Bad Seeds / Neubauten Guitarist on German TV Commercials

Blixa Bargeld (The Bad Seeds / EINSTUERZENDE NEUBAUTEN) does 13 commercials for the german home improvement retailer Hornbach, reading from their catalogs. You can watch the clips at german music TV Viva's page here: http://www.viva.tv/blixa.php The page is in german, but you can either watch the clips under the banner "Die Spots anschauen" or you can download them under the banner "Die Spots zum Download".

New Videos from Bad Religion and The Stills

The Stills:: Lola and Stars (Music Video)
CLICK TO VIEW Requires Quicktime

Bad Religion:: Los Angeles is burning (Music Video)
CLICK TO VIEW Requires Quicktime

Friday's Indie Rock Legal MP3 collection

Glenn Branca:: Lesson No.2
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Soul Junk:: Hogging all the Islands
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Death Cab for Cutie:: The Employment Pages
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The Microphones:: The Moon
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Rye Coalition:: Communication Breakdance
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The Rectification of Errors & Strategies Against Negative Tendencies
(contributions towards a critique of the Grey Album) by Jim Hayes

The Grey Album by DJ Dangermouse is one of the greatest albums of all time. It’s such a great album, it’s not even an album as commonly designated, The Grey Album exists as a recording. The Grey Album exists as a series of MP3’s. It is a code within a code, dots and numerals transfigured into sound, into a danceable platter. It is greater than great for this action alone. It is a commercial for technology and found objects. It’s an advertisement demonstrating what can be achieved by utilizing pre-existing artistic conditions and transforming them into a new hyper-commodity. Like the mythological Delta bluesman that made guitars out of cigar boxes and cat guts; DJ Dangermouse strings together two long playing records into a bloody drag trail. He traces elements of “found” music into the skidding silence of lawsuits, denunciations and the hum of CD’s being burned coast to coast. The archaic hand clicks mice, pages are pulled up and volumes become adjusted from library cubicle to college dorm to car stereo. The rafters shake and the heads nod in a unison of musical cartographers-the hip hop ravers meet the scribbling scribes. Bartleby the scrivener adjusts his flares and pulls his headphones over his eyes. Our culture constantly retreats from the value of the individual in the conglomerate of pre-packaged video icons, images that tessellate into advertisements, publicity people and fortresses of law. DJ Dangermouse (our hero) reacts by taking splinters of cultural collateral and turning them on themselves as entirely new forms. The forces of cultural imperialism demand that music be consumed passively, a ticket, a DVD, a compact disc-the fan relinquishes his power once the money is in the till. DJ Dangermouse reverses this trend by making the music come alive with his own interaction within it. “Flash is back, flash is cool.” The Grey Album features a unique mix of music and social currency. The nature of its release defines “cool” into several categories: I got it, I downloaded it and I changed the file into a form that can be burned and shared, that can be a scorched earth policy. The listener is “cool” because s/he “owns” a selection of cutting edge music, determined by the sound and the medium. Not only is the “owner” cool by enjoying DJ Dangermouse (your “hero”) the owner is able to distribute the music to others. (Do I wanna score? Score! The soccer scores are coming in from the capital…) Why is it acceptable that music makers can resell their songs to television commercials? Oh they “made” the music; they “created” the music, more importantly they own the music. They have the choice to decimate the listeners’ experience (initial purchasers of the music) by dissolving personal memories into hat racks on a night like this… DJ Dangermouse is taking back this relationship. The Grey Album has appeared because there is a need for it to appear. People feel powerless and immune before any shavings of ecclesiastical power, DJ Dangermouse reveals himself to be a technological performance artist priest. A site specific piece that now has a web site and a lawsuit naming dozens of Jane and John Does for the horrible (federal) crime of sharing music. The tons of legal paperwork flair out into a bottomless bell of performance, shuffling, bowing, scarping and filing. DJ Dangermouse is no mere DJ, he is an occult manipulator that has set forces into motion he does not understand, nor control. Only a legal expert can explain the difference between Robert Johnson singing in 1937 “squeeze my lemon until the juice runs down my leg” to Robert Planted singing the same lyric in 1969. From Sonny Boy Williamson (Rice Miller) singing “lots a people talking, mighty few people know” to (again) (sigh) Robert Planted singing the same thing in 1969. The 1981 issue of “The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash On the Wheels of Steel” is the first ancestor of the Grey Album. On this mind boggling 12” Grandmaster Flash collages the records of Chic’s “Good Times”, Queen’s “Another One Bites the Dust”, The Sugarhill Gang’s “8th Wonder”, The Furious Five’s “Birthday Party”, Sequence & Spoonie Gee’s “Monster Jam” and Blondie’s “Rapture” (“Flash is back, flash is cool). This record was the first popular instance of sampling and meshing and mixing. It ends with a child’s voice, “Daddy, tell me a story;” which links it up to the mother’s voice on the Grey Album, “Shawn was a strange child.” Not to forget the 1987 album by Culturcide “Tacky Souvenirs of a Pre-Revolutionary America” out of San Antonio. These Texas pranksters, these un-idle satirists sang post-situationist lyrics exactly on top of songs by Bruce Springsteen, Huey Lewis, Michael Jackson et al….the heart of rock and roll is the cash…vocalist Perry Webb takes an ironic look at rock and roll as by taking away the irony. “The heart of rock and roll is the cash,” he sings atop Huey Nuisance. In the same time frame comes the Iowa City pioneers the Tape Beatles. The Tape Beatles were a group of art punks from Iowa. They used analog cassettes to chop up various Beatles songs into new arrangements and alternate mixes. Now they live in Prague. The non-commodity fun of file sharing. A voice mail message asks me to burn another copy for a recent parent. It seems her brother stole the “original” I made for her. How can someone steal something that’s free? How can someone steal something that is already stolen? My memories of the original Beatle songs are false; they were planted by the endless cylindrical calendar and the pseudo-holiday celebrations extolled on television. DJ Dangermouse has no right to reinterpret these recent events. The Grey Album represents a spirit of creative freedom that inspires. It is a candle that burns on both ends that one can use as a cigarette lighter. Unlike plenty of “experimental” music that is more fun to read about than actually listen to (The Residents come to mind) the Grey Album is fun to listen to and its hand shake welcomes the listener to make it for themselves. So far, a connoisseur has crossed Jay Z with Pavement’s “seminal” album which has created a forgettable mix. But it is, of course, the idea of such an anonymous collaboration that makes it interesting (cue Residents music here)…100,000 downloads in several weeks, the bootlegs have appeared featuring covers with Beatle in-jokes to appeal to the rabid Beatle collector/hoarder (Moptopicus Loserosus)…Bowie, “decides” he is going to offer a contest devoted to the best example of “mashing” his work. Didn’t Duchamp mash the Mona Lisa? Isn’t Michael Moore mashing Debord in 9-11 is a Joke? Didn’t Flavor Flav know what he, uhh, meant? Is twilight language the ghost of contempt?
Bastille Day 2004 Marietta, Georgia; United States of America (Jim Hayes is a former writer for the publication Flipside) (Exclusive content for Kingblind.com)

Thursday's MP3 Mash-Up collection

Annies Stoned Rush:: Annie Lennox / Rolling Stones / Rush all mashed into one!
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NOTORIOUS TRICK:: Duran Duran Mashed with R&B queen Kelis
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Karma in the life:: Radiohead mashed with The Beatles
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Rapture Riders:: Doors mashed with Blondie
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LONDINIUM LOVES:: Blur / XTC / The Kinks / The Beatles / Bon Jovi / The Bee Gees all mashed as one.
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Parkspliced – Blur’s Parklife Revisited and Mutated
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD ALBUM

BECK EARNS HIS STRIPES!

BECK has recorded with JACK WHITE. The star is currently working on his new album, the follow-up to ’Sea Change’ with producers The Dust Brothers and Tony Hoffer. The record, the follow-up to 2002’s ’Sea Change’ has been recorded in LA. According to MTV news, White has been in the studio with the star, although the track is yet to be completed or named. Working titles for songs on the album include ‘Guero’, ‘E-Pro’, ‘Scarecrow’ and ‘Chain Reaction’. An exact release date and live shows are to be confirmed. The pair are old pals - Jack joined Beck onstage in Michigan in 2002, while Beck made a cameo appearance in the video for The White Stripes' single 'The Hardest Button To Button' last year.

The Simpsons' same sex wedding

'The Simpsons' are set to tackle a same sex marriage. Matt Groening, the show's creator, has told a convention in the States that they are planning a gay wedding. Apparently Homer, who applies for the position of minister on the internet, will perform the ceremony. A long-time character will come out of the closet for the storyline and there's plenty of speculation about who it will be. Montgomery Burns' assistant Waylon Smithers has been mooted as the secret gay character, as have Marge's sisters Selma and Patty. Word is one of them will wed a golf professional.

Wednesday's Legal MP3 Downloads

The Soft Boys:: Mr. Kennedy
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William Shatner & Joe Jackson:: Common People (Pulp Cover)
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Devo:: Satisfaction (Rolling Stones Cover, Live @ Max's Kansas City, 1977)
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The Fags:: Truly, Truly
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The Explosion:: Hero
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(Jurassic 5:: Hordern Pavillion- Sydney, Australia 24/07/04) CONCERT REVIEW

Winning the hearts and minds of your audience in a foreign land can often be a tricky venture, even when you’re one of the biggest hip-hop acts in the world. A few “hello Sydneys” doesn’t really cut it in this day and age, and not even some skilful jibes at Melbournites wins the home crowd over anymore. But when your DJ warms up the set with a stroll down hip-hop memory lane and casually drops in “From The Nosebleed Section” by local Aussie heroes The Hill Top Hoods, Jurassic 5 could have called our mothers ho’s all night and we still would have blessed their cotton socks. The six-strong rapping ensemble were genuinely overjoyed to be in town tonight, perhaps even more than the massively expectant crowd if at all possible. Chali 2na, hip-hop’s answer to Barry White, literally could not wipe the massive grin off his face all night, yet still managed to be eloquent and rhyme three or so octaves below the audible range of the human ear. Thank god they don’t have a bass player. I don’t think it would be medically sound to be afflicted with all that bass. All of J5’s tricks were out tonight, the trademark quartet chorus chants, the array of bizarre DJ equipment, the impromptu kazoo solos, and killer lyrics from a band totally at their peak and not looking like being even close to winding down. From memory: “Chali 2na you know I got the muscle, I’ve seen hip-hop escape from New York like Kurt Russel”. Genius. (Review by: Chris Deal- Sydney-- Kingblind Exclusive)

Alternative White Light / White Heat

Ergo Phizmiz plays White Light / White Heat on the Banjo, Bass Guitar, Ruler, Music Box, Violin, Toy Piano, Electric Guitar, Accordion, Squeezebox, Euphonium, Ukulele, Kazoo, Xylophone, Pixiphone, Uumskither, Mbira, Pod, Delay, Turntable, Percussion....
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD ALBUM

Polyphonic Plans Brief U.S. Spree

Smile-inducing pop chorus the Polyphonic Spree has scheduled a short tour that will visit major Eastern U.S. cities next month. The run will kick off with an Aug. 13-14 stand in Chicago and close with an Aug. 24-25 visit to New York. The tour comes after the 25-plus member Spree spent several months opening for David Bowie and in place of its expected dates on the Lollapalooza tour, which was canceled shortly after tickets went on sale last month. In addition to the new shows, the group has booked an Aug. 26 appearance on CBS' "The Late Show With David Letterman." A recently taped visit to the same network's "The Late Late Show With Craig Kilborn" will air tonight (July 27) and an upcoming taping of PBS' "Austin City Limits" will premiere in November. Fans of the evangelical sideshow will notice a change, as the group has traded its white stage robes for brightly colored versions. But the act's sophomore Hollywood album, "Together We're Heavy," offers more of the soaring rock/glee club fare that is its trademark. The group has set up a dedicated Web site for "Together We're Heavy," with streaming audio samples. The Spree's official site, meanwhile, boasts the U.K. video for the "Heavy" track "Hold Me Now."
Here are the Polyphonic Spree's tour dates:
Aug. 13-14: Chicago (Park West)
Aug. 16: Washington, D.C. (9:30 Club)
Aug. 18-19: Boston (Paradise Rock Club)
Aug. 21-22: Philadelphia (First Unitarian Church)
Aug. 24-25: New York (Irving Plaza)

Tuesday's tops with these legal MP3 Downloads

Belle and Sebastian:: Electric Renaissance
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Of Montreal:: Dissconnect the dots
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Danielson Famile:: Cutest Lil' Dragon
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Danielson Famile:: Daughters will tune you
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Libertines 'shut door' on Pete

After being kicked out of the Libertines, Pete Doherty performed an acoustic set on Friday at a London art gallery to mark the opening of a photo exhibition dedicated to the band. He was briefly joined on stage by Libertines' drummer Gary Powell, who joined in on hand claps for a track called 'Don't Be Shy' from their new album. Pete dedicated one of his songs in his set to bandmate Carl but backstage it was very different, Pete told Radio1 he feels there's no going back for him and the Libertines: "The door's been shut on me from the Libertines. Whether it was the management, whether it was the band, it doesn't matter to me. I don't want to hang around any place I'm not welcome." "I can't betray myself. I feel betrayed. I don't want to go on about the drugs thing, I try and avoid it as best I can but to say it's about drugs to me is a cop out." "At the moment, the only people that are offering me support are the boys and girl in Babyshambles." Babyshambles are Pete's side project. He also starts a solo UK tour tonight, (Monday) with a gig at Stereo in Glasgow. The Libertines' next album is due out next month.

QOTSA Rock Out With ZZ Topper

Add ZZ Top guitarist Billy F. Gibbons to the extended family tree of musicians who have contributed to Queens Of The Stone Age, past and present. The long-bearded, blues king rolled into a Los Angeles studio last week to work with the band. According to QOTSA's website, the guy came in "at the stroke of midnight and left at 5 in the a.m." Although most of us are only half-conscious at that time, Gibbons' early-morning jam session impressed lead singer Josh Homme. On the website, Homme declares that "Billy Gibbons is a bad ass." There's no word as to whether the recording will appear on the band's next album, which has yet to be given a name or release date. It'll be their first since 2002's Songs For The Death, which is inching close to a million copies sold. But it'll also be their first since bassist and singer Nick Oliveri left the group. Oliveri founded the band with Homme — an old high school buddy — for years the two formed the nucleus of a rock group which was constantly changing members. But in February word got out that the two had parted ways due to several incidents that occurred while the band was on tour. Although no one actually said it, all signs indicated that Oliveri was kicked out for partying too much. Around the same time, singer Mark Lanegan left the band to work on his own project. Fans couldn't help but wonder if drummer Joey Castillo was next to go. Castillo, however, is participating in the current recordings. The other two members are Troy Van Leeuwen and Alain Johannes. As for Gibbons; he's back on the road touring with ZZ Top. The recording session came during a break in the band's 49-stop tour of North America. All of the remaining shows are in the United States.

Monday's Legal MP3 Downloads

beck - cyanide breath mint
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Jeremy Enigk - Explain
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Crooked Fingers - A Little Bleeding
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Crooked Fingers - New Drink for the old drunk
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Tom Waits - Alice
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POGUES REUNITED!

I met my love, by the gas works wall. Dreamed a dreeeeam... by the old canal. Kissed a girl, by the factory wall... Dirty old town... Dirty old town... Need we say more? Well yes, but not much. The mighty Pogues are reuniting for the first time in ages, and they're bringing back Shane! Hurray! He'll be really fat and pissed mind - you knew that didn't you?
Here are the dates wot they'll be playing this Christmas sort of time:
December 13th - 14th: Glasgow Academy
December 16th: Newcastle Arena
December 17th: Birmingham Academy
December 18th: Manchester Evening News Arena
December 20th - 21st - London Brixton Academy
December 23rd: Dublin Point Theatre
If I should fall from grace with God where no doctor can relieve me, I'm buried 'neath the sod and no angel can receive me, let me go boys, let me go boys! Let me go down in the mud where the rivers all run dry! - TALK!

REBEL MUSIC!

BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB will go unplugged in LA next month as part of a benefit for an Anti-PRESIDENT BUSH organisation. The group will perform on August 10 at the city’s El Rey Theatre in support of ReDefeatBush.com. Also performing that night will be Michelle Shocked, Johnette Napolitano and more artists, to be announced. A group, billing itself as The George Bush Singers, will also play. According to a spokesperson for ReDefeatBush.com, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Crystal Method, BT and Rosie O’Donnell support the organisation.

The Hives, Sahara Hotnights, Reigning Sound
Irving Plaza - NYC July 21 & 22, 2004

Whoever dreamed up this triple bill is a genius. Oh, right, that would be Howlin' Pelle and Vigilante of the Hives. Those stylish Swedes who have all the superficial trappings of the mod-garage-Brit invasion actually have substance and a depth and breadth of knowledge and appreciation for the genre and its best purveyors. Witness their records, this tour. This was a sold-out two-night stand in New York City that did a lot more than entertain: it educated in no uncertain terms. Consummate entertainers, The Hives put on a show with unlimited energy and enthusiasm. From the opening chords to the last bow, The Hives had the audience wrapped around their fingers and demanding more, more, more - yet they played just about every song they've ever recorded, they danced and shook their hips, they dove into the audience, Howlin Pelle climbed over amps and PA's to get face to face with the audience in the balcony. it was worth way more than the price of admission. If you didn't want to be in the over-sold-out crowd, you could have hung out in the upstairs bar and watched the performance in the monitors. If you did that, you would have seen that the Hives might have fit right into any 1960's Ready Steady Go! episode with their matching outfits of black shirts, black pants, white jackets, white string ties and black & white SPATS! This is the key to understanding what the hype is all about. They look better than any band out there these days. But it's more than being the cutest boys in town. The Hives are students of everything that is and has ever been good about rock music. They learn it, they become it and they throw it right back at you. Nostalgia has never been so much fun. You've seen the Fleshtones do this kind of stage show; you've see the Woggles do it, too. The Hives pay homage and crank it up a few notches. As a band - take away their pizzazz - they are tight. Pelle is a friendly, talkative and ironic frontman with a baby face atop a young, dancing Mick Jagger. He's got the moves, and so do all the others. Its a show, that's right. That's entertainment of the highest order. The greatest thing the Hives did on these two nights, and on this tour, was bring their idol along to open. That would be Greg Cartwright, whose current musical project is the three-piece Reigning Sound. Cartwright is probably the best songwriter of his generation, and of not just this garage genre, but in popular music all together. His previous group, The Oblivians were among the bands who inspired the Hives to get it together and do it. While the Hives have that show biz performance thing down, the Reigning Sound just stand there and play hard a set of perfectly penned and performed rock songs with a punk edge (or a pop edge, or a country edge. The compositions are flawless; the musicianship is so tight that it can be loose. Greg Cartwright plays ferociously while he is flanked by the sturdy drum n bass rhythm that is equal parts Memphis soul and the best of the overlooked melodic playing of Paul McCartney in the Beatles. The Oblivians made the records that the Hives cut their teeth on, and having Greg"Oblivian" Cartwright start off this night's music lesson is a gentlemanly tip of the hat and homage. Music lesson number two: Girls Can Rock. Swedish girl group Sahara Hotnights followed the Reigning Sound with their poppy punkish rock songs. Backed by a solid and powerful beat, the Sahara Hotnights performance is something you might achieve if you could get Debbie Harry to front the Runaways. This tour is sold out everywhere its playing, but its in your best interest to check it out if you can. And get their early, because the first band has the best songs, and the second band has the best looking members. The Hives have their jive down and their mojo working. Catch it! It'll make you feel a whole lot better about that younger generation. (Review by Theresa K.- Queen of Rock- NYC, NY- exclusively for Kingblind)

Finally it’s Friday! and here are some legal mp3s to get your weekend started

The Hellacopters:: By the Grace of God
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The Subways:: Rock and Roll Quenn
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Jessie Malin:: Hungry Heart (Springsteen cover)
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The Walkmen:: revenge wears no wristwatch
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Destroyer:: Students Carve Hearts Out Of Coal
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Homemade Radiohead music video

RadioHead. 2+2+rocket cam = 5. This is strictly an experiment, not an official music video. (Via Metafilter)

Springsteen, Dylan, Pixies Salute Zevon

Live recordings by Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan, as well as newly recorded cuts by Jackson Browne, the Pixies and Ry Cooder will be featured on an upcoming tribute to the late Warren Zevon. Planned for a fall release by Artemis, the collection is being produced by Jorge Calderone, who worked closely with Zevon on his final album, "The Wind." The title, release date and track list for the album is still being finalized, according to a label spokesperson. Springsteen, who was among the guests on "The Wind," has contributed a version of Zevon's "My Ride's Here" recorded in Toronto last year. Dylan, who took to performing several Zevon songs on the road in 2003, has offered his take on "Mutineer" to the collection. In a move that the notoriously sardonic Zevon would probably have appreciated, comedian Adam Sandler has recorded the artist's best-known song, "Werewolves of London," for the compilation. Jackson Browne donates version of "Poor Poor Pitiful Me," a 1978 top 40 hit for Linda Ronstadt, while the Pixies take on "Ain't That Pretty At All" and Cooder teams with David Lindley for "Monkey Wash/Donkey Rinse." Singer/songwriter Jill Sobule adds a previously released cover of "Don't Let Us Get Sick," while her Artemis labelmate Steve Earle's "Reconsider Me" and Don Henley's "Searching for a Heart" are both tabbed for inclusion. Among several other tracks that will round out the set will be a cut from actor-turned-recording artist Billy Bob Thornton, who also appeared on "The Wind." Calderone is planning to add his own touch to the tribute with his rendition of the heartbreaking "Keep Me In Your Heart," one of the songs he co-wrote with Zevon for "The Wind."In the wake of a pair of Grammy wins for "The Wind" -- best contemporary folk album and best rock performance by a duo or group for the duet with Springsteen, "Disorder in the House" -- Zevon's son Jordan said there were a few unrecorded songs by late artist and Calderone that he believed would come to light at some point. "There are songs that he and Jorge collaborated on and we're all gonna get behind Jorge and keep nudging him to record those," he said in February. "I know that Dad gave Jorge his blessing to take those songs and work with them and record them, so hopefully he will." Jordan Zevon has taken one of those songs, "Studabaker," and recorded it for inclusion on the tribute, and tapped longtime friend/Wallflowers lead singer Jacob Dylan to add backing vocals.

'EYES' LEAK?

MIKE SKINNER has said the version of THE STREETS ’DRY YOUR EYES’ which features CHRIS MARTIN could have leaked online. The song, which was released as a single this week (July 19) and could become the rapper's biggest ever hit, was originally recorded with the Coldplay star on backing vocals. However, it was decided that a different version would be used, and the collaboration between two of Britain’s biggest stars would never see the light of day. Speaking today (July 21), Skinner claimed that a US radio station had got a copy of the song, meaning the track could be available online. He also gave his reasons as to why the song hasn’t been released officially. He told Radio 1: "It was leaked on an American radio station - so I don't know if it's got on the Internet yet. There's another company that owns the copyright on his voice and that's a very big company. I sent it in, I went over to Camden and recorded it in their studio with my laptop and then I took it back and mixed it and finished it and sent it back to his label and all we really heard was 'No it's not really working', so I don't really know really. I get the impression that he didn't like the sound of his voice on it or that his record label didn't want it to happen." Martin recently gave his side of the story. He said: "There was this version of it which I sang the chorus. But I said I didn’t think it was as good as the version where he sang the chorus. Then he didn’t think that was as good as the version where some other dude sang the chorus, so neither him nor me sing on the chorus." The Streets’ second album ’A Grand Don’t Come For Free’ was yesterday nominated for the Mercury Music Prize, and is the bookies favourite at 3-1. Skinner said that he’s not too keen on the awards, but that’s meant as a general thing rather than a snub of the Mercury’s. He continued: "People say I snub awards but I don't, I don't go cos I don't fit in. The Mercurys are really full on and I didn't realise you're supposed to wear a suit and I turned up in my trainers and cap (last time). I won't go this time, I've been thinking about it, so don't bet on me winning cos you don't get an award if you don't go! It is a great award and I'm very proud to be nominated again." (story from NME)

Thursday’s kick ass mp3 downloads

John Lennon:: You know it ain’t easy
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John Coltrane and Thelonius Monk:: Ruby My Dear
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Preston School Of Industry:: The Idea of Fires- Live at LSR FM - Leeds U.K.
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The University of Massachusetts drumline's rendition of Radiohead's 'Paranoid Android'
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Pavement: The Killing Moon (Echo and the bunnymen cover)thanks Spolit Victorian Child
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Beck Reunites With The Dust Brothers For New Album

If you think his new album sounds a bit "dusty," Beck won't take it personally. In fact, it's probably a compliment. For his sixth major-label album, the eclectic songwriter is working with the Dust Brothers, a.k.a. the production duo of Mike Simpson and John King, who helped him craft 1996's Odelay and 1999's Midnite Vultures. The album was recorded and is currently being mixed in Los Angeles in preparation for an October release date, according to Beck's publicist. Although it may contain a few somber tunes, the as-yet-untitled album is expected to be a complete shift from Beck's last LP, 2002's Sea Change, which brimmed with wistful, melancholy ballads. The new songs are noticeably more upbeat, and considering the Dust Brothers' track record, which includes work with the Beastie Boys (Paul's Boutique) and Hanson (Middle of Nowhere), the new album should be a lot more danceable. Since the release of Sea Change, Beck has covered "Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometime," a 1980 tune by British group the Korgis, for the soundtrack to "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind." He'll also be recording a rendition of Daniel Johnston's "True Love Will Find You in the End" for the upcoming Johnston tribute album, Covered, Uncovered, due August 24.

Indie Acts Settle Down In 'Wicker Park'

The Postal Service, the Shins, the Stills and Death Cab For Cutie have donated unreleased and rare tracks for the soundtrack to "Wicker Park," due Aug. 24 via Lakeshore Records. The first single will be the Postal Service's cover of Phil Collins' 1984 No. 1 pop hit "Against All Odds." Lifehouse's contribution, "Everybody Is Somebody," was written specifically for the film, which opens Sept. 3 in U.S. theaters. "It comes from the perspective of Rose Byrne's character, Alex, who's caught up in her desperate passion for, and manipulation of, Josh Hartnett's character, Matt," says Lakeshore GM Brian McNelis. "When you hear the song, it's like you're inside her head." The Shins offer the rare B-side "When I Goosestep," while Death Cab For Cutie contributes an acoustic rendition of "A Movie Script Ending" from its 2002 release "The Photo Album." Other artists who have previously released tracks on the album include Snow Patrol, Broken Social Scene, Mazzy Star, Stereophonics, Mum, +/-, Mogwai and Aqualung. "Wicker Park" is rounded out by a cover of Coldplay's "The Scientist" by Concrete Blonde's Johnette Napolitano in tandem with multi-instrumentalist Danny Lohner. "The film is an obsessive love story," McNellis says, "and the soundtrack absolutely captures that feeling -- when you listen to it, you're completely immersed in this very personal, wanting place."
Here is the "Wicker Park" track list:
"Maybe Tomorrow," Stereophonics
"Everybody Is Somebody," Lifehouse
"A Movie Script Ending" (acoustic), Death Cab For Cutie
"How To Be Dead," Snow Patrol
"Lover's Spit," Broken Social Scene
"Retour a Vega," the Stills
"Flowers in December," Mazzy Star
"When the Day Is Done," the Legends
"When I Goosestep," the Shins
"Light Switch," Jaime Wyatt
"These Days," Mates Of State
"All I Do," +/-
"We Have a Map of the Piano," Mum
"Against All Odds," Postal Service
"Strange and Beautiful," Aqualung
"I Know You Are But What Am I?," Mogwai
"The Scientist," Johnette Napolitano and Danny Lohner

Kingblind on the west coast

We had a blast on the west coast.. Seattle is far and away where we had the best time. John Doe, The Dead Vampires and DJ El Toro were the highlights of the live music portion of our trip. BUT.. We had stumbled on something else as well.. The ultimate road trip device. Satellite Radio. We had been checking out units from XM and Sirius radio and have spent much time deciding which unit we liked more.. And.. We have a winner.. And yes it's worth it to pay for radio.. We will have the complete write up on the units later on.. so keep checking back.

Wednesday's Legal MP3 downloads

Bright Eyes:: I’ll be your Friend
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The (International) Noise Conspiracy:: Smash It Up
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MC5:: Sister Ann
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The Von Bondies:: Please Please man
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The Go:: Whatcha Doin’
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Lou Reed: Walk on the wild side
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New Hank III Documentary coming out

The dichotomy between country and the other is graphically illustrated in a frank new documentary about Hank Williams III. Hank III, or Shelton as he is known, comes with a blueblood country heritage with which he's sometimes uncomfortable. The result, as depicted in the 30-minute documentary Hank Williams III: Third Generation Outlaw is a sort of musical schizophrenia that finds him bouncing from punker to trad stylist. As he points out, the two are not all that far apart. He travels and plays as two distinct entities: Hank 3 and the Damn Band play trad country ("hillbilly" he calls it) and Assjack plays punk. He's the one, he says, who "put the dick back in Dixie and the c**t back in country." As a result of contractual difficulties between Williams and the filmmaker, Luke Littell, the film is available only from him at thirdgenerationoutlaw.com. ( Kingblind is talking the the filmmaker now and may have a exclusive showing of this film in late September.. Stay tuned for details )

Andre 3000 'World's Sexiest Vegetarian'

NEW YORK - The secret to Grammy-winning hip-hop? Maybe it's the veggies. Andre 3000 of OutKast has been voted the "World's Sexiest Vegetarian" in PETA's annual online poll. He shares the honor with actress Alicia Silverstone. More than 12,000 votes were cast in the annual contest run by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Results were released last week. Previous winners include Tobey Maguire, Lauren Bush and Shania Twain. Silverstone and Andre 3000 beat out other contenders not known for their eating habits: John Cleese (news), Prince and "Weird Al" Yankovic. Andre, 30, is the flashier side of the hip-hop duo OutKast. OutKast's hip-hoppy jive won three trophies at the 2004 Grammy Awards: best urban-alternative performance for "Hey Ya!" and best rap album and overall album of the year for "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below." It was the first rap album to win most of the awards in top categories. Silverstone, 27, has starred in films including "Clueless" and "Batman & Robin."

RACE FOR THE PRIZE!

FRANZ FERDINAND, SNOW PATROL and THE STREETS are amongst the nominations for this year’s MERCURY MUSIC PRIZE. A panel of judges drawn from the music industry have chosen their 12 ‘albums of the year’, with the overall winner announced on September 7. This year’s shortlist also features albums from the likes of Belle And Sebastian, Jamelia and Keane. Simon Frith, Chair of Judges said: "This is an exceptional year, most dramatically illustrated by the emergence of several new and varied bands together with outstanding work by three powerful female singers. The shortlist also recognises the continued good health of the gloriously eclectic world that is British and Irish music."
This year’s shortlist is:
* Basement Jaxx – ‘Kish Kash’
* Belle & Sebastian – ‘Dear Catastrophe Waitress’
* Franz Ferdinand – ‘Franz Ferdinand’
* Jamelia – ‘Thank You’
* Keane – ‘Hopes And Fears’
* Snow Patrol – ‘Final Straw’
* Joss Stone – ‘The Soul Sessions’
* The Streets – ‘A Grand Don’t Come For Free’
* Ty – ‘Upwards’
* Amy Winehouse – ‘Frank’
* Robert Wyatt – ‘Cuckooland’
* The Zutons – ‘Who Killed...The Zutons’
Speaking following the nominations, Keane’s Tim Rice-Oxley said it was "nice" to be nominated, but wasn’t hopeful of a win. He told said: "I would imagine they'll give it to someone a bit more obscure. I don't think we'd really count as obscure, now, would we? There are quite a few bands in the list too - but it does show that it's been a really good year for British bands, It's quite nice to have the year in music rounded up in that way." Bookmakers are looking to Franz and The Streets as joint favourites to win the award, with odds of 3-1. Other odds see Winehouse, Snow Patrol and Keane at 6-1 to win and Jamelia, Basement Jaxx and Joss Stone at 10-1. The other nominated artists are 12-1 to win the award.Graham Sharpe from William Hill said: "It’s a very close year, with superb albums from UK artists representing a range of musical genres. This is reflected in the closeness of the odds we’ve given – every album here could be a winner." The shortlist has been welcomed by the independent labels. Five of the nominated acts are via indies - Basement Jaxx, Belle & Sebastian, Franz Ferdinand, Ty and Robert Wyatt. Alison Wenham, Chairman & Chief Executive of the Association of Independent Music (AIM) said: "Once again the independent record sector in the UK has demonstrated the vital role it plays in discovering, nurturing and promoting new music. The impressive representation of the indies at this year’s Mercury Prize highlights the sector’s continuing success in breaking new talent." Previous winners have had varying degrees of success after winning the Mercury Music Prize. The award helped recent winners like Ms Dynamite reach mainstream appeal, but earlier winners such as Talvin Singh and Roni Size didn’t quite manage to cross over in the same way.
The previous winners are:

* 1992 - Primal Scream 'Screamadelica'
* 1993 - Suede: 'Suede'
* 1994 - M People: 'Elegant Slumming'
* 1995 - Portishead: 'Dummy'
* 1996 - Pulp: 'Different Class'
* 1997 - Roni Size: 'New Forms'
* 1998 - Gomez: 'Bring It On'
* 1999 - Talvin Singh: 'OK'
* 2000 - Badly Drawn Boy: 'The Hour Of Bewilderbeast'
* 2001 - PJ Harvey: 'Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea'
* 2002 - Ms Dynamite: 'A Little Deeper'
* 2003 – Dizzee Rascal – ‘Boy In Da Corner’

Sid and Nancy's Punk Rock History to Go on Display

LONDON - Some of the blood-splattered history of punk rock's most infamous couple, Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen, is to be displayed for the first time at an art exhibition in London, the Independent on Sunday said. Artifacts from the couple's room at New York's Chelsea Hotel, where Spungen died from a stab wound to the stomach in 1978, will be shown publicly for the first time at The Hospital gallery at a date yet to be announced. They include a blood-flecked poster publicizing the Sex Pistols' only official album release "Never Mind The Bollocks. Vicious was charged with second-degree murder over the killing, but died the following year of a heroin overdose at the age of 21. Both Vicious and Spungen, whose tempestuous relationship was chronicled in the 1986 film "Sid and Nancy," injected drugs. It is unclear whether the spots of blood on the poster were a result of their use or of Spungen's bloody death, the Independent said. The exhibition, which took 15 years to assemble, also includes original T-shirts, posters and hand-written lyrics, including some by Sid Vicious that were never recorded. The Sex Pistols and their manager Malcolm McLaren prompted a revolution in music, clothing and art in the 1970s.

Jay Farrar:: Stone, Steel & Bright Lights (Album Review)

Ponder this, Jay Farrar faithful: In a live setting, would the somber numbers on Terrior Blues negate the rocking cuts from Sebastopol? How would Farrar reconcile the divergent moods of the two albums, the latter fiery, angry and muscular, the former a sad lament, conveying an aching sense of irrecoverable loss? Stone, Steel & Bright Lights tackles the issue with a two-pronged solution: Cherry-pick renditions of the various songs from different venues during Farrar's September-October 2003 tour dates and then cluster them together. Each album gets a run of five straight tracks, an approach that works to a point. The Terrior Blues material, even bolstered by the presence of Washington D.C. alt-country act Canyon backing Farrar and adding definite punch to the originals, still brings things to a crawl (especially in regards to the dour-in-any-setting "Cahokian"). Farrar also debuts two new songs: the acoustic, unwavering "Doesn't Have to Be This Way" is a thumb in the eye of the current administration, while the declarative anthem "6 String Belief" challenges staid music convention ("Killed by consolidation / Killed by saturation / The underground will correct"). For an encore, Farrar rips through two covers, with Syd Barrett's acid-washed "Lucifer Sam" the most surprising (and refreshing) psychedelic detour. The more obvious choice, Neil Young's "Like A Hurricane," fits Farrar's demeanor and style to T, although Farrar and Canyon do nothing particularly new with it. Stone, Steel & Bright Lights affords Farrar an opportunity to let his hair down, but not too much. There's a rigid sincerity to his work that refuses to allow him to drift too far from the statements of purpose he so carefully lays down in the studio.

Jon Spencer Blues Explosion Leave Matador, Ready Star-Studded New Album

It seems Sanctuary Records is snapping up anyone who'll have them these days. Recently, Morrissey, RZA, Ween, Megadeth, and, yes, even The Tubes have been added to the label's suddenly star-studded roster. Now, NYC's Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, a seminal group for all artists who would eventually shout their own bandnames out in song like it was some kind of big deal or something, have joined the fold. Yes, it's true: The Elvis-loving, bellbottom-sporting blues machine funky enough to shake the pants off a quadriplegic recently announced their departure from their longtime label, Matador Records, and will be joining Sanctuary this fall with a brand new album. I say goddamn! The new album, Damage, appears to be something of Supernatural for the indie set, featuring an impressive set of A-list contributors. Guesting on the record is the late Elliott Smith, as well as NYC no-wave progenitor James Chance, former Tricky vocalist/lover Martina Topley-Bird, and Public Enemy mouthpiece Chuck D. And the production staff is even brighter, showcasing the skillz of everyone from Alan Moulder and David Holmes to Dan "The Automator" Nakamura and DJ Shadow. Former producer Steve Jordan, who worked on the band's 2002 release, Plastic Fang, will feature as well. Damage is presently set for a September 29th release.

Let Them Sing it For You

Type a phase and hear it sung with sound bytes from a variety of bands. Too cool!
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Live and on Demand concerts from Paradiso Amsterdam

Fabchannel has nearly 200 streaming concerts online from Amsterdam's "temple of pop": Paradiso. Featured artists include Damien Rice, Franz Ferdinand, De La Soul and many more. 56k streams are freely available, broadband requires free registration. CLICK TO LISTEN

Dismemberment Plan Singer Goes Solo

Former Dismemberment Plan frontman Travis Morrison has inked with Barsuk Records for his solo debut, "Travistan," due Sept. 29. The set was co-produced by Death Cab For Cutie guitarist Chris Walla and veteran Washington, D.C., engineer Don Zientara. Guests include Death Cab drummer Jason McGerr, singer/songwriter John Vanderslice and a string section made up of college students from the D.C. area. "It's not indie-rock," Morrison said of the set. "The best I could come up with is that it sounds like De La Soul's first album crossed with the Band. But it's very catchy and very appealing. In a lot of ways, it's the most accessible thing I've done. But people who are used to hearing me surrounded by distorted guitar may be like, 'what happened?'" Tracks include "Change" ("in which I compare myself to Moses," says Morrison), "Angry Angel" ("which turned into a crazy Scott Walker string-section type of thing"), "People Die" ("which kind of sounds like Eddie Cochran, over a Timbaland rhythm track") and "Song for the Orca" ("it is dealing with a heavy theme but I'm talking about animals at the zoo"). Morrison admits the Plan's 2001 Desoto Records swansong (also titled "Change") was dominated by serious, introspective material that contrasted heavily with the more light-hearted fare of the group's earlier albums. But he says, "That kind of exuberant humor from the first two Plan records is actually kind of back on this one, mainly because I didn't want to do an angsty political record." The artist has lately been testing the solo performance waters with cover sets, featuring everything from Prince's "Erotic City" to Christina Aguilera songs. But come September, Morrison will hit the road with a full band, featuring three keyboardists (including himself), a drummer and a percussionist. "Everybody in the band can play virtually any instrument," he says. "It's a pretty amazing team of people. It's really becoming another band. It's going to be called Travis Morrison, but I would be a fool to not take advantage of these peoples' creative energies."

Guided By Voices Sets Final Tour Dates

Indie-rock mainstay Guided By Voices, which plans to split at the end of the year, has confirmed its last tour, to culminate with a New Year's Eve concert in Chicago. The Electrifying Conclusion tour boasts 25 dates, running from an Aug. 19 performance at New York's Hudson River Rocks free concert series, and finishing up with a two-night stand at Chicago's Metro. The group will also play two nights each at New York's Irving Plaza and Berbati's Pan in Portland, Ore. After the Aug. 19 New York show, the band will host a free late-night record-release party at the Tonic nightclub, complete with GBV karaoke Tickets for the Dec. 31 final show will go on sale July 31 via Ticketmaster, the Metro box office and Reckless Records outlets in Chicago and London. Tickets for that show only are $75 and $125, the latter for "Gold Circle VIP Tickets" that include balcony access and the opportunity to attend an aftershow party/meet-and-greet. As previously reported, GBV will release its final studio album, "Half Smiles of the Decomposed," Aug. 24 via Matador.
Here are Guided By Voices' tour dates:
Aug. 19: New York (Hudson River Rocks)
Aug. 19: New York (Tonic - album release party)
Sept. 9: Boston (Paradise)
Sept. 10: Philadelphia (Theater of the Living Arts)
Sept. 11: Washington D.C. (9:30 Club)
Sept. 28: Carrboro, N.C. (Cats Cradle)
Sept. 29: Athens, Ga. (40 Watt)
Oct. 1: Houston (Engine Room)
Oct. 2: Austin, Texas (Stubb's)
Oct. 3: Dallas (Gypsy Ballroom)
Oct. 21: Columbus, Ohio (Al Rosa)
Oct. 22: Newport, Ky. (Southgate House)
Oct. 23: Cleveland (Beachland Ballroom)
Oct. 25: Bloomington, Ind. (Bluebird)
Oct. 26: Detroit (Majestic Theatre)
Nov. 11: San Diego (Canes)
Nov. 12: Los Angeles (Henry Fonda Theatre)
Nov. 13: San Francisco (the Fillmore)
Nov. 15-16: Portland, Ore. (Berbati's Pan)
Nov. 17: Seattle (Neumos)
Dec. 3-4: New York (Irving Plaza)
Dec. 12: Orlando, Fla. (Beacham Theatre)
Dec. 30-31: Chicago (the Metro)

Grohl Seeing Double For Next Foos Album
 
The Foo Fighters are building a studio in Los Angeles to record their next RCA project, frontman Dave Grohl said. The group recorded its past several albums in  Grohl's basement in Virginia. "I think it's going to be a two-record  set," he says. "It's going to be 10 acoustic songs and then 10 tracks that are just koo-koo, really heavy." He adds that the Foos already have a lot of  acoustic material that the band has never recorded. The album will be the follow-up to 2002's "One by One," which debuted at No. 3 on The Billboard 200 and has sold 1.1 million copies in the United States,  according to Nielsen SoundScan. It was named best rock album in February at the 46th Grammy Awards. For now, the lone date on the Foos'calendar is an Aug. 28 appearance at San Diego's Street Scene Festival. As for his previously announced work on the upcoming Nine Inch Nails album, Grohl says NIN leader Trent Reznor called to ask if he would play, and they went into Sound City Studio in Van Nuys, Calif., the next day. "It sounds incredible," Grohl says of the NIN material. "It is [Trent's] first [studio] album in five years. I looked at him and said, 'What have you been doing!'

Bumbershoot fills out lineup for Labor Day

Bumbershoot, Seattle Center's Labor Day weekend arts festival, returns this year with a lineup that features groundbreaking artists Pixies and Public Enemy, red-hot up-and-comers Van Hunt and The Killers, heritage artists Toots and the Maytals and Nancy Sinatra, underground heroes Brother Ali and The Beta Band, Seattle favorites The Presidents of the United States of America and Death Cab for Cutie, and more than 2,500 musicians and artists on 18 stages and venues.
Daily highlights, as announced recently by Bumbershoot organizers:

Sept. 3: Hometown Throwdown with The Presidents of the United States of America, Death Cab for Cutie and United State of Electronica, Burning Spear, Koko Taylor and Her Blues Machine, Against Me!, Dr. Lonnie Smith Trio, BR549, Clear Cut Press featuring Charles D'Ambrosio and Lou Barlow, Kultur Shock, The Clumsy Lovers, Rock Steady Crew's Ken Swift, Himsa, Memphis Radio Kings, The Stranger's PIZZAZZ! Talent Show.

Sept. 4: Nickelback, Puddle of Mudd, Seal, Van Hunt, Nancy Sinatra, Thomas Mapfumo and The Blacks Unlimited, Face to Face, Kiki and Herb, Robyn Hitchcock, The Black Keys, Drive-By Truckers, Ursula Rucker, Fourthcity Laptop DJ Battle Showcase, Roomful of Blues, Pedro the Lion, Brother Ali, Unwritten Law, Voices in Wartime, Tamango's Urban Tap, Omar Faruk Tekbilek and His Ensemble, Mindy Smith, American Music Club.

Sept. 5: Hip-Hop 101 with Nas, Public Enemy, Byrdie and Massive Monkees, The Walkmen, The Beta Band, Natalie MacMaster, Soulive featuring Reggie Watts, Ben Kweller, Plastilina Mosh, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, The Pollack-Hodgman Interviews, Bobby Rush, The Bad Plus, These Arms Are Snakes, Vienna Teng, Crooked Fingers, Cheb I Sabbah, Cobra High, Brainstorm 4 Emcee Battle Finals, Josh Ritter, indie comics and graphic novels with Harvey Pekar, Gilbert Hernandez, Jessica Abel and Peter Bagge.

Sept. 6: Pixies, Built to Spill, The Marley Brothers, Toots and the Maytals, Bebel Gilberto, Critters Buggin featuring All-Star Jam Finale, Bo Diddley with The Johnnie Johnson Band, Galactic, Sam Roberts, Rise Against, Donald Byrd's Spectrum Dance Theater, Kaki King, Galactic, Nick Lowe, The Killers, Control Machete, Ursula Hegi, Will Power, Brainstorm 4 B-Boy Finals, Jonathan Raban, Harvey Danger, On The Speakers, The Bad Plus, Richmond Fontaine, The Turn-Ons.
Bumbershoot showcases the work of hundreds of regional, national and international artists in almost every discipline, including visual arts, dance, theater and performance, literary, graphic novels and zines, comedy and film. Tickets are on sale now, with a 40 percent discount on advance single-day tickets through Aug. 26. Adult prices before Aug. 26 range from $15 for a single-day pass to $55 for a four-day pass. Tickets are available now at www.bumbershoot.org, Western Washington Ticketmaster outlets or by phone 206-628-0888 and (beginning Aug. 6) Western Washington Starbucks.

Rocket From the Crypt To Headline Little Steven's Battle of the Bands

Little Steven's Underground Garage is proud to present Rocket From the Crypt at Irving Plaza in New York City on Friday, July 23. The performance marks the San Diego band's only U.S. performance and their second show in more than year. Rocket From the Crypt are the special guest headliners for radio personality Little Steven Van Zandt's Battle of the Bands Finals. The battle will feature 11 of the country's best undiscovered garage bands, as they compete for a spot at the International Ungerground Garage Festival. Tickets for the battle can be purchased at Ticketmaster or the Irving box office. The Underground Garage Festival will take place on August 14 at Randall's Island. Iggy Pop and the stooges, the Strokes, the New York Dolls, Bo Diddley, the Raveonnettes, the Pretty Things and the Monney Suzuki are just some of the bands to play at this one-day festival. Many of the bands on the bill were discovered by van Zandt through his nationally syndicated radio show, Underground Garage. Tickets for the show are $20 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster. Irving Plaza Battle of the Bands Headliner: Rocket From the Crypt July 23, 2004 Doors at 8pm $12 adv/$15 doors Line-up (for the Battle of the Bands): Steel Pier Sinners The Soft Explosions The Chickes The Blackouts The Five Maseratis The Beatnik Flies The Heatseekers The Dipsomaniacs Muck and the Mires The Konks

Update: New York Dolls Bassist Dies

New York Dolls bassist Arthur Kane died last night (July 13) in Los Angeles due to complications from leukemia, the group's manager confirms today. He was 55. A memorial service will be held Saturday at the Westwood chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. he reunited Dolls were fresh off a well-received appearance at Morrissey's Meltdown Festival in London last month and had also opened some of Morrissey's concerts in May in New York. It is unclear if the David Johansen-led group will still perform next month at Little Steven's International Underground Garage Festival in New York. "During rehearsal and the shows I was blessed to work with the Arthur I first met and loved 30 years ago," Johansen said in a statement released to the press. "The reunion was a source of great happiness for him, and the dynamic between [guitarist] Sylvain [Sylvain], Arthur and myself was brimming with unimaginable love. It's good to know that he went out on a high point in his musical life, but he will be sorely missed. His bass playing and presence were the heart & soul of the New York Dolls and the secret ingredient of our sound." The Dolls are scheduled to release an album for Morrissey's Attack imprint in September, but no details have been revealed. "He was a very gentle soul and I know he lived for many years with the hope of a Dolls reunion," Morrissey said in a statement released to the press. "When this happened -- at the Royal Festival Hall in June -- I know Arthur was thrilled to be back with David and Sylvain playing the music of the Dolls to such enthusiastic crowds over two nights. I will always remember the look of bashful happiness on Arthur's face as people in the audience constantly called out his name. He was finally back where he belonged." Kane is the fourth member of the pioneering glam rock outfit to pass away, including guitarist Johnny Thunders, who died of a drug overdose in 1991.
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD THE NEW YORK DOLLS SONG-- PILLS (MP3 Download)

Final Elliott Smith Album Due In October

Singer/songwriter Elliott Smith's final album, "From a Basement on the Hill," will be released Oct. 19 via Epitaph's Anti- imprint. Smith committed suicide last October; the material he had been working on was posthumously overseen by members of his family, as well as longtime collaborator Rob Schnapf and musician Joanna Bolme. The 15-track album features drumming by the Flaming Lips' Steven Drozd on opener "Coast to Coast," while Quasi's Sam Coomes plays bass and sings on "Pretty (Ugly Before)," which was issued in August 2003 as a single by Suicide Squeeze Records. The cut "A Distorted Reality is Now a Necessity To Be Free" will appear first on MoveOn.org's "Future Soundtrack for America" compilation, which hits stores Aug. 10. Other song titles suggest Smith may have been contemplating suicide and revisiting his frequent themes of addiction, including "Strung Out Again," "Shooting Star," "Memory Lane" and "Last Hour." It is believed Smith had tracked more than 30 songs during work on the project, for which he'd reached an agreement with DreamWorks to release on an independent label of his choosing. But it's unclear how many songs were complete, or if they will ever see the light of day. "He was always editing and working," DreamWorks A&R executive Luke Wood said last year. "He always had a large cycle of songs that he was making better, and sometimes that cycle took years."
Here is the track list for "From a Basement on the Hill":
"Coast to Coast"
"Let's Get Lost"
"Pretty (Ugly Before)"
"Don't Go Down"
"Strung Out Again"
"Fond Farewell"
"King's Crossing"
"Ostriches & Chirping"
"Twilight"
"A Passing Feeling"
"Last Hour"
"Shooting Star"
"Memory Lane"
"Little One"
"A Distorted Reality is Now a Necessity To Be Free"

Bowie Leads Mid-Year Touring Grosses

David Bowie's A Reality tour was the top-grossing trek for the first half of 2004, according to numbers reported to Billboard Boxscore. The veteran artist grossed $45.4 million from 82 shows that drew 722,158 fans. As previously reported, Bowie was forced to cancel the final 10 dates on the European leg of the tour last month. At the time it was said he was suffering from a pinched nerve. Shortly after, he underwent emergency heart surgery for a blocked artery. Other top tours for the period included Bette Midler ($40 million), Simon & Garfunkel ($36 million), Shania Twain ($34 million), Prince ($26 million), Rod Stewart ($25 million), Metallica ($22 million), Beyoncé/Alicia Keys/Missy Elliott ($19 million), Britney Spears ($19 million) and George Strait ($16 million). The list of top-grossing promoters for the first half of 2004 offers few surprises, with the three corporate heavyweights occupying the top slots. Far and away the world's largest promoter is Clear Channel Entertainment, which reports more than $405 million from involvement at some level in 2,644 shows. In second place is AEG Live. This subsidiary of the Anschutz Entertainment Group, with its own subpromoters like Concerts West (Prince), Goldenvoice (Coachella) and the Messina Group (Kenny Chesney), reported more than $176 million in grosses from just 374 concerts. House of Blues Concerts was third, reporting more than $88 million from 976 shows. The numbers reflect box-office figures between Nov. 19, 2003, and May 18, 2004.

Burning Brides To Kick Off North American Tour

Fresh off a stint as the opening act for A Perfect Circle, hard rock trio Burning Brides is hitting the road again for a headlining tour in support of their second album, Leave No Ashes. The two-month tour kicks off on July 19 in New Orleans, making stops along the west coast before heading east, finishing off with a show in Atlanta on August 31. The Philly-based Brides also have a July 15 hometown show and an August 15 Warped Tour performance in Pontiac, Michigan. Boston punk quintet the Explosion will be joining the Brides as the tour’s opening act. Leave No Ashes, which is the follow-up to the band’s 2001 debut album Fall of the Plastic Empire, landed in stores on June 29 via V2 Records. The album was co-produced by George Drakoulious (who has previously collaborated with the Black Crowes and Tom Petty) and features guest appearances by Roger Manning, former Screaming Trees frontman Mark Lanegan and Mike Watt.
Tour dates:
7/15 - Philadelphia, PA - Penn's Landing (w/ Shinedown)
7/19 - New Orleans, LA - One Eyed Jacks
7/20 - Houston, TX - Walter's on Washington
7/21 - Austin, TX - Emo's
7/22 - Denton, TX - Hailey's
7/24 - Albuquerque, NM - Launchpad
7/25 - Tempe, AZ - Big Fish Sports Pub
7/26 - Tucson, AZ - City Limits
7/28 - Costa Mesa, CA - Detroit
7/29 - West Hollywood, CA - The Troubadour
7/30 - San Diego, CA - The Casbah
7/31 - Long Beach, CA - Alex's Bar
8/1 - San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall
8/4 - Vancouver, British Columbia - Richard's on Richards
8/5 - Portland, OR - Ash Street Saloon
8/6 - Seattle, WA - Graceland
8/7 - Dallas, TX - Smirnoff Music Centre (102.1 Edge Fest)
8/8 - Denver, CO - Larimer Lounge
8/10 - Lawrence, KS - The Bottleneck
8/12 - Minneapolis, MN - Quest Club
8/13 - Chicago, IL - The Bottom Lounge
8/14 - Indianapolis, IN - The Patio
8/15 - Pontiac, MI - Silverdome (Van's Warped Tour)
8/16 - Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop
8/17 - Toronto, Ontario - Lee's Palace
8/19 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
8/20 - Philadelphia, PA - North Star
8/21 - Cambridge, MA - Middle East Club
8/22 - Washington, DC - Black Cat
8/24 - Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle
8/25 - Charlotte, NC - Tremont Music Hall
8/27 - Jacksonville, FL - Jack Rabbits
8/28 - Tampa, FL - The Orpheum
8/29 - Orlando, FL - The Social
8/31 - Atlanta, GA - Echo Lounge

Kill Rock Stars Announce This Year's Yeah! Fest! Line-up

Indie music label Kill Rock Stars is sponsoring this year’s Yeah! Fest!, a three-day party and music festival to be held in Olympia, Washington at the Eagle’s Hall on September 10, 11 and 12. The venue features three floors that will house a continuous line-up of 50 bands, with the party kicking off on Friday night and culminating with the “False Pregnancy Freakout” dance party on Sunday evening. Festival performers include Jeff Hanson, Amps For Christ, the Decemberists, Deerhoof and Xiu Xiu, among others. Tickets go on sale later this week. More details on ticket prices and the festival itinerary will be posted on the festival’s website soon.
Confirmed bands:
The Planet The
Jeff Hanson
The Punks
Mecca Normal
Amps For Christ
Shoplifting
The Decemberists
Deerhoof
Gold Chains
Gossip
Nedelle
The Makers
Xiu Xiu
Montr bats
Mary Timony
Numbers
The Mae Shi
Biography of Ferns
Crazy 88s
Wet Confetti
Palisades
The Waxfire
Big Empty
Joey Casio
Hello Cuca
Spider and the Webs
Mind Your Pig Latoya
The Other Ghost
The Hunches
Al Larsen
November Witch
Lyrebird

GROHL JOINS NINE INCH NAILS IN THE STUDIO

Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl logged time last week behind the drum
kit with Nine Inch Nails at Sound City Studios in Van Nuys, Calif. His
contributions are expected to appear on the Trent Reznor-led act's
long-awaited new album, "Bleed Through," due later this year via
Interscope.

URGE OVERKILL (LIVE) MP3 Download

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD a U.O. Show from 02-06-2004, New York City

Danzig Fight (Mpeg Movie)

Footage of Danzig backstage fight (Danzig goes down!)
CLICK TO VIEW
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Glenn Danzig versus the Northside Kings
The Northside Kings are a band. I think from Arizona. I’d tell you more but their website is down due to heavy traffic. Very heavy traffic due to the release of their new hit video. It’s untitled but that would merely classify it. I call it Bald Jesus tramples Satan. The dialogue is obscure and perhaps inspired by Samuel Beckett. “Fuck you, fuck you. Fuck you.” It’s a real meeting of the minds in a crowded backstage. Glenn Danzig, heavy metal moron has his back to the camera. He has long hair and is talking to a large bald man in a black wife beater t-shirt. He has tattoos on his shoulder. Big Fat Jesus points and Glenn motions his hand backwards. Bald Jesus gestures towards the stage and an Asian chick with big dumb glasses and some sort of mardi-gras necklace watches the confrontation with a sort of “I wuz there” clumsiness.. Glenn leans forward and gives a double hand push. Bald Jesus swings with a right and Glenn goes down. The crowd starts screaming, kick his ass, kick his ass. There’s lots of shoving and pushing. Glenn is hustled away. Boys wearing t-shirts emblazoned “metal” on the reverse are in the screen shot. The scene fades to black and the words: “Danny is not threatening “Danzig” and “Danzig” initiates the contact. Note that there is no weapon in Danny’s hand.” What we have here is a video peep into the diary of a modern heavy metal Samuel Pepys. He went to the theater and the actors engaged in a mano-mano battle to the death. Unfortunately, the video camera does not lie and half the world has seen Danzig go down, clutching his Satanic rosary beads made from the bones of frogs. Bald Jesus is a hero now; he stood up to the pseudo-satanic man. The problem is that the people who take this seriously, the people that care (who would want to be backstage at a Danzig gig anyway? People that laugh at Springer without realizing the camera is self reflective….) the folks that really care about Danzig getting his comeuppance are so hyper-marginal and so straight (I am different my shirt reads “metal”) (is this a physiological description?). Danzig fans are Jimmy Buffet parrot heads that want to create insurance fraud crusted with the dust of clarity that only comes when the cell door is closed and Court TV is the venue of slim fame. The guy that beat Danzig up is a future prison guard. The folks that cheered are future psychologists testifying for the prosecution. And the folks that pass this video around are the types that slow down to watch accidents. Like me. (By: Jim Hayes)

Kingblind and the west coast

So many great shows on the west coast. Sonic Youth, Pretty Girls Make Graves, Pedro the Lion, The Supersuckers, The Reverend Horton Heat and many many more. So much to see so much to say. Full report when we return on the 19th of July. ALSO currently testing out some new equipment from Sirius & XM satellite radio (Both home and mobile units.)