Lebanese Musician Khalife Jerked Around by Venue

Many moons ago, we posted a track from Lebanese oud player Marcel Khalifé. Khalifé seems like a good dude: in addition to really wailin' on the oud, he's a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization "Artist for Peace". Not even Bono can say the same.

Khalifé has a sizable number of North American tour dates ahead of him over the next few months at places like the Kennedy Center and Boston's Berklee College of Music's Performance Hall. In other words, Khalifé ain't no dimestore oud player, and venues who regularly host Lebanese classical music ought to be honored by his interest.

That's not the case for San Diego's Joan B. Kroc Theatre at the Salvation Army's Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center, who have forced Khalifé to look elsewhere for a place to play in the area. It's not so much that the Kroc Theatre folks don't like the cut of Khalifé's jib: rather, they feel the show would be "divisive" and "unbalanced" without an Israeli performer taking the stage the same night, according to a press release issued by Khalifé's camp.

It's tough to tell if this is political correctness run amok (soon to come at the Kroc: all Swiss music, all the time!) or-- Khalifé being Arab and this being a Christian-run venue in George Bush's America-- something potentially more sinister. A quick glance at the Kroc Center's schedule of events finds several Christmas events on the docket with nary a Jewish/Islamic/Buddhist/snakehandling/what-have-you alternative offered. Long live hypocrisy.

Kudos to the Birch North Park Theater for stepping in and giving Khalifé a gig in San Diego. The full tour roster is available after the jump. [MORE...]

Aphex Twin Plans Rare Live Appearances

Mystery is Aphex Twin's bread and butter. He who is known to his mother as Richard D. James hasn't released an album under the Twin moniker since 2001's Drukqs. While he'll own up to his AFX work, James may or may not be responsible for that Tuss EP. And aside from the websites of his labels Rephlex and Warp and a six-year-old Drukqs micro-site, he has no real web presence of which to speak.

And yet, the guy expects to come waltzing back into our lives like nothing ever happened when he plays four European shows in December. Whatever, mister, you've got a lot of explaining to do! Is that lipstick on your collar?

James' first show goes down December 1 in Rome, but, in keeping with the mystery, no one knows where quite yet. The one date we previously reported is his appearance at the Portishead-curated edition of All Tomorrow's Parties' Nightmare Before Christmas festival, which takes place in Minehead, England from December 7-9. [MORE...]

Photos: Arcade Fire / LCD Soundsystem [Hollywood, CA; 09/20/07]

Photos by Akmal Naim

The stars turned out last night for a concert under the stars as Arcade Fire and LCD Soundsystem rocked the Hollywood Bowl. Tucked in the famous Hollywood hills, under the watchful eye of the Fire's neon cross (now where have we seen that before?) Win Butler and company played a sold out gig to the alleged likes of Jake Gyllenhaal, Drew Barrymore, Rage's Tom Morello, and NBC stars Jason Lee, Rainn Wilson and BJ Novak.

Of course, there were also some non-famous people there, and celebrities and non-celebrities alike chanted the lyrics to "Rebellion (Lies)" to woo Arcade Fire back to the stage for an encore. Butler dedicated "Intervention", from the Fire's politically-charged new album Neon Bible, to "Governor Bush." From Canada, with love. More photos and tour dates below.

ARCADE FIRE




LCD SOUNDSYSTEM



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Yo Majesty Sign to Domino Records, Tour

Hard as fuck Tampa-based electro-rap trio-turned-duo Yo Majesty-- about which everything you've heard is probably true-- have signed with Domino Records in the U.S. and UK, home to the less-frequently-topless likes of Franz Ferdinand and Arctic Monkeys.

One can only hope this is a step towards the completion of a full-length follow up to last year's boss Yo EP; once you've rocked "Kryptonite Pussy" a few times, you're pretty much rendered immobile until you've heard more.

Yo Majesty have quite a few North American dates over the next few weeks; some might go so far as to call it a proper tour. Those of you bothered by getting yelled at, more than partial nudity, or anything awesome should lay back in the cut with that Fergie record. [MORE...]

Mogwai's Bulloch Puts Pacemaker on eBay for Charity

Kicking around on eBay with "Mogwai" in the search bar turns up a lot of records, a few pitstained t-shirts, and some cool Gremlins swag. But a highly sophisticated piece of medical equipment emblazoned with the Mogwai name? Seems as likely as Weezy playing a D.A.R.E. rally. Still, awful soon, you'll find just that. Who says there's no heart in post-rock?

As it turns out, Mogwai drummer Martin Bulloch just replaced his old pacemaker with a shiny new model, and the lads of Mogwai thought it'd be a lark to toss the old thing (after a proper washing, one hopes) onto eBay. Proceeds from the auction will go to the British Heart Foundation. Seems a far worthier (and healthier) cause than the other standard spot to blow eBay money: the liquor store. Thanks for the Stroh's, Fairweather Johnson!

The auction isn't up just yet, but should be soon; the MySpace bulletin from which this news originates hints that "details will follow shortly." For now, here's a helpful link. EDIT: click here to bid. And in other Mogwai news, their drummer just had major invasive surgery! What more do you want!?

UPDATE: This isn't the first time Mogwai have sold a pacemaker on eBay. Crazy.

Iron and Wine Embark on Extended Fall Tour
Sam Beam embarks on extending fall beard

Photo by Kathryn Yu

Give, give, give! It's all Sam Beam and the Iron and Wine crew are doing these days, and they have even less "me" time available this fall with the announcement of another set of North American dates at the end of their previously reported world tour, which kicks off this very weekend in Chicago. Come early and catch Arthur & Yu opening the jaunt's first leg.

And here's some interesting information: Apparently, Beam is releasing his third Iron and Wine album, The Shepherd's Dog (complete with bonus disc), via Sub Pop on September 25. Who knew? [MORE...]

Wolves in the Throne Room Capture Two Hunters, Tour

For their second full length, the folkish (I See a Darkness folkish, not like Trini Lopez) doom metal act Wolves in the Throne Room enlisted Earth, Sunn O))), and Boris producer Randall Dunn, cut back on any and all after-the-fact sound manipulation, and emerged with Two Hunters.

Over four songs-- and with the help of experimental vocalist Jessica Kinney-- the band have crafted a real sludgepot. Should be awesome. Find out for sure when the disc drops September 25 via Southern Lord.

You want more, do you? Well, catch these Wolves around the U.S. (and Canada, but once) with a good chunk of the avant-metal underground, including Jesu. Best bring an extra set of earplugs or two. [MORE...]

Boredoms' Eye, Torske Fix Up New Lindstrom EP

And you thought the Feedelity Affair was an, uh, fidelity affair! On his new EP, Hans-Peter Lindstrøm's going all monogamous on the tracklist front, though he'll mix it up with the likes of a Boredom and another dude with that cool crossed-out O in his name. Scandalous!

The previously mentioned Contemporary Fix EP features four takes on the Feedelity closer: two by Lindstrøm (who supplements the original with a "Serious Syntoms" version), one by Boredoms mastermind Eye, and one from L-boogie's countryman Bjørn Torske. (Alas, no remix from Justin Van Der Volgen of !!!, despite our earlier report.) A person could buy the Contemporary Fix EP October 15 across the pond on the Smalltown Supersound label, if a person were so inclined.

And, if you're feeling really adventurous, get your Lindstrøm fix by hopping over to one of the man's upcoming laptop gigs, where he'll be alternating clicks and clacks to your pacemaker's delight. [MORE...]

Report: Mastodon's Brent Hinds' Head Injury a Result of Fight With System of a Down Bassist
"Hinds took off his shirt and hit Odadjian with it, then struck Hudson in both the face and chest, prompting Odadjian to advise Hinds 'to relax' several times."

Sadly, it looks like the post-VMAs head injury Mastodon guitarist/vocalist Brent Hinds suffered in the early morning hours of September 10 may have been more his fault than previously imagined.

According to a Las Vegas Weekly report by Aaron Thompson, Hinds' injuries ("brain hemorrhaging, a broken nose, and two black eyes") were the result of an altercation between him, System of a Down bassist Shavo Odadjian, and another musician, William Hudson.

Thompson cites a Las Vegas Metro police report "based on firsthand accounts and corroborated by hotel-security video footage" in describing "an inebriated Hinds...leaving Mandalay Bay [Hotel and Casino] around three a.m. when he encountered Odadjian and musician William Hudson at the hotel's west valet area. Hinds took off his shirt and hit Odadjian with it, then struck Hudson in both the face and chest, prompting Odadjian to advise Hinds 'to relax' several times.

"The police report then indicates both Odadjian and Hudson punched Hinds in the face, knocking him to the ground. An unidentified friend of Hinds, who reportedly witnessed the event, rushed to the musician's aid and apologized to Odadjian and Hudson, saying Hinds was 'just drunk.'

"No charges had been filed at press time, though the police report lists Hudson as a 'suspect,' facing a possible charge of 'battery with substantial bodily harm.' The police report lists Odadjian as a 'witness.'"

When asked for a response to the Las Vegas Weekly story, Mastodon's publicist said, "Brent has begun writing and wants to just put all this past him for the moment."

As we passingly mentioned in a story about Queens of the Stone Age's Anthony Bourdain holiday special, Hinds is recovering well from his injuries. According to Thompson's report, he was released from University Medical Center of Southern Nevada on Friday, September 14.

Bloc Party / Deerhoof Collision Expected Tonight

Having fulfilled their purpose on this earth recently-- playing an actual block party-- you'd think Britain's own Bloc Party would be ready to hang up their hats. As it turns out, though, the quartet will keep those hats and then hang onto them for dear life: beginning tonight (September 21) in Houston, their previously reported tour kicks into high gear with the addition of a hyperactive little opening agent known as Deerhoof.

Provided Bloc Party make it through tonight's gig and seven more thereafter (Smoosh will also be at most shows to cheer them on), they'll escape the caffeinated clutches of Deerhoof and do a couple more rounds of touring in the U.S. and Europe before the year's out.

Deerhoof, for their part, have some post-Party European escapades of their own lined up. Hopefully you caught the recent mp3-only Deerhoof rarities/remixes/outtakes/live collection via Forkcast, and perhaps you've seen that Dedication flick with the new Deerhoof songs? The film's in theaters now and the soundtrack's already on shelves, so get on that, yo. [MORE...]

Photos: The National / St. Vincent [Omaha, NE; 09/19/07]

Photos by Paparazzi by Appointment

Things slowed down a bit in Omaha last night, as the Boss-loving National came through town on their huge tour in support of the lauded LP, Boxer.

Annie Clark, aka St. Vincent, opened the show with some tunes from her also-praiseworthy album Marry Me, shredding on her favorite Silvertone "red hornet." More photos and tour dates below.

THE NATIONAL






ST. VINCENT





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Hot Hot Heat's Bays Talks Happiness, Sadness
"All of a sudden I went from not even knowing if I wanted to make music to actually only wanting to do that 24/7."

Breakdowns, makeups, megaproducers, and a few stray synthesizer bleats later, Victoria, British Columbia's Hot Hot Heat have made their way to Happiness LTD., their follow-up to 2005's Elevator. Laden with left-field instrumental turns and layered with production work by, among others, modern rock hitmakers Rob Cavallo and Butch Walker, Happiness LTD.-- out now on Warner Brothers/Sire-- marks the former Sub Poppers' second album for a major label.

According to HHH vocalist Steve Bays, the Happiness sessions were the first time the band struck a truly comfortable balance between ambition and execution. "The first record we did, it was literally documenting what was done at our jam-spot and it was recorded at Mushroom Studios in six days. The second record, we wanted to do a full-on, big, whole 'L.A. thing' and go into an L.A. studio. We wanted to do [Happiness] in our hometown for most of it and have our friends there and it was almost-- I don't want to say a big party because that kind of trivializes it-- but it was definitely a lot of people hanging out and exchanging ideas and it was like a giant experiment. And in the end, we just had a ton of songs and we picked the eleven songs that seemed to fit the theme that started to emerge by the end of it." [MORE...]

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