing live. Instead, the show will use a remixed soundtrack of the material recorded in New York. Radiohead finish their 2003 world tour this week in Dublin .

Kingblind’s Top 5 Worst Records of 2003
We showed you the best.. Now here’s the rest.. (Go to Sunday to see the top 15 of '03)


1) Room on Fire
The Strokes
Hey pretty boys, Welcome to your sophomore slump. You are a sucker if you own this.

2) St. Anger
Metallica
Totally unlistenable. PEECE OF SHITE

3)The Black Album
JAY-Z
People who generally have good taste claiming that the new Jay-Z record is cool. Don't be tricked, he still sucks ass.

4) Liz Phair
Liz Phair
Liz Phair proves so ultimately unnecessary, it might as well not even exist.

5) American Life
Madonna
This album, if it came from a newcomer, could kill a career stone dead.

Stereolab Peers At The 'Eclipse'

Stereolab will release its next album, "Margarine Eclipse," Jan. 27 via Elektra. The set was preceded in October by the five-song EP "Instant 0 in the Universe," named for the group's new studio facility outside Bordeaux, France. That release's "...sudden stars" will also be included on the new album, alongside 11 other new tracks. "Margarine Eclipse" is the follow-up to 2001's "Sound Dust," which debuted at No. 11 on Billboard's Heatseekers chart. It is the veteran act's first album since the 2002 death of keyboardist Mary Hansen in a bicycle accident. The set is described as Stereolab's most "self-contained" since 1996's "Emperor Tomato Ketchup," the last album not to feature prominent contributions from producers/multi-instrumentalists Jim O'Rourke and John McEntire.Stereolab is expected to tour beginning in the spring. Beforehand, frontwoman Laetitia Sadier can be heard on the compilation "16 Haiku & Other Stories," due Jan. 20 via Thirsty Ear.
Here is the "Margarine Eclipse" track list:
"Vonal Declosion"
"Need To Be"
"...sudden stars"
"Cosmic Country Noir"
"La Demeure"
"Margarine Rock"
"The Man With 100 Cells"
"Margarine Melodie"
"Hillbilly Motobike"
"Feel and Triple"
"Bop Scotch"
"Dear Marge"

ATP Fest To Revisit California

Organizers for the U.K.-bred All Tomorrow's Parties (ATP) festival have confirmed that the multi-day event will return to Southern California in 2004. The concert is slated to take place Nov. 6-7 at the Queen Mary Hotel in Long Beach, Calif. This will be the third time ATP will be held in the U.S., and the second straight year it will occur at the Queen Mary, a former cruise ship that has been converted into a luxury hotel. ATP first came to California in 2002, when it was held on the campus of the University of California at Los Angeles. When the school backed out of sponsoring the event a second time, Southern California concert promoter Goldenvoice took over. The two-day affair was held earlier this month, and featured performances from the Iggy & the Stooges, Sonic Youth, Built To Spill, Spoon, Cat Power and the Mars Volta, among others. Organizers told Billboard this year's fest, officially dubbed ATP Pacific, would be a sort of try-out for future U.S. editions of ATP. This year's bill attracted close to 20,000 people, and in a post on ATP's official Web site, co-founder Barry Hogan confirms that the event will return to Long Beach. He promises a number of changes in store for 2004, including special accommodations for fans at the Queen Mary and more ATM machines. A New York edition of the festival has long been in the works, but there's no news on when or if an East Coast version will happen. Hogan is encouraging fans to E-mail him suggestions for improving ATP Pacific. ATP was launched in Camber Sands, England, in 1999 by Hogan and Helen Cottage. The fest places a premium on the unknown and experimental, and employs a well-known curator to book the event. In the U.S., Sonic Youth helmed the 2002 edition and "The Simpsons" creator Matt Groening organized this year's event The next ATP will take place over two weekends in March in Camber Sands, with Tortoise, Shellac, Mogwai and Sonic Youth among the acts curating.

Guided By Voices To Release Earthquake Glue Demos In January

Guided By Voices and Indianapolis' Luna Music are joining forces to release a limited-edition vinyl LP, Edison's Demos , on January 6th. The album was recorded in one day ("actually in a matter of 5 hours-- start to finish," according to Luna) in October 2002, with Robert Pollard playing all instruments and singing all of the vocals. "These are the original demos for the songs that became Guided By Voices' Earthquake Glue ," Luna reports. "These are the songs laid bare: raw, beautiful, and unadorned." The LP, which Luna promises to strictly limit to 1000 copies, will not be re-released on CD, according to the label. Tracklist:
01 Mix Up The Satellites
02 I'll Replace You With Machines
03 Beat Your Wings
04 Useless Inventions
05 Dirty Water
06 She Goes Off At Night
07 She Goes Off At Night [vocals only mix]
08 Dead Cloud
09 My Son, My Secretary, My Country
10 A Trophy Mule In Particular
11 Main Street Wizards
12 Main Street Wizards [homemade click track mix]
13 Blasted But It's Easy
14 Apology In Advance
15 Secret Star
The song "Blasted But It's Easy" eventually became the b-side "Broken Brothers," which was eventually released on the Fading Captain single for "My Kind Of Soldier" back in July. According to a report on the Postal Blowfish mailing list, Edison's Demos was recorded using an ADAT machine and a small studio setup which, for reasons unexplained, included a Shure 57 mic once owned by Phil Collins. "My cat Isobel jumped up on Bob's lap just as he was doing harmonies," Luna's Todd Robinson remembers. "Bob, not knowing what was going on (because his eyes were closed, focusing), did not miss a beat-- he began to stroke Isobel as he layered his gorgeous harmony without fault, without ever opening his eyes... maybe my best memory of recording ever." Another choice moment, Robinson enthuses, is the Pet Sounds -inspired vocals-only mix of "She Goes Off At Night," which promises to "blow your fucking mind." Never one to leave his merch table lackin', Pollard is also diversifying his creative output with Eat , a coffeetable-style literary magazine that showcases some of Pollard's unpublished collages, poetry (!), and unused band names (!!). "Original album cover designs for Waved Out and Alien Lanes " are among the draws in the 48-page glossy, which for no apparent reason also comes with an autographed 8x10" headshot of Pollard. I'm serious! We stopped making up stories for filler last month. And last, but never least, Pollard's main meal ticket-- the Cadillac of lo-fi basement bands with revolving-door lineups and sneaker endorsement deals-- Guided By Voices will be headlining a New Years' docket at 4th and B in San Diego, CA on December 31st. "Auld Lang Syne" is always best when it's sandwiched in-between "Subspace Biogaphies" and "Exit Flagger," don't you think? Some drinking implied, and expected.

Rockers Unite to Oust Bush

Bruce springsteen told a crowd of 50,000 New Yorkers on October 4th to "shout a little louder if you want the president impeached." Two weeks later, John Mellencamp posted an open letter to America on his Web site, declaring, "We have been lied to and terrorized by our own government, and it is time to take action." Meanwhile, Moby, Eddie Vedder and Michael Stipe are organizing a TV-ad campaign that will run anti-Bush commercials during the week of the State of the Union address in January; Dave Matthews is railing against the war in Iraq in interviews; and at press time, at least three multiband rock tours planned to take aim at Bush-administration policies. Green Day, NOFX, Tom Morello, Dixie Chicks, Don Henley, Willie Nelson and Steve Earle have all played (or plan to play) for political candidates or causes. Hip-hop stars have also gotten involved. "We have a voice and a responsibility to speak out," says Jay-Z, a member of Russell Simmons' Hip-Hop Summit, which aims to register 4 million voters before the 2004 election. "People listen to us." Welcome to the increasingly partisan world of popular music -- where President George W. Bush is a marked man. Thirty major artists interviewed for this story cited many concerns: U.S. policy on Iraq, the Patriot Act, the Bush administration's assault on the environment, the economy and the media. But they all agreed that as the 2004 presidential election gets closer, it is time to mobilize. "The America we believe in can't survive another four years of George Bush," says Moby. Adds Lou Reed, "We must all unite and work for whomever opposes Bush, regardless of whatever differences we may have. Our motto: Anything but Bush." Many artists aren't afraid to get their hands dirty in the democratic process, either: At Punkvoter.com, more than 100 bands, including NOFX, Green Day and Offspring, are creating voter-registration drives, a political action committee and a Rock Against Bush Tour. Willie Nelson recently called Dennis Kucinich to offer his time and a slogan, "Kucinich: His middle name is sin," and dozens of other artists are contributing money to campaigns and performing in swing states and in televised public-service announcements. "Musicians have an obligation to get involved," says Henley, "not necessarily because they have a forum but because they are citizens." Donna Brazile, Al Gore's 2000 campaign manager, says that artists are important to this campaign, because "musicians have reach that politicians need in order to motivate people to take an active interest in their future." With that in mind, eight Democratic candidates filmed ads for a November 4th Rock the Vote event designed to woo young voters. In his spot, Wesley Clark even name-drops OutKast. It's not always easy for artists to speak out. Recently, New Jersey radio station WCHR banned Jethro Tull after the band's lead singer, Ian Anderson, was quoted in a local paper saying, "I hate to see the American flag hanging out of every bloody station wagon. It's easy to confuse patriotism with nationalism. Flag-waving ain't gonna do it." Eight months ago, Dixie Chicks singer Natalie Maines told a London audience, "Just so you know, we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas." More than fifty radio stations pulled the Dixie Chicks' songs off the air, and DJs and fans launched protests. Says Maines, "I thought, 'Why am I, a country singer who has never been involved in politics publicly, the one asking questions?'" In July, Dixie Chicks contributed $100,000 to Rock the Vote -- the largest single band donation in the nonprofit's history. Maines says that she hopes the London incident will help rally eighteen- to twenty-four-year-old women to vote. "I had gotten too comfortable in my life," she says. "And I wasn't necessarily active for things that I believed in. It inspired me." Maines' experience may have scared some musicians away from speaking out, but it angered others enough to get involved. Merle Haggard, who recorded his own anti-war song, "That's the News," this year, says that the attacks on the Chicks "reminded me of things I'd read about Berlin in 1938. It pissed me off." The notion that musicians shouldn't get involved in politics is "ridiculous," says Mike Burkett (a.k.a. Fat Mike), lead singer of NOFX and founder of Punkvoter.com. "Everyone should be involved in politics: cabdrivers, lawyers . . . everyone." Artists are in a unique position to understand the mood of this country, too. "We travel," says Henley. "We see what the economy is like in every city. We take the temperature of between 10,000 and 20,000 people four nights a week." Musicians hope that by getting involved they will inspire their fans to do the same. James Taylor, who has supported Sen. John Kerry, says that the administration has benefited from "a failure of citizenship." "Americans are asleep at the wheel," Taylor adds. "We're not getting involved in our own political process." Mellencamp says that the goal of his open letter and his song "To Washington" is to turn such apathy into action. "My whole purpose of being here, to write songs or write a letter like that, is to put the idea forward that some conversation needs to take place here, as opposed to accepting the [government] line," he says. But can musicians actually tilt the electoral scale, especially at a time when voter turnout among eighteen- to twenty-four-year-olds is at an all-time low? Republican strategists are skeptical. "People tend to choose candidates on the issues that they stand for -- and not the position of their favorite musician," says Christine Iverson, spokeswoman for the Republican National Committee. Brazile begs to differ. "People come out because they're attracted not just to [the candidate] but also because the candidate is being endorsed by their favorite artist," she says. "It matters." Artists clearly agree. Many say they are convinced that they're reflecting a national mood that is "disturbed," in the words of Haggard, or "agitated," as Morello puts it, and that fans can be motivated to get involved. "What you have to realize," says Russell Simmons, "is that it's a cultural step, not only a political step. It's in style to be at the rallies. It's in style to give money back to education." Adds Fat Mike, "If we get a few hundred thousand kids together, we will be a force to reckon with. If anybody wants our votes, they're going to have to give us some of the things we want. If the NRA can do it, why can't we?"

CLINIC- Walking with Thee (Music Video)

Mannequins as thespians? See for yourself... CLICK HERE TO VIEW Requires Quicktime

The High Strung - Wretched Boy (Music Video)

A great video from a great band.. Enjoy. CLICK HERE TO VIEW Requires Quicktime

Yo La Tengo: No Hanukkah In Hoboken

Yo La Tengo have decided not to perform their annual eight-night Hanukkah stint at Maxwell's in Hoboken, NJ this year, according to a post on the group's official website. "It was a difficult decision to make, and we're not going to provide much in the way of details, although we will categorically deny that the competition between James' mom and Ira's mom for whose hamentashen we preferred last Purim had anything to do with our decision." Oy!! Watch out Woody Allen, the Jewish comedy niche has some new masters. Instead of the elaborate eight-night Hanukkah stunt, which for the past two years has included rounding up guest performers (Ray Davies, David Byrne, Ronnie Spector, the Sun Ra Arkestra, Portastatic, and the Ladybug Transistor) and emcees (Janeane Garofalo, David Cross, Sarah Silverman, Girls Guitar Club, etc), Yo La Tengo will kick off December with a string of dates in Japan and an appearance at The Onion 's Christmas party December 16th. Yo La Tengo will play a single gig at Maxwell's on New Years' Eve, presumably capturing all of the drunken, kosher holiday madness in one decadent evening. In February and March, the group will depart for a UK tour supported by Welsh act Gorky's Zygotic Mynci. Yo La Tengo recently released an EP entitled Today Is the Day! , and are currently at work fulfilling a lifelong ambition to remix eight minutes of torrential feedback into the closing song of the Charlie Brown Christmas Special. Dates (all 2004 shows with Gorky's Zygotic Mynci):
12-01 Nagoya, Japan - Club Quattro
12-02 Osaka, Japan - Club Quattro
12-03 Tokyo, Japan - Club Quattro
12-04 Tokyo, Japan - Club Quattro
12-16 Brooklyn, NY - North Six ( The Onion Christmas party)
12-31 Hoboken, NJ - Maxwell's
02-28 Cardiff, Wales - St. David's Hall
03-01 London, England - Shepherd's Bush Empire
03-02 Brighton, England - Brighton Dome
03-03 Basingstoke, England - The Anvil
03-04 Northampton, England - Roadmenders
03-05 Liverpool, England - Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
03-06 Quarry Hill, England - West Yorkshire Playhouse
03-07 Leicester, England - De Montfort Hall
03-09 Glasgow, Scotland - The Arches
03-10 Edinburgh, Scotland - Usher Hall
03-11 Coventry, England - Warwick Arts Center