Rock Sellout

Redirection Reaction Recreation

2007-03-15T15:29:00.000-06:00

The new Rock Sellout website is up! This is your cue to redirect your bookmarks to point towards our new home.

Lee Rocker feeling at home on Alligator label

2007-03-14T15:24:00.000-06:00

Enjoying the success of a new album and a new label, former Stray Cats bassist Lee Rocker continues to be one of the top- drawing rockabilly acts in the world.
Rocker’s solo career hasn’t been as prolific as Stray Cats co-founder Brian Setzer’s; however, he’s stayed true to the sound that influenced the band, making it a staple on the 1980s music scene.

A solid slice of Americana, Racin' the Devil starts with a bombastic flare on the first track, “The Girl From Hell,” and continues from there, including a snappy cover of The Stray Cats’ “Rock This Town.” Complete with the country twang and the drive of rock ’n’ roll, the album is dominated by the original cuts, nine of which are written by Rocker. Guitarists Brophy Dale and Buzz Campbell intertwine styles nicely while Jimmy Sage’s drumming completes the project, offering the true rockabilly fan a solid listening experience.

Known for his strong command of the upright bass, which includes spinning maneuvers, harnessing the large four-string like an electric guitar, and straddling it like a racehorse, Rocker is not just a showman. The CD does showcase Rocker’s slapback playing style, and mastery of the walking bass line, however, since his days as a Stray Cat, he's been transformed into a natural crooner, flirting with different ranges, evident on the ballad, “Lost On The Highway.”

Racin’ has created perhaps a new era for the band and Chicago’s Alligator Records. Known as one of the most popular blues labels in the world, Alligator and Rocker seem to fit well together. Although Racin’ The Devil is not a blues disc, it seems to blend into what the label has to offer.

“I think it’s a good mix. We have a lot more in common than less. It’s music that, ultimately, comes from the same place. It’s real American music, not made by machines but by people. It’s about passion and realness,” Rocker says.

Alligator is no stranger to the New York native, who has followed the label’s artists most of his life. According to Lee, most of his blues influences were Alligator recording artists.

“I had known about Alligator since I was a teen-ager,” he added. “I have always loved the blues. A few years ago, I ran into Koko (Taylor) in Spain. She was with the folks from Alligator. We talked, and a couple years later, I was on their label.”

Born Leon Drucker in Massapequa, Long Island, in 1961, Rocker is the son of two world-renowned musicians. His father, Stanley, is a clarinetist with the New York Philharmonic. Naomi, Lee’s mother, teaches music at Hofstra University. Urged by his parents, Lee began taking cello lessons at age 8, which widened his appreciation of music to include rock ’n’ roll. Picking up an electric bass followed, and he quickly mastered the instrument.

During grade school, he met two other musicians who eventually would open the eyes of a whole new generation of music fans. Rocker, Jimmy McDonnel (Slim Jim Phantom) and Brian Setzer began playing a variety of rock tunes before discovering what has made Alligator famous: the blues. It was also the work of rockabilly legend Carl Perkins that played an influential role in what became The Stray Cats in 1979, creating a resurgence of the genre, which has become a mainstay around the world.

After headlining famous punk haunts such as New York’s CBGB, the Stray Cats in 1980 moved to London, where they attracted droves of fans to their shows, including the Rolling Stones. A backstage meeting with Mick Jagger and company, which Rocker, Phantom and Setzer initially thought was a prank, resulted in supporting tours and friendships that continue today.

“We did a show in London and, one night, our manager told us that the Stones wanted to meet us. We all said, ‘Yeah, right!’ and thought he was joking. But we did hang out, and they did take us out on some tours. In fact, we’re still friends. Keith (Richards) was kind enough to play on a couple of my early solo records,” remembers Rocker.

A return to America spawned a whirlwind of success for The Stray Cats. Released in 1982, their first album, Built For Speed, became a mega-hit, holding the No. 2 spot on the Billboard chart for 26 weeks, behind Michael Jackson’s Thriller. According to Rocker, having a debut album do that well is something he will never forget. “The Stray Cats took off like a rocket. For some reason, we really connected with people.”

In the early 1980s, the music that had been pumping through radio speakers around the world suddenly had faces to go with it, as MTV soon revealed that three of those faces were of The Stray Cats. “We took an old style of music and put our own stamp on it. Nobody was really doing that. And then, around ’81 or ’82, MTV entered, and really helped us push it. Suddenly, everybody knew us.”

After the demise of The 'Cats in 1986, Rocker and Jim Phantom recruited ex-David Bowie guitarist Earl Slick, and formed Phantom, Rocker & Slick, scoring a minor hit, “Men Without Shame.”

In 1994, Lee released Big Blue, followed by 1995’s Atomic Boogie Hour, both on Black Top Records and the first two of his solo career. Four more albums followed, keeping Rocker busy in the U.S. and Europe, touring with ex-Elvis Presley guitarist Scotty Moore in 2002.

Although The Stray Cats reunited in London in 2003 for the band’s 25th anniversary and did 18 European shows and a 2004 DVD, Rocker said he doesn’t feel a Stray Cats reunion will happen any time soon. Sad for some fans, but for Lee, he’s content with that. Noting that he and the other two ’Cats are still friends, Rocker keeps focused on his current projects, as do Phantom and Setzer.

“I don’t keep in contact with Jimmy and Brian all that often at all. I have known them since we were 10, and I because I know them so damn well, that’s kind of all right. I am proud of what I am doing right now.”

Currently touring Canada, Lee Rocker returns to the U.S. in May for a string of shows in Wisconsin and Florida. For additional tour updates and other information, visit http://www.leerocker.com/.

Listen to KEXP. That is all.

2007-03-14T07:59:00.000-06:00

Since you're reading our fine music blog, odds are you love music that's off the beaten path. That means that you should listen to KEXP out of Seattle Washington. Every day. I do. In fact I am right now.

I first discovered KEXP about 5 years ago when I was fiddling around with the internet radio features of itunes. They were in the "alternative" category, a badge that I wear with both pride and shame. But what the heck, I was at work and the boss let me wear headphones while driving the computer. It's kind of like NPR where it's listener-supported, meaning they have pledge drives (yes, I've donated and I will again) bu not in a cheesy way.

They've opened my mind to so much great music, and I wish I could just play it 24/7 in the house, car, desk, whereever I am. From the alternative/indie mornings with John Richards, to the shoegazer afternoons with Sheryl Waters,continuing with the great vibe of my former favorite Minneapolis dj Kevin Cole, KEXP has that personal vibe that I always thought that radio should have. Maybe it's too much WKRP in Cincinnati that I had as a child, but people that play music for a living should be passionate about it!!

I wish all radio was this good.

The best variety is in the morning, where the station director John Richards plays anything from Johnny Cash to Johnny Rotten and Elvis Costello to Elvis Perkins (although I've never heard Elvis Presley on KEXP, but I'm sure he's been played sometime.) Then there's the shows such as Roadhouse (blues and rockabilly) and Ambiance (world music) that you'd have a hard time finding more diversity.

1990s Confirm Debut Album Release

2007-03-13T22:27:00.000-06:00

NME.com reports: 1990s are set to release their debut album Cookies on May 7 in the UK.

The album was produced by former Suede guitarist Bernard Butler, and was recorded at the end of 2006 at West Heath studios in Hampstead.

Tracklist:
"You Made Me Like It"
"See You At The Lights"
"Cult Status"
"Arcade Precinct"
"Switch"
"Enjoying Myself"
"You're Supposed To Be My Friend"
"Pollockshields"
"Risque Pictures"
"Weed"
"Thinking Of Not Going"
"Situation"

The Beatles Download Rumor Denied

2007-03-13T05:49:00.000-06:00

The Beatles' record label has moved to deny rumours that the band's music is about to be made available online.

The legends are one of the last acts to license their back catalogue to online stores.

However, UK download site Wippit recently claimed it would be the first to sell the songs, posting a headline on its homepage.

This immediately prompted The Beatles' record company EMI to issue a statement denying the link-up and asked that the download site removed its claims, reports BBC News.

The claim has since been removed, though Wippit have yet to comment.

Rumours that The Beatles' back catalogue would be available for download soon have been rife lately.

A potential deal with iTunes was suggested last month after the band's own label Apple Corps settled a long-running trademark dispute with Apple Inc, leading Apple Corps manager Neil Aspinall to say The Beatles looked forward to "many years of peaceful co- operation with the firm".

This followed more talk in January when Apple boss Steve Jobs used a selection of music from the band's classic 'Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' album to demonstrate the musical properties of the new iPhone.

Source: NME.com

Starbucks, Concord Form Hear Music Label

2007-03-12T23:09:00.000-06:00

Starbucks and Concord Music Group have formed a new label, Hear Music, which will sign established and emerging artists directly for distribution inside and outside the coffee chain.

Under the collaborative venture, Starbucks will take primary responsibility for A&R, while Concord will lead marketing, promotion and distribution of Hear Music artists outside the cafes.

Hear Music expects to release its first album by the end of this year. Neither Starbucks nor Concord would confirm a New York Post report that Sir Paul McCartney is close to signing a deal.

Since 1999, the Hear Music brand has been used for compilations and co-releases for sale at Starbucks locations. The name will now be used exclusively for the Los Angeles-based Hear Music label partnership.

Source: Billboard.com

Burntside builds on classic punk sound

2007-03-12T20:10:00.001-06:00

In a world of revolving trends, many musicians find themselves not able to keep up with what is hot on today's music scene. Country songs cross over onto pop charts. Country songs become dance mixes. Hard rockers belt out a ballad now and then. Some acts find themselves on the receiving end of a sellout choke hold, until either giving in or giving up. Being rich and famous, as it's been said, is not as glamorous as it seems. But in today's Britney Spears-afide world of music, where the word "influences" often means nothing, bucking any system could cost an artist his or her career.

Punk unit, Burntside, doesn't seem to care about trends. Members of the band are not shy about what they are into. With a new CD and some fresh dates, they've been busy doing what many before them have done: basking in the simple, yet complicated and misunderstood, world of punk.

Recorded in Rockford, the self-titled debut has plenty to offer. A four-song demo, the disc will surely whet any punk appetite. True to the genre, the first cut, "Bad Decisions," is a strong example of why punk music has had so much staying power. Like the Ramones and Misfits, Burntside does not pride itself on drawn-out guitar solos that get so technical they scare off most listeners. The proof of punk's power lies in the lyrics and the melodies, created nicely by this band.

Lyrically, Burntside captures the in-your-face, blue-collar world of fun, frustration and angst, without deep philosophical rock 'n' roll excursions. After all, this is punk, and Burntside does it well, proving it as Shawn Scarpetta belts out "I make bad decisions all the time. ..." The band also pays homage to Glen Danzig and Misfits with a medley of "Martian" and "Vampira," blending the two tunes into one song.

A true-to-form performer, Scarpetta delivers pure punk ranges, staying as far away from high notes as he needs to, driving home classic, monotone verses. The band's only guitar player, the 34-year-old keeps it simple, yet powerful, showing off his true musicianship only when needed.

Bassist Rob Jackson and drummer Dan Marinelli make up the rhythm section battery that keeps up with Scarpetta nicely, locking in all three instruments into the driving melodies. Both Jackson and Marinelli don't get tremendously fancy; however, the holes left at times by only one guitar are filled in well.

Although this disc hardly lacks quality, it is stripped down and raw, without juvenile lyrics, pubescent overtones and melodramatic theatrics, which may prompt fans of Blink 182, +44 or Green Day to pass. It's pure punk—the way it was originated. The New York Dolls, Ramones, Misfits and Velvet Underground would be proud of this effort.

Pulp Reunion Rumors Denied

2007-03-12T19:54:00.000-06:00

Jarvis Cocker has denied he is planning a Pulp reunion.

Despite being joined onstage by Pulp bassist Steve Mackay, auxiliary guitarist Richard Hawley and keyboard played Candida Doyle for a solo show in November, he admitted that he hadn't considered a full-blown reunion.

When asked about it Cocker declared: "Hell would have to freeze over first! No, I don't know. The members of the group are all in touch with each other and all friendly, there have been no deaths that I know of.

"So there is no barrier other than the fact that at the moment I can't really see a point. If it was to seem like the right thing to do then there's no reason why not, but I am certainly not planning it at the moment."

Cocker also said he considered making a Pulp album before making his first solo album 'Jarvis', due to the fact former Pulp member Steve Mackey played on the album (and is also in Jarvis' touring band) along with Richard Hawley, who was also briefly in the Sheffield band.

He said: "If I wanted to make a Pulp record, I would have made one. We talked about that before we did it and also we didn't want to sound like one of his (Hawley's) records, not because I don't like his records, but because that wouldn't do either one of us any favours."

Cocker also considered his musical legacy, he told The Trip Wire: "I hated that term (Britpop) and never considered Pulp to be a part of that...I actually don't think that much interesting music came out of Britpop really, maybe other people would disagree with me."

Source: NME.com

The former Pulp frontman will release his first solo album, Jarvis, April 3 in North America via Rough Trade.

Download: Jarvis Cocker - "Don't Let Him Waste Your Time"

Dylan hears a who

2007-03-12T12:05:00.000-06:00

Monday afternoon time killer: Dylan Hears a Who

7 Dr. Seuss songs done by Highway 60-era dylan (supposedly.) I'll put $10 on the fact that this isn't Dylan, but is sure is good. From the sound quality to the vocal inflections, it's a fun way to kill time.

Indie Labels Reach Deal With FCC

2007-03-12T00:42:00.000-06:00

Could it be that commercial radio is looking to befriend the independent artist? Apparently, amidst all the format-switching and auto-programming, Clear Channel and their kin have perhaps realized they're falling behind where satellite is booming: playing good music.

The American Association Of Independent Music (A2IM), an organization representing independent music in the marketplace, has reached an agreement with four of the major radio outlets (CBS, Citadel, Clear Channel and Entercom), that requires 8,400 half-hour blocks of airtime to be dedicated to independent music. The A2IM's "Rules of Engagement" marks the first step in setting an even bar for independent music on commercial radio.

This comes on the heels of New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer's attack on the questionable relationship between major labels and commercial radio, as well as a recent agreement whereby radio giants would pay the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) $12.5 million in an effort to curb long-standing questionable practices that have been characterized as modern-day payola.

A2IM sent a letter to the FCC urging them to define the parameters between the four major labels (Universal, EMI, Sony BMG and Warner) and commercial radio. After a series of meetings and exchanges between A2IM, the FCC and the radio groups, the three have agreed on the conditions, jumpstarting a independent music campaign that will be led by A2IM, as well as the Future Of Music Coalition (FMC) and American Federation Of Television And Radio Artists (AFTRA), among others.

"This is for the entire music industry, not just for us," explains Peter Gordon, A2IM board member and president of indie label Thirsty Ear. "It has been a fairly murky area for a number of years and without certainty, it can lend itself for certain individuals to take advantage of it. All we've done is create a foundation for a proper business relationship. What [independent labels] have is just as valid and just as exciting as everything else [commercial radio] is playing. And surprise surprise, we might even have better stuff."

The "Rules Of Engagement" consist of eight guidelines, one of which forbids all cash and non-cash consideration made my labels to be reported to the FCC, who could not be reached by press time.

Source: cmj.com

Interviews: The Voyces

2007-03-12T00:08:00.000-06:00

NYC's The Voyces are a five piece band led by singer/songwriter Brian Wurschum and featuring vocalist Jude Kastle, guitarist Steve Dawson, bassist Frank Carreno, and drummer Eric Puente. On May 8th they are set to follow up their international hit single "Relate To Me"(which was featured on Jack Johnson's Thicker Than Water Soundtrack) with their debut LP on Planting Seeds Records' titled "Kissing Like It's Love" - it's a fine blend of 70s AM radio pop and pure California folk/country rock...

If you were making a mix for our readers, what would be the first three songs you'd select?
BRIAN: Camarillo Brillo - Frank Zappa; The Rover - Led Zeppelin; Till The End Of Time - DeVotchKa

JUDE: Our songs: Top of My Lungs, Canyon Ladies, You Can Not Know; Other peoples songs: Fat Bottom Girls Queen IOU Replacements Love Hurts or Hair Of the Dog Nazereth

STEVE: That is an impossible question to answer correctly, but this week, I've been listening to "Coming Up" by Paul Mccartney, "Dissident" by Pearl Jam and "Slit Skirts" by Pete Townshend.

ERIC: sex machine - james brown; now it's on - grandaddy; last goodbye - jeff buckley

Name any musical influence(s)?
BRIAN: Lyrically: Roger Waters, Walter Becker, Randy Newman; Musically: Just mentioning Simon & Garfunkel and Judas Priest should about cover this.

JUDE: The Church, Rod Stewart, The Beatles, Styx, Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty, The Cure, Koko Taylor, Pat Benetar, The Eagles, Otis Redding, Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin, Cowboy Junkies, Lucinda Williams, Willie Nelson.......way too many to mention

STEVE: Frank Zappa , Paul Westerberg, Joni Mitchell, David Bowie, Stevie Wonder, The Beatles, Elvis Costello. Growing up, it was Kiss, Rush, AC/DC & Van Halen.

ERIC: peter gabriel, steely dan, yes, missing persons, steve gadd

What new music are you currently listening to?
BRIAN: Jay - Z, Jenny Lewis.

JUDE: Kissing Like It's Love> The Voyces, Lucinda Williams >West

STEVE: These days, Guided By Voices, Deerhoof, although they are not so new anymore. Some others i cannot think of at this moment. via audio is a great unsigned band from massachsettes. they re-located to NYC.

ERIC: peter gabriel, steely dan, yes, missing persons, steve gadd

Name a band (current or defunct) that would be your dream act to open for on a major tour?
BRIAN: I do not have one. The bands I love the most do not have opening acts. To me, that is part of their allure. So I do not dream of opening for anyone.

JUDE: The Eagles

STEVE: probably David Bowie. The Who, maybe. Led Zeppelin. I don't know. That is something i don't ever think about.

ERIC: i would have liked to open at Woodstock, or any Lollapalooza.

Who, if anyone, would you like to collaborate with?
BRIAN: Jude Kastle, Steve Dawson, Frank Carreno & Eric Puente.

JUDE: Rick Ruben/ Tom Petty

STEVE: Maybe Robert Pollard. Pink Floyd, back in the days of meddle, saucerful, etc... I collaborate with Brian Wurschum of The Voyces and Randy Lord & James Lord of The Fuzz Haunted & that makes me very happy.

ERIC: Frank Zappa

Tell us something about you that we can't find on Google.
BRIAN: Any of the details concerning the absolutely insane week I have just had; my opinions about string theory.

JUDE: I was ran over by my dad when i was 2 years old, i almost died and he became a preacher.

STEVE: I don't wear underwear. you may google it soon, if this prints online, though.

ERIC: I played drums in my high school marching band in the Syracuse Carrier Dome - same place the Rolling Stones played.

Interviews: Helena Josefsson

2007-03-11T16:08:00.000-06:00

Perhaps there’s something in the water, I don’t know, but Sweden has been generating a wave of great artists in all sorts of genres these past years, such as The Knife, Marit Bergman and Peter Bjorn & John. The latest rising star from the north is Helena Josefsson, who’s debut album “Dynamo” recently hit the stores. Taking the liberty to describe her music myself, I would ask you to imagine Kate Bush, Björk and perhaps Regina Spektor collaborating together. Just check out the video below for Helena’s first single, “By Your Side” and you’ll see what I mean. First though, take a moment to read some of this former chewing gum junkie's own words:

If you were making a mix for our readers, what would be the first three songs you'd select?
A mix from my own music would be:
Meadow and Sleepyhead from "Dynamo"
and Spiderweb Suit from Sandy Mouche´s latest album :o)

And if it was other music, I could choose
True Colors with Cyndi Lauper
Hello Earth with Kate Bush
Samson with Regina Spektor

Name any musical influence(s)?
I have a lot of different influences even though I´ve understood it can be hard to hear them in the music!
The Cure (fell in love with Robert Smith when I was a kid and I saw him in the "Close to me" video!)
Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, Marie Fredriksson, Monica Zetterlund, Björk, Kate Bush, Cranberries, Michael Jackson (fell in love with him too!), Mary J Blige, Otis Redding,
Terence Trent D´arby, Nick Drake, Prince. The soundtracks of Astrid Lindgrens stories, and Peter and The Wolf by Prokofjev mean a great deal to me!

What new music are you currently listening to?
I like Joanna Newsom, Jay Jay Johanson, Regina Spektor, Laleh. Prince´s and Kate Bush´s latest albums are fantastic!!

Name a band (current or defunct) that would be your dream act to open for on a major tour?
I think that my music could match Coldplay or U2 tours, I like to make long mantras at the end of my songs live, and that way of forcing the athmosphere is in their music too!

Who, if anyone, would you like to collaborate with?
I would like to produce an album with Prince. I would like to bring my band and Christoffer Lunquist, producer of Dynamo. I believe it could be a fantastic match!
I love the way Prince uses clustres in the vocals and I think his pop-songs (not the funky ones) have something in them that I am trying to do too!

Tell us something about you that we can't find on Google.
I love dancing: flamenco is my latest discovery, but I love the aggression in hip-hop dancing, too!
And one more thing!
When I was around 6 years old I adored chewing gum so much I would scratch off the ones on the ground:o) You know the white things one the asphalt that have been stepped on. And then I would chew them. And I asked my best friend My if I could take hers when she didn´t want it anymore :o)

Helena Josefsson's MySpace

New Wilco album leak news

2007-03-11T13:59:00.000-06:00

So, the new Wilco album leaked last week and if you know where to look, you'll find it.

Did I download it? Yes.

Will I buy it when it comes out? Yes.

Will I send you a copy? No. (go get your own you slacker)

It seems lately that new albums leak all the time, but when one of the most important bands around lets their work filter into the interweb and appear to be unscathed by it, it piques your interest. It's happened to them before and resulted in over $10,000 being raised for Doctors Without Borders. As soon as they announced a listening party last week my first thought was "Why bother with the listening party? Someone will record it and I'll get a copy next week." And viola, here it is.

Unsurprisingly the backlash has begun. From the haters who detest the new stripped-down sound, to the alt.country snobs who want more banjo, there's no shortage of opinions. Honestly, I'm a little surprised by the direction, but so far I like it. The sound is more mellow, closer to the A.M. & Summerteeth songs, and very far away from he experimentation of "A Ghost is Born." But here's the thing about opinions, everybody's got one and you should go form your own.

Parts of the songwriting remind of of Randy Newman, maybe because at a concert in Washington DC last year that NPR broadcasted they did a great cover of Newmann's "Political Science," a tune about xenophobia. Other parts remind me of Bob Dylan, maybe because Jeff Tweedy likes Bob's beard and Dylan went through many phases that didn't really reveal their true beauty to most listeners until years later. Overall It's a great, unexpected left turn in the road that is Wilco.

SXSW Interviews: Hot Live Guys

2007-03-11T07:26:00.000-06:00

Amongst canadian Indie labels heading south in a few days is Transistor 66 Record Co. These guys are from my local town of Winnipeg, Manitoba, and consist of the province's top alt and rock acts.

Before they head out in a few days with the Manitoban contingent, I had a talk with Mike, the Hot Live Guys drummer who is both excited and anxious to scorch his lungs to american cigarettes and enjoy some light american beers on his first time in Texas.

Name any musical influence(s)?
Sir Lord Baltimore, Nazareth, Andrew W.K., Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Prince

What new music are you currently listening to?
This is me speaking for myself and some of these albums may not be that new: Dragonforce - “Inhuman Rampage”, Electro Quarterstaff - “Gretzky”, Landshark (Of the Forest)- “Booze Your Delusions Vol. 1 and 2”, Covert – “S/T”

Name a band (current or defunct) that would be your dream act to open for on a major tour? Van Halen.

Where and when was, according to you, the best show you ever played?
Hmmmm…….there’s two that really stand out but only because of my habit of embarrassing myself…Juno-Fest 2005…Packed show at the Albert….On-Stage Carnage-Both musically and physically (I ended up getting 30 stitches in my back due to an errant back-flip…..Also, Western Canadian Music Awards Showcase 2006…..Got us a couple of industry contacts (Notibly Brent from SXSW)….every act on our record label played that night so it was like a family reunion….Ended up naked in a tub of ice at the end of the evening (Like a family reunion)

Who, if anyone, would you like to collaborate with?
We’re not really a band that collaborates well with others. We were absent on that day in Kindergarten when they taught you how to share.

Tell us something about your band and its members and how you were all brought together to create this band.
This question makes me want to submit an artistically worded response but instead will submit “Mike’s 10-Step Guide to Forming a Band”-

1: Take 1 shitty ska-funk band and a drummer from a punk band
2: Ska-Funk band loses horns, decides to start playing REALLY riffy garage rock, Drummer leaves punk band
3: Drummer from punk band starts going to shows after a 3 year hiatus and notices that shitty ska-funk band is still around
4: Former Drummer for punk band goes to formerly ska-funk band’s show, decides they’re not as bad as they used to be
5: Former Drummer for punk band joins NOW garage rock band as roadie, tries to convince them to kick out drummer
6: Former Drummer for punk band embarrasses garage-rock band on tour by being a wee bit of a drunk
7: Former Drummer for punk band becomes drummer for garage rock band after drummer he tried to get kicked out quits
8: Transistor 66 Records signs garage-rock band after TERRIBLE performance for Hank Fest
9: Garage Rock Band and Record Label officially become “Blood Brothers” by way of a CD titled “Robbin A Bank”
10: World Conquest and Languishing Devotees follow

What's next for Hot Live Guys?
SXSW, Touring with C’mon and Pride Tiger this summer, We’ve got a 7” project we’ve been working on for sometime, and hopefully we’ll finally go to Iceland and Julian can give the Prime Minister his guitar and I can meet Bjork

MySpace
Band Site
Transistor 66 Record Co.

"O Valencia" - The Uncut Version

2007-03-10T16:58:00.000-06:00

While MTV have no problem showing people who intentionally hurt themselves for entertainment value on their channel, they apparently do have a problem with the new video from The Decemberists.

Directed by Aaron Stewart (who's worked with the band before), the video for "O Valencia" clocks in on nearly 10 minutes, although this is probably not the (full) reason why MTV decided to cut it down to less than 5 minutes. No, I'm guessing the guns and violence had something to do with it, although with MTV you never know considering the stuff they do let through the censors.

Anyway, here is "O Valencia" in all it's uncut glory:

Maximo Park to tour U.S. & Canada

2007-03-10T12:09:00.000-06:00

In support of their newest LP, Our Earthly Pleasures, Maximo Park are coming back to North America for the first time in 2 years this July. The 14-date tour includes 3 dates in Canada and hits most major U.S. cities. No word yet on who else might be on the bill, but tickets for the various gigs go on sale this Friday, March 16th.

Our Earthly Pleasures is out on Warp May 8th.

Pre-sale tickets available here.

TOURDATES:
Jul 11 2007
Great Scotts Boston
Jul 12 2007
Webster Hall New York
Jul 13 2007
La Tulipe Montreal
Jul 14 2007
Mod Club Toronto
Jul 16 2007
Double Door Chicago
Jul 17 2007
Varsity Theatre Minneapolis
Jul 19 2007
Larimer Lounge Denver
Jul 20 2007
Club Sound Salt Lake City
Jul 22 2007
Chop Suey Seattle
Jul 23 2007
Richards on Richards Vancouver
Jul 24 2007
Doug Fir Lounge Portland
Jul 26 2007
Popscene San Francisco
Jul 27 2007
El Ray Theatre Los Angeles
Jul 28 2007
Casbah San Diego

Maximopark.com
Maximo Myspace

Sex Sells - Hell Bent For Leather

2007-03-10T11:29:00.000-06:00

When I worshipped at the Judas Priest alter in the 80s, I never made any association that Rob Halford's leather was symbolic of his sexuality or any BDSM culture. I just knew the band were at the forefront of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal and kicked fuckin' ass! Decades later, London's Client are strutting their stuff decked out in leather & fishnets in the video for their latest single "Zerox Machine". I have to admit, they make my motor run a little more than Rob Halford ever did. I'm not saying this video has inspired me to rush out and buy a pair of chaps or anything...I'm just saying that leather looks better on these birds than it did on Rob (or something).

Love screams,"Go On, Take Everything"

2007-03-10T10:19:00.000-06:00

A Santa Ana, Calif., drug rehabilitation center has sued Courtney Love, claiming the singer has repeatedly refused to pay her $181,000 bill for her stay there a year and a half ago.

The lawsuit, filed March 1 in Orange County Superior Court, said Love paid $10,000 when she entered Beau Monde, an oceanfront retreat in Newport Beach in August 2005, but she still owes $181,286.

"Although demanded multiple times by plaintiff, orally and in writing, none of the balance stated has been paid," the lawsuit said.

Love's attorney Howard Weitzman said today the lawsuit "will be resolved to the satisfaction of all parties shortly." A phone message left for Beau Monde's attorney was not immediately returned.

In September 2005, Love was sentenced to 180 days at a drug treatment facility for violating probation in three misdemeanor cases -- one for illegal possession of painkillers, one for being under the influence of a controlled substance in public, and another for assault and battery.

Some of her time, about 11 weeks, was spent at Beau Monde, according to court documents.

From: Billboard.com

Sub Pop Announce New Subsidiary, Hardly Art

2007-03-10T08:52:00.000-06:00

Sub Pop Records have announced a new subsidiary of the label, Hardly Art, which will bring Sub Pop's distribution to smaller bands. The label already has its first band signed, Seattle's Arthur And Yu. The band's debut, In Camera, releases June 19.

Photo: Greg Lutze
"Hardly Art will be run on a much smaller, startup level than Sub Pop [is] currently, and it will work on a much more intimate and spontaneous level when it comes to bands and releases," Moody explains. "So, at the beginning, we'll be working with mostly unsigned and lesser-known bands. Given that it only involves two people and a much smaller budget, going that route makes sense."

Arthur And Yu's debut, according to Moody, is the epitome of why Hardly Art exists. Their Velvet Underground-inspired, experimental rock hit home for the two creators and was exactly the right sound to kick off the new label.

"Arthur And Yu were chosen as the first [band] because we loved their record and wanted to be the ones involved in putting it out," Moody says. "Jonathan had been wanting to get the label started for a while now, but it really had to wait until we found the right band. They are local to Seattle, wonderful people and incredible musicians, and were really excited about what we were starting as a label. It doesn't hurt that their upcoming record is fantastic. Overall, there really couldn't be a better group to start with."

Tracklist:
01. Absurd Heroes Manifesto
02. Come To View (Song For Neil Young)
03. Birds
04. Afterglow
05. Lobby Lights
06. A Thousand Words
07. Lion’s Mouth
08. The Ghost of Old Bull Lee
09. Half Years
10. Black Bear

Source: CMJ.com

Essential Listening: The Kinks

2007-03-09T20:44:00.000-06:00

The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society, released in the autumn of 1968, failed to sell well. A collection of thematically-related vignettes assembled from songs written and recorded over the previous two years, the album lacked a viable single and seemed willfully out of touch with the social and psychedelic music popular at the time. "Village Green" is an intentional refutation of The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper concept piece. Where The Beatles' song cycle is full of countercultural themes and sees John, Paul, George and Ringo taking on an artificial persona as a psychedelic marching band, "Village Green" is sung from the point of view of middle-class Britishers, bewildered by the enormous social shifts of the late 60s. "God save little shops/China cups and virginity" goes the title track.

The album was commercially unsuccessful but well-received by the new underground rock press, particularly in the US, where The Kinks' status as a cult band began to grow. Village Green is now widely considered one of the best rock records of the era, and even yielded an unlikely "hit" of sorts when the album track "Picture Book" was used as the theme music for a popular Hewlett-Packard television commercial in 2004.

Favorite songs from Entertainment!: "Picture Book", "Starstruck"

Source: Wikipedia.org

Peter Hook decides to Freebass

2007-03-09T09:35:00.000-06:00

On the heels of Damon Albarn's 'The Good The Bad & The Queen', New Order bassist Peter Hook has decided to create his own supergroup called Freebass. Yes, Freebass. Subtlety, thy name is Hook.

Said supergroup will include former Smith's bassist & ocassional DJ Andy Rourke, current Primal Scream bassist Mani (formerly of The Stone Roses) and Hook. Vocals will come from contributors such as The Charlatans' Tim Burgess, Oasis ne'er-do-well Liam Gallagher, Stone Roses frontman and current solo artist Ian Brown & Primal Scream's Bobby Gillespie. The band has yet to be signed to a label, but Hook is optimistic.

From Billboard.com: "It's great to write again. I'm really excited about it." And how about new material for pet project New Order? "Its possible," he says, "But I'm not too sure the climate is great for [a New Order album] at the moment."

Billboard Article
XFM interview with Peter Hook

Secretly Canadian SXSW Happenings

2007-03-09T07:28:00.000-06:00

Secretly Canadian will descend on Austin next week, to participate in the monumental sonic jubilee that is South By Southwest. SC is hosting a split showcase with sister labels Jagjaguwar and Dead Oceans on the evening of Thursday, March 15 at Mohawk:.

For more SC action, you can check out their bands at these additional performances:

David Vandervelde:
- Wed. 3/14 - Fader/Levi's party - The Fort - 204 E. 4th St. - 5:15pm
- Thu. 3/15 - Schuba's party - Yard Dog Folk Art Gallery - 1510 S. Congress 2:25pm
- Fri. 3/16 - "Mess With Texas" party - Red Seven (611 E. 7th St) - 3pm
- Sat. 3/17 - Shoutitoutloud music party - The Whiskey Bar (303 W. 5th St.) - 4pm

Richard Swift:
- SCD day party - Carousel Lounge (1110 E. 52nd St.) - 2:20pm

I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness:
- Friday 3/16 - Under The Radar Party - The Belmont - 5:30pm

Catfish Haven:
- Wed. 3/14 - Metro Anniv. Party - Emo's main room - 4:20pm
- Thu. 3/15 - Rainbow by Rainbow West - Chain Drive (504 Willow St. - just south of 1st and Red River, on Town Lake) - 1:30pm
- Fri. 3/16 - Hot Freaks! Day party - Mohawk outside - 12pm

A few downloads from the Jagjaguwar bands:
The Besnard Lakes - "And You Lied To Me", Okkervil River - "The President's Dead" & "Black", Ladyhawk - "War" & "Dugout"

Winter Kids offer a sugar coat

2007-03-08T17:29:00.000-06:00

Drawing comparisons to Pulp, The Wedding Present & Blink 182 - all of which I find rather baffling, mind you - The Winterkids seem poised to be the next buzz band of the moment. A 5-piece of teen/twenty-somethings hailing from the countryside village of Peaslake, the Kids are releasing their first full-length, Memoirs, on April 9th through Rough Trade & Banquet Records.

Preceeding the release, the Winterkids are making a few stops in New York before playing an impossible number of shows at SXSW.

The Winterkids - Tape It
The Winterkids - All The Money

Also available is the video for the first single, 'Tape It' in which you can see lead singer James Snider looks roughly 12 years old. I guess the Kids part of their name is quite literal.

US Tourdates:
03-11 New York, NY Smash It Up Sundays @ Niagara
03-13 New York, NY Live From London @ Mercury Lounge
03-14 Austin, TX - SXSW Levis / Fader Party @ The Fort
03-15 Austin, TX - SXSW The Blind Pig
03-16 Austin, TX - SXSW Austin Convention Center
03-16 Austin, TX - SXSW Pangea Party @ Barcelona
03-16 Ausitn, TX - SXSW Official SXSW Showcase @ Whisky Bar
03-17 Austin, TX - SXSW The Musebox party @ Habana Annex

www.winterkidsmusic.com
www.myspace.com/thewinterkids

New Bright Eyes Download & More!

2007-03-08T16:14:00.000-06:00

Cassadaga, the new full-length from Bright Eyes, will be released on April 10. Pre-orders are now being taken in the Saddle Creek online store. For a limited time, pre-orders will include a special 3" CD (for CD pre-orders) or 7" (for LP pre-orders) with a non-album track! And if that's not enough, pre-orders will ship from here on March 27, two weeks before the release date!

In stores now is first single from the album, Four Winds CD/12". The single includes "Four Winds" (watch video above) plus 5 exclusive b-sides and is now shipping from the online store. Also out now is a new video for "Four Winds." Check it out on the Cassadaga site at Saddle Creek or a video outlet near you.

Download: Bright Eyes - "No One Would Riot For Less"

Here are a few downloads to sample from the Fanatic Promotion line-up:
The Sammies: "Falling Out", "Caretaker"
Ruby Isle: "Atom Bomb", "Into The Black"
Cassette: "Ladybug", "Shaved"

The RIAA hits online radios!

2007-03-08T15:43:00.000-06:00

The RIAA and its allies are catching up to the online world by increasing tarrifs on online radios. CMJ.com has more:

Bad news for those of you who stream online radio, and even worse news for those responsible for streaming it. The Copyright Royalty Board has announced that it will more than double the fees that online music stations must pay to license the music on their sites. According to their press release, the US government sided with an assertion by SoundExchange, the company that collects digital music usage fees on behalf of the recording industry, that streaming audio content online is the same as MP3 downloads. Because both formats allow users to save high-quality content to their hard drives, they should therefore be subject to the same regulations.

This could spell disaster for any number of smaller online stations, most of who currently pay royalties based on a percentage of total revenue, the majority of which they glean from on-site advertising. The new regulations will be based around a per-song, per-listener fee format, which means that every time a song is streamed, the station will be charged. For 2007, the per-song royalty fee has been set at 11 cents, but will see an increase to 19 cents by 2010.

Read more at Raw Rock Radio and saveourinternetradio.com