Flipper Recording New Album With Krist Novoselic
Photo by 200pockets.comLauded hardcore/noise-rock pioneers Flipper have extended their partnership with Krist Novoselic-- the former bassist of some group called Nirvana-- from touring to the recording of a new album, Flipper's first in 15 years, according to a Billboard.com report.
The album is currently untitled, but drummer Steve DePace told Billboard.com that recording is "99% there, if not done. We've got 10 songs, and we just did another round of mixing. The album sounds great. I think it's some of our best work ever. That also is an indicator for more future songs to come. We know we can write songs with Krist now that sound just like Flipper."
Among those new songs are "Be a Good Child", "Night Falls Like Dirt Rocks", and "Triple Mass Murder Suicide", which drew its inspiration from the Virginia Tech shootings, according to the report. Hey, if Nirvana could make "Rape Me" work...
DePace also explained in the interview how Novoselic's 2006 entry into the band came about. After previous bassist Bruno DeSmartass left before Flipper's performance at the Thurston Moore-curated All Tomorrow's Parties, "I chatted with Thurston and told him that I had this idea to contact Krist Novoselic. Thurston called Krist, and he said, 'Absolutely, I'd be honored.'"
The Billboard.com story also mentions a few other Flipper projects scheduled for this year: a possible tour in the spring and summer, a DVD of archival performance footage called Flipper Live: Target Video 1980-81 coming out February 19 via Music Video Distributors, and tentative plans to reissue the band's entire back catalog.
In other Novoselic news, the dude is still political-blogging once a week for Seattle Weekly right here.
Radiohead Manager Explains Amplive Remix Snafu
It was only yesterday when we left you with the sad tale of Oakland producer/DJ Amplive and his awfully sticky run in with some red tape.Amplive, as you may recall, recently whipped up a little treat entitled Rainydayz Remixes using Radiohead's In Rainbows as the jump off. He planned to give the thing away to any interested parties willing to prove they'd ever done something (for instance, screaming real loud) to merit an e-mail from Radiohead's W.A.S.T.E. online store. Things were both peachy and keen until December 18, when Amplive was contacted by Radiohead publishers Warner/Chappell informing him he'd better cease and desist, or else. He did, and that's where we left off.
Today, Radiohead's manager Bryce Edge explained to Gigwise (via ateaseweb) just exactly what's up with the missive fired in Amplive's direction. After declaring that he wasn't aware whether or not "the band have even heard [Rainydayz Remixes]," Edge claimed the Radiohead machinery took some umbrage with the fact that Amplive posted an image of Thom Yorke on his website when promoting Rainydayz Remixes, which they claim implies the man's participation in the project.
He went on to add, "When we heard that you had to send a confirmation email from W.A.S.T.E to get the album, we thought, 'That's a bit naughty!'" Never mind that the point of that "naughty" gesture was, ostensibly, only to get this material into the ears of bona fide Radiohead fans. Or that Amplive was giving away something for free to a bunch of people who probably didn't pay a cent for it and almost certainly already owned it in its original form.
Edge also noted that "Amplive had never even come to the band telling them about his idea, which would have been nice. I know he had good intentions, but I think he's misled people." Leaving well enough alone the feasibility of a relatively obscure Oakland DJ getting a word in with one of the biggest bands in the world about his pet project, is this argument really about a friggin' JPEG?
Edge wraps his comments by proposing that "what needs to happen is that [Amplive] needs to make a statement on his website telling people that the album has nothing to do with Radiohead and he should advise [the band] to listen to the album there." Amplive has already complied with the first part of the suggestion (see: his MySpace), but the second, one reckons, is contingent on further directives on the matter from Radiohead or the hungry phalanx of lawyers that follows them around.
Califone Members Soundtrack Brent Green Movies Live
As do Fugazi's Brendan Canty, Fred Lonberg-Holm
Now that their shows with Iron & Wine are over, the dudes in Califone are basking in the glory of a tour well done and plotting their next collaborative venture. That venture takes the form of some gigs providing live soundtracks to animated movies by Brent Green. Green, as you may recall, directed the spooky clip for Roots and Crowns' "Spider's House".
These shows take place everywhere from Houston to NYC to Park City, Utah for the Sundance Film Festival, and honestly, the entire schedule gets a little bit confusing because there are different lineups at every stop (including one with Fugazi's Brendan Canty!!).
Nonetheless, the full list of Califone/Green collaborative shows can be found after the jump, with all the relevant info simplified a bit. [MORE...]
MMJ, Wrens, Mekons Folks Aid New Orleans Musicians
As do Kimya Dawson, Timothy Bracy (ex-Mendoza Line), Janet Bean (Freakwater)
January 10, in the Parish Room of the New Orleans House of Blues, Jon Langford and Sally Timms of the Mekons, Patrick Hallahan of My Morning Jacket, Charles Bissell of the Wrens, Kimya Dawson, Janet Bean of Freakwater, Timothy Bracy (ex-Mendoza Line), and a bunch of dudes from Bonerrama will perform at an event co-sponsored by the Future of Music Coalition and Air Traffic Control.
The following night, Bonerrama and OK Go will perform at Tipitina's, with proceeds from that gig going to both Sweet Home New Orleans and Al "Carnival Time" Johnson, author of the unofficial Mardi Gras theme from which his nickname is derived. OK Go and Bonerrama jointly recorded a charity EP entitled You're Not Alone, out February 5. The disc sports a cover of Dylan's "I Shall Be Released" featuring Johnson on vocals.
The Go! Team Tour Away Winter Languor
Photo by Nilina Mason-CampbellYou know that friend of yours who's really into the Go! Team? The one who uses, say, "Huddle Formation" as their auditory double-shot, blasting that sucker every time he or she needs to get things accomplished? That's an awfully efficient friend, I'll bet. Just imagine how much your pal Zippy would get done if he/she were actually in the Go! Team, and lighting that particular fire under his/her own hindparts? Why, they'd be a human dynamo!
Well, your productive pal is (almost certainly) not in the Go! Team, but guess who is? That's right, the Go! Team are! And the self-powered Brightonites will blast through both the UK and Portugal in the weeks, right after they wrap up their previously announced journey Down Under. Hurry on up and see these guys already, willya? [MORE...]
Walkmen, White Williams, Bon Iver Play Chicago Fest
Plus: Cadence Weapon, White Rabbits, Nomo, John Vanderslice, Cloud Cult
20-odd acts will take the stage of the Lakeview club over five nights in mid-January, from the likes of the Walkmen, White Williams, Bon Iver, Cadence Weapon, and White Rabbits to Nomo, Cloud Cult, Illinois, John Vanderslice, Ecstatic Sunshine, and Young Galaxy. It all begins January 16.
In addition, the Paul Green Chicago School of Rock Music will perform its Southern roots rock tribute set during the afternoons of January 19-20. [MORE...]
The Streets' Skinner Retires the Beats Label
Mike Skinner, aka the Streets, put his label the Beats out to pasture last month. In a little ceremony that took place the Friday before Christmas, Skinner and fellow label head Ted Mayhem gave a speech and had a poetry reading, while Skinner performed a song as a sort of eulogy in the presence of friends of the label.While it existed, the Beats served as the home of the Mitchell Brothers, Professor Green, Trim, Example, and Neon Hitch, among others. A limerick addressed from "Warner Bros Promotions" and pictured below (via Skinner's MySpace blog) explains the Beats' retirement concisely: "the profit margins got thinner and thinner."
Skinner spoke to NME.com today and elaborated a little on the decision to end the Beats (no rhymes here, alas): "It just comes down to the fact that the traditional record label is dead. The Beats represents me growing up. Spectating was more nerve-wracking than performing. What I'm doing now is looking for the thing you can create that embraces the next generation. I'm really into what you can do online and I'd rather be at the center of it." Insert obligatory Radiohead mention here.
As for Skinner's live-instrumentation follow-up to 2006's The Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living, it's still coming along slowly but steadily. He's obviously overshot his goal of a release by Christmas, but he hasn't announced a make-up release date. May we suggest he title the album It'll Get There When It Gets There?
Raveonettes Plot Tours of North America, Italy
Lust Lust Lust North American bonus tracks revealed
To herald Lust's transatlantic voyage, the Raveonettes will hit the roads of North America throughout winter and into spring. SXSW is indeed on the docket. It all kicks off proper February 29 in San Diego, although the Danes have a lone NYC date and a jaunt through Italy planned for the weeks leading up to then. [MORE...]
Robyn Announces U.S. Tour Dates!
Rakamonie EP coming to the States as well
Following a few European dates next week and an exhaustive search for a suitcase big enough for all the costumes, Swedish sensation Robyn will meet the bright lights of big city New York February 5. She'll then make her way to California for a pair of dates later in the week. Indeed, that's it for Stateside appearances at the moment, but those three gigs beat the hell outta the zero we've been getting these last few years. Thanks to BrooklynVegan for the tour tip-off.
It seems Robyn herself will make it to the States before the (still awesome) Robyn does, as that's tentatively scheduled for an April release over here. Not at all tentative whatsoever: a slightly updated Rakamonie EP, which will hit North American shelves January 29 on Konichiwa/Cherrytree/Interscope. And fans the world over should be alert to the many versions of her "Be Mine" single still trickling out as I write this. [MORE...]
Jose Gonzalez Goes Green for North American Tour
Photo by Akmal NaimJosé González sees trouble down the line, and-- like a singin' Swedish Al Gore-- he intends to do something about it. He's partnered up with sustainable energy boosters Reverb for a month-long "Green Tour" of North America that kicks off in Florida on leap day.
Reverb will assist González in calculating and then canceling out the carbon emissions his tour produces, provide his crew with biodegradable catering supplies and reusable water bottles, and occasionally reenact their favorite scenes from "Captain Planet".
All of these efforts will help make Mr. González's tour carbon-neutral. Hey! That's today's A.Word.A.Day!
A portion of ticket costs will go to support Reverb's mission, while those who preorder their tickets from Ticketstoday.com can opt to support NativeEnergy's carbon offset program as well. What's more, any and all show-goers can further bolster González's green efforts by purchasing a special decal.
José's got a few dates this month in that Southern Hemisphere before he goes green on us. And, in a delicious morsel of irony, he'll break up his energy-saving tour with an appearance at the PLUG Awards, where he'll perform and possibly accept trophies for Male Artist of the Year and Americana Album of the Year for In Our Nature. Get it? Plug? Energy? You were right not to laugh. [MORE...]
Under Byen Enlist Symphonic Help on New EP
Of all the nifty little hooks you can use to unload an EP, Under Byen's Siamesisk EP employs perhaps the perfect trifecta. It's live, it's symphonic, and it casts a new light on a few old favorites from the Danish octet's back catalog.Set to tape at an April 2007 concert in Under Byen's native Copenhagen and featuring the 42-piece Danish Radio Orchestra Sinfonietta, the Siamesisk EP strings along four tracks from UB's fine Samme Stof Som Stof LP and one old favorite besides. The disc emerges in Denmark February 18 on Morningside, though it'll hit North America March 27 from Paper Bag Records. Both issues are strictly limited to 2,000 copies.
And heck, why not, here are a few photos from the gig, taken by Hans Hauge:
[MORE...]
Black Mountain Add Dates With Bon Iver
Plus: Blood on the Wall, Ladyhawk
If joint tours were breakfast cereals, the upcoming Bon Iver/Black Mountain jag would be (an actually good) granola to Girl Talk and Dan Deacon's mixture of Trix and Count Chocula.
The Jagjaguwar labelmates' stars will align for a run of North American dates together beginning February 19, the same day the label releases Bon Iver's For Emma, Forever Ago to a wider audience. In the more immediate future, Black Mountain's In the Future comes out January 22 on Jagjaguwar.
Both bands have dates apart as well, with Black Mountain's trek with Bon Iver bookended by runs with Blood on the Wall, Ladyhawk, and, as previously reported, Howlin Rain. Black Mountain kick the whole thing off January 31 in Seattle. [MORE...]
Do you have a news tip for us? Anything crazy happen at a show you attended recently? Do you have inside info on the bands we cover? Is one of your favorite artists (that's not somebody you know personally) releasing a new record you'd like to see covered? You will remain completely anonymous, unless we are given your express permission to reveal your identity. (Please note that publicists, managers, booking agents, and other artist representatives are generally exempt from this rule, but will also be granted anonymity if requested.)
Fri: 01-04-08: 04:00 PM CST
Radiohead Manager Explains Amplive Remix Snafu
Fri: 01-04-08: 03:15 PM CST
MMJ, Wrens, Mekons Folks Aid New Orleans Musicians
Fri: 01-04-08: 02:45 PM CST
The Go! Team Tour Away Winter Languor
Fri: 01-04-08: 01:50 PM CST
The Streets' Skinner Retires the Beats Label
Fri: 01-04-08: 12:45 PM CST
Robyn Announces U.S. Tour Dates!
- Flipper Recording New Album With Krist Novoselic
- Califone Members Soundtrack Brent Green Movies Live
- Walkmen, White Williams, Bon Iver Play Chicago Fest
- Raveonettes Plot Tours of North America, Italy
- Jose Gonzalez Goes Green for North American Tour
Browse
- Amplive Nixes Radiohead Remixes at Warner's Demand
- The Fiery Furnaces Add Dates, Surprise Surprise
- Casiotone Drops a Few Singles, Plays a Few Gigs
- Fennesz Releases Two New Singles
- No Age, Mae Shi, Cline Play Smell Anniversary Shows
- Man Man Adopt Rabbit Habits, Tour U.S.
- Yo La Tengo's Ira Kaplan DJs on WFMU
- Beyonce PWNS Kanye in Connect Four
- Hot Chip Reveal Made Tracklist, Single, New Dates
- M83 Reveals Full Album Details
- Grand Archives Reveal Sub Pop Debut Details, Dates
- Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks Tour for Trash
- Boredoms to Invade America This Spring
- Xiu Xiu Bolster Lovers With DVD, iTunes Exclusives
- Beck's Odelay Given Deluxe Reissue Treatment
- Smashing Pumpkins Issue New EP Today
- Cat Power Plots Jukebox Tour
- R.E.M. Gear Up to Accelerate on New LP
- Oberst Woos Iowans for Obama
- Evan Farrell (Magnolia Electric Co./Rogue Wave) R.I.P.
- Panda Bear Designs Sweatshirts
- Neko Case Schedules Winter Shows
- Bjork Discusses "Independence", Videos, Grammys
- While We Were Out
- Radiohead Celebrate New Year With Webcast
- Jay-Z Leaves Def Jam Presidency
- R.I.P. Oscar Peterson, 1925-2007
- Kim Deal Talks New Breeders Album, Pixies, German
- Country Singer J.D. "Cast" King R.I.P.
- Minor Threat Turns Condiment, But Ian Doesn't Mind
- Pollard Records 7" With Decemberists, Quasi Members
- Los Campesinos! Reveal Album Tracklist, Release Date
- Swell Return With New Album, Rarities Collection
- Mission of Burma Have a Burmese Mission
- Oldham, Faun Fables Release Letting Go Demos
- Photos: GZA Performs Liquid Swords [New York, NY; 12/13/07]
- Thrill Jockey B-Day Bash: Become Yr Fave Album Cover!
- The Decemberists to Return to the Road in January
- Rocket From the Crypt Resurrected on Live CD/DVD
- Lupe Fiasco Plots Sizable U.S. Tour, Cool Happenings
- Radiohead Reveal Cool In Rainbows CD Packaging
- Kindercore Serves Up Xmas Charity Comp/Comic Book
- Black Lips Release Very Limited Edition Single
- Portastatic, Annuals, Rosebuds Rock Trekky Recs Xmas
- Beach House Team With Papercuts for 2008 Tour
- Labels Seek Apology From Rolling Stone for Camel Ad
- Electrelane Organize Anti-Trafficking Benefit
- Donations Sought for Ailing Country Singer Cast King
- Madonna, Leonard Cohen Inducted Into Rock Hall
- Harry Potter Bands Rock Against Media Consolidation
- My Bloody Valentine Headline Benicassim Festival
- Sambassadeur Let Migration Free in the States
- Kevin Barnes, Jeff Mangum in Wacky Elephant 6 Movie
- Liars, No Age Announce Joint Tour
- Justice Release "Phantom" Single
- Stephen Malkmus Talks Trash
- Ike Turner R.I.P.
- Calexico Tour-Only Jams Now Digital Via Touch & Go
- Bradford Cox Publicly Apologizes to Samara Lubelski
- Yorke Preps 12"s With Field, Four Tet, Burial Remixes
- Diplo Remixes Spoon's "Don't You Evah" for Charity
- Robyn Invites Us to "Be Mine" on Latest Single, Dates
- Morrissey Reveals New Single Details
- Liars, No Age Members Team for Sissy Spacek Show
- Black Lips Add Tour Dates (Yep) Again
- Explosions to "Drop off the Face of the Earth" After Tour
- Yeasayer Announce Big 2008 Tour
- Final Fantasy Song Jacked for Ad Leads to
AngerLawsuitTotally Sweet Music Festival - Okkervil River Drop Free Covers Mixtape, Add Gigs
- The Mars Volta Whip Up More Dates
- Radiohead Pad Out Tour With New Dates
- Jens Lekman Plots 2008 Dates
- Photos: ATP's Nightmare Before Christmas [Minehead, England; 12/07-12/09/07]
- Marina Leaves Bonde do Role
- Ghostface, Raekwon, Kweli Guest on New Hi-Tek Disc
- Built to Spill Keep on Trucking Into 2008
- The Cure Lend Guitar to West Memphis Three Auction
- RZA Sets out on Solo Tour, Wu-Tang Clan Add Dates
- Un-T.V. Eye: December 10-16, 2007
- Various Production Leave XL, Plan Releases
- Clark Sneaks Out New EP, Preps Album, Tours
- Wilco to Play "The Complete Wilco" in Chicago
- Silver Mt. Zion Overcome Triskaidekaphobia on 13 Blues
- David Pajo's Dead Child Plan Attack on Quarterstick
- Cat Power Plans Charity Mission Abroad
- Bonde do Role Cancel Remaining Tour Dates
- Photos: Primavera Club Festival [Barcelona, Spain; 12/03-12/08/07]
- Mirah, the Blow Team Up for West Coast Tour
- Black Mountain Announce West Coast Dates
- Albert Hammond Jr. Talks New LP, Songcraft, Strokes
- Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings Add Winter Dates
- Too $hort(!) Contributes to In Rainbows Remix Record
- Robyn, I'm From Barcelona, Shining Play EuroSonic
- Karlheinz Stockhausen R.I.P.
- Kanye, Wilco, Flaming Lips Items in Darfur Auction
- Dead Meadow Herald New LP With Show, Pre-Release
- Waits, Weller, B-more Club on "The Wire" Soundtracks
- The Mountain Goats Reveal 2008 Dates
- Photos: Dewey Cox and the Hard Walkers [Chicago, IL; 12/06/07]
- Sufjan to Play Tibet House Benefit
- Bjork "Declares" New Single Details
- Underworld Reschedule Tour
- Murdoch, Albarn, Harvey Write Charity Postcards
- Dan Deacon to Greyhound Buses: Fuck You!
- HEALTH Sketch Out 2008 Dates
- Malkmus/Jicks Reveal Emotional Trash Tracklist
- Camel, Rolling Stone Under Fire for Indie Rock Ad
- DeVotchKa Sign to Anti-, Ready New Album
- Wilco Announce Spring U.S. Tour
- Mike Patton Lends Voice to Creatures in I Am Legend
- Nick Cave Announces Single, Soundtrack Releases
- Photos: David Shrigley's Worried Noodles in Concert [New York, NY; 12/05/07]
- Bauhaus Mark Final Breakup With Final Album
- Destroyer, Amy Millan, Tokyo Police Club on CBC Comp
- Photos: Yo La Tengo Hanukkah Show [Hoboken, NJ; 12/04/07]
- Atlas Sound Announces North American Tour
- Hot Chip Reveal Intimate U.S. Shows
- Nas, Rihanna, Method Man Rarities on Def Jam Comp
- Jason Isbell (ex-Drive-By Truckers) Does Big Tour
- Photos: Kevin Drew with Metric's Jimmy Shaw and Chikita Violenta [Mexico City, Mexico; 12/03/07]
- Antony Announces New Album Title, Bjork Video
- Silver Jews Reveal Lookout Tracklist, 2008 Live Plans
- Earth Return With New Album, Live Dates
- M.A.N.D.Y. Craft Fabric 38 With Boratto, Booka Shade
- Photos: Deerhoof with Ken Kagami [Miami, FL; 12/04/07]
- Radiohead Freeloading to End December 10
- Art Brut Line Up 2008 Dates
- Nick Lowe Reissues, Expands Jesus of Cool
- The Futureheads Reunite With the Road